A/N: I had a change of heart as far as pacing went and the extra chapter won out. So next chapter really sets things up.

However, that being said, I don't know if the rest of the chapters will be as long as this one. I just know all of this had to stay in this chapter or else my pacing wouldn't work.

I'm gonna start on Chapter 3 now so I hope it won't be long before Chapter 2 is posted.

Hope you like the first chapter!

THANKS:

Jenn6891: I thought it was a nice difference and it works for her character now. At least the way I've made her out to be. Karma will be her friend, but I don't know how much of her will be seen at the moment. I think I might have her help Jude out a little cause she's Karma and you know…LOL. But yes, I won't make her a b, but other people might make her one. ;)

leytonfan30: Thank you! Yes, Jude and Tommy will finally meet. I will update soon as long as I have the time to write.

aztckarla: Aww…thank you! I hope I am able to make it awesome. Chapter 1 is here!

anothercasualty: Yes, I am. You're welcome. You were the first person to show interest in this so…you would be right about Tommy. Tommy is the playboy. I think that partially represents Jude, but you get the idea. She's not going to be swayed by Tommy very easily. Patsy will have her own storyline. I'm kind of excited about it. And Karma will be similar to the way her character was portrayed on IS, but she'll be able to control her Karma-ness easier. LOL.

Disclaimer: Oh, another character - I have a personal "connection" - if you will - with Allan. It's a long story - but this is my way of venting with the situation that he created. Anyway, Allan is mine (heh, just like he wanted in RL, but sadly - this is fiction). I don't own iPhone, Jack Daniels, Coca Cola, Armani Code, The Running Man.

R&R or R&L please.

THANKS MUCHO!


High Hopes In Velvet Ropes

Chapter 1

"Loosen Up"

She leisurely twirled her straw in her glass, the ice clinking against the clear material.

To put it accurately, she was bored.

And the whole hitting the club thing had been her idea, so she should have been having the time of her life, right?

Well, she wasn't.

She was leaning up against the metal bar, drink in hand as horny couples and practically nude singles grazed against her because the place was so packed.

Great idea, Jude. I hope you're having fun. She rolled her eyes and sighed as she started a war inside her head.

This is what her night had come to: talking to herself.

Something was wrong.

Lifting her out of her funk for a split second as her elbow was hit by something hard, Jude turned to her left.

The edges of her lips turned up slightly as her eyes took in the sight in front of her.

She would have been in denial if she said the man wasn't hot. He was.

Beautiful maybe. His dark hair complemented his olive skin tone. His broad shoulders fit perfectly in his jacket and the blue button down he was wearing brightened his eyes which sparkled in the dim light.

Jude's slight smirk turned into a full-on smile as the man edged closer to her, his cologne wafting in the air. Perfect. Armani Code. Yum. He bent down, putting himself at almost the same height as Jude.

Then he opened his mouth.

"Hi," he said, his voice husky, his breath dancing against Jude's face. "I'm Allan."

Jude's eyes widened and she sucked in a short breath. Oh. My. God.

"Hi,nicetomeetyou,butI'vegotaboyfriend.Sorry," Jude replied in one breath. Then she turned around and faced the bartenders who were working quickly to disperse the drinks they were creating.

His face scrunched in confusion. "Well, I'm sorry about that," he said.

Jude let out a light sigh. Thank God.

A few seconds passed and she felt the same presence inch closer to her.

"I could have shown you a good time," he whispered next to her ear.

Jude froze, her breath shortening on its own accord.

Out of her corner of her eye, she finally saw him walk away.

Slowly, she backed away from the bar, her drink still in her hand. She shook her head rapidly and her body followed. She shuddered in disgust.

If anyone had looked at her, they might have been worried. She looked like she was either going through a seizure or someone had put itching powder on her clothes.

"Ahhh!" she screamed in the music-filled room, no one paying any attention to her.

That was wrong. And so gross.

