The music is Realize by Cobie Caillat. Reviews will keep me posting. I see the ending for this story, so I'm a little sad. Anyway ENJOY!
Chapter 32
The pleasant grin at contrast with the icy eyes was what sealed it, a chill running down his spine. Spied could tell he was serious as he glared down at him before returning to the soundboard, sitting down beside Jude. Jude finished what she was writing, packed up her things and kissed Tommy before she walked up to meet Spied who was still staring at Tommy with a weird horrified expression on his face. If it weren't for all the crap going down at school there was no way he would be accompanying Jude back to school.
"Ready?" Jude had to speak to get his attention.
"He just threatened me."
"Hey I told you, just stop with the boob thing." She rolled her eyes at his still immature behavior. Why had she ever dated him again?
"I didn't say anything! He asked where we were headed and I said to the library to study. He got this weird expression on his face and told me if I touched you he'd make sure I could never play guitar again." Jude's face burned an intense shade of red. "What did I say?!"
"Just don't say that word again."
"What word? Guitar? Study?"
"Never mind. Let's go." Jude grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the door.
"What word?!" Spied braked, causing her to trip over his feet and demanded.
"Library!" Jude hissed a little too loudly causing Kwest to look over at them sharply.
"Huh Dude? Is that like a euphemism for something?" Jude pulled him out the door before he could ask more embarrassing questions.
Kwest leaned against the doorjamb and looked in at his best friend.
"Don't even tell me library could be a euphemism for what I think it is. Cuz that really makes you guys twisted." Tommy grinned at him with a knowing look that had Kwest's skin crawling.
"I don't know what you mean man." Kwest gave a derisive snort and knew he did not need to know more.
**
That stupid bastard. Tommy shook his head as he listened once again to the idiocy coming out of the man on TV's mouth. Of course he had expected something like this a long time ago and luckily now it didn't really matter anymore.
Tommy's head shot up from the show he had been engrossed in, at the loud sound coming from the kitchen. He could not even define the noise, except to say it came from a very pissed off Jude. It sounded like something between a bellow and a shriek of pure female unadulterated rage. It wasn't like he needed to be reminded his girl had a set of lungs on her; he proved that quite regularly. Tommy paused the Tivo and got up, he himself not in the best mood at the moment, to make sure Jude had not decided to cook or kill his beloved coffeemaker.
He took in the sight before him of his girl staring daggers at the glossy magazine on the counter beside the bowl of cereal she had been fixing herself. Her fingers had curled into claws and he gave her a wide berth as he circled to see the article she had been reading. He glanced quickly to see that it was an interview with Blake Collins to coincide with the release of his new movie. The interviewer asked about Blake's leading lady in his personal life and as expected Jude's name came up. Tommy's hand tightened on the pages as he continued to read. Although nothing was blatantly said, there was plenty of insinuation about Jude basically having someone waiting for her in the background even when she and Blake had been dating; that she had run off to be with an old lover the second they had broken up. Blake came off as the wronged party and Jude came out as heartless and a cheater. At least he hadn't mentioned catching Tommy and Jude on her birthday.
Tommy had been expecting something to happen as soon as MTV started releasing the previews of Jude's documentary. Once the show had aired and their infamous kiss showed to the world along with his hands on her ass, which he at the time didn't remember doing, the paparazzi had not left them alone. The verdict was still out on how the public would take their relationship, but they tried to ignore the press as much as they usually did.
"Jude?" He stepped a little closer to her and her head shot up, because he so rarely used her first name. There was the tiniest bit of worry in him that maybe she had cared for Blake after all. Why else would she have dated him for so long? She growled at the offending magazine again, erasing his fear and he had to hide a laugh. She was barely a hundred pounds soaking wet so it was cute rather than threatening when she tried to look tough. "Does it really matter what he insinuated?" Tommy took her arms and forced her reluctant gaze up to him. Jude finally sighed and shook her head no.
"I thought we were friends once ya know? I trusted him." He pulled her into his arms and hugged her.
