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

people in town, and, well…I admire what you’ve achieved and how you’ve done it.”
    He blinked, surprise showing in his expression. “Thanks. Didn’t think I’d hear you say something like that”—his gaze drifted over her—“let alone do it with nothing but a towel on.”
    A lick of fire curled in her stomach, sending heat through her veins. “Don’t worry,” she said. “I’m not trying to seduce you or anything.”
    His eyes widened, and the corner of his lips twitched. “I’m not against a woman seducing me per se, but in your case I would be worried.”
    “Why?”
    Joe shook his head. “You know why.” There was an edge to his voice, a warning in his eyes. Was this the same reason he hadn’t kissed her yesterday?
    “No, I don’t.” She pinned him with a hard stare. “Come on. You can be honest with me. Am I not attractive enough for you? Is that it?”
    He made a kind of choking noise, his eyes flaring. “I wish I could say that, but no. That’s not it.”
    Exhilaration mixed with indignation coursed through her veins. “You sure know how to make a compliment sound like an insult.” Her mouth was running away from her again, and she couldn’t seem to stop it. Joe was being too provocative to ignore. “Well then? What’s your reason?”
    “You can’t guess?” He paused a moment. “Getting personally involved with you would be…unwise.”
    His studied deliberation made her feel immature, and she’d had enough of that from her father. She scowled at him. “I see. I’m not mature enough for you.”
    “I didn’t say that—”
    “Well, you implied it.”
    He stared back at her for a few moments, his eyes black and inscrutable, before he riffled his fingers through his hair. He groaned. “Why the hell are we even discussing this? No one is going to seduce anyone. Got that?”
    “What about yesterday? You almost kissed me—and don’t even try to deny it.”
    “In case you didn’t notice, I stopped myself. I have self-control.”
    His high-handed attitude only made her more reckless. “I see. So the mature and self-controlled Joe Farina has spoken, and that’s it. End of discussion, huh?”
    His mouth flattened into a tight line. “Pretty much.”
    Wildness ran through her, a fierce longing to shake him up and jolt him from his moorings.
    “So, I guess if I do this —” She ripped off her towel and flung it aside to stand naked in front of Joe. “It won’t affect you, then?”
    Joe swallowed, his entire body rigid, his dark, fiery gaze eating up every inch of her naked body.
    Oh, God, what had she done? This was total madness. What if he reached for her, called her dare? She froze, caught between her impetuosity and Joe’s searing examination.
    Joe didn’t say a word. He just hauled in a harsh breath, eyes black as coal, before he wheeled around and stalked out of her room.
    Alone and naked, she felt her insides shrivel to ashes. She’d exposed herself, and Joe had reacted like she was a tantrum-throwing toddler.
    Yet Joe was right. She was immature for mistaking the strength of his interest in her and thinking he might be overwhelmed with lust for her. She’d been too cocky and full of herself—more faults he’d add to her already lengthy list. Besides, she could hardly call herself an irresistible bombshell. She liked her body, but she wasn’t centerfold material, and Joe hadn’t had any trouble resisting her.
    Her skin felt clammy, and a sharp ache tugged at her belly. Sick at heart, she pulled on clean sweatpants and a baggy sweater, then rumpled the towel over her damp hair while restlessly pacing the room. She’d never be able to fall asleep now. And when she came face-to-face with Joe tomorrow morning, she would die of shame for sure.
    She couldn’t stand the idea of being tortured all night long. Before she could think twice, she hurried out of her bedroom and down the hall to Joe’s office. The door was ajar. Joe stood at the window of his office,