Allan: good-looking on the outside, but his breath needed a major makeover. It was rancid to no extent.

"Doing the pee pee dance again, Harrison?"

Jude abruptly stopped and glanced to her right. She rolled her eyes and then took a long sip of her drink. "I'm not even going to deem that question with an answer, Vincent."

Spiederman scowled as he walked towards her, Miller Lite in hand. "Hated first name usage, Harrison. Low blow."

"And to think, that's the lowest anyone's going to blow you tonight," she retorted, leaning against the bar again.

Spied smirked widely. "Cute, but I think I'm going to prove you wrong, Dude."

One of Jude's eyebrows rose instantly. "And how do you bet that? Getting Wally's sloppy seconds?"

Spied rolled his eyes. So Wally had a way with women. Whatever. Spied pointed behind Jude as he shook his head. "No. Karma's looking a little tipsy tonight," he said with a smile.

Jude turned her head and dramatically rolled her eyes. Karma was perched on her chair, talking to Mason. She tossed her head back, laughing loudly, her legs flying in the air.

Jude could almost make out her underwear from where she was standing.

Gross.

But at least she was wearing underwear.

"I don't understand you guys," she said, grimacing as she turned her focus back on Spied.

Spiederman's eyebrows rose.

"You guys hook up and date for like two days, then break up because she can't deal with your childish antics and you can't hang with her bitchy attitude," she explained.

"And your point would be?"

Jude sighed. "Why make the initial commitment if you aren't going to follow through?"

She didn't understand how they could be so casual with each other. Did they have a fear of commitment or did they just like to be used for their bodies?

Spied gave her a pointed look. Of course Jude didn't understand. She brought emotion into the equation and that just made things messy. Something Spied wasn't too fond of. "It's all about the fun. Something you are seriously lacking."

Jude rolled her eyes. "I don't need sex."

Spied sighed heavily, deciding now was a good time to take a swig of his beer. "It doesn't have to be sex. It could be anything – like dancing," he offered.

Jude scoffed. "Yeahhhhhh."

Spied shook his head. That was the exact response he thought she'd give him. He threw his head back, drinking the rest of his beer and slammed the empty auburn bottle on the bar. "Dance with me," he said, extending his hand for Jude to take.

Immediately Jude shook her head. "No," she said, clutching her drink closer to her body.

Dance? Yeah, no.

Spied rolled his eyes and extended his hand again. "Come on, loosen up."

Jude stared at him closely, his gaze never wavering from her. He was being sincere. As if he really wanted to help.

For a split second Jude thought about his offer. Then she realized she had nothing else to do. Cause before he walked up to her, she had been bored. And dancing would make her un-bored.

Maybe.

Then Allan floated into her head and she realized that the chance of her meeting other gross men like him were high since that is what constituted many of the patrons at the club.

She glanced at her drink and downed it in one sip.

Spied's eyes widened and when she slammed her empty glass down like he had moments before, he smiled widely.

She was giving in. At least a little.

She grabbed his hand and he walked out to the dance floor in front of them before she stopped him suddenly. He looked back over his shoulder and waited. "Isn't this going to kind of ruin your chances of hooking up with Karma?" she asked.

Spied scoffed. "Please, she's practically falling off her chair. Easy hookage."

Jude looked back at the table her friends had inhabited and indeed it was true.

Karma was half on her chair and half on the floor.

She faced Spied and hit his shoulder. He was practically salivating at the mouth. "You are so gross."

He shook his head. "I'm not gross, I'm a guy."

She raised one eyebrow as he began to pull her farther onto the packed floor. "Aren't they synonymous though?"

"Heh," he scoffed. "And it's with your winning personality that you are gonna hook up with a guy."

"How about no?"

Spied raised his eyebrows and he grabbed her other hand, pulling her against his body. She stumbled slightly before righting herself, a curious look in her eye. What was he doing? "How about you just dance and let the men come to you?" he whispered.

