BlueMoon Rising Part 1

David Addison walked down the hallway to Blue Moon slowly without his characteristic Addison swagger which had been missing from his step for the last 10 months. In the beginning he had been optimistic that things would get easier – that time would ease the pain of feeling as if a limb had been torn off every time he came to work and she wasn’t there. But in reality time hadn’t been kind and the pain had actually gotten a little worse each day. He knew he had been a major ass but pride and ego wouldn’t let him apologize at the time and now it was too late. Maddie Hayes was gone and he was left alone to run Blue Moon. Oh in the beginning they had planned to close the agency completely but David had offered to buy her out and keep the agency running. They had drawn up an agreement for David to pay off part of his buyout each month since he did not have the money to buy her out all at once. At first David was surprised that she had agreed to the terms but later figured she just wanted out – and away from him. When he thought about the way things had ended between them he always got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach along with the constant ache in his heart. As he neared the familiar glass door with the Blue Moon logo, David forced a smile to his face and a strut to his walk. He couldn’t allow the others to see the pain he felt over losing her.
David knew Agnes still had not completely forgiven him for his tryst with Maddie’s cousin Annie and his subsequent treatment of Maddie. Agnes Dipesto (now Viola) had been with him since Blue Moon was City of Angels and over the years they had become close. She had been like a sister to him – always looking out for him, understanding him even when he didn’t understand himself. But even Agnes didn’t seem to understand the whole mess with Annie. His quirky receptionist used to look at him like he hung the moon but when she looked at him now he only saw disappointment and a hint of anger in her big brown eyes. That look battered his soul. He missed their easy rapport. David sadly realized with regret that his little dalliance with Maddie’s cousin hadn’t only ruined his relationship with Maddie Hayes but it had also destroyed the closeness he had shared with Agnes.
Sometimes when David thought back to that period of his life with Annie it was hazy and unclear. The anger and hurt had built up in him – Maddie running to Chicago, her marriage to a stranger, the loss of the baby – all of it had left him bitter and mean toward the one woman he never thought he would ever hurt. And ok maybe he had been wrong to boink her cousin but at that point David wanted to hurt her as deeply as she had hurt him – over and over. Immature? Sure? Spiteful? Of course. But he never meant it to go as far as it had gone. It had just suddenly spiraled out of control and all his anger and spite had risen to the surface. He sighed and tried to clear his mind of his heartache as he strolled into Blue Moon with his killer grin and bulletproof attitude. No one knew he was now just a shell of his former self.
***
Maddie Hayes was sitting across town at an outdoor café breakfasting with her business associate Phil Diamond. For the last several months she had worked for Phil as a sort of mentor/den mom to the young models at his agency, Diamond. Maddie knew that Phil had more than a business interest in her but she was just not interested. Her heart was still in pieces after what had happened with David Addison. Sometimes she still couldn’t make sense of it. It felt like a bad dream. How could he do that to her? With her cousin? Of course Maddie knew she had no hold over David and he had been free to date other women but not her cousin! And his tryst with Annie isn’t even what hurt the most! It was his spiteful snide treatment of her and total disregard for her feelings that broke her heart! Maddie was pushed out of her reverie by the sound of her name.
“Maddie where are you? You haven’t been listening to a thing I’ve been saying.” Phil slightly admonished her, “I was telling you about our new model, Charisma.”
Maddie hated that reproving tone to his voice but mentally shrugged it off. Her interest in arguing with this man was less than zero. “Oh sorry. I was just thinking of the phone calls I have to make today to be sure everything will be perfect for tomorrow’s shoot.” She lied with her fake model’s smile. Maddie turned her attention to Phil and was grateful she had something to take her mind off of him – for the moment.
***
When David walked into Blue Moon Agnes was waiting for him with a white envelope in her hand. “Mr. Addison!” She beckoned him over to her and waved the envelope in his face. “You still haven’t registered for the classes you need to keep your investigator’s license!” She scolded him.
Oh shit, David thought. “Agnes, I’ve had so many things on my mind I just forgot.” He ran his hand through his hair causing it to stick up in unruly tufts all over his head.
Agnes looked at him sternly, she was still angry at him for what had happened with Miss Hayes and at times she couldn’t hide her irritation, “oh sure Mr. Addison like that sexy brunette who met you here last night?”
David shook his head. Sure there were women, after all he was still a man but none of them meant a thing to him. “No, Agnes, that’ not what I meant at all.” He told her sheepishly, “do you think you can do it for me?” He gave her the little boy grin she could never resist.
Agnes sighed deeply, “Ok, but you can’t forget to go or you will lose your license.” She pointed a warning finger at him.
***
Maddie kicked off her pumps as she looked through her mail. It had been a long day and she was looking forward to a hot bath and bed. She slumped on the sofa as she tore open a long white envelope. She read the letter then laid her head back against the back of the sofa and closed her eyes in thought. Her job at Diamond required her to also do the necessary background checks on potential models, photographers and others who applied to work at the agency so it was not an option to allow her detective license to lapse. Her thoughts ran back several years to how excited she had felt when she finally held her Private Investigator’s license in her hands. At last something she had accomplished that had nothing to do with her looks. And of course thinking back led to thinking of him so Maddie hurriedly pushed those thoughts away. In order to keep her license up to date, Maddie had quickly sent back the form and was now registered for the required classes. She saw that the first class was a week from Wednesday and a funny sensation came over her. She shook off the feeling and headed for her hot bubble bath.
***
Maddie parked her new Silver Audi in the parking lot of the State Licensing Offices where the detective classes were being held. Once she had left Blue Moon she had immediately sold the BMW – the car reminded her too much of David; the car was such a huge part of their relationship together that she couldn’t drive it without bursting into sobs. Maddie sat in the Audi for a few minutes getting herself together. She felt bone tired and just wished she was heading home for a glass of wine and a nice long bubble bath. Sighing Maddie grabbed her purse and headed to the classroom. The class was scheduled to begin at 6 and because it was only 5:30 Maddie had her choice of seats. Since she wanted to be able to pay attention to the teacher and participate in the lecture, she took a seat at the head of the class. She took out her new notebook and pen as she waited for the class to begin. By 6 the class was mostly filled with middle aged men and a few women. A weird feeling of disappointment and regret filled Maddie as the class began.
The instructor, Mr. Harrison, - an older man who looked like a no nonsense type began to explain what the class would cover. Maddie was trying hard to pay attention but a feeling of déjà vu enveloped her. She remembered when she had taken a surveillance class with him a couple of years ago. Maddie also remembered how she had been embarrassed when he had made them late to that class. She sat up straighter in her chair and opened her new notebook -well now that chapter of her life was over and done. Once again she was in charge of her life and her schedule. She was so much happier that way – no one to mess up her life, no one to bicker with. Maddie ignored the sudden melancholy that overcame her and tried to concentrate on how happy she was without him.
About 15 minutes into the lecture the door swung open with a bang and a tall man strutted into the room like he owned the world. He looked at the instructor with a lopsided grin. “My car wouldn’t start.” David Addison lied. He had actually forgotten about the class until Agnes reminded him and by the time he made it across town in the heavy rush hour traffic he was late. He really wasn’t too concerned over his lateness he could usually charm or joke his way out of any situation.
Maddie’s head whipped around to the sound of that voice that she would never forget – the voice that still haunted her dreams. Her eyes drank in the sight of him like someone who had been lost in the dry, dusty desert without a sip of water for days. Why did he seem so much taller than she remembered? Were his shoulders always so broad? She loved the way his hair touched the back of his collar and she had the sudden urge to run her fingers through it. She shook off these unwanted feelings as a panicky urge to grab her things and bolt out of the room filled her. Maddie closed her eyes and tried to calm her anxiety. No, she would not run out of here like a crazed woman. She would not give him the satisfaction of knowing that he still had any power over her. She would just pretend he was any other man who was attending this class and not the man who had shattered her heart to pieces.
