Redemption Hills: The Complete Collection

26. Jud

TWENTY-SIX

JUD

I wasn’t sure if I was playing dirty or playing for keeps.

The only thing I knew was I’d gotten about halfway back to my place and couldn’t do anything but turn around.

I couldn’t handle the uncertainty that had taken Salem over since the moment she’d stirred in my arms this morning.

And fuck, I liked her there.

I wanted to keep her wrapped up and tucked away, her heart drumming against mine. I wanted to stay tangled with her sweet, hot body all goddamn day.

Maybe forever.

Because shit, the girl had blown my mind.

Turned me upside down, inside out. I no longer knew if I was coming or going each time I crawled back between those thighs to take a little more.

But it’d been far more than the physical. The way we’d stripped each other bare in every fuckin’ way.

Hearts and souls and bodies.

The things I’d confessed to her that I’d sworn I’d never give to another person.

She’d held them like she was strong enough to bear the weight.

I’d become certain I was going to bear hers, too.

But I’d felt it—the shift when she’d come to the realization of where she’d woken.

The veil of night no longer obscuring what we’d done or what we’d shared.

I knew the girl had been panicking. Itching to run and hide.

So, I’d taken a chance, and now I was the one kneeling there in front of her adorable daughter, offering her hearts and flowers.

And fuck me, if my heart wasn’t bleeding all over the place.

Panicking.

Feet itching to run while that hidden, ugly place begged to stay. To be good enough to stand in their presence. To take up their side and fight for them. Live for them.

Blasphemy.

Fuck.

What was I thinking?

But I couldn’t shuck the compulsion when Juni’s precious face stretched in this earth-shattering smile, those eyes the same color as her mom’s swimming with awe and joy. “Really? Did you knows I love the pink flowers the most?”

My chest stretched tight. “No, I didn’t, but I do now, so I’ll be sure to remember for next time.”

Felt like an oath sliding off my tongue.

Next time.

“You gots a favorite flower?” she asked, her head angling to the side like the question was of utmost importance to her.

Was Juniper considered a flower?

Yeah.

Was losing my mind.

My cool.

My purpose.

“I think I like these ones right here.” I tapped one of the roses she had held tight against her chest.

She giggled.

My spirit thrashed.

In too deep.

Footsteps shuffled in behind us, and Salem’s grandmother whisked by. “All right then, Juni Bee, why don’t you set the table for our company? Mimi is gonna whip us up some pancakes and eggs.”

Juni’s eyes widened in exuberance. “Just you waits, Motorcycle Man, my mimi makes the best breakfast in ever in ever. Take a seat and I’lls take care of you.”

She grabbed me by the hand and hauled me over to where Gage was sitting on his knees at the table. She patted the chair next to him. “Sits right there.”

Like I could refuse.

Not a chance.

“Right next to me!” Gage shouted. “I’m glad you got here, Uncle. I’ve been missin’ you like forever.”

Yeah, it’d been like yesterday since I’d seen him, but I’d take it.

I leaned in and dropped a kiss to the top of his head. “Me, too, Gage in the Cage. Me, too.”

I slid into the spot next to him. Couldn’t stop the grin from splitting my mouth. Not when my gaze caught on Salem where she watched us from the archway.

Thunderbolt eyes the softest they’d ever been.

My chest panged.

Mayhem going down right in the middle of me.

This want unlike anything I’d ever felt. This connection greater—bigger—than anything I’d experienced.

It felt like I got knocked in the face when I realized it was true.

Did she feel it?

Salem inhaled a shaky breath while she stared back at me, like she’d gotten swept up by the awareness, too.

Then she straightened and walked the rest of the way into the kitchen. She sidled up to her grandmother and set to work.

“Anything I can do to help?” I asked.

Salem’s grandmother waved me off. “You just sit there and look pretty. Coffee will be ready in a minute.”

My eyebrow quirked.

Pretty?

Salem hid her smile as she pulled out a bowl and measuring cups, and she peeked at me every few seconds as she started to measure and pour in the ingredients.

When the coffee maker beeped, Salem grabbed a mug, filled it, and picked up the carton of creamer and dumped a small splash in the way I always did at the shop.

