Jude's Salvation: This Love Series (11 page)

“
I have had an instructor for everything,” he tells me with a touch of anger he’s trying to hold in but I catch it.

“
Everything?” I ask curiously, raising my eyebrow. He pulls me tighter, closer still and I can feel his hot hardening body and my breath becomes shallow. I kiss his neck as his fingers stretch across the silk dress covering my searing flesh. I need him.

“
Let’s go and I’ll show you some of the things I’ve learned,” he whispers, his breath cool against my cheek. I nod in agreement. I should thank his instructor personally.

“
There is no where I’d rather be right now then between those creamy thighs,” his voice is deep and husky. When the music ends he kisses me then takes my hand in his as we
stroll quickly back into the hotel. I can’t speak to anyone right now. My cheeks are flushed and my body only has one need. I crave Jude’s touch. It hasn’t even been twelve hours and already I’m going into withdrawal.

When he unlocks the door right across from mine I look up into his eyes. He’s searching me for a reaction.

“
You really do want to protect me don’t you? But who are you protecting me from Jude?” I ask, not really wanting him to answer because I know I have enemies now. He doesn’t answer me, holding the door open I walk in. I watch him closely as he locks the door before turning back to me. Last night he took me by surprise when he admitted we have met but wouldn’t give me any clues about it. He didn’t move when I told him about the vision. He didn’t fidget, twitch or squirm, aside from the sincere smile he let slip he gave me nothing.

He runs his fingers through his hair and sits back into the armchair watching me. His gaze again never wavering from mine, warmth for me is there though. He keeps his long fingers draped over the arms of the chair, he doesn’t tap or move them at all. His constant gaze actually begins to make me nervous. I can tell he’s battling something behind those eyes. Is it guilt, regret, fear? I don’t know him as well as I thought I did.

"I'm surprised you were able to get a room. Sophie was told we took the last ones available until tomorrow," I said watching him for a reaction this time. He gives me nothing, not even a grin. I guess we both have secrets. He keeps his face emotionless. I don’t like it because I don’t know what he's thinking but he does look very handsome in a dark and mysterious way. I almost forget the question when he finally replies.

"This is my city baby, I always get what I ask for." His answer doesn’t take away from his mystery at all. I decide to leave it at that. He can keep his secrets for now.

"Your room tonight then?" I ask with an innocent smile and a flutter of my eyelashes. His eyes go heavy and his lips fight a grin.

"Come here you devilish woman and kiss me," he commands. I run my hands across his shoulders as I step in between his firm legs. I feel his muscles tighten, he’s as affected by me as I am of him. When he sits up straighter he reaches for the hem of my skirt and lifts it up past my lacy silk stockings. I smile as I hear him groan, one of his fingers sliding across the top close to touching my skin. He continues lifting my skirt up to my waist then pulls me down tight against him. I can feel his desire and my body instantly reacts. I need this man. I kiss his neck and inhale his aftershave. I shiver, his scent masculine and sensual. I’m so afraid of losing him, of this ending. I know I’ll never be able to replace him, ever.

"I was worried yesterday, when you didn’t return my text. Were you reconsidering coming here?" I ask, knowing I'm letting my insecurities show but I need to know what’s in his head. I need to know how he feels about me. He moves towards me and instead of answering me he kisses me. I don't need words to know that he does feel something.

"I am never letting you go Eden. I'm sorry I worried you. I had business to take care of so I had to turn off my weaknesses and you my love are my biggest weakness," he tells me and I don't know if that is a compliment or not. I nod and he carries me to the bedroom. I stand still as he undresses me, leaving my thigh highs and heels on. He moves behind me and I feel his hand run through my hair. He surprises me when he grips it with his fist. I should be frightened but I feel even more excited.

"I am going to slide my hot, long and thick cock into you now, I hope you're ready," he warns me and I tremble. I like it when he takes control. My mind stops thinking. My only desire is to please him. He steps me forward, bending me slightly at the waist and places my hands against the wall, commanding me to stay in position with just his touch. Shivering in anticipation, I breath heavily as his hand slides down my back and I feel his palm trace over my bare cheeks. His warm touch is the calm before the storm. Every time he does something new to my body I feel a passion ignited inside and I crave more. I am too eager for his lessons. I gasp as he runs his fingers over my clit and dips two of his fingers in my aching clenching body. He curls them and runs along my walls causing me to cry out. I have never felt such intense pleasure. He continues until I’m ready to explode. My breath is coming in gasps and the second he removes his finger to rub my clit I come, loud and fast. Pressing back against him, I cry his name. My body arching and stretching as I ride my wave of ecstasy.