The teacher stopped talking as the entire class turned to look at the man who had come into the classroom late and looking slightly disheveled. The older man threw the late comer a nasty glare as he pointed to the last empty seat with a long thin finger. “Sit!” He commanded. “I just want you to know young man,” he first addressed David and then looked around the room at the rest of the class, “that in order to renew your private investigator’s license you need 75 hours of class instruction,” the teacher looked at his watch, “you dear boy have missed 15 minutes of valuable class time.” He shook his head, “but I will allow this one transgression but the next time you will have to make up the time. Do you understand?”
David nodded quickly. Wow, this guy meant business. He sure wasn’t charming himself out of this one. “Yes, sir!” He answered like an obedient school boy.
“There is no excuse in my book for tardiness. Do you understand me young man?”
David nodded again, “Of course sir.” He said respectfully.
The teacher waved his bony hand toward the still empty seat. “I see you are still standing. Are you slow?”
Maddie had to fight to hide the smile that was playing on her lips. She never thought she’d see the day that David Addison would act like a dutiful school boy. She knew that David was trying to think of a way to charm the teacher and get away with his shenanigans like he always did but this time Maddie knew he had met his match.
David shook his head and fell into the seat without even looking at anyone in the class. “No sir!” David was trying to think of a way to get this guy on his side when suddenly he was overcome by the aroma of vanilla and lavender. Maddie!?
David turned to the woman seated next to him and looked into the corn flower blue eyes that had bewitched him from the first moment he had looked into them. He croaked out her name on dry lips, “Maddie.” Maddie shushed him with her familiar death glare then gave him her back as she turned her attention back to the old man.
Maddie was trying to steady her nerves upon seeing David Addison. Her life was once again orderly and in control and she would not allow the sight of David Addison to throw her calm existence into a tail spin! He was just someone from her past she tried to convince herself as the teacher droned on yet she heard not one word. The sound of David saying her name just kept reverberating through her head. She felt an ache of longing for him that made her angry at herself. She needed to keep her head. Maddie bit the inside of her cheek as she tried to get her mind back on the lecture. The idea of just getting up and leaving once again enticed her but she resisted that escape. She would just get through this night and never return to this class again. There had to be another session soon. Simple.
Sure.
David sat shock still next to the woman he had missed with every fiber of his being for nearly a year. The smell of her perfume filled his senses. The way her hair curved down her back made him want to touch those shiny locks. Her hair was a little longer he noticed and that made him suddenly sad that he hadn’t see her so long that he didn’t even know she was wearing her hair differently. He sighed audibly turning the attention of Mr. Harrison back on him.
“Am I boring you young man?” The teacher asked bluntly.
David wasn’t even aware that the older man was addressing him.
Mr. Harrison walked over to David’s desk and stared down at him, “I’m talking to you!” He poked David’s shoulder to get his attention.
David came back to reality with a start. He looked up at the teacher with wide green eyes, “Uh no.”
“What is your name young man?”
“David, David Addison.” David told him.
“I am Mr. Harrison and I demand respect when I lecture.”
“Oh I respect you sir.” David told him trying to sound respectful. He just wanted to think of Maddie. He had no interest in going twenty rounds with this old guy.
“Sighing during my lecture is not a sign of respect.”
“Oh did I sigh?” David asked innocently. Go away old man please.
Mr. Harrison just shook his head and returned to the head of the class.
David leaned over to whisper in Maddie’s ear. “He’s mean!”
Maddie, still with her back to David, shushed him again.
David slumped down in his seat and pretended to pay attention to the boring lesson on the new morality code for detectives.
David was squirming in his seat trying to think of how to get Maddie to talk to him and not paying a bit of attention to the lesson when suddenly he heard his name being called.
“Mr. Addison I asked you a question.” Mr. Harrison lifted a grey eyebrow.
David swallowed hard. “You did?”
The older man nodded and the class tittered. Most of them knew David and knew of his penchant for tomfoolery. Most of them were also were wondering about his relationship with Maddie Hayes. They had heard that she had left the agency but despite gossip no one really knew what had happened between David and Maddie. It was well known they had a thing for each other and the rumor mill had hinted about a lost baby and a romp with a relative - but again no one knew anything for certain. But this class suddenly had gotten very interesting when David Addison walked in to the room.
Mr. Harrison nodded then repeated the question for David.
***
What seemed like days to David but was in actuality only a little more than an hour, the class was given a 15 minute break. David immediately followed Maddie who quickly ran into the ladies room. He leaned against the wall to wait. She couldn’t stay in there forever.
Maddie wished she could stay in the bathroom forever. Despite her apparent attentiveness to the instructor Maddie had barely heard a word he had said. Her thoughts were on the green eyed scourge to her existence! She knew he was lying in wait for her outside the rest room door. Her heart was beating like a drum. She couldn’t bear to look into those green eyes that she had once adored. But she couldn’t avoid him and Maddie knew that David would have no problem making a scene to get her attention which was the last thing she wanted! Maddie’s thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of the other two women in the class. She vaguely knew them from various occasions and had seen them drooling after David at last year’s detective ball. And suddenly her thoughts ran back to him and what had happened that night after the dance. A bright spot of red covered her neck. Would she ever get this man out of her thoughts?
One of the woman she thought her name was Gladys addressed her, “Maddie Hayes? We heard you had left the PI business.” She smirked looking Maddie up and down. She had always been jealous of Maddie Hayes. Supermodel turned detective who got the one dick so many women were after. Her own plain looks hadn’t gotten Gladys very far in life. She still worked as a secretary in her father’s detective firm even though she had her private investigator’s license for years! She was not a happy woman. And seeing David Addison waiting for this woman outside of the bathroom like a panting puppy fueled her envy and dislike.
Gladys’ friend Debbie was a bitter divorcee whose husband had run away with the secretary leaving her to run a less than successful detective agency. She also hated the beautiful blonde that every man seemed to want. She threw Maddie a spiteful glare. “I hear that David is running Blue Moon alone now. Maybe he’s looking for another partner?” She had gone running to David as soon as she had heard that he was working alone but he had told her he wasn’t looking for another partner – but Maddie didn’t have to know this.
Maddie inwardly sighed; these two were pathetic. “So maybe you can apply for that position Debbie. I’m sure you’ll be very happy together.” She gave the two women one of her model fake smiles as she flaunted out of the bathroom – and straight into David.
“Maddie.”
“David.” She wouldn’t meet his eyes; it was still too painful for her to look at him. She turned to walk toward the class but felt strong fingers grab her arm. A bolt of electricity ran through her body. She pulled away from his grip and turned to him with flashing eyes filled with hurt, anger and distrust. “Don’t touch me.” She hissed looking around to make sure his fan club were not watching this scene.
The way David ran his hand through his hair was doing funny things to her belly, she looked away. “I just want to talk to you.” He told her in that low voice that still sent shivers through her body, “how’re doin?”
“Fine, I’m fine.” She told him trying not to show him how his presence was affecting her.
“Good,” he nodded quickly racking his brain trying to think of something to say to this woman who once had been so easy to talk to, “fine is good. I’m fine too.” He added. David was trying to think of something witty and clever to say but his mouth was unable to form another word. A tongue tied David Addison was not a common occurrence.
Maddie nodded. She had nothing else to say to him. “I think the class is starting.” She began to walk back to class with David by her side. She couldn’t help the slight smile that curved her lips when he held the door open for her. She remembered when he had been so chivalrous and respectful toward her. But her smile vanished when she thought about how all his gallantry had slowly disappeared leaving a bitter, snide man who was no longer a gentleman with her. She threw a curt, “thanks” over her shoulder as she sat down without looking at him.
