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  Connor offered no comment, nor did he ask any questions. Nikki sensed he saw the truth on her face. Ty’s glib, winning personality had mesmerized her parents like so many others. Even after all he’d done, her folks still bought his lies and worried about his future, condemning Nikki for not standing by her man.

  A tearing sound interrupted the quiet. “Here,” Mitch said.

  She stared at the narrow strip of paper he held out to her.

  “Take it,” he ordered.

  “What is it?”

  He put it on his desk and slid it in her direction. “A check to cover your living expenses until you get back on your feet and more than enough to pay off your parents mortgage so they’re not thrown out of—”

  “No.” Nikki backed up, bumping into Connor. He didn’t move. Nor did she. Her pulse beat a little harder. “I don’t want your charity,” she said to Mitch. “I want a job.”

  “You’re an attorney,” he argued, coming around his desk, not stopping until he was crowding her.

  Nikki didn’t move away from him either. If he thought she’d be intimidated by his proximity, he was dead wrong. She loved how he and Connor trapped her with their size and commanding presence. Was there anything more pleasant? The heat of their bodies chased away the air conditioners’ chill and her ever-present sorrow. Their mingled scents were so damn intoxicating she had to fight a wave of dizziness.

  Mitch leaned down, bringing his face closer to hers, making her lightheadedness even worse. “A fucking good attorney.”

  God, she liked his voice. How had she lived without it for so many years, along with every other part of him? His upper lip, cheeks and chin were shadowed with his coming beard. His eyes were so freaking gorgeous, Nikki’s mind turned to mush. No man had a right to have lashes that long or to be so damn virile. The thought of him on top of her, thrusting inside her moist and willing cunt made her breathless. “How would you know?”

  “We read the articles about you,” Connor said.

  We, not he? Connor was actually admitting that he’d followed her career as she had his? Nikki looked over, loving how his hair dangled above his eyes. And his beard—wow. She imagined it rasping the insides of her thighs while he licked the length of her cleft and Mitch concentrated on her breasts, suckling the erect tips, biting them playfully. It became an effort to breathe and to stand. Not that Nikki dared lean into either of them until she knew that’s what they’d accept. “You did?”

  Her obvious delight registered with Connor immediately, driving away any tenderness or promise of renewed trust. He stepped away and mumbled, “The good articles,” he amended.

  Okay, so how many of the bad ones had he also read?

  “Give this time,” Mitch advised. “People forget. You can go back into law and work at another bank like you did before.”

  “I don’t want to.” She held up her hand to stop his next comment and had to keep herself from touching his mouth. His lips looked unbearably silky, the perfect feast for her fingertips and tongue. “It’s a time of my life that didn’t make me happy. I have no intention of returning to it. And I won’t take your money. Give me a job.”

  Mitch backed away. “We don’t have anything available with your skill set.”

  “How skilled do I have to be to serve drinks, food or perform in one of your shows?”

  He arched one brow. “In varying stages of undress.”

  “Wonderful.” Nikki offered her most confident smile. “I’m not shy. Remember what I said about those parties in the Hamptons?”

  “It’s burned into my brain forever,” Connor muttered, then gave her a negligent shrug. “Okay, you win.”

  No shit? He wasn’t going to argue her down or dismiss her with a flat ‘no’? Mitch stared as if Connor had lost his mind. Nikki talked fast. “Wonderful. What do I do?”

  Connor studied her sapphire-blue blouse, black capris and high-heel sandals. “Take off your clothes.”

  Nikki wasn’t certain she was following. “Yeah, I know. But I meant, when do I come in?”

  “You don’t,” Connor said, “unless we hire you.” He perused her form, not like the boy she’d hurt, but as an artist and businessman. It reminded Nikki of the bodice rippers she’d read in college where the virginal heroines were stripped bare and offered for sale to the arrogant heroes.

  Not an entirely unpleasant thought when it came to him and Mitch. Even so, she had to ask, “Unless you hire me? You just said you would.”

