Boyfriend for Hire(51)
That’s right. The last three times I took a woman to bed, I haven’t been able to get it up.
Let’s get one thing straight: there’s nothing wrong with my dick. I still wake up every morning with the little man saluting like a proud soldier.
But when it comes time to actually perform on the job? He’s been as limp and lifeless as a dead fish. Not even a twitch in my pants. Which means that unfortunately I’ve had to come up with an excuse at the last minute to rush out on my most recent dates—and give the ladies a refund, of course—so yeah, my little problem is starting to cost me. And if I’m not careful, it might cost me in more ways than one.
If word gets out that Case fucking Smith can’t get a hard-on, I’m finished. Thank God those women don’t know each other and won’t be able to swap stories. I can’t let anything stand in the way of me making it big—something I’ve been telling myself is just around the corner for months now.
I grew up with nothing, and now I own a home and run a successful business that allows me to employ a half dozen of my friends. Plus, I’m in the process of buying my mom a home close by, something I’ve wanted to do from the moment I understood what bills were and how difficult it was for us to pay them. My dad split when I was two years old, leaving my mom to work her ass off to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads.
It’s always been just the two of us, and it’s about time I returned the favor. Business has been booming these past few years, and I’m so close to finally taking care of her, I can practically smell that fresh coat of paint. Only now, out of nowhere, my dick decides not to cooperate. Which is super inconvenient.
But just because I’ve taken a temporary hiatus from seeing clients doesn’t mean I’m not working. When a major publisher offered me a deal to write a book on sex and intimacy, I jumped at the chance. I’ve slept with more women than I care to remember, and if there’s one topic I know better than any other, it’s sex. This book should be a piece of cake—if I can just find a way to sit my ass in front of a computer and type.
A quick knock on the door snaps me out of my thoughts, and in strolls Ryder, my best friend and one of my employees. Frankly, I’m surprised he even knocked. Most of the time, he strolls in like he owns the damn place.
“Hey, do you have a sec?”
“Ryder Johnson in my office before ten? This must be important.”
He makes a face and plops down in the chair opposite my desk, swinging one arm over the back. His tousled dark blond hair is pushed back off his forehead, and the scruff that normally lines his jaw is gone, which can only mean one of two things. Either he has a date later—and I’m on top of my employees’ schedules enough to know that’s not the case—or he wants something. Bad.
“Nah, dude, I just wanted to come say hey, see what you’re up to.”
I fold my hands and rest my elbows on the desk, raising a single eyebrow.
He smirks. “Fine, you’re right. I have a favor to ask.”
“Lay it on me.”
“I was wondering if you could give my sister a job for the summer. Light office work or something like that. She just graduated from college and needs a way to make some money while she figures out her next move.”
I sigh, running one hand through my hair as the computer dings with new emails. “Look, Ryder, I don’t know. If I go around employing everyone’s little sister that needs a job . . .”
“I get that, but look, she’s not just my little sister. She’s, like, wicked smart. Super organized, crazy driven, totally type A. We don’t really have anyone managing things, and I think she could help out around here.”
He has a point. As if the stacks and stacks of paperwork on my desk didn’t already make that clear.
“Sure, why not. She can start Monday.”
“Really? No interview or anything? You’re giving her the job just like that?”
“What, now you’re telling me she’s not really up for the task? If she’s as smart and organized as you say, this job should be mind-numbing for her.”
“Thanks, man, I really appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it. Now, go find a way to make that fresh shave of yours actually useful.”
Ryder smiles, nodding at the schedule open on my computer. “Got a new client for me, boss?”
“Actually, I think I do. I’ll send you the deets later today.”
He nods and saunters out of my office, probably to play video games and eat my food. Not that I really care. When it comes down to it, he’s good at his job. Having a six-pack and God-given good looks makes it easy.
I lean back in my chair and take a long look around the office.
Ryder’s right. We could use some help on the administrative front. I’ve always managed that side of things myself, but with how busy we’ve been lately, it’s been harder and harder to stay on top of it all. Add a book deadline to the load, and I could very well let one too many things fall through the cracks.
Besides, who knows what this girl’s major was in college? Maybe she can help me out with this book. God knows I could use the help.
Chapter Two
Sienna
“Can you slow down, Ryd? I really don’t want to be late for my first day because you got us pulled over.” I have to practically yell for him to hear me over the unrecognizable electronic music he’s blaring.