(Set during the 4-week relationship after IACM)
The story is ours. The characters do not belong to us. We do not make money from this. It was an incredible and fun experience writing this story.
PART ONE
A HAND IN THE BUSH
Surveillance. Ha. You made it sound so romantic. – Maddie Hayes
It was another beautiful sunny and cloudless day in Los Angeles. Maddie parked in the garage and exited the car, picking up her briefcase and clutch bag. She looked soft in her white satin dress accented with a belt at the waist. Her matching necklace and cuff bracelet elevated the style. She hurried to catch the elevator before the door closed, humming to herself. She loved a new work week; never-ending possibilities lay ahead. She exited the elevator, making her way down the hall to the Blue Moon office.
"Good morning, Miss DiPesto. Don't you just love Mondays?" she beamed.
"Good morning, Miss Hayes. Here are your messages." Agnes yawned, handing her pink slips of paper. The Wobblies gave her looks of incredulity. She smiled and shrugged her shoulders, heading for her office.
David was leaning back in his chair sipping a cup of coffee, catching up on headlines in the newspaper. He chuckled to himself, shaking his head, at hearing Maddie's chipper voice greet the staff.
Agnes was watering the office plants when a visitor came in. The woman wore a black business suit with a pencil skirt slit up to South America and a matching red-belted jacket so low her cleavage showed no possibility of a camisole underneath. She had legs for days that ended in bright red three-inch heels. All the men in the office were suddenly alert, ogling the brunette masterpiece who stood there quietly.
"May I help you?" Agnes trotted over to the front desk.
The visitor's voice was seductive. "Is Mr. Addison in? It's Daphne. He'll remember me from the Detectives Ball. If he has a moment, I'd like to talk to him about a cause being sponsored by my employer, Lou LaSalle."
Agnes's eyes grew wide to discover that this woman knew Mr. Addison. She glanced at Maddie's office door before buzzing Mr. Addison.
"Talk to me," David popped off.
"There is a lady. . . ah, a woman here to see you. Her name is - " Agnes looked at the woman, her mouth agape.
"Daphne." She smiled at the men staring her up and down.
"Daphne," Agnes repeated over the phone as she watched the woman curiously.
She heard Mr. Addison slam his phone down. He whipped open his office door and was relieved that Maddie's door was not open. His heart was pumping out of his chest when he laid his eyes on Daphne.
"Hello, David." She extended her hand with a wink. "So nice to see you again."
He shook her hand quickly, clearing his throat. "Good morning, Daphne. Won't you come in?" He nodded toward his office.
Daphne undulated through the door. David looked Agnes's way and put a finger to his lips as he pointed toward Maddie's office. Agnes opened her eyes even wider.
"Be careful, men," David said with a sideways look of displeasure at the office crew. "Your faces are going stick like that." He went quickly into his office and closed the door. He sat down in his chair and wiped his face quickly. Daphne sauntered over, perching on the edge of his desk. Her skirt slid off her leg, giving him a view that made him swallow hard.
"Where did you wander off to at the Detectives Ball? I was hoping for another dance. But anyway, I'm stopping to see if you or Maddie would like to donate to Lou's cause. He's collecting for the children of prison inmates." Smiling, she grabbed his tie, running her hand down its silky length.
Smirking at her, he said, "I come already lassoed. Saves a lot of time at the rodeo." He walked over to the bar cabinet. "Would you like a drink?"
She shook her head, walking towards him and dragging her hand along the length of his desk. He poured a quick shot of bourbon and downed it. "I'll ask Maddie about the donation. I'm sure she will be glad to help." He walked over to the door and leaned his back against it, grabbing the door handle in case he needed to escape.
Daphne turned to face him, still smiling. "Oh, and David, we had a surveillance class. They're great. I learned so much. I'm better at skulking around in the bush than I ever was. You should join us. You can come anytime, you know. " She came closer, making him press his back harder against the door.
Surveillance classes with Daphne, held by Lou LaSalle! Maddie's reaction to that idea at the Detectives Ball had been extreme! But in spite of that, David smiled. "I might take you up on that if my schedule opens up," he said with a smirk. He actually thought he might benefit from the class, and while he knew Maddie would be enraged, he was beginning to think that was not entirely a bad thing. There were certain benefits to being a bad boy!
