Helios Awakened: The Helios Chronicles, #1

By T.M. Witko

The Helios Chronicles is an adult romance series that follows the lives of Andrew 'Helios' Harrison and Madison Ellis as they fight for their love in a world set on tearing them apart. In Book 1, Helios Awakened, Madison moves from New York City to the California desert to care for her ailing grandmother but she never expected that she would meet the man of her dreams while there, a man that would set her heart, body and soul on fire. However, this man comes with a price, a heavy price. Is she willing to pay it? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Winyan Press, LLC
• Release date: Feb 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9780986113376

Book preview

Book 1 in the Helios Chronicles

HELIOS

Awakened

By

T.M. Witko

Copyright All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

without the express written permission of the publisher

except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing, 2016

ISBN  978-0-9861133-7-6 (ebook)

ISBN 978-0-9861133-6-9 (paperback)

Winyan Press Full Logo

Tampa, Florida

Copyright © 2016 Winyan Press, LLC

Cover Art © Alex Marin

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all my friends in the fandom, to all the FF authors looking for a voice, and the readers who encourage and support.

PREFACE

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE a moment to thank all of my friends and family that have encouraged me to write over the years. Your support means the world to me.

To my partner in crime, Mindy Marin, thank you for all that you do, not only for our company but also for what you do for me as a friend. Love you!

To my long time editor, Amanda Rash, thank you so much for being one of the first people to tell me I should write when I didn’t think I could anymore. We started this journey together a long time ago and it’s only fitting that you are here with me now.

To my lovely friend Corinne, my maske’ from across the pond. Thank you for all the late night chats and the support you have given me over these many years. Words can’t express how much your friendship has meant to me. To my friend Tamara who’s been pushing me to publish since the day she was first introduced to my writing so long ago. To my amazing fandom friends: Brenda, Rachelle, Leeanne, Tamara, Amanda, Corinne, Michele and Carrie. You ladies have served as my Helios Reading Group, affectionately known as my Helios h00rs, from the beginning, your input and support has been invaluable. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! And Brenda, yes, I know you are the original Helios h00r and that you called dibs on him a very long time ago. But remember, sharing is caring!

To Stephenie Meyer, thank you for giving me such beautiful characters to fall in love with. Twilight was the first series in a long time that made me yearn for the beauty of uncompromising love. Your kind and loving words served as a healing salve on a then aching heart.

To the world of fan fiction, I thank you immensely for helping me find my voice again. Without it, and some very good friends, I would have never tried my hand at writing again. You let me be me and produce whatever thought I had at the moment and in the process released the writer in me.

And last, but certainly not least, thank you to Bobby Long for supplying the soundtrack to The Helios Chronicles. I wrote this entire series while listening to my ‘Bobby’ playlist. You wrote such powerful and moving lyrics that inevitably inspired me and my work and I am most grateful for it.

Okay, now that the pleasantries are done, let’s get to the nitty gritty of this particular book. It is the first in a series of three books that will chronicle the life and times of Andrew ‘Helios’ Harrison and Madison Nicole Ellis as they traverse the difficulties of loving one another in a complicated world that throws unbelievable obstacles in their way.

In Book 1 we will be introduced to our eclectic cast of characters. Some of which you will immediately fall in love with while others you will likely despise from the get go. It is my hope that as you read Madison and Andrew’s story that you will fall in love right along with them, that you feel your hearts break when theirs do, and that you will cheer for joy at various points in time, throughout this first phase of their journey together.

Please remember that this is an adult romance and as such there will be some graphic language and situations that are clearly not suitable for younger audiences. With that in mind, I welcome you to the world of Helios, may you love him as much as I do!

CONTENT WARNING

Please be advised that this story contains graphic language and situations that are not suitable for younger audiences.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Winyan Press, LLC would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their contributions on Helios Awakened.

