Chapter 6
On the one hand, someone wanted him dead.
But on the other, he had May in his house, in his arms, and she’d made a most appealing admission.
A close to fair trade-off.
She started squirreling around again, and Jude sighed. “I’m not letting you go, May.” Not for a good long while. “You might as well quit fighting me.”
With a groan, her shoulders slumped and she went limp.
“That’s better.” He hugged her closer, appreciating the luxurious weight of her breasts on his forearms and the cushion of her behind against his thighs. “Is your hand okay?”
She flexed her fingers and winced. “I deserve the discomfort for hitting you.”
“Such a martyr.” He kissed her ear again, asking softly, “Out of curiosity, why’d you attack me if you didn’t want me hurt?”
Eyes closed, she dropped her head back against his shoulder, giving him better access to her. “I don’t know. I’ve never hit anyone before.”
“Really?” That shouldn’t have surprised him. May was strong, but also one of the gentlest people he knew. “Well, I have. As a sport, it can be fun.”
“Fun?” Judging by her tone, she disagreed.
“Yeah. Exciting, exhilarating. Extreme passion and desperate struggle all wrapped up together. Then you take a guy down, prove yourself superior, and adrenaline floods your system. It’s a rush.”
“If you say so.”
“The men who participate in the SBC respect each other. They learn from defeats, and they learn from wins.” He clasped his hands on her shoulders and turned her around to face him. “But in anger, it sucks.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” Sounding formal and stiff, she said again, “I really am sorry. It was out of line and unforgivable.”
He took great pleasure in saying, “I’ll forgive you.”
She frowned, then lifted her nose. “Thank you. Now…I’m leaving.”
“No,” he whispered, “you’re not.”
“Good-bye.” She made no move to walk away. Jude shook his head. “I don’t think so, honey. For months now, I’ve wanted you, and you’ve turned me down flat. You’ve played coy, you’ve even played dumb. And no, don’t start flaring up again. You know it’s true.”
She had the good grace to look away.
“So tell me again why you kept saying no. I’m not sure I understand all that nonsense you spouted.”
Staring at her feet, she said, “It’s not nonsense.” Her hand settled on his chest, just over his heart. “We’re from different worlds.”
“Earth. Same world, May.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Sorry, no. You’re going to have to go into detail.” And while she explained, he’d have time to think about the situation with her brother and how best to deal with it to his advantage.
Her fingers traced an imaginary pattern over his pec muscle, driving him a little nuts. “You’re filthy rich.”
Why did it always have to come down to money? “So? I wasn’t born that way. Most of my life was spent in lower middle class.”
“Really?”
He could tell he’d surprised her. “Sure. I’m not the son of a movie producer or a famous leading lady. I grew up in a little three-bedroom ranch in a crowded subdivision. Public school. Packed lunches. Used cars and worn furniture. But we had clean clothes and lots of laughter. It wasn’t bad.”
“It sounds pretty nice.”
Nice. Jude smiled at her in wonder. Other women, snootier women, had labeled his upbringing novel, fascinating, even touching. But May hit the nail on the head. “Yeah. I remember when I was seven, my mom spent most of the spring cleaning houses for other people so she could buy us a jungle gym for the backyard. She’d work while my brother, sister, and I were all in school. Then Dad bought the lumber, and together, we all built the thing. Dad was no handyman, so it was a little crooked, but it was solid, and everyone in the neighborhood hung out in our yard.”
“You have a brother and a sister?”
“Incredible, huh?”
“I didn’t mean it that way. I’ve just never heard much about them.”
May had stopped straining away from him, so Jude had no problem talking about family. “Both older, both in the business.”
“They’re actors?”
“No. Neil’s a stuntman, Beth does sound design. My folks loved music and drama, and they loved us. If we showed an interest in something, they encouraged it every way they could. I spent as much time in plays and choir as I did in sports.”
Her mouth twitched. “Somehow I can’t imagine your mother encouraging you to fight in the SBC.”
“That’s because you haven’t met her.” But Jude realized that he’d like for her to.
