“We are. There is no reason—legal or medical—for them to retain guardianship.”
With a wide smile, he suggested, “We should celebrate.”
“Let’s wait for the final verdict first before the confetti comes out.”
His hand slid down her waist and back up. “I was thinking maybe in the bedroom. A private celebration with just the two of us and a mattress.”
Jude had missed his touch so much. She had missed him so much. There were nights back in the pink prison her body had yearned for him, her soul had ached for him.
Neither knew how long they would have to wait to see her conservatorship through and she didn’t want to deny her heart or her body any longer. Feeling empowered by his presence, she stood up and walked to the couch. Bending over the arm, she reached for a cushion on the other side, then glanced back at him. “The mattress? And here I thought you were more adventurous, Mr. Barrett.” She wiggled her ass, beckoning him to her.
Recalling their prior “adventures”, Hazel knew they were always good together, passionate, but this new side of Jude was playful. He could definitely get on board with this game. He stood up, the barstool scraping against the wooden floor.
Jude watched the man who was kindhearted, handsome, and sporting some seriously sexy swagger come for her. This morning, with his mussed-up hair and dreamy eyes, he was absolutely drool-worthy. She added that to his never-ending list of attributes. His toned chest and chiseled arms synced nicely, the muscles working together to make her forget herself. She closed her mouth and lifted up, turning around and planting herself on the arm of the couch. She bit her bottom lip as anticipation formed under his smoldering gaze.
Bending his head toward her, his thighs bumped up against her knees, his fingertips running the length of her neck and under the strap of her bra. “What do you want, Jude?”
His eyes were intense, his lips seductive—so close and yet too far from her own. One of her straps was down and he was lowering the other. She reached around and unfastened her bra and he took it down her arms and tossed it on the couch. “I asked what you want,” he repeated, his voice direct, committed to his purpose.
“I want you.”
“How? How do you want me, pretty girl?”
Playful seemed to escape her tone as he built her desire from within. “Here. Now.”
His fingers graced her face again and he tilted it all the way up. “I love you.”
Her eyes went wide. His words were laced with seduction. Hazel had always been a dedicated lover, but right now, he stood before her a predator. “I love you, Taylor,” she emphasized the T of his name, then licked her lips.
“What did I tell you about calling me that?” He abruptly lifted her to her feet, his hands under her arms and he leaned in dangerously close. “You’ve been a bad girl. A very bad girl.”
She had no idea where this side of him was coming from, but he made her body purr with arousal. “Take those off,” he directed. Without a pause, she lowered her underwear, then stood straight up in challenge, eyeing him. He eyed her right back, unabashedly. “Turn around and bend over.”
There was safety in his tone, even if it was demanding. Jude had been a shrinking violet for too long. He gave her confidence and made her stronger. She was flaunting this newfound confidence. With her hands on the couch, she arched her back downward and stuck out her ass. With one sly glimpse back, she taunted his willpower.
The sight of her weakened him in ways he liked, in ways he craved. But he gained his strength and leaned over her. He licked the back of her neck and kissed her spine before pressing his hard body against her backside. “You’re so naughty, but I’m going to treat you so nice.” Dropping to his knees, he turned around and maneuvered between her legs, coaxing them apart with insistent hands.
Jude closed her eyes, the magnitude of his positioning was too much and she dropped her head down onto the cushion. His hands gripped her hips, while his lips caressed her, driving her mad with ecstasy while he situated her over him. With his tongue, he made her universe thunder and her thighs vibrate. Jude moaned from pure bliss as his hands rubbed down the outside of her legs. Gently, he kissed each of her inner thighs hesitant to leave a mark on her. Just before he was about to move, she asked, “If you could do anything to me, what would you do?”
He was about to speak, but she added, “Shh. Don’t tell me. Do it.”
His lips stroked her thigh and he sucked, closing his eyes, and marking her. Reaching down, her fingers scraped through his hair, encouraging him.
Moving out from under her, he stood up and put pressure on her back, running his hands from her shoulders to her ass until his cock was right there, where he wanted to be most. “How did you know?”
“I didn’t. I hoped. Don’t let the world taint what we have together. I love you.”
“Remember how much I love you too.” He thrust inside her without warning, needing her wet heat to swallow him. Their mouths dropped open, solicitous moans escaping.
“God, I missed this,” he said, squeezing her as he stilled. His breath rolled over her skin, making her shiver.
She wanted to speak, but words were failing her so she squirmed instead, and he started moving again. Faster and faster until her breath caught and she cried out. “Oh God!”
Her body embraced him and he came thereafter, holding her hips for leverage. More kisses were followed though Jude felt helpless and sated, and loved. She opened her eyes when he stood up, taking her hand to help her up too. In one fast swoop, she was in his arms being carried to the bedroom.
Taylor set her down on the bed to recover, then joined her under the covers. Moments passed before their breathing evened. Jude stayed in his arms, never wanting to leave them again. They became a tangle of relaxed limbs, sleep starting to arise, but then she asked, “Why do we cry out ‘God’ when we come? We’re not even that religious.”
He burst out laughing. “I seriously missed you.”
“I missed you too. But really, do you think it’s because there’s nothing more powerful in that moment? It feels that way to me.”
Amused, he kissed her temple, and said, “Maybe it’s because we’re closer to Heaven when we’re joined together.”
“Oh, that’s a really good answer.”
“Glad you like it.” He closed his eyes, still smiling.
A ringing made both of their eyes open. She sat up and swung her legs over the edge of the mattress. “I’ll be right back.”
“Is that your phone?”
“Yes.”
He lay back with his hands under his head. “I still can’t believe you have a phone. Do I get the number?”
“Yes, of course,” she said, giggling as she ran out of the room. She grabbed it and answered it. “Hello?”
“It’s Caleb. We got our expedited hearing. Monday at eleven.”
“This is amazing news.”
“It is,” he said. “Now what are you going to do until then? Where are you going to stay? It’s not safe for you to be there. They’ll know in the next hour.”
She looked over her shoulder and saw Hazel in all his naked glory leaning against the door to the bedroom. “I’m with Taylor.”
There was a pause, and then Caleb questioned, “With with or talking with?”
“With with. For good. I’ll stay with him.”
“Are you safe there? They may come for you, like last time.”
“This time they have no right to take me, correct? The order of protection is in place?”
“That’s correct, but that doesn’t ultimately protect you.” He sounded worried, and said, “Don’t go out on your own. Stay with Taylor. Just lay low until Monday. All right?”
“Okay. I will.”
“And say hello to him. It’s good to hear you so happy.”
“Thanks,” she said, smiling though he couldn’t see. But she did feel happy. Happy in love. “And I will.”
When she hung up, Taylor said, “I don’t want you to think I’m prying, but I want to know.”