Page 86 of UNAwere

He’s kissing me like he’s finally found something that was missing to him. Like he’s exploring something sacred. A promise is within it, and something I can’t quite discern, but it’s real, and the primal part within me rears its head with a roar that sounds like Finally.

But then he steps back, breathing hard, and grunts. Shakes his head once, a deep frown between his brows. And I realise he’s about to pass out, the colour completely draining from his face.

Icatch Jude just before he falls, and he knocks me back into the sink, bruising my tailbone. Gritting my teeth, I pull him into my arms and heft him up, struggling as I try to get him back to the bed.

He lets out a helpless noise, semi-conscious, and I murmur to him, consoling. We make it to the bed, and I throw him on it, unable to stop the pain that must rip through his stomach when he lands. He bares his teeth, but his eyes stay closed.

I pull his boots off and get the covers up over him. By the time he’s in bed properly, I’m out of breath and sweating. But he doesn’t wake again, and I leave him there to rest, still reeling from the kiss.

I go to the shower and turn it on. My nose is full of his scent, and as much as I want to be surrounded by him, I need to wash the blood off me. My hands shake as I scrub myself. There’s a pulse between my legs that won’t let up, and I close my eyes against it, desperate to ignore the fact that Jude is a really good kisser.

When I’m clean, I head back out into the room, glancing around. There’s a seat opposite the bed, but it’s wooden and looks uncomfortable to sleep in.

Sighing, I go to the bed and lie down on the edge, in the space that isn’t taken up by Jude’s bulk. I can feel the heat radiating off him, lying so close, and his smell is stronger again. Edging closer, I lie on my side and rest my head on the crook of my elbow, gazing up at his face. He looks awful. But peaceful. I want to kiss him again.

Stop it, Sybbie. He kissed you because he was delirious with pain. And grateful for the good stitching job you did.

So I roll over, facing my back to him, and close my eyes.

Iwake late.

When I open my eyes, sunlight is streaming through the flimsy blinds, and I squint, grunting. I turn into the bed and nuzzle my nose against the spot where Jude’s scent is strongest. It takes me a moment to realise that spot is his chest, and I hear him murmur something in his sleep, his arm slipping over my waist.

I freeze, feeling his big hand mapping out the shape of my thigh, moving up towards the side of my belly.

‘Mmph,’ he grunts sleepily, shoving his face into my hair. ‘Lovely.’

It’s an odd feeling. Being here in bed, with this hulking brute beside me, and feeling like I belong. Snapping myself out of it, I slowly draw away, biting my tongue as I stare at his face, hoping he didn’t notice me inhaling his chest hairs. His eyes are closed, and he lets out an annoyed growl when I leave his grasp, but doesn’t stir again.

Getting up, I make a quick cup of coffee using the facilities in the room. I go to make Jude one, but when I glance at him, he’s still deep asleep, and I don’t think I want to wake him and ruin his rest. He’s been exhausted, and now with the injury, I know sleep is the best thing for him. So I drink it, sitting in the uncomfortable chair opposite the bed, and scroll through my phone.

Maeve has been texting me photos the last couple of days, to try to keep me up to speed on what’s been happening back home. I type out a reply, letting her know I miss her and that I’m doing okay.

I don’t tell her that I think I really like Grumble Bum. I don’t tell her that when he kissed me, it felt like everything in the world had finally clicked into place. I don’t tell her I think I’ve made a massive mistake, agreeing to be bonded to the alpha of Primrose.

I lock my phone and clean up the room a little. There’s blood on the sheets, but there isn’t much I can do other than strip the bed once Jude’s out of it. I go out and pack the car, then go back in to collect the big lug lying in the bed. He’s still asleep, and lifting him up and out to the car takes it out of me. But I get him into the passenger seat and recline it enough so he can keep sleeping.

He mumbles something again, turning his nose into my hair when it drapes over him as I lean to buckle his seatbelt.

‘Good,’ he says softly, and I bite back a laugh.

I close the door and run around the bonnet to the driver’s side and get in. And then I swear.

I don’t know where we’re going.

‘Jude,’ I whisper.

He grunts, adjusting his weight in his seat, but doesn’t open his eyes.

‘Jude…’

‘Mm…’

‘I need your phone and your list of pre-approved areas.’

He mumbles something indiscernible. I lean across the centre console and hold my breath as I start patting his jean pockets. He lets out a soft sound, a sound that shoots straight to my lower belly, and I bite my lip.

Snap out of it, you idiot.