The Hot Brother (Romance Love Story) (Hargrave Brothers - Book #5)

by Alexa Davis

  I had stopped dating jocks and gym rats because of their arrogance and narcissism, and I thought I’d seen it all, until I met Nick Storelli. I couldn’t believe he had just stood there in front of me, naked as the day he was born. He didn’t even have the decency to look a little bit embarrassed, or try and use his hands to cover himself.

  Against my better judgment, I pictured him again, leaning into that wall, all wet and shiny and hard…everything was hard, and I caught myself thinking that his hands would have to be abnormally large if they could cover that.

  I mentally shook my head at myself. It didn’t matter what he looked like. In just a few hours, he convinced me that I’d be much better off just buying a poster of him and putting it up on my wall – anything more than that would be way more trouble than I was sure he was worth.

  I left my car with the valet and made my way up to the restaurant where Michaela was already waiting for me. The hostess took us to our table and got our drink orders. Once she was gone, Michaela wrinkled her nose and said, “I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” I said, suspiciously.

  “You stink.”

  I laughed. “Thanks, it’s bleach.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s a long story,” I told her.

  “I have time.”

  I didn’t answer her; instead, I looked at my menu and then set it aside so the waitress would come and take our order. Michaela looked at hers, too, and after the waitress came and got our orders, I said,

  “Nick Storelli.”

  “What is panty-melting hot?” she said. “Give me another one.”

  I rolled my eyes. “We’re not playing Jeopardy.”

  “Oh, okay. Then why the reference to Nick Storelli out of the blue?”

  “It wasn’t out of the blue. It was the answer to your question. He’s the reason I smell like bleach.”

  She had her glass halfway to her mouth. She slammed it down and sloshed orange juice over the sides of the glass. “You met him?”

  “Unfortunately.”

  “What are you talking about? The guy is freaking hot. I might jump him where he stands if I ever get to meet him.”

  I didn’t ask the obvious: what about Trent? Instead, I said, “He might be hot, but he’s a narcissistic turd.”

  She laughed. “If I looked that good, I’d be a narcissist, too. Hell, the guy’s naked body is all over Vegas and women fill the seats at his fights in droves just to get a look at the real thing. How could he not be full of himself?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. Some women might go for a hard body and a big cock, but I need more.”

  She had just taken a drink of her orange juice. She started choking just about the time I realized what I’d just said. “A big cock? Oh my God! You saw him naked?” I felt my face heating up. Michaela was loud and everyone at the surrounding tables was looking at us.

  “Shh!”

  She leaned in, and in a whisper she said, “You’ve seen him naked?”

  “The big ox used the women’s shower at the gym this morning. That’s why I smell like bleach. I walked in to get in the shower and there he was, in all his glory. He didn’t even have the decency to apologize or try and cover himself up.”

  Michaela put her hand over her heart. “You’re so fucking lucky.”

  “Stop it!” I laughed in spite of myself. “He’s a jerk. Who cares what he looks like? He probably has a head full of rocks, like every other fighter I’ve ever met.”

  “What about your dad?”

  “He’s the exception.”

  She rolled her eyes at me. “Right. Honey, just because a man chooses to make a living with his body doesn’t mean he’s an idiot. Look at Trent; he went to UNLV on an academic scholarship, not a football one.”

  “I’m not talking about intelligence. I’m talking about social graces, decency, common sense, respect for women.”

  “Okay, my little liberal. I’m just saying that people aren’t always what they present as on the surface, and if they are…you get to live the rest of your life knowing you fucked the hottest guy on the planet.”

  I shook my head at her and changed the subject. Michaela and I would never agree about sex. No matter how hot the guy was, I didn’t have sex for the sake of sex. Not that I haven’t ever wanted to. I have to at least admit to myself that I had thought about it as soon as I saw Nick that morning.

  But I know me too well and it would come with all kinds of regrets the next day. Nope; I needed to find me a nice, safe, intelligent man to fall in love with me for my brilliant mind.

