**Elise’s POV**
My head was pounding and the room was still spinning slightly when I woke up. I thought I was hallucinating because I was in Liam’s bed. I sat up quickly and looked over to him sleeping soundly next to me... shirtless. I panicked and looked under the covers hoping that I wasn’t naked. Underwear still on and his boxers still intact. A sigh of relief escaped my lips and I gazed down at Liam, sleeping peacefully next me. He was so muscular and toned. He was very good looking and had a kind nature when he was asleep.
Liam woke up before too long and found me pulling up my leggings that I wore yesterday.
“I wondered how long it would be until you managed to make your way into my bed” he chuckled and I turned around to him in fear.
“Did we...I mean we didn’t..”. He sat up and smirked at me.
“I told you Elle, I’m not interested”. I should feel relieved but those words just infuriated me. I grunted and grabbed my shirt.
“Whatever” I said with attitude and left.
A few days passed and I watched Liam go on countless dates with different girls. I was so use to it now that it didn’t bother me. Tonight was the first night that he didn’t have a date and he was laying on the sofa watching tv. Mum and Mark had left for some sort of formal function to do with Mark’s work. I was sitting on the opposite sofa to Liam when my phone started to ring. Liam turned his attention to me as I answered it.
“Hello?”
“Oh hello there, is that Elsie Edwards?” A woman asked with a polite and proper tone.
“Yes, speaking, how can I help?” I replied.
“This is Sharon Ripper from The Mariot” she introduced and my body tensed with excitement.
“Oh hello Sharon” I greeted. Liam looked at me confused and eager to know who I was talking to.
“We have received your application form and was wondering if you were free on Monday to come in and have an interview?” I smiled uncontrollably and tried to calm myself down.
“Yes, that would be brilliant, what time would like me to meet you?” I asked as politely as I could.
“Shall we say... 3pm?”
“No problem at all, I will see you Monday!” I said and she hung up.
“Who was that?” Liam asked as soon as I put my phone into my pocket. I explained to him about my interview and a surprising look of happiness spread across his face.
“Congratulations” he said calmly. I couldn’t tell if he was being sarcastic or not, he tends to play games with me when he’s bored. I responded by smiling slightly and left him there whilst I went to my room.
—————————————————————————
Monday came along quite quickly and although I was extremely nervous throughout my interview, I seemed to have made a good impression. I was told to wait in the lounge area of the restaurant for them to call me back in. I sat there tapping my foot on the ground impatiently. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I took it out.
Mum
How did it go?
Elle
Just waiting for them to call me back in now but I think it went well.
Mum
Oh well done I’m so proud of you! Make sure to call me as soon as you’re finished to tell me what the outcome is!
Elle
Will do!
I continued to wait another 10 minutes until Sharon called me back into her office. She sat down behind her desk and her assistant manager was sitting next to her.
“So, we’ve had a discussion and really appreciate you taking the time to come here this afternoon. We thoroughly enjoyed you interview and are very pleased by your qualifications and experience. We hoped that you would accept our offer of becoming a member of our reception team” she smiled and I sat there with my mouth open in shock.
I expected for the interview to go well but I honestly thought that my nerves had got the better of me. “Yes, I would love to!” I exclaimed and she laughed at my enthusiasm. She asked if I could stay for an hour or so to go through my daily routine which I was happy to do. She showed me each section of the restaurant and where different people will be placed. She explained the booking procedure and how to use the system. I got the hang of it pretty quickly. I watched her take bookings in person and over the phone to show me a demonstration. Once I had a go at booking someone in she told me that I could start tomorrow. I was so excited. After I had signed all of the paperwork I needed to sign she gave me a small booklet that was like my work guide. It told me the rules and regulations to abide by whilst I was there. For example the uniform was that I must wear either a pencil skirt or a fairly formal dress of my choice. Heels were essential and I was not allowed to show up to work if I looked tired or run down. They take presentation very seriously.
Once I got home I repeated everything that I had learnt about my new job to Mark and my mum. Liam was on the single chair in the corner, pretending as if he wasn’t listening by looking at his phone. That was until I brought up the dress code.
“So if you went into work wearing trousers, what would they do?” He finally challenged.
“I don’t know. Probably tell me to go home and change I guess” I answered him and his eye brows tensed a if he was not happy about that rule.
“Doesn’t sound right to me” he stated and looked back at his phone. I tried to ignore his pathetic comment and continued to explain to mum and Mark. After I had finished, I went to my room to grab a towel. I took it from my wardrobe and headed for the bathroom. However, when I opened my door, Liam was standing there as if he was waiting for me.
“Stalking me now are you?” I frowned and he didn’t listen to my sarcastic comment.
“I’m not sure about this Elle” he testified with concern in his eyes. I huffed and brushed past him to head for the bathroom. He put his foot in the crack of the door to prevent me from shutting it.
“Move your foot Liam” I demanded but he didn’t.
“Just hear me out Elle” he pleaded.
“Since when did you care about my existence?”
“Just hear me out and I will leave you alone” he repeated himself and I rolled my eyes at him and then let go of the door handle.
“Fine, what do you want to say?”
“Well the fact that they only want you to come to work with your legs on show, doesn’t seem very professional to me. I don’t like the thought of men coming to that kind of restaurant just to perv on the staff’s legs” he explained.
“It’s perverted and degrading” he continued. I scrunched my face up.
“Just like how degrading it is for the thousands of women who think that they have a chance with you but your using them for a quick f**k?” I argued. He smirked at my comment.
“I didn’t realise that you cared so much about my life” he predicted and I grunted and slammed the door. I exhaled aggressively and walked over to the mirror. He’s being stupid.
“Elle, come on” he pleaded from behind the door. I turned the shower on and ignored him.
After my shower I peered from the door to check that he had gone. The coast was clear and I sneaked to my room. I shut the door and turned to my bed, sighing at the sight of Liam.
“Liam! Would you just leave it” my tone was stern and aggressive. He stood up and walked over to me slowly. I was dripping wet and wearing only a towel. He stood so close to me that his shirt was brushing against my chest. His lips were close to mine as I stood my ground.
“What are you doing?” I asked him and he stayed quiet. He leant in closer and brushed past my cheek so that he was next to my ear. Goosebumps shuddered through my body and my n*****s hardened. I wanted to speak but his presence that was so intoxicating that it caused me to remain me silent. I could hear his every breath and feel his chest pressing against mine every time he inhaled.
“I’m still not interested in you” he whispered and placed his hand to the opposite side of my neck. He laid his lips against my skin and passionately kissed it. I gasped and relaxed my neck to the side to allow him to gain a better angle. “Liam” I breathed and he stopped. He looked at me and stepped back. The look of surprise was written on my face as he smirked.
“Just be careful” he grinned and left my bedroom.
What the f**k was that all about?!