Hearing the kitchen door slam, Cilla dropped the bag of buttercream frosting she was using to the table and looked up. Jon was striding purposefully toward her, blue eyes trained on her. Before she could question him, he was there in front of her, taking her mouth in a demanding kiss. She had crept away in the early hours of the morning, leaving him to wake alone and hungry. Pulling his mouth from hers Cilla drew in a ragged breath, "I'm not complaining, but what was that for?"
He didn't answer, just dipped his head to taste her again. Cilla angled her head, taking control of the kiss, taking him deeper. This time it was Jon dragging in the not so steady breath when she pulled her mouth from his. "You do realize Sid is right on the other side of that door" she said as Jon opened his eyes. "Right?" He nodded, "yeah, I know. That's the only reason you still have your clothes on right now."
Taking a step back she drew in a calming breath, and Jon advanced a step. She held up a hand to stop him, "just hold it right there." He smiled evilly and took another step, "I've missed you Sweets. Three weeks is a long time." She pressed her hand to his chest, the firm muscles twitched under her touch. "You don't have to tell me how long three weeks can be Jon. I know. I missed you too, but this is my place of business. Would you want to have sex on your stage in front of everyone?"
With a resigned sigh Jon wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, "I know Sweets, I know." He kissed the top of her head, trying to calm the storm just kissing her alone had caused. "Will you come to my place later? Richie and Dave are going to be there. Maybe you can show us what you've got so far for the cake? Maybe we can figure out the flavor too. What do you say?"
He felt her head nod against his chest. "Okay. I'll come by." She looked up at him, "I did miss you, you know." He studied her face, not missing the shadows under her eyes that she had tried to hide. "I know Sweets. While I have you here, what are you doing for the Fourth? Do you close up shop or do you work?"
She smiled, "we close up and this year, since it's a weekend, I'm going to close Friday afternoon and not reopen until Tuesday morning. Why?"
He wanted to get her away for a few days, maybe help her relax and get some obviously much needed rest. "Come to the Hamptons with me. There's a charity fund raising dinner I've got to attend and I'd like you to come with me, then we can have the rest of the time to just relax. Think you're up to it?"
Sid chose that moment to come swinging through the door, "Cilla, the mail came. There's an envelope here..." he trailed off when he noticed Jon and Cilla locked in an embrace. "Sorry, didn't realize it was booty time."
Cilla rolled her eyes at Sid and extricated herself from Jon's embrace. "Where's the envelope from?" Sid dropped it in her hand, "from the Planning and Development Committee." Her eyes widened and her fingers trembled nervously as she tore the envelope open, unfolding the single sheet she read silently, her mouth curving into a smile as she got to the end.
"They approved my application!" She grinned at Jon and Sid, "I got it!" Sid hugged her, twirling her around before setting her down with a smacking kiss, "I knew you would!" Jon pushed Sid out of the way, "stop kissing my woman Sid" he told him before planting a kiss of his own on Cilla's lips. "Congratulations Sweets. We should go out and celebrate tonight instead of hanging with Richie and David."
Sid headed back out front as Cilla was shaking her head, "no Jon, really, it's okay. We don't have to go out."
"You sure? I can get us a reservation somewhere."
She took his hand and walked him to the door, "I'm sure. Now, if you don't get out of here and let me get back to work I'll never get out of her later." She leaned up and pressed a kiss to his full and now slightly pouting lips. "No pouting. I'll see you later." He kissed her back, "I'm not pouting" he told her as he walked out the door.
Cilla was still smiling as she made her way up the stairs and into her apartment. The mental lists started as she showered and dressed. They continued as she gathered her things and stopped briefly in the kitchen to retrieve the pink box she had packed earlier. There were contractors to interview, equipment to buy, employees to hire. She was even considering hiring someone to help her with the baking and cake decorating.
Her business had grown beyond anything she had ever imagined and it was getting to be almost too much for her to handle alone. So much for what Charles had thought about her, what had he called it? Oh yeah she thought, lamebrained idea. Cilla stopped dead in the middle of the sidewalk. Where had that come from? She shook her head, and continued on her way, nope, she told herself, not going to think about him anymore.
