Chapter 13
Jude stood in the middle of Portia's working area at G-Major, hands defiantly placed on her hips while her lips pressed together to make a firm line. Her eyes were sharp and full of accusations she yet had to speak out. She couldn't believe this. Damn her contract, damn her success, damn her own stupidity to agree to this! Two weeks ago, when Darius had mentioned an upcoming shoot for some fashions magazine, she had agreed, expecting to be caught on camera swinging some of those incredibly useless handbags her sister loved so much. Never in her life had she expected she'd be the new face of a bathing suit campaign. Who was shooting bathing suit campaigns in the fall anyway? Wouldn't spring be a better time for that?
Portia held up a red and a black set of bikinis, trying to decide which looked better. Her expression was one of annoyance and her brow arched warningly. "Jude, I warn you! If you make this complicated, I'll call Darius for help. You agreed to this on your own free will. It's not my fault you never listen when he talks business with you!"
"Bikinis in fall?" She slouched her shoulders and sighed as heavily as she could. "Come on, Portia! You can't seriously make me do this photo shoot! Did you not notice how many bags of cheese balls I had lately?"
"That's why they shoot in fall, Jude. They can Photoshop you all winter so that you look unnaturally sexy, with curves no human could possibly have, and skin so perfect even a porcelain doll would be jealous." She held out the black bikini. "This first. Today we will only do the fittings. Tomorrow you'll be shooting at a special made stage that will make you feel like you're on a beach in Brazil."
"I'm so looking forward to that!" The sarcasm was dripping from her lips when she snatched the triangles of fabric and begrudgingly entered the changing room. "I swear," she muttered from inside, "this is ridiculous. Why don't they book a real model, one they don't need to Photoshop?" Portia didn't answer and Jude already felt like an idiot wearing this hideous set of flimsy fabrics that probably cost more than three pairs of her normal jeans, and figured having conversations with herself would not help the least. Making sure both of her nipples were covered and that the strings of the bottom were securely tugged for flashing wasn't on her to do-list today, she shoved the curtain of the changing room open and stepped out only to froze in place. "Tommy?!" She wished for a robe, a coat, a towel, hell – even for a wedding dress as long as she could hide in it. Heat spread so quickly over her skin, she almost started sweating. She was pretty sure she was blushing everywhere, too. "Shooting…" she mumbled. "Portia…um…" Self-consciously, she crossed her arms in front of her chest, but his eyes were still glued to her skin. "Quincy!"
"Beautiful," he breathed, a little out of context. She observed him suspiciously, expecting some giant attack of his smugness any second, something that'd make her tumble in shyness or whatever it was he wanted her to tumble in. But, the longer she watched him watching her, the more she realized he was a little unsteady himself. Not for long, though. When his usual cockiness returned, he wasn't even ashamed to stare at her. "Too bad they make you wear so much!"
"Funny! Give me a moment and I'll try to laugh." Sarcasm was her natural self-defense mechanism, and occasionally she wished it wouldn't come quite so often, for he always countered.
"Do me a favor and don't. I wouldn't want your giggle to ruin this image for me. God, how good would you look next to me on a beach! How about you and I do some skinny dipping later…" His brows wiggled suggestively. He stood about two feet away from her and she began to feel the heat radiating from him. Either that, or she was going crazy, but there was definitely some sort of warmth rising between them. He must have been staring at her for over a minute but he didn't grow tired of it, and oddly Jude couldn't find it in herself to take offense in that. Gulping, she turned around, and inspected her own self in the mirror. She had worn bikinis before, but she had to admit that this one surely outdid every other one she had ever sported.
Suddenly Tommy stepped forward, his hands on her bare waist, his head leaning into the curve between her neck and shoulder. His chin brushed the hair away. His hard chest pressed against her back; the material of his shirt did nothing to hide the high temperature coming from him. Jude fought hard, but she was oh so weak, and for the briefest second gave in to the urge of closing her eyes. There was something about this moment that made her react in a way she had never done before. She was a slave, a slave to herself maybe. She had no control over her actions and acted without better judgment.
"Forgive me," he whispered low, his voice thick and yet soft. He didn't want to do this – to touch her, to smell her, even to see her – but when she had stepped out of the cabin in that little excuse for a bikini he found himself smacked with realization that Jude was probably the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Every inch of her seemed to call out to him, and now he was unable to deny the plea.
The warmth of his breath felt like the purest silk feathering down her skin. 'Don't shiver,' she mentally yelled at herself, but it was futile. "For what," she asked in return to his question, wondering if she had really only breathed those words, or if her ears were betraying her like her body did.
"Doing this," he said in the same dangerous voice, the tone a seduction on its own. And then he leaned even closer and then…oh! She gasped, feeling the searing contact of his hot lips on her bare shoulder. It was so surreal. He was kissing her shoulder as if it were a pair of soft lips that matched his owns. First slow and tenderly and then he opened his lips and allowed the tip of his burning tongue to lick her skin. She shuddered, almost collapsing against him. Her head lolled back, coming to a rest on his broad shoulder. As if in slow motion his hands traveled lower, down the sides of her body, coming to a new halt over the strings of the slip. His mouth kept placing the most arousing kisses on her neck. This had to stop, she kept telling herself. She did not want this. He was Tommy. He was her ruin. She knew! Why couldn't she step away from him?
She didn't have to find the strength to do so after all. After a few seconds that had felt like years he was gone, and when she opened her eyes she saw him standing in his old place, a few steps away from her, with Portia next to him. Oh God, had they gotten caught? Or worse, had she dreamt it all? She tried to breathe through her mushy bones and through her scorching skin, tried to focus on Portia's interested face, instead of Tommy's secretly lusting one. Another one of those secrets she believed to be the only one knowing. Tommy could seem completely emotionless in his facial expressions, but the color of his eyes always made her see what he really felt. Now the darkness, the nearly pitch black shade, had her legs wobbling. Portia made no indication that she had seen, or noticed what they, rather he had done.
"Perfect," she instead broke the silence, mustering the fabric on Jude's body. "Nearly no adjustments to be made. Tom, what do you think? Good, or bad? If anyone should know, then you!"
"What's that supposed to mean," he asked with suspicious fierceness, as Portia found.
Her hands flew up in defense. "I'm just saying! You…being a guy…"
"Oh." He looked apologetically at his ex-wife, but Jude could sense the sincerity was missing in his eyes. "Sorry. Great. She looks great. Really. I should… Kwest, he's waiting."