Jude leaned against Spied, contemplating his question as she stared at his smiling face.

Maybe, just maybe, she'd give in. Just this once.

- - - - - -

He watched as she rubbed up against a guy a few inches taller than her, his hands on her hips. His hand clenched around his high ball glass, the ice clinking together.

His eyesight became hazy as he watched the pair dance even closer, if that was at all possible. They were practically on top of each as it was.

A hand shot out into his view and his sight became clear again. He looked off to his left at a VIP empty table as she leaned in close to him.

"Tommy baby, how about we go somewhere a little more…" she whispered seductively as her hand traveled the length of his thigh. "Private," she finished, her hand stopping between his legs.

He coughed loudly, his glass almost falling out of his hand. She had gotten his attention, just not in the place he would have preferred at the moment.

As he pondered the request of – well, he couldn't remember her name exactly, he gazed out in front of him, thinking he'd settle for watching the aforementioned couple dance again.

But when he looked back to the dance floor, they were gone.

Not patient enough to wait for his question, Marie said, "I'm going to the little girl's room. I'll be right back."

He nodded wordlessly as she let go of his package and walked away from their table. His eyes searched the floor plan for any sign of the couple he had watched moments earlier, never understanding why he cared.

He didn't know them nor did he care to, but there was something about them that kept his eyes glued.

His eyes hit the far left corner of the dance floor, a small square unaffected by the ravenous crowd surrounding it. There stood his best friend and a nameless blonde.

His best friend always had a thing for blondes.

He, on the other hand, had a special place for redheads. And brunettes. And raven haired women, along with the occasional blonde thrown in. So he loved women? Who could blame him?

Not the women, he was sure.

He watched as Kwest handed the blonde his cell phone, asking her for her number. It was a game they used to play when they wanted to one up each other. Trying to see who could get the most numbers.

They no longer played that game. They were mature men. With values. And morals. And that other stuff.

He chuckled lightly as the blonde shook her head and handed the phone back to Kwest. She reached around to her back pocket and pulled out a shiny black iPhone. She handed it to Kwest with smile.

He watched his best friend throw a smile on his face and laugh. He had to admit the girl had guts.

He needed to find one of those.

He looked away from his best friend and placed his attention on the bar. He gazed over the c-shaped object, taking in the nameless, faceless people as they laughed and seemed to be having fun.

A lot more fun than he was having at the moment.

He glanced down at his drink for a split second and noticed it was empty.

Where the fuck was Nick? Seriously. He was taking his damn sweet time. So much for paying to have the best VIP host in the club.

The age old adage ran through his head: "If you want something done right, do it yourself."

So he got off of his chair and walked away from the table he was sitting at, never bothering to pick up Marie's purse or jacket.

He walked down the few steps in front of him, not wanting to make an ass out of himself if he ran down them and fell, and leisurely made his way towards the bar.

He passed Kwest and his blonde and found an empty space near a couple. The woman, when he looked close enough, apparently had her nose in her drink.

He smirked at the intricacy and wedged himself next to the man she was talking to.

"Jack and coke, please."

The bartender nodded at him and walked away.

He gazed up and down the bar, waiting for his drink to come. A few seconds later, the bartender dropped off his drink and he nodded a "thanks."

He picked up the highball and turned around, watching in amusement as people tried to dance.

From the corner of his eye, he could see a man scaring off a young woman with The Running Man. He shook his head as he laughed and then turned his head. Amateurs.

The woman who had her nose in her drink moments before was now pinching her nose shut and apparently breathing through her mouth in small gulps.

He smirked widely, finding the entire spectacle hilarious.

"It's what we in the bizz call high tide."

Jude faked a laugh, taking in gulps of air. Allan was back. And she couldn't breathe.

Where is Spied?

