Page 4

Cold’s brow arched curiously. “Jules, hold up.”

Jules pouted but pulled Jimmy’s hand back.

Jimmy didn’t think he’d ever seen someone look so disappointed before.

Cold swung his legs off the sofa in one fluid motion, his feet hitting the carpet. He stood, then strolled over to Jimmy with a strange smirk playing over his lips. He came close, so close that Jimmy could smell his cologne and see the splash of silver glittering through his dark hair.

“I’ll… I’ll do whatever you want,” Jimmy offered nervously as his fingers clenched and unclenched by his sides.

“Whatever I want?” Cold echoed.

“Maury said… uh, that maybe, you’d be interested…?” Jimmy’s voice was almost a squeal as Jules’ forearm tightened around his neck. “That I could work off my debt… by… getting you off?”

Jimmy felt like a complete and total fool for saying it out loud. He couldn’t read Cold’s expression, not at all, and he could hear Jules chuckling faintly behind him. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe Maury was wrong.

“Tell me, Mr. Poe.” Cold scanned over Jimmy’s body from head to toe. “Do you want to get me off?”

“I want to… do whatever keeps you from burning my fingers off,” Jimmy replied dumbly, not sure how to answer the question.

“No, no, no.” Cold shook his head, gesturing for Jules to release him. Cold slid his gloved fingers over the redness around Jimmy’s neck and lightly pressed down as he drew him close with both hands. His voice dropped even deeper, husky and seductive, as he slowly asked again, “Do you really… want to get me off?”

It wasn’t fair for anyone to sound that sexy, and Jimmy shivered all over from the cool leather touching his skin. Cold’s eyes were so pretty, and that smile stretching across his lips was downright wicked.

Of all the mob bosses in the world to give his body to, at least this one was ridiculously gorgeous.

Jimmy’s hands came up instinctively to rest on Cold’s wrists, and he nodded. “Yeah.”

Cold flinched at Jimmy’s touch, and Jules shifted uncomfortably behind him. Jimmy didn’t understand, but it felt like he had done something wrong. Cold didn’t move away, and Jules didn’t try to set him on fire again, so he remained as he was.

Cold leaned closer still, his eyes studying Jimmy’s lips while a gloved thumb traced over his chin.

Lashes fluttering as his heart thumped in his chest, Jimmy inhaled sharply. He didn’t know how to define this feeling, but the way Cold held his neck, firmly yet so tenderly, was making his knees weak.

Jimmy couldn’t recall any other time he had been so scared in his life. This man before him was a criminal, a murderer, and a monster. But there was something electric burning between them, a sensation that sent warmth down below his belt and made his mind glaze over. He was completely captivated, the adrenaline rushing through him causing every inch of his body to tingle in anticipation.

Jimmy didn’t know what was crazier.

That Boss Cold might be about to kiss him, or that he actually wanted him to.

“Let’s have a little chat, Mr. Poe,” Cold said, breaking the spell as he released him and walked back into the living room. He beckoned Jimmy to follow with a finger, Jules grabbing him by his shoulders and pushing him along.

“Here’s the deal.” Cold stretched across the sofa like before with his feet now finding a place on the coffee table. “Because I am such a benevolent criminal, I’ve decided to accept your offer. Let’s say, eight hours a night? From nine o’clock in the evening until five o’clock in the morning you will belong to me. Since you told me that you lost your job, I’m sure you have oodles of free time.”

Shoved down into the recliner by Jules, Jimmy stared awkwardly at Cold as he listened to his demands. His pulse still raced, but it was easier to stay focused when the gangster wasn’t so close. “O-okay.”

“For services rendered, I will pay you ten thousand dollars a night,” Cold continued. “If you happen to exceed my expectations, I reserve the right to give you a bonus. Let’s say, another five thousand? But, should you be disappointing or displease me at any time, I will end the deal and penalize you another hundred thousand dollars.”

Jimmy thought he might throw up. What the fuck was he getting himself into? This was a huge risk. Even if he managed to please Cold every night, it would take almost a month to pay off what he owed. And if he screwed up? He’d be ruined, and Jules would certainly turn him into barbecue.

He rubbed a hand through his hair, nails scratching at the back of his neck. “What… what uh, what do you want me to do?”

“Whatever I want.” Cold laughed softly. “That’s what you offered, remember? I can promise you I won’t do anything that would cause any lasting damage. But remember, you must obey my every order or the deal is off.”

Jimmy licked his lips, wishing he could see another way to get himself out of this. He had no idea what a man like Cold might ask of him, but he had to accept the risk. He had no other choice. “When do you want me to—”

“Tonight,” Cold replied immediately. “Think of it as a test run. Taking you for a spin before I decide to buy.” He stood and then gracefully strutted over to Jimmy to hand him a small business card. “Here.”

It was for the Wynne Hotel, a large and swanky establishment downtown.