(This is 2 weeks into their 4-week relationship after IACM.)

The story is ours. The characters do not belong to us. We do not make money. It was an incredible and fun experience writing this story.

CHAIN OF COMMAND
PART 1

If we get any more serious, they're gonna move us to cable. – David Addison

Maddie exited the elevator, humming lightly as she walked toward the Blue Moon office entrance. She was decked out in her favorite silk purple suit; the soft, smooth texture gave it a lustrous appearance as she strolled down the hall. The past two weeks had been thrilling to say the least since she and David confessed their love for each other. It was all turning into a big blur of living off adrenaline. It was work, work, work, then crashing at David's house or hers. She didn't know exactly how to feel about the whole wild and frenzied relationship. She couldn't wrap around the fact she couldn't resist his charms. There was an unexplainable force pulling them together. Nothing was stopping it from happening over and over.

She opened the door to the office and the sounds of chatter, typing and the ringing phones brought her thoughts back to reality. "Good morning, Miss DiPesto. Is David in yet?" She glanced in the direction of his closed office doors. "No, Miss Hayes," Agnes replied in her usual chipper voice. Maddie knew he had probably stopped for breakfast after he left her house. Lately, besides having her every morning, coffee was his staple caffeine hit. "Thank you, Miss DiPesto." She entered her office door, leaving it open to watch for David's arrival.

As usual, a pile of junk lay in the center of her desk. She placed her briefcase and clutch purse down next to the mail and let out a big sigh. She picked up the first envelope off the top of the pile and grabbed her letter opener to see what exciting news was on the agenda. She rolled her eyes as she ripped into the letter. Probably another bill.

"Oh, great!" she caught herself saying out loud. She couldn't believe it was that time of year again. The annual Detectives Ball. Last year David had talked her into letting Agnes attend instead of them. This year she wasn't in the mood. Maybe Agnes would like to go again and take Herbert. She took her attention off the invitation, looking straight ahead as she heard the main office door close.

She knew that voice anywhere. David rolled in to the office singing in full voice, stopping only to say, "Good morning, Miss DiPesto." He made a turn in the direction of his office. "Good morning, Mr. Addison," Agnes chimed back. These days Maddie's heart did flip-flops at the sound or sight of him. It wasn't like her; she was starting to get ticked off at her loss of self-control. She had to stop letting him get into her head. She inhaled sharply and buried herself in work. It didn't last long as David appeared in her doorway grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"Can I help you?" she asked in an uninterested voice.

"Yes, Miss Hayes, as a matter of fact we have some business to attend to today." He shut the office door and sauntered over to the chair in front of her desk. "I just went through my mail and found this gem in the pile." He waved the paper in front of her face as he sat on the edge of the desk.

Maddie shut her eyes momentarily, trying not to lose her cool. "I thought Agnes and Bert could take our place this year." She jerked the paper out of his hand, tossing it in the trash.

"Well, I feel like going this year. I want to celebrate the agency's success in front of all those gumshoes. I'm going with or without you. It's a night on the town, free food, free drinks, dancing. Come on, Maddie, you can wear a formal gown. I will even wear a monkey suit." A smirk slowly crossed his face as he winked at her.

She huffed as she got up, crossing over to look out the window. She really wasn't in the mood for a party. Maybe this was a blessing in disguise. An evening out, then they could go their separate ways for the night. Besides, she didn't want him going without her!

Turning around, she found him right in her personal space, face to face. She swayed back from him feeling herself flushed with warmth, smelling his cologne. "Fine, we'll go, but I have to leave early to get my hair done, nails done, and find something to wear." It infuriated her because he got his way, but he was so damn sexy. Her mind said no, but her body kept saying yes.

A few hours later Maddie stood in front of her mirror, nervous and excited. The black strapless velvet dress fit her like a glove. She finished her look with some glitzy sliver jewels and long black satin gloves. One last touch of lipstick and she started descending the spiral staircase. The doorbell rang and she quickened her pace, knowing David was on the other side.

