by J. Lea
“Notice anything missing?” I nod toward her bedroom, the only room that was ransacked.
“Umm... actually, yes.”
“What was it?”
Her nose scrunches up adorably as she says, “Two pairs of panties.”
I’m sitting backstage on the set of April’s show. We explained to her boss why I’ll be accompanying her for the foreseeable future and why it’s crucial we keep things under wraps. He was surprisingly understanding and accommodating, as long as I don’t mess with his work.
In front of the cameras, April is sitting on the elegant sofa next to her co-worker and their guest, a painter. They are all talking and smiling. She seems so natural at her job. Her legs are crossed, one arm resting on the arm of the sofa and the other one holding cue notes. Her co-host, Todd, is constantly touching her in some way, grinning at her with googly eyes, which tells me he’s really into her, not just playing a role for the camera. Dream on, lecher! No wonder Leo was jealous of him. Any fool can see Todd wants to jump April’s bones.
I focus back on April. A beautiful smile that reaches her eyes is on her face. She’s wearing a grey, high-waisted skirt that reaches down to her knees, and since I’m sitting on the far end of the studio, I can see the skirt also has a side slit that exposes the smooth skin of her thigh every time she moves or crosses her legs. I can tell she spends a lot of time at the gym. She’s also wearing a black, see - through blouse and a heavy silver bracelet is dangling off her delicate wrist. Her long curls are pinned to the side, falling down her left shoulder, and her head is tilted. I love the color pink on her lips; it gives her a naughty edge and she looks sinfully delicious with her lips slightly ajar. I want to run my tongue across them to check if they are still as delicious as back then.
“Yes,” April puts a hand to her ear. “I was just told we have a call for our guest,” she smiles. “Who’s with us?”
“April,” a muffled voice breathes on the other side of the line. I jerk out of the chair so quick that it falls to the floor with a loud bang. April’s terror-filled eyes find mine, and I can see she doesn’t know how to react. The caller continues: “My love. We’ll be united soon.” His voice is dark, deep, muffled. Computerized.
“Stop, stop,” her boss orders. “Let’s switch to commercials! Now!” The producer yells. “What the hell was that?”
I run to the sound engineer. “Can the call be traced? Do you have the caller’s phone number?”
The man with the phone speakers on his head shakes his head no. “No, no number.”
“Shit!” I curse, running a hand through my hair, the other on my hip. After muttering a few innovative curse words, I return to the studio to look for April. She’s talking with her assistant as I walk up to them.
“You okay?” I give her a look over.
“Yeah. I didn’t expect something like that to happen,” she says quietly, a small smile on her face, but I can see it’s just a front she put up. Behind it, she’s feeling anything but fine.
“He’s gotten more daring.” That’s a fact.
“Can you continue?” her boss asks April.
“Yes, of course,” she nods, and straightens.
I gently grab her wrist and pull her aside. “Are you sure about that?”
“Yes. I need to finish the show, it’s my job.”
“Okay. I’ll be right here.” I understand her need to continue. I’m still holding her hand and I run my thumb over the underside of her wrist. I point to the seat I’ve been sitting in earlier. April nods solemnly, and, after the make-up artist retouches her already perfect make up, she returns to her seat as a true professional. While they’re filming, I head to her changing room to look around for any clues and then over to her office hoping to find some of the missing pieces of the puzzle. As I walk into the office, I notice a withered bouquet of sunflowers in the trashcan along with a crumpled up note. Scanning through the documents on her desk, I also notice pictures she has taped to the wall.
“What do we have here?” I hear a woman’s voice behind me. I don’t turn around, just turn my head to see a pretty blonde in her early thirties, openly staring at my butt, a confident grin on her lips.
“Can I help you?” I raise an eyebrow and turn to extend my hand. “Jude O’Rilley.”
“Oh, I know who you are,” she smiles flirtatiously, her lower lip caught between her teeth. “I’m Tina, April’s co-worker. The whole building’s been talking about you. It’s not often we get a visit by such a handsome man.” She winks at me, leaning forward.
I haven’t even been here for more than two hours and everybody already knows about me? Unbelievable. So much about keeping things under wrap.
I focus back on Tina. She’s a very attractive woman, who demands attention with her fiery red lipstick and a skintight dress with a plunging neckline. It’s more than obvious she’s into me. I’ve met women like her before—women who didn’t mind a fun roll between the sheets with me. If I weren’t on the job, I’d ask her out. Because of April, I have a serious case of blue balls.
“So you and April are…”
“Old acquaintances,” I finish.
“Ah, good for her. Long lasting friendships are important.” She reaches her manicured hand out to grab my biceps. “Wow! I love tattoos. I have one myself. Want to see?”
“Not now. Maybe later.” Not interested a bit in her tattoos.
“Okay,” she smiles wickedly. “You have any more?” She presses her body to mine.
“Tina? Jude?” April walks into the office, looking from me to her and back to me. It doesn’t escape her attention that Tina’s hand was just on my arm and that we’re standing very close to each other.
“Oh, April!” Tina exclaims in fake sweetness. “I just came to say hello to our guest,” she says, winking at me.
