by R. C. Martin
“Babe, if I had any balls, I’d owe you both,” I reply.
He laughs and then presses a quick kiss to my lips. “Happy birthday, baby girl.”
We’re interrupted by the sound of someone clearing his throat, and we both shift our attention to the man still standing just outside the door. Judah looks right at me, his lifted eyebrow speaking of his displeasure, and I have to fight my giggle.
“I don’t think he likes it when I kiss you,” Geoff whispers. My eyes are locked on Jude, but I can hear the smile on my best friend’s face.
“Not interested in my lady parts, remember?” I say to my jealous man.
He shakes his head once and mutters, “Don’t give a shit.”
“Territorial. I like that,” Geoff says so only I can hear. “Up you go, baby girl. You’ve got other people who want to say hi to you anyway.”
I wink at Jude before I make my way further into what can only be accurately described as a party bus. I say hello to Andrew, Carrie, and Ben before I finally sit and take in my surroundings. The seats are grey leather, the lights underneath them making the carpet look purple. The windows are tinted so dark, they’re almost black, and the overhead lights glow dimly. I notice two moon-roofs, as well.
There are three lit up bar cavities, filled with champagne and flutes for us to drink from. As soon as Judah is inside, Geoff reaches for a bottle and pops it open. Everyone cheers, and as we pull out of the parking lot, we’re all handed a glass. Harper makes a toast, and the night is officially underway.
We ride for a little over an hour, and when we arrive at the Denver restaurant that Judah has chosen for us, I’m tipsy. After the two glasses of wine I have with dinner, I’m well on my way to being drunk—but I feel good and I’m having so much fun. It’s just after ten by the time we pile back into the Hummer, ready to head to our next destination. Wishing to be as close to Jude as possible, I settle myself in his lap—the alcohol in my system making me bold. I’m not sure how he’ll respond, but when he circles his arms around my waist, my stomach turns into a mess of drunken butterflies, and I don’t hesitate to kiss him.
“Where are we going now?”
“The Chapel.”
My eyes grow wide in surprise. “I don’t think I’m dressed appropriately for church, Jude.”
He chuckles and I want to kiss him again, but I’m distracted by Harper’s laugh. I turn to look at her only to realize everyone is laughing. I frown, wondering what I’ve missed.
“The Chapel is not a church, Teddy,” Ben tells me. “It’s a nightclub. It opened about a year ago and it’s still one of Denver’s hottest places to be.”
“Oh,” I murmur sheepishly.
“Hey,” says Jude, his lips grazing my ear. “Are you going to dance for me tonight, sweetheart?”
My cheeks heat up with a blush as a giggle bubbles out of me. I’m a horrible dancer. I know this, and yet the thought of dancing for Jude is more than a little enticing. I meet his gaze, his grey eyes my undoing, and I offer him a nod.
Ten minutes later, we’ve arrived. I cling to Judah’s arm as we all make our way to the front door. I start to question why we’re not getting in the long line of people waiting to get in, but then Judah gives the bouncer his name, and we’re escorted in, as if we’re celebrities or something. I don’t even get carded!
The club is packed, the music is loud, and the energy is off the charts. The dance floor looks like a living, breathing thing, throngs of people moving to the beat the DJ spins. We’re taken up a short set of stairs to a reserved space that over looks the main floor. There are a few different groups up here, each party in their own little section. The tables are low, lit up from underneath, and surrounded by lounge chairs and white leather couches. It’s all very chic and I love it.
“Welcome to The Chapel,” Judah says as we sit. His arm is wrapped around my middle, and I lean into him as he speaks directly into my ear. “This was one of the last projects I designed before I relocated.”
“Really? You did all this?” I gasp, my eyes now searching for every single last detail in the place. “God…” I cup my hands around his face and stare at him in awe and wonder. “You’re amazing.”
“Shots!” cries Ben, pulling our attention away from one another. Harper claps her hands as Ben directs a waitress to set down seven shooters at our table. I grin at my sister before we each take one. “To the birthday girl,” Ben cheers before we all toss back the clear liquid. I have no idea what it is, but I’m surprised at how good it tastes.
