Chapter 1:
A New Chapter
Style Of A Street Walker
The feeling of the silky like cloth sliding over Jude's skin as she pulled on the knee high leggings made her skin crawl. The knowledge of why she was standing in front of the mirror raced through her brain. This is what her life had come down to, she'd been reduced to a common whore. Flipping her long red hair back she sighed looking at herself in the body length mirror. Her lips were a glossy pink. She had on a pair of black long high boots. She thought she would fall with the first step she took. She never been a high heels kinda gal any way. Maybe someone in heaven would show her mercy and she'd break her neck on the landing. She smirked liking the idea of spiting Hunter even if it meant her life. She quickly lost her smile as she look herself over in the mirror again, turning to the side. Her skirt was short, but she guess for the role she was about to explore it was how it was meant to be. What kind of whore would wear a long skirt. Oh she had hit rock bottom and even when she tired to forget the last two years of her life she couldn't so at the age of twenty she'd learned to just deal.
Hunter hadn't changed a bit over the years, if anything he'd gotten worse. He begun to gamble, and drink. He'd taken her with him every where never allowing her to get to far away from him. He lost all their money in gambling halls. Now they lived in a one room apartment, barely getting by, he didn't work, if she had to guess she'd say he thought she was gonna run off, but she'd learned long ago she couldn't leave, she didn't even have a place to go. So when all the money had gotten low or ran out he came up with the brilliant idea of selling her, or her body to be exact. Not wanted to risk letting her go off alone with some stranger and never coming back, he'd explored his options for awhile until he found out about Lovely Ladies. Lovely Ladies was much like a brothel. The women used it as a spot to be safe, men would come have sex with them and pay them and they didn't have to worry about being beaten or killed because the owner Lola had guards hanging around. But the only thing was you had to give Lola 15 of our money at the end of the night. Tonight was Jude's first night but Hunter had told her how things would run. When he'd come to her telling her this big idea she'd instantly balked and said no, but after the beating she took she'd quickly changed her mind. Over the last two years Hunter had got inventive with his beatings.
A knock at the door snapped Jude out of her thoughts. Turning to the side in the mirror again she frowned at her reflection and quickly jerked her skirt down again before heading to the door. The knock was insistent and loud making her quickly pull the door open. In the frame stood Hunter. He smirked taking in her appearance. Without a word he turned her every which way as if examining an object on display that he was about to purchase. After he was satisfied with his examination he turned her back to face him. His looks hadn't changed much, he was an attractive man at the age of twenty-one, his hair curling at his shoulders. His smile used to make her happy now they were rare and made her shiver. An unforgotten past of how things used to be. As the thoughts drifted away an insistent noise became aware to her brain. Her eyes refocused and she found Hunter's fingers in front of her snapping to get her attention.
"Earth to Judith, are you listening?!"
She wanted to slap at his hands but she didn't dare, instead she just waited for them to drop before speaking, " Sorry...I was thinking"
"Well you need to pay attention, you need to follow directions for tonight, this is for you."
Her face turned down into a ironic smile, "You speak as if I asked for this, this was never something I wanted for my life! I never wanted or asked to be a mans whore, but I guess that what I was meant for, to be sold for someone elses pleasure."
"Oh well, this is your life now, move on, grow up and deal with it. Tonight will be the first night of many, you stay in here, the client will come to the door, knock, and you'll let him, or them in." He stepped closer to her his hand catching her chin, "Don't disappoint me, we need this money, do you under stand?"
"Do you understand?!" He repeated when she didn't answer, his fingers digging into her skin.
"Yes." She whispered jerking her face from his hand.
Having the answered he wanted Hunter waked away, but stopped before the door, "You should be happy to do this for us, you know, I wouldn't ask it of you if there was a different answer." With his last word said he turned back and exited the room.
Tears filled her eyes at the sound of his words repeating themselves in her head. 'She should be happy!' Why would this make her happy, she was selling herself, it was like John all over again, hell it was like Hunter all over again. She was made to give her body to him, and in return he didn't beat her. Maybe that was a woman's worth, to be sold over and over again. Giving an angry swipe at the tear drops on her face Jude dropped down onto the couch. It was her guess that things had only begun.