By the time she got to Jon's she had given herself a headache. Balancing the pink box in one hand she was rubbing her temples when Jon opened the door. "Sweets, are you okay?" He took the box and ushered her in ahead of him. "Yeah, just gave myself a headache thinking about everything I have to do in the next few weeks."
Jon slung his arm around her shoulders as they walked toward the terrace, "take it from me Sweets, if you try to tackle everything all at once, Tylenol is going to become your new best friend."
Chapter 59
Chapter 58
Sliding the tray of muffins into the oven Cilla glanced at the clock and sighed. She had been home for two weeks and six days and right now, she was feeling every minute of each of those days. She just couldn’t seem to shake the fatigue that had been dogging her since she had come back from
Turning her attention back to the task at hand, she scooped cookie dough onto the trays and tried to forget about how tired she was. By the time Sid breezed through the back door, she was kneading color into the fondant and all thoughts of being tired were a distant memory.
“Good morning Cil” he sang out as he pulled his apron from the closet. She smiled at her friend, "hey Sid." The tiredness in her tone didn't escape him as he crossed the kitchen to her, "how's my girl today?" He caught her chin in his hand, "you're exhausted" he said before she could answer.
Cilla tugged her face from him grasp, "I am not" she answered testily. Sid moved the fondant out of reach and turned her to face him, "when does Jon get back?" She raised irritated eyes to the calendar she had hanging next to the sweet pink bear, "tomorrow. Why?"
"Because maybe then you'll get a good night's sleep and the circles under your eyes will disappear." He pushed the fondant back at her, "you can't fool me Cil. I've known you too long. I know when you're not sleeping and pushing yourself too hard."
Cilla sighed, "I'm not pushing myself any harder than normal Sid." Well, that wasn't exactly true. After locking up most nights she had spent on her computer, working on designs, searching out new recipes and her nightly phone call from Jon. All that combined with the worry about getting her application for expansion approved, it certainly was enough to keep her from sleeping.
"Sure Cil" Sid rolled his eyes, sarcasm heavy in his tone, "sure you're not working any harder than normal. How many hours do you put in after we lock up?"
She waved him off, "what difference does it make Sid? I'm not bothering anyone or hurting anyone." He took a good look at her, "no, only yourself. What's Jon going to say about these black eyes of yours?" She patted his hand, "nothing because tonight I plan on soaking in the tub and hitting the sheets early. I promise to be bright eyed and well rested tomorrow. Okay mom?"
Sid picked up a tray and headed to the door, "if you don't watch that mouth of yours young lady, I'll be forced to ground you and take Jon for myself." Cilla laughed as he pushed through the door, "I'd like to see you try it."
The banter continued throughout the day and followed Cilla out the door. She trudged up the steps to her apartment, almost too tired to make it to the top. Closing the door behind her she collapsed down to her couch. Leaning her head back she closed her eyes, five minutes she told herself, just five minutes.
Five turned into fifteen turned into an hour. When Cilla opened her eyes again the daylight was quickly dissipating. Pushing herself off the couch she rooted through her refrigerator, making a quick sandwich, eating as she turned the taps on in the bath.
While Cilla was sinking into her bubbles, Jon was fighting his way out of the airport and to his car. He had taken an earlier flight then the others. The tour was nearly over, a few more weeks and he could take some time off. All he wanted right now was to get home, home to see Cilla. He always felt like this near the end. He could see the finish line, and all he had to do was get there. And right now he needed a dose of home and his girl to keep him going.
He glanced at his watch as he dropped his bag on his bed. It was later than he had hoped. Maybe he should wait until tomorrow to go see her. Taking a shower he debated with himself as he shampooed and soaped the travel off of him. He made his decision when he pulled on this track pants and t-shirt. Her key that she had given him taunted him from the tray on his dresser. It lay there amongst his loose change just begging to be used. "Fuck it." He picked it up, shoved his feet into his sneakers and left the apartment.
