by Nella Tyler
"Have you lived here very long, Luke?"
He said nothing for several moments and then shook his head. "About six months, I think. I just got this part of the property fixed up." He smiled. "As a matter of fact, you and I are inaugurating the pool this evening."
I glanced at him in surprise. "No pool party?"
He shook his head, but didn't offer an explanation. I had to wonder why he had asked me to join him. Was he just shy? Did he have no one with whom he could share his new home, his newfound wealth? Again, I knew that I could probably have been some help breaking the ice with people I knew, but that would be way overstepping my bounds. As far as I knew, he didn't know anything about my background. I certainly hadn't mentioned my parents in my over-the-phone application and briefer than brief interview. All I had mentioned was that I recently graduated from college and was looking for work.
He hadn't asked regarding my major or minor or why I wanted to be a maid, which was good because if he had asked, I'm not sure I could've explained it in a way that made sense. Even though it made sense to me, no one else understood, not even my parents. I hadn't spoken to them since I started working here, but I would call them over the weekend to let them know how I was doing. The job would remain a secret – for now.
Eventually, we both got wet, even going so far as to dip our heads under the surface. He swam a few laps, but I pretty much stayed in the shallow end. I wasn't the best of swimmers. While I certainly knew how to do the breaststroke and I could float on my back, when I swam, I tended to dog paddle. It amused my friends to no end, and I didn't want to have Luke laugh at me.
When darkness began to settle over the pool and the pool light came on, I decided it was probably time for me to go home. Still, the question niggled at my mind and finally, I succumbed to it and asked.
"Luke, why did you ask me to join you here this evening?"
He swam back to the shallow end and sat down on the step, not saying anything for several moments. I almost thought that he wasn't going to answer the question at all when he spoke.
"Like I said, I just had this section of the backyard and the pool finished." He shrugged. "I just wanted someone to share the moment with me."
I frowned. "Don't you have any friends that you could've asked to come over?"
He stared off into the darkness and shrugged again. "Since my change of circumstances it's been difficult to maintain some of my old friendships. Of course, my chef and gardener are very nice, as well, but it would've seemed kind of weird to invite them to come swimming with me, wouldn't it?"
I stared at him a moment, then saw his grin. I laughed. Actually, he had a good sense of humor, subdued though it was. His comment only made me more curious about him and his background.
"You have to be anywhere this evening?”
I stared at him for several moments, watching the water drip off his chest, my eye on one drop of water than streamed along his jawline and hung onto his chin for a moment before dropping into the water. Was he flirting now? This was so confusing. "Not particularly," I said. "Why?"
He gestured with his chin over his shoulder. Another drop of water flipped from his jaw into the water. I got an exquisite view of his profile, once again admiring his bone structure and his undeniably handsome features.
"Would you like to have a drink? The bar is fully stocked."
I hesitated. I knew it wasn't appropriate – not just swimming in his pool, but also accepting the offer of a drink. He was my employer, my boss. What was he suggesting? Was this a mere gesture of friendship or was he expecting something? He seemed to sense my hesitance.
"Just a drink, Molly," he smiled.
I thought about it for another second and then shrugged. "Why not? I'd love one."
Chapter 8
As it turned out, Luke was quite knowledgeable about mixing drinks. He admitted that during his college years, he had worked part-time as a bartender, hence his familiarity with a variety of concoctions. The first drink he mixed for me was a Cosmopolitan, while he had a shot of bourbon. I raised my eyebrows that. I had tried bourbon once and didn't like it at all. It was definitely an acquired taste.
I sipped my Cosmopolitan while we talked a little bit more, not about anything serious, but mainly about the house, the work he had done on it, and then when that had been finished, he had focused his attentions on the backyard. I complimented him on its appearance and instead of bragging about it, he pointed the compliments to where they were due – his landscaper.
