Page 7 of Exposed

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The blanket of trees cleared, as a glade rounded into view. Two people were waving up at them. Behind the friendly duo was a stunning piece of architecture, what Madison assumed Alex meant by the “cabin”. The contemporary mansion brimmed with tall windows interlocked by massive beams of wood and stone, while the back of the fortress overlooked a crystalline lake. They hovered in for a landing, and the two people, a man and a woman clad in flannel and jeans, sprang over to greet them.

As the rotor blades stopped, Alex hopped out. He strolled to Madison’s door to help her out, lifting her by the waist and spinning her onto the ground. She nervously straightened her hair and outfit, eager to make a good impression. These were the first of Alex’s friends, other than Paco, that he’d introduced her to. They headed towards the couple, when the man blurted out, “So, this is your sexy, new baby!” The beet red of Madison’s face couldn’t disguise her shock at the comment, when the woman tugged her into a warm embrace.

“He means the chopper,” the woman whispered in her ear, and the relief poured out of Madison in an enormous exhale. The boys were immediately engrossed in man-talk, making their way to the helicopter. Madison overheard Alex explain it was the Sikorsky 76-D and he was happy to give him custodial rights for the next few weeks, but he’d owe Alex a big favor.

“Hi, I’m Jessica Bishop, but everyone calls me Jess. And you must be Madison.” Jess gestured for them to head to the house. Jess locked arms with her familiarly, as if they were long lost relatives. “We’ve heard so much about you.”

You have? Madison concealed her surprise and focused on the magnificence they were strolling towards. “Wow, your place is magnificent.”

“I know, it’s a bit much, but the land has been in my family for years. I come from a long line of mountain people. Simple-life lovers. Then Mark swept me off my feet, and after years of persistence, convinced me that a log cabin would suit the space well. Four years and three architects later, here’s Mark’s tribute to the simple life.” Jess presented the palace as only a Price is Right knockout would. Seeing Jess in this light, Madison estimated she was in her forties, a gorgeous beauty loosely concealed beneath her casual clothes. Without an ounce of makeup, she somehow reminded her of what Marilyn Monroe or Ann Margaret might have been like on a loungy weekend between sex bomb shoots.

The men were heading back, as Madison turned to greet them. “Jess was just telling me about all the work you put into this beautiful property. It’s amazing, Mr. Bishop.” From years of service background, she always addressed people formally first, until asked to do otherwise. But his reaction was far from expected.

Mark suddenly grabbed his heart as if struck by a crossbow at one hundred yards. “Oh, et tu, Brute? Et tu?”

Madison brimmed with concern at her apparent faux pas, while Jess and Alex just laughed. Jess chimed in, a big cheesy grin filling her face. “Don’t mind him. It’s hard for the male ego when we marry them but won’t take their name.”

Alex slipped his arms through Madison’s from behind, and wrapped around her waist, planting a kiss on her temple. “You can just call him Mark. Though I hardly recognized you, man. You look like Grizzly Adams with glasses.”

“Hey, the mountain life draws you in, brother.” He stroked his shaggy auburn beard. “No shave in almost two weeks. The longest I’ve ever gone. But I’ll clean up in a few days before heading back to the office.” He looked at Madison in Alex’s arms. “Well, Madison, welcome. It’s great to finally meet you. And to see Alex so happy.” He shifted his glance to Alex. “And I’m sure you’re glad to be up here without feeling like a third wheel.”

Alex protested. “Hey, I was very happy to be a third wheel. Dragging me up here wasn’t exactly roughing it. And I wasn’t bringing someone up here until it was the right someone.” His statement struck Madison. The significance of the trip was much more meaningful than she’d originally thought.

She spun in Alex’s arms, and without saying a word, his warm lips greeted hers. Perhaps he’d said more than intended, and, maybe, more than either of them were ready for. But everything was perfect. Comfortable and right. The world melted away in their growing kiss, and Jess quietly pulled Mark towards the house, giving them their privacy.

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