“Yeah, I brought enough for both of us. I even brought you a couple of beers.” Mason placed the bag on the coffee table in front of the leather couch.
“Should you be serving beer to a sick man?” Jeremy asked as he twisted the cap off the bottle and took a swig.
“You’re not sick, you’re in love, and you’re screwed.”
“I know I am. I can’t ever watch Madison have sex with another man, again.”
Mason slid his finger along the rim of the aluminum container. He popped the plastic top off and grabbed a couple of fries and shoved them in his mouth. “I’m starving.”
“You have no response to what I just said?”
Mason dropped his burger back in the container and picked up his beer. He had taken a sip before he responded. “Dude, you’re a good friend, and you’re a good guy. The women here love you, and you make great money, sick money. Don’t fuck it up for a woman who’s messing with your head.”
“You think she’s messing with me?” Jeremy asked as he brought his burger up to his mouth.
“Of course she is. Madison is no joke. She’s shrewd, and she’s manipulative. Why do you think some of the most famous, influential, and wealthy men choose her to represent them in their divorces?”
“I never thought about it. I guess I see Madison differently.”
“Maybe she showed you a different side of her, but I can’t believe a forty something-year-old woman will change for a young guy who has sex for cash.” Mason slapped Jeremy on the shoulder.
“That’s fucking harsh,” Jeremy mumbled as he chewed on his food.
“I’m not knocking you; I’m just trying to knock some sense into you. You’re a good friend, and I don’t want to see you get fucked over.”
“What do you suggest I do?”
“Man up! If she calls you into her room, own it, do what ever you need to do, make your cash, and when you're done, you’re done, and you leave here a rich man.”
Jeremy appreciated everything Mason said, and he would take most of his advice, but Jeremy wasn’t giving up on Madison that easy. He’d do what he had to do but Jeremy fell in love, and he couldn’t bury those feelings until he exhausted all options. His gut told him that Madison’s behavior was more about how she felt about herself than anything having to do with Jeremy.
“Man up, you say.”
“Hell yeah! Jeremy, the women her love you. Use it to your advantage. Be smart about this. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, don’t fuck it up.” Mason held up his beer bottle. Jeremy took his bottle and tapped it against Mason’s bottle.
“Cheers man.”
Chapter 11
“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 go
ing 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.
Raw: Book 1 Page 14