Hotel queens, p.34
Hotel Queens, page 34
“That’d have set the cat among the pigeons.”
“They didn’t have follow-up questions after that.”
“So why aren’t you nervous?”
“Because I know I won’t get the job. I’d have heard from Dad by now if it was happening.”
Kai studied her. “You don’t sound bothered. Have you got something else up your sleeve?”
“Could be.” It was too soon to tell Kai her possible plans. Everything was still in flux. “I do like to be prepared for anything. Monique has offered me a top management job in her investment company. It’s one of several I’m considering. I’m trying not to think about the fact I’m Duxton’s best CEO candidate and I’m being overlooked for the worst. I’m focusing on what’s next.”
“Sounds smart.”
“So when Simon is named, I’ll go home, formally resign, and examine my other opportunities. And Kai? I’d love it if you came, too.”
Kai froze. “You want me to move to England with you?”
“Do you have any commitments in the US I don’t know about?”
“No. It’s just…this is big.”
“I know. I also don’t see this, us, as some vacation fling. I hoped you felt the same way.” She kept her expression neutral, fearful she was giving too much away.
“I do, but it’s one thing to be your lover, curled up in your bed in Vegas, and quite another to get on a plane for London to be with you.”
“I realize I’m asking a lot. So why don’t we try what Quinn and Milly are doing—just have a vacation together in London to see how it goes? No pressure, no commitments, one day at a time. We could do that, too.”
Kai fell silent.
Amelia inhaled. “I’m aware it’s daunting, but I just can’t imagine looking at my future without you in it.”
“What if I said I’d rather you moved here?”
“Is that what you’d like? Us in America? I do have offers over here I can look at if that’s your preference. Is it?”
“I’m not sure. What would I even do in London?”
“I’ve thought about that. You’re still The Closer, Kai. No one can take that away. You’ll still be brilliant at closing high-octane deals, here or in London.
“It’s not that I miss the deals, it’s that I miss the problem-solving,” Kai said. “And I really miss feeling indispensable. I loved having a boss who thought I could do anything. Mr. Stein made me feel like a conqueror, always expecting me to rise to impossible tasks.”
“There are plenty of opportunities in London to feel like that again,” Amelia said. “I’ll support whatever you decide to do, and I have a few suggestions of my own. But in the short term, I just really want to extend our time together. And if you don’t like London or we don’t fit, that’s fine. Nothing’s set in stone. But for now, will you come home with me?”
Amelia injected every ounce of sincerity into her voice, hoping Kai would see what she was offering. She rarely let anyone into her private world.
Kai smiled. “I’m in.”
“Are you sure?” Amelia asked, even as relief surged through her.
“Am I sure I want to spend more time with my gorgeous, clever lover, who makes my skin tingle when she touches me? Who makes me feel like I’m the most interesting person in the world? Hmm. Let me think.”
“To think you once claimed you never did relationships. You’re surprisingly good at making me feel wonderful.” Amelia smiled.
“I’m still surprised I’m even in a relationship. Maybe it’ll be a hot mess, maybe not, but how do I know until I try? I’m ready for a risk. I like London. And I want to spend longer in your orbit, too, and see where this goes.” She paused. “I’m a little surprised about you, though. Your overactive brain must have many doubts. We’ve only known each other a month. You’re not the adventurous type, usually, are you?”
“No. Which is why I know this is a good idea.”
“How so?”
“Kai, when someone who does nothing but calculate odds on all conceivable problems, issues, and outcomes has no doubts, it can mean only one thing.”
“What?” Kai whispered.
“That you’re the one for me.” Her eyes crinkled.
“Wow.” Kai drew in a breath. She shook her head in wonder. “Hell, a Duxton and The Closer giving a relationship a real shot? The universe must be laughing hard right now.”
“Let it laugh. Because we’re right where we’re meant to be.”
Kai smiled. “You know, we have little bit of time yet till we hear the vote result and our little bubble bursts.”