David shook his head as he took his seat next to her. Why did he want to talk to her so urgently? Why didn’t he just leave things the way they were and go on with his life? Maybe because for the last 10 months he had been barely living. He missed her desperately; even though they had grown apart during the last year they had worked together just knowing he would see her every day made him feel alive – now he felt dead inside. He had to reach her. David knew he would find a way.
***
Luckily for David that way came during the following Wednesday’s class. All week long David had been mulling over how he could break the ice with his Snow Queen. He had even tried to call her at home but hadn’t left a message. He hoped that Maddie would start to thaw toward him slowly. He wanted to make amends but didn’t know how to even approach her. David was surprised to find that he was actually happy that the class was scheduled to meet twice a week. Starting in two weeks the class would be meeting on Saturdays from 9-3 as well as Wednesday nights. This would give the class the necessary hours to renew their licenses in an expedited manner. He never thought he would be happy to be in class on the weekend but just knowing that he’d be there with Maddie made him glad.
That evening David was there before Maddie. She came strolling into the classroom a few minutes later looking more gorgeous than ever. David greeted her with his killer grin but she barely looked at him as she took her seat. During the class all her attention was on the lecture and she only shushed him when he tried to talk to her. But now the teacher was explaining about the case study project that was one of the necessary requirements to pass the class. The detectives had to work with a partner on a case the teacher assigned to them. To David’s luck and Maddie’s dismay, Mr. Harrison chose Maddie and David to work together on a case of a possible cheating spouse.
When Maddie heard her name being paired with David she thought she would faint. She refused to look at David and as soon as the class broke for their break she made a bee line to the teacher.
David was filled with joy when Mr. Harrison had chosen Maddie to be his partner on this project. Maybe his luck was changing for the better. A huge smile covered his face. He kept trying to get Maddie’s attention but she was candidly ignoring him which didn’t bother him anymore because since they were now going to be working together she was going to have to talk to him one way or the other! The smile was quickly erased from his face when he saw Maddie heading toward the instructor. He knew what she was up to and he needed to stop her!
Once again Maddie felt strong fingers grab her arm. Once again she felt that bolt of electricity shoot through her body. And once again she pulled her arm out of David’s steel like grip. She turned to him with her Maddie death glare which he had sorely missed, “what do you want?” She hissed vehemently. “Go away David.”
“Hey we’re partners again. I won’t be going far.” He tried to tease her.
“Grr.” She growled then strode quickly to the desk where Mr. Harrison sat watching their interaction avidly.
One look at these two and he knew that there was something between them. Harrison had asked around about Maddie Hayes and David Addison and had heard the rumors and the gossip. Being a detective for over 35 years he knew better than to believe in stories and tall tales. He did a bit of investigating on his own and discovered the real story of Maddie and David. Everyone in the business knew about how Maddie Hayes had lost her money but kept the detective agency open. The way Blue Moon had gone from a money pit into a successful detective agency had earned the envy of many a struggling detective. But he also learned of the relationship between the two detectives – the loss of a baby and other factors that began to erode their relationship which unfortunately led to the downfall of Blue Moon. Mr. Harrison knew how the demise of a personal relationship could destroy a professional one. The teacher thought back nostalgically. Years ago he had been David – oh not with the cocky attitude and snarky manner but in love with a complicated woman who gave him a run for his money. Luckily, after many years of disagreements and turmoil he had finally won his blonde. Harrison didn’t know why this young blonde was so angry at David but he thought they needed to get back on track – personally and professionally. He sighed deeply when he looked up into the flashing blue eyes of Maddie Hayes. “Maddie, what can I do for you?”
“I don’t want him,” she nodded her head toward David who was standing beside her with his arms crossed, “as a partner.”
Mr. Harrison leaned back in his chair, “and why is that young woman?”
The words flew out of Maddie’s mouth before she could stop them, “I hate him!” After the words had spilled out she realized she sounded like a spoiled little girl.
Mr. Harrison sat up straight. He looked over to David. “And young man do you know why she um hates you?”
David nodded as he looked at Maddie with wistful green eyes, “I think I do sir, but I think it’s time we moved past the anger.” He said truthfully. He pretended not to notice the hateful look Maddie threw at him.
Maddie felt tears prick her eyes; tears of anger and regret. She liked the feeling of anger and hate she felt toward David. It was better than the love and hurt she knew threatened to overwhelm her if she gave them the chance to escape. She wouldn’t turn her head to look at David. “I don’t want to work with him again!”
The teacher shook his head. “My dear I am not asking you to get married.” He waved his hands at her and then at David. “You have to work together for a couple of weeks. I know you worked together before and that is one reason why I paired you up.”
“So unpair us.” Maddie insisted; her hands were clenched at her sides and her face was red from ire.
He scratched his head, “anyone that I knew had been partnered up before I just naturally put them together.” He looked hard at Maddie, “and now that everyone has their partner I can’t just go changing things around on your whim.”
David remained silent. For some reason he knew the teacher was on his side.
“It is only for a couple of weeks. You two are professionals and should not allow your personal feelings to come before business.” Mr. Harrison stood up, “that is a lesson from this class that I hope you take away with you. Now if you’ll excuse me I must visit the little boy’s room before the class commences.”
Maddie was left standing there with her mind in a whirl. Should she just leave? But then she would lose her license. She had checked and there wasn’t another licensing class for 6 months and by then it would be too late to renew her license. She would have to bite the bullet and like the teacher said put all her feelings for David aside. She could do it. She would do it. Without even looking at her new partner Maddie walked back to her seat and sat down.
Toward the end of the class Mr. Harrison assigned the class their cases and told them to use the remainder of the class time to discuss their assignments. Maddie felt like a deer trapped in the headlights of an oncoming car. She wanted to run but couldn’t move from her seat. She couldn’t breathe thinking about being around David but she would have to squash her emotions and work with him again. It was only for a couple of weeks and then it would be over.
David was thrilled that he was going to have a legitimate reason to stick close to Maddie. Now she would have no choice but to talk to him. “Soooo.” He drawled as he read over their case file. “Nothing we haven’t done before.” He threw her a crooked grin.
Maddie ignored his smile as she grabbed the file from him and began to scan it.
“Wife thinks the hub is messing the sheets with another chick. Wants to hire a PI to tail him…to see if he’s getting any new tail.” David told her as he looked over her shoulder to see what she was reading. He breathed in the smell of her hair; he had a strong urge to run his fingers through it but didn’t want to even imagine her reaction if he tried. “Should be easy peasy to get the skinny on this guy.”
Maddie continued to ignore him while she read over the file.
“So partner, this case should be a piece of cake for us.” David began…
Maddie’s head jerked up from the file, “I’m not your partner.” She remembered the last time he had said they were partners and she felt angry and bitter over the memory. The scene played out in her head.
Her house had just been destroyed in a SWAT raid she was leaning against the couch trying to put together one of her broken statues. She had thanked David for being there and he had answered, “that’s what partners are for.” She remembered answering in a snide, bitter tone, “partners eh?” The way David was treating her was surely not the way a true friend and partner would treat the other. He was mean, bitter and spiteful. She'll never forget how he turned his back on her, left her in a mess and went back to her cousin. The David Addison she had always known would never leave her like that...But he was no longer that man.
That voice brought her back to the present with a jolt, “well sorry Blondie but we are partners on this case. For a couple of weeks anyway.” He reminded her.
“Yes. Fine. Let’s try and get this case over with so we can both go back to our real lives.” My lonely life without you and Blue Moon was what she was thinking. At that moment she felt an incredible yearning to hold him in her arms and at the same time she felt an overwhelming flash of hatred toward him for hurting her and destroying their partnership. Oh she knew she was not blameless in the demise of what they had together – but his actions had put the final nail in the coffin of their friendship, partnership – love – whatever it was that they had together.
