Deep Blue Impact (Deep Blue Series) (2 page)

Chapter 2

             
All of these memories run through my mind as I climb into the limo waiting at the Vegas airport. I am still having a hard time with the new, rich prestigious life I am livin
g
.
 
This will be my first Board meeting since the reading of the will. With my bank account now having millions in it, I could do what my dad’s attorney had advised me of and sell my 51% of the stock and live the rest of my life as a very wealthy woman.  I was a business major and well wanted to prove to myself that I could do it and I was going to try.

             
The press is actually why we made the last minute change in location for the board meeting.  They always met in New York at the W.S Jackson Grand. I made the decision to move the meeting last minute knowing that there were still press camped out. If they got word of the meeting there would be more. 

             
Pulling up to the biggest hotel on the strip, the W. S. Jackson Grand, I had a hard time swallowing because I could hardly believe I owned this building.  It was the elite of the elite and only the very rich could afford a basic room in this hotel.  

             
“Ms. Jackson, we are so pleased you are here.” One of the doormen helps me out of the limo, my bags being carted behind me.  I was in the elevator and being sent to the top floor penthouse. 
I guess I don't have to check in
. 

             
“Ms. Jackson, if there is anything I can do for you please let me know. I am here only to serve you.” The man in the elevator with my bags says to me as we climb to the top in the sleek private lift. 

             
“First off, you can call me Aubrey.  What is your name?” I held out my hand to shake his.

             
“Ethan,” he said taking my hand looking a little shocked at me.  He was cute, probably 22 or so, with blonde hair and well-built. I am sure he was a charmer with the ladies and no doubt why he was assigned to me as my personal concierge while I was here.  Although I was very used to men paying attention to me, I had never had a man being paid to do so. 

             
“It’s nice to meet you, Ethan.  How long have you been working here?” I asked trying to make small talk in the longest ever elevator ride of my life.  I looked up and saw that we had only made it to floor 50.

             
“About a year, Ms. Jackson……I mean Ms. Aubrey.” He corrected himself when I gave him a warning look.  I could go for Ms. Aubrey for now seeing that it was making him uncomfortable to use my first name.  No doubt that it had been drilled into him on how he was to speak to me.

             
“Have you been a personal concierge the whole time?”

             
“You’re my first, Ms. Aubrey,” he said, looking at me apprehensively like he was doing something wrong. 
How was I to know if he was doing something wrong, I had never done the concierge thing either?

             
“Well, Ethan, that makes two of us because you are my first too.  Being virgins at this we can learn together.” I smile at him and he laughs a real laugh, not a fake one trying to impress me.  “So please relax, because I am nervous as hell.”

             
“Yes Ms. Aubrey,” and just like that, the tension in the elevator leaves. I can tell Ethan and I are going to be friends.  “I have your itinerary and it appears like your meeting isn't until tomorrow.  What would you like to do today?”

             
“God if I know. Any suggestions?” I shrugged at him and he laughs again.  We were both laughing when the elevator doors open and we were staring at the massive suite. 

             
“Come, I will show you around,” Ethan says, rolling my bags into the master suite.  “Do you need help unpacking?”

             
“Um no, I think I can manage.” I am shocked by his question. 
People really have strangers unpack their suitcases
?

             
“Well, Ms. Aubrey, how about I set you up at the hotel spa for the afternoon? Maybe some pampering will help your nerves.” He gives me a wiggle of his eyebrows. 
Yeah he had a way with the ladies
.  Although it did nothing for me, I am sure his smile dropped panties all over town.

             
“That would be awesome,” I say looking out at the breath taking view of the Las Vegas strip.

             
“Just wait till you see it at night.  It is amazing.  I will get you set up for the spa.” I turn to see Ethan reach for the house phone to let them know I would be coming.  I saunter into the master suite and gasp at the huge bed that was only going to have one person in it.  It could fit 10 comfortably.  The bathroom off of it was just as big with a grotto shower and very large Jacuzzi tub. 

             
Mags and I had moved into a penthouse apartment a couple months ago.  It too had a similar bathroom and I had come to love my gigantic Jacuzzi tub.  The place was state of the art with a gourmet kitchen and vaulted ceilings.  Spoiling Mags and myself had become one of my favorite pastimes.  We have been on many shopping sprees in the past months and thank God for Mags fashion sense.  She was good at helping me pick out the finer things and we were having a lot of fun doing it. 

             
“They are waiting for you in the spa whenever you are ready, Ms. Aubrey,” Ethan says at the doorway of the master suite.

             
“I’m ready.  Will you show me the way?” I ask stepping out of the bathroom and joining him in the main room.