And shit, yeah, I liked that, too. Liked that she’d been paying attention. Learning me the way I’d been learning her.

She carried it over to me, her breath turning shallow as she rounded the corner. As that need amplified with each step that brought us closer.

“There you go.” Her voice was doing that wispy, throaty thing.

Sexy as fuck.

Sweet, too.

Accepting the mug, I let my fingertips brush over hers.

Warmth raced. Her confusion. Her want.

This thing that I was so over pretending didn’t exist.

“Thank you, darlin’.”

“I think that’s the way you take it?” she asked, almost hopefully.

“Couldn’t ask for anything better.” Let the innuendo slide out with that.

Her grandmother hummed a knowing sound from the kitchen.

Yeah, we were in trouble with that one. Woman watching us like a hawk. Clearly, there was no reason for us to keep up with the charade.

Juni came bundling over with a handful of forks, counting them out as she rounded the table. “One, two, three, four, five.” She smiled up at me. “There you go.”

I grinned at her. “Thank you.”

“You gots it, Motorcycle Man.”

And shit, I touched her dimpled chin, couldn’t stop it, the affection that rose up and took me under.

A flashflood that came from out of nowhere.

Caught me unaware.

Fifteen minutes later, the five of us were sitting around the table eating what was, in fact, the best breakfast in ever in ever .

Straight-up delicious.

But I was pretty sure it was the company that made it unforgettable. My nephew on my right and my girl on my left. Salem’s grandmother sat next to her, and Juni sat squeezed between Mimi and Gage on a high stool since there weren’t enough chairs for all of us.

Juni and Gage prattled nonstop, giggling and stuffing their faces while telling the tallest tales, while I let myself get lost in the feeling.

This sensation that a bad piece of me had gone right.

That maybe… maybe …

“That was incredible,” I said as I took my last bite. I looked across the table at Mimi , like she’d insisted I call her. “I really appreciate you inviting me.”

She smirked, all kinds of knowing. “I don’t think it was me who did the inviting. Some people just head in the direction they belong.”

“Mimi.” Horror flew from Salem’s mouth.

A rough chuckle scraped from mine. Under the table, I set my hand on Salem’s thigh and gently squeezed. Fuckin’ loved the way she breathed out a tiny sound that lit a fire in my veins. I glanced at Salem and then at her grandmother. “Well, I’m just glad the door was open when I got here.”

“Oh, it wasn’t open, young man…it seems you possessed the right key to turn the lock.” Suggestion filled her words, and the old woman flashed this scandalous smile, her face weathered and aged, but it was clear the mischief had never faded from her mind.

I choked out a laugh.

Groaning, Salem covered her face with her hands. “Mimi. Oh my god.”

Mimi laughed low. “Just tellin’ it like it is.”

“Well, I wish you wouldn’t.” Salem widened her eyes at her grandmother when she dropped her hands.

Mimi waved a flippant hand in the air. “Now, what would be the fun in that? Everyone should find the one who can love them up right.”

I had to turn my head and press my mouth to my sleeve to keep from cracking up.

“I gots the love for Gage,” Juni piped in.

“Oh my lord,” Salem muttered, almost sliding under the table in embarrassment.

“Yep,” Gage agreed, sitting up high on his knees and chewing a giant bite of pancake. “I love her all the way to the sky which is even higher than the mountains.”

“Is that so?” I asked him, the kid so damned cute that sometimes it was hard to look at him.

“Yup. We’re gonna get married.”

A chuckle rumbled up my throat. “Married, huh?”

“Yes, that’s right,” Juni said. “We decided last night so I can stay here forever and evers and nots ever go on any new adventures because I don’t want to nevers leave. But no kissing. Blech.”

Juni curled her face in disgust, all while I felt the turmoil slam into Salem. The grief that struck her out of the blue.

I squeezed her thigh tighter and looked at this woman who bore so much pain, those secrets stark in her eyes, like they were trying to fight their way out to me.

Looking for a safe harbor.

Disquiet blustered through the kitchen, the two children completely unaware, while the rest of us were stuck in the reality of a very complicated situation.

