“Yeah, I already figured that out. But I’m willing to accept it as long as you spend time with me.”

I startled when a squirrel traveled across a branch overhead but was certain my nerves had more to do with the guy standing in front of me than the small woodland creature. I laughed at my silly reaction. “The wildlife in Beverly Hills is fearsome.” I glanced around. “I’m surprised there aren’t more people here.”

“Nannies aren’t done with their chores yet. This place gets crowded later in the afternoon.”

“Nannies? So mommies don’t come, just nannies?”

“For the most part.”

“And that,” I said, “is where this whole idyllic world falls apart.”

He yanked me closer against him. “What do you mean? Are you making a social comment on my people?”

“Your people? You make rich and snobby sound like its own culture.”

“It sort of is.”

“I guess. But what’s the good of coming to a park if you can’t show your mom how good you are at climbing the slide? A nanny isn’t going to give a hoot about your accomplishments.”

“Some mothers don’t either,” he said. “So you think we’re all out of touch?”

“Strangely enough, no. Even though you three have grown up in a magnificent house with every luxury you could wish for and a father who is supremely famous, or as my dad would say, the god of rock, Finley, Cole and you are completely down to earth. You argue just like everyone else and you watch each other’s back. Just like regular siblings. One might even say normal. Even the stuff Finley deals with is pretty common. Everyone gets anxiety. I used to panic right before tests. I used to pressure myself so much, I was certain if I got anything less than a perfect score the whole world would dissolve beneath my feet. Once I pushed myself into a major panic attack before a calculus test and was convinced I was having a stroke. So everyone deals with stress in their own way. Finley just deals badly.” I rubbed my palm along the stubble on his chin. “I guess you know she blames herself for her sister’s death.”

“I know. It never mattered how hard we tried to convince her otherwise, she insisted she caused it.”

“That’s a lot for anyone to swallow.”

He grew quiet for a moment and held me against him. “For Fin, it’s not just the anxiety. She can fall pretty low sometimes. That enthusiasm she gets when she’s in a good mood can plunge into darkness in a second. That’s when I really worry about her. But I know she’s glad to have you around this summer.” He kissed me. “Hmm, I don’t think I’ve ever kissed a brainy girl. I mean calculus— damn. Hey, were you one of those school girls who wore the short plaid skirt and white blouse?”

“Seriously, is there anything about me that says private prep school?”

“I guess not.” His mouth brushed mine. “But you would look so fucking hot in one of those uniforms.” His long, muscular thigh pushed between my legs, and he reached up and pulled the edges of my sweatshirt so that I nearly slammed against his chest. Then his hands slid beneath my t-shirt and he caressed my skin as his mouth covered mine.

My skin felt on fire as his kisses deepened, and his hands explored the bare skin of my back and shoulders. I leaned forward and moved against his hard thigh, gasping softly with the rhythm of his movement. My hands slid up his muscular arms and circled his neck. I felt the desperate need to hold onto him. His mouth moved down my neck and my head dropped back as his tongue flicked lightly at the hollow in the base of my throat. I shifted against him again and again, knowing full well that I was heading to a place where turning back was impossible. My hands tucked beneath his shirt, and I smoothed my palms over the muscles of his chest and abdomen. Everything about Jude made me lose control, and my hands and mouth could not get enough of him.

His hand drifted down my waist and before I could protest, though that was unlikely now, he pressed it between my thighs. I groaned softly against his mouth as his thumb moved over the worn denim. I fought the intimacy of it for a moment, and my fingers tensed around his shoulders.

“Damn, Valley, I need to touch all of you.” His teeth bit lightly on my bottom lip. “Just relax.” Even his whispered command sent shuddering waves of heat through me. I clung tightly to his arms as I moved against his hand until the need I’d built up deep inside sent shuddering waves through me and then exploded in every direction. My fingers dug into his hard arms, and I pressed my mouth against his chest to muffle a small cry.

He wrapped his strong arms around me as I collapsed against him. I felt completely secure in his arms. My fingers traced along his strong jaw. “I’m feeling a bit selfish.”

“Well, you should.”

I looked up at him and he smiled. “I’m kidding. Watching your face through it all made it worth it.” He kissed my lips. “Made me ache for you that much more but still worth it.”

A warm blush rose in my face, and I pressed my cheek against his chest again. “Just so you know, I’m not really the kind of girl who does stuff like that in the center of a public park.”

“No? Why’d you do it this time?”

“Because it was with you. And I can’t begin to tell you how much that terrifies me.”

He took hold of my face. “Like I said before— relax, Eden.”

Badly, I wanted to surrender my heart and soul to him, but my sensible side, a side that always reared its annoying head when I least wanted it, told me to keep my feet on the ground.  “I suppose we should head back. Finley and I are going to take an excursion around the grounds.”

He didn’t say anything, but his expression laid bare his thoughts.

“I know it’s not much, just a few steps around the property, but for her, it’s a big deal.”

He nodded. “It’s been good for her, but there’s so much turmoil brewing in my sister, I’m worried she just won’t be able to tamp it down. I worry that one day it’ll all come boiling out of her in one massive eruption.”

“Then maybe these miniscule steps toward normalcy are helping her blow off some steam. Last night, Max upset her and she pouted but didn’t lose it. I’d say she handled it well. Maybe in the long run, small steps will help her cope enough to avoid any big melt down.”

He lowered his arm around my shoulder and led me out from beneath the tree. “Let’s hope so, Eden.”

Chapter 15

The ride back home was equally awesome. I had not just imagined the thrill all these years, riding on a motorcycle was fun. Jude pulled my arms tighter around him and then sped up as we climbed the impossibly long driveway to the house. He stopped the bike out front and was helping me remove my helmet when the front door opened.

Cole was standing in the doorway holding his phone. Just like the night before, when he’d knocked on the pool house door, his face showed that something was definitely not right. “How come you didn’t answer your phone?”

Jude pointed to his bike. “Can’t really answer a phone on that thing.” He looked past Cole into the entryway, and I felt his body tense next to me. “What’s wrong? Where’s Finley?”

Cole looked back and stepped outside. “She’s inside. Ray called. Dad collapsed during rehearsal. They’re taking him to the hospital. It might have been a heart attack.”

“Shit.” Jude stormed up the steps and flew into the house.

I followed behind Cole. Jude had Finley in his arms before Cole and I had reached the room. She was crying hysterically and gasping for breath. “Purse your lips together and breathe, Fin.” He rubbed her back, but she was crying too hard to control her mouth or her breathing. “Shhh, breathe. Dad’ll be fine.”

I grabbed a clean dish towel and wet it with cold water. I handed it to Jude and he pressed it against her forehead. Her face was bright red, and she looked close to puking.