The closer he got to her apartment, the quicker his pace became. He needed to see her, needed to touch her. Jogging up her stairs he took a deep breath before unlocking the door. He glanced at his watch, would she still be awake? Opening the door it was dark and quiet. She must be asleep. Toeing off his shoes he crossed to her bedroom, pausing as her scent tickled his senses. He peeked in the bathroom, she had taken a bath, the room still held the damp smell of recent use. He turned to her bedroom, pausing at the doorway. She was asleep, her face illuminated by the lights from the street outside, the soft hum of the window fan the only sound in the room.
He pulled his shirt off as he watched her. He could see a slim strap of whatever she was wearing hugging her shoulder and the sparkle of pink at her throat. He smiled, it gave him a childish thrill to see that she hadn't taken off the necklace.
Dropping his pants he slid into the bed next to her, curling himself around her. She woke slightly when she felt the warm body in her bed. Turning she opened her eyes, "Jonny?"
"Shhh, go back to sleep Sweets." He pulled her closer and felt her lips as she pressed a kiss to the base of his throat. "What are you doing here?" Cilla wasn't quite sure if she was dreaming of if he really was there. Whispering into the dark as buried his nose in her hair he answered her. "Caught an earlier flight."
Chapter 57
The music greeted them as they pushed through the door, the lively Irish tune had them smiling as they waded through the crowd to a table in the back. A trio of musicians were crowded into a corner booth, one playing a squeeze box and singing, one a fiddle, one a pennywhistle. A waitress, a pretty young girl with big blue eyes and a mile of red hair, rose her voice along with the music.
"What's the news? What's the news? O my bold Shelmalier,
With your long-barrelled gun of the sea?
Say what wind from the sun blows his messenger here,
With a hymn of the dawn for the free?"
"Goodly news, goodly news, do I bring Youth of Forth
Goodly news shall you hear, Bargy man!
For the boys march at morn from the South to the North,
Led by Kelly, the Boy from Killane!"
Cilla tapped her toes to the lively tune and sipped at her glass of Harp as they waited for their food. When their plates were set down in front of them she looked at Jon’s and then back at her own. He had what looked to be half a cow on his plate and her salmon was looking a bit underwhelming. She smiled at Jon, “how do you feel about surf and turf?” He looked at her plate, down at his and smiled back at her, “amenable.” Slicing off portions of their entrees, they swapped.
Taking a bite, Cilla could feel eyes on her, watching her every move. Looking up she found David watching her. “What?” She had to raise her voice to be heard over the music.
He shook his head, taking a bite of pasta from his plate, but continued to watch her. “Nothing.”
She took another bite, “you’re staring at me David. Do I have food on my face or something?” Even as he shook his head she continued, “it wouldn’t be the first time.” She was determined not to let him get to her, determined to get him to like her. “Did Jon tell you I sputtered iced tea all down my chin the second time we met?”
His eyebrow rose in surprise and he looked at Jon, “really?” Jon smirked and nodded, “yeah” he winked at Cilla, “she did.”
David’s smile turned to a smirk, “maybe you should wear a bib darlin’, just in case.” She looked up at him with just a hint of a smile; “I don’t think it’s me that needs to wear a bib, darlin’” she uttered the endearment like an epithet and indicated to the front of his shirt, “you know, I’ve seen you open your mouth to sing, you’d think you’d be able to get the food in it without a problem.”
He looked down, “shit” and started to blot with a napkin. He had dripped pasta and cream sauce down the front of his shirt.
As the guys laughed David caught Cilla’s eye and winked. How could he have been so wrong about her? He could see now that he shouldn’t have rushed to judge. Of the few women Jon had dated since his divorce, she was the only one who had made an effort with any of them. She wasn’t just some simpering female who wanted all of Jon’s attention. She seemed to genuinely be interested in all of them. “You know Cilla, no one's ever told me I had a big mouth quite the way you just did. I like you; you’re all right.”
Cilla chuckled and sipped her beer, “you’re not so bad yourself.”
~
They were still laughing when Jon dug in his pocket for the room key. Closing the door behind them he headed for the bathroom. “This is why I don’t usually drink beer” he joked. “You only rent it for a while.” Cilla laughed but couldn’t disagree. She had made more than one trip to the ladies room at the pub herself; and, except for Richie, they had all drank more than their share of the standard Irish brew.
