Not at Liberty

Chapter 3

As soon as she walked in the door, Maddy Kime flipped off her heels and headed for the bathroom.It had been a long day, made even longer by the dedication.David planned to join his friends for drinks and dinner at Ruby Tuesday, and he invited her to come along, but she felt too tired.Besides she and David had said all that needed to be said this afternoon when it came to office matters.And what they had pendinga PR brochure for a pharmaceutical companycould easily be put off until tomorrow or even the end of the week.Now she just wanted to kick back, watch a movie, and enjoy a big bowl of ice cream, Rocky Road her favorite.

Slipping out of her clothes, Maddy donned her kimono-style bathrobe in cream and peach silk.Then, after pulling back her hair with a stretch band, she ran water in the bathroom sink until she had the temperature adjusted to her taste.She rubbed some face cleanser between her fingers and then applied it to her chin, cheeks, and forehead.When finished, she splashed water over her face to get rid of the cleanser and any lingering makeup.

Suddenly hands grabbed her from behind, clutching her at the waist.She jerked up and thrust her elbows back until she contacted with the undercarriage of her assailant's ribcage.She didn't hear his initial groan of surprise and pain as he backed away.But when the intruder quickly returned and whirled her around with strong hands, she saw his face, flushed with surprise and a bit of bemusement.Her expression registered relief, although inside she didn't know what to think.

"Hey!" he laughed."Where did you learn that trick?"

He let her go so she could sign. "I took a self-defense class.How did you get in?I thought I locked the door."

"Key."Grasping an imaginary key between his fingers, he made a turning motion with his wrist."Remember?You gave me one in case I needed to get in, or you needed my help."

"Oh."

He grinned."Oh, yeah."

Before Maddy could formulate her next questionwhy had he come here in the first placehe pulled her into a firm embrace and captured her mouth with his insistent lips.She tried to bring her arms between them and push him away, but his crushing, intoxicating kiss broke down her reserves, made her relax in his arms and allow him to pull her into the safety and strength of his presence.

She combed her fingers through his hair and then stroked the back of his corded neck.Pleasure rose in her and circled her heart.She wrapped around him, hard and tight, and he helped hike her legs around his waist.As always, she would give him everything he wanted before he knew he even wanted it.It undid her, this love for him.The depth and breadth of it left her weak and wanting, desperate and staggering.

However many times they made love, how many ways, it still felt like the first time to her; the thrill and excitement of exploring him never diminished.The taste and smell of him, familiar and fresh, stirred her soul.He lifted her and carried her over to the bedroom.That quick, amazing desire of his inspired her own arousal, and the sensation of being swept away thrilled her beyond words.His power, combined with hers, made her head spin as he laid her on the bed and then covered her body with his.She could never get enough of the weight, the shape, and the feel of him.

Had all their years starved for love caused this bottomless need for each other?His scent, of clean linen and spices, made her turn to his throat and breathe him in.With the loss of one sense, her others smell, sight, taste and touchhad become acute and more sensitive than those of an average person with all five senses.She shivered and arched under his hands as he undid the sash of her robe and caressed her soft flesh, renewing the punch of sensation that kept her bound to him.No one else had ever brought her to this pinnacle of desire, of wanting so desperately.

Slow and dreamy, they explored and sampled the delights they offered one another.He paused to strip away his shirt so that flesh could meet flesh and hands could roam over curves and across strong planes.The long lines of him never failed to fascinate her, and his contrasts proved captivating and seductive, skin so tender over the toned muscles beneath, and eyes so cool and innocent when the rampant heat of desire burned just below.And it felt so forbidden, this love of theirs, hidden from the world, kept so safe and discreet.Maddy never realized how secret desires made loveand lifeall the more thrilling.

He had a fierce, warrior body, although he gave of himself with gentleness and affection while she thrived on the endless thrill he brought to her.She trembled for him when he paused to take off the rest of his clothing; and when he returned to her, she feasted on his firm, strong and magnificent body.For a moment their gazes met, warm and excited.

His hands made a delicate slide up her thighs and she trembled even more when his fingers explored her very core.Rising to him, she grasped his member, stroked it to perfection, and then opened so he could slip it inside of her while she twined her legs and arms around him.He plumed the depths of her being, of her mind and soul.No one had ever gone there before; no one had ever been allowed to tread along her hallowed ground.Maddy had always been alone before him, alone and frightened as she viewed the world and everyone in it as silent, brooding monsters.The moment she met him she knew they were meant to be like this, each giving the other peace and serenity, able to soothe away their fears with affection and love.

He whispered her name several times and she read it on his lips, like a mantra to a prayer.Then he demanded and took, while she gave willingly and succumbed to his every stroke.Several times he brought her to the heady brink of climax, only to leave her aching for more.He wanted her to climb with him, slow and steady at first, and then quick and fierce.His fingers dug into her, a testament to his growing loss of control; and when she offered, he feasted on her full, firm breasts like a man starving.The twin sensations shot her to orgasm for the first time, but she held on, steady and determined.

Lifting his head with her hands, she found and crushed his mouth to hers, the kiss wild and brutal.She would take him now, ride him to that dangerous edge, and demand her turn to destroy him.When his vision clouded and his jaw clenched, she moved in for the kill, rode him like a demon.He moaned as she bucked beneath him and lashed her fury to his taut body.He peaked like an engine on full throttle, battering into her and then erupting.She followed him in that hot wave of release, letting out a cry of pleasure in the process.Although she could never hear it in her own ears, such an outpouring of delight hummed in her mind.

Barely able to catch his breath, he collapsed and then rolled weakly to her side.When he felt able again, he hiked up on his elbow and leaned over her, his smile wide and brilliant."Well, that was nice," he told her with a little chuckle."And you performed beautifully as usual.In fact, you're beautiful, you know that?"

Raising her hands, she signed her response."And you're crazy, coming over like this.What if I had another man here?"

His chuckle turned to a hearty laugh."Oh, really?What would you do with him?Cook him dinner, ply him with liquor?"

She shot up her middle finger, the universal sign for f**k-off.How dare he make assumptions, or even think she simply sat around here waiting for him and the little snippets of the time he deigned to give her!

He offered a conciliatory smile as his fingers quickly formed the words of his apology."Okay, okay.I know I take you for granted some times.I'm sorry for my insensitivity, and I'm sorry that I always seem to be running off somewhere.Like now.I have to get going if I'm going to make drinks and dinner."

She offered a thin smile, her lower lip trembling slightly."Okay, apology accepted.Now get out of here and leave me in peace!"For emphasis, she slapped his arm hard enough to make him wince.

While he dressed, Maddy noticed the red light blinking on her table console across from the bed.That meant she had a telephone call via the TYY machine.She rose and went to her laptop to accept the call from Daniel Baumgard via the computer screen where they typed back and forth.He asked about the dedication, did she feel it went well?

Maddy typed back, "Yes, I felt it went very well.We had excellent media coverage."

"Good.We should get together though, and compare notes, discuss what we need to do next.Plus, there's something I want to run by you. Could you meet me at the clinic tomorrow morning, say ten o'clock?"

"All right, Daniel.I'll be there at ten.Is there anything I need to bring with me in terms of PR or marketing?"

"No, my dear, just come with your usual astute observations and suggestions."

When she signed off, Maddy turned and found her lover standing over her shoulder.He had caught the last two sentences.

"What's that about?" he asked with his fingers.

She shook her head and signed, "Nothing important."

This time he spoke so that she could read his lips, lips she found extremely tantalizing and seductive no matter how he used them. "Let's hope so.I'll see you soon, darling."Bending, he gave her a quick kiss on the top of her head.