CHAPTER FIVE
Charley
“So we’ll meet at The Village Tavern around nine?” Bennett asks Naomi.
The soccer game ended a few minutes ago and everyone’s sitting in a circle swapping out their cleats for sneakers and shrugging on t-shirts, much to my chagrin. Goodbye heavenly dream.
“Sounds good. That place is really close to where Charley and I live.” She smiles over at me and I offer a small nod. It’s intimidating being in a group with so many attractive men, not to mention the man sitting directly across from me. I can’t meet his eyes and we haven’t said a single word to each other this whole time. Is he purposely ignoring me? Did I make him mad yesterday? No. He can probably just tell how much he affects me and he doesn’t want to lead me on. But what about that wink? Naomi saw him do it too, so I know we’ll break it down the second we’re alone.
A few of the guys start to stand and say their goodbyes. Before he leaves, Tom offers me a wide grin and tells me he’ll see me later. I’m happy he’ll be at the bar. He’s easy to be around, unlike some people.
A beat later, Bennett hops up and walks over to stand in between Naomi and me so he can grab our hands and pull us up. Naomi giggles like a schoolgirl. She seems to really like him and I can’t wait to tell her how much I approve. All my instincts tell me he’s a good guy.
After Bennett drops my hand so he can wrap both around Naomi, I reach down to grab my water bottle. The moment I stand, Jude’s intoxicating scent wraps around me and I inhale deeply before standing back up. He’s finally going to acknowledge me. I shift my gaze up to see him standing a few inches away. Instinctively, I turn toward Naomi for help, but she’s wrapped up in whatever Bennett’s saying.
“How’s your endurance, Charley?”
My mouth hangs open as I turn back to Jude.
What? What the hell kind of question is that?
“What?” I don’t even try to hide the shock in my voice.
I watch as his innuendo settles in and he has the decency to glance down at his feet before meeting my eyes again. No. Stop. Stop being charming.
“I meant do you run every day?” he clarifies with a sly smile. I watch the corners of his lips curl up with intense concentration. His mouth looks like it was made for whispering dark thoughts in dark corners.
“Every morning,” I answer in a clipped tone, trying to conserve my composure. But then I feel bad for cutting the conversation off, so I add, “It looks like you work out a lot too.”
His smile widens and adorable dimples dot his cheeks.
“I try to stay in shape…”
My eyes drift down his body. Obviously he does.
“Will you be at the photo shoot on Monday?” I ask, wanting to know if I should prepare myself for his presence.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be there? It’s a two day shoot.”
“Oh, you just left so quickly yesterday.” I chew on my lip. Should I have acted like I didn’t notice?
“There was nothing left for me to do. My assistants handle the grunt work.”
He doesn’t mean for his words to slice me, but they do. They cut right through me and I can no longer meet his eyes.
“Ah,” I murmur, twisting the lid on and off my water bottle.
He clears his throat and I glance up to watch him wring out his hands. “Will you be at the bar later?”
I slide my gaze toward Naomi and Bennett. I know she’ll make me go even if I’d rather not. “Looks like it,” I answer, tilting my head to the lovebirds. His eyes slide in their direction and he smirks gently before recovering his cool demeanor. I guess we’ll both be there against our will. How romantic.
“Then I’ll see you later,” he clips sternly, as though we’re planning a business meeting. My water bottle crinkles as I wring my hands around the hard plastic.
I chew on my lip and nod, but I don’t reply. Instead, I turn on my heel to grab Naomi so we can begin the trek home.
“Oh, and Charley,” Jude calls behind me. I turn around to see the sun glinting off his icy blue eyes. “That running gear might be even sexier than that first gown you wore for the shoot.”
His words, delivered so confidently in what I later realized to be his trademark arrogant demeanor, practically burn my body into a pile of crumbled ash on the spot.
…
“Nothing about him makes sense. He’s completely cold and distant one minute and the next he’s winking at me or telling me I look good in my running gear. I feel like I get whiplash when I’m around him and I don’t know how to handle it. Most guys are easier. I can read their personality and mold to the situation, but Jude keeps me on my toes. I never know if he’s going to tell me to f*ck him or f*ck off.”
