Akira Tong for Christmas (2 page)

I walked toward him, hand extended. “Mr. Tong.” Panic struck as I realized I hadn’t checked with Anna on his name pronunciation. How could you mispronounce Tong?

He nodded—no, he bowed.

I bowed back.

He bowed again.

Okay, was there a bowing protocol?

Thank God he didn’t bow a third time. “I hope you had a nice flight. If—”

“Your car is ready,” a man out of nowhere said. A chauffeur?

I stooped to pick up the sign that had slipped from my hands, trying to remember how to bend like a lady on stilts. “Oh, I…I secured traveling…” I watched the group leave without another word and scrambled to follow. Why wasn’t I told he’d have a driver?

And if things don’t go according to plans, the customer is always right.

Okay, I could handle that. Simple rule.

I practically broke my neck three times trying to keep up with the group. What was the damned rush?

I finally made it out the airport doors just in time to see the limo drive off. Crrrraaaap, really?
Really?

I dug through my purse with trembling hands and pulled out the cell phone, then dialed Anna.

“Hello?”

She sounded awful—worried. “Anna? Anna, I’m fine. Everything is fine. I was just wondering. What do I do if I come to the airport to pick him up and find he’s got a limo prepared?”

“Go with him.”

“Uh, that would be hard, since he’s already left.” I tried for cool and nonchalant.

“Then
follow
him to the first destination. He apparently isn’t a schedule follower. Not ours anyway.

That’s why I told you to be prepared to change plans. Remember the motto—”

“Customer’s always right. I know. I know. I’m on my way, following him now.” I screeched when my ankle gave way. “Good Lord, how do you wear these horrid shoes?” She chuckled weakly. “Thank you. For doing this. I hope it doesn’t go too badly.” Too badly? “It’s fine. I’m having a blast already.” I stopped and took the shoes off and hurried toward the rental SUV.

“So how did he look?” Her tone was tired but teasing.

“Like a Japanese man on a mission, that’s how. What’s his rush, anyway?”

“They’re business people, honey. And rich. They’re not squanderers, especially not with their time.

It’s how they became great—sheer drive and determination.”

“I see that.” I dropped the shoes on the ground and unlocked the Jeep door, then threw my purse and myself in. “I need to go, sweetie—gotta drive.” And that took two hands, careful calculations, and fervent prayer. The only place I’d driven before this was back and forth to town where we lived. How much driving practice did one need to know how to drive? That’d been my thought all this time. Until I hit New York. Or till New York hit me.

“Be careful in that city driving, especially at this time of year. Lordy, I can’t believe you’re driving at all. Call me when you know what’s going on next?” Anna mumbled like she was half-asleep.

“I will. Please get well? I miss you.”

“Okay.”

I hung up and threw the phone on the seat. I’d studied the map and how to get to the hotel, as well as memorized all the roads and distances between each turn. I could do this. Simple math.

I found a spot in the parking garage twenty minutes later. Fifty-fourth floor. And that was only a quarter of the way up. Insanity, this hotel. Wonderful insanity.

Room 549. Room 549. Shoot, I’d just get my stuff out of the SUV later. I needed to go make sure he’d made it okay. Maybe I’d beat him here. That’d be nice. I glanced at my watch and hurried into the building. It was 3:35 in the afternoon. Not bad. The next plan was dinner at…that restaurant with the funny name. Needed to memorize that next. If I just focused on next.
Get through this and then think about next.

The customer is always right.

“Fifty-fourth floor, please.” I beamed and nodded at the cute, uniformed, old gentleman working the elevator doors.

“Yes, madam.”

I raised my brows at the fancy address, biting my lip. This was too cool. “Thank you, sir. How’s your day goin’?”
Going—ing. You’re not countrified
. Oh, but I was when I was nervous.

“Very fine, madam. And yours?”

“So far, so good. I’m a tourist guide, by the way, so no need for special treatment. Makes me feel strange anyway.” I gave a gaspy laugh.

“Very well. You will be with us awhile, then?” He kept his dutiful position at the door, not turning.

“For two weeks.” I barely kept the squeal out of my voice. Couldn’t believe how excited I was. It got worse the closer I got to the reality of what I was doing. I was
actually
doing this.

“I should be seeing you regularly, then? What would you like me to call you?”

“Ssaa—Anna. Anna’s fine. My middle name. Anna.”

