“Where do you think you’re going, you tramp?” she screamed, spittle flying on my face as I tried to knock her off. I pushed at her face with one hand while desperately attempting to roll away. I felt my skirt fly up and the snickering from the guys with the laughs from the women made me want to just give up and let Tanya kill me.
But self-preservation won out and I kicked at her, sending her sprawling backward. My legs felt like Jell-O but I tried to crawl away as fast as possible, panting as I crawled between the legs of one of her friends.
“Hey!” she called out as I practically mowed her over. Just as I thought I was reaching freedom, Tanya caught me by my legs and I went sprawling to my tummy, screaming and trying to grab hold to any legs I could as she dragged me away.
“Help! Somebody! Anybody! Help!” I cried as I managed to flip over and disentangle one foot from her grasp. Valiantly with the other, I kicked at her.
“Tanya! Don’t kill me! Please! Please! Don’t kill me!” I found myself begging. By now, what felt like the whole bar was gathered around like this was some sort of UFC/MMA fight. If Tanya didn’t kill me, embarrassment sure would.
Tanya tossed herself on top of me and sitting on my belly began to slap me. Yelling out, “Whore, tramp,” and a variety of other colorful phrases.
Over my whimpering and crying, I heard someone yelling, “Break it up. Come on, break it up.” And then miraculously the weight of Tanya’s body was no longer on my abdomen and someone was reaching for my hand trying to pull me up.
I grasped hold of the hand and dared to open my eyes. To my surprise, it was Jude. I hugged his neck, “Oh thank God. You saved me. These people are monsters!”
Tanya was being held back by her fiancé as she growled and lunged at me, I screeched and hid behind Jude.
“She’s sorry. We’re sorry. Excuse us.” Jude said pushing me quickly toward the exit. I glanced behind me and saw that Tanya had escaped her fiancé’s grasp and was still coming after me.
“Oh my God. She’s like the Terminator. Run, Jude! Run!”
He seemed to find my words amusing until he looked behind us and saw Tanya’s murderous face. He pushed past me, yelling, “Let’s go! She’s possessed! Come on, Lacey!”
We pushed through the exit and raced down the street, Jude ahead, me limping behind him, until finally we saw another bar and disappeared into it. We collapsed against the side of the bar, trying to catch our breath.
“Now that—” I started.
“Was humiliating,” he finished.
Our eyes met and we started to laugh. My ribs hurt, my face hurt, and I was pretty sure I looked like a wild monster, but I couldn’t help but find the situation so ridiculous that it was actually amusing.
Jude’s laugh was contagious. It was a deep belly laugh, so un-self-conscious and genuine. We must have looked like two crazy people, laughing hysterically.
Our laughter died down and Jude stared at me. I knew I must have looked a mess and I was sure I was covered in dirt and scratches.
And then Jude surprised me by beginning to laugh even harder.
I turned bright red. “I know... I know… I must look...” I stopped talking as I caught a look at myself in the mirror directly across from us. My wrap dress had come undone and you could see everything. And I mean, everything. I gasped as I tried to right my dress, spinning around in a circle trying to find the other part of my dress.
“Oh god oh god,” I said over and over and Jude’s laughter grew louder, drawing even more looks and a few giggles.
I hit him in a fit of despair and desperation. “Stop laughing, you… you… juvenile man-boy and help me!”
He did as he was told with a stupid grin on his face the whole time. He handed me the other half of my dress and I quickly wrapped it back in the front and tied the belt in a knot.
“Thank you,” I muttered, unjustifiably angry with him although this had been the second time he’d saved me that evening. When did I become the damsel in distress type?
“Can I ask you a question?” he said, once I righted myself.
“No.” I was being contrary and stubborn because I was embarrassed.
“Okay, I’m going to pretend you said yes. What the hell happened back there?”
I folded my arms across my chest and spoke with a voice full of indignation, as if I was the one who had been wronged as I answered, “I was accosted by that woman. You saw what happened.”
