by Mia Ford
Just as she was about to ask him about it, the doors of the pub creaked open.
Ivy and her father had both turned to the door in unison. The pub had barely been open for a few minutes, they weren’t expecting any customers to turn up this soon.
A man had walked in, his face was covered partially with a cowboy hat perched on his head, which he was slowly lowering. He walked stealthily, with purpose; and Ivy’s first instincts were to study him closely. In dark dusty jeans and a plaid shirt tucked in, the man had his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Even in the dim light of the pub, Ivy was quick to notice the sparkle in his chocolate brown eyes as he turned to look at her, and then he looked away.
Ivy instinctually straightened her back. His hat was in his hands now as he slowly made his way to the bar counter, towards her father. She could see his back, as he walked away from her. This man was tall, at least a foot taller than her and he looked like he was made of pure hard muscle. His back was wide and held taut against the fabric of his shirt.
“Hugo Hart?” The man’s voice rang loud through the silence of the pub. It sent a shiver down Ivy’s spine. His voice was smooth and deep, and even though she couldn’t see his face now, Ivy couldn’t control her desperate need to look at him.
“That’s me. And you must be Leon Cooper.” Her father was smiling at the man, he had pasted the polite customer face on, which he reserved for the pub. Ivy’s brows crossed, her father knew everyone in these parts, how did he not know this man.
“What can I get you?” Her father asked him, placing his hands on the counter and still smiling at the man.
Ivy was standing behind them, still several feet away from them, wringing her hands with desperation. She wanted to draw closer to him, she wanted to see his face, it was like an itching need all over her body to steal a look at him. She had no control over her brain any more.
“Oh, thank you but I don’t drink.” The man said, in that same calm deep voice, that made Ivy’s fingers tingle. Who was this man? What was he doing here? Which man in these parts didn’t drink alcohol?
“I see, what can I do you for then?” Her father asked him, the smile dropping slightly from his face. Nobody came into the pub for anything other than to get something to drink or eat, but this man seemed to be on a different kind of business. And Ivy’s father seemed just as confused as she was.
“I was hoping that you would help me spread the word locally, before I advertise in the newspaper.” The man said. He didn’t sound friendly, or even like he was comfortable speaking to her father. He sounded angry, arrogant and self-confident. But Ivy was still desperate to see his face. Just watching him standing in front of her, just tracing out the muscles on his back with her eyes, on the back of his legs…were enough to set her body on fire.
“Sure, what is it?” Her father leaned on the counter closer to him.
“I need somebody to take care of my house.” The man said. Ivy licked her lips, her heart was pounding against her chest.
“Is that so?” She heard her father say.
“I live alone, as you must have heard and I have an entire ranch to work with. I just moved there a few weeks ago. I need a woman to do the cooking and cleaning and laundry.” He continued. Ivy was still wringing her hands together tightly. She felt like she was going to burst, that she might faint if she didn’t say something now, if he didn’t turn to look at her now.
“I can do that, I’ll spread the word.” Her father replied to the man with a smile.
“I would prefer a strong, healthy woman who won’t mind getting her hands dirty. Maybe help me with the ranch too if needed. I am willing to provide lodgings, three meals a day and five hundred dollars a month.” The man continued and flipped his hat on his head again. This was a sign that he was going to leave, and Ivy couldn’t control herself any more.
“I can do it.” She blurted out before she could stop herself.
Her father jerked his head to look at her, and then she saw the man slowly turning towards her too.
“Ah, that’s my daughter, Ivy. She is only playing, don’t worry Mr. Cooper, I will find an able woman for you.” Her father was speaking in the background, but his voice was slowly fading away. All Ivy could think about, all she could see was this man who stood in front of her, facing her now. She could finally see his face, and he was looking at her too.
“This is your daughter?” He asked, interrupting her father’s babbling words.
