Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“I’m doing my job.” Daphne’s smile didn’t reach her eyes, but it would probably fool the audience. “Relax, we have hours to go. The after parties alone will take—”
“I’m going to the two after parties I’m contractually obligated to attend. That’s it. You’re on your own after that.”
She slinked an arm around my waist and leaned against me. “You can’t ditch me.”
“That’s the deal. I’m not partying all night.”
I untangled myself and almost bumped into a cameraman who’d shoved his lens all up in my business. It didn’t take a genius to know we’d make the morning news. I could already see the headlines: “Marriage, Kids, a New Start for Baxter!”
Welcome to the shit show.
Lo pulled me inside Jasper’s house later that night, wrapping himself around me like an octopus. I sealed my lips to his, moaning with pleasure as we clung to each other like long-lost lovers. Damn, anyone would think we’d been separated for months…not hours.
I wanted him far too much and way too often, and fuck knew I probably should have been somewhere else.
Daphne was right. There were dozens of high-profile after-parties happening right now. I’d made brief appearances at two—shaken hands, exchanged air kisses, smiled for the cameras, danced with the winners and losers, and made sure my date had a ride home. I’d even given Janet a heads-up so she could manage whatever needed to be managed. My job was done, and the only place I wanted to be was here.
Well, okay, no. I would have preferred to have Lo to myself…in bed, but I’d promised to stop by Jasper’s house if possible.
The viewing party he’d arranged for the old guy had broken up hours ago. They’d spent the evening talking about the fashions and results, and according to Lo, Jasper was on cloud nine. He’d asked if there was a sliver of a chance I might be willing to come say hello in my finery and make the old man’s day.
I couldn’t say no. It had been a small production for Raul to switch cars at the Vanity Fair party and escape undetected, but I showed up.
Hell, I even brought Oscar-shaped chocolate statues.
“I can’t believe you called out cinq on the red carpet.”
I sucked Lo’s tongue, pressing tender kisses along his jaw as I released him. “You saw that?”
He snickered. “Of course I did. You made Mr. Gowan’s night.”
“You mean I didn’t have to come here?”
He pinched my arm. “No, but I’m glad you did. Give him ten minutes, and I’ll wake Enid up and have her take over. He’s going to freak out. You look…amazing. That tux should thank you for allowing it to grace your sexy self.”
I grinned, tugging his elbow before he pulled out of my arms. “Thanks. You look pretty hot too.”
Lo glanced down at his electric blue see-through shirt and form-fitted black trouser ensemble as if surprised. “I know, right? I may or may not be wearing lace bits too. Shall we?”
I stared after him with my mouth open, willing my dick to behave as I followed him through the dining area and into the living room.
Jasper gasped. “Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Who could this dashing man be, dah-ling? Is it Mr. Hollywood?”
“Hi, there, Jasper. I was on my way home and thought I’d stop by. I brought you a little something.” I set the chocolate statue on the game table and gestured at his burgundy cravat. “Love that tie.”
“Th-thank you, but it’s a cravat…as you well know.” He sat a little taller in his chair, his fingers shaking as he adjusted his oxygen tube. “I-I can’t believe you’re here. You must have better places to be.”
“Than here? Nah.”
Jasper smoothed the silky fabric, shifting his sharp gaze between Lorenzo and me. My heart dropped when his bottom lip trembled. I flashed a panicky look at Lo, who smiled serenely and dragged out a chair.
“Sit here, Pierce. I’ll get the game.”
Not quite what I had in mind and this would certainly take more than ten minutes, but Scrabble was the right call. It was the great equalizer.
Within five minutes, Jasper seemed like himself again. His voice was stronger, and his hands weren’t shaking quite as noticeably. In between turns, he asked about my night. Who did I sit next to? Was this comedian funny in person? Was that actor an asshole? What was the energy like? What did it feel like to walk a red carpet? And who was that woman?
“Tell me about your date. She looked gorgeous.” Jasper pointed at the letters he’d painstakingly arranged on a double-word square. “Twenty points for me.”
“Twenty?” I squinted at the board and growled before I tackled his questions. “I don’t know much about her. We didn’t really talk.”
“How is that possible?” Lo asked.
I shrugged. “There isn’t much downtime. Just a lot of photos.”