To Whom it May Concern

by J. S. Cooper

  I was about to email him to let him know that I would not take the job when a text came through from Lucy.

  Hate to scare you, but the landlord just called. Rent is going up $400 starting next month. Might have to call my dad. Ugh. Good luck with the interview. I hope you get the job because we need some good luck.

  Fuck it. I would have to take the job. I’d hit up a camping store tonight and buy a knife to take with me. If Mr. Wade Hart tried anything with me, I’d cut off his balls, or at least puncture a rib or something as I made my getaway. I needed this job and this money. I knew Lucy didn’t want to call her dad. He wasn’t happy about her internship. She’d been the best and most supportive friend I ever could have asked for, so I’d suck it up and work at this job for six months.

  And maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t be as bad as I expected it would be.

  Chapter 4

  “Savannah, you cannot take this job. The guy sounds deranged.” Lucy grabbed the shirt in my hand and hid it behind her back. “I refuse to let you catch a train and go to some unknown town in the middle of nowhere.”

  “It’s two hours out of the city, Lucy.” I tried to grab my shirt back from her. “And it will be fine. I called the reference he gave me, and it was legit. He might be an asshole, but he’s a real businessman.”

  “This sounds like the beginning of a movie on Lifetime.” She glared at me as she stepped back. “If you go missing and a hot cop comes and asks me where you went, I will scream.”

  “I won’t go missing, and no hot cops are going to come asking you anything. You will never talk to a hot cop unless you go to a police station to find one.”

  “Yeah, I’ll be like, arrest me, officer, I’ve been a bad girl.”

  “Lucy!” I giggled at her. “Can I have my shirt back please?”

  “Fine, but I don’t like it. Why do you have to start tomorrow?”

  “I guess he needs someone right away.” I shrugged as she handed me back my shirt and I folded it and put it into my suitcase. “You’re sure you don’t mind taking care of Jolene while I’m gone?”

  “I don’t mind.” I could tell from her face that she had concerns, but I didn’t say anything. It would mean she’d have to come home for lunch to walk Jolene, but right now we didn’t have many options. “You sure you can’t take her?”

  “Well, Wade said that he didn’t want me to bring her.” I was thoughtful for a moment. “But can he reasonably expect that I’m not going to bring my dog. Who does he think I’m going to get to look after her in one evening?”

  “Exactly! What’s he going to say? You’re fired?”

  “Possibly.” I stared at my suitcase full of clothes. “He really knows nothing about me, and I know nothing about him. He might take one look at me and be like, on your bike, go back to the city.”

  “If he let you keep the hundred grand, that wouldn’t be so bad.”

  “I guess it wouldn’t be. Oh, my phone’s ringing.” I turned around to figure out which stack of clothes it was hiding under and grabbed it quickly, frowning when I saw Wade’s name on the screen. “This is Savannah Carter, how may I help you?”

  “Savannah, this is Sir.” I could tell from the humor in his voice that he wanted me to react, but I wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction.

  “Why hello, sir. How may I help you this good evening?”

  “I just wanted to make sure you got the train information.”

  “I did.”

  “Good, you’ll arrive at 11:23, look for a guy holding a sign with your name on it.”

  “Okay.”

  “I received your bank account info and you should see the first deposit in your account after midnight.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Don’t go spending it all at once.”

  “Maybe I’ll just skip the train and go shopping tomorrow.”

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  “Yes. Sir wouldn’t be happy.”

  “But how would The Wade Hart feel about it?”

  I could see Lucy staring at me with narrowed eyes as she listened to my side of the conversation. I was certain that she was about to rip all of my clothes out of my suitcase and dump them on the floor and forbid me to go if she heard more of the conversation.

  “He wouldn’t be happy. He might have to come into the city to tell you off, and that would make him mad. And you don’t want to see him when he’s mad.”

