Page 39 of Jude

Octavia moved to the single bed and sat on the edge. “A real bed. It beats the sofa-come-bed I had in the van.”

“I’m glad you like it,” said Jude. “This is your home now.”

She looked around some more. Her gaze settled on Jude. “I guess it is.”

A frisson of uncertainty slid across Jude. He wanted to stay. The thought of Octavia alone in bed seemed wrong.

She seemed to sense it too. She patted the space next to her. “Is it time for you to get some rest?”

He took a step forward, but then stopped himself. “I still have things to do.”

“Can you do them later?” Her gaze dipped down and her fingers slid across the bed.

Shit! He could. Why wait? Jude forced himself to think with his head, and not the hardness between his legs. “We need to be mission ready for tonight.”

Octavia’s hand went to her face. She covered the scars. “It’s fine.”

Jude strode over, pulled her hand from her face, and pushed her back on the bed. He covered her body with his, pinned her arms above her head, and kissed her until they were both breathless.

The urgent throb between his legs encouraged him on. It took every ounce of willpower to drag himself off of Octavia. “Get some sleep.”

“You think I can sleep after that?” Lust filled her gaze as she sat up and reached for him.

This was torture. “I promise you, we’re just getting started.” He grabbed her for another kiss and then turned to leave.

“I will hold you to that,” said Octavia, her already husky tones sounding deep and warm.

Her voice sent shivers down his spine. He turned and winked at her. “I’ll make it worth the wait.” Jude headed back to the comms room. He spent the next couple of hours listening to the messages before letting the programs take over and grabbing some sleep of his own.

As he sank onto his mattress, his thoughts filled with Octavia. He should go to her. He wanted to. There was something about her that had him craving more. He would never get bored with this incredible woman. She figured herself as somehow damaged and not worthy of anyone’s attention. He would show her that was wrong. He let his fantasies about Octavia take over as he disappeared into sleep.

Four hours later, and after grabbing a quick shower and a change of clothes, Jude walked to the weapons room. He hoped they wouldn’t encounter any resistance when they went out to this location, but they needed to be covered for anything.

As he opened the door, he found Heath and Danni already there.

“Have you made progress with the communications the State are sending?” asked Danni.

“Nothing so far,” said Jude. “This equipment we’re getting from Octavia’s secure store will help.” He checked the pulse laser gun he’d taken from the rack.

The door opened. Octavia appeared, her scarf back in place and her black cap pulled low. “I wasn’t sure I was in the right place.”

“If you’re looking for weapons, you are.” Heath extended a hand. “We’ve not met properly.”

She shook his hand. “I’ve heard all about you from Jude. I feel like I know you, having spent such a long time keeping an eye on what you’re doing.”

Heath smiled. “We’re glad you’re continuing to do that. Especially if it helps us figure out the messages the State are sending.”

“It should work,” said Octavia.

Malachi entered the room and nodded at everybody. “Are we ready to go?”

“We’re ready,” said Heath. “We’ll take a Foxhound. The coordinates are keyed in, waiting for us. It’s just the four of us.”

“I’ll leave you to it,” said Danni. “Keep us up to date as to how you get on.”

“So long as we stay under the radar of the State, this will be a simple grab-and-go mission,” said Heath.

Jude led the way out of the weapons room, along the corridor, and into the vehicle bay. Octavia walked alongside him. She smelled different. She must have showered. He wasn’t sure whether he preferred that, or the earthy, spicy scent she had when they first met.