“I can’t take them, Maddie.”
“I insist.”
“I can’t.”
She crossed her arms and said more firmly, “I insist.”
They stared at each other for a long moment, then Adam jumped out of the car, picked Maddie up around the waist, and swung her around.
“Have I ever told you how amazing you are, Madeline Smith?”
They both laughed like children as they spun around and around.
Almost falling over from dizziness, Adam steadied them both and pulled Maddie close. He kissed her, gently at first, and then more passionately. She leaned against the car door as she put her arms around his neck and pulled his body closer to hers. Their kissing became more frenzied as their hands explored each other’s bodies. Maddie fumbled with Adam’s pants button and zipper. Adam paused and looked at her questioningly.
“Here?” he whispered.
She kissed him deeper as her hands slid into his fly and pulled his pants down. He moaned as she touched him, and unfastened her jeans as well. He gently lifted her by the waist until she was straddling him. He carried her to the front of the car, gently lowered her onto the hood, and finished removing her pants. She lay back on the hood and put her legs over his shoulders as he entered her. They both moaned as he lowered and kissed her deeply while their bodies moved together in the rhythmic love dance. Enamored by the house, the motorcycles, the cars, the woman he loved, Adam had never experienced anything so exotic. Hell, he was making love to Maddie on the hood of a classic Shelby Cobra, which he was now the proud owner of. He exploded in ecstasy as he felt Maddie’s body convulsing around him. This was a night he would never forget.
He and Maddie spent the rest of the evening in the master bedroom suite making love, relaxing in the hot tub, drinking champagne, and enjoying her luxurious home.
While they were sitting in the hot tub relaxing, Adam said, “I have to ask. What do you do when you’re alone and you live in a house with all this space?”
She said, “That’s just it, Adam. That’s part of the reason I choose not to live here anymore. There was a time in my life when I thought this was what I wanted. When wealth and fortune and power were what motivated me. I wanted the mansions and fancy cars. I thought the material things would make me happy. And they did for a while—at least I thought they did. Then I realized that all these material things cannot make happiness. I would be in my house, surrounded by all of my material possessions, and I would feel so lonely. At times, it was overwhelming to be in here. So I decided to move out. It was actually a relief when I left. But it was also sad because I have so many memories here. This was my life for many years. It’s my museum—my shrine to myself. I need to visit every now and then to remember my past life. Just being here a day or two is enough. Then I’m ready to go live in a little apartment in New York City.”
She smiled at him and said, “I’m more comfortable there.”
Adam tried to understand what she was saying. But at the same time he had never experienced what it was like to have the kind of wealth and power she had manifested. He still wanted a chance to experience those things and come to his own conclusion about whether or not material things could make him happy. He got the feeling Maddie would be open to either way of living as long as they were together, and he certainly hoped they would be. But deep down, he knew he was already beginning to understand what she was talking about. When she had left him, nothing else had mattered. Yes, the material things were icing on the cake, but the most important thing was to have her in his life. However, he decided that for now he would like to try to have his cake and eat it, too.
Chapter 41
Maddie had originally planned for them to stay two nights in her house, but the next morning she suddenly changed her mind and was ready to leave. Adam didn’t know if it was because of the car-parking incident, or if she was just feeling unsure about Ian, Helen, and the KTP. She said they were going to Los Alamos, New Mexico, so he could see some of the historic sites, ancient ruins, and nature and wildlife areas. He didn’t question her reasons for leaving so abruptly. She had been so secretive about the trip, she probably wouldn’t tell him anyway. He just let her run the show.
As they were saying good-bye to Ian and Helen, Maddie handed Adam the rental car keys. He thought it was odd because she had always insisted on driving up until now. Again, he felt like it wasn’t the time to question her. When they had finished saying their good-byes and it was finally time to back out of the garage, he noticed that Maddie had adjusted her seat as far back as it would go and slumped down out of any passerby’s view. It made him feel uneasy. Maybe she really did believe KTP was nearby and watching. He looked at her, concerned.
She shrugged and said, “It doesn’t hurt to be cautious.”
“Cautious?” he said, furrowing his brow.
“I had a nightmare last night,” she said. “You know, one of those dreams so vivid that it seems real? I know this is going to sound crazy, but it just made me feel uneasy about being here.”
“What was it about?”
“Never mind. I don’t want to speak
