Free La Brat by Ashe Barker Page A

attention to the dimensions of the ballroom, the flexibility of the various other meeting and banqueting facilities. All were tastefully furnished, provided with audio and HD video facilities, staging, a range of seating styles and, of course, ready access to refreshments. Despite her inner turmoil, Eugenie was impressed. The video tour she’d watched back in her apartment did little justice to the real thing. Totally Five Star Paris was quite simply superb.
    But it was not for her. Not now. Not ever. Aaron would see to that. If he hadn’t already.
     

Chapter Six
     
     
     
    Aaron took more pleasure than he’d expected he would in seeing Eugenie again. She looked to have lost weight, but she was still a sexy little package. He wondered if she was still in the lifestyle but thought probably not. He hoped not, if her last encounter with him was any indication of her approach. Submission did not come naturally to Eugenie d’André. Which was a pity, but it couldn’t be helped.
    “You didn’t seem surprised to see me. You knew I was one of the candidates.”
    It was a statement, not a question. Aaron paused at the door to the small lecture theater to answer her. “Of course. As Head of Security, it’s my job to run background checks on all the candidates.”
    “Yet I was still invited for an interview. Why?”
    “Elise was very impressed with your application. You look good on paper.” And in the flesh.
    “They won’t offer the job to me now. I made an absolute fool of myself.”
    “Not absolute, I’d say.”
    “I would. And even if I hadn’t…”
    He was interested in the play of emotions flitting across her face—annoyance, frustration and disappointment? Yes, disappointment dominated. She met his eyes again, squaring her shoulders. “I need to go back to my room now. I have to pack and check out.”
    He lifted an eyebrow. “I see. What time’s your train? You are on Eurostar, I assume?”
    “Yes. Eight o’clock.”
    He knew she was lying. Her claim for travel expenses had passed across his desk as part of the security check. He knew full well her train didn’t leave until after ten. Clearly, she was desperate to get away from him—and not for the first time. He inclined his head and gestured her toward the lift.
    He had to admire her powers of recovery as she made her way across the expanse of deep pile carpet. The seductive sway of her hips had lost none of its allure. The determined set of her chin was familiar too. She held her back ramrod straight, the very picture of dignity in defeat, though why she appeared so convinced her application would fail was beyond him. As far as he was aware—both from what he’d read of the candidates and the comments of his colleagues as they’d agreed on the short list—she was the standout candidate, the one to beat.
    It was clear to him that she thought he intended to derail her efforts, that a bad word from him would put an end to her chances. In all probability, she already believed he had done just that. Privately, he doubted he held such sway with the senior management team, but even if he did, that was never his plan. If she was the best candidate, if the interview panel arrived at the conclusion that she was the person they wanted to appoint, the job would be hers. It was that simple.
    Or not. If she did come to work at Totally Five Star Paris, things would be far from simple. But whatever the outcome as far as their professional association went, their personal relationship was over. That final scene with her three years ago still haunted him and he could never risk such a thing happening again.
     
    * * * *
     
    Then
     
    Eugenie was late. Again. She did this on purpose, he knew that. She could have left home in plenty of time but had chosen to cut it fine, hoping to provoke him into a solid bare-bottom spanking. She loved that, seemed to need it. He might well oblige her, but he was determined the choice would be his, not hers. He wouldn’t let