Behind His Lens(28)

“Charley, do you want to get coffee with me?” He cuts off my sentence, not letting me finish my apology.

What did he just say?

I shuffle back a step as my stomach flutters. “Coffee?”

His head tilts to the side and he gives me a dimpled grin. “It’s a type of beverage. Most people tend to drink it in the morning. I like it black, but,” he pauses and pretends to scrutinize me, “I think you would maybe want it with cream and sugar.”

I shake my head and laugh, narrowing my eyes playfully.

“Good thing you’re a photographer because you have pretty poor detective skills. I prefer vanilla lattes.” I cross my arms in front of my chest, knowing I still haven’t answered his question.

My default answer for the past four years has been no, a solid no. So why isn’t a polite decline springing from my lips now? He hasn’t asked me on a date; after all, maybe it would be okay if we got coffee.

“Ah, like your lipgloss,” he murmurs, glancing down to my mouth. Something tingles across my flesh. Anticipation? Hope? I suck my bottom lip between my teeth and meet his gaze.

“How’d you..?”

“You drank my beer.” He shrugs confidently, but I swear I see a subtle blush grace his handsome features. I can’t believe he would have been able to taste my lipgloss on the rim of that beer. The thought sends a shot of lust through me. I like knowing he’s tasted a tiny part of me. With a resigned sigh, he shoves his hands into his pockets and shakes the thoughts from his head. What was he thinking about? The way it tasted? I have that same vanilla lipgloss on now…

I drop my gaze, unable to look at him anymore.

“So, I guess I have to accept your offer since I owe you a drink now.” I pull the strap of my purse harder, unable to stand still under his gaze. I don’t know why, but for some reason a simple “yes” won’t cut it with Jude. I can’t just give in to his charm and dimples, a girl could get lost in those bad boys.

“It is the least you could do,” he offers with a seductive smile. “Should I grab your number?”

My eyes flint around the studio before answering him, “Have Bennett get it from Naomi.”

His eyes search my face, almost begging to learn the mysteries I keep tucked away. “You aren’t making this easy.”

I smile and shrug, trying to hide my excitement behind my calm facade. Nothing about this is easy. I’m the match head and he has every power to ignite me. To strike me and watch me erupt into flames. I just hope I get to burn long enough to get him out of my system before he decides to move on. I stand mute and fidget from one leg to the next.

He starts to retreat so he can get back to work, but he keeps his blue eyes pinned on me, making my stomach feel hollow and tingly all at once. “Wednesday afternoon, Charley. Pencil it off because you and I are having coffee and I know just the place to take you.”

In that moment, Jude’s charm steals a piece of my heart and carries it away with him. I can’t help but wonder what he’ll choose to do with it.

I shouldn’t have agreed to coffee.

…

Jude

Thirty. Thirty-one. Thirty-two.

“Take it easy, man. We still have another couple of rounds,” Bennett warns as he spots me behind the bench. With one final heave, I shoot the bench press bar back into its metal holders and sit up.

“I feel like I’m going insane,” I groan. The towel soaks up every drop of sweat as I forcefully drag it across my forehead. Our upscale gym is packed with the after-work crowd. Women in tight pants and tank tops swarm around us, but I don’t look at a single one of them. They do nothing for me anymore. Damnit.

“Because of Charley?” Bennett asks as he rounds the bench press so we can swap places.

“Who the hell else would it be?” I snap. I’ve been acting like a complete * to Bennett lately, but I can’t help it. I have so many pent of feelings— desire, anticipation, need, guilt— and it’s pissing me off. No matter how much I run or hit the gym, I can’t get her out of my head.

“Cool off, lover boy. You’re having coffee with her tomorrow, right? That’s a good start.”


“I have no clue what I’m doing. If this was any other girl I’d buy her a coffee and then we’d have sex in the coffee shop’s bathroom.” I toss the towel down onto my gym bag,

“I’m not meant for relationships.”