  “Do you always talk in the third person? And I’ve never seen you period, so frankly, I don’t care if you’re mad, happy, sad—you name the emotion, I don’t care.”

  “You’re being fairly mouthy for someone I’m employing with a huge salary.”

  “Would it be better if I wasn’t making a huge salary?” I asked innocently. I couldn’t believe just how snappy I was being.

  “Savannah Carter, you have no idea who you’re talking to.”

  “No, I know exactly who I’m talking to.”

  “Get to the train station early tomorrow, and don’t forget to bring a bathing suit with you.”

  “A bathing suit?”

  “That’s what I said.”

  “Why do I need a bathing suit?”

  “Because I enjoy going on morning swims.”

  “So? What does that have to do with me?”

  “You’ll be joining me. I enjoy racing.”

  “You don’t even know if I can swim.”

  “Well, if you can’t, don’t bother getting on the train.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t bother getting on the train.”

  “You can’t do that.”

  “I haven’t paid you everything yet, you haven’t signed any contracts. I can do what I want.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Can you swim?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Bring the suit, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” He paused and chuckled. “In fact, I’m quite looking forward to it.” Once again, he hung up the phone without even having the courtesy to say goodbye.

  “He wants me to bring my bathing suit.” I looked at Lucy and shook my head, the shock of the call finally hitting me. “So we can go for morning swims.”

  “What the hell?” Lucy sat on the couch and played with her hair. “Are you really sure you still want to go?”

  “It will only be for six months. I can last that long.” I nodded. “Plus, I want to put this guy in his place. He needs to know that he can’t speak to people like that.”

  “What bathing suit are you going to take? A one-piece or a two-piece?”

  “How about a no-piece.” I laughed. “He can swim by himself. He can’t make me swim and race him in the mornings.”

  “But you love swimming.” Lucy looked surprised. “You were the star of your swim team in high school.”

  “I was on the swim team. I was nowhere near the star,” I reminded her. “But my parents had a pool, and I grew up swimming, so I was a natural.”

  “Are you going to tell him that?”

  “Oh, hell no.” I shook my head. “The less he knows about my life, the better. I’m going there to do a job, and I’ll do the real work to the best of my ability, but if he has any bullshit requests for me, I’m going to tell him where he can shove it.”

  “Oh Savannah, are you sure?” Lucy stood up and walked over to me before grabbing my shoulders. “You call me if you need anything, you hear? Absolutely anything.”

  “I will.”

  “I’ll miss you.” She leaned in and gave me a huge hug. “And Jolene and I are going to come up and visit soon. I don’t care if he says you can’t have visitors. We’ll rent a place and stay for a weekend. He has to give you time off.”

  “That sounds amazing. I can’t wait.” I hugged her back tightly and as I pulled back, I looked into her eyes and gave her a wry smile. “At least I’ll have something to write about. I’ll be killing the slams when I’m back.”

  “Yes, yes, you will.” She no
dded and looked at the mess on the floor. “Now let’s finish getting you packed so that we can go and have that farewell drink before it gets too late.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  I grabbed a handful of panties and put them in the side of my suitcase, the nerves in my stomach twirling and whirling with anticipation and excitement. There was something about Wade that intrigued me. He was obviously not going to be like any boss I’d ever had before. I hadn’t even met him and he’d already crossed multiple boss-employee lines. I wondered what he looked like. Would he be tall? Short? Blond, redhead, brunette? What color eyes did he have? What was his background? Was he handsome? Did he have a nice body? A long cock? My face grew red as the last thought hit me. Why was I thinking about his cock? Was I that desperate to get laid that some unknown man intrigued me just because he had a hot voice?

  No, I knew it was more than that. There was something naughty, even erotic about our conversations. Some part of me wondered if this job was the gateway to being his sex slave. The idea was ridiculous, but I knew it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility. Not that I would tell Lucy that, though. She’d think I’d read too many books or seen too many sexy movies. No, I’d keep my thoughts to myself. Once I got there, I would decide how to handle the situation I found myself in.

