Inside Out (10 page)

“We’re going to get wasted and take a nap?” I winked and strolled over to him, helping him straighten the blanket out on the ground. I searched the grounds for a sign of other guests. I could faintly see two or three figures in the far distance. “Are we allowed to do this?”

“Sam. People picnic here all the time.” He handed a glass to me, motioning me to sit on the blanket. I stretched out beside him, draping one leg over his.

“This is nice.” I whispered and closed my eyes while basking in the sun. The summer air seemed much cooler. A faint breeze kissed my skin, relaxing me so much I was afraid I’d drift off to sleep.

“We can come here as much as you’d like. It could be like a weekend ritual or something.”

I smiled, enjoying the thought of many picnics like this. I tried to imagine what the fall in this place might be like. I was sure the colorful leaves on the ground along with the chilly air would be nearly as perfect as this moment. The bright sun began to hide behind the clouds as hours past. “Jude, I’m becoming mosquito bait.” I whined and smacked my arm as the third mosquito latched on. “Getting hungry again too, we’ve been here for hours.” I stood from the ground, dancing in place as I felt several more bugs light on my skin.

“Oh, you sissy. You damned cute little sissy. Let’s get you out of here and get that fat ass filled.” He laughed hard and smacked my ass.

“Jude Williams, you pain in the ass! Yes, literally, you pain in the ass!” I wailed and ran after him, rubbing my ass until the stinging subsided.

“Aw, did I hurt you? Want me to kiss it?” He puckered his lips and blew kisses in the air.

“Actually, I do. I warned you about smacking my ass so much!” I teased and turned my back-side in his direction. “Now, get your immature ass over here and let’s go before I’m sucked dry and starve to death.”

“Okay, okay, you demanding woman. How about you kiss me just once before we go?”

“I wouldn’t have left without one.” I opened my arms, inviting him into them. “I’ll hold you this time.” The only sounds that filled the air were crickets and the wind rushing across the pond.

I eased his face closer to mine, parting my lips slightly when he was close enough for me to feel his breath. Our mouths met, sending a tingling sensation throughout every inch of skin on my body. I deepened our kiss, letting him know I wanted him and I loved him more than anything. Our pace remained slow and romantic, yet sensual and passionate. “I want to go home. Take me home.” Desired filled moans escaped my lips. My weak knees threatened to give, crippling me where I stood. Jude’s expression was intoxicated, like he was drunk on my kisses.

“Anything you want…” He stammered, breaking free from my grasp. “I want to feed you first and foremost.” He shook the drunken look from his face and gathered the blanket and glasses.

“Oh, right.” I was almost disappointed I would have to wait even longer to be with him.

“I want you just as much.” He winked and nudged my arm. “Let’s get out of here. I’ll feel just awful if you’re covered in mosquito bites.”

“It will be well worth it.” I huffed and smacked a mosquito from my cheek.

“Damn, what is in your blood that is so damned attractive to those bastards?”

“Hell, I don’t know. Maybe you just taste bad.” I howled and sprinted towards the car.

I jumped in Jude’s car, slamming the doors shut and sighing in relief that I was finally in shelter and away from those damned blood suckers. “Now, where should I take you to eat?”

“I don’t care. Anywhere sounds good” I mumbled and rubbed at my growling belly. “Hey, when are you going to let me drive this car?” I questioned as I heard the engine purr to life. Jude’s expression became worrisome and he caressed the interior of the car. “She’s my baby. I bought her from a guy who left her to rust in his back yard. I happened to ride past there one day and saw her sitting there, just waiting for me. Of course she had quite a bit of problems, but, with a little work… well, as you can see, she’s good as new.”

“Oh dear god, it’s a she? Well, I assure you, I’ll take good care of
her.
” I mocked him and rolled my eyes. “Seriously, Jude, I’ll be gentle. When can I take it for a spin?”

“If you’re really careful, you… you can drive her now.” He almost whispered the words with obvious skepticism. He placed the car in park and opened his door. I could feel my heart thump at the thought of being in control of his most prized possession. I second guessed my ability to drive us to our destination unscathed.

“Thanks…” I muttered and eased out of the car. I climbed into the driver’s side and rested my hands on the steering wheel. I felt giddy and ridiculously pleased with myself. I was going to drive Jude’s baby, a car with more power than any other vehicle I’d had the privilege to drive. Hell, I’d never even touched a car of this caliber, much less driven one.

