The Mogul and the Muscle: A Bluewater Billionaires Romantic Comedy(86)

“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, and 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.