Excerpt:
Bill,
bill, coupon, coupon, bill, and a big black envelope addressed to me. An
invite, maybe? I don’t see my name in calligraphy very often but it looks good.
Mr.
Georgie Kelton
Most of the mail that comes to the penthouse is not
for me so I rarely look through it. I mostly toss it in a pile for Spencer or
Dylan to take care of when they’re in town. But for the past two weeks I’ve
been checking every day for something important. Not just something. The one
thing that could get me pointed in the right direction for a real career in
fashion.
The Bijou Design Summit for Fashion in New York
accepts six up-and-comers with no experience or schooling into their Page
program for the week of the event. It’s not glamourous work but if I get
accepted as a page, it’ll be worth a few years of practical experience right
there. Fast-tracking my fashion aspirations from a ten year plan to a five year
plan would be huge.
I’ve had dreams of starting my own fashion line
since I was a kid but I couldn’t risk anyone catching me with a sketch pad full
of wedding gowns so I put those dreams on hold.
Once I ran away and started dancing, I all but
forgot about the goal. It wasn’t until Spencer and Dylan encouraged me to start
sketching again that I even considered a career in fashion was possible.
But here I am, waiting for a letter from New York
that will tell me if my dreams are more than fantasy. If I have what it takes
to even stand in the same room as the people I’ve idolized since the day I
thumbed through my mom’s Cosmopolitan magazine.
And as much as I want to say getting to New York is
all about fashion, I know that’s a lie. It’s about more. I want more.
My friends are all beginning to couple up around me
and it’s becoming harder to ignore the lack of a better half in my own life. I
have fun with my tricks and I’m physically satisfied but watching them get
dressed and go home to their wives or kids or wherever they go after they get
their rocks off with me is starting to wear me down.
A five-year plan is perfect. Just enough time for me
to put together a decent portfolio, make some contacts in the industry, and
work my way out of whoring. It’s a good gig while you can get it but I can’t do
this forever. And I won’t try. Wouldn’t want to even if I could.
Dropping all the junk mail on the counter, I take
the invitation with me as I flop on the white leather couch. The Christmas tree
is still standing in the corner but the unusually sunny day drowns out all the
holiday cheer that filled the penthouse just twenty four hours ago.
With Dylan and Spencer back in California to spend
time with Andre and his new boyfriend, Frankie, the penthouse is more lonely
than ever.
Pulling open the corner of the black envelope with my
teeth, I shake it sideways until the single notecard falls into my lap.
You’re Invited
Ring in the New Year with Chance and Vinnie
Black Tie Attire
10pm
Private Mezzanine at The Heathman Hotel
Ring in the New Year with Chance and Vinnie
Black Tie Attire
10pm
Private Mezzanine at The Heathman Hotel
A party at The Heathman? Are Chance and Vinnie going
all 50 Shades on us? I haven’t spent much time with those guys but what I do
know about them is all good. It sounds like just the kind of party I love but I
have other plans.
Theo promised to ditch his wife on New Year’s and
spend the evening with me. The tyrant he’s married to keeps his holiday
schedule locked up during the entire month of December but he’s already given
her an excuse about having to entertain some colleagues from the United Arab
Emirates.
If all goes well, that ball in New York won’t be the
only one getting some action on Saturday night. Being a high-end rent boy
guarantees I have sex nightly when I’m working, but Theo will cuddle.
Sometimes.
If he doesn’t have to rush out, he’ll hold me until
I fall asleep. But it’s been too long since he hasn’t had to rush out so
Saturday can’t come soon enough.
While I’m thinking of him, I can’t resist a quick
text.
I’ve
sent the proposal.
Because his wife is always monitoring his phone when
she’s around, I have to start every text with an innocuous phrase that won’t
raise any suspicions.
Thanks.
In a meeting. Will review tonight.
Tonight? I wasn’t expecting him to come over
tonight. I quickly thumb through my scheduling app to make sure I’m free. I
have one client at 7:00 but will be free by 9:00 so I send him a coded reply.
I’ll
be offline until 9. Will look for your comments then.
Confirmed.
Confirmed! He’s coming tonight.
I toss the invite onto the coffee table and jump out
of my seat. If I’m going to see my sugar daddy tonight, I need to do some prep
work. I haven’t waxed in a week and I could use a pedicure.
Theo also likes lace so I spend the next hour trying
on lingerie until I find a pair of panties that displays my package the best.
The red lace against my pale skin has the same classic thing that my girl
Taylor rocks.
The best part is they’re assless. The straps that
hold the front together fit snugly under my cheeks, giving me a bit more of a
bubble butt than nature intended. Again,
exactly how Theo likes me.
Personally, my style is more about beauty and
comfort than purely being femme. But, Theo has a thing for princesses. His wife
is a princess but more beast than beauty.
So I give him what he wants. He doesn’t pay me
anymore, not in terms of my nightly rates. He gives me something far more
valuable than the cash I get from every other trick. Theo gives me affection.
It’s not a perfect relationship right now, but as soon as he leaves the ice
queen, we can be together.
Of course, if the page job in NYC comes through, I
may have to reevaluate everything, including my patience with Theo.
Born and raised in
Los Angeles, California, Aria enjoys the year round sunshine and laid back
environment of the west coast. She lives with her husband and two children on a
quiet hill that gives her lots of time to read and write. Once she ventured
into the exciting world of gay romance, she never looked back. She loves to
hear from readers so please feel free to drop her a note or visit her at
www.ariagracebooks.com.
Where to find the author:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/FollowAriaGrace
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Aria-Grace/e/B00AU4XSH8/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Twitter: @ariagracebooks
Goodreads
Link: https://www.goodreads.com/ariagrace
Tour Dates & Stops: August 11, 2015
Parker Williams,
Happily
Ever Chapter, Charley Descoteaux, Bayou Book
Junkie, Molly
Lolly, MM Good Book Reviews, V's Reads, BFD Book Blog, TTC Books and More, Carly’s Book
Reviews, Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My. Scattered
Thoughts & Rogue Words, Christy Loves 2 Read, Fangirl
Moments and My Two Cents, Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews, Iyana Jenna, Velvet Panic, Inked Rainbow Reads, Book Reviews, Rants, and
Raves
$25 Amazon Gift card and paperback of Looking for
Home (or other Aria Grace book)
I've only just found "Aria Grace" books a little while ago and haven't read her books yet but they all look and sound Fabulous.
ReplyDeleteNew to me author. Look forward to reading her books
ReplyDeleteThanks, lady! I truly appreciate your continued support. You're the best!!!
ReplyDeleteOmg that is not fair. I have like each couple that i have read so far of Aria's books so far I can't choose one.
ReplyDelete