Page 86 of Reckless

“Ugh, my thighs are getting ready to give out,” Krista says, rubbing them through her linen shorts.

“Need a hand with that.” I reach over and squeeze one.

“Maybe back at the RV,” she winks.

I lean over and take her chin, so her head tips towards me. We kiss, and it’s sweet and soft until I dip my tongue inside and then it gets hotter, and my cock perks up. God, what this woman does to me. I’m ravenous for her.

Her hand comes to my chest, and she pushes me back. “Keep it PG mister, there are kids around.”

Her chest and cheeks are flushed. Maybe it’s time to head back. With less than stellar finesse, we get the boat turned around and pointed back to the launch where we rented it.

As we near the edge of the lake, I notice a couple of people with their phones up. My heart picks up. There have been people out here taking pictures all day, families and friends enjoying themselves, but these cameras are pointed at us.

Fuck.

We pushed it too far. And they just got photographs of me and Krista kissing on the lake. Double fuck. My rage grows the closer we get to the shore and the men walk nearer.

“When we get out, head over to those trees, over near the exit, okay? Keep your head down, pull your hair to hide your face.”

“What? Why?” She sees the two guys who are now hurrying to where we are about to stop.

“Jude!”

“Hey, that’s Jude Smallwood!”

“Hey man, can we get an autograph?”

I thank the rental man and take Krista’s hand, half pushing her behind me and making sure she is doing what I said. She isn’t. Damn. I glare at her, but she stubbornly stays put.

This isn’t about anything other than protecting her. If they get pictures and plaster them all over social media, this is over.

Usually, the best way to deal with this is to take pictures and leave. They get what they want. But I don’t want that part of my life intruding on this. For a moment, I think about running, but that would draw even more attention.

Too late. Other people are looking over.

“Krista, go,” I tell her.

“I can’t leave you.”

“I’m fine. Go get the car.”

She shakes her head. I want to kiss her for wanting to support me, but her safety is all I give a shit about. Fuck it. I don’t make eye contact with the fans. I grab her hand and walk away.

“Jude,” Krista clutches my hand. “More people are noticing.”

“Fucking hell. Don’t look back.”

We start moving faster. Of course, she ignores me and looks back. I can already see the headlines, her gorgeous face plastered everywhere. A split second has ruined everything.

“Jude,” Krista says again.

“Just keep walking.”

“No, look.” She tugs my hand and stops.

I risk a look over my shoulder and am shocked as shit to see Luther and Riggs. They’re talking to the two men, herding them back. Luther looks over and nods.

“Who are they?” Krista asks.

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