Alluring Turmoil Read online

“Ok. Ok then. You and Jude Delecroix. Ok. It’s perfectly fine. But wait, no. No, you know what? It’s not ok! You and Jude Delecroix! You and Jude and you never told me?!?! Why didn’t you ever tell me Lexi? I’m your best friend! You should have told me!”

  Suddenly we realize the coffee shop is no longer quiet. We both look around. Girls are screaming. Laptops are left on tables and couches as Jude is completely surrounded. Hands are all over him, people are in his face, thrusting things at him to sign. He meets my eyes one last time and then it’s as if a switch is flipped. He turns away from me, dismissing me, and turns towards his fans. He’s instantly smiling, signing things, shaking hands. He’s no longer the boy I once knew. The boy I can’t get out of my head. He’s in his element; he’s Jude Delecroix… the rock star.

  I grab Bradi’s arm and pull her into the back, towards my office. I have to get away, away from Jude, away from his fans, away from the chaos in my beloved shop, I need to get away!

  Jude

  I look up from my fans. My fans, the people who love me. Guys who want to be me. Girls who want to be with me. I notice that Lexi is running from the room as if the hounds of hell are on her heels, dragging the blonde bombshell with her.

  I smile. I take photos. I shake hands and sign whatever is thrust at me. I’m going through the motions. I can do this in my sleep, but my mind continues to focus on the redhead who just tipped my world on its axis, again, and then fled. Leaving me and racing from the room as if she can’t get away from me fast enough.

  I don’t know why I’m surprised. It’s Lexi, and that’s what she does. It’s what she’s good at. At least with me.

  I come to a conclusion as a busty brunette rubs intimately against me and slips me her phone number and address on a Java and Sweeties napkin. I give the brunette a sexy smirk, place the napkin in my pocket and use her hand to pat it. Then I gently squeeze her ass, as I look in the direction Lexi just fled.

  Lexi can run, but she and I have unfinished business. And it’s past time she gets the fuck out of my head.

  Chapter Three

  Lexi

  I fall against the desk in my office. Bradi is as breathless as me, and is still looking at me like she’s never seen me before. I cannot breathe. Like at all. I feel like there’s not enough oxygen in the room. Dammit, I will not let him do this to me. He’s just a guy. A guy I used to know better than I knew myself, I thought, but still he’s just a guy.

  I try to take deep breaths and calm my racing heart. Finally, I am able to see straight and as I look into the shell shocked face of my best friend I realize he’s not just a guy. He’s Jude. He was my Jude. My life. He’s back. And I’m totally and completely fucked.

  “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you, Bradi. I don’t talk about him. I can’t talk about him. I just… can’t.”

  I’m biting down so hard on my lip, I taste blood.

  As Bradi looks at me, she takes in my wild, glazed eyes, my erratic breaths, my lip biting, and her face softens. She walks over and sits next to me on the desk, taking my shaking hands in hers. “Lexi, it’s ok. I don’t really understand what just happened, but I get it. I’m not mad. Honestly I am shocked though. You’re my best friend. We’ve been best friends for seven years, since sophomore year of college, and you’re always so put together. The Lexi I know hates rock stars, so the thought that you’ve gotten jiggy with one of the hottest rock stars on the planet is a lot to take in, ok? But it’s cool. I love you.” She sighs softly. “Are you going to be ok? What are you going to do?”

  Breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth, I look at her and shrug. “I have no idea. What can I do? He’s here. I don’t know why he’s here or why he came into my shop, but he’s here! Fuck me.”

  There’s a knock at the office door and it slowly opens. Erik pops his head in. “Hey love, you ok?” He looks at me with concern. “That was… well shit, that was intense. I’m sorry it happened. I shut the place down for the night.”

  Nodding my head yes, I drop Bradi’s hand and look at Erik. “Yeah… is he gone?”

  “Yeah babe, he’s gone and his fan club along with him. Now tell me the truth. Are you ok? Remember I know you, so I know when you lie. And I know that was hard for you.” He throws his arm around me and I lay my head on his muscled chest and squeeze his jean-clad thigh.

