Behind His Lens(16)

“Claimed her? Who talks like that?” I snap a little too angrily.

The guys shuffle around on their feet until Tom breaks the silence.

“Yeah well, sorry mates, but I already made Charley laugh, so I guess that settles it, right?”

“Oh, f*ck off, Tom,” Josh laughs, punching his arm.

I want to kill them all.

I left the photo shoot yesterday the moment Mrs. Hart was satisfied with the shots we got. I shouldn’t have touched Charley. I didn’t plan on doing it when I walked over to adjust her pose, but I lost control the moment I stepped close to her. Her skin was so beautiful and I just needed to know what she felt like, how her radiant skin felt beneath my touch. She responded to it, blossoming like a flower, and it killed me to have to walk away. I hate myself for getting that close. I was a fool to think I could contain myself around her and now she’s here, testing my will again all too soon.

Fuck.

I chance a glance over my shoulder. I just want to look at her. I know I shouldn’t, but when she’s wearing an outfit like that, there’s not a man alive that could resist.

Her tight running top sticks to her skin, hugging her breasts. Her long, toned legs are stretched out in front of her as she leans back onto her palms. Her friend, Naomi, says something and I watch with steadied focus as Charley tips her head back and laughs freely. The sun highlights her golden hair and even without a stitch of make-up she’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen. I want to make her laugh like that. I want her to smile for me the way she smiles for her friend.

“Hey Team Captain, wake up! Aren’t you meant to be leading us?” Josh quips, and I roll my eyes at being caught staring. Fuck them. I don’t care what they think. Besides, they know the kind of lifestyle I live. There’s no way they’d be able to guess the kind of thoughts running through my mind right now.

After all, Jude and monogamy don’t even belong in the same conversation.

I glance back at the guys and notice Tom studying me intently.

“So she was the model on your shoot yesterday?” He’s goading me and I know it.

“No, it was your mother, Tom,” I answer flatly, but the guys all laugh anyway.

“Yeah, yeah,” he groans, brushing my lame comeback aside. “Is she fair game?” he asks, tilting his head to the side, clearly not willing to give up yet. Four pairs of eyes stare back at me, waiting for my reply, and every nerve ending screams for me to say no. No, she’s not fair game. She’s mine. She belongs to me and she’s off limits. But I can’t say that.

“Go for it. I don’t date models, remember?” God, I’m a terrible liar. I don’t think I could be locking my jaw or clutching my fists any tighter, and I know Tom can tell.

I groan angrily, “Can we play soccer, already? You guys can fight over her later. Let’s go!”

I reel back and yell for Bennett, “Is your team ready?”

Charley’s head pops up at the sound of my voice, but I don’t glance over. I know my tone is harsh, but I can’t seem to control any part of my body at the moment, which is only pissing me off more.

“You’ll have to excuse my friend, ladies, it’s not often that he’s around such beautiful women,” Bennett winks over to the girls and I hear them laugh. Charley’s giggle sends a shiver down my spine and I have to shake out my shoulders to get rid of the foreign sensation.

After a brief word, we break from our huddle and move around the field to take our positions. I end up in midfield, a few feet from Charley. By the time I’m in position, everyone is still getting to their spots, so I hunch over, resting my hands on my knees and steadying my breath before the game starts again. I glance around to see that the guys are all busy fixing their shoes or stretching out, so I know I have this moment to myself. I grip my hands on top of my knees even tighter, and before I think better of it, I twist my head toward Charley. She’s sitting a few feet away from me so my movement catches her attention. Within seconds, she’s staring up at me with wide, blue eyes, as if she can’t possibly pull her gaze from mine. Her innocent expression makes it impossible to hold back my grin, and without a second thought, I shoot her a slow wink.

Her mouth literally drops and my grin spreads even wider across my face. I know I must be an enigma to her. I’m a complete jackass one minute and then I wink at her the next, but that’s the way it has to be. I want her, but she should just stay away from me. Then why are you winking at her, *?