“Umm yeah, I saw that part. Now that was a sight... but what started the catfight?”
“Catfight? How sexist!”
“Okay then, let me rephrase, what caused her to kick your ass up and down the bar floor? Literally.”
I felt myself blushing. “It was just a misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding?” He had a wicked gleam in his eyes and I felt as if he were already mocking me.
“Yes, a misunderstanding. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
“So it had nothing to do with anything? She was just a random crazy person who attacked you?”
“Yep,” I lied running a nervous hand through my hair and finding scraps of debris and an entire cashew. I flung it over my shoulder.
“I could have eaten that,” Jude said faking sadness.
“You’re so gross.”
“That might be true, but at least I’m not the one trying to pick up almost married dudes the day before their wedding.”
I wanted the ground to open up right then and there and swallow me.
“Oh gosh, was it that obvious?”
“Umm yeah. It was clearly an engagement party.”
“So you were there the whole time?” I said feeling lower than low. “Then why’d you ask me what happened?”
He shrugged. “I just wanted to see if you’d own up to it. And you didn’t. Figured as much.”
“So you saw me when I—”
“Walked up to the poor guy and glued your mouth to him… yep, that was... interesting. Didn’t figure you for the type.”
“What type?” I said in a dark voice.
He wisely changed the subject. “So why him? Out of all the guys in the bar?”
Without thinking, I said, “It wasn’t my fault. He just, you know looked like the type who would be single.”
“What?” Jude laughed dryly. “That’s just mean. Ouch. So harsh. So perpetually single guys have a certain look?”
I blushed, feeling bad. “No, I just mean, that he wasn’t exactly the most attractive guy in the building—” I shut myself up. I was definitely putting my foot in my mouth.
“So that’s your mode of operation? You pick the most unattractive dude out of the bunch and stick your tongue down his throat. If that’s the case, it’s no wonder you’re still single.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I narrowed my eyes at him. “And what makes you think I’m single?”
“I heard your little conversation at the ice cream shop, remember?”
At that moment, I wanted to clobber my friends like Tanya had clobbered me.
I groaned, “How about we just forget all that and call it a night, shall we? Good night, Jude.”
I walked away from him but didn’t get very far. He caught me by my elbow and turned me around. “You owe me a drink.”
“Excuse me?” I pulled my elbow from his grasp.
“I was happily drinking some really good beer before I had to abandon it to save you.”
“One less beer won’t kill you. Goodnight Jude.”
“Come on, Lace.”
“It’s Lacey,” I hissed. “And I need to get back to my friends.”
“Just text them... tell them you’ll catch up with them later. Please.”
I was ready to walk away, but something about the way he called me Lace instead of Lacey, the familiarity of his words and his tone, which showed a hint of underlying sadness made me hesitate.
I looked into Jude’s eyes then and realized Jude wasn’t drinking for fun. Jude was in pain. He just did a ve
ry good job at hiding it. And part of me didn’t want the craziness of this night to end. Despite the girl fight, I was actually having a good night, but clearly Jude wasn’t.
“You’re worried about your father, aren’t you?”
He shrugged, trying to come across as nonchalant, “Aren’t you?”
I didn’t get a chance to answer as he cut into my next words. “Come on, Lacey, have a drink with me. You don’t even have to buy them. I’ll pay.”
“You should, you’re the rich one.”
“So that’s a yes, then?”
I wanted to say no, I truly did. The last thing I needed was to sit around drinking with my employer’s son. But a drink or two wouldn’t hurt anyone, right? Especially a drink with an attractive man. I immediately shoved the thought to the back of my mind and he lent me his phone to text the girls. In my haste to get away from Tanya, I’d left my purse with my cellphone behind.
I quickly texted Misha and Emmaline and handed Jude back his phone. He slid it into his pocket.
“Shall we?”
I let him lead me to the bar and after we ordered our drinks, I gave him a stern glance, “One drink. That’s all.”
