Stepping into the kitchen, Jon let the door close quietly behind him. Cilla was standing at her work table, her black pants spotted with white, her camisole untucked, apron lying across the table next to her. She had her arms braced on the table, one hand working the mouse, muttering at something on her new pink laptop.
He walked up behind her and pressed a light kiss to the nape of her neck, snaking his arm around her, splaying his hand across the flat of her stomach, his other hand at her hip, holding her close to him. His mouth moved up to her ear, “hey Sweets” he whispered lightly as his tongue stroked the shell of her ear.
She tried to turn but he held her fast, his mouth moving back to her neck, his kisses making her tremble. The hand on her stomach crept up, his thumb stroking the under curve of her breast as the hand at her hip kept her close, his hips pressing harder against her.
His scent, a little spicy, a little woodsy and a whole lot of the man himself wrapped around her like his arms; keeping her a willing prisoner. She covered his hand at her hip, dropping her head forward. He took advantage, letting just the tip of his tongue stroke across the nape of her neck, his breath teasing the fine hairs there. “Jonny” she whispered. The endearment falling softly from her lips had him pulling her tighter against him.
Leaving this time was killing him. He had put off this goodbye as long as he could. He had seen his kids earlier and said goodbye to all of them. He had taken care of all the last minute shit that always needed his attention. Now it was time to say goodbye to Cilla.
He nuzzled against her neck, “I have to go Sweets.” She nodded her head slightly, “I know.” His hand moved from where it was stroking just under her breast back down across her stomach, sliding it down to cup her, rubbing her gently through the cotton twill of her pants.
She could feel the hard length of him pressing against her ass where she was held tightly against him. She shifted slightly and his intake of breath was sharp in her ear. His fingers slid up from where he was rubbing her and popped open the button of her pants, sliding the zipper down before slipping inside and stroking her again.
Cilla closed her eyes against the storm that was building inside her. With a few deft touches he had her ready and wanting, work be damned. She opened her eyes and looked over to the door; it was too far, would take too long to get upstairs. She could only hope Sid stayed out front.
Neither of them heard the door swing open. Sid started into the kitchen, his arms laden with trays when he saw the two of them. He stood staring open-mouthed for the briefest moment before turning and heading back the way he had come. Leaving the trays he exited out the front of the store, locking the door as he went, smiling as he pulled down the gate.
Reaching behind her, she stroked Jon through the light cotton of his pants. Blindly she fumbled for the button and zipper, catching his hot, hard length when she managed to free him. Jon pushed at her pants before pulling her hand away from him, tugging her to the end of the table. Laying her back he slid into her, slid home in one slow measured thrust.
Leaning over her he pumped his hips in and out as lips skimmed over her cheeks, her lips, her neck. When their mouths met again their kisses grew desperate, his hips moved faster, harder, pushing them both to the release they both desperately wanted.
With his head nestled in at her neck Jon could feel her pulse beating against him. He pressed his lips against her and slowly rose to look down at her. Cilla had her eyes open and she was looking up at him, the gray sparkling with unshed tears. “Don’t cry Sweets, I’ll be home before you know it.” She nodded “I know.” Jon stepped back from her and she sat up searching for her pants while he fixed his own.
With a hug and several kisses at the back door she sent him on his way, not letting a tear fall until she closed the door behind him. Sinking to the floor she let the tears flow quietly down her cheeks.
Chapter 43
Chapter 42
“Oh my God.”
Cilla couldn’t move, couldn’t think, could barely breath. She stretched out a hand and encountered a hard, hot, sweaty male next to her. “Are you trying to kill me Jon?” She had never had so many orgasms in one night, let alone in a few hours. Jon laced their fingers together, “nope, just don’t want you to forget about me while I’m gone.”
She gathered her energy and rolled over, “never happen; especially after that.” She looked up at him, “where did you learn to do that thing with your tongue?” Jon grinned, pleased with himself, “you don’t really want an answer to that question do you?” Cilla trailed her fingers down his chest, “I guess not.” She tweaked his nipple and he grabbed her hand, “ow, hey!” She soothed the pinch with her tongue, “just don’t forget how to do it.” He dragged her closer, kissing her lightly, “I won’t.”
