by JL Davis
The rest of the weekend flies by. I sit around reading a good romance book and go to the store to pick up my supplies for tomorrow. I’m excited and nervous about this new chapter of my life. When I get home my mom is here. I grab my bags and hurry inside to tell her all about it.
“Mom, I have a job. I start tomorrow, cleaning a house twice a week.”
“That’s great, honey. I want you to also look this over.” She hands me a packet that’s for the GED class in town. I really do need to take it. I don’t want to clean houses for the rest of my life. I’m happy to have this new job, but I want something to be proud of.
“Thanks. I’ll look it over and find time to do it. I know I disappointed you by quitting school and moving in with Tyler. That was a huge mistake. I realize that now.”
“Jessa, you know I love you and everyone makes bad decisions in life. Your father was mine,” she smiles. They had a horrible marriage. Mom stayed with him to keep me from being part of a broken home. Eventually she’d had enough and they divorced when I was twelve. We haven’t seen him since. I don’t understand how a father could leave his child like that. I don’t know if he’s even alive. I try not to think about him. It just pisses me off.
“I love you, too, mom and I’m so grateful for you letting me move back in.”
She orders our favorite Chinese for supper. She stays with her boyfriend, Edward, a lot but we try to have dinner together once a week to catch up. As we eat, I tell her a little about Alex’s house, but I don’t tell her anything about him, especially how hot he is. She tells me about her weekend with Edward. Before she gets into graphic details of the night I say goodnight and hurry to bed to be ready for tomorrow. She tends to overshare and I don’t want nightmares of what Edward does to her in bed. I don’t need those images before going to sleep.
I lay here thinking about how my life has changed over the last few months. I think about Alex and his life story. How he has his own business and live in that big house all alone? If I had to guess, he might be thirty and to be so successful is amazing. I hope I can work around him and not be nervous. He’s just a man I’m working for. He’s a sexy as fuck man, but I should be able to stay professional and hopefully he doesn’t catch me staring.
My alarm goes off at six thirty. I’m excited to have a purpose, but also, nervous to see him again. I throw on a t-shirt, jeans and my favorite Converse. I put my hair in a messy bun and brush my teeth. Should I put on some makeup? Hell no! I’m cleaning his house not trying to impress him. Am I? I need to stop thinking so much. I’m working for him, not going to bed with him. Unfortunately, that’s not happening.
I walk downstairs and grab all my supplies and get ready to leave. I put everything in my trunk and go back inside for my coffee and lunch.
“I’m leaving,” I yell out to my mom.
“Have a great first day,” she yells down.
I head back out the door and get in my car. I turn the key and… nothing. I hear a clicking sound. What the fuck? I don’t need this on my first day. I hurry back in as mom’s coming down the stairs.
“What’s wrong honey?”
“I think my battery’s dead. Can you drop me off on your way to work?”
“Sure, give me a few more minutes and we can leave.”
“Thanks, mom.” I hurry outside and put all my stuff in the back of her SUV. She comes out and we leave. I give her the address and notice she’s impressed. I didn’t tell her anything about Alex on the way there. She’s a bit nosy and would have too many questions. Most I probably wouldn’t have answers to give anyway.
We pull up and she sees the house. “Jessa you better be careful not to break anything,” she smiles at me.
“Always the joker mom.”
She kisses my cheek. “I love you and good luck today.”
“Thanks, mom. I love you, too.”
“Let me know if you’ll need a ride home.”
“Okay. I’m not sure how long I’ll be here, but I’ll let you know.”
I smile and close the door and get my stuff out the back and she drives away.
I walk up to the door, take a few deep breaths and ring the doorbell. My heart is pounding out of my chest. Why am I so nervous? Alex is only a man, a drop dead gorgeous man, but none the less, just a man. He opens the door and smiles. I could faint right now. He’s not wearing a shirt. My eyes fall to his chest and he has an amazing six pack and, oh God, he has the V that leads to a magical place. The V makes girls stupid. He clears his throat and I realize I’ve been staring. I feel my face heat. Stupid face. It always gives me away. I wish I wasn’t this affected by him.