  “I said you win, meaning we’ll give you a chance. However, we still need to determine if you’re right for the job. You’ll have to strip here, right now, so we can have a look at you.”

  “No,” Mitch growled.

  Connor sighed. “All the others do the same when they audition for the job. Nikki wants this, then we need to see her body to make certain she’s what our patrons expect. It’s not like she’s going to pose for one of the club’s portraits where I could Photoshop out any flaws. You do understand, right?” he asked her.

  Not entirely. He wanted her to strip in this office? Far more troubling, he was worried she had flaws? How bad? Big or little? She wasn’t perfect. Who was? Still, Nikki liked how she looked. She’d never had any body image problems, not even during her marriage to Ty, and didn’t want to start now. What if she didn’t measure up to Connor’s artistic vision of what a Wicked woman should look like?

  “You don’t want to do this,” Mitch warned.

  Oh hell. He didn’t think she’d measure up either?

  Nikki’s shoulders slumped. She thought about the faint scar on her knee from a spill on her bike when she was ten. Would that count against her? And what about the mole near her navel? Did they expect flawless skin? Did anyone have that? There were always moles, marks, freckles. Oh shit, her freckles. She’d never been crazy about them, but thankfully they were only across the bridge of her nose hidden beneath her makeup.

  Had Connor and Mitch remembered them? Could they see the freckles beneath her foundation? Was that going to make them say no? Would she leave here without a job? What would she tell her parents? What would they—

  Hold it—screw this. She needed to work and by God she was going to do it at Mitch and Connor’s club. She might not be movie star gorgeous, but she was damn attractive. Her effect on both brothers was clearly evident behind their flies. From the brief glimpses she’d managed, Nikki sensed their thick, hard cocks were competing with each other, trying to prove which man could fuck her raw.

  That would come later with each of them, she hoped.

  Nikki rested her hand on Mitch’s arm. His muscles bunched, their solid bulk and his heated skin sending ribbons of desire through her. She saw the same longing in his hooded eyes.

  “Yeah, I do want this,” she said, leaving no room for argument, then spoke to them both. “I’ll be more than happy to strip for you.”

  Eager in fact. She’d waited fifteen years for this moment and she was going to give them quite a show.

  Chapter Two

  She was actually going to do this.

  Mitch couldn’t believe it. Transfixed, he watched Nikki release the top button on her blouse. The rich blue silk folded back, creating a deeper V that dipped toward her cleavage.

  She inhaled slowly. To calm herself? To gather strength? Mitch hadn’t a clue. With the next button freed, the fabric fluttered away from her body, creating shimmering waves of color that rippled over the swell of her lush breasts and taut nipples.

  He swallowed, his mind going places it shouldn’t—the faint saltiness of those rigid peaks on his tongue, his mouth drawing them deeper inside, suckling hard while his hands roamed her naked ass and between her thighs, his fingers reaching her damp slit, slippery with arousal, hot and ready for him.

  Yeah, I want to do this, she’d said.

  With more resolve than Mitch would’ve guessed he owned, he wrapped his hand around Nikki’s wrist, stopping her.

  She regarded him questioningly, her vulnerable expre
ssion tearing away all of his barriers, her satiny skin and magnolia scent making his cock stand at attention. If his balls got any tighter, he’d be in serious pain. Physical as well as mental. He should have brought his hand back, but couldn’t, driven to touch her, convincing himself she was real. That she’d actually returned.

  She appeared far younger than twenty-nine, more like the girl he’d fallen in love with so effortlessly, so foolishly. Back then, Mitch had told Nikki about his dream to run a business—maybe a pizza parlor if he was very lucky—so he, Connor and their grandmother would finally have enough to eat. He’d confessed his worry that he might not be good enough to succeed, revealing nearly all of his fears, stuff he hadn’t even shared with Connor. He’d given his ego to her for safekeeping and look where that had led. Much of him still regretted how easily he’d trusted, while a part had never quite given up on her. Nikki had done a good enough job of that.