Finding the energy to move Cilla got up, pulled on her robe. “Are you hungry?” she called out as she headed into the kitchen. Jon stood in the doorway wearing only his jeans, “I could eat. You wanna order out or something?” She opened the refrigerator “I think I can fix us up something.” Even if she had to make peanut butter and jelly she would. Cilla didn’t want anyone intruding on their last few hours together.
Twenty minutes later they were back in her bed, a plate of food between them and a bottle of cheap wine on the night table. She hadn’t been reduced to peanut butter and jelly, but sandwiches were all her refrigerator afforded her. She had made BLTs for them and with the potato salad she had purchased at the deli, they had a make shift picnic on her bed.
When the last bit of salad was gone, when there was just a crust of a sandwich left on the plate Cilla laid back on the bed and groaned, “I can’t believe I fed you bacon lettuce and tomato sandwiches and potato salad for your last dinner home for six weeks.” Jon set the plate on the floor, and crawled over to lay with her, “I happen to like BLTs and potato salad.” He tugged on the tie of her robe and let it fall open, “although if you’re really feeling that badly about it, you can make it up to me with dessert.”
Cilla rolled to her side and walked her fingers up and down his chest, “I guess I could. Is there anything special you want?” He rolled back onto her back and pressed kisses across her upper chest, his mouth caressing down, tasting a nipple, tracing circles across her stomach, stopping, hovering over her mound. She could feel the heat of his breath on her skin and she shivered involuntarily. “Jon?” He looked up at her, “how about something with a creamy filling?” he asked before lowering his mouth and tasting her.
When the alarm went off Cilla reached out a hand and hit the snooze. She hadn’t really slept but maybe for an hour or two. She knew Jon hadn’t either. They had loved each other long into the early hours of the morning, stayed tangled together, talking quietly, dozing lightly until her alarm had sounded.
Jon pulled her closer against him, his voice a husky whisper in the early morning light, “do you have to?” She rolled and pressed a kiss to the base of his throat, “I do. I’m the chief cook in my kitchen.” He tilted her chin up, “I’ll miss you Sweets. I’ll come by before I leave to say goodbye.” She nodded and kissed him again “okay” but didn’t move to get up. As much as she knew she had to, she couldn’t make herself leave the comfort of his arms just yet. She gave herself the length of the snooze, a precious nine minutes more of being wrapped up with him.
Cilla pried herself away from Jon when the alarm sounded a second time. Standing in the shower she let a few tears fall, but she was determined not to cry in front of him. It’s only six weeks Cil she told herself. She could do this. She had been alone for nearly seven years, six weeks should be a piece of cake.
When she came back into the bedroom Jon was still lying in the bed, watching her. His blue gaze followed her as she went from dresser to closet, as she slid into her underwear and pulled on her black cropped pants. When she pulled the pink camisole over her head he crooked a finger at her, “come here.” His voice was husky with sleep and want. There was something about watching a woman put her clothes on that was almost sexier than when she took them off.
As she sat on the bed next to him he stroked a finger over her shoulder “no bra?” She shook her head, “not today.” His lips grazed where his fingers had been sliding across her skin and his fingers curled around her breast, lightly pinching the quickly hardening nipple. Turning her head their mouths met and he gently urged her back on the bed. He needed her, needed to be with her one more time before the craziness that was his life during a tour dragged him away from her.
Cilla pulled her mouth from his, “Jon?” She tried to push him off, “I can’t, not now…”
He shushed her with his mouth. “One more time baby, I need you Sweets, once more” he whispered pleadingly against her cheek. Looking at him she relented, she couldn’t say no, not when she wanted it just as much as he did. Nimble fingers divested her of the pants she had just pulled on and in one smooth motion he was seated fully inside her.
