His Millionaire Maid (12 page)

She snuggled into his embrace, her supple body sliding against his, and the shoes faded to the back of his mind as his trigger-happy libido surged to the fore.

“Now,” he murmured in her ear, taking a quick nibble at her earlobe. “I do have another package for you. A particularly large package. But we’ll have to unwrap it in the bedroom.” He scooped her into his arms and headed toward his bedroom. “And once you’ve got it unwrapped, I might even let you play with it.”

…

They had sex three times in two hours. Blissfully exhausted, Nina fell asleep tangled up in Joe’s big arms. When she woke, the bed was empty and the sun was setting. She slipped on one of Joe’s T-shirts, used the bathroom, and then went in search of Joe.

She found him in the kitchen making a salad. When he saw her, his hands grew still as his mouth fell open.

“That shirt looks sexy on you,” he said, eyes hungrily eating her up as if the last few hours hadn’t happened.

His T-shirt swamped her, reaching to her knees, but she did feel sexy in it, especially with his scent stamped into the fabric and onto her skin.

“Must be because I’m not wearing a bra.” She sashayed over to him, then filched a cherry tomato from his salad bowl. “Whatcha doing?”

“Making dinner.” Using his thumb, he swiped a drop of tomato juice from her lips. “Nothing fancy. Just steak and salad. Sound okay?”

“Sounds divine.” She was famished. “Anything I can do to help?”

“How about fixing us some drinks? There’s beer and wine in the fridge.”

She opened a bottle of beer for him and poured herself a glass of white wine. Joe was neat and competent in his kitchen. He put sourdough rolls in the oven to heat up and grilled two thick New York steaks to juicy perfection. They ate in the dining alcove off the kitchen, where Joe had a wooden table and Shaker-style chairs.

Nina couldn’t remember when a lover had cooked her a meal before. And she couldn’t remember when she’d last felt so relaxed and comfortable. Some would say his house was modest, but to her it was honest and simple and everything you could wish for in a home.

They talked about Joe’s plans for his B&B, about his grandmother and his sister. Finally, when their plates were empty, Joe leaned back in his chair and studied Nina with a speculative look.

“I feel like we’ve talked about me for way too long. What about you, Nina? Tell me something about yourself.”

She was instantly on her guard. “Like what?”

“I don’t know. Anything.” He waved his beer bottle. “Any serious boyfriends in the past you want to blow off steam about?”

Oliver? She chewed her lip at the memories of her ex.

Joe rested his elbows on the table. “Hey,” he said softly. “It was just a suggestion. You don’t have to.”

She met his eyes. “But if I didn’t, that would mean I’m not over him, and I am. I am so over the bastard.”

“A bastard, huh?”

“Yeah.” She fiddled with her knife and fork as she wondered how much she could tell Joe without arousing his suspicion. “I don’t want to go into the gory details. Suffice to say that I fell for Oliver. I thought he was special. I even thought he might be The One. But then I found out that he had ulterior motives for being with me. He didn’t really care about me, just what I could do for him.”

She pressed her lips together, surprised by the sudden pang in her chest. Not because of Oliver, but because it hurt to know she wasn’t as important as her money. That wound still festered in her soul.

Joe reached for her hands and squeezed them, his fingers warm and gentle. “He sounds like a complete jerk, but if there’s one thing I know about you, Nina, it’s that you’re a fighter. Forget about him. He’s pond scum. Don’t let him sour the rest of your life.”

The tenderness in his face broke her, and emotion stung the back of her throat. Joe was the complete antithesis of her ex. Just based on what he’d done for her this afternoon—buying her a thoughtful gift, pleasing her in bed, cooking her dinner, making her the focus of his attention—Joe cared more for her than her ex ever had.

Joe was wonderful. A man in a million. A man she could fall head over heels in love with—

Love?

Her heart seemed to stall for several beats. She started to cough and couldn’t stop.

“Nina? Are you all right?” Joe got up to fetch her a glass of water.

As she spluttered, she gave herself a severe talking-to. No way could she let herself fall in love with Joe. Not when she was hiding such huge secrets from him. The guilt welled up again, more biting than before.

“Thanks,” she whispered hoarsely after she’d drunk the water and recovered herself.

He patted her shoulder, still looking concerned. “Sorry,” he said. “Didn’t mean to get you all worked up over your ex.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“I’ve got ice cream.” He smiled. “Chocolate chip and raspberry swirl.”