A situation my fingers itched with the urge to uncomplicate . Clearing her throat, Mimi stood and gathered Juni and Gage’s plates. “Well, that sounds like a mighty fine plan.”

There was pain in her voice, too, though she was hiding it the best she could by pressing her lips to Juni’s forehead. Juni grinned like mad under her great grandmother’s affection.

I squeezed Salem’s thigh harder, my heart shouting like mad.

I have you, Salem. I have you. And I’m not going to let you go.

Salem and I stood side-by-side at the kitchen sink. In silence, I rinsed the dishes while she loaded them into the dishwasher. A casual comfort had taken us over as we worked together like it was something we did every day.

Mimi about had a coronary with the idea of a guest doing the dishes, but I told her since I had the key , then I guessed it was my place.

She’d cocked me a grin and gave me a pat to the cheek and whispered, “Sly dog,” before she’d sauntered off to see what antics Juni and Gage had gotten up to in the other room.

It was damned impossible not to like the woman.

I angled an eye at the one next to me. Every cell in my body fisted. Yeah, it was impossible not to like her, too.

“What?” Salem asked, redness hinting at her cheek when she caught me staring.

“You’re so pretty.”

Her lips twitched up along with the faint shyness that I glimpsed every now and again.

This vixen who had so many complex layers. I couldn’t wait to peel back each one.

“Pretty, huh?” It was a soft play from her mouth as she gave me a little check of her hip that hit me in the thigh since she was at least a foot shorter than me.

Rinsing the last plate, I handed it to her then grabbed the dishtowel on the counter to dry my hands. Salem placed it into the dishwasher and shut the door, pushing a button to make it spin to life.

Like she felt me staring, which I most definitely was doing, she turned to look at me. This woman who was making me forget every single thing I knew about myself.

I slipped my palm along the contour of her jaw, tipped it up, murmured, “Beautiful. Meaning of it. Every part. This face and this body and this heart.”

“Jud.” My name was affection. A question. Confusion.

“I’m right here, darlin’,” I promised her.

“I see that.” Then she narrowed those eyes at me. “I thought it was my decision what happened in the morning?”

There was a lilting tease that infiltrated her voice.

“Well, see, gorgeous, I felt some kind of uncertainty on your part on how that was going to go down, so I thought I might nudge you in the right direction.”

Her brow arched. “Right direction?”

“One where the two of us meet.”

Reservations slithered across her skin, that gaze dimming with them, though I could feel the rest of her reaching for me. As if she could sink right in.

I hesitated, then asked, “What Juniper said earlier? About the adventures…”

I eyed her as I asked it, already knowing the answer. Moisture filled that gaze, and she blew out a heavy sigh as she nodded. “It’s what I started telling her when I’d rush to pack our things and we’d leave in the night…that we were going on an adventure.”

My thumb traced her lips, and I tried to keep it together, to rein the stampede that was going to trample my soul. “To keep her from being scared?”

She could barely nod.

“You’re amazing.”

She started to shake her head, to pull away, but I forced her to remain looking at me.

“Need you to promise me one thing.”

Her expression twisted in question. In the trust there was no doubt was hard for her to give.

“Next time you get scared ? Next time you want to run ? Promise me you’ll run to me.”

“I’m scared every single day, Jud.” Her confession was out on a pained breath.

I took her by both sides of the face. “I have you, Salem. I have you.”

I leaned in, intent on kissing the hell out of her, when the doorbell rang.

Salem pulled back to put three inches between us, though I couldn’t find it in me to let her free of my grip.

Juni raced to the window to peer out through the drape. “Oh, no, it’s your mom and dad, Gage.”

Juni cried it like it was the end of the world.

I couldn’t help but grin. “She is something, Salem. The cutest little thing.”

Tenderness ridged her lips, though her expression rippled with heartache. “I’m sorry if it hurts you, being around her,” she clarified.

My head shook, and I took her hand, kissed her knuckles. “No, baby, she’s a part of you.”

Fuck.

There I went.

Sinking in.

Deeper and deeper.

Salem froze for a beat before she seemed to shake herself out of it and stepped back far enough to break the connection. She glanced at me once as she turned then eased into the living room. I followed close behind.

