Heart sinking, Chelsea dreaded the thought that Jud would leave their bed to make a call that was at least friendly and possibly intimate. Was he talking to another woman? She’d convinced herself that she could trust him. Was she the world’s biggest sap?
Just as she’d made the decision to flee, Jud turned to see her standing there like the idiot eavesdropper that she was. He waved her over and she awkwardly made her way to where he was seated on the couch—naked.
“I’ve gotta go,” he said into the phone. Then, “You know me too well.” He laughed and then ended the call with a promise that he would see him/her tomorrow. He squeezed Chelsea’s knee. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“Oh, you didn’t. I had to pee.” She tried to read his expression and found it totally without guile. Unable to help herself, she asked, “Who were you talking to at this hour?”
His hand inched up her thigh. “One of my clients. He’d called earlier when we were otherwise indisposed and I was just returning his call.”
Acutely aware of his fingers at they neared the juncture of her thighs, she asked, “And you’re going to see him tomorrow?”
Jud smiled. “He’s in town for a few days and wants to meet for a drink.” He moved closer to her as his hand covered her bare mound. His fingers explored her cunt while he leaned in for a deep kiss. “Is that okay? I’ll be sure to catch up with you after.”
Sixty seconds ago, she was bereft, convinced that he was playing her. Now her fears were allayed and she was horny as hell. “Sure.” She kissed him back, her hand migrating to his groin, stroking his cock to full attention.
“Mmm, you know what I want, Chels?” He pumped his hips rhythmically into her hand.
“Tell me,” she whispered.
“I want you to sit on my lap and ride me, baby.”
The roller coaster of emotions gone out the window, she moved over him and carefully impaled herself on his hard cock. “Your wish is my command.”
Chapter Twelve
“Do you want to tell me what we’re doing here at the most expensive hotel in town?” Megan raised a perfectly arched eyebrow and waited.
“I already told you,” Chelsea said with a laugh. Jud was having a drink with his client and he’d been incredibly closemouthed about it. Not wanting to sit home alone and stew, she’d asked Megan to join her at The Monarch for a special treat.
“For some incredible dessert? Seriously?”
“When I was here a couple weeks ago with the Morrows, I saw several people ordering this gourmet s’mores thing and I’ve been dying to try it,” Chelsea said.
Megan shook her head, her silky dark bob swishing. “Okay, let’s go stuff our faces.”
They reached the bar to find the same hostess who had been there on Chelsea’s last visit. With no important celebrity for her to join, she and Megan were seated in a far dark corner. Megan didn’t seem to mind.
“This is a really nice place.” Megan sat on a low, comfortable chair and crossed her legs, her leather miniskirt displaying them nicely.
For her part, Chelsea had chosen classic ski country casual—corduroys and a sweater. “It is, isn’t it? Just wait ’til you try this dessert.”
Their waitress arrived quickly to take their order. Chelsea asked for the dessert and two Spanish coffees. When they were left alone, Chelsea asked, “So what’s going on with you and Roger?”
Megan sighed. “Roger who?”
“Oh no. You split up?”
“Yes and you’d know that if you were ever around.”
“I’m sorry, Megs.”
Megan waved her off. “It’s okay. It’s not like we were this big romantic couple or anything. We were basically together for the sex.”
“So the sex was bad?” Chelsea guessed.
“It got that way—boring, same old, same old.” Megan looked at her pointedly. “It’s obviously not a problem you’d be acquainted with, fucking a sex god and all.”
Chelsea blushed. No, the sex she had with Jud certainly wasn’t boring. “Still, I’m sorry I haven’t been a very good friend lately. It’s just that Jud will be leaving soon and I want as much time with him as I can get.”
“Really? He’s leaving? Has he made a decision yet?”
“Not yet, but it’s just a matter of time.” Chelsea was relieved to see the waitress headed in their direction with their coffees. She didn’t want to talk about Jud or the fact that he was leaving.
Megan took a sip of her coffee. “Mm, this is good. Oh—how’s the new painting coming? Have you had time between fucks to lay a brush on canvas?”