Jon found her standing at the window when he came out of the bathroom. He moved up behind her, “everything okay Sweets.” The moon was high in the sky as they stood there and she rested her head back against his shoulder, “yeah. I’m going to be sorry to leave tomorrow night. I think David finally likes me.” Jon turned her to face him, his thumb caressed her cheek, "he does Sweets. No more worries?” She raised her mouth to his, “no more worries.”
The kiss was sweet and unhurried. Jon sighed into her as he eased his way out of it and held her close. He didn’t want to think about her getting on a plane and flying away from him. Even if he asked he knew she wouldn’t stay with him, no matter how badly she might want to. Her innate sense of responsibility would prevent her from staying. She could want something that badly but in the end, she would do the right thing, no matter what it cost her. It was just one of the many things he loved about her.
Silently they moved away from the window, the lure of the bed too great to ignore. Jon skimmed the silky tank over Cilla’s head his eyes feasting on the gray and black silk and lace covering her breasts. When her jeans fell away he groaned at the tiny matching g-string she wore. “God Sweets, you love to torture me, don’t you?” She nodded her head as her hands skimmed up his sides, pushing at his shirt. He pulled it off and hissed as her mouth latched on to one pebble hard nipple.
His hands skimmed down her slender form, caressing every subtle curve, hauling her close with his hands cupped around her ass. Their mouths met again, the kiss hungrier, more urgent now. Laying her across the bed his gaze roamed over her. He watched, fascinated, as her nipples hardened under his gaze and her eyes went smoky with arousal. Kneeling at her feet he kissed her instep, stroked his tongue up her calf, laved the soft skin at the inside of her knee.
Cilla trembled as his mouth cruised over her. Shuddered at the feel of the rough denim he still wore as it slid across her skin. She cried out when his hot mouth closed over a nipple, taking it in, silk, lace and all. Would it always be like this? When his hands slid her panties away and he cupped her, stroked her, she was lost.
When he pulled his hand from her to rid himself of the irritating denim she whimpered. “Shh baby” he hushed her as he moved over her. His muscles jerked and his cock jumped as her hands roamed over him. Popping open the front catch of her bra, his mouth followed the lace cups as they scraped across her fevered flesh. His mouth found hers as her hand closed around him, he groaned into her as she stroked him, bringing him ever closer to the edge of his control.
When he could take no more, he pulled her hand from him and nudged her thighs apart. Pressing forward he slid into her, reveling in the warmth that surrounded him. They moved together, taking and giving, each pushing the other, climbing toward that peak until all they could do was fall over together.
Chapter 56
When Cilla stepped back into the room, Jon was exactly where she had left him forty-five minutes earlier; sprawled across the bed, snoring lightly. She chuckled as she moved to her suitcase. Hitching her towel higher, she grabbed her clothes and padded back to the bed. Unwinding her hair from the knot on the top of her head she leaned over Jon and, lock of hair in hand, proceeded to tickle the spot under his nose.
He twitched, snuffled and dragged his hand across his face. What the hell was that tickling his face? Opening his eyes Cilla came into focus, he reached for her “what do you think you’re doing?” She laughed as she landed on top of him, “trying to wake you up.” He rolled them over and nuzzled in to her neck. She was fresh and soft from her bath. “You always smell so good Sweets” he murmured as he nibbled across her jaw.
Cilla closed her eyes, God what was he doing to her? How could he make her feel so much with just the barest touch? Turning her head their mouths met and she was nearly lost. When she felt her towel fall away she managed to garner the strength to push him back. “Jon, stop.” His fingers played lightly across her skin, “what’s wrong?” She opened her eyes to find his searing blue ones trained on her. “Nothing, but we need to get ready to go. You don’t want to be late do you?”
He skimmed his fingers down her sides and let his head drop forward to rest on her chest, “you know me too well. I’m never late, for anything.” With a sigh Jon pushed himself off of her and stood, she made no move to cover up. “You’d better get dressed Sweets” he told her as he pulled off his shirt, “I may not stop next time.” She grinned and pulled the towel closed, “promise?”