Unlike the other women he’d dated in the past few years, May was someone he could take home. She wouldn’t call his dad boorish or his mother provincial. She wouldn’t turn up her nose at baby photos or sugar cookies hot from the oven. He could easily picture her at the kitchen table, where his family always congregated, sharing conversation and coffee and laughter. Or better yet, at the stove helping his mother with dinner.
May would like his folks—and they’d like her.
“No matter what I do, my mom gets behind me a hundred percent.” Jude felt himself smiling. “As long as I do my best, she’s happy.”
“It doesn’t bother her when you fight?”
“She worries, but she’s also my biggest cheerleader. From the time I was a pip-squeak in elementary, I was faster and stronger than most of the other kids. Mom said those were God-given talents that I shouldn’t take for granted. Since Dad knew I wanted to be an actor, it was his idea for me to start in the SBC and make a name for myself. But Mom had a few rules.”
“Like?”
Grinning, Jude said, “No tattoos. They’re popular with fighters, but she hates them. No shaving my head, either, and I have to be polite. She said just because I beat up someone, doesn’t mean I have to talk like an idiot.”
May laughed. “I think I like your mother already.”
“She also made me promise I’d always come back to the States to live. I did some training in Thailand and Tokyo, and I think she worried that I’d move there. She wanted me to call at least once a week, so I did.”
After soaking all that in, May shrugged. “I’ve never been out of the country. I’ve never been in the limelight, either. And regardless of your upbringing, you’re rich now. Like I said, we’re from different worlds.”
“In the scheme of things, money means little.”
She didn’t debate the point, which made Jude wonder if she already knew what it had taken him years to learn: Money could make things easier, and it could make things harder. But it couldn’t buy happiness.
“You’re also drop-dead gorgeous.”
The compliment warmed him. “Thanks. You, too.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Come on, Jude. I’m not in your league, and we both know it.”
Her plain speaking encouraged him to do the same. “If this is about your weight—”
Her head snapped up. She went rigid, then frowned. Her voice lowered to an ominous whisper. “What about my weight?”
Oh shit. He’d stepped in it there. Amazing how time spent in Hollywood could fool you into be lieving all women wanted to be rails. “You’re sexy as hell.” And when she still didn’t look convinced, he added with complete sincerity, “Great ass, great rack.”
For two seconds she looked insulted, then humor got the best of her. “Well, aren’t you the smooth one? I’m sure I’ve never been so flattered.”
The facetiousness of the remark damn near made him blush. “I just meant, you know.” Determined to make her understand, Jude ran his hands up and down her arms. “You said earlier how you thought skinny movie stars were my style.”
“That’s all you dated.”
“Because leading ladies come in one size.”
“Which is probably why they’re leading ladies. But I’m a corn-fed Midwestern girl.”
God, he loved how she put things. “Corn fed is good.”
“I grew up on meat and potatoes.”
Sliding his fingers beneath the warm weight of her hair, he cupped her nape. “You’re making me hungry.” In more ways than one.
“I refuse to pass up dessert.”
“Good. Love dessert.”
Her mouth twitched. “Jude, this is not just about food.”
No, it was about getting her to say yes, so he could end his sexual misery. “I’m waiting patiently for more explanations.”
“And in the meantime, my brother and best friend are back at my apartment, possibly in trouble, maybe being threatened. I need to go.”
He had to admit she had a point. But without the payment, leaving would do her no good. “So, slugger, you planning to duke it out with the vil lains? Maybe put yourself in the path to bodily protect your brother?” If it came to that, which it wouldn’t, he’d put his odds on May. She was much better equipped to handle herself than Tim was.
“My plans are none of your business.”
“Get real.” He wanted her, but she could be the most infuriating woman. “You came here and got me involved.”
“You were already involved.”
“Because someone else wants me dead and your brother is supposed to see the deed done. That makes it very much my business.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, nodded. “You’re right. I—”
“Swear to God, May, if you apologize again, it’s going to piss me off.”
She jerked away to realign her glasses. “Fine. Then I’m not sorry.” She flapped a hand at him. “But I still have to go.”
“Where?”
“The bank will open soon.” She inched toward the door. “I need to see how long it’ll take to get a loan against my gallery and gather up my savings—”
“No.”
