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.
“Ok ok, 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 in the city and drove to the Manor. I couldn’t get Ashley out of my head and the only way I could think of possibly seeing 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 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 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 much detail 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?”
“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 tapped 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 ok 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 overstuff 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 sunk 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”.
It was by accident that I discovered the amazing sunrise from the study. Shortly after moving in, I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t fall back asleep. The full moon shone so brightly through the dome windows that when I saw it the way it lit the hall, I thought I left a light on in the study.
That night I fell asleep in the overstuffed chair, admiring the moon as I thought about my luck of going from Jackie’s couch to the mansion. When I woke, the sun splashed deep orange streaks across the sky. I couldn’t imagine a better way to start the day so I began my habit of tea and the sunrise.
My phone beeped to remind me of that days agenda and I groaned as I watched the words “personal shopper” flit across the screen. I had been pushing off this appointment. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy shopping at times, I just didn’t think I needed help. I could look perfectly presentable if that’s what Xander wanted from me.
Unfortunately I didn’t know what Xander wanted. In the weeks I had been working as his House Manager I hadn’t seen him at all. Not only that, but while I felt comfortable in the house alone watching the sunrise, once the house filled, I remembered I was just Ashley. My idea of what was nice and presentable was probably worlds away from Xander’s reality.
At exactly 9am I heard a car pull up the gravel driveway. I was dressed in one of my nicest outfits, a maxi dress with a burgundy and black print. I cinched a wide black belt around my waist making the dress look more like pieces and accentuating my waist and therefore giving me more of an hourglass figure. I managed to convince myself that the personal shopper would be a fun experience but I wanted to look good for her. I needed her to see I had my own sense of style even though she was hired to help.
I opened the door to find a thin woman hurriedly typing on her Blackberry. Her silver hair was cropped short and she was dressed in a tan pair of khakis with a pale yellow cardigan. I easily imagined her having tea while her husband played golf at the country club. I bit my lip to stop myself from giggling from the image.
“Lydia Winklesmith. I have a 9am appointment with Ashley Monroe.” Her voice had a slight, snobby accent and her eyes never left her handheld device as she spoke. “She should be expecting me.”
“Yes, come in. I’ll take you to the living room.” I led her through the foyer and motioned to the couch for her to sit. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, I’d like to get to work. Can you go get her?”
“Umm…I am her.”
“What? You?” She stood up and shook her head as she looked at me. “No, I’m not doing this. I don’t have the time for…this.” She eyed me up and down. “I was told you just needed some new clothing.”
“Yes, that’s it. I need clothing I can wear on business trips and events.”
“No. I’ve been doing this for years. You need much more than that and trust me, you wouldn’t be able to afford me.” She grabbed her things and headed towards the door.
“But…wait…but I…” I didn’t know what to say. I felt so humiliated. I heard her car drive away and I looked down at myself and wondered what could be so horribly wrong with me to make her react like that.
My eyes began to sting as I fought to keep the tears back. I heard voices coming down the hall and quickly ran up the steps. I couldn’t let anyone see me like this. Entering the study, I caught a glimpse of myself in the reflection of the window.
I looked fat. I hated that I did this to myself. Just minutes before I thought I looked great, or at least good, now I thought differently. I couldn’t help but notice my soft jawline and full cheeks.
I ran to my room feeling like an idiot. What was I doing thinking I could do this job? Sure, managing the day to day of the mansion was one thing, but Xander wanted me to double as his assistant too. I couldn’t do that.
I slumped onto the floor and let my tears fall. There was no use fighting them anymore. I didn’t know what it was that woman saw in me that was so awful but I knew what I saw in the mirror and that was bad enough.
I threw my shoes acros
s the floor as I got mad for feeling sorry for myself. I wiped away my tears and took a deep breath. I had to do better than this. I couldn’t just give up, old Ashley would give up.
I splashed some cold water on my face as I calmed down. As I stood over the sink, I replayed in my head how the personal shopper reacted to me and felt worse. I heard an insistent knock at the door and groaned wishing I could be alone.
“Just a minute,” I called out as I dried my face and hoped my voice sounded normal. I figured it had to be one if the new maids I hired. I hoped she didn’t catch me crying.
“Don’t ever make me wait again.“Xander growled as he walked through the door.
I immediately wished I looked better. I knew my eyes were a little swollen from crying and there was nothing I could do about it.
“Sorry, I wasn’t expecting you. You should’ve told me–”
“Why were you crying?” He interrupted me as he walked past me and into the living area of the suite. “Where’s that personal shopper? I expected her to be here. My mother has nothing but good things to say about her.”
“She…” I could barely speak. I gulped the word down. I hated myself for being so sensitive and emotional, especially in front of Xander. “She left…” I mumbled the rest of my answer but I felt so overwhelmed by everything, including him, that I didn’t know what words came out of my mouth.
“She left?!” He spun and his eyes met mine. His fingers reached up and softly caressed my cheek. He didn’t say a word but his face softened. I wondered if he could read my mind.
His hand slipped behind my neck and he pulled me closer. My body melted into his as he pressed his lips to my forehead and I lost it. I bawled like a baby.
His hand moved down to the middle of my back and he held me so tight I could feel his heart beating through his strong muscles and against my chest. Inhaling deeply between sobs I noticed he smelled like spicy citrus.
I buried my face in his suit jacket and tightly clung to its soft wool lapels. I couldn’t help myself, despite how pathetic crying made me feel. As he stroked my hair I felt him kiss the top of my head.
His Every Whim Page 3