Page 131 of Reckless

“If you think that, Jude Smallwood, then you don’t know me as well as I thought you did.”

“My head is fucked up about this.”

“Well, let me help you out with a little part of it.” I lean back in and run my hand through his curls. He tilts his head into my hand as I run my palm down his cheek and hold his face. “This has been horrible. I’m sure Emily is going to freak out at some point and I’m always going to feel bad about her being the one who got attacked, but I don’t blame you. And I’m not scared enough to walk away. I love you Jude. That doesn’t change because this happened. Do you hear me?”

A wry grin lifts the corner of his mouth. “I like this bossy side of you.”

“Hmm, well, it does come out now and then. Now, are you going to get over yourself and accept that not everything falls on you?”

It’s been a hell of a day. It hurts that I had to leave the convention and I won’t be going back, but Bri and her assistant, together with some volunteers are making sure my stand is dealt with. I asked them to take names and contact details for people who were in line so I can send a free signed book.

“I love you too. But let me freak out for a little while.”

“Okay, but only if you forgive Luther.”

“Krista,” he sighs. “If he’d told me, this could have been avoided.”

“If he told you, you would have left.”

“No, that isn’t-”

“To protect me. You would have left. You know I’m right.”

“Do not sell it we’re together because of Luther.” I grin and he glares back. “I’m pissed at him,” he grunts.

“And I’m sure he feels like shit about that. He’ll blame himself just as stupidly as you are.”

“Shit, I hate that you’re right. But he can stew for a while.”

“Pettiness isn’t an attractive trait.”

“You’re driving me crazy. But fuck, you’re gorgeous when you do it.”

He leans in and kisses me, pulling me tight to him. When he stops and lowers his lips to my neck, his breath is warm when he speaks. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. Ever.”

He can’t promise that. Going into a relationship with someone as famous as he is will have its drawbacks. There is always the possibility this can happen again, more than once. But I won’t let the fear of the unknown take away what we feel for one another.

I’m all in on this.

“I decided.”

Jude straightens up. He runs a hand through the length of my hair, holding it in his fist. “About what?”

“Luther can get the RV back to California for me.”

The smile he gives me lights me up and takes away some of the darkness of the day. It won’t last long because I’m still scared for Emily’s mental state, but it’s enough for me to know I’ve made the right choice. It might only be small, and other people won’t get what it means for me to hand over the keys to my RV.

"So long as you forgive him."

Jude scowls at the caveat. I arch a brow until he relents and nods his head. Even with his jaw clenched I know he won't lie to me. He might not like it, but I'm pretty sure, deep down, he knows Luther made an error in judgment. It doesn't mean he needs to be fired.

Jude pulls me in for another kiss, I know we’re going to be alright. He’s deep inside my heart, and I never want him to leave.

Epilogue

Five Months Later

“Hey everyone! Ah, man! You have no idea how happy we are to be here tonight. This is our last show on the tour. Can you believe this is the first time we’ve played in Montana?”

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