Pair Us: A Jet City Billionaire Romance (The Billionaire Matchmaker Series Book 3)

by Gina Robinson

  In this case, I had asked Lazer specifically for straight women around the age of the men for just the same reason. I wanted them to dress my men in what they thought was not only stylish, but totally hot.

  The doors to the gym opened again. A man with a camera and lighting walked in.

  "Our photographer's here," I said to Milia, taking control and feeling excited again.

  How many times had I dreamed of having the ability to really make over my clients in just the way I thought they needed to give them a fighting chance in the dating market? And now here I was, living the dream. Thank you, Lazer. But would it work out the way I imagined?

  The men spilled out of the locker room, laughing and ribbing each other. They were dressed identically in breathable black exercise T-shirts and shorts, looking like they were headed to PE class for grownups. When they caught sight of Erica and Paige, they sucked in their guts almost on cue. Everyone but Lazer. His abs didn't need sucking in. They were perfect and taut at rest.

  Paige and Erica studied them from across the gym with a critical eye as I called the photographer over and gave him instructions on what I wanted.

  While he set up his tripods and lighting gear, I chatted with Erica and Paige. "We're setting up for a before shot of the guys. When we're ready to send them out on the dating scene in another month, we'll take another shot, an after shot. Be prepared to tweak their sizes, and maybe even their fashion, at that time."

  Paige squinted, like she was concentrating as she watched the men, analyzing them. "T-shirts? A little baggy, aren't they? To hide the flaws, I assume?"

  I nodded. "We'll have them in tanks and shorts for the after. And, of course, another shot of them all dressed up. This is as much for their sakes as for promo. Lazer thought seeing themselves transformed would give them confidence."

  As we watched the photo shoot, which took about fifteen minutes, Paige and Erica took notes about the men and snapped their own pictures on their phones. We discussed what I had in mind for each guy.

  "You want that one in a kilt, really?" Paige laughed, clearly delighted. "Bring back the Seattle utility kilt. Well, it would be something to start a new trend."

  "It's for his role playing and some publicity shots," I said, then detailed the regular look I wanted for him.

  Erica asked permission to get a few pictures from the photographer to reference as they picked out styles for the men.

  "Of course. That's a great idea," I said.

  He promised to send them a few snaps of the individual men, then packed up and left. Paige and Erica followed shortly after, promising to return in the afternoon with an assortment of clothes for the men to try on.

  Which left Milia and me to ogle Lazer and Stryker and scrutinize the others as they exercised.

  Stryker didn't go easy on the men. He had them sweating within minutes.

  "This is my kind of job," Milia said as she watched the men work out.

  "Yeah, it's strenuous, isn't it?" I actually grinned at her.

  Some things were bonding, like women watching men sweat. And sweat they did, as Stryker ran them through a weight circuit and then strength, toning, and stretching exercises.

  "I think Dylan is going to collapse soon," Milia whispered to me.

  "My money's on Jeremy," I said.

  "Hang in there, men." Stryker's voice was as deep and commanding as the rest of him. "I'm going to let you lie down for a while."

  Austin punched Dylan in the arm, nodded, and smiled at him.

  "Get down into the plank position." Stryker led by example.

  It was hard not to stare at that fine specimen of man holding himself up on his perfectly toned arms. He made it look so easy, like he was almost resting.

  Life's like that. Some people make some things look so easy, like planks. I mean, how hard could it be to hold yourself up on your arms for a minute or two? Terribly, horribly hard, as it turns out. If you're not in shape.

  Stryker made it into a competition, mostly with his star pupil, Lazer, whom he was side by side with.

  One by one, the men fell out, cursing and joking, until only Lazer and Stryker remained and it was clear neither one was giving up.

  Lazer held the plank position without the slightest quiver in his arms. His back was straight. His butt firm. But a gentle sheen of sweat built on his forehead as he held the pose.

  You know, there were some things I simply couldn't resist. Egging Lazer on was one of them. I shouldn't have done it, but under the guise of backing my partner, I got down on the floor on my stomach right in front of him and stared supportively into his eyes.

