After All Part Thirty Three

Chapter Thirty Three

Mattie had dozens of emails; she’d never been so busy. She’d promised to meet with one of the contractors at eleven, but she was struggling to deal with a couple of other pressing issues. Not for the first time that say she rued the decision to let Sarah go off and have fun, though she knew she’d not make her stay really. Calling through to reception she spoke to Mark, explaining that she was running late.

                “No problem, I’ll tell them when they arrive, though maybe Mr Wallace can help?”

She sighed, “he’s at a meeting in London.”

                “No, he came back about an hour ago. Apparently it got cancelled.”

She had no idea he was on site and despite feeling a little relieved was also a bit surprised that he hadn’t let her know he was back in the building. Literally poking her head around the door to his office, she called out his name, but he wasn’t there.

Instead she returned to her office and called Fabio in the gym to lend a hand with moving some equipment outside to make room for the scaffolding, she needed to rely on him, as there was clearly no one else.

As she headed out of the reception to meet Tony, the golf pro and the other organisers of the forth coming tournament, she came face to face with Dylan. He was rubbing his sweaty face with a towel, his t-shirt and shorts stuck to his sweat slick body. She tried to avoid looking at his bare legs or his dark nipples almost visible through the damp cotton, but then his face wasn’t much easier, those full lips, knowing eyes.

                “I didn’t realise you’d be here today.”

He gave a shrug, “well I kind of live here now, don’t I?”

She flinched at that, dropping her eyes, “sorry...I have been looking for somewhere else, but I’m so busy...”

He reached out as she made to rush away, circling her wrist with his hand, “sorry that sounded worse than it should have. My meeting was cancelled. I came back but when I saw you in the dining room you seemed to have everything in hand...so I got a work out. Much overdue. Do you need me?”

She was studying him, trying desperately to see what was going through his brain...and failing. Sighing she shook her head, “no, I’m ok. You go chill.”

Nodding he gave what she could only describe as a sad smile then disappeared towards the bank of lifts in the corner of the reception.

After the golf club meeting there was a lull, but it coincided with the bridal party arriving. It was good PR to be around for these things, so she straightened her hair in the mirror, and then smoothed her hands over her dress before returning to the foyer to greet the wedding party.

                “It’s spooky seeing you be so efficient!” A voice whispered beside her, just as she was about to leave for the sanctuary of her office. Turning with a smile she saw Will.

                “Wow! You scrub up well.” He was wearing a dark grey morning suit, cream waistcoat with a plum coloured cravat, and he did look amazing, SO far from the boy she remembered from school.

His response was a lazy smile, “well, you have to make the effort on occasion.”

                “Nervous for your speech?”

He gave a really discreet nod, “but don’t tell anyone, can’t have that getting out!”

She chuckled, “good luck.”

Dylan had been in turmoil all morning. He knew that Matilda was in a mood with him, talking to Charlotte seemed to make her angry...he had wondered for a moment if she was jealous. He’d been glad that this morning’s meeting had been cancelled, he’d come back to the hotel full of hope, intending to confront Matilda, tell her that no other woman meant anything to him, that he wanted to spend more time with her. He was too scared to think about anything more than that.

And he’d walked straight into the hotel to find her hugging, giggling and doe-eyed with some man. He’d felt pain as he’d looked at her, animated, laughing, smiling. She NEVER looked at him like that, not in years, had he played this all wrong? He’d hit the gym hoping that some adrenaline, some physical pain would clear his mind...but he was wrong about that too. Then he’d left the gym hot, sweaty and extremely frustrated, only to bump into her in reception, cool, calm and bloody in control. He wanted to scream.

He’d showered, changed then drunk a few shots of whisky. And still wasn’t any more settled.

Walking back into the reception, his radar spotted, or rather sensed Matilda, and looking up he could only admire her. She was demure, elegant and SO impressive, she was wearing a fitted dress, clinging to her curvy figure in a respectable way, and it was short enough to reveal inches of thigh and her long legs looked amazing in her heels. She was professional, hardworking and had tons of initiative; she’d be an asset to any business. He was lucky. Like you’re only interested in her as an employee. He groaned, no, he was beginning to think he wanted far more than that.

As he took a deep breath, made for her direction he groaned. There was that man, the one from this morning, making her giggle and blush.

