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Hey, guys, you know that job I talked about? Doesn’texist. I’ve been lying to everyone. Also the name’s Nora, but there’s a warrantout for my arrest, and I’d like to avoid going to jail. Oh, yeah, and it’s formurdering the husband I told you I divorced.
She was going to work on her confession. Delivery wasimportant.
“I’m glad because those young men deserve some happiness.”She stopped in front of an ornate door. “Here we are. This is the women’slocker room. We’ve got pretty much anything you could need. Josh let themanager know what you required.”
“I required something?”
Mia grinned as Nic walked into the gracious space. “I shouldhave known. He’s a good kid, but he’s kind of a hard-ass Dom, though I wouldbet he’s indulgent. You have what Josh wants you to have when it comes toclothes and toiletries and such. He’s got excellent taste.”
“That’s good because I would have said get me some soap anda drug store shaving kit and I’ll make it work,” Nicole admitted.
“Yeah, you’ll find your locker is stocked with something alittle more elevated,” Mia said with a chuckle.
The locker room was not like anything she’d ever seen. Itwas posh beyond her wildest dream, with an elegant sitting room complete with abuffet with snack foods and a tea and coffee station. Several women sat aroundin robes, relaxing before their nights began.
“That’s my sister-in-law, Carly.” Mia nodded at the prettybrunette. “She’s written a bunch of cookbooks. Let me tell you her four-cheeseziti is life changing.” She turned as a younger woman in bright pink leggingsand a corset stepped out from behind a row of lockers. “Oh, hey, Harlow. Ididn’t know you were in town. How are your dads? I saw your mom a couple ofweeks ago.”
The lovely woman had an electric blue bob and a face thatcould be on the cover of a magazine. She was tall and graceful yet also managedto have some killer curves. “I heard Mom talked you into buying the wholecollection for the new office. It was a good buy. The artist is very popular.The whole new Western sculpture thing is a mood right now.” Harlow turned herway. “I’m Harlow Dawson, by the way. My mom runs an art gallery up in Dallas.”
“Her mom is Natalie Buchanan,” Mia corrected. “She’sconsidered one of the best painters working today. There’s one hanging in thelobby.”
“The one of the man in blue? It’s pretty,” Nic said, feelingdistinctly out of place among all these wildly successful people.
“It’s one of my dads, thoughshe’ll never say which,” Harlow explained. “If she did then one of them wouldget super jealous. Dad number two can be a man baby. I come from a weirdhousehold.”
“It’s feeling more normal all the time,” Nic admitted. “I’mNicole Mason. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You’re Josh and Grim’s new girl.” Harlow held out a hand.“I’ve heard a lot about you.”
She felt herself flush. “You have?”
“Josh and I are practically family. We grew up together. Hisparents spent a lot of time at a club in Dallas my parents also belong to, somost weekends we ended up hanging out together.” Harlow glanced back at Mia.“And to answer your question about my dads, they’regood. They’re in town, too. We’re here on business, though. And luckily Mom’sback in Dallas, so I get to play tonight.”
“Well, tell them to call me. We can have dinner,” Miaoffered. “Do you mind showing Nic to her locker? I need to get changed myself.”
Harlow smiled. “Of course. She’s right beside me. Come thisway.”
She waved good-bye to the woman who looked so much likeHeather and followed Josh’s friend. Who he’d apparently been talking to abouther. It made her gut clench. It was a good thing, right? He liked her so hetalked about her.
She’d spent so long trying to hide in the shadows any kindof light felt dangerous.
“So you’ve known Josh a long time?” She should keep hertalks as short as possible, but she couldn’t help herself.
“I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know him. He’s acouple of years older than me so he always played the big-brother role.” Harlowled her down a row of beautifully crafted lockers. They were dark wood withbrushed-copper hardware, and each had a name plate. “Josh is protective of thepeople he loves, but you’ve probably figured that out by now.”
There was something about the other woman that put Nic onguard. She was perfectly pleasant, but Nic had learned to trust her instincts,and every single one of them told her Harlow Dawson could be a predator if shewanted to. She wasn’t sure if the feeling came from jealousy, though. She saidall the right things—calling him a big brother—but it didn’t mean she felt likehis sister. “Yes. He’s a great guy, and so is Grim. I’m lucky to know them.There I am. Thanks for showing me around. This place is huge.”
“This place is tiny compared to the club I grew up in.”Harlow didn’t look like she was ready to leave. She leaned against the lockerbeside Nicole’s. “Grim is great, too, though I haven’t known him as long. Joshtold me you’re from Chicago.”
Yes, she was definitely getting a bad feeling from thiswoman. She opened the locker door. “Born and raised. I should get ready. Isthere a place I can shower?”
She hadn’t intended to, but it seemed like a way to shakethe curious Harlow.
“There is, and I’m pretty sure Josh gave you a robe and ashower kit.” Harlow stared for a moment longer. “Well, I guess I should go. I’mactually working a little tonight. I’m waiting on a phone call, so I’ll be inthe lounge until I clear it up. Case is cool, but the man does not allowbusiness calls on his dungeon floor.”
“I hope it goes okay for you.” Nicole pulled out the showerkit which was stocked with luxury brands. She also caught sight of her“clothes” for the evening. Well, they didn’t take up much space.
Harlow stopped at the end of the lockers, looking back. Niccould have sworn her eyes went hard. “Yeah, I hope it does, too. Have a nicenight, Nicole.”
