A few of the men sat at the bar entertaining some of the women when an unusual calm settled over the dining room. Jeremy looked around to see what shifted and that’s when he saw Madison enter through French doors off the patio with Bevy leading the way. Everyone turned his or her heads to look in that direction. Madison looked sexy wearing a white silk jumpsuit with a revealing neckline and strappy stilettos.

As Bevy passed a few tables, she greeted members with air kisses. Madison continued walking, and Jeremy noticed all the men staring as she strolled through the restaurant making no eye contact with anyone. She sat at a large round table in the corner. A large plush built in seat circled half the table and Madison smoothed out her outfit as she scooted in a quarter of the way. A waiter approached just as she sat down.

Jeremy partially listened as the woman in front of him, who he thinks her name was Susan, talked about her recent trip to Peru. Jeremy feigned interest in the conversation, but all he wanted to do was gaze at Madison. He hoped she’d look over at him, but she stared down at the wine menu in front of her.

Susan pulled him back into the conversation when she asked him about any vacations he’d taken recently. “I recently traveled to Canada.”

“Oh, I love Canada. I went last…” Susan continued chatting away as Jeremy focused on Madison. The waiter brought out a bottle of white wine, and Bevy finally joined Madison.

“He’s staring at you.” Bevy casually looked around the restaurant as she brought her wine glass up to her lips.

“Who’s staring at me?” Madison asked but never looked up from the menu.

“Jeremy.” Bevy covered her mouth with her napkin in case Jeremy could read lips.

Madison intentionally looked up and zoned in on Jeremy. She expected him to look away when she caught him staring, but instead, he smiled at her and gave a subtle head nod.

Madison smiled back, tucked her hair behind her ear but went right back to reading the menu. “I think I’m going to have the sea bass tonight.” Madison closed her menu and placed it in front of her. She reached for her glass of wine, took a sip, and then looked at Bevy. Madison had no intention of telling her about last night. It was so out of character for Madison to make out with a perfect stranger, but there was something different about Jeremy. And his kiss was incredible, so it was well worth stepping out of the box.

“It’s delicious, but I’m not in the mood for fish.”

The waiter came by, made some small talk with Madison and Bevy, and took their orders. “I’ll be back with a sample of appetizers.”

“Thank you, Seth, and please tell chef I want my filet on the rare side of medium.”

“Yes, Bevy, and would you like some new potatoes tonight or is it a no carb night?” He asked as he poured more wine into their glasses.

“I’m splurging Seth. Bring on the carbs.”

“Very well. I’ll be back.”

Bevy lifted her glass to Madison. “To new hires.”

Madison shook her head, “Bevy, you love this.”

“Of course I do. I get a kick out of watching the boys vie for the attention of the most beautiful woman in the mansion.”

“That’s very sweet of you, Bevy, but if you were single, I’m sure they’d be drooling over you.”

“I’d like to think so, but I’d give in a lot sooner than you. I don’t have your kind of willpower. I think Jeremy is way too hot and he’s sexy. In the old days, I would have invited him to my room the first night. I melted when he took those eyeglasses off and placed them on the nightstand next to the dish of condoms during his practical.”

“I’ll admit the glasses are sexy.” Madison glanced over at Jeremy, again. This time Amy had his ear. “Amy seems to like him.”

“Like him! She already booked him out for a single his first day off of probation.” Bevy laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Madison cocked her head to the side.

“He hates all her hair.” Bevy threw back her head in laughter. “She doesn’t groom… at all!” Bevy lost it. Her face scrunched up, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

Madison couldn’t help herself; she broke out into laughter until she heard a deep rough voice speaking. Madison looked up as she blotted the corner of her eyes.

“Jeremy, how are you tonight?” Bevy asked.

“I’m doing well.” Jeremy glanced at Madison. “How are you ladies this evening?”