“I’m going to go get a drink. What would you like?” asks Jude.
“I think I’ll stick with wine. Thank you.”
He nods, presses a kiss to my lips, and then stands to head to the bar. He’s not gone two seconds before Harper takes his place, throwing her arms around me.
“I knew he wanted in on my plans for tonight—but I had no idea he was going to hook us up like this.”
“Harper, this is incredible! Seriously—I’m having so much fun.”
“You look really happy, babe.”
“I am.”
“Well, you better make sure you thank him…” She pauses, thrusting her tongue into her cheek before she continues. “Properly, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh, my god!” I cry, shoving her away from me. “Harper!”
She bursts into laugher, and I stare at her in shock before I, too, dissolve into a fit of giggles. I can’t help it, my inhibitions drowning in my liquid courage.
“Just think about it. That’s all I’m saying.” She winks at me and stands as Judah returns to claim his seat.
“Think about what?” he asks, handing me my wine.
“Nothing,” I blurt out, my cheeks burning hot at the thought of his dick in my mouth. My eyes drop to his pants and an unexpected warmth of desire fills my belly before I snap my gaze back up to his face. It’s been a long time since I’ve done anything like that. Even when I did it, I only managed to get through it twice. I sort of hated it. But now, I can’t help but wonder if it would be different with Judah. Everything else is…
“What are you thinking?” he asks, gently taking my chin between his fingers.
I run my teeth over my bottom lip before I lean forward and kiss him.
“I’ll tell you later.”
The more alcohol she consumes, the more handsy she gets. I’m almost relieved when Harper insists that they head for the dance floor. While Ben is at the bar, she drags my shy girl away before anyone can stop them. When all of her friends get up to follow, I assume they were waiting for the chance to get out there. I stay behind, positioning myself at the edge of the balcony where I can watch her. Ben joins me a moment later, a fresh drink in his hand.
“Guess they were ready to join the masses.”
I lean my elbows against the railing, offering him no more than a nod as I shift my focus back to Teddy. She’s sandwiched between Harper and Geoffrey. When I see her laugh, I imagine I can hear the sound, even over the loud, thumping bass that fills the room. She looks sexy as hell tonight, those lacy scraps of fabric clinging to her elegantly, subtle curves. I’m convinced my hard-on won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
“You did good, Jude. She can’t stop smiling.”
A small smirk curls the corner of my mouth, knowing that he’s right. Tonight has gone exactly as I planned, and she’s thanked me a million times over. Not with her words, though she has managed to utter at least a half a dozen thank yous so far. Rather, it’s all the little things that have captivated me from the moment we met. Every time her big, brown eyes grow wide in awe, every time her cheeks turn rosy in a blush, every time her lips part with a gasp, my chest swells a bit more.
One of my favorite things about Teddy is her ability to be both endearing and sultry at the same time, and without any knowledge of it. Every giggle, every suggestive touch; every kiss, every whisper; every moment with her tonight has been a victory won in my name. Her appreciation and her joy makes every dollar sp
ent worth it. I’ve known far too many women who take advantage of generosity, expecting niceties based solely off of the way I look, the places I frequent, or the car I drive. But Teddy…
“Are you ready to admit it?” asks Ben, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Ready to admit what?”
“That you have feelings for her.”
I don’t respond, ignoring the way my chest tightens when I hear his words.
“Just say it. Just once. You’re falling for her. Just say it.”
“Judah!” I barely hear her when she calls my name, the sound of her voice almost swallowed up entirely by the activity in the room. If I wasn’t looking right at her, I would have missed it. “Come dance with me!” she calls out before spinning around in a circle, giggling as she goes.
Normally, the dance floor isn’t my thing. I like to watch. Except, just now, I find that I don’t have it in me to refuse her.
