Previously on Love Conflicted…

Read Part 5 HERE

AUTHOR’S NOTE: This chapter is a little riskier than most…in regards to sexual content. But it’s rather timid, I think. This is just a slight warning. I find I censor things a lot on this blog, and in my storytelling, because I’m unsure how to proceed without it being received as a trashy, tacky, overly done love scene. I’m a writer, I have to bite the bullet some time and post a freakin love scene. If any of you read my other series Mysterious Attraction, you know I shied away from sex scenes, they were rather implied than actually spoken of, or described to any major extent. When the truth is I’m a romantic at heart (you guys know that), I believe in love and well sexual scenes are bound to come up in love stories. There’s just no way around them. As a writer I need to learn to write out of my comfort zone. So in this chapter things get a little sexy. Let’s all blush now and get it over with. We’re all adults here. (I hope) And hey if you’ve read 50 Shades of Grey (which you bet your ass I have)…this will be Disney rated in comparison. Haha. Enjoy!

Ian stands outside a door. He scans the hallway, before knocking three times.

The door opens, and Ricky stands there.

Ricky: What are you doing here? Who’s watching Maggie?

Ian: Her friend Lily is staying the night. And I have an off duty friend keeping an eye on the building.

Ricky: What friend? Ian we didn’t agree to any extra people knowing about this. It’s supposed to be you. You’re the only one I trust.

Ian: Look the guy doesn’t have a clue what we’re doing. He doesn’t know about you. He just thinks he’s plain old security. I told him to just call me if anything suspicious comes up. Besides Lily is onto me. If Maggie gets wind of me. You’re screwed. We’re both screwed.

Ricky: Yea that makes sense. Did you have a chance to-

Ian: I only had a 1 minute window, while they were on their way back home, I snuck in, the mic is under her living room lamp shade. We should be able to hear anything they say, and anything that happens we’ll know about it. It’ll help us keep her safe.

Ricky: Ok good. Dial us in.

Ian pulls out some equipment from a duffel back he was carrying.

He fiddles around on his laptop and soon Lily’s voice is heard, filling the small hotel room.

Lily: Here’s your tea sweetie.

Lily and Maggie are sitting in Maggie’s living room on the couch in their pajamas.

Maggie: Thanks.

Ricky’s head shoots up at the sound of Maggie’s voice.

Lily: Are you feeling any better?

Maggie: (laughs with dryness) This tea is much needed. But I can’t say it’s exactly a cure-all. Nothing is. He’s not here, and I can’t change that.

Ricky winces, hearing Maggie’s upset tone.

Lily: What can I do?

Maggie: You’re doing it. You’re here. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have you here. You’re the only one who knew us, as an us.

Lily smiles taking her friend’s hand.

Ricky sits down in a chair, listening intently as Ian joins him.

Maggie takes a sip of her tea.

Lily: Tell me a story.

Maggie: What?

Lily: Tell me a story about Ricky. About the two of you. Let’s remember him, let’s remember how much he loved you. How much you loved each other.
Maggie: I don’t know if I can handle that right now- (she chokes out, tears starting to form yet again.)

Lily: Ok, fine, I’ll start it.

Lily scans the room, and grabs a picture.

Lily: Ah what about this one? Tell me the story behind this night.

Maggie shakes her head.

Lily: You guys went to that fancy dinner party…the one that hosted your favorite author’s new book launch- or something? Right?

Maggie: Yea. (she smiles, taking the photo from her hand)

Ricky smiles knowing which picture.

Ian glances over at his friend.

As the girls talk, the guys reactions are intertwined accordingly. Ricky is spying on his girlfriend, who thinks he’s dead. In his mind he thinks he’s just doing so to make sure she stays safe. A way to be there without actually being there. But what he finds out next, will make him feel a range of emotions.

Lily: (smiling) Pretty sure a lot more happened that night…if I remember correctly.

Maggie blushes and smiles, adverting her eyes.

Lily: Talk to me. Tell me. I know it’s hard. But I think it’s what you need. You need to talk about him. You need to grieve.

Maggie: (takes a breath) That night was the first night he spent here with me.

Lily: And was it amazing? (she teases her smile infectious)

Maggie: Lily you know this story. I’ve told you it before.

Ian looks at Ricky who is smiling hearing her voice, but the sadness in his eyes matches the sadness in his heart for not being able to be with her.

Lily: Refresh my memory.

Maggie: Lily.

