Chapter 11
"I'm really glad you decided to go out with me again, tonight," David told Jude with a smile, taking her hand in his to caress her palm with his thumb. His eyes were full of hope, making her wonder not the first time if he had fallen in love with her. After all, he had been the one asking her out. Although – he had reasoned that they were just a really good fit!
If he had indeed developed feelings, she'd only feel worse. Jude stared at the gesture intensely. 'Feel sparks,' she ordered herself over and over again, so hard that she was starting to get frustrated. 'Come on, fall in love with him!' How hard could it be, right? David was a very nice-looking guy, funny and interesting, easy to spend time with and he was a very attentive man. Something Tommy rarely ever was! If it didn't involve tits or cars, he'd not notice! Although, when they were writing songs, he was very fixated on her. Damn, she cursed inwardly. She had promised herself not to think of him! 'Concentrate on David,' she once more chided herself.
She had no idea what David had just told her, but from the looks of it, he expected an answer. "Ha ha," she played the amused, hoping dearly he had made a joke, "that's really funny!" That had better been a funny story!
"Actually," he remarked, looking weirdly irritated, "my dead uncle wouldn't agree…"
Jude paled, and her face took an extremely apologetic shade. "I'm so sorry! I…didn't listen."
"I figured," he said, grinning. "Just kidding. No dead uncle!"
Jude sighed, and slapped his shoulder playfully. "It's just…I had this very weird and long and exhausting day and…" While she struggled for the right words that would cue him to end their date early, she blanched abruptly upon seeing who had just entered. "He's got to be kidding me!"
David, confused, followed Jude's blazing stare. "What's he doing here?"
"Annoying me," Jude growled. She stood up, and meekly smiled at David. "I'll be right back. Excuse me for just one moment." Once said, she quickly walked towards Tom Quincy, who had already noticed her. He had a smug smile on his lips. Next to him was what Jude considered his candy of the week. A redhead. Was he mocking her?
When she reached him, she seethed, "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Enjoying the atmosphere while having a delightful conversation with Julia," he spoke, almost innocently. As if he had not the slightest bit of an idea why she could possibly be mad at him. "And you?"
"Julia?" Jude ignored his question and looked at the twenty-something year old woman at his side, before shaking her head condemning. "Is that your real name?" she wondered, "or did he suggest you'd call yourself something with a 'J'?"
Tommy snorted, hearing that. "Jude, you're being crazy. You think I make girls change their names?" Damn, how did she know that? But for the life of him, he couldn't remember that redhead's real name! Something like Shelly? Mary? He was sure there was a 'y' in it somewhere!
The woman looked startled. "He's…"
"She walked by my car this morning, and I just couldn't get over her. I must say I really am starting to develop a liking for red hair! Doesn't she look gorgeous?" Tommy asked Jude with a twinkling in his eyes. "Like a wildcat with a sense for sensuality. She reminds me of a girl I used to know. She also had red hair."
"All harlots do, so I've been told." Jude pulled on Tommy's arm and dragged him away from Julia. "Leave!"
"No."
"Please," she sighed.
"No." He was enjoying this.
Jude took a very deep, very long breath. "How much will it cost for you to leave?" She was resolved to have the time of her life. To have the date of her life! The thought of leaving the restaurant and ending the night instantly slipped from her mind.
"A kiss," he whispered, leaning close to her.
Jude leaned closer, not the least bit surprised by his suggestion. Honestly, she had expected worse of him. "How about a fist in your face?"
"How about my hands in your pants?" There was worse. He winked at her.
Jude's face immediately enflamed, and she stumbled backwards, away from him. "I could report you for sexual harassment," she threatened, wondering if the food had made her legs so mushy. It certainly wasn't Tommy!
"Why should you," he asked, his hand darting out to reach for hers. "You like what I'm doing." His fingers gently curled around hers, and his thumb traced slow, soft circles in her palm, which had Jude on the verge of a pant. Why wasn't she pulling away from him? The thumb trailed from the palm towards the index finger, tenderly stroking up and down the length of it. Jude desperately tried not to sigh. It'd only make him believe she liked what he was doing. She didn't! Somewhere, she remembered reading that a fingertip was the home of a million nerve endings, and right then she could sense them all tingling happily. His thumb traveled further, towards the middle finger, repeating his actions. Heat rose between her legs, and she wondered with not so mild interest what would happen once he reached her pinky.
"Jude?"
She hastily pulled away from Tommy. "David! Hey! We're having a date," she stated, rather reminding herself. "Let's go back to it. Tommy was just about to-"
"Join you," he finished.
"That's too bad," David spoke up, seeing the blush on Jude's face and how uncomfortably she felt. "We were about to leave. See you around." Taking Jude's hand in his, David led her out of the restaurant. She didn't look up once.
At the car, he opened the door for her. "Jude?"
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry! So very, very sorry! He's doing this to annoy me, and I know I should just ignore him but I can't. I'm trying, I really am!"
"I know," he assured. "You're never allowing him back into your heart," he exclaimed with more sincerity than Jude had ever felt herself. "Let's have another date tomorrow, without him."
"I'd love that." She would, she hoped.
"Now that 'are you happy now' is done, I want a new song. It's been weeks since your single hit the store and it's still number one. That means the new song has to be nothing less of spectacular." Darius smiled at Jude. "I know you'll handle."
"Sure," Jude agreed, sarcastically. "Nothing easier than writing a number one-hit!"
"That's what I thought," he said seriously, dismissing her.
Arms were crossed in front of her, her head resting upon them. She was tired from all those dates, and from trying so hard to fall for David. Still no sparks, aside from some intense kisses and a little bit of heat in the pit of her stomach. Though honestly, she couldn't help but wonder if there didn't used to be more heat. And as if all that wasn't enough, now she had another number one-hit to write. Easy! Especially since she already had so many of them! She groaned soundly and decided to take another few minutes of solitude, since neither Kwest nor Tommy had shown up in the studio yet. They'd find her eventually, she figured, after all she was sitting in studio A. Slowly her mind drifted off, and a soothing emptiness filled her lately so chaotic head.
Jude wasn't sure whether she was dreaming or not, but she was sure that she was enjoying what was happening. It felt like soft fingertips were dancing up her spine and then down again, leaving a nice, tingly sensation behind. The pressure deepened, and she moaned when warm palms stroked over her shoulder blades. Maybe there was a crazed fan behind her, or a killer and she was only minutes away from dying a horrible, headlines-causing death, but Jude couldn't care less. Those magic hands were worth dying for. She arched, and stretched, purred even when they reached the small of her back, softly spreading warmth while relaxing her muscles. It felt so amazing, so nice, so…yes – even a tiny little bit arousing. "Mmhhh…" she moaned, allowing a smile to grow on her face.
