I read the code of conduct in the workplace booklet for one reason. To remind myself that Nick’s my boss and I shouldn’t flirt under any circumstances. But when he looks deep into my soul and holds my hand between his rough palms, I’m like a blob of jelly, melting beneath his touch.
9
NICK
Isquint as sunlight pours through the gym window. My brother Nathan sits on the bench next to me in shorts and a t-shirt with his gym logo embroidered on the chest.
He jabs me in the arm with a killer right hook. “Haven’t seen you for a while.” His grin reaches his green eyes. It’s like looking in a mirror, only Nathan’s a little younger and happier.
“I’ve been busy at work.” I rub the sting in my biceps. “We’ve started doing Santa visits.” I lift the weights above my head, and a bead of sweat runs off my forehead.
He clasps his hands together, resting his elbows on his knees as he leans over to whisper, “Have things improved any?”
I drop the weights and sit up on the bench to face him. Using my t-shirt, I wipe my brow. “This month’s better, but I’m so behind with payments on the loan. If I don’t catch up by January, they’ll call it in.”
“Why don’t you just cut your losses and put the shop on the market?” He reaches over to squeeze my shoulder. “You can have a job here at the gym. It’s not worth the stress, pal. You’re barely making enough to get by.”
“I have to do my best, Nate. How can I look my kid in the eyes and tell him I sold his inheritance because I couldn’t manage the business properly?” I stand and walk towards the treadmill, needing to let off some steam. My brother’s gym became my therapy when Leoni passed away.
If we’d known she had an undiagnosed heart condition, I’d have never let her get pregnant, but it’s hard to say that now that I have a wonderful son. He’s been the only thing that’s kept me going all these years. The only reason I kept the business running.
“You were grieving. You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself.” He follows me to the treadmills and sets one going next to me. “Teddy will understand, man. Do what’s best for you both. I’m sure he’d like to spend more time with you than have you slave over a crippling business.”
“I know you’re right, but it’s not just about Teddy. The staff rely on me. I can’t let them down. Especially not before Christmas. If the bank forces my hand in January, then so be it. But until then, I’m gonna give it all I have.”
“You could put the shop on the market now. See what happens.”
I turn up the incline on the treadmill. Teddy went to breakfast club this morning, so I thought I’d come and clear my head before work. I should have gone to the shop, made an early start with all the paperwork that’s piled up, but being at the gym helps me think clearly and I haven’t been for a while.
“If I had the money, I’d lend it to you. But you know all my money’s tied up in this place.” He stops his treadmill and jumps off. His arm rests on the handlebar of my machine. “You know, you wouldn’t need to take your frustration out here if you got yourself a woman.”
I glare at him as I stride up the hill, my legs burning along with my lungs. Sweat trickles down my back. Of course, I’d sooner be sweating with a woman beneath me than on a fucking treadmill. “When do you think I have time to go on a date?” I grip the handles at the front of the machine, determined to keep up the pace. “Between Teddy and the shop, I’ve no time left.”
“Bring the kid for a sleepover this weekend.” He punches my biceps again. “You know I’ll have him anytime when you’re ready to get back in the saddle.”
Our sister Nora said the same. The problem is, there’s only one girl I want to ride in that saddle with and she’s off-limits. Trust me to develop feelings for my assistant. People think I’m still grieving but I was ready to move on a year ago. The moment she stepped into my office for an interview. She was the first person besides my son to make me smile in a long time.
* * *
The office door swings open.Joy stands with a bundle of red velvet fabric in her hands and a huge smug grin on her face. She swaggers into the room, jingling with each step with her newfound elf-confidence.
“I didn’t think it was possible for you to be more jolly than you usually are.” Leather creaks as I lean back in my chair and place my hands behind my head, my hair still damp from the shower at the gym.
“Mr Price has the flu now.”
“I know. He called me on the way in. I’m just trying to find a replacement. Why are you so happy?” I lean forward on my desk. “I never knew you had a sadistic side. Does my little star derive pleasure from others’ misfortune?” I shift in my seat, silently telling my dick not to get any ideas like it does whenever she struts around here in her striped tights, jingling her tits.
She corners the desk and perches her voluptuous behind on my paperwork. “Not from other people’s misfortune. Just yours.” A giggle escapes as she holds up the red velvet suit.
My eyes flit from the Santa costume to her bright, sparkly face with a wide smile that reaches her prosthetic ears. It’s hard to say no to her. Especially when she’s in front of me, perched on my desk. She’s close enough for me to grab hold of her thick thighs and pull her onto my lap.
I remind my dick of section four in the code of conduct manuscript before he rises to the occasion. But I don’t know how long I can keep him at bay. I’m ready to lose all elf-control with her.
Her legs swing under my desk. “Come on, Nick.Branchout.” She wiggles her bottom farther onto my desk, rustling the paperwork she’s sitting on. She doesn’t know my cock is branching out right now.
I snatch the costume from her hands, but only to hide the growing tent in my trousers. “Fine.”
She jumps from the desk with a jingle. “I’ll let you change.” She shimmies into the corridor and closes the door while I change into the Santa suit. The inside of the material isn’t as smooth, making me itch.