  "What the hell are you doing?" he said through gritted teeth.

  "Lending my support." I smiled sweetly back at him while crossing my ankles in the air and resting my head on my hands while looking him in the eye.

  A bead of sweat dripped down his forehead onto his nose. From his nose to his chin.

  Say what you will about the odor in a gym, there was something hot and seductive about an active, sweaty man. Something sensual about muscles slick with perspiration. Even the smell of sweat was masculine and probably laced with pheromones and excess testosterone.

  I pulled a tissue from my pocket and dabbed that little bead before it dripped off onto the floor. "Better?" I brushed a lock of hair out of his eyes. "Poor baby. If only you had a headband," I said as wistfully as I could.

  He cursed.

  "Foul!" Stryker said. "No touching my men."

  "I didn't see anything in the rule books against helping the janitor out and keeping the floors clean and safe," I said with an air of innocence.

  Milia laughed and fell to a sitting position beside Stryker. "She's right. Who wants sweat stains on their floors?" She leaned down to look Stryker in the eye. "Not to worry. I'll wipe your brow. For the sake of my floors. I already pay my janitorial services too much as it is."

  The men were watching the show.

  "I didn't know there was a rule book," Austin said.

  "A man perched on his arms is so hot," I whispered to Lazer. "There's a great deal to be said for stamina, too."

  I had a vision of him perched above me. From the look on his face, I'd evoked that thought in him, too. His pupils dilated. But I was bitten by my own dog, so to speak.

  I got right up in his face, so close our noses practically touched. His lips were just inches from mine as we locked gazes. "You don't have to prove anything. You can let go right now. There's no shame in letting another man one up you."

  I knew exactly what I was doing. Knew he'd never give up. Especially not now.

  It really was a ridiculous competition. But neither man was giving up until either he or his opponent collapsed. Cam started a timer and began calling out milestones.

  Lazer's hair matted against his head, plastered there by sweat. I dabbed his forehead until my tissue soaked through. Lazer's arms shook.

  Austin grabbed a bottle of water and made a point of drinking it in front of Lazer. "I suppose giving you a sip is against the rules. Sorry, buddy." He chugged half the bottle while Lazer scowled.

  Lazer's arms began shaking. Then his legs. I could attest to the fact that the man had abs of rock hardness. And gorgeously toned arms.

  Suddenly Lazer's elbows buckled. He went down. Hard.

  I gasped. "Lazer!"

  As I bent over him, he grabbed my arm with his hot, sweaty hand and stroked my nose with a sweaty finger from the other. "Gotcha!"

  I pulled away, brushing my nose with the back of my hand. "Yuck. Bastard."

  "Stand too close to the fire, you're going to get burned." Laughing, he rolled onto his back, covering his eyes with his arm as he swore.

  Stryker laughed and popped to his feet as if he'd just had a walk in the park. "Nice try, pupil."

  "Damn it, Stryker!" Lazer said. "One of these days."

  "In your dreams." Stryker shook his head.

  Austin tapped Lazer with a bottle of sports drink. "Drink up, bud. You need this." />
  Lazer grabbed it and practically ripped the top off, looking like he was tempted to pour it over himself, or me, rather than drink it.

  He gulped the entire bottle down and turned to me. "Come to the gym with us next time. You can do the plank and I'll encourage you."

  He gave me a quick up-and-down and whispered huskily, "I'll even slide beneath you for added incentive."

  "Lovely," I said. "And so tempting." I laughed. "But I think I'll pass." I leaned in close to him. "When I'm on top, there's no need to perch. It's ride 'em, cowboy, all the way."

  Chapter 5

  Ashley

  The men came back from the showers and headed to the spa/beauty salon part of the spy school, where some of Seattle's top stylists waited for them. Lazer disappeared to take care of business for a few hours while Lottie, Milia, the stylists, and I worked our magic. I wasn't keen on sharing my guys' makeovers with Milia, but I had to admit she had a good eye and caught on quickly to what I was trying to do. Profit motive makes for strange bedfellows.

