The lobby was quiet at this time of the morning. Slowly but surely, a small trickle of people were making their way from the bank of elevators to my left across the lobby to the breakfast area. I was proud to say our breakfast area was one of the best Palo Alto had to offer.
The hotel basically sat on the beach and while having bacon and eggs—or an egg white omelet for the more health conscious—clients could enjoy the magnificent view. The sparkling blue ocean lay to one side and great city views to the other.
I’d even had a hand in arranging the tables on the outside deck so everyone would have something pretty to look at while getting fueled up for the day ahead. I tried to make every guest feel special and welcomed, from the Silicon Valley business guys to the Stanford students needing some grease to cure their hangovers. Making sure their breakfast came with a view was only one way I tried to achieve my goal. When I got promoted to manager of this property, the California branch of the McAllen Hotel Group, I swore to myself it would be my personal mission to make sure every guest left happy. A tall order, but so far I thought I was doing okay.
Smiling, I greeted the few very early bird guests walking past my perch at the front desk and tidied up the bits and pieces of stationery littering the Caesar stone quartz countertop—left behind by the night shift.
“Do you ever go home?” Tiffany’s exasperated voice asked from the doorway behind me that led to the staff area in the back.
I turned to face my best friend. She was fiddling with her name tag, trying to place it in its rightful place above her heart while mussing her curly hair with her free hand. “I went home for a couple of hours, but there’s a high-end client coming in today. I wanted to make sure his room was ready on time.”
She rolled her vibrant green eyes and shook her head, making her fiery curls bounce. “I don’t understand why you go above and beyond for this company every damn day of the week.”
It wasn’t the first time we’d had this discussion. I gave her a pointed look and greeted an elderly couple celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary this week. “I do it because the guests deserve our best. Besides, it also happens to be our jobs.”
“Our jobs are to come in on time and do what we get paid to do. They don’t pay us to come in early to make sure every room is ready. That’s housekeeping’s job. It’s what Sheila and the girls get paid to do,” she said, smoothing out her navy blue skirt as she logged into the system for her shift as the front desk clerk.
“We’re all a team, Tiff.” I knew I sounded like I paid too much attention at our last staff retreat, but well—I had. More than that, I enjoyed my job and I worked hard because I didn’t want to be stuck in it for the rest of my life. The McAllen Property Group was huge. The kind of place a girl could do well for herself if she put some muscle into it.
“Sure, we’re a team working our butts off to make a billionaire even richer. Face it Aston, you’re nothing but another brick in the wall to the guys at the top. Another employee number they’ll never put a face to.”
In a company the size of McAllen, it was probably true. What was rare about our company though was that the CEO did actually care about his employees. Or at least he made an effort to fake it really well. “That billionaire you’re referring to is rich because he worked day and night to make it happen. You never know, it could be me next.”
“You think you’re going to become the next property billionaire by working in a hotel?” Tiffany propped a hand on her hip and arched a perfectly plucked brow. “Stuff like that doesn’t happen in real life. You should relax a little and come out with me tonight?”
“It does happen in real life. It happened for Mr. McAllen. You know his background, it’s a real rags to riches story. I respect him, he started out with nothing but look at where he is now. He has a hotel in almost every state and we’re expanding internationally. We’re more than employee numbers to him, but let’s say we really are just numbers, I still want him to know mine.”
“Think what you want, but they’re just going to get rid of us all one day. That’s how these big companies work.” She scooted back to hop onto her stool. “You never answered me about tonight.”
“I’m working tonight,” I told her. “The quarterly report came in early this morning. I want to read through it and see where we rank.”
“We’re one of the smaller hotels, so there is no way we’re anywhere near the top. Come out with me instead.” She flashed me a wide smile, twirling one of her curls between her fingers in a way that told me she was in the mood to cause trouble. My suspicions grew stronger when she batted her lashes next. “Please come out with me. We need to get your mind off work. I’m seriously worried about you. You’re my friend and you work way too hard. You’re only twenty-six, there’s plenty of time to work on world domination.”
“I don’t want to dominate the world.” I shook my head, but I was unable to hold back a smile. Tiffany and I were polar opposites. ‘Girls just want to have fun’ was her mantra and she spent every spare penny she had in pursuit of it. She was the fun to my serious, the Meredith to my Christina. But Christina and I knew when it was time to be serious. “I only want to dominate this job.”
Tiffany’s eyes crinkled at the corners as she tried to suppress a laugh. “Why don’t we find you a guy to dominate instead? You need to get laid, it’ll take your mind off of work.”
A loud crash at the revolving doors in the front of the lobby caught our attention. Both of our heads pivoted to the source of the noise. A group of guys wearing fraternity shirts came tumbling through the doors, shoving each other and laughing. Their sneakers squeaked on the polished marble floors.
