by Bella Juarez
It was seven forty-five in the morning. Reese had heard the doorbell. Who the fuck is it? He was fuming as he charged downstairs to the front door. He whipped the door opened and glared at the occupant of the space in front of the door.
“Señora Thompson?” she asked.
* * * *
Victoria took pause at the man in the doorway. He was angry, that much was clear. He was also the most beautiful creature she had ever seen in her life! Judging by the way he filled the door, he was over six feet tall. His navy blue T-shirt molded to his upper body perfectly, and his biceps filled the short sleeves to capacity. The jeans he wore hugged his long, muscular legs and narrow waist. She met his angry hazel eyes and took in his chiseled features. His face looked as if it had been sculpted in the image of Adonis himself. His dirty-blond hair was cut short and tight. By the way he carried himself he had to be an executive of some sort. She noticed he relaxed a little.
“Can I help you?” he asked in an authoritative baritone voice.
“Yes, sir, is Mrs. Thompson here?” Victoria asked in Spanish.
His beautiful face looked puzzled. “Mrs. Thompson is not here. She won’t be home until this afternoon. And you are?” he replied in perfect Spanish.
“I’m the new housekeeper, Victoria Saenz. Mr. Thompson?” Victoria asked.
“That’s right,” he said.
The entire conversation was being conducted in Spanish and he was an expert. He never missed a beat or slowed down to think about his words. Victoria was momentarily taken aback. He doesn’t look Latin or Hispanic. But he spoke better Spanish than she did.
“Come in,” Mr. Thompson said.
Mr. Thompson opened the door wider, allowing her access into the house. Victoria stepped inside and waited as he closed the door behind her.
“Come inside and sit down,” Mr. Thompson said.
Victoria followed him to the living room, the same place where she had spoken with Mrs. Thompson yesterday. He indicated for her to sit on the couch as he took a chair next to it. He paused and looked down a moment, as if trying to collect his thoughts.
“Did Mrs. Thompson explain your duties?” Mr. Thompson asked.
“Yes, sir,” Victoria said.
“Did she explain to you that she is and can get very sick?” Mr. Thompson asked.
“Yes, sir,” Victoria responded.
“Most of your job will be to take care of her. You will be taking her to the doctor, picking up her medication, and if there is an emergency, you will take her to the hospital and call me when you do. Is that clear?” Mr. Thompson asked.
“Yes, I understand.”
“I’m assuming you can drive?”
“Yes.”
“What time are you supposed to come in every day?”
“Sir?” she asked, slightly confused
“What time are you supposed to come in every day?” Mr. Thompson repeated.
“I was told I was supposed to move in. I would be in the servant’s quarters behind the kitchen,” Victoria said.
Mr. Thompson looked away and his expression surprised Victoria. He almost looked offended. Did he not know that? He nodded and turned back to face her.
“Okay. Were you supposed to start today?” Mr. Thompson questioned.
“Yes. I was,” Victoria said
“I leave for work at six thirty in the morning. I get home around six o’clock in the evening. I would like to have breakfast before I leave and I would like to have supper no later than seven. My uniforms need to be taken to the cleaners and picked up the next day. I will leave them on the table in the kitchen for you. Take my clothes to the cleaners in the strip mall as you come into the neighborhood. Is that clear?” Mr. Thompson asked.
“Yes, Mr. Thompson,” Victoria said.
“All right, I need to go to work, and then later this afternoon I will call you and let you know where to pick up Mrs. Thompson. I am sure you can figure out where everything is,” he said as he stood.
“Yes sir. Is there anything else I need to know?” she questioned.
“My mobile phone number and I need yours. If you don’t have one I will get you one,” Mr. Thompson said.
“No, sir. I have a mobile phone.”
They exchanged numbers and he informed her that Mrs. Thompson was in the hospital receiving treatment. He also informed Victoria that he would probably not be home until after seven due to his late start this morning. She nodded.
“Please make me some coffee while I get ready for work,” Mr. Thompson said as he dismissed himself.
