The Perfect Love Storm Page 3

  “That sounds great, Madi. I’m so happy to see you getting back to living. A new man may be your next new beginning,” Deena added.

  “I don’t know about that, Ms. Deena. Honestly, love is the last thing on my mind. I just want to get back into the swing of life. If love happens, however, I’ll let it.” She smiled. She was just about ready for anything, but love had never entered her mind until Deena’s mention of a man. Tony was good for sex and a good time, but since he was married, he was safe. She’d never fall in love with a married man. If she ever fell in love again, he’d have to be single and, hopefully, childfree.

  “Well, you never know what’s in store for you, Madison,” Deena winked.

  “You’re right,” Madison agreed. “So, what’s next?” she said, getting back to the house business.

  “I’m going to get everything over to Lance, and he’ll give you a call with your exact closing date.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Yes, ma’am, that is it. I have everything I need from you, and since there is no financing, this will be a quick and easy process.”

  “Well, I guess I’ll hit up a few furniture stores this week because I’m sure when I open the storage unit that houses all my old things, the memories are going to come flooding in. I don’t know if I wanna keep those things or sell them and start fresh.”

  “Well, I’ll go with you if you need me to when you go, so don’t worry. And if you decide to sell it all, let me know, because we do staging, and I’m sure you’ll have some items we can use.”

  “Thanks, Deena.”

  “No thanks needed, Madi. We’ve been friends since forever. I hate what you went through.”

  “Me too. I miss them every single day, but now I can go without crying every other day. When I think of them, I smile more now. I’m finally starting to feel alive again.”

  “That’s wonderful.”

  “Well, I’ll get out of your hair. I have to go by the salon and do a walkthrough, meet the stylists, and survey all of the immediate damage.”

  “Oh yeah, let me give you a card. Give Marcus Storm a call. He is Travis’s cousin and our head architect. Just tell him I referred you, and he’ll take care of you.”

  “Wow, thanks. I do hope he can renovate it because I don’t want to change the location. It’s been in that spot for over forty years and to move it would be terrible.”

  “Well, one thing about our company is we work around the clock. Usually, they can move things around to give work access while they work. Like, you may be down to two bowls for a couple of weeks, and things will be tight and noisy. But we’ve done salons before that turned out fabulous. Check out Lucy’s Locks and Styles by Jackie when you get a chance. We got them remodeled without a hiccup in their businesses.”

  “I will.” Madison stood.

  “Oh, and since you’re back in the land of the living, mark your calendar for the Storms’ thirty-third anniversary party. It will be at the convention center, as always, and it’s taking place a little over a month from now, so get you a sexy ballroom gown.”

  “Sexy? Ha,” Madison laughed.

  “We are not all meant to be skinny. And you know big Texas men love big Texas women.”

  “I didn’t know until my mother schooled me on that. I would love to attend, so I’ll make sure I hit up Mrs. Henderson. She can make a dress in five minutes.”

  “Well, you better get on it, because she’s making my and my sisters-in-law and our mothers’ and my mother’s-in-law dress too. She has almost finished ours. And so you will look like family and not just my best friend, our dresses are red,” Deena smiled.

  “I do look good in red.” Madison smiled back and made her exit.

  * * *

  When she left, she headed to her mom’s salon. After a walkthrough, she wanted to tear the building completely down. “Oh Lord, what have I’ve gotten myself into,” she said. There was old everything, even though it had been renovated a few times since the seventies.

  She dialed Marcus, and he agreed to meet her the next morning. Not like Madison, he was impressed by some of the architectural details. He told her the arches and hardwoods were in great shape and said he’d definitely try to keep those. He promised to have her plans with a new layout in two weeks. She smiled as he shook her hand to leave. He was attractive.

