Chapter Ten:

Monday mornings have always been my least favourite part of the week. Going back to work, as much as I enjoy it, is always hard on a dreary Monday morning.

Monday mornings are even worse, however, when you've just had a weekend as good as mine was.

After Tommy kicked Chantal out on her Chanel-covered butt, we made good use of the living room couch, and finally made our way into his bedroom. We spent all day in bed and were even late for work this morning because of our bedroom activities. Apparently, now that I've got started I just don't want to stop.

Right now I'm sitting in front of the soundboard beside Tommy. I'm supposed to be listening to what we've just been working on. But I can't. He's rubbing my thigh and all I can do is focus on how good it feels.

I look up to see Darius approaching our studio and I clumsily slide my chair away. Of all the people we know, he would disapprove the most. If he even thought Tommy and I were contemplating taking our relationship to the next level, we'd likely be separated permanently at work.

Tommy and I definitely have to practice being more discreet. We haven't been doing so well with that. This morning on the elevator, he was kissing my neck and apparently he was so focussed on it he didn't stop even when the doors opened. Luckily the person who got on was on her cell phone and paid no attention to us. But something like that could easily get us caught.

As Darius walks in the door, I pull my thoughts back to the present. "T, Jude, how's that song coming along?"

Tommy's more composed than I am and answers quickly. "Good, D. I'm almost finished mixing it."

"Good," he says, looking satisfied with our progress. "When you're finished I want you both in my office so I can hear it, okay?"

We both nod and Darius turns on his heel, striding out.

"Jude, can you grab a tape from the supply closet?" Tommy asks. I stand up and walk over to the closet.

Before I can reach for anything, I feel myself being spun around and Tommy pulling me close for a bruising kiss. "It's hard not touching you…" he whispers, leaning in for another searing kiss, pushing me against the wall of the closet. I open my mouth freely, fully participating as his tongue enters my mouth. I wrap my arms around his back, sliding my hands under his shirt. His skin is hot, just like mine.

I feel Tommy's hand trailing up my leg and moving under my jean skirt.

Suddenly we hear a big crash out in the lobby; the moment is broken and we break apart. "Later…" he whispers seductively, a promise I intend on holding him to.

"We better get back to work in case someone comes looking for us," I say, licking my lips. I can still taste Tommy on them. He watches the motion of my tongue intently and I smile, still amazed at the power I seem to hold with him.

We return to the soundboard and I sit far enough away that he can't reach me.

The song is almost perfect. My second album is coming together so well, thanks to Tommy.

The studio doors bursts open and I see Jamie rush in. "Hey!" I exclaim, jumping out of my seat and hugging him tightly. "How was your trip?"

He's looking at me weirdly and I see him eye Tommy suspiciously.

I can see instinctively that he knows about me and Tommy. Shit. The more people who know the harder it will be to keep it a secret.

"Jude, can I talk to you for a second?" he asks, not waiting for a response before he pulls me out of the room. As I'm dragged out, I see Tommy's worried expression. He's, no doubt, worried about the same thing I am.

Jamie pulls me all the way across the lobby and into Studio C.

He begins to pace in front of me. "Jamie, what's going on?" I ask, playing dumb.

He looks up at me. "Don't play that game with me, Jude. I've known you since we were in diapers. What's going on with you and Tommy?"

"What exactly do you know?"

Jamie begins speaking at rapid fire speed. "Well, Patsy mentioned that she went out with you on the weekend and that Tommy went all "caveman" on you because you were dancing with some guy. And then she said she sensed some weird vibes between you two at the G-Major thing Saturday." He paused for a breath before continuing. "And [bthen[/b she mentioned that she picked you up at the Garden Towers. Which, I know for a fact, is where Tommy lives. Do you want to fill in the rest for me, Jude?"

"How do you know that's where Tommy lives?"

Jamie reaches out and shakes me lightly. "Jude, stay on topic. I know that's where he lives because when I helped Sadie out on reception that one day I had to have something shipped to his house. But that's not important. I'm worried about you, about what's been going on while I've been gone."

I sigh. He's my best friend. I just can't keep something this big from him; even though I'm fully aware he's going to hate it. "Okay, look, I'll tell you. But you have to promise me a few things first."

He drops his hands from my arms, and looks at me, assessing my words. "What?"

"Well, first, you must remain calm. Second, you can't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you. And third, you can't physically attack Tommy. Okay?"

Jamie looks at me like I'm a complete enigma. "Fine."

"Okay. Well… Tommy and I are…."I pause, taking a steadying breath before I complete my sentence, "together."

His eyes widen in shock. "There's more," I say.

"Oh great," he mutters.

"I'm living with him."

"What!!!!!???" Jamie yells, and I reach up to cover his mouth, silencing him.

"Shut up!! For obvious reasons, we have to keep the whole thing a secret. Most people who have asked me think I'm living with you and we have to keep it that way."

He shot me a look of disbelief. "So now you're pulling me into yours and Tommy's web of lies?"

