by Megan McCoy
Opening the door, she noticed he stood discreetly down the hall a ways. “Hey, boss man. Nice digs. You’ve done well for yourself,” she complimented him.
“True. Thank you for noticing,” he said, almost as if he were sincere, which made her giggle.
“So welcome. Am I going to meet the dogs first or see my room?” She’d been told she’d have a room with her own bathroom and honestly, she couldn’t wait to see it.
“I’ll let you choose,” he said. “Are you tired? Need some rest?”
“Not really. I’d really like to meet the dogs, if you don’t mind, and your son. What are we calling him, by the way? I’ve heard a couple different names,” she followed his long legs down the hall, trying not to scamper. Scampering was so undignified. The guy in The Langoliers knew what he was talking about. No one wanted to scamper.
“His name is Russ. If the mood strikes you can call him The Professor. We all do,” he turned down another long hall and Joy caught glimpses of amazing rooms she couldn’t wait to explore. What would it be like to live like this? Did the man have a worry in the world?
As she walked into the next room, she realized, yeah. He did.
“Hi, Russ,” she walked up to the young boy in the wheel chair. “I’m Joy and here to make your dogs behave.”
“Someone needs to,” he told her seriously, the bright alert eyes in such a stark contrast to his body, made her almost want to weep. But he didn’t need that from her.
“Good thing I showed up then, huh?” she grinned at him.
“That remains to be seen,” he said, eyes dancing. “Want to meet the horses? That’s what dad calls them but he’s just being silly.”
“Sometimes dads are silly,” she whispered to him, then shot an innocent smile to his dad. “Yeah, bring on the horses.”
A few hours later, she sat comfortably on a stool in the massive, gleaming, kitchen watching her boss make her dinner. “I don’t think we’re going to have any trouble with those dogs,” she began, figuring he wanted a training update. “You all are going to be the challenge, I’m afraid.”
Jericho shot her a look that made her squirm. Lord, he was hot. She needed to not think of that. She’d risen to challenges before, she could handle this one. Speaking of rising, dare she peek? Oh, heck yeah. Allowing her eyes to rake over him, very slowly, all she could think of was opening those jeans. Shaking her head, she squeezed her eyes shut, and then opened them to see his amused look. He did not know what she was thinking, she was certain! No way, no how.
“Omelet?” he asked her.
“Yes, please,” she answered fighting back a blush. No reason to be embarrassed. Dang her fair skin anyway. Once again, she vowed to tan while she was here. Naturally, in real sunshine.
He moved efficiently, as if he did it every day. She figured a man like him would have his own cook, and cleaning service and all that. He’d probably sent them all home for the day, like he’d sent Kane. She’d meet them tomorrow, more than likely.
“So why do you think we’re going to be challenging?” he asked, chopping onions, green peppers and ham.
“Couple things. Kerrie thinks the dogs are over grown teddy bears and treats them like babies. Kane thinks they are a pain in the ass, and I’m pretty sure you consider them an annoyance at best and useless at worst. Russ loves them but has no clue what to do with them. Didn’t any of you have any training with them?” she inhaled deeply, his food was starting to smell really good. Had she even eaten since breakfast? Apparently airlines didn’t feed you anymore. Next time she’d insist on first class. Her stomach grumbled appreciatively, and he solemnly cracked an extra egg to whisk in the bowl.
“Not much, I guess I just assumed the dogs were trained and would just do stuff,” he said. “Did Kane send you the information on Russ’s medical condition? What do you think they can do for him? His mental health has improved a lot since we got them, and to me that’s as important as anything else. I can throw money at doctors for his physical condition, but hate to see the kid depressed and miserable. The dogs help.”
“And I’ll help you all,” she promised, vowing she would pull all her skills out for this.
“I know,” he said, simply, setting the onion and pepper scented eggs in front of her.
Joy’s heart skipped a beat or two as his hand brushed hers and she said, “Thank you.” Not sure at all if she was thanking him for the eggs or the confidence.
