Page 51 of Bad for Business
Don’t feel the need to show up. I can handle it.
I sigh, tucking my phone into my purse. I woke up this morning, and he was the first thing on my mind. For a few seconds, I remembered the possessive way in which he kissed me. I woke up and thought that maybe things would be different today.
Would he kiss me again?
Did I want him to?
I shouldn’t.
The moment he ran out of my room while my body was still recovering from the orgasm he gave me should’ve told me everything I needed to know. Things wouldn’t be different today, and I shouldn’t expect them to be.
“Why are you just standing here?” A familiar voice breaks me from my thoughts. I jump, looking over and finding Jude’s warm eyes pinned on me.
I think about his question for a moment, trying to come up with a lie. “I was just wondering if I forgot my phone at home.”
Jude lifts a sandy-brown eyebrow. “Wasn’t your phone just in your hand?”
Shit.
Busted.
I was so lost in my own thoughts and memories of last night I hadn’t even noticed Jude was nearby.
“Are you going in?” I ask him, changing the subject.
Luckily, he doesn’t press it. I like that about Jude. He doesn’t seem to feel the need to get deep all the time. He lets me bequiet and give vague answers without asking for more. “Yeah, I’m meeting everyone inside. You going in too?”
I nod. “I guess,” I mutter. I don’t know if it’s a good idea or not, but I do want to see what progress Ryker’s making. I also don’t like to admit that after spending the entire morning alone, I was tired of being by myself. But mostly, the reason I’m here is because I want to check in with him to see how the day’s going.
“C’mon, let’s go.” Jude loops his arm through mine and pulls me forward, leaving me no choice but to follow him.
We only make it a few steps before he’s looking over at me with his normal grin. “Are you and Ryker doing the charity golf tournament tomorrow?”
I let out a groan. How did I forget about the event? We have to do it. There are members from the Davenport Media board who are on Pembroke’s charity committee. Him participating in the event is a must; I just wish it wasn’t a couples event. I wish I wasn’t stuck with him for nine holes. Not after what happened last night.
“We are,” I finally answer, not bothering to hide the disdain in my tone. “Are you?”
He’s quiet for a minute. Jude’s never quiet, so as we walk through the front entrance of the club, I aim a look in his direction. A wider-than-normal grin is on his face. “I am, and I’m very excited about it.”
This piques my interest. “Really? Why?” Maybe he’s got a new girlfriend I don’t know about who’s coupling up with him.
“Because I’m very excited about who I think my partner will be.”
I tilt my head. “Think? Shouldn’t you know who your partner is?”
A staff member walks by and giggles when Jude aims a smile in her direction. God, he’s such a flirt. I wonder if he’s ever not flirting.
“It’s kind of up in the air. But something tells me my plan will work out and I’ll get to spend the tournament with the girl of my dreams.”
I can’t help but laugh as we walk into Pembroke Grill. “Girl of your dreams? Really?”
Since Jude’s main hobby is flirting, I don’t know if calling someone the girl of his dreams is a massive compliment or if he says that about everyone.
Jude waggles his eyebrows at me as he leads us to the table full of people we know. I can feel Ryker’s gaze on us, but I don’t look in his direction. I can’t. I don’t have the nerve. Not yet.
“Yes, absolutely the girl of my dreams. She’s playing hard to get, but I’m hoping a day spent with me tomorrow will change her mind. My charm can be very persuasive.”
I roll my eyes. I don’t know who this girl is, but I wish her all the luck. I don’t know what it is about Jude, but I have a soft spot for him. Typically, men like him drive me crazy. I can see right through their good looks and charm and see the person they are underneath. More often than not, they’re just a major asshole underneath. But Jude? I think he’s actually a good guy. I don’t know him super well, but by what I do know, it seems like he’d settle down for the right girl.
