Free Inside Out by Mandy Hollis Page A

your unfinished art. I felt confident enough to share something so private with Jude, though. I set up all my supplies, watching his eyes dance in anticipation as I did so. I slipped my headphones into my ears, tuning out the world, making it easy to focus on my work alone. I touched the brush against the canvas, allowing my heart to guide the strokes.
    I glanced back at Jude when I felt confident with my piece. His expression seemed to show his mind was wandering around in deep thought. “Well, here is is. You’re the first person who has ever been privileged enough to watch me work.”
    “I can’t even speak. This is stunning, Samantha.” My eyes drifted back to the canvas, observing each stroke. It was a painting that to me symbolized love. The entire edges of the paper were filled with only dark markings that led into a faint gray color. Within the darkness there was a man who had his arms wrapped around a seemingly fragile and tiny woman. I left out distinct features, making it impossible for your eyes not to be drawn to the bodies of the two lovers. They held each other close, protectively. His strong arms held her face against his chest, blinding her, as if to protect her from witnessing pain. This painting was my heart bleeding onto paper… my feelings for Jude.
    “Can I frame this one? It’ll be the first piece that belongs to you, to hang on these walls.”
    I smiled. “Of course.”
    His wide smile matched mine. “You have a gift. I tell you what, I want to take you somewhere today. I have a few things to discuss with you.”
    My mind raced in a million directions. I prayed this would finally be the moment he opened up to me. “Will we be discussing Allison and what you guys were talking about?”
    His lips formed into a straight, serious line. “If you want to know, I’ll tell you. It really is nothing though.”
    “Maybe so, but I feel I have the right to determine that. You know everything about my life, I deserve that same respect.”
    Jude nodded. “Fair enough. Get ready.” He reached his hand out, rubbing his thumb along my cheek. He smirked. “It seems as if the canvas isn’t the only place you get paint.” He held his thumb up, showing me the black paint he had wiped from my cheek.
    I shrugged. “Creating something beautiful isn’t without cost.” I dropped Jude’s t-shirt in the entrance of the doorway. “Better wash this, too.” I shimmied away wearing nothing but a smile.
    “Sammy!” He shouted playfully. “You better get your ass back here. Don’t make me chase you.”
    “You wouldn’t dare!” I called back to him. I no more than got the words out of my mouth when I heard his light footsteps turn into loud thuds against the vinyl floor. I attempted to close the bedroom door. “Let me get ready, crazy!”
    “You should have thought about that before dropping your clothes in front of me.” He pushed on the door with slight force. I giggled and released my weight from the door, allowing him access into the room. “Right where I want you.” He breathed into my ear, pressing my back against the inside of the door. “It was hard enough trying to stop myself from touching you as I watched you paint with such passion. Removing my paint splattered shirt from your delicate body just made it impossible to resist you.”
    “Hope I have half the effect on you as you do on me.” I whispered.
    “Samantha, you couldn’t even begin to imagine.” He spoke through gentle kisses along my neck. I tilted my head back and closed my eyes. Jude’s kisses traveled further down, focusing on only the most sensitive areas my body possessed. It seemed as though he’d memorized each spot that caused the most noticeable reaction. His firm hands gripped my waist, moving my body to the position he wanted me in with ease.
    “Do you want me?” He purred. I slid my hands down his body, stopping at the button of his jeans. I popped the button open with one pull and pushed his jeans to the