by Tania Joyce
During his team discussions, rather than sitting and going along with what everyone scheduled into Everhide’s calendar, he now spoke up. He made sure that there were breaks, days off, so he’d be able to fly home and see her. There’d be no more than a week or two apart. He wanted to assure her she could trust him, and committed. For him, it was as if someone had flicked a switch. He only had eyes for Kara.
With Kyle, Gemma and Emily, their new stylist, they neared Bryant Park. The summer heat penetrated the windows, the car’s air-conditioning struggled to keep everyone cool. Beside him, Emily fidgeted and fussed with her folders, her cell phone, her dress. His hand twitched and clenched. He just wanted her to sit still.
Margo had resigned after tour due to poor health—the doctors had discovered a problem with a valve in her heart, and she needed surgery. It didn’t matter what Everhide offered her or how much they’d begged her to stay. She declined. Emily, her assistant, had stepped into the role.
Things wouldn’t be the same without Margo. She’d worked for them since they signed their first record deal. Just when things were falling into place in his personal life, one of the wheels that kept Everhide moving fell off.
Emily had much to live up to. She hadn’t impressed him to date. She’d mixed up times for appointments, brought wrong outfits to a photoshoot, and forgot to pack essential belts and shoes. Hunter’s tolerance had worn thin.
But his mood lifted when the car turned onto 42nd Street.
Gemma, sitting opposite him, clapped, her face bright and cheerful. “I love dress-up day.”
Kyle ran his hand down Gemma’s thigh. “Ah, the fun of being measured, fitted, and toyed with like a ragdoll for hours. The only good thing about it is I get to see you in your underwear for the majority of the afternoon.”
Hunter pushed his Ray-Bans farther onto the bridge of his nose. Watching Gemma and Kyle together made him miss Kara. She’d left for work this morning before he woke.
At the building’s entrance, the four of them piled out of the car and took the elevator up to Conrad’s studio. Hunter followed everyone into the large reception area decked out in Conrad’s signature black and orange. While the black furniture and carpet were elegant, the orange chairs, and abstract art were as eccentric as Conrad himself.
Conrad burst through the double doors that led to the offices and workrooms. Hunter bit his cheek to stop himself from laughing. In his bright orange trousers and shirt, and with his peroxided unruly hair, Conrad looked like he was channeling his inner Andy Warhol. “Are you ready, my sweets? Come on through.”
Entering the large private fitting room Hunter had hoped to see Kara. All he saw was Jasmine, her pale pink hair twisted into two knobs on top of her head, unzipping garment bags by the mirror-lined wall. Between her and Conrad, there was no lack of color.
Hunter skimmed over the tables full of purses, belts, ties, and shoes that lay by the large windows. Nothing cool caught his eye. But the white backdrop mounted on the far side of the room for photos brought a smirk to his face. What stupid poses could he come up with today? It was time for Emily to see what it was really like to work with Everhide.
The door on the opposite side of the room flung open, and Kara walked in. His pulse jumped. She placed her laptop on the work desk and smiled at him. His stride didn’t falter. He scooted across the room and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She smelled of her J’Adore perfume. Mmm. “Missed you this morning.”
She blushed and patted his forearm. “Some of us work during daylight hours.”
He stole a quick kiss from her lips. “Hey . . . I was up early. My first meeting was at ten.”
“That is early for you.” A teasing smile rippled across her lips. How he’d love to kiss them more, but this was work time, not play.
Conrad stood at the end of the racks and clicked his fingers. ““Righto. Let’s get started. Emily, can you help Kara with Gemma’s dresses? Jazzie and I will do the guys’ suits.”
Hunter jerked his head in Conrad and Jasmine’s direction and kept his voice low. “How are they today?”
Since Kara had come back to work, he’d been worried about her. Conrad had ordered her back into couture and VIP client design. She’d complained about how uncomfortable it was to work with Conrad and Jasmine every day, that he was rude and even more arrogant than before.
She glanced toward Conrad and Jasmine and grumbled, “If they can refrain from groping each other and he doesn’t talk to me like I’m a peasant, I’ll be fine.”
