The cologne that she was once drawn to, smelled rancid as the particulates infiltrated her nostrils. Her hand flew to the wall to steady herself as her fight or flight response kicked into gear.

"Hello, Maddie." He approached her from behind. "It's good to see you, pet." Instinctively, Madelyn stepped back as he came around and began to embrace her, one hand in the center of her back, the other snaking down over her buttocks. Bile rose up in the back of her throat.

"Jack." She tried to push his hips away from her middle. "Don't call me that. I am not your 'pet.' Let me go!" This time she was trying to shove him away. He was a good looking man; he had a muscular build, golden hair that he styled back, and blue eyes that would have been beautiful if not for the malice that flickered behind them.

"I miss this, miss your feistiness. I haven't seen you in a while, just wanted to say hello." He backed away slightly, but not enough for her to feel comfortable. This was an old trick of his. When he wanted to exert dominance he would always stand within the other person's bubble. He invaded personal space and either used his nearness to show control or to force the other person out.

"How have you been, doll? Is it student-teacher conference time? Your date appears a tad young, don't you think, and what's up with that hair and tattoos? Of course, you have managed to keep yourself in good shape," he leered at her body, eyes raking her from head to toe, "so he probably doesn't even realize he's out of his league. Maybe I could dump my date on him, she's probably about his age." She could smell the hint of sour under the scotch on his breath and recoiled.

"Are you watching me, Jack? And he isn't my student, not that it's any of your concern." The annoyance in her voice belied the weakness that she felt in his presence. Her only thought was to keep her cool and get away.

"Maddie, you will always be my concern, you know that." His words fairly dripped with venom. "I will never stop watching out for you. You do understand that, right? 'Til death do us part and all that shit that you promised."

"Jack, I swear to God, if you start this up again, I will go back to that judge and get a restraining order. What's done is done, and we are definitely done! Now I am walking out of here and you are going to leave me be." She twisted her body to one side in an attempt to move around the man she had once trusted.

Rather than allowing her to pass, Jack stepped into her path menacingly and threw his hands out to the wall, effectively trapping her between his arms. Turning her head to the right, Madelyn squeezed her eyes tightly and held her breath. Would he actually hit her here in public? She had carefully constructed her life after the divorce to create as much safety as possible and here she was, stuck, at his mercy, and contemplating how big a scene she would have to make in order to get away.

He took his right hand from the wall and encircling the back of her neck with his stubby fingers, he used his thumb to force her chin up. "You can run your mouth all you want, Maddie, but we both know you'll never find anyone better than me. Don't tell me you don't think about us sometimes when you're all shut up all alone in your little castle in the woods. Maybe you'd like me to come arou..."

"What the fuck is going on?! Take your goddamn hands off of her!" The force of Harry's shove to Jack's shoulder knocked him back several feet. Harry stood directly in front of Madelyn, shielding her. His feet were braced in a fighter's stance, hands fisted near his sides but slightly raised. "I don't know who you think you are, but you are absolutely done here." The anger in his voice seethed.

Harry could feel her hands touching his back, steadying herself, perhaps trying to calm him. He badly wanted to take her in his arms and reassure her, tell her she was safe, but that couldn't happen with this neanderthal in their midst.

"I'm her husband, you little prick, and Maddie and I were just catching up." It was then, that Harry noticed the sway in his posture and realized that the other man was probably drunk.

"So you're Jack; I've heard so much about you, none of it good." Jack looked taken aback at Harry's words. "And I believe you meant to say, ex-husband."

"Jack, please just go back to your table. I have nothing to say to you."

"I think that's a great idea. Madelyn, why don't you head back to the table and Jack and I can walk out together." Harry had reached behind him and was attempting to coax her away from the volatile situation.

She spoke quietly, "I'm not leaving the two of you alone, Harry. I don't trust him." Madelyn was pushing her way out from behind him and attempting to put herself between the two men. He was not happy.

The blood was pounding in his head, adrenaline coursing through his veins and leaching into his fists. He had only two things on his mind; he needed to get Madelyn out of here safely and he needed to make damn certain that Jack knew she was off limits, forever. In the lizard part of his brain, he hoped that meant beating the crap out of him. However, he knew that would likely upset the woman he was trying to protect and she was more important than his own base desires.

"This is ridiculous!" he nearly screamed. Enjoy your little hook-up with the boy scout, Maddie." Ignoring Harry, Jack stepped forward threateningly and leaned into Madelyn's face, "He'll be done with you as soon as he realizes what a cunt you are."

There was no time for any of them to process what was happening as Harry's left hook slammed into Jack's jaw, throwing him to the opposite side of the corridor. Solid mass met solid wall and the first slid down the latter.

The noise of the altercation had finally attracted attention. People from the kitchen were entering from the rear of the hall, and the host that had welcomed them stormed into the space. Enough of the scene had been witnessed, that there was no question about who the instigator was. Harry allowed the staff to deal with Jack as he gathered Madelyn and ushered her out of the way.

