Chapter 20
Ellie
Ilove my job.
I didn’t think I’d be saying that after finding out just what kind of job it is.
It’s amazing on a day-to-day basis. I get up; I take Luca to before-school care, and I head into the city that has finally earned its appeal back.
I used to love Las Vegas for what it was but life and the mundane and terrible men have a way of ruining that for a girl.
But I can honestly say, as I zip up designer dresses and slip into sexy underwear every day, I am learning to love Las Vegas again.
I am not just a mom anymore. I am a high-paid, valued employee at one of the ritziest hotels in the city.
And everything from my bank account to my wardrobe shows it.
Every day that I leave the building, I feel just as good as when I walked in.
I go pick up Luca from his after-school programs or the sitter, depending on the day, and I enjoy the rest of my day.
I turn my brain off and we play games, go to parks, do art, grab ice cream, have dinner and that’s that.
In other words, for the first time since I got pregnant, I get to clock out.
Unless I’m working the night shift…which has only happened twice so far.
But even then…I can’t say it’s not exciting.
After taking him his coffee and schedule, I make my way to Jocelyn’s office.
She asked me this morning if I could meet her there.
Something about a hotel event coming up that she’d like help with.
That makes me ecstatic. Event planning for this industry is obviously my passion, and any foot in the door is still a foot, even if it’s just a toe.
“Hello,” I call out as I walk into her office. I smile to myself as I realize that despite our offices being mirror images of one another, mine is definitely better. I get the morning sun on my side, a luxury I appreciate.
“Hey girl, that was fast,” Jocelyn says as she comes around the corner in a short black dress.
“That’s cute,” I tell her. “Did you change?”
Jocelyn looks down casually. “Yeah. I just wasn’t feeling the pants today and figured, why not?”
It’s a little dressier than she usually goes for, but I think it looks cute. No reason she can’t feel sexy at work too.
“So tell me about this event,” I say perkily. I’m trying not to look too excited even though I am.
“So there isn’t one,” she says, and my expression drops.
“Oh.”
“I just made that up, so that Damien thought you were working,” she says while using air quotes. “I just want the updated tea on what’s going on between you two.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, still slumping over the non-event.
“I mean, are things heating up? It’s been a minute since you’ve been to the Opal Room, hasn’t it? I know it went well last time.”
“Were you there?” I ask, but Jocelyn just lets out a fluttery laugh, high-pitched enough to startle me.
“What? No! Of course not. I haven’t been invited there. I just mean I hear things, you know?”
“What kind of things?” I ask. It makes me nervous knowing people are talking about me. About that night. It’s one thing to be there behind closed doors in the moment. It’s another for there to be residual talk of it.
“Just that you are truly a gem. I think it’s safe to say you’ve made more of an impression on Damien than anyone has in a long, long time.”
“Really?” I ask.
She nods. “Possibly ever. Sounds like you might be special.”
I swallow hard as my heart flutters in my chest. “Special how?” I ask.
“Well, you remember what I said about feelings. He doesn’t have them, but that doesn’t mean that you aren’t different.”
“Maybe so.” I dare say. But the implication makes me feel a little panicky. And I think Jocelyn can see it.
“What’s wrong?” she asks. “I thought you’d like hearing that Damien Graves might have a cold crush on you.”
“Cold crush?”
“His heart is stone cold. It’s as close to feelings as he can get.”
“Right,” I nod slowly, biting my lip as I process that. “It’s been a week or so since our last outing. The tension building between Damien and I has been electric,” I say as I sit down in the chair in front of her desk.
Jocelyn’s eyes dance with intrigue as she sits on top of the desk right in front of me. “Electric how? Do tell.”
“He’s scowling more, clenching his jaw more.”
“All good signs when it comes to Damien Graves. Trust me, I have watched him long enough to know.”
“Watched him?” I ask with a small smirk.
“Paid attention, I mean. As one does when one has a boss who is very difficult to please. Anyway, as I was saying. When his jaw clenches in the corners, he is holding frustration back. Frustration that can work to your benefit.”
“Jesus, how do you know this?” I ask. “Have you been his assistant before?” I can’t help that my eyes run over her body as I ask the question.
“Of course not,” she says without blinking. “But I do hear things. I know things, and I observe things.”
“What kinds of things?” I ask.
She studies me for a moment before saying, “Like that his pants get tighter every time he’s with you.”
My cheeks flush at least two shades of pink.
“Oh my God,” I stutter with a laugh. “Well, if he is into me, in whatever way he is capable of being into someone, he’s not very good at showing it.
It’s been days since we went to the Opal Room, and he’s hardly said two words to me since then. Even when we do talk, it gets heated.”
“Heated?” she presses.
“Not good heated. Heated like he seems upset with me.”
Jocelyn just waves her hand. “That’s how he always is.
Listen, sweetie. Damien has three personalities.
Unamused. Annoyed. And bothered. Bothered is saved only for the people who have found a chip in his perfectly tailored armor.
From the sound of it, that’s what you’ve done, and considering the gossip floating around, I think you’re doing your job well. ”
“Yeah?” I ask, feeling a flicker of hope. Even though the spiciness between Damien and I has been hot, I have often wondered if it was a red flag.
“Oh yeah,” she nods. “I say, keep it up. If I had to guess, you’ll be working another night shift soon. The more you ruffle his feathers in the office now, the more he’ll ruffle yours in the Velvet Lounge, if you know what I mean.”
I chew on my bottom lip as I think about that. It makes me realize I shouldn’t second-guess myself. It also makes me realize I should probably get back to work. The last thing I want is to look like I’m slacking on the job.
Like clockwork, my phone buzzes. The screen reveals a text from none other than Damien.
Damien- I need you in your office in five.
My heart thumps in my chest, and Jocelyn’s eyebrows wiggle. I let myself smile and make my way out the door.
“The sassier the better,” she calls out. “Watch for that clenching jaw.”
All of it sounds a little crazy, but it also sounds very characteristic of Damien as well. Warmth and praise aren’t exactly his strong suits. Dominating tension, on the other hand…well.
Once I am in my office, I stand in front of the mirror, fixing my hair and reapplying plum colored lip stain.
I’m wearing a black pencil skirt today with a white button down that is tight enough around my breasts to nearly pop the buttons off the fabric.
I smile as I realize that he probably did that on button-down on purpose.
It’s not like he doesn’t know my measurements.
He knows them just fine, but still chooses to buy things that fit me the way he wants them too.
It goes to show that Jocelyn’s presumptions about Damien and I might be more than just presumptions after all.
As I stand in front of the mirror, suddenly Damien appears behind me in the mirror, and my heart drops to the floor. Within milliseconds of him appearing behind me, he grabs me, spins me around, and pulls me against him.