Reckless

Chapter 18

Unknown

I’m going to be longer than I thought. Some stuff happened that I need to deal with. Go to Drew’s. I’ll catch up with you there later

Unknown

Send me the address

Unknown

Don’t worry I’m fine

Unknown

It’s band issues

Unknown

It’s Jude by the way. I realize you know that, but yeah, just in case x

Those are the texts I woke up to this morning. It only struck me when I read them a few times over that I don’t have Jude’s cell number. Somehow, he has mine.

Jude already told me he didn’t expect to come back last night. He didn’t want to have me waiting around, or wake me up when he didn’t know how long he’d be.

A little part of me is mad. For Jude. He’s supposed to be keeping out of band issues. It will not do anything to help him get better if he’s being pulled back into things with the band so easily. I’m pissed at her for dragging him into whatever is going on.

But she is his friend. He’s made that clear. He’s known her a lot longer than he’s known me. I don’t even know what band issues they’re having. They might have some serious things to talk about.

No words are coming when I try to sit down and write so I close the laptop. Emily calls and we talk about the convention in Chicago and go through the schedule again. Then I shower and change and text Drew to make sure they arrived home. Then I head over to their place.

I diligently refuse to check my phone. I haven’t even sent him a reply. And now I’m fretting over it. Is he wondering why I haven’t replied? Does he think I’m mad? Indifferent?

“Stop it,” I admonish myself and focus on the road.

I’m looking forward to seeing Drew and Wayne. It’s been too long, and I always have fun during the time I spend with them. The disappointment swirling through me at not having Jude here is irrational.

Drew and Wayne’s house is outside of the city, close to the Iowa border, and backs on to the Big Sioux River. It’s set on twenty acres and fenced in with a private security firm watching over the place. There is a separate pool house and gym on the grounds and a six-car garage Wayne has filled.

Despite the wealth, they’re two of the most down-to-earth people you could ever meet. And so in love. I’d been Drew’s maid of honor when they got married three years ago. I have never been happier to see two people come together like these two. They’re soulmates.

The house has a guest wing, so when they have people over, they have their privacy. I always stay in the same bedroom. They think of it as mine, which is crazy given I spend two days a year here, and occasionally when there is an event happening.

I turn the RV onto the tree lined road and have to jump out to press the intercom. One of the security guys answers and tells me to drive right up. It takes a few minutes to get all the way up the driveway and for the house to come into view. This place takes my breath away every time I see it.

Wayne had it built after we graduated from college. Drew had a big hand in designing it. She didn’t want a modern house with lots of glass and hard lines. She wanted it to fit in with the surroundings, not stand out like a sore thumb.

The entire house is on one level, apart from over the garage where they each have an office and there is a soundproof movie room.

Both of them are standing outside when I pull up. Drew is bouncing on her toes. Wayne is on his phone. I almost laugh at how typical this scene is. But I know Drew is excited about meeting Jude.

Taking a deep breath, I grab my overnight bag, keys, and phone and head out of the RV.

“You’re here!” Drew shrieks and runs over to hug me.

She’s five eleven with honey blonde hair, blue eyes and a body that makes men do foolish things. She has a heart of gold to go with said body but has only had eyes for Wayne since they admitted their feelings early in college.

She’s incredibly smart too, graduating at the top of her class and going on to get a master’s degree. She helps Wayne run his arm of the family business.

Wayne trails behind his wife and he takes my bag when Drew finally stops squeezing the life out of me. He gives me a one-armed hug of his own. He’s roughly around six five, handsome as hell with dark skin and eyes. As long as I’ve known him, Wayne has kept his hair close cropped to his head. He used to get called Derek Morgan in college after the Criminal Minds character, because he looks so much like the actor Shemar Moore.

Drew is peering behind me, then back at me, then over to the RV again.

“He isn’t here.”

“What? Did something happen?”

“No, but he’ll be here later,” I assure her. I hope anyway. She lets the disappointment go over her and we head inside.

The house smells like freshly baked bread and makes my stomach rumble. I haven’t eaten yet today. Drew hears, laughs, and says she will go grab us some snacks.

"Have you heard from him today?" Wayne moves to the hallway that leads to the guest wing.

“From Jude?” I stop him. He turns to look at me. “He text to say he'd be here later. Why?”

“So you aren't aware of what happened last night?”

“Last night?" I swallow, staring at my friend.

“The guitarist from your man’s band, Ethan Blackmore, he got arrested last night.”

“Really. Oh shit."

“Yeah, I only know because a friend owns the club he was in when the trouble started. Your man wasn’t there. Just Ethan.”

That’s a relief. I think. No wonder Jude couldn’t come back. Jesus. I hope he is okay. He has enough on his plate and now he has to worry about a band member getting arrested. God, the press is going to have a field day with this.

