
What Happens in Paradise (The Love Hotel #2)
Chapter 1
1
JASMINE
I hated firing people.
It went against my nature to make others happy.
But as I stood at the door of the hotel’s laundry room, I knew that unfortunately, I wouldn’t have a choice.
As I watched Miguel, the very married head of housekeeping, shagging Carolina, the new chambermaid, on the washing machine, my jaw dropped.
Although his back was facing me, I recognised his shiny bald head glistening under the bright light that illuminated the immaculately painted white room, which had multiple washing machines neatly lined up against the wall.
Whilst his navy trousers and boxer shorts were wrapped around his ankles, exposing his large, hairy arse, Carolina’s blouse was unbuttoned and her eyes were squeezed shut.
The scent of fresh detergent flooded my nostrils. A laundry room was supposed to be clean and sanitary; I really hoped they planned to thoroughly disinfect every surface afterwards.
As the washing machine vibrated furiously, Carolina bounced up and down, moaning with pleasure, whilst Miguel continued thrusting into her.
I quickly turned my back and groaned internally.
Why oh why did I have to spill my bottle of juice all over my office floor and decide to get a towel to clean it up?
This wasn’t the first time I’d caught someone in the act . One of the main goals of my job as a ‘Love Alchemist’ at the Love Hotel was to bring couples together, quite literally. So walking in on awkward situations had become an occupational hazard.
But catching two co-workers going at it on a washing machine was a new one for me.
My stomach tightened. My new boss, Hazel had made it very clear that any co-workers found to be engaging in ‘extra-curricular activities’ were to be dismissed. Jobs at the Love Hotel were like gold dust. There was no way they’d find anywhere else to work that was as good as this and I hated to be the one to send them straight to the unemployment line.
Sweat pooled on my forehead. I reached into my electric navy-blue pencil skirt for a tissue then blotted it over my brown skin, whilst I worked out my next move.
I could stand outside and wait until they’d finished. Considering they were both about to be sacked, the least I could do was let them enjoy an orgasm before their lives went to shit.
For a second, I even contemplated creeping outside and pretending I hadn’t seen them. But then I remembered that gut-wrenching feeling of betrayal I’d felt three years ago and I knew I couldn’t just turn a blind eye.
Plus, if Hazel found out I knew about this illicit afternoon-delight session and hadn’t said anything, she’d be furious. I’d worked too hard to get to where I was and I wasn’t going to allow anything to jeopardise my career.
Nope. I had to put a stop to it. Right now.
After turning back to face them, I cleared my throat loudly, but the loud whirring from the washing machine drowned it out. No wonder they hadn’t heard me come in.
Just as I was considering covering my eyes and walking over to switch the machine off myself, Carolina’s eyes flicked open, then widened as she caught sight of me.
‘Fuck!’ she screamed.
‘ Sí ,’ Miguel said smugly in his Spanish accent as he continued pumping into her. ‘I give it to you good!’
‘No!’ She pushed him back, her eyes now the size of saucers. ‘Someone’s here!’
Miguel froze, then spun his head around. When he saw me, horror washed over his face.
‘Senora Jasmine!’ He yanked up his trousers. ‘It is not what you think!’
A sharp pain ripped through my heart and those painful memories came flooding back.
I quickly pushed them away. This wasn’t about me. This was about my career. If I wanted to get that promotion, I had to act like a boss. I couldn’t let my emotions get involved.
My phone rang. I pulled it from my pocket then looked down at the screen. It was Hazel.
Dammit . I was supposed to be going to her office to confirm that everything was in place for the VIP guest who’d be arriving shortly.
‘I’ll leave you two to get dressed,’ I said calmly before stepping outside. ‘Hazel, hi. Sorry I’m late. There’s been an incident…’
An hour later, Miguel and Carolina were both being escorted from the hotel after being fired on the spot by Hazel.
I’d pulled Carolina to one side beforehand to ask if she’d felt pressured by Miguel, but she’d insisted it was consensual and that they’d just got caught up in the moment .
I warned her that Hazel wouldn’t be sympathetic about two employees losing control on company property and I was right.
Once I’d told Hazel what had happened, I hadn’t had to do the firing like I’d feared, but I still felt bad: for Miguel’s wife and how gutted she’d be when she found out, and for Carolina, who’d only been here for three weeks.
And although I’d never do something so reckless, I could empathise a little because I knew too well what it felt like to be drawn to someone and be tempted to do something you shouldn’t.
The important difference though was that I’d never get involved with someone who wasn’t single. Zero exceptions.
In my case, the person I was drawn to was unattached, but there were still a million reasons why I had to keep my distance.
Anyway, I didn’t even know why I was thinking about him . I wasn’t interested in getting involved with anyone. Romance and love were something I helped our guests to find. It wasn’t for me. Not any more. I was just fine with being single.
Yep. What happened with Miguel and Carolina was a warning and I’d received the message loud and clear.
As the security guard shut the door to Hazel’s office, I blew out an exasperated breath.
