Bad Boys for Hire_Nick_Christmas Holiday

by Rachelle Ayala

  “Are you telling me no one ever sent you flowers?” Sheesh. With the way she insulted customers, it was a wonder the store was still in business. Although, glancing around the arrangement, they did seem to be more suitable for funerals rather than weddings. Instead of Love Me Flowers, the shop should be called Flower Me Dead.

  “Does the cobbler’s son have shoes?” Terri’s rough voice grated the hairs inside of Nick’s ears.

  “Then, allow me to buy you flowers, my fair lady. Tell me what you like.” He wandered over to a white lily arrangement tied with black satin lace.

  “I’m a married lady.” Terri followed him closely. “You’re not about to charm me into divulging Carol’s well-kept secrets.”

  “Oh, so it’s secrets now?” Nick crossed his arms and drawled. “I’d say you’re out of the loop. Heard she went dress shopping with a bunch of her friends, and you weren’t with her.”

  Nick was glad Marisa had filled him in on the shopping trip during one of Carol’s bathroom breaks. Stepsisters did come in handy, especially talkative ones who butted their nose in their sibling’s business.

  “Yeah, I was busy tending my store.” Terri’s shoulders slumped. “So, tell me. What is the purpose of flowers? A hint. They can’t buy forgiveness, and they won’t cover up for a guilty conscience.”

  “Maybe not, but they’ll hopefully bring a smile to her face and buy me time while I straighten out the mess I got myself into.” Nick paged through the catalog on the counter. “Carol’s real special to me. She’s everything important, and I might have hurt her feelings by putting work in front of her.”

  “She’s one to talk.” Terri pointed to a bouquet of yellow roses. “She’s always at work. I’m surprised she got time off this weekend to go dress shopping. I wish I could have gone.”

  “I also took her Christmas shopping.” Nick pulled out his cell phone and showed her the selfies they’d taken with the firefighters at Union Square.

  “Okay, okay, you’re vetted.” Terri grabbed his phone and flipped through the pictures. “I should have guessed that all the ‘Nick hate’ was really something else.”

  “Nick hate?”

  “She went out of the way in disliking you.” Terri gave his phone back. “Anyway, try yellow roses. They’re a symbol of friendship, warm feelings, and happiness.”

  “Yeah, um, okay. I promise you, I’m not bothering her.”

  “She did say your brother’s a policeman, but I’m warning you, if she complains about you at all, I’ll track you down and shred your Santa suit.” She bared her teeth, reminding Nick of a particularly nasty blond Coon cat who weighed well over twenty pounds.

  Nick agreed to all her conditions. He paid for the roses, signed the card, and asked Terri to deliver the flowers to Carol’s work. Hopefully, by the time she got the roses, he would have sorted out his problem.

  Thirty-Three

  Carol squinted at the lines of code and the error messages flashing on her computer screen. A beta customer had hit a catastrophic error condition, and she’d left her phone on the couch, missing the frantic text messages from her boss.

  Alexa popped into Carol’s cubicle. “You must have had one hot weekend.”

  “Sorry, can’t talk.” Carol kept typing. “I have to get everything fixed.”

  “Okay, then, I guess you’re too busy for the flowers in the lobby.”

  “It has to wait.” Carol waved her coworker off. Her code was blowing up the memory, and she couldn’t figure out where she had gone out of bounds.

  Flowers were so not Nick’s style, unless whoever was paying him had requested them. Nick. Nick. Nick. How was she ever going to get the code to work when Nick invaded her every thought, feeling, and molecule?

  Everywhere she turned, his smile smirked at her. His eyes, so sexy and dark, gleamed at her, and oh gosh, the way he’d held her, so hot and warm, and the way he’d made her feel—there was no way anyone who experienced Nick could let him go—even if he raised his prices.

  Carol pounded on her keyboard, cutting and pasting, until the code jumbled into spaghetti and meat sauce in her brain. Somehow, hours later, the lines made it through the compiler, and she was able to kick off a build.

