His Judgement Read online

  “Lurid thoughts? I think you’re a bit presumptive,” Joelle spewed as she gave him a venomous look. Was her look that telling or was this about another asshole thinking all women wanted to fuck?

  “Well, then perhaps you’re thinking about feeding me to the alligators.”

  “More like it,” she huffed.

  “I love a woman with sass. Tell me, what’s your name, sunshine?”

  Damn he oozed sex appeal. “Joelle.”

  “Joelle?”

  “Just Joelle.”

  “Well, Just Joelle, happy to meet you.” He winked as he looked her up and down.

  The moment she took his outstretched hand, her legs quaked. Whew. She was as turned on as she’d ever been. Thank God, the lights were dim or he’d no doubt see the flush creeping up on her face. “Do you have a name or should I just call you asshole?”

  “Ouch! Feisty too. You can call me Craze.”

  “Craze?” Joelle laughed. “Perfect for you.”

  “Watch this one, Craze. I can tell she’s a ballbuster,” the bartender huffed.

  So, he was known here. Interesting. “I’m just a girl trying to have a glass of wine in peace, with zero leeches.”

  “I doubt that, sunshine, given you followed me into the bar.” Craze’s eyes twinkled as he crowded her space.

  What a pompous son of a bitch. She sidestepped his advance and wrapped her hand around her glass of wine. She took a sip and looked away, as if he didn’t matter. All the while her body, the little voice inside her head, and every muscle and cell was screaming how attracted she was in the sluttiest manner.

  “Yep, just another lady hot to trot for a biker.”

  “I followed you? Not a chance, buster.” She heard the teasing tone in his voice and longed to kick him right between the legs.

  Craze chuckled and took a swig of his beer. “Doesn’t seem like the kind of place a lady would frequent. As a matter of fact, I haven’t seen you in here before. Hey, Chuck. Have you ever seen this delicious creature in your fine establishment before?”

  As the bartender hovered over the bar, she wanted nothing more than to rip out Craze’s eyes.

  “There ain’t no ladies in this bar, only women longing to get drunk and laid. I can only imagine which one she’s hankering for,” Chuck said as he grinned.

  Before she had a chance to toss the wine in the man’s face, Craze grabbed her wrist. “Tsk, tsk. Not the behavior of a lady.”

  “You know what, Craze?” Joelle asked coyly, as she stood on her toes, meeting him eye to eye. “You don’t know me. You have no idea what I’m made of. None.”

  “Well, a line drawn in the sand. I love a challenge. Shame you underestimate me.” Craze took a step back. His gaze was slow as he roamed the length of her. When his eyes returned to her face he rubbed his jaw. “Why don’t we play a game?”

  “A game?” She wasn’t certain she liked where this was going, but she didn’t try and shut him down.

  Craze rubbed his jaw and leaned forward. “You’re a very conservative woman at work, powerful in your own right. You go about every day playing the part, hiding behind the mask you’ve woven so tightly around you that you’re suffocating. No one knows the real you. You pine away for something dark, a kink most would run away from. But not you. You hunger for a man to take control, showing you the darker side of passion, one that will leave you breathless with need.” After taking another sip of his beer, he locked eyes with her. “Am I close?”

  She swallowed hard as beads of sweat trickled down the back of her neck. How in the hell could this arrogant jerk read her so easily? “As I said, you don’t know me at all.” Her strangled words gave her away.

  “Really? I think you know I’m right and I can tell you’re ready to let go, experience life in a manner you can only dream about. My guess is you’re too proud to pleasure yourself. You have toys, but I’ll bet you haven’t used them in years. Am I getting warmer, sunshine?”

  Sniffing, she gave him an eat-shit-and-die look. “Nice try. Do you use that line on every girl you meet, the ones you’ll never be able to get into bed?” The sound of Chuck’s garbled laugh only fueled her. “I like this game. Let’s see. You live alone because your past relationships left you empty. Besides, few women can tolerate your behavior after they get to know you. You can’t find a woman who tolerates your bullshit so you prey on those you think you can use your fake bravado on. I’m not one of those weak women. In fact, I’m unlike any other woman you’ve met.”

