It took a moment for Jude to answer the door. For some reason it surprised me that he opened the door himself. I honestly expected his housekeeper or someone who worked for him to answer instead. Jude Calloway himself stood in the doorway, looking at me as if he'd seen a ghost.
“Ember?” he said. “What are you doing here?”
Tears welled up in my eyes, so I looked away. I didn't want him to see me crying – it felt too much like manipulation. I stared at my feet and concentrated on maintaining my composure and keeping my voice steady as I told him what happened between my mom and I.
“She what?” he said, his voice rose a few notches. “She kicked you out because you were honest with me?”
“Pretty much,” I said. “I'm not asking for any money or anything. I – I just need a place to crash for a few days? Either until I can find a job or mom gets her head on straight?”
I peeked up at him, almost afraid to look. Most men would tell me to go to hell. I was the spawn of the devil, the daughter of his ex-wife. Thankfully, Jude wasn't like that.
He nodded stiffly and opened the door wider. “Sure, Ember. It's the least I can do,” he said. “Since this is my fault.”
“It's not your fault,” I said.
“Well it's certainly not your fault either,” he said.
I smiled, wiping the remnants of tears from my eyes.
“Hell, I know it's not my fault either. I don't regret what I did,” I said. “I just regret being born to an evil succubus of a mother.”
“Can't control that,” he laughed. “Good thing I still have a spare room. You're welcome to stay as long as you need to.”
Our eyes locked on each other. “You mean that?”
“I do,” he said. In his eyes, I saw something I couldn't place. “Besides, it might be nice to have some company and conversation around this place for a change.”
“You really were too good for my mom,” I said. “I hope you know that.”
His eyes sparkled, and a true smile touched his lips. His face softened, and for a moment, we just stood there, smiling like fools.
“Thank you, Ember,” he said. “I mean that.”
“Thank you for giving me a place to stay. If you need anything, anything at all, don't hesitate to ask,” I said. “I want to repay your kindness.”
Chapter Five
Jude
Anything? Her words reverberated through my brain and slid down my body, causing a tightness in my groin. She was technically no longer my stepdaughter – which meant that she wasn't off-limits. I could have her, and from the way she'd called out my name in the shower that time, I knew she wanted it. Wanted me. So, what was stopping me?
She batted her eyelashes at me, her green eyes sparkling. The smile on her face seemed innocent enough until you really studied it. I could tell she was hoping I'd suggest an arrangement – a sexual arrangement.
I ran a hand through my hair and cleared my throat, trying to force my mind back onto a more reasonable, less perverted footing. Me setting up a sex-for-lodging arrangement was the last thing this poor girl needed right now.
But, God, it's exactly what I needed. If she slept with me though, her mother might never forgive her. She already blamed her for the split. My hooking up with Ember would only add fuel to the fire.
Then again, would Lydia ever have to know?
I cleared my throat. “No need to repay me, Ember,” I said, trying to maintain my composure. “I owe you a favor anyway, for telling me the truth and helping me come to my senses about your mother.”
“Whatever you say, Jude,” she said, her grin growing wider. “Just know that I'm here, if you need me.”
So many ways to take her words, and of course, my brain went right to the gutter. I had a feeling though, that's exactly what she'd intended when she spoke. Or maybe, that was just my cock doing the thinking for me.
My body ached with a need, and her moans still echoed in my ears. That moment, when I heard her in the shower, getting off to thoughts about me, would forever be etched into my mind. It provided fodder for jacking off almost nightly, and the idea that she was standing there, offering herself to me, was almost too much for me to bear.
Her eyes drifted down to my groin, and she bit her lip. Her cheeks flushed with color and I feared that maybe I'd been reading her all wrong. Maybe that masturbation session had a one-time deal. She could be having doubts, just like I was, in order to repair the relationship with her mother.