The clock read 3:07 AM.
The mansion was silent.
Everyone was asleep. Skylar’s body still warm against hers, draped lazily across the tangled silk sheets. The windows were cracked, the night breeze rolling in over Maddie’s skin like a whisper of temptation and warning. Moonlight sliced through the curtains.
And Maddie was wide awake.
Her heart was pounding—not from pleasure.
But from clarity.
Skylar had come back like a storm.
And for the first time in months, Maddie didn’t feel in control. Not truly. Not when Celeste and Vanessa fought for her attention. Not when Graham watched her with those unreadable eyes. Not even when Skylar kissed her and whispered, “You were always mine.”
No.
That wasn’t her anymore.
Not just theirs.
She slipped from the bed like a ghost.
Bare feet on hardwood.
She moved silently through the house, her robe trailing behind her like a final goodbye.
In her room, she packed a small leather overnight bag.
Just the essentials.
A few slips. Her softest lingerie. Lipstick. A little black dress. Her camera.
And one silk scarf.
For the games she hadn’t invented yet.
She didn’t leave a note.
She didn’t need to.
They would all wake up and realize.
And maybe they’d search for her.
Maybe they’d fight over what she meant.
But Maddie?
She was already gone.
Three hours later, the sunrise painted the road a golden orange as Maddie cruised up the coast in a rented convertible. Wind in her hair. Music loud. No calls. No texts. No guilt.
The world felt new.
She felt new.
And after a few hours, she pulled off onto a quiet street near a hidden beach town. One of those sleepy, sun-kissed communities where no one asked too many questions.
That’s where she saw them.
A couple—youngish. Late 30s. Tan. Beautiful.
He was tall, built like a swimmer. Salt-and-pepper stubble. Button-down open over a tight tee, board shorts, bare feet.
She was caramel-skinned, all curves and calm confidence. Hair in a braid. Sundress hugging every dip of her hips.
They were laughing, holding smoothies, leaning against the railing of a beachside café.
And when Maddie walked by in her white wrap dress, sunglasses on, lips barely glossed…
They both stared.
She checked into a boutique inn. Ocean view. Second floor. Private balcony. White curtains. A large claw-foot tub.
She unpacked.
Slipped into her navy two-piece, the kind that barely passed for a bikini, and a sheer mesh cover-up that didn’t hide anything, just made it more tempting.
She went down to the beach.
Laid her towel two rows away from the couple.
And waited.
He was the first to come over.
Offered her an umbrella.
She smiled. Politely declined.
“You sure? That sun’s strong today.”
Maddie tilted her sunglasses down just enough to meet his eyes.
“I like it strong.”
He blinked. Smiled.
Walked away.
But not for long.
She saw them watching.
Not constantly. Not obviously.
But every time Maddie adjusted her top. Shifted her legs. Sat up to stretch.
They noticed.
That night, she found them at the same wine bar attached to her hotel. She wore a backless black dress. No bra. No panties. Just perfume and purpose.
She didn’t sit with them.
She took a table across the room.
And slowly—slowly—uncrossed and re-crossed her legs as she sipped red wine.
Their eyes never left her.
Finally, the woman approached.
“You’re staying upstairs, right?”
Maddie smiled.
“I might be.”
“I’m Liana. That’s Mark.”
Maddie extended her hand.
“Maddie.”
They shook. Fingers lingered.
“Want to join us?”
Maddie didn’t move.
“Invite me up.”
Liana blinked. Flushed.
“Excuse me?”
Maddie leaned in just slightly.
“You didn’t bring me here for wine.”
Ten minutes later, Maddie was barefoot in their suite.
It smelled like vanilla and salt.
Mark opened champagne while Liana fidgeted with her necklace.
Maddie slipped off her shoes.
Then her dress.
She stood naked before them.
Not seductive.
Certain.
“I’m not yours,” she said.
“But tonight…” she crossed to Liana, kissed her lips, soft and slow, “…you’ll both belong to me.”
They didn’t resist.
Liana undressed.
Mark followed.
Maddie pushed them both onto the bed.
She kissed Liana first, deep and slow, hands in her hair.
Then she turned to Mark.
“Watch.”
She straddled Liana.
Took her apart with her mouth.
Made her writhe and gasp and beg.
Then turned and pulled Mark between her thighs.
“Now you beg.”
He did.
Maddie kept them gasping, grinding, tangled in limbs and mouths and skin for hours.
When they finally collapsed—
She lay between them.
Breathless.
Alive.
And in control.
The next morning, she left her number on the pillow.
“If you’re brave enough for more…”
She didn’t stay for coffee.
She had another room booked, two blocks away.
And as she slid into fresh lingerie and opened the curtains to a new view, she felt it.
The pulse of desire. The hunger for power.
But this time—
She wasn’t chasing anyone.
They’d come to her.
XOXO
Maddie’s Page