No Shelter Left novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: One Thing

Jude came up the stairs that night with a cardboard box in his arms.

It held a lamp, a mug, two framed gold records and a stapler with his name on tape.

"They gave me an hour," he said. "Security watched me pack. I took the stapler out of spite."

Aisling stood in her doorway and looked at the box.

"You don't have a job."

"No."

"You did that for me."

"I did it because it was true." He set the box on the floor by the hot plate.

"I'd still do it if you walked past me tomorrow."

He meant it. She could see that he meant it, and it undid something in her chest.

He straightened and stood there with his hands open, a man with nothing to offer in them.

"I should go," he said. "You've had a day. I only wanted to bring you the news myself."

"I know what you want."

"Aisling."

"Stay."

He stopped.

She had never asked him for anything. She had paid for the studio hours with cash, and she had counted the change.

"Not for the case," she said. "Not because of the songs, or the board, or Kaitlyn."

She took a breath.

"I want you here because I want you here. That's the thing I'm asking for."

His throat moved.

"One thing," he said quietly.

"One thing."

"Say it again."

"Stay with me, Jude."

He crossed the floor in two steps and put his forehead against hers.

They stood like that a long moment, breathing.

Then he kissed her, slowly, a hand at her jaw. They had all night.

She had thought she knew how he kissed.

This was not the car, or the dark, or the door.

He took his time. He caught her bottom lip and let it go, then came back for it.

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