Behind His Lens(72)

“Are you okay?” Bella asks with a concerned look. I twirl my antique ring around my finger out of habit and try to sound genuine as I lie to her face.

“Yeah. Probably just hungry.” Such bullshit. I’ve only felt genuine hunger a few times in the past four years and only when I’ve been with Jude. Isn’t that strange? What the hell is wrong with me? I don’t even know him. The more I consider it, the angrier I become. What do I think he’s going to do? Swoop in and save the day? Erase every memory that keeps me awake at night?

Just then we cross the threshold out onto the porch and the hostess passes each of us a drink menu before excusing herself.

“Hi, girls,” Ryan calls as we step down onto the open patio. The restaurant staff pushed a few tables together so that the entire crew could sit together. They arranged gorgeous orchid leis onto the back of each wicker chair and soft candles glow in a line down the long tablescape. Immediately, everyone starts shuffling around, clamoring for spots next to one another, but I hang back, taking in the scene from the top of the stairs.

It takes two breaths before my eyes land on Jude.

He’s stands off to the side with one hand wrapped around the neck of a beer and one hand tucked into his jeans’ pocket. He has on a white cotton button-down that’s half tucked into his jeans and a smooth smile, drawing me closer like a moth to a flame. I step closer with fluid movements and each inch seems to release the coil in my stomach until it dissipates completely. Just like that, he’s unraveled every worry I’d built up throughout the day.

He narrows his eyes with intense focus as he watches me approach.

“We match,” I smile, glancing from my white dress, back to his shirt.

“Should I take it off?” He cocks his brow.

My heart flutters wildly at the thought.

“And send every girl here into heart failure? Let’s save that for dessert… at least.”

He grins and then gives my body a once over. “I like when you wear white.” God, when he looks at me like that I feel as though I have nothing on at all.

“Do I wear it often?”

He squints and takes a sip of his beer, not willing to elaborate I guess because he changes the subject.

“Did you have fun at the shoot?”

Did I? Surprisingly, yes. “I felt like a vampire or something with that black swimsuit and crazy make-up.”

He laughs gently. “I could see it. You aren’t pale enough though.” His gaze lingers momentarily on me before he takes another sip.

My hand runs over my exposed shoulder, feeling the skin that’s darkened nicely since we’ve been under the Hawaiian sun. It’ll fade once we get back to New York, but for now I feel tanned and pretty, especially under his gaze.

“You have some freckles on your nose,” I point out, and he wrinkles his nose in protest. They’re hardly noticeable, not with his mysterious eyes, tousled hair, and charisma distracting any girl within a ten foot radius.


“Do I? Usually I get a few when I’m outside for a long time.”

“I like them. You’re a manly-man, so the freckles seem… charming.”

He narrows his eyes and reaches out to wind his hand around the back of my neck, tugging me toward him. His finger skims along the bottom of my hairline and my heart kicks into overdrive.

“I’m not charming,” he protests as his fingers glide under my hair, sending a delicious shiver down my spine.

“No?” I ask, pressing my hands against his chest and feeling the play of his hard muscles beneath the thin fabric.

“Not usually.”

“Mmm… I’m flattered,” I murmur watching his lips creep closer to mine.

“I’m going to sleep in your bed again tonight, Charley.”

“Okay,” I breathe, never looking away from his mouth.

“But we aren’t going to sleep,” he whispers so that no one overhears.

“Oh.” My mouth forms a perfect “O” and then hangs there, frozen.

“So, let’s get some dinner in you so we can leave.”

Can he feel my pulse riot from his declaration?

“Let’s just go now,” I plead.

“Charley, Charley,” he bends and kisses my neck so briefly that my skin aches for more. “You need food and we should be respectful of the rest of the cast.”

I narrow my eyes, mumbling under my breath, “To hell with them”, as he drags me over to the table so we can sit down. He chuckles and ignores my hollow threat.