Page 64 of Callback
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Jude
What in theserious fuck was happening?My head spun and even though I’d only had two martinis all night, I felt intoxicated. Marly was intoxicating. Her smile, her scent, the way her pink skin flushed as she came.
When I answered Marly’s call and heard the bells… I was instantly hard, dropping my martini into Ash’s hand and rushing toward her room. Now, she was laying in front of me, her swollen clit begging for my tongue.
“Omar’s not my fiancé,” she whispered as tears filled her eyes.
“You’re not engaged?”
“No, Sir.”
I closed my eyes. I knew something was up with them. Whatever it was they had, it didn’t feel right. And though this was kind of a shock… it also wasn’t.
“Have youeverbeen engaged to Omar?”
“No, Sir.”
On one hand, I should be furious. She’d been lying to me. But on the other hand, my relief overpowered any sense of anger or betrayal. Reaching out, I curled my finger under her chin, lifting it until her gaze reached mine. Her skin was silkier than the dress that sheathed her tight little body. Her tongue peeked through the seam of her lips, wetting them.
Those dark blue eyes flashed a brilliant shade of cerulean, wide and wet and the intensity of her stare sent a tremble tumbling down my spine. “Why would you lie about that?”
She pulled her chin out of my hold and swung her leg around the side of the bed. The absence of her stare burned more than a branding iron on my flesh.
“Look at me,” I demanded.
With her hands clamped in her lap, she looked up, searching my face. Looking for something I was careful not to reveal.
“Omar’s my best friend,” she said. And damn, I hated how her voice cracked. “He’s gay and needed a beard. I was so sick of producers and directors treating my auditions like speed dating and as soon as we announced our engagement, all those propositions at auditions stopped.” Her jaw tightened and she looked away, brushing away the tear that slipped over her razor-sharp cheekbone. “They were more concerned with not disrespecting Omar by hitting on his fiancée, than they were with respectingme.” What a shitty, shitty industry we were in. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t think I’d—”
“You’d what?” My question was tighter than my clenched fists. She pushed to her feet, tugging the dress lower over her thighs and covering herself as if she hadn’t just been finger fucking herself in front of me. As I took a step nearer, Marly backed away.
“I didn’t think I’d… feel something for you.”
My head was buzzing like thousands of bees were inside of me, swarming. It was no surprise that she had feelings for me. I’d felt it too, from the moment we’d met. My cock pushed painfully against my zipper, straining to be set free. Straining toward Marlena. Fuck, I wanted her. More than I’d wanted anyone in longer than I could remember. I didn’t even recall wanting Layla this badly.
She looked frightened as I took another step forward and her back hit the bedpost. I froze. Fuck, I didn’t mean to scare her. I was just… shocked. I placed my hands out in front of me. “Marlena,” I said gently. “You’re safe here. You know that, right?” She nodded, but the fear in her eyes betrayed the nod of her head. I spun away from her, needing a break from those soulful eyes and wet, pouty lips to think.
“Are you mad?” she asked from behind me.
“No,” I answered without thinking. And I meant it. This wasn’t the same as Layla lying to me. I don’t know why it was different, but it was.
“Then… what are you?” she asked.
I spun to face her. “I’m… conflicted. I don’t want to be yet another person in this industry who takes advantage of you.” My voice was tight and my clammy hands flexed at my sides.
“I don’t want that, either. But…”
“But?” I prodded.
“I’m falling in love with you, Jude.”
She’s falling in love with me. My blood rushed, replaced with liquid gold and my lips parted in a gush of air. In the moment, it took for each of us to release a breath, I closed the space between us, my lips crashing down onto hers. Her body heat penetrated me and every breath was filled with her potent scent. My tongue moved along the seam of her mouth and with a low moan, I took her lips, claiming her pleasure as my own. With each stroke of my tongue, she fell heavier in my arms, responding with her own lips, sliding back and forth against mine. I swallowed her pleasure. Savored every moan. Every sigh. Every whimper.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I gasped, tearing myself from her lips.
“I didn’t trust you at first. And it wasn’t just my secret to tell. I had Omar to consider. Besides, would you have listened if I told you sooner?”
