Fierce Salon Episode 1: A New Adult Smexy Serial (5 page)

Chapter Eight

Nate

Since
Marilyn gave me the truth about why Mom invited me to dinner, I’ve been in a bad mood. Apparently, Dad has a business associate with a daughter ‘about my age’ and single. That has to mean ugly or obnoxious or both.

Ugly I could probably
handle but obnoxious is a deal breaker. I’ve been with obnoxious. I was with obnoxious two nights ago. I’m done with that for a while.

I don’t mind a quick fuck with someone I’ll never see again but I stay away from people that my family associate
s with. I learned that lesson when I was twenty and brought home a model that went from my bed to Roman’s on the same night. He was only seventeen.

We’re both lucky we didn’t catch something from her but
I did learn never to bring girls home and Roman learned that he owed me for the rest of his life for that shit.

Desp
ite my better judgment, I haul ass up the hill to the estate I grew up on. There’s a limo in the parking circle. This is unusual. Mom and Dad have wealthy friends but most like to boast about being young and virile enough to cruise around in little sports cars or luxury sedans. No one uses a driver to visit a friend for dinner.

I park my
sporty Lexus behind the black Town Car. When I let myself in the front the house is quiet so I wander toward the kitchen. The sounds of muffled chatter is coming from my dad’s office. He’s sitting at his desk with a glass of scotch while another man is pacing the length of the room. I knock on the doorjamb to get their attention.

“I’m sorry to interrupt.” I nod politely at the stranger then look to my dad. “Where’s Mom?”

“Nathan, son.” Dad stands and opens his arms toward me. “We’ve been expecting you.”

I’m immediately suspicious. There is no reason for my parents to expect anything of me, much less my presence. They wrote me off as a reliable heir years ago. Now I’m just decoration at partie
s and a scapegoat for all that’s wrong in their lives.

“Why?” I
take one step into the room then stop. “What do you need me for?”

Dad laughs off my skepticism. “Son, relax. I just want you to meet our guests.”

I turn toward the white haired man that is appraising me like a side of beef. “Hello.”

He takes one step closer and reaches for my hand. “Nathan, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

I wait for an introduction but it doesn’t come. Finally, I have to ask. “And you are?”

The man la
ughs and pats my shoulder then pulls out a business card and tucks it into my left hand. “Harris Newport of Dorchester Valley Vineyards. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Well, that makes one of us.” I chuckle lightly then glare at my father.
What the fuck is his game?

“Don’t be rude, Nathan.”
Dad is playing the part of devoted father well. “Harry and his family are visiting to discuss some distribution options overseas.”

“Welcome.” I offer a brief nod before turning away.
I’m not getting involved in anything related to the vineyards. Dad bought those as a pet project and they’ve become his obsession. “I’m going to find Mom.”

“Just a second, son.”

Shit. Here it comes. “Yes?”

“The
Newports will be in town through the end of the month.” He takes a deep breath and appeals to me with his eyes. “And their lovely daughter, Audrine, has been bored to tears so far on this trip.”

“Is that so?
” I hold his stare, imploring him to tread lightly so I’m not forced to embarrass him in front of his guest.

He ignores me and my warning.
“I assured her that you’d love to take her on a tour of the city this weekend. She’s quite a lovely girl and wonderful company.”

“I wish I could but
I have an engagement this weekend. Perhaps Roman is free.”

Just then, my asshole of a brother wal
ks in and pats my shoulder. “I’ll be in Vegas this weekend but I’m sure Audrine would love to accompany you on your
engagement
.”

I take his hand off my shoulder and squeeze it. I don’t ease up until he buckles slightly under the pain.
With gritted teeth, I look back toward Mr. Newport. “I’m sure that’ll be fine.”

“That’s for the impound retrieval, big brother,” Roman whispers in my ear as he shakes out his hand.
“Now we’re even.”

I smile and lean into him. “
We’re nowhere near even, fucker.”

He laughs and steps out of my reach. “Mom and the ladies are waiting in the parlor.”

He’s gone before I can kick his ass.

~**~

Audrina is a pretty girl. Just a few years younger than me, she’s surprisingly close to what I would choose in a date. Her legs are long and slim and her chestnut hair flows down to her waist. It’s stick straight and shiny enough for me to know she spends hours getting it just right.

Since I don’t do high maintenance, I quickly dismiss her as anything more than a on
e night fuck. But, since she’s here on business with my father, I don’t put much thought behind it. I’m much more focused on finding a way to get back at my brother.

I’m glaring daggers at Roman when a strong perfume wafts up my nostrils. I hold back a sneeze as I look to Audrina.

“So, Nathan, do you work with your father?”

I hold back a laugh and shake my head.
“Definitely not. I’ve never been interested in his businesses.”

“No?” As s
he takes a sip of her wine, my eyes linger down to her chest. Her dress wraps around the front so I can see almost to the nipple of her small breast. It’s nice.

She notices my wandering eye but doesn’t comment. Instead, she leans closer as if giving me a better peek. “What do you do then?”

“I run a hair salon.” This is where I generally get dismissed as gay. That’d be best case scenario here. But I’m not so lucky.