  She hadn’t been out in so long, and being in the presence of Marcus for that short time made her realize just how much she missed the scent of a man. His cologne smelled so damn good on him, and when he spoke, she couldn’t help staring at his lips, and when he pointed out certain things, she stared at his muscular arms and wanted to reach out and touch him. “Am I really ready to date?” she asked herself aloud when he made his exit. Rejoining the world was one thing, but finding love again was something else entirely. She wondered if she was ready to give her heart to another man.

  She locked the shop’s door and was about to head home but decided to stop by the furniture store to look.

  Seeing new and updated styles, she agreed her stuff in storage had to be sold. Even though she hadn’t closed on the house yet, she dropped seventeen grand on a new bedroom set, living room set, kitchen table and chairs, and office furniture. She’d keep her cookware, dishes, art, accessories, and other valuables, and put her old bedroom set in one of the spare bedrooms. She couldn’t imagine sharing that bed with anyone else anyway.

  When she got home, her parents had jazz coming from their room, and she could smell the scent of Jasmine, her mom’s favorite fragrance. Her mom and dad were older, but still madly in love, and although she hated it, she still had to wear her headphones to bed . . . in case they decided to be intimate. She had known to be home and across the hall from their room would be horrible, but when she lost Dre and the boys, she couldn’t bear to be alone. She had fought with her in-laws about burying her husband in Tyler because they wanted him in Houston. But as his wife, she had the power to bury her husband wherever she wanted to.

  She lay in her bed and decided to listen to an audio book. She had become a bookworm in her secluded days and was able to listen to a book while she enjoyed her other hobbies—quilting, crocheting, and knitting. She also played the piano and could sing, but that had never been her passion. Her momma wanted it to be, so Madison had piano lessons and a vocal coach when she was younger. Martha had put her in every talent show under the stars, but by junior year, she told her mother she didn’t want to participate anymore.

  “Mom!” Madison said when she looked up to see her mother at her door. She had been listening to an audiobook with her headphones on and did not hear her come in.

  “I knocked,” Martha said, coming in carrying the phone. She had on a black lace teddy with matching robe. She extended the hand holding the phone and held her nightie closed with the other.

  Madison was unfazed by her mother’s usual nighttime attire. “Who is it?”

  “Anthony. He wanted your cell, but I figured if you wanted him to have it, you’d be the one to give it to him.” Madison took the phone. “Don’t forget, darling, he’s a married man. Don’t fall for no bullshit,” Martha said and left.

  “Hello,” Madison said.

  “Madison, hey. You’re a hard woman to track down.”

  “Hey, Tony. I was out all day.”

  “I know. I called several times. It’s crazy your folks still have the same number.”

  “Yes, this number is older than me.”

  “My pop does too.”

  “So, what’s up, Tony? Why are you calling me?”

  “I wanted to see you and catch up. I heard about your husband and your twins. I’m so sorry, Madi.”

  “Thanks, Tony. I’m healing now, finally. It was superhard, but I’m so much better now.”

  “That’s good to hear, Madison. I can imagine you went through a tough time.”

  “I did, but time is the healer of all things.”

  “Indeed, it is,” he said. The line went silent.

  �
��So, Tony, what do you need?”

  “I wanted to meet for a drink. It’s been some time since we’ve seen each other, and I’d like to see you, Madison. If you’re not busy, maybe you can come by and have a drink with me. This thing with my dad is tough to deal with, you know.”

  “I can imagine. Sure, I can come by. I’m not busy.”

  “Great, that will be just great.”

  “So, I could be there in an hour. I need to change.”

  “That’s perfect.”

  They hung up, and Madison sat on the side of the bed. Okay, all I have is sweats and housedresses, she thought, looking down at her attire. She only had two cute outfits, and she had worn one to house hunt and the other earlier that day.

  Martha stepped in. “What did Anthony want with you, chile?”

  “Nothing too much, Momma. He just wanna talk. He’s having a hard time dealing with Mr. Reed being ill. Asked me to come by for a drink.”

  “Madison Grace Atkins-Morgan, don’t you go to that man’s house for a drink. He is not available. He is married with sons, and that’s not a good look for you.”

