Maid For The Tycoon: A BWWM Billionaire Romance (2 page)

“Anyway, my plans for the day have been altered and I’ve had to come home early. I’ll do my best to keep out of your way.” Spencer’s voice was cool, but not unfriendly.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Jenna automatically, in a polite detached tone.

Spencer’s chocolate eyes seemed to have a heat to them that was making her uncomfortable. They remained facing one another. Jenna wondered if she should just barge by him.

“What’s your name?”

Jenna felt crushed. She’d been telling Kelly that Spencer barely recognized her existence on the planet, but deep down she’d been desperately hoping she’d made some kind of impression on him. That one question could only mean Spencer genuinely had no knowledge or interest in Jenna.

“It’s Jenna. Jenna King.”

“Jenna King, if you’ve finished in here and it appears you have, then I would very much appreciate the opportunity to use my en-suite. There’s very little point in me sitting around the house all day in a three piece suit.”

“Geez, sorry. Of course,” blabbed Jenna.

The hint of a smile played on Spencer’s kissable lips. The bottom lip was a touch thicker than his upper lip and when one side curved upward he looked positively dreamy.

Spencer took a step forward. Jenna failed to anticipate which direction he was going to take and found herself colliding with him as she stepped out of the bathroom. Crashing against his six foot two frame, she felt pure muscle underneath the tailored suit. Spencer immediately had one hand on her waist and the other on her upper arm to steady Jenna. He might not be able to see her blushes, but Jenna knew he could feel the heat of her embarrassment emanating from the pores of her skin.

“I’ll leave you to get on with things, Jenna King.”

Completely flummoxed, Jenna wasn’t sure where to start. At that precise moment, she was imagining a naked Spencer changing his clothes in the bathroom and that mental image had her hot and bothered. What did  billionaires do with their days off when at home? Should she clean the bedroom in case he wanted to put his feet up? Was it best to start on the living room if he wanted to waste the day watching sports on TV? Perhaps he enjoyed cooking, in which case the kitchen would need to be done promptly.

This is a joke
, thought Jenna
, sitting on a couch, how on earth do I get this man to notice me when I fall to pieces the first time we exchange words.

“Right, I’m off to the gym.”

Jenna looked up from the couch. Spencer was dressed in baggy knee length shorts and a tight sleeveless shirt. She could see how toned his legs were and the top stretched across his torso hinted at a flat stomach and pumped chest. Realizing she was staring in awe at Spencer from his couch, she jumped up from the sofa straight away.

“Sorry, I actually don’t spend my time listening to music and resting on your couch when I’m supposed to be working.”

Spencer laughed and the sound was musical to Jenna’s ears. There was a richness and warmth to it. “As long as the apartment’s clean, that’s all I care about. If you do that by lying on my couch and casting a spell whereby the hoover and mop work without human interaction, that’s fine by me.”

“Sadly I’m at NYU, not wizardry school.”

“I suspect both of those education institutions would have their benefits,” grinned Spencer.

“Wizardry school might be more fun,” said Jenna lightly, enjoying the idea of creating a love potion to slip to Spencer.

“Possibly. What are you studying at NYU?”

Oh my days, he’s asked a question about me that isn’t to do with work, Jenna thought excitedly.

“I’m completing a bachelor of science, specializing in social work.”

“That’s...commendable.”

Jenna felt a flicker of annoyance. Was he mocking her?

“I’m not looking for praise. I’m looking to contribute to society,” she responded sharply.

Spencer saw she was stung by his comment. The silly schoolgirl air he’d detected earlier had been abandoned completely. The cleaner obviously took her studies seriously.

“I wasn’t being flippant,” he remarked. “I think any individual taking time out to study in the heady days of their late teens or early twenties and placing themselves in debt as a means of contributing positively to society is a commendable act.”

Jenna wasn’t sure what to say. It dawned on her that she’d come close to reprimanding her employer for a perceived judgment on her career choice. This was not remotely close to Ms. Princely’s ethos of being seen and not heard.

“I should probably get on with cleaning,” started Jenna in a composed manner. “The sooner I get this done, the sooner I’m out of your hair.”

That lovely thick, curly brown hair I want to run my fingers through, she thought, damn him for being so attractive I can’t be angry by his patronizing air.

