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Looking around, I see that everyone else thought what I did, because all I see are tens. When Rachael looks back at us, she glares before writing down the numbers. She then clears her throat and everyone quiets down, and she sets Claire with a look. “That was very impressive.”

  Placing her hands on her hips, Claire smiles before nodding. “Thank you.”

  “Watching you dance, I remember you from the competition circuit. You won everything.”

  “Well, when you train with the best, you tend to be the best.”

  “Touché, and let me just say that you are the first girl in my dance team history to get all tens from the hockey team.”

  Her eyes meet mine again, and she smiles before she says in a very low, sexy voice, “Well, thanks, boys.”

  Yup, my mind is mush. I can’t speak, hell, none of us can. She is just so damn hot.

  Claire then looks back at Rachael and says, “Thank you for allowing me to try out. I hope I get the opportunity to dance with y’all.”

  “I’m sure you will,” Rachael says, and then she calls Skylar’s name. I watch Claire walk back to the brunette, hugging her tightly and smiling so big her face is as bright as the sun. She is so beautiful.

  “Jude Sinclair, you better give me a ten,” Skylar then calls at me and I laugh.

  “We will see,” I say and she grins before her music starts, but like with everyone else, I can’t watch her, and when she’s done, I have to copy Jayden’s score, which is a nine. Skylar seems to be pleased, which is good, but I just couldn’t watch her.

  I can’t do anything when Claire is the room. She’s the only thing I see.

  Once Rachael announces that the tryouts are over, I hightail it toward Claire, reaching for her wrist to get her attention. She looks back at me and grins as she pulls a sweatshirt over her head, much to my dismay.

  “So I heard you want to dance with somebody,” I say teasingly.

  She laughs. “Maybe. You the man for the job?”

  I find myself nodding like a fool. “I could be the heat you’re looking for.”

  Shaking her head, she looks away. “Didn’t I say you were trouble?”

  “You did,” I say and I take a step closer. “But I think you are going to ignore that and take advantage of me.”

  Before she can respond, the brunette is beside us and asking, “Claire, who’s your friend?”

  Taking a step back, Claire swallows as her cheeks fill with color. “Reese, this is Jude Sinclair. The current trouble in my life.”

  Reese smiles as she holds her hand out for me. I take it, flashing the smile my mom says is my moneymaker before I say, “It’s wonderful to meet you.”

  “You too,” she says and I know she’s eyeing my arms. Most moms don’t like my tattoos, my mom included, but I love them.

  “This is my mo– Holy crap, Reese, I almost called you my mom! My bad!” Claire laughs, but I can see that Reese doesn’t mind at all.

  Wrapping her arm around Claire’s shoulders, she says, “It’s fine. I would love nothing more than to be your mom, Claire. You know that.”

  “I know, but you’re too young to have a nineteen-year-old hellion.”

  “Maybe, but you’re mine nonetheless.”

  Claire beams at her before looking over at me. “Reese is my soon-to-be aunt/mom/dance teacher/best friend.”

  I smile over at Reese. “That’s some title.”

  “It’s one I wear proudly,” she says before placing a kiss to Claire’s head. “Okay, I gotta run before I start crying again.”

  Claire laughs. “What is up with all the crying?”

  “Leave me be. Jude, nice meeting you. By the way, I love your name, very old-school.”

  I grin. “Thank you.”

  “Hope to see you again,” she says, her eyes leaving mine to send a direct look to Claire, but all she does is glare before shaking her head.

  “Hush, Reese,” she says and Reese laughs.

  “You’ll see me soon, with Claire. I’m trying to convince her to date me.”

  They both look at me and then Reese says, “Oh Claire, I like him. He reminds me ever so much of someone I love very much.”

  Claire is still glaring as she says, “No, he doesn’t, plus, don’t let him fool ya, he only wants to sleep with me.”

  “That’s how it started with me and my man,” she teases.

  “Ew, don’t talk about my uncle like that.”

  She laughs but then sets me with a look. “Don’t hurt her, or I will send my fiancé after you. He is scary.”

  “Not sure who we’re talking about, but I have no plans of hurting her,” I say quickly and Reese’s grin is back.

  “Good. Later, kids.”

  And then she’s gone.

  When I look back over at Claire, she’s pulling up a pair of sweats. When she meets my gaze, color fills her cheeks again before she looks away. “She’s sorta crazy. I love her, though.”

  “I think she’s awesome. Reminds me of my mom.”

  She smiles, her top teeth sinking into her bottom lip. Taking a step toward her, I want to do the same, but before I can, she says, “You know that you don’t want to date me.”

  I shrug. “That’s up for debate. I thought I only wanted to have sex with you, but for some reason I just can’t get you out of my head. I still taste you, Claire, and I know that has to mean something.”

  Her eyes darken with color as her breath hitches, and I know this is the time to go in for the kill. Closing the distance between us, I wrap my arms around her, taking her mouth with mine in a hot assault. Any protest is lost as my lips move against hers. Her body is so soft and feels so damn good against mine. The taste of her is intoxicating, and as our lips move in a way that makes it hard to breathe, I run my fingers up her arms, cupping her sweet face in my hands. As she bites into my bottom lip, I moan against her lips before deepening the kiss. Our tongues move in such a sweet, sexy dance, and everything inside me is on fire.

  When I pull away, it’s only to catch my breath, and I refuse to give her any space to breathe or decide this is a bad idea. “Let me take you to dinner.”

  Her eyes dance with lust and everything naughty. I’ve never been so turned on in my life. When her lips part to speak, I can’t take it and crash my lips to her again. Pushing her against the wall, I press my body into hers, and I know that I should take it easy, but I can’t. I need her. I can feel her heart beating in her chest, and I know it matches the fast beat of mine. Pulling back once more, I open my eyes, meeting her sweet, blue gaze.

  “Say yes,” I demand, moving my thumb along her jaw.

  She shakes her head. “Why don’t I just let you take me to bed?”

  Oh sweet God, say yes, say yes, you dumb lug. Don’t get lost in those eyes; say yes, and fuck her brains out.

  But for some crazy, fucked-up reason, I can’t listen to my dick. I shake my head slowly. “My momma brought me up to wine and dine a lady first.”

  Her mouth pulls up at the side as she slowly nods. “Maybe I’m no lady.”

  “See, that’s where you’re wrong, Claire. You are a lady. The only lady who has my full attention. I’m not sure what I’m doing, or even who I am right now, but I want to do right by you. And if after dinner, you still want to take me to bed, believe me, I will not stop you.”

  Her brows crowd in but then she’s fully smiling at me, and soon my mouth curves into a matching grin. “Why is it every time I see you, you surprise me?”

  Leaning my forehead against hers, I move my nose slowly along hers, my lips teasing hers before I whisper, “Because I’m trouble.”

  Chapter 9

  Claire

  Trouble indeed, but it didn’t matter. He’s pushing and pulling me straight to him, and I’m sure he isn’t going to let me go. Not that I want him to. There is something about him that has me completely and utterly drawn to him, no pulling needed. While I want to sleep with him, I also want to get to know him. Really, I have no clue what I want. I just want Jude. All