Page 56 of Fake Dating Daxton Hawk
“Just checking in. I saw some photos of you and Daxton at a party in The Hamptons. Looked like fun. How was it?”
“I’m still here. There was a bad crash and the roads are closed. We’re sleeping at Daxton’s friend’s house tonight.”
“Oh, okay. Any word from Steel yet?”
Mention of Steel brings a frown to my face. Despite being angry at the way he disappeared on me, it doesn’t change that I miss him. He hasn’t replied to me in weeks, and yet I still check Secret Santa every day, hopeful. “I haven’t heard from him.”
“Ouch. I’m sorry.”
“Can we please not talk about him right now.”
“Yeah, sure. I’m really calling to tell you two things. I found a book you’ll love and sent it to your Kindle.”
“What’s it called?”
“That’s a surprise.” The amusement in her voice makes me suspicious.
“Okay…? What’s it about?”
“That’s also a surprise. It’s better if you go in blind. All I’ll share is that Darius told me about the book. It’s one of these stories where you can insert your own name as the main character before purchasing the book. The second thing I’m calling about is that Zac and I are throwing a party at our place on Wednesday night. Bring Daxton with you so we can meet him.”
“Daxton is leaving New York tomorrow.”
“So? You said he’s got a private jet. Ask him if he’ll fly back for the party.”
I sit on the edge of the bed and sigh. “Mina, I’m not asking him to fly somewhere for a few hours so my friends can grill him.”
“We’re not going to grill Daxton. We want to know him. You said you would introduce me to him and that still hasn’t happened. Just ask him, okay? No harm done. If he says no, we’ll arrange another get-together.”
“Ugh, fine. I’ll ask him.”
“Yes!” she squeals. “Okay, this is going to be so much fun. I’m assigning him the role of Dracula. You’re Dracula’s wife. We’ll all be going overboard with our costumes so tell him the pressure is on.”
“What are you talking about? A costume party? There’s no fucking way, Mina.”
“Oh, did I not mention it’s a murder mystery party? The theme is supernatural.”
I laugh beneath my breath. This is so typical of Mina. “If there’s one thing more embarrassing than a costume party, it’s a murder mystery party. Please tell me there’s not going to be cringy acting we have to get involved in?”
“There will be acting. Babe, it will be fun. Invite him. Bye. Oh, and read the book!” She hangs up before I can argue or find an excuse to back out of the party.
While I wait for Daxton to finish in the bathroom, I grab my Kindle and climb into bed. A second later, when I find the book Mina sent me, I can’t resist laughing at the title.Octodick: an erotic monster romance between Jordan Hart and a half-man, half-octopus.
* * *
But what was meant to be a nice day swimming in the ocean turned into Jordan’s worst nightmare when something slimy wrapped around her ankle and pulled her deep below the surface. Jordan kicked and squirmed with determination to be freed but it was no use. The mysterious sea creature dragged her farther into the depths of the ocean. She held onto her breath for dear life, but when the creature showed itself, every last ounce of air shot out of Jordan’s lungs in desire. This was no ordinary sea creature but a beast. Abeautifulbeast.
He was man on top, muscular and handsome with chiseled cheek bones and long black hair, with even darker eyes. Below, he was octopus. Except those weren’t ordinary tentacles. The beast had eight throbbing cocks that danced around him in the water, looking for a hole to enter. Jordan knew in that moment that she wanted to be that hole. No, sheneededto be that hole.
“What are you grinning at?”
I yelp at the sound of Daxton’s voice, never having heard him open the bathroom door. And, Jesus Christ, he’s not wearing a shirt. Of course he isn’t, I took his only clean one. His dark hair is damp and tousled from the shower. How the hell am I meant to sleep next to him looking like that?
“Ah… I wasn’t grinning at anything.” I switch my Kindle into sleep mode and shove it under my pillow. The last thing I want is Daxton discovering a book about me and this Octodick dude.
“What’s your book about?”
“Nothing. Um… How was your shower?”
