Chapter 28 – Mabel
Chapter Twenty-Eight
MABEL
It’s getting late, we’ve all eaten our fill and cleaned everything up.
Paul and Anika haven’t arrived yet. With distance from Jude’s warm body all the reasons I shouldn’t have done what we did start to creep back into my head but no matter how hard I try the feeling of rightness of being with him is still keeping my blood at a simmer.
Elle and Patrick have retired to the loft. Jude went downstairs shortly after dinner, leaving me, Mama and Lola to cuddle up on the couch.
“I’m sorry again for leaving a mess in your bathroom, Mama. The water pressure is just so good.” I don’t really need to push about the reason I ran into her room after greeting them but I’m so anxious about the lie, I need to get an idea on if she believes me.
“Oh, baby, no worries at—” Mama’s words are cut off by the sound of the front door opening.
Our heads all turned to the door in unison, catching Anika trailing behind Paul who’s carrying a sleeping Henry in his arms. Exhaustion is evident in their expressions.
I’m quick to jump off the couch, grabbing the luggage out of Anika’s hands.
“I was about to head to bed, let me help you to the rooms,” I whisper, slipping my hand into Anika’s and pulling her along. Lola falls in line with our group heading downstairs.
“Goodnight, my darlings. See you in the morning.” Mama kisses us all on the cheek as we walk past her.
I can’t sleep.
Paul and I chatted for a few minutes after he got Henry settled in his bed. Anika had put up a fight about driving together, and the ride had been tense and Henry had picked up on it. It sounded like a hard time, as he described it.
A soft knock at my door almost pulls a scream out of me.
“Mabel, it’s me.” It’s so soft but Jude’s voice is unmistakable. I’m out of bed and pulling the door open in seconds. Jude fills the doorway, he’s still wearing his clothes from earlier but he’s clutching a pillow to his chest.
“I’m confused.”
“I stole one of your pillows during my escape, I brought a replacement.”
This fucking guy.
“Get in here.”
I reach out and take a fist full of his shirt and yank him into my room. My door shuts with a soft click. Grabbing the pillow out of his hands, I toss it over my shoulder and shove him against the door, pulling him down until our mouths are joined.
I’m under no illusion that I’d be able to move Jude’s body around like this without his consent, turning us and pushing him back until we hit my bed
“Will you stay with me? I know it’s not the best idea with everyone here now but I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep without you.” The vulnerability in my voice hurts but, somehow, he’s become my safe place and I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep if he leaves this room tonight.