The Master's Maid

Chapter 4

Lexi’s POV

When I was done with the bedroom and came downstairs, he was in the kitchen. He was walking between the sink and the kitchen island, making what looked to be a mighty delicious sandwich. He was talking in a low tone on his phone, but stopped and looked up when he became aware of my presence.

“Hi,” he greeted me with a shy smile and a red blush, hanging up the phone. “I made you lunch.” He gestured to one plate, before scratching the back of his neck, in a nervous manner, once again flexing his muscles. “If you’re – you know… Not too busy…”

“For food? NEVER!” I exclaimed and practically ran to the island. Now, don’t judge--- OK do! Because, let’s be honest: a normal human being would be cautious about accepting food – or anything for that matter! – from strangers. But not only was I so hungry at this point, I didn’t care if it was poisoned, but there also was this strange--- pull I felt toward him. By just looking at him, I knew he was harmless, and I could trust him.

Strange, I agree. But that was what it felt like nonetheless…

He flashed me a generous smile, that only made him look a million times hotter, and even behind the brown lenses, I noticed his red eyes light up like a Christmas tree.

Me like-y!

“I’m Lexi, by the way,” I said and stuck out my hand for him to shake. “Lexi Smith.”

“Landon Stone,” he replied, taking my hand in a firm grip. “And I’m very---”

“Stone?!” I accidentally cut him off, embarrassed that I sounded like a total fan girl. “As in--- Stone Pharmaceutical’s?!”

“That would be my Dad,” he explained in a modest and humble tone--- the exact opposite from all the other daddy’s-money-play-boy millionaires I’d ever met.

And yes, I’d met a few!

I worked cleaning penthouses and apparently, everyone thought that all the maids wanted was to jump their bones...

“I’m-I’m just running the company while he’s--- doing other things?” he trailed off his words, sounding like he just realized he was about to spill a secret that wasn’t his to spill.

“Am I facing any s****l harassment lawsuits?” he instead blurted out, looking at me again.

I burst out laughing.

Was this guy for real?

“Trust me,” I grinned. “In your case, it wouldn’t be harassment!”

He looked away and smiled again while blushing equally as much as before. I couldn’t help but smile. Yeah, he was sort of awkward and shy, and he had a sort of kindness about him that made me think of him more as a child than a grown man. But there was also something else. Something rich and masculine, making him every bit the sexy, eye-candy beast he looked to be. And then there was the unseen. I couldn’t explain it, but something told me that crossing him was a mistake that would cost you your life. He didn't look dangerous, but there was an apex predator lurking under his skin...

I frowned.

Strange...

My sense of people had always been good. I could always tell about a character, just by looking at them. With Landon, however--- My brain, eyes, and everything in between were telling me he was completely harmless. Yet, my gut told me that he was dangerous, much more so than any serial killer on the street.

So, I asked myself. Why am I here having lunch with him instead of running away?

The truth was, that my gut was also telling me that he wouldn’t hurt me. That I was safe--- Or perhaps my gut needed some food to think properly?

I pushed away my internal discussion and settled on looking at him, making another sandwich. Which had me wondering if he’d ever done something like this with Amy as well…

And that, ladies and gentlemen, was how the dark Green-eyed Monster appeared!

“You do this often?” I asked, unable to control myself. The jealousy was burning inside my chest, ready to strike anyone who’s ever sat here before. He looked at me in question, raising his eyebrows slightly. “Do you often take girls to your apartment and make them lunch?”

“No,” he grinned--- making me instantly relax. “I work mostly and I--- I don’t date. Much... Ever actually.”

I nodded approvingly and offered him a small smile that he seemed to appreciate. He turned back to finishing his sandwich--- when I finally realized what I’d just said!

Had I just more or less interrogated a client about his love life?!

Snitcels!

Sure, that wasn’t weird at all, I mentally slapped myself. It was none of my business if he had girls here or not. It wasn't as if he was my boyfriend or anything.

Heck, I was his maid!

Pull yourself together, Lexi! I scolded myself, wishing there was a hole in the ground I could sink into. Since there wasn't, I occupied myself by looking around, seeing if there was anything I could make conversation about. That was when I noticed a greenhouse just outside the living room window. Considering this was the penthouse floor, it was actually really big and looked almost like a garden, high above the city.