“Witch” he muttered as he stalked to the bathroom, “just get dressed baby.”
Closing her eyes Cilla lay there, trying to figure out just how it was that he had such an effect on her. Charles never made her feel so much. Never made her feel like she was the only woman in the world. Hmph, guess Sid was right. He was the wrong man for me. She shook her head, Sid had never really like Charles but had put up with him for Cilla’s sake. She looked toward the bathroom, thought about the man behind the door and smiled. She was so glad Sid and Richie had connived to get her here.
When the bathroom door opened again Cilla was fixing her top that she had just pulled over her head. The silky pearl gray tank fluttered over her stomach and rested just below the waist of those amazing jeans she had bought on her marathon shopping day with Sid.
Jon stood appreciating the view from the doorway. In the fading daylight her top shimmered with each move she made and the jeans hugged her ass like a second skin.
Catching his eye in the mirror she watched as he crossed the room and pulled on jeans and a fitted deep blue shirt. “Enjoying the show?” He sat on the bed to pull on his socks and shoes as he waited for her to say something. She nodded, “you should always wear that color.” He grinned and came to stand behind her, “thanks.” He ran his hands through his hair, letting it fall where it chose. He studied her in the mirror as she painted her lips a glossy rose color; he couldn’t help but notice that she wore no jewelry save her watch and small hoops in her ears.
He leaned in and kissed her bare shoulder, “you look great, but I think you’re missing something. Don’t move.” He stepped away before she could say anything. She couldn’t imagine what he was doing and her eyes widened when he came back holding the small Weir & Sons bag. She didn’t want to believe that whatever was in the bag was for her, not after all that David had said the day before. “You didn’t get yourself another skull necklace did you?”
He shook his head as he pulled out the small black velvet box. “No and what’s wrong with my skull necklace? I happen to like it, a lot.”
“I know; you wear it, a lot. Too much in fact. It needs a good rest.”
He smiled, “I’ll take that under advisement. Now lift your hair and close your eyes.”
She did as she was bid and waited. She shuddered when his fingers stroked the sensitive skin at the nape of her neck and again when she felt the warmth of his lips there. “Okay” he whispered in her ear, “you can look now.”
Cilla dropped her hair and opened her eyes. The round cut, deep pink stone winked at her from the hollow at the base of her throat. It seemed to be floating there, suspended by a fine white gold chain, or maybe it was platinum, she couldn’t be sure.
As her fingers came up to touch, she couldn’t keep the “Jonny” from slipping out. He smiled and leaned in close, his breath warm at her ear, his fingertips sliding lightly over her shoulders, “do you know how much I love that? The way my name just slips out on a whisper and you don’t even seem to realize it.”
She shook her head, “you shouldn’t have done this.” He shrugged his shoulder and looked a little hurt, “I wanted to. It’s a pink sapphire, don’t you like it?” She touched it again, “it’s beautiful and I love it but…” He stopped her, “no buts Sweets.”
Turning to face him she rested her head against his chest, “I’m sorry. I do love it. I… just... what about what David said yesterday?” He wrapped his arms around her, “you leave David to me.” He tilted her chin up with his fingers so he could see her face, “okay?” She smiled slightly and nodded, “okay. Thank you.” He dropped a kiss on her lips and took her hand, “ready to go?”
Cilla watched out the window as they rode through the
Jon watched her, wondering what she was thinking. She hadn’t said more than a few words since they left the hotel and they were nearly to the pub. He leaned closer to her, “you all right Sweets?” She nodded and turned to look at him, “yeah, it’s just so pretty, almost like a fairytale.”
Now that her attention was drawn from the window, David took the opportunity to address her. “So Cilla, I understand you’re making the cake for us at the end of the tour. Care to clue us in?”
Cilla smiled sweetly at him, if she was going to get him to see her for who she was, she needed to start now. “Darlin’ it would take more than a clue for you. But if you want to see some of my sketches, maybe we can work something out.”
He put his hand over his heart, falling back against the seat, “Cilla we hardly know each other and you wound me already.”
She just smiled, it was going to be an interesting evening.
