Conquering Jude (7 page)

Jackson smirked at him. “Sorry, no can do. Because I swear to God that if today’s break- in is what I think it is,
your
ass is protecting Olivia. There’s no way in hell I’m going to ever play bodyguard to that damn woman again.”

Jude’s ears perked up and he set down his cup. “Again? Why the hell did Mistress need a bodyguard?” This time it was his voice that was soft and menacing.
Nobody hurts my Mistress.
He froze at the thought, then realized what he’d just said.
Ah, Hell. Olivia’s not your Mistress you stubborn fuck! When are you gonna get it through your thick skull! You’re not strong enough to keep one. Kathleen was perfect proof that you can’t give a strong woman what she wants. That’s why she left your dumb ass and took your kid with her. She found the perfect man to take your place.

“Jude?”

Jackson’s concern had him slowly raising his head. Misery had his chest aching. That subtle ache turned into a full burn when he saw the truth in his friend’s eyes. “God, I am a submissive.”

“Yes, you are…but only with the right woman. You’ve always been a sexual one but with Olivia, I think you could be more. Why the hell do you think I saddled you with her?”

He opened his mouth, intent on asking his idiot best friend who the hell he thought he was, when a cloyingly sweet southern drawl came from behind him.

“Lands sakes alive, Jude, don’t you know it’s rude to ignore a lady when she enters the room?”

Jude groaned. He knew that sugary sweet tone and wondered what the hell he’d done to deserve this. His eyes met Jackson’s resigned and annoyed ones.

He turned to face the petite blonde wearing a light pink chiffon suit. “Suzette.”

Chapter Four

“What do you want?” Jude tried to keep his voice at an even keel and not sound like Suzette was the last person on Earth he wanted to see.
God, I don’t have the patience to deal with this today. Especially if Jackson goes off the deep end. This is why I didn’t mention her phone call earlier. I don’t need this today
.
Since Mistress kicked him out of Olivia’s, his emotions were closer to the surface than he liked.

“Now is that any way to greet an old friend, Jude?” Suzette walked further into the room, her abundant perfume stinking up his office.

“If it’s you, yes.” Jackson moved as far away from Suzette as physically possible. If his look of contempt didn’t get his point across to Suzette, his words did.

“Aw come on, Jackson, surely you aren’t holding what happened several years ago against little ole me, are you?” Suzette’s rouged lips pouted as she sulked.

Damn, is she going for an Academy Award? She’s playing the genteel southern lady to the hilt despite the fact she’s an Army brat from the word go.
Jude swore Suzette should’ve been born during the Civil War. All that was missing was a parasol and the dashing Rhett Butler to complete her image.

“I don’t have the time for this.” Jackson rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll catch you later, Jude. I have to go set up surveillance for Olivia’s. If you’re a good boy I might even cut you in on the skinny.” Heading towards the door, he gave Jude one last order. “Get rid of her.” Then he strode from the room without bothering to even acknowledge Suzette’s presence with a good-bye.

“Dammit, Jackson! You better give me updates!” Jude called after him.
God damned bastard will hold out on me just on principle alone even if I get rid of this pain in the ass brat.

“Jude, honey.” Her red lacquered fingertips wrapped around his arm. “Let’s go have some lunch. I really could use a friend. You promised Dad…”

Looking into her pleading blue eyes, Jude mentally swore.
Why the hell does she have to play the guilt card?
“Listen, Suzette, you’re no longer a seventeen year old girl who lost her father. It’s been almost ten years, why haven’t you grown up yet? I refuse to keep bailing you out of trouble or be a convenient shoulder for you to cry on.” He jerked his arm away from her before pacing towards his desk. “In fact, I told you that the last time you called when your marriage was on the rocks.”

Her lower lip trembled. “Why are you being so cruel, Jude?”

Sinking into his leather chair, he used the mouse to wake up his computer. “What did you expect me to do? Welcome you with open arms after you ripped my best friend’s heart out?”

