Touch Me Read Online Free Page B

resistance,” the other man advised. “Accept you have a new woman in your life.”
     
    Rose, a fabric grocery bag in the curve of her arm, let herself into Payne’s house. The day before, under Walsh’s gaze, Payne had grudgingly handed over a set of house keys. It wasn’t completely clear what had ultimately persuaded him to accept her services, but she knew the French maid costume might have had something to do with it. That she’d shown up wearing it had caught him off-guard.
    Go, Rose.
    But it was so out-of-character for her that she hadn’t had the guts to try the outfit a second day. She needed to have her own wits about her to handle the man who was walking, talking, smiling sex appeal.
    Which was why it had been necessary to leave that uniform at home this time. Wearing it as she’d moved about his house, she’d been hyper-aware of the way the apron strings bound her waist. The tight grip of the stockings on her upper thighs. Even the tiny scratch of the pins that held her cap to her scalp.
    She’d been a mass of twitching nerve endings by the time she’d climbed into her car for the drive back to Lily’s.
    So today she’d raided her sister’s wardrobe yet again and was dressed in a pair of jeans that had masses of flowers appliqued all over the legs and butt. A simple pink sleeveless top that was Lily’s too. It was loose and had two layers, the second, gauzy one she’d knotted on one side at her hip. Ballet flats, in ballet-pink, were on her feet since they’d been screaming at her after a day in those naughty high heels—though she’d decided the discomfort was worth it after she caught Payne staring at her legs a time or two.
    Shutting his front door behind her, she heard voices coming from the direction of the kitchen. She paused, wondering what to do. After a night’s reflection on the best way to proceed with Payne, she’d vowed to leave the saucy maid behind and be businesslike and matter-of-fact—like a true employee.
    Wouldn’t a true employee give him privacy with his latest guests?
    But she had groceries to put away and perhaps it was only Walsh and his admin, Honey, again.
    The tenor of Payne’s low laughter as she crossed the threshold into the sunny room told her instantly this was company of an entirely different sort. Seated on either side of him at his kitchen table were two beautiful young women—one a gorgeous Asian and the other another platinum blonde.
    All three looked over as Rose approached the countertop and set down her bag. “Good morning,” she said, with a polite, yet impersonal smile.
    The guests transferred their gazes to Payne.
    He didn’t answer the question in their eyes, instead directing his comment to her. “You decided on a different uniform.”
    This one didn’t feel any more comfortable with his gaze one her. It was as if the blossoms appliqued on her ass were heating up due to his stare—at this rate she’d be permanently branded.
    “Objections?” she asked, putting the refrigerated items away.
    “You can wear whatever you want,” he said.
    “Good.” She grabbed the coffeemaker’s carafe and marched toward the three. “Can I top off your mugs?”
    The blonde scrunched up her nose. “Who is this?” she asked Payne.
    Rose answered for him as she poured the dark brew. “I’m his temporary mommy.”
    He narrowed his eyes at her, turning them to hard, bright shards of unworldly blue.
    Ignoring the look, she returned the carafe and paid no heed to the murmur of conversation on the other side of the room. Flipping on the faucet, she washed the vegetables she’d brought with her: carrots, zucchini, cauliflower, and broccoli.
    Next, she drew a cutting board in front of her and found a knife.
    “What are you doing?” Payne called from across the room.
    “Preparing lunch for later.”
    “That’s an awful lot of vegetables,” he said.
    “That’s what mommies are for, right? To keep you healthy.”
    “Rose…”
    She ignored the