Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26602 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26602 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
“Girl, please,” she says with her hands on her hips. “You’ve got to represent!”
But represent whom? Sighing, I give in and find myself in a knee length deep purple number that flatters my curves and gives me just a touch of confidence. Of course, I would have been far more comfortable in denim, but I am in no mood to go against Mattie this morning. Especially with how distracted I am already.
I can’t stop thinking about Kade at the bar last night. It was so hot and illicit, but I can’t help but to be nervous about the whole situation. Will he touch me again? Will he act like nothing happened? I think maybe I should just let him take the lead and see what happens.
Then again, I’m not sure if I can act like nothing happened, though. Just thinking about the experience has me squirming and clenching my thighs. With him in the room I might actually come on the spot, it’s that bad. Holy cow, I’m losing it. But then again, there’s also the problem of what I’m supposed to say about my inspiration when asked. What do I do? Just embellish on that one instance?
I couldn’t possibly use my first answer: hot boyfriend, hot sex. Unless I could? Maybe?
Suddenly, inspiration strikes. Could I ask Kade to be my fake boyfriend for the convention? Even if I could, would he say yes? If he does, problem solved! Who wouldn’t get inspired with a boyfriend like Kade? I’m sure every woman that has laid eyes on him has had a fantasy or two.
Desperate, I gnaw at my lip. What do I do? I turn to Mattie for advice.
“What would you think if I asked Kade to be my pretend boyfriend for the panel? Is that weird? Will people think I’m making it up?”
It seems like a random question but Mattie takes it in a stride.
“Why?” she asks, head cocked slightly to the side.
“To answer the questions I’m sure to get: how did you find inspiration for your steamy scenes? I just know people are going to ask,” I say with dread in my voice.
“Of course they’ll ask,” answers Mattie with a sly grin. “You write stuff that’s totally triple X! Not to mention that a lot of it features threesomes with bisexual men. But can’t you make something up, Janie? Nobody expects you to actually have experience with a threesome.”
I shrug helplessly.
“Of course not, but I don’t exactly want to let on that I’m a virgin that watches a lot of porn either. It’s embarrassing. I’d die.”
Mattie grins, and it’s not helpful. It’s not the virgin part that she finds entertaining – it’s the porn. Whether its literary or video, I have a lot of experience with it and she knows.
“I’m serious!” I whine. “I don’t want to give boring answers, but I also don’t want my erotica readers knowing I’ve never actually experienced anything close to what I write. Maybe Kade will agree to the proposal and then my problems will be solved. And I don’t watch that much of the good stuff, thank you very much. I read more than I watch. I am an author after all.”
Mattie smirks again.
“You know I’m teasing, girlfriend. But it does actually sound like a good idea to ask Kade, come to think of it. Romance author hooks up with male model and has a happily ever after. As your publicist, I’m a little ashamed I didn’t think of it myself.”
Mattie’s encouragement has my hopes on high. We leave the hotel room and head toward the elevator. I’m filled with nerves, and what do you know, but when we get to the elevator, Kade’s waiting right there. He’s gorgeous as usual, and absolutely devastating in a white t-shirt that hugs his wide chest and denim jeans on those strong legs. I try not to stare even as my heart goes pitter-patter.
“Good morning, ladies,” he offers with a crooked smile.
“Kade!” Mattie exclaims before I have a chance to open my mouth. “We’re glad to see you. Jane had an idea she wanted to run by you. But I’m in desperate need of coffee, so I’ll meet you downstairs.”
Oh shit. My wing-woman just put me on the spot. Kade, suspecting nothing, nods briefly at Mattie before turning to me, eyebrows raised. I swallow hard and glance around the hallway to make sure there are no bystanders that could overhear. Oh my god, this is so embarrassing!
He seems to notice my apprehension and gestures for me to follow. We walk down the hall a bit, and come upon a door. Hmm, interesting. The door opens, and with a tip of his head, I’m wordlessly invited in.
“Um, is this your room?” I ask with confusion. “We’re staying on the same floor? I didn’t know that.”
He shrugs.