"No he isn't," Portia corrected, her expression intrigued, and turned to him with a furrowed forehead. "He's having a few days off. You should know, you brought him to the airport!"
"I know." Tommy spun around so fast that Jude had to bite back a giggle. "He's waiting at this…to call me. Go. I need to go, I mean. Bye." Both women watched him hurry away. When he was out of the main door, Portia turned to Jude with a proud smile. "The black one definitely is the winner!"
Playing innocent, or at least trying to, Jude frowned. "Why?"
Rolling her eyes, Portia adjusted the strings on Jude's bra and laughed. "He just left the building without his leather jacket, and therefore without his car keys. Kwest called earlier, saying he had arrived in NY and that his grandmother's birthday is quite a bash! I'd give my left hand to see Tommy outside now, standing on the street too proud to come back inside to get his keys but also too stubborn to walk home without his car. Geez, Jude. I don't know why you worried about your body. He's practically dying to have you!"
Amusement, flatter, and womanly pride left her blood and instead the familiar conviction returned that Tom Quincy did not want her for anything else but sex and if he had acted off in any sort of way, it was only because of… Well, she wasn't really sure why else, but she knew, or at least tried to tell herself convincingly, that Tommy did not have any sort of deeper affection for her. Just want. And she had made it very clear that she was not one to consider 'want' enough!
Tommy watched his car from the distance, giving a mental oath he'd never go anywhere without his keys again. He could – of course – just walk back inside and get his jacket, but that'd only make him the object of Portia's amusement. Giving his ex-wife a laugh was the last thing on his mind right then. No, his mind was already filled with memories of the taste of Jude's skin. Soft like the finest silk and perfectly delicious to kiss and lick. His body tensed at the idea, and his sex twitched in want. He cursed himself. How could he have done that? Jude already gave him a run for his friendship with her. If he wanted her, he'd have to act subtler. He only had until her birthday – thanks to himself – to make her admit to her feelings for him. It was already as good as impossible. This was probably one of the many reasons that he had made it his personal challenge to woe her in such short time, but he had faith in himself. He knew his talents, and making a woman fall for him came to him as easy and natural as breathing!
He turned around, staring at the entrance door of G-Major. Somewhere, not far behind these walls, was his girl and she was wearing almost nothing. He couldn't remember the last time a little bit of untouched skin had made him lose focus so quickly. But, was she really still untouched? He had spent hours and days trying to figure that out. Jude wasn't the sort of girl to sleep with someone without feeling anything, but then again – he had really pulled a few numbers on her the last weeks, and who knew if he hadn't caused those idealistic traits to fade away. Just another thing he'd have to blame himself for! He let out a deep sigh and looked at his watch. Four pm. Hadn't D mentioned something about having to leave early with his sister because of some party? He decided to wait in the coffee shop half a block away until his ex had left. Then he could hurry inside, get his keys and leave for good. He could also just go back inside and do the work he was paid to do, but honestly – with a half-naked Jude around, there was no way he'd be able to concentrate anyway!
Jude's teeth dragged along her lower lip, fighting the urge to laugh as she watched Tommy crawling around the floor of his office, searching for his car keys. He'd never find them there. She knew, because they shiny silver key chain was dangling from her finger. Finally taking pity, she coughed to get his attention. "Looking for this?"
His head snapped up, bumping the underside of his desk in the process. "Aw," he winched. Now she did laugh. "Give it to me!" The order came tartly as he rubbed the back of his head. It was a nasty, stinging pain. And he was annoyed. "I searched an hour for those. Where did you find them?"
"Find?" Jude smirked mischievously. His foul mood added to her amusement. Having always taken a pleasure in peeving him from time to time, this one was no exception. Leaning with her right arm against the doorframe, she cocked her head to the side and smiled. "In the left pocket of your jacket. I must say it's dangerous to let Ferrari keys without guard. What if someone like…me would steal them, and take your car for a ride?"
"You did not," he warned, scrambling off the floor. He stepped towards her with slight haste, wanting his keys back. Jude was quick, and ducked out of his reach when he aimed for them.
"Awesome breaks!" She kept teasing, jiggling the keys as bait. "Although I nearly ran down this dog…"
"Jude!" He tried again, this time catching her arm. Hurling her against him, his chest pressed against her back while she wiggled, and giggled at his attempts to get back what was his. Feeling the vibrations against her shoulder blades, she could feel that he was laughing too, the husky sound like music to her ears. He could never stay angry or serious for long when she was messing with him. Often she did it to take his mind off things when he was brooding too much. She was such a loser when it came to being strong and resistant to his charm, she concluded, but ignored it completely. In that moment she wasn't thinking about the problems they were having. She was just having fun. "No – ha ha!" He had startled tickling her sides, a mean torture he knew she wasn't immune to. "Quincy stop!"
"Why? Give me my keys first!" Her arms were smaller and shorter than his, and he could easily grab the keys, despite her attempts of keeping them. When he had them re-conquered, she spun around in his arms, automatically trying to get them back. Not caring for appropriate behavior, past mistakes, or suppressed emotions, she jumped up. He caught her in his arms. In moments like this she was just herself, carefree and fearless. Her legs wrapped around his hips almost naturally, her arms curled around his neck, and once she realized how close they were, she wondered just how dangerous it would be for her heart to kiss him now. He smelled of coffee and expensive aftershave. He smelled downright dangerous! He held her easily with one arm, while the other placed the keys into the pocket of his pants. All the while his eyes were on hers.
"So you stole my car and took it for a ride?"
Jude sheepishly shook her head, long blond locks falling into her face. "I wanted to, but then I saw you getting back and searching for your keys."
Now his arms were carrying her, both hands on her butt. His head leaned closer, his forehead almost touching hers. He was oddly happy that she was in his arms, but more than that he was elated she had come there by herself. Now that she was there, and temporarily trapped in his hold, he changed the topic to speak out what he had meant to tell her all day. "You looked amazing in that bikini."
"I was barely wearing anything," She replied self-consciously, not quite believing the sincerity of the many compliments she had gotten for wearing that little thing. She wasn't a model, and she knew. Albeit having never put much thought into it, she knew her breasts were small and her skin pale. She had seen the way Sadie was admired whenever she wore a bikini in the summer, and Jude knew how little attention she herself had gotten. Maybe that was one of the reasons she had not protested as hard as she could have against the campaign. A part of her had wanted to be on those pictures, just once being the admired girl that usually only Sadie ever was. The tip of Tommy's nose bumped hers. Jude's train of thought was lost then.
