Ace (Playtime Series Book 1) Read online

  “I’ll have a beer,” Eric smiled, taking them both from my hands and placing them down on the kitchen bench beside him.

  I couldn’t help but stare and I could guarantee I looked like some sick, groupie with a

  crush, which was the total opposite of reality, since I’d had no clue who the band was until I landed this gig.

  “Ace,” he smirked, while stepping closer to me, making me take a few steps back and bump into the island bench in the middle of the kitchen.

  “Ace, do you think you could do me a favor?” he asked, while continuing to stare at me. I wondered what he was thinking.

  I certainly couldn’t imagine what he

  would want

  help with, besides recording time in the studio.

  I swallowed hard, trying to push down the lump in my throat. This was crazy; there was no way in hell I could be attracted to Eric! I wasn’t the type to fall for the bad boy, but there was something about those big, brown eyes. Something within them was calling to me and it made me realize that there was more to this guy then he was letting on.

  “Sure, what can I do?” I asked.

  “Do you think we can order pizza, it’s been a while since I just hung out and enjoyed a big, fat slice of pizza,” he smiled.

  “I’ll order one,” I chuckled with relief, as I rounded the island bench and opened the top draw looking for the take out menus.

  ~Chapter Eight~

  Ace

  Within twenty minutes, we were having some weird picnic on the lounge room floor with beer, and the largest pepperoni pizza I had ever seen. I flicked through a million channels on the pay TV remote, until I came across something worth viewing. I wasn’t much of a TV watcher; I think it had more to do with my workload than anything else.

  I did have to admit though, there was generally nothing on that ever held my attention long enough.

  “How does NASA plan their party’s? They Planet.” Eric grinned.

  “Oh my, that was the worst joke I have ever heard,” I retorted with a giggle.

  “I got you to laugh didn’t I?” Eric commented.

  “But that was terrible,” I grinned. Guys and their terrible jokes.

  “Wait, wait, let me redeem myself,” he said, pleading somewhat.

  “OMG… no, no, no you don’t get a chance to redeem that horrid display,” I joked.

  “What’s so funny?” Hank’s voice rang out through the room. I jumped up from the lounge room floor smiling.

  “Some lame ass joke Eric was telling me,” I answered, as I bit down on my lip. I wondered how awkward this could get.

  “Are you hungry? There is plenty of pizza leftover.” I smiled.

  “No thanks Ace. I think I’m off to bed, but I wondered, if you don’t mind, can I please have a quick word with you?” he asked, giving me a half smile and heading towards the kitchen. I followed, wondering if he was alright; he looked tired and I guess work was keeping him very busy.

  “What’s up?” I asked as I went to the fridge for a bottle of water. I had a busy day tomorrow and the one beer I’d had earlier was my limit for a work night.

  “Please be careful,” Hank sighed. The subtle warning in his tone spoke more than the three little words did. He was concerned and I knew why, the boys of JED were heart breakers. Did Hank seriously think I was going to mix business with pleasure?

  “I just don’t want to see you get taken advantage of, or worse, have your heart broken,” Hank exhaled.

  “Hank,” I pouted and placed my bottle of

  cold water on the bench, before stepping forward and wrapping my arms around his neck to hug him. He was so sweet and kind to be looking out for me, in fact, he was the only one ever looking out for me. I liked Hank maybe a little too much than I should, but I knew never to cross the line with him or with Eric either.

  “Thank you,” I mumbled, my head pressed against his chest. His heart was beating a little faster than it should have been, and it made me wonder if he was as nervous as I was. The one thing that was making me a little weak in the knees was the divine scent radiating from him.

  “Someone has to look after you Ace,” he pulled back and smiled. Those beautiful pearly whites were a smack in the face. Hank had a unique form of sex appeal and I liked how he was almost oblivious to it.

  “I’m a big girl. Don’t you think I can look after myself?” I remarked, batting my eyelashes, a grin on my lips.

  “You’re more than capable of looking after yourself, but I know you.

  A boy as charming as Eric isn’t going to take no for an answer; those guys are used to getting women and I don’t need you to be another notch on their belts.

  I know the Dash executives said to do anything to make sure this band is well looked after, but please don’t lose your dignity, or

  worse, the sweet childish innocence you have,” he orated.

  “You think I’m innocent?” I shrieked.

  “No…” Hank moaned.

  “Hank, I’m far from innocent. I can prove to you just how ‘un-innocent’ I am right now by sucking you off in the kitchen while Eric is in the next room.”

  His grip on my hips tightened as he turned us around and pushed me up against the kitchen cabinet, the handle of the door slightly digging into my back.

  “I happen to like the sweet little innocence you have inside you.

  Gosh I know you’re not a saint and you’re far from being perfect, but Ace…,” he stepped closer, his breath warm on my face, “I happen to like you not so perfect.

  I like your fiery temper, I like that you speak your mind and are never afraid to tell me, or others to go fuck themselves. I also happen to know that you rarely let people see the sweet side of you, the girl who wants things. The girl, who I happen to know, is into some pretty wild shit,” he praised.

  My breath was in my throat and I couldn’t swallow.