  After brunch, Michaela talked me into going into the Halloween store in the hotel with her. She had another costume party to go to this weekend that she was trying to bully me into going to, but I was standing firm. “Look at this! It’s perfect!” I looked over to see Michaela was holding up a black dress with a corset and long cape.

  “A witch?”

  “No, Maleficent! She’s an evil fairy. I can pull off evil fairy no problem.”

  “I have to agree.” I laughed as she flipped me off.

  “I’m going to try it on.” She took off toward the dressing room as I continued to browse the shelves of masques and other Halloween accessories. I love to dress up, but I was not looking to get thrown up on by a bunch of drunken football players.

  “Well, hello there.”

  I turned at the sound of the voice and my heartrate sped up. It was Ethan Grant, the attorney who gave the lecture to my class a couple of weeks ago. He was dressed the same as he had been that day: in an expensive-looking, Italian suit. This one matched his blue eyes and made them pop. His eyes reminded me of someone, but I couldn’t put my finger on who.

  “Hi! Mr. Grant, how nice to see you.”

  He smiled and his face dimpled. I suddenly had a vision of Nick and his deep dimples. I forced that out of my head and smiled back.

  “Call me Ethan, please. You’re Karli, right?”

  Oh my God, he remembers my name. We only had spoken for a few seconds after the lecture. “Yes, thank you for remembering. So, shopping for yourself, or do you have kids?” Way to be obvious, Karli.

  “No kids. I’m looking for a masquerade mask. They’re all so…feminine.”

  “I was at Circus Circus the other day and I saw some in the gift shop by the midway. They had some nice ones for men.”

  “Good, I’ll go look there, thanks. Are you getting your costume?”

  “Oh no, I’m here with a friend. She’s trying her costume on.”

  “You already have a costume?”

  “No. I don’t have any plans to go out for Halloween.”

  “Why not? You’re not into the whole All Hallows’ Eve?”

  “I actually love Halloween. It’s just…” I hesitated to phrase it the way I had with Michaela. This man was so classy and refined. I felt juvenile just admitting I was invited to a party with a bunch of drunken football players and frat boys.

  “It’s just…”

  I was a terrible liar, so I just said, “It’s just that the party I did get invited to is being thrown by the football team at UNLV and their way of partying is not my thing.”

  “Ahh, I see. You’re too mature and too beautiful to spend your evening with a bunch of drunk jocks pawing all over you.”

  All I really heard was Ethan calling me beautiful. I was sure my face was red as I said, “Does that make me sound like a snob?”

  “Not at all. Everyone outgrows that at some point.” He looked like he was thinking about something. “Almost everyone, anyways. Karli, this is kind of late notice so feel free to be honest if you’d rather not, or you have other plans…but I have to go to a masquerade ball on the 30th. It’s a benefit and it’s black tie – and masquerade masks, of course. I can promise you that anyone drunk and pawing at beautiful women will be promptly ejected from this event. Would you like to go with me as my date?”

  I was shaking inside and out. Ethan was exactly the kind of man I wanted. Again
, the vision of Nick popped into my head. Damned lust. I tamped it back down and said, “Yes, I’d actually love that.”

  “Great,” he said with a bright smile. Then he handed me his phone. “Can I have your number so I can call and get your address before then? I’d like to pick you up.” Jesus, a real date with a real man…it was almost surreal. I put my number in his phone, and he thanked me and looked at the Rolex on his arm. “I better get back to the office. I’ll call you in a few days. Thank you, Karli.”

  I was almost too tongue-tied to respond, but I managed to squeak out a, “No, thank you, Ethan. Have a good day.”

  He winked at me and again, I was reminded of Nick. That was ridiculous, though; they’re really nothing alike. “You, too,” he said before I was treated to the sight of him walking away.

  He wasn’t that tall. I was used to dating much taller guys, even though I’m only five foot five. Something about the way he carried himself made him look much bigger than he actually was. He was one of those men who exuded power and class. I couldn’t wait to get to know him better.