Leeanne Lemaster, Proofreader

Alex Marin, Graphic Artist/Illustrator

Amanda Rash, Copy Editor

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICATION

PREFACE

CONTENT WARNING

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

PROLOGUE

1 A DRY HEAT

2 OVER MY HEAD

3 FRIENDS AND ENEMIES

4 TRUTH HURTS

5 FUN IN THE SUN

6 NOT SO HAPPY ENDING

7 MY TWO DADS

8 MR. BENNETT

9 BEARER OF BAD NEWS

10 A CHANGE OF LUCK

11 IT’S A HARLEY THANG!

12 AFTERMATH

13 MORNING SUN

14 DIVINE INTERVENTION

15 WHISPERED CONFESSIONS

16 HOLLYWEIRD

17 EXPLANTIONS

18 COMPLICATED LIVES

19 JUST HANGIN’

20 Full Disclosure

21 A PART OF ME

22 LIKE HEAVEN

23 THE VILLAGE

24 SHARING

25 AN EVENING WITH MILES

26 WORRISOME

27 TO PROSECUTE

28 INTERFERENCE

29 AND THE DEFENSE RESTS

30 THE VERDICT

31 CELEBRATION

32 A SON’S REVENGE

33 RELIVING THE PAST

34 THE SENATOR’S SON

35 DECISIONS

36 IT’S A GO!

37 DIFFICULT CONVERSATION

38 SHARING EVERYTHING

39 THE RITZ

40 SPANISH NIGHTS

41 PERFECT ENDING

AUTHOR NOTE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CONTACT INFORMATION

THE ICE QUEEN

PROLOGUE

May 2012

MADISON HEARD THE INCESSANT ringing on her phone but refused to answer it. It was too early and she had fallen asleep too late, not to mention that her head was still pounding. By the second round of rings, she groaned and grabbed the receiver, prepared to yell at whoever was on the other end.

Madison, her mother said flustered.

Yes, what is it, Mom?

She glanced at the clock, 7:00 a.m. Madison couldn’t fathom why on earth her mother would be calling her so early, especially on a weekend. She stretched a little and then felt a hand brush up against her lower back. Madison sighed. She had already forgotten about the man lying beside her.

What the hell is going on? Madison barked into the phone as she sat up and wiped her hand over her sleepy eyes. She glanced at her hand and saw black there. The remnants of last night’s heavy mascara and eyeliner winked at her. She shook her head just as Kurtis grunted and reached out for her.

It’s your grandma.

There was an edge to her mom’s voice, more so than usual. That immediately set off alarms. What could be going on with her grandma that could cause her mom to call so frantic?

Hold on, Mom.

Madison slipped out of the bed and looked around the floor for her clothes. Instead, she spotted Kurtis' t-shirt so she quickly threw it on and then glanced back at the bed. He was lying on his stomach, his naked backside completely exposed. Kurtis worked in her office and was her occasional... Well, let’s just say he served a purpose. It had been awhile since they had been together, but a work gathering and several margaritas later, they found themselves making love wildly in her bed. Madison frowned. They had left the bar close to 2:00 in the morning, were at her apartment by 2:40 and he was asleep by 3:00. Not exactly the evening she had envisioned. She wasn’t even sure why she’d invited him back to her apartment in the first place. He was definitely handsome, but often a lot more work than she wanted. Her frown turned into a scowl as she realized that now she would have to do the whole awkward thing where he wanted to hook up again and she wanted to forget they ever hooked up at all. She ran her hand through her knotted hair, frustrated that she didn’t seem to have any chemistry with anyone. She heard her mother’s impatient breathing on the other end of the line and quickly exited the bedroom. Her lack of chemistry debate would just have to wait for another time.

What happened to Grans? she asked as she walked towards the living room.

Apparently she slipped last night in her bathroom and they had to admit her to the hospital.

Is she okay? Madison asked as she made her way to the couch, plopping down on it in shock.

I don’t know, Madison. I’m going out there. My plane leaves in three hours. I’ll call you when I know something. Her mom sounded oddly kind and compassionate.

Thanks, Mom, Madison replied, feeling tears already pooling in her eyes. Hey, can you please tell Grans that I love her and that I miss her.

I will, her mom said right before hanging up.

Oh God! Grans please be okay.

Madison dropped her face into her waiting hands. She was consumed with guilt. She should have gone out to see her. She shouldn't have been so selfish. It had been a while since she had even talked to her. Madison had thought she would always be around, that she would be there to let her vent about what her mom was saying or doing. Madison wrapped her fingers in her hair and cried, hoping that it wasn’t too late.

MOM, THERE IS NO WAY in hell that Grans is going into a home.

Well, she has to. She can’t be on her own. The doctors say she needs assistance.

For how long?

Madison watched as her mother paced in the living room. She couldn’t help but think that her mom was just angry that this was a huge inconvenience for her.

Oh, who knows, Madison? You know how doctors are. They don’t give a straight answer to anything. They say anywhere from 3-6 months to forever, Jacqueline replied flustered.