“Are we going to sit here all day while you fondle the steering wheel?” Jude said in a sarcastic, yet playful manner.

“Oh shut up, I was just admiring her beauty.” I barked and turned the key. I tapped my hands on the wheel with delight when I heard the engine, again, purr to life. “Ready?” I squealed with joy. I punched the dials on the radio in an effort to find my favorite station. Good music would be the icing on the cake to this perfect moment. I cranked up the volume to my favorite classic rock station. I glanced at Jude for approval before pressing the gas.

“I have to admit, this is hot.” He growled in a seductive tone.

“What? I can’t hear you. Did you say I can drive any time I want to?” I giggled and lightly pressed my foot to the pedal. “Where am I taking us?” I questioned before pulling out of the parking lot.

“There’s a nice Chinese restaurant just off Landor Street. Just, take a right out of the parking lot and drive about two miles. You can’t miss the big sign with the Chinese symbol out front. It’s bright red.” He spoke loud, trying to speak over the loud hum of the music.

“You got it.” I turned to focus on the road, paying attention to every detail as I drove along the highway. I hoped I’d drive well enough to earn rights to drive this baby whenever my heart desired.

“Right here, Sam.” He blurted out. I almost passed the street my thoughts were so focused on driving correctly.

“Shit. Sorry.” I murmured and yanked the car left a little harder than I expected. “Oops.” I frowned and bit my bottom lip as I awaited him to scold me.

“You did just fine, baby.” He lied and rubbed my cheek with his thumb.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, let’s go eat.” I sighed. Jude seemed amused, pissing me off even further when we noticed my poor excuse for parking. I’d taken up two parking spots and didn’t even pull up far enough. “Damn. Screw this car, Jude. I think it’s toying with me on purpose.” I muttered exasperated.

“Oh, don’t pout.” He pulled me into his arms and patted my back. “We’ll get it right the next time.” He could hardly contain a laugh. “Come on, let’s go feed you.”

I dragged my feet along beside him. I was pouting in a playful way, enjoying the attention I was getting by doing so. Jude kept a light rub on my back and kept batting his eyes at me as we walked together towards the entrance of the China Wok.

“Herro Missa Willyums.” The waitress’s accent was very pronounced. “You take usual?” She questioned him and motioned for us to follow her to a booth. I let Jude do the talking as I studied the decorations throughout the restaurant. We were surrounded in gold- plated dragon faces and different Chinese symbols. The lighting was dim due to a thin; almost see through like paper that was draped in front of the large round bulbs. I refocused my attention to the tiny little waitress when she tapped my shoulder. “Sit down.” She smiled and pushed a menu into my hands.

“Thank you, Pan Mai. Give us just a moment to go over the menu.” She nodded in response to Jude and scurried away. I could hear her scolding someone in the kitchen, making me chuckle. Her accent was adorable.

“Well, she’s pleasant.” I whispered. “Come here often? She seemed to know you right away.”

“Yeah, I used to come almost every weekend. She’s hilarious once you get to know her. Sometimes, she comes off a bit irritable. She’s really not, though. Order anything you want, Sam.” He shut his menu and pushed it to the center of the table. I assumed he knew what he wanted without really looking as much as he said he had visited this place.

“I like her.” I too, closed my menu and pushed it to the center of the table. “I’m ready.” I nodded and looked towards the direction Pan Mai had rushed off too. I was starving and more than ready to place my order.

“Pan Mai.” Jude spoke loud enough for the waitress to hear. Her smile was polite when she returned to take our order. “I’ll have the bourbon chicken with a side of shrimp fried rice and whatever this beautiful lady right here would like.”

I almost blushed when Pan Mai turned to stare at me. “Uh I would like orange chicken, a large one. And, um, a large order of beef fried rice, broccoli and a small order of white rice. Thank you.” I knew I’d ordered more food than I ever had at one sitting, but, I was hungry and Chinese food made excellent left overs. Jude stared at me with an amused expression. I shrugged my shoulders and placed my finger over my lips, daring him to comment on the amount of food I’d ordered. “I forgot to mention I received a text this morning about returning to work tomorrow. I want to. It will be good for me to step back into my normal routine. Are you going to be able to take me?” I asked hesitantly.

