A painful throbbing in her left arm brought Jenn out of sleep. Groaning she rolled over to unpin her arm from beneath her and suddenly found herself sliding off the bed. Shit! Grabbing for the sheets too late she hit the floor with a thump, twisted up in the sheets that came with her. Disorientated she groggily looked around her, trying to figure out where the hell she was. Coming to her senses, she sat up rubbing her arm where pins and needles had set in. Christ, as big as the bed is I still manage to fall out of the damn thing! Twisting her neck around she caught sight of her bedside clock gleaming in the darkness at her. 5.20am blinked back at her. Damn jet lag!
Giving up on any more sleep, she pulled herself to her feet and stiffly made her way to the bathroom. Stepping into the shower she revelled in the pulsing hot water beating down on her neck. Mint and eucalyptus shampoo had her scalp tingling and her senses restored. Throwing her robe on she headed for the kitchen to rustle up some fresh coffee. The first signs of a new day were beginning to streak through the blinds of the living room windows and judging by the sky the day was promising to be a good one. Whilst the coffee brewed, Jenn pulled on her comfy work jeans and a t-shirt, piling her wet hair in a scruffy pony tail which she hid under her favourite baseball cap. Stuffing her phone and cigarettes in the back pocket of her jeans, she headed outside, grabbing a mug of coffee on the way. The air had a chill to it and the leaves crunching underfoot hinted at the impending autumn. Nestling herself on the bottom step of the decking which ran around the house, she took a swallow of the steaming coffee and cradled the mug to warm her fingers. She loved this time of the day when nothing was stirring and it seemed like she was the only living thing on the planet. Lighting up a cigarette she grinned at her own contentment. Some may disagree but as far as she was concerned you just couldn’t beat a coffee and nicotine to get the day rolling.
By the time she’d finished her smoke the sun was rising steadily behind her and birds were noisily announcing the arrival of a new day. Swallowing down the last of the coffee she headed for the main barn which was still in darkness. Paul usually gave the girls who worked for him the day off on Sundays unless there was a show on so today Paul would have to be in early to feed the horses. Checking her watch Jenn reckoned he’d probably be thinking about getting out of bed right about now so she sent him off a text;
I’ll feed, can’t sleep so you might as well stay in bed with that lovely wife of yours!
A few seconds later her phone beeped with the reply;
You’re an angel - I love you! Don’t tell Sue!
Grinning to herself she pulled back the heavy barn doors and flicked on the lights. A noisy greeting from the resident horses ensued with heads looking out eagerly over the doors whickering and some impatient feet banging their doors.
“Morning boys and girls!! Whoah now sssh or you’ll have the whole county awake! Patience my friends!”
She greeted each one as she made her way to the feed house and began throwing scoops of feed into buckets checking the board as she went to make sure each one got the right amount. Fifteen minutes later all that could be heard was the steady munching of the horses and the occasional snort. Piling alfalfa onto a barrow she wheeled down the aisle, chucking in slices of the sweet smelling hay to each stall. That done she grabbed a couple more buckets of feed and headed out to the paddocks to check on the horses that lived out at night. Some were out due to dust allergies, some were on holidays after the busy summer jumping season and a couple were pensioners, retired and now living out their days in peace at grass. She had an especially soft spot for one of them, Rex was a big old grey gelding, now almost as white as snow with age. He had been Paul’s top Grand Prix horse when they had all been on tour together and Jenn had a lot of fond memories of him. Scratching him behind his ears as the gentle fellow munched down the feed in the bucket she allowed herself a fleeting glimpse back into the past of the glory days. They had been good times she reckoned with herself. Rex brought her back to reality with a bump as he flung the bucket out of her hand with his nose, disgusted that there was no feed left.
“Hey champ! Take it easy old fellah! You’ll get fat! See ya later old timer!”
She laughed as she picked up the bucket and gave the horse a fond slap on the neck. Realising there was no more food to be gotten here, he squealed and spun around, bucking as he galloped down to the back of the paddock. There was life in the old horse yet that was for sure.
Walking back to the barn, she hummed to herself as she swung the bucket back and forth. Rounding the corner she squealed as she ran straight into Paul who she inadvertently thumped on the knee with the bucket.
“Ow! Good morning to you too!!”
“Crap! Sorry bout that! Hey I thought I told you to stay in bed!” she said frowning at him.
“I was awake but don’t worry I put the spare time to good use! Sue’ll thank you later I’m sure!” Paul replied winking at her.
Throwing up her hands in mock disgust Jenn made a face at him; “Ewww too much information! Right well everything’s fed and hayed boss!”
Paul smiled and put his arm around her as they walked up the barn,
“I should have brought you over here years ago!”
“What and be your personal slave? Nuhuh!” She shook her head grinning. “We’d have killed one another long ago!”
Together they turned out most of the horses into their day paddocks and put the remainder on the electric horse walker. The last two they tacked up and took out for a gentle hack around the farm. Cantering along side by side, they blew the cobwebs away especially when Jenn picked up the pace a little and raced Paul to the top of the hill. Laughing they pulled up and Jenn wiped away the tears that had been forced from her eyes by the sheer force of the wind.
“Phew! Now that’s the way to start a day!” she laughed as they turned to walk the steaming horses back to the farm. They chatted as they let the horses amble along on a loose rein, Jenn filling in Paul on the trip and the horses she’d found for Steph. She left out the bits about Jon obviously but she had a sneaking suspicion he knew there was more going on.
“So whats’s the plan for the rest of the day?” He asked her as they turned up the road for the barn.
“Hmm well I gotta go down to the barn you’re leasing us and sort it out, see what needs doing and so on but apart from that I think I’ll just take it easy.”
“Well why don’t you join us for lunch? Sue normally does a pretty good roast on a Sunday!”
“Oh eh sorry I’ll have to pass on that, I’ve plans made but thanks anyway!” she smiled and hoped to God she wasn’t blushing.
“Plans eh? Well glad to see you’re making friends - anyone I know?” Paul grinned at her and raised his eyebrows.
Jumping down off the horse she glanced up at him and smirked;
“If I told you I’d have to kill you! Just taking care of a little business!”
With that she turned and led the horse off to the wash bay leaving Paul still sitting on his mount staring after her with a bemused smile playing on his lips. She was up to something he knew that much and he’d be damned if he wasn’t gonna find out what it was!
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Chapter Twenty
It was early evening by the time Jenn got back to her house after spending the better part of the afternoon with Steve’s parents. Flopping down on the couch with a beer, she took a long swig from the cold bottle and laid her head back against the cushions. Her head was pounding and she felt drugged from tiredness. The early start to the day combined with the flight and the stress of dealing with Steve’s parents had taken it’s toll and her eyes were heavy with impending sleep. While her body was protesting, her mind was in overdrive, replaying the events of the afternoon.
When she had hung up on the phone call from Paul, she’d simply sank to the floor nearly giving Jon a heart attack. She smiled when she thought how concerned he’d been as he fussed over her. There was so much he didn’t know about her but right then was no time to tell him even if she could have found the words to explain. She’d simply begged him to leave saying she had personal issues to sort out and that she’d explain it all to him in time. Jon had been in turmoil, anxious to know what has caused such shock to her but had agreed to leave on the condition she called him tonight. Right on cue, the cell phone in her pocket started to buzz insistently. She didn’t bother to pull it out, she knew it was Jon, he’d already called her about ten times but she just couldn’t muster the energy to talk to him. Some things can’t be explained over a phone call and this was definitely one of those things.
