Say It's Forever (Redemption Hills #2)(85)

Jud smiled. Pure charm. “Ma’am.”

I was pretty sure my mimi could see right through him, too, because the man wasn’t exactly polite last night.

My stomach churned again. Desire and greed. I had the urge to throw my arms around him and hold him tight.

Reckless girl. This was only going to hurt all the more in the end.

But I guessed there was no stopping that destruction because Mimi stepped forward. “Well, what are you waitin’ on, my girl? Invite the man in. Coffee is almost ready. He’s right on time.”

There was no missing the glee in her voice.

“Oh, well, I wouldn’t want to impose,” Jud said, far too innocent.

“Nonsense, you sly dog, get in here. Breakfast is on the stove,” she said.

“Well, if you insist.” He stepped into our small house.

Holy shit. What was happening?

Darius was going to lose his mind.

But apparently all pretenses were off when Jud squeezed my hip as he passed.

His head nearly touched the low ceiling.

If he hadn’t looked like a giant before, there was no mistaking it then. The way his big boots moved across the floor, eating up the space as he made his way to Mimi.

Mimi grinned wide, and Jud was taking a bough of flowers wrapped in ribbon and offering them to her. “Thought I’d pick up a little something for you on the way.”

“Oh my,” she said, her hand on her chest and her eyes skating to me.

Sly dog, was right.

He tossed a grin my way.

“Uncle Jud?! What the heck are you doin’ here?” Gage was pure excitement from the kitchen when he caught sight of his uncle.

“Well, comin’ to see some of my favorite people, of course.”

Juni screeched. “It’s the motorcycle man!”

Jud chuckled, and I felt myself moving that way.

Drawn.

He knelt down on a single knee and handed her one of the bouquets, this sweet little one with glittery hearts on sticks surrounded by tiny pink roses.

“Is those for me?” I was pretty sure Juni swooned.

“They sure are, Juni Bee.”

“Sly dog,” Mimi muttered as I came to a stop by her side. “And holy hell, he is a looker. You are done for, girl.”

“Mimi.” I whispered the warning low.

She laughed and turned her gaze on me. Though it’d gone soft and tender and sure. “Dreams, sweet child, dreams. It’s time to reach out and take some of them for yourself.”





TWENTY-SIX





JUD





I wasn’t sure if I was playing dirty or playing for keeps.

The only thing I knew was I’d gotten about halfway back to my place and couldn’t do anything but turn around.

I couldn’t handle the uncertainty that had taken Salem over since the moment she’d stirred in my arms this morning.

And fuck, I liked her there.

I wanted to keep her wrapped up and tucked away, her heart drumming against mine. I wanted to stay tangled with her sweet, hot body all goddamn day.

Maybe forever.

Because shit, the girl had blown my mind.

Turned me upside down, inside out. I no longer knew if I was coming or going each time I crawled back between those thighs to take a little more.

But it’d been far more than the physical. The way we’d stripped each other bare in every fuckin’ way.

Hearts and souls and bodies.

The things I’d confessed to her that I’d sworn I’d never give to another person.

She’d held them like she was strong enough to bear the weight.

I’d become certain I was going to bear hers, too.

But I’d felt it—the shift when she’d come to the realization of where she’d woken.

The veil of night no longer obscuring what we’d done or what we’d shared.

I knew the girl had been panicking. Itching to run and hide.

So, I’d taken a chance, and now I was the one kneeling there in front of her adorable daughter, offering her hearts and flowers.

And fuck me, if my heart wasn’t bleeding all over the place.

Panicking.

Feet itching to run while that hidden, ugly place begged to stay. To be good enough to stand in their presence. To take up their side and fight for them. Live for them.

Blasphemy.

Fuck.

What was I thinking?

But I couldn’t shuck the compulsion when Juni’s precious face stretched in this earth-shattering smile, those eyes the same color as her mom’s swimming with awe and joy. “Really? Did you knows I love the pink flowers the most?”

My chest stretched tight. “No, I didn’t, but I do now, so I’ll be sure to remember for next time.”

Felt like an oath sliding off my tongue.

Next time.

“You gots a favorite flower?” she asked, her head angling to the side like the question was of utmost importance to her.

Was Juniper considered a flower?

Yeah.

Was losing my mind.

My cool.

My purpose.

“I think I like these ones right here.” I tapped one of the roses she had held tight against her chest.

She giggled.

My spirit thrashed.

In too deep.