"Not everyone you meet is going to be a standup kind of person Jude, especially in this business. And he didn't exactly lie." She mumbled an 'I know' into his chest. "I'd be pissed if I found out you were always in love with someone else. How would you feel in his position?"
"We were having fun! He's got a new girlfriend every week! Why did he care so much?" Jude wailed in frustration. She was lost when he tilted his head down at her with that look that stole her breath.
"You said no to him."
"So?" His eyes took in every feature of her face. She didn't know how special she was, didn't understand how she could make a guy like Blake fall, guys like them fall.
"It made you different from all the girls he usually comes in contact with."
"I didn't say no to you." Tommy blinked at her change in topic, blindsiding him.
"Ahh...But I was smart enough to know you were different and to appreciate it." Jude cocked an eyebrow, even she usually oblivious, heard the cheesiness in that line. "You were an exceptional lay?" He barely winced when she bit his shoulder. He held her closer and chuckled against her neck. "I was already falling for you."
"When?" She quirked her mouth up in interest at his answer.
"When you said 'Do it again.'" It took her a moment to remember their first night together, she being half drunk and a little bit overwhelmed.
"Oh God I did say that. I was such a hussy!"
"Say that again Harrison." He said it in a low tone that had Jude doing a double take as the hand at the small of her back puller her even closer so that their lower bodies were completely inline.
"Hussy..." She whispered it and his mouth came down devouring hers and she felt the telltale bulge against her belly. Talking dirty was not something she had ever really explored before, but this showed some promise. She wound her arms around his neck as he lifted her onto the counter. Tommy grinned at the easy access, his fingers tracing the outline of her lace panties at her inner thigh before dipping underneath the elastic band. She arched her back as two fingers slid into her already wet sheath. Their tongues met and tangled as she thrust her hips against his invading fingers. She couldn't imagine ever reacting to anyone else the way she did to him. The cool air hit her overheated skin and she felt his naked flesh against her legs. Their eyes met as his hands went underneath her thighs to tilt her to the edge of the counter, his hardness poised at her opening. They both looked down as he spread her open with his arousal, making her fingers on his shoulders tighten spasmodically. His whole length disappeared slowly and Jude couldn't look away, but in the next instant she couldn't focus as he withdrew and speared into her just as quickly. His thrusts had her hanging on to him, afraid the vigorous movement of his hips would make her lose her precarious seat. One slender fingered hand flailed out and splayed against the cabinet, tensing against it to try and find some purchase. The pounding of his body into hers, had her ass sliding along the granite counter and he had to grip her thighs tighter to keep her from moving, his fingers digging in to the soft flesh.
"Tommy..." She breathed. Her heels dug into his lower back as she attempted to meet his thrusts.
"Say it Jude."
"Tommy...Oh...Fuck me!" If possible his strokes grew even more heated. "I'm almost..." And she let out a cry that would have had him plugging his ears if he hadn't been so oblivious to everything but the overwhelming sensation where their bodies joined. Jude's hand went flying out and a crash sounded on the floor that neither bothered to notice.
"Jude! Like that." She was aggressively tightening her inner muscles bringing him to the brink and over, she still feeling the aftershocks of their intense joining as he pumped a final time into her wet heat. It was a long moment before he could separate himself from her. He looked down to see ceramic shards, milk and cereal covering the kitchen floor. She moved to hop off the counter, but he stopped her with a hand to her chest.
"Hang on." He backed up slowly scanning for loose shards as he got the broom and dustpan from the pantry closet. Once he had it all cleaned up and put back he took Jude into his arms and carried her into the living room, before dropping her lightly onto the couch.
"Check this out." He pushed play and resumed watching what she had interrupted before. It was Chaz Blackburn, caught by Hollywood Insider talking indiscreetly to some bimbo at a club. Although the music was loud it was clear he was bragging about how he had always known his buddy Tommy had a thing for a certain redhead. Jude put her hands to her face and groaned. If you couldn't trust your friends, who could you trust?
"I'm gonna kill Chaz!"
"Hah only if I can kill Blake first." They were too tired to do more than grin at one another. "At least he didn't mention Addicted."