Pushing at her top his mouth found one hard nipple and licked and stroked it with his tongue as he moved, thrusting in and out slowly. He watched her as she came, her eyes closed, her hands gripping his shoulders, her head arched back as a low throaty moan fell from her lips. Keeping his pace slow, he pushed her again, and again, finally letting himself fall with her, letting her muscles drain him of all he had for her.
Chapter 41
Cilla handed Jon her key, "go ahead on up and I'll be there in a minute. I just want to tidy up a bit." He took the key, "I could help" he told her with a leer. She chuckled and pushed him toward the door, "I don't think so. I'll just be a couple minutes." With a playful pout he disappeared out the door and up the stairs.
Ten minutes later Cilla walked into her apartment to soft music coming from the stereo and the sound of water running in the bathroom. Leaving her shoes at the door she stripped off her clothes on the way to the bedroom and went to join Jon in the bathroom. She stopped at the door. There were candles lit around the room and Jon, a gloriously naked Jon, was standing next to the tub that was rapidly filling with steamy, fragrant hot water holding a glass of wine out to her.
Cilla's eyes filled and she didn't know what to say. No one had ever done anything like this for her before. She walked toward him and took the offered glass. "Thank you." He stroked his fingers up and down her arm, "what's wrong Sweets, don't you like it?" She set her glass down and wrapped her arms around him, "I love it. No one has ever done anything like this for me before."
He cupped her face with his hand and stroked his thumb across her cheek, "well then, you're in for a treat. Tonight, it's all about you Sweets." He pressed a kiss to her lips took her hand and together they settled in the tub, her back pressed up against his front, her head resting on his chest.
With gentle fingers Jon pulled the band from her hair, running his fingers through the long dark mass, caressing her scalp, letting the thick locks float down over one shoulder. Dipping his head he nipped across her other shoulder and up the graceful length of her neck, smiling when he felt her tremble against him. When his tongue dipped into the hollow between her neck and shoulder and stroked lightly over her collarbone, Cilla whimpered.
Turning her head their mouths met in a tortuously slow kiss. Jon’s hands slid over her, cupping her breasts, kneading them gently, tugging at the hardened tips. When she shifted against him, he slid his right hand lower, teasing her clit before slipping his fingers along her slit. Even in the warm water he could feel the heat coming from her.
When he slid two fingers inside she pulled her mouth from his and her hips bucked. “Jon.” He shushed her, “shh, easy baby.” He stroked her slowly, sliding his fingers out to tickle her clit every so often. She was shifting restlessly against him, straining for a harder touch. “Jon, please.” He nipped at her neck and shoulder and kept his motions frustratingly light. “We’ve got all night baby” he whispered against her skin.
Cilla closed her eyes and shuddered as his breath ghosted across her skin. He had her so wound up she was sure to burst at any time. Every time she moved against him she could feel the hard length of him pressing against her back. She reached behind her and stroked her fingers across the tip of him, just a teasing touch, like he was doing to her. When she felt his teeth scrape across her shoulder, she pushed his hand away from her and turned, straddling him. Reaching between them she guided him, sinking down onto his lap, trembling as every inch of him filled her completely.
Jon’s head fell back and his eyes closed against the ecstasy of being enveloped in her tight, wet heat. He fought against the urge to hurry her pace as she rocked slowly against him. His hands slid up her body caressing the soft curve of her breasts, teasing the pebble hard nipples. Leaning up he sucked one of the rosy hardened points into his mouth as he thrust up hard into her. Cilla’s fingers threaded through the honey brown strands of his hair to hold him to her as she ground herself against him, groaning as her orgasm coursed through her.
Jon let her nipple go, groaning when she rocked against him, as she fisted even tighter around him, he cried out as her muscles drained him of all he had.
Leaning against the back of the tub, he cradled Cilla against him, his hand stroking idly up and down her back. She kissed lightly at his neck, giggling quietly. Jon pushed her back so he could see her face, "what's so funny?" Here they were still intimately joined, the afterglow not fully worn off yet and she was laughing?
