“The bedroom is fully stocked, but if you need anything specific, just let me know. Your duties will begin tomorrow, so take the rest of today to settle in.”
“Thank you,” I say, setting my pathetic backpack on the bed, acutely aware of how out of place it looks in these luxurious surroundings.
“I’ll leave you to get comfortable.”
Once he’s gone, I collapse onto the bed, my mind whirling with the day’s events. This morning, I was a nobody sleeping on a friend’s couch. Now I’m in a mansion on a private island, working for a man who looks at me like I’m something he wants to devour.
I need to talk to John.
I pull out my phone, seeing no signal.Oh no. Opening up the Wi-Fi, I’m relieved to see I can connect without a password. And immediately call him over video.
It rings several times before his familiar face appears on screen.
“Thank fuck, you’re alive!” His relief is palpable. “I was starting to worry.”
“I’m fine,” I assure him, angling the phone to show off my surroundings. “More than fine, actually. Checkthis out.”
I give him a quick tour of the room, lingering on the ocean view that still doesn’t seem real to me.
“Damn, Anya. That’s some serious upgrade from my couch.”
“I know, right? It’s insane.” I lower my voice. “But John, it’s weird too. The owner just pulled me from my job and brought me here to be his personal housekeeper. Who does that?”
“Someone who liked what they saw,” John says bluntly. “Be careful, but also... maybe live it up a little? When’s the last time anything good happened to you?”
I can’t help but laugh. “That’s your advice? You were the one making me scared to come here.”
“It looks pretty legit,” he says, grinning. “I want you to enjoy yourself. Promise me that you’ll try to relax.”
“I promise,” I say, a lump forming in my throat. Despite his gruff exterior, John has always been the one person I could count on. “I miss you already, you know.”
“Yeah, yeah, don’t get all sappy on me. Your room probably has a toilet that costs more than my car.”
I’m about to respond when movement at the door catches my eye. Ryker stands in the doorway, watching me with an unreadable expression. I have no idea how long he’s been there or how much he’s overheard.
“John, I gotta go,” I say quickly. “I’ll text you later.”
I end the call and turn to Ryker, heat flooding my cheeks. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
His eyes are fixed on my phone. “Husband? Boyfriend?”
The question catches me off guard with its intensity. Ryker’s jaw is tight, his posture rigid as he waits for my answer. I’m tempted to tell him it’s none of his business…because really it isn’t, but something in his expression makes me think that he would get mad at that answer.
“Just a friend,” I say, setting my phone down.
Some of the tension leaves Ryker’s shoulders. “I see.”
An awkward silence falls between us.
I fidget with the hem of my uniform, suddenly very aware that my thighs are exposed way too much in this dress. My heart beats rapidly as the dark look in his eyes slowly disappears. He had looked jealous at the thought of me having a boyfriend or a husband.
But I’m as single as can be.
“If you’re settled,” Ryker says finally. “I’ll show you around the main areas of the house now. You should know where everything is before you start tomorrow.”
I nod and follow him back downstairs, trying to forget the awkwardness from earlier. I try to memorize the layout of the house as we go.
The house is a maze of rooms, each of them so beautifully decorated. There is a formal dining room that could seat twenty, a kitchen that would make professional chefs weep with envy, and a living room with a fireplace big enough to roast an ox.
