Ace (Playtime Series Book 1) by Gemma Arlington (distant reading TXT) 📕

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