  Her most recent news photos had shown a woman shamed and frightened by the events swirling around her, no longer the feisty girl he recalled who loved to roughhouse and tease. A few minutes ago, when she’d stood her ground with him and Connor, a bit of her sass had returned.

  Mitch liked that and how well she’d filled out. Even clothed, her body was ripe, her narrow waist accentuating her full breasts and the womanly flare of her hips. Her dark auburn hair hung well below her shoulders, the wavy tresses artfully mussed as they would be after a satisfying fuck, the color complementing her blue-gray eyes and ivory complexion. Delicate and pale…almost too pale.

  What happened to the sprinkling of freckles across her nose? Did she have them removed? Damn. For that and a whole lot of other shit, she deserved a spanking, her body bared, bent over his thigh, ass lifted in penitence, obediently accepting her punishment.

  A bead of sweat ran down Mitch’s spine. His clothes had never seemed more restrictive. Maybe he should strip too or behave like a professional, rather than the horny, hopeful teen he used to be. No matter what Connor had claimed, this was nuts.

  “No,” he said, his thumb stroking the side of her hand, his frown on his brother.

  Connor didn’t notice. Given his ruddy complexion, he’d forgotten to breathe during these last seconds, as wanting of her as Mitch. Not that Connor would ever admit to it or give an inch. He’d never been able to reconcile what she’d done to them. Although Mitch appreciated his brother’s caution, that didn’t mean either of them were going to lord it over her or get revenge.

  “Take the check,” Mitch ordered.

  She pulled her hand from his. He had to stop himself from taking it back and hauling her into his arms, kissing her into submission.

  “I didn’t come here for charity,” she said.

  “I’m not offering you any.” He kept picturing them on his desk or sofa, writhing in delight. There was definitely no charity in that, just pure, hard lust. “We’ll call it a loan.”

  Nikki squared her shoulders.

  Not a good move given his current state. Her posture further displayed her breasts. Didn’t she realize that?

  “I can’t pay it back without a job,” she said. “I want this one. I need it. I’ll be the best damn server or performer you’ve ever had at Wicked.”

  “No.” He planted his hands on his hips. “I don’t want you working there.”

  Her lower lip jutted out. She looked at him from beneath her lashes. “You don’t think I’m pretty enough?”

  Okay, now she was playing with him. He liked it, but wasn’t about to let on. “I didn’t say that.”

  Naked pleasure raced across her lovely features. “You don’t think I’m built enough?”

  “We’ll know in a few minutes,” Connor muttered.

  To him, she offered a tentative smile, the type one gives a potential boss. “That you will, and I promise, you won’t be disappointed.”

  More color stained Connor’s face and throat.

  “Neither will you,” she said to Mitch, her smile growing more provocative by the second.

  She really needed a good spanking. Mitch had to settle on stopping her again as she reached for her buttons.

  A breathy sigh escaped her, and then she leaned toward him. Without warning, the old Nikki was back again, no BS. “It’s all right.” She spoke quietly, as though she wanted only him to hear. “I don’t mind. Like I said, I’ve partied with my ex’s friends and acquaintances from Wall Street.”

  Partied or screwed? The distinction sent a spark of rage through Mitch, possessiveness he didn’t much like. “That prick you were married to passed you around?” You let him do that?

  “Oh hey, let’s get something straight. No one passed me around.” Her upper lip curled in offense. “I participated willingly. I have no regrets.”

  “I don’t believe it.”

  “Seriously?” She arched her brows in surprise. “You own a gentlemen’s club and you’re that much of a prude?”

  Connor barked a laugh.

  Mitch spoke through his teeth. “Hardly. What were you trying to do, Nikki? Please that SOB? Make him jealous? What?”

  “I was lonely.”

  Her straightforward answer, the sorrow in her eyes, stunned him to silence.

  “I know it wasn’t the smartest thing to do,” she admitted, “but I couldn’t take it any longer. For years, I felt so alone. I just needed someone to hold me, to really want me.”

  “Your ex didn’t want you?” Surely, she had to be kidding. Hadn’t he ever seen her as she was now, her cheeks rosy, lips parted, eyes pleading? “How’s that even possible?”