Can't we hire a nurse or something?

Madison was trying desperately to find a solution that didn’t involve forcing her Grans out of her home. It wasn’t as if she had some life-threatening disease or anything. She just needed help getting around. Why was her mom making it so complicated?

With what, Madison? Jacqueline asked harshly, snapping Madison out of her thoughts. How are we going to pay for a private nurse? With your charm and good looks? How much is that going for now-a-days?

Madison could hear the bitterness in her words. All she could think to do was glare at her. They had never gotten along that well but, at this moment, Madison despised her. What kind of daughter throws her mom in a nursing home just because she doesn’t want to take care of her? It wasn’t Grans fault that this happened. Of course, now that Madison thought about it, would she want to take care of her mother? Probably not, but this was Grans they were talking about. She was always kind and sweet, a little too religious, but to each her own. Madison often wondered how the hell her mom came from her womb. She couldn’t believe how selfish she was being.

Don't look at me that way, Madison. I have a life here that I am not willing to sacrifice. What? Are you going to give up your career and your life to help her? Because that’s what it will take, Jacqueline said, cocking her brow, having thrown down the challenge.

This was just great. Her mother was putting all of this on Madison. If she said ‘no, I won't help’ then her mother would send her Grans away and Madison couldn’t say anything about it and if she said ‘yes, I will help’ then Madison really would have to give up her career and life. As she contemplated what the options were, she noticed the smirk on her mom’s face and suddenly knew exactly what she was going to do.

Yeah, I’ll do it. I’ll take family leave. According to the Family Leave and Medical Act, the firm will have to hold my job. I’ll go and I’ll take care of her.

Madison smiled at the expression on her mom’s face.

So let me get this straight. You’re going to go live in white trash central in a tiny two bedroom trailer in the dead of summer. In Bakersfield, no less. That's your plan? she stated, now smiling at the stunned expression on Madison’s face as she realized that that was exactly what she had just agreed to do.

Yeah, I guess so, Madison replied with less conviction than she had before.

Jacqueline huffed and threw her arms in the air. Fine, fine, go martyr yourself for her. I don’t care.

Madison rolled her eyes which elicited the scowl that she had come to look forward to from her mother. It meant that she’d won this particular round. It wasn’t until her mom stomped out of her apartment that she looked around and realized what she’d just done.

Oh Shit!

1 A DRY HEAT

MADISON HATED THE DRY heat of the desert and she hated living in this little shit town even more. She had only been here for three weeks but it felt like a lifetime. The sun beat down on her skin and the light sheen of sweat on her brow told her that it was easily close to 100 degrees in the summer sun and it wasn't even noon yet. Oh how she wished she could just toss her blouse off and go around in her bikini top and shorts but she knew that wouldn't work. Her grandmother would not allow such frivolous actions to bring shame on the family. It didn't matter that Madison was a grown woman who had given up a good job in the city to come and take care of her. No, Grandma Downing held true to the belief that a woman need not show flesh in public. She nearly had a conniption when she saw the shorts her granddaughter had put on to go to the lake. 

Madison was new to Bakersfield, California but, on a trip to town, she had met a few people who were going to the lake that afternoon. They had asked her to come along, saying that it would be fun. Madison was fully aware that the invitation may not have been sincere but, at this point, she didn’t care. Madison just wanted to go somewhere, anywhere but here. She needed to do something that would get her the hell out of this God forsaken trailer park that she hated with such passion that it was seriously bordering on unhealthy. She adored her Grans but living here had been crushing. The heat, the cramped quarters, the lack of anything interesting or exciting was driving her insane. So, going to the lake sounded like as good a plan as any, until a flat tire had crushed her hope. Her grandmother, who had tired of hearing Madison’s exaggerated sighs and moans about the heat and her thwarted excursion to the lake, had decided to call a friend. She knew that Aaron and Olivia had a nephew living with them that might be able to help out.

Madison hadn’t actually seen the man that was working on her car, as he had arrived while she was inside grabbing the cooler. But when she had come back outside, the car was jacked up and a man in a pair of loose fitting jeans and a holey white t-shirt, practically bare from over wear, was working diligently to change her tire. Madison had been instantly intrigued by him and had decided to lay a blanket down and place one of the cushions from her grandmother's tattered lounge chairs against the hot metal of the trailer so she could watch him. She didn’t know what it was about him but there was some kind of heat emanating from where he knelt. Maybe her brain was starting to fry in the ungodly desert air, but as she watched his shoulders and the muscles on his back move effortlessly each time he turned the tire iron, her heart fluttered and a part deep inside of her was awakened. A part she thought would forever lay dormant.