“No problem.”
“And no funny business,” I warned, pointing my finger at him as if I were a kindergarten teacher scolding a student.
“Cross my heart. I promise to be on my best behavior, but you’re one to talk... I didn’t single-handedly break up an engagement party by kissing the groom.”
“Soon-to-be groom,” I grumbled.
Jude laughed, “Maybe. If Tanya didn’t turn her rage on him after we left...”
“Ran. We ran.”
Jude looked offended. “I only ran because you ran.”
I giggled. “Your eyes were wide in fear when Tanya was chasing behind us.”
Jude shrugged. “She was one scary bridezilla. But enough about Tanya.” He picked up the drinks the bartender had left for us. He handed one to me and took the other.
“What should we drink to?”
I shrugged. “World peace?”
Jude looked at me in disgust. “We’re in Vegas, Lacey. Come on.”
Annoyed and feeling judged for being a stick-in-the-mud, I said, “Well then you choose, Jude.”
He studied me and his eyes lingered on the top of my breasts which I realized were on display courtesy of Tanya who had damaged my dress beyond function. I clumsily tried to adjust it and cleared my throat, signaling Jude to just make his damn toast.
“To Lacey, a woman who never shies away from a fight.” I smiled until he continued, “And to Lacey’s dress, may it continue to fall apart at the seams, because I definitely like seeing what’s underneath.”
My mouth was wide open as he smiled wickedly at me and clinked his glass against mine.
Chapter Five
My head was killing me. That was my first thought as my body reluctantly stirred into consciousness. I’d been having the weirdest dream, actually, the sexiest dream. I’d been arguing with Jude. About what, I wasn’t too sure, but our argument had ended with us having sex up against a wall. And it had been delicious. I couldn’t remember any other details, but I knew it’d been good. Real good.
But my reality was far from good. I groaned as I attempted to sit up and told myself that I’d never drink again. The room began to spin because my head hurt so badly, and I collapsed back down onto the pillows letting out a long sigh. I closed my eyes, willing the sunlight that peeked through the blinds to go away. I was far too weak to deal with life today and my head felt like it would fall off. Perhaps I’ll just stay here... forever.
I opened my eyes and looked around. I blinked once and then again. Where the heck was I? I closed my eyes, counted to ten and then opened them again, assuming that I was dreaming. I was definitely not in my hotel room. I had no clue where I was and I forced myself not to panic.
“Ugggghhhhhhh.”
My body went still and all thoughts about controlling my panic disappeared as fear took over. I was fairly confident that I wasn’t the one who had groaned unless the hangover I was experiencing was making me hallucinate.
“Ughhhhhhhh…” came the noise again. And this time I was sure it wasn’t me. Oh God, I’d been kidnapped and my kidnapper was coming for me!
With all the strength I could muster, I tossed myself off the bed and hit the floor with a thud. I tried to hide myself by rolling under the bed, but realized I wouldn’t ever fit with my gigantic butt.
I heard the groan again. In panic, I reached for the first thing my hand landed on. A shoe. Armed with it, I crawled around the bed, trying to be quiet, ignoring the pounding headache. I could see the door from where I was positioned and I made a quick decision to leave the crouching position I was currently in.
I jumped up with the shoe and ran to the door, only realizing as I was about to open it that I was completely naked except for the sheet that was wrapped around me.
I heard the groaning again and realized someone was in the bed I’d just left. I wasn’t stopping to find out who it was, so with shaky hands, I pried open the lock and deadbolt and made a dash for the hallway.
I ran as fast as I could and I heard someone yell from behind me, “Hey!”
I didn’t turn around. I wasn’t interested. Luckily the elevators were at the end of the hall, and I hit both buttons, not caring if it took me up or down.
“Lacey! Wait!” A voice called out for me and I looked back, not expecting the sight that greeted me—Jude completely naked standing in the hall with his hands on his hips looking confused and annoyed.