Taking another swallow from her beer she heaved herself off the cushions and made her way over to the window. The sun was low in the sky and was slowly disappearing behind the barn, it’s beams sending rusty streaks across the darkening horizon. It was a beautiful calming sight to behold yet it did nothing to ease her thoughts. When Jon had left, she had gone for a quick shower in a bid to give herself some time to think. She hadn’t spoken to Karl and Nancy, Steve’s parents since shortly after his death. Jenn had said her goodbyes to her fiancé in the U.K and had not travelled to the States for his burial in the family plot. She had been distraught and simply couldn’t comprehend another memorial service. Steve’s parents had taken it badly, especially Nancy who was enraged that the woman her son had wanted to spend the rest of his life with apparently couldn’t be bothered to bring him home. Jenn who had been so consumed with grief had never attempted to correct her and their last phone call to one another had been short and curt. There had been no direct contact between them in the last three years so to have to meet them in person on such short notice had been a definite shock to the system.
After cleaning herself up, she had made her way over to the main house, entering through the backdoor into the kitchen where she had found Sue busily making coffee. Sue knew the history and so understood the panicked and worried look on Jenn’s face. She had reassured her that they were here to make peace and to relax yet Jenn still couldn’t slow her racing heartbeat that was pounding in her chest. Pausing outside the door to the living room where Sue had directed her, she took a deep breath and softly pushed it open and stepped into the room.
The low murmurings of conversation ceased as the three people seated around the coffee table turned to look at her. Paul sprang from the armchair he’d been lounging in and strode over to Jenn, pulling her into a hug.
“Jenn honey! Good to see you! Trip went well?” He squeezed her arm reassuringly as he smiled down at her.
Squeezing him back, she smiled gratefully at him and nodded, “Yes, very successful thanks.”
They both turned to face the older couple now standing watching them from the other side of the room. Karl, Steve’s father stood tall and straight with his arm around his wife’s waist. In his late sixties now, he was still an attractive man with the streaks of grey through his dark hair giving a very distinguished look. Nancy didn’t look to have aged a day since Jenn had last seen her over four years earlier. Shorter than her husband, she was a slim elegant figure, dressed smartly and eyeing Jenn nervously.
Nobody seemed to know what to do next so Jenn swallowed hard and walked over to the couple with her hand out.
“Karl, Nancy……..nice to see you” she spoke nervously shaking hands with both of them in turn. Nancy grasped her hand firmly and clasped it with her other hand. Jenn was shocked to see the older lady’s eyes brimming with tears. “It’s been too long dear and for that I have nobody but my foolish self to blame.” She paused and smiled all the while still grasping Jenn’s hand. “It really is so good to see you.”
Jenn could find no words and simply smiled back, her own eyes starting to smart a little. She motioned to the leather sofa and led her over to sit down. Karl silently sat down opposite the two women and watched his wife try to regain her composure. Jenn started to speak but Nancy interrupted her whilst fumbling for a tissue in her pocket.
“I’ve waited too long to say this Jenn and ……..I’m sorry, so very sorry for the way I treated you after…..”
Nancy’s petite frame was shuddering now in an effort to hold in her anguish. Tears were now freely rolling down Jenn’s cheeks and she shook her head.
“No Nancy, there’s no need, I didn’t behave very well either, I just……”, her lips trembled and her throat burned as a hard lump formed in it.
Karl spoke quietly from the other sofa,
“Grief is a terrible thing, we just deal with it whatever way we can but I think we went about it the wrong way, instead of pulling together we pushed each other apart.”
Jenn watched him as he shook his head sadly.
“Our son would never have wanted that and it’s a shame that it’s taken us so long to realise that.”
Nancy sniffled beside her and grasped her hand once more,
“We’d like to make amends Jenn, if you’re willing, so…..” pausing she looked deep into her eyes, “…so we can all move forward. Steve would have wanted it.”
The lump that had been forming in her throat now made it impossible to speak, it was all she could do to simply nod her head in agreement as the tears flooded her face. Nancy pulled her close and held tight as both of them sobbed out all of the pent up anguish. After several moments, Jenn sat up and took the tissue that Karl proffered to her. Clearing her nose and wiping her eyes, she took several deep breaths and stood to face the elder couple.
“I loved your son like I’ve never loved anyone in my life. It sounds cheesy but it’s the truth. He was my soul mate and I thought we’d be together forever but one stupid incident took him from me” pausing she levelled her eyes with Nancy, “Took him away from all of us.”
Turning away, she walked over to the window and gazed out at the horses grazing quietly in the paddock outside.
“We were a team, and we could have achieved so much together but he’s gone and it’s taken me a long time to realise that he’s not coming back.”
She rested her hot forehead against the cool glass of the window pane, her temples were throbbing painfully. Speaking softly now she turned to face them once more,
“I’m sorry I didn’t come out here to say goodbye with you both but I …….” she shook her head searching for the right words, “ I couldn’t go through saying goodbye again, we never had a life together here, our life was back home and ………”
“Hush now honey, it’s okay”,
Karl cut her off and walked over to rub her shoulder.
“We understand that now and we should have back then, we just couldn’t see past the pain of losing our son.”
Nancy spoke up from her position on the sofa,
“We’re on the same wavelength now, it’s time to move forward, to live the rest of our lives in happiness. We don’t know what’s around the next corner and perhaps it’s best we don’t. Let’s not waste any more time fighting and just be a family again.”
Jenn’s head jerked up at the mention of family. She furrowed her eyebrows in slight confusion.
“Yes Jenn, family!” Nancy continued, “We want you to treat us as family, let us support you as we did Stevie, it’s what we should have done from the start.”
“What do you mean by support Nancy?” Jenn wasn’t sure how she was supposed to react to this and stiffened slightly.
“Now now we just want to be a part of your life Jenn”, Karl threw a warning glance to his wife that Jenn picked up on, “Especially now that you’re here in our home country, it’s even more important that you have people to rely on.”
Jenn had an uneasy feeling about the way this conversation was headed and spoke up,
“Thank you both but Paul and Sue are very good to me and have welcomed me into the heart of things here, I’m sure I’ll be fine but I would very much like if we could be friends.”
She chose her words the best she could, she still wasn’t sure what they were getting at and she wasn’t sure she even wanted to know.
“Good! We can move on from here so!” Karl clapped his hands together and stretched his back, “I wonder do these folks eat anything around here?”
“Karl! Manners!” Nancy admonished her husband gently. Rolling her eyes at Jenn she smiled “Never stops thinking about food!”
Jenn gave a little laugh, “If I know Sue I’d say she has a feast ready for us, I’ll just go check!” and with that she escaped from the room. Closing the door behind her she caught sight of Paul disappearing into the kitchen. Grinning she headed after him knowing full well he’d been eavesdropping. Sure enough Paul was in the middle of hurriedly explaining things to Sue when she walked in.
“Ah Jenn! Everything go okay?” he asked with a mock surprise look plastered across his face.
“Why don’t you tell me wise ass?” Jenn grinned at him and threw a towel in his direction.
“What? How should I know?”, he knew full well he’d been caught out and the beginnings of a smirk were starting to curl the sides of his mouth.
Sue threw a look at both of them and hissed “Ssssh, this house isn’t soundproof you know kids! Come on, we’ll feed them and then maybe we can have some peace!”
Sue bumped her way of the kitchen carrying a tray of delicious looking cold meats and motioned for Jenn to grab the remaining tray off the big oak table.
“Paul bring the salads please!”
“Yes M’am!” Paul saluted his wife and winked at Jenn. “C’mon Irish, you’re nearly done!”
‘God I hope so!’ she thought to herself as she lifted the tray. Making amends was all good and well but it was tiring as hell!
Pleasant conversation was made over the delicious tea Sue had made and an hour later Jenn finally made her excuses and escaped after promising to keep in touch with Karl and Nancy. Now gazing out the window with her beer she couldn’t understand why she felt so uneasy. They’d seemed genuine enough but her gut feelings were telling her otherwise. Something was telling her there was a hidden agenda going on but she couldn’t for the life of her figure out what it could be.
