Page 26 of Captivated By You

“For how good you suck cock.”

I laughed. I couldn’t help it.Thiswas the reason I’d called Gia.

“In a manner of speaking, yes. I said as much to him today.”

She grinned. “That’s my girl. And what did he say?”

“He said that he believed I had the right qualities to make a terrific hotel manager one day.”

Gia clapped her hands to her cheeks again. “Shocking. How dare he give you a compliment that happens to be true?”

I laughed again. “Okay, okay. You’ve made your point.”

“So you’ll take it?”

“I’ll note down some ground rules. And if he agrees with them,thenI’ll accept the position.”

“These ground rules, they include no more rumbles in the jungle, I take it?”

“Yes.”

Gia groaned. “You’re an idiot. You’ve got a Kingcaid potentially salivating over you, and you come over all Miss Prim and Proper, when we both know you’re not.”

“If I’m to stand a chance of being taken seriously in my choice of career, then banging the boss is a terrible idea. No one knows that more than I do.”

“In this specific instance, not banging him is a worse one.”

I shook my head. “You are incorrigible.”

“Fine. Lay down your stupid no-sex rule. Buy a gigantic vibrator and stay a spinster for the rest of your life.”

“Who says I don’t already own a gigantic vibrator? And besides, there are other men in the world.”

“Yeah, but not ones who look like him and fuck like him. And earn money like him.”

“I don’t care about money. As long as I have enough to pay my bills and indulge in the odd spa day, I’m good.”

“And that’s what’s wrong with you.”

I chuckled. “I’m hanging up now. I have a list to make.”

“Call me. And tell him if he needs to get off, I’m the more immoral out of the two of us.”

* * *

My shoes felt as if they had lead in them as Kingcaid’s flagship Seattle hotel came into view. I’d decided that women—or maybe just me—were contrary beasts. Asher hadn’t contacted me. I’d spent the entire day after my call with Gia making my stupid list and staring at my phone.

On the one hand, it annoyed me that he hadn’t reached out and tried to smooth things over. But then I had to admit that not calling was a sensible move from his perspective. He’d left the ball in my court, and by contacting me, for all he knew, I could turn that into harassment. Not that I ever would, but there were some people who wouldn’t hesitate.

My stomach tied itself in knots as I made my way through the entrance, past the concierge, who gave me a friendly smile, and up to the reception desk. A different woman than yesterday was manning the desk. I had to wait behind a couple of tourists who sounded as if they were complaining about something. Their voices rose, and the man jabbed a finger at the receptionist. She backed away and disappeared through a door behind her. The man continued to talk loudly to his wife, or girlfriend, who blushed and ducked her head, embarrassed by the jerk sounding off.

I thought about stepping in, but it wasn’t my place. Not yet. I had to accept the position first, and then I could officially throw myself into the role. It didn’t stop me from glaring at the back of his head, though. Staff on the front line in an industry such as this were used to taking abuse every day, but that didn’t make it right.

The receptionist reappeared with a man in a suit, and I caught my breath, then realized it wasn’t Asher. A duty manager, maybe. He led the irate man and his embarrassed partner off to one side, leaving the path clear for me. I stepped forward.

“People, huh?” I rolled my eyes and smiled at her. “Are you okay?”

“Oh, that?” She gestured dismissively. “Par for the course. How can I help you?”

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