I nod. “Yeah, and most temp jobs were just for a few hours, or half a day at most. But that’s the thing. Bo North is going to pay me ninety dollars an hour, and I don’t have to give a cut of it to People Assist either. I don’t even have to tell the IRS. It’s just ninety times twenty-four times seven. What is that?” I ask rhetorically.
Jess squeals.
“A fucking goldmine, that’s what it is! OMG, I’d totally sleep with him if he’s that loaded.”
“Jess, you’re terrible,” I laugh. “You know I’m not in the literary field for money!”
“Who cares?” she asks airily. “Cash is cash, and it puts food on the table and pays your rent. I say, sleep with the guy. Maybe he’ll quadruple your salary if you do.”
I groan. “I swear Jess, you’re insane.”
“I know, but you love it,” she giggles. “Besides, how bad could it be? The cabin’s small right?”
I frown. “Yes, it is. Plus, he emphasized that it’s just light housekeeping, and some cooking along the way. But honestly? I think he also wanted me to agree so he can order me around. He likes telling me what to do.”
Jess nods.
“Okay, but all you need is a coping mechanism whenever he orders you around. Whenever Mr. North gives you a command, just imagine him naked. That’ll take the sting out of his directives.”
An image of Bo flashes in my mind, his chest bare and wide, and that enormous bulge in his pants … OMG. I can’t.
“Just stop fussing over the little details and inconveniences,” Jess adds. “Everyone has issues, and maybe he has deeper ones than you know.”
I roll my eyes. “He’s filthy rich, handsome, and a talented writer too. What secret demons could he be hiding?”
Jess shrugs. “I don’t know but everyone has something, Haley. You could figure out what his are,” she says with a suggestive wink.
“OMG, you’re impossible,” I giggle again. “Okay, I feel better now. I’m going to picture him naked whenever he’s being an ass. That’s my coping strategy.”
My friend nods happily.
“Atta girl! And if it gets to the stage where it’s too much for you, just give me a call and unload. Feel free to ring me up anytime, girlfriend.”
“Thanks, Jess. Say hi to Pebbles for me.”
With that, my buddy picks up her dog and waves Pebbles’ paw at me in a mock goodbye.
I giggle. “Later, babe.”
The rest of the day passed in a blur. I got to cleaning, and it was a nice distraction actually. There’s something soothing about straightening up that can be therapeutic, and I threw myself into the task. I made grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch, but Bo merely came out, picked up his food, and then disappeared once more into his office without so much as a thank you. I fumed but then imagined him naked, and sure enough, my anger abated. It’s funny to think of your boss with his cock out while chewing on a melty grilled cheese. Arousing too.
But soon, it was dinner time, and beef stew simmered on the stove. Aromatic spices tickled my nostrils, and I toasted some crusty French bread as an accompaniment. But where was Bo? I loitered outside of his office, wondering if I should knock.
Suddenly, the door swung open and I was now face-to-face with my imposing boss. From the looks of it, he had been exercising or doing something physical. He was breathing heavily and was also shirtless, with rivulets of sweat streaming down that bronzed torso. His blue irises packed an intensity to them, and those six pack abs seemed to flex as I stared. My mouth snapped shut, and suddenly all thought evaporated from my mind.
“Yes?” he growled. Still unable to speak, my eyes trailed from his sculpted chest down to the loose gym shorts that draped over a bulge so huge that my mouth went dry.
“Um, I just wanted to tell you that dinner is ready,” I finally managed to squeak out. “Beef stew with French bread.”
“Okay great,” he rumbled. “I’ll be right out.” Then the door closed in my face and I was left standing there, gasping for air like a fish out of water. OMG, he’s gorgeous. Quickly, I scurried to the kitchen to grab some plates and utensils. Just in time too because Bo appeared as I finished setting the table.
By now, the living room was immaculate. Books and newspapers were put away, the cabin was swept and vacuumed, and I’d even managed to find a vase of artificial flowers to decorate the kitchen table. Bo looked around, his blue eyes surprised.
“Nice,” was his only comment as he sat. I placed a big bowl of stew in front of him, and he sniffed appreciatively. “Dang, that smells good.”
I quirked a smile. “It tastes good too. It’s my grandma’s secret recipe.”