Chapter 4

Chapter Four

Maple

God, the grandson makes me nervous! I don't know why. It just feels like he is looking right through me… and I am coming up short.

I watch as Maria sets the martini glass down in front of me, Eddie, and the grandson.

"It's a chocolate trifle." Eddie dips his spoon in the glass and brings up a big scoop showing me. "I remember, my dear. No coffee stuff."

I give him a genuine smile and melt a little inside at Eddie remembering how much I dislike coffee, it's almost an allergy really.

"Why don't you like coffee, Mable?"

My attention swings back to the grandson. "It's Maple, like the leaf. But, um, you can call me…"

"Maple? Like the leaf. Or the syrup."

A blush hits my cheeks as my face turns into one big red flame. I keep my eyes down, so I don't have to look at Eddie's reaction to his grandson's words. They weren't inherently sexual. It was just the way he said it really.

"Tell me… Maple, are you as sweet as your name's sake?"

I risk looking up to see Eddie studying us. When I don't answer he takes it upon himself to answer the question his grandson asked.

"Just as sweet and twice as pleasing."

I choke on the piece of chocolate cake I just placed in my mouth. I grab for the glass of water sitting by my elbow and try to unclog my throat. Eddie did not just say that! To his grandson!

When I get myself together and risk a glance over at the grandson, he is giving me death stares and narrowed eyes. I rush through dessert as fast as I can before I jump up from my seat. "I should really be going and let the two of you catch up. I have that big test tomorrow too, Eddie."

"Of course, dear. You'll do wonderful on it as always. You be safe going home."

He makes a move to stand up but I stop him immediately, "No, you stay. I'll have Maria lock me out. Enjoy your dessert and… your grandson."

"Actually, I can show her out. No problem at all for me to do it. I need to grab my bag in the foyer anyway. I brought you something."

I love how Eddie's face lights up but not that I have to walk next to this man. I go around the table first and drop a kiss on Eddie's cheek like I do most nights before I leave.

"Remember, if you need me, call."

I offer him a sweet smile before rushing to the door. The grandson's legs are so long that he easily catches up with me so he can walk right beside me. We are silent until we come to the door, and I start to relax as I am so close to freedom.

And then he speaks.

"I have no idea what you want with my grandfather but if it's money…" he leans closer to me causing me to back up into the still closed door, "you should try with someone younger."

"M…money?"

"Hmm," he makes the sound like I've agreed to something instead of asking a question. "If you're looking for a sugar daddy, baby, you should think about what you're doing."

Sugar daddy?

His eyes rake over me and my brain finally catches up with what is going on. He thinks… He thinks I am sleeping with Eddie! That I'm Eddie's 'sexual' companion. Oh, dear God!

"Gramps isn't the person you want to fuck with, little girl." He steps forward and I step back but I'm stopped dead in my tracks by the solid wooden door at my back. His hand comes up but doesn't make contact with my skin. Instead, he just hovers over me. "If you want to try for the family money, you can always give me a whirl. I don't think I would have a problem being your Daddy, sweets."

Fear flashes through me until it pisses me off. This is what I was worried I would find when I took this job with Eddie. I wasn't going to put up with it from him and I certainly am not going to take it from his jerk of a grandson.

I place my hand on his chest… and shove as hard as I can. It takes him by surprise, and he takes a step back. "The next time you try to touch me… they'll be calling you sugar momma."

I give him a sneer and look down just so I can drive the message home with him.

"They'll have to send a search party out for your balls." I reach for the doorknob and turn it, never taking my eyes off him. Once I have the door open, I slip around it. "Good night, Maria."

I run for my little piece of shit car and don't relax until I am at my shitty apartment.