Fever

by Carnal, MJ

  What the hell are they talking about? What is Jude hiding from me? Whatever it is, it must be serious, because Dade looks like he wants to beat Jude’s ass and Jude looks really tortured.

  So, what the hell is going on?

  Covering my mouth to hold in the sob that’s threatening to burst out, I make my way back to the tent. I grab two drinks on the way and plop on the couch.

  Luckily, everyone is drunk and no one really notices my mood has plummeted.

  Five minutes later, Jude comes back and as he sits beside me, he pulls me into his side, and kisses my head.

  <><><>

  Jude

  Lexi has been oddly quiet the past two hours. Has something happened? Did one of the groupies say something to her? What’s wrong?

  It’s now an hour to kickoff and we’ve been out here most of the day. Everyone has had more than enough to drink and the table is still covered with the catered food we ordered, so no one has touched much of it.

  Dade has been glaring at me all day. Jessie and Liam are engrossed in groupies. Cruz is listening to his music and knocking out a beat on his legs. Bradi is laying back on Micah. Erik and Alec are holding hands and talking to Bradi and Micah, and Lex… she’s just sitting here. Quiet.

  I have to find out what’s happened.

  “Lex? Can you come with me for a minute?” I take her hand to get her to look at me.

  She nods and sets her drink down before standing up. She loses her balance and I catch her before she falls. I lead her away from the tent and away from the crowd. I need to have her to myself to see what’s going on. We head behind a few trees where it’s sheltered and we can’t be seen by prying eyes.

  Tipping her head up, I look into her eyes. “Baby, what’s wrong? Why are you so quiet?”

  She stares at me so long I’m not certain she’s going to answer me. But she takes a deep breath. “Jude… you need to tell me what’s going on. I saw you earlier… with Dade. What the hell is going on? What are you keeping from me?” On the last word, her voice breaks.

  Oh God. Noooo. I can fix this. I have to fix this! I cannot have her freak out like this… she’ll leave me. Dammit to hell, Jude, fix this shit! And I’m going to fucking kill Dade!

  “Lex, Baby. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not that. I swear. There’s just something that happened recently and I don’t want you worrying about it ok? I’m taking care of it. I love you and I’m asking you to trust me. Can you do that? I need you to trust me.” I’m pleading with her by now. She has to just let this go. She has to.

  With tears in her beautiful eyes, she stares into mine. Her pain breaks into my soul. “Promise me, Jude. Promise me that I don’t have to worry. Don’t lie to me. If I trust you, you have to promise me. I can’t hurt like before again… I can’t.”

  I promise her. I just pray I can keep my promise, because breaking my vow to Lexi is not acceptable.

  I grab her face and lower my lips to hers. Promising so many things with my lips and tongue, praying it’s enough.

  She kisses me back and suddenly she pushes me. I hit the bark of the tree with my back, as she kisses me aggressively. “I love you. I love you so much, Jude. God…”

  I give her full control and whisper back, “God, Lex. I love you too. I’ve never loved anyone else. Just you!”

  My words seem to unleash her passion.

  Her hands travel under my shirt and her nails scrape over my nipples and across my stomach. Her tongue is dueling with my own and it’s like she can’t get enough.

  As her mouth leaves mine and I lay back my head to catch my breath, I feel her hands at my pants. Her dainty hands reach for the snap of my jeans and she drops down, squatting in front of me, on the ground.

  “Lexi, no, Baby… No, not here. Someone could see…”

  But she ignores me and pushes my jeans open and my boxer briefs down just enough to get my rigid cock out. In one fell swoop, I’m in her mouth. The tip of my dick is in the back of her throat and then she’s moving.

  God this is so good, but I don’t want to make too much noise. I don’t want anyone to hear us and come exploring. Dear God, there are people twenty feet away from us and my dick is in Lexi’s mouth.

  Her movements make me forget my worries and I can’t help it, my hands hold onto her head as she bobs her mouth along my shaft, alternating hard sucking with light licks and nips to the base of my cock. I feel my balls tighten and try to warn her, I’m about to come.