Shit, the press. Do they know where Jude is now? Does this mean he is going to have to leave?

It feels like everything is spiraling. We’ve been fine for days on our own. Throw some other people in the mix and everything is going to crap.

Wayne is observing me, waiting to see what I’m going to do. I resist the urge to grab my phone and call Jude. He’s not my man. Wayne called him that twice already. I’m about to say so when Drew comes back into the room carrying a tray of drinks. She looks between us, sensing tension.

“What did I walk in on?”

“You haven’t told her?” I ask him.

“Told me what?”

“That trouble last night at Zenith. It was a Reckless Soul thing,” Wayne says.

“Your man?” Drew turns to me.

“Why is everyone suddenly calling him my man?”

“Well, I wanted to reserve judgment until I saw the two of you together. But seen as how he’s not here yet, I’m just going with it.”

“He’s not my man.”

Drew waves a hand. “What happened?” she asks her husband.

Wayne tells us a fight broke out. He isn’t sure over what, but he knows the guitarist from Reckless Soul was involved. And that five people got arrested, him included. Jude must be going out of his mind.

“Simon is always calling the police unnecessarily,” Drew says. “He has no business running a nightclub. Fights happen. His security should be able to deal with that.”

“Not usually involving celebrities,” Wayne points out.

“Can we stop talking about this?” I say, wanting to change the subject. “I’m starving.”

“Me too,” another voice calls.

Xander is coming along the hall to the guest wing. He’s wearing basketball shorts and a sleeveless top with arm holes that nearly reach his waist, showing way too much skin. But that is Xander.

“Benke,” he walks over. The hug is brief, and he kisses the side of my hair. “Looking fine as ever.”

“Shut up, Xander,” Drew rolls her eyes.

“What’s for lunch?”

“Go make your own lunch, degenerate,” Wayne says. “Krista, you want to get settled while Xander makes us lunch?”

“Hey!” he groans.

Drew tips her head for me to make my escape as she grabs her brother-in-law’s arm and tugs him towards their massive kitchen. It’s only the fact I know he is a great cook, I don’t freak out about him making us lunch.

I settle my stuff in the room, fix my hair and check my phone. Re-reading Jude’s texts, I feel bad for not answering him. He’s probably up to his eyeballs in trouble. I don’t want him to think I’m ignoring him, or pissed about him not coming back when he knew we had plans.

Krista

Hope you’re okay. Take your time. Here is the address

Once I’ve tapped in the address and hit send, I put the phone on the dresser and look at myself in the mirror over it. Am I being foolish, thinking there is something between Jude and me? I’d never experienced the burning, uncontrollable attraction to any man before I saw him outside my RV.

Is that really enough?

God, what am I thinking? This isn’t going anywhere. Sex was probably a mistake, but when I think about it, it was inevitable. And it was great, mind blowing, in fact. Now we’ve done it twice, I can’t see either of us backing off.

“Unless he doesn’t come back,” I mutter to my reflection.

My phone buzzes and makes me jump. I laugh at myself for being startled.

Jude

Thanks for that. I hope I’m not much longer, but the crap I walked into isn’t that simple. I might be later than planned

Krista

I understand

Jude

I’m going to be there, Krista. I promise

I almost reply saying he shouldn’t make promises he can’t keep. Instead, I send a simple thumbs up emoji, lock my phone, then go out in search of food and the company of people I consider family.

“Ready?” Drew peeks her head into my room. “Wow, you look like sex on legs, babe.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I say, looking down at myself.

Okay, maybe I’ve made more of an effort than I normally would. I shaved every inch of my body and slipped into a slinky, sequined black dress that floats around my thighs and ties in a halter neck, sloping down the side of my breasts. There is a thin strap that goes across the middle of my back, keeping the dress from being obscene, but it is probably one of the sexiest outfits I own.

I brought it with me for tonight. It’s not like I’m specifically dressing up for Jude. If he ever shows up. We’ve waited as late as we can, but he still hasn’t made it to the house. I text about fifteen minutes ago to let him know where Wayne’s club is, but he hasn’t replied yet.

I’m starting to feel as though this is all over. And a little foolish over hoping it isn’t.

Xander whistles when he sees me, and I flip him off. No matter how much he flirts, he’ll always be Wayne’s baby brother to me, and he knows it. We pile into the limo Wayne has gotten for us and Drew pours us all a champagne.

A few more of their trusted friends will join us in the private bar at the club. Drew moves close and links my arm, resting her head on my shoulder as Wayne and Xander discuss something to do with their business.

“You okay?” she nudges me.

“Of course, I’ve been looking forward to tonight for ages.”

“You know that isn’t what I mean.” She sits up and stares at me, her eyes boring into me, trying to read me. She’s always been able to. “You like him.”

