Inside Out (8 page)

“Thank you, Jude.” I murmured. “This is amazing.”

“It suits you. This whole room just has a feel that reminds me of you. It’s yours. I’ll give you a key to it.”

I smiled and walked over to wrap my arms around his waist. “I don’t need a key, Jude. You’re welcome in here anytime you want. Let me grab my stuff.” I skipped off towards my bedroom to gather a few of my art supplies. I ran back in with an arm full of paint, paint brushes, and an easel. Jude sat on the edge of the desk, wearing a smile, and a look of contentment.

“Here, I’ll set up the easel. Where do you want it?”

I searched the room over. “Right by the window.” I ran over and pulled the curtains back, allowing the light to seep into the room. I pulled the desk chair over, positioning it in front of the easel. I sat down and held the brush in my hand. Just the peacefulness of the room was inspirational. I stared at the beautiful man leaning up against the wall who was responsible for giving me feelings of such joy. He had thrown on a white button up shirt, baring his chest. I wanted to reach out and touch him, run my hands down his body. The sensation in my body was incredible when I felt his skin beneath my fingertips.

“Would you paint me something?” Jude pleaded with me.

I considered this for a moment, before accepting. I’d never allowed anyone to watch me paint before, it was sort of a killed the mood with a set of eyes gawking at your unfinished art. I felt confident enough to share something so private with Jude, though. I set up all my supplies, watching his eyes dance in anticipation as I did so. I slipped my headphones into my ears, tuning out the world, making it easy to focus on my work alone. I touched the brush against the canvas, allowing my heart to guide the strokes.

I glanced back at Jude when I felt confident with my piece. His expression seemed to show his mind was wandering around in deep thought. “Well, here is is. You’re the first person who has ever been privileged enough to watch me work.”

“I can’t even speak. This is stunning, Samantha.” My eyes drifted back to the canvas, observing each stroke. It was a painting that to me symbolized love. The entire edges of the paper were filled with only dark markings that led into a faint gray color. Within the darkness there was a man who had his arms wrapped around a seemingly fragile and tiny woman. I left out distinct features, making it impossible for your eyes not to be drawn to the bodies of the two lovers. They held each other close, protectively. His strong arms held her face against his chest, blinding her, as if to protect her from witnessing pain. This painting was my heart bleeding onto paper… my feelings for Jude.

“Can I frame this one? It’ll be the first piece that belongs to you, to hang on these walls.”

I smiled. “Of course.”

His wide smile matched mine. “You have a gift. I tell you what, I want to take you somewhere today. I have a few things to discuss with you.”

My mind raced in a million directions. I prayed this would finally be the moment he opened up to me. “Will we be discussing Allison and what you guys were talking about?”

His lips formed into a straight, serious line. “If you want to know, I’ll tell you. It really is nothing though.”

“Maybe so, but I feel I have the right to determine that. You know everything about my life, I deserve that same respect.”

Jude nodded. “Fair enough. Get ready.” He reached his hand out, rubbing his thumb along my cheek. He smirked. “It seems as if the canvas isn’t the only place you get paint.” He held his thumb up, showing me the black paint he had wiped from my cheek.

I shrugged. “Creating something beautiful isn’t without cost.” I dropped Jude’s t-shirt in the entrance of the doorway. “Better wash this, too.” I shimmied away wearing nothing but a smile.

“Sammy!” He shouted playfully. “You better get your ass back here. Don’t make me chase you.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” I called back to him. I no more than got the words out of my mouth when I heard his light footsteps turn into loud thuds against the vinyl floor. I attempted to close the bedroom door. “Let me get ready, crazy!”

“You should have thought about that before dropping your clothes in front of me.” He pushed on the door with slight force. I giggled and released my weight from the door, allowing him access into the room. “Right where I want you.” He breathed into my ear, pressing my back against the inside of the door. “It was hard enough trying to stop myself from touching you as I watched you paint with such passion. Removing my paint splattered shirt from your delicate body just made it impossible to resist you.”

“Hope I have half the effect on you as you do on me.” I whispered.

“Samantha, you couldn’t even begin to imagine.” He spoke through gentle kisses along my neck. I tilted my head back and closed my eyes. Jude’s kisses traveled further down, focusing on only the most sensitive areas my body possessed. It seemed as though he’d memorized each spot that caused the most noticeable reaction. His firm hands gripped my waist, moving my body to the position he wanted me in with ease.

