Chapter Seven
The New Normal
Amy
The wind blew colder around Brock Hall, the leaves still clinging to the trees finally yielding to the hostile breeze. The copper-colored leaves reminded Amy of herself. She’d been grasping at the alleged sanctuary of her independence and juggling loans and debts for too long. Ultimately, it had been easy for a will as strong as Kyle’s to pick her up and blow her away. In the end, she’d wanted to be blown away.
Standing at the bottom of the beautiful staircase, she pulled in a breath. She had wanted him—in more than one way. Kyle had done more for her in the last few days than anyone else she could remember. He’d given her somewhere to live, bailed her son from custody, and given him a home, too. It was a lot for her to absorb.
Jonah’s inclusion accounted for the increasingly strained atmosphere brewing in the house as she attempted to keep both men happy.
It was definitely easier said than done.
Jonah wanted reassurance that things would be okay as he continued to study remotely, but he also wanted answers. Why had Kyle paid the bail and allowed him to stay with no apparent demands, and what was it she did for the master of the house again?
Amy had spent hours of the last few days deflecting her son’s queries by reminding him of their good fortune. Kyle had been there when Jonah needed him, and he’d promised to house him until his court date. Jonah had reasons to be grateful.
Her enigmatic employer, meanwhile, was proving to be even more difficult to satisfy. Jonah’s presence inhibited Kyle’s ability to denigrate and display her—a fact that, in many ways, she was absurdly thankful for—but after dinner, when Jonah was upstairs in his room, Kyle only demanded more from her. Hours on her knees, cleaning his study or his dick, or even serving as his personal footrest had left her heady, tired, and confused. It was as though the time Kyle couldn’t have his own way with her had become bottled up inside him, and he used those long evenings in his office to let off steam—all over her.
The muscles at the apex of her thighs clenched as she recalled the wicked ways he chose to vent. There had been less and less sleep as she’d succumbed to his base needs and reveled in all his wondrous attention, yet even though she was tired, she couldn’t seem to regret it. She still couldn’t understand the way her body reacted to his perverse dominance, but she no longer sought to deny it. Kyle had given her everything she could ever have hoped for, and although there had been no further conversations about personal feelings after that first night Jonah had joined the household, she hung onto the thought.
This isn’t just about the money.
Clasping the polished wooden banister, the reassurance sent the butterflies in her belly flying in different directions.
He wants me… maybe cares for me.
But does he really? She closed her eyes as the unwelcome, nagging voice burst into her head. Who would really want me, my debts, and my delinquent sons?
The unanswered questions heightened the paranoia clawing at Amy’s insides. Why was Kyle doing all this? A wealthy, attractive, and charming man like him could get sex anywhere he wanted. He didn’t need her or her emotional and financial baggage.
Acting on reflex, her attention flitted to the room she knew Kyle and Jonah were in. Her gaze burned into the thick wooden door as she walked across the expanse of hall in its direction. The two men were currently ensconced in a meeting with the lawyer Kyle had recommended, a man who, it seemed, might be able to get Jonah off the charges if her son played his cards right.
Staring at the door, she instructed her feet to pause. What was going on in there? It seemed as though the three men had been talking for hours. A part of her had wished she’d insisted on being present at the meeting, but it was strange to demand it. Jonah was a grown man, perfectly capable of both getting into, and out of, trouble without his mother.
Although, he called me. She straightened at the reminder. He reached out when he was in trouble.
Amy was glad Jonah still needed her, but she also had to accept Kyle and his lawyer, Randall, were better placed to assist in the important matter of his retaining his liberty.
It will be all right. She forced the words around her head over and over like a child’s lullaby stuck on repeat. It has to be.
Smoothing down the skirt suit Kyle had bought her since Jonah’s arrival, she caught sight of herself in the mirror across the shadowy space. The cream-and-black ensemble was fitted and smart, showing off her curves in all the right places while still affording her dignity, but it was still peculiar to be dressed so formally around the place. The long hours she’d spent getting used to Kyle’s rules while dressed in the kinky maid’s outfit had normalized both the treatment and the attire, and oddly, she found herself almost missing the damn thing.
“I’ll wear it for him tonight.” She turned her face toward the waning sunlight. “If he allows it.”
