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)
“That’d be perfect,” he said, this sexy and almost too charming smile overtaking his expression.
“There’s a place called Fever Pitch, over on Fever Street. Friend of mine manages the place.”
“That sounds like it’ll be easy enough to find.”
“Well, not that easy, though. Don’t mistake it for Fever, the bar. It happens a lot. But say we’ll meet there…tomorrow at seven?”
“I was hoping I’d get to see you sooner than that, but I take it with your job, you’re a busy guy, so I’ll take what I can get.”
Even that comment sounded like innuendo…and I liked it. I felt this impulse to growl at him like a fucking animal, but I held it back.
Keep it together, Jace. Act cool.
“Sounds like a date, then,” I said with a wink, hopeful more than teasing.
“Yes, it is.”
“Do I get a name to put with those hazel eyes?”
“Oh, of course. Dax Munro.”
We shook hands, and he headed off, leaving me with a massive hard-on in my pants.
3
Dax
“Not much about this guy online,” Carter’s voice came through my cell, on speaker, set on the desk in my hotel room.
I slid my jeans on in front of the floor-length mirror by the bathroom, my hair still damp from the shower I’d just taken. The shadows cast under my abs and chest made me appreciate all that time I’d spent with my personal trainer over the past few months…as well as the hotel lighting, which was rarely so flattering.
“From some of the articles posted online before he made all his accounts private,” Carter continued, “apparently, the guy’s adopted and has a brother. His adoptive father passed a few years back.”
“Yeah, I did the same Google searches as you, Carter.”
When I saw he was adopted, it made me feel as though I’d peered into a part of his life I shouldn’t have been privy to. Certainly, if it was publicly available, that wasn’t an issue, but nevertheless, it didn’t feel right and had stopped me from snooping around much more.
“Look who’s getting snippy,” Carter said. “Is that because you’re nervous this guy is going to tell you where you can go shove your dream deal with Hacksmore?”
“Seems like a pretty laid-back, down-to-earth guy.”
“Did you just call someone down-to-earth?”
“I said he seems down-to-earth. But you know how this business goes. How many small-town guys have we seen reveal their true selves when confronted with opportunities, fame, and most of all—”
“—big paydays.”
“Damn straight.”
“I wasn’t saying that because you’re right. I was repeating it because you say that all the time.”
I chuckled as I realized the truth of it. “It doesn’t change that it’s true.”
“Well, if you ever wonder why you’re nearing your thirties and still single, look no further than that logic.”
“I’m best on my own.” Not something I felt bad about either. I’d been on my own since I was a kid, and I could take care of myself just fine. “But I digress. Bottom line is, a few drinks and a little smooth talking, and this Jace Kruse guy will be on the first flight to LAX to seal this deal. Trust me, I’ve only had to be in this city for a night to know he’ll be glad to have an opportunity to get out of here.”
“Come on. It can’t be that bad. I was looking at their site. It says it’s an up-and-coming city.”
“You know what kind of city calls itself up-and-coming? A city that’s not going anywhere. Would you brand anything with up-and-coming?”
“Maybe my dick on a good night.”
“Okay, fair. Anything besides a dick?”
“I get your point, but you never know. Don’t knock Ash Carmichael’s hometown, now.”
“Yeah, I guess if it’s good enough for him, it can’t be all that bad,” I conceded.
“Jace Kruse might not be all that bad either. He might surprise you.”
“He already has,” I muttered, hoping Carter didn’t hear me.
When I was at the fire station, confronted with the man from that viral pic, I was blown away. There was something about him, aside from being absurdly attractive, that got to me. I’d been around models, superstars, hotties galore throughout my career. Dime a dozen, but he had more than that. I’d seen it in the picture. Then I saw it in person too. But it wasn’t just the enviable it factor that Hacksmore had picked up on. Although, I couldn’t put my finger on what I found so goddamn compelling about him.
“Ooh, someone sounds smitten,” Carter added, clearly catching on to my comment about Jace surprising me.
“He’s a charming guy,” I admitted.
“Mmmmm. Okay, well, have fun on your date. Go get ’em, powertop.”
I rolled my eyes, picking up every bit of the suggestiveness he’d thrown down.
“Thanks, Carter. I’ll see you on the other side, when we get this account and saddle up with the hottest ad campaign of the year.”
“You sound like a supervillain, Dax. I love it!”