Maddie emerged from her office carrying papers, heading towards David's door. Agnes looked up. "Oh, Miss Hayes," she said hastily. "Mr. Addison has someone in his office."
"Someone in his office?"
"Someone in his office. A lady detective. Daphne Bonner."
Maddie's head whipped around. "DAPHNE BONNER?"
"Daphne Bonner. She said she's with -"
"I know who she's WITH!" She balled her fists. "Thank you, Agnes."
"I thought you would like to know before you go –"
Maddie was knocking on David's door.
in."
"David, may I see you for a moment?" she called through the door in a raised voice.
He pulled the door open, knowing the jig was up. Looking past him, Maddie's eyes lighted on the smugly smiling Daphne. A wave of outrage went through her.
David stammered a bit, trying not to smirk. "Maddie. We were just talking about you." He pulled her by the arm into the office and shut the door. "You remember Daphne. She came by to see if we want to donate to Lou's fundraiser."
Maddie positioned herself on one side of David with Daphne on the other. David looked back and forth between the two women.
"Yes, of course! Daphne!" Maddie eyed her while Daphne looked back in apparent self-possession. Daphne spoke, placing a hand on David's shoulder as she did so.
"Lou was just saying the other day how he bought this agency once. He said he let Maddie have it back because of some conflict of interest or something. But isn't it cute? Sometimes I wish I worked for a little agency like this."
David glanced in Maddie's direction. If looks could kill, Daphne would have dropped dead on the spot.
"I hear Remington Steele has openings." Maddie raised her brows, taking a step closer to Daphne while edging David out of the way.
David chuckled slightly. Yes, he was enjoying this. He blurted out while looking from Maddie to Daphne, "Daphne is collecting donations for the children of prison inmates for Lou."
Instantly Maddie smiled. "The children of prison inmates! What a good cause! Of course we'll donate. Let me write a check." She opened the door and called to Agnes. "Agnes, bring me the checkbook, please."
Daphne flashed a grin and a wink at David while Maddie's back was turned. Agnes brought the checkbook and handed it to Maddie with a glance of curious trepidation around the room. Walking behind David's desk, Maddie wrote a check, tore it from the book and handed it to Daphne. Maddie then stood very close to David's side, and, with a smirk, he placed his hand on her back.
Daphne looked at the check. "Very generous, Maddie. I'm sure Lou will appreciate this." She placed the check in her attaché' case.
"I'll walk you out." David led her out of the office. Daphne looked over her shoulder at Maddie as she placed her hand on David's back. She gave Maddie a smug smile as they disappeared through the door.
Maddie rolled her eyes in disgust. Walking out of David's office, she saw that the entire staff was watching the scene play out.
Having made short work of Daphne, David reappeared quickly and dragged Maddie back through the door. "How much did we donate to the charity?" he asked curiously.
"A hundred dollars. I don't want Lou to think we're cheap."
"A hundred dollars!" David said with a squeak. "Can I be a child of an inmate too? Now that Daphne knows how generous you are, she'll probably apply for a job. Just don't give her my office." He smirked.
Maddie stomped her foot with a frustrated growl as she shoved him out of the doorway. "Good riddance! I hope she doesn't come back! And you'd better not encourage her!" She marched back towards her office but then turned around. She pointed her finger at David. "You know why!" She turned around again and marched back to her office, Agnes looking on as she slammed the door.
Agnes looked at David in astonishment. He smiled. "Miss DiPesto, would you please bring me some expense sheets?" Still smiling, he turned and went back into his office.
Several days later, David prepared to leave the office around midafternoon. The current caseload was light and Maddie was engrossed in her number-crunching paperwork.
"Miss DiPesto, I decided to improve some of my detective skills by attending a night surveillance class." He handed her a paper which she laid on her desk. "This is where I'll be if Maddie needs me for anything. Don't bother her right now. I know she's busy."
"Yes, Mr. Addison," Agnes said dutifully.
"I'm out of here." He winked at Agnes, putting on his sunglasses as he headed out the door.
