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Until I Met You
  • Текст добавлен: 4 октября 2016, 23:16

Текст книги "Until I Met You"


Автор книги: S. L. Scott



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Текущая страница: 8 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

JUDE MADE HERSELF throw up. She wanted to sleep it off, but she wanted this feeling to go away more. But no amount of sickness would expunge the betrayal. She tried to lean against the wall next to the toilet to rest, but the knife in her back hurt too much. So she remained leaning on her arm across the seat and rested her cheek on her wrist.

Nadia came in a short time after, or maybe it had been hours. She wasn’t sure of the time. Nadia helped her up and wiped Jude’s face with a cool cloth. Jude’s voice was soft, so soft when she made the accusation, “You knew, didn’t you?”

“I did know.” Her reply was curt. She was always direct and to the point. Jude never much cared for her because of it. Nadia added, “You don’t need the medicine, do you?”

Jude shook her head. “They’re making me take drugs for problems I don’t have.”

“I’m sorry, Judith.”

And for a moment when their eyes connected, she saw behind the stiffly starched uniform and hard lines on her face. Through her jaded vision of her, she finally saw empathy for the first time. That made Jude want to cry, but she held it in, both for Nadia’s and her sake. “You don’t have to do it, not anymore. Not for them.”

“I do as I’m told. This is a good job.”

And like that, the gentler side she had shown was gone again.

Forty-five minutes later, Jude sat on the other side of a formal tea, across from her stepfather and cousin. Her mother and aunt were out shopping. Her stepfather chewed methodically—sixteen times each bite. Her cousin refused to meet her eyes because she knew all too well what was going to happen and she was never one to stop it.

“Wine,” her stepfather started, “is a violation of the order for good reason. You could die. You could overdose. Mixing alcohol and these medications could kill you, Judith. We can’t let you die.”

You’re killing me every day. The thought came to her, but she didn’t voice it.

“The hospital recommends an evaluation.”

Jude closed her eyes as her fingers dug into the velvet chair. “Please. No.”

“It’s a violation.”

Her eyes flashed with anger as they locked on his. “I didn’t know I had the drugs in my system, did I?”

“We’ve told you not to drink. You were doing so well, even passing it up at the last dinner party. What made you drink today?”

A knock on the front door interrupted them and her stepfather got mad. “Do they not know it’s tea time?”

Isla jumped up and peeked out the window. A broad smile appeared. “We have a visitor.”

Roman, not thirty seconds later, announced, “Mr. Rufus Stevens.”

Isla rushed around the crudités and greeted him with both hands and a kiss to the cheek. “What a pleasant surprise.”

Rufus and Jude set their eyes on each other, but Jude immediately looked down. He sounded happy when he said, “I came by to check on Judith. She wasn’t feeling well at lunch.”

Her stepfather looked between the two of them. “I didn’t know she had lunch with anyone.”

“Yes, Sir. Taylor Barrett and I were honored with her company today.”

“You and Barrett, huh. Interesting.” He smiled at her, and said, “Why didn’t you say so, Judith? I’m glad to see you’re making proper friends.”

Jude’s gaze glided from her stepfather to Rufus, who stood grinning at her. “Yes, Judith. You should tell your family how we spend time together.” Full of arrogance, he added, “I actually wanted to take Judith out tonight, but she said she had made plans with her family. I love my family immensely so I understand the devotion.”

“We have no plans tonight.”

Jude stared at her stepfather as a sinking, sickening sensation dropped to the base of her stomach. She could see it playing out before she could stop it.

Her stepfather continued, “You should go, Judith. It will be good for you to get some fresh air. We can finish our discussion tomorrow.”

Isla was eager. “We should all go. Won’t that be fun? We can invite Taylor. Maybe Clara.”

“Clara’s in Boston. The four of us can go,” Rufus said. “How about I pick you up at eight?”

“Perfect,” Isla chimed. Turning to look at Jude, she said, “Isn’t that perfect?”

“Perfect,” she replied, not willing to give a smile. Rufus Stevens was considered a proper friend? Rufus Stevens, the snake, was what got her a get-out-of-jail-free card for the night? She wished she had a chance to speak to him about Hazel first.

When Rufus left, Isla ran upstairs to get ready.

Jude stood up to go to her room, but her stepfather said, “This is a good opportunity to solidify these new connections, Judith. I’m willing to overlook today’s incident this one time.” She turned back to him, shocked. “Barrett and Stevens are well-respected names in New York. This could be good for all of us. Your thoughts are clear?”

