Tempted by the Boss (Tempted Series Book 1) (3 page)

As the host of the party, I didn’t have the luxury of playing
favorites, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t have one. And tonight there was no
contest.

I couldn’t take my eyes off Ella. Every now and then she would
hike her tight little dress up when she thought no one was looking, and I
wanted so badly to help her out of it and into something more comfortable. Like
my whirlpool jacuzzi.

I didn’t have to know everyone at the party to know she had more
personality than anyone in the room. The way her face lit up when she found something
amusing drove me crazy all night. I wanted to be the one making her smile. I
was especially jealous at one point when someone made her laugh so hard it
looked like she may have choked some champagne bubbles into her nose because
her eyes started to water as she gasped for breath.

I wanted to be the one making her gasp for breath.

Fortunately for me, I had a seat right on the stage during the
entire raffle so I could keep my eye on her. At one point she noticed me
looking in her direction, and I saw her blush from across the room.

I felt a tap on my shoulder. I swear if I had a dollar for every
time someone tapped on my shoulder- well, I probably did- but that’s not the
point. Someone always wanted my attention for something, and it was especially
apparent now that the only person who wasn’t asking me for something was the one
person I was prepared to give whatever they wanted.

“It’s time for your closing remarks in three minutes and fifteen
seconds, Will.”

“But I won’t be ready for at least three minutes and twenty
seconds, Emily.”

“That’s hilarious, sir. Be sure to tell some more jokes when you
get the mic, but maybe not that racist one you told to the Russians.”

“Noted. I think you should take the day off Monday, Em.”

“Another good one. You’re really breaking me up. I think I just
peed a little.”

I smiled. Emily had been my right hand woman for the last ten
years. She was around fifty years old and ran my schedule like a drill
sergeant. One time after a particularly taxing evening, she even informed me
that my underwear was inside out. I don’t know how she knew, but I didn’t pay
her to reveal her magic. I paid her to make me look good, and she did.

“What have we pulled in tonight?”

“We’re entirely booked for Christmas parties and all the suites are
reserved for Thanksgiving, Easter, and St. Patrick’s Day Weekend.”

“That’s not bad.”

“No it’s not.” She smiled. “Not bad at all.”

“And the raffle results?”

“I’ve written all the numbers down on this paper for you.”

“What would I do without you?”

“Not much.”

I looked down at the paper. “Oh my god. We killed it tonight.”

“Congratulations,” she said. “Time to share the good news.”

I straightened my tie and made my way toward the front of the
stage. “Ladies and gentleman.” It was all I could do to ignore her. “I hope
you’ve all enjoyed your evening, and I hope this is the first of many visits
you’ll be making to our flagship hotel. I’m delighted to hear that many of you
have already organized your next visit, and my staff and I are looking forward
to making sure your stay exceeds your highest expectations.”

I cleared my throat. “Before I continue, I’d like to take a
moment to thank the band for doing such a great job tonight.” I lifted my arm to
my right and waited for the applause to die down. “I’d also like to thank my
staff who have enjoyed being part of this evening.” I waited some more. “And
finally let’s hear it for Jeff who I think we can all agree did a damn fine job
with the charity auction.” I pointed to Jeff at the edge of the stage, and he
gave a little bow.

“I know a lot of you must be looking forward to all the
wonderful items you purchased this evening, and I think you’ll be even more
delighted when I tell you that we’ve raised over four hundred and sixty
thousand dollars for our charities tonight.” I clapped against the microphone
and made a particular point of nodding at the people who made the most
extravagant contributions by buying art, timeshares, and cruise packages.

“There are only two more things I’d like to mention- and by all
means stick around when I’m done. The bar will be open until the last guest has
had their fill and the band will continue to play until your feet have had
enough. Anyway, the first thing is that to encourage everyone to be safe on the
roads tonight, I’ll be matching everyone’s cab fare home with a donation to The
Nest, a charity I’m sure many of you who know me well are already familiar
with.” I let myself steal a glance at Ella. She had her hand on her Mom’s
shoulder and Barbara’s hands were over her mouth. I nodded at them. “So be sure
to take the cabs that our doormen direct you to.”

“Finally, it’s time to announce the raffle winner. As you know,
the prize is a two thousand dollar shopping spree at Macy’s, season tickets to
the Knicks, and dinner with me at my favorite restaurant.”

Everyone’s eyes were on me and everyone’s lips were sealed.

Emily walked across the stage with a big glass ball that was filled
to the brim with slips of paper.

“And the winner is…” I reached in and pulled out a piece of
paper. “Ella Riley.” I pretended to scan the room like I didn’t know exactly
who it was, but her whole table erupted in applause. “Congratulations, Ella.
I’ll be down in a moment to give you the details of your prize.” I slipped Tom
Martin’s name in my pocket and didn’t even feel bad. He was a Celtics fan
anyway.

I shook hands with the people on stage and what felt like a
thousand other people who stopped me to say good bye as I made my way to Table
16. Ella and Barbara stood up when they saw me coming.

