Chapter 7

JUDE

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Turns out, taking a run in the neighbourhood was the worst thing I could do.

It was 2am in the morning. The chances of running into a sane person was close to zero. I had just finished my second jog around my neighbourhood, only just realizing i had not carried a bottle of water for hydration.

Now I was an even worse panting mess.

The good news: The run definitely eased my nerves. Even now, I could feel the frigid midnight breeze caress my face, slipping into the tight openings of my clothes and wrapping me in its oddly comfortable embrace.

It was surreal.

Still, I was extremely parched. I gazed around at my neighbours’ manicured lawns and parked ostentatious cars looking for an obscene source of water. My house was a no-go zone at the moment and I needed something to drink.

“Jude?” Someone gasped behind me, “Jude, is that you?”

I turned just as someone collided with me. Soft feminine hands creeped up my back. I was suddenly gazing at a head full of golden curls. A sharp scent of vanilla hit my nostrils.

“Cassie?” I muttered the name with shock.

She pulled back, a brilliant smile on her face. Her caramel-brown eyes danced with anticipation. She was clad in a grey sweatshirt and biker shorts with neon blue sneakers.

So she had been jogging too, I thought.

“Oh my gosh,” she said as she scanned my face and body, “You haven’t changed at all.”

Cassie was an old neighbour of mine. She moved to our suburban estate when I was 17 and…let’s just say I was mesmerized by her slim waist and shiny skin.

Whenever her parents were out, she’d invite me to her house and we would consistently make out. We may or may not have hooked up several times before her parents shipped her off to an all girls boarding school.

I hadn’t seen her in three years. Until now. And she definitely had changed. Her cheeks were a bit chubbier and her waist had enlarged. She definitely put on a few pounds.

I cleared my throat. “Uh yeah. You too.”

“Sooooo…..” She traced a finger down my chest. “How have you been? I was taking a jog and didn’t expect to run into you of all people.”

“I’m great. Didn’t take you for a runner.”

“Well, people change.”

The air between us became thick with tension.

“Um,” I rubbed my neck, “I’m kinda thirsty.”

“Oh, I can sort you out,” She smiled and pointed to her house, a white gablefront with blue trim on its windows, which was a few feet away. “Follow me.”

I followed her into her house and straight into her kitchen where she served me three glasses of water. By the time I was done, I was sighing with relief.

“Thanks,” I said wiping my mouth with the back of my hand before giving her the glass.

She set it on the nearest counter and turned back to me, an eager excitement dancing in her eyes.

“So how was boarding school?” I asked.

She rolled her eyes. “Terrible. The school was scorching hot and our boarding principal was horrendous. Atleast my parents weren’t there to micro-manage me like they usually do. Infact…”

She stepped closer to me, a sultry look on her face, “They aren’t here now. They flew out of the country yesterday. Said they’ll be back in a few days…”

I smirked, “Oh really now.”

Images of us making out years ago resurfaced in my mind. And more followed. Tearing each other’s clothes, kneading her breasts and a bunch of other 18+ images.

Judging by her lust-filled eyes, I guessed she was remembering them too.

Her hand trailed my chest, past my abdominal until it was resting on my crotch. My dick jumped.

She leaned over, about to kiss me when, out of nowhere, her thin lips became plump, her eyes almond shaped and olive green…just like his. I could hear his voice singing that song.

I blinked and Cassie looked Cassie again. Her lips brushed mine, slow at first, before gaining momentum. She tasted like warm vanilla and coconut. Her lips fought mine, clearly wanting control, communicating a need for drive and urgency. I surrendered myself to the kiss, grabbing her waist and pulling her in roughly…

And suddenly I was back at my house, Oliver sitting on my lap, whispering in my ear. A rouge part of my mind thought about his lips.

Would they taste like Cassie’s?

Would they feel full?

Would they be tastier?

Would they-

I broke off from the kiss with a start, jumping several feet from Cassie’s touch. A look of confusion swept across her face. “Jude?”

“I gotta go.”

I shouldered past her towards the door before plunging outside, my mind in a haze. I didn’t dare look back, afraid I might see Oliver if I did.