“I’m doing well, Jeremy." Bevy watched as Jeremy stared at Madison. "Are you enjoying yourself so far?” She asked

“I am. Everyone has been great in making me feel welcomed and my first night in the viewing rooms was better than I could have imagined.” Jeremy finally broke eye contact with Madison and glanced at Bevy as he responded. Madison appreciated the reprieve and focused her attention on the table.

“I’m not surprised. I hire only the best.” Bevy boasted.

“That’s what I’ve noticed.” Jeremy agreed.

“It only gets better,” Bevy added.

Jeremy redirected his attention towards Madison. “I’m sure. I was wondering, Madison, if you’d like to have a drink with me before the evening is over?”

“That’s very sweet, Jeremy, but I’m going to have dinner with Bevy, and then I have plans for the rest of the night but definitely another time.”

“Okay then, another time. Enjoy your meal.” Jeremy looked at Madison and then to Bevy. He walked away not feeling defeated at all. Jeremy had a suspicion that Madison wasn’t going to be easy and he wouldn’t want it any other way. He was surprised how little she added to the conversation. Michael might have been correct. Maybe, Madison was a snob.

About an hour and a half later, Madison stood from the table, as Bevy remained seated. Jeremy watched as she sashayed through the restaurant towards the French doors that led to the foyer. He noticed she eyed up Donnie and Dan and then right after she walked out, Donnie and Dan stood to leave. Pete sat next to Jeremy at the bar. “Where are they going?” Jeremy asked Pete as he nodded towards the two guys walking out of the restaurant.

“They’re with Madison tonight.”

“But I thought that part of the evening doesn’t begin for another hour.” Jeremy glanced down at his watch.

“There are no rules for Madison,” Pete explained then took a swig of his beer.

Jeremy hated to admit it, but he felt a pang of jealousy that Donnie and Dan got chosen for the night. It was a good and bad thing that the guys were not permitted to talk specifically about what individual members liked to do sexually. Good, because Jeremy didn’t want to hear about their night with Madison tomorrow over breakfast, and bad because Jeremy wanted to hear everything about their night with Madison. He wanted to know what she liked, what she didn’t like, how she purred when being touched, he wanted to know all of it. He only hoped that he’d get a chance to find out all those things on his own.

~~~~~

The week of viewing room ended, and the real deal was about to begin. Jeremy watched enough men and women having sex in the past five days to realize he’d have no problem performing his various job duties. The variety of sexual acts he witnessed, he felt certain he could handle.

He hadn’t seen much of Madison the rest of the weekend, and then he had his days off, so he went off the mansion grounds and stayed with Claire and her girlfriend for two days. He welcomed the time away to be with his friends before his new job officially started.

It was Wednesday night of Jeremy’s second week at RAW. Tonight Jeremy became an active participant, and it was also the beginning of opportunity, the opportunity of being booked with Madison.

Most of the women arrived Wednesday afternoons to settle into their long weekends but it wasn’t some mandatory rule. RAW was like a resort hotel with obvious exceptions. The women could check in whenever they liked during their weekend, but when they booked their weekends out the time allotted for them was Wednesday evening to Sunday afternoon.

As Jeremy walked the mansion he hopped to catch a glimpse of Madison. From the library he watched as the ladies pulled up to valet and concierge escorted them in but there was no sign of Madison.

He assumed he’d see her in the restaurant that evening but was disappointed when the ten o’clock hour approached and she never showed. Will greeted him at the bar. “You ready, man?” Will asked, as he landed his hand on Jeremy’s shoulder. “Your first night in a group.”

“Yeah, I’m ready. Room Eight, right?”

“Yeah man. This room is one of my favorites.” Will tightened his grip on Jeremy’s shoulder.

“How many of us are going in?”

“Five.”

“Which one is she?” Jeremy looked out into the restaurant.

“Don’t look over but she’s on your right, three tables away. She’s got the long blonde hair and the big tits.”

Jeremy casually scanned the restaurant as he caught a glimpse of her. “Pretty girl.”

“And she likes it rough and dirty. It’ll be a good time.”

Jeremy had no doubt it would be, but his head was not in it as he wondered about Madison. Jeremy was polite; he could make any girl feel like she was the one and only he wanted and needed, so despite his head not being in the game, the girl would never know. He stood up from the bar and followed the rest of the guys out of the restaurant and headed up to Room Eight where they prepared to rock Andrea’s world.

Jeremy got through his first weekend at RAW. It surprised him how open and honest the members and the Essentials were with each other. The time spent together was not just about having sex. Real friendships existed and after only his second week Jeremy felt the camaraderie that existed.

 

