Bargaining With the Boss

by Jennifer Shirk

  “No, you won’t,” Damon barked.

  She gaped at him. She couldn’t understand it. His behavior was beyond rude. Why wouldn’t he think this would be a wonderful opportunity to sell the hotel’s value to one of the board members?

  Alec gave her a pleasant smile. “Why thank you, Kinsley. I would be happy to take you up on that offer.”

  She smiled back. “Great. I’ll see you both later.” With a brief parting frown aimed at Damon, she then rushed out the door, anxious to alert the staff and begin preparing for the tour. Maybe Chef Rick could whip up a light snack, too. Show off his talents. This was her time to pull out all the stops if she wanted to ensure the hotel’s future. Thankfully, a lot of the renovations had been completed already.

  Despite Damon’s bizarre behavior, she couldn’t believe her good luck.

  …

  Damon stared at Alec and couldn’t believe his rotten luck. Of all the people from the company he did not want talking to or even seeing Kinsley, it would be him.

  “Oh, now, don’t look at me like that, Damon,” Alec said, closing the door behind Kinsley. “I wasn’t the one who got caught fraternizing with the staff.”

  “Kinsley’s more than staff.”

  “Yes, I thought you’d say that. However—” Alec stared at his desk. “Good lord, is that a cat?”

  Damon glanced at Colette stretched out on his paperwork and suppressed a sigh. He’d forgotten about the friggin’ cat.

  “Yes,” he hissed between clenched teeth.

  Alec paused then began to laugh. “Oh, this is too perfect. You holed up in this godforsaken town in this measly hotel with that…that cat in your office,” he said, wiping a tear from his eye from laughing so hard. “I wish the rest of the board could see this. I don’t know how you’ve survived. But then again, I’ve seen Kinsley. So maybe I can see why you wouldn’t be in a rush to leave just yet.”

  “Kinsley’s none of your business.”

  “Actually, she is. All the employees of this hotel are our business,” he said, glancing around and then taking a short stroll through the office. He stopped and pointed to a picture hanging of Kinsley’s family. “Adorable.”

  “Get out.”

  “Wow, Damon. The sea air has done absolutely nothing to combat your surliness.”

  “Cut the crap. Why did you really come down here?”

  “I already told you. However, I do need your signature on a few things as well.” He picked up his briefcase and placed it on the desk. Colette’s tail waved rapidly back and forth before she sprang off the desk to run and hide under the filing cabinet.

  Damon had a sudden new respect for that cat.

  “So, Damon,” Alec said, riffling through his papers, “it seems like your little girlfriend there still has quite a fondness for this hotel. Have you told her the bad news yet? It’s going to be a shame when she loses it and her job.”

  “She won’t. My father wants to concentrate on the casino property right now. Any decisions about this hotel will be tabled for quite a while.” He hoped. “By the time any decision has to be made, the hotel could prove to be a worthy investment to hold on to.”

  Alec narrowed his eyes. “Really? I wasn’t aware. Well, I’m happy for her sake. And for yours, too.”

  Damon snatched the paper Alec held in his hand. “Spare me the cheesy benevolent lawyer routine.” He looked over the document, and once he felt all was in order, signed and slapped it back in Alec’s hand.

  Alec chuckled as he filed the paper back into his folder. “Well, then I guess I will just have to use my routine on someone who obviously appreciates it.”

  “Stay away from Kinsley,” he warned.

  “Sorry, but I can’t,” he said with an unapologetic shrug. “She invited me on a tour of the hotel. It would be rude to walk out now. Besides, as a board member I have every right to investigate this property firsthand.” He snapped his briefcase closed and gave him a tight smile. “See you back in New York.”

  Damon watched the attorney walk out, resisting the urge to run up and tackle him to the ground to prevent him from getting within even a yard of Kinsley. He barely trusted Alec with work. So there was no way he would trust that man with his woman.

  His woman?

