Page 7 of Meant for Them
I guess I can also be into the free meal when he pulls into a steak house for lunch, and begrudgingly, I’m into the room he shows me to when we finally get done for the day.
I’m very into the lock on the door.
The house is as nice as I was expecting it to be, and I hate that I have to rely on somebody else for my basic needs right now, but if I peel back all the irritation at how pushy this guy is, I’mgrateful for what he’s providing for me; a home that is much nicer than what I’m used to, an actual desk I can put my old sewing machine on, and a closet bigger than I need that makes organizing my upcycled fabrics all the easier to do.
I know I’m being more difficult than necessary, but would it kill the guy to just apologize for being so heavy handed? I know finding your fated mate is supposed to be a big deal, but he hasn’t given me a single decision to make since we realized who we are to each other.
I do not want to be trapped in a relationship where I’m somebody else’s property and have no way of taking care of myself should I need to. I’ve been on my own for too long to so easily hand over the reins.
A knock on my new bedroom door has me bracing myself for yet another confrontation. Surely, we would be less annoyed by each other if we were actually meant to be together? But it’s not like he’s made a single move to actually be with me since we met. He’s been overbearing and assumptive, but hasn’t actually tried to be a mate, so maybe he’s not actually looking for that, either.
Maybe this is all just about control for him.
“Yeah?”
“I wanted you to come meet my cook so you can talk to each other about what kitchen duties she’ll want you to take care of.”
Remember the paycheck, Morgan.“Okay, no problem.”
He seems confused when I don’t fight him on that, but I shrug because if I’m going to just be his employee, then it makes sense to meet my coworkers.
He leads me down the hall, getting closer and closer to all the incredible smells I was picking up earlier.
He doesn’t make any sounds as he approaches his cook; she senses him and turns to him automatically, a smile on her face and ready to serve him. Fuck. Hope he’s not expecting that behavior from me. Why do I get a thrill out of her smile faltering when she sees me? Explain, please.
“Rayna, this is the woman I told you about, she’ll be keeping the house clean.”
I extend a hand to the very put together woman that’s also intimidating as fuck, wearing a fucking cocktail dress and heels to cook in. She might have even more disdain for me than Ellie. Great, it’s a trend. Maybe they’ll have meetings and talk shit about me.
She touches my hand the least amount she can get away with while still calling it a handshake. “Charmed,” she drawls, running her eyes over my ratty clothes with disgust.
“I know you don’t like other people in the kitchen with you when you’re cooking, so just go over your schedule with Morgan, would you? Let her know your expectations so we can all get along,” Alex says with a wink. He spins around and heads the opposite direction to do who knows what, leaving me standing there with a woman that I’m fairly sure doesn’t like me.
“For starters, I’m not cooking for you. My schedule is taped to the side of the fridge, and if you can read, it will tell you which hours I’ll be in here. I’m also not responsible for buying groceries for you. Whatever you want ordered you’ll have to get yourself. On your own time. Just make sure you remember to put your clothes back on when you leave the house,” she says with a hair flip and a clear dismissal.
Right.
Well.
I have a stipend for clothes to wear while working, but I know my sizes better than anybody and have perfected the art of making undergarments. Thankfully, the contract only requires me to wear a bra and some sort of skirt that’s somewhere above the knee, not be completely bare on top like I was afraid of.
I have no idea what Alex did about housekeeping before he kidnapped me, but he has a killer laundry room that I made sure to put to use immediately, giddy as all get out (not that I let him know) that I won’t have to lug my laundry to the public laundromat anymore.
After I pull my stuff from the dryer, it’s time to take stock of what I’ve got to work with, and what I want to supplement my wardrobe with, and it will take a solid hour to put together a new set of undergarments, but if I’m expected to clean in them, I’m using the fabrics that I know are comfortable.
Who cares if they’re upcycled sheets? Not me, I’ll tell you what.
When I don’t show up for dinner, Alex comes to find me to question why I’m not down there with him.
“I was informed that Rayna only cooks for you and that I am responsible for my own food. So, seeing as you threw away the items in my cupboards earlier and I haven’t had a chance to take myself to the store yet, food is going to have to wait a bit.”
“Get your ass downstairs. You’re eating with me.”
Ah, another caveman moment, brought to you by Alex.
He throws me over his shoulder for the second time that day to carry me back down to the massive dining room, stopping a pissed-off Rayna mid-bite as I wave at her. She raises her eyebrow at Alex’s over-the-top antics and then continues to watch as he puts me in a seat.
“Go grab her a plate, would you Rayna? Thanks, doll.”