He smiles. “I wasn’t sure if you were coming. I was about to jump in the shower.”
Really! Really! Why is he torturing me like this? He must know what he’s doing and how he’s affecting me.
“I’m on time,” I smile.
He looks at his smart watch. “So you are. Come in. It’s a bit chilly today.”
He’s making small talk. I can play along. I walk in, “It is and tomorrow will probably feel like summer.”
He laughs. “Yes Arkansas is very unpredictable.” He steps aside so I can go inside.
“Where do you want me? I mean to start?”
“I’ll go upstairs and shower and then be in my office working. Wherever you’d like,” he says gesturing around the house.
“I’ll start upstairs and work my way down, then.”
“Sounds great,” he smiles and heads up the stairs.
I start in a guestroom far away from him in the shower. I’d love to see what he looks like with the water falling all over his body, but who am I kidding? I could never sneak a peek. I finish the guest rooms and the connecting bathrooms. They are hardly used and easy to clean. I don’t understand why he wants me here twice a week. I almost feel like I’m taking advantage. I may need to talk with him about this if it’s always this easy.
I walk into the next open door and I don’t remember this one the other day. It’s a massive library with a reading nook in the corner. I run my hand across a few titles. I have some of these. They’re all romance and erotica novels. Why would he have all of these? He didn’t show me this room. I would’ve remembered. I’m in heaven. The doorbell rings and I can hear the shower is still on so I hurry down the stairs. I open the door and Brittany is standing there.
“Jessa! Hi! I’m so glad it worked out for you to work for Alex,” she smiles looking beautiful in her button up shirt and skirt while I stand here in jeans and a plain shirt.
“Hi!” I step aside and let her in.
“Where’s Alex?”
“He’s upstairs in the shower. He should be finished soon.”
“Okay. I have some papers he needs to sign. I’ll wait in the living room.”
She sits on the couch and turns on the tv. “So, how do you like working here so far?”
“It’s my first day and it’s going pretty well.”
“Good. Do you want to go out for drinks later and catch up? It’s been a while. I missed you when you didn’t come back to school.”
“Yeah, that sounds great. I made some horrible choices, didn’t I?”
“Hey, guys can make us stupid sometimes.”
“That’s for damn sure,” I laugh. “I’m going to get back to work, but I’ll call you after I leave and we can get together.”
“Awesome!”
I go back up the stairs and can smell Alex’s body wash, it’s intoxicating. He walks out of the master pulling his shirt over his head. It’s almost a disappointment, but I don’t need the distraction.
“Brittany is downstairs waiting for you.”
“Okay, thanks,” he smiles down at me. He’s so much taller than I am.
“Are you finished in there,” I nod to the master bedroom.
“Yes. It’s all yours.”
I smile and walk towards the door. Entering the bathroom, I immediately start sliding across the floor. I scream and hit the floor. Oh, my ass. Al
ex comes running into the bathroom.
“Oh no, Jessa. Are you alright? I’m so sorry.”
“I think so.” I can’t look at him. I’m too embarrassed. He has his arm around my waist trying to help me up and I wince. My ass hurts but the pounding in my chest has more of my attention now because he’s holding me. He’s searching my face to be sure I’m okay. Our eyes lock at that moment. I’m not sure, but it seems like he may kiss me. I want him to. Brittany walks in at that moment, “Is everything…. oh, am I interrupting something?” Alex scowls at her letting go of my waist. I suppose he was just concerned and wasn’t going to kiss me. I guess I’ll never know.
“I slipped and fell on the wet floor,” I say, finally standing up.
“Are you sure you’re okay,” Alex asks again.
“Yes. I think I’m okay.”
“If you need anything we’ll be downstairs.”
“Okay. Thank you.” I’ll be okay. My ego is just as bruised as my ass will be.
