“Son of a bitch,” Monroe clamored, stepping backward and watching in disbelief as his seven-thousand-dollar suit dripped with someone’s discarded meal.
“Mr. Redson,” Buckley screeched as though open flames were covering his clothes and not cold leftover tomato soup. With the damage to his suit, it might as well have been. “I am so very sorry.” He snatched a handkerchief from the pocket of the fool who’d caused all this and began wiping at Monroe’s chest. “We’ll get this dry cleaned immediately sir. Let me take you to get changed so we can collect these clothes.”
“What should I change into?” Monroe snapped. “My suitcase is gone.”
“Get something,” Buckley ordered, shoving the clumsy man away. “Anything. Just get it immediately before the stains set.”
The man ran off as though he were in the last leg of a marathon. Monroe had pushed Buckley’s hand away from his shirt and stood in a puddle of dishes and silverware as everyone in the lobby looked on.
The shaking hands of the clumsy waiter held crumpled clothes as he slid back in front of them. “This was all I could get.”
“Come,” Buckley said, tugging Monroe along by his rigid elbow. “There’s a restroom here. Please change, and we’ll work on your suit right away.”
Monroe was practically shoved through the door of a bathroom with the pile of clothes in his hands.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he groaned as he slipped into the white staff uniform that had a name tag still stuck on it. “Stephon,” he laughed, reading the name. This day couldn’t get any worse.
“I am so sorry again,” Buckley said, practically kneeling as he grabbed the stained suit from Monroe’s hands. “Please forgive my staff. That boy was a clumsy foolish idiot, and I can assure you he will be reprimanded.”
“It was me,” Monroe admitted, reluctantly handing his suit over. “I wasn’t paying attention, and I crashed right into him.” It wasn’t always in Monroe’s nature to claim responsibility for something that might end up costing him money. The odds they could get that suit cleaned were slim to none. But the kid couldn’t be more than twenty years old, and the way his lip was quivering Monroe could tell he was riddled with fear.
“That’s very generous of you to say, Mr. Redson,” Buckley said, dipping his head and trying to lead Monroe toward the elevator. “Here is your room key. You’re on the top floor. No room number; there is only a symbol on your door that matches this key card.”
Monroe took the key and watched Buckley walk away as a cleaning crew scurried by toward the enormous mess in the lobby. This trip had been one misstep after another, and if Asher didn’t call him back soon, he’d call the whole deal off.
He reached the top floor and winced at the itchy polyester staff uniform that was choking his neck.
“Hey,” a woman called from an open door of one of the rooms as he passed. “Hey, I need a hand in here.”
She was dressed in what must be the female version of the same kind of white uniform he was itching to get out of. The only difference was she filled it out perfectly. Her thick hips and slim waist drew his eye immediately.
She was just a flash in the door, and he thought he ought to keep moving toward his room. He didn’t need any more drama. But the rich scent of her perfume lingered near him and he felt a need to get closer.
“I’m not a housekeeper,” he called into the room as he made a move to eye her more closely. He’d been right. She was worth stopping for. Her skin was smooth and richly tanned. The top two buttons of her uniform were undone just enough to catch a glimpse and know he wanted more. Her plump lips were pursed together and turned down with annoyance. That was part of the allure. She didn’t seem impressed with him at all. Some women could spot an expensive suit and a diamond rimmed watch from across a room and instantly they’d turn on their charm. This woman was giving him the cold shoulder, and for some reason it was making him hot.
“Yeah me either,” she snapped back. “But the owners of Carle De BLAH don’t really care what job you were hired for. They want us all working like dogs, day and night, and pretending we love it. You must be new here if you don’t know that. I’m Aria.” She moved and talked quickly as she continued her work.
“I . . . uh, I’m Monroe.” He nearly launched into an explanation about his ruined suit as he breached the doorway. But the sight of her bent by an overturned couch made his heart thud. Her toned calf muscles flexed as she tried to turn the couch the right way, but failed. Letting out a groan she nibbled in frustration at her lip, and he couldn’t help but smile. Damn she was sexy, and she wasn’t even trying.
