Chapter 6

The next morning I expect to feel drained and disoriented, but everything about me was light and fresh and alive. Maybe being clean and surrounded by soft blankets and sleek sheets, my stomach not tight with pain forcing me to crawl out of whatever shelter I’d manage to find to hunt down anything even slightly edible…

Yeah, that probably made a difference.

I’d also jerked off in the shower thinking about Luther, and came so hard I’d almost passed out right there. And did pass out in the wonderful bed seconds later.

Still naked.

I looked around for the black silk pajamas Luther had left for me, guilt tainting my happy buzz a little when I spotted them on the floor. After pulling them on quickly, I headed to the bathroom to take a piss, then wash my hands and face and brush my teeth. I even used floss and mouthwash.

Thinking of Luther’s kiss, the state of my mouth was embarrassing. Sure, I tried to brush my teeth at least once a day when I lived on the streets, but finding somewhere with a sink that would let me in wasn’t always easy. And I hadn’t been to a dentist since I was ten.

But he hadn’t seemed to notice my teeth weren’t as perfectly white as his. Or that my hair wasn’t groomed and my clothes were grungy and worn.

I looked in the mirror at the ‘pretty’ face I’d always hated, one that was too weak, too smooth, lacking the strength in my brothers’ hard jaws and even harder eyes.

Aside from the shadows under my eyes and the slight gauntness of my cheeks, I looked…good. My hair had dried a little fluffy, with the overgrown light blond waves touching my collar, but it was a nice color, shiny now that it had been washed. My lips had more color to them, probably from the kisses that I could still feel whenever I closed my eyes.

A soft knock at the door drew my attention away from staring at the new, less pathetic me. I hurried across the room, grinning when I saw Luther standing there, arms folded over his chest.

He smiled back. “You look good, Alec. No regrets?”

“Nope.” I pressed my tongue into my bottom lip. “Do you want to come in?”

Laughing, he shook his head, unfolding his arms and stepping back. “No. You’re coming down to the kitchen to have breakfast with me. We can discuss your orientation so you can start work on Monday.”

“Right. Work.” I tried not to sound disappointed. Work was good. Needed. I wasn’t some charity case they’d taken off the streets. I was a thief who’d been handed a damn golden ticket. One with terms and conditions, all of which I’d agreed to.

But part of my mind was still stuck in the fantasy Luther had given me. One where desire meant not having to wonder if this was all too good to be true.

There had to be a catch.

“You are going to be very easy to spoil.” Luther reached out and took my hand. “I have you to myself for the next two days. Behave and you will enjoy every minute. I’m generous with my rewards.”

“Yeah?” I glanced down at our hands, loving how easy it was to be touched by him. That contact was so natural, maybe because he did it as though there was no reason not to. As if it wasn’t a big deal.

Which it might not be to him, but his hold anchored me. Made this all seem real.

Real enough not to think too hard about what I was getting myself into.

The kitchen smelled like absolute heaven. Syrup and coffee and blueberry muffins. Two plates stacked with pancakes sat on the table, along with fresh strawberries, oranges, a pitcher of orange juice, another of milk, and a carafe of coffee. There was a slab of butter, a tray piled high with muffins, and two covered, silver dishes.

Luther lifted the tops of the trays, revealing bacon in one, and scrambled eggs in the other. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like.”

“Everything.” My mouth watered as I approached the table. “Did you make all this?”

“All but the muffins. The cook, Ms. Lacey, heard we had a new guest and brought them over from the main kitchen.” He pulled out a chair and waited for me to join him before handing me a muffin. “They’re her specialty. And Xavier’s favorite.”

I nodded, opening the muffin, groaning at the steam that rose and taking a second just to breathe it in. I placed it on the white and blue trimmed plate in front of me and reached for the butter. “Does Mr. Ashburne eat alone?”

Brow furrowing slightly, Luther inclined his head. “More often than not, in his office while he’s working. He’s always been a bit of a workaholic—you don’t make your first million before twenty-five without some insane dedication.”

Damn, I couldn’t manage enough money to feed myself, never mind even imagine somehow making millions. I’d heard enough about Xavier to know he hadn’t come from a wealthy family. He’d gotten scholarships to one of the best art schools in the world and used his talents to design dresses that ended up on runways when he was just a bit older than I was now.

Then he’d invested every cent and watched his money grow. He owned his own fashion line and magazine and he couldn’t be more than thirty. In his place, I’d probably be chilling, just enjoying all the hard work that got me rich and famous.

Which was probably why I’d never be in his place.

But I would get somewhere. I’d be the best damn secretary he’d ever had.

Maybe start with letting Luther teach you and not obsessing over how much you want to kiss him again.

I cleared my throat as I buttered my muffin. “Maybe when I’m working for him, he won’t have to do that so often.”

Luther shot me an amused look. “It’s cute that you think that.”