I finish upstairs and busy myself downstairs. I haven’t seen Alex or Brittany since my big fall. They must be in his office. The door is closed and I can hear them talking, but it’s muffled and I won’t bother them. I put a load of laundry in the dryer. He is a boxer guy. I almost want to sneak a pair home with me but that would be too weird and a bit psycho. I walk in the kitchen as Brittany and Alex exit the office.
“Jessa, where is your car?” Brittany asks.
“My battery died so I had my mom drop me off.” How embarrassing and pathetic. I feel my face heating.
“Oh, okay. I’ll take you home and then we can go out later if you’re okay?”
“That sounds great. I’m almost finished here.”
“Do you need a new battery or maybe just a charge?” Alex asks.
“I’m not sure, really. I think we have a charger, but I don’t really know how to hook it up.”
“I could come by and look at it for you, if you want?”
“That’s awfully nice of you, but I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“Jessa, it’s really no bother at all,” he smiles at me.
Brittany is watching him with a grin on her face and I don’t understand why.
“If you really are sure, that would be great. I don’t have anyone to help me with it.”
“No problem at all. I can come by later this afternoon on my way back from a job site. Write your address down for me before you leave.”
“Okay. Thanks so much!”
I finish up for the day. Brittany hung around until I finished to drop me off at home.
I walk to Alex’s office and knock on the door. “Come in.” I walk in and he looks up from his desk and smiles. “Are you finished?”
“I am. Do you want to take look around?”
“No need. I looked a bit earlier.” He stands and walks toward me. “I’ll write you a check. Again, I’m so sorry that you fell. I hope you’re gonna be okay,” he says, walking to the kitchen. I follow, enjoying the view in front of me.
“I’ll be fine,” I smile shyly, standing at the counter. “I guess I should have worn different shoes.”
Alex laughs. “You’re probably right.” I catch him look over me down to my feet.
“Are you ready, Jessa?” Brittany asks, entering the kitchen looking at her uncle.
“Yes. I am.” Alex hands me my check and smiles.
“Thanks again, Jessa. The house looks great.”
“Thank you. Same time Thursday?”
“Yep. I’ll look forward to it,” he says, walking us to the door.
“Bye, Alex,” we say in unison laughing at each other.
“Bye girls,” he laughs.
Chapter Three
Brittany and I get in her two-door Mercedes. It’s white with a black leather interior. Alex must pay her well to have this car. When we leave, it purrs like a kitten and picks up speed quickly. That’s something I’m not used to in my old, 90’s model Honda Civic. It gets me where I need to go, so that’s all I care about.
“So, what did you think of Alex?” She looks at me grinning like a school girl.
I look at her and smile. “You could’ve warned me about how hot he is.”
“Gross, Jessa. He’s my uncle.” I laugh at her.
“Sorry, but when he answered the door without a shirt on I thought I was going to die.”
“He did not!” She’s shocked and cracks up laughing. “He so did,” I counter giggling.
“So, where do you want to go for dinner and drinks?” she asks.
“I’m pretty easy. You pick. I can’t wait to catch up more. I haven’t done anything fun lately. I’ve been depressed about everything. Not exactly how I thought my life was heading. Ya know?”
“Well, I’ll help fix that,” she smiles. “What do you like to do?”
“I read a lot of romance and erotica novels.”
“Oh yeah? Me too! We’ll have to compare some that we’ve read.”
“Okay. I have a few favorites I would recommend.”
“What kind of music do like now?” she asks.
“Pretty much anything except country. It’s depressing.”
“I so agree. I’m not a big fan, either. Have you been to the new pub in town? They don’t play any country.”
“I went a couple times with Tyler,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“Oh! Do you want to go somewhere else?”
“Nah. He probably can’t afford to go anywhere anymore,” I laugh.
We pull up to my mom’s and Brittany turns the car off turning to face me, “Okay. So, you’re good with going to the pub?”
