Page 128 of UNAwere

‘It’s fine,’ he murmurs, eyes shining. ‘Seeing you spit-take coffee everywhere was the highlight of my week. I’m happy to do this.’

Hannah grins. ‘Wow, is this really what it’s like?’

Jude throws a glare at her. ‘Leave it.’

She winks at me, and I feel my cheeks turn pink again.

‘You’re smitten,’ she tells Jude. ‘I’ve never seen you like this.’

‘Hannah, I said leave it.’

She puts up her hands. ‘Sorry. I just mean, it’s cute.’

Jude rinses the cloth in the sink and glances at me. There’s a small smile on his lips, and I return it, feeling myself lean in close when he comes to stand beside me.

‘This is what I was talking about last night, though,’ Hannah says, watching us. ‘You two are treading on some pretty thin ice.’

I clear my throat, nodding and taking one step back from Jude.

‘I’ll be good,’ I say.

Hannah nods at me, satisfied, and then her gaze goes to her brother. ‘And you?’

Jude grunts.

‘Jude,’ she warns.

He looks at me. ‘I don’t wanna be.’

My heart skitters, and I feel every cell in my body being pulled to him. I grit my teeth and keep still, regardless of how much I don’t want to. And Jude’s still watching me, his nostrils flared, his jaw tensed.

‘But I will,’ he finally says.

Hannah lets out a breath. ‘Can you not be an arsehole, for one second?’

His gaze finally drops from me, and he smiles, shaking his head. ‘Oh, but I love pissing you off, Hans,’ he says.

‘You’re worse than my fucking kids,’ Hannah grates. She points a finger at me. ‘C’mon. We’re gonna go for a walk.’

‘A walk?’ I look at my cardigan and jeans.

‘Just around the property. You’ll be fine.’

I glance at Jude, my brow buckling slightly.

‘I’ll see you later,’ he says softly.

‘You gonna be okay?’ I ask him.

Hannah groans. ‘Seriously.’

Jude picks up my hand and presses his mouth against the inside of my wrist. I sigh, the pressure of his lips tingling my skin. But then Hannah takes my other hand and yanks me away.

‘Why do I have to be the bad guy in this situation?’ she asks.

‘Sorry.’ I give her an awkward smile.

‘This,’ she says to her brother, gesturing between me and him, ‘is why I wanted you to go live at mine for a bit.’