Page 75 of Wanted

“We have to help Elvis,” I rasp. “He’s scared.”

One more squeeze for my fingers, and then he lets them go. “I’ll get him. Hop on the wheeler. I need to get you both inside.”

“I’m okay.”

The wind carries my words away without a response as the leash is gently tugged from me. His gaze lowers to take me in. A scowl erupts on his handsome face.

“You’re a mess.”

“A little.” I hold my arms out at my sides. “I think Elvis might be worse. He belly crawled.”

Jude wipes his thumb beneath my chin. The wrinkled skin comes away dirty. “You look like you did too.”

The next burst of lightning brightens the sky so much we jump apart.

“Get on the four-wheeler,” he orders. “I’m coming.”

Before my ass is fully seated, Jude turns around with Elvis held tight in his arms. He climbs in front of me. A hand hooks me behind my knee, right beneath the meat of my thigh, and drags me forward until the seam of my jeans is pressed tight to his back. His body warms me instantly, seeping through our drenched clothing.

“Hang on!”

He fires the engine to life.

I wrap my arms snug around his firm waist and lay my head against his solid back to protect my face from the icy droplets slapping against my skin as he races back down the trail. His clean scent mixes with the rain, filling my lungs with the intoxicating mixture. All too soon, he’s pulling up in front of the shed. My arms twitch with a reluctance to let go.

He tips his chin over his shoulder. Rivulets of water run down his bare skin, catching in his beard and dripping from his nose. I reach up and wipe a drop hanging from the ridge of his eyebrow. He briefly closes his eyes at my touch.

“Get inside the intake building,” he growls.

Holding his shoulders, I lift myself off the ATV. I don’t let go until I’m solidly back on the ground.

Then I rush inside as Jude follows.

19

Jude

The most beautiful mess I’ve ever witnessed is Frankie standing in the pouring rain, hair slicked to her skin, mud covering the front of her body as she tells me she’s fine.

The image stitches itself to my core.

One I’ll never forget.

One I’ll never want to.

“You should go in the house and get changed.”

Blue lips encase chattering teeth, yet she still manages to grin. “I’ll be okay. This seems like more fun.”

“He needs a bath. He’s as dirty as you are.”

“I think you can count yourself in that statement.”

I look down at the mud splashed across my tee.

“The three of us are a mess.” I huff a laugh and deposit Elvis in the wash station.

“Can I help?”

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