1 House Rules

This was just supposed to be a normal job. Helping my rich neighbor with menial tasks around his house for a whole six months. Unfortunately, I have the luck of a squirrel superglued to asphalt on a busy road.

Dr. Gavin Harper Everden was the owner of the manor I was supposed to be helping with. My mom got me the job, gushing over him. "Ezra, remember to ask him if he's single!"

"Mom! I'm not going to ask my future employer if he's single!" I exclaimed, my ears turning red with embarrassment. Mom laughed, ruffling my hair as she pulled up to Dr. Everden's gate.

"Call me as soon as you get settled." She smiled at me. I gave a nod, mumbling. "I will." I looked up at the tall, well-kept iron gate as my mom drove off. According to her, Dr. Everden was supposed to be 'incredibly attractive' and 'built like a god, probably'. I sighed heavily, shaking my head. My mom really needed to get back into the dating scene. I love her, but she's too thirsty for me to handle. I noticed the buzzer near the gate and pressed it.

There was an audio crackle before a husky voice echoed through. "Yes?"

"Hello? Dr. Everden? I'm Ezra Merkins, here for the job of helping around the manor." My voice cracked as I spoke. Shit, that didn't sound very impressive. It sounded like I was a 14 year old who just hit puberty instead of a 24 year-old.

"Oh. Yes, right. Come on in." Dr. Everden replied. The gate buzzed loudly and swung open. I walked forward, the driveway gravel crunching underneath my Sketchers. It took me a total of 27 minutes to get to the manor door. By the time I got up the porch steps, I was drenched in sweat and wheezing uncontrollably.

I rung the doorbell, bending over with my hands on my knees while trying to suck hot air into my lungs. I heard the door open. "Shit, are you alright? I should have warned you that it was going to be a bit of a walk."

It was the voice from the speaker, which means it was my boss - Dr. Everden! I looked up, my eyes widening. Holy - I then choked on my saliva. He was not only half-naked, but his well-toned body was covered in either sweat or water. I owed my mom an apology - she was right about Dr. Everden. He was incredibly attractive and built like a god.

"Here, let's get you inside." He stepped forward, gently grabbing my arms and ushering me into his manor - which was air-conditioned. Dr. Everden let me into the kitchen and sat me down on a stool for the island.

"Are you alright?" He asked, before setting a glass of ice water in front of me on the island. I grasped the glass, nodding. "Yeah, thank you."

"Good. Now you might think I'm a bit pushy, but I feel as an employer I should start informing you of the house rules." Dr. Everden sat down. I gulped, bringing the glass up to my lips. "That's...uh..great, but can you...um...put on a shirt?"

The room fell deadly silent as I felt Dr. Everden give me a once over. I felt my face heat up and my immediate response was to chug the ice water as he replied. "Yes, of course. Sorry about that."

He got up and left the room. I sighed heavily in relief before pulling out my cellphone and dialing my mother.

"Sweetie! You made it." She sounded happy.

"Yes, Mom." I sighed. Apparently that's when her mom instincts kicked it, because she immediately asked me if I was okay.

"Well if I wasn't going to die from walking for 27 minutes in 86 degree weather, I was going to die by Dr. Everden." I answered sarcastically.

"What?" Mom asked, confusion echoing in her voice.

"I have no idea how you knew, but you were 100 percent right. Dr. Everden is incredibly attractive and built like a god." I pulled my phone five inches from my ear as my mom cackled loudly. I whined, "Mom, it's not funny! I almost choked on my own spit! I'm not sure I can survive half a year here."

"Oh don't be so dramatic, Ezra." She chided over the phone.

I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "He answered the door shirtless, Mom. Shirtless."

"Oh~?" She wanted the dirt on Dr. Everden's physique - I could tell by the tone of her voice.

"Don't start. I couldn't even look him in the eyes because of it." I could hear the embarrassment in my own voice. Was I blushing? I couldn't even tell.

"This is why you're still single, Ezra. You need to roll up your sleeves and take some initiative." My mom encouraged me.

"Mom, I'm a bottom, I can't do that. Also you shouldn't be encouraging me to flirt with my boss!" I exclaimed. Oh yeah, I was definitely blushing. Mom laughed, which was interrupted with a cough. I turned, my eyes wide as they locked with Dr. Everden.

"Uh...Mom, I have to go. I'll call you back later." I ended the call before hearing her answer. Dr. Everden was smirking, an eyebrow cocked. Did he hear my conversation with my mom? Oh hell, he definitely did. His mouth started moving. Was he talking to me? I couldn't tell, my head was ringing.

Fuck. Shit. Am I having a panic attack? I could feel Dr. Everden's hands on my shoulders. He looked worried - which meant I definitely was having a panic attack. "Close your eyes and breathe slowly, Ezra." His voice was deep and gentle, compelling me to do as he said. I complied and within a few minutes, the ringing in my ears stopped and I could hear again.

"It's alright, just continue to breathe slowly." He guided me through my panic attack until it was over to an extent when I could converse normally. Well, as normally as a disaster gay can.

"Do you feel better now?" Dr. Everden asked. I nodded. He smiled, "Good, then I assume we can get started?"

"Yes, we can start." I answered. Dr. Everden stood up, helping me to my feet. "While giving you a tour of the manor, I'll inform you of the house rules."

I was led around the house. "There are only five rules, and it is imperative you follow them for your own safety." Dr. Everden started. "Firstly, do not, under any circumstances, go into the basement - especially at night."

Weird, but it was probably because the lights were busted. He continued, "Secondly, do no go into the attic no matter what you hear." Okay, that was weirder. Maybe the floorboards in the attic made unusual sounds?

"Third, do not answer the phone past 9 o'clock at night." Scam callers or jilted lover?

"Fourth, do not open this door." Dr. Everden stopped in front of an iron door that looked like it was from a fantasy book. "It's got rusted nails - I don't want you to get hurt trying to open it."

He started walking more. "Finally, don't go into the grove behind the manor."

Dr. Everden turned and blinked. "Are...are you taking notes?"

I gave a nod. "I'm not going to jeopardize this job just because I can't remember to follow five simple rules."

He grinned and ruffled my hair. "That's adorable." I felt my face turn red.

God, why did I have to get a hot boss?