Built to Last (Middleton Hotels 2)

Rachael

Oh my God. Denise texted me at four in the morning, but I didn’t see it until I was on my way to class. Dudette, you like poisoned the boss with Davanzo’s? He called for medicine for him and his woman. Damn girl, are you trying to get the boot?

Oh shit, I didn’t mean for them to get that sick. I hate that bitch. I really hate her. Him, well he’s an ass.

I was going to get canned today, I knew it. He wasn’t going to let this slide and neither was that wench. I don’t know what possessed me to do it. It was childish but funny to me at the time.

When I stepped into the lobby, I expected to be escorted out by security, but I wasn’t. I got to work and there he was walking with three other men and Roxie at his side. He paused for a moment to look at me after one of the men said something as he eyed me. Joseph’s face changed quickly to anger, then he walked them out. He came back to the hotel and approached the desk. “So Ms. Harrison, I have some leftover pizza if you want some.”

“Nope, I don’t eat pizza. Well, at least not from anywhere but Chicago.”

“Did you know it was contaminated?” he asked, pressing his hands with his fingers sprawled out on the counter and looking at me suspiciously.

“No, it’s just uber greasy, and if you’re not used to greasy, it will take a toll on you.”

He shook his head at me. Then he said, “I’m checking out today, but if Roxie plans to stay, just leave the room for her.”

“Yes, sir,” I replied. God, I hated her and he was sleeping with her. My crush looked at me like he was annoyed again. It was hard to tolerate the fact that he touched and kissed that bitch.

“It’s Joseph. Is that so hard to say?” he asked with his irritation pouring through his words.

“It’s not, but you seem very annoyed with me.” My attitude was minimal, but I could tell that I was close to losing my common sense.

“I’m not. I just won’t take recommendations from a person who doesn’t eat the food.”

“Okay, well, I’m really sorry that you feel lousy now.”

“I’m good now, but I hardly slept.” I wonder why. Maybe that bitch had a diseased cooch and he got sick from her dessert, not the food.

I only felt partially guilty for giving him that menu, but I didn’t want to lose my job. “Again, I’m sorry, Joseph. Please don’t fire me.”

“I’m not going to fire you unless you recommend it to a guest. I don’t want to be sued.” He shook his head at me again, then stared at me for a moment like he was trying to puzzle me out.

“Understood,” I replied, ducking my head down.

“You need to lighten up, Rachael.”

“I’ll try.”

He lowered himself to rest his elbows on the counter. “You seem light around everyone else but me.”

“You are my boss,” I reminded him. No way in hell was I going to tell him it was because I was infatuated with him.

“Nah, I’m the boss of the boss of the boss of your boss. Or something like that and you still tried to poison me,” he chuckled, making me want to kiss his handsome face.

“Hey, I didn’t mean for you to get sick,” I replied.

“Not even for your father?” he asked me.

I didn’t know why he brought up my father. “My father? What does he have to do with anything?”

“Isn’t your father Preston Harrison?” His blue eyes stared into mine like he wanted to know more.

“Yes, and the last time I saw you, you were with your girlfriend at my father’s party.”

“You were there?” He acted truly surprised. Then he added, “Girlfriend? I only took my assistant.”

“I was too young and hidden in my ivory tower waiting for my prince to come and rescue me,” I teased.