  Austin was first up in the chair. I told the stylist I wanted his hair to grow out and described the ultimate length I was looking for. I wanted a cut that would allow the hair to grow out without becoming shaggy. I made my preference known for the new style to accentuate the natural copper highlights and curl in his hair. As well as his strong jaw line. His beard had to go. Completely. Much to his dismay.

  Milia looked at him in the mirror over his shoulder as he sat in the stylist's chair. Her smile was devilish. "You're making him into a certain popular Scottish actor, aren't you?" She laughed and corrected herself. "Or should I say into a modern-day incarnation of that particular actor's most famous character?"

  "Very perceptive," I replied, studying Austin myself. "I'm playing with a trope, actually. Women love wild Scottish Highlanders. They're fantasy warriors. Perfect for Austin's cosplay hobby.

  "I'm also accentuating Austin's Scottish rugged handsomeness and playing up his heritage. If you bear enough resemblance to an actor or star who's considered exceptionally attractive, why wouldn't you play on it and highlight it? We're all copycats to one degree or another. Women copy famous actors' styles in clothing, makeup, and hair. Why shouldn't men?"

  "Yes," Milia said, drawing the word out for emphasis. "Cosplay in real life?" She smiled. "Ingenious. I like disguises. I'm familiar enough with them to know they work."

  We turned our attention to Dylan in the next chair over, where we had bigger fight to get rid of the mountain man beard. Cool, well-styled hipster beards were one thing. Total wild hairmaggedon that obscured all features and made Dylan's face appear rounder than it was had to go.

  Stryker had his biggest challenge with Dylan, as far as turning his softness into mere stockiness. I was going to give him all the help I could with hair and clothing. Which meant the beard must be tamed.

  Milia was a genius at flattering and using wiles to get her way. With her help, by sheer feminine coaxing and encouragement, we got Dylan to agree to have the beard taken down to a manageable level.

  I held my breath as the stylist shaved him with a number two comb on the electric shaver. A weak chin would be hard to hide once all that hair was gone. To Milia, Lottie's, and my relief, he had a strong jaw and chin beneath all that hair. He looked good with his beard that length. We nodded at each other. Yes. No need to go all the way to barefaced.

  Dylan seemed endearingly grateful we let him keep his beard. It was part of who he was, he claimed. We gave him a stylish haircut that was short on the sides, with more of the hipster look on top, longer. It suited the roundness of his face well, lengthening it. When we were finished, he looked better than I had originally hoped for.

  Cam had served a tour of duty in the military as an IT guy. The clean-shaved, barefaced look suited him. As well as a short, nearly military-grade haircut. It somehow made him look more alpha. Stronger. Steadier. More in command. Put him in a uniform in a few weeks after Stryker had worked his magic on him and the women would swoon. Okay, so we weren't going to go as far as a uniform. We could still do something uniform-ish with his clothes once Paige and Erica came back.

  Jeremy had a slight build, like a skateboarder. Of all the men, he was the one who could look good in skinny jeans and a beanie. Jeremy was one of those men who would always be "cute," never handsome. He had soft blue eyes that twinkled with kindness and empathy. He was exactly the kind of man women like to take under their wing and protect until he proves to them that he's the real hero. Even his slight nervous stutter was endearing. The ladies were going to go crazy for him once we were done with him. In fact, I thought he might turn out to be the most popular of our men.

  Mentally, I began to play a game with myself—which of the guys would be the first to find a soul mate? Did that depend more on me or more on them?

  Next, Milia brought in the dentist who specialized in cosmetic dentistry I'd requested. Dylan had a chipped tooth and a smile that needed brightening. We put all of them men on a whitening program. A winning smile is a chick magnet.

  Then Paige and Erica reappeared with racks of clothing. I had to admit they were good. They even showed up with a beautiful kilt in Austin's Dougal clan plaid. With five women available, four of us paired up with one of the men and took them in hand, while Lottie acted as coordinator. It became a friendly competition to see who could make her man the most improved and attractive.

