Alluring Turmoil

by Skye Turner

  His arm is thrown over his eyes and his chest is rising and falling. I lean over and kiss him on the mouth. “Good morning, baby! Rise and shine.”

  Hopping up, I stroll naked into the bathroom.

  Jude calls out, “You don’t want a turn?”

  I pop my head around the door. He’s staring at the door like he wants to jump me. Smiling, I answer, “Nope. That was just for you. I want to be on your mind all day!” I blow him a kiss and get my makeup out to start to get ready.

  A few minutes later, he walks in shirtless, with his jeans unsnapped. His gorgeous chest, abs, “V”, and happy trail are on full display. My mouth waters as he hops onto the bathroom counter beside me and watches while I put on my face and throw my hair into a messy top knot.

  “Are you busy today? Do you have a lot to do?” He grabs a piece of my hair and twirls it around his finger as I line my eyes.

  “Yes. I have to decorate the Mason wedding cakes and get them ready to stack tomorrow. Why?” I bat his hand away and brush my teeth.

  “I wanted to take you to lunch. But I can grab something and meet you at the shop. You have to break to eat, right?” He’s watching me get dressed.

  “Yes, I can make some time for you. What else are you going to do today? Big plans?” I ask as I zip my booties up over my leggings.

  Grabbing my hips and positioning me between his legs, he kisses my neck and says in my ear as he runs his tongue around the shell, “Just shopping. I figure I need furniture for my place. I wish you could come with me.”

  I grab his face and kiss him, letting my tongue tangle with his. “That’s a lot of house to buy furniture for.”

  “I know… want to blow off work and come with?” He’s wiggling his eyebrows.

  I roll my eyes at him and smirk. “Yes, but I won’t. I’m a mature, responsible business owner. Besides, I have to get this cake done, but I might be able to swing dinner… if you’re interested and can find me a hot date.”

  “I’m the hottest thing on four continents, baby, and I’m all yours!” He winks as he points to himself, laughing. He jumps off the counter and takes my hand.

  I swat his ass and giggle, as he pulls me towards my kitchen. He makes me feel like a teenager again.

  As we walk in, Erik is leaning over the island with a cup of coffee in hand, looking over the paper. He raises a brow as he takes in my flushed face and Jude’s shirtless torso. “So, I’m guessing the Sex Olympics are over for the time being?”

  I sputter and turn my back to him as my face gets even redder.

  Jude laughs and answers, “Yup. How did we score?”

  Erik laughs under his breath. “Well, judging from the noises coming from Lexi’s room all last night and this morning… not to mention the screaming, I’d say you both get gold medals!”

  “Oh God, Erik. Seriously?!?!” I gasp out. My face is on fire.

  “Well shit, love. Y’all weren’t exactly quiet!” He’s outright laughing now and Jude is smirking too, looking pleased, but also a little chagrined. “I had to sleep with earphones on to block out the racket!”

  Jude coughs to cover his laugh and says, “Sorry, dude.”

  Erik looks at him and winks. “No worries, bro. Happy for y’all. But seriously… how many times was that?”

  I throw an orange at him and he laughs as he backs down the hall. “You suck, Erik!”

  “Nah, I’m pretty sure you sucked, love.” He whoops with laughter and closes his bedroom door. He calls through it, “You riding in with me or driving yourself today?”

  I look at Jude, who is looking entirely too pleased with himself. He pours a cup of coffee and takes a sip, grimacing as he does so, before holding it out to me.

  I raise my brow… “What are you so smug about, Delecroix?”

  He prowls around the kitchen before backing me against the counter. “Who, me? Oh nothing… I just had the most incredible night with a gorgeous woman who screamed my name so loud her roommate had to wear headphones, and then blacked out from sex with me… I’m not smug about anything. Nothing. At. All!” And he kisses me.

  Ducking under his arm, and taking a sip of my coffee, I look over my shoulder. He’s watching my ass, so I give it a little extra shake and say, “You just going to stand there half naked all day? I think you might need a shirt if you’re going shopping. I mean, unless you want to get your shit for free…” Then, narrowing my eyes, “Nope not free… go put some clothes on! I don’t want anyone else ogling your chest!”

