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“Thanks.” Clark grinned and somehow managed to bounce in the chair like an excited toddler. “Does that mean I get the job? ’Cause I really need the cash.”
“I heard. Chicks and beer.”
“And tuition.”
Blake really had no reason to doubt Kim’s judgment when it came to hiring the Nicks. For the past three years she’d been flawless in her decision making, their bookings and profits increasing with each subsequent season. He couldn’t explain why he felt the sudden need to vet Clark’s abilities for himself. It probably came about when he’d heard the easy banter between them. Yes, Clark was a good-looking guy, but Kim never made any moves on any of the boys. It wasn’t her style.
And this gut-clenching jealousy wasn’t his. What the hell was going on in his head?
It would be easy to simply chalk it up to not having had sex in a while, but he knew it was more than that. They’d been intimate...scratch that, they’d had fucking amazing sex. Over the years he’d gotten to know her on a more personal basis, and with each additional fact he learned, his fascination had grown. She wasn’t just a firecracker in bed, Kim was a pretty amazing woman.
But not since that night had he
crossed the line between boss and employee.
Even as his nightly dreams increasingly featured his naughty little elf.
“Naughty Nicks Frosted Fantasies. Where one of Santa’s helpers... Oh hi, Mrs. Nicolson! I was wondering when I’d get your call. No, Roy isn’t with us this year. I know, I know. We were sad. Yeah, he finally graduated with his Masters degree. Actually, hang on a sec.”
Kim poked her head around the corner, snapping her fingers to get his attention. Her mass of brown curls bounced around, framing her heart-shaped face perfectly. Those plump lips were parted, wet from where she’d run her tongue along them. He had no doubt they’d taste like the mocha coffee she loved to drink. It would be so easy for him to see, to taste...
“Boss-man, is Clark good to go? ’Cause I need him.” She cocked a well-manicured eyebrow at him, highlighting the sparkle in her brown eyes.
Busted.
Blake had a vague recollection of Mrs. Nicolson and her habit of tipping well. Partly because she liked dressing up as Mrs. Claus while her Nick gave her a show. To each their own. “Are you sure you want to throw him to the wolves so quickly?”
Kim looked pointedly at Clark, who grinned back at her. “I think our Goldendoodle will survive.”
Dammit, he did look like a dog. “Okay, he’s hired.”
Clark whooped and stood up, his head coming dangerously close to the light fixture. “Dude, you won’t regret it.”
Kim disappeared back around the wall, but Blake still heard her soft, “No, but you might.”
The next few minutes were filled with paperwork, schedules and a quick set of pictures. Thankfully, they had a costume that fit their new walking wall well enough for him to take it with him. Kim took control, managing all the details while Blake was able to sit back and pretend to work. It gave him the opportunity to watch her small frame fly around the office. She worked full-time as a personal trainer, which kept her in amazing shape. Her firm ass and thighs were a constant distraction for him, not to mention her sexy arms. He’d never considered arms sexy before Kim, but it was definitely a turn-on.
It was weird. For the previous two seasons he’d spent a crazy amount of time with Kim, getting to know her, coming to rely on her natural ability to lead a business. She never tried to come off as anything more than who she was—a slightly hyper exercise freak with a sarcastic wit and a wicked sense of humor. Blake needed that sort of stability in his life. Their night together was an unspoken thing between them, something they’d silently agreed not to mention. She wasn’t looking to settle down and he’d been dealing with the fallout of Megs’ cheating. It was amazing how long he’d continued to hurt.
Megs had done everything in her power to blame him for her infidelity. Blake was forced to question their entire relationship, every word he’d said to her, every action, wondering if she was right. That level of self-doubt had nearly drowned him. It was a Chapter of his life that he’d happily closed with their divorce, one he had no intention of ever revisiting.
It had taken him a long time to start feeling any sort of interest in women again. While he was a guy, and one whom people assumed could brush anything off, he did have a heart that had been battered and bruised. Megs not only did that, but she’d stomped on it on her way out the door.
You’re a fucking boring prude, Blake. I need a man who knows what sex is, not just an account book.
Fine, Megs. You have fun with your new man. I’ll keep the account books and the businesses that go along with them.
Fine.
Then there was Kim. She was as different from Megs as night from day. He couldn’t remember a time when she wasn’t smiling or laughing. She treated everyone who came in the door with the same amount of respect and care, setting them instantly at ease. He couldn’t look away from her whenever they were in the same room, which was more than a little distracting. To make matters worse, for the first time since his marriage had imploded, Blake was noticing things he hadn’t in a while.
Like how perfect Kim’s ass looked in those black yoga pants—and how awesome it looked naked.
The way her eyes always seemed to sparkle with mischief—like they did when she was stretched out on the floor beneath him.
And the tattooed script on the inside of her forearm—like the cherry blossoms he knew lived beneath her shirt.
The ink was a new addition from last year, and had intrigued him since Naughty Nicks opened its doors again. He’d shown enough restraint to warrant a medal, holding back the deluge of questions about what it said, when she’d gotten it. He’d wanted to trace the black words with his finger tips, curious if the ink made her skin feel different or if it would be as soft as ever.
