by C. P. Watson
“You’re all consenting adults, or are you trying to say that I took advantage of you?”
Paul chuckled and wiped his hand against the prickliness of his beard. He’d always had a rugged look, but was letting himself go. A grooming and a nice suit would have done him good.
“Carson, no woman can force me to do anything against my wish. Not even a tigress like you.”
Carson had grown fond of her nickname around the office. Tigress. She’d enjoyed it.
“So, why should we issue this scandal? Is there any evidence, except the dirty pictures?”
Paul shook his head.
“They’re not photo shopped, for sure. I checked the pixels. I have a feeling that a scandal like this would even boost her writing career.”
The frown on Carson’s face would smack Paul in his face, if that was possible.
“That’ll be all, head back to work.”
Paul arched his brow. Hopefully, Carson wouldn’t back out of the scoop. He knew how much she hated to degrade women.
“Just saying, it wouldn’t be the worst thing if news got out. I mean she knew what she was getting herself into when she dropped her clothes for the camera, right?”
“She’s trying to cover it up, isn’t she? Paul, tell me how you got this information.”
Paul hopped out of his seat and stuffed his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.
“Found it in my mail. Madison Pierce definitely has an enemy.”
He left the office and Carson leaned back in her seat. She certainly didn’t want to issue anything about it.
She typed in Madison Pierce again on her computer, and looked at one of the woman’s photos. Her curly, caramel hair and dark brown eyes complimented the fullness of her pink lips and tall, refined nose.
Carson reached down and grabbed the folder from her desk drawer. Taking out one of the pictures, she studied the face. The two women looked alike, but honestly didn’t look exact. The redhead browsed through the videos on the site, and decided to watch one. She clicked on one and put in her information for the payment.
Exhaling a loud breath, she grabbed a set of headphones from her desk drawer and plugged it into her computer, before placing the buds into both sides of her ears.
Why am I doing this?
The video started, and Carson couldn’t peel her eyes away. The two women in the video were definitely beautiful, especially the blonde one. Her broad hips, slender waist and proportionate, firm breasts, all contributed to her hourglass figure. The sound of her voice left an echo in Carson’s mind. There was something about her, something so provocative, yet so innocent. She was so enticingly tranquilizing, and so abundantly hypnotizing.
No man had ever made Carson’s heart beat so vigorously inside of her chest. The redhead’s knees pressed firmly together and chest tightened with the strain of her breathing.
Why do I feel this way?
She closed her eyes and tried to ignore the sounds that tempted her to reopen them.
Carson didn’t like what she was feeling. She couldn’t bare another moment of the torture.
Reluctantly pausing the video, she closed the tab and shut off her computer.
Carson got up and grabbed her purse before rushing out of her office. She had to leave, else she would have probably embarrassed herself.
Her employees already seemed to be eying her suspiciously, and as she entered the elevator, the feeling in her panties made her place her handbag over her front.
CHAPTER TWO
Those Familiar Green Eyes
Madison Pierce stood outside of the house. She contemplated whether to catch a cab and head back to the airport, to get on the first flight far away from where she stood, but she knew that she could not. Her sister would have flown to wherever she ran and slit her throat for missing her wedding day. Maybe, she should have planned her arrival on the exact day of the wedding, which meant a lot less time being around her mother, but she was already there and felt like melting into a puddle of despair. She could not handle her mother's tantrums, or the remarks that always offended her. Her mother was the sole reason why she moved almost halfway across the world—the only reason why she stayed away from her family for so long.
She dragged her suitcase along with herself along the stone pathway that led to the entrance of the house. All she wanted to do was to bolt in the opposite direction, but she knew that sooner or later she had to confront her dreadful mother. It was the best time than any other since she could have made her sister happy in the process.
She pressed the button of the doorbell of her parents' home and crossed her arms over her chest.
Footsteps neared the door and a smile flashed across the jet-lagged woman's lips.
"You’re finally here!"
Her older sister squealed after opening the door. Melody pulled her little sister into an embrace.
Madison could smell the cherry blossom shampoo intoxicating her nostrils as her nose grazed against Melody’s thick, silky, brunette hair.
They released each other after a few long seconds.
"I missed you too."
Madison chuckled as Melody moved to the side so that she could enter the house. She placed her suitcase beside the door frame as her eyes looked around the elegant, suburban home.
It was the same from the two years that she had been away, with the glossy hardwood staircase, complimented by the beautiful crystal, antique chandelier above it, which was the only thing that she’d always admired of her parents' home. There were white painted walls garnished with floral paintings and family portraits, and a large china cabinet that held expensive silverware, fancy dinnerware and crystal glass.
"Mum is in the living room. Let’s hurry up the steps before she spots us.”
Madison gave a quick nod and rushed to the staircase, leaving her suitcase behind.
“Don’t be childish, Madison.”
