31
Rachel
We were going to kiss.
We were going to get it on.
This was happening. I was going to sleep with Jude Lawrence, the guy who not two weeks ago I considered might be a serial killer attempting to abduct me from the side of the freeway.
But we didn’t. No. His friends ruined it.
Hey, Jude?
He pulls away, and we both audibly groan. Me in frustration. Him? Probably the same.
“Uh, should we come back later?” one of the three guys standing outside the open elevator doors says. In his arms he holds what appears to be an entire crate of glass-bottled beers.
“Get a fucking room! Or at least walk a few more steps.” Another guy winks at Jude, and then shoots an approving gaze my way. “I’m Tony, and you must be someone special.”
“We could’ve rescheduled. You should’ve called, man.” The big guy in the back holding two pizza boxes says.
Jude scrubs a hand over his face, his gaze bouncing from mine to them. “I completely forgot.”
“No shit, man.” Tony chuckles, his gaze drifting to me. “Though, I can understand why.”
Jude shuffles his body in front of mine, as if to keep Tony from looking. It’s oddly endearing and protective, while totally uncalled for. His friend is trying to rile him up. By the tightness in Jude’s jaw, it’s working.
“You inviting us in? Or do we need to head to Eddie’s?”
“No. Stay,” I say, which draws a surprised stare from everyone, including Jude. As much as I want him to myself, I can’t allow him to send his friends away. Not when they had plans. “I can find something to do.”
“No.” Jude shakes his head.
“She should stay. Join us.” Tony tips his chin to Jude. “Do some good to watch her beat your ass a round or five.” His lips pull into a devious smirk.
I turn my gaze to Jude, unsure of my place and not wanting to impose.
“My ass?” Jude shakes his head, his good-natured grin returning. “My bet’s on her taking your big mouth to the cleaners.”
“I’d like to see her try!” Tony laughs heartily, and the entire group gathers around as Jude unlocks the door. I step inside first, then watch as they lay out the food and drinks on the kitchen island. Their jovial barbs and banter fill the place with laughter. This is the first I’ve seen of Jude having a social life outside of work, and it warms my heart a little more.
Walter lazily stretches and rises from his perch on the couch. Jude scoops him up and heads straight for where I stand near the door. I open my mouth to offer to walk his dog, but my words dry up at the almost predatory look Jude directs my way. My body zings back to life, remembering exactly what we started before his friends interrupted.
“Want them to leave? I’ll kick them out right now.” Jude’s arm braces around my waist.
“We heard that, asshole!” Someone shouts from the kitchen.
“Fuck off!” Jude calls over his shoulder. His gaze is serious when it lands back on mine. “What do you want? Tell me and I’ll do it.”
Not only does my heart melt. My panties do the same. I want him to do me. But hell, I’ve been waiting all day, what’s a few more hours. “I’m not kicking your friends out.” I shake my head and laugh. “What’s all this for, anyway?”
“We have a standing guys’ night. Poker. Five card draw. Do you play?”
My eyes brighten. Do I play? “Hell, yeah.”
“Yeah?” His smile grows wider. “You want to join us?”
“I’m not a dude.”
“Perfectly aware.” His irises appear molten brown with flecks of amber catching the light. I swear he growls, and the evidence of his arousal nudges my hip. It’s heady, knowing how turned on he is, even with his friends not twenty feet away.
“I’m still invited?”
“Rachel, I want you wherever I am.” He glances over his shoulder. “Besides, I think they’re all hard up for female company.”
“Speak for yourself! I hit it last night,” Tony says.
“Hit what? The bed when you passed out after two drinks?” The guy who brought in the beer says.
Jude leads me over to the spread of food.
Beer guy points a finger at Tony. “This guy talks, but don’t believe a word he says. He’s also a lightweight.”
“Guys, this is Rachel. Rachel, this is Lonzo, that’s Eddie, and well, you already know this is Tony.”
“Nice to meet you all.”
“Rachel’s gonna join us for tonight’s game, if that’s all right.”
I expect maybe a little push back—after all, I am invading their guy time—but I swear their smiles only grow wider as they nod and shout out their approval.
“Grab a plate and one of the beers from Lonzo’s stash before all the good stuff is gone. I’m gonna run down and walk Walter real quick.”
“Want me to make you a plate?”
“Yeah, thanks.” Jude grabs Walter and heads out the door.
“Rachel, what did you do to our man? He’s never smiled so much, and I’ve known him for five years.”
“How did you two meet? When?”
“Do you love him? Of course you do. You’re here.”
The questions fire rapidly. “Uh, I don’t know how to answer any of that.” I don’t know how close Jude is with these guys, or what he shares. Plus, it’s not as if Jude and I are a thing. Not yet anyway, and it’s not as if I’d explain our relationship to a room of strangers. “Y’all are worse than a room full of women!”
“I like you. You don’t take shit.” Tony turns to the other two guys. “She’s good for him.”
I hope so, because he’s sure as hell been good to me.
“Hey, Rachel.” Eddie directs his smile at me, and then flicks his gaze to the door. “How do you feel about practical jokes? And how would you like to drive our competitive friend a little mad?”
I lean forward against the counter. “Keep talking.”
Tony chuckles,
