Author's Note: Hey guys! I am absolutely thrilled with the reviews I have gotten. You guys are defnitely my pick me upper when life gets me down. What would I do without you? Smiles. My twin sister is home from out of state and things have been crazy. Okay, but enough about my drama, I have some great things coming for the story that I hope will keep you guys coming back for more. Things are heating up for Jude and Tommy, but will life intrude and become the bucket of water that cools them off fast? Once again, hugs and shout outs to you all. Please R&R, and most of all, just enjoy. Smiles.
"This is one hell of a time to make an appearance, Justine." Tom said with a frustrated growl as he met his alluring, yet evil wife halfway down the stairs. Justine just glanced up at him easily before looking over Tom's shoulder with a mixture of suspicion and irrevocable curiosity.
"I'm guessing there's no reason to question your tendency towards infidelity, is there Thomas?" She asked with a wry quirk of her brow as Tom leaned heavily against the railing with a bemused expression written across his features.
"I never thought that it was a question of infidelity or not, Justine. You were pretty good at pulling down your pants for anyone in the freakin' neighborhood as long as you got something out of it." Tom remarked smoothly as Justine shrugged as if the comment didn't faze her in the least.
"What can I say? It's the charm of womanhood. Wantonness can get you to incredible heights. But you know all about that don't you, Tom?" Justine asked as she took as step upwards toward Tom—grinning mischievously as she watched him take a very big, very audible step backwards away from her.
"I'm not interested in anything you're selling, Justine. Sign the papers I gave you and go home." Tom said in a menacing tone as Justine leaned in closer to him, bringing her mouth close enough to his ear that he felt the slight breeze from her breathing as she exhaled.
"Does she know the rest of your secrets, Tom? Is love really strong enough to conquer all?" Justine whispered ferociously watching in satisfaction as Tom winced at the accusation. Backing away with little bravado, Justine threw her arms up in the air as she stepped toward the front door.
"Because, all in all, I don't think it is." Justine said with a wry shake of her head as she walked over to a candy dish sitting near the entrance—grabbing a piece of peppermint and popping it prettily into her mouth before waving nonchalantly at Tom and stomping out the door.
"Ta Ta." She murmured as the door slammed behind her—leaving a harried looking Tom Quincy still standing on the stairs glaring at the back of the door with an unreadable expression etched across his features. Finally, he blinked—turning with slow deliberation back towards his bedroom only to stop in mid-stride when he found himself staring up at a terry cloth wrapped Jude Harrison leaning over the railing above, her eyes a mixture of emotions swirling in incongruous waves as her wet curls fell somewhat in front of her face—hiding most of her feelings away. Neither said anything. They just stared as thoughts ran like a train wreck through Tom's head. There were so many things that time just couldn't erase—the pain for him was still too very real.
A loud 'click' from behind him made Tom turn suddenly to see Sadie entering the house balancing a ton of bags over each shoulder.
"I brought real clothes for Jude and I to wear, courtesy of G Majors Studio." Sadie said with a happy smile as she paused suddenly at her first glance at Tom's frowning face. It was time to push his emotions aside again. He had gotten damn good at that over the years so he looked back at Sadie and did the one thing he knew would keep her from asking questions—he smiled before turning to look upward again only to find that the spot where Jude had been standing before was now empty.