The cell phone in her pocket buzzed again jolting her from her thoughts. Pulling it out this time, she saw Jon’s name flash up on the screen. Hesitating she sighed and pressed the silencer. When the call had rung out she cleared the screen and saw she had fourteen missed calls from him and nearly as many voice messages. 'Jesus Jon, take a hint already!' she thought. Instantly she berated herself for being such a bitch, he was concerned about her and she should be grateful. She fired him off a quick text explaining she was okay but wrecked and needed to get some sleep and promised to call him tomorrow.
Dropping the empty beer bottle in the trash can on her way through the kitchen, a text came through as she headed to her bathroom.
Get some rest baby, lunch 12.30 tomorrow, your place - I’ll bring the wine ~ JBJ xx
Smiling she fired one back at him;
Sounds good, bring take-out as well! No food in house! J xx
It amazed her how those few words from him had instantly made her feel more relaxed. It was nice to have someone care on that level for a change. Moments later her head hit the pillow and tiredness finally overtook her carrying her off to a dreamless sleep.
When she had hung up on the phone call from Paul, she’d simply sank to the floor nearly giving Jon a heart attack. She smiled when she thought how concerned he’d been as he fussed over her. There was so much he didn’t know about her but right then was no time to tell him even if she could have found the words to explain. She’d simply begged him to leave saying she had personal issues to sort out and that she’d explain it all to him in time. Jon had been in turmoil, anxious to know what has caused such shock to her but had agreed to leave on the condition she called him tonight. Right on cue, the cell phone in her pocket started to buzz insistently. She didn’t bother to pull it out, she knew it was Jon, he’d already called her about ten times but she just couldn’t muster the energy to talk to him. Some things can’t be explained over a phone call and this was definitely one of those things.
Taking another swallow from her beer she heaved herself off the cushions and made her way over to the window. The sun was low in the sky and was slowly disappearing behind the barn, it’s beams sending rusty streaks across the darkening horizon. It was a beautiful calming sight to behold yet it did nothing to ease her thoughts. When Jon had left, she had gone for a quick shower in a bid to give herself some time to think. She hadn’t spoken to Karl and Nancy, Steve’s parents since shortly after his death. Jenn had said her goodbyes to her fiancé in the U.K and had not travelled to the States for his burial in the family plot. She had been distraught and simply couldn’t comprehend another memorial service. Steve’s parents had taken it badly, especially Nancy who was enraged that the woman her son had wanted to spend the rest of his life with apparently couldn’t be bothered to bring him home. Jenn who had been so consumed with grief had never attempted to correct her and their last phone call to one another had been short and curt. There had been no direct contact between them in the last three years so to have to meet them in person on such short notice had been a definite shock to the system.
After cleaning herself up, she had made her way over to the main house, entering through the backdoor into the kitchen where she had found Sue busily making coffee. Sue knew the history and so understood the panicked and worried look on Jenn’s face. She had reassured her that they were here to make peace and to relax yet Jenn still couldn’t slow her racing heartbeat that was pounding in her chest. Pausing outside the door to the living room where Sue had directed her, she took a deep breath and softly pushed it open and stepped into the room.
The low murmurings of conversation ceased as the three people seated around the coffee table turned to look at her. Paul sprang from the armchair he’d been lounging in and strode over to Jenn, pulling her into a hug.
“Jenn honey! Good to see you! Trip went well?” He squeezed her arm reassuringly as he smiled down at her.
Squeezing him back, she smiled gratefully at him and nodded, “Yes, very successful thanks.”
They both turned to face the older couple now standing watching them from the other side of the room. Karl, Steve’s father stood tall and straight with his arm around his wife’s waist. In his late sixties now, he was still an attractive man with the streaks of grey through his dark hair giving a very distinguished look. Nancy didn’t look to have aged a day since Jenn had last seen her over four years earlier. Shorter than her husband, she was a slim elegant figure, dressed smartly and eyeing Jenn nervously.
Nobody seemed to know what to do next so Jenn swallowed hard and walked over to the couple with her hand out.
“Karl, Nancy……..nice to see you” she spoke nervously shaking hands with both of them in turn. Nancy grasped her hand firmly and clasped it with her other hand. Jenn was shocked to see the older lady’s eyes brimming with tears. “It’s been too long dear and for that I have nobody but my foolish self to blame.” She paused and smiled all the while still grasping Jenn’s hand. “It really is so good to see you.”
Jenn could find no words and simply smiled back, her own eyes starting to smart a little. She motioned to the leather sofa and led her over to sit down. Karl silently sat down opposite the two women and watched his wife try to regain her composure. Jenn started to speak but Nancy interrupted her whilst fumbling for a tissue in her pocket.
“I’ve waited too long to say this Jenn and ……..I’m sorry, so very sorry for the way I treated you after…..”
Nancy’s petite frame was shuddering now in an effort to hold in her anguish. Tears were now freely rolling down Jenn’s cheeks and she shook her head.
“No Nancy, there’s no need, I didn’t behave very well either, I just……”, her lips trembled and her throat burned as a hard lump formed in it.
Karl spoke quietly from the other sofa,
“Grief is a terrible thing, we just deal with it whatever way we can but I think we went about it the wrong way, instead of pulling together we pushed each other apart.”
Jenn watched him as he shook his head sadly.
“Our son would never have wanted that and it’s a shame that it’s taken us so long to realise that.”
Nancy sniffled beside her and grasped her hand once more,
“We’d like to make amends Jenn, if you’re willing, so…..” pausing she looked deep into her eyes, “…so we can all move forward. Steve would have wanted it.”
The lump that had been forming in her throat now made it impossible to speak, it was all she could do to simply nod her head in agreement as the tears flooded her face. Nancy pulled her close and held tight as both of them sobbed out all of the pent up anguish. After several moments, Jenn sat up and took the tissue that Karl proffered to her. Clearing her nose and wiping her eyes, she took several deep breaths and stood to face the elder couple.
“I loved your son like I’ve never loved anyone in my life. It sounds cheesy but it’s the truth. He was my soul mate and I thought we’d be together forever but one stupid incident took him from me” pausing she levelled her eyes with Nancy, “Took him away from all of us.”
Turning away, she walked over to the window and gazed out at the horses grazing quietly in the paddock outside.
“We were a team, and we could have achieved so much together but he’s gone and it’s taken me a long time to realise that he’s not coming back.”
She rested her hot forehead against the cool glass of the window pane, her temples were throbbing painfully. Speaking softly now she turned to face them once more,
“I’m sorry I didn’t come out here to say goodbye with you both but I …….” she shook her head searching for the right words, “ I couldn’t go through saying goodbye again, we never had a life together here, our life was back home and ………”
“Hush now honey, it’s okay”,
Karl cut her off and walked over to rub her shoulder.
“We understand that now and we should have back then, we just couldn’t see past the pain of losing our son.”
Nancy spoke up from her position on the sofa,
“We’re on the same wavelength now, it’s time to move forward, to live the rest of our lives in happiness. We don’t know what’s around the next corner and perhaps it’s best we don’t. Let’s not waste any more time fighting and just be a family again.”
Jenn’s head jerked up at the mention of family. She furrowed her eyebrows in slight confusion.
“Yes Jenn, family!” Nancy continued, “We want you to treat us as family, let us support you as we did Stevie, it’s what we should have done from the start.”
“What do you mean by support Nancy?” Jenn wasn’t sure how she was supposed to react to this and stiffened slightly.
“Now now we just want to be a part of your life Jenn”, Karl threw a warning glance to his wife that Jenn picked up on, “Especially now that you’re here in our home country, it’s even more important that you have people to rely on.”
Jenn had an uneasy feeling about the way this conversation was headed and spoke up,
“Thank you both but Paul and Sue are very good to me and have welcomed me into the heart of things here, I’m sure I’ll be fine but I would very much like if we could be friends.”
She chose her words the best she could, she still wasn’t sure what they were getting at and she wasn’t sure she even wanted to know.
“Good! We can move on from here so!” Karl clapped his hands together and stretched his back, “I wonder do these folks eat anything around here?”