“I barely know him.”

“You know how long it took for me to fall in love with Wayne?”

“Five minutes,” I deadpan.

“More like three hours, but yeah. When you know…”

“I’m not in love with Jude Smallwood.”

“You’re so vehement. But I know you. You feel something. You can’t lie to me, babe.”

“It’s this crazy, wild attraction, nothing else.”

I’ve already spilled the beans about us sleeping together, while we were making cocktails earlier. “And of course I feel something. I can’t sleep with someone I have no feelings for.”

“That always was a weird trait you had.”

“That isn’t a weird trait. It’s called standards.”

“I slept with Wayne the night I met him.”

“What are you two talking about?” Wayne looks over.

“You,” Drew smirks. “Keep out of it.”

He gives her a wink. His phone rings and he answers it, turning to look out of the window. Drew is right. From the moment they met, they knew they were right for each other.

They might have slept together that first night, but they became friends first. It was a long time before they finally got their shit together. She isn’t one to talk.

When we arrive at Sonic, the queue is around the block, hopefuls all wanting to get into one of the most exclusive nightclubs in the city. The limo drives past the club and takes a few turns before stopping at the rear private entrance.

I down the last of the champagne before we get out. As Xander reaches in to help me, a figure pushes off from the wall, catching mine and Drew’s attention. I’d know that body anywhere. He’s staring at Xander’s hand holding mine. I have an irrational urge to pull away, but Xander is only helping me out of the limo.

“My head of security called to say he was here. I told them to bring him round back.”

Wayne walks over to Drew and takes her arm. That must have been the phone call he took earlier.

“Shit, is that Jude Smallwood?” Xander asks. “Isn’t he on the run or something?”

“Don’t be an idiot, Xander,” Drew shakes her head. “He’s here for Krista.”

“No shit?”

We walk to the back door, and I stop in front of Jude. His eyes rake up and down my body and I flush at the perusal.

“You look phenomenal,” he says. His hands are shoved in the pockets of his jeans. Wayne and Xander are dressed in suits, but Jude looks effortlessly sexy in his jeans and dark black t-shirt.

“I didn’t think you were going to make it.”

“I told you I’d be here,” he frowns as he takes in my expression. “You thought I wouldn’t?”

My lips twist as I try to hide what I’d thought. He gives me that sexy smirk, then reaches for me and pulls me into him. His eyes go to Xander and back.

“Should I be worried?” his brow arches.

“No.”

“Not about Xander.”

We both turn at the sound of Drew's voice. She is standing behind me, one hip cocked out, her hand on the other. I laugh at the way she is staring at Jude.

“Drew, I presume?” Jude moves to the side of me, but he doesn’t let me go. He reaches out a hand and Drew relents and shakes. “I’m Jude.”

She gives me a look.

“Wayne?” Jude looks at my other friend. “Thanks for taking the call. It could have got a little hairy for me out here.”

“No problem.” Wayne shakes his hand too. And Xander comes over.

“Shall we get off the street then, before someone sees him?” I ask.

“Good idea, it’s cold out here,” Drew says, turning and heading for the door a security guard is holding.

Jude’s palm is warm against my back as we follow behind them. He leans in close before we go through the door. “I’ll explain everything later, but I’m sorry for not getting away sooner.”

“You’re here now,” I say.

“Yeah. As hot as that dress is, it will look a hell of a lot better on the bedroom floor.”

He takes hold of my chin and turns my head, pressing his lips to mine, capturing my lower one between his teeth.

My pulse beats straight down into my core. An ache grows stronger between my legs as he stares at me. Jude smirks again. He knows exactly what he is doing to me.

Damn, there go my panties.

I almost stumble over the step into the club and briefly catch Drew’s knowing look. We head up a set of wooden stairs that lead up to the first level of the club. The music is thumping through the walls, the floor vibrating.

Two more security guards are waiting in the hallway, and one leans forward to press the call button for the private elevator. Jude is taking it all in his stride. I’ve been here many times before and know what to expect, but he’s acting as if this is nothing new to him.

Hell, it isn’t. As a world famous rockstar, this must be second nature. Xander engages him in small talk as we board the elevator, and the security guard presses the ‘P’ button. Jude eyes him but is polite in his responses, even when Xander asks bluntly if he stole the money.

Drew slaps him in the chest and Wayne shakes his head.

“What?” Xander asks.

“That was rude, you imbecile,” Drew scowls. “I’m sorry for my inept brother-in-law’s manners, Jude. We’ll be rid of him as soon as we get inside.”

“It’s okay,” Jude says, then he turns to Xander. “And in answer to your question, no. I didn’t steal any money. I don’t need to.”

Xander regards him, then nods as if he accepts it. I resist the urge to punch him in the face as he grins around at us.

