Page 85 of The Dom with a Safeword

Sabrina opened the door to reveal a dapper six-foot-something specimen of manliness, in a gray suit and blue tie. She’d picked the tie out last weekend to match his eyes. She looked him over and licked her lips. Damn she had some sexy arm candy for her cousin’s wedding.

“Hey, sweetheart,” Jude said with a wide smile. He leaned in and kissed her cheek while wrapping an arm around her waist for a hug.

She pried his hands off of her. “Down boy! You’re gonna ruin my hair. It took me more than an hour to make it look this good.”

He stepped back and appraised her. “You can’t expect me to keep my hands of you looking like that, sexy girl.”

“That’s what I said,” Q chimed in from behind.

Jude’s smile widened and he walked to her, grabbed her around the waist and pulled her in for a deep kiss. Sabrina watched with a grin. Too bad she’d just applied a heavy dose of lipstick or she’d demand they share.

When Jude released Q, she was gasping for air. “Missed you,” he said with a wink.

“Me too.” She smiled with freshly kissed lips. Sexy as hell. “When will you guys be back?”

Sabrina’s heart sank. Her cousin – who’d been like a sister to Sabrina – was getting married today and she had to leave Q at home. She’d picked Jude as her plus one, ashamed to acknowledge Q as anything but a friend. Though she could’ve gone dateless or even brought Q as a platonic friend, part of her wanted to show off Jude. For the last few years she’d been the pathetic one who couldn’t get a date for any family function. So she’d ditched Q for Jude just for a few take that moments in front of her sisters and aunts. She was the suckiest temporary girlfriend ever.

“Probably late,” she answered. “My family’s weddings are notorious for being long.” She sighed then gave her a regretful look. “Q…I –” She started to apologize, again.

“Stop,” Q said softly. “You don’t have to explain and you don’t have to apologize. I get it. Go – have fun and stop worrying.”

Sabrina nodded sadly.

“Oh!” Q’s eyes lit up. “Make sure you put your phone on vibrate though.”

Q and Jude exchanged a sneaky glance. What were they planning? Suspicion crept up in her mind, and a sense of excitement. They made her uncomfortable at times, but it always ended with pleasure.

“Come on,” Jude said, opening the door. “I don’t like being late.”

“A man who likes to be prompt,” Sabrina gushed. “Amazing!”

Q laughed. “And what bad luck he’s paired with two girls who are always late.”

Sabrina gave her a look. “Fashionably late.” She waved at Q and walked through the door Jude held open and followed him down the stairs to his car.

Late afternoon in early August was some of the worst humidity in the year. But luckily a cool breeze came in from the ocean, making it bearable and even pleasant. Jude opened the passenger side door and she slipped in with a smile.

When he slid into the driver’s seat and shut the door she turned to him. “I’m sorry to drag you along. But this will get my mother off my back for a few months at least. So you’re doing me a huge favor even though I know you’re leaving...” She trailed off with a frown.

Though she’d said it matter-of-factly – which was how she’d been forcing herself to think of it – she felt her face droop. It was too depressing to think of him leaving, to worry about the summer ending and life going back to the way it had been, so she’d just ignored it. But that was getting harder. Besides the sex – which was out of this fucking world – she enjoyed his company. When she wasn’t texting or spending time with him in person, she found herself daydreaming about him. Sometimes about what he and Q would do to her next, but she always imagined it ending in cuddles and whispers of affection.

“Why would I turn down the opportunity to take one of my pretty girls out?” Jude asked in his smooth-talking way.

She arched a brow. “Cause weddings are lame.”

“Free food.”

“Open bar too.”

He held his hand up for a high-five. “Score!”

She giggled and slapped him five. Butterflies took flight in her stomach. He was so fun – almost constantly making her laugh. When he wasn’t making her laugh, he was turning her on. A soft threat in her ear could bring her to her knees in an instant – and often did. When he gave her that commanding look, she felt her insides melt into a pile of goo.

He’s leaving, she told herself, for the millionth time. Maybe she needed one of those rubber band programs to break her addiction. “Just don’t let me get drunk and give a slurred toast while sobbing uncontrollably,” she muttered. She felt herself going down that road already.

The ceremony was beautiful. Gina looked like one of Q’s models in her off-white tiered gown and big spiral curls down her back. In their seats, Jude had survived round one of her family. Her sister Mindy had not only tried hitting on him, but she’d even told humiliating stories about Sabrina’s teenage years. Just when she’d thought Mindy would pull out a picture of the awkward, slightly overweight, braces-wearing Sabrina, Jude had distracted her with questions about her new job.

Sabrina was beaming as they entered the reception venue. Glowing lanterns sat on each table surrounded by several shades of blue and purple flowers. She smiled at one of the baby blue ones that reminded her of Jude’s eyes.