His face was the same, of course, but maybe a little tired looking. The bags under his eyes were nearly as bad as mine. A few days worth of stubble dotted his cheeks and chin.
“Tatum?” He asked, his voice full of shock like he believed I was some kind of mirage that had appeared in front of him.
“It’s me,” I forced a smile, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.
“What are you doing here?” He asked, lowering his hands from his face.
“D-Dylan told me where to find you,” I admitted, hoping he wouldn’t be pissed at Dylan for giving me his whereabouts.
“Is that so?” He shook his head, putting his hands on his hips. “I kind of had myself convinced I’d never see you again.”
“I can go,” I turned to head back to my car.
“No!” He cried and then I felt his hand on my wrist, spinning me around. He smoothed his fingers through my hair and my eyes fluttered closed, a happy sigh escaping my parted lips. “Don’t go,” he whispered, staring down at me with his warm brown eyes.
I got lost in his stare. “I came to tell you I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” He cracked a smile, tracing his fingers over the curve of my cheek. It was like he had to touch me to convince himself I was real.
I nodded and bit my lip, my body shaking in his arms. “I should’ve believed you, but it was easier not to.”
“Why?” He asked, sounding pained. “God, Tate, watching you run away from me in the pouring rain was the worst kind of torture you could put me through.”
“I know and I’m so sorry,” my breath caught and I fisted his shirt in my hands. I brought my eyes up to his. “I was so scared of my feelings for you that I pushed you away. It’s what I do best, Jude. I hurt you and I hurt myself in the worst way imaginable. These twelve days without you have been the worst days of my life. Even worse than losing my brother.” I swallowed thickly, trying to compose myself. “I felt like loving you was taking away my choices, but you are my choice. You don’t ruin me. You make me better.”
He leaned his forehead against mine, his breath fanning over my cheeks. “Only you could tear me apart and put me back together with a few words.”
I tried to smile. I reached up and placed my hand over his—the one he held against my cheek. “You told me you couldn’t save me, that I had to do it myself, but you were wrong Jude. You did save me. We did it together. You healed me without even trying and I gave you my heart. All of it. It’s yours, if you still want it.”
He chuckled huskily, rubbing his thumb over my bottom lip. “Of course I still want it, silly girl. I want you. Always.”
He lowered his head and I closed the distance between us. I let out a sigh of content as our lips collided. Finally. My hands wound around his neck, locking in his hair to hold him to me. Twelve days had been too long to go without him. I’d been crazy to think I could live without this.
Without him.
Without love.
He bit lightly on my bottom lip and my mouth parted. His tongue touched mine and I let out a moan I couldn’t contain.
One hand cupped the nape of my neck, while his other slid down my back and settled on my waist before skimming up my shirt. The heat of his hand against my bare skin made me shiver.
He pulled back with a chuckle and nipped my bottom lip once more. Staring down at me, he warned, “You better not try to leave me again, pretty girl. I won’t let you get away so easy next time.”
“Don’t worry,” I stood on my tiptoes to whisper in his ear, “there won’t be a next time. You’re stuck with me now, Brooks.”
He growled huskily and claimed my lips once more.
I had no clue how long we stood there kissing and I didn’t care. I would never get my fill of Jude, no matter how many years we might have ahead of us.
He rubbed his nose against mine and stepped back. “Want to go to our spot?”
My smile was huge at his words. Our spot.
“That sounds perfect.”
He started for his truck and I jumped. “Wait!” I ran to my car and pulled out the gummy bear cake. “Here,” I held it out to him. “I made this for you…well, I helped make it for you. It’s the thought that counts, right?” I laughed.
He grinned crookedly as he looked at the cake. “Did you make me an apology cake?”