“Sure. I’m good with it. I’m excited to do something fun and hang with you.”
“Awesome! Me too. Is eight okay to meet there?”
“That’s perfect. It gives me time to get ready and for Alex to look at my battery. Thanks so much for bringing me home.”
“No problem at all. I’ll see you later. Don’t have too much fun with Alex,” she laughs as she drives away.
I walk inside and head straight for the bathroom to see how badly my ass is bruised. I bruise so easily and was pretty sure my tail bone would be black and blue by now. When I pull my jeans down, it is in fact bruising and sore. I turn the water on for a bath and put lavender Epsom salts in to help ease the pain. I soak for quite a while, until my hands turn into prunes. As I get out and grab a towel, the doorbell rings. Shit! It must be Alex. I should get dressed, but I want to give him a taste of his own medicine. He answered his door half naked so I think I will do the same. I quickly wrap the towel around myself and hurry downstairs to answer the door.
As I open the door, he’s drinking from a water bottle. When he sees me standing there he starts choking and coughing. He wasn’t expecting me to dish it back to him by answering the door in my towel. “Are you alright,” I ask concerned. I’m thrilled inside.
He’s trying to catch his breath and manages a strangled “Uh, yeah, I’m fine.” He looks over my body and I can feel my nipples peak through my towel. “Would you like to come in so the whole neighborhood doesn’t see me in my towel?”
“Yeah, sure. Sorry.” He walks in and I close the door. I want to laugh so hard right now.
I turn back around and look at him, he’s staring at me again. I must admit, I am enjoying how I’m affecting him.
“I’m gonna go get dressed really quick and I’ll be right back down. You can sit in the living room if you want.” I point to the couch and hurry upstairs, gripping my towel so I don’t lose it.
I put on a tank top and shorts. When I make it back downstairs he’s looking at photos of my mom and I above the fireplace.
“Sorry, I didn’t expect you so soon.”
He turns around and has a strange look on his face. “Is this your mom?” Pointing to one of the pictures.
“Yes. Please don’t say we look alike. I hear it all the time.”
He quickly changes the subject. “Can you show me where the battery charger is?”
“Sure. It’s in the garage, I believe.” He follows behind me. I turn around to switch the light on and run right into his rock, hard chest. I didn’t know he was that close behind me. He smells so good and I breathe him in. He looks down at me as I look up at him, our eyes meet and he quickly looks away. I step back quickly, embarrassed that he didn’t make a move. I’m disappointed because I think I wanted him to. I turn the light on and we walk in. I hand him the charger and follow him back outside to my car. I don’t know if I did something wrong but he’s acting strange now. He hooks it up quickly and looks at me, “It should take a few hours to charge, then you can remove the cables and you should be good to go.”
“Okay. Thank you for helping me.”
“No. problem. I’ll see you later.” He gets in his truck and drives away.
I arrive about ten minutes early. It is a nice pub/bar. It’s the best of both. It has really good food and drinks, a few pool tables, and a small dance floor in the corner. I sit at the far side of the bar so I can see who walks in. I like to people watch.
“What can I get you, pretty lady?” the bartender asks me. I look over the menu and finally decide.
“I’ll have an apple crown and cranberry on the rocks please,” handing him the menu.
“Coming right up,” he slaps the bar and walks away busying himself with my drink. I watch him as he makes it. He is cute. He has a tattoo on his forearm. I can’t quite make it out. He brings me my drink and sets it down with a napkin. “Let me know if you need anything else,” he says, smiling at me.
“I will. Thank you,” I smile and he walks away to tend to another customer.
Brittany arrives a few minutes later and wastes no time. She orders us each a shot of tequila. I’m not a big fan, but I humor her. It goes down and burns my throat, hitting rock bottom in my stomach. I’m going to need food soon if she keeps this up.
“Sorry I’m late. I had to run some papers over to Alex.”
“It’s okay. I was just watching the cute bartender,” nodding towards him.
“You look cute,” she says.