Chiltern Hotel Series Box Set 2

by North, Avery

  “I hope I am,” Lucy said, hesitating a bit. “I’ve worked in diners before but never such an elegant place as this.”

  “You will be fine,” Susan said, looking at her and adjusting her name tag. “The people that walk through those doors are no different from the people that go to the diners. They may just dress a bit better, that’s all. Be friendly and courteous, and you will be just fine.”

  Susan went and unlocked the door, scanning the lobby, hoping to see Carl. He had come in for breakfast every day since he started, and Susan had enjoyed their flirtatious chats and was looking even more forward to Friday night when they had planned to go out for drinks.

  “Susan, we have a problem in the kitchen, and Chef needs you,” one of the busboys called out.

  “Okay, I’ll be right there,” Susan said, looking at Lucy. “When people come in, make sure they have fresh coffee and a menu. I won’t be long,”

  Quickly Susan ran into the kitchen and solved a small dispute between the Sous Chef and one of the Servers. As she walked back into the restaurant, she heard Lucy laugh and looked around. There, sitting in his usual booth, was Carl, and whatever he was saying to Lucy had her in stitches. Feeling a pang of jealousy, Susan quickly grabbed a pot of coffee and headed over.

  “Everything okay here?” she asked nonchalantly, glancing at his table.

  “Just fine. Lucy was telling me how this is her very first day, and I was just saying how lucky she is to get to spend a whole day with you,” Carl said, smiling at Susan, making her heart beat a tiny bit faster.

  “Lucy, why don’t you go and fold those napkins on the counter for me,” Susan said, dismissing the girl. “More coffee?”

  “I’m looking forward to Friday night,” Carl said, looking at her as he pushed his coffee cup towards her for her to fill, his eyes never leaving her face.

  “I am too,” Susan said, trying hard not to blush. “Do you want your usual breakfast?”

  "Unfortunately, I can't today. I have a meeting in fifteen minutes, then I have to go and visit some of our suppliers," Carl said, making a frown with his mouth. "I won't be back today, but I wanted to have a cup of coffee at least so I could see your smiling face."

  Susan looked at him and tried desperately not to break out in tears. That was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever said to her. “That’s too bad. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  “Oh, you can count on that,” Carl said, finishing his coffee and grabbing his files. “Thank you for putting some cheer into my day.”

  Susan watched him leave and let out a massive sigh. She really hoped he was for real because she was drawn to him and had an immense urge to get to know him better.

  ✽✽✽

  Carl walked out of the restaurant and across the lobby towards the conference room. He hated the thought of sitting in a boring meeting for the next hour but knew it needed to be done. Having taken over as Head Accountant of the hotel, he was definitely not happy with the way things were being run. After giving himself a few weeks to sit back and observe, he was now going to make some changes in several of the ways supplies were ordered. The only person he didn't have a problem with was Susan. She ran a tight ship, and her reports were always precise and easy to read.

  He was the first one in the conference room and spent the first little while organizing his papers. Susan Hopkins. He definitely wanted to get to know her better. There was something about her that he found so genuine and down to earth. Not like the women he usually dated. Most of them were high maintenance, and as soon as they found out Carl had money, they wanted to be his eye candy. At first, it was a thrill to have beautiful women at his beck and call, but he soon became tired of it. He wanted one woman to love who would love him back with as much passion as he gave.

  Having always been good with numbers, it was only natural that Carl would pick accounting as his profession. His parents were both stockbrokers, so he had grown up with math and figures all his life. After their deaths, Carl inherited their fortune. Although he could have or do anything he wanted, he refused to let the money go to his head and continued working hard, graduating from University, and obtaining his CPA. Climbing up the ladder at thirty-two, he was one of the most sought after chartered accountants in the country. Securing a job at the Chiltern Hotel gave him the freedom he needed to continue helping those less fortunate and occasionally work at the orphanage.

