Naughty Noelle (Naughty Christmas in July)

Chapter 1

1

HIRO

“ I need a favor.”

“Well, hello to you, too.”

Henry Black is my best friend and while it isn’t unusual for him to call, his ‘jump minion’ tone definitely is. “You missed poker last month.”

“I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”

I pause. Something seems off here. “Okay shoot.”

“Have you already gone up to your cabin?”

“No, but that’s only because I’m finishing a few things up here for a project. I’m heading up tomorrow.”

“Great.” He breathes a heavy sigh. “I need you to take Noelle with you.”

I sit up straight in my office chair. Maybe I didn’t hear him correctly. “Excuse me?” Noelle is Henry’s little sister. She’s almost ten years younger than us and a handful. At least for Henry who has been looking after her and the rest of his siblings, since his father died five years ago.

As a kid, she was mischievous and annoying. Now, she’s a party girl who seems to be trying to give her brother a heart attack.

Too pretty, too rich, and far too spoiled.

“Noelle needs a place to stay for a few days until we can fly home for Christmas.”

“Why me? Noelle hates me.” Or at least she strongly dislikes me. If I had to guess, she sees me as an overly stuffy, grumpy, stick-up-his-ass obstacle to her having a good time.

It’s not really a guess, as she told me that pretty much word-for-word the last time I saw her.

What she doesn’t know is that if I had less honor, I’d love to show her a good time.

“Noelle doesn’t hate you.”

“Mm-kay.” I triple click my pen. “Why do I need to be her babysitter? She’s what? Twenty now?” I pretend like I don’t know that Noelle Black just turned twenty-two on Halloween. Not that I’ve been counting down the months to when it wouldn’t be wildly inappropriate to fantasize about kissing her back, should I ever get the chance again.

While technically she’s an adult, she’s still in college and those days are long behind me. Plus, no matter how old she is, I can’t change the fact that she’ll always be Henry’s baby sister.

“She’s twenty-two, but she may as well still be sixteen for all that she can handle herself. I’ve had some problems, which I thought were limited to some of our business assets, but then someone emailed me photos of Noelle, insinuating she was vulnerable if I didn’t kill this deal I’m working on.” Henry’s voice is hard. “She’s my baby sister. These assholes don’t get to threaten my family.”

Dread trickles down my spine. “What kind of problems? What’s going on?” Henry Black is the head of a vast entertainment conglomerate that includes everything from movie studios to nightclubs. After his father died, Henry had to step into some pretty big shoes, but he’d been training for it his whole life. We’d met while at boarding school and, after he’d punched me in the face for calling him a pampered prince with the most fuckable mother I’d ever laid eyes on, we somehow became best friends.

Henry Black is a golden boy.

I am not. He’s silver-tongued, persuasive, and charming when he wants something. I’m a sarcastic asshole with little patience, and while my techniques might be persuasive, they’re hardly charming.

“It’s not something I want to get into over the phone,” Henry says. “But I’ll tell you as soon as I’m back stateside.”

“Are you safe? Do you need me to call in a team?” The Black empire might be famous and powerful, but mine is well-connected and often operates in the shadows.

“I’m good, I promise. But Noelle might not be. I need you to get to her and get her out. Please keep her safe until I can fly back from Singapore.”

“I know Greyson and Adelaide are with you, but where are Baxter and Oliver?”

“Baxter is in London, and I can’t get ahold of him right now. Oliver is god-knows-where doing god-knows-what. I can’t count on him to get to Noelle in time.”

I nod. Oliver is definitely a wild card, but something Henry says sticks with me. “What do you mean in time?”

“I think she’s in danger. I didn’t want to scare her because she was finishing up exams, but I need eyes on her immediately.”

“She doesn’t have security?”

“Not on campus because it’s never been an issue before. Noelle enrolled under Mom’s maiden name so she could live like a normal girl.” I hear the air quotes in his voice. “Plus, I want to deal with this discreetly. If Noelle is suddenly surrounded by muscle, they’ll know they got to me.”

“Yeah, but if you don’t, whoever ‘they’ are might try to get your attention.”

A pause. “That’s why I need you to go get her.”

“Have you spoken to her?” I ask.

“I have. I wanted her to fly to Singapore, but she refused.”