“Ah, there you are, lassie.” Leonard, Kyle’s overbearing personal chef, stalked from the direction of the kitchen. “I was wondering where ya were.”
“I’m right here.” Her hands rose to her hips as she turned to face the rotund man. They’d gotten off to a fairly rocky start, but he’d seemed slightly more amenable since she’d stopped dressing to suit Kyle’s kinks, and unsurprisingly, it was easier to look him in the eyes in the more formal clothing. “What do you need, Mr. Leonard?”
“That delivery.” His thick Scottish accent almost swallowed the sentence completely, but Amy had gotten good at translation.
“ What delivery?”
“From the local farm.” He flailed his arms in the air as if she should have automatically known to what he referred.
Leonard was clearly unaware that she had more than a dozen deliveries due at Brock Hall in the next twenty-four hours. Being properly dressed had also meant she was suddenly empowered to do the role Kyle had initially hired her for. She’d relished tackling the huge backlog of issues that had mounted while she’d been dusting his glassware in the nude.
“The farm will deliver by three o’clock.” Amy glanced at the grandfather clock to confirm the time. “It’s only half-past two.”
“But I need those eggs!” Leonard rolled his eyes. “How am I supposed to perform miracles without the basic ingredients?”
“I’ll let you know as soon the delivery arrives.” She’d grown used to the man’s amateur dramatics in the last few days. “I promise.”
“Oh, ya promise?” Leonard’s laughter was dark. “Now that he’s let ya son stay and you put on more than only panties, you’re making promises, are ya?”
“That’s enough!” She scowled, turning away from his mocking expression so he couldn’t see her rising blush. The chef was only another member of staff at Brock Hall. He had no right to speak to her that way, even if his insinuations might have been founded in truth. “Surely you have something to do in the kitchen?”
“Aye,” Leonard sneered. “There’s always something for me there, lassie.”
“Hurry along, then, Mr. Leonard.” She peered back at him. “We both know Mr. Kyle has guests tonight, and he won’t appreciate the menu being changed at the last minute.”
Her tummy churned at the unwelcome reminder of Kyle’s evening plans. He had been running her through ideas while she’d been on her knees during the last two evenings, but she was still unclear what her role in the proceedings would be. The fact that Kyle had persuaded Jonah to go out for the night, though, along with booking him and his friends a table at Worthington’s and arranging his transportation there and back, did make her wonder… What did her sexy boss have in mind?
Leonard’s whining tone soon splintered her anxious excitement on the subject.
“Is that right, lassie?” Leonard grumbled as he spun on his heel and headed back the way he’d come. “A few days here in a suit and she thinks she’s in charge of the place…”
Amy blew out a breath as she watched him disappear. Evidently, it was going to take more than her new attire for Kyle’s chef to respect her, but then she supposed seeing her humbling herself for their employer in those initial days had done little to help the situation. Whether or not she ever garnered Leonard’s approval was not important, though. While Kyle paid to have her there, Leonard would be compelled to work with her.
Wandering to the ornate table that housed her contract on that fraught evening she’d arrived, she skimmed her fingertips over the smooth surface. She needed to talk to Kyle as soon as he was done with Jonah’s lawyer. Not only did she want to clarify the evening’s plans, but it was only two days until her week’s trial was over, and Kyle hadn’t mentioned what came next. She gripped the perimeter of the table as she dwelled too long on the worrying idea he might be tiring of her. True, he hadn’t said anything to support the idea, the chemistry between them only growing during their late-night sessions, but how could she be sure?
He offered to house Jonah until his court date , her hammering heart prompted, but that didn’t technically mean he had to home and pay for her as well. Sure, whatever happened next, she’d be grateful for the support he’d shown her son, but she was too old to play games anymore and had been around the block too many times to fool herself. The dynamic between her and Kyle had taken its toll on her in more ways than one. Not only did she badly need his money and influence, but she was learning to crave his touch as well.
Stop it. She squeezed her eyes closed at the mental order. Just because the sex is good, it doesn’t mean anything more. For fuck’s sake, I’m not in love with the guy!
The sound of the door opening exacerbated her racing heart, and she turned in time to see Jonah, Randall, and Kyle walking from the room.
“One more question.” Kyle’s concentration was squarely on his lawyer, but she noticed how the older man didn’t wither under his scrutiny.
“Yes, sir?”