“Karl! Manners!” Nancy admonished her husband gently. Rolling her eyes at Jenn she smiled “Never stops thinking about food!”
Jenn gave a little laugh, “If I know Sue I’d say she has a feast ready for us, I’ll just go check!” and with that she escaped from the room. Closing the door behind her she caught sight of Paul disappearing into the kitchen. Grinning she headed after him knowing full well he’d been eavesdropping. Sure enough Paul was in the middle of hurriedly explaining things to Sue when she walked in.
“Ah Jenn! Everything go okay?” he asked with a mock surprise look plastered across his face.
“Why don’t you tell me wise ass?” Jenn grinned at him and threw a towel in his direction.
“What? How should I know?”, he knew full well he’d been caught out and the beginnings of a smirk were starting to curl the sides of his mouth.
Sue threw a look at both of them and hissed “Ssssh, this house isn’t soundproof you know kids! Come on, we’ll feed them and then maybe we can have some peace!”
Sue bumped her way of the kitchen carrying a tray of delicious looking cold meats and motioned for Jenn to grab the remaining tray off the big oak table.
“Paul bring the salads please!”
“Yes M’am!” Paul saluted his wife and winked at Jenn. “C’mon Irish, you’re nearly done!”
‘God I hope so!’ she thought to herself as she lifted the tray. Making amends was all good and well but it was tiring as hell!
Pleasant conversation was made over the delicious tea Sue had made and an hour later Jenn finally made her excuses and escaped after promising to keep in touch with Karl and Nancy. Now gazing out the window with her beer she couldn’t understand why she felt so uneasy. They’d seemed genuine enough but her gut feelings were telling her otherwise. Something was telling her there was a hidden agenda going on but she couldn’t for the life of her figure out what it could be.
The cell phone in her pocket buzzed again jolting her from her thoughts. Pulling it out this time, she saw Jon’s name flash up on the screen. Hesitating she sighed and pressed the silencer. When the call had rung out she cleared the screen and saw she had fourteen missed calls from him and nearly as many voice messages. 'Jesus Jon, take a hint already!' she thought. Instantly she berated herself for being such a bitch, he was concerned about her and she should be grateful. She fired him off a quick text explaining she was okay but wrecked and needed to get some sleep and promised to call him tomorrow.
Dropping the empty beer bottle in the trash can on her way through the kitchen, a text came through as she headed to her bathroom.
Get some rest baby, lunch 12.30 tomorrow, your place - I’ll bring the wine ~ JBJ xx
Smiling she fired one back at him;
Sounds good, bring take-out as well! No food in house! J xx
It amazed her how those few words from him had instantly made her feel more relaxed. It was nice to have someone care on that level for a change. Moments later her head hit the pillow and tiredness finally overtook her carrying her off to a dreamless sleep.
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Chapter Nineteen
Touching down in Newark Intl at 11am local time, they hopped in a waiting car and headed for the farm to drop Jenn off. Jon still somewhat disgruntled at his lack of action on the flight was immediately busy on his cell phone and left the two girls to chat amongst themselves. Watching him flick from one call to another, Jenn shook her head in amazement. Steph noticing laughed and rolled her eyes.
“Meet my dad the rock star aka the workaholic! He gives out that I spend too much time on my cell - he’s never off his!”
Jenn laughed and shrugged her shoulders,
“Guess he’s a busy guy!”
“I just count myself lucky he’s here! When he starts working with the guys again I’ll forget what he looks like!” Steph smiled a little ruefully.
“Does it bother you?”
The younger girl ran her hands through her hair and sighed,
“Nope, not really. I mean yeah it sucks when we don’t see each other that much but I guess I grew up with it.” Pausing she grinned and winked at Jenn, “Plus he makes up for it when he is around!” and rubbed her fingers together, “Kick ass presents!”
Jenn laughed and sat back to think. She couldn’t imagine what life growing up for Steph and her siblings was like. She came from an ordinary family with ordinary jobs, both her parents had always been home. If she and Jon carried on seeing one another, was he really going to be around that much?
A little while later they pulled up outside the guest house behind the barn. Jon grabbed Jenn’s bags and headed inside with them while Steph ran off to see everyone in the stables. As soon as they were in the hallway with the door shut, Jon dropped the bags and spun around to grab Jenn. Wrapping his arms around her waist, effectively pinning her arms to her side, he whispered wickedly;
“No excuses this time baby!”
She giggled and made no effort to resist him as he crushed his lips to hers, devouring her in a hungry kiss. Returning the kiss with all of her might, she wrapped a leg high around his thigh. Breaking apart they gasped for breath as he released her arms and delved under her tank top. Jenn braced herself against the wall and threw her other leg around his hip, grinding herself against him. She squirmed in delight as his fingers found her nipples.
“Jesus Jenn, I want you so bad baby”, his whisper came in ragged breaths as she kneaded the muscles at the back of his neck. Her response was swallowed by his mouth once more, their tongues dancing together and tasting one another. She could feel his rock hard erection straining against her through his combats as she squeezed tighter with her legs. Moaning she threw her head back as Jon moved one hand down past her panties, seeking out the heat that was exuding from between her legs.
“Oh Christ!”, she gasped, feeling his thumb graze the sensitive nub and impulsively rocked against him. He growled and pushed deeper letting her muscles clench his fingers when they were suddenly interrupted by the house phone ringing loudly on the wall beside Jenn’s ear.
“Fuck!”, she exclaimed loudly looking at the intrusion in disgust.
“Leave it!”, Jon grunted nibbling on her ear.
“No, no could be important!”, gasping she slid down to the floor, her legs threatening to give away beneath her weight.
“Hello?”, her breaths came in quick short gasps as Jon bit down on her ear lobe.
“Hey Jenn! Thought I saw a car go round back! Welcome back!” enthused Paul on the other end. “Is this a bad time?”
Couldn’t be worse timing she thought grimly. Jon was refusing to give up and his hand had snaked between her legs once more making her quiver and shake.
“No, no problem Paul, just in the door s’all!”, she suppressed a giggle as her assailant continued his exploration on her inner parts.
“Oh good….look I know you’re just back but I’ve been trying to reach you on your cell all morning”
“Oh crap! Sorry it’s still switched off in my bag somewhere.”
“Yeah, well thing is Jenn……..”, Paul’s voice was serious now, “I’m real sorry to land this on you but there’s some people here to see you…..”
“To see me? Who?” Jenn pushed Jon away to cradle the phone better and he finally relented hearing the change in her voice from relaxed to concerned.
“Erm…..Steve’s parents…….I’m sorry they just showed up last night and when I said you’d be back tomorrow they stayed over……….. They really want to see you Jenn.”
She felt her heart skip a few beats and all the colour drained from her face as she took in what she’d just heard.
Steve’s parents? Here? Oh God!
“Meet my dad the rock star aka the workaholic! He gives out that I spend too much time on my cell - he’s never off his!”
Jenn laughed and shrugged her shoulders,
“Guess he’s a busy guy!”
“I just count myself lucky he’s here! When he starts working with the guys again I’ll forget what he looks like!” Steph smiled a little ruefully.
“Does it bother you?”
The younger girl ran her hands through her hair and sighed,
“Nope, not really. I mean yeah it sucks when we don’t see each other that much but I guess I grew up with it.” Pausing she grinned and winked at Jenn, “Plus he makes up for it when he is around!” and rubbed her fingers together, “Kick ass presents!”
Jenn laughed and sat back to think. She couldn’t imagine what life growing up for Steph and her siblings was like. She came from an ordinary family with ordinary jobs, both her parents had always been home. If she and Jon carried on seeing one another, was he really going to be around that much?
A little while later they pulled up outside the guest house behind the barn. Jon grabbed Jenn’s bags and headed inside with them while Steph ran off to see everyone in the stables. As soon as they were in the hallway with the door shut, Jon dropped the bags and spun around to grab Jenn. Wrapping his arms around her waist, effectively pinning her arms to her side, he whispered wickedly;
“No excuses this time baby!”
