Page 21

Chapter 20

Jude

S ince finding the phone, Mila had transformed. She was energetic and focused, spending hours in the spare room, talking to herself and slapping Post-its all over the walls.

Noah wanted to meet at the Caffeinated Moose this morning, and though I was loath to leave Mila, she’d kicked me out with a to-go order for scones and a latte. Then she’d gone straight back to work. Even Ripley barely acknowledged me when I said goodbye, too intent on watching the every move of her new favorite person.

Day by day, she was healing. And recovering her phone and the evidence it contained had been a huge leap toward ending this nightmare once and for all.

But, and I’d never admit this to anyone, the discovery made me sad. It was bittersweet, I supposed, because I enjoyed helping her. A tiny glimpse of her and a whiff of her delicious scent were enough to brighten my days. But now that she had what she needed, it was only a matter of time before she could go back to her life. And when that happened, I’d be me again. Except this time, I’d have the memories of her smile, her laugh, the sighs she let out when I brushed her hair.

The coffee shop was buzzing when I walked in. This place was one of several new businesses that were transforming the feel of our downtown, bringing it back to life.

When I stepped inside, I quickly found Noah settled in a back booth with two coffees in front of him.

He slid a black coffee across the table as I reached out to my niece, who was making grabby hands at me.

“She keeps growing.”

She pawed at my beard, giggling.

“Toddlers do that,” Noah replied. “She just learned how to walk, and already, she’s full-on running. I thought I was terrified before.” He shook his head.

“Things are working out okay in the new place?”

He nodded. “It’s beautiful. I’m beginning to see why you like the mountain life.”

Noah’s apartment building in town had burned down this summer, so he and Victoria were renting a cabin from Henri Gagnon on the other side of Lake Millinocket for the time being.

“Ude,” Tess said, breaking into a big smile. Her curly blond hair was in pigtails and her face was covered in crumbs from the giant cookie she’d probably suckered her dad into buying. She talked constantly and signed even more. I’d picked up on a few baby signs here and there, but she and Noah had a pretty vast vocabulary.

He’d been granted custody of her when her biological parents passed away, and for months, they’d only had each other. Their bond was so strong, and now that Vic was in the picture, they’d developed the same kind of devotion for her.

“I love you, Tessie girl,” I said, giving her a nuzzle.

She replied with a wet kiss to my cheek. I’d have to pressure wash my beard to get the chocolate chips out, but it was worth it.

As Noah chatted about Tess and the job he’d interviewed for, a unique sense of completeness hit me. He’d been gone for almost twenty years, and now that he was back, it was as if the limb I’d learned to function without had suddenly reappeared.

We were twins, always connected, even when he was in California. But with so much distance between us, I’d been incomplete. I’d made peace with that. I never thought he’d settle here in Lovewell. But Tess changed everything. And meeting Victoria sealed the deal.

Thoughts of them led to Mila. She’d almost lost her brother—and until he woke, she had, for all intents and purposes, I supposed—and she hadn’t been granted the kind of support my hometown had always given me. The kind of support I’d been taking for granted my entire life.

I had so much. A great job, a home, and a big, messy family. But I’d isolated myself, keeping my life small for so long that I’d lost sight of how fortunate I was.

I bounced Tess on my knee and shot my brother a grin.

In return, he pinned me with a glare that was out of character for him. He was the wild twin; I was the serious one. That meant something was up.

“Are you being safe?” he asked quietly.

I nodded.

“I have something for you. Here.”

He slid his hand across the table, palm down, all the while chatting with Tess, as if he was working not to arouse suspicion from the patrons around us.

He darted a look at me, then glanced at his hand. So, casually, I covered his hand with mine.

With an almost imperceptible nod, he drew his hand back and picked up his coffee.

I dragged my palm across the table. Only when the object was in my lap did I give it a cursory glance.

It was a small silver thumb drive.

Frowning, I looked up at him.

“Don’t ask,” he murmured. “Take it. Use it. Share it with Mila.”

My heart thumped painfully in my chest. “But.”

He shook his head. “I don’t know what’s on it. But we want you to have it. Hopefully it helps.”

I nodded and slipped it into my pocket.

“How?”

I’d tried so hard to keep Noah and Tess out of the mess our family had been embroiled in. He’d wanted nothing to do with our father or the family business for years. And after the fire, I couldn’t bear the thought of them being in danger.

“You didn’t get that from me. Or Vic.”

I nodded.

“Just finish this.” He reached for Tess, who went willingly, burying her face in his neck. “We’ve got so much to look forward to. It needs to end.”

His words hit me square in the chest. When the two of them were packed up and gone, I still hadn’t found the words to respond.

After they’d headed to the park, I sat, sipping my coffee and trying to orient my brain. We had more information and access than ever before. I was flattered that he had such faith in me. But I wasn’t that guy. I wasn’t the brave, strong hero type. As ready as I was for this to end, I didn’t know what I could do to make that happen.