“Samantha, of course I want to. So, I see, you ordered this much food to take with you to work tomorrow? Smart thinking, but, I could have picked you up for lunch. I still want to escort you to every destination for a while. Mitch seemed defeated, but, he looks stubborn and I don’t trust him. Promise you’ll be careful when I’m not there to keep an eye on you.”

“Yeah, sure, whatever you feel is best.” I stared towards the kitchen. “I’ve never been so hungry, Jude.” The aroma of the food lingering throughout the restaurant teased my taste buds.

“I’ll be sure to pack a bag full of snacks for your hungry ass, next time.” Jude winked and nudged my leg underneath the booth.

“You’re so damn funny.” I mocked his tone. I enjoyed being with him like this. The pain of losing Adam never went away. It just felt like a dull ache when I was in Jude’s company. “There it is.” The smell of the chicken was even more intense as she grew closer to our table. Jude giggled and shook his head at my reaction. I stared across the table as the waitress set one lonely dish in front of Jude, and placed my own personal buffet in front of me. I ate the meal, without taking a break to even speak.

“You sure were hungry.” His eyes grew wide. “We could have left the gardens sooner.”

“Don’t sweat it. That kiss was much too amazing to pass up.” I winked and took another bite of chicken. I finally felt full. All that was left was a small portion of food that would be perfect for tomorrow’s lunch. “If you’re ready to go, I’m ready. I have to be up early tomorrow.” Jude called to Pan Mai and thanked her for her service. I saw questions in her eyes about my relationship with Jude, though she never spoke, only offered a kind smile that didn’t seem too genuine.

“She likes you.” Jude whispered as we walked out of the door.

“Oh, how can you tell? She seemed fond of you, of course. But, I didn’t see too much enthusiasm in her voice when she spoke to me.” I blinked my eyes sarcastically and mocked Pan Mai. “Oh Missa Willyums, it is so nice to see you again.”

Jude tried hard to hold back a laugh. “She’s just nice.”

“She’s nice to you. Don’t say she likes me when clearly her eyes told a different story.” I mumbled and crawled into the passenger side of his vehicle.

“I think sometimes you’re paranoid. The whole world hates you, to hear you tell it.” Jude groaned and started up the engine. “I love you. She likes you and most people who come in contact with you feel the same.”

“Okay, you’re right. Maybe I’m just tired and grumpy. Get my moody ass home and into bed.” I felt my eyes get heavy. I yawned and snuggled my face into the seat. I felt Jude’s arm relax across my knee. I drifted off to sleep only feeling a light vibration coming from the movement of the car. The steady hum sent me into an even deeper sleep.

I was six years old riding my bike down the side street by our house. I could feel the sun beaming down on my face as I pedaled as fast as my little legs would take me. Adam ran along beside me, holding on to the side of the bike to steady my balance. “Don’t get scared, Sam. You got this! Just focus on your pedaling.” I nodded in response and kept pedaling towards the end of the street. I could smell the neighbor’s fresh cut grass and the faint smell of the night blooming jasmines. This day was perfect. I made it all the way to the stop sign and hopped off my bike and ran to greet Adam who was struggling to keep up. “Great job, sport” Adam spoke proudly.

“Did you see that Adam? Did you see that!?” I jumped up and down. This was the first time I’d made it down the street without crashing. I threw my arms around Adam’s neck and squeezed him with all my might. “You’re the best big brother in the world.” I said those words and meant them.

“And you’re the best little sister, in the world.” Adam rubbed my head and set me back down. “Let’s get you cleaned up and ready for lunch.” I grabbed ahold of his hand and pushed the bike home with the other.

“Samantha, Samantha.” I blinked my eyes and tried to focus on my surroundings. It was Jude.

“Damn. I was having the best dream.” I muttered teary eyed.

“I’m sorry, Sam. I’ll help you inside and you can go right back to sleep.” I stumbled from the car, bracing myself on Jude’s shoulder. My body was tired and my mind was racing through childhood memories. Jude kept his arms around me while he fumbled for the keys to the house. “Dammit, I can’t see a thing.”

“The door is open.” I mumbled sleepily. I could see a slight crack in the door, allowing a tiny sliver of light to peek through.

“Shit.” Jude pushed opened the door. “Guess I need to learn how to pull the door closed all the way.”

“At least we didn’t have to fight another flock of mosquitoes while you searched for your keys.” I grinned and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m going to grab my pajamas from the room.”