For 24-year-old tennis player Naya Morgan, all that glittered certainly wasn't gold. In her relentless pursuit of victory, she had strayed far from the joy of simply playing the game she loved.
Naya's life takes an unexpected turn when she crosses p...
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"Thank you for visiting, come again soon," Jude's father Mark smiled as he wrapped Naya in a warm hug, before releasing her so she could grab her Chanel purse and sling it over her shoulder before Jude took her hand in his so they could leave his parents' house and make their way to the airport.
Although he wasn't expected to begin training until the following week, he was ready to leave home in Birmingham and get back to his life in Spain with Naya by his side.
Denise would be following Jude and Naya to Spain a few days later, to spend more time with Mark and Jobe, and strategically give Jude and Naya a little time alone.
They weren't disrespectful under her roof, nor were they overly affectionate in her and Mark's presence, but she knew that their stolen glances and lingering touches spoke volumes. The way Jude's fingers brushed against Naya's hand made Denise smile. It was a dance of familiarity and excitement, a relationship just waiting to blossom further away from the watchful eyes of his parents.
As they walked toward the car, Jude pulled Naya's body in front of his, tucking his face into the crease of her neck.
His breath was warm against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. She could feel the weight of his gaze as he pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes. The world buzzed around them, but in that moment, they were encapsulated in a world all their own.
"Are you ready to go home, baby?" he asked, his voice a low murmur, a playful glint in his eye.
"Mhmm, I feel like I haven't been to my apartment in forever," Naya replied, her voice teasingly light.
"I was thinking you'd come back to my house with me," Jude whispered into her ear. "It's where you belong."
Naya's heart raced at his words as she climbed into the car, glancing back at Jude.
He followed her, the door of the car closing with a gentle thud, trapping them in their little world once again. As Jude settled into his seat, he turned to look at Naya. The way the late afternoon light danced through the car windows, highlighting her flawless features, made him momentarily lose his train of thought.
"Your place, huh?" Naya smirked teasingly.
"Wherever I am is where you're supposed to be," Jude said, a soft intensity in his eyes.
"Even if I were to stay over at your place, I still need to go to my apartment, baby. I've been living out of a suitcase for the last week or so; I need to get my life together," she smiled softly as Jude pulled her body into his.
"I'll help you do whatever it is you need to do at your apartment...and then I'll also help you pack a bag to come and stay with me," he continued, his fingers tracing delicate patterns on her hoodie-covered arm, as his lips ghosted against this skin behind the ear.
"Are you going to help me with my laundry?" Naya asked, turning her head so her lips ghosted over the warm skin of his neck.
"I'll do whatever the fuck you want me to," Jude murmured, absolutely weak for the woman in his arms. Bowing his head, he moaned lowly as his lips found Naya's.