  A cold chill crept up his spine. Since when had he started thinking of Kinsley as his woman? No, he didn’t do relationships. He couldn’t think of her that way. He didn’t deserve to think of her that way.

  What the hell was happening to him? He was already getting too close to Kinsley. That was yet another mistake he’d made with her. The first being the hotel. Things were so much neater when he kept people at bay. Because when he let people in, he only disappointed them when they found what he truly was: a no-frills, no-layers, frosting-only kind of man. A man you couldn’t count on. As simple as that.

  And that’s the way he had to keep it.

  Chapter Fourteen

  A few days later, Kinsley managed to obtain a giant outdoor movie screen, a bulk bag of popcorn kernels, and several DVD choices for Damon’s movie night idea. Elena had even stopped at a dollar store and picked up popcorn bags for the event as well.

  Ultimately, she decided to go with the classic movie night theme tonight, since most of the guests staying this week were either couples or had older kids with them. Plus, she wanted to surprise Damon.

  As Kinsley wheeled out the popcorn cart and plugged it in, she noticed a decent-sized crowd had already begun laying out blankets and setting up beach chairs in front of the screen.

  “Well, I see you didn’t waste any time putting my idea into action,” Damon said, coming up behind her.

  “That’s because my boss put me on a tight schedule.” She measured and poured the popcorn kernels then closed the lid. “And because it happened to be a darn good idea.”

  “Why, thank you.” He made a show of patting himself on the back. “I have my moments.”

  “I’ll say. Even Alec Dunleavy thought it was a great idea.”

  Damon’s expression turned dark. “You told Dunleavy about my idea?”

  “Yes, why? Was it supposed to be a secret?”

  He hesitated. “Uh, no. No, I guess not.”

  “Damon, what’s going on with you? Ever since Alec was here you’ve been in a mood.”

  He made a face, throwing his head back. “Oh, geez, you’re already on a first name basis with that guy?”

  “See?” she said, folding her arms. “This is what I’m talking about. You’re acting ridiculous. What’s gotten into you?”

  He closed his eyes and sighed. “You’re right. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. I’m sorry.”

  She worried her lip. “You don’t have to be sorry,” she said, running a hand down his arm. When he opened his eyes, she gazed into them and couldn’t help feeling he was holding something back from her. But she nipped her doubt in the bud and pasted on a happy expression instead. “Help me pass out the popcorn?” she asked.

  His lips curved. “Sure.”

  Elena came up to them as they began filling the popcorn bags. “Movie is all set up in the DVR and ready to start at your command. Why don’t you guys sit? I can handle the popcorn from here. Plus, I reserved two beach chairs over on the side there for you so you can enjoy the movie.”

  Kinsley filled one more bag then stepped back. “You are the best, and if we had the money, you’d definitely get a raise for sure.”

  “Gee, thanks.” She rolled her eyes. “Having a pretend raise is almost as good as getting an actual one.”

  “Really?”

  “No. But as you can see, I’m still here.” She winked and handed Kinsley a bag of warm, buttery popcorn. “Go. I’ve got this,” she said, making a shooing motion with her hand.

  Kinsley laughed. “Okay, thanks.”

  Damon and Kinsley walked over to the beach chairs and made themselves comfortable by kicking off their shoes and allowing the cool sand to sift through their toes. The temperature was mild, and there was
just a slight breeze from the ocean as the waves crashed along the shoreline. Stars filled the clear sky. The area of the beach roped off for the movie was now packed with guests. People walking along the boardwalk were stopping to see what was going on. It was creating quite a buzz. She was already thinking of ways to promote the event for next time. Maybe she could make the area larger and even charge a small fee for non-hotel guests.

  “Your staff is really loyal to you,” Damon commented with a frown.

  “Well, they’re more than just staff to me. They’re like family.” She offered him some popcorn, but he shook his head.

  “Do you think that’s wise, letting your coworkers get so close?”

  His question gave her pause. “I’ve never really thought about it. It’s the way I’ve always been.”

