Blurb:
Evan spends half the week on the road, literally, and the
rest of his time sitting around in an empty house. Killing time and drowning
his hopes of ever finding someone to share his life with. Someone to come home
to.
When he meets Georgie at a New Year’s Eve, Evan’s entire
perspective changes.
Pages or Words: Approximately 35,000
words
Categories: Contemporary, Gay Fiction,
M/M Romance, New Adult
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.
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.
Sales Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1SF5fO7
About the
author:
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:
Twitter: @ariagracebooks
Publisher: Surrendered Press
Cover
Artist: Kris Kendall
Tour Dates & Stops: August 11, 2015
Tour Dates & Stops: August 11, 2015
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I love Aria's books and can't wait to read this one! I don't really have a favorite couple.
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