  “Hey! I was calling you to come look at me.” Michaela walked up behind me. When I turned and looked at her, she had a pouty expression on her face. I was still smiling.

  “I’m sorry. I was busy…setting up a date.”

  “A date? With a man?”

  I wasn’t offended. Even I had to admit that it had been a while. “Yes, darling, with a man. A hot, intelligent man, no less. Do you remember that attorney I told you about?”

  “Oh yeah, the one that gave the lecture to your class.”

  “I just ran into him, and I’m going to a black-tie masquerade ball with him on the 30th.”

  “Oh fine, you’re going to miss the party of the century this weekend, but you jump at the chance to go to the ball. Don’t forget to clean out the fireplace first, Cinderella.”

  “Shut the fuck up.”

  She laughed. “You know I’m happy for you. What are you going to wear?”

  “Jeez, I have no idea.”

  She hooked her arm through mine and walked me toward the counter so she could pay for her costume. “Antoinette’s next?” she said. Antoinette was a dress shop that Michaela loved. Michaela also had a lot more money than me and Dad’s credit card. It reminded me that I needed to get back to work or Dad might not pay me enough this week to buy a formal gown.

  “This weekend,” I promised her before heading back to the gym much happier than I had left it a couple of hours before.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  NICK

  After Charlie’s heart to heart with me, I hit the weights with Shrek for another hour or so and took him through some basic jujitsu moves. He had the beating-a-man-to-a-pulp thing down pat, but his moves were a little primitive. I was completely beat and done for the day after that.

  I went into the men’s locker room and took a shower before heading home. It was getting late in the afternoon and most everyone had left. Charlie was working with Shrek on the bag in the back room. I hadn’t seen Karli since the incident earlier, and I was actually starting to feel badly about being such a dick. I was making up my mind to apologize the next time I saw her and maybe get a do-over when I passed the office.

  The door was cracked open slightly and I could see a pair of black and white Chucks sticking out from underneath the desk. I stopped and debated on giving her more time to cool down. I decided that it was better to just take the plunge where apologies were concerned. I wasn’t very good at them.

  I knocked softly on the door, and Karli’s sweet voice said, “Yes?”

  I pushed the door open more and saw the smile she had on her face drop off. It was slightly wounding. “Can I come in, Karli?” She looked like she was about to say no and I said, “Just for a minute?”

  “Okay, just for a minute. What’s up? Is there a part of you I didn’t see? Did you want to do a three-sixty and make sure I got the full view?”

  I smiled tightly. “I’m sorry.”

  “For?”

  “For being a dick. I’m sorry for bad-mouthing your dad, first of all. He and I had a talk this afternoon and I am going to try and put more effort into learning from him and applying myself. Second, I’m sorry for standing there in the buff like that. I honestly didn’t realize it was the women’s shower, but when I did, I should have covered up; that was disrespectful.”

  She looked surprised, or maybe confused. It was obvious that she wasn’t expecting any kind of apology from me. She obviously thought I was some kind of buffoon. She’d likely never believe I spent 13 years in some of the best boarding schools in the country. For some reason, although I just met this girl, I didn’t like knowing she already had such a low opinion of me.

  “Okay,” she said at last. “Thank you for that.”

  “Apology accepted?”

  “Yes. Fine,” she said. I kept standing there and she said, “Was there something else?”

  “Well… I’m having a little barbecue this afternoon; would you like to come?” I wasn’t having a barbecue. Not unless she agreed to come, anyways. But I couldn’t seem to just walk away.

  “No, thank you.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. “Why not?”

  “I just don’t want to encourage you, Nick. I’m not looking to date a fighter.”

  “Wow, now who’s being arrogant?”

  “Me? Arrogant?”

  “I wasn’t asking you out on a date. I was having a little barbecue for Kevin, to welcome him to Vegas. I was going to invite your dad, too. I’m just being friendly is all, Karli.”

  She looked embarrassed, and I felt kind of bad again. But not so bad as to take back the offer. “Oh, okay… I guess.”

