Read Online His Millionaire Maid by Coleen Kwan - Free Book Online

didn’t know who she was, and he was so different from her, so embedded in the fabric of this sleepy little coastal village. She didn’t belong here, and she shouldn’t be hanging around Joe any longer.
    She leaped to her feet and hurried back up the main street. In five minutes she reached the Comet Inn. Feeling like a thief, she dashed inside and scurried past the lobby, hoping to catch Joe alone in his office. But his office was empty. Disappointed, she sagged against the doorjamb.
    “What’s up, sweet pea?” Joe said from behind her.
    She whirled around, her heart jerking. That was the second time today he’d called her sweet pea. As Joe advanced, her libido surged in a sudden, violent flood, and she couldn’t drag her gaze away from him—didn’t want to, either.
    Joe. Shirtless. Showing off a sleeveless white undershirt that clung to the strongly defined muscles of his chest. A few streaks of grease were smeared on his undershirt and face. His right biceps gleamed as he gripped a heavy-looking wrench. His flash of white teeth got her pulses fluttering.
    “I’ve fixed the faucets in the bathroom. You’ll be able to have all the hot showers you want now.”
    “Th-thanks.” Oh, God, why did he have to go and do a nice thing like that for her? And why did he have to look so hot and hunky and stripped-down gorgeous? As he lifted an arm to wipe his cheek, the muscles in his shoulder rippled and her heartbeat stammered.
    He transferred the wrench from one hand to the other, slowly looking her over. “Glad you took my advice on the clothes.”
    Her body tingled where his gaze lingered as if he’d touched her. He shouldn’t be looking at her like that. He shouldn’t be having this effect on her, damn it.
    “I didn’t have much choice at the thrift store.” She lifted one foot to show him the Crocs. “As you can see.”
    His lips twitched. “You still look good.” His expression grew a little more sober, as if he sensed something was off kilter. “What did you want to see me about?”
    Joe thinks I look good. Not the most lavish compliment she’d ever received, but it threw her so completely that for a moment she forgot what she’d rushed inside to tell him. Then it came back to her—she was quitting, leaving Joe, the job, and Hartley after all.
    She swallowed, conscious now of the seriousness of what she was about to do. Joe hadn’t thought much of her in the beginning, but over the past two days she’d sensed his opinion changing. So much so he’d even fixed the shower for her. That meant he wanted her to stay, didn’t it? If she resigned now, he’d be annoyed, scornful. He’d accuse her of wasting his time again, of being fickle and unreliable. It shouldn’t matter, because once she left she’d never see him again, but deep down it did. Despite her reasoning, Joe’s opinion mattered to her.
    “I, er…” She hunted for something—anything—to say. “I went for a walk down to the beach. It’s, uh, pretty around here.”
    “Glad you noticed.” His eyes narrowed. “Is that what you came rushing in to tell me?”
    “I…guess so.”
    He watched her, the relaxation ebbing from his stance. “You weren’t by any chance coming here to tell me you were quitting? Again?”
    Her heart thudded heavily. Joe’s stare seemed to swamp her so she couldn’t focus on anything except the probing look in his eyes.
    “Why are you always so quick to believe the worst of me?”
    “Is that what you think I’m doing right now?”
    “Well, aren’t you?” She lifted her chin, defiant. In her experience, attack was always the best form of defense.
    Joe hauled in a deep breath, his undershirt stretching taut across his impressive pectorals. “I’m not wedded to my opinions. I’m prepared to change my mind about you—if you’re willing and able to persuade me.”
    The challenge in his eyes struck sparks in her. The old, familiar recklessness stampeded to the fore, but this time she was rushing in