She giggled and made no effort to resist him as he crushed his lips to hers, devouring her in a hungry kiss. Returning the kiss with all of her might, she wrapped a leg high around his thigh. Breaking apart they gasped for breath as he released her arms and delved under her tank top. Jenn braced herself against the wall and threw her other leg around his hip, grinding herself against him. She squirmed in delight as his fingers found her nipples.
“Jesus Jenn, I want you so bad baby”, his whisper came in ragged breaths as she kneaded the muscles at the back of his neck. Her response was swallowed by his mouth once more, their tongues dancing together and tasting one another. She could feel his rock hard erection straining against her through his combats as she squeezed tighter with her legs. Moaning she threw her head back as Jon moved one hand down past her panties, seeking out the heat that was exuding from between her legs.
“Oh Christ!”, she gasped, feeling his thumb graze the sensitive nub and impulsively rocked against him. He growled and pushed deeper letting her muscles clench his fingers when they were suddenly interrupted by the house phone ringing loudly on the wall beside Jenn’s ear.
“Fuck!”, she exclaimed loudly looking at the intrusion in disgust.
“Leave it!”, Jon grunted nibbling on her ear.
“No, no could be important!”, gasping she slid down to the floor, her legs threatening to give away beneath her weight.
“Hello?”, her breaths came in quick short gasps as Jon bit down on her ear lobe.
“Hey Jenn! Thought I saw a car go round back! Welcome back!” enthused Paul on the other end. “Is this a bad time?”
Couldn’t be worse timing she thought grimly. Jon was refusing to give up and his hand had snaked between her legs once more making her quiver and shake.
“No, no problem Paul, just in the door s’all!”, she suppressed a giggle as her assailant continued his exploration on her inner parts.
“Oh good….look I know you’re just back but I’ve been trying to reach you on your cell all morning”
“Oh crap! Sorry it’s still switched off in my bag somewhere.”
“Yeah, well thing is Jenn……..”, Paul’s voice was serious now, “I’m real sorry to land this on you but there’s some people here to see you…..”
“To see me? Who?” Jenn pushed Jon away to cradle the phone better and he finally relented hearing the change in her voice from relaxed to concerned.
“Erm…..Steve’s parents…….I’m sorry they just showed up last night and when I said you’d be back tomorrow they stayed over……….. They really want to see you Jenn.”
She felt her heart skip a few beats and all the colour drained from her face as she took in what she’d just heard.
Steve’s parents? Here? Oh God!
Chapter Eighteen
After a ridiculously early start, all three were safely ensconced in the spacious first class cabin of the Boeing 747 headed for New York. Glancing out the window, Jenn fought back the tears as the plane steadily rose above the clouds until the last views of Dublin Bay slid out of sight. Sighing heavily she snapped the blind shut on the window and rested her head back. As much as she enjoyed working abroad, every time she had to leave her home country it seemed that much harder. She would always be a home bird at heart and right now her heart was aching at leaving behind her family and friends once more. Her parents were both now in their early seventies and it was becoming painfully clear to her that they wouldn’t be around for ever.
Pushing any further morbid thoughts from her mind before she burst into tears there and then, she reached into the pocket in front of her and retrieved the in-flight magazine. Beside her Steph was doing the same her ipod earphones plugged firmly in her head. Jon sat in the aisle seat in front of his daughter and Jenn could still detect the faintest trace of a scowl on his face. Smiling to herself she continued thumbing through the magazine. She knew the reason for his grumpy mood. When checking in she had made quite sure that she wouldn’t be sitting beside him for the flight. Jon had been less than pleased that his plans for his own form of in-flight entertainment had been scuppered. Jenn had known exactly what he would have been up to throughout the long journey and pleasurable as it may have sounded, there was no way in hell that she was chancing anything with Steph sitting less than five feet from them!
Once breakfast had been cleared away, she pulled out her laptop and started going over plans with Steph for the horses they’d bought. In four weeks time, barring no problems, the four horses should have cleared quarantine and be safely installed in the barn that Jon had leased from Paul. Steph was relatively inexperienced when it came to actually training horses, especially novice ones and engrossed herself in the schedules that Jenn had laid out. As it was now the middle of September, she hoped to have both Steph and the horses progressed far enough by January that they could head down to Ocala in Florida for the spring to start competing. Steph was giddy with excitement and after an hour of answering questions Jenn was mentally exhausted.
“Alright, alright! Lets see if you’re still so enthusiastic in two months time! I’m telling you now Steph, this is not gonna be an easy ride! You haven’t seen me in action yet and I can be pretty hard to please.” she warned her gently.
Steph calmed down and nodded, “I know! I just can’t wait to get started!”
Jenn smiled and stowed her laptop away. Steph reminded her so much of herself as a teenager, willing to do anything if it meant climbing the ladder. There had been a time when she too had never entertained a negative thought about anything - how things have changed she mused.
After a quick trip to the bathroom, she returned to her seat to find Steph fiddling with the personal t.v screen. Squeezing past her to drop back down in her seat, she leaned over to see what the problem was. A blank screen indicated a definite lack of power somewhere and Steph threw her arms up in frustration.
“Arrghhh! Typical!”, she muttered furiously. Before Jenn could offer any help, Steph leaned forward around the seat in front of her and poked a semi-sleeping Jon in the arm.
“Dad! Will you swap seats with me? My t.v’s busted!”
Quick as a flash Jon jumped up out of his seat;
“Sure honey!”, a broad grin plastered across his face as he flashed a victorious look at Jenn.
“Steph you can swap with me!!”, she blurted out quickly but Steph was already sidling past her father into his empty seat.
Jon flopped down beside Jenn and looked triumphantly at her, an impish smirk developing at the side of his mouth;
“Hey neighbour!! How ya doin?”
‘Oh God! I’m doomed!’, Jenn thought as she glared back at him. Just the way he was looking at her already had a warm flush creeping up her neck. She shot him a warning look and then smiled sweetly pulling out her eyemask;
“Time for a nap I think!” smirking herself as the smile vanished from his face, she snapped the elastic over her head and settled back to snooze.
Jon stared at her incredulously. ‘She can not be serious? Hmmph! She wants to play hard ball huh!’ Standing up, he retrieved a blanket from the overhead compartment and leaned over Jenn’s seat. Laying it lightly across her he fought back a grin as he felt her startle beneath him.
“Just making you comfortable Madam!”, he imitated in his best British accent. With a furtive glance about the cabin to make sure no-one was watching, Steph included, he leaned lower and blew gently on her neck. She stiffened instantly as the hairs stood up on her skin. Pursing her lips, she refused to let herself move, praying he would give up before someone noticed. Shivering she felt him tuck the blanket around her, his fingers discreetly brushing the curve of her breasts, pausing to squeeze only slightly as continued down her legs to her feet.
“Tut, tut!”, he whispered, “Madam should really not sleep with her shoes on. Not good for one’s circulation!”
Grasping her ankles, he eased off her trainers and lightly tickled the undersides of her toes. Jenn could contain herself no longer and squealed, jerking her knees up towards her chin. Unfortunately, Jon’s head didn’t quite get out of the way quick enough and her right knee hit him square under his chin with a loud crack as bone met bone.
“Fuck!”, he moaned as he slumped back on his seat, rubbing his jaw furiously.
“Shit! Sorry!” Jenn scrambled to sit up straight and tore off her mask, convinced she’d done serious damage. He waggled his jaw from side to side and found everything in working order albeit a bit tender. Seeing no harm was done, Jenn smirked and leaning towards him whispered in his ear;
“Serves you right asshole! Behave yourself and nobody gets hurt!” and winking at him, lay back and replaced her eye mask, grinning all the while.
Jon smiled to himself and shook his head ruefully. She was a live wire that was for sure! Resigning himself to the fact that he wasn’t going to get any action on this flight anyway, he closed his own eyes still massaging his bruised jaw. Might as well sleep if nothing better was on offer!
