My Boss’s Whim

by Liliana Rhodes

  Jefferson Manor was the oldest example of Georgian architecture in the state. The mansion itself was considered a work of art. I remembered studying it in a class once. It had stayed in the Jefferson family until about twenty years ago, but when the last of the Jeffersons passed away, people found out that the family had let the interior of the house deteriorate.

  Years passed and the mansion and property were purchased via auction, but I didn't know by whom. I remembered reading the home was restored to its former beauty and couldn't wait to see it. The last pictures I had seen showed the decay and neglect of the years.

  I went back to looking out the window. The fields were replaced with tall trees. The cab turned onto a tree-lined road with the leaves forming a canopy, and I realized why it was called Whispering Woods Way. The sun glittered through the foliage and dappled the road. I tried to look ahead but couldn't see anything through the greenery.

  "It's right up here, miss."

  "At the end of the road?"

  "At the end of this driveway."

  I was looking ahead, over the cabby's shoulder, when I finally caught my first glimpse. Jefferson Manor looked even more impressive and grand than the pictures I had seen in school. It had a light tan exterior with tall white columns flanking the large white wooden door and a slate grey roof.

  The home had two stories of windows, each with many panes, but the windows on the ground floor were much taller than those on the upper floor. In the center of the upper floor was a large dome window and as we followed the curve of the gravel driveway, I saw the sparkle of an elegant chandelier. I noticed four chimneys jutting out of the pitched roof and remembered reading that the home had marble fireplaces, originally for heat.

  The grounds surrounding the home were perfectly kept. As we slowed down, I noticed a rose garden and what looked like an English hedge maze. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being in that mansion, and here I had the opportunity to live in it.

  The cab came to a stop, and I stepped out onto the gravel and looked around in awe. In the distance, I heard a bell tower chime ten times. I ran up to the front door and rang the doorbell. For once, I needed to not be late.

  "You Ashley Monroe?" A mature woman's voice with a thick Southern drawl came from behind and startled me.

  "Goodness!"

  "I'm sorry dear, didn't mean to frighten you. I heard your cab pull up. That's one thing about this gravel, you hear everything. Come into the house. I'm Tara by the way."

  Tara didn't look anything like I imagined from hearing her voice on the phone. Pulling up, I began to imagine her as the stereotypical Southern belle, very feminine and girly, just older. She looked far from that though.

  Tara had on a worn pair of jeans, a plaid button-down shirt, and a pair of battered cowboy boots. Her long, sandy-colored hair was streaked with grey and pulled into a tight ponytail. As I watched her walk, feet spread apart with a wide gait, I doubted she had a feminine bone in her body.

  "Let me show you around. First of all, as far as I know you're the only one who has answered that ad. I'll tell you right now, you've got the job if you want it. I need someone to do it, I already have enough on my hands with the stables."

  "Are you kidding? You have no idea how much I need a job. And a place to live."

  "I don't kid, Miss Monroe. Alex needs someone to manage the house. I can't do it, we've got over 100 horses here. Some are still racing, some are pasture puffs. I don't have time for anything else."

  As we walked, I looked around at the home, which seemed faded underneath a thick layer of dust that covered its restored beauty. The house had a sadness to it, like it was used to neglect and loneliness, something I could relate to. While all the furniture was still covered, cleaners moved through the rooms, removing dust and dirt as they began to make the rooms livable again.

  "Doesn't anyone live here? Who would I be managing?"

  "You'll need to hire people. Maids, cooks, that kind of thing. Alex has been living in the city when he's not traveling, but he's decided to move back here. I'm sure he'll want to meet you, there's a lot he needs help with so you'll have to be flexible and do whatever he says. Alex has quite the temper, but I stay out of his way and he stays out of mine. You'll do best if you do the same."

  I took it all in. We went to the second floor and she showed me a small suite of rooms I would live in with a private staircase that led to the first floor, near the back of the house, by the kitchen. The suite was plain, unlike the rest of the house, and had a living area with a couch, a kitchenette, and a bedroom. The living room and bedroom were separated by glass-paned sliding French doors. To me, it was perfect.

  We reached the end of the hall, which opened up into a circular study. Suspended above, in the center, was the crystal chandelier I saw from the driveway. The dome window was even more striking from the inside. I walked to the back of the study, to the second dome window on the opposite side of the room, and looked out.

  I could see the stables from there and noticed a man in a suit leaving the cottage and begin walking towards the house. He was too far away for me to make out any features. I was about to ask Tara who he was when she led me down the hall and stopped in front of a pair of closed double doors.

  "I need you to listen to me," Tara said. "You'll have free rein to explore the house and the property, but there is one thing I need you to do--do not enter this room."

  "What's in there?" I needed to know. I hated not knowing something or not being able to do something.

  "All I know is it's the master bedroom."

  I nodded. Apparently Alex liked his privacy. I could appreciate that.

  I followed her down a large staircase which curved into a formal living room. The room was the picture perfect image of old world elegance with its marble fireplace and ornamental moldings. As we entered it, I could hear footsteps on the gravel outside.