He still has me pinned against the wall when he impales me with his hard solid length. He doesn’t enter slowly, he places himself at my opening and thrusts deep. I whimper at the sudden fullness. I shiver when his free hand wraps around my neck, his other hand still fists my hair and with only his hips he holds me in place as he rocks into me over and over again. When he releases my hair I turn my cheek to the wall so I can see him. He grips my hip with his now free hand and thrusts again, harder and faster. I can see the pleasure on his face when he pounds into me, his control in making this moment last is fascinating. I’m shocked when his hand leaves my neck and he swiftly smacks my ass, the first hit was a surprise and I cry out in pain, The second and third cause me to moan loudly, the fourth and fifth begin to make me wet.

“
Oh god, Jude,” I cry and he softly rubs my cheek before smacking it again. My body is shivering when he carries me to the bed. He places me on my stomach, pulling my hips up to meet him. He commands my body and I can only oblige to his every need, I have no resistance. He holds my shoulders down then he enters me again, fast, unrelenting and I feel my body cresting. The man knows how to fuck. Another orgasm rips through me. I buck against him, gasping and whimpering. I am lost in the pleasure, my head dizzy and my body electrified. He impales me a few more times before I hear that erotic, primal groan escape his lips and his eyes close in satisfaction. We both crumble down onto the sheets, covered in sweat and gasping for air.

I feel his hand on my thigh, squeezing gently. With heavy eyelids I look up at him, hovering over me, searching my eyes for confirmation that he didn’t scare me. He loves it rough, he likes the pain mixed with the pleasure but he doesn’t want to scare me. He doesn’t want to hurt me too much.

“
I’m fine, it’s good, you are good Jude, so good,” I tell him, kissing his shoulder as he wraps me in his arms. He holds me against him, his arms protective and soothing. I almost told him I loved him but I had to bite my tongue. Too soon.

CHAPTER TEN

Trust Issues

Jude

It took everything in me not to go after Byron in the club last night. I couldn’t make a scene, not with Eden there. I don’t know if I can trust him now. I had to keep my eyes on Eden. I should never have left her in his care her first day here. All I could think last night was that he wanted me to go after him. He was setting me up to leave Eden alone so he could have one of his minions go after her. That is the way he plays. He knows she’s Marisa’s daughter and I’m protecting her. He can’t be dealing with Lex again, my father explicitly told him not to. He wouldn’t dare go behind my fathers back. He hasn’t been returning my calls, which is not a good thing.

Byron doesn’t like loose ends. He doesn’t like surprises or to be denied his orders. He likes missions that go according to plan. In Byron’s eyes Eden is a liability. She can identify all of them. He must have been testing her, to see how much she knows, how much she remembers. I can’t help but wonder if Lex himself hasn’t asked him to do it.

She leaves to go back to LA tomorrow. I only have today and tonight to get her to tell me what happened in the club last night. I should have made her tell me before we made it back to the hotel after the show but I wanted her. I was being selfish but when I saw h
er eyes, filled with lust for me and watching her tongue glide across her bottom lip I was almost ready to take her right there on the dance floor. All I could think of was being inside her.
Her silky dress begging to be slid off her hot ass and those fucking stockings that went up to those creamy smooth thighs. Damn, this girl is my greatest weakness. She floods my mind which would be great if she wasn’t in danger and I wasn’t paid to protect her. Not that I need Daniels money, I needed to be near Eden which is the only reason I took the job. Now I have to figure out how to be with her while keeping her safe at the same time.

“
Good morning,” she says as she walks out to the balcony. Her flowing silk robe is wrapped tightly around her and I feel my dick alert to her presence. The smell of her crisp, flowery perfume envelopes me. When she is close to me all I can think of is her body and me inside it. I stand and kiss her with a little more force than I planned but she doesn’t flinch, she moans her pleasure instead. I pull my thoughts from darker places and gesture for her to sit beside me. I smile at her as she obeys.  

“
Good morning my beautiful girl, how did you sleep?” I ask, even though I know she woke several times crying and calling for her mother again. She glances at me as if she’s scared to answer. She’s afraid of her nightmares and I don’t blame her. I am considering asking her if she wants sleeping pills. That might calm her dreams so she can get a full nights rest. I can’t imagine how her mind is responding to all this. The memories seem to come back when she’s sleeping or tired.

