First Date
Chapter 2- Studio Afternoon
As opposed to that of the early morning hours, midday traffic in their Toronto area was light. Tommy parked the Viper in front of her house ten minutes early. Arriving prematurely proved unproblematic. As soon as he exited the car, Jude flew outside to greet him.
"Hi" she smiled, suddenly shy and justifiably, a bit insecure. He gave her mixed messages for years. Could she trust what they finally appeared to share now?
" We both have to agree that that kiss never happened..."
"Hi" Tommy responded, easily deciphering the doubts that clouded her eyes and immediately understanding the reasons behind them.
"Say it, Jude, just say it..."
"It never happened, okay... It never happened..."
Determined this time to keep her trust, Tommy seized her shoulders and kissed her as passionately as he had all throughout last night, letting Jude feel his emotions- his love, his desire and his need. He felt her response, reciprocating all his feelings as the breath drained from both their bodies.
She drew back, resting her forehead thoughtfully against his. Her radiant face rendered further words unnecessary.
Taking her hand, they walked together back to the car.
Finally pulling up outside of G-Major, Tommy shut off the ignition and turned to look at his girl.
"What?" he asked Jude, seeing a question gleam in her blue orbs.
"Do you think you'll be able to concentrate today?" she said, laughing softly.
"On you? Definitely yes!"
"That's not what I mean and you know it." she replied, shaking her head. "You've got work to do, Quincy..."
"Me? How about you?"
"I get it easy. All I have to do is look at you and sing..."
"Yeah. Exactly how I like to inspire you." Tommy replied, smugly.
"But you've got to concentrate on the boards. On recording." Jude added, practically.
"I know." he replied seriously. "Don't worry. I'll manage."
"I'll have to." he thought. "Good that Quest will be there. Might really need a wing man on this one..."
Side by side, they entered Studio B. Quest already sat there, his feet propped up, reading "Solid" magazine.
"Hello, lovers" he quipped.
Jude's cheeks flushed, even as Tommy slapped his friend's hand.
"You play back the tape from last night?" he asked him.
"Yeah. This song's gonna kill! Jude, you really nailed it! But Tommy...' Quest shook his head.
"I know... not my best work... I was distracted..." he explained, as Jude stepped inside the recording booth.
"I gotcha. You know, Georgia was asking about you two this morning. Wondered when you'd be in and how this was going..."
"You didn't tell her..."
"About you two hooking up? No. Not my place. But about the song..." Quest paused.
Tommy looked at him, trying to deduce what was going on in his friend's mind.
"I got your back, man. Told her you two worked late last night, but that there was a problem with the controls. I "fixed" it this morning." Quest grinned.
"Thanks, man."
"No problem"
"Tommy?" Jude called "I'm ready!"
"Let's do this!"
Two hours later, Tommy and Quest exchanged the familiar handshake.
"Sonic perfection, man!"
"Boom!" Tom added, before flashing his trademark smile at the beautiful woman in the studio. Jude returned it, as his eyes steadied only on her.
Quest stood up. He endured their heat and sexual tension for the past two hours; it was more than long enough.
"I think that's my cue..." he said and left.
Jude removed her headphones and strolled over to Tommy.
"Well?" she asked, challengingly
His hands shot out and grabbed her wrists, tugging her forward. His arms caught her, directing her fall right into his lap, so he could meet her lips with his.
"Does this answer your question?" he whispered, between kisses.
"No. Not yet." she teased, returning her mouth to his.
"Sensational" he breathed, referring to more than just the song, then turning businesslike.
"Seriously. Really. I don't think you've ever done better. I think it's gonna be your biggest hit yet!"
"I think so too. I like it the best of all my songs."
"Me too, Jude. Me too."
"Biased, much?"
"Yeah." he agreed, kissing her yet again.
"So?" he added. "I made you a promise..."
"Two, actually." Jude reminded him.
"Yeah. Well, one's down. Your song's finished. Now on to the other. Where am I taking you tonight?"
"You really meant- anywhere I wanted?"
"Anywhere, girl. Just name it..." he offered, wanting their first date to be exactly what would make her happy.
"Well..." she began, suddenly shy. But she knew what she wanted, she had fantasized about it for years.
He tipped her chin upwards, meeting her eyes.
"Tell me" he gently insisted, curious.
"Well... it's a gorgeous day. I thought we'd go out to the lake..."
"Where I took you that first afternoon we worked alone together?" he easily remembered.
"Yeah. Take a picnic or something." Jude finished, waiting for his reaction. Would he think it was silly, childishly romantic?
"I love it." he quietly assured her.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Why not? You and me, all alone. On a blanket watching the stars..." he smiled suggestively. "I could definitely handle that."
"Much better than having to share you with a crowd of people." he mused silently.
"I like the way you think, girl." Tommy added.
"So, when can we leave?" she asked.
"Right now works for me."