“Barely.”
“Just enough.”
“My phone will be ringing off the hook when the announcement’s made. I’ll be doing interviews with media from all over as to my thoughts on the decision, win or lose.”
“I know.” Kai sagged. “You’re right.”
“So we’d have to be quick.”
Kai sat up straight and beamed. “I really don’t think that’ll be a problem for me. I’ve been thinking about you having your wicked way with me for the past hour. I’m so wound up, I might be finished before you get me naked.”
“Well.” Amelia gave her a dangerous smile. “Never let it be said I don’t rise to a challenge.”
Chapter 28
A London Luncheon
Amelia gazed across the restaurant’s garden, waiting for their guest to arrive, while Kai studied the traditional English menu with enthusiasm. Being in London with Kai after three weeks apart, having waited impatiently while Kai tied up loose ends at home, felt surreal. All of it did. Like reconnecting with an urgency Amelia had never experienced in her life, needing Kai’s touch, her taste, her warmth. Discovering that her minimalist existence at home was only enhanced by another person in her space, not crowded, as she’d feared.
Today, Amelia had overseen the packing up of her office, only too aware it would be the last time she’d ever set foot in the building, or any Duxton office.
Kai had helped, trying to lift her mood, cracking jokes, poking through her economics books under the guise of packing…and naming her Scorpionfish.
Apparently it was now called Boudica, although only after Amelia had rejected “Karen—for its glassy, judgmental eyes” and instructed Kai to stop defaming Karens. Which had led to an amusing argument, many kisses and, as Kai had no doubt planned, a much-improved mood on Amelia’s part.
“What on earth is a Toad in the Hole? Does it involve real toads?” Kai asked grimly, still staring at her menu. “No, I don’t want to know.”
Amelia’s smile was tempered by the emotions that had been warring within since she’d left her office for the last time. She’d conquered the world from that room. Won leadership awards. Worked out how to ride out the European economic crisis.
And what had her drive to be Duxton’s best manager gotten her? Not her father’s approval, that was clear.
“Christ, Amelia, you were always such a disappointment. You’re not even family to me now.”
Idly, she took a sip of wine and wondered what being called a traitor by Conrad would mean in practical terms. What was there to miss, except Imogen?
That fear suffocated her. Simon hadn’t prevented her talking to Imogen—yet. But what if Conrad insisted? Her father had told everyone else in the family to blacklist her, including her mother.
Amelia’s throat tightened.
Well. She’d make her own family then. Amelia flicked an affectionate glance at Kai. Beautiful, amusing, clever Kai Fisher…who was busy mumbling about whether Spotted Dick was a real thing.
Amelia smiled.
Kai glanced over the menu at her. “Do the English know how their food names sound?”
Amelia laughed and felt a little better.
A shadow fell over them and she looked up. At last!
Rising to greet their lunch guest, Amelia then took enormous pleasure in introducing him to Kai.
“Kai Fisher, please meet the real Nedal al-Hamadani. Nedal, this is Kai.”
“So this is the lovely Ms. Fisher? Delighted!” His face lit up.
“Kai, please. It’s wonderful we’re meeting at last.”
“I do agree. I wanted very much to know this woman who has turned my good friend’s head. I’m quite sure I’ve never seen Amelia this excited about anyone.”
“He exaggerates,” Amelia muttered. “I’m not…excited.”
“Tell that to your red cheeks.” Nedal laughed. “Oh, how pleased my sister will be. Mariam despaired of you ever finding someone who made you happy. And now, here we are.”
“Here we are,” Kai agreed. “I’m sorry you weren’t who I was dealing with in Vegas. You’re much nicer.”
Nedal reached for a water. “Was ‘other me’ at least good at negotiating?”
“Sort of. He was cunning and slippery. He never let himself get cornered and was forever telling me that I was asking about finer points his lawyers would sort out in detail later.”
