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

walked out onto the deck surrounding the majority of this house, that I would find a few women naked and skinny dipping in that pool.

The thought was a little grotesque, but I gathered Hank would have the pool cleaned before I ever got back into it.

I stepped down into the sunken lounge room to find a few guys busy watching some football game.

Another guy was placed on the couch

with a woman curled in his lap. She had the biggest grin on her lips as the man whispered something in her ear.

I quickly looked away and decided the lounge wasn’t the room for me to hang out in. Besides, I didn’t want, or need, to see anything sordid going on… especially on the couch where I sit every day after I finish work.

I stepped into the kitchen and was immediately relieved to see Hank; he was busy in conversation, but seemed to stop when he noticed I had walked into the room.

“Hey, Ace,” he smiled, waving me over towards him. I looked around the kitchen wanting something to drink. The benches were full of food and beverages; it was like a buffet waiting to be devoured.

I grinned back at him and stepped a little closer, trying to decide what I felt like downing. I usually went with soft drink or water, but for some strange reason I needed something stronger tonight. I guessed it was a combination of the crowds, and seeing everyone else holding a drink, that made me want to swallow any liquid that could make me forget about this terror of a party.

“Ace, this is Mr Dash, the founder of Dash Records,” Hank said, introducing us.

I stretched out my hand and shook Mr Dash’s large hand.

The guy looked like a bouncer, someone

who clearly knew how to handle himself in a tight situation. He didn’t look a day over thirty and oozed a little sex appeal. Those big brown eyes were more than I could handle.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I replied with a smile, pulling my hand away and looking back at Hank.

“I’m sorry, the band is young and enjoying themselves, so ill warn you now, there are females roaming our house naked,” Hank remarked with a cheeky grin… typical male. For all I knew, Hank was probably enjoying having a bevy of beauties at his disposal.

“Like I said this morning, bands seem to draw women to remove clothing. Let’s face it, when men are young and in a rock band, the females will come swarming,” I remarked, looking down at the bottle of vodka which was calling my name. I stepped around the island bench and grabbed a shot glass, pouring myself a nip before shooting it back and letting the liquor burn, I let it sooth me. “Hey sexy,” someone mumbled to me. I looked up to find two big, brown eyes looking down at me intently, a sly grin parting the stranger’s lips. Clearly this guy was young, younger than me. I hope he is legal at least, for Hanks sake, the last thing he needs is underage drinkers at his house.

“Hey,” I replied, returning his smile before looking back down to pour myself

another drink.

I wasn’t going to be rude, in fact, with the founder and my boss looking over me I knew being rude wasn’t an option. Besides, this guy was just being friendly or at least I thought he was being friendly?

Damn, the liquid burned. As much as I wasn’t a drinker, I knew I needed just a few more to take the edge off my uneasiness at being at this bash. I really shouldn’t complain, this was my boss’s house and it was his life. Parties like this were something I would have to deal with if I intended to make it in this business; events, guys, booze and unwanted bull shit all came hand-in-hand with this lifestyle.

I went to pour myself another drink when I felt hands slip around my waist and the tell-tale signs of someone’s arousal flush against my butt. I didn’t want to be rude, but at this point in time the guy wasn’t giving me much of an option. If he made another move then he was in for some serious pain, because the last person who tried to feel me up ended up in hospital with some serious blue balls.

“You’re a sexy woman, different to most girls here,” the kid mumbled, his breath reeked of whiskey as he leant in to kiss the nape of my neck. That was it, he had made a move and now he would have to suffer for it.

I turned in his grasp and gripped his somewhat small package. This guy was clearly a kid, probably barely twenty in age.

He groaned, seeming to be in a very uncomfortable situation.

“I don’t think you have the balls to handle a real woman,” I replied, “The next time you invade my personal space, and kiss me on the neck, I’ll do more than grab these little things. I’ll make sure you never fuck a woman again. Got it?” I warned, as I flashed him a smile and let go of his package shoving him away.

Maybe it was a little harsh, but it certainly told others to steer clear of me, which is exactly what I wanted. It’s not that I dislike crowds, because the fact is I love them, but I hate it when people invaded my personal space.

“I like her, she is blunt, up front and doesn’t take shit from anyone,” Mr Dash whispered as I walked back towards Hank.

“You have the job, missy, enjoy playing with the band,” he smirked, shaking Hank’s hand and walking away.

What the fuck just happened? I looked at Hank and shook my head, shock was a complete understatement.

˜*˜

“I’m so sorry Hank, I didn’t mean to