Inside Out (14 page)

“Looks like you’re too late.” Mitch laughed at nodded his head towards me. I stood, struggling to walk away from the window on my shaky legs. “It looks like your woman has been listening all along.”

“Sam, baby.” Jude called to me, pressing the palms of his hands to the window. “Don’t, don’t go…” He tapped on the glass once before scrambling to the front door.

“Don’t touch me.” I growled when Jude met me at the street. He dropped his hands by his sides.

“I didn’t do anything! I didn’t sleep with her! This has to be some crazy plan concocted by the three of them as revenge or something.”

“I don’t believe you!” I shouted and attempted to run past him.

“Jude…” Kara whispered from the edge of the yard.

“There, go deal with your whore!” I slapped his face with every bit of strength I had left in my body and stormed towards the yard where Kara stood. “You slept with him? You two thought you’d keep your dirty little secret away from me? I’ll kill you, you bitch.” I lunged towards Kara with every intention of knocking her in the dirt and beating her face in with my fist. Jude caught me by the waist mid- air.

“No, Samantha, she’s not worth jail time.” He held my waist tightly, even with me kicking and swinging my fist in his direction. “It’s a lie. It’s all a damn lie.”

“Is it, Jude? Is it a lie? Isn’t it possible you were too drunk to remember? Hell, we were all drunk. Allison and Kyle left us there alone on another beer run. I was fighting with Kyle. You were fighting with Allison. We were drunk off our asses and hurt. It happened. It happened right there on your bed. You told me you loved me.” She gritted her teeth and slid her fingers underneath her eyes, drying up tears before they had a chance to fall.

“No, no the fuck it didn’t. I don’t believe you. I would never sleep with you. You’re like a fucking sister to me.” His face reflected a disgusted emotion, a disturbed and disgusted emotion at the realization that this accusation might be true. Allison and Mitch stood on the side lines, arms wrapped around one another while they enjoyed the scene between the three of us. I could see neighbors pretend to tend to their garden, while they also acted as spectators of our fucked up love triangle.

“Looks like you got what you deserve, Samantha. Fortunately, for me, you gave up the prize.” Allison giggled and walked to her car, fingers interlocked with Mitch’s. Her words triggered no emotion, whatsoever. My focus was on Jude and Kara. I could have cared less what Mitch did, or who he did it with.

“Fuck em, both, hell at the same time. They’re both just whores.” Mitch smarted off before he was able to make it around to the passenger side of Allison’s car. I saw Jude’s frustrated expression contort to a look of rage. He balled up his fist and pressed them together, cracking them as he rushed around Kara and me.

“I already told you once, you stupid redneck piece of shit” Jude murmured. I could see Mitch scramble towards the car door, unable to pull the door fast enough. Not another word was spoken. The only sounds that filled my ears were the metal on Allison’s car caving in as Mitch’s body was shoved into the side. Mitch shielded his face with the side of his arms, unable to adjust his position to get a swing in on Jude. Jude shoved his fist into Mitch’s stomach.

“Stop it, stop it you bastard!” Allison squealed. She kicked off her high heels and sprinted on the other side of the car to break up the fight. I still stood, shocked, watching this horrible scene unfold. “Fuck you, Jude, fuck you!” She beat his back and pulled on his shirt. I snapped out of my trance when I saw that Allison’s blows had distracted Jude enough to allow Mitch the upper hand. Blood flew from Jude’s mouth, splattering onto the window when a hard punch landed against his cheek. I shoved Kara out of my way and ran for Jude.

“Get your hands off of him!” I plowed into Allison with built up fury. Her blonde hair was tangled around my fingers and her face was buried in the sand. I held her down with the full weight of my body. “I’ll call the cops, Samantha! Get off me you, you slut!” My eyes were glued on Jude. He’d managed to again, get the better end of Mitch with very little effort. I’d never noticed how slow Mitch was. His punches held power, but, he rarely had the opportunity to connect to Jude’s body. Jude dodged left and right, swiftly moving his feet and jabbing Mitch as he pranced around him. “Kara!” Allison yelled across the yard for help. Kara stood at the edge of the yard, wide eyed and nervous. Her eyes were on us, though her mind seemed to be elsewhere. I shoved Allison’s face down once more, hoping her sounds would be muffled with a mouth full of sand. Several minutes past, Mitch and Jude were exhausted and gasping for air. They leaned on the side of Allison’s car, clutching their sides and panting. The fight was over and from the looks of Mitch’s face; it was obvious Jude had won. “You can get off me now!” Allison wiggled beneath me. I grabbed her by her hair and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“If I let you up and you try one damned thing, I’ll beat you with your own high heel.” My tone was threatening.

