The Housekeeper's Secrets

By Ann Keeys

Once they cross the line, there’s no turning back...

Detective Richard Lawson isn't about to let a murderer get away. Not this time. Not like the one who killed his partner. When he meets the dark haired beauty, he’s obsessed and consumed with desire for her. The hidden passion behind her eyes pulls him in and he wants to protect her from the world's evil.

Kimberly Gray isn’t who she pretends to be—at least not anymore. She’s a woman on a mission and it involves cleaning house, but not from dirt. Falling for Richard isn’t on her agenda, but when lust and love tangle together all her rules are swept away.

Fireworks ensue between the two as the murderer's body count rises... that is, until Richard learns the housekeeper's secret.

Over 33,000 words of secrets, dangerous scenes, and steamy encounters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AboutFace Media
• Release date: Mar 16, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311736222

Book preview

The Housekeeper’s Secrets

by

Ann Keeys

Smashwords Ebook Edition

* * * * *

PUBLISHED BY:

PWP Romance

Passionate Writer Publishing

www.passionatewriterpublishing.com

in association with PWP Media

The Housekeeper’s Secrets

Copyright © 2014 by Ann Keeys

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

License Notes

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Also by Ann Keeys

Domestic Seduction

********

PWP Romance

Once they cross the line, there’s no turning back…

Detective Richard Lawson isn't about to let a murderer get away. Not this time. Not like the one who killed his partner. When he meets the dark haired beauty, he’s obsessed and consumed with desire for her. The hidden passion behind her eyes pulls him in and he wants to protect her from the world's evil.

Kimberly Gray isn’t who she pretends to be—at least not anymore. She’s a woman on a mission and it involves cleaning house, but not from dirt. Falling for Richard isn’t on her agenda, but when lust and love tangle together all her rules are swept away.

Fireworks ensue between the two as the murderer's body count rises... that is, until Richard learns the housekeeper's secret.

Over 33,000 words of secrets, dangerous scenes, and steamy encounters.

The Housekeeper Secret’s

Ann Keeys

Chapter 1

Mark Hernandez sat in his metal apparatus and stared out the window of the building. He let out a sigh as he reminisced on happier times. Toni drove closer to the door in preparation to wheel him outside. Mark didn’t deserve his partner, not after the way he’d treated their relationship all these years.

A tear threatened to fall. Due to the stroke, there was nothing Mark could do to wipe it away. The doctor said maybe one day, he’d gain control again, but today was not that day.

Mr. Hernandez, can I get you something while you wait?

Mark’s head involuntary rocked side to side as he adjusted toward the receptionist. No thanks, he replied. It took everything he had to form those coherent words.

Kimberly, I’m sure Richard can see you now, the receptionist said.

Okay, a soft voice answered from behind Mark.

Mark’s heart rate increased. That voice. He knew it and would never forget it. He turned slightly to see her face. Yes, it was her. The woman who’d showed up at his doorstep just before…

He started to wheeze.

Are you okay, Mr. Hernandez? the receptionist rose out of her chair and rushed around her desk to him.

Mark tried to reach for his oxygen mask with his clawed hand. Too late. Darkness began to take over.

He wouldn’t hear the screams from the receptionist or the cries from Toni. Mark died at the sight of the woman who’d put him in the wheelchair.

________

Two years prior…

Richard Lawson adjusted himself in his office chair. The hollowed hazel eyes of the woman sitting across from him betrayed her beauty and rightfully so. She’d just put a bullet in her husband using his own rifle hours before, and Richard couldn’t blame her one bit.

This petite twenty-four-year-old woman had found the strength to pull the trigger and take out her oppressor. Richard had read the file. She’d endured more broken bones than a kid on the streets doing those crazy stunts to attract social media followers.

Kimberly Gray’s body trembled. His first instinct was to reach out and console her. Her pouty lips and flawless skin drew him in. He wanted nothing more than to pull her in his arms and protect her from the world.

