“You’re a little scary when you want to be.”
“Only when necessary.”
I lifted onto my toes and pressed my lips against his. “Thank you.”
“Ready for brunch?” He smoothed down his crisp new shirt—dark blue with white hibiscus flowers. “I can’t wait to see what Lady Raquel thinks of my outfit.”
* * *
Jude held the door for me at Mordecai’s Bistro. My hair was loose around my shoulders, my outfit was fabulous, my shoes sparkled, and I had good news to share with my friends. And not just the look on Aldrich’s face when I’d bragged about Jude’s enormous cock.
Although that had felt good.
They were at our usual table, a horseshoe-shaped booth near the back. Emily, her blond hair cut in a slightly new style, her turquoise halter top making her blue eyes pop. Derek, looking smooth as satin in his button-down shirt with the collar open. Luna, wearing an adorable crown of fresh flowers circling her lush dark hair. And Daisy, gorgeous and carefree with violet-streaked blond hair—I had no idea what her natural hair color was—and a shimmery purple top that made her boobs look fantastic.
Jude and I squeezed in with them. Usually it was just us girls at DQB, but none of us minded if our men joined once in a while. We all loved Derek, and my friends loved Jude. And the way the queens gushed over our men was satisfying in an oh hell yes he’s mine kind of way.
Lady Raquel—dressed in an exquisitely gaudy red sequined gown and long blond wig—took our orders. Then we got down to business.
“All right, bitches, what’s new?” I asked and took a sip of my mimosa.
“We’re seeing incredible results with the scar treatment,” Emily said. “Things are progressing better than I hoped for.”
“That’s amazing,” Luna said. “Wild Hearts just got a new distribution deal, which is huge for the company.”
We all gushed at Luna’s awesome news.
Daisy took a sip of her bloody Mary. “I spent a glorious weekend on the Mediterranean with a Greek hottie. It was my reward for closing my latest deal.”
We raised our glasses to Daisy’s accomplishment—and her Greek indulgence.
Finally, it was my turn. “I’m in the market for a new Chief Operations Officer. Noelle Olson turned in her resignation.”
“That’s such good news,” Emily said.
“I still wish you would have fired the dumb bitch,” Daisy said.
“This is perfect because I don’t have to look like the bad guy,” I said. Noelle might not have been behind the efforts to ruin my life, but she’d been a thorn in my side for a long time. I’d been ecstatic when she’d made her announcement a few days ago.
“Where’s she going?” Emily asked.
“An electronics manufacturer. She claims she wants to get out of aerospace and take her career in a new direction. Personally, I think her little stunt with that blogger backfired. It made her look like a traitor, and no one in our industry wants to touch her.”
“Karma,” Luna said, raising her glass. We all raised ours and drank to that.
“Oh, and thanks to a certain someone,” I said, winking at Jude and squeezing his thick bicep, “I no longer have to worry about that stupid sex tape, and I got to tell Aldrich that he’s an asshole to his face.”
“Yes, girl,” Daisy said, reaching across the table to give me a high five.
“His life has certainly taken a turn for the worse,” Derek said.
The others nodded and I felt like I was missing something.
“What do you mean?”
Emily’s eyes widened. “You haven’t heard?”
I glanced at Jude and he gave me a subtle shrug. “I wanted to let them tell you.”
“Apparently he has a thing for recording his sexual activities,” Emily said. “A video of him with a foreign model who’s barely legal got out. And from what I hear, it’s not flattering.”
“It’s not,” Daisy said. “It’s really, really not.”
“Not only that,” Emily continued, “When Reese Howard found out, they immediately fired him from their board of directors. He’s on so-called personal leave from his own company, and word on the street is they’re forcing him to resign.”
I gaped at her. “You’re kidding. No wonder he looked like shit this morning.”
“Indeed,” Derek said, idly stirring his drink with a straw. “He contacted my firm to help him sort out the crisis, but I’m afraid I had to tell him we’re far too busy to take on any new clients right now.”