“Anna. Very lovely name.”

“Thank you. Kinda simple, really. And you, sir? What should I call you?”

“Sir is perfectly fine, Anna.”

“Ah, come on. That’s so formal.”

He chuckled and tossed a brief profile. “Sam. Sam is fine.”

“Sam it is.”

The elevator dinged, and the butterflies roared to life in my stomach again. “Here we go.”

“Nervous, Anna?”

I laughed lightly. “Just a bit. Can’t say I’ve been to such a fancy place as this. Special client. Special treatment.” I stepped out of the elevator, awed. “The Christmas decorations are so lovely!” He nodded once. “Good day, Anna.”

“Yes, Sam, good day to you too.” I turned to him. “Which way would room 549 be?” He pointed his finger left with a smile and raised white brows.

“Thank you. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again soon.” I nodded and hurried off, feet screaming to be free of those damned torture-device heels.

The giant corridor was a winter wonderland, decorated with greenery wrapped in frosted white lights, and red poinsettias next to the door of each room. Beautiful!

Once at the door, I knocked softly and counted to ten. I raised my fist for a louder knock, and then
he
opened the door. No, his torso did. His naked torso. Tanned, naked, and very ripped torso. And slacks.

You. Are. Staring!

I spun around. “Very sorry, Mr. Tong.”

“Tong,” he corrected, his tone sounding bored and annoyed.

Tung? But it was an
o. “Tong,” I corrected in horror. “Please forgive me. Sir.” There was no answer. I turned and found the doorway empty. But open.

Okay, Mr. Tong. Hello to you too.

Customer’s always right, customer’s always right.

The sight of the suite stole my irritation as I made my way in and shut the door. What did he want me to do? “I’ll have a seat in the…the study here. Maybe we can go over your plans?” I headed to the bulging black leather chair just past the foyer. “Take your time, though, no hurry,” I called out, sitting and digging out the itinerary sheet to locate that crazy-named restaurant. I peeked all around. The suite was exactly how the pictures portrayed it. Opulent? Yes. Totally.

Okay, okay. I scanned the itinerary. Merkeny’s? Jeez, I needed to remember that name. Merkeny’s.

Merkeny’s. Merkeny’s.

“Oh!” I yelped at his sudden appearance in the small space, snapping my head left. What kind of culture did he come from? Waltzing in front of strangers, wearing only a towel!

“I’m going to shower. I believe we have reservations at Mr. K’s? Six p.m.?” My gosh, his English was impeccable. Wait, Mr. K’s? “I guess I should cancel dinner at Merkeny’s?”

Several seconds passed. “I’ve never heard of the place. Cancel it. I would like food from home.” Such a deep voice. “Of course, whatever you’d like.”
Your Highness.

Silence again. Longer. I turned and yep, gone.

Good. Didn’t want you around anyway. Okay, cancel Merkeny’s
. I got the number and located a phone on the presidential-looking desk.

“Mr. K’s New York, how may I help you?” a soft female voice greeted.

What? I referred back to the name next to the number again.
Mrkny
. Mr. K. New York? Shit. Stupid shorthand. “Yes, I was just calling to confirm our reservations? For Mr. Akira Tong?”

“Reservation is secured and highly anticipated.”

Didn’t even have to check. Humph. “Very good. Thank you.”

I hung up. Guess now’d be a good time to go check out my own digs. “I’ll be in the suite next door,” I called out loudly. “You have my number. Call if you need me. I’ll be back after I get settled in.” I listened for an answer, then left when there was none.

Chapter Two

I practically ran to the room next to his. Room 547. I pulled the handle. Pushed. Turn? I wiggled it and looked around. Locked? Hmm. Oh duh, I needed the key. I hurried to the elevator, got a quick ride to the lobby, greeted the receptionist with an eloquent smile, and promptly learned my room was
taken.

“What? What do you mean? This was booked by the agency months ago!” I fought to keep the panic back. “What else do you have?”

The woman appeared distressed. “Let me check.” Her fingers clattered away on the keyboard. Her head barely shook. “My goodness, we are completely full.”

I rolled my eyes. “Where is your manager?”

“I’ll call him, ma’am.”

Fifteen minutes later, I was fuming. Nothing to do but take a room at a hotel two
miles
from here.

