by Diana Currie
Nathan chuckled and walked to the enormous refrigerator to get Maddie a bottle of water. “Si, Lupe. She is my princess alright. She’s already feeling a little overwhelmed though, I think.”
Lupe turned her attention back to Maddie. “I will make you feel at home, Señorita. Don’t you worry. It is a big house but I make it a nice home for Nathano.” With her hands on her hips and a serious expression on her face she asked, “Doesn’t he tell you that I am his Latina Mama?”
Maddie laughed, she couldn’t help it. There was a lot of personality inside this lady. Lupe smiled, happy that she made the stunned young woman relax a little. She knew how important Maddie was to her boss and was determined to make her feel at home. In all the time she had worked for Nathan Foster he had never been as happy as the past few months. She knew his improved outlook on life was directly related to all the phone calls being made to this young woman.
“Thank you, Lupe. Nathan has told me many times how lucky he feels to have you around.”
Nathan walked in between the women and slung an arm around each of their shoulders. “I am a very lucky man to have both of you here,” he said and then kissed each woman on her cheek.
Lupe shrugged out of his embrace and wagged her finger at him. “One piece of advice for you, Miss Maddie? This one here is a sweet talker. Yes, he is. He bats those long eye lashes and pouts those lips and before I know it I am up all night cooking paella, empanadas, enchiladas, and all kinds of food for him.”
Nathan laughed, holding his stomach in him hand. “Speaking of your amazing food, you made Dulce de Leche for dessert, right?”
Lupe looked pointedly at Maddie. “You see? Siempre hambre. Always hungry. Yes, of course I made it for you. Now I need to get back to work for your dinner.”
“Let’s get your things upstairs to my room so Lupe can finish up,” Nathan said to Maddie. “I’ll show you the rest of the house after we eat.”
Nathan took her hand and squeezed it happily. He’d been waiting so long for her to be there. It was important to him that Maddie see how he lived. She had such strong opinions and fears about Hollywood. Nathan was hoping to show her some of the things he liked about living in L.A. and perhaps soften her perspective a little.
Maddie smiled at Lupe as she went back to stirring the sauce on the range. Nathan retrieved Maddie’s luggage from the foyer and led her up the staircase to the second floor and into the master suite. Maddie was coming to realize that the first adjective that came to mind every time she saw a new part of this house was big. Nathan’s room could have fit at least four king sized beds and still left enough space to roller blade. It was sparsely furnished which probably made the room seem even larger. Nathan had the bed, two dressers, and a night stand. Over in what looked like a seating area was an oak desk with his laptop sitting on top. She walked over to it as Nathan placed her luggage by one of the dressers.
“I can’t believe you framed this,” she said with amusement in her voice as she picked up a wooden picture frame from the desk.
Nathan looked over, already knowing what she was referring to. He watched as Maddie reread the letter she sent to him so many months earlier.
“I never did find the other two letters,” he said. “I had Lupe sift through every piece of fan mail in the house but they never turned up. I probably never saw them.”
Maddie placed the framed letter back in its place on Nathan’s desk and smiled. “I think I’m happy that you only have this one. I can’t remember exactly what I wrote but I know the first two letters were a bit more like what you’re used to receiving. You’re my favorite actor… I love all your movies… blah, blah, blah.”
“I agree. The ass kicking you gave me in that letter was anything but the typical gushing praise I usually get and that’s why it stood out in my mind.”
She felt him approaching behind her and she closed her eyes when his hands wrapped around her waist. Maddie reveled in the sweet spicy smell of Nathan’s cologne. She leaned back into his embrace, wondering how the hell that one yellow letter could have led to all this.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Maddie,” Nathan whispered in her ear.
She turned around to face him and lifted onto her tiptoes to kiss his lips. “I’m glad that I’m here too.”
Nathan smiled wide. “There’s so much I want to do and to show you but we can keep things low key tonight. I can tell you’ve had enough excitement for one day.”
“I’d like to just stay in the house and hang out. I don’t want to share you with the rest of L.A. tonight,” Maddie replied bashfully.
