Music filled my ears, rousing me from sleep. I reached out and fumbled for my phone as my eyes attempted to open. I managed to get the alarm turned off, but getting out of bed was another issue.
Hands pulled at my waist, moving me back down to the bed.
“And where do you think you’re going?” Gavin asked, his fingers pressing against my clit, teasing me.
“I have to get ready for work,” I said in protest, crying out when his fingers pinched my clit.
“Call in.”
“Gavin,” I groaned.
“I’m serious, Emma. That place is nothing but a headache for you. I’ll just pay for everything until you find a job. Or you don’t have to work at all.”
“I have to work, babe.”
He sighed. “If you insist.”
I smirked back at him. “You like that I don’t want to depend on you, but at the same time it makes you want to spend more money on me!”
“You got me.”
“Besides, I didn’t work my ass off for all these years to get a master’s and not use it.” With great difficulty, I pulled out of his arms and headed into the shower.
As I waited for the water to heat, I pulled out a few towels from the laundry basket. I’d folded them up the other day, but forgotten to put them away. The warm water felt refreshing as it fell over me, a great wake-up until I could get a cup of coffee. I’d barely started washing when the shower curtain pulled back and Gavin stepped in, his cock leading the way.
“Tease,” I said as I ran the washcloth around my skin.
He grinned at me. “You’re not the only one that has to work.”
“And who was the one trying to get some morning nookie?”
His hand stroked down and then back up his length. “Always.”
I shook my head as I rinsed off, then pulled the curtain back to step out. “All yours.”
“I can’t wait until we move in.”
“Why’s that?” I asked as I began wiping myself down with a towel.
“Do you remember the size of that shower?” he asked. I nodded. “I’m going to fuck you in it our first morning.”
My hands stopped moving the towel around and I stared at him. “I’ve never had sex in a shower before.”
He grinned at me. “What a way to christen the house.”
“There you go teasing me again.”
“Not a tease, baby, a promise.” He reached out and grabbed my towel and pulled, yanking it from my hands. With his other hand, he pulled me closer to the tub until he reached down and picked me up, setting me back in the shower.
“Gavin, I really have to—”
His lips cut me off, stopping any protest. Finally he’d broken me down. I couldn’t resist him, even when I needed to.
“Fuck,” I cursed as I walked into the hotel. I was fifteen minutes late due to Gavin.
Really, it was all his fault. I was good, took a shower and got out before he got his hands on me, but his mouth got me. Next thing I knew, my back was pressed against the shower wall, his cock filling me.
The employee lounge was empty, and I threw my purse in and changed my shoes. I was about to head to the office when Caleb came in.
“Hi,” I said with a smile.
Caleb’s eyes popped wide, and he rushed over to me.
“The parking garage has cameras,” he whispered.
I froze, my smile falling as utter horror washed over me.
“I know.”
He shook his head. “It was on the upper level and pointed right at you.”
I fell back against the lockers and leaned over. “Fuck.”
“I tried to keep others from seeing it, but Barry, the compliance nazi, saw it before I could do anything.”
“Why . . . why would you try and help me like that?”
He smiled. “I like you, Emma. We’re friends . . . at least I’d like to think so. Plus, Dante was once a guest, so I know a little of what you’ve been going through. I wanted to give you a heads up, because I know they’ll say stuff about you, but I know.”
My brow scrunched. “You know what?”
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. When you were at the restaurant . . . it’s obvious he loves you.”
I nodded. “He does.” I took a deep breath before getting back into my locker for my phone. “An inquisition?”
“Yeah. Phillip was yelling in the office earlier. It was so loud the guests heard him.”
“Thanks, Caleb. For everything.”
“No problem at all.” He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around me. “If this gets you fired, just know you were my favorite.”
A chuckle sprang out of me. “Ditto.” He pulled back, and I heaved a sigh. “Guess I should go find out my fate. See you.”
I slipped my phone into my jacket pocket and headed down the hall. When I entered the office, it was silent. James’s head popped up at the sound of the door. His brow was furrowed, and he looked beaten down.
“Miguel wants to see you in Phillip’s office,” he said, his voice low.
“Oh?” Shit. It was over. I lost the race to find a job first.
“Tell me it isn’t true.”
“What?” I asked, feigning ignorance. I wasn’t sure what he knew.
“Tell me you aren’t fucking Grayson,” he growled.
I shook my head. “I can’t.”
The pain that crossed his face clawed at my chest.
“It was our time, Emma.” His face screwed up, teeth bared. “You were going to leave and we could finally be together. Finally have an honest chance at something.”
“I’m sorry, James,” I said. There was no way he was going to understand how truly sorry I was. “A few months ago that was what I wanted, too, but things have changed.”
“Now it’s him?” he asked.
“I love him.”
He scoffed, a harsh laugh coming out as he locked eyes with me. “When he’s finished with you, don’t come crawling to me,” he spat.
With that he pushed past me, leaving me alone. I heaved a sigh and pulled out my phone to type a quick message to Gavin.