She slowly opened the door, her eyes drinking in the black tuxedo that made David look dressed to kill. "Are you going to say anything or just stand there and drool?" he asked with a smirk. She snapped out of the trance and threw him a sarcastic glare.

She stepped back as he came in. Her eyes roamed up and down his body before she spoke. "You look so handsome." She fluttered her eyelashes as she delivered the compliment. "I think you cast some magic spell on me. I am always happy when I am with you."

David did a doubletake, making sure he had heard her correctly. He began circling her slowly, letting all the sexiness and glamour she exuded overtake him. He slowly rolled off his tongue in a husky voice, "When God made you, he was seriously showing off." Chills ran over her body as she felt his closeness to her.

Once in front of her, he opened the door while putting his arm around her waist, leading her forward toward the limousine.

The limousine pulled up in front of the upscale hotel, crowded with men and women who sparkled like boxes of jewels. "Looks like the sponsors of this ball stepped up a notch to classy this year," David said as the driver opened his door, and he exited first. He turned to face Maddie, extending his hand to help her out. "I didn't realize your dress was slit up to South America," he said while looking around to make sure no one was stealing a view of his lady.

Once again, he placed his arm possessively around her waist as they walked to the entrance of the ballroom. Crystal chandeliers spiraled down from the arching, sky-blue ceilings, illuminating the golden decorations on the wall. The floor was so polished it looked like an iced-over lake.

"Wow, did I make a good call on attending this shindig or what?" He could feel Maddie tense up against his body. "You're the most beautiful woman in this room," he whispered against her ear, sending chills through her body.

Like a runaway car, David pulled her to the dance floor. He crushed her body against his tightly and began to scan the crowded room. "Do you think these detectives are detecting the devastatingly delectable damsel?" Maddie pulled back, torn between slapping him or leaning back into him. She was surveying the room herself as she knew women would be eyeing her hunk of arm candy.

"Oh look, refreshments." David slipped out of her arms and nabbed two glasses of champagne from a woman weaving in and out of the dancers. Maddie delicately placed the glass flute in her hand.

"I would like to make a toast." David's smile widened as Maddie lifted her drink in the air with him. "May all our ups and downs be under the covers." He found teasing her irresistible. Her face was expressionless, but he could see a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. They lightly tapped the flutes together as they locked eyes over the drink. A sly grin appeared on Maddie's face as she lowered the glass and thought silently.

After dancing and drinking a few glasses of bubbly, Maddie was feeling slightly lightheaded. She lifted her head from his shoulder and whispered softly in his ear, "I need to take a break."

"Sure, honey, anything your heart desires." He slowly stepped back and took her hand into his as he walked her over to the nearest table. He pulled out a chair and she smiled as she took her seat. "Maybe a little food would help you. Hang tight, I'll go and get you some hor d'oeuvres." He squeezed her hand lightly and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

She watched him maneuver through the crowd of dancers and people talking in groups, to the long table with a delicious-looking spread of food. It was interesting watching him pick something for her. He knew what food she liked better than she did sometimes. He looked up, catching her staring his way, and lit up with the most radiant smile. He lifted the plate, signaling he was on his way back. She felt like she was living a fairy tale being with him.

She looked back at the table at the carafe of ice water that stood there and poured them both a glass. Her attention drifted back to David, expecting him to be nearing the table with her food. Instead, her blue eyes widened with shock at what she was witnessing.

Standing next to David was a brunette vixen in a bold red dress slit up to her thigh, her breasts spilling out of the top. She was speaking to David, laughing and gliding her crimson-painted fingers up and down his lapel, even touching his neck a few times. What infuriated her the most was David had the nerve to flirt back with this vamp. He was smiling and laughing at every word that oozed from her blood-red lips. The only thing that broke the spell she was casting on him was being bumped by a waiter. He spoke a few more words, gesturing in Maddie's direction, and excused himself to join her back at the table. He placed the food in front of her with a smile and wink and sat across from her. She didn't utter a word, just gave him an icy stare across the table while taking a piece of shrimp.

