Page 3 of Exposed
When Jamison was certain Angie slept, he slipped from the bed and went through his usual routine of moving pillows before sneaking out and locking the door behind him. He waited until he was in his truck to turn on his phone. Jamison always kept the device off while he was with clients. They paid for his full attention and they got it. He had missed a call from an unknown number, a text from his ex, and a text from the same unknown number. Jamison sent the text from his ex straight to the trash without reading it before he opened the other one.
Unknown number:This is Kace. I got your number from Haven. I didn’t want to message you through the app where I hired you, in case anyone else can see those. Anyhow, I owe you a huge apology. I tried to call and tell you myself. You’re probably like me and don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. I just wanted to say that I hired you because I need you. You’re right to feel insulted. Your job is important. Don’t worry. I won’t bother you again.
Well, damn. Now he felt bad for storming out of his cousin’s wedding reception over this. Sometimes he let his temper get thebest of him. This time, it had cost him a moment with his family and a client. That was pretty typical of him. In the end, he was always the one he hurt the most.
With no plan, he saved Kace’s number to his phone. Maybe he could still salvage things.
Jamison:I turn my phone off when I’m with clients. I appreciate your apology. Anytime you need my services, I’m fine to continue working with you. No hard feelings.
There. Professional. Very adult like. He set his phone aside and started his truck. Before he could back from the driveway, he got a notification. Jamison checked his phone again. He had a job offer waiting. It was only eleven. There was still time to squeeze in another appointment. It was Kace. He took a steadying breath and hit accept. Jamison had proven he could be professional. Money was money.
On autopilot, he drove to Kace’s place. When he arrived at the upscale home deep in an affluent neighborhood, Jamison donned his mental armor. He made it through Afghanistan. This was nothing. He made his way to the door. Barely any light shone inside. The place looked the way it always did when he arrived—like Kace was ready for bed. He rang the doorbell.
Kace answered the way he always did, wearing pajama pants and a T-shirt. “Hey. Thanks for coming.” He sounded formal, obviously ready to treat this like the transaction it was. Unfortunately, something strange had happened to his brain since their argument. Jamison didn’t see him as a client anylonger. Kace knew his real name. They’d danced. Jamison saw his light green eyes and messy dark hair and couldn’t stop thinkinghe’s beautiful. Jamison was fucked.
It was uncomfortable. They were stiff. He felt exactly like a stranger held him. He made it all of ten minutes.
“I guess I ruined this.” He said the words against Jamison’s massive chest. Kace couldn’t look the guy in the eye.
“What do you think you’ve ruined?”
He sounded half asleep—like he was the one getting the most from this service. That relaxed Kace’s shoulders a bit.
“This arrangement. It doesn’t feel the same. I can’t relax. Like, do you want me to keep calling you James? Or am I allowed to call you Jamison? This just doesn’t feel the same.” Things felt intimate and Kace couldn’t relax because it shouldn’t be intimate.
“Jamison.”
He really sounded dead to the world.
Kace leaned back a hair. A smile exploded across his face. Jamison was out. His discomfort disappeared. It was obvious Jamison had no issues with holding Kace. Kace didn’t even care the guy was sleeping on the job. He still intended to get his money’s worth.
Kace grabbed his phone and set his alarm before using the app on his phone to turn out the lights. He put the device away, grabbed the covers, and settled back down. His mind wouldn’t be quiet. When he went to dinner with Lucas, he had hoped his night would end differently. When Lucas had been called into work, Kace definitely hadn’t seen the evening going in this direction. He kind of preferred this. Kace liked Lucas. He was some sort of courier for the rich. The guy got paid a lot of money to be ready for anything at all hours of the day. Kace gathered his clientele was small but elite. Like top one percent elite. But there was something about the guy that kept Kace from chasing him. He was too young for Kace, for one thing. He hadn’t truly considered that age gap the night they had met purely for sex. Sitting across from the guy at dinner felt different. There was something just slightly disingenuous about him. Jamison didn’t feel fake. Kace’s mind screeched to a halt. Wait. Why was he thinking about Lucas and Jamison in the same breath? The two very different arrangements. Extremely different. He was being dumb. Jamison was here for the money. He didn’t see Kace as anything more than a client and why should he see Kace as more? Kace was just a client. Damn. What was wrong with him… well, Jamison was rather snuggly. There was a reason Kace kept hiring him. Realistically, would he want to be in this position with someone he didn’t find attractive? He had to stop. Kace couldn’t let his mind travel that path. He had already insulted the poor guy. The last thing he wanted was for Jamison to accuseKace of thinking he was a whore again. He just needed to fall asleep, put these crazy thoughts behind him, and try again with Lucas. Kace just needed to get laid. That was all. Lucas was too young to have a real relationship with Kace, but he was definitely old enough to be amazing in bed. Kace had needs. Once it was out of his system, this would just be a service provided. That was it.