He’d seen her before, at the farmer’s market on several occasions. So focused on her tasks at hand, she’d never noticed him. But he, he’d never forget the sight of her. She picked up the delicate piece of fruit and smelled it. How could a gesture so simple tug at his loins? The first time he chalked it up to being horny, correction, extremely horny. It had been months since he’d lain next to another.

The soft round curves of her body had beckoned to him, and the polite way she’d spoken to the employees tugged at his soul. He’d come to love those short moments in time. They were a relief to his life dedicated to catching criminals.

Once a month, he found himself returning to the very spot and each time, he’d found her, his angel amidst the darkness. There was something about her he couldn’t resist. Her smile warmed his soul as if they’d met in another time. Yes, he noticed the ring and chastised himself for his thoughts. Even without speaking a word their spirits were connected. Only Richard didn’t know how.

She licked her lips, no doubt because they were dry, but to him, it was a cry to be caressed. What would they feel like? He wanted to touch them and bad.

Thinking better of it, he leaned back in his chair and repeated the question. Mrs. Gray, can you please tell me the story one more time? Just for clarification.

She nodded and let out a sniff.

Richard ran his large brown hands over the soft waves on his head before bringing them to rest in his lap. This was the last case on his journey as a detective.

Yesterday started out a day no different from any other, she began. I was cooking dinner in the kitchen. Dinner always had to be ready by six. Because I was making meatloaf, I started a little earlier than usual. Her eyes glazed, and Kimberly’s body tensed at the memories.

________

Kimberly kneaded the mixture of ground beef, seasonings, eggs, and crushed crackers into a ball with ease. She transferred the contents from the bowl to a pan and placed them in the preheated oven.

Slam!

The kitchen screen door collided with the frame. She and her daughter Casey’s little time of quiet just ended.

What the hell is this crap doing on the floor? How many times have I told you to keep the shit out the way? bellowed Isaac. He kicked one of the toys in his path. The plastic doll took flight. It smacked the edge of the cabinet, causing the head to separate from the body.

Casey’s four year old body froze.

Kimberly’s heart dropped to the pit of her stomach. She’d forgotten what day it was, and Isaac caught her allowing Casey to be a child for a few hours. On any other day, she’d let Casey play for another hour before making her gather up her playthings and returning them to the chest in her room.

Look at this place. It’s a pigsty. What the hell is wrong with you? He towered over their daughter.

Kimberly’s breath caught in her throat. Besides the toys, the only thing out of order was the muddy boot prints he’d tracked in. She wouldn’t dare utter a word to him, though.

Casey let out a sob.

There’s no use in crying now. You’ve already broken the rules. He fumbled with his belt. I’ll teach you how to follow my rules, one way or another. Isaac snatched Casey up by the arm. This is my home and what I say goes!

Casey cringed.

He dragged her small pale body, kicking and screaming, down the hall to her bedroom.

Kimberly tried to move, but her feet were stuck to the floor. She knew that somehow she had to get to her daughter before the bedroom door shut. After that, it would be too late. She willed herself to move. Kimberly started running down the hall toward the room. With every step she took, the hall grew. The tunnel stretched on, seemingly endless. Casey’s screams punctuated her movement.

Stop it, Daddy! Mommy! Mommy! Help me, Mommy!

When she finally reached Casey’s bedroom, the door was shut, tight. She tossed her body against it, willing the wood to give. It didn’t budge.

Let her out of there! Stop it, Isaac. She’s your daughter!

One last scream, then a gurgle. The screams stopped.

Kimberly slapped the door with her hands, while the rest of her body slid down to the floor. Open the door! Open the door! She beat against the wood until her palms bled.

She ran down the hall to Isaac’s man cave. Positioned above his desk and attached to his wall rested his prized hunting rifle. She snatched it off the wall and ran back to Casey’s room.

She smacked the door again.

This time, the door opened. Isaac stood there, grinning smugly. Kid should have done what she was told, he said. The kid is a lot like you. She don’t listen.

Casey’s lifeless body lay behind him in a heap on the floor.