Page 14 of Mad for Madison

“Alone?” Bradley asked.

“Shit, it was supposed to be a surprise,” I said, facing him. “I got us rooms for the night as a thank-you. I figured you deserve a little pampering away from work and home.”

Bradley lit up, but the effort he made to hide his happiness was even cuter. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“And you didn’t have to come here to rescue me,” I said. “But you still did.”

Bradley smiled, looking away. A shared moment of silence made me lean closer to him. “You know what? We can go up already.”

“Are you sure?” Bradley asked, the redness in his cheeks speaking of such incredible innocence that I wondered if I’d planned this whole thing wrong.

“I’ve shown my face,” I said. “And we’ve talked to a lot of rich men looking for a good charity cause to support. Our work is done.”

“If you think so,” Bradley said, the corners of his lips twitching.

It was a good sign.

CHAPTER 4

All My Heart Desires

Bradley

Madison ledthe way to the elevator, leaving the ballroom like he’d suggested. When the doors closed, the music and chatter of the gala disappeared, leaving us in a bubble of silence, disrupted only by the hum of the elevator’s engine.

He’d gotten us a room, which sparked a flood of ideas that had no basis in anything real. All these salacious images that went through my head only made my face burn hotter, but they didn’t make any of it more likely. I was simply torturing myself with hope for something I wasn’t going to get.

Dane Pierce had been right. Madison had better opportunities. And if the topic of discussion truly was purely physical, then even Dane Pierce was a better fit. I’d seen their video. I could never stand a chance.

On the upside, I didn’t need to actually worry about that. We weren’t going to that room because Madison so desperately wanted me. I wouldn’t have to compete with a professional who had a whole lot more going for him, even if he was a terrible person who upset Madison.

“So?” I asked. “What’s the story with Dane?”

Madison shook his head regretfully. “I hoped you’d forget about him.”

“He bothers you,” I said.I won’t forget him.

“He’s a…confident man,” Madison said. The elevator reached the top floor, and the doors opened. Madison took the key card out of his pocket and led the way down the hall. “He doesn’t listen to directions or follow the script. I don’t know if you’ve seen his work, but he became popular six or seven years ago. I heard that it went into his head, and I believe it. He acts like he’s the only person on set who knows how anything should be done. And maybe it’s true. Maybe he does know what sells. He sure as hell made riches doing this. But it doesn’t give him the right to decide on everyone’s boundaries. He’ll promise to listen, he’ll tell you it’s gonna be fine, but when the day comes, he’ll start questioning the script and direction until you find yourself in this ridiculous position where you defend a good scene and feel like you’re lame for doing it.”

“Madison,” I whispered, putting my hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

Madison waved his hand dismissively. “We had a fling, too. I don’t know what I was thinking, but it somehow gave Dane the right to boss me around. And really, it’s my fault for letting him. I just didn’t want to refuse him too much at work and hear about it later.”

“He’s an asshole if you even suspected he might mix work and life,” I said.

“Suspected,” Madison muttered as we neared our door. He paused and turned to me. “I didn’t need to suspect it. He did it all the time. The guy doesn’t know the difference.”

I wanted to hug him, but I didn’t know if it was appropriate, not after all the talk of boundaries.

“Forget about him,” Madison said. “He doesn’t know how to respect your wishes, but he won’t bother me when you’re there.”

I nodded, looking into his eyes. “Then I’ll make sure I’m there.”

Madison swiped the card over the lock, and the door clicked open, then led us inside the incredibly cozy apartment. The apartment was a tasteful blend of elegance and modern comfort, perched high above the bustling streets of New York City. Soft, ambient lighting illuminated the space, highlighting a spacious open living area with a plush sectional couch and a low glass coffee table set against the backdrop of a floor-to-ceiling window. The view of the city’s iconic skyline, complete with the sparkling lights of Midtown, stretched endlessly, making the room feel like it hovered in the heart of the metropolis.

A kitchenette with sleek black countertops and a compact wine fridge sat neatly to one side, an inviting bottle of champagne waiting in a cooler on the counter. But what caught my eye was a single door leading to a single bedroom.

Madison walked in with casual grace, already making himself at home as he shrugged out of his jacket. I lingered by the door, trying not to get my hopes up. It shouldn’t have mattered—it wasn’t going to happen—but I’d spent all night entertaining ideas I had no business entertaining.

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