"Did I miss something?" David could feel the shift in her mood. "Are you feeling alright?"

Maddie swallowed the bite of food. "I'm fine," she said sharply.

For the love of God, what had he done wrong now. He was only gone for a few minutes. At that moment, Maddie looked up from her plate to see 'that hussy' approaching their table. David knew something bad was about to happen because Maddie was flushing red in the face. Then the vixen spoke.

"Hi, I'm Daphne Bonner. I'm with the Lou LaSalle detective agency. I met your business partner earlier and wanted to see if I could steal him for a dance." Maddie's eyes grew even wider as Daphne placed a hand on David's shoulder.

He slowly turned around in his seat swallowing hard. "Daphne, this is my boss . . . er, my girlfriend . . . er, my partner, Maddie Hayes." He could feel Maddie's stare burning a hole in his back.

Maddie stood up politely, extending her hand to shake Daphne's. "Maddie Hayes, the Blue Moon girl," Daphne said. "I was a big fan." The comment made Maddie's skin crawl.

"He's all yours," she replied. "If you two will excuse me, I'm heading to the powder room." David stood up quickly, pulling out Maddie's chair. She said nothing more, just quickly glared at David, then at Daphne as she watched her pull him out on the dance floor.

Maddie stood in front of the ladies' room mirror watching other women reapply lipstick. She took in a deep cleansing breath before touching up the color on her own lips. She tucked her clutch under her arm and left the room. Her eyes immediately began to scan the dance floor for David and Daphne. A dance was just coming to an end, and she saw them moving back to the table. She approached them slowly, laying her clutch down in the seat.

"Thank you, Maddie, for letting me borrow your dance partner. It was so nice to meet you both. I've heard so much about you from Lou." Daphne turned her attention back to David, handing him a napkin with a number on it. "Call me soon about the surveillance classes." She smiled at both David and Maddie before slinking away.

Maddie watched David's eyes follow Daphne as she disappeared in the crowd. Maddie glared at him, steaming.

David moved toward her and put his arms around her waist, pulling her body close to his. "This is a dance, after all, Maddie. It's no big deal. We are supposed to mingle and talk to other detectives."

She kept her eyes fixed on his, tossing thoughts around in her head. "You're right. It's no big deal. Just make sure I'm the only one you'll dance with for the rest of the night," she said with a coy smile.

"Your wish is my command. How about I get us a couple of glasses of champagne, then we can hit the dance floor." He gave her that million-dollar smile. After indulging in the drinks and small talk, David rose from his seat, extending his hand out to Maddie. "May I have the pleasure of dancing with you?"

She took his hand, standing up and letting him lead her to the dance floor. She found it so intoxicating being so close to him, breathing in his scent. Looking in his eyes tempted her to do so many things. All in good time, she reminded herself. She cleared her throat, stepping slightly away from him.

She let her hand glide up to the top of her bodice, tucking her fingers between her breasts. A seductive smile flashed across her face; she had his full attention now. Like magic she slowly pulled out a black satin piece of material that left little to the imagination. David swallowed hard as she began tucking her piece of lingerie into his suit's top pocket. The thought of her completely naked under the dress was driving him wild.

"Come here," he said in a breathless voice. She let him hold her for only a moment. She leaned into him, whispering in his ear with a soft moan. "I have something special planned for you tonight." She pulled back, looking into his eyes as she held up a room key.

David pulled the dangling room key out of her fingers with a sexy grin. He used her arm to lead her at a hurried pace to the elevator doors. Tapping his foot, he impatiently pushed the up button. It reminded her of the first time he interrupted her date and she had frantically pushed the down button on the elevator to get away from him.

The doors slid open, and they both stepped in at the same time. Before the doors had even closed, he had her twirled and pinned to the elevator wall, one hand on each side of her shoulders. She brought her hands up to his chest and pushed him away from her, looking at him with a sly grin. She simply said "no" and ran her hand down his chest.

