Saving Tatum (Trace + Olivia #4) (22 page)

“You’re lucky I didn’t break everything!” Jude yelled, pointing at Tyler. “Get the fuck out of my house and if you ever set foot in here again, so help me
God I will rip you to shreds!”

Someone, one of Tyler’s friends
I assumed, came out of the crowd and picked him up, dragging him away.

When Trenton was sure Jude wasn’t about to go after Tyler he released
his hold on him.

Jude still breathed heavily and a bruise was forming on his cheek. Once everyone saw that the show was over the party returned to normal.

“Tate?” Jude turned to me and his eyes were full of worry. He was afraid I was mad, and I was to an extent.

“Thank you,” I told Trent before grabbing Jude’s hand. Jude said nothing as I dragged him upstairs and to his room. Just like last time he unlocked the door, and then made sure to lock it behind us so no one could get in.

This time I felt giddy at the prospect of being alone in Jude’s room.

I turned on a light and frowned at the bruise forming beneath his eye.

I went into the bathroom and he followed behind me, not saying a word.

I grabbed a washcloth and wet it with cold water since I didn’t have access to an icepack.

Jude sat down on the closed toilet lid and I gently pressed the cold cloth to his eye.

“Are you mad?” He finally asked.

I twisted my lips, shrugging. “A little.”

“A little is better than a lot.” He reached up, putting his hand overtop the one I used to hold the cloth.

“I had it under control,” I whispered, eyes lowering.

For some reason my heart
rate picked up at our closeness and the thought of the bed only a few feet away. My body craved his touch. It was like I was starved for him.

“I know you did,” Jude agreed, “but then when he said that stuff about
you I…I lost it. Obviously.” His shoulders sagged.

“I don’t need you to defend me,” I breathed. I ran the fingers of my free
hand lightly over the side of his face that was uninjured. His eyes closed and a content sigh escaped his lips.

“I know,” he agreed once more. He grew quiet and his eyes were angry and dark when he looked at me. “Was what he said true? Did you sleep with him?”

I flinched and that was all the answer he needed, but I still replied. “Yes.”

He let out a growl. “I hate him.”

“Me too.”

“He’s a jerk, Tate. Why would you be with someone like him?” He asked, his eyes pleading with me to explain.

I sighed, shaking my head. “I was young and stupid. I wanted to feel cared for. I just picked the wrong guy.”

“What happened with you guys?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Is this something you
really
want to know?”

He nodded.

I took a deep breath. “We only had sex a few times, and that’s all it ever was. I will admit to being stupid and hoping for more. It ended when I caught him in his car with another girl.”

Jude’s mouth fell open. “Are you the one that fucked up his car? You are, aren’t you?”

I nodded. “Yeah, that was me.”

I removed the cloth, dampened it with cold water once more and put it back to his eye.

Jude started to laugh.

“God, he complained about that for
months
. Everyone at school knew about it.”

“He shouldn’t have messed with me.” I shrugged. Smiling, I said, “Pretty girls can be dangerous.”

His voice grew low when he replied. “Oh, yes, they definitely can.” His hands found my hips, running up my sides and back down to my ass.

“Jude,” I said warningly.

“Tate.”

The lust in his eyes nearly knocked me down. I knew he saw it reflected in my eyes too. I was trying not to act on it, what with him being hurt.

He startled me into dropping the cloth when he shot up into a standing position.

“Tate,” he grabbed my cheeks in his hands, kissing my slowly, “I need you,” he breathed when he pulled away. His eyes were hooded and
want
shimmered there. I shivered from the intensity of his look.

My blood roared in my ears. I felt lightheaded and everything around me became sharper, clearer.

I nodded and it was all the answer he needed.

His lips crashed against mine. He sucked my bottom lip
into his mouth and then his tongue played against mine. I’d never known a kiss could make you go weak in the knees, but this one certainly did. He backed me out of the bathroom and my legs hit the edge of his bed. I sunk down onto the mattress and he came with me.

I grabbed at his shirt and he yanked it off.

I was glad to have it out of my way.

My hands skated along his chest. His skin was so smooth and warm. His abs were hard against my hands and I found my fingers tracing the indent of them.

Our breaths filled the air and I could focus on nothing else but him. I completely forgot about the party raging around us. All that mattered was this.
Him
.

