Book one | Alexa Harvey, a celebrated actress known for her fierce independence and uncompromising nature, has always steered clear of the sports world. But when her latest film role requires her to shadow Jude Bellingham, a rising football star wit...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The door to Valverde's terrace swung shut behind them as Jude and Alexa re-entered the party.
The lively atmosphere of the gathering hit them instantly—music thumping, people laughing and chatting, and the faint clinking of glasses mingling with the sounds of the night. But despite the return to the noise and energy, the intensity of their kiss lingered in the air between them, like an invisible thread binding them together.
Jude's hand hovered at the small of Alexa's back, not quite touching but close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from him. The music seemed louder now, the room more crowded, and everything felt slightly off-kilter, as if the world had tilted just a little since they'd been outside.
Or maybe it was just the alcohol and the adrenaline still coursing through her veins.
She glanced up at him, trying to gauge his mood, and was met with a crooked smile that sent a thrill through her. There was something different in his eyes—something playful, teasing, as if he was just as affected by what had happened between them as she was.
"Think anyone noticed we were gone?" Jude asked, his voice low, meant just for her. The corner of his mouth twitched with the hint of a smirk.
Alexa tilted her head, pretending to consider it. "I don't know. You're the star here, Bellingham. Maybe they all think you were just off signing autographs."
Jude laughed, a genuine sound that made her heart skip a beat. "And you? What do they think you were doing?"
"Probably trying to escape," she quipped, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Not everyone wants to spend the night surrounded by footballers, you know."
Jude leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "But you didn't escape," he murmured, his voice sending a shiver down her spine. "You stayed."
Alexa swallowed, her pulse quickening at his proximity. "Yeah, I guess I did," she said softly, her lips curving into a smile despite herself.
She could feel the pull between them, like a magnetic force that kept drawing them closer no matter how much she told herself to keep her distance.
"Regretting it yet?" Jude asked, pulling back slightly to look at her, his eyes still alight with that teasing glint.
She met his gaze, her own smile turning a little more confident, even as her heart raced. "Not yet. But the night's still young."
He chuckled, and before she could react, he grabbed her hand, tugging her toward the makeshift bar set up in the corner of the room. "Come on," he said, his grin widening. "Let's get another drink. You can tell me all about how much you're suffering being stuck here with us lowly athletes."
Alexa let herself be pulled along, laughing despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her. Jude was acting different tonight, and maybe it was the alcohol or maybe it was the kiss, but she found herself enjoying this side of him—the playful, carefree side she'd only glimpsed on rare occasions.
