Jude's Salvation: This Love Series (6 page)

“
No Jude, you didn’t hurt me,” I whisper back. A tear falls from my eye and slides down the side of my face. I hadn’t realized he was watching me until I feel his finger wipe my tear away. He kisses my cheek and rests his head beside mine.

“
I’ll let you sleep a little before I ravage you again,” he tells me.

"Sleep or you, hmm, let me think about it, no, I choose you," I grin mischievously, his arms instantly around me. I love this man.

I can hear his exhaustion and I fall into the deepest sleep of my life. I don’t awaken until morning.  

CHAPTER FIVE

Truth In The Lie

Jude

“
Her plans are still on for Paris, do you want me to continue services?” I ask, feeling guilt in the pit of my stomach.

“
Yes, keep a watch but stay back. I don’t want her to know I’ve sent protection. She’ll never forgive me,” Mr. Daniels orders before hanging up. Setting my cell back down on the counter, I take in a deep breath. I know I’ve made a mistake, it’s a mistake I knew I would make as soon as I saw her again, I just didn’t know when I would make it. Running my hand through my hair I walk towards the bedroom and watch her sleeping. I’ve been watching her for years and she has no idea. I have fallen in love with her and I’ll never be able to tell her.

When her father gave me this job I thought it wouldn’t last long. I assumed he would give what he owes and end this threat against her finally but he hasn’t. Since she started college he’s hired me as her secret bodyguard. This trip was a surprise and I almost told him I couldn’t do it. Looking at her now, I would never have given this up. She is safest here, when she is with me. Her father wouldn’t approve of us. I knew that much. Mr. Daniels considers me a hired gun only, a very high priced gun but still not worthy enough for his daughter. I can’t help but wonder if she might have been able to fall in love with me if the circumstances were different.

Lying to her has been painful. It is true I’m from Paris, went to Oxford and graduated with a Law degree at twenty two but after that the businesses I found myself falling into led me into private protection. I failed to mention to her that I have been trained since I was twelve to become an assassin. I have been primed by a secret service in London to carry out my orders. I protect my charges at any cost. I come highly recommended and Mr. Daniels is willing to pay the price since his once secret lovechild was threatened six years ago and he had to bring her under his wing. Her head is still held as bounty by someone he owes a lot of money to. He keeps those details hidden from me but I know more than he thinks. I was there six years ago. I held her in my arms while she awaited her mother’s death sentence.

I know who he owes and who he wants to keep her hidden from. I was surprised he would allow Eden to even go on this trip considering the danger she is in but he said she insisted on this backpacking excursion. I know Eden enough to know she is very stubborn and her father can’t say no to her, ever.

I sit down on the edge of the bed and touch her bare thigh. She is my dream. When she laid her eyes on me in that pub my whole body heated. She has never noticed me before, at least I have never let her notice me before. There were times I wanted her to see me, I've always wanted to know if she remembers me but keeping her safe is my first priority. Watching her date that idiot Tyler from LA was painful. He cheated on her and I couldn’t tell her. I had my ways though. I set it up so she found out. It broke her heart but I couldn’t let it continue. She deserves better than a guy like that. She deserves a guy that worships the ground she walks on, that delights in her body and is riveted by her words.

It was lucky for me that she and her traveling companions went into a pub my business associates own. I had acquaintances to talk to just a few tables over from hers. I had planned to blend in, hoping to look like just another patron. I laughed and talked a little business with a few partners but my plan of blending in didn’t work for long. She heard me, through all the other voices and above the music she somehow heard me. I thought for a moment she recognized my voice but that would've been impossible. I watched her eye me up and down. I could tell she liked what she saw. It thrilled me like nothing else in a long time. Women came easily to me and my satisfaction was elusive, never feeling the spark like I felt having Eden catch me in her sights. I felt more alive than I've ever been having Eden’s lustful gaze rake over my body. Damn, this girl is sexy and she has no idea. After tonight, staying professional and keeping my distance will be impossible. I’ve tasted the forbidden fruit and I would happily walk into the front of the firing line to do it again.

It was her smile and that damn flush of her cheeks that made me approach her the other night, forgetting Daniel’s warnings. Having the chance to finally talk to her again was just too tempting to resist. Her father told me to protect her while she was traveling but he didn’t actually tell me I had to keep my hands off her. That’s an order I wouldn’t have been able to follow.

