Page 7 of Hold Your Breath

I chuckle. “That’s because my stepbrother dragged me out last night and, well, I had one too many drinks.”

“That sucks, but...” she says with a huge smirk. “I was helping Archer with something and would you believe whose face popped up on his laptop?!”

Humiliation would normally be my go-to reaction, but Riley has three men in her life who are all gorgeous. They dote on her like she is the most precious thing in the world, and it gives me hope I will be able to find at least one decent guy.

“I took a leap. Nothing can be worse than yesterday. Hopefully, it will bring some excitement into my life after I get back.”

Her eyes go wide, and she pushes me for information on what happened. Riley laughs at my expense, but I don’t blame her because it is slightly funny now that I look back on it, and I won’t ever make the same mistake again. She is disappointed I didn’t call her, and I remind her that one of her men would have been right up her ass as she saved me. Besides, for my own pride, there is no way I would have called my boss. I need to still be able to show my face every day on our morning call. As of right now, I am her only employee. Between the two of us, she hasn’t needed to hire a third person beyond her assistant, but Kelsey doesn’t have access to any of the celebrities’ accounts.

Before we end the call, Riley says to expect a textwith a location and a request for preferences. She makes a joke about sending someone to the holiday house, and I reply it isn’t a terrible idea, as I will be alone for at least three days, maybe four. The estate is massive, and even though it is almost two hours away, it’s totally worth the drive. Besides, no one generally arrives until Friday or Saturday. According to my mom, Micah doesn’t need to work, as his inheritance from his mother and great uncle is enough to live comfortably for the rest of his life. I guess he loves his job, which I respect.

After I finish my work emails and scheduling posts for the next few days, I grab my suitcase and add a few last-minute items I forgot to pack, then head for the estate.

The drive goes smoothly, and I stop halfway to grab another coffee. Pulling up to the mansion gates, I input the security code into the keypad, and then as they open, I pull my car inside the property and slowly drive toward the house. I can’t help but appreciate how stunning the grounds are, with beautiful hedges and even prettier flowers surrounding the house, and the water fountain is perfection. This house truly looks like it could be featured in Bridgerton. My favorite part of the property is the flower archway that leads down to the lake. The inside of the house is even more exquisite, featuring soft-pastel walls, fancy trimming,and large windows with thick curtains. Even the arches throughout the house add to its magical feel, and the vaulted ceilings make everything seem more spacious. Not to mention the chandeliers throughout are to die for. Honestly, I think I love this place more than I could ever love a person.

The mansion has ten bedrooms and fourteen bathrooms, all reflecting its grandeur. One room is specifically mine when I stay here, and I love the pastel-green walls adorned with framed paintings of the gardens, the large four-poster bed, and the oversized plush rug on the wooden floorboards.

The property manager always has the place ready a week before we arrive, and I use my key to let myself inside. Micah rents out the ballroom for events, and people can stay in the various rooms. His room is off limits and locked to the public, and it is on the opposite side of the mansion to my room. My room also has a lock, for which I am grateful. I called ahead and let the manager know I was coming in early, and she told me the fridge and pantry were fully stocked. My mom will still bring everything she needs. Carol is very specific about what she cooks with, which I find hilarious, but we all let her be. If she is happy, there is a lot less nagging.

As I walk through the house, I notice a few items have been moved, and I smirk to myself. My cousins,especially the younger ones, have broken priceless items before and it’s about time things were moved. One of my aunts can be a real bitch, and according to her, my cousins would never break anything, even if we can all see how spoiled and entitled they have become.

When I reach my room, I unlock my door and it’s exactly as I remembered, until I notice a box on my bed and an envelope on top. I drag my case inside and walk over to the bed, picking up the envelope.

Willow

9pm in the garden. The Easter hunt begins.

The prize, you ask?

YOU!

My heart thumps wildly as I re-read the note. Damn, Riley’s men work fast, but now the nerves bubble through my system as my shaky hands open the box. Pulling back the tissue paper, I huff out a laugh. There is no way. None. Inside is a very sexy rabbit costume, with not enough fabric to cover anything. I pull it out and look at it again. It’s baby pink with a tiny crotch area—how is that thin scrap supposed to hide my lady flaps? They might swallow the material and the poor guy will think I’m wearing the costume backward. That isn’t a good look for anyone. Scrap that, it’sgot a split. Crotchless is not something I would ever choose to wear.

Though I’ll admit the bunny ears are super cute.

There is another small wrapped box which is labeled:Open me when you’re getting ready.

Can I really do this? Or should I phone Riley and call the whole thing off? Maybe I’ll take a few hours’ nap first and then I’ll re-evaluate.

Chapter Five

Jace

My friend Archer was more than willing to let me take charge after I explained our situation. The guys had to fill out the forms like any other employees would, and though Micah was hesitant and still is, Archer explained that even if he and Zac don’t participate, he will end their contract with Wild Steps after Easter.

Zac is open to seeing how it goes, but I’m all in after having felt her ass grind against my cock. I know I could do things the normal way—pursue her and ask her out—however, I’m far from normal, and Willow wants to get a feel for the things she likes. Though, from what I can tell, she’s nervous about puttingherself out there again. I wasn’t even sure if she would fill out the intake form after the chair incident. Even if she thinks it was the most embarrassing thing she has ever experienced, she doesn’t realize for me it was a fantasy. Walking into that room and seeing a fucking stunning woman blindfolded and tied to a chair... all I wanted was to drop to my knees and bury my face in her pussy. Speaking of faces, her ex deserves a punch in his. It would have taken an amazing amount of courage to do what she did, and he walked away. Joke’s on him because now I get to play.

“Will you stop pacing?!” Zac snaps. “You’re giving me motion sickness.”

Micah has cameras wired throughout the house. Once she reached the mansion, she went straight to her room and didn’t come back out. After an hour, we snuck inside and holed up in Micah’s room, waiting for her to appear.

“I can’t help it. It’s been so long since I’ve done anything like this and I’m excited. Just wait, you will soon understand why I kept working for Wild Steps for so long.”

“I don’t think I can do it,” Micah says, getting up from his seat at his desk and finally looking away from the surveillance footage.

“Stop being a big baby—I saw the way she looked at you. If you asked her to fuck you, I bet she would.”

“I’m not an idiot. It’s just lying to her seems wrong.”

---