David felt a twinge of annoyance toward Maddie. Ok so he had made a few mistakes but she wasn’t innocent either. She had set the train rolling in the wreck that followed – she was the one who had started with her dumb pacts then ran away and came back married to another man! Another man would have never given them a second chance. Damn Maddie Hayes anyway. But then he recalled how she felt in his arms, how she made him feel like no other woman could and the annoyance lifted. “Maddie, Maddie. Maddie. Let’s try and be civil toward one another.” He threw her is lopsided grin, “can you try?”
Despite herself, Maddie felt a shiver run over her, she nodded, “Yes, I’ll try.”
David leaned in to whisper to her and the feel of his breath on her neck made her ache, “maybe not just civil but a little friendly?” He put his thumb and finger about an inch apart, “a teeny weeny bit?” He shrugged. “Maybe?”
Maddie felt a smile curl her lips, “maybe.” She never could resist his charm. “a little.”
David nodded and bent his head down pretending to read the case file but all he could see was Maddie’s smile. But Maddie’s good nature toward David didn’t last very long he noticed, she was curt and almost rude to him as he suggested ways to handle the case.
Once again that Addison charm had coaxed a smile out of her. Damn that man! From the beginning he knew just how to push her buttons! Just how to get her to do almost anything he wanted. Maddie felt like her insides were unraveling inside of her. This had to be some kind of bad dream. If not then karma truly was a bitch. Working on a case with David Addison was going to bring back all the memories she had been trying so hard to suppress for the last 10 months! How could she pretend to be ok with him when every time he looked at her she had the urge to claw out his damn green eyes? Well she would just have to be mature about it.
David suggested that they meet after class for coffee to discuss the case but Maddie refused. “It’s late David and it’s been a long day.” She told him walking toward her car.
David glanced at his watch, “oh yeah it’s almost 9:30. Wouldn’t want you to miss your bedtime.” He teased her good naturedly but of course Maddie took it the wrong way. At this point she knew that almost everything he said was going to annoy her. But she pointedly ignored his teasing as she unlocked her car door and got in.
David put his arm on the roof of the car and bent his head toward her, “Maddie we really have to get together to work on this case.”
She nodded not looking at him as she started the car and closed the door causing David to move back, “I know. I’ll call you tomorrow after I check my schedule.” And with those words she sped off leaving David looking after her wistfully.
David waited until 8pm and still no call from Maddie. She really was a piece of work! He decided to pay her a visit at her house; they needed to make plans for the case and he wouldn’t let her anger toward him jeopardize his career. He had heard through the grapevine that she had been living in a rental while her house was renovated but had moved back home last month. A feeling of shame and regret washed over David when he remembered how he had left Maddie in the rubble of her house alone while he ran back to Annie. Why had he done that? Even if he had thought Maddie would have turned down his offer he should have suggested he stay with her and take her to a hotel. But he hadn’t. David hadn’t realized at the time what a terrible blow that must have been to Maddie. Even if they weren’t lovers at that time they had still been partners and friends…and he had treated her like a virtual stranger instead of the woman he had loved for so many years.
David pushed these thoughts aside and was just about to turn his car into Maddie’s driveway when he saw Maddie emerge from a late model Towncar parked in the front of her house. A tall handsome man jumped out of the driver’s side to follow behind Maddie. Just by the looks of him David knew he was successful and rich. As the man moved into David’s line of vision he realized that he was Phillip Diamond the owner of the modeling agency where Maddie was employed. He wondered suddenly if there was more to their relationship than business. They were talking and laughing as they walked up the driveway but relief washed over David when Maddie gave the man a peck on the cheek, opened her door and left him standing on her front porch.
David waited 10 minutes after Diamond pulled away before he left his car and rang Maddie’s bell. He still had a key to her house but didn’t think it was wise to use it – if she hadn’t changed the locks anyway. He rang the bell a second time impatiently and was finally rewarded by the front door swinging open.
Maddie was just about to get undressed and run a hot bath when she heard the doorbell ringing. She hoped it wasn’t Phil coming back to try and convince her to let him in for a drink. Phil had insisted she come to dinner with him and their new model Charisma although that was the last thing Maddie wanted to do. She knew she had to call David to make plans to work on the case but she was putting off making that call. Being with David again was going to test every bit of her self- control. Phil had wanted to come in for what he called a night cap but Maddie knew that he was looking to get her into bed which was never going to happen. She wasn’t interested in Phil Diamond at all. And no matter how hard she fought it her heart and body were still pining for a certain pair of green eyes and a crooked grin. When the bell rang a second time Maddie’s annoyance reared up and she was set to give Phil Diamond an earful but when she opened the door she was momentarily stunned to find the owner of those eyes and that grin standing at her door. “What do you want David?” Was all she could think to say at that moment. Her heart was beating like a drum and she wanted to slam the door in his face and go hide under her bed but of course she couldn’t do that – or could she?
David waved his hand into her house, “can I come in?” He thought she was going to refuse and his heart sank but then he saw her nod and move aside to let him pass. David walked into Maddie’s house. He looked around at her new furnishing and décor and pushed aside thoughts of the past. He couldn’t change the past but he could change the future. He stood in her entryway and felt uncharacteristically uncomfortable and anxious. Maybe it hadn’t been a good idea to come here.
Maddie noticed that David was feeling uncertain and nervous and that made her feel warmer toward him. She had always loved the side of David that was insecure – it made him seem more manageable. She knew that was a weird word to describe David but having no control over him at all had been one of her fears about getting involved with him – she feared that he was the puppeteer and she was the puppet but when she saw the other less cocky side of him she realized that she had the ability to pull his strings too. “Would you like a drink?”
David shook his head but didn’t move from her entry. Maddie waved towards the living room, “let’s sit.”
David nodded as he plopped onto one of her comfortable new sofas, his mind wandered back to her old couches where they had made love over and over. Again these thoughts were pushed aside as they got down to business.
The Garretts were out of town until the beginning of the following week. They would have to wait to speak with Mrs. Garrett on Monday so they couldn’t make any plans until they spoke to the client about her husband’s schedule.
Maddie hadn’t been very warm to him during their discussion but she hadn’t been rude either so that was a good sign to David. He was just happy to be talking to her at all after not hearing her voice for so long. Just sitting next to her on the sofa, smelling her perfume and gazing at her beautiful face felt like Heaven to him. How could he have existed without her for so long?
Maddie couldn’t help it; she loved to watch David’s mouth as he spoke. She loved the way his lips formed the words of the voice that was still music to her ears. No man had a voice like David, the man could purr the panties off a nun.
David looked at the clock and smiled at Maddie. “I better let you get to bed. I know you get cranky without your beauty rest.” He teased her; his eyes twinkling.
The words fell out of her mouth before she could stop them. “You sure spend a lot of time thinking about me in bed.”
David chuckled causing a bolt of heat to shoot through Maddie’s body, “ya think?” he winked as he made his way out the door.
Maddie just looked after him longingly. That man! But she couldn’t help the way her heart leapt at the thought of seeing him again so soon. This was going to be trouble she worried as she made her way up her spiral staircase.
***
When Maddie spoke to Mrs. Garrett that Monday morning the woman told Maddie that her husband supposedly had a late meeting on Tuesday night. She quickly called David and they made plans to tail the husband to see if he was telling the truth.
Maddie picked David up in her Audi. David looked the car over as he got in the passenger side. “What happened to the Beemer?” He asked her as he fastened his seatbelt. “I didn’t notice the other night that you had a new car.”
Maddie shrugged, “the BMW had seen better days. I wanted something new to start my new life.” She’d be damned before she told him the real reason she traded in the BMW. Suddenly, she felt bereft and had to concentrate not to let her tears escape.
For a moment David felt like he had been punched in the gut. That car had meant so much to him; it was like a part of their lives together and she had just tossed it away. But as always, David hid his melancholia behind his bullet proof persona. Maddie never realized he felt the same way about the old car so her walls fell back into place to protect her own heart.
