However, unlike my home, there was no television, and the only entertaining thing was the large portrait of a couple who looked to be right out of a cliché horror movie. It sat above a large fireplace, surrounded by a few dark maroon couches and chairs.
As I looked around, my eyes went down to the carpet. An oriental style rug covered the sitting area in creams and dark reds to match the couch, except there was one spot on the carpet that was out of place. I knelt down and rubbed my finger over the brown spot. Rough to the touch, it seemed to have dried on a while ago.
That’s going to be tough to get out.
Standing back up, I didn’t notice someone else was in the room until a throat cleared. Startled, I spun around and came face to face with the most beautiful man I had ever seen. And ‘man’ would be putting it lightly. This guy was an Adonis, a god, someone I should fall to my feet and worship just for allowing me to be in the same room as him.
His dark hair fell over his piercing blue eyes, and an aristocratic nose filled his face. The top lip of his mouth was thin while the bottom one was full as if he had a permanent pout on his face. His scruffy jaw and relaxed form made him seem like he had just gotten out of bed. Not to forget the button-up shirt that was left unbuttoned and flapped at his side as he moved toward me.
“Uh, hi.” I waved weakly. “I’m Piper. I’m the new maid.”
The man didn’t answer me but watched me curiously. His head cocked to the side as he inched closer. My eyes trailed down from his face to his exposed muscles, and my mouth went dry.
Don’t think about sex. Don’t think about sex. I chanted my mantra over and over again as my eyes settled on the line of hair going into this mystery man’s pants. I jerked my eyes back up to his and swallowed hard at the hungry expression on his face.
The expression was so intense that it scared me. I stumbled backward and stuttered over my words, “I’m not sure who you think you are, but I better find my guide before I get fired. I really need this job, you know.”
The man kept coming even with my warning, and I kept moving back, trying to put some distance between us.
My feet found the side of the stand before I noticed it was there. I tried to stop it from falling, I really did. I didn’t care much about my own wellbeing, but if I broke something my very first day, I was going to get fired for sure.
However, for all my good intentions, there was nothing I could do. Down came the stand, the vase sitting on it, and me. The smashing sound of the vase breaking into pieces made me wince. Or maybe that was the shard of the vase that I had fallen on. Either way, it was painful.
I glanced down at my bleeding hand and then to what had to be an expensive vase decimated on the ground. Well, there goes this job. I cursed myself for my clumsiness and my raging hormones.
“Here.” The beautiful man knelt before me and picked up my hand. With as much intensity as he had stared me earlier, he picked the pieces of the vase out of the wound and sat them on the coffee table. When he was done, all that was left was a small cut. “There, it doesn’t look quite as bad as before. Just a little blood.”
I gaped at him as he smiled, flashing his unusually long canines at me. Realizing I was staring, I licked my lips and nodded. “Yeah, it’s fine. I just need a bandage.” I let him help me to my feet and then turned to the broken vase. “I’m really sorry about that. I’ll pay for it of course.”
The man chuckled. “You have fifteen million dollars to spend on a Qing Dynasty vase? I thought you were a maid?”
I could feel my face pale at his words. “Fif- fifteen million? On a vase?” I gaped down at the broken pieces on the ground.
Lifting one shoulder as if it weren’t a big deal, the man grabbed my wrist and led me to the couch. “Here, have a seat. I’ll get you something to bandage your hand with and then we can figure out some kind of payment plan.” He winked at me and then left out a door on the other side of the room.
I sat there for a moment, reveling in my mortification. Fifteen million dollars. Who the hell had that kind of money? And to spend it on something like a vase? One that you placed anywhere that it could get knocked over! Rich people. I would never understand them.
“There you are,” the same annoyed voice from before growled at me. I jumped to my feet to meet my guide. My guide’s brown eyes widened as he took in my bleeding hand and the broken pieces on the floor. “What the hell happened here?”
I winced. “I tripped?”
2
Apparently, that was not the right answer. My guide, who had yet to introduce himself, glared at me. He didn’t seem to particularly care about the fact that I was bleeding. He only seemed to care that I had caused some kind of disturbance after only five minutes in the house.
“Come on, you’re done.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet, seemingly determined to get me out of the house.
“But- But you don’t understand. I need this job,” I protested, trying to dig my feet into the ground, but the guy was stronger than he looked. “Hey, let go of me. That hurts.”
