Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
I placed my other hand on the edge of the kitchen island, watching Mace scan through the print magazines and tabloids he’d picked up this week at the grocery store, all filled with my images. This week’s episode of Titan’s Fall had me wearing less clothing than ever before. The images were now everywhere.
Mace was having the best time teasing me, not swayed by my belief that I was being sexually exploited by my show. At least I tried that excuse once I realized the different body parts exposed in those shots.
He pursed his lips in an expression I’d seen many times. This time, though, it was while he pondered the Met Gala look I’d been told to wear last year. Lots of chains and a whip. It wasn’t my favorite dress-up time, but the entire walk into the building, I’d fantasized about whipping the cameras from the paparazzi’s hand, very much like Zoro wielded his sword. That mental image accounted for the smile I’d worn on the red carpet.
Breezy was by my side, dressed as a sub in all black leather, which had the tabloids talking about our bedroom activities for months. She was an extraordinary friend and better beard.
“You do this in public?” Mace cocked his head toward me, faux judgment all over his expression. At least I hoped that was the case. My country hunk wasn’t used to the LA ways.
“I don’t think you’re listening to me, or you’re shocked, which one?” Tommy said, his voice breaking through my focus on Mace.
“The first, tell me again. Mace found the photos of the Met Gala last year. His country prudish side isn’t seeing the benefits,” I explained, staring Mace straight in the eyes as I spoke.
“Hey, I was just asking…”
I wrinkled my brow and rolled my eyes. Maybe I’d get a spanking for my bad behavior later.
“Okay. Y’all do you. I should’nt’ve called. I’ll keep you posted,” Tommy said.
“About what?” I asked as Mace let out a belly laugh. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, all his muscles firmed up nicely due to the physical work on the farm. I enjoyed the way his toned abs rippled and rolled these days.
“We’re talking about the breach we’ve had. I’ve asked Nico to look closer into it,” Tommy said, gaining every bit of my attention. So much so I turned away from Mace and tucked my chin to my chest.
“What’s happened to cause that reaction?” I asked.
“You don’t listen to me.” He went silent with his disgust. As I went to open my mouth and bark out an order, he continued, “You make this job so much harder than it has to be. If I didn’t have to say everything ten times over…”
“Let’s concentrate on saying it twice. Start again.”
“There’s been a supposed sighting of you in your general area,” he said.
And how hard was it to say that another time?
“I haven’t been off the property since last summer. What’s it say?” I asked.
“A girl saw you and another guy at breakfast at a Waffle House between you and Austin Grainger’s place. No pictures accompanied the comment, but it’s gaining traction.”
I let that sink in but couldn’t find the problem. If there were no pictures, and no one identified Mace, who cared?
“Okay. If it comes to it, say I went to Austin Grainger’s to discuss a production. Or don’t say anything. Nothing’s changed.” My mind raced, quickly searching every angle. I still didn’t see the problem.
“You need to tell Liam and public relations. They don’t listen to me and barely listen to you…” Tommy was well on his way to another long-established rant before I cut him off.
“And that’s why I pay you the big bucks…” My smile was instant as Tommy’s response came by way of a solid huff and bark of derisive laughter. “Send an email from me to PR with whatever you think’s going on.”
“Lord, I need a raise. You’re a mess to deal with.” That came with all the sassy my feisty, yet straight, assistant used in his life. We’d gotten to our normal point of offering our goodbyes, so I ended the call and left the cell on the counter before climbing on the seat next to Mace’s.
“What if I stayed here another night?” The words shocked Mace if the way he swung his head my direction meant anything.
“We have animals comin’ tomorrow. It’s our first large owner-surrendered load that gathered at auction. I’ve gotta be there the entire day. Kylie Kelly’s comin’ to check out the animals. I’ll sleep at my place…” My hand lifted to cover his mouth, my fingers pressing in to better shut him up. I was the talker between us two.
“Stop with the excitement of spending extra time with me.”
His head moved away from my hand. Challenging words tumbled from his mouth. “No, that’s not it. I’m into you stayin’, but we can’t just hole up here. It all begins tomorrow.”