Part One ~ July
Chapter One
Ashley
“Ashley, wait! You forgot your tie!”
I turned around when I heard Jackie call me. I took the black clip-on tie that was part of our uniform from her then clipped it in place and looked at the other girls in their pressed white shirts, black slacks, ties and vests. Had anyone told me I’d graduate from college and become a waitress, I would’ve told them they were full of shit. But there I was, dressed and ready to serve cocktails at the famed Boone Art Gallery.
“Do I look alright? I can’t believe you have to wear this outfit whenever you work.”
“It pays the bills while I’m in school. Besides Ash, you look great. It really shows off your curves.”
I rolled my eyes. She was just trying to make me feel better. I looked like a penguin and I knew everyone thought the same. I glanced over at Jackie with her dark brown hair up in a pony tail just like mine. That’s where the similarities ended. Dressed alike, we looked like the before and after of a diet ad.
“Thanks for getting me this job Jackie. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“No sweat. I know you’d do the same for me. Plus when I heard this party was at the Boone, I knew I had to get you in. Maybe you can see if they’re hiring.”
I nodded and hoped she’d drop the subject. I needed to put my best foot forward and get through the night. I didn’t need to be reminded of my inability to get a job because I “only” had an Art History degree and no “real” work experience.
In a matter of days my world came crashing down around me. When my graduate school loans got denied at the last minute, I had to scramble to find a job to keep my apartment. Now, two months later, not only was I still unemployed, but I was sleeping on Jackie’s pull-out couch. I really didn’t want to think about it.
As if she read my mind, Jackie put her arm around me and gave me a quick hug. We each grabbed a small tray of champagne filled glasses and headed out of the break room and into the crowded exhibit area.
The Boone Art Gallery buzzed with excitement. The event was invitation only for the grand opening of the Pedro Escamino exhibit–the hottest young sculptor in years. Everywhere I looked, beautiful people posed in their expensive clothes. Men strutted by in perfectly tailored suits and women glowed in couture gowns. It reminded me that being a waitress was the closest I’d ever get to being at this kind of event.
The gallery’s large, open, modern space was white and simple in order to allow the art work to pop and be the focus. Partial walls throughout the room governed the flow of traffic, and gave the viewers either the surprise of the next piece or showcased another. Throughout the gallery cozy alcoves with sleek, low European-style couches and cocktail tables invited the guests to relax.
As I walked around the room with my tray, offering the passing guests a glass of chilled champagne, Jackie rushed over to me, her voice filled with alarm as she whispered even though she had a fake smile in place.
“See that guy over there? In the alcove to the right. Sitting by himself. Don’t be obvious about it.”
I casually glanced towards the alcove she mentioned and saw a man sitting by himself. His legs were stretched out in front of him as he leaned back into the couch. While he dressed like the other men, in a perfectly tailored suit, he definitely wore it much better. I never realized before how sexy a man could look in a suit.
He looked to be in his forties since his light brown hair had some grey in it, especially at his temples. He wore his hair a little on the longer side, almost shaggy but not unkempt, and he had a closely trimmed beard which made it hard to see his face well. Regardless, it was obvious he was a very handsome man.
Complementing his charcoal grey suit, he wore an ice-blue tie. I couldn’t help but wonder what color his eyes were or how rough the hair of his beard would feel against my cheek. With one glance it was obvious to whoever looked that he refused to enjoy himself, but for some reason I felt myself drawn to him.
“You mean the grump?” I asked.
“Shh! Yes!” She hissed. “He’s always at these things. I’ve never seen him mingle or talk to any guests. He just sits there.” She paused for a moment as she snuck a quick peek at him. “Stay away from him. He always yells at the wait staff whenever we offer him anything. I think he likes to make people cry.”
“Who is he?”
“Damned if I know. Just some asshole I guess but I wanted to warn you.”
Jackie disappeared into the crowd while I stood near an appetizer display taking it all in. I couldn’t help it, what she said intrigued me. I regularly darted my eyes over to the man in the alcove. Later, even after I made my way through the crowd again, I still checked to see if anyone spoke to him. He remained completely alone and never once left his seat.
As the evening went on, I started to convince myself that he couldn’t be all that bad. I told myself that maybe he was an asshole because no one ever offered him a drink or was nice to him. All Jackie said was that he made everyone cry. If that was the worse he could do, then why not go over?
I hemmed and hawed over it, making sure to walk past his alcove every so often to see if anyone spoke to him. I wasn’t the kind of girl to be outgoing, normally I kept to myself and was shy and quiet, but eventually I couldn’t help myself. I shoved away the old Ashley and like a moth to a flame, I went over to offer him a glass of champagne.
Chapter Two
Xander
Yet another event at the Boone Art Gallery. I only attended these functions out of some bizarre sense of obligation, so there I sat again by myself in my favorite alcove. At least it gave me the chance to people watch and if I hadn’t been doing just that, then I wouldn’t have seen her.