About to be sacked. There was a camera pointed right at us. I didn’t see it.
After sending the message, I took a deep breath and walked down out into the lobby. Shannon’s mouth dropped as she stared at me, but I didn’t stop. I continued across the lobby, my head held high. Entering into the central offices, I made my way down to Phillip, the hotel manager’s, office and knocked on the door.
“Please, come in, Emma,” Miguel called.
“You wanted to see me?” I tried to play naïve, though I knew exactly why they were calling me. Based on my conversation with James, probably everyone knew.
I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. Miguel had a somber look on his face while Phillip scowled at me, his skin turning red.
“Emma, it has come to our attention that you have been engaging in conduct with a guest that is strictly prohibited,” Miguel said, cutting to the chase.
“This is not a brothel, Miss Addison!” Phillip chided.
I flinched slightly at his words, and I was glad Miguel was with us as he had a level head.
I’d never really dealt with Phillip and only saw him in passing. Some hellos and goodnights, and the occasional conversation, but mostly he talked to Miguel, James, Valeria, and the other managers. He always had an air of superiority around him.
“Phillip, please,” Miguel begged. He turned back to me. “Emma, we have evidence to back up speculation that you have been in a relationship with Mr. Grayson that goes against our policies. I know that you are aware that we have a policy against fraternization with current guests. As Phillip so crudely pointed out, this is a hotel, not a brothel. We cannot allow this to happen. We cannot gain a reputation that suggests that guests can call upon our staff to . . . service them. This policy was put in place to protect you, protect the guests, and, above all, protect the hotel.”
“The legal ramifications . . . if someone even thought we allowed or encouraged this, the hotel could be shut down!” Phillip cried out again. He really didn’t seem to know how to handle his anger very well. The few times I had interacted with him, he had been very brash and abrasive.
“Emma, is all that I have said true? Have you, against company policy, been in a relationship of a sexual nature with Mr. Grayson?”
I nodded. “Gavin Grayson and I are dating.”
“It’s not dating, Miss Addison. You are nothing but his hotel floozy! Don’t you realize that once he is gone, he won’t want you any longer?”
“It is not like that, sir,” I argued.
“Of course it is like that! Do you honestly think you two will ride off into the sunset together? You are a hotel clerk, and he is the vice president of a multi-billion dollar company!”
It was a good thing Miguel was there as mediator, otherwise I think I might have punched Phillip. His crude words painted me as nothing but an idiot whore who thinks she’s Cinderella.
“Phillip, please remain calm,” Miguel said with a sigh. “I’m sorry to have to ask this, Emma, but has Mr. Grayson ever given you any type of . . . compensation?”
“My boyfriend has purchased me a few gifts, but they are far from ‘compensation,’” I replied, trying not to let my disdain through.
Miguel nodded and sighed, his expression full of agony. “It pains me to say this, but Emma Addison, you are hereby terminated from employment with the Cameo Hotel. I’m sorry it had to end this way. You have truly been a great employee, but rules are in place for a reason.”
I nodded. “I understand, Miguel.”
“You have to be escorted off the premises,” Phillip grumbled, his face still scrunched up.
Again, I nodded.
Miguel held the door open, my eyes catching his. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I said, even as I felt my eyes begin to water. It took every ounce of strength to maintain my composure.
Once out of the office area, Miguel took a position on one side of me, Phillip on the other. It seemed like most of the hotel staff on duty was in the lobby, watching. I felt all of them staring at me. Embarrassment flooded my face. I didn’t like the attention, especially since I knew their thoughts were not favorable.
I kept my head down and tried to shut off the voices, the murmurs. The intricate tile work of the hotel’s namesake came into my lowered view, which meant we were halfway across the lobby. Just outside the design there was a pair of highly polished black shoes and black slacks heading straight for me.
Electricity shot through me as a hand cupped my jaw and forced my head up. Gavin’s beautifully different eyes stared back at me.
“Mr. Grayson?” Miguel started, but was cut off.
“Shut up,” he said, his gaze never leaving mine. “Are you all right?”
I nodded as I fought the tears in my eyes. His thumb caressed my cheek before he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine.
“Come on,” he said as he took my hand and headed toward the elevators, making me spin around to follow behind.
“Mr. Grayson, where are you taking her?” Phillip asked, clearly surprised.
“I’m taking my girlfriend upstairs where we will pack up my belongings and I will check out of this damn hotel. The only reason I am still here is Emma. That, and we are currently in escrow of our new home and closing is still weeks away.”
There was a cacophony of gasps, the murmurs picking up. I looked over to the desk and found a shocked Shannon and a distraught James. Any last strings of hope he may have had, Gavin destroyed in a few seconds.
“So, if you would check me out and cancel my reservation, we will be gone.” Phillip was in a panicked shock, his eyes wide as he kept trying to get a word in, but Gavin rolled right over him. “Also, I require the tape and any copies. If I do not receive them all and I find out down the line there was another copy, I want you to know I will then own this hotel as my lawyers will eat you for lunch before you are all fired.”