“I just want your fat ass off of me.” Allison barked. I stood from the ground, dusting the dirt from my knees. Jude’s eyes scoured my body, looking for battle wounds.

“Are you okay?” Jude asked while he stroked his hand up and down my legs, knocking off grass and dirt. Allison tended to Mitch’s wounds, rubbing her dainty fingers along the deep gash on his forehead. He swatted her hand away and glared and Jude and me. They both slammed the doors of her Altima shut and sped away, slinging grass and dirt everywhere as they spun out.

“Please, don’t touch me.” I avoided eye contact, staring at the Altima as it disappeared into the distance. Jude’s touch tensed at my words and I could hear a whimper escape his lips.

“Kara.” Jude growled and jerked his head around in her direction. I watched her wide eyed expression melt into a look of pain. “Get over here.” He demanded.

“Jude, please, can we go inside and talk?” She pleaded and stared towards the ground. We still had an audience of neighbors piddling around in their front yards.

“No, you’re not welcome here anymore. Why are you lying? I would never touch you.”

“Jude. I never meant to cause problems. I confided in Allison, unaware she’d take it to this level. Yes, we had sex. I’m not lying about that. You were drunk, maybe you don’t remember. Or, maybe you do and you’re just too afraid to admit it. It doesn’t matter. I’m madly in love with you and I can feel you love me too. I’m here, aren’t I? If you didn’t have feelings for me, why would you let me stay knowing your little girlfriend would throw such a fit? I hold a place in your heart, somewhere. I know it, you know it and Sam knows it. You’re treating me like garbage over a moment we shared together, a moment you instigated. I’ll go. I’ll leave right this instant. You can stop making me feel as though I’ve done something wrong. You wanted it, you wanted me, and you’re pissed off at yourself because you still want me.

“The only person I love is standing right next to me. I love her, only her. You, you were someone I pitied. You’ve sucked that well dry. I want nothing to do with you, ever again. You’re warped and delusional. Get the fuck out of my house, out of my life right now.” He spewed venom in his words. Kara flinched, like he had inflicted physical pain. Her blue eyes puddled up. She shook her head and blinked away the river of tears.

“Let me get my things.” Kara announced. Jude nodded in approval, staring at her in disgust as she walked away.

“Go with her, please, Sam. She’s hurt and there’s no telling what of yours she might try to destroy before she goes. I can’t be around her. I’d better stay outside.” Jude rubbed his bloody knuckles down his jeans, shaking his head and staring into the distance. I followed Kara inside. My thoughts ran wild as I passed by our bedroom. That was the very bed she claimed they had made love on. I was heartbroken and infuriated.

“He sent you to babysit me?” Kara muttered in thick sarcasm. “You know, you’re stupid, Samantha. He’s playing you like a fiddle. The minute he’s tired of you, you’ll be the one groveling at his feet while he denies your relationship to the next woman. I could describe to you in detail the shape of his anatomy and the way it feels. And the way his body quivers when he’s on the verge of having an orgasm.” Kara smirked and sighed deeply as she seemed to be reliving those fantasies in her mind.

“Whatever you two did, he doesn’t remember it. It’s obvious that you waited until he was too drunk to know better. He doesn’t love you. Don’t you see his eyes when he says it to me? Kara, you only wish you could see that look in his eyes. You’re a jealous lunatic who wants someone who doesn’t want you. Must be hard, huh? The pretty little princess doesn’t always get her way? That’s a shame. Well, why don’t you pack up and ship out, as Jude told you. The only one who’ll be counting the seconds he holds his breath while quivering in orgasm, is me. Face it. You lost.” I mirrored her smirk and winked. Her eyes burned into me. I was sure she’d killed me in her mind three times with that devilish stare. I was confident in Jude’s feelings for me. He loved me and whatever he did with her, before I came into his life didn’t matter. I wouldn’t let some scorned woman ruin the best thing I’d ever had. “Are we done here?” I asked when I saw she’d filled her last bag with clothing. The walk down the hallway was silent. I could hear Kara’s breath quicken when we reached the doorway.

“Done?” Jude asked as he stood in the driveway. The trunk to Kara’s car was already open.

“I’m sorry, Jude.” Kara apologized to Jude once more. “And, Sam, I wouldn’t say this is over.” She shot me one last glare before disappearing into her vehicle. Her threat didn’t worry me at all. I was already relieved and feeling much more at ease with her gone.