  “Great.” I bent over the desk and picked up a marker and a notepad. I wrote my address and number on it and said, “How does seven sound?”

  She looked at the time. It was already three-thirty. I was just praying I had what I needed at home and wouldn’t have to go to the store. I was going to be cutting it close. Plus, I still had to invite the guest of honor. “Um…okay; I’ll try to make it.”

  I smiled at her, making sure my dimples came through loud and clear just in case she wasn’t immune to them. “Try hard.”

  I left the office without a commitment, but pretty sure she’d come along if her father and houseguest decided to come. I’d rather have her in my house without Daddy as a chaperone, but at this point I’d take what I could get. For the first time in a long time, I was intrigued by the woman and not just the pretty face.

  I backtracked to where Shrek and Charlie were still working on the bag. “Hey, guys, I was thinking about throwing some steaks on the grill when I get home. A few of the guys from the league will be there. I thought we’d make it a welcome party for Kevin, if you’re available?”

  I looked at the big kid. He looked interested. Then I said, “My friend’s dad owns the Red Herron Inn out at the state line. He’s bringing a few of the girls that work in the club over there, too.” I said that casually and watched as the look on Shrek’s face went from interest to blatant enthusiasm. You can always count on nineteen-year-old hormones.

  “Sure, that sounds like fun,” he said. “What do you think, Charlie?”

  “I’m a little tired,” Charlie said, “But you go ahead, Kevin. It’ll be nice for you to meet some of the guys if you decide to stay in town.”

  Yes! Perfect! “I gave Karli the address if you want to get it from her,” I told Kevin. I didn’t want Charlie to think I’d gone behind his back to invite Karli. He scowled slightly, but didn’t say anything.

  “Good! Maybe she and I can ride together.”

  “Yeah, maybe. I’ll see you later. Charlie, if you change your mind…”

  “Thanks,” he grumbled as I walked away. Now I had to get home and get this shit set up.

  ********

  I went home and then I had to leave again and go to the store. I filled a grocery cart with everything I could think of, half of which
I probably didn’t need. On my way home, I called Jonah. “Hey, stranger, what’s up?”

  “I need people at my house at seven for a party.”

  “Okay, I can make it.”

  “No, I mean, yeah, you can come. But, I need a lot of people and some of the girls from your dad’s place, too if you can get them to come on short notice.”

  “Okay. What’s this party for?”

  “To introduce a new fighter in town.”

  “So what’s the rush?”

  “I don’t have time for twenty questions; I have to clean the house.”

  He laughed. “All right, man, I’ll bring a party for you, but you’ll have to tell me what it’s really about later.”

  “Yeah, later.” I hung up. I wasn’t about to tell Jonah what it was really about. He would tell the other guys and I’d never hear the end of it. Or worse yet, one of them would shoot off their big mouths and Karli would find out this was all about getting her to my house. I was not absolutely certain, but I didn’t think she’d be impressed.

  I washed the dishes and straightened up the house before I swept off the patio and cleaned the grill. Then I showered, changed, and had just finished shaving when the doorbell rang. I had actual butterflies in my stomach on my way to answer it. Fuck, what has this girl done to me in one day?

  I pulled open the door to Jonah with a girl on each arm. “Hey, ugly and ladies, come on in.” I looked out behind them and Jonah said,

  “Don’t worry, there’s more coming. Why don’t you girls go get a beer or something to drink out of the refrigerator on the patio and I’ll be out in a few,” he told them.

  I noticed that he didn’t even bother to introduce them, which was rude – and sadly, something I would do. I have no idea why suddenly all of these things mattered so much to me. It had to be more than Martin and his Reyna. Maybe Ethan was right and I was finally maturing. I didn’t want to think this was all about Karli, because how pathetic would that make me?

  Once the girls were gone, Jonah looked at me and said, “So, what’s going on?”

  “I told you, we’re welcoming a new fighter. He’s this kid from Philadelphia.”