“And which would you like to do?” Naomi mocks in a therapist’s tone before breaking out in giggles.
“Neither!” I huff, pulling the bathroom curtain closed.
“You know it doesn’t really count as a dramatic exit when you don’t even have a door separating your bathroom from your bedroom.”
“Yeah, well pretend I slammed my door really loudly because you’re supposed to be on my side!”
“I am!” she assures me, ripping back the curtain and looking at me with her puppy dog eyes. “Charley, don’t let him get to you. Yes, he might be the hottest man we’ve ever seen, but he’s too complicated! Relationships shouldn’t be complicated. They should make you happy. Like Tom. He made you happy right? And he’s cute underneath that mop of hair.”
“And he has an accent,” I add meekly.
“See! Just stick close to Tom and you’ll be fine. Jude probably won’t even come.”
But he told me he’d be there.
“Fine,” I huff. “Will you pour me another shot?” I ask, batting my eyelashes up at her. I’ve been ready for the past half hour, and I’ve used the remaining time building up my liquid courage.
“Charley,” she reprimands me like my mother. “You’re tiny and you never drink. Do you think another shot is a good idea?”
I give her a pointed stare. “Do you want me to go with you tonight, Naomi?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then, please my sweet, exotic bonita, pour me another shot.”
“That sentence doesn’t even make sense.” But it worked because I watch her walk over to the cheap bottle of tequila and pour another few ounces into my ‘I love NY’ shot glass.
“Oh, but doesn’t it?” I cock an eyebrow seductively.
“Nope. Still doesn’t,” she laughs before stepping closer with a determined pace. “Can I make your eye makeup darker? Your lip gloss and mascara combo could be worn by a thirteen year old.”
“Be my guests,” I say before tipping back my fifth shot. I know I’ll be toast before we even make it to the bar, but that’s not my problem. Or is it? I can’t seem to decide in my tipsy stupor.
“God, are you already drunk? You just pluralized ‘guest’. You realize that, right?”
I place my hands on her shoulders and try to focus. “Naomi. Work your magic and give me a sultry look. I want Jude to realize what he’s missing.”
I expect her to laugh off my comment, but I think she can tell that deep down I’m dead serious. I want to be the sexy vixen I was pretending to be during the photo shoot. I want the part of Jude that thinks I look good in my workout clothes to fawn all over me tonight. His demeanor might be all over the place, but I know what I want and with the aid of alcohol, I’m confident enough, or just inebriated enough, to let myself realize it.
…
“C’mon, Charley.” Naomi tugs my hand lightly as we step inside the dim bar. I know we’re running late because Naomi repeated it three times in the cab on the way over and then she practically tumbled out of the cab before the driver had even stopped near the curb.
She took forever with my eye makeup, but I’m secretly glad. It was just the right amount of time to allow the alcohol to hit me like a slow, seductive wave. I’m just the right amount of tipsy. You know, the point at which you wink at the bouncer when you hand him your I.D., but you don’t throw up on his patent leather loafers. I feel good. Naomi let me stick with the clothes I’d already picked out. My skinny jeans are tucked into light grey, suede ankle boots and I’ve got on my favorite black, off-the-shoulder sweater.
The Village Tavern is a low-key bar, but it’s still packed on a Saturday night. Warm bodies move against one another, vying for the bartender’s attention. But just as I step up to join the ranks, Naomi tugs my arm.
“Not yet. Let’s find the guys.” She raises her eyebrow challengingly and I know I don’t want to pick this battle. I’ll just get a drink when we sit down. “Sexy ‘bonitas’ don’t buy drinks for themselves, Charley,” she adds with a silly eye-roll.
I’m not usually like this. Alcohol always reminds me of my mother, but tonight I’m pushing those memories aside and indulging in the blissful euphoria swirling around me. All I know is that before I started drinking, my stomach was in knots about seeing Jude again, but now I’m excited. I hope he’s at the table with the guys. Bring on your sexy broodiness, Jude.
“Naomi, is broodiness a word?” I ask through tipsy giggles.
She glares back at me, but I still see the hint of a smile. She’s nervous about seeing Bennett; I can feel the tension emanating from her and I wish I could reassure her of his interest but nothing I say gets through to her.