A couple of hours later Maddie wandered out of her office as the sun was setting on another long day. She passed Agnes's desk headed for David's office.
"Miss Hayes," Agnes said. Maddie stopped, turning on a dime.
"Yes, Miss DiPesto."
"He's not in his office." She grimaced, fidgeting with the paper David gave her.
"What do you mean he's not in his office?"
"He's not in his office."
"He didn't mention anything to me about leaving early." Her intuition told her she wasn't going to like this.
Agnes held out the piece of paper and Maddie snatched it out of her hand. "He didn't want me to bother you. You were buried in paperwork." She slumped down slightly in her seat. "I should have told you. He said he was taking some surveillance classes."
Jealousy and anger washed over Maddie as she realized what this meant. That tramp had the audacity to try and get her hands on David. The thought made her mind reel. She quickly gathered her things, throwing words at Agnes as she rushed out the door.
"Agnes, please lock up for me. I have an emergency!"
Maddie pulled up at the business complex where the Lou LaSalle Agency was located. The door was unlocked and she entered the lobby. Several people were sitting around audio and video monitoring devices, including Lou LaSalle. "Maddie! Hello!" Lou smiled as he approached her. "This is a pleasant surprise. Are you joining the class?"
With a visible effort at self-control, Maddie said, "Hello, Lou. Sorry, I'm not joining the class. I'm looking for David. Is he here?"
"He's outside in the van," Lou said, smiling. "He and Daphne are doing the perimeter portion of the training right now."
"Thank you," said Maddie ominously. Her fury rose. David was outside alone with Daphne!
She went out the door. There was a large unmarked van parked on the edge of the parking lot. She went directly to the double doors in back and tried them. They opened immediately.
David and Daphne sat close together, headphones on, with a screen in front of them but they didn't seem to be watching it. They were talking to one another and smiling. At the sound of the door, they both turned and looked at her.
"Maddie!" David got up quickly, slightly smiling. He was not totally surprised. "Is everything all right?"
"David, I think there has been a misunderstanding. I told you we had a meeting with Mr. Henn tonight about his account! I wasn't informed you left for the day." She was frowning.
That's when she saw it: a smear of red on David's cheek. Could it be? It was! Lipstick!
Chaos ensued before he could make a move. She had Daphne by the arm jerking her out of the van.
"You and I are going to set things straight, right now!" She tightened her hold on Daphne's arm as she pulled back.
David stood at the edge of the van, shocked and turned on at the same time. He knew how much trouble he was in with Maddie.
"He came here of his own free will!" Daphne hissed at Maddie.
She let go of Daphne's arm, getting right in her face. "I think you are laboring under a misapprehension. I am the boss at Blue Moon and this expense was not authorized by me." She was poking Daphne in the chest as she spoke in a raised angry voice.
David chimed in, "Come on, Maddie, you know how well Lou trains his people. We're lucky to have this opportunity. We can all learn more about beating around the bush."
He smiled even as she gave him a look of rage.
"Hey, I'm just doing my job. It's not my fault if you can't keep your man on a leash." Daphne pushed Maddie away from her, and Maddie pushed at Daphne preventing her from getting back in the van.
"Mr. Addison, I'm going to meet with Mr. Henn. Since you're busy, we can discuss this in the morning!" She growled at him, resisting the urge to slam the van door. David helped Daphne into the van as he watched Maddie speed away.
The next morning Maddie was in her office. She had told Agnes to let her know immediately when David came in. She heard the door open and the sound of the familiar voice that filled her with such conflicting emotions. David was singing. "Eee-vil woman, da da da da da da da. . . eee-vil woman. . . Good morning, Agnes!"
Agnes interrupted his singing. "Good morning, Mr. Addison. Miss Hayes wants to see you right away."
"Her wish is my command." Still singing, he did a little dance step toward Maddie's office and opened the door. "Good morning, Maddie. You missed out on a great class. Need any undercover work done? I'm at your service." He smirked.
Maddie gave him an icy glare. "Good morning, David. I trust you weren't out too late."
"Not at all. I was in bed before the nightingale sang. How about you? Did the new client have you home before curfew?"