  Damon looked off into the ocean, not saying another word. She couldn’t put her finger on it but something definitely felt…off lately. She wondered if there wasn’t more to Alec Dunleavy’s visit than he’d let on.

  “You seemed to have gotten the word out pretty well,” he said after a moment. “This is really a great turnout. Good job.”

  She glanced around again and nodded. “It helped that the weather cooperated, but the actual movie might have been a draw, too.”

  “What is the movie?”

  “Casablanca.”

  “Oh, really?” His mouth quirked and he took her hand, his thumb stroking over her palm. “Look at you getting all cultured in classic film selection.”

  She shrugged playfully. “I had a good teacher. Tossed around a lot of movie quotes when we first met.”

  “Well, then…” He tugged lightly on her hand, bringing their mouths only inches apart, and smiled into her eyes. “Here’s looking at you, kid.”

  “Hey, I actually know that line,” she said, feeling proud of herself.

  He glanced around as if to make sure nobody was watching then leaned in and kissed her. When he pulled back, it warmed and relieved her to see him still grinning down at her. “You know, there might be hope for you yet.”

  She grinned back. “Thanks. I have my moments, too.”

  …

  Kinsley watched with polite interest as Chef Rick decorated a sample tray of petit fours he’d made to test out before they decided whether to offer it at the next high tea. Normally, a treat like this would be right up her alley, but her heart wasn’t in it today. Damon had been acting strangely all week. Although they’d still spent a good share of the weeknights together after work, he seemed suddenly preoccupied and quiet. She wondered if the casino buyout had him under a lot more stress than he was letting on.

  “Aren’t you going to try one?” Rick asked.

  She blinked. “Oh, yes. Of course.” And even though she wasn’t hungry, added, “They look delicious.”

  She picked up a small chocolate-covered cake and bit in. It had a nice vanilla flavoring and a thin raspberry center that complemented the chocolate nicely. “This is truly wonderful. I think I’ll put this tray out with tea and coffee by the registration desk. Maybe if guests sampled them, they might be inclined to make a reservation for the tea.”

  “Whatever you think, boss.”

  She looked up and met his smile, liking the sound of “boss.” It was nice to have such trust from her employees. She’d proven herself to them and to Damon. And to some respect even Alec Dunleavy. When she had given him a tour of the hotel earlier that week, he appeared to be enthusiastic about the progress she’d made and was continuing to make with the hotel. She took it as a good sign. He’d definitely be a board member on their side if push came to shove.

  One thing Alec had also mentioned was that once the demolition of the casino in Atlantic City was underway, Damon would be needed back in New York. Maybe even sooner. Funny how Damon hadn’t mentioned it to her yet. She wondered if his detached behavior was in some way getting her ready for his departure. Cooling things down before they got out of hand.

  Little did he know things were already out of hand on her side.

  Rick laid a hand on her shoulder. “Everything okay, Kinsley? You look a little sick. I hope it’s not from my cake.”

  “It’s not the cake,” she assured him. Unfortunately, love had a sneaky way of making a person feel deathly ill, especially when it was one-sided.

  “Anything I can do?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “No. But thanks for offering.”

  He nodded then picked up the tray to leave.

  “Wait, Rick,” she said, changing her mind. “Can I ask you something?”

  He placed the tray down again and regarded her keenly. “Sure, darlin’. Anything.”

  “How do you feel about frosting?”

  His brows shot up. “Frosting?”

  “Yeah.” Nervously, she moistened her dry lips. “Do you like it more than you…you know, like cake?”

  “No way.”

  His decisive answer made her blink. “Not a frosting person at all?”

  “Heck no. At least, just not by itself. Cake is where it’s at. A dense cake with lots of layers and frosting in-between—that is the filet of desserts.”

  She leaned slightly into him. “By any chance are you married?”

  “Thirty years, why?”

  Her heart sank. “No reason,” she said with a forced smile. “I wanted to get another man’s opinion. That’s all.”

  Rick gave her a funny look. Luckily, her cell phone saved her from having to explain herself any further, and he took the tray of cakes out to the lobby for her.

