Chapter 2

Chapter Two

DEVIN

I can’t believe Joy is here, in my home. I wasn’t sure it was possible, but now that she’s here, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to let her go.

“What do you mean?” Her eyes narrow like she can see my scheming thoughts.

“Look, this job pays a lot because I need someone I can rely on. I’m willing to shell out whatever it is you need to make it worth your while. But I need the person that’s going to take this job to be on site.”

“What do you mean by ‘on site’?”

“Just what it sounds like.” I lean against the counter and try to appear casual. If I push too hard too fast, I know I’m going to scare her off. She’s like a little snow bunny trying to make it through the winter without getting eaten by the big bad wolf. Now that I’ve already set the trap, all I have to do is wait for her to hop through it. “I need someone who can cook, but I’m a busy man. I suppose what I really need is an assistant.”

“I’m not sure I’m cut out for that.” Her eyes fill with disappointment as she nibbles on her bottom lip.

“You mean you can’t follow me around and write down what I need done?” I grin at her as I shake my head. “Come on, Joy. We both know you’re more than capable of handling what I can give you.”

I don’t mean for the words to come out sexual, but the way my eyes move up and down her curves is nothing but filthy. Every part of my body heats, but most of the blood in my brain is going to my dick. I can feel it throbbing in time with my heartbeat as I think of all the ways I could boss her around.

“I’m not sure I want to stay here full time.” She’s hesitant, and I see the way her fingers fidget with the hem of her sweater.

“Why not?” I raise my chin toward the front door. “That car of yours doesn’t look like it’s going to get you out of the driveway, much less back to town. And I know you’re sleeping over your cousin's garage.”

“How do you know about that? You never come into town.”

“How do you know I never come to town?” I grin again and lean forward. “Are you looking for me?”

“Get over yourself,” she huffs and crosses her arms over her chest.

I want to tell her I know where she lives because I know everything about her. I can’t get ahead of myself, so I focus on getting her to agree to this job.

“The way I hear it, your cousin is kicking you out so he can move his mistress in there. But my guess is that as soon as his baby mama finds out, she’s going to set the place on fire. If I were you, I wouldn’t want to be there when it happens.”

“How can someone have so much drama?” She sighs so hard her shoulders sag, and then she takes a seat at the bar. “Seriously, he’s like a real housewife or something.”

“How about this?” I say as I reach into the drawer of the island and take out a pen and a piece of paper. “You move in here and take care of what I need done.” I scribble a number on the paper and then fold it over before I slide it across the island to her. “I’ll pay to get your car fixed and give you this on top of it.”

When she takes the piece of paper, our fingers briefly touch, and it makes my knees weak. Jesus, what this woman does to me.

“Holy shit,” she whispers to herself as her eyes flash with shock.

“You’ll get that once a week.”

“What?” Her mouth falls open and then snaps closed. She blinks a few times before she sucks in a breath. “Devin, no offense, but do you have a brain tumor or something?”

A bark of laughter leaves me as I shake my head. “Not that I’m aware of.”

“Are you dying? Because why else would you give me this kind of money to cook you some dinner and remind you to buy soap?”

“Money motivates people, and I don’t have time to wait around for you to make a decision. If you don’t want the job, I’m moving on to the next candidate.” I’m absolutely bluffing because there is no other candidate. It’s Joy or no one. “So what’s it going to be? Are you in or out?”

“I, um...” She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear before straightening her shoulders. “I’m in. But I’ve got some ground rules.”

“Oh, this is gonna be good. Hang on, I need to sit down for this.”

“Great. It’s already started.” She rolls her eyes as I walk around the island to where she’s sitting and pull out the stool beside her.

“Come on, bunny, tell me what it’s gonna take to convince you to take the job.”

“Number one, don’t call me ‘bunny.’” She holds up her pretty finger in my face, and I have the urge to suck it into my mouth.

“Whatever you say, bunny.” I grin, and she makes the cutest growling sound in the back of her throat.

“Number two, I don’t work after dinner is over. I’m not getting in a situation where I’m at your beck and call all hours of the night.”

“Hmm, hadn’t thought about that, but now I’m kinda mad I didn’t make that part of the agreement.” I cock my head to the side and nod once. “Okay, after dinner you’re off the clock.”

“Number three, you don’t get to boss me around.”

“Well, that’s where you’re wrong. I’m your boss, and bossing you around is sort of the idea.”

“You know what I mean. This back and forth between us up until now has been hostile, and I don’t want to live here while you bark orders at me 24-7.”

“What else?” I wait, needing to hear all of her terms so that I can find ways around them.

“I get Sundays off.”

“Agreed.” I’m quick to say yes because I want to get to the end of this negotiation. “When can you start?”

“Oh, um, I guess whenever you want me to.” She looks around like she wasn’t prepared for me to move so quickly.

Little bunny, you have no idea. “Then let’s go get your shit.”

“Wait, now? Like now, now?”

“Listen, I’ve got a big wallet and a short fuse. You tell me how much and I’m getting it done. I don’t have time to sit around and think about decisions that have already been made. So get your ass in gear, bunny. We’ve got shit to do.”