Maid for Christmas: Good With Numbers, #3

By Rose Bak

The woman sweeping the floor isn't what she seems to be...

When Nina Jimenez slips into James Fitzgerald's office to clean one evening, he assumes she is the maid. It's an understandable mistake, given that Nina is filling in for one of her vacationing employees. The billionaire CEO of Johnson Janitorial enjoys playing undercover boss to stay in touch with her employees and keep herself grounded.

James is a wealthy CEO in his own right, but none of the endless parade of women in his life have interested him as much as the woman dusting his office.  When James asks her out, Nina is cautious. She doesn't want to date a guy who hits on her staff and flaunts his wealth, but he finally wears her down.

After years of men trying to use her for her connections or feeling intimidated by her wealth, Nina likes the anonymity of being plain old Nina, cleaning lady. But as their holiday romance blossoms, it becomes harder and harder to justify not telling James the truth about who she really is.

When Nina's secret comes out, will James still like her even though he lied to him? Or can this unlikely couple find a love that lasts longer than the holidays?

"Maid for Christmas" is the fifth book in the Good with Numbers Workplace Romance series.  Each book is a steamy standalone featuring strong women and alpha males finding love in midlife, meddling matchmaker friends, a little bit of humor, and a sweet happily-ever-after.  Download the entire series today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rose Bak
• Release date: May 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201434502

Rose Bak

Rose Bak has been obsessed with books since she got her first library card at age five. She is a passionate reader with an e-reader bursting with thousands of beloved books.  Rose's contemporary romance books focus on strong female characters over age 35 and the alpha males who love them. Expect a lot of steam, a little bit of snark, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Book preview

About This Book

When Nina Jimenez slips into James Fitzgerald’s office to clean one evening, he assumes she is the cleaning lady.  An understandable mistake, given that Nina is filling in for an employee on vacation for the holidays.  The high-powered CEO of Johnson Janitorial, she likes playing undercover boss to stay in touch with her employees and keep herself grounded.

Their attraction is instant.  After years of guys trying to use her or feeling intimidated by her wealth, Nina enjoys the anonymity of being plain old Nina, cleaning lady.  But as their holiday romance blossoms, it becomes harder and harder to justify not telling James who she really is. 

When her secret comes out, will James still like her for who she is? Or will their relationship die like a dried out Christmas tree?

Maid for Christmas is the third book in the Good with Numbers holiday novella series.  This steamy standalone short read features a seasoned independent woman, a meddling brother, and a holiday HEA.

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This book includes a special except from Until You Came Along,  book one of the Oliver Boys Band series, available now on select retailers.

James

I took off my reading glasses and rubbed the indentation on my nose.  Blinking, I looked around, realizing it was dark outside the windows. 

How late is it? I wondered, searching around for my phone. 

I rolled my neck as I found my phone, silenced and pushed to the edge of my desk.  8:00 p.m.  On cue, my stomach growled. Once again, I had gotten so engrossed in my work I had completely lost track of time.  It was easy to do, especially when there was no one waiting at home.

As the president of my family’s corporate accounting firm, I felt an obligation to work longer and harder than anyone else. My parents had both retired, and my siblings had no interest in the business, so it was all on me now. Since I took over, I had grown the business dramatically, making a lot of money for all of us in the process.

I started closing up some files and powered down my laptop, preparing to leave for the night.  God knows, the work would all be here in the morning.  I heard a noise and looked up, seeing a cleaning cart stop in the hallway outside my office.  The lady from the cleaning service. 

Hey Maria, I called out without looking. How are you tonight? 

I looked up and froze like a deer in the headlights.  This definitely was not Maria. 

Maria was a grandmother, probably in her mid-60s.  She was a sturdy looking woman who wore sturdy shoes.  Like Maria, she appeared to be Latina, but the comparison ended there.  The woman in front of me was a vision.

She had beautiful wavy black hair with caramel highlights that fell just below her shoulders.  Her eyes were a chocolate brown, with long thick lashes that looked natural.  Her skin was smooth, the exact shade of coffee with cream.  Other than mascara and a shiny lip gloss she did not appear to be wearing any make-up.  She was petite and slim, with the body of an athlete.  A runner, maybe, I thought to myself.

I had no idea how old she was, I was guessing early thirties maybe.  Unlike Maria, who seemed weighed down by life, this woman stood up straight and proud, with an air of authority.  She almost looked out of place in her faded jeans and baggie cleaning company t-shirt that she had tied at the waist.

You’re not Maria, I said stupidly.  She gave me a polite smile.

Oh, hello sir, she said, her voice smooth and cultured sounding.  Maria is off this week. She went to visit her family for Thanksgiving and decided to stay an extra week. 

Her eyes took stock of me, appraising me as I stood up from my chair. I puffed myself up to  emphasize my broad chest and trim waist. Not to be vain, but I worked out most mornings and I knew I looked good for 45.

Her eyes lingered on my chest as I walked over and reached my hand out to her. 

I’m James.  James Fitzgerald. It’s nice to meet you. 

She took my hand and gave it a confident shake.  When our palms touched, I felt a jolt of electricity go up my arm like I had touched a live wire.  I heard her intake of breath and realized that she felt it too. I held her hand a few seconds longer than polite.

Despite her job, she smelled like vanilla and coconut and I had a sudden flash of how she would look in a bikini, laying next to me on a beach somewhere.

Nice to meet you James, she said finally, pulling her hand back.  Well, I’d better get busy.

She moved away to start cleaning, but I stopped her with a hand on her arm.  I didn’t catch your name.

Her eyes crinkled with amusement, and I noted fine lines around her eyes.  Maybe she was a bit older than I thought. 

My name is Nina, she said finally, moving away from me.  Don’t let me interrupt you.  I’ll be out of here in a few minutes.