Unmasking Charlotte (a Taboo Love series) (12 page)

“I’m sorry, man,” he says quietly, still not meeting my eyes.

“What?” I ask, unable to understand his mumble.

“I shouldn’t have brought them. Sorry,” he says again.

“Thank you, but you have no reason to be sorry. You didn’t make them act foolish.”

“Yeah, but I knew their history with Charlie. And I als
o know that you are interested in her,” he adds.

I nod my head acknowledging that I understand what he is saying. I clasp my hand on his shoulder as I stand up. “No harm, no foul. Just don’t bring those ass clowns around anymore.”

He nods and smiles. “Sure thing, C-dog. We cool?” he asks, and I can see the sincerity in his eyes.

I push my hand toward him and we fist bump. That’s as close as it gets with guy to guy affection. Man hugs are reserved for extreme circumstances. This does not constitute one.

I smile back at him fondly. Nick may be my closest confidant, but Parker is like a brother to me.

“We cool.”

Chapter Five

Calvin

I woke up early this morning because I felt the need to go for a run. I need to clear my head. Charlotte is doing a number on my nervous system. Of course, it is foggy and drizzling, so I opt for the gym in my building. They have plenty of treadmills that I can bang this shit out of my head on.

It has been a few days since the whole poker debacle - and a lot longer since I have seen my delectable little peach - and I still can’t wrap my mind around the enigma that is C
harlotte Fisher. I usually pride myself on knowing women – what they want, how to make them feel good, how to extract a smile at the drop of a hat – but she has me completely stumped. Stupefied. And I don’t like it. I need to know what she is thinking. What she is feeling.
Shit, I sound like a goddamn woman.
Because of this, and because I don’t want to acknowledge what that kiss meant or how it made me feel, I have been a complete pussy and have avoided her altogether.

I bang around in the gym for a couple of hours longer than I usually do then decide it is finally time to get my head out of my ass and go to work. Monica is supposed to be back today and I need to brief her about the moron that filled in for her at the front door of the club over the weekend and for the past few days. The one I will be firing. I can’t tolerate ineptitude.

I pull into work and the parking lot is virtually empty. By dinnertime, it will be packed to the gills. We do have clients come in and out throughout the day. They usually just want to use a private room for a few hours. Since we pride ourselves on anonymity and discretion, we have a bunch of high profile men – judges, politicians, city officials – that come in and take advantage of the quiet hours. Some rent the room by the hour, and some have a standing reservation for a specific room for months in advance. As long as they are paying their bills, it’s none of my business what they are using it for or who they are using it with, as long as they pass their backgrounds.

I grab a bunch of paperwork and crap from my car
, and head in. Of course, Monica is at the front door. I never have to worry about her doing her job, whether I am here or not. It is nice to have employees you can trust and rely on.

“Hey, mama, how was your time off?” I ask as I approach her.

She smiles genuinely. “Oh, it was so good! Thanks for letting me have a weekend.”

“Well, don’t get used to it.” I chuckle. “That replacement you trained sucked balls. She’s out.”

“Shit, sorry Calvin. I really thought she could handle it.”

“Not your fault, h
un. But no more night’s off ‘til we can find someone as good as you!” I say in all seriousness, but wink at her, trying to soften the blow that I just told her she couldn’t take another night off anytime soon.

“I understand. So, how was your weekend? Poker night
, right?”

“Yeah, it was cool. I had fun with my boys. Took a bunch of their money.” I chuckle at the memory of Nick’s face when I won the biggest pot of the night against him. Why he would go all-in with a pair of sevens is beyond me. He must have thought I was bluffing.
Asshole!

When I come back to the present, I remember my manners. “Did you do anything fun?” I ask her.

At this point, I really don’t care. Not to be an ass or anything, but discussing information regarding her personal life is not a line I want to cross. I like the friendly banter, but ultimately, I am her boss, and I need to keep clear boundaries. I also don’t want her to get the wrong idea. I would never screw an employee!
That’s all Nick! Ha! I crack myself up!

“Actually, yeah, I had a great weekend! I went to check out that new wine bar that just opened.”

“Uh huh. Okay, was it nice?” I feign interest.

