* * *
As the sultry sounds of Earth, Wind and Fire's After the Love is Gone
played softly in the background, Maddy suddenly stirred out of a sound
sleep. For a split-second she nearly panicked at her unfamiliar
surroundings, but when she spotted the skylight overhead showcasing yet
another night of luminous beauty, and felt the heat emanating from Ken's
closely aligned body, the day's events came rushing back in a dizzying
montage.
She smiled as she noticed all the open photo albums strewn across
the floor. In the darkness, she could still discern some of the images Ken
had explained in vivid detail-he and his buddies goofing around with
pasties and hula skirts; Ken working diligently on the top deck of the
aircraft carrier; and Ken and his former love Liz Anne, standing in front
of the glorious redwood trees of northern California, during his leave.
Wow. Now that was quite a story.
In fact, there had been many emotional narratives behind the pictures
contained within those pages, some of which had brought tears to
Kenny's eyes as he bared his soul to Maddy. He didn't know what it was
that made her so damn easy to talk to, but as she sat beside him,
transfixed by every word, he just couldn't help himself. It was as if she
held some kind of power, some magical key that unlocked the impervious
gates that had previously guarded his innermost thoughts.
Maddy wondered what time it was as she settled back into her pillow,
too comfortable for the moment to really care. She would've stayed
wrapped up in his arms all night if she could, if only platonically.
Unfortunately, even the literal act of sleeping together was going to have
to wait for another time when Mom and Aunt Maria weren't hanging out
on the other side of the 9th Street Causeway.
Actually, she was pretty sure they were gambling at one of the casinos
right now, though which one specifically was anybody's guess. Mom loved
Showboat; Aunt Maria was preferential to Caesar's. And though in all
likelihood they'd probably be back late, she couldn't risk falling into one
of her typical deep sleeps that would render her totally unconscious until
morning, thus negating all of the high regard they now felt for Kenny.
Not only would that be completely unfair to him, it might possibly kill
their developing relationship. And after spending this precious time with
him tonight, she definitely wasn't willing to take that chance.
"Mmmm, hi beautiful," Ken whispered as he began to softly smother
her neck in kisses. Maddy felt the shivers up and down her body as she
nestled closer to him. "How are you?" he continued, playfully.
"I'm good," she sighed. "How could I not be in the arms of a
handsome sailor?" He laughed and held her even more tightly. "You
know, you really are a teddy bear," she whispered.
"That's because I have a beautiful woman in my bed who I never
want to let go of," he offered.
"Ken?"
"Mmm-hmm?"
"I don't want to let go of you, either," she confessed.
"Sweetheart, that's the best news I've heard all day."
With that, he leaned over her, taking great pains not to crush her
under his weight. He stared into her eyes and stroked her auburn hair,
which was fanned out against her pillow.
"Madeline?" His voice was hoarse and husky.
"Yes?"
"I think I'm falling in love with you."