Where was Conrad’s regard? Hunter wished there was something he could do to make Kara feel better and love her job again. Seeing her upset formed an ache deep inside his chest. “You let me know if he pisses you off.”
She fumbled to pick up her pen on the desk. “It’s okay. You just behave.”
Hunter felt Conrad’s gaze on him. His spine stiffened, and he turned. Conrad glared down the bridge of his nose in their direction. What is his problem?
Hunter didn’t have time for whatever was up Conrad’s ass. He spun back to Kara. “Time to work, babe.”
She nodded and slipped over to join Gemma and Emily. He rubbed his hands together and sashayed toward the rack of clothes. He loved fashion. It made him feel good. He eyed suit after suit, shirt after shirt. But he winced at some of the bold color choices and quirky fabric patterns. He hadn’t picked any of those. What the hell?
Jasmine batted her eyelids and kissed Conrad, for longer than what Hunter deemed professional. Ergh.
Hunter cleared his throat, loud enough for all to hear. Jasmine peeled herself away from Conrad. A coy smile lit her face. She grabbed a suit off the rack and held it toward Hunter. The bright red fabric strained his eyeballs. He ignored Jasmine and gave Emily a questioning look. “Who ordered this?”
Emily pointed her chin toward Conrad as she zipped Gemma into a black cocktail dress. “Conrad suggested we try some bold new colors.”
“Really?” Hunter slipped off his shoes and stripped down to his Calvins. “I don’t mind red, but this is wrong.” Hunter pulled on a silky white button-down shirt and the horrendous jacket and pants. He swung his arms about, and shook his legs, but everything was tight and itchy.
Conrad slid over to him after handing Kyle a white shirt. He brushed his hands over Hunter’s shoulder line and examined the suit. “It was Jazzie’s idea. The color is fun. Brings out your vibrant personality.”
Hunter looked at his reflection in the mirror and screwed up his nose. “Yeah, but I’m not this vibrant.” He rolled his shoulders and tugged on the sleeves. “You have all our measurements, Conrad. Why does this feel small?”
Had he put on weight?
Conrad straightened the lapels on Hunter’s jacket. “Jazzie suggested streamlining the cut.” He took a step back, pursed his lips together and looked Hunter up and down. “You look fabulous. The skinny-leg trouser is in.”
“I don’t care what’s in.” Hunter twisted the leg of the suit around his thigh, but it wouldn’t sit right. “I don’t like it.”
Hunter turned to Kyle for his opinion. But when he saw that Kyle was dressed in the same style of suit only in bright blue, Hunter pointed and burst out laughing. “You look like a fucking Smurf. That’s hideous.”
“And you look like a freaking popsicle.” Kyle held his belly and laughed. “Conrad, these suits are rancid. I’m not wearing this.” Kyle ripped off his clothes and handed them in a bunched-up mess to Jasmine.
Jasmine’s mouth gaped, and the color drained from her face.
Gemma turned to Conrad and stretched the high neckline of her sequined outfit. “And why have you changed the style of this dress? What’s with the puffy sleeves? I don’t do puffy. This isn’t what I wanted.”
Jasmine’s chin trembled. She burst into tears and rushed from the room.
“Now look what you’ve done.” Conrad threw his hands in the air. “You didn’t have to upset her like that. Jazzie worked really hard on these designs.”
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�Sorry. Not our problem.” Hunter removed his jacket and held it out to Conrad on his hooked finger. “Next time, please ask us before you change the styles and colors. Don’t waste our time.” Hunter impressed himself. He’d kept his tone civil, his manners in check, and his real opinion of Conrad on mute.
When he first met Conrad six years ago, Hunter had been inspired. Conrad had been a young successful businessman and great designer. But since hooking up with Jasmine, he’d changed. For the worse. Hunter used to think Kara had been the one suffocating Conrad, but maybe it was the other way around. She’d been the driving force and the power behind the designs. The one who’d added the wow factor to Conrad’s creations.
Conrad’s loss was his gain.
Kara snatched the jacket off Hunter’s finger and hung it up. “Conrad, I told you they wouldn’t like the designs. I know the style they like. So do you.”
Conrad ripped the coat hangers along the rack and grabbed another outfit for Kyle. “Your boyfriend, Kyle and Gemma are just being difficult.”