  When he turned thirty-two, the urge to settle down became stronger, and he actually started looking at women a lot differently. He wasn’t interested in the one-night stands anymore but yearned to have a passionate, long term relationship with a woman, someone who he would wake up with each morning and be more in love with than the day before. That’s what he wanted, and that was all he could think of when he met Susan Hopkins. He wanted her to be the mother of his children, to be his lover, his partner, his everything, and he wanted to make sure that she never wanted for anything again.

  She knew nothing about him other than the fact he was the new accountant, so her conversations with him were natural, and she put on no airs to try and impress him, which only made him want her more.

  As the staff began to trickle into the conference room, Carl cleared his throat and composed himself. Friday night couldn't come fast enough, and he had never been so excited to go out with someone in his life. Carl only hoped that at the end of their date, Susan would see a side of him that he never showed too many people, and she would want to go out with him again. He was a man who always got what he wanted, and he wanted Susan.

  Chapter 4

  “So why a waitress,” Carl asked, taking a sip of his beer. “Not that there is anything wrong with that.I’m just always interested in how people pick their careers.”

  Susan smiled and nodded head. “Everyone thinks being a waitress is a low job on the ladder, but let me tell you, waitressing work is hard,” she said, shaking her finger at him. “Seriously, I graduated in Hotel Management and got the job at the Chiltern, and I love it. It takes a lot to keep things flowing and make sure that the restaurant is top of its class, and I enjoy dealing with the public, as crazy as that may sound.”

  Susan sipped her wine and smiled at Carl, who never took his eyes off her. “You keep staring at me. Do I have something on my face,” she said, trying to make a joke.

  "Oh, no, sorry. I'm just in awe of you," Carl said, reaching out and taking one of her hands. "You are so down to earth and love life so much despite losing your parents at an early age. I guess I'm a bit amazed. I'm so used to the high maintenance girls. I never thought I'd ever meet someone like you."

  Susan smirked slightly and looked at Carl, batting her eyelashes. “Why is that a compliment,” she said, trying to keep the mood light. She didn’t want to admit to him just yet, but she was utterly smitten with him and found it hard to breathe at times, especially when he reached out and touched her hand.

  Carl drove her home, parking his car in front of her apartment building. “I had a wonderful time Susan. Thank you so much for accepting my invitation,” he said as he leaned in.

  Susan closed her eyes and let his tongue softly part her lips. She had been kissed before but never had a kiss had such an impact on her. His hand reached up and cupped her face, deepening the kiss. Slowly pulling away, Susan opened her eyes and stared into his. His hand was still cupping her cheek, making her smile slightly.

  “I don’t normally do this, but would you like to come up for one more drink. It’s still early,” she said, feeling her heartbeat quicken.

  “I’d love to Susan,” Carl said, cocking his head. “As long as you are sure?”

  Susan nodded. She had never been so sure in all her life. She didn’t know how far she would go, but she felt that there was a connection between them, and she didn’t want the night to end.

  “I’m sorry I don’t have any beer. Is white wine, okay?” Susan said, yelling from the kitchen.

  "White wine is just fine," Carl said, looking around the comfortable living r
oom. Susan had good taste in decorating, and everything matched and was geared for comfort. "You have a nice place here."

  “Thanks. It isn’t much, but it’s home,” Susan said, handing Carl his glass before sitting down on the couch beside him.

  Carl immediately put his arm around her and pulled her toward him, so her head was resting on his shoulder, making Susan feel warm and safe. They sat like that for a few minutes sipping their wine, not saying a word until Susan looked up at him.

  “I Ummm," she began to say when Carl's lips met hers. The softness of his lips and the urgency of his tongue took her breath away as she parted her lips and responded. Susan didn't know if it was the effects of the wine or the fact that she liked him, but she suddenly lost her inhibitions and turned herself, getting halfway up, so she straddled his lap.

  Looking down at him, she smiled and bent down and kissed him again, this time with more passion than she knew she had. Her body felt like it was on fire, and it needed to be quenched.