“It’s no problem. Take your time. I’ll be at the gym anyway.”

*

The spacious apartment was borderline pristine. Jenna was taking her frustration regarding her earlier interaction with Spencer out on her cleaning. She scrubbed so hard; the place was sparkling. Had Spencer’s ominous return been imminent,  she would’ve sat on the black leather sofa and put her feet up to recover from her exhaustive bout of cleaning. Instead, she stomped to the laundry to replace every bottle of bleach, every tin of spray polish, every rag and every piece of cleaning equipment. Having taken out the final load of clothes from the dryer, she slammed the laundry door shut.

“You’re very enthusiastic with your work, aren’t you,” came a familiar voice.

Now he is mocking me
, grimaced Jenna.

“I aim to please and those laundry doors can get awful sticky sometimes.”

“On rollers? Do I need someone to come in and oil them up so that they roll smoother? If it requires that much effort to close them, perhaps I should get a handyman in to take a look. I don’t want you exerting yourself any more than you do with your thorough cleaning.” He knew her temper got the better of her and was calling her bluff.

“Would you prefer it if I was lackadaisical and slap dash with my work?” she challenged.

“I’d prefer it if you didn’t trash my apartment in the process,” he countered.

“I’m just fed up,” she snapped.

Spencer found the revelation both shocking and refreshing. He wasn’t used to the hired help being brutally honest with him. His previous cleaner glided in and out of his apartment like a ghost. Frankly speaking, he enjoyed the arrangement.

Spencer wasn’t the type to get too embroiled in anyone’s life. This cute Afro-American girl had an undeniable sparkle that made him curious about her. He wasn’t, however, going to encourage her emotional outburst by asking what made her fed up.

His quiet stillness irritated her.

“Don’t you get fed up?” she asked, mystified that he could remain emotionally detached.

“No.”

“Not ever?” she pressed.

“Not ever.”

“Geez. How does that work?”

Spencer wasn’t the type to discuss his personal life with the hired help, but manners dictated he couldn’t ignore her question.

“Because I manage my life effectively. I’m organized and in control. I make sure no situation arises that can make me ‘fed up’.”

“You weren’t fed up when your plans today were cancelled?” she enquired slyly.

“No. I’m always sure to consider any potential or unexpected changes in strategies. I have a contingency plan to fall back on if events result in me straying from my original plan.”

“I’m not sure if that means you lead a very boring life or a very secure one.”

“Let me assure you, Jenna King, my life is far from boring.” replied Spencer curtly.

“Don’t I know it!” commented Jenna in reference to his bedroom that seemed to operate like a busy airport terminal.

The tension mounted considerably after Jenna’s offhand remark. That kind of sass was a disciplinary offense. She had no right to discuss or assume anything about her client’s lifestyle that she may have attained from cleaning the premises. Jenna was loathe to apologize, although she recognized she’d crossed a line.

She was proud of the fact that she worked to support herself and contribute to her family. There was no shame in cleaning, but she did object to anyone that considered her “lesser”  because her employment was considered menial. She couldn’t afford pride to stand in the way of keeping her job. She swallowed down her anger and did her best to look contrite.

“I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”

“No, it’s not.” agreed Spencer, his voice icy.

His pompous attitude irked her.

“Just like it’s none of your business what I’m studying at university.”

“I don’t suppose it is.”

Spencer’s tone was one of disinterest. He turned his back on Jenna and walked down the hallway to his bedroom.

Jenna was finished, but wasn’t quite sure how to conclude her shift. Should she slip out quietly, locking the door behind her as was her usual practice? That custom seemed fine when she and Spencer never conversed. Having broken the ice with a prickly conversation, it appeared rude to leave without a verbal goodbye.

Bracing herself for another one of Spencer’s dismissive interactions she made her way to his bedroom. Knocking lightly on the door she discovered he was no longer there.

I’m not in the mood for a game of hide and seek, she thought. She tiptoed toward the study where the door was half closed. Mustering her courage, her fist rapped hard on the doorframe.

“You’re off?”

“Well you didn’t invite me to stay for coffee,” said Jenna.

She could sense a change in Spencer’s posture. He’d relaxed. Slowly he twirled his seat around. Stretching out his long legs clad in beige chinos he smiled softly at her.

