“Bevy, I was drunk, and I didn’t know Madison was a member.”

Bevy leaned back in her chair. “Carol, let’s get one thing straight, you are assuming Madison is a member. What I am saying is that here at RAW I don’t allow any woman to come onboard that harbors resentment for another woman because it is a reflection of how you’ll react if you perceive a woman betrayed you or see a woman as a threat.”

“I promise I’ll be the perfect member.”

“You understand that the women here share the men. There is no room for jealousy. Favoritism is not allowed, and you cannot fall in love or monopolize one man. RAW is a safe place for women to honor themselves, their bodies, and other women. I will say it again… There is no room for jealousy, pettiness, or bitterness towards another woman. We are here to uplift each other.”

“I understand. I do, and I feel that’s what I need in my life.” Carol sat forward in her chair, crossed her hands, and rested them on the edge of Bevy’s desk.

“Let me think about it, and I’ll get back to you.”

Bevy buzzed Michael in to escort Carol out. She felt apprehensive when considering Carol as a member. She stared at the phone then picked it up and dialed Madison’s number.

“Madison, how are you feeling today?”

“I’m well. Am I meeting you for dinner this evening?”

“Yes, I can’t wait. The chef changed up the menu, and he added a few new appetizers along with dinners. But my real reason for calling is I want to ask you about Carol Broderick.”

“Ah yes, the woman who hates me because I represented her husband in their divorce.”

“She’s begging to become a member. She says she’s changed.”

“I don’t know how I’d feel if she became a member,” Madison admitted. She noticed Carol took a liking to Jeremy the night of the Gala. Carol gave the impression that she always needed a pet and she seemed to lock in on Jeremy.

“She leaves me uneasy as well, but I considered offering her a trial membership with stipulations and any mishaps, and she’s gone?”

“It’s an option.” Madison felt more comfortable with that option than offering her a full-blown membership from the start. “I guess people can change. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt."

“I’ll put something together and present it to her.”

“Bevy, stress to her that she can’t monopolize any man.”

“I did, but I’ll make sure to repeat myself. She took a liking to our Jeremy, not that I blame her, but I was embarrassed the way she threw herself at him at the Gala.”

“Jeremy has that effect on women,” Madison said, sighing as she thought about the last time she saw him.