  Carl ran his hands down her back and cupped the cheeks of her ass, pulling her into him.

  Susan sat up straight, looking down at his eyes. His beautiful, magical eyes. “I just want you to know that I don’t usually behave this way on the first date.”

  Carl laughed and shook his head. “Am I complaining,” he said, smiling at her. “I really like you, Susan, and I want to get to know you, every inch of you.” Reaching up, he brushed the hair out of her face before putting his finger under her chin. “I’ve waited for someone like you for a long time, and I am very eager to see where this goes. I’m hoping you feel the same. I could easily pick you up and take you into the bedroom right now and ravage your body, but I want to make sure this is what we both want. I hope you are okay with that.”

  Susan smiled softly, looking down at him before moving herself off his lap and laying down, so she cuddled into his chest. “I am, and I don’t remember ever feeling this way. It’s nice to be with someone who respects you.”

  “How does the hotel feel about employees dating?” Carl asked, wrapping his arms around Susan.

  “I’m not sure. I think they frown on it but turn a blind eye. If we see each other, we will have to be discrete,” Susan said, looking up at him and cupping his face. “Thank you.”

  Carl frowned. “Thank me for what?”

  “For not taking advantage of me right here, right now,” Susan said. “Most guys would only be looking for one thing.”

  “Well, I’m not like most guys,” Carl laughed then checking his watch. “I should really be going. I have another early morning tomorrow.”

  Susan sat up and frowned. “You aren’t working, are you?”

  Carl shook his head. “No, I help out at a home for boys, and tomorrow we are repairing some of the walls inside that have been neglected.”

  “Oh, really. That’s very nice of you. What made you do that?”

  Carl shrugged. “I just realized that there are so many young kids just looking for a break, and all they need is someone to listen to them and guide them. I help out whenever I can.”

  “Wow, another piece of the mysterious Carl Williams puzzle comes into focus,” Susan laughed, walking Carl to the door. “Thank you for a wonderful evening.”

  Carl looked at her, taking her face in his hands and kissed her softly. “Can I call you tomorrow?”

  “I’d like that,” she whispered.

  Closing the door, Susan leaned against if, looking up at the ceiling. Her heart was pounding, and she felt so flushed. Never had a man had that effect on her before, and she couldn’t wait to see him again. Was this her prince charming? Only time would tell.

  Chapter 5

  Carl: Are you off on Saturday and Sunday?

  Susan:Yes, I am. Why?

  Carl: Let’s go for a drive. I want to show you something.

  Susan:Hmm, will there be kissing involved?

  Carl: Oh, you can count on it. Pick you up at ten?

  Susan:I’ll be waiting.

  Carl: Pack an overnight bag.

  Susan:Okay, where are we going?

  Carl: It’s a secret.

  Susan:Okay.

  Carl: See you then.

  Susan smiled as she put her phone back in her pocket. She and Carl had been seeing each other on the sly for well over three weeks, and things were going great. They decided to keep it quiet when at work and texted each other frequently during the day. Susan found it very hard not to throw her arms around him and kiss him whenever she saw him, but so far, they had kept their little charade up. The only person Susan had told was her friend Rachel, and she vowed her to secrecy.

  Although she and Carl had some pretty intense kissing sessions, they had yet to make love, and Susan hoped that Carl would make a move soon. He always ended up stopping just before clothes would get ripped off, saying he wanted their first time to be special, and he wanted to make sure it would have meaning.

  As much as Susan respected that, she at times found it frustrating, having to satisfy herself after he left her apartment with fantasies of him making love to her.

  Saturday morning arrived, and Susan was excited about their day together. Hearing Carl’s familiar knock on her door, she yelled. “It’s open.”

  “Hey. You look beautiful this morning,” Carl said, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her.

  “You must be blind,” Susan laughed, “But I appreciate the compliment. Where are we going? I’m just wearing jeans. Is that okay?”

  “That’s fine,” Carl said. “You might want to bring a jacket. It might be chilly, especially if we decide to go for a walk.”