  Wade Hart might be calling the shots now, but he was in for a surprise if he thought I was just going to do whatever he wanted without asking why.

  Chapter 5

  As I sipped my lukewarm cup of coffee, I realized I should have grabbed another packet of sugar. The coffee was bitter, and I really didn’t want to finish it, but I knew if I didn’t, I would be too tired when I arrived, and the last thing I wanted was to be yawning when I met Wade. Not that he didn’t deserve to think he was boring. He totally did, but I also knew that I wanted and needed this job. I couldn’t afford to give him a reason to fire me on the first day. Wade lived in a town called Herne Hill Village. I’d never heard of it before, but I was excited to visit after looking at photos online. I stared out of the window as the train chugged along, and I knew immediately when we’d left the outskirts of the city. Gone were the tall skyscrapers and buildings built upon each other. The landscape in front of me was lush and green, and every now and then I saw a row of houses with plants and tall trees that made me smile. It always surprised me just how small New York City was. It hadn’t taken very long at all for me to find myself in what felt like a whole new world.

  “Next stop is Herne Hill Village.” The conductor announced, and I gathered my stuff together. This was it, then. I was about to start my new job. About to meet a man who I already knew would infuriate me.

  About to arrive. I’ll text later and tell you how it goes. I quickly typed a message to Lucy and hit send. I knew she’d be waiting for my text later in anticipation. I jumped up out of my seat and held on to the rail as the train slowed down. Then I grabbed my suitcase and made my way off of the train and toward the small station. My legs felt slightly wobbly as I walked. Only about five other people had gotten off the train at this stop, and all of them seemed to know exactly where they were going. I walked through the door and looked around to see if I could see anyone. There was no one waiting for me. No chauffeur with a sign with my name. No nothing. I stood there for a few moments, my heart thudding, and wondered if I should call Wade to see what was going on.

  What if this is a sign, Savannah? Maybe I wasn’t meant to be here. Maybe I should buy a ticket and catch the next train back to New York City. I looked around the station for the ticket counter and was about to make some inquiries when a man ran in through the main entrance, a white card in his hand. He looked around, spotted me, and raced up to me with a grin, his light green eyes radiating mischief as he looked me over.

  “Savannah Carter?” he asked. I nodded in response. “So sorry I’m late, I stopped to get a bagel and it took forever.” He looked down at my lone suitcase. “Is that all you have with you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Wow.” He looked impressed. “I’ve had girlfriends pack two suitcases just for a weekend trip to the Hamptons.” He laughed and then he ran his hand through his short dark brown hair. “I’m Henry, by the way, nice to meet you.”

  “Hello, Henry.” I shook his hand, and he grabbed my suitcase.

  “Follow me, I brought the Range Rover today because I thought you’d have a lot of baggage. If I’d known you didn’t, I would have taken you out for a spin in the Bugatti.”

  “Oh, okay.” Who was this guy?

  “The estate is about an hour and a half away,” he continued. “We’re pretty isolated, no shops or anything within walking distance. Are you hungry? We can pick something up for the ride back.”

  “If you don’t think Mr. Hart will mind.”

  “Oh, who cares what Wade thinks?” He threw back his head and laughed. “What’s he going to say? You can’t eat?”

  “Well, you know him better than me ...” I debated asking him my next question then decided to get it out of the way. “Is he a good boss?”

  “Good boss?” Henry shrugged. “Hell if I know. I doubt it. Not with his temper.” He seemed to realize he’d said the wrong thing and then smiled a wide smile at me. “But I’m sure he’ll be great.”

  “You don’t work for him?”

  “Work for him?” He laughed as if I’d told the funniest joke ever. “No, never!” He stopped and looked at me with a sly smile. “I’m Henry Hart, I’m Wade’s younger, better-looking brother.” He grinned, a cocky boyish smile that was charming and infectious. “Don’t tell him I said that, though.”