Cilla kissed his lips, "you smell like me, all sweet and flowery." He closed his eyes and smiled as he shook his head, "I like how you smell Sweets." She nestled herself against him again, "it's not very manly for you though." He turned his head and kissed her ear, tracing the shell with his tongue, "I don't mind."
With a last kiss Jon helped her off his lap and reached down to pull the plug on the drain, "come on, I've got plans for the rest of the evening and they don't include us being all wrinkly."
Chapter 40
Glancing up at the clock Cilla sighed. Mid-afternoon and she hadn’t heard from Jon. He must be mad at me. She rolled the fondant absently with the rolling pin, wondering if he’d at least call and say goodbye tomorrow. Sid swung into the kitchen and stopped, “Cil if you keep rolling that out it’s going to fall apart.” She looked down and pulled the fondant back into a ball. “I think I made Jon mad at me” she quietly said as she kneaded and rolled the fondant out again. Sid picked up the tray of cookies, “why would you think that?”
“Because I didn’t close the shop so I could spend the day with him today” she told him as she rolled the strip of fondant up the side of the cake. Sid watched as she smoothed the strip and started on the next one. “I could have run things again today Cil. You could have stayed with him.” She shook her head and came around the table to stand next to him, “no Sid, the shop is my responsibility. You gave me yesterday with him and I thank you for that. But I couldn’t do it again. He has to realize that my job is important too; maybe not as important as his, but important nonetheless.”
She didn’t hear the back door open, didn’t see Jon standing there, listening to every word. “I never said your job wasn’t important Sweets.”
Sid and Cilla stepped apart and Sid gave Cilla’s shoulder a squeeze before heading back into the front of the store with the tray of cookies. Cilla started rolling the fondant again, not sure what to say to Jon. He didn’t sound mad, but she had been at the wrong end of an angry man before and didn’t want to chance anything.
Jon watched her for a minute before crossing to stand in front of her. He stilled her hands, “can we talk?” She nodded and wiped her hands on a towel. “Sure.” She dragged a stool over, “have a seat.” He settled himself and took her hands, “you left me this morning.” Her hands tensed in his, “I had to Jon. I couldn’t…” letting go of one of her hands he put a finger on her lips, stopping her before she could finish.
He closed his eyes and took a breath. Apologies were not his strong suit. He could count on one hand the number of times he had ever said ‘I’m sorry’ to someone. “I know Sweets. I never should have asked you to; I’m sorry I made you feel like your job was any less important than mine. It’s not. And I’m sorry I made you feel like you needed to apologize to me for it.”
Cilla studied their hands, his thumbs were rubbing circles on the back of hers and she glanced up at him, “so you’re not mad at me?” He shook his head, “how could I be mad at you for doing something I myself would have done?” She smiled slightly and leaned in to press a kiss to his cheek, “I can give you tonight, if you want.” He tugged her off her stool to stand between his legs, wrapping his arms around her, “oh, I definitely want” he told her right before his mouth found hers.
When Jon’s hands slid, one to cup her ass and one up to the nape of her neck, Cilla pressed back from him, “not here Jon, not again. Sid’s still here.” He released her and she took a step back, “let me finish and then we can go upstairs.” He trailed his fingers down her arm and took her hand again, “okay Sweets, do your thing.”
Jon watched as she finished decorating the top tier of what he thought might be a wedding cake. The tier was square and she had what looked to him like a ribbon running up the sides. “What’s going on top?” He was curious. She looked up from the cake, “a bow and flowers. The cake is going to look like a stack of packages when it’s all together.” Jon just nodded. He’d eaten his share of bakery cakes but never really thought about all the work that went into decorating one.
“How are you going to make a bow?” He tried to imagine one made out of frosting but just couldn’t see it. “I already made it out of gum paste” she told him. “It should be hard enough by tomorrow so I can glue it to the top.”
“Glue it? Do they make edible glue?” The word ‘glue’ had him worried.
She smiled at him, “the glue is royal icing. It dries hard and will hold the bow in place.”
After a few more questions she decided she needed to be done for the day. He was too distracting. She had managed to get the edges and sides finished so all she had to do was put the cake together and get the bow and flowers in place before delivering it the following afternoon.