‘Don’t feel bad,’ Hazel said as if reading my mind. ‘You did the right thing by telling me. Miguel was in a position of power. Carolina was his subordinate. Even if she insists it was consensual, it was an abuse of power. We can’t have bosses screwing their underlings. And he’s married. If this got out, it’d damage our reputation. We’re the world’s leading matchmaking destination hotel. We’re supposed to bring couples together, not tear them apart with sordid affairs. Jesus! ’ She shook her head like a disappointed parent. ‘What is it with married men? Why can’t they keep it in their pants?’
Another sharp pain shot through my heart.
‘Good question.’ I sighed.
‘You did well today, Jasmine. Please continue to be vigilant. We can turn a blind eye to our guests becoming amorous on the hotel’s grounds, because their satisfaction in all areas is what we strive to achieve, but we need to ensure that all of our Romance Rockstars are operating at the highest levels of professionalism. We can’t afford any scandals. Especially with our plans for expansion.’
‘Of course.’ I nodded.
Romance Rockstars was the Love Hotel’s name for its employees. They didn’t believe in using traditional job titles. Technically, Miguel wasn’t called the head of housekeeping; he was a Comfort King. Carolina wasn’t a chambermaid; she was a Comfort Champion. And for the past two years, I’d worked here as a Love Alchemist, which was a fancy way of saying guest relations manager.
Basically, I was in charge of ensuring the guests were well looked after and doing whatever I could to bring them together as a happy couple.
‘Perhaps it’s worth adding another reminder at the next meeting.’
‘Got it,’ I said, noting to add no banging your co-worker on the itinerary.
I couldn’t exactly put a camera on everyone’s genitals to see what they got up to, but somehow, I’d find a way to keep everyone’s libidos in check at work because that was what I did: I got the job done.
‘Excellent. So is everything in place for our VIP’s visit?’
‘Yes.’ I nodded. ‘I’ve triple-checked her room is spotless, I’ve circulated her photo to everyone and will make sure I’m there to greet her personally the moment she arrives.’
A mysterious VIP was coming to visit the hotel. Apart from showing us her photo, management hadn’t revealed exactly who she was or why she was coming here, but Hazel was very clear that I had to make sure that everything went without a hitch.
‘Great. And have you checked that the restaurant has a list of her dietary requirements?’
‘Yes, Marco confirmed he’d received them yesterday.’
‘Marco’s off sick, so Alejandro will be leading tonight’s service.’
‘Oh.’ I swallowed hard, trying to ignore my racing heartbeat. ‘I… I wasn’t aware.’
‘Marco only left about two hours ago. That’s why I called you.’
‘I see. I’ll head to the restaurant now to double-check.’
‘Perfect. I knew I could count on you.’
‘Thanks.’
As I headed towards the door, a warm sensation filled my chest. I prided myself on making sure things ran like clockwork and I was glad that Hazel was finally starting to recognise my worth.
She’d only worked at the hotel for a few months, so we were still building a relationship. Hazel was the one I needed to impress to secure the promotion I’d wanted for ages, so it was good that I was on the right track.
Seeing as she’d just complimented me, now would be a good time to ask about my progression.
‘Actually, Hazel.’ I turned back to face her. ‘I wondered if you’d given any more thought to my promotion?’
‘There might be something in the pipeline,’ she replied and a wave of happiness swept through me. That sounded promising. ‘I should know more in the next few days.’
‘Thank you!’ I said, trying to contain my excitement.
‘Report back once you’ve spoken to Alejandro to confirm that everything’s set for tonight, okay?’
‘Will do.’
I closed her office door, then took a deep breath. I didn’t know why my heart was still racing.
So what if Alejandro was in charge of preparing the VIP’s dinner? All I had to do was check he had the info then leave. Simple. No big deal.
After popping into my office to swipe on a fresh coat of glossy nude lipstick, powder my nose and check my smooth, jet-black, shoulder-length hair hadn’t gone frizzy in the heat, I took another deep breath then strode to the restaurant.
Just as I stepped through the back door, my phone chimed with a message. I was about to type out a reply when I crashed into something hard and my phone flew to the ground.
‘I am sorry!’ a deep voice boomed as I realised the hard thing I’d crashed into was a very muscular chest.
As his unmistakable, deep, woody scent flooded my senses, I instantly knew it was him I’d bumped into.
My pulse rocketed.
My lips parted.
My body tingled.
I was about to close my eyes and inhale his delicious scent again when I snapped out of my thoughts, quickly stepped back then looked up at him.
Oh. My. God.
How was it possible that he got more attractive every time I saw him?
I swallowed hard, drinking him in.
Alejandro was standing inches away from me in a crisp, white chef’s jacket with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
His dark, wavy hair looked like it’d been freshly trimmed. His clean-shaven, olive skin looked silky smooth and his hypnotic, light-brown eyes sparkled.
The phrase tall, dark and handsome was made for him. This man was 6ft 2 of pure hotness. Such a shame he was too young for me.
And it was an even bigger shame that we worked together.
‘Are you okay?’ He said in his deep, rich, ridiculously sexy, Spanish accent, which almost caused me to melt into a puddle on the floor.
