Page 56 of Jude

She mumbled in Italian, then screamed again.

With an inhale, I crossed the carpet in three strides and, with a knee on the mattress, pulled the duvet back.

I slid in behind her and encircled her, my arm pulling her to me as I shushed her to calm her down.

The second my skin touched hers, she bucked like a wild horse, her heels kicking out in pure panic.

‘Sofia, chill,’ I muttered as I tightened my arm around her waist, anchoring her to my chest. ‘Get a grip, babe. I’ve got you.’

She fought me hard for ten seconds, her elbows catching my chin as she tried to escape whatever nightmare she was seeing in her mind.

I took the hits, tightening my grasp, absorbing the impact.

I rubbed my hands up and down her spine, trying to ground her in the real world.

‘Breathe, Sofia,’ I said near her ear. ‘It’s me, Jude, you’re in my house, honey. In bed with me.’

At my words, her eyes snapped open, dilated and glossy with terror.

She stared at the ceiling, her chest heaving.

She didn’t see me yet; she was still under the water with the ghosts of her past.

‘Jude?’ she gasped.

The utterance, so desperate and broken, tore at my gut.

‘Right here, babe,’ I whispered, shifting so she could see me. ‘You’re safe.’

The dread faded from her amber eyes, replaced by relief.

She let out a long, shuddering sigh, her muscles relaxing as she collapsed into my chest.

She dragged her face into the crook of my neck, her nose pressing right to my pulse point as she snuggled into my nape.

I tightened my clasp around her, locking her to me.

Holding her like this, listening to her breathing even out, sent tendrils of feeling through me.

It’d been that long since I held a woman in my arms and in bed.

Damn, in only a nightshirt, she felt so lush, skin so supple and warm, as I breathed in her alluring perfume and natural scent.

Another thought hit me: what would it be like to sleep next to her every single night?

As her soft breath warmed my nape, I closed my eyes as sleep took over, holding her in my embrace.

SOFIA

Jude drifted into slumber beside me, his breathing rhythmic.

I was still shaken from the nightmare, and grateful he’d come to my bed when my terrifying dream engulfed me.

My mind was blown by his tender comfort and how safe he made me feel.

This man.

I dozed in and out of sleep, luxuriating in the heat and hold of his arms.