Damaged and the Knight (Damaged #2)

“You know what I want.”


Judd held my gaze and I felt every ounce of courage seep out of me. I really wanted him and thought he was mine, but I wasn’t ready to take him to bed. My mind was stuck on our first kiss, not whether he was carrying condoms.

Even knowing I wasn’t ready, I admired his tanned skin lit by a small light nearby. The white tee he wore clung to his muscular frame and I imagined the flesh hidden underneath. Judd’s eyes were so open to me and full of hunger that I had trouble breathing. I wanted to say no, but I was afraid he would think the no meant forever and not just for tonight.

Nodding, Judd stood and stretched. “You remember that fear you’re feeling in your gut right now. You remember it when you think flirting with me is a safe hobby.”

Staring up at him, I wanted so much to feel him against me, but I was scared.

Judd watched me and sighed. “I don’t do bubblegum lovey-dovey shit, Tawny. Unlike Cooper, I’m too old to be trained to be what you want. I’m a redneck fucker, not a sweetheart. I fuck for my pleasure, never the woman’s. I don’t care about baby carriages or making you feel special. None of that matters to me, so you better remember that.”

Nodding, I stared wide-eyed.

“I get that you have those nightmares, but you keep in mind how if you want me to sleep in the bed with you tonight, it’ll be under the covers. Do you understand?”

Nodding again, I avoided his gaze as I walked to the bedroom and shut the door. Sleep took a long time to come while I thought about Judd.

I loved when he smiled for me. The way he watched me made me feel beautiful and I wished to make him mine that very minute. Yet, I wasn’t ready to be anyone’s lover.

Just the thought of having a man on top of me, inside me, using me like Judd said he used women was too much. Falling asleep remembering being used before, I wasn’t particularly surprised when I dreamed of the week with the bikers. I usually dreamed of them when I went to bed agitated. This night was no exception.

Waking startled and whimpering, I needed to know I was safe. While Judd wasn’t safe, he was a weapon against the monsters in the world seeking to destroy me. I opened the door to the sitting room, hoping to find him asleep. Instead, he was watching TV in the dark.

Our gazes met for a moment as I entered. Quickly, I looked away and walked to the couch while he sat in a chair with his feet propped up. Judd watched me silently and I felt his eyes on me. Long after one show ended and midnight came and went, I pretended to watch TV while Judd watched me.

At some point, I dozed off on the couch, safe in the knowledge that Judd and his weapons were nearby. Waking to the feel of hands on my body, I opened my eyes and realized Judd was picking me up.

“Rest, angel,” he whispered as he carried me to bed. “Tomorrow, we’ll get you to your sister and these bad dreams can end.”

“Thank you,” I said, reaching for his face as he laid me down.

I expected his facial hair to be prickly like a five o’clock shadow, but it was soft under my fingertips. Caressing his face as he kicked off his jeans, I watched him join me under the covers. Half asleep, I just smiled.

“You tempt the devil,” he whispered then laid his head down and sighed. “Angels always do.”

I thought to say something, but my fingers only lingered on his face until sleep took me again.

***

Waking up before Judd, I watched him sleep. His breath came out softly and his face was so relaxed that I smiled at the beauty of his expression.

Today was our last day on the road together. Soon, I hoped my new life would include Judd and all of the naughty ideas I saw in his eyes the night before.

Judd awoke slowly and focused his gaze on me. We just watched each other for a few minutes then he reached out and caressed my cheek. Sighing heavily, he turned away and sat up on the edge of the bed.

“Clean up so we can get you to Ellsberg.”

Wanting to say something, I just watched him walk to the bathroom and disappear inside. After he showered, Judd reappeared in only a towel wrapped around his toned waist. I wished to remain calm, but the sight of so much flesh turned me into an overheated mess. Never had anything looked as beautiful as Judd did half naked, damp, and with his hair brushed back. He was perfect and I wanted him too much to find the words.

Judd didn’t acknowledge me as he walked through the room. Once he shut the sitting room door to get dressed, I took my shower. By the time I peeked into the sitting room, Judd was dressed and packed to go. He barely glanced up at me when I appeared then we were out the door.

After a quick hotel breakfast where Judd was more interested in his phone than me, we headed towards the final stretch of our trip to Ellsberg.