“I don’t know why that doesn’t surprise me,” April mutters under her breath, but still loud enough for Tina and I to both hear her. “Jude, I’m done. Shall we go, or would you rather entertain Tina some more?” The tone of her voice is polite, but I can see she’s less than pleased to have found us in her office.
“Tina, it was nice talking to you, but I need to get back to work.” Tina looks annoyed. I walk over to April, who’s still standing at the door, watching us with suspicion.
“Oh, Jude?” Tina calls after me.
“Yes?” I stop, looking over my shoulder.
“Have a nice day.” Her pearly whites shine brightly as she offers me a seductive smile. I can practically feel April rolling her eyes, and she leaves.
“You, too,” I nod with a smile, and hurry off to catch up with April.
“You don’t like Tina?” My curiosity gets the best of me as we’re driving back to her house.
April sighs. “Not really, but I don’t want to get into that. You sure looked like you liked her.”
“We were just talking.”
“You don’t need to explain. That’s none of my business. What I want to know is what you were doing snooping around in my office.”
“I just wanted to see where you work. I have a feeling I missed something, and it keeps bugging me.”
“Did you find anything important?”
“No, I didn’t have much time. Tina interrupted me.”
“Mhm,” April says and turns to the passenger window.
After a few minutes of silence, I say, “I noticed a bouquet of sunflowers in the trash. From Leo, I presume?”
“Yes, that’s why it’s in the trash.”
“Has he ever called you at work like that?”
“Not during the show. Today was the first time. It creeped the hell out of me.”
“Not just you. Hey, since we’re on that topic… Have the police managed to get Leo’s phone records?”
“I don’t know. Why would they need them? I already told them he’s been calling me, and I even showed them the messages.”
“No reason.” I don’t bother explaining. I have a theory, but I’m not goin
g to share it with April just yet. We’ll see how the next few days turn out.
Six
April
Jude places a little velvet box in front of me. It suspiciously looks like a jewelry box. “What is this?” I ask hesitantly. The last thing I would ever expect from him is jewelry.
“Open it,” he says.
I shake my head. “Dream on.” What the hell is he thinking? I push the box away from me. “I don’t want it.”
“Don’t be difficult. Just open it,” he rolls his eyes at me.
“Look, I don’t know what you were thinking, but I don’t need jewelry. Why don’t you give it to your girlfriend instead?” I just saw him flirting shamelessly with Tina and now he wants me to wear … whatever it is in the box.
“I’m not asking you to marry me or anything,” he says wearily. “It’s for your own safety. Besides, you’re not my type.”
“I’m not your …” I inhale sharply. ‘Not my type’, he says, but he had no such issue while he was screwing me. Asshole. “That wasn’t what you were saying when you had me under you,” I remind him, feeling a little hurt. I know men see one-night stands differently than women, but I knew what I was getting myself into, and I needed that night. Of course, it had crossed my mind that I might regret it in the morning, but that didn’t happen. I still feel like we had something special and neither of us can deny it. Hell, I can still feel the electricity between us.
“You knew what to expect from me, and I told you I’m not looking for a relationship. And yes, you were hot. I’d be stupid if I didn’t take the opportunity.”
“So, back then I was your type, but only because your little chicken was hungry and you needed to feed it? You’re so full of yourself.”
“Firstly, you know exactly my cock is anything but little, and secondly, I never claimed to be a saint. I’m just a man who loves women and their curves.” An arrogant smile appears on his face.
“Well, then it’s a good thing I don’t have any curves,” he shakes his head, muttering something to himself.
“I think we got seriously off the topic,” he suddenly laughs. “Look, if you don’t want to open it, I’ll do it for you, but you are going to wear it.” He sounds serious all of a sudden.
“Don’t tell me what to do! I get that enough from Max.”
Jude rolls his eyes and flips the box lid open. Inside is a simple, yet beautiful bracelet with a tiny gem in the middle. “That’s not a gift,” he says. “See this gem?”
“Yes,” I cross my arms over my chest. “What about it?” I ask.
“It’s actually a transmitter. If you ever feel threatened, if you find yourself in danger, just press it. The transmitter will alert me. I’ll be able to track you quickly, if for some reason I’m not with you.”
“Oh,” I say, sounding like a fool. And I feel like one, too. What on earth was I thinking? He wouldn’t buy me jewelry; we barely even know each other. “So, you’ll know at all times where I am? No, thank you.”
“The transmitter goes off only if you press the button. So, there’s no stalking involved,” he explains calmly. “Look, I give every client that’s in a peculiar situation like yours this device. It’s easier for them and us, if something happens. This way, we’ve saved many lives. Besides, I know where you are. Did you forget that I live with you now?” The corners of his mouth turn up.
“How could I ever forget that?” My voice is seeping with sarcasm.
Jude removes the bracelet from the box and pins it on my wrist next to the one I’m already wearing. His gaze lingers on the bracelets for a minute, making my skin tingle. He then runs a finger over my wrist so gently I can barely sense it, but goose bumps still erupt over my skin.
