His feet pounded the concrete and his breath came out in cloudy puffs. This was his time, his piece of quiet in what was to become a noisy, crazy day. He grinned. That was just the way he liked his holidays and that was also why he was out here now; savoring the peace he wouldn’t get later.
He slowed as he came down West Houston. Passing Gilda’s Club, he couldn’t help but pause. In only a couple of weeks this place had made a huge difference in Cilla’s disposition. She was more like the woman she had been all those months ago when they had first met; before her diagnosis.
He picked up his pace again, feeling prouder with each step. The time he had taken to research this place for her couldn’t have been better spent. They had so much more for her than even he realized. He was glad. As much as he wanted to be the one she leaned on and talked to, he knew she needed the people of Gilda’s Club just as much. The members had all been where she is or were going through it too and could relate to what she was feeling and thinking. It had made an enormous difference and he couldn’t be happier.
Holding his breath, he slowed to a walk as he turned onto Mercer Street. He let it out with great relief. The street was mercifully quiet. Everyone was either tucked away in their homes preparing their feast for the day or they were uptown watching the parade. He shook his head as he dug for his key.
He had to drive out to get the kids today and Romeo had wanted to go to the parade. It had taken a herculean effort on Jon’s part mixed with a little bribery to talk him out of that idea. There was no way he was doing that again. One time in that circus was enough for anyone and yet, year after year, people flocked to the streets to watch the floats and marching bands as they ushered in the holiday season. He’d just as soon sit on the couch in his sweats and watch it on television.
Dropping his key and phone on the table by the door he headed to the kitchen for a bottle of water. He was surprised to find the room empty. He had figured Cilla would be in here up to her armpits in preparation. Pulling open the refrigerator door he spied the trays taking up nearly half the space. She had been busy already. Grabbing the water he spied the tray of cannolis. He couldn’t resist. Looking to the door to make sure no one was watching; he peeled back the plastic wrap and snagged one from the tray. Lucky for him she had made them bite sized. He popped the entire pastry into his mouth, shuffling the others around so she wouldn’t know one was missing.
Washing down his snack with a healthy swig of water, he headed upstairs to find out just where his woman had gotten to.
He found her in his gym. She was putting his treadmill through its paces, and singing along to, he listened for a second. Was that Carrie Underwood?
He’s a good time cowboy casanova leaning up against the record machine
He looks like a cool drink of water but he’s candy coated misery
He’s the devil in disguise a snake with blue eyes and he only comes out at night
Gives you feelings you don’t wanna fight you better run for your life
He chuckled and moved into her line of vision.
Her eyes got huge and her mouth snapped shut when she saw him standing in front of her. Oh God how long had he been here? How much had he heard? She slowed her pace and then stopped altogether before pulling the buds from her ears. “Hi. How was your run?”
He handed her the towel she had dropped on the floor. “It was fine.” He smiled teasingly. “Should I start calling you Carrie now?”
She covered her face with the towel and groaned. “God, you did hear me. How bad was it?”
Gently, he pulled the towel from her face. Her cheeks were flushed and he was sure it wasn’t just from her workout. “It wasn’t so bad. Are you done in here?” From the mark of sweat at the front of her sport top and the line of sweat around her bandana, she looked like she had been at it a while.
“Yeah.” She snagged her towel back from him. “There’s a yoga class Saturday morning at Gilda’s Club I’d like to check out. Think you might want to join me?” Her doctor had told her, as had the women at Gilda’s Club, that exercise would play a major role in her well-being. She hadn’t been one to work out regularly but she figured adding a brisk walk every day and yoga would be good places to start.
“What time?” he asked as they headed to the bedroom.
“Nine. Is that too early for you?”
The smirk in her voice had his brows rising and his lips pursing. “You’re acting mighty feisty this morning.”
She grinned at him, “I’m feeling pretty feisty this morning.”
“Really?”
There was no mistaking the hopeful glint in his eyes. Since her surgery he never complained about her lack of enthusiasm in this one area of their lives. Not today though. There would be no “no’s” today. She took a step toward him. “Really.”
He closed the gap between them, cupping her face with his hands. Pressing his lips to hers he tried to keep his kisses gentle, but it had been too long. His mouth ate at hers, tasting, ravaging, plundering. He wanted more. She wasn’t saying no.
His hands slid from her face to grasp the hem of her top. Pulling his mouth from hers he yanked it up over her head, dislodging her bandana. He didn’t care. Her baldness didn’t bother him. She was still as beautiful to him as she ever was.
Staring down at her he reached behind his head and pulled his own shirt off before dragging her against him. She felt so good, so soft where he was hard, smooth where he was coarse. He ran his hands over her, cupping her ass and pulling her to stand between his thighs as he sat on the bed. His mouth moved over one creamy breast, tongue teasing the rapidly hardening nipple as a hand closed over the other soft mound.
Gripping his shoulders she dropped her head back and let him have his way with her. He had always been able to make her feel so much but today, it was nearly overwhelming. All she could do was hold on and go wherever he took her.
