CHAPTER13
Oliver
The breakfast room dies into complete silence when Haughty Hottie walks in, and I have to work to hide my snort at the shock on everyone’s faces. Even Zee pauses, her toast halfway to her mouth, so that she looks like an extremely life-like statue rising out of a pool of black satin.
“Good morning,” Lord Arden greets the room in general with a nod.
It’s Zee who recovers first. “Good morning, Elliot,” she says, setting down her toast. “Daniel—send down to the kitchen for a pot of tea.”
“No need,” Lord Arden says, as I shake out his napkin before laying it in his lap. “Oliver will fetch my tea.” There’s another pause, another silence, and then he looks up at me. “Off you go,” he says, with faint surprise that I’m even still there.
I walk calmly to the door and then I bolt like hell down to the kitchen, where I have to beg Chef Henriette to show me again exactly how Lord Arden likes his tea. This time, as she works, I put it away in the ol’ memory banks—or that’s what I tell Chef Henriette, who gives a derisive grunt.
I’m back in the breakfast room within five minutes, and I see the approval in both Lord ArdenandZee’s faces when I make it back so fast.
“And what are your plans for the day?” Nik is asking Lord Arden.
“I’ll continue with my work this morning. Then Oliver and I will take a stroll before lunch.”
Zee and Nik exchange a glance. “That soundswonderful,” Nik says warmly. “Zee and I will both be at work all day, I’m afraid, but if there’s anything you need—”
“If there’s anything I need, I’m sure Oliver will see to it,” Lord Arden says mildly, and on the other side of the room, standing against the wall where the breakfasters can’t see him, Daniel presses his hands together in a silent prayer and mouthsThank youat me.
This time Ican’thide my snort of laughter, and have to turn it into an unconvincing cough.
* * *
After breakfast, I begin to clear the plates, but Lord Arden forestalls me with a quiet, “Come with me, Oliver.” I shoot an apologetic look at Daniel, who just grins and gives me two thumbs up. I guess as long as Haughty Hottie remains my problem and mine alone, the rest of the staff will be delighted with me.
But when we get back to his room, Lord Arden asks me to stand in the middle of the floor, and begins to prowl around me in a manner very like last Sunday night, just before punishment.
“Your breakfast service was adequate, Oliver.”
“Thank you, my lord?” I fight hard not to make it into a question, but I can’t help it.
“But now we have some business to attend to, don’t we?”
“We do.”
“You are new to my service, and we have not undertaken negotiations yet. I did not raise the issue last weekend, because I did not expect us to…well.” He breaks off, and I risk glancing over my shoulder, but he’s still moving, and I can’t see his face. “But since we are to be in each other’s company a little longer, I think we should each make our expectations clear. Do you agree?”
“Yes, my lord. I’d like that.”
“I have read all the contracts and lists that you filled out. But I prefer to be scrupulous in seeking consent. It is my very last desire to upset you or hurt you in any way—non-consensually, I mean.”
I give a little shiver of desire. Lord Arden might be a prickly asshole, but he knows exactly what to say to get me drooling for him.
“So, please,” he continues, “be completely honest with me as we negotiate.”
“Of course, my lord.”
“Then let us begin.” He stops in front of me. “Are you comfortable with no clothes on?”
I shrug, although I get that same squiggly sensation in my belly. “Suits me, my lord. I can undress now, if you like.”
“After our negotiations, Oliver. I don’t want you to feel at any disadvantage. As tomynudity—do you object?”
I have to swallow down a little before I reply, my mouth watering as I remember that hard, strong body, so unexpected, and the sizeable cock that I saw the first morning I was here. “Not at all, my lord.” I’m proud of myself that my voice doesn’t flutter as I reply.
