by T. J. Honey
They walked back to the patio, found an empty table and sat down. “Laura, what’s up with you and Ronnie? Are you two friends or something?”
Maddie wasn’t happy about how friendly Laura had acted toward Ronnie and she wanted to know what was going on.
“What’s up with you, Maddie? Ronnie and I went out a few times a couple of years ago when he got home from school. What’s the problem?”
She acted like nothing had ever happened. Maddie took a sip of her drink to keep calm and continued the conversation, “Laura, don’t you remember the summer we were fifteen? Remember, I told you Ronnie Hatcher attacked me in my aunt’s boathouse? How could you forget that?”
She couldn’t believe that Laura could ever forget such a huge thing. Maddie had been so humiliated and scared that they’d stayed up all night thinking up things they could do to teach him a lesson and get back at him.
“Oh,” she said, rolling the o around in her vocal chords, “That’s right! Wow, how could I forget that? After all these years it just slipped my mind. I do remember that… now that you mention it… yeah, but God Maddie, we were kids and that was ages ago. You know, forgive and forget? He’s a different person now and actually he’s really nice. And I could tell you noticed… gorgeous!”
Maddie could have burned a hole through Laura with her angry eyes. Her cheeks flared a crimson red, she was getting so pissed. Letting Laura have it, she screamed at her, “I didn’t forget Laura… It traumatized me for a long time after I got back home.”
She was indignant, but in the logical part of her mind, thought that maybe it was in the past after all and Laura was probably right. She let her anger subside a little and decided not to think about it anymore that night. After all, she was on vacation, it was the 4 Of July, and she was there to have a great time. She would sort out her feelings later.
“Let’s just forget about it Laura.” Maddie said, trying to lighten her tone, “Let’s get really drunk tonight and have some fun, okay?”
She tried to sound as happy as she could, but she could see that the feeling between them had been dampened. They hadn’t seen each other all year and Maddie wanted them to have a great time. She continued, still trying to change Laura’s mood.
“Come on, Laura, Let's party our brains out tonight, please? We can get falling down drunk and let our hair down!”
She was finally getting through to her. Maddie’s excitement reignited Laura and she smiled and nodded, “Okay, I’m in.”
Sipping their drinks, they began sharing about their year… what they’d been doing… their plans for the fall, when BB appeared, “Hey Ladies, got room for one more?”
“Sure BB,” Maddie felt the mood relax even more as BB sat with a thud and grinned at both of them.
“So, what are you two ladies up too? Scout out any handsome fellas yet?”
She threw her head back with a roaring laugh. Both Laura and Maddie blushed and tried to hide their embarrassment. Talking about guys in front of Aunt BB was not something they felt comfortable doing. Even though they were both twenty-two now, they were still a little naïve about the opposite sex.
“Not yet BB,” Maddie wished that she could crawl under the table. She certainly didn’t want to discuss her love life with her aunt.
BB kept on, “Well, I saw a couple a real cute guys over by the boathouse a little while ago and I think I even saw Ronnie, the Hatcher boy you were asking me about earlier.”
Oh damn! Now Laura knows I was asking about him. I wonder what she’ll think. Maddie took a sip of her drink, swallowed slowly, and then blurted out, “Yeah, we ran into him in the kitchen, he seems like a nice guy.”
She didn’t say how hot he was or how attracted she was to him, or that her knees went weak when she heard his voice and looked into his eyes!
With everyone continuing to bring him up, forgetting about him would not be easy. Plus, she’d felt a spark between them… even turned on, and she was trying to figure out why, although he was so sexy and sultry and had a body to die for, it should have been obvious, but she was confused just the same.
Maddie changed the subject, “So, what time does the bonfire get started?”
“Pretty soon, I think. Your Uncle Don went down with the guys to gather the wood and get it going. It shouldn’t be long now.”
Thank God she was able to divert the conversation.
“Great, I think I’ll get another drink and walk down there, you coming Laura?”
“Sure.”
“Wanna come with us BB?” she asked, not wanting to be rude.
“No, you girls run along, I think I see Betty Hatcher. I’m gonna go over and talk to her. I haven’t seen her in so long.” She jumped up, headed into the crowd and disappeared.
As they side stepped people, on the way to the kitchen, Laura said in a chiding tone,
“So, you still seem pretty worked up over seeing Ronnie here. You were asking your aunt about him earlier? Maybe you’re more interested in him than you’re letting on, huh?” she laughed.
Maddie felt the anger and frustration beginning to rise in her again, “God no, I just didn’t want any uncomfortable situations. I’m sure he remembers what he did to me. I don’t think that’s something you forget.”
She knew Laura had noticed her immediate reaction to Ronnie when he took them by surprise in the kitchen and Maddie wanted to defuse any thoughts that she might be entertaining.
