Take Me Down. Sylvia Lett
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Название: Take Me Down
Автор: Sylvia Lett
Издательство: Ingram
Жанр: Короткие любовные романы
isbn: 9780758241047
isbn:
As part of the deal, she agreed to put him up in the hotel until he could find a place of his own. She knew the six-figure salary she was paying him was well worth the money. With the robberies and burglaries at the chain in the past year, she was desperate and he knew it.
On Jack’s first day of work, Stephanie called a special meeting to introduce him to her security staff. She let everyone know that in no uncertain terms, Jack had the power to terminate anyone for violating and/or not adhering to the security procedures he was putting in place. He went over some basic security dos and don’ts and passed out a security tips sheet. He let everyone know written procedures would be forthcoming.
After meeting and watching the current security guard, Jack immediately ran an advertisement for two new security positions. He knew the man there was not going to work out. He was fat, lazy, and didn’t want to have to leave the front desk, except for breaks and lunch.
Stephanie more or less let Jack write his own job description. He also made his own hours. He had to work some days and nights to get the feel for the place.
Jack also wrote job descriptions for security guards. They were no longer allowed to sit idle at the front desk. They now had to tour the building and the parking lot hourly, taking different routes each time. It was mandatory they each attend a month–long security training program given by Jack. They also had to pass the training final exam to keep their jobs.
Jack wasn’t surprised when the current security guard called in sick two days in a row. On the third day, he quit. Jack took over his shift, until he could hire and train a suitable replacement. He had interviewed several people, but he hadn’t found two who stood out. Jack hated to do it, but he would have to pull double duty until he found someone. His commitment to the job would impress Stephanie, but it would leave him little time or energy to pursue her outside of work. His plans for Stephanie Mason would have to be put on hold temporarily.
He was a patient man. He could wait.
Chapter 2
Jack looked down at his copy of Stephanie’s planner. Circled for tonight was a formal dinner at the Waterford Mansion. For several days, he had been trying to run into Stephanie outside of their work setting. He knew he wanted to see her again without all the talk about security keeping things strictly professional. He had no doubt that he could actually get into the party. The rest he would play by ear. But first, he had to find something appropriate to wear.
He fingered the tie around his neck, then removed it. He hated ties. He unbuttoned the white shirt he was wearing and tossed it on the bed. Instead he decided on a white turtleneck. Slipping on the black suit coat, he grabbed his keys off the dresser and left the room.
Jack smiled to himself, thinking about how easy it was to gain entrance into the party. His opportunity came when an older woman tripped. He was there to catch her and escort her inside. Once inside the house, he excused himself by saying his date was expecting him.
His eyes scanned the room until they lit on Stephanie. She wore a sleeveless black dress that reached her knees. Though she was dressed conservatively, Stephanie’s figure shone through. Her tight, muscular calves peeked beneath the dress, and she wore black high heels to match. She was as understated as her mother was flamboyant.
Mildred Mason was clad in a low-cut, backless minidress. She was an attractive woman, but the dress was more suited to someone her daughter’s age.
From afar, Jack watched Stephanie’s every move. Unlike her mother, she didn’t seem to be enjoying herself very much. She mingled with a few people, but mostly she stayed to herself. She checked her watch several times, before slipping out the patio door. Jack followed her but kept his distance.
Stephanie sat in the gazebo. She was beautiful and elegant in the soft moonlight, her hair loosely pinned with wisps of it brushing her cheeks.
She kicked off her heels and took out her cell phone to place a call. Jack eased closer to hear the conversation.
“Hi, sweetie,” Stephanie said, smiling into the cell phone. She leaned back on the bench and closed her eyes.
“Hi, Mommy.”
Stephanie could almost see the smile on her daughter’s beautiful little face. “How’s my favorite little girl?”
Jack felt a tightening in his chest. She was talking to Christina. He closed his eyes and counted to ten to steady his racing heart. He shook himself out of his trance.
“I love you, sweetie. Be a good girl for Aunt Ashley and I will see you in the morning.” As she closed the phone, Jack stepped into the gazebo. Stephanie gave a startled gasp.
“I’m sorry,” he stuttered. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.” Jack’s voice sounded choked even to his own ears. He was suddenly nervous.
“What are you doing here?” Her tone was more accusatory than she’d intended for it to be. But he really had taken her by surprise.
“I mean, I didn’t know you knew the Waterfords,” she said, trying to correct herself.
Jack saw how shocked Stephanie was to see him. For the first time that night, he wasn’t sure if crashing the party was the best way to endear himself to her.
“Oh yes. The Waterfords. A friend of a friend mentioned he’d be here tonight and said I should drop by if I didn’t have other plans. I didn’t have other plans,” he said, shrugging. “So here I am.”
He paused to see if she was buying any of this.
“It’s really nice to run into you here,” he added. “May I?” he asked, indicating the seat next to her.
Stephanie had not moved an inch since she turned to see Jack standing there. Her hand was still in midair holding her cell phone. But she nodded and made room for him.
“I’m sorry,” she began, dropping her cell phone back into her evening bag. “You just caught me off guard, that’s all. I was saying good night to my daughter.”
“I didn’t know you were a mom.” Jack smiled. “How old is your daughter?”
“Christina’s four. Take a look.” She handed him a picture from her wallet.
Jack’s hand trembled slightly as it brushed against Stephanie’s when he took the photo. He stared at the beautiful smiling little girl. Her long dark hair hung down her back in a mass of curls. Her bangs were cut just above her eyes. Twinkling gray eyes lit up her face and her dimpled cheeks were rosy. Her skin was a rich honey just like Stephanie’s.
“She’s beautiful,” said Jack, staring at the picture. He looked at Christina as if he were seeing Alexia again, and was overcome with emotion as he gazed lovingly at the photo. A million questions came to his mind, but he knew now was not the time to ask them. He had to play it cool. Play it safe. “Does she take after her father?” Jack asked, fishing for information. His eyes were glued to the photograph.
“Her mother actually,” Stephanie said, coming to her feet. “I’ve never had the misfortune to meet her father. Good thing too, because I would be torn between killing him СКАЧАТЬ