Pushing any further morbid thoughts from her mind before she burst into tears there and then, she reached into the pocket in front of her and retrieved the in-flight magazine. Beside her Steph was doing the same her ipod earphones plugged firmly in her head. Jon sat in the aisle seat in front of his daughter and Jenn could still detect the faintest trace of a scowl on his face. Smiling to herself she continued thumbing through the magazine. She knew the reason for his grumpy mood. When checking in she had made quite sure that she wouldn’t be sitting beside him for the flight. Jon had been less than pleased that his plans for his own form of in-flight entertainment had been scuppered. Jenn had known exactly what he would have been up to throughout the long journey and pleasurable as it may have sounded, there was no way in hell that she was chancing anything with Steph sitting less than five feet from them!
Once breakfast had been cleared away, she pulled out her laptop and started going over plans with Steph for the horses they’d bought. In four weeks time, barring no problems, the four horses should have cleared quarantine and be safely installed in the barn that Jon had leased from Paul. Steph was relatively inexperienced when it came to actually training horses, especially novice ones and engrossed herself in the schedules that Jenn had laid out. As it was now the middle of September, she hoped to have both Steph and the horses progressed far enough by January that they could head down to Ocala in Florida for the spring to start competing. Steph was giddy with excitement and after an hour of answering questions Jenn was mentally exhausted.
“Alright, alright! Lets see if you’re still so enthusiastic in two months time! I’m telling you now Steph, this is not gonna be an easy ride! You haven’t seen me in action yet and I can be pretty hard to please.” she warned her gently.
Steph calmed down and nodded, “I know! I just can’t wait to get started!”
Jenn smiled and stowed her laptop away. Steph reminded her so much of herself as a teenager, willing to do anything if it meant climbing the ladder. There had been a time when she too had never entertained a negative thought about anything - how things have changed she mused.
After a quick trip to the bathroom, she returned to her seat to find Steph fiddling with the personal t.v screen. Squeezing past her to drop back down in her seat, she leaned over to see what the problem was. A blank screen indicated a definite lack of power somewhere and Steph threw her arms up in frustration.
“Arrghhh! Typical!”, she muttered furiously. Before Jenn could offer any help, Steph leaned forward around the seat in front of her and poked a semi-sleeping Jon in the arm.
“Dad! Will you swap seats with me? My t.v’s busted!”
Quick as a flash Jon jumped up out of his seat;
“Sure honey!”, a broad grin plastered across his face as he flashed a victorious look at Jenn.
“Steph you can swap with me!!”, she blurted out quickly but Steph was already sidling past her father into his empty seat.
Jon flopped down beside Jenn and looked triumphantly at her, an impish smirk developing at the side of his mouth;
“Hey neighbour!! How ya doin?”
‘Oh God! I’m doomed!’, Jenn thought as she glared back at him. Just the way he was looking at her already had a warm flush creeping up her neck. She shot him a warning look and then smiled sweetly pulling out her eyemask;
“Time for a nap I think!” smirking herself as the smile vanished from his face, she snapped the elastic over her head and settled back to snooze.
Jon stared at her incredulously. ‘She can not be serious? Hmmph! She wants to play hard ball huh!’ Standing up, he retrieved a blanket from the overhead compartment and leaned over Jenn’s seat. Laying it lightly across her he fought back a grin as he felt her startle beneath him.
“Just making you comfortable Madam!”, he imitated in his best British accent. With a furtive glance about the cabin to make sure no-one was watching, Steph included, he leaned lower and blew gently on her neck. She stiffened instantly as the hairs stood up on her skin. Pursing her lips, she refused to let herself move, praying he would give up before someone noticed. Shivering she felt him tuck the blanket around her, his fingers discreetly brushing the curve of her breasts, pausing to squeeze only slightly as continued down her legs to her feet.
“Tut, tut!”, he whispered, “Madam should really not sleep with her shoes on. Not good for one’s circulation!”
Grasping her ankles, he eased off her trainers and lightly tickled the undersides of her toes. Jenn could contain herself no longer and squealed, jerking her knees up towards her chin. Unfortunately, Jon’s head didn’t quite get out of the way quick enough and her right knee hit him square under his chin with a loud crack as bone met bone.
“Fuck!”, he moaned as he slumped back on his seat, rubbing his jaw furiously.
“Shit! Sorry!” Jenn scrambled to sit up straight and tore off her mask, convinced she’d done serious damage. He waggled his jaw from side to side and found everything in working order albeit a bit tender. Seeing no harm was done, Jenn smirked and leaning towards him whispered in his ear;
“Serves you right asshole! Behave yourself and nobody gets hurt!” and winking at him, lay back and replaced her eye mask, grinning all the while.
Jon smiled to himself and shook his head ruefully. She was a live wire that was for sure! Resigning himself to the fact that he wasn’t going to get any action on this flight anyway, he closed his own eyes still massaging his bruised jaw. Might as well sleep if nothing better was on offer!
Monday, 6 July 2009
Chapter Seventeen
Dinner was a somewhat muted affair with both ladies present at the table grimly pushing their food around the plates. Jon had attempted to make light conversation as they waited on their orders but had given up when he had gotten nothing more than tight smiles and curt nods from both of them. When the waiter offered dessert, all of them declined with Steph failing miserably to stifle a yawn.
“You must be wrecked after today Steph! Long day huh?” Jenn gave her a subtle wink.
She laughed nervously and nodded, “Yeah, think all the Irish country air has got the better of me! Actually if you guys don’t mind I might head upstairs. I’ve still got a bit of packing to do before I go to bed.”
“Good idea honey, I’ll be up after you in a bit.” Jon smiled at his daughter as she left the table.
Jenn wished her goodnight and fiddled nervously with the watch on her wrist. Jon looked towards her and nudged her ankle gently with his foot under the table.
“Nightcap?”
She breathed in deeply through her nose and let it out between her lips to try and quell the rising nerves deep in the pit of her stomach.
“Definitely! I need to have a talk with you anyway……..” Glancing around her at the other diners she added “……in private.”
Jon noted the grim determination edged on her face and reckoned he wasn’t gonna like whatever the thoughts were that were swirling around Jenn’s head.
“Sure thing - your room?”
She nodded feeling relief at the fact that at least she wouldn’t have to worry about anymore rumours being circulated. Somebody had obviously been watching them the past few nights. Walking out of the dining room in front of him, she tensed momentarily as she felt his hand touch the small of her back. “Breathe baby, breathe”, she heard him murmer softly behind her. Swallowing hard she lead them over to the elevator, Jon never lifted his hand away once as they rode in silence up the floors. It was only after Jenn had let them into her room and closed the door firmly behind them that she started to speak.
“Jon, look I’m sorry about……..”
He moved in swiftly, wrapping a hand around the back of her neck and crushing her lips to hers, effectively cutting off any speech Jenn had planned. Unable to help herself, she closed her eyes and relaxed against him, curling her arms around his muscular back. Her knees wobbled as his tongue gently prised her lips apart and probed her own. Never breaking apart for a second, he manoeuvred them over to the bed until the back of Jenn’s legs just touched the throwback. Letting his hands trail past her shoulders down to the gentle curve of her bosum, he began placing butterfly kisses down the length of her neck, sucking slightly at the spot where he knew her pulse was beating wildly. She drew in her breath sharply and threw her head back as his thumbs grazed her nipples through the thin fabric of her dress.
“Oh God, Jon……..”