Abandoning my plans to run errands in town, I headed straight home to show Mila the thumb drive. When I stepped into the house, I expected to find her slumped over my old laptop, researching.

Instead, she was standing in the living room, wearing a pair of my baggy sweatpants and a sports bra.

One of the black sports bras I’d bought for her at Target. Willa had guessed that she’d need a small, but based on the distractingly tight fit and how her breasts spilled out of the top, I should have bought a medium.

But if I’d done that, then I wouldn’t get to enjoy this spectacular view.

“You okay?”

She whipped around, a blush creeping up her chest and neck.

“Yes,” she squeaked. “Just doing the exercises Willa showed me. I thought you were gonna be gone for a while.”

“Sorry.” I wasn’t sure why I was apologizing for walking into my own home, but this encounter was hellishly awkward.

I lowered my gaze. “I’ll get out of your way.”

“Actually,” she said, garnering my attention again. “I need help.” With her lip caught between her teeth, she gestured at a tube of BioFreeze on the table. “I’m supposed to massage this into the shoulder and the tendons in my neck, but it’s hard to reach all the right places myself.”

I took a step forward, my mouth going dry at the suggestion.

“S-sure,” I forced the word out. “Gimme one second. I should wash my hands.”

In the bathroom, I turned the faucet on, giving myself a moment to think. I’d reined in my control as best as I could. After our kiss, I’d done my best to put space between us. And now I had to touch her?

I splashed cold water on my face.

Get it together, dumbass.

There were a lot of people counting on me. Especially Mila. I had to keep my feelings in check.

My dick would have to behave. There was no other option.

When I returned to the living room, she was squeezing a stress ball with her left hand while petting Ripley with her right. Mila was beautiful. I’d noticed that the first time I met her. But the determination in her expression, the determination she maintained in the face of adversity, only made her that much hotter.

“Tell me what you need me to do.”

She looked up at me from where she sat on the couch, those dark eyes blinking rapidly, and patted the cushion beside her. “Work it into the muscles and tendons around the injury.” She shifted, giving me her back. “The idea is to get the blood flowing so it heals faster.”

I squeezed a nickel-sized glob into one hand and gently stroked along the column of her neck, following the line of her shoulder. My skin tingled as I used my fingertips to rub circles against the muscles of her back, the gel working its magic.

“Is this okay?”

She nodded. “You can push a little harder, especially in my lat.”

Having my large, calloused hands so close to her injuries unnerved me. The last thing I wanted was to hurt her. She was so delicate and beautiful, her skin so soft.

I’d touched her before. Past Jude, that lucky bastard, hadn’t realized what an incredible privilege it was. The more I learned about her, the more impressed I was. I’d seen her laugh and cry. I’d borne witness to the sounds she made when she ate french fries.

She’d wanted me. After our kiss, she had been very clear about that. Even so, I’d been a gentleman. The good guy. I’d done the right thing. No matter how much I regretted it, I wouldn’t cross that line.

My heart pounded as I focused on applying pressure in the right spots.

“Yes,” she whispered softly, angling her head to give me more access.

God, what I wouldn’t do to kiss that neck.

Fuck, I’d bite it too, if I could. Every inch of her was so delicious.

Focus, idiot .

I dug my thumbs into the muscles in her neck.

In response, she let out a contented sigh.

My body locked up.

Control. Control , I chanted in my head. If she thought this was good, she had no idea what else I could do with my hands, my mouth, my dick. God, the thought had my jeans getting tight.

Every time she sighed, her chest heaved, and from my vantage point, I had the perfect view of the tops of her breasts as they spilled out of the too-tight sports bra. As I worked, I was assaulted with memories of how they felt, the light weight of them in my hands, and how fucking good her skin tasted when I licked and sucked and teased her nipples into peaks. Being this close was pure torture.

I squeezed my eyes shut, then tilted my head back. When I opened them again, I stared up at the ceiling, forcing myself to remember the cracks that I’d had to repair and all the days of painting I’d endured. This house was my solace, the project that had given my life meaning and purpose during some dark times.

For so long, I’d thought I was doing well. I enjoyed my job and was proud of my home. I spent time with my brothers and played with the band any time I wanted. The gigs allowed plenty of opportunities to socialize and hook up when it suited me.

In the two weeks she’d been here, Mila had changed this house, and she was changing me. I felt more alive than I had in years. Even my dog was happier.

“That feels so good,” she said. “It hurts a little, but I think I like it.”

I squeezed my eyes shut again and held my breath. Dammit, Mila . Did she have any idea how thin the thread I was hanging on to was?

“Great,” I said, my voice almost cracking.

I scooted back, releasing my hold on her. I needed to get out of here. Go for a run. Jump in the freezing-cold lake. Something. Anything to stop the hormones raging inside me and tame my attraction to this woman.

“Thank you.” She turned and gave me a shy smile.

“Yeah.” I stood abruptly, turning so she couldn’t see the bulge in my jeans, then strode to the kitchen.

“I’ve, um, I’ve got chores to do. Gotta go.”