“As you mentioned, the smallest of details are crucial. It’s the special touches that make events sparkle.”
“You’ll do a great job at the Lux. Don’t think you’re going to let me down there. Not a chance.”
“I was thinking more in terms of—”
“I know what you were thinking. And you’re wrong,” he said with conviction.
Exhilaration hitched a ride on my racing pulse. But then a loud clap of thunder reverberated within me and
the rain fell even heavier. My heart thumped harder.
“I have to go,” I said suddenly. Omens weren’t anything to mess with, even if you didn’t believe in them.
“You only get so many hasty retreats, Ari,” he warned.
“Good night, Dane.”
I disconnected the call. Closed my eyes. Wondered what the hell I was doing.
I’d just consented to work at 10,000 Lux. I’d just let my new boss talk dirty to me—and I’d liked it. I’d had an orgasm while on the phone with him.
And then he’d told me I was everything he’d never even known he wanted.
I pulled in several deep breaths. They didn’t steady me, because a very disconcerting thought haunted my mind: How long could I avoid the inevitable?
* * *
One would think a seriously powerful orgasm inspired by a seriously hot man would take the edge off a seriously sexually deprived woman. In my case, one would be wrong.
All it did was make me want Dane more.
He called around nine the next morning. I wished he’d have asked me again what I was wearing. This time I could have give him a sexier answer, since I’d just stepped out of the shower.
But he was all business.
“Can you come to the hotel around eleven?” he asked without preamble. Tension tinged his voice.
“Sure.”
“I’m on my way to the airport. I have to go to Paris for some meetings. I’ll be gone all week.”
Why did that make my stomach knot? Was it the thought of not seeing him?
“Everything okay?” I asked.
“It will be when I’m done.” His determination echoed in his voice, a dangerous edge I didn’t miss, couldn’t deny. It evoked a razor-sharp vibe that made warning signals go off in my head once more. The hairs on my arms stood on end. What was I really getting myself into?
He said, “I need you to see my VPs of Human Resources and Legal Affairs. One of them will meet you in the lobby. There’s paperwork to fill out, contracts to sign. I’ve also arranged for Amano, my head of Security, to give you the tour of the property, since I won’t be able to do it myself.” This time, it was regret I heard. As though it meant a lot to him to be the one to show me the resort. I supposed it would, since the Lux was his pride and joy.
Continuing, he said, “The rest of the week will be filled with meetings between the heads of the departments you’ll be working most closely with—Sales, Banquets, Security, Marketing, and Public Relations. Also reps from the salon and spa, for your clients’ personal needs. My assistant has set everything up. She’s left a schedule on your desk. Her name is Molly Albright. Whatever you need, ask her.”
Apprehension skipped through me. “So, how does this work? I just dive in and clear things with you along the way?”
“Initially. So we’re on the same page to start. Then I’m sure you can run with it. I have other things to keep an eye on.”
That sounded ominous. “Dane, is there something serious happening—”
“I trust you, Ari. Implicitly,” was all he said.