Jamison shifted in his sleep. Kace found himself half squashed beneath Jamison’s massive weight. It was kind of nice. But then Jamison shoved his hand beneath Kace’s shirt, as if seeking warmth… or bare skin. Kace realized they were both hard and there was no denying it. The guy’s huge erection dug into his hip. Kace closed his eyes and focused on breathing. Jamison was asleep. People couldn’t control what they did in their sleep. No big deal. Fuck. He really had to call Lucas. This was about to be the longest night of his life.
Chapter Three
DarknessengulfedJamisonashe slowly woke. He felt oddly rested for the middle of the night. The more his mind cleared, the more the horror set in. He wasn’t home. Jamison had fallen asleep with Kace. Holy shit. That had never happened to him. Normally, he had a terrible time sleeping, so it was easy for him to stay awake with clients. He couldn’t believe he had done something so stupid.
Jamison eased his hand in his pocket to find his phone. The last thing he wanted was to disturb Kace. He turned on the device, checked the face, and shot straight up. It was nearly noon. He blinked at his surroundings. Even in the pitch black, he could make out a few things. There was the faintest hint of light streaming in around the curtains and there was a nightlight in the bathroom. The bed was empty. Jamison scrambled from the bed. He felt like a total idiot. It looked like it was his turn to say he was sorry. He couldn’t believe this had happened. Jamisonrushed from the room, determined to apologize. The house was totally silent. In the kitchen, he found a plate of muffins and a note.
Jamison,
You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn’t want to bother you. I made you breakfast. There’s orange juice in the fridge and coffee in the pot you can reheat. When you’re ready, just lock the door behind you. No need to rush. I know I can trust you. Just text me when you leave so I can set the alarm on the app. Thanks for a great night of sleep.
Well, shit. He could hardly charge Kace for this. Jamison checked the app on his phone to withdraw the invoice. It had already been paid. He tried issuing a refund, but it was rejected. It seemed the app was being a bitch. He obviously couldn’t win.
Jamison eyed the muffins. They looked good. Surely, it would be rude if he didn’t eat at least one. He picked a small one and broke off a piece. A hum of delight rose in his throat. Banana nut. His favorite. It even had the little streusel topping on top he loved. He ate as he moved to the fridge. Just like Kace said, a full container of orange juice was inside. It was freshly squeezed. Jesus. Jamison was falling in love. His stomach was the way to his heart. After finding the glassware and pouring a cup, he pulled out a stool at the counter and sat. While he ate his second muffin, he tried again to refund Kace’s money. It just wouldn’t go through. With a huff, he started on a third muffin. It was like he was doomed to wreck things with Kace. He supposed they were even now, but he still needed to apologize.
Jamison eyed the nearly empty plate. Kace had said he made Jamison breakfast—like he cooked. That didn’t sound like someone angry. He wondered what brand muffin mix this was. Damn. It was good. Jamison looked around for the trash can. He wasn’t above checking. When he pushed the lever down with his foot and the lid popped up, he froze. Banana peels and eggshells stared up at him. Goddamn. He had made the muffins from scratch. That was it. Jamison had to marry him. He chuckled at his thoughts. Jamison hadn’t felt this good in a long time. It was amazing what a solid night of sleep did for him. Now he needed a shower. Regretfully, he left the final two muffins behind. While he wanted them, he didn’t want to wipe Kace out. It was possible Kace expected to eat at least one when he got home. He rinsed his glass and put it in the dishwasher before heading back to the bedroom to make the bed. After a quick trip to the bathroom, he was out. The minute he climbed into his truck, he texted Kace. He didn’t want to drive away, leaving Kace’s house without the alarm set.
Jamison:I’m incredibly sorry. This has never happened to me before. Not once have I fallen asleep on a client. I tried refunding your money, but I guess something is wrong with the payment app. It keeps rejecting the refund. Let me know if there’s a different way I can send the money. Or if you’d like, my next session is free. That is, if you’re still willing to work with me. I feel terrible. Thank you for breakfast. It was terrific. I’m out now if you want to secure things. Again, so sorry.
To his surprise, his phone almost immediately chirped.
Kace:It could’ve happened to anyone. You don’t owe me a thing. I slept great.
Fuck. Jamison really had to hang on to Kace. He chewed his bottom lip. Oddly, he didn’t want their conversation to end, but he couldn’t think of anything else to say. So he just typed.
