Run to Love (Triple R Book 1) (16 page)

I cleared my throat, and Presley glanced to me. Her chest rose and fell quickly, her tongue darted out to wet her lips. Every flick of her tongue happened in slow motion.

And I had liftoff again.

This can’t be happening. I stood and slid my robe on in one movement, grabbed my bag, and exited the room while motioning with my head for Simi to meet me in the hallway. I was a blur of action, even to myself.

“Jude, what’s wrong?”

“It was happening again.”

The same giggle was actually comforting. “Really?” She rubbed my arm in a reassuring way. “Most of the students were almost completed. It’s not a big deal. Well, I mean what happened isn’t a big deal, not that
that
isn’t a big deal.” She pointed with her eyes, and I shook my head at her. At least she was trying to ease my tension and embarrassment with humor, not that it was working. “Thank you for your time, Jude. I might ask Zane to step in next time, not that you weren’t a good subject, but I have a feeling he would be a little more at ease. No matter what happened.”

I sighed, releasing tension from my shoulders. “I think that’s a good idea. I also know a couple of guys at the gym who might be interested. Give me a call.”

“Will do. Have a good night, Jude.”

I walked into the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face and my crotch. “Down boy! You already had your moment in the spotlight.”

I dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, socks, and canvas shoes and waited in the hall for Presley to exit the art room.

When she did, she walked directly to me, stopping with a few inches between us. With a glance down at my crotch, she asked, “Are you
up
for this?”

“Funny. Yeah, you ready?”

Presley smiled. “I’m ready.”

“Want to sit in my truck and we can talk in private?”

Stepping back, she pointed to the door. “Lead the way.”

She asked for it. I grasped her extended hand and led her. This was how I would be with her all the time, might as well start at that moment. She inhaled at the touch but surprisingly she wound her fingers in mine. I squeezed gently in support of the move. I grabbed her bag from her other hand and threw it over my shoulder, tucking her sketchpad under my arm.

“Did you finish your sketch?” I held the door open for her.

“Not quite. I’ll work on it this weekend.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m sure Simi told you that happens, albeit infrequently, and never twice in one session.” Presley eyes danced up through her lashes. “But it has happened before.”

“You know why that happened, right?”

“Blood flow and expanding tissue,” she answered flatly.

Throwing my head back, I laughed at her blunt but not entirely incorrect response. “Right. I kind of meant what was causing the response to happen, not the physiological definition, more the emotional and psychological reasons.”

She didn’t answer me. Her eyes bounced around the parking lot.

I helped her into the truck cab, placing her bag and sketchpad on the passenger side floorboard. Rounding to my side, I took in a deep breath before opening the door and climbing in. When I settled in the cab I noticed how far away she was sitting, almost plastered against the passenger side door.

I turned toward her. “Presley, from the moment I stood behind you at the desk before our first training session, I knew there was something special about you. You handled Emerson’s bitchiness with grace and more class than most women ever could. I regret inviting Emerson to Brix and listening to those vile words the monster spewed at you. I hope you can forgive me. Blake fired Emerson today. She won’t be a problem at Triple R anymore.”

“Did I have anything—?”

“No, Emerson caused her termination all by herself. The details aren’t necessary, but there is good news that Mitch will hopefully be coming back, if you want to use him as a trainer again.”

Presley twisted her hands in her lap. “I don’t want to go back to Mitch. I’d like to stay with you, Jude.”

“Well, that’s a problem.”

“Did you get fired, too?” Presley’s eyes remained pointed toward the windshield.

“No, but Blake made the decision to move you to Kai.”

“I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t do something to cause that.”

“No, you didn’t. I did. Presley, it’s good that I’m not training you anymore.” I moved a little closer to her.

Her head flipped to me, her eyes brimming with tears. “What?” She shook her head. “Did you invite me into your truck just to tell me you don’t want to be my trainer anymore?”

The green pools glistened like grass covered in morning dew, until rolling tears fell over the edge.

I lost all train of thought staring into her beautiful eyes.