“Yes, he does. I knew he would when I hired him.” There was a knock on the door then Michael stuck his head in the office. “Madison, I’ll see you this evening. The painter’s here.”

~~~~~

Madison entered through the French doors off the Patio. She wore a sleeveless black flouncy blouse with white pants. Her long hair curled down her back, and her skin glowed. Jeremy couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She glanced over but then quickly diverted her attention to the woman sitting to his right.

She swallowed the lump in her throat as she strutted towards their usual table in the corner.

“Madison, you look stunning as always.” Bevy stood and wrapped her arms around Madison.

“Thank you, so do you. I love you in green.”

Madison shimmied along the bench seat and made herself comfortable. “I see you settled on the trial membership.” Madison glanced over at Carol hanging all over Jeremy at the bar.

Bevy looked up, “And she wasted no time.” Bevy clicked her tongue. “I don’t know what it is, but I don’t like her.”

“Did we make a mistake even offering her a trial membership?”

“Time will tell.” Bevy picked up her wine glass and took a sip as she continued to watch Carol grope Jeremy.

“Do you think he’s enjoying it?” Madison felt sickened by the sight of Carol and Jeremy.

“I don’t know. The men are hired to do a job. I’m sure deep down Jeremy has his favorites, but he has to be available to all women at RAW.” Bevy picked up her fork and knife and continued eating.

“Who do you think are his favorites?” Madison leaned in hoping to gain some insight from Bevy’s answer.

“We know he likes Amy as for the others he shows no favoritism. I just know that if he weren't getting paid to do this many of these women wouldn’t ever have a chance with him. I think Jeremy has specific tastes.”

“Do you think he likes me?” Madison hated herself for sounding so desperate but she needed to talk about it, and Bevy was the only person she could talk to about him. Madison knew Jeremy liked her at some point. He might despise her now, but Bevy was kept out of the loop this entire time. Bevy knew nothing about their history together, so her perspective was as an innocent observer.

“What’s gotten into you? You’ve never cared if one of the Essentials liked you.” Bevy pointed her knife at Madison.

Madison shrugged her shoulders in response.

“Madison, you haven’t given the guy enough of a chance to like you. You never talked to him after all those weeks that he catered to you. He brought you to all your doctor appointments. I thought your broken foot was going to be a burden on me, but Jeremy picked up the slack, so I had to do nothing. It was perfect. And let’s not forget you kicked him out of your room and you’ve hardly booked him, so you ask me if he favors you… I doubt it.”

“When you lay it out like that I guess I asked a stupid question.” Madison glanced over at Jeremy, and he glanced back. He looked good in his white shirt unbuttoned at the neck revealing his smooth tan skin. His hair flopped in different directions on top of his head, and his black dress pants hung low on his waist. He was sexy, and every girl at RAW vied for his attention and Madison hated it.

The entire meal Madison spent distracted by Jeremy and Carol. The woman was desperate, and she relentlessly threw herself at Jeremy. At one point, Madison watched as Carol leaned into him and brushed her hand up his thigh. She must have groped his cock because Jeremy grabbed her hand by the wrist and removed it from his body and placed it on her lap. He then whispered something in her ear, and Carol looked to be pouting afterwards.

Bevy and Madison finished up dinner. “Did you book anyone tonight?” Bevy asked as she finished her last sip of wine.

“No, I’m not in the mood.” Madison tossed her napkin on the table in front of her.

“I’m going to meet Bill in Room Seven. What are you going to do?” Bevy stood and scooted off the bench seat.

“I love that you two still use the sex rooms.” Madison chuckled.

“Honey, things must stay interesting to hold the attention of women like us.”

Madison shook her head in agreement, even though; she no longer believed it to be true. Madison’s mindset changed. Being with one man who adored her, and worshipped her body intrigued her. Madison didn’t know if she was capable of such normalcy, but she began to crave it. “As for myself, I’m going to have another glass of wine at the bar.” Madison looked over at the bar. Jeremy left fifteen minutes earlier, and only a few ladies and some of the guys remained.

Madison took a seat at the bar and Mason greeted her. “Madison, I never get this view of you. I am much appreciative.”

“I’m sorry, Mason, I know I should visit you more often.”

“No worries. What would you like?”

“What I was drinking at dinner.”

“No problem. I’ll be right back. We keep that one in a special place.”

“Take your time, Mason.”

Madison looked around at the women sitting at the bar. Carly, Kristin, and Mackenzie looked over and smiled. “How are you girls tonight?” She asked.

“We’re good, but we have a beef with Bevy,” Mackenzie answered for the group.

“Why?”

“Madison, that Carol chick is awful. She’s not a girls, girl and she shouldn’t be a member.”

“Really, what happened?” Madison wasn’t surprised by their admission.

“She’s ugly inside and out. She needs to go, or Bevy is going to lose memberships. You have her ear; please tell her.” Mackenzie said what the other girls were thinking.

“Girls, don’t worry, she’ll be gone. Bevy only extended her a temporary membership because she feared this would happen.”

“Oh, thank goodness!” Carly chimed in.

“Where is Carol now?” Madison hadn’t noticed when Carol left.

“She booked Jeremy. They’re in Room One with the curtain open, but all the girls refused to watch… Sort of a boycott.” Mackenzie explained.

Madison felt the earth move from under her. Her head spun as she listened to Mackenzie speak. Jeremy was with Carol. The thought made her heart beat fast, and the need to vomit overtook her. She started seeing black until Mason came into focus carrying her wine. “Mason, please chill that for me. I’ll be back.”

“Madison are you okay?” Mason noticed the color drain from her face.

“No, but I will be.” Madison stood from the bar taking in a needed deep breath. She was about to do something that repulsed her, but she couldn’t stop herself. Madison walked until she stood in front of the door staring down at the doorknob. She needed to do this. She couldn’t go back to her apartment while the thought of him with her stirred up bile inside her. She opened the door and proceeded down the dark hallway until she reached the viewing room. The girls weren’t kidding; the room was empty. Everyone boycotted this viewing, which shocked Madison since watching Jeremy was the member’s favorite pastime.