“Oh, speaking of,” Daisy said, “I have an acquaintance who’s in a bit of trouble and she could really use Alpha Group’s help.”
“Of course. Have her give my office a call, I’m sure we can fit her in.”
I zeroed in on Daisy. “D. Why did you say the video isn’t flattering?”
Her mouth curled in a wicked grin. “I have a copy.”
Everyone leaned forward.
“Obviously you have to show us,” Luna said.
Daisy brought out her phone, housed in a gem-encrusted case. “You’re going to love this.”
She queued up the video and we all squeezed together so we could see. It opened in an expensive hotel suite. Aldrich lying on his back. He was undressed, but thankfully we couldn’t see too much. A young woman with a deep tan and porn-star-sized fake boobs started to climb on top of him.
She glanced down and her eyebrows drew together. “Is something wrong?”
Aldrich lifted his head. “No. Fuck, I don’t know what’s going on. That never happens to me.”
We watched with morbid curiosity and a healthy dose of horror as the woman tried to help Aldrich achieve an erection. She tried. He tried. But no matter what they did, he couldn’t get it up.
Finally, she got frustrated and told him off in a language that might have been Portuguese. She grabbed her clothes, and the phone doing the recording, and the screen went dark.
“Can you even?” Daisy asked, laughing so hard she had to swipe a few tears from beneath her eyes.
“I almost feel bad for him,” Luna said. “Almost.”
“Karma indeed,” I said. “That was an absolute train wreck.”
Jude sat back and stretched his arm behind me. He had that smug look in his eyes again.
Not that I blamed him.
We spent the rest of brunch chatting. Our wins and losses. Plans, ideas, and the exciting things we had coming. The food was wonderful, the drinks were great, and the company was the best part.
I was feeling a bit tipsy when we finally got up to leave. Jude led me toward the front with his large hand on the small of my back. Maybe it was the drinks, or maybe I was just that happy, but I couldn’t seem to stop smiling.
“Um, excuse me,” a woman said behind us.
Jude and I turned, and my breath caught. It was one of the romance novelists. I’d seen them sitting in the booth next to us, but they’d been quiet today, all four of them wearing headphones and typing furiously. She had long brown hair and her teal blue shirt said I turn coffee into love stories.
“Hi,” she said. “Sorry, I know this is so weird, but let’s be honest, I have kind of a weird job, so why not, right?”
Jude and I shared a glance. I was too giddy to reply. I’d never spoken to one of the romance novelists before.
She had to look up at Jude, who was well over a foot taller than her. “I was just wondering if you’ve ever done any modeling, or thought about doing any modeling, or would maybe consider doing some modeling. Specifically for a book cover. A romance novel. You’re absolutely exquisite and you look exactly like a romance hero and I can already picture the cover and it would be stunning. And I mean no disrespect.” She glanced at me and held up her left hand, flashing her wedding ring. “I’m not hitting on him. I’m super married. High school sweethearts. I know, we’re so cheesy.”
I tucked my arm in Jude’s. “Actually, he’s my bodyguard.”
Her eyelashes fluttered, her lips parted, a
nd she made a little noise that sounded like a cross between a soft laugh and a moan. “Bodyguard. Oh my god. I just had the most amazing idea. Holy inspiration.” She dug in the pocket of her cropped jeans and shoved a business card at Jude. “That’s my card. If you’re interested, email me. I have to go. All the ideas. Must type before I forget.”
Jude looked at her card while I watched her go back to their booth, feeling a little awed.
“Book cover model,” Jude said. “I don’t know, might be fun.”
“Oh my god, Jude, is she going to write a bodyguard romance?” I breathed. “I love that idea.”
He held her card out to me. “Maybe you should email her. Tell her what happened to you. It might give her more inspiration.”
I took the card and glanced back at her table. Maybe I’d do just that.