~~~~~

Jeremy’s first month at the mansion was a success. Not only did he have an impressive first month’s check, but also he had a great time while he was making money. He still hadn’t run into Madison since his first week there. She was nowhere to be seen and Bevy ate dinner with her boyfriend, Bill or she joined other members at their tables.

It wasn’t until his fifth week at RAW that Jeremy watched from the library as the concierge brought her bag out to her Mercedes. Madison drove a diamond white metallic AMG S65 Coupe. Jeremy loved cars, and he knew that car carried a price tag of over two hundred thousand dollars. He wondered how she footed the bill, possibly Madison was married.

Many of the married members didn’t hide the fact that they were indeed married. They continued to wear their rings around the mansion and openly talk about their husbands and children. RAW was a haven for them to express themselves however they needed and judgments were not permitted. But Madison didn’t wear a ring, and Jeremy wondered if she had a sugar daddy footing the bill. The car, her membership as an exclusive, her clothes, her hair and that body all took big bucks to maintenance. The thought of Madison going home to some old man and having to go down on his shriveled up little penis twisted Jeremy’s head.

He wanted to ask the guys questions, but showing interest in one member over the others was a strict rule in the RAW handbook. Jeremy had to extract information as time went on without causing suspicion. He remembered Michael mentioning that Madison was a divorce attorney, so maybe she footed the bill for herself. If she did the woman had to make sick money based on what Jeremy noticed so far.

When the weekend began, Jeremy hoped when the schedule came out that Madison was on his list but he found out quickly that an Exclusive member never had to book her men in advance. Madison had a private room set for every possible sexual experience, so there was no need to hold a room for her unlike the other members who had to book a sex room at the time they booked their weekend.

He investigated further and found out that the others Essentials were not booked with Madison for the weekend either.