Mr. Thompson’s tone left no question. He had not made a request—it was an order. Victoria got up and made her way to the kitchen. Thank goodness Mrs. Thompson had shown her around yesterday for a little bit. She found the coffee and set to work. She decided she would clean the house and explore the upstairs to find where everything was. If there was laundry, she would see to it. She would explore the kitchen and try to figure out supper. While that was cooking, she would set up her room.
* * * *
Reese could smell the bacon as soon as he stepped out of the shower. He was really pissed when he stepped in, but the thought of a good breakfast was helping his attitude quite a bit. He’d figured Maggie had been up to something when she didn’t let him set up his little gym in the servants’ quarters. That little room was the reason she was obsessed with this house. Now, he knew why. Maggie had been planning to hire someone all along and show off. What the hell does she think I’m made of? They didn’t really have that kind of money. Thank God when they sold the house in California they got a whole lot more than they had put into it.
Reese dressed in the uniform of the day and made his way downstairs. When he stepped into the kitchen, coffee and breakfast were ready. He looked Victoria over as he sat down to eat. Not bad…She had copper-brown hair that hung past her shoulders and brown eyes. Her round face gave her large eyes a soft doe quality. If Reese had to guess her age he would say she was in her midtwenties. She was cute, not drop-dead gorgeous, but cute. She was in blue jeans and a button-down shirt that was tucked in. She wasn’t heavy, but she wasn’t skinny, either.
Victoria was a petite woman, short, maybe a foot shorter than Reese, around five two, if that. She turned her back to reach up into the cabinet and that’s when Reese sat up and gave her his full attention. As Victoria reached up, he could see how her jeans accentuated her waist. She has nice ass, he thought. The shirt she was wearing pressed against her body, and Reese noticed she had a pair of really nice tits, too…definitely bigger than Maggie’s.
The food was perfect and the coffee was just the way Reese liked it, dark and strong. The best part of this meal, in Reese’s mind, was no bitching about having to cook it for him. This new housekeeper is working out pretty good so far. As he sat and watched her going about her work, he started to realize he was on dangerous ground.
Reese remembered his father’s axiom about the ways to a man’s heart. Victoria had quickly established route one with the meal she had made him. After checking her out, route two was coming up in a big way. He was starting to get a massive hard-on. That fucker between my legs has a mind of his own and no sense of timing. He winced as he felt his cock surge. He drank the last of his coffee and pushed himself away from the table. As he stood, she turned and he prayed she wouldn’t notice the bulge in his pants. She handed him a tumbler for the car with some more coffee. He thanked her and left as fast as he could.
It’s a bad thing for a married man to live the life of a monk. That’s not why men get married. He considered how men were like crack addicts, they needed a steady supply and when they found a reliable source they would keep and protect it. When men lost that supply, they’d try anything to remedy the situation. Like crack addicts, some men could overcome this less-than-ideal situation, and then some men get crazy and stupid. After not having any sex in at least six months, he was starting to get a little crazy. Stroking himself was not working anymore. The pork chop that doubled as
his commander’s secretary had been looking like a good option for some time now.
The woman who had just moved into Reese’s house was no pork chop and an ideal option. Victoria checked all the right boxes. She was probably single and she was of age. Her best quality was her most dangerous—convenience. The servants’ quarters sat underneath the master bedroom, his room. He thought about all of this as he drove into work. He even let himself do a little fantasizing about Victoria and how good it would feel to finally fuck someone who just might be willing and grateful, instead of bitchy and demanding. That sort of thinking was a bad move.
When Reese pulled into the parking lot in front of his building, he was frustrated and hard as a railroad spike. Frustration was turning into pissed off really quick, and he was getting more and more heated by the second. He sat back and tried to calm down before he walked into the building. As he sat in his truck, another poisonous thought crept into his head. Maggie. That thought instantly deflated his painfully stiff dick.
