Kate’s gaze dropped to Jude’s shoulder. Though the tattoo was now concealed, she added, “Your sensei is a wise man. I hope you’re still in contact with him.”
“I am.”
“Good.”
Jude gazed at her for several suspended moments. Then said, “You’re a dragon, too, Kate. Even if you haven’t realized it yet. There’s something eating away at you as well, but I’m not going to push. You can tell me about it when you’re ready. I understand that about you—that it takes careful consideration on your part to determine what you will and won’t divulge. You know that, right?”
“Yes, Jude.” And she breathed a little easier. Not a whole lot, but enough so that she could walk with him to the door without her legs giving out on her. Or her spilling all to him before she’d even ascertained, sorted out in her mind, exactly what she was going to say about this new undertaking with Nikki.
Jude slung the strap of his laptop bag over his shoulder and turned to Kate, telling her, “I appreciate how astute you are. That goes without saying.”
“Thank you.”
“What I really need to reiterate is that you are remarkable at talking through all the bleakness, Kate. I had to let it go, as best as I could—and you’re the one who helped me do that. I learned an invaluable lesson. I didn’t see things clearly with Annalise. I do with you.”
Kate splayed a hand over her heart, but didn’t say a word.
Jude continued. “Three years is a long time to carefully, meticulously study and evaluate another person. You weren’t the only one doing just that, Kate.”
Her arm reached out, of its own accord. Kate stepped forward, closing the gap between her and Jude. Her fingers coiled around the material of his shirt, at his rib cage, as she gazed up at him.
“Remember this conversation, Jude,” she urged. “After you’ve won your case and you’ve reconciled what you need to related to Nathanial Stevens, remember what we discussed tonight. And then listen to what I have to say about this new project I’m committing to. It’s important, Jude. All of it. What you’re piecing together, where we’re both headed. I need you to have a clear picture before we talk again. All right?”
“That’s darkly cryptic, Kate.”
“Yes. But again…really important.”
“Okay.” He nodded. Then his arms slid around her and he pulled her to him, holding her tight as he kissed her deeply. Kate returned the embrace—and the kiss.
If she never kissed another man again, even Jude, she’d forever feel his mouth on hers, their tongues tangling. His entire body melded to hers, all his hard angles conforming to her soft curves.
This was a memory ingrained in her brain and stamped on her soul. And no matter what her—or their—next chapter brought, Kate would always have this very perfect moment with Jude to keep her company, to warm her heart, to fill her with a decadent joy she hadn’t ever imagined experiencing.
Jude McMillan was as much of a savior as he proclaimed Kate to be.
But, alas…their tomorrow was most definitely a complete and utter crapshoot.
Kate had every intention of staying away. Of giving Jude some time and space because of this tumultuous case he was embroiled in and how significantly it impacted him.
Yet it was for those very reasons that she found she couldn’t stay away.
She was in the opulent lobby of his apartment building later the next evening, when he arrived from the courthouse.
“I was there for the verdict,” she said as she stood and greeted him. “The jury returned so fast.”
“You were there for my entire close.”
“How’d you know?” she asked. “I sat in the back. I didn’t want to be any sort of distraction—”
“You’re not a distraction, Kate. You’re a steadying force. I thought I smelled your perfume.”
“Probably not possible in a roomful of people.”
“It’s very distinct. Maybe I even felt your presence. Anyway… I eventually caught a glimpse of you.”
Her fingertips grazed his lapel. “I just wanted to be there for you. Even if you didn’t know it. I thought it was important. And I was going to wait for you outside the courthouse, but—”
“It was a media feeding frenzy.”