“Right,” Hans confirms as he glares at me. “I’ve got it covered.”
“I’m good,” I say, licking my lips. “I don’t need any help.”
Sometimes I do, but that’s not the point. I don’t want anyone else to do this job because it’s mine. I won’t ever give the impression I can’t handle this job. Ever.
This hotel requires a certain kind of approach only someone as devious as me could provide. If any of them were ever to take over, I’m sure we’d lose customers, and they don’t want that.
They like to think they could do what I do, and that’s okay. I’ll let them think that.
But I won’t allow them, even for a second, to try to suggest that someone else could do this job the way I do it. And that I’d ever need help.
Because I’m not just aiming to stay an event coordinator and organizer. I want my boss to see how invested I am in this company … so when the time comes, he’ll see I’m the only reasonable choice for his successor.
All in due time.
For now, I’ll stay in line and do whatever I can to make him happy. Including sitting through these arduous meetings.
“So that’s it for today?” the boss asks.
Since no one else has anything to report, he closes his files and gets up from his chair. “Great. I’ll speak to you all soon then. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll be monitoring the guests during and after the event too.”
After all the times we’ve done this, he’s still worried.
I get it. The company means a lot to him. But it does to me too, and I intend to do more than just my best to make this an event our clients will remember. For the rest of their lives, even.
That’s how confident I am in providing this service.
If you could call it that.
I smirk to myself and pack up my things as everyone leaves the room.
“Sorry if I stepped out of line there,” Sarah suddenly mutters.
I frown. “What—”
“I filled in for you. With the bookings.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “I saw you were distracted, so I figured I’d help you out. But I know you don’t like that.”
“No, no. It’s fine,” I say, smiling. “Thank you.”
Sarah’s about the only person in this room I can fully trust with at least part of my job.
Mostly because I’m pretty sure she’d never, ever want to take over for me.
Especially not the explicit parts.
No, she helps me out with the marketing here and there. Keeping the numbers straight. That’s what she’s good at. What she does best.
I’m more of a creative person, so I guess you could say we’re opposites. In the good sense, of course. We can help each other out where necessary.
“You seem a little distracted lately. Are you okay?” she asks as she clutches her bag tight.
“Yeah,” I say. But it’s not true.
Ever since I started talking with NaughtyKitten, I’ve found it incredibly hard to keep her off my mind during work. And now this … meeting up?
“Just a little tired,” I lie, scratching the back of my head. “That’s all.”
“Okay. Well, you know what I said,” she says. “I’m always willing to help if you need it.” She adds a wink and then quickly disappears through the door.
I’m alone again, yet I can’t relax.
The knot in my stomach grows thicker and thicker.
So instead of lounging back in my chair and fantasizing about possible upcoming events, I get up, grab my stuff, and march out the door.
I need to think about this. About her. Seeing NaughtyKitten in the building right next door.
Is it a coincidence that she picked that spot? Do we just happen to live in the same city?
Because I’m quite sure I didn’t pick based on location … and neither did she.
And it’s as if it’s too good to be true. Like I somehow gave myself away …
Did I? No, that’s impossible. I never showed my face. Never showed her my location, my job, anything personal. I keep it strictly hidden.
This has to be a stroke of random luck.
At least, that’s what I tell myself as I drive down the interstate on the way home.
I keep thinking about her … all the way there. I can’t stop wondering about what it would feel like to touch her in the flesh. To breathe her air. To smell her scent and have a taste.
My tongue dips out to wet my lips at the mere thought of claiming her.
The desire has been growing for days now.
Is it so wrong to give in? After all, it’s only one night. One single meeting and then it’s over. One can’t hurt, can it?
It’s within my rules, so why shouldn’t I? Why should everyone else be allowed to live out their fantasies, but not me?