Reese wondered if Maggie knew exactly what she was doing. Had she laid the groundwork for him to be with another woman? If he had an affair, would she leave? Nah…she’s too codependent for that to happen. If Maggie ever found out, it would be one more thing to hold over his head and keep him in hell. She was very manipulative and conniving and that would be her MO. Get him a steady supply and then bust him, putting him away for life. Evil bitch.
Reese was steeled in his resolution. Victoria was off the table and safe for now. Maggie had something up her sleeve and there was no way he was biting. He thought about all of this as he walked into work. He checked in with his guys and headed toward the workroom. His team and counterparts in the Navy were in the middle of processing some hot intel for a problem in North Korea when he was interrupted.
“Reese!” the colonel called from the doorway.
“Yes, sir,” Reese answered
“How’s Maggie?” his commanding officer asked.
“She’s okay, Colonel. Thanks for asking,” Reese said.
“Have you got an answer for me yet? Command at Pacific Fleet is going bat shit,” Colonel Winslow said, indicating the information strewn all over the table.
“We should have one in a couple hours, sir, complete with options,” Reese said.
“Do you have to leave and pick up Maggie?” the colonel asked
“No, sir,” Reese responded as he sent a silent thank-you to Victoria.
The colonel shrugged and turned away. “Get me an answer, Major, yesterday!” he said.
Reese worked for another hour when his cell phone rang, it was a little after two in the afternoon. It was the hospital and it was time to pick up Maggie. He called Victoria and gave her directions. He asked her to call as soon as she and Maggie arrived at the house. He and his team were working on the list of strategic options when Victoria called and informed him she and Maggie were home. He looked up at his watch, it was a little after five thirty. Where the hell have they been?
Reese and his team finished up for the day, complete with his briefing. He was on his way home by seven thirty. He looked at the message icon on his cell phone. Maggie had called him seven times during his briefing to his colonel and the Pacific Fleet Command at Pearl Harbor. He listened to her voicemails all the way home and thought with disgust how childish and whiny she sounded.
Maggie was pissed because Reese hadn’t taken off work, picked her up, and babied her the rest of the afternoon. Maggie is the one who wanted a live-in babysitter, so let the live-in take care of her. I have to work, for Christ’s sakes! He quickly came to the conclusion that whatever he was paying Victoria was not enough. Victoria had already proven her worth ten times just by getting him out of all Maggie’s game playing and bullshit today. He concluded he would find a way to pay Victoria.
Reese walked inside through the garage and quickly became engulfed in a heady aroma. It was nice to come home and know that his day may actually be finished. Whatever was cooking smelled great! He walked into the kitchen and watched Victoria scurrying around, preparing dinner. She turned and saw him for the first time. He had been standing there watching her for at least a couple of minutes.
“I’m sorry, sir, dinner will be ready in just a few minutes,” Victoria said, looking slightly embarrassed.
Victoria was late with dinner. She had taken the instructions Reese had given her to heart.
“It’s okay. I know you’ve been taking care of Mrs. Thompson today. How much longer do you think it’ll be?” Reese asked.
Reese had to speak to Victoria in Spanish. How in the hell are she and Maggie communicating? Maggie didn’t speak Spanish. Why couldn’t Maggie hire someone who spoke English? Reese mentally shrugged it off. It gave him some much-needed practice.
“Dinner will be another ten minutes, Mr. Thompson,” Victoria said as she turned back to the stove.
Reese could feel himself skating on thin ice. He could feel blood draining into the wrong channels, so he turned and walked out of the kitchen. He slowly made his way to Maggie’s room. She was sitting up in bed, watching TV and talking to someone on the phone. She hung up as soon as he walked in.
“Where have you been?” Maggie demanded.
“Working. I had to give a briefing to some folks in Hawaii. They didn’t get back from lunch until six our time,” Reese said.
“Why did you send the maid to pick me up? Really, Reese, it was embarrassing,” Maggie said with a pout.
“Why would it embarrass you? You hired her. You’re lucky I changed my mind and decided to keep her on. Should I send her packing?” Reese countered.
