Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
“And nights and evenings are okay for you?”
“Yes.”
I scanned her file, not recognizing the street address. “Where are you living now?”
“Kelly’s Kourt until I find something permanent.”
I winced. That was a rougher part of the city and a run-down motel where you could rent by the hour, day, or week. I met her eyes, but hers held no apology or pity for herself.
“It’s only temporary,” she insisted. “Once I work a bit, I can have first and last.”
She was proud. I detected a stubborn streak. And I had the feeling she suffered no fools, so she wouldn’t take any shit from the customers. I thought she would do well in our formal dining room. It was hard to get into, and the waiting list was long. I could see her in the uniform. All the staff wore the same thing. A black tux. On the men, it looked classy, and on the women, sexy. On her, I imagined it would be art. Dead sexy art.
But she wanted casual. Perhaps she would change her mind.
I signed the last form in her file and handed it to her. “HR is on the right at the end of the hall. They’ll take all your information. You’ll report to Wanda, who will give you your uniform and schedule. You can start right away.” I paused and wrote some information on another piece of paper. “Mayburn Apartments on Third. Clean, reasonable. Tell the manager I sent you. He’ll waive first and last until you can afford it.”
She blinked. Then blinked again. “Thank you, Mr. Ricci. I appreciate it.”
I waved her off. “We take care of our employees here.”
She stood and offered her hand. I shook it, wondering why her skin felt so right sliding along mine. Why her grip felt perfect within mine. I looked down, noticing how creamy and soft her skin looked compared to my darker, sun-kissed hue. It was night and day. Like we were.
Like we would remain. Two different orbits.
I didn’t fuck employees, and she wasn’t looking for what I could offer her.
She left and I sat down, shaking my head, then picking up the phone and calling the manager of Mayburn Apartments. Brian Ferris and his wife liked to gamble. They came every few weeks and enjoyed a day here, eating in the restaurant, never going over their allotted budget. I had gotten to know them, and he owed me a favor for something I had done for him. He was happy to accept my word on first and last and told me he had a studio open at the moment.
“Make sure she gets it,” I said and hung up.
I had no idea why I had made the offer or the call.
I was simply being nice to someone who was down on their luck.
It had nothing to do with that killer smile.
Or those fucking dead sexy legs.
Nothing.
CHAPTER 3
VIOLET
HR was swift and efficient. Like everything else I had seen in this hotel, it was run like a well-oiled machine. I was escorted to meet Wanda, who was an older woman, cordial and well put-together. She gave me a tour, nodding in satisfaction as I asked for a menu to study.
“I’ll bring it back my first shift.”
“I like you,” she said.
In the back, she indicated the shelves of uniforms. “You get two,” she said. “Take your size. Once you’ve done your three-week probation, you get two more. You can buy additional, and they are replaced every couple of months. Mr. Costas insists the staff look smart.”
I looked at the samples on the wall. I loved the slim black trousers and white shirt, the logo embroidered on the pocket. And the polka-dot skirt with a different short-sleeved shirt. It was cute and fun. The clothes had a fifties theme, and I loved it. There were two other options, but I chose those.
“You have good shoes?” she asked. “We get a discount at White’s.” She showed me her athletic shoes. “You get one pair after the probation too.”
“I have some until then.” I couldn’t really afford shoes at the moment.
“And you’re good for nights and weekends? Those are the hardest shifts to fill.”
“I’ll take as many as you can give.”
“I can start training you tomorrow.”
“Awesome.” I glanced around. “Can you tell me a cheap place to park? Or should I take the bus?”
“Staff has a dedicated floor. Basement level two. You need a pass, and it’s five dollars a day.”
I grinned. “Let me guess. After probation?”
She laughed. “No, I can give you a temporary one. I just need your car details.”
She wrote down the info and handed me a pass, giving me directions on how to get it.
“So, tomorrow. Six p.m. to two a.m. There is a meet-and-greet tomorrow afternoon in the ballroom. The owner meets every new employee.”
The woman in HR had mentioned that already, so I was prepared. “That is a great concept. Very classy.”