Maid to Kneel
If humiliation had a flavor, it would taste like lemon-scented floor cleaner and regret.
I adjusted the too-short maid uniform, which felt more like lingerie and glared at the marble floor I was now supposed to mop. My fingers itched to throw the damn bucket at someone's face. Preferably his.
Jace fucking Thorn.
We used to be rivals. Academic rivals. Business rivals. Verbal sparring partners with enough sexual tension to burn down buildings.
And then I did something bad, a bit guilty. A very stupid, public action.
Now I was his maid for six months. For 180 days. No quitting. No loopholes. One month of hell, courtesy of the devil himself.
I was just finishing the hallway when his voice echoed from the living room, smooth and smug.
"Mrs. Thorn... Oops I meant miss Thorne."
My entire body stiffened. I hated that voice. I hated how it slid over my skin like silk and left fire in my body.
I walked into the room, mop still in hand. "What?"
Jace was lounging on his couch, shirtless, abs glistening like he knew they were a weapon. His dark hair was tousled like he just rolled out of bed or someone's bed.
He lifted one brow. "Did I ask you to speak?"
My jaw clenched. "You just did."
His smirk deepened. "You'll learn to watch that mouth or I'll find another use for it."
Heat pooled in my stomach, and I hated myself for the way it stirred.
"I need the floor here polished," he said casually. "On your knees."
I narrowed my eyes. "You could hire someone else."
"But I like watching you scrub my floor. In that cute little uniform." His eyes dragged over my stockings, short skirt, cleavage straining against cheap buttons. "You look like a fantasy I haven't corrupted yet."
"You're disgusting."
He leaned back, arms stretched across the top of the couch, completely relaxed.
"And you're wet."
My mop hit the floor harder than necessary. "You're delusional."
He stood, crossing the room in three predatory steps. "Am I?" His hand wrapped around my wrist, pulling me up until our bodies nearly touched. "Let's test that theory."
My breath hitched.
He leaned down, lips grazing my ear. "Every day you're here, sweetheart, I'm going to take a little more from you. Your pride. Your control. Maybe your panties."
I shivered.