"Must be the reason," he smirked at her comment, his nose bumping hers again, trying to be affectionate. He had never been one for those sorts of gestures, having always preferred to come right to the point when being with a woman. With Jude, he was starting to discover there were a lot of little things that were fascinatingly amazing as well. One of those little things was to make her smile. She was nothing like her sister. Sadie was perfect in the average sense of the word. She was a woman, sexy and beautiful, able to tease and to seduce. But Jude was mesmerizing. Jude wasn't the sort of girl to capture men's eyes by her cleavage – not that she didn't have a good one, too! Jude was the girl one noticed in a crowd full of beauty queens, because Jude was the one who would not try to look stunning yet did so just because of that. She was a rough diamond. He couldn't get her out of his mind, and he had tried really hard. She was beautiful in a rare, exquisite way. Forgetting, and ignoring, that she had said no more than once, he asked yet another time. "Any plans for tonight?"
"Eating and sleeping," she told him with a tired expression. Knowing he had asked for a specific reason, other than simple interest, the happiness fell from her face. Oddly however, this time she found it wasn't quite as easy to say no like she usually did. So she stayed silent for a few more moments, and waited for him to continue. Still in his arms, she liked his persistence. Albeit she'd never admit to it, it felt nice to have him try at least harder than he had ever done before. If she couldn't think of herself as the girl in his heart, then she would be able to tell he had tried really hard to get into her sheets.
"Let me buy you dinner."
"Dinner?" She should have denied immediately, not giving him hope by sounding undecided. This was Tommy. He was the bad person who always played with her heart. What was she doing? Where was her resolute attitude against his advances? She did not know, she realized, and nervously bit her lip when he nodded.
"Just dinner," Jude agreed. She had a boyfriend. She could not have dates with other men, especially not with Tommy. She couldn't go on a date with Tommy for a million different reasons, one being he wasn't in love with her, but just trying to win a bet. "Dinner. Food. Nothing more, and nothing less."
Having not expected her to agree at all her answer had him to smile widely. "Okay."
When he made no move to let her down, she leaned back, and laughed. "You can't buy me food here, so we have to leave. I need my feet for that…"
He knew he should set her back down, and that the longer he was holding her like this, the more likely it was that the mood would change and she'd damn him to hell any second again. But, he just couldn't let go. This was what it was meant to be like and the realization was startling. Her, in his arms, happy and flirty, with no drama and no one else between them! While he had waited for Portia and Darius to leave, he had thought about Jude's words, her firm belief that he was not ready to be with her. She was wrong, and he was ready, he comprehended. He wasn't ready to declare it love, but he was ready to take a chance.
"Are you going to let me down," she asked with a soft smile.
"I have to, I fear." He shouldn't have said that. He shouldn't have sounded that sad and reluctant. Her face took a reddish shade as her eyes averted away from him. Had he overstepped again? He wasn't used to moments like this one. He wasn't used to the fact that he could actually lose something, or someone. Usually, he didn't even care, but this time he knew he did care. He cared a lot. "I'm sorry." Loosening his hold on her, he felt her sliding down to the floor before settling on her own feet again. Her hands rested on his shoulders; her eyes looked down.
"We should go," she suggested, slightly uncomfortable. It was weird. The moment he had let go of her she had immediately felt a whiff of cold air against her skin. It had felt nice to be so close to him.
He was surprised she still wanted to spend time with him despite what had just been a moment. "Sure."
To say this was the sort of date he was used to would be a huge exaggeration. As he watched Jude how she played with her food, obviously bored by the lack of conversation between them, he wanted to shoot himself. It was devastating! He. Tom Quincy, who had been called the epitome of a perfect date before, was boring the girl he wanted more than anything to death. Or close to it. "So," he yet again attempted to start a conversation. "You don't like the food? You can eat mine if you want something else. Or, I could order something else!"
"No!" Jude shook her head, giving a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry. I'm not really the best company, am I?" So much was on her mind right now. She might as well be alone. She had to clear her head about so many things. "Really, I'm sorry. How was your day?"
He laughed. "Seriously? That's the sort of talk a married couple has! But fine. How was my day… I say pretty awesome. I got to have some hot moments with a girl I find pretty awesome."
"That's really good." Jude's mind was already absent again. "Was it funny?"
Having enough of this, he reached across the table and tilted her head upwards, softly brushing her chin with his thumb. Jude's startled eyes were open wide, and she stared at him in shock. They were in public after all! "Girl, this is close to becoming the worst date of my life. And remember – I've dated a lot! Would it kill you to at least pay a little attention to me? Would it help," he asked with wiggling brows, "if I pulled you up and kissed you? I'd be happy to!"
"Date?" Jude's eyes widened in surprise. "It's not a date!"
"I know," he agreed. "So far it's a catastrophe. A few tables away there's one of those guys who sells roses. You want one? It's supposed to be a romantic gesture."
Now it was Jude's turn to laugh, and she did it with a fair amount of sarcasm. "It's supposed to be? You don't believe in that sort of things? I mean you make it sound as if you don't believe in romantic gestures at all! Not that I should be surprised," she mumbled on an afterthought.
"What's that supposed to mean," he questioned sharply, feeling offended.
"Nothing! I'm just saying that someone like you probably isn't a fan of romance." She saw his hardened expression and sighed. "Come on, are you really shocked I think so? How many women have you been with whose name you didn't even know? How many times have you had sex with some chick whom you left to her tears afterwards?"
"Geez, don't hold back! Did I, for one second, make it seem as if sex is all I want from you?"
"That's not what I asked!"
"I know. But it's really none of your business what I used to do. You think I don't know I was selfish?" Having pulled his hand away from Jude, he now was as far away from Jude as possible without drawing attention. His knees weren't even under the table anymore. "I can't believe you're this judgmental all of sudden. You know me for over a year, and now you want to discuss my past? Why did you even agree to this?"
The tip of her fork was sharply gliding into a piece of steak when his question caused her to look up at him in surprise. Rolling her eyes, Jude's face tried to figure out why he was always trying to explain everything and anything. "Can't you just accept things as they are? I'm here, you're here, and that's it. No deeper meaning, no hidden agenda. You always have to question things!" He made it harder than it had to be for her to know she was alright.