  She wiped the sweat from her forehead and browsed to the Bad Boys for Hire website. Ken’s profile had been removed after he married Jolie, and in truth, he hadn’t gotten many reviews since he was a bit loopy after his concussion. She should have paid more attention to his gig, but as far as she could tell, he went on a few dates, looked nice at a few parties, and it wasn’t a big money maker for him.

  Meanwhile, Nick had tons of reviews from many satisfied customers. A recent review was from Patricia on how he handled the Wheelympics toy drive. There were also a smattering of reviews from various preschools and child care centers.

  But earlier in the year, he had a ton from various women who gave themselves nicknames like SugarBunny, NastyGirl, SweetVixen, and HotHips. One customer, Boobalicious, was especially enthusiastic. She wrote so many reviews that she was finally blocked from the site.

  Carol didn’t have the heart to read Boobalicious’s reviews. She seemed slightly obsessed. Suffice it to say, Nick made every woman he touched completely and permanently addicted.

  Was Carol just one of many in a long line of mesmerized women? Pathetically paying out of their asses for a piece of him?

  Taking a deep breath, Carol picked up her phone. It would be better to speak to Rex directly rather than email him, since she would be able to pick up on any nuances in the tone of his voice.

  “Hello, Bad Boys for Hire, Rex speaking. How may I help you?”

  Carol put her hand over her chest to calm her pounding heart. She’d never had to hire a guy before, but this was an emergency. “I’d like to hire a date for a Christmas party this Friday.”

  “You’ve come to the right place. We have several certified bad boys who will fit the bill from fake billionaires to urban cowboys, even a doctor or lawyer, if you’re trying to impress your parents.”

  “Actually, there’s only one guy I want. He has the highest reviews. His name is Nick Wolff. I don’t need him to pretend to be anything. Just wear a tux and take me to the party.”

  “Oh, ahem.” Rex coughed. “I have a guy who looks very similar to Nick. Same build, hair and eye color. He’s starting out, but no complaints from any of the clients.”

  “No, I want Nick only.” Carol was due a big Christmas bonus, so she was sure she could afford whatever he cost. “I’ve been fantasizing about him, and things won’t be the same with anyone else.”

  “Nick is one of our best escorts, and that is why he’s not available. It says so on the website.”

  “I’ll make it worth your while. I’m prepared to pay five times your normal rate …”

  Rex cleared his throat. “When is this party?”

  “Friday night, at the Redwood Hills Country Club. I’ll need him from seven until midnight. Tell him I’m a very big tipper.” After agreeing to the payment, Carol gave her contact information. While Rex tried half-heartedly to get her to switch to another escort, he eventually assured her that he would do his best to get Nick on the job for her.

  Carol’s stomach was queasy when she hung up. What exactly had she proven? That Nick was for hire? Where would it leave her if he did show up for the job? Would it mean he preferred a paying customer over being with her? Or prove that someone was paying him on her behalf?

  On the other hand, he was obviously good at what he did, and she would pay whatever it took to rip him away from whatever obligation he had. She wasn’t going to let another woman claim him—at least not if she could help it.

  Her heartbeat in a tizzy, she wheeled her way to the lobby to fetch the flowers. The receptionist picked up a box of yellow roses and placed them in her hands. “You sure are getting a lot of flowers these days. Enjoy.”

  “Thanks.” Carol held her breath and wheeled herself quickly to the elevator, not daring to look at the card.
Nick or Jason? Dad or stepdad?

  As soon as the elevator door closed, Carol pulled the card from the holder and opened the envelope.

  Dearest Carol, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I had with you and can’t wait to see you again. Devoted to you, Nick Wolff.

  Such sweet words. Carol’s heart thawed, and she took a breath of relief. He was still thinking of her. Devoted. What a word. She sighed and smiled despite herself. For a moment, she was able to drive away the nagging thoughts. She kissed the handwriting on the card. It was a masculine hand, and his words made a deep impression into the card stock material.

  What would it take for a normal, healthy man to be devoted to a woman in a wheelchair? Would he someday be tired of her limitations? Or was it her suspicions that would kill any chance they’d have for happiness?

  Her throat tightened, and she realized she’d acted jealous this morning when he’d told her he had another obligation. This was exactly the kind of behavior that would drive him away and had nothing to do with her being in a wheelchair.

