Misfits, Inc.

by Holly Copella

  “I’m expecting an important document,” Hailey said politely to the desk clerk not much older than herself. “Could you notify me when it arrives?”

  “My shift is nearly over, but Skyler will be at the desk all evening,” Cass announced cheerfully in response and casually indicated Skyler, who busily worked.

  Skyler didn’t even seem to realize his name had been mentioned. Cass waited a second then cleared her throat. Skyler still didn’t react.

  “Skyler--”

  Skyler snapped out of his trance and looked at Cass dumbfounded. She indicated Hailey across the desk from him. Skyler turned and met Hailey’s gaze. His expression suddenly dropped as his lips parted, unable to speak. His look was baffling and almost distant as he stared at her.

  “Miss Aramis would like to be notified when her documents arrive,” Cass recapped the conversation.

  Skyler continued to stare at Hailey, frozen in the same position. The fact that he hadn’t even blinked was almost disturbing. Cass saw his look and appeared embarrassed.

  “Skyler?”

  Skyler still didn’t react or take his eyes off Hailey. Hailey was feeling uncomfortable by his strange, distant stare obviously directed at her, but it was almost as if he was staring through her.

  “Skyler!”

  Skyler snapped out of his trance, twitched with surprise, and knocked a pile of blank keycards from the counter. The pile scattered onto the floor by his feet. Both women watched as he fumbled in high speed to pick them up. He straightened with a handful of keycards and hit his head on the marble counter. He clutched his head and dropped the keycards. While attempting to catch the falling plastic cards, he knocked over a container of pens. The pens flew across the desk.

  Cass’s expression never changed. She casually looked at Hailey and offered a reassuring smile. “Clumsiness is a side effect of the gifted--or so he says. I assure you, he’s on top of it.”

  Hailey offered a tiny smile, although she wasn’t convinced, and headed for the elevator. Skyler straightened with a fistful of pens and stared after Hailey, his mouth hanging open and the same fixated look on his face. Cass turned to face him and smacked his arm, startling him.

  “What’s wrong with you?” she demanded.

  Skyler replaced the pens with trembling hands. None wanted to go back into the holder. “Nothing,” he chirped in a pitch higher than normal while avoiding looking at her. “It was nothing.”

  Her eyes suddenly turned demanding. “Don’t start with that psychic crap again,” Cass threatened. “It freaks out the guests and gives me the creeps.”

  Chapter Three

  The beautiful, tropical beach was alive with hotel guests tanning and relaxing in the sun under large umbrellas. Other, more adventurous guests surfed with boogie boards on moderately tame waves. Further out in the water, guests rode the waves on jet skis. Since it was the beginning of off-season, the beach wasn’t nearly as crowded as it was at its busiest and made for a relaxing atmosphere. Maximum capacity for the hotel was one thousand guests, but there were no more than two hundred guests during the slow season. Mel and Hailey walked along the beach carrying their large, fruity drinks with the standard, colorful umbrella straws. Mel had changed into proper beach attire, which included a conservative bikini and sarong. Despite their visit being work related, Hailey was certain Mel intended to make the most of her free time, which would undoubtedly include finding her own bronzed cabana boy. Hailey remained dressed in her business skirt suit, looking out of place among the beach dwellers. Mel was obviously disappointed with her friend’s choice in beachside attire.

  “I wish you’d reconsider lying on the beach with me,” Mel pouted. “I need to work on my tan, and I hate not having someone to talk to.”

  “I’m far too tense for something so relaxing,” Hailey replied. Unlike her friend, Hailey had business matters with which to attend and couldn’t take the rest of the afternoon off. “We’ll worship the sun all afternoon tomorrow, I promise.”

  “I’m holding you to that.”