“Is Mr. Kendal okay to go out at night under the terms of his bail?” Kyle’s gaze flitted fleetingly to Amy before it landed back on Randall.
“Yes.” Randall nodded. “I’ve read the terms, and I see no issues, so long as Jonah stays out of trouble.”
Both men glanced her son’s way.
“No problem.” Jonah’s chin rose. “I can do that.”
“Excellent.” Kyle smiled. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Randall. My lovely housekeeper, Amy, will see you out.” Kyle gestured toward her.
“It’s always a pleasure, Mr. Kyle.” Randall stretched a hand out to the man who, she was sure, had paid a large proportion of his income. “I’ll be in touch soon.” Randall offered the same palm to Jonah. “Mr. Kendal.”
It was odd to hear Jonah referred to by Graham’s old title, but, she supposed, he and his brother were now the only Mr. Kendal’s left. She watched as her son shook the lawyer’s hand, assuming from the deed that some sort of deal had been struck. Presumably, it was one that saw her thrust further into Kyle’s debt, a place that was not only perturbing but also increasingly scintillating to be.
“Thank you, Mr. Randall.” Jonah smiled as the handshake concluded. “I appreciate your time.”
“Mr. Randall.” She stepped forward, aware of the weight of Kyle’s stare, and motioned toward the front door. “This way, please.”
“Thank you.” The lawyer’s lips twitched as he followed, and opening the door for him, she wondered how much the older man knew about the situation.
Did he know Jonah was her son or why she was there working for Kyle? Worse still was the idea that he might have known any of the things she’d done with Kyle’s money in mind, although there were no reasons to believe her employer had shared any such personal information with the legal man.
“Good day, Amy.”
Forcing herself to smile, she watched Randall leave before closing the door behind him. Her focus searched the hall, looking for Kyle, but she found only Jonah waiting.
“How did it go?” she whispered as she dashed awkwardly over to him. The new court shoes Kyle had bought her were lovely, but her aching heels reminded her she was still trying to break them in. “And where did Kyle go?”
In the two days since Jonah had moved in, they hadn’t enjoyed many heart-to-hearts. Amy had spent most of that time trying to avoid his pointed questions, but that moment was a chance to see how he was faring.
“To his office, I think.” Jonah signaled the direction he meant with his head, and she knew without needing to turn that it was indeed Kyle’s office. She’d been in there enough times—usually half-naked and on her knees.
“Let’s talk…” She guided him over to the ornate bench by the entranceway. Bathed in light from the stained-glass bookending the enormous front door, she eyed the dark circles beneath Jonah’s eyes.
“What about Randall?” She glanced over her shoulder as she sat down, as though the graying man would still be loitering in the doorway. “Do you think he can help?”
“I’m sure he can.” Jonah sounded wistful. “He seems to think it’ll be a straightforward case, and I looked him up, Mum… his background is incredible. He’s hardly ever lost a case!”
“So?” She was struggling to see why he wasn’t jumping for joy. “What’s the problem, Jo-Jo? Aren’t you happy?”
“It’s all this.” He motioned around the place. “This house, the staff, of which apparently you’re now a member, and Kyle… it’s all too much. I still don’t understand why he’s employed you for a role you’ve never done before, let alone wants to pay for my fucking legal fees.”
“Jonah.” His name escaped as a sigh.
It seemed however good his fortune had become, Jonah wanted an explanation.
“If you’re going to tell me to be grateful, then I am.” He turned toward the huge expanse of glass that allowed light into the vast vestibule, and for one moment, his entire beautiful face was illuminated in the wondrous glow. “But I’d still love to know what all of this is about.”
“It’s complicated.”
She hadn’t intended to tell him anything, but apparently, that was going to be impossible with her curious son. She guessed that was why he was the academic; his thirst for knowledge was very un-Kendal-like.
“Is it?” Jonah’s arching eyebrow was scarily reminiscent of Kyle. “Because from here, it seems quite simple.”
“What do you mean?” She straightened, unsettled by his assertion.
“You like him, and he likes you.” He chuckled. “I don’t know the background, Mum, but clearly, there is more going on in this house than only employer and housekeeper.”
Shit, when had her baby become so astute? Amy sensed the blood draining from her face.