Madison stood right in front of the mirror and watched as Carol sprawled out naked on the bed. The woman had so much plastic surgery her body resembled a road map from all the scars. She had her breasts lifted, a line stretched from one hip to the other, more lines on the inside of her upper arms and her face pulled tight and so jacked up that she had limited facial expressions.

Jeremy stood next to the bed undressing. Madison looked down at the nightstand and saw his glasses folded on top. Anger and jealousy brewed inside her and without thinking it through she reacted. Madison banged her palms on the mirror as hard as she could. She watched as Jeremy and Carol looked towards the noise and then Madison ran.

She got to the door and swung it open with more force than necessary. She bolted out and sprinted down the hallway, but someone grabbed her and pulled her back. A pair of strong arms moved around her waist as she kicked and screamed against the hard body that held her, the arms released her, and she ran.

When she got back to her apartment, she fell over on her knees and sobbed. She doesn’t know how long she was sobbing when those familiar strong arms picked her up and carried her to the bed.

“Jeremy, leave me.” She cried out.

“Shh, sweetheart, calm down, I’m here with you.” Jeremy rocked Madison in his arms.

Madison let her body settle and then her emotions took over. She pushed Jeremy off and jumped out of bed. “I hate you! How could you go with such a woman? She’s disgusting, and everybody hates her.”

Jeremy sat up while Madison prepared to lambaste him. “Don’t you have any standards? I mean I know it’s your job but how do you fuck just anyone?” Madison paced along side of her bed. “The other women were disgusted that you went with her. She’s ugly inside and out. How do you justify your behavior?”

Jeremy stood from the bed and calmly spoke. “It’s my job. She’s a member who booked me.”

“You’re pathetic.” Madison squinted her eyes and furrowed her brow, “How do you live with yourself?”

Jeremy said nothing and that pissed Madison off even more. She scowled at him then her hand came up, and she cracked him across the face. Jeremy’s body stayed as his head whipped to one side. The sound vibrated off every surface in the room. Madison felt the heat in her palm as she drew it against her chest covering it with her other hand. Jeremy straightened his stare while his cheek turned a blistering shade of red. His jaw ticked, and he clenched his teeth as he tamped down on the searing pain he felt.

He pinned her with a piercing stare then calmly and quietly walked out of her bedroom. Jeremy had enough of Madison. He tried every way he knew possible to show her how he felt about her. It wasn’t an easy task and Madison being who she was made it impossible.

Jeremy wasn’t ready to go back to his room. He needed a drink. He needed a few drinks. He walked towards the restaurant hoping it was empty. Having to entertain another woman tonight would push him over the edge. All he wanted to do was throw back a few shots then go to sleep.

Thankfully, Mason stood behind the bar alone with only a few couples left at the bar. Sometimes after the members and their chosen companions for the night finished up in the sex rooms they’d enjoy a drink or two at the bar.

Jeremy welcomed the reprieve. Mason approached him where he sat at the very end of the bar. “What happened to you?” He nodded towards Jeremy’s cheek where the blood still pooled at the surface.

Jeremy touched the side of his face that stung from Madison’s slap. “Madison happened to me.” He whispered.

“She slapped you?” Mason placed a glass on the bar in front of Jeremy. “Whiskey?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“Man, I don’t know what you two have going on, but you better figure it out before someone gets hurt.”

“She went into the viewing room when I was with Carol and banged on the two-way mirror.” Again, he kept his voice low.

“You’re messing with me? That’s not like Madison at all. She has it bad, man.”

“I don’t know what she’s thinking, but I do know she can no longer dictate how this, whatever this is, will play out.”

“Kind of like taking the bull by the horns.”

“Exactly like that.” Jeremy lifted his glass in the air.

 

Jeremy drank one too many and dragged his ass off the barstool when he had enough. Exhausted and somewhat drunk he couldn’t wait to get back to his room and crash. He punched his code on the keypad and opened the door. The lamp next to the bed was on, and Jeremy had to take a double look. Madison was curled up in a ball asleep on his bed.

He sat on the side of the bed, leaned over and stroked her arm. She looked beautiful, and he found it difficult to stay mad at her. “Madison sweetheart, wake up.”

Madison opened her eyes as she sat up and looked around. “What time is it?”

“It’s late. What are you doing in my room?”

“I was waiting for you. I thought we should talk.”

Jeremy stood up, took off his glasses and began undressing. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Why are you getting naked?” Madison asked.

“I’m going to take a shower.”

“But I want to talk to you.” Madison gazed down at his cock.

“Come into the bathroom while I shower.” Jeremy walked into his bathroom leaving Madison sitting on his bed.

“I’ll wait out here.” She yelled.

Jeremy stuck his head out of the bathroom. “Nope, you talk now or never because when I’m done showering, I’m going to bed.”

Madison hurried off the bed and ran into his bathroom. “Jeremy, I’m sorry I slapped you. I don’t know what came over me.”

Jeremy nodded. He knew what came over her. Madison fell in love and seeing him with Carol made her jealous, but he’d let her work that out herself. He wasn’t going to try and force the issue.

I’m not in love with you.”

“Okay.” Jeremy stepped into the shower and turned on the water.

“I want you to stay away from Carol.”

“Okay.” Jeremy squeezed body wash onto a body sponge.

“And I don’t want you calling me one of your pet names. How can I be your sweetheart, or your love when you call every girl here by those names?”

Jeremy glanced over at Madison pacing back and forth while she ranted off her list of complaints. “And you know what else… Stop being so damn polite and sexy. It just oozes from your pores; I can’t stand it. And hell, why don’t you wear contact lenses like everybody else!” Madison threw her hands up over her head.