"Yet...And who cares now?"
"Really?" She looked at him in surprise.
"Really. We're here now and that's all that matters to me." He leaned down and rested his forehead against hers.
**
They sat in the visitors chairs across from Darius, having been pulled in as soon as Jude had arrived from school. She was so glad to get away from the hellhole; even time spent in a grimfaced Darius's company was preferable. Ever since the MTV show had aired and then the interview with Blake had come out, Jude had been getting more attention from the student population at Carson Hill than she liked and not all of it had been positive. A few of the jocks, knowing she was seeing a playa like Tommy Q right after another play, namely Blake Collins had basically called her a cheater, had tried harder than usual to hit on her. In turn the boys actions had had angered the already jealous girlfriends and the girls who thought they owned said guys. Jude blinked to focus back on D as he started to speak.
"I have you scheduled for an Under the Mic performance on Monday night Jude. Your relationship is big news right now. Your ex " He nodded at Jude. "and your ex-bandmate" He nodded at Tommy. "really did a number on how the public is seeing you two. So you're gonna represent your relationship like it's true love and not some hookup." They knew better than to bother protesting that they were indeed in love, while Darius was speaking. It wasn't really any of his business anyway as long as they got their jobs done. "And it would be nice if you could answer a few questions too Tom."
"Okay...It shouldn't be a problem." Jude said making plans in her head to get SME together for a practice session sometime this weekend.
"What song do you want her to play?" Tommy asked, sensing the other man's proclamation was not quite done.
"I want a ballad. A 'we're in love' make teenage girls cry ballad." Darius said somberly.
"Well we've been working on Crazy Faith." Jude stated in confusion. She didn't think that would make anyone cry necessarily.
"No. It's solid, but it's not your single. You two better come up with something good." Jude gnawed on her lower lip as she thought over his words. She did have something, but had been hesitant to show it to Tommy. It looked like the choice of timing was going to be taken out of her hands. She knew the minute she had seen him in that ballroom that she would have to show him the song.
"Monday?! D that only gives us two days to write a song and get it ready to perform." Tommy ranted at his dark eyed boss, his hands gripping the arm rests as if he was about to spring up.
"I know the two of you can do it. You will." Jude put her hand on Tommy's arm, her touch calming him just enough to have him sitting his ass back down.
"It's okay." She said softly to Tommy. "We'll do it." She then directed at Darius who nodded in satisfaction. That was his platinum selling princess. Only eighteen and the consummate professional. Darius had to admit he had a soft spot for the gutsy, stubborn, determined girl and she always managed to surprise him with her maturity, even though she was no pushover.
"Are you sure?" Tommy asked searching her eyes for any hint of deceit to placate their boss. Jude nodded reassuringly, sincerity shining in her big eyes.
"You better get started. I want final approval Monday morning." Darius said as his final words and they got up hearing the dismissal.
.
Jude walked towards Tommy's office to retrieve her bag, with him trailing a step behind, when he stopped her and she spun to face him.
"You don't have to do this. What he's asking, it's unreasonable." She felt so safe in that moment, at his need to defend and protect her.
"It's okay." He was puzzled by her calm façade. He had been through her journal and she had no love song good enough to fit Darius's request.
"Look you've been working on some great stuff, but it's not..."
"Tommy I said it was fine. I promise." His forehead crinkled in that way she found so adorable.
"Did you magically come up with something back there?" He asked sarcasm lacing his words now at her enigmatic air.
"No, but I do have a ballad." Jude admitted, uncharacteristically evasive.
"Well do I get to hear it?" Jude bit her lip as she gave the question a lot more thought then he understood, at least yet. Would he be angry that she had waited so long to show him?
"This weekend."
"Why...." Her fingers went to his lips.
"When you hear it you'll understand."
**
As consciousness slowly seeped in Tommy felt the loss of the warm body that had been curled against him all night. Her silky skin brushed against his hip as she moved out of bed. There was the cutest frown on his face as he cracked an eye open to see her sliding off the edge of the bed. She was silhouetted against the muted sunlight streaming through the blinds and he admired her slender curved form for a moment as she started towards the door.