Lily: Maggie? Trust me on this okay. You need this. You’re trying so hard to suppress how he made you feel, because you’re hurting, but that’s just making you hurt even more. Let it in. Let him in. He won’t let you down. I promise you. Trust him. Trust his love. Trust his memory. That’s what’s gonna get you through this. Well that and tequila.

Maggie laughs.

Ricky and Ian exchange glances and small chuckles.

Ian: She’s good.

Ricky: She always is. Lily never questioned Maggie and I. It’s what I always loved about her. She’s the perfect friend to be helping Maggie through this. I couldn’t have asked for better.

Lily: So….(coaxing her on, to tell the story behind the photo.)

Maggie: The book preview ran late, and Ricky and I didn’t drive, because well there was a wine bar.

Lily: Duh?

Maggie: (laughs) And I was going to take the train home, but Ricky insisted on paying for a cab. He didn’t want me going home late alone. He walked me up to my apartment door, and I always thought that he had a hidden agenda. He had asked the cab driver to wait, but I could have sworn I saw him sneak and pay the guy before he left the car. As if he kind of knew it was gonna happen.

Lily: Ricky…you sly sly dog.

Ricky and Ian laugh.

Ian: Did you?

Ricky: Hey… I was only going off of her leads.

Maggie: (laughs) No no. I’m pretty sure he was just going off of my body language. I wasn’t exactly keeping my hands to myself that night.

Ricky smiles and points at Ian.

Lily: So you’re the sly dog?

Maggie: No. I just knew what I wanted. And I wasn’t about to sit around and wait for it, when I knew it was what he wanted too. Sometimes we just get in our own ways, and we waste so much time. I was over it. I wanted him. He wanted me. So I dove.

Ricky’s eyebrow cocks up at Maggie’s boldness.

Lily: That’s my girl.

Maggie: So he walked me to my door, we kissed goodnight, and that escalated rather quickly (she laughs) and then before I knew it clothes were everywhere and it was just kind of… happening. And he was amazing and sweet and sexy…so so sexy. My god…Ricky is one sexy man.

Ricky and Ian are laughing.

Ian: Damn Rick. I’m just learning so much about you.

Ricky: (laughs) You shouldn’t be hearing this.

Ian: What Lily knows the story, and I can’t? (he kids)

Ricky: Well if you’re gonna listen shh, I’ve never heard her side of this story. (he smirks, listening intently)

Maggie: I just remember thinking, if I could pick one man to do this with, for the rest of my life. It’d be him. Hands down.

Ricky smiles.

Maggie: There was something about being with him that electrified everything in me. It was kind of like taking a shot of tequila without a chaser, you know that flutter you get in your stomach, this was like that, but better. Way better.

Lily: That’s a new description, I don’t remember you throwing that one out the first time you told me this story. I would have remembered that. Damn that sounds hot. Phew. (Lily fans herself dramatically, as the girls share a laugh.)

Ricky covers his face slightly embarrassed but even more so pleased by Maggie’s description of their first time together. He never heard her describe it.

Lily: It was never just sex with Ricky. You know I don’t think you truly know what making love is, until you really feel every movement being made. You can get swept up in lust and miss so much. But love; it’s poetic, it’s gentle, it’s raunchy, it’s aggressive, it’s needy, it’s kind; all in one. And that kind of thing, that kind of feeling, that kind of connection to another human being, it’s once in a lifetime. And that’s how it’s supposed to be. Or at least that’s how it should be. We go through life, thinking we need to hop from one person to the next. In fear of settling down. That if we do that too quickly, it’s somehow against the rules. Well I’ve followed rules my entire life. And now at work, I set them. And I was tired of it. I was tired of feeling trapped. Meeting Ricky was the best thing that ever happened to me. He woke me up. He helped me live. And even though he’s gone, I am so glad I got to experience all of that with him.

Ricky’s eyes well up and he brushes his hands over his face.

Ian: (noticing) Dude. I can’t understand how you can do this…do you hear her?

Ricky: Look I get that this sucks. Ok? That most certainly is not lost on me. But this is the only way I know that she will be safe.

Ian: It’s killing her.

Ricky: You don’t think I know that. You don’t think it’s tearing me apart, knowing that I’m hurting her. Knowing I can’t be there with her. It’s killing me. It is physically wrecking me. I’m half between delirium and losing my mind here, Ian. I’m not doing this just to do it. I’m doing it because I love her, and if anything were to happen to her because of me, I couldn’t live with myself.

Ian: I just- I know. But it’s not easy being the one who has to face it head on. I’m the one that had to tell her you were dead. I’m the one that has to see the pain on her face everyday.

