Page 1 of Ex-Factor

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Just stay calm. You’re going to get the job. Just act confident.

Nicky sat in the cushioned chair, resumé in hand. The low block heel of his white zipper ankle boot tapped incessantly against the thin beige carpet.White ankle boots.Why the hell had he worn his white ankle boots?Women’sankle boots. Along with his tight, white slacks, white button shirt, and rose-pink jacket—the entire ensemble was justfeminineenough tohopefullyconvince his potential new boss that he would fit right in with the other secretaries.

If the interviewer was a woman, he might stand a chance. But if it was a man…

God,Nicky groaned inwardly. What had he been thinking? He should’ve gone for a more “manly” look—butmanlywasn’t really his thing. Never had been. Maybe if he didn’tacttoogay, he wouldn’t offend a man.

The looks he received from the other interviewees were hardly encouraging. His heel continued to tap nervously as the other women’s stares seared him like a score of hot irons. Most of them were dressed conservatively in respectable dress suits, nothing flashy or attention-grabbing, while Nicky…

Come on, call me in already. Fuck.

The door to his left opened and a man stepped out with a clipboard, head ducked. “Nicky Maye?”

Nicky raised his hand weakly and avoided looking directly at the man, suddenly self-conscious of his attire—a first for Nicky. “That’s me.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” the interviewer spoke in a dull tone as if he’d rather be anywhere but here interviewing potential secretaries.

He appeared unfazed by the fact that Nicky was a man. Or maybe he didn’t realize hewasa man; the interviewer wasn’t paying close attention and Nicky didn’t exactly scream “masculine”—and if he had screamed it, his somewhat feminine voice would raise doubt.

“Why don’t we get started?”

About damn time,Nicky thought with a smidge of irritation. He was glad to get away from the ugly glares of the other women. He left his seat and entered the office. The man closed the door behind him, still focused on his clipboard.

Nicky took a seat before his desk, sitting anxiously on the edge of the cushion. Resentment sparked inside him; he didn’t like feeling uncomfortable beinghimself.It pissed him off. But he needed this job. He forced a smile when the man walked behind his desk and sat down. Nicky reached out and offered the paper in his hands. “This is my resumé—”

His heart smacked his ribs as his words sliced off.Oh, my God.Aqua eyes stared back at him from beneath a halo of golden blond hair. But the man before him was noangel.Heat warmed his loins and he silently berated himself for still finding this man sofuckable.

A slow smile crept across the man’s lips; a dry look seeping into those captivating eyes. He leaned back casually. “Well, well. If it isn’t little Nicky Maye.”

Fuck.Nicky groaned and released a disgruntled breath, sagging back in his chair. “Jack,” he mumbled.

“I haven’t seen you since…” He squinted. “Since you were butt-fucking my little bro.”

Nicky flinched and stood up. He wasn’t going to sit here beneath Jack Rydal’s scrutiny when there was no way in hell the man would hirehim.His body flushed beneath his tight white wardrobe and that was the last thing he needed—Jack picking up Nicky’s “leftover” lust for him. He folded the resumé and opened his pink jacket, stuffing the paper into the inside pocket. “Obviously, I have no chance of getting this job. So, I won’t waste either of our time.”

Leaning forward, Jack chuckled in a low tone that was both irritating and stimulating. “Whoa, now. Hold up. Don’t be so hasty.” He looked Nicky over with slow deliberation. Was that a catch in his breath? “You certainly came dressed to impress.”

How was he supposed to interpret that? Jack had never liked him, and never passed up an opportunity to criticize Nicky’s “prissy” clothes, the way he walked and talked, even his hair and light makeup—usually only eyeliner and a bit of mascara. Despite all that—Nicky had developed an insanelyfilthycrush on the man. He’d lost count of the times he’d been riding Evan’s cock and had to bite his tongue to keep from calling out Jack’s name. After the fact, he almost wished he had. Evan proved to be an asshole with a capital A.

Nicky looked at Jack, annoyed that the crush lingered in all its ferocity. “I know what Evan told everyone about me. So, why should I think his own brother is going to offer me a job?”

Another chuckle escaped Jack and he leaned back, a grin splitting his gorgeous face. He tapped his fingertip to his chin. “You are a little spitfire,” he drawled, his eyes again completing a sweep down Nicky’s body, igniting embers within. “Evan was right about that much?”

What was happening? Was he fucking with Nicky? Jack hadneverlooked at himthisway before—the way he used to look at hot chicks.

“I really don’t care to discuss Evan,” Nicky sent back in a sharp, tight retort.

Jack motioned to the chair. “Please, sit. I’m a fair employer. I’m not one to judge you on your past relationship with my brother.”

Nicky hesitated; was he serious? He needed this job badly. But was he a fool to think Jack would actually consider him for the position? He was immediately assaulted with images of Jackpositioninghim over his desk as he—

“Please,” Jack said, breaking into his flash of fantasy, and pointed to the chair.

Nicky swallowed hard, his heart racing furiously. He felt tightness in his crotch and tried not to think about Jack taking care of it for him. He sat down slowly, uncertainly. “You’re seriously going to consider me for the job?”WasJack just playing with him? It was certainly his style to do something so shitty—especially to Nicky. Even so, he was bombarded again by mini fantasies of Jack pleasuring him in all the dirty ways he used to dream about… and his loins ignited.

Stretching his arm across the desk, he asked, “You had a resumé?”

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