A Photo Says A Million Things
Tommy pushed the doors of Lovely Ladies open and stepped into the building. It had been quit some time that he'd last come to the place. Over the last few years he'd been busy, riding the ground hard like a devil, he'd taken the music industry by storm. He was a hot shot producer for G-Major label, the best there was, and he was also working on his own solo album. He'd made his fame by singing on other people's albums, had built up his own fan base, and now the people wanted him to release something of his own so G-major cut a deal with him. At the age of twenty-four music was his life, he used it out his outlet It had taken the place of drugs in his world, and for that he was grateful. It drove him, and he refused to work with those who weren't the best, those who didn't really want, those who didn't breath it it, and live it. He didn't do it for the money. It was important to him so he was a pain in the ass with all his clients until they got it right. But at the end of the day they were thanking him for it.
The click-clacking of heels meeting rock hard floor broke through his thoughts and he looked up to see a woman standing in front of him. It was Lola , the owner of Lovely Ladies. She had a big smile on her face, but it wasn't one of those sweet smiles, instead it was the smile of a woman who had a past and now had a hard personality, it was a smile of life, one that showed how life could just kick you in the ass, but that you were a fighter and kept climbing. He imagined that his smile was the pretty much the same except alittle more twisted. He'd had a hell of a life. They gave a brief shake of hands, her gold bracelets clinking on meeting. Without saying a word she turned around and started to walk away. Knowing what she wanted he followed behind her. She wore a skin tight short black dress, and a pair of open toe black high heels. She led them into her office, a room he'd since plenty of times before. Pearl earrings dangled from her earlobes. Her brown hair curled and laid on her right shoulder. She sat down in a chair by the coffee table, and motioned him to sit on the couch across from her. She was a professional. From the look of her you'd never guess she ran a whore-house but the hard look of her eyes was what gave her away to him.
"So, we're glad you came back to our little astablishment" She said letting a smile cut across her mouth as she motion around the room.
"Yeah" He was a man of few words and he pretty much liked it like that, those who talk only hear noise.
Realizing this, Lola picked up the envelope that was laying on the coffee table.
"Well tonight is your lucky night, we got some new girls in just today." That was how Lovely's went, if you were a big spender you got to actually choose the girl, or girls you wanted. Lola handled all the real spenders and left the low raters to her assistant. Tommy was a big spender. She stuck her hand in the envelope and pulled out a hand full of small photos and tossed them on the table.
One picture instantly stood out to him. Leaning over he picked it up, cradling in with his forefinger and thumb. In the picture, posed like all the others was a red head. She lay on a bed facing the camera one arm propping her head and upper body up and the other rested on her head, connecting with the one beneath her. She wore a purple negligee, it was skin tight and thin strapped. The crystal design across the top drew attention to her breast, and he knew they'd be a perfect handful. Bangs lay across her forehead, and her hair was swept over her shoulder. She was beautiful, amazingly so. But it was her eyes that drew him, big eyes. They sparkled blue under the camera light, wide, and innocent. The look of sadness and pain was what held him mystified. They spoke so true of what he felt every day, an unmistakable living agony. An unforgettable past, present and fear of the future.
"I want her" His words were direct. There was no need to dally, no need to play around and beat behind the bush. She drew him, like a moth to a light. He hadn't been interested in anthing besides music for years, she was the first thing that had caught his eye and he found himself wanting to explore her even if it was for one night.
"Mmhmm, how long?" In Lovely Ladies you paid by the hour, they closed at midnight.
"The rest of the night"
Lola's brow rose at hearing his muttered words. Usually Tommy was an in and out kind of guy, he didn't dally long, so she hadn't expected him to say the whole night, and with one girl for the whole night no less. But pleasing the client tell was her job, so she didn't say anything just gave a sharp nod. After she'd quickly picked up the photos off the table and dumped them back into the bag she reached her hand out to retrieve the picture from him but he shook his head saying he would pay her later for it, which she didn't mind because she loved money. Nodding again they both stood up and she walked him out. At the door they shook hands again.
"The room is number one-twenty."
Once Upon Two Strangers
Tommy stepped up to room one-twenty, surprised that it was already open. As he stepped into the door frame his eyes ran over the decor of the room. It was small in size the walls a navy shade of blue. a vanity was set up in the right corner of the room. His eyes traveled on and stopped when the connected on the girl, the girl from the picture. She sat on the the couch, her head bow, her hair shielding her face. She looked to be wearing a school girl uniform. Oh yeah that fit, who wouldn't mind doing a catholic school girl he grimaced. She looked...young. She didn't seem to fit in this place, in this life. He thought she was meant for something bigger, but didn't understand why since he hadn't even exchanged words with her yet. Never one for patience he tapped on the door, and she quickly looked up with a gasp. She was truly beautiful, but in a unconsciously kinda why, and he liked that. He could see she had been crying, even as she swiped a hand across her cheeks. Her eyes, the amazing ones he'd noticed in the picture, were just as wide and mesmerizing as he'd first thought. Big eyes.