“It wouldn’t be the done thing would it?”

Is he implying under other circumstances he would like to share a coffee,
thought Jenna.

“I’m not sure. My mum spends a lot of time gassing with the people she cleans for. Sometimes I think they look forward to her company more than her actually cleaning.”

“Does your mum work for Supreme Cleaning Services, too?”

Jenna knew Spencer was highlighting the difference in class of her mother’s customers and the high-class clients Supreme Cleaning Services catered to.

“No. She’s an independent woman. Never had to rely on a company finding work for her. She was perfectly capable of getting off her own butt to find a job.”

“You admire her?”

“Yes. And I adore her.”

“Evidently,”  muttered Spencer.

Jenna guessed she’d shamed Spencer somewhat.

“I only came to tell you I’d finished and ask if there was anything further you needed doing.”

He shook his head and his curly brown locks fell in his eyes.

“I’ll be in on Monday morning and I’ll be sure to keep my professional distance.”

Spencer opened his mouth and shut it quickly. Whatever goodbye he’d deigned to utter died on his lips. His brown eyes followed her out of the room and he listened carefully until he heard the front door lock. Shaking his head, he put his head in his hands. Jenna King was not the kind of girl for him to be targeting as a conquest.

Chapter Two

“Liana,” called Jenna as she entered the small two-bedroom apartment her family shared in the Bronx.

“Shhhh. I’ve just put the baby down.”

Jenna nodded at her younger sister, acknowledging the requirement to keep her voice low.

“How was work?” whispered Liana.

“It was work.”

“Don’t be weird. What kind of an answer is that?”

“The kind that tells you I don’t want to talk about it.” .

“More racy thongs found in Mr. Billionaire’s bed sheets?” teased Liana.

Jenna could never stay in a bad mood for long.

“No. But I did crush some poor random woman’s lipstick and smear it all over the wooden floors.”

“And this is a guy you have a crush on?”

“I’m not sure I do anymore.”

“Why?”

Jenna shrugged her shoulders. She loved her sister to death, but Liana had a habit of telling her mum every little secret Jenna disclosed to her.

“Sis, I’ve just got in from work. I’m not in the mood for the Spanish inquisition.”

“I was only showing an interest in my big sister’s life.”

Jenna felt bad. Liana had somehow managed to get herself pregnant during freshman  week. Liana had been the brains of the family and obtained a scholarship to Stanford University. Becoming pregnant meant she couldn’t keep up with her studies and had to leave the prestigious university.

At just twenty, she now had an eighteen-month-old  baby and attended night classes during the week when Jenna was able to take over babysitting duties. The father of little baby Zada had dropped off the face of the planet, leaving Jenna and Liana’s mum taking on extra work to support the new addition to the family. Liana shared one bedroom with Zada and Jenna shared a bed with her mother in the other bedroom. It wasn’t an ideal living situation, but the women were a tight-knit family and wouldn’t be without Zada for the world.

“I know and I appreciate it. I’m in a mood today that’s all. Ignore me. How’s Zada been today?”

“Good as gold,” beamed Liana proudly.

She may have missed her first opportunity to attend university, but Liana took to motherhood exceptionally well and for the most part, found it very rewarding.

“Mum’s due back at six,” announced Liana, changing the subject from the mystery billionaire seeing as it affronted her older sister so much. “You planning on going out tonight?”

With university, work and caring for her niece, Saturday was Jenna’s only night off. The trouble was she was normally too shattered to make the most of her free night.

“I might ring Kelly. Check out what’s going on.”

Liana’s face was green with envy. While her mother had supported her through thick and thin, she was never one to permit Liana to shirk her duties. After all, she’d been foolish enough to get pregnant and it was only fitting that she dealt with the consequences. Her break from baby Zada was attending night classes because they had an educative purpose. Nights out for drinking and dancing were not a luxury a new mother could afford. Liana understood this, but being only twenty, she was often wished for the lifestyles her friends were living.

“Do you want to go out tonight?” asked Jenna.

“Seriously?”

“Seriously. My treat. I’m too tired to go out, if I’m being honest. I can stay in and babysit Zada and prepare dinner for mom and you can pop out and remember what it’s like to be young, free and single again.”