             
“But of course,” he says hooking his arm for me to take it. I wrap my arm in his as he escorts me toward the elevators.  He has on a very expensive suit and looks very handsome in it. 
He knows what he's doing
.

             
“When does you shift end?”

             
“It doesn’t while you are here,” he says matter-of-factly, like I should already know this, as we step in the elevator and he pushes the button for the spa floor.

             
“Well I hope I am paying you well for the 24 hour service,” I tease.

             
“It’s my pleasure, Ms. Aubrey,” is all he says to that.
Yeah, he is good
.

             
“Well with your attention to detail I might have to hire you as my personal assistant.” I can see where Ethan would be a great asset to my growing team.  I have my attorney of course, a financial officer, and a secretary set up in my new office in New York.  I am just getting started, but I have come to realize that being a millionaire and controlling stock holder to one of the largest companies in the world comes with a lot of work.  I set up my own office off site due to the press, and because W.S. Jackson in New York was too big and impersonal.  It housed a lot of companies, many I had stock in, and the top 10 floors were mine.  It ran smoothly with the management my father had put in place so there was no need for me to frequent it often.

             
“Well, Ms. Aubrey, I assure you I could be persuaded.” He laughs and I’m sure he thinks I’m joking, but I really am considering it. This boy was born to schmooze.

Chapter 3

              Before leaving me in the capable hands at the spa, Ethan had programed his cell number into my phone so I could get a hold of him when I needed something. 

             
After my hot stone massage I was sitting in a relaxing chair getting a pedicure when my phone rang.

             
“Hey baby girl,” Rex says after I answer.  “How’s Vegas? Do I need to come and kick any board member ass yet?”

             
“No, haven’t even met any of them yet, but I will let you know.” I laugh in the phone.  He was in training camp right now.  Otherwise he would have probably attended the meeting with me just for intimidation.  He was a big guy, very built and muscular from all his years in football and training. 

             
“Well, take names baby girl, because if any of them give you any trouble I will be paying them a visit.” And though he says it teasingly I have no doubt that he would hurt someone that tried to hurt me.

             
“How’s Lauren?” I ask.  His girlfriend for last month did not like him talking to me.

             
“Uhgg, she’s gone. That bitch be crazy.” He growls into the phone.

             
“You say that about all of them.” I laugh.  Rex has a different girlfriend every month.

             
“That’s because all woman are crazy.”

             
“Hey now!”

             
“Not you baby girl, you’re the only woman in my life that doesn’t drive me bat shit insane. Remind me again why we are not together?” He teases.

“Because you are not a one woman kind of guy and I am immune to your charms.” I tease back, and he groans on
the other end of the phone. “You know you only want me because you can’t have me.”

             
“Oh, I’ve already had you baby girl.  Let me tell you, to this day you are still the best.” He uses his deep sex voice and I can see the smirk on his face as he says it.

             
“Now you’ve made me blush.” I’m not blushing; I am used to Rex’s constant flirting with me.

             
“Damn, I wish I was there to see it.” He’s growling again.

             
“Why’s that?”

             
“Because baby girl, you're even more gorgeous when you’re blushing.”

             
“OK, that’s my cue. I’ve got to go. I’m ready for my manicure and she needs both hands.” Even though she is not saying anything the lady working on my toes is finished and all set up for my hands.  I lay my non phone hand on the table and she gets busy on it.

             
“Pampering that beautiful body of yours.  Good for you.”

             
“Yeah.  It’s a hard life, but I am soldiering on.” I laugh and he lets out one of his loud deep laughs. I can see him with his head back and shaking his head.

             
“Aubrey
?” Oh shit, he’s getting serious. He only says my name when he’s serious
.

             
“Yes?”

             
“Please don’t go out of the hotel alone. It’s a dangerous city for a sexy woman like you.”

             
“I’m not leaving this hotel until it is time to get on the plane, I swear.” I had already told him this when we spoke before I left New York. He worries about me way too much.

             
“I miss you, Aubs.”

             
“Why don’t we go somewhere when the season’s over?” The truth is, I have missed him too.  Even though we talk on the phone once a week, if not more, I haven’t seen him in months.

             
“Yeah, as long as it’s just you and me.  NO Maggie, please.” Poor Mags, like every other woman in the world, was insanely hot for Rex.  She was a blubbering idiot whenever he was around. 

             
“No Mags.” I agree.

             
“Love you, baby girl. Call me tomorrow after your meeting, OK?”  I agree before we hang up.

Chapter 4

             
Standing in my master suite, I gaze at myself in the full length mirror and call Mags.  After all, she is the one who made me buy this dress.  It’s a very tight, one shoulder black dress that shows off every curve.  Paired with black high heel Jimmy Choo’s my legs seem to go forever. 

             
“Please tell me you’re having some fun?” Mags says, answering my call.