AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Claimme?” she sputters. “At any time, any place? Such as in the garden? In the kitchen? Your bedroom, my bedroom, or even the bathroom?”
I grin lazily.
“Basically yes, although I would never be so crass as to disturb you when you’re using the facilities. That’s going too far, even for me.”
But still, Chelsea’s not assuaged and she swallows hard.
“Okay, so you won’t disturb me while I’m in the bathroom,” she manages in a stilted tone. “Got it. But how does this work?” Then, she gasps and her lashes flutter. “I don’t want my mom to hear us going at it,” she says in a hurried voice. “That’s just wrong.”
I shrug.
“Yeah, I agree that’s going beyond the pale. So to make things simpler, if you agree, you’ll move into the mansion with me and leave Elsa in the cottage. That way, you’ll be readily available, and we won’t be within earshot of your mother either. I think you’ll find that the mansion is big enough for us both,” I say with a wink. “But don’t try to hide because I know every nook and cranny of this place.”
Chelsea swallows hard again, although I can see her bosom trembling. Good. She’s titillated by the idea, and I know this woman’s attracted to me physically at least. After all, I was recently named Fairlawn’sMost Eligible Bachelorby a local society magazine for the fifth year in a row. So what’s not to like?
“Don’t look so mortified, sweetheart. I think you’ll enjoy the arrangement, if you just give it a chance.”
She inhales deeply, her décolletage rising in the pink dress.
“But is there more?” she asks, turning to pin me with a look.
“In what sense?” I ask, quirking an eyebrow at her.
“More, as in … well, you know whips and chains and such. Not that I’m against that stuff,” she says. “Everyone has a right to live life as they please. But do you have a basement dungeon or that kind of thing?”
I start laughing hard because clearly, she’s been reading too muchFifty Shades of Grey.
“No, I don’t have a basement dungeon, a red room, or any secret BDSM cravings. Although I could get into it, if you’re into it. I do, however, enjoy administering the occasional spanking to bad girls.”
I expected Chelsea to act shocked, but instead, the curvy girl merely smiles a bit.
“Okay good,” she says. “Just checking. Again, to each their own. I just want to understand what I’m getting into.”
“Good thinking,” I drawl. Clearly, there’s more to this woman than meets the eye because she’s no blushing virgin. Chelsea comes off as innocent and meek, but in reality, I can tell that she’s a woman of the world and the discovery intrigues me.
But I press forward, sensing that I’m almost at the finish line.
“And of course, you’ll have your own suite of rooms, so there will be some privacy. Naturally, I’ll be able to enter any time I like, but most of the day, I’m working. Plus, you’ll have your run of the manor, which comes equipped with a gym, entertainment room, an indoor pool, and also a library just adjacent to this office. So how does that sound? What are you thinking, sweetheart?”
Chelsea swallows hard, her cheeks still flaming, and her bosom heaves as she adjusts herself in her seat. But then she looks directly into my eyes, her chocolate gaze steady and determined.
“I understand what you’re saying, Mr. Richards, and I’m willing to consider a deal. But I think I need more.”
I quirk a black brow at her.
“More? How so?”
She smiles like nothing’s wrong.
“Room and board aren’t enough,” she says in a firm voice. “I’d like to be paid for my time.”
My eyebrows practically fly off my forehead.
“Really? You’d like to be paid on top of the free room and board I’m providing forbothyou and your mother?”
But Chelsea holds firm, her chin up and her shoulders squared.
“Yes. It’s not enough because free use will be a 24/7 job, obviously. Not only that, but what happens afterwards? At any moment, Elsa and I could be kicked out with nothing to show for my efforts. As a result, I’d like some insurance in the form of a thousand dollars a month, in addition to free room and board. I’m pregnant after all, and I need to look out for my baby.”