  “Baby, oh God… Baby. I’m going to cum…”

  My excited moans seem to fuel her and with a few last bobs of her head, I explode in her mouth. Once she swallows all of my seed, she looks up at me. Her eyes are luminous and her full red lips are still wrapped around my cock. She opens her mouth while still looking at me and kisses the tip of my dick, before tucking it back into my jeans and re-snapping them.

  I’m in awe.

  Standing up with my help, she smiles shyly at me. I pull her into my arms and kiss her like I’ll never kiss her again; putting everything she makes me feel into the kiss.

  We break the kiss and lean back looking into each other’s eyes. I smile and kiss the tip of her nose, as I once again tell her, “I love you, Lexi. Only you.”

  She smiles back and says, “Good. Because I love you, too.”

  We hold hands as we head back to our friends.

  The game is fun and LSU wins by a landslide.

  Crisis averted and all is once again right in the world.

  Everyone is exhausted after the game, so we part and all go our respective ways. Alec drops us off at Lexi’s, and once again I fall asleep in Lexi’s bed, with her wrapped around me.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Lexi

  The next week flies by. Jude and I spend as much time as we can together. It’s like we’re both desperate to embed ourselves on the other’s mind. Things are good with us.

  It’s the day before he leaves and we’re lying in his bed. Neither of us wants to get up, though I have to get ready for work. I have so much to do at the shop.

  Trailing kisses up my spine as I lay on my stomach after an intense round of morning lovemaking, I feel him whisper against my skin, “Can I take you out to dinner tonight? On an actual date?”

  I roll over and look up at him as I answer. “Jude, we go on plenty of dates. You don’t have to take me anyplace special tonight. I know you have to leave early in the morning.”

  He traces my eyebrows with his fingertip, like he’s memorizing my face. “I know, but I want to. I’m going to try to get away for a couple of days, but with the crazy schedule and the tour being so short, I’m just not sure I’ll be able to. I want to take you out tonight.”

  I smile at him. “Ok, Baby. You can take me out. Where will we go?” I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him on top of me, before meeting his mouth with mine.

  I could kiss him forever.

  He kisses me back and runs his fingers through my hair. I feel him lengthening against me. We’ve just made love, but it’s like we simply can’t get enough of each other.

  Opening my thighs, he nestles into me, groaning into my neck. “God, Baby. You’re insatiable!”

  We’d stopped using condoms about a week ago. And this way is so much better. Feeling him, skin to skin, is so much better.

  “You make me this way. I don’t know why, Jude, but I just can’t get enough of you. Besides, you aren’t complaining, are you?” I chuckle, as I bite his chin.

  “Oh, I’m not complaining at all. Only now I’m not going to have this for ten weeks. How the hell am I going to survive?” He’s rubbing against my wetness as he says this. Reaching down to wrap my hands around him, I line him up, and bear down so he slides inside of me.

  We’re both groaning as he starts to move.

  Wrapping my legs around him and locking my ankles I moan out, “I’ll make it worth your while. Ohhhhh, don’t stop. Harder. Fuck me hard, Jude.”

  He braces himself on the bed, on his forearms
, and starts slamming into me. “Like that, Baby? You want it like that?”

  He’s thrusting so hard, I’m bouncing off the bed. It’s rough and I love it. “Yes, just like that. Fuck me. God, fuck me. Ohhhhhhh.”

  Sweat is running down his face and splashing onto my chest. His hand leaves the bed and finds my clit. He’s rubbing it between his fingers as he continues to pound into me.

  “Oh shit… Oh fuck. Lexi, baby. Come with me… God…. Come with me…”

  His short nails scratch my clit and my body bows off the bed with the force of my orgasm. I feel him tense, grabbing my hips tightly and holding me to him, as he spills his seed inside of me. The bed is drenched beneath my ass and I’m not certain if it’s from me, or him, or a combination of us both.

  He collapses on top of me and my legs splay to the sides. He’s heavy, but I don’t want him to move. Finally, we both come back to earth. I’m lying in the wet spot and it’s cold.

  He moans… “I’m never going to survive not having you for ten weeks, Lex. You’re like my drug. I need you. We have to figure something out.”