Ivy stood silently, watching him watching her. His face was chiseled, like it was cut out of stone. His eyebrows were dark, like his eyes, and sharp. His hair was a dirty sandy blonde, and fell shaggily over his forehead. His skin was tanned to a golden honey color that Ivy had a sudden incredible urge to lick.
“Yes, she is and she is only a wee girl, as you can see.” Her father replied hurriedly.
Leon Cooper’s eyes were on her. She could see that he was studying her breasts, the strength in her hands, her small height, her wide hips, the curve of her waist…he was trying to decide if she would be able to work for him.
“She will do.” He said, ignoring her father’s attempts at dissuading him, and a smile creeped up on Ivy’s face.
“Oh no, Mr. Cooper, I believe you are mistaken. My daughter has no experience in house work, she has been in college for the past two years, she will not be able to help around the house.” Her father had grown desperate now. The last thing he wanted was for his daughter to go work for someone else’s home. He didn’t even allow her to work in his own!
“That’s good. It means I can use her to work on my accounts.” Leon said, pulling his gaze away from Ivy’s body to finally look at her father again.
“I studied agricultural science. I can help you with your ranch.” Ivy spoke up, directing his gaze back at her again.
She wanted him to keep looking at her. She wanted him to look at her breasts, at her slender pale neck, she wanted to see if he wanted her as much as she wanted him. Leon licked his thin rugged lips and nodded his head.
“Good. That is settled then.” He turned to her father. Ivy realized that she hadn’t seen him smiling yet.
Her father was dumbstruck, still standing behind the bar, looking from his daughter to Leon Cooper and then back at his daughter again.
“Be at my ranch, tomorrow at eight.” He said to her, fixing his hat on his head and then walking straight for the door.
Ivy remained standing where she was, following him with her eyes. She couldn’t take her gaze off him. She couldn’t stop wondering what that rock-solid body would look like under those clothes. What he smelt of, how the stubble on his chin would feel against her own face.
“Ivy!” Her father’s harsh voice snapped her out of her daydream. Leon Cooper had gone out of the pub, leaving her alone with her father again.
“What is the matter daddy?” She asked, finally walking towards him. She had been frozen to the spot earlier, unable to move any of her limbs.
“You cannot go and work for that man. You cannot go and work at somebody’s home!” Her father’s eyes were widened, he was thundering, his face was turning red with anger.
“Oh daddy, please don’t be like that. I won’t just be working at his house, I’ll be helping him with his actual work, with his books, with the animals. It’s the kind of work I like to do.” Ivy said, walking around the counter and standing in front of her father with her arms crossed.
Her father slapped the dish cloth in his hand on the counter out of rage.
“What would your mother say, Ivy? You went to college; you were brought up differently. You don’t know the first thing about house work!” He was still screaming and Ivy only rolled her eyes and looked away from him.
“It isn’t that difficult. And I’ve been bored these two weeks, and now I have something to do and earn some extra cash.” She replied to him, only infuriating him further.
“This better be a temporary thing, Ivy! I will not allow my daughter to do that kind of work, not in tod
ay’s world.” Her father was still grumbling and Ivy smiled.
“Oh daddy, please don’t be so mad. I just want to do something with my time, till I figure out what I really want to do in life. You understand?” She said, rushing towards him and throwing her arms around her father’s neck.
He accepted the hug and then patted her on her back, his anger was slowly subsiding now.
“I understand, Ivy. Sorry I lost my temper. I just didn’t want to disappoint your mother.” He said, his voice was now slightly muffled by her hair, as she pressed her head to his loving chest.
“I know daddy, but she would have wanted me to do what I want, to do something productive with my free time. Gain some real world practical experience.” Ivy said, looking up at him and smiling. She knew her father couldn’t resist her playful smiles, he always indulged her.
“Alright, alright, child. You’ve convinced me.” He said and she released him from her grip.
“Thank you, daddy. And I’ll come visit you often, and I promise you, it’ll only be for a few weeks, till something else comes up in the city.” Ivy said, biting down on her lip.
