Can you see me?

by Regina Bartley

  I took a deep breath. “If you want to tell me.” I rubbed her side gently and gazed up at her. She looked like she was about to cry.

  “She said…” I saw her choking up, and felt the tears gathering in my eyes. “She said, ‘I can see the way he looks at you. He loves you so much, and you love him too don’t you?’ I whispered, ‘yes.’ And she said, ‘take care of my baby.’ ”

  She was crying so hard, so I pulled her tightly against my chest, and held her in my arms. The tears fell uncontrolled down my cheeks. Just knowing that in those final moments of her life she could see me, and see Paislee, really gave my heart the most comfort.

  I kissed my sweet girl over and over as we lie there in her bed. All I wanted was to prove to her that she was my… Everything.

  Twenty-Two

  Paislee

  In the blink of an eye, Jude had flipped me onto my back and was towering over me in the bed, kissing me all over. He trailed them down my neck softly, making me shiver below him. The heat of his touch felt like fire against my skin, like pure scorching flames.

  “Jude,” I whispered through strangled breaths.

  “Tell me what you want Darlin?”

  “Just you.” I gripped my hands tightly in his shirt. “Just you.”

  My toes curled, as he kissed me breathless.

  Hung-over Jude was handsy and I wasn’t complaining. Intimacy was still new to us, and I loved his exploring fingertips as they found their way around my body. There was nothing to compare it to.

  He used one arm to grip his shirt behind his neck, and pulled it off his body in one swift motion, baring his gorgeous chest. My fingertips were like magnets, drawn to his chest. I couldn’t resist feeling his warm, smooth chest, against my hands.

  I slipped off my leggings, and tossed my shirt on the floor. My hands couldn’t move fast enough. Jude unzipped his jeans, and with a little shimmy and a lot of shake, he finally had the man huggers off. That butt of his was dangerous. It was plump, and fit him perfectly.

  “I hope Letty doesn’t walk in right now,” I said as Jude kissed the top of my breast. His ass was on full view for anyone who walked through the door.

  “She’s going to get a real show if she does. I might ride bucking broncs for a livin’ but I’m pretty sure I ride you much better.”

  “Jude!” I blushed. It was the first time he’d talked like that to me, and though it made my face red, I secretly loved it. It made me tremble from the waist down, and he grinned at me because he knew.

  He spread my legs wider apart, leaving me exposed to his heavy gaze. It left me vulnerable.

  “You look absolutely beautiful,” he told me. His words never faltered, and though I was still a little nervous each time we were together, it was words like those that made me want him even more.

  I reached my arms out for him and wrapped my hands around his neck, pulling his lips to mine. His tongue brushed against mine greedily, and I felt like I couldn’t get close enough to him.

  My hands tightened as his full erection rubbed against me, and I couldn’t wait any longer.

  “I need you,” I groaned and pushed my hips into his.

  “I’m all yours. I love you Darlin.”

  “I love you too, Jude.”

  Epilogue

  Jude

  Several weeks passed and things slowly grew back to normal, well, as normal as they could. I kept training for the rodeo because it helped keep me sane, and I knew that my momma would’ve wanted me to. She didn’t raise a quitter. The concentration and the focus of being on the back of a bronco took immense focus. For those few seconds I was up there, I couldn’t think of anything else.

  The crowd was extra large for opening night of the rodeo. There wasn’t an empty seat in the house, at least as far as I could tell. The most important people were nearby. I could see them sitting just off to my right. It was going to be the first time that Paislee had seen a real live event. I loved that she was there. It made the feeling of not having Momma there a little easier. My uncle and my Pa were sitting with her, and so was Letty.

  When I stepped up on the gate, I could see them better. I waved and tipped my hat. It was bittersweet, knowing that this would be me my last year of riding. I hadn’t told anyone else about my decision, not even Paislee. I wanted to be home with my Pa. I wanted to finish school, and I wanted to train horses. I’d made my mind up not long after Momma passed. Things had changed, including my priorities.

  The house was still a little ways from being complete, but it was moving much faster than I expected. The guys came by often to lend a hand in any way they could. By early summer, I was going to be able to bring my Pa home, and I couldn’t wait. Paislee was going to let me stay with her at her new place, as soon as she moved in, which was only a few short days away. She insisted. But I think she mainly did it so that I’d have someplace to shower on a regular basis, and of course, we couldn’t tell her parents. They’d flip, even though they really liked me.

