Page 73 of Reckless

“What are you two talking about?” Wayne looks over.

“You,” Drew smirks. “Keep out of it.”

He gives her a wink. His phone rings and he answers it, turning to look out of the window. Drew is right. From the moment they met, they knew they were right for each other.

They might have slept together that first night, but they became friends first. It was a long time before they finally got their shit together. She isn’t one to talk.

When we arrive at Sonic, the queue is around the block, hopefuls all wanting to get into one of the most exclusive nightclubs in the city. The limo drives past the club and takes a few turns before stopping at the rear private entrance.

I down the last of the champagne before we get out. As Xander reaches in to help me, a figure pushes off from the wall, catching mine and Drew’s attention. I’d know that body anywhere. He’s staring at Xander’s hand holding mine. I have an irrational urge to pull away, but Xander is only helping me out of the limo.

“My head of security called to say he was here. I told them to bring him round back.”

Wayne walks over to Drew and takes her arm. That must have been the phone call he took earlier.

“Shit, is that Jude Smallwood?” Xander asks. “Isn’t he on the run or something?”

“Don’t be an idiot, Xander,” Drew shakes her head. “He’s here for Krista.”

“No shit?”

We walk to the back door, and I stop in front of Jude. His eyes rake up and down my body and I flush at the perusal.

“You look phenomenal,” he says. His hands are shoved in the pockets of his jeans. Wayne and Xander are dressed in suits, but Jude looks effortlessly sexy in his jeans and dark black t-shirt.

“I didn’t think you were going to make it.”

“I told you I’d be here,” he frowns as he takes in my expression. “You thought I wouldn’t?”

My lips twist as I try to hide what I’d thought. He gives me that sexy smirk, then reaches for me and pulls me into him. His eyes go to Xander and back.

“Should I be worried?” his brow arches.

“No.”

“Not about Xander.”

We both turn at the sound of Drew's voice. She is standing behind me, one hip cocked out, her hand on the other. I laugh at the way she is staring at Jude.

“Drew, I presume?” Jude moves to the side of me, but he doesn’t let me go. He reaches out a hand and Drew relents and shakes. “I’m Jude.”

She gives me a look.

“Wayne?” Jude looks at my other friend. “Thanks for taking the call. It could have got a little hairy for me out here.”

“No problem.” Wayne shakes his hand too. And Xander comes over.

“Shall we get off the street then, before someone sees him?” I ask.

“Good idea, it’s cold out here,” Drew says, turning and heading for the door a security guard is holding.

Jude’s palm is warm against my back as we follow behind them. He leans in close before we go through the door. “I’ll explain everything later, but I’m sorry for not getting away sooner.”

“You’re here now,” I say.

“Yeah. As hot as that dress is, it will look a hell of a lot better on the bedroom floor.”

He takes hold of my chin and turns my head, pressing his lips to mine, capturing my lower one between his teeth.

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