Jude's head jerked up when she heard the knock at the door. She gasped as she saw the person who took residence in the doorway. He was absolutely gorgeous! He was wearing a pair of alumni shoes, blue jeans, a plain white T, and a thick black leather jacket. For a second she even let herself wonder he would wear such expensive shoes with such laid back clothes, there was something emperous about him, not in a money kind of way but a never bow down to another kind of emperous. But then her gaze traveled up father to his face and she lost all thought processing on the matter. His eyes truly were a magnificent thing. They were an ocean blue, cold and warm all at the same time. Jude stood up wiping the last remaining tears with a shaking hand. She was starting to get worried. She didn't have feeling of desire, not with her history of sex, she didn't even like sex. But her body didn't seem to have the same thought processor as her brain because it was just buzzing with desire, wanting him to come closer. She tried to shake of the feelings, her mind taking on a travel of why a guy like him would come to a place like this. Her body tingled with joy even as her brain demanded that she run as the guy took a step towards her.
Spying the fear that entered her eyes Tommy gave her a smile. One of those charming, harmless, sexy kind of smiles. His meaning was to set her at ease.
"Is this your first time?" Even though he knew the answer to the question he still asked, wanting to hear her speak. But she only nodded her head so he tried again, "Are you worried...you seem worried."
Jude believed she'd lost her hearing the moment he stepped closer to her, for she didn't hear a word he uttered. His body crowded hers, close enough that his heat radiated around her. His head dipped and his lips stopped inches from here's...mere inches!...He smelled of sandalwood and expensive calone. She didn't understand her roller-coaster of feelings. The excitement and dread. The anticipation and trepidation. She didn't know why her heart sped or why her body demanded that he touch it. She found herself murmuring incoherent words as an answer to his earlier question. Her lips brushed against his, enough to fit the meaning that she she wanted it for him, his hand caught her waist as their lips connected. A change took place in that one moment, two lives of complete strangers had changed, never again to be the same. Unknown they both were as to how this one night would create their future, and change them for better or worse.
The kiss that started off as a brush of lips soon deepened. He ravished her mouth, his tongue stroking hers. Their bodies strained together, chest to chest, pelvis to pelvis. Tommy feared they would go up in flames from such a simple thing, and told himself to slow down. They had all night, his wanted this to last. He slowed the kiss, dragging it out. His tongue traced her lips before pulling the bottom into his mouth where he gently sucked nipped and licked it, savoring the taste of her. For some strange reason, ever since he'd seen her eyes in the photo, he'd felt a kinship with her. Her eyes showed pain and sorrow. The blue hues hid a secret passion and a person just waiting to rebel. And he wanted to be the one she shared that passion with. It was her eyes that made him want her, not her face, for he knew that once they'd started he wouldn't be able to look upon it again. He refused to risk it. Refused to let the chance of his haunting past, his aunt come between them.
His fingers rested just below her left ear as his thumb tilted and held her head up. His lips trailed across her cheek stopping to lightly nip her behind the ear then continued down her neck. Jude sighed in bliss, her hand cupping the nape of his neck, dragging him closer. Her body was a dough of putty in his hands. He backpedaled them towards the left till her legs hit the bed. But Jude went unnoticed of this fact her attention focused on his moving hands. As he unbuttoned her blouse his lips followed the trail his tongue swirling over her skin. But as soon as her back sunk into the cushion the panic instantly set in. She forgot where she was. Could only feel the weight on top of her. Her heart sped and she reacted.
Tommy was more then surprised when Jude began to scream and attack him. Her hands wailed connecting with his eye and on his high in the cheek. He'd feel it in the morning, hell he'd even have the marks to prove it. His hands locked around hers, trapping them to the bed so she wouldn't do him anymore bodily harm but that just made her efforts increase. Her screams grew louder and her body bucked trying to throw him from atop of her. Finally seeing no way around it Tommy let her free pushing up so he could get off the bed, but not before she did more bodily harm. As soon as she was free she slip from the bed, her hand holding her shirt closed. He took a tentative step towards her his hands in a peaceful placement, trying to let her know he intended her no harm.