The way she turned on him, Jude half expected her to pop him in the kisser again. He held up his hands, feigning fear, and she blushed bright red.
“Stop that!”
“All right.” Jude felt magnanimous. Generous. Like a white knight. May had come to him, and he’d solve her problems. “Don’t worry about anything. I’ll take care of it.”
Her jaw clenched. “No, you will not.”
“Hush, May.” And then to make sure she did, he bellowed, “Denny!”
And Denny, who’d been standing just outside the door eavesdropping, poked his head in. “What’s the plan?”
May jumped. Her gaze went from Denny to Jude and back again. “That door was locked.”
Holding up a long, thin metal tool, Denny grinned. “I’m good at pickin’ locks.”
Keeping hold of May’s hand so she couldn’t run off, Jude perched on the edge of the desk. “I take it you’ve heard every word?”
“Second nature.” Denny shrugged that off. “So, you want me to go get her brother?”
“Yeah, I suppose you should. I have serious doubts that his life is in real jeopardy, but until I know for sure, I’m not about to let May near him without protection.”
“No.” May glared at them both, tried to tug her hand free from Jude’s, and finally gave up. “You can’t just go get him.”
She looked so worried that Jude put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his side. “Yeah, he can.”
Denny said, “Course I can.”
“No, you can’t. Haven’t either of you listened to me? They’re watching Tim. If you try to walk out of there with him, you could get hurt.”
Denny shared a man-to-man look with Jude. By way of explanation, Jude said, “She’s scared.”
“Ah.” Full of understanding, Denny took her hand and patted it. “Now, don’t you worry about a thing. It’s under control.”
“How can it be under control when neither of you believe me?”
Denny started to answer, but Jude shook his head. The less May knew, the less she’d fret, and the less she’d argue. “You can trust Denny. He’s an ex-marine, among other things.”
“That’s right. Grabbing one scrawny brother won’t be a problem.” Then to Jude, “Should I get the other lady too?”
, Jude said, “Yeah.”
But May said, “No. She won’t come with you.”
“She’ll come,” Denny told her.
Wide-eyed, May looked at Jude. “What is he going to do?”
Jude honestly had no idea. But he could guess. “Listen up, Denny. Ashley is May’s friend. Be nice to her.”
Pretending a great affront, Denny said, “I’m always nice.”
“No, you’re not. You’re cantankerous and bossy and you scare women to death.”
“Haven’t scared any away from you.” He turned to May, and demanded, “Do I scare you?”
“Uh…” She inched closer to Jude and gave a nervous smile. “No.”
Knowing May, she probably didn’t want to hurt Denny’s feelings by admitting the truth. “May can call Ashley before you get there, but just try to temper your edge a little, okay?”
“I’m tempered.”
“Tell her that she needs to bring May something to wear, too. She can barely breathe in those pants.”
May stepped out of reach and glared at him. “You really don’t possess an ounce of tact, do you?”
Jude laughed. “Never mind, Denny. I’ll loan her something of mine to wear. Just get her brother and Ashley here as fast as you can.”
“Right.”
“Ashley’s not like me, Jude. You can’t push her around.”
He barked a laugh, realized she was serious, and growled, “When have I ever pushed you around?”
“You always do.”
“I do not.” Hell, she was the one always dictating to him. Telling him no, dismissing him…
“Oh, really. What about right now?”
She would have to start that with Denny standing there smirking, tickled pink at his predicament. “I’m trying to help you out.”
She leaned close to whisper. “You’ve been mean and insulting.”
“I told you why.” Celibacy could be hard on a man, but since meeting May, he hadn’t wanted any other women. He gave his attention back to Denny. “Take some backup with you. I don’t want anyone hurt, not even Tim.”
When Denny crossed his arms and puffed up his chest, he made a most impressive sight. “My backup will be loaded and ready.”
May clasped a hand to her throat. “A gun? You’re talking about taking a loaded gun?”
“Don’t worry,” Jude told her. “He won’t shoot your brother or your friend.”
Denny affected his favorite, most intimidating scowl, and said, “You know who’s behind this, don’t you?”
On alert, May asked, “Who?”