One hand left her back, but the other made up for the loss, waltzing perfectly up the curve of her back. Then the other returned, brushing hair from one shoulder to another. And then suddenly, there were lips. Hot, soft, and gentle lips that placed tiny little, very wicked kisses down her nape. She hoped she was dreaming, otherwise she was sure she'd be in some twisted situation. If she could just bring herself to care!
A warm cheek pressed against her own, the littlest bit stubbly, but Jude liked the rough contrast towards the very sweet massage her back was still receiving. "You like this?" the distinctively well-smelling male behind her asked, his voice husky and familiar. She refused to put a name to that voice — one she recognized immediately — because then she'd have to end it and jump up and maybe even yell a little. Instead, she played the unaware just a moment longer, and agreed. "Very much…"
Lips kissed her cheek lingeringly, before trailing towards her jaw-line. She wanted this to be a dream so badly. Then she could enjoy this more, then she could open her eyes and smile at the man behind her and tell him to do what he did with his hands once more, but below her shirt and on her naked skin instead. But, she was increasingly aware how little a dream this was. The things she was experiencing were just too deep. Just another moment, she told herself. Then she'd snap at him and call him an idiot. Then she'd pretend she hated what he was doing, instead of — oh what the hell, yes she did love what he was doing. Damn, that guy had gifted hands! That didn't mean she loved him. She'd never do that! Never! "More…"
There were a chuckle and vibrations against her neck, and then there were fingertips daring their way below her shirt. Oh, now it really was time to end this – Jude knew. She'd do it now. Right now! She'd do it in a second… Rough pads traced idle figures on her lower back, causing Jude to arch again, almost pressing against his hands. The tip of his tongue darted out, licking the sensitive skin just below her earlobe, and she smiled widely in approval and appreciation. Another, little sigh. He became more daring, and his hands darted higher, up her waist, softly stroking her, then the tips of his index fingers brushed along the very edge of her bra, and once again, Jude got ready to object, to end this. Just one more second…
His teeth nibbled sensually on her earlobe, biting down just gently enough for her to start tingling everywhere. Heat rose fast between her legs, and she wanted to shift so badly, but she didn't dare. She hated what he was doing, or at least she should! His scorching mouth ventured from her ear down her cheek towards her lips. He sweetly, innocently kissed the corners, then a little more of those plum rosy curves, and then she gave up and turned her head just enough for her mouth to meet his fully. He stepped forward, his hands reaching for her arms and he pulled her off the chair; off the soundboard she half rested on. She came willingly, allowing him to push her against said soundboard and take her lips in a stormy lip lock, completely unknown to her. Had she not kissed David in any way already? How was it that the man she still stubbornly refused to name, even in her mind, could take her to new limits? His tongue licked the depths of her mouth in a wonderfully tantalizing way, making her reply without a single thought of hesitation. Arms tugged him closer, the heat of their bodies mingled and she moaned into his mouth. Pulling herself up against him, Jude let him place her up the soundboard, his hands roving up and down her thighs.
How grateful she was to have worn a skirt that day. Jeans wouldn't have offered the same experience. She had done almost the same before, a heated make out session on the verge of becoming so much more and yet here she was, feeling like she had never felt before. "More," she moaned when his lips left hers, wandering back to her neck, this time suckling harder. "Oh…" Her eyes were tightly shut; her lips curled upwards in delight. Her nails dug into her admirer's back. She felt his arousal pressing urgently against her center. The rough denim of his jeans must feel like a torturous prison to him, but she loved the friction they created. Angling her hips, she rubbed herself along his bulge, and he let out a keen growl. She loved it. She rolled her hips harder, flames of increasing heat spreading through her. One of his hands slipped below her short skirt, and he began to play with the material of her panties just below the hipbone. The flimsy lace was barely a barrier. She didn't stop him and wondered if she were even able to. Did she have that much strength — mentally, not physically? Teeth captured her lower lips and she opened her mouth to his lush tongue once more, while his other hand reached below her left leg, lifting it over his arm. This time his mouth traveled faster, kissing down her throat, then her shirt-covered breasts, giving each aroused nipple a nearly ruthless kiss, while his other hand pulled her other leg over his arm. She shuddered, unable to control her actions any longer. Need ruled her body and he was just as lost in it. His nose dug into her belly button; her shirt had risen up that far. Jude's back now lay on the soundboard, not minding the buttons that pressed harshly into her back. His mouth drifted lower and lower and—
"STOP!"
Oh great, Jude thought, trying her best to catch her breath. Just when it promised to be getting really good! She gasped for air, and her mind collected its thoughts. She'd have to pretend to hate him, now. Here it goes…
"Tommy," Jude barked, pushing him backwards and ignoring whoever had ended their moment, "how could you! I thought you were David," she kept yelling, straightening her clothes, occasionally slapping his shoulder. "I hate you," she told him, much less convincing than she had at other times!
"Oh you knew exactly it was me," he hissed, adjusting his own clothes. When she went to slap his shoulder again, he caught her hand mid-air. "Stop that! You knew it—"
"STOP!" Someone called again.
Both Tommy and Jude turned to take a look at the person in the door. It was Kwest. "I don't want to know why you two did what you did, but you almost delivered the whole office a stunning show!" Kwest had seen everyone in the office gaping through the glass door of studio And when he had entered and when he had finally made his way through the mass, he had seen in shock to see what Tommy had been about to do. It that sure wasn't something for everyone to see!
Jude realized now too, and paled. Panic overcame her, and this time the reasons for her lack of air were anything but pleasant. "Oh God," she whispered in shock, "oh God…"
"Jude," Tommy loudly said, trying to get her to calm down. He cupped her face gently, looking at her in concern but she pushed him away once more. And then she hurried out of the studio.
Kwest glared at Tommy once they were alone. "What the hell were you thinking? This is Jude!"
"I know!" He snapped back, surprising even himself by his sudden attitude. Truth was the whole moment with Jude would have never happened, if she were someone else. Only she could make him lose his mind with a simple moan. The second she had sighed, admitting her delight, he had been unable to stop anymore. Everything she did, her sounds, her gestures, the way her eyes squeezed shut or how her lips parted ever so slightly — it all had been too much for him to resist. He didn't know how to, for he had never had to resist anyone. Usually, he was the one making everyone else lose control.
He sat down and sighed, rubbing his face with his hands. "You think I wanted this? It started all so innocently, and suddenly I was…" Eyes closed, blocking out images of her beneath his hands. "She's driving me insane!"