Their server, Megan, met them with coats and dessert boxes in hand. "I hope everything is alright; dessert is on the house." She handed Harry back the credit card that he had left on the table when he had become concerned and gone to find Madelyn.

Without words, Harry managed to get the two of them tucked up into his Jeep. He was seriously worried that she might be in shock. Never having dealt with this type of situation he simply followed his instincts and pulled her over the seat and into his lap. He held her against his chest as one might clutch an infant, her face turned into his neck.

"Madelyn? Baby, can you talk to me? Are you okay?" he cooed. "Please, I'm so sorry, are you hurt, did he hurt you before I got there?" He was rubbing his hands over her soothingly and trying to use a calm voice. It had been a long time since his anger had flared and part of his fear at the moment, was that he had furthered her distress. She had obviously been through enough instability to last a lifetime. "You're safe now; I heard them say they were sending him home in a cab. I don't know if you want to file a police report, but we should probably talk about that. You know, because I think there's more to his history than you've let on."

"Harry?" She snuggled into him and took several breaths, letting the comfort of his body heat and strength of his arms wash over her.

"Yeah, baby, I'm here."

Madelyn's body began to quake as she twisted away slightly. Oh, holy crap, he thought to himself, she must be having a reaction to the shock. In his mind, Harry was planning the shortest route to the hospital. What if she needed to be medicated? Jesus.

What he was not prepared for was the laughter that came tumbling forth. He peered down at her in confusion.

"You hit him! Actually, you punched him. In the face!"

"I am so sorry! I was thought he was going to hurt you and he was slinging words in hate. I swear I don't... It just happened, I had to protect you. I would never hurt you, please don't be afraid of me."

"Harry, stop." Placing her fingers over his mouth to quiet him, she continued, "I could never be afraid of you. You make me feel safe, for the first time in years I've let my guard down." Her hand moved away from his lips and around to the nape of his neck where she carded her fingers through his curls.

"I have wanted to hit him in the face for years, to make him shut his ugly mouth and leave me in peace. You did that for me. Don't get me wrong, I was already planning on stabbing his foot with my heel and jamming my knee into his balls in order to get out of there; I'm not completely helpless. The point is, I didn't have to because you were there for me." Raising up in his embrace, she touched her lips to his, "Thank you."

Tentatively at first, Harry let his lips move over hers. Tiny closed mouth nips, then the hesitant dart of a tongue. She parted her lips and welcomed him in. A keening noise escaped her as she pressed her chest forward into his and he pulled at her hair to release the knot. He tossed the comb that held her waves on to the dash and fisted his hands into the mass.

"I want you," Harry's entire focus was on the woman lying in his arms.

"Then have me."

"Not here, I had a plan. Dessert." More kisses, more tongue. His hand moving to cover territory beneath her long coat. "I can take us back to your place but it will take time to get there." Her lips were warm beneath his, her bottom rocking against his lap as he began to swell.

"Too far. The dessert plan, what was the plan?" Her hand was inside of his shirt, brushing softly over the smooth swell of his pectoral muscles.

"C'mon, up. Off you go for a minute." Harry boosted her over to the passenger seat. "Buckle up, the drive is just a few minutes. Then I'm going to make you forget."

They drove in silence further up into the hills behind the restaurant. There were no cars or homes as the pavement ended and they proceeded onto a service road. Harry pulled off and positioned the vehicle so that the front was directed toward the hill and the rear faced the valley below.

"Wait here for a minute," he instructed as he jumped out. Madelyn turned to watch him. He dropped the back seat before moving to the rear end to open the tailgate. Pulling out a propane tank and another metal piece, he set them on the ground. Next, he unfolded several blankets and threw a quilt over the pile so that the back end of the Jeep was essentially a bed. Harry grinned at her from where he stood, jogging to her door as she reached for the handle. He met her and lifted her out, settling her feet on the snow-covered gravel.

"I was planning a picnic for dessert; I thought we could watch the lights and maybe you would make out with me a bit." Taking her hand he led her around so she could see the glittering sight of the valley. "Here, sit." Hands on her waist, hers clasping his shoulders, he picked her up and sat her on the rear gate of the vehicle. Bending over, he quickly assembled and lit the propane space heater that had been laid aside. Warmth poured out, pushing the chilly winter air away. Going back to the front seat, Harry withdrew the boxed desserts.

"Your dessert is served," he laughed, slightly winded. "Do you prefer the mousse or the creme brulee? Or both? Let's do both." Spooning the mousse first, he brought the utensil to her mouth and slid it over her bottom lip. Closing her mouth, Madelyn dragged her lips over the spoon. The rich, chocolate melted over her tongue and she closed her eyes, sighing in appreciation.

"Now the crème brûlée," his voice had become hoarse. Cracking the sugar coating over the custard, Harry scooped a generous dollop and repeated his actions, laying the spoon over her lip. She took a small amount from him, then pushed what remained, towards his mouth.

