“Pops, you can’t lay that on me. Jude gets to decide what she wants, and this is probably a lot for her.” Actually, I know for sure that it’s a lot for her, but I’m not about to tell them that.
Pops nods his head. “Yeah, I can see that, but we’re also good for her. Even if, for some reason, you are stupid enough to not marry her, she still belongs here. We’re adopting her. Period. End of subject.” He walks out, and I shake my head, wondering how I will be able to convince Jude to join us.
Rem shrugs his shoulders and says, “The Lord has spoken.”
I realize then, I feel happy and free. Never before have they given a stamp of approval on any part of my life. When I joined the military, Pops was excited, but Rem and Seb were disappointed, even if they never said it.
Seb and Rem had different paths, ones that involved picket fences. Not my path. Or, at least, I had never thought I wanted a picket fence. But now? God knows, I have been thinking about them lately.
Their approval is a big deal, and Pops liking her as much as I do? Yeah, that is just icing on an already fucking delicious cake. I would be a fool not to keep her if I could.
When we arrive home, Jude kicks off her shoes and sinks into the couch. I do the same but remain standing in the foyer.
“Would you like something to drink? Maybe some tea?”
“Tea? I think it is a little too late for me to have more caffeine.”
“No, I was thinking of some sleepy time or chamomile. Something soothing, and while you drink it, we could sit and talk for a bit. Unwind.”
“I would like that.” She nods.
“I have a request, then if you don’t mind?”
“Sure. What is it?”
“Would you stay in that dress a little longer?” I grin at her, unable to help it. She looks so fucking hot. It’s been driving me crazy all night. Part of me wanted to rip the thing off and lick the skin beneath while the other wanted to just stare at her all night.
She chuckles, and even from a distance, I can see her eyes sparkling. “Yes, Lex, I will. But don’t keep me waiting too long. I might slip out of it and into some pj’s.”
I laugh and head into the kitchen. I make us a quick pot of tea and bring it in with two cups. Before my ass hits the couch cushion, I ask, “So, today must have been overwhelming as hell for you. Did they make you feel as comfortable as you looked?”
Jude cradles the cup of tea in both of her hands and stares down into the mug.
“It hurt my feelings when I heard that you were forced to bring me.” Her energy is tight and sad. Pulled in, in a way that makes it hard for me to reach her. Jude reminds me a lot of an onion when it comes to her emotions. There are layers upon layers that need peeling back, each one tougher than the last.
“What? When did I say that?” I shake my head, my brow furrowing. “There is no way I would’ve said something that stupid.” I shake my head again, confused, knowing she must have heard something else and misunderstood.
“No, you didn’t say it. Your brother’s toast, he said he coerced you to bring me to dinner. I think his words were “masterful brilliance” at forcing your hand, blackmailing you.” The pieces of the puzzle fall into place, making much more sense now.
“Oh, Jude. No, he didn’t mean it like you’re thinking.” I set my cup on the table and lean forward a little.
Jude nods once, tightly, her face still masked, though I can see that she is letting go of it a little, allowing some of her feelings to shine through.
“It might have been his idea, but nobody wanted it more than me. No one.”
Grabbing her hand, I place it between both of mine.
“Jude, look at me.” It takes her a moment to let down her anger and sadness enough to turn her face toward me. When she finally does, I soften completely and speak to her sweetly. Like she’s an injured bird, scared she is going to be batted away again.
“I wanted you there more than anything. The only reason I didn’t invite you on my own was because I didn’t think you would want to come. I didn’t want you to feel forced to be where you didn’t want to be. I never want you to feel uncomfortable, and I didn’t want to overwhelm you either. My family can be a lot sometimes.”
“I had a great time,” she admits. “But I was worried that they wouldn’t like me.”
“They loved you. Everyone loves you.” I stroke her hand, wanting to take her into my arms.
“Everyone loves me?” Her voice lifts up at the end as if she might have a little hope.
“Yes, everyone.” I hope she reads between the lines and understands. I don’t want to scare her away by saying the words directly, but I do love her, there is no doubt about it.
The tension seems to have drained away as her shoulders relax, and she melts into the couch.
“I like that.” Her smile is shy and sweet, making me grin.
“Do you like it enough to let me kiss you?” My voice becomes husky. “You know, there is that dress and the kiss you promised to give me while you were wearing it.”
“Yeah, you can kiss me. Then can we go to bed, and will you hold me?”
“Demanding one, aren’t you?” I tease.
I lean forward, and my mouth meets hers. A tender explosion of gentle sweetness envelopes me. The kind of explosion that is all fire meeting fire. Not intense flames, the quiet ones, connecting to each other, and then doubling down and expanding. I feel fortunate to taste her lips. I feel whole. In ways, I have never felt before. It’s as if I have a meaning, like Jude being here has made my life worthy of something. Not that it wasn’t worthy before, but it’s of more worth now, and I can’t really explain how.
For a long while, we kiss, our hands and lips only touching and though I yearn for more, I know the importance of letting her take the lead and guide us wherever we’re going. Breaking the kiss, I press my forehead against hers.
“Thank you for coming today,” I whisper.
Jude beams, her lips tipping up at the sides into a smile. “Thank you for inviting me. I can’t believe you’ve never brought anyone home to meet your family.”
“There was never anyone worth bringing home.”
Pulling back, Jude cocks her head to the side, and I sneak a stray strand of blonde hair back behind her ear. “You’ve never had a girlfriend?” she asks curiously.
“I have had a few, but none I’d considered bringing home. My family is sacred to me, and for someone to get to meet them, it’s special.”
I hope she can see how special she is to me, see how much I want her, not just to protect her, but really want her.
Her gaze becomes misty, and she blinks a couple of times, almost as if she’s holding back tears. “Thank you, Lex, for giving me that. For letting me be a part of something special even if I’m not really worthy of it.”
Worthy of it?
She can’t possibly think she’s unworthy of someone like me. It’s me who is unworthy of her. I’m nothing special, but she’s gold, a rare and prized jewel.
“Don’t you ever say that again,” I growl, cupping her by both cheeks. Her gaze widens with shock. “Don’t ever think you’re unworthy because you aren’t. There is no one in this world like you. Every night, after I’d spent that one night with you, I’d lie down to go to sleep, and all I could ever think about was what you were doing. Where you were. You were under my skin the moment I met you, Jude.”