Hey Jude (Lennox Valley Chronicles #1)

I shake my head. I can’t; the shame of my accusation is unbearable.

“Olena,” he tries again. This man’s patience is impressive. He lifts my chin with a finger and I force myself to meet his gaze.

I almost look away again; the emotion in his eyes is so potent. “Jude, I—”

He cuts me off, his voice rough. “Of course I want you.”

I inhale sharply.

“You’re all I think about.” He leans down to kiss my cheek.

My heart hammers in my chest as he brushes his lips against my skin.

“I can’t get my head straight when you’re around me,” he says softly against my cheek. “I want you every moment of every day. I can’t sleep because I’m thinking about you.” His hands run down my arms and I shiver.

I want to fall into his chest and lose myself. But something nags at me. I remember the regret in his eyes from Friday and I pull back, searching his expression. “Then what happened the other night? Why didn’t you just kiss me after Teddy left?”

A pained look crosses Jude’s face. He blows out a breath. “I got scared. Scared we almost got caught. Scared about what that would mean for”—he gestures around us—“this. My business. My team.”

My brow creases with worry. “Well, are you still worried about that? Have we screwed everything up?”

He looks away and smiles. “I hope not,” he chuckles, meeting my gaze again. “Or, at least, I don’t think so. Not yet, anyway.” He tucks a loose wisp of hair behind my ear.

I look down and smile.

“I realized…” He pauses, looking for the words. “I realized some things are worth the risk. You’re worth the risk.”

I inhale a breath, my eyes meeting his. “Jude…” I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how to take all of this in.

He furrows his brow. “I can’t believe I acted like such an ass.” He shakes his head, looking pained. “I should never have pushed you away like that.” He runs his thumb over my jawline, his fingertips in the hair at the nape of my neck. “God, even the idea of rejecting you is absurd. I mean, have you seen you?” He raises his eyebrows at me, his green eyes shining.

I snort out an awkward laugh. I must look awful—all flushed and distraught. “I’m a mess, sorry…”

“No.” He looks at me seriously. “Now, that I do reject.” He kisses my forehead again.

I can’t help but smile, but I’m still feeling cautious. I look up at him. “So, what now?”

“Well, we have to stop messing around like that on the job site, for one,” he says with a grimace. “That wasn’t very…”

“Professional?” I offer.

“Right.” He smiles down at me. “And I know I didn’t handle it very smoothly, either. With you, I mean. After you left that night… I instantly regretted hurting you.” His brow furrows as he looks at me. “I’m so sorry, Olena. For making you think, even for a moment, that I didn’t want this…” It looks like the idea hurts him physically. His eyes drop to my mouth and I’m drawn in again. “That I didn’t want you.” He pulls me in to him, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. The kiss is slow and gentle, but, as our lips part, the heat in his eyes promises more.

Oh, God, I want this too.

“I’m sorry too,” I say quietly. “For jumping to conclusions like that. And for avoiding you all day.” I roll my eyes as I start in on the long list of things I’m sorry for. “And for putting my foot in my mouth and for not being able to shut up when I—”

His finger covers my lips, stopping me. The corner of his mouth quirks up into a half-smile.

“I was doing it again, wasn’t I?” I ask, grimacing.

He nods with a sober expression and drops his hand, both of us breaking into a soft laugh.

He glances at the path that leads to the reality we have to face. “Speaking of being professional, though, we should probably…” He trails off, meeting my eyes.

I realize we are still, very much currently, at work.

We take a reluctant step apart and my chest already aches with that space between us.