  “She’s good,” Chuck said as he tapped the bar.

  Craze exhaled, a whistle pushing past his lips. “Fascinating.”

  “The truth hurts, doesn’t it?” Joelle smiled, mentally high fiving herself, yet her lust remained, burning to the very core of her being. She took a sip of wine, then a gulp, her nerves on edge. Sparring was tasty.

  A full minute passed.

  “Well, I’ll leave you to enjoy your wine, very much alone, but I have one last question to ask you.” Craze kept his voice low.

  Against her better judgment, she played along. There was something very familiar about him. Where and why? The craziest thing of all was that she was enjoying the cat and mouse game, perhaps too much. “Yes?”

  He leaned forward until their lips were almost touching. When he spoke, his words were nothing but a dark and dangerous whisper. “Tell me. Are you hot and wet, your silk blouse sticking to your skin, desire sizzling your blood? Is your thong soaked from your sweet juice, your pussy clenching from anticipation of a man taking you, controlling you? Owning you? Do you dream at night about being taken over a man’s knee, punished like the bad little girl you are?”

  Joelle opened her mouth to retort, yet she could only breathe out. They both remained still and for a few seconds she could swear he was going to kiss her.

  Craze issued a low-slung growl and lowered his head to the left, allowing his lips to touch her earlobe. “You smell divine.” When he eased back he gave her a heated look.

  Holy fuck. Holy fuck. Her knees were knocking, her breath stolen. Keep your cool. She eased back and gave him a harsh glare. “What makes you so certain?” She darted her eyes back and forth. Daring a man she didn’t know was impetuous, insane. The look on his face screamed of ownership, complete domination. “Well?”

  “Careful, sunshine, your desire is showing by your hardened nipples.” He cupped both sides of her face as he dropped his head. “Because I already know you.” Capturing her mouth, he tipped her head as he slid his tongue past her lips.

  She pressed her hands against his chest, clenching his shirt. Everything about the moment of passion left her breathless, desire racing through her to the point her panties were wet from a burning hunger, her nipples aching. She didn’t fight him as the kiss continued, their tongues entwining, his hands gripping her tightly.

  Craze moved his mouth down to her chin, peppering kisses as he wrapped one hand around her shirt. Tugging, he exposed her neck.

  Closing her eyes, she panted as he breathed across her skin. She was flushed, her heart racing.

  Using a single finger, he slipped the tip into her blouse, fingering the top of her bra and sucking on her neck.

  This was more than she could take. She wanted this man, craved everything about him. She relaxed, could feel herself letting go. Suddenly, she was left standing alone. She opened her eyes. He stood a foot away watching her, studying her face.

  “We shall meet again, sweet Joelle, and next time, I’ll know you’re ready to submit.”

  She shivered to her toes, every vision, every longing rushing through her mind and body. Craze was sexy, exciting and dangerous. Everything she’d ever wanted. She held her tongue, determined to leave with some sense of dignity.

  He said nothing, merely took a step back and turned.

  When he moved off into the crowd, completely ignoring her, Joelle was floored. No man walked away from her. Huffing, she slammed back the rest of her wine, glared at Chuck and pushed the glass in
his direction. “I’ll take another.”

  “Of course.” Chuck maintained a shit-eating grin.

  Yes, they would meet again. She wasn’t finished with the jerk-off. Not by a long shot. Oh my God.

  By the time Craze pulled the Harley into his usual parking space, his cell phone was ringing. He tugged off his helmet and remained on the bike. Grumbling, he yanked the iPhone from his pocket, glaring at the unrecognizable number. “This had better be good.”

  “I think you’re going to want to talk to me,” the male voice held a tenacious lilt.

  He narrowed his eyes, trying to figure out who was on the end of the line. The tone was too baritone to be the reporter. “Who is this?”

  “Someone who has uncovered all your ugly secrets.” The words lingered in the air.

