Three or four costume clad people sat at the opposite table scratching one another. Must be itchy in those damn things and hot.
Um look, I didnt come here willingly. My friend talked me into it. Hes over there in the chipmunk costume. Cole lifted a big paw, pointing in the direction of the far corner of the room.
Looked like Mr. Chipmunk was gettin a little muskrat love. He was pressed tightly up against another animal she couldnt quite identify. Should one really behave this way at a party for a child?
Maddie sat up straight when Cole said, I think theyre yiffing
Tilting her head, she looked Thumper in the eye, his big, glassy blue one. Could he see her? And what the hell was yiffing?
Yiffing?
Look, do you think you could help me out of this damn headpiece, and Ill explain. I cant get the stupid thing off. My buddy said its some kind of erotic thing these people do. Now please help me get this off?
The fuck she would. Erotic? These people?
The music had become a slow, sultry ballad. Squirrels and chipmunks and all the little forest creatures of the land were bumping and grinding.
Holy hedgehog hoedown! These people were hooking up!
Time to go.
Maddie rose from her chair quickly, before Thumper had the chance to say anything more, but he stopped her by standing up in front of her, blocking her exit. She stamped out her cigarette in the ashtray.
Look, bunny man, I dont know what the hell a fur swap -- Maddie shook her head, -- meet is and I sure as crap dont know what yiffing is all about, but I have a funny feeling it isnt for this girl. So get out of my way, or Ill call that big, bad wolf over here to kick your bunny ass.
Yeah. You tell em, Maddie.
Cole chuckled. I didnt mean to frighten you. I wont hurt you. Cross my widdle bunny heart and hope to die. This place isnt for me either. I just didnt know it until I ran into you.
Maddie couldnt help it. She began to giggle. So whats the matter with you -- you dont like to yiff?
His wide bunny shoulders shook with laughter. Um, not dressed like this. Come with me and Ill take you to my bunny hideaway. I have juicy carrots.
Laughing again, Maddie figured it couldnt hurt to follow him out of there, so she trailed a distance behind him. Picking her way through the throng of tigers and assorted wildlife, she scooted out the door.
Jesus, she really needed to give up smoking.
Chapter 2
She and Cole managed to wrestle the bunny head off, and Maddie got her first glimpse of the not-so-fond of yiffing Cole.
Wow. He was cute in a very non-bunny way.
His dark, curly hair was almost black but for a strand or two of gray, as dark as Maddie was light. Theyd found a small alcove to sit in, set apart from the noise. Cole pulled out a chair for her. She eyed him with suspicion.
So why dont you explain to me what exactly was going on in there? Maddie raised an eyebrow and waited patiently for an explanation. She shouldnt ask, but she found she couldnt stop her innate sense of what the fuck was that? needing fulfillment.
I told you, its called fur something and all these people dress up like animals. It has something to do with a love of plush animals. Like your stuffed toys. My friends girlfriend is into it and he invited me along. He claimed it was a good way to meet people
Maddie snorted. You were suckered.
Not really. I met you, didnt I?
Whoop, whoop, whoop. Sirens went off in her head. No, no, no. She was not going to play the dating game.
Arent you a lucky bunny? she joked, fighting to keep the terror out of her voice. She was so not good at the flirting gig. So he met her, big freakin deal. The only meeting she wanted to have was with the remote control and her flannel bathrobe.
So what brought you here? The low rumble of his voice slithered up her spine. Blue eyes fringed in black sought hers, waiting for an answer.
I came with a friend whos in another convention room. My friend, Corrine, shes a stock broker. I was just looking for a place to smoke. I had no idea that well, that
I dont think I quite got the concept of it myself, when my friend Ian ran it past me.
One would think the alarm bells should have sounded when he asked you to dress up like Peter Rabbit.
Cole hung his head and laughed. Hes a friend from my law firm. Who knew hed be into this? You know how it goes, I just got caught up
Um, no, she didnt know how it went. Nor did she want to. Yes, he was cute. Yes, she was sure his bunny costume hid a fine set of carrots, but this was something she just wasnt ready for. Well, Cole, it was nice meeting you. Id better get back to Corrine. Sticking out a hand, she thrust it at him.