The duo trailed Mr. Garrett from his office to a nearby restaurant where he was met by what looked like Japanese businessmen. Maddie and David waited outside the restaurant then followed Mr. Garett back to his house. So far he looked innocent.
The stake out was brief and to the point. Maddie made sure to stay far away from David and only spoke to him when necessary. David was getting a bit impatient – he thought they had made some leeway the other day but now she was still treating him like a leper.
Once the stake out was over Maddie dropped David at his place without a word. On the way home her mind was going in all different directions. She hated him. She wanted him. She couldn’t wait for this class to be over. She didn’t want the class to end. She felt the familiar turmoil that David brought to her life. His presence back in her life was disturbing her new found peace and she didn’t know how she felt about it. When she got home she took a very hot bath and poured a big glass of wine but Maddie could not fall asleep; she couldn’t turn off her brain. She kept thinking of David and the many stake outs they had been on together. She had to remember that this partnership with him was only temporary and she would soon be on her own again. Maddie vowed to keep her heart in check and not allow buried feelings to come to the surface.
On the other side of town, David was also finding it hard to fall to sleep. He was aching to hold Maddie in his arms. He kept berating himself for not fighting harder for her over the years. Finally he felt into a fitful slumber where he dreamt of their lost baby and their lost chances. When he woke up he was surprised to find tears on his face.
***
The next night Maddie barely spoke to him during class. David was racking his brain trying to think of some way to break through to her. He barely listened to the teacher droning on about licensing requirements for new Private Investigators.
David tried to talk to Maddie during the break but she raced into the ladies’ room. A feeling of déjà vu washed over David but this time he chose not to wait outside for her like a love sick jerk. He felt his frustration at Maddie rising.
After the break, the teacher inquired how everyone was doing on their cases. David spoke up, “we tailed the husband last night but he was actually meeting clients for dinner.” He nodded to Maddie, “Blondie here called the wife who is still insisting her hubby is messing around.”
Maddie nodded but she didn’t look David’s way, “yes she told me that her husband told her he had another late night this coming Friday.”
“So we’ll be on it.” David added with a wave of his hand toward himself and Maddie.
***
That Friday night David picked Maddie up in his SUV. He got out to open the passenger side door for Maddie. She nodded to the black truck. David had invested in a black SUV soon after Maddie left Blue Moon. He needed a way to get around town. “Nice.” She told him appreciatively, “guess this is more your style than the mini mobile.” Maddie was referring to a present she had given David last year.
He nodded with a smile, “hey it was the thought that counted Maddie.” More memories to remind them of their failed relationship. She nodded with a sad smile.
Once again the husband was telling the truth. He was having dinner with the same Japanese businessman from the other night.
David dropped Maddie at her house. He didn’t expect to be asked in and he wasn’t surprised when she jumped out without barely looking at him. “See you tomorrow.” She threw over her shoulder as she almost ran into her house.
“Hey want me to pick you up in the a.m.?” David called after her.
Maddie stopped and turned. “No David. Thanks anyway.” Why was he being so nice? It was so much easier to hate that bitter snide man she had walked away from almost a year ago.
***
That Saturday, during the first half of the class, the detectives shared their cases with each other without mentioning any names. One of the detectives a short heavyset man named Joe Jennings started to tell the class about his case. “This is the weirdest case I’ve ever been involved with!” Everyone laughed as Joe told his story.
Mr. Harrison called for the classes’ attention. He told them to take a 15 minute break and then when they returned he wanted them to share their most memorable cases with each other.
Maddie and David walked out together talking about the crazy cases they were involved with. David laughed, “do you remember that crazy husband whose wife had her face disfigured…”
Maddie nodded, “oh yes how could I forget that poor woman!” She pushed her hair behind her ear, “how bout the crazy rich woman um Mrs. Grayson who wanted us to make a deal with the kidnappers who kidnapped her step son?”
David laughed, “yea and she was the one who wanted him dead and killed him!” David peeked at Maddie from the corner of his eye, “and wasn’t that when we had that wild bet that I couldn’t be a mature adult for one week?” His hands were moving with is mouth, “and I won that bet.”
“I let you win.” She told him with a laugh.
“Yea sure.” He threw her his lopsided grin.
“Well I did give you more than enough chances.” She reminded him.
“But in the end you missed the real me.” He smirked at her, his eyes twinkling like emeralds.
“What was I thinking?” She teased trying not to get lost in those green eyes she had once adored.
They walked slowly to the donut shop on the corner throwing out different cases they had worked on. Both were laughing as they entered the small shop. Automatically, David ordered coffee for the both of them. He didn’t even realize he hadn’t bothered to ask Maddie how she liked her coffee.
Maddie listened to David order her coffee just the way she took it and a wistful feeling filled her. She still loved this man! Even after he tore her heart to pieces she still wanted him. But she wanted rich, gooey chocolate cake too and a steady diet of that rich dessert - just like David Addison – could be hazardous to your health. David handed her the steaming cup filled with her favorite coffee, “thanks.” She told him with a smile. “You remembered how I like my coffee?”
David sipped his coffee, “how could I forget? I just got you coffee about a thousand times.” He told her with a laugh.
She shrugged, “true.” More memories.
They walked back to the class in silence each wrapped up in their own thoughts. Once the class was seated, Mr. Harrison sat on the side of his desk and looked out at the class. “I thought it would be fun to talk about some of the craziest cases you’ve been involved in as Private Investigators. I know I’ve been involved in a few doozies in my time.” The teacher regaled the class with stories of some of his funniest and nuttiest moments as a detective.
David chuckled as he listened. When the older man was finished David shot out with, “I think most of the cases Maddie and I have been involved in over the past 5 years have been wild and crazy. Seems we’re nut magnets.” He looked over at Maddie and raised his eyebrow, “am I right?”
She had to agree with David as her mind raced over the cases they had handled over the 5 years they had been partners. Maddie nodded with a smile. “Yes we’ve had a few crazy clients. She shook her head, “remember Tupperman?” She asked David with a short laugh.
David nodded and laughed along with her, he began to tell the story of how Mr. Tupperman had hired them to find him the perfect wife. Maddie cut in reminding him how she had been right and looks aren’t the most important thing to a relationship.
“Well Tupperman was crazy!” David teased her.
Maddie growled and punched him on his arm playfully. All the talk of old times had made her miss the old David. She wished they could go back to those wild yet wonderful times.
The class listened intently to Maddie and David as they entertained them with stories of their crazy clients. Laughter filled the classroom as David told the story of the client who had died in Maddie’s office.
“We were wild about Harry!” Maddie giggled as she added to David’s story.
Even Mr. Harrison had enjoyed listening to the couple’s crazy case files. When the class was over David and Maddie walked out of the building still talking about their past cases. They hadn’t realized at the time how weird most of their clients had been. They laughed at the memories as they strolled out to their cars.
They stood in silence for a few minutes. “Hey how bout we get a cup of Joe and talk about the case?” David asked with a grin.
Maddie was happy to have an excuse to stay with David a little longer. She knew she was playing with fire but she couldn’t help but remember how good his burn felt.
They decided on a diner about a mile from the school. David arrived first and was waiting in a booth when Maddie walked in to the restaurant. His heart leapt as he watched her stroll into the place; she would always carry herself like a supermodel – head held high, hips slightly swaying and those long legs made it seem as if she was walking on air. He also couldn’t fail to notice how every man in the place watched her hungrily while the women shot her envious glances as she passed. David felt his mouth go dry as she approached their table. Suddenly he was tongue tied and couldn’t think of a thing to say to her. “Fancy meeting you here.” He grinned crookedly.