  For weeks now, I’d wanted to tell her that she could move into my house as soon as it was done, but I didn’t think she’d go for it. Things seemed to move pretty fast between us, and I didn’t want to rush her. She’d live with me in my house soon enough.

  The buzzer sounded above, and it was time for my ride.

  Climbing over the edge of the gate, I lowered myself onto Bandit. He was my lucky bronc for the evening. He was beautiful, and unsteady. Just the way I liked it.

  I tightened my grip on the rope.

  “You ready Jude,” David asked.

  Was I ready? I’d been through so much, but I felt like I’d overcome it all. I was going to have my house soon, my Pa back, and I already had my Darlin girl. I missed Momma so much that sometimes it hurt to breathe, but she was my inspiration. The hard times were because she was gone, but I’d get through them because of her strength. I could do this.

  “Jude! You ready?” This time David’s voice was a shout.

  I closed my eyes for a brief second and let all of the bustle go away.

  “Ready!” I shouted, and the shoot opened.

  One… I wasn’t going to fall.

  Two… Left. Right.

  Three… We got this Bandit.

  Four… Shit.

  Five… Hold on tighter.

  Six… My grip was perfect.

  Seven… Hang on, almost there.

  Eight… Breathe.

  I did it.

  Coming Soon

  BOOK 3

  ARE

  You

  With

  Me

  Josh’s Story

  Other Books by Regina Bartley:

  Trinity Series

  Do You Love Me?

  The Unbroken Series:

  Escaping Heartbreak

  Causing Heartbreak

  Lasting Heartbreak

  The Rosen Brother’s Series:

  Klay

  A home for Caroline

  Kory

  Standalones:

  Moonshine

  I am free

  15 years to Life

  Dirty Nails

  Replica

  I Can’t Die Alone

  Into Dark Water

  Acknowledgments

  WOW! I have to admit that this book was a difficult one for me to write. I actually thought I’d never finish it, and I’m sorry that you had to wait so long to get it. But… It’s here!! I’m so pleased with the way it turned out, despite the many tears I had to shed while writing it. I loved Paislee and Jude’s story so much, and I can’t wait to share the rest of the crew with you. Josh’s book is next followed by Fox’s book! SWOON!

  I have to thank the readers! Whether there are 2 of you, or 200, I love all of you so much. I appreciate the messages and the emails telling me how much you love my stories. You have no idea what that means to me. Thank you from the bottom of heart.

  Thank you to my family for the continuous love and support. My husband Jason, and my two kids are my world, and because o
f them I am always reaching for the stars.

  Smeltzer… I love you forever my dear friend. I can’t thank you enough for always having my back. Without you, I don’t what I’d do. Virtual hugs bestie. I miss you!

  Emily Wittig is the mastermind behind the covers of this entire series. She is beyond incredible, and continues to amaze me everyday. I can’t wait to show off the next book. I love you Emily. Thank you so much dear!

  Thank you so much beta readers. You girls always go above and beyond what I expect, and I truly can’t thank you enough. A special thank you to Raquel. You’ve been my beta reader for a long time now, and I appreciate what you do so much. I love that I can also call you my friend. HUGS!

  Shout out to my Regina’s Royals group. I want to thank you for always supporting me. You share my covers, and releases, tirelessly, and it touches my heart. You guys are awesome, and I love our little team so much. Thank you for always finding my stupid puns funny. We all know that I love to joke about inappropriate things. You’re the best, and each one of you is a ROYAL in my eyes.

  About the Author

  Regina is romance writer from Kentucky. She lives there with her husband and her two kids. She can be found behind her computer, a good book, or watching sports. She loves to hear from her readers. You can find out what's coming next if you follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthReginaBartley/

  To keep up with all things book-related from Author Regina Bartley you could sign up to receive her newsletter here https://goo.gl/zXYnLC

  Short Note from the Author

  When I first started writing about Paislee and Josh, I knew that their friendship would withstand anything, even an enormous crush. I was given a lot of grief about creating two characters of the opposite sex that were best friends. “How is that possible?” They’d ask.

  Honestly, I think that because they had been friends since they were children that they had more of a brother sister bond. Paislee was young and naive and assumed that what she felt for him was real. She really did love him, but not the way she grew to love Jude.

  I’m excited to continue the Trinity Series with Josh’s book, but I also wanted to let you know that Fox will be getting a book also, and I can’t wait to tell you their stories.

  If you can’t get enough of Jude and Paislee, don’t worry. They will make many more appearances.

  XOXO- REGINA