She frantically gazed around her, hoping to find him. When she glanced over her shoulder, a tattoo caught her eye and she saw Spied and an intoxicated Karma walking towards the exit. Spied had a tight grip on Karma's waist and she rested her head on his shoulder. He glanced at Jude and then gave her a thumbs up paired with a large smile.

Jude grimaced.

Gross.

She waved nonchalantly in their direction, trying to find something to use as a way to escape.

Nothing.

She gazed back at Allan, who smiled widely and then took a sip off his beer.

She smiled back, realizing nothing was going to save her unless she became a complete bitch and told him off.

The idea had started to sink into her head, when she saw something move. Or rather someone.

And then she knew.

It was perfect.

"Oh my god, you're finally here!" she yelled, pulling herself off the bar. Allan scrunched his face in confusion.

Deciding his night was going to end sooner than normal as there were hardly any prospects that seemed satisfying, Tommy downed his drink and placed it at the edge of the bar. He pulled a twenty out of his pocket and threw it in the tip jar near him. He turned around; ready to walk away when he heard a woman yell. He slightly jumped, glancing to his right thinking that was the direction the yell had come from.

He had been right.

Instantly, a woman ran up to him, throwing her arms around him in a hug. He was caught off guard and stood there frozen for a second, trying to process what had happened.

"Just follow my lead," the woman whispered into his ear.

Her words didn't help the situation any so he stayed silent, playing the last few seconds in his head. He had been ready to go home when a woman yelled and there had been a good chance that same woman now had her arms around him.

Yeah, that about covered it. What the fu –

He gazed out and over her shoulder, noticing a man he hadn't been paying attention to. He stood there, eyebrows furrowed and a frown fixed on his face.

Her words played in his head and he started to understand.

She slightly loosened her hold on him, gazing up at his face. He silently glanced at her, taking in the sight in front of him. She was the same girl who had her nose in her drink. Bright red hair, sparkling blue eyes, tight black halter that accentuated her shoulders, full pink lips –

Yeah, that was the same girl. Not that he had been playing close attention or anything.

Neither one of them spoke. It was as if time had slowed down and no one else was in the room but the two of them. They stood there, gazing at each other as the club continued to party on when she heard someone clearing their throat.

She grimaced and a smile immediately hit Tommy's face. He now understood completely.

He bent down and placed a light kiss on her cheek. Before standing up again, he whispered, "I love a woman in charge."

A rose blush started to emerge on the woman's face and he took that as his cue to stand up. She lightly cleared her throat and let go of him.

Placing her hands in front of her, she turned around slowly, feeling a little hot around the collar. Taking his rightful place beside her, Tommy placed his arm around her waist and squeezed it softly.

She gazed at the man in front of her who looked confused as all hell, while trying not to look at the man behind her. The one she had drug into her mess.

Jude smiled at Allan and then said, "I told you I had a boyfriend."

Allan nodded. "Yeah, I remember. I just thought you were trying to get out of talking to me."

Jude slightly smirked when the man beside her decided to speak. "She was. But she really does have a boyfriend."

Jude gazed down at the floor, silently berating herself for bringing someone else into her ordeal. Someone so pompous that he had to make comments when she hadn't asked him to. But she had asked him to "follow her lead."

So really…what was the big deal?

Jude bit her bottom lip and gazed back up at Allan. "Excuse him. He just got back from work and he's a little cranky. Sorry."

Allan shook his head. "It's not a problem. It's just a shame that he's your boyfriend."

Jude smirked. "Tell me about it."

Tommy rolled his eyes. "I'm right here. I can hear you," he said.

Jude turned her head. "I know. That's why I said it."

Tommy lightly clenched his jaw as he gazed at her. She shook her head and grabbed his hand from her waist, intertwining their fingers. "I think I better get Mr. Cranky home. He's getting fussy," she said, looking back at Allan.

Allan smiled, nodding his head. "It was nice to meet you, Jude."

"You too, Allan. Have fun."

His eyes lit up wickedly. "Oh, I plan on it."