We arrive on the penthouse floor and all get out, heading into the private club. A few people look up when we walk in, but no one comes rushing over. I’m pretty sure they’re more interested in Wayne and Xander than Jude. The two men excuse themselves to go talk business, but Wayne shakes Jude’s hand again and says he’ll be back to join us in a little while, without his asshole brother.

Jude laughs and we follow Drew to the private booth reserved for Wayne when he shows up here. A server comes over with champagne and asks if we would like anything else as soon as we sit down. Jude asks for beer while Drew pours me and her a glass of Dom Perignon.

We make small talk, Drew filling Jude in on how we met and telling some embarrassing stories about our college days, that have Jude laughing. I’d be mad if I wasn’t happy to see him smiling. Whatever happened last night obviously caused a headache, seeing him laugh is a bonus.

Eventually, Drew slips out of the booth, saying she needs to go grab her sexy husband because there are way too many women in here eye-fucking him. She isn’t wrong. Jude waves as she leaves.

Then it’s just the two of us.

He’s staring again and I feel oddly self-conscious.

“You come alive when you’re with your friends.”

My brows dip, not sure what he means.

“You haven’t stopped smiling, even when Wayne’s brother was being an asshole.”

“Ignore him. He likes to stir up trouble to see what kind of reaction he can get.”

“I got that,” he nods. “I’ve met guys like him before.”

The stem of the champagne glass in my hand is cold as I twist it between my fingers, watching the bubbles sizzling at the bottom of the glass.

“I don’t want to pry but, are you sure you’re okay to be out tonight?”

“You heard about what happened?”

“Yeah, Wayne filled me in. He knows the owner of the club. Is Ethan in jail?”

“No, our lawyers got him out and somehow convinced the owner not to press charges. I’m presuming a lot of money changed hands.”

He leans back in the seat and looks out over the small bar. People have started dancing. Including Drew and Wayne. It’s busy enough up here that the floor is full. This booth is so private no one can hear anything we say, but Jude still seems hesitant. His brow is creased, and he picks at the label on his bottle of beer.

I lean forward and put my elbows on the table, angling slightly so I can see him better.

“You want to talk about it?”

“Not now,” he sighs. “I’ll bend your ear off later, but tonight, let’s just have fun. I know I don’t need to worry about anyone overhearing. I’m just over it. Your friend Wayne has this place buttoned up tighter than a nun’s pus-” he cuts himself off, but when I burst out laughing, he grins. “Wanna dance?”

“You dance?” I ask.

“I’ve got moves you’ve never seen,” he winks.

“Did you just reference a Julia Roberts movie?”

“I don’t know, did I?” He looks confused.

Okay, he doesn’t seem like a guy who’s watched My Best Friend’s Wedding . I wave it off, then nudge him. He slides out of the booth and takes my hand, leading me over to the dancefloor.

Jude takes my elbows and raises my arms, wrapping them around the back of his neck, then he glides his fingers down the outsides of my arms, along my ribs, his thumbs dipping so they press beneath the swell of each breast, then on down to my hips.

He moves, slotting his body in close to mine. It’s a fast-paced song so his hips move along with the rhythm, grinding into me, our faces close together. I gasp when his hand slides under the hem of my dress, between my thighs, and I make room for it as it continues upwards.

“Fuck, I missed you last night,” he groans against my ear before nipping at the lobe.

My pussy clenches and my eyes close. He toys with the elastic at the side of my panties. I glance around but no one seems to be watching, still this is reckless.

Am I about to…

“Oh,” I moan as his finger dips beneath the fabric and slides against my pussy. “Jude, we can’t-”

“Ssh,” he moves in closer to hide what his hand is doing. “I want to make you come. I want to hear you moan my name.”

I’ve never done anything like this. My instinct is to close my legs and maybe move this to the bathroom.

There is something exhilarating and dangerous about what he is doing to me, while all these people are around us, with no one knowing. Every stroke and every breath against my skin has me spiraling closer and closer.

Jude pushes another finger into me as he sucks on my neck, and a powerful, aching throb takes over me.

“Come, Krista,” his sexy voice rumbles in my ear.

My eyes squeeze tight, my hips lock as I thrust towards him, his fingers going even deeper. I’m clenching and shuddering around them, my head spinning as I drop my forehead to his shoulder.

“Good girl,” he whispers.

Oh God, I’m picking up all kinds of kinks with this guy. Cowboy, praise, rockstar. Fucking in public. What the hell is next?

Jude leans back and brings his hand up. He sucks his fingers into his mouth, tasting me.

That shouldn’t turn me on the way it does. It’s taking all my self-control not to drop to my knees and open his pants. My chest is heaving as I glance over his shoulder.

Drew is looking right at me with wide eyes, before raising her glass and grinning.