Another Man's Treasure (7 page)
Read Another Man's Treasure Online
Authors: Wendy Jay
He looked at his watch, it was exactly 8pm. Jude turned towards the entryway where Miranda stood looking directly at him. Miranda started to smile when she read his lips.
“Holy fuck,” Jude mumbled as his jaw fell open. She was utterly stunning.
He stood there, staring at this vision of beauty for what seemed to be several minutes. Miranda stood there in a breathtaking, emerald green silk gown that clung to her body from her neck to her calves, and then flared out to the floor. The halter neckline accentuated her ample breasts and the slit up the side tantalized him as she walked toward him. He could feel that all too familiar stirring in his pants as he watched her walk. All eyes in the room were on Miranda as she crossed to where Jude stood. Jude leaned towards Miranda and put his arm around her waist. It was then he noticed her dress was completely backless. He touched one of the red curls that framed her face and lightly kissed her cheek.
“My God, Miranda, you are breathtaking!”
“Thank you, Jude, for the invitation. I can see by the look on your face that you approve of the dress?”
“I do…and so does every other man in the room, but I can’t say much for the other ladies. They may rip it off you before I get the chance to.
”
Jude looked at Miranda with a hunger in his eyes. She had a devious grin on her lips
as she whispered, “I don’t think they should…I am not wearing anything underneath.”
Jude narrowed his eyes as they grew dark.
“Don’t tempt me, the night is young,” he murmured as he took her arm and led her to the head table. “Can I get you a glass of wine, Miranda?”
“A merlot would be fine, thank you.”
Jude was stopped three or four times on his way to the bar and a couple more times on his way back to the table. She noticed the guests shaking Jude’s hand, handing him what appeared to be checks and leaving the ballroom. Back at the table, Jude placed the wine in front of her and sat next to her. He put his arm over the back of her chair and his hand on her bare back. He crossed his legs toward her and brushed them against hers. Jude spoke in a low, husky tone.
“Miranda…spectacular doesn’t even begin to describe how you make that dress look.
”
“You are looking quite spectacular yourself in that tux, Jude,” she spoke as she slipped her hand under the table and began to stroke his thigh. Jude grabbed her hand.
“I still have a presentation to give. I’d rather not have a raging hard on while talking about the plight of inner city children.”
“Now you know how I feel when you touch me or bore holes through me with those damn eyes of yours
.” She cleared her throat as she continued. “Tell me about your foundation. Why inner city children?”
“The reason is pretty self-explanatory. You know I came from Georgia. My biological father is dead. My mother was a slut and an alcoholic. I moved to Willow when I was 12 years old, when my mother left me a no
te saying she was leaving with ‘Uncle Vern’. Grandpa Joe and Grandma June took me in and formally adopted me.”
“I don’t remember seeing you in schoo [ yoormalll until you were about 15 years old.”
“Yeah, Grandma June home schooled me for 2 ½ years. I had abandonment issues and was a ‘difficult’ boy,” Jude chuckled. “Grandpa decided after she died it was time to put me in public school.” Jude stopped and took a deep breath. “I’m on, sweetheart. Wish me luck. We need to raise a lot of dough for these kids.” Jude rose and walked confidently to the podium.
Jude’s presentation was
concise and to the point. He hit all the highlights; why the foundation, his vested interest, where the money was going and what programs would be supported. Jude concluded his speech by introducing the foundation’s CFO and asked all to give generously. “Bar’s open. Enjoy the music and dancing…Thank you.” Everyone applauded as Jude rejoined Miranda at the head table.
“So what did you think, Mandy?”
“I think I am glad I brought my checkbook. What a wonderful thing you are doing for these kids, Jude. It is a marvelous cause,” she spoke earnestly. The band started to play and Jude stood, holding out his hand.
“Would you care to dance, Mandy?”
Miranda took his hand and followed him to the dance floor. Jude took her in his arms and began to move her around the floor. He held her, but not too close. The temptation to press up against her proved to be too great. When the song ended, he excused himself and walked to the bandstand and spoke with the lead singer. The singer nodded and turned to the other band members. They started to play as Jude reached Miranda, still standing on the dance floor.
The tune was all too familiar to Miranda as Jude took her in his arms again, this time pressing up against the full length of her body. The band played
Wicked Game by Chris Isaak
, just as Jude started to sing in Miranda’s ear. She stepped a bit closer and molded her body to Jude’s, feeling his erection grow. She slid her hips back and forth across him as he sang to her. Miranda was glad Jude had such a tight grip around her waist, because she was afraid she might fall as her knees grew weak. This was a wicked game. She wanted him as much as she could feel his desire against her leg.