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

While Joe busied himself getting the ice cream, Nina hauled in several deep breaths to steady herself. She really couldn’t fall in love with Joe. Not when she was concealing so much from him. In the brief time she had left, she would guard her heart. She would not let herself get hurt again.

Chapter Nine

“Got your wine orders figured out for the festival?” Joe asked Vince.

Joe was sitting in the bar with Vince and Sarah while they went over their preparations for the Hartley Food and Wine Festival. The days were ticking down fast, and he had so many other tasks to complete that he felt he’d been neglecting business at the Comet Inn.

While Vince went over the wine, Joe couldn’t help sneaking a glance at the other side of the room, where Nina was busy wiping down tables and chairs. She was making slow progress, but he noticed she was thorough.

He pulled his attention back to the meeting to find Sarah eyeing him suspiciously.

“Sounds great,” Joe said. He knew he could count on Vince to keep the bar side of things running smoothly. In fact, when he finally got his bank loan, he intended to ask Vince to be his manager at the inn so that he could concentrate on getting his B&B up and running.

Sarah began reading out the menu she had planned for the festival. They would be serving lunch and dinner over the three-day weekend and would need plenty of fresh supplies.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Nina said as she walked toward them. “I couldn’t help overhearing Sarah’s menu.”

Sarah pursed her lips. “And what? You don’t approve?” Her voice dripped frost.

“No, it sounds delicious, but—” Nina darted a look at Vince then Joe. “I was thinking maybe you could plan a menu around craft beer.”

“Plan a menu around craft beer?” Sarah sounded like Nina had suggested serving cow dung. “My food does not go
around
anything. My food is the reason why people come here to eat.”

Nina toyed with the cloth in her hand. “Sorry, I didn’t word that correctly. I meant a menu that would be complemented by craft beer. It’s something different, don’t you think? So many people love their craft beer, and we have some great microbreweries right in this area. It would be another way of highlighting local producers. What do you think, Joe?”

Sarah’s expression was thunderous, but Joe knew that was partly because, for some reason, she disliked Nina. He rubbed his jaw as he mulled over Nina’s suggestion.

“We’ve never done something like that before,” he said to Sarah and Vince. “Might be worth trying, yeah?”

His head chef spluttered. “I’ve been working on my menu for days and now you want to change it just because of
her
?”

Joe’s shoulders stiffened. Sarah was superbly talented, but her ego and mistrust sometimes got the better of her. Plus, he didn’t care for the way she treated Nina so dismissively. He was about to say something stern to her when Nina broke in.

“I don’t think you’d have to change your menu that much,” she said. “You’re already planning curries and pheasant and pulled pork. They just need to be paired with the best beer, right, Vince?”

“Yeah, that shouldn’t be too hard.” Vince appeared enthusiastic.

“Vince knows all about microbrewing.” Nina grinned at him. “In fact, he has his own craft beer you could feature at the festival.”

Both Joe and Sarah looked at Vince. The bartender’s ears turned red. “Nina, I don’t think I—”

“Of course you do.” She turned to Joe. “Vince has upgraded his backyard operation to commercial grade. You should taste his beer. It’s really good.”

“Commercial grade? Why didn’t you tell me?” Joe asked Vince.

Vince shrugged. “You’re busy enough as it is. And I don’t like tooting my own horn. But if you’d like to try some…?”

Joe nodded, and Vince jumped to his feet. He hurried behind the bar counter and returned with a bottle and a couple of glasses. After carefully decanting the beer, he passed glasses to Joe and Sarah.

The beer had a distinctive chewy, hoppy flavor. It wasn’t Joe’s preference, but he knew it would appeal to aficionados. “That’s really great, Vince.”

Sarah pursed her lips. “Yeah, I could see it going with a spicy dish,” she said almost reluctantly.

“It’s decided, then.” Joe nodded at Vince and Sarah. “Can you two thrash out the details and come up with a menu and supply list?”

“Just me and Vince? Sure you don’t want Nina to help us?” Sarah snarked.

Joe gave her a sharp stare, conveying his disapproval, until Sarah turned brick red. “If you can’t get it done by the end of today, then maybe you will need Nina’s help.”

“We’ll get it done,” Sarah muttered, looking crestfallen.

“Good.” Joe pushed to his feet and gathered up his notes. “I’ll leave you guys to it, then.”

He headed out the bar only to find Nina had followed behind. When he stopped and turned, she seemed apologetic.

“I’m sorry for causing friction,” she said. “I didn’t realize Sarah would resent me that much.”