So when Jeremy watched Madison drive off, he questioned what she did the whole weekend at the mansion. Did she stay in her room the whole weekend? Where did she eat? Why did no one run into her? Either way Jeremy knew he was forced to wait to see her when she next visited the mansion. The one positive note was Madison and Bevy were good friends, and the guys mentioned Madison stopped in often because of their friendship.

~~~~~

Two weeks later, Jeremy lounged near the pool reading a book when the outside employee phone rang. Jeremy looked around before he stood. He was alone, so he shoved his bookmarker in place and trotted towards the phone. “Jeremy speaking.”

“Oh, Jeremy, finally I got somebody on the phone.” Bevy huffed. “I’m glad it’s you who picked up.”

“Bevy, is everything okay? You sound frantic.”

“I know you told me your father’s a plumber, and that you picked up some of his skills.”

“Yes, why?”

“I need you to go to Madison’s room. She slipped in the shower, and when she tried to catch herself, she took out the faucet.”

“Is she okay?”

“She thinks she sprained her foot, but she sounded fine. But listen carefully, Madison keeps her life private and hates to be fussed over so don’t say anything to the others. She may need your help, and then I need you to turn off the main water valve for her room and assess the damage for me.”

“Sure, no problem. I’ll go now.”

“Thank you, Jeremy. I won’t be back to the mansion for another four hours, so if you can get things under control as much as possible I appreciate it, and then I’ll call a plumber in to fix the faucet.”

“Bevy, I can fix it. Plumbing is how I supported myself before I came here.”

“Oh, wonderful! And please remember to be as discreet as possible. Madison has a few issues, and something like this could push her over the edge.”

“Issues?”

“Just be gentle with her.” Bevy left it at that.

Bevy gave Jeremy specific instructions to get to Madison’s room. She repeated twice that the door marked private was Madison’s bedroom, and he was to open no other doors in that area of the mansion.

Jeremy hung up, searched out some tools from one of the storage closets, and made his way over to Madison. It was a long walk to her room on the other side of the Mansion. No one ever visited that side of the mansion. It was closed off to anyone not invited into her space. The guys that frequented her room talked about how nice it was and how it had all the amenities, but they never got into specifics, so Jeremy had no idea what to expect.

He knocked on the door and listened for her response. He heard nothing, opened the door a sliver and called out for her. “Madison, it’s Jeremy. Bevy called me to help.”

Still no answer. Jeremy walked further into her bedroom and towards the slightly closed door, which Jeremy assumed, was her bathroom. He knocked as he pushed the door open a few inches, and Madison responded.

“Oh thank God you’re here, Michael.”

Jeremy opened the door all the way, “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but Bevy sent me.” Jeremy looked down at a naked Madison sitting on the tile floor her legs stretched out in front of her with her back leaning up against the bathroom cabinet.

She threw her hands up covering her breasts. “Jeremy, I’m naked.”

“I can see that.” He placed the toolbox on the floor and knelt in front of Madison. “Your ankle looks bad. It’s going to need to be iced.”

“I know it hurts.” Madison dropped her hands next to her. What was the point in trying to hide her naked body? She needed Jeremy’s help, so he’d see it all anyway.

Jeremy swiped his finger along the top of her slick thigh then rubbed his index finger and thumb together. “What’s this?”

“I was using a scrub on my body when I slipped, and I didn’t get to wash it off.”

Jeremy took in a deep breath as he assessed the damage. Water gushed out of the shower wall, a large towel sat on the shower floor in a puddle of water, a small teak bench was tossed on its side, and the container of body scrub was flipped upside down. He glanced around the bathroom. In front of the large picture window was a claw footed tub and off to the right was a large sitting area with a couch and two small chairs.

He looked back down at Madison. “Sweetheart, I’m going to lift you and place you in the tub so I can wash this oily scrub off your body. Wrap your arms around my neck.”

Madison whimpered as she threw her hands up over her face. “Jeremy, I’m embarrassed. Please don’t say anything to anyone about what happened.”

“Madison, you slipped. There is nothing to be embarrassed about.”

“You promise you won’t say anything.”

“Sweetheart, I promise. Now put your hands around my neck.”