  Nikki lifted her narrow shoulders. “Beats me. I think I’m pretty wonderful.”

  Her smile was as shaky as her bravado. She looked so fucking sad, Mitch’s chest ached.

  “Why didn’t you just leave him?” Connor challenged. “Why stay if you claimed to be so unhappy?”

  Jesus. Talk about a lack of finesse. Mitch frowned, a warning for his brother to shut the fuck up.

  Nikki bit her bottom lip.

  “None of our business,” Mitch said.

  “No, it’s okay.” She regarded them both. “I guess I kind of shut down after a while. Ty was gone a lot. I didn’t have anyone close to confide in. My parents…” She hesitated, then sighed. “You have to understand, they’ve always admired Ty. I kept trying to see him as they did. I didn’t want to disappoint them. I’m not proud of it, but I let a lot of crap get in my way and lost my confidence. But I have it back now.”

  “Whoa,” Mitch said, “what are you doing?”

  “Stripping.” She backed away to continue. “I intend to go through with this.” With the last button released, the edges of her blouse parted, revealing the center of her lacy black bra, her milky torso and belly jewelry. A diamond stud with three strands of glittering gems dangled above the gentle curve of her tummy and capris.

  “I was going to get my nipples pierced too,” she said, “but I chickened out. It seemed so painful, you know?”

  Mitch had no idea. He fisted his fingers to keep from touching those sparkling jewels, making them sway back and forth like tiny pendulums, watching them catch the light and drizzle it back to her firm flesh.

  Connor wasn’t as reserved. Moving closer, he actually bent down to study the damn things.

  Nikki didn’t shrink back, her confidence seemingly returned. “Is the jewelry going to be a problem at the club?”

  A moment passed before Connor answered. “Depends.”

  “On what?”

  “If any of your lovers are the jealous type and can identify this piece when they show up.”

  “I don’t see how they could,” she said immediately. “I haven’t had sex in nearly a year. How about you?”

  Connor blushed like a girl. Mitch couldn’t help but smile.

  Nikki asked, “Wouldn’t they recognize my face?”

  “No,” Mitch said, then offered, “The ladies wear masks and special makeup so they’re not easily identified.”

  “Then my
piercing won’t be a problem?”

  As expectant as she sounded, Connor’s answer was as strangled. “No.” He cleared his throat and straightened.

  “Good.” She slipped off her blouse.

  Whatever Mitch intended on saying to stop her evaporated, every word he’d ever learned gone. A wave of her fragrance wafted toward him, delivering the flowery scent along with her womanly musk…earthy, succulent. He struggled for composure. To do the right thing.

  The sight of her bra stopped him. Even if his secretary ran in here now, screaming that the place was on fire, he’d be hard-pressed to care.

  Nikki’s bra was a confection of lace and satin, the cups cut so low the edges exposed the tops of her nipples. They were delightfully pink, blushing within the soft, white globes.

  It was enough to bring a man to his knees. How many times had he dreamed of seeing her again, not remotely believing it would be anything like this. Even his teenage fantasies and the erotic films Connor directed didn’t come close.

  She held out her blouse to his brother. Mitch expected Connor to toss it on the sofa, passing up the chance to press the fragile fabric to his face, savoring her scent. To Mitch’s surprise, Connor draped the garment over his arm, treating it with respect.

  Nikki glowed with gratitude at the simple kindness. If Mitch hadn’t believed her before about being treated badly by her ex, he did now.

  “Will I be able to start tonight?” she asked.

  Connor spoke before Mitch could. “If everything goes well.”

  “I see.” Her breasts wiggled prettily with her breathing. If she doubted her female allure, she sure as hell didn’t show it. “How’s it going so far, Connor?”

  He ran his thumb over his bristly jaw, his full attention on her chest. “Is that a push-up bra?”

  Nikki laughed, the tinkling sound filling the room. “I don’t need one…you can see that, right?”

  She stroked the bottoms of her cups, the thin satin fabric protecting her breasts. The only padding there was what nature had provided.