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Jude gritted his teeth. “I’m no worse than you are with Anastasia.”
Lincoln slung an arm around Anastasia’s waist, the other holding Skyler securely, and grinned. “Well, what can you do? When you find the one, nothing will stop you from acting like a love-struck idiot.”
Anastasia’s eyes flashed red for a second and she smiled at him. “Make sure you never stop acting like an idiot.”
“Baby, I will always be your idiot.”
Jude bounced on his toes, eager to find Octavia. “Where is she?”
“Go past the corn and take a right,” said Anastasia. “You should find her by Patrick’s new pond. I thought she might like that. It’s quiet, and I find the sound of the water soothing.”
Jude nodded thanks and hurried away. He resisted the urge to run, remembering Anastasia’s words to be gentle. He wanted Octavia to know her scars didn’t matter to him. He’d do everything he could to make her feel better about them.
The sound of trickling water reached him. Jude turned the corner, and there she was. Octavia’s back was to him, her shoulders hunched and her arms folded across her middle. Discarded on the ground were the cap and scarf she’d worn. She looked so vulnerable.
“Octavia.” Saying her name always made him want to smile.
She turned toward him, and his smile faded. Her eyes were full of anger.
***
INSTINCTIVELY, OCTAVIAreached for the cap, but then let it drop back to the ground. Jude had seen her now; he’d seen the scars.
She knew he’d follow her. Jude was persistent. He had to be, to be so good at what he did.
The anger that flared through her like fire wasn’t directed at Jude. She was pissed at herself. She’d been foolish to run. She’d shown herself as weak.
Jude stepped closer, slowly, like he was approaching a wounded animal. “I didn’t mean to spook you.”
She let out a sigh. “You didn’t. I spooked myself.”
He took another step. “You don’t need to hide your scars. You’re beautiful.”
Octavia shook her head. “I’m not. I used to be. Not anymore. Maybe it’s a good thing. My sister always told me I was vain, and that looks fade. I never expected to have mine ripped away so fast.”
“Can I take a closer look?”
She tensed but then nodded. “You’ve seen the worst of them. I’ve got scars on my right arm, as well. My face is the most disfigured.”
Jude closed the gap between them. He gently tilted her chin with his warm fingers.
Octavia sucked in a breath and closed her eyes. She could feel his breath disturbing her hair as he touched the scars. It reminded her of their kiss, of his sweet taste.
“You’re not disfigured. You are still beautiful. It’s simply that you have a unique twist to that beauty.” Jude’s fingers slid down Octavia’s throat and along her arm, sending shivers through her.
“That’s one way to describe it.” Her words came out sharp.
“It’s how I’m describing it,” said Jude.
She opened her eyes and looked up at him. There was only honesty reflected back at her. It didn’t make her feel any better. “The novelty will wear off. You’ll want a normal woman again.”
“I never do normal.” He grinned at her.
“You like me because I’m a freak?”
“What if I do?”
“It will get boring quickly.”