Madison experienced the worst case of word vomit Jeremy had ever witnessed. She kept going on about everything that bothered her about Jeremy. His perfect hairless body and the way one side of his mouth ticked up when he flirted. Somewhere in there she even denounced his sexy clean feet, and she hated how perfect his toes looked.

He finished showering and turned off the water. He grabbed his towel and wrapped it around his waist. Madison stood in the middle of his bathroom looking like she ran a marathon. Her shoulders lifted and dropped with every breath.

“Is there anything else you need to talk about?” Jeremy asked as he squeezed toothpaste onto his toothbrush.

Madison thought she covered all her grievances. “I think that’s it for now.” She paused, “Wait, one more thing. I didn’t sleep with your married friend.” Madison felt compelled to tell him because having Jeremy think ill of her disturbed Madison.

Jeremy spit his toothpaste out and rinsed his mouth. “I know you didn’t. Alan called me two days later.” Jeremy removed the towel from around his waist, roughed up his wet hair, dried off his skin, and then wiped his mouth and threw the towel on the counter behind him. “So we’re done here?” He asked as he flipped the bathroom light off and walked out leaving Madison in the dark.

She came strutting out. “Did you even listen to a word I said?”

Jeremy turned around in all his naked glory. “Sure I did. You don’t love me, I need to stay away from Carol, no pet names, stop being polite and sexy, and I should get contact lenses, and maybe neglect my feet. Is that everything?”

“Sounds like it.” Madison glanced at the floor feeling a little ridiculous as Jeremy listed back all of her gripes.

“Good because now I’m going to bed.”

“Well, goodnight then.” Before Madison could take one step towards the door, Jeremy swept her off her feet and dropped her on his bed. “What do you think you’re doing?” She asked as her body bounced when she hit the mattress.

“Sweetheart, I’m taking you to bed, and I’m not taking no for an answer, and I might even wear my glasses while I make sweet love to you just to piss you off.” He straddled her body.

“There you go calling me sweetheart, again,” Madison said, exasperated.

“Yes and after tonight, I’ll make sure I only ever call you sweetheart.” Jeremy leaned over her and placed a kiss on the tip of her nose.

“And my love?” Madison placed her hands on his cheeks.

“I only have one from here on out.”

“Who is it?” Madison dropped her hands back over her head.

“Ah Madison, you are a tricky one.” He slipped his fingers under the hem of her shirt and dragged it over her head.

“What do you mean?”

Jeremy ignored her question and began work of removing her bra.

“Jeremy, please remember this is not love, it’s just sex and what’s happening here is you’re doing your job.”

“Yes, my love, just sex, no love. Now, quiet down so I can make love to you.” Jeremy humored Madison and teased her all in one breath. He tossed her bra off to the side, and it landed on the floor. He paused to admire the beautiful full breasts before him. “Madison, I’m going to take this real slow. I want to spend what’s left of this night exploring every inch of your body while committing it to memory because I never know what to expect from you come tomorrow. And when I’m done, I want you to feel so worked over that it takes you most of the day to recover enough to walk back to your room.”

Madison nodded as Jeremy began his exploration with his hands followed by his mouth. Madison threw her head back enjoying the sensation and mumbled one last time, “but it’s not love.”

“Sure, no problem,” Jeremy placated her as he continued his exploration.

 

The next afternoon, Jeremy opened his eyes when her warm body squirmed in his arms. Madison purred as she shifted her leg further between his legs. She gripped her arm tighter around his back causing her breasts to press deeper against his chest.

He looked over Madison’s shoulder to check the time. They slept most of the day. He was surprised none of the guys came looking for him. He sagged back into his space and glided his hands up and down Madison’s back. Her skin was soft and warm. Jeremy considered their night of lovemaking and what it would be like if every night and every day were like last night and this moment, now.

Madison shifted again releasing a soft moan. She stretched her neck up. “What time is it?”

“Around three-thirty.”

“Wow, you did work me over,” Madison said as she sat up in bed and stretched. “How am I going to get out of her unnoticed?”

“The same way you snuck in here unnoticed.”

She twisted her head to the side and shot him a look. “It might be a little harder in the middle of the day.”

“You mean the end of the day.”

“Well, yes, the end of the day but at three-thirty a lot of the guys will be floating around.”

“But not at five-thirty.” Jeremy pulled Madison back and shifted his weight onto half her body.

“What do you have in mind, Mr. Turner?”

“Madison, mind the rules, no last names.” Jeremy planted a soft kiss on the corner of her mouth. “I plan on making love to you again, then we’ll shower together, and then you can sneak out. By that time, the guys will be getting ready for the evening.”

“Sounds like a plan I can be on board with.” Madison circled her arms around Jeremy’s neck. “But…”

“No BUTs, Madison.”

“Jeremy, I just want to remind you… “

“That this is just sex and I’m just doing my job.”

“Yes and tonight please remember to stay away from Carol.”

Jeremy flipped onto his back. “I warned Bevy about that woman. I was surprised to see her here.”

“What do you mean?” Madison propped herself up on her elbow.

“The night of the Gala, Carol saw you and went off on a tirade, and I told Bevy. Madison, the woman hates you.”

“Why would Bevy give her a temporary membership? I knew she wasn’t fond of me during her divorce proceedings but I didn’t know it was that severe.” Madison thought about the phone call when Bevy asked if she’d be comfortable with Carol coming on board as a trial. Bevy must have thought Madison knew the extent of Carol’s anger.

“I don’t know. Bevy knew in detail what Carol said to me.”

“What did she say?” Madison rested her hand on Jeremy’s chest.

“Sweetheart, you don’t need to know the details. Just know it wasn’t nice.”

“I’ll have to talk to Bevy.” Madison scooted up on her knees and leaned over Jeremy and kissed his mouth. She slid her leg across his body and straddled him. “Now, where were we?”