He gave her a confused look as her face was expressionless. The elevator doors chimed open and they moved out into hallway, turning in the direction of their room a few doors down.

He scanned the key card and pushed open the door, motioning for her to go first. She walked in and threw her clutch purse on the nearest chair. "I'm going to freshen up." She looked back over her shoulder at him with a wink, then disappeared into the bathroom.

David looked around and took the time to turn down the bed, close the curtains, and rid himself of clothes. He stretched himself out on the bed, placing his arms under the back of his head. A moment later Maddie emerged from the bathroom still fully dressed, sauntering over to the bed with a smoldering look. He propped himself up on his elbows, giving his full attention to her.

She slowly crawled up the bed, giving him a bird's-eye view of her ample breasts. She easily positioned herself to straddle him. He could feel the heat rising in his face as she stared down at him licking her lips before speaking. "Let's play a game," she purred. David said nothing, just shook his head in agreement.

She lifted her hands, slowly working each satin glove off her fingertips, then sliding them off with her teeth and letting them ribbon down onto his chest. She picked up the first glove taking his right wrist in her hand. She tied the soft material tightly onto his wrist, then repeated the act on his left side. Intrigued, David watched wide-eyed. In a flash she had his arms pulled above his head, leaning forward and pressing her body tightly against his. She slithered about as she attached the long part of the glove to the bed frame. Then she moved off his body, getting out of bed. "Where are you going?" David looked at her with a puzzled face.

"First things first. Where's that phone number?" She picked up his tux jacket, showing it to him.

"What?" he said in a curious voice.

Her voice got louder and higher with agitation. "Daphne's phone number. She gave you a number to call her, didn't she?"

"Why?" David chuckled lightly. "You mean for the surveillance classes she invited me to?"

Maddie scoffed. "Surveillance classes. Yeah, sure, David."

David rolled his eyes as he talked and kept pulling at the restraint. "She might have gotten a little excited, but can you blame her, dancing with a guy like me?" Maddie looked at him and gave a frustrated growl. He capitulated at this sign of her rising temper which he knew so well. "Fine! It's in the inner pocket of my tux coat."

"Good!" She reached into the pocket and pulled out a white napkin with a phone number and kiss of lipstick on it. "She's nothing but a wanton woman!" She waved the napkin in front of his face a few times. Even more infuriated, she picked up her hairbrush off the dresser. She started pacing back and forth, tapping the brush in the palm of her hand.

He continued on, seeing how far he could push her. "I mean you can't blame the woman for having needs!"

She stopped dead in her tracks. "What did you say?" Fire flashed in her eyes as she popped him in the hip with the back of the brush.

"Whoa, lady, aren't you getting carried away with this so-called game?" He gave her a concerned look. She laid the brush down on the bed, picking up the napkin from Daphne so he had a front row view. She kept the napkin over his chest as she began tearing it into as many tiny pieces as possible. She picked up a small trashcan near the bed, setting it down next to him. She raked her nails against him as she scooped up the pieces, letting them rain down into the trashcan.

"Okay, Maddie. I've had enough of this game now." He started pulling hard on the restraint, wanting to come after her, but the material wouldn't budge. "Now let me go," he said adamantly.

A smile brightened her face. "In a minute." She crossed the room and picked up the ice bucket. Humming a happy tune to herself, she dropped in the plastic liner. "I'll be back in a sec. Yell if you need me." She cleared her throat as she opened the room door. As she walked out, before the door closed, she heard him shout "Where are you going?" in a strained, squeaky voice.

A short time later she scanned the key card and reentered the room. She watched him eyeing her as she carried the bucket of ice. She placed it on a table by the bed. He started to mumble something as he tugged and pulled at the gloves, trying to loosen them. She gently placed a finger across his lips before speaking. "Shhh, just relax," she cooed.

