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Addy was toasted, so I didn’t really blame her. Though she apologized too, admitting that in her alcohol-leaden mind, it seemed like a good opportunity for Jude and me to get to know each other.
She wasn’twrong.
It opened a gateway… to all of our conversations that followed.
And now, those beginning threads of our friendship have wound themselves together, forming something a little stronger day by day.
Chapter Ten
Jude
Declan sinks beneath my skin more and more, day by day.
It’s been, what? Two, three weeks? And she’s already managed to kick at my boundaries, tumble over them, and land directly at the forefront of my mind—all without trying. Which, if I’m being completely honest, turns me on and pisses me off in equal measure.
I never intended to share my story with her, though—however small a part of the full story it was. But when she opened up to me on the boat, telling me about her brother and the crash that took his life and almost took hers, it hit so close to home that it felt almost…wrongnot to.
It forced an inexplicable shift in me. One I’ve been grappling with ever since.
Why her? Why this stranger? Whyhersmile?Herlaughter? Her company. The depths of her sorrow-stricken gaze.Why her?To ignite something within me. To make me feel as if I could unravel at the seams if I’m not careful.
Because Declan, she’s shadows wrapped in darkness, but I feel her presence in a way that burns.
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My head falls between my forearms, wrists bearing my weight at the railing of the balcony.
Anger, frustration—jealousy—pool through my veins. A feeling I have no right to fucking feel.
I walked into the party a few minutes ago—late,after hanging back at the Masons’ to take a FaceTime call with my parents—only to arrive at Boss’s to find Parker hogging Declan’s time. Her attention. Her smiles.Her fucking physical space.Leaning into her as he spoke, chuckling about something under his breath with an ease that doesn’t belong to him. Not when it comes to Declan.
I realize what a douchebag I sound like, but I can’t fucking help it. I can’t seem to help myself when it comes to this girl whatsoever. After a few short weeks of spending time with her, getting to know her, already attracted to her from the first second I laid eyes on her, learning more about her story and sharing more than I ever planned to in return, I’ve grown… protective of her.
Possessivewould be the more accurate term.
The sight of them together twisted at my limbs, urging my legs to move forward and claim what clearly isn’t mine.
So, I forced myself to do the opposite and headed outside.
I needed some air.
Some fucking space to breathe.
But Declan’s scent still clings to the fabric of my black sweatshirt, the soft and floral smell assaulting my senses. I refuse to admit I haven’t washed it since she returned it. For no particular reason other than it smells like a place I’d love to fucking bury myself in.
Pathetic.
I groan and wipe my hand down my face as I straighten my spine. She’s got me all twisted up. A feeling I haven’t felt in a long damn time. Not since Brenna.
The thought irritates me. Irrationally so.
Declan doesn’t belong to me. Not even close. So why do I feel this primal need to storm back inside and tear her from Parker’s grasp? To stake a claim for him and everyone else to see? Officially.
The fact of the matter is, I trust Parker. I know the conversation happening in there is all friendly. It’s my reaction to it that doesn’t make a lick of sense. I need to get shit straight in my own head. Problem is, I don’t have the first fucking clue how to go about doing that when the only thought running on a loop in my mind is—
I want her.
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