Marques was seething and Madison's calm voice made it worse. She put her hand on his shoulder and turned him to face her.
'What?'
'Marques, calm down. It's not over, we'll get him.'
'How can you say that? It is over Madi. He won; he doesn't trust me anymore. He'll leave and we'll never catch him. He'll probably kill me...and you...before he leaves, but either way, it's over.'
'I won't let you quit, there is no way in hell I'm going to let you quit.'
He pushed past her and started pacing the room. 'I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. How could I have been so stupid! He'll eventually put two and two together and figure out that me being there when the cops arrived...'
'How could he? You said he was high; hopefully he won't remember anything, and wonder how he got to wherever he is now when he straightens up.'
'He won't forget...he never does. He'll figure out I was just playing along with his stupid games. He'll come after me and anyone else who gets in his way. He killed Jon, Madi, just like he...'
Marques stopped himself before saying what he was thinking; that Foster had killed him a long time ago. That Foster had destroyed Marques' life when he'd made him take that car.
Marques slid down the wall, his head in his hands, and felt rather than saw Madi next to him. 'It's hopeless, Madi, I'm going to Webbe to tell him it's over. Foster knows I don't want anything more to do with him; there's nothing keeping him here.'
Marques closed his eyes as Madi brushed the tears of exhaustion from his face with her thumb.
'I don't know what I would do if you weren't here,' Marques mumbled. 'You're the only person I have left now, and I'm so...grateful...that you are here.'
Madi smiled despite the desperate situation and wiped Marques' face gently again. Her breast brushed his knees lightly as she inhaled, her breathing quickening and deepening.. Adrenalin seeped Marques' system, coming to rest at the bottom of his abdomen, penetrating the feelings of anger and exhaustion that were playing for dominance.
Madi enclosed Marques in her arms and rested her head on his shoulder. 'I won't desert you, Marques,' she whispered in his ear.
Marques drew her close, feeling her body warm against his bare chest. Madi closed her eyes and her lips met Marques'.
But he pulled away quickly, turning his head from her.
'I'm sorry,' Madi whispered, her voice full of clear emotion. 'I don't know why I...'
She stood and moved toward the door. Marques, undecided about how he felt about what had just taken place, got to his feet and caught Madi by the arm. He pulled her close and lifted her chin, making her looking at him. Her eyes shone.
Through his anger at his current situation and his hatred for Foster, Marques took Madison's face in his hands and leant forward until he was millimetres from her lips. Hesitating for only a second, Marques fiercely pressed his lips against Madi's warm, soft mouth.
For a long time they kissed, fondles, groped. It was an effective distraction from Foster and Marques' sudden situation. He wanted to forget what had happened; he's made a stupid choice...allowing Foster to goad him...
Marques unzipped Madison's jeans before slipping them from her legs. She, in return, help Marques remove his own. There was no frenzy, no wildness; their movements were calm, slow and sensual. Madison softly caressed Marques' shoulder with her lips, sending pleasant shivers through his body as he throbbed.