“Hey Laura, let’s just forget about it and have fun. Maybe there are some cute guys here tonight that we can hook up with and get crazy. I’m on vacation and I need to have some serious fun if ya know what I mean.”
Maddie laughed, hoping again to divert Laura’s attention away from Ronnie.
“Now you’re talking.”
Laura reached deep into her glass, swirled her drink with her finger and took the last sip.
They got to the kitchen with no sign of Ronnie anywhere. There was just enough of the yellow liquid in the blender for two more drinks. Laura poured; they clinked their glasses together, toasted to a great evening, and headed out of the kitchen back through the crowd toward the river. The sun was just going down and Maddie was getting excited for the evening festivities. She tried not to think about Ronnie anymore, but she kept seeing his chiseled face in her mind and wondered what it would be like to kiss him.
Chapter Three
Maddie felt tipsy as she approached the bonfire. She was on her second drink, but BB’s margaritas were strong and she’d forgotten to eat with all the preparation of the day. She tripped over a piece of driftwood and caught herself. Better be careful Maddie! Don’t make a fool out of yourself.
Just as that thought ran through her head she turned and caught her heel in the sand. Her feet came out from under her and she began to fall in slow motion toward the glowing flames of the bonfire. Laura screamed and tried to grab her arm, but Maddie slipped out of her grasp and kept falling... a slow nightmarish fall into the depths of hell. The heavy smell of smoke hit her nostrils, choking her, and she could feel the heat of the fire at her back as she fell closer to the flames.
All of a sudden, strong arms lifted her as fell. Hands were frantically brushing off her backside in a panic.
“Oh my God, Maddie, are you okay?” a concerned male voice said, as she hung in his arms dazed. She didn’t know who was holding her, but she was grateful as hell to be on the sand and not in the bonfire. She looked up into the piercing blue eyes of Ronnie Hatcher… thankful, yet surprised. Did that just happen? She wondered to herself still in a fog and totally embarrassed. Did I really trip and almost fall into the fire? Am I really standing here with Ronnie Hatcher’s arms around me?
She tried to calm down and Ronnie asked her again, but this time his voice was soft and caring, “Maddie, are you ok?” Still holding her tightly, he gently brushed some ash away from her cheek. Their eyes locked for just a moment, “That was quite a scare you gave us.”
“Yes, yes, I think so,” she mumbled, still
feeling out of it, “Th… thank you Ronnie, you saved my life,” she said gratefully.
He steadied her in the sand taking his arms away, “Maddie, can you stand by yourself, are you burned anywhere?”
Taking inventory, she felt her backside… a little singed, but no serious damage. She was just scared and embarrassed.
“No, no Ronnie, I think I’m ok, still a little shaken that’s all.”
Uncle Don and a small group had gathered around her, and Laura still had a horrified look on her face. They were all talking at once, asking Maddie if she was ok.
Ronnie announced, “She’s ok folks, just a little scared. I’m gonna take her over to the dock to let her calm down a little. She’ll be fine.”
He put his arm around her again and led her away from the crowd, “Is that okay with you Maddie?” She nodded as they continued to walk.
Laura screamed after them, “I’ll catch up with you later Maddie!”
“Okay,” she attempted to scream back, but her voice stuck in her throat.
As they got closer to the boathouse, her mind jumped into overdrive protection mode. Even in her fogginess, she could still remember the events of several years ago and hesitated, pulling back.
“What’s wrong Maddie?”
She stopped walking and looked up at him, “Ronnie, do you remember when we were teenagers, what happened in my aunt’s boathouse?”
Embarrassed, he said, “Yeah Maddie, I remember.”
He stood there, the red creeping up his face from his neck and raked his hand through his hair. Feeling uncomfortable, he looked away, then turned back to face her.
“I was a dumb oversexed teenager and out of line. I’m sorry I didn’t apologize to you sooner. I just never saw you again after that night.”
He paused to catch his breath, trying to erase all the memories of what that foolish teenage boy, overwrought with hormones, that he would do anything to satisfy his needs, had tried to do to her almost seven years ago to the day.
The torment on his face still evident he asked, “Can you accept my apology now? I’ll make it up to you if you’ll let me.”
Oh God, now what. How can he make it up to me... and can I accept his apology? She wanted to… in fact she wanted him to take her into the boathouse right now, kiss her passionately and never stop. This sexy tattooed man saved her life and now he wanted to do something to make up for a childhood mistake. Absolutely! She thought to herself.
Taking a chance she boldly asked, “Ronnie, my aunt told me your family bought a new boat and you have it over here in one of the boathouses. Can you show it to me now? I think that might take my mind off of my crazy accident and settle my nerves.”
This time Maddie was the one with ulterior motives. She wasn’t sure what would happen if they were on the boat alone, but wanted to find out. She wanted to taste Ronnie’s kisses… willingly this time and without hesitation, and if anything else happened from there, well, she was open to it. She let her logical mind go as they made their way slowly over to one of the biggest boathouses on the pier. Is this a yacht or something? She wondered.
