AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I can tell you’re a good girl. It must be one of the reasons why you were hired.”
The answers to why I was hired are still pending, but I’ll take the compliment anyway.
I nod. “Thanks.”
She nods back, and that’s that. The conversation is over.
I’m moving on with my day, but I can’t stop thinking about her words of warning. They were similar to Mrs. King’s warning yesterday, but it’s not like I’m going to go jump on one of these guys. And it’s not like they’re desperate for female companionship considering what I learned about their willing rotation of women.
These men are untouchable, but I’m here to be a professional, to get my bank account ready for college, to have a nice place to live. I shouldn’t worry about what Camilla said, shouldn’t even think about it.
But I do.
Hours later I take my lunch break to the edge of the property. My target is the old white-washed wood veranda that sits perched on the bluff overlooking the ocean. There’s a stunning beach down below but the stairs to get there are so long and steep that I’m not going to attempt them today. The wooden planks of the bench creak under me as I sit down, the wind ruffling my ponytail. I could get used to this place.
This is my chance at a fresh start.
A new me.
I finish up my meal and close my eyes for a few minutes, letting the distant crashing of waves overtake my senses until a shadow passes over me and I’m forced to pop my eyes back open. The King brothers stand over me with arms folded and grim expressions on their similar faces. They’re both shirtless with swim trunks low on their hips, their chiseled bodies on full display. They each boast perfectly rippled abdomens and well-proportioned frames. They do not make men like this where I come from.
“Can I help you?” I ask carefully. And then I remember that I’m not supposed to speak to them first. Geez, I hope I don’t get reprimanded for this. It has become glaringly obvious that I’m out of my element with this family.
Ethan glares down at me and Cooper speaks up first. “That depends on what you’re offering. Are you here to clean up after us or are you here to fuck us?” His tone is relaxed despite the harsh words. “Because we’re not interested in tag-teaming.”
I blanch and jump up, grabbing the remains of my meal and snapping the lid onto the lunchbox. “You think that’s what I’m offering? That’s not why I’m here.”
Screw the whole not speaking to them thing—I’m no doormat.
“Isn’t it?” Ethan says, deadpanned. “Look at you.”
“What do my looks have to do with anything?” I’m not sure if this is supposed to be some kind of fucked up compliment or what. I know I’m cute, could even be considered pretty, but I’m no drop-dead beauty queen. “Don’t talk to me like this again or else I’ll tell Mrs. King.”
“Are you going to tattle on us?” Cooper raises an eyebrow but his smile quirks in a playful manner and I have no idea what to make of it.
“Maybe I will. This is sexual harassment.”
They’re on either side of me in an instant, both staring down as I stand rooted to the spot between them. I fight the urge to take a step back because they’re not backing down.
Well, I’m not either.
“Listen, I’m a professional,” I try. “I got hired to clean up after you this summer and that’s the only thing you’ll be getting from me.”
Cooper shifts back, a bored expression passing over his face like an afternoon shadow, but Ethan doubles down, inching so close that our noses are mere inches apart. White hot heat radiates between us. A fake smile thins at the corners of my lips and when they part, his eyes drop to my mouth. For just a second, I think he’s going to kiss me. And for just a second, I think I might let him. What the hell is wrong with me? I can’t be a willing participant in his twisted games.
“Back off,” I growl instead.
He snatches the end of my ponytail between his fingers and tugs. “Are you here to snitch on us then? Is that it? You’re our father’s little lackey? His eyes and ears?”
“You really think I was hired for anything other than cleaning?” I motion to the three of us standing together like this.
“Answer the question.”
“No, I’m not here to babysit you. You two are grown-ass men and you’re older than me.”
“How old are you then, Ardie?” Cooper asks.
I bristle at the name. “It’s Arden, and I’m eighteen.”
