My heart softens at the gesture, and I bring the mug to my lips, dying for a sip. But then I hesitate.
“Bloody hell, girl. If I wanted to kill you, I would’ve done it while you slept. It’s a lot easier that way—trust me.” He covers my hand with his and guides the mug to his lips, making a show of taking a deep drink.
“See?” He draws back, flashing a grin. “Nothing to worry about.”
Foam coats his upper lip, and once again I reach for him without thinking. I slide my thumb across his mouth, stopping to linger at the center of his soft lips.
His eyes blaze, and he grabs my wrist and pushes my thumb into his mouth. Without breaking that intense gaze, he bites down, his tongue skating across the tip.
Something hot and dangerous uncurls in my stomach.
I snatch my thumb back and wrap my hands around the mug, forcing myself to take a sip. It’s perfect—sweet and creamy, even better than the café stuff.
Finally convinced he’s not trying to poison me, I say, “You said this is your house?”
“Partly. I share it with three others.”
“How did you find me tonight?”
“We were at the wedding. I had no idea you were betrothed—seems you left out a few details during our little get-to-know-you chat in the park.”
He keeps his tone light, but something dark crosses his teasing gaze.
Is he… jealous?
“But Idon’tknow you, Jude,” I say, even though it feels like a lie. Like I’ve known him forever and we’re just now reuniting after a long, inexplicable separation. “Until two minutes ago, I didn’t even know your name. We’re total strangers.”
“Ouch. You wound me.” He presses a hand to his heart. “After all this time, I think we’re a bit more than strangers.”
I wait for him to bring it up. To shatter the illusion it was all just a fantasy. To admit he reallywasstanding outside my window all those nights, just as I wanted to believe.
Watching me.
Stalking me.
Obsessedwith me.
My heartbeat kicks into high gear again.A bit more than strangers…The very idea should terrify me. It would mean he reallydidfollow me home from the park that night. That he kept coming back for me, night after night, watching me as I stood in front of the window and cried out for the man with the cobalt-blue eyes and the sinfully hot accent. The man I never thought I’d see again…
I take a shuddering breath, but no, it’s not terror that’s got me trembling now.
It’s desire.
Heat gathers in my core, and an image flashes through my mind unbidden: Jude gripping my thighs and shoving them apart, lowering his mouth to my needy flesh and—
“Is everything okay, darling?” he asks. “Suddenly you seem a bit…feverish.”
Goddess, it’s like the man can read my mind.
“I’m fine. Why did you come to my wedding?”
“My associates and I were invited guests.”
Great.
“Lennon’s or Eloise’s?”
“Lennon’s.” He raises his hands in surrender at my immediate scowl. “But he’s no friend, believe me. We’re more… business acquaintances.Newbusiness acquaintances, at that.”