Do you have to go? Why dont you sit with me for a little while? Ill tell you all about my bunny life.
No, I cant. Corrine will wonder where I went and come hunt me down. It could get ugly.
His blue eyes gazed into hers, pinning her to her seat. I get it. Corrine made you come with her, didnt she? So that must mean you either hate going out, or youve been hiding from something.
Perceptive. Hiding not exactly. I, well, I
Divorced?
God, that was high on her list of failure words right up there with alimony. Yeah. Maddie wondered if shed self-combust, now that shed acknowledged it out loud.
How long?
Six months. The sharp pang of rejection, still raw and new, shot to her gut.
Everybody keeps telling you its time to get on with your life, right?
Maddie snorted disdainfully. Yeah, this life thats waiting for me to do the getting on thing with it. Its Somewhere just around the corner, is what I hear. I think I took the left when I should have gone right, because I keep looking and I cant seem to find it. Tears welled in her eyes.
Shit, shit, shit. This was a mistake. She should have never left her apartment.
Way to entice the bunny, Maddie how very sexy, a divorcée with issues. Very original.
Cole reached over and rested his paw on her arm. Im sorry, I know thats a stupid sentiment, but its all I have.
She pursed her lips. Dont be sorry. Hes a schmuck. I know that in my head. Its my heart that needs the wake up call.
Any chance youll get back together?
While she savored the warmth of Coles paw on her arm, the idea hit her like a ton of bricks. No, there was no chance of that, and she found her heart even rebelled against the very idea of being married to Albert again. Did she love Albert anymore? Or did she love the idea of him?
This was too much damn insight for one night. Furry people, hot men in bunny suits, and the death of a dream. No, were never getting back together. My ex is a thing of the past. Im better off without him. Its the adjusting thing that Im having trouble with, ya know? I mean, how do you adjust to being single? Cooking for one? Sleeping she stumbled, alone Sometimes it almost seems better to have stayed with the scumbag. At least I had someone to watch CSI with.
Cole shrugged his shoulders. It wont always be like this, I promise you. CSI is overrated. Try Law and Order.
If she had a nickel for every time shed heard that very promise. Are you speaking from experience?
He laughed. Nah. Ive never been married. But I have plenty of friends who were and arent anymore. Its a process or so they say.
More like a food processor . Chopping up your guts and pureeing your heart.
Cole winced. She noticed a tiny scar on his forehead as it puckered. Ouch, that bad, huh?
It sure as hell wasnt pleasant. I gave that prick ten years of my life and he ditched me like I was so much trash. Wanted everything to boot, too. Maddies voice rose. She could hear the pitch change, but she couldnt stop herself. I mean, he took everything and expected me to ask for nothing? Do you know he got an earring? An earring, can you believe that? It was the most piss-poor excuse for a mid-life crisis Ive ever seen.
Now she was spitting and gesturing wildly with her hands. He even got the cute little sports car to go with his brand new co
mb over. Know what I got? I got the damn living room sofa and a fucking hand vac! A hand vac can you believe that? You cant clean anything with a hand vac --
Did he really have a comb over? Cole interjected her rant as he wiped his cheek free of her post divorce spew.
Maddies anger diffused immediately. She huffed. No, not really, but he started doing this stupid thing with it that he thought made him look younger and instead only made him look foolish. What is it about men that makes them think theyll be forever young if they hook up with some chick they should be driving back and forth to nursery school, not FUCKING !
Cole was watching her quietly. He crossed his paws over his chest and sat back. Was she a younger woman?
Maddie exhaled slowly. No, she wasnt. Shes around my age, I hear. He never confirmed that he left me for her . Its just what I suspect.
Men are pigs.
Yes, yes they are
Cole remained silent.
Now would be a good time to reassure me all men arent pigs.
No, I cant do that. Almost all of them are, in one way or another. His reply was solemn, steady sure.
Maddie stared at him in disbelief. Then I guess you arent scoring any points here with me. Jeez.