This would not do. I raised a pointer finger at the pair of morons. “Excuse me,” I muttered, then stormed to the far end of the lobby and dialed Anna. “You are not going to believe this.”

“Oh, no, what?” she said weakly.

“I hate to dump this news on you, but I’m a little stuck.” I paced. “They gave my room to somebody!” I couldn’t keep from squeaking the nightmare.

She moaned and groaned.

“The closest hotel is two miles from here!” I hiss-growled the words.

“That won’t do. Good Lord, not at this time of year.” She sighed. “Ask Mr. Tong if it would be okay for you to use the spare bedroom. Explain your situation. He’ll understand.” I gasped and choked and gasped again. “Are you for real?”

“Yes, I am. Please, Sarah.” She sounded panicked.

I shut my eyes, praying for courage.

“I’m so sorry. This was a very bad idea. Just…just never mind. To hell with this. I’ll lose my damn job. I don’t care.”

“Anna. Stop it, no. Look…” I glanced around. “Surely he’ll understand. You’re right. I’ll go make arrangements now. I’ll call you and let you know as soon as I’m settled in. Are you taking your vitamins?

Medicine? Do rest plenty. Gotta go. Bye.”

I hung up, not giving her a chance to argue. Or cry.

Five minutes later, I knocked on his door and waited.

He finally opened it and stood there, staring at me in only slacks again, his hair wet along his brutally handsome face. I licked my lips and smiled. “Mr. Tong—”

“Tong,” he corrected.

I closed my eyes. How could I do that again? “I am so sorry. Mr. Tong,” I amended. “There’s a problem.” I glanced around the hall, then back at him, smiling pleasantly despite his robotic stare. Clearly he wasn’t going to try to comfort me or inquire kindly of this problem and offer assistance. Right, out with it. Professional. “The suite that was assigned me was…accidently given to another customer. There are no other rooms available here, and so the closest hotel to this one is two miles from here.” I paused, offering him a chance to help.

Ha-ha on that.

I cleared my throat a little and forced myself to meet his frozen chocolate gaze. “I was wondering, sir, if it would be a problem if I were to stay in your spare bedroom? I would be happy to compensate you, and you would not hear me. I’m very quiet.”

He actually quirked a brow at that.

Then those eyes scanned my body. Oh good Lord. I held my hands clasped before me, hoping I appeared professional. “If you must.” He turned and disappeared inside the suite.

I nearly collapsed with relief. He was so not happy, but oh well. Neither was I.

I went in and searched for the guest bedroom. Once I found it, I hurried to the bathroom at the end of the spacious room, locked myself in, and dialed Anna.

“Anna!” I whispered into the phone. “He said yes.”

“Oh thank heaven. Was he kind?”

“Yes, such a gentleman. More than happy to help. We’re to have dinner at Mr. K’s at six.” I sucked in my breath. “Oh crap, I have no clue what I’m supposed to wear!”

“You’ll need a formal. Check the back of the itinerary. There’s a number to a boutique. Your formals and other ensembles have been ordered. They should be ready. Just call and ask for the delivery. Do it now and call me back.”

She hung up, and I did as she said. Fortunately something turned out right. I dialed her back. “They’re bringing it now.”

“Go shower while you wait. Then call me after.”

She hung up again.

Crap, I had nothing with me. It took two trips to the SUV to get my personal belongings in. There was a knock on the suite door. I glanced toward the hall leading to Mr. Tong’s room and went to answer it. A clean cut blond with a dazzling smile greeted me, his cart loaded with endless bags of hanging clothes.

“Delivery for Ms. Anna Shelby?”

“Yes, thank you. Can you follow me?”

I led him to the bedroom, and he unloaded the items into my closet despite my protests to do it myself. Finally he was gone.

I dialed Anna.

“You got it?”

“Yes, he just delivered it. I’ve never seen so many clothes and shoe boxes and bags and doohickeys!”

“That’s clothes for two weeks, no washing necessary. Everything should be tagged, what to wear to which place.”

“You
freak
. You wonderful freaky woman.” I read one of the tags.
Formal
. “For the first time, I love you for your insane planning!” I unzipped the bag halfway. “Ohhhh myyyy…look at this gown.” I giggled and danced a little.

She laughed softly. “I’m glad you like it.
I
was supposed to be wearing it.” Her voice croaked with sincere disappointment.

“Awww, Anna, I’m so sorry. I really am.”

“You don’t sound it.”