"You made a huge effort in declaring you'd never agree to date me. Here we are, anyway. I'm just…wondering, I guess." He wasn't used to being so helpless. She played havoc with his mind. He began to care more and more for her each day, however, she was able to enrage him proportionally easier.
"It's not a date. It's a dinner!" Annoyance appeared nearly out of nowhere. "I agreed to this bet, too. You think I will hide in my room until my birthday? You think that avoiding any chance to be alone with you will help me win? That's not what this is about. I'm here, and I'm not hoping for you to kiss me goodnight later. I'm here, and I'm not expecting you to consider me the most beautiful girl in the room. I'm here because I chose to be here, and I'm doing fine. Do you know how much that means to me? A month ago, I wouldn't have been able to be here and be fine."
"Do you think that's what I want to hear?"
When he glared at her, she felt guilt for the visible hurt she could see shimmering in his dark orbs. "I'm sorry if you expected something different. I told you that I want to move on…"
"My lips were on your skin today!" He reminded her almost bitterly, his voice rising, but it was still not much more than a firm whisper. It didn't make sense to him that she could tell him to go to hell in one moment, and then surrender in his arms the next. "I had you in my arms, and you wanted to be there! How can you sit here, and tell me you're doing fine in getting over me?!"
"I don't know," Jude answered honestly.
"If I kissed you right now," he ardently claimed, "you'd enjoy it. You'd give in to me, and you'd capitulate, and you'd crave for more! That's not moving on, Jude."
"No." She knew she had yet to succeed. All she knew was that she was getting better. "But it's physical, Tommy." That's what she had been telling herself all day. Her heart was strong. So what if her body was weak? It wasn't the part that mattered. It was the heart that mattered, and her heart was putting up a tough fight!
He listened to her words and felt as though she had just slapped him. This was what he used to argue with. Physical attraction, and nothing more! He had spent years defending his actions with the weakness of his body's needs, and now here she was, throwing his very argumentation into his face. He had to admit that it wasn't easy to listen to. He was reduced to someone who could merely spark a longing in her that was nothing special, but just plain…need. In that very moment he wondered with fear if he were even able to break her heart.
"If I told you right now I loved you, would you even care?"
"I would not believe you. How am I supposed to care if I don't believe you?"
For a second he just listened. Taking in the words she had just slapped with him, he finally gave up. "We should go. I don't think being here is making sense right now."
She did not object and followed him out. They did not speak on the ride home, or said anything else than the polite goodnights when she left his car.
He sat in his chair the next day, watching Jude and David goofing around. He had given her a five-minute break, needing the time to get his head around the fact that they had to be professional and not distracted by confusing emotions. During all the years he had worked with Darius, he had witnessed his boss several times considering putting up rules against fraternization. Today was the first time ever Tommy found that such a rule might not be that bad of an idea. It'd certainly make many things easier!
When Jude and her boy-toy left the booth and entered the room, he barely managed to keep from groaning in protest. Today he was alone, without Kwest for support, and also, he was in no condition to put up with perfect David and experienced Jude. His eyes must have indicated that. Both stayed almost mute, despite Jude's short remark about leaving for a coffee in the kitchenette. He only nodded.
Did she really care so little for him anymore? Last night had been actually painful to endure. Having to hear one mattered so little to someone was a horrible thing. For a brief moment after having come home last night he had even considered calling a few of his exes to apologize for having said the very same to them! Sighing heavily he was about to bury his face in his hands when he spotted Jude's journal in the booth. She must have forgotten it there.
They were supposed to come up with another number one hit and so far, the task had proven to be very difficult. Jude had told him she had various songs, but considered barely any of them worth recording. Deciding he needed distraction from his thoughts, he stood up, and figured he might take a look on his own. Jude's judgment was not always the best. The fact that she was still with David made that clear, he concluded bitterly.
It didn't take him long to find a rough diamond in her pages of scrambled chaos. He always admired how she managed to find anything recordable in that book, but now he could be proud of himself for he had found something, too. Reaching for Jude's acoustic, he began to play a few notes of the melody she had written down. He had always needed to hear notes, rather than seeing them. He knew instantly this song could be a masterpiece. And above that, the lyrics left him with the hope that just maybe she wasn't quite as indifferent to him than she claimed. And that splinter of hope had him elated like nothing ever before.
"What are you doing?"
Ah, the voice of an angry singer. "Doing your job. Why didn't you tell me you have this song in your journal? I love it. It's great! It has power, emotions, and rawness. It could be another single! Here," he said as he pushed the guitar into her hands. "Play it for me! You," he then addressed David, "Out. Now."
Jude's jaw fell open, a gesture Tommy found rather endearing. "You can't just kick my boyfriend out!"
"I just did." He shooed David out of the booth, closing door after him. Jude's lyrics had given him a faith that he wasn't as far from succeeding after all, and now he was bursting with confidence. He still tried to understand how he could go from depressive to delighted in only a minute, but blamed it all on Kwest's vacation, instead of blaming it to feelings he still had some troubles labeling. Finding Jude's boy-toy glaring at him, Tommy smirked. "You can go. We won't need you for now."
"We," David repeated annoyed.
"Me and Jude. Bye bye…" A minute later he was gone, and Tommy returned his spot behind the soundboard. "Start!" She did with a begrudgingly, yet cute expression. Life was good, Tommy mused and put his headphones on. Yep, life was definitely good. No David, just him and Jude. Added to that came a song he loved already, lyrics he could find hope in, and a blonde beauty that looked mighty fine that day… Life was pretty damn close to perfect, even!
(Robin Beck: Tears in the Rain.)
It's a rainy night and it's over
Tears are gonna fall any minute now
And I know that it's you I gotta get over
I know I do but I don't know how
I pretend that I'm in control now
I won't fall apart till I walk away
And I say to myself "You gonna be stronger"
I tell myself "It's better this way" oh oh…
Chapter 14
"So let me try to get this right. You told Jude that you love her?" Kwest's eyes were burning holes into Tommy's head. The intensity of that statement had colossal proportions, and if he had indeed confessed, Kwest remembered that there were at least a dozen of open bets from Boyz Attack-times that had to be collected. He had always believed that one day Tom Quincy would say those words. He knew for a fact that statement had left his friend's lips not for the first time. But, and that's where the profitable part began, Kwest had been the only one bold enough to bet Tommy would say those words one day to a woman he had not yet slept with and that he'd actually mean it.
"I did not say those words in that context."