She moved toward the end of the bed, grinning like a fool as she began to live out a fantasy. She turned to her side, gliding her fingers up the back of her dress to find the zipper. Inch by inch she slid it down, revealing bare skin, until it stopped at the bottom of her spine. David was quiet now, fixated on her. She twirled her body back to face him, a hand holding up the dress in the front. Slowly she let the dress slip off, revealing her perfect round breasts covered by a black satin bra. "Did you find Daphne attractive, David?" she asked, keeping her eyes locked on his. She could see his breathing elevating by the rise and fall of his chest.

Next, she let the dress glide down her body into a pool of material at her feet, leaving her in only a matching black string bikini and garters. He was making low guttural sounds that gave her chills. "Did you want to see what was under her dress, David?" She unclipped each garter, freeing her panty hose. She used the chair to prop up her leg. She slowly rolled the silky material down off her feet tossing it to the side, doing the same with the other. She never let her gaze roam off his.

David was not so foolish as to directly answer her questions. He was thrashing again, trying to get loose. "Maddie, let me go now!" She could see he was angry and turned on at the same time.

She licked her lips. "I said in a minute." She climbed back onto the bed, making sure to straddle him in a way that would not bring him pleasure. He bucked his body, making her bounce against him. She leaned over him, keeping her satin-covered breast out of reach of his mouth. She plucked a piece of ice out of the bucket and sat back up. She threw her neck back and her hair cascaded in golden waves. She placed the ice under her chin, sliding it smoothly down her neck. Droplets of water trickled down into her bra. She let out a gasp as the chill ran through her body. She could feel the tension and heat coming from him. She let her eyes connect back with his, seeing fire. She repositioned the ice at the base of her bra, letting it glide over her belly, stopping at the line of her bikini. The smaller piece of ice dropped from her fingers onto his belly. "Ooops!" She put her hands to her lips and batted her eyes at him. "If you're hot, I can help you cool off." David growled as he tugged and twisted the silky material to get his wrists free.

She closed her eyes, trying to stop the need for him to touch her. Like magic she pulled out a silk handkerchief tucked inside her bra. David's eyes grew wide as she fashioned it into a blindfold. "Maddie," he started but lost his train of thought as she covered his eyes tying it. He shook his head back and forth trying to push it off his face. He could hear her breathing and smell her perfume as she leaned over him once more to get a cube of ice. She placed the piece between her teeth carefully letting the cold touch his lips. He jerked at the sensation, feeling her hair tickle the side of his face. She continued down his chin until she found his chest. Finding the piece too small, she crunched the remains in her mouth. She grabbed another chunk of ice, placing it back between her lips. She moved her body back slightly, feeling his reaction. Her heart was pounding with excitement from the power she had over him.

Moving back toward his chest, she let the ice in her mouth graze over one pec, then the other. He was throwing his head back now, caught up in the moment. She let go of the ice in her mouth and slowly let her hot tongue lick the spot where the cold was seconds ago, treating the other side with the same attention. She sat up and let her lower body grind against him just enough to make him push his body upward. She placed both hands on the sides of his cheek, letting her lips breeze against his. "You're mine!" she uttered in a moan. Taking another piece of ice in her mouth, she moved further down his body. She propped herself up on her hands and knees dropping her head down to his chest. The sensation of the cold ice between her hot lips down his chest gave her the desired groan from his lips. She went past his stomach, stopping near his hips and letting the ice fall out of her mouth. Not giving him a chance to recover from the cold, she again let her hot tongue rest right below his belly button. He could feel her explore the length of his chest, causing him to shiver while fighting the material that held him from grabbing her. He could feel her breath on his neck as she once again straddled him mid-belly. She let her hands run through his hair on each side, undoing the blindfold. Their eyes locked again, she found herself fighting the urge to kiss him. She pouted. "You admit I have reason to be upset, don't you?" She let her finger press against his lip, stopping him from answering her question. She moved her body off David and patted his cheek. "I will be back in a minute, but you don't have anywhere to go." She let a small laugh escape her.

