Page 24 of Judging Duke

I had a massage at four, my final one of the day. I headed to the members’ lounge, and if I couldn’t have a stiff drink, strong coffee would do.

Adam was behind the bar, and it seemed news of my incident with Simon had spread.

“Someone has been in the wars.”

I touched my lip. It was still tender, but I’d live and I told him as much.

“What did the other guy look like?”

I shrugged. “I didn’t touch him. He caught me unawares, was all.”

“I heard Carr dragged you in. What a tosser.”

“He had every right, I suppose. Not really what we should be doing.”

Adam leant on the bar and moved a little closer. “I heard it was Simon Fletcher. What’s your beef with him? I didn’t think you knew him.”

I debated what to tell him. Bartenders were the biggest gossips around, and if I told him, everyone else would know by the end of the day.

“I’d rather not say.”

“So youdoknow him,” he said, looking thoughtful.

“We both know that anything I tell you won’t stay a secret, Adam. I’m not fucking stupid.”

He had the good grace to look embarrassed.

“Who else are you gonna tell? Everyone else has the hots for him, especially Fabian. I promise I won’t say anything. I know you don’t have many close friends.”

He was right. Since living on the streets, I put my trust in very few people. Only a few people knew my secrets, and none of them were my family.

He slid an ice-cold glass of sparkling water across the bar to me.

“Will bribery work?”

I laughed, then winced. Stupid fucking lip.

“I’ll think about it.” I picked up the drink and walked outside onto the terrace. The views here were spectacular, and I’d miss it when I left. Was I really going to leave?

I glanced to left, and I watched as Simon strolled across the terrace, his shirt tucked into the waistband of his shorts, revealing an impressive body, tanned, with defined abs and pecs.I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Neither could anyone else, especially our female guests.

Some openly admired him, others whispered behind their hands. He was definitely drool-worthy. I’d had the worst crush on him when we were younger, and I’d never really got over him, despite the passage of time and the circumstances that had driven me away.

He’d aged well. The shoulder-length dirty-blond hair he’d had when he was a teenager was now cut into a neat style. His body was incredible, and I stared along with everyone else.

As if feeling my stare, his eyes met mine, and the smile he’d worn fell from his face to be replaced by a scowl.

He stopped in his tracks, and not wishing to create another scene, I walked away quickly around the side of the building.

I’d let myself in the side door.

“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” His sharp voiced halted me.

“You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were following me. See something you like?”

I turned to face him, my hands stretched out to the side. I wouldn’t be intimidated.

I tilted my head to look at him. We were similar in height, but he was still bulkier than me. I was drawn to the sight of his bare, smooth chest, and my gaze continued to roam across his body, lustful thoughts filling my mind.

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