Kwest was disappointed. So much for sudden fortune! "Then how?"
Tommy rolled his eyes, clearly unwilling to explain. Kwest didn't care. He was away for one week only, and suddenly everything had changed! "She finally agreed to have dinner with me," Tommy elaborated. "We eventually started arguing and at some point I asked her how she'd react if I told her I love her right then. She said she wouldn't even believe me and therefore not care at all."
"Interesting."
"How so?" Tommy sneered. He had been near something that could be considered a good mood this morning. Now he was just plain annoyed.
Kwest scoffed. "She completely hedged around the question!"
Tommy's face turned thoughtful, having not seen it from that angle so far. "Right…"
Now it was Kwest's turn to roll his eyes. "But the story isn't over yet, is it? Because you're not moping and moody, and therefore must have at least hope!"
"She wrote a song. I do hope." The lyrics said one couldn't see tears in the rain. That meant there were tears. And that again meant she did feel! Now all he had to do was make her 'stop crying'… She was hurt now. He knew. He had been told very often.
"You hope that she will eventually tell you that she still, or again, loves you…" Kwest summed up.
"Exactly."
"And what will you do once she does so?"
"Do you really want graphic details?"
"Idiot! No! I mean, will you tell her you love her in return? That thought must have crossed your mind. From what I know about your bet with Jude, she won't confess to any feelings you have not yet confessed to, yourself. Do you love Jude?"
"Love is a big word," Tommy pointed out and turned away to set up the soundboard. Why was it everyone kept asking those questions? It wasn't about him loving her, it was about her loving him! "We'll see when the time has arrived."
"Are you at least in love with her? If you think I'll watch you break her heart again, you're wrong! Try, and you'll regret it. That girl is like a sister to me and if—"
Tommy's head snapped up. He wasn't stupid and knew what was at stake! "I know, okay? What if she won't say it? Where's the sense in admitting to something no one wants to hear?"
"Oh God, you are in love with her!"
"Can we get back to work? Jude should be in any second."
"Sure." Kwest didn't push any further for now. Tom Quincy had fallen in love, and he was actually afraid of getting his heart broken. That alone was shocking enough, but the fact that he refused to admit to something Jude would in return only admit to if Quincy confessed first, promised a hell of a complicated time until her birthday. And, in the worst case a lot of unnecessary heartbreak.
Jude waited impatiently for D's approval while he listened to her new song. Initially, she had been reluctant to record the song for obvious reasons, one being the fact that it was about Tommy, but even she had to admit it was a great song and now she couldn't wait having it out and see people's reactions. "So…?"
Darius switched the player off, an unreadable expression on his face. "You needed almost two weeks to record this song?" he asked. Jude's eyes searched Tommy's, who sat next to her.
He shrugged. "Good things need time."
"Well, I agree." Then a smile broke free. "This is Grammy material!"
Jude jumped up and hurried around the desk, giving her manager a big hug. Tommy could only laugh at D's startled face and Darius himself nearly gasped in shock. Jude though was completely happy and smiled brighter than she had in a long while. "Awesome!"
"You'll sing it tonight. I planned on having you sing your last single, but we might as well kick off your next one early. Are you ready for tonight? The denim for hope-benefit will be a huge thing!"
"Geez, thanks for taking the pressure off," Jude quipped, "but yes – I am ready! Also," she proudly stated, reaching for the jeans jacket in her chair, "I have my jacket done and so has the band. We will be ready and willing to raise as much money as possible."
"Perfect. What about you, Quincy? I heard Portia remarking about attempted bribery."
Jude giggled, having also been a victim of Tommy's attempted bribery. That man had more style than most of the girls she knew and yet he couldn't bring himself to pimp up some simple denim jacket. "Yes, Tommy! How is your jacket coming along," she baited, knowing he hadn't even started yet.
"Just fine," he declared smugly. "I'll be the winner tonight!"
"Confident much?" Jude's eyes challenged him. His unchanged jacket would never beat her show! "We'll see about that later! I have a secret weapon prepared!"
He chuckled, almost deriding her. "What would that be? Are you bidding on your own jacket just to win?"
"I'm not you! Wait and see!"
"You two can leave now," Darius interrupted, causing Jude to blush and Tommy – well, he didn't blush but remained his usual cocky self.
Jude walked towards the studio, her hands holding the un-Photoshop'ed pictures of her bikini shoot. The whole thing hadn't been quite as weird as she had expected, but nonetheless it wasn't something she needed every week! Too many hands had been on her body, and too many eyes had roamed her skeptically. But, she had to admit the result was worth the eight hours of freezing, make up and high heels. She wondered if she should show Tommy the pictures. He might take it wrong though, and consider it a flirtatious act. Her hand pulled the door to studio A open, but she haltered immediately when she heard that Tommy was speaking with someone on the phone and not in a good way, either! Not for her, at least.
"…I know. I can't wait for tonight. I bet you'll look as gorgeous as ever!…No, I'm not dating her anymore. Things didn't work out… Can't wait to see you, Caroline!"
Jude slowly closed the door again; luckily for her he seemed not to have noticed her. Something inside her felt not so right anymore, and she damned herself for she knew that feeling from when she had found him with Sadie. Of course, he was seeing his floozies again. She shouldn't be shocked. Had she really expected him to be in love with her, only because she had sparked some carnal reactions in him? No. She was smarter now. She was not hurt. She did not even care! Pulling out her phone, she dialed David's number immediately.
After two rings he picked up. "Hey, it's me. Jude. I know I haven't been very available lately, but if you still want to come to the benefit tonight, I'd be very happy. Oh," She looked around to make sure she was alone and then whispered, "If that offer still stands, I'd love to spend the night with you. For real. I think I'm ready to take the final step…"
"Damn," Kwest awed, looking with interest at the picture in Tommy's hands, only able to see a beautiful female body, posing almost smugly on beach, wearing a flimsy black bikini. "Who is that hottie?"
Tommy covered the picture with both of his hands immediately. "That'd be Jude. Don't call her 'hottie'," he warned. Jude was his girl. If anyone were allowed to admire her, it was him! Wow, he reflected in shock. Where had that possessive streak come from? It was a novelty to him to feel so…protective of someone, though calling it that seemed weird for the thoughts he had had a few moments ago where nothing near protectiveness, but a lot closer to unfettered want. "She's…more than that."
Throwing his hands up in defeat, Kwest sat down on his chair with a chuckle. "How'd you get the picture?"