“Charley!” I hear someone call behind us, and I twist around to see Tom walking back from the bar. He’s balancing a few beers in his hand, so I assume he’s getting the first round for everyone. Everything about him puts me at ease. He’s wearing a plaid flannel button-down and his curly hair hangs over his forehead. His smile widens even more as he gets closer to us.
“You guys look great!” He shouts over the music. Bars are meant to be quiet enough for conversation to take place, but the music is always loud, forcing people to talk louder, causing a domino effect where everyone usually ends up going home hoarse.
Naomi nudges her sharp elbow into my back and pulls me out of my random musing.
Oh, right.
“Thanks, Tom. You look cute too,” I offer because it’s true. He looks happy and carefree. Just like what I plan to be tonight.
“Sorry I didn’t get you guys a drink, but I’ll walk you to the table and then head back to the bar,” he offers with a side grin.
“Sounds good,” Naomi says quickly, obviously wanting to make it to the table sooner rather than later. I’ve never seen her like this.
“Lead the way.” I gesture and fall in line behind the two of them. I stick close to Naomi so I don’t lose them in the crowd, but as I crush myself between bodies, my bracelets cling together and I glance down to make sure they aren’t falling off. I always wear bracelets and rings, having perfected the art of layering from watching the stylists do it so often. I swap jewelry out all the time, but my grandmother’s antique ring always dots my middle finger on my left hand.
“You guys made it!” I hear Bennett call in front of us with unmasked elation. He’s not playing the role of cool, calm, and collected. His emotions for Naomi read across his face like an open book, and I watch as she rounds the table to take the seat next to him. He leans in to kiss her on the cheek and Tom takes the open seat on the other side of her. Which leaves me having to pick between sitting by myself on the other end of the table or sitting sandwiched between Tom and Jude. Of course.
My eyes sweep over Jude quickly, taking in his dark jeans and white t-shirt peeking out from under his heather gray v-neck sweater. He’s got the sleeves tugged up just enough so I can see the toned muscles of his forearm. I’m practically salivating by the time I remember to breathe.
“Looks like you’re stuck with me,” I lean down and whisper into Jude’s ear as I take the seat next to him.
He glances up with an amused look, as if surprised by my boldness. I like that I’ve caught him off guard, as if I’m the one controlling things for a change.
I keep watching him as I string my bag along the back of my chair, expecting him to offer a retort, but I’m left hanging. Instead, he turns toward the beers Tom placed on the table. He leans forward to grab a bottle and brings it to his lips in one fluid move. His sharp gaze flits back over to me as the bottle reaches his mouth and I watch, completely enamored, as the liquid slides down his throat.
A slow, sexy grin spreads across his mouth and somehow without uttering a single word, he’s stolen all the power once again.
“That doesn’t seem so bad,” he murmurs, glancing at me through the corners of his eyes with amusement.
He’s going be the death of me.
“You’re kind of a smug bastard sometimes,” I accuse with a skeptical glare.
Did I actually just say that?
“Sometimes?” he asks, licking a drop of beer off his lips and placing the bottle back down on the table.
Drunk off cheap shots and determination, I reach forward and take the beer, repeating the same exact move he just did for me. Except I’m taking his beer and the look on his face says I’m going to pay for the rebellious behavior.
My entire body shivers with anticipation. What would he do in front of all these people? Take my bait? Kiss me? No. That would only happen in my fantasies.
“It appears our little Charley is drunk,” he smiles sardonically, looking toward Tom.
F*ck him.
I drop the beer haphazardly onto the table in front of Jude and he has to reach out to stabilize the bottle before it tips over. The whirling of the beer’s rim on the wooden table in the only sound I hear as I try to calm my nerves.
“Tom,” I ooze sweetly, glancing up at him from under my lashes, “Would you like to go get that drink with me now?”
I glance back toward Jude and notice his jaw clench. His blue eyes drift from my face down to the exposed skin afforded by my off-the-shoulder sweater. He’s hardly a foot away, and I swear I can feel his warm breath caress the arc of my collarbone. What would his lips feel like against the delicate skin at the base of my neck?