Nathan kissed her again and took her hand in his. “I’m all yours, baby. Come on; let me show you around a little more. These double doors are the closet,” he said opening them for her to see. The walk-in-closet was enormous with drawers and shelving that organized everything he owned. Maddie could have wandered around in there for hours but Nathan quickly moved on. “And this is the bathroom. Shower, tub, and vanity. And this is one of those towel warming bars everyone uses in Europe. Pretty cool, huh?”
Maddie heard what he said but she couldn’t pry her eyes away from the giant bathtub in the center of the room. Literally in the center. “My God Almighty,” she breathed. Marble steps led up to the edge of the bathtub on all four sides and a tall stainless-steel faucet arched over the edge of the huge porcelain tub.
“Forget all the bedrooms. Can I just sleep in here?” she joked.
Nathan chuckled at her reaction. The bathroom was what she was most impressed with so far? Women. “It’s really fancy, isn’t it? I’ve never even used it,” he said as Maddie ran her fingers along the edge of the bathtub.
She whipped her head around in shock. “Seriously? You’ve never been in this?”
“I’m more of a shower guy.”
“I’d be more than happy to test drive it for you.”
“You want to take a bath? I can draw one for you,” he offered.
“Oh, um… yeah I guess. I wouldn’t mind getting cleaned up. But what about dinner? Lupe’s worked so hard. It would be rude to let it go cold.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll bring the food up on a tray. I need to send Lupe home anyway; she’s been working here all day. I’m sure she’d like to get home to her kids.” Nathan walked over to the massive sinking tub and started fiddling with the faucets until the water was running and the underwater jets were humming. “There you go. Make yourself at home. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Okay,” Maddie replied shyly.
Nathan pointed out a long vanity with granite counter tops and then left the room, closing the door behind him. After he had gone, Maddie walked over to the vanity and found a variety of soaps and shampoos were fanned out for her to choose from. She selected a vanilla scent and set it down on the edge of the tub. She removed her clothes and left them on the floor, not sure where dirty laundry should go. She grabbed a fluffy white towel and wrapped it around herself wondering how soon Nathan would return.
The water was hot but not too much for her to delay getting into the amazing tub. As Maddie sank down into the water, she thought about what plans Nathan had for her while she was in town. He’d mentioned wanting to take her out, but Maddie was a little nervous about that. Enjoying the spoils of Nathan’s mansion was one thing; the limo service, the prepared meals, the massive tub. Maddie knew she could have fun indulging in those things. But what else did Nathan want to do? Nightclubs? Touring his studio and meeting actors? Maddie wasn’t sure she wanted to get that deep into this dream world. And if she was honest with herself she really worried about how she would measure up among the beautiful people.
A few minutes later there was a soft knock on the bathroom door. Nathan peeked into the room to check on her and was pleased to see Maddie’s head was back against the edge of the tub and her eyes were closed. She looked very relaxed. “How are you doing?” he asked softly.
“I found the knobs that control the underwater jets,” she murmured.
“Yeah? Are they nice?” he replied with a smile.
“More than nice. I’m never getting out,” she asserted.
Nathan chuckled and stepped fully inside the bathroom. He wasn’t sure if Maddie had wanted privacy but she didn’t seem embarrassed when he opened the door. Nathan gazed at Maddie’s full breasts and her enticing nipples as they bobbed on the surface of the water.
“Our dinner is here. Are you hungry yet?”
Maddie opened her eyes and saw Nathan standing on the opposite side of the room watching her bathe. She was suddenly famished, only not for food. Something about the way Nathan was looking at her gave Maddie confidence. They had made love in Amarillo and shared a handful of other intimate moments during Nathan’s last visit, but the physical aspect of their relationship was still explored so infrequently that every time felt like the first.
“Actually, I’m feeling quite lonely,” she replied. “Will you join me?”