“That’s terribly generous of you about the cabs,” Barbara said
immediately.

“It’s only a token, Barbara. A large portion of tonight’s
donations will be going towards your organization.”

“You’re too kind, William.”

“Not at all. It’s a privilege to be involved in the work you
do.”

Barbara placed her hand on Ella’s slim shoulder. “It looks like
we’re both winners tonight then!”

I turned to Ella. “It’s not the worst party after all, I guess.”

“I never said it was the wors-”

“I’m joking.” I smiled. “I’m delighted you won.”

“Me too.” She looked down for a moment. “I’m still in shock.”

Barbara nudged her. “That shopping spree will be perfect for you
to get some clothes for interviews.”

“About that,” I said. “After you mentioned your degree, it
occurred to me that there might be a role for you here.”

“Are you joking?” Ella asked.

“I don’t joke about work.” I fixed my eyes on hers. “Ever.”

“Oh.” She swallowed. “Of course.”

“Anyway, I think you might be an asset to the company based on
your area of expertise.” I wanted to touch her. I wanted to touch her so bad,
but her Mom was right there and it would spoil the illusion that I was doing
her a favor. “I can’t make any promises until we further discuss your skill set
bu-”

“When?”

Her sudden forwardness took me by surprise. “Maybe lunch
sometime next week.”

“What day?”

I looked up and tried to imagine my schedule. “How about Tuesday?”

“What time?”

“Eleven?”

“Where should I meet you?”

“In the lobby of the hotel,” I said, reaching in my jacket
pocket.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

I nodded. “Good. Enthusiasm like that is exactly the kind of
thing we value here.”

“I can be enthusiastic about anything,” she added.

“That’s excellent news.” I passed her my card. “I’ll hold you to
that.”

She took the card in her delicate fingers and looked at it.

“Just in case you need to reach me for any reason.”

“Thank you, Will.”

The sound of my name in her mouth was more than I could take. “I
can give you the Knicks tickets and the Macy’s gift card then, too.”

“Perfect,” she said.

Yes you are, I thought. Yes. You. Are.

My new room was like a coffin. I imagined that if I died in
there, my body would probably be perfectly preserved for a freakish amount of
time because of the lack of oxygen. Of course, even though my body had been in
the apartment ever since we got home from the party, my mind was somewhere else
entirely.

I still couldn’t decide whether or not I was the butt of some
sort of practical joke. It didn’t make sense that I could act like such an
idiot and then Will Abbott would offer me a job. Then again, surely he had more
important things to do than go around making college grads feel foolish and
embarrassed.

But my offenses were many. I told him I’d been to better parties
two seconds after I asked him if it was appropriate to tip the bartender. That
doesn’t even make sense. I just couldn’t think straight when I was talking to him.
I mean, first he took me by surprise by literally coming out of nowhere like
that at the bar, and then he took me by surprise again just by being him, by
being so attractive and having such a deep voice. No wonder he was so
successful in business. He had the power to stun his audience during
negotiations.

I didn’t know how I was going to act cool in the interview. He
would be sitting there all chiseled and sexy with his deep laugh and I would be
what? Dazzling him with my excellent grasp of party planning 101? Telling him
all about the other parties I’d successfully pulled off? There was no way that
would impress him. Unless he felt like clown and princess themed parties were
exactly what the Abbott Hotel had been missing. The truth wasn’t going to get
me the job. I was going to have to be ballsy and confident and act like I had
business being there. I was going to have to win him over with ambition and
enthusiasm which, fortunately for me, I didn’t have to fake.

I felt my phone buzz in my back pocket and pulled it out to
check the caller id.

“I’m miserable without you. Please tell me you’re on your way
right now,” I said.

“I miss you, too,” Jackie said. “How’s Barb?”

“Barb is fine. It’s her place I can’t stand.”

“That bad, is it?”

“Cozy would be too generous of a word.”

Jackie laughed.

“Seriously. Do you remember the apartment we had sophomore
year?”

“Unfortunately.”

“It’s actually smaller than that.”

“But that apartment was two blocks away from White Horse.”

“Yeah, and this one doesn’t even have that going for it.”

“It’s only temporary,” she said.

“That’s what I keep telling myself.”

“Well the good news is I met with my boss and told her that I
want to be transferred out there when I get promoted.”

“And?”

“She thinks it’s a great idea.”

“Thank God.”

“But she also said she wanted me to stick around to help her
with the fall & winter catalogues first so I won’t be out there for a
while.”

“Did you tell her about me? Did you say that I need you?”

“No, I didn’t. It took her forever to learn my name. I wouldn’t
dare introduce another one into the mix.”

“Well I’m glad things are going well for you.”

“I’m glad your Mom’s place isn’t so nice that you don’t need me
anymore.”

“On the contrary, I need you more than ever.”

“Any word from Trevor since the big breakup?”

“He hasn’t called.”

“Because he’s over you or because he hasn’t paid his phone
bill?”

