Page 3 of Maid for Love
Seymour shrugs.
“Oh really? You know, you should be thankful that you have an incredible boss like me, Danielle,” my manager smirks as he slowly stands up and waltzes toward me. He perches himself up on the edge of his desk and crosses his arms over his chest as he stares down at my shrinking form. “Any other manager would have fired you immediately just to appease the guest, butIwas kind enough to fight for your job here. I pleaded for leniency on your behalf, and I must have been pretty damn convincing because the guest agreed.”
“Okay,” I say in a slow voice. “So I get to keep my job?”
“Yes. The guest is willing to accept an apology from you–in person. After that, your job should be safe. Because ofme,” he reminds me once again.
“Thank you so much!” I murmur, blinking with astonishment. “I’ll go apologize right now. Just let me know his name. I’ll even write a note of apology if you think it would help.”
“No, no,” Seymour says while rolling his eyes. “No note necessary. I’m sure he’ll be fine with a verbal apology. But Danielle, I want you to know that I don’t do anything for anyone forfree.”
My stomach heaves as I turn to look at him with a wary expression.
“What are you saying, Mr. Hinds?”
He smirks.
“What I’m saying is that I want a date with you, Ms. Smythe. You and me, in a romantic setting.”
“A date?” I ask in a faint voice as he nods.
“Yes, and don’t sound so surprised. It’s the least you can do since I saved your job. Youoweme, Danielle. Besides, there are thousands of women who probably wish they could be in your position right now. I mean, look at me,” he smirks as he waves a hand up and down his body. “I’m a successful businessman, I’m loaded with cash, and I’m as handsome as handsome gets! I’m every woman’s fantasy.”
Not quite. Seymour is as skinny as a skeleton, as pale as a ghost, and as greasy as a McDonald’s fry basket. I wouldn’t exactly label the scrawny, self-important nuisance as ‘every woman’s fantasy’. But he’s right–hedidsave my job so I do owe him.
I swallow down the bile that threatens to come up my throat as I think about having to sit across from him at a dinner table in a cheap restaurant for who knows how many hours, listening to him brag about his not-so-impressive accomplishments and talk about just how great he thinks he is. I can already see it now. He’ll spend the whole time kissing his own ass and then he’ll make me pay for my half of dinner before asking me if I want to go home with him.
I barely manage to contain my gag as I send him a stiff nod. “Okay. I’ll go on a date…I guess…” I mutter before turning to leave quickly.
“Alrighty-then,” Seymour sings in a smug tone. “Friday night. Be ready after your shift ends.”
“Friday night,” I repeat in a mumble as I yank open the door and let myself out. I exhale in a gust as soon as I’m out in the hallway. Great. Now I get to apologize to a guest for something that I didn’t do and spend my Friday night out on a date with the slimiest man I’ve ever known. How in the world did things come to this? I’m starting to think that maybe getting fired would have been the better option seeing the way my life is going.
3
DANIELLE
The next day.
After my shift ends, I make my way back up to the presidential suite to apologize for the alleged “mishap.” I’m still dressed in my maid’s uniform, but I made sure to freshen up my hair and makeup before coming since I want to look as presentable as possible while on my apology tour. And…okay, I want to impress the sexy man that I saw in the suite yesterday. It never hurts to look good, and I admit that I’m not above using my feminine wiles.
It takes me a few moments to work up the courage to knock, but I finally do after fiddling with my dress and wiping the invisible dust off my uniform. The door opens just a few moments later, and my eyes widen as I see the handsome man from yesterday up close.
He’s much taller than I thought, and his deep blue eyes flash as he looks down at me. He’s shirtless, and it takes everything in me to keep myself from looking away from his eyes to stare at his smooth, golden skin and toned abs. I feel as if the breath has been knocked out of me as he stands there waiting.
“Who are you?” he asks.
“Um, I’m Danielle Smythe,” I say in a tentative tone. “I work for the hotel. You put in a complaint, and I’m here to apologize?”
He nods, blue eyes gleaming now.
“Oh right,” he nods before stepping to the side. “Come in. I’m looking forward to hearing it.”
Something about the way he says those words makes me pause. Why does he sound so cocky? But it doesn’t matter because this should take all of thirty seconds, and then I’ll be out of here. Yet somehow, I know it’s going to be a longer process than that.
But the hesitant expression immediately melts off my face once I step inside and catch sight of the two women from yesterday poised on one of the couches.
“Star, Lacy,” the man drawls. “This is the maid from yesterday. I’m Barron Colgate, by the way. This is my suite.”