  The elevator opened on her floor, and she slunk back to her cubicle, disgusted with the way she’d treated Nick. Even if he’d been hired to take care of her, she shouldn’t have expected him to be at her beck and call.

  “Who are they from?” Alexa startled her from behind. “The sweet firefighter or the bad boy for hire?”

  Sheesh. Did everyone know her business?

  Carol showed her coworker the card.

  “Wow, I’m going to faint.” Alexa fluttered her hand in front of her chest. “You sure know how to pick the filet mignon. You do know Nick Wolff is the highest paid guy from Bad Boys for Hire, right?”

  Why was it Alexa automatically assumed she’d paid for every minute of Nick’s time? Did she think there would be no way for Nick to spend time with her unless he was paid?

  “Yes, I read his reviews.” Carol snatched the card back. “He’s very good at what he does.”

  “You’re lucky you snagged him,” Alexa said. “I heard from the boss that he’s canceled her training sessions. Said he wasn’t going to do them anymore.”

  Gross. Her boss was also a client of Nick’s?

  “I actually have an exclusive with him.” Carol stretched the truth, hoping other women would leave Nick alone once they heard the rumor. “That’s why he’s quitting.”

  Alexa whistled long and loud. “Did you get that big of a bonus?”

  Carol blew on her fingertips. “That’s for me to know and you to wonder. Anyway, I fixed the software build, so it should all be good for testing.”

  The rest of the day, Carol couldn’t concentrate on anything. Her pulse was elevated, and every time her phone made the tiniest bit of noise, she practically jumped out of her chair to grab it. Unfortunately, none of the messages were from Nick. She wasn’t sure what she was waiting for. His message had been sweet, but vague. Yellow roses meant friendship, not undying love. Could it be a way of asking her to back off?

  She approved the test results and emailed the beta customers, letting them know that a new build package was available. She walked the customer assurance engineers through the install and update procedure, then played online Sudoku while rehashing every word Nick had said to her.

  By the time she’d cleared the expert level, rearranging numbers in squares, her eyes were fit to explode. Every number jittered, and she almost jumped out of her skin when her phone rang.

  It was Rex Carter. “Good news. Nick Wolff is available for you Friday evening. Once you’ve paid the fee online, I’ll arrange for a limo to pick you up at your apartment.”

  Yes! She got him. She got the date. But instead of being pumped up and ready to tackle the world, Carol crumpled in front of her blinking Sudoku screen.

  Nick wouldn’t go to the party with her when she’d asked this morning, but now that he was hired to go, whatever “plans” he had were no big deal.

  “Congratulations, Carol,” she muttered to herself. “You’ve just bought yourself a date.”

  After spending the day working out, Nick returned to his brother’s apartment and dropped his gym bag in the closet. He’d been unable to get in touch with Brianna because she was in court arguing a case, so he’d left her a message telling her to call.

  Meanwhile, he hadn’t heard from Carol all day, but he couldn’t contact her until he’d squared away Friday night’s plan.

  Heather was in the living room, sitting in her wheelchair with a laptop. “How’d the interview go?”

  “Not too good.” He took off his jacket and hung it in the coat closet. “I’m not going to get the night aide job either.”

  “Uh oh.” Heather patted her pregnant belly. “Maybe the baby can stay in our room for the first few months.”

  “No, I’ll move out.” Nick plopped himself on the couch. “Sam wants to start decorating the nursery, and you guys have put up with me long enough.”

  “How’d it go with Carol?” She eyed him speculatively. “You spent the night at her place.”

  “Yeah, I did. She’s wonderful. Everything I want.” He folded his hands and leaned his elbows over his knees.

  “You told her everything? About what kind of things people might be saying?”

  “I let her know I had clients in the past. I didn’t go into detail, but I’m sure she’s aware I worked for Bad Boys for Hire.”

  “As a hired Santa for kids,” Heather said. “But what about the other roles you played?”

  “Did Rex tell you something?” A shot of ice chilled the hairs on the back of Nick’s neck.

