Heart & Soul: The Meeting (Heartland Series) Read Free Page A

didn’t want to look like she was trying too hard to impress
a potential client. She’d learnt that too much make-up could be more of a turn
off than a turn on for some guys.

 
    What
on earth was she thinking?

 
    Sam let out a small laugh and shook her head. As
if Alistair Lockwood would even give her a second look. She knew she’d be lucky
if he even gave her a first look. His meeting was with the agent, not the PA and
she knew from speaking with some of the girls around the office that most
clients didn’t even acknowledge the PA.   They kinda just faded into the background.  

 
    Despite knowing all of this, it didn’t mean she
didn’t want to at least look presentable. Sam knew that her white, fitted blouse
and black pencil skirt were suitable for the occasion but did she really want
to look businesslike in front of one of the hottest men currently alive?

 
    I
knew I should have gone for the red dress.

 
    As her car door was opened by the valet, Sam
stepped out, nodding her thanks and joined David on the sidewalk.   He was doing his best to appear calm but she
could tell he was nervous.   However, if
it was one thing she’d learnt from working with him, it was that David wouldn’t
let Lockwood see he unnerved him.

 
    “Here we go Sam. It’s now or never.” David said as
he took a deep breath.

 
    Giving him a small smile, she fell into step with
him as they turned and walked into the fancy hotel.   They’d only taken a couple of steps through
the door and Sam saw the concierge heading towards them, giving them both a
polite nod and smile.

 
    “Sir, Miss, how can I help you today?” he asked
and Sam detected just a hint of a French accent.
    “David Hughes and Samantha Westfield to see Mr Carlisle.”
    “Of course sir, Mr Carlisle is expecting you.   If you’d like to take the far elevator to the
sixteenth floor, someone will meet you there.”

 
    Nodding their thanks to the concierge, they
crossed the expansive foyer.   Sam knew
that most big time celebrities used a pseudonym for hotel stays, mainly to try
and keep ardent fans at bay.   Clearly,
Alistair Lockwood did the same and she couldn’t say she blamed him.   She’d read enough stories about fans breaking
into hotels rooms and private residences just to get a glimpse of their
idols.   Whenever she read anything like
it, a shiver ran down her spine at all the things that could have happened.

 
    As they walked, Sam took in her surroundings. She’d
only been to this place once before, and that was just to ask for directions,
but it was still as stunning as she remembered.

 
    The whole lobby was elegant but not over the top.
Several plush couches and chairs were located for guests to use, some located
centrally in the large foyer, others in alcoves for more privacy.   Opulent chandeliers hung from the high
ceiling, giving off a glow that softened the hew of
the creamy coloured walls. A large, winding staircase led downwards and she craned
her neck to try and see what was down there before they arrived at the
elevators.   David pushed the button
farthest away from them and the large doors slid open smoothly.   As soon as they were inside, the doors shut
with a soft hiss and David pushed the button for the sixteenth floor.

 
    Sam could only imagine what it would be like to be
able to afford to stay in a place like this.   Well, she could afford it, but she knew it would wipe out a good chuck
of her savings, which was something she wouldn’t do.   Having an investment banker for a brother had
taught her how to manage her money, at least her checking and savings accounts.   Her credit card was a whole other story and
she dreaded to think what Xander would say if he knew
she was stretching her credit limit to the max.

 
    As the elevator smoothly whisked them to their
destination, Sam checked her reflection in the mirrored walls as it
ascended.   Quickly doing a scan on her
appearance, she swiped at her