Give A Man A Bad Name. Roberta Leigh

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СКАЧАТЬ he quipped, the smile on his lips dying as she froze him with a look.

      ‘Please don’t make it embarrassing for me to work with you, Mr Hamilton, or I’ll have to ask 3S to find a replacement.’

      ‘Are you always such a stickler for protocol?’

      ‘We are brought up to believe in it.’ Marly pretended to hesitate, then said diffidently, ‘You may find it interesting to read a book on our customs. There are several good ones available.’

      ‘I’ll ask my secretary to get them all! It won’t do me any good if I keep offending you!’

      ‘You haven’t offended me. I always make allowances for people.’

      His startled expression showed he was unused to being put in his place, and she hoped she hadn’t overplayed her hand. But the wry smile he gave her was reassuring, and she glided over to her desk, wondering how to appear gentle and shy while talking high technology. It was going to be tricky but she had to manage it.

      ‘While I was waiting for you to return from abroad,’ she said, careful to keep her voice soft, ‘I prepared a questionnaire I would like each hotel guest to fill in when they arrive.’

      ‘What sort of questions?’

      For answer, she took a four-page folder from the drawer of her desk and gave it to him.

      Raising an eyebrow in surprise at the size of it, he perched on the side of her desk to peruse it. From beneath her thick, straight lashes, she studied him. This morning he was formally dressed in a dark business suit—the only concession to the tropical climate being its lightweight material.

      It was the first occasion she had seen him close up in daylight, and not even the bright sunlight could find a flaw in the symmetry of his features. Indeed he was so preposterously handsome that he might have been thought effeminate, were it not for the firmness of the wide, sensual mouth, the imperiousness of the long, firm nose, and the strength in the well defined eyebrows, several shades darker than the tawny hair swept back from his high forehead.

      ‘This questionnaire is very in-depth,’ he commented, raising his head. ‘I’m impressed.’

      ‘Thank you. If I know the likes and dislikes of everyone who stays here, I can devise software to help you solve any problems that may arise with food, recreational facilities, bedroom requirements and—’

      ‘Bedroom requirements?’ His mouth quirked, though his voice remained serious.

      ‘Yes, Mr Hamilton.’ Her voice was as serious as his. ‘Some guests dislike room service entering their suite, others object to their beds being turned down, and when it comes to air-conditioning, your staff say the complaints are legion.’

      ‘And how! We’ve even had requests for duvets. Duvets in the tropics,’ he reiterated. ‘They must be bloody mad!’

      Deliberately she flinched, and he stopped short. ‘Anything wrong?’

      ‘I’m not used to obscenities.’

      ‘I’d hardly call bl—’ He stopped abruptly. ‘Sorry.’

      ‘I accept your apology,’ she said primly, wondering how he’d react if she repeated some of her brothers’ colourful language.

      ‘I don’t believe your fellow countrymen never swear,’ Alex muttered.

      ‘Only when they lose their temper. But you hadn’t. You were merely expressing a thought aggressively.’

      She hid a grin as chagrin darted across his face, and silently applauded herself for making him feel uncomfortable. ‘Forgive me for commenting on your behaviour, Mr Hamilton. You’re my superior and—’

      ‘Not that again,’ he cut in. ‘And stop this “Mr” nonsense. When we’re alone, it’s Alex.’

      Afraid she had annoyed him, she smiled at him tentatively, and the way he studied her mouth gave her the assurance she required. Alex Hamilton might have a love ‘em and leave ‘em reputation, but right now he was definitely at the love ‘em stage!

      ‘May we continue our business discussion?’ she asked.

      ‘By all means. But first you should realise that most luxury hotels offer the same facilities we do, but where I believe we can score points is by making our guests feel at home.’

      ‘How?’

      ‘By ensuring that the second time they stay in one of our hotels, that hotel knows their foibles before they arrive; that way we can put their favourite drinks and flowers in their room, the reception clerk can enquire about their children or their wife—’

      ‘Whether they prefer morning coffee to tea,’ Marly cut in, ‘or bath-towels to robes! That’s easy. All I need do is enlarge the questionnaire.’

      ‘How long before you can let us have the software?’

      ‘It depends on the problems I come across.’

      Alex’s mouth crooked in a half-smile. ‘I suppose it’s part of your job to make it sound complex. How else could 3S justify their fee?’

      ‘If you think I’d be party to such a—’

      ‘I was teasing,’ he said quickly. ‘I’ve no idea of their charges. That’s our finance director’s province.’

      ‘I see.’ Her annoyance, which was genuine, faded. ‘I’m sorry I misunderstood you.’

      ‘Misunderstandings seem par for our course.’

      ‘I agree.’ She paused deliberately before continuing. ‘For that reason, it would be better if we didn’t see each other socially.’

      ‘You’re joking?’ The astonishment on his face told her no female had ever said such a thing to him. ‘I thought you liked me.’

      ‘I do.’

      ‘Then why—?’

      ‘Because it will create problems.’

      ‘How?’

      ‘Do you often date your staff?’

      ‘No. This is a first.’

      ‘Why are you making an exception of me?’

      ‘Because you’re an exceptional young woman.’

      ‘Exceptional?’ Wide-eyed, she gazed at him, and he lowered his head towards her so that she saw the silver flecks in his grey eyes.

      ‘You are intelligent, charming, and very feminine.’

      ‘So are thousands of other women.’

      ‘But you don’t flaunt your intelligence.’

      In other words I’m docile, Marly thought, and knew her plan was succeeding. He had probably dated intelligent СКАЧАТЬ