"I slept very well, thank you. In case you're interested, Mr. Henn signed the contract to bring us on as his security service." She waved a piece of paper before David and slapped it onto the desk.
"Way to go, boss! You're bringing home the bacon as always! We won't run out of coffee and danish!"
"As you know," Maddie continued in a slightly calmer voice, "Mr. Henn owns a number of properties including a ski resort in Utah. He's been having some security problems there and he wants us to go and check into it."
"I'll make sure my skis are waxed."
Maddie did not reply. David walked around her desk and sat on the corner nearest her. "I missed you last night," he said softly. "It's not the same without you digging your fingernails into my back every couple of hours."
"Oh, really?" she said coldly. "I had the impression you might be otherwise occupied."
"Not at all. Not that Daphne wasn't trying." He smirked, knowing full well the effect his words were having.
She glared. "I know she was! I saw the lipstick on your face!"
"I didn't dodge fast enough."
She appeared to relax. "We're going to be very busy with the Henn account as well as our other cases. How about if we have a little supper at my house tonight. We deserve a relaxing evening." She smiled sweetly at David.
He smiled immediately, slightly relieved. "You got it, blondie. I'll bring over some Chinese. Seven o'clock?"
"Perfect." Her expression was angelic.
"See you there!" He kissed her on the lips and she returned the kiss. He left her office for his own, singing a few syllables.
It was amazing what a hot bubble bath could do for the soul. Maddie toweled off and put on a short satin pink gown with matching robe. She stood before the mirror brushing her hair while planning the evening ahead. She descended the spiral stairs to her living room. First, she turned on the gas fireplace, dimming the lights to give the room a soft glow. Next, she took several soft blankets and placed them in front of the fire, tossing a few pillows onto them. She smiled, satisfied with the atmosphere, and went into the kitchen to fix a snack. A few minutes later she carried out a tray with a mound of grapes in the middle and strawberries all around. She cleared a place on the glass coffee table and placed the tray down along with a can of whipped cream. "We need a little mood music," she thought, putting the radio on an easy listening station.
Hearing knocks at the door, she went to look through the glass.
"It's David. I'm here for a light supper and relaxing evening."
She unchained the door, opening it to find him holding a dozen roses, a bottle of white wine, and a bag of Chinese food that smelled delicious.
"Wow!" He took in how soft but sexy she looked.
"Oh, David, how sweet of you." She smiled as she took the flowers, kissing him on the cheek before shutting the door behind him.
"I thought you might like a glass of wine."
She gave him a knowing smile and watched him take in the romantic spread in the living room. "I left you something comfortable to change into upstairs. I'll get the food and wine ready." She smelled the roses, still watching him.
Ascending the spiral staircase to her room, he wondered at her changing moods. Two nights ago she had been completely livid to find him at the class with Daphne, and now here she was laying out a spread for him and quite frankly inviting him to a sexy interlude before the fire. Could she have something up her sleeve? Definitely she could!
He opened the door to her room and grabbed the robe she had left for him. He quickly disposed of his clothes, throwing it on. When he joined her in the living room she was curled up by the fire. Her beauty had a way of overwhelming him. She patted the blankets and motioned him to take a seat next to her. He leaned over and kissed her cheek, placing his hand over hers.
"You have the most beautiful eyes. I can get lost in 'em."
Her cheeks flushed as she smiled. He gave her lips a peck as he looked over the scene. She had the food on plates, wine in glasses and the roses in a vase on the fireplace mantel. They settled into pleasant small talk as they ate and drank.
Maddie dabbed her mouth with a napkin. "Now for some dessert."
She picked up a grape between her fingers, pressing it against his lips to take in his mouth. Once he did, she leaned in for a kiss, letting out a pleasurable sound. Liking the little game, he picked up a strawberry and the can of whipped cream, but she took the can from his hand.
"David, let me. My hair suffered the consequences last time." She shook the can for a few seconds, smiling.
He smirked at her. She slowly put cream on the strawberry in his fingers. He brought it to her mouth, letting her take a bite. A smidge of white cream remained on her lips. She picked up her napkin to wipe it off, but he took her hand.