ASTONOne knocked into a standing vase and I cringed and waited for the crash when it hit the floor, but the doorman managed to grab it just before it toppled over. He got knocked on the head by a few of the flowers from the arrangement, but he’d saved us from having to salvage them all from the floor.The frat guy didn’t acknowledge Fred at all. He just swept past the poor doorman and punched his buddy on the shoulder as they headed toward us. I sighed, a group of rowdy frat guys checking in always caused trouble, which was the last thing I was in the mood for, but clearly these guys wouldn’t care.Tiffany, on the other hand, straightened up and checked her lip gloss in the reflection of the computer monitor as she nudged me with her elbow. “Perfect timing. Some might even call it divine intervention. What are the odds of them appearing right at this moment? Just think—one of them could be the guy who finally pops your cherry. The time has come, girl. Take your pick first, but person
BLAKEJust my luck, I missed the last flight to California yesterday while I was going over some numbers with Dad, so I was stuck spending the night in Florida after all. At least our property here made a mean pancake.Tomorrow I would go back to healthy choices, but today I wanted my pancakes. I stretched out on the king-sized bed and reached for the phone to call room service before I’d even opened my eyes. A definite advantage to practically living in hotels was never having to worry about fixing your own breakfast.Once my food was ordered, I rolled out of bed and rubbed my eyes as I headed to the bathroom. I was useless before a shower in the mornings.This hotel property, one of the three we had in Florida, was the first hotel dad had owned. It was an older building than most of the rest, but it had been redone to fit in with the comfortable modernist feel of the chain as a whole. Dad’s vision was to create beautiful hotels with every luxury he could afford to put in them, while
BLAKE“Wouldn’t you like to stay in one place for a while?” He paused, pushing his glasses up onto his forehead to pinch the bridge of his nose. “I’m worried about you, son. Always on the road, always traveling, never taking the time to stop. I wish you would consider just taking a break every once in a while.”The corners of my mouth pressed in. I’d always hated seeing my dad worried. It was an occupational hazard, given that he was now the CEO of a multinational company, but it had only been us and him for years.Danny was always more focused on what people thought about the public image of our dad than the man himself. It left me to be the one to take care of the man behind the business.Traveling didn’t bother me. It never had. I checked in with my dad often, and spoke to him at least once a week. I didn’t realize the traveling was a problem for him. “I love doing what I do, Dad. You don’t have to worry about me. I don’t need to stop or take a break at all.”A grim smile crossed h
ASTON“Please tell me you aren’t planning on working late again?” Tiffany came bounding into my office exactly one minute and thirty seconds after her shift ended. She had a ratty backpack over her shoulder and had already changed out of her uniform—a navy pencil skirt and white blouse—into a pair of cut-off jeans and a green tank that matched her eyes.I eyed the pile of papers lying next to my laptop. The hotel was looking for a new supplier for cleaning supplies and a couple of the couches in the lobby needed to be replaced. I had a ton of other stuff left to do, but none of it was urgent.My high profile client was checked in, we hadn’t heard another peep from the frat guys since I sent up the complimentary champagne, and there didn’t seem to be any other problems with the guests that needed my attention.“No, I don’t think I will. I’m beat.” Staying late was a way of life for me, but my feet were aching in my new stilettos, my eyes were burning from staring at my computer screen
ASTONHalf an hour later, we’d made a quick stop so I could buy what I needed, and just like that, we were pulling up at one of the quieter beaches on the outskirts of the city.“I’m so glad you decided to come with me. I really didn’t feel like working on my tan alone and it’s been forever since we spent some girl time together.” Tiffany gathered a small beach umbrella and towel from the back of her car, grabbed a water bottle and pulled a cap on. We walked to a public restroom so I could change into my newly acquired beach wear, buying some sodas from a stand nearby once I was done.Tiffany chattered nonstop and kept my arm linked with hers like she was afraid I was going to take off on her. I followed her onto the beach and as soon as I felt the sand between my toes, I knew I’d made the right decision.We weren’t even sitting down yet, and I already felt myself relaxing in the company of my best friend. It felt good. I could practically feel my batteries recharging. “I’m glad I cam
BLAKECalifornia, sweet California. Although I didn’t get out to this property as often as I liked, it had always been one of my favorites. It was a small hotel, but it was popular and really did feel like a home—to me, anyway. Having thought about my talk with Dad on the plane, I still didn’t want to settle down in one place for good, but I wouldn’t mind spending a couple of weeks in California.The people, the vibe, the weather, the food. Everything was better here than it was in Florida. It helped that my family was far enough away, but not so far that I couldn’t get there if I needed to.Compared to some of our bigger hotels, the lobby here was downright cozy. It had the big windows and panes of glass for walls like most of our hotels did, but it seemed warmer because it was smaller.I made mental notes of things I noticed while walking in. Part of my job when I visited the properties was to report back on general impressions and things I thought we could improve in order to attra
