Xavier Jackson is a man with a dark, dominant side. When he hires his new maid, a sweet, innocent lady who has no clue about his past, their mutual attraction leads them both to desire more than either of them imagined. Lisa Smith is broke and in need of a job when she answers an ad as a live-in housemaid. She's shocked at the size of the mansion her new employer, Xavier Jackson, lives in and the fact that he is the most attractive man she has ever seen. Little does she know, he's got a secret that involves his desires and his need for domination. Will Lisa run, or will she explore a darker side to her nature? ...steamy, hot, 18+, BDSM, dark romance...
Lisa's POV
The taxi came to a stop in front of a tall iron gate. I peered through the window and felt my eyes widen. The gates were open, but on the other side was the biggest, most intimidating mansion I'd ever seen.
The house was huge. It was about 3-4 stories high, and I was sure that it had a lot more floors. It was also the longest house I'd ever seen. Even from a distance, it seemed like it could go on forever.
I could see a fountain in the front yard, and lots of flowers and well-trimmed grass. As far as the eye could see, the grounds were neatly maintained. It was obvious that whoever owned this place was extremely rich. He must be a multi billionaire and had some old, wealthy family behind him.
I took a deep breath. My nerves were getting the better of me. This was my first job interview, and the thought that I might not get the job scared me to death. I really needed the job, and this mansion was definitely out of my league.
My mother was sick and needed an operation. According to the doctors, she had cancer and needed to start her treatment immediately. She couldn't work anymore, so the responsibility fell to me.
If I didn't raise the money for her operation, she wouldn't make it. Her health was declining fast and she was becoming weaker by the day. She could barely eat and was losing weight rapidly.
My dad had left us years ago. Mom didn't want to tell me, but I'd found out by accident that he had run off with his secretary.
My life was practically a mess but all I cared about was my mom. She was my world. If I didn't get the job here, then I didn't know where else I could look for work.
This was the only job available as a maid for an extremely rich man. I needed the job. According to the advertisement on the website, I would live in the house and get a room. That means, I wouldn't have to pay rent or find a place to stay. I could just concentrate on saving the money for my mom's operation.
I didn't mind working as a maid. I was a very hard worker, and if I had to scrub the floor on my hands and knees, then I would. I would do anything for my mother.
The salary was also amazing.
$20,000 a month! That was a lot of money. I still couldn't believe it.
I hadn't told my mom about the job. I was afraid that she would ask a lot of questions and get worried about me living with a man I didn't know.
I mean, I was worried too.
I didn't know anything about my soon-to-be employer. I had searched online but couldn't find anything about him. I didn't even know what he looked like. I just hoped he wasn't a murderer or a serial killer.
There was no way to know until I met him.
I had already decided that if I didn't like him or didn't feel safe, I would quit and start looking for another job.
"Miss, we're here." The taxi driver's voice brought me back to the present.
I looked at him and nodded.
"Yeah. Thanks." I said.
I handed him the money, grabbed my bag and opened the door. The heat was the first thing that hit me as I stepped out of the taxi.
I wasn't used to the sun, and living in a country where the weather was mostly cold and rainy, it was a bit hard to get used to the hotness of this city.
I stood there and watched the taxi drive off. I felt a little nervous and alone. My heart began to race as I made my way to the front of the gate.
There was a buzzer and a small speaker on the side of the gate.
I took a deep breath and pressed the button. A few seconds later, a voice came over the speaker.
"Hello, may I help you?" a man asked.
"Hi. Umm...my name is Lisa Smith. I'm here for the interview for the maid position." I said.
There was silence for a moment and I started to worry.
What was happening? Why wasn't he answering?
"Miss, can you please enter and go around the right side of the mansion. There is a separate entrance there for visitors." I heard him say through the speaker.
I looked up at the speaker, not understanding.
A separate entrance? What the hell?
This was so weird.
"Okay. Thanks." I replied.
He didn't reply. I guess he was done talking.
Suddenly, I heard a loud click and the gate began to move. It opened slowly, and I could see the paved path leading up to the house.
