“Then please allow me to invite you into my boudoir so I don’t have to do my back in when I transport you afterwards.”
“Your pillow talk has certainly improved.” Alex sat down in the sofa. “Speaking of which, maybe we should talk first.”
Maddie approached the sofa and perched next to Alex. “You’re exhausted and I don’t care what we do, as long as you’re here with me.”
“But you cooked and—”
“It doesn’t matter.” Maddie slanted her body forwards until her forehead touched Alex’s. “I’m just happy you’re here.”
Alex lifted up her hand and found Maddie’s neck. Gently, she pushed Maddie upward and stared into her eyes. “I love you.”
Maddie’s eyes grew moist and she wrapped her fingers around Alex’s hand. She brought it to her mouth and pressed a soft kiss on its palm. When Maddie’s eyes found Alex’s again, a full-blown tear dangled from an eyelash, ready to tumble down.
Alex pulled her closer and kissed Maddie on the cheekbone, on the spot where the teardrop had just landed.
“I love you too,” Maddie said.
It only took a split second for their lips to find each other. They’d kissed many times before, but this lip-lock was different. It was a reaffirmation of their connection. It was the beginning of them as a couple that could weather many a storm.
As divine as kissing Maddie felt, the fatigue and the fact she hadn’t eaten all day started to catch up with Alex. A bout of light-headedness caused her to retreat from the warmth of Maddie’s mouth.
Maddie’s eyes sparkled with desire and her words came clipped and lustful. “Are you all right?”
“I’ve had better days. The stuff Nat poured me was nasty.” Alex let herself fall against the armrest.
“Come on, let’s get you to bed.” Maddie rose and extended her hand.
“You do realise I’ll be out of it so much tonight, you’ll be able to do whatever you want with me.” Alex let Maddie pull her up. Maddie slung her arm around her waist and guided her to the bedroom.
“As if I need you to be out of it for that,” Maddie whispered in her ear. Chills spread across Alex’s flesh.
Maddie undressed her slowly, starting by pulling Alex’s tank top over her head. She halted her actions to gawk at Alex’s abs.
“I’m going to need some alone time with those very soon.”
Alex smiled in response and let Maddie take off her bra. Her jeans soon followed until she stood in front of Maddie wearing only a pair of bright red boy shorts.
Maddie hesitated. Alex thought she’d already displayed a huge amount of self-control, undressing her like that without the prospect of some extensive fondling to follow. Bringing her hands to her side, Alex tugged her shorts off and tossed them into a corner of the room. “I’m ready for my massage now.”
“I’ll get the lotion.” Maddie’s voice was a low whisper and instead of heading for the bathroom where she kept the massage oil, she stood there a few moments longer, breathlessly taking in Alex’s naked body.
Alex broke the spell and crashed down on the bed. As soon as her body made contact, she felt herself sink into the mattress. Whatever was on Maddie’s mind, it would have to wait until she’d had a good night’s sleep and had shed the wretched remnants of this hangover. She settled on her belly and spread her arms and legs wide while waiting for Maddie to return.
MADDIE
Maddie squirted some oil into her hand and warmed it between her palms. Alex looked as good as ready to doze off, but Maddie had other plans. Alex should know better by now than to offer her naked body on a silver platter like this and not be faced with consequences. Lust drummed in Maddie’s veins at the sight of Alex’s smooth shoulders, toned back, and perfectly arched bottom. What was a reconciliation without make up sex anyway? She’d taken her clothes off while Alex was already planted firmly on her belly, her head buried in the pillows. She’d start the massage with her hands, but planned to use other body parts to finish.
“Aah,” Alex moaned at the first contact of Maddie’s hand with the skin of her shoulders. Maddie let her fingers slide over them gently, as if reacquainting herself with Alex’s flesh. Had it really only been three days since she was last in her bed? It felt more like three weeks, what with the emotional toll it had taken on Maddie. For the first time in her life, at the ripe age of forty, she had felt as if she’d stood to lose it all. Because of another woman.
“That feels so good.” Alex’s voice was hoarse and muffled by the pillows, but still sent a pang of lust up Maddie’s core.