  I try to run my hand up his arm, but I’m too spent. It bounces off of him and hits the bed. I smirk. “I’ll try to come out once or twice for a day or so and we can text, and chat. How are you at phone sex?” I smirk and blush, as I say it.

  I have never had phone sex in my life, but I’m willing to do it with Jude. For Jude.

  “Phone sex? Um, I don’t know. I don’t know that I’ve ever really had phone sex to be honest. Um, there’s never really been a need… You know…”

  He’s embarrassed. It’s cute.

  “But I’m down for some phone sex. Will you send me sexy pictures of you, Lex?” He seems unsure of my response.

  I blush, but answer him. “I’ve never had phone sex either. But I want to, with you. And sexy pics? Like of me naked? I don’t know…”

  He kisses me again and leans over to grab his phone off of the nightstand. Turning the camera on, he pulls me close, and tells me to smile for the camera. He snaps a picture and shows it to me.

  It’s of both of us. I look freshly fucked. My hair is a mess and my skin is flushed. My eyes are glowing. But Jude looks mouthwatering. He looks sexually satisfied. Our heads are close and his chest is visible. His tattoos are showing and my head is near the tattoo on his heart. The tops of my breasts show, but it’s not indecent. It’s actually a very sexy photo.

  “You don’t have to show me anything you don’t want to, Baby. But if you do, no one but me would ever see them. I promise you that. I’d have to murder anyone else who saw you naked!” He’s growling the words out.

  I smile. I trust him. “Ok, I’ll send you some pictures sometimes. But you have to return the favor.” I’m blushing again.

  He looks at the clock and says, “We need to get showered. I want nothing more than to stay in bed with you all day, but if you don’t get up, you’re going to be late, Baby.”

  I squeal as I see the time. I jump out of bed. If I don’t get my ass in gear, I’m going to be an hour late for work, and I have four cakes to decorate today.

  He chuckles and slowly gets up behind me. I turn on the water and grab a towel, before stepping into the warm spray. A few seconds later the shower opens and Jude steps in. “I’ll help you. It’ll be quick and we can conserve water.”

  “Well, I’m all about saving the planet. Wash my back while you’re back there,” I quip back at him. I wash my hair while he washes my back and within minutes, I’m done and hopping out. I get ready in record time. Twenty minutes later, Jude is driving me to Java and Sweeties and I’m only ten minutes late. He follows me into the shop and watches as I store my purse and grab an apron. I call out to Erik asking if he needs my help and he assures me they have it under control.

  Jude kisses me in the kitchen and says he’ll call me later with details about our date and then he leaves me in my kitchen. As he walks out, I suddenly realize he’s leaving tomorrow, and I can’t stop the tears from falling. I indulge myself a quick pity party and then dry my face, wash my hands, and get to work.

  Before I know it, hours have passed and I’ve knocked out three of the four cakes I have to complete today. I only realize the time when Erik makes me take a quick break, as he brings me a coffee and a piece of biscotti.

  He pulls up a stool and motions for me to sit down. “So, love, how are you doing today? How are you handling Jude leaving tomorrow?”

  My eyes get cloudy as I answer him, “It’s rough. I had a mini

  breakdown earlier when it hit methat he’s actually leaving, but I’m ok.

  It’s only for ten weeks, so it’ll be ok.”

  He smiles and pushes back a piece of hair that’s fallen loose, tucking it behind my ear. “Yes, it’s really not that long. But I know it’s going to be hard on the both of you. You’ll be ok though. And I was thinking… you know I can handle this place alone sometimes. Not for extended periods of time of course, but I can handle a day or two without you here and there.”

  I smile as I hug him. “I know you can. And I am planning on going for a day or so at least once or twice. But thank you for saying it’s ok. You know that goes for you too. If ever you and Alec want some away time, I can handle this place too.”

  Eric holds me close and says, “Look at us… both of us all in relationships and shit. Who would have thought it?”

  I laugh. “I know, right. This has been a crazy few weeks, huh? So you and Alec… that’s pretty serious?”

  He wipes his hands on his thighs, looking a little nervous. “Yeah, I think so. I really like him. He gets me and we are great together. Not to mention, he’s hot as hell. I think… I think I could love him, Lex.”