Eden is the girl I dream about. She’s my happy place when I’m in the middle of a situation no one wants to see or hear about. Gangsters in Armani suits are no more civilized than gangsters in ripped jeans with bandannas wrapped around their greasy heads. Eden is the light in my dark world, guiding me back from the edge. Just having this time with her now to pretend that in another life, in another world we could have been something is too perfect to give up. When she told me she didn’t want me to behave last night I thought I was dreaming.

She's attracted to me, the bad boy she see’s in me. I noticed the way her eyes lit up when she first caught sight of my tattoos. She was raised surrounded by the seedy side of New York, men with ego’s and addictions to fill. A life I thank the stars above she got away from but there will always be a scarred part of her, even if she doesn’t remember, it will always be there. She’s seen and felt too much pain for it to truly vanish. I want her to know that I am tough enough, damaged enough to protect her.

If she only knew I wasn't the ‘safe’ bad boy that she's searched for in the past. I'm the real thing. I like to think that my only redeeming quality is that I would do anything for her. Eden is my salvation from a world filled with sin. I would easily kill for her which is what I plan to do. Everyone I've killed or injured has deserved it, they were worse than me and so is the man that thinks he can take her from me. I will not let her continue to be a target, a pawn in some game her father is playing with Lex.

Byron said he hasn't heard about a threat on her since before Marisa died six years ago but I know it's there. Daniels knows it's there. This will end when I get back to the states. Nothing had better happen to Eden in the meantime.

Her leg moves closer to me and her moan is music to my ears. A slow smile creeps across her face and I grin. I’m relieved she isn’t having a nightmare, she’s dreaming of me now. I kiss her cheek, my hand grazing her smooth skin, sliding across her collarbone and down to her full, heavy breast. I lick her nipple then wrap my lips over her, sucking slowly. She responds exactly like I wanted her to. She wraps her legs around my hips, grinding against me. I pinch her other nipple with my thumb and finger, she moans louder. Her legs tighten as she searches for friction. Sliding my hand down her body, I part her lips and sink a finger inside her. She’s ready for me already, her sweet pussy is wet and clenching for me. I lick her ribs, seeing her tattoo for the first time. I’m surprised I missed it last night but the room was dark. I continue kissing her belly then the insides of each thigh. She runs her hands through my hair and I can hear her breathing picking up. She’s so receptive. I can’t help but lick her where she wants it. I lick from the bottom all the way around to her throbbing nub. I suck on it and use my thumb to press firmer.

“
Oh, oh Jude, yes, don’t stop,” she cries. I decide to draw out her orgasm. I slide my fingers into her and curl them up, increasing my speed then slowing it down. I drag my finger from her and hear her whimper at the loss. I watch her face as she gasps when I enter her again. Two of my fingers prod in and out of her wet pussy. She grips the sheets, arching her back as I use my thumb to rub her clit. Her eyes are closed and I want them open. I want to see those large sparkling eyes on me when she comes. I kiss her moist lips. Her hips thrusting as I lick her again from the bottom up to the top.

“
Oh yes, don’t stop Jude, don’t ever stop,” she cries out, breathless and needy.

“
Open your eyes Eden. Look at me, watch me and I won’t stop,” I order her. She obeys, her eyes fluttering open, her vision focusing on me and my tongue as I lap at her again. I kiss and suck her orgasm as she explodes around me. Her thighs tight against my head, she grinds and screams out her release. I’m sure she’ll wake the whole floor but I love it. I can’t get my condom on quickly enough. I’m not going to last long. I slam into her. She likes it hard and fast. So do I. Holding her hips up as I pound into her, feeling my entire length sink further into her. Her eyes are still on me, she looks fascinated, excited and sinful. Those eyes are seductive, her heavy lashes curled, her pupils dark and dilated. Even the lashes under her eye are dark and devilish. She is naturally wanton and definitely Marisa’s daughter.

She clenches around me with each thrust, she’s so tight and hot. My fingers dig into her perfect skin as I lose myself in this deep pleasure. I continue to immerse myself in her, when I hear her cry out again. Her body shakes under me and I can’t hold back my pleasure. I groan, throwing my head back I pull her up to me one more time before my release racks through my body. I shout almost as loud as she did. I take her down to the bed with me, my body carefully rests beside hers, sweating and out of breath. I kiss her shoulder.

“
Eden, I can’t get enough of you,” I confess to her. Making love to Eden makes me feel more than I’ve ever imagined possible. Not only the physical sensations but inside, I’m crazy for her. I want to hear her scream and moan for me, only me but I know one day I’m going to hear her tell me to stop. I’m going to take her too far and she’s going to tell me to stop.

“
I can’t get enough of you Jude,” she replies with a satisfied moan, her hand sliding down my sweaty chest.

