Page 22 of The Surrender

And immediately get tugged back.

“Jude, I’ve got to go.”

“Not a fan.”

I roll my eyes and make to move again, getting precisely nowhere, as Jude keeps me safe and close to his chest. “Come on, you promised to let me leave.”

“I made no promises. I think you’ll find that what I actually said was I’d think about your proposal. I’ve thought about it. And I have my answer. It’s a no.”

“Do you want some more time to think about that?” I ask on a laugh.

“It took me a split second to think about it. I just took longer to inform you of my decision.”

“And do I get a say?”

“No again.” He hugs me tight, pushing his nose into the crook of my neck and breathing in deeply. “You don’t want to leave me anyway.”

“I have so much to catch up on,” I say, really wishing I didn’t. “Clark’s wedding took up all of Friday and Saturday, I did nothing to prep for my week, I have investment reports to wrap up, and I’ve got to pack.” I feel Jude sag against me. “Can we negotiate?”

He stills for a moment, obviously thinking. “Okay.” Then he helps me turn around to face him, both of our heads settling on the same pillow. “Negotiate.” He pouts at my exposed boobs and starts circling my nipple.

“I’d like to negotiate without any distractions.” I take his hand, remove it from my boob, and pull the cups of my bra into place. His gorgeous, sleepy face contorts with disapproval. “My job is very important to me.”

“I know that. Support that.”

I raise a brow, and he visibly sags.

“Please state your case,” he breathes tiredly. “Whilst also remembering that I’m a little bit obsessed with you and have a habit to feed.”

Such a comment shouldn’t make me grin in delight, and yet it does. “Duly noted.”

“Good. Proceed.”

“I have to go home to pack and prep for tomorrow. I’ve not exactly been operating at full capacity this past week.”

Jude falls onto his back and theatrically pretends to stab himself in the heart.

I sigh and crawl onto his sprawled body, sitting up on his waist. “That wasn’t intended to make you feel bad.”

“But I do,” he says, sliding his palms onto my thighs. “I really do.”

Dropping my front to his, I frame his head with my bent arms and play with some locks of his hair. “I know.”

“So if I can’t keep you tonight, can I have you tomorrow night?” His hopeful face melts me.

How can I refuse him? “I can live with that,” I whisper, sealing our lips.

“Good. Negotiations are over.” He rolls us and gets himself into position, sliding into me easily on a hitch of breath from us both. “Fucking hell, there’s no place better in the world.”

I reach for his arse and sink my nails into his hard flesh, humming, flexing up into his drive. His face nuzzles mine, prompting me to open my eyes.

And I look into his as he rocks into me, and we both come on long exhales.

Taking it slowly was never going to work.

Chapter 7

I managed to avoid bumping into Abbie outside her apartment by the skin of my teeth when I got back to her place last night, letting myself in just moments before she got home. It was so close, I was certain she must have passed Jude as he drove off, but she didn’t mention it when she found me elbows deep in clothes, packing. Instead, she got a bottle of wine and sat herself on my bed while I folded and packed, and we chatted about how wonderful Saturday had been. I gave her a half-true version of how I cut my hand. The whole time, a confession hung on the end of my tongue waiting to fall out, but I bottled it. I know she and Charley won’t be impressed that I’m seeing Jude again, and I can’t face their judgments. Or the fact that they might be right when they tell me I’m crazy for giving him another chance.