Page 13 of Boss On Notice
Finally, Orion clears his throat and checks his watch. “We have the buffet at six. That’ll give your stomach time to digest the biscuits you wolfed down.” His magnetic smile is back but only briefly as our car progresses down the busy and famous Vegas Strip. “But by all means, eat and drink as much as you like when you get to your room. The bill is on the bride and groom.” He winks.
I tilt my head to study him. Look at him, playing it safe and knowing when to back off. Usually, he would’ve taken our conversation a lot further, pushing me to an uncomfortable limit, aware that I will not outright lambaste him because he is the boss. However, all morning, Orion Lord has been very tolerable. It’s odd. “Tell me the truth, Orion,” I say, one eye narrowed. “Did you read the document that was on my computer screen?”
He tilts his head to match mine. “Why do you keep asking me that?”
I’m searching hard for the truth in that expression of his, but I can’t find any signs of deception. Maybe he hadn’t read the letter. Maybe he’s being sincere with all his new interest in me as a person coupled with subtle apologies for being a terrible boss.
The truth is on the tip of my tongue as the car turns up a driveway that leads to the front of a magnificent, over-the-top Vegas-style hotel. But for some reason, I can’t speak it. Maybe it’s best to stick to the plan and tell him that I quit on Monday—yep, that’s best.
“No reason,” I say. “Forget about it.”
He nods sharply. “I like the sound of that.”
My smile falters. That was too easy.
* * *
It’s sucha fabulous feeling to not have to check in at the front desk. Orion gives the valet his name and the concierge escorts us to the elevators reserved for VIP wedding guests, which takes us to the thirty-fifth floor. Apparently, that’s where the families of the bride and groom are staying. I’m still reeling from the fact that I’m sleeping on the same floor as Xander and Heartly Grove. That just blows my mind.As we walk down an ornately designed hallway, I ask Orion if I am going to meet Xander and Heartly at dinner tonight.
Orion’s frown intensifies as he scratches behind his ear. “I hope not.”
My eyebrows shoot up. Other than soft Italian opera music and our footsteps the hallway is quiet. Ever since we got out of the car, Orion’s been in a foul mood. I suspect it has something to do with why we’re here. The wedding is less than twenty-four hours away. His brother will marry a woman he once loved. I think he loved her. I’m not sure Orion is truly capable of loving any woman. Treasure Grove is stunningly beautiful. Maybe he once lusted after her instead of loved her.
“Isn’t this a waste of money?” Orion grumbles as we stop in front of my suite. “You know how many poor people they could feed for how much they’re paying for this fucking wedding.”
“Maybe you should’ve eaten more biscuits because someone sounds hangry.” I smile wryly to let him know I was joking, and sort of not joking.
I’m too tired. I’ve also had enough of Orion for one day. All I want is to escape into my suite, strip out of my clothes, and enjoy four hours of solitude.
“Yeah,” he barely says, frowning at his watch. I keep forgetting how much he loves looking at that thing. You would think he would use his watch to be on time. “I’ll knock at five forty-five,” he says rather dryly. I actually feel better about leaving him alone when he smirks at me, turning on the old Orion Lord charm. “And if you need more biscuits, I’m sure I can arrange more for you.”
On that note I roll my eyes and unlock my door with my keycard. “Ha ha ha.”
Orion laughs heartily as I open the door, and then wait for him to move along.
“What?” I say, expecting him to walk away already.
He stretches his neck to peer into my suite. “I’m just checking things out. Making sure everything’s okay.”
“I’m certain everything is okay. I mean, Xander and Heartly Rose Grove are on the same floor.”
“And?” He snarls like he hates the world right now.
“And I’m sure this is the safest floor in the building. What’s your problem, Orion? I thought you said—”
“You’re right,” he says, cutting me off. “See you in four hours.”
For a moment, I watch him as he walks away. I can’t see his front, but it looks as if he’s unbuttoning his crisp white shirt that managed to keep its freshly laundered scent after a five-hour airplane ride. I really hate the way we just left things between us. I shouldn’t have laid it on so thick. Deep down I knew that mentioning Treasure Grove’s uncle and aunt was just me rubbing in the fact that his brother gets to marry her and he doesn’t.
I make a mental note to apologize to him as I step into my grand suite and then close the door behind me. My jaw suddenly hits the floor as I swoon over the pure opulence of my room. I have never been able to afford to spend a day, much less a weekend, in a hotel suite that looks like this one. Not until this very moment do I realize that I’m actually attending one of the most exclusive weddings of the year. And I’ve been given unprecedented access because I’m with the lecherous brother of the groom. My face lights up as I let it sink in that I’m in for a fun weekend full of hobnobbing with the Groves, hot famous men, which includes possibly moving things along with Lynx Grove.
My smile grows broader as I toy with the possibility that I too might be able to land a Grove. So, yeah, I should thank Orion for making that possible as well.
CHAPTER5
Poisonous Apples and Mouse Traps
DELILAH O’SHAY