Juni freed the lock and opened the door wide.

“Gage can’t goes yet, we aren’t done playing our game and he gots to stay and finish because Imma about to win. Girls rule, you know.” All of it had flooded from Juni’s mouth before anyone got the chance to say hello.

Soft affection breezed from Eden’s laughter, and she ran her hand over the top of Gage’s head as she stepped inside. “Oh, well, I’m sorry to interrupt. How about five more minutes, and then we need to get out of their hair.”

“Hair? You aren’t in our hair.” Juni squished up her nose.

So damned cute.

Eden looked our way. Kindness shined from her being.

“Eden, hi,” Salem whispered, going for her friend at the same time Eden moved her way. Eden wrapped her arms around her and hugged her tight.

Trent entered behind, uneasy as usual, eyes darting around like he was assessing for a threat. That unease was shifting into a disbelieving smirk when he saw me hovering in the kitchen like I had the right to be there.

“I was worried about you,” Eden whispered to Salem as she pulled back. “Are you okay?”

Salem angled her head. “Why don’t you and Trent come into the kitchen for a cup of coffee while we wait for the kids to finish?”

Four of us piled back into the kitchen while the kids went back to their game on the floor.

Salem grabbed two new cups, poured them, while I went to the refrigerator and pulled out the creamer I’d just placed in there.

Trent pitched me a glance, scratching at his temple in speculation.

I grunted at him in response.

Yeah. I was fucked. Already knew it. No need for him to rub it in.

“How is Tessa?” Salem whispered, keeping her voice low.

Distress passed through Eden’s expression while rage tweaked every muscle in Trent’s body.

“She was more upset than anything. Worried about you,” Eden added cautiously. “That’s why we both came. To see how you are. If there’s anything we can do?”

Anger spiraled through my being.

“I’m fine. I was just…caught off guard,” Salem said. “Tessa’s not hurt, though?”

“Someone else is about to be.” Trent rumbled that below his breath.

Eden pushed out a sigh. “No. Not physically. She is hurt. Hurt that Karl would pull something like that.”

“Prick.” Another low rumble from Trent.

“Asshole get picked up?” I asked, arms crossing over my chest like it could stop the injection of violence the thought of that fucker pumped into my veins.

“Yup,” Trent grunted.

In worry, Eden chewed at the inside of her lip.

“What is it?” Salem asked.

“Tessa bailed him out this morning.” Eden rushed it like a disappointed secret.

“The hell?” I spat.

Seriously, what the hell was that girl thinking? I didn’t know Tessa all that well, but I sure as fuck knew her well enough to know she deserved better than that pompous dick.

Eden glanced between us. “Between his manipulation and the pressure from her family, I think she feels stuck. Like she doesn’t have any other choice but to stay with him.”

I stepped forward. “I say we unstick her, then.”

Trent chuckled a dark sound. “Second that.”

Eden reached out and grabbed Trent by his forearm. “You will do nothing of the sort. Tessa will be leaving him. I’ll see to it. But not at the expense of either of you.”

She looked directly between the two of us.

Eden knew it all.

The dark. The dirty. The grim.

“Promise me,” she demanded.

Frustration huffed from Trent’s nose.

Was with him.

Sometimes it was so much easier to manage things when you weren’t living on the straight and narrow.

Trent edged around behind Eden, wrapped his arm around her waist, and whispered at the shell of her ear, “Fine. I promise, Kitten.”

The look Eden gave me was hard. “No more blood, Jud.”

Razors filled my throat as that demon screamed.

All mixed with the promise I’d made myself that night.

I will never kill again.

Salem touched my arm.

So softly.

So right.

I gave Eden a tight nod. “I promise.”

A commotion broke out in the other room, and Gage and Juni came bounding our way.

The two of them burst through the archway, nothing but giggles and smiles as they fought to get in front of the other. “We finished ours game and Gage won, he saids it was fair and square, but I’m not so sure, but Mimi said it was a sneaks attack!”

“Boom, bang, kapow.” Gage did one of his wrestling moves with an adorable kick, then he went beelining for his dad. He grabbed him by the hand. He started to jump when he asked, “Dad, it’s Sunday, and you know what that means. You’re gonna teach me to ride my bike without any of the training wheels because I’m so big and ready now, right, Dad, right?”