  Hailey suddenly stopped and stared at the woods’ edge across the beach. There was a trail leading into the forest, which oddly reminded her of the path in her dream on their journey to the island. Mel was talking to her, but she no longer heard her friend. She listened to the sound of her own heart beating as the nightmare returned to her in full horror. She could almost hear the woman’s scream. The sound of a woman’s scream startled Hailey from her daze. A young woman wearing a flashy, tropical bikini bodysurfed out of control on a boogie board and nearly collided with them. Hailey and Mel jumped out of her path just in time to avoid being run down. The young, bikini clad woman, Desi, flipped the board near them, taking more wet sand than ocean into her ample cleavage. She laughed as she dizzily stood and eyed the pair with which she nearly collided.

  “Sorry,” Desi announced cheerfully. “I didn’t mean to nearly wipe out on you. These things have a mind of their own.”

  Mel eyed the short board Desi picked up from the sand. “That looks like fun,” she remarked.

  “Complimentary from the surf shack,” an out of breath Desi announced.

  Two more women also in their early twenties, Amy and Penny, approached them. Amy, a short blonde-haired girl, wore a more conservative tankini swimsuit with a swim skirt, while Penny, a tall auburn-haired beauty, wore a slightly more revealing bikini in hot pink. Hailey wasn’t positive from the front, but she was almost certain Penny was wearing a thong bottom.

  Desi looked at her approaching friends then back to Hailey and Mel. “I’m Desi and these are my friends, Amy and Penny.”

  “Mel and Hailey,” Mel announced, her eyes automatically drawn to Amy’s black rose tattoo creeping out of her bikini top on her left breast. “We just arrived.” She indicated the tattoo. “That’s an interesting tattoo.”

  Amy looked at her tattoo peeking out from her bathing suit then met Mel’s gaze and grinned. “My boyfriend wanted me to get a yellow rose,” she announced then casually indicated the black rose. “After I dumped his sorry ass, I had the artist change it to a black rose.”

  “Acht,” Desi loudly announced and pointed a warning finger, “we’re not discussing ex-boyfriends on this trip. We’re here to have fun and do our own prowling.”

  Amy looked at Hailey and Mel with enthusiasm on her face. “Oh, you have to join us tonight in the lounge,” she chimed in. “After the piano man retires, the old fogies go to bed, and they crank the dance music. It’s a total stud-fest.”

  “Yeah, come out with us tonight,” Desi announced in response. “It’ll be so much fun. Last night, we didn’t get to bed until nearly sunrise.”

  “We’d love to,” Mel quickly replied and clutched Hailey’s arm before she could open her mouth.

  “Great,” Desi announced cheerfully. “We’ll meet you in the lounge around ten.”

  The three women waved and left. Hailey couldn’t resist taking a peek at the back of Penny’s bikini. She’d been correct; she was wearing a thong bottom. Once her curiosity was satisfied, Hailey glanced back at Mel.

  “You know I have that meeting tonight,” Hailey reminded her friend.

  Mel waved her off. “Boss lady always turns in before the witching hour,” she boldly teased. Her look turned serious. “You’re going to have fun this week even if it kills me.”

  †

  It was early evening and not long until Hailey and Lucinda’s scheduled meeting with the all-important Nevin Brody. Hailey stepped out of her suite on the nineteenth floor and entered the brightly lit, elegant corridor. Her floor contained several of the hotel’s finest suites for its most important guests. She was certain Nevin Brody’s suite was somewhere on her floor. She’d never met the man, so she had no idea if she’d even seen him around the hotel. Lucinda’s meeting with the wealthy businessman was extremely important to her and the future of her company. If Lucinda wanted to expand, she needed a wealthy investor, and Nevin Brody was her best bet. Hailey preferred that version
to the rumor going around back at the office. Some speculated Lucinda had overextended her credit and was falling into financial ruin. If that were the case, she certainly didn’t let a little thing like going broke curb her spending. The elevator dinged as the doors opened.

  Lucinda stepped out wearing an expensive, moderately revealing evening dress with a plunging neckline and a slit up her thigh that would have revealed her panties, had she actually been wearing any. She was a beautiful woman even younger women would envy. Her god-awful stone pendant necklace was the only thing keeping her from looking perfect. Hailey didn’t know why she insisted on wearing the thing as if it were the Crown Jewels. Lucinda approached while smiling brightly beyond plump, red lips. Her excessively full lips, particularly in that shade of red lipstick, were always the first thing anyone saw of the barracuda. The second thing they saw was that hideous necklace drawing attention to her awe-inspiring cleavage, which was usually attempting to break free from her plunging neckline. Lucinda gave her a quick once over.