Liana’s squeal of joy, as she flung her arMs. round her sister’s neck, woke Zada. Jenna didn’t mind. It was worth it to witness the look of appreciation and joy on her sister’s pretty face. They sat in excited silence until Zada settled.

“You are the best sister in the world!”

“I know,” grinned Jenna, “and I’m not even going to say you owe me one.”

Liana was in her bedroom and on the phone within minutes of accepting Jenna’s kind gesture. A little after 6 pm, the front door opened  and Jenna’s mother walked through. She looked exhausted, but was eager to check on her granddaughter as soon as she entered. Jenna went close to the cot to give her mother a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Your sister called me to tell me about tonight’s arrangements. You’re too soft on that girl. She’s not the baby of the family anymore.”

Jenna knew from the tone of her mother’s voice she was only pretending to be cross.

“She’ll always be my baby sister. However many nieces and nephews she pops out for me to be Aunty to, I’ll always have my eye on her to make sure she’s safe and happy.”

“God forbid,” said her mother. “Let’s give her time to get an education and find a nice man so she does it properly next time around.”

Jenna was going to remind her mother that their father had left them high and dry, but thought better of it.

“Thoughts for dinner?”

“I’d love a  takeout,” replied her mother, flopping on the sofa and putting her feet up. “But we can’t afford it.”

Jenna had already promised some of her pay to Liana. If she treated her mother to a takeout  as well, she’d have a lean week until the following payday. What the hell, thought Jenna, how many sacrifices has she made for me over the years?

“I’ve got enough saved for a little treat tonight,” lied Jenna. “As Liana’s out, why don’t we have a girly night and order in Chinese and watch trashy romantic films?”

Jenna’s mother’s eyes filled with tears. Her eldest daughter may have made a few poor errors of judgment in the past, but she had the kindest most generous heart of anyone she knew.

“Keep your money, sweetie. We’ll rustle something up.”

“No can do. You’re too tired to cook and I can’t be bothered. Once Zada’s bathed and in bed you and I are going to hit the comfort food and entertainment,” insisted Jenna.

“I’m too tired to put up a fight. Thank you very much, baby girl.”

Keen for a break, Jenna went to her shared bedroom and dialed Kelly.

“How’s my favorite exclusive supreme cleaner?” greeted Kelly.

“Terrible.”

“Why?”

“Because the flat wasn’t empty when I cleaned it today,” moaned Jenna.

“Don’t tell me one of his harlots was lounging in her lingerie.”

“No.  Worse than that – he was!”

“I’d have thought you’d have enjoyed the eye candy.”

“I did. It was when he opened his mouth that it all went wrong.”

“Have you never spoken before?” quizzed Kelly incredulously.

“No. I’ve always adored quietly in close proximity as he conducted  his busy life. I never see him on Saturdays and usually on weekday mornings, he’s leaving the apartment not long after I enter.”

“Don’t you say hi and bye?”

“No. It’s minimal eye contact and a nod of the head,” described Jenna.

“Well, that just sounds rude.”

“What came out of his mouth was a lot ruder.”

“Why? What did he say?”

Jenna thought this over.

“It can’t have been that rude if you can’t tell me immediately,” pressed Kelly.

“It wasn’t so much what he said but how he said it.”

“Details, please!”

“For a start he had to ask me my name.”

“That’s no surprise. You said he didn’t know you existed.”

“Yes I said that,” agreed Jenna, “but I didn’t believe it. I’d hoped I may have caught his eye. If only by the high standard of my cleaning.”

“He didn’t know your name. That doesn’t make him the big bad wolf.”

“It seemed like he was mocking everything I said. From my studies to my presence in his house.”

“Oh. That’s not cool.”

“No. It’s dented my ego,big time.”

“I can’t imagine you just standing there and not saying anything back to him. Is he so good looking you turn mute when you’re within a 5 mile radius of him?
 

Actually, he is that good looking. He’s all brown curly hair, brown eyes, a strong jaw with stubble and he’s built like a football  player. Honestly, I’m not exaggerating when I say he looks like a Greek God.”

“I’d love to see a pic.”

“Forget your hormones for a second, Kel. I did stand up for myself.”

“Good for you.”

“No. I’ve potentially risked losing my job and I clearly annoyed him. I think it was better when he didn’t know who I was. I suspect he now thinks of me as some kind of skin irritation, blotting his day when I enter his apartment.”