“It is Sunday, isn’t it? Seems like that must be the plan.” Tenderness coated the ferocity that was Trent when he looked down at his son.

Squealing, Juni moved to stand in front of her mother. She threaded her fingers together in a prayer. “Mommy, do we gots enough monies that we can get my bike today so I can learns to ride with Gage? I want to learn so bad, right now.”

“Juni—” Salem hesitated.

I looked at Salem with a plea of my own, cutting off whatever reason she was going to give that it couldn’t happen right then. I took the woman’s hand in mine.

Overcome.

Unable to stop it.

Blasphemy.

This magic I couldn’t resist.

Let me come alongside you.

A war filled her expression, a line denting her forehead, her eyes full of fear and building belief.

But I saw her yielding.

When her heart gave me the go to say whatever it was I was going to say.

I turned to Juni. “Just so happens your mom said that’s what she’d planned for today, and I thought maybe we should go pick it up in my truck.”

“Really?” she squealed.

“Yup.”

“Can it be pink likes my flowers?”

A low chuckle rippled out, and my fingers were brushing through her hair.

Emotion crested.

Rising high.

Higher than every reservation.

Devotion.

Loyalty.

Affection.

“What other color would there be?”

She grabbed my hand and started to haul me toward the door.

I looked back.

Trent was staring over at me, smug look filling his face.

I had to admit he was right. We never had any idea when life was going to sweep in and shake us up.

“Mimi, we’re goin’ to get a pinks bike and then we’ll be rights back,” she said as she blazed through the living room, dragging me along.

Mimi grinned at me. “I approve of this plan.”

When we stepped outside, Trent, Eden, and Gage started in the direction of their house.

“Meet us out here in two hours?” I told Trent.

He slapped me on the shoulder as he passed. “Yeah, man, yeah, we’ll be here.”

I jutted my chin in parting, and Salem slipped out the door and snapped it shut behind her.

I turned when she did.

The breath hitched in my throat.

Fuck me.

Sweet enchantress.

She paused on the top step.

Held like me.

Watching where I’d stopped halfway down the walkway with her little girl’s hand in mine.

That energy pulsed.

Though this time, it was different.

Profound.

Dread and hope and dead dreams resurrected.

I saw them twist into a disorder.

While my insides sparked with something I shouldn’t feel.

I tightened my hold on her daughter.

Salem finally moved, and I stayed glued to the spot while she made her way down the sidewalk. When she got close enough, I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her snug.

I kissed her slow and gentle.

Juni giggled.

“You kissed my mommy. Nows she’s your girlfriend.”

I looked down at the little thing whose grin was so wide it curled up her entire face.

“That so?”

“Yes. It’s the rules. Gage tolds me so.”

The hint of a smile tugged at the corners of Salem’s lush mouth, and I splayed my hand wide at the small of her back. “Well, then I guess if it’s the rules.”

I winked at my girl.

“You’re ridiculous,” Salem whispered back.

“I’ve been called worse.”

Juni tugged at my hand. “Come on, we gotta go rights now.”

I followed Salem to the little SUV sitting in the drive.

One I’d called in and finalized the purchase of Friday because I sure as shit wasn’t going to put her back in her pile of a car. I just hadn’t told her yet.

She grabbed Juni’s booster, and I situated it in the backseat of my truck.

Under the arms, I lifted Juni, letting her soar through the air before I tucked her into the seat.

She laughed and giggled and twisted me up in every single one of her little fingers. “Thank you, Motorcycle Man.”

I touched her nose. “You’re welcome, Juni Bee.”

Shutting her door, I moved to help Salem step up into the high cab, then I jogged around to climb in on my side. I started the engine and began to pull from the curb, though I stopped when I saw the black truck slow as it approached from the opposite direction.

Salem tensed, and Darius glared as he passed, that barely constrained rage burning in his eyes.

“Crap,” she mumbled when he disappeared behind us.

I reached out and squeezed Salem’s hand. “Baby, it doesn’t matter what he thinks. It’s you and me now, and he’s gonna have to get used to it.”