Taking a few bites before her hunger abated a bit, she looked around thoughtfully, and asked, “So what do you do to make this much money? Was it legal?”
Jericho threw her a glance and while his mouth twitched, he didn’t laugh. “Yes, it was legal. Actually I didn’t make it, my wife did.”
Joy stopped chewing her eggs. “Obviously she wasn’t a dog trainer.”
He shook his head, and took another bite of his food, “She developed an educational software app and sold it to a big company for a buttload of money. She was beyond brilliant.”
“And she died in the wreck that Russ survived?” Joy asked.
“Yeah, after that, I took over the company and focused on building it,” he said. “I’ve done well, but I’d be nothing without her jump start.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” she murmured. How hard to lose the love of your life, then take over her job as yours? She couldn’t imagine. “What did you do before?”
“Investment banker,” he smiled almost sheepishly as if it were something to be embarrassed about. Silly male! Wondering why she never thought of doing something dollar worthy with her life, she turned as the horses charged into the room with Kerrie right behind them.
“Lovey, Thurston! Get back here! I’m sorry!” she wailed, trying to get the dogs under control and failing, frustration very obvious.
Jericho raised his voice, “Lovey! Thurston! Stop!”
Smiling, Joy slipped off the stool, and walked away from the bounding dogs, “Let’s go,” she said quietly, and they both turned and followed her. A few steps later she stopped, turned and gave the hand signal for sit. As soon as they did, she grabbed both the leashes that Kerrie had dropped and gave them the stay command. “These are trained dogs, we don’t have to yell to get their attention,” she said.
“They just yanked their leashes out of my hand and took off,” Kerrie said. “I’m getting really tired of them.”
“I’m going to give you some tools to help with that,” Joy said soothingly. “They just don’t know what you want from them. Once they do, they’re going to do it. Nothing a doodle likes better than to please their people.” The aforementioned doodles looked directly at her as she put her finger to her nose, in a classic ‘focus on me’ command that they seemed to know. Good.
“My job title was care for Russ. It wasn’t a dog wrangler and I’ve about had all the good time I can have here,” Kerrie looked directly at Jericho. “In fact, since you are home, and have her here, I really am done. I was going to give notice today but I’ve already found another nanny job with no dogs. I won’t be back tomorrow. I’ll be sure and tell Russ good bye.” She looked at Joy, “Good luck with this mess.”
Joy watched Jericho follow her out into the hall, and tried to pretend she wasn’t eavesdropping while the low sound of their voices faded away, till she really wasn’t eavesdropping. She looked at the dogs, and said, “Guess it’s you and me. Who’s going to take care of the kid? I’m thinking it’s going to be up to both of you, so you better listen to me when I speak, okay?” They both cocked their head at her as if they did understand. “Where do you sleep? Do you sleep with The Professor or somewhere else?”
They both sat and wagged their stub of a tail. “Well, that’s helpful. Come on, let’s go get Tymber and I’ll take you all outside before we start finding beds, okay? Let’s go.” At her soft command, they both stood and followed her out of the kitchen and toward the bedroom.
An hour later she’d found where they slept – one did a crate in Russ’ room and the other one sl
ept with him and they swapped every night. Personally, she thought this was inefficient and not in the best interests of either the dogs or the boy. But she’d see how it went. Different households did things in different ways. She knew that. It could work out great here. She’d find out and implement changes if she thought they were needed.
After tucking the dogs and the kid in their various beds, she wandered through the house, checking out the rooms she’d passed by earlier. It was late to her, but she felt too keyed up to be tired. Wondering if there was anyone else in the house besides the three of them, she peeked into room after room. A library, a playroom with a pool and ping-pong table, and a TV room with the biggest television she’d ever seen in a real house. Maybe they had a selection of movies she could pick from and find one for her room. She opened cabinets and peered around inside.