Kwest wanted to yell more, wanted to tell him to be a grown up, but he couldn't. He saw Tommy's misery and believed him when he said he felt helpless. He sat down too, and smirked. "Maybe we should get some blinds in here."
Tommy looked up at him, appreciating the attempt to lighten the mood. He still felt like an ass, though. "I need to talk to her."
Kwest nodded in agreement.
Tommy opened the backdoor of G-Major, finding Jude as expected on the staircase, staring out into the open. He tended to forget how young she still was, and that she wasn't used to the whole office staring at her for having nearly gotten some oral attention in front of everyone. As pathetic as it was, he was used to that. Those years were over however, and even he could imagine nicer things nowadays.
From the way her shoulders were heaving, and from the sniffles that he heard coming from her, he was convinced she was crying. Half afraid she'd blame him for all of it, no matter how much she had enjoyed it herself, he walked towards her and placed an arm around her shoulder. "I didn't mean for things to go that far," he tried, sounding regretful. He wondered if he really was. Yes, they had crossed lines and yes, the place for that was a poor choice indeed, but he had liked kissing her and, even more, he'd have loved doing what he had been stopped from. Pushing those thoughts off his mind, he placed another hand on her chin and tilted her face towards him. "Hey…" he softly spoke, wiping small tears from her cheek.
Jude just stared at him, and while he wondered if she was considering replying with physical pain, or just a good old lecture about not bringing her into those situations, laughter bubbled from her and he realized with astonishment that she wasn't crying but simply laughing too hard and that the tears were from that. "What…" he asked, not understanding. "Why…?"
"I can't believe I did what I did," she admitted between giggles. "I nearly allowed you to…uh…"
"Lick you," he finished smugly and shamefully at the same time, if that was even possible. His bluntness returned quickly. He still felt guilty but if she wasn't going to push for an apology, he sure wouldn't offer one. He'd rather offer a time to continue. Lately, he had found it interesting to test out how far he could go and how bold he could speak before she'd take offense, or simply blush. She didn't blush quite that often anymore, despite doing it now. He thought that she looked cute with those rosy cheeks. "I'd have enjoyed that."
Jude looked away, busying herself with a curl of her hair. "Yeah…uh…" She didn't see his cocky grin, and he had a feeling it was better that way. "But," she continued, "what happened won't change a thing. I did believe you were David," she lied, "and although I can't deny there was some…niceness…in the kiss we just shared, I still won't change my mind about dating you. I don't even know why you want to date me."
"Was that a question," he wondered. "Because all I can give you as an answer is that I just do want to date you. You're funny, beautiful, and I like spending my time with you."
"Usually, that's what friends do, so why dating?"
"Did I mention you're funny and beautiful?"
Jude snorted. "I know. I'm also sexy, famous, and blond. That aside, my butt looks good in a skirt and my legs longer when I'm wearing heels. You find those sort of looks in a whole lot of girls, and if she's not amusing enough, there's a website full of jokes I could highly recommend."
He chuckled, finding that in this very moment he was completely content, even happy. He could spend hours bickering with Jude, not getting bored for a single second. "I only want those qualities in combination with you."
"That's sweet," she dryly replied, "but stupid. Why are you wasting your time with me?"
"It's not wasting time," he stated a little more firmly than he had intended.
Jude sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. She still didn't look at him, but stared over the banister into the open. "You say you're not in love with me. So, are you really just trying to win this…what is it…a challenge of dating me to win over David? What – I mean, are you planning on bragging about winning our bet, should you win? I don't get it, Tommy. Why do you want to date me? Two months ago, you couldn't get your lips far enough away from mine!"
"I want you," he replied, changing the meaning of words. Almost staring at her, needing her to believe him, he professed, "I want you so badly that I don't even know how to stop wanting you. And," he continued after a long pause, "there's never been nothing between you and me. I know I wasn't…" He searched for the right word, not wanting to give her the opportunity of twisting its meaning again. "I never just saw you as a friend. And don't deny there are sparks between us! I don't know what changed," he admitted, "all I know is that something has changed and I am here, willing to date you!"
Now Jude stared at him. "Oh God! How desperate are you?"
"What?" He had rarely been that dumbfounded.
"There's never been nothing between you and me? Is that your way of telling me you have all of sudden fallen in love with me? Or did it just now occurred to you that you've always been deeply in love with me?" Her voice rose to an angry level. "I can't believe you'd tell me that you've fallen for me, just so that you can date me and with that annoy David!"
Tommy looked at Jude, confused and helpless. That wasn't at all what he had meant to say. But then again, what had he meant to say? "I… It…"
Jude cut his attempt to reply short. "I'm going inside now, and if you don't mind, I'd appreciate it if you did, too. There's a song I need to write and I'm having plans with David tonight."
"What plans?"
"He's coming over tonight. Mom will be out for the night an— Damn! Why am I telling you," she asked herself audibly. "Never mind, I want to leave in time so can we please go inside?"
"Sure," he agreed, suddenly smiling charmingly. Jude looked at him suspiciously, but just went ahead while Tommy trailed closely behind. He inwardly chuckled. She didn't really believe he'd allow her to be alone with her 'boyfriend' the whole evening, maybe even night, did she? That'd be plain stupid. Oh no! He'd be there, too! Hell, he was! And while he tried to find a somewhat plausible excuse for him to show up at Jude's place tonight, he figured he could simultaneously spare a short amount of time to think about why he really did want to date her…
Jude sat in Tommy's car and grumbled curses under her breath. "I can't believe someone stole one of my starting plugs! I get the glorious opportunity to drive my dad's car this week, since he's out of town, and someone steels the plug? Why?" She looked at Tommy completely irritated. "I forgot to lock the car! They could have taken the whole car but no – just a plug?"
Tommy shrugged innocently. "Weird world we're living in!" He wanted to lecture her on the importance of locking cars, and more importantly, ask her if she had ever dared to let his car unlocked during the many — or one time that she had driven it without him, but figured he was currently in no position to lecture someone about the rights and wrongs, given the fact that there was a stolen starting plug somewhere in the trunk of his car. "Hey, you know I'll always drive you. All you have to do is ask!"
"Yeah, thanks for driving me home." Then, her expression changed, and her eyes darkened. Not in a good way, he concluded for himself. Jude shifted in her seat, trying to get a closer look at him, which began to rattle him.
"What," he demanded self-consciously, not liking her stare.
Jude's eyes grew smaller, as if she was trying to come up with a good reason to rip his head off. "Just…" She bit her lower lip in a contemplating manner. "Why were you at the studio so long? Kwest was already gone. You told me you were done with all your paper work! And, you had a suspiciously long bathroom break about an hour before you called it quits for the day."