“The latter I’m guessing.” I lay down on my stomach. “I’ve
actually started wondering if my Facebook inbox will fill up, though.”

“That bad, huh?”

“Yeah. My favorite note was one about how he can’t go to our
favorite restaurant anymore because it’s too painful.”

“Wendy’s?”

“I have to assume.”

“I’m sorry, Elle.”

“Sorry you let me date him for so long?”

“That’s not fair. I told you he was a deadbeat.”

“I know. I just wish I didn’t only have myself to blame.”

“It’s not your fault. It was a bad experience.”

“Too bad that’s been my only kind of experience.”

“I admit you’ve picked some duds, but there’s nowhere to go but
up.”

“Easy for you to say.”

“You want to know my secret?”

“Yes.”

“I just go for whoever I think you wouldn’t and they’re usually
all right.”

“Now you’re just making me feel bad.”

“I’m joking.”

“Except you’re not,” I said. “Basically, you’re saying I
shouldn’t trust my instincts ever.”

“Maybe for a while.”

“Well as much as I appreciate that, I won’t be needing any
advice pertaining to men for a while.”

“Why? Did you meet someone?”

“No. I’m just swearing them off. If there’s anything I’ve
learned from my last few relationships it’s that I’m better off without them
and I’m not missing anything.”

“Oh good. So at least you’re not bitter.”

“I’m not bitter. I’m just going to focus on my career for a
while.”

“Since when is that a new plan? You’ve always been focused on
your career.”

“But now I’m going to focus without any distractions.”

She laughed. “Meaning men?”

“Meaning everything that could interfere with me getting a job
that will help me pay off my debt and move into a place where I can open the
windows and get some fresh air.”

“Your Mom’s place doesn’t have windows?”

“It doesn’t even have air.”

“Wait what?”

“It has windows. They just don’t open,” I lied.

“Oh. Right. And how’s Plan Career Focus going so far?”

“Good, actually. I already lined up an interview.”

“That’s amazing! You haven’t even been there a week.”

“Well it was pretty lucky, but at least it’s something.”

“Who’s it with?”

“William Abbott.”

“William Abbott of Abbott Hotels?”

“You’ve heard of him?”

“Yeah. The magazine did a whole article about him a while ago.
His wardrobe budget for the photo shoot was bigger than K-Skeezy’s.”

“The rapper?”

“Yeah.”

“Cool.”

“How did you meet him?”

“He hosted this charity thing my Mom dragged me to. I was
talking to him, and he thought I might be an asset at their new hotel.”

“Holy shit.”

“I won a raffle, too. A Macy’s shopping spree, season tickets to
the Knicks, and dinner with him at his favorite restaurant.”

“And here I was feeling bad for you!”

“Did you talk to him at the photo shoot?”

“Not personally, but he had everyone eating out of the palm of
his hand. I guess he’s actually a pretty nice guy despite everything.”

“Despite what?”

“I don’t know. Having all that money and being sexy as hell.”

“What was the article about?”

“It was for the Annual All American Bachelors Special. He was on
the cover.”

“Oh god. This isn’t helping my nerves.”

“I’d be shitting it, too, if I were you.”

“What do I need to know about him? Anything you can remember
that stood out?”

“You didn’t Google him?”

“Not yet. I didn’t have a chan-”

“You’re such an amateur! You don’t go interview with an
egomaniac without Googling them first!”

“I thought you said he was a decent guy?”

“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t love himself. Of course, he loves
himself! Why wouldn’t he? Everyone else does!”

“Okay, okay. I get it. I’ll Google him,” I said. “Tell me what
you know anyway.”

“I know he’s divorced. His ex is like besties with some famous
actress or something.”

“Okay, but what about him?”

“I know he dropped out of college to start his business which is
worth something ridiculous. He’s been on the Rich List every year since he was
thirty two.”

“What else?”

“The girls in wardrobe went on and on about how good he smelled
for days.”

“That’s helpful. I’ll be sure to give him a good sniff during
the interview.”

“Hey you asked.”

“I know, and I do appreciate you telling me what you know.”

“I’m not saying you should sniff him,” she said. “But I would
definitely make sure you’re groomed to within an inch of your life and that you
don’t smell so bad yourself.”

“I think that’s weird.”

“Do what you want. I’m just saying this guy doesn’t have to be
around anyone he doesn’t want to be around, so it wouldn’t kill you to look
extra easy on the eyes.”

“I want him to think I’m competent.”

“Of course you do. But guys like him aren’t attracted to
humility. If you’re not confident and gorgeous, you won’t even register on his
radar. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Sure, but I don’t really expect to get the job. I’m mostly expecting
it to be good practice for interviews in the future.”

“Don’t say that, Elle. This could be the biggest opportunity ever!”

“I know. Jeez.”

“So don’t blow it.”

“I won’t.”

“Working for him could set you up for life. You have no idea.”

“I guess I don’t.”

“Do whatever it takes to get that job.”

“Okay,” I said. “I will.”