  “Oh, Rex doesn’t have to tell me anything.” Heather rearranged her legs to angle her belly a different way. “I just wonder why you’re so worried about what people say about you.”

  “Because they lie. They exaggerate. Some of them get off on drama.”

  “Who are you protecting? Sam or Carol?”

  Heather was really freaking him out. Somehow, she must have gotten wind that he’d slept with some of his clients.

  “Sam, definitely.” Nick figured Heather would also want to protect Sam. After all, Sam still held hopes for Nick to join him in the police force.

  “Sam’s a big boy. He doesn’t need to be protected. He might kick your butt if he found out some things, but he’ll still love you. As for Carol, if you’re getting in over your head, you’d better come clean. I hate to see her getting hurt.”

  “She won’t. She’ll be fine. I just have a few loose ends to close out.”

  “Great. Then we should have Carol over for dinner. I can’t wait to meet her, and she can show me some tricks with my wheelchair.” Heather went back to her laptop as if the conversation was over.

  “You realize it’s a big deal if I invite her to meet the so-called family, don’t you?” Nick swallowed hard, and his pulse rate ticked up. Even though he’d expressed his love to Carol in several indirect ways, she had never said it back to him. Besides, he couldn’t admit to Sam that he’d finally been bitten by the love bug.

  “Then let me invite her,” Heather said. “I’m sure Rex can put me in touch with her brother. In fact, let’s have all of them over. Her brother, sister, and her friends.”

  “Please don’t.” Nick stood and paced across the living room. “Don’t meddle. Okay? I have too much on my plate right now. I have to find a job, a place to live, and get through this Christmas season. It’s too much stress.”

  “Ah, yes, but wouldn’t it be nice to start the new year with a clean slate?” Heather tipped him a smile. “You’re in a bind, Nick Wolff, a big, bad bind.”

  Thirty-Four

  “This is outrageous,” Nick shouted into his phone. “Why did you say I accepted?”

  “You don’t get it,” Rex said. “She’s paying five times the going rate. She made me an offer I couldn’t turn down.”

  “I can’t go. In fact, I quit.” Nick swiped the call and ended it.

  “What was that all about?” Heather maneuvered her electric wheelchair to Nick’s
doorway. “Were you talking to my brother?”

  “He has some rich woman who’s buying me Friday evening. Wants me to escort her to a party.”

  “Did he say who?”

  Nick’s phone jingled with an incoming call. He swiped to ignore and tossed it on the bed.

  “He never says until I agree. It doesn’t matter. I can’t go. I have another job I’m doing, and then there’s Carol. I can’t be triple-booked.”

  The landline rang.

  “I’m going to pick it up,” Heather said. “It’s probably my brother.”

  “Yeah, probably. I’m going out.” Nick stalked out of the apartment. It was evening, and the sun had gone down. One thing was sure. He had to wiggle out of the date with Brianna the Blackmailing Witch.

  There was only one way out, and as much as he hated it, he was going to have to man up. The only way to take the air out of a blackmailer was to pop the secret.

  He texted Sam and asked him to meet him after his shift, then drove to the police station.

  “What’s going on?” Sam approached, carrying a duffle bag with his police uniform inside. “I called Heather to let her know I’ll be home late, but she says she needs to speak to you.”

  “She’s trying to get me to fess up. My life is a mess,” Nick said.

  Sam grunted and gave him a hard stare. “Hope you haven’t committed a crime.”

  “Nothing like that, or at least I hope it’s not.” Nick ambled alongside his brother, and they walked the few blocks to the pub frequented by Sam’s fellow officers. After ordering a beer, Nick laid out the entire mess with Brianna.

  “So, let me get this straight,” Sam said. “She’s a lawyer and she’s blackmailing you for dates?”

  “Yes, she is. I slept with her off-contract, but she’s not letting it go. I’ve terminated all my personal training clients.”

  “You slept with all of them?”

  “No, not all of them. Of course not. Just a few of the more attractive ones. Yes, they slipped cash under the table, and I had them sign waivers stating that sex was not part of the contract, and that it was mutually consenting. The problem was when I wanted to end the hookups, they’d complain to Rex or threaten to expose me.”