“Dress. Off.” He growled.

Before I could remove it, he did it for me, tossing it off the bed and out of his way. He cupped my breasts in his large hands through the material of my bra.

His eyes were heated and I bit my lip nervously as he stared at my body. I’d never been scrutinized quite like this before. I should’ve hated it, but with Jude I couldn’t help but love it. I felt beautiful beneath his gaze.

“God, Tate. I’ve never wanted someone like I want you. What have you done to me?” He groaned and like he was a magician my bra and panties disappeared.

He didn’t wait for me to reply. He wasn’t expecting an answer.

His eyes raked over my body and I started to feel shy, wondering if I measured up to the other girls he’d been with.

“You’re perfect, Tate,” he said, like he knew what I’d been thinking.

His hands roamed over my body going lower and lower.

He parted my thighs and his fingers found me. He let out a hiss. “You’re so wet for me. Do you know how fucking hot that is?” His eyes found mine as he slipped a finger inside me.

I gasped, not expecting it, and clawed at the bedcovers.

“I want to taste you,” he breathed. A moment later his mouth was on me and I gasped again, even louder this time.

“Jude,” I panted his name, my hands flailing. I didn’t know what to do or what to hold on to. I was pretty sure I was about to float away. His hands pushed against my stomach, holding me immobile.

The sensations he created in my body caused sparks to glitter behind my closed lids.

My hips were desperate to move as pressure built in my body.

I could feel the pleasure in my body building to dangerous, soul-shattering levels.

He hummed low in his throat as his tongue lapped against me.

My limited sexual experience had never included this
. I’d never believed it could feel this good. But
oh my god.

He sucked harder and I came undone, screaming his name. Or at least I thought it was his name. My mind seemed to have turned to mush.

I gulped down air, unable to get enough oxygen to my lungs.

Jude kissed his way up my stomach, over my breasts, before
taking my lips with his. My fingers tangled in his hair, holding him to me. There was so much I needed to say to him that I just
couldn’t
, so I showed him with that kiss.

His body shook and he seemed to understand.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” He asked, kissing the area where my neck met my shoulder.

“Yes,” I gasped desperately. There was no way I wanted him to stop now. Was he crazy?

“Thank God,” he kissed me again, sucking on my bottom lip. He undid his belt and kicked off his jeans and boxers.

My eyes roamed over his chest before looking lower. I swallowed thickly. Yeah, I was totally staring at him like a creeper, but I couldn’t help myself. He was beautiful everywhere.

I reached out and ran my hand up and down his length. His hips bucked as his eyes closed.

A moment later he took my hands, pining both above my head. Before I could be hurt by his actions, his hooded eyes met mine. “Later,” he promised. “But right now I need to be inside you.”

He reached over to his nightstand to grab a condom. I put a hand on his arm to stop him.

“We don’t need one of those,” I told him.

His brows furrowed. “Unless you want little Jude Jr. in nine months, then yes we do,” he kissed the end of my nose.

I shook my head. “I’m on birth control. It’s fine.”

A shiver passed over his body. “Are you sure?” He asked and there was a look of awe in his eyes. “I’ve never had sex without one before.”

“I’m sure,” I nodded.

His body shook and he kissed me. He took his time too, memorizing the feel of my lips and tongue. Then, when he knew I was relaxed he slid inside me the tiniest bit. I gasped from the intrusion, fighting to get away. He grabbed my hips and looked into my eyes. “It’s okay,” he assured me. “We take this slow.”

I nodded, swallowing thickly.

He slid inside a little further and I winced. He was too big. This was never going to work. I was pretty sure I was about to be split in half. For some reason this seemed worse than when I’d lost my virginity.

“Tate,” he gasped, like it pained him to speak. “Look at me.”

I did.

“Just look at me,” he repeated. “It’s going to be okay.”

I nodded, waiting for him to push in even further. He did, but instead of a little bit it was all the way. He silenced my cry with a kiss and I clawed at his back.

“I won’t move until you’re ready.” He peppered sweet kisses to my jaw.

When I had adjusted to the feel of him, I nodded, letting him know he was okay to move.

He slid out slowly and back in. It hurt at first as he stretched me. My body wasn’t used to such activities. It didn’t take long for the pain to go away and pleasure like I’d never felt before replaced it.