Luckily, Maddie was about to sit when David threw her that panty melting grin that had always shot hot lava through her veins. Her legs felt like rubber as she almost fell into the booth and that familiar ache began to spread over her loins as she looked at him across the table. God he was gorgeous. And the 5 o’clock shadow on his face just added to his allure. “Just in the neighborhood.” She threw back falling into their familiar banter.
David ran his fingers through his hair as he looked into the cornflower blue eyes he could never forget. How could he think he was over her? And her cousin Annie had only been a sad substitute for the woman he longed to hold. David brushed these thoughts out of his mind as he ruffled his hair. Maddie was here now and he was going to do his damn best to break down her walls. Walls that had always been up but now were solid steel thanks to his dalliance with her cousin.
***
David made every excuse to call Maddie. Monday he called her to ask if she wanted to go out to lunch to discuss the case. With an iron will Maddie declined. She told him that she had to work through lunch but she really needed to distance herself from David Addison and the feelings he was arousing in her. She had to protect her heart and her mental health!
Tuesday she once again refused David’s invitation but on Wednesday after class she had run out of excuses and truth be told she didn’t want to refuse him again so they went back to the diner they had gone to the previous week. Over burgers and fries, David began to tell Maddie of what was happening with Blue Moon and his antics with Bert. He had Maddie in stitches with his stories of Viola and the rest of the crew. “No one can take your place.” He told her truthfully. “I miss you Maddie.”
Maddie ignored David and changed the subject.
The following Thursday night David and Maddie once again followed Mr. Garrett but this time he headed toward a motel on the outskirts of Hollywood. The detectives watched as Mr. Garrett knocked on the door of a motel room. A woman answered the door and Mr. Garrett pulled her in his arms as he shut the door behind them.
***
Maddie invited David over to her house after class the following Saturday to see how they were going to proceed with their case study. The client wanted more information than just discovering that the husband was cheating. Mrs. Garrett wanted pictures and videos to see if she knew the woman her husband was having an affair with. Knowing her husband was cheating was far from a surprise for the wife; the evidence to his affair was abundant; it was the mystery of who he was dallying with that needed to be solved.
Maddie and David devised a game plan for solving the mystery of the identity of the other woman. David was going to hire the surveillance van that had the necessary equipment that they needed to resolve the case to the wife’s satisfaction. Once the decision was made to stake out the cheating husband the following Tuesday a heavy silence fell upon the pair.
David stood up and stretched. The last thing he wanted was to leave it was up to Maddie to ask him to stay. “Soooo,” he drawled boring a hole through her with his intense stare.
Maddie stood up too and waved toward the bar, “I never asked if you’d like a drink.” What was she doing? She should be heading him to the door. She turned to the bar, “anything you’d like?”
David couldn’t help himself, he had waited too long to touch her creamy skin, feel her in his arms. Without thinking David moved toward Maddie and put his arms around her waist pulling her against him. “I’d like you.” He whispered in that melted, caramel voice that almost buckled her knees.
Maddie tried to pull away but his arms were like steel, “David no.” She felt his arousal against her ass and couldn’t help but move against it. God she missed his touch, the feel of his lips on hers…She felt David pulling her closer to him and like a moth to a flame she felt herself moving closer too. Her head was screaming move away..!! But her body and soul yearned for his touch. It had been so long since she had experienced the magic of being in David's arms. She felt his lips like a hot brand of fire moving over her neck and her shoulders and when he reached that spot she couldn’t stop the gasp of pleasure that shot out of her mouth.
“Ya like that? Huh?” He crooned as his left hand moved leisurely up and down her legs slowly pulling up her skirt with his deft fingers; his other arm was still around her waist pulling her tightly against his hard body. “Ya missed this.” His tongue played over that spot causing breathless gasps of pleasure to pour from Maddie’s mouth.
Her body was on fire and she felt that familiar ache between her legs that only David could make her feel. Involuntarily, her legs opened to allow his wandering fingers to reach that part of her that yearned for his touch. “David,” she moaned as her head fell back against his chest in ecstasy.
And when he turned her around and pulled her into his arms she gladly welcomed his touch…and when his mouth covered hers she swore she heard a symphony.
David’s kisses were ambrosia…his tongue danced in her mouth and painted her lips with passion. She gladly, ardently returned his kisses. She opened her eyes and saw his green eyes gazing down at her filled with desire. Suddenly the thought of those same eyes looking down at another blonde ran through her inner eye and she unexpectedly pulled out of his arms. What was she doing? She had to stop this!
The feel of Maddie in his arms, the sound of her moans of pleasure and the way she was passionately returning his kisses filled David with happiness but his joy was short lived when she pulled away from him abruptly. He stared at her with confusion, “what’s the matter honey?” He wanted to know. David reached for her but she skittishly moved away from him.
Maddie ran her hand over her heated face, “maybe you should leave.” She told him pointing to the door. She knew he should leave but how she wanted him to stay. Her body was screaming out for his touch. Her heart was telling her to go for it while her brain screamed to stop before it was too late. Her heart and body were in the lead…
David tilted his head to one side as his the heat of his green eyes ran over her causing her to shiver with want, “do you really want me to go Maddie?”
“I don’t know,” she hedged, “but I think you leaving may be for the best.” She told him but her eyes beckoned him closer.
David was by her side in an instant, he pulled her back into his arms, “no this is for the best. I want you Maddie. I missed you.” He told her as his tongue painted a path of fire over her lips. “Did you miss me baby?” He purred, “maybe a little?”
Maddie just groaned as her tongue found his, “David, David, David.” She panted his name into his mouth. She couldn’t break away from his grip, she ached for him. She wanted him inside of her, she needed his hard body on hers, “please David, make love to me.”
David chuckled as he took her hand and led her up the spiral staircase, “your wish has always been my demand,” he told her as he stopped on each step to kiss her and remove an item of her clothing; when they reached the top she was gloriously naked in his arms. His eyes raked over her shapely curves, “you are soo beautiful.” He murmured adoringly as his hands wandered over her longingly, “God you are so hot.”
Surprisingly, Maddie didn’t feel one bit of shame as David’s eyes moved over her nude body, instead the way he was looking at her with his eyes filled with admiration and passion was turning her on; her body felt like a raging inferno whose fire could only be put out by the green eyed devil holding her. When they got into her bedroom David pushed her gently on to the bed but Maddie sat up and reached for his belt buckle, “let me.” She whispered as her fingers began to undo his pants until the rock hard beast was released into her welcoming hands. “Oh God David.” She whispered as she bent her head to lay a kiss on the tip of his erection.
David knew that he was almost near and if Maddie laid her tongue on him he would be lost so he tenderly pushed her away as he undressed quickly then fell into bed beside her. “I want to make you happy baby.” He began to cover her body in soft, baby kisses from her head to her throbbing loins, “let me love you honey.”
Maddie reached her first climax as soon as David’s magic tongue began to move over her hotbox. The force of her orgasm almost made her lose consciousness. She had almost forgotten how David’s lovemaking could make her feel – no other man came close to making her lose her mind like David Addison. Her screams reverberated through her bedroom echoing off the walls and that sound was music to David’s ears.
Making Maddie Hayes lose her tight rein on her control during their lovemaking was one of David’s favorite parts of making love to her. He loved how she loosened up completely while they were being intimate and how she couldn’t contain her cries of ecstasy. It was only afterward when Maddie’s walls resurfaced that he felt confused and yes hurt. David didn’t realize that the one thing he loved the most about their lovemaking – her loss of control – was the thing that frightened Maddie the most.
“Oh baby that sounded great.” David purred as he moved between her legs and entered her with one deep thrust, he began to make slow love to her just the way he knew she loved.
Maddie had never forgotten the way David filled her completely; how he knew the right moves that made her wild with passion. And after such a long absence and thinking she would never again lie in his arms, Maddie’s passion rose to dizzying heights.