Taking a quick look around to see if anyone heard her, Chelsea said, “Yes. And can you please tone it down? We’re not at the Silver Dollar.”
“Chill, Chels. No one’s paying any attention to me.”
Fortunately, the dessert arrived so Megan’s mouth would be otherwise occupied for a while. The two of them made sounds of orgasmic delight as they feasted on s’mores, catching up on the past couple weeks in between bites.
Their waitress delivered two more coffees and Megan lifted her cup, freezing mid-sip.
“What’s wrong?” Chelsea asked.
Frowning, Megan placed her cup back on the table. “Please tell me you didn’t know he was going to be here.”
Her brow furrowing, Chelsea asked, “What are you talking about? Who?”
“Don’t look now, but Jud is sitting across the bar.”
Chelsea swiveled around, finding Jud seated at a table at the far end of the bar, his back mostly to them. She turned around to find Megan eyeing her suspiciously. “I swear, Megan. I had no idea he was going to be here.”
After a moment, Megan said, “Yeah, okay. Well, he’s gonna be surprised to see you here.”
“Shit.” Chelsea nibbled at her thumbnail. “I don’t want him to think I’m spying on him, following him.”
“Why would he think that?”
Shifting uncomfortably in her chair, Chelsea said, “I don’t know. Usually he’s pretty open with me, but this meeting? Well, let’s just say he was a little cagey about the details.”
“So what? You think he’s lying to you about meeting a client?”
“No, not really.”
“Well, I guess we’re going to find out,” Megan said.
“We can’t just sit here and watch.”
“Sure we can. We’re hidden in a dark corner over here. Scooch down in your chair a little. He won’t be able to see us.”
“Really?” Chelsea sank down in her chair. “A minute ago, you were pissed that I might be spying. Now you’re suggesting that we do it?”
“Well, yeah. Now it’s my idea. It’ll be fun.”
Chelsea frowned at her friend. How had this happened? She’d wanted to go out with Megan so she could forget about what Jud was doing or not doing. What were the odds that they’d end up at exactly the same place? Well, it is a small town. “Oh hell, we can’t leave now anyway. We’d have to walk right by him on our way out.”
“Now you’re talking,” Megan said. “Sneak over here and sit by me so you can see better.”
Chelsea rolled her eyes but complied, moving next to her friend. She had to admit she was curious. This isn’t too creepy, is it? Megan didn’t seem to think so.
The table where Jud was sitting was well lit, and Chelsea could see that he was wearing wool slacks and a sweater. He looked relaxed, flirting a little with the waitress as she took his order. That didn’t bother Chelsea—it was just Jud being his charming self. He checked his watch once while he waited, the waitress eventually returning with a small tumbler of what Chelsea guessed was probably scotch.
A couple more minutes went by, and Chelsea said, “This is ridiculous. We should go. We’ll pretend we’re going to use the ladies’ room and just ‘discover’ him sitting there.”
Megan shrugged. “Okay. You’re no fun.”
Chelsea had reached across the table to grab her purse when Megan grabbed her arm.
“Chelsea.”
The tone of Megan’s voice chilled her blood. Chelsea slowly followed Megan’s gaze across the room where she saw Jud standing—his arms wrapped around a blonde woman. They hugged for long moments and when he released her, they shared a kiss on the lips. It lasted a little too long, Chelsea thought. Jud must have made some comment to the woman about her outfit because she proceeded to step away and do a slow turn for him.
It was some outfit all right—tight, low-cut white cardigan baring her midriff and some impressive cleavage, coupled with a micromini suede skirt. Beneath the skirt, her legs looked bare and tan, while Ugg-style boots covered her feet. With that outfit and the sexy long blonde hair, she looked like every teenage boy’s wet dream.
“Jesus,” Megan said. “Who goes out in public dressed like that?”
Chelsea’s heart sank as the woman sat and snuggled up close to Jud. “I think it’s safe to say that she isn’t his client. For some reason, she certainly doesn’t look like an author.”
