CHAPTER THREE

 

The next morning I wake up rested after a full night’s sleep. I can’t remember the last time I slept through the night, let alone gone to bed before 2:00 a.m. I’m completely refreshed, and I’m totally on board for getting used to this. I think the fact that the bed is the best one I’ve ever slept in helped a lot too. I wonder if they’ll let me keep it.

A girl can wish.

Stretching, I look up at the ceiling, noting the large gold chandelier that escaped my notice last night. It’s extravagant, something that belongs in a dining room or a grand ballroom, not a bedroom.

Sitting up, I grab my phone to check if Catherine has called or messaged me, but when I see the time, I panic.

Shit!

It’s just before eight in the morning, and I have to be ready by half past to meet with the Donovans for breakfast.

Shooting from the bed, I get tangled in the sheets and land on the floor, my legs stuck in the sheets.

“Fuck,” I curse, kicking them off and rushing into the bathroom.

Moving quickly, I brush my teeth before jumping in the shower.

The feel of hot water running down my body makes me wish I could stay under longer and enjoy it. I’m also kicking myself for not taking one last night when I could’ve appreciated it more.

Jumping out, I wrap a towel around my hair and one around my body, loving the soft, fluffy fabric against my bare skin. It’s luxurious, and I start a list in my head of things I’m hoping the Donovans won’t miss when I take them home with me.

It doesn’t take me long to go through my morning routine, only throwing on a bit of foundation and a little mascara for my make-up, knowing I don’t have time to do anything else. But when I go to grab my hairdryer, I can’t find it.

“Where are you?” I mutter, throwing everything out of my suitcase, making a mess of the room. “Ugh.” Not having time, I leave my room, knowing Alison will have packed one, or possibly have mine. I take the door to my right, barging in.

“Holy balls,” I gasp, frozen in place.

Standing as naked as the day he was born is the sexiest man I’ve ever seen in my entire life, and I’ve seen a lot of beautiful people in my line of work.

“Hello, you,” he drawls.

Piercing blue eyes with specks of silver stare back at me, his smouldering gaze burning into me. My stomach flutters. I know I should probably look away. I try, I really do, but I can’t stop staring at him.

My gaze follows the line of his strong jaw, liking the rough-shaven look he has going on. My lips part when I see his full plump ones, kissable, biteable.

I lower my gaze to his large muscled chest and wide shoulders. He has a thin layer of hair on his chest, making his dark tan seem dirty. I want to run my fingers through it to see if it’s as soft as it looks.

Then my eyes travel lower and I gasp, horrified when his dick―his very large dick―twitches.

He chuckles, most likely at my expression, and I close my eyes, mortified. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” I squeak before rushing to the door. My head smacks against something hard and I hear the door slam shut. Pain radiates through my head to the back of my skull, and I lift my hand to the small lump forming on my forehead.

Not wanting to be here a moment longer and embarrass myself further, I reach out with my free hand for the door handle and swing it open with more force than necessary.

Thud.

“Fuck!”

I turn around, stunned when I see the gorgeous stranger holding his head, his face scrunched in pain.

“Oh no! I’m so sorry… again,” I cry, rushing to his aid.

I trip over my own feet, falling forwards. I reach out to stop my fall, but it’s too late and I end up on my hands and knees.

“Jesus! Are you okay?” I hear him rumble, his voice close.

Not able to look at him right now, wanting to catch my breath and try to find some dignity, I lift my hand to wave it off, but I come into contact with something smooth and very hard.

“Well, while you’re down there,” he teases.

Asshole.

I snap my hand back and quickly get up off the floor. “I’m sorry,” I tell him once more, glaring in his direction before heading towards the door, keeping my eyes open this time.

As I step out into the hall, Alison opens the door in front of me, holding none other than my hairdryer. Her eyes are round as saucers as she stares behind me, no doubt at the good-looking arsehole. Hopefully he used his head and picked up a freaking towel.

I stomp over to her, snatching the hairdryer. Then with one last glare in her direction, I stomp back to my room, not saying a word. I’d probably just make the entire situation a whole lot worse by opening my mouth, and I don’t need any further embarrassment.

“Hi, I’m Alison.”

Just as I get to my door, I hear his rumbling, rough voice and feel his eyes on me, the tingling at the back of my neck a warning that I’m totally fucked.

“Drake.”

Yep, I’m royally fucking screwed.

 

*** *** ***

 

I meet Alison outside her room, hoping the stranger in the next one isn’t there as we carry on down the hallway.

I try not to look at his door, I really do, but my eyes flicker in that direction more than once.

My face is still hot, and no doubt red from embarrassment. I pride myself on appearance and presentation, so when I fuck up the way I did earlier, I want to kick myself.

How I get myself into those situations is beyond me, but when they happen, they really suck.