He smiled and pulled off his t-shirt as he walked over to her. “I thought you’d never ask.” He slipped off his shoes and socks and then lowered his jeans in a deliberately unhurried manner. Maddie smiled at him and licked her lips as he slowly stripped for her. She resisted grabbing for him right away as he stepped into the tub and sat opposite her. The tub was so big their legs were barely touching beneath the water.
Nathan was trying to play it cool but deep down he was desperate for her. To his delight, Maddie slid around in the tub until she was leaning against his shoulder and he swiftly pulled her in between his legs. His arms tightened around her waist and he moaned softly at her ear. “You’re right, Angel. This bathtub is amazing.”
“Mmm, told ya,” she hummed. Nathan’s hands rubbed over her stomach and breasts, allowing him to reacquaint himself with her body.
“Did Lupe go home?” Maddie asked as his hand slid down between her legs.
“Yes, she did. She’ll be back on Tuesday.”
Maddie’s head fell back on Nathan’s shoulder as he began to tease her between the legs. “And what about your brother? When are Garrett and Jacqueline getting here?”
“Not until Monday afternoon. I made sure I’d get at least one day alone with you before he comes barging in,” Nathan grinned.
“So, we’re finally all alone?” Maddie asked as she reached her hand behind her back to take hold of Nathan’s erection which was pressing into her lower back. “No parents, no nosy brothers, and no staff?”
“Ah, God,” Nathan gasped as her hand began to pump agonizingly slow. “The gardener will be here tomorrow but he never comes inside the house.”
Maddie pulled away from Nathan’s reach long enough to turn herself around and straddle him; her sex hovering just over his erection. “That’s good to know. So, what should we do with all this privacy?”
“Why don’t you show me what you have in mind, Angel?”
She smiled down at Nathan and was emboldened by the longing that was evident on his face. They cried out in unison as she sank down, taking him fully inside her. Water sloshed. Maddie moaned. Nathan groaned. Water sloshed some more. And Lupe’s dinner turned cold.
By the time Nathan and Maddie were through with their bath there was a lot of water on the floor, twenty fingers and twenty toes were pruned, and neither of them could wipe the smiles off their faces. Nathan fetched robes from his closet and lovingly wrapped one of them around Maddie tying the satin belt around her waist. He put his own robe on and then threw some towels on the floor to soak up the bathwater.
Maddie followed him back to the bedroom and saw two large trays waiting at the foot of the bed. In her orgasmic haze she’d forgotten all about dinner.
“Oh no, I completely forgot,” Maddie said regrettably.
Nathan lifted one of the plate covers and said, “I’m sure it’s still a little warm. Lupe’s Tira de Asado doesn’t disappoint hot or cold.”
He sat on the bed and pulled one of the trays towards him. Maddie climbed up on the huge bed and did the same. To her surprise the hotplates under the food did keep it surprisingly warm.
“This looks delicious. What is Tira de…?”
Nathan smiled and finished chewing the food in his mouth. “Tira de Asado. Beef ribs, chimichurri sauce, and fried plantains.”
“Wow. Where is Lupe from?” she asked before taking a bite.
“Argentina. But her husband is Mexican so she makes amazing Mexican dishes too.”
“This is so good. How do you stay so fit eating like this all the time?”
Nathan laughed. “Lupe’s showing off for you. I get meals like this maybe once a week. My hours are so crazy that usually she cooks a week’s worth of food and leaves it in the refrigerator for me.”
“Speaking of your crazy schedule, will you have to go anywhere while I’m here?”
“I do have a meeting with Melissa on Wednesday. You can come if you want. I think that’s the only obligation I have. No filming this week.”
“You’re all done filming?”
“No, not completely. I just don’t have any scenes this week. There’s a lot of stuff with Katie that doesn’t have me in it. The part of the movie where they break up.”
“Oh, no no no spoiler alert!” she shrieked. “I bought the book but haven’t gotten to read very much.”
“Did you bring it with you? I was supposed to read that.”
“No, left it at home. Hey, Garrett’s going to want to go out to clubs and stuff, right?”
