TEMPTATION
BY K.M. GOLLAND
Book 1 in The Temptation Series
Cover Design by: Wade Angelo
Copyright 2012
Published by Kelly M. Golland
ISBN: 978-0-646-59361-6
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means, or transmitted, or translated without the permission of the author.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I first and foremost need to thank my husband and children for allowing me the time and space to finally put this story to paper.
I would also like to thank my mum and friend Leanne for their keen eye for detail in the editing process.
Lastly but not least, to all my friends and family for your support and feedback. The encouragement you gave me was instrumental in completing my book.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER ONE
Fastening the last bobby pin into my hair, I looked in the mirror. Black pinstripe skirt-suit with a pale pink blouse and black peep-toe heels, your feet are going to hate you tonight Alexis, surely you realise this. My blonde hair was neatly twirled into a bun and I had just a touch of make-up on. I had recently lost 20kg from a mad affair with my local gym and now fit into a size 12 which I was more than happy with. Today was the day I start my first full time job since having my two children and I was so nervous.
Argh, this will do. I really didn’t know how to look the corporate part anymore, I was used to shrugging on a pair of jeggings and t-shirt or gym pants and a tank. The last 9 years of my life were spent getting the kids ready for school and kinder, therefore make-up was the last thing on my mind, if anything my ritual was a quick glance in the mirror on the way out, checking I had no food stuck to my face or teeth.
“Ok Ratbags, are you ready we need to leave or Mummy will be late for her first day at work.” Both my adorable children were waiting by the garage door, Charlotte was 6 and in her first year of Primary School.
“Sweetheart your shoes are on the wrong feet, Nate can you please help her fix them?” Nate rolled his eyes, bent down and fixed his little sister’s shoes.
“Mum I really don’t want to go to before-school care, it’s for babies.”
“Nate, it’s not for babies and you don’t have a choice, please don’t make this difficult, I’m really excited about my new job, anyway it will give u a chance to sit quietly and draw your pictures.” Nate dropped his head and turned for the car, my 9 year old son was very much a mummy’s boy and was not happy about my decision to go back to work.
“What time will you be home?”
“I’m not sure Sweetheart, hopefully before dinner, Dad will pick you both up at the gate after school and the slow cooker is on, so it’s all sorted.” With that I kissed his golden head and gently pushed him towards the car where his sister was already seated and buckled in.
The drop-off was much easier than I had expected, Charlotte was more than happy to play with the other kids before school, she really was a social butterfly, but Nate, well he had the best talent in making me feel guilty, he’ll come around I know he will.
Turning onto the Tullamarine Freeway I felt somewhat free, OMG Alexis, you are really doing this. I knew this day would eventually come, but being a stay at home mum for the past 9 years was what I had grown accustomed to, driving into the city at 7:30 in the morning however, was definitely something I wasn’t used to. The traffic was horrendous, stop start, stop start, how did my husband do this day in and day out? I’d never really had to deal with bumper to bumper traffic, I was a Secretary to a suburban Solicitor not too far from home before deciding to stop work and have children at the age of 25. This new job however was completely out of my comfort zone, not only was I taking on a complete career change, I was doing it in the biggest Entertainment Complex in Victoria. My new role was to be one of the Concierge Attendants at City Towers, which is a luxury 5 star Hotel with 43 floors, 481 rooms, 30 Villas and the Penthouse Residence. I’d always loved City Towers and had the privilege to have stayed in a suite with my fiancé, now husband Rick, a year after we got engaged.
As I pulled into the City Complex staff car park I was running short on time, I hated being in a rush, you’d think that after 9 years of raising my babies I’d be used to it, nonetheless I wasn’t and of all the days I could be late, today was not going to be one of them. I found the closest car spot and bee-lined straight for the entry knowing where I had to be at 9am. Despite my crazy busy lifestyle, with sports pick-ups and drop-offs, running errands, shopping etc, I was brilliant at organisation and multi-tasking so had already visited the complex 3 times in the past fortnight to become familiar with where I was going to be starting my new career. I had made up some time by taking a few short cuts, this allowed me to pop into Gloria Jeans for my favourite drink, hot white chocolate with a marshmallow. The young attendant was bright and bubbly and obviously enjoyed her job, as she handed me my drink I noticed her cheeks flush and her entire demeanour change.
