The Dom's Hostess

3. Nova

3

Nova

The day had finally come. The island’s first visitors were booked to spend the summer in Paradise and would be arriving the very next day. Camilla Chambers had all the hosts and hostesses lined up, ready to receive her news of who would be taking care of which guests.

“I’ve got the list right here.” She sorted through the stack of papers she held in her hand, but looked up as someone entered the lobby. “Mr. Dunne! Hello! What a surprise. I didn’t know you’d be here today. I thought you were coming tomorrow?”

Even though I now worked at the man’s island, I still found it hard to believe that Galen Dunne himself was strolling into the lobby. “Mrs. Chambers, it’s nice to see ya. I wanted to get here early to greet my first guests.” He scanned the line of employees, his blue eyes stopping abruptly on me. “And your name is?”

Grasping the empty spot above my left breast, I realized I’d forgotten to put my name tag on. When Camilla put her hand on her forehead, I knew I’d drawn Mr. Dunne’s attention for the infraction. Hosts and hostesses were always supposed to be wearing their name tags. “Sorry, sir. My name is Nova Blankenship. I didn’t know anyone would be coming today, or I would’ve had my name tag on.”

“Not a problem, lass.” He smiled at me, and I couldn’t help but smile back at him.

“Thank you, sir.” Even though the man was a legend, I felt we’d get along well. “I’m excited to be working for you.”

Cocking one dark brow, he asked, “Are ya now?” His Irish accent put a smile on my face that wouldn’t go away.

“I am, sir.” Vaguely aware that everyone was looking at us, I went on, “I was raised in this business. My parents ran a vacation resort on the Florida coast—I was put to work catering to the guests as soon as I could walk and talk. It’s in my blood.”

“So doing things for our guests will be like second nature to ya then,” he said, putting his hand on my shoulder. “I don’t know who Mrs. Chambers has assigned you to, but I want you to take care of my good friend, Mr. Christakos. He’ll be here in the morning. He designed the many swimming pools and waterscapes around the island.”

My breath caught in excitement. I’d admired the pools and outdoor design; to me, they should be considered works of art. “That would be my great privilege, sir. His work was the first thing I noticed when I got here—and I’ve been captivated ever since. Making sure he has a great time at Paradise would be an honor.”

He patted my shoulder. “Good. I’m glad to make you so happy, lass. I’m sure you’ll show him a wonderful time this summer.”

“Oh, I will. You don’t have to worry about that.” I turned to find Camilla with a paper in her hand.

“Here you go. These are the notes on Astor Christakos and the things he enjoys doing. You can use these notes to make an itinerary for him. I did have you hosting someone else, but I can make this change easily enough.” Camilla leaned in to whisper. “Watch yourself when you meet him. He’s just about the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. But his demeanor takes some getting used to.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, thank you.” I folded the paper, putting it into the pocket of my shorts.

Mr. Dunne made sure to greet each host, making conversation with each of us before excusing himself to go to his bungalow to freshen up for lunch. He told us that he looked forward to meeting the rest of the staff before the summer holiday got started. I found him to be much more down to Earth than I thought a man of his stature would be.

One of the other hostesses, Alexis, came to me with a grin on her face. “You know, I’m from Greece, too, just like Mr. Christakos. He’s got a reputation as a man who works harder than most. I suppose that’s how he came to be a billionaire. He came to the hotel I worked in once in Athens—for a meeting, I think. He was abrupt and almost rude, so try not to let him hurt your feelings. I just wanted to give you a head’s up.”

“I’ve dealt with tons of guests that are hard to deal with at my other jobs.” I wasn’t a rookie after all. “But I’ll keep my emotions in check where he’s concerned and try not to let him rattle me. Thank you for your advice, Alexis.”

“You’re welcome.” She smiled at me as she told me who she would be hosting. “I’ve got the Chesterfields to take care of this summer. They’re a married couple and they’re bringing their two kids. Teenage boys.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m hoping they’re the quiet kind, and not the kind who’ll follow me around all day trying to flirt.”

“Teenage boys are the worst,” I agreed. “Hopefully, their parents will rein them in for you.”

“Hopefully,” she said and then left me as Camilla pulled her to the side to talk to her.

I went to the restaurant we’d be eating lunch in to see if they needed any help getting things ready. I wanted to get to know everything I could about how things worked on the island. The place had blown me away and went beyond my expectations, and I’d had big ones. To work there forever? It would be a dream.

This place was my future, and no matter who or what tried to get in my way, I’d plow through them if I had to. Of all the vacation spots I’d worked at in my life, none were as beautiful or as full of such great people as Paradise.

As great as I thought it all was, though, I’d yet to meet the guests who would frequent the resort. I’d dealt with regular people and celebrities, but I had never dealt with the ultra-wealthy.

Mr. Dunne seemed nice enough, but would Mr. Christakos be as nice?

The day went by fast as we got everything ready for the guests. When I finally turned in, I fell into an exhausted sleep, my mind and body worn out by the busy day.