37
Jude
I stood in the doorway of the spacious master bathroom while Cameron slipped off her heels. Casually crossing my arms, I leaned against the frame, admiring her. Long legs. Narrow waist. The curve of her ass. She unpinned her coppery red hair and shook it out.
“Sense a security threat?” she asked, glancing at me over her shoulder.
“There’s definitely a threat. A persistent one.”
“Sounds serious. If only I had a big, strong bodyguard to protect me.”
I wasn’t exactly Cameron’s bodyguard anymore. Not always, at least. I’d put a security team in place so she had protection when it was required. She no longer needed someone shadowing her every move, especially at Spencer headquarters. But she’d agreed that she needed a more robust personal security strategy now.
Often, it was still me.
I coordinated with both the Spencer Aeronautics security team and the guys in Bluewater. Hired a couple of guys I trusted to be on hand for when we needed a little extra muscle. I was confident she was in good hands, whether she was kicking ass in the boardroom, catching up with her R&D team at Spencer’s airfield and test facilities, or attending a black-tie gala at a hotel downtown.
As for Jude Ellis, one-man security operation and professional problem solver, he was finally retired. But I’d reached out to an old contact from my days in the CIA. Turned out, he was having a bit of trouble adjusting to life as a civilian. I knew what that was like. He decided a move to Miami and all the referral business he could handle was the perfect solution.
What could I say? I was a problem solver.
“I should probably take a closer look,” I said, taking slow steps into the bathroom. “Just to be sure.”
Approaching her from behind, I swept her hair aside and leaned in to kiss her neck. She sighed at my touch and I rubbed her upper arms, moving in closer. Her back arched against me as I nibbled and kissed her skin.
“Uh oh,” she said, pressing her ass against my erection. “He’s packing heat.”
“Do exactly as I say, and nobody gets hurt,” I growled into her ear.
Sliding my hand through her hair, I gripped it in a tight fist and tilted her head to bare more of her neck to me. Sucked on her soft skin.
“All right, beautiful,” I said, my voice low. “Take your fucking clothes off.”
She hesitated. Our eyes met in the mirror, hers flashing with challenge, her lips turning in a hint of a smile.
I reached down and started slowly drawing the hem of her skirt up her thigh. “What did I say? Take your clothes off.”
“Make me.”
A low growl rumbled in my throat. I let go of her hair, grabbed her skirt, and hiked it up her legs to her waist. Planting my hand on her upper back, I pushed her forward over the counter to bend her over.
“You still want to be a bad girl, Cameron?”
Our eyes met in the mirror again. She bit her lip and nodded.
God, that fucking thong. I tucked my fingers beneath the slim strip of fabric and slowly slid it over the curve of her ass.
I pulled it down her legs and kissed my way up the backs of her thighs. Then licked her slit a few times, quick darts of my tongue, enjoying her breathy gasps.
My dick was hard and aching for her. I stood and she watched me in the mirror while I slowly unbuttoned my shirt. She arched her back, shifting toward me, her arms braced on the counter.
I pulled my shirt off, one arm at a time. “What do you need, beautiful?”
“You know what I need.”
“I’ll give you what you need when you do what I say. Can you do that?”
She bit her lip again. “Maybe.”
Holy shit, I loved her. That wicked gleam in her green eyes made me crazy.
“Do you want to know what I’m going to do?”
“Yes.”
I let my shirt drop and cupped her ass checks. “I’m going to rip the rest of your clothes off.” I smacked one side with a sharp crack. She gasped. “Then I’m going to pick you up, toss you over my shoulder, haul you to the bed, and lick your pussy until you beg me to stop.”
“You don’t want to fuck me right here?” she asked, arching her back, putting her beautiful pussy temptingly on display.
I smacked her other ass check and she let out a little whimper. “Stand up.”
She slowly straightened. I pulled her skirt back over her ass and unzipped it. She shimmied out of it, letting it fall.
“Buttons,” I ordered.
She took her time unbuttoning her blouse while I watched in the mirror. I pulled it over her shoulders and down her arms.