“I noticed you like wearing bracelets. You had three on that night if I’m not mistaken. I just got the bracelet today. I think it’s perfect; more fitting than a necklace or a brooch.”
He noticed me wearing bracelets? Interesting. My heart starts beating faster at his comment, but then I mentally hit myself over the head—observing people is his job.
“Sorry.” Jude quickly lets go of my hand, as if he just now noticed he was holding it in his own.
The next morning, I find Jude in the living room, doing pushups, and wearing nothing but dark blue sports shorts. Sweat is dripping down his impressive chest. I allow myself to remain quiet, just watching him doing his thing, and take in the scenery in front of me; his carved muscles are dancing with the movements he makes, clenching and relaxing. I swallow hard. Even though he’s sweaty, he looks like a million bucks. And I’m standing there in my oversized blue flannel pajamas covered in cartoon minions, my head a mess of curls sticking out in every direction, and I need at least one cup of coffee to start functioning properly.
“Care to join me?” I’m startled by Jude’s sudden question, his voice soft and slightly out of breath. He’s still doing pushups, eyes to the ground, yet he noticed me coming into the room.
“How…” I trail off, stepping further into the living room, trying to get my hair under control by combing through it with my fingers. “You knew I was here.” I should’ve known he was that good.
Jude does three more pushups, then pushes to his feet, and reaches for his water bottle. He takes long swallows from it. I can’t help myself but stare at his Adam’s apple moving up and down with the motion. A few water droplets drip down his chin. I subconsciously wet my lips before I realize I’ve been ogling him like a fool. He wipes his face with a towel before he looks at me.
“I could see your shadow on the floor.”
“Oh.” I haven’t thought of that. “Are you finished?”
“Just a few more minutes. Why?”
“I’m about to make coffee. Want some?”
“Yes, please.”
I turn on my heel and hurry out of the room so my brain won’t be overflowed with images of his half-naked body; I don’t need more fuel for my fantasies. But first, I run to the second floor to get changed and to put on some make-up, so I don’t look like a complete slob next to him.
Half an hour later as I’m making scrambled eggs, I smell something nice, but it doesn’t come from my cooking, that’s for sure. Smell of musk fills my nostrils. I don’t turn around but I close my eyes, taking it in.
“And she can cook!” Jude’s voice sounds right behind my back. I cast a glance over my shoulder, and I almost bump my nose into Jude’s chest. With a grin on his face, he reaches over my shoulder to grab a banana. He then grabs a high stool, brings it over to me and plops down on it. “You’re full of surprises, Princess,” he says through a mouthful of banana.
I wrinkle my nose at his annoying nickname. “Don’t speak with your mouth full.”
Jude shrugs. “I didn’t think a girl like you could cook.”
“A girl like me?”
“You know, a girl who’s loaded.”
I feel a sting at his words. “Look,” I say slowly, “if I happen to live in a fancy house, that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m rolling in dough, you presumptuous asshole. This is my family home, and it carries a special place in my heart. And no, I didn’t pay for it with my money, but I inherited it from my father, whom I was forced to put in a nursing home because I was afraid for his safety and couldn’t risk him wandering off or hurting himself when I was out of the house. I could never afford a house like this on my own.” I’m fuming with anger. “Max and I didn’t have the heart to sell it. This place holds too many precious memories for us. So we agreed I should keep it and maybe start my own family here one day. Happy now? I’m not some spoiled, rich kid, who got the house from her filthy rich parents as a gift, or because I fucked someone to get it. The only reason I own this house is because I had to put my dear father into a nursing home! So cut it out with your judgmental presumptions because you don’t know anything about me!” I storm out of the kitchen and up the stairs to my bedroom. Throwing myself on the bed on my back, I let out an angry sigh and focus my eyes at the boring white ceiling.
I can’t believe I let such a judgmental and prejudiced man touch me. I’m such a fool.
“April,” I hear a gentle voice on the other side of the door. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I was just trying to make a joke, and it went horribly wrong.”
I don’t respond. I want him to go away and leave me alone.
“I’m coming in.”
“Don’t you dare!” I yell, but he ignores me. First, his head pokes into the room, and then his whole body fills the entrance. He hesitates for a moment, but then I feel the mattress dip where he sits down at the foot of the bed.
“I’m really sorry, okay?”
“Sure you are,” I say quietly.
“No, really, I am. It was really crappy of me to say that. I never should’ve said it.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions so quickly next time. Maybe you’re used to meeting privileged or money-hungry girls, but I’m not one of them. I worked my ass off for every single penny I have in my bank account. I’ve never been dependent on anyone in my life, especially a man, and I never will be. So, don’t judge me just because I own a big house.”
“I’m not judging you, and what I said earlier was wrong.” I nod, and since we’ve cleared things up I expect him to leave, but he doesn’t move an inch.
“What?” I bark out.
“You said you were afraid about your father’s wandering off and that you had to put him in a nursing home. Why?”
After a long silence, I share, “He has Alzheimer’s. His condition was getting progressively worse, so we had to find a facility that would take care of him better than we ever could. It was the most difficult decision we’ve ever made, but we had no choice.” A loud ringing of the bell at the front door interrupts me.