Gainer: Jagged Edge Series #6 (Jagged Edge, Alpha-Male, Romance)

by A. L Long

  While I was sipping my water, Emma emerged from the bathroom and headed to her locker. Sauntering slowly towards her without a care, I stood just opposite of the locker so I could at least get a good look inside. From what I could see there wasn’t much of anything inside: A couple of aprons, a pair of white tennis shoes, a brush, and some girly lotions and things. Convinced that there was nothing out of the ordinary inside, I downed the rest of my water and walked over to the small trash can beside the water machine to dispose of it. I felt better knowing that at least Emma was in the clear. Just like Delores had said, she was the model employee.

  Hearing the back door to the hotel open, just the woman I needed to see stepped through. As she entered her office, I followed close behind, making sure to close the door behind me. The last thing I needed was for Emma to know what I was up too. Delores was behind her desk getting herself settled in while I was making myself comfortable in the chair in front of her desk. Before I got the chance to sit, her voice rang with annoyance. “Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Gainer? I have a very busy day today.”

  Clearing my throat, I said with authority, “Matter of fact, there is. I need to search all of the employee lockers and I need you to tell them it is mandatory that they be checked.”

  “I can’t do that, Mr. Gainer. The random check on the lockers has already been done,” she sneered.

  “Well, you will need to let them know that because of the incident in the suite, it will need to be done again. I’m sure your employees will understand.”

  “I hope you know what you are asking, because unhappy employees are unproductive ones.”

  I could tell by Delores’s demeanor, she was not very happy with my request. At least she was on board with what needed to be done. One thing I was grateful for was that she didn’t ask why.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Emma

  The minute I walked through the hotel door and saw Lou standing at the check-in desk, my chest got tight. Just the sight of him standing there had me all undone. The only thing I could do was pretend that the effect he was having on me was nothing. I found it very difficult to control the party that was going on between my legs. It was a sensation that I had never experienced before, at least not with any other man.

  Meeting him in the middle of the lobby, he looked even more perfect the closer he got. The blue of his v-neck t-shirt made his eyes seem a deeper, richer gray, accentuating the dark blonde of his lashes. He was the perfect specimen of a man if ever there was one. Catching myself gawking at him, I didn’t realize how mesmerized I was by his features until I handed him my bag.

  When we entered the employee lounge, the only thing I wanted to do was get to the bathroom. I needed to compose myself and the only private place to do that away from Lou was in the bathroom. Locking the door, I headed to the sink to splash some water on my face. If I could see how flushed my cheeks were, there was no doubt that Lou could see it too. Taking deep breaths one right after the other, I calmed my body before I made my way back to the lounge area.

  No sooner than I got to my locker, Lou was right there. All the calming techniques I did in the bathroom were a complete waste. With him so close to me, my body began to tingle all over again and I knew that in a matter of minutes my panties would be soaked. I couldn’t have been happier or more disappointed when I heard the back door open and found that Delores had entered. Even though the tingling between my legs was subsiding, I missed the sensation it gave me.

  Going about my daily duties to clear my mind of Lou, I made sure that my maid’s cart was fully stocked before heading to the service elevator to begin my day. When I got to the twentieth floor, I could see that Courtney was already starting her day. Pushing my cart to the first room I was scheduled to clean, I decided to pop in the room she was cleaning to give her a quick “Hello.”

  Finding her in the bathroom, I knocked lightly on the door and waited for her to turn around. The last thing I wanted was to scare her. When she turned my way, I waved my hand and said, “Hey, you.”

  “Hey,” she replied with a smile before turning her body completely. “I was just finishing up. Do you want to share cleaning rooms today? It would make the time fly faster.”

  “I’m there, hun,” I said, turning to leave.

  “Emma,” I heard Courtney say behind me. “Me and a couple of the other girls are going out tonight for a couple of drinks. I would like you to come.”

  “I don’t know, Courtney. I’m not much of an outer.”

  “Come on, Emma. It will be fun. We are all going to meet back here around eight.”

  “I’ll think about it.” Heading out the door, I gave her another quick wave good-bye.

  I couldn’t remember the last time I had been out. Come to think of it, I had never been out. I don’t even think I had ever tasted alcohol. My life had to be the most boring life ever. Maybe it was time that I stepped it up a little and got out more. I had been so worried about making sure my mom was taken care of that I didn’t even realize the things that I was missing out on. It was only yesterday that I had been kissed for the first time by a man.

  ~****~

  Maybe I shouldn’t have agreed to share cleaning the rooms with Courtney. The only thing she was able to talk about was how fun it was going to be tonight and I had better go. Having enough, I finally gave in and told her that I would go. I don’t know what I was thinking. I didn’t even have anything suitable to wear. I guessed I could spend a few dollars on a new outfit.

  Gathering my things from my locker, it dawned on me that I hadn’t run into Lou all day. The only thing I could think of as to why, was because he got called away on another job, or he was where I wasn’t. After all, there were forty-six floors to this hotel, and he could have been on any one of them.