“Do you want me?” He purred. I slid my hands down his body, stopping at the button of his jeans. I popped the button open with one pull and pushed his jeans to the floor. My hasty actions were enough for him to sense how much I wanted him. Once there was nothing between our bodies but the heat radiating from our desire, he pushed himself forward. His hands returned to my waist, lifting me just enough to ease inside of me. I tightened my legs around him and threw my arms around his neck. I took the lead, moving my body up and down. I listened closely at the sound of his breathing, increasing speed each time I heard a slight elevation in his steady slow pace. I enjoyed making him feel good. My body responded to pleasure only if I was aware that he felt the same. I felt Jude’s hands grip me tighter. I allowed him to guide me in any direction he wanted. My hips continued to glide up and down, only at a faster paced. I could feel the pleasure building inside of me.

“Jude…” I moaned, hoping my sounds would trigger his response as well. His grip tightened, it was an achingly satisfying burn to my skin.

“Samantha, I think I love you.” Jude panted between deep breaths. I felt his body shiver and his grip tighten even more. He was pulling his body as close to mine as possible. The incredible sensations along with the pounding of my heart were more than I could stand.

“I think I love you, too.” I whispered while blinking away tears. I could feel Jude’s own heartbeat. He lifted me from his body, startling me at first. I forced my shaky legs to grip his waist tighter.

“Let’s slow it down, just a bit, Samantha.” He spoke through a smile. I couldn’t contain the noise that escaped my lips when I felt him ease back inside of me, just as my back rested on the carpet.

“Show me you love me.” Jude breathed and ran his fingers through my damp hair. I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him against me. I ran my lips along his cheek. I let my hips rise up to meet his thrusts, continuing to kiss his face. If only my heart could speak for me, he’d know without doubt how deeply I’d fallen for him.

“I want to see you, all of you.” Jude interrupted my thoughts with his seductive voice. He ran his hands behind my lower back, lifting me slightly so he could switch our position. The scent of his cologne mixed with his sweat was an incredible aphrodisiac. I licked my lips, tasting his skin; a salty, sweetness that I’d grown to love. I settled into a comfortable position, gliding myself back down onto Jude. I let the moment linger, pressing down lightly, only allowing him to fill me a little at a time.

“Sam.” His moan was filled with sounds of pleasure. I kept the same slow paced movements, hoping this moment could go on and on for eternity.

“Kiss me.” Jude pleaded.

My lips met his without hesitation. The sounds that he made as his tongue massaged the inside of my mouth, sent a surge of pleasure throughout my entire body. I could no longer fight the inevitable. The familiar tickle in my abdomen burst into a thick river of pleasurable feelings. I quivered and involuntarily screamed out his name until the intense orgasm subsided. Jude’s body responded to mine in almost the same instant. I kissed him until I felt his body fall limp. I lay down on top of his chest, enjoying the sound of his heartbeat. I smiled when the steadiness returned to the rhythm. He was completely relaxed and at ease with me in his arms.

“Nothing in the world could be more thrilling than moments like that.” He wiped moisture from his forehead. “You’re everything I want and everything I need. I hope you know I meant those words. I hope you did, too.” His eyes searched mine for answers while his fingertips pushed strands of hair from my face. I propped an elbow on his chest, making eye contact unavoidable.

“You mean the world to me. I meant them.” I hoped he could see the sincerity in my eyes. I wasn’t sure if I fell for him in a vulnerable instant due to the loss of Adam, or if my heart belonged to him regardless of the circumstance. Either way, I truly loved him more than words could say. “How about we get dressed to go do whatever it is you had planned for the day?”

“Okay, I’m going to rinse off, again.” He grinned and pointed to the moisture that trickled down his face. “You get ready and I’ll be right back.” He helped me stand, laughing when I struggled to keep my balance. My legs felt like rubber and my body was weak.