She shrieked as she heard her mother’s voice. But she did agree. It was childish. She let out an inaudible sigh before turning towards the living-room, where she presumed her mother was standing
The woman looked the same. Her hair was straight and jet black, unlike Madison's caramel coloured tresses. Her outfit looked as though it had cost more than Madison's monthly rent and her flat smile held no sincere emotions.
Amanda Pierce stood with her arms crossed over her chest. Her eyes accessed her daughter’s attire, and the frown on Madison’s face that always seemed just for her.
“It’s nice to see you, mum.”
Madison said as she forced a smile. It was customary for her mood to falter in the presence of her mother.
“Let’s get you settled, Maddy.”
Melody interrupted the awkwardness of the moment, grabbed Madison’s suitcase and they both hurried up the steps. Melody placed the suitcase onto the bed as Madison looked around her room. It had been a while, but everything seemed to be in place.
They both smiled as memories rushed through their minds.
Madison then unzipped her suitcase and took out a rectangular gift-wrapped box. She placed it on her sister’s lap and waited for a response.
The brunette’s eyes focused on the purple-wrapped present with a lovely, white bow on top of it.
“I’ll have to get you to visit more often.”
Melody tore the wrapping and opened the box. A smile formed on her lips as she took the pair of heels out.
“I might have to take you up on that.”
Madison knew that she was too distant with her family. Just because there was conflict with her mother, did not mean her sister and father had to pay the price.
“This isn’t necessary, by the way. I’d love to see you regardless. But I do love it. Thank you.”
The brunette slipped her feet into each side and felt contented that it was the perfect fit.
“I’ll try harder, I really did miss you.”
“I understand why, and you are an independent woman now, mum’s disapproval matters muc
h less.”
“I know, but it still hurts.”
Sensing that the topic was still too sensitive, Melody wandered off to another.
“I love your new book by the way. As you know, mum isn’t too pleased with it."
Madison knew that her mother would disapprove of it, because of its sexual and explicit content, including the fact that it was a same-sex romance novel.
"She’ll never approve of that."
Madison looked at her folded clothes inside of the suitcase and noticed her vibrator. With widened eyes, she closed the suitcase.
“We’ll be having dinner over at my mother-in-law’s tomorrow. You’ll get a chance to meet my fiancé.”
“Sounds good. Let me take a shower. When is dad getting off of work?”
“He’ll be home in a bit.”
Madison gave her sister a smile before the brunette walked out of the room.
After taking a shower, Madison grabbed her lavender-scented body lotion from her suitcase, and moisturized her long, smooth legs. She then did the same to her arms and torso, as well as her breasts.
She slid her legs through her lace underwear and pulled the fabric up to her slim waist, and her arms through the straps of her bra, before securing the hook. Looking at her folded clothing, she settled on a pair of shorts and a tank top. She, then, exited her room and walked down the steps.
Her eyes immediately met her father’s and she rushed over to him.
“Daddy!”
Madison leaped into his arms and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
“You’ve grown, sweetheart. I’ve really missed you.”
Gregory placed a kiss on her forehead and squeezed her tighter into him.
“How’s everything? I’m sorry that I haven’t been in touch much.”
“It’s okay. You and I both know that it’s sometimes better for you to love us from afar. You are happy, right?”
Madison nodded and pressed her lips together.
“Not as much as I thought I would be.”
“Oh, I see. So are you thinking about moving back home?”
She shook her head as they both took a seat on the loveseat.
“I’m not sure. I do miss you guys. Melody is getting married and I haven’t even met the guy. That just makes me feel…”
“Left out?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m always here if you need anything. And you should always know that you are my daughter no matter what.”
Madison smiled and felt her eyes tearing up. She always appreciated her father’s reassurance.
“Thanks Daddy. It means a lot.”
“I’m just being your father.”
Melody walked up to the two.
“Dad, how was work?”
“Frustrating. How was work for you?”
Gregory patted his daughter’s head as she leaned against his chest.
“The usual. Victoria’s coming over for dinner. I’m gonna help mum finish up in the kitchen.”
“So, how have you and mum been?”
Madison asked as the two walked into the living room to sit. Gregory cleared his throat and inhaled a deep breath.
“We’re doing okay. Don’t worry about us.”
“She’s not being a pain, right?”
Madison asked as she noticed her mother standing next to the door frame that connected the dining and living rooms.
With a deep inhale, she got a tap on the back from her father.
“I manage. Let’s get dinner, sweetheart.”
As everyone took seats at the dinner table, Madison noticed a couple walking in to take seats as well, and being that the only two available seats were both beside her, the woman sat to her right and the man sat to her left. She would have allowed them to sit next to each other if they’d asked, and as she turned to the woman to give the option, she recognized the face.
“Victoria?”
The woman lifted her head, and Madison met those familiar green eyes.
“Madison.”
Victoria smiled as she looked into familiar brown eyes.
“It’s been so long. How are you?”
