The Recluse

“I don’t expect for you to tend to the entire house alone. I have a professional service come in once a month to deep clean.” He stared at me right in the eyes.

I nodded, thankful he pointed out that I wouldn’t be responsible for this gargantuan house.

“You’re able to prepare meals daily?”

I nodded again. “Of course.”

“Light cleaning would be essential. I don’t go in many of the rooms, so it would be nice to have those checked to make sure things aren’t getting... stale.”

“Of course,” I repeated.

For the next twenty minutes, we continued talking about what he expected me to do. Although he said I could make up my own times, that two days of the week would be for me to do with as I please, I knew I’d be strict with how I conducted myself here.

I had to be, or I’d unravel in the presence of sin, and Fin was full-on sin.

I could already feel myself doing that now, the tendrils of want and desire mixing with each other to create this combustible flame inside me.

He discussed finances, money being deposited into my account biweekly, and how I’d have a “company car,” and a weekly household allowance to purchase groceries and other supplies I needed. He wasn’t picky about meals either, but I made note of what he liked and didn’t like and knew I’d have things planned out a week in advance.

I also reminded myself to get that lemon raspberry cake a couple times a week. I'd seen how much he enjoyed it.

A part of me wanted to make life easier for myself here by being organized, but I also wanted to show him that I could handle this, that he wouldn’t regret hiring me. Although I had no experience in any of this, I would take my job seriously and be proud of it.

Once we were finished talking, he asked if I wanted another glass of wine. It was tempting, but I knew if I had any more, I’d wake up with a headache. So I declined, excused myself for the night, and I made my way back toward my room.

I found myself taking a detour though. I found the study, or maybe it was his office. I saw the library, the shelving from ceiling to floor. The walls seemed to be built specifically to hold books. If I’d been an avid reader, I would’ve been in heaven at that moment, but even I could appreciate the beauty of all the leather bound titles.

I made my way back upstairs to go to my room for the night, since I wanted to be up relatively early. I had a lot to do tomorrow, not because there were tasks given to me right off the bat, but because I wanted to be fully prepared for my new position.

When I reached the top of the stairs, I made my way toward my room. Most of the doors on either side of me were closed, but when I neared the one that was directly beside mine, I couldn’t help but slow when I saw it was partially opened.

The scent coming out of it was purely male and all Fin. I knew without having to ask that this was his room. Knowing he’d sleep right beside my room had this weird feeling settling in my belly.

The door was open enough that I could see the massive bed across the room, almost identical to mine, but twice the size, and that was saying something, since mine wasn’t anything to scoff about. Then again, a man of Fin’s size and stature would need a monstrous bed.

The dirty thoughts that slammed into my head had my cheeks instantly feeling hot. They were images of me naked, of him above me, the sheets a tangled mess around us, sweat pouring off our bodies because we’d been going at it all night like animals.

Oh my God. Get yourself under control.

I forced myself to move away and head to my room. Once inside, I shut the door and leaned against it. And then I just inhaled and exhaled until I felt my pulse start to steady, until I felt like I was steady enough on my own two feet.

I had no idea how I was going to survive being Finland Hawthorne’s employee, because after only being here for this short time, I already felt like a big fucking mess where he was concerned.5FinI’d jerked off twice since I said goodnight to Kitty, and it hadn’t helped. In fact, it had made my arousal even stronger, more potent.

I’d never felt anything like this before. It was like this fire burning me alive, and the accelerant was Kitty.

I should’ve probably felt like a dirty bastard thinking these lower, obscene thoughts concerning her. But I didn’t. And I refused to stop thinking about her.