“What was that earlier?” Alison whispers when we reach the main staircase. An older gentleman wearing a navy-blue suit is waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He greets us with a smile, his eyes bright and practically beaming with happiness.

“It was nothing,” I whisper back, then turn to the man with a smile.

“Hello, we didn’t get to formally meet last night. I’m Jeff, the house butler of sorts and gardener. I’m to escort you to Mr and Mrs Donovan in the garden room.”

“Hello, Jeff. I’m Pagan and this is Alison,” I reply polity, then turn to Alison and mouth, “Garden room.”

She shrugs and together we follow Jeff into another hallway before turning left into a large room.

“Oh my,” I whisper in amazement. The whole room is made up of glass, with roses and wild flowers surrounding the room. It’s extraordinary.

“We’re glad you like it. This is my favourite room in the house,” Pam says as she walks up to greet us. Instead of taking my hand like I expected her to, she pulls me in for a hug before doing the same to Alison. “I hope you both rested well?”

“Best night’s sleep in ages,” I gush before I can stop myself.

She laughs. “I’m glad.”

“She’s right. I slept like a princess.” Alison smiles.

“Come join us. We thought we could have breakfast in here today since it’s such a lovely day. Come, sit.”

“Hello, ladies,” Adam greets as he walks into the room dressed impeccably. He strolls up to his wife, pulling her in for a kiss, and I smile, watching how loved up they are. They remind me of my parents. “Sit, sit.”

We sit down and I look around, my eyes never once focusing on one thing. Everything looks incredible. I’m about to compliment Pam on the room when the door behind us opens.

“Son, we heard you arrived late last night. I hope everything is well?”

“Hi, Dad. Everything is perfect, especially after my wake-up call this morning.”

The deep rumbling voice belongs to the sexy stranger I met this morning. My eyes bug out, my cheeks heating.

Oh my God, he’s their son!

I’m gonna die.

Someone kill me, please.

I don’t turn around, scared my face will give everything away. What’s up with all this ‘wake-up call’ bullshit? Is he trying to get me fired?

“Wake-up call? Was everything okay?” Pam asks, a worried frown on her face.

“Everything was fine, Mum. I’m just teasing. And who are these fine women?” he asks, taking the seat next to me. I try to shift away but there’s nowhere to go.

Why is he acting like he hasn’t met either of us? Hell, he introduced himself to Alison in the hall.

Not that I gave him a chance to introduce himself to me or anything, what with my hand on his dick and all.

“This is Pagan Salvatore, and here is Alison Mills. They’re from Salvatore Events. They’re here to organise Jesse and Amelia’s wedding.”

“Is that so,” he says.

I feel his eyes burning into the side of me, but I don’t turn to confirm it, keeping my expression blank as I stare ahead. Alison’s ‘what the fuck’ look catches my attention from across the table. I just glare, inwardly pouting. Can’t she leave me to wallow in my own misery?

“Yes. Isn’t it wonderful that they could come for the entire three weeks?”

“Yes, it is. I’m Drake, by the way,” he says, his arm brushing against mine as he leans over to shake Alison’s hand. She grins widely, shaking his hand with much enthusiasm.

I’m so gonna fire her arse.

When he turns, my face heats further, hating all his focus on me. “It’s nice to meet you.” The amusement in his voice is thick as he holds his hand out.

I take his hand with a firm grip, and bolts of electricity shoot up my arm. I pull away quickly, my mouth agape at the sensations running through my body.

“You too.” I swallow hard, looking away.

“We had our chef cook up a full English breakfast. We weren’t sure what you’d like, so we asked for a bit of everything,” Pam says just as an older lady walks in pushing a tray of food. My mouth waters as if it knows it’s going to be fed.

“How many sausages would you like, miss?” the lady asks, standing next to me.

I open my mouth, but Drake answers for me. “She’ll have the biggest sausages you have, Emily. Something tells me she loves her sausages.”

My glare is fierce when I turn around to face him, wondering if they’ll fire me if I happen to slip and punch him in his arrogant, handsome face.

“She really loves her sausages, but she hasn’t had any in ages,” Alison speaks up, and my glare turns her way at the innuendo. Her lips twitch, looking everywhere but at me.

“Thank you.” My attention turns back to Emily as she places other yummy treats on my plate. I’m so hungry and focused on my food, I don’t hear my phone beeping until a slight nudge to my right has me jumping.

“Your phone,” Drake whispers against my ear, and a shiver runs down my neck.

“Yes, um, excuse me,” I tell the table, hoping they can’t see my blush.

Seeing my office number for here in London, I answer, “Hello, this is Pagan.”

“Hi, Pagan, it’s Jessica. We have a problem.”