~~~~~

Later that night, Madison met Bevy at her office before dinner. She needed to talk to Bevy about Carol and doing it at the restaurant was not appropriate.

“The girls already came to me. They want her out.” Bevy had spoken before Madison said anything. “They approached me last night. I’m in a bad situation because I can’t just kick her out. I offered her a trial, but she hasn’t broken any of the rules.”

“What about monopolizing Jeremy?” Madison questioned.

“Madison, she booked him. She didn’t monopolize him.”

“So we need to see this three-month trial through and hope she does something wrong before it’s up?”

“Pretty much, but I can say I think it’s likely she’ll screw up. She’s a loose cannon.” Bevy organized her desk. “I’m starving. Let’s go eat.”

“Who booked Jeremy tonight?”

“The girl’s got together and booked him for the communal room.”

“How many?” The idea made Madison sick to her stomach.

“Five of them. They wanted to make sure to push Carol out, so they have him for the whole night.”

Though Madison hated Jeremy having to be with any other woman, she was glad it was not Carol. Madison never felt so repulsed by another woman but something about Carol didn’t sit right with Madison. The sooner Carol was gone from RAW, the better.

~~~~~

At dinner that night, the five girls that booked Jeremy for the evening surrounded him making it almost impossible for Carol to get near him.

Madison watched it all play out from her table in the corner. Jeremy glanced over at her multiple times with a remorseful look on his face. He would much rather be spending the evening with Madison but as Madison kept reminding him, this was his job.

When Madison finished her meal, she walked towards the French doors leading to the Patio. Jeremy excused himself from the ladies, telling them he’d see them in the communal room later. He followed Madison out to the Patio. She just took her first step down the stairs that lead to the gardens when Jeremy called out. “I hate this.”

Madison turned around. “You can leave anytime. Bevy and I only want men that are happy to be here.”

“That’s your response. You’re talking to me as my employer.”

“Because that’s what I am Jeremy. Now, either go do your job or leave RAW.” Madison words cut but her tone was lethal. She’d make sure to protect herself by hurting him because tonight would be hard no matter what.

“How do you turn it off like that?” Jeremy wished he could tell Madison how much she hurt him every time she pushed him away.

“Turn off what?”

“Madison, whatever you’re thinking, you need to stop. You deserve to be loved and you need to let me love you.”

Madison wasn’t ready to hear this. “Nothing is going on here. You need to stop thinking there is.”

“When you stop acting like there is, I’ll stop thinking it.” Jeremy yelled out as Madison descended the stairs.

Jeremy stared out over the gardens and watched as Madison walked the gravel path back to her part of the mansion. He hated to admit it to himself, but he almost expected this of Madison. Someone or something fucked that woman’s head up, and she was not going to make it easy for any man to get close to her.

But Jeremy knew he had no choice. He had to try, even if it meant losing his job or worse a broken heart, he loved Madison, and no matter how often she pushed him away, he’d come back for more.