BLAKEWas she what Dad was thinking about when he said something might be different in California this time? Because she was certainly different than the last manager of the property. He was a brash mid-westerner who we fired for taking bribes from suppliers.When Aston rounded the desk to escort me to my room, I extended my hand. “Blake. Nice to meet you.”Her hand was small and warm, but her grip was firm. Another smile lit her eyes. “You too, Blake. We hope you’ll enjoy your stay with us. Please let me know if you need anything to make your stay more pleasant.”My mind flew to the gutter. I could think of at least a dozen things she could do to make my stay more pleasurable, none of which involved performing the duties in her job description. I pushed the thought away. I was here to work, not play. And I was definitely not here to fuck the hot new manager.Aston started walking to the elevators and I followed, but not before noticing the way her hips swayed slightly when she walked
ASTONDamn that man was hot. He was tons better looking than the arrogant frat guys, with none of their attitudes. He couldn’t be more than a few years older than they were, but compared to him they looked like adolescent boys. Blake, on the other hand, was all man.Tall, well-spoken, confident. He radiated strength and power. A lot of times with men around my age, it looked to me like their suits wore them instead of the other way around. Almost like they hoped the suit made them look as powerful as they wanted to feel, as they hoped to be seen.Blake was different, he wore the suit. The suit didn’t wear him. It seemed right on him, made especially for him, but more. Almost like the fabric itself clung to him, wanting to be in his presence.The air of cool confidence he exuded was unmistakable. The magnetism of a man who knew who he was, what he wanted and how he was going to get it. And he probably got it all the time, whatever it might be.His attitude alone would have made him one
AstonEverything further away than what could be reached in two or three hours by plane, he let Danny handle. Blake had been my rock, my constant. With him as the dad, I could see myself having a lot more children. He certainly seemed to be on board.A nurse came in to check on us, as they did every so often. This was one who must have just started her shift, since I hadn’t seen her around earlier. She was an older woman with bright red hair and a kind smile. “Is everything okay in here? I need to take the baby for observation, it won’t be more than a few minutes before she’s back.”Blake’s eyes widened comically. “You’re taking her away?”“Just for a few minutes, sir.” The nurse smiled sympathetically. “I won’t take my eyes off of her for a second, you have my word. I know it’s hard for you to let go of her right now.”“She has to go?” Blake asked, not looking like he was inclined to hand her over at all.The nurse nodded. “A few minutes, sir. She’ll be back before you know it.”Relu
ASTONOn a rainy Saturday morning, Blake and I welcomed baby Emma Rose McAllen into the world. She was a pink, healthy little angel that had both of us wrapped around her little finger the very first second we laid eyes on her.The hospital was busy. I could hear people milling around outside, some running to take care of patients and others here to visit friends and family, and to meet the new arrivals. Emma was only three hours old, but I was sure Blake’s family and Tiffany would get here soon.Both Tiffany and Blake’s mom had wanted to be in the waiting room when she was born, but I went into labor in the early hours of Saturday morning and in our rush to get to the hospital, we hadn’t wanted to disturb them in the middle of the night.For now it was just us and our little cherub in our bubble of the most perfect, serene happiness I’d ever known. With Emma’s tummy full for the first time, she was dozing in her daddy’s arms and the scene in front of me was as precious as I’d known i
BlakeTiffany led us into the smaller of the conference rooms at ground level, one where Aston and I had shared dinner not so long ago, yet it seemed like a different lifetime now. Aston walked over to the window, releasing a happy sigh to be looking out over the ocean. “It feels like I haven’t been here in forever.”“For you and me both, girl.” Tiffany sighed. “Welcome back.”“Thanks,” Aston replied softly. “You should come visit us in Florida sometime. We’ll be happy to have you.”“Once the baby is born, try keeping me away,” she said, reaching out to pat Aston’s belly again.The two friends shared a moment. I hung back, getting settled at the table. When they sat down, Aston joked, “Oh, you’ll only visit once the baby is born? That’s still months away.”“Good point,” Tiffany said. “Maybe I’ll come out there sooner. Is your nursery set up yet? I can come help with that.”“We’ve been settling into the house,” Aston told her. “We haven’t gotten to the nursery quite yet. It would be gr