- - - - - -

Jude dragged Tommy through the vast crowd and emerged seconds later in the outside courtyard. She needed to get away from Allan as fast as possible in case he realized that he had been right all along, that she had been lying to him.

As the cold air hit her skin, she instantly let go of his hand. Turning around to face him, she was able to look at him for the first time, really look at him. His hair stood up in all directions, but from the look of his clothes, she would have bet money that it took time to make his hair look that disheveled. Lots of time. His eyes gazed at her and as he tilted his head slightly, she could see the perfect shade of blue in them. For some odd reason, she thought she recognized him. Or at least his face. While she stood there, trying to remember a name, he parted his plump lips and his tongue darted out slightly, licking his bottom lip. Her heart did a flip, knocking her out of her reverie, and her mouth went dry while other parts of her became wet. She said, "Um, thanks."

She twisted her hands nervously. His eyebrows rose, a curious smirk forming on his face, his chiseled features deepening even more. "Um, thanks?"

Her brow furrowed. "Yeah, that's what you usually say when someone helps you out."

He bit his bottom lip and nodded his head slowly. "Yeah, I just thought my thanks was gonna come in a different fashion."

Her eyes widened tremendously as her eyebrows rose in disbelief. "Excuse me?"

"I thought my thanks was – " he started to repeat.

"I heard you the first time," she hissed.

Not willing to back down, Tommy said, "Well, when someone says ex – "

"I know!" she spat.

Tommy's eyes danced and a smirk grew on his face. "Who's cranky now?"

Jutting out her jaw in annoyance, Jude replied, "Look, I appreciate you helping me out and everything, but – "

"But, you need to loosen up," he said honestly.

Her eyes narrowed. Who this guy thought he was, she had no idea. But he was starting to piss her off. "I don't need to do anything, but go home," she said harshly.

"And what?" he scoffed. "Snuggle up to your 15 cats?"

The blow hit Jude suddenly, wondering why the man in front of her instantly assumed she had an ice queen complex. She didn't. At least not usually. But the night had pushed her so close to the edge that her walls were up higher than they normally were and a pair of gorgeous blue eyes were not going to make them come down.

Not that she thought his eyes were gorgeous or anything. It was just an observation.

"No, my 15 dogs. I'm allergic to cats," she replied dryly.

He didn't know why the look on Jude's face made him feel remorse or anything of the sort for his comment, but it did. And it slightly scared him. Not that he was going to say it out loud or anything…it was just that he hardly ever got emotionally involved with any woman he met on his nights out. And remorse was an emotion.

Or so he had been told.

"Look, I – " he started, instantly backtracking.

"Spare me," Jude said, rolling her eyes. She should have known. He had shame written all over his face. He didn't need it. It didn't suit him. And she was a big girl…she would be fine. "You meant what you said, but its fine. I'm over it."

He nodded once.

"Now, if you'll excuse me…I've got to get home and feed my 15 dogs," she said with a slight smile.

Tommy smirked and raised both of his hands in surrender. "Fair enough," he said.

Jude nodded once and then turned to walk back into the club, in hopes of feigning a headache or something so that her friends would pity her and leave.

Just as Jude got to the entrance, the man with the gorgeous blue eyes called out to her. "Have a great night, Jude," he shouted over the loud chatter, nodding his head once.

She looked over her shoulder and smiled; a genuine smile, for the first time that night. "You too."

- - - - - -

Fervently glancing around the table her friends had once inhabited, she found it completely empty. Maybe Sadie went to the bathroom, she thought.

Jude checked the women's bathroom. And the men's bathroom. And the VIP lounge. And the DJ's booth.

Hey, her sister got around, okay?

But Sadie was nowhere to be found. And neither was Mason, Patsy, or Kat.

That meant only one thing.

And that one thing hit Jude as she stood near the coat room, fumbling through her purse.