“Good.” Her father said, picking up the dishcloth again. He didn’t look like he was happy with her decision, but he also knew that he couldn’t do anything to change her mind. Ivy always got what she wanted, and right now she wanted this job.
“I’m going to go home and pack a few things, daddy. I’ll see you in the evening.” She said, waving at her father as she rushed out of the pub doors. She didn’t wait for her father’s reply, she wanted to be out in the light, in the sun. She wanted to run so that she might be able to do something about her madly beating heart.
She was running towards the house, with a smile on her face, unconcerned now about the harsh sun beating down on her now. She had too much on her mind.
How could she have explained to her father, the effect that Leon Cooper had on her body, on her senses? The real reason why she was taking this job. He had done something to her, the moment he walked into that pub. She knew instantly that she would agree to anything that he asked of her, she would do anything to please him. She only wanted to look at him. She wanted him to look at her. She was taking this job only so that she could be closer to him, so that she could seduce him. Even though she had seen Leon Cooper only once, Ivy had already made up her mind that he was going to be the man she would give her virginity to.
Ivy shaded her eyes against the harsh sun, as she blinked at the vast expanse of the ranch that stood in front of her. Her father had driven her to the gates of the ranch, kissed her goodbye and then driven away. She could tell that he was still upset. When he left, she dragged her cell phone out and sent him a quick text. ‘Thank you daddy’ She had written to him. And now she stood staring up at the sign that greeted her at the entrance.
‘Old Marigold Ranch’
On the ride-over, her father had hesitatingly told her a little about the ranch, and what he knew. Leon Cooper was new to these parts because he had recently bought the place, for some millions of dollars, and then spent even more money to repair it and build it up. Nobody knew much about him, because he kept himself to himself. All they could tell was that the man was very rich, and liked to be left alone.
A well brushed dusty path led up to the newly painted white mansion that stood in the middle of the ranch, with a backdrop of the Montana mountains behind it. Ivy sighed, bit down on her lip and started dragging her bags behind her as she walked towards it. She had barely slept the previous night from the anticipation of seeing him again. She had a sudden new purpose in life, and she was planning on grabbing it by the horns.
As she drew closer to the mansion, she heard the sound of horse hooves. Ivy shielded her eyes again to look out in the distance. As predicted, Leon Cooper was approaching her, on a fast riding horse, and it looked like he had no intention to stop. Her mouth hung open slightly, her heart was beating fast, she had never been this sexually aroused by just looking at a man before.
“You’re late, Ivy Hart.” Were the first words that escaped his lips, as he made a sudden stop on his beautiful chestnut horse, only a few feet away from her. A dust cloud, formed by the hooves of the horse was settling in around Ivy, and she could feel the dust in her hair.
“It’s only half past eight.” She found the strength in herself to say.
Leon jumped off his horse and patted it on its neck lovingly, before stepping towards her. He had the same hat on his head, his face was just as well sculpted and rugged as she remembered it. In the surroundings of the ranch, he looked even more muscular, more athletic, like he could crush her in his bare hands if he wanted to.
Ivy could feel her nipples harden under her loose peasant blouse as he walked closer to her. She had never before been this awash with sexual desire for a man.
“Only? I asked you to be here at eight, young lady.” He said, his voice was as harsh and grim as before, and Ivy dropped her eyes from him. His gaze made her uncomfortable, as much as she wanted to continue looking at him.
“I’m sorry, we got delayed with the packing and I had to…” She was fumbling with her words.
“I don’t want to hear your excuses. From now on, please stick to the orders given to you. I took you on, because you are able bodied and seem smart, but I also need you to be obedient.” He had interrupted her. Ivy’s brows crossed and she jerked her head up to look at him. Who did he think he was? She could feel her nostrils flaring. Which century did this man think they lived in? He wanted her to be an obedient housekeeper?
