Damaged and the Knight (Damaged #2)

Seeing the darkness in his eyes, I stopped laughing instantly. “Are you really mad?”


Judd stopped thrusting and caressed my cheek. “I’m in a fucked up mood. The way Vaughn acted around you pissed me off and I just need to make you mine.”

“I am yours.”

“I feel edgy. Let me finish and I’ll pull myself together.”

Even nodding, my feelings were hurt suddenly. I said nothing though, unwilling to upset him. Yet, Judd didn’t continue. Instead, he pulled out of me and lifted me into a sitting position, so we could kiss softly. The kiss deepened, but it wasn’t rough or demanding.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m not used to feeling possessive.”

“It’s okay,” I soothed, scooting back into a good position for our awkward car sex. “I would go wolverine on a girl who messed with my man.”

“Would you?” he asked with a sly grin. “I’d like to see that.”

“I’d probably get my ass kicked,” I moaned as he entered me again. “I fight like shit.”

“I’ll teach you, babe,” he whispered, thrusting deep and hard.

Watching him close his eyes and fill me up, I stroked myself again. This time when I came, I brought him with me.

“Feel better?” I asked as we wrestled back into our jeans.

“A little. I need several hours of that to really be myself again. Oh, and I’d prefer more room to play.”

“I’ll drive,” I said, climbing into the front seat. “I’ve got a lead foot, so it’ll take me two minutes to get us to your place.”

Judd didn’t try climbing into the front seat since he was too big to do it comfortably. I also would have burst into hysterics to see him try. Wanting me to focus and avoid crashing his SUV, he walked around, climbed into the passenger seat, and handed me the keys.

“Let’s break a few speed limits, babe.”

Ten minutes and zero speeding tickets later, we arrived at his place. Judd was teasing me about driving his Harley when we entered the condo and heard a woman call out his name.

Pausing in the front hallway, Judd leaned down and kissed me softly. He sucked on my lips, nipping at them as his gaze held mine. Those eyes hinted at fear then he shut it all away behind his walls. Taking my hand, he walked into the main room.

“Hey, Mom,” he said to a dark haired woman in the living room.

Judd’s mom wasn’t what I expected. For whatever reason, I imagined her as a sort of Flo character like from the Alice show my dad watched. A little rough around the edges with a ballsy small town vibe. Instead, Zaria was classy. Wearing black slacks and a dressy purple top, she looked ready for church. Her thick dark hair was brushed away from her well made up face as she smiled at her son. Then, her blue eyed gaze fell on me and the smile faltered a tiny bit.

I felt underdressed, plus my time with Judd in the SUV left my panties wet. In fact, the moment Zaria’s gaze focused on me, I felt certain I was smelling up the room. Even without her saying a word or showing any unhappiness, I felt judged unworthy.

“Mom, this is Tawny Smith. She’s Cooper Johansson’s future sister-in-law.”

Standing gracefully from the couch, Zaria shook my hand and said, “She’s young.”

Without thinking, I blurted out, “I’m twenty four. I waitress at Denny’s and he came in and we’re dating now.”

Judd frowned at me slightly then walked to the kitchen to get us drinks. “I wasn’t expecting you, Mom.”

“You’ve been so busy that I thought I would corner you into having lunch with me.”

“I just had lunch,” he said from the kitchen as Zaria and I eyed each other. “We could make plans for another time.”

“Holidays are here, Judd.”

“I know.”

“Where’s your tree?”

Walking into the living room, Judd handed me a soda. “What do I need a tree for? The only one who cares is Pearl and she’d just climb the damn thing.”

Zaria smiled softly. “Where do you live, Tawny?”

“Meadow Brook Apartments.”

The way Zaria nodded told me she knew the apartment building. “I hope I didn’t seem rude early. You look so young is all, but it’s none of my business who Judd spends time with. I’m sure if it were serious that he would have mentioned you.”

Judd frowned at his mother who didn’t notice because Pearl was rubbing white cat hair on Zaria’s pants.

“Judd and I are serious,” I said without thinking. “I love him and we’re not having a fling.”

When Zaria showed no reaction, I sensed her years with an abusive husband taught her how to hide her feelings. Judd though looked at me like I had ruined his day with those words.

“Excuse us,” Judd said, taking me by the arm and walking to his bedroom where he shut the door.

“I do love you,” I said, staring up at him defiantly, “and I’m not taking back the words.”