“Hang on,” he said, racing over and flipping the furniture right side up in one fluid move. Startled, she stumbled back a bit, and he steadied her against his arm. “Whoa, easy. You all right?”
“Yes” she replied, using one hand to pat her hair back into place. “I didn’t know you were going to go all monster man on the couch.” Her other hand lingered on his bicep and he could tell for the first time she was actually looking at him. Drinking him in the way he’d been doing to her.
“When there’s a job to be done,” Monroe began playfully, flexing his muscles. Abruptly, she pulled away and cleared her throat nervously.
“You’re way too optimistic to be anything besides a newbie. That smile doesn’t last. You’re still riding the high of believing everything they told you when you took the job.”
“Just got here today,” Monroe explained, curious to know more of what she had to say. It wasn’t like he was intentionally lying to this girl. He just wasn’t going out of his way to correct her. Monroe was a pro at getting information out of people. It’s how he’d heard about this deal in the first place. But getting down to this level, the real gritty stuff, usually cost him time and money. He never ventured into a deal without finding what they tried to hide behind the curtain, no matter how much it cost. This beautiful woman was giving it away for free. He wondered for a moment, flashing his sultry smile, what else she might be willing to give him. The deal went out of his mind for a moment as he imagined what he could do to her on this couch he’d just flipped back over.
“You’ll hate it,” she said flatly, interrupting his fantasy, as she moved through the room and righted anything else that had been upended. “We all do. Some take longer than others to realize what’s going on. But once you do, it’ll be too late.”
“Because the guests are pigs?” Monroe asked, tossing the pillows back onto the couch and assessing the rest of the damage. “Was there some kind of rock and roll band staying here?”
“This is nothing,” she scoffed waving around the room at some of the biggest messes. “This isn’t even the worst I’ve seen this week. But the guests aren’t nearly as bad as the management here. People go on vacation, especially people who can afford to come here, they’re going to leave us a mess. I’m used to that. But the treatment we get from the company, that’s not something you get used to. I hate to be the one to break it to you. I don’t like to run around here bursting everyone’s bubble. But you might as well find out now. This place is a trap, and they caught you in it.”
“Mr. Redson,” Buckley said sharply as he peeked his head into the open door. “I came to make sure you made it to your room all right.” Buckley’s slicked back hair was spiking up, clearly his running around had him disheveled. The look of sheer distain he gave Aria created a pit of anger in Monroe’s stomach. She’d done nothing wrong, but judging by Buckley’s expression she’d be in for it once they were alone. That was unless Monroe could intervene.
“I just passed by and this lovely woman caught my attention,” Monroe said, straightening his back as he gestured toward Aria. “She’s quite interesting.”
“You’re a guest,” Aria gasped quietly, her face burning with molten hot embarrassment. “I . . . um, he seemed lost.” The way her voice cracked and stuttered made Monroe suspicious. It was one thing to be a nervous employee concerned about what your boss might think, but t
he expression on her face made him wonder if this was something more.
“I was pissed about the accident downstairs,” Monroe cut in, stepping between Buckley’s angry glare and Aria. “I was turned around up here. Aria just offered to show me to my room.”
“I’m happy to do so,” Buckley said, gesturing for Monroe to follow him. “You’ve been through quite enough today without the help causing you more trouble.”
“I’d like to continue my conversation with Aria,” Monroe said, not budging. “She can show me where my room is. Then I’d like to finish our chat.” The idea of her joining him in his room sent blood coursing through his body a little quicker. The stress of this deal was boiling over and she looked like the perfect way to unwind. Not to mention, this Buckley guy was bugging the hell out of him. Showing him up would be the icing on the cake.