"Shit," she muttered to herself, narrowing her eyes over her cell phone screen. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

Sadie had left her a text: They went home. Get urself a ride! :)

"I don't kid like that," came a response.

Jude picked up her head and glanced to her right. The guy with the gorgeous blue eyes was staring at her.

"What do you want now?" she asked, irritated that her friends had left her and that the man she thought she didn't have a chance of seeing again was right in front of her.

Tommy smirked widely. He was enjoying her banter, which is all that he figured he'd be getting that night, so he went with it. He had Jude pegged as woman who used her middle finger rather than her breasts. "I'm sorry for wanting to help out a damsel in distress," he replied, shrugging as he walked up next to her.

She gazed at him, a pointed look written on her face. He leaned down, pointing in front of them. "I actually meant her; she broke her heel on the door when she got it caught."

Jude gazed out in her front of her, seeing a blonde in a too short dress, jumping up and down on one stiletto, her large breasts bouncing with her every movement.

"Cute," she replied dryly, trying desperately not to toss her dinner across the tile floor.

"I think so," he replied, nodding. Jude rolled her eyes and realized just how close he was to becoming his supposed "best friend" – a dog – and drooling. It was disgusting.

While the man stood and gazed at the blonde bimbo, Jude felt a vibration in her hand. Just as she picked it up to see why it had vibrated…the goodbye screen popped up and Jude could see the battery life on her phone hit zero.

Instantly the screen went blank. Her phone had died.

Her night was getting better and better by the second.

Glancing around her, Jude tried to find a payphone, but there was nothing. And no one she knew was left at the club, unless you counted…

"Um, I hate to be a bother, but – " Jude started, plastering the fakest smile she could muster on her face as she glanced at the man next to her.

Sighing irritably as he tore his eyes away from the blonde in front of them, he gazed at her. "What?"

"Do you have a phone I could borrow?" she asked. She knew it never hurt to ask, but as a smirk formed on Tommy's face, she had second thoughts.

He was enjoying her pain, the obvious pain that she knew was written all over her face.

"Now you want my help?" he said.

"Oh my God," she drawled, rolling her eyes. "A simple yes or no would do the trick. I need to find some way to call a cab."

"Why do you need a cab?" he asked.

Her eyes narrowed. Why was he asking so many questions? Couldn't he just give her his phone? "Are you always this nosey?" she asked.

"Yes," he responded without a thought. "Why do you need a cab?"

Jude sighed heavily. To tell or not to tell…that was the question. "Because my friends left and I need to get home," she explained.

"I'll take you home," Tommy offered, turning his head to see if the jumping blonde was still around. But as his eyes glanced around, he noticed she was gone. All thanks to the woman standing next to him.

"Riiiight," she said in disbelief.

Did he think she had a death wish? She was not getting in the car with a stranger – well, not a total stranger, but she didn't even know his name! How smart would that be?

"It's just a car ride, Jude," he said.

She opened her mouth to tell him what an idiot he was for even proposing the idea, but when she looked at him, her mouth closed instantly.

There was a look she couldn't describe, but one she was sure that many women had fallen victim to and she, obviously, hadn't been immune.

It all started with his eyes.

Damn his blue eyes! Damn them.

"Fine," she murmured, seconds later.

Feeling as if he was finally making some headway with Jude, he smiled. He knew she wouldn't be able to resist his eyes, not even with her snarky remarks. He noticed her ready to walk towards the door, but with her sudden need for his help and the fact that she wasn't going to get anywhere without him…he felt as if he might as well enjoy the rest of his night out – it was if the night had just started.

Suddenly, he threw an arm around Jude's shoulders and pulled her close to him. She gazed up at him, caught off guard like he had been when she hugged him, some hours ago. The exposed skin on her shoulders flared. She was not supposed to react like that – especially not to some playboy's touch.

"But I'm not leaving yet. So you're gonna have to wait," he said proudly, waiting for her to growl or snarl at him.

