Page 126 of The Winslow Brothers

The only thing I can do is drop her off and try to get my head straight.

“Tonight was fun,” she says, and I hate the uncertainty that lies in her voice. No doubt, my weird mood since we left the restaurant, in combination with the reality that we’ve been driving for the past ten minutes in absolute silence, hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Which is sad because, deep down, I’m glad she came.

And you also want to go upstairs and lose yourself in her, too.

I ignore that reckless thought, and when I come to a stop in front of her building, I don’t bother cutting the engine. I just shift into park.

“Thanks for coming, babe. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“Of course I enjoyed it. Your family is great, Jude,” Sophie says, her voice soft and kind and stirring my heart in ways I shouldn’t be comfortable with. “And Lexi is one special little girl.”

And you’re special too.

When my smile touches my eyes, I try like hell to not be so affected by her. Sex and fun and playing around is one thing, butfeelingsomething for her? It’s not what a guy like me is supposed to do.

I unbuckle my seat belt and hop out of my car, rounding the hood to open her door.

She uses the hand I offer to ease herself out, but when she notices that the car is still on and I’m illegally parked in front of her building, her eyes turn hesitant.

“You’re not coming up?”

“Not tonight, babe.” I shake my head. “I have to run by Craze to check on a few things.”

I don’t have shit to do at the club. But I definitely need to quiet my fucking head and get myself right again. Back to the Jude who doesn’t let himself feel anything more than fun.

Her brow furrows. “Oh. Okay.”

She looks disappointed, and I hate it. Loathe it, actually. The urge to lean down and kiss her is strong, but instead, I settle for a soft, gentle,very chastekiss to her mouth.

Don’t leave her hanging like this, dude. It’s cruel. You know you still want to see her.

“But you can expect a text from me soon,” I tell her and force a smirk to my lips. “With some instructions.”

Sophie searches my face for the longest moment, but eventually, a curious smile slides across her mouth. “Instructions?”

“Uh-huh.” I nod. “Get ready, babe. Because we’re about to experience somethingwildtogether.”

“More wild than an orgasm on a roller coaster?”

I chuckle at the reminder of our Vegas sexcapades. “Ten times wilder.”

“Holy smokes.” Her eyebrows damn near rise to her forehead, and I just wink at her.

“Oh yeah, sweet Sophie, it’s going to be a good time.”

“Can’t wait.” She stands up on her tippy-toes and presses her full mouth to mine. And the temptation to deepen that kiss, to prolong, to savor it, begins to build to an almost uncontrollable level.

Thankfully, Sophie is the one who pulls away, and with a little wave and a soft“Good night,”she walks toward the entrance door of her building.

I watch her the whole way, making sure she gets in safely, and once the main door clicks shut, I hop in my car and grab my cell phone.

The first text I send to Sophie is an address that very few people even know exists in this city. It’s an underground kind of place that I’m certain will provide the kind of wild, erotic experience that will get Sophie and me back on the right track.

Away from feelings. Away from more.

And solely focused onjust fun.

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