I glare at him. "It's necessary. Please, just go along with it. Please?" I plead, giving him my best puppy-dog look. Only Tommy can really pull that look off but I try my best.

"Alright," he says, sighing loudly. "But Jude, have you really thought about this? I mean, have you really considered what you're doing here?"

"Jamie, I've overanalyzed every move I've ever made in my life, even the wrong ones. I'm not doing that this time. I'm just going with where things seem to be leading this time. And it feels good to let my heart lead for once."

"But it's Tommy, the guy who always bre-"

"Always breaks my heart, I know. But I want things to turn out differently this time."

I see him conceding, rather unwillingly. "Okay Jude, for you I won't say anything about you and lil Tommy Q. And I'll pretend you live with me if anyone asks. For you, Jude, not him. I don't trust him, not with my best friend's heart."

I lean forward and kiss his cheek, ignoring his negative comments about Tommy. "Thanks, Jamie. I really appreciate it."

I walk back to Studio A. Tommy looks extremely apprehensive. "Does he know?"

"Well, he suspected so I filled in the blanks. I need him to be my backup as far as where I'm living. If people still think I'm going to be living there then they won't be so suspicious."

"I'm guessing he's less than thrilled," Tommy surmises, a cheeky smile forming on his lips. Men, they're just so damn happy when they can one-up each other.

"That would be an understatement. But he's agreed to go along with everything."

Tommy nods pensively. He suddenly becomes quiet. I mean way too quiet.

I look around to make sure no one's coming and I walk over, sitting myself on his lap. "What's going on in that gel-soaked head of yours?" I ask, placing my hands on the sides of his face.

"It's just… I hate that we have to sneak around. I don't want you to feel like we're doing something wrong."

I run my hands through his hair. "You and I know it's not wrong. That's the important thing." I lean down and kiss his lips lightly.

We pull away and I reluctantly slip off his lap into the chair beside him.

We finish mixing the song by five-thirty and take it into Darius's office. We sit in the chairs opposite D's desk, eyeing each other nervously as he listens. He smiles, which is an excellent sign.

"I love it," Darius says. "I just want you to make the acoustics a little cleaner at the end. But other than that, it's great."

"Okay," Tommy says, "we'll stay and do that tonight."

I am a little surprised he's so eager to stay. We could easily finish it tomorrow.

Darius laughs. "Alright if that's what you want to do. I'm heading out for the night."

We head back to the studio and we watch through the glass as Darius and pretty much everyone else heads out. By 7:00, we're done with the song and we're completely alone at G-Major.

I walk into the recording booth to pack up my guitar and the random pieces of paper Tommy and I have written on during the day. I hear Tommy enter as well. I turn around and notice that he's still looking slightly upset. I don't know where his doubts are coming from, but I'm not sure I have him completely convinced that I'm not going to end up somehow scarred by our keeping this a secret. I don't want to keep it a secret either, but that's how it has to be for now. Just for now.

I make a split second decision, a way I think I can make him feel better. "Ready to go?" I hear him say, and he glances over at me while picking up a few pieces of paper.

I walk purposely towards him and I see that he looks a little surprised by my quick approach. I grab his face in my hands, lifting myself on my toes to kiss him passionately. I feel his lips start to move against mine. I need to remind him why we're doing this. Why, no matter how difficult it might get, it's worth it in the end for us to be together like this.

He begins to take control, pulling me flush against him and spinning us so that he can push me against the wall. We're moving feverishly, tearing at each other's clothes as we remove them, and we fall quickly to the ground. He lands on top of me. I can't kiss him or touch him enough and I can tell the feeling is mutual. He unhooks my bra, throwing it across the room and he leans down to kiss one breast as he caresses the other one. I close my eyes and my back arches, unconsciously reacting to his touch.

He inches down lower, leaving a trail of kisses down my stomach and then my belly button. He slips my panties off quickly, and then strips off his boxers. He returns to my lips, bruising them with him powerful kisses.

He enters me quickly, his thrusting rapid and exhilarating. Our coupling is quick and passionate, like nothing we've experienced together yet. It feels so primal, so real. We're moving together quickly, moaning from the unspeakable pleasure we're creating between us. We're holding onto each other tight, proving to each that we're worth whatever risk is necessary to be together.

I climax slightly before he does and I scream his name loudly as he finishes.

I feel so sated, so relaxed. We're lying together on the floor of the recording studio and the ridiculous thought suddenly hits me that I've never really noticed the ceiling of this room. I laugh audibly at the weird musings of my mind.

"Thank God this booth is soundproof," he says, his breathing still deep. I grin widely. No kidding. I can't believe we just had sex on the floor of the place where I record all my songs.

"I don't know how I'm going to record in here now," I comment, still smiling.

He smirks, turning his head in my direction. "Consider it a new type of inspiration."

I laugh loudly and we help each other up, recovering our clothes. And I secretly thank God that there's no one around to witness our haphazard clothes and hair as we sneak quickly out of the building.