Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 71246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Jude cradles the cup of tea in both of her hands and stares down into the mug.
“It hurt my feelings when I heard that you were forced to bring me.” Her energy is tight and sad. Pulled in, in a way that makes it hard for me to reach her. Jude reminds me a lot of an onion when it comes to her emotions. There are layers upon layers that need peeling back, each one tougher than the last.
“What? When did I say that?” I shake my head, my brow furrowing. “There is no way I would’ve said something that stupid.” I shake my head again, confused, knowing she must have heard something else and misunderstood.
“No, you didn’t say it. Your brother’s toast, he said he coerced you to bring me to dinner. I think his words were “masterful brilliance” at forcing your hand, blackmailing you.” The pieces of the puzzle fall into place, making much more sense now.
“Oh, Jude. No, he didn’t mean it like you’re thinking.” I set my cup on the table and lean forward a little.
Jude nods once, tightly, her face still masked, though I can see that she is letting go of it a little, allowing some of her feelings to shine through.
“It might have been his idea, but nobody wanted it more than me. No one.”
Grabbing her hand, I place it between both of mine.
“Jude, look at me.” It takes her a moment to let down her anger and sadness enough to turn her face toward me. When she finally does, I soften completely and speak to her sweetly. Like she’s an injured bird, scared she is going to be batted away again.
“I wanted you there more than anything. The only reason I didn’t invite you on my own was because I didn’t think you would want to come. I didn’t want you to feel forced to be where you didn’t want to be. I never want you to feel uncomfortable, and I didn’t want to overwhelm you either. My family can be a lot sometimes.”
“I had a great time,” she admits. “But I was worried that they wouldn’t like me.”
“They loved you. Everyone loves you.” I stroke her hand, wanting to take her into my arms.
“Everyone loves me?” Her voice lifts up at the end as if she might have a little hope.
“Yes, everyone.” I hope she reads between the lines and understands. I don’t want to scare her away by saying the words directly, but I do love her, there is no doubt about it.
The tension seems to have drained away as her shoulders relax, and she melts into the couch.
“I like that.” Her smile is shy and sweet, making me grin.
“Do you like it enough to let me kiss you?” My voice becomes husky. “You know, there is that dress and the kiss you promised to give me while you were wearing it.”
“Yeah, you can kiss me. Then can we go to bed, and will you hold me?”
“Demanding one, aren’t you?” I tease.
I lean forward, and my mouth meets hers. A tender explosion of gentle sweetness envelopes me. The kind of explosion that is all fire meeting fire. Not intense flames, the quiet ones, connecting to each other, and then doubling down and expanding. I feel fortunate to taste her lips. I feel whole. In ways, I have never felt before. It’s as if I have a meaning, like Jude being here has made my life worthy of something. Not that it wasn’t worthy before, but it’s of more worth now, and I can’t really explain how.
For a long while, we kiss, our hands and lips only touching and though I yearn for more, I know the importance of letting her take the lead and guide us wherever we’re going. Breaking the kiss, I press my forehead against hers.
“Thank you for coming today,” I whisper.
Jude beams, her lips tipping up at the sides into a smile. “Thank you for inviting me. I can’t believe you’ve never brought anyone home to meet your family.”
“There was never anyone worth bringing home.”
Pulling back, Jude cocks her head to the side, and I sneak a stray strand of blonde hair back behind her ear. “You’ve never had a girlfriend?” she asks curiously.
“I have had a few, but none I’d considered bringing home. My family is sacred to me, and for someone to get to meet them, it’s special.”
I hope she can see how special she is to me, see how much I want her, not just to protect her, but really want her.
Her gaze becomes misty, and she blinks a couple of times, almost as if she’s holding back tears. “Thank you, Lex, for giving me that. For letting me be a part of something special even if I’m not really worthy of it.”
Worthy of it?