Page 74 of Taking the Pitch
“Hazel’s?”
Judd chuckles. “If that’s what you want.”
“Yes, please. She has cranberry white chocolate scones right now that I’mobsessedwith.”
“Can’t deny my girl a sweet treat after she was so good for me last night.”
“Hold up,” I say, trying to ignore the delicious shiver that ran through my body at his words. “Who said I wasyourgirl?”
His chest rumbles with a laugh as he steps back into my space and grips my chin, tipping it up so I’m looking into his green eyes that I can’t seem to get enough of. “After what we did last night, there’s no way I’m letting anyone else claim you. You’re mine, I’m ruined for anyone else.” He closes the space between us, leaning down and taking my lips with his, giving me a deep, slow kiss that leaves me breathless and wanting more. So much more. But he ends the kiss, much too early for my liking. Pulling back, he says, “So if that doesn’t make youmygirl, I don’t know what does.”
“Oh,” I whisper, reeling from Judd’s confession and soul searing kiss.
Dropping another kiss onto my lips, he turns and walks to the door. “Ten minutes, Shortcake,” he calls over his shoulder.
I nod as he closes the door, even though he can’t see me. Tracing my lips with a finger, I leave Bruno to finish his breakfast and head back into my room. It smells like Judd and sex, two things I never thought I’d be mixing together, but here we are and I realize I’m not upset about it. We may have started off not liking each other. Okay,Imay have started off not likinghim, but after unwillingly spending time with him, then willinglyspending time with him, I’ve come to realize he’s not the person the media has always perceived him to be.
He’s more. So much more.
We get to the café just as the morning rush dies down. I only make it two steps in before I hear Hazel’s fake southern twang accost my ears from behind the counter. “Well, well, well, look at what the cat dragged in. To what do I owe this absolute honor, Sugar?”
“Bite me, Hazel. Give me my coffee and four scones and no one gets hurt,” I tell her, taking my jacket off and placing it on the back of my chair before taking my seat at the counter. I would order a coffee for Judd, but I’m not sure what he likes.
“Four scones? Jeez, someone’s hungry. What did you do to work up such an appetite?” she asks, turning to make my coffee. “And where’s Bruno?”
The bell jingles above the door and we both turn to see Judd and Bruno walking in, answering Hazel’s question. I turn back to look at Hazel, who’s now giving me a questioning look.
“Don’t start,” I tell her.
“Oh, ho, ho, I fudging knew it!” she exclaims under her breath. Keeping her words PG for the customers that are strung throughout the café.
Running a hand down my face, I suppress a groan. I’m going to be hearing about this later. Most likely with Charlie joining us. There better be alcohol for that interrogation.
She gives me one last look before turning her attention to the man now standing behind me. “Judd, howlovelyto see you here. And with my best friend at that. What can I get you?”
Judd hands Bruno’s leash off to me, giving me a peck on the cheek before taking a seat next to me, tucking his long legs under the counter. “Hazel, a pleasure. I’ll take a medium Americano please,” he says with a charming smirk.
“Coming right up,” she says, handing me my plate of scones, then my coffee before moving to make Judd’s order.
Judd eyes the scones and my drink before looking at me. “You’re going to get diabetes.”
I take a huge bite of my scone and moan in delight. “But they’re just so good,” I tell him around a mouthful of food, washing it down with my cold brew. “Try it.”
I hold my scone out to him. Instead of taking it from my hand, he leans forward and bites off a corner. His lips brushing against my fingers. Keeping his eyes on me as he chews, he hums quietly. The sound travels straight to my clit, making me clench my legs together. “Mmm, so sweet,” he whispers, his voice husky.
A throat clears and we both startle and look to see Hazel standing back in front of us with Judd’s drink. “One medium Americano,” she says, handing Judd the cup. “Can I get you two anything else? A room maybe?”
I break off a small piece of my scone and throw it at Hazel. “No, thank you. That will be enough, peanut gallery.”
Hazel chuckles, dodging the piece of pastry.
“Actually,” Judd says, looking at the menu behind Hazel. “Can we also get two cheddar, bacon, and egg breakfast sandwiches, please?” He turns to me. “You do like bacon, right?”
“Uh, yes? I already have my breakfast though,” I tell him, gesturing to the plate of scones.
He snorts and shakes his head. “If you’re going to ingest that much sugar, you at least need to consume some protein along with it.” Reaching for the plate of scones, he takes one for himself and places it on a napkin, then sets the rest on the other side of him.
“Ooh, ballsy, Davis. Taking Millie’s life blood from her,” Hazel says, placing the breakfast sandwiches in the toaster oven to warm them.