He quickly smiled, flirtatiously. "Jude Harrison, do you think I had ulterior motives for staying longer? I was caught up in a talk with one of the interns. And why I am in the bathroom, and especially for how long, really isn't any of your business, unless you're in the stall with me, legs spread and moaning." He hoped some bold comeback would make her lose her suspicion. The plan failed.
"Tom Quincy! Did you steal my starting plug?" She asked rhetorically. "I knew it was too strange! I should have known it was you!" She muttered several more things under her breath, before he halted the car and found her staring questioningly at him, once more. He sighed. "You're home."
"Oh," she said, quickly undoing the belt and then hurrying out of the car. She had not noticed the arrival at her home while she was mentally quartering Tommy. To her shock, he followed her. Jude stopped and watched him angrily. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Coming inside with you," he told her complacently. So what, he did steel her plug. Was she really that shocked, he wondered? He had done worse! "And aside, your mother expects me." Yes, he had done worse.
"She what," Jude asked but was interrupted by Victoria, hurrying out of the house, luggage in hand.
"Oh thank God, Tommy. You're my lifesaver! After you informed me that Jude planned on having David over for the night, I really considered canceling. But that work meeting is really important. Sadie is staying out of house, too!" She was scheduled to lead a real estate meeting in Montreal. "You're being a good chaperone, I'm sure. After all, you're a Casanova and know what to look out for."
Tommy smiled, somewhat proud, though the compliment wasn't of the normal kind. "I'll be having the time of my life playing chaperone tonight," he enthusiastically affirmed, wrapping an arm around Jude's stiff shoulder, ignoring the hatred "Ass!" she hissed.
"Have fun, Mrs. Harrison," he called after her, watching her enter the cab and then drive off.
Jude waved behind the car, rolling her eyes. "Bye mom, thanks for telling me goodbye…" Then she turned to Tommy and shoved him away from her. "I hate you guts," she seethed.
"I know, baby." He cockily countered. "I'll have at least twelve hours to make you change your mind!"
"David will be here any second, and then I'm going to kick you out, even if I have to call the police. Or worse, my Dad."
"He's out of town, too. You told me before."
Jude winced, mentally cursing. "Well, David is taller and stronger than you. He'll kick you out in no time," she assured victoriously.
"Au contraire," he delivered in his finest French. "David just happens to have this legal issue…" Good thing he never deleted Laura's phone number. Occasionally it did come in handy to know one's opponent's lawyer. Especially if she had something to make up for!
"What legal issue," Jude barked, getting annoyed.
"Some minor problem with his apartment. Don't worry about the details." When Jude's cell went off, he smirked. "Ten bucks that's him, canceling." He winked at her, before swaggering off towards the door, letting himself inside.
Jude glared after him, spitting fire. It was indeed David, canceling…
Jude's arms were crossed, her eyes firmly aimed to the TV and a bag of chips was resting on her lap, untouched. She didn't plan on eating them anytime soon, but she wanted them to rest there. She didn't know why. She just did. Tommy was sitting next to her, looking at those chips.
"Are you going to eat them?" he wondered, mild hunger being the reason. His hand drifted towards the bag, testing if she'd object. It was two hours since he had arrived with Jude, and she yet had to talk to him. Admittedly, he was surprised she could be silent for so long, especially given the fact that she was clearly mad at him. Her eyes drifted from the TV screen towards his moving hands. She his movements like a hawk. He inched closer to the bag of unhealthy food. He could give in, be the bigger person, admit defeat, and tell that Laura was deliberately keeping David busy with legal stuff for the rest of the night, or until he'd call. He could tell her he wouldn't mind calling, so that David was free and able to come over. But, that would be a lie. And he had promised Jude that he'd never lie to her again. Too bad, wasn't it? The very tip of his index finger was only half an inch away from the bag, and he could almost feel it.
"Move an increment further," she warned dryly, "And I'll make sure you won't have any teeth left to eat those chips."
She was speaking again. He took that as a good sign, ignored her threat, and grinned. "You're smaller than I am. And less strong." He finally wrapped his fingers around the desired bag, although by now it wasn't about the chips anymore, but only about teasing Jude.
Silence returned. He sighed heavily, munching the food when suddenly, like a scalded cat, she attacked him, or rather tried. Straddling him rather accidentally, Jude tried her best to wrap long slender fingers around his neck, half glaring at him, half grunting. "Whoa," he laughed, easily able to stop her and gain a hold of her fists. "Keep it down, Tiger!"
She was still sitting on top of him, blue eyes fiercely staring him down. "I hate you."
He barely reacted, knowing she didn't mean that. Well, he was pretty sure she didn't mean that. "For what? Stealing food?" He mocked her. "Should have seen that coming…"
"Ugh," Jude groaned, wiggling in his lap to get off him, but he had a strong hold on her fists, and she wasn't trying that hard to free herself. "Why on earth are you here, Tommy?" She stopped moving and relaxed, finding it rather comfortable on his very firm thighs. She wondered if he worked out.
Hands loosened around her wrists, but she made no attempt to let them slip out of his hold, so he kept them there. He also found himself very grateful that she had stopped squirming. She was close to a particular, very receptive part of his anatomy and if she tried to kill him over a bag of chips, he feared to find out what she'd do once she saw his hard-on. He did like the occasional rougher ride with a woman, but an infuriated Jude Harrison? He needed that certain part and wasn't willing to risk damage! "Did you expect me to stay home and away, while you'd spend the night with David alone? Here?" Incredulousness spoke from him.
She pulled her hands free, placing them in front of her, playing absentmindedly with the buttons of his shirt. It seemed to him that she was completely unaware of how intimate that gesture was, or of how much he liked to have her be so close. "You're not in love with me," she reminded him again, repeating what she had repeated before, already. "And before I went on tour, you treated me as if I had the plague!"
"No," he protested, softly cupping her sad face with his hands. "No, I didn't."
Looking at him, she allowed him to see her turmoiled thoughts. "Yes, you did. You were still my friend, but you hardly wanted to sit next to me anymore. I'm not trying to make you feel bad. I understand why you did it. You probably felt sorry about the whole Sadie-thing. It's okay. I just want you to know that I notice when your behavior towards me changes. And before David you didn't do all those things, like kissing me, or all those other things. I mean, you did it – but…now I feel as though you have other intentions while doing that. I can't even explain it," she admitted. Her voice was low, nearly whispering. "Why are you here?"
"Because I can't stand the thought of him and you, alone." He spoke just as quiet, not needing to raise his voice the slightest bit. She was close enough to feel his breathing, warm soft puffs of air fanning her face. "I want you." Somewhere between last spring and now, between deciding against Jude and this moment, he had stopped being afraid of what he might do if he got too close to her. He had never not wanted her, but he had also never admitted to wanting her. Now, he could hardly hide the fact any longer.
