Hidden Away Read online

  “Mr Drake was impressed by your attention to detail this morning Jenna so well done, a compliment from him is a rare thing, he also commented on your jacket and has organised one to be sent from a sister hotel it is cut in a better way to suit your shape, apparently, so it should be here later, a very good start today Miss White” I was thrilled by her compliment and the afternoon flew by. My new jacket arrived by courier it was single breasted and had a peplum, it only had one button under my breasts so it rather accentuated my curves, it did at least do up properly. Tony walked home with me after our shift and he made me laugh with his stories, he invited me into his flat for a drink but my feet were killing me and I wanted to go for a run to clear my head so I declined but arranged to meet him in the morning.

  Running was better than any therapy for me; it gave me a feeling of exhilaration and sense of freedom that nothing else matched. 10 kilometres later and stretching out in front of my block to warm down I was aware of a car stopping and footsteps approaching, I felt an energy that crackled down my spine, I knew instantly who it was without turning around

  ” Miss White? “ I took my ear buds out and faced him trying to calm my pulse the expression in his eyes was making me breathless

  “Mr Drake good evening” he raised his eyebrow

  “ please call me Morgan Mr Drake is too formal, I was going to ask if you were able to join me for a drink, but I see I have called at a bad time “ I was too stunned to speak and just stared blankly at him, he coughed then smiled

  “ you being an employee won’t stop me from pursuing you Jenna I find myself drawn to you and that for me is unusual I am itching to discover what it is you have that affects me so” I shook my head at him and felt tears spring to my eyes

  “ it won't do you any good Mr Drake I am not able to give anything to you I would be nothing but trouble, whatever it is you think is bothering you about me let it go please” I blinked the tears away, he looked stricken with guilt “Jenna I didn't want to upset you, I don't know what I have done wrong I am sorry please let me escort you inside at least I want to make sure you are okay” I nodded sadly and he followed in to the lift and up to my flat. At my front door I turned and put my hands on his chest to keep him distant and ensure he didn’t try and enter with me, the current that shot between us was almost palpable, he inhaled deeply and I could feel his heart thumping we stood staring at each other the emotions were swirling inside me, he groaned and pressed his forehead on mine “Jenna you must feel what we could have here” for a moment I relaxed as his lips moved to my cheek, then reality hit me and I used all my strength to push him away. We both stood gasping for breath and my tears started again

  “go please, just go I can't do this I can't be with anyone, leave before I end up destroying you” Morgan grabbed me by my arms and gazed intently at me

  “I will go if that's what you need Jenna but only for tonight, this is not done, I will keep trying believe me until you give in to me” I looked up at him and then I reluctantly pulled away and met his eyes

  “You will be so disappointed” I turned went inside and closed the door behind me without looking back, sank to the floor and cried myself out.

  The next morning it took me double my normal time to sort out my puffy eyes and blotchy skin so I was knocking on Tony's door half expecting him to have left already, luckily the door opened but it wasn’t Tony it was a gorgeous man in a satin pink robe who stood smiling at me, he was stunning to look at pale skin very slim but toned with a shaved bleach blonde crew cut.

  “You must be the lovely Jenna? I’ve heard all about you I’m Rory”

  Tony appeared behind him and wrapped his arm round his waist, the penny dropped but I have to say Tony was the last man I would have expected to be gay but seeing them together they kind of looked perfect.

  “Hi nice to meet you Rory, perhaps we could hang out sometime as we are neighbours” they both grinned at me and nodded enthusiastically we made a move to go Tony gave Rory a big smacker and patted him on the behind

  “Drinks and a DVD would be fun as long as you let us choose the movie!” Rory stood aside to let the huge man out

  “Deal as long as it’s not Mama Mia” they laughed at me. The walk to work was a dream with Tony, I followed behind so I could enjoy the space he created everyone automatically moved away for him I found myself watching people’s faces when they looked up at him some blatantly gawked obviously intimidated by his stature it was very funny. I arrived early luckily as today the day shift staff had to attend our weekly staff meeting hosted by Mrs Flint, where we were informed about any special guests arriving that week any new staff news, which this week was an introduction of myself, and we were all warned that Mr Drake was staying in London for a while as he had plans to renovate the top floor penthouse and a couple of the larger suites ready for the Hotels new branding as five plus rating. This news put me on edge as I was likely to be seeing a lot more of Morgan now, last night’s brush with him was so intense for both of us that I knew avoiding a repeat was going to be a struggle.

  For the next half hour I spoke to everyone individually to find out who did what to make my job easier, we all chatted and happily everyone seemed lovely and welcomed me whole heartedly. Kate, the girl I had spoken to on reception yesterday was lovely and we clicked instantly we arranged to meet up for lunch, I also discovered that on Friday's, staff who shared the same shifts met up downstairs in the bar for drinks and a dance, I was excited about that I hadn't had a night out in a very long time, slight panic at the fact my wardrobe didn't extend to evening attire though so I would have to drag Kate into a few shops at lunch to rectify my problem. My morning passed smoothly, the Italian Ambassador had arrived for a two day visit and my language skills came in to force, his name was Roberto and he rang down to me regularly to ask me to translate things for him and I took him up some special coffee that I sourced in a local deli, he was so thrilled he insisted I stay for a drink and we shared stories of Sorrento and Naples two places I knew very well. Mrs Flint came to see me before lunch

  “Miss White the Ambassador is so impressed with you he has asked if you could help translate for him at a meeting this afternoon, he has been let down last minute by an agency, I know it isn't in your job description but I think we should utilise your skills don't you?” I smiled

  “I would be honoured what time would he like me?”

