I’m not bothered.
“Yes, if you want to put it that way.” I walk toward her and reach out to stroke her cheek. “We get along well,” I say smoothly, “so why not?”
Her face heats in a hot blush. She pushes my hand away, sputters, and her eyes flash.
“What do you mean, why not? Are in insane? This isn’t normal! Who hires a live-in maid for sex? Why don’t you just use professionals or something? I’m sure there are lots of high-end escort agencies ready to serve.”
I merely shrug.
“I don’t want those women. I want you.”
Then, I pull out my phone and start to dial the employment agency’s number. If Jolene wants to play it this way, then I’ll let her hear that I mean business.
“Hello, Kit Kat Cleaners?” I ask. “Yes, this is –”
But then Jolene grabs my phone, and I let her pull it away. She hangs up and presses the cell to her breast.
“Don’t. Please. I’m begging you.”
I grin. “You don’t have to beg, sweetheart, although I kind of like it. You do look very pretty when you’re upset.”
She glares at me again, but it’s true. The flush on her cheeks is endearing, and I love how her big bosom heaves with outrage.
“Listen, Chan,” she says in a tight voice. “I’ll agree to your deal, but I have some terms of my own.”
“Sure,” I say in an amused manner. “Shoot. I wouldn’t expect less from a sassy woman like you.”
She narrows her eyes at me, but it only makes her cuter.
“First, I want five thousand dollars a week.” That amount is ten times what a normal live-in maid makes, but I nod casually.
“Done.”
Jolene’s taken aback, goggling at me for a moment, and I grin. “No problem, honey,” I add in a silky tone. “Just let me know if you want cash or a check. Or direct deposit. I can set it up any way you like.”
She glares at me again, although I can tell she’s beginning to realize she’s outmatched.
“And I get free room and board during my time here. You do not get to charge me for extras like soap and shampoo.”
I hold up my hands.
“I would never dream of that, honey. Consider my home to be your home. But,” I say in a low tone. “I have some terms of my own too, like I mentioned. This isn’t a regular posting.”
Jolene cocks her head at me.
“And they are?”
Grinning, I tick them off.
“One. While you are in my apartment, you will wear only lingerie and high heels. No exceptions. And two: while you are here, you will be available to me whenever I choose. See?” I shrug. “It’s simple. There are only two rules. You have two and I have two.”
She stares at me.
“You must truly be insane, Channing. You want a woman prancing around your home at all hours wearing practically nothing? That’s your wildest fantasy?”
The gleam in my eye only deepens.
“If that woman is you, then it’s definitely my fantasy come true,” I say in a silky tone. “Now shake on it?”
She hesitates, those big brown eyes still a bit unsure, but then her small hand slips into mine. I grin.
“Good. We’ll start tonight,” I grin. And just like that, I have Jolene Carson squarely in my sights.
6
Jolene
* * *
Channing sent me home after shaking on our dirty deal. I’m supposed to get my stuff and return to his home this afternoon, but honestly, I’m wandering about in a daze. This deal is so crazy. What billionaire wants a naked young lady to wander around his apartment in lingerie? Or is this what billionaires do all the time?
That’s the rub: I don’t know the first thing about billionaires, Channing Saint included. It’s hard to believe that the man I fell hard for that night at the ball is none other than the scion of a famous movie family. I’ve seen him naked! He’s seen me naked! And now, we’re going to see a lot more of one another.
But how long does this arrangement last? I suppose until he’s ready to discard me. With that thought, I steel my heart, my lips turning down. After all, there are no fairy tale endings in real life. I’m to be this man’s plaything, and then when he gets bored, I’ll be tossed to the curb. I’m sure Channing will make it worth my while with the more-than-generous salary and a couple goodbye gifts thrown in, but still: is it worth my dignity in the process? We shall see.
When I get back to my apartment, I check in on Ava. My roomie’s still sleeping, although she looks less flushed. I make her a cup of green tea and set it on her nightstand for when she wakes up. Then I return to my bedroom to grab the essentials. What should I bring? I don’t have much sexy underwear, that’s for sure. That’s when my phone rings, the shrill loud.