Page 125 of Crave

Jude let out a slow, sharp breath. His fingers curled into fists, the muscles in his forearms flexing as he fought himself, fought me, fought this thing between us.

“Use it on me,” he said suddenly.

My stomach clenched. “What?”

His eyes flashed. Something unhinged, something raw.

“Your power,” he said. “Use it. Make me want you more.”

A shiver slid down my spine.

He was playing with fire.

And so was I.

I let that hunger slip out, a whisper of something forbidden, curling through the space between us, brushing against him like an unseen touch.

Jude inhaled sharply, his pupils blown wide, his body reacting instantly as he searched my gaze. His breath came faster, his shoulders rising and falling, his entire frame wired tight with tension.

But he didn’t move.

Not yet.

Not until I whispered?—

“Touch me.”

The second the words left my lips, his hand shot out, grabbing my waist, pulling me against him.

I gasped, the impact jarring, my body melting into his without resistance. His grip was too tight, fingers pressing into my hips, his breathing uneven, shaky, wrecked.

“Fuck,”he muttered, like he’d just lost. A battle he’d spent years trying to win.

Then his fingers slid lower, moving between my legs. Those thick fingers plucked the elastic of my panties and slid under. I didn’t need to think, just react. My foot shifted, legs widening as he pushed into the flesh that was already swollen and tender.

I trembled, my body betraying me, opening for him, ready for him.

Jude let out a sharp, ragged breath.

“You’re already wet for me,” he murmured, almost like he hated it. Almost like it ruined him to know it. “Or are you thinking about my brothers instead?”

A tremble coursed through me. Heat flashed, twisting into something painful in its desperation.

Because I wanted to be ruined by him.

I wanted him to hate this.

Hate me.

And still give in anyway.

His fingers teased, brushed, dipping in and out of my body in slow, measured strokes.

My head fell back, a soft, broken moan spilling from my lips.

And Jude—Jude clenched his jaw so hard I thought it might break. Shadows carved lines down his strong jaw. He was so savage in this moment…so utterly savage.

“You’re so fucking desperate,” he murmured, almost to himself. “Still aching from them. And yet?—”