Page 72 of Briar
“I have no idea what you're talking about.” I grab the hem of my shirt and pull it up over my head, tossing it to the side. His eyes heat and I want to cry that I can’t smell how turned on he is. But I can tell with the way he looks like he wants to make me his next meal.
Next, I work on my shorts, undoing the button and shimming out of them. “Did I mention I like to tan naked?” I ask, undoing my bra and letting it fall free. “I hate tan lines.” Grabbing my panties, I take them off, then throw them towards Jude. “Wanna join?”
He catches them, a groan slipping free. “You are so bad.”
My smile grows. “Is that a no?”
“Come here,” he growls playfully before rushing over to me.
I let out a squeal of laughter as he wraps me up in his arms, sealing his lips against mine.
Let’s just say I don’t think I’m going to get any tanning done today.
“This looks… amazing,” Jude says in awe as he slowly takes in the space around him.
We’re in my nest. Something I never thought I’d share with anyone else. But, I want him to feel welcome here. If we’re going to be a pack, I’m going to have them help me through my heat and that means they will be in my nest.
I’m not worried about his scent getting on my things, because I can’t smell it yet. Even if I could, I wouldn’t care. I want this place to feel like our space.
“I can’t believe you have a whole nest up here. A tree house nest. So fucking cool,” he laughs, ducking down and moving to the side.
“Don’t worry about wrecking anything. Just take your shoes off and that's all I care about.”
He looks at me with wide eyes. “Really? You’re okay with me being in here?”
“I wouldn’t have invited you up here if I wasn’t,” I laugh, taking my shoes off and crawling onto the massive bed on the floor.
I sigh as I flop backwards, body sinking into the pillows and blankets.
“Come here.” I hold my hand out to Jude.
He takes his shoes off before crawling in to lay next to me.
“Thank you for sharing this with me. It means so much,” he smiles.
We turn onto our sides, laying face to face.
“Jude,” I murmur, my heart racing, my stomach filling with butterflies.
“Yes?” he smiles softly, reaching out to brush some hair out of my face.
“I love you,” I whisper.
His hand pauses, fingers lingering on my cheek as his lips part. “You do?” he asks slowly, almost carefully.
I bite my lower lip, slowly nodding. I’ve never had the chance to feel like a girl with a crush, a teenager falling in love. But that's what Willow and Jude makes me feel.
Giddy and excited.
Jude lets out a happy laugh before leaning in and pressing his lips to mine. “I love you, too.”
For the second time today, Jude and I get lost in one another. Before, it was hot and heavy, wild knowing anyone could come over and see.
This time, it’s slow and tender, exploring hands and taking our time.
Breathing hard, we attempt to suck in oxygen as we lay in each other’s arms. My favorite form of relaxation is different from others, so I put a movie on the projector, and we just lay in my nest watchingTexas Chainsaw Massacre.
“Jude?” That would be Willow.