"Let me." He pulled her toward him, wrapping her in his arms. It was a perfect kiss, a dance of lips and tongues. She pulled back, looking at him with a sparkle in her eye.
"I have plans for you." She began to untie his robe belt.
David was intrigued. At her direction he removed his robe and lay face down on the blankets. He put a small pillow under his chin for comfort. He couldn't see her but could hear her moving about the room. The next thing he felt was the weight of her body at the top of his thighs, followed by her lips warm against his skin, placing kisses down his spine as she let her nails lightly drag down his sides. Her soft hands moved against his lower back gliding up to his shoulders tugging and pulling the tension out of his muscles. He spread his body out, hitting his leg on something.
"Why is this thing always in my way?" He shoved the clear glass table, rattling the breakable items on it.
"That's a new table. You broke the old one," she said dryly. She pinched his back as she let out a giggle.
"Oh, right. Well, you shouldn't have put it in the same spot." He pushed on the table once more, causing the candlesticks to crash to the floor.
Maddie ignored the fallen items. "Let's try another game," She purred. "You know how much I love to play with you."
Placing her hands on his shoulders, she rubbed over his arms and pulled them behind his back. Before he knew what was happening, his wrists were bound together by a strip of fabric.
"What did you just do?" He tried to lift his arms and move his hands.
"Remember that tie you left at the house the other day?" She pinched his behind. "Where are you going now?"
"Nowhere, I guess. Maddie - " He tugged at his wrists but the bonds just seemed to get tighter. "Have you been reading up on knot tying?"
"Ever since you got loose that time, yes."
"Er – please be careful, honey."
She giggled, which David found slightly disturbing. Sliding down his legs, she threaded a couple of long silk handkerchiefs under and around each ankle, tying them together. She then stepped away to get the materials, a soy candle and ice cubes.
"At any time if you can't take the heat, you know the magic words."
He didn't know if he should be excited or worried about the command in her voice.
"What do you mean, take the heat?" he asked with a little squeak.
Silence. Then a strike of a match and her breath blowing it out. She straddled his thighs lightly smacking him on the rear.
"What are you - " He felt the first hot drop of wax hit the top of his back. He jumped, feeling the sting on his skin. "Maddie, what - "
She placed the candle on the table and moved up by his ear, nibbling the lobe. She hissed out the words.
"You disobeyed me again, David. I told you to stay away from Daphne. You knew what would happen!" She ran her hand through the back of his hair, grabbed a handful and pulled rather hard. "When you play with fire, you get burned."
Slithering back down his body, she held the candle over his back and tilted it, allowing small droplets of wax to fall along his spine.
He gasped sharply. "Oh, baby!"
It hurt but he gritted his teeth, refusing to submit to her. Hard slaps to his rear shook his body after each drip. He could hear rattling, then an ice cube running along the heated part of his back. It was like a small electrical shock, sending waves of confusing feelings through his body. She continued to pour more wax on him, each time stopping at the base of his tailbone.
"What's the magic word, David?" She massages her hands over the reddened skin of his spanked rear. "I'm just getting warmed up."
Somewhere deep down he wanted her to stop, but he was wildly aroused. He wished he could see the excitement in her face.
He had barely finished the thought when she rolled him over. He was too close to the glass table and it toppled over. The top cracked in half and everything on it, including food and wine, crashed to the floor.
"Are you kidding me?" She glared at David. "My new table!" She pouted balling her fists.
"Don't look at me. This one is on you." He couldn't help but laugh at her.
Seeing how excited he was, a wave of arousal went through her. She straddled his waist once more and picked up the candle. A devilish grin crossed her face. "What are the magic words?"
They locked gazes. She tipped the candle letting a line of wax drop on his belly. Her eyes lit up with passion watching his reaction between pain and pleasure. "Maddie, when I get loose. . ." He growled at her and bucked his body, making her fall onto the blankets.
"David!" She quickly blew out the candle and sat up. "Magic words! Now!" She laid her body on top of his, kissing him under the chin and on the sides of his neck.
"Fine! You're the boss, Maddie. Now let me go. These things are cutting into my wrists." He writhed around trying to move to his side.
