My cheeks flushed red, hands twisting in my lap. Oh god, I hoped Rhonda wouldn’t ask me more because there was no place to hide.
But Gray stepped in to the rescue.
“What Kitty’s saying,” he rumbled. “Is that her parents have instilled a sense of service into her. And that’s why you got a job as a cocktail waitress at our hotel right? Because you love working with guests, and wanted to interact with customers yourself.”
I nodded gratefully.
“I’m a hotel management major at school,” I added quickly. “So working at the Milano is great experience.”
Rhonda frowned.
“That’s interesting, where did you say you went to school again? Usually they put the college interns into marketing or accounting, or at least concierge services. It’s strange they have you working as a waitress,” she said, a puzzled expression on her brow.
My mouth opened and closed silently. Because of course, I’d sought out the waitressing gig myself to make ends meet. This was no work-study job, this was all about getting as many tips as possible.
But Gray saved me again, rumbling smoothly.
“Naw Ma, again, Kitty loves working with people. Those back office jobs would never cut it, she’s all about the one-on-one. But baby,” he said turning to me, those blue eyes direct. “If you want to transition to accounting just let me know. I always thought spreadsheets were boring, but maybe you’ve got a feel for it.”
My cheeks went red. I can barely add two numbers together, but the offer was kind.
“Thanks,” I murmured gratefully, shooting him another smile. “Maybe I’ll take you up on the transfer. But to something like marketing or public relations, not accounting.”
He shot me a knowing grin.
“No problem baby girl, whatever you want,” the deep voice ground out. “Whatever you want.”
And the rest of the dinner was amazing, the conversation witty, the food and drink incredible. In celebration, Rhonda had a thirty year-old Chateau Lafite brought up from the basement, and I stared at the precious bottle as it was uncorked.
“Um no, no thanks,” I said quickly when the elderly woman made to pour. “I couldn’t possibly.” The stuff ran a thousand dollars a bottle, even more sometimes. I couldn’t, I didn’t deserve it. Right now, free tap water was more my style given my finances.
But before I could refuse again, Gray’s foot touched mine under the table. I looked up, eyes wide, and he nodded subtly.
“Experience it baby girl,” that deep voice ground out. “It’s all for you.”
I didn’t know what to do at first. This was so out of my element, dining with these kind yet extravagantly rich people, and I wanted to cry suddenly. I wanted to reveal that I was an imposter, just a fake dummy sitting here, there was nothing real between us.
But the look in the alpha’s eyes was undeniably real. He cared about me. He wanted me to enjoy the wine, to open new vistas, and sample things that I’d never have an opportunity to otherwise. It was Gray’s encouraging look and the feel of that strong leg against mine that gave me the courage to go on.
“Okay just a little,” I said in a small voice. “Just a tiny sip.”
Rhonda laughed, her voice like a tinkling bell.
“You’re so different from the other women my son’s dated,” she confided as she poured. “Those ladies demanded fancy bags and fancy shoes, the best of everything. They would have marched down to the cellar and helped themselves to the wine if I didn’t offer it.”
I gasped.
“Really? But they’re guests at your house,” I protested. “That seems so bold.”
Rhonda nodded as she topped off my glass.
“Exactly, and that’s why I hated every one of them,” she proclaimed with a majestic air. “Here’s to you and Grayson, my son and his soon-to-be wife,” she praised. “Here’s to good times and many long, fruitful years together.”
The pressure of Gray’s leg against mine intensified, and I could literally feel sparks journeying up to my pussy, making me go soft and warm inside. He knew, too, I could tell. The big man’s able to read me every which way, and taking a sip from his glass, the alpha threw me a sensual glance.
“Here’s to many years with my lovely fiancée,” that deep voice rumbled, electricity flying between us. “Here’s to many years and many children.”
I tried not to show my surprise, unmoving in my seat. Children? What in the world? But right, there was a role to play, and I had to deliver.
“Yes, many years,” came my soft voice, my glance loving. “And many, many children.”
The gleam in Gray’s eyes intensified, growing hot and fiery. Because if I wasn’t mistaken, the big man wanted to make those children asap, he wanted to whisk me away and own my sweet pussy. And even though this was all a masquerade, suddenly I desperately wanted it too.