Page 30 of Maid for My Billionaire Boss
I heard his words, but my heart was off to the racetrack, and scared tears hooded my eyes. In a shaken voice, I begged, “Please, get me out of this!”
I trembled through the several times it took Trey to yank on the vine until it finally broke and then he quickly unraveled the last of it from my foot. I wasn’t thinking. I was out of my mind when I flew free of the vine toward him, landing on the front of his chest, and blurted out, “Oh, I love you!”
I froze, staring forward at the extremely firm chest I was clenching.
Oh man! Totally not what I wanted to say!
The silence was pulsating, so I tried to take it back. “I mean, I l-love you like a brother . . .”
Shut up! You’re making it worse. A brother?
But I didn’t shut up. I started to stutter, “Or, I-I a-appreciate you . . . or, shoot.”
What are you saying, you blubbering moron?
Before it got worse, I backed off his chest, giving it a good natured thank-you pat. I was so insanely glad it was dark, but I still wished I had some invisible powers to turn on and I murmured, “I’m shutting up now.” Keeping my chin tucked to avoid the bewilderment in his eyes, I latched back on to his wrist and waited for him to propel me forward.
I think he was equally stunned because he didn’t try to speak as we continued our path. Thankfully, he did break the so-thick-it-was-stale silence as we rounded the final bend leading up to my hut. “Robert was telling me this area has flash flooding most days. If you get up early and the cottage is surrounded by water, you might want to wait until it recedes to ensure there isn’t anything hiding in it.”
Staring forward at my hut, I couldn’t dare make eye contact with him. “You have such a way with words, don’t you?”
His lips curled up in the corner when he stole a sideways look at me. “It was just a warning because I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“I suppose it’s too much to ask for a mint on my pillow.” I stopped on my heel. At this point, I was extremely relieved to know all I had left to do was go in there to sleep. In the morning, I’d wake up and we could get out of here. When I turned to him, I was still too ashamed to look him in the eyes. “Good luck on your midnight negotiations.”
“Thanks.” Before he had a chance to say anything else, I quickly walked down the path to my cabin like I couldn’t get away fast enough and disappeared through the front door, desperate to sleep this shame away.
Sleep never came. Instead, I shed tears.
I wept because I was embarrassed by how I had acted in front of my boss—the person I depended on for a livelihood. I cried because I was scared for my safety, and it was irresponsible for me to come here when I had a son back home who I missed terribly. I never asked for this life. The life of a widow, raising a son by herself. But I didn’t complain because I had experienced an amazing love—married to my best friend. I wouldn’t change anything about it. Well, except for the time thing, but there was nothing I could do about that.
These tears were rooted deep.
I cried because of the new feelings taking hold of my heart. Feelings I would never willingly allow myself to feel for someone other than my husband. I wasn’t sure how it happened, but Trey had me thinking abouthim. When I thought about Trey, he made me want to move on . . .
Then I’m wrecked.
I promised forever—and to me—there was only one definition of the word.
Continuous.
Unfaltering.
I always imagined a love that continued after death.
I had planned on growing old with my husband, holding hands as we withered in old age, dying in the other’s arms to only be reunited in the afterlife.
Promises didn’t change because your reality didn’t fulfill your expectations.
Thinking about what Trey did to my heart was like trying to win a battle, but the only weapon you have is a full moon. It’s beautiful—sometimes hauntingly so—but what damage can it take without throwing the entire world off balance, if not destroying it. It was a battle that was not meant to be won.
I never asked for any of this.
Sixteen
Trey
“Howdiditgolast night?” Atalie asked as soon as she opened the front door and found me on the step, waiting for her. Her face was still masked in mud.I struggled to hold back a smile because her lack of vanity was endearing and even with war paint, she looked beautiful to me.