“This is it,” he announced as he slipped a key out from underneath the landing and put it into the keyhole while turning the handle. The door swung open and they went inside.
As they entered, she saw a gigantic boat floating on the water in the dim light of the structure. The familiar smell of the water, gasoline, and the wooden planks, made her feel like she was home again and she started to relax.
“Wow Ronnie. This is a giant cruiser. How many does she sleep?”
Ronnie smiled, “Oh, about eight, I think. It’s got a huge Galley and tons of space to hang out. I think it’s the biggest boat my parents have bought so far. Let’s jump aboard and I’ll show you around. I’ll give you the captain’s tour.”
They moved alongside the boat and Ronnie jumped in and extended his hand to Maddie.
“Madam,” he said, with a wink and a cock of his head.
She took his hand carefully, not wanting to fall again. She could just see it… first into the fire, then into the river. That would not be cool. She already felt like a stumbling idiot!
“Why, thank you Sir,” she said with a southern twang, playing along with his chivalry as she put her hand in his. Finding her sea legs, she stepped down into the boat. Ronnie steadied her and they headed into the Galley. He pushed the swinging doors open and they entered.
The boat had beautiful teak counters and brass inlay everywhere. It shone with opulence. This thing must have cost an arm and a leg, she thought as her eyes assessed the beauty. Ronnie offered her a seat at the table. She sat down nervously, not sure what to say next. He motioned for her to slide toward the porthole and moved in beside her, uncomfortably close. Her breath caught in her throat, she was so turned on. She tried to think of something to say, so she could breathe again.
“So, Ronnie, how long have your folks had this boat?”
“Since last summer, she really glides well over the water; it’s like floating on a cloud. Would you like to go out while you’re here?” he asked in a sweet voice.
“Sure, if I have enough time, BB has a lot planned for my visit. Would it be just the two of us or could Laura come out with us? She loves the water. Maybe she has a friend that could join us and we could water ski and have a picnic. You know… double date?”
Maddie kept talking to fill up the empty space. She wanted to kick herself. She wasn’t sure if he had intensions and she was so nervous that she started to shake uncontrollably.
“Maddie,” he said, his face so close, she could almost taste his kisses, “Are you cold?”
“Maybe, I don’t know if I’m cold or still freaked out from the fall.”
Of course, she knew exactly why she was shaking. She couldn’t get over how attracted she was to him and here they were alone in the boathouse…. again! But this time it was different. This time it was a different Maddie Malone and certainly a different Ronnie Hatcher and she had helped to arrange the rendezvous.
“Maddie, would you like a shot of something? That was a close call out there tonight. I think my folks have some bourbon around here somewhere. Do you like Canadian Club?”
“Sure Ronnie that would be great, it might help me relax.”
Whoa girl, don’t get yourself too looped with him. You might do something you’ll regret tomorrow… or not! Bad girl. She thought to herself knowing quite well that she wanted to let loose with him.
He exited from the long seat and headed over to a cabinet above the stove. Pulling out a bottle and two glasses, he came back to the table, set the glasses down and filled them half full. He slid one over to her and slipped back into the seat.
She took a huge sip and her eyes watered, “Whoa! That’s strong.”
Ronnie laughed and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek. She flushed from his touch and tried not to let him see.
“Yup, it’ll bite ya every time,” he smiled, half laughing.
They were so close now that she could see all the tattoos he had on his arms. The colors were bright and vibrant with crazy patterns.
“Does it hurt to get a tattoo?”
She thought this was probably the dumbest question she could ever ask him. It’s a sharp needle going in and out of your skin. Of course, it hurts!
“Well, it doesn’t tickle,” he said, raising his brow… blue eyes burning through her like hot sapphires. They both laughed nervously as their eyes connected again. She could tell Ronnie was as turned on as she was and she could feel the energy building between the two of them.
He really is a gorgeous guy, she thought. This was the first time she’d been so close to him and she was drinking in all of his masculine beauty… his wavy brown hair, lovely sun browned skin, the colors swirling all over him… thin, but tall and well built. As she wondered what he looked like under his white tee shirt, she noticed he was watching her take stock of him.
“See something you like Ms Malone?�
� his eyes dancing with laughter as he questioned her.
Blushing wildly she said, “You certainly have changed Ronnie; you’ve turned into a really handsome man.”
“Why thank you ma’am, you’re not so bad yourself. Funny how time changes us, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” she said sliding a little closer to the port hole and wondering how much he really had changed as a person. Was there still an over sexed teenage boy hiding deep within him or did the inside reflect the outside. She was hoping she would find out soon. She was totally attracted to him, but didn’t want to repeat the past. What do I want from him? She wondered, gazing out of the little window not seeing anything, lost in her thoughts.