  “2pm sharp thank you Jenna” Mrs Flint smiled broadly as she walked away.

  Lunch time came and Kate and I wandered into the shops I bought a new pair a pair of skinny jeans and a fitted shell top that was modest but accentuated my shape Kate was gawping at my chest “oh you bitch it’s so not fair look at my gnat bites” we giggled actually she was very attractive tall and slender beautiful green eyes and poker straight blonde long hair which I envied my frizzy mop was the bain of my life, we ended up spending a fun hour together.

  At 2pm sharp as promised I turned up at the Ambassadors suite, his security detail two burly looking men who didn't utter a word, gave me a thorough check over before allowing me into the room, as I entered the room I noticed they were all seated including Morgan, surprise registered on his face and I stumbled a little as I was not expecting him to be there, he stood to his feet “Miss White we have no need for your service's coffee has already been provided thank you” I turned to Roberto and then looked back at Morgan who was looking at me expectantly, thankfully Roberto spoke up and spared my blushes“ Senor Drake I have met Jenna a few times during my stay she speaks fluent Italian so I asked her to sit in with us in case there are any words I do not know in the English Mrs Flint has kindly allowed me to borrow her for the hour” Morgan looked surprised and immediately a place was made available for me on Roberto's right hand side. As it turned out there were only a couple of words to translate so I wasn’t really required I was also uncomfortably aware that sitting on this low sofa was making my skirt ride up so I had to keep fidgeting with the hem as I was also sitting opposite Mr
Drake it could mean yet again he would get another eye full if I wasn't very careful. Morgan acted the complete professional and treated me with respect. After the meeting was over Roberto thanked me and we had a long chat in Italian I caught an impressed look from Morgan as he listened in, Roberto invited me out for dinner that evening as his guest along with his wife as a thank you for my help, out of politeness I accepted although I was hesitant,

  “Senor Drake please join us also if you have the time” my stomach did a somersault as he inclined his head in acceptance.

  As I returned to my desk I realised my shift was in fact over, the time had passed very quickly so I went to ask Mrs Flint if it was okay to leave

  “of course Jenna you have performed excellently yet again, see you in the morning dear” I was getting the feeling she really liked me which was nice as it made my day run so much smoother. Tony was waiting for me and I told him about my dinner invite

  “you have made a great first impression honey I see a bright future for you, dinner with dark and deadly too wow I wouldn't be able to eat a thing with him at the table, the only thing in my mouth would be drool” I elbowed him in the side “shut up you he is way out of my league” he looked down at me with a smirk

  “baby cakes don't forget we are in the ground floor flat we saw the two of you last night after your sweaty run and if that isn't the biggest case of UST I don't know what is! “ I blushed furiously and elbowed him again

  “ girl you are hot enjoy the attention he has it bad honey” we were home in no time we said our goodbyes and I got the lift upstairs to turn out my wardrobe hoping to find something suitable for dinner.

  Chapter 4

  I was standing in the shower wondering how it would feel being out with Morgan my stomach was fluttering nervously, Tony was right I probably wouldn't be able to eat a thing, I wrapped a towel around me and dried my hair into its ringlets so they fell down to my bra strap, applied a fresh layer of mascara, I was very lucky with my naturally tanned skin I didn't need any foundation or blusher, my lips were full and dark so only needed gloss. I had chosen a fitted shift dress in dark red it clung in all the right places but was modest enough for an ambassador's dinner the skirt fell to mid-calf and I wore it with nude platform heels.

  I had just decided to ring for a taxi to avoid walking alone at night when my phone buzzed at me, it was a text from “M” informing me his car was outside if I required transportation, I sighed as I was spending the evening with him anyway what was a five minute car journey going to do to make it any worse, so I totted down to his awaiting Mercedes. Graham his driver was standing with the door open for me and I could see Morgan's leg in the rear, my heart raced sitting so close would be unbearable, I felt eyes watching me and turned to catch Rory and Tony peeking out behind his blind grinning at me, I tried to get in the car gracefully but kind of rolled in thanks to my narrow skirt and ended up with my face practically in Morgan's lap, I squealed and shuffled off as fast as I could looking straight into the eyes of a man very amused but also obviously aroused, “Miss White an elegant arrival as usual “ I grimaced and felt like telling him to do one but his darkened pupils made me think twice and I sat back as calmly as I could trying to avoid any contact with him as the air was thick with sexual tension. The journey was supposed to be short but for some reason we were driving in the wrong direction “I thought we were eating at the hotel?” he smiled at me

  “We are but we have plenty of time and I wanted the opportunity to talk to you first” I started to panic this wasn't good

  “I was impressed with your Italian today are your parents Italian?” Morgan had reached out to play with a strand of my hair which I found distracting “yes my father” he nodded

  “I see, that would explain it then, your hair is stunning by the way you should always wear it down” I looked away from his intense gaze and stared out of the window hoping he would ask no more questions.