  I had Austin, who was fast becoming my favorite. He was quick-quipping and fun to spar with. And he looked good in his clothes. With a little gym time, he'd be totally hot. Plus, I have a thing for Highlanders.

  We picked enough separates for the men to make six to eight outfits that were appropriate for different kinds of dates. Paige and Eric promised to come back in a month to re-outfit the men once they were at fighting weight and shape.

  Our photographer came back for another photo shoot—both headshots and full body shots for me to take back to Manhattan with me to use to entice the women to Seattle.

  Lazer walked in at the tail end of the photo shoot. He whistled at the men. "What do we have here?" he said as he eyed his friends. "A Highlander, a hipster cowboy, a military clone, and who are you supposed to be?" He pointed to Jeremy.

  "A soft-spoken hero," I said.

  "Excellent." Lazer nodded. "What's up next?"

  "Lunch. And then seduction skills," Milia said in a voice like silk.

  Lazer raised one eyebrow and laughed. "Damn. I love this spy school."

  Milia let us into a red and black suite that was very much a cocktail bar branded with the Lipstick Spy School colors and logo. It included a dance floor, karaoke stage and machine, tables, and a beautifully finished black lacquer bar, fully stocked.

  "We usually only use this for cocktail-making class and bachelorette parties." She turned to Lottie and me. "No male strippers today, I'm afraid."

  I smiled at my men, who had been peacocking since we'd fixed them up. "With these hot men around, who needs male strippers?"

  Milia winked at Dylan. "Exactly." She laughed lightly as Lazer rolled his eyes.

  I'd had Milia set the bar up to roughly emulate my first meeting with Lazer. I wanted the feel of a bar full of men with only a small pool of women. I wanted my men to be as confident as Lazer had been that night, and get their own standing ovations for having the courage to go after what they wanted.

  I went over some basic dating etiquette, some dos and don'ts for casually approaching women, and some of the cues and signals a woman gives when she wants to be approached.

  "Now we're going to run through a simulation." I glanced around the men who'd gathered around the bar.

  I used Milia as the unicorn. She was a chameleon of the first order, and could become anything or anyone she wanted to be. They'd already seen her and how she could be. She could be intimidating. Which was what I wanted. I wanted my men battle ready.

  I had Milia perch on a stool at the bar and directed Lottie to play bartender and help me coach th
e men.

  I had the men draw straws. Jeremy came up with the short straw. Of course, my shyest, least confident man. Not that any of them other than Lazer were particularly outgoing, but still. I suppressed the very real urge to sigh heavily. I couldn't have them draw again without embarrassing Jeremy and undermining his already shaky confidence. There was nothing to do but make this fun.

  "Barkeep!" I signaled to Lottie. "Give the man some liquid courage, would you?"

  She smiled a motherly, fond smile. "What's your poison of choice?"

  Thank goodness for Lottie and her reassuring presence.

  "Pale ale." Jeremy hammed up being nervous as Lottie slid him a beer across the bar. Jeremy made a big show of chugging half of it and wiping his mouth, setting his face for battle.

  I directed him to a position across the bar and arranged the rest of the men around the room.

  "Lazer will be coaching you," I said. "And giving good advice." I pointed at Lazer and gave him my steely look, warning him to behave and take his role seriously.

  Lazer saluted me and took his position.

  I whispered to Milia, "Don't go easy on him, but try to be a woman he'd stand a chance of approaching. His kind of girl."

  "You mean someone other than myself?" Again, she laughed as if she found everything amusing.

  Lottie gave her a girlie martini glass filled with a pink-tinted drink. Which, knowing how Lottie felt about her, I wasn't sure wasn't some horrible-tasting concoction.

  Milia wrinkled her nose at it, and probably rightly so, but just as quickly her demeanor shifted. She went from being a confident siren to putting on the posture of a sweet girl-next-door type. The transformation was amazing, practical magic. She was suddenly unapproachable only because of her shyness, which could be mistaken for standoffishness and aloofness. Disinterest. Milia was a quick study. The way she read men was almost frightening.