"It's not enough," she announced, disappointing him visibly. Jude scooted back to her seat on the couch, took the remote and changed the channel. She wasn't even looking TV; she just needed something to do.
"What else do you want," he asked, unable to let go.
Sighing, she smiled, only a little. If she wanted him to understand, she knew she had to be very clear. "You know what I want. I want to hear that you can't imagine your life without me anymore, Tommy. I want you to fall so hard for me that you can't spend a moment not thinking about me. If you had to choose between all the money that you have, and me, I want you to not hesitate for even a split second saying it's me you want. And, I want you to do all those things knowing I don't feel the same. I want you to risk a broken heart for the very unlikely chance to ever have me. Wanting me naked in the sheets simply isn't enough! I got my heart broken, Tommy. More than once. I will not allow that to happen again."
"You never slept with him, did you?" He had always assumed she hadn't, but fear had remained, given all her remarks. Now he knew. "You couldn't have possibly slept with him. Not if you refuse to get hurt again."
"So," she wondered tiredly. "Sex and emotions don't always go hand in hand. It's not like you care for the latter."
"I do care." He was sincere, pleading for her to understand. "You ask for too much, Jude. I was married and I never even said those things to Portia!"
"I never said I'd expect to hear those words coming from you. That's the point, Tommy. I'm trying to tell you I've given up. I moved on. That's the very reason I am with David. I don't wait for you." Jude felt her heart getting heavy with sadness. She had never before spoken it out so resolutely. "You should go. If it's any consolation, I won't call David."
He didn't fight her. Instead, he left with no further word, not knowing what else there was to be said. Everything inside him felt out of place. He had never believed he stood so little of a chance with her. Yes, he knew her trust in him was broken, and he knew she was still hurting over the fact that he dated her sister, and yet he had always believed that the moment he admitted he was in love with her, she'd be his. Was he in love with her? Could he admit to it? Did it even matter?
Chapter 12
Jude walked into G-Major, after a week of staying away and pretending to be sick. She had attended school, and occasionally David had come over, but Jude had never told him about her evening with Tommy, or the bet that she wasn't sure was still on. When she entered the lobby, all eyes were on her and she felt increasingly self-conscious. Her steps quickened and she emitted a long breath of relief as she finally entered studio A, hastily closing the door behind her.
Tommy looked up, and Jude ignored the urge to leave the room right away again. It was either this and him, or outside and stares. For now she chose him. "Why is everyone staring at me like I'm a mermaid on a motorcycle?"
He chuckled at her comparison, glad that she joked, instead of glaring at him, or bitching. He hadn't spoken with her since that eventful evening before she had developed a convenient sickness that kept her from showing up for a week. He knew she had faked it. He had heard it in her faked croaking voice when she had left the message on his voice mail.
But, to answer her question, "Someone snapped a picture of us when we made out on the soundboard last week and sent it to everyone as an email."
"I never got one," She pointed out, mildly disappointed she was left out in the gossip circuit, even though she was the gossip. "But, I also didn't notice us on some cover. So it didn't leak?"
"Nope. Darius made sure of that. Apparently, it was my fault to seduce your innocent self so I'm officially not allowed to be alone with you in closed rooms without windows, meaning my office."
Jude giggled as she sat down, enticing a smile on his own lips. "You really are bad for me!"
"Yeah, but you like that." His smile turned to a smirk and hers faded completely. He noticed. "Sorry. I didn't mean that."
"Yes you did," she told him with rolling eyes. "Stop lying to me. I'm a not a baby. I might not always like the things you say to me, but I'm very capable of enduring them. You don't need to apologize for being you!"
He had a distinctive feeling she wasn't this snappish only because of him. "You're okay?"
"No." She blurted her story out before he had to ask for it. "Mom is seeing this guy and each time I ask her about it, she keeps saying it's nothing and then I hear her talking to Sadie about it, saying she is falling for that guy. She's treating me like a baby, and it sucks! Like I don't know what she's talking about," Jude sarcastically added. Around that time she recalled her last conversation with Tommy. "I just remembered I'm mad at you."
Tommy laughed at that. "Well, I won't tell anyone that you briefly forgot about that. Wouldn't want anyone to know you're actually able to have a normal talk with me!"
She smiled again, trying to hide it. "Yeah…"
"Why are you mad at me?" he wondered genuinely.
"You know why," she groaned. "Do I need to tell you again?"
"I had a feeling you and I had an honest conversation, not that we were fighting."
Jude had assumed he was mad at her, and in a stubborn refusal to take the blame for that, she had decided she was mad at him, too. But no, they hadn't really fought. "You aren't mad at me?"
"No."
"Oh. Well, in that case I'm not mad at you either. At least not anymore than I am all the time because you are you."
"How very grateful. Does that mean we're not on bad terms?"
"Not more than usual."
"In that case, Kwest has off today, and D won't come in for a while. Let's go out!"
"Where to? Some outside location to record?"
"No," he charmingly smiled. "A date."
Jude looked at him for a second and then crossed her arms, set her forehead into wrinkles and grumbled something incoherent. "Come to think of it, I am mad at you! Did you not get what I told you? I won't say yes!"
"I told you I never lose a challenge. Especially not when I'm convinced I can win. You don't hate me, Jude. Actually, I'm pretty sure you do like me. You might not want to admit that to yourself, but I am one hundred percent sure you want me, maybe even as much as I want you. I made a bet that I would make you beg for me until your birthday, and I want to win."
"So you ignore my wishes and keep annoying me? I won't go on a date with you," she repeated, purposely speaking slowly and mockingly, as if she tried to explain it to a two-year old. "I don't like you that way."
He copied her tone. "I don't care."
"It's harassment," Jude pointed out.
"Only if you wouldn't enjoy my persistence," he countered smugly. "Fine. Don't call it a date, call it dinner with a friend. How about Fast Food?"
"David took me to this great French restaurant. He paid over eighty dollars for my dish!" Jude knew he hated references to David, and so she made them any given opportunity.
He smirked. "He could have paid two hundred dollars for it. You barely ate it! I saw you sitting at that table before you came over to me. You looked hungry and bored!"
"I looked happy and sated!"
"Liar!"
"Jerk!" She wondered why they always ended up quarreling.
"Last chance, Jude. Burger. Yes, or no?"
She was hungry. "I'll take fries," she reposted with a huff. "And no burger!"
"Fine," he said again, chuckling.