“Nice garden,” I nodded towards the greenhouse.

“Thanks,” he grinned, and I could see his eyes light up. I don’t know if I was able to hide my surprise.

OM---GAAAAWD!

His passion was flowers?!

Seriously?!

But once he continued, it all made sense...

“And it’s not really a garden, it’s an herbal greenhouse,” he explained, looking at me. “Most of what we make here starts in that garden.”

“Really?!” I exclaimed--- hoping I didn’t sound like a total i***t. “You-you don’t strike me as a botanist.”

“It’s more like a hobby really,” he confessed with an honest smile. A smile that could melt rocks, I might add. “I mean, I run the business and all, but my true passion is medicine.”

“Of course, it is,” I muttered under my breath and mentally rolled my eyes. He just had to be a saint as well. No way that a guy like that could ever see anything in a girl like me---

Erm... Hold your---!

WHAT?!

I mentally shook my head trying to feel my forehead and see if I had a fever. Where had that come from?! Sure, he was hot and kind and considerate and--- well, practically flawless! But I’d never been the person to--- you know!

It was too shallow!

Superficial!

And I wasn’t--- I mean, sure it wasn’t just his looks, but that was beside the point, because---

Because…?

Wait--- what am I talking about again?!

Confused, I shook those thoughts out of my head a second time, looking at the sandwich. It would have been so easy to blame all the weirdness on drugs or something, but unfortunately, I hadn't taken a bite out of it yet.

So there went that theory...

Sighing, I took a bite out of the sandwich, hoping some food would help clear up some of the webs in my brain. And momma! If this was poisoned, I’d die happy. It tasted divine and I couldn’t contain a moan that left my mouth.

“Oh, mush and momma, this is so good,” I murmured, taking another bite.

“I take it it’s for your liking?” he asked before he offered me something to drink. I settled for a cup of orange juice.

“And it’s divine,” I told him honestly. “Who taught you how to cook?”

“I don’t think making a sandwich is considered cooking,” he said and blushed like he always did when he talked about himself. “But-but trust me. You’ve tasted nothing until you’ve tasted Grand Sally’s homemade lamb. She’s a goddess in the kitchen.”

He kissed the tip of his fingers, before folding them out in an explosion-like motion like I’d seen French chefs do before.

“Grand Sally?” I asked while smiling at his joke.

“My Grandmother,” he explained. “We all just call her Grand Sally or Aunt Sally. She helped raise my Dad and trust me, you haven’t met wrath until you’re late for her Sunday dinner.”

I nodded--- and tried for anything I found holy NOT to drop my jaw.

Oh, my GOSHLING!

He was a family guy?

And talked to his grandmother?!

What was he?

A magazine cut out?!

“OK, let me get this straight,” I asked, leaning over the table and eyeing him suspiciously. “You’re hot, you’re nice, you cook, you’re smart and you’re rich? Where's the miss's?”

He c****d his head in a cute motion of utter confusion.

“Who?” he asked, baffled.

“You’re wife?” I deadpanned. “Or fiancé or whatever you call it?”

Because there was no way a guy like this was single. There just wasn't! He was too nice, too perfect, and too freaking hot not to have been snatched up by some heartless, soulless golddigger. And yes, I hadn't even met his wife/fiancé/girlfriend yet, but I knew she was a b***h. And I based that assumption on the fact that I, for some unexplainable reason, hated her...

“I-I---,” he shook his head, nervously scratching the back of his head again and laughed – still nervous. “I’m-I’m not engaged. Or-or otherwise--- Occupied.”

My eyes went wide.

Was this guy for real?!

“Really?” I asked again and he – again! – nodded. Surprising myself, I was almost ashamed of how relieved I was to hear that. In real life, there was a snowball’s chance in hell that a guy like this could even exist.

And somehow, I’d run into him?

Please!

If there is a god, let me get a chance with this man...

I was just about to cross-interrogate him more--- when I finally remembered my manners!

“Oh, shei---! I am so sorry,” I exclaimed, feeling a hot red blush rise to my cheeks. “I didn’t mean to attack you like that. It-it’s just---” I stuttered like an i***t and gulped.

