Page 6 of Lilly
Chapter Two
Lucas
Ican’t getthe image of her grief-stricken face out of my head. It’s been four fucking days and it’s stillthere.
I couldn’t fucking believe it when I came back to my room at the beginning of the week to find my newest cleaner laid out naked on my bed. Seriously, what is wrong with these women? I must have been through at least ten different cleaners since I took over this hotel just over six months ago. Why can’t they just do the job they are paid to do, and not think that just because they are cleaning my room it gives them the right to think I want them? I made the mistake of getting too close to a colleague once before, and it’s not happening again. Unlike her, though, thankfully cleaners are pretty easy to come by, so I can get them replaced prettyquickly.
Thensheturned up. Even her tears didn’t distract from how stunning she was with her golden hair, blue eyes and pink lips. I usually don’t waste any time where the opposite sex is concerned—I just take what I want, then move on. But as I stood staring at her, a little voice in my head kept saying,She works for you, don’t do anythingstupid.
I stood watching her cry for the longest time as my head and body argued against each other. My body wanted her; my head knew it was wrong. Then the business side of me wanted to demand to know why she wasn’t doing her job, or wearing the correct uniform, or why she’d been on the phone. I almost marched down to Hilary and demanded to know where she finds these women from. All I want is someone who can do a half decent job of keeping the place clean and tidy. Is it really that much toask?
When I made myself known, I was shocked by the fear in her eyes. I’ve been told before that I can be intimidating, but no one’s ever said they’ve been actually scared of me before. The second she looked at me, her eyes widened and I swear her hands started toshake.
She went to leave, but for some reason, that felt wrong. Not only had she affected me, but she was clearly very upset. I couldn’t watch her leave though, and for some reason as she stepped past me my arm moved without instruction and grabbedher.
I raise my fingertips to my lips. No matter how much I try, I can’t get rid of how it felt when she kissed me. It was the most innocent of kisses, but it’s affected me like noother.
* * *
I’ve kept awayfrom my room every morning since. I’ve almost convinced myself that I dreamt it all and she doesn’texist.
I’ve managed without my phone all morning. I know exactly where it is—it’s on the shelf above the basin where I left it in the rush to get to my meeting this morning. Deciding it must be safe, I head up to my room to get it before I leave the hotel for theafternoon.
It’s silent as I pass through the living room, so I relax a little. Everything looks great as I walk through. Apparently, I have a reputation for being a pain in the arse when it comes to how I want my stuff. I think it’s been blown out of proportion though, because as long as it’s clean and tidy, I don’t really care. I couldn’t care less how the towels are folded or how the pillows on my bed are arranged. I’m a guy for fuck’s sake, I don’t even know why I’ve got to have extra pillows on my bed. I’m more than happy with the normal amount just used for sleepingon.
My head is already focused on the meeting I have this afternoon with the builders to discuss the renovation for this place. I bought it just over six months ago. I had planned to start work on it right away, but it was clear from the first day that the major problems with it were the systems in place to run it. I brought in Catherine, and together we’ve basically started from scratch. Thanks to her, this hotel is now running like a well-oiled machine, so it’s time for it to have a newlook.
All thoughts of golden blonde hair evaporate as I focus on what I need to talk to the builder about, but that’s all shattered when I step foot in mybathroom.
She’s bent over the bath with her arse stuck right up in theair.
The desire to walk up behind her is huge. Instead, I grab on to the sides of the doorframe to keep me where I am. My movement must catch her attention, because she instantly flicks her head around to look at me before standingup.
“Good afternoon,” I say as I try to keep my eyes on her face and not let themroam.
“Af…Afternoon, Sir.” Her response makes mesmile.
“Please don’t call me that. It makes me sound ancient.” It’s obvious I’m older than her, but I don’t need her making me sound like I’m heading forretirement.
“Okay…sorry Mr. D…Dalton,” she stutters out nervously. I can’t help the rush of excitement that goes through me as I think about her reactions aroundme.
“It’sLucas.”
“Okay, well…I’d better get on.” Just as she finishes her sentence, the sound of her stomach rumbling fills the bathroom. She flushes pink and turns away fromme.
“Have you hadlunch?”
“No,” she mumbles as she starts scrubbing the tilesharshly.
“I’ll get you something sent up.” She drops the sponge and spins my way. The shocked look on her face makes mesmile.
“I’m fine, thank you.” As if to prove she’s lying, her belly does itagain.
“Have you even hadbreakfast?”
She shrugs one shoulder up as she whispers that she had a banana on the way to work thismorning.
“That was hours ago. I’m getting you lunch, noarguments.”