Jude had not ordered a Burger and now eyed Tommy's. A junior bacon cheeseburger was resting on Tommy's plate, untouched and neglected. She knew he'd never touch that thing; it was too greasy for his taste. The only reason he had ordered it was to bug her. Damn, he was succeeding!
"Don't drool in public," he said playfully, placing the plate with the food she desired onto her empty one. The fries she had ordered had disappeared into her mouth within seconds. "So, how are you and David?"
Mid-bite she stopped and raised an eyebrow, staring skeptically at him. "Whwai?"
He laughed at her attempt to speak with a full mouth. One of the things he liked about her was her lack of manners.
"Because I'm a nosy person and I want to know."
Jude scoffed. He was being blunt again. In that case, so could she. "David is great. In fact, he and I had sex last night. The whole night long, over and over again. Until we were out of condoms!" That was a complete lie, but she would never admit to him that she had spent the last two nights watching reruns of 'Days of our lives'! Stupid addicting soap opera! "He could barely walk this morning."
Tommy couldn't help but laugh. A big part in him profoundly hoped that she was just trying to piss him off. "That's great. Good to hear you two are such a passionate couple. How often did you do it?" He tried calling her up on her lie by making her admit unrealistic things.
"Ten times!"
Something unrealistic as that! "Must have been a stormy night then. I'm surprised you can still walk."
"I'm tough. I can power anyone out!"
"I'm sure you can," he agreed, allowing himself to be deriding. "Anyone but me."
"Even you," Jude shot, surprised how quick that came. He always did that. He made her go way too far. If only she could stop it. "Especially you!"
"Never," he baited.
Jude could barely hold her tongue from offering to prove it. He was really good at this! She had forgotten just how well he could trick her into things. If she didn't watch out, she really was going to beg him before her birthday had arrived! "Too bad," she responded with more calm, "that you will never find out. But, I'm sure if you ask David, he'll love to brag about our night!"
"I will!" He probably really would!
She made a quick mental note to inform David about this conversation. "How are you," she asked overly sweetly. "All alone, without any nightly companions… Can you handle that?"
"What makes you think I spend my nights alone?"
"The fact that Kwest told me that you're spending your nights alone."
He'd need to have a long talk with his friend, Tommy noted. Looking at Jude for a moment, he gave up on bragging and what else and instead offered sincere words. "I want you, and no one else. I wasn't lying."
The light mood faded, and a thick heaviness replaced it. Jude's eyes averted quickly, not wanting him to see she was blushing. Occasionally, his words drilled past her defensive walls and she found herself to be that young, naïve girl again that just couldn't get Tommy out of her head, no matter how hard she tried. "And I told you that wanting me is not enough. It'll never make you have me."
"You're underestimating me," he assured, his gaze resolutely on her. Reaching for her hand, he managed to get a hold of it before she could pull away. "Why not start with want and see where that leads us?"
Jude's lids rose, and she looked at him from beneath her long black lashes. "Let's just for one second assume I give in. You get me, we do it, and you win. What then? I'm still sixteen, Tommy. You might not want to admit it now, because you're so awfully eager to outdo David, but one day you will remember, and then I'm being the girl again that I was last year. I'll end up crying when you tell me we can't happen."
"Last year you were barely sixteen. You were sixteen for hours when we kissed!"
"Now I'm sixteen since about three hundred days." Jude gulped away what emotional lump had settled in her throat. She surprised herself with what she was about to say. "I understand, okay? The age thing? It's okay. I'm going to High School. I might hate it, but I'm still going there. And, no matter how stupid it is, I will have school dances and prom and all that stuff. I want to go there, Tommy. Are you really going to sit here, and tell me that you're okay with being my date for prom?"
He looked down, not knowing how to answer. The thought of going there had never occurred to him, but he would do almost anything for her, so why not go there with her? Not that it was an actual topic right now. Prom was what – a year and a half away? "It's so long until then. You'll be eighteen then."
"There's the age again. One moment you say you don't care anymore, and the next you rub it right back in." She poked into the now-neglected burger that was sitting on a plate in front of her. It was this, or looking at him. She couldn't do that. "Let me go, Tommy. Stop asking me out, because I know deep down you don't even want to do that. You want fun, and a hot woman, and fancy clubs. That's who you are. I'm the girl that goes to high school football games despite hating them. I like silly movies, and I want to drink because I'm not allowed to, and not because I actually like those icky cocktails! You spend thousands of dollars for cool clothes, and I wear five-dollar shirts because they have an Elmo face on the front, and I like Elmo. We don't fit. It took me long enough to realize that. David and I…we're a good match."
Tommy shook his head, squeezing her hand gently yet genuinely to make her look at him. "You're sixteen years old, Jude. A 'good match' is the very last thing your boyfriend should be! I know that your and my life are different because I've argued a whole year with that. I know you are too young for me. I know that you don't believe me when I tell you that I want you-"
"I do believe you, Tommy. Listen: Want is not enough!"
"I know that, too," he ferociously assured. "But it's a start!"
"For what," she almost yelled when desperation fell over her. Why wasn't he letting go?
"Something," he reposted heatedly. "It's a start for something."
"Not for me," Jude sternly opposed. "I will never go on a date with you because you'd end up charming me into your bed. I don't want to be in your bed, because you're not in love with me, and I'm not in love with you. You're a cocky jerk who can't stand the fact that someone else has me and that's the only reason you want me. I can't wait for my birthday," Jude stated ferociously, "Then I'll get that shiny Ferrari of yours and we can finally and for all times get over the whole 'us' thing! I'm done with it already, and if you need to lose a car to get over it, then I'll be happy to take one off your hand!"
"Listen closely," he demanded, his voice deep and his eyes sharp. "At eleven fifty-nine pm the latest, on your birthday, you'll be standing across from me and tell me you're in love with me. I know that's not our bet, but I'll raise the stakes. I'm done listening to you denying what you really feel. I will hear those words from you," he promised confidently, "And when I do, and win, you'll give up dating David and you will go on a date with me. And although I can't make you, I'm pretty sure you'll end up begging me to be with you in any single possible way!"
Jude's glare was hard and her teeth gritted along another audibly. She gripped the fork and shoved it into the burger harshly. "I will nothing," she barked, "And for that, I will not only get your Ferrari, but also your penthouse!"
He laughed mockingly, almost scoffing. "Like your parents would allow you to move in there."
"It'll be my rehearsal space. I've been thinking about getting one. Imagine Tommy: Spied, Wally, and Kyle will be eating peanut butter, but mostly dropping it, on your designer carpet while David and I toss in the sheets of your expensive bed! I will never say those words to you! And you want to know why? Because you'd have to say them first and we both know you're incapable of doing that!" She abruptly rose from her seat and turned to him one last time before leaving the restaurant. "You are entirely too arrogant for your own good!"