“Yes. Never more.”

He smiled. “That’s my girl.” As if this wasn’t about him and his social-climbing goals, as if he was doing her a favor, he added, “I think some fun will do you some good. Go be young tonight. Youth doesn’t last forever.”

She gulped down the relief that filled her and fed his ego. “Thank you, Daddy.”

“You’re welcome. Stay with your cousin. Don’t stray, okay? I’ll handle the hospital.”

“Okay.” She left the room not sure if she should be happy or sad. Rufus seemed intent on her, but Isla seemed intent on him. And how did Hazel fit into this mess? She was scared to find out, but excited to see him again.

Isla made sure Jude was on time and Rufus and Taylor arrived promptly at eight. Isla swung the door open, cutting Nadia off before she had a chance. Jude stayed back a few feet, but when she saw Hazel, she smiled. Rufus cleared his throat and greeted Jude and then Isla with kisses on the cheek, then said goodnight to Nadia right after. The four of them got into a limo. The guys sat at the back and the girls on the sides.

Taylor asked Jude, “Are you feeling better?”

She blushed. She couldn’t help it around him. “Yes. Much better. Thank you for asking.”

“You’re welcome.”

Rufus poured drinks, whiskey all around, then asked, “You girls ready to party?”

Isla responded, “Can’t wait. Right, Judith?”

“Yes, Isla.” Jude was starting to hate her cousin. She was too chipper for Jude’s good, too oblivious to what was happening right in front of her. Or was she? Jude looked at Isla, sitting blissfully unaware of the demons that haunted her every move and wondered what it must be like to live so frivolously. They had tolerated each other since her uncle died, but now she felt a stronger emotion.

Taylor watched Jude sitting in the seat ahead of him, her legs exposed to the thigh. Dirty thoughts were taking over as he looked at her skin and the shape of her legs. It had been months since they’d been together and he’d missed being between them, having her open for him. He’d missed her so much, but he ended that train of thought since it would only make him embarrassingly hard.

Eyeing her, he noticed she was wearing makeup and looked seductive. Her hair was styled but down, the way he liked it. Her red full lips were licked innocently, then her eyes met his and she quickly looked away again. He liked that she couldn’t stare back. Every other girl could. Their experience taught them that trick. Not Jude. Jude’s innocence pervaded her to the bone.

Taylor forced himself to look away, to look at anything but the woman in front of him. He was never good at charades and now he was forced to play some never-ending game of it. “Where are we going?”

Rufus laughed and hit Taylor’s leg. “Relax, man. We got all night. Boehler even said so.” Taylor didn’t like the way he said that. Rufus’s eyes locked on Jude like she was prey. Rufus glanced out the window. “Anyway, we’re here. Let’s go.”

Jude followed Isla and Taylor followed behind her. He wanted to touch her so badly that just the thought was making him harden. It had been too long since the last time they had been together at his place and after earlier in the day, when they were so close to that hotel room, he didn’t know how long he could take this torture. Tonight would be a true test of his willpower, indeed. He eyed her again, brazenly as they walked, while he could get away with it.

Rufus paraded them in front of a long line on the street and past the bouncer. They entered the club and were led by a hostess to a rounded booth that sat one level up from the dance floor. Rufus tipped her and allowed the girls to slide in first, then sat next to Jude, leaving Taylor standing at the end.

“Sit, my friend. We’re in for a long night.”

Taylor glared at him and then slid into the booth next to Isla. Bottles were brought to the table, mixers, and snacks. As they made cocktails, Isla leaned in front of Jude and said, “I want to dance. Let’s dance, Rufus.”

Jude turned to her left, leaned back and her eyes landed on the most handsome man she had ever seen. When Hazel smiled at her, her heart quickened, and she felt love embrace her.

“I don’t dance,” Rufus stated loudly. “Take Taylor.”

“No,” Taylor stated firmly. “But you should dance. Maybe Jude… ith wants to go.”

His slip caught her attention and she looked at him momentarily again before glancing Isla’s way. “I’ll dance with you.” It would beat sitting next to Rufus all night.

The girls slipped out and Isla led Jude by the hand to the packed dance floor.

As the men watched them, Rufus, as if he was truly interested, asked, “What’s going on, Barrett?”

“What do you mean?” He took a drink, not wanting to talk to him at all.

