Page 16 of Judas

Judas leaned in almost close enough to taste, “You are the grandest surprise of my life. You're strong. You're intelligent beyond words. You're capable and kind. You're good, through and through. I’m thankful to know you.”

He pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that stole away her breath. She moaned into him and pressed herself against him. But then he ended the kiss too quickly for them both. Gazing longingly down at her as she panted beneath the weight of his body and of his words, he traced a finger across her lips and smiled.

“Until next time, my Eliza,” he whispered before walking away into the darkness.

Chapter nine

While unusual for Judas' position in Paul Arthur’s campaign, he was randomly given the day off when leaving the office the night prior. All of his growing security team and a few interns worked late into the night preparing for a rally Paul was scheduled to attend in one week. Paul had been so excited about the outing that, to conclude the meeting, Paul promised each of them the next day off. He reasoned they all needed to rest before he blew up on the political scene and they had to work twenty-four-seven. His poll numbers were on the rise and his justification seemed solid. Judas rolled his eyes but was still riding the high from his last kiss with Eliza so he didn’t raise his concerns.

On his random Tuesday off, he attempted to spend his morning in meditation and practicing some yoga poses in his living room but struggled to concentrate on anything but Eliza. He wanted to call her and spend the day together doing whatever she pleased. Getting to be by her side and getting to know everything about her was the only leisure he desired. If hewasn’t afraid of scaring her away, he would just show up on her doorstep. He felt fairly confident that she would welcome him with open arms, but he didn’t want to intrude on her life so much that she got tired of him. He wanted to be sure he was giving her the time and space she needed to crave him in her life. He needed her to want him and fear of jeopardizing that was terrifying to him.

It was a brand new feeling for him. He hadn't feared the loss of another’s affection in literal eons. Of course, there had been friends he had grown close with over the years and those had all been losses he mourned, but he knew they were inevitable. All just a part of the price one pays to have eternal life. This… this felt different somehow. He knew, logically, that this story would end in the same way all his others had, but it didn't feel the same somehow this time. This time felt like if he didn’t have her in his life, he could actually perish. While that was something he wanted for many hundreds of years, now it felt unfair and cheap. At least as long as she was among living.

While he contemplated this irony, legs crossed in lotus position in the middle of his living room with both eyes shut tightly, Judas heard the buzz of his cell phone on the counter. Opening one eye to gaze at the offensive noise, Judas sighed and pulled himself up off the floor. Very few people had his number. If anyone called, it was usually work related. Walking over to the device, he glanced down and ground his teeth in frustration seeing Paul Arthur’s name illuminated on the screen. He considered not answering, but unfortunately, that just wasn't who he was.

Groaning, Judas picked up the phone and nearly growled, “This is Jude.”

“Hey, boy. Good morning,” comes Paul's drawl through the speaker.

Judas rolled his eyes as exaggeratedly as Eliza would, but put on a facade, “Good morning, sir. What can I do for you?”

The excitement in Paul’s voice caused his words to rise in pitch as he spoke, “I need you to get down to the county courthouse in two hours and meet me. I’ve got an invite to Senator Reed’s rally this afternoon and I’m going to need you there.”

“I’m not sure if I can be available for that, sir,” Judas replied even though he knew for a fact that he was available. He just didn’t want to. Senator Reed was possibly even more insufferable than Paul and Judas had no desire to spend the day with the sort of individuals that would be attending that rally.

Paul completely dismissed Judas and insisted, “Oh, you’ll be fine. I’ll see you there in two hours. Pick Eliza up on the way. She needs to be there, too. Tell her I insist and don’t let her give you any argument about it.”

A smile spread across his face and Judas knew he would be going, “We’ll see you there, sir.”

They ended the call and Judas threw more suitable clothing into a bag and raced out the door.

***

Eliza had chosen to spend this unexpected day off in the comfort of her bed while wearing comfortable clothes and watching her favorite movies. She was so dedicated to this cause, that she wasn’t even leaving for food. She had brunch on the way and Steel Magnolias playing on the TV in her bedroom. She was certain this vibe was absolute perfection.

Upon hearing the doorbell ring, Eliza leaped from the bed, in a near run to the door, already salivating over the crepes she knew were waiting on the other side. When she swung the door open, however, she gasped to see the god-like face of Judas staringback at her. He smirked as he looked her up and down while she wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.

Judas took in every inch of her, feeling as though he was falling quickly in love with this perfect lady before him. She was completely free of makeup, her hair was woven into two perfect French braids, and she was wearing baggy sweatpants with her college sweatshirt. Seeing her so unguarded and free made his heart race.

“Coffee?” he offered, extending a cup to her.

Eyes wide and disbelieving, she took the cup but didn't move from her spot.

Judas laughed softly, “I take it your father didn’t call?”

Eliza scowled, “Should have known he would find a way to ruin a day off that he literally gave me himself.”

“Well,” Judas said with a sly smirk, “just because he’s the reason it was interrupted doesn’t mean we can’t make the most of it. We don’t have to meet him for another hour and a half and the venue is only twenty minutes from here.”

She caught his meaning immediately and smiled back as she reached for his t-shirt and yanked him into the apartment. As soon as she had him through the doorway, she slammed it shut, shoving him against it. His head hit the door with force and he laughed as he held her slightly away from him.

“Slow down, killer,” he teased, “We have time.”

Eliza bit her lip and checked his head, “Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry! Are you okay?”

He calmed her fretting hands, “Trust me. I'll be fine. Just slow down. I want to enjoy you.”

He stroked a loose strand of hair away from her face and suddenly she remembered what she must look like.

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