Once she had the kitchen in order she poked her head out front, there weren’t any customers, “go ahead and lock up Sid. I’ll take care of everything else later.”
Sid looked up, “you sure?” She nodded, “yeah, and I don’t want to see you until 9 tomorrow. We’re opening late.”
Chapter 39
Cilla rolled over and looked at the clock, she had to go. She turned her head to look at the sleeping man next to her. She ran her fingers lightly across his cheek and shuddered involuntarily as she thought of what his mouth and fingers did to her just a few hours earlier. He had been so determined to get her to spend the day with him. He almost had her too, but she just couldn’t do it. She had a responsibility to her customers. She might not have to work, but she loved what she did and her customers counted on her, so did Sid. One day had been a gift, one that Sid had freely offered, but to exploit that, she wouldn’t, couldn’t do that to him.
With a sigh she slipped out of bed, gathered her clothes and crept to the bathroom. Coming back, she stopped at the side of the bed and looked down at Jon; he was going to be mad. Finding her purse she took out a pen and a slip of paper and wrote him a note, leaving it propped against the clock. With a last light stroke of fingers against his warm cheek, she left him and headed to work.
When Sid breezed in Cilla was on the phone. “Good morning…” he was cut off by her motion for him to be quiet. He rolled his eyes at her and went to the closet to get his apron. Hanging up the phone smiled at him, “good morning Sid.” He planted a kiss on her cheek, “how’s my girl today? Did you enjoy your day yesterday? Is Jon still upstairs?” Cilla laughed, “I’m good, yes and no.” Sid’s eyes widened in shock, “what do you mean ‘no’? He didn’t spend the night last night?”
Cilla grabbed five of her small signature pink boxes and laid them on her work table. “No he didn’t.” At his worried face Cilla tried not to smile. “If you must know, I stayed at his place last night.” His hand went to his heart, relief clear in his voice, “thank God for that. You had me worried there for a minute Cil.” He looked at the boxes lined up on the table, “what’s all this for?”
She glanced up to make sure Jon hadn’t shown up at the back door before looking back at Sid. “It’s a surprise for Jon and the guys. They are leaving tomorrow and when they get to their hotel, one of these boxes will be in each of their rooms.” Sid grinned, “I love it, but just one question. How are you going to get them where they need to be?”
Cilla folded the boxes and started filling the first one, “I was just on the phone with Paul Korzilius, their tour manager, he’s going to come by and pick them up and take care of getting them where they need to be by tomorrow.” Sid nodded his approval, “they’re going to love it Cil. Can I help?” She glanced up at the clock, “yeah, you can go open up.”
~
Jon rolled and found the other side of the bed cold and empty. Damn it. He thought he had convinced her to stay with him today. Apparently he had been mistaken. With a sigh he sat up and sat on the edge of the bed, grabbing the folded up paper that was resting against his clock. He traced his name that she had written in her pretty script on the front and sighed. He had been all set to be mad at her for leaving, but he couldn’t find the anger. He knew she was right, he wished she wasn’t, but she was.
She had her own responsibilities just like he did and maybe it was unfair of him to ask her to put hers on hold for him, but he had only wanted to spend the day with her, again. He was going to be gone for six weeks; they had only been together for two, how was this going to affect what had barely had a chance to get started?
He shook his head, he didn’t know but they were certainly going to find out if what they had was strong enough to survive the absence. Even with phone calls and e-mail, it wasn’t going to be easy to keep the relationship going, but he loved her and he was determined to do his part to keep her happy, even from the other side of the world.
Unfolding the note he sighed, it was just two words. I’m sorry. Opening the night table drawer he set the note inside. He felt like a bit of a heel. She had apologized for having her own life and being strong enough to say no to him. That wasn’t right. He never should have made her feel the need to apologize for who she was and what she did. He certainly wouldn’t, he never had and he wasn’t about to start now.
