Nights With Parker Read Free Page A

business than anything else. “Would one hundred dollars do?”
    “It’s not about …”
    “Two hundred.”
    “Oliver.”
    “Fine. I will give you five hundred dollars for three hours.”
    “A three-hour tour?” she questions with a raised eyebrow and the barest hint of a smile.
    “Yes. A three-hour tour. Do we have a deal, Riley?”
    “You do know you can get a tour for a fraction of that cost, don’t you?”
    I sigh in mock frustration. “Riley.”
    “Okay.”
    I pull a business card out of my wallet and hand it to her. “I’m staying at the Hyatt Regency; meet me outside at eleven am,” I instruct before walking away, not giving her a chance to back out.
     

CHAPTER TWO
    OLIVER
     
     
    “Effective immediately, the entire housekeeping staff is being let go.” I say the words, aware of how harsh they sound, but there is no easy way to say them. I’ve never seen such a filthy fucking hotel in my entire life. The groans and moans of those affected hit me with a tremendous amount of force. I feel bad for some of them, I really do. It’s never fair when the good employees are punished because of the carelessness of the bad ones, but I don’t have time to weed out the good from the bad. This hotel needs to be in top condition quickly if it’s going to be a Parker Hotel.
    “You’ll each receive a severance package that will be determined by the length of your service, and you’ll all be entitled to collect unemployment benefits, but as of today, I’ve contracted a temporary cleaning service to relieve you of your duties. I’ll be taking time over the next few months to hire a new staff, and you are all more than welcome to apply.”
    I say this in order to give them some type of hope, but the chances of me hiring any of them are slim. I’ve barely even said thank you before I turn and walk out of the conference room. It’s just easier that way. Thinking about looks of sadness, anger, and disappointment doesn't help me to get the job done. Checking the time as I get in my car, I surmise that I have less than half an hour before I’m due to meet Riley. Within a matter of minutes, I’m parked and making my way to the hotel. When I reach my room, I quickly undress, throwing my discarded suit on a nearby chair to change into comfortable pair of jeans and a t-shirt. My phone rings, and I know it’s either Jacob or my father wanting a brief about this morning’s announcement. They’ll just have to wait until I’m ready to return the call. I grab my wallet, leaving my phone where it is on the bed, and head downstairs.
    As promised, Riley is waiting for me out front. Her blond hair waving in the wind makes her look almost whimsical. As her eyes lock on mine, my step falters, making me pause for a moment. Her gaze hits me as if it were a physical force, like a beam pulling me to her, and for the briefest of seconds, I’m left feeling bare, vulnerable even. The feeling makes me uncomfortable, makes me want to turn and walk away, because I swear she can see right through me. I could swear that with one look at me, she can see everything about me that lies buried deep, past the carefully crafted façade to a view I’m not happy to share.
    “Riley,” I greet, as I recover and continue my trajectory to her.
    “Oliver,” she returns with a shy smile.
    She looks different in the light of day, outside of the dimly lit restaurant where she works. She has a lovely glow to her skin, her cheeks tinted a demure shade of pink, and her pouty lips glossed in a soft nude color. You wouldn’t find a face like hers in the pages of a fashion magazine; she’s far too pure and clean for that. The girl next door who, given the right tools, would bring any man to his knees. Her beauty is there, but hidden, and she likes it that way. She likes to blend in with the crowd. Being the center of attention makes her uncomfortable. She’s not comfortable with my eyes on her and the thoughts she knows are in my head.
    “I’m