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

with her eyes wide-open. She knew staying here was a mistake. She knew she should turn around and get out of here. And she knew she was staying because of Joe, because of how he made her feel, all breathless and wired and thrumming and alive—and that was her biggest mistake of all.
    But she ignored all the flashing warnings, stared into Joe’s wickedly tempting eyes, and said, “Joe, I’m sure if I put my mind to it, I can persuade you into anything.”
    He sucked in a breath. “Anything in particular?”
    The heat in his eyes hit her, made her wonder if she’d gone too far. “What I meant was, changing your opinion of me. I’m not quitting. I’m staying right here.”
    He rested his forearm against the door frame, leaning into her until his in-your-face masculinity enveloped her. “Are you always such a tease with men? Or is it just me?”
    “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “Well, know this. I have my limits. Dangle some bait in front of me long enough and I’ll bite.”
    He leaned in even closer until she thought for sure he was going to kiss her. And she didn’t move. Didn’t want to move, because all she could think about was his mouth pressing down on hers, scorching and sensuous and thrilling. His shadow fell over her as he closed in, and her heartbeat fluttered in her throat, wild with anticipation…
    But then he pulled back, a gleam in his eyes. “Let me know if you have any more trouble with that shower.” He walked away, whistling casually.
    Dizzy, she stared after his retreating denim-clad ass. Damn him, who was teasing now? And she’d played right into his hands. Why hadn’t he kissed her? Why had he pulled back at the last moment? Was it because… Lifting an arm, she gave herself an experimental sniff. Thank God he’d fixed the shower, because she was in desperate need of one.

Chapter Four
    Nina stepped out of the shower and wrapped the towel around her body, securing it under her arms. The water had been blissfully hot, and she felt clean and relaxed.
    As she padded down the hallway, her footsteps echoed in the hush. The Sunday night crowd at the restaurant and bar had dispersed a while ago. Upstairs, only a handful of guests were staying the night, and they seemed like a quiet bunch.
    As she entered her room, a cool breeze struck her damp skin. Earlier in the day, she’d opened the window to air out her room and had forgotten to close it. Now, brisk night air streamed in, raising goose bumps on her arms. She hurried to the sash window and grabbed the brass handles of the raised pane. It wouldn’t move. She tugged and wrestled, but the window only screeched down a few inches before jamming again.
    “Come on, you stupid thing,” she muttered as she tried to wrench the window down.
    The air around her swirled as a warm presence materialized behind her. “Here, let me get that for you.” Joe’s breath stirred the hairs on her nape.
    She spun around. “Jesus, you scared me.”
    “Sorry. Didn’t mean to.”
    He was mere inches away from her. Too close for comfort, and once again he’d caught her with nothing but a towel on. She edged sideways, keeping her distance from him. “I didn’t realize you were still here.”
    Joe gripped the stuck windowpane and wiggled it from side to side. “I had some paperwork to finish up.”
    “You seem to spend your whole life here at the inn. Don’t you ever have some time off?”
    He nudged the pane one more time and drew it closed. “I have time off,” he said. “I visit my nonna, sometimes my aunt and uncle, play soccer.”
    “But you’re also here every day.”
    He secured the window latch and turned back to her. “I built this business up from nothing. I’ve poured all my time, money, and effort into this place. Of course I’m here every day. I can’t afford not to be.”
    Nina nodded. “I’ve only been here a few days, but I see how hard you work and how much you’ve accomplished. I’ve heard it from your staff, too, and