Well, there went my chances...

Next time, tone down the aggressiveness, Lexi!

“You’re the nicest rich guy I’ve ever met,” I tried to at least save face--- and not come across as a total b***h. Or freak. Yet when I realized what I'd said, I was ready to facepalm myself and just jump out a window or something.

I was dying inside...!

He seemed to eye me curiously for a second, which had me squirming in my seat. His gaze seemed to take in everything and then some about me, making me feel naked and exposed in front of him. Yet feeling totally safe and---

Crazy!

Lexi, you need to get over how hot this guy is and get a hold of yourself, I scolded myself. You're acting like a crazy b***h in heat!

“You’ve---erm…,” he stuttered, tilting his head a bit. “You’ve met a lot of--- rich guys?”

I didn't understand the question but answered bluntly anyway.

“I clean penthouses for a living,” I replied in a duh-like tone and flashed him a confident grin. “And I’ve only met one, who made me lunch.”

Somehow, that made him smile. And I don’t mean that shy thing he did, that was totally adorable… I mean he flashed me that smile. That ‘Colgate commercial, making my heart jump out of my chest’-smile…

Yep! Definitely going to need some confession after this…

“I-I hope you won’t get into any trouble because of this,” he stuttered, shaking off his smile and returning his gaze to me, full of concern.

“Nah,” I shrugged it off. “Edna can be a b***h, sure, but it’s not like she’ll fire me or anything. I’m her best girl.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” he smiled.

“Hey, don’t get me wrong,” I added – you know: for a ‘just in case he misunderstood me’-scenario: “I’m only doing this until I can earn enough money to go to college.”

“And do what?” he asked almost expectantly. Instantly his expression changed, and he asked in an almost frightened tone: “Did that come out wrong?”

“No,” I replied, getting used to his awkward self and the way he remained nervous about every little thing. I think he was just overthinking everything and overanalyzing. Too smart for his own good, I concluded and continued: “It’s just not normal for a guy to be genially interested in me.”

“Why not? You’re gorgeous,” he instantly replied.

"Hot chocolate-covered strawberry"-level of a delicious man say what now?!

“Huh?”

Now it was my turn to be surprised. Yeah, sure! I mean I’d gotten compliments before… You know: “You’re gorgeous! Wanna see my bedroom?”

Yeah, that type of compliments I was used to!

But this guy…

He--- he… erm… I-I think he meant it...

“That was more straightforward than I intended,” he quickly breathed, a pink blush rushing across his cheeks. “I’m sorry.”

I couldn’t help but smile. I mean--- I didn’t know what I meant actually, but I liked him! I couldn’t explain what was going on inside me or why I felt like that, but something about him just made me feel---

Like this is the place I was supposed to be…

“Don’t apologize for complimenting a girl,” I replied, before – just to tease him! – quickly adding: “Or do you perhaps want to take it back? Before you do, remember I also change your towels! You’ll never know what you’ll find there in the future.”

He flashed that amazing grin again.

“No, I meant it,” he said, and his red/brown eyes found mine. “I just don’t know if it was appreciated.”

“Who cares,” I joked. “You think I’m gorgeous? When’s our next date?”

“I’m free on Wednesday,” he replied – to a very, very stunned me.

“Huh?” I breathed, unable to make a coherent sentence. “I-I was…”

Because let’s face it!

Guys like him didn’t date girls like me!

I mean--- Sure, I’m not horrible looking. Dirty blond hair, blue eyes, and just about the size of an imp! My assets were non-existing, making me look more like a boy than a girl, although Amy had once said that she’d kill to have an "ass like that"...

“Oh you---!” he gasped as his face lit up with red when he realized. “You were joking?”

“Yeah! I mean---” I frowned, not really knowing what I was doing--- because I really, REALLY, wanted to go out on a date with him!

He was fudging gorgeous!

“You’re so hot, you can practically get any girl in town," I gaped, wondering why in the world I was questioning my luck instead of jumping at a chance to get to know him better. "Why-why would you want to spend time with me?”

“Because you smell nice,” was his short, honest answer.

I’d opened my mouth to reply--- when I actually realized what he said.

I smelled nice?!

Wait--- what?!