"For?"
"For barging in. For reaching for your notebook. For being here," she said as their eyes met. "Feel free to stop me atanytime."
"No, keep going. I'menjoyingthis."
"I hate you," she said,grinning.
"I can tell. I'd hate to see what would happen if youlikedme."
He gave her a crooked smile and she felt the blood rush to her cheeks. Suddenly she felt a little dizzyandwarm.
"Are you okay, Olivia?" he asked as he moved closer to her. "Are you going tobesick?"
"I…I don't know. I'm just not feeling well all of asudden."
Jude got up, poured her a glass of water, then sat down beside her and slipped his muscular arm behind her on the back of the couch. Having him so close made her heart flutter and her head spinevenmore.
"Drink this, it’s just water," he said. "How much did you drink? I know you're young and on tour, but you have to watch yourself. You can't trusteveryone."
"One. And I am watchingmyself."
"One? One drink? Geez, you're either a lightweight or that was some drink. Guess you're a cheap date," hejoked.
"Guess Iwouldbe."
"Guess?"
"I've never been on a date," she said, then quickly bit hertongue.
Damn, why couldn't she keep her mouth shut? It seemed she embarrassed herself more and more lately. And he was the last person she ever wanted to embarrass herself infrontof.
"Wow, why not? A beautiful girl like you must've had guys falling alloveryou."
"I'm not beautiful," she saidquietly.
"You know you're beautiful. Don't play coy with me. When you're onstage--"
"When I'm on stage, I have confidence. That doesn't make mebeautiful."
"Okay, I get it, but you don't need the stage. You're gorgeous on and off the stage. And confidence is sexy. Trust meonthat."
Her face flushed and heat spread over her skin.This is what it feels like to be on fire,she thought, hoping he wouldn'tnotice.
His eyes locked in on hers and she felt lost in them. Nothing else mattered anymore but being near him. As he slid closer to her on the couch, she held her breath hoping he was going tokissher.
He slid his arm onto her shoulders and pulled her closer. With his other hand, he softly stroked her cheek before moving his fingers into her hair. Her heart was pounding wildly. Tilting his head slightly, their lips were about to touch when hestopped.
"Never been on a date, huh?" he whispered, his lips so close to hers she could feel his breath. "Haveyouever...?"
She wasn't sure what he was asking but figured whatever it was, the answer was going to bethesame.
"No. Never. Nothing,"shesaid.
He kissed her nose and stood up, turning awayfromher.
"You really should leave,"hesaid.
"But why? What if I don'twantto?"
