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“Yeah.” His voice turns rough. “I fucking do.”
Something in my chest squeezes. Then his mouth is on mine again, and this kiss is hungrier. There’s no hesitation left between us, no invisible line we’re afraid to cross. My fingers disappear into his curls and his hands hold me tighter as he carries me through the house.
By the time we reach his bedroom, I’m breathless and laughing and so fucking happy I don’t know what to do with all of it.
He lowers me onto the bed, then pauses, his hands braced beside me as those green eyes search my face.
“You okay?”
The same two words this man has asked me over and over since the day I met him. When I was grieving, angry, scared, falling apart. Sometimes he didn’t even have to say them. One look and I knew what he was asking.
And now, here I am beneath him, my heart beating wildly against my ribs, the warmth of his last kiss still on my lips. This time, I don’t have to think about my answer.
I smile and pull him back down to me.
“Never been better.”
His smile is the last thing I see before his lips find mine again and he settles against me.
***
My head rests on Jude’s bare chest, his heartbeat strong beneath my ear, his arms warm and safe around me. I look up and find him already watching me.
“Are you happy?” he asks.
I smile. “I’m happy and in love.”
His lips curve. “Good.”
His hand runs through my hair, making my body come alive again.
“Jude.”
“Hmm?” His voice rumbles beneath my ear.
I lift my head, and his hand comes to my face. His thumb brushes my lower lip as his green eyes search mine.
“I’m sorry it took me so long, Grumpy.” My voice breaks as I think about all the months we spent apart before I let myself admit the truth.
He shrugs. “Worth it.”
He pulls me onto him, and now I’m looking down at his face.
“Would’ve waited a lifetime for you.”
I blink away tears. “I love you.”
“Love you too, baby.” He smiles.
“I love it when you call me baby.”
“Good.”
Jude kisses me, making my head spin, then rolls us until I’m beneath him. Without another word, he kisses my throat, my shoulder, the place above my heart.
And we lose ourselves in each other all over again.
***