“No, they’re not.” Kara fumed. “You made a poor call letting Jasmine make those suits and changing Gemma’s dress without her approval.”
“Umm.” Emily’s timid voice quivered. “I’m sorry. I authorized the changes to the dress, but not the suits.”
Gemma’s eyes widened, and her jaw clenched. A red rash crept up the side of her neck. “Don’t ever change something I’ve ordered. Got it?”
Yet another mistake from Emily. She’d better learn fast and not mess with their clothes.
Emily lowered her head and nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
Kara flicked her ponytail over her shoulder. “Conrad, be grateful that we’re friends with these guys, and we can talk about any issues. Other clients may not be so forgiving.”
Hunter had never heard Kara talk to Conrad like this. Ever. Her newfound directness. Her no-nonsense attitude. He loved it. He loved her standing strong and defiant, and putting Conrad in his place.
Hunter whispered to her, “You. Feisty. Total turn-on.”
“Behave,” she mouthed.
By all means. He wanted this fitting over and done with.
Kara chose a new jacket for him and slipping it on felt better straight away. He turned to the mirror. “Oh yeah. This one’s much nicer.” Tugging on the cuffs of the shimmery black suit, highlighted with a fine silver thread through the fabric, he turned this way and that, studying his reflection in the mirror. It was perfect. Smoking. Sexy. Hot.
Kara straightened his collar and she beamed. “I helped with this one. This is from the range of fabrics you picked last time you were here.” She slid her hands down his chest, across his hips, and over the pleats on the front of his trousers. Every touch made his pulse quicken. He willed his body to remain controlled. But blood flooded toward his groin. His temperature jumped a few degrees.
Shit.
He captured her hand. “You’ll have to stop touching me like that.”
She glanced at his hardening crotch, then met his eyes. Her eyebrow arched into a perfect curve. “Does this happen at all your fittings?”
Heat touched his cheeks. “It’s never happened before.”
“Interesting.” A satisfied smile flitted across her face.
“Kara? What are you doing?” Conrad waved his hand at her before sweeping around Kyle who had changed into a navy-checked ensemble. “Don’t just stand there. Take the hemline up on Hunter’s trousers. Check the seamlines. Make yourself useful.”
Hunter’s fists clenched. He didn’t like the way Conrad talked to Kara. At all. He sucked in a loud breath. His nostrils flared and his mouth twitched into a sneer. Gemma, changing into a gold lacy number, glared at him and shook her head. A warning to keep calm.
Kara sighed and grabbed her pincushion cuff off the desk. She saluted Conrad, got down on her hands and knees, and ran her hands over Hunter’s trouser bottoms. With pins caught between her lips, she mumbled, “This classic cut suits you much better.”
Conrad adjusted Kyle’s sleeves and shot death stares at Hunter, hard and fast.
Hunter’s spine went ramrod straight. He’d had enough. “Conrad, what’s your problem? Is it me, or Kara, or both of us?”
Conrad jammed his hand on his hip. “I have a problem that Kara’s come back to work with a bad attitude. I assume I have you to thank for that. All she does is argue and criticize everything we do.”
“Maybe she’s got a point.” Hunter shrugged. He loved Kara’s blunt sarcasm and wit.
Conrad’s eyebrows shot skyward. His mouth gaped.
Kara took the pins from her mouth and peered around Hunter’s legs. “Conrad, what is wrong with challenging you and making sure the designs are exactly what you want or . . . in this case . . . what the client wants? Or are you upset I’m not submissive and at your beck and call anymore?”
Hunter’s balls jumped at the thought of Kara being submissive. Or maybe she could be the dominant. He’d be willing to try anything with her. His dick throbbed and ached. Definitely not good when she was crawling around the floor and jostling near his groin. Oh God, please help.
“Kara.” Conrad’s tone was clipped and cold. “It’s not your place to criticize me. You should support the bold direction I’m taking with the designs.”
“It would be easier if the designs had your usual classic elegance.” Kara tugged hard on the bottom of Hunter’s trousers “Not some quirky . . . Smurf-wear.”
Hunter bit his inside cheek to stop himself from chuckling. Conrad’s eyes narrowed into an evil glare, but he didn’t utter another word.