BLAKEThree months after the last time Aston and I walked out of the hotel in California, we were back for a visit. It had been a long three months. We had meant to pop in for a visit weeks ago, but we never got around to it.As it was, we’d almost had to cancel again. Aston managed to dodge the bullets flying her way, with Danny’s help, and we’d hopped on the jet as soon as our meetings let out. We were like kids fleeing from school on the last day, excited to be getting away from the head office that took so much of our time.Our visit to California wasn’t a vacation though. Soon, I would whisk Aston away for a break before the baby was born, but for now, we were working.It didn’t make Aston any less excited to be headed back to her hometown. She missed her friends and had been looking forward to spending time with them, even if we would have to get some work done at the same time.Dressed in a soft, flowing red dress that clung to her newly rounded stomach, she looked more beautif
ASTONBefore I knew what was happening, Blake flipped us over and was rolling my pants down my legs. My panties followed quickly.He yanked both items over my bare feet and dropped them to the floor. Heat spread through me as his bright blue eyes drank in every inch of me.He sat between my legs, spread open so there would be space for him. Completely on display for him, I was surprised by how much it turned me on. The raw lust in his eyes told me he felt the same. “I was an ass. I’m sorry I didn’t see how much I was upsetting you, can I make it up to you?”“Please,” I breathed, reaching for his shirt.Catching my hands in one of his, he used the other to reach behind him in a fist and pulled it off in a smooth slide. As his body came into view, I wished he wasn’t sitting between them so I could clench my thighs together to ease the need building there. Seeing me squirm, his hands went for my bare legs, running up and down my thighs.“You’re gorgeous, Aston. And the best thing that ha
Blake“No buts. If that’s what you want, I’ll go. I understand that you need someone there and that logistically, it can’t be Aston. I can be a team player again and if that’s what this team needs, I’ll take one for the team and go.”Taking a deep breath, his eyes darted up to the ceiling like he was slightly embarrassed by what he had to say. “But if you’d consider keeping me on in Florida though, I could work under Aston.”Shocked, my eyes widened. “You’d be her subordinate?”“Yeah.” His eyes drifted to Dad before he nodded and looked back at me. “It’s not easy for me to face, but I know I brought this on myself. If I stay, I’ll work as her second. Help her, learn from her, whatever.”“You would do that?” To say I was surprised was an understatement. My brother, or at least the brother he’d become, lacked the astonishing maturity it took to come up with a plan like this. “You realize it wouldn’t be temporary.”“I do.” He held onto my gaze, sincere in what he was saying. “I’ve been a
BLAKEWalking out of Dad’s study, I bumped into my mom in the hall. For a guy who spent years seeing only one family member, two at most, once every couple of weeks, I was surrounded by them now. I didn’t know how much I liked it yet.“Have you seen Aston? I asked Mom, who smiled as she jerked her head in the direction of the front door.“She left in a cab a few minutes ago,” Mom told me. “I saw her out there from the kitchen window, but it looked like she could use a couple of minutes alone. Next thing I knew, there was a cab and she was getting into it.”My heart sank to my shoes. “What?”I knew Aston was upset by my offering her Danny’s job, but I never thought she would leave. Panic crept in and gripped my heart. She didn’t know anyone in Florida as far as I knew. I didn’t even know where to start looking for her.“Fuck,” I mumbled, ignoring my mom’s chastising look. It was a little fucking late for her to try have any say about my language. I was getting used to having her around
Aston“I’m against it because I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I exclaimed, rolling my eyes. “Danny’s position isn’t some random spot. It’s a very important position in the company.”“Exactly,” Blake snapped. “It’s not good enough to put some random person into that position, don’t you think I get that? That’s one of the reasons why I need you, Aston. You’re all I’ve got. I don’t have any other options that are good enough.”“I’m a last resort?” My head reared back like he’d slapped me. I didn’t know what was going on with me, but my emotions were all over the place. Maybe it was the pregnancy after all, but knowing he only wanted me because there was no one else was somehow more hurtful than people thinking he’d only put me into that spot because he was sleeping with me.Staring at me like I’d grown a unicorn horn or turned green, Blake shook his head. “You’re not a last resort. It’s not like that at all. Think about it this way, my dad supports me in this decision. About Danny going
ASTON“Excuse me.” I pushed my chair back from the kitchen counter and glanced at Blake’s family before letting my eyes come to rest on him. “Could I talk to you outside for a minute please?”“Sure.” Exchanging a look with his father who nodded encouragingly, Blake followed me outside. I didn’t stop walking when we hit the deck, heading over it and onto the expansive green lawn.The sparkling swimming pool was blue and inviting. I briefly considered stripping off my clothes and taking refuge in the silence of its depths, but I doubted very much that Blake’s father would appreciate a half-naked pregnant girl sitting at the bottom of his pool.When I hit a patch of trees at the back of the property, I paced in the shade beneath them. Without having to look, I knew Blake was standing there watching me. He let me blow off steam for a few more seconds before planting his hands on his hips. “Before you say anything, hear me out.”“I told you I didn’t want that spot, Blake.”Walking toward m