Chapter 18

Madison told Richie about their visit to Temple Church and the 'prison stint' on the way back to the hotel. Richie laughed at first but then turned to her, concerned. "One day your curiosity is going to get you into serious trouble, young lady. What if no one heard you?" he scolded. "Next time, don't go walking into unknown places unless I'm with you."

"And you're okay with being locked in a dark room with me?" Madison snorted.

Richie's eyes heated at that question. Oh, yeah. The look in his eyes when he grinned down at her, made her flush, but before she could think of a smart comeback, his lips were on hers, tasting and teasing. Any notion of resistance went right out the window as his tongue sought entrance and she parted her lips in invitation. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, hands fisting into his hair, their tongues dueling. Richie had to fight to keep himself in control and refrain from laying her down right there in the back of the limo.

As the car neared the hotel, he reluctantly eased back from her. He helped Madison out of the limo and led her into the hotel, past the fans that had camped themselves outside. He was glad that his shirt was untucked and covering the front of his jeans, or it would prove to be embarrassing, though he still found it difficult maneuvering through the lobby.

In the elevator, he rained soft little kisses on her face vaguely aware of the security cameras. When it stopped on his floor, he led her into his suite. She had seen it before, but tonight, the soft lighting dotting across the room, gave it a different ambiance. The soothing music was floating through air - the songs unrecognizable, but serving well to fill the silence.

Madison suddenly felt nervous. How could it be that she felt so strongly about a man she knew for only a few short days? Am I doing the right thing? This is so unlike me. What if.....

Richie came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "What's the matter, darlin'?" He leaned in and kissed her temple. When he kissed down to the hollow of her neck, she let a small gasp escape. Turning her to face him, he took her hands and pulled them slowly up to wrap around his neck. He kissed her softly then demanded to be let in. She complied and he slid his hands down her arms, fingers lightly grazing her sides, thumbs stroking the underside of her breasts. When she didn't try to stop him, he deepened the kiss and let his thumbs slide across her nipples and circled the hardening tips. His arms slid down and around to cup her butt. Pressing her to him, he groaned when he felt her hands tangle into his hair as she slid her body up hard against his growing arousal.

He broke the kiss long enough to take her hand and lead her into the bedroom. Caressing her cheeks, he leaned in to kiss her and felt her trembling. "Sweetheart, I'm not going to ask you to do anything you don't want to. We can wait." When she looked up into his eyes, there was no false sincerity and she knew that his feelings for her were genuine. She replied by wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. Gentle and tender at first, then when her hunger gripped her, more demanding. Breathless, he whispered, "are you sure?"

"Yes."

He needed no other encouragement and he ran his hands down her sides, under the hem of her top, caressing her soft, firm breasts as he moved her closer to the bed. Lifting her top up and off, he gazed down and gently played his hands over her breasts feeling her nipples peak at his touch. He hooked his fingers under the straps and slowly slipped one, then the other down the curves of her shoulder, nuzzling her neck and making her shiver. Then his hands found the clasp and deftly unhooked and removed her bra and tossed it some corner behind him.

He laid her on the bed, then, lying down beside her, slowly and agonizingly began to caress her. Stroking her hair, down to the hollow of her neck, he made his way to her breasts. When he took a nipple into his mouth and sucked, she gasped. His tongue played on her, nipping, laving until she was ready to scream. She grabbed at his shirt and pulled up until he was forced to part from her. He removed it and flung it to join hers on the floor, then continued to ravish her. His hands traveled down, between her legs and stroked her intimately through her jeans, eliciting a ravaged moan from her lips.

She let her hands wander over his broad chest and raked her nails across his nipples making him groan as his fingers found the button of her jeans and snapped it open. Sliding her jeans down her legs, he slid back up and straddled her. Gazing down at her quivering body, he again began the slow maddening stroking, beginning at her cheeks, down the sides of her neck and following the lines of her shoulders, down her arms giving her goosebumps in the process. When he stroked up to her breasts, her hands on his thighs moved up to stroke him along his length until he hissed. She helped him out of his jeans and welcomed him into her arms, kissing him with a yearning she had long forgotten.

He eased her panties off and slid his hand up between her thighs finding her wet for him. Sliding one, then two fingers into her, he realized how tight she was and knew that he could hurt her if he took her now. "Baby, I want you to relax," he whispered, deepening each stroke until she was squirming beneath him. "Richie!" She grabbed at him. "Not yet." He held her hands with his free one and continued stroking until he felt she was ready for him. Leaning over her, he entered her slowly but froze when he heard her gasp and clutched his arm tightly. "Relax, baby." Pulling out, he thrust a bit deeper and when he thrust a third time, he did not stop until he had completely filled her.

Madison bit her lip and almost whimpered at the fullness she felt. One hand fisted into her pillow and the other grabbed his wrist, but as he set a slow, smooth rhythm, she did relax and let the sensations take over. She brought one leg around and stroked up and down the back of his as she scraped her nails gently down his back, urging him deeper.

Richie felt her tightening and knew she was close. He hooked one hand under her knee and brought it up, then started thrusting harder and faster. The change of angle was her undoing. She felt the tremors starting and gripped his wrist, "oh god, Richie!" She came hard. Her head fell back as she closed her eyes and bit her lip. "Baby, look at me." She fought to focus on him, on this man who in a few short days had managed to unravel the cocoon she had woven around herself. She traced her hand along the features of his face then leaned up to kiss him.

She drew a sharp breath when he pulled nearly all the way out then plunged deep into her. The rhythm he now set was fast and frenzied and she was shocked when another orgasm coursed through her, this time taking him over the edge with her.

They lay there, hearts pounding, stroking and soothing each other as they waited for the world to slow down. Kissing her gently, he rolled off taking her into his arms and hugging her close. She snuggled up to him, one leg on his body, her head resting on his shoulder, tracing lazy circles on his chest.

That's when he noticed it.

"Tell me about the tattoo."

There was a tiny rose low on her left hip. A perfect bud just beginning its bloom.

Madison averted her eyes. "It's about trust. Or lack thereof," she stated flatly.

He crooked a finger under her chin and made her look at him. "Tell me."

She was hesitant at first, but then nodded.

"Before Jason, my ex husband, and I got married, we promised each other that we would get tattoos. What the tattoo was, would be a surprise. Well, I chose the rose because it symbolizes love. When I showed it to him, he just laughed. I asked to see his tattoo and found out that he didn't go through with it. He said he couldn't believe that I would be so gullible, that he was only kidding."

Madison turned her eyes away from Richie. "I know it's silly to be upset over a small thing like this, but I felt betrayed. I just felt so...stupid."

"It's not stupid, darlin', you trusted him and did it because you loved him. You have a right to feel betrayed." That asshole.

He turned and looked at her and saw that vulnerability once again.

"Do you trust me?"

"You haven't done anything for me to not trust you....."

"That's not what I'm asking." He looked deep into her eyes, "Madison, do you trust me?"

When she looked into his, seeing the depth and the emotions within, she knew the answer.

"I do."