Page 30 of Silver Spoon Falls, Vol. I

TWENTY-ONE

FRANCESCA

“That’s it.” I stare in the mirror, fighting with an unruly curl that refuses to cooperate, and blow out my breath.

“It’s hopeless and I’m calling in sick,” I mutter, knowing I’m freaking lying.

A little part of me has been counting down the minutes until I meet the big jerk.

Weeks of interrupted sleep filled with steamy fantasies are finally coming to an end.

I gave up trying to relieve the ache deep inside me with my fingers days ago, and my freaking backside is tingling in anticipation of his special spanking.

This whole situation is getting scary. I’m praying that he’s short, hunched, and covered in big bumps so I can get over this insane crush.

Who ever heard of falling for a jerk they’ve never met in person?

Leave it to my dumb heart to jump without a parachute.

“You look beautiful,” my best friend reassures me.

“And you aren’t calling in sick.” She picks up the flat iron and wraps it around the uncooperative curl.

Within a few seconds, Amelia wrestles it into place.

“You’re going to knock Mr. High and Mighty on his pampered I need extra security rear end. ”

“You’re right.” I pull up my big girl panties and give Amelia a bright smile. Too bright, but it's all I can manage right now.

Amelia hands me a cup of coffee and smiles. “I rearranged my schedule so I can be there for moral support.” I’m not sure having my best friend witness the train wreck makes me feel better.

I pull on my “lucky” uniform. I was wearing it the day I met Angel DeAngelis, a real live prince.

This small town is crammed full of millionaires and celebrities, but I never thought I’d meet real royalty.

I give my head a little shake, trying to gather my thoughts.

I’m almost late leaving when it takes me ten minutes to find my favorite high heels.

Although I usually wear low heels to stand on my feet for hours, today calls for killer heels.

I slowly watch the hours tick by and realize all my worry and anticipation might’ve been for nothing.

Check-in time comes and goes without any sign of the big jerk.

With my shift ending in twenty-six minutes, it looks like I won’t even have to deal with Mr. Ryker Montgomery.

“Are you okay?” Amelia walks up and hands me a mug of tea.

“I thought you could use a little caffeine pick-me-up.” My friend really is the best ever.

“Thank you so much.” I take a sip of the liquid gold and feel its warmth move through my body. “Do you think he’s still coming?”

“Not yet, but we can work on it real soon, sunshine.” His deep voice cuts through my soul, warning me of things to come. Then I realize what he said and pray this is just a bad dream. Please let me wake up to find this day has been the longest nightmare on record.

Spinning around, I feel my heart speed up scarily as I reach down to pinch myself.

Nope. I’m wide awake and he’s… Well. Oh, wow.

He isn’t old or hunched over. And there isn’t a bump anywhere on his tall, muscular body.

In fact, Mr. High and Mighty is smoking hot and awfully familiar.

I push that thought aside as my body heats from the inside out.

My eyes eat him up while my fingers itch to slide through his thick, dark, almost black hair.

The hunger lighting up his aquamarine eyes sends my naughty side into overdrive.

“He isn’t old or hunched over.” Amelia leans next to my ear and whispers, echoing my first thought.

“You are in so much trouble.” Her warning comes a little too late.

Pull yourself together, I tell myself. “Mr. Montgomery.” I paste a fake sugary-sweet smile on my face and nudge my bestie out of the way.

“We’re happy to have you staying at the Silver Spoon Falls Inn.

” Thank God, Mr. Hillen drilled the welcome speech into my brain during orientation.

“May I see your ID, or is that a threat to your security?” The taunt slips out.

He is way more potent in person. I knew I was in trouble when his voice caused my lady parts to wake up, but I had no idea how much trouble. My heart is already involved.

This is so not good. “That’s four, sunshine.

” His voice drops an octave, sending my pulse into overdrive as images of him spanking my rear end flash through my mind.

My dirty thoughts aren’t helping the situation.

“And you can call me Ryker.” He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his wallet.

Sparks fly when he hands me his driver’s license and our fingers brush.

“I actually hope to hear you scream it often.”