Madison wrapped her arms around his neck as Jeremy slid his hands around her naked oily body. Jeremy lifted her off the floor, carried her across the room, and laid her down in the tub. He turned on the water and fiddled with the faucets until he got the right temperature then he plugged the tub. With his hands, he rubbed the salt and oil from her skin. Madison watched as he slid his hands over her thighs and down her calves.

“Do you have a washcloth?” Jeremy asked.

Madison pointed to the closet in her bathroom.

Jeremy stood and dried his hands on his shirt. He retrieved a washcloth and towel from the large linen closet. He came back and knelt at the side of the tub and began washing her body of all the oily scrub. “Lean forward, please.”

Madison sat forward as Jeremy held her shoulder and glided the washcloth down her entire back then he came around the side of her body. Madison leaned back on the tub as Jeremy glided the washcloth across her breasts and under them then down her stomach and back up repeating the path over again. Madison watched Jeremy’s face as he glided the washcloth across her skin. He stared at her body as he moved across her breasts but he never flinched, not even as her hardened nipples moved under the palm of his hand.

When he finished, he wrung out the washcloth and drained the water from the tub. Madison sat helpless, naked, and utterly turned on by this man. The tenderness he showed in everything he did was unexpected and different. Madison was unaccustomed to such kindness from a man.

Jeremy grabbed the towel and leaned over the tub and patted Madison’s skin dry. When he finished, he tossed the towel over the edge of the tub. “Madison, hold onto to me, I’m going to lift you.”

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as Jeremy lifted her naked body from the tub. He bent at the knees with her in his arms. “Sweetheart, grab the towel.”

Madison lifted the towel from the side of the tub and threw it over his shoulder.

He carried her out of the bathroom and into her bedroom. He stood next to her bed. “Sweetheart, throw the towel on the bed.”

Madison dropped the towel on the bed as neatly as possible, and Jeremy settled her on top of it. “Lean to one side.” Jeremy nudged her hip in the direction he wanted her to move.

Madison shifted onto her forearm while Jeremy dried her bum and the back of her leg. “Lean this way.” He tugged on her other hip pulling the front of her body towards his.

Madison leaned to the side facing Jeremy. He leaned over her and dried her bum and the back of her leg on that side. “Roll over a little more while I pull the towel from under you.” To get leverage Madison gripped the blanket beneath her with one hand and with the other she grabbed the inside of Jeremy’s leg. She felt Jeremy’s hand on her lower back as she rolled towards him then he shimmied the towel from underneath her body.

Jeremy dropped the towel on the floor and then propped pillows behind Madison and placed two under her leg to elevate it. “What can I dress you in?”

“Can you get my pajamas?" Madison pointed to her closet. “When you walk in the closet there in the top drawer of the cabinet to the left.”

Jeremy’s mouth dropped open when he saw the inside of her closet. It was a massive space filled with a lot of clothes. One would think Madison lived in the mansion by the amount of clothes, shoes, and bags she kept in this closet. RAW was supposed to be her home away from home on the weekends, but from the looks of everything so far, Jeremy suspected she lived in this space more than anyone realized.

He opened the cabinet and pulled out the drawer. “You want the white short and top set?” He yelled out.

“Yes, please.”

Jeremy walked out carrying Madison’s little pajama set in his big hands. He stood at the side of the bed and looked down at Madison’s naked body one last time. Madison looked back at him and smiled. For a hot minute, all shame and embarrassment left her, and she enjoyed Jeremy gazing over her body. “I bet you never expected to be helping a member in this capacity. Not very sexy.”

Tell my erection that, Jeremy thought to himself. “Lift your arms.”

Madison raised her arms and Jeremy slid the tank top over her head and down her body. He carefully placed her swollen foot through the leg of her shorts and did the same with the other side. He guided them up her legs.

He leaned over her. “Put your arms around my neck and lift yourself.”

“Will I hurt you?”

“My shoulders can take it.” He assured her.

Madison slid her arms around his neck and lifted her bum while Jeremy slid the shorts under her. They were cheek to cheek, and she noticed his scent first. Madison inhaled a spicy clean scent. She wanted to nuzzle her nose right behind his ear. His skin was warm and soft, and the closeness sent a chill coursing through her body.