“Thank you.” I said slightly confused by this sudden change of personality. I spun around and began to head for the Hotel Foyer when I slammed straight into the person in line behind me spilling my entire white chocolate down the front of me and him.
“Oh Shit, Shit, Geezus that is HOT, oh I am so sorry.” Looking up, I expected to see an extremely livid gentleman, after all I had stupidly and clumsily doused him in my milky drink. Staring down at me however, could only be described as the most delectable specimen of a man I had ever seen and he was smirking at me, yes ‘smirking’ not livid or furious as I had expected but smirking.
“I am so sorry, I didn’t even stop to think that someone was behind me, I’ll get you a towel, hang on a second.”
“Never mind that Alexis, it’s fine.”
“Mr Clark, I’ll get you a wet cloth.” The bubbly attendant glared at me like she was about to pounce over the counter and scratch my eyes out.
“No Stacey, that’s quite alright, Alexis and I will have to change.” With that, this sexy beast of a man, gently, yet with complete command and control grabbed me by the arm and directed me out of the café. After what seemed like only seconds, I snapped out of my stunned state, stopped in my tracks and gently shrugged out of his grasp.
“I’m sorry, who are you and how do you know my name?” He looked somewhat amused and placed his hand on the small of my back which sent currents right up and down my spine.
“Ms Summers, your name is on your ID tag pinned to that soaking blouse of yours and I am Bryce Clark, your employer.” Oh Shit, Crap, Balls. What have I done? What I had done is spill my drink over my boss before I had even started my first shift. Great start to the rest of your life Alexis, you Idiot.
“I don’t know about you Ms Summers but I don’t like to wear hot chocolate to work.”
“No, I don’t blame you.” Crap my mind started to race, I don’t have any spare clothes, and I certai
nly don’t have a spare pair of trousers or shirt for Bryce, I mean Mr Clark.
“Come with me,” and he applied pressure to my back, ushering me forward.
Before I knew it we were in front of Versace.
“After you, Ms Summers.” He directed me into the glamorous store and I was dazed by the gorgeous dresses, suits, shoes and handbags that were on display around us, I had never been into such a prestigious shop and felt very uncomfortable. Bryce approached the lady behind the counter, she had an aura of sophistication and was a naturally beautiful brunette with flawless skin.
“Clarissa, Ms Summers and I had a bit of an accident with a hot chocolate, I’ll need a suit and Alexis will need something suitable for the Hotel’s Front Office.”
“Right away Sir, follow me.” Clarissa led Bryce and I into the change rooms, they were very extravagant, a large circular room with the change areas circling the outside. It was also elegantly decorated, with rich brown carpet and seats covered in a deep blue and gold fabric.
“If you’d like to go in here Ms Summers I will be back in just a minute with a beautiful day dress, which should be just what you need and Mr Clark if you’d like to go in there, I will be back with your replacement.” Clarissa gracefully left the room.
“Mr Clark, I really don’t think I need a new dress, I mean really my blouse isn’t too bad, I can just wear my Blazer over the top.” He was at my curtain holding a lovely black wrap dress which looked very smart, the material was silky and definitely something I would wear if I could afford it
“Alexis, please put on the dress, you are not wearing a blouse soaked in hot chocolate around my Hotel.” He handed me the dress and raised his eyebrows in a seductive glare that twisted my stomach, I took the dress and gave him a sheepish grin.