Razor straight white teeth nibbled on her lower lip. “And what if I told you I was sorry and I know I made a huge mistake?”

Jude didn’t bother to look up. “Then I’d say you’re apologizing to the wrong man.” He glanced up from his computer. “You were a cruel, heartless bitch.”

A bitter laugh escaped her. “Aren’t all women at one time or another? I was pregnant and hormonal. So sue me. Once I lost the baby, everything went back to an even keel, but I was already married to Stewart.”

“Don’t you mean aborted?”

She shrugged. “You say
to-may-toe
, I say
to-mah-toe.
” She moved closer to his desk.

He gave a snort. “Please, this isn’t something as simple as the pronunciation of a piece of fruit. You murdered Jackson’s child once you got that golden ring out of Stewart.”

She paled. “I did not murder Jackson’s baby! I wasn’t even six weeks pregnant - it wasn’t even a baby yet. Besides Stewart didn’t want to raise another man’s baby, so…”

“You did what you always do. You looked out for number one.” He shook his head before squeezing the bridge of his nose. Opening his eyes he gave her a sardonic look. “You were a manipulative little brat as a kid and let me tell you, Suzette, you haven’t changed. You’re still a royal bitch to your toes, always looking for the next sucker.”

“What’s wrong? Can’t force yourself to say it? You don’t dare let such a word cross your lips. I can’t believe you and Jackson were ever together. I bet you made him turn off the lights before he could even fuck you.”

She stamped her foot. “As the good Lord intended. He wanted to tie me up and I just couldn’t…it’s so demeaning. How could any man or woman want that?”

He froze
.
Had she heard what Jackson had been saying just before she walked in? How else would she have found out?

“While I can never see myself submitting to a man, you’ve always been a bit different, Jude.” A thoughtful look crossed her face. “I could definitely see myself dominating a man. Perhaps I should’ve set my cap after you instead of Jackson. Then I could’ve ended up with this.” She gestured around the office. “And have you on a short leash. Holding sex over your head, giving it only as a reward and you’d love every moment of it. I can see the appeal. Would you like that? Having a strong powerful woman denying you every physical pleasure until you did exactly as she said? I could do that for you, Jude. Give you what you want and your father would never even know. I’d even pretend to be the docile wife in front of him. It’d be the best of both worlds. All you would have to do is spend…” She leaned over the desk and trailed a finger up his chest. “…
your
hard earned money on
me
.”

Surging to his feet, Jude clenched his jaw even as sickness pooled in his stomach at the thought of doing that what she suggested.
Well the thought of Dad never finding out is nice but with Suzette?
A shudder worked through him
Nope, not even if she promised me the world’s best blow job every night.
Now, Olivia on the other hand? Maybe…
The idea of her lips around his cock had sweat breaking out on his forehead as his eyes drifted shut
.
He started when he felt a hand cup his sex. His eyes flew open. Suzette not Olivia. In her hand, his cock which had gone hard at the thought of Olivia went limp. Disgusted, he pushed Suzette’s hand away.

“Stand still.” The order in her voice repulsed him and he flinched.

“What the hell are you doing, Suzette?”

“Seducing you, you stupid boy. If this is what it takes, then I’ll be…what is it they call it…a Domme. After all it can’t be that hard.”

It’s not worth going to jail. It’s honestly not,
he told himself while wrestling with his need to choke the infuriating woman.
She’s just playing her game again. I can’t believe she honestly thinks I’m a big enough fool to get caught up in it. Just remember your promise to her Dad, Larson. Choking her ass
is not
protecting her, even if it might be protecting the next unsuspecting sap that gets caught in her web. “
I don’t think so. Even if I were submissive, I wouldn’t be foolish enough to trust you, Suzette.” Wrapping his hand around her arm, he dragged her towards the open door of his office. “Now I think it’s time for you to leave. Go home. Find a man in Charleston because there’s no place for you here.”

