Page 74 of Maid in Heaven

Will jumped, smile fading in an instant.“The rules haven’tchanged, Lena.” Hepointed a sponge at her, speaking tersely, “Youknowbetter.”

“Why can’t we have a little fun?”She pouted dramatically, reminding him of a character fromGone with the Wind.

“Do you know what they call paying for sexwhile I’m on the clock?”

“’Worth it?’” she joked.

He was less-than-amused. “Prostitution.”

Lena looked dejected, leaning her slight frame against the pristine cabinets. “Oh, come on, Willy.” She pouted again. “I won’t tell anyone.It can be our little secret.”

“Iwould know, Mrs. Putnam. That’s not what I am herefor. So,you can either enjoy the show and how clean your home is after, or I can leave.Your choice.”

“Sostern.” Lena teased, “I like it when a man bosses me aroundlike that.”

Will’s eyes dropped to the stove, and he fought the urge to walk out.

“How much for just a little bare-assed spanking?” Lena shrugged. “It can be youorme. I’ll take what I can get.”

Will fought to keep a pleasant smile on his face.

Lena huffed. “Whois she?”

“Who?”

“Oh, come on, Willy.I’m sure there’ssomeoneif you have the balls to turn downmoney being inthisline of work. Is it Marsha? She’s always been one for whoring around.”

“There is someone. Nobody you know. She doesn’t run in your circles.”

Mrs. Putnam crossed her arms. “Does she know what youdofor a living?”

“Of course.” He started scrubbing again.

“And she’s… just… what…finewith it?”

“Yep.” Will took a wet ragfrom the counter and wiped down the area around the cook-top.

“Does your boss haveany fresh meat he could send me? Maybe someone a little more eager to play ball? I’m getting rather boredof this game.”

“Iamthe boss, Mrs. Putnam. It’sa one-man operation.”

Lena leaned in toward Willandgrabbed the crotch of his fireman’s pants.

Will jumped back. “Lena!”

She laughed.“Oh, come on. I was only playing around.”

Will snatched up the cleaning suppliesand dumped them in the sink with a clatter. “Mrs. Putnam, I warned you not to cross the line.”

He waltzed toward the front door, plucked his hefty fireman’s coat off the rack, and grabbed the knob. Lena grabbed his shoulder.

“Wait, where are you going?I paid you for three hours.You can’t just leave.Willy, I’m sorry. I took it too far! Charles hasn’t touched me in months. I got carried away.”

“Mrs. Putnam, youknowthe rules, and yet, youcontinueto break them. Find another cleaning service.”

“Oh, come on. You’re not walking out in the middle of a job, are you?”

“Mrs. Putnam, I’m firing you as a client,”Will growled before openingthe door and makinghis way out to the stoop.

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