She sucked in a jittery breath. “Fine! I get it. We’re done, professionally and otherwise. Have a good life, Jude.” She grabbed the door handle, yanked her bag from the floor, and swung her legs to exit the truck.

When I recovered my faculties, I reacted quickly. “Shit! Presley! Please wait.”

She kept moving. I jumped from my side of the truck to get to her. Her heels were just hitting the concrete when I rounded the truck to the open passenger door.

“Presley, stop, please!” I slid one hand to her waist and one behind her neck. She stiffened as our bodies pressed lightly against each other. When I had her complete attention, I brought my hand from her waist and wiped away her tears. “Presley, it’s a good thing. Because now I can kiss you like I’ve wanted to from the very first day I met you. And this way, I won’t get fired.”

I tipped her head and met her pouty lips with a soft, gentle kiss. Her eyes opened wide with surprise, then closed in surrender. She dropped her bag to the ground and slid her hands up my chest to the back of my neck where her long fingers tangled into my ponytail. She toyed with the trapped strands and my head spun at how sensual the touch was, and by her soft appreciative moan I could tell she really liked my hair the way it was.

I led the kiss, but everything she did in response was 100 percent better than anything any female had ever done to me. I deepened the kiss. Our tongues rolled in a slippery fusion that seared my memory and taste buds with her sweet essence. Each of us gave a little of ourselves to the other person, and at that moment I’d give her anything she ever wanted. Our bodies heated along with our mouths. My hands searched her back, pulling her closer to me until we were crushed in a passionate vice-like hold.

I broke the kiss, dropping my forehead to hers. “Presley, can we get back in the truck?”

She nodded. Her eyes remained closed and her body shivered lightly.

“Are you okay?”

Not answering, she turned around and jumped back onto the seat.

When I was seated back inside, she slid closer.

Now that’s better.

But her eyes still pointed down and her body tremored visibly. “Don’t hurt me again, please.”

With those broken and fear-filled words, I wrapped my arms around her. “I’m going to do everything I can to never do that again, and that’s a promise.”

Her soft eyes fluttered closed and my heart beat fast.

“Jude, I want to trust you, but like always my mind and instincts are telling me to run the other way.” Her eyes met mine. “But I think my heart is saying something else. I think it wants to stay and see what could happen.”

I guided her body closer. She’d opened her heart to me and I wanted her to know that I was doing the same.

“I like what your heart is saying, Presley.”

“I like these muscles.” She trailed her fingers along my upper arms, under the t-shirt sleeves to trace my muscles.

“Thanks. I like that you’re smart, strong and successful, and you make my head spin with your sexy innocence.”

She blushed. “I’ll give you the first three.”

“Presley, from now on, I will protect you from anything that tries to hurt you. But between you and me, how you handled Emerson last night was fuckin’ hot.”

Presley giggled, the sound holding the innocence of a child popping bubbles for the first time. 

“Thank you, Jude. Don’t know what it is, but I’ve been on quite a roll at standing up to people in the last twenty-four hours.”

We both stilled as her fingers continued up my neck, to my face, then traced along my eyebrows and down my sideburns, finally grazing across my lips.

“I like these lips. I’ve wanted to feel them on mine since the first moment I turned around and said hello.”

“You mean … hi?” I stretched the word like she had. 

Presley giggled again and the sound started a chain reaction in my body. I dropped my mouth onto hers and when our tongues met she moaned so loudly I thought maybe I was hurting her, but the way her hands clasped my head and drew it closer, it was clear she only wanted more.

“God, your tongue…” She panted. “It’s … it’s…” She slammed her mouth on mine again, forcing her tongue in and making another erotic sound of approval. Her hands searched my chest and dropped lower to the bottom of my shirt, lifting and grazing my abdomen.

I sucked in a quick breath and pulled away from her mouth slowly. “Presley, we’re in the middle of a parking lot and there are students milling around. As much as I’d love to continue this, I’m pretty sure there are security cameras filming our first moments together.”

Her breaths rolled as fast as mine. “You’re probably right. Don’t need to end up on the Internet as what not to do.”