“So you’re surrounded by beautiful women all day.”

“I am. It’s a rough life but I manage.” My mother catches my eye from across the room and offers an encouraging smile. “And what do you do?”

“Mostly business development but I’m also looking at some local real estate for possible expansion.” Her eyes are glued to my arms as I bring a glass of wine to my lips. They dart up to my mout
h as I take a drink. I have to close my eyes to keep them from rolling.

“That’s cool.” Roman is with Mom and holding back a laugh. “Please excuse me.”

I don’t give her time to respond as I close the distance to my mom in a few long strides. “What’s this all about?”

Roman full-on laughs. “Dad
told you he wanted you to
entertain
Audrina, right?”

I eye
my mother. “He’s not serious, is he?”

Her eyes soften
for a moment. “Honey, don’t be so dramatic. I know you entertain women all the time for your own benefit. You can do this favor for your family.”

My jaw drops. “Are you seriously
pimping me out to get some wine deal signed?”

She laughs awkwardly and smacks my arm.”
Shh.” She glances at the Newports to make sure none are within earshot. Dad has them all at the picture window overlooking his private vineyard. “We’re doing no such thing. We just want to make sure they all enjoy their time on the Peninsula so we can strengthen our relationship. It’s important for the business.”

“You knew about this?” I poke Roman’s chest but he curls away
before I can really make an impact.

“Pay
back’s a bitch, big brother.”

H
ere’s a sneak peak at Fierce Salon: Episode 2.

Amy

When I walk into the salon at exactly nine thirty-two on my first official day, I don’t really know what to expect. I half expect Nate, the gorgeous owner that hired me without checking references, to tell me he was high at the time and ask me to leave the premises.

When I find him waiting at the front desk with the Wall Street Journal, I don’t know what to say. He doesn’t have that same problem.

“You’re late.” He puts down the paper and grabs a coffee cup.

“I’m sorry.” I glance at my phone and then at the clock on the wall. “I thought you said to get here at
nine thirty.”

“I did.” He takes a sip and finally looks at me. “It’s nine thirty four.”

Well, now it is…it wasn’t when I arrived. “Um, okay. I’m sorry about that.” I shift from one foot to the other. “It won’t happen again.”

He nods once. “See that it doesn’t.”

Damn. Four minutes on the job and I’m already in trouble.

He walks toward an empty station in the back and I silently follow. When he sits in the chair I stop short, confused by what he wants me to do next.

“Put your things in the cabinet. The drapes and your smock are in the bottom drawer.” After a moment of me just staring, he finally notices I haven’t moved. “Is something the matter?”

Nate’s crystal blue eyes lock onto mine through the mirror. His features soften like he isn’t pissed anymore but he still doesn’t like me for some reason. I don’t know what I’ve done but it’ll take some effort to win him over.

That’s fine with me. I’ve been underestimated my whole life and I won’t let him or Shane or any other man treat me like I’m too stupid to take care of business.

I square up my shoulders and step to the cabinet.
“Not at all. I’ll be ready in just one second.”

I open up my case and pull out
my favorite shears then slip into the black smock with the words Fierce written across it in teal lettering. I really want this job to work out. I need it to work out. I catch myself tracing the letters with my fingers as Nate clears his throat.
Where’s all this sentimentality coming from? I must be PMSing.

After a deep cleansing breath, I turn toward Nate with the drape in my hand. “So, what are we going to do today?” I
give him my best smile and step behind the chair, carefully attaching the drape around his neck.

He seems to be holding in a smile as he’s watching me. “Well, I could use a half inch off the top.
Nothing drastic.”

I gently rake my fingers through his hair. It’s cool and silky. No products to ruin its texture. My mind briefly imagines doing this in the throes of passion but I shake that thought away and focus on the task at hand.
Keeping my job.

Glancing up at Nate, I see his normally clear eyes are dark and that intense stare is back. This time he doesn’t seem angry or even curious. He’s more…hungry.

Watching his eyes, I see them dart down to my chest. I follow his gaze and realize my nipples are erect and spiking through my shirt and the smock.

Hunching my shoulders forward a bit to l
oosen the fabric, I step fully behind Nate so he can’t see my boobs. “No problem.” I cough awkwardly to clear the rasp from my voice. “Your hair is damp. Did you just wash it or should we get you over to Frankie?”

“Frankie isn’t in yet so you’ll have to do the shampoo.”

“Sounds good.” I can hear the cracks in my voice as I pretend to be cheery and confident. I’m neither and if he doesn’t know it yet, Nate will figure it out soon enough. “Please follow me.”

He nods and stands by the chair, waiting for me to lead him to the shampoo room. So, this is a role playing exercise.
Fan-fucking-tastic.

If you enjoyed Fierce Salon, please consider leaving a review. I know serialized novels aren’t for everyone but if you like to get your books i
n manageable chucks, tell me so I know to keep writing them for you. Love you all and thanks for your support! –Aspen

For updates about new episodes and opportunities for free books, please join my
mailing list at
http://www.aspendrake.com
.