"It's delicious, Harry, taste it." There was a charge in the air as she whispered her words. Taking the spoon into his mouth, he cleaned the last of the sweetness from it and licked his lips with renewed hunger.

Light from the moon and the city below created an ethereal glow. It was an ambient light, neither direct or bright, but soft and surrounding. He could see the highlights on her cheekbones and the glow in her eyes. It shimmered off of the tops of her breasts that the neckline of her dress revealed.

"Would you like more?" He hoped not.

"No, I want you."

"I want you, too."

Closing the box, he pushed the sweets away, and removed his blazer, tossing it behind her. "Your coat? Is the heater enough?" She nodded and began to shrug the wool away.

Placing a hand behind each knee, Harry pulled her to the edge of the tailgate, keeping the blankets beneath her. "Do I need a condom?" He was better prepared this time and wanted to do the right thing.

"No," she said with a little shyness in her voice and glanced away. "I've just finished my period, it's safe for several days."

He put a hand under her chin. "Don't look away. There's nothing to be uncomfortable about. I grew up with women, I know about these things. I admit I was hoping it would be a good time of the month. You're the only woman I've been with and haven't worn a condom; it was incredible." He pushed his left hand around the back of her neck and into her hair. "I loved being inside of you, it felt right. I want to be there now."

Her knees had been anchored between his thighs as her legs hung down. Now he used his right hand to push them apart and slot himself in between.

"Let me see what you've been hiding under this dress." A smile bloomed on her face as she watched him slide his hand up her thigh, pushing the hem of her dress up as it traveled higher. "Very sexy, Professor M." He fiddled with one of the garter clasps but did not undo it. "I'm going to leave these in place. I rather like the idea of fucking you in your stockings and heels."

"I think I'd like that, Harry." Her hands were undoing the buttons of his shirt and spreading it open. Even in the cool air, his skin was hot. She wanted it against hers. "Take my dress off," she whispered huskily, "there's a side zipper."

Locating the zipper, he dragged it down and slid the dress past her shoulders. He had known she wasn't wearing a bra, the dress wasn't built for in. What he hadn't known, was that as she lifted her hips and allowed him to pull the dress off of her completely, he would find that she had also forgone panties. His breath stuttered as his blood began to flow more powerfully.

"You sat across from me all evening not wearing a stitch under that dress?"

"Guilty."

"If I had known, we never would have made it out of your house."

"So the compromise with the tights is acceptable?" She ran her hands down to his belt and started to undo the buckle, looking up at him from under her lashes. She couldn't see the green of his eyes any longer, but she knew even if there had been more light, she wouldn't have. Undoubtedly, his pupils were blown in anticipation and excitement.

"Yeah, I'm all about compromises," he rasped. "Do you know how perfect you look in this moonlight? You're gorgeous." He brought his hands to her breasts and lovingly caressed them, palms sliding over her nipples, fingers gently pinching them until they became tight and hard. As he bent to mouth them, she flicked the button of his dress pants and pulled the zipper. Nudging his boxers down, he sprang free, making a soft thump against his stomach.

"You're so hard, Harry, and big."

He smirked, "Now I get credit?"

"I want you inside me. Please." She inched her center toward him.

"Give me a minute to touch you, make you ready." He brought his fingers over her vulva and began to separate her, looking for the nerves that were clustered just below the soft curls.

"No, I don't want your fingers, I want your cock." The coarse word took him off guard for a moment, but told him everything about what she wanted.

"Then you'll have it." Taking his shaft in hand, he stroked the head of his penis over her to moisten it. "Such a wet girl," he groaned and thrust into her. He allowed a moment for her to stretch before he was rocking his hips back and forth. One hand between her breasts, he pushed her onto her back, and placed the other hand just beneath her navel so that she could feel the pressure of him inside as well as outside of her body.

"Listen to me," he spoke in a demanding tone. "As long as I am here," he thrust forcefully, "there is no one else. I want you to be mine and I do," thrust, "not," thrust, "share," thrust.

"Do you understand?"

"Yes!"

"Do you agree?"

"Yes!"

The hand that had laid her back was at her clitoris now and he began to thumb circles in rhythm with the powerful thrusts of his hips. The emotions of the evening, the sexual anticipation, the anger from the altercation with Jack, the desire to possess one another, swirled and spun out of control.

"You are mine, now. And I am yours. Agreed?"

"Agreed."

"Good. Now come."

She bucked her hips up to meet his, frantic to match his speed and intensity. Lifting her legs she clasped them behind his ass and pulled him tight as she released. The explosion rolled from her clitoris through her core up to the top of her head where she was certain her hair was standing on end.

Harry continued to heave into her even as her orgasm was waning and as he seemed to have lost himself, Madelyn reached out to pull him close and whispered, "Let go; come inside me, Harry."

Shaking his head as if to clear his vision, he locked his eyes on hers and fell over the top of her body as he released himself with a yell into the silence and the snow.