Stepping into the shower he thought about his day; he had to pack, make sure his papers were in order, check in with Paul, call the guys. He rinsed his hair, maybe it was just as well that she went to work. He’d stop in and see her later, maybe get her to close up a little early and have dinner with him. He was reasonably sure he could convince her of that much anyway.
Chapter 38
When Jon stopped they were under a pier, obscured from view by thick wooden support posts and seemingly strategically placed rocks. He’d been here on more than one occasion back in his younger days and he knew no one could see them unless they knew where to look. He backed Cilla against one of the thick posts and his mouth came down on hers demandingly. His hands roamed her up and down, cupping her ass and dragging her against him. He rolled his hips against her, groaning as she fit herself to him.
The teddy bear fell from Cilla’s fingers as her hands slid up under his shirt and along his strong, smooth back. Their kisses became frantic and Jon urged Cilla down to the sand. Again he pushed and tugged at her clothes, his hands and mouth feasting on her soft smooth flesh. This was crazy, he knew it was crazy and reckless to be here with her like this, but it didn’t seem to matter. He flicked his tongue across her taut nipple and she arched up, offering him more. She was what mattered.
His mouth found hers again as his hands worked the button and zipper on her pants. He felt her hands move over him, nimble fingers pushing at his shirt, skating across his chest, sliding down his sides, leaving him quaking. He pulled his mouth from hers and knelt up, pulling his shirt off and tossing it aside, his eyes never leaving her face. She looked up at him, her gray eyes had gone smoky with arousal; her tongue snaked out to lick her lips as she sat up and pressed a kiss to the middle of his chest.
With Jon’s fingers tangled in her hair, Cilla pressed open-mouthed kisses down across his stomach, tracing his navel with the tip of her tongue before pausing at the button of his jeans. Jon closed his eyes and waited, wondering what she would do. He felt her open his pants and push them over his hips, felt her small hand wrap around him and her name escaped his lips before he could stop it when she took him into her warm mouth.
Jon’s head dropped back as felt her take him deeper and when he hit the back of her throat he groaned. “Jesus Cil.” She swallowed and he had all he could do to keep from coming right then. How could she think she wasn’t good at this?! The closer she brought him to release the tighter his grip got on her hair until he had to urge her away.
Dragging the tip of her tongue up the length of him she kissed the tip and looked up at him, his eyes were dark and his face was tight, trying to hold on to the last shred of his control, “did I do something wrong?” He shook his head “absolutely not” he told her and pushed her down onto the sand.
He pulled at her pants, dragging them down until he had freed one leg. She opened for him and as the waves crashed near their feet he drove into her, catching her as she arched up to meet him, their groans of pleasure getting lost in the next crash of the waves. With an arm wrapped around her waist, he lowered her back to the sand, keeping her tight against him. With short, hard thrusts he pounded her warm, willing flesh, grinding against her on each downward stroke. They came together, their cries of release mingling with the call of the gulls overhead.
Jon collapsed to the sand next to Cilla, turning to gather her close. “Sweets?” She kissed his shoulder and looked up at him, “hmmm, what?” He brushed at the sand that was clinging to her skin, “we need a shower.” She giggled and rolled over, “what, you don’t like having sand stuck to you?”
He sat up and brushed at the sand, “not in the places that it’s starting to stick.” He got to his knees and turned, “can you get it off my ass please?” She pulled her cami back down and reached over to brush the worst of it off. “You’re right, you need a shower.” He stood and pulled his jeans up before retrieving and brushing the sand off her bear as she righted her clothes.
When they had most of the sand off and they were dressed again Jon took her hand and led her back toward the car. As Jon pointed the car back toward the City he reached across the seat and took Cilla’s hand, “Sweets, will you stay with me tonight at my place?” She sighed and squeezed his fingers, “you know I have to work tomorrow, right?” He nodded, “I know.”
The battle between wanting to be with him and her responsibilities to her shop raged in her head, “all right, I’ll stay, but no trying to get me to play hooky again tomorrow. I can’t do that to Sid, or to my customers.”
Jon hid his smile; he was planning on trying to persuade her to do just that. He’d have to just be a bit sneakier about it now.