  “Mother, I’m aware of that. I’m not interested in Tony, so please don’t turn this into something it isn’t.”

  “Okay, but I know how men are, and it’s been more than four years since you’ve had your cat stroked.”

  Madison’s eyes bulged. “Momma!” She couldn’t believe her mother had just said that to her.

  “Oh, Madi, don’t play coy with me. I’m your mother, and I’ve never sugarcoated anything, and I’m not going to start now. I tell it like it is. Don’t get caught up with another woman’s man, because in the end, if the mistress wins, she later becomes victim to the same thing.” Martha turned and left.

  Madison showered and pulled her long curls up into a high ponytail. She grabbed a new pair of yoga pants that she had never worn and a V-neck tee shirt. After looking in the mirror, she went for her makeup bag, only to find most of her cosmetics were dried up. “Okay, I must get new makeup too,” she told herself. She slowly approached her parents’ door and tapped.

  “Come in,” her mother said.

  Madison stepped in to find her daddy under the covers, and her mom leaning in close. She thanked God that the aroma of sex she had smelled when she was a teenager wasn’t in the air.

  “Mom, I need makeup, please. Mine is dried up.”

  “In my bathroom in the left drawer,” her mom said.

  “Thanks, Ma.” After getting the makeup bag, Madison started to leave.

  “Madi,” Martha called out.

  Madison paused. “Yes, ma’am?”

  “Remember what I said.”

  “I will.”

  Madison hurried to the hall bathroom and spruced up her face before grabbing the keys to her Suburban.

  * * *

  She pulled up to the gate of the Reeds’ ranch and got out to open it. She figured Tony wouldn’t shoot because he was expecting her. After clearing the gate, she got out and closed it. Just then, Tony approached on a horse.

  “Oh my God, Tony, this cannot be Bandit.”

  “No, Bandit died about seven or so years ago, but this is one of his offspring.” Madison approached, and Tony tugged the reins so that the horse wouldn’t react.

  “He’s gorgeous. What’s his name?”

  “Booker. I came to open the gate, but I see you remember the trick for the latch.”

  “Yep, I do. Did it plenty of times when we were younger.”

  “Well, come on in. Daddy is already sleeping.”

  “Okay.”

  She got in her truck, and Tony and Booker headed toward the stables, while she headed toward the main house.

  Chapter Four

  Her mother was right.

  Madison walked into a familiar floor plan that had been renovated. The house’s décor had been updated, but it still had the feel of the house she used to visit when she was a teen.

  “What would you like?” Tony asked.

  “Wine would be nice if you have it; I’m not into heavy liquor.”

  “Wine it is,” he said, going toward the kitchen.

  The house now had an open concept floor plan. The wall that had once divided the kitchen from the living area no longer existed.

  “The place looks nice. I see that, like my parents, your dad renovated.”

  “Yes, thanks to me. He thought things were fine the way they were, but things were falling apart. Half of the drawers in the kitchen wouldn’t open or close all the way. The ranch was doing well, so why not? I got with the Storms, as everyone in this town does, and they came in and did an overhaul. No new added space—there is still no master bathroom in my dad’s room—but every room got a face-lift.” He gestured for her to have a seat on the sofa and then handed her a glass of white wine.

  “Well, when you come over Sunday, you’ll see the same thing went down at my parents’ place. House is still pretty much the same layout, like here, but it’s now open as well. And that fourth bedroom no longer exists. My parents expanded their room and added a master bath and an enormous walk-in closet.”

  “I imagine it’s nice,” Tony said.

  “It is, and it’s always where I’ll call home no matter where I live.”

  “I know, right? My home out in Austin is nice. We have five bedrooms, a loft, my own man cave, and a pool, but somehow, I feel more at home here.” He excused himself to get his drink and moments later, joined her on the sofa. “It’s very nice to see you again, Madison. I can’t believe how the time has zoomed by.”

