Episode 3
1512 Words
Madison
I step into the car that Alex Stone’s management team put up for me. I have to say they’ve gone to an awful lot of trouble; they must really need this man’s act cleaning up so much that he squeaks by the end of it. I pull Honey-Belle (my fawn Chihuahua) into me. Even my flight from Austin was upgraded to first class. She settles down on my lap as I glance out the window taking in the majestic mountains that flank us either side of the road. It’s breathtaking, making me wonder why I have never visited Aspen before. Everything looks so much bigger, even the blue sky with just a few drifting clouds. It literally takes my breath away.
As if the driver can read my mind he smiles and says, “it sure is pretty, right?”
“Oh, gosh you can say that again.”
“First time here?” he asks whilst keeping his eyes on the road ahead, the traffic is light not like Austin where at rush hour it can cause a migraine with all the traffic.
“It is. I’m from Austin, it’s not like this at all.”
He chuckles. “We’ll have you wanting to live here, it happens. Folk come from all around and a lot of them stay and make it their home.”
“I can see that,” I reply. Although there is no way I am leaving my folks back home or my bestie, April. We are joined at the hip but you know - maybe one day I could afford a place here too.
I take in the magnificent mountains as they dominate the skyline, they’re imposing and beautiful. I’ve always been taken with mountains, their formation and how majestic they are. I’m a hiker and there is nothing better than being on the trails up high and having the wondrous views that it can offer. A thrill passes through my body of the activities I can do whilst I’m here. There will no doubt be some highlights to this assignment.
“We’re nearly there, Miss Lane,” the driver says. I nod my head and see in front of us a sign, it reads Pitkin County with white bold lettering on a dark green background. Cute.
The driver meanders along the gentle curving road and drives through some iron gates. I glance up to read what it says, Owl Creek Ranch. Wow, it sure looks impressive. Each side of the drive is flanked by fir and conifer trees and the mountains are so close it looks like you could touch them.
After a few minutes he begins to slow down. My mouth opens so wide my jaw almost hits my knees. In front of me is the largest house I have ever set my eyes on. I mean gigantic and I spot a lake to my right. The green fields stretch for miles. Alex Stone must be worth a fortune and then some. This single storey, glass fronted, sprawling property must be worth in excess of $60 million. I let out a breath.
“I’ll come and get the door for you.” He gets out and comes to the back and opens my door and lends me a hand to get out of the car. The cool air greets me again and for the second time in less than an hour, I wish I’d put on a sweater or a light jacket and not worn this flimsy, black Chanel dress shirt. I was going for my Boss Lady look, and it looks adorable with my high waisted, wide-legged cream dress pants.
The driver starts to take my luggage from the boot of the car as I walk towards the front porch. All golden wood that’s oiled and glistening as the fall sun bounces off it.
The door opens and there stands Alex Stone in the flesh. He is broader than I recall from the other day, and those eyes of ice blue. Holy crap this man is gorgeous. His dirty-blonde, shaggy hair comes to his chin, his jawline is chiselled. Those Greek statues have got nothing on this guy.
Okay, I can’t be having thoughts like this about him, I can’t stand anything that he stands for - the man-w***e. Yeah, you keep reminding yourself of that girl, I tell myself sternly, because I have got no intention of being misled on this assignment.
But f**k me, he is something else. With his black tight jeans, I can make out his muscular legs. He’s wearing a white button down shirt with rolled up sleeves and I can see the ink on his forearms that are bigger than my thighs.
“Madison. Great to see you.” He comes waltzing - yes waltzing down the steps from the glass fronted sliding doors and extends his hand. I place my hand in his and shake. A bolt of electricity shoots right through my hand up my forearm and into my upper arm. Oh no, dangerous. So, f*****g dangerous.
“Yeah, good to meet you too. I guess,” I add for good measure.
“Well, we’re kind of stuck with each other so we best make the most of it.” He smirks, I see his two dimples appear, and boy am I a sucker for dimples. I remind myself he is off limits, and I am only here for the cool one million dollars for the assignment his management company is paying me to try clean up his image. And of course to raise my profile even more, so I can set up my own sports broadcasting channel or get the promotion to partner that I need.
“I guess we are. Unfortunately,” I say through gritted teeth.
I huff at him. If I were a dragon, I’d be spewing hot, fiery breath all over him so he’d disintegrate in front of me. Only, I’m not, which is a huge shame.
“Come on in. Hanson will bring the bags through for you.” I nod and move up the steps and through the glass doors.
I feel something on my ass and swivel round quicker than an owl’s head. “Did you just pinch my ass?” I am seething.
“I couldn’t resist.” He chuckles, that gets him a slap across the face.
“Don’t ever put your paws on me again. Not even in public.” Maybe I slapped him a bit too hard since my hand actually stings. But you just don’t do that. I mean, seriously. “It’s harassment and I am not your puck bunny. I could sue you for that.”
He holds both his hands up in front of him. “Sorry, you’re right. I got carried away.”
“Damn f*****g straight you did. Honestly, I could walk straight back out of here. Who actually the f**k do you think you are?”
“I said I was sorry darlin’. Truly I am.” He places both his hands on his heart. Yeah, right. Why don’t I believe him?
I’m blown away, however, by the entrance with its peaked, vaulted ceiling and beams that are a honey-blonde color. The light comes through the glass at the top and the sun offers a golden, orange glow to the pale wood flooring. In front of me is a large round mahogany table with what I bet is a Ming vase atop it, filled with a beautiful flower arrangement of russet colors and greens.
It's breathtaking. “Welcome to my home, Madison.”
“Thanks, but you know I don’t want to be here, right?”
“Trust me, Lane, I am not bouncing around with joy either. The last thing I want is some snoopy journalist broadcasting and sending out pics of every second of my life.” He walks in front of me and leads me through another equally large space, where I pass more glass doors. I notice an enormous lounge with two pale cream sofas facing each other and a smoked coffee table in the middle and a television screen the size of the moon on the wall.
On the other side is a kitchen, which I can make out is full of dark wood units and what looks to be a marble or granite island in the middle. I am guessing he had an interior designer in.
“I’ll show you your room, you may want to freshen up. My management team has called a meeting and we’re to meet with them and my coach tonight for dinner.” I promise that even though I’m mad as hell as him, I’m not checking out his superior ass. Okay, so I am. That’s not a crime.
He stops and turns suddenly. “Are you looking at my ass?” Darn it, now I have been caught showing some kind of interest in his body. I can feel myself blushing, and I bet I’m red in the face right up to my hairline.
- Writer