When my alarm rang bright and early, I pulled myself out of bed to shower and be ready to meet my guest.

Time to start working for real now.

All the staff lived in a building toward the back of the property, which had nicely sized rooms and suites. A communal kitchen and living space made up the front of the building, and I walked out the double doors just in time to hear a boat approaching the dock. With no time to waste, I hurried to make it there before the first guest stepped onshore.

The other hosts were gathered on the dock, standing in line, hands clasped in front of them. We all wore the same uniform: khaki shorts, a white button-down short-sleeve shirt, and sandals. The women had their hair pulled into buns that rested on the backs of their necks, and the men were all clean-shaven. Pride in how we all presented ourselves ran through me as I took my place at the end of the line.

Mr. Dunne wanted to greet his guests personally, so he stood at the front of the line. Welcoming the first to arrive with a wide grin, he said, “Good mornin,’ Grant. This must be your lovely wife, Isabel.” He shook the man’s hand as he got off the boat, then clapped him solidly on the back before taking the woman’s hand, helping her out of the boat, and placing a kiss on the top of it. “Lovely to meet you, Isabel.”

“I’ve heard so much about you, Mr. Dunne,” Isabel said with a smile. “My husband couldn’t stop talking about this private club you built here for your guests to enjoy. Personally, I can’t wait to see it.”

Winking at her, Mr. Dunne put her hand, which he still held, into that of her husband’s. “Have Grant show it off to you after you two get settled into your private bungalow.” He nodded at Mrs. Chambers. “Can you see them to their personal host?”

“I can.” She shook both their hands as she led them to Kyle. “This is Kyle, and he’ll be your host for the summer. I gave him your information, and he’s planned things out for you both. But if there are any adjustments you’d like to make, just let him know, and he’ll make them for you.”

Grant put his arm around his wife’s shoulders, kissing the side of her head. “Thank you, Mrs. Chambers.” He smiled at her with a grin I could only call wicked. “Will Mr. Chambers be joining us here?”

“Off and on,” Mrs. Chambers told him. “He’s got things to do as always. But when he does visit, I’ll be sure to send him your way. I’m sure he’ll love seeing you.”

“I bet he will,” Grant said. “I’ve got some things to teach him. I think you’ll enjoy that, too.”

A blush covered Mrs. Chambers’s cheeks, and I wondered what that was all about. I didn’t have much time to wonder before another boat came toward the dock, replacing the first boat as it pulled away to park in the marina nearby.

When Mr. Dunne turned to look at me, I knew it had to be Mr. Christakos. “Come here, Miss Blankenship.”

I made my way to my boss and whispered as I approached him. “Mr. Dunne, you can call me Nova if you’d like.”

“I know.” He winked at me.

Feeling a little embarrassed, I plastered a smile on my face and got ready to meet the man I would be spending so much time with over the next few months. The boat pulled up, and the porter grabbed the rope that the first mate tossed to him, securing it so the guest could step easily onto the dock.

Coming up out of the cabin, I saw a man with dark brown hair that hung in thick waves to the top of the collar of his pale green button-down. The long sleeves were rolled up a quarter of the way, showing off solid, tanned forearms. Black shorts hugged his muscular butt and thick thighs. I gulped as I took in his gorgeous, olive-skinned physique.

This isn’t going to be easy.

Pulling his dark Cartier, aviator-style sunglasses down his nose a bit, he looked at me. Sea-green eyes scanned my body from head to toe before he pushed the glasses back up his nose. “Galen,” he greeted my boss.

Mr. Dunne reached out, shaking his friend’s hand and helping him step off the boat onto the dock. “Astor. I’d like you to meet your hostess, Nova Blankenship.” My boss turned his head to wink at me once more. “She prefers being called by her first name. And what should she call you?”

“Mr. Christakos.” The man walked passed me, his broad shoulders swaying with his natural swagger. “Come, Nova.”

Looking at Mr. Dunne, I didn’t know how to react to the rude command and lack of greeting. He merely nodded at me. “Show him to his bungalow, Miss Blankenship.”

I hurried to catch up to Mr. Christakos, walking by his side. “I hope your trip here was enjoyable, Mr. Christakos.”

He didn’t even bother to reply to my comment. Instead, he said, “I’ll need you to make sure there’s plenty of bottled water in my bungalow. My assistant forgot to include that on the list of things I’ll need when she spoke with Camilla.”

“Of course, sir. I’ll arrange for a case once I’ve made sure you’re settled into your bungalow.” Stilted by his lack of warmth, I thought maybe telling him how much I loved the pools and waterscapes would help put him at ease. “Mr. Dunne told me that you designed the pools and waterscapes on the island—”

I didn’t get to say another word as he came to a complete stop and turned abruptly to me, pulling his sunglasses to the end of his nose, more than a bit of aggravation showing in those gorgeous eyes this time. “I detest small talk.”

Biting my tongue so as not to anger my guest and possibly lose my job, I nodded. I suddenly knew I’d be doing a lot more of that while in the presence of this man that I had to cater to all summer long.

This might not be the dream job I thought it was.