Free When You're With Me by Wendi Zwaduk

told me enough.”
    “Even who the neighbours are?”
    “I never said a thing about living next to celebrities. But I will.” Edna pointed out of the picture window. “Next door is that actor, Logan Malone. Behind us is Ray Russell. He’s got a band. Nice folks—quiet but nice. Cass Malone sends over proof books before they come out and brings Julian by to play. He’s a doll baby—so chubby and giggly. Logan and Ray help out when Elmer and I need a hand. I couldn’t ask for better neighbours.”
    “Well, now you know the whole story.” Ramon kissed the side of her head and stared at his family in the photographs. As much as he tried to stifle the urge, his body stiffened. Memories flooded his mind and hardened his heart. There wasn’t enough anger in the world to make up for his past, but holding Jude made bearing it easier. And she had no idea.
    Edna fluttered her hands in the air. “I have to talk to Elmer and start dinner. Feel free to show her the sights. I assume you’ll stay in your room tonight?”
    He nodded.
    “Goodnight then, for now.” With that, his grandmother scurried from the room.
    “Well?”
    Ramon swallowed hard. “Well, what, sweet girl? This is my home and she’s my grandmother.”
    Jude turned and cocked her head. “Is Ramon your middle name?”
    Ramon continued to look at the wall. “Uh-huh.” He’d rot in hell for that lie. Or would he lose Jude? He wasn’t sure and didn’t want to find out. A slow burn of anger and frustration simmered in his belly. He wanted to leave, just to walk away, and forget the drug bust. That wasn’t likely now, though. “So, what did she say, Jude? I can take it.”
    Jude squeezed his hand. “Short version—this is Nat. She’s selfish and left you.” Jude then pointed to the photo of his siblings. “These girls are your sisters—ungrateful brats, so I was told, but still family. And this is your father, the alcoholic. Your mother isn’t pictured because she’s gone.”
    Ramon swallowed hard. Jude knew Drew’s story.
    “That’s pretty much it,” he snapped.
    Jude chewed the corner of her mouth. “I’m not sure why your Gramma told me all those things, but it makes me understand you a little better.”
    The muscles in his jaw began to clench and unclench. Had he finally found the woman who could help him move forward? He’d wanted her to know the truth, just not like this.
    “I want to show you around.” Ramon wrapped his free arm around her shoulders. “You ever watched the sunset behind a pond?”
    Jude pulled the jacket tighter around her body as they walked outside behind the house. “I’d like to.”
    She was so damn beautiful he could hardly stand it. He couldn’t tell if she was cold or scared.
    He longed to reach in and know what she thought. He felt her bristle slightly when they reached the grey wooden bench next to the pond. He wanted her to feel many things for him, but fear wasn’t on his list. Far from it. Why was she scared? What wasn’t she telling him? He’d give his life to keep her safe.
    “Talk to me, sweet girl.” He sat down and propped his arms over the back of the bench, giving her freedom to move. “Tell me what’s on your mind.” His feet shuffled silently on the tufts of bottle-green grass. Ramon didn’t know how he could expect her to open up about the goings on at the club. He just wanted to help. It wasn’t the cop speaking. He was starting to care even more than he could begin to comprehend.
    Her eyes met his. She had cool, consuming blue eyes that reminded him of serene pools. He wanted to tell her everything—his name, his occupation, his fear of snakes…
    His desire to stretch her over the seat of his Harley and fuck her until she screamed his name three times over…
    Jude chewed her bottom lip and picked at the cuff of his jacket. Her nails scarred the butter-soft surface. “Do you think I’m a prostitute because of where I work?” Her voice was small and choked. Her hands shook.