Page 31 of Taking the Pitch
“No need to thank me, Amelia. Men shouldn’t assume just because they’re lucky enough to get a beautiful woman to dancewith them they’re entitled to anything else.” He gives that devilish smile of his. “And I have no doubt in my mind that you could have handled it. You just shouldn’t have to.”
My cheeks heat and I turn to the girls, who have matching looks of curiosity on their faces. “I’m fine, I promise. I’m not gonna let some asshole ruin our night.” I give them my best smile and loop my arms through theirs. “Come on, girls, I think another drink is in order.” I glance over my shoulder to see Judd right on our heels.
When we hit the bar, I feel the heat from Judd’s body wash over my back as he towers over me and orders us all another round. The bartender nods and grabs fresh glasses for our drinks.
“We’re heading to the bathroom! Be right back!” Hazel yells to us, grabbing Charlie and hauling her to the bathroom with her before I can even acknowledge her.
Turning my back to the bar, I lean against it and let my eyes roam over Judd.
I’d have to be an idiot not to admit how sexy he is. Especially in his pirate costume. His white shirt is unbuttoned down to the base of his sternum, showing off his smooth, chiseled chest. No tattoos have graced his skin there yet, but I know he has a full sleeve down his right arm and a few on his left. Not that I’ve had the pleasure of seeing them in person. In a moment of weakness, when I couldn't sleep last night, I googled the man standing before me, and I was not disappointed.
Well, that’s not true. Iwasdisappointed, but not because he’s not impressive to look at. I was disappointed to find that Ienjoyedwhat I was looking at… Immensely.
My eyes finally make their way up to his and I find he’s staring back at me with a hunger I’ve only written about in my books, never experienced myself.
“Like what you see?”
I roll my lips inward, biting at the bottom one, and shrug. Because there is no way I’m admitting how much I actually enjoy what I see to this man.
His green eyes darken, and he closes the small gap between us. Towering over me, he leans down and whispers into my ear. “I think you do.” His breath tickles the hair on my neck, sending chills down my spine.
When he leans back, my drink is in his hand. I reach up to grab it, but he pulls it back out of my reach. He brings it to his lips and takes a sip. He raises his brows in surprise and hands me my drink. “Not bad, a little sweet, a little sour, a little burn at the end. Fits you perfectly.” There's a little drop on his lip from the drink. Before I know what I’m doing, I’m watching my hand as it reaches up and my thumb swipes at the corner of his mouth. His hand grips my wrist before I can pull back. He sucks my thumb into his mouth, teeth grazing the pad of my thumb.
My lips part as I suck in a breath.Fuck, that was…hot.
The girls come back breaking whatever the fuck that was between Judd and I.
Looking from Judd to me, Hazel asks, “Did we interrupt something?” Mischief in her voice.
Deflect, deflect, deflect.“Not at all.” I tip my head at Judd as I pull my hand away, instantly missing the contact with him. “He’s a slob, so I was just helping him out.”
Hazel’s smile widens and Charlie rolls her eyes, giving me a ‘yeah right’ look.
Needing to change the subject, I grab their free hands and pull them away from the bar, leaving Judd. “Now that we have drinks, let’s go dance.”
Making our way back out into the crowd, we find a free spot on the dance floor and start moving with the music. But when I turn around, Judd is no longer just watching from the bar. No, he’s followed us out onto the floor and is watching my everymove. Turning back around, I decide to try to just ignore him. I take a sip of my drink, also trying not to think about his perfect lips that were on my glass moments ago.
That idea is quickly tossed out the window when one of my favorite songs comes on and I start moving with the beat. I can feel my backside graze Judd’s jeans, just barely, just a whisper of contact, indicating he’s moved closer to me. With alcohol coursing deliciously through my veins and more promised to come, I’m feeling brave, adventurous even.
Taking a half step back, my ass connects with Judd’s front as I shimmy down his body, throwing my free hand up above me. His hands skim down my sides as I make my way back up. I cup my hand behind his neck while his fingers graze down to my hips. Closing my eyes, I lean into him, letting myself get lost in the beat and his touch. One of Judd’s hands snakes around my middle and I feel his body moving perfectly in rhythm with mine.
He leans down, lips grazing my ear, sending shivers through me. I’m so lost in the sensation of our bodies moving together, I let out a shocked gasp when his teeth nip at my ear, sending delicious heat down to my center.
I take another drink of my liquid courage and turn around in his grasp. Looking up at him, I lock eyes with his almost black gaze. Want and desire reflect back at me, matching my own. My hand on his neck laces through his shaggy hair and I give it a small tug. He growls and tightens his grip on my back, bringing me impossibly closer.
Everyone around us fades away as we stare at each other, dancing to the hypnotic beat of the music. I feel the pull to be closer to him, to have his lips on mine. He must feel it too, because his face inches closer. The scent of mint and whiskey mingling together.
I move closer, completely entranced by him. Our lips are impossibly close and still not close enough. I close my eyes, expecting him to close the distance. I feel his breath on my lips just as I’m jostled from behind and my half full drink spills all over Judd’s back.
He lets out a “Shit!” and pulls away from me, breaking the moment.
I hear a ‘sorry’ yelled over the music from behind me, but I don’t turn around to acknowledge them. I’m too busy ogling the Greek God in front of me who just pulled his wet shirt over his head, revealing the body of a very tattooed Adonis himself.
Fuck me.
CHAPTER TEN
judd