  “Hey, Arden,” she answered. She stood and began making her way out of the kitchen. Veering left, she decided to take the back way to her office in order to get some privacy. “Are we still on for Chinese takeout tonight?”

  “You bet. But that’s not the reason I’m calling. I have good news.”

  Kinsley reached her office and flopped down behind her desk. “Good. I love good news.” And I could use some. “Spring it on me.”

  “The wedding is on.”

  “Whose wedding? I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone.”

  Arden laughed. “Not me. Remember the quirky bride I was telling you about who wanted a beach wedding? Well, I pitched the idea of her wedding on the beach and reception at your hotel with all the food Rick talked about, and she absolutely went gaga over it. I was hoping to make an appointment so I could bring her by to take a look at the ballroom tomorrow.”

  “Oh my gosh,” Kinsley said breathlessly. “Arden, that’s huge. Wait until Damon hears this.” She quickly logged on to her computer. “I don’t think there’s anything scheduled, but let me double-check.” She scanned the calendar and saw it was all clear. Then she went to her email to make sure Elena hadn’t sent her anything she’d missed. Nothing. She was about to exit out, but the subject of one of the emails caught her attention.

  It was from the St. James Corporation. The subject read: Harbor Light Acquisition. She automatically clicked it open. It was a blanket email update informing her of recent changes in ownership that were under agreement as of a few days ago. Everyone in good standing with the hotel would be asked to finish out their duties for the remainder of the month and then be given two months’ salary compensation and benefits. Letters of recommendation would be given upon request.

  She stared at the email as numbness overtook her senses. The email had been sent by Alec Dunleavy.

  “Hello? Kinsley?” Arden called through the phone. “Are you still there?”

  “I…” She swallowed, feeling her throat grow tight. “I have to go.”

  “What’s the matter? You sound funny.”

  “I have to go,” she repeated. “I’ll call you later.” She clicked her phone off then re-read the email. There had to be some mistake. Everything was happening so fast. When she had given Alec a tour of the hotel, he made no hints that there were any negotiations going on with the hotel property. And Damon had never mentioned it.

  Damon. Maybe he didn’t kn
ow! Maybe he could fix this before it went further. She hit print. Once she had a copy of the email, she grabbed it and dashed out.

  …

  Damon slammed his cell phone down on his desk.

  Damn Alec Dunleavy. As soon as Damon saw the email about The Harbor Light acquisition, he quickly dialed Alec to find out the real story. Not surprisingly, the asshat was hiding behind his receptionist’s skirt and wouldn’t take his call. That alone told Damon plenty. Alec was behind the sudden push to sell the hotel. The board wasn’t even giving him a chance. He had to talk to Kinsley before she saw the email.

  Just then Kinsley charged into Damon’s office, waving a piece of paper in her hand. The despair and hurt written all over her face told him she’d already seen it.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered, not knowing what else to say.

  She frowned, shaking her head. “I don’t understand.”

  “The board was approached by a builder interested in the property for development and they accepted. These things happen all the time, I’m afraid.” He shrugged helplessly.

  “Damon, how could this have happened? You said I would have until the end of the summer. I’m not even getting the beginning of the summer.”

  He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath, hating that he’d let her down. “I know. Again, I’m sorry.”

  “So that’s it? All that work I’ve done was all for nothing?”

  “I’m afraid so,” he said, his voice low. “After talking to Alec’s secretary and from what I read in the email, everyone here will be compensated fairly.”

  She crumpled up the paper in her fist, her eyes flashing. “I don’t care about being compensated. I care about the hotel. The people who work here. I thought you cared, too. I thought we were on the same page. You said you believed in me.”

  “I know,” he said, running a hand down his face. “I said a lot of things.” He’d meant every word, too. But he should have known better than to make any promises to her—to anyone. In trying to please both his father and Kinsley, he should have known he would end up disappointing one of them.

  “I thought I was starting to mean something to you,” she said, her voice cracking a little.