Say It's Forever (Redemption Hills #2)(23)

My brow curled.

Me: Is that what we are? Friends?





Jud: If that’s the only way you’ll have me.





Me: You don’t even know me. And who said I was going to have you?





There I went, digging myself in. Deeper and deeper. But I didn’t know how to stop the attraction that pulled and begged.

He wasn’t even here, and my heart was beating out of time. A frenzy lighting in my veins, hands shaking as I sat there waiting for his next message to come through.

Jud: See, there’s this thing where strangers who meet get to know each other…





I rolled my eyes and fought an affected laugh, caught up in the tease that pinged in his text.

Me: Is that so?





Jud: Uh-huh. Was thinking you and I might do a bit of that.





Giddiness swept through my being. Lifting high then sweeping low. A beat of exhilaration before I had to come back down to reality.

Me: I don’t think that’s a good idea, Jud. My brother works for you.





And this man didn’t want my mess, and I couldn’t afford to form any attachments. Couldn’t afford to care.

My heart clutched in dread.

What if we had to pack up and leave again?

My gaze was back on my sleeping Juni Bee. On her precious, precious form.

Agony slayed me at the thought.

Yes, I wanted to stay. Prayed we could. But I needed to do it one step at a time.

On top of that? Jud didn’t know the first thing about me. Didn’t know my responsibilities. My greatest, most beautiful obligation.

Nor did he know my deepest, darkest pain.

Jud: That’s right. Your brother works for me.





I felt the ferocity in his tone. The fact he didn’t give a crap. This man took what he wanted, and he made no apologies.

And there I was, the fool who wanted to tell him I wanted it, too. To explore this attraction. An attraction so intense it couldn’t be faked.

But I couldn’t.

I couldn’t.

I forced myself to type out a reasonable response.

Me: I don’t have the money to fix my car right now. I’ll see if Darius can have it towed back to the house.





He must have felt my blow off because it took him a minute to respond.

Jud: Already told you, I have you. Already ordered the parts.





Crap. I needed to argue. Tell him it wasn’t his duty. Stop this from going any farther than it already had. Still, a bout of worry climbed through my mind, digging holes in my refusal.

While I didn’t want to be in debt to him, I needed a car.

Me: I can’t believe I’m saying this, but okay. I really need a car. I will find a way to pay you back.





Jud: Not necessary.





I warred with what I wanted to say before I let my fingers fly free.

Me: Thank you, Jud, for being my savior.





My wicked, gorgeous savior.

Jud: My pleasure, darlin’.





I could almost see his smirk from across the space. That intimidating, hulking body standing in his kitchen. Barefooted and bare chested.

My breath hitched.

The memory inundating. The way it felt beneath that decadent stare. So sexy, he’d made my knees weak.

Jud: How about a pic of that gorgeous face to save with your number?





Disbelief slid into my grin. This guy was something.

Me: I don’t think that’s a good idea.





Jud: I think it’s a great idea. I’ll even return the favor.





Could feel the mischief woven in the words. Temptation and a trap.

Shit. This man was trying to do me in. I hesitated, my tongue stroking my suddenly dried lips. In an instant, I was parched. I glanced around the darkened room like I was doing something criminal, then I tapped out the message and pushed send before I could think better of it.

Me: Fine. But if you send a dick pic, I will stab you.





My eyes nearly bugged out of my head when I saw his response.

Jud: Don’t worry, darlin’. You see my cock for the first time? It’s going to be face-to-face.





Desire blistered through my body. Flames lapping at my flesh as I thought of what that might be like. I swore, I was burning up.

I blamed it on going without for so long.

Blamed it on my fear of being seen.

On my fear of being touched.

And right then? In the sanctuary of the words of this man?

It was the only thing I wanted.

To be touched.

To be seen.

To feel real.

I was wearing a light-blue satin pajama set. The bottoms were shorts and the top was a short-sleeved button up. I opened my phone camera and saw my face in the reflection. My eyes were dilated, and my cheeks were flushed.

All bad news.

Still, like a fool, I leaned back against the arm of the couch, let my hair fall around my shoulders, unbuttoned the first button of my sleep shirt, and lifted the camera high.