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Being alone is safe.
I should use this memory as a reminder of what it’s like when people leave and put distance between me and Jude, but I can’t. It’ll hurt worse than anything ever has when he goes, yet I can’t bring myself to push him away. I’m walking into my future heartache with both eyes open like an idiot.
Jude gives me a questioning look when he sees me hugging my laptop to my chest.
“I was told to hide my valuables when I moved in… this is the only thing I have worth anything.”
He nods and helps me to my feet. I nearly melt in a puddle when he pulls me into his arms and kisses the top of my head. “It’s late. Let’s get you home.”
In the living room, I pick up the broken picture frame, thankful that the picture seems to be okay. I take one last look at the ruined desk; a tear silently falls down my cheek. I know it’s just a piece of furniture, but it means something to me. It represents the faith Gerald and Maude had in me. They were proud of my accomplishments, and the desk was their way of showing it.
Jude does his best to close the broken door, cursing under his breath. “I’ll have someone come fix this in the morning.”
I shrug. “Not like there’s anything left to steal.”
He frowns and shakes his head. With his warm palm on my back, he leads me back out to his truck. I close my eyes as he drives through the quiet streets. Exhaustion sweeps over me, and I drift off to sleep. I’m vaguely aware of Jude lifting me from the truck and carrying me inside. I try to wake myself up, but it’s no use. My mind and body have shut down, and there’s no fighting it. My last thought is how good it feels to be in his arms before I let sleep completely engulf me.
four
JUDE
I’ve never been soangry in my life. Seeing Winter’s apartment destroyed was bad… seeing her reaction to her things being ruined was worse. I wanted to burn the whole building down when she broke down in my arms. This woman is so sweet and wonderful. She deserves so much better than what she’s got. I’m determined to make sure she gets it.
I wanted her out of that shitty apartment the moment I saw it, but not this way. I feel like a complete asshole for not being upset that she won’t be staying there anymore. If she weren’t so obviously scared, I have no doubt she would’ve argued about coming to my place more. She’s a proud woman and doesn’t like handouts. I have a feeling she’s not used to people taking care of her and doesn’t know what to do with the fact that my entire goal is to take care of her from now on. She’ll learn. I’m not going anywhere. She’s my perfect babygirl; I’ll do whatever it takes to make her mine.
By the time I pull into my driveway, she’s fast asleep. She whimpers a little when I lift her from the truck but immediately quiets once she’s in my arms. I carry her through my house and straight to my bedroom. I know I should take her to one of the guest rooms, but I want her in my space where she belongs.
I lay her on my bed and carefully remove her coat, scarf, and gloves. She’s still in her work uniform, and I have no doubt it’s uncomfortable after hours of wearing it. Even though I shouldn’t, I gently remove her uniform, leaving her in a simple white bra and red panties. I grab one of my t-shirts and put it on her. The last thing I want is for her to think I did something inappropriate to her while she slept. It’s bad enough that I have a raging hard-on from changing her into something more comfortable.
Once I cover her up, she rolls to her side and cuddles under the blankets with a sweet sigh. Before I can do something stupid like kiss her, I escape to the bathroom for a cold shower. Despite the freezing water, my cock refuses to go down. I wrap my hand around my length and stroke it. I close my eyes, picturing Winter on her knees in front of me. She’d look up at me with wide, innocent eyes as she tentatively licked the precome from my tip. Her soft hand would stroke my shaft gently at first, then harder as I coach her. My balls tighten when I picture her plump lips wrapped around my cock, her hot tongue massaging my length as she sucks me.
Fuck!
I grunt as my orgasm rushes through me. My release is so powerful that my knees feel weak. I’ve never come so hard before, and it was only a fantasy. I can’t imagine how hard I’ll come when it’s Winter’s touch instead of my own. She’s going to wreck me. I have a feeling I’ll never get enough of her. I’m going to keep her well-fucked and desperate for my cock so she’ll never want to leave my bed.
I quickly wash up and pull on my underwear and sweatpants. I hate sleeping with pants on, but I don’t want her to freak out when she wakes up to me in bed with her without clothes on. I’ve taken enough liberties for one night. I shut off the light and climb into bed even though I doubt I’ll be able to sleep.
I’m thinking of all the ways I can try to convince Winter to stay with me when she sleepily moves towards me. I lay still as a statue as she cuddles against me, pillowing her head on my chest and wrapping one arm and leg around me. She sighs in contentment when I start to stroke her back. Having her in my arms quiets my racing mind, and it doesn’t take long for sleep to claim me.
* * *
I wakeup later than usual, probably because of the beautiful woman curled against me. I slept better than I’ve slept in years. I need to get up and check in with my assistant and arrange to have Winter’s apartment cleaned and secured. She’ll also need clothes and necessities since everything she owns is ruined. White hot rage burns through my veins at the reminder of what we walked into last night. If I hadn’t given her a ride last night, she would’ve come home to a wrecked apartment alone.
She was devastated by the wreckage. Rightfully so. I’m glad I was there to take care of her. I don’t know her well, but I do know she would’ve suffered the loss in silence. She wouldn’t have asked for help. I’m not convinced she has anyone in her life to ask if she were to need help in the first place. I know she has limited financial resources, so I doubt she has the funds to replace much, if any, of her things.
She’s going to throw a fit when I insist on helping her. She’ll make up excuses as to why she can’t let me spend money on her. She barely accepted my help with her car, and fixing it is necessary. Winter doesn’t like to be in debt to anyone. She’s so used to standing on her own two feet that she can’t accept help when offered.
Too bad for her, I’m a stubborn bastard when I need to be, and when it comes to taking care of my woman, I’ll be the most stubborn bastard around. I will do everything in my power to ensure that she knows she’s no longer alone and that I want to take care of her. Just the thought of taking care of her makes me happy.
I enjoy holding her for a little longer before I gently move her off my chest so I can get up. She lets out an adorable whimper before cuddling up to my pillow and settling back to sleep. I watch her sleep for a minute before dragging myself away. I dial my assistant on my way to the kitchen. Winter will be hungry when she wakes up, and it’ll be my pleasure to feed her.
“Boss,” Chance answers with no fanfare.
My assistant isn’t the warm-fuzzy type but is highly efficient and does a great job of handling the bullshit I hate doing. I’m not cut out for corporate life. I’m more comfortable with grease under my fingernails than wearing a suit and tie. With Chance’s help, I can escape my office from time to time and spend time at the garage.
“I need you to cancel my appointments for the day.”
“I’ll reschedule your meetings, but I’m not calling your mother to cancel your lunch date with her. That woman is terrifying.”