Ricky: Dude, really. Not helping.

Ian: I’m sorry. But that feisty Lily nearly bit my head off. She’s onto us. I think she may even think you’re alive too. I may have slipped up in my choice of words.

Ricky looks at him.

Ricky: You are the worst CIA agent ever.

Ian: Ricky I’m sorry man she just caught me off guard, and she’s really kinda sexy, I kinda lost my cool for a minute. It won’t happen again. Now I know what to expect with her. I can be more prepared. I swear man, I’m so sorry.

Ricky starts laughing.

Ian looks at him confused.

Ricky: I’m messing with you. Look I get it ok? The right girl can distract you from anything, even the most important job. One look and you’re a goner. Trust me I know.

Ian: Is that what happened with you and Maggie?

Ricky: Pretty much, I was on an assignment, things backfired and I found myself in the middle of a disaster that I needed a break from. I happened to be in the right place at right time, and bumped into Maggie. Seeing her just kind of made everything else melt away. I didn’t even know her. But something in me knew I had to protect her.

Ian: Well Lily, she doesn’t need my protection. You don’t think she’ll tell Maggie what she suspects, do you?

Ricky: (laughs) She would never tell Maggie, not now. Not unless she was positive about the whole situation. That girl is tough. She looks out for her friends.

Ian: I can tell. I kinda like her though, she’s got something about her. I can’t stop thinking about her. (he grabs a beer out of Ricky’s mini fridge)

Ricky: Oh yea that whole feisty tough girl routine, that’ll reel you in quick. But Lily’s also a sweetheart. She’s been a really good friend to me and my girl. If you’re gonna look to go for her, be careful. Treat her well. She’s a good one.

Ian: Just like Maggie.

Ricky: Just like my Maggie. (he smiles, looking at the picture of him and Maggie)

Ian: What’s that?

Lily and Maggie are chatting about Maggie possibly coming back to work their voices trail off in the background of the hotel, as Ian and Ricky continue to talk.

Ricky: (hands Ian the photo) This was like a week after we met. I took her to this concert she had been going on and on about, and I remember just looking over at her, and she was just bobbing to the music, singing along. And everything just kind of clicked for me. This girl was perfect. And life was simple. I was normal. And I knew she was the one. She was it. 30 seconds later, I told her I loved her.

Ian: Wait a minute and this was one week into your relationship?

Ricky: One week. 7 perfect days. Each one better than the next. (he takes a sip of his beer)

Ian: You didn’t think it was too soon? You weren’t worried she’d get freaked out and scared off?

Ricky: Why? I live my life by risks. I risk my life every day for stupid shit, that doesn’t even really matter to me. What did I really have to lose? The way I saw it, I had more to lose by not telling her. By letting her go without her knowing how hard I had fallen. When you know you just know. And seeing her, and being near her, getting to know her, I just knew.

Ian: So what’d she say?

Ricky: She laughed at first, I don’t think she knew I was being serious right away. Then the laughter turned into this kind of nervous giggle. (he laughs) Her nervous laugh, my god, it’s the cutest thing you’ll ever see, or hear. She began to ramble about how she was caught off guard and how she didn’t know what to say, so I just grabbed her and kissed her. (he shrugs) I didn’t want anything from her. I just wanted her to know. I knew I was moving fast, so I really wasn’t expecting her to say it back. But 30 seconds later, she did. And I don’t think I have ever been happier. She changed my life.

Ian nods.

Lily’s voice cuts through their conversation like a knife.

Lily: Why didn’t you tell Ricky about the baby?

Ricky’s focus shifts and his head shoots up.

Ian’s eyes go wide.

Maggie: I tried, but not hard enough. I just could never find the right time or place. There was so much going on with us. We were so up and down and I wasn’t sure I was even really pregnant. I didn’t wanna get things even more crazy complicated for no reason. Turns out I was right not to make a big deal about it, right?

Ricky: Oh my god.

He stands up pacing, starting to freak out.

Lily: You know he would have wanted to be with you, if he knew.

Maggie: I know. But everything just happened so fast and I just never got to tell him it was even a possibility. And then when I knew it wasn’t anymore, it was too late. Now that Ricky’s gone and I know I’m not pregnant. It’s just too late. It’s too late for anything.

Ricky’s confusion is evident.

Ricky: (to Ian) Did you know about any of this?

Ian: No Rick, not at all. I just set up the mic before I came to you.

