Haunted by the past

Chapter Thirteen

                “You’re quiet!” He smiled at her as he opened a bottle of wine in his kitchen; Maddie was sat in the lounge looking far more than quiet. When she was like this Evan was always nervous.

She was anxious, that was true. And for once it wasn’t about what he might do to her, how he might hurt her. What she had to say would hurt him eventually, unless she told him soon, before he got involved.

                “Thank you for introducing me to your family. I loved it, they are really nice people.”

He nodded, “there are definitely worse parents to have. And Malcolm is the greatest father figure.  I mean my Dad was an amazing man, but he was gone before I got to High School. I was established as a chef when Malcolm came on the scene, but he has always supported me, even when I was away for months at a time...and my mother cried every night!”

Maddie smiled, “she loves you, that is so obvious to see. And a great thing.”

Sensing her sadness in the silence he reached out and took her hand, “them being the way they are is their problem, not yours.”

She nodded, “I know, but it doesn’t make it any easier.” Smiling at his earnest face she knew this was the moment, “we need to talk.”

Evan went into serious panic mode. She had that flighty look in her eyes and he feared what that meant. He was leaving for Italy on Monday, and would be away for several days, the last thing he wanted was to go when things weren’t great.

                “We’ve had a fairly hectic day, and I’m away the day after tomorrow. Why don’t we just enjoy relaxing...next weekend we can spend time together, have a deep and meaningful, when we’re both less stressed. Ok?” Coward, his subconscious screamed, and as he looked at her, the lip secured between teeth, the reluctant nod, nothing made his stomach any less unsettled.

                “Ok.” She paused for a moment then smiled, “you’re right, it’s been such a nice day, we don’t need to get all serious.”

He slid onto the seat beside her, running his hand up her spine to cup the base of her skull, “are you sure?”

For Maddie, Evan had the same effect on her every time he touched her, it was all too easy to forget that she had things to tell him, already her body was dissolving into tingles, she was already fighting the urge to push her body up against his. When their lips finally met there was no answer needed, desperation to be closer took over their every thought.

As he pulled the dress over her head and devoured her with his eyes, Evan scooped her into his arms and strode caveman style up to the bedroom.

The following evening they went to a nearby Indian restaurant, their favourite place. After eating a beautiful meal, they relaxed over coffee, and it was then he smiled.

                "So Miss Newman? How are we going to survive three nights apart? I can’t keep my hands off you."

She smiled back coyly, "I’m sure we’ll manage, somehow!"

                "I suppose we can always phone each other..." he gave an elaborate wink.

Maddie giggled like a child at the hint of innuendo, she loved that he was so single-minded when it came to her, he wanted her, needed her, and it felt wonderful, not scary or terrifying. Blushing she kept her eyes on his.

                "And," he added, "when I come back we have a decision to make. About moving, ok? I don’t want to pressure you, but time is rapidly disappearing for you. You’ll be homeless...or rather housemate-less in a couple of weeks."