Joe shook his head. “Don’t be sorry. I appreciate your input.” He tilted his head to study her more closely. “How long has this idea been brewing inside that head of yours?”

“Oh, a few days. You really think it’s a good idea?”

“It’s a great idea, and I’m glad you forced Vince to fess up about his craft beer. He’s too modest sometimes.”

Joe felt guilty that his busyness had prevented Vince from approaching him about his beers, so he was extra glad that Nina had pushed Vince. Nina was good to her friends, and she displayed a surprisingly entrepreneurial spirit.

“I’m really looking forward to this festival now,” Nina said.

“I wish I had an extra week before it happens. There’s so much stuff I still need to do.”

She glanced around the empty reception lobby before stepping closer and tracing a circle over his shirt, causing his heart to thump in anticipation.

“Will you be too busy to visit me tonight?” She slanted him a flirty look from beneath her eyelashes.

He swallowed as lust, so easily triggered when she was around, flooded his veins. “Not too busy.”

He might have a million things to do, but nothing could stanch his thirst for her.

…

Joe yawned as his beeping cell phone alarm woke him. A steely gray predawn dimness filled Nina’s room. Beside him, Nina stirred as he tried to extricate himself from the sheets. Her single bed hadn’t bothered him when he’d reached her room last night, and the tangled, sweaty sex they’d enjoyed had been as intense as ever. But the few hours’ sleep he’d caught afterward had been fractured and cramped.

Now, his lower back twinged as he carefully levered himself off the bed, trying not to wake Nina. But she was already blinking at him.

“Go back to sleep,” he whispered, stroking her hair away from her forehead. “It’s still early. I need to get home.”

She yawned and stretched like a cat, the sheet twisted around her naked body. Ignoring his stirring cock, Joe reached for his clothes.

“What are you up to today?” Extending her arms above her head, Nina arched her back. Her creamy breasts tempted him.

“I need to buy more hardware for the B&B.” He tried not to stare at her pink nipples as he pulled on his jeans and T-shirt. “And after lunch I’m visiting my nonna.”

“Do you always visit her on a Wednesday?”

“Every Wednesday and Sunday, bar an emergency.” He sat on the bed to lace up his shoes.

Nina sat up, too, curled behind him as she watched him do his shoelaces. “Can I come with you?” she asked.

He turned to her in surprise. “Why?”

She shrugged diffidently. “She obviously means a lot to you. And I kinda miss my own grandmother.”

He was even more surprised. “You do?”

“Yes. She’s the only one in my family who understands me.” She drew her knees up to her chest, changing from siren to child. “But you don’t have to take me if you don’t want.”

“You can come,” he said on impulse. He ruffled her hair, slightly confused by the sudden change in her. “I’ll see you later, then.”

…

From her armchair by the window, Nonna Lina looked at Nina with shy curiosity before she glanced at Joe sitting next to Nina.

“She’s a nice girl, your friend,” she said to Joe. “But much too thin. She doesn’t eat enough.”

Neither do you
, Nina thought with concern. Joe’s grandmother was painfully thin, though she seemed in good spirits. Joe had told her his nonna had always been a ball of energy, an active, typical Italian grandmother who’d doted on Joe and his sister, but the car accident had left her permanently altered. She didn’t recognize many of her old friends and was afraid of sudden changes, so Joe’s regular visits were vital to her.

“Don’t worry, Nonna,” Joe said. “She eats plenty.”

“Oh?” Nonna Lina cocked her head. “Bring her to dinner next time. I’ll make her my rigatoni beef ragù. Your favorite dish.”

“I’m sure she’ll love it.” Joe smiled, but when he met Nina’s gaze his eyes were sad. Nonna Lina didn’t realize it, but her days of making rigatoni beef ragù were long gone.

“Why doesn’t Deanne visit?” Nonna Lina suddenly asked Joe.

“I broke up with Deanne a while ago, Nonna,” he said quietly. It was plain that his grandmother had asked him this question many times before.

“Broke up?” Nonna Lina’s hands trembled. “But who’ll look after you?”

“I can look after myself. I’m fine, Nonna.”

It took Joe a while to reassure her.

A few minutes later, their visit was over. Joe was silent as they walked out of the nursing home.

“She seems well cared for there,” Nina said, wishing there was more she could say to comfort him.

Joe gave her an absentminded smile as they got into his truck. “She’s been at Pine Groves four years now. I can’t move her.” He started the engine and looked at Nina, his expression dark. “If I can’t get my investment loan soon, I’ll have to sell to Beaumont. I can’t afford not to.”

