A/N: Okay, so here's the next chapter. Before you read on, I have to post a warning that there is some adult content in this post. I hope no one is offended by it, but please proceed with caution.

I'm nervous about this chapter because it's the point in the story where everything changes and it's pretty important. So please let me know what you think. Reviews are always appreciated, but for some reason, I'm feeling more unsure about this chapter than the others.

And finally, thanks so much for being patient. I really hope it's worth the wait.

We start immediately after the last chapter, as Tommy and Jude race each other back to her place...

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"I win," Jude announced, bursting through her front door and slipping off her wet shoes.

"But you cheated," Tommy countered, entering behind her and kicking his shoes off too.

"I did not," she replied firmly.

"Jude, you ran straight through that intersection even though it was a red light," he explained, watching as she turned on the lamp in the living room. "You're a jaywalking delinquent."

"Jaywalking isn't cheating," she replied. "It's a ridiculous law. And besides, you're just upset because you were too chicken to run through it too."

"I was not," he replied, crossing his arms. "I just prefer to respect the law."

"Sure you do," she responded with a light grin, thinking about the irony of his statement. She reached up to her eye, rubbing it lightly, feeling something in it.

"Quincy, is there something in my eye? I feel like there's something there but I can't get it."

He walked over to her, as she unintentionally swayed from the effect of alcohol in her system, trying to stand in place.

"Yeah, I think there is something…hold on…" he said, leaning in closely to try to grab it. "Jude, would you please stop moving so I don't poke your eye out?" he asked, pulling on her arms to keep her still.

"I'm sorry, but the room is spinning," Jude said with a sigh, trying to stand still before him and closing her eyes. "And now, it's seriously making me nauseous."

"Do you want me to help or not?" he asked.

"Just get it, already," she replied impatiently, eyes shut.

"Fine," he said, leaning over and gently picking a tiny wet leaf off the tip of her lashes.

Discarding the leaf beside him, he found himself staring at her, still standing with her eyes closed. Without thinking, he brought his finger back up to her eye, lingering for a few seconds. Slowly, he dragged his finger down her lashes and onto her cheek, touching her soft skin. He felt mesmerized by her, like he couldn't remove his hand even if he wanted to. He gently made small circles against her cheek, the touch of her skin burning his finger, as he noticed a small smile appear on her face. Her eyes remained closed as he continued, running his finger down her cheek to the edge of her lips. He sucked in a breath as he touched the side of her lips, sweeping his finger against her smooth bottom lip. She parted her lips slightly as her breath quickened. She felt her skin smolder at his touch, running his finger from one side of her lip to the other.

As he finished outlining her lips, he watched her eyes gently flutter open. Her blue eyes blazed into his, unable to look away. Shifting slightly, Jude blinked, snapping them both out of the trance. She turned away from his gaze, awkwardly stepping back to end the moment. But he watched her regretfully, willing her to come back.

"Jude…"

"I just need to umm…get a towel to dry off…do you want one?"

"Jude," he repeated, reaching out to grab her arm, keeping her from walking away.

She felt her heart pounding in her chest, about to break out of her body. She timidly turned back towards him, keeping her eyes focused on the floor.

He gently pulled her back in closer, watching her nervous expression.

"Jude," he said softly, holding her across from him and trying to get her to look up at him.

Slowly, she shifted her gaze upwards and into his eyes, chills running down her spine. He looked into her eyes and saw a world of emotions—fear, nervousness, anticipation. But he also knew that behind it all was the same sense of longing that he felt.

Looking into his eyes, she had so much to tell him but couldn't muster up the courage to speak.

Barely audible, like a whisper, she said, "I can't."

He looked at her sympathetically, seeing her eyes retreat back to the floor. He sighed deeply and stepped forward to pull her in to a hug. Her heart raced as his body surrounded hers. He rubbed her back soothingly, though they both felt the energy ignite from his actions.

He closed his eyes and muttered quietly, "Neither can I."

