Page 22 of Maid for Love

“That makes a lot more sense,” I say in a quiet tone, suddenly ashamed. “Barron, I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have assumed—“

Unfortunately, I burst into tears then, feeling like a complete loser.

“No, it’s okay,” he tells me quickly. “It was a fair assumption to make. I mean, you heard us calling each other brother and sister, so what else are you supposed to think? Plus, after what Lacy and Star told you, you were already on edge.”

“Still, I should have trustedyou,” I argue “I shouldn’t have listened to them. What would they know?”

Barron nods.

“They don’t know about my years at the orphanage, so they thought the same thing you did. That Flora and I are biological siblings, even though we’re not related at all.”

I shake my head.

“Still, if you’re that close, it’s weird that you’d engage in voyeurism with Flora, right? Don’t you find that strange?”

He nods, hanging his head.

“It is, and it’s something I want to stop actually. I’ve wanted to stop for a long time now because even if we’re not blood-related, we’re related somehow, and you’re right. It’s not sane, nor is it healthy. So in some ways, you have the right of it, Danielle. I need to stop associating with Flora, or at least put a halt to this part of our relationship. Things have spiraled out of control too much already.”

I pause for a moment.

“Have you told Flora you want to stop?”

Barron shoots me a look.

“Multiple times,” he rasps. “But she always finds some way to start up again, and I guess this time, it had some serious repercussions. It ruined my relationship with you.”

“It did,” I nod with a serious expression. “Almost.”

Barron looks hopeful then.

“So you mean—”

“Yes. I forgive you, Barron. Living in a group home while protecting a little girl must have been difficult. I understand that Flora’s under your skin in a way that’s incomprehensible to another person, but I’m glad you see what’s wrong with the situation. And so long as you stop, then you and me are okay.”

The handsome man stares at me.

“You mean it?”

I nod.

“I do. I love you, Barron Colgate, with all your foibles and idiosyncrasies. We all have them, and I guess yours are just as strange and incomprehensible as anyone else’s. Well actually, they’re pretty understandable in this situation.”

Barron takes my hands then, his blue eyes flashing.

“I promise I’ll make it up to you Dani. I love you and appreciate this second chance,” he says in a fervent tone. “I swear that it’ll never happen again.”

“Good,” I say in a gentle voice, my eyes softening. “Because I’ve missed you so much. These past months have been absolutely awful without you. I’ve been working as a maid again—”

With that, the handsome man cuts me off as he sweeps me into his arms.

“You’ll never have to work again, much less as a member of the housekeeping staff at the Hotel Nova,” he growls against my lips. “You’re mine now, and no woman of mine has to do anything she doesn’t want.”

The alpha male’s possession makes me go warm inside as I smile into the bright blue determination of his eyes.

“Do you promise?”

“I promise,” he rasps. “I love you, Danielle Smythe, and you have my word.”

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