“
Shower with me,” I command her. It drives me insane the way she obeys. I love it too much. I’ll abuse this, she should be warned. Her eyes seem to light up every time I order her to do something. I’m thinking getting her on her knees in the shower is the next command. I grin as I watch her jump out bed and race for the bathroom. I give her a minute to wash up and start the shower. Once I hear the water running I tap lightly on the door. I need her. I need her, as much as I can get for as long as she’ll give it to me. I told her I would follow her to Paris and I plan to but when she returns to LA I don’t know what will happen to us.

I step into the shower and stare at the vision in front of me. She has her head tilted back, rinsing her hair, her eyes closed and her chest raised. All thoughts leave my head as I cup her breasts, kissing each one before she raises her head and I kiss her open mouth. Pouring my years of distant love into that kiss, all my hidden desires and love for her just pours into her mouth. She seems to be kissing me back with the same intensity. Like she’s missed me, been waiting for me to appear. I can dream for a little while that I am all she needs.

She slides down my chest, kissing as she goes. Damn, the woman read my mind. I lose all thought when her lush lips wrap around my head, her tongue slides down my shaft. I groan, my hands gently placed on her head, resisting the urge to pump into her hot mouth. She begins to suck harder, slowly taking me in further. I’ve dreamed of this moment for so long, I wonder how long I can hold it for. I begin to pump into her and she grips my ass with her hands, her speed picking up. She sucks me even deeper until I can feel my cock hit the back of her throat. She doesn’t stop, doesn’t resist, she tightens a hold of my balls and I know I’m going to lose it.

“
I’m going to cum baby,” I rasp, still pumping into her. She doesn’t release me like I expected, she sucks harder, faster, licking and sucking till I lose it. I shout as my orgasm rips through me, hot come shooting into her mouth. She continues sucking until I finish, then with the sexiest look on her face she licks the tip of my cock before looking up at me.

“
A dream baby, you are my dream,” I manage to say, feeling overwhelmed by her. She stands in front of me and rinses her face in the water then surprising me she turns and kisses me. I love her so fucking much. Wrapping my arms around her, our naked bodies pressed firmly together, I never want to let her go again. I won’t, ever. She is mine and somehow I will keep her. Until my last breath I will keep her safe. Whoever is threatening her life will soon be dead. Of that I am certain.

CHAPTER SIX

Fireworks

Eden

Could there be a more perfect man? I trace my fingers down his chest, landing above his scar. I hear him draw in a breath when I trace lightly over it. I move slowly, hovering over him. His head rests on his hands behind his head. He’s giving me the opportunity to discover him. I kiss his scar several times, covering every inch of it. I want to make him forget, to give him pleasure, something he can remember when I’m gone. I want to know what happened, if it hurt and if it will happen again but I don’t ask him questions. If he wants to share this with me he will. I continue traveling over his body, his tattoos appear military and not prison. This gives me some relief. His hands are calloused. I run my fingers up his muscular arms, tracing the veins popping out. Resting my chest against his, he watches me explore him. I can’t resist running my fingers through his thick sandy brown hair. I kiss his forehead and trail more kisses down his sculpted cheekbones, his perfect nose to his slightly scruffy chin.

"What are you thinking my beautiful girl?" he asks as he brushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I love the way that simple gesture makes me feel. It’s comforting and makes me feel cherished.

“
I was just thinking that you are absolute perfection Jude Edward Everett,” I tell him. He wraps me in his arms and holds me tight against him.

“
You are perfect for me,” he whispers, kissing my forehead. I feel his fingers run through my hair and he inhales. Yes, I secretly shout. I have my perfect man, here in my arms, at least for a few more hours. He flips me over and I laugh as he places my hands behind my head. I watch him as he begins his inspection of me now. He trails his fingers down my neck to my collarbone, across my shoulders and down my arms. He glances up at me then runs two fingers in between my breasts before running them across my ribs where he stops on my tattoo. I watch him read the words I can’t explain. I have no memory of getting the tattoo or what it means. I can’t hide it in a bikini. My sister told me it was something I did with Angie but she told me it was about my mother which I knew was a lie.

“
When did you get this?” he asks, keeping his eyes on it. I breath in and try to be honest without revealing my insanity.

“
When I was fifteen,” I answer and he nods as though that seems right to him which surprises me. I can’t believe I would have done something like that. It doesn’t seem like me at all.

“
You and me against the world,” he reads the black ink out loud and I don’t respond. I feel a lump in my throat and I’m not sure why.

