Page 22 of Treat

“Come on, Bessie. Let her do her job. Besides, I bet the fans are going toloveyour new lip fringe.”

Jude scowled. “Fine. You can come to the rink.”

“And to your workout?”

He sighed. “And to my workout.”

She beamed. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Jude waited until she turned back to her computer, then gave Tommy a swift kick in the leg. He only laughed harder. Jude would’ve kicked him again—in a much more sensitive place—but his phone buzzed.

He dug it out and looked at the screen. “The delivery van is downstairs with the dresser. They need someone to let them in.”

“Tilly’s due for a walk.” Brynn hopped off her stool. “I’ll send them up.”

“Thanks,” Jude said, watching her skirt flutter as she walked barefoot to the front door.

“Come on, Tilly.” Brynn paused by the door to slip her feet into flip-flops and grab the leash. “Let’s go find a patch of grass to water.”

Tilly scrambled up and waddled across the room. Brynn held the door open, rolling her eyes at the dog’s leisurely pace. “Thank you for joining me,” she said as Tilly walked past her into the hall. With a little wave, she let the door swing shut behind her.

The second it did, Tommy sat up and said, “Brother, you arescrewed.”

“Fuck you,” Jude said and tried to kick him again.

Evading, Tommy rolled to his feet with effortless grace and snorted. “Man, this is going to be fun. I can’t wait to tell Kara you’re in love with your assistant.”

Jude blinked. “I’m not in love with her.”

“Oh yeah, you are,” Tommy said, circling the counter with his empty beer bottle. “Where’s your recycling?”

“Under the sink. Why would you say that?”

“Because it’s true.” Tommy dropped his bottle in the bin and planted his hands on the counter. “You’re going to tell me it’s not?”

“Of course, it’s not,” Jude scoffed, ignoring the spurt of panic.

“Uh-huh. When did you meet her?”

“Last November, when I hired her,” Jude said, crossing his arms over his chest. He knew it was a defensive move, but he couldn’t seem to help it.

Tommy’s eyes danced with amusement. “And when’s the last time you had a date with another woman?”

His mind went dead blank. “Ah…”

“I’ll make it easier. When’s the last time you slept with another woman?”

“Last Thanksgiving.” When he’d been part of Esme’s gang bang fantasy.

“So you met Brynn in November, and you last had sex in November?”

“Yeah.” Wait—he hadn’t had sex innine months?

“And you don’t see a connection there?” Tommy asked, smirking.

“I’ve been busy,” Jude said weakly. Nine months. Good God.

Tommy snorted.

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