Jude's Salvation: This Love Series by Nicole Smith Page B

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