Unbroken

Him.

He kicked the staff room door open while announcing himself. Stephan was about 6 foot 2 and towered over everyone on staff at the hotel. His auburn hair was perfectly coiffed as he stood in his navy suit eyeing me up and down from across the room. He made a bee line straight in my direction while he licked his bottom lip, eyes roaming my body. His gaze made my stomach turn, immediately making me regret eating that damn burnt bagel. Kaia stood up almost instinctively and put her body in between mine and Stephan’s. I swear I can feel the anger rolling off her shoulders as she lets out what almost sounds like a low growl.

“Chill Kai I just wanted to tell Em how beautiful she looks today” he said looking past her and straight into my eyes. His eyes were so dark they almost looked black. I momentarily froze.

“We’re waiting to hear which suite we’re assigned to” Kaia chimed in breaking his focus and allowing me to return to the present.

“We have some very important guests staying with us for the next few weeks and I’ll need my best girls to take care of whatever they need” he said pointing his two fingers and me and Kaia. We were by far the best team to handle any guest that stayed at the hotel. We were always efficient and professional, never interfering or getting involved with high profile clients. It felt like we could almost read each other’s minds.

“You two will be assigned to the presidential suite. We have some royalty staying with us from the next territory and I need them attended to with discretion.” He pulled out two pieces of paper from inside his jacket and laid them on the table next to us while tossing his heavy pen on top of them.

“These are non-disclosure agreements that the guests would like you to sign prior to working for them.”

It wasn’t too out of the ordinary for a passing through celebrity to want to make sure we couldn’t write a tell all about their many indiscretions.

“Fine.” Kaia interjects angrily taking the pen off the table and scribbling her name on the top page. She hands me the pen and lets me by her to sign the bottom sheet. Stephan reached out to grab his pen out of my hand before I could set it back on the table. An icy chill sent a shiver down my spine as our fingers touched.

“Thanks dolls.” He winked showing a row of perfectly straight teeth through his smug smirk.

“Em I need to talk to you at the end of your shift tonight.” The smirk drifted off his face as he shot his eyes to Kaia.

“Without you Kai.” He sneered as he turned to leave the room and head to his office on the next floor.

If looks could kill, Kaia would have put Stephan 6 foot under before he reached the door. She linked arms with me as we headed to the employee elevators.

“Over my dead body is he going to talk to you alone, perve..” Kaia has always been over protective of me since the day I started. I don’t know why she chose to mentor me but I’m thankful everyday she did.

“C’mon let’s get up to the suite and see if these Royal fuddy duddies need some assistance.” She laughed as she bowed for me as I entered the elevator.

“After you, your highness” she said in her best European accent.

“Why thank you m’lady.” I said prancing in as soon as the elevator doors opened. We giggled and chatted about how rude the last guest was who stayed in the presidential suite. The ride only took a few minutes and by the time we reached the top floor we were both giggling uncontrollably while re-enacting the prim and proper mistress we serviced last.

I had my back to the elevator door as we reached the 51st floor. Kaia stepped out first shaking off her giggles and instantly becoming professional. I turned to walk just behind her as we reached the suite door.

“Ok we got this” Kaia said sweetly looking back at me over her shoulder “I got your back babe.”

“And I’ve got yours.” I blow her a joking kiss as she firmly knocks on the large maroon double doors.

Both doors swing open simultaneously being held open by two of the biggest men I’d ever seen. Both wearing grey colored slacks and black button down shirts and black ties. Their muscles bulged from underneath. Clearly security around here was pretty serious. I kept my eyes down as we passed the two hulking gentlemen at the front door. They closed the doors behind us and both stood guarding the door with their hands neatly behind their backs.

As soon as I got past the threshold I smelled the most enticing scent coming from inside. The warm notes lingered in the air and reminded me of summer days spent with my mom by the beach. It overwhelmed me.

As we entered the main dining room the smell intensified. My body felt warm and relaxed as we turned to face our new guests. I brought my eyes from the floor and was met with the most intense gaze I had ever seen.

He stood as soon as we locked eyes. His stature was impressive. If I thought the guys at the door were big this man made them look weak in comparison.

I stood staring at him completely frozen. He murmured something with a low growl in the direction of his companions and they all hurriedly left the room.

Kaia’s eyes looked into mine quickly before she squeezed my hand and left the room the same way the others had. I don’t know why she’d leave me alone. Should I understand what’s going on? My feet felt like they were stuck in wet cement, the closer he got the more I felt like I couldn’t move. This god-like man started making his way to me, never breaking eye contact. As he stood before me I was totally lost in his scent. Him being so close to me made my knees feel week. Now within an arms length of me I could fully take in every inch of this beautiful man.

His voice was deep and resounded in my eardrums with each word.

“What is your name my love?” He said as he slowly tucked a wispy bang from my cheek behind my ear. His trailing fingers left a tingling sensation as I felt my cheeks getting hot.

“Umm Emmaline but you can call me Emma or Em whatever you prefer sir” I choke out very much embarrassed and confused at the way he made me feel.

He snaked his hand around my neck to pull me closer to his perfectly chiseled body. He leaned down until the tip of his nose reached the crown of my head where he stayed and deeply inhaled. His eyes were closed as he tilted my head back so our eyes could meet again.

“Emmaline.. mmm..” He growled.