Mad Summer Love

Heating Up

The three piled back into the limo for the ride to Summer's place. Maddox spent most of the time showing Madison the fun little features of the luxury ride. “And see, if Al,” he pointed to the driver, “is being annoying, I just push this button and the glass goes up.”

Maddox looked over at Summer, grinning as he let their daughter play with the controls for a while.

At one point, when the tour brought them closer to her, Maddox put a hand gently on Summer's knee. “I think she likes the car,” he said, giving her a playful squeeze.

Madison laughed as she pushed buttons and when Maddox joined Summer, she had fun talking to Al through the divider.

Summer could feel the heat radiating from where Maddox's hand rested upon her knee. It caused her to stumble over her words as she spoke, “Yes. I…I think she does.”

They pulled up to Summer's apartment building and she didn't move. She just looked at Maddox, her eyes locked with his. “Are you sure that you want to come up?” It was obvious she was worried about what his answer would be.

Maddox smiled at her, his thumb caressing a circle on her knee. “I have never wanted anything more...at least not in the past 10 years.”

Summer smiled at him, touching his hand before she called out to their daughter. “Grab your backpack, Madison, and let's go inside.”

Madison grabbed her belongings, said goodbye to Al, then flew out of the car and up the stairs.

As they got inside, Summer dropped the keys in a dish on the table by the door.

“Go do your homework and I'll make dinner,” she told Madison.

Madison sighed but headed to her room.

Summer turned to Maddox. “Would you like a drink?”

Maddox grinned at her. “The last time I drank with you, it wasn't exactly legal,” he recalled, playfully. “Sure. Whatever you have is fine.”

Summer giggled lightly as she headed to the kitchen to pull a bottle of red wine from her fridge. “Yeah, but that was a good night...one that will stick with us forever.”

Maddox looked around the apartment as he followed Summer. She had pictures of her and Madison in little frames sprinkled throughout her home and everything was neat and tidy.

“I like your place,” he told her. “Can I help you with dinner?”

Summer pulled down the wine glasses after having to stretch up and get them out of the cabinet. She placed them on the counter and poured them each a glass, handing one to Maddox when she was done. She leaned against the counter and took a big sip. She was so nervous to be around Maddox and she didn't even know why. It was what she had wanted for ten years, but never thought the day would actually come. Yet, here they were, standing in her kitchen and no words would come out.

“Umm...,” she trailed off as she moved to the fridge, pulling out broccoli and raw chicken. “How about you trim the fat off of these breasts?” she asked, laying out a cutting board and knife for him.

Maddox grinned, he had a joke lined up, but thought it best not to say it out loud. “I am going to have to start tailoring my jokes to be more kid friendly,” he said as he took the chicken, winking at her.

Summer gave a light chuckle as she shook her head, then removed her jacket, leaving her in the black low-cut blouse that she had on underneath. After taking another big sip of her wine, she moved to the sink to start washing the broccoli. It was going to be a night when she would need a few glasses.

Maddox sipped his wine as he worked too, lost in thought. It was surprising how they seemed to fall into a rhythm together. He could tell she was nervous, he was too. Tonight was going to be critical to how their new relationship progressed.

When he finished, he walked up behind Summer and put a hand on her hip to let her know he was there. Looking over her shoulder, Maddox caught her scent - a mix of grapefruit, bergamot and wild flowers - and memories of their intimacy flooded back to him.

“What else can I do?”

His hand on her hip lit a fire beneath her skin that rushed quickly across her body, heating her up at her core. She faltered with her knife briefly as his closeness made her feel slightly dizzy.

“Oops, uh,” she said, instantly sticking her finger in her mouth to catch the little bit of blood.

Maddox grabbed a nearby cloth and took her hand.

“Are you OK?” he asked, inspecting the wound.

Clearing away the blood, he found only a minor knick.

“Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I think you'll live though,” Maddox joked, kissing her finger, his eyes fixed on hers.

Summer watched how quickly he reacted and as he kissed her finger, her pulse quickened.

“It's fine,” she said, biting her bottom lip. “You didn't scare me...it was just my nerves,” she admitted.

She looked at his lips on her finger and her heart began to hammer away in her chest. Being around him was bringing up so many memories, but all she could think about were the intimate ones at that moment, it seemed.

He nodded, still holding her hand. “It's all still pretty raw.”

Maddox felt the heat in her hand and watched the flush rising on her neck, his eyes drifting to the dip of her blouse. She still drove him crazy with desire.

Summer saw his gaze roam over her and her breath hitched slightly. He was still holding her hand and still so close to her. His scent was like a snake, coiling itself around her, making her want to know if he could still make her feel so good. She bit her lip again as she stared at him.

“I…umm…,” she stuttered, completely at a loss for words suddenly.

The tension between them was palpable. Maddox watched Summer's lips move, his mind replaying all the times he had kissed her and when she faltered he leaned in, still holding her hand, the other on her hip, drawing her closer.

Summer feared her heart would beat out of her chest. As he pulled her in closer, she glanced down at his lips. Was he going to kiss her? She thought she would pass out from the anticipation. She slowly moved her lips closer to his, her bright blue eyes peering into his beautiful emerald ones before fluttering shut, their lips barely touching.

“Ahem…,” came a small voice next to them.