Damaged and the Knight (Damaged #2)

When Judd gave me a little smile, I saw a hint of insecurity behind the tough guy exterior.

“Thank you for telling me about your dad and brother,” I said, pushing my hair behind my ears. “I needed to understand why you would walk away from me. I wanted you to have a good reason, so I could trust you. I know you didn’t want to tell me, but I’m glad you did.”

“I worried you’d never look at me like you did that day. Yet, maybe telling you would make you never look at me like that again too. I didn’t want you to know what I am.”

“You never raped a girl.”

“No, but I’m not a good man. I was sent to get you because people might need killing. Your dad or those fuckers at the motel. That’s why they sent me and not just any errand boy. You can’t forget I’m a man with blood on my hands.”

Running my thumb over his bottom lips, I smiled softly. “The world is ugly and it’s torn me apart. More than anything else, I want to feel safe. With you, I do. I also feel like you’re mine.”

Judd glanced around the room then back at me. When his gaze focused on my face, his anger was obvious.

“You’re so damn beautiful, Tawny. I hate that you won’t look in the mirror and see what I see. What your sister and everyone else sees. Instead, you only see those fuckers’ lies.”

“I can’t look. I saw something and I hated it. I don’t want to remember the way I looked. Ever. I want to forget.”

Judd sighed. “One day, you’ll see what I see.”

Giving him a little smile, I scooted closer. “I really do think you’re beautiful. I’d never wanted anyone to touch me after what happened. I used to like hugs and stuff, but I didn’t want anyone except Farah touching me after that. I never wanted a boyfriend. The very thought grossed me out, but with you, I immediately wanted to be close. With you, it’s different and I really want to be different.”

Judd shared my smile. “We need to get you in warm clothes.”

“Can we take the beers to your room and get warm in there?”

Exhaling softly, Judd looked conflicted. “You should rest.”

Gently, I moved Pearl off of my lap then stood. I undressed and tossed my wet clothes into the sink. Returning, I found Judd with that hungry look in his eyes.

“I need help relaxing. I also want to feel different again,” I said, wiggling my butt at him. “A beer and your naked body might help. Could take awhile though.”

Judd glanced at Pearl who stared at him. “Can’t say no to that, can I?”

Pearl turned away and ignored him. I turned away too and walked into his bedroom. Clean and organized, it almost looked like no one lived in the room.

Walking up behind me, Judd skimmed his fingers down my spine before cupping the ass I had shaken for him.

“You’re tidy,” I said.

“No, my maid is. Kathy comes every other day. You don’t really think I clean up after Pearl, do you?”

“Good thing you’re so damn beautiful or else your laziness would be a turnoff.”

Judd disappeared into the bathroom to strip and I waited on the bed with my beer. When he returned, I nearly dropped my drink. The lighting in his room was so much better than in mine and the view was very impressive.

“Holy hell, Judd,” I whispered, staring straight at the erection waiting for me.

Grinning, he opened up a drawer next to the bed and fished around for a few seconds before finding more condoms.

“Let’s break in this bed, angel.”

Setting down my drink, I opened my arms for him and met his needy kiss with my own. Our chilled bodies soon heated as he sucked and nibbled at my neck and chest. I raked his scalp softly until his erection teased me. Glancing down, I sighed.

“I want to be someone else.”

“I just want you to be you,” he whispered.

“Either way, I need you.”

Wrapping me in his arms, Judd kissed me like he wanted to make me forget about every moment before this one. It worked too and my mind only knew Judd as he filled me. Again, I had no past, instead only the now with him in my arms.





Chapter Fifteen


Waking up next to Judd, I smiled at the sight of him sleeping so soundly. All of the tension hiding behind his walls was gone, leaving behind only serenity. He looked almost childlike in his relaxed state, yet my thoughts weren’t innocent as I let my gaze roll over his uncovered body.

On his forearm was the new tattoo Aaron mentioned. A stunning dark haired angel with her eyes closed, I wondered if it could really be me that Judd thought of when he designed her. There was something so sad about the angel and I forced myself to look away from her face.