“Ah,” Nedal said. “My father ordered an investigation. We learned the actor usually works in London playing Middle Eastern businessmen and wealthy sheiks. He has been used many times by tabloids and police to catch politicians in undercover stings. A minor, distant royal was even caught out in a bribery scandal involving him years ago.”
“I heard about that,” Amelia said. “So he’s a high-level scammer at least.”
“That doesn’t make me feel much better,” Kai mumbled. “It should have been obvious to me that he wasn’t a real developer.”
“My understanding is you signed no deal with him, so you were not hoaxed.” Nedal eyed her. “This is what Amelia tells me.”
Kai flicked Amelia a surprised look.
Amelia said nothing. So sue her for wanting to protect Kai from further ridicule. It was bad enough everyone knew Kai had been dealing with a con artist, thanks to Stein’s many tweets.
“Yes,” Kai said. “I didn’t sign a thing.”
“Then you are far smarter than most,” Nedal said. “A number of clever and successful people have been fooled by this man over the years.”
“So, will anything come of it?”
Nedal’s expression hardened. “That is a matter for my father, but I suspect Oliver will have plenty of regrets about involving our family in his games.”
“He’ll have regrets, too, about the points system,” Kai said. “Did you hear he’s being sued over it?”
“The class action involving Duxton Vegas staff?” Nedal said. “Yes. My father’s idea. He sent several of his top American lawyers to offer free legal assistance and to unofficially help claimants pursue damages. Oliver is appropriately terrified.”
Amelia winced. Nedal’s family lawyers were infamous. She hoped Oliver wasn’t too fond of his wealthy lifestyle.
“So which company won Mayfair Palace?” Kai broke in. “I’m guessing the Duxtons are out.”
“I will never sell another hotel to them again.” Nedal scowled. “So much disrespect.”
“If not the Duxtons, then who? Grand Millennium?”
“Stein is as bad as the Duxtons, going along with childish schemes. I will never sell to him, either.”
“Then who? Is it Sheraton? Aren’t they expanding right now?”
“No. I sold to St. Eames Hotels.”
“I’ve never heard of them.” Kai looked perplexed.
Nedal smiled gently. “Excuse me, I need to wash my hands. I’ll let Amelia explain.” He rose and left them.
“Amelia?” Kai asked.
“St. Eames is my new company. And my first acquisition is Mayfair Palace. However, since I have limited resources now after emptying out my savings and trust accounts, divesting all my Duxton shares, and selling a small stake in St. Eames to Carson Investments, at this point Mayfair might be my only acquisition. Well, unless it’s a big success.”
Kai stared at her in amazement. “Wait, you bought Mayfair Palace? God, you clinched the deal the entire hotel world wants?”
“I did.”
“And…Carson Investments? As in Monique?”
“Yes. That’s the business I was finalizing in Vegas. Carson Investments is now a silent partner and owns six percent of St. Eames.”
“I still can’t believe you pulled this off. Mayfair Palace is a massive coup.”
Amelia took a steadying breath before continuing. “I’m also hoping for another coup. I’d like headlines announcing The Closer is joining the world’s hottest new hotel company.”
Kai gasped. “Did you…just offer me the hotel industry’s most plum job?”
“I’ll require someone on the ball to help me manage things—a deputy CEO. Ideally someone clever, who’s had hotel, marketing, and negotiating experience. Someone I trust. It’s London based, so you’d have to move here.”
When Kai didn’t reply, Amelia plunged on. “In case you’re afraid we’d be in each other’s pockets, we wouldn’t. I’d deal mainly with the financial aspects of hotel management; you’d be in charge of the practical…especially the people—guests, contractors, and staff. I thought we might complement each other well in that regard. Honestly, we wouldn’t see much of each other at work.”
Kai still hadn’t spoken.
Amelia licked her lips nervously. “You should know your skill set is impeccable, and I would offer you the job whether we were dating or not. So even if we break up, I’d still want you running St. Eames. That’s just good business. I always think the best person for the job should get it. You’re ideal.”
