I woke up the next morning to the feel of Tommy's warm body pressed firmly against the back of mine, and I sighed in contentment although my heart hurt so very much more now than it had before. We had surpassed that portal of frustrated bickering and moved straight into the world of emotional attachment. My heart felt way too big for my chest, and I was terrified that Tommy would wake up and go "what the hell have I done?" I knew I couldn't handle it if he did. The soreness in my body revealed the newness of the whole situation and I snuggled back against Tommy so that his warmth would make me forget my worries. I felt him stir behind me, and I twisted warily around to find myself staring into his very groggy face. He noticed my look and smiled gently at me.

"Hey." He whispered before tugging tenderly on a strand of my hair and pushing it behind my ear. He leaned over to kiss one of my bare shoulders blowing on it softly as he did. I shivered at the gesture as shards of light filtered in from the window illuminating Tommy's face and I almost sighed at the surrealness of it.

"Are you alright?" He asked softly as I shrugged nonchalantly suddenly uncomfortable with our situation in the bright morning light—not because of what had happened but because I was afraid of having disappointed him.

"Does being sore count?" I asked quietly watching as a smile spread warmly over his face.

"After the first time, it certainly counts." He replied with utter conviction before running his fingers along my spine and pulling me towards him gently. I let myself fall into his embrace although I felt vulnerable and raw. I gazed up into his eyes craving the one thing that I knew would ease the uneasiness I felt now. I had given myself to him—something I could never do for anyone else. I think he must have known how vulnerable I was—the emotional support I needed because he lifted my chin up with his fingers, placed a feather soft kiss against my lips, and whispered "I love you, Jude." And it was then that I felt my whole world explode. I hadn't realized how much I needed to hear him say it until he did. I stared into his face about to say something witty to lighten the mood when the phone suddenly rang startling both of us from our reveries. I stared at the phone a moment almost as if I couldn't comprehend this technological torture device created to bring me back into the world of reality. I still hadn't confronted that terrible question—What happens once we walk out of this room? It was on the fourth ring before I finally got the nerve up to pick up the receiver.

"Hello." I said in a husky tone relieved that my voice still had that dry sound to it that it always had early in the morning.

"Jude, my girl! It's time to get up and moving. I've talked to your doctor and he's okay'd it for you to return to our touring schedule so let's get that lovely behind of yours down to the studio." Darius said from the other end a little too cheerily for my comfort. I glanced back at Tommy with a frown before looking once again at the receiver.

"No problem, D. It'll be good to get back to business. Give me about two hours. I'm having more problems getting around with the cracked rib." I said, letting the lie slide easily off my tongue as I watched amusement dance through Tommy's eyes. It was then that Tom's cell phone went off somewhere inside his blue jeans pocket which was thrown haphazardly on the bedroom floor. Tommy dove for it as Darius grew quiet on the other line.

"I could have sworn I heard Tommy's ring tone just then." Darius said slowly as I glanced at Tom warily.

"Um…you did." I answered easily. "When we ran into each other last night, I picked up his cell phone instead of mine. I intended to switch back with him sometime today." I fibbed as I twiddled nervously with the phone cord. The room had gotten quiet behind me, and I just knew that Tom was beginning to regret our actions. Boy, was I wrong. I suddenly felt the receiver being pulled gently out of my hands and I desperately grabbed for it as Tom placed it up to his ear.

"Good morning, D. Jude and I will be ready in about an hour. Expect us there about a half hour after that." He remarked smoothly before hanging up the receiver and turning to me knowingly.

"I know what you were thinking when you lied to him, Jude." Tommy said softly. "But I also know what it was to you to share what you did with me last night. That took courage, respect, and a hell of a lot more commitment that I have ever put into anything in my life. I won't lie about what happened, I won't pretend that it didn't occur, I won't, no, I can't pretend that you're nothing to me anymore. I don't have that much will power." He said steadfastly as I gazed at him in shock.

"Your job…?" I began pathetically as he cut me off with a chuckle.

"Is secure." He finished with finality as I watched him move toward me slowly. "Darius needs me as a producer—not just because I am pretty good at what I do but because he needs the name that comes with me. My past as a part of Boyz Attack brings prestige to the company and he knows that. I won't lose my job, Jude. As for everyone else. We'll have to take it one step at time." He finished encouragingly before handing me his shirt. I slid it onto my body and buttoned it on the front before getting out of bed to gather up some things for a shower. It was going to be a long day. Tommy was leaving in a week to return to Toronto to produce other artists coming in and I had a tour to get back on board for. But until then, I intended to make as much of this week as I could. Tom kicked me from behind gently as I opened the bathroom door.

"Never looked better, Harrison." He remarked teasingly as I threw him as seductive a glance as I could before starting to close the bathroom door. He put a hand on the wood, lifting an eyebrow as he went. Before I knew it, he had brushed past me and turned on the showerhead. I looked over at him nervously.

"What are you doing, Quincy?" I stuttered as he chuckled softly.

"I did tell Darius over an hour, and I know how fast you dress, Jude. So it looks like we're sharing the bathroom." He said jokingly knowing good and well that it took him longer to get dressed than it did me. I smiled at him as I sauntered the rest of the way into the room. I was new to this intimacy thing, but I had a feeling this was a big step for Tom to. Something told me he didn't take relationships much beyond sex, but I could tell he was really trying to do so much more than that for me.

"Guess we better get moving then." I remarked matter-of-factly before shutting the door soundly.