  “My God, you’re not even dressed yet!” Lucinda proclaimed. “Have you considered what you’re going to wear tonight?”

  Hailey hesitated and uncertainly looked over her conservative business skirt suit. She met Lucinda’s gaze with a dumbfounded look but feared to admit she was already dressed for dinner. Lucinda’s smile immediately faded.

  “Oh, really, Hailey!” Lucinda shook her head with disapproval. “You’re not going to the most important business meeting of my life looking like, well, a businesswoman.” She nodded her toward the elevator.

  Hailey was already confused.

  “Come on,” Lucinda commanded. “We’ll find you something suitable to wear in my closet. Lucky for you, I have an entire wardrobe of sexy dresses I keep here.”

  She had to be kidding! Hailey couldn’t even imagine wearing one of Lucinda’s most conservative dresses let alone whatever her boss was thinking of stuffing her within.

  “I really don’t--” Hailey attempted to protest.

  “Have you ever heard of fun, Hailey?” Lucinda asked and raised her perfectly sculpted brow. “It’s what attractive, young women like us enjoy having in our lives. You really need to try it. Show off a little boob.” Lucinda gestured, jiggling invisible boobs with her hands. “Kick your granny panties to the curb.” She grinned deviously. “Try it; you might like it.” Lucinda commanded her to the elevator with a carefully manicured finger. “Upstairs, young lady!”

  Hailey attempted to hold back her groan and obediently headed for the elevator. Lucinda followed after her and grinned mischievously.

  “This is going to be fun,” Lucinda announced as she giggled. “Wait until I introduce you to your cleavage and the joy of going commando. Very liberating--” Her devious smile returned. “--and just a tiny bit breezy.”

  “My underwear are fine just where they are,” Hailey announced firmly as they entered the elevator.

  “Uh, huh,” Lucinda teased then winked at her. “We’ll see about that.”

  As the elevator doors closed, Hailey feared it was going to be a long night. It never dawned on her that she’d have to worry about a female boss trying to get her out of her underwear.

  Chapter Four

  It was nearly six o’clock that evening and guests were spilling into the lobby from their day on the beach or, in some cases, their adventures touring the island’s interior. Skyler stood behind the front desk and watched the last of the guests make their way into the elevators. Most were on their way to change for dinner and evening entertainment in the lounge. Apart from the nightlife in and around the resort, there was little to do on the island itself, since the resort was the only known civilization on the island. Once the lobby cleared, Skyler leaned on the desk and rubbed his temples. The heavy knitting of his brows suggested he had a migraine headache. A sturdy built, rugged looking man in his late thirties, Marcus Sherwood, approached the desk with a mission. Skyler straightened the moment he saw him, but he obviously wasn’t pleased to see the man. Despite his expensive suit, Marcus was far from gentlemanly, and judging by his stern expression, Skyler had reason to react with concern.

  “Skyler,” Marcus demanded in a gruff tone before even reaching the desk. “Why wasn’t I notified when Nevin Brody arrived?”

  Skyler weakly fumbled with an explanation. “I, uh, told Delaney--”

  Marcus obviously wanted none of Skyler’s excuses. He stopped before the desk and stared down the meek man. It was a look most feared from the tough man.

  “Delaney isn’t in charge of security,” he launched back. He pounded the desk with his index finger, never taking his eyes from Skyler’s eyes. “I expect to be kept informed of our VIP guests, especially those traveling with personal attack dogs.”

  “You mean Rafe--”

  “You know damned well I mean Rafe!”

