Chapter 6

Maya

Waking up in the guest room of James Thomas’ home, was strange and even though he was a nice guy, I felt like a duck out of water. His place was a palace, and I was a reject who’d shown up with one outfit and barely any money.

I couldn’t impose on this man, who I barely knew. I needed to find a job and a new place to stay.

As I got out of bed and slipped on my sandals the smell of bacon hit my nostrils and sent my mouth to watering. I went out to the kitchen to find James standing in a pair of shorts in front of the stove. Grease was popping, and he was dodging being burned as he cracked an egg into the pan.

“You do know there are some things you shouldn’t do topless, right?” I walked over and turned his fire down.

“I haven’t cooked in a while, and I had this sent up from the market.” He turned his head, and something hit me that he seemed so familiar but I couldn’t quite place him.

“Do you have everything sent up?” I knew he was rich, and probably accustomed to a certain lifestyle, but I couldn’t see anyone not going out for a bit of normalcy once in a while. Did this mean he was famous? He didn’t strike me as an actor, though it wouldn’t have surprised me with his handsome good looks.

His brown hair was always perfect in the back and messy in the front as if he’d just raked his hand through it without care. He wore his beard trimmed tight, and it framed his full lips which were so perfect, I wanted to kiss him just to see what they felt like against mine. His eyes were golden green behind his dark lashes, and he regarded what was in the pan as if he were under attack.

“Mostly. I hate going to the grocery store. I hope you like a traditional breakfast.”

I scrunched my nose and glanced down into the pan at the eggs and bacon frying side by side. “I’m allergic to eggs, actually.”

“Fuck, I’m sorry. Do you want me to send up for something else?” He let out a breath and leaned back against the counter, wiping the tiny specks of grease that had managed to hit their mark.

“I’ll just have some more apple juice and a piece of toast.”

“I’m out of the apple. I have pineapple, though.” He stepped back up to the stove to tend to his eggs.

“Sorry, I can’t have that either.” I shrugged.

“I should have known to ask you if you were allergic to anything, I feel like a real asshole.”

“Hey, it’s not that big of a deal, really. Most people don’t think about it. I just have to be careful is all.”

He met my eyes with a smile. “Yeah, but, I’m not just anyone. I’ve just developed a life-saving dissolvable tablet for people with your type of allergies.”

“You developed it? As in formulated it yourself?” His talent amazed me.

“Yeah. Drugs are my passion.” He gave me a wink.

“I should have figured you for a drug lord. I mean, look at this place. You’re loaded, right?”

He let loose a laugh that rang out through the place. “Yeah, that’s me. I’m on the legal side of things though. I’ve worked to develop several allergy related drugs as well as a few others. I sell my formulations to pharmaceutical companies, and they make the product and distribute it.”

“So, you’re a big nerdy scientist?”

“I guess you can call me that, although I’ve always preferred the title Big Nerd, you know, just to keep it short and sweet. My staff finds it easier.” He gave me a nudge and stepped away to open the fridge. “Take anything you want that won’t kill you. My house is your house.”

“Thanks. You don’t seem like the science type, although, you could play a sexy doctor on TV.”

His perfect smile spread his lips as he tucked his chin and laughed. “I’ll remember that when I decide to get a real job.”

“I think that’s amazing that you save people’s lives. It obviously pays well.” I took in the room around me and wondered how much the marble countertops cost.

“Yeah, it pays ridiculously. I’m currently seeking a company to distribute who will not gouge the hell out of people like you who need affordable medicine.”

“Yeah, I left my allergy pen at Craig’s apartment. I can’t afford a new one for sure.” The last one had cost me an insane amount of money.

“Then you’ve come to the right place.” He walked to his bag across the room and unzipped it. “I’ve got samples. If you feel like you’re going to die, pop one under your tongue.” He walked back over to where I was and handed me the blister pack.

“This is amazing. You mean I don’t have to jab myself in the leg?” I had to use my emergency pen three times in my life, and each time hurt like hell.