“Are we okay?” Jude whispered from across the driveway. His uncomfortable stance made it obvious he was beating himself up over the ordeal with Kara, Allison and Mitch. “I said I would protect you. I swore to myself I’d never be the reason you hurt. I can’t believe I’ve allowed something like this to happen. I can’t swear to you I didn’t sleep with her. Her story is rather convincing. I promise to you, I swear to you… if I did, I don’t remember it. I hope you can forgive me for something I’m not sure I even did. I love you and I will make this right.” I was in his arms and resting my head on his shoulder before I even had a chance to consider protesting. I relaxed, releasing the tension from the day in his arms. I couldn’t stay mad at him for long, regardless of what he did. I wasn’t sure if I loved that fact or hated it. I wanted to be mad. I had the right to be mad. But, I just couldn’t.

“I’d rather forget her and the possibility of what might or might not have happened. You’re with me and that’s all that matters to me. I knew she loved you from the minute I saw that look in her eyes when she pranced out of her car. I can’t blame her.” I grazed my lips along his shoulder, smiling when I felt chills form underneath my lips.

“Thank you.” Jude spoke softly.” He kissed my neck, trailing light, delicate kisses all the way to my lips. I opened my mouth just enough to invite his tongue inside. Jude moaned, kissing me deep and strong. “I won’t ever disappoint you, again.” His eyes looked haunted by his words.

“Who said you’ve disappointed me now? Let’s go inside.” I glanced at the nosey neighbors, fighting the urge to bow after our performance. Jude chuckled, eyeing the spectators and offering them a friendly wave. “How about, we move to away to a deserted island? I really took for granted the gift of seclusion that came along with my shack in the woods.” I skipped to the door, tripping over a crack in the sidewalk. I crashed down hard on my left knee. I groaned loud, reaching up for Jude to help me up. “Yes, icing on the cake to this perfect day.” I mumbled and rolled my eyes.

“You okay?” Jude’s expression was amused when he saw the only damage was a tiny scrap to my knee. “Think you’ll be okay, or should I call the paramedics?” He giggled at his sarcasm. “Come on, I’ll make it better.” He poked out his lips and batted his eyes.

“Oh you, shithead” I gaped at him. “It’s worse than he looks.” I stuck out my tongue and stormed into the house.

“Told you I’d fix it. Come here, clumsy, insanely beautiful angel.” He wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting me and jogging towards the hallway. “Gotta bandage that boo boo, baby.”

“You’re going to need a bandage for your forehead in a minute” I joked. Jude guided me to the bathroom, easing my body down on the lid of the toilet like I was severely injured. I lifted my leg up as far as I could get it, resting my heel on the sink. Jude opened up the first aid kid and shuffled around for a bandage. I watched his movements. I could almost see his skin through the loose fabric that clung to his skin. I couldn’t help but to close my eyes, focusing on the mental images I’d captured of his body without clothes. Everything about him sent sensations to the areas that screamed for his touch. Jude placed the band aid on my skin, careful not to touch the wound with too much pressure. He planted a light kiss an inch above the scrape and looked to me for approval. “Perfect” I stammered, still lost in my daydream. “You know, I kind of feel like there are many areas on my body that could use a healing kiss from those lips.” My tone was seductive. I parted my legs, motioning him to move forward with a wave of my finger.

“How about here?” He ran his nose along my thigh. The warmth of his tongue on my flesh caused me to arch my back and breathe deeply in response. “Or here?” He slid the edge of my skirt up with his nose. I felt his tongue tease my flesh once more before pulling his face away. He gripped my waist, sliding me forward until my legs straddled his waist. “Let me make you comfortable,” he whispered. He stood from the floor with ease, carrying me back down the hall towards the bedroom. “I want to watch you undress.” He placed me back down to my feet. I fumbled with the buttons of my blouse, taking my time with each button, revealing only enough skin to watch him squirm on the bed. “Go on.” He licked his lips. Once the last button was undone I dropped the shirt onto the floor. I ran my hands through my hair, caressing my lips, breasts and hips before inching down to my skirt. I shoved the skirt down my legs to the floor, twisting my hips more than necessary. I stood baring my entire body beneath the light in the bedroom. “Words can’t describe your beauty.” He greedily wrapped me in his arms, pressing our bodies together. “I want to make you feel good.” He guided me onto the bed. He positioned my body to his liking, putting each leg on the bed several inches apart. His face was between them before I could blink. His tongue danced around between my legs, causing me to moan and rock my hips in pleasure. He grabbed my hand, placing it on the back of his head, suggesting without words that I guide his efforts. I continued rolling my hips and directing the amount of pressure needed to cause the most pleasurable response. I could feel the familiar tingling begin to rise, intensifying with each skillful flick of his tongue. Jude must have noticed I was on the edge by my movements and the heavy breathing. He slid his fingers inside me. Between his tongue and skillful hand, I had no choice but to surrender to the tidal wave that took my body by storm. He followed every motion of my body, keeping his pace as I relaxed my trembling body. I panted heavily, overwhelmed at the amount of pleasure inflicted by only his lips and tongue.