“I will do my best to get the job done, Mr. Cooper. But please do not expect me to be a meek obedient slave to your wishes and fancies.” Ivy said, gritting her teeth. As much as she wanted him, wanted his lips on hers, his fingers in her hair; she was also prideful. She matched his fiery gaze with her own, and glared back at him, daring him to dismiss her. They stared at each other for several moments.
“I don’t intend on you being my slave, Ivy. Just my employee.” He said and took a few steps closer to her. She could see that he was studying her again, his eyes were drinking in the shape of her breasts under the cotton fabric of her blouse, how her jeans fit slenderly on the curves of her hips. Then he looked back at her eyes again.
“What are your tasks for me today?” She asked him, the silence between them was growing to be very uncomfortable, she couldn’t control her ragged breathing any more. She wanted to get a moment to catch her breath, away from him.
“The maintenance of the house is your responsibility. I don’t intend on setting you any tasks. You can figure it out yourself. You can set up your room, it’s the one at the bottom of the stairs, next to the kitchen.” He said, and before Ivy could respond; Leon had jumped back on his horse.
She looked up at him, confusion, anger, desire all streaming out of her eyes as she glared at him. He tipped his hat at her, and then out of nowhere, he smiled. His smile was wide, warm and reached his eyes, and just like that, he had turned his horse around and he was galloping away.
Ivy could feel her breasts rise and fall as she tried to make sense of her own feelings. She was offended by his behavior, and yet dangerously attracted to him. Maybe her father was right, she was foolish to think that she could work as a housekeeper for an absolute stranger. But she wasn’t a quitter either, she was going to give this one chance.
The mansion, which was Leon Cooper’s house, was unlike one that Ivy had ever seen before. It was luxurious on the inside, decorated tastefully with beautiful new upholstery, carpeted floors, platinum fixtures in all the bathrooms and porcelain figurines. She was even more surprised to see the house because she hadn’t quite pegged Leon to be the kind of a man who might decorate a house in this fashion.
No wonder he needs a housekeeper, she thought to herself as she walked around the rooms silently. Everything was neat, clean and polished, everything was in it’s place. She had to be careful as she walked around, afraid to touch anything, afraid to move too quickly. She had
no idea how expensive any of the things were and she was afraid to break something.
Her bedroom was lavish too; much more beautiful than any bedroom she had ever stayed in before. She unpacked her bags and then sat down on the large springy bed, looking out of her window.
She could see the ranch as it spread across, around the house. She could see a stable of horses in the background, and hear the sound of their hooves. But Leon wasn’t in sight.
She sighed, a sudden feeling of being overwhelmed washed over Ivy. This house was too big, too expensive, too tasteful for her to look after. Especially since she had never looked after a house before. Where was she even supposed to begin?
Ivy stood up from the bed and walked out of her bedroom, walking gingerly towards the kitchen. At least she could start preparing lunch, she considered.
Leon hadn’t told her what time he took his lunch, what he liked to eat, or if he was even coming back to the house for it. When she looked up at the clock in the kitchen, it told her it was nearly eleven already. She realized she had wasted too much time exploring the mansion.
She got started on the food and found that the pantry was stuffed with ingredients and supplies, although it looked like the kitchen hadn’t once been used yet. At least thankfully, her mother had passed down her famous cooking skills, so she could whip up a meal with very little effort.
Within an hour, Ivy had baked a batch of fresh cheese rolls and a pot of thick chicken cream soup. Along with a bowl of berries and yogurt that she placed at the center of the dining table, she arranged the rest of the simple yet hearty meal and sat down to wait.
Ivy waited for some time, by herself, wondering if she had made the right decision to make lunch. It wasn’t until one that she heard the front door of the house being banged shut and the crunching sound of Leon’s leather boots as he walked towards the dining room.
Ivy stood up from her chair with a jerk, not sure what she was expecting from him. Leon walked in, with his hat in his hands, and only grunted when he saw her. He looked at the food on the table, and without a word pulled out a chair at the head of the table and sat down to eat.
