Series: Fever Falls Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96922 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96922 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“But you said you still talk to her?”
“Yeah, she’s better now. She’s been clean for five years, and as long as she stays that way, I’m fine with keeping her in my life.”
“I’m sorry. No kid should have to deal with that.”
I understood why a guy with a mom like Nance felt that way. “You mind if we change the subject? I’m having too good a night for Serena to spoil it now.”
I could tell he was forcing his smirk, but I’d settle for that as long as we didn’t have to talk about her anymore. Didn’t want to focus on my past any more than I had to.
“Then come on,” he pressed. “You gotta be tired. I’m beat, and you can just admit you like spending time with me.”
“Well, you’re right about me being beat. And you’re lucky you’re dealing with an arrogant fuck, because otherwise I’m not sure I’d be able to tolerate being around your big head.”
“That sounds like a yes to me.”
It was amazing how easily I caved to him. Not only with that, but with bottoming and even just wanting to spend more time with him. “As long as you’re not expecting this ass again,” I said, and he beamed, making me that much happier.
Jesus Christ, what the hell was I thinking? Staying with a client for some adult sleepover?
Most guys, I was eager to hit and quit, but Jace was fun and the most no-hassle guy ever. Our whole situation was effortless pleasure. I could vividly imagine all the red flags and warning bells we’d set off, but I just couldn’t see Jace causing any drama.
“Great! I rented this romantic comedy at Redbox that I haven’t watched yet, but I’ve had it for like a week.”
“Is this some Bridget Jones’s Diary crap?”
A smile played on his lips. “We can switch it up, if you’d like.”
“No, no. I want to see what Jace Kruse considers a good movie. Then I’ll run and leak that to the press.”
Beaming, he took his empty plate and pushed to his feet. He still had on just the towel around his waist, and I appreciated the view of the V dipping beneath the material.
Ooh, yes, it was going to be a fun night alright.
* * *
Jace skimmed the local paper set on the table beside him as he devoured a stack of pancakes, not seeming to give any thought to the carb tower smothered in maple syrup that smelled so good, I was half-tempted to give up my parfait and dive in with him. Although, the way he was eating, as though he hadn’t eaten in weeks, I figured he was liable to fork anyone who tried to disturb him.
I took a sip of my coffee, enjoying the way we’d eased into the morning.
The night with Jace had stayed totally cool. We’d finished our dinner, then headed up to his room. Keeping space between us on the bed, we watched a rom-com that wasn’t even fit for Hallmark. It was fun giving him hell about it and watching him shamelessly enjoy the tripe. And I enjoyed it simply because I was viewing it with him.
The laid-back way we spent the night, without cuddling or any mushy stuff, assured me there weren’t any feelings coming from Jace outside of the friendship forming between us.
In the morning there wasn’t any weirdness. We got up and dressed, me working a bit of a walk of shame when we hit up the local diner for breakfast.
“Big plans today?” I asked Jace.
He shrugged. “Probably gonna head up to see Nance and Keeg. Hang with them some. You?”
“I’ll be reviewing the photos from the shoot yesterday and selecting the best ones to use for promo. And then your interview should be going live later today, which Carter and I will be blasting around to different news sites.”
“Is it really news if that’s what they’re talking about?”
“Have you watched the news these days? You might actually be more newsworthy than some of the crap they talk about.”
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I retrieved it to see Carter was calling.
“Speaking of news, I think I’m about to get the latest deets from Carter.”
“Say hey for me.”
“Hey, Carter. Jace says hey too.” Figured he’d get a kick out of that and maybe give me a little bit of hell for sleeping with a client, which I was more than fine with, considering he’d already caught us.
“So you’re still with him?” I’d expected him to sound playful, cheeky even, but he didn’t sound like his usual self. He sounded…concerned.
“Yeah. Why? Has there been an emergency? I haven’t seen any other calls from you.”
“Could you define emergency?” His voice got so high at the end of his sentence, it was like he was singing a Mariah Carey song.
“The fuck is going on, Carter? Spit it out.”