"Slipped from a folder underneath her arm when she hurried out of G-Major. She didn't even hear me calling for her." After she was gone, he had picked up the photo and decided he might as well take his break early that day and spend a few minutes admiring the girl captured on said picture. He could still taste the skin of her shoulder from the day she had tried on the very same bikini she wore on the photo in his hands. The smooth silken skin had lured him in and not let him go ever since. She was devastatingly rapturing! He craved for another taste, for one more bite of her delicious…
"Earth to Quincy! T, you're still there?"
"Sorry, yeah." He looked at Kwest and frowned. "You look like you ants in your pants. Something you want to tell me?" Might as well change the topic.
"I'm not sure. I heard Jude on the phone with someone, and I think it was David."
"Big shocker," Tommy mocked. "She called her boyfriend!"
"You know what?" Kwest's furrowed forehead showed exasperation. He hated when Tom Quincy had his conceited, arrogant, asshole-like moments. "There's nothing I want to tell you!"
"Fine!" Tommy countered in irritation.
"Yeah!"
Tommy shook his head at that confusing attempt of a conversation and resumed mixing.
He watched her the entire night, Jude realized. Every time she crossed his path, Tommy's eyes were instantly on her back. But, it wasn't simply watching, she came to understand. It was more. He was – admiring seemed to be the wrong word. Maybe there was pride in his eyes? Or something entirely different; something she told herself she did not want to see in his eyes. She stepped off the stage, having just finished her song, and now had to change. In five minutes, she was bound to walk down the runway to present her jacket. After the small boost of confidence she had acquired during the bikini shoot, she had decided to play by the rules of show business and only wear jeans and a bikini top beneath her jacket. SME vehemently had professed that she looked stunning and that, if their parents wouldn't be in control of their money, 'so buy her jacket'!
Tommy would go before she had to go, and she had seen his jacket in the changing area. He had only written 'Tommy Q' on the back with a white Sharpie. She'd have laughed at his lameness, but she knew he had some real faithful groupies, and she was sure at least one would find it in her heart to buy his jacket for a hideously big sum of money!
Ready and changed, with her jacket pulled closed, she stood in the back of the runway, watching him walk. It was pure arrogance. His steps were slow and self-complacently; his face was gloating. The little winks he sent to those calling his name were exercised and perfected, and occasionally his sparkling white teeth showed off as if to blind everyone with them. Smug bastard! "Nice," she sneered when he was done, ignoring his irritated expression. She wondered if Caroline was somewhere in the crowd, ready to buy his jacket? Was Caroline a beauty? Or was she just another nameless opportunity? Did he care more for her than he had cared for Sadie? Did he care more for Caroline than he claimed to care for her? Jude couldn't help wanting to know.
Stepping up the runway, she set on a trained, self-satisfied face that didn't come quite as naturally as it came to Tommy. She allowed the jacket to flare open. Applause rose, and she heard several compliments being shouted at her. Would Caroline see her? What would she think? In the back of the crowd Jude saw David, grinning and applauding, even whistling in encouragement. Taking the jacket off completely, she tossed it casually over her shoulder, then posed before marching back. Hopefully that would be enough to outdo Tom Quincy.
Tommy stood behind the stage and when he saw Jude walking back, her flat stomach teased him, her bellybutton displayed what he knew for sure was a new piercing. He could already imagine how it'd feel to circle the small diamond stud with his tongue, tickling her, bathing in her sinful, breathless giggles. He'd then kiss his way up her body, suckling on her velvet skin until his nose could dive between the mounds that were her beguiling breasts. Then he'd tease one with his hand and the other one he'd devour with his mouth, stealing even the last breath from her lungs. His eyes grew heavy with want as he watched her and if he didn't stop soon, his imaginations would give him quite the erection. He was already rising!
And yet, when she passed him, he couldn't help but voice his admiration, although she looked like she'd bite his head off any second. "Stunning show, and nice jacket. Though, I'd rather have the girl wearing it."
Jude glared back at him. "Don't. I wouldn't want your new girlfriend to get jealous!" Leaving him speechless, she grabbed her bag and her shirt, and left to find David. It was time to start the rest of the night. She wanted that for once and for all Tom Quincy would become an irrelevant person of her past.
"Kwest!" Tommy found his friend in the crowd. "What exactly did you hear Jude saying on the phone?" After Jude's little comment, he needed to know if Kwest knew anything that might help him.
Kwest turned away from the group of friends he was with, knowing most of the people from the various other events he had been with as part of Tommy's entourage. "Oh, suddenly you're interested?"
"Jude thinks I'm having a girlfriend! She took her stuff and left with David. What did she say?" He wasn't in the mood for hurt pride just then, but wanted to know what Jude was up to.
"Come," Kwest said and led Tommy to a silent area. Reluctantly he started telling. "She stood in front of studio A, telling David she wanted to spend the night with him, and that she was ready for the final step. I know we have seen her doing some stuff with him, but maybe she fooled us all. What if she's…you know – What would make her think you have a girlfriend?"
Studio A? Tommy groaned, covering his distressed face with his hands. She must have heard him talking to on the phone. "Caroline. Caroline Spencer, the sponsor of D's benefit. You know her. She's like sixty but has a thing for me, and for every younger man for that matter. D told me to flirt with her so she'd show up tonight with money, and I did. Jude must have overheard. If she called David after hearing me on the phone, she's doing this to hurt me, and not because she wants it."
"Go," Kwest told him. "I'll tell D you two left."
"Thanks!"
Tommy stopped his car right in front of David's apartment building. He didn't even acknowledge the 'no parking' signs. Something in him had snapped. Now he was convinced Jude was still a virgin, and he couldn't bear the thought of her in another man's arms. If she loved the other man, he might – no! He would still have troubles!
Luck was on his side when he spotted Jude entering the elevator. She was alone. He took that as his opportunity. He had to run to catch the elevator in time, and when he did the girl inside looked anything but happy. "What the hell are you doing here?"
He took a deep breath, not having the slightest idea on what to tell her, or how, and so he simply begged, "Don't spend the night with him."
Jude's face flushed red, but her eyes displayed anger. "How dare you to tell me what and what not to do! How do you even know I'm here?"
"Kwest heard you on the phone with David." The door closed, and he relaxed, knowing he'd have at least a minute alone with her.
"You two spy on me?" The red drifted away, and anger fully took over.
