I’m just not sure how accommodating he wants me to be.
Okay, that’s probably a lie. At my age, I recognize a man who wants to party, and I am down for sleeping with him. And the fact that it’s been a while since I got some decent action is at the very bottom of the list. The sexually confident aura that vibrates around him is like a siren song. It’s potent and irresistible, and I’m surprised that I remain in my seat instead of kneeling between his legs, offering him whatever he wants.
But I need to be good, so stay in my seat I do.
“You won’t lose your job,” he replies with conviction. “So, what will it be?”
“You choose,” I offer.
We’re playing chess. He makes a move, I make a retreat. There’s still a long way to go until he can take me, but at least I can make him work for it.
“What wouldyou like to drink for dinner?”
The far end of the table has become Luca’s workstation, his cell and his silver MacBook keeping him occupied for the past seventy minutes. While he’s worked, I’ve fed the wood burner with logs and messed about on the hotel’s iPad, pretending I’m doing important work.
He studies me. “What do you suggest?”
“The Pouilly-Fumé is good with fish.”
“Then let’s drink that.”
Removing the already cold bottle from the well-stocked fridge, I find the corkscrew in the drawer. When I turn around, Luca is right behind me, holding out his hands. “Let me.”
When I hand him the bottle, and then the corkscrew, our fingers brush. I try not to notice that my body flushes with inappropriate heat. “I’ve uncorked plenty of expensive wines,” I point out cheekily.
“And do you get to drink the expensive wines?” he murmurs.
I have to pause at that. Think. “Not nearly as often.”
“Tonight, we’re changing that.”
As Luca pours the wine there’s a knock at the door.
Dinner.
A few minutes later, we’re seated at the table with salmon and prawn risotto straight from the restaurant, and I haven’t had to do a single thing except plate it up as carefully and as quickly as possible.
“Tell me about your name. There must be a story there.”
I smile ruefully. “My mother always thought I was particularly energetic in the womb when she walked in the snow. Or watched it fall.” I lift a shoulder, trying to deflect how much I enjoy talking about my family. At the significance of my name. “But winter was her favorite season too.”
His expression drops. “I’m sorry.”
Accepting his condolences, I nod, smiling bravely. Seamlessly, Luca takes the opportunity to move the conversation away from deceased family. “Did you grow up around here?”
“Born in Aspen, but from age six to sixteen I grew up in New York. Then we moved back here, and I finished high school before my degree at New Orleans.”
“What did you study?”
He must know this already. I’m sure Maria sent on my resumé. “I have an International Hospitality Business degree.”
I pick at my food, knowing the question coming before he voices it. “Good management always works every role. Only that way can you understand how to improve your offer.”
Okay, I wasn’t expecting that at all. That was complimentary and insightful, rather than the usual rude response ofWhy the hell are you working as a glorified chambermaid?Grateful, relieved I don’t need to explain myself any further, I smile, tucking into my meal with more enthusiasm. “I have tons of improvements for Elias,” I mutter dryly.
His deep laughter is full of warmth, and it undoes me. “Like what?”
Nice try mystery shopper.“I’m not sure I should say.”