Instead of speaking, Jude glared. Intensely.

If Tommy hadn't had to deal with his artists for the past month, he would have been afraid, but he had taken more heat that morning than what was in Jude's eyes.

"Come on, have a couple drinks with me, then I'll take you home," he offered.

Jude laughed sardonically, throwing Tommy for a loop. "Oh yeah," she replied. "Cause that's exactly what I should be doing…getting in the car with someone who has been drinking. Smart idea."

Tommy rolled his eyes. Obviously she had no idea who he was because if she had…she would know he was notorious for drinking and driving, but intoxicated or not, he treated his Viper as if it was his baby. And he wasn't going to let anything to happen to it. He just had to get her to see that. "Because getting in the car with someone who has been up for 24 hours and is bound to fall asleep at the wheel is so much safer," he retorted, scoffing slightly.

It wasn't the best argument given the fact that he didn't really know how long cab drivers were up for, but anything to get her to stay was going to be used, so he didn't really care.

She gazed at him intensely. "You're not going to fall asleep on me?"

"I wouldn't dare," he responded in mock seriousness.

She noticed his tone and narrowed her eyes. He was not being funny.

"Come on, Jude. Live on the edge," he said, stopping their progress back into the bar. He stepped in front of her and placed both hands on her shoulders.

"The edge is where you fall off," she said, dryly.

He leaned in close, closing in the distance between their faces. Jude instinctively moved her head back, but Tommy never relented. "Not if you have perfect balance. And I have walked tightropes you wouldn't imagine," he said lowly, his voice almost a whisper. It was a wonder that she even heard him. It seemed as if they were the only two people in the world.

"Complete with spandex?" she asked, a smirk on the edge of her lips.

His eyes sparkled in the dark. "And a unicycle and a flaming baton."

Her lips formed a smirk. "Impressive."

Suddenly, a man passed by Jude roughly, pushing her body directly into Tommy's. Her hands flew to his chest, trying to keep herself distanced from him. His hands dropped from her shoulders and rested on her waist. Jude's body tensed at the instant connection.

"I knew you would see things my way," he whispered.

Jude's head leaned farther back as she gazed up at him. The same look she had endured several moments before was back. A shiver ran up her spine.

"Okay, one drink," she murmured.

A wide smile formed on his face and he tightened his grip on her waist with one arm, pushing her back into the club.

"Two and a shot and then I'll take you home," he said, pulling her close.

She stopped suddenly. Tommy gazed down at her, noticing her lips in a straight line as she looked away from him. She wasn't taking his offer so easily this time. He leaned down next to her ear.

"It's calling you Jude," he said, his breath floating over her skin. "Jude. Jude. Jude. Ju – " he began to chant.

Jude looked up at him, slightly annoyed and slightly amused at his determination. He was not getting to her. No. She wasn't going to let that happen.

"Okay. Let's go," she said, pulling on his arm as she led them back into the sea of people.

- - - - - -

The music pulsed through her, her gaze foggy. She was feeling entirely too good. And it didn't hurt that the man standing next to her was beyond gorgeous.

"What number are we on again?" she slurred, holding herself up against the metal bar.

Tommy smiled; at least that's what she thought he had done. "I lost count at 7," he murmured, shaking his head.

He normally didn't drink this much, but once Jude had dragged him toward the bar and the bartender placed a shot in front of him…he had been a goner.

He didn't even notice Marie sway up next to him, trying to get his attention. Nor did he see her stalk off moments later when she realized she had been replaced by Jude.

Not that he would have admitted the replacement, but it was evident to Marie.

"Me too," Jude said. Another shot glass slid in front of her and she leisurely picked it up. Tommy picked his up and clanked it against Jude's. The pair brought their glasses up to their lips, downing the liquid in one sip.