  Skyler appeared scolded, although it seemed to be a normal state for the downtrodden man. He attempted to hold his head up and make direct eye contact with the head of security, but Marcus was far too intimidating. Skyler finally had to look down with shame. The dinging of the elevator stopped the verbal assault, since Marcus wasn’t about to berate the staff in front of guests. Hailey stepped off the elevator wearing a revealing black evening dress in true Lucinda fashion. She was insecure about her exposed cleavage and the high slit up her leg. It was too much skin for a business dinner, but Lucinda refused to listen to such nonsense. Mel entered the lobby from the beach entrance, saw Hailey in the lobby, and stopped to stare. Hailey caught her friend’s stunned look and immediately frowned.

  “Don’t even--” Hailey growled softly.

  Mel suddenly grinned and placed her hand to her mouth to suppress her giggle. She attempted a more serious look as she approached then stopped in front of her and gave her a quick once over.

  “I’m assuming boss lady dressed you for dinner,” Mel teased then ogled her exposed cleavage.

  “What gave that away?” Hailey snarled, lacking her friend’s humor.

  Mel gave her another once over, eyed the healthy slit up her thigh, and couldn’t contain her grin any longer. “Please tell me you’re not going commando as well.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Hailey scoffed and looked away as her cheeks reddened.

  Her friend’s eyes widened and a gasp immediately followed. “Are you wearing one of Lucinda’s thongs?” she softly cried out with surprise.

  Hailey sneered and avoided looking at Mel, hoping the men at the desk hadn’t heard the question. She knew her cheeks were bright red and gave away the answer. Mel burst out laughing.

  “Shut up,” Hailey snarled and headed toward the front desk, nearly stumbling in the high heels she wore.

  Mel obediently followed and took in an eyeful of her from the back. “My God, you’re really rocking that dress.” She giggled. “And no unsightly panty lines.”

  She ignored her former friend and paused before the front desk not far from Marcus. Marcus saw both women and immediately smiled, officially ending his interrogation of Skyler.

  “You must be Ms. Keenan’s new assistant, Miss Aramis,” Marcus announced cheerfully and extended his hand. “I’m Marcus Sherwood, Head of Hotel Security.”

  Despite her feelings of vulnerability in the revealing dress and being sexually assaulted in Lucinda’s barely there thong, she managed a smile and shook his hand.

  “It’s a pleasure, Marcus.”

  His ruggedness aside, she found Marcus oddly attractive, and he smelled exceptionally nice with just the right amount of expensive cologne. Beyond his suit, she could tell he was built sturdy and tough. She didn’t doubt his arms were made of steel. His handshake was firm, possibly too firm for greeting a woman, but she couldn’t deny he was intimidating with the way his look pierced into her eyes. His smile conveyed there was more beyond that ordinary smile. She felt as if he were attempting to read her thoughts with the way he stared at her.

  “If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call me,�
� he announced.

  Marcus gave both women a polite nod then left. If nothing else, he had been polite enough not to stare at her cleavage. Of course, with the amount of time he’d spent in Lucinda’s company, he was probably immune to breasts thrust in his face. Hailey shifted her attention to Skyler while attempting to ignore her physical discomfort. Skyler’s eyes were locked on her with a similar expression from their earlier arrival. There was something unusual about the way he stared at her. She couldn’t quite describe it. Hailey felt uncomfortable by the way he stared, but for some odd reason, she didn’t feel he meant any real harm.

  She gently cleared her throat and shifted slightly. “Did that letter arrive for Ms. Keenan?”

  Skyler suddenly snapped to attention and began a frantic search of the desk. “Oh, I was supposed to notify you,” Skyler fumbled and rummaged quickly through papers and envelopes. “I’m terribly sorry. It’s--” Everything scattered from his trembling hands. “It’s, uh, it’s here--somewhere.”

  Skyler dumped the penholder again and subconsciously placed his hand to his temple in response. He couldn’t seem to touch anything without knocking it over. Hailey watched him practically destroy the desk while frantically searching it. She almost felt sorry for him. Mel simply rolled her eyes and walked away from the desk.

  “Skyler--” Hailey announced.

  Skyler immediately froze and stared into her eyes, almost as if obediently commanded by her voice.

  “It’s okay, really,” she announced gently in an attempt to calm him before he gave himself a stroke.