Eddie
Channing has never bothered with a career. Yet somehow he’s become the best
salesman at Pleasure Seekers.
When his boss makes a shock announcement, Eddie isn’t just fighting for his
job—his whole life as he knows it is at stake.
Enter Billy Webster. A Brighton shop owner still grieving the loss of his
mother as well as raising his teenage sister, he could hold the answers to all
of Eddie’s problems… if Eddie can screw a good chunk of commission out of him.
But Eddie, who’s as chilled about his love life as he is about his professional
one, is shaken to the core when he first sets eyes on Billy. Can he lie to him
straight away, and keep the deception going if they become involved?
And what will happen if the truth comes out, to Eddie, Billy and any
relationship they’ve built?
Trigger Warning – elements of grief for the loss of a mother (off page).
Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Pleasure Seekers series!
For book one, Thrill, click HERE.
Book
2
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The front doorbell sounded, snapping Billy to attention.
“He must be here,” he said.
“Or it’s a customer,” Harry replied.
“I admire your optimism. I’ll go.”
Billy strode out into the shop. A man had his back to him. He appeared to be inspecting a shell-covered jewellery box. Not one of Billy’s wisest choices.
“Can I help you?”
When the man turned around, Billy gasped. He hadn’t seen someone that handsome in a long time. With light brown skin and short dreadlocks that appeared to have been tinted by the sun, he glowed.
He was a contrast to Billy’s much darker tone and cropped hair. Fashion statements had never been high on Billy’s agenda. He took pride in his appearance whilst making minimal effort. Although when Crystal’s friends all became obsessed with giving each other facials at sleepovers, he did succumb to letting Crystal practice her technique on him.
The life of a girl dad proved to be a never-ending voyage of discovery.
“Mr Webster?” the exquisite specimen said.
“Um… yes.”
“Eddie Channing. From Pleasure Seekers. We have an appointment?”
“That’s right.”
“Sorry, Mr Channing,” Harry said as he pushed past Billy. “My brother appears to have let the heat get to him. I’m Harry and this is Billy.”
Eddie shook his hand. “That’s better. I’d get confused dealing with two Mr Websters.”
Billy got a hold of himself and forced his brain to focus. “My apologies, Mr… Eddie. I don’t know what came over me.”
This man intrigued Eddie. “Don’t worry about it. As long as I have the bragging rights. It’s not every day I make a handsome man lose his words. My flatmates will be amazed.”
Did he just call me handsome?
Billy refused to let his emotions take control. This was important. He wouldn’t fall for a salesman’s tactics.
He held his hand out. When Eddie took it, Billy tried his best to ignore the spark of electricity that fizzed through him.
“Would you like to come through?” Billy said.
“I’ll put the closed sign on,” Harry chipped in.
“No n—” Billy started.
Harry widened his eyes at him. “Probably for the best.”
Suddenly, Billy saw how wildly out of his depth he was. Harry seemed to be treating this like one of his fights. He was ducking and weaving all over the place. Billy had never been any good at games.
That was probably why they were about to go bust.
He led Eddie through. The close proximity making his heart beat a little faster. However, those few steps gave him the chance to get it together.
“Take a seat,” he said. “Can I get you a drink? It’s hot today.”
“No, I’m good,” Eddie said.
Billy took his usual seat at the little desk. He gestured for Eddie to take the armchair that Crystal usually sat in to do her homework.
Harry soon followed them and perched delicately on the remaining stool. He was far too big for it. Billy prayed to everything holy that it wouldn’t collapse under him.
Why didn’t I give him this seat? Fuck’s sake, calm down. It doesn’t matter.
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in this lovely series set in Brighton and involving the staff of a rather interesting business called Pleasure Seekers. If you have not read Thrill, then I would recommend it to you, but you could start here and go back, but read it you should!
We met Eddie and his flatmates in the first book, so we know a bit about his style and his love of football, and an almost career as a professional player, which failed due to an injury. So it was fun to have a subplot which involved the game. Early on he is faced with the need to compete for his boss's job, which does bad things to his style and his behaviour. Sadly, the worst deal he pulls is with someone he soon realises he wants to get to know better.
Billy stepped up when his mum died and put his life on hold to bring up his sister, Crystal, and keep the shops open that his mother had, to provide a future for Crystal. The second has been a struggle, and with only one left, an opportunity arises to become a seller of Pleasure Seekers products. This is how he meets Eddie – who sets a high percentage fee which never gets negotiated down.
As the men get close, Eddie sits with the knowledge that the contract is going to get him the job, but damages the chances of his new relationship succeeding when the truth is known.
There are another couple of clever side plots which keep the tension on the simmer, and are reminders that life is never that simple and that good people can do silly things, just as bad ones can sometimes behave reasonably.
Lots of depth to another delicious story from the very talented Kristian Parker.
I have written for as long as I
could write. In fact, before, when I would dictate to my auntie. I love to
read, and I love to create worlds and characters.
I live in the English countryside. When I’m not writing, I like to get out
there and think through the next scenario I’m going to throw my characters
into.
Inspiration can be found anywhere, on a train, in a restaurant or in an office.
I am always in search of the next character to find love in one of my stories.
In a world of apps and online dating, it is important to remember love can be
found when you least expect it.
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Kristian Parker!
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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided
a free copy of Kicks (Pleasure Seekers #2) by Kristian Parker to read and
review.
