Page 112 of Saving Tatum (Trace + Olivia 4)

“Next time?” My brows rose in surprise.

“This is kind of nice,” he wiggled around, “we should make it a rule that we take a bath together once a week, sort of like the no pants thing—which I have to add, we haven’t done yet. What’s up with that?”

“You are…” I shook my head, at a loss for words. I finally settled on, “One of a kind, Jude Brooks.”

“What’s the point in being like everyone else?” He asked, leaning back and pressing a hand to my stomach so I went with him. Water sloshed out the side and I reached up with my foot to shut it off before we made an even bigger mess. “I like being me.”

I tilted my head back and lifted to place a light kiss on his heavily stubbled jaw. “I like you too.”

“You do, Tate?” He grinned, his hands sliding up my body to cup my breasts. “Do you really like me?” He gave them a squeeze and I let out a moan I couldn’t contain.

I nodded my head.

“Say it,” he growled, nipping my earlobe. “I want to hear you say it.”

“I really like you,” I panted, unable to catch my breath. It was completely unfair that with a few simple touches he could make me want him so much. In fact, it scared the crap out of me just how much he affected me.

“I really like you too, Tate,” he whispered in my ear.

Suddenly his hands were gone from my body and he started playing with my hair. “Let’s talk,” he said, bringing the blonde strands up and rubbing his fingers against the back of my neck.

“Talk? About what?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” I felt him shrug. “Anything. I haven’t seen you much this week, we’ve both been so busy. Don’t get me wrong,” he whispered low in my ear, “I love having sex with you, but you and I…we’re so much more than the physical.”

His words made me feel giddy and I couldn’t help smiling. “Well, for starters, I love my job.”

“That’s great.” He started rubbing my shoulders, which were tight with tension from all the stress of the past week. “You should make me a cupcake with gummy bears.”

I laughed. “Lucinda won’t let me make cupcakes yet, I’m still learning that part, but they don’t have a gummy bear cupcake anyway.”

He tsked. “That’s not cool. Gummy bears deserve a cupcake.”

“I’ll let her know.” I relaxed my head against his chest and lifted my eyes to look at him. I reached up and ran a finger along the strong line of his jaw.

“You do that,” he grinned down at me, “and I expect to be the test subject that gets to try every single one until you get it right. Gummy bears deserve no less than perfection.”

“Deal,” I smiled. “You know, this is really nice.”

“I’m glad you think so,” he agreed.

“Can you believe graduation is in two weeks?” I asked. “It seems so soon and finals aren’t even over yet. I think they’re trying to kill us.”

Jude laughed. “Yeah, it feels that way. But it’ll be worth it when we stride across that podium and get our diploma. It’s time to start the rest of our lives.”

“It scares me,” I admitted, picking up some bubbles and blowing them away.

“What does?”

“Life,” I whispered.

He chuckled. “I think everyone is scared of life, at least a little. Although, I think it’s less about life and more about failing. We only have one chance to live our life and if we don’t do it right, it’s gone. That’s a scary thing to think about.”

“I’m scared I’m like my dad.” The moment the words left my lips I started to cry as the fear consumed me. I was so terrified of being like him, of hurting the ones I loved, and letting my anger get the best of me.

“Oh, Tate,” Jude wrapped his arms around me from behind and more water sloshed over the sides. We were going to have a mess to clean up. “You’re nothing like that man. You’re stubborn, true, but being stubborn is nothing like being an asshole and that’s what he is. But you’re so much more than that feisty, tough girl. You’re brilliant. And kind. And caring. And loving. And beautiful. And a million other things that make you, you.” He lowered his head and nuzzled my neck before kissing the skin there. “You’re amazing. Don’t ever doubt that. Everyone has faults, but that doesn’t make you a bad person.”

The tears came harder now and I flipped around so we were facing each other—and there went more water over the side.

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