The Mogul and the Muscle - Claire Kingsley Page 0,47
it was. For me. Not him. He showed no signs of discomfort. He was his usual slightly aloof, professional self.
He didn’t arrive on his motorcycle—which I decided was good—and I took him up on his offer to drive. I sat next to him in his SUV, hands folded in my lap. I’d opted for a custom-tailored lilac blouse and high-waisted slacks. Oversize sunglasses and lavender stilettos were my nod to the fabulousness that was DQB. I dressed like a CEO whenever I went out in public, regardless of the day of the week. That was my image. Sleek. Smart. In control.
Not that I was feeling any of those things today. But I was hoping the clothes would help.
I walked into Mordecai’s just behind Jude and spotted my friends at our regular horseshoe-shaped booth at the back. As usual, the place was busy, the noisy hum of dozens of conversations filling the air.
Crimson Delilah, a queen rocking an Ariel-red wig, zebra stripe pantsuit, and lace-up platform boots was at the front. Her heavily mascaraed eyes widened when they landed on Jude.
He gave her a short nod, then gave me his I need to check the place out look.
“Darling, who is this big tall hunk you brought with you?” Crimson Delilah asked, appraising Jude with open appreciation.
“He’s security,” I said.
“Is that what they’re calling it these days?” she asked with an arch of her perfectly microbladed eyebrow.
“He just needs to take a quick look around. It’s what he does.”
“Be my guest,” she said to Jude with a flourish, then turned back to me. “Have fun, my little ginger. The girls are already back there.”
“Thanks.”
Instead of waiting for Jude to decide Mordecai’s was safe enough for me to take my seat, I beelined for the back and slid into the booth next to Luna. I swiped off my sunglasses and started talking fast.
“I really need to talk to you but I have to make this fast and I know how crazy this is going to sound but I was almost hit by a car last night and that isn’t my biggest problem, so can we get that out of the way and just say it happened and I didn’t get hurt and I realize it’s insane that I’m more concerned about something else when I might have been the target of a hit and run attempt less than twenty-four hours ago but I can’t help it.”
I took a deep breath and smoothed my features, restoring my calm and collected façade while Jude got closer. My friends stared at me in silence. Luna’s eyes were wide, and I could practically see her about to tell me to tune into my breath. Emily’s eyebrows lifted and she slowly set her bloody Mary back on the table.
Daisy’s face scrunched into an expression of unconcealed confusion. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
Tracking Jude’s movement from the corner of my eye, I mentally calculated the distance between us multiplied by the approximate decibel level. My spine stayed stick straight, my hands folded, until I was reasonably sure he wouldn’t hear me.
I leaned forward and splayed my hands on the table, my voice low as the words once again tumbled out in a rush. “I ran into Aldrich and Jude saved me from being hit by a car and before he left last night he kissed me on the forehead and I don’t know what it means and I’m pretty sure I’m losing my mind.”
So much for time spent tinkering and a good workout for calming me down. I felt like I was falling apart.
Jude came closer, finishing his sweep of the restaurant. I straightened my back and smoothed my hair.
My friends kept staring at me while Lady Raquel came over to our table. She was our favorite server here at Mordecai’s. Today’s look included a bright pink wig and long pink dress trimmed with fluffy white feathers.
“Bloody Mary or mimosa for you, honey?” she asked. “And tell me about the blush you’re wearing, because your face is all kinds of sexy pink.”
Jude paused next to our booth and everyone’s faces slowly turned toward him. He gave me his everything looks good nod. “Ladies.”
“Mercy,” Lady Raquel said, watching him walk to the front of the restaurant where he took up a position against the wall.
“He’s security,” I said lamely.
“Is he, now? How about I bring you one of each.” Lady Raquel swept away, her feathery dress swishing.
I opened my mouth, another round of verbal vomit already racing its