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Her expression softens into a grateful smile.

“Really? That’s incredible, Mr. Ornix. Thank you so much for the offer. I can’t believe you’d provide me with employment and a place to stay when I’m just a stranger. I promise you I don’t take this for granted. I know opportunities like this don’t fall into most people’s laps.”

She continues to shower me with gratitude while I try to restrain myself from an act I know I should wait to perform. My cock is throbbing with the need to be inside her.

I pull out one of my cards, write my address on the back, and hand it to her. “Get your things and come as soon as you can,” I tell her. “The housekeeper will be informed of your arrival and show you to your room. Please also send me a copy of your college transcript.”

Melissa colors immediately, blushing red, then going pale in quick succession at the mention of the transcript.

“Oh, er, I’m not sure. I won’t be able to… the timing, the office. I think…”

“Is there a problem with your transcript, Melissa?”

Melissa

I’ve never had a simple question about paperwork send a bolt of energy directly to my clit. It’s not just sexual, it’s intense. He picked up on the fact that there’s a problem with it so quickly, and I don’t think my usual bullshit is going to fly with him.

“I mean, I think… the transcript itself? There’s no problem with that. The transcript is great. It’s very good. I did quite well in most of my classes. I could tell you about all of them, if you like.”

His eyes narrow a fraction. “I would like to see the transcript, Melissa. I believe they are able to be obtained with a simple email to the administration.”

“Usually, yes.”

“But?” He voices the part I left unspoken. I start to squirm in my bikini, not sure if the sun is hotter, or his gaze is. Both are starting to feel searing.

“Mine’s been put on hold. It’s sort of an admin error. I am working it out, though, so please don’t worry about it. I understand if you can’t offer me the job without it, though.” God. Lying to this man feels like a risk I probably shouldn’t take, but not lying means probably not getting the internship. So I lie. And I hope he doesn’t notice, or doesn’t care.

There’s a long moment in which he could say anything to me, he could revoke the job, and that would be the end of the sliver of hope I’ve had. This is going to keep happening. People are going to want proof of my academic achievements.

“I will see you at home tonight,” he says. “Dinner is at seven p.m.”

CHAPTER 2

Melissa

Things are moving so fast, but I’ve gotten all my things together and come to Mr. Ornix’s house as he requested.

“Okay, but don’t fall in love with him, because I don’t want to have to marry an old man,” Tempest said as I left her place in the car Mr. Ornix sent for me.

His house is even further up the hill, down a wooded driveway. It is built in an old-fashioned style. Don’t ask me which one, I have a business degree, not an architectural one.

I am met by a butler, my bags are taken, and I am ushered directly into dinner.

“I don’t think I am really dressed for dinner; maybe I should get changed.”

“Mr. Ornix indicated you were to be seated upon arrival,” the butler says smoothly. “Do not worry about your attire.”

I enter the room with more than a little trepidation. There was an energy between the man and me, and I’m aware that older men are often attracted to women in their early twenties. I don’t know if I hope he doesn’t make a move—or if I hope he does.

The house is decorated sparsely and in a fashion that again, I’d have to call… historic. It’s giving off vibes of brooding Victorian bachelor who owns the land as far as the eye can see.

I sit down at the dinner table. There’s a napkin in a silver ring on one side, and something in another napkin ring on the other. Doesn’t look like a napkin. Looks like paper. I wonder what secret rich person thing this is. Is it sort of like the fancy little forks? Or the spoons that have a serrated edge for some reason?

I’m sort of afraid to ask and prove myself uncultured.

Mr. Ornix is sitting across from me. He nods toward the extra ring and its contents.

“Open that before we have the soup course. You will not want to spill anything on it.”