  Knowing that I needed to hurry so that I would have enough time to shop for something nice to wear for the girl’s night out, as Courtney called it, I quickly changed out of my uniform into something comfortable, grabbed a few bills, and left my room fifteen minutes later. As I headed down Central Park West, I decided to treat myself by going to one of the higher-priced shops. Since this was my first night out, I wanted to look good, and the only way to do that was to shop at a boutique instead of the second-hand store where I normally went.

  Two hours later, I was back at the motel carrying three bags filled with a couple of outfits, two new pairs of shoes, and a few extra essentials. If I wanted to look good, I needed to feel good about myself as well. This meant that I was going to give myself a total makeover. Placing my bags on the bed. I went to the bathroom to fill the tub full of water and add some of the bath oil I had purchased. Removing my clothes, I looked at myself in the mirror, taking hold of my hair to decide whether or not putting it up would be an option for me. Holding my hair on top of my head, I decided that the best ‘do’ for me would be to leave it down. In the meantime, I grabbed my hair tie and pulled it back to keep it from getting wet from the tub water.

  Slipping into the warmth of the water, I could already feel the bath oils beginning to work on my body. I was glad that I chose to go with the cherry vanilla scent. The aroma from the combined scents filled the small room like I was outside smelling the cherry blossoms in the wind.

  I could have remained in the tub for another hour, but I knew that if I wanted to look my best, it was going to take some work, and I was going to need the additional time to get it done. Grabbing a towel, I stepped out of the tub and wrapped it tightly around my body. While my body was still wrapped in the towel, I headed to the bed where I had left the vanilla-scented body cream. There wasn’t one inch of my body that wasn’t covered with this amazing scent. The lady at the make-up counter said that this body cream was the best cream on the market and it would make my skin soft and smooth.

  After my body was covered thoroughly with the scented cream, I grabbed the few items I would need to begin my total makeover. Placing the items on the bathroom counter, I took a quick look at my face in
the mirror and decided this was going to need the most help. Applying my makeup as best I could, I stepped back from the mirror and had to admit that I looked good. Matter of fact, I looked really good. It was amazing what a little eye shadow and lipstick could do to a woman’s face.

  Finishing the final touches on my hair, the only thing left for me to do was to get dressed. Pulling the deep purple dress that I had purchased from the bag, I carefully stepped into it and began working it up my body. The dress itself was a form-fitting one that gathered from the middle thigh all the way to the neckline. The bottom of the dress below the thigh was left in a frilly skirt that opened up as I made a circle. I didn’t know that much about dresses, but the sales clerk at the boutique said it accentuated all of my curves. Whatever that meant.

  Being that I had never worn heels before, the sales clerk suggested that I begin with a lower heel until I got used to walking in them. Deciding on a pair of black sateen sling backs with a small velvet bow, I slipped them onto my feet to finish my ensemble. Looking in the mirror as best I could to get the full picture of myself, I couldn’t believe that I was standing before it. I looked more like a woman you would see in a fancy magazine than a woman who was a maid at a fancy hotel.

  It was close to eight o’clock and if I wanted to be on time, I knew I had better get going. Pulling the list of services from the hotel’s brochure, I found the number to the local taxi service and dialed the number. I could have walked to the hotel, but feeling a little bit wobbly in my new shoes, I didn’t want to chance falling on my ass. When I hung up with the taxi service, I grabbed the little clutch that was a “must have” according to the sales clerk at the boutique and filled it with my compact for touch-ups, lipstick, my ID, and a few of the smaller bills I had left. Making sure the door to my room was locked, I attempted to walk in a ladylike manner. Trying my best to walk down the steps, I finally made it to the bottom without incident. I was finding that the more I walked the easier it became.

  The taxi driver was already waiting for me in the motel parking lot. As soon as he saw me, he quickly got out from behind the wheel and rounded the front of the car and opened the back door for me. That was definitely a first. Never had a taxi driver given two shits about opening the door for me. Smiling up to him, I slid inside and said, “Thank you,” on the way in.

  I didn’t know what was going on with me, but all of a sudden, I started feeling butterflies in my stomach. There was no reason for me to feel this way. It must have been the excitement of going out for the first time. It might even have been because none of the other girls had ever seen me made up like this and my nerves were beginning to have a heyday.

  When we reached the hotel, I pulled out a ten-dollar bill to give to the driver, only he was out and ready to open my door before he could take it. With his hand held out, my only option was to allow him to assist me out of the car. I knew then if he so much as kissed it, he would have four boney knuckles up his nose. Fortunately for him, he forfeited the opportunity.

  Paying him where he stood, I waited until he pulled away from the curb before I headed inside the Park Lane Hotel. The last thing I wanted was to have him assist me inside. With confidence, I began walking to the front door of the hotel. Opening the door, Courtney and three other maids that worked at the hotel were lounging in the seating area closest to the reservations desk. One of the girls I recognized as Heather, but the other two with Courtney were girls I hadn’t seen before.

