Jace
“So, you just wrapped filming this week?”
“Just today, actually,” I tell Greg Guthrie, the long standing talk show host for the Midnight Hour. We’ve done quite a few over the years and he’s one of the few that doesn’t intentionally try to create drama or ask questions in an effort to leak details or trip you up.
“And this was for the Prism spin-off, correct?”
I nod. “Yeah, this is the next generation of students from the school, so they’re the main focus. I just reprised the role of Tommy Daniels.” Everyone in the studio claps, a few hoots and hollers and I smile pressing my hands in a gesture to thank them. “It was fun bringing him back to life.”
“I think I speak for everyone when I say we can’t wait to see that,” he pauses, putting his hand out to the audience, “and I know what else people can’t wait for.
” An image of the Iron Horizon logo pops up on the screen and this time the entire audience screams, half of them stand as they clap and raise their arms in the air.
I laugh at the excitement, clapping myself.
“Is there anything you can share with us about the film?” Greg asks, after the volume in the studio quiets down.
“Well…I might have a little surprise for you guys,” I say with a smirk and raised eyebrow.
If I thought the screaming was loud before, it’s deafening now.
“I may, or may not, have the official trailer for you guys to view,” I tease with a smile.
I take it back, the walls are practically vibrating at the room's current decibel level.
I’ve done so many of these interviews and announcements, never has the excitement been like this.
Finally after the screaming subsides, only after Greg waves his hands up and down to calm them, he says, “Well, this is a fun surprise, but I think I might have a little one for you, too.”
I swivel a glance in his direction; I hide my wide-eyed expression, focusing on keeping my smile as genuine as possible.
I hate surprises.
“Oh yeah?” I reply curiously, hiding my distaste.
“Ladies and gentleman, Lennox Rome!” Greg stands with his arm out to the curtain at the side of the stage.
My face falls but I school my expression immediately. It takes a few seconds for my body to register that he’s walking out from behind the curtain.
Oh, fuck.
How come no one fucking told me?
He’s dressed in a sleek, all-black suit looking like a self-made billionaire playboy that just left the office after a long day.
The top buttons of his shirt are splayed open in a manner that’s intentionally messy, that phoenix on his chest peaks through the top and I don’t need to see more of it to remember exactly what it looks like. It’s seared into my memory.
The sleeves are rolled up to his elbows and his jade eyes are the only color in his entire ensemble. He looks mouth-watering and I find myself fisting the wooden arms of my chair to ground myself.
He steps forward raising one arm to the crowd and the muscles in his back peek through the fabric of his perfectly tailored shirt. He blows a couple of kisses to them, then turns around and steps up on the stage.
I stand, buttoning my suit jacket, then clap with the crowd. I plaster on a smile so wide, faking every bit of confidence, as he strides in my direction.
His eyes lock on mine, blazed with that same need he’s always had when looking at me. It feels as if the connection fills the void holding my chest captive.
My lips turn up as a burst of happiness hits my gut and my eyes soften against my will. As hard as I try, I can’t mask the biological reaction my body has to him.
Clearly, that pleases him when a lopsided smirk lifts at the corner of his mouth.
He reaches his arm out, grabs my neck and pulls me into him.
It’s a tight hug, hard and aggressive in nature but the weight of his body melts into mine, like I just put out a wildfire burning under his skin.
That is until he pulls back, his eyes darting between my eyes and mouth.
I swallow the nerves down, taking in his wanton expression as he pays way too much attention to my lips.
He sucks in a long breath, the crowd still screaming but I can’t hear them. The sound of my own heartbeat thumping in my ears and lust-filled desire block out everything else.
I squint as I gaze back at him, unsure of his next move, which puts me on edge and he can sense it.
Another devious smirk forms over his lips, then he cups his hand over my cheek, tilts his head, then slams his lips onto mine.