Jeremy slid his hands over Madison’s arms causing her to drop them away from his body reluctantly. He sat next to her, his arm crossing over her thighs as he rested the palm of his hand down on the bed. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to get you ice for that foot and then I need to work on that shower. Do you want me to bring anything back?"

“Not right now, but I may need your help later if it’s no problem.”

“It’s no problem. I won’t be long.” He patted the outside of Madison’s thigh.

As Jeremy turned to leave, Madison called him back. “Jeremy, thank you.”

“I’m happy to help.” He gave a small wink then left her.

Fifteen minutes later, Jeremy returned with an ice pack. “Madison, I called my friend who’s an Orthopedic doctor. I’m going to take you to see him this afternoon.”

“I’m fine. There’s no need to see a doctor.”

“Madison, there is, and I’m not letting you have a say in this.”

Madison’s jaw dropped open, as she was unaccustomed to anyone, especially a man telling her what to do but she had no choice, the pain in her foot reminded her that she was at his mercy.

Jeremy positioned the ice pack over her ankle, stood and walked over to the bookcase on the far wall. He grabbed a book out without even looking at the title, walked back next to Madison’s bed and dropped the book next to her.

“I’m going to fix your shower, yell if you need me.”

“Can you hand me my cell?” Madison pointed to her dresser across the room.

“Are you going to call Bevy and berate her for sending me instead of Michael?” Jeremy tossed Madison’s cell on the bed next to the book.

“No, Jeremy, I’m not an ungrateful bitch. I’m thankful you’re here. I’m going to call her to remind her that you and she are the only two people I want knowing about my mishap.”

“Why are you so worried about people knowing you slipped? Accidents happen, it’s not a big deal, Madison.”

“I don’t want the added attention.”

Jeremy nodded then walked into the bathroom. A half-hour later Jeremy heard Madison calling for him.

“You need me?” Jeremy walked out wearing only his basketball shorts. His hair was wet, and water droplets trailed down his bare chest.

Madison stuttered as she tried to answer him, “I… I, um, I need to pee. I’m sorry, I know you’re busy, but I can’t hold it.”

Jeremy chuckled. Madison looked like a little girl asking to use the bathroom. He walked over to the bed and removed the ice pack off Madison’s ankle. He grabbed the towel he used earlier to dry Madison off and wiped down the front of his body then pointed to her foot. “It’s very swollen; you may have fractured the bone.”

“Unfortunately, I think you’re right.” Madison slid her arms around Jeremy’s neck as he lifted her from the bed. He brought her into the bathroom near the toilet and told her to stand on her good foot while she continued to hold on to his shoulders.

“I’m going to scoot your shorts down and then lower you onto the toilet.”

“This is embarrassing,” Madison mumbled.

“Sweetheart, it’s just me, don’t feel embarrassed.” Jeremy whispered as he slid his hands under Madison’s shorts and scooted them down her thighs. He lowered her onto the toilet, but before he could step away to give her privacy, he heard Madison peeing.

“I’m sorry. I had to go so badly that once I was in position, I couldn’t hold it.” Madison leaned her elbows on her knees and rested her head in her hands as she finished peeing. “I never peed in front of anyone before. I didn’t think I could.”

Jeremy smiled and turned his back to give her privacy. “I was going to step out but what’s the point, now.”

Jeremy heard the toilet paper roll spin and the toilet flush.

“Will you help me wash my hands?” Madison asked.

Jeremy bent down in front of Madison. She slid her arms around his neck and rested her forearms on his shoulders. Madison stood on her good foot while he pulled up her shorts. He then stood up enough to slide his shoulder under hers and help her hop over to the sink.

When Madison finished washing her hands, Jeremy swept her up in his arms and carried her back to bed. “Give me a few minutes to finish up in the bathroom and then we’ll get you dressed for your doctor’s appointment.”

Jeremy cleaned up in the bathroom and himself. When he walked out into Madison’s bedroom, he found her asleep. He sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her shoulder, “Madison,” he whispered. “Sweetheart, we need to get going.”

Madison opened her eyes as a sleepy smile gathered at the corners of her mouth. “I dozed off.”

“Yes, I’m sorry to wake you, but I need to dress you and then find a way to get you out to my car without anyone seeing you.”

“No worries, we’ll take my car. It’s parked down below in the garage. I have a private entrance.”

