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Tread lightly.
That cautionary tale warred with the incessant thrumming through her veins. A demanding cadence, urging her to throw all caution to the wind, say to hell with the engagement party and tell Jude to hav
e the driver return them to her apartment. So she could rip apart the buttons on his shirt and put her hands and mouth all over him.
Kate groaned. She’d become obsessed in zero seconds flat?
So not good.
Jude broke into her errant and slightly distressing thoughts, asking, “Are you all right?”
She smirked at him. “Do I look all right?”
“You look spectacular. Your eyes have an evocative shimmer to them. There’s a rosy tint to your skin. And your nipples—”
“Jude.”
He gave her a cocky grin. “I’m allowed to gloat. I’ve waited years to make you come.”
A wicked thrill ran through her. She found it surreal Jude would be equally obsessed—with her.
Of course, his fixation would dim considerably once he’d had her. And that was fine. Scratching an itch was safe and containable. Anything more would be too disruptive for Kate.
Which, overall, made her a bit less amped up about bringing him into the family fold, no matter how temporary. It wasn’t as though she were seeking their approval of a new boyfriend. This was a one-time occurrence. They wouldn’t see Jude again. Her parents would be disappointed by that inevitability, but not the least bit surprised. Kate had never been conventional and had no intention of starting now.
She was still teeming with sexual vivacity when they arrived at the hotel. Though she was notably less tense, thanks to Jude—who still eyed her triumphantly. Yet also with a glint of his own internal fire. He was likely plotting his next move on her. And that thought kept Kate intrigued and supercharged.
A valet opened the door. Jude slipped into his jacket, spritzed breath spray into his mouth, straightened his tie, then slipped from the backseat first, so he could assist Kate out of the limo. Her knees were weak and she suffered another moment of concern over how thoroughly Jude affected her; how the exhilaration he incited didn’t diminish just because he wasn’t touching her.
Well, he was touching her. He placed his hand at the small of her back. A gesture that felt intimate and territorial coming from someone of his prominent stature. Both professionally and physically. Even with her four-inch heels, he still towered over her. Kate noticed the female heads that whipped in their direction, the women openly admiring Jude in his impeccably tailored suit.
Kate couldn’t blame the ladies for gawking. She had trouble herself retaining focus on her reason for having him in tow this evening, her purpose for being here—it wasn’t to book a room and let Jude have his way with her. Tempting though that was!
Kate composed herself. She was losing sight of the big picture. Luckily, the champagne had provided a bit of fortification, and the orgasm had taken the edge off her. Having Jude beside her did both as well.
She hitched her chin as they strolled through the lobby, Kate directing him to the event room.
His head bent to hers and he murmured, “It is damn-near impossible for me to think of anything other than the fact you’re not wearing any panties.”
“You’re downright indecent for keeping them, Jude,” she flirted.
“Isn’t that the best way to get through these ostentatious affairs?”
“I will confess, having a bold and daring date this evening will make this party much more tolerable. If you feel the need to leave some tongues wagging, please start with Mirabeth Presley. She could use a little applecart toppling in her overly organized and meticulously structured world.”
“Why is that name familiar?”
“You’ve likely seen it in the society pages of the Times. Her daddy is Griffith Presley, III.”
“Global communications mogul.” Jude gave a low whistle.
“Yes. And my brother is marrying the daughter of a billionaire real estate tycoon. But again, Charlotte is a saint. So try not to directly scandalize her, please.”
He chuckled. “You’re the only woman I wish to scandalize this evening. You have the temperament for it. In fact, I think you secretly enjoy some adventure in your life.”
“Perhaps not so secretly,” she said, smiling up at him.
“Hmm. Aren’t you one surprise after another?”