My mouth opened and then closed. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know what to do. And before I could figure out my next course of action, the elevator opened and I stepped on, wrapping my sheet as close to my body as possible.
“Where are you—”
He didn’t get another word out as the elevator doors closed and I breathed a sigh of relief. Apparently, I hadn’t been kidnapped. I hadn’t been in danger, but I had indeed made a very, very bad decision.
It took me a few minutes before I remembered I was in my hotel. Or should I say, Oliver Foster’s hotel.
I stepped into the lobby, more concerned that a naked Jude would follow me there than the fact that I was walking around like a crazy woman with one shoe in her hand and wearing a sheet as a dress. I’d done my best to make it look like a toga while I was in the elevator, but given the amount of space everyone who got into the elevator gave me, I was guessing my makeshift toga wasn’t very convincing.
I took a look around trying to get my bearings and not freak out when a warm voice said, “Good morning, Lacey.”
It was the concierge, Renee. I felt my cheeks turn red. I was probably bruised from my fight with Tanya. I was wearing a sheet. I was dirty. I was carrying one shoe. I looked at it, like really looked at it for the first time. At least it was my own, I thought with a sigh.
“Are you okay?” Renee asked me as she looked at my sheet wrapped body.
“Fine. Dandy. I’m just going to make my way back upstairs....” I tried to make small talk as I stood there and waited for the elevator to come back down.
“So I guess Hank has the day off?”
She shook her head. “He’ll be in later. He had car trouble. Are you sure there’s nothing I can do for you?” I felt so bad. She looked so concerned, but what was I supposed to say? Keep naked Jude away from me?
“Uhhh... no, everything’s fine. I just lost my shoe. Thought I might have left it downstairs,” I lied unconvincingly.
Renee gave me one last look, a small confused smile and then walked away. Finally, the elevator binged and I climbed on, thankful that I would finally escape to my room when a hand reached out and caught the elevator stopping it.
I sighed in frustration. Great, another person to witness my humiliation. In vain, I tried to adjust the sheet that was pooling around my ankles and prepared myself emotionally for the uncomfortable stares I was sure I would g
et.
To my surprise, it was Hank. He was kind enough to pretend he didn’t notice my strange attire. We chatted about nothing and I was so grateful when we reached my floor.
As I walked out, I dropped my shoe and he graciously recovered it for me saying with a wink, “Don’t worry, miss. What happens in Vegas—”
“Stays in Vegas. Thanks for the reminder, Hank.”
I waved bye and hurriedly made my way to my room. I knew from talking to Hank that it was still really early, not yet 7 in the morning. I just wanted to sneak back into my room before the girls woke up and saw me.
I knew I’d get lots of questions, but I couldn’t face them like this. This was worse than the walk of shame. This was like the marathon of shame.
I got to the door and realized with a sinking heart that I didn’t have my key. Resigned, I knocked and then knocked again. I waited a few minutes and when no one showed up, I knocked again harder.
I heard the sound of the chain being removed from the door and sighed in relief as the door opened.
“Thank you,” I said to Misha who didn’t look in the least concerned that I was standing in the hallway wrapped in a sheet.
“I can explain.”
“You don’t need to. I already did,” came a voice from inside. I knew that voice and I felt my head pounding at the sound of it. Or maybe that was the hangover. I didn’t know.
“Jude,” I said shortly, trying to muster some dignity as I stuck my nose in the air haughtily. “What are you doing here?”
He was standing in the living room of our hotel suite, relaxed and handsome. And of course, well put together. It pissed me off that I was the one looking like an escapee from an insane asylum and he looked like a young version of Patrick Dempsey.
“I’m just returning this,” he said, holding up my shoe. “I guess you left it in your haste, Cinderella.”
His tone was mocking and I wanted to punch him. I refrained. I’d been in enough fights in Vegas. I didn’t need to lose another one.
Billionaire In Vegas Page 5