They made love all through the night until the sun rose high up in the sky. At first when Maddie woke up she was filled with that senseless, overwhelming fear of being with David. She looked over at him on the other side of the bed – sprawled under the covers with his legs splayed out by his sides, his hair sticking up all over his head in wild spikes – and she felt like a fly trapped in a spider’s web; scared that he would wake up and pull her back into that wild, addictive lovemaking that made her lose her mind. But she forced her panic down. If there was any hope for them to mend their botched relationship she would have to face her fears and swallow her resentment over what had happened with Annie. Soon she knew that they would have to discuss what had happened civilly, like two mature adults but she didn’t think this morning was the right time. No, today she would be totally unMaddielike and enjoy her time with David without any worries ruining their day.
David woke up and was dismayed to find the other side of the bed empty. Déjà vu once again ran over him! If she told mentioned the word ‘pact’ he wouldn’t be responsible for his actions! He sat up in bed and tousled his already sleep mussed hair. When he saw Maddie emerge from the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around her body and not her ‘pact’ making outfit of her long robe he felt a bit better. He threw her a smile and waited for her reaction. He wasn’t disappointed.
“Hey,” she smiled at him.
“Hey,” he smiled back, “why didn’t you wake me. We could have gotten clean together.” He winked, “as I recall that was almost as much fun as getting dirty together.” He grinned crookedly.
Maddie felt her neck redden as she remembered showering with David. He could make anything fun and sexy when he set his mind to it. “sorry but you looked like you were dead to the world,” she smiled saucily at him, “and after last night I figured you needed your rest.”
David jumped out of bed with a laugh, “well you figured wrong Blondie, Blonde,” he slapped her butt, “let me jump in the shower and I’ll show you exactly how much I don’t need my rest,” he winked as he walked backwards into the bathroom, “and exactly how much I need to ravish my hot little woman.”
***
After a rambunctious round of lovemaking, Maddie laid her head on David’s chest as her fingers played with his damp chest hair.
David moved Maddie’s tousled hair off of her forehead tenderly, “you happy?” he asked tentatively; he still wasn’t certain of her moods. His heart leapt with joy when he felt her nod her head.
“You happy David?”
He laughed, “I was always happy after...” his fingers brushed through her golden locks, “but you…”
Maddie sat up and put her finger against his lips, “sshh,” she told him firmly. “let’s keep the past out of this bedroom, at least for today.” She planted a soft kiss on his lips.
David nodded as he pulled her back in his arms for another round of slow and lazy then hard and fast lovemaking.
The couple spent all of Sunday wrapped in each other’s arms only leaving the bed to eat and shower. Both were nervous when they woke up on Monday morning that things would feel weird between them but they left each other with the expectation of meeting that night.
Once again the couple spent a wild and ardent night wrapped up in one another’s arms. They couldn’t get enough of each other sexually but both realized that they needed to air out their resentments and anger before it caused another rift between them.
But so far neither wanted to be the one to bring up anything to mar their new found happiness. David was hoping in his usual carefree manner that the past would just disappear. But knowing Maddie, he should have realized that was not to be.
***
David was sitting in the back of the van setting up the surveillance equipment for the stake out while Maddie kept her eyes peeled on the motel office. They had successfully discovered the client’s husband was cheating but tonight they hoped to find out with who. This was the audio part of their project. They had to narrate what was going on during the stake out.
A few minutes later with the audio and video equipment set up David sidled over to Maddie who was sitting on the bench near the back window of the van. Although her eyes were still focused on the motel office she could feel David moving closer. Every time he was near her she felt as if electrical currents were moving through the air and over her body. She tried to shake off the feeling but it only intensified as his thigh brushed hers. “I missed you Goldilocks.” He whispered in her ear then turned to the task at hand. Maddie felt shivers run over her body as she listened to David talk into the microphone.
David began the narration in his professional tone of voice:
“It is August 8th at 9 pm. I am here with my partner on this case, Madolyn Hayes. We are parked outside of the Starlight Inn. We have already proven that the client’s husband, Ron Garrett is cheating but tonight we are hoping to discover who he is cheating with”.
David paused in his narration as he moved closer to Maddie. He was hoping that this stake out would be quick. He wanted to feel Maddie wrapped around him like she had been all through the night before. She was like a drug to his system; after he had her he still craved more. The feelings had only intensified this time around. Since she had come back into his life he was once again walking around with a constant boner. Only Maddie made him feel like a horny teenager who got hard with the feel of the wind. He bent his head next to hers and took a whiff of the vanilla and lavender scent he would always associate with Maddie Hayes. “See anything?” His mind was no longer on the stakeout or the tape that was recording.
Maddie shook her head. “No, not yet.” She managed top croak out. The feel of David’s thigh against hers was making her once again ache in places she shouldn’t ache. Only he had this sexual power over her to turn her on with just a glance or the sound of her name on his lips. She involuntarily opened her legs a bit to relieve the throbbing that was rapidly building up. She turned her face toward David who was gazing down at her with desire shining through his emerald eyes. Both forgot about the tape that was recording their every word.
“Maddie.” He whispered as his mouth covered hers in a passionate soul kiss. “You are so beautiful baby.”
“Oh David!” Maddie moaned as she pulled his head closer to hers. She just had begun to return his fervent kisses when she felt him pull away and jump up.
“Show time!” He exclaimed as he quickly turned on the surveillance equipment and picked up a pair of binoculars. Holding the binoculars to his eyes David watched the couple emerge from the car. At first he didn’t recognize the brunette who was holding on to the man’s hand but then he realized he had seen her before. David began to once again narrate what was going on in the stake out as he looked at the couple walking toward the motel.
“Mr. Garrett and his companion, a curvy brunette are walking hand in hand toward the motel’s office. They look very cozy together. The woman does look a bit familiar to me but I can’t place her.”
Maddie pulled the binoculars from David’s eyes to get a look at what was happening. She immediately identified the woman who was holding on to another woman’s husband. She felt a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach and her body began to shudder with revulsion. “That bitch!” She spat out venomously, “that’s her sister!” Mrs. Garrett had shown the detectives pictures of her family when she had given them her husband’s photograph the first night they had staked him out.
David nodded as he made sure the equipment was capturing everything on tape. “Yep sure is.” David once again resumed his narration of the events taking place:
“My associate has just revealed who the other woman is and it is our client’s sister. Now we will get a few bread and butter photos of the cheating husband and the sister. This should not be very difficult since most of the curtains in these motels are very flimsy.”
This was easy and the night was still young he thought happily. David looked over at Maddie and his pants tightened. He forgot to turn off the tape recorder as his only thought was that he hoped that this night would be a repeat of the last two nights. “Great, let’s wait around for a bit and try and get some bread and butter pics and then get on with our own night,” he wiggled his eyebrows at Maddie. David wasn’t expecting the death glare she threw his way.
“Great?” Maddie’s voice was filled with disgust, “you think screwing around with your wife’s sister is great?” Suddenly she forgot all about how she felt yesterday about swallowing her resentment and talking about what had happened civilly – like two mature adults. She just felt that old hurt, embarrassment and anger encompass her.
David shook his head. What was going on with her now? “Oh course not! Don’t put words in my mouth!” He countered running his fingers through his hair in irritation, “why do you always try and twist everything I say?”
“I’m not twisting anything Addison but I see you don’t think who that man is cheating with makes this case far more reprehensible than before!” She sneered, “you do know what reprehensible means?” She knew she was being bitchy but she wanted to hurt him.
David threw her a nasty look, “yeah I know what it means,” he shot back, “I think that him being a cheat is bad enough. Don’t you?”
Maddie looked at him evilly, “but to go with someone in his wife’s family is below the basement door.” She tossed her head, “you should know. You’ve found a few basement doors yourself.”
David’s jaw dropped, “why is this about me now?” Was this her new way to keep him at arm’s length – start a fight?