I was done taking my time. I unclasped her bra and tore it off, then tossed her over my shoulder, smacking her ass cheek again.
She giggled as I dropped her on the bed. I climbed on, pushed her legs open, and went to work on her delicious pussy.
“Oh my god,” she moaned as I mercilessly attacked her clit with my tongue.
I licked her, swirling my tongue around her clit. Made her writhe against the sheets. She tasted so fucking good. I slid a finger inside and her slick walls trembled. Two fingers and she cried out.
I was relentless. Flicking her clit with my tongue while I fingered her. I could feel her heat build, the pressure growing.
“Touch your nipples,” I ordered.
With a groan, she slid her hands over her round tits and pinched her nipples. I almost had her. She dropped her legs open wider, her body moving against the sheets.
I loved making her let go. Making her lose control. In this moment, I owned her body.
But she owned my fucking soul.
She started to come, and I growled against her. She clenched tight around my fingers, coming in my mouth, her rhythmic cries making me insane with lust.
“Stop. Stop,” she panted, finally. “Oh god, stop. I can’t.”
I planted a soft kiss on her clit and slid my fingers out. She leaned her head back, breathing hard, her arms stretched out on the sheets.
Stripping off the rest of my clothes, I let her catch her breath. Then I climbed on top of her, settling between her legs.
She ran her hands up my chest and around the back of my neck. Kissing her deeply, I slid my cock inside, groaning into her mouth. She felt so good. Every single fucking time. I’d never get enough of this woman.
I pumped my hips, driving into her. Kissed her soft lips. Delved into her mouth with my tongue. Pressure built fast and I lost myself in the feel of her. So good. So perfect.
I’d never felt this way about anyone before. Never shared such a deep and powerful connection. Loving her—being open enough to love anyone—was a risk. But she was worth it. I’d risk anything to be with her.
I growled with every thrust, my muscles flexing, my cock sliding in and out of her wet pussy. Rolling to the side, I flipped us over. She braced herself with her hands on my chest and rode my cock hard—hips tilting, her hair falling around her shoulders.
She leaned down, still rolling her hips, and brushed her nipples across my chest while she rode up and down. I loved it when she did that. It was sexy as hell.
My cock was rock sol
id inside her, aching for release. She moved faster and I held her hips, driving in and out, grunting in a steady rhythm.
Her pussy clenched and she started to come again. That was all it took to make me come undone. I groaned as my cock pulsed, finding sweet release inside her. Riding the waves of pleasure as they crashed through us both.
When she finished, she collapsed on top of me, her pussy still twitching with the aftereffects of her second orgasm. I caressed her soft skin, breathing her in. Enjoying everything about this moment.
God, I wanted to love her forever.
“I’m going to marry you,” I said. “You know that, right?”
She picked herself up and brushed her hair out of her face. “Is that a threat or a promise?”
“Promise.” I cupped her cheek and brought her mouth to mine for a deep kiss. “I guess this isn’t exactly a grand display, but Cameron, I know what I want. And I don’t have any reason to wait. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
The playfulness left her expression and her mouth softened. “Are you really proposing?”
“If you want me to wait until I have a ring and—”
“No,” she said, cutting me off. “Don’t wait.”
“All right.” I tucked her hair behind her ear. “Cameron Whitbury, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Jude Ellis.”
I rolled her onto her back and propped myself up over her. Looked into her beautiful green eyes, then leaned in for a kiss. Tasted her soft lips.
“I was hoping we wouldn’t have to wait.” She sniffed a little and swiped beneath her eyes.
“Me too.”
“We should celebrate,” she said, rolling toward the edge of the bed.
Reluctantly, I let her get up. She slipped on a satiny robe and tied it at the waist. Something on the bedside table caught her attention. Tilting her head, she picked up an envelope.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Inda left me a note. She said this was delivered today and it looked important, so she brought it up here to make sure I’d see it.”
The Mogul and the Muscle: A Bluewater Billionaires Romantic Comedy Page 26
