Page 11 of It Started with a Contract

“Don’t worry about it, Hadley.” She wasn’t used to not worrying about anything in her life.

It seemed too surreal to have a life without worrying.

She finished her shopping and made her way back to her car, another purchase that she had to have.

When she entered the grounds of Easton’s home, she noticed the car that followed her. There was a guy dressed in a business suit, who was clearly her bodyguard. Easton had already warned her she would have one.

“Just another day, Hadley. Just another day.”

****

Easton hung up the phone and stared at Arnold. “She cooks.”

“She does? Is it good cooking or bad?”

“It’s really good. Wow, I didn’t realize how much I was going to enjoy her.”

“There have been three other women to call up about the advertisement.”

“No, I don’t want anymore. Hadley is all I want.” He was fucking addicted to her. There was no other word for it. His addiction was to her soft curves, her beautiful smile, and her charming wit.

“She’s come to mean that much to you in such a short time?”

“Yeah, she really has. I don’t expect for you to understand.” Easton sat back, running a finger against his lip as he thought about the woman that he’d housed in his home. She constantly tried to go to her own room, and he always made sure to stop her. He didn’t like sleeping alone in that big bed.

Having Hadley in his arms was like a fucking dream come true, and he didn’t want to lose that.

“I understand. You know that advertisement was only supposed to be a joke,” Arnold said. “I didn’t expect women to actually agree to it.”

“I know. It worked out great.”

“You really think so. It has been a month. How can you tell?”

“Because Hadley isn’t like every other woman I know. She doesn’t spend hours in front of a mirror, nor does she try to get me to spend money on her. It’s so surreal. She’s a down to earth woman, you know?”

“You’re paying her to be there,” Arnold said.

“I know, but it doesn’t feel like it. That’s what I mean. She doesn’t ask for money, and she didn’t even ask me to pay her debts. Honestly, she thought I was advertising for a housekeeper.”

The sex with her was amazing, but it was more than the sex. They talked for hours, and that was new. Usually he made excuses, and he never, ever had them at his home. It was why this entire advertisement was so surreal. It was working, and he didn’t even like having women around him.

They were only good for one thing, and yet, he liked Hadley.

“She’s different,” he said.

“You keep saying that. Are you sure you believe it?” Arnold asked.

He stared at his friend. Even though his friend was also his employee, they were close, and had always been so. He trusted Arnold with his life, and with his company.

“Yeah, I do. I’d like you to meet her. How about you come around for dinner tonight? Do you think you can make it?” he asked.

“I’ll be there.”

“Excellent.”

Arnold left the room, and he called Hadley back to let her know that there would be at least one more for dinner. She didn’t seem to mind. The moment everything was arranged, he went back to work, humming.

He never hummed, but he was now humming.

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