“Ah, I see. So I still have some waiting to do.”
“I have a proposition for you. I’ll talk really quick to Mark and Luke, then circle back to you before the photographer calls you up. I won’t take much of your time. I just want to schedule that one-on-one meeting and find out if you’re looking for something in particular so I can do some recon work for you.”
“I have an even better proposition.”
“Oh! Okay. Let’s hear it.”
“Wait until I’m done with the photo shoot, and then we can have that meeting tonight, over dinner.”
“Dinner?”
“You have plans already?” He looked at me determinedly, as if he’d convince me to override those plans, whatever they were.
“No, but you want to spend dinner talking shop?”
“I don’t mind. Insider tip: you can talk me into a lot of things if there’s food involved. Just ask my family.”
He came a little closer, holding me captive in place with those gorgeous green eyes.
“Be careful there. Who knows what you might end up signing.”
“I’m just going to hope you won’t take advantage. Too much.”
Right. So he was even more charming in person than I’d thought. He took another step in my direction, until he was so close that I could see the hint of a five o’clock shadow on his jaw and cheeks. How would it feel against my skin?
Oh, no, no. I wouldn’t go there. But those green eyes were relentlessly trained on me, further encouraging my thoughts to follow that path.
“What do you say?” he continued.
“I won’t be able to do the recon work I mentioned.”
“There’s still time for that. Do we have a deal?” He shoved his h
ands in his pockets, moving his weight from his heels to the front, invading my private space a little.
“We have a deal.” I nodded before heading over to Mark and Luke. My thoughts were on Jace the entire time I spoke to them. So far, he’d done justice to his media portrayal.
Charming? Check. Hot as all get out? Double check. Was he also the player they made him out to be?
As soon as the photographer announced the session was over, Jace walked to me.
“All yours,” he announced, flashing me a crooked smile, looking even more breathtaking. Did this man ever not smile?
“I saw a Chinese restaurant just around the corner when I came here.”
“Let’s go there. Lead the way.”
The restaurant was large, and we found an empty table all the way in the back. The place was decorated with Chinese motifs. Cute miniature dragons surrounded us, and the air was thick with various delicious smells.
As soon as we ordered, I told him, “So, Jace, as I said, this meeting is about finding out what you’re looking for, if you have any specific wishes—types of endorsements you want to score or to avoid. I’ve looked at your existing workload, and you’re booked solid, but you’re also the Lords’ most bankable player. I assume you want to take advantage.”
“You’re right about that. This career won’t last forever, and this claim to fame will last even less. I’m not kidding myself that anyone is going to chase me in a few years’ time.”
I liked that he was down-to-earth and realistic. Judging by his easygoing nature, I’d figured he’d be easily swept up by his success. I was glad that I’d been wrong.
“Glad to hear we’re on the same page. Anything you’d rather not book? I’m just going to take my iPad out and write everything down so I have a record of the conversation.”
Jace pressed his lips together as if he was trying to suppress a smile. That was a first.