Maid for Love by Marie Force Read Free Book Online

covering for her at the hotel."
    "She can't work for a few days, and she's petrified about losing the job."
    "We can see that doesn't happen, son. We're not ogres."
    "It's a pride thing. Besides, how hard can it be to clean a couple of rooms?"
    Big Mac snickered. "Harder than you probably think. Mom will pitch a cow over this."
    "Believe me, I've already gotten an earful."
    Big Mac nodded to the bike. "Got the old girl out of mothballs, huh?"
    "She's running great."
    "I take her out for a spin every now and then to keep her lubed up and ready. Just in case."
    "In case of what?"
    "In case you come home."
    The stark simplicity of his father's statement tugged at Mac's heart. "I'm sorry it's been so long."
    "No matter. You're here now. For how long?"
    Mac took a long look around at the marina, taking in the peeling paint, the sagging roof on the main building that housed the office and restaurant, and the broken windowpane in the gift shop. Seeing his father made Mac forget all about his vow to get in and get out as quickly as possible.
    "As long as it takes."
     
    Maddie slept deeper than she had in years. She dreamed about Mac McCarthy. They were on a sailboat, and he was at the helm. The sun shone down upon them, the warmth cooled by an ocean breeze that powered the sleek wooden boat. He wore only a bathing suit tied low on narrow hips. A light dusting of dark hair covered his muscular chest and rippled abs, forming a tantalizing trail into his suit.
    He caught her watching him and smiled, dazzling her with his beautiful face and twinkling eyes. That he—Mac McCarthy, local hero and golden boy—seemed so happy to be with her was nothing short of miraculous.
    A nagging voice in the back of her mind warned her to be careful. Surely a man who could have any woman he wanted wouldn't really be interested in her. But no one else was around just now. For however long he chose to stay, he was hers and she wanted him more than she'd ever wanted anything. Knowing he had the power to shatter her did nothing to quell the wave of longing. As if she was outside herself watching someone else, Maddie stood up in the boat's roomy cockpit and went to him.
    He slipped an arm around her shoulders and drew her in close. His hand caressing her sun-warmed skin sent desire darting through her.
    Maddie looked up at him, the yearning no doubt apparent on her face.
    He studied her for a long moment before he lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers in tentative kiss, keeping his eyes focused on hers.
    Hooking her hand around his neck, she brought him back for more.
    His open mouth came down on hers as if he'd been dying to kiss her forever. He traced the outline of her mouth with his tongue before delving deeper to engage in a fierce duel with hers.
    Maddie met him thrust for thrust.
    Without surrendering her mouth, he released his hold on the wheel and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her in tight against his instant arousal. The unattended sails flapped in the breeze as the boat foundered.
    The desire was so intense, she didn't even care that her breasts were now pressed against his chest.
    A moan escaped their joined lips, and Maddie wasn't sure if it came from him or from her. What did it matter?
     
    From outside the screen door, Mac heard the moan and rushed in to find her sleeping—and clearly dreaming. Her hair formed a wild halo around her face. Her lips were pursed and moving.
    Transfixed by the sight of her, he dropped the sleeping bag and the extra bandages he'd bought just inside the door and went to her. She moaned again, and he wondered if she was in pain. When her legs fell open and her hips thrust upward, he went hard as stone.
    "God," he muttered, worried that she would reopen her wounds if she kept thrashing about. Sitting next to her on the sofa, he put his hands on her shoulders to hold her still. "Maddie, wake up. You're dreaming."
    "Mmm."
    She has the prettiest mouth I've ever seen . Before he could indulge in a