“My eyes are up here.”
“Sorry, I—sorry. I wasn’t—” She looks up, face going pink, then shifts in her seat. “I was just—sorry.”
That dress—emerald, same as her eyes—transforms her completely. Usually she’s buried under trousers and jumpers,like she’s permanently waiting for an IT audit. But the dress makes it clear she has a body under all that.
The fact I notice pisses me off.
She’s a junior who can’t hold my eye and, half the time, can’t hold her own ground.
I shouldn’t have to remind myself of those facts.
And not just because of the line she falls on professionally. I’ve never gone for the submissive type. Doesn’t matter if they’ve got beautiful eyes or a heart-shaped face.
“That presentation today?” I say, letting my irritation—mostly with myself—bleed through. “Complete shambles. You weren’t prepared.”
“I—I was!” For the first time since stepping into my office, her eyes spark. A flash of green fire that transforms her whole face.
It’s gone in an instant.
“Scrambling to record last-minute notes on your phone isn’t preparation.”
“They weren’t…” Her voice falters. Fingers tug at the necklace around her neck.
I drag in a breath. “I’ve put everything I have into these hotels. I expect the same commitment from the people who work for me. Every department has to hold the line. Kitchen, housekeeping, engineering, IT. There’s no room for weak links here.”
I level a glare at her. “This isn’t a place where you can coast and hope someone else picks up the slack.”
“Are you firing me?” she whispers.
“Of course I’m not firing you.” I run a hand down my jaw, frustrated with this whole bloody situation. I’ve no fucking clue how to walk the line between boss and Jake’s mate without screwing up both.
Jake would want me to shield her. Keep her safely tucked away in IT where the corporate sharks can’t get at her. In hismind, she’s still the vulnerable little sister who needs constant protection.
And watching her now, trying to disappear into the furniture, I can see why he thinks that way. Her mum and stepdad fucked off to Spain, leaving Jake to play parent. He’s been wrapping her in protective cotton wool ever since, and the damage is written all over her.
“I need you to step up,” I say, forcing my voice softer. “For the department.” I pause, watching her face crumble. “For yourself, for Christ’s sake. Craig trusted you this morning and you let him down.”
She blinks at me, those green eyes wide and stunned. Like she expected a different message. But facts are facts. Craig gave her the stage, and she blew it.
Her eyes drop to her shoes, shoulders curving inward. “Of course.”
I clear my throat, grasping for something constructive instead of just bollocking her. “Look, do you need extra training?”
“Training for what?”
“To expand your technical skills.” My voice rises despite my efforts to control it. “So when you’re next unleashed on a room, you can explain the damn system coherently instead of treating them to recorded pep talks and jokes that wouldn’t pass muster at a primary school assembly.”
She flinches, and something in my chest tightens. I want to pull the words back, soften the blow, but I can’t bloody well wrap this in silk ribbons. Her presentation was a disaster. What does she expect from me—gentle encouragement and gold stars for effort?
“I’m sure Craig can recommend some appropriate courses,” I add, trying to inject encouragement into my voice.
“I don’t need coding training.” The words come out sharp, surprising us both. There’s that flash of fire again.
I arch a brow. “No?”
The fire dies instantly. “No. I mean…” Her gaze drops again. “Thank you. I’ll look into courses.”
“Good,” I say, though absolutely nothing about this feels remotely good. “Work closely with Craig to sharpen up your skills.”
