Page 54 of Wilde Nights in Paradise

But until then, he had some plans to make.

…

Libby woke later than usual the next morning and lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling fan for a long time, debating whether she should get up. She turned her head on the pillow and looked at the alarm clock. Nearly noon. Really, what was the point? She could hear rain drumming against the roof, so it wasn’t as if she could go outside and soak in some sun.

Boy, she missed the sun.

But she missed her family even more.

“Ugh. Can someone say pity party?” Disgusted with herself, she shoved off the blankets and headed toward the bathroom for a shower. So she was missing her family’s barbeque tonight. At least doing so ensured that she’d be around for next year’s festivities. Better to spend one holiday lonely than spend the rest of her holidays in a grave.

She showered quickly, wrestled her damp hair into a ponytail, and tossed on an oversize T-shirt and cotton shorts. No sense in putting on anything else. She wasn’t going any—

Stepping into the hallway, she stopped in surprise at the delicious scents from the kitchen. Jude stood at the counter, reading the directions on the back of a refrigerated piecrust tin. He was in his favorite basketball shorts, shirtless, his back turned toward her, and that old curiosity about his tattoo pulled her forward. Dammit, why’d she leave her glasses in the bedroom?

Just as she got close enough to make out some of the words on his spine, he turned and grinned. “You’re awake.”

Pretending she hadn’t been trying to read his tattoo again, she casually moved to his side to examine the ingredients he had spread on the counter. “And you’re…baking?”

“Just another of my skills. It’s a long and varied list.”

“Which is why you’re using canned apple filling and a refrigerated crust, I’m sure.”

“Hey now. I’m working with what I have. It wasn’t easy to put this much together on short notice. I now owe Camden’s cop buddy a favor, which, between you and me, freaks me the hell out.”

She laughed and dipped her finger into the pre-made apple filling. Not bad. “Seriously, though, what are you doing?”

His smile faded, and he focused on pressing the crust into a pie plate. “You were so upset yesterday. I figured you couldn’t be at your family’s Fourth of July, so I’d make one for you here. I even got you sparklers.”

Libby stared at him. It wasn’t until he lifted a hand and pressed her jaw closed that she realized her mouth had been hanging open. She scanned the counter again. All of the fixings for a barbeque sat there in a line.

“Jude…” Flustered, she didn’t know what else to say.

“Is it okay?” he asked. “My brothers and I don’t do holidays, so I wasn’t entirely sure—I mean, I know it’s not home, but I just thought—”

Libby stood on her toes, cutting off his rambles with a kiss. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”

His grin returned, and he dabbed flour on her chin. “Wanna help?”

“You bet your ass I do. I have been so incredibly bored this week.”

“Oh good. I thought I was the only one.”

…

They ate dinner a little before five, and it was actually quite good for a last-minute, cobbled-together meal. The fact that Jude had even thought to do this for her made everything taste that much better.

She shoved away her half-eaten second slice of pie and sat back. Jude smiled across the table at her. “Eyes bigger than your stomach?”

“Waaay bigger.”

He pulled the plate toward him and cut off a piece. “Mind?”

“No.” She scowled as he made short work of the rest of the pie. “I can’t believe you’re still eating. Where do you put it all?”

“Mm. I could tell you…” He pointed his fork at her. “But then I’d have to eat you, too. Actually, that might not be a bad idea. Like dessert. I love the way you squeak when I go down on—”

“Be good, Jude. We’re at the dinner table.” She laughed when he grinned unapologetically and waggled his brows.

---