“Thank you, you don’t know how much I need this job.” I stopped and felt myself blush. “I mean, I know I owe you because of the vase, and I swear I’ll pay you back, either with money or my time.” I quickly spat out the words without knowing really what I was saying.
Wynn raised his hand, and I stopped talking. “I know, I know. How about we just worry about getting you settled in first and then we can deal with everything else?”
Nodding eagerly, I stood up when he did and followed him to the foyer. We paused by the door where Wynn pushed a button on an intercom.
A moment later, Darren’s voice came over the speaker. “Yes, sir?”
“Please get Miss...” Wynn trailed off and looked to me. I mouthed, ‘Billings,’ and he nodded. “... Miss Billings’ bag from the car.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And Darren?”
“Sir?”
“Make sure to clean up the mess in the living room.”
“Of course, sir.”
The warning in Wynn’s voice was clear as well as the firm obedience from Darren. I wasn’t exactly sure about the power dynamic in the house, but I knew Darren feared his boss. His yummy looks aside, Wynn hadn’t been anything but nice to me since I entered the house. If I had been in Wynn's place and an employee had stepped over his bounds, I’d be pretty pissed too. The kneeling had been a bit much, but still, Darren had it coming.
Wynn turned back to me and held out his arm. “Shall we? I’ll show you your room and then we can discuss your duties around here.”
I stared down at his arm for a moment, the offer a bit old fashioned but nothing about this house had been normal so far. Shrugging a shoulder, I looped my arm through his, and he led me up the left staircase.
I tried my best to listen to him talk about the house, but the warmth of his body pressed against my side was distracting. I forced myself to watch his face to at least pretend to listen to him, but then I ended up staring at his lips. Those delicious pouty lips I wanted to bite.
“And this will be your room.” Wynn opened a door down the hallway we had somehow ended up in. My eyes moved to the inside of the room, and I was surprised to see it was far nicer than I expected it.
A four-poster bed filled most of the room with a large dark green canopy above it. An expansive wardrobe stood to one side of the room as well as an antique desk that did not come from a flea market. To the right of the room was a door that was open, giving me a glance at the bathroom. There was a claw foot tub and even a vanity. It was far more than I deserved as the help.
“What do you think?” Wynn’s voice in my ear startled me, and I spun around. Wynn had moved so much closer than before, putting us close enough to feel each other’s breath.
“Uh,” I stuttered and blinked rapidly, “it’s great. Really wonderful. Bigger than my old apartment.” I didn’t know why I told him that. I wanted to keep my sad little existence to myself. No handouts for me.
However, Wynn acted as if he hadn’t noticed my slip up. “Good, I would hate for you to be uncomfortable.” His hand reached out and traced the curve of my jaw. Wynn’s fingers burned along my flesh, and I ached to lean into his touch. He seemed to be studying me, searching for something. What that was, I didn’t know.
All I knew was when his hand dropped, I instantly missed its warmth.
“I’ll come to get you for dinner, and we can talk more then.” Wynn nodded and then brushed past me.
My gaze followed him for a lot longer than it should have. Finally, when he was out of sight, I went into my room and collapsed on the bed. I was in so much trouble.