“I’m sure he will. Jacqueline wants to do all the touristy stuff. Rodeo Drive, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, and she’ll probably want me to get her into some restaurants and clubs. We don’t have to go anywhere you don’t want to though. I was hoping to show you around a little; take you to Universal and maybe Chateau Marmont, places like that.”
“Won’t people recognize you?”
“Yes, but here it’s somewhat normal to see actors out on the streets. Some people will stare; others will ask to take a selfie with me. The usual.”
“Maybe for you! I’m not sure how I feel about being photographed by the paparazzi.”
“Those vultures won’t get to you, I promise. Stanley is really good at evading them and we’ll be careful to go places they won’t expect.”
Maddie lifted one eyebrow and said, “Alright, if you’re that confident in Stanley’s stealth.”
“You don’t sound convinced,” he grinned.
“Yeah, well, I remember a time not too long ago when you were caught up in many public situations I’m sure you weren’t expecting.”
“I was an out of control fool back then. I won’t be so reckless when it’s your life at risk,” Nathan said seriously.
Maddie leaned close to him and placed a sweet kiss on his lips. “I trust you, Slugger.”
Nathan smiled happily and placed his fork and knife on the empty plate in front of him. “Eat up. When you’ve finished I want to show you the rest of the house.”
Maddie started chewing faster, eager to see what else Nathan had to show her. Now that she was finally in L.A., she realized she was excited for the six days that lay ahead. She was going to get her first genuine glimpse into Nathan’s world.
Chapter Nineteen
Sunday morning Nathan woke up in his bed knowing it was going to be a good day. He looked at Maddie, still sleeping soundly beside him, and felt at peace. It was amazing what a difference it made to wake up next to her. He listened to her soft breathing, marveling at how beautiful she looked wearing one of his old t-shirts and her chestnut hair splayed over the pillow. Nathan couldn’t remember the last time he just lay in bed watching a woman sleep. Maybe it had never happened before? For some reason he couldn’t take his eyes off her. He felt like a missing piece of himself had been fitted into place when she arrived yesterday.
Nathan went downstairs to the gym and ran on his treadmill for thirty minutes. He spent another ten lifting weights and doing crunches. When he returned to the bedroom, Maddie was still asleep so he was carefu
l not to wake her as he went into the bathroom for a shower. His eyes were drawn to the bathtub and he knew that he would never look at it the same way again. It was comforting to know that memories of Maddie were being made there. Nathan knew it would make him feel less alone after she left to be able to remember her presence throughout the big empty house.
A few minutes later, he came out of the bathroom and made a little more noise as he walked around the room getting dressed. It was becoming obvious that Maddie was not about to wake up anytime soon and it reminded him of the time difference between L.A. and Amarillo. The clock on the nightstand read 9am so shouldn’t she be feeling like it’s 11am because she gained two hours coming out here?
Nathan chuckled under his breath and wondered if Maddie slept so late every Sunday morning. It was discouraging to think that he wouldn’t be able to uncover this knowledge for himself since he didn’t know the next time they would share a Sunday morning together. Nathan wanted to do something about that and he felt like the first step was getting Maddie to feel comfortable in Los Angeles. Then maybe she would be willing to visit him more often.
That plan couldn’t get rolling until she was conscious so Nathan gently shook her shoulder trying to rouse her. “Maddie, sweetie? Wake up. Do you want something to eat?”
Maddie’s eyes fluttered open and she looked confused for a moment until she remembered where she was. Nathan leaned down to kiss her forehead. “It’s after nine already. I’m going to go start breakfast. Any requests?”
She rolled over and pulled the sheet up to her chin. “Your bed is so comfortable,” she muttered sleepily.
“And you look really good laying in it. But come on sleepy head, we’ve got so much to do today!”
“We do?”
“Yes. It’s a beautiful day and I want to spend it with my girlfriend.”
“We could spend the day together right here,” she suggested still not wanting to get up yet.
Nathan chuckled darkly. “Don’t temp me, Angel. I think I proved the extent of my stamina last night. I wouldn’t want to make you sore.”