Penny looked at me, her expression questioning.“You coming?Eden has the hugest crush on the singer Alice hired.”
I shook my head.“I’m good right here.”
“I’ll be just outside if you need me,” she said before hopping up and joining the others, laughter trailing behind her.
I was left alone, the vibrant energy of the club fading as I took a deep breath.My thoughts drifted back to Jude, who remained by the door just a few feet away, his gaze lingering on me.As if sensing my need for connection, he hitched his chin, silently inviting me to follow him outside.
My heart raced at the idea, a mix of excitement and apprehension coursing through me.I had embarrassed myself enough tonight; was I really ready to risk more?But the magnetic pull I felt toward him was undeniable, and with a deep breath, I stepped out into the chilly night air.
The parking lot was dimly lit, the soft glow from the backyard spilling into the night.I spotted Jude leaning against his motorcycle, a flicker of a lighter illuminating his face as he lit a cigarette.Everything about him was intoxicating, from the way he held himself to the way the smoke curled around him.
I approached him cautiously, a mix of nervousness and determination guiding my steps.“Cold?”he asked, his voice low and smooth.
“I’m fine,” I replied, wrapping my arms around myself, though the chill in the air was beginning to seep in.
He chuckled, shaking his head lightly.The warmth of his laughter wrapped around me, momentarily easing my tension.We stood in silence for a moment, the world around us fading into the background.
“I’m sorry about Jesse,” I finally said, breaking the stillness.
He looked at me, taking a long drag from his cigarette before letting it out.“I never want to hear you apologize again for that fuckstick.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“Shh,” he interrupted, shaking his head.“I’d rather never hear another word about him, too.”
I snapped my mouth shut, swallowing hard.The intensity of his gaze pierced through me, leaving me momentarily speechless.As he finished his cigarette and ground it out beneath his boot, he stepped closer, invading my personal space.I instinctively took a step back, my back bumping into a parked bike.
“Easy, beautiful,” he said, reaching out to steady me, his hands firm on my waist.
I looked up at him, my heart pounding fiercely.“Don’t say that,” I whispered, the vulnerability in my voice surprising even me.
“Say what?”
“Don’t call me beautiful.I know what I am, Jude, and it isn’t that.”
He wrinkled his brow, confusion evident.“Who the fuck made you think you aren’t beautiful?”
“The world,” I replied flatly, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.I tried to pull away, but his grip was unyielding.“Please let me go, Jude.I’ve been embarrassed enough tonight.”
He didn’t release me; instead, he held me firmly.My breath caught in my throat as I struggled to decipher the emotions swirling around us.
“Ever,” he said softly, brushing my hair behind my ear.“You are beautiful.”
A rush of warmth flooded through me, yet doubt still lingered.“You don’t have to say that,” I said, shaking my head.
“I mean it,” he insisted, his voice low and steady.“You didn’t do anything wrong.You deserve to be treated like the incredible woman you are.”
His words washed over me like a balm, soothing my insecurities.But before I could respond, he leaned in, capturing my lips with his.
The kiss was electric, igniting a fire within me I hadn’t known existed.It wasn’t just a kiss; it was a promise, a connection that transcended all the confusion and hurt of the night.I melted against him, feeling every tension dissolve away as I kissed him back, my heart racing wildly.
When we finally broke apart, our foreheads touched, and he murmured, “Holy fuck.”
“Is that good?”I asked, my voice trembling.
He chuckled, pressing his lips against mine again, a teasing brush that sent shivers down my spine.“Way better than good.”
He pulled me flush against his body, wrapping his arms around me tightly.I felt safe and wanted in a way I had never experienced before.Confusion swirled within me; this was not at all how I thought my day and night would go.Jude had kissed me, and my mind was a jumble of thoughts and feelings that I couldn’t quite process.I needed to go home.