Jude slammed her shot glass down on the bar. It had gotten easier with each shot; her throat didn't burn as much. She turned around as the DJ changed the song and leaned her back against the bar. She swayed slightly, whether to the music or because of the enormous amount of alcohol in her system, she didn't know.

The corners of Tommy's lips turned up into a smile as he watched Jude. The alcohol had a calming effect on her, if that was at all possible. She was less sarcastic which was a godsend.

She turned her head towards him as she sensed someone looking at her. "What?" she asked.

He shook his head and said nothing, his smile still plastered on his face. He brushed a part of his hair from his face and Jude took notice. She reached up and grabbed his wrist.

"What time is it?" she asked, leaning into him, her chest against the outside of his arm as she tried to focus on his watch. Tommy gazed down at the face and read the time.

"It's gonna be three," he said.

Instantly everything became clear for Jude. She was drunk with some unknown man at three in the morning when she had very important things to do later. She was officially fucked – and not in a good way either.

"Shut up!" she shouted, her eyes widening.

Tommy's hands instantly clamped over his ears. "Stop yelling!" he said.

"I have to get home," Jude said. She turned around and picked up her purse from the bar before walking away from Tommy.

Instinctively, he followed her. "What's the rush?" he asked her backside as she pushed herself through the throngs of people.

"I have really important stuff to do tomorrow. I mean – today," she shouted over her shoulder.

Tommy grabbed his jacket from the coat room attendant's hand and placed a twenty dollar bill in the other before rushing after Jude who had made it to the door. "Calm down, you'll be fine."

Jude stopped suddenly, shaking her head. Her world started to spin. "No, I'm gonna be sick."

"Not on my shoes!" Tommy shouted.

If she hadn't felt as if she was going to fall over and die, she would have made a comment about his shoe confession. But she wasn't in the right mindset to say anything. Jude shuddered slightly and Tommy realized it wasn't from the alcohol. She was cold. He threw his jacket over Jude's shoulders and began to walk her outside.

"I need to get out," Jude said as Tommy pushed open the exit door.

"Calm down. Breathe Jude," he said, rubbing her back. He didn't know why he felt the need to be caring, but Jude's helpless state brought something out in him.

Not that he would have admitted it.

"Oh My God! Oh My God! Oh My God! Oh My God! Oh My God! Oh My God! Oh My God! Oh

My God! Oh My God! Oh My God! – " Jude started as the valet pulled Tommy's Viper up to the curb. She was bent over at the waist, gazing at the gray concrete, which at any moment could have been her new best friend.

"I don't think he's gonna be able to help you right now," Tommy said as he opened the passenger door. "He's got things like world hunger to deal with."

Jude glared at him as she got in and as Tommy was about to shut the door, she said "Shut up and just get me home."

A smirk formed on Tommy's face as he placed another twenty in the valet's hand. "Are you always this perky?" he asked as he got into the driver's seat. He put the Viper into drive and pulled away from the curb. He knew being an ass to her when she was able to do serious damage in his precious Viper wasn't the smartest idea…but at that moment – he didn't care.

"If you'd like to go home with all of your manly parts, you'll shut up and just take me home," she replied, still glaring at him. She rolled the window down, letting the cool air keep her stomach contents down and placed her head against the door.

"Enough said," Tommy responded. He was not one to joke with his manly parts. That was serious business.


Preview:

High Hopes In Velvet Ropes

Chapter Two

"Late Nights In Strange Places"

It was an old beat up guitar case.

The inner producer in him came out immediately. She plays? He thought. I wonder if she's any good.

- - - - - -

Sadie scoffed. Talk about being a hypocrite. "Wait," Sadie started. "I go home with someone and you call me a whore?"

- - - - - -

He let out the breath he had been holding and looked at the caller id. His chest clenched as he debated whether or not to answer the call.

- - - - - -

Jude gave her a pointed look. "A girl can't sleep in the nude just because?"

A smirk formed on Sadie's face. "Not a girl like you," she responded before she took a sip of her coffee.