The next morning, the house was humming.
It wasn’t noise exactly—it was energy. A low, smoldering frequency that pulsed through the walls, through the marble floors, through the air like heat rising off pavement. Everyone felt it.
But only Maddie controlled it.
She emerged from her bedroom late, dressed in something that straddled the line between modest and utterly wicked: a long satin slip in pale champagne, low at the back, high at the sides. No bra. No panties. Just skin and silk and confidence.
She moved through the house like smoke.
Like the whisper of an idea that could ruin you.
She found Vanessa in the sunroom. Alone. Seated by the window, long legs crossed, flipping absently through a fashion catalogue. Her eyes didn’t lift at first.
“You’re late.”
“I didn’t know I was expected,” Maddie replied, walking past her to the coffee tray—letting her hem ride up just enough to draw Vanessa’s eye.
Which it did.
“Everything about you is expected now.” Vanessa’s voice was smooth. Controlled. But her gaze was ravenous.
Maddie poured herself a cup, slowly.
“That must be exhausting for you.”
“It’s a thrill,” Vanessa said, rising from her seat. Her heels clicked slowly across the tile. “Knowing you might walk in and ruin the day. Or make it.”
Maddie took a sip. Didn’t flinch when Vanessa reached out and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear.
“And which are you hoping for?”
Vanessa’s hand lingered.
“Oh, I’ve given up hoping. I just wait and watch.”
Maddie leaned in—close enough to let Vanessa smell her, to feel the heat of her—but then stepped away before any contact could deepen.
“You should try begging instead.”
Later, she found Lucien in the study. Pretending to read. Glasses on, shirt half-buttoned like he’d thrown it on in haste.
He looked up when she entered.
Maddie didn’t say a word.
She walked to the bookshelves, trailing her fingers along the spines, letting the slip pull taut across her curves as she reached for a volume.
She could feel him watching.
His gaze burned.
“You’re doing it again,” he said softly.
“Doing what?”
“Turning the air to smoke.”
She smiled, not turning.
“Does it choke you?”
Lucien stood. Moved closer.
“No. It makes me forget how to breathe.”
Still she didn’t look at him.
Still she didn’t touch.
That evening, a dinner was arranged. No guests. Just the four of them.
Vanessa. Graham. Lucien. Maddie.
Graham was oddly silent—aware something was happening but not entirely sure what. Vanessa sat like a queen who’d lost her throne, watching Maddie with narrowed, fascinated eyes. Lucien poured wine but hardly drank.
And Maddie?
Maddie dominated the room by doing very little at all.
She wore a simple black dress. Thin straps. Plunging back. Legs crossed high. Her lips painted a deep wine red that matched the bottle Lucien opened.
She didn’t flirt.
She didn’t tease.
She just existed—and that was enough to drive them wild.
Every time she shifted in her seat, Vanessa leaned forward.
Every time she tilted her head, Lucien wet his lips.
Graham tried to play host, but the tension in the room bent the atmosphere around Maddie like a gravitational force.
She was the center of everything now.
And they knew it.
After dessert, Lucien approached her near the terrace doors.
“Come with me,” he murmured.
“Where?”
“Anywhere. Anywhere I can taste you again.”
She tilted her head, amused.
“Taste?”
“You’ve haunted me for days, Maddie.” His hand came to her waist. “I need you.”
She let him touch.
Just enough to let him hope.
Then she stepped away.
“You had me,” she whispered, “and you hesitated. Now you can watch me.”
He blinked, stunned. Breathing heavy.
She left him there, desperate.
In the hallway, Vanessa was waiting.
Arms folded. Silk robe slung loosely over lingerie.
“You’re playing a dangerous game.”
Maddie smirked.
“Only if I lose.”
Vanessa stepped close, fingertips trailing down Maddie’s bare arm.
“Let me make you forget about the boys.”
Maddie looked at her. Really looked.
Then reached out… and untied Vanessa’s robe.
It fell to her shoulders.
But Maddie didn’t undress her further.
She leaned in, lips grazing Vanessa’s cheek, her mouth ghosting toward her ear.
“You’ll have to earn me.”
Vanessa shivered.
And Maddie left her too.
Wanting.
Needing.
Begging.
That night, she slept alone.
And they all lay awake.
Thinking of her.
Dreaming of her.
Waiting.
XOXO
Maddie’s Page