The very last person Jude wanted to talk about was Elton Pascal. “Forget it, Denny. He’s in Hollywood.”
“Who is?”
Denny snorted. “When was the last time you checked on him?”
“Checked on whom?”
Ignoring May’s questions, Jude tried to get Denny to shut up. “Why the hell would I want to?”
“Because the bastard is capable of something like this.”
“Who are we talking about?”
Since May looked ready to combust, Jude decided he’d have to give her a bare-bones explanation. “Denny sees ghosts everywhere we go. If it rains on me, he thinks Elton had something to do with it.”
“Elton hates him.”
“He’s part of a crowd,” Jude countered, while giving Denny a shut-the-hell-up look. “It’s no big deal.”
“Your life is threatened! I’d call that a big deal.”
Of course, Denny egged her on. “Jealousy can make a man do insane things.”
Like a dog with a meaty bone, May leapt on Denny’s theories. “This person hates Jude because of a woman?”
“The one who died, poor girl. Elton loved her, but she wanted nothing to do with him. She was crazy nuts for Jude.”
“That’s enough, Denny.”
“When the limo blew up, there wasn’t much left of her, and Elton’s never forgiven Jude. He’s the one who kept the case going for so long. He gave the most damning testimony—all of it lies. He makes sure that the tabloids never forget. And whenever he sees Jude, he—”
“That’s enough. ” Jude knew his tone had been harsher than he’d intended when both May and Denny frowned at him with concern. But Christ, he thought about that awful day enough on his own without forced reminders. Guilt was a son of a bitch. And guilt riddled him.
“It’s old news.” Jude cleared his throat. “Even Elton would have accepted the jury’s decision by now. He might not like it, and he might still hate me, but he’s not stupid enough to come after me himself.”
In the simplest gesture of support, May put her hand in his—and it reminded him of Blair Kane. She’d been sweet, too, but way younger than May, and not nearly as independent. More than anything, he’d considered Blair a pain in the ass, an immature twenty-one-year-old whose body had made her an overnight success and easy prey for creeps like Elton.
Along with a handful of other personalities, they’d attended a Southern California fund-raiser to benefit the homeless. At the end of the exhausting evening, in front of a crowd, she’d asked to share his limo ride home. Jude didn’t want to embarrass her by saying no. And he felt sorry for her.
And damn it, he’d been a little lonely, too.
But within an hour of the trip, her clinging and come-ons had gotten on his nerves. It was late, dark, quiet…and he couldn’t stand the confinement. He’d had the driver pull over to an abandoned highway rest stop, then he’d walked away with the excuse of buying a cola from the vending machines.
Seconds later, the limo exploded.
His chest constricted with the memory, and he glared at Denny. “Get going, will you?”
More subdued, Denny nodded at May. “You’re keeping her?”
Denny could use some help with his wording, but Jude caught his meaning just fine. “Yeah.”
Approval shown in his eyes. “At least you’ve still got good taste in some things.”
May suddenly caught on. “Oh, now wait just a minute. I’m not…I can’t…”
Cell phone to his ear, Denny left the room at a jaunty pace. He loved to kick ass and was probably hoping for a confrontation. Jude would prefer he’d be disappointed. He wanted things settled with May with as little fanfare as possible.
Shell shocked, May stared at him. “This is not what I wanted when I came here.”
“Oh?” Jude caught her elbow and led her to a chair. “You thought I’d write you a check and then send you on your merry way to deal with men ruthless enough to beat your brother and order my death?”
She looked pained. “I don’t know.”
“Well, I do.” And no way would he let her out of his sight until he knew for a fact it’d be safe. But he didn’t want her to spend the next two hours worrying about Tim, and he didn’t want her to stay with him for the wrong reasons.
He leaned over her, caging her in.
“Now, you listen to me, May. You came to me for help because you’re a logical woman and I’m your most logical choice.”
“I thought so at first, too, but now I know that I can’t take your money.”
“Why?”
“Because it’d make me like everyone else.”
And to May, that’d be intolerable. He shook his head. If only she knew how differently she made him feel. “Impossible. You’re too unique.”