“Hey, it’s okay.” He reached for her hand. “I’m not criticizing you, Mum. Dad’s been dead for years. You’re free and single. Go for it. I’m just saying my involvement in whatever this is makes me feel uncomfortable.”
“Jonah…” She could hardly believe what she was hearing. Aside from identifying the kinky sex she and Kyle had been enjoying, Jonah appeared to have deciphered the entire situation with only a couple of day’s experience in the place. “It’s not quite as straightforward as you’re making it sound.”
Although she knew, deep down, that it was.
Kyle had told her as much. He’d stopped to help her at the grocery store because he found her attractive, and he’d invited her to dinner because he wanted to get her into bed. The fact she’d accepted his job offer before riding his cock didn’t diminish the extent to which the status quo was built on their burgeoning chemistry. That was why Kyle had bailed out Jonah, and it was why he’d hired Randall.
“Listen, it’s none of my business what you do.” Jonah’s expression faltered, as though he couldn’t bear to think about his mother in any type of sexual context. “I’m just saying, if this all goes tits up, am I going to be left with huge legal bills I can’t meet? Because I already have the tuition bills and…” He paused, drawing in a breath. “It’s too much, Mum.”
“So, what’s the alternative?” She clasped her hand over his. “I know it’s unlikely for a first offense, Jonah, but with the drugs and the theft charges, you could go to jail for this, and that would throw away so many chances for you. I’ll do anything I can to stop that.”
“You don’t have to sleep with him to save me.” Jonah’s voice lowered to merely a whisper. “That’s all I’m saying.”
She laughed at how foreboding he made that sound. If he only knew how many times she’d wrestled with a similar dilemma since she’d arrived, but the result was always the same—she wasn’t fucking Kyle for the money, whatever her guilt said. The cash was just a glorious coincidence.
“Jo-Jo, I’m not having sex with Mr. Kyle for you.” She shook her head. “Yes, it was the job offer that drew me here, but now there’s something tangible going on between us. I…” She hesitated, hoping her face wasn’t reddening as much as she suspected it was. “I just didn’t want you to be dragged into the middle of it.”
“Yes.” His brow rose. “It is a bit awkward at times. The sexual energy between you two is…” He blew out a breath. “Well, it’s not easy for me to be around it.”
“I understand.” She couldn’t remember ever having such a discomforting conversation with Jonah before, but she was glad they could finally be honest. “I had no intention of bringing you into this. It’s just you phoned and—”
“I was in trouble.” His tone was wry. “I know, and I’m thankful you stepped up, Mum, really.”
“What’s this?” Kyle’s voice floated from the opposite side of the entrance hall, and twisting, she found his intrigued expression waiting for her. “A tête-à-tête.”
“Something like that.” Jonah rose when Kyle approached. “I want to say thank you again, Mr. Kyle, for hiring Mr. Randall, for posting bail, and for putting me up here.” Jonah’s gaze slid between them. “But I’m an adult, and as I said to my mum, I know there’s something going on between you two.”
“Do you?” Kyle smiled, but the gesture didn’t seem to reach his eyes. “How perceptive.”
“Is that what tonight’s about?” Jonah’s gaze was expectant. “You want me out of the way to have some time alone because if so, you can just say so and—”
“Jonah.” She climbed to her feet, though she still stood almost a foot shorter than her son and considerably more than her employer. “That’s not it. Mr. Kyle has a dinner party tonight, and I’ll be working.”
Her belly knotted as she tried not to dwell on what that might end up meaning for her.
“Your mother’s right, Jonah.” Kyle slid one hand into his suit pocket. “While I’m sure we’re both very happy to hear you approve of our relationship , that’s not what this evening is about.”
Her heart pounded at the way he’d made that sound, throwing additional emphasis on the word ‘relationship’. Did that mean he thought there was one between them, or was it a rejection of the idea? She had no way of knowing.
“Oh,” Jonah chuckled. “Then forgive me. I seem to have got my wires crossed.”
“No problem.” The grin that lit up Kyle’s face was far more natural than before. “And really, I don’t mind helping you out, Jonah. I mean that.”
“I appreciate it, Mr. Kyle.” Jonah pushed his unruly hair from his eyes. “But I have no idea how I’ll ever pay you back.”
“We’ll figure something out.” Kyle never glanced her way, but Amy had the distinct impression that she might be involved in that arrangement. “We always do.”