Formalities could be dropped in the face of scalding hostility. It wasn't difficult to read the cruelty in Jude's smile, the catty twitch of her words.
James had never in her life blushed over sexuality, and she didn't show signs of flinching now under Jude's assessment.
Eye contact still framed on Rick, her smile flickered briefly. It was a calculated, stormy thing. Even with Rick's compliment, she raised her hand. Index finger lifted in a gesture of hold up.
"What the fuck is your problem?" Attention whipping onto the sailor, successfully incited by whatever spell she was stirring up.