Ricky: Oh my god. She thought she was pregnant? I can’t even believe this. I can’t believe that I’m not there with her, for this. She’s probably freaking out… on another level now!

Ian nods knowingly.

Ian: Ricky, man. I’m so sorry. If I would have heard anything, I definitely would have told you sooner.

Ricky is pacing his hotel room, trying to decide something.

Ricky: I need to see her.

Ian: Ricky?

Ricky: You need to get me in there… I need to see her. I can’t let her go through this without me. Not this. This is too big.

Ian: You know what you’re risking right?

Ricky: I can protect her. I just need to see her. Ian, man, please. I just need a few hours.

Ian: Ok, I can get you in there. But you have to wear a disguise, stay hidden, don’t draw any attention to yourself whatsoever. And you can’t stay long. One hour tops.

Ricky: I got it.

Ian: You need to be careful Rick. I mean it. Otherwise all of this will be for nothing.

Ricky: I know. I’m so close to getting to be with her again, full time. I’m not about to ruin it. I’ll be careful. I’ll be fine.

Ian: Ok. But here. (handing him some things to disguise himself) I’ll drive.

Very early that morning around 5 am, Ricky makes his way toward Maggie’s apartment door. He’s wearing a black hoodie, dark jeans, a black beanie and black sunglasses.

He listens to the feed from Maggie’s apartment in his ear. Lily is just about leaving.

He hides in the shadows of the hallway.

Maggie opens the door as Lily exits the apartment.

Ricky catches a glimpse of Maggie. Her eyes all puffy and red. He just wants to rush over to her and take her in his arms and stop her pain.

Lily: I just wanted to run home to change before work. Are you sure you’re gonna be okay?

Maggie: Yes I’ll be fine.

Lily: You call me, if you need anything. Ok? Anything. Any time. Don’t hesitate. Ok?

Maggie: I will. Thank you Lil- I don’t know what I would do without you.

Lily: You’ll never have to find out.

The girls hug each other tightly, and then Lily leaves.

Maggie gets a feeling. She scans the hallway. Ricky hides back in the shadows away from her eyesight. Maggie shakes it off and goes back inside. She goes into the bathroom to take a shower.

Ricky carefully and quietly picks her apartment door lock, and lets himself in.

He hears the shower running. He looks around the apartment, taking off his hat and glasses. He’s walking around touching each picture of them as he does. He walks into her bedroom and sits on her bed. He brushes his hand over the soft blanket. He has a flashback of him and Maggie kissing the night they first were together in her apartment. He closes his eyes and remembers. He opens them and leans over to her vanity. He picks up her favorite perfume bottle and sniffs it. That’s My Maggie, he thinks.

Then he hears her voice. She’s humming a song. Their song. The song they first danced to. He smiles, following her voice. He walks into the bathroom. Her silhouette is shown through the shower door. Her body is perfect, he thinks. Ricky doesn’t want to jump the gun too soon. He doesn’t want to frighten her. He doesn’t want her freaking out and getting hurt. She thinks he’s dead after all. But he needed to be near her. He needed to touch her. And he couldn’t wait another minute. Ricky takes off his shoes opens the door slightly, climbing in, fully dressed.

Maggie feeling the draft and a presence turns to be met my Ricky’s lips on hers.

Maggie feeling the familiar body starts kissing him back.

Ricky pulls away just enough to stare into her eyes.

Ricky: Hello gorgeous.

Maggie stares at him, dumbfounded.

Maggie: Ricky!

Ricky: Hey baby. (he smiles brightly)

Maggie: What are you-? How are you-?

Ricky: Do you really think I could ever leave you?

Maggie: But you-

Ricky: Shh. Just say hi- (he cups her face.)

Maggie: Hi, (she chokes out before he kisses her again, she wraps her arms around him, and he pulls her closer to him.)

Ricky unzips his sweater, while Maggie begins to help him disguard his clothes.

Ricky lifts Maggie up as he continues to kiss her, the water pours down over them. At that moment, whether Maggie thought she was just imagining him or not, nothing else mattered.

**********

Well…Ricky and Maggie had quite the “steamy” reunion…(steamy…shower, get it? harty har har) What do you think is next for these two lovebirds? Are they out of the woods yet? And it was pretty timid stuff right? Nothing too crazy? I have to admit I was nervous to post this. But what the hell. Tell me what you think!

Find out where this love story goes next, when Love Conflicted  continues this Thursday! 😀

* I do not take credit for any gifs, or any images used in my (crappy) edits or otherwise. *

-<3-