Sex with Tyler had been dirty. I’d been a girl trying to escape.

With Jude…it was magic. The look in his eyes spoke of such love that I almost wept.
This
was why you were supposed to wait to have sex with someone you cared about. The difference was astounding.

His movements were slow and steady and once I got the rhythm of it my hips joined his in a sensual dance. He held his weight off of me, but his chest was still pressed against mine. I loved feeling him skin to skin. I felt like I could sink inside him and get lost forever.

Everything about our coupling was slow and sweet. It was nothing like I expected. It was better. Perfect, even.

I came again, crying his name as I clung to his damp shoulders. Tears stung my eyes from the overwhelming sweetness of it all.

A moment later Jude gasped my name over and over again in my ear as he found his release.

He rolled off me and onto his side.

He pulled my damp body against his and wrapped his arms around me.

His lips found the bare skin of my neck and placed a soft kiss there.

“That was amazing,” he breathed, his breath tickling my skin.

“Amazing,” I agreed.

My eyes drifted closed and I fell asleep with a smile on my face. With the arms of the one I loved wrapped around me.

Life didn’t get better than this.

Chapter Twenty Two

When I cracked my eyes open I couldn’t help smiling at the sight of Jude snuggled against me. At some point in the night we’d grown cold and ended up getting under the covers.

He slept peacefully beside me, his breath even as it fanned over my face.

I reached out, unable to stop myself, and traced my finger lightly over the elegant slope of his nose. His eye didn’t look nearly as bad this morning as I’d expected. There was a little swelling, but the coloring was non-existent. It made me wonder if Jude was used to being hit. If maybe his dad was like mine.
He’d said his parent’s never beat him, but I knew from experience how easy it was to lie.

I chewed on my bottom lip worriedly as I pictured a small Jude, defenseless against his own father.

I never wanted this man to hurt or suffer.

That’s what love did to you, and oh how I loved him.

I didn’t know when I’d be able to find the strength to tell him. I was still too afraid of rejection—and frankly, it scared me that I felt so much for him in such a short amount of time. But I guess these things can’t be controlled. You fall in love when it’s right, not necessarily when you want to. It isn’t a magic switch you can turn on and off. It just…happens. Sometimes it takes time, and sometimes it happens over night. I guess, technically speaking, this had been a long time coming for us—if you counted the seven years I spent hating him, and the last year and a half or so he spent pursuing me.

I shook my head free of my thoughts and reached my finger out to touch his lips.
They were soft against the skin of my finger and plump. He had perfect pouty lips.

I jumped when he opened his mouth a
nd lightly nipped my finger. I let out a cry of surprise and then started to laugh.

“How long have you been awake?” I asked, hiding my face behind my hands.

“Long enough.” He rolled over onto his back and yawned as he stretched his arms above his head.

The sheet dropped down, exposing his chest and I couldn’t help but stare and watch his muscles ripple.

“If you keep staring at me like that, Tater Tot, then we’re going to have a problem.”

I gasped as he rolled on top of me, the heat of his body warming mine.

“I wouldn’t mind.”

He hummed in the back of his throat. “God I want you so bad all the da
mn time. Last night made it even worse.” He lowered his head and nuzzled my neck. His hair tickled my skin and I giggled. “You’re fucking amazing.”

I took his face in my hands and forced him to look at me. “Can we do it again?”

He kissed me in answer.

In no time he had me all worked up and just when I was ready to burst he thrust inside me. Things weren’t as slow as they were last night, but it was still perfect in a different way.

We showered and I got dressed in my borrowed clothes. Out of the bed and in the light of day, I started to feel embarrassed about what we’d done. Jude took my worries away with quick kisses and heartfelt glances.

He led me to the kitchen and told me to sit down at one of the barstools. He then proceeded to make me breakfast.

He was scrambling eggs when one of his roommates walked in.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” The guy asked, looking me up
and down.

I felt exposed in my revealing dress and my embarrassment returned. In this outfit it was obvious I’d been at the party—which was long over. So the guy was privy to what Jude and I had done.

“Jacob, stop looking at her like that,” Jude warned, despite the fact that he had his back turned to us.

Jacob gasped. “How do you even know I’m looking at her?”