"I just gave him an idea of what I was looking for, and he provided a few drawings. All I really had to do was pick one and then the rest was up to him." He gestured with his arm. "I don't know much about plants, trees, or flowers, so I left all of the selections up to him. From what he told me, most of these are natural to the region, so they should do quite well without causing a lot of extra maintenance."
Again I had to admire the selections of plants, flowers, as well as placement. While I knew a little bit more about flowers and plants and trees than Luke did, I certainly wasn't an expert. I did know, however, by looking at the plants, that the landscaper had opted for a variety of seasonal plants and shrubs that would flower during different times of the year.
"Excuse me for a minute, will you?" he asked suddenly.
I nodded. “Of course.” I watched, curious as he disappeared around the far side of the cottage and figured he'd had to use the restroom. He was only gone for a few minutes, but by the time I finished off my Cosmo, he emerged, wearing a huge grin and carrying two flotation rafts under his arms.
He lifted an eyebrow and gestured to the pool area. Why not, I shrugged again. It was nice out here, not too many mosquitoes, and besides, I was having a nice time with him. I nodded and he quickly tossed the rafts into the pool.
"Can I fix you another drink?"
I hesitated. After all, I had to drive home. Again, it was as if he could tell what I was thinking.
"Don't worry, if you need a ride, I'll make sure you get home okay."
I wasn't sure about that. I certainly didn't want to get plastered and it probably wouldn't take much. I didn't drink that often and already felt a light, though pleasant buzz. "Maybe just one more."
I headed back to the pool as Luke stepped behind the bar.
"Let me fix you something nice," he suggested. "I guarantee you'll like it."
"Okay," I agreed. "But just one more and then I've got to go home."
Standing in the shallow end, I pulled on the flotation devices closer to me and scrambled onto my back, using my hands as paddles to guide the raft closer to the side of the pool in the shallow end. I watched him prepare the drinks, admiring his physique and his obvious skills as a bartender. In a matter of minutes, he approached the pool carrying a bright green drink in a cocktail glass for me in one hand and a bottle of beer for him in his other hand.
"Ever tried a Grasshopper?" he asked, extending the glass.
I shook my head. "What's in it?"
"It's sweet and minty flavored, with crème de menthe as the main ingredient. This one has a splash of vodka instead of the cream. Go ahead and try it. If you don't like it, I'll make you something else."
I sipped did and nodded in approval. "It's good, thank you."
"Up in Wisconsin, they make Grasshopper milkshakes. Instead of cream, they substitute mint chocolate chip ice cream."
"Oh? Is that where you're from? Wisconsin?"
He shook his head. "No, I just went to school up there for a while."
He didn't offer any additional information and I didn't pry. While I sipped my drink, he took several gulps of the beer and then placed the bottle on the side of the pool. He climbed onto his raft and we floated around the pool for a while. By the time I finished the Grasshopper, I was definitely feeling the alcohol. It was dark now and a half moon had risen. While I was enjoying the time we were spending together and the conversation remained on neutral ground, I decided it was time for me to go home. After all, I had
to get up and come back to work tomorrow.
I glanced over at Luke, lying on his raft with his eyes closed. Once again I was struck by his handsome features. He had long brown eyelashes that would be the envy of any girl. "Luke? I think I'd better be getting home, would you mind calling me a cab? I'm feeling just a little fuzzy. I’m not used alcohol, and I would prefer not to drive."
"No need for a cab," he said, turning to look at me.
I began to frown, thinking that-
"I can have my driver take you home and pick you up tomorrow."
"Oh no, that's too much trouble," I began to protest. He lifted a hand, interrupting me.
"It's my fault that you can't drive home, so accept my offer, please?"
The look he gave me sent a thrill along my spine. No doubt about it, his looks were terribly distracting. I wasn't drunk, but I was definitely buzzed, and for a second, I briefly wondered what it would be like to kiss him. I quickly shoved that thought out of my head. "Okay," I accepted his offer. "Thank you."