“
I like it. I like the two black birds too. They remind me of a young girl and her mother that I used to know,” he tells me looking into my eyes. He moves back up towards me and kisses my cheek. I smile, grateful he’s not asking more.

“
I ordered room service for lunch. You must be hungry,” he inquires with his raised brows.

“
Yes, I am actually. Must be all that early morning activity wearing me out,” I smirk. He nods, pulling me out of bed and to my feet. I stand naked in front of him, watching as he pulls on a pair of black loose track pants and a snug white tank. He looks so good I struggle to reach back and grab my robe. He grins as he wraps it around me, tying it at my waist.

“
Not just early morning, there was a lot of
activity
late last night too, my little wild cat,” he said, kissing my nose then releasing me as he turns to walk to the door.

“
Um, yes and please tell me you’re not done with me yet,” I whine. He stops before he reaches the handle and turns back to me. His eyes meet mine and I’m suddenly scared he might be. He shakes his head and walks quickly towards me. I struggle to catch my breath, fear racing through me. Why did I ask? He holds my face in his large hands.

“
Listen to me Eden, I am not letting you go, ever. Distance doesn’t exist in my world, whenever you need me, whenever you
want
me I will be there,” he said, calming and exciting me at the same time. I guess only time will tell how we make this work. He kisses me so hard my lips bruise but I push him for more. I’m addicted to him, his taste, his smell, his touch, everything.

After we eat and make love again he walks me back to the hostel later that afternoon. I turn to him once we stop in front of the door. I observe the way he protectively
positions himself fully in front of me, like he’s trapping me with his body, guarding me from my hidden enemies. The ones I know are out there but I don’t know why or who, yet.

Jude gives me his undivided attention. I feel surrounded by him, completely caged by his body and I have no interest in backing away. If anything I want to move closer but I don’t. His all male scent, fresh from the shower, soap and just him makes my head swoon. I am very conscious of how I react to him now. I am aware of my responses but I have no control over them. He takes my control and leaves me at his mercy.

"I’ll be back here after dinner to pick you up, text me when you’re ready,” he tells me again, wanting me to know he’ll be here, he isn’t leaving me. I nod and wrap my arms around him, kissing his neck. Every time he walks away from me it feels like the last time I’ll see him. He’s caught on and has taken to reassuring me that he has no intention of vanishing from my life. I have never been so needy but the idea of losing him, losing us makes me shudder.

“
I’ll see you tonight then,” I whisper. He pulls away, watching me as I open the door to the hostel and run upstairs. I don’t like the feeling of his absence.

“
Hey, there she is. Did you get any sleep last night, you look a little ragged,” Angie smirks. I smile but can’t fight back. I’m too confused, frightened really. This has moved so fast between Jude and I but it feels right. In the back of my mind, something keeps telling me that I know him somehow. When I rest my cheek against his chest, when I inhale his scent I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve met him before but I know I would have remembered his face and definitely his voice. I also have this strange feeling in my gut that I need him. Not just for pleasure but for protection. He is meant to keep me safe I just don’t know from what.

“
Eden, are you okay?” Mariana asks, pulling me into her arms. I hug her back, needing my friends. Sophie and Angie join in.

“
I’m fine really, I think I’m terribly, horribly in love though,” I tell them and they laugh.

“
Interesting way to describe it,” Sophie muses.

“
Love is nice but how was the sex, come on. Fill me in on his hard rockin’ body girl,” Angie jumps up and down, waiting for me to tell her something. I stand back and lick my bottom lip, thinking of what I can possibly tell her that isn’t too much.

“
Well, he’s right out of a fantasy really. Everything I’ve read doesn’t even compare to the night and day I’ve had with him. He’s incredibly hot, built like no other and the boy has skills Angie. I’ve never reached the stars before but with him, over and over again,” I explain, my voice trailing off as I think of his touch. It’s only been a few minutes but I miss him already.

“
Wow, you have it bad girl, I can see it all over your face,” Angie says, hugging me again.

“
I’m guessing your going back to him tonight?” Mariana asks. It’s our last night in London before catching the train to Paris tomorrow.

“
Not until after dinner and drinks tonight,” I tell them as I reach for a change of clothes and head to the shower.

Sitting with my best friends in the restaurant feels good but my mind keeps drifting to Jude. I want to be with him. I force myself to join in on the conversation and half a bottle of red wine helps. I keep getting the feeling that we are being watched again but I try and shake it off as just my reappearing paranoia.

“
Paris tomorrow girls and I have a proposition to throw on the table,” Sophie says, surprising us. We all stare at her, nodding for her to continue.

