“We take turns. Only one of us ever comes to these events. They are mostly filled with sponsors.”
“We?” I frown.
“The other judges and me.”
I sip my champagne as I watch him. “You know, it amazes me that you’re a judge. An actual judge.”
He smirks. “Why?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I’ve just never known a judge before.” I frown. “I’ve never even known anyone who knew a judge.”
He lifts his glass in the air and tilts it toward me. His eyes smoulder. “Here’s to getting to know this judge quite well.”
I smile softly and feel the nerves in my stomach simmer. I’ve never been with a man like Julian Masters. He’s a higher level of hot that I haven’t experienced before. I don’t imagine many women have. He’s deep, guarded, mercurial, and as sexy as all hell. With his black dinner suit, his dark hair, square jaw, and those piercing eyes, everything about him screams domination.
Is it because he’s older and forbidden that makes him take up most of my thoughts? I do have to wonder if I’d be this attracted to him if he was my age and nothing but a normal guy.
Hmm, that’s an interesting thought, actually. Why am I attracted to him?
What if he was my age and he met me first? Would we have ever dated? I mean, if he met me before he fell in love with his wife.
Sadness fills me. She’s missing out on so much of her beautiful children’s lives. They are so precious and they need her. I drop my head and stare at the carpet for a moment. She should be here with him. He was her husband. It’s my worst fear to not be able to see my children grow up. So tragic.
I wonder what she looked like.
I frown as a strange thought crosses my mind. Why are there no photos of her in the house? Not even the kids’ rooms. Wouldn’t he want the kids to remember her? I concentrate and go through the house in my mind, room by room. No. I’ve never seen a photo of her anywhere.
That’s so weird. I’m going to ask Sammy to show me one tomorrow.
“So, you never know anyone at these types of events?” I ask, changing the subject.
“No.” He sips his drink. “We get invited for the sake of it, and like I said, they are filled with sponsors. It makes for a lonely night if you come by yourself.” He glances down at my dress and licks his lips. “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
I glance down at myself and dust my hands over my hips. “You did, but you can tell me again.”
He chuckles. “You…” He pauses for effect. “Are undoubtedly the most beautiful woman here tonight.”
My face falls and I act offended. “Just here? You mean that there are more beautiful woman than me out there in the world?”
His eyes dance with mischief. “None that I know of.”
“Good save.” I smile.
He raises an eyebrow and sips his drink as he looks over the crowd, but my eyes linger on his face. I feel like a little girl going to my first rock concert.
He glances back and catches me staring at him. “What are you thinking?”
“Now?” I ask.
“Right now.”
“That I would like you to kiss me,” I whisper.
Electricity buzzes between us and he gives me a slow sexy smile. “Here?”
I nod.
“You want me to kiss you right here?”