I climbed back into bed with Chris that night with my thoughts roiling like the rapids of a raging river right before it falls over the edge of a cliff. Why was I letting him get to me? Chris rolled over then, spooning against me as his arm fell over my waist and I sighed. I really did care about him—a lot. And he was seriously everything a girl could want right down to his tan muscled abs and arms. So why wasn't my mind focused on him right now? The digital clock across from my face on the bedside table read 4:00 a.m., and I finally drifted off the sleep as it flipped over to 4:01 only to awaken again a couple of hours later by the sound of Chris's groggy voice.
"Phone for you." He stated in a hoarse whisper as I glanced blurry eyed at the receiver he held out to me. What the hell?
"Hello." I said slowly as I tried sitting up in the bed only to find Chris's arm still pinned to my waist. He groaned as he turned over, and I ran a hand through his hair as I smiled down at him fondly.
"You're late." A voice said in mild irritation and I turned quickly away from the bed as I realized it was Tom. The clock on the table read. 7:50. Oh, geez! I sighed.
"Technically, I still have ten minutes." I replied in a low voice as Tommy practically growled from the other end.
"That's not enough time to get dressed and get down here by eight, Jude." Tommy muttered as the clock flipped over to 7:51.
"Not if I sit here continuing to talk to you, it's not." I stated wryly as I climbed out of the bed—looking for the jeans I had taken off the night before right before climbing into bed. I finally gave up the search—grabbing a pair out of the drawer instead. It's a good thing I had showered upon return last night—feeling the need to wash him off of me as if doing so would make me feel less guilty about thinking of him. I noticed Chris watching me from the bed as I hopped into the jeans while trying to hold the cordless phone at the same time.
"I'll bet you the first cup of coffee you can't make it in the next seven minutes." Tommy stated on a chuckle from the other end. I just grinned at the receiver—turning away from Chris as he watched my expressions curiously.
"I'll take that bet and raise you the second cup." I stated with a smile as Tommy laughed.
"Getting bold aren't we, Harrison?" Tommy asked as I glared at the phone. Leave it to him to make me feel like I was doing something indecent just by talking to him.
"Five minutes, and I'll be there buster." I said in a rush as I clicked off the phone and threw it on the bed before digging frantically for a shirt. Screw makeup. I had a bet to win.
"You're in an awful hurry, aren't you, Sassy?" Chris asked quietly from the bed as I shrugged before pulling on a red v-neck sweater while trying to convince myself that I was not wearing this particular shirt just to flash my boobs at Tom.
"I was supposed to be there at eight." I explained vaguely as Chris lifted a wary brow.
"Yes, but isn't it Darius's job to call you when you're not there on time?" Chris asked as I just stopped long enough to kiss him and grab my keys.
"Darius asked him to call, Chris." I stated simply as he smiled at me before shaking his head resolutely.
"Go win that cup of coffee. God knows you need it in the morning." Chris said on a laugh as I smiled over at him—missing the frown that suddenly marred his features when I turned toward the door.
"See you at one." I called out to him as I left—running down the stairs at breakneck speed before rushing into my car and speeding out of the parking lot. I reached the studio four minutes later—holding my hands up in victory at a smiling Tom Quincy as I climbed out of the car. He just shook his head in amusement.
"Amazing." He uttered before producing a cup of Starbucks coffee from behind his back. No way! It was even French Vanilla---my favorite flavor. Then why did I feel horrible for accepting it?
