Suite Seductions

Welcome To The Regency

The day passed in a blur of introductions and shadowing. Maya was quickly introduced to the hotel's inner workings: the private dining rooms, the spa with its exclusive treatments, and, most importantly, the penthouse floor.

The Regency's penthouses were the stuff of legend. Each suite was custom-designed, from the Egyptian cotton sheets to the marble bathrooms. It was where the real money stayed—billionaires, celebrities, and politicians who needed a discreet place to indulge their vices.

By mid-afternoon, Maya was delivering a private dinner order to the penthouse lounge when she came face-to-face with Adrian Sterling.

He was seated on a plush leather armchair, his steel-gray eyes focused on a laptop. His dark brown hair was perfectly tousled, and his tailored shirt hugged his lean, muscular frame. There was something about him, his aura, his confidence, that made the air feel heavier.

"Mr. Sterling," Maya said, keeping her voice steady.

He looked up, his gaze locking onto hers. His lips curled into a slow smirk, one that sent a shiver down her spine.

"You're new," he said, his voice smooth and deep.

"Yes, sir," she replied, placing the tray on the coffee table. "Your lunch."

"Thank you," he said, but his eyes didn't leave hers. "What's your name?"

"Maya."

"Maya," he repeated, testing the syllables on his tongue. "Welcome to The Regency."

There was a pause, the kind that stretched just a little too long, before he leaned back in his chair. "Tell Victoria I said she's outdone herself this time."

Maya frowned slightly. "Excuse me?"

He tilted his head, his gaze flicking to her curves. "Nothing. You'll find out soon enough."

Later that evening, as Maya was clocking out, she passed Jamal Carter at the rooftop bar. He was leaning casually against the counter, his white shirt rolled up to reveal his tattooed forearm as he stirred a drink with practiced ease.

"First day?" he asked, flashing her a smile that was equal parts charm and mischief.

Maya nodded, letting her guard down for the first time all day. "Yeah. Survived, though."

"Barely," Jamal quipped, sliding a glass toward a waiting guest. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Don't let Victoria scare you off. She's all bark."

Maya chuckled. "And what about the guests? Are they all as awful as Lila Moreno?"

Jamal's grin widened. "Oh, you haven't seen anything yet."

The tension was just beginning to brew at The Regency Palace. Guests were arriving for an exclusive event—a lavish masquerade party hosted by none other than Adrian Sterling. And Maya, whether she liked it or not, was about to find herself tangled in the hotel's web of secrets, seduction, and scandal.

Maya barely had time to process Jamal's parting words before Victoria swept into the bar like a storm in stilettos. Her blonde bob gleamed under the dim light, her Louboutins clicking sharply against the polished floor.

"There you are," Victoria said curtly, her eyes narrowing as they scanned Maya's slightly frazzled appearance. "You're not done yet."

Maya blinked. "I was just clocking out."

"Not anymore," Victoria said, handing her a gold-embossed envelope. "Mr. Sterling's masquerade party is tonight. He requested additional staff. I trust you'll rise to the occasion."