  He rolls his eyes as he walks down the hall. “Crazy chick… you’re a crazy chick.”

  God he’s sexy. All lean muscle and those tattoos with that rumpled hair and that scruff… barefoot with unbuttoned jeans… I really have to make myself stop from following him down the hall and jumping him; but I call out, “Maybe I am crazy, but you make me that way, and you love me!”

  Just then Erik’s door opens and Jude pops his head out. “Yup, I do!” My smiling eyes meet Erik’s wide ones, and we both smile.

  “I guess you’re riding with me after all?” he asks.

  “Yes, if that’s ok.”

  “You know it is. Kiss lover boy and let’s go. We’re going to be late to open. I’m going to start the car.” He kisses my head as he walks past, calling out over his shoulder, “Later, Jude!”

  “Yes, Sir!” I snicker. Jude walks out of my bedroom, pulling his shirt over his head, with his boots untied on his feet.

  “Later, Erik. Thanks for not throwing a shit fit or beating my ass this morning.”

  Erik looks back before walking out the door. “Don’t hurt her again and we’ll be good.”

  Jude looks confused, but responds, “I’ll do everything I can not to hurt her. I love her, dude.”

  Erik smiles and says, “I know,” as he walks out, closing the door and leaving Jude and me alone in the living room.

  Jude pulls me into his body and kisses me lightly, cupping his hands around my face, as I hold onto his forearms. “You know I’d never intentionally hurt you, right?”

  I kiss him back, and whisper, “I do know that.”

  “Ok good. You know if I’m going to stay over, it’d be nice to have a change of clothes here. I’m wearing dirty shit from last night again…” He motions down his body.

  “Well I guess you need to pack a bag then, huh?” And I kiss him again.

  A horn blowing outside, reminds us that I have to go.

  Jude pulls me out the door, locking it behind us, and walks me to Erik’s car. He drops a kiss on my nose before swooping in to capture my mouth and once I’m breathless and craving more, he breaks away, opens the door, and pushes me inside with a smirk. “Now you’ll think about me all day too.”

  He winks, shuts the door, and walks to his bike.

  I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding and say under my breath, “Yeah, like I wasn’t going to anyway…”

  Erik chuckles again and grabs my hand, squeezing my fingers. “It’s good to see you and Jude together. You both seem lighter and younger. You seem happy, love.”

  I look at him and smile. “I am, E. I am. I love him. I’ve always loved him. I think he’s it for me, you know.”

  “I do know. I’ve always known.” He raises our linked hands and kisses my knuckles and we set off to Java and Sweeties.

  We have a nice conversation as we drive. He tells me about Alec, the guy from Bruno’s, and tells me they have a date tonight. I joke with him that he can have his own sexcapades. He laughs and shrugs.

  The banter is nice and familiar. Cozy. Comfortable.

  We pull up at Java and Sweeties, with five minutes to spare. There are already two regulars in the parking lot. We wave and tell them to give us just a minute.

  I race to the back to stow my purse, and greet the two college students we employ as baristas, and grab an apron. Erik checks to make sure the coffee is brewed and the bar is set, then he unlocks the door.

  The next hour and a half are busy as I fill people�
�s orders for baked goods from the display case and Erik and the others handle the coffeeshop.

  I keep my smile on my face and more than once look up to catch Erik looking at me with a smile on his face. Each time I catch him; he winks and blows me a kiss. I laugh.

  Soon, I’m back in my kitchen with the music rolling through the speakers and concentrating hard on the intricate details on the decorations for the wedding cakes.

  I’m in the zone, working furiously and as it often happens, I lose track of the time.

  My cell phone buzzes from the island and it breaks my concentration. I look around and realize I’ve completed five of the seven tiers. The only two left are the top tiers.

  I gasp as I see the time. It’s 1:24PM. I’ve been working nonstop for almost six hours!

  Rolling my shoulders to get the kinks out, I grab the phone to check the text.

  It’s from Jude.