  Laughing, he eased off the Harley, securing the helmet as he shook his head. “Buddy, I don’t know who you are, but stand in line. Will ya? I have weekly threats from creeps who think they have some detailed bullshit on me. Guess what? I’m an open book. Let me help you with this.” He started walking toward his building. “I’m a card-carrying democrat who loathes the current administration. I drink far too much bourbon, smoke cigars, sleep with beautiful women and have on occasion fucked two at a time. I indulge on the finest meats and cognac and yes, when I was in college I smoked pot. The Law Review pretty much knows the same thing so if you want to come at me with something, make certain you have a flaming torch. Got it?”

  Craze didn’t wait for a retort. He snorted and ended the call, shoving his phone in his back pocket. He was in no mood for child’s play. What he wanted right now was the sexy blond on a silver platter. If he played his cards right, maybe she’d succumb to her own cravings. He pushed the main door open with a hard thud and stormed inside.

  No one was going to threaten him. No one.

  He dropped his keys and went for the liquor cabinet. After pouring a drink, he walked to the front window, peering out at the world. He kept the lights off, preferring the darkness. While the long drive had cleared his head, he remained on edge, questioning his entire life. He swirled the liquid as he thought about Joelle. He’d never taken a woman as he had in the bar. The move was akin to a teenager or one of the people he’d defended during his tenure as an attorney. By all rights she should be terrified of him.

  Chuckling, he took a sip of his drink. She wasn’t a wallflower nor was she afraid of him. She certainly did have a burning desire. Joelle reminded him of Anastasia, only more fragile in certain ways. The woman was sexy and unassuming. She had no idea the hold she had over men. How was he going to be able to see her again? Kissing and fondling her in a seedy corner bar didn’t seem to be the best method of obtaining her phone number.

  He rubbed his tired eyes as his thoughts returned to the call. There would be more of them. Of that he was certain. Even his relationship with Anastasia would be a red flag to anyone if found. They’d been discrete during their times together, as infrequent as they were. However, if anyone searched long and hard, a connection could be made.

  Perhaps he should warn her. No, she was a big girl with influential friends. She could handle herself if necessary.

  Exhaustion getting the better of him, he walked into the bedroom, setting his drink on the dresser. Sleep should come much easier tonight. After undressing, he closed the blinds and was ready to turn off the light when his phone rang again. Snarling, he jerked the phone into his hands and answered without looking.

  “Jerk-off. I told you. I’m not playing your ridiculous games. Get a damn life.” Craze was furious this go around.

  “I guess this means what I’m about to tell you isn’t a surprise.”

  “Mark?” He glanced at his watch. “It’s almost eleven. What’s wrong?”

  “I assumed you knew,” Mark said, his tone clipped.

  “Talk to me.”

  Mark cleared his throat. “Did you look at your emails tonight?”

  “No. I was actually busy for a change.” Craze took long strides into his office, hitting the space bar on his laptop. “Cut to the chase. What am I going to find?”

  “Let’s just say I think that reporter wasn’t jerking your chain.”

  Exhaling, he clicked on his email and waited. “I had a call from a man.”

  “What man? Trent Michaels?”

  “No,” Craze said as he gave the slow computer his middle finger. “Another guy, deeper voice.”

  “What did he say?”

  He could tell Mark was antsy as hell. “Just that he uncovered all my dirty little secrets.”

  “Well, he wasn’t lying to you. I think we need to do some damage control before this gets out in the public.”

  Craze narrowed his eyes and scrolled through twenty-five emails. Finally, one caught his eye. He hesitated before opening since it was from an unknown sender. When he did, he slammed his fist on top of his desk. “Mother fucking son of a bitch. I’m going to kill that slimy bastard.”

  Chapter 4

  Joelle eyed her third cup of coffee and her stomach lurched. If she had another blast of cold nasty roasted bean, she was going to vomit. Let alone her skin was crawling from heightened adrenaline. She’d been at the office since just before seven. While she’d made a dent in her six-inch pile of old files, she had a long way to go. Why hadn’t her firm taken the time and money to scan everything into the computer?

