The other side of the office was messy because there were random boxes strewn about in front of a large black couch and small refrigerator, which were next to a countertop with a microwave oven. Obviously this space doubled as an employee break room and I wondered if Jude ate his lunch sitting on those oversized cushions.

“So what’s the plan you have?” I said, now looking at some signed and framed professional skateboarding photos on the wall. He held up his finger and brought out the tube of tennis balls he’d just swiped from the front of the store.

He tore open the package and then reached for the duct tape he’d yanked from the drawer. He pulled out a strip, intent on his project as he began winding it around three green balls.

“You can lie down on that couch as soon as I relocate that box.”

I looked over at the black cushions where one side was free and the other had a box labeled wheels. “I can move it.”

His eyes narrowed. “Trying to pull your back even worse?”

“Dude,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Pretty sure I know by now how to properly distribute the weight to my legs to lift heavy objects.”

His gaze darted to my thighs and I saw him swallow thickly.

Holy Christ this guy was hot. And he wanted me to lie down? At this point I’d do anything he asked.

He used his teeth to rip the tape, securing the last piece in place. I couldn’t help but stare at those red lips that he wouldn’t allow me near the other day.

What was it that he’d said? That people only wanted things from him. The thought of that made a tremor travel along my neck. Maybe that’s why Vaughn had said that he was finally safe.

But what in the hell did that mean? And why did I have this overwhelming desire to be the one to make him feel secure and protected, locked up tight in my arms all night?

I was so lost in my fantasies about this guy that the movement of him walking to the couch, lifting the heavy box, and placing it on the floor startled me.

“On your stomach, Cory.”

My eyebrow shot up and a blush crept across his cheeks.

“If that’s the way you want me,” I mumbled, not wanting to meet his gaze because my erection was now lengthening against my zipper. The only saving grace was that in a prone position, I’d be hiding the evidence.

As he stood over me, I pictured him touching me in all of his naked splendor, and Jesus, I needed to think about other things like lying on a bed of nails or something.

My back was on fire but being in close quarters with Jude had kept my mind off of it for a good several minutes. In fact, it had been hurting for so many days in a row; it merely felt part of my daily routine.

But the pain had now transitioned to a dull ache, similar to the way it felt lately at night. Usually I’d just take a muscle relaxer, and it would make me drowsy enough to fall right asleep.

“Have you heard of tennis ball therapy?”

I shifted to stare at him. “Tennis ball what?”

His lip tilted upward and he looked like the devil. An extremely sexy and naughty devil. Jesus fuck.

“I know it sounds dodgy, but it’s not.” His eyebrow raised in a challenge. “Trust me?”

Chapter Eighteen

“You’re asking me that question when I’m lying here in pain,” I said, cringing as I tried adjusting myself on the cushion. “When you hardly even trust me.”

He shut his eyes momentarily. “Trust is hard for me.”

“And you think it’s easy for me?”

“Easier, yes,” he said and I let out an exasperated breath. “And what things don’t I trust you with, anyway?”

As soon as he said the words he cringed. He had caught himself and was already waiting for the fallout. He scrunched up his nose, expecting my comeback.

“You don’t trust me enough to tell me your story,” I said. “And then let me decide whether or not I want to stick around.”

He sighed. “There’s more to it than that.”

“Such as?”

“Such as safety.”

“Safety,” I said and I felt like we were talking in circles again.

I got it; I was worried about that, too, especially now that I figured out he was involved with the Disciples. But I knew where this conversation would go and I’d end up frustrated and maybe even walking out. And right now I just wanted this alone time with him. Because these moments were few and far between. And Jude had actually invited me here because he cared. He definitely cared.

“How about the safety of my body parts?” I tucked a smile in the side of my cheek.

“Your body parts?” he said, trying to keep the smirk off his face.

“Yeah, Doc. Maybe I should be concerned,” I said. “Maybe you’ve got some Cracker Jack operation going on back here. The other night with my foot and now you’re trying to fix my back.”

He bit back a grin. “I do worry about that.”

My eyebrows rose. “Worry how?”

“That if I’m not gentle you won’t let me care for your body parts again.”

I let out a bark of laughter. “Glad to know you think so much about my body parts.”

“All the time, you cheeky bastard,” he deadpanned.

I chuckled because I’d been called a bastard but never in my life had I’d been called a cheeky one.

“Any other parts of me?” I whispered.

His gaze scaled the length of my body, landing back on my eyes. “Do you even know how sexy you look waiting there for me?”