After a long day and a great meal, I’m worn out. I head to the bathroom and shut the door with my foot before running the water in the tub. My thoughts are scattered as I pull the knob on the faucet and the warm, inviting rain falls from the shower head.

Stripping down, I kick my jeans from around my ankles and step in under the water. It feels amazing as it pours down over my tired, aching muscles and washes all the day’s sweat from work and dirt down the drain.

Audrey seems to be catching on around here. Even Holden had no choice but to smile and be friendly once he saw what a fantastic job she did around here today. The laundry has all been washed. The meal was piping hot and delicious. I didn’t even need to send her off to fetch pickles from the cellar today so I could finish cooking the meat.

And I’d call that a win.

All in all, I think this is gonna work out just fine. Speaking of fine, Audrey’s image rushes to my mind as I remember the way her long skirt swept around her full ass tonight. When she was bringing the food out to the table, I couldn’t help but look her over. I know I can’t lay a finger on her. I learned that one the hard way with Lila.

I grab my washcloth and soap and get all lathered up. As the suds and grit wash down the drain, I shampoo my hair and get properly cleaned up. Normally I’m not so particular about all this stuff. I like to stay tidy, but I’m not one of these guys who spends his whole day picking up after himself and taking ten showers a day.

Sure, it’s true I also took a shower this morning, but that was because I find it easier to shave after the hot steam hits my face for a bit.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

I wonder what color panties she’s wearing. Are they those cotton kind? Or does she wear something fancy under her skirt? The rest of her clothes look pretty high-end. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was wearing a lacey little thong or something. I can just see her plump ass rounded out with the tiny fabric of a thong between the cheeks. My mouth salivates as I imagine exploring that flimsy fabric covering her pussy with my tongue.

I might not be able to touch, but I can think whatever I want.

My dick is rock hard and throbbing with a need for release as I get lost in a daydream about Audrey. I can almost hear her whispering in my ear, “Fuck me, baby. I need to feel every inch of that cock inside me.” I can picture her breathless and moaning as I fill up her tight pussy and watch her bounce on me like she’s trying to break in a wild stallion.

“Mmm.” I wrap my fist around my dick and slowly start pumping my hand up and down as I play out the scene in my head. Closing my eyes, I surrender to the pleasure.

“What the fuck?”

My eyes pop open as I hear Holden roar so loud it practically sounds like he’s in the bathroom with me.

With my hand frozen on my cock, I tilt my head and listen to what sounds like a heated discussion between Audrey and him. Now what is the problem? It’s clear as day that Holden is upset about something, but I have no idea what. I know he’s got a hair-trigger temper and he’s always looking for some small thing to nitpick Audrey over.

Sighing, I shut off the shower and grab a towel to dry off. With water still dripping down my shoulders and chest, I wrap it around my waist and hope my erection isn’t too obvious. Yanking the door open, the chaos gets louder and I cross the hallway toward all the commotion.

“I knew you were lying to us. Didn’t I tell you she was lying?” Holden glares over at me.

Audrey is pacing the floor in the hallway. “I didn’t lie. It was just a little mistake. It’s no biggie, right? Can’t you just take it out of my pay or something?”

Holden points to the dark green sheets with yellowish blotches stained across them. It’s clear they’ve been on the losing end of a battle with bleach.

“Okay, just calm down, will ya? So your sheets have polka dots now. Who cares? Are they getting judged in a pageant? Or are you sleeping in them? I swear you love to make a mountain outta molehills, Holden.”

But Holden doesn’t listen. Instead, he brushes right past me and closes his bedroom door so Audrey is cut out of the conversation.

“How many things are you going to let her fuck up around here before you say enough?” He turns his anger toward me.

“Oh, I dunno, I’m still waiting for just one of these tragic and major fuck-ups to happen. You act like a bloody burger and some bleach on your sheets is a federal offence, man. Why are you going off like a lunatic about such stupid shit? It’s like you just want to find a reason to be angry at her because you’re tryin’ to hide the truth. But guess what? I can see it clear as day. You’re not hiding shit.”

“What are you gettin’ on about now?” He stops moving and stares me straight in the eyes.

“Holden, you’re not fooling me, okay? I know you. Out there is a gorgeous woman. Anyone with eyes and blood rushing through their veins can see that’s a fact. I see the way you look at her when you forget you’re supposed to be angry about some stupid thing or another.”

“That’s not true. I’ve never even considered…”

“Come on, man. Who you lyin’ to right now? Me or you?”

That shuts him up. The room is so quiet I swear I can hear Audrey’s shallow breaths out in the hall. I imagine she’s listening to every word in here. I can tell she needs this job and I’m not about to let Holden send her packing just because he never got over having his heart trampled on in the past.

“I’ve said it before. You’ve got to get over the Lila thing. It ain’t fair to her”—I point to the shut door—“or anyone else in this house. You stomp around and get pissy just to keep yourself from having feelings for Audrey. You can’t hold it over her head that Lila played games.”

“Yeah, if being married and forgetting to mention it is a game,” Holden deflates and mumbles at the floor.

“Yup, she did us dirty. There’s no two ways about it. She let us think the three of us had something and it sucked when we found out it was all a lie, but how long are you gonna hang onto that shit?”

“I didn’t realize I still was until… Well, until she showed up.” Holden clears his throat and narrows his eyes. “So, then, what are we supposed to do about Audrey? Just pretend we believe she has the first clue about how to do this job? You and I both know she’s lying to us about having experience.”

“Excuse me.” The door creaks open and Audrey walks into the room.

“What?” Holden snaps his attention over to her. “What are we supposed to do with you, huh? Tell me the truth now. Have you ever cooked and cleaned before?”

“No.” She keeps her gaze steady and her voice calm. “I needed a job badly, so I lied about that. I’m sorry.”

“And you think I should just let that go?”

“No”—she swallows hard—“I think I deserve to be punished.” Her cheeks blaze pink and she slinks slowly across the room, closing the distance between her and us with each hypnotic step.

“Punished?” I tilt my head.

“Yep, I’ve been a naughty girl. You caught me in a lie and I would understand if you guys want to fire me. But I’d rather stay with you two. I’ve gotta admit, I like being so close to both of you. A lot more than I ever expected. I think there’s only one way I’m gonna learn my lesson.”

“Oh.” Holden’s voice drops an octave. “And what’s that?”

“I need to be put over your knee. I’ve been a bad girl and I need a good spanking.”