Page 118 of Reckless

He groans and rolls onto his back, but he has a small smile on his lips. It’s good to keep them guessing. Truth is, I’m still not sure.

As much as I’ve fallen for Jude Smallwood and can’t imagine him not being part of my life, I’m still cautious. I don’t want to be apart, but if this is going to work, I need to be used to the idea he will be gone for long periods of time.

I have never and will never rely on anyone to create my happiness. That is down to me and my choices. Having someone you care about deeply along for the ride is an added benefit, and one I would never take for granted. I have to protect myself. He’ll be hurt if he knows what I’m thinking, so I won’t tell him.

I’ll know after these three days apart.

The following morning when Luther knocks to say he’s brought the RV around, my stomach bottoms out. Jude looks devastatingly handsome, his jaw tense, gripping my hand in his as he walks me down. He’s refused to wait in the room, coming downstairs with me.

Luther follows close by, but he’s trying to keep a respectable distance.

The RV is sparkling, and the inside is cleaner than I’ve ever seen it, even brand new. A part of me is sad because the scent of us is gone.

Jude takes out his phone and mine beeps a moment later.

“A playlist I made for you. Whatever you decide, at least you’ll have some good music to listen to.”

“Hey, I listen to good music.”

“Maybe there will be some familiar tunes in there.” He pulls me into him.

“No one ever made a playlist for me before.”

“Good,” he growls possessively.

The door is open, but I can no longer see Luther. Jude pushes me back against the wall and kisses me. It isn’t tinged with desperation, just the knowledge that no matter what, we will be coming back together. This isn’t over.

I keep glancing at him in the side mirrors as I pull away from the hotel. Standing with his hands in his pockets, watching me leave. It reminds me of when he was standing on the side of the road watching me drive past him at the rest stop. Luther is close behind him now. I’m glad he has someone with him. Even if the stoic bodyguard isn’t much of a conversationalist, Jude isn’t alone.

Three days. Or maybe longer. But my heart is pulling me more towards the idea of flying to LA.

It’s odd, being back in the RV, knowing Jude won’t be walking through the door. I’m still gobsmacked at what he did to the place while it was parked up for the week.

When I find the picture of him on the bedside table, I can’t help but laugh. He signed it. It’s disappointing he has pants on, but the cowboy hat is a nice touch.

The last week has been an experience. Jude isn’t like anyone I’ve ever met, and that makes me love him more. So many people have expectations of him and who he is, but I doubt they would ever believe the person he is behind the rock sex symbol persona.

I gather up everything I’m going to need to take into the hotel, then stand in the bedroom, looking at the picture of Jude. The irony of him leaving me a signed picture of himself, I bet he thought he was being so clever.

A sound at the front of the RV has my head snapping to the door. Shit, did I leave the main door open? My heart thumps as I tiptoe to the bedroom doorway. Who the hell is walking in here? I open a drawer and grab my mace.

“Knock, knock!”

“Shit,” I blow out a relieved breath and step out of the bedroom.

The short, pink-haired woman holding a purse, laptop bag and a purple notepad with a matching pen, stares at me, wide-eyed.

“Why do you have mace?”

“Emily… You scared the crap out of me.”

“Sorry,” my assistant cringes as she steps inside. “I saw the RV and knew it was you. Why did you leave the door open? Did you think someone was going to get on and hurt you?” She indicates the mace again.

“I don’t remember opening it. It’s nothing. I must have left the latch off and the wind blew it open.”

“Okay.” She frowns.

Emily glances behind her. We’re in a parking garage under the hotel, but it is open at the front, so it’s feasible the wind blew in. I shake it off and put the mace away.

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