Flirting With Chaos (29 page)

“I’m good.”

My phone beeped. A text message from Jude flashed on the screen. Unease, anger, and desire pulsed in my chest. I hated that just seeing his text triggered something inside of me.

Where are you? I’m done with what I was doing. ~ J

So now that he’s done, I’m supposed to rush to him and make myself available? I don’t think so.

I’m busy. I’ll see you later tonight. ~ R

Busy doing what? Where are you? ~ J

I’ll see you later. ~ R

I shut off my phone and dropped it in my purse.

There. How does that feel, Jude?

I used to flinch whenever I would overhear conversations between women about how they played mind games with their boyfriends to get the guys to respect them. I used to wonder if the games ever worked or if the women ended up playing themselves in the end. As I lounged on the couch, I promised myself that I wouldn’t make this a game, that I’d make the effort to actually get to know Maestro. Even though I immaturely longed to make Jude feel how I’d felt earlier tonight, I didn’t want the entire situation with Maestro to be about Jude.

But what were Maestro’s plans for me tonight? If he figured we’d be having sex, he was wrong.

“Okay. So where was I at?” He put the joint out on an ashtray in the shape of a rose. “Japanese?”

“No. Neither one of my parents are Japanese.”

He’d listed off many races as he tried to guess my ethnicity. But, shockingly, he never even considered African descent, which was surprising being that he was African American himself. “Italian and Dominican?”

“Nope. It’s so obvious at this point that I think you’re just going to feel like a moron if it takes you longer.” I winked.

“Ouch. Are you always this brutally honest?”

“Only when I’m really high and can’t hide my true feelings.”

“Interesting.” He focused both hands on my foot, kneading swirls near the area under my toes.

Delight soared through me. For one, he had serious skill in foot massaging. Additionally, he was the top hip-hop artist out nowadays and one of the hottest. Being that he was spoiling me with a foot massage, I couldn’t help but feel special.

Now who’s turning into a groupie?

“So, what are you mixed with?” he asked.

“My mom is Jamaican. She’s Alana Stein.”

“That name sounds familiar. What does she do?”

“She was Miss Jamaica and later became a talk show host.” I offered a weak smile. “My dad is white. His name was Jack Kenner.”

He slapped his forehead. “That’s why you look so familiar. I saw the big news about Depraved Minds doing a huge concert for Jack Kenner’s daughter’s birthday.”

“Yeah. They may have shown my face.”

“That’s how you know Jude, right? Since his father was the lead singer?”

“Yep.” I bobbed my head. “We kind of grew up together.”

“Now everything is making sense, but hold up—was your dad the one who went all crazy and killed…I mean…Fuck. Never mind.”

“No. It’s okay. Yes. That was my dad.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

“Damn.” He frowned. “I think we really should change the subject.”

“Me too.”

He crept his fingers along my ankle. “You said that you’re brutally honest when you’re high, so that means whatever I ask, I’ll get a truthful answer?”

“Maybe.”

“What’s going on with you and Jude?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. However, we’re not in a relationship, if that’s what you’re getting at.”

“So, he wouldn’t mind my hands on your feet like this?”

Would Jude? Knowing him, he’d be annoyed but pretend like it didn’t matter.

“I don’t know and don’t care if he minds.”

He tiptoed his fingers further up my leg, his fingertips stepping through the holes in my fishnet stockings. Shivers of anticipation ran through me. He continued until he reached the bottom of my tiny shorts. “So, I guess the questions should be focused on you. Do you mind me touching you?”

I swallowed. “No. I don’t mind.”

“Yet, you’re shaking.” He dipped his fingers under my shorts, didn’t go farther, and massaged the skin.

“I’m not that experienced.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“It’s true.” I shrugged. “Jude was my first. It happened just recently.”

“No way.”

“Yes. I have no reason to lie to you.”

“You would never know around here. Women lie to me about who they are all the time.” He squinted his eyes at me. “Maybe you’re trying to make yourself sound more attractive to me.”

“You would’ve had sex with me regardless, and I’m not looking to be your girlfriend or wife or even try and get your money. I have my own so there’s no need to lie.” I tucked my hair behind my ear. “Jude is really the first guy I’ve ever been with, so excuse me if I seem nervous.”

“Will I be your second?” He grinned.

“I-I…what? No.”

“Now that you’re telling me this, it makes sense that Jude called you
his
.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not his.”

“Well, I see that.” He pierced me with a heated gaze. “I was just shocked. He and I have partied before. Girls are always with him. We’ve even shared a few. Once or twice, he passed them on to me right after he’d had sex with them.”

I held my hands up. “I really don’t want to hear about it.”

“Oh, of course. I’m just saying that he treated you different. He was holding your hand and claiming that you were his. I didn’t get the feeling that he would like to share you. He treated you like you were special to him.”

So much for the special treatment. As soon as we were apart, he grabbed two groupies and took them in the bathroom.

“Do you both have an understanding?” he asked. “Maybe you can hook up with other guys, and he can mess with females as long as you both come back to each other?”

“It’s something like that.” I shifted in my seat, feeling uncomfortable. “Either way, I don’t have a boyfriend, and I’d rather not discuss Jude anymore.”

“I would like to be something special in your life.”

Why? Because you saw me in a corset and tiny shorts? Or is “something” special code for “fuck me”?

“Granted, that’s not a major statement,” he continued. “Most of the guys that spotted you tonight desired you. I’m just the only one that was lucky enough to catch you at a vulnerable moment.”