The guy sneered. “You’re going to hurt even more if you don’t get out of here right this second.”
I tried to protest more, but before I could get a word out, the Adonis from before appeared in the foyer. “Darren, what are you doing with our new maid?”
Darren? So, that’s what this asshole’s name was.
“I’ll have the agency send a new one. This one is too clumsy.” Darren sobered slightly and bowed his head before opening the door, no doubt to shove me out on my ass.
“Wait,” the Adonis said. “I don’t want a new maid. I want her.” He pointed a long finger at me, making my heart jump in my throat.
“But Master Wynn, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” Darren pressed his lips into a thin line, clearly not happy with his employer.
And what was with the Master stuff? How old-fashioned and demeaning was that?
“Are you questioning me, Darren?” Master Wynn - or whatever this guy’s name was - narrowed his eyes at the other man.
Darren let go of my arm and dropped to his knees. He shook his head profusely. “No, of course not master. I was just thinking of—” He cut himself off and pointed a finger toward the living room. “She broke the Qing vase!”
Wynn clucked his tongue. “That she did and now she is in our debt.” A slow, wicked grin spread across his lips as he looked at me. “Unless you intend to pay us back for the vase?”
I shook my head, my mouth falling open.
“I didn’t think so.” Wynn offered me his hand, the other holding a bandage. “Now, let’s get you wrapped up.”
Glancing down at Darren, I hesitated. Then Darren’s gaze met mine. There were anger and fear in those eyes, but also, there was a warning. Like he was trying to tell me something without Wynn knowing.
Either way, I didn’t really have much of a choice. I needed this job. I’d already gotten fired from or quit so many jobs that the agency said this was my last chance. Even if these people ended up being some kind of sex-crazed freaks, it was better than living on the streets.
Master Wynn led me back to the living room and sat me down on the couch. He sat on the coffee table and took my hand gently in his, using a washcloth to clean off the blood. I watched his face as he worked on me. I hadn’t noticed it before, but his eyes were dilated, and his nostrils flared. Did the sight of blood upset him?
Trying to make him feel more at ease, I withdrew my hand from his with a nervous laugh. “You know, I can do this myself. You’re my boss, I can’t really make you do this. I mean, I already owe you so much.”
“Nonsense.” Wynn flashed that wolfish grin once more. “What kind of employer would I be if I didn’t take care of my employees?”
My eyes slid over to where Darren had been. The space was now empty, but the image of him on the ground before Wynn was burned into my mind. What kind of house had I gotten myself into?
Clearing my throat, I tried to make small talk. �
��So, the job description mentioned more than one tenant?”
“Ah, yes, my brothers.” Wynn glanced up from wrapping my hand. “You’ll meet them in good time.” He paused for a moment and then continued working. “I noticed you didn’t bring any bags with you? I thought we had told the agency we wanted a live-in maid.”
“Oh, yeah. They did. I only have one bag. It’s in the car still.” I shifted nervously in my seat. I only had one bag because I had to sell most of what I owned to cover food and gas. They didn’t need to know I’ve been living out of my car for the last few months, ever since I lost my full-time job to the economy and couldn’t find a replacement. Unfortunately, I hadn’t been the savings type. So, my heart of gold landlord booted me the moment I couldn’t pay rent. This in-home job should have been a godsend, but I was still holding on to my pride. What little left I had.
“Well, that’s not a problem.” Wynn taped the end of the bandage but didn’t let go of my hand. “I’m sure you will enjoy living here and if you need anything – an extra toothbrush, a shoulder to cry on – anything at all, just let me know.” Wynn grinned and winked, making me forget all about the weird occurrence with Darren.
“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 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 got there. If I had been in his 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 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 mine 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 the majority of the room with a large dark green canopy above it. A large 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 of the bathroom. Even it was larger than I deserved as the help.
“What do you think?” Wynn’s voice in my ear made me jump, and I turned 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, 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 after 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.
3
I spent the better part of a half an hour just lying on the bed, wondering how I ended up in this situation. I had lived a good life. I went to work, paid my bills, and never bothered anyone. Then, one day, my job decided I wasn’t worth it anymore.
Maybe because I hadn’t done anything more than mediocre work. I had never strived to be the best. I did what I was asked and nothing extra. That was probably why they cut me loose and not any of the other employees.