There was a hard triple tap on the passenger window. Presley shrieked and buried her face into my chest. I chuckled while looking over her shoulder.

“I knew it! Good for you, Prez.” The young man pointed at me. “Remember what I said, beefcake. My boyfriend is as big as you and a black belt in tae kwon do. Keep that in mind.”

I forced a nervous smile, and the lanky guy grinned.

Presley rocked her forehead against my chest, groaning her embarrassment. “Good night, Edwyn.”

“Good night, Gorgeous. Good night, Beefcake.” The no-longer-anonymous voice hopped in his Prius and drove away.

I questioned whether to tell her the truth. In the end I trusted her, too.

“He caught me in the bathroom.” I rubbed my hand up and down her back.

“So?” Presley nuzzled her nose into my neck.

“The traditional baseball and horrible mental imagery wasn’t working and I needed to make my problem go away. So…”

“You owe me twenty dollars?”

I laughed. “Yeah, I think I do.”

Chapter Fourteen

Last night was incredible. Jude and I’d had a good time in his truck, like a
really
good time. He had to be up early the next morning. I’d reluctantly said good night. I understood, kind of. Before we’d left he’d asked me on a date, Friday night. Of course I said yes. He’d kissed me one last time and it was so screaming hot, I’d really thought my shoes were going to melt off my feet. His lips were amazing and his tongue magical. I almost couldn’t imagine making my way through forty-eight hours without having those body parts on mine.

I was thankful the dealership was buzzing today, and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. It would help the day go faster. The new incentives came out this morning and they were even better than last month’s.
Don’t tell the people who bought last month.

The excitement had the sales staff calling clients they had on their just-waiting-for-the-right-time-to-buy list. I started my phone duties, found a couple of interested clients, set appointments, and finished with calls by lunchtime.

In the break room, I was leaning into the fridge to grab my bowl of minestrone soup and something—or someone—bumped into me.

“Whatcha looking for, Presley?” Drexel inquired over my shoulder.

I made my escape right before his tentacle rounded my waist. “What the hell, Drexel?”

Drexel stepped closer, and I moved to put a table between us.

“Come on, Presley, I was just being playful.” His face went pale. “Um … uh … so…”

I stepped back. Hearing Dixless speechless was a little confusing.

He cleared his throat. “Um, maybe you … maybe you and I could go get a drink tonight?”

I almost believed he was sincere, but then Sam came in the room.

Sam snagged a soda from the fridge. “Hey, Presley. What’s going on, Drex?”

“Presley and I were discussing the deteriorating quality of porn sites. She has quite the informed opinion about the low quality of girl-on-girl action.”

My mouth dropped open, and Sam laughed.

“Drexel, you are a complete pig!” I calmed myself before I did or said something I would regret. “Not that it’s your business, but I happen to be seeing someone. He’s a great guy, not the giant jerk that you are!”

“You’re seeing someone?” Drexel stepped around the table.

“Yes, and he’s the hottest guy I’ve ever met and unlike you, he’s mature.” I placed my container of soup in the microwave to reheat.

He leaned against the counter on his hip, crossing his arms and flexing his muscles. “How long?”

“Again, not that it’s your business, we’ve only known each other for a little while but we have a date tomorrow night.”

“Where are you going?” Drexel started the most annoying game of Twenty Questions … ever.

“Why do you care?” I rocked my head and raised my shoulders until they were almost touching my ears.

Sam chuckled. “Cause Drex can’t stop—”

“Shut up, Sam,” Drexel growled with a pissed-off tone that Sam definitely didn’t miss and neither did I. “Just wanted to know where to avoid tomorrow night.” He shook his head and muttered, “Hope this guy knows how perfect you are.”

I expected to hear sarcasm in his voice, but it wasn’t there. Drexel marched out of the room and Sam followed. To my amazement, I was left to eat my soup in peace.

I searched the Humane Society website and saw the little white dog from Sunday was still available. The picture did her no justice. It was taken before she’d been groomed, and she looked totally disappointed at life and kind of sickly. I stared at the picture until my soup was gone and my name was called over the intercom to meet my next client.