“You go out there, and you won’t be able to deny it,” says Ben. Without even looking at him, I know his eyes are pinned on me. I refuse to return his stare. “I know you, brother. I know you better than anyone. You step out on that dance floor, and it’s as good as saying the words.”
“Judah! Please!?”
“Fuck it,” I mutter, shrugging out of my jacket. I throw it over the arm of the couch behind me and then finally meet the gaze of my brother. “The birthday girl wants me to dance—I’m going to fucking dance.”
I peer over the railing once more, just in time to see Teddy squeal at her sister as she points up at me. Leaving Ben behind, I imagine that it won’t be long until he’s beckoned just the same, but I’m not worried about him. I’ve got a redhead I’m after.
I’m so intent on making my way through the crowd, I don’t notice the leggy brunette calling my name until she’s right in front of me—her hands pressed against my chest, her body a breath away from mine, and her pale blue eyes gazing up at me.
“Hey, Stranger.”
“Aimee.” I don’t return her smile, wishing only to get through this now inevitable exchange so that I can move around her.
“What are you doing here? I thought you moved.” She bites her lip and grips hold of my tie, giving it a slight tug as she asks, “Did you move back? Shame, shame for not calling me.”
“I did move. I haven’t moved back. And I’m only here for the night.” I remove her hand from my tie, my desire to be cordial suddenly non-existent.
“Well, if you’re here alone, I’d be more than happy to ditch my friends. It’s been a long time since I’ve been fucked as well as you can give it.”
I contemplate her offer for a moment—not because I’m interested, but because there isn’t a single part of me that is. She looks just as fuckable as she was our last encounter, but my flaccid dick is no longer impressed. In fact, I can’t even remember what made her worthy of a repeat lay. Now, looking down at her, the only thing I can think about is how to get around her.
“Jude?” she asks with a laugh, gripping my tie once more. “Since when does a night with me require so much thought? Tell me you’re still just as reckless in bed as you’ve always been. It’s what I liked most about you.”
A sly grin pulls at my lips, not at all surprised that I’ve left such a lasting impression. Nevertheless, she’s not so memorable that I desire her. Not with my shy girl waiting for me. I look over Aimee’s shoulder, wondering if I can make out Teddy’s vibrant red hair from here, and am surprised when I meet her eyes instead. Only—the joy that has shone in her expression all night is no longer there. She’s watching me with a frown, clearly reading this entire situation all wrong.
I shake my head at her, indicating that whatever she thinks is happening isn’t happening at all. Then, I crook my finger, beckoning her toward me. Aimee catches on and looks over her shoulder as Teddy makes her way toward us through the crowd. Aimee’s gaze is focused away from me when I brush her hand off of my tie, again. She then turns back around, lifting an eyebrow at me. I don’t bother acknowledging her unspoken question. Instead, I reach for Teddy’s hand as soon as she’s close enough to touch. I pull her against my side before letting go of her fingers in order to gently grip the back of her neck. She tucks herself against my side, wrapping her arms around my waist.
“Seriously?” Aimee scoffs, folding her arms beneath her tits. “You expect that little, young thing to please you? She doesn’t even look capable of handling your fingers, let alone your dick. You need a real woman, baby—”
Teddy giggles, surprising us both before she looks up at me and asks, “Remember how I made you read Pride and Prejudice before I let you put your fingers inside of me?”
I chuckle, giving her neck a small squeeze. “I remember.”
“What the hell?” asks Aimee.
I look back at her, wondering why she’s still here. Wishing to be rid of her once and for all, I say, “Aimee, this is my girlfriend, Teddy.”
Her jaw drops open the same time Teddy gasps, her grip around my waist tightening. I acknowledge neither reaction before I continue.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve been asked to dance.”
Without another word, I guide my shy girl further into the crowd. Once we’re a safe distance away from Aimee, she stops me, standing in front of me as she presses her hands against my chest. Unlike a few minutes ago, her touch is welcome.
“You—you just called me your girlfriend.”
“I did,” I reply with a slight nod.
“Am I? Am I your girlfriend?”