Pulling her with him, Jon leaned back on the bed and rolled, dragging her under him. His hands slid down pushing her shorts off, his gaze following his hands down her slender form. He frowned slightly as he roamed her from thigh to breast. She had lost more weight and, he glanced down her body, she hadn't just lost the hair on her head. He really didn't mind that though. He thought it was sexy as hell that she was bare. His lips moved over her, the taste of her sweeter than any pastry she could ever make.
Every sigh, every whimper he pulled from her drove him higher, had him ready to pound into her until neither of them could walk. Moving over her, he watched her face as he pressed forward. That she hadn’t told him no made him want to hurry, but the fleeting wince of pain that flashed across her face had him pausing. Before he could pull away her hips bucked against his and she wrapped herself around him. Losing the fight for control he had no choice but to move.
The quick hard thrusts of his hips drove them both to the brink of insanity. Dimly he felt her tighten around him and he let himself go. The intensity of his release had him calling out to her and, with a final jerk of his hips, he collapsed on top of her.
Distantly he felt fingertips stroking his sweat-soaked shoulders. Pressing a kiss to her neck he moved off of her, only then seeing the tube on the bed next to her. He remembered the wince of pain he had seen.
Shit.
Glancing down he was surprised to see a tear leaking across her temple. “Sweets?” His voice was barely a whisper. Had he hurt her?
When she didn’t say anything, didn’t respond to him, he swiped at the tear and traced her jaw with the pad of his thumb. “Sweets, baby, I’m sorry.”
Her eyes flew open. Still foggy with release she turned her head to look at him. “For what?”
“For hurting you.” He couldn’t bring himself to look at her.
Reaching out she touched his face with her fingers, “you didn’t.”
Grabbing her fingers he pulled them from his face. “Don’t lie to me baby. I saw the pain on your face.”
With a sigh she levered herself up on an elbow so she could look at him. “I’m not lying Jonny. At first there was just a slight bit of pain, but only for a second. You didn’t really hurt me. I would have stopped you if you had.” She stroked her fingers down his stubble-covered cheek. “You finally let yourself go.” He had been so careful with her ever since all this crap with her had started. She was glad he didn’t give himself a chance to think about what he was doing.
Raising his eyes to hers he let out a relieved breath. “I kinda got carried away, but I couldn’t help myself. You didn’t say no this morning.”
She smiled down at him, “I wish you’d let yourself go more often. I won’t break you know.”
Sitting up he hauled her into his arms. “I know you won’t break but I don’t want to hurt you either.” He kissed her head, “I love you.”
Turning her head she pressed her face to his chest, peppering it with kisses. “I love you too. Now we need to get moving. I have a meal to finish preparing and you have to go pick up your kids.”
He slowed as he came down West Houston. Passing Gilda’s Club, he couldn’t help but pause. In only a couple of weeks this place had made a huge difference in Cilla’s disposition. She was more like the woman she had been all those months ago when they had first met; before her diagnosis.
He picked up his pace again, feeling prouder with each step. The time he had taken to research this place for her couldn’t have been better spent. They had so much more for her than even he realized. He was glad. As much as he wanted to be the one she leaned on and talked to, he knew she needed the people of Gilda’s Club just as much. The members had all been where she is or were going through it too and could relate to what she was feeling and thinking. It had made an enormous difference and he couldn’t be happier.
Holding his breath, he slowed to a walk as he turned onto Mercer Street. He let it out with great relief. The street was mercifully quiet. Everyone was either tucked away in their homes preparing their feast for the day or they were uptown watching the parade. He shook his head as he dug for his key.
He had to drive out to get the kids today and Romeo had wanted to go to the parade. It had taken a herculean effort on Jon’s part mixed with a little bribery to talk him out of that idea. There was no way he was doing that again. One time in that circus was enough for anyone and yet, year after year, people flocked to the streets to watch the floats and marching bands as they ushered in the holiday season. He’d just as soon sit on the couch in his sweats and watch it on television.
Dropping his key and phone on the table by the door he headed to the kitchen for a bottle of water. He was surprised to find the room empty. He had figured Cilla would be in here up to her armpits in preparation. Pulling open the refrigerator door he spied the trays taking up nearly half the space. She had been busy already. Grabbing the water he spied the tray of cannolis. He couldn’t resist. Looking to the door to make sure no one was watching; he peeled back the plastic wrap and snagged one from the tray. Lucky for him she had made them bite sized. He popped the entire pastry into his mouth, shuffling the others around so she wouldn’t know one was missing.
Washing down his snack with a healthy swig of water, he headed upstairs to find out just where his woman had gotten to.
He found her in his gym. She was putting his treadmill through its paces, and singing along to, he listened for a second. Was that Carrie Underwood?
He’s a good time cowboy casanova leaning up against the record machine
He looks like a cool drink of water but he’s candy coated misery
He’s the devil in disguise a snake with blue eyes and he only comes out at night
Gives you feelings you don’t wanna fight you better run for your life
He chuckled and moved into her line of vision.