“I have to clean up in here,” Aria countered, her cheeks flushing, and her blue eyes dancing wildly. Monroe took pleasure in knocking her off her feet. She’d been so confident a moment ago and now she looked ready to bolt.
Buckley ground his teeth together and raised one of his caterpillar-like brows at her. It was as if he couldn’t figure out what to be mad at her about, but he just knew he was. “You’ll do as you’re told. Escort Mr. Redson to the presidential suite and stay until he dismisses you.”
“Yes, Mr. Waygo,” Aria replied obediently as she put the vase in her hand back in its place and followed Monroe out of the room. “Right this way,” she said in whisper as she gestured down the hall to his room.
He swiped the key card in front of the door and when the lights flashed green pushed it open. He nearly laughed at the sight of Aria standing in the doorway, gulping nervously and fidgeting.
“I’d like to hear more of what you have to say about this place,” Monroe reminded her as he stood waiting for her to enter. “You sounded like you had a good story to tell.”
“I am so sorry,” she said, dipping her head down in shame. “I had no idea you were a guest here. You are wearing a uniform. There was no way for me to know. Please, if you can find it in your heart, forget what I said and let me be on my way.” Her hands clasped together as she pleaded. Groveling was not sexy. A pit formed in his stomach as he looked at the pitiful way she was having to beg.
“I’m in a uniform because someone in the lobby ruined my suit. It wasn’t a trick or part of any bigger plan. I have no intention of getting you in any trouble. I have personal reasons for wanting to hear more of what you have to say. Information is powerful and I need to know what you were talking about. Please come in.”
“You want me to go in there with you?” she asked, now a completely new look washing over her face. It wasn’t her job she was worried about; it was her safety. Who was he to demand that she come in his room? He considered relenting and offering her a meeting in a public place but part of what he was looking for was the privacy for her to speak freely. Buckley would surely be prowling around being nosey as hell wherever they went.
“Strictly professional,” he repeated, trying to show how earnest he was. “Clearly you were being completely honest in your assessment of the current management. That’s of interest to me.”
“I’m a nobody; why would you believe what I have to say about this place? Maybe I’m a disgruntled employee with a bad attitude. I think you just want me in your room.” She kept her eyes fixed on his face as she challenged him to reply.
“I don’t trick women into coming into my room. So I can tell you that I do believe you. At first I wasn’t sure,” Monroe admitted with a wry smile. “That is until your boss sent you to my room. As a matter of fact, it sounded more like an order. You’re to stay here until I—what did he say?”
“Dismiss,” she said, swallowing hard. “I’m to stay until you dismiss me.” The look of defeat and disgust on her face was another punch to his gut. He’d rather be punching Buckley in the face for making her feel this way.
“You asked why I believe you.” Monroe shrugged coolly and gestured one more time, inviting her in. “I believe you because he just gave you to me like you were a Christmas ham. So that lent plenty of merit to what you had to say. I’d like to hear the rest. I’m not going to hurt you.”
She gritted her teeth and looked over her shoulder down the hallway where Buckley would surely be pacing around. “Fine.” She gave in with a helpless shrug. “But I’m not waiting to be dismissed. If I want to leave, I’m leaving.”
“By all means, sweetheart.” Monroe grinned widely. “But most women fight to get into my hotel room. You’re luckier than most.”
“Lesson number one,” Aria said, sauntering in with the sass he’d seen when she’d first called out to him in the hallway. “I am not like most women.”
Chapter 2
Aria was the first to admit her big mouth had gotten her into plenty of trouble over the years. It was in fact what landed her in this job in the first place. But today might be a new record. Bitching openly about her job to a guest at the resort was grounds for immediate reprimanding. Something that would completely ruin her.
Now as she stood in his hotel room, the man who could easily get her punished was looking at her with blazing green eyes, full of expectation. He’d been arrogant, demanding, and dismissive. But she couldn’t ignore the fact that he also happened to be well-built, powerful and gorgeous. She’d noticed it when he joined her the first time to flip the couch over but had written it off as just another sap who’d been pulled into a job he didn’t realize would be hell on earth. Sure he was good looking and must work out a ton, but she didn’t have time for any kind of nonsense.
