Page 57 of Reckless

“We’re not all rockstars going to lavish parties every other weekend.”

“True,” he nods.

Jude does a good job of hiding it, but I can see he’s wondering about where he fits in. Do I keep him a secret? Ask him to stay in the RV. Or do I invite him along? Drew will kill me if I do it without letting her know first, so I should figure out what I’m doing.

The idea of leaving him behind like a dog waiting for its master to return doesn’t sit right with me. Bringing him along may make a statement neither one of us is prepared to make. Or maybe I’m reading too much into it.

The truth is, it will be different with Jude around.

There is the added complication of me parking the RV at their place. They have a big house with a lot of land, plenty of room for me to park the RV. I usually spend the night in one of their guest rooms.

I won’t be able to hide Jude Smallwood.

My initial thought was to ask him to check into a hotel for the night, but I feel like a complete shit for thinking of it. Especially given what happened between us last night. And this morning. Best not to think about that.

“Do they know about me?” Jude asks, like he can read my mind. “Do any of your friends know I’m with you?” His voice sounds more cautious with that last question.

“No,” I admit. “I want to protect your privacy. I wouldn’t want it getting out you’re with me because you’re keeping a low profile. My friends wouldn’t run to the papers, but the fewer people who know, the easier it is to control.”

He nods but doesn’t speak.

Is he bothered I haven’t told my friends? I would have thought he’d prefer to keep this from as many people as possible. As far as I’m aware, he has only told one person he’s travelling with me, but not who I am. Apart from his manager.

I’ve purposely not mentioned Jude to Emily because she is a huge fan of Reckless Soul. If I swore her to secrecy, she wouldn’t tell. It’s best not to put her in that position.

We haven’t been in touch for the past couple of days. I’m sure she’s busy with her own thing. She PAs for another author too, but she is eventually going to get back in touch to check in.

After a couple more miles, I suggest we get gas. Jude gets a determined look on his face that has me worried. I should take over driving, but he’s going to argue. Luckily, I know a gas station that has no roof over the pumps and caters to larger vehicles. It’s about three miles outside of Sioux Falls.

When we reach it, Jude follows my directions to a suitable space for the RV.

“Yes,” he pumps the air. “And you said I couldn’t do it.”

“You want to pump the gas too?”

“Don’t dampen my excitement, Krista.”

“I’m serious. You can pump while I go in and grab a few things and pay.”

“Oh. Okay. I’m still proud of myself,” he adds.

I get out of my seat and lean over the back of his chair, kissing his cheek. “I’m proud of you too.”

He laughs. God, how can I possibly disappoint him by sending him away while I see my friends? I grab my purse and phone while Jude slips into the bedroom. When he comes back out, he’s wearing the cowboy hat.

My reaction should be to laugh. It was meant to be a joke, after all. I’m sure that is what he is expecting, but it isn’t what happens.

Jesus. I never thought I’d have a cowboy fetish. I guess I do. My body is warm all over and I get a tingling low down in my stomach the more I stare at him.

Everything goes haywire inside of me when he smirks at me and taps the brim of his hat, like all the sexy cowboys in the movies do. His tight black t-shirt and dark jeans finish the look to perfection.

I shake myself out of the stupor he put me in, my cheeks flushing. He lets out a low rumble of laughter as he passes me and heads for the door. He looks back at me just before he steps out and winks.

“Oh boy,” I mutter, clenching my thighs. I put a hand over my chest, imagining him wearing it in bed. And nothing else. I almost hear him saying, come ride your cowboy.

It would be wrong to pull him into the bedroom at a gas station. So wrong. But…

“You coming?” Jude pops his head back in. That knowing look is still on his face.

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