My cheeks burn. How can I be this woman who is melting for the man who ruined me. Three years ago, his cold dismissal—“You’re mistaken, Ms. Hollis”—shattered my world. Now his kiss threatens to break what’s left. I can’t want this. I can’t want him.
“Was it not?”
I blink, lost.
“You said this wasn’t part of the deal.”
Grateful for the reprieve my enemy has tossed me, guessing it comes with a price, I push my hands against his immovable chest. “I’m here as your maid. Not your?—”
“Not my…?” Waiting, he quirks a brow.
“Toy.”
Very deliberately, he leans forward. His voice is soft, and threat edges his words. “If you think for even one moment that I’m playing with you, you’re very wrong.”
He has to be. What else does a dark-hearted CEO want with a maid he’s already ruined once?
He brushes his thumb across my swollen lower lip.
And neither of us has taken a step back.
“Coffee?”
The man makes my head spin. “What?”
“We have a lot to go over.”
“Despite what you may think, I’m adept at cleaning.”
“Mmm.”
Is he disagreeing or agreeing? Confounding man is impossible to figure out.
His gaze flicks to my lips, still swollen, and I hate how my pulse races.
“Cream and sugar?”
With that, he releases me and moves away.
“I need to get to work. I do have rooms that need to be cleaned.”
“Actually you don’t.”
“I…?” I blink. “What?”
He refills his cup. “I had a chat with Rafe Sterling this morning.”
As in the owner of the hotel?
Devastated, I sink against the wall. This is so much worse than him calling security. Why had I trusted him? I should know better.
“Cream and sugar?” he repeats, grabbing a mug from the cabinet and filling it. “In the future, you’ll be pouring for me.” He levels his gaze on me. “I recommend you take advantage of my offer.”
Wondering what the hell he’s up to now, I narrow my gaze.
“Just offering coffee while I outline my expectations, Seraphina.”
“Is Mr. Sterling going to fire me?”
