Page 2 of Holiday Hook-Up
“Mr. Nick?” How hard did that woman knock into me? I raised a brow and followed her toward the staircase, momentarily taking in the festively decorated lobby.
“That’s right. Saint Nick, to be exact.” She laughed. “I figured I’d switch up your alias to something a bit more festive.”
“The point of the alias is to not draw attention,” I grumbled. “Anyone who looks at the guest list and sees a Mr. Saint Nick checked in will automatically know that the name is bullshit.”
I shook my head and hoisted my luggage up step by step. Was the elevator broken or did she enjoy torturing me?
“Live a little. It’s Christmas. Maybe some attention is exactly what you need.”
I narrowed my brows as we reached the third floor.
“Last I checked, I didn’t pay you to give me personal advice,” I said.
I was messing with her and she knew it. Felicity was one of the only people in my life who I could let my hair down with. She knew how to put me in my place, and if I was truthful with myself that’s the main reason I’ve kept her around for so long. She’s kind of shit at running my calendar these days. Being newly married and six months pregnant might have something to do with that.
“True, that’s an added bonus for my favorite recluse of a boss,” she said with another laugh.
I followed her waddling steps down the long hallway, not missing the way she held her lower back.
“You doing okay? I don’t want you working too hard.”
We stopped in front of a white double door trimmed with ornate detailing. She pulled out a key card, swiping it into the lock.
“I’m fine. But I won’t lie, knowing I have a few weeks of vacation ahead of me has me counting down the minutes.” She stepped aside, allowing me to step into the suite. “I could use a straight week of Christmas movies, junk food, and all the sleep I can get.”
“If that’s what you want you better tell that husband of yours he’ll have to answer to me if you don’t get it,” I joked. What could I say? Felicity had become like a little sister to me in all the years she’d been my assistant. I couldn’t help but worry about her.
Dragging my luggage in front of the walk-in closet, I surveyed the suite. They’ve updated since I was last here. The sizable sitting area exuded comfort with cream-colored plush couches styled with throw pillows and expensive blankets folded just so. Luxurious but still inviting. I approved.
To the right, I spotted the fully stocked kitchenette. Not that I’d be using it, except to try whatever whiskey they kept in the mini bar if I felt so inclined. I watched Felicity head straight to the snacks, opening a bag of trail mix and popping a few bites into her mouth.
“Make yourself at home. My snacks are your snacks,” I said with a smirk.
She tilted her head and laughed. “In that case, I’ll take these cookies too.”
Man, I’d miss her while she was away. Besides her and Aiden, I limited my daily conversations to a handful of people. I liked it that way, even if it did get lonely sometimes.
I moved to the bedroom. The massive bed looked so damn comfortable. If Felicity wasn’t here I’d toss my jacket to the side and crash onto it for a fifteen minute power nap.
“Looks good?” she asked, coming to my side.
“Yeah, I don’t need much. You know that. Just a quiet place to work and pass out at the end of the night.”
“Uh huh, that’s why you pitched a fit last month when that hotel in Atlanta only had queen-sized beds, not king. You’re more high maintenance than you let on.”
“If you were 6‘4″ you’d know how it felt to perpetually have your feet hanging off the edge of a bed.”
She laughed, heading toward the door. “Before I head out, party prep is all in order. As I said before though, that manager, I think his name is Woods… anyway, he’s something else. I don’t know how we’ve managed to get as much done as we have today with him getting in the way.”
I chuckled. I’d never met the guy in person, but from our few phone interactions I knew what she meant. “Take your team out for a nice dinner on me before you all head back to New York. Give them my sincere thanks.”
“Or you could come downstairs and thank them yourself. Maybe introduce yourself to the staff?” Her brows raised and her lips resembled a dash mark, her ballbusting look.
I met her at the door, giving her a little nudge out into the hallway. “You know that’s not going to happen,” I said in a playful tone. “Now get going, I don’t want you driving too late. The ice gets bad out there. And don’t forget to check in with me when you get home. Let me know you’re alright.”
I shut the door as she shot back a sassy remark that had her laughing to herself down the hallway.
Sighing, I removed my jacket and shoes, settling down on the sofa and pulling my phone from my back pocket. I had one reason for being here in Greyridge. Christmas or not, I needed to focus on the transfer of ownership for the club. I still couldn’t believe I let Aiden talk me into this. It wasn’t the money. I got the place for a steal. It was the whole,I own a sex clubthing. Not something I’d ever thought Connor Industries would invest in, especially after the company scandals when my father was CEO. I wasn’t a prude—far from it, in fact. So why did it feel like someone was bowling in my gut?