“No shit.” Megan looked at Chelsea. “But listen, maybe it’s nothing. Maybe she’s his sister or something.”
Voice catching, Chelsea said, “I don’t think his sister would wear that getup to meet him.” She dropped her head, unable to look anymore. I’m such an idiot. With women like that in the world, why would Jud be happy with me?
“Oh God, what’s happening? What are they doing?” Chelsea couldn’t look but she had to know.
“They’re sharing a toast,” Megan said.
“How sweet. Is she still draped all over him?”
“Uh…yeah. But he doesn’t seem to be too actively involved.”
Chelsea groaned. “What does that mean? That he’s just sitting there letting her grope him?”
Megan was silent for a moment.
That isn’t good. “I’ve gotta get out of here. How can I sneak out?” Chelsea grabbed for her purse and coat.
“Chels, hold on. Look—there’s a man joining them.”
“What?” Chelsea looked over to Jud’s table and saw him standing to exchange a typical combination guy handshake and hug with the new arrival. She allowed herself to hope. Hope that maybe things weren’t as they’d initially appeared to be.
The man who had joined them looked to be a little older—dark hair with just a touch of gray—but very attractive. He sat on the other side of the table while the blonde chippy stuck like glue to Jud.
“Oh my God!” Megan grabbed her arm, causing her to jump.
“What? What is it?” Chelsea saw that Megan had a huge grin on her face.
“Do you know who that guy is?”
Chelsea shook her head.
“It’s Cameron Wood.” Megan could barely sit still. “He’s one of my favorite authors. I have to go meet him.”
“Cameron Wood? Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure.” Megan gave her a look.
An overwhelming feeling of relief washed over her. Jud didn’t lie to me. But… “So who is that woman?”
“I think she’s his wife,” Megan said. “I read an article about him in People a few weeks ago, and she looks like the woman in the photographs.”
“Huh.” I guess that makes sense.
“Okay, you stay here and act casual. I’ll go do the restroom thing you were talking about, and just ‘run in to’ Jud on my way back.”
“Megan, wait.” But she was already on her way. Chelsea moved so that she wasn’t looking directly at them, but she watched out of the corner of her eye. The three of them looked to be having a good time, chatting, laughing often. Cameron Wood’s wife must just be the friendly type. Her husband didn’t seem to mind that she was nearly sitting on another man’s lap.
Megan came back into the bar. Here we go. She walked by Jud’s table, doing a comical double take. Both men stood as Megan accepted introductions. Finally, she pointed over to where Chelsea was sitting and trying to appear oblivious.
After a moment, Jud appeared beside her. “Chelsea?”
Praying her acting skills were up to par, Chelsea said, “Oh my gosh. Jud?”
He bent down to give her a kiss, then helped her up. “Megan said you guys were having coffee.”
“Yeah, we came for s’mores. What are you doing here?” She hoped her voice was more natural than it sounded to her.
He laughed. “This is where my meeting is.” He raised an eyebrow. “S’mores?”
“Oh yes. They were yummy.”
“I’ll bet. Megan’s made herself at home, so you’d best come join us.”
“I don’t want to intrude on your meeting with your client,” Chelsea said.
“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s fine. C’mon.” He took her hand and walked her over to his table where Megan was indeed ensconced next to Cameron Wood, chatting away.
When he saw her, Cameron stood while Jud introduced her. He greeted her with a handshake and a big smile. “It’s lovely to meet you, Chelsea.”
“Likewise. I’m a big fan.”
“That’s very kind of you to say.” Up close, Cameron Wood was even more attractive. Tall and lean, his face was handsomely weathered with laugh lines around his light blue eyes. He motioned toward the blonde goddess. “This is my wife, Nicole.”
“Nic,” Jud said. “This is my…uh…Chelsea Ryan.”
Both women laughed, but Chelsea gave him a quick sideways glance. She sat down, Jud between the two of them.
“How nice that you’re here,” Nicole said. “It’s delightful to meet you.”