I clutched my bag and made my way up the path.
It was such a beautiful day. I had decided to wear a short yellow sundress and a pair of brown sandals. I loved yellow. It was such a happy color and always cheered me up.
I could feel my stomach doing flips and the nerves kicking in again as I walked closer to the mansion.
I noticed that the mansion seemed to become bigger and bigger. The closer I got, the more nervous I became.
What was this place? And who was the man who pwned this place? Building this must have cost him a fortune.
'Please don't throw up. Please don't throw up.' I chanted inside my head.
As I reached the end of the path, I stopped.
The house was magnificent. It was the most beautiful building I'd ever seen.
It was painted white and had a lot of windows. There was a huge front door, and as I stood there looking at it. I was about to go up to it when I remembered what the guy on the speaker had said.
'Right side of the house. There is a separate entrance there for visitors'.
I was confused, but decided to follow his instructions. I didn't want to go inside through the wrong door.
I looked around and noticed a narrow path to my right. It led around the corner of the mansion and disappeared from view.
I made my way down the path, and as I turned the corner, I stopped dead in my tracks.
Oh. My. What the hell?!
My mouth dropped open and my eyes widened.
In front of me was the biggest swimming pool I'd ever seen. It looked like it went on forever, and the water was clear blue.
I could see a diving board, a slide, and a big whirlpool in the middle of the pool.
Behind the pool, was a tennis court, and then what seemed to be a basketball court.
My mouth hung open as I stared at the view before me.
This was unreal. I felt like I was in paradise. I couldn't help but keep staring.
"Excuse me, miss. Are you okay?" a voice spoke behind me.
I jumped and let out a scream.
I turned around so quickly that I almost lost my balance.
I could feel the heat in my face, and I was sure my cheeks were a bright red.
Behind me, stood a tall man, who looked like he was in his fifties or sixties. He was wearing a tailored black suit and his hands were behind his back.
He was looking at me, with a puzzled expression.
He raised his eyebrows and cocked his head to the side.
"Sorry, sir. You scared me." I said.
He frowned slightly and cleared his throat.
"Are you Miss Smith?" he asked.
"Yes. That's me." I replied. I straightened my dress and stretched out my hand towards him.
The man didn't take it. He just nodded and said,
"I'm Henry, the butler here. Please follow me." He said and walked towards a door on the side of the house.
Butler? Well, he did look like a butler.
He had a stern, serious face, and an attitude that seemed to say: 'Don't mess with me.'
I followed him to the door and into the mansion.
I was in awe as I looked around. This was a dream. I was going to pinch myself. This couldn't be real.
I was in a hallway, and there were several doors on both sides. At the end of the hallway, was a staircase that led to the upper floors.
There was a huge, sparkling chandelier hanging from the ceiling, beautiful paintings on the wall, and an amazing smell in the air.
Wow. This was just amazing.
The butler started to walk down the hallway and I followed.
Suddenly, he stopped in front of a large staircase.
"Whether or not, you get the job, Miss Smith. There's something you must know. Never walk in through the front door of the mansion." He said.
I stared at him.
What the hell did he just say? Why can't I use the front door? Was the owner of this house a weirdo or something?
"Umm... why not?" I asked.
Henry gave me a serious look.
"Just don't." he said. "It's reserved for Mr Jackson and his very private guests."
'Very private guests.' What the hell did that mean?
I opened my mouth to ask more questions, but Henry stopped me by raising his hand.
"No more questions, until you get the job." He said.
I stared after him, feeling confused.
Okay, this was getting weirder by the second.
Why was the front door reserved for the owner and his 'very private guests'? That made no sense.
I was expecting Henry to lead me up the stairs, but he didn't. Instead he gave me a few directions.
"Walk up the staircase, there is a small hallway. You will see two doors. One on the left and one on the right. Do not open the door on the right. It is the master's private room and no one is allowed inside. Knock on the other door and wait for instructions. Then, you will go in." he said.
I looked at him.
Was I about to meet the owner now?
Who was waiting for me behind that door?
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?