As he stood up, he stretched his arms above his head and arched his back just slightly. This small action caused the back of his shirt to ride up a little, revealing a sliver of skin and what looked like some sort of tribal tattoo that spanned his lower back. It wrapped around his waist and rib cage and rested, she presumed, somewhere on his abdomen. Madison couldn’t take her eyes off of him as he reached into his back pocket to pull out a pack of cigarettes. He carefully tapped the bottom of the pack until the desired stick extricated itself. She could see the motion of his heavy breaths as he leaned his head down to light the cigarette. She found herself swallowing reflexively as his long fingers placed the pack back into its rightful place. Madison was unable to focus, she was lost in the way the sun shone around him, making him seem almost ethereal to her, an enchanted being sent to earth. She was finding it very difficult to function in his presence. His head tilted ever so slightly to the left as he blew out a long cloud of smoke into the dry desert air. Madison desperately needed him to turn around; she didn’t just want him to do this, she needed it. She had to see the face that would soon be starring in her dreams. And as if her prayer had been answered he turned slowly and as he did, her mouth parted as air quickly expelled from her lungs. 

My God! He’s so... beautiful.

Andrew had heard the trailer door open and close but he couldn’t bring himself to turn around. He had felt her eyes on him and he could sense the desire emanating from her presence. After he changed the tire he knew he would need to talk to her but he lacked the courage to do so. He had lit his cigarette, taking long slow drags, hoping that it would calm his rapidly beating heart. After a few hits, he turned around and was taken aback by her breathtaking beauty. He had wanted to see her up close since he had caught sight of her a few weeks ago but now that he was here he was left spellbound. She was wearing the shortest shorts he had ever seen, paired with some leather boots that made her legs seem to go on for days. His eyes followed up the milky white skin of her thighs to her see-through blouse which was starting to stick to her skin, exposing the dark bikini top she was wearing underneath it. Her long chestnut hair flowed way past her shoulders and as he walked closer to her he could make out the tiny freckles on her cheeks. He was at a loss for words as his body drew nearer to her. He wondered what he could possibly say that would not make him sound like he was some sort of a simpleton living in a trailer park with his aunt and uncle because no one else would take him in, not with his record. Andrew noticed the cooler sitting by her side, the one she was most likely bringing with her to the lake. He nodded in its direction, trying to be as nonchalant as possible.

Can I have a drink? Andrew asked in a raspy, deep voice that he didn’t recognize as his own.

Madison stared at this perfect specimen of a man before her. As he flicked the ashes from his cigarette she noticed that he had another tattoo, this one on his forearm. It was spectacular, to say the least, and went from his wrist up past the joint where his arm bent. It was not a sleeve though. She didn’t know a lot about tattoos but she knew a sleeve went all the way around and this one didn’t because she hadn’t noticed it when his back was to her. No, she knew this was something else. It appeared to be some form of a bird coming out of flames, a phoenix perhaps. She blinked as she followed the tattoo up his arm and to his face. He had at least a day’s worth of stubble, masking what she could tell was a fantastic jaw line. His eyes were a striking green, with little specks of gold in them. Perhaps it was the light reflecting off the trailer that made them appear this way but, whatever it was, they were hypnotic. They were made even more striking compared to his dark, almost black hair and pale skin. His nose was only slightly crooked, like maybe he had been in a fight or two. His lips were red and moist, and his expressive brows begged for an answer to his earlier question.

Madison reflexively swallowed, trying to contain her mounting desire for this stranger, something that rarely happened with her. She inhaled sharply, gaining momentary control of her senses as she remembered that she was from New York, and not just New York, but Long Island, and LI girls weren’t afraid of anything. Madison mustered up every ounce of East Coast courage she had within her and smirked at him as she slowly removed her glasses in hopes of getting a clearer vision of his stunning masculine beauty.

What will I get in return? Madison queried with a flirtatious undertone to her voice.

Andrew was floored by her boldness, causing his lips to twitch into a crooked smile that quickly set Madison’s heart on fire.

That depends, darlin’, Andrew replied as he languidly brought his cigarette back to his mouth.

