“Gisele Kelley,” I introduce myself with a friendly smile.
“Glad to have you as a part of our team, Gisele. I remember talking with you on the phone. How’s your accommodation?”
“It’s perfect.” I beam, feeling fortunate. “Thank you for organizing it for me.”
“Have you met Mae and Paisley yet?”
“Yes, Mae’s a godsend. And Paisley…” I attempt to put into words what I saw this morning.
“Paisley will keep you on your toes, but she has a heart of gold. The best two friends a girl could hope for,” Emerson assures me with a knowing smile.
“You sound like you know it firsthand.”
“I do. Mae and I went all through school together, and until last week, I was living with them. When you said you were willing to come in from out of town but just needed a place to stay, I moved into the townhouse next door.”
I feel guilty because I didn't realize she had to move out for me to stay there. “That’s so kind of you. I feel bad kicking you out.”
“No trouble at all, sugar. The other place is mine as well, and it was vacant, but it’s hardly fit to live in. I’ll spruce it up while I’m staying there. Just gotta warn you, though, you’ll have to put up with me crashing in on your bathroom. Still got no hot water.” She laughs.
“Anytime.” I laugh too, appreciating her easygoing attitude. I like her already. She’s making me feel at ease.
“I’ll start our orientation shortly,” she tells me, taking my hand and giving it a squeeze with a genuine smile before heading toward some new people who have arrived and started mingling in the doorway.
I watch as a crowd of about twenty forms, and we’re instructed to take seats so we can start. I find a seat in the first row, wanting to come across as keen, and wait. Emerson takes the stage and introduces herself. She talks about The Alexander passionately, going through company policies and explaining, after a briefrecess for some morning tea and coffee, that we will break off into our separate departments to begin training.
A man joins her on the stage, apologizing for his tardiness. And when I realize I’ve seen his handsome face before, I nearly fall off my seat. He introduces himself as Brody Alexander. My Brody from New York. My heart kicks up a notch. He looks different, freshly shaven, but still just as gorgeous as I remember from that perfect night. He must be Emerson’s brother. And this is the family business he was working on back home.
My palms grow increasingly sweaty as I start to panic. I sink down in my chair and drop my head as he engages the crowd, his voice deep, commanding, and sexy as hell. I remember that voice and the dirty things he said to me. My insides clench, a flutter going right through my whole body. I thought I would never see him again. What are the chances the job I apply for is in his hotel?
I watch him move around the stage and share his vision for his family business with us all. He exudes confidence and demands respect. He’s impressive to watch, impressive and scary, because I know as soon as he works out who I am, this is going to get awkward as hell. Luckily, he hasn’t noticed me yet. I still have time to escape. My face warms to the point where I can feel a slow throb of heat coming off me as panic well and truly takes over.
I came here to start a new life where no one knew who I was. But the guy in front of me knows me, intimately, and he’s the person running this hotel.
Emerson announces recess, and I consider running for it, just leaving and never coming back. It couldn’t be that hard to find another job here in Deception Bay, could it? Going home is not an option after the fight I had with my father about being able to do this alone. But I can’t work for Brody, not after what we did. I get an image of us, him and that massive cock, me on my kneesbefore him, sucking him off. Oh, and him spreading my legs as he tasted me. I suck in a deep breath, trying to clear my head. Jesus. I was so open with him, more uninhibited than I have ever been. I did things I wouldn’t normally do, thinking I would never see him again.
Before I have a full-blown panic attack, I slip from my seat and make my way toward the door at the back of the room, hoping no one even notices me. I need to get out of here before he spots me.
“Miss Kelley.” I hear my name being called and wince, stopping in my tracks, turning to find Emerson chasing me down. She stops right in front of me. “Are you okay, Gisele?” she asks, almost out of breath.
I fake a smile. “Yes, I was just going to get some fresh air. I’m not used to the heat. Us New York girls.” I laugh, fanning my face, trying to cover up the fact I was about to make a run for it because her brother and I had a little too much fun together not so long ago, and I can’t face him. Not something I want to share with her.
“It is warm today. I’m sure you will adjust before long. Come on, I have someone I’m dying for you to meet.”
I accompany her while she leads me toward him, fully aware that she doesn't genuinely desire for us to meet. Not if she knew what we had been up to just last month. My heart is pounding in panic. I'm at a loss on what to do; I can't avoid him. I've fantasized about this guy countless times over the past month, and it's surreal to have him right here in the same room as me. Part of me had almost thought I made him up. But nope. He’s just as good as I remembered, if not better, dressed in navy suit pants and a crisp white shirt that stretches over his muscular arms. I swallow hard, knowing exactly what’s under that shirt—thick hard muscles. And then my eyes drop to his crotch. Oh my God, what’s wrong with me. I snap them back up to his face.
Brody is talking to a couple of young guys, his face serious. But that doesn’t seem to bother Emerson. “Brody. This is the girl I was telling you about for the event-coordinator position. Miss Gisele Kelley.” She presents me proudly like a prized pooch, and I want to run even more than I did five minutes ago.
Brody glances over to us, and for the first time, I see him register who is standing in front of him. He looks me over like he’s just seen a ghost, his tan skin paling. And I know exactly how he feels. It was an amazing night we shared, but I never expected to see him again. I was never supposed to, that was the whole point. Like a robot running on autopilot, he holds out a hand. “Miss Kelley, did you say? Pleasure to meet you,” he says coldly like he is meeting me for the first time.
I firmly shake back, trying to ignore the electricity our skin touching produces. I continue smiling, all teeth. I’m sure it’s getting to the point of freaky now. “Yes. That’s right,” I say with more confidence than I feel, looking back at him, slightly confused by his coldness. I guess I get it, he wants to pretend he doesn’t know me as well. Or maybe he just has so many one-night stands he really doesn’t remember me a month later. I’m not sure what option is worse.
I glance over to Emerson, wondering why she said I was the new event coordinator. I distinctly remember telling her I was starting in front of house. “I think you must have misunderstood me earlier, I’m not here for the event-coordinator job. I’m starting in front of house today.”
She takes my hand, smiling at me. “I heard you correctly, darlin’. But events is my baby, and I can’t leave it with just anyone. I want you. With your background in theater, I think we could work together really well. What do you say?” She raises a brow as if waiting for my opinion. I can see her excitement, and I don’t want to let her down, but I’m confused, and it doesn’t help that my real-life fantasy is standing in front of me.
“M-my background,” I stutter out.
“It’s a better job on a higher pay scale,” she goes on with a warm smile. “And I know you would be perfect for it.” She turns to her brother, excited. “Don’t you think, Brody?” They’re like total opposites. Where he is hard and cold, she’s soft and warm; it’s hard to imagine they’re related.