Chapter 36 Reason to Stay #3
“Nothing, Cupcake.” He laughed, ruffling my hair while I fumed at his apparent lack of concern. “I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s cute though. Danny knew he’d fall asleep, so he wanted me to watch for you when I got home.”
“Something’s wrong,” I confessed, with tears threatening.
His face softened. “I think it’s been two years this month since he lost his dad—three since he got sick.”
“Oh.” How could I not know that?
“He’s okay. Probably sleeping it off on your couch.”
Jace walked me to the door, but it opened before I put my key in the lock.
Jude met us with red eyes, wearing a wrinkled T-shirt and sweats like he’d been asleep. He smacked Jace’s shoulder before pulling me to him.
“Thanks, man.”
“No problem. Get some sleep, dude. You look awful. Call if you need anything.”
Once the door was shut and locked, Jude tossed my wallet and keys on the kitchen bar, took my face in his hands, and kissed me.
“I’m sorry, Punk.”
“Why?” I pulled back to look at him.
“Because I was a jerk on the phone.”
“No, you weren’t.” I pinched his side to get a smile and mostly succeeded. “You passionately defended me, except I was the only one there.”
“Permission to koala?” he asked against my lips. “I need some emotional strangulation.”
I exhaled a laugh, happy to deliver and relieved he was teasing me back.
“I volunteer.”
I changed into sweats while he tossed my giant pillows on the floor and started a movie. Admittedly, there was more kissing than movie-watching, but the minute I started twirling his hair between my fingers, he was out like a light.
His hot breath slowed against my neck where he buried his face, the dead weight of his head and arm confining me to a prison I never wanted to escape.
I stayed as still as I could, still lightly dragging my nails over his scalp and down his back. Eventually I began to drift off and had to nudge him awake. I knew how important it was for him to follow through with his commitments, and I didn’t know his plan.
“Do you need an alarm?” I whispered.
He shifted his weight, reversing our positions, and tightened his arms around me. “You’re watching out for me.”
“Of course I am. You’re exhausted. What can I do?”
“I told Ray I had some business to handle at home and I’d be back tomorrow afternoon. I need to be irresponsible for eight hours. Rest with me? We’ll be grown-ups at 10 a.m.”
“So, blanket nest until ten?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he drawled lazily into my hair, the hum of his voice making me shiver. “Is that okay? You won’t take advantage of me in my weakened state, will you?”
I smacked his hip, the only move I could make the way we were wrapped up.
“Did you try to spank me? Little girl, I’m too tired to discuss boundaries, but once I’ve had some sleep, you’re in trouble.”
“Looking forward to it,” I whispered as I rolled over and settled my back against his chest.
“Mmm, me too.” His words hummed near my ear as his arm slipped around my waist. “You know what else?”
“Hmm?”
“I want to take you to a Braves game.”
“Really?”
“Mm-hmm. And maybe … a beach trip?” he asked softly, as if I might turn him down.
“Are you real?”
“I hope so.” His laugh rumbled against my back. “One more thing. I’ve wanted to for a while, but I didn’t know how you’d take it.”
“What?” I asked, tilting my face back.
“Houses …” he trailed off.
“What about houses?”
“I want to look together and see what you like.”
He was barely awake and so adorable I could hardly stand it.
“Anytime. But you need to sleep.”
“I think of all the things I want to ask you when I can’t sleep, but when I’m with you …”
“I’m not going anywhere, Boss Man. Go to sleep.”
The scent of eggs and bacon woke me just in time to see Jude looking like a sexy domesticated rock star, singing “Dream On” shirtless in my kitchen.
I was wrapped like a burrito in his blanket, and my hair was frizzed out like a troll doll, but I wiggled around till I could prop my chin on the arm of the couch and watch him to my heart’s content.
And was my heart ever content as I shamelessly ogled the muscles of his back and shoulders.
He caught me looking when he set our plates on the bar.
“You’re staring, baby. Any confessions?”
I motioned with my finger for him to come to me.
He was easily persuaded, scooping me into his lap as he settled back into my blanket pile.
I reveled in his clean scent and sleepily traced the tattoos on his chest. It was nowhere near 10 a.m., but he was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed like all was right in his world.
“It’s not ten,” I croaked.
“No, but I woke up hot, so I took a shower. Then I was wide awake.”
“You woke up hot, all right,” I mumbled, half asleep. “I wake up like warm garbage.”
“I was warm garbage when I got here.” He grinned, stroking my cheek. “But I felt great after I slept.”
“You felt great after sleeping on the floor?”
“Next to you, Punk.” He laughed, amused by my morning attitude. “I moved us to the couch, so it wasn’t bad. I just needed you. Those cute little sighs and snores are better than white noise.”
I lifted my hand to smack his chest, but he intercepted my sleepy movement, kissing my knuckles. “Your energy drink is on the counter. Go shower, and I’ll keep the food warm.”
I groaned, not wanting to move yet.
“Your morning breath doesn’t scare me. If you stay where you are, you will be kissed.”
My hand flew to my mouth, blocking any kiss attempt as I rolled off his lap, letting out a squeal when a light swat connected with my hip, scandalously close to my behind.
I spun around in mock horror but couldn’t contain my laughter.
“I warned you,” he said, rising from the couch with a heated grin. I ran to the bathroom and shut the door. “You better lock it!”
After breakfast we went back to the guys’ place so Jude could repack. We crowded into his room to hang out while he reorganized his suitcase and started a load of laundry.
“Why ya repackin’ if you’re coming back?” Sam asked, still lying across Jude’s unmade bed with me perched at his feet.
“So I don’t have to do it this weekend.”
The bed shook when Sam waggled his eyebrows in time with his hips. “Ahh, more time for bow-chicka-wow-wow.”
“SAM!” both guys yelled as I sprang to my feet on the bed, fully intending to drop a WWE elbow in his gut. Jude pulled me off the bed, restraining me against his chest.
Sam’s childish giggle died on his lips. “Oh, crap. Sorry. Too soon?”
“Too none of your business!” I snapped at him.
Jace spun the desk chair toward us, barely holding in a laugh. “Dude, don’t make comments like that in an enclosed space. What’s wrong with you?”
“I said I’m sorry.” Sam tossed a pillow.
Jace caught it and launched it back at Sam’s head. “Granny and Gramps over here were asleep before you. There was zero action in 2B last night.”
“Okay, that was equally offensive.” Jude still held me tightly from behind. I gripped his forearms under my chin, debating whether I should be amused or violent.
The teasing finally waned, and Sammy launched back into his never-ending plea to move into their tiny extra bedroom rather than return to the dorms. “I’m wastin’ money on that room and board plan, y’know?
I can’t focus with so many people walkin’ in and out, and I travel a lot.
Y’all are probably gonna be hitched by Christmas anyway … ”
My eyes blew wide before Jude stopped him. “Son! Rest your yap, for the love …”