Page 74 of The Invitation

My whole body hardens as I fight to keep myself in my chair, and I drink some champagne as Jude sips his, so fucking casual.

“Now,” I breathe, making him push into me deeply, my walls hugging his fingers as I jolt in my chair and my flute hits the table a little harder than it should. My face burns, my release rippling through me gently, my thighs clamping down around his hand, my fucking toes curling in my heels.

“Oh, baby,” he groans, sinking his teeth into his lip as he watches me fall apart. “You look fucking stunning.”

I breathe out, my body sinking into the chair, as Jude slowly pulls his fingers out of me and squeezes my thigh before taking a napkin and wiping his hand, his smile full of satisfaction. I swallow and drink some more Krug, hoping the icy liquid will cool the relentless heat inside.

Relaxed.

I laugh on the inside in disbelief. What has come of me? Letting a man get me off in a Michelin-starred restaurant? I gaze around and die a thousand deaths when I find Katherine, as well as the man she’s with, looking this way.Oh God.

Jude sees me looking and reaches for my hand. “Ignore them.”

“They’ll put in a complaint.”

“And what will happen?” he asks. “I’ll be asked to leave my own restaurant?”

I laugh. True.

“They don’t know that I just fucked you with my fingers, Amelia. They’re just curious.”

“About me?”

“Yes, about you.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re here with me.” He flicks his eyes to mine briefly, looking hesitant, as if he’s not sure he should have said that.

I smile, and he rolls his eyes. It’s adorable. I was right. He’s never brought a woman here.

“So tell me about your previous relationships,” he says, a definite edge of hesitance lingering.

“Is that wise?” I ask, coy. He looks at me out the corner of his eye. He’s wondering if it’s wise too.

“You mentioned you were on a breakup diet of wine and work.”

I hum to myself. Now it’s wine, work, and Jude Harrison. I take a breath and take the plunge. “I recently ended a long-term relationship.” His head tilts. “His name was Nick.”

“Youended it?”

I nod, chewing at the corner of my lip, uncomfortable. “We wanted different things.”

Jude sits back, interested. “Care to elaborate?”

“He wanted commitment, I wanted a career.”

“Commitment . . .”

“Marriage and babies.”

“Sounds disgusting.” He smirks, and I laugh, feeling the tension leave the table. “So he’s out of the picture?”

Nick’s out ofmypicture, yes. I’m not sure I’m out of his. But I say yes anyway, because Jude’s short history with men around me isn’t pleasant. The poor man in the steam room, case in point. I don’t love Nick, but I wouldn’t wish Jude’s temper on him. “And what about you?” I ask.

“Previous relationships?”

“Yes.” Do I want to know?

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