"Where are you going?" He murmured in his sexy sleep ridden raspy voice.
"I'll be right back..." She called over her shoulder as she padded across the carpeted room.
"Okay..." He murmured as his eyes closed again. He didn't know if it had been a minute or ten before he felt the slight dip in the mattress beside him and he opened his eyes again to see her wearing one of his dress shirts, holding his acoustic in her lap. "What..." The small sleepy smile he gave her had her heart melting all over again and she knew this was the time to show him her ballad.
"Shh...I promised..." Her hand squeezed his shoulder and he relaxed under her touch. A moment later he heard the melody she plucked so effortlessly from the strings. Her silken voice caressed him as she started to sing quietly. The soft notes made his eyes drift shut again, her playing lulling him in the lazy mood of a Sunday morning.
Take time to realize That your warmth is crashing down... on me Take time to realize That I am on your side Didn't I, didn't I...tell you But I can't spell it out for you No it's never gonna to be that simple No I can't spell it out for you
His eyes opened to catch her gaze as she sang from her heart, this song that was steeped in truth she had known deep down. She couldn't bare to look into his eyes quite yet, feeling strangely vulnerable to a man that knew every inch of her inside and out.
If you just realize what I just realized That we'd be perfect for each other and we'll never find another Just realize what I just realized We never have to wonder if we missed out on each other now Take time to realize Oh ooh I'm on your side Didn't I, didn't I tell you Take time to realize Oh oh I'm on your side oh ooh oh ooh oh ooh But I can't spell it out for you It's never gonna be that simple No I can't spell it out for you If you just realized what I just realized That we'd be perfect for each other and we'll never find another Just realize what I just realized We'd never have to wonder if we missed out on each other but... It's not the same No it's never the same If you don't feel it too If you meet me half way If you would meet me half way It could be the same for you If you just realize what I just realized That we'd be perfect for each other and we'd never find another Just realize what I just realized We'd never have to wonder if we missed out on each other Just realize what I just realized That we'd be perfect for each other and we'd never find another Just realize what I just realized We'd never have to wonder if we missed out on each other now Missed out on each other now Missed out on each other now We missed on each other now Realize, realize, realize
How could she constantly awe him? He understood too why she had insisted on waiting to show him her song. He had to appreciate her timing, when all his defenses were down and he felt content to wake up slowly beside her. This moment when the real world hadn't intruded yet and they were wide open to each other. Wasn't that what this song was about? She placed the guitar down and slipped back under the sheet beside him, curling into his body.
"When did you write this?"
"The night I came back from New York." Her breath whispered against his bare chest, and he felt other stirrings come to life as he was being lifted from his languid fog. She had kept this from him for that long? Usually she couldn't wait to show him any song she was excited about, but not this one. And he got it. She couldn't have shown it to him unless he was here with her. "Tommy I want you to sing the background vocals." He looked down into her eyes and could see the plea behind them. She wanted this song to be a part of both of them, and maybe for him to acknowledge the naked emotion she had spilled into it.
"Okay." Her smile was brilliant and filled with promise and for him alone. He had missed this part of her too, that smile that told him everything.
She tasted sweet when he pulled her in for a kiss, letting his tongue glide along her lips, wetting them before plundering her mouth. She met him with equal ferocity and they felt the heat rise up again, insatiable and insane. How long before they could control this crazy hunger? How many times would they have to consummate their need, before the beast stopped rolling over them, sometimes unexpectedly taking them unawares? It was like every time they touched they were bound more tightly to one another and even Tommy with his vast experience had never had this with anyone else.
