She distracts me

Meeting Martha

Lacy & Roman

Lacy made her way to her room and sighed stepping into a scalding shower. She leaned against the wall of tile, letting the hot water pour over her exhausted muscles. She hadn’t lifted that heavy in awhile, it felt good and left her feeling powerful and strong. However, she was probably going to pay for it in a couple days, her legs already a bit shaky. 

After finishing in the shower Lacy dressed simply in a long flowing maroon maxi skirt that had a slit up both legs to the lower part of her thigh and a sleeveless white top that tied behind her neck. She left her feet bare and made her way downstairs with her cellphone and her trusty folio with notebook paper and all her daily business necessities inside. 

Breezing into the kitchen she found a plump middle aged woman unpacking groceries onto the counter. Her hair was pulled back in a severe bun, she had streaks of grey through the black and her skin had a beautiful deep glowing tan. She hummed to herself as though she hadn’t a care in the world and that made Lacy smile. 

Feeling like a creeper watching the lady she stepped into the kitchen and cleared her throat quietly, waiting until the woman looked up and she spoke softly. “Good morning, you must be Martha?” The woman gave her a bright smile and came around the bar, wrapping her up in a tight hug. 

“MY goodness, yes! You must be the beautiful woman I’ve heard so much about… “ Lacy’s cheeks flushed as dark as her skirt. Her voice came out tiny and squeaky. “Roman said that about me?”

 “Oh no no, not from Roman. Senor Paul told me about hiring you, Mr. Roman did say you needed some food for this morning. He said he was a poor host to you last night feeding you those terrible dinners.” She clucked her tongue and shook her head. Her accent clearly Mexican in nature and adding to the adorable way she spoke. 

“It wasn’t that bad… “ Lacy laughed, trying to downplay the horrific food she had for dinner, which prompted Martha to lift her head and squint at her and Lacy couldn’t help but dissolve into giggles. “Okay, you got me. It was truly awful. But I am going to get us squared away in the food department so that none of us have to suffer through that again.” She laughed, helping Martha unpack the bags. 

“This looks amazing Martha, thank you for stopping for this.” To which the older woman patted her hand. “It is my job dear, but it is also my pleasure.” Lacy smiled at this and tilted her head. “What do you mean it is your job?” she asked quietly. 

Martha looked up and smiled. “You are going to have your hands full with the Senor when you travel, it is my job to make it as easy as I can when you are here. You just give me the list and I will do the shopping for you. Mr. Roman pays me very well and I am very grateful to work for him. He can come off prickly, but a nice girl like you will melt him in no time.” 

Lacy blushed at this and thanked the woman, watching as she bustled around putting things away. The two women were a flurry of activity when Roman walked in nearly a half hour later.  Lacy was cooking a delicious smelling breakfast and Martha had just finished getting things put away, cleaning up behind Lacy as she went. The two seemed to be a natural pair in the kitchen and he smiled, pulling up a chair at the bar to watch. 

“A man could get used to this sort of service… “ he grinned a little in Lacy’s direction, quickly shedding the smirk and sitting up straight in his chair when Martha turned and gave him a raised brow. He respected the f**k out of that woman, and when she looked at him like that he couldn’t help but respond as if she were his own mother. Roman rubbed the back of his neck and laughed. 

“I mean, is there anything I can do?” To which both women said in unison, “No!” They both shared a glance and laughed, realizing he would just muck up their flow. Turning Lacy poured a small glass of orange juice for all of them and handed him a plate. She had made a quick breakfast of whole grain toast, smashed avocado with a bit of arugula dressed in lemon and olive oil with fried egg on top. Fresh cracked pepper and salt just set it off. Roman looked down at his plate, his stomach growling. 

“Wow, this smells amazing…” Roman spoke, turning to pull out a chair for Lacy as she carried her plate and juice around to sit next to him. Martha declined a plate, sipping her juice as she left to clean the house. But not before taking note of how her employer seemed to be quite taken with their newest house guest. 

“Thank you..” Lacy blushed at the compliment, the two of them setting to work on their breakfast. Small moans of satisfaction leaving both of them. “So much better than microwaved eggs or oatmeal…” Roman laughed looking over at Lacy as she fought a piece of arugula into her lips, giggling. 