“What are you so upset about, Jude? The
truth
hurts? You’ve wanted a woman to dominate you for a long time. Kathleen used to brag about it. Even if your dad says no real man worth his salt would allow that to happen, you need it.” She dug her feet in. Her voice softened even as a manipulative look filled her blue eyes. “How can you even think about not following your desire? I could be the perfect woman to give it to you.”

“I highly doubt that, since I’ve been told on high authority that I am. But I suppose it’s up to Jude to say,
if
he ever does admit he’s submissive.
”

Stumbling to a stop, Jude’s heart raced. His dick instantly hardened behind his fly, as desire made his skin tight. In front of him, Olivia leaned against the receptionist's desk with a slender man he recognized as a submissive from her club. Tall, slender, and mixture of Asian and African, the man made a beautiful contrast to his mistress. The slave’s bald head was even attractive. He could easily imagine it thrust between Olivia’s thighs. Hurt wrapped around him. She’d already replaced him with another.
And to think I was ready to go down on my knees and beg for another chance the next time I saw her. What a fucking idiot I am. I’ll never learn.

* * * *

Watching the emotions flicker across Jude’s face and the presence of the Barbie-doll look alike, Olivia wondered if showing up at his office unannounced was a wise idea. Behind her, she felt Micah shift.
I can’t believe I honestly let him talk me into coming here even if his idea of introducing himself to Jude in hopes of gaining Jude’s confidence was a sound one. I should’ve just sent Micah by himself. There’s no reason for me to be here.
Her inner voice laughed at her.
Other than the fact that you needed to see him. You’ve become shockingly dependant on a man you barely know, Bozka, considering you’re supposed to be an all powerful Domme. Isn’t that the slave’s role?
The mocking tone in her head now sounded just like her domineering mother- in-law.

Shut the fuck up, Aggie. This is Jude not Claude.
The stinging reminder of her one lapse with her husband, while exploring to see if there were any submissive in her, had become legendary. Especially after her husband had mentioned in passing to a cousin that he wasn’t comfortable with assuming the dominant role she’d asked of him.
One god damned time. I needed a break from being a Domme and wanted to experience what he felt. All I did was ask for twenty-four hours of peace from his constant demands - not the freakin’ Hope Diamond.

Jude dragged his attention off of her and to the woman standing next to him. Olivia wanted push the woman away from her sub.
Come on Olivia, he’s not yours. Yet.

“No one for you to worry about.” Jude shoved the woman towards the door.

Hurt warred with Olivia’s determination to prove him wrong.
I’m nothing to worry about? We’ll see about that.

A moment later, Jude was back in front of her sans the Barbie doll, mask in place making it hard for her to determine his emotional state. She found she didn’t like the idea he could hide them from her. “Let me get Jackson. I do believe he’s handling your account now.” He moved around the reception desk to pick up the phone.

“I didn’t come here to talk to Jackson, Jude. I came here to talk to you.” Uncrossing her arms she took the receiver from his hand.

His nose flared. “Ms. Metjka, I don’t think that would be a wise idea.”

The man behind Olivia blanched. “That definitely wasn’t a good idea, Jude.” His hand touched Olivia’s shoulder. “He didn’t mean it, Mistress.”

Jude gave him a mocking grin. “Of course I did. Unlike you, I don’t have to worry about being punished for using her given name because I am not her submissive, nor will I ever be. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll let Jackson know you’re here.” Turning on his heel, he fled back into his office.

* * * *

Standing in front of his office window, he watched for Olivia. It had been several minutes since Jackson had called and told him Olivia was leaving the offices. Evidently he knew Jude had planned to stay holed up inside until she was gone.
Damn, I can’t believe this. I didn’t even act like this with Kathleen. I took it like a man. What the hell is wrong with me?
It was hard to believe that for the first time in his adult life, he’d actually ran from a confrontation, especially with a woman who didn’t even come up to his chin.

The opening of the door behind him barely caught his attention as he saw the object of his interest leave the building. He frowned. She was by herself.
Where the hell did her fucking slave go to?