“What makes you think she’ll agree to come with me?”

“Then do whatever it takes to persuade her. Please, Hiro. You’re the only one I can trust.”

The bar is hot, noisy, and full of horny college students. I tip my red cup to my lips and grimace. This is what passes for bourbon in this place?

I wouldn’t be drinking at all, but the asshole at the door said no one stays without a drink. I glance around, hoping Noelle will miraculously appear, but no such luck. Instead, a young woman in a red velvet bra, trimmed in fluffy white faux fur sidles up to me, opens her full red lips and sticks a candy cane in her mouth. She swirls it around, before sliding it out of her mouth with a pop.

“Are you naughty or nice?” she asks, eying me up and down like I’m her next candy treat.

Jesus. As if all this wasn’t bad enough, the theme for the night is Home for the Holidays to celebrate the upcoming break.

It’s a nightmare sea of red and green, with elf hats and those stupid little necklaces that looks like Christmas lights. Christmas music shakes the walls and I shudder. I just want to collect Noelle and escape to my quiet cabin to wait out all the hoopla. How am I ever supposed to find Noelle in here?

Two women in tiny elf suits brush past me, pushing me closer to Naughty Mrs. Claus. I lean in, raising my voice to be heard over the piercing sounds of Run, Run, Reindeer.

“Do you know Noelle Black?”

“Who?”

Shit. That’s not her name here. “Noelle Williams. Do you know Noelle Williams?”

Naughty Mrs. Claus sucks her candy cane again, her eyes brightening. “Oh, you’re looking for Ellie?” She sweeps her gaze over me again, tongue swirling in blatant invitation. I wait it out until she rolls her eyes and gestures over her shoulder. “Yeah, she’s probably in the back where the pool tables are.”

I push my way through the crowd, past what I assume is a dance floor full of writhing bodies. Near the entrance to what I assume is the pool room, a bunch of dude bros look like they’re demonstrating a football play and one idiot bumps into me, spilling beer on my dark grey suit. I clench my jaw, reminding myself that Henry sounded scared when he called me, which makes my spine straighten in anger. My best friend shouldn’t ever have to worry about the safety of his family.

And to extend that threat to Noelle? Someone has a death wish.

I step inside, expecting a more laidback vibe, but whatever I’m expecting, this isn’t it.

A huge wheel is set-up in the corner, spinning as I watch. A shirtless guy in a red sequined top hat and green bow-tie is riling the crowd up. Next to him is a tiny girl in a Santa hat, her hands over her eyes, as she waits out the spin.

“Striptease!” The guy screams as the arrow slowly ticks to a stop. The girl throws her head back in laughter, accepting a shot glass from a tray being held by another shirtless dude, this one in red pants and black boots. A half-dressed Santa, maybe?

Someone pumps up the music, and I roll my eyes as Santa Baby comes on, the girl getting a boost up onto a nearby pool table amid cheers from the crowd. Her back is to me, as she circles her hips, before dropping into a squat, her red, cheerleader skirt flaring out over a perfectly round ass.

I start walking through the room, looking for Noelle’s auburn hair when a low wolf whistle draws my attention back to the impromptu show. The girl kicks a leg up in a dancer’s pose, running her hand over her candy cane striped thigh-highs, before gracefully lifting her arms and pulling her Santa hat off, tossing it out to the crowd. My jaw goes slack as auburn ringlets spill down the girl’s back.

I’ve seen those curls in my dreams too often not to recognize them.

No freaking way.

Fuck me.

If Henry Black knew his baby sister was gyrating on a pool table, while she slowly unbuttons her white, schoolgirl blouse in front of these slack-jawed yokels…

Unbuttons? Fuck.

A growl escapes me, causing a few heads to turn my way. I push my way to the pool table, reaching in and placing my hand over Noelle’s shoe, one that looks alarmingly like those I’ve seen on actual strippers. “Noelle.”

Startled blue eyes meet mine. “Hiro?” She glances around wildly. “Is Henry here?”

“This guy bothering you, Ellie?” A guy with more muscles than brains leans in, shoving my hand away from her. I’m grateful she has someone in her corner if she’s pulling stupid stunts like this striptease in a room full of drunken frat guys, but right now he’s one more obstacle between me and my cabin.