“
It was good, I think and you, how did you sleep?” she asks, her voice shaking. I smile at her again, placing my hand on hers. I will talk to her about her dreams later. Right now I need to know what Byron said to her in the club and Angie’s involvement in all this. I can’t believe I overlooked her before the trip. I need to know who she’s being paid by. If it was Daniels then he would have said something days ago. Byron is messing with me but now he’s going after Eden. That will not be tolerated. I’m going to have to pay him a visit before I leave.

“
With you beside me, I always sleep like a baby,” I tell her, deciding how to broach last night.

“
I’m going to go shower and change in my room. Do you have plans today?” she asks.

“
Only with you, unless you’re going out with your friends again?” I ask, not wanting her around Angie right now. I can’t really say anything yet though. Not until I know more. I will be following her regardless of her plans. I can’t risk letting her out of my sight now.

“
No, I think I’d rather be with you today,” she says with a grin.

“
Come here baby,” I say and she slides closer to me. I wrap her in my arms and kiss her forehead.

“
Can you tell me something Eden, honestly?” I ask. She leans back to look in my eyes.

“
Of course, what is it?” she asks innocently.

“
Last night, when you left the club you seemed bothered by something or someone. I need you to tell me what happened,” I ask her, taking her hand and guiding her to the sofa inside the suite. We sit side by side, but I turn slightly so I can see her eyes. I’ll know if she’s telling me the truth. She hesitates for a moment then sighs.

“
Jude, do you remember when I told you that you make me feel safe and protected?” she asks, surprising me. I nod, wanting her to continue.

“
You asked me why I feel unsafe and unprotected. I didn’t answer you then because I didn’t really know why myself. I thought I was being paranoid. I thought someone was watching me but I didn’t know who would or why. Well, at dinner the first night in Paris, before you arrived there was a man at the restaurant, he was watching us, or me specifically,” she said and I struggle to hold in my rage. I saw Byron leave the restaurant. I had been calling him, telling him I was there and he needed to back away from Eden but he never replied. When I tracked her to the restaurant I kept my eyes on her the entire evening, waiting to see what he would do. I hadn’t realized she noticed him.

“
Did he say anything to you?” I ask, taking in a breath. I’ll kill him if he harms her. He must know this if he’s seen us together.

“
He didn’t that night but in the club, at the burlesque show he appeared again. I was with Angie at the bar. When I took a sip of my drink before heading back to my seat he stopped me. He held my arm and said some very strange things,” she told me. I will make him pay for touching her.

“
What did he say Eden?” I ask carefully, masking my anger from her.

“
He looks similar to you, he has the same eyes. He said you were his nephew,” she looks me over again, comparing us again I’m sure. I nod, wanting her to continue.

“
He told me to go back to America. He wants me to leave you. He said you would kill for me, putting yourself in danger and he needs you alive,” she explained.

“
Why would I kill for you Eden?” I ask, she knows more. Her breathes are shallow, she’s frightened. I take her hands in mine, centering her again with me. She feels protected with me, I need her to remember this.

“
He said a man named Lex was coming for me, now that I’m twenty-one he thinks it will be soon. He also said my mother was shot, he was there, you were there and-” she gasps, as though something in her head materialized and it hurt. I wrap my arms around her shoulders, feeling her tremble. Her eyes are wide and pooling with tears.

"Talk to me Eden, what are you remembering baby?" I coax her. She needs to stay grounded with me, to remember that she is with me here and not in the past.

“
My mother was shot, oh my god Jude, I remember her face. I can see her,” she gasps, pulling back from me.

“
Vivian Daniels isn’t my mother, my real mother was Marisa. Marisa Carrillo,” she said in a whispered voice. I watch her closely. I already knew her last name.

“
She died beside me. She died and I forgot her. How could I? Why? Oh God, this is too much. I don’t even know where she was buried. My Mama, she’s gone,” she cries out, struggling for breath, her body is shaking in my arms. I hold her tighter against my chest. I hate that she has to relive this. I hate that she has to feel this pain again, once should have been more than enough. I wanted to kill for her then and I feel the same way now. Her father should have let her mourn properly six years ago. Her adopted mother shouldn’t have gone along with this hoax. It’s cruel and Daniels is going to hear from me. I don’t dare say anything as she cries against my chest. I need her to know I am here for her. I’ll let her accept her memories, without my voice or my words interfering. The more she can remember the better. The sooner this will pass.

“
Oh Jude, this hurts. It feels like it just happened, this pain is fresh. How did this happen to me?” she asks and I can’t answer her without telling her it was her father's idea. I know she hasn’t remembered everything, not even close. I can’t help but wonder when it will all rush in.

