Page 40 of The Friend

This had to be just physical. Contemplating the complications if she’d been stupid enough to fall for Judd didn’t bear thinking about. She couldn’t think, didn’t want to think, about anything other than how incredible he made her feel.

“Here, let me,” he said, reaching out and taking the key-card to her room as she fumbled several times, cursing softly as the door light repeatedly lit red.

“So much for my seductress impersonation.”

He smiled and caught her as they tumbled into her room, the door swinging open first time under his expert touch. “I’m not into impersonations but I’m sure into you, Abby Weiss,” he said, nuzzling her neck and sending fire streaking through her body as his lips brushed the sensitive skin at the nape.

“Prove it.” She pulled back slightly, staring straight into his expressive hazel eyes, arching her brow to entice.

“It will be my pleasure.”

His elaborate bow made her giggle, but before she could move, he swept her into his arms and headed for the bed, his intent expression leaving in her little doubt he was a man of his word.

He laid her gently on the bed and propped next to her, tracing circles on her bare arms as shivers of excitement skittered through her, before he leaned forward and grazed herlips with an exhilarating kiss that promised more, so much more.

However, as his hands left her arms and moved across to her breasts, his phone rang.

“Damn it,” he muttered, fumbling in his back pocket. “I’ll turn it off.”

“Might be important?”

Though at that precise moment, what could be more important than assuaging her raging desire for him?

Shaking his head, he stared at the screen and her heart sank as the passion faded from his eyes. “It’s about work so I really should take it.”

“Go ahead.”

She gave him a gentle shove, hating that even at a time like this, his job came first. Not surprising. His work had always been the number one priority in his life, ever since he fled Pier Point for bigger and better things all those years ago.

Back then, it had hurt, but she hadn’t begrudged his ambition. But now, hot on the heels of the stunning realisation she felt more for him than she ever thought possible, how he could relegate her to second best in the blink of an eye hurt. A whole damn lot.

The caller had hung up by the time he answered but she watched a shadow flicker over his face as he listened to the message. When he laid the phone down, he didn’t have to say anything. She could read his upcoming message loud and clear.

Capturing her chin, he dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I really have to sort out some issues with this guy. Can we take a rain-check?”

Hating the disappointment welling in her chest, she nodded. “Yeah, I should do some planning for the final shoot tomorrow anyway.”

“So a rain-check’s okay?”

Rolling into a sitting position, she forced a laugh. “Only if you’re lucky. I’ve heard the rainy season ended around here months ago.”

“Tonight,” he murmured, taking her by surprise with a swift, scorching kiss that made her toes curl. “Take it from me, it’s going to pour cats and dogs.”

She laughed despite her disappointment, watching the guy she’d been stupid enough to fall in love with walk out the door, taking a huge piece of her heart with him without knowing it.

Chapter Eighteen

Judd strode away from Abby’s room, oblivious to the turquoise ocean, the lush tropical foliage, and the endless stretch of pure white sand.

An anomaly in itself considering he couldn’t go anywhere without switching off his powers of observation, the photographer in him always on the lookout for the next perfect shot.

But ever since he listened to that damn message he couldn’t focus on anything until he discovered what Mark Pyman wanted with him.

If it was the phone call he’d been expecting…

Closing his eyes, he failed to block out the acute disappointment on Abby’s face when he said he had to take the call.

Her reaction had hit him like a knock-out punch, and if this phone call didn’t have the potential to affect his future—theirfuture—he would’ve happily thrown the phone against the wall and ignored it.

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