Maddie shrugged. “Well you do have experience with other people’s relatives as I recall?” She snapped as she moved to the other side of the bench away from him. She couldn’t stop the feelings of resentment and rage that filled her.
Annie? Really how the hell was this anything like him and Annie?? So big deal she was her cousin but he and Maddie hadn’t been married or even a couple as he recalled bitterly. “I had no wife.” He stated in a low angry voice.
Maddie just stared out the side of the van’s window. She may not have been his wife but she was his partner and she thought his friend; and even though at the time they were no longer a couple she still did not deserve such meanness from him. She had finally admitted to herself she had been jealous although she had tried so hard to hide it even from herself. Despite doing everything in her power to stay away and get David from under her skin seeing him with her cousin had wounded her to the core of her being. At the time she had hated her tramp cousin for taking up with David. Annie knew what he meant to her – what they had been through together but obviously she didn’t care. Maddie knew Annie had always been jealous of her career and beauty but she had never thought she would ever have hurt her so deeply. And she had hated David. She knew he was no saint and had probably boinked his way across LA so why did a man who could have almost any woman he wanted choose to be with her cousin? Spite? But why was he spiteful to her? He was the one who had turned his back on them after the loss of the baby that they had discovered was his. And even though they had tried to work their way back to each other after David had come to his senses - the memory of the way he had behaved held her back from fully committing. How could she trust him not to run away from her again at the first sign of trouble? Well not that he seemed to want to commit either; David had gone back to his party hardy days without a second thought. Maddie just wanted to lay her head down and sob out all her hurt and fury but she held herself together the way she had perfected during the last couple of years. Finally she spoke, “well you had a partner and a friend.”
David ran his hands through his hair, “yes a pal!” He spat, “who shouldn’t have cared who I was boinking!”
Maddie turned to him with cold blue eyes, “and of course that’s all you ever think about! Boinking!”
He shook his head, “no I think of other things,” David saw that everything was starting to spiral out of control which made him very nervous about holding on to Maddie; he thought a little levity might diffuse the situation. He tilted his head to one side and smiled trying to be cute which was absolutely the wrong thing to do at that moment, “well some of the time.”
“You are an ass!” Maddie choked out.
“Maddie, Maddie, Maddie,” David’s gut told him this was getting dangerous. He tried to take her hand, “can’t we forget the past?”
“Get your filthy hands off of me you idiot!” Maddie pulled her hand away from his like he was a disgusting insect.
David began to steam up. Really, why did this woman always manage to make him feel like he wasn’t good enough, “that’s not what you said last night.” He smirked, “as I recall you were begging me to touch you.”
“Fuck you!”
David nodded as his eyes filled with spite, “yeah begged me to do that too.”
Maddie’s hand flailed out and slapped David hard across the face. “I hate you!”
David’s hand covered the red blotch on his face, “yeah we’ve played this scene before as I remember too.”
“Take me home. We’re done here.”
David jumped into the driver’s seat and revved the engine then shot into the street heading to Maddie’s house. “Yeah sure looks like it!” He mumbled as he sped away.
***
Tuesday was spent in a fog of anger and hurt.
***
When Maddie walked into the classroom that Wednesday she deliberately snubbed David as she sat down in her seat. David was also still angry so he ignored her too. Two can play this game he thought snidely.
Well now he was ignoring her? What a jackass! She hated him! Maddie was livid not only with David’s nonchalance regarding his tryst with Annie but now she was certain they were not going to pass the class satisfactorily in order to renew their licenses. A major part of the requirements of the class was the case each of the detectives were working on. Last night they had not bothered to follow through with the necessary pictures and audio tape to prove who the client’s husband was cheating with. Maddie’s hands were claws twisted in her lap as she sat so far away from David she was almost in the neighboring student’s lap. He didn’t seem to mind at all since she knew he had his eyes on her from the get go. She had even gone out for coffee with him after one of the classes but unfortunately she found him boring and mundane – like she found every other man but David. But that green eyed demon was bad for her mental health and she vowed once this class was over she would never set eyes on him again. Never! Suddenly, Maddie heard Mr. Harrison telling the class they were going to hear the audio of Maddie and David’s case. Her stomach dropped to her feet. David couldn’t be as loathsome as to hand over the tape??? They had kissed on the tape! She was mortified! She glared at the back of his head and had an uncontrollable urge to punch him in the neck. Before she could stop herself she punched him on the arm.
“Ow!” David turned to face Maddie. “What’d you do that for?” He asked as he rubbed his arm where she had hit him.
“I can’t believe you gave him that tape?” She whispered heatedly.
David shrugged which only fueled her anger. “I figured it was better than not handing in anything.” He ran his hands through his hair, “so big deal we kissed? We also got some of the stake out on tape.”
“You make me sick.” She hissed.
“I know.” He gave her an evil stare, “you’ve told me enough times that I finally believe it.”
“Good!”
“Good!”
“Fine!”
“Fine!”
Suddenly both stopped their bickering as they realized David had never turned off the tape recorder and their entire argument had been taped. Maddie’s neck turned bright red as every eye in the class, including the staid Mr. Harrison, turned to look at them. Maddie was mortified to hear giggles from the two unattractive biddies who she knew had their eye on David. Her nails bit into the palm of her hand as she tried to keep her head. But Maddie knew it was a lost cause when she saw David’s lips curl into a slight smirk. “You imbecile,” she raged through gritted teeth, “you never turned off the tape!”
“I hate when you call me names!” David retorted furiously, “it was a mistake.” He shrugged, “haven’t you ever made a mistake?”
“I’m looking at my biggest one!” She fumed as the tape spewed out all their hateful words from the night before.
“Calm down Maddie!” He whispered fervently, “don’t let them know you care. It’s none of their god damn business anyway.”
“Have you no shame?” She was livid.
David’s eyes narrowed dangerously, “So we had a fight?” So big deal.”
“Now they know we slept together.” Maddie hissed.
“Oh and that’s why you’re ashamed? Oh right I’m not the man you’re supposed to be with!” David was now filled with an uncontrollable anger. His eyes bore into her with fury. All the pent up hurt and wrath that had built up in him over the last couple of years raged to the surface. Didn’t he realize he could never be good enough for Maddie Hayes?
In the meantime, the teacher was trying to get their attention. He didn’t want a full blown fight to erupt in his class. He was trying to calm down the battling couple who he could see were wild about each other – but so angry they were bent on murdering – not loving. “Mr. Addison! Miss Hayes!” He shouted.
David heard Mr. Harrison through a haze of fury. He jumped out of his seat and pointed his finger at Maddie as if it were a dagger. “Fuck you Maddie!” He stormed as he bolted out of the class. He had to get away from her! He wouldn’t allow that cold bitch to belittle him again!
Mr. Harrison turned to Maddie with a scowl after David’s stormy exit. “I know you two have past issues together.” The teacher told her, Maddie wished she could just vanish into thin air, once again David Addison was the cause of her mortification! The red spots on her neck ran up to her cheeks. Her face felt like a flame as she tried to appear undaunted as she listened to the old man. “But you should never allow personal matters to interfere with your business! Or hinder your investigations young lady! I thought I made myself clear about that when I first paired you together! I will take into account how you solved the case and will pass you through.” Maddie was at least relieved to hear this, “but you need to learn to control your tempers!” The teacher was second guessing his plan to put these two back together. They needed more help than he could give them.
Maddie nodded as she stood up on shaky legs but she managed to walk out of the classroom with her head held high and some semblance of dignity left. She didn’t allow the tears to fall until she was safely ensconced behind the wheel of her car. She rued the day she had met David Addison!
***
The last class was that Saturday. Maddie made sure to sit on the other side of the room far away from David. She had changed seats with one of the unattractive women and the woman was over the moon that she’d be sitting next to David. Maddie didn’t care who David sat next to she just wanted to get through this day and forget she had ever set eyes on him!
End of part 1