“Oh, sure, yeah.” Tom hops up and a sudden pang of guilt hits me. I only asked him to go with me to piss Jude off. What kind of person does that? Right then I resolve to be polite, but careful not to lead Tom on. I actually think we could be good friends if he was up for it.
After a calming breath, I stand and straighten my sweater. The world spins slightly from the quick change in position, but I reach out to grab the back of my chair before anyone notices.
“Ready?” I ask with a friendly smile.
“Here. I’ll get this round.” Jude pulls out his wallet even though Tom protests.
Jude doesn’t pay attention to him; he pulls out cash and looks directly at me. “I insist.”
Something about him uttering that phrase while his eyes are locked on mine makes my insides tingle with need. I don’t know how long I stand there like that, staring down at him with soft focus, but eventually Tom clears his throat and I laugh. I laugh because there’s nothing else to do. This situation is completely out of my comfort zone and I need more alcohol. Stat.
“How sweet of you, Jude,” I say slowly, reaching for the cash. I know it wasn’t necessary to say his name, but I wanted to know what it felt like. And as I turn on my heel to head for the bar, I know I made the right decision. The lust that washed over his blue eyes confessed exactly how erotic it was to hear his name on my lips.
…
Jude
I reach down and adjust myself beneath my pants. That freaking woman will be the death of me. Just when I had her figured out, she showed up tipsy and completely threw me off. I watch her walking away and I’m reminded of how drop-dead gorgeous she is. She has that sexy, f*ck-me hair that tumbles down her back in loose, natural waves. And her top. That hint of skin is a complete tease, making it so I can’t help but want to rip off the rest of the material.
She knew what she was doing when she said my name like that and just as she intended, my dick hardened as if her sweet, little hand was wrapped around it.
“What’s up, man?” I hear Josh say behind me as his hand pats my shoulder. My body immediately stiffens as though he could feel how worked up I am. He and two other guys from our soccer team slide around the table and fill in the remaining seats.
“Hey guys.” I tip my beer bottle toward them in greeting before taking a swig. A hint of Charley’s lip gloss stuck to the rim and I can’t help but want to lick it off. Vanilla. My new favorite flavor.
“Is Tom here already?” Josh asks, forcing my focus back to the present.
“Yeah, he and Charley went to grab a drink.”
“Smart man,” he chuckles before glancing over at Naomi and Bennett. They’ve had their heads tucked together since she and Charley arrived. I’ve never seen Bennett like this with any girl. Hell, a couple of nights ago we were in the club picking up women and now look at him. The boy’s in love and it looks like I might be losing my wingman.
“Are you excited about that photo shoot in Hawaii you’ve got coming up?” Josh asks, leaning back in his chair and getting comfortable.
I nod. “It’ll be work, but the days should wrap up pretty early and then I’ll have time to explore the island.”
“That sounds awesome, man. Too bad you don’t date models or that’d be the best weekend ever.”
Too bad.
I shrug off his statement and take another swig of beer. In the past, my rule was in place to keep my professional integrity intact. I don’t want to walk onto a set and have to worry about the model being pissy about the fact that I never bothered to call her back. Don’t f*cking shit where you eat. It’s always been simple… until now.
A familiar giggle fills my ears and I tilt my head slightly to watch Charley break through the crowd. Tom has his hand on the small of her back, leading her to the table, and I have to physically push past the urge to break his fingers. I try to remind myself, for the last time, that I don’t give a f*ck as I take a gulp of my domestic.
I don’t know what they’ve done in the past five minutes, but she somehow looks even more tipsy and neither one of them has a drink their hands.
“Hi everyone!” she sings as her gaze falls over Josh and the guys. They all sit up a little straighter as she nears and mutter awkward hellos. For a moment, their schoolboy reactions make me think that maybe I don’t even feel anything for her; maybe this is the effect she has on every man. I let that thought settle in for a minute, and although the idea of going back to my old life sounds compelling, I know I’m wrong. She’s gorgeous, yes, but there’s something about her — her softness, her hidden complexities, her humble nature— that has woven its way around my mind, threatening to undo me. I want to know everything about her. I want to know what she’s hiding behind those captivating, blue eyes.