“You know what I mean.” His snake like eyes narrowed on Taylor. “Fucking in The Plaza in the middle of the day, all the bullshit over lunch, the casual, unaffected attitude that shows how affected you really are.” He finished half his drink before he finished speaking. “You’re banging the Boehler girl and for some reason you don’t want me to know about it. For some reason, you don’t want anyone to know. Why is that?”

“First of all, I’m not banging her. Secondly, you’re losing your edge. There’s nothing going on. You’ve misread everything you think you’ve seen.”

Evil flashed in his delirious eyes. “So you’re okay if I bang Boehler and you get the cousin?”

“Stop calling her Boehler.”

Rufus smirked. “What should I call someone I fuck and throw away? Judith?”

“A hooker. Judith isn’t a plaything to entertain you until you get bored. She’s a good girl.”

“I know. That’s why I have this insane desire to turn her into a bad girl.”

Shaking his head in disgust, he said, “You’re fucked in the head. Have you ever cared about anyone other than yourself?”

“No. You shouldn’t either. You’re a man, not a girl.”

“Fuck you.” Anger rose in Taylor’s chest, making him feel hot in the club. He wiped the sweat away from his forehead and angled away from him.

The two men watched the women dance, arms up, arms down, swaying, turning, laughing. Rufus refilled his glass and said, “I’m going to fuck her, Barrett, unless you can give me a reason not to.”

“You fucked my girlfriend. There’s nothing I can say that would stop you from trying to fuck Judith. You have no boundaries. You never did, which is why we’re no longer friends.”

Rufus laughed loudly. Pointing his finger at Taylor, he said, “See? I knew there was a reason you came tonight. And considering you just said we’re not friends, that means you’re here for one of them. And my gut tells me it’s not the cousin.”

Taylor rubbed one of his temples. He sucked at lying, but would do anything to protect Jude. “Take her. You can have Judith.” The one thing he knew about Rufus for certain was that he didn’t want to be given anything. He’d happily pay for sex, but when it came to dating, it was all about the chase, the unattainable. Taylor just hoped he fell for his play and rejected his offer.

Eyeing his enemy, Rufus chuckled. “Since when do you give me anything?”

“That’s right. You prefer to take.”

“You’re damn right. Just like I fucking took Katherine. Had her begging for my cock. Had her begging to marry me.”

“You’re an asshole, Stevens.” Taylor stood up and started to leave.

“This asshole is gonna fuck your life over and over.”

Taylor stopped and turned around. “Why? Why are you after me? This can’t be about a girl when we were seventeen. That was a long fucking time ago.”

“I’m sick of your fucking face. I’m sick of the golden boy getting all the attention. I’m sick—”

“You’re sick?” Taylor slammed his palm down on the table. “You’re fucking sick? I’m sick. You win, Rufus. Don’t you see? I die in ten years and you get to live. You win, so this path of revenge you’re set on will end at my funeral.”

Rufus drank his drink, watching the girls dance. Taylor might be right, but he wouldn’t rub it in. He couldn’t. He had to protect what he and Jude had, but his insides twisted. Watching Jude out there with a smile on her face, life not burdening her, he wanted that for her always. But selfishly, he also wanted her. When he didn’t respond, Taylor walked away. He went down the steps in a hurry and crossed Jude’s path, making sure he caught her eye. When he disappeared down the hall, she told Isla, “I’ll be back. I’m gonna use the restroom.”

“Want me to come?”

“No. Keep dancing. I’ll be right back.”

Jude hurried to the hall, then slowed down, her heart beating out of her chest. Suddenly, she was grabbed and dragged into a bathroom. The door was locked and she was pressed against the cheap wood. Taylor’s lips were on hers, his hands roaming her body. Her heart was racing and her body was frenzied. She’d missed him so much. She’d missed this so much.

She came up for air while he went down on her chest, kissing the chain that held his ring over her heart. His hands went under her skirt. Panting, he warned, “Don’t wear this skirt again. Do you understand me, Jude?”

“I do,” she exhaled. “I do. I do.” Then it occurred to her and she lifted her head to look at him. “No, I don’t understand. Don’t you like it?”

Just as his hands covered her thighs, he stopped and burst out laughing, leaving her against the door and out of breath. The faucet was turned on and he splashed his face twice with cold water. While he patted dry with a paper towel, he watched her lick her lips. “And that. Don’t do that anymore either.”

“What?”

“Lick your lips.”

It was becoming clear. His comments were becoming clear to her. She cocked an eyebrow and said, “So, no wearing of aforementioned skirt.” She dragged the edge of it up her thigh slowly, oh so slowly. He was following the deliberate rise with his eyes. “And no licking of the lips.” She licked her lips, dragging her tongue over them.