"You eavesdropped on my phone call," he countered with frustration. In desperate situations he tended to lose his patience and so his voice rose, too. "You just jump to the conclusion that I have a girlfriend because of one phone call?"
"How do – who cares! I don't blame you for having a girlfriend. But, I'd appreciate if you stopped keeping me from seeing my boyfriend! Seriously, you followed me here to accuse me of spying, only because I accidentally overheard you on the phone? Don't you have your own life?!"
"I do not have a girlfriend," he snapped. "Next time, before you assume things, ask me first!"
"What for," she barked back. "Go, Tommy! Leave me alone and go back to your own place. Or to a party, or wherever! Just leave me alone!"
"I know you're a virgin," he blurted out.
The red cheeks returned, almost a glowing pink this time. "No, I'm not!"
"Yes you are," he hissed and pressed his lips on hers. He needed to kiss her. He couldn't go another second without tasting her perfectly rosy lips that tempted him like water did a thirsting man in the desert, or without drinking in her mouth that was his personal heaven just then. The kiss was searing and passionate from his side. Jude needed a moment to comprehend, but did not fight him once she did. Although she didn't respond, either. His hands darted out, supporting his weight against the wall while the strength of the kiss caused her back to collide with it. His body was flush against her, his need insatiable, but her participation was non-existent. He was about to lean back, to apologize when suddenly her slender arms wrapped around his neck, hurling him closer than he had ever been in her arms. He was lost. He could not pull away. Memories of that one time on the soundboard came back to him. She had denied having recognized it was him, but he would bet his life she had lied. How close had they come to more back then! Why couldn't he ever get her alone in a bedroom? Preferably one that was locked.
Jude didn't know what she was doing. First the unwanted jealousy, then the confusion over whether or not she was ready for the final step with David, then Tommy had showed up and only shaken her troubled thoughts further, and now here she was, kissing the man she did not want to kiss at all. If only she could pull away. She felt like a magnet, drawn to Tommy with no way of stopping the attraction. When she was in his arms, whether she wanted to be there or not, it felt right. Something about him made her want to stay in his hold forever, and it was so painful because she knew he did not feel the same.
"This is wrong," she whispered on a last breath while his lips were hungrily kissing down her neck and shoulder. She had not put on the shirt again, only buttoned her jacket. She had no idea how he had managed to open it so fast, but when both of his hands roamed up her unclothed sides, she shuddered blissfully. "Elevator," came hoarsely from her throat, and in that moment a sound chimed, proclaiming they had reached their destination. The door had not opened yet when Tommy fiercely pushed the button for the first floor, only to reclaim her body again afterwards. She arched, her back curving, making her chest press against his. Jude wasn't sure she was still herself when she tangled her hands in his hair, his mouth hot on her collarbone. Then his lips kissed lower, and one of his hands cupped her breast. The mound was only covered with the thin material of the black bikini she had come to know he liked. When his thumb flicked the rigid cone, she shivered involuntarily, the pleasure shooting through her body like hot liquid. "Tommy…"
He was so hard it hurt. One of her legs was bent around his waist, one still on the ground. He wasn't even sure where to grope first. He wanted to touch every little inch of her body, and he wanted to touch it all now, not having enough patience to go slow. "I want you," he croaked, taking her mouth in another ravishing kiss. There was nothing gentle about this lip-lock, only pure want and unbound erotic. His tongue licked hers desperately, the taste irresistible and the sensations coming from it overpowering. Screw the right or wrongs of this situation, he thought, and lifted her up, pulling her legs around his torso and pushing inexorably against her crotch, being rewarded with a keen moan from Jude's swollen lips. The elevator chimed again. Time was flying too fast. He wanted her for the whole night, and a mattress might not be so bad either. "Come with me," he pleaded, "I need you so badly. I know you want me too." He could feel it in her every response.
Want. How was it everything else drowned out every time she heard him saying that? She forgot the incredibly amazing sensations he could make her feel, she forgot the tingles on her scorched skin, and the flutters in her stomach that she so desperately wanted to get rid off. Want. It was all he offered, and it wasn't the least of what she needed. "I can't," she denied and pushed away from him. "Let me down." He did. Her legs were a little shaky, and she was grateful for the wall behind her back when she buttoned the jacket up and straightened her hair. "Go, Tommy."
"What?!"
She could hear the irritation in his voice, and even she guilty for having been unable to stop this earlier, for having given him hope. "I'm sorry. I – I don't know what happened…this…it wasn't…David is waiting for me and I—"
He shook his head, stopping her from continuing. It blew his mind how she could possibly want to go to David after what had just occurred. "Save it." He stepped away from her and in that second the door opened. He left with no further word.
He sat in his car, longing and lust still throbbing through ever fiber of his being, while trying to make sense of what had just happened. One second she pulled him closer, and the next she pushed him away, stone cold and emotionless. He'd have loved to say no, to stay, to confront her, but he knew an elevator was by far the wrong place for that and he could not pull her into his car against her will. Starting the car, he knew he needed a shower and some drinks when suddenly all went black.
Kwest watched the scene with barely contained amusement. True, seeing his friend in a hospital bed after a truly stupid accident of crashing into a garbage truck wasn't necessarily the best moment to laugh. But never mind. The important part was that Tom Quincy was okay. He had a few scratches, a totaled car that had him on thin-stretched nerves, and an ex, hovering over his bed as though he'd die any second. That was amusing! "So, they want you to stay the night. I'll pick you up tomorrow, and I will bring clothes. For now you have to be okay with that very exquisite hospital gown," he grinned, having come to enjoy his small moments of triumph over Tommy, no matter in what situation.
Tommy glared, and Kwest could tell he was thriving to counter, or bark or something like that, but he was on medication and so tired he could barely keep his eyes open. The nurse had assured he would be better in a few hours, but for now he needed to calm down.
The nurse was still in the room, finishing up with Tommy's chart, and then she turned to Kwest. "Visiting hours are long over, and the patient needs rest." The fifty-something year old, gray-haired woman looked like the tall one from Golden Girls, a TV show Kwest had always found himself oddly fascinated with. "Both of you have to leave."
"I'll stay," Sadie protested. "I'm his girlfriend. He'll want me here!"
Rolling his eyes, Kwest tugged on Sadie's hand. "Come on already. You're his ex, and he was very clear when he broke up with you. How come you're here anyway?"
"You called! You think I let him here all by himself? He is severely injured."
