Free More than a Maid by Reeni Austin Page A

she asked, "What time is it?"
    Ramon frowned, looking at her as he zipped his pants. "Seven-thirty. Sorry. I was trying to let you sleep."
    "It's okay." Marcy pulled the covers to her neck, enjoying this early morning eye candy.
    "What time do you usually wake up?" He walked to the closet.
    "Seven or eight." She yawned. "But I'm not used to the time change yet. I'm so tired."
    He nodded as he plucked a T-shirt from a hanger, then stopped, narrowing his eyes at her. "Wait. You gained an hour. You shoulda got plenty of sleep." He pulled his shirt over his head, flashing her a wry smile. "Unless someone kept you up past your bedtime."
    Marcy sighed, thinking about last night. "Can't you take the day off? You're the boss, right?"
    Ramon gazed at her thoughtfully as he headed to the dresser. He picked up a belt and started looping it through his jeans. "I'm the boss but I'm the last guy who gets a day off."
    "So, you never take time off?"
    He shrugged. "Took a couple days for Armando's wedding last week." He exhaled a labored breath as he worked with his belt. "First time in a while."
    From his tone, Marcy sensed "a while" meant months… or possibly years. She sat up, using the covers to keep warm. "That's not healthy."
    He smirked and picked up his wallet, tucking it into his pocket. "Oh well. That's life."
    "Is there anything I can do to help?"
    Ramon snickered and gave her a wink.
    She rolled her eyes. "I mean, business related, like we talked about yesterday. For real. I can reconcile some accounts if you're behind. Stuff like that."
    His eyebrows knitted as he put on his watch. "I'll think about it. Maybe next week I'll take you to Kernersville with me for a day."
    "Kernersville? That's the town where your two other ranches are?"
    Ramon nodded and plopped down beside her on top of the covers, crossing his socked feet at his ankles. "Yeah. That's where I'm headed now. Believe me, if there was ever a day I wanted to stay home, it's today." He shook his head, his eyes going up and down her blanket-covered form. "I gotta be careful. Ain't gonna get nothin' done with you livin' here." Then he stared up at the ceiling and let out a weary groan before shifting his legs to the floor to stand, then head to the door.
    Marcy heart raced, hoping he would change his mind and stay with her at least a little while longer. "So you're just… leaving?"
    "I have to. Wish I didn't." With his hand on the doorknob, Ramon turned to look at her. "I gotta go to my office downstairs for a few minutes then I'll stop in the kitchen to grab some coffee before I leave. Maybe I'll see you down there?"
    Disappointed, Marcy said, "Yeah."
    "Hey, tonight I'll need you up here at eight o'clock sharp. Or you're in big trouble." He grinned.
    Her face lit up. "Okay. But won't everyone think it's strange that we're both upstairs so early?"
    Shrugging, he said, "Nah. They keep each other busy. Probably won't even notice." Ramon opened his door, then abruptly closed it and added, "Hey, if I don't see you downstairs… have a good day."
    "You too."
    Ramon gazed into her eyes with the same hint of sadness she thought she noticed the previous night. "Sorry to leave you like this but I really do have to go." And then he opened the door and left.
    Marcy stared at the closed door for a moment, hoping he'd come back and at least kiss her goodbye. But then again, maybe a kiss goodbye was too familiar. That sort of thing crossed into "relationship territory," a place neither of them wanted to go.
    Or maybe he was afraid he couldn't control himself? The thought of it made her smile.
    Marcy took a deep breath. Oh well. At least they had plans for tonight. Her only worry was getting through the day without fantasizing about what he'd done to her in that bed the previous night.
    Hmm… maybe if she rushed downstairs she could see him for a minute before he left.
    Five minutes later, after brushing her teeth, detangling her hair, and applying a minimal amount of makeup, Marcy