Strip Search by Shayla Black Read Free Book Online Page A

of your thong!
    "I was hoping you'd call," he offered.
    Nicki tried not to think about all the way she could interpret that statement.
    "Good. Um, can you come down to the club for a few minutes? I'd like to see you." Realizing how that could be construed, she hastily added. "A-about the job, of course."
    The amused surprise on Lucia's face suggested she'd been less than successful in her effort to be strictly businesslike.
    Shocker.
    "I'd love that. I can be there in an hour."
    "Perfect. I'll see you then."
    "I'm looking forward to it."
    His voice was like warm honey, sliding down her skin, seeping inside her. Addictive, powerful--like she suspected the rest of him could be. She really, really hoped hiring him wouldn't be a huge mistake.
    Before she could say something utterly inappropriate and embarrass herself, Nicki slammed the phone down. She sighed as the sudden tension drained from her.
    Behind her, Lucia burst into laughter. "You've got it bad for this guy."
    "Bite me."
    "I think it's Mark Gabriel you'd rather have biting you."
    Nicki rolled her eyes. "How do you know these things?"
    "I watch movies. I read. A lot." She shrugged. "Someday, some man will realize I'm a woman, besides being a professor with a scary IQ. When I find him, I'll be ready."
    "Honey, you will find someone." Nicki hugged her sister, feeling more than a bit guilty for being so wrapped up in business and Mark Gabriel that she never stopped long enough to think that Lucia might be lonely and want a little romance in her life. "I know you will. And I'll help you if I can. Just make sure it's the right guy. Not anyone who works around here. Broken hearts are no fun."
    "I imagine not." Lucia shot her a mischievous glance. "If Mr. Yummy is on his way over, you might want to put on something else."
    Nicki stared down her denim Capri pants and red, oversized Mickey Mouse T-shirt. The perfect thing to wear for taking inventory and doing paperwork. Not so perfect for this occasion.
    "Good point. I should look more professional."
    "I was going to suggest sexy."
    "I'm giving the man a job!"
    "Maybe, but you'd like to give him more."
    The smile Lucia flashed at Nicki was anything but virginal. "Okay, who's been giving you these books you're reading?"
    "I'm a smart girl who knows her way around the library."
    Then she walked out the door, leaving Nicki all alone with her impure thoughts.
    Trudging her way up to her apartment on the third floor, she reconsidered. Did she really want to hire Mark Gabriel? Wave temptation under her nose every night? It wasn't too late to back out ... Besides, the attraction might be totally unreciprocated. Not only could he flirt, but he could also seem so genuine, like the woman he looked at was the only woman who truly mattered. Nicki snorted. No doubt, that got him laid a lot.
    Even if the attraction wasn't one-sided, Nicki didn't see a lot of options. She needed money, and Mark would definitely make it for her.
    Nicki arrived on the club's top floor, which had been divided into four apartments by the building's original owners. She hadn't seen any reason to change that. In fact, living above the club was incredibly convenient.
    On her way to her own unit, she passed the other three. Thanks to her uncle's insistence, Pain-in-her-ass Bocelli lived in the first unit on the left. Lucia was crashing this summer in the apartment down the hall from him. Nicki enjoyed having the place farthest back, since it was the biggest and offered the most privacy.
    The unit on the right, just before hers, sat empty. Too bad she couldn't rent the silly thing out, not even to another employee. Not for lack of trying. But who wanted to live above a male strip club, other than people who worked there? All of the guys at the club either had wives or partners or live-ins or, like Zack, took care of his ailing grandfather. Despite multiple ads in local papers, the apartment remained vacant Which sucked. The extra money might have freed up some of her