  "That must be Alex." Tara walked towards the hall and called out. "Alex? Come to the living room. I'd like to introduce you to your new House Manager."

  The sound of Alex's steps echoed on the marble. His long stride quickly carried him across the foyer and into the living room.

  "It's about time you found someone," he growled as he entered the room, then stopped dead in his tracks as he looked at me. A smile crossed his lips then quickly disappeared.

  My eyes widened with surprise. This couldn't be possible! Standing at the entrance to the living room was Xander.

  He crossed the room towards us, his face unreadable.

  "Alex, this is Ashley Monroe. She's agreed to take the position," Tara said.

  "I've told you to not call me that," he growled at her, and I couldn't help but take a step back. "My mother may have hired you, but that doesn't mean I can't fire you."

  He glared at her. She put her hands up and took a couple of steps back.

  "Okay, okay, Xander. I think I'll get back to work at the stables now. It was nice meeting you, Miss Monroe."

  Tara quickly left the room, leaving me alone with him. I waited for him to say something. I wasn't sure what to say after what happened in the break room the night before and now there I was, his new employee.

  "And so we meet again. Miss Monroe, is it?"

  Chapter Eight

  Xander

  Unable to sleep the night before, I left my apartment downtown and drove to The Manor. I couldn't get Ashley out of my head, and the only way I could think of to possibly see her again was by throwing another catered event at the gallery.

  Part of me wished I hadn't left her in the break room, but I needed to buy her some time, and my leaving was the only thing I could think of that would do that. I knew that if fate ever brought her into my life again, I would make it up to her. Right now though, I needed to get to work on moving back into the house.

  I had purchased Jefferson Manor about ten years ago. While I appreciated the architecture, the house was in such disrepair that I had no desire to buy it. To me, it was a money pit,
but the choice wasn't all mine. About a million dollars later, it was fully restored with certain additions such as modern plumbing, electricity, renovated bathrooms, and a modern kitchen.

  I hadn't lived in Jefferson Manor for almost three years. I left when the demons began to taunt me again as they did when I was younger.

  Although I had been thinking about moving back for a while, I kept convincing myself that I didn't need to, that I loved being in the city. I hung the ad for the House Manager at the gallery and several people had shown interest in the position, but I always turned them away. The longer I was without a House Manager, the longer I could stay out of that house; but then my overbearing mother hired Tara to care for the stables and fill the position.

  Hearing that Tara found a person gave me mixed feelings. I thought about intimidating the person until they quit, but I knew I had to go back and face the house and its memories. It was the only way I would be able to heal.

  I couldn't believe my eyes as I entered the living room. There was Ashley, and she looked even more beautiful than she had the night before. Her hair was down, and it framed her round face. The skirt hugged her hips in such a way that if she was a road, she'd need a 'dangerous curves' sign. Her blouse pooled and shimmied as it rested on her full breasts.

  I had to fight every instinct in me to not carry her away like a caveman. I wondered if I could get her alone again when Tara's words finally registered with me--Ashley was my new employee.

  I couldn't help myself, just being in the same room as her made my blood begin to pump. I was trying to stay professional, but my mind kept reminding me of the taste of her lips and her soft body crushed against mine.

  "I'm sure Tara didn't give you a lot of details about the position. Plus, there are certain responsibilities she doesn't know about. I'd like to go over everything with you now before you make your final decision. As you know, I can be very difficult and demanding."

  I grinned at her, hoping the joke would relax her. I could tell by the way her eyes darted and she chewed her bottom lip that she was nervous.

  "Yes. I mean, yes, I'd love to hear more about the job. Not yes, you're difficult."

  I watched as her cheeks turned the brightest shade of red I'd ever seen. I found her embarrassment sexy. I hoped it meant that she felt the same connection I did. I knew it was wrong to keep thinking of her that way since she was working for me, but I didn't think an attraction like that should be ignored.

  "I didn't notice a car, how about I give you a ride home while we talk about the position?"

  "Sure, if it's no trouble. I don't have a car, I took a cab here."

  I held my arm out to her and she wrapped her hand around the crook of my elbow. Feeling her that close to me was enough to drive me crazy, but I had to control myself.

  "A cab? I'm sure Tara could have arranged for a driver. You should have told her."

  "No, no, I couldn't do that. I didn't even think of that."

  "You'll have to in this position. You'll be in charge of everything at the house. Plus I'm going to need you sometimes at the office."

  "Oh? Like secretarial work?"

  "Something like that," I said before I stopped and turned to face her. "I'll need you to satisfy my every whim."

  My face was barely inches from hers. I knew I crossed a line. I was her employer now, but I couldn't help myself. She was nearly impossible to resist with her sweet vanilla scent and soft skin. I could hear her breathing come a bit faster, and I was again reminded of the break room in the art gallery. All I wanted to do was kiss her...but I couldn't.

  Chapter Nine

  Ashley

  His every whim?

  I wanted to know what he meant, but I couldn't think. His lips were so close I could feel his warm breath against my cheek and just the slightest tickle of his beard. I felt something electric between us, something I never felt with anyone else before. I knew whatever he wanted, I would do in a heartbeat. If only he'd just kiss me again.