  “I know. It seems like just yesterday we were teens running around this ranch.”

  “You were like my heart back then.” He smiled.

  “You were mine too, but we grew up, and that puppy love quickly faded. Mother told me that it wouldn’t last, and I didn’t believe her. But like most things, she was right.”

  “Well, yes, unfortunately, she was, but I still think about you now and then. I miss a lot of things about you.”

  “Really? I thought that wife of yours would be the only one on your mind.”

  “My wife? Oh boy, my wife. I love her, don’t get me wrong, but, honestly, I don’t miss her. I mean, she’s a pistol. Always got something smart to say, always wants the last word. She’s from New York, and they are a different breed than us Texans.”

  “Like my momma always used to say when I’d complain about Dre, ‘You knew who you were marrying.’ I’m sure you knew who you were taking the plunge with.”

  “I did, but she has gotten worse,” he laughed.

  They continued talking and catching up. By glass number three, she was good and tipsy and starting to remember all the reasons why she liked Tony back then. He was easy on the eyes, and she remembered him being a great kisser.

  At that thought, she stood. “I’d better be going.”

  “Don’t go,” he said. He stood up and moved directly in front of her.

  “I have to, Tony. I mean, it was great catching up, but if I stay . . . I-I-I—You’re married now, so I definitely need to go.” She headed for the door, but he beat her to it and blocked her exit.

  “Just tonight, baby, and I promise I’ll never bother you again.”

  “Tony, I just, I can’t, I—” Tony pushed his tongue in between her lips, cutting her words off.

  A man hadn’t kissed Madison since Dre. Her nipples sprouted against her satin bra. They became so hard that they ached to be sucked, touched, and pulled. He moved down to her neck as his hands palmed her ass.

  “Tony, wait. Wait-wait,” she pleaded trying to pull away from his strong embrace. He was so deliciously aggressive, she had to free herself before things went too far, but he held her. She knew that he wouldn’t deviate from his plan of seducing her, so she gave up the battle. She secretly wanted him, but also knew she was dead wrong for even allowing him to kiss and fondle her body. He felt so good, after so long of not having a man’s touch, she wanted him, but wished he was the single Tony she
dated back in high school.

  “Don’t fight it, baby, I want you,” he breathed against her neck. He pushed her back, toward his old bedroom, and she allowed it. Once inside, she wasn’t surprised to see that it had also changed. It was now a grown-up room with adult furnishings instead of posters, trophies, and smelly clothing covering the floor. And a huge king bed replaced the full-sized one that she and Tony used to fool around on.

  She knew she should have run away from that situation, but once they were naked, she surrendered and let Tony remind her body of what it felt like to be with a man. He caressed her skin and licked her all over. He had turned into a skillful lover. He treated her to two body-numbing orgasms induced by his magic tongue licking her clit and sucking on her lips.

  It had been over four years, and when he penetrated her, it hurt like hell, like their first time. When they noticed blood on the condom after the first round, she became embarrassed, but they both agreed it was just like the first time when the same thing happened. She wanted it to be good, but it was painful. She moaned in agony more than pleasure.

  “Slow, Tony, slow. It hurts.” He was not much bigger than she remembered, but her tight walls hadn’t had a workout in a while.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt you.” He slowed his strokes. “Is that better?” Although it wasn’t as bad as it was, it was far from better.

  She buried her face in his neck and let him enjoy himself. Tight and painful for her, but tight and pleasurable for him, she thought, giving him all of her. When his body jerked, she knew he had accomplished his goal.

  “Aaaaw, baby. Aaaaw, baby, you feel so damn good,” he groaned. He rested on top of her for a few moments and then got up to dispose of the condom.

  Then it’s like reality hit her like a ton of brinks. She’d just fucked a married man, and the feeling of culpability overcame her.

  “We can’t ever, ever do this again, Anthony Reed. You have a wife and kids, and I’m horrible! What we just did was horrible,” Madison said in a panic.