“Yeah, your welcome.” He gave me a smile. “Now, about employment. I don’t know anyone who is hiring, but it would help me out if you could work around here. I don’t keep an assistant, but I could use the help. I had a housekeeper who quit on me about six months ago, and you could go to the market for me so I don’t buy foods you can’t eat.”

“That sounds like you’re making up jobs for me. I know there has to be someone hiring. I don’t want to take advantage.”

“You’d be helping me; I’d be helping you.” He made it all sound so simple as he took the eggs and bacon and placed them on a plate.

“You’re not going to be one of those bosses who suddenly wants his bed warmed once I’m on the payroll?” I only brought it up to see his reaction, knowing full well I’d warm his bed anytime he wanted. A gorgeous guy like him though; one with his money would never be interested in me.

He stepped closer and met my eyes. “I’m not the kind of guy who needs to use such trickery, Maya. When I want you in my bed, I’ll come right out and invite you.” He reached out and tucked a stray strand of my hair back behind my ear. “And you’ll say yes.” He gave me a wink.

“Confident much?” I belted a laugh as he turned and looked over his shoulder as he walked across the room to get himself a drink.

“Call it what you want, but you’re the one who keeps bringing up sex with me. You did it yesterday, and now today. I can’t help but wonder why.” He gave a teasing grin and twisted the cap off his bottle.

“So, what will you expect?” I thought I’d feel him out on the job a bit more.

“Oral, light bondage, nipple clamps—for you, not me—possible anal—

My mouth fell open with shock. “I meant the job, not the sex, but all of that is very interesting.” He belted another laugh, and after he composed himself, he gave me a sympathetic look.

“I was only kidding; I knew what you meant.” The heat pooled in my cheeks as he continued to apologize. “Sorry, but the look on your face was so worth it.”

“Could you please be serious.”

“This place needs picked up and dusted, and I especially hate doing my own laundryand if you take care of that for me, along with some light cooking, shopping, and keeping me in line, you can work here as long as you like. The guest room is yours until I have visitors, in which case, I’ll just have to let you share my room, and of course, you’ll be expected to pretend you’re my fiancé from France.” The smirk playing around his lips made me want to choke him, but at least he liked to have fun.

I let out a sigh. “Dammit, I don’t speak French. I guess I’m out of luck.”

He put his hand over his heart and held up two fingers. “I’m so sorry. You were this close.”

“Seriously, if that’s all you’ll need, I think I can handle it until I make enough to buy a ticket and get settled back home.”

His eyes dimmed. “If that’s all you need, Maya is a ticket back home and money to get settled, then I can give you that now.”

“No, I can’t just take your money. I’ll feel better if I earn my way and besides, I need to try and get over to the other place. I don’t have any other clothes, and I really need my phone. It has all of my contacts back home.”

“Then I’ll take you over to get them, and you can stay as long as you need. The job is yours. As for clothes, I can hook you up. I’ve always wanted one of those little French maids running around my house.”

I tilted my head and gave an apologetic look. “But I can’t speak French, remember?”

“Then you’ll have to wear the American version, but I warn you, it’s the skirt only option. You won’t be able to fry me any bacon, but it’s a trade I’m willing to make.”

That time I cracked up laughing and walked over to give him a nudge. “You’re impossible. But I’ll work on getting my own clothes. I don’t want to go alone, but if you’d just go in with me, I’d feel a lot better.”

“I don’t know if I should go in. He might think you were sleeping with me all along and get violent. No offense, but I’ve had enough of that drama to last a lifetime.” His face fell into a frown, and that’s when I realized who he was.

“You’re James Thomas! The James Thomas from the Alexandra Thomas scandal?” I’d watched every single minute of news coverage from that murder scandal. James’s sister Alexandra had been brutally murdered by her lover, and it was a media sensation.

“Yes; that’s me. Now, do you see why I’m willing to help you with no strings attached.”

Indeed, I did.