The Mermaid and her King Read Online Free

hand to her chest.
    “Look. I don’t like to hear the word no. This is as much for me as it is for you. You have to take it. I won’t accept you not keeping it. If you tear up my check, I’ll go to the bank and have it deposited into your account. Let me do this for you and your husband.”
    She gazes at me. I’m sure it’ s a huge internal struggle, especially for someone who’s lived without and worked so hard, but she knows me. Hilda is aware that I had a spoiled upbringing and wouldn’t give it to her if I didn’t really want to. Unfortunately, she knows the old Chase.
    “OK. I’ ll accept it. Only because I can tell it’s something you need to do, and your parents would be very upset with me if I didn’t.”
    I jump from my seat and hug her. I don’t know where that came from, and she seems as surprised as I am. I pull away, and Hilda is crying. I’ve never understood this with women, but I think I made her happy.
    “I can’t thank you enough, Chase. You have no idea what this means for our future.”
    “So, you promise you won’t go back to the agency? If you ever need work for some reason, you come to me.”
    “Yes, I promise. I’ll quit today.”
    It worked. Skyla will be back. I leave after I get Hilda to stop crying. I never would’ve thought to give her the money if I didn’t want to see Skyla again, but I still did the good deed, which is a start for me. I don’t know if I can get any more pathetic. I paid a hundred thousand dollars to spend only brief moments with a woman I won’t give myself permission to touch. I could have the best prostitutes on the island for less money. That’s what the old me would’ve done with it.

Skyla
     
    Guilt eats at me. I can’t stand knowing Chase lied to the cleaning agency. I didn’t earn that money, and I’m not about to take it for nothing. I’m off today, but I decide to go to Chase’s to clean. If he isn’t there, then I’ll wait for him.
    Yes, there’ s a part of me looking for an excuse to see him, but at least I have a legitimate one. With my cleaning supplies in hand and a magazine, I head out the door.
    Chase doesn’t answer when I knock. I debate on using the key, but since I’m not supposed to be in the house today, I decide against it and walk around to the back. I sit on the bottom of his steps that lead up to his patio.
    A t least I’ll get to enjoy part of my day relaxing by the ocean in between checking for Chase’s arrival back home. Another reason I return is for the victory. He’s already ordered me around enough times, so he isn’t winning the next battle. I will be cleaning today.
    “Skyla.”
    I look to my right and see Eric walking toward me.
    “Hi .”
    “What are you doing on Chase’s steps?” he asks.
    “I’m waiting for him to come home. I didn’t get to clean the other day, so I’m going to do it today.”
    “Good luck with that. If he doesn’t know , he won’t like you springing this on him.”
    I frown . “Is he always so overbearing? He’s not going to keep ordering me around.” I probably shouldn’t have said that to his friend, but Chase needs to get over himself.
    Eric laughs. “Yes, he is, and I might have to witness this verbal exchange. How’s your arm healing?”
    “It’s healing nicely . It isn’t that bad of a cut, so that’s why I’m back. I need to do my job.”
    Eric studies me nervously, obvious from his fidgeting. “Skyla, would you want to get some dinner with me?”
    Wow . I didn’t expect that. Chase is the only man I’ve thought about for the last couple of days, but he’s shown zero interest in me, and I’m lonely. My brother was shipped off to Afghanistan almost as soon as I got off the plane three months ago.
    “Sure, t hat’d be nice.”
    His eyes light up. It definitely won’t pain me to stare at those blue eyes for a couple of hours.
    “OK, great. Is tonight too soon?”
    “No, would seven work?”
    “Yeah, um, I don’t have anything to write down