My personal life wasn’t much better. I had one or two friends who I talked to at least once a month. However, friends were exhausting, even more so when they weren’t family. Family you could ignore, and they would always be there. Friends? Not so much.
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Standing, I brushed my hands over my clothes. I hadn’t worn anything spectacular to my first day. I was a maid, after all, I wouldn’t want to dirty up anything nice. The slacks I wore were one of three pairs I owned. The other two were all that I had left of my work wardrobe from before, that and a few blouses and one pair of black heels. I had opted out of the black heels today and wore tennis shoes instead.
I grimaced down at my beat-up sneakers. They weren’t really that impressive, especially for dinner in a place like this. There was another knock on the door just as I slipped into my heels. I raced for the door and pulled it open.
I expected to see Wynn since he had said he would come to get me, or at least Darren. However, the person waiting on the other side was neither of them. Not unless they had grown shrunk a few inches and colored their hair a bright red.
“Uh, hello.” I held onto the door, prepared to shut it if the man in front of me meant ill will.
A sly grin slipped up the redhead’s face, and the freckles across his nose popped out as he chuckled. The sound of it was like silk on my skin, and I shivered in pleasure. “Don’t look so worried, sweetheart. I’m not going to eat you.”
When he flashed his canines which like Wynn’s were sharper than usual. He must be one of the brothers. If that were the case, then I had no reason to fear him. I hoped.
“I’m Piper.” I offered him a smile. “I’m the new maid.”
The redhead rolled his eyes. “I know that, why do you think I’m here? Come on, they’re waiting for us in the dining room.” Unlike Wynn, he didn’t offer me his arm to escort me to dinner. He pushed off the wall and tucked his hands into his pockets, sauntering down the hallway like he owned the place, which I suppose he did.
I hurried after him. His legs weren’t much longer than mine, so it wasn’t that much of a feat. “So, you know my name. Am I going to get yours?”
The redhead’s eyes slid over to me with a smirk. “Do you really need to know my name to clean the house?” He shook his head and let out a huff. “I don’t even understand why Wynn is allowing you to eat with us, but that’s him.” His eyes moved up and down my form, and I could see the twinkle in his eyes. “Always bending the rules for a pretty face.”
I couldn’t figure out if I should be offended or pleased. Knowing Wynn was attracted to me made something inside of me tingle. However, it was no secret that this guy beside me didn’t much care for the hired help.
We turned a corner and then we were at a different set of stairs than the ones from earlier. I was lucky I had someone here to guide me, or I’d be completely lost. The redhead didn’t much seem to care if I got lost or not.
He kept going as if I weren’t even following him.
Once down the stairs, we turned into a large dining room with an even bigger chandelier than the one in the foyer. A long mahogany table big enough to sit twelve filled most of the room. Five of those spots were already taken, and surprisingly Wynn was not at the head of the table.
A deep voice with a heavy European accent came from the man sitting at the head of the table. “Rayne, there you are.” The man had long blonde hair and pale eyes that even from here were striking. When I stepped into the room from behind Rayne, the man frowned. “And you must be Miss Billings.”
I didn’t know why, but for some reason, I felt even less of a welcoming feeling from this man – who was clearly the leader of the brothers – than from Raye or Darren. Unable to handle his stare, I folded my hands in front of me and ducked my head.
“Yes, thank you for having me in your home.” I had the sudden urge to curtsey but didn’t want to embarrass myself even further.
The man snorted. “You act as if you are a guest and not someone we hired. While I’m sure my brother, Wynn, has filled your head with all kinds of daydreams of your life here, I want to make sure you are clear in your duties.”
I nodded. “I understand of course. I won’t—”
“First rule. Do not speak unless I ask a question and then your answer should straight to the point. No excuses and no long-winded stories.” He glared at Wynn who pretended not to notice him. “Second, what happens in this house stays in this house, understood?”
I opened my mouth to answer him and then clamped it shut and simply nodded.
Seemingly pleased, he continued, “Lastly, you will have a list of chores sent to your room each night for the following day. They are expected to be completed by the end of that day. Any that are not finished, you will have to add to your chores for the following day.”
Jesus, who shit in this guy’s coffee?
The man leaned back in his seat. “Now, I believe introductions should be made simply for convenience’s sake. I don’t expect you to socialize with any of us outside of what is expected for your work. Clear?”
Realms and Rebels: A Paranormal and Fantasy Reverse Harem Collection Page 167