He watched her march out of the diner. As he did so, a harsh "Just keep lying to yourself," came from deep down his lungs, but he doubted she had heard. Everyone else in the restaurant though had and when he realized, he winced, fearing tomorrow's headlines.
Why was he so eager to date her? He couldn't make sense of himself anymore. It had all started with want. He had wanted her. He always had. It wasn't anything new. Not that he had even planned on going after her! He had been completely fine with just being Jude's friend. Hadn't it been for David, he'd have long ago reconciled with Jude and would be a happy, sane friend to her. But, suddenly there was this other guy who had Jude, and out of nowhere there was an actual chance of losing her. He had gotten desperate, had even admitted to wanting her. Now that it was an open fact, denying it had become impossible. And if that wasn't enough, his truly outrageous ego had made him suggest the bet, had even made him raise the stakes! It wasn't a secret that he had a bad temper in those moments. He had delivered proof for that too often. But, under no circumstances was he backing down now. Even if he would lose his penthouse and his car! She believed he wanted her for nothing but to outdo David. That might have been a tiny bit of a reason when it had all started, but not anymore. Not the least bit. He had stated that he'd be able to win her heart. And now he was going to show her that he could. Not that he could charm his way into her bed, but that he could actually be someone she could fall in love with. Again. He needed her to fall for him. Even if he couldn't admit to her, or even to himself why it was so damn important. Not yet, at least.
David sat across Jude that evening, poking into the salad Mrs. Harrison had made for dinner. He was officially invited, but he wondered honestly if it had been such a wise idea to show up. He had been part of frosty situations before, but this was nearly ridiculous! Victoria was talking with no halt, making it hard not to notice how badly she wanted to appear like the perfect family. Sadie was refusing to speak with Jude, and Jude was not even aware that her sister was purposely ignoring her.
"This is a really good salad, Mrs. Harrison," he politely complimented. Victoria smiled at him in return, obviously delighted by the comment.
"Just a quick dish," she played it down. "At least someone eats it."
He looked at Jude and Sadie and found them both simply staring at their plates, instead of actually eating something. "Jude?" He tapped his foot at hers under the table, causing her to look at him in confusion.
"Huh?"
"You're okay? Usually you can't wait for dinner." Even he had noticed that.
"She already ate," Sadie chimed in, as if she had waited for this very moment in time to say those exact words. "Ask her what she did earlier, or rather with whom!"
If looks could kill, David was sure Jude would be charged for the death of her sister right now. "I didn't do anything," Jude stubbornly protested, hiding the fact that she was feeling slightly guilty, but mostly she was still rattled by Tommy's determination. "Tommy wanted to talk about my album, and since I was hungry we went eat some burgers!" A dark shadow flashed her normally bright eyes. "And in case you forgot, Quincy and you are done! What he does really isn't any of your business!"
"Oh you're right," Sadie sneered, "But I'm sure David would like to know about the kiss you and Tommy shared in the studio the other day. Or should I call it foreplay?"
Jude's jaw fell open, and her barely concealed anger began to make her blood boil. "That's not at all what was happening!" She looked at her mother and David, trying to show how false those accusations of her sister were, even if they were true. "I didn't do anything wrong!"
"Jude!" Victoria was clearly shocked. "Is it true? Did you kiss your sister's boyfriend?"
"Her EX! And no," Jude heavily sighed, getting utterly annoyed by this, "I didn't kiss him. He kissed me. I told him to stop!" She gave David a pleading look, hoping he'd stay quiet now and long enough later so she could explain the truth to him – or a decent version of it.
He didn't understand her look. "You kissed?"
"With tongue?" Victoria inquired to know, gripping the napkin and almost strangling it. Thoughts of Jude and Tommy clearly appalled her.
"No!" Jude glared at Sadie. This would have consequences, and Sadie Harrison better be prepared for some tough fight, Jude decided then. "It was a harmless smooch. He barely grazed my lips. It was more of an accident, actually." It wasn't at all the arousing, nearly-sex experience that she had relived in her dreams every night since it had happened. She had tried for days now to figure out what had happened, let alone what his startling persistence to win the bet was about. He had told her he wasn't in love with her, so what else was it? She couldn't imagine he'd play with her to win a bet, but if that wasn't what he did – what was he doing? Finding everyone staring at her like she had had two heads, she grunted. "It was a little peck, and his lips slipped onto mine. I stopped it right away!" Right away, ten minutes later – where was the difference! "How come you even know? Don't you tell me you're spying on him!"
Sadie scoffed. "Like I have to! I got the mail like everyone else did. Someone at G-Major apparently thought I had to know. It wasn't a smooch. It was almost porn!"
A spoonful of spinach flew across the table and hit Sadie in the face. Jude might not be good in civil talks, but she surely knew how to start a food fight. "Coming from the girl who slept with him on my couch!"
"MY couch," Victoria firmly corrected. She stood up and glared at Jude in evident displeasure. "You are not in kindergarten anymore! No flying food! And you," she turned to Sadie, "Don't ever do something without clothes in my house again. I do-"
The doorbell interrupted the speech, and though Jude hardly ever bothered to get it, this time she jumped at the opportunity to leave the room. Opening the front door with a forceful swing, she wished she hadn't. Could this night get any worse? The dinner had started not even ten minutes ago, and she couldn't remember a time where she had wanted to leave so badly, so early! "You've got to be kidding me!"
"No, I don't think so," Tommy's lips quirked into a dangerously charming grin, and wouldn't she have such a deep longing to leave this place, she had hurried inside to hide from him. He was always at his best when he looked dangerous, and showing up when her boyfriend and his ex-girlfriend where there, along with Jude's mother, he wasn't only dangerous – he was risking his life! If that wasn't enough, he pulled his hand from behind his back, and he offered her the bouquet of flowers he had hidden there. "For you."
"Why," Jude frowned, stepping away and keeping a distance to the…really nice roses. Damn, he had remembered that she only liked them in pink. It was the only pink thing in the world she liked.
His smirk widened, amused by her reaction. Stepping closer, he leaned towards her, speaking huskily. "You didn't really think I'd give up that easily?"
Her head lolled back, and she feigned annoyance, although his guts began to impress her. Not that he had any chance of winning the bet, or her heart, but truth was he could be on a date with some willing Barbie right now, but he was here. With flowers! "Actually, I did. But since luck has left me for good these days, I should have expected you to show up." In that moment Victoria, Sadie, and David appeared behind Jude, all looking unhappy. Rather angry.
Taking a look back from Tommy, towards her family and David, and then back to Tommy, Jude gave up in defeat before looking at her mother, asking curtly. "Am I grounded?"
