Lisa chuckled and shook her head. “Thank you, but I should go back to my room. I need clean clothes and my epilator.”
Stella shot her a smirk as she reached under the table, lifted Lisa’s foot onto her lap and stroked her leg. “No need. They’re smooth as silk.”
“Hmm…” The touch of her hand made Lisa’s pulse race. “You need to stop that because you’re turning me on again.”
“Again?” Stella arched a brow. “I don’t think I’ve met a woman with a sexual appetite like yours before.”
“I could say the same for you.” Lisa licked her lips as flashes of the past days hit her, one after another. Stella had been all over her; wanting her, needing her, exploring her, devouring her… Pulling her leg back and straightening herself, she did her best to park the juicy fantasies for later. “But you have to go to work, so I won’t tempt you.” A flirty glance passed between them.
“You’re right. I wouldn’t get anywhere.” Stella tilted her head and looked at Lisa, then dropped her fork, got up and walked around the table. She leaned over her, took her face in her hands and kissed her so slowly and sensually that Lisa melted in her chair. Stella’s hands moved through her hair, raking through her blonde locks as quiet sounds of pleasure escaped her lips.
Lisa reciprocated, pulling Stella in closer as she basked in the warmth of her mouth and the touch of her tongue. Kissing Stella was better than biting into the juiciest peach, breathing in the cleanest air, listening to her favourite song and dancing her heart out all at once.
“What was that for?” she whispered when Stella pulled away and sat back down. Her eyes were hazy again, her chest heaving and the light ache between her legs had blown up to a throbbing sensation in a matter of seconds.
“Nothing. You’re just impossible to resist.” Stella bit her lower lip, chuckling at herself, and sitting back, she held up both hands. “Okay I’ll stop. I have to show some people around this morning, so I can’t be late.”
“Who are you showing around?”
“Some potential buyers for Premier Sunset, they’re from the Calvo Group. The hotel falls under our mother company and I’ve been asked to explain how the poolside team functions at Paradise. I have to get some takeaway coffees on my way in and pretend we’ve made it in our machine, just so they won’t have to drink our disgusting brew.”
“How ridiculous.”
Stella chuckled. “Yes, that’s what I said. Apparently, the board of directors is keen to sell as Premier Sunset isn’t doing very well. It’s in urgent need of renovation and the reviews have been so bad lately that they don’t think it’s worth investing in. It’s not just the hotel rooms that need updating. The kitchen’s been closed as the electrics weren’t safe anymore, and the lifts keep getting stuck. I know some people who work at Sunset, and I don’t want anyone to lose their jobs, but I suppose that’s inevitable, when ownership changes.”
“Sunset seems like a difficult place to sell. From the reviews I’ve read, it’s got very little going for it,” Lisa said. “The biggest complaint seems to be the total lack of sunlight.”
“You’re right. I imagine Paradise Group regrets buying it in the first place.”
“Hmm…” Lisa mulled over that as she played with a lock of her hair. “Who is the managing director of the Calvo Group?”
“His name is Diego Calvo; I looked him up as I’ll be meeting him today. He lives in Madrid but he’s here regularly as his company owns several hotels in Benidorm.”
“Calvo spelt C-A-L-V-O?”
“Yes.” Stella frowned at Lisa’s unusual interest. “Why? Do you know him?”
“No. I’m just curious, that’s all.” Lisa opened her mouth, about to add something, then shook her head and decided against it. “Never mind.”
“Never mind what?” Stella asked. “Talk to me.”
Lisa hesitated for a moment, then let out a long sigh. She wasn’t quite sure what she wanted to say; the idea hadn’t fully formed in her head yet. “I spoke to Fergi, my brother, last week.”
“Oh. How is he?”
“He’s okay. He managed to walk down the drive, and he might even be able to go back to work soon, at least part-time.”
“Okay, that’s great. But what does that have to do with Diego Calvo?”
“Well… it’s just that he said something that made me think out of the box,” Lisa said. “Sorry, I’m being incredibly vague. I get like this when I have an idea; my mind won’t stop churning and I get all distracted. Anyway, he suggested I start working for myself.”
“That makes sense. In marketing?”
“Yes, marketing and brand building. I don’t expect it to be easy to find my first clients, but I’m persistent and a hard worker, and even if I just try this in the interim period until I find a job, then I won’t feel so useless. So, I’m thinking about options and potential opportunities.”
Stella smiled. “And you’re interested in Premier Sunset? Why? The sun isn’t going to magically appear unless they tear down Paradise Hotel, so I don’t see how brand building falls into that.” She was clearly still confused as she tried to follow Lisa’s train of thought.
“True. But when something is really bad, the only way is up, right? And I’m pretty sure I can help them with that. Do you think you can get me Mr Calvo’s number?”