“I’m great. And you? How’s it going in the Big Apple?”
“It’s good. Writing keeps me busy.”
"You look amazing."
Victoria complimented as she leaned forward and rested her purse onto the ground beside her.
Madison felt her cheeks heating up.
"You do, too."
"Madison, this is Anderson, my friend, Patty’s son."
Amanda introduced as the butler placed the appetizers in front of everyone at the table.
Madison took note that the two were not a couple and paid no heed to him.
“So Victoria, I’m guessing that you are the maid-of-honour?”
“Maddy, you know that you are.”
Melody stated from across the table.
“Really? No one told me about this decision.”
The brunette gave her sister a glare.
“You are my designated maid-of-honour because you are my sister.”
“Such enticing words. How could I ever refuse such a position of endearment?”
“You didn’t have a choice.”
“Oh right.”
They both chuckled at their little banter, and Madison felt Victoria brush her hand against her exposed thigh.
Oh, that is unexpected.
She gave the beauty a smile and bit down on her bottom lip. She was definitely intrigued, to say the least.
“So how is your writing going? I am intrigued for your next instalment of your current series.”
“Oh, you read my books?”
“Of course. You are my favourite lesbian author.”
"I can’t believe that Victoria Wilson is a Madison Pierce fan."
Madison was intrigued and a bit turned on. She always thought that her sister’s best friend was hot.
"You’re a lesbian?"
She heard an unfamiliar voice say and realized that it was Anderson. Putting two and two together, she concluded that her mother misled the poor guy.
“So you invited him for that?”
Amanda tightened her jaw as she focused her eyes on the pair. She wasn’t pleased with Victoria for announcing what should never be spoken of.
“I think I should leave.”
He said before getting up and leaving the room. The front door slammed and Melody couldn’t hold in a chuckle from escaping her lips.
“Poor guy. Everyone knows that Madison only likes girls.”
Victoria said as she took a bite of her appetizer.
“Madison is not gay. She is just confused.”
Amanda grumbled with actual belief that it was not true.
“Yeah, I’ve been confused for all these years.”
Madison humoured before taking a sip of her red wine.
“He would have been perfect for you. But you fucked it up like you always do.”
“Well then, I love being a fuck up. Makes me sleep better at night, you know.”
“You better change.”
"I like the way I am, and you cannot change that."
Madison said in a blunt tone of voice.
"Trust me when I say that you are not living a right life."
"Just because I live my life as I choose, does not mean I do anything wrong, unlike you who judge people just because they are not to your liking or follow bloody norms." Madison paused and sighed. "Dad accepts me. Melody accepts me. This entire table doesn’t give a fuck whose pussy I eat. The entire fucking world accepts me, but you won't."
"Language, young lady. Is that the way your lifestyle makes you speak? It’s repulsing.”
Amanda thought of all the reasons why her daughter's lifestyle was wrong. She was a disgrace to her family. Her beauty was a waste because she preferred being an abomination rather than a good, catholic girl.
“Amanda, enough. You shouldn’t have done this and you know it.”
“Oh,
go ahead and approve of your daughter like you always do.”
“My daughter, yes. You should be more considerate about our daughter’s feelings.”
“What about mine? I have to live with a lesbian for a daughter? No. Father Matthew said that she can go to confessions this Saturday.”
“I’m not going to confessions, mum. Unlike before, you can’t make me.”
Amanda did not answer her daughter. She covered her face with the palms of her hands seeming to be frustrated.
Madison stood up from her chair feeling as though she was just hit by bus. She just wanted to go up to her room and avoid any further conversation on the topic.
"Mum, whatever you think of me, I have come not to care. Well, at least I try not to." Madison paused and bit down on her bottom lip, before turning in the direction of the stairs. "Anderson cannot change who I am. No man in this world can change my mind. Because I am who I am."
She walked away from the table and felt the tears threatening to stream down her face. Heading up the steps and into her room, she closed the door and jumped onto her bed, feeling extremely frustrated.
Madison heard a knock on her bedroom door. Her face was smothered deep into a pillow as she tried to suffocate her sorrows.
"Come in."
She yelled and removed the pillow from her face. She expected Melody or her father, definitely not the woman who was walking towards her.
"You okay?"
Victoria took a seat on the bed next to Madison, close enough so that she could see the woman’s smooth thighs because of the shortness of the dress.
"What do you want?"
Madison leaned forward, propping her head up on her arms as her chin rested on the palms of her hands.
“I only found out that you’re into girls after you moved away.”
"Well, I’m sorry about that, but it’s not on my résumé."
"I didn’t mean it in a bad way."
Victoria said softly, taking the chance to admire Madison’s pink, plump lips.
"Take a picture. It will definitely last longer."
The green-eyed woman peeled her eyes away with much hesitation.
“Uh… Sorry.”
“Are you into girls?” Victoria swallowed and took a deep breath. “I’m just being forward.”
