Irresistible Bachelors: Books 1-5 by Landish, Lauren (bts books to read TXT) 📕

“Oh,” I whisper.

I bring a hand to my chest, choked by the simple sight of a clean room, as tears burn in my eyes. It’s too late now, but I wish I hadn't been so prideful and stubborn. I should’ve just talked to him before he left.

Would it have been so bad to get a last goodbye from him?

I suck in another breath, inhaling deeply. The leftover scent of Gavin’s cologne is on the air, causing my skin to prick. I sit down on the sofa, wrapping my arms around my chest as a torrent of emotions build inside. I wish my arms were his, holding me, hugging me, enveloping me in his warmth.

Tears roll down my cheeks as I get up and make my way over to the bed and lie down on it. Broken, I press my face softly to the covers. I can smell his scent stronger here, the pillowcases heavy with him. I sigh, wishing that he were lying here with me. Making love to me. “Gavin,” I moan.

I jump with surprise when suddenly, the door bangs open. I’m on my feet in an instant, wiping the tears from my eyes. But it’s too late.

Vandenburgh waddles into the room, a look of glee on his face.

“There you are, Miss Sayles,” he says, out of breath. “I’ve been looking all over for you. But something told me I’d find you here.”

“I’m sorry, sir,” I say, flashing an easy, fake smile. “I was just finishing cleaning—”

Vandenburgh laughs, silencing me with a sharp gesture. “Save your lies, Miss Sayles. I saw you clocked in late this morning.” His malicious grin is so wide I swear it’s about to split his face.

I’m quick to defend myself. “I’m sorry about that. My car broke down and I had to run—”

Vandenburgh cuts in again. “That was your third strike. And do you know what that means, Miss Sayles?” He pauses, waiting for me to say something, and when I part my lips to reply, he snarls over me, “You’re fired!”

Of course I am. And I bet this asshole has been salivating this entire time, waiting for me to clean all of my rooms before he fired me. Now the last thing I was clinging to is gone. But there is one thing I have left. My dignity. And since now I have nothing to lose, I’m not gonna take Vandenburgh’s shit anymore.

Vandenburgh looks surprised when instead of slouching off, I get right in his face, towering over him even in his stacked-heel dress shoes.

“Well, you know what, you humpty dumpty ass son of a bitch?” I snarl, stealing Mindy’s favorite insult she uses behind Vandenburgh’s back. “I’m glad to be fired! I was so fucking sick of hearing your fake ass voice and seeing you sit on your ass while I busted mine anyway.”

Vandenburgh is shocked by my reaction, his mouth dropping open.

My hands on my hips, I smile sweetly at him. I’m sure he thought I was gonna get down on my knees and beg him for my job. But as Mindy once said after one of her write-ups, fuck this, fuck that, fuck him, and fuck this place. I’ll get through this somehow. I always have. With my parents being gone, I learned the best person to depend on is myself.

Vandenburgh finally seems to recover from his shock, snarling with spittle flying from his mouth. “How dare you, you trollop!”

I raise my head to the ceiling and let out a mocking laugh. “Trollop? This is the twenty-first century! How about getting with the times instead of sitting on your ass all day reading Playgirl magazine?”

Vandenburgh turns deep red, his anger overcoming his shock. I have a feeling he wishes he could choke the life out of me right now. Maybe I should keep pushing him to see if he’ll do it. “Why, you little . . . if you are not off the premises within five minutes, I’m going to have security escort you out!”

I part my lips to deliver another biting insult when . . .

“That won't be necessary,” says a deep voice behind us.

I spin around and my heart nearly stops. Gavin is standing in the doorway, glaring at Vandenburgh, his eyes burning with wrath.

“M–Mr. Adams,” Vandenburgh stutters, his face turning as white as a sheet. “I thought you were gone on your flight.”

“Change of plans. I forgot something very important here,” Gavin replies, walking up to Vandenburgh. He looks at me, his eyes full of burning intensity.

I blink several times, wanting to pinch myself. Is this real? It can’t be.

“I thought we had an agreement,” Gavin growls, turning his gaze back to Vandenburgh. “I asked you to cut Brianna some slack.”

“I–I . . .” Vandenburgh goes silent, then puffs out his chest. “I’m the general manager of this establishment. And while you might be famous, you don't have any say over how I do my job. Miss Sayles is fired because she’s a horrible employee. And if you don't take your little pet and be gone from here, I’m going to have you both escorted out in handcuffs.”

Gavin laughs. “I’m afraid you don't have that power anymore.”

“You will get out now—” Vandenburgh stops, confused. “What do you mean?”

Gavin’s grin is just as malicious as Vandenburgh’s was a few minutes ago. “I made a few phone calls. Spoke with a few shareholders. Did you know that one of them happens to be a very big Gavin Adams fan? So he did me a little favor.” Gavin smiles. “You’re fired. The hotel’s looking for a new general manager as we speak.”

Vandenburgh’s mouth opens and closes, and I swear he looks like Mindy’s fish down in the coffee shop. “What? Impossible! You’re lying!”

Gavin shakes his head. “Call Mr. Layman himself.” Gavin raises his nose and speaks in his best Vandenburgh impression, “You are hereby relieved of duties . . . forthwith.”

“You’re a liar!” Vandenburgh howls. He digs his phone