He set his hand on my hip and scooted closer until our bodies were pressed against one another again. “As much as I know I’m in over my head, it has definitely been easier knowing I got a pro here withme.”
“Well, get ready. It’s time for lights,camera—”
“—action,” Jace finished before stealing anotherkiss.
What we’d experienced up to that point had been a preview, nothing more. Neither of us could have known what was in store for him, and him less than either of us. But the glimpses he’d received had been beneficial and would help him during his initiation into his official fifteen minutes offame.
* * *
During the next few weeks,the billboards went up and the commercial began playing online—via YouTube, social media, and various streaming services—before receiving a national broadcast. We had the sort of snowball effect most wannabe celebrities dreamed of. However, what most never understood was how quickly a snowball became an avalanche, and with Jace, as I’d expected, he blew up faster than the GEICO Gecko or Progressive’sFlo.
His initial rise to stardom had been the perfect beginning to a fabulous launch, and being back in the spotlight hadn’t been the nightmare I’d envisioned it to be. It was hard to obsess about public opinion when I would find myself waking with him in a hotel room, or my place, or hisplace.
The honeymoon period was an exhilarating high. I didn’t care about seeing my name being tweeted or blogged about when I knew that no matter what they fucking said, I got to spend my days with him. Whatever spell he had over the media and his adoring fans, he had over me. I couldn’t imagine it was nearly as bad for the rest of them, because being kissed by Jace, being in his arms, made his effect on me all the morepowerful.
It was effortless to find reasons to be together the first couple of months. He had plenty of events and obligations I was required to attend with him. And when we’d spend a few days or an entire week apart, we texted each other in themeantime.
One of the events Jace was contractually obligated to attend was a major fashion show that Hacksmore was hosting in New York City. Another of many star-studded events I accompanied Jace to since we’d begun. He just had to show his face and snap some pics with Hacksmore and some of the models. In some ways, his job at gigs like these was like being a costumed performer at a themepark.
After he finished his responsibilities, we reconvened with Carter near thebar.
“I’m totally going after that WME agent, Brant Reagan,” Cartersaid.
“Are you seriously trolling a fancy party like this to satisfy yourdick?”
“My dick? Are you fucking kidding me? It’s this ass I want Brant toserve.”
Jace was all smiles. “Oh, I know thefeeling.”
His eyes were on me as he said it, as if letting me know how much he wanted it later. Eagerness swelled withinme.
Because he was trying to catch some days back at the station, I had only managed to schedule his flight for earlier today, meaning we hadn’t gotten to mess aroundyet.
Carter glanced between us, his expression stoic as he said, “You guys just do whatever in the bedroom, don’t you? Flip-flopping all over the place, cuffing each other to headboards, swinging around inslings?”
“Carter, can you be professional?” I said with atone.
“Is this some sort of roleplay? Because I can get into that. Oh, don’t look at me like that, Dax. I’m kidding! Can’t you take a joke? But if your man doesn’t think it’s a joke, maybe we could work something up…insideme?”
Jace couldn’t keep a straight face through Carter’s offers, of which there’d been more than enough since he’d been running around with Jace and me through the publicitycircuit.
“Hey, can’t blame a guy fortrying!”
“I think it’s time for you to ghost this conversation and go chat up your WME agent,” I toldhim.
“Ghost this conversation? What the hell do you know about ghosting? I can’t imagine that either of you know what it’s like to be ghosted onGrindr.”
“I’ve never been on Grindr,” Jacenoted.
Carter’s jaw dropped, and he seemed to be taking a moment to think on that. “Oh, Jace Kruse, only you can make innocence look so goddamnsexy.”
“Brant Reagan is waiting,” Iencouraged.
“Fine,” Carter groaned before heading on his way, leaving Jace still chuckling at theexchange.
“He’s a good guy,” Jacesaid.
“Yeah, just enjoys getting under my skin, but that’s why I keep himaround.”