Jericho walked around the house looking for his dog trainer. He’d walked by her room, noticed the door ajar and was going to check to see if she needed anything. Poking his head into the media room, he was greeted by the sight of the most glorious ass he’d seen in his life. Bent over, looking for something under the TV, her blue jeaned bottom arched and rippled as she moved. He swallowed hard not to drool at the sight of her round little hips undulating. His male mind immediately pictured it naked, bent over, ready and eager for anything he desired to do to it. Long legs shifted as she looked for whatever under there. He should ask if he could help, he thought. But why? Whatever it was, was either under there or not. It wasn’t that big a space and he planned to enjoy this eye candy a bit longer.
Eventually, she straightened up, and he followed the line from her sensibly clad feet, up her denim clad legs, to the blue t shirt that didn’t quite cling, but somehow enhanced her curves, and rode up enough to reveal no tattoo on her lower back, to the bounce of her short dark blonde hair.
He didn’t remember the last time he’d been this attracted to someone. Adorably mouthwatering she was, he decided in the instant before she turned around, confusion on her face.
“I’m sorry,” she stuttered out. “I couldn’t sleep, and was just looking for a movie to watch.”
He could care less if she took a movie or six to her room, but would go with the stern master of the house role, see how that went. “Help yourself to whatever you want, but next time, please ask before you go searching through my cabinets.”
“Yes, sir,” she said instantly, “I understand.”
“Good.” Yes, good on many levels she probably didn’t understand, yet, though. Instantly he vowed to make her understand, then shook his head. The woman was here for two weeks to do a job. His male daydreams needed to stop immediately. He wasn’t a two-week stand kind of guy. “What did you pick?”
“The Birds,” she said, naming an old Hitchcock movie. “I’ve seen it but thought it might put me to sleep.”
“Or make you all worked up,” he said, wryly. “I have Gaslight and Rear Window too.”
“I’m here two weeks,” she grinned at him. “I love those old classics and I’d love to borrow them.”
“There’s a selection in my bedroom that I didn’t think should be out here in reach of the kid,” he said, seriously.
“Of classics?” she teased.
“Some of them could be,” he took a step closer to her, and she didn’t move. He could feel her tension though, and wondered if she was thinking the same thing he was. Probably not. He’d been without of so many things for such a long time.
He took a step back as she took a step forward. Well, then. Maybe she did? “Did you need a hug? Russ’ therapist tells me hugs are good for stress. It’s been a long day for you, might help you settle down, sleep better.” Holding his arms out, he smiled as she hesitated a second, but then stepped into his arms. Joy snuggled in as if she belonged there.
“I love a hug,” she said, breathing into his shirt. “Sometimes it’s the best sleep aid there is,” he sniffed her hair, strawberries? Something. Fresh and clean and he liked it. He’d really like more too, but this was enough for tonight. Starting to break the hug, he was surprised when she tightened her grip on him, before sighing, then releasing him and stepping back.
Looking into her eyes, he noticed her green eyes had small flecks of brown and a huge bit of emotion. Hell. He hadn’t meant to do that. Had he? He probably imagined it.
“Good night, sleep well,” he said, gruffly.
“You too, “she whispered softly and he strode out of the room, hoping she knew how to work the media system in her room. For the movie. Hoping other things too. But he didn’t think it would be safe for him to go back there tonight and show her anything.
Joy popped the movie in, and settled back on the soft bed, and pulled up the even softer sheet and thin blanket, Tymber cuddled next to her. Her room here was much nicer than the one back home. She’d rather expected that, though, since she, of course, couldn’t even afford to fly out here on her own, much less pay to have someone flown to her. Someone who did that, could afford to furnish their mansion properly, apparently. Not only did she have a bed, there was a dresser, a TV with a DVD player, and a stereo system. Her window overlooked the pool in the back yard that she’d been told she was welcome to use. What it must be like to live like this, she wondered. She’d never thought money mattered that much, or she’d, naturally, have picked a different career. She only knew two dog trainers who made good money, Caesar, and the lady on TV with the thigh high black boots that she craved desperately. The pair she planned to splurge on once she got the check from this gig and was back home.
