Page 8 of Cheap Heat

Which pissed me off even more, quite honestly, but it was the truth. Ewen was a jacked-up meathead. I was short and wiry, and I didn’t lift weights. The only exercise I enjoyed was running on my treadmill in the privacy of my own home while watching sci-fi reruns or listening to a podcast.

A knock on the door made me jump and drop my phone into my lap. I hissed as it nailed me in the dick, then darted a panicked glance at the lock screen on my monitor when the door opened and the boss, Holt Hector, poked his head in. I hadn’t even attempted to start work yet.

Luckily, no password had been set up for me yet, so I was able to load my desktop with a single sly click as I gave him a stiff smile.

“Hey.” He walked into the room and closed the door behind him, then moseyed over to the desk. “Just wanted to see how you’re settling in.”

“Good.” I nodded quickly, trying to look busy by reaching for my mouse and opening up the control panel on screen. “All fine.”

“Excellent.” He grinned at me. I hadn’t seen many empyns, and Holt Hector’s face was pretty interesting. I wasn’t into dudes, but I could see he was a good-looking guy. Probably even pretty to some, with his long, shiny hair and the dark eyeshadow smudged around his pink eyes.

And he looked good in a suit and heels. I’d give him that. I eyed his high-heeled platform boots with muted respect as he sauntered closer.

“Met the wrestlers?” he asked with a dry smile.

“Uh, yeah.” I cleared my throat. “Interesting bunch.”

He chuckled. “They are. And did you meet Taylor?”

His grin grew softer, wobbly pupils practically turning into lovehearts.

“Yep.” I nodded. “Nice guy.”

“Yes, he is,” Holt murmured huskily, that grin turning a little salacious as he glanced back at the door.

“So, uh… anything in particular you want me to get started on today?”

Hector faced me again and shrugged, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Whatever order works best for you.”

“I’ll get started on the website then.” I quickly typed in the name of a domain registrar I was familiar with, just so it looked like I was being efficient. “Get that new online booking system up and running as soon as possible.”

“Sounds good. And if you need anything”—he waved a hand and gave me a friendly smile—“just ask Lark.”

Ask the airhead? No thanks.

“Will do,” I said flatly.

“You know the hours and stuff, right? Monday through Wednesday it’s more standard office hours, but I’m not fussy about when you show up. Just as long as you get your…” He gestured vaguely at my monitors. “You know. Work done.”

I was pretty sure Hector had absolutely no idea what I’d actually be doing here, but that was fine. He didn’t need to. And I wasn’t a slacker. I always got my work done. I took pride in it.

“Thursday through Sunday is late afternoon to about one a.m. because of the shows. And just take days off when you want. I mean, give me notice first, and it’s better if you don’t take a day off when the wrestling’s on…”

“I won’t.” I’d be a one man show streaming the wrestling online, so I’d have to be here.

I’d have to watch the live feed for every show. I’d have to watch Ewen wrestling. Ugh. I bet he wore a stupid outfit.

In fact, I knew he did. Larkin had briefly shown me the arena before bringing me back here, and the walls of the corridor that led to it were lined with posters of the wrestlers and past show line-ups. I’d seen the one of Ewen. In his stupid cowboy outfit. With his stupid tiny cut-off jean shorts and open sleeveless shirt and cowboy hat.

He’d looked stupid.

“Okay, great.” Hector paused, shifting in front of me. “Well, uh, I guess I’ll leave you to it, then.”

“Sure.” Remembering to be polite, I tacked on, “Thanks.”

Hector nodded and turned for the door. He closed it behind him, but I was still able to hear him cross the corridor and knock on the door opposite. He didn’t wait for a response, just opened it before saying in a sultry voice, “I have very important and sexy business to discuss with you, Mr. Hough…”

I cringed. God, was I going to have to listen to the boss and the marketing manager fucking across the hall all the time? Luckily, he closed the door behind him and the sounds were muffled enough that I couldn’t make anything else out.