Back at home I enjoyed more soup for dinner with Willow. This liquid diet would have to end sometime. I loved the soup, but I needed red meat … or any meat.

“You going to Kanyon’s tonight?”

“No, we decided to have a night apart. He and Jude are riding over to Council Bluffs for a bike night. Not sure I’m ready to be on the back of a bike yet.”

I rolled my eyes. “Live a little.”

She pointed to her now-dyed sapphire-blue hair that matched her eyes.

I chuckled. “You know what I mean, Willow. How are things with you and Kanyon?”

I hadn’t told her about Jude and me yet. I wasn’t exactly sure what to say or how to start the conversation. I told her Jude and I were on speaking terms on Monday, but for everything that happened after Monday she was mostly MIA with Kanyon.

“Good. He’s so—”

I rolled my eyes again. “Yeah, I know, amazing in bed. Remember, the walls are thin and he was here last night. Earplugs are now a necessity in my life.”

Willow blushed, which I had never seen her do, and giggled, which I had never heard her do.

“Willow, are you in love with Kanyon?”

She stopped and shook her head. “No. No! You can’t fall in love with someone in a week, right?”

“I don’t know. I think when love happens, it happens.”

“I think I could fall for him, but I’m sure he just wants to keep it casual. Maybe. Kanyon is all man, but he’s so sweet, too. Remember that coffee burn I had on my forearm?”

I crinkled my nose. “It was nasty! How is it now?”

“Better. Last Friday night while we were … well, you know.”

“Yes, yes, I do,” I deadpanned, and Willow smiled.

“Anyway, he accidentally grabbed my arm there, and I almost fainted from the pain. He was so concerned that he stopped everything, like stopped dead-cold even though I could tell it wasn’t comfortable to cease what we were doing. Then he cleaned, medicated, and redressed the burn. And then,”—she sighed peacefully—“then he made sure there were enough endorphins coursing through my veins to feel
no
pain and I slept like a baby.”

I rolled my eyes at her a third time, and she pushed on my shoulder.

“Jude and I made out last night,” I said quickly while she took a bite of soup, knowing she’d have to chew and swallow.

“Okay.” She stretched out the word after wiping her mouth. “Explain how this happened.”

I told her everything, the workout on Monday, Brix on Tuesday, and yesterday at Graphite and Acrylic.

Her silence after I finished was concerning but I hoped she was processing the information.

“Willow?”

“Sorry, just thinking. I’m happy for you, Presley. It’s wonderful.” Her smile was genuine.

“We have a date tomorrow night. Not sure to where, I was going to text him later.”

“A little sexting perhaps?” Willow jested.

I gurgled a groan through a sip of red wine. “Speaking of sex. Question. Do I tell him how little experience I have? Or do I just let him figure it out on his own and be severely disappointed and want to run the other way?”

“One, there’s no chance Jude would turn you away in bed. And two, there’s no way he’d be disappointed. I’ve seen how he looks at you, Prez, that boy was interested from day one. I guarantee that’s a fact. I think it’s whatever makes you most comfortable. Sharing can be kind of romantic and freeing, as long as you’re sharing,
not
comparing.”

I giggled. “True. But from what I saw yesterday at class, the guys I’ve been with don’t compare to Jude.” I raised my eyebrows, and Willow raised one of hers back. “What if I make a mistake? Should I make him wear a condom even though I’m on the pill? Is there a new move I should do?”

“Wow, Prez, you’re making me nervous for you. Okay, first, there are no mistakes in sex and all the moves have been created and some of them don’t make any sense whatsoever, so just keep it simple. The first time two people get it on is generally pretty awkward no matter what. That doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyable, but it’s getting to know what each other likes that makes sex fantastic. So be vocal, say what you want, what you like, what you don’t like. Work up to actual sex. Start with kissing and fondling, then a blow job, and then maybe sex when you’re forty-five?”

I slapped her lightly on the arm.