  Oh shit, had he heard me getting myself off? I rarely slept around and if I did, I chose the people I took to my bed carefully.

  In all honesty, the one person I took to bed every night was a little battery operated toy, which I swear did wonders for me. But I seriously never thought anyone knew about it.

  “Ace, there is nothing to be ashamed of, in fact I think it’s kind of a turn on,” he grinned.

  I couldn’t stand it any longer. This conversation had gone from preserving my heart and my feelings, to something far naughtier, more erotic and raunchier than I anticipated and the throbbing between my legs was now driving me insane.

  I slipped my hands up his chest and around his neck. “Hank, I’m about to do something really stupid and please don’t fire me or kick me out for reacting on this,” I smiled. I pulled his lips close to mine, licking across the sweet, soft bottom lip, before sealing my mouth to his. I was surprised he didn’t pull back, or worse, throw me out the door.

  I whimpered as his tongue entered my mouth and stroked along my own, the sudden urge to wrap myself in him was quickly taking over. Everything about Hank was appealing to my hungry, sexual side.

  Eric coughed, making me pull away from Hank.

  I had forgotten Eric was waiting in the next room for me to return; we were meant to be hanging out.

  I felt my cheeks flush and I was

  somewhat embarrassed. Not only had I just hooked up with Hank, my boss and house mate, but I did it all while I had Eric in the next room.

  Hank slipped his hands from my waist and left the room, I suspect he headed upstairs to his bedroom. Truth was, I wished I was tucked up in my bedroom right now, away from Eric’s intensely brown, prying eyes.

  “I’m going to head; I’ve called a cab to come get me,” Eric said, pointing to the front door.

  I was still glued to the kitchen cabinet; I wasn’t sure how I was going to deal with all of this. Eric stepped closer, making me focus on his handsome face.

  “So I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?” he, flashing me a smirk.

  “Please tell me we are just frien
ds?” I mumbled, I wasn’t even sure if I was asking the question to Eric or more to myself.

  “Lacey, we are friends. I promise, you’re the last girl I would think of fucking with. Besides, I don’t think you’re my type,” he pronounced.

  I laughed, I had finally snapped out of my momentary loss of everything; libido, judgment, and all reason. Maybe being friends with the band wasn’t going to be so hard after all.

  “Hank,” I yelled, climbing the stairs

  towards my bedroom. I had just seen Eric off and he ensured me the band would be present and ready to continue with recording in the morning, which I was grateful for. The last thing I wanted was a repeat of today.

  “Hank,” I yelled yet again, his bedroom door was slightly ajar, which to me was unusual as he never left his door open. I walked over and pushed it; the room was dark with only the bedside lamp on, illuminating half of the room, while the other bathed in shadow. He wasn’t in bed, but I could see the bathroom light was on, which told me all the information I needed.

  I walked over to the door and slammed my fist into it, while yelling for Hank. The guy had walked away, and now I wanted more answers.

  “What on earth are you doing?” he yelled back, surprising me as he opened the door wrapped in a starch white towel.

  “I want to know what on earth that was,” I roared. I was slightly angry, but I think I was more any at myself for kissing Hank, than him for allowing it to happen.

  “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” Hank questioned.

  “I kissed you, but I expected you to push me away, to tell me that it was wrong like all those other times. You’re meant to be the adult here, not me remember,” I groaned.

  “Adult… last I checked you’re an adult too. You want the truth, or the made up bull shit I have been feeding myself over the past four months?” Hank barked as he ran a hand through his wet hair.

  “What?”

  “Ace I like you a lot, but I’ve been trying my hardest not to act on these feelings, but it’s difficult when you kiss me, and when I hear you pleasuring yourself at night. Do you know how much I wish I was the one pounding into you and not that silly little toy of yours?”

  Oh fuck, I needed to leave. I needed to get as far away from Hank as possible. This could never happen, that one little kiss was more than I could handle, if I ever slept with him I could never forgive myself, let alone work with him any longer.

  I turned and left the room as quickly as I could; I opened my door and shut it behind me. I was in some serious trouble, Hank had just revealed so much to me, and here I was running like a little child.

  I however couldn’t go down that path, not again.

  I couldn’t sleep with Hank and still think everything in my life would be fine. No, I shook my head, No… I needed independence and some strong will to pull myself together. I shuffled to the bed and crawled under the covers.

  Fuck my life was bad.

  ~Chapter Nine~

  Ace

  “Good morning boys,” I smiled through the glass panel from the sound booth. I was so happy Eric had kept his word. It was nice to see that all the guys were in attendance and seemed fit and ready to tackle the long day of recording more of their EP with Dash Records.

  The album seemed to be coming along well, and within two weeks the band was set to hit the road on tour. This inevitably meant a long, long road trip, on a bus full of men who would rather play with their dicks than listen to me, their manager.

  “I think we can start them off on track four, just make sure they take this seriously because Dash isn’t going to keep paying for days just so these guys can goof off,” I mumbled to the technicians behind the desk.

  “Man our manager is a fox! A full blown, pant dropping, penis popping fox,” Lucas remarked.

  I turned around to face the boys inside the studio.