Then I remembered, I was standing here, jaw open, drooling like a teenager swooning over their favourite pop star.
I quickly closed my mouth, pulled back my shoulders, stood up straighter then cleared my throat, hoping that it would stabilise my racing heartbeat.
‘I’m fine!’ I said, my voice sounding like I’d just sucked on a helium balloon.
‘I am sorry about your phone.’
‘It’s… no worries!’
I bent down to pick it up, just as Alejandro did the same, so my palm landed on top of his.
The heat from his big, manly hand sent a bolt of electricity straight through me and my knees turned to jelly. I quickly removed my palm, stood up and tried to compose myself.
‘Here.’ As Alejandro got up and handed the phone to me, his fingertips skimmed my hand, causing goosebumps to erupt over my skin.
‘Th-thank you.’
Our eyes locked and my heart raced.
This was insane.
Alejandro had worked here for more than six months. This ridiculous crush should’ve gone away by now. I was a thirty-nine-year-old woman. I’d be forty soon. I shouldn’t be acting like a hormonal adolescent.
‘I…’ I broke the silence, determined to act like a professional, but then my mind went blank. I’d come here to check something with him, but as we continued to hold each other’s gaze, I couldn’t remember what it was. ‘I… have… needs!’ I blurted out.
Ground, please swallow me up.
Alejandro’s eyes widened, then he frowned.
‘You have needs ?’
‘No! I mean, yes!’ I did have needs and under different circumstances, I was sure Alejandro would be just the man to satisfy them, but that wasn’t what I meant to say. ‘I meant requirements . Not mine. The VIP’s. I came to check if Marco had passed on her dietary requirements.’
Hallelujah! I’d finally managed to string a sentence together.
This was so unlike me. For some reason, whenever Alejandro was around, my brain turned to mush and I lost the ability to speak coherently.
‘ Sí . I have it. She is a vegetarian, but she eats fish. But not salmon or tuna, correct?’
‘Exactly,’ I nodded, impressed that he’d memorised the details.
‘And she would like to try Spanish dishes. Something traditional, but not tourist food.’
‘That’s right. So perhaps no paella.’
‘Understood. And she likes dessert, but nothing too creamy.’
‘Yes,’ I started to relax, feeling confident that he’d get the job done.
‘Do not worry, Jasmine. I will make a very special menu for her. Everything is fine.’
Just when my pulse was starting to stabilise, Alejandro had to go and say my name in his delicious accent. I always loved how he pronounced it. I swore my body temperature just shot up ten degrees.
‘Great!’ I squeaked. I had to get out of here before I embarrassed myself even more. ‘I’ll let Hazel know. Thanks. Bye!’ I raced to the door.
‘Wait!’ Alejandro called back. ‘Would you like to see the menu?’
Doh . I should’ve asked him that.
‘Yes. Of course.’
He disappeared to the office attached to the kitchen then returned clutching a sheet of paper.
‘Here. I printed it for you. Two copies. In case you would like to keep one to show Hazel. I know you like to be organised.’
‘Thanks.’ My heart fluttered, grateful that he knew that was important to me.
‘ De nada. So,’ he leant on the shiny, silver counter. ‘Tell me. What do you like to do when you are not working? You like to go out, to eat?’
‘Sometimes,’ I replied. ‘You know how much I love food!’ I was always first in line when Marco, the head chef (or Cuisine King, to use his correct title) needed volunteers to sample new dishes.
‘Or perhaps you prefer when someone cooks for you?’
‘For everyone else’s safety, it’s usually better if I don’t do the cooking!’ I laughed. ‘So yes, a meal that I haven’t had to make myself is always a better option.’
Alejandro smiled, his full lips parting to reveal his gorgeous, perfect white teeth.
‘I am happy to hear that. Maybe one evening, on your day off…’ He paused as if he was considering how best to phrase the question.
Wait.
I might be out of practice (actually, there was no might about it, I definitely was) but I got the feeling that Alejandro was about to ask me out.
‘I was thinking that maybe we could…’
‘I have to go!’ I jumped in. ‘Busy! I have loads to do before the VIP arrives. Thanks for the menu!’
I flew out the back door like my feet were on fire, heading straight to my office, where I slumped into my chair and put my head in my hands.
That was close.
If I was honest, that wasn’t the first time I’d thought that maybe Alejandro was about to ask me out.
We’d had a few near misses. Nothing major but lately, whenever we worked together, there’d been occasions where we’d exchanged lingering gazes and brushed hands.
I thought I was imagining it until my friend Stella, who was a former hotel guest, asked if there was something going on between us.
Of course I told her there wasn’t, which was true. But the fact that she suspected wasn’t good. At the next team meeting, I was supposed to stand up and remind everyone that co-worker canoodling was not encouraged, so I couldn’t start being a giant hypocrite and the poster girl for bad decisions.
It was clear. Being alone with Alejandro wasn’t a good idea. So, I just needed to avoid him.
Yes, we worked in the same hotel. Yes, I was kind of his boss and had to meet with him to discuss special meals for our guests, but it was still possible for us not to cross paths.
Right?