Jeremy thought that odd. Madison had a private entrance, yet he saw her leave out front on that Sunday. He wondered just how often she was here, and didn’t see her. When Michael said that Madison was always here, he didn't know how true that statement was.

“What do you want to wear?” He stood from her bed.

”Inside the closet, all the way to the back on the left are dresses that are easy to get on and off. Pick one and my underwear and bras are in the center cabinet, top drawer.”

Jeremy shuffled through the row of dresses and settled on a cotton green little number. He then searched through Madison’s lingerie. She had draws filled with sexy and expensive lace and silk lingerie. He chose a sheer black set then closed up the draws. He grabbed a pair of Tory Birch flip-flops and walked out of the closet.

He dropped the outfit on the bed, lifted Madison and positioned her on the edge. Jeremy sat on his knees on the floor and shimmied the sheer lace panties up her legs. Madison stood on her one foot and held onto Jeremy’s shoulders for support. He scooted the panties over her bum then tapped her ass with his hands when he finished, “All set.”

Madison flopped back on her behind as Jeremy held Madison’s bra. It dangled on his finger in front of her. “Do you need my help putting this on?”

Madison ripped it off his finger, “No, I can manage.”

“Most women would have said yes.”

“I’m not most women.” Madison slipped the straps over her arms and before she could fasten it in the back. Jeremy stood close to her, reached his hands behind her and hooked her bra. Madison noticed the bulge in his pants and swallowed hard.

“You are not like any woman I’ve ever met,” Jeremy said, as he inhaled her scent and absorbed the heat coming off her skin.

Madison ignored his comment and adjusted her breasts in the cups of her bra as Jeremy picked up her dress. She wanted to tell him he was like no other man she ever met, but instead, she said nothing, lifted her arms and Jeremy slid the dress over her head.

Jeremy stepped back to get the full view. “Very pretty.”

“Thank you.” Madison broke all eye contact and focused on her swollen foot. “I’ll need my bag and my car keys.”

Jeremy looked around the room. “Where are they?”

Madison let out a deep sigh. “Jeremy, you are going to see something, and I don’t want you to ask me any questions about it. My keys and bag are through that door.” Madison pointed to the door down a short hallway off the backside of her bedroom. “You’ll see my bag and keys on the counter.”

Jeremy cocked his head at her and raised his eyebrow. He walked towards the door and looked back at Madison one last time before opening it. “Are you sure?”

Madison nodded her head. Jeremy knew what he’d find behind the door. He suspected it the second he walked into her bedroom. Madison lived here at the mansion, and though he wouldn’t ask her any questions and he knew Madison wouldn’t offer any information, he also suspected Madison was the sixty percent partner.

He opened the door and walked into a beautiful space. It was Madison’s private apartment. An open layout, expertly decorated in soft colors of cream, gray, and blue. A full gourmet kitchen with a balcony wrapping around the entire length of her space. Floor to ceiling windows looked out onto an infinity pool and a magnificent view of the grounds. Jeremy knew of no other place in the Mansion that had this extraordinary view.

He noticed her keys and her clutch were where she said they’d be. He grabbed them and walked back to the bedroom. As she requested, Jeremy asked no questions.

“Jeremy, there’s an elevator at the back of the kitchen that takes us down to the garage.”

Jeremy handed the keys and bag to Madison then lifted her from the bed. They walked out into the apartment and Madison pointed to a door back off the kitchen.

She pressed the button as Jeremy stared at her. “Please, don’t look at me that way.”

“Which way are you referring?” Jeremy cocked his brow at her.

“Jeremy, you get one question, one question only and then we don’t speak of this again, please.”

The elevator doors opened, and Jeremy carried Madison into the mirrored space. “One question.” He repeated.

“Make it a good one because I won’t offer this again.”

Jeremy thought about what she just said. He didn’t need to ask any of the questions Madison thought he’d ask. He already knew the answer to those questions. He was aware that Madison lived here full time and he assumed she was the sixty percent owner. There was no doubt in his mind. There was only one question he wanted answered.

The elevator doors opened, and Jeremy stepped out. There parked in the garage was the Mercedes Madison drove off in the weekend he watched her from the window.