“We need to escort Emma off of the premises, Mr. Grayson,” Phillip argued.
“The only thing she needs, gentlemen, is for me to remind her how much I love, adore, worship, and need her. That is all that matters. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we need to get home.”
Miguel only looked at us and smiled. It was company policy, and I broke it, but by his look, he was happy to have Phillip proven wrong and put in his place.
As we stepped onto the elevator, Gavin pulled me against his chest, his arms protectively cocooning me.
“I want the tapes in thirty minutes,” he said as the doors closed.
“Thank you,” I said into his chest, my arms tightening around his waist.
“Their parade was completely unnecessary and uncalled for. What ever happened to discreet?” His jaw ticked.
“They were making me an example.”
“It was a shitty example,” he hissed. “I couldn’t abide by their disrespect. Thankfully my timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Now that blond guy will stop looking at you.”
My brow scrunched. “James?”
“Yes. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
“He has feelings for me,” I said. There was nothing to hide about James, but I realized I’d never really told Gavin.
“I could tell. What about you?”
“I did, but then you came barreling into my life and gave me feelings I didn’t know existed.”
He smiled down at me and kissed my forehead. “I know exactly what you mean.”
As Gavin opened the door to his room, the elevators opened and a very red-faced Phillip stepped out.
“Shit,” I said as I pushed into the room. I wasn’t sure what Phillip was capable of, especially away from prying eyes.
“Emma! Emma, get out here!” he yelled, but Gavin held his hand out, stopping Phillip from getting any farther.
“You have twenty-five minutes. One more than that, and I will own you. Do you understand?”
“It’s not possible. You’re just using your weight and money to manipulate me. She needs to go. Now.”
I shook behind Gavin as I tried to understand why Phillip was so irate. Company policy dictated that I needed to be escorted out, but Phillip acted like he would drag me out if Gavin wasn’t so intimidating.
“Twenty-three minutes. I know the president of Cameo. In fact, we’re working together on a deal as we speak. I’ve had drinks with him twice this week. If I asked, he would not hesitate to fire you or sign this place over to me.”
Phillip was vibrating in anger. “You don’t scare me like you do them, Mr. Grayson.”
Gavin leaned in closer, his eyes slits. “Twenty-one.” Then he slammed the door in Phillip’s face.
“Do you really know the president of Cameo International?” I asked as he pulled his suitcases from the closet.
“Yes.”
“Would he really do all that?”
He tossed the large one onto the bed, then worked on opening his garment bag. “I use force, not lies. Richard Hayes is a good friend.”
It took us about fifteen minutes of speed packing to get everything into his luggage. It helped that he was very tidy.
“You don’t have anything in laundry, do you?”
“Besides my missing suit? No.”
I rolled my eyes. Laundry never did find the suit that I paid for in a kinky way. “I think someone stole it so they could be closer to you.”
“I can’t convince you to move into another hotel with me, can I? We could get a bigger suite.”
I smiled and shook my head. “It’s unnecessary. I have an apartment, you just bought a place, so why do we need a third?”
“We could end your lease.”
“My lease ends on August first. Let’s just finish it and be cozy for a little while.”
He smirked.
“What?”
He shook his head. “You’re crone neighbor is going to love us. She’ll probably come stomping up, banging on the door telling us to keep it down.”
Gavin attached the garment bag to his suitcase, and we took one last look around.
“I’m going to miss this wall,” he said.
“You are?” I asked, my brow quirked.
“Of course. It’s where I first had you. I was hooked after that and knew I had to have you in my life.”
I bit my lip and stepped forward, my arms wrapping around his waist. “I think it’s sweet that you’re sentimental over a wall.”
“It’s hard to say goodbye to this whole room.” He sighed as he looked around one last time. “This is where I scrambled every day to find something to get you up here, just to see you. This is where we began.”
I reached up and cupped his face, bringing it down to mine. “I love you,” I said before pressing my lips to his.
We headed back to the lobby, and with each floor that passed I grew more anxious of what would be waiting for us when the doors opened. When the lobby came into view, there was no Phillip, but Miguel and James stood in the spot Gavin had pulled me from.
As we drew closer, Gavin looked down at his watch. “One minute.”
Miguel held out his hand, and a thumb drive sat in his palm. “It’s all here, Mr. Grayson.”
“Where is your manager?” Gavin asked.
“We do not want this escalated, sir, so he is staying away,” Miguel explained.
Gavin gave a nod. “Smartest thing he’s done all day.”
Miguel nodded. “Agreed. Also, here is your final folio. I’ve cancelled the rest of your reservation.”
“Thank you.”
“I cleaned out your locker,” James said as he held out a shopping bag for me.
“Thank you,” I said as I took the bag from him.
He turned away from me, his gaze locked on Gavin. “I hope you understand what you have.”
“Undoubtedly,” Gavin said.
With a last glance, we said goodbye to the first part of our story and took our first step to our future. Who knew what was ahead of us, but with each step we would be side by side.