With a look of concern she flipped him back over and made fast work of getting the wrist ties off, then the ties at his ankles. He stood up, rubbing the red marks left on his wrists.
"Let me." She took his hands and checked to see there was no injury to his skin. Before she let go, he pulled away from her, dashing into the kitchen and yelling in a playful voice.
"You're it!"
"What?" she shouted back. "David, I'm not chasing you."
"I dare you to catch me." He smirked and blew an air kiss her way.
She laughed. She ran after him around the kitchen counter to the piano room. She stood beside the piano; he was in front of it. She moved toward him cautiously, expecting him to run. Instead he grabbed her, pressing her body against the piano. The keys played a chaotic tune as she wiggled to get loose. In the noisy struggle, her knee grazed a sensitive spot below his belt line. He immediately released her crossing his eyes.
"You're it!" She laughed joyfully, sticking her tongue out at him.
She was off, stopping at the base of the spiral stairs. She smiled, watching him close the space between them. She loved the thrill of the chase, and he knew it. As soon as he touched her, she took off like a rabbit up the stairs, yelling breathlessly, "Come get me!"
He was right on her heels picking her up in his arms seconds before she cleared the bedroom door. She thew her head back, her blonde hair shimmering in the light.
"Now you're in trouble," he said teasingly, kissing her neck before dropping her on the bed. She was waiting for him to jump on her, tickle her, or, most likely, to tie her up and administer a spanking! She accepted his kisses on her neck and breast even as her body tensed in expectation of the turning tables.
The kisses went on for a long time, and she caressed his body with long strokes as far as she could reach. She was at a prolonged pitch of arousal, and the feeling of his excitement raised it to repeated heights. Finally he said to her, "What do you think should happen to you now?"
"Well. . . you probably think I've been bad. Am I right?"
"You've got lots of silk scarves in your drawers. I know because I've been in there before. They're only inches away."
"Yes," she breathed.
"There are candles up here too. Would you like to see how it feels?"
She swallowed. "Have I been such a bad girl?"
He looked her in the eye. "You have lots of shrubbery on these beautiful grounds of yours. I could go out and cut a switch." She said nothing, trying to return his gaze evenly. He gave her a little shake. "Couldn't I?"
"Yes," she said a little tremulously.
He kissed her neck and face again. "But you know what? I'm not going to. You know why?"
"Er. . . no?"
"Because I know why you started this whole thing, Maddie. I know why you do these things."
"You do?"
"Because you love me. You love me so much that you can hardly contain yourself. You cannot stand the thought of me dancing with another woman, or being in a room alone with another woman, or even talking to her."
"Ah –"
"No, be quiet. The idea of me getting away from you or even joking with another woman sends you into a frenzy."
"Well, David –"
"Don't argue with me. Yes, you've been a bad girl, but you know what? I'm not going to punish you. I'm going to reward you instead. Because that is what you really deserve for how much you love me and the lengths you go to for me."
He rolled her over on her stomach and quickly kissed her from her neck down to her behind. There was a bottle of massage oil on the night table and poured some into his hand and warmed it up, then applied it to her neck and shoulders. He massaged all the tension out of her as she moaned with pleasure. Stopping occasionally to warm up more oil, he moved down her shoulders, back, and sides.
"I had no idea you were such a good masseur," she breathed at one point.
"Baby, I'm just getting started," he murmured back.
He made a quick pass over her buttocks and moved down to her legs and feet. She started to feel like a puddle of water. He moved back up to her behind and gave it some very special attention, then flipped her over and massaged her front in a very thorough and ecstatic way. We would tell you more, but they would move us to cable.
At some point they joined together in mutual ecstasy. When they were complete, David picked up Maddie and carried her into the bathroom. He flipped on the warm water, put her under it, and used a large sponge to soap down every inch of her. He shampooed and rinsed her hair. When he was done he quickly soaped himself up and rinsed off, then stepped out of the shower and helped her out.
They returned to the bedroom. He turned off the light, pulled her close and kissed her. "Good night. I love you, Maddie."
"I love you, David." She could barely get the words out. Putting her arms around him, she pressed her body against his and lay clinging to him like a child.
E