He smirks. “Then there’s only one thing left.”
“What’s that?”
He settles his hands on my shoulders, his gaze unwavering and unusually serious. “Be yourself. Be confident, sexy, you. That’s what he wants. That’s the gift you give. Be honest. Tell him what you want. Better yet, demand it.”
I’m not ashamed of my sexual desires. Never have been. But this pep talk from my new co-worker stokes my confidence. I’m a woman who goes after what she wants, and I definitely want Jude Lawrence.
De’Shaun bumps his shoulder against mine. “The mind-blowing orgasms will follow.”
“De’Shaun!” One of the PAs shouts from the door to the studio. “Hair crisis on set.”
“Coming!” De’Shaun hollers, then whispers, “Like my girl Rae will be all weekend.”
“De’Shaun!” I chide.
He only laughs, a sway to his hips as he turns and heads inside. I trail after, knowing wherever a hair crisis arises, there’s usually a makeup disaster to follow. I need to focus on work, but my mind sways back to my dilemma with Jude. Maybe I’m overcomplicating things. Maybe De’Shaun is right. Jude obviously wants me. I want him. We have the weekend and an empty condo. Could it be so simple?
I wasn’t going to sleep with Jude—or any man who reminded me of Ethan. But I’m allowed to change my mind. Besides, Jude’s nothing like I first assumed. He’s generous, hard-working, and he loves his dog. The way he looks after Walter when he thinks I’m not watching does crazy, melty things to my heart.
I’m brave enough to admit that I care about Jude. My feelings go deeper than sexual desire. I’ve come to appreciate his companionship, looking forward to it daily. Though my attachment has gone from zero to sixty in a very short time span, that doesn’t discount the truth.
This is happening. I’m going to tell him. I’m going to be honest, lay out my feelings, and enjoy whatever happens. Tonight I’ll submit to my most carnal desires and sleep with my temporary roommate. What could go wrong?
30
Jude
I pull up to the studio a little after eight o’clock. After the way she was this morning, and her working later than usual, I don’t know what to expect.
Rachel slides into the passenger seat, greeting me with a smile. “Hey.”
Instantly my nerves settle. “Hey, how was work?”
“Great.”
“Thankful it’s Friday?”
“You have no idea.” The look she gives me is strange. Different somehow, and I wonder what it means.Maybe she’s nervous about this weekend?
Then it hits me. She probably has plans with friends. Maybe that’s why she was so weird this morning. A beautiful, single woman like herself must have something better than being subjected to my company. Damn it. I never even considered this alternative. How am I going to claw my way out of the friend zone if we don’t spend the weekend together? I have to return her car on Monday. There’s no way to drag that out longer, and after that she’ll be back at her apartment.
It’s not that I won’t see her again. I think our relationship has evolved nicely enough that she’d voluntarily go to dinner with me—I hope. But I won’t have an opportunity like this again. I have to seize the moment. I’m never one to shy away from a challenge, but when it comes to Rachel, the rules of the game are all new.
“Big plans, then?”
Rachel bites back a smile, then meets my gaze a moment before looking out the windshield. “Maybe.”
I’m about to lose out. It’s now or never. My pride be damned. “Did you want to hang out tonight? If you don’t have other plans, that is.” God, could I sound more pathetic? Maybe I’m an idiot to think I have a chance. I don’t deserve a woman like Rachel, but damn, I want to be the type of man who does. “I’d really like to have dinner with you again.”
Her smile grows even though she doesn’t look away from the city lights rushing by. “I’d really like that too.” The low resonance in her voice is enough to send a thrill down my spine. At the stoplight she turns in her seat, leaning back against the passenger door to run her gaze over my body before meeting my eyes. “What exactly did you have in mind?”
Is Rachel flirting with me? I swear she is. Which means, I not only have a shot, I might’ve won the fucking jackpot. I’d keep on staring, but the light changes from red to green and some asshole honks for me to move. I clear my throat and sneak a few glances.
Her smile and seductive gaze are as captivating as before.
“That depends.” Fuck it. I’m all in. “How dirty do you wanna get?”
Her eyebrows shoot high, and she gives a little laugh. “I’m up for anything.”