His hands cupped her bottom as she climbed on top, straddling his hips, her thighs pressed to either side. She lowered herself in slow increments and gasped as she sank onto his arousal, taking him to the hilt. Her hips bucked forward every time she raised herself on her knees, letting her most sensitive nub slide against him where their bodies joined. She grinned at his moans as she clamped down with her inner muscles on the downswing, holding him tightly inside her before releasing her hold and moving up again. Tommy could not remember ever being ridden like this, and wondered if it was love that made the difference. He sat up, their bodies still joined, and lowered his head as his fingers pushed his shirt off her shoulders. He took one taut aching nipple into his mouth and had her crying out as he sucked and then bit and then soothed with his tongue. She could feel it coming, almost violent in its intensity as her pace quickened and grew more erratic. His mouth continued to work on the tender flesh of her breasts, his lips now sucking against the swell, even as his hands gripped her hips and he thrust up to meet her. The feel of her silken muscles gripping him so wetly had his teeth biting down without him truly being aware, muffling his scream as he lost every ounce of control, bucking wildly against her. His frantic movements triggered her own release as her fingers gripped his hair, yanking slightly painfully, not that he was in a position to complain, as her muscles convulsed around him, keeping him buried in her hot depths.
Their chests rose in unison as their unfocused eyes met. With her fingers still locked in his hair, she tugged him forward to press her lips to him in a still hungry kiss. Soon she felt him growing inside her once again and laughed in surprise when he moved so that they both fell on their sides. Suddenly she was flat on her back and he was hovering above her still buried in her depths, until he began to move, withdrawing until only the head of his arousal was still in her and then stealing her breath with his deep hard strokes Jude couldn't complain. Who needed a lazy Sunday morning when they had this.
**
As Darius listened to Realize he frowned in concentration as he tried to hear the voice in the background vocals over Jude's voice, with his musically trained ear. Why did it sound so familiar? That song! The one that had rocked the industry by having no one claim it as his own.
"Is that you on the background vocals?" His dark eyes pierced Tommy's, who nodded in confirmation. "You've been singing haven't you?"
"What?" Tommy arched an eyebrow at him. Darius simply gave him that stern glare he had perfected over the years. "And if I have D? You hired me as a producer." Jude stared between them, wondering how this could suddenly be going so wrong. "My music wasn't good enough for you before..." Tommy commented, bringing up old wounds that still ached, no matter how much he might deny it. Darius had locked his first solo attempt, Frozen, in the vaults. He felt Jude's slender fingers and linked them with his. Darius knew he was treading a veritable minefield. Every artist he had ever met was sensitive about criticism to his music.
"T Frozen was weak, but Addicted...." He shook his head, wondering what had changed for Tommy to start writing again and a song that was so much better than what he had previously shown him.
"Tommy I'd like to use an acoustic version of Addicted as one of the tracks for the CD compliation G-Major is putting out." Darius could see the dollar signs for that as soon as the name of the mystery artist was released and a different version would assure even more sales from fans of the song.
"First of all I don't have plans to sing again and second. It's not my call. I don't own the song." He barely glanced at Jude, but she caught his quick look.
"I'm sure Wendell and G-Major can work out a mutually gratifying deal."
"They don't have the rights either." Jude's hand that had been tapping at the arm rest, froze. He didn't....Did he? Sure she had asked for him to start singing again as a birthday present, and Addicted was written for her, but....
"Stop playing games T. Who owns Addicted?" Tommy turned his head and met her gaze. Darius followed the direction of Tommy's eyes and frowned.
"You didn't...." She whispered in stunned amazement. Tommy shrugged and turned his head back to Darius.
"You'll have to ask Jude."
"Ask Jude..." Darius's stare found her unable to speak, her mouth parted. The implications were huge and Tommy had just outed them to Darius. "Now why would you give the rights to Jude?" And it was their turn to stare back at him in disbelief. Darius was not known for being slow. As understanding dawned on Darius his eyes grew darker and his fists clenched. "Both of you get out. I'll talk to you later." If he asked Tommy to do this then it would mean leaving Jude open to gossip. Jude was just now barely eighteen. How long had it been since Addicted had come out? Over a year? He groaned as he once again wondered if it was worth it to bring Tommy back to G-Major. But then he thought about this epic ballad he had just heard and the publicity of a Tommy and Jude pairing. The public was, despite the negative interview from Blake Collins, inclined to like Tommy and Jude as a couple or rather Jommy as they had been dubbed. Little colored dollar signs danced in front of his eyes.