When Kara finished pinning, Hunter helped her to stand. Her cheeks had flushed red. Her hand shook when she wiped her brow. She’d been giving as good as she got, but clearly, Conrad had hurt her. He hated seeing her flustered and upset by Conrad. Conrad used to respect and relish her input. Now he treated her like scum. She deserved better. Hunter lowered his voice. “Do you still like working for this asshole?”
She leaned in to whisper, “You know I don’t. But he’s my boss.”
Hunter’s mind rippled like a Mexican wave. Tension twisted in his temples. Then snap. Everything cleared. A solution formed. Was his thinking rational or was it because Kara was his girlfriend? Kyle and Gemma would pull him into line if he wasn’t.
“Wait here,” he said to Kara, and rushed over to Kyle and Gemma. “Guys, we need to talk.”
He led them over to the photography backdrop, far enough away so no one else could listen. They huddled in a tight circle.
“I know I’m putting you on the spot, but we don’t make decisions without each other. Tell me if I’m way off the mark.” He glanced over Gemma’s shoulder and saw Conrad having heated words with Kara. “I know Emily hasn’t been working for us long, but she’s a freaking nightmare. She’s stuffed up too many times, and we can’t afford that. What if we cut our losses and ask Kara to come and work for us?”
Gemma’s eyes lit up. “I’d love that. Kara would be brilliant. You won’t get any objections from me. I’m over Emily’s screw-ups.”
“Are you sure about this?” Kyle, the logical one, always had to play devil’s advocate. “Are you doing this because Kara’s your girlfriend?”
“For me, the girlfriend thing is a bonus.” He wouldn’t deny that. “Like you and Gem, I’m more than happy to mix business with pleasure.”
“It does have some positives.” Kyle snuck a kiss from Gemma, then gave him an I-hope-you-know-what-you’re-doing look. “Do you think she’d be good at the job?”
“Yeah. She’s got industry experience. She can design. She can source. Work in with our suppliers. She knows what we like. Does she need any other qualifications?”
“Well . . .no.” Kyle dipped his head side to side. “She did a great job in LA and Rio. Emily is making silly mistakes. So . . . I agree with you. I’m in.”
“Hurry up, you lot.” Conrad strummed his fingers on his folded arms. “We haven’t got all day.”
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nbsp; Hunter ignored Conrad, and his excitement got the better of him. “I’m going to ask Kara now. Okay?”
“Hell yeah. Go for it.” Gemma slapped him on the back. “Kyle and I better go and keep Conrad happy. Make it quick. And remember, she could say no.”
If Kara turned down the offer, they needed to find a new stylist. Emily’s days were numbered.
“Kara,” Hunter called, waving her over to join him. Gemma and Kyle gave him the thumbs up and scooted back to Conrad and Emily.
“What’s going on?” Kara stopped in front of him.
Hunter’s stomach flipped, and he fidgeted with a button on his shirt. “We’ve got an idea, something for you to think about. If you don’t like it here at Conrad anymore . . . how would you like to come and work with us? Emily’s not working out. The job’s yours if you want it.”
“What?” Kara’s voice struck a high note. Her eyes darted in Conrad’s direction, even though there was no way he could hear their conversation. “You can’t offer me a job while I’m here at work.”
“Yes, I can. I just did. Kyle and Gem agree.” He kept his tone soft and sure. “Think about it. We can discuss the details later. Working with us would be fun. Unlike here with Conrad.”
“But you’d be my boss?”
“I know.” He half grinned. “Kind of cool, isn’t it? Sleeping with the boss.”
She pointed her thumb in Conrad’s direction. “Been there. Done that. Didn’t work out.”
Ouch. That was a nail gun to the chest. “I can’t imagine the two of you banging like we do.”
She lowered her eyes, and her cheeks blushed. “We didn’t. I’ve never had sex like you and I do.”
“That’s because I’m the best. And you know it.” He blew on his fingers and polished them against his chest. Then he winced and adjusted the crotch of his trousers. “We need to stop talking about sex because my balls are aching.”
“I’ll relieve them later. I promise.” Her eyes shimmered, looking at him through her long, thick eyelashes. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you? About offering me a job?”
