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)
“Aldo?”
I blinked, startled, looking over at Roman. “Sorry. What was that?”
He frowned. “If you glare at that screen any harder, it will implode. Problem?”
“Oh.” I slid my phone into my pocket. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
I planned on handling it tonight.
“I’m heading to the estate in the morning. I’ll be back Monday. You want to come for lunch?”
“No, I have things I need to take care of.”
He looked puzzled. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. You with me tonight?”
“Until about two. I, ah, have a date.”
He grinned. “Well, that is news. Anyone I know?”
I shrugged. “Doubtful.”
He let it go. We didn’t pry into each other’s personal lives.
“We’re letting the floor managers handle tomorrow, right?”
I nodded. “Sal and Raymond are covering. I’ll be close if something comes up.”
“I hope it doesn’t. We both need a break from this place.”
“How did Nonna take to Justine?”
“Loved her. I spoke with Luca earlier. Her family was surprisingly accepting. Her father was displeased, but Luca calmed him down. Her mother loved him, as did the rest of the females in the family.”
I chuckled. “He is a charmer.”
“They’ll be married again here in short order. Judith is arranging the wedding and dinner. Luca and Justine want intimate. I’m sending them on a honeymoon.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I’ll step in and run things while he is gone. I’ll need you here.”
I nodded. “No problem.”
He sighed, looking out the window. “Hopefully all goes well when he is away. His crew can handle most of it. He runs a tight ship. I’ll just be the figurehead while he’s gone.”
“I’ll cover here, Roman.”
“I know.” He stood, going to the door. “Enjoy your, ah, date. Is dinner involved or just dessert?”
I laughed. I wasn’t known for dating. Neither of us was.
“Time will tell.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Well, she must be special if you’re waiting to decide.”
I waved him off.
He left, and my phone was out of my pocket before the door clicked shut. I stared at the photo again and went downstairs, speaking to Maurice directly. As usual, he was efficient, asking no questions, simply handing me what I required.
Back in my office, I sent a message.
Room 1710 after work.
Bring your friends.
Then I resolutely put everything out of my mind and did my job.
CHAPTER 9
VI
Istared at Aldo’s text. As usual, it was short, precise, and caused millions of butterflies to flutter in my stomach.
My picture had accomplished what I wanted.
At least, I was pretty certain it had.
The past few days, I had been on tenterhooks. I never knew when a text would appear from him. What it would say. Except it was always provocative. And sometimes sweet.
You look fucking sexy in that uniform.
Another picture, Vi? Naughty girls get what they deserve.
Do you deserve my cock?
Take your break, you look tired.
That isn’t a request.
I didn’t see him, but I felt him. His presence. His gaze. Yet when I would look, he wasn’t there, but I knew he had been.
And now, he wanted me to meet him upstairs.
I stood. I needed to get ready.
Hours later, I was a bundle of nerves. I had exfoliated, shaved, trimmed, and scrubbed. Washed my hair and blew it dry. Packed my “friends” and a change of clothes into my knapsack. At work, I could barely concentrate. My hands shook at times. I dropped a plate—a first for me. Even Wanda was concerned.
“You all right, dear? You’re flushed.”
“Um, bit of a headache.”
She tutted. “Take a break. We’re not overly busy.”
I sat at the back with a milkshake, too tense to eat. At one, she approached me. “You take off. We’re quiet, and I know you want Derek to have the hours.”
I nodded, grateful. Derek’s pregnant wife had been laid off, and they were scrambling. Wanda caught me trying to sneak some of my tip money into his jar, and since then, she had donated some every night we worked together on my behalf. I made way more than he did in tips, and I wanted to help. But I knew he would refuse my offer.
I headed to the staff room on the floor below, wondering about using the shower there to freshen up. I had over an hour before Aldo expected me. But when I opened my locker, I found an envelope inside, a passkey the only item in it. Nothing was written on it, but I knew it was for the room. I didn’t even wonder how he’d gotten into my locker. They supplied the locks, so no doubt, he had a master. I thought about it for a moment and decided to head up and use the shower there. I would be waiting when Aldo arrived.
I stepped into the suite, gazing around. A huge bed occupied the space, with a sofa and a chair by the window overlooking the Falls. There was a small bar and kitchen area. It was luxurious and spacious, decorated in the same water-colored theme as the rest of the hotel. The ceilings were high, crown molding setting off the pattern in the stucco.