She stood out from the crowd with her black, almond shaped eyes, bee stung lips, and dark brown hair. I imagined she would be even more beautiful with her hair down around her shoulders. Even in that ridiculous catering uniform she was gorgeous. If all women had curves like that I’d be a happy man.
It was one of the things with society I didn’t understand. We pushed health and eating properly yet the image of beauty that was shoved down our throats was a thin, twig of a woman. I preferred women to look healthy, have some meat on their bones, not be a bag of bones.
So for once I was glad to be at the Boone and alone. It gave me the opportunity to keep admiring her as she walked around offering champagne. I hadn’t been this attracted to anyone in a long time. It was a shame I couldn’t do anything about it. If this was any other place and if I hadn’t hired the caterer, things could be different.
But those were excuses. I chose to not look, to not get attached to anyone. Life was too complicated to bother.
Chapter Three
Ashley
I loaded my tray with freshly poured champagne and made my way towards his alcove. As I approached, I took a deep breath and reminded myself the worse he could do was make me cry. I was a big girl, I could handle a few tears if that was what happened. I needed to get closer to him. I entered his alcove and smiled.
“Champagne sir?”
He grunted and looked up at me. He didn’t say a word, just stared. I wondered if I should leave. The old Ashley would’ve left, but the old Ashley wouldn’t have been in his alcove to begin with. I figured I had nothing to lose and set a glass of champagne down on the small table in front of him.
“Did I say I wanted champagne?”
His voice growled and I immediately regretted being there but I was too stubborn to run away. I summoned up all my courage, stood up straight and challenged his gaze.
“No, but you didn’t say you didn’t want it either.”
The brief silence lasted forever but then he cracked a smile and picked u
p the glass I set down. For a moment I was even more frightened of him, thinking he was a wild card and absolutely crazy, until I noticed his eyes. They were ice-blue, like his tie, and cold but I saw a flash of warmth behind them. I never saw such amazing blue eyes before. I wanted to lose myself in them.
While I braced myself for the worse, he leaned back into his seat and crossed his legs with his ankle resting on his knee. When he took a sip of champagne, I breathed a sigh of relief and turned to head back into the crowd.
“I’m not done with you.”
I stopped dead in my tracks. His voice was menacing and sent chills up my spine. Oddly though I still found myself drawn to him, I couldn’t help it. I turned back around to face him and saw the slightest smile playing on his lips.
“Is there anything else I can get for you sir?”
“Sit.”
At first I moved towards the couch, I wanted to do whatever he said, but then I remembered I was working.
“I’m sorry sir, but I need to continue making the rounds.”
“Sit. No one is going to say anything to you about it. Join me.”
“But–”
“No buts. Sit. You’re a waitress right? I need you to wait on me.”
I looked out at the crowded room. I wanted to get back to work and earn some money. I needed to earn money. Again, the old me would’ve done the responsible thing and return to work, but I still wasn’t ready to do things the old Ashley way. Old Ashley got me no where, it was time to change that. I set my tray of champagne down on the alcove’s cocktail table and sat on the couch with him.
“Is there anything I can get you Sir?”
“Don’t call me sir, call me Xander. And you are?”
“Ashley.”
“Pleasure to meet you Ashley.” He extended his hand to me and I shook it, letting my hand be engulfed by his and overwhelmed when the warmth of his hand penetrated deep into my core. “Didn’t they warn you about me?”
I couldn’t help it, I giggled and nodded as my cheeks turned hot. It never occurred to me that he might know of his own reputation. I wondered how much he did to maintain it.
“They did. I guess I don’t listen very well.”
“We’ll have to change that,” he said.
His voice returned to its menacing tone again and I began to worry. Was he going to turn into the jerk Jackie warned me about? Maybe he planned to report me to the catering manager, Mr. Smithfield.
I was working with Jackie for just the one night but hoped to do it regularly. Being the only recent prospect I had to earn money, I didn’t want to mess it up. I kept an eye out for Mr. Smithfield, who Jackie earlier convinced to give me a chance.
“Have you been waitressing for long? I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”
“No sir, tonight is my first night.”
“Sir? What did i say?”
“Sorry…Xander.”
“And on your first night you decide to bother the one person they warned you about? Interesting.” He was quiet for a moment. “What did you do before this?”
I didn’t answer him right away. I didn’t know why he asked so many questions. His face was stoic. I couldn’t tell if he was trying to be friendly or simply interrogating me. I didn’t think I had a choice, I had to answer him.
“I just graduated college.”
“Ahh so you just graduated college and you’re waitressing? What did you major in? A waste like Art History?”
He laughed at his own joke but I didn’t find it funny. I folded my arms in front of my chest. Great, this is how he’s going to make me cry.
“It’s none of your business but yes.”
He laughed even harder, the sound boomed out of him and I knew everyone heard it but no one reacted. He took a glass of champagne from my tray and handed it to me.
“I think you need this.”
“No, I’m working, I can’t.”
“Don’t make me tell your boss that you refused a simple customer request.”