The music changes and not for the better. I wince as something that sounds remarkably like Alvin and the Chipmunks’ Christmas Song blares out from the speakers. I just have to do this, and I can head to my cabin.

My silent cabin.

I give the guy a look that’s been known to make bigger men piss their pants, but he doesn’t get the message. He’s either too drunk or too stupid and I don’t have time to deal with either option tonight. I raise my hand, offering it to Noelle. “Come here, Noelle.”

I see the hesitation on her face. “Why are you here?” She’s smart enough to know I wouldn’t show up without a damn good reason.

I give my hand a little flick. “Now, Noelle.”

“Now, you just wait here a second, bruh…” The frat guy elbows his way in, and I tense. Noelle is much smarter than this guy and she places her small hand in mine.

I release a breath as I help her down off the table, trying not to notice her soft weight sliding against me in that ridiculous getup. Ridiculous but one hundred percent sexy.

“Where’s Henry?” Noelle asks again. “Is everything okay?”

Shit . I never thought to ask Henry what she knows about what’s going on. If she hasn’t received any threats, I’m scaring her unnecessarily. If she has, seeing me show up unannounced at her college party isn’t helping.

“Henry’s fine. Everyone’s fine,” I assure her. “I just need you to come with me.”

“You’re not taking her anywhere, buddy.” Muscles steps in front of us. “Who is this suit dude, Elle?”

I bristle with annoyance, but Noelle places a hand on the guy’s chest. “It’s okay, Owen. He’s a friend of my brother.” She sways and gives a little hiccup. “I just need to see what he wants.”

I grip her arm and steer her out of the back room. “Hey, where are we going? I said I would listen but I’m not leaving.” Noelle tries to dig in her heels, but those shoes are ridiculous, and I resist the urge to just pick her up and carry her out of the bar, but I’m afraid that’s going to attract too much attention.

“Are you seriously here to ruin my fun, again? How did you even find me?”

“Henry asked me to come.” I can almost see the door when Ms. Naughty or Nice from earlier steps directly in our path.

“Ellie!” She turns to me. “You found her.” The woman throws her arms around Noelle. “You finally get to meet Tom.” She drags Noelle away from me and I clasp her hand to keep from losing her again in this crowd. At the sudden tug, the girl stops, looking down at our hands.

“What’s this?” She searches Noelle’s face. “Who is this guy?”

Noelle tries to pull her hand free, grimacing at me when I don’t let her go. “My brother’s friend.”

Naughty-or-nice arches an eyebrow, giving me a once-over. “Where’s Owen?” She leans past Noelle. “I’m her best friend, Karli, with an ‘i’, by the way.” She flicks my vest. “You’re a little overdressed for the party.”

Noelle straightens, getting in her friend’s way. “Owen’s back there.” She cranes her neck. “I assume. I just need to see what my brother wants.” She wobbles a little on her heels as she looks back at me. “I assume he wants something.”

Karli slides me another measuring look. “Well, I want you to meet Tom because I know you think I made him up.” She pulls Noelle towards her, frowning at me when I don’t let go, but she switches her expression and is all smiles a second later.

“Tom,” her voice is almost baby-ish. “This is my best friend, Noelle. I know you’ve been dying to meet her.”

I sigh. How long do I have to endure this? I look past the girls expecting another muscle-head like Owen and stop short.

Tom is tall and built like a brick house, with a buzz cut and tattoos that blanket his neck. My back prickles when he assesses me, and I’d swear I’ve seen those black-as-night eyes before.

Then he lifts his hand to shake Noelle’s and I see it.

An elaborate scroll tattooed on his hand, between his thumb and forefinger. A scroll bearing a stylized number. The prickles down my back turn to ice. I don’t even need to see the number, the symbol itself tells me this guy is a solider, but not in any government institution. This man belongs to the Blood Knights.

They might be well-connected and well-organized but they’re still criminals.

How did Tom happen to show up here tonight, with Noelle’s so-called best friend?

I don’t believe in coincidences.

My breath squeezes inside my lungs as Tom’s hand engulfs Noelle’s and Karli finally manages to break my grip, pulling Noelle into a hug with the man my entire body is warning me about. That tattoo. The number.

Tom has blood on his hands.

And I’m afraid he came here tonight for Noelle’s.