professionally as quickly as they had sexually, making Naughty Nicks an instant success. His only regret was the need to keep her at arm’s length. While he got the impression Kim wouldn’t mind if they picked up where they left off three years earlier, he couldn’t do that to her. Especially now that he knew her as well as he did.
Straightening the now crinkled resume, Blake tried to remember some of the behavioral-based interview questions he normally used when he had to hire someone. Not that any of them fit this side of his business. You’re getting naked in front of large crowds and you get nervous. How do you handle that?
“Okay, Clark. What would you do if you’re at a house party and one of the women asks if she can check out your pole privately?”
“Is she cute?”
Oh buddy , don’t even joke. “Does it matter?”
“Hell yes. If she’s pretty then she won’t take too kindly to the direct brush off. I’d need to use my mad man-skills to give off a no thanks vibe. They’re not used to being told no, so ya gotta do it right.”
Interesting. “Good answer.”
“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