Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
He sipped on his third beer of the night, listening to The Pretty Reckless belt out their hard-edged sounds, nodding in time with the headbanger tempo. Shockingly, he hadn’t felt out of place with all the toned, barely clad bodies everywhere. He stepped outside, the music following as he went, and stood watching the dark waves of the ocean crash into the shoreline as he lifted his bottle for another drink.
“Duck, over here,” Chad called out. His friend sat on the L-shaped outdoor furniture, two of the original four women lounged next to him. Ducky suspected their large supply of alcohol, only purchased a few hours ago, would need to be replenished tomorrow. “I was telling them about your newest modeling campaign.”
He barely held back the burst of laughter as he walked toward Chad. The attention of everyone in the vicinity landed on him as if they were trying to place him as a celebrity. Ducky made the mental note to get Chad back for that one. He did what he had done all evening: stayed silent as he positioned himself on the edge of the hard wicker furniture.
“What agency are you with?” Felicia asked, angling toward Ducky which meant she had to release the hold she had around Chad’s shoulders. Her forearm landed on Ducky’s thigh as she leaned forward. “I’m with IMG agency out of New York.”
Ducky nodded and lifted his brows, staring down at the sun-kissed blonde giving off all the interested vibes. Felicia was clearly tipsy. The way her bikini top barely covered her breasts, he’d guess it wouldn’t take much to get her out of it. He’d never had anyone who looked like her interested in him before. Why did this add another layer to the superficial life he wanted no part of?
She waited, looking adoringly at him as if he held all the secrets to the world. Ducky lifted his gaze to Chad who was clearly having the time of his life at his expense, like only a longtime friend might do.
The nerves hit hard. On the regular, he had no interest in small talk but for Chad he would try.
“Agency for what?” Ducky asked, lifting the bottle for a longer drink.
“Modeling agency.” She slapped his leg playfully as if he were the silliest guy on the planet.
“No agency. Only a very frustrating executive team.” He crossed a single arm over his chest because he didn’t know what to do with it. The arm felt awkward hanging between his body and hers. The confusion staring at him by Felicia and her friends had Chad nodding, motioning his head as if Ducky were expected to say more.
“What executive team? What does he mean?” the woman sitting on the other side of Chad asked.
“He’s part owner of StreamTrainer. The workout—” Chad started and was immediately cut off.
“I work out on StreamTrainer all the time. My brother got me hooked on it. I knew I knew you. I just took a class with you and Skye… Skye, right?” She left Chad’s side, stepping over him to move closer to Ducky. Felicia wasn’t having any of it. She scooted fully against Ducky’s side. “You’re Duncan Reigns but they call you Ducky. I’m Ava. Felicia and I’ve been friends forever.”
Heat whooshed up his cheeks with the intensity of a wildfire spreading over dry forest land. His gaze landed on Chad who burst out laughing at his obvious discomfort. The entire mood changed in the small group. Chad was no longer the sole focus of their attention, and he seemed fine with it. So much so that he got to his feet and slid past Ducky’s adoring audience.
“You won an award, right?” Ava continued.
Based on Felicia’s bristled expression, she didn’t like Ava’s sudden interest. Chad chuckled that much more. The weight of Chad’s hand clamped on Ducky’s shoulder, giving a gentle, teasing squeeze. He didn’t immediately remove his palm. It lingered. His fingertips touching the bare skin of Ducky’s neck. Ducky’s heart fluttered at the innocent skin to skin contact. The warmth from his face coasted all over his body. His eyes slid shut involuntarily, his mouth watering as Chad leaned in. That scent of spicy musk assailed Ducky, plumping his cock. Chad’s lips were so close to Ducky’s ear he could feel them part. Chad’s quick intake of breath sent tingles racing along his arms, tiny bumps followed their path.
“Wingman and such.” The following low-level chuckle sent puffs of Chad’s warm breath coating his skin. For the briefest of moments, nothing more than he and Chad existed in the world. Ducky tucked his chin to his chest, relishing the sudden quiet of all the chaos in his life. An alternate universe prevailed, one where someone like Chad wanted someone like him. He imagined they were friends, lovers, and partners in the craziness of the world. Ducky’s heart slowed as the vision firmed in his mind. He saw the world so clearly.