Sighing, she rolled over on her side, and started focusing on her plan for the dogs, what needed done and what the people needed to know. She hated Kerrie was gone. Poor Russ. How many people had come and gone from his life since his mom died? She didn’t even know how long Kerrie had been here. Would he miss her? So many losses.
Plotting the ongoing training in her head wasn’t hard. She knew what needed done. Figuring out how to help the family was always the most challenging, of course. People were harder than dogs. Especially in this case where Russ seemed to be the only constant in the dogs’ lives. Russ who was twelve, and struggling with his own physical, and probably emotional issues. Russ who needed a trained dog and a helper who knew how to handle that dog. She needed to have a serious talk with Jericho tomorrow. It was no use to train the dogs and then have no one to uphold or continue the maintenance the dogs needed to stay on top of their game. Athletes practiced daily. Dogs needed their skills brushed up on, too.
Rolling over on her stomach, Joy fisted her pillow in her hand and thought about her boss. Jericho. What had he done to her earlier? Nothing. What had she wanted him to do to her? So, so very much more.
Giggling softly, she wondered what more than nothing was. Anything. Everything. How long had it been since she had sex? Too long, apparently. Obviously. That’s probably all it was. Just a tad horny. Happened to everyone. Completely normal.
Letting her mind wander, she wondered what he would be like in bed. Big, demanding and serious? Medium, gentle and lighthearted? A combination of that and more? She imagined his kiss – his mouth on hers, taking what he wanted, and coaxing responses from her. His hands would be all over her, gentle at first, and then harder, firm, determined.
Joy turned back over on her back, slipped down her soft pajama shorts, and her fingers found her already swollen clit, ready to be paid some attention. Just like the rest of her. Something about a big strong man that just made her Spidey senses tingle. Her fingers rubbed into her slipperiness. Yeah. He had an effect on her all right.
She popped easily into her favorite fantasy. The one that always guaranteed her a quick orgasm. Why? She didn’t know why, and chose not to think too hard about it. She just knew it worked and that there was no need to mess with perfection. Sometimes a girl just needed to cum. It took the edge off and relaxed her. This one offered her a quick and easy respite from her need-filled tension.
Striding up the stairs, he too
k a deep calming breath. All they’d done was try to raise these two right. Twin daughters. What one didn’t think of the other did. And what they’d thought of now filled him with fury and fear. Smoking in the hay barn. Smoking. In the hay barn. At almost 19 and ready to go off to college in the fall and they did something this stupid, and life threatening on so many levels. Their lives and minorly, but still important, his livelihood. How did they think he’d pay for college if they burned down the barn with their stupidity? What had they been thinking? Well, he was going to find out and soon it wasn’t going to be the barn that was smoking.
He reached the landing of the stairs and saw his two grown daughters both standing in the corner, nightgowns fisted above pristine bare white bottoms. With a small nostalgic sigh, he remembered the first time he’d come home from work and found this same sight. They had both been five and their mother had had all she could take from them that day. She met him at the door and told him they were ready for bed and needed to get there with sore bottoms, and she didn’t trust herself to do it. That night, they’d both been sobbing and today was only a little different. The bottoms were bigger and the sobs were self-pitying sniffles, but all three of them knew what was coming.
“Whose idiotic idea was it to smoke?”
He’d decided on the way upstairs that whoever gave him the first real answer was going to be the first one paddled. He didn’t know, of course, but he imagined that waiting your turn and listening to the other one had to be mentally stressful, which added to the punishment. Besides, it saved him having to pick a bottom.
“Hers,” they both chorused, which he’d halfway expected.
“So where did you get the cigarettes,” he asked. Of course they were probably old enough to go buy them, but it would be interesting to see what they said. Who they’d throw under the bus. By now they knew they’d be sleeping on their stomachs anyway, but they always tried to get out of it. He couldn’t blame them.