I wasnt looking to score points, per se. Ill be honest. I was just looking to get laid.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Laid? As in the horizontal mambo , LAID ? Like do the nasty, laid? Laid, like sneak a peek at the one eyed beast, LAID ?
Holy shit. Someone wanted to have sex with her and it wasnt Albert!
Omigod Omigod Omigod.
Um, Maddie, my girl. Youre not supposed to be flattered. You should be insulted.
Why? He looked at me, assessed my physical attributes, decided they werent half bad, and then decided he wanted to screw ME !
Is that any way to secure a new relationship?
Well, who the hell said I wanted one of those?
Ah, Maddie. If this is what you want, a one night stand, filled with nothing but wild sex, then I support you one hundred percent. Just dont forget the naked thing.
Wild sex Naked? Oh, oh, wait one minute.
What are you waiting for? Go get em, baby. Cmon, do the horizontal fox-trot.
Mambo.
What?
Never mind. Now what?
Now you go with the nice man in the bunny suit and have sex.
Naked.
Yup, naked.
No.
Hey. Cole shook her arm, interrupting her wild thoughts. I was just kidding.
Oh, sure. Ya know it is not nice to toy with the newly single girl. So that means he doesnt want to see me naked?
Not right now.
Maddie sighed. I knew that.
But I would like to see you again.
Oh, I dont know. I mean, we dont know each other and well you do some pretty weird stuff for kicks.
Cole laughed loudly. A hearty, loud chuckle that pierced the quiet of the hotel. No, I just got myself into something I couldnt get out of. But I can understand your hesitation over seeing me again. This, he motioned to his bunny suit, can be a little intimidating, I suppose.
Nah, not intimidating, just really freaky.
Cole laughed again, sort of husky and low. It caught her attention in the most understated way. Look, trust me when I tell you Im not into animals. I understand your post-divorce hesitation. How about I just give you my number and you call me if youre ever ready to date sometime this millennium?
So he didnt want to have sex with her, because if he really wanted to, hed have pushed harder.
Hes not a serial nymphomaniac, Madd. Hes behaving like a gentleman, letting you do your thing. Being all understanding. Showing you hes in touch with his feminine side, ya know? Take his number, Maddie. You dont ever have to call him. Be polite.
She reached out and took the card he had tucked in his bunny vest pocket. Thanks. Oh, she dug around in her purse, heres mine.
He cocked his head as he looked at the smooth vanilla card. Real estate, huh?
Smiling she nodded. Everyone you know sells real estate, right?
Cole rose and gathered his bunny head. Nah, not really. It was nice meeting you, Maddie Blake. Take care of yourself. Oh, he said over his shoulder as he waddled out of the alcove, and tell that ex of yours hes a jackass. He winked and was gone.
Maddie sat for a long time, thinking of getting up and leaving, but too absorbed in her thoughts to get off the chair. She turned his card over in her hands, fingering his name in black print.
Damn, he was cute.
Yep, and the girls agree.
Her nipples experienced just a little tingle. A mere acknowledgement that they still existed.
Well, Hell.
Chapter 3
Maddie tapped her fingers on the smooth granite countertop of the home she was showing, or rather wasnt showing because the client was late. Sleek and tres chic , it was ultra modern and overpriced. But Maddie didnt care. It sold for a small fortune and she could really use the commission.
The market was slow and so was Albert with her alimony check.
Jerk.
Glancing at her wristwatch, she noted Mr. Anxious was late. If he didnt hurry up, shed miss her first group meeting for Divorcées Anonymous. Corrines suggestion. Maybe it will help to know youre not the only divorced person on the planet, Maddie, shed said. Maddie knew that, she was just learning to adjust is all. Corrines clients highly recommended it, so Maddie figured she had nothing to lose. Besides it was Wednesday. There was nothing on the Home and Garden channel tonight.
Leaning forward on the counter, she scanned the listing, familiarizing herself with the floor plan. Nice, very nice. All chrome and black appliances. It was vacant. Well of course it was. Someone who owned this could certainly afford to move elsewhere.
