Chapter 2 Caitlyn
Chapter two
Caitlyn
"Hello, White Sands Spa at Golden Palm Hotel how may I help you?" I politely recite our hours to the woman on the other end of the line.
She hangs up without a thank you, but I'm too distracted to be irritated.
I stare at the paper in my hand. A list of this week's high-rollers staying at the casino, dropped off by the casino host.
Only one name stands out: Alistair Evans.
My heart skips a beat, and I bite my lip trying to school my face at work, even though I'm giddy with the knowledge that he's back in town. I hope he's here to collect on his bet, and yet, it's been almost a month and I haven't heard a peep from him.
Maybe he decided he didn't want to cash it in after all.
"Is that the high-roller list?" I'm startled out of my trance when my new assistant manager, Trisha, peers at the list over my shoulder.
Trisha flips her blonde curly hair out of her eyes, and I hand her the sheet of paper. Trisha has worked at White Sands Spa for years, starting as an aesthetician and then transitioning as one of our lead colorists. Her promotion was well deserved, and now we're in training mode.
"Yes." I clear my throat, trying to tamp down the horny glee coursing throughout my body.
"We take this list and search for their names to find out if they've booked anything with the spa in the past. If they have, we go ahead and send a note to their personal concierge to ask if they want the service again.
If they haven't booked with us before, we can send out offers, but typically their host will contact us if they think they're interested. "
Trisha and I work our way through the list.
"Oh, Caitlyn. Mr. Evans is in town." Trisha's sing-song voice teases when she gets to Alistair's name.
"Who's Mr. Evans?" Our new receptionist, Danielle glides through the front doors with two beverage carriers of coffee from the Golden's bakery.
"One of our clients," I say quickly, raising an eyebrow at Trisha to warn her from gossiping about the guests, but then a swarm of ladies come over for their coffee, and it's a lost cause.
"Caitlyn is Mr. Evans’ lucky charm," Monica adds, and Danielle looks at me in surprise.
"I cut Mr. Evans’ hair for him as part of his comps.
Apparently, he did quite well at the tables after the first haircut, and now, I'm the only one he will ask for.
" I shake my head like it's not a big deal, but my monthly appointments with Mr. Evans are my favorite part of my job. And I love my job.
Especially, the last time I went to his room. My cheeks heat, and I grab my iced coffee order from the tray in an attempt to cool down.
"Actually, quite a few of us tried to cut Mr. Evan's hair for him, but nobody could do it the way he liked it. Until Caitlyn offered to try." I can feel Trisha's grin aimed my way, but I refuse to look at her.
"His nickname is The Beast," Becca, another stylist, adds in a whisper, and the ladies giggle. The flash of anger that courses through my body is intense. I know I'm being unreasonable. They have no idea what my feelings are for Alistair, and I plan to keep it that way. But this needs to stop.
"Coffee break's over, ladies." My voice cracks like a whip, and most of the woman scatter.
They continue whispering with each other as they head back to their stations. Monica is in between guests, so she continues chatting about her weekend with Danielle and Trisha, and I decide to head back to the main office.
My phone vibrates with an incoming message as I close the door of my office behind me.
PAIGE
OMG. I just saw the pics from Brynn's wedding. Her make-up and hair are gorgeous!!!
Aww, thank you! She's a natural beauty.
How's it going out there? You still loving Sin City? I want to bring Anderson out to visit soon.
Let me know if you want to stay here. I can book you for a couple's massage.
I organized hair and make-up for a small bridal party a few weeks ago.
I met the bride through Paige at another wedding last year.
Ironically, they were staying in Alistair's suite.
Alistair apparently knew the best man, Barrett Billings, and gave his suite to the bride and groom for the weekend.
The spa techs mentioned Alistair while we were there, and Barrett was surprised I knew his friend.
What did he say about him? Alistair is particular with his requests, but also incredibly generous.
Don't I know it.
I squeeze my thighs together with the memories of his generosity last month and startle when a knock sounds on my office door.
Monica pops her head in. "Call for you on line 2." She giggles, and I look up at her in confusion. "It's the Beast," she whispers with a grin.
"Monica, Mr. Evans is one of the high-rollers in the casino. We are not calling clients names."
"Sorry, Caitlyn." Monica blushes slightly, but I can hear her giggles down the hallway even after she closes the door.
My stomach erupts in butterflies, and I take a deep breath before answering the phone.
"Hello, Mr. Evans. This is Caitlyn." There’s a huskiness in my voice that I hope comes across as dripping with sex instead of the needy desperation I'm actually feeling.
"Hello." The familiar masculine voice on the other end of the line is deep and sends a thrill throughout my body. "I'd like to ask you to join me for dinner in my suite tonight. When are you off work?"
Yes! I clear my throat. "We close at six, but I should go home and shower first."
"No need." His voice is commanding, no nonsense.
I squeeze my thighs together, picturing him ordering me around the bedroom with that voice, and finally manage to speak after too long of a pause. "Mr. Evans, I would appreciate a shower after a long day at work."
"You'll shower here."
"With...with you?" I ask, breathless and excited, but also nervous.
There is a long pause. When he speaks, his voice is husky, but his words don't match what I'm expecting. "Alone."
"Okay." I swallow hard, tamping down my disappointment before a wave of panic clenches in my gut. I thought he was calling about the wager I lost, but now I'm terrified that he's actually asking for a haircut and I'm misinterpreting everything.
"Come to my suite after you close up. And, Caitlyn…" Alistair hesitates. "Just to be clear. I'm collecting on our bet tonight."
I bite my lip, elated and grateful for the clarification. "Yes, sir."
His groan is the only indication he heard me before the line goes silent.
I hang up, and then startle when I look at the clock. I quickly pick up the phone again and dial line 5. "Hi, Cassandra? Can you fit me in for a waxing?"
Time to get ravaged by my beast.