“Amelia?” Kai shook her head. “I’m overwhelmed.”
Amelia didn’t know how to interpret that. Perhaps now was the time to put it all out there. Her nervous stomach quivered. “I couldn’t think of a better way of using all your skills and asking you to stay in London permanently.”
“You want me to stay…for the job?” Kai asked tentatively.
“Of course. And I mean, because…” Amelia drew in a tight breath. “I love you.”
Kai’s eyes widened. “You do?”
“I felt I did in Vegas, too, but I needed to see how we were outside of the bubble. It’s easy to get caught up in a romance far from home. But now you’re here, it feels even more right.” Amelia’s pulse was thundering. “I love you. And the job is yours even if you don’t feel the same way. You’ve earned it. You’re a perfect fit. For the job. And me. Well, both.”
“Amelia?” Kai smiled. “You’re rambling. And I love you, too.”
Oh. Thank God. Amelia’s cheeks were on fire. “I don’t ramble,” she protested.
“Sure you don’t.”
“But I’m glad you love me.”
Kai kissed her. “So am I. Okay, so back to your enormous news. Tell me everything about St. Eames.”
“I thought Milly could come on board as a PA. I’d like to share her on occasion, but she’d be primarily your assistant. I’ve offered her a substantial relocation bonus. It’s expensive moving countries.”
“Well, since Milly will get to spend more time here with Quinn, I’m sure she’ll seriously consider it.”
“Actually, she said ‘Where Ms. Fisher goes, I go.’ So thank you—if you come on board, you’ll also be bringing St. Eames an excellent assistant.”
Kai smiled. “Well, I’m glad she agreed. She has a ton of skills and is so smart.” She suddenly laughed. “Oh, I’d love to be a fly on the wall when the Duxtons find out who’s buying Mayfair Palace.”
“And who’s running it with me. Assuming…” Amelia gave her a guarded look. “Will you take up my offer?”
“Didn’t I say yes yet? Yes! Of course I’ll help you run the best hotel in the world.”
“Excellent.” Amelia beamed in satisfaction. “I have so many plans.”
“Me, too. When we get back to your place, I’m going to celebrate so hard with you.” Her expression was so blatant that heat flooded Amelia.
“Do not look at me like that in public.”
Kai leaned over and kissed her soundly. “Please, you love it.”
Nedal rejoined them and chuckled. “So, I think I know the answer. Amelia fretted so about whether you’d want to stay on with her.”
“I’m in, boots and all,” Kai said.
“Excellent. So now that business is concluded, might I ask for a few more details about my fiendish double? This time it is not for me.” Nedal’s eyes sparkled. “My wife will wish all the salacious information.”
Kai laughed and reached for her phone. “Want to see what he looks like? Don’t worry, you’re way more handsome.”
Nedal chuckled. “Ahh, I see how you have captured Amelia. You have a most charming tongue.”
Kai’s eyes turned bright, and she appeared half a second from an inappropriate comment.
“She does,” Amelia cut in, tone painfully neutral. “She really does.”
Their eyes met, and Amelia’s heart squeezed. This felt so right.
She marveled at the contentment flooding her. It was odd. Two months ago, happiness had meant a very different thing. Everything had to be in its place, and aside from her affection for Imogen and Quinn, the only thing she’d truly valued was running a tight operation. Now it felt as though someone had opened a window, and her view had shifted to trees, sky, the rich scent of peat and the sound of life all around her. The change was as shocking as it was unexpected.
“Hey,” Kai whispered. “Are you okay? You went quiet.”
“I just realized I’m happy. I love my life. Work will be amazing. And I love you.”
Kai’s eyes were bright and warm. “As it turns out, I know the feeling.”
Epilogue
Amelia slid onto a stool in Prohibition Bar and ordered a Negroni. How the year had flown. It was surreal to be back where it all began.
