Naughty Godmother by Chloe Cole Page A

through with it?” Holly whispered.
    6

    Naughty Godmother
    “Call me and I’ll intervene.” Uncharacteristic concern clouded Mila’s eyes. “You know, not everyone is cut out for this kind of work. You don’t have to do this.”
    “Yes I do. I have to at least try. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t.”
    “All right then, give it your best shot. Always remember to look at it like a public service. You’re helping people become more comfortable with themselves. Like a therapist. Now, hop to it.”
    And with a flick of her manicured fingertips she was gone.
    “Showoff,” Holly grumbled.
    She looked down at the bowl of water on the table and into the face of her new charge. Oblivious to her voyeurism, he slid his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, unaware that his life was about to change forever. If she had the skills to pull it off. The thought kicked up the swarm of butterflies that had taken residence in her stomach since the day Mila had summoned her about the possible promotion.
    I could have said no.
    She let out a snort of disgust. As if . It would have been an unforgivable slight if Holly didn’t at least try the new job Fairy Queen Lucienne had selected for her. If she crashed and burned and was a major disappointment to everyone involved—again—
    she could just go back to her happy little job and forget it ever happened.
    Maybe then they’d all finally just let her be. And who knew? Maybe she’d be great at it.
    With a sigh, she dipped her finger into the water and the scene reflected there shuddered and disappeared.
    The clock was ticking.
    She picked up the suitcase and laid it on the coffee table. Aside from the lingering scent of lilacs that accompanied Mila everywhere, it was the only evidence of her having been there. And despite the fact the potential contents of the bag terrified her, 7

    Chloe Cole
    she was grateful for both it and the scent that still permeated the air. Both were ironclad evidence she wasn’t a raving lunatic.
    On her twelfth birthday, as it was for all the fairies, she’d blossomed and was introduced to the world of magic. Even after fifteen years, every so often she still needed reassurance that she hadn’t lost her mind that day; that her whole life wasn’t just some prolonged delusion.
    With no time for further contemplation, she opened the suitcase then covered her eyes, peering down through the cracks of her splayed fingers. The tried and true method did little to soften the blow.
    It was bad. Really bad.
    Three pairs of stiletto heels, two black and one red, stared back at her. Always practical, even in spite of the nerves clawing at her, she decided instantly on the red ones. That way when she toppled down the stairs and broke her ever-loving neck, at least the shoes would match the pool of blood that would likely be her final resting place. Mila would’ve been proud to know that at least one of her lessons had stuck.
    A woman should always put her best foot forward. The way to lure a man is to C.A.S.T., darling. C olor coordinate, emphasize your A ssets, and never leave home without your S tilettos and a T hong.
    Ah Jeez, and speak of the devil, there it was. Holly wrenched her stupid fingers away from her stupid eyes and gnawed her lip as she stared down at the teeniest, tiniest scrap of underwear she’d ever seen. It made dental floss look positively substantial.
    Well, fiddlesticks.
    * * * * *
    Alex Nichlaus yanked the glasses off his face and rubbed the bridge of his nose where they pinched just enough to be annoying. Another couple days and he’d be rid of them for good.
    8

    Naughty Godmother
    He couldn’t wait for the whole thing to be over. To get out of the cramped apartment, change out of the ridiculous clothes and, if there really was a God, to get laid.
    And definitely not in that order.
    After four months without sex, he was starting to lose his mind and if the old wives’ tale held true, his vision wouldn’t be far behind. His