  “I dunno, E. I really don’t know. I wasn’t expecting that, although I should have. I mean I knew he was in town with the concert and all, but why did he come here? Why would he come here? Did you know he was coming here?”

  Erik hugs me tight and I wrap my arms around him. He’s so built, my hands can barely reach around his stomach. He’s warm and comfortable and he feels like home. I love him so much.

  “Well, I’ll give you three guesses why he came here. Did you really think he wouldn’t? I mean, Lexi look at you. Did you honestly think you two could avoid each other forever? After everything…” He looks at me closely, taking me in. “I’m sure he wanted to see you. He wants to know if you’ve changed. And I know he wanted to see if you were still the sexy thing he used to know. But to answer your other question, I didn’t know he was coming here. I imagined he might show up eventually, but I didn’t know. And if I did know, you know I’d tell you. I’ll always tell you.”

  I know I’m attractive. I’m not stupid or naïve. I’m petite, only 5’3 with long bright auburn hair, that no matter what I do, always has waves. My eyes are a bright golden brown. They’ve been called bedroom eyes by more than one person. In fact, they’re almost the same color as my hair. My face is clear of blemishes and I have a few freckles across the bridge of my nose. I have long, thick eyelashes and full, naturally red lips. I’m not skinny, but I’m not fat. I have curves. I have large breasts for someone so short and my waist curves in while my hips and butt flare out. My legs are naturally toned. I get attention from males. So yes, I am attractive.

  “Well, he got a look. Now hopefully he’ll just leave me alone. It was obvious he still hates me, so maybe we won’t run into each other again, right?” I mutter into Erik’s chest as I rub my face back and forth just breathing in his smell. It’s comforting to me. A mix of coffee and musk, that’s naturally Erik.

  Erik pets my head, soothing me, stroking the waves off of my face. “Yeah, sure love, whatever you say. But I wouldn’t hold my breath.”

  I sigh again as I look up into his smoky blue eyes, hugging him tighter. “I know… I know… his eyes sent a pretty clear message. I just hope I have a couple of days to regroup.”

  Erik kisses the top of my head and jumps off of the desk, pulling me down with him. “Whatever happens, I’m here. I’ve always got your back, love. You know that.”

  Bradi hops across the room, after sending a text on her phone, enveloping us both in a hug and says, “I’ve got your back too, babe. But for now, all this crazy anxiety and sexual tension has me needing a freaking drink. Both of you get your sexy asses in gear! We’re going to Bruno’s. Micah already has us a table!”

  I smile and hug both of my best friends; I really do have the best damn friends in the world. As we make our way to Erik’s car, I try to push the tension at the back of my neck down. I need this and I’m determined to have some fun tonight. All the craziness can wait until tomorrow. I’ll try to figure it out then.

  Bruno’s is packed. We finally find a place to park behind the bar and all get out, focused on putting the insanity of the past two hours behind us.

  Once we clear the door, we see Micah waving to us from across the bar. He’s secured us a table at the edge of the dance floor, near the pool tables, and there’s already a pitcher of beer waiting on us. We reach him through the smoke and lights and he kisses Bradi lightly, fist bumps Erik, and pulls me in for a hug. “So, exciting night, huh?”

  I laugh, I just can’t help it. It’s either that or cry and I promised myself a long time ago, no more tears over Jude Delecroix. “Yeah, you could say that. You know, one of those nights that will go dow
n in history, but for now, let’s drink… and dance.”

  I grab my beer and down the entire glass. I’m not a big drinker, in fact, I rarely get drunk, but tonight? Tonight is one of those nights where I know I’m going to get shitfaced.

  After finishing my beer, I grab Bradi and pull her towards the dance floor. Usher is on, the lights are low, and I need to just dance and forget about the rest of the world.

  We drink and dance, and drink some more. I lose track of the number of pitchers we’ve gone through. After about two hours, I’m pretty buzzed and feeling great. Erik and Micah have joined us on the dance floor. We’re all having a good time.

  Micah and Bradi are grinding on the dance floor, practically having sex. Erik has found a sexy guy to dance with and they’re enthusiastically grinding each other into oblivion. I’ve switched partners on the dance floor a few times, but I’ve been dancing with the same guy for about half an hour or so.