Kwest nudged her out of the room. "He has scratches and he is only here because it's past midnight and the doctor to discharge him has already left. He doesn't even have a broken bone. Only broken pride," Kwest added chuckling. "And I didn't call you, I called Jude."
"Why," Sadie bitterly countered. "Because she's his new girlfriend?"
"What?"
"I heard the rumors about him and her, okay? I'm not stupid, despite common belief. Don't you think I knew he had a thing for her from the beginning? And to know Jude has, really isn't hard to see! Where is she anyway? She didn't come home after the show." Occasionally she sounded like an actual, worried sister. Kwest found those moments almost startling.
He decided not to tell that he had reached Jude by calling David. Jude had assured she'd check on Tommy, but since she wasn't there, he assumed she had changed her mind. He had made it clear Tommy was in no danger, and half-asleep already. "Let's just go, okay?" He had pity with the older Harrison. "I'll buy you a coffee, and you can explain to me why you're so eager to be with someone who obviously doesn't care for you." It wasn't mean, but honest, and the sigh of defeat coming from Sadie told him she was in need to talk to someone.
It was all foggy and dark when Tommy opened his eyes. He was immediately greeted with a sharp pain in his left arm, and stiffness in his neck. Slowly the things surrounding him took a clearer shape and after another moment he remembered he was in a hospital and that a garbage truck had rammed him. The Ferrari was dead – and his pride almost there, too. He sat up carefully, not sure where else he had to expect pain. Switching the lamp on, he was surprised, nearly startled, to see the soft-snoring blonde in the chair next to his bed. She was curled into it, her knees tugged up underneath her chin, her arms hugging herself. Reaching over, he gently poked her arm. She stirred. "Hey…"
Drowsy eyes opened, and Jude's lips curled into a small smile. "Hi. Do you need me to get a doctor or so?" She sounded nearly frightened. Tommy's heart experienced an unknown feeling, some sort of tugging. She was here for him, and she was worried.
"I'm okay. How'd you get here? I remember a nurse throwing everyone out."
She sheepishly looked away. "There's an intern who is a fan of you. You'll have to get her free tickets to the next Bon Jovi concert, and she wants an autograph from you. In exchange she snuck me in."
He'd have rolled his eyes, but right now he was just happy that she was here, and that she had even taken up some troubles to get in. After earlier that night, he'd have not believed so. "David won't be happy you're here." He shifted, a grunt of pain followed, but he wanted to get a better look at her. The way her hair stuck to one side of her head was charming, and he could see that one of the buttons of her jacket had left an imprint on her cheek.
"David doesn't know I'm here. I told him I'd go home. We…" she mumbled with a blush, "we never…"
Tommy nodded, not needing her to finish the sentence. Relief. He wasn't sure he had ever been so thankful before. If she had really wanted to go that far with David, there would have been nothing he could have done. And yet, a part of him knew that Jude wasn't meant to be in the other guy's arms. If only he were able to make her understand that. His arm was still outstretched. He smiled when she took his hand to link their fingers.
"Darius called," Jude told him, a grin edging up her face. "Apparently I stole my own jacket, and now he wants it back. It got sold for over thousand dollars. Two hundred more than yours brought. I won."
He knew she did. He had paid for that jacket! "Keep it," he smirked. "Consider it a present."
Jude's eyes widened, then she gave him a weak, not really biting glare. It was more a scold, meant to hide that deep down she liked what he had done. "Tommy!"
"It was for a good cause. I'd have donated something anyway."
"I thought you rather liked me without it," she teased. It was weird to be here with him. All alone, in the night… He was in bed, nearly powerless, and yet a feeling of danger flowed from him. Something about his eyes, Jude concluded. It was the way he looked at her, completely open and vulnerable. She could tell he was glad she was here, and she found she had never seen that emotion coming so clearly from him. It made her feel exposed, too. Maybe it was the accident that caused him to forget reality for a while, or maybe he really was happy she was here. From what she knew from Kwest, Tommy only had a brother and a mother. Both were far away, and neither could be here. And, as Kwest once had remarked, Tommy's mother was never Tommy's biggest fan. All that came back to her just then, and a part of her felt really sorry for him. No one should be alone. She gave his hand a squeeze and smiled a little brighter.
Taking in her little remark, he tugged on her hand, making her scoot closer to him. She looked like an angel in that moment and he couldn't bring himself to let her go. "How much will it take you to spend the rest of the night in this bed with me?"
She blushed again, harder than before. A part of her craved to climb into that very bed, curl herself into his arms and enjoy the feeling of security and warmth she was sure she'd find there. She was convinced he'd find the same feeling in her arms, if she allowed it. Another part of her was afraid she might like it there too much. "It's…four am," she said after checking her watch. "What if someone comes in and sees it? We'd only make another headline."
"I promise I'll wake you before the doctors and nurses start their rounds." She was drawn to his intense eyes, to the deep plea inside them. He was like a little boy, afraid to sleep alone. She was aware that he could probably give that sort of look in any given situation. There was a reason he had been able to lure so many females into his arms, and yet, she wasn't able to fight him in that moment. Kicking her shoes off, and stripping off the jacket once again, she climbed into the small bed, and immediately felt his arms pulling her close. She carefully adjusted in his arms, feeling how his body heat warmed her naked skin. After all, the kisses he had peppered down her body before it seemed nonsense to feel shy now. She could see the bruises and little cuts, and she knew they'd hurt if she touched them. Placing her head on his right arm, she urged herself not to relish the feeling of it.
She would not savor this moment. She would not sigh contently. She would not… Oh screw it, she mentally snapped at her own stubborn self, and hugged him closer. Might as well enjoy it while it lasted. Tomorrow she'd be David's girlfriend, but for now she was Tommy's girl again. The slightly naïve, completely faithful young woman that dreamed of nothing else than for him to notice her in a crowd of a thousand beauty queens. Smiling when she dug her nose into his neck, taking in his scent of hospital soap and sterile clothes, she fully nestled into his arms. "I was afraid you would be really badly injured," she admitted not more loudly than a whisper.
"I was afraid the last thing I ever heard you telling me was to go," he rasped back. Despite the not irrelevant pain he felt from holding her so close while all his limbs seemed to be sore, he couldn't let go of her.
"Tommy," she only replied, not sure what else to say without offering more of her fragile heart to him.
He heard her reluctance and understood. For now, he'd let it go. "Let's just sleep for now…"
"Okay."