Hey Jude (Lennox Valley Chronicles #1)

He reaches out and smoothes my hair, taking a deep breath. “Can we try this properly?”

I nod, holding his gaze.

“Have dinner with me. Tonight. I’ll cook.”

18

OLENA

Nestled in the woods, perched on a hill overlooking the river’s edge, Jude’s place has a kind of dreamy, rustic log cabin vibe. I can’t help thinking it suits him perfectly. Hunky lumberjack is fucking right, I think with a smirk. Standing on the covered front porch, I knock on his door and wait, my insides fluttering with nervous anticipation.

Jude answers the door looking freshly showered, his hair slightly damp. He’s wearing a fitted navy blue henley shirt and clean jeans. His sleeves are pushed up, showing the tattoos on his arms. He slowly wipes his hands on a tea towel, regarding me with a lazy grin.

I take a moment to catch my breath. Neither of us speaks as he steps aside to let me in the door. As he shuts it gently behind us, his hand slides down my arm, pulling me close.

I wrap my arms around his waist and close my eyes, my face in his chest, breathing in deeply. He smells so good.

Burying his face in my hair, he presses a kiss to the top of my head and softly rubs my back. “You smell amazing,” he murmurs into my hair.

I rushed home after work to shower too. I’ve never gotten ready so fast in my life.

“I was just thinking the same about you. Beats mud by a mile.” I smile up at him. “Although that does have a certain… appeal.” I raise an eyebrow and he smirks.

He leans down, pressing a gentle, lingering kiss to my cheek. Releasing our embrace, I quickly shrug off my coat and kick off my shoes, leaving them near the front door.

Murphy lumbers over to greet me, tail wagging lazily, and I stoop to ruffle him around the neck. When he’s had his fill of affection, he plods away, settling down in his dog bed nearby.

“Come with me.” Jude takes my hand and leads me into the kitchen, where a pot of water simmers quietly on the stove. The kitchen is simple, a small island in the center.

“Your house suits you,” I say as my eyes travel the room. Across from the kitchen is a small living room with a wood-burning stove. The back of the couch, draped in a plaid blanket, is all that separates the two rooms, which are otherwise one big space. There’s a small hallway opposite where I stand, presumably leading to Jude’s bedroom at the back of the house.

“Suits me? How so?”

I turn to him, stepping in close as he runs his hands up and down my arms.

My hands find his waist. “Well, it’s quiet. And rugged.” I raise an eyebrow and see him smile, dropping his gaze briefly. “And sturdy, I guess… like it’s been here for ages. Weathered some storms.”

“Well, you’re right about the house being old,” he replies, smiling. “My grandfather built this place. It was our family’s summer cabin when we were growing up.”

“We?” I ask, tilting my head.

“Me and my little brother, Miles.”

I nod.

“He lived here with me for a while, but he works in construction in Seattle now. So now it’s just me here.”

Just me, I repeat to myself in my head. Like there’s anything just about Jude.

His eyes pass over the room. “I’ve had to fix the house up quite a bit to make it comfortable for living here year-round but… it works.” He gives a small shrug.

“Well, I love it. Very cozy,” I say, smiling up at him as he brushes a thumb over my cheek. My eyes dip down to his lips.

“Glad you like it.” He sounds almost sheepish. “I do too. It’s quiet, like you said—for the most part. Miles shows up to crash once in a while. Keeps me on my toes.”

“Seems pretty quiet right now,” I say suggestively. I love that we’re in this isolated, private place together. Just us. We’ve never been alone like this.

He grins and pulls away, squeezing my fingers before motioning for me to sit on one of the stools at the island.