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

“I’ll miss you too Ace,” he replied.

I hung up and headed back into the studio.

˜*˜

“I’ve heard what the band has been recording and I’m very impressed. The boys are going to be a hit and Dash Records will certainly enjoy adding to our list of clients,” announced Mr Dash.

I had walked into this meeting only ten minutes ago and already I wished I was at home having a swim.

The weather was ridiculous! Summer was clearly hitting L.A with force and I was stuck here talking to people who normally wouldn’t give me the time of day.

I needed to try and focus, but I had to admit, it was slightly harder to concentrate when Jake the lead singer was sitting at the head of the table eye-fucking me.

I had no clue why he was here. I couldn’t think why he would be attending a meeting, but then again I didn’t know anything about these meetings; just that I had to turn up and take note of what they needed.

“Well I think that’s all we need to debate. If you wouldn’t mind staying back Miss Rivers, we have a few things to discuss,” Dash asked.

It seemed Jake and another female executive had to remain behind, while the rest of the room vacated, leaving me wondering what was going on. I really wanted to just head home and relax.

“Is something the matter?” I asked,

thinking that maybe I was about to be chastised for not fulfilling the bands’ needs.

“Miss Rivers, I’m Hilary, the bands publicist and the reason we have asked you to stay behind, is Jake and I have a request we wish to pitch to you,” Hilary smiled.

“Fire away,” I replied, wanting to know what on earth these people could ask of me.

˜*˜

What the hell was happening? Was I hearing her correctly?

“Wait, Jake are you asking me out?” I frowned. I was completely confused.

“I guess what he is trying to ask, is are you willing to pretend for a brief amount of time that you two are dating? Please note you will be compensated for the inconvenience of course, but what we need is a woman who is ruthless and will also benefit from the publicity too,” she smiled.

“Hold on, let me get this straight. You want me to be Jake’s fake girlfriend?” I retorted, needing to get this confusing mess sorted out.

He nodded in reply, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to laugh or tell him to fuck off.

“Yes,” I blurted, then slapping my hand over my mouth. What the hell did I just say?

“Yes?” Hilary asked with a smile.

“I guess I could do it,” I hesitantly replied.

Oh fuck me; I knew I would have to do this if I wanted to keep my job. I guess this is what the boss called going above and beyond. Besides, it couldn’t be the worst thing in the world, to fake being Jake’s girlfriend. We would be spending a long period of time together with the tour and album launch.

“Miss Rivers, are you saying yes?” Dash asked.

“I’ll agree to this on a few conditions,” I continued, racking my brain to think of the things I wanted to state.

If they needed me to endure having to deal with Jake, who I did think was sexy, in a rough rocker sort of a way, then they would take my terms in their strides because they knew Jake was trouble. I was going to make sure I at least came out of this complete fake relationship with my dignity and my so called childish innocence intact.

~Chapter Ten~

Ace

“Hello baby,” Jake’s lush, smooth tone rang out through the sound booth. The guy had been slowly driving me mental all week long, giving me little pet names which I hated. Everyone called me Ace or Lacey which was my real name, but Jake had other ideas of what he preferred to call me.

“Don’t push me Jake,” I groaned, I wasn’t in the mood.

“Oh come on, sweet cheeks,” he joked.

“Jake, unless you want me to remove something you feel very attached to, I suggest you back off,” I spoke, but there was no conviction in my words.

Truth be told, as much as he was driving me insane, I kind of liked the attention he was giving me. He was toxic, in more ways than one, but there isn’t a girl in the world that could say no to those baby blue eyes and smile of his.

“You’re a feisty woman, and I don’t intend to mess with you,” he replied with a

smile.

“Why do you insist on pissing me off then?” I snapped.

“I’m labelled the bad boy of the band; it’s my job to piss you off.” Little did he know, bad boy seemed to be the running headline in all the gossip magazines that featured JED.

“You’re meant to be my distraction,” Jake added.

“Pardon?” I quizzed.

“You’re my girlfriend, so you’re not going to make my bad boy status any worse than what it already is. So how about you show your hunky front man some love, and put out?” he teased, running a hand through his hair.

Cocky, arrogant and a total show pony, the prick knew I wasn’t going to put out. It was a stipulation of the agreement we both signed that I was a girlfriend for show purposes, not for Jake to get his rocks off with.

“Don’t hold your breath Jakey-poo, this little lady ain’t putting out for you,” I teased.

“You’re no fun sweet cheeks. I think I might have to persuade you,” he smirked.

I shook my head. “Jake, don’t you have others to annoy?” I groaned.

“I just like to see you writhe baby, though I would prefer you squirming on my lap,” Jake continued relentlessly.

I sighed. The