Page 147 of Judas
Sliding onto the barstool next to me, I don’t give him a bit of attention when he places my drink down. I find it ratherendearing that he has made it a point to learn how I like my coffee. Out of the few times we have gone out he took the lead and ordered things that I preferred—makes me wonder how he knew these things about me.
We eat in a comfortable silence. No need to look over our backs for other inmates gunning for us. No concerns of potential crooked guards, just peace. Well earned, quiet-peace. The sounds of our cutlery gets lost in an ebb and flow of the sound of home.
Seeing Kace out of the corner of my eye, he’s leaning his elbows on the bar, holding up his own mug of coffee. Back straight, feet flat on the bottom rung of the barstool he’s sitting on—good posture. While I’m over here with one leg folded under me and the other swinging right where my toes graze the cobblestone style floor.
A bitch to clean, honestly. I hate them.
The moment I am done eating, I push the plate away and grab my cappuccino. Sipping on it a few times before placing it back down and looking out the enormous spread of windows. They run the length of the dining room before stopping at an archway separating the dining from the living area. It’s a nice open concept design, only the rooms and few other spaces closed off but where we are at now, everything can be viewed from all angles.
“Do you like it here?” His voice interrupts my ogling.
“I do. It’s nothing I thought it would be, instead it’s so much more. Assumed it would be one of those sterile and stuffy rich-people type homes but the only thing rich about this place is the fact that it feels lived in. You know what I mean?”
“Yeah, when I was growing up my mom and dad would have certain rooms blocked off where my sister and I couldn’t go in. The only time those rooms were open were during the holidays or whatever prissy-ass event they were hosting. Even had plasticon the furniture to keep it clean the rest of the time. Felt clinical.”
“That sounds shitty.”
“Definitely. When I got around to looking for a place, I had things in mind I wanted all of us to enjoy. Something a lot less stuck up for me, more welcoming and accepting for Sadie. Needed it to feel like home for you. Walked in during my tour and fell in love with it. So, I’m happy you are satisfied.”
Swiveling on my seat, I lean to the side and prop my head up with my hand—elbow pressed onto the countertop like both of his are. Looking him over. Fucker thought of everything, I’m impressed. Don’t think this was ever in the cards for him, even before prison. Yet here he is, domestic as hell. It’s been a long ass life but I’m glad we finally made it here.
Kace arches a brow, noticing me staring at him.
“What is it, baby?
Snagging one more quick sip of my coffee I finally push off my seat and lean in, speaking right in front of his ear.
“I love you, Kace.”
I walk away as he freezes, hand swinging out to snatch my elbow and drag me back. His free one slides to the nape of my neck and into my hair, tilting my head back as he looks into my very soul.
“Say that again.” He demands.
“I love you.” Zero second guessing myself, I love this man.
Matias was right, this was what I have waited so long to say. Telling people that I loved Kace wasn’t enough, he needed to hear it from me and I feel whole being able to tell him to his stupefied face.
“Seventeen, almost eighteen years, two near-death experiences, murdered for you, almost lost you, almost lost Sadie, and now… now you tell me you love me?”
“Mmm, I think you’ve earned it, inmate.”
Kace surges down, hands grabbing me under the backs of my thighs, hoisting me up. Instinctively my legs wrap around his waist, arms over his shoulders as if I’m afraid he’s going to drop me. His eagerness makes me giggle, makes me feel younger, and like no time has passed. Like we haven’t hurt in the ways we may not ever heal from. Our hearts and minds are clouded by rose colored glasses, lost in the oxytocin and consumed by desire.
Sounds of his naked padding feet add a levity to my snickering. Pure happiness radiating from the both of us—finally.
Slipping into our room, he kicks the door closed and drops me haphazardly onto the bed where I bounce. He wastes no time grabbing my ankles to lay my legs down flat then crawls over me and casts the most delectable shadow over my body. Hands finding their way back into my mane once more.
Peering down at me, my legs framing his hips, pined to both sides with the softer flesh of my thigh cradling him perfectly. It looks like he is trying so hard to read between the lines of what I admitted. Trepidation evident in his gaze, probably waiting for the other shoe to drop. It’s not going to, not anymore. I’m here until the very end, no matter who goes first, I will love him endlessly.
“I ought to ruin you for that, Snitch.”
“Go for it, I haven’t been ruined yet.”
“Are you insulting me?”
“Maybe, what are you going to do about it?”
Releasing my hair, he then grabs my hips and tosses me over onto my belly. Right hand raining several swats down on my barely covered ass. Making sure he gets a few on the outer sides of my thighs too. All of which make me squirm and yelp out in discomfort. Doesn’t hurt, not really, does make me wet though. I’m still a bit intimidated with him behind me like this. As long as he lets me turn just enough to see him, I will be okay.