  I pull the scroll bar to unlock it and up pops a picture of a shirtless Jude, wet from the shower, with his hair standing every which way and water droplets on his eyelashes and cheeks. He’s blowing me a kiss.

  My mouth dries… God, he’s gorgeous!

  My phone buzzes again.

  “Sexy Rock God

  Stop drooling!”

  I laugh and text him back.

  “Lexi

  I’m not drooling!”

  Immediately, I get another one.

  “Sexy Rock God

  You sure about that?”

  I send a reply.

  “Lexi

  Yup. Ego much? I’ve seen better! ;p”

  The door to my kitchen swings open. I spin around and see an insulted looking Jude walk in, carrying a deli bag.

  “You’ve seen better, huh? Then why do you have drool at the corners of that delectable mouth?”

  “Oh, you cheated. Were you watching me through the glass?” I narrow my eyes at him, trying to look intimidating.

  Stopping right in front of me, he makes a point of wiping the sides of my mouth, which do not have drool! Setting the bag on the island, he grabs my hips and lifts me up onto the counter, stepping between my legs so we’re eye level. “Why yes, I was watching you. You are very sexy when you’re working. Did you know you stick your tongue out?” He licks my lips. “And bite the tip when you’re in deep concentration? It’s very,” he sweeps his tongue into my mouth and removes it, “very sexy.”

  I grab his face and hold it still as I smash my lips to his and massage his tongue with mine.

  We simply kiss for a long while. It’s heaven.

  After breaking the kiss, he trails his lips down my jaw and neck, before he places a kiss on the rapid pulse in my neck.

  “Ok, let’s eat. I’m starving. Shopping is hard and I suck at it!”

  He backs away and opens the bag.

  Lord, I’m putty in his hands and he knows it. Sighing, I grab the bag and look to see what he’s brought.

  We eat and talk and he tells me about his shopping adventure. He says he was lucky enough that the salesgirl was a fan and she was more than willing to help him furnish his home.

  A twinge of jealousy must show on my face, because he laughs and kisses me lightly. “Stop with the green eyes. She was like twenty and she was a perfectly sweet girl who stopped flirting immediately when I told her that I needed awesome furniture since my woman was too busy being responsible and working to help me pick anything out.”

  “You told a fan that?” I ask in surprise.

  “Yes, why? It’s the truth, isn’t it? Why does that surprise you, Lex?” He truly looks puzzled that I asked.

  Pulling him into me for a hug and a sweet kiss, I smooth the wrinkles on his brow, between his eyes, from his frown. “You’re just constantly surprising me, Jude. And that’s not a bad thing. It’s just not what I’d expect from a rock star, you know?”

  He frowns at me again and responds, “I’ve told you, Lex. With you, I’m not a rock star. With you… with you, I’m just me. What do I have to do to make you see that?”

  Grabbing his face and meeting his hazel eyes with my amber ones, I say, “Nothing, Jude. You’re doing everything right. To me, you are just Jude… my Jude, and I love you. I love you so much.”

  He closes his eyes and leans his forehead against mine. “I hope you do. I really hope you do.”

  Jude

  Why is she so insecure? Does she truly not understand that she’s my world?

  I thought we were past all this, but when she says things like that, it makes me nervous. I know this is a lot in a very short amount of time, but now that she’s back in my arms, it’s like the past eight, lonely years didn’t happen. They don’t exist when we’re together. I just want to be with her. I want to move forward… with Lexi.

  We finish eating and I look over at the cakes she’s been working on.

  Wow, she’s amazing. I always knew she could bake and her treats were always delicious, but she’s an amazing cake decorator. I’ve never seen such intricate work firsthand before. She could really be famous if she marketed herself.

  “Wow, Lex. These are beautiful. You did all of this by hand?”

  She blushes, but I see the pride in her eyes. “Yes. I do everything in here by myself. I do all the baking and I decorate all of the cakes and cookies. You like it?”

  “God, baby. I had no idea you were this talented. Those cake people on TV have nothing on you.”

  She blushes even harder, “I don’t know about all of that…”

  But I cut her off. “No, seriously, baby. This is amazing! This is better than some of the stuff at the awards shows and banquets we attend. You really are amazing. You should be proud. I’m so proud of you!”

