college and med school…” I looked away. “Well, I was naïve. He fed me a couple lines about me being beautiful and smart and talented and…I liked the compliments, I guess.”
“You are beautiful, smart, and…” Jude grinned. “What was the last one?”
“Talented? You really couldn’t remember—”
He interrupted me. “I was too busy thinking of other qualities I admire in you.”
“Oh.”
“Like how brave you are for doing this, for keeping the baby, for facing the world.”
This was better than a back rub. “Keep ‘em coming.”
“How amazing you are for becoming a doctor. I remember you as a kid, slapping band-aids on me and Eric when we got cuts and scrapes.”
“You’re very sweet.”
“And so are you,” he said. “You’ve always been sweet. And kind. I only wish we hadn’t lost those years while I was playing ball and you were in school.”
I shrugged. “I watched you play any chance I could get.”
“Really?”
“Even DVR’ed your playoff game while taking my MCATs.” I bit my lip. “I wore your jersey for luck.”
“Yours or mine?”
“Both?”
“Cute,” he said. “Anyone ever tell you how cute you are?”
“Just the words every woman wants to hear.”
His gaze wove over me, casting shivers I hadn’t expected and a warmth I tried to suppress. “What if I called you sexy instead?”
“In a tank and sweats?” I tugged at the white top and my super cool purple yoga pants. Genie was a bit more noticeable now than she had been before. I didn’t know if I was supposed to flaunt it or hide her. “Maybe I should get you on the table again, make sure your head didn’t get walloped during the game.”
“I’m serious.”
“But I’m pregnant.”
He hesitated. “I told you. That makes you more beautiful. It’s forbidden fruit.”
“Oh really?”
“Something about you just makes me want to take a big, juicy bite.”
Juicy was right.
And wrong.
“You shouldn’t talk like that,” I said.
“Sorry. Too forward?”
The nerves bundled inside me. “No…I might like it.”
“Is that so bad?”
I bit my lip. “I might want you to take that bite. And then where would we be?”
“Probably a lot more relaxed around each other.”
“And confused,” I said.
“And satisfied.”
“And never able to look each other in the eyes again.”
“Very, very satisfied.”
“You already said that.”
“It bears repeating. That’s the important one.”
“This isn’t fair,” I murmured. Jude brushed a lock of hair behind my ear. “You know the kind of mood I’m in.”
“What if I said I wanted to help?”
“I’d say you’re very generous.”
“You have no idea how generous I can be.”
“Jude, we can’t do this. Things are already so complicated—”
“Who said anything about complicated?” His fingers grazed my chin, bumping my head back. I stilled as he pressed his lips to my neck. “You need a little relief.” He kissed. “I told you I’d help you in any way.”
“I can’t ask you to do this.”
“I’m the one asking. All you have to do is say yes.”
And what if I never stopped saying yes? “Are you sure?”
“You don’t have to convince me. I’m offering. As a friend. As a man who knows how to please a woman. As someone who thinks it’s a damn crime that your life changed so much with this baby, and you didn’t even get to enjoy yourself when it happened.”
“That’s the least of my worries now.”
He kissed me, quiet and sweet. “You shouldn’t worry at all, Rory. I told you I’d take care of you. And that’s just what I plan to do.”
I trembled, head to toe and everything inside of me. It twisted, turned, burned, and ached.
“I didn’t get to please you the last time we touched,” Jude said. “That makes me as bad as your other dates.”
“You’re much better than those men.”
“I don’t want to be better. I want to be the best.” His fingers wove over me. “I want you to remember this moment for the rest of your life.”
I nearly came then.
Jude cupped my cheek, drawing me into a sensual kiss. He didn’t have to ask or tease—I parted my lips and sunk against him.
His earthy scent still smelled of soap and the outdoors—the field, the grass, masculine and sweaty and delicious that made him everything I’d ever wanted.
His hands teased over my shirt. I stiffened as his warm fingers traced under the material.
He would see the bump. I tensed for it.
But the instant his hand warmed my skin, the guilt…faded.
Maybe this was just what I needed. A night I’d secretly love, even if the instant it was over we’d both admit it had been a mistake.
His hand trailed up, teasing beneath the