F*ck.
I watch her slide into the chair next to me less gracefully than she had a few minutes ago, and I can almost taste the tequila in the air.
“Did you guys take shots at the bar?” I ask, annoyed at the edge in my voice.
She looks up at me with her innocent, doe eyes.
“She made me, Jude!” Tom laughs behind me. I want to kill him.
Charley giggles with him and gently sways in her chair. I can’t imagine how a girl her size could force anyone to do anything. Not to mention, he should have noticed how drunk she was already.
“I’m curious. How did she force you?” I’m asking Tom, but my gaze never leaves Charley.
She bites her lip and angles her eyes at me accusingly, “I can be very persuasive.”
The rest of the guys laugh off her comment and start talking about some football game scheduled for the next day, but I can’t turn away from her. She’s bewitched me and there’s no hope of breaking the spell.
Her eyes fleet quickly around the table and by the time they flash back to me I can see the concern written across them. She leans in closely and folds her hands over her stomach.
“I don’t feel so good.”
Of course you don’t, I want to say, but I bite my tongue.
“Did you eat dinner?” I ask softly, surprised at how quickly my anger turned to concern.
She mashes her lips together and shakes her head.
“Charley, you can’t drink like this and not eat dinner before,” I chide, but the moment I get the words out I instantly regret them. All of a sudden she looks so young and innocent. I want to make her feel better. I don’t care if she is naive, she doesn’t deserve to be sick.
I wrap my arm around the back of her chair and lean in. “Do you want to go home?” I ask, watching her eyes grow wide in shock, and I can’t help but chuckle.
“Not with me… Do you want me to take you to your home and then I’ll go back to mine?” I clarify, but I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince her or myself. I won’t want to leave her if she’s sick.
“Um…” she hums, glancing across the table toward Naomi. I follow her gaze to find her friend in the middle of a heated make out session with Bennett. He has Naomi practically pinned to the chair as she drags her hands through his once perfectly gelled hair. Jeez, that escalated quickly.
“I could probably just go home by myself,” Charley says, nodding once and then twice as if she’s trying to convince herself that’s what she should do.
“I can’t let you do that, Charley.”
I can’t add her life to my guilty conscious. There’s no more room.
“No, really, Jude. I don’t want to inconvenience you,” she adds, already standing and looking around at the group.
“I’m gonna head home,” she announces to the table. “I have to, uh, wake up early in the morning. Naomi, I’ll text you tomorrow,” she offers with a weak smile. Tom begins to stand and I shoot him a death stare. He is not going to take her home. I should have stepped up this morning and told the guys she was off limits, but I’m not going to make the same mistake again.
Tom stands frozen for a moment, unsure of what to do.
“I’ve got her.” My tone couldn’t be clearer. I’m not going to fight Tom about this. He needs to back down. “I’ll see you guys next week.”
By the time I’m moving after her, Charley’s already halfway through the bar and I have to jog to catch up. When I slide beside her, she glances up at me with a timid smile.
“How can you move so quickly?” I murmur, wrapping my hand around her waist. The touch is too intimate, but it makes me feel like I’ve got a real hold on her. I don’t want her to trip and fall in those boots. Surprisingly, she doesn’t move away. Instead, she pushes back into me, giving me her weight and pressing her soft curves against me.
My arm practically engulfs her petite frame and I exhale thinking of what could have happened if she’d left by herself. Does she usually walk around at night alone? Surely Naomi sticks with her most of the time.
I hear her hum into my chest and I glance down. “I’m glad you’re coming with me,” she offers, and then looks down at the floor as if embarrassed that she’s told me the truth.
I gently lift her chin, just like I wanted to do at the photo shoot. “Are you sure you don’t want Tom to take you home?” I ask because I’m genuinely curious of what her reaction will be. Jealousy is a new feeling for me and I’m beginning to realize just how possessive I feel of this angel.
She chews on her lip but doesn’t meet my eyes. Instead, her gentle gaze is focused on my stubble as she nods slowly.
“Say it, Charley.”
Her lips part gently and she breathes in a slow inhale.
“I want you to take me.”