Part 29 (2/2)
Jude carried her to a quiet corner and sat on a love seat. He kissed the top of her head and held her equally close as though she might slip away if he didn't. He nuzzled his face in her hair and inhaled long and deep. After several minutes, he finally spoke. ”I'm sorry.”
Lori sucked in a breath. ”What the h.e.l.l were you thinking?”
”I was a coward. I thought you deserved better. I panicked, fear that you aren't safe with me eating a hole in me. When I saw you lying on that bed, all bruised and beaten, I lost it. It was inexcusable that I put your life in danger by coming back and taking over your world. If I hadn't returned...”
She reached for his cheek and held his face with one hand. ”Oh, Jude. You couldn't have known all that would happen. You can't take the blame.”
He closed his eyes and leaned into her palm. ”You smell like heaven.” He reached for her opposite cheek and stroked it. He swallowed. ”Your face...”
”Is fine. It's healed.”
He furrowed his brow and met her gaze. ”I don't deserve you.”
”It wasn't your fault.”
”I can't guarantee there aren't others out there looking for me.” He nuzzled her neck until goose b.u.mps rose on her arms.
”I can't promise I won't get hit by a truck crossing the street. But that's no reason to hide out alone for the rest of your life.”
He lifted off her and stared hard into her eyes. ”I love you.”
”I love you too. Are you going to stay this time?”
”Yes. Promise.” He squeezed her against him. ”You won't be able to get rid of me. Eventually you'll wish I wasn't glued to your side.”
She smiled. ”I doubt that.” She held his face with both hands and narrowed her gaze. ”I will hunt you down and kill you myself if you pull that s.h.i.+t again. You hear?”
”Yes, ma'am.”
She continued to stare at him. ”Jason found you, didn't he?”
He nodded. ”Man's persuasive.”
”Glad he talked some sense into you. I was willing to let you rot on the beach.”
”I couldn't sleep well without you.”
”You don't even sleep well with me, Jude.” She hadn't seen him sleep more than a few minutes at a time since he'd returned from active duty.
”Yeah, I might have some issues I need to work through.”
”Maybe?”
”Okay, definitely. I wasn't willing to deal.”
”And now?”
”Now I have something worth living for. I have an appointment with the psychiatrist tomorrow. Some PTSD s.h.i.+t.” He rolled his eyes.
”Jude, it doesn't make you less of a man, or less of a Dom for that matter, just because you have stuff to work through. It makes you human.”
”I'm a lucky man.”
”Yeah. Stop forgetting it.” She kissed his lips. ”I'm out of patience.”
”Swear. Now, let's get out of here. I need to be inside you.”
”Where are we going? Between the two of us we have no place to live.”
”Hotel. I already checked in. We'll start looking tomorrow. Fresh start. New place. New beginning.”
”Sounds perfect.” She held him tighter and set her forehead against his. Could she blink? She closed her eyes several times and he was still there.
He smiled. ”Not going anywhere.”
”Prove it.”
”I will. Every day for the rest of your life.”
About the Author.
Becca Jameson lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and two kids. When she isn't writing, she can be found reading, editing, sc.r.a.pbooking, running, swimming, biking or taxiing kids all over creation. She doesn't sleep much...or sit down often...but she loves to be busy! Unlike many other authors, Becca had never written a single word until a few years ago. After enjoying several years on the editing side of the business, Becca decided to give writing a try. Now she can't stop! And the voices in her head are clamoring to get out faster than she can get them onto ”paper”! Still experimenting with both contemporary and paranormal genres, there is no telling what she may come up with next. To learn more about Becca Jameson, visit her blog at , email her at or tweet her @beccajameson.
Look for these t.i.tles by Becca Jameson
Now Available: Emergence Bound to be Taken Bound to be Tamed Durham Wolves Rescue in the Smokies Fire in the Smokies Freedom in the Smokies Coming Soon: Bound to be Tempted She's agreed to meet their demands...but can they meet her halfway?
Bound to be Tamed 2014 Becca Jameson Emergence, Book 2 Stephanie Parkins has decided to take a chance.
After a whirlwind week under the tutelage of two hot Doms who make her feel more than she's ever experienced, she's taking up the ultimate exercise in trust: quitting her job to put herself completely in their capable hands. Even when it pushes her way beyond her comfort zone.
Aiden Collins and Dane Whitman have fallen hard and fast.
Their unexpected submissive presents them with a challenge of their own: to train her to embrace her new lifestyle in an atmosphere of security and safety. Even when it means hiding a shocking secret until the right moment presents itself.
Her Doms push, and sometimes Stephanie pushes back, with deliciously wicked consequences. But just as her red-hot learning curve reaches its peak, secrets from her past come to searing light. Threatening to send her running back to familiar territory-alone.
Warning: This book contains intense bondage scenes, hot masturbation, man-on-man action, restraints, explicit use of s.e.x toys, spanking, flogging, public nudity, and a photo shoot that gives a whole new meaning to ”exposure”.
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