Now the tables had turned. He was a man who had the means to secure himself the presidential suite. His steely glances weren’t some misplaced confidence he hadn’t earned. It was likely that he was a successful rich man who now wanted to play some kind of game with her. She’d be a toy he’d use up and throw away as it pleased him. If nothing else this job had made her keenly aware of how people with money saw someone like her. If they bothered to look at all.
Even knowing the chasm between their circumstances, it was impossible to ignore the draw she felt toward him. When her hand rested on his bicep after he flipped that couch, she could feel the tightness of his muscle against her skin. She buzzed with the idea of slamming that door shut and making use of the couch he’d turned right side up. If he could move furniture that effortlessly, just think what he could do to her.
Shaking off the images she tried to focus back on the problem at hand. Her job, her future, was in the balance and he was the one with the control. Aria would have to forget the tingling pulsing through her body and deal with the risk he truly posed.
“So tell me more,” he said as he made his way over to the wide selection of Scotch and poured some into the glasses she’d regularly had to replace. She’d been in this room plenty of times but never with a guest. Never with a man she couldn’t stop drinking in and picturing in very compromising ways. Would he strip her down by the piano? Would they linger in the enormous walk in shower? Her thoughts derailed as he kept ruining things by speaking. “How long have you been working here?”
“What’s your angle?” she asked, eyeing him skeptically. “How do I know this isn’t going to come back to bite me? This is my life we’re talking about.”
“I give you my word,” Monroe said, raising his fingers up, implying Scout’s Honor was somehow binding. He smirked when she rolled her eyes. Damn he had that smirk down perfectly. Women must have been lining up to fall for his very convincing act.
“I’ll need a little more than that,” she scoffed, fighting to keep her cheeks from burning red every time their eyes met. “I don’t know you, but you’re expecting me to unearth something much bigger than me and my job. I’m not ready for that. I want to see more of who you are first. The real you. Not these cute little smirks and sly remarks.”
“Should I start stripping?” Monroe asked, his fingers wrestling with the top button of th
e uniform shirt. “This uniform is like sandpaper. I’ll be happy to get out of it and show you all of me if that helps.”
Her mouth went dry at the thought of him shedding all of his clothes. Mustering a rebuttal, she tipped her chin back confidently. “You’ve seen one you’ve seen them all,” Aria dismissed, pretending to be unimpressed by the width of his shoulders and the way his biceps fought against the snug uniform shirt. “I’m a very good judge of character. If I spend enough time around you, I’ll know if I can trust you.”
“I’m pretty good at my job too, and while you seem to be the easiest route to get what I need, you certainly aren’t the only one.” His arms were folded across his chest now, and a smug smile crept over his lips. As much as she wished this had never happened, she wasn’t entirely ready to walk out of here either. Being with him in here made her feel almost human again. Nearly worthy of the conversation they were having.
“Fair enough.” Aria shrugged, making her way out, praying he’d stop her. “I’d like to say it was nice meeting you, but I think lying is an awful habit.”
Aria had ignored plenty of lessons in her life. She’d turned her nose up to good advice. One thing she’d learned: nothing was more enticing to a man than the woman who left him. The one who got away had an allure that couldn’t be ignored. All she had to hang on to was the hope that would ring true in this moment.
“Really?” Monroe asked, a shocked urgency in his voice as she passed. “You have no idea who I am or what you might be walking away from.”
“Or what I might be walking into,” she countered, glad to be the one wearing the smug grin now. “You’re making my point. I have this process for figuring people out. It’s foolproof. I’ve been tricked, lied to, and taken advantage of. I found a way to identify who is most likely to do that to me again. But it’s not something I can do on the spot.”
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