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“Hey.” I was in his arms in seconds, Jude pulling me close. “God, I’m sorry about all this.”

Over the last few days, he’d been with me so much—held me so much—this felt more natural than being away from him. Even in my frustration, I felt my body relax next to his.

“I looked into Allison again. That’s one of the reasons I went over to the ranch this morning. Jerry also sent me the town security footage, and there’s nothing obvious on there pointing to Allison having anything to do with this.”

“But you said…”

“I know,” he agreed. “And I still think this is someone coming after you. But I can’t let you do this, especially not alone. Charlie is watching you, sweetheart. Getting caught following your rival through town wouldn’t help things.”

Anger flared in my chest, and I pushed away from him. It was a valid point, but my bruised heart wasn’t interested in logic right now. “You’re not letting me do anything, Jude. I wasn’t asking your permission. We’re not in bed right now.”

The blow struck, and his face fell for a moment before he closed his eyes. “I phrased that badly.”

“I’m woman enough to own that I like it when you control things in bed. I love it, and I don’t want it to stop.” The words felt wild in my chest. They were things I probably shouldn’t say, and yet I couldn’t seem to stop the train already on those tracks. “But you don’t get to dictate what I do and where I go. That’s not something I’ll tolerate, and if you think I will—”

Jude stepped to me, taking my face in his hands and kissing me hard. I wanted to be angry at him for interrupting, but this wasn’t a kiss trying to take over or shut me up. This was a kiss meant to soothe and calm. To break through what he saw was taking me over. I hated him for it just as much as I loved that he could see it and find a way to reach me.

“I’m not trying to do that. I don’t want to keep you locked away or make you feel you can’t do things, and I’m sorry I gave you that impression. But I also really don’t want you to end up in jail.” He smiled, rubbing his thumb across my cheek. “I’ve grown too used to being in your bed to settle for conjugal visits.”

That drew a smile from me, but only for a second, and he saw it. “But also, I didn’t say I wasn’t going to let you do it. I said I wasn’t going to let you do it alone.”

Something desperate in my soul eased.

“I know the power of instincts, and I wouldn’t be here with you without them. If you think something is wrong? We’re going to check it out, and I’m going to be with you. Not only because you and me driving around together is a bit less suspicious, but because I am here for you.” He kissed my forehead. “Always.”

Closing my eyes, I settled into the moment, trying not to think about how Jude had basically just declared us forever. Of course, that was what I wanted, but we hadn’t talked about it. Too many other things had gotten in the way. “Thank you.”

“I even brought some things to help.” He took my hand and kept me close under his arm as we left the bakery. It was a pity I couldn’t leave everything else spinning around in my brain behind, too.

Chapter 25

Jude

I watched Lena from Bessie’s passenger seat. Her teeth worried her bottom lip, her hands shifted on the steering wheel, and she was distracted. It wasn’t a lie that I was worried about her. I recognized desperation, and god, I understood it. But desperation could lead to disaster, and I didn’t want to see Lena go through more than she already had.

That being said, whatever she went through, I would be with her. No matter what.

I’d told her the truth in the bakery—I didn’t want or need to control her life. When we went to bed was a different story, but if I wanted to keep dominating this gorgeous woman in our bed, turning her into nothing but a collection of breath, sighs, and pleasure, I had to make sure she stayed out of jail. I hadn’t thought it would be an issue until earlier today.

Lena had been quiet since we’d parked down the street from Mountain Jewels Coffee, waiting for them to close. The shop itself shut down relatively early, as Deja Brew had done back when it was only Lena working there with no other employees.

Reaching over, I picked her hand up off the steering wheel and held it. I didn’t say anything, but I wanted to touch her. Most people knew I was quiet, and with Lena, I already spoke more than I did with everyone else. Right now, words weren’t needed. If we weren’t sitting in the car, I’d be holding her.

Earlier, I’d told her I’d always be there for her, and I hoped she knew it was true. Right now, in the middle of so much chaos, I didn’t think the time was right to tell her how deeply in love with her I was, or how I didn’t need any more time to know she was mine.

But as soon as we figured this out, I was going to tell her. Maybe take her out to Resting Warrior’s second property and make love to her under the stars first. I wanted to ask her to move to my house and make it exactly everything she wanted. Or, if she didn’t want that, I’d ask if I could install some better security at her house.

I didn’t care where we lived, as long as it was together.

“There she is,” Lena said, moving to pull her hand from mine, but I held it.

“Wait. Don’t start the car until she’s starting to pull away.”

She looked at me, still nervous. “Are you sure?”

“Very. We’re not in a city. We need to be careful if we’re following her, so she doesn’t notice. We’re also less likely to lose her out here.”

“Right.” Lena blew out a long breath. “Sorry.”