“The day you came into my life, I knew I’d never be whole again cause you’d stolen a piece of my heart.”
Standing here right now, I’m feeling the exact same way.
I know that there will never be a day in my life where I won’t feel whole, not when I have Jude in my heart and by my side.
Gazing into his eyes, I nod. I’m not the same woman I was three months ago. Back then I was feeling too much, too soon, and had to run away from it and from him.
“I’d choose you with or without the Call. It’s only ever goin’ to be you.”
If I thought my husband’s gaze was hot before, that’s nothing compared to the blazing intensity in his eyes shining down on me now.
As for me, I’m filled with so much need and want and alotof very urgent, uncontrollable urges which aren’t exactly convenient when we’re standing in a room filled with Wyatt and my brothers.
“Wy?” Jude says, low and deep.
“Yeah, brother?” Wyatt’s voice is full of amusement.
“Need you to take the Wilsons out and come back for lunch.”
A snicker fills the air from one of the twins, followed by a snort from the other one. Then there’s a grossed out “Eww.That’s my sister” from Ash, and a commanding ‘let’s go,’ from Dare.
Moments later, the front door slams shut behind them, letting us know we’re alone again.
“I–”
“Love you too, Em,” Jude says, pulling me flush against his body so I can feel every single part of him. “So much. I’ve realized I can’t keep goin’ back and forth anymore. I can’t stay away from you. Leavin’ every Sunday is too hard and I know you dread it too.”
“So much. It’s like you take a part of me with you,” I reply. “I just want to be wherever you are. Whatever that means, wherever that takes us. The wheres and hows can be figured out. Thewhois non-negotiable.”
He sweeps a loose tendril of hair back behind my ear before resting his hand around the side of my neck, his thumb pressing my chin up so he can drop his forehead to mine. “Never leavin’ you, Em. Can’t. Don’t want to.Won’tdo it again.”
“Jude, I can’t ask that of you,” I whisper.
He slides his forehead back and forth once. “You ain’t askin’. I’mtellin’ you. This is us now, Em.”
“OK,” I say, pressing a barely there kiss against his lips.
But it’s not enough for me. I need more, and I can’t help but shift my weight back and forth, squirming, aching, needing to feel him… touch him… doeverythingwith him.
Jude’s dark eyes flash before he steps back and sweeps my legs out from under me before carrying me to the bedroom. “Don’t worry, Em. I’ll always take care of you.”
Chapter 18
Jude
“Jude!” she shrieks, clinging to my shoulders as I carry her through her bedroom door and kick it shut behind me.
Reaching the side of her bed, I slowly bend down to lay her on the mattress, loving how she’s looking at me with her blown pupils full of lust and need.
I go to lean over her but stop when she covers her mouth and starts giggling like a loon. So much so, it becomes uncontrollable. Soon enough she’s rolling from side to side with it, sneaking looks at me before laughing all over again.
What the hell is going on?
“Em…” I say. OK, half-growl.
“You just…” She snickers, waving her hand toward the door, “out there.” She points to my hips. “Lookin’ like…” Then she laughs again.
Glancing down, I realize I'm still wearing a towel.Justa towel. That’sallI was wearing in front of her brothers for the entire duration of our conversation.