Maggie held her arms out to Reese. Obviously she’s doing much better because she can at least lift them today. He walked to her and returned her affection, sitting on her bed. She kissed him lightly.
“I feel much better today. That stay in the hospital and the new medication they gave me has made me feel like a new person!” Maggie exclaimed.
“Glad to hear it,” Reese said.
Maggie was rubbing her hands up and down Reese’s thighs. She knew how much touching him like that turned him on. Much to his amazement, it didn’t work. He could tell she was up to something again. He knew that she never got that frisky unless she wanted something. After their little tiff yesterday, he guessed she figured it was time to get him back in line, on his knees, and lost in the Triangle. Nope. Not this time. It is not going to work. He steeled himself because this was getting downright stupid. Before he could question her motives further, he heard a slight knock on Maggie’s door and Victoria walked in with dinner. What the hell is this?
“Maggie, you can’t walk downstairs and have dinner with me at the table?” Reese asked.
“I’m still a little weak, Reese. I’ll take my dinner in here,” Maggie said with a smile.
“Your dinner, ma’am,” Victoria said in Spanish as she balanced the tray on Maggie’s lap. Victoria turned to Reese and said, “Yours is ready as well, sir. Should I bring it up here to you?”
“Gracias,” Maggie said.
Reese wanted to laugh out loud. It was the worst pronunciation of the word he had ever heard. It was loud and grossly drawn out.
“De nada, Señora. Señor?” Victoria said.
“I’ll be downstairs in a minute,” Reese said dismissively.
Victoria walked out of the room. Reese glanced down to Maggie’s tray, chicken Alfredo with steamed vegetables and pasta. It smelled delicious and it looked like a pro had prepared it. He decided to make his exit and leave Maggie to her games. He was tired and hungry. He wanted to eat and pass out for the night. He stood and kissed the top of her head. She squeezed his hand and smiled. He was relieved that he wouldn’t have to jump through any more hoops tonight. She was happy, for a while.
Reese walked downstairs and dinner was waiting in the dining room. He couldn’t remember the last time that furniture had been used. He picked up his plate and drink and carried it into the kitchen. Victoria was seated at the table eating
her dinner when he walked in. She stood immediately and asked if there was something wrong with the food.
“No, everything is fine. I usually eat in here. Eat your dinner,” Reese said, taking a seat.
Victoria said nothing as she went back to eating. Reese sat at the table across from her and dug in. It was a really good meal. Before either of them could finish, Maggie was ringing for Victoria. Ringing? What the fuck is this?
Victoria stood and left the kitchen. She came back downstairs struggling with Maggie’s tray and medications. Reese finished his meal and she asked if he wanted more. It was a damn good meal, and he was hungry because he had skipped lunch. He waved Victoria off and served himself as she emptied Maggie’s plates and put away her medications. He was appalled at Maggie, and if Victoria lasted a week it would be a miracle. He picked up his plate and took it to the sink.
“Good night, Victoria,” Reese said as he walked out of the kitchen.
* * * *
Victoria sat and stared at the computer screen. She had just finished watching a lecture for a fluid mechanics course. She had done some research over the last couple of days and had chosen a topic. She wanted to get busy writing her thesis statement. Her goal was one hundred words a day. She couldn’t concentrate. She was thinking about whether or not she would tell Mrs. Thompson to shove it at some point during the week. That woman was definitely high maintenance.
Mr. Thompson was the complete opposite. He would be easy. Victoria thought about the brief interaction that she had witnessed between the two of them. Mr. Thompson was not a happy man. If he had to deal with Mrs. Thompson the way she had today, Victoria knew why he was so miserable.
She closed her laptop and leaned back into the pillow. Why did all the decent, good-looking guys end up with the women who treated them like crap? Victoria shook her head. This guy had to be smart. Why was he doing this to himself? Victoria decided to take a shower and get some sleep. Tomorrow would be a busy day and it would start early.