"I'll get him some water."
"Jud, baby, can you hear me?"
I look up at Sky, who's staring at me with worry plastered all across his face.
"Here," Yolanda says, pushing a glass of water in my direction.
I drink it. It doesn't taste right, but Yolanda looks relieved that I've drunk the water.
"Why don't you two get home? The production team will clean up and have everything ready for you tomorrow. You must be exhausted after the last few days."
I nod. "Thank you. You're right. I guess I didn't realize how much I was running on adrenaline. See you tomorrow?"
"You bet. I'm dying to try your mac and cheese with the maple-glazed bacon."
She gives us both a hug and virtually pushes us out the door.
I feel Sky's eyes on me as we walk over to his truck, but he doesn't ask me any questions, and the drive up to his cabin is also blissfully silent.
He leads me to the shower, and I allow him to take over for me. My mind is too busy to instruct my body to do normal life things, and his gentle touch feels so good.
I know I shouldn't lean on him so much, but I can't help it, and I want to take all of it while I can. Before he decides I'm no longer good for him. Before he realizes that I destroy everything I touch.
Once we're both dry, Sky takes me to bed without bothering with clothes. I'm not in the mood for sex, and I can feel Sky isn't either, but his warmth against my body is everything I need right now.
"Do you want to talk, baby?" he asks gently.
I know I need to tell him, but my throat has my whole heart stuck in it. I'm not sure actual sounds will come out if I try.
"You went deadly pale when Yolanda mentioned that guy. Do you know who he is?"
I nod against his chest.
"He's the food critic that destroyed my career in Paris."
"Oh, Jud." He runs his fingers through my damp hair, and I try so bad to not cry.
"Sky, I'm so scared he'll give us a bad review again. He could damage your business before it even starts up."
"Our business."
"What? No, Sky. Aren't you listening? You can't be associated with me. And if Patrick is making an effort to follow me wherever I go, he'll destroy your reputation. I can't go to LA either."
"Now you're saying something that I like."
I look up at him. "What?"
He puts his hands on my face, cupping my cheek. "Jud, I don't want you to go to LA. I want you here in Vermont with me. I know it's selfish, and if you end up going to LA, I'll support you. I guess I'll need to save up for all the airplane tickets I'll need. But I need you to know that I want you here, in my life, in my bed, every day and every night."
I sigh. "I guess I could pick up more shifts at the bar. The pay isn't too bad for bar work, and I don't have many expenses, and with Pierre's money, I can set aside a rainy day fund."
Sky groans, and next thing I know, I'm looking straight into his hazel eyes while he pins me to the bed.
"Listen to every word I say, Judson Hale. You are an amazing chef. You are talented and creative, and the proof is in all the smiles I saw today, including Patrick's. He loved your food, so I have no doubt that he's going to give you a brilliant review. And whether we win the show or not, we'll work toward opening our restaurant. In some form or another, Maple Sky will exist. Also, I love you."
He swallows my gasp with his lips. I don't have a chance to reply or say anything else because he doesn't let me go for longer than it takes for me to draw a breath.
My dick hardens, and I feel his getting hard too, but they remain ignored in favor of more kissing, more tongue, more teeth. Fuck, I love kissing Sky so much.