“So much fun. They were having a speed dating night, so I decided to join in for the hell of it.”

“Sounds interesting.” I throw in there. Is she done talking yet? She is a great employee, but damn, does she ever shut up?

“That wasn’t the interesting part…
” she says like she has a secret.

I quirk an eyebrow at her but don’t say a word. If she wants to tell me she can, but I am not go
ing to beg for information. But then she answers my eyebrow. And it’s the last thing I expect to hear. I am knocked on my ass!

“I ran into your friend there. The one that just got engaged to Nick…” is all she says and my blood begins to boil. Why is Delilah at a singles’ bar?

“No way. Are you sure it was her?” I ask not believing her. She must be mistaken.

“Yeah, Cal. She was there with that girl that she always comes here with. The curly blonde with the rockin’ bod.”

“Charlotte?” I ask. No way would she do that. She could have her pick of men.

“No, that doesn’t sound familiar.”

I take a breath of relief for a second before my brain kicks back in.

“Charlie?” I ask this time, knowing that is the nickname she goes by here at the club – and everywhere else. God damn, Charlotte! She is supposed to use an anonymous nickname, not one that anyone outside of these four walls could track her down.

“Yeah! Charlie.” Monica exclaims, proud that she figured out the puzzle. Little does she know that I am freaking the fuck out on the inside.
Son of a bitch!

I hand my shit to Monica and tell her to put it
in my office. I tell her I won’t be back until tonight and walk the fuck out the door. I need to talk to Nick. Now. But how the fuck do you tell your best friend that his fiancée is speed dating at singles’ bars? Shit. Let’s hope he doesn’t shoot the fucking messenger.

More Calvin
…

I walk through the maze that is the Santino Law Firm and make my way to Nick’s private wing. As soon as Delilah spots me, she jumps out of her seat from behind her desk and steps into me, giving me a tight hug. She has a huge smile on her face, genuinely happy to see me. I tamp down my anger toward her and hug her back. It’s so hard being upset with someone so wonderful. I need to speak to Nick and get to the bottom of the situation before I do or say something to Delilah that I would regret.

“Hey, Little Bit. Your man available?”

She smiles back at me with such affection, my heart starts hurting for all of the bad things I was thinking about her on my way here.

“Of course. Always for you,” she answers and lets out a cute laugh snort. She is so awkwardly adorable. I totally get what Nick sees in her. They are perfect for each other. Shit! Am I going to crush their relationship by what I am about to discuss with Nick?
Fuck, I’m an asshole.

I let out a small chuckle. Partly from her comment about him always being
available for me - even though he is the busiest motherfucker I know - and partly from the nose snort.

“Yeah, I guess he is. He’s e
ither at work, or I know I can find him with you,” I say and wink.

Delilah blushes but then shakes it off. I love flirting with her, even though I know she is completely committed to Nick. At least I think she is.
Shit!

Delilah heads back behind her desk and picks up her phone. She calls to Nick through her intercom.

“Hey, babe?”

“Yeah, Doll,” Nick answers in his “personal” voice. I have never heard him be anything but professional in his office, and for a second, I am caught off guard.

“There is a big, strapping man here to see you,” Delilah tells him, and I notice she is sporting a wry smile.

“Is he about six five, black hair?” he asks, playing her game.

Delilah looks me up and down, checking me out. Then looks me in the eyes before speaking. “And handsome. Very handsome.”

“Delilah…” He bites out in warning
.

“Yes, Boss?” she asks coyly, but knows she is dancing toward the line that will get her into trouble.

“Send him back, please.” Nick requests politely, but we both know he is becoming impatient.

I see a glint in Delilah’s eyes and now I know she is doing it all on purpose, just to rile him up.

“You mean I can’t keep ‘em?”

“Delilah…” Nick barks and I know he is done with the game.

I step around Delilah’s desk, gently take the phone from her, and hang up.

“I better go in there before he comes out and drags us both in by our hair,” I say jokingly.

Delilah chuckles and shocks the hell out of me with her next statement.

“That may not be such a bad thing.” Then she winks at me. She fucking winks at me!

“On that note…” is all I can get out before opening the door to Nick’s office and walking in.