Looking at her now, the two of us pressed close as we stand unmoving in the middle of an unyielding crowd, I know that Benjamin is right. I know I care too much for her. I know I just chose her over a chance to get my dick wet. I know I’d do it again. I know I’d do it for her—for the look she’s giving me right now.
“I’m a lot of things, sweetheart,” I tell her, slipping my fingers into her hair as I cradle the back of her neck. “But a liar is not one of them.”
She wraps her hands around my wrists, pressing herself up on her tiptoes. “And you’re not just saying that? You’re not just saying that because you think I’ll forget by morning? Because I won’t! I’ll remember!”
“You better,” I insist before closing my mouth around hers.
She immediately lets go of my wrists, snaking her arms around my neck as she kisses me fervently. Just as I begin to slide my hands down her back, she pulls away from me, gasping for breath.
“Can we go for a ride? In the Hummer—can we go for a ride in the Hummer?”
“Now?”
She nods, tightening her grip around me. “I just want to be alone with you. For a few minutes—just us. Please?”
“What the birthday girl wants, the birthday girl gets. Let me grab my jacket.”
As we make our way off of the dance floor, Teddy grabs my hand, lacing her fingers with mine. It’s an odd feeling, one I’m not well acquainted with, but I don’t pull away. I expect to find our reserved section vacant, but as we approach, I see that Ben never made it to the dance floor. Harper is in his lap, neither of them paying us any mind as I grab my jacket and pull Teddy for the door.
It’s after midnight, the pre-dawn, mile-high air cool and refreshing. Teddy shivers and I drape my jacket around her shoulders while we wait for the party bus to pull around. As soon as it arrives, she hurries for the door. I barely make it before she does, circling my arm around her waist and pulling her back against me before I open the door for her. I help her climb inside right before the driver appears. He looks around for the rest of our party, and I inform him that we’ll be back. I instruct him to drive around for twenty minutes and he agrees before I climb in after Teddy.
I find my jacket and her shoes abandoned on the seat just beside the door. She’s clumsily pouring herself another glass of champagne, her legs curled up beneath her where she sits in the far corner. I make my way back there just as she returns the bottle of champagne to the bar.
“Want
some?” she asks, holding out her half-filled flute.
I shake my head, resting my arm across her lap, and she proceeds to down the contents. She then lets the glass slip from her fingers, tumbling to the floor. She doesn’t bat an eyelash, but instead cups her hands around my face and draws me in for a kiss. With one flick of her tongue, I understand her desire to be alone, and I kiss her deeper, mirroring her enthusiasm.
Her hands fall away from my face, and I reach around to support her neck as I dominate our kiss—taking all that I want. She moans into my mouth, and my dick hardens at the sound. When she rests a hand against my chest, I think nothing of it; but then her fingers glide down the length of my torso before blindly fumbling for my groin. I groan, my lips not leaving hers as I take her hand and place it over my rock hard cock. When she offers me a squeeze, I fight the urge to pin her on her back and bury myself inside of her until I’m balls deep.
“Judah,” she whispers, reaching for my belt buckle.
“What are you doing, Teddy?”
She tucks her face in my neck, hiding from me as she says, “I want to suck you.”
My dick throbs at her words and for a second, I wonder if I’ve had more to drink than I remember. But then she manages to unbutton my pants, and I realize she’s about to blow me.
Fucking hell…
When she slides off of the seat and kneels between my legs, a small part of me begs me to remind her—“Teddy, you’re drunk.”
“I know,” she breathes, tugging on my boxer briefs.
I lift my hips then slouch down on the seat, giving her easy access. “You don’t have to.”
She wraps her small hand around my cock and pulls it out. “I want to.”
“Teddy,” I barely manage, my breaths ragged, my dick ready and waiting.
“This has been the best birthday ever,” she says, looking up at me. “I know you’ve been waiting for me. Let me try. Let me say thank you.” I nod and she offers me a nervous smile. “I might be bad at it—fair warning.”
“I’ll show you how I like it,” I mutter, burying my fingers in her hair.