  I tilted my face up towards his. I wanted to feel his firm lips again. I needed to. I could feel the throbbing begin between my legs, and it pulsed so loud I could hear it in my ears. I imagined it urging me on--kiss him, kiss him!

  Only seconds had passed, yet it felt like an eternity. I couldn't control myself anymore. I reached up to touch his beard with my hands and found it surprisingly soft. I couldn't help myself any longer, I pulled his face down to me and pressed my lips against his.

  In an instant his arms were around me, pressing me tightly to him as he hungrily kissed me. I opened my mouth and felt his tongue move against mine. My head swam until he pulled away.

  "I can't. You need the job more than I need..."

  His voice trailed off, and I wanted to argue but I knew he was right. This job would help me get back on my feet and hopefully back in school. I had no choice.

  I looked down at the gravel. I couldn't speak, there was a lump in my throat. I felt his hand move to the small of my back and guide me towards a large rust-colored barn. He entered a code on a keypad, and the old wooden double doors slid open.

  I stopped in my tracks as we entered, glad for the distraction. The barn was an immaculate garage with cars lined up on either side. Aside from the Audi R8 I saw last night, there was also an Aston Martin DBS Ultimate, a Ford GT, a Bentley Mulsanne, and others I didn't recognize. I walked up to the Aston Martin.

  "James Bond's car!"

  "Yes. I'm surprised." He walked over to me as I jumped into the car.

  "Well, my dad and I were close and he loved fast cars. We'd go to the car show every year."

  "Nothing more exciting than a fast car. Except maybe a beautiful woman." He winked at me before walking over to the Audi and tapping the roof. "What about this one?"

  "I love Audi. That's Iron Man's car." I giggled. I never talked about my love of cars with anyone before, but Xander made me feel so comfortable.

  "Yes, it is. Do you want it?"

  "What? The car? I'd never be able to afford one."

  "I didn't ask that. I asked if you wanted the car."

  "Well, yeah, if I had $100,000 lying around, then of course, but--"

  "Then it's yours." He pulled the keys out of his pocket and tossed them to me.

  "No! You've got to be joking. No, I can't take this." I held the keys in my hand as I looked at the car while trying to convince myself it was okay to take it. "Absolutely not, it's too much."

  "You're working for me now. You need to present yourself in a certain manner, and you need a car. This car solves that. I won't take no for an answer. End of discussion."

  "But--"

  "I am a very busy man, Ashley. Aside from the corporate world, I am also obligated to attend many social functions. You'll be attending those with me." He stepped closer to me and took my hand with the car keys. "I'll arrange for your things to be picked up tomorrow so you can move in. I'll also arrange for a personal shopper to be in touch with you."

  I was too lost in his ice-blue eyes to say anything. He pressed the key fob further in my hand, closed my fingers around it, then brought my hand up to his lips and kissed it, letting his lips linger before he sighed softly, his eyes never leaving mine.

  His every whim.

  The words echoed in my head. Despite what he said, I knew this could never be just a simple working relationship. I didn't pull my hand away from him. I didn't want to. I needed to feel his touch. Every second felt right with him. I guessed soon enough I'd discover what his every whim was...I already knew I was willing to do it.

  Part Two

  August

  Chapter Ten

  Ashley

  Jefferson Manor spoiled me. Normally I couldn't get out of bed before 10am unless I had something to do. Since living at Jefferson Manor, I found myself waking before dawn so I could sip my lemon tea in an overstuffed chair in the circular study. The dome window facing the stables and the back of the house was the perfect place to watch the sunrise.

  Several of those
early mornings, I heard a car drive away. Tara was right, with the gravel driveway, nothing was silent. I figured she must have had a guest spend the night then leave before anyone got up. She obviously wanted her privacy so I wouldn't say anything about it...no matter how curious I was.

  I sank deeper into the large leather chair, my hands wrapped around the hot mug. My light blue robe was cinched around my waist, and I curled up underneath the soft fluffy cotton.

  The dome window was almost as wide as the wall but arched along the top. At night, it reflected the interior of the house but during the day, the view was breathtaking. The open view of the stables and the fields for the horses was countered by the dense woods that framed the property.

  As I sipped my tea, the sky began to lighten. It turned from a dark navy and continued to a lighter shade until the orange of the sun began to rise up from behind the trees. It was perfect. I loved the sunrise. I didn't want to be anywhere else at that moment.

  The house came to life once I hired the people to complete the painting and cleaning. The dust tarps had been removed, and everything functioned as I imagined it did hundreds of years ago when the mansion was first built.

  During the day, I made sure everything ran smoothly. I fielded questions and managed deliveries. I made sure that to the staff I hired from the agency Tara recommended, it looked like I was in charge and knew what I was doing. Underneath it all though, I was a bundle of nerves. It was thanks to Tara's help that things had progressed as far as they did.

  At night, since Xander had yet to move in, the staff went home and I had Jefferson Manor to myself. I mostly stayed in my suite of rooms or accessed the kitchen through the small private stairway connecting the two. The mansion was built in such a way that it felt smaller and cozy in my suite, which once was called the "staff quarters".