Pinch of Naughty by Gem Sivad Read Free Book Online

been so close to him the night before she knew the exact pattern of his chest hair. The memory of being under him embarrassed Eleanor so much she couldn’t look at his face. Her eyes remained on the mop but she couldn’t stop the blush stealing from under her collar, staining her cheeks pink.
    “If you wear a hole in the floor where you’re scrubbin’ so hard, I’ll dock your pay,” he drawled.
    “Come here.” His voice was so serious she glanced up, meeting his bland gaze. He brushed crumbs from his hands, straightened his big frame and gestured for her to come to him.
    Reluctantly she set the mop in the bucket and crossed to where he waited.
    “Never done work like this before, have you?” He picked up her hands, stripping her white work gloves away and studying the new red lines and the blister forming on her thumb in spite of the protection.
    “No.” Her response was clipped and sharp. Eleanor was certain his question covered all of her duties so far, although it was her current mopping he seemed to reference. “Any complaints?” He tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze.
    Clamping her lips tight to keep from biting him, Eleanor shook her head.
    “Cat got your tongue all the sudden, Eleanor?” He taunted her, daring her to whine about any of her duties.
    “I have no complaints. Working as your housekeeper and collecting my wage is important, Mr. Burke—entertaining you with conversation isn’t.” Although rage simmered in her veins, she was proud of her steady reply.
    “You taste as sweet as your treats.” He caressed her cheek lightly before releasing her and grabbing a cookie on his way out, motioning her to follow him.
    The compliment was unexpected and made her blush harder, remembering his lips murmuring against her neck.
    “If you need help for any reason, bang on this and someone will come running.” He pointed to the huge bell dangling on a long chain.
    “I appreciate your consideration,” she murmured her thanks, realizing from the former day how isolated and alone she’d be when the ranch crew went to work.
    He shrugged aside her words and left.
    Eleanor returned to the kitchen and finished mopping the floor. It was hard work, generating renewed appreciation for all of the servants who had kept William’s house so immaculately. She owed her current survival to them.
    “I didn’t even get to say goodbye to the staff.” The last day in the household, Mother Lacey had visited her early in the morning and informed her that she was being returned to the Alcotts. By the time Eleanor had reached the carriage, she’d been aware that something was terribly amiss.
    Wilson, the Lacey’s butler, had impassively helped her into the shuttered conveyance. Black curtains had been drawn, making her fear one of her family had died.
    No explanations had been forthcoming. When she’d been driven to ask the Lacey employee for information, he’d helped her into the carriage, stammering over her address as he closed the door, “It is not for me to say. Godspeed, Mrs. Lac… Miss Al… m’lady.”
    Thank God my time in William’s home wasn’t a complete waste. She’d been so bored, she’d learned each domestic task, enabling her to guide the servants and better manage the household. Hence she was virtually trained for the employment she’d found—except in one area of course—she lacked mattress skills.
    Mr. Burke has no concern other than his male satisfaction. She shuddered, trying to feel disgust, but arousal coursed through her as she relived the moment her body had spun out of control. He made me feel things I’ve never experienced before.
    “I had no idea intimate relations could be enjoyable,” she murmured in wonder. Her naïveté seemed as limitless as his knowledge.
    Everything from Mr. Burke’s nose to his toes overwhelmed her. Even his earthy, sweaty man smell drugged her senses when he was near. Her body felt as though it had somehow reinvented itself during the