“You’re an amazing woman, you know that, Jude Barrett?”

She smiled from hearing the name. She smiled from being near the man she loved most. “There’s more. Caleb Monroe is filing a petition on my behalf today to win my rights back as well as including evidence to show wrongdoing by Bleekman’s and Dr. Conroy.”

Hazel dipped his head into his hand in astonishment and rubbed his brow. “Really?”

“There’s more. My uncle left me his inheritance or what I call guilt money. We’re suing for the entire amount back or what’s left of it.”

Taylor stared at her in complete awe.

“We have testimony from five different employees at Bleekman’s who have recorded statements on my behalf that not only did they have their job security threatened but that they themselves would face repercussions if they spoke up. Well, they’re willing to fight the good fight together.”

“How did… when did… Caleb?”

“He took me on as a pro-bono client so my family wouldn’t be able to trace any payments. And I’ve become friends with a nurse who works at Bleekman’s. She set me up with a psychiatrist here in the city, who also worked with me for free. After two months of counseling, I have his professional opinion that I am not insane as claimed by my family and Dr. Conroy.”

Taylor took a second to digest all that she just laid on him. “You’ve been doing all this by yourself?”

“Well, I had my friend Lacy, the nurse from Bleekman’s helping, but I had to. I had to fight back.”

Then irritation set in. “Why didn’t you come to me? I would have helped you. I would have done anything for you. Why didn’t you trust me?”

She touched his cheek, then kissed his chin. “I trust you with my life. I know you would have done anything for me, but I didn’t know if you were being watched, I didn’t want to give you false hope. Annnnd, I needed to do this on my own. I didn’t want to come to you the same as I was before. I wanted to be whole, to be free, for you, but more importantly, for me.”

Rubbing her knee, he found a renewed spirit in her words and a sparkle to her eyes. “I get that. I wish you would have come to me, but I understand the need to do it on your own. Do you have a date set?”

“I’ll find out soon. Caleb said he’d call me.”

“I can pay him for the time he’s put in on your case if you want me to.”

“He’s about to have a windfall when we win, so don’t worry.”

“You sound confident.”

“We are. There is no reason—legal or medical—for them to retain guardianship.”

With a wide smile, he suggested, “We should celebrate.”

“Let’s wait for the final verdict first before the confetti comes out.”

His hand slid down her waist and back up. “I was thinking maybe in the bedroom. A private celebration with just the two of us and a mattress.”

Jude had missed his touch so much. She had missed him so much. There were nights back in the pink prison her body had yearned for him, her soul had ached for him.

Neither knew how long they would have to wait to see her conservatorship through and she didn’t want to deny her heart or her body any longer. Feeling empowered by his presence, she stood up and walked to the couch. Bending over the arm, she reached for a cushion on the other side, then glanced back at him. “The mattress? And here I thought you were more adventurous, Mr. Barrett.” She wiggled her ass, beckoning him to her.

Recalling their prior “adventures”, Hazel knew they were always good together, passionate, but this new side of Jude was playful. He could definitely get on board with this game. He stood up, the barstool scraping against the wooden floor.

Jude watched the man who was kindhearted, handsome, and sporting some seriously sexy swagger come for her. This morning, with his mussed-up hair and dreamy eyes, he was absolutely drool-worthy. She added that to his never-ending list of attributes. His toned chest and chiseled arms synced nicely, the muscles working together to make her forget herself. She closed her mouth and lifted up, turning around and planting herself on the arm of the couch. She bit her bottom lip as anticipation formed under his smoldering gaze.

Bending his head toward her, his thighs bumped up against her knees, his fingertips running the length of her neck and under the strap of her bra. “What do you want, Jude?”

His eyes were intense, his lips seductive—so close and yet too far from her own. One of her straps was down and he was lowering the other. She reached around and unfastened her bra and he took it down her arms and tossed it on the couch. “I asked what you want,” he repeated, his voice direct, committed to his purpose.

“I want you.”

“How? How do you want me, pretty girl?”

Playful seemed to escape her tone as he built her desire from within. “Here. Now.”

His fingers graced her face again and he tilted it all the way up. “I love you.”

Her eyes went wide. His words were laced with seduction. Hazel had always been a dedicated lover, but right now, he stood before her a predator. “I love you, Taylor,” she emphasized the T of his name, then licked her lips.

“What did I tell you about calling me that?” He abruptly lifted her to her feet, his hands under her arms and he leaned in dangerously close. “You’ve been a bad girl. A very bad girl.”

She had no idea where this side of him was coming from, but he made her body purr with arousal. “Take those off,” he directed. Without a pause, she lowered her underwear, then stood straight up in challenge, eyeing him. He eyed her right back, unabashedly. “Turn around and bend over.”

There was safety in his tone, even if it was demanding. Jude had been a shrinking violet for too long. He gave her confidence and made her stronger. She was flaunting this newfound confidence. With her hands on the couch, she arched her back downward and stuck out her ass. With one sly glimpse back, she taunted his willpower.

The sight of her weakened him in ways he liked, in ways he craved. But he gained his strength and leaned over her. He licked the back of her neck and kissed her spine before pressing his hard body against her backside. “You’re so naughty, but I’m going to treat you so nice.” Dropping to his knees, he turned around and maneuvered between her legs, coaxing them apart with insistent hands.

Jude closed her eyes, the magnitude of his positioning was too much and she dropped her head down onto the cushion. His hands gripped her hips, while his lips caressed her, driving her mad with ecstasy while he situated her over him. With his tongue, he made her universe thunder and her thighs vibrate. Jude moaned from pure bliss as his hands rubbed down the outside of her legs. Gently, he kissed each of her inner thighs hesitant to leave a mark on her. Just before he was about to move, she asked, “If you could do anything to me, what would you do?”

He was about to speak, but she added, “Shh. Don’t tell me. Do it.”

His lips stroked her thigh and he sucked, closing his eyes, and marking her. Reaching down, her fingers scraped through his hair, encouraging him.

Moving out from under her, he stood up and put pressure on her back, running his hands from her shoulders to her ass until his cock was right there, where he wanted to be most. “How did you know?”

“I didn’t. I hoped. Don’t let the world taint what we have together. I love you.”

“Remember how much I love you too.” He thrust inside her without warning, needing her wet heat to swallow him. Their mouths dropped open, solicitous moans escaping.

“God, I missed this,” he said, squeezing her as he stilled. His breath rolled over her skin, making her shiver.

She wanted to speak, but words were failing her so she squirmed instead, and he started moving again. Faster and faster until her breath caught and she cried out. “Oh God!”

Her body embraced him and he came thereafter, holding her hips for leverage. More kisses were followed though Jude felt helpless and sated, and loved. She opened her eyes when he stood up, taking her hand to help her up too. In one fast swoop, she was in his arms being carried to the bedroom.