He watched as she slowly became aware of where she was. Her eyes slid over the room til they landing on him. She let out a loud gasp her shaking hand covering her mouth as she saw the tiny scratches on his face and the slight redness around his eye. "Did I do that to you?!" Instead of answering her question he just shrugged. It had hurt, but she seemed upset about it. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to. I just...when we..." But she didn't have to finish he knew what she meant. She had been raped. Someone had hurt her. "It's just...I don';t like being beneath someone...it makes me feel...helpless..."
He didn't let her finish her rant, it was needless. He understood. He had felt the same way for so long. Even though his thing wasn't being held down, the act of sex still haunted him. "If you want me to leave..."
His words sent another rush of panic though Jude. Now that her mind was clear and she was able to think again she knew his leaving would be a bad thing. Hunter wouldn't like that she hadn't completed the job. He'd be furious with her. Before she could stop herself she launched at the unaware Tommy. She pressed her lips against his and his mouth parted in surprise. Of their own accord, his arms wrapped around her wait and he kissed her back. He didn't prolong the moment this time, fearing someone, or something would stop them. His hands peeled away her blouse that he once before left opened. He carelessly let it drift to the floor with a groan of satisfaction as she saw that she wore nothing beneath. There hands wove around each other, while she unbuttoned his shirt, and he worked to get rid of her skirt. It was as if they had practiced it a million times and knew what the other would do. After their clothes was taken care of, Tommy mimicked his earlier actions his lips trailing down her skin.
He placed a soft kiss on the swell of her breast. Jude let a puff of air out of her slightly open mouth, little shock waves settling over her body. Tommy watched as rose pink tips of her breast rose, brushing against his lips beckoning him. And he couldn't stop himself from answering their plea, the tip of his tongue flicked teasingly across the peak. Then he caught the bud between his lips and drew it into his mouth. It was actually his first time doing anything like that. He made no exception with sex, he never let a woman face him during intercourse. It was just one of his ways of surviving. Until now. Until her. There was something about her that made him wanna try new things, things he'd never let himself experience before. His tongue played against her, suckling, his teeth lightly scraping. She gave low moan her fingers losing themselves in his hair as she held him to her body. He wanted to lay on the floor and take her body amongst their clothes but he wouldn't do that, instead he sat on bed and pulled her down on top of him so that she straddled his body.
My Calling Card
Jude woke up alittle after midnight. She blinked the sleep clear from her eyes only to open them again to see a male's back. Well half of his back. He was in the process of pulling his shirt back on. It took a minute for her mind to remember the last couple of hours, it was mostly her body that gave her the clues of what had happened, and by that time the guy had turned around. A smile spread across his face and oddly she found it contagious, one of her own spreading across her face. She sat up in the bed tipping to the edge of the bed, wrapping the wrinkled white sheets around her body. She felt...wonderful yet dreadful. Her body felt exquisite even though it ached in parts she hadn't even known she had, but it was a good ache so she didn't mind much. But the dread came from knowing that it wouldn't last, that he would walk out the door and she'd never see him again. She experience something to treasure but to go back to the way things used to be would make it hurt even more. But that wasn't her life she didn't have happy endings, it seem she was to be teased with the good stuff and leave the bad.
She looked up as she saw the shadow rest over her, though the rules stated that Lovely Ladies closed at midnight, they'd fallen asleep, he'd said that Lola wouldn't mind. The thought of never seeing him again made her sad and it was on the tip of her tongue to ask him if he was coming back but she didn't want to deplore herself for something she knew she couldn't have. So when he brushed a kiss across her forehead whispering a quick good-bye before walking out of her room she did her best not to care. Giving a sigh at her own melodrama she was about to lay back down when her eyes caught sight of a piece of paper on the coffee table in the middle of the room. Still holding the sheet around herself she got up and slowly dragged her way to the mid-point of the room. On the coffee table she found money, a note. As she scanned the two sentence not she couldn't help but smile.
Thanks for everything, you did more than you'll ever know.
If you ever need help or just wanna talk call me.
--Tommy Quincy
She looked up from the piece of paper to the door, wishing he would step back through it.
But lady luck really wasn't on her side. Tommy. His name rolled off her tongue with a bitter-sweetness. And even though she had no intention of calling him, she was happy he'd thought of her enough to leave the note behind. Something told her that her life was about to change again. She was about to start a whole new chapter.