Willow continued, “And when it comes to the condom, unless you’re willing to trust that he’s clean, which personally I wouldn’t without proof, I’d say, ‘No glove, no love’.” We both groaned at the pun. She had a million of them stored in that head of hers. “Even though I’m on the pill, I still make Kanyon cover his lover. He doesn’t seem to mind. He said he’d go to the clinic and get tested to make sure he’s clean but he said he always wears one. I’m not sure I’m there yet with him. Maybe I am? Skin on skin is fucking amazing, it does take the connection to a whole different place.” Willow’s face revealed her amorous feelings, but she waved whatever she was thinking away. “Anyway, you know Jude is a good guy, Prez. You need to trust him and just talk to him.”

“You’re right. I will.” I stood and grabbed my dishes. “I know it’s early and we talked about doing a marathon of B. Cooper, but I be poopered out. I’m gonna take a rain check.”

“Be poopered out?” Willow cracked up. “Nice! I should hit the hay, too. Glad I have the weekend off, but I don’t have any plans yet. Maybe Jace will go see a Storm Chasers game with me? I think the company she works for has box seats. I could definitely go for some guys in tight baseball pants.”

“Good thinking.”

“Presley?”

I turned around before reaching the hallway. “Yeah?”

“Don’t worry, whatever is meant to be will be. Live in the moment, less thinking, more listening. Remember, you deserve someone as great as you. Okay?”

“And I thought Jace was the Oprah of our group. Nice speech, blue hair. OMG … blue hair! You just aged yourself!”

“Maybe I need to hit the Early Bird Buffet tomorrow and see how many retirees hit on me?”

“You’d bring old wood to life quicker than Viagra.” I laughed all the way down the hall.

After I was in bed, I texted Jude.

Prez:
How was your day? Can you tell me where we’re going on the date so I know what to wear? BTW … I miss your lips.

I read a new romance book about a moody tattooed guy while I waited for a reply. I started to wonder if Jude had any tattoos, then I remembered I’d seen his body.
All
of his body. And there were no tattoos. I was uncomfortable knowing what I was getting and that he didn’t.

My phone buzzed.

Jude:
Great day. Met Mitch, reminded me of my bro, Zane. Triple R has a whole new vibe without Emerson. We’re going to dinner and dancing. This time you’re not going to turn me down when I ask you to dance. Right? My lips, huh? What about the rest of me?

Prez:
I miss all of you. When it comes to anything, just ask me and we’ll talk. I can imagine your lips on other places than just my mouth.

Jude:
Want to do a little sexting, Miss Bradenhurst?

I inhaled a deep breath.

Prez:
Tell me what to do. Please.

Jude:
Are you in bed?

Prez:
Yes, are you?

Jude:
I’m naked on my bed. Strip your pajamas, beautiful

The vision of him naked slid through my thoughts and made me shiver a little as I slid off my pajama shorts.

Prez:
They’re off. I’d like to get a little helper from my nightstand, do you mind?

Jude:
Not at all but you have to describe the competition for me. I want to know what I’m up against

Prez:
It’s nothing as impressive or sexy as your real thing. Promise. Bullet vibrator, black, three speeds.

Jude:
You thought I was impressive and sexy?

Seriously, you need me to validate your penis? Fine.

Prez:
I liked what I saw, although I missed the main events cause I was too busy looking in your beautiful eyes. Are you touching yourself?

Jude:
Thanks on the eyes. I like what I see when I look at you, can’t wait to see more. And yes, I am. Are you?

Prez:
I am. I’ve turned on my helper and it’s humming.

Jude:
Rub the bullet over your stomach.

The light buzzing caused a fluttering deep in my core.

Jude:
That’s me placing kisses all over your amazing body.

Amazing? That’s a stretch.

I’d already dropped the phone once on my forehead and twice my chest. With irritation, I texted him.

Prez:
Don’t know if I can text and do this at same time, dropped the phone on my head. Maybe we should just wait?

Jude:
Just read my texts and do what I tell you to, no texting back until you’re really close

Prez:
Okay

Jude:
Can you imagine my hands on your body? Floating over your breasts, skimming your raised nipples, holding your hips while I crawl between your legs

He gave me time to let the mental imagery do its job.