"Definitely," Victoria affirmed.
"I figured. Although, I'd like to add that I'm the innocent victim in all of this. Not that anyone cares," she added sardonically. Jude stopped and looked from Tommy towards David, Sadie, and her mother. She could sense the hateful arrows Sadie's eyes shot at her. She could see the irritation and maybe even mild hurt in David's expression, and she could certainly feel the anger in her mother's glare. Then she looked back at Tommy, and saw him looking at her, patiently waiting for her next move. It was either being with him, or going back into the house and talk for hours about things she had no idea how to explain. What the hell, she thought, grabbed the keys Tommy held in hands and suddenly started for his car! He followed suit, now yelling at her to stop. He barely managed to jump into the driver's seat before she peeled out down the streets.
Jude's feet splashed in the cold water, and she smiled brightly, watching the cold liquid float around her skin. They had stopped at the lake where they had worked on her first song. Although it was warm that night, the water still felt icy. Surprisingly though, Jude found she loved it.
Tommy sat down next to her, a little stiffly mirroring her actions. They had discovered a spot where the dock was low enough to do this. "It's cold," he remarked, not yet sure if he liked what he was doing. He wasn't the sort of person to do this. He preferred his water clean and warm, preferably in a Jacuzzi.
Jude laughed, bumping her shoulder against his. "Wimp."
"Hey," he protested, returning the shoulder bump. A grin grew on his face, and while he couldn't yet grow comfortable with the feet-in-the-water-thing, Jude's presence made him feel oddly at ease. "Watch it, or you'll end up in the water."
"You wouldn't dare," she challenged, blue eyes twinkling. "That would cost you any chance of ever having me. And I'm not talking about now, or the near future. I'm talking 'forever' here!"
"Forever is a long time," he reminded her, the smirk on his face widening. "You wouldn't last that long without me."
"You think you're irreplaceable?"
"I know I'm irreplaceable."
She rolled her eyes but didn't even attempt to hide her amusement. Most of the people she knew considered Tommy extremely conceited, but she knew he wasn't. She always believed it was her own little secret about him that no one else knew. Occasionally, he liked to brag and to be arrogant, even vain. But, when she was alone with him, he was one of the simplest persons she had ever met, not afraid to do anything or go anywhere. And, it times like this, she even supposed he was purposely overly conceited, just to make her smile. He could be that man when he wanted to be, a little too perfect for any girl's sake. "Thanks for showing up."
"No problem. Although there was a moment when I wasn't sure whether you were happy about my appearance." He watched her reaction without looking too directly at her.
"I wasn't happy about it," Jude confirmed. Then she giggled, overshadowing the fact that she was having a harder time than she wanted to, being so close with him. "But I prefer you over a night of useless talks about what I do and not do when I'm with you."
His brows rose in interest. "Did I miss something?"
"Sadie knows about last week. The soundboard/making out-moment…"
"Ah. And David?"
"That's whom she told it to. My mom also knows. I wouldn't be surprised if she's on the phone with D right now, demanding to get you exiled."
"Me," he questioned, feigning shock. "You're the one who made me do it!" He had done worse, and if D seriously considers ending this profitable partnership because of a worried mother, that man would not be Darius Mills.
"I?" Jude grinned at his accusation. "I didn't even know it was you in that moment!"
"Sure!" Both knew she lied. "It was a nice…moment."
That got Jude to laugh. "I bet. It's one of those things men can brag about, and women should feel bad about. But," and she said that in a lower, shyer tone, "it did feel nice. You're not that shabby as a kisser, I must admit!"
"Like I need your reassurance!" Eyes sparkled mischievously. "But, come to think of it, I always like to require new talents in that department. Why don't you teach me how to be an even better kisser if you think you're that good?"
She didn't respond, but simply smiled while watching the water.
He laughed when she remained silent. He had a feeling she was tempted to take him up on that offer. "That's not a 'no'."
"It's neither a 'yes'," she added.
"You're here with me instead of having a date, and a night, with your lover."
Jude felt the mood changing within the second he said those words. It wasn't playful and borderline risky anymore. This was full-blown dangerous and entirely too heavy. "I didn't choose you," she tried warily, not sure if she was being honest. The only thing she did know was that she couldn't stay home. "I don't like when everyone is cornering me, demanding answers I can't give. You were my way out."
He kept watching her with an intense interest in her words."Did you mean it? The bet, I mean. Raising stakes so high like you did… I have no problem losing a penthouse," he told her, inwardly not believing for a split second he'd actually lose. "But you? You'd have to give up David. And you'd have to date me."
"I won't have to do either," Jude confidently pronounced, despite the cracks she felt in her faith. "You'll lose."
"I'm afraid we both will."
Her heart stopped beating for a second. She'd bet the car she had yet to win that this was the most honest thing she had ever heard him admitting. Lifting her lashes to look at him she found him focused on his own feet that were tapping the surface of the water. She tried to figure him out, every time she saw him. She often wondered if, in twenty years or longer, he'd still be such a mystery to her. Did he even know what he had just said? "It's a bet. You're not in love with me. What's it you've got to lose if you're not afraid of losing your fancy home?"
"You." Eyes found hers. "Don't tell me you've turned that cold, Jude. I know you. Your heart is the core of every single decision you make." His fingers wrapped around her slender hand. She allowed it, not yanking away like she had often before. "It took so long to get here. Maybe we should forget the bet." He still wanted to win it, but if he had to choose, then he'd much rather win her without the bet and without a timeline.
"No," she sternly refused, roughly pulling her hand out of his. He was startled by the brusque change in her demeanor. "I want this done. I want for once and for all know where we stand. You have an opportunity here. You can charm me up, sweet-talk me, you can woo me, and what else. If I fall for you, and get my heart broken, I've earned it. And if I don't fall for you, I finally know for sure I'm over you."
"I don't want you get over me," he tried to explain, feeling the familiar desperation he experienced so often in her presence lately. Sometimes he feared she was thinking about ending the friendship forever. She could sound so sincerely.
"It's either all, or nothing. You give up now – you lose your penthouse and your car. The bet is on, Tommy."
When he tried to catch her eyes, he found them cold and empty. "You're hiding from your boyfriend, Jude. You're here with me! You say you don't like being cornered, and so I conclude you chose me over David and your family. Technically, I say I won already!"
"I'm not here with you because you gave me a chance to agree. I wanted to be out of the house. I wanted to avoid questions. If that's your idea of why a woman should spend your time with you – because she chose the lesser of two evils – you've got scarily low standards!" She jumped up and grabbed her shoes. "Take me home, I'm ready to get back."