My sigh is loud and I turn to face the table, giving them an assuring smile. I hold my finger up, letting them know I’ll be a minute before turning my back to them. “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

“No. The British Army fundraiser was being held at the Metropolitan, but they’ve had a kitchen fire that spread, so all events held there have been cancelled. I’ve called around everywhere that hires a hall big enough to hold three hundred guests and have nowhere. We’re coming up blank.”

“Oh no,” I whisper, my face paling. The British Army fundraiser is one of our biggest. We raise money for not only the families of our fallen, but for soldiers who need long-term medical treatment or any renovations that need to be done to their homes. “I… leave it with me. I’ll get back to you within a few hours.”

“Okay, Pagan. I’m sorry to throw this at you. We called Catherine and she said you were out of the office and actually in London. With the office being new, we’re stuck on what the protocol is.”

“No, I totally understand and it’s fine. I’ll sort it. We only have a few things to check up on here, so we’re pretty much free.”

“Okay. Thank you again. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye.” I hang up and sigh, wondering what on earth I did this morning to wake up to such a shitty day. And it’s hardly even begun.

“Everything okay?” Alison asks when I sit back down, my appetite now gone.

“No. The hall booked for the fundraiser for the British Army has fallen through. They had a fire that spread, and Jessica’s called around for last-minute halls and can’t find anything. We need to do a wider search.”

“Have it here,” Pam blurts out before Alison can answer.

I turn, shocked at her offer. That’s over three hundred guests in her home that she doesn’t even know.

“We couldn’t―”

“You can. When is it?”

“It’s tomorrow night,” I answer suspiciously.

“Well, that’s settled. I’m guessing you have caterers and whatnot already booked, so it’s literally just the hall. We have a bar in the main ballroom, but it isn’t stocked at the moment. However, we know a company that will be able to supply us at short notice.”

I mull it over, but as much as I think about it, it doesn’t seem right. These are my clients.

“I’d just nod and agree. Otherwise she’ll just call whoever you were on the phone to and make arrangements through them,” Drake says. I gaze over at him, his eyes so beautiful I stop breathing for a second.

“But―”

“So it’s settled,” Pam gushes before turning to her husband. “I knew hiring them was going to be life-changing. Oh, it feels good to have a house full.”

“I’ll let housekeeping know. If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask,” Adam says.

My mouth is agape, looking back and forth between the two, wondering when the hell I agreed to hold the party here.

“Pagan, breathe. It’s all going to be okay,” Pam assures me.

I nod, hoping like hell she’s right. “Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure. Will it be okay for us and some of the wedding party who are arriving tomorrow to attend? I’d like to donate if I can,” Pam asks.

“Pam’s grandfather was in the army,” Adam explains.

“Of course. This is your house, after all. The more the merrier. I know Jessica will be thrilled to hear you’re hosting. She’s new and opened the office here in London six months ago, so she’s still getting used to everything.”

“Whenever you need a place to hold an event, you’re more than welcome here,” Adam says.

“This place would be great.” Alison smiles widely. She would get excited; she’s the one who goes and scouts for new places to hold events, negotiating prices with the owners. She’s amazing at her job.

“Have the day off today. Go see what London has to offer. We have to go pick my mother up from the airport, but there’s always someone here to let you in or out.”

“You didn’t tell me Grams was going to be here. I thought she couldn’t make the wedding because she was on a singles cruise?” Drake says nervously from beside me, but Pam ignores him, waiting for my reply.

“Okay. We were hoping to go over the plans for the family dinner on Sunday,” I tell her.

“Oh dear, it’s Tuesday. We have plenty of time to go over all that. You and Alison can go out and sightsee for a bit, go out on the town.”

My lips twitch at her usage of ‘out on the town’. It seems so foreign coming from someone so impeccably well-mannered and dressed.

“We do have the best tourist attractions,” Drake muses. “Maybe I could show you around?”

I wish he’d stop flirting. It makes me nervous.

“Um, no. Thank you, but we’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure, dear? My Drake knows his way around,” Pam says.

“I bet he does,” I mumble under my breath.

“What was that?” he asks, a smirk lighting up his face.

“I’m sure you do.” My eyes stay locked on his, my back straighter.

“Well then, that’s settled. You two go enjoy your day, and Pam and I will inform the staff about tomorrow. If you can get Jessica to call my personal line, we’ll help coordinate,” Adam tells me.

“Thank you so much for helping us out with this. It’s very kind of you.”

“It’s our pleasure. Plus, we’ll owe you once you meet my mother.” Pam giggles and Adam laughs, throwing his arm around her.

Why does everyone seem to be on edge about her mum? Even Alison mentioned the nan being nuts.

I look to Alison for help, knowing she’s spoken to them a lot over the past few weeks, but she just shrugs, looking as baffled as I feel.

“May God bless our souls,” Drake whispers before getting up and leaving the table.

Now I’m wondering just who the hell her mother is.