  “Thank you, Jude. I work hard, but I do it because I love it. Baking and decorating make me happy. Something about seeing the finished product and knowing you’re directly responsible just feels… it feels amazing. But thank you. Knowing you think that really means a lot to me.” She shrugs as she takes in her kitchen.

  I pull her in and kiss her, hugging her tight. This woman is so amazing and she’s all mine.

  “Ok, well they’re actually delivering some of the stuff to the house this afternoon. I paid more to get delivery today. Not a lot of stuff, but the master bedroom and the kitchen will be set up. The rest will be delivered this week. Would you… would you stay with me, at my place tonight, Lex?” I ask nervously.

  She looks at me and smiles. “Yes. I’d love to stay at your place tonight. Besides, Erik has a date.” She wiggles her eyebrows.

  “He does, does he? With my realtor?”

  She smirks and answers, “Yes. Alec, right?”

  I like Alec. He’s a good guy. “Yeah. He’s a great guy. They should have a good time.”

  She gets a lost look on her face and shakes her head, as if to clear it before answering. “I hope so. He doesn’t go out as much as he should. He spends more time with me than anyone, but I’m always on him to get out more. He’s too great to stay home. Not to mention he’s gorgeous. I hope they work out. Erik deserves a happily ever after!”

  She thinks Erik is gorgeous?! Good thing he’s gay or I might be upset. I decide to let it go.

  “Yeah well, I’m sure he’ll appreciate the quiet from us not being there tonight. What time do you close tonight?”

  “Uh huh. We close at five on Saturdays.”

  “Ok, I’ll be here before that to get you and we’ll go eat before we head to my house. Oh wait… I guess you’ll want to go run by your place to change or grab a few things first, right?” I remember that I need to grab a few things from the hotel to leave at Lexi’s place, too.

  “Yes, I am not wearing the same underwear two days in a row! Gross. But only the coffeeshop is open tomorrow, so I don’t need to come in. Can we swing by my house so I can pack a small bag?” The look on her face is priceless.

  Kissing her nose and checking the time on my phone, I say, “Oh, but it’s ok for me to wear dirty shit?! Huh? Women!” I laugh. “Ok
, I’ll pick you up and we’ll go by your house before we eat. Do I get you all day tomorrow then? I have to go. My bed will be at my house in an hour!”

  “Shut up, you!” She’s laughing too. “And yes, you get me all night and all day tomorrow. So think real hard about what you’re going to do with me! Now get out of my kitchen. You’re distracting and I’m busy!” She lightly shoves me and pops my ass with a towel.

  “I don’t have to take this abuse. I’m gone.” Swooping in to steal a kiss, I smirk at her expression as I walk towards the door. “Stop ogling my ass. I’m not a piece of meat.”

  “Who says I’m staring at your ass?”

  “I do. I know you.” I stop at the door and turn around.

  Yup, she’s watching me. I wink.

  “Lex?”

  “Yes, Jude?”

  “I love you.”

  Her smile could light up a room. “I love you too, Jude.”

  I smile back. “Good. Now get your sexy ass back to work!”

  Before she can answer, I walk out of the kitchen. I’m smiling and whistling, as I wave to Erik. I leave and head to my house to get my furniture and set up for my romantic evening with Lexi.

  Chapter Twenty

  Lexi

  The next week flies by. Jude and I are together as often as we can be. We spend every night together, either at his place or mine, though most of the time we’re at his. Erik has gotten pretty involved with Alec, so they normally have our place, and I spend the majority of my nights at Jude’s.

  We’ve had dinner with Erik and Alec and Bradi and Micah a couple of times. Jude and Micah seem to have hit it off. Bradi has even stopped threatening him and other than asking for constant details about our sex life, she doesn’t fawn all over him anymore.

  During the day, Jude messes with his house, setting up the rooms, and he calls or texts me frequently. He also stops by the shop at least once a day and he picks me up every night after we close.

  We’ve been to a show, walked along the Riverfront, and taken a few drives, but we mostly just hang out, spending as much time as we can together, since he’s leaving again in a week.