“Ssshh baby”, he crooned as his hands slipped around her back and eased the dress zipper down to just above the base of her ass. Tracing a finger lightly down her spine, Jenn gave a small cry and let herself fall back on the soft mattress as a jolt of electricity passed through her body. Jon moved with her pushing his knee high up between her thighs as he hovered above her. Leaning back he slowly slipped the straps of her dress free of her body. She watched him through darkly hooded eyes as the material fell away to expose her heaving, bra-less chest. As his head bent down to suckle on one of her rigid nipples she ran her fingers through his thick hair, tugging softly as he nibbled. Raising her hips she allowed him to tug the rest of her dress down her body past her panties. Lifting a leg she wriggled out of it, gasping as a hand cupped the throbbing lips between her legs. Feeling his fingers slide under the scrap of lace, her pelvis bucked involuntarily. She was more than ready for him and Jon smiled as his fingers met with a slick trickle of fluid. Deciding he’d taken things slow enough he plunged two fingers deep inside, stretching her to the limit. A scream escaped Jenn’s lips as her hips shot off the bed and she nearly yanked a fistful of his hair out.
“Yeouch woman!”, he grinned up at her raising his lips from her breasts momentarily.
“Sorry but oooooohh……” Yet again she was unable to finish her sentence as he mercilessly added a third finger and dove deep inside her tight walls. Pumping strongly in and out of her, he felt his fingers being sucked in as the tight muscles clenched around them and Jenn screamed her release. Feeling the waves subside he sat up and withdrew his hand taking her panties with him. She lay gasping for air, gripping the duvet tightly and watched as he unbuckled his belt, threw off his jacket and pulled off his shirt all in one seemingly smooth movement. Raising herself up on her elbows, Jenn took in the very noticeable bulge protruding behind his tightly fitted shorts. Sitting up she pulled him to her and looked straight up into his eyes, hooking her fingers inside the elastic band. Now it was Jon’s turn to suck in his breath sharply as she released him from the fabric prison and his cock sprang free and straight into her waiting mouth. Groaning he looked down into her seemingly unblinking eyes as she swirled her tongue around the engorged tip, tasting the fluid which was rapidly gathering there.
Suddenly feeling the impending rush at the base of his shaft he pulled his hips back and gently pushed her back on the bed once more. Surprising him, he watched as she flipped beneath him propping herself up on her knees. With her hair tousled messily in heaped waves around her face she looked back over shoulder and lowered herself down onto her elbows. Jon needed no further enticement and grasping her hips on either side, entered her quickly and deeply in one swift thrust. A muffled moan came from the woman beneath him as she buried her face in the soft comforter. Meeting each other thrust for thrust, beads of sweat trickled off Jon’s brow as his breathing grew more laboured and his legs began to tremble. Bracing himself on her back, they met in one final crescendo. This time Jenn lifted her head and screamed aloud. Never before had she felt a man fill her so completely and she felt her insides melt away as stars exploded in the depths of her brain. Jon buried to the hilt released his warm load within her and collapsed on her back, their sweat slicked bodies embracing each other in the heat of passion.
They lay like that for several moments, neither able to move a muscle even if they wanted to. As both their breathing started to even out, Jon kissed the back of her neck softly and whispered in her ear,
“You’re incredible baby, you know that?”
Jenn smiled and twisted to face him, gasping in pleasure as she felt him slide out of her.
“You’re pretty incredible yourself!”
Sidling up beside her he pulled the tendrils of hair that were glued to her face from sweat and pushed them back across her forehead. Kissing her sweetly, he gazed deep into her wide eyes.
“I know you’re scared baby, hell I’m scared a bit myself but I believe in this. This ain’t a fling Jenn and I’m not gonna hurt you.” Pausing he sighed and caressed her cheek with the back of a hand, “I’m not gonna lie to you, it won’t be all plain sailing but if you trust me, we’ll get through it - one day at a time okay?”
Jenn felt her heart pounding in her chest as he spoke. His blue eyes gazed at her with such sincerity she couldn’t help but believe him. Swallowing she spoke slowly,
“I freaked out today Jon. I heard a bunch of stuff on the radio and well I just…….freaked! This has all happened so fast that I felt like I was out of control and I’m not used to feeling that way.”
Her eyes filled with tears, emotions threatening to overwhelm her.
“Sssh baby, please don’t cry.” he wiped away her tears with his thumbs. “I don’t know where we’re headed darlin’ but I’m sure as hell willing to find out………come with me Jenn, lets find out together.”
She reached up and kissed him softly on the lips. “I don’t think I’ve got a choice, my heart’s already gone on without me”, she whispered.
Grinning he rolled over on his back so she was straddling him. Squeezing her waist gently he gazed up at her flushed face.
“You better catch up with it quick then woman before I steal it for good!”
“You must be wrecked after today Steph! Long day huh?” Jenn gave her a subtle wink.
She laughed nervously and nodded, “Yeah, think all the Irish country air has got the better of me! Actually if you guys don’t mind I might head upstairs. I’ve still got a bit of packing to do before I go to bed.”
“Good idea honey, I’ll be up after you in a bit.” Jon smiled at his daughter as she left the table.
Jenn wished her goodnight and fiddled nervously with the watch on her wrist. Jon looked towards her and nudged her ankle gently with his foot under the table.
“Nightcap?”
She breathed in deeply through her nose and let it out between her lips to try and quell the rising nerves deep in the pit of her stomach.
“Definitely! I need to have a talk with you anyway……..” Glancing around her at the other diners she added “……in private.”
Jon noted the grim determination edged on her face and reckoned he wasn’t gonna like whatever the thoughts were that were swirling around Jenn’s head.
“Sure thing - your room?”
She nodded feeling relief at the fact that at least she wouldn’t have to worry about anymore rumours being circulated. Somebody had obviously been watching them the past few nights. Walking out of the dining room in front of him, she tensed momentarily as she felt his hand touch the small of her back. “Breathe baby, breathe”, she heard him murmer softly behind her. Swallowing hard she lead them over to the elevator, Jon never lifted his hand away once as they rode in silence up the floors. It was only after Jenn had let them into her room and closed the door firmly behind them that she started to speak.
“Jon, look I’m sorry about……..”
He moved in swiftly, wrapping a hand around the back of her neck and crushing her lips to hers, effectively cutting off any speech Jenn had planned. Unable to help herself, she closed her eyes and relaxed against him, curling her arms around his muscular back. Her knees wobbled as his tongue gently prised her lips apart and probed her own. Never breaking apart for a second, he manoeuvred them over to the bed until the back of Jenn’s legs just touched the throwback. Letting his hands trail past her shoulders down to the gentle curve of her bosum, he began placing butterfly kisses down the length of her neck, sucking slightly at the spot where he knew her pulse was beating wildly. She drew in her breath sharply and threw her head back as his thumbs grazed her nipples through the thin fabric of her dress.
“Oh God, Jon……..”
“Ssshh baby”, he crooned as his hands slipped around her back and eased the dress zipper down to just above the base of her ass. Tracing a finger lightly down her spine, Jenn gave a small cry and let herself fall back on the soft mattress as a jolt of electricity passed through her body. Jon moved with her pushing his knee high up between her thighs as he hovered above her. Leaning back he slowly slipped the straps of her dress free of her body. She watched him through darkly hooded eyes as the material fell away to expose her heaving, bra-less chest. As his head bent down to suckle on one of her rigid nipples she ran her fingers through his thick hair, tugging softly as he nibbled. Raising her hips she allowed him to tug the rest of her dress down her body past her panties. Lifting a leg she wriggled out of it, gasping as a hand cupped the throbbing lips between her legs. Feeling his fingers slide under the scrap of lace, her pelvis bucked involuntarily. She was more than ready for him and Jon smiled as his fingers met with a slick trickle of fluid. Deciding he’d taken things slow enough he plunged two fingers deep inside, stretching her to the limit. A scream escaped Jenn’s lips as her hips shot off the bed and she nearly yanked a fistful of his hair out.
“Yeouch woman!”, he grinned up at her raising his lips from her breasts momentarily.
