Chapter 24 – Mabel
Chapter Twenty-Four
MABEL
Itry my best to hide out in my room for as long as possible but my stomach is starting to eat itself.
Unfortunately, a string cheese and glass of water dinner wasn’t going to be enough to survive hiding away all day.
I let out a groan, shaking my body in a totally age appropriate tantrum, before taking off the clothes I slept in.
Pulling on a loose pair of pants and a plain t-shirt, I tie my hair up into a messy bun and fortify myself to head upstairs.
Tantalizing smells of breakfast foods pull me up stairs with a little more urgency in my steps than my previous pace. The rumble of my stomach is audible and announces my arrival.
How fucking embarrasing.
I can feel my cheeks heat as my gaze finds Jude.
His back is to me but I can see the muscles in his back stiffen ever so slightly.
Bless him for not turning around immediately.
Wait, no, don’t bless him. Come on Mabel, get it together.
“Uh, good morning.” My voice is scratchy, almost husky, from lack of use and the excess sobbing.
“Mornin’, hope you don’t mind but I made some breakfast. Help yourself.” Jude still hasn’t looked at me but gestures towards the stove before grabbing a full plate of food and heading over to the dining table, sitting on the end.
Still not looking at me.
Why is he even here? Mama should have been the one to comfort me yesterday, that was the plan. Why had the plan changed and why had no one told me?
I don’t know why but this has my hackles rising.
I let out a small huff in annoyance, heading towards the stove to look at whatever Jude prepared. It feels like my stomach moans in pleasure as I take in the eggs and sausage that looks cooked to perfection.
I’m a slut for sausage.
Breakfast sausage.
Well…
I chuckle to myself and load a plate, spotting a few well buttered pieces of toast set to the side.
Don’t mind if I do. I stack two slices on the top of the rest of my breakfast haul.
I can feel my spirits lifting at the thought of satisfying my hunger pains with what looks like a delicious offering.
Now, the big decision of where to sit. The dining table is huge, made to accommodate the big Warren Clan. I have my pick of the seats, but despite my resolve this morning to avoid Jude as much as possible, his brush off irks something deep inside me.
God, these feelings are so fucked. I really should just pick a damn seat not on the complete other side of the table but with enough distance to not be close. That’s what I should do.
“Thank you for cooking.” I sit across the table from Jude, letting my plate clatter. Jude finally looks at me and I swear my heart stops when our eyes meet.
“Of course, Mabel.” His voice washes over me and that annoying swoop of arousal hits me in the stomach yet again.
“Listen,” He coughs and it seems like discomfort is choking him.
“Whatever happened yesterday, we don’t have to talk about it.
You don’t have to explain yourself or explain whatever caused that reaction.
If you don’t want to. But if for some reason you wanted to, I’m here. ”
I’ve stopped breathing and I can’t think of anything to say, I’m dumbfounded.
“Uh, yeah, so, I’m going to work outside today.
Make sure the grill and hot tub are all good for when everyone gets here tomorrow.
” Jude gives me a nod, not seeming at all concerned with my deer in headlights look, and stands from the table.
He takes his now empty plate and places it in the sink before slipping on his shoes and heading outside, just like he said.
I sit at the table, in shock, for way too long. I do eventually tuck in to my breakfast because cold eggs are super gross and goddamn Jude, it’s so good. I devour everything on my plate and go back for seconds. I’m stuffed, and no closer to figuring out how I should react to what Jude told me.
His understanding shakes me to my core.
So, instead of trying to process any of this, I clear the kitchen and do the dishes.
It’s the least I could do and unless I want to join Jude outside, it’s really the only thing to do.
I’d noticed while eating that Jude had cleaned up and put away all the baby toys that caused my breakdown yesterday.
My heart flutters and warmth starts to spread out to the rest of my body.
All thoughts of why I’ve pushed Jude away burn from my brain.
I stumble to the family room and drop my body onto one of the couches.
My hands clench and unclench as my thoughts circle through all my feelings and recent interactions with Jude.
I don’t know how long I’ve been sitting here, working myself up and back down, but it’s been long enough for Jude to take a break from his tasks outside. I can hear him breathing but I can’t move. I just listen to him walking around the front of the house.
“Mabel?” The question is innocent enough but I don’t answer.
I can’t. “Mabel, are you okay?” Footsteps stomping towards me and then he’s there, squatting in front of me.
All I can see is Jude. “Hey, Mabel, talk to me.” The concern on his face is clear.
“Mabel, please.” His hands raise and cradle my face, his palms are warm and I don’t stop myself from cuddling into them.
His touch feels right. My resolve snaps when I feel his thumb brush against my cheek.
“I’m okay, but I need you.” It comes out as a whisper, my resolve is solid but this is a vulnerable moment that I’m afraid to shatter.
“Mabel, I’m here. You have me.” His response is just as quiet, like he feels it too, and I can’t stop this even if I changed my mind.
I invade Jude’s space, pressing my lips against his jaw.
Jude’s body tenses but he doesn’t push me away.
“Jude, I need you.” I assert again, pressing another kiss to the side of his face, closer to the edge of his mouth this time.
Another beat, one last chance to let him walk away, before I invade his space again, pressing my mouth against his.
“Thank fuck.” Jude sighs before he returns my kiss, pulling us both to standing and pressing our bodies together. He kisses me exactly how I need and I’m lost in the feel of him, my panties flooding with arousal.
Jude keeps showing up for me in ways I never would have expected.
He’s taken all of my attempts to derail our time at work together and moved past them like they were nothing.
He took care of me while I broke down and didn’t push for any information, just comfort.
Not a lot of people would do that for someone else.
Fighting these feelings is getting harder and harder.
Do I even want to fight them anymore?
Soon enough, Jude’s own arousal becomes evident, pressing against my stomach. “Ignore that.” Jude lets out between kisses but I don’t want to ignore it. No, I can’t think of anything I want more than to drop to my knees and get a taste of just how much Jude seems to want me.
So I do.
I flick the button on his jeans and pull his monster cock out. God, how can a dick look so yummy? Not wanting to waste another moment, I wrap my lips around the mushroom head and suck.