“You’ve already felt some of his charms,” Rikyava chuckled, watching Layla. “Donotlet Reginald’s daily persona trick you. The man’s a monster in bed. And I mean that in the best, most lurid way possible.”
“I guess so.” That thought made Layla ponder as she reached for another bonbon.
“The Hotel is a sensual place.” Rikyava gave a knowing smile as she watched Layla. “And most people who work here have a sensual angle to their magic. Even though you pine for our tempestuous Adrian, you’ll find that being exposed to it all will at times overwhelm you here. I mean, shit, you’ll see sex in the halls everyday just going about your duties. You’re going to get aroused. Most staff have a variety of regular lovers, and the Hotel provides tinctures you can drink against pregnancy and disease. Though as a Dragon, you’re basically impervious to disease and you’ll only go into estrus once every fifty years. It’s damn obvious, so you don’t have to worry about pregnancy. Hell, even I’ve got four lovers, and I don’t have a lot of time to spare.”
“Are you saying I should indulge in the – treats – the Hotel has to offer?” Layla blinked, forgetting her cordial until it dripped in a long line down her thumb. She licked it up, as Rikyava gave an amused laugh.
“Indulge or don’t,” Rikyava spoke. “But sooner or later, being here night and day around all the sex will cause you to break. We all do. I’m not offering, but there are those who would. Dusk, for instance. He’s got his eye on you – and not just as his protégé. And I saw how Rake looked at you at the bar. He doesn’t give just anybody those cute shy-guy smiles.”
“I thought he was just being nice.” Layla blinked, thinking back on it. “You know, bartender flirting.”
“Rake is nice,” Rikyava snorted. “Nice and professional. The man almost never flirts. You gotwaymore than professional from him, trust me. And then there’s Reginald.”
“What?” Layla’s brows furrowed as Rikyava gave a mysterious chuckle and a knowing look.
“Sirens seduce their prey, Layla. Reginald’s seduced you twice now. Once at your interview, and again when he took you out for the first dance at your welcome dinner. Sure, he made it look like saving you in a sticky situation both times, but trust me – Reginald doesn’t interact with those he considers inferior. He’s watching you. The Head Courtier of the entire Hotel.”
“What does that mean?” Layla frowned, then decided she needed more chocolate. Glancing to the box, her fingers claimed another bonbon, white chocolate with a dark drizzle.
“It means,” Rikyava chuckled, “that Adrian has competition. If you want it.”
That was an interesting thought. A smile quirked Layla’s lips as she flopped back to the coverlet with her bonbon, biting into it and discovering it was dark chocolate with lavender. Closing her eyes, she reveled in the flavor, enjoying the sound of peeper frogs chorusing in the quiet midnight. Beside her, she heard Rikyava chuckle.
“I see that smile, girlfriend. You’re thinking about having a few different pieces of man-candy with your bonbon.”
“So what if I am?” Layla opened her eyes as she rolled to her side. “Adrian was a dick to me last night, and he’s not telling me the truth about a lot of things. So maybe I’m considering my options.”
“Maybe you should,” Rikyava saluted her with a bonbon. “There are a lot of Dragons out there, Layla, and a lot of other Twilight men you might be compatible with. Though you’ve connected with Adrian, you just got dumped into a brand-new world – and Adrian’s not the only one with heart-pumping, panty-dropping powers. You get my drift?”
“Panty-dropping powers.” Layla laughed, enjoying Rikyava’s ribald humor and frank conversation. She realized she was grateful Dusk had set them up, feeling like Rikyava was someone she could talk to. The Blood Dragon grinned at her as she ate her bonbon, fiercely beautiful and warrior-proud.
“Thanks for hanging out tonight,” Layla spoke at last. “It’s good to have a friend here.”
“Anytime.” Rikyava grinned, saluting Layla with her bonbon again. “It’s nice to have someone I can talk to about boys.”
“Hear, hear.” Layla saluted Rikyava with her bonbon and they both munched, grinning at each other like schoolgirls.