Turning abruptly he slammed the bottom of his fists against the painted cinder block wall, then tossed the towel. “You’re driving me fucking crazy, Jude, but I’m not gonna fuck you in a filthy bathroom.”

“Where are you going to fuck me then?”

Taylor paced back and forth twice before he said, “I want you to come home with me. I know you’ll say you can’t, but please don’t.”

“Is it that you miss me or you miss having sex?”

He laughed, but it was tinged with desperation. “I’m not going to lie to you. Both. But I want you in my bed again any way I can get you. I want to make love to you and I want to wake up to you.” He caressed her face, his body against hers. “Come home with me.”

His breath was inebriating. His heat awakened her body. Her body became alight with desire for this man. Everything that she had tried so hard to protect him from, everything she’d kept hidden, was for him. And here he stood pressed to her, weakening her defenses. He was worth the wrath she would face because she never stood a chance. She kissed his temple, his forehead, the side of his mouth. “Okay,” she whispered against the edge of his lips. “Okay, Hazel. For you. All for you, I’ll come home with you.”

He kissed her again, a smile showing as their lips parted. “Let’s go.” Taking a tight hold of her hand, they left the bathroom much to the relief of everyone in line, waiting for it. He pulled her through the dancing crowd. The music thumped louder, or it was his heart in his ears. He wasn’t sure anymore. The flashing lights kept him from thinking rationally. The only thing he knew to do was to get Jude out of here, to get her to his place, to make love to her. To love her. Again and again.

Taking one last look back at Rufus, the enemy’s eyes fastened on Taylor. Rufus held his glass in the air as a toast, or touché. Taylor knew Rufus had gotten the better of him, but there was no going back now. They would face whatever battle they had to together, repercussions be damned. Glancing down at Jude, he knew he loved her too much to go back anyway.

EVERYTHING ABOUT JUDE—the mystery, the secrets in her eyes, her body, her lips—all of her attracted Taylor like no other. She was different from the girls he had grown up with, dated, was expected to marry. She was uniquely her. She was Jude. And she was his.

“How did we not know each other growing up?” he asked in the car ride to his house, meaning to ask her this long before now.

“We lived upstate until I was fifteen. My stepdad got a promotion and we moved to the city.” She didn’t look at him when she replied.

He didn’t like that. He could see how anxious she was getting and it made him feel bad, like he was taking advantage of her. That was the last thing he wanted to do. “I can take you home.”

She turned to him. “I want to be with you.”

“I don’t want to cause you any more problems.”

Her hand slid across the seat until she found his. She was quiet for a few blocks and then said, “We can go to mine. If you don’t mind sneaking out before morning.”

“I’ll take my chances if it will help you.”

“It will make tomorrow easier.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

“I’m sure.”

Thank fuck, thought Taylor.

She unlocked the front door and snuck Hazel upstairs. It was late and no one was awake. Apparently staying out late was perfectly acceptable if she was with Isla. She rolled her eyes at the ridiculousness. When they entered her bedroom, she left him standing by the closed door in the dark until she reached the lamp on her bedside table. When it flicked on, she said, “Ignore the pink explosion. It was here, furniture and all, when we moved in. Ryan got the green room. I got stuck in here.”

Taylor stood there in astonishment, not only by the large size of the room, but by the décor. This was not his Jude. This room belonged to a ten-year-old. He was horrified. “Good God, Jude. They’re keeping you young forever.”

She got embarrassed. “It’s just a room. It means nothing.” She didn’t know why he was angry, but she felt it rolling off him in waves. Her teeth scraped over her lip, tugging it in and she stood there awkwardly.

He wasn’t sure what to think about this, but he could see her discomfort so he tried to push the other feelings down and went to her. “I’m sorry. Just from what you’ve told me… and now seeing this. It’s a lot to take in.”

“I loved being at your place. It felt more like home than this room ever has.”

His heart lurched and all he wanted to do was love this woman the way she deserved to be loved, for as long as he was able to love her. His few years would be better than having her stay here. He wanted to save her, to protect her, and to love her. “Jude?”

“Yeah?” she whispered.

“Marry me.” He didn’t whisper.

“What?”

“I want you to marry me.” He pulled her toward the bed and sat, holding her hands as she stood in front of him. “I’m not sex drunk. I’m not drunk at all. I love you. I want you with me.”

She smiled. He always had a way of making her smile from the inside. “Is this because you want me out of this room?”

