Jude by Linda Warren

Author:Linda Warren
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-05-01T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Jude’s cruel words pierced the protective barrier she’d built around her heart. All the pain, misery, loneliness and suffering she’d manage to overcome blindsided her, and a renewed pain burned deep inside her. She wanted to cry out from the agony. Her throat closed up and air left her lungs. She didn’t need to breathe. She didn’t need anything anymore.

Somewhere in that realm of self-pity, the courage that kept her going for so many years resurfaced, saving her.

A barely audible “I can’t” came out.

“I know,” was his equally quiet response. His dark eyes held hers captive and she was mesmerized by the heartache and something else she remembered well. “And then there’s this.” He reached out and ran his hand around her neck, caressing her sensitive nape, and gentle waves of comfort flowed through her. It had been so long.

He pulled her forward, his mouth opening over hers. She moaned and wrapped her arms around him, getting as close as possible to return his heated kiss. The box of photos tumbled to the floor and neither noticed.

He kissed her as if he was starving for her taste, her touch, the feel of her. She was the same, needing to renew every inch of his muscled, firm body. Their lips and tongues did the talking and they couldn’t get enough of the delicious sensation of each other. Locked tight in his arms, his lips on hers, she thought if she died like this, she would be a happy woman. Soon they had to breathe and Jude drew back slightly, resting his forehead on hers, and she breathed in the scent of him: leather, fresh country air and desire so thick they both recognized it.

“I don’t want to hurt Zane and I don’t want to hurt you, either.” His words were soothing, like a familiar touch in the dark.

“I can’t leave.” She kissed the spot under his chin and the heat of his skin was a tangible thing that ignited her senses all over again.

“He’s already hurting and ignoring his true feelings and I don’t know how to help him.”

“Just be there for him, but please don’t ask me not to see him. Don’t punish me. I’ve paid enough.”

Jude got to his feet so quickly she couldn’t stop him. Without a backward glance he walked to the door and soon she heard his truck leaving the driveway.

Feeling stunned and overwhelmed, she took a moment to collect her thoughts, trying to figure out what had just happened. He’d kissed her like a man, not a callow youth, but all those emotions were as vibrant as ever and she felt them all the way to her soul. He had to have felt them, too.

The photos were strewn around her. He’d forgotten them. That meant he would have to come back one more time. She gathered the photos like bits and pieces of a giant puzzle, except there was one important piece missing—her.

She touched her aching lips, feeling all his energy once again. How had she survived all these years without him in her life?

Hey, Jude.

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