Page 128 of Sterling Fight

Judd’s thick brows crease. “Are you certain about this decision?”

Sheepishly, I glance up at him. “You said you’d help me, right?” I didn’t want to rely on Judd, but he is knowledgeable about financial matters, and Clay had been pretty adamant he could help me as well when I had a more official meeting with him earlier this week. I wanted comparative information before I met with Greetings Ambassador, and I’d been fortunate to have more details about doing this on my own before this moved-forward meeting.

An open-mind helped as well.

“Anything you need, firefly. Anything.” Then Judd kisses me against the elevator wall until we reach my floor.

We stumble out of the lift and down the hall, awkwardly kissing as we walk. When we reach my room, we practically tumble inside. Judd drops the flowers on the dresser, and I leap up into his arms, circling his waist with my legs.

He drops me to the bed and then it’s a whirlwind of clothing being removed and kisses in between until we’re naked and breathless.

Judd flips me to my knees, crawling up behind me and wrapping his arm around me. He flicks at my clit while nipping at my neck.

“I never want to lose you, firefly.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Come home with me?”

“Live with you?”

“Couple goals,” he murmurs to my neck, sipping at my skin but when he pinches my clit and slips inside me, all conversation is lost.

Couple goals. Living together.

45

[Judd]

Genie and I spend the rest of the weekend in New York City, just to say we’ve been there once. Then we fly to Knoxville, where we pack up her place and move her things to my house. For now, Genie wants to rent out her old place. Students are always looking for a good value and couples want rentals for a weekend away.

As we missed Sylver Sunday, as Genie likes to call the weekly meal, Stone asks us to come to dinner during the week. To my surprise, the entire family is present.

Genie and I arrive hand in hand, plus her other hand wrapped around my bicep. I love that extra touch of security. We’re weathering together, sunny days and any storms.

“Congratulations,” Enya calls out as we round into the backyard. “We heard the good news.”

Genie tips her head, glancing at me. “Family group chat?” I’ve become only slightly more active in the stream.

“We should probably add you in,” Vale says, setting a bowl of something on one of the two picnic tables pressed together.

I groan. “There’s already too many of us in there.” Not that I don’t want Genie added. It’s just the thread is a mess with seven siblings plus partners.

Genie chuckles. “Don’t mind the grump.” She nudges me with her arm. “But I probably shouldn’t be added unless I’m officially family.”

Everyone now knows Genie wasn’t actually my fiancée, but she is my family. Married or not, Genie is my world.

“Well, congratulations anyway,” Enya adds, offering a warm smile. “When is Quirky Girl Calendars officially part of Greetings Ambassador?”

Genie glances up at me again. “You didn’t tell them.”

“Figured it was your story to tell.”

She clears her throat and addresses the group. “Actually, Quirky Girl Calendars is going to be renamed Quirky Girl Paper Company. And then . . .” She flicks a glance at me. “I have a new investor.”

Clay slowly smiles. Mavis doesn’t look surprised, but the rest of the group is a bit stunned.

Genie looks at me once more. “At first, I’ll be exclusively distributed through Sylver Seed & Soil. Y’all ever hear of that company?”