Page 89 of Jude

‘I’ll get it.’

I went inside and returned.

Taking a slow breath to steady my racing pulse, I set a square ebony velvet box wrapped in a black bow on his armrest.

Jude turned his head, his brow furrowing as his gaze dropped to the package. ‘What’s this?’

‘Just a token of my appreciation,’ I said.

He arched an eyebrow, his lean fingers working loose the ribbon.

He flipped the velvet lid up, blinked, and went still.

He stared at the titanium band for a long, agonizing beat, his face shifting into an unreadable mask.

My heartbeat raced as a sudden chill seized my chest.

‘Sofia,’ he muttered in his hoarse timbre, stretching out the end of my name, his tone dropping a couple of octaves.

‘I know it’s unexpected,’ I blurted, my hands clenching in my lap as I tried to read his expression. ‘However you bought me a ring, my phone and a car, Jude. You’ve given me safety, a home, a whole new life. I wanted to give you a tangible gift in return, to show my appreciation.’

Silence fell between us before he broke it by clearing his throat, his eyes still on the band in the box.

‘This is different, Sofia,’ he said, his thumb stroking the gold inlay without removing the ring from its velvet slot.

He sighed, a rough sound that seemed to pull from his lungs.

‘First of all, you need to know I’m not a fan of metal on my skin during performances. I take off my rings during shows.’

My heart sank.

‘So wear it on a chain,’ I blurted.

He scarcely met my gaze, and I sensed he was reaching for an excuse.

‘Also, a band like this one carries significance I’m just not ready for. It changes the math between us.’

Shame burned hot behind my eyes.

I reached out, my fingers trembling as I moved to retrieve the box from his armrest.

‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed. Let me take it back.’

His hand clamped over mine, stopping me. He closed the lid and tucked it into his shirt pocket, confusing me.

‘Second thoughts, I’m keeping it. I won’t wear it yet, but I might be primed for it sometime soon, Sofia. Apologies for being a cad about this. It just came as a total surprise, and my brain goes straight to defense mode when things shift too fast.’

‘It’s fine,’ I lied, forcing a smile brittle enough to shatter.

I hid the ache deep inside my chest, but the rejection gnawed at my stomach, a harsh reminder that our hearts existed in two separate lanes.

He was doing his duty; I was losing my mind and falling for my husband.

The quiet between us stretched, thick and suffocating.

‘I’m exhausted,’ I muttered, sliding my legs off my chair and standing up before my tears betrayed me. ‘I’ll go to bed.’

Jude stood up with me, towering over me on the terrace.