Read Online Behind His Lens by R. S. Grey - Free Book Online Page B

leans in closely and folds her hands over her stomach.
    “I don’t feel so good.”
    Of course you don’t, I want to say, but I bite my tongue.
    “Did you eat dinner?” I ask softly, surprised at how quickly my anger turned to concern.
    She mashes her lips together and shakes her head.
    “Charley, you can’t drink like this and not eat dinner before,” I chide, but the moment I get the words out I instantly regret them. A ll of a sudden she looks so young and innocent. I want to make her feel better. I don’t care if she is naive, she doesn’t deserve to be sick.
    I wrap my arm around the back of her chair and lean in. “Do you want to go home?” I ask, watching her eyes grow wide in shock, and I can’t help but chuckle.
    “Not with me… Do you want me to take you to your home and then I’ll go back to mine?” I clarify, but I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince her or myself. I won’t want to leave her if she’s sick.
    “Um…” she hums, glancing across the table toward Naomi. I follow her gaze to find her friend in the middle of a heated make out session with Bennett. He has Naomi practically pinned to the chair as she drags her hands through his once perfectly gelled hair. Jeez, that escalated quickly.
    “I could probably just go home by myself,” Charley says, nodding once and then twice as if she’s trying to convince herself that’s what she should do.
    “I can’t let you do that , Charley.”
    I can’t add her life to my guilty conscious. There’s no more room.
    “No, really, Jude. I don’t want to inconvenience you,” she adds, already standing and looking around at the group.
    “I’m gonna head home,” she announces to the table. “I have to, uh, wake up early in the morning. Naomi, I’ll text you tomorrow,” she offers with a weak smile. Tom begins to stand and I shoot him a death stare. He is not going to take her home. I should have stepped up this morning and told the guys she was off limits, but I’m not going to make the same mistake again.
    Tom stands frozen for a moment, unsure of what to do.
    “I’ve got her.” My tone couldn’t be clearer. I’m not going to fight Tom about this. He needs to back down. “I’ll see you guys next week.”
    By the time I’m moving after her, Charley’s already halfway through the bar and I have to jog to catch up. When I slide beside her, she glances up at me with a timid smile.
    “How can you move so quickly?” I murmur, wrapping my hand around her waist. The touch is too intimate, but it makes me feel like I’ve got a real hold on her. I don’t want her to trip and fall in those boots. Surprisingly, she doesn’t move away. Instead, she pushes back into me, giving me her weight and press ing her soft curves against me.
    My arm practically engulfs her petite frame and I exhale thinking of what could have happened if she’d left by herself. Does she usually walk around at night alone? Surely Naomi sticks with her most of the time.
    I hear her hum into my chest and I glance down. “I’m glad you’re coming with me ,” she offers, and then looks down at the floor as if embarrassed that she’s told me the truth.
    I gently lift her chin, just like I wanted to do at the photo shoot . “Are you sure you don’t want Tom to take you home?” I ask because I’m genuinely curious of what her reaction will be. Jealousy is a new feeling for me and I’m beginning to realize just how possessive I feel of this angel.
    She chews on her lip but doesn’t meet my eyes. Instead, her gentle gaze is focused on my stu bble as she nods slowly.
    “Say it , Charley.”
    Her lips part gently and she breathes in a slow inhale.
    “I want you to take me.”

 
    CHAPTER SIX
     
     
     
    Jude
     
     
    Charley’s last semblance of sobriety dissipated during the cab ride home. The shots she took at the bar sank in, adding to the alcohol already coursing through her system. I am not this guy. I don't sleep with drunk women; therefore I