As Jude sang to her, Miranda tilted her head toward his neck and began to nibble his neck and run her tongue around his ear. He groaned in her ear.
“Fuck, Miranda…don’t do that or I am going to drag you to the coat closet and we are going to embarrass the coat check girl to death.”
“Then stop singing in my ear with that low, seductive voice of yours or I am going to say screw the coat check girl and race you to the damn closet.”
They looked into each other’s eyes. Jude’s were dark and full of desire and Miranda began biting her bottom lip. He reached up and pulled her lip free.
“Don’t bite that lip too hard, darlin….save some for me.”
The rest of the night was amazing. The booze and money flowed and Jude’s foundation donations were above and beyond their projections. They continued to dance the night away and mingle with the remaining guest [maiThe ress.
The fire that once sparked between Jude and Miranda was smoldering…it was only a matter of time before it burst into flames and consumed them both.
Miranda sat up on the edge of her bed, frustrated.
So much for a good night’s rest!
She had tossed and turned for the past two hours. Her mind ran in circles and nightmares plagued her all night.
To hell with this shit!
Miranda got up and threw on some jogging clothes.
Maybe an early morning jog will clear my head.
“For once, I would like to get through the entire night and not get woke
n up with nightmares!”
Downstairs, she put on her jogging shoes, pulled her hair up in a ponytail, grabbed her baseball cap and headed out the door. The morning air was crisp and the sky was clear. It was perfect day for a nice, long run.
Miranda stretched and did a few lunges to warm up her muscles.
Let’s see what direction I want today?
At the end of her driveway she turned left, she headed toward town. It was 10 miles to the end of Delaney Road, so Miranda decided half way and back would be a nice long run.
Thirty minutes into her run, she heard a vehicle behind her. Knowing there are not many people on this road, especially this early, she turned to see a black SUV slowing down and pulling up beside her. She slowed her pace.
“Good morning, Jude.”
Jude flashed that killer smile and raised his eyebrow.
Mmmm….
“Good morning, Miranda. I do love to hear a woman pant for me first thing in the morning.”
She stopped her run and put her hands on her knees, breathing hard.
“Jude, do you always have your mind in the gutter?”
“Why yes, my dear, of course, Especially when I see a woman as gorgeous as you, jogging along wearing tight shorts and a sports bra that does little to minimize her tits from bouncing.”
Miranda looked up at Jude, then shook her head and leaned in the window of the SUV. She laughed and slapped his shoulder.
“You are incorrigible.”
Jude reached out, hooked his fingers in the front of her jogging top and pulled her closer. They were nose to nose.
“Oh Miranda, you have no bloody idea how incorrigible I can be.”
He ran his tongue over her chin. Her skin tasted salty from sweat. She noticed how dark his eyes became when he was serious and she felt a tingle start to wash over her whole body. Miranda needed to change the subject quickly.
“I had a lovely time last night, Jude. I don’t remember the last time I went dancing. I admire all your dedication and compassion for those kids. I would love to contribute financially and with my time.”
Jude, releasing her top, smiled. He knew what she was doing.
That’s right Mandy, change the subject.
“I don’t want these kids to go through what I did, see the things I saw, feel the neglect and abandonment I felt. I will do what it takes to help as many as I can. I have these fundraisers twice a year,”
Miranda had never heard such compassion and seriousness in his tone before. She smiled and touched his cheek. She could feel her throat close up from emotion.
“I’ll see you at 7:00 tomorrow night? I need to finish my run b
efore I cool down completely.”
He stared at her cleavage and ran the tips of his fingers over her décolleté’. Jude cleared his throat.
“Yeah…ahem…I need to get to work. See you tomorrow night, Miranda.”
He pulled away slowly and watched her from his rearview mirror. He took one hand and rubbed his cock.
“Fuck, just what I need right now, a raging hard-on.” He turned the radio to an all sports station, attempting to divert his thoughts. “Thank fuck for all-sports radio and a 15 minute drive to work,” Jude laughed.
Miranda, watched Jude pull away, put her hand to the area he was just caressing with his fingertips.
Holy hell...I can still feel his touch.
She took a couple of deep breaths. Deciding to turn around early, she started back home. “No biggie c pan, I can do my long run another day.”