“Because I know you,” Jude said, still turned away from us as he cooked the eggs, “and you’re definitely looking.”

“You haven’t minded in the past,” Jacob countered, still checking me out. If he kept it up I wouldn’t think twice about elbowing him in the gut.

“I mind now.”

“I see.” Jacob raised his hands in surrender despite the fact that Jude couldn’t see him.

Jacob sat down on one of the three stools, leaving the empty one between us.

“I’m Jacob.” He told me, grinning cockily. I supposed he was good looking with his dark almost black hair, olive skin, and
green eyes, but all men had lost appeal to me. There was only one that I wanted and he was currently sliding eggs onto a plate for me. Definitely a keeper.

“I gathered that.” I propped my elbow on the counter and my head in my hand, giving him a look that said his charm wasn’t going to work on me.

“You got a name?”

“Yeah,” I replied. “But you don’t need to know it,” I smiled slowly.

He chuckled, and his hair flopped in his eyes. “I like her,” he told Jude. Jude growled in reply, turning to glare at his roommate. “Hey,” Jacob laughed, “I said I
liked
her, not that wanted her. There’s no need to get so defensive. But I must say Brooks, it looks like you’ve finally met your match.”

“Go away,” Jude growled. “You’re getting on my nerves.”

Jacob looked at me and shook his head, sighing loudly. “He’s such a delight in the mornings.” To Jude he said, “I’m hungry. I want some eggs too.”

“I’m not your mom, make your own damn eggs,” Jude replied.

“You made eggs for her!” Jacob cried, throwing his hands in the air.

Jude pulled two pieces of bread from the toaster and began to butter them. He raised a brow at Jacob. “
She’s
my girlfriend. You’re just a pain of my ass. I choose not to feed my problems. I find if I do that they just keep coming back for more instead of going off to die like they should.”

“Asshole,” Jacob grumbled, sliding off the stool. Instead of making eggs, he grabbed a bowl, dumped half a box of cereal in it and grabbed a gallon of milk. “I hope your PMS ends soon,” he called over his shoulder to Jude as he left the room.

Jude slid a plate of food in front of me and then sat down a glass of orange juice. “Having roommates sucks.”

“Seems like it,” I agreed, picking up my fork and taking a bite. “Mmm,” I hummed, “this is so good. I didn’t realize I was so hungry.”

Jude sat down beside me and leaned over to kiss my cheek. “Gotta keep your strength up, because I’m not done with you.” His tone held the promise of delightful things to come. My body shook with excitement at the thought of all the things he could do to me.

“Your grandpa taught you to cook,” I said as a statement, not a question.

“Pap and Grams,” he shrugged. “They said it was important that I not starve to death. Plus, Grams was adamant that she wasn’t going to feed me every time I was hungry…which was all the time when I was a teenager.” He shoveled a heaping forkful of eggs into his mouth. “Turns out, I kind of like it.”

I shook my head, a small smile lifting my lips. “Is there anything you can’t do?”

“No, I’m Superman. When I’m not saving the world I make the best damn eggs you’re ever going to eat. Now eat up woman, we have an exciting day ahead of us and,” his voice lowered and he whispered in my ear, “I will have you again today and it’s going to be even better than the other times.”

I should’ve pushed him away and told him he was being presumptuous, but I couldn’t. Instead I leaned closer to him, swaying slightly. The affect he had on me was beyond unfair.

He turned back to his food, smirking. Arrogant jerk. He got me all worked up and left me hanging.

I finished my breakfast, feeling stuffed.

“I guess I better take you home,” Jude said reluctantly as he gathered up our empty plates to wash them.

“Yeah,” I sighed. “I’d like to at least change my clothes before we have a ‘real’ date,” I smiled. I was insanely curious to know what he had up his sleeve but I knew better than to ask.

“You know,” he grinned, turning away from the sink and crossing his arms over his chest, “we could make our date an all day thing…well, maybe the day part wouldn’t be part of the actual date,” he rambled. Frowning, he said, “I’m not making sense. Let me start over.” He took a breath. “What would you say to visiting Pap before our date?”

“I’d say there’s no other way I’d rather spend my day,” I grinned, feeling excited.

“How did I get so lucky with you?” He asked.

