Harlow #2
“That’s not the kind of gift you just get someone.”
“Well.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “You kind of paid for it.”
“What?”
“There was no way I was going to profit off you living in my house. So I saved up your rent and got you something I thought you might need.” He raised his hand to stop me protesting.
“It’s old and it’s got high mileage, so it wasn’t much money.
But Scott—our mechanic—his grandpa drove it for years and took great care of it.
She’s safe and reliable, and you’ll need it for getting around Autumn Creek. ”
“Jude.” My gaze softened. He was so supportive and resolute, and I loved him for it. “Thank you.”
He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my lips, before drawing away just far enough to whisper. “The colour reminded me of your eyes. I had to get it.”
Before I could reply, he turned to something on the floor behind us, leaving me standing there, swooning. I’d barely given the rolled-up rug a second glance, but he shook it out, and I realized it was a picnic blanket.
“Have you had something to eat yet?”
I bit my lip. “Does coffee count?”
He rolled his eyes. “Sit down.” He patted the blanket next to him and pulled out two foil-wrapped items from a bag.
Jude tore one open and handed it to me, as I got settled, leaning against the wall, with sunlight streaming in over me.
The smell of warm herbs and a rich tomato sauce wafted to my nose and I let out a moan.
“Is this from Bianchi’s?”
The sauce smelled just like what he used for his spaghetti, but it was here in a perfect handheld form.
He nodded. “Luca wants to extend his opening hours. He’s testing out some new stuff.”
“This is incredible.” The sandwich was filled with meatballs, fresh herbs, and melted cheese.
“Right?” Jude dug into his own sub and we swapped stories about what we’d seen at the festival so far. Until my phone buzzed and I saw an email from Dawn. My eyes immediately caught the subject line and let out a squeal.
Contract Extension: Full-Time Marketing Manager.
My eyes darted across the screen. I knew I was staying in Autumn Creek no matter what.
That was a certainty for me. But Dawn must have been keeping an eye on attendance or maybe she had this email ready to go.
Either way, I definitely wasn’t expecting it today, and it was more than I could have even hoped for after what could have gone wrong.
I didn’t just get to stay here; I also could stay working at the town council—now with a promotion too.
Jude kicked out his long legs across the picnic blanket and asked. “Is that an email?”
“Smart guess.”
“I may have been privy to some information.” He grinned, leaning closer to cheers our sandwiches together. “Congratulations. Are you going to take it?”
“Of course. You’re stuck by my side now.”
“Just how I like it.” Moments later he took the now empty foil from my hands and started tidying up.
“I should get back out there,” I said.
“You have at least an hour off for lunch. And didn’t Dawn insist we enjoy ourselves?”
“I know, but…”
“So stay.”
“Stay and do what?”
“Hang out for a bit.” He winked.
“Is it something about picnics that makes you…wait!” My eyes leaped to where we were sitting, “Is this the picnic blanket?”
He hesitated and examined the plaid for a second. “Maybe? I don’t have a hoard of them lying around, so probably.”
“So it’s something about this blanket that turns you on, huh?” My words tumbled into a fit of laughter.
“Yeah,” he drawled, patting his lap. “It’s definitely the blanket. Now, come over here and help me out.”
I swung a leg over his hips and pressed my lips to his. My hair fell like curtains around us, letting in dappled sunlight as Jude held onto my waist. He urged my lips open and danced for dominance with my tongue.
I could feel him hard in his jeans between my spread thighs. And before I could remember that we were in an attic of Sweater Weather, I was grinding against him while we made out on the floor.
My skin was warm in the sun’s rays and my heart was racing. In front of me, Jude had half lidded eyes and a firm grip. Dark stubble framed his perfect, lopsided grin and wavy hair fell across his forehead. So devastatingly beautiful, and entirely mine.
“Take your jeans off, sweetheart.”
“Here?”
“No one else is coming into the cafe. I’m certain.”
I cocked my head, but shifted my hips over his once more. “I live with you now. You know you can easily fuck me in our bed, like a normal boyfriend?”
“Boyfriend, huh?” He smirked.
My heart didn’t even skip a beat; I knew this was meant to be. Even boyfriend felt like far too simple a word for what I felt for him, but it would do for now.
I loved him and he felt like home.
So I let a smirk cross my lips and replied, “Yeah.”
“I like it.” He gripped my waist harder to hold me as he rolled his hips upwards. The friction of his hard length beneath rough jeans made me cry out.
That’s it. My mind was racing with heated thoughts.
I jumped off him and peeled the denim from my body, my sweater and underwear followed, too. I sat back down, this time a little lower over his legs, so I could access what I wanted.
I gripped his cock through the fabric between us and he bit back a moan. The zipper came undone all too easily and I freed his length from his boxers as quickly as I could. Fuck, Jude Bramley was a vision, bathed in afternoon light and rock hard with a hungry gaze.
“Come here,” he said, voice husky.
I shifted closer and his hand met my hips, then trailed lower. The entire time his eyes stayed glued to mine, our faces barely an inch apart. He reached where I was aching for him.
“You’re so wet already, sweetheart.”
I whimpered as his fingers dipped to my clit. I was helpless, legs spread as I made room for his body beneath mine. It was almost enough to make me lose my mind.
My hand landed on his shoulder and I sank down to try to ease the torment. His cock notched at my entrance and I lowered.
“Fuck,” he hissed, as I slowly took him all in. “So good, Harlow.”
My lips parted, enjoying his praise. It only made my pulse throb harder in every nerve ending in my body. My knees pressed into the picnic blanket and I rose up, then sunk down again. I could feel him everywhere, filling me completely.
We fit just right.
My bare skin bounced against his open jeans and the callouses of his fingertips, as I built up a steady speed.
“That’s my girl,” he murmured.
“Your girl, huh?” I rose right to the top of his length and fell once again.
“Yeah, exactly. Look at how well you take me.” He thrust hard, meeting my hips and I cried out. He took one hand from my waist and brought it to the apex of my thighs again. “You’re going to come around my cock, aren’t you?”
His fingers circled ruthlessly as I rode. It turned me into a whimpering mess.
“So close.”
“You’ve got me there, too,” he said, ravenous as he trailed those golden eyes over me.
His words, his gaze, the sight of him underneath me, and the way he filled me to the brim. It was perfect—and I shattered.
His fingers didn’t stop as I clenched around him and felt him release inside of me. I threw my head back, gasping and moaning. It could have been seconds or hours, I felt so otherworldly with the sun on my back and filled with ecstasy.
Gently, as I blinked back to reality—a reality I couldn’t believe was actually mine—and Jude flipped us over, laying me out on the blanket beside him.
“Feeling good?”
“Relaxed.” I nodded dreamily.
“Good.” He tucked me against his shoulder and I cuddled in closer. “You’re not going to miss anything out there. The festivities will be going on well into the night. Rest if you want, you deserve it. I can wake you up later so you can watch the sunset, see the band, maybe go to The Crabapple.”
“This is why I love you so much.” Of course, I want every single thing he said. I breathed in his apple and pine scent with a smile. “Will you come with me?”
“Of course. You’ve got me. I’m by your side, sweetheart.”