  I hug him tight. “I’m so happy for you, E. I really like him and you seem so happy. If he’s what your heart wants, I say just go for it.”

  “Thanks, love. And I am… But the same for you and Jude… I never thought I’d see you like this again. Your love for him is so evident. And he really does love you. You’ll work out this time. I feel it.”

  “I hope so, E. I hope so… I love him so much it scares me.”

  “I know, love. I know. The two of you have something. Something real. Everyone can see it, so just go with it. You can’t live in fear. You’ll miss out on a lot of stuff that way.”

  Chuckling, I kiss him on the mouth. “You’re so wise. Now get out of my kitchen. I have work to do and I have a hot date tonight.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Love you, Lexi. I’m glad you and Jude found a way back to each other.”

  “I love you too, E. And me too.” Sighing, I get back to work.

  Just as I’m placing the finishing touches on my last cake, my cell alerts me to a new text.

  “Sexy Rock God

  Talked to Erik.

  He’s bringing you home.

  Wear a dress.

  Pick you up at 7:30.

  I love you.”

  I check the time. Its 4:30 now, so if we leave at 5:30, that will give me plenty of time. I send a reply.

  “Lexi

  Sneaky aren’t you?

  And bossy.

  But I’ll wear a dress. For you.

  I love you too.”

  I wait for a reply, but don’t get one. Oh well. I start sorting out the supplies I’ll need for tomorrow. Before I know it, Erik is asking me if I’m ready to go. I take one last look around, grab the box I’ve made up, and we head on home.

  I take my time getting ready and once I’m done, it’s 7:10 and I’m pleased with what I’m seeing in the mirror. My hair is half up and I’ve left the waves in, I’ve lined my eyes with black eyeliner and worn gold eyeshadow to bring out the honey tone of my eyes. My lips are shiny and lush from the berry gloss I’m wearing. My dress is short, and nude with a black lace overlay. Lots of leg is exposed and I look pretty good with my black peep toe, four inch heels.

  As I take one last look in the mirror, I spritz on some perfume and walk out to wait for Jude. Erik and
Alec are in the living room, on the couch. Both of them whistle when I step into the room.

  “Wow, Lexi, you look amazing! Simply gorgeous. Jude is a lucky, lucky man,” Alec says approvingly.

  Erik responds with waggling eyebrows and a wolf whistle. “He’s going to want to devour you. Hope you didn’t actually want dinner, love.”

  I blush as I thank them.

  A few minutes later, I hear a car pull up outside. Are Erik and Alec expecting company?

  There’s a knock at the door and I open it, expecting someone for the guys, I’m floored. Jude is standing there in black jeans, a red button up shirt, and a black suit jacket. He looks gorgeous! I almost miss the small box he’s holding I’m so enthralled with his appearance.

  I get caught staring and he smirks. “I’m guessing you like me this way?”

  His eyes rake over my body. It feels like he’s looking through my clothes.

  “Oh wow. Wow… you’re breathtaking Lex. You look amazing.”

  From the living room we hear, “You two just going to stare and strip each other with your eyes or are you coming in, Jude?”

  We snap out of our sexual fog.

  “Oh shit. I’m sorry. Uh, what did you say? Oh right… Um, yes. Yes, I like it. You look great. Shit… come in.” I grab his hand and pull him in the house, blushing profusely.

  Well that was embarrassing. I got caught drooling and yes I was actually drooling. Shit!

  Jude laughs and pulls me into his arms for a quick kiss, careful so he doesn’t smear my lipstick. He hands me the box. “This is for you.”

  I open it with shaking hands. I gasp. Inside is a gorgeous white gold, diamond, and pink stone necklace.

  The pendant is a daisy… a pink Gerber daisy.

  My fingers reach for it as Jude nervously asks, “Do you like it? I saw it and I had to buy it for you. It is you.”

  My hand touches my lips and my eyes fill with tears, “Oh, Jude it’s beautiful. It’s perfect! I love it. Thank you.”

  He takes it out of the box and places it around my neck, as I lift my hair, so he can close the clasp. “You are as precious to me as diamonds, Lex. And as rare as the pink diamonds in the necklace.”