  I love dancing. I always have. And I can move. I never have a shortage of willing partners on the dance floor, but that’s where I generally leave them, on the dance floor! Tonight I’ve let things go a little further than normal. With my emotions running rampant, the alcohol, and the anxiety flowing through my body, I’ve let my dance partner get a little handsy.

  A new song comes on and I immediately freeze.

  As I freeze, Mr. Touchy Feely drops his hands from where they’ve been squeezing my ass. Bayou Stix’s new number one song is playing. I can clearly hear Jude’s gravelly, sexy voice singing the lyrics and the beat is amazing, but I can’t dance to this. Not in public. I start to panic.

  My dance partner looks at me with confusion and tries to grab my hips to pull me back into him, but I shake my head and turn away from him. I leave him standing in the middle of the dance floor with a perplexed expression on his face, as I quickly navigate through the throng of people. I don’t know where I’m going, but I know I have to get away.

  It’s not that I don’t like the song. It’s not that I don’t like Bayou Stix. In fact, I secretly know all of their songs and have all of their albums. But it’s my secret. As far as anyone else knows, even Erik, I don’t listen to rock music.

  Bayou Stix is the number one band in the country for a reason. They’re amazing, but I can’t say that. I can’t get into that. I can’t allow myself to go there. It hurts too much. It’s more than I can handle.

  Finally I see a break in the crowd and my only thought is to get to the bathroom, away from the music, away from the song, and away from Jude’s voice.

  I reach the edge of the dance floor and the bathroom door is in view. I just need a moment to get myself together.

  Right as I start to take off, I trip over an empty beer bottle on the floor. My platforms make me lose my balance and I’m going down.

  I panic and try to catch myself. Right before I hit the floor, I’m caught. I’m captured in strong arms, strong tattooed arms. An electric current starts at the base of my neck and travels throughout my body as I fearfully lift my head from the black clad chest and look up… straight into hazel eyes.

  I gasp.

  “Hello, Lex.”

  Jude

  I’ve been watching her. I came with the brunette from Java and Sweeties, but since she walked in the door, I cannot take my eyes off of her.

  The brunette has tried everything to capture and keep my attention. She’s pretty fun, a nice way to pass the time, or she was until she walked in. She went from sucking on my ear and kissing my neck to rubbing her too large, obviously fake breasts all over me. When that didn’t work, she sat on my lap and stuck her tongue in my mouth, while grinding against my crotch. I kissed her and it was decent, but she tasted like cigarettes and alcohol, and suddenly all I had a craving for was mint.

  She’s hot, I’ll give her that. But she’s a groupie. No different from all the other groupies I’ve been with over the years.

  She pulls me to the back corner of the hallway and starts kissing me aggressively while rubbing my dick through my pants. I’m getting turned on; but then again, a hot chick is massaging my dick. I decide to go with it and box her in, slamming her back against the wall.

  After all, this is what she wants. Taking her leg and pulling it over my hip, I push her short skirt up. I slip my hands between her thighs and feel her wetness. She’s completely turned on, dripping wet. Pulling the edge of her satin panties to the side, I immediately slam my fingers into her. I’m being rough, but this is just fucking. Mindless fucking, so she gets no gentleness from me. As I’m ramming three fingers into her wet pussy, I’m biting her lip and she loves it.

  This is what I do. We’re in a bar and a chick I don’t know is moaning my name as I finger fuck her roughly against a dirty wall near a bathroom.

  Finally, I feel her pussy walls contract and my hand gets drenched as she cums. She digs her nails into my neck and loudly moans my name, as I pull my fingers out.

  My dick is rock hard, but all I want to do is walk away. Groupies are hard to get a feel for and I don’t want this chick thinking this is more than me giving her what she wants. A quick meaningless romp, a piece of Jude Delecroix, the rock star.

  She gives me a satisfied smile and grabs my dick through my jeans again. As she drops to her knees and undoes my belt buckle, I take a look towards the dance floor.

  There she is.

