Free Tempting Rowan (Trace + Olivia #3) by Micalea Smeltzer Page A

headlights. “I’m Jude.”
    “And are you on a date with my fri end here?” Trent tilted his head towards me.
    “No-o-o.” Jude’s voice shook. Scaredy-cat. “We’re just grabbing a bite to eat.” Jude was a tough guy, and I found the fact that he was scared of Trent to be hilarious. I’m sure with the way Jude got around he’d run into plenty of jealous boyfriends, and had to fight his way out of a sticky situation, but something about Trent had him shaking in his boots.
    “Yeah, and I bet you’re trying to figure out how you’re going to get her to go back to your place, aren’t you? I bet she’s just another conquest to someone like you. I know your type. You’re always looking for an easy fuck. So, I suggest you look elsewhere.”
    My eyes widened and my jaw dropped at Trent’s words. I punched his arm as hard as I could, forcing him to acknowledge my presence. I could tell Jude was pissed too, and opened his mouth to say something to Trent, but I didn’t need Jude to fight my battles.
    “I can’t believe you just said that to him,” I spat at Trent, keeping my voice hushed so we didn’t disturb the other people in the restaurant.
    “Yeah, well,” Trent reached up and ran his fingers nervously through his hair, obviously ashamed of his behavior, “I’m a bit pissed off that you keep wanting to brush me off, but you’re out with this guy. You turned me down for dinner last night, but here you are with him,” he pointed a forceful finger at Jude.
    “This guy,” Jude pointed to himself, “has a name, and it’s Jude. J. U. D. E.”
    “Do I look like I care?” Trent glared, his nostrils flaring with anger.
    “I’m not on a date, so stop being rude to him,” I told Trent. I was tempted to kick him, but since he was beside me, that would’ve been quite difficult.
    “Then what are you doing?” Trent looked from me to Jude.
    “Why should I tell you? You’re the one that came over here like a dog pissing on its territory,” I seethed.
    “Oh, this is good,” Jude chuckled. I turned in his direction to see him shoving cheese fries in his mouth. “Please, continue.”
    I ignored Jude and went back to glaring at Trent. I was embarrassed by his behavior and I knew I’d have a lot of explaining to do, because Jude would want to know what was going on between Trent and I. I’d do my best to avoid that conversation for as long as possible. I didn’t want to go into details with Jude about my past with Trenton.
    “And you’re the one that acts like you hate me, then I kiss you, and it’s obvious y ou do want me,” Trent countered, referring to the night after we shopped for groceries. “You can keep denying this as long as you want, but as long as your body continues reacting to me, I’ll keep coming back.”
    “You kissed him?” Jude asked, dipping three fries in ranch. Of course, out of all of that the only part Jude noticed included kissing.
    “ He kissed me ,” I argued, glaring daggers at the two guys. “And it hardly was a kiss at all.”
    “Whatever you need to tell yourself to feel better,” Trent smirked in my direction. “Can I have some of those?” He asked Jude, pointing to the fries.
    “Sure, as long as you promise not to kill me and cut me up into tiny pieces,” Jude shrugged, sliding the plate closer to where Trent and I sat. I guessed they were best friends forever now thanks to the magical bond of cheese fries. “Now, tell me about this kiss,” Jude probed Trent for answers.
    “There’s nothing to tell,” I spoke up before Trent could open his big fat mouth.
    “It was a simple kiss goodnight,” Trent shrugged, taking a fry as he talked over me.
    “You naughty girl . I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” Jude winked.
    “Why would I tell you?” I muttered under my breath. “You’re a guy. Besides, it wasn’t worth talking about.”
    “Burn,” Jude coughed, eyeing Trent warily in case he decided to jump across the table and strangle