  “Where are we going?” Susan asked again, feeling herself grow excited.

  “Ahhh, you will see. Are you ready?” Carl said, picking up her bag.

  Susan followed Carl out of her apartment building and frowned as she watched him walk towards a Silver Maserati parked in front of her building.

  “This isn’t your car?” Susan said, confused. Carl always drove a Blue BMW.

  “It is for today,” Carl said, smiling as he threw her bag in the trunk. “Get in.”

  As Susan got in the car, the smell of leather filled her nose and she couldn’t get over how comfortable the seats were. “Did you rent this for the day?”

  “No, but I can’t tell you right now. You’ll find out soon enough,” Carl said, starting the car. “Stop asking so many questions.”

  “Well, do you blame me? My boyfriend suddenly shows up in one of the most expensive cars to take me someplace that’s a secret. Of course, I’m going to ask questions. Did you rob a bank or something? Are we running from the law? Am I going to land in jail?”

  Carl roared, taking her hand and bringing it up to his lips, kissing it. "Yes, we are running from the law, and I am taking you, hostage."

  “Okay, I promise I won’t ask any more questions. Can you at least tell me how long we are going to be driving?”

  “About two hours, so sit back and just enjoy the ride,” Carl said, pushing the gears and speeding up the car.

  They bantered back and forth, and before too long, Carl turned down a winding laneway, finally coming to a stop in front of a beautiful log cabin. In the distance, Susan could see a large lake surrounded by trees.

  “Wow, whose place is this?” Susan asked, getting out of the car and looking around. “This is beautiful.”

  “Do you like it?” Carl asked, taking their bags out of the trunk. “Come on. Let’s go inside.”

  After Carl unlocked the door, Susan walked in and stood looking around the massive room in awe. In the middle of the room was a large stone fireplace that could be viewed anywhere in the room. The log walls gleamed as the sunlight shone in through the large window, which overlooked a pristine lake.

  “Carl, I’m getting really confused right now,” Susan said, looking at him.

  “Let’s pour ourselves a glass of wine and go sit out on the deck. I’ll explain everything to you,” Carl said, going to t
he fridge and taking out a bottle of wine.

  As Susan settled into the lounge chair, she suddenly felt at peace. The view was breathtaking. Taking a glass of wine that Carl handed her, she smiled at him. “Can you imagine living like this all the time?”

  Carl sat down and looked at her. “I have something to tell you.”

  Susan looked at him, feeling that familiar pang in her stomach when she heard those words. She knew it. He was too good to be true, and he was going to tell her he was married or something. “Okay, let me have it gently.”

  “The car, this cabin,” Carl said, making a sweeping motion with his hand. “It’s all mine.”

  Susan looked at him with a blank look on her face. “I don’t understand.”

  “I’m very wealthy,” Carl said, looking at her. “I own this cabin.”

  Susan looked at him, letting his words sink in. “You aren't an accountant?”

  Carl laughed.“Yes, I am an Accountant, and I do work at the Chiltern, but I am very wealthy. I inherited my parents' fortune when they were killed seven years ago. I don’t have to work, but I want to work. I never wanted the money to change who I am, and it hasn’t.”

  "Okay, so why are you telling me this now?" Susan said, looking at him. "Why couldn't you have been upfront with me at the beginning?"

  “Susan, most of the women that I have dated have only wanted me for one thing. My money. As soon as they find out I am wealthy, everything changes. They expect me to give them a free ride,” Carl said. “You’re different. I knew I had to tell you, so that’s why I brought you up here. I’ve fallen in love with you, Susan.”

  “Were you afraid that I would want your money,” Susan said, changing her tone.

  “No, not at all. I knew you were too down to earth to be like that. I just wanted to show you that if you are going to be part of my life, all this comes with it.”

  Susan looked at him. “Well, I fell in love with Carl Williams, the accountant, and all of this is nice, but it doesn’t define who you are. I learned a long time ago that money isn’t everything.”