Page 41 of Reckless

The headlights sweep over the wide-open campsite as I navigate into a spot that has some space around it. It’s impossible to see the view at this time of night and I’m excited to see how Jude reacts in the morning. The plan is to get up and watch the sunrise.

“It’s dark,” Jude breaks the silence.

“It’s worth it, trust me.”

We both unbuckle and rise from our seats. I stretch my arms up over my head. I’ve been driving for an hour and my body is stiff. Jude’s eyes roam over me, but I turn away from him and head back into the living area.

“What is so great about this place?” he asks, following and dropping on to the couch.

“We’re in the Badlands.”

His brow lifts. “South Dakota rocks,” he grins. “The Black Hills, The Badlands. Hell, I could write a whole album about this place.”

“I’m sure people have. We need to go to bed if we want to enjoy it.”

My face flushes all kinds of red when I replay that back in my head.

Jude doesn’t miss the opportunity. “That so?”

“I mean in the morning. Shut up.” I turn away and busy myself cleaning up the nonexistent mess. He chuckles behind me, but doesn’t press it anymore.

When I notice him taking out his phone, I hold up a hand. “Don’t search for it.”

“Why?”

“It’s better to experience it in person. Don’t ruin the surprise. Trust me.”

He puts his phone away. If we want to be awake for the sunrise, we need to turn in now. When I tell him, he stares at me. That pull tugs at me again. This time, not so much like an invisible string. It’s from between my thighs, but I shut that bitch down.

“I’ll set an alarm,” I tell him.

Jude sits back and spreads his legs, one arm up on the back of the couch. He’s like a fucking sex God. And my body is reacting against my will. I almost walk forward but get myself under control. Not just for my sanity down the road. If we are going to act on it, then I will not give it up so easily.

His smirk says he can read my mind.

“Goodnight,” I squeak out and head to the bedroom.

Leaning back on the door, I scold myself for being such a damn idiot. I know what I want out of life. I also know what I don’t want. I’ve had no trouble speaking my mind or following where my head and heart want to take me.

Jude Smallwood is way too dangerous, to both.

I’d set the alarm after checking the time of the sunrise and when it goes off, it’s still dark outside. The coyotes were loud through the night, so it was hard to fall asleep, but I love the sounds. Being a part of nature is my happy place.

I dress warmly, grabbing my beanie hat from the drawer, then open the sliding door.

The light behind me in the bedroom is enough to see by as I walk into the living area. Jude is lying diagonally on the pull-out bed. The sheets are a mess, tangled around his legs and waist, as if he’s been tossing and turning.

He’s shirtless and his hair is a mess, but he is so soundly asleep, I almost feel bad about waking him. He has one hand shoved under the pillow, the other is resting on his collarbone. I wonder if he had a bad night’s sleep too. I’m certain he won’t worry about it too much in about fifteen minutes.

How do I wake him?

I go to the coffee machine and turn it on. We will need coffee. Then I turn back.

“Jude,” I say, moving closer to the bed. “Jude, you need to wake up.”

He groans, his face scrunching and he turns, the sheet tightening around his waist and…

Oh shit, I step back, but my eyes don’t move. I can’t tell for sure, but is he naked under there? I can see the outline of his cock. And it’s hard. My core clenches again and a hand goes to my throat.

---