“Of course not, thank you.” He closed the curtain and at that point it hit me. OMG what was I doing here in Versace holding a…..Shit a $2,000.00 dress? and to top it off my boss was so Fucking Hot. I fanned my face with my hand and nearly stumbled into the wall, he is the most glorious looking man I have ever seen with his clean cut, dark blonde hair, chiselled cheek bones and jaw line and the most alluring blue eyes imaginable. I could have sworn he was flirting with me? Surely not, why would he be flirting with me? Alexis Summers, 35 year old mother of two and married, yes happily married to Rick Summers, my childhood sweetheart. I shook my head, no I’m imagining it and with that I stripped off my damp blouse and skirt, put on the dress and stood there looking in the mirror. I didn’t always recognise myself, it wasn’t that long ago I was a size 16 and very plump in all the wrong places. I had always struggled with my weight and after giving birth twice had stacked on a horrible 20kg. I found out recently that I had Fructose Malabsorption, I was finally put on a diet that didn’t make me horribly ill and with a lot of exercise I had reached a weight and body shape I was happy with. This dress suited me, I could honestly say I loved it, except I couldn’t get the zipper up.
“Um, Clarissa would you mind giving me a hand?”
“Is everything alright Alexis?” It was Bryce.
“Um yes, I just need a little help with the zip, is Clarissa there?”
“No, I’ll help you.” He moved the curtain aside and eyed me from top to toe, I think my face resembled a beetroot, I turned, baring my back to him, I was terribly embarrassed but also shocked by his brazenness. I anticipated his touch, my skin was buzzing with expectations, he gently grasped the zip and with his other hand placed just above my bra strap began to pull the zip up, slowly, very slowly. Oh shit, I shouldn’t be feeling this. I’m a married woman. I think I flinched and I think he noticed.
“Are my hands cold?” He said almost defensively, he let go and rubbed them together.
“No, not all, they are fine.” I giggled, more than fine, if anything his touch burned me. He resumed zipping the dress up then placed both his hands on my shoulders and spun me around.
“There, you look very much the part for Concierge Attendant.”
“Let me ask you Mr Clark, do you give this much attention to all of your staff?”
“No Ms Summers, only the ones that share their drinks with me.” He walked out of my room and into his own, he was very playful and left me feeling somewhat naughty. Smiling I picked up my soiled clothes and stepped out after him. Talk about brazen, so brazen in fact he had left his curtain partly open, I couldn’t help but squint so that I could see him. Oh Shit, he is magnificent. I could only see his back and that was enough to make me blush and fumble with my clothes. What am I doing? Stop it Alexis you dirty little perve. I sat patiently on the sofa in the middle of the change area, Clarissa returned just as Bryce came out of his room.
“Mr Clark I expect you are happy with the fit?”
“As always Clarissa thank you, would you mind taking our clothes to the dry cleaners and have them delivered to my room later today?”
“Certainly Mr Clark.” She took our damp clothes and headed out.
“After you Ms Summers,” Bryce nodded towards the door, we walked out of Versace and I looked at my watch, it was 10.30am. Oh crap, I was an hour and a half late. How was I going to explain this?
“Come along Ms Summers, I will need to explain your tardiness.” Tardiness, what are we back at school? He really was quite cute.
Standing at the front desk was an immaculate looking young man.
“Good morning Mr Clark, how may I assist you today Sir?”
“Where is Abigail, Charlie?”
“Just a moment Sir and I’ll track her down for you.” Charlie flittered along the large desk to his computer and started typing away.
“She’s in Conference Room 3 Sir, is there anything else I can help you with?” Charlie raised his eyebrow and gave me a kind but curious look.
“No that will be all thank you. Oh by the way Charlie, have you met Alexis Summer? She will be training as Concierge Attendant. Charlie’s smile grew wide.
“Alexis, it’s a pleasure I look forward to working with you.” He seemed very genuine and I could see we would get along very well.
“Nice to meet you too Charlie, hopefully we get some time later to get better acquainted.”
“Yes hopefully Alexis. Mr Clark would you like me to escort Alexis to Conference Room 3?”