With that, I paddled my way to the steps of the shallow end and slowly climbed out. I sat on the edge of the pool for several moments as a short wave of dizziness swept through me. I laughed. "I'm a lightweight when it comes to alcohol." I grabbed the railing and slowly stood. "I'm going to go get dressed. Be back in a minute."
Still floating on his raft, Luke merely watched me, smiled, and nodded. "I guess I should, too. I'll give my driver a call."
I said nothing more, but stepped to the changing room, closed the door, and then leaned against it. I felt a little guilty for spending so much time in the pool with him, but it had been nice. Still, it was probably up to me to maintain the boundaries between employer and employee, wasn't it? No matter how attractive he was, no matter his charisma and his growing sexual lure, I had to keep my distance. Didn't I?
Chapter 9
I finished changing and hung the wet bathing suit on a hook by the door, and then stood in front of the little bungalow, staring at the pool while I waited for Luke to get changed. I still couldn't figure out what his intentions were. Either he was just a friendly guy or he was testing the waters, so to speak. I had no idea how he felt about me, or I about him, but I wasn't sure if I should encourage any further attention. After all, he was my employer. I was his maid.
The drinks had left me feeling a little woozy, but not enough to feel dizzy. I felt nice and relaxed. I also felt a little guilty. What business did I have accepting Luke’s invitation to come way back here in a secluded area of his property to go swimming? What would the other employees think? Then again, the others probably didn't even know. The gardener didn't live on the estate and neither did the chef. In fact, none of his employees seemed to live there, which was rather unusual.
My parents employed a number of staff that lived on the estate. Our chef had a small cottage to the rear of our property, and the two maids also had their own room downstairs off the kitchen. Of course, all of my parent's employees had the option to live elsewhere, but it was convenient, and most of the time, when offered, employees were more than happy to accept.
The fact was that I was very attracted to Luke was neither here nor there. I was a maid – nothing more and nothing less. At the same time, I got the distinct impression that Luke, while rather shy, was looking for, I don't know…support maybe? Although I had never been a maid before, I knew how to clean, and I guess I had faked my experience fairly well, at least, in regard to knowing what needed to be done and how to go about it.
Still, it was improper and I knew it. Regardless of the closeness in our ages, my attraction to him, and I assumed his attraction to me, he was still my employer. I couldn't quite get over it. My first job and for all intents and purposes it appeared as if my boss was making a move toward me. Did I want that? I wasn't sure. At the same time, the undeniable attraction I felt for him had definitely captured my interest. Maybe I should just play it cool and see what happened. So far, he hadn't made any overt suggestions, so maybe I was just reading it all wrong.
"I called my driver. He'll be around front in just a couple of minutes."
I turned to look over my shoulder and saw Luke approaching. I nodded and smiled politely. He gestured for me to proceed and we walked side-by-side along the stone path that wound its way from between the hedges and then curved through the garden and ended in a V: one path leading to the back porch, the other around the side of the house. He gestured me to go to the left and I did, wondering at his sudden silence. It was as if the camaraderie we had shared in the pool had suddenly disappeared and he once again was the employer and I the employee.
I was so confused by the mixed signals. Should I say something? By the time we rounded the house and approached the curved driveway I was just about to ask, but then a dark four-door sedan pulled up into the driveway and stopped in front of the stone steps leading up to the front door. The driver opened his door and climbed out. He moved around to open the rear passenger side door.
I turned to Luke, intending to thank him for the evening. To my surprise, he suddenly clutched both my hands in his and pulled me toward him. I stared up at him, eyes wide, not sure what to do. I glanced quickly at the driver, but he had discreetly turned his head, studiously studying something on the front tire. I looked back up at Luke, not sure what to say. I gazed up into his beautiful hazel eyes and was just about to say something when he stepped closer, leaned over, and placed his lips gently on mine.
