Hey Jude (Lennox Valley Chronicles #1)

31

OLENA

“It was just a vase,” Jude says, returning from the downstairs hallway to where I’m waiting in the foyer. “Looks like someone left a window open in the bathroom down here.” He shrugs. “Guess the wind knocked it over. The floor tiles showed no mercy.” He gives me a lazy half-smile.

I exhale with relief and make a mental note to tell Charles and Carol about the vase tomorrow.

Jude smiles and reaches for me, pulling me into his chest. “I cleaned it up. And the window’s shut now.” He rests his chin on my head and rubs my back gently.

“Thank you,” I murmur against his damp shirt. “I feel silly for getting so freaked out. It’s just… that sound.” I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to shake off the memory once more.

He pulls back and lifts my face to his, looking into my eyes. “Hey. You’re not silly. It makes sense that sounds like that would be scary.” He kisses my cheek softly. “What do you need?”

“What do you mean?” I ask, searching his expression.

“To feel safe right now. What can I do to help you?” His gaze drops to my lips for a moment, lingering there before he kisses me.

“I feel safe with you here.” Seeking the warmth of his body, I slide my chilled hands under the back of his soaked shirt and smile apologetically when he sucks in a breath. “But I think I need to warm up,” I add, standing on tiptoes and brushing my lips against his cheek. “Come on.”

We climb the staircase in silence, Jude trailing behind me with his hand in mine. At the top, I pause to look around the sitting room in front of us. I’m shivering in my soaked clothes. Jude wraps his strong arms around my waist from behind, warming me. Over my shoulder, I see him lift his chin toward the fireplace. “Do you think we should make a fire or…?”

I turn in his arms and lift my eyes to his. “No.” I bite my lip and slide my hands over his muscled chest.

“No?” he asks, giving me a crooked smile.

“I had something else in mind,” I say quietly.

His dark gaze simmers with heat as his strong hands pull my body against his. His forehead grazes mine, his eyes lingering on my mouth, and an electric current surges from my core through my body in anticipation.

I lift my chin, my lips slightly parted.

Reaching between us, he slowly, achingly, traces the outline of my lips with his thumb, sending shivers of pleasure through me as he watches the soft flesh of my lips yield under his touch.

My breath catches. I’m waiting for more, not daring to move a muscle.

He doesn’t kiss me.

“Show me your room.” His lips are nearly touching mine. I’m dizzy with the desire already coursing through me.

I take a breath and reach a hand to his chest, grabbing a handful of his shirt and pulling him in the direction of my room.

Before we get to the bedroom door, Jude stops me from behind, slipping his hands around my waist and up under my sweater. He presses his hips into my back, his delicious hardness pushing against me. I lean into him, inviting more.

I grin with pleasure at the low rumbling sound from his throat.

His hands travel higher, palms cupping my breasts over my bra as he exhales against my neck. I tilt my head back against his shoulder as he traces his fingers down my stomach. He presses a soft kiss to my neck. I let out a breath, my eyelids fluttering.

“I thought you wanted to see my room,” I manage to say, still not turning as his hands rove over my skin, his fingertips dipping under the waistband of my leggings.

“Watching you from behind was too much,” he replies, pushing his hands lower still, his grazing touch stopping just short of where I know I’m already wet—and not from the rain. As he pulls his hands back up, I spin around to face him.

Dragging my hands down his chest, I smile. His eyes close as I run a palm slowly and firmly down his length. I love watching him react to my touch.

“Come on.” I pull on his belt loops and drag him the last few feet into my room. “Let’s warm up.” I arch an eyebrow as I lead him into the bathroom. The hunger in his eyes follows my every move.

I lean into the shower stall and turn the handle, the water hissing to life. When I turn around to face Jude, I can’t help but stare. He pulls off his soaked sweater, then his t-shirt, dropping them both on the floor at his feet as he steps into my arms. I let out a sigh at the sight of his impressive bare chest, the smooth planes of defined muscle I find my hands sliding over, exploring greedily.

God, he’s incredible.