  Grousing, she sat back in the seat and closed her eyes. Two full days had passed since she’d gone to Biker’s Haven. The sad truth was that she wanted to go back, but not for the décor. Craze. Even his name floated across her tongue. She glanced at her closed door and smiled before sliding the tips of her fingers across her lips. His kiss had been enigmatic, delicious. The man was fire and brimstone, the kind of guy she’d been craving her entire life.

  She also knew absolutely nothing about him. For all she knew, he could be a serial killer, a man she might prosecute in the upcoming months. No. Even though he had a dangerous swagger, an almost monstrous demeanor, his eyes held his soul. He was haunted, even hiding details about his life and desire from himself. The thought intriguing, she slid her fingers inside her starched shirt, fingering her nipple just the way Craze had.

  Tingling, she shifted in her seat until she could open her legs. Wearing only a thong without pantyhose, the wafting scent of her desire was unmistakable. She was wet. A single touch to her lace panties confirmed her condition. “Whew.” What was she going to do and how in the hell was she going to find him?

  Tap. Tap.

  She jerked up, yanking her hand out of her shirt and adjusting her skirt. The window on the side of her door could have given away her naughty deed. Seeing nothing, she slid her chair closer to her desk and brushed her hand through her now damp hair. “Come in.”

  The door opened slowly and Miranda popped her head inside. “You’ve ignored my requests for lunch for two solid days so…” She smiled as she eased inside, her hands full of bags. “I brought Chinese food. I thought we could have lunch here.”

  Joelle took a quick look at her watch. One o’ clock? How in the hell had six hours gone by? The scent of her favorite food made her mouth water and her stomach grumble. “You’re a brat.”

  “A brat who knows you gotta eat. Am I allowed?” Miranda asked as she pushed the door closed with flair.

  “Get your ass over here. I’m starving.”

  “Good. All work and no food make for an emaciated woman.”

  “Right. That will never happen.” Joelle grinned as she rose from her chair. “Bring it on.”

  Miranda sashayed forward, every move exaggerated.

  Joelle watched her buddy as she unpacked the goodies. “Spill it.”

  “What? Can’t a girl bring her best friend treats?”

  “You have a story to tell. Did you and Todd have a fling?”

  Easing down into the chair, Miranda exhaled and fiddled with the cartons.

  “I will come around this desk and kick your ass. Tell
me!”

  “Well, if you must know. We had wild sex for almost six hours the night I left you and three times a day since.”

  Joelle groaned. “Don’t rub it in, you beast.”

  “Hey,” Miranda said as she shrugged. “A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.”

  “True enough.” Joelle grabbed a carton, opening and sniffing. “You are so good to me.”

  “Dig in and never forget it either.” Miranda tossed her chop sticks. “I was in the area.”

  “You’re a lying dog. You wanted to rub your good fortune in. Fess up.” Joelle gave her an evil look.

  Miranda opened a carton and ate a few bites. “I brought iced tea, too.”

  “Okay, what do you need to tell me.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  Joelle leaned forward, wrinkling her nose. “Because I’ve known you for over ten years. I know all your sexy desires, fears and when you have something on your mind. We’re already set for brunch and out of the blue you had to come here.”

  “Fine. You do know me.” She took another bite before looking Joelle in the eyes. “I’m worried.”

  “About?”

  “About what you told me the other night.”

  “Are you talking about my desire for a particular type of man?” Joelle shot another look to the door. The last thing she needed were ears listening in.

  “Yeah. I’m not certain you know what you’re getting yourself into.”

  Joelle took a gulp of tea, pondering the comment. “Maybe I don’t, but you were the one who told me to go for it.”

  “With caution. Extreme caution.”

  “I did. I mean I am.”

  Miranda opened her eyes wide. “Wait a minute. You met someone. Didn’t you?”

  “I might have.”

  She dropped the box and leaned over Joelle’s desk. “Where? How? Who is he? What does he do? How far did you go?”

  “Hold on here. Slow down,” Joelle said as she chuckled.

  “Seriously. Who is this guy?”

  “Craze.”

  “Craze?” Miranda furrowed her brow. “Is that his name?”