Holy Matrimony!

Chapter 3: Can Time Move Any Slower? 33 Hours

Disclaimer is on my profile page.

I sighed again as I looked at Tommy. I found out that he likes to be called Tom more than anything else. So Tommy it is. He's been ransacking his closet for something that I can wear. So far, no luck. What a surprise with that mess he refers to as a closet.

I could either go back to the hotel naked or in stripper's clothes or his clothes. I could see no rational way to get there without questions from my loved ones. Even if last night was my bachelorette. No excuse will cover this.

Maybe the bed sheet would make a good covering. I could be going for the Roman goddess look. No, no one will believe that one. Plus it's a little too see through for me to be comfortable with. I'll bet that he'd be more than happy to donate the sheet to me. The bastard.

I started to fidget as I felt a breeze move through the apartment. My teeth chattered a bit as I shivered from the cold. Was it always this cold or am I finally realizing I need to tell Jamie that I married a gorgeous stranger? Who is currently bent over and I'm liking the view. That's an understatement. I rub a hand over my mouth to make sure there is no drool-age happening. Unfortunately there was a little at the corner of my mouth.

"Tommy," I smiled as I thought about him gritting his teeth over his name. "I'm really starting to get worried about the time." Huge lie. It's never moved so slowly. "I have to be in Monaco soon and don't have time to waste."

"What's so important there?" He looked at me skeptically. Why the skepticism? Am I that unbelievable at lying? I better not be, I've got to hide this from a brood of people that are waiting for me.

"Something I need for tomorrow," why am I still hiding the fact that it's a vital part of my wedding ensemble? Is that what he's catching on to? That I'm planning on divorcing him already?

How am I going to get out of this marriage so I can get married?! I growled as I thought about how horrible this isn't. Uh, I meant is. How horrible this is. But on the other hand...

Why should I be unhappy that I'm married to a deliciously hot man who knows what he's doing when it comes to love play? I was content when I woke up. More than I've ever been. I only wish I knew how he did it. Though I'm sure he wouldn't deny me a replay. In fact, I'm sure he would insist upon it.

Then my mind finds it's way back to the man that has loved me since I was eight. One who has always taken care of me. One who said he would love me forever. The one who's going to kill me as soon as I tell him about this enormous mistake.

"Here," he threw a light gray sweatshirt at me.

"That's great Tommy," I purposely drawled his name out, "but what about my other half?" His lips started to turn into a smile before he caught himself and answered me. And I thought only Spied had a mind that dirty. Even though I can give Spied a run for his money some days.

"It's long enough to cover you," he pointed out dryly.

"Yes, but you do realize that it is early spring, right?" I loved the patronizing tone I was using. "It's still quite cold outside." I threw him a smile that he promptly grimaced at. "And I need to go outside to get where I'm going." How long is he going to take my abuse before he snaps? I cross my fingers hoping I don't take it that far.

"I was hoping that you changed your mind about leaving," I forced myself to be strong against the licentious look he was giving me. I made my face go hard and gave him a quick, firm shake of my head.

"Fine," he snarled as he turned and started in on his closet again. I took advantage of his distraction to slip the sweatshirt over my head. I loved how soft it felt against my skin, also his amazingly addictive scent still clung to it. I could fall into a complete state of bliss if things kept progressing like this.

I had to shake myself out of my sated mind frame and remind myself that I was still unhappy about other parts of me being this exposed. I brought my legs to my chest in effort to keep warm.

"I can't feel my toes," I whined (obviously to myself) as I rubbed my skin from the ankles down. The friction helped but only marginally. If I get frostbite I'm not going to be held responsible for my actions.

He looked back at me and his eyes didn't meet mine. They didn't even come anywhere near my face. Or my chest for that matter. The slow smile that curled half of his lip told me what was going on.

My fatal mistake, I realized. The sheet that stayed wound around my waist wasn't exactly covering my feet. In fact it was barely covering my shins. My knees are slightly parted. In short, I was giving him a show. One that he sadly has seen before.

I wasn't cold anymore. Embarrassment took care of that. The heat slowly started in my chest and quickly worked it was up. I threw myself back onto the bed and pulled a pillow over my overheated face.

Something soft landed on my stomach and the mattress sagged next to me.

"Jude?" he ask, totally devoid of any accent once again. Would he just make up his mind already? Use the accent or don't. This middle ground is making me insane.

"Wha?" I mumbled through the layers of fabric and humiliation. How much worse can this get? I've barely let Jamie see me in the nude and here I am baring all for a stranger. Though it was an accident, it still doesn't change a damn thing.

He hesitated for a moment. I expected him to make a 'nothing I've never seen before comment', but he surprised me by telling me he was going to go downstairs for a newspaper. After all those comments, smiles, and looks, why would he spare me from this one?

I waited until I heard the door close to remove my fluffy shield. Peeking around the corner of the pillow I saw I was truly alone. He didn't pull one of those lame tricks involving making the sounds of leaving but staying instead.