CHAPTER 24 – CONCIERGE
The next two weeks passed in a blur for Layla. Her position in Concierge Services was a strict regimen: rising at five a.m., getting dressed, then a quick breakfast before it was off to the main desk by six a.m. sharp to receive Dusk’s brisk smile and a tirade of instructions for the day. Though she was still plagued by dreams of Adrian at night, twisting her up in her sheets like a sand-funnel had whisked her away, by day Layla was Dusk’s – and he worked her for every moment of that time. Escorting people, shadowing him as he matched up Assignations, learning how to communicate with various Hotel departments to get a guest everything they required during their stay. Comfortable in her new heels from the Head Clothier, her first week had been largely spent walking guests between activities and learning about the Twilight Realm from them.
Her evenings had been nearly as busy. She’d discovered a seven p.m. yoga class led by Rake, which gave her more energy by the end than when she’d walked in. She’d been summoned by the Head Clothier again, fitting for custom gowns. Layla had discovered the little woman loved honey-biscuits, and had asked Catering to whip some up – which had gone over splendidly with the busy little bee, who’d buzzed excitedly as they ate biscuits and drank champagne during Layla’s fitting. And Layla now had a routine of meeting Rikyava for a nightly drink since their evening of bonbons – even if it was only for a short time before the Guardswoman returned to her duties.
Gradually, the Hotel was beginning to feel like home.
Now it was Friday, and though Layla had Saturday off for a shopping spree to Paris to further her wardrobe, she found she almost didn’t want it. Every day was an adventure and she was enjoying her new position. Yesterday, she had escorted a cheekily dour Russian cat-lady who’d brought her ten house-cats with her for her stay – regaling Layla with tales about vodka and men as they walked to her Assignation. Today, Layla had escorted a dapper old gentleman with brick-red skin and burning copper eyes who had barked orders at everyone but had boisterous laughs. Layla had walked him to his destination with amusing tales that put them both in fits by the time they arrived. He’d parted ways with her very first Assignation offer; to come regale him with jokes in his room that night. Layla graciously declined as Dusk had taught her and the man went with a chuckle, though his wink to Layla was meaningful.
Layla’s trip back to Dusk had been brisk, and now as she told him about the old gentleman’s offer, Dusk grinned and shook his head. “Valdo Chermour, that old lecher! Loves all the pretty young things but doesn’t give an inch unless they have a sense of humor. You’ve just charmed the Head of the Fumerole clan in all of Europe, Ms. Price. Not bad for your second week.”
“Valdo seems nice.” Layla gave a pleased smile, elevated by Dusk’s praise. Her new boss had gradually grown on her in the past two weeks, his nature effortlessly pleasant all day long, even though he was persistent about getting tasks done right. Their days had been so busy, they’d not hung out socially since their evening at the Hive, and Dusk had not been sexual with her again, though he was naturally teasing and cheeky most days. Today, his hands flew in his immaculate charcoal-grey suit as he put away gilded Assignation ledgers in the wall-safe behind the desk. Layla leaned on the wall beside him, dressed in a fetching cream cocktail dress with beige lace shoulders, her strappy cream heels from the Head Clothier soft on her feet.
“Valdo? Nice?” Dusk snorted with an amused twist of his lips as he shut the safe, moving his fingers through a series of complex clockwork locks that Layla had not seen on any other safe in the establishment. “Hardly. He’s a mean old bastard. His clan are terrified of him. He’s ruled the European Fumaroles with an iron grip since the Crusades. Fumaroles can make volcanoes erupt when they’re angry, and old Valdo comes here to laugh so he doesn’t trigger lava floes in the populated confines of Europe. But there’s no one better to have on your side in a pinch, Layla. Take Valdo up on his offer to meet casually when he’s in residence.Notan Assignation, just a walk with humor and chitchat. He’s a powerful ally.”
“Why, Dusk Arlohaim.” Layla gave Dusk a teasing grin as he stood and turned towards her. “Are you setting me up to escort powerful guests that you think I’ll get along with so I’ll make allies in the Twilight Realm?”
“Who, me?” Dusk’s evil, pleased little smile said it all. “I’m just making you escort guests so you’ll meet a few people. Whatever else happens isentirelyup to you.”
“Nastya Bimaou the cat-lady was Head of the Felisti clan in Russia,” Layla smirked at Dusk. “From her tales, she owns half the Russian Mafia.”