  “do you see your family often? I notice you have an American accent in there and wondered if they moved over here recently” the probing was getting close to dangerous territory so I lied “no they live in Seattle but I wanted to learn about the hotel industry and to visit England, I have seen so much of Italy I fancied coming here for a while” he nodded again still playing with my hair “strange your application form has no next of kin listed” I was angry he had been reading my form but I guess it was his job!

  “I must have missed that part of the form I will sort it out with personnel, can we stop the questions now I really don't like talking about myself” he looked at me concerned “Jenna I know you are fighting this whatever it is that is happening between us but I can promise you it is going to happen of that I have no doubt” he stroked his hand down my cheek making me tremble, I didn’t respond to his statement as in a way I agreed with him whatever this was it seemed to have a life of its own and I wasn’t sure whether I had the energy to fight it.I allowed myself to lean into his touch, It had been so long since anyone had shown me any affection and for that instant I was going to enjoy it just for the hell of it.

  We pulled up at the hotel and my door was opened by the night shift doorman Sam, I had met him this morning so he was very surprised to see me getting out of Mr Drakes car. “Hi Sam the Ambassador needs my language skills over dinner so Mr Drake kindly offered me transportation “I didn't need to explain myself but I also didn't need gossip when I was just settling in, Sam just smiled at me and helped me out my exit was far more elegant than my entrance had been thank goodness.

  Morgan walked beside me to the restaurant his hand gently brushing my lower back which made me shiver, we were shown to our table I was glad to see it was tucked away in its own small area so no one could see us that made me feel far more at ease, we seated with Morgan to my left I don’t know what I would consider worse, looking into his eyes across a table or our legs touching underneath, either way I was feeling hot and bothered by the time Roberto and his wife arrived Maria was lovely and I found her conversation engaging throughout the meal, we discussed all topics in native tongue of course, sometimes I caught Morgan staring fascinated, it was unnerving. I had salad as my main as my appetite was zero sat next to Mr Sexy but nobody seemed bothered at my tiny appetite, they probably just assumed I was on a diet, I turned down desert but did order a coffee instead as the wine was affecting me on an empty stomach, I certainly didn't want to embarrass myself later.

  The evening was lovely and as Maria and Roberto would be flying home tomorrow we said our goodbyes with an open invitation to visit them any time I wanted, I was touched by their kindness and Maria saw my expression and gave me a warm hug, my eyes pricked truthfully I was sorry to see them go. Graham was waiting at the car to drive us home I was feeling a bit tipsy and emotional and knew I was on the verge of making a huge mistake if I got in that car tonight, I saw a taxi pull up behind and had an idea, I ran over to it and jumped in, as we drove off I saw Morgan standing hands on hips staring after me looking totally bemused, I giggled to myself and patted myself on the back for having the strength to walk away.

  When I let myself in to my flat I immediately stepped out of my clothes and lay on my bed in my underwear, there was no way I could sleep in my state so I dressed into my running clothes grabbed my trainers and went out for a hard run. Stupid really given the time of night but when I drink my reasoning flies out of the window plus for the first time in my life I had discovered sexual tension and I needed to get rid of it somehow, twenty minutes in and I was aware of someone keeping pace behind me I glanced behind and noticed a large man in sweats about 20 feet away, probably nothing but I changed my course a couple of times and saw he copied my movements, now I was worried so I sped up and headed back to my apartment block, my heart was racing and all thoughts of sexual tension blown away. I felt him gaining on me I was about to turn and confront him when Graham pulled up in the Bentley and the man turned and ran the opposite direction, I collapsed in relief on the curb struggling to get my breath when
a voice brought me back

  “what the hell are you doing running the streets of London at midnight wearing next to nothing, that man was following you have you any idea how stupid you’ve been” Morgan stood towering above me face dark as thunder. Suddenly the alcohol, exertion and fear took over and I threw up then fainted, the last thing I heard was “fuck”

  I groaned as I tried to sit up, Morgan was sitting on my bed beside me with a glass of water I was still in my running clothes but without my trainers, Tony was stood in the doorway in a towelling robe, he must have seen me carried inside and come for a nosey, God why did I get myself into scrapes like this

  “erm sorry I didn't mean to act all pathetic but I think I pushed it a bit on that last mile” Morgan still looked furious

  “you had copious amounts of alcohol and a sparrows portion of food what did you expect” Tony suddenly winked at me probably saying told you so about not being able to eat he excused himself “I shall leave you to it now I know she's okay goodnight all” Tony escaped but with a lingering look at me and mouthed “O.M.G” I blushed and turned back to Morgan

  “How come you happened to be passing?”

  “I came here to check you got home safely after you ran off I was worried but we got here and you were gone, Tony said you had come back so I guessed you had gone running, so we drove around for a bit, then I saw you sprinting along with a giant of a man not far behind you, I think my heart is still floating around my ears somewhere” the furious look was now replaced with a softer one and I relaxed a bit