Tommy, Tommy, Tommy. What am I going to do with you?

* * *

"Good news," he said as he reentered the flat. "I found your shoes." He held up the shiny black leather stilettos. That's the last time I let my sister pick out my outfits. I'm thinking I should be happy I don't actually remember what I was wearing last night. All that I do recall is a very short, tight kind of dress thing.

"Well, won't I be the belle of the ball. Five hundred dollar shoes and-" I looked down at the material that bagged on me "-this." I did a really good job at hiding my disgust. Even I can't make that lie passable.

"Glad to see you have a sense a humor," he dropped my shoes unceremoniously onto the dull wooden floor. I had to swallow a squeak of horror as I watched my shoes hit and bounce against the floor in slow motion. I was not exaggerating the price of the shoes!

I can see we're definitely going to get along. As long as I don't have to speak to him ever again. I may start yelling if I don't calm myself down. Five hundred dollars worth of (now) scuffed shoes.

"Yeah, I'm just a barrel of laughs," I said as I poured myself a cup of coffee. Discreetly enjoying the smell of the sweatshirt. I was glad something was keeping the semi-sane part of my brain working.

Taking my coffee with me, I sat on a small wooden chair by the door leading out to a small balcony. I could feel his eyes wandering over me as I studied the cracked and peeling paint. The color was some kind of a light mustard-y brown. Well, I've seen uglier colors people have chosen to adorn their walls with. My mom is at the top of the list. She fell in love with a color named Sunburst Gold, I called it baby poop yellow.

"Look any harder and you'll burn a hole through me," even after my rudeness, he still kept his eyes trained on me. "Do you have a hearing problem? Or are you just stupid? That was my subtle way of telling you to stop staring at me." I took a sip of my drink and relaxed as much as I could in the stiff chair. But the eyes glued to my form made my muscles bunch in nervousness.

"Jude?" He said almost hesitantly. Is he always this hesitant? Why am I asking myself this? I'm never going to know that man anymore than I do right now. So there's no point in trying to figure him out. It will just be a waste of brain matter.

"What now?" I had my face turned away from him, so I don't know what his face held.

"Um, I was wondering if..." He took a breath and waited another moment. "Well, if you..."

"Just spit it out already. I'm getting old here."

"Never mind." He ground out as moved towards a door by the stove. "I'm going to shower. I'll only be a few minutes, unless you want to join me?" He had a hopeful expression as he gestured into the small room he had half entered.

"I made have lost my mind last night but it made a miraculous return this morning." I flashed a quick, fake smile before I turned away to finish my first mug of coffee.

But from the corner of my eye I could see him shrug before he said, "Your loss."

"I highly doubt that," I tossed back as he closed the door until it was slightly ajar. I heard the rustling of his pants as he removed them and turned on the water. Odd order to do that in, especially in this cold.

"Mon cher, the offer still stands." What happened to him being hesitant? I guess it goes away in sexual situations. Not that I'm surprised; he is a man after all. I, at least, had enough dignity left to not answer him. Or look at him for that matter. I may have been a lost cause if I let myself have a peek.

The water rushed on and on for almost twenty minutes. I think he's the reason that most countries have trouble meeting the water quota every year. But while he was busy I was able to check on the injuries that my shoes had inflicted on them by that man. I hope some shoe polish will help them look healthy again. I don't want to have to hold a funeral for them when I get home.

What? I splurged big time when I got these, so what if I'm acting a bit insane? These shoes cost more than Tommy makes in a year, I think. Well, he can't be making that much if he lives here. Okay, I'm really beginning to sound like snob. Worse, I'm sounding like my sister. A quick gulp of scalding coffee made a world of difference, it stopped the train of thought I was on. Plus gave me a little bit of a punishment.

I was sitting on the bed putting my shoes on when he finally graced me with his presence. I wouldn't need him if I knew where the hell I was, damn it! I hate being this vulnerable.

Geez, I could have taken a nap in the time it took him to do his hair. And I though I took a long time to get ready in the morning.

I had been laying on my stomach looking out the window when he informed me he was done. When I gave him my attention, he was staring at my feet. Correction, my shoes. I hope he's have a fantasy about me in the shoes and not him being the one wearing them. I shuddered as the horrendous image slithered through my brain.

"The walk of shame times a million is how bad this is going to be," I muttered to myself. The door began to look ominous as I moved closer to it with each step. My life, the actual one, is waiting for me on the other side. I can be brave in front of him, alone is one thing. But with everyone else around... this could be a completely different story. A very messy one at that.

Review Please!

I know people have been asking for updates, and you're very lucky to be getting this one. Unwilling Union may come in a week or so (No Promises!) but you all have been warned that I'm very "distractable" during hockey season. *sigh* Canadian Cuteness *sigh*. I'd sigh again but that's overdoing it.

Thanks, Eternita14