Say It's Forever (Redemption Hills 2)

On top of that? Jud didn’t know the first thing about me. Didn’t know my responsibilities. My greatest, most beautiful obligation.

Nor did he know my deepest, darkest pain.

Jud: That’s right. Your brother works for me.

I felt the ferocity in his tone. The fact he didn’t give a crap. This man took what he wanted, and he made no apologies.

And there I was, the fool who wanted to tell him I wanted it, too. To explore this attraction. An attraction so intense it couldn’t be faked.

But I couldn’t.

I couldn’t.

I forced myself to type out a reasonable response.

Me: I don’t have the money to fix my car right now. I’ll see if Darius can have it towed back to the house.

He must have felt my blow off because it took him a minute to respond.

Jud: Already told you, I have you. Already ordered the parts.

Crap. I needed to argue. Tell him it wasn’t his duty. Stop this from going any farther than it already had. Still, a bout of worry climbed through my mind, digging holes in my refusal.

While I didn’t want to be in debt to him, I needed a car.

Me: I can’t believe I’m saying this, but okay. I really need a car. I will find a way to pay you back.

Jud: Not necessary.

I warred with what I wanted to say before I let my fingers fly free.

Me: Thank you, Jud, for being my savior.

My wicked, gorgeous savior.

Jud: My pleasure, darlin’.

I could almost see his smirk from across the space. That intimidating, hulking body standing in his kitchen. Barefooted and bare chested.

My breath hitched.

The memory inundating. The way it felt beneath that decadent stare. So sexy, he’d made my knees weak.

Jud: How about a pic of that gorgeous face to save with your number?

Disbelief slid into my grin. This guy was something.

Me: I don’t think that’s a good idea.

Jud: I think it’s a great idea. I’ll even return the favor.

Could feel the mischief woven in the words. Temptation and a trap.

Shit. This man was trying to do me in. I hesitated, my tongue stroking my suddenly dried lips. In an instant, I was parched. I glanced around the darkened room like I was doing something criminal, then I tapped out the message and pushed send before I could think better of it.

Me: Fine. But if you send a dick pic, I will stab you.

My eyes nearly bugged out of my head when I saw his response.

Jud: Don’t worry, darlin’. You see my cock for the first time? It’s going to be face-to-face.

Desire blistered through my body. Flames lapping at my flesh as I thought of what that might be like. I swore, I was burning up.

I blamed it on going without for so long.

Blamed it on my fear of being seen.

On my fear of being touched.

And right then? In the sanctuary of the words of this man?

It was the only thing I wanted.

To be touched.

To be seen.

To feel real.

I was wearing a light-blue satin pajama set. The bottoms were shorts and the top was a short-sleeved button up. I opened my phone camera and saw my face in the reflection. My eyes were dilated, and my cheeks were flushed.

All bad news.

Still, like a fool, I leaned back against the arm of the couch, let my hair fall around my shoulders, unbuttoned the first button of my sleep shirt, and lifted the camera high.

I snapped a shot that captured my face, my shoulders, the skin of my chest, the barest brush of cleavage showing through.

In the shadows, it appeared…sexy.

Or maybe it was just the way Jud Lawson made me feel.

Real since the moment my spirit had gone dim.

With trembling hands, I pressed send before I thought better of it. Before I let myself contemplate the dangerous game I was playing.

Jud: Fuckin’ gorgeous. Thought I had to be dreaming when I saw you in the rain.

Another message came in right behind the last.

Jud: Tell me one thing, darlin’. Did you feel it? Did you feel it last night?

He didn’t even have to clarify what it was. Not when it’d been so vibrant and bold. The crash of energy. The crackle of attraction.

The shaking in my hands intensified, and I knew I should lie, tell him goodbye, that I couldn’t keep up with whatever we were doing.

It was only going to hurt in the end.

But what did I do? I typed out the confession on a needy breath.

Me: Yes.

A second later, a picture popped through.

And that needy breath was punching from my lungs. Jud was there as promised, lying back in this massive bed fit for a king.

Black hair long on top and cropped at the sides, a thick black beard, those eyes piercing me in the night. Every rugged edge of his face was on display, those plush lips curved into a smirk.