With a groan of displeasure he turned and made for his suite, alcohol, food, and maybe some TV would take his mind off the disaster his life was.

It was after ten when Mattie felt she could let go. She had the intention of heading back to the apartment, but when Hermione, arriving for a late shift informed her one of the newly decorated rooms was empty she sighed with pleasure.

                “Will you tell housekeeping that I’m there? Thank god I’ve still got a change of clothes in the office. You madam are a lifesaver!”

The receptionist smiled a response, “can’t believe you’re not going home again!”

                “I’ve not got a day off until after this damned golf weekend. It’s become my life!”

Hermione laughed, “imagine how cool next Monday will feel!”

Mattie was still smiling at that as she made her way up to bed.

The next morning was chaos, the bridal party had stayed over, and at breakfast the mother of the bride had fallen on the stairs, fortunately nothing was broken, but Mattie needed her finest diplomatic skills to help sort it out. The hotel industry was blighted by claims - injuries, bad bookings, problems with food. This was a genuine accident, and whilst she had details of witnesses, she couldn’t help worry that it may all come back and bite them on the arse in the future.

By twelve most had checked out and there was nothing stopping the team starting on the final preparation for the golf weekend. Mattie was sick of it already, and groaned when she spotted people from the TV channel appear wanting to sort out angles for cameras and the wagons that transmitted the pictures to the studio.

Dylan appeared looking worse for wear, she hadn’t seen him since the previous lunchtime and had no sympathy, instead she passed the buck onto him, and he groaned as he headed outside to deal with the issues.

A couple of hours later, after the luxury of a lunch break - a tuna sandwich and more coffee, she headed out to reception, she needed to check that accident log from earlier. She was just arriving at the desk when she sensed someone running towards her, glancing up she smiled to see Will, back in his casual jeans and a shirt/

                “Matilda. Before I go, just wanted to say how cool it was to catch up. Really good to see you.”

She grinned, “you too Will. Twelve years...that’s crazy, hey?”

He nodded, “you remember Paul Milton? He’s having a party in a couple of weeks; everyone would love to see you. Come with me?”

It was a loaded questions, and she wasn’t sure she could commit, wasn’t sure she wanted to encourage him falsely.

                “I work most weekends, here’s my number. Give me a call, ok?”

He took the card then gave her a hug, “cool. Would be great to catch up at some point.”

Giving him a wave, she watched him leave.  At that very moment Miss Blonde TV Bitch entered the reception, and walked straight up to Dylan, Mattie hadn’t noticed he was there until that moment, so with an awkward smile, she moved to her office, avoiding any chat.

                “I’m going back to the City tonight,” she informed Sarah who was nose deep in PR strategies; she was working late to cover.

                “Don’t rush back, go out and get drunk. You deserve it!”

Mattie smiled, “can’t see that happening!”

But she’d never been so relieved to leave the hotel. As she headed out into the late evening sun, she noticed Dylan and Charlotte, sat under a parasol on one of the verandas that flanked the front door. Their heads were almost touching as they poured over something on the table. Mattie sighed, at the very moment the blonde bombshell tossed back her head, shaking her mane of hair as she giggled in an elaborate and extremely over exaggerated fashion.

As Mattie rolled her eyes she caught the gaze of Dylan, and he instantly scowled. Giving a half smile, she turned away and left. She couldn’t let their business relationship suffer. Not after all this time.

Mattie virtually lived in the golf club for the next few days. By Thursday the celebs had started to arrive, Friday night started with a dinner, then there was a two day golf tournament, celebs, pros and corporate hospitality people battling it out together. Sarah and Dylan were managing the hotel, and she was confident that things would work out.  Late Thursday evening she received an email from Dylan on the computer she’d taken over in the only office in the leisure complex.

                ‘Just collating final figures for this weekend. Can you leave things to come sort things out? I’m in the boardroom. Dylan.’

She sighed, it wasn’t a demand, but how could she say no? She’d been avoiding him since the weekend, because she was angry...and hurt. Again. Taking a deep breath, she closed her laptop, then packed it into her bag. She wanted to get out of the hotel as soon as possible; she was fed up with work. Once this weekend was over there was only a few weeks until Sarah’s trip to Barcelona. Sun...relaxation...no work. That was the mantra she was living by.

