Temptation(8)

“Let me guess, more creepy research?”

“It’s what I do Ms Summers.” He then reached for a strawberry and popped it into his mouth, I smiled and followed suit.

“So what other creepy research have you done?”

“Just the stock standard. You have been married to Rick Summers for 12 years. You have two children, Nate nine and Charlotte six. You live in Attwood and have done so for 10 years. You were born in Victoria to Maryann and Graeme Blaxlo, who now live on 70 acres near Shepparton and you are 1 of 3 children. You are Fructose Intolerant, love Cars, Football and World Landmarks. You also have a soft spot for frogs and hate spiders. Shall I go on?” I was literally shocked. How the fuck did he know so much about me? I didn’t know what to feel, I couldn’t speak and kept shaking my head. At this point I also realised my mouth was open and I must have resembled one of those carnival clowns, the ones with the big mouths you put balls in, I suddenly lost my appetite and felt very uncomfortable.

“Alexis, you look a little pale. What you need to understand is, I am a very resourceful man that happens to take great pride and ownership in my assets, and in order to do so, I need to protect them. I need to be able to trust who I let into my company and most importantly who represents it.” I was still speechless and processing the enormity that was this man.

“Now, as my C.A. I need you to present my assets with the utmost professionalism and show all guests the greatest courtesy and understanding. You need to also be as knowledgeable with this hotel and complex as I am with my staff, there can be no stone left unturned, do you understand Alexis?”

“I understand” I stuttered, still in shock.

“Now, I have changed a few job tasks between yourself and Miss Taylor, Miss Taylor will focus more on the hotel guests and less on my needs. I will require you to handle my Concierge requests; I find that one attendant performing this task is much more efficient.” He pointed to the fruit platter.

“Please it is better to taste than to admire, I assure you.”

“Oh,” I clumsily grabbed a strawberry, raspberry and cantaloupe flower and placed them on a small plate. I opted for the strawberry first as it seemed less messy and the safest option. The food and drink really did taste delightful here, I bit into the cantaloupe flower and felt myself ease a little. Mr Clark grabbed a couple of blueberries and popped them into his mouth all at once. He was so comfortable and at ease now and appeared to be waiting for my response. He got up and walked over to his desk. Just as I was about to bite into my raspberry he bent over. Oh Shit, juice squirted out and I felt some of it land on my chin, I jerked and in doing so nearly choked on what I had just put in my mouth. Standing up, he rushed back to the lounge, sat on the arm of the seat I was occupying and started patting me on my back.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine I choked.” What was I? One and learning to chew solids? He still had his hand on my back but now he was rubbing in a circular motion, Oh his hand felt good, If I was a dog my leg would have started to twitch. My eyes got heavy and I started to sink a little. Shit, Alexis snap out of it!

“I’m fine, sorry just choked a little, really I’m fine.” He held out his hand and pulled me up, then handed me a folder.

“This is my personal Concierge brief, you will need to come up here every morning and get it from either myself or Lucinda, it will have my requests for the day.” I took the brief from him and he placed his hand on the small of my back gently directing me to the door. Just as I reached for the handle he put his hand up to my chin, I froze solid. What was he doing? This was highly inappropriate, and I’m married. Just as I was about to object, he wiped my chin gently.

“There you go, I can’t have my C.A. wearing raspberry juice around my hotel.” I automatically followed his wipe with one of my own and felt myself go crimson.

“Oh sorry, no you can’t, not a good look. Thank you Mr Clark for lunch it was lovely.” I opened the door and walked into the foyer. Lucinda was not at her desk thank goodness, so I hurried along to the elevator and pushed the button. I knew he was still standing there watching me and it made me feel uneasy, but not in a bad way surprisingly. The doors opened and I got in, as I turned around, he was standing in his doorway watching me leave and wearing the biggest ‘smirk’ so far. I couldn’t help but smile back at him and I did until the doors closed in front of me.

I stumbled back to the far wall of the elevator and steadied myself on the arm rail. Holy Shit, what was that all about? This irresistibly gorgeous, filthy rich, privacy invading, control freak was flirting with me and me back at him. I needed some air, I needed some place to settle my heart which was racing like mad in my chest. I looked at my timetable and found I was due at Front Office in 15 minutes. I opted for the Sundeck again so pressed button number 2, it was still a glorious day and I really did enjoy this spot. I opened Mr Clark’s brief, it was empty, except for a yellow post-it note stuck to the very back of the folder. Handwritten in pen was a note from Bryce.