David watched her walk away, admiring the way her hips did a gentle sway. She looked back, feeling his stare. He gave her a smirk and wink before she closed the bathroom door. A few minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom. She crawled back in bed, resuming her position on top of him. He chuckled softly, admiring how sexy she looked towering over him. She had the handkerchief, making a blindfold to put back on him. Then, all hell broke loose.

Before she had a chance to react, David grabbed her waist, making her scream out in surprise. "Let this be a lesson to you. You must tie better knots next time!" She pushed on his shoulders, struggling to get free. She stopped momentarily to grab a handful of his chest hair, pulling hard. He winced in pain letting go of her waist. She was off him in a flash, making a beeline for the other side of the bed. He scrambled out of bed, looking at her on the opposite side. It was like a western standoff.

"If you want to play dirty, I can play dirty too." David stared her down. He slowly made his way to the end of the bed, never taking his eyes off her. She was breathing rapidly, waiting for him to make a move. David loved having her on the run. As soon as he breeched her space, she scampered across the bed, once again standing on the opposite side from him. "You little minx," he huffed. He countered her move to the end of the bed, watching her closely. "Now where can you go?"

She looked about her surroundings. Her only choice was to move across the bed or jump out the window. She tried to trick him. She pretended to run past him, then jump across the bed. David had figured her out. He grabbed one of her feet, pulling her across the sheet. She kicked and screamed the whole way into his arms. He let out a victorious laugh. "Gotcha!" "Do not!" She stomped down hard on the top his foot. He immediately released her in pain hopping around. "Do not!" she exclaimed again.

A light bulb went off in David's mind. Two could play this game. He sat down on the edge of the bed, examining the foot she had stomped on. Maddie stopped in her tracks trying to catch her breath, watching him. "I think you might have broken something." He inhaled deeply when he touched the top of his foot. Her expression went serious and she hurried to him. He blindsided her, laying her on the bed. He pinned her with his body, enjoying her squirming against him.

"Let me go!" She shook her head from side to side. "What's the magic word?" He grabbed her chin making her face him. She was furious now. There was no way she was going to say those words. "Fine! You leave me no choice." David started tickling her ribs. She was so shocked by the sensation, a laugh escaped her, her face aglow with happiness. He tickled her more and more just to hear sweet laughter spilling out of her. He eased up, letting her catch her breath before leaning in for a kiss. She responded, hungry for him, running her nails down his back.

David broke the kiss, looking back into her ocean blue eyes. Locking eyes with her made him weak, wanting to do anything to make her happy. He closed his eyes to recover, then flipped a piece of her silky hair through his fingers. "You never said the magic words, Maddie." He kept playing with strands of her hair.

"Why? You know what the words are without me saying them." She wiggled again, trying to break free from the truth. He pinned her arms to the sides of her head holding her wrists tight. He leaned in planting baby kisses down her neck over her collarbone. "You know what the rules are. Say it, Maddie. Now!" She bucked under him, only making her need for him worse. "Maddie, just say it." He was waiting for that perfect moment to take her over the edge. She sucked in a deep breath, her eyes becoming watery. "David, David, David," she pleaded.

"Maddie, Maddie, Maddie." He softly brushed her lips with a kiss. She bit her bottom lip letting the words go. "I need you, David." Hearing those words made him lose all control. He let her wrist go, wrapping her legs around him, pushing them both into ecstasy.

The next day Maddie came into the office with a lighter step than usual. "Good morning, Miss DiPesto." The greeting came with a bright smile. "How was the ball? Did you have a good time?" Maddie answered while walking in her office. "Agnes, it was better than you could even imagine."

David was not far behind his partner, coming in the main office door singing a happy tune, jerking the sunglasses off his face. "Good morning, Miss DiPesto." He made a quick turn for his office, Bert close behind him. "How was the Detectives Ball, sir?" David gave him a look, raising his eyebrows. "Bert, you wouldn't believe me even if I told you."