Read Online Maid for Love (A Romantic Comedy) by Caroline Mickelson - Free Book Online Page A

anything other than Zoe. It was amazing, it was exhilarating, but it was also overwhelming and downright scary. So I understand the feelings, and maybe even the fear of what would happen if it didn’t last, but I didn’t want it to end.”
    Josh frowned. “Did you ever contact Zoe during the year to talk it out?”
    “No, but I thought about calling her every day. Zoe was my first thought every morning and my last thought every night.” Michael squeezed her hand. “But I wanted to honor her wishes. If she didn’t want to be together then I had to respect that.”
    Zoe was so choked up that she had to compose herself before she could speak. “I’m sorry, Michael. Please believe that I never meant to hurt you.”
    “Okay, this is getting weird.” Josh pushed back from the table. “I’m going to get another coke.”
    “Me too,” Kathryn got to her feet. “We’ll go outside and check out the dock and some of the boats before the food gets here. That’ll give you two a moment to get this lovey-dovey stuff out of your system.”
    Zoe laughed. “So we’re good? You don’t have any more questions?”
    Kathryn pushed in her chair. “It makes no sense to me but if you’re happy and Uncle M is happy, then we’re good.”
    As soon as the teens were out of sight, Michael moved into the chair next to hers. He ran his hand lightly up and down her arm. “Are we good, Zoe?”
    She nodded, unable to find the right words.
    He leaned in close enough that only she could hear him. “I want you, Zoe.” He brushed a soft kiss across her lips, one so tender and yet so passionate, that she shivered. His eyes locked onto hers. “Tonight. And always.”
    Zoe leaned in and kissed him back. “Tonight,” she whispered, her heart already aching with loss. Tonight she could promise. But always? No. That she couldn’t give him.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    When the sun rose the next morning, Michael was awake and ready for it. He’d snuck out of the quiet beach house and took a run on the shore, in part because that was how he started most mornings. But in even greater part it was because his heart was filled with so much love that he felt about to burst. After about three miles, he stopped and closed his eyes. The steady sound of the waves rolling in matched the rhythm of his heart-beat. For the first time in a year he felt as if everything was right with the world.
    He opened his eyes to greet not only a new day but the rest of his life. Having Zoe turn up on his doorstep back in Connecticut had forced him to admit how much he’d missed her. Whether it had been an accident or fate, he didn't know. Either way it hadn’t been voluntary on Zoe’s part. But when she’d shown up in Nantucket that had been entirely her choice. It meant she loved him. It meant she wanted him. It meant that they belonged together and their forever was starting now.
    As he began his run back to the house, he didn’t even try to keep the grin off of his face.
    When he returned to the house, he found it quiet. After a quick shower, he started the coffee and checked in on his still sleeping niece and nephew. They’d made themselves scarce last night after they’d all returned from dinner. Thoughtful kids. He owed them.
    Once the coffee was done, he knocked softly on Zoe’s door. Upon hearing her sleepy voice call for him to come in, he pushed open the door. “Good morning, Sleeping Beauty.” He crossed to her bed and set the tray he’d prepared on it before he kissed her good morning.
    “Breakfast in bed?” Zoe smiled up at him. “You’re too good to me.”
    Michael handed her a steaming cup of coffee. “You deserve nothing less.” He watched as she wrapped her hands around the mug and took a small sip. He loved the way she closed her eyes in anticipation of that first taste. He loved everything about her. Just watching her was a sensual experience. It fueled his desire to be with her.
    “Amazing coffee.” She smiled her thanks. “I feel like