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“You see, you don’t have to hide anything from me.”

Octavia let out a breath. Jude’s solid, calm nature was soothing. The look in his eyes hinted at desire, which confused her. She’d seen that look so many times in other guys’ eyes, when they’d admired her curves, her long blonde hair, and her flawless skin. Why would Jude find her attractive looking the way she did now?

“We should get back to work,” she said.

Jude’s hand stroked down her cheek and slid onto her shoulder. “I thought you needed to go to bed?”

There was that look in his eyes again. As if any second, he would capture her mouth with his. She wanted that.

“I was. I mean, I probably should.” Octavia gritted her teeth and forced herself to relax. “It’s late. Or early. I’ve lost track of time since we came in here.”

“It is early,” said Jude. “It’s four in the morning.”

“So, time for bed?” She looked up and saw Jude’s nostrils flare. He bent slowly, his gaze not leaving hers as he kissed her lips.

The taste of him was like trying candy for the first time. Her senses felt like they exploded as her lips parted and their tongues met.

“You are beautiful,” whispered Jude.

Doubt flashed in Octavia’s mind, but she pushed it away. Nothing would ruin this moment. She’d dreamt about this for months. She pulled him in for another kiss, wanting a second taste.

It was even better than the first. Jude’s stubble scraped across her chin as she pressed against him. As he wrapped his arms around her, she’d never felt safer.

Jude backed Octavia against the desk. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he lifted her onto it. Holy dragons, she wanted this guy. From the pulsing throb against her thigh, he felt the same.

She shuddered as his hands slid down her sides, igniting a heat inside her. Octavia remembered she wasn’t wearing underwear. It would take Jude seconds to get her naked.

He broke their kiss, and his mouth traveled over her scars.

Octavia froze. What the hell was he doing? How could he find those attractive? Why would he want to touch them? She pulled back and pushed against his chest.

Jude’s lust-filled gaze met hers. “What’s wrong?”

She pushed his chest again and he stepped back, giving her room. Octavia hopped off the table and straightened her clothing. “I do need to rest.” She adjusted her hair, so it covered the scars.

“There’s no need to do that.” Jude went to push her hair out of the way, but she shoved his hand back.

“You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

Confusion crossed his face. “I’m not. I meant that you don’t need to hide your scars. There’s nothing wrong with them.”

“Of course there is,” she snapped. “I don’t need to look at myself in the mirror to know what I am.”

“Octavia, you’re incredible.”

She brushed away his compliment and stalked to the door. This was all wrong. Jude must feel sorry for her. Why the hell would he want to go near a scarred freak when he could have someone as gorgeous as that woman in the canteen? She would not be anyone’s sympathy fuck.

“Wait! Don’t leave.” Jude caught hold of her arm and turned her toward him. “I didn’t mean to come on so strong. It’s just, being so near you, it made me a little crazy.”

“You mean, you were living out some stupid fantasy.” Octavia shoved his hand away, anger and frustration clouding her judgment. “You’ve built up some image of me and you can’t see the reality now it’s in front of you.” Her fingers stroked the scars on her cheek, and she grimaced.

“Fuck! Octavia, those scars don’t make you what you are,” said Jude. “For a second I was surprised. You’ve never mentioned them. I didn’t know what you looked like. You’d told me the color of your hair and your eyes, but that’s it. Sure, I built up an idea of my head, but that’s not important. Not now that you’re here and I’m really seeing you.”

Octavia was too trapped in her own panic and anger to listen. She yanked open the door and hurried out. “This was a mistake.”