He had a stern look and I couldn’t tell if he was joking or not but based on what Jackie said about him before, I wasn’t going to take any chances. I picked up the glass but as I took a small sip, I saw Mr. Smithfield enter the room.
There I sat, the girl Jackie begged him to let waitress, resting and drinking champagne with a guest. I couldn’t risk him seeing me and both of us losing our jobs.
“I’m sorry, I have to go.”
Chapter Four
Xander
“Wait!” I stood up hoping I could stop her but it was too late, she was already gone.
Sitting back down I saw the reason she left. Alan Smithfield headed straight towards me. He wore a light grey suit yet still looked disheveled. His red, stringy hair was combed over his bald head like it had been for all the years I had known him. Smithfield was a slight man that would normally go unnoticed except for his Napoleon complex, which made me enjoy putting him in his place.
“Good evening sir. I see you have some champagne. Is there anything else I can get you? You know my staff is here to please.”
“Leave, I’m not in the mood.” I growled at him. As he turned to go I spotted Ashley running through a door at the back of the gallery. I got up thinking I could catch her. I needed to catch her. “Excuse me Smithfield, I have a pressing engagement.”
I pushed him out of the way as I left the alcove and made my way through the party to the back door. I couldn’t let her disappear from my life like this. I wanted more of her.
Chapter Five
Ashley
I grabbed the tray and quickly ran to the break room to compose myself. Catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I saw the clip on tie, the vest and my pony tail which seemed to make my face look even fuller, and I started crying. I knew there were worse jobs but seeing myself dressed like that reminded me of my dreams for the future and how I had no idea how I’d ever be able to make them happen.
My tears wouldn’t stop. I ripped off the clip-on tie and threw it at the wall. I was too upset to continue serving and even though I knew I’d not only lose this job, but that Jackie would be pissed after putting her head on the line for me, I couldn’t do it anymore.
I needed to accept what happened and move on. It was time I looked even harder for a job I could support myself with. I couldn’t feel sorry for myself anymore, that was old Ashley. Time for something new.
I grabbed my stuff from the locker and as I pulled on my purple hoodie I noticed a bulletin board with the words “Job Postings” in the corner of the room. On the board were a few index cards with the word “filled” written with red marker on them. I wiped away at my tears and saw one towards the top that looked like it had been there for a long time. The card had discolored and faded but was still legible. I pulled it down to read:
Live-In House Manager
Must be on call 24/7. Must be flexible and take direction well. Must be presentable. Familiarity with the arts is a plus.
All living expenses are included. Position includes a monthly stipend. Start immediately.
It sounded too good to be true. I didn’t care that the position didn’t go into details about what was needed or expected from a 24/7 House Manager, I only cared that not only would I get a job, but also a place of my own. I quickly jotted down the number so I could call in the morning.
“It was rude of you to run off like that.”
Xander startled me. I didn’t need to see him to recognize that intimidating voice. I closed my eyes and inhaled his musky scent. He stood so close behind me I could feel his warm breath on my ear and it sent chills down my spine, good chills.
“I had no choice. I had to leave,” I whispered.
“You always have a choice. You just have to trust it. And trust me.”
His voice was low and husky. He edged closer to me and I could feel his strong body against my back and his breath moving down from my ear to my neck. His lips suddenly brushed against my skin and I held my breath, savoring th
e moment as his touch sent a rush through my body and I felt the area between my legs begin to pulse with excitement.
With one swift move of his hand, he spun me around to face him and pushed me against the wall beside the bulletin board. He stared at me so intensely I couldn’t tear my eyes away. My breathing came fast and shallow. I didn’t think I had ever felt this excited by a man before, yet he barely touched me.
Suddenly his lips crushed mine then forced them apart as he slid his tongue between my lips. I wrapped my arms around his broad back, slipping them between his crisp button shirt and the silk lining of his suit jacket, and pulled him closer against me. All I could think about was feeling his lean body against mine.
My head spun. He kept me pressed against the wall and I could feel his member hardening as it pushed against my hip. While we kissed he pulled my shirt out of my black pants then unbuttoned my pants.
As his hand slid into the front of my pants, his lips pulled away from mine. His breathing sounded hurried and short. He moved his hand over my silky panties then ran his finger along the lace border that clung to my leg.
Part of me was in shock. It wasn’t like me to just let some guy put his hand down my pants. It also wasn’t like me to kiss a stranger but I didn’t care about any of that, the pulsing between my legs had taken over my head. I bit my bottom lip as I waited and hoped for his next move.
Still pinned against the wall but not wanting to move, I had no where to look but into his intense ice-blue eyes. I felt his fingers slip into the top of my panties and held my breath in anticipation. His touch burned against my bare skin and sent waves of electricity through my body. I felt the heat of his strong hand move further down and over my lips.
I spread my legs a little and he slid the tips of his fingers over my swollen clit. My knees went a little weak but he held me up with his other hand. As he slowly rubbed me, I could feel myself getting so wet that it dripped down the curve of my pussy and onto my panties.
His Every Whim Page 1