Not just the room. He wanted her out of the house that had stolen the life from her eyes. He could see it. “I do want you out of this room, but I wouldn’t marry you for that reason.”

She sat on his lap, and ran the tips of her fingers over his mouth. “Have I ever told you how wonderful these lips are?”

He was used to how her mind worked and let her go down this path. “No, tell me.” He reached around her and undid the clasp of the necklace. Sliding the ring he’d given her off the chain, then listened to her while placing the ring on her finger.

“They’re full and kissable, so very kissable.” She kissed him. “And they say the sweetest things to me and they ask me to marry them. When I look at them, I have no restraint whatsoever. So if they really want me to marry them, I will.”

He got up, so she stood. Dropping to one knee in front of her, he said, “Jude, I love you more than anything or anyone.” Bringing her hand to his mouth, he kissed her palm, the ring she was wearing on her finger, and placed her hand on his heart. “I feel you here. I feel you in my soul. I feel your absence when you’re away. I don’t want to be away from you anymore. I promise to love you always. I promise to protect you all of my days, my entire life. Please say yes. Will you marry me?”

She moved her hand to his cheek and kneeled down in front of him. “I’d be honored to marry you, Hazel Barrett.”

He kissed her long and hard until they parted, breathless and restless for more. Her top was the first thing to go, his next. Shoes. His—hers. Her skirt. His pants. Her bra. Things slowed and he undressed completely standing in front of her. She undressed the rest of the way standing in front of him. Her fingers danced across his hard abs that twitched under her touch. It had been so long, too long for both. Her hands slipped around his neck and she pulled him closer until their bodies were together. She whispered, “I missed you. I missed thi—”

He kissed the rest of her words away, leaving her relying on him for air. Large warm hands covered her sides, up and down. He felt his way, reacquainting himself with every inch of her torso.

Pulling him toward the bed, he stopped her just before they reached it. “No, not in that bed. I can’t. I won’t.”

The tears that pooled in her eyes reflected each beat of her heart that cried from his kindness. Loved. Protected. She felt both under his gaze. She went to her closet and pulled down a blanket and two pillows. They each took a corner and spread it out on the floor. Hazel lay down first and beckoned her. She kneeled down and then bent forward to kiss his chest.

Loving seeing her hair down, his fingers wove into it. He loved when the ends touched him when her mouth was on his body. She went lower until her mouth was around him. Closing his eyes, his mouth opened and his breath hit harder.

Opening his eyes, he watched her. When her eyes met his, he pulled her up. “I want to come inside you.” He sat up and they traded places. He also wanted to take it slow with her. For her and him.

He was between her legs, looking down over her body—so open, so willing for him. Only him. Forever. He started on her hipbone. He kissed, and then sucked the tender skin of her belly until a red mark appeared. His tongue tickled her belly button and he moved up to her breasts, covering each one with his mouth. Kissing the outside of her breast, he sucked until the blood rushed just under the surface. He kissed her lips twice and had to stop himself from marking her neck.

With his head between her legs, he sucked so hard that she grabbed his hair and moaned his name when she came. Turning to the side he sucked the inside of her thigh until her body gave in and a deep red mark appeared. His tongue ran over it several times until he kissed her sweetness and the pulsing gave way. He should care about safety… about protection. But with her, she made him lose himself before reason could catch up. Upon her, he nipped at her neck and pushed inside her warmth. His breath was jagged, the feeling almost overwhelming. When he looked at Jude, her lips were parted, her head tilted to the side, her eyes closed.

Her name escaped his lips as a moan and she opened her eyes to him. “I love you.”

In the middle of the ecstasy of it all, she smiled, her hand pulling him by the neck down to her. When their lips kissed, she said, “I will love you ’til my dying day.” Kisses. “I want to be on top.”

Their bodies were adjoined and they rolled over. She sat atop him with her hands on his chest controlling every roll of her hips, every lift, and fall. Her eyes stayed fixed on him while his hands traveled over her skin as he rediscovered the landscape of her body. Each dip and curve led him somewhere even more provocative until he was losing his senses, the storm clouds gathering. He grabbed her by the hips and thrust hard twice before he crashed, his soul shattering inside her.

When he lay there with her head on top of his thudding heart, he realized Jude was right. Taylor was drunk—sex, life, and otherwise. He was completely intoxicated by this woman. He couldn’t get enough. She had become another drug his body needed to survive despite the warning signs to be careful, to slow down. Could they sustain this high? It was all too good. He felt too alive. Life tasted too sweet. They were moving so fast. An endless merry-go-round that neither wanted to jump off. He held her tighter, and closed his eyes.