He drew in a couple of long slow drags before finally flicking the butt away from the trailer, stepping on it with the sole of his flip flops. Madison glanced at his feet and wondered why it was that even this man’s feet seemed to be perfect. She lifted her eyes again and watched, entranced by his every move and paying special attention to his mouth. His lips parted and puckered slightly as the smoke exhaled between his lips. Why she was suddenly acting like a 15-year-old school girl, hot for the new guy, she wasn’t sure, but she clearly felt a strong desire to have him.

Andrew himself was feeling a stirring in his body that he hadn’t felt in years. Realizing that his hands were still dirty from changing the tire, he quickly wiped his greasy palms across his denim clad thighs and waited on her response. Madison dropped her gaze and followed his long, greasy fingers as they swiped and gripped his thighs. Her body soon began to pebble at the mere thought of his hands on her. She swallowed, quickly swiping her tongue across her dry lips and hoping that the trembling in her body would soon subside. This is ridiculous, get a hold of yourself, woman! She chided herself internally.

The sound of him coughing loudly caused her to break from her spell as she raised her eyes to slowly meet his. It did not go unnoticed by her that his eyes were now a shade darker than she remembered only a few moments ago. She now felt a heat arising from within her that was not being caused by the blistering sun. Madison took another quick breath trying to regain her equilibrium as well as her courage. She playfully patted the soft blanket next to her.

Would you like to sit? she asked him, watching as his eyes twinkled in delight.

Hell yes! Andrew smiled, pulling his cigarettes out of his back pocket and dropping them beside her. He then hopped onto the blanket, not believing his luck.

She passed him a cold beer from the cooler and watched as he nodded, cracked it open, and lifted it to his lips. Andrew gulped the cooling nectar but all that Madison could see was the bobbing of his Adam’s apple as it moved up and down in a rhythm of its own. Mesmerized by the way his tongue traced across his lips after each swallow, she could feel herself becoming aroused in ways she never expected. She was completely drawn to him, to his lips, and the desire to feel them pressed against hers.

You're from New York? Andrew asked, as he swallowed the rest of his beer.

Madison blinked several times, thankful for the change of subject.

Ummm, yeah, I work for a large accounting firm out there. Well, I did, at least.

Madison could feel her brows furrow at the thought of what she left behind. What she gave up because her mom hadn’t been willing to give up her own life. Her mind couldn’t help but wander to nearly a month ago and the argument she and her mother had had about her grandmother’s care. It was what had led her to this time and place right now.

Andrew watched as Madison got a faraway look on her face and her brows moved closer together. Without thinking, he placed his finger between them, touching her lightly and making her gasp. He quickly withdrew his hand, shaking his head at his idiocy.

Thanks for the beer but I should really go, Andrew said quickly, standing up, anxious to get away before he did anything else.

There was something about her that made him nervous. He didn’t trust himself in her presence. It was as if all the boundaries he had put in place so long ago to protect himself were being pushed away without his consent. She made him feel like a man, like a normal man, with no baggage. He was desperate to leave, to give himself some distance from this bewitching woman. That was his only solution at this point. He quickly reached his hand down to grab the cigarettes that were lying next to her.

Hey wait! Madison said, placing her hand on his.

She felt her heart flutter. She wasn’t the type of girl that fell easily. In fact, one could say she never fell at all. She didn’t generally trust people, something she liked to blame her mother for. She kept her relationships, for lack of a better word, void of emotional commitment, so the fact that she was feeling something for this stranger, aside from simply wanting to have sex with him, which of course she strongly desired as well, was throwing her off guard.

What’s your name? she stuttered out, trying to gain her composure.

He smirked and looked down slightly, drawing his bottom lip into his mouth. He looked like he was contemplating something as he sat back down and leaned against the trailer. Madison was again captivated by his very presence. She couldn’t take her eyes off of him and internally she knew she needed more from him. After a few moments, Andrew looked over to her and smiled, and from her angle it appeared that she was indeed looking at an angel, or quite possibly the devil disguised as one.

Andrew, he said simply.

Madison nodded her head, unsure if she was capable of forming any words at that particular moment in time.

My name’s Madison, she finally expelled quickly.

That’s a... pretty name, he said softly.

Andrew closed his eyes, slightly flustered. He had always been able to talk to women. It was an art that he had perfected while on the streets, yet here he was stumbling over his words. What was happening to him? He breathed out deeply as she smiled widely at him.