Resting her head on her arms, she let the cool countertop brace her as she drifted nowhere in particular.
Hard warmth pressed up against her ass and strong hands gripped her shoulders. Madison , a husky, vaguely familiar voice whispered in her ear. Though she struggled to turn around, the hands held her in place.
Her heart pumped wildly rape Here in this vacant home with no one around for miles to help her, she would be raped. Relax, Maddie I wont hurt you.
She cocked her head to the left, leaning into the whisper. His body was solid behind hers, thick and heated. Licking lips that had become dry and cracked, she fought a scream. If she remained calm Who are you?
Im hurt you dont remember me, Maddie.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, as he said her name for the second time. A hand snaked around to cover her waist. Lean and lightly sprinkled with fine black hair, his fingers were long and well manicured.
Closing her eyes, she fought the rising panic in her throat. Im Im sorry, have we have we met?
He rolled his hips toward her ass and chuckled. Do you wanna bunny hop?
Relief washed over her all at once and without warning. Cole! It was Cole. A visual of him, blue eyed and dark haired, flashed in her minds eye. She began to turn toward him, the panic that had begun to set in turning to something she wasnt quite sure of. Cole? Her question was a mixture of relief and underlying fear of the unknown.
Yeah, its me. Dont turn around. I liked you that way. Leaning over the counter, those heels are sexy. He growled and Maddie wasnt sure if she should be afraid or, well, she wasnt sure.
She remained still. I didnt know you were in the market for a house. The press of his bulk was becoming less threatening and oddly appealing. This was nuts.
I didnt either until I met you. His hand tightened at her waist, lying just below the swell of her breast. A nipple tightened, scraping against her bra. Im going to tell you something, Maddie, and if you dont like it, all you have to do is say the word and Ill let you go. But promise not to move until then, okay?
Her pulse was a rapid-fire rush of heat in her veins, but she couldnt resist his request. Okay.
Cole dipped his knees and slid over he
r ass. Do you feel that, Maddie?
Oh my, yep. She felt it. Heat, not so unwelcome and sharp, throbbed in her pussy. This was insane. Maddie nodded mutely, acknowledging his question.
He lay flush over her, pushing her forward on the smooth granite countertop. Its my cock and its been like that since the night I met you. I need to do something about that, Maddie, but I dont want to freak you out.
Maddie gasped for breath, letting the hard length pressed at her ass remain a moment. Youll let me go if I want you to?
His lips found her ear and his tongue rimmed the shell slowly. Yes, if you want me to. I would never hurt you. Im not into forcing women to sleep with me. A shiver ran up her spine at the wet warmth of his tongue.
Her eyes widened. What will you do if I dont want you to let me go, Cole?
He groaned behind her, raspy and needy to her ears. Ill fuck you, Maddie. Slow and hard, but not before I put my mouth between your legs.
Maddies ass lifted a bit higher at his words, straining against the bulge in his pants. Holy shit. She wasnt ready for this kind of sexual game. But her body, tightly strung and wired for sound, said something all together different. Youll stop if I tell you to? Now she was considering having sex with a complete stranger. Well, he wasnt a complete stranger. Although she did know what he looked like in a bunny suit.
What the hell was wrong with her? It was reckless and stupid and and fuck it incredibly exciting!
Yes, if you want me to. Say the word and Ill stop, I swear. Coles hand moved to cup her breast, but he moved no further. Maddie found herself leaning into him, straining to feel his hand through the material of her blouse.
Protection, they needed protection. That would be the smart, single girl thing to ask for. What will you do about protection? A hand pressed against her side. Digging around he produced a foil packet, laying it on the counter in front of her.
Is that okay?
Maddie nodded. You promise to stop if I ask you to?
I promise, Maddie.
Youre not like a serial killer or some kinky thing? I mean you do some pretty weird stuff, ya know?
He chuckled in her ear as his fingers found the buttons on the front of her blouse. Im not a serial killer and I already explained the animal stuff. Grazing the swell of her breast, he dipped into her lace bra.
ExFiles - Mayhem and Maddie Page 2