She pulled back to look up at him questioningly, meeting his gaze and immediately feeling drawn to his side. His expression revealed the inner demons he was battling—the struggle between desire and realism. Sincerity and dishonesty. Right and wrong.

But as he stood in front of her, the words of the song he had heard only hours ago resonated over and over in his mind: Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.

Forgetting everything else in his life except those lyrics and the woman before him, he slowly leaned down and brought his lips to her forehead, lightly kissing her. She let out a sigh, her eyes closing to tune out everything else around her. He exhaled deeply too, feeling the weight of his frustrations gradually lift and his resistance break down. He looked at her closely and then bent in again, bringing his lips to the tip of her nose. Her lips curled upwards in a subtle smile, though her eyes remained closed. He faintly grinned too but eyed her lips, waiting to be touched. He closed his eyes and leaned in one more time, slowly, hesitantly. Ever so lightly, he brought his mouth to hers, brushing gently against her lips, feeling a quick spark emit at their touch.

She stood frozen as his lips lightly swept against hers, but felt the tingles surge at their brief exchange. Her body felt paralyzed as his warm breath flooded her mouth, returning back to cold within seconds as he pulled away. Slowly, she opened her eyes to watch him retreat a few steps, a look of uncertainty on his face.

He stepped away slowly, questioning his actions and worried about her reaction. He stood before her, speechless, as her eyes opened and met his. She instantly recognized his doubt, awaiting her response.

Maybe it was the alcohol or maybe it was the rush she had felt from kissing him, but all of her concerns were suddenly lost. Her reluctance flew out the window as she looked at him standing before her, her breathing increasing in anticipation.

Without hesitation, she took a step forward, closing the space between them, and crashed her lips into his. He faltered at first, surprised by her actions, but then pulled her in, pressing his lips against hers hungrily. She wrapped her arms around his back, clinging to his damp shirt to remain steady. He pressed his lips against her more forcefully, satisfying his urge to consume her, as she moved her tongue into his mouth. He felt her tongue touch his and immediately reciprocated, working his tongue against hers. Their kiss ignited passion, both surrendering to the intensity of the connection.

She felt his hands travel over her body, creeping under her tank top. He touched her bare back, running his fingers over her skin, sending sparks throughout her body. Butterflies running wild in her stomach, she kept her mouth on his and reached for the front of his shirt, starting to undo the buttons. She pulled them apart hastily, working the shirt off of him and tossing it on the floor.

Keeping his lips focused on hers, he slowly walked her backwards until she was leaning against the wall. She ran her fingers up his back to feel the grooves of his body, hearing him groan. He grabbed the edge of her tank top and pulled it over her head, breaking the kiss for a moment, before throwing it down on the ground. Their mouths immediately reunited, as he wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace. He then brought his fingers to the clasp of her bra and gently unhooked it, pulling it over her shoulders to fall to the floor.

She moaned softly at his actions, flames engulfing her whole body. As he began kissing her neck, she grew more impatient, her desire becoming overwhelming. She pushed him backwards towards the hallway, knocking into a small table and causing a vase to tip over. Ignoring the sound of the vase falling on the floor and water rushing to the carpet, his lips moved up her neck to capture her mouth again. He held her close and followed her lead, stumbling down the hall, shedding the rest of their clothing along the way, the hall lined with jeans, socks, belts, and finally, underwear.

Not bothering to stop and consider their actions, they made their way towards her bedroom, the heat growing only more and more intense by the second. Tommy followed her inside, kicking the door closed on his way in, shutting out all the voices in their heads and officially crossing the line from friends to lovers.

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Hours later, they both collapsed, side by side, on the bed. Neither could begin to think coherently as they lay beside each other, breathing heavily. Silence set in on the room as they gradually returned to consciousness. Wanting to escape reality for just a little while longer, Jude quietly shifted so that she was up against him, hearing his heart pounding in his chest. He instinctively wrapped his arm around her tightly and kissed her head, wanting to savor the moment forever.