Chelsea smiled, nodding her agreement. Like her husband, Nicole Wood was even more beautiful than she’d appeared from across the bar. Chelsea couldn’t help but compare herself to the gorgeous woman and find that she was severely lacking. Lacking in curves, sex appeal, pure brazenness. From Jud’s clumsy introduction, Nicole would have had to surmise that he and Chelsea were seeing each other. Chelsea tried not to wither under Nicole’s seeming scrutiny. Maybe she was imagining it, but Chelsea couldn’t help but think that the woman was studying her, probably wondering what a handsome stud like Jud was doing with a mouse like her.
“So how did the two of you meet?” Nicole asked.
Chelsea looked at Jud, waiting for him to answer.
“We both work at the ski company,” Jud said.
“Really?” Nicole shot another penetrating look at Chelsea. “You don’t look like someone who works ski patrol.”
“Thank you?” Chelsea guessed at her meaning, relieved when she laughed. “No, I don’t do ski patrol. I work on the lifts.” She realized how pathetic she sounded. Nicole Wood was a rich and glamorous woman, and not likely to be impressed by a lowly liftie. But maybe she had one straw to grab at. “What about you, Nicole? Do you work outside the home?”
Nicole shrugged. “Not really.”
“C’mon, Nic. Of course you do.” Jud turned to Chelsea. “Nic just had a book of photographs published.”
Oh, “Nic” did, did she? So sweet of the love of her life to come to the defense of Miss Perfect. “That’s great. Do you do landscapes?”
“Mostly portraits. At least that’s what the book was about. But I’ve been branching out a little. You can’t live in Colorado and not appreciate the beauty, right?”
She might have imagined it, but Chelsea thought that the woman had scooted just a bit closer to Jud. At the other end of the table, she saw that Megan had captured Cameron’s attention. Apparently Nicole wasn’t the jealous type. “Where do you live?” Chelsea asked Nicole.
“Aspen.”
Of course. “Lucky. I love it there.”
“Chelsea actually has something in common with you, Nic,” Jud said. “She’s an artist too. She paints.”
Nicole looked at her, amazement on her flawless face. “That’s fantastic. I wish I had the talent for that.”
“She’s really good.” Jud squeezed Chelsea’s hand briefly. “You should go to that gallery in town that I told you about. They have a couple of her pieces for sale.”
“Maybe she will.” Jud smiled at Chelsea and her insides went all fluttery. But being reminded yet again that Jud would be leaving almost made her sick to her stomach. It was enough to make a woman lose her mind—the soaring highs and the deep lows.
“I’d bet on her anyway,” Jud went on to say. “One of her pieces at the gallery is a sunrise at the Maroon Bells.”
“Really? That’s one of my favorite spots,” Nicole said.
“It’d look fantastic in Cam’s office,” Jud said.
C’mon, Chelsea. Get in there and join the conversation instead of listening to them talk about you. “My parents took me to the Maroon Bells when I was a kid. I’ve been back a few times, hiking, cross-country skiing. It’s so beautiful, peaceful.”
“I’ve got a great idea,” Nicole said. “Jud, before you leave, you and Chelsea should come down for a visit. We’d have such a good time.” She turned to Chelsea. “Did Jud tell you he got stuck at our place last winter during a snowstorm?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“Yeah, it was a real drag.” Jud laughed. “Being stuck in Aspen with a couple feet of snow.”
“You poor baby.” Chelsea laughed with him, but Jud seemed a little fidgety.
“Yeah, I think he hated it.” Nicole took every opportunity to touch Jud, patting his arm while she spoke. Chelsea wanted to pour Jud’s scotch down Nicole’s gaping sweater.
“Powder skiing, snowshoeing, good food and drink. What’s not to love?”
Chelsea rolled her eyes—not so much at Jud, but she was irritated by the attention Nicole was heaping on him. What is up with this chick?
“Hey, Cam,” Jud called out. “Can I get a little help here? The women are piling on.”
“I thought you liked that,” Cam called back, but he did move his chair closer to the rest of them.
Apres Ski Page 14