Ignoring his words and the heat they send shooting through my body, I verify his information on the computer screen.

Ryker steps closer to the counter, and his warm, spicy scent wraps around me.

“I’ve noticed that sass is your middle name.

” I blink several times, trying to get the circuits in my mushy mind to cooperate.

He’s not wrong about my tendency to smart off, and this jerk seems to bring my sass to the surface faster than the speed of light.

“And we’ll discuss changing your last name a little later. ”

Huh? This jerk talks in riddles. I glance at my best friend standing on the side of me with her mouth hanging open. It looks like I’m on my own. Amelia is too busy picking her chin up off the ground to help me.

I reach under the counter to grab his welcome package.

A frown creases Ryker’s forehead as I hand him the large fruit and wine basket.

At this moment, I’m regretting adding my own little personal touch to the card, but it’s too late to snatch it back.

“Here’s your welcome package.” Hopefully, he won’t open the envelope until he’s in his suite and I’m gone for the day, or my poor rear end might pay the price for my impulsive act.

“I hope you have a pleasant stay with us.” I also hope my heart survives the experience.

“Oh, you’ll be seeing a lot of me, sunshine.” He winks. “Matter of fact, I’d like you to accompany me to the presidential suite. I need you to demonstrate all the security features.”

“Mr. Montgomery. I’m thrilled to see you.” My boss rushes out of the office and kisses Ryker’s, uh, feet. “We’re so happy to have you staying with us. Please let me know if there’s anything you need. Anything at all.” Great, Mr. Hollen. Promise Mr. High and Mighty the world. Urgh.

“I appreciate it.” The jerk glances over at me and winks.

“I do have one request.” Oh, man. He’s going to milk this.

“Francesca impressed me with her knowledge of your security measures. I’d like for her to accompany me to my suite so she can demonstrate the features in person.

” This jerk acts like he knows nothing about security.

My mind whirls as I try to come up with an excuse to refuse.

“Of course.” Mr. Hollen doesn’t give me the chance to come up with a valid excuse. “Anything you want.” Great. Just promise Ryker the world. While my boss signals over Rodney, the bellman, I stick out my tongue at the big jerk. Oof. Not my best move.

My lady parts wake up when Mr. High and Mighty mouths, “Later,” to me before turning back to Mr. Hollen.

“Thank you.” Ryker smirks between me and my boss while I glare back at the jerk.

Hopefully, the sparks shooting from my eyes effectively convey my displeasure.

Holy cow. My knees nearly give out when his eyes slowly move over my body, promising all kinds of things.

My bestie was right. I’m in a ton of trouble here.

My mushy brain lets my unruly mouth off its leash.

“I get off in a few minutes.” Mr. Hollen, Ryker, Rodney, and Amelia all turn to stare at me, and I realize how that came out.

“I mean my shift ends in fifteen minutes.” Turning to Ryker, I hide behind my fake sugary sweet smile.

“So, I’ll accompany you up to the suite and give you a quick security run-through before I get… Uh… before I leave for the day.”

I rush around the counter and head for the elevator, figuring he’ll follow.

The freaking ancient elevator groans to a halt at the lobby, and I take a deep breath, hoping it doesn’t give up the ghost on this ride.

After Ryker and Rodney follow me into the tiny enclosure, I pull out my security card and hold it up to the little plate on the wall before hitting the button for the third floor.

“You’ll find your keycard in the envelope attached to your welcome package.

” I’m relying on my professionalism to get me through this situation without embarrassing myself.

Ignoring Rodney, I turn to Ryker and smile.

“It will get you access to the third floor and to your suite.” Could this freaking old contraption move any faster?

As we creak our way to the third floor, I slowly blow out my breath, trying to get control of my wayward thoughts.

Ryker steps close, and I realize how freaking tall he is.

I look way the heck up and almost self-combust at the heat shining from his eyes.

I’m in so much trouble here. It hits me that this man could tear my heart to shreds with a few words.

The doors finally slide open and I bolt out.

“This way, please.” My short legs are no match for his long strides, and I’m unable to lose Ryker as I rush down the hall.