  As I got closer to them, I waved and greeted them, saying, “Hi.”

  “Emma,” Courtney began as she hugged me, “I’m so glad you’re here. I was worried that you wouldn’t come.” Turning to the other girls she began introducing them one by one. “I think you already know Heather. Kate and Melissa, this is Emma.”

  “Nice to meet you, Emma,” Kate said.

  “Same here, Emma. Are you ready to have some fun?” Melissa said, shaking her hips in some sort of weird dance move.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be,” I answered with a half-smile.

  “You look terrific, by the way,” Courtney chimed in.

  “Thanks,” I replied, tugging the hem of my dress.

  As we all headed out of the hotel, Courtney mentioned that the place we were going to go wasn’t far and that it would be better if we walked. Not wanting to seem like a fifth wheel, which technically I was, I fell behind the other girls and concentrated on walking in my heels. Turning down the block, I was glad to see that Courtney stopped and looked up at the marquee above the door that read ‘Surge’ and said, “This is it, girls. Let the fun begin.

  The inside of the place was dark, with a ceiling glittering with tiny white and blue lights. There was a gentleman standing just inside the door asking everyone who entered for their ID’s. As I handed him mine, he looked down at me with a smile and said, “Enjoy your evening, gorgeous,” before giving my ID back to me. I had never been called gorgeous before, so you could only imagine how red my face felt when Courtney and the other girls began giggling at his comment.

  Heading further inside, Courtney was the first one at the bar, ordering five of something called “Red Headed Slut.” I had no idea what it was, but when the bartender placed them in front of us as we lined up at the bar, they did have a really pretty color.

  “One, Two, Three, down the hatch, bitches,” Courtney yelled.

  Watching the girls tip their heads back, I took note and did the same. As the concoction slid down my throat, I had to admit that it tasted pretty good. Good enough to have another. Ordering another round, I found out that Fridays were Ladies’ Night here and all the shots were two for one. I was very much enjoying this thing called Ladies’ Night. Placing our glasses on the bar, everyone followed Courtney to a high-top table large enough to seat five. As we each took our seats a waiter came by and another round of “Red Headed Sluts” were ordered.

  It had been a long time since I had this much fun. Courtney was the life of the party. I didn’t realize how funny she actually was. While we were sitting at our table, she was making funny comments about all the guys that came to our table to ask us to dance. Heather and Kate ended up dancing with two of the guys, while Courtney and Melissa preferred to dance with each other. I caught myself swaying to the music as I sat on my chair. Getting into the groove, I felt a light tap on my shoulder. Turning slightly to see who it was, I was surprised to see TJ standing behind me. He had a big smile on his face. I had never been so glad to see anyone. Standing to my feet, I felt the room begin to spin. I guess that last shot wasn’t such a good idea. Thankfully, TJ was there to steady me.

  When my head finally quit spinning like a merry-go-round, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and slurred, “Hey, stranger. Long time no see.”

  “Emma, how much have you had to drink?” he asked, holding me upright.

  “Just a few,” I giggled, tipping my head back before saying, “Let’s dance.”

  Grabbing TJ by the hand, I dragged him to the dance floor. I wasn’t sure how I managed to make it there, but I did. There were so many people bumping into me as I began to dance that it was a surprise that I didn’t fall right over. A couple of times I could feel TJ’s arms wrap around my waist, moving my hips from side to side as he danced with me. Turning to face him, the music began to slow and he pulled me closer to his body. I rested my head on his shoulder and moved my body in sync with his. Even though I had never danced before, I felt comfortable with TJ. His moves were so smooth and slow that it was very easy to follow him. Lifting my head, I looked up to him and confessed, “I love the way you dance.”

  I wasn’t sure what the connection between us was, but TJ lowered his head and before I could object, his lips were on mine. My head was spinning as his tongue slowly began working its way inside my mouth. Under normal circumstances, I would have been able to resist what was taking place, but the mixture of alcohol and the fact that I felt comfortable with TJ took the last bit of resistance I had.

  The moment was soon taken aw
ay when our connection was broken. Opening my eyes, what seemed like a heat of the moment kind of thing just turned into something much worse. Guilt began to settle in as I watched Lou grab TJ by the neck and literally drag him off the dance floor. Standing, completely dumbfounded, I was finally able to move as I began following Lou and TJ to back of the bar. When Lou pushed open the back door, I knew that I needed to get to them as soon as possible before something very bad happened.

  Doing the best I could, I tried pulling Lou off of TJ, but it was no use. He was at least twice my size and ten times stronger than me. As loud as I could, I yelled, “Lou, please let him go. It didn’t mean anything. He is only a friend.”

  Lou released him and focused his thoughts on my words. Just as he turned my way, TJ took off like a rocket down the alley. My only guess was that it was a primal instinct for him to take off after living on the streets for so long. At that moment, all I wanted to do was punch Lou in the face for going off the way he did on TJ.

  “What the hell were you thinking, Emma?” Lou demanded as his hands come up and wrapped around my upper arms.