Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Meanwhile, the intruder appears to be as cool as a cucumber, lazily lifting his shoulders into a shrug as he looks around the room.
“I had insomnia. I couldn’t stop tossing and turning so I decided to go for a little walk.”
I splutter over my words for a few moments, my head in a cloud as I try to figure out what on Earth to say. “Okay, but this is the Corinthian Hotel, for goodness sake! How did you even get back here? You know, guests aren’t supposed to be backstage. OMG, did you break in? I’m calling security—”
At that, the man laughs. He literally throws his head back and lets out a loud, hearty chuckle that shows off Crest-white teeth as well as a strong, bronzed throat. I don’t know, this guy looks rich and important somehow, even despite his casual clothes. But still, how could I be so stupid? Why didn’t I lock the door? And how in the world did a guest get back here?
But he reads my mind, and those blue eyes gleam as the stranger turns back to me.
“Actually,” he drawls “I own the Corinthian, so a lot of folks know about my midnight wanderings. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Stone Thompson. And you are…?”
Stone Thompson?
Oh shit. I’ve heard his name a million times before because everyone knows who the big boss is. He’s almost like a legend that people whisper about. Mr. Thompson is rumored to be worth more than King Midas, and photos I’ve seen of him show a man with movie-star good looks, which yup, are not the result of clever filters. Why didn’t I put two and two together? I suppose it’s because I never thought I’d actually meet Mr. Thompson in the flesh. After all, I’m a lowly wardrobe assistant, while he’s my boss’s boss’s boss.
Oh shit. I’ve really fucked up.
My whole body feels as if it’s burning up and my curves flush hotly. OMG, I’m nude before the handsome man, and even worse, his signature is on my paycheck. What do I do? I try to cover more of my curves with this blasted top, but unfortunately, there’s just too little fabric.
“Um, sorry Mr. Thompson,” I manage in a squeaky voice. “I’ll get out of your way now.”
With that, I begin to sidle away, but he merely licks his lips, those blue eyes taking on a predatory gleam.
“I can tell that this is an awkward time for you,” he murmurs. “But I didn’t get your name?” he asks again.
Oh shit. I don’t want him to know my name because what if he fires me?
“Tonya Harding,” I blurt. Then my cheeks go red because why did I lie? Even more, those black brows go up as he looks at me.
“Really. Like the ice skater? The one who paid someone to bash in Nancy Kerrigan’s knee?”
Oh shit, I’ve already been caught, so I look down and shake my head.
“No, it’s Tanya Grimes,” I admit in a low voice, unable to meet his eyes as my cheeks go scarlet with embarrassment. “I work here at the Corinthian.”
He nods.
“That’s better. Again, this is obviously a bad time for you, so I won’t press the issue now. But I’d like to speak with you about what I just saw. Are you available tomorrow at noon? Ask for the executive suite upstairs. My name’s Stone. Don’t worry, they know me up there,” he says with a wink. Then, he turns and strolls out of the rehearsal room, whistling as he leaves. What the fuck? How can this man be so nonchalant when he just caught me doing a striptease? And even worse, am I going to be fired?
I don’t know what to think or what to do. I should be rushing to put my clothes back on but instead, I’m frozen in place as my heart thuds in my chest. I just…I can’t believe that I just met Stone Thompson when I was stark naked! Why, oh why, did this have to happen?
But my nipples are tight as I visualize the man before me again, and I press my thighs together with need. He was gorgeous, and okay, cocky and arrogant, but in a way that’s really attractive. The good part is that he didn’t seem particularly peeved that I was using the dance space during off-hours. But at the same time, my actions were unprofessional, to say the least, so if he’s calling me to his office to hand me a pink slip, then I can’t say that I’ll be surprised.
Damn. I’m totally getting fired tomorrow, aren’t I? I just wish that Stone and I met under different circumstances because somehow, I know the CEO’s going to make me pay.
4
TANYA
The next day.
I’m already a flustered mess waiting here outside of Stone’s office. It was quite the ordeal to even make it here, actually. When I asked for Mr. Thompson downstairs, the girl at reception shot me a suspicious look. Then she called Mr. Thompson’s secretary, who also seemed to be surprised. But after putting us on hold for the longest time, I was finally directed to an elevator that shot straight up to the executive suites. It must be nice having an elevator that only services your floor. Then again, I suppose the Corinthian is a huge hotel, so it makes no sense to stop on every level.