Her eyes got huge and her mouth snapped shut when she saw him standing in front of her. Oh God how long had he been here? How much had he heard? She slowed her pace and then stopped altogether before pulling the buds from her ears. “Hi. How was your run?”
He handed her the towel she had dropped on the floor. “It was fine.” He smiled teasingly. “Should I start calling you Carrie now?”
She covered her face with the towel and groaned. “God, you did hear me. How bad was it?”
Gently, he pulled the towel from her face. Her cheeks were flushed and he was sure it wasn’t just from her workout. “It wasn’t so bad. Are you done in here?” From the mark of sweat at the front of her sport top and the line of sweat around her bandana, she looked like she had been at it a while.
“Yeah.” She snagged her towel back from him. “There’s a yoga class Saturday morning at Gilda’s Club I’d like to check out. Think you might want to join me?” Her doctor had told her, as had the women at Gilda’s Club, that exercise would play a major role in her well-being. She hadn’t been one to work out regularly but she figured adding a brisk walk every day and yoga would be good places to start.
“What time?” he asked as they headed to the bedroom.
“Nine. Is that too early for you?”
The smirk in her voice had his brows rising and his lips pursing. “You’re acting mighty feisty this morning.”
She grinned at him, “I’m feeling pretty feisty this morning.”
“Really?”
There was no mistaking the hopeful glint in his eyes. Since her surgery he never complained about her lack of enthusiasm in this one area of their lives. Not today though. There would be no “no’s” today. She took a step toward him. “Really.”
He closed the gap between them, cupping her face with his hands. Pressing his lips to hers he tried to keep his kisses gentle, but it had been too long. His mouth ate at hers, tasting, ravaging, plundering. He wanted more. She wasn’t saying no.
His hands slid from her face to grasp the hem of her top. Pulling his mouth from hers he yanked it up over her head, dislodging her bandana. He didn’t care. Her baldness didn’t bother him. She was still as beautiful to him as she ever was.
Staring down at her he reached behind his head and pulled his own shirt off before dragging her against him. She felt so good, so soft where he was hard, smooth where he was coarse. He ran his hands over her, cupping her ass and pulling her to stand between his thighs as he sat on the bed. His mouth moved over one creamy breast, tongue teasing the rapidly hardening nipple as a hand closed over the other soft mound.
Gripping his shoulders she dropped her head back and let him have his way with her. He had always been able to make her feel so much but today, it was nearly overwhelming. All she could do was hold on and go wherever he took her.
Pulling her with him, Jon leaned back on the bed and rolled, dragging her under him. His hands slid down pushing her shorts off, his gaze following his hands down her slender form. He frowned slightly as he roamed her from thigh to breast. She had lost more weight and, he glanced down her body, she hadn't just lost the hair on her head. He really didn't mind that though. He thought it was sexy as hell that she was bare. His lips moved over her, the taste of her sweeter than any pastry she could ever make.
Every sigh, every whimper he pulled from her drove him higher, had him ready to pound into her until neither of them could walk. Moving over her, he watched her face as he pressed forward. That she hadn’t told him no made him want to hurry, but the fleeting wince of pain that flashed across her face had him pausing. Before he could pull away her hips bucked against his and she wrapped herself around him. Losing the fight for control he had no choice but to move.
The quick hard thrusts of his hips drove them both to the brink of insanity. Dimly he felt her tighten around him and he let himself go. The intensity of his release had him calling out to her and, with a final jerk of his hips, he collapsed on top of her.
Distantly he felt fingertips stroking his sweat-soaked shoulders. Pressing a kiss to her neck he moved off of her, only then seeing the tube on the bed next to her. He remembered the wince of pain he had seen.
Shit.
Glancing down he was surprised to see a tear leaking across her temple. “Sweets?” His voice was barely a whisper. Had he hurt her?
When she didn’t say anything, didn’t respond to him, he swiped at the tear and traced her jaw with the pad of his thumb. “Sweets, baby, I’m sorry.”
Her eyes flew open. Still foggy with release she turned her head to look at him. “For what?”
“For hurting you.” He couldn’t bring himself to look at her.
Reaching out she touched his face with her fingers, “you didn’t.”
Grabbing her fingers he pulled them from his face. “Don’t lie to me baby. I saw the pain on your face.”
With a sigh she levered herself up on an elbow so she could look at him. “I’m not lying Jonny. At first there was just a slight bit of pain, but only for a second. You didn’t really hurt me. I would have stopped you if you had.” She stroked her fingers down his stubble-covered cheek. “You finally let yourself go.” He had been so careful with her ever since all this crap with her had started. She was glad he didn’t give himself a chance to think about what he was doing.
Raising his eyes to hers he let out a relieved breath. “I kinda got carried away, but I couldn’t help myself. You didn’t say no this morning.”
She smiled down at him, “I wish you’d let yourself go more often. I won’t break you know.”
Sitting up he hauled her into his arms. “I know you won’t break but I don’t want to hurt you either.” He kissed her head, “I love you.”
Turning her head she pressed her face to his chest, peppering it with kisses. “I love you too. Now we need to get moving. I have a meal to finish preparing and you have to go pick up your kids.”