  Lucas seemed to be having a nice chat about me, completely oblivious to the fact that the microphones were on.

  I shook my head and thought about replying a sly remark, but thought better of it. I wanted to make sure I got out of the studio in time. Especially with the meeting I had this afternoon with Dash and other executives back at the office. I couldn’t risk wasting any more time.

  “Alright boys, track four and please remember we at least want to get three to four tracks recorded by the end of today,” I instructed with reluctant hope.

  I smiled to them and nodded to the technician behind the desk to start his job. He pushed a few buttons and allowed the boys to warm up before recording them several times. His job seemed easy but was far from it. Technicians had to cut and change a lot in order for it to fit, and I also wanted yesterday’s solo jam session of Eric’s to be on the EP as bonus tracks.

  The day seemed to fly by. The guys had just taken a brief break after recording the third song on the list; they seemed to be in a good rhythm and were speeding through the recording session.

  I had popped out for lunch briefly and I also wanted to check in with Hank.

  I felt like a complete and utter idiot for walking out on him last night, but his words scared the absolute shit out of me.

  No one had ever told me the little flaws in myself were sweet, charming and childlike. That they loved how I was open, honest and a total bitch at times. That all these character traits and more had somehow given me an innocent quality, and that innocent quality was something he loved.

  I took a deep breath and dialed Hank, he finally picked up after three rings.

  “Hey,” he mumbled.

  “… Are we ok?” I asked.

  “We’re fine Ace,” he reassured.

  “Are you sure, I feel like you’re holding something back?” I mumbled

  He sighed, “Can we start afresh; pretend like last night never happened. That I never said anything to you and just go back to being friends? Because I don’t want to lose you over the stupid shit I said last night.”

  “Hanky you’re never going to lose me. The day you insisted I move into your gorgeous house, you had me,” I replied.

  “Is that all you want me for, my gorgeous house?” he joked.

  “I’m just glad we’re ok. I’m going to be away for a few weeks and I know you’re about to go on tour with the band.

  I’m heading to New York this afternoon

  on business, so I do hope you keep my house tidy and keep yourself safe.”

  “Of course I will. Please tell me you arranged Forman to look in on me?” I questioned.

  Forman was a security officer and body guard who Hank used regularly when he was dealing with high profile clients.

  “Forman’s been informed. He said he will check in on you twice a week at the house until you leave, then he will keep track of you on the road, since he is the security officer assigned to the band.”

  The sound technician popped his head in to inform me, “Miss Rivers, the band is about to head back into the studio.”

  “Hank I have to go, the band is heading back in. I’ll miss you,” I mumbled.

  “I’ll miss you too Ace,” he replied.

  I hung up and headed back into the studio.

  ˜*˜

  “I’ve heard what the band has been recording and I’m very impressed. The boys are going to be a hit and Dash Records will certainly enjoy adding to our list of clients,” announced Mr Dash.

  I had walked into this meeting only ten minutes ago and already I wished I was at home having a swim.

  The weather was ridiculous! Summer was clearly hitting L.A with force and I was stuck here talking to people who normally wouldn’t give me the time of day.

  I needed to try and focus, but I had to admit, it was slightly harder to concentrate when Jake the lead singer was sitting at the head of the table eye-fucking me.

  I had no clue why he was here. I couldn’t think why he would be attending a meeting, but then again I didn’t know anything about these meetings; just that I had to turn up and take note of what they needed.

&
nbsp; “Well I think that’s all we need to debate. If you wouldn’t mind staying back Miss Rivers, we have a few things to discuss,” Dash asked.

  It seemed Jake and another female executive had to remain behind, while the rest of the room vacated, leaving me wondering what was going on. I really wanted to just head home and relax.

  “Is something the matter?” I asked,

  thinking that maybe I was about to be chastised for not fulfilling the bands’ needs.

  “Miss Rivers, I’m Hilary, the bands publicist and the reason we have asked you to stay behind, is Jake and I have a request we wish to pitch to you,” Hilary smiled.

  “Fire away,” I replied, wanting to know what on earth these people could ask of me.

  ˜*˜

  What the hell was happening? Was I hearing her correctly?

  “Wait, Jake are you asking me out?” I frowned. I was completely confused.

  “I guess what he is trying to ask, is are you willing to pretend for a brief amount of time that you two are dating? Please note you will be compensated for the inconvenience of course, but what we need is a woman who is ruthless and will also benefit from the publicity too,” she smiled.

  “Hold on, let me get this straight. You want me to be Jake’s fake girlfriend?” I retorted, needing to get this confusing mess sorted out.

  He nodded in reply, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to laugh or tell him to fuck off.

  “Yes,” I blurted, then slapping my hand over my mouth. What the hell did I just say?

  “Yes?” Hilary asked with a smile.

  “I guess I could do it,” I hesitantly replied.

  Oh fuck me; I knew I would have to do this if I wanted to keep my job. I guess this is what the boss called going above and beyond. Besides, it couldn’t be the worst thing in the world, to fake being Jake’s girlfriend. We would be spending a long period of time together with the tour and album launch.

  “Miss Rivers, are you saying yes?” Dash asked.