Free Hands Off by Lia Slater Page A

bedroom and heading toward the den.
    “Jude?” she called again, sounding anxious. She probably thought he’d lost his mind... or worse.
    But he couldn’t stop his feet from heading to his destination. He would explain soon. He only hoped he was making the right decision. And not scaring her away.
    In his den, he strode to his safe and punched in the combo. His hand shook as he lifted the small box from the far corner. He knew right where he’d left it—his mind would never let him forget. Never.
    But he’d once vowed to turn the bad memories into good. So far he’d accomplished more than he’d imagined. Only one thing was missing. All he needed to do was to believe he deserved that one precious thing.
    “I deserve her,” he said aloud, realizing the person he pictured talking to wasn’t his mother, but Davis.
    He shut the safe and propped himself against his desk, suddenly feeling dizzy. The lights of Denver glowed and dimly lit the room, casting shadows here and there.
    “I’ll take care of her, Davis. I’ll do right by you.” He swallowed and winced at the pain caught in his throat. He hadn’t realized he’d needed to say these words until now.
    “I love her, man. I’ve loved her for a long time and I don’t intend to ever stop.”
    He paused, feeling like an idiot for waiting for some type of response. Of course he got none. Davis wasn’t going to stroll out of the dark shadows and punch him in the face. He wasn’t going to argue. He wasn’t going to do anything. He was gone.
    And life had to continue without him.
    “Good talk, man,” Jude said, repeating the words Davis always used after they’d resolved one of their heated debates.
    Jude squeezed the box in his hand and shook his head.
    Naomi. The only person he needed was Naomi.
    And... shit. He’d been here too long, making her wait.
    He pushed to his feet and headed toward his bedroom but stopped short when he saw her by his sofa, slipping her dress on.
    ~ * ~
    SEVERAL MINUTES PASSED. Naomi couldn’t help but think the worst... or be hurt that Jude had made love to her and then simply left the room without explanation.
    And it had been making love. Casual sex couldn’t possibly be that intense. Jude wouldn’t have insisted on hearing her say those words over and over. He wouldn’t have asked for love without loving her back. At least in some small way.
    Would he?
    No. Maybe?
    She shook her head. In any case, his actions couldn’t be ignored, no matter that they didn’t make a bit of sense.
    Annoyed and confused, she shoved the hem of her dress to her knees with so much force the stitching tore.
    “Oh, no.” Blinking her burning eyes, she twirled around to pick up her heels.
    And then she saw him.
    Just standing there. Watching her. Shirtless still. Something clenched in one hand. She couldn’t seem to force herself to move her gaze up farther, afraid she’d see something in his eyes that gave away his true feelings.
    “Naomi.” His voice was low, too low.
    She bent to pick up her heels from the floor, then flipped her hair from her face, hoping to at least look unhurt. “I was wondering where you were,” she said while busying herself with slipping on one sandal, then the other.
    “Look at me, Naomi.” He was closer now. A side-glance showed her he was moving in.
    Only she wanted an explanation. Something. She stepped back, once and again. And again and again until he had her backed against the floor-to-ceiling window. All of Denver could look up and see her slinking into herself, a mountain of a man hovering over her.
    “Jude, you can’t...” What? She couldn’t think with him this close.
    He pressed into her and combed his hand into her hair, holding her face. Something dropped to the floor as he reached up with his other hand and tipped her chin up, forcing her to make eye contact.
    “I won’t. I’m sorry I left you alone.” His expression surprised her. Warmth and tenderness radiated from his green eyes and