  I can plainly see her and some guy has his hands all over her ass. He’s caressing her body and she’s got her arms raised behind her grabbing onto his neck. Her eyes are closed and she’s so sensual. So fucking hot. I see red.

  I look back at the brunette as she lifts me out and licks her lips while taking in the full view of my large, rigid cock. She raises her head and stares at me as she takes me into her mouth. She’s obviously an old pro at this and she gets all nine and a half inches in until I’m at the back of her throat.

  I close my eyes, and suddenly all I can see are golden brown eyes staring up at me, while a naturally red mouth is wrapped around my cock. I grab her head and face-fuck her brutally while I imagine a different face in my mind.

  I’m rough. I can’t help it, nor do I really care. I’m slamming into her mouth, my balls are slapping her in the face, and she’s gagging. Saliva is running out of her mouth and her eyes are watering. She’s moaning and sending vibrations all through my throbbing cock. She loves it. She grabs the base of my cock and bobs her face up and down as I slam into her mouth, thrusting until my cock is in her throat.

  I groan and tighten up, grab her hair, and hold her head in place. Without giving her warning, I explode in her mouth, shooting my essence down the back of her throat. She swallows my cum and I pull out and tuck my slowly softening cock back into my jeans.

  She stands up, straightens her clothes, and tries to kiss my mouth, but I turn my head and move away.

  She frowns, wiping the sides of her mouth, and says, “Are you going to call me?”

  I look over her shoulder, towards the dance floor and spot red hair. “No.”

  She shrugs her shoulders, smiles at me, and turns and walks away calling over her shoulder, “Ok. Thanks for the orgasm. Guess you really are an asshole.” She winks and disappears onto the dance floor.

  I mutter as I walk towards the dance floor, with my eyes locked on Lexi, “Baby, you have no idea.”

  I can tell she’s drunk, and she has no idea I’m here.

  My voice comes over the speakers and I see her freeze. She untangles herself from the douche she’s dancing with and starts to scramble as a range of emotions race across her face.

  She’s panicked. How interesting.

  This is my chance, she’s bolting and it’s the perfect opportunity to get some answers.

  She pushes people out of her way as she tries desperately to get away from the dance floor… away from my song.

  I stand at the edge of the dance floor and just wait for her to notice me.

  Right as she breaks free, she trips over an errant beer bottle. She’s falling; I i
nstinctually reach out and grab her. She’s in my arms, again.

  I know the instant she realizes it’s me. Her body goes rigid, and she looks up. Her wide amber eyes meet mine and with a crooked grin, I say, “Hello, Lex.”

  Chapter Four

  Lexi

  Oh my God. I am royally fucked! Why does he have to be so damn beautiful? It’s cool, Lexi. It’s totally cool. Just act nonchalant. It’s nothing. You fell. He caught you. No biggie. Now act like an adult and get the hell out of his arms. But oh my God, they feel so good! He feels so good. He’s so ripped. And how can he smell so fucking good? We’re in a smoke filled bar.

  My internal dialogue is making my alcohol dulled brain hurt. Yet, I’m still in his arms and he’s still just looking at me with that cocky smirk.

  It pisses me off and I jerk out of his arms, forgetting I’m drunk and that drunk and three inch platforms are not a good combination. I lose my balance and this time he lets me fall.

  I land on my ass on the dirty bar room floor, and glare up at him.

  He gives me a smug look, tries unsuccessfully to cover a laugh, and holds his hand out. “Need a hand there, princess?”

  Stumbling to my feet, I slap his hand away. “Fuck you, Delecroix!”

  “As I recall, you’ve been there, done that! A lot more than once. All over and in every way imaginable. You still have the t-shirt?” he says as he loses the laugh and his eyes harden.

  I raise my brows as I try to calm my racing heart and see through the haze of rage his words create. “And as I recall, those shirts aren’t too hard to come by, so no, I threw it out with the trash a long time ago!”

  His jaw snaps shut and I can see him grinding his teeth as we just glare at each other, both of us refusing to be the first one to break eye contact.

  I’m so enraged and hurt that I’m suddenly sober. I try desperately to hold back my tears. I will not cry over this asshole again. I will not do it!