“Perhaps you misread his body language.”

“He turned his back and walked out on me mid-conversation.”

It was Kelly’s turn to be quiet.

“Jen, he doesn’t sound like such a great guy. Can’t you ask for a new client?”

“I don’t want to look like I’m causing trouble. That old cow Ms. Princely will do some investigating if I put in a request for a change of client. I don’t want to lose out on the job completely. Besides, for all I know, Spencer Lawson may already have terminated my contract with him.”

“Spencer Lawson?”

“Yes.”

“You realize he literally is worth billions?”

“Inherited no doubt,” guessed Jenna cattily.

“No. He made his own fortune. He’s in computers. Something to do with information technology and cloud computing.”

“I wouldn’t know,” admitted Jenna glumly. “We can’t afford an internet connection so the only time I use the internet is at NYU for coursework. I never thought to run a search on who he was.”

*

Jenna was plodding unhurriedly from the subway to work early Monday morning. It was only a two-hour shift, but she was dreading it. Normally, she’d be full of vim and vigor, rushing to and from the subway, making sure she was on time for her first class at 10 on a Monday morning after her cleaning job. Despite the warm sunshine, Jenna wanted to stay curled up in bed to avoid Spencer Lawson and the university.

Spending quality time with her mother on Saturday night was splendid and discussing her sister’s antics on Sunday was equally enjoyable, but today she was back to the real world. On the plus side, she hadn’t received a call from Ms. Princely, so it appeared Spencer hadn’t told tales of her brazen back-talk  at work on Saturday. For that reason, she felt a degree of warmth toward the chilly billionaire.

Waving with an absence of enthusiasm to the doorman of Spencer Lawson’s building, she slumped through the revolving doors at the same time a willow blonde was exiting.

Wonder if she lives here or if she was keep Spencer company last night, thought Jenna.

A petite five foot four, Jenna felt substandard when comparing herself to the mystery lady. With a backpack slung over her shoulder with clothes to change into upon arriving on campus, she felt frumpy in her uniform. There wasn’t a crease in her apron or polo shirt. Signing in and attempting to exchange conversational pleasantries with the man at reception, Jenna made her way to the elevator.

Taking the keys from her handbag, she inserted a small one into a slot on the panel of buttons in the elevator. . Turning it clockwise, she was permitted to press the button to take her to the top floor to Spencer’s penthouse suite. She forced herself to control her breathing. There was nothing to be fearful about. Spencer hadn’t complained. All she had to do was continue as normal and fade into the background.

The mental pep talk she’d given herself, didn’t improve Jenna’s frame of mind. She slipped the keys in the door and used the fob to sneak into the apartment. The sound of her exhalation was audible upon discovering Spencer wasn’t in the kitchen or living room. She bolted to the minimalistic white modern kitchen and attacked the dirty dishes.

Why on Earth can’t he use a dishwasher,
she mulled while scrubbing.
I understand that he built his own fortune, but that shouldn’t preclude him from everyday tasks.

As she conducted a private assassination of what little she knew about Spencer Lawson, the handsome English gent strode into the kitchen. Their schedules were out of sync that morning. Normally, she’d be finished with the kitchen by the time he was ready for breakfast and she’d be tidying his bedroom while he ate. A domestic, responsible part of her (the part that respected her position at Supreme Cleaning Services) was inclined to ask him if she could fix him something to eat. The part of her that thought he had an inflated ego from earning too much too young, decided he could fix his own breakfast.

As Spencer moved behind her, she experienced a frisson as his hard body brushed against her. She steeled her resolve to prevent her going weak at the knees. He felt solid and strong and she wanted to melt into him. Remembering that some other woman was melded with his body only hours earlier had her straightening her back and swiftly skipping out of his way. She watched as he put two crumpets in the toaster. Slowing her pace to that of a snail’s, she studied him as he retrieved butter from the fridge and lathered it on the toasted crumpets.

God knows how he keeps trim eating fatty foods like that,
she thought.

Leaving the butter on the counter and the toaster plugged in, he tossed the knife and plate into the dishwater. The water barely rippled enough to splash Jenna’s apron, but she kissed her teeth at the action to demonstrate her disapproval.