“No Charlie, I will take her there myself.” I blushed bright red, I felt like a school girl being escorted to the Principal’s office. Charlie nodded and in turning to answer the phone smiled at me curiously.
Mr Clark walked me to the elevators and we waited awkwardly, we kept glancing sideways at each other and smiling politely. The elevator doors opened and guests disembarked, Bryce politely gestured me to enter before him, he pushed the button to level 5.
“Thank you Mr Clark, I’m terribly sorry for all this.” He glanced at me again with that ‘smirk’, the ‘smirk’ that made me feel like a naughty child.
“I remember my first day Ms Summers, it wasn’t as action packed as yours but it was nerve racking nonetheless.” I couldn’t imagine this handsome, perfectly dressed, extremely confident man ever being nervous about anything, he oozed confidence and self-preservation.
We reached the 5th floor and he led me along a corridor to Conference Room 3 and knocked gently, a short, middle aged lady answered the door.
“Mr Clark is everything alright?”
“Yes Abigail, sorry to interrupt but I believe you are missing a Ms Summers from your Concierge Attendants briefing this morning? I bumped into Ms Summers and unfortunately spilt my coffee all over her, so of course I had to see she was well looked after and delivered to you.” I gasped and looked at him shocked.
“Abigail this is Alexis Summers, Ms Summers, Abigail Maroney.” Abigail gave me a strange look then smiled and thanked Mr Clark.
“Come in Alexis and take a seat.” She turned and headed for the large oval desk in the centre of the room.
“It was a pleasure meeting you today Mr Clark,” and in a whispered voice I added.
�
�Again I’m so sorry.”
“Aahhhhh Ms Summers the pleasure has been all mine.” He stepped backward and nodded whilst giving me ‘that smirk’.
“Oh Mr Clark, by the way it’s Mrs, not Ms.” Putting two fingers to his lips he winked and turned.
“I know.” He called behind him and then he was gone.
CHAPTER TWO
I settled into my seat and apologised to Ms Maroney. So far my morning had been a bad dream, how could I have been such a klutz? This job required me to be on the ball, organised and completely professional and I’d displayed none of which so far.
“I am so sorry Ms Maroney for disrupting your briefing.” I smiled apologetically to Abigail and the five other Concierge Attendant Trainees sitting around the table.
“Never mind dear, Mr Clark seemed to have your situation under control and please, call me Abigail. Now Alexis, just to get you up to date, Jessica, Samantha, Jonathan, Marcus and Lorell are all training as Concierge Attendants and you will each assist the Head Concierge from all 3 of City Tower’s Hotels. Alexis you will join Samantha and will Concierge here in City Towers, Jonathan and Jessica will Concierge in City Metropol and Lorell and Marcus at City Promenade. Alexis if you open your brief you will see a manual with everything you need to know about City Towers and the entire City Towers Complex, including the Casino and Shopping Precinct. Your IPhone and Keycard are your life; please keep them on you at all times. Your Keycard will give you access to every room in the Hotel, with exception to Mr Clark’s Penthouse Residence. Special instructions of his requests are also in your brief. Your IPhone is preprogramed with all relevant contacts. Jonathan and Jessica, City Metrolpol’s Head Concierge is Daniel and he is expecting you both in the Metropol Lobby. Lorell and Marcus your HC is Stephan and will meet you at the Concierge Desk in the Promenade. Enjoy your day and don’t hesitate to contact me if needed.” Jonathan, Jessica, Lorell and Marcus all stood up and made their way out of the room.
“Alexis and Samantha, as you are both aware I’m the HC here at City Towers and our office is in the Lobby, now for today I want you to familiarise yourself with the Hotel, you will need to know this building inside and out. You both have a timetable to follow for the week which enables you to get a good feel for how the Hotel runs on a day to day basis, again enjoy your day ladies and I will check in on you both as the day progresses.”
Temptation (The Temptation Series) Page 1
