Page 86 of Still Bruised
Jude brushed Foster’s hands away.“I’m not.”
Foster chuckled.
“If you’re just fucking around, fine.” Jude eyed Foster’s clothes. Effort had been made. “But if you’re dating someone and its getting serious, I don’t need them showing up in my shop and starting shit. I don’t do drama,” Jude said. “I simply want a head’s up and that’s all.”
“And if it is getting serious?”
“Then we end it now,” Jude said, his stomach lurching. He spun and walked down the driveway.
“I got a job offer. I went out to celebrate,” Foster said.“With my parents.”
Jude froze. He didn’t turn or look over his shoulder. “You were alone when you pulled in.”
“I dropped them off out front. My dad struggles with the back stairs. He’s still dragging his left foot a bit.”
Jude slowly spun to face Foster.
“You can go ask my mom, if you’d like,” Foster added. “She’s still raving about that roast you gave us, so I’m sure she’d love a chance to thank you while you’re here.”
Jude searched Foster’s face in the dim light. “What’s the job?”
Foster smiled softly, clearly pleased. “One I really wanted.”
“Where?”Jude asked before holding his breath. Was Foster leaving him?
“Manhattan.”
Okay. Workable.Jude relaxed his shoulders. “Are you moving into the city?” Before getting an answer, Jude added, “To be clear, I’m only asking because that might put a crimp in your repayment plan. We might have to make new arrangements.”
Foster’s lips quirked as if he were fighting a smile. “The work is hybrid. Half in office, half virtual. More in-office at first, until I get a feel for things.” He took a couple of steps closer. “For now, I plan to stay and commute. Then I can make a decision down the road. Once I see how it works for me—or doesn’t.” He lost his battle with the smile. It spread across his handsome face. “I should be perfectly able to fulfill my duties for the next few months, at least.”
Jude stared a moment, considering that answer. He closed the gap between them. He searched Foster’s face and saw longing there that matched his own. “You should stay until you’ve finished your duty to me. Once we’re square, you can go wherever you want.”
“Is that what you want me to do?” Foster asked, the rasp to his voice causing a tremor up Jude’s spine. “Do youwantme to stay?”
Jude stared at Foster’s lips, craving a kiss, but he refused to cave. Not yet. He lifted his gaze to Foster’s. “It’s what I’mtellingyou to do. You still owe a debt.”
“I haven’t forgotten,” Foster said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I belong to you.”
Jude’s body tensed.
I belong to you.
That declaration shouldn’t have had as much impact on Jude as it did.
They stood in the dark, inches apart yet unmoving. Jude could feel Foster’s body heat. The scent of that fucking aftershave curled his fingers and toes. They both stared at one another with lethal intent.
Jude brought in a shuddering breath seconds before Foster grabbed the back of his head and planted a kiss on him. Instinct compelled Jude to lift his palms to push Foster away. His hands twisted in Foster’s thin sweater and brought him closer instead.
He trembled against Foster, starved for the attention.
A week. It had been too fucking long not to feel Foster against him. He didn’t want to go another week without. When Foster lifted from the kiss and gazed down at him, both of their chests rose and fell roughly.
“Do you want to come in?”
Jude wasn’t going anywhere else. He nodded.
Foster reached into his pocket, fumbling for his keys. He marched up the steps, Jude ambling behind, and unlocked the door before turning, holding out a hand. Jude didn’t take it. He slipped past Foster and into the darkened apartment. The door was shut and when the foyer light flipped on, Jude spun and thrust himself against Foster. Their lips met again, questing and hungry.