The kiss was gentle, feather light at first. Stunned, I hesitated only slightly. Then the tingling started and I succumbed to the urge to kiss him back. His lips were smooth, yet firm. I felt a thrill surge through me. I had never felt such electricity with a mere kiss. His tongue pressed against my teeth and I opened my mouth slightly. He wasted no time. His tongue dove in quickly, as if he had been testing the waters as he had done with the swimming pool only a couple of hours earlier. Then, the kiss deepened, grew a little more firm, but not demanding.
My ears were buzzing, and it wasn't from the drinks I’d had. Every cell in my body burst alive with sensations. He still had my hands grasped in his and I squeezed his fingers lightly. Then, in the next instant, he broke off the kiss. We stared at each other for several moments. Not knowing what to say, I offered a smile and then quickly stepped into the car, my heart racing, my thoughts a jumble, and every nerve in my body alive with sensations.
Chapter 10
All through the next day at work, I didn't see much of Luke. As usual, he had sequestered himself inside his office. Nevertheless, I felt on edge, a little bit jittery and nervous about our date tonight. While everything had been aboveboard last night – until the kiss – I was still confused in regard to Luke's intentions. I didn't want to give him the impression that I was "one of those girls" who was an easy mark for those who ran wealthy estates. Oh, I have heard plenty of stories, and while my parents treated all our staff with respect and dignity, I knew that not all wealthy people did.
In fact, I have heard plenty of stories from overheard conversations between my parents and their friends and even from maids who talked among themselves about their experiences. Many had been subjugated to unwanted advances, threats, bribes, and who knows what else during their employment. The problem was, many of these housekeepers, maids, nannies, gardeners, and cooks needed their jobs. They needed them desperately. While I had to admit that I couldn't understand anyone in the service of another feeling obligated to be taken advantage of, sexually or otherwise, I had to realize that many of these people relied on their earnings to support their families. Many of them didn’t have a choice, not really. They often couldn’t afford to say no. I remember one time my mother scolded a distant friend of hers for treating her house staff in a less than respectful manner. Their friendship had been severed over it.
Because of my background and situation, I had the option of saying no if Luke made any unwanted advances toward me. But what about those who didn't have savings to fall back on or relied on their job, every
penny's worth, to feed and support their families? It was terribly unfair, and for the first time I realized that I had often taken our own house staff for granted. While I feel as if I had gotten close to some of them, I didn't really know their stories or backgrounds. I felt ashamed that I hadn't taken the time to talk to them, to get to know them better.
At the same time, I realized that in doing so I might've overstepped my bounds as an employer and made the staff at my parents’ house feel uncomfortable or obligated to answer my questions.
I was getting the impression that whether you were an employer or an employee, there were boundaries and sometimes the lines between those boundaries blurred. What did those boundaries have to do with Luke and me? As I dusted the living room, I had to admit to myself that I was attracted to Luke. Who wouldn't be? Not only was he good looking, but he projected this "little boy lost" demeanor that made me want to wrap my arms around him and comfort him. I had talked to my dad last night after I'd gotten home and asked him if he knew anything about Luke Benning, claiming that a friend of mine had mentioned him at a get together.
Apparently, he had just come into a huge inheritance from a grandfather and had purchased the home in the nice section of Raleigh. Why, he couldn't say. From what my dad knew, Luke had grown up in a rather simple life in Ohio, had never known he had rich relatives and was quite startled to find that instead of leaving the family money to moneygrubbing uncles, siblings, and cousins, Luke's grandfather, who spent a lot of time with him in his adolescent years, had left his entire fortune to his grandson.
Unfortunately, the action had all but severed communications with his family. Jealousy and greed were ugly betrayers of family affiliations, and in Luke's case, had gone to the extreme. Apparently, he had generously given his parents, uncles, aunts, and first cousins around one hundred thousand dollars each, thinking that they would be satisfied with that, but the opposite had been true. According to my dad, and I wasn't sure how he found out this information, they had wanted him to buy them fancy houses, cars, pay off their debts, and for some, pay off college loans.