Page 80 of Reckless

Chapter 20

Jude is different after I come back. He’s quiet and keeps his back to me. I’m tired so don’t want to ask him what’s up. I’m sure he’s thinking things through that have happened over the last couple of days. I’ve tried to give him his space with all of that and let him bring it up in his own time if he wants to.

Instead of dwelling on his different mood, I lose myself in the writing. He’s quiet through dinner, but keeps looking over at the kitchen counter. At first, I’m not sure what he’s so fascinated with, then notice my phone. Weird.

While I wash the dishes, I grab the phone and unlock it. There is a text from Xander. That’s odd. He rarely texts me. It came in earlier when Jude was cooking.

Is that what his mood change is about? It can’t be. He wouldn’t read my messages.

Xander

Sorry I missed you leaving. I came around but Drew said you left earlier. It was great seeing you. You look good, I wanted to say last night, but never got a chance. Drew said you’re in Chicago soon. I’m meeting with some investors so could set it up at the same time if you want to grab a drink x

I re-read the message a few times, trying to compute. The tone is easy going I guess, but there are definite undertones to it. Xander is an incessant flirt, he always has been. Is this because of Jude?

That’s ridiculous. The way Jude looked at him when we got out of that limo springs to mind. I couldn’t see Xander’s reaction because I was far too focused on the man leaning up against the wall, waiting for me. He made himself scarce once we got inside. I thought nothing further of it.

Jude is sitting on the couch playing his guitar. Having that in the background has been a nice accompaniment to my getting on with the book, especially when he sings. I love his voice and that we are both here in our own bubbles, but comfortable enough with one another to still be creative.

I drain the water from the sink and after the last dish has been put away, I head over to him. Jude doesn’t look up. Not until I’m standing right in front of him.

“You okay?” he asks, setting the guitar down on the couch beside him.

“I’m fine. Are you?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“You didn’t see my phone earlier?”

He inhales through his nose, a flicker of guilt crosses his face, annoyance follows but he wipes it away as fast. Oh jeez, did he read it? There will be a small preview of the message. I scramble to recall how the text started. Sorry I missed you…

“It’s none of my business.”

“Is that what you think, Jude?”

He shrugs. I need him to be honest with me. Whatever is going on between us has always been based on honesty. This is different because to say he’s jealous means a hell of a lot more than us being on this journey together for a short time.

You weren’t honest with him about how it made you feel when he left to meet Solene. That crosses my mind and I realize we might have a problem. One I’ve been struggling with since our first kiss.

“I didn’t read it, if that’s what you’re worried about. I only saw his name.”

“I’m not accusing you of anything,” I say quietly.

His hand comes up and reaches behind me, touching the bare skin at the back of my leg. It scorches me. His touch elicits something visceral in me. I’ve never reacted to anyone this way before, like electricity is being charged from his skin to mine.

“He’s into you,” Jude looks up at me.

“It isn’t reciprocated.”

“No?”

I shake my head.

He goes quiet as he works through it, and how he wants to react. It’s damn hard but I wait him out.

“He’s in your life. I’m not.”

“You’re here now.”

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