I laughed. “Lucky? I’m the girl that kicked you in the balls, threw a McFlurry at your head, and slapped you when you kissed me. Nothing about that sounds like you should be lucky to have me.”

His eyes darkened and he sobered. “You shouldn’t underestimate yourself so much, Tate.” Leaning forward he placed his hands on the counter and stared into my eyes. “You make me better.”

I nodded, losing my voice. Clearing my throat, I finally said, “You make me better too.”

He grinned slowly, his brown eyes sparkling with happiness. “Now that we have that established, we should go. But first, I should change. This is hardly appropriate date attire.” He plucked at his plain gray t-shirt and pointed to his black sweatpants. I thought he looked lickable but I wasn’t saying that out loud. I knew he’d only use the information to torture me endlessly later on.

“I’ll wait down here,” I smiled.

“Or,” he drew out the word, “you could come upstairs with me.” He grabbed my hand, trying to pull me off the stool. “Please,” he begged.

“Nice try,” I laughed. “But I know what you have in mind and I need a break.”

He sighed and put a hand to his heart. “You wound me woman.” Lowering his voice, he whispered in my ear, “Do you need me to kiss it and make it better? You know I will.”

My cheeks flamed. “I’m good.”

“You know you liked it,” his voice was a throaty growl. “Admit it.”

He brushed his lips against my jaw and I’m pretty sure I would’ve told him anything he wanted just to keep feeling his lips against my skin. “I liked it,” I gasped.

“I knew it,” he pulled away, grinning. My cheeks stung slightly where his stubble had scratched it.

I stood
and headed towards the living room while he went to get dressed. Before we parted his hand shot out and he slapped my ass.

“Jude!” I cried as he ran away.

His laugh echoed through the hall and down the stairs as he ran up them.

Oh, I was so getting him back for that one. I had to think of something good though.

I found myself sitting on the couch by myself. Jacob must have went to his room. I would’ve turned the TV on but there were about fifty remotes and I was afraid of breaking something.

A minute later I startled when
a half-naked guy walked in. He had shaggy light blond hair, was super tall, and had abs of steel. I was pretty sure he played on the college basketball team.

“Hi,” he yawned. He picked up a remote, turned the TV on, and sat down beside me. Well, not beside me, but on the couch. He was nice enough to leave a body’s space between us. “I’m
Dylan,” he introduced himself.

“Tatum.”

“I know,” he replied, not looking at me but at the TV, “you’re Jude’s girl.”

I was surprised he knew who I was.

“How do you know that?” I asked.

“I’m his best friend,”
Dylan shrugged. “He told me about you.”

My mouth fell open in shock. First, from the fact that Jude had actually talked
about me to someone whom he considered a friend
and
the guy was aware that I was ‘Jude’s girl’. As a smart, independent, woman being called
his
girl should’ve made me mad, but I loved it. I was also surprised by the fact that this guy was apparently Jude’s best friend. I couldn’t recall ever seeing Jude talk to this guy on campus. But it wasn’t like I made a conscious effort to look for Jude. Nope. Not at all. Okay, maybe I looked for him
sometimes
. Let’s face it, even when I hated him a part of me couldn’t resist the attraction I felt to him. How twisted was that?

As if conjured by my thoughts Jude appeared in the doorway. His smile was blindingly bright.

I couldn’t help staring at him. He looked strikingly handsome in khaki pants and an aqua colored t-shirt. He hadn’t bothered to shave his stubble and I thought it served to make him even more ruggedly handsome.

“I see you’ve met Dylan,” he said as he stepped into the room. I noticed he wasn’t pissed at the sight of Dylan and I, like he had been when Jacob had come into the kitchen.

“Yes,” I replied, “we were talking about the fact that apparently I’m your girl now.”

Jude chuckled scratching his stubbled jaw. “That’s right. Get used to it, because I’m never letting you go.” He nodded towards the door. “We better go.”

I smiled at Dylan. “Bye.”

He nodded in reply. I got the idea he was a guy of few words.

Jude and I didn’t speak much on the drive to my house. He did hold my hand the entire way, though. It amazed me how just being near him filled me with serenity. He soothed my broken soul. No, he didn’t just soothe it. He mended it.

“Are you coming inside?” I aske
d him when he parked the truck on the street outside my house.