Fierce Salon, Episode Four: A New Adult Smexy Serial by Aspen Drake

 
     
     
     
    Chapter One
    Nate
     
    “I’m not doing it.” I’m already wound as tight as a goddamn spring. I don’t need this guilt trip from my dad. “She’s a bitch.”
    “Nathan! You will not speak that way about the family of a dear friend.” He still thinks his stern voice has an effect on me. I learned a long time ago that regardless of what I do, he’ll never be proud of my accomplishments so I’m done trying—stern voice or not.
    “Since when are they dear friends?” I pull into my usual parking spot and kill the engine. “I’d never heard of the Newports before last week. When the hell did they become so important to you?”
    “When they agreed to provide some of their grapes for my new Meritage. He’s very protective of his varitals and doesn’t partner with just anyone.”
    I throw my head back on the seat and exhale, blowing a few strands of hair off my forehead. “I’m not taking her out again. Call Roman.”
    “Your brother is busy.” Dad is getting ready to hang up. I can hear the dismissive nature his voice takes when he thinks he’s won an argument. “He’s a detective now. He has to be available if anything happens in town. I’ll expect you here Friday.”
    “I won’t be there.” I want to hang up but I still have some respect for the man. The man that seems to think it’s fine to whore me out to his business partner’s daughter. “Have a good day, Dad.”
    “I will and we’ll discuss it when I see you on Friday, son.” He hangs up. Bastard.
    I slip out of my car and slam the door, not even realizing Julia is walking a few feet behind me until she speaks up.
    “Everything okay, Nate?” Her steps quicken and she’s at my side before I can pretend to not hear her.
    “Morning, Julia.” I give her a fake smile, hoping she won’t notice my clenched jaw. “I’m good. How are you?”
    “Great.” She’s quiet but I know she has something to say by the way she keeps glancing at me with her mouth open but then shuts it and looks away.
    As I’m unlocking the back door, I pause and look to her. “Got something on your mind, Jules?”
    “Are you sure everything’s okay?” She allows me to open the door then steps through. “You’ve just seemed distracted lately.”
    Of course I’m distracted. Ever since Amy walked through my salon door, I haven’t been able to focus. When she’s not around, I can convince myself it’s because I don’t trust her and want to fire her. But as soon as she’s within my line of sight, I can’t keep my eyes off her. Or my dick soft.
    “I’ve got some stuff going on with my parents.” I pat her shoulder as we enter the break room. “Nothing to worry about, but I appreciate you asking.”
    She seems appeased but her side glance tells me she knows there’s more to my story. She can wonder all she wants. I don’t air my laundry at work. And I don’t share my personal life with employees. It’s a simple policy that has done me well for the past three years and will continue to keep me out of trouble for the foreseeable future. I hope.
    I pop a cup in the Keurig and lean on the counter while Julia stashes her purse in a locker. The clock says it’s ten to nine so I turn to Jules. “You’re here early.”
    “Paige is out today so I wanted to get an early start. If I’m not ready when the first few clients show up, the whole day is off.” She smooths out the front of her dress then heads to the reception desk.
    I grab my mug and wrap my hands around it, focusing on the heat penetrating into my skin. When I’m finally ready to step into the salon, it’s after nine.
    “Ella is coming in at nine thirty. She’s always early so she could be here any minute.” Julia doesn’t even look up from her computer screen as she shouts to me. “Need help with anything before she gets here?”
    “I’m good.” I walk to Julia’s desk and grab the book. Everything is managed online but we still print daily calendars to help give