I was headed to the lake. Would you like to tag along? she asked with an air of playfulness in her voice.

Madison immediately chided herself internally for being so forward but it was too late now. The cards were already on the table. Andrew stood up completely, breaking their connection and stared at the beauty before him. He wondered if it was a good idea to be so close to her and whether she would even want him to be so close if she really knew him and what he had done, what he had been imprisoned for. Unfortunately for Andrew, his body spoke for him before his brain had a chance to intervene.

I'd like that, he heard himself say.

Madison smiled victoriously and pushed herself up and off the ground. Come on, Andrew. Let’s get the hell out of here!

He shook his head again, grinning wildly as he reached down to pick up the cooler. He knew that going with her was likely a mistake but a part of him was pushing him forward nonetheless. What could go wrong? He wondered and then thought nervously, everything.

2 OVER MY HEAD

MADISON COULDN’T BELIEVE what she had done but there was no turning back now. This incredibly hot man was clearly interested in her and she planned on taking full advantage of that. It had been a long time since she had those feelings for someone, that all-consuming desire to be with them and to feel them near you at any cost. Although she was perfectly capable of satisfying her own needs when the mood arose, she was more than willing to allow someone else to take over. Could that someone be Andrew? She wasn’t sure, but what she was sure about was that her desire for him was stronger than anything she had ever felt before. Where that took her, she would just have to wait and see.

Andrew watched as she adjusted her shorts and shirt, and as she did so her shorts rode up just a little, revealing a tad of her sumptuous backside. His mouth parted as he once again readjusted himself, hoping to God that she would not notice his raging hard on. The sound of her bracelets clinking together caused him to shake his head and get some kind of control over himself. Only a city girl would wear jewelry to the lake, he thought, grinning slightly. As he continued to watch her, it was becoming abundantly clear that he was likely in over his head with this girl. He was enflamed with want and yearning and that scared the hell out of him.

As he gained momentary control of the cloud of longing he had for her, he realized that in his haste to accept her invitation that he didn't have any swim shorts on him which meant he would need to go to the house before heading out. He briefly wondered if his aunt was still home and what she would say about the situation. As they approached her vehicle, he cleared his throat.

We need to swing by my aunt and uncles place so I can grab my shorts, he said as he set the cooler in the backseat.

Oh sure, absolutely. I wouldn’t want you to have to swim in the nude or anything, she replied with the playfulness that he already loved immensely. She walked around to the driver’s seat and slipped inside, giggling at her wittiness.

Pop the trunk so I can put away your jack.

She did so and watched him load up her jack and flat tire. She would need to get that fixed sometime soon. When he was done he approached her side of the car. Andrew smiled and leaned into the open car window. He stared at her, giving her a penetrating gaze as he tried to steady his belief that being with her was indeed a good thing to do. For Madison, it was as if she were swept into a sea of blissful contentment. His eyes entranced her as they seemed to change colors depending on how the sun hit his face. Right now they seemed to be blue, while earlier they appeared to be green. Either way, she was mesmerized by them, lost in the hurt and desire she saw reflected at her. She recognized immediately that she was in over her head.

Follow me, beautiful. His voice melted the hot air. She longed to hear it whispered to her in the throes of passion.

Anywhere, Madison heard herself say in a small and timid voice.

Andrew grinned again and tapped the open window frame with his long fingers before he abruptly stood, walking towards a motorcycle just a few feet away. Wait! When did that get here? Madison looked at him, stunned when he threw his leg over the seat and cranked the motor. The seat shimmied slightly from the vibration of the bike which made his shirt rustle up, exposing his lower back again and the top of his boxer briefs. Madison sat dumbfounded as she watched him maneuver in front of her car, and as he passed her window he looked over his shoulder and winked. She sat there like a gaping fool before turning her key in the ignition, having completely forgotten that the car was already running. She looked down, shaking her head, and just as she brought her eyes back up, she saw him chuckle right before a cloud of dust flew up in front of her. She quickly put her car in gear and followed through the dusty trail he left behind, realizing, without a doubt, that she would indeed follow him anywhere.

