Dangerous Desires

Ch 1: Lola

The sound of footsteps pulls me from my daydream. I pivot on my heel with a skillful grace from years of standing behind this desk. The new guest has that shell-shocked look of someone who's just survived the gauntlet of travel, but I'm ready with my brightest smile, the one that says, 'Welcome to your home away from home.'

"Good afternoon!" I sing out, positively beaming as I unlock the computer, pulling up the check-in screen. "Welcome to the Valentino Hotel. I'm Lola, and I'll be assisting you today and throughout your stay." I add with my award-winning smile. He blinks, and I watch the tension melt away from his shoulders, a testament to the power of a genuine smile. People underestimate it, but I swear it works better than any comfort drink we serve at the bar. I don't like to brag, but my smile can stop a toddler from throwing a tantrum.

"Thank you, I—I had a bit of a rough flight," he admits, returning a weary version of my smile as he props his elbows onto the counter.

"Nothing that a good night's rest in our heavenly beds can't fix," I assure him, tapping the keys to bring up his reservation. I pepper him with questions about his preferences—high floor, low floor, view of the city, or the quiet courtyard—all while maintaining the chatter that makes the mundane feel personal. It's not just check-in; it's an art form I've mastered in the four years of working here.

"Here's your keycards, Mr. Davidson. Elevators are just past the grand staircase; remember, you will need to tap the keycard on the panel to access the elevator. Also, our concierge will be delighted to assist with any dinner reservations or show tickets." I pass over the keycards and a map of the hotel amenities—a little extra touch.

"Thank you, Lola. You've made this much more pleasant than I expected." He tips his hat and wheels his suitcase toward the elevators.

"Enjoy your stay!" I call after him, already turning to the next task. But before I can reach for the stack of arrival packets, Jenna, the other receptionist, my fellow conspirator in all things hotel drama, leans close, her voice dropping to an excited whisper.

"Guess who's gracing us with his presence for a month?" she gestures around the empty lobby.

"Who? Not the ghost of Elvis Presley," I gasp dramatically, holding a hand to my chest as if I might pass out.

"Even better," she quips, unable to suppress the grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Our very own CEO, Matteo Valentino. The man himself will be here, in the flesh, prowling around, overseeing the renovations that are set to begin this week."

"Matteo Valentino?" I repeat. My fingers dance over the polished surface of the front desk, collecting imaginary dust because, let's face it, this place is immaculate. "Our hotshot CEO, right?"

"Hotshot doesn't even begin to cover it," Jenna gushes, clearly caught up in the gossip. "He's like the king of hotels and casinos. And those looks? Straight out of a movie where the brooding billionaire sweeps the girl off her feet!"

"Ah, right. The grumpy god with a suit."

"More like a grumpy demigod. The man is fucking fine and just my type." Jenna corrects me with a giggle. "But still, he's a big deal, Lola. The entire staff is on edge."

I nod, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes. Grumpy gods aren't exactly my type; they tend to have more baggage than the guests checking in with their designer suitcases. But

"Relax, Jenna," I say, tapping the computer screen absentmindedly. "We've handled VIPs before. How different can Matteo Valentino be?" Very different, I bet. Matteo Valentino is a man of power and money. Also, he is an enigma. No one really knows much about him except that he's the CEO of one of the most successful hotel chains in the world. He rarely makes public appearances and keeps to himself most of the time.