“So are you going to ask me a question?” Madison hit the button on her key fob.

Jeremy walked around to the passenger side. “Can you grab that?” He leaned in so Madison could reach the door handle.

She opened the door and Jeremy carefully lowered Madison in the seat. He lifted her legs and swung them around then fastened her seatbelt across her lap. He closed the door as he heard her say, “Well?”

He slid into the driver's side at the same time pushing back the seat using the button on the side. As the seat motored back, Madison watched and waited for him to ask the big question. He fastened his belt, hit the button for the garage door, turned on the ignition, and then looked at Madison.

“I get one question, so I’m going to ask the only one I care about.” Jeremy dropped his hand on Madison’s arm resting on the console.

“I’m waiting.”

“Did you like when I kissed you?”

Madison’s mouth dropped open. Jeremy tapped under her chin to close it.

Madison hesitated, looked forward then back at him. “Yes.”

“Good, that’s all I wanted to know.” Jeremy looked back, placed the car in reverse and slowly pulled out.

 

Three hours later Jeremy carried Madison up to her apartment. “Bed or couch.”

“Bed. I’m exhausted.” Madison rested her head on Jeremy’s shoulder as he carried her through her apartment and into her bedroom.

Madison did indeed fracture her ankle. It was a clean break in only one bone, and the ankle was stable, so the doctor put a short leg cast on her, no weight on it for a month to six weeks, and she needed to go back for checkups with X-rays to make sure nothing shifted.

Jeremy placed Madison on the edge of her bed, undressed her and put her back in her pajamas. He lifted and placed her in the center of her bed, put a pillow under her foot and covered her with the blankets. He brushed her hair from her face with his hand and leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Do you need anything else?” Jeremy asked as he placed her cell next to her.

“No, but thank you for everything.” Madison looked up at him.

“You’re welcome. I’m going to run down to the car and get your crutches.”

“Thank you and when you come back can you bring me a glass of water and the briefcase on the chair in the kitchen, please?”

Jeremy nodded and smiled.

A few minutes later, Jeremy came back in the room. Madison had dozed off. He set Madison’s crutches down on the bed next to her then he placed the glass of water on the nightstand next to her bed and the briefcase on the floor in arms reach.

Madison opened her eyes as Jeremy walked towards the door he walked in before this whole day began.

“Jeremy,” Madison called out to him.

“Yes, Madison.” Jeremy turned around and took a few steps closer.

“Will you check on me later?”

Jeremy walked back to Madison's bed. He handed Madison her cell. “Program my number into your phone and text me if you need anything.”

Jeremy recited his number as Madison added him to her contacts. “But will you still visit me later without me texting you.”

Jeremy bit down on his lower lip and squinted his eyes. “You can ask for help Madison.” He knew it would take a lot for Madison to ask for help, so he thought it unlikely that she’d text him.

“I don’t want to take up to much of your time.”

“The ladies booked me this evening, but I’ll stop by beforehand.”

“Thank you. I’ll be alone here; No one but Bevy, and now, you know about this room.”

Now that surprised Jeremy. “You don’t use this room when you invite the men here?” Jeremy pointed at the floor.

“No, this is my private bedroom, and I’d like to keep it that way. You’re the first man to be in this room and my apartment.”

“Really?” Jeremy nodded as he looked around the space one more time. What he learned about Madison today shocked him and intrigued him all the same. He wanted to know more, and though it was fortunate that he picked up the phone today when Bevy called, he knew it would take a lot more to get Madison to open up to him. “I’ll be back later, but text me if you need me. I mean it.”

“I will. I’ll see you later.” Madison sank lower in her bed. “Oh, and Jeremy when you come back would you mind helping me do a few of the basics to get ready for bed.”

“Yes and if you need me to come back at the end of my night, I will.”

Madison smiled, rested her head into the pillow, and closed her eyes.

Jeremy had taken one last look before he left. Madison looked different in bed under the covers with her eyes closed. She looked vulnerable. Jeremy liked her that way, and he had a feeling that the Madison who strutted through the restaurant making no eye contact with anyone was an act she put on in front of people but behind closed doors, Madison might be very different, and Jeremy was determined to know that side of Madison.