“Which is me being deliriously high and standing outside as the guy I’m in love with gets his dick sucked?”

“Wow. I didn’t realize you were in love with him.”

Wait a minute. Am I? I love him, but am I in love with him? Is there even a freaking difference?

I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “Well, not love—”

“Too late. You already said it.” He gripped my thigh and drew me to him so that I sat on his lap.

I liked feeling his body near me but wasn’t sure if it was too soon to be this up close and personal with him. The best part was that I didn’t experience the usual sensation of needing to vomit, though I was sure I would soon enough.

He took his hand from under my shorts. “I guess what I should be wondering now is if it’s too late for me to step in and try to be in your life in some way.”

I laughed. Could his line have sounded any more fake?

“What?” he asked. “Did I say something funny?”

“Just because I haven’t slept with tons of guys doesn’t mean I’m stupid or need to be told some silly, romantic stuff.” I climbed off of him and stood up. His hands had felt wonderful on me, waking my body up and causing a yearning between my thighs. But, did I revel in his touch due to being high, because I was hoping to get back at Jude, or was it that I really enjoyed it?

Or am I just over-thinking this? Why am I even in here? Oh, yeah. I’m trying to get my mind off of Jude.

“Are you leaving?” He rose with me and raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t mean to insult you.”

“You didn’t.” I smoothed my shorts down. “No. I’m not leaving. I’m just giving us space.”

He walked up to me and trapped my waist between his strong hands. “I kind of like having no space between us. Can I kiss you?”

I opened my mouth in shock. “Um…”

“Is it Jude, or are you nervous about kissing a guy you don’t know?”

“Both.”

He licked his lips. “You’re fucking amazing. You must be the only woman in this scene that is this innocent and tender-hearted at the same time. Jude’s messing up by taking you for granted.”

I cringed. “Seriously, I would rather not discuss him right now.”

“Then what would you rather do?” He brushed his lips against mine at first and then leaned in for a full kiss.

It was nice. He tasted like tea and sugar. But, more shocking was that I could kiss him without vomiting or having my father’s blood flash in my mind.

So far so good.

His tongue circled mine with skillful finesse. This was a big moment.

Has Jude really broken the spell?

“What can I do to have you in my world?”

“I’m here right now.”

“Hmm.” He sucked on my lips and cupped my behind. “I don’t live here. I have a house out in Los Angeles. Have you been there?”

“A few times.”

“I’m flying back tonight. Come with me.”

I edged back and giggled. “I can’t just gather all my stuff up, jump on a plane with you, and go off to your house in LA. For one, I don’t know you, and two, that’s crazy.”

Three, I’m not sure I like you enough to spend several days with you. And four, there’s no way I want to end up turning into your Icky Vicky.

He squeezed my behind and whined a little, displaying those cute dimples. “I would really like you to reconsider.”

“That’s not happening. I’m sorry.” I shook my head. “Do women usually just go with the flow and fly back with you?”

“All the time.” He pressed his body against mine. “But you’re definitely worth changing up my style and being more patient. How long are you in Atlanta? Where are you staying?”

I twisted my lips to the side and leaned away from him. “I’m on a huge bus. Jude’s, actually. We’re doing a big road trip to Canada.”

“Why? For a music tour or something?”

“No.”
Because I had a mental breakdown, and Jude is trying to help me get my head straight.
“Maybe we can see each other again after summer. I go to school in Sarasota, Florida.”

“I’m not waiting until the end of summer to see you.”

“Maybe I can tell you the next stops—”

“Convince Jude to stay here for a few days. I’ll get a hotel room and we can explore Atlanta together. Have you been here before?”

“A few times.” I grinned. “My mom’s always dragged me around. But I really don’t feel comfortable trying to get Jude to change our traveling plans just so I can date another guy. You do see that it’s a bit trifling?”

“You say that after he has a threesome in the bathroom?”

I gritted my teeth in embarrassment. “Nevertheless, you and I can figure something out later.”

He rubbed his hands over the curve of my behind. “Damn. I really need to spend some time with you. I don’t like to wait for what I want.”

An exasperated breath left my lips. “And what do you want?”

“You. All of you.” He returned to savoring my mouth. And I enjoyed it. He may have just been trying to get into my pants or been a bit too spoiled when dealing with other women, but his lips contained magic. “Come back on the couch with me, beautiful.”

Lust glittered in his eyes. I swallowed down my fear, followed him to the couch, and sat down next to him. Before my behind rested on the seat, Maestro seized my breasts with both hands. The crimson beads pressed against his fondling fingers. My nipples reacted and hardened.

“Where are the buttons or snaps to this top?” He gazed at me with pleading eyes. “I have to see those titties. They’ve been teasing me since the first time I spotted them.”

This is all going so fast. But what did I expect?

I cleared my throat. “I’m not interested in doing anything more than kissing tonight.”

Oh goodness. I must sound like I’m in high school.

I had to give him credit. His face didn’t look shocked or disappointed. He simply bobbed his head and licked his lips. “Cool. I can do just kissing tonight, but one day I would like to do more.”

“I would need to get to know you if we ever went that far.” I scooted off the couch and rose. “In fact, I’m ready to go.”

“Stay for just a little bit longer.” He tried to grab my hands.

I stepped away. “I’m sorry, but no.”

He formed his lips into a frown. “Will I see you again?”