“Deal.” I grabbed the blanket from the bed and wrapped it around my naked body while I pulled clothes from my drawer, unhappy with the very few pieces of decent clothing I had to choose from. I was sure Jude would dress to kill, even if it was nothing more than his usual jeans and white t-shirt. He would look stunning. I was less than thrilled about the outfit I selected. It was a burgundy shirt that fit snugly and a black skirt that rode just a few inches above my knee. I twisted my hair up into a simple bun and applied a touch of makeup. I’d just slid on the final touches of the outfit, a pair of heels, that were comfortable. My feet had grown accustomed to the feeling of these tiny heels since I’d worked the receptionist job at the doctor’s office. I could sense Jude’s presence even before seeing his face. Somehow my body reacted to him before I was even aware he was in the same room.

“You look ravishing. Round two before we head out?” Jude’s joked. I spun around to see him propped in the doorway.

He looked just as incredible as I had envisioned. “Give me a rest, would you?” I grinned and shot him a sarcastic look.

“A rest? I doubt it. I have a few things in mind for you and that cute ass.” He winked and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

“Leave my ass out of this.” I muttered and pressed my lips against his cheek.

“You know you like it when I talk dirty to you.” He smacked my ass lightly. “Are you ready to go?” He asked with enthusiasm.

“I hope it isn’t a trip to the art store for more supplies, I have enough of that stuff. I really want to get to know you on a deeper level.”

“No, no trips for that today. I have bigger and better plans. No questions just come on.” He pulled me along. I stumbled behind him hoping to keep up without tripping.

“Jude, we have all day. Let’s get there without breaking one of my ankles, okay?”

He slowed his steps just enough for me to regain my balance. I was giddy with excitement. My mind couldn’t wrap around what might be in store for the day, but I was ready.

“Madame” Jude said as he ushered me inside the car. I couldn’t help but giggle aloud watching him role play.

“Why thank you, kind sir. Lay on the gas now please? I have a hot date with one dreamy man.” I played along.

“That must be one lucky son of a gun.” He winked and shut the door once my legs were inside.

“So, where are we going and just what will we discuss? I have a suggestion. Let’s talk about Allison. We can sweep that topic under the rug before we begin our day.” I held my breath waiting for his response.

“She was only here to discuss her brother, Samantha.” Jude’s tone was almost sarcastic. I was becoming annoyed. I had the right to ask. She was here, rubbing herself against him. He was mine.

“Oh, well damn, why didn’t you just say so? That makes perfect sense. End of discussion.” I piped in dramatically.

“His name is Kyle. I’ve been close friends with his girlfriend, Kara, for years. It seems as though he caught wind of a recent conversation between Kara and I and is fit to be tied. I simply told her to leave him when she asked my opinion on their relationship. He’s a crazy hot head and she deserves better.”

Another pang of jealously swept through me, even more powerful than what I felt when Allison pawed all over him. “Oh, better than him? Maybe you’d better suit her needs?”

Jude lifted his hands from the steering wheel, waving them around in the air. “I love how you jump to conclusions before I can even explain myself.”

I took deep breaths, trying to calm myself down before speaking. He was right. I was assuming he had feelings for her before even listening to what he had to say. “I’m sorry. Go on, please.”

“We’ve become close, in a platonic way, Samantha. I care for her in quite the same way you would for a sister.”

Regardless of what he claimed to feel for this Kara, I didn’t like it. I couldn’t stand to contend with another woman who meant as much to him as I did, or perhaps more.

“Come on, Sam. I see that look. No need to be jealous. She’s like a sister. Let’s enjoy the day and forget about everyone except for each other.”

I nodded my head and continued to dwell on Kara. I wanted to know what she looked like and I wanted to know if her feelings for him were similar to the way he described his feelings for her.

“You’re right. Let’s just enjoy the day. Where are we going?” I tried to sound cheerful.

“Be patient. We’re almost there.”

I wiggled anxiously in my seat. The closer we got to the location responsible for such a heart-warming smile on Jude’s face, the more excited I got. Finally, we arrived. I unbuckled my seat belt and reached for the door. Jude gripped my thigh and signaled for me to wait. He hopped from his side of the car and jogged to my side, opening the door for me in a gentlemanly manner. I took his open hand and we walked together, fingers interlocked, through a large metal gate that led to some sort of back alley. Little strings of light adorned the walk, resting upon the upper portion of the old, red brick building. A swift turn to the right revealed a small venue with a sign above a single doorway that read, ‘Elliot’s Loft’. It seemed like a quaint place.