An hour later after they had rested, she held his hand above her. “Your lifeline is too short,” Jude noted as she traced the different sections of the broken line on his palm several times. He closed his hand tightly, wanting to hide his Achilles heel. He should tell her, but he couldn’t bring himself to add to her misery. He held her hand above his head, looking at hers. She didn’t squirm or move away. With her head against his shoulder, she stared at her open palm like he did. “And mine’s too long.”

Frustrated, he put her hand down and sat up. “Why do you say stuff like that?”

Her eyes flashed to his, but she stayed with her head on the pillow they had been sharing. She was tired and didn’t want to argue with him. “Nobody really believes that stuff anyway.”

Leaning forward against his bent knees, he stared at the pink wallpaper with the little white flowers. He finally closed his eyes and shook his head at himself. Lying back down next to her, he said, “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not upset, Hazel. You don’t have to apologize to me.” She turned on her side, facing him, and closed her eyes. “Let’s get some sleep. You’ll need to leave in two hours.”

Turning toward her, he slid down until they were eye level. He kissed the tip of her nose, and closed his eyes. “Goodnight, Jude.”

“Sweet dreams, Hazel.”

Two hours felt like seconds. Taylor rolled over and groaned. “No. I need sleep.”

Jude shook him again. “Wake up. You need to go.” She kissed his bicep, then squeezed it. “I like your arms,” she whispered near his ears. Her hand roamed over his chest and stomach. “And your body.” Lower. Lower. “And this part of you especially.”

A sleepy smirk crossed his lips. Rolling onto his back, Taylor said, “And here I thought you loved me for my heart.”

“I do. I love you for your heart. I like you for your body.”

He sat up and she sat up with him. Kissing her, he said, “You’re gonna be my wife.”

“I am, but not if you don’t get out of here now.”

He rubbed his erection against her leg and glanced at the clock by her bed. “It’s four thirty-seven. We have time. I’ll be quick.”

“I don’t want you to ever be quick. I want it long and slow, hard and passionate.”

“It will be all those things, except slow. C’mon, I’ll make you feel so good, baby.”

The sound of baby rolling off his tongue so easily when referring to her made her heart cartwheel in happiness, but he needed to go or happy would be the opposite of what she would feel. She pushed him gently, and said, “You need to go. We’ve got plans to make and I need you alive to make them.”

With a heavy sigh, he got up. “I’ll go, but I’m coming for you, Jude Boehler, and I’m never letting you go again.”

“Swear?”

“I swear to you. Never letting you go again.”

When he was fully dressed, he kissed her goodbye at her bedroom door and then she led him to the foyer downstairs. But she couldn’t let him go without another so she took him by the shirt and pulled him to her again. Planting her lips on his, his hand went into her hair at the back of her head. They leaned their foreheads together before he kissed her there.

A light was flicked on overhead, and a woman’s accented voice said, “Good morning, Judith.”

Jude’s heart stopped at a standstill in her chest. Taylor looked at the woman in her robe staring at them as Jude’s hand fell away from him. Nadia added, “Mr. Barrett.”

“Good Morning,” he replied, not sure if he should say anything at all.

Nadia eyed Jude before turning her full attention on Taylor. “I suggest you go before the house wakes.” She walked past him and started opening the door.

Jude stood, terrified. Taylor brushed his hand against hers, and whispered, “I’ll see you soon.” When she finally looked him in the eyes, he smiled at her. “I promise.”

She nodded and watched him go.

Nadia added, “Good day, Mr. Barrett.”

He glanced back once, then headed outside. The door shut and Nadia tightened the belt of her robe before turning back. Her hair hung down and her face was clean of makeup. Jude had never noticed how pretty Nadia was before. She assumed because she didn’t tend to notice such niceties about her enemies. “You should go upstairs, Judith, and don’t come down until you’re dressed and ready for the day. I suspect today will be a long one.” She passed her and went back down the hall from where she came.

Jude remained, her heart now beating wildly in her chest. Then she ran as fast as she could up the stairs and into her room. She shut the door quietly behind her and leaned against it until she caught her breath. Seeing the pallet they had made, the place where they made love, and commitments of forever, made her smile so big that she flopped down on it and hugged the pillow to her chest. When she took a deep breath she caught the scent of her forever still lingering. She curled around the pillow and closed her eyes, wanting to live in this bliss until she could be with her Hazel again.


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