Page 34 of Mr. Perfect

The yearning Felix had denied for so long came roaring to the surface. Right then, he would’ve sacrificed anything or anyone to continue kissing Jude. With both his arms pinned, Felix couldn’t reach for Jude. He couldn’t caress the man’s face or fist his hair or relearn every inch of Jude’s skin. Felix couldn’t stifle his whimper of frustration and need. Jude recognized his acquiescence. He slid his hand from Felix’s chin to cradle the back of his head and cupped Felix’s cheek with the other one.

The rasp of Jude’s tongue against his drove Felix’s need higher and higher until he thought he’d combust. Jude thrust his hips forward, rubbing his erection against Felix’s thigh. Fuck. They had too many clothes on, and Felix needed to touch bare skin right now or—

“Okay. The coast is clear,” Rocky said.

Jude broke the kiss and sat up suddenly. He looked around the vehicle like he’d forgotten where they were. Felix certainly had until Rocky shattered the moment. This was the second time his friend had saved his ass from making a big mistake. Jude hoisted himself up and flopped on to the bench seat, melting against the buttery leather. Felix unfolded himself and dragged his body up to sit next to Jude but was careful to keep space between them. He was dangerously tempted to straddle Jude’s thick thighs and pick up where they left off.

Peering outside the windshield, Felix confirmed no one else was outside before facing Jude. “Get out.”

A cocky grin spread slowly across Jude’s face. “That wasn’t what you were saying a second ago.”

“I didn’t say anything a second ago,” Felix countered, even though he knew what Jude meant.

Jude leaned toward him but abruptly stopped when Felix raised his hands and pressed his palms against the solid wall of Jude’s chest. “Body language says a lot.”

“Yeah, that’s what most sex offenders say too,” Rocky said snidely from the front seat. “Get the hell out of here, Arrow, before I drag you out of this SUV and fuck up your pretty face some more.”

Jude never tore his gaze away from Felix’s, nor did his expression register the insult Rocky had landed. “Felix, you can search high and low for the connections you’re dying to make between Cameron Spencer and a criminal element. You won’t find them. If you do, you’ll end up dead. Walk away.”

“But you know, don’t you?” He’d heard the real fear in Jude’s voice. Fear for who? Felix?

“I know some things, and now your friend has a good idea too. He’s going to share it with you as soon as I get out of the vehicle. You’re going to get excited because you’ll think you know the truth, but you won’t. No one knows the full story.” Jude tipped his head to the side. “No one living, I should say.”

“Bullshit,” Felix bit out. “What’s really going on? Are you investigating Spencer? Is that it? You told Molly Gregg you wouldn’t pursue it but did anyway. Now you’re pushing me away because I’ve gotten too close to the truth. I’ve always been a better investigator than you.”

“Yes, you have.”

Jude’s agreement momentarily staunched Felix’s tirade, but he recovered quickly. “Oh, so now you’re trying to distract me with flattery.”

“No. You stated a fact, and I merely agreed. You are a better investigator and always have been. Your quest to learn the truth consumes you, and you won’t relent until you uncover every last detail. It’s admirable in a reporter and sets you apart from all others. But, Felix, this time…” Jude shook his head. “I’m begging you to let this go. Walk away while you still can.”

The tremor in Jude’s voice triggered alarm bells in Felix’s brain, but why? Was it because Jude sounded genuinely worried about him, or was it just Felix’s bullshit detector going off? He couldn’t decide, at least not right then. Felix needed peace and quiet to center himself and regain his equilibrium.

Jude nodded. “I see that you don’t believe me. With our history, I even understand why.”

“How big of you,” Rocky chided.

Jude tore his gaze from Felix’s to look at Rocky. “Stay out of this,” he snarled.

Rocky turned in his seat, meeting Jude’s stare. Felix had never seen his friend look so menacing. “I will not.”

Jude didn’t back down. “When Felix’s blood is on your hands, how will that make you feel? Are you prepared to live with that, because I’m not?”

Rocky flinched but didn’t cave. “I got his back, Arrow.”

“Your best won’t be good enough to save him.” Jude turned back to Felix. “You’ll try to make the connections on your own, but you’ll run into a brick wall. Come find me when you do.”

Felix snorted. “First, you warned me away, and now you’re offering to help me?”

Jude reached up and cupped Felix’s face. The tender gesture caught Felix off guard, and he didn’t flinch away fast enough. Jude’s touch seared his skin. “If I can’t save you, I might as well join you.”

Jude pressed his lips against Felix’s once more but didn’t linger. He released Felix, got out of the car, and disappeared into the night, taking another chunk of Felix’s heart with him.

Felix remained sitting in the back seat for several moments before climbing out of the car and sliding behind the wheel. “I want to see the footage.”

Rocky was silent for so long that Felix turned his head to make sure he was still awake. His friend worked his bottom lip between his teeth as he stared pensively through the windshield.

“Did you hear me, Major?”