Damaged and the Knight (Damaged #2)

“Judd showed up and ruined my date. He was acting so rude and I was mad at him, but he talked to me in a way that helped me forgive him. I really wanted to forgive him too. I missed him so much and I had to give him a chance. I had to know because he might be the only amazing thing I ever get in life besides you.”


Farah said nothing as Cooper whispered something. They had a mini conversation before she sighed. “Coop wants you to come to lunch tomorrow at the Johansson place. It’s a barbecue and all of the club guys will be there.”

“Okay.”

“He wants you to bring Judd.”

Cooper jumped in by adding, “I insist you bring him.”

“Why?”

“He wants to throw around his weight like he’s your dad, I guess,” Farah teased and Cooper responded by making her giggle. Likely he was tickling her, but Farah got away from him and her voice softened. “I’m glad you gave him a chance,” she told me. “I felt like you were lost and needed something I couldn’t give you. I think Judd is that something.”

“I hope so. I feel so much better with him. I think I make him feel better too. That’s how Cooper makes you feel, right?”

“Exactly,” she said and I heard the affection in her voice. “He’s my perfect guy. Judd is yours.”

“The guy isn’t good enough,” Cooper muttered loud enough to be heard.

“Will he be nice to Judd?” I asked.

“Probably not, but I’m sure Judd can handle him.”

“I’ll act as a human shield if necessary,” I said, grinning.

“Cooper really is a pussy when it comes to girls,” Farah teased and I heard Cooper laughing. “You come and have a nice lunch with the family. I want to see you happy, Tawny.”

“I love you, Farah. I just couldn’t stay there and hold you back.”

“You weren’t.”

“Maybe, but I felt like I was. I needed to be on my own and find pride in myself. It’s not about you. I love you and you’re my best friend. I just needed to be happy with me.”

“You’ve done a great job. You gave Judd another chance and sound happy.”

“I am and we’ll see you tomorrow for the barbecue.”

Hanging up and returning to the living room, I found Judd on the balcony in the cold. He turned when I touched his back. For a single moment, he was someone else. Those faded blue eyes were colder than anything I’d ever seen before. He truly terrified me because those were the eyes of a man who would kill me without a second thought.

“It’s too cold out here for you,” he whispered, reaching for my face.

I fought the urge to flinch as he stared at me with those eyes. “Do you still want me to stay here tonight?”

Judd blinked a few times then glanced out at the ravine. When he returned his gaze to me, those eyes broke my heart. So much pain and fear in a single glance.

“Do you want to stay the night?”

Even believing he was looking for an out, I told the truth. “Yes. I don’t want to leave you.”

A few seconds passed as Judd showed me nothing then a smile slowly warmed his face. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

“Why do you look sad?” I asked, finally finding the courage.

“Good shit doesn’t last for me, Tawny. I never let myself get used to anything nice, but I really want to get used to you.”

Lunging forward, I wrapped my arms around his waist. “The world is ugly except with you. In your arms, I see everything different and it’s beautiful and I never want it to go away. It scares me to see things that way, but it scares me more to I’ll lose that feeling.”

Judd cupped my face and sighed. “It’s too much, too soon. I want more though. I don’t know how to feel or what to do because I didn’t think you’d forgive me last night. I didn’t think you’d let me close again and I never guessed you let me as close as you have. I’m all fucked up inside, but I’m glad you’re staying.”

Smiling at him, I lifted on my tippy-toes and kissed him softly. He just watched me.

“Oh, we’re having lunch at the Johansson’s place tomorrow. Cooper’s order.”

“Terrific.”

“Don’t go drama llama on me,” I teased. “Not when we have strip poker on the agenda.”

Judd gave me a little grin, but he seemed farther away now. Returning to the living room, I shuffled the cards while he brought us a few beers. Pearl jumped up next to me and got comfortable.

“She’s a smart cat,” Judd said. “When she came to live here, she was always climbing on me and I would shove her off. Soon, she sat near me and I left her alone. She figured out what I could deal with and adjusted.”

“Are you hinting I should do the same thing?” I asked, lifting an eyebrow.

Judd sat across from me and grinned. “I have three pieces of clothing. You have four. I guess we’ll have to consider your bra and panties as one.”

Dropping the cards on the table, I stood and slid off my bra while keeping my shirt on. Judd watched and leaned back like his jeans were snug.

“I could have used a flash of something,” he said, grinning. “Little nip slip would be nice.”

“Spring break!” I cried, yanking up my shirt and giving him a peek before returning to the chair.

“Arrested Development,” Judd said, after adjusting on the couch.

“Yeah.”

“My angel has good taste.”