“Mmmhmmm..” she agreed with a full mouth. She took a sip of her orange juice and turned in her seat slightly looking over at him. “So, how about we get started on that inventory and food list?” She smiled as he shook his head. “Ahhh, ever the professional aren’t you, Miss McDaniels.” 

“Indeed.” She laughed, pushing her now empty plate back, having had one slice to his two and took her notebook and pen from her folio. The two laughed and spoke for the next hour, finding out he had no food allergies but absolutely hated tuna, peas and exceptionally fatty cuts of meat. She could work with that. She spoke to him about her needs for the kitchen, offering to bring some of her own stuff if he wished, but he declined again. 

“I have some appointments today meeting with a couple of possible endorsers for next season, but I am going to have Paul take you shopping and drop you off at your place so you can get your car. I don’t want you feeling trapped here.” Roman looked at her thoughtfully. He had initially had Paul bring her until he found out if he could trust her, but he no longer felt that was an issue, wanting her comfortable so she would relax with him even more. 

“I’m also going to leave you my credit card. I have already called to add you as an authorized user. Don’t go buying yourself a ferrari or anything Miss McDaniels, but don’t hesitate to get yourself something nice… “ He leaned in closer to her ear, whispering the next part. “Especially something really nice from Francesca’s….” he brushed the hair off her shoulder, his fingertips just barely touching the nape of her neck making her shiver a little as she looked at him wide eyed. 

Francesca’s was a very well known, exceptionally fancy and expensive lingerie store. She blushed profusely and put her hand on his chest, pushing him back gently, though he instead used it to pull her closer, nibbling at her lips in a light kiss before they both jumped hearing Paul’s booming voice coming in the front door. 

“HONEY, I’M HOME!!!” Paul shouted, bounding into the kitchen with a grin. Lacy was putting her plate in the sink and smiled up at Paul, who grinned between the two of them. 

“How are my two best friends doing this morning?” Paul asked, leaning on the bar with a playful smirk. “Did you two get along splendidly?” He mused, looking between the two for any hint of how things went. 

Roman stood and shot a death glare in his direction, his back to Lacy. “We are fine. Take Lacy shopping and then drop her back off at her place so she can bring her car over. I don’t want her feeling stranded here…” Roman spoke as though he were God and it was a command, but Paul was like a duck letting it roll right off his back as he brushed past his friend to Lacy. 

“Well girl, let’s get you some shoes and go spend some of Roman’s money!” Grinning he shooed her out of the kitchen, leaning on the wall as she disappeared upstairs. Paul turned to Roman and punched his friend on the arm. 

“Sooooo…..? Whatcha think, man?” Paul asked. Roman couldn’t help but laugh at his friend and shake his head. “Stop it. She is perfect for the job man. You did good. Is that what you wanna hear?” 

Paul laughed. “Nope. What I wanted to hear was that you think she’s smokin’ hot and that you two hooked up last night. Lord knows you could use it.” He laughed, dodging the incoming punch he knew would be there. Deciding to push Roman’s buttons even further he kept going. “Okay, fine. You don’t like her. Just wanted to make sure, now I know I can lay it on thick today. Maybe I’ll make a move at lunch this time, get a cozy booth and romance her a little…” 

Roman saw red at the idea of his friend even touching her, without thinking he snatched Paul up by the front of his shirt, lifting him off the ground and up against the wall. “She is MINE!” He snapped, almost snarling at Paul. “Don’t you f*****g touch her.” Paul’s face paled for a moment and then he bust out his signature Cheshire cat smile. “That’s my boy! I - knew - you liked her!” 

Realizing his friend had pushed his buttons just to see how he really felt he dropped him to the floor, glaring at him, and not a moment too soon. Lacy came around the corner, jumping a bit as she almost collided with the pair and raised a brow as she looked between them. 

“Am I interrupting something, gentleman?” She asked quietly. Both shook their heads before Roman spoke. “No, Paul and I were just discussing how well you are fitting in here at the house.” Giving her a slight smile and a nod. 

“Well thank you. Both of you. I really hope I can meet everyone’s expectations. If there is anything else you need me to get while we are out, just text me?” She looked at Roman, gently taking the card from him. She saw a slight twitch in his lips, she knew he wanted to kiss her but didn’t want to get any s**t from Paul. She nodded up at him, taking her phone and clutch, heading towards the door. 

“See you tonight…” He called after her. Wanting to shove a fish through the wall as they walked out. Goddamn Paul. He was gonna wring his neck later…