Andrew glanced back after he passed her just to make sure she was still following him and that she hadn’t already changed her mind about him tagging along. When he saw her watching him with her lips slightly parted he couldn’t help himself, he winked and then laughed again as he blew ahead of her. He glanced back a second time and was pleased to see her keeping a good distance behind him. He was thankful that she wasn’t one of those people that didn’t care about riders and followed too closely. He couldn’t help but allow his mind to fantasize about Madison sitting on the back of his Harley, holding onto him tightly as they made their way over the many desert roads only to find a nice shaded spot to make love under. He quickly shook his head, angry at the wayward thoughts that she was eliciting.

Andrew took a deep breath as he pulled up to his aunt and uncle’s modular house. It wasn’t much to look at from the outside but the inside was very nice. Nicer than most of the places he had ever stayed in. He switched his bike off and quickly walked inside, tossing his keys on the table near the door. His aunt looked up as he walked in, thinking he looked somehow happier than she was used to seeing him.

Did you get it taken care of, Andrew? she asked as she looked back down at her magazine.

Yeah, it’s good, Auntie. Hey, Madison asked me to go to the lake with her so I am gonna head out. I don’t know what time I will be home, Andrew quickly said, making his way to his room to fetch his swim trunks.

When he turned around he saw her at his door, a concerned and worried expression on her normally jovial face. He understood her concern but he was a grown man and really didn’t need permission. Well, technically he did need permission but not from her. But as he thought about it, going to the lake was not against his parole, so really he was free to do what he wanted. Well, technically he wasn’t truly free either. He sighed at the complexity of his life.

Do you think that’s a good idea, Andrew? she asked, a tenor of nervousness coming through her tone.

Probably not, but... He hesitated and then took another long breath as he shoved a pair of board shorts into his pocket. I like her. She’s nice.

Olivia watched him carefully. He had always struggled. His entire life had been filled with chaos and despair. Her sister, Kimberly, hadn’t exactly been the maternal type and Andrew Senior had been a disaster from the start. The two of them together was a nightmare waiting to happen. Being so far from Chicago, she didn’t know the struggles that Andrew had gone through and by the time she did find out, it was too late. He was not interested in help from any of them. She had always regretted not intervening earlier on, not taking him away sooner. She often wondered if she had, would his fate have changed. Of course, she would never know the answer to that.

When he was eligible for parole a few years ago she had not hesitated at all in asking him to stay with them. It was the least she could do but she never felt it was quite enough to make up for his childhood. She had initially worried that her husband, Aaron, wouldn’t understand but, as usual, she had underestimated his level of compassion. Aaron had done his best to develop a relationship with Andrew, to be a father figure of sorts, but Andrew kept him at a distance. She understood why he didn’t trust anyone but it hurt her just the same.

As Olivia watched her nephew give her that lost little boy look, she was filled once again with remorse. Why did I write Kimberly off? She was consumed with guilt and had an overwhelming desire to have Andrew know love, to know what it felt like to depend on someone, truly and unequivocally. She didn’t know Grandma Downing’s granddaughter at all but if she could put a smile on Andrew’s normally melancholy face then she couldn’t be too bad. She let out a soft breath as she offered him a small smile.

Be careful, Andrew.

I will, he said, kissing her on the forehead before he passed through the door.

Olivia stood there, watching him leave. Please Lord, watch over him and help him to make good choices today and please don’t let this girl break his heart. He has already been through so much.

She closed her eyes, feeling moisture in the corners, before she walked back to the couch and picked up her magazine, catching up on the latest Hollywood gossip and trying to forget all the bad things that had happened in her nephew’s life. She had sincerely hoped that when he came to them that he could start a new life for himself, maybe this was that start.

Madison anxiously tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, waiting for him to come out of the house. She glanced back at his motorcycle, imagining riding on it with him, her hands resting on his waist and locking right at his abdomen. It wasn’t one of those big bikes so she would need to move real close to him, close enough so that her breasts would touch his back and her head could rest on his strong, wide shoulders. She shook her head. She needed to focus on controlling her desire. Had it really been that long since she had a man look at her the way he did? Had she ever had a man look at her like that, full of carnal want and need? She couldn’t actually remember a time where that was true. She knew Kurtis cared about her. Well, cared is too strong of a word. He wanted her but she didn’t share the sentiment. This man, however, was already making her feel like some sort of cat in heat, sticking her tail up and begging him to mount her. If she was this aroused already, she seriously worried how she would respond to seeing him in his swim trunks. Just then, the door of the house swung open and he smiled at her, casually strolling up to the car and sliding inside. Madison watched him, suddenly nervous. Picking up on her change in demeanor, Andrew questioned his decision to go but