                “Are you avoiding me?”

Dylan had planned to talk business as soon as she walked in, but the moment he set eyes on her, his mouth ran away with him.

                “No.” She stared at him, “why? What have you done?”

He grimaced, “you seemed frosty last weekend, and now you’re over in the club...”

She laughed, “I am pulling off one of the biggest events the South East has ever seen, I can’t make small talk AND see this through...So finances?”

He hated that she could put him down so quickly, when had that changed? He sighed, “well these are the figures I’ve got drawn up...wondered if they differed to yours...”

She looked at the rows of figures and the increasing totals as her eyes moved across the page. “Really? THAT much?”

When she looked up he was beaming, “oh yes.”

She nodded with a smile, “when I’m breaking myself in two tomorrow trying to be everything for everyone, I’ll be grateful that you are reaping the rewards in your dividends.”

That made him smile, “and you can put a great big entry on your CV.”

It was meant as a joke, but he could see her eyes widen in shock, “do I need to look for another job?”

Groaning he shook his head, “I was just saying that we’re all getting something out of this...and I appreciate you working so hard...but I’m not the best with words, you know that.”

Moving towards the door she sighed, “not sure I know anything...maybe I need to speak to Charlotte?” And on that note she stepped out into the hall.

                “She’s nothing to me...”

He watched as Matilda turned and smiled, “it’s not my business Dylan. Really.”

                “Will you join me for a drink?”

His plea surprised him, but as soon as he said it he felt a sense f relief. He watched as she glanced at her watch, then with a shrug, she came back towards him and took the adjacent seat at the table.

                “What have you got to drink?”

He shrugged reaching for the phone, “it should be champers to celebrate this good news, but I could murder a beer.”

She grinned, “sounds good.”

Dylan ordered a couple of bottles from the bar, one of the staff promised to bring them up, and he was silent until they arrived and he handed her one.

Sitting back next to her he sighed, “I’m sorry...Charlotte. I kind of...” He rolled his eyes, “Nothing happened with her.”

                “But she wanted it...you never could see when women flirt.”

                “And as usual I storm headlong in to chaos...”

Matilda laughed, “you mean she didn’t take being put down well.”

He took a slug of beer, appreciating the slide of the ice cold liquid down his throat with his eyes closed, “understatement...apparently I’m a tease...haven’t heard that term since I was in school.” And it had hurt him to have a woman screaming profanities at him from across the desk. He hadn’t promised her anything, but apparently they had both been singing from different song sheets.

                “She looked a bit brassy...”

Dylan laughed, “I was never one for fripperies. Wasn’t that what your mother used to say about me?”

She nodded, “whether it was food, drink or ladies.”

                “He’s not good enough for you.” He wanted to retract the words as soon as he said them, but he couldn’t, the wistful look in her eyes, it had loosened his lips once more. Instead he had to watch in almost slow motion, as she stared at him, mouth open, surprise on her face, “who?”

In for a penny in for a pound, taking a deep breath he offered, “the man you were hugging all weekend...he’s not right for you.”

Shaking her head she muttered something illegible, before saying, “he’s an old school friend. That’s all.”

Suddenly she was staring at him, watching him intently and it was making him feel hot under the collar. “Well, you deserve more...you deserve the best. Charlotte...it was childish...I was angry.”

He watched her closely as she swallowed nervously. Then when she looked up at him, met his eyes, there was an incredible connection, a tension...

                “You were jealous?”

Her eyes were wide and she was staring at him in such an honest and open way, “don’t look at me like that Matilda.”

                “Why?” Her voice was a rasp.

He leaned close, their faces closer than ever, “you KNOW why.”

She bit her lip, snatching her bottom lip between her teeth, and it was his undoing. He reached out and brushed the lip with his thumb, and with a gasp she released it from her teeth. Their eyes were still locked, and the desire he saw there sent furls of heat through his body.

                “Dylan...” it was a breathy sigh, and he cupped her cheek with his hand holding her gaze. If he expected her to pull away, he was wrong. She pressed into his hand, rubbing her cheek against him with all the elegance and serenity of a cat being stroked.

                “Shit...”

He was only human, and she was like some bloody Aphrodite. With a sigh, that felt like his last gasp of air, he leaned forward and placed his lips onto hers.