“
It was in the past Eden, you survived baby,” I tell her, kissing her cheeks. She wraps her arms around me, surprising me with her touch. Through her pain she still needs me, still desires me. She kisses my neck and I hold her close. I give her a few minutes to process all this.

“
I’m sorry Eden but you have to tell me if this man from last night told you anything else. I need to know so that I can keep you safe. I need to know who our enemies are now,” I tell her. I can’t give up, I need to know everything if I’m to protect her. She leans back and wipes her eyes.

“
He said that my father needs to find new security for me. Jude, are you my security?” she asks. I don’t how to honestly answer this.

“
I am your security because I want to be, I am not ruled by your father or my uncle. My only concern has always been your protection. If  Byron told you that Lex is coming for you than there is no way I am leaving your side. Eden, listen to me. I will keep him from you but my uncle was right, I will kill for you,” I tell her. She needs to know the danger she is in, especially now that her memories of him are coming back. I don’t know what happened before I met her but I’m pretty sure she had seen him. If all her memories come back then she’ll be afraid. I know he has hurt her and her mother before that fatal final time.

She loosens her hold on me and stands up. I watch her walk over to the liquor cabinet and pour herself a shot of whiskey. I consider reminding her that it isn’t noon yet but since she just had the memory of her mother’s death return, I wouldn’t stop her from drinking the entire bottle. She surprises me when she gulps down the shot without a sound and pours another. She drinks it just as quickly. I can see the tears in her eyes. I walk towards her but she holds her hand up for me to stop.

“
Don’t,” she simply says as she pours another. Fuck, I don’t know what to do.

“
Eden, baby, let me take care of you,” I beg her. She shakes her head.

“
I can’t trust anyone Jude, not even you. I thought you were the only one I could trust but you lied to me. Angie lied to me, my best friend walked away from me last night after your uncle grabbed me. She didn’t wait for me. My father lied to me, if he is even my father. The woman I thought was my mother lied, my sister too. I love her and she knew I wasn’t really her sister. Dr. Michaels, who I trusted was treating my medical condition was drugging me so that I wouldn’t remember anything from my past. Fuck Jude. I don’t want these memories, I don’t but I can’t stop them. I can’t deny it, that was my life. I want you, I love you but I can’t trust you now,” she says through her tears. Did she really just say she loves me? I watch her pour another shot. I can’t let her drink anymore. She glares at me as I walk briskly towards her but she drinks it in one gulp before I can stop her. I grab the bottle from her and place it on the table.

“
Eden, the memories will come back, all of them. You will have the whole story of your life, then you can decide who you want to keep in it and who you want to let go of. Your mother, your real mother, Marisa, she loved you more than anything, she wanted to get you out of that life and she did. Your father took you from that warehouse and gave you a new start, a better life. Eden, you are going to Harvard. If your father didn’t love you than he wouldn’t have risked his life to give you everything he did. Vivian took you in as one of her own. Bethany loves you too. Don’t blame them.

As for me, I am so afraid you will hate me when your memories return. I tried to save you, I was only a teenage boy, I was powerless then against Lex’s men. When I discovered Lex hadn’t killed you I found you and I dedicated myself to protecting you. When I wasn’t on your father’s payroll I checked in on you from time to time. I looked for Lex, made sure he was still far from you but when you moved east to Boston I became your prime protection again. Lex was situated too close. I had to be certain he didn’t know where you lived. Up until now he didn’t but I’m not so sure anymore,” I explained, telling her the truth. She kept her wet eyes on me the whole time, my insides crumbling. I couldn’t read her. Does she hate me? Will she tell me to go?

“
Why would you care what happened to me?” she asks, her voice shaking. I’m about to answer her but she raises her finger for me to stop. She closes her eyes then opens them again. Her stare harsh and untrusting.

“
I am a child of a hooker. My mother was a druggie. My father never acknowledged me, he was ashamed of me for fifteen years until he had no choice but to take me in or watch me die. He had no choice because Lex called him, demanded he raise me because I was too young for him. Why did you care Jude? Like you said, you were a teenage boy, his life ahead of him, why did you risk your safety for me? Why did you decide to dedicate yourself to protecting me? Why did you bring me food? Why did you let me rest against your warm body when I was so cold? Why did you fucking care Jude?" she demands, her words sounding pained and raw. Her cheeks soaked with tears. It takes everything in me not to grab her and hold her.