  “Oh, I didn’t realize you were his brother, sorry.”

  “No need to be sorry.” We stopped next to a black Range Rover and he opened the trunk. “Why else would I be picking you up if I didn’t work for Wade?” He shook his head. “Not that I have my own life or anything.” He lifted up my suitcase and slammed the trunk shut. “It’s Wade’s world, and we just live in it.”

  “Funny.” I smiled at him. “So, do you live with him, then? At the estate?”

  “Oh, god no.” We walked to the passenger side of the SUV and he opened the door for me. “I’m just visiting for a week. He asked me to do him a favor and pick you up because he’s on some important call with the president of some country in Africa.”

  “Wow.”

  “He takes his work very seriously.” He shrugged. “Which is good for me and for him. He runs the family business, and the profits go to my trust fund, so I can’t complain.”

  “Is the house very large, then?”

  “Yes, it’s massive.” He grinned as I got inside the car and then closed the door. I buckled my seatbelt and watched as he got into the car. He looked over at me and studied my face. “You’re pretty young, aren’t you? To be taking a job all the way out here.”

  “It seemed like a good opportunity.”

  “No boyfriend?”

  “No.” I shook my head, not offended by his question. Henry was handsome, and I was curious if he had a girlfriend.

  “You seem sensible.” He smiled. “Yes, you seem like a girl with principles.”

  “Sorry, what?”

  “Nothing.” He shook his head and smiled. “You just don’t look like the sort of woman who can be swayed by a dollar.”

  “I’m not sure what that means.”

  “It means that soon I could be the owner of a Lamborghini Veneno.” He grinned as he started the engine. “I’m still debating if I want it in black or red.”

  “Oh, okay, cool.”

  “I’ll give you a piece of advice before we arrive. My brother is a bit of a hard-ass, but just because he’s your boss, don’t feel like you have to do everything that he asks you to do.”

  “Oh, trust me, I won’t.” I shook my head. “I might need this job to pay my rent and student loans, but I’m not here to be his maid or bootlicker.”

  “Bootlicker?” Henry gave me a look as we drove off. “What’s that?”

&n
bsp; “Oh, sorry, it’s something my mom always tells my dad. She got it from my grandad. Basically, it means she’s not going to do every little menial task he requires of her.” I laughed. “So hopefully, your brother isn’t expecting me to completely run his life.”

  I studied Henry, trying to work up the courage to ask him some questions about his brother. I knew he was making fun of Wade, but ultimately Wade was still his brother, and that meant his loyalties would be to him and not to some random girl he’d only known for twenty minutes.

  “Oh, Wade will definitely expect you to be his bootlicker.” Henry turned onto a long winding road, and I looked out of the windows curiously. The street was lined with tall, mature trees, and I could see some cows and goats chewing on the grass in a field beyond. The sides of the field were covered in pink and purple wildflowers. I smiled as I sat back. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to be out here. I loved the city, but sometimes it was overwhelming being surrounded by buildings, people, and constant traffic. There was no peace in the city. Everyone was always on the move. There was a constant buzzing that never stilled. Here, in Herne Hill Village, it seemed as if the only buzzing to worry about would be the bees.

  “You’re okay with that?” Henry looked at me with an expression of surprise on his face and I turned away from the scenery and looked at him.

  “Sorry, I didn’t hear what you said. Okay with what?”

  “I said that Wade will expect you to be at his beck and call.”

  “I guess I’ll just have to see.” I shrugged nonchalantly. I wasn’t going to get into a conversation with Henry about his brother before I’d even started. “Is there much to do in Herne Hill Village? Will I have access to a bike or a car or anything?”

  “I don’t really know what Wade will give you.” He shook his head. “There’s not much going on here. We have a couple of restaurants, a bakery, a bar.” He laughed. “The usual for a small, popping village.”

  “That’s a bit of an oxymoron.” I grinned. “Small and popping.”