Guilt knotted her stomach at the mention of her dad. How she hated lying to Joe. Maybe there was a way of telling him the truth without losing his respect, but as yet she hadn’t found it.

And somehow she had to help him get that loan and achieve his dream. How, she didn’t know, either. Nina reached for his hand. “You’ll get your loan. I’m sure of it.”

He didn’t speak, but he held her hand until they reached Hartley.

…

“Joe? What do you think?”

Prying open his blurry eyes, Joe blinked at Patty Williams, one of the committee members, who was tapping him on the forearm. “Hmm?”

“Did you fall asleep?” The older woman frowned.

Joe pushed himself upright in his chair and became aware of the others around the table staring at him in surprise. Damn, had he just nodded off during a meeting with the festival committee? He rubbed a hand over his face, suppressing a yawn. “Sorry. You were saying?”

Patty cocked her head to one side. “Are you all right, Joe? I’ve never seen you drop off like that. Had a late night, did you?”

He sure had. Last night he’d taken Nina home with him. His bed was definitely more comfortable to sleep in than hers, but they hadn’t done much sleeping. They’d stayed up late again, then caught a few hours of exhausted sleep before he’d driven her back to the Comet Inn before dawn broke. He’d returned home, collapsed in bed again for an hour, and somehow managed to drag himself to the festival committee meeting, only to succumb to fatigue once he’d sat down.

“I’m fine,” he said even as the muscles in his lower back twinged. Three late nights in a row. Three nights of incredible, hot sex. Now he was paying for it.

“Okay.” Patty didn’t look convinced. She pushed a printout toward him, her expression still concerned. “Think you’ll have time to review the financial statements? We really need your input.”

Some of last night’s euphoria ebbed away as guilt took over. He had a responsibility to the town, and he shouldn’t allow this affair to distract him from his duties. The Food and Wine Festival was a huge deal for Hartley, and it deserved his proper attention. Instead, he was falling asleep on the job daydreaming about Nina.

He took the printed spreadsheet from Patty and assured everyone that he would go over the numbers before the end of the day. Soon after, the meeting broke up, and Joe headed to the Comet Inn, determined to be his professional best.

But his resolve was tested as soon as he encountered Nina in the hotel lobby chatting with Vince. When she spotted him, she flashed him a dimpled smile that tied his stomach and sent lust shooting through his veins.

“Hi,” she murmured, a dreamy, sleepy look to her eyes as she twisted the mop handle.

“Hi,” he replied, sounding husky.

Belatedly he realized Vince was studying them. Was it obvious that he and Nina couldn’t stay away from each other? If Vince suspected, then it wouldn’t take long for the others to notice it too, and he didn’t want to have to deal with the possible fallout right now.

He schooled his face into a bland mask. “Hey, Vince. Everything okay here?”

“Sure,” Vince replied. “Everything’s fine
here
.”

Damn, Vince did suspect something.

Nina gathered up her mop and bucket. “Better get going with my chores,” she said, hurrying up the stairs.

It took an almighty effort for Joe not to stare after her. Vince was still eyeing him. Joe cleared his throat. “I’m going to Fort Bragg this afternoon. Got a meeting with another bank.”

“Good. Maybe that’ll keep your mind occupied.” Vince walked off, leaving Joe to frown after him.

…

“And this is my spatchcock with sage and wild mushroom,” Sarah announced as she laid a platter on the table where Nina was sitting with Vince and the other kitchen staff.

Vince sat up. “Let’s see how it goes with the old ale, then.”

Nina and the others had just finished the staff dinner, but Vince had saved his appetite to sample Sarah’s dishes for the festival. Sarah placed some clean plates on the table.

“It looks delicious,” Nina said, “but I’ll let you experts try it first.”

“Suit yourself.” Sarah shrugged. She swiveled round and waved at Joe, who’d just entered the restaurant. “Come and try my spatchcock.”

As Joe walked toward them, Nina couldn’t keep her eyes off him. After three late nights spent with him she’d been lethargic all day, but suddenly she was wide-awake.

Joe wore a business suit because of his bank meeting in Fort Bragg. His jacket was slung over his arm, revealing a soft gray dress shirt and close-fitting charcoal pants. Joe in corporate attire was just as smoking hot as Joe in jeans and a T-shirt. Nina’s brain turned woozy as she imagined running her hands over his shirt and pants, feeling his muscles bunch up beneath the fabric. She curled her fingers into her palms as she struggled to contain her fantasies.