“Jude.” Full of sincerity and that special understanding that turned him on, she stared up at him. “I care about you.”
Outwardly, Jude didn’t react. But inside…
Inside, his heart stuttered and his muscles warmed. Looking somewhat hopeful, May waited, but damn her, after all her denials he refused to be taken in that easy.
Jude fashioned a bland smile. “Great. Then you understand why I can’t let you take out a loan on your gallery. You’ll end up losing it, and I like buying my artwork from you.”
The spark faded from her eyes. She folded her hands in her lap and her shoulders slumped. “There’s nothing else I can do.”
“Try trusting me.” And with trust would come intimacy. Whatever trouble her brother had gotten into, he’d resolve it quickly, and then he’d have May to himself. In his bed. Exactly where he wanted her. “That’d be a good place to start.”
“And then you’ll say I used you. No thanks.”
Determined to get everything out in the open, Jude looked first at her exposed cleavage, then her soft mouth, with blatant suggestion. “You could always find a way to repay me.”
She pressed back into the chair, a little vulnerable, a little peeved. “I had planned to.”
That surprised him, even as it tantalized him. But how far would she go? How far would he let her go? “Then we’re in agreement.”
“I doubt that.”
The urge to kiss her burned inside him. He leaned in until her breath teased his mouth and he could feel her trembling. “You know I want you.”
“You’ve been obvious.”
But she hadn’t. She’d made him work for every hint of her feelings, leading him on a damn chase that left him floundering. Now, thanks to her brother’s antics and her overactive imagination, he had the means to uncover her true feelings.
Half hating himself, Jude said, “Let’s make a deal.”
“What kind of deal?”
“One that’ll make us both happy.” He looked into her wary eyes and prayed she’d give the right answer. “Stay with me. Let me take care of this situation for you, and in the meantime, you’ll stop saying no.”
A tiny shiver went through her body.
“Do you understand, May?”
“I think so.”
“Let’s be sure.” And he spelled it out. “You say you want me. I admit I want you. So for as long as it takes to uncover this little mystery of who your brother owes, you’ll share my bed. After we have everything straightened out, we can call it even.”
Her hands curled into tight fists, gripping the arms of the chair. “No.”
“What about Tim?” he prompted, more than willing to push her to get the reaction he wanted. “What about the fifty grand you need? I thought you wanted to repay me.”
“Not that way.”
“Then how?”
“I could offer you artwork minus my commission, combined with monthly payments until the debt is cleared.”
Wow, she said that fast, as if she’d already given it plenty of thought. As if…that might have been her plan all along. “Your way could take a while.”
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
On the contrary, the idea of keeping May in debted to him for an extended period tempted him, because it guaranteed their association wouldn’t end anytime soon. Jude didn’t want to dwell on how that thought pleased him.
Ever so lightly, he touched his mouth to hers. “You’re saying you won’t sleep with me—even to save your brother?”
Her eyes sank shut.
Stomach twisting with regret, Jude whispered, “May?”
When her eyes opened, they were bright with fury. “Despite my earlier display, I’m not a violent person, or else I’d hit you again.”
Relief washed through him. “So the answer is no?”
“No!”
Jude grinned. Then he laughed. He cupped her face and before she could dodge him, he planted a soft smooch on her mulish mouth. “Good.”
Lost in confusion, May hesitated before shoving him away with disgust. “You’re playing games with me.”
“Maybe a little. But I needed to be sure we understand each other. And for the record, I’m damn glad you said no.”
“You are?”
“When we crawl between the sheets—and we will, no doubt about that—it won’t be for you to sacrifice yourself. It’ll be because you want me as much as I want you.” He rubbed his thumbs along her soft cheeks and kept on smiling. “You spend so damn much time worrying about and caring for Tim, I wanted to be sure you wouldn’t give in just for his sake.”
Still visibly annoyed, she glared at him. “Satisfied?”
“When I haven’t had you yet?” He grinned. “Hell no.”
“Jude.”
He hadn’t slept all night, and he’d done one of the most strenuous workouts of his life, but Jude heard the prudish tone in her voice, and damn it, he felt pretty good. With a wink, he told May, “But I’m getting there.”