“
Since we stayed the course and roughed it here in London, I suggest that in Paris we stay at my favorite hotel and eat at my favorite restaurants. I’m sure Mariana has a few boutiques she is dying to see again and I know how Angie and Eden feel about the local Pastier. So, would it be okay if we canceled the hostel and stayed in the Latin Quarter at the Citadines, the suites are nice and the location is perfect?” she asks. All three of us gape at her, mouths open, then as if on queue we all shout “Yes!” which leads to a lot of laughter and glasses clinking.

“
Oh, thank god, a comfortable bed, soft sheets and a full length tub and a real shower. A mirror and a view, room service,” Angie rattles on.

“
What about separate rooms?” I ask. Everyone stops and stares at me.

“
Just in case I have a guest or a nightmare, I wouldn’t want to wake anyone,” I grin. I know he promised me Paris and I would love to hold him to it.

“
He’s joining us in Paris?” Mariana asks.

“
Possibly, I’m not sure but he said he might. He’s actually from Paris and said he could show us around again like he did here in London,” I tell them.

“
Wow, not only is he hot, good in bed, smart but worldly too. You know how to pick ‘em Eden,” Angie smirks.

“
Yes I do and he’s mine, remember that,” I scowl. She raises her hands as if in defeat.

“
I wouldn’t dare, unless of course you were done.” She laughs when I stand to smack her.

“
Just kidding, relax, I won’t snag your man,” she sputters through her laughter and I sit back down.

“
Damn right, you will not touch my man,” I tell her, finishing off my drink and taking a bite of my pasty. Mariana looked at my dinner plate in horror when they placed it down in front of me. The color of the deep fried pastry disgusted her. I have to admit, I could only eat half of it myself.

“
So I guess you didn’t have any freakish nightmares last night then? Did you even sleep?” Angie asks, seriously watching me for an honest answer. I know she’s worried about me.

“
Yes we did sleep. I actually slept soundly all night. It was the best sleep I’ve had in weeks,” I tell them honestly. I don’t want to sleep without him again but I keep that thought to myself.

We walked back to the hostel around nine thirty. Angie wanted to stay out later but Sophie said she wasn’t feeling well and wanted to go back. I was secretly relieved but didn’t tell them this. Once inside the hostel I sent Jude a quick message letting him know that I was free to meet him. I packed another overnight bag and promised Mariana that I would be back early this time so that we can all travel together to catch our train to Paris.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs the door swung open. My breath hitched and fear washed over me. I know my face went pale, my hands shook as I tried to grip the banister. My heart hurt until I saw Jude standing there, waiting for me.

“
Oh, Jude, don’t do that. You scared me to death,” I said, catching my breath, my heart racing out of my chest. After feeling watched all evening my nerves were a little on edge.

“
I’m sorry Eden, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he said, taking me in his arms. He held me tight and I wrapped my arms around him, not wanting to let go. I felt safe when he was with me. I breathed in his familiar scent and sighed at the confusion building inside me again.

“
Come on baby, let me soothe your fears, you’re with me now,” he said taking my hand and leading me quickly to his awaiting car. Once back in his hotel room I felt more at ease. I sank down on the edge of the laissez and he sat behind me, his strong legs around me. I rested my hands on his solid thighs. His warmth felt so good but when he began massaging my shoulders I let out the breath I was holding and closed my eyes. The tension in my neck caused me to groan out loud when he kneaded it.

“
You’re tight Eden, is there anything you want to talk about?” he asked.

“
No, I just missed you, a lot, too much probably,” I confessed, turning to him, his lips landing sweetly on mine.

“
I missed you too, probably too much,” he grinned. I straddled him, looking into his eyes, his hands holding me in place on top of him.

“
You did?” I asked, surprised he would miss me.

“
Didn’t I tell you this morning that I wanted to keep you with me, always,” he said, kissing my neck. My skin tingling under his warm lips.

“
You may have mentioned it during one of our
activities
,” I teased, licking his lip lightly. He sucks my bottom lip into his mouth and stands, taking me with him. Wrapping my legs tightly around his hips, I kiss his neck while he carries me to his bed. This will be our last night on this bed and I can’t think about this possibly being our last night ever. If he doesn’t meet me in Paris then I may never see him again. I hold him tighter and he pauses, looking into my eyes. He doesn’t say anything though. I think he knows what I am thinking. He keeps his eyes on mine and kisses me so deeply, I feel completely connected to him. His kiss sends waves of sensations throughout my body. I want, crave, demand him and he obliges. Our tongues circle each others while his lips devour mine. My body aches to have him, the pressure of his hips against mine is driving me insane.