Page 6 of Reckless Forever
“Judah, I don’t think-”
“I said emergencies, Ma.” He said as he watched me intently.
Losing my internal battle, I handed him my phone and told him to call himself. He did it and handed it back to me. When he gave me back my phone, instead of placing it into my hand, he let his entire hand cover mine, and he held it for a moment too long. I shook my head and took my hand from his and turned back toward the rain.
Judah was pushing the boundaries between innocent and flirting. I couldn’t say that I didn’t like it. Men came and went from this house on a daily basis, and no one had gotten a second glance from me. But neither of them was Judah. A man I barely knew, but his aura felt different than anyone who had ever been in my presence. In the craziest way, it felt familiar.
The fact that he was nice to look at heightened it. Discreetly, I searched his face for a flaw earlier at dinner. I had hoped that maybe I disliked the bridge of his nose or the shape of his eyebrows, but the man was literally perfect. He checked off several of the boxes that I wanted my ideal man to have. It was insane.
The attraction between us was clear. But it was unspoken and not acted on. And for that I was grateful. I couldn’t have anything happening on my behalf right now.
He smiled at me, and just as he did, I noticed that the storm started to slow. The rain on the roof panels stopped sounding like a drum and whistled instead. The balcony felt calmer, too. Then Judah leaned back and stretched his long legs out behind me like he was getting comfortable.
“You know what, Shorty? I thought you were a lil nerd at the table, but you aight,” he said as his eyes lingered on me as I stood from my position.
“If that’s a compliment, then thank you,” I chuckled as I snuggled the shirt around me even tighter, knowing that I should probably go.
“You going to bed?”
“Yeah, the storm is rolling over for right now. The thunder is in the distance.”
He nodded but didn’t move.
I walked toward the door and put my hand on the knob. “Goodnight, Judah,” I said just as I turned it and disappeared into the darkness.
“Aight, Shorty,” I heard him say right before I closed the door behind me.
I leaned against the door once it had closed. It wasn’t supposed to feel like I had known him for more than a day. I started to feel like I needed to reevaluate myself or get out more because how the hell could a stranger have this effect on me?
The storm had introduced us, and now it was leaving me to figure out what to make of it. Then a loud roar of thunder came back, making me jump. It was the first time that I had that reaction to the sound in a long time.
But Judah…he scared me much more than thunder ever could.
Closing my laptop for the night, I could just pass out. I was tired, hungry, and my eyes were hurting from being glued to the screen all day. I had been at the computer for over ten hours doing research for the assignment that I had just been given, and I wanted to ensure that I had everything I needed before the call.
Sliding my chair away from the desk, I went downstairs to get the plate I’m sure my godfather had made sure the housemaids left for me. I could hear talking in the distance, and I quickly recognized Judah’s voice. Even though I probably shouldn’t have, I stood at the corner and eavesdropped on what I realized was a business phone call.
“Who the fuck walked onto Mateo’s property without security clearance? That’s not a minor mistake, the only reason why you’re not dead is because I ain’t there. As a matter fact,” Then I heard silence for a second before he started talking again. “Take care of Riccardo, he was sleeping on the job; he needs a nap.”
My hands gripped the railing of the stairs, and my eyebrows rose at his tone; the lighthearted and humorous Judah was gone, and in his place was a man with status and authority. His voice even sounded different. All that warm energy that had me giggling was replaced with ice in a second.
I fanned myself as I rounded the corner and saw him pacing with a frown on his face. The phone was in his hand as he typed at the speed of light. His brother sat nearby, and they both looked up and noticed me at the same time.
“Hi,” I said as Jaxon threw his head up, but Judah didn’t acknowledge me right away.
I walked into the kitchen and looked in the oven, where I knew they normally left my food. Judah came in behind me, and just as I made my way to the microwave, I put it inside.
“Ma gone be tore up when she has to bury her baby boy,” I heard Jaxon laugh.
“Shut up,” Judah called back over his shoulder.
I moved around the kitchen, grabbed a cup, and fixed a cup of strawberry lemonade. Then, I walked over to the pantry and got a bag of chips. I was going to go back into my room and retire for the night. I wanted to ensure I wouldn’t have to come out for anything.
“You good?” He asked as he leaned up against the counter and folded his arms.
“Yeah, I’ve been working all day. I’m tired and hungry.”
He moved from his place and came closer to me and leaned down to my ear.