“Sorry but oooooohh……” Yet again she was unable to finish her sentence as he mercilessly added a third finger and dove deep inside her tight walls. Pumping strongly in and out of her, he felt his fingers being sucked in as the tight muscles clenched around them and Jenn screamed her release. Feeling the waves subside he sat up and withdrew his hand taking her panties with him. She lay gasping for air, gripping the duvet tightly and watched as he unbuckled his belt, threw off his jacket and pulled off his shirt all in one seemingly smooth movement. Raising herself up on her elbows, Jenn took in the very noticeable bulge protruding behind his tightly fitted shorts. Sitting up she pulled him to her and looked straight up into his eyes, hooking her fingers inside the elastic band. Now it was Jon’s turn to suck in his breath sharply as she released him from the fabric prison and his cock sprang free and straight into her waiting mouth. Groaning he looked down into her seemingly unblinking eyes as she swirled her tongue around the engorged tip, tasting the fluid which was rapidly gathering there.
Suddenly feeling the impending rush at the base of his shaft he pulled his hips back and gently pushed her back on the bed once more. Surprising him, he watched as she flipped beneath him propping herself up on her knees. With her hair tousled messily in heaped waves around her face she looked back over shoulder and lowered herself down onto her elbows. Jon needed no further enticement and grasping her hips on either side, entered her quickly and deeply in one swift thrust. A muffled moan came from the woman beneath him as she buried her face in the soft comforter. Meeting each other thrust for thrust, beads of sweat trickled off Jon’s brow as his breathing grew more laboured and his legs began to tremble. Bracing himself on her back, they met in one final crescendo. This time Jenn lifted her head and screamed aloud. Never before had she felt a man fill her so completely and she felt her insides melt away as stars exploded in the depths of her brain. Jon buried to the hilt released his warm load within her and collapsed on her back, their sweat slicked bodies embracing each other in the heat of passion.
They lay like that for several moments, neither able to move a muscle even if they wanted to. As both their breathing started to even out, Jon kissed the back of her neck softly and whispered in her ear,
“You’re incredible baby, you know that?”
Jenn smiled and twisted to face him, gasping in pleasure as she felt him slide out of her.
“You’re pretty incredible yourself!”
Sidling up beside her he pulled the tendrils of hair that were glued to her face from sweat and pushed them back across her forehead. Kissing her sweetly, he gazed deep into her wide eyes.
“I know you’re scared baby, hell I’m scared a bit myself but I believe in this. This ain’t a fling Jenn and I’m not gonna hurt you.” Pausing he sighed and caressed her cheek with the back of a hand, “I’m not gonna lie to you, it won’t be all plain sailing but if you trust me, we’ll get through it - one day at a time okay?”
Jenn felt her heart pounding in her chest as he spoke. His blue eyes gazed at her with such sincerity she couldn’t help but believe him. Swallowing she spoke slowly,
“I freaked out today Jon. I heard a bunch of stuff on the radio and well I just…….freaked! This has all happened so fast that I felt like I was out of control and I’m not used to feeling that way.”
Her eyes filled with tears, emotions threatening to overwhelm her.
“Sssh baby, please don’t cry.” he wiped away her tears with his thumbs. “I don’t know where we’re headed darlin’ but I’m sure as hell willing to find out………come with me Jenn, lets find out together.”
She reached up and kissed him softly on the lips. “I don’t think I’ve got a choice, my heart’s already gone on without me”, she whispered.
Grinning he rolled over on his back so she was straddling him. Squeezing her waist gently he gazed up at her flushed face.
“You better catch up with it quick then woman before I steal it for good!”
Friday, 19 June 2009
Chapter Sixteen
Jon had reserved a table for the three of them in the hotel’s dining room. Seeing as they had a 6am flight out of Dublin, an early night was planned. He’d been somewhat bemused by his daughter ever since she had gotten back from her day at the farm. When he asked how the horses had gone he’d gotten little in the way of information yet Steph hadn’t stopped grinning and bouncing around while getting ready for dinner.
“So you had a good day then I take it?” he asked bending over to tie his laces.
“Yup!” came back the answer from the mirror where Steph was fooling with her hair parting.
“What did you all day?” Jon was leaning back on the chair now, arms folded and eyes narrowed.
“Um…rode a few horses!” came another short reply.
Hmmm. Steph was normally pretty descriptive about things especially horses so this was getting suspicious.
“And in between?” he asked with arched eyebrows.
Steph was now busy applying lip gloss and engrossed in the mirror.
“Emmmmm……shust shstufff……”, she mumbled through her teeth, lips peeled back to add an even coat of gloss.
Jon cleared his throat,
“What was that in English??”
With a smack of her lips, Steph threw the lip gloss into her clutch bag and turned around to face her father with an exasperated sigh,
“Gee Dad, what’s with the inquisition? I rode a load of horses, learned a bunch of stuff and had a fun day! Happy?”
Jon laughed and held his hands up in defence,
“Whoah okay kiddo! If you say so! Was just wondering s’all!”
Steph just rolled her eyes and grabbed her bag.
“Ready?”
Shaking his head, Jon got up and took his daughter’s arm. As stubborn as he knew himself to be, he was no match for Steph!
Jenn had phoned up earlier to say she’d meet them in the bar. Well actually she’d told Steph, Jon hadn’t had the chance to speak to her since their parting that morning. Just before they walked in to the bar, Steph’s phone buzzed from her bag and she motioned for Jon to go ahead without her. Walking in he looked around and spotted a familiar looking dark haired woman sitting at the bar with her back to him. She wore a simple deep purple summer dress which hugged her figure in all the right places, creased slightly where her legs crossed over at the knee. His eyes travelled down her long, toned legs to where they tapered off into a pair of black heels. She was tapping one foot restlessly against the bar-front and knocking back what Jon suspected to be a large vodka and coke at an alarming rate.
Stepping up behind her, he leaned over slightly and whispered in her ear,
“Hey there good lookin, mind if I join you?”
Jenn, so absorbed in her thoughts, promptly shot up in her seat and let her glass bang down on the counter with a noisy clank.
“Jesus Jon! You nearly gave me a heart attack!”
Swinging around in her seat she looked behind him.
“Where’s Steph?”
Jon leaned against the bar and with his hands in his pockets shrugged and rolled his eyes,
“Where she is most of the time, glued to her damn cell phone!”
Jenn relaxed a little and nodded toward her empty glass, “Join me?”
“Just a beer thanks, don’t think my liver is quite recovered enough yet for hard liquor again!”
He grinned and nodded towards her glass, “I see you’re having no such problems!”
She smiled as she nodded at the bartender for the drinks, “Just one or two to help me sleep tonight that’s all.”
Running a hand through her hair to sweep it back off her face she looked Jon over. Dressed in black dress trousers and a pale blue shirt he made a dazzling sight. He was smirking slightly as he leaned towards her once more,
“Think I could come up with one or two more ways to help you get a good nights sleep baby!”
“Jon!”, Jenn hissed at him darting quick looks over her shoulder for fear that Steph may appear.
“What?” The smirk turned into a smile, displaying his beautiful teeth.
“Not here! Steph might hear!”
He took a look over his shoulder and a swig from his beer.
“Relax Jenn! I know my daughter well enough to know that we’ve got at least another ten minutes before she’s finished gossiping to whoever!”
She pressed her lips together and turned back to face the bar.
“Yeah well that’s not the point! Things are complicated enough as they are!” She grimly lifted her glass and took a large swallow.
Jon’s face clouded over with concern,
“Hey hey, what’s all this about? What’s complicated?”
Jenn looked at him and was just about to open her mouth to speak when she spotted Steph walking up behind Jon with a definite scowl on her face. Jon followed her gaze and turned around to see his daughter jump up on the stool beside him and dump her bag on the counter in frustration.
“Hey kiddo! What’s up?”
She looked up at him with cross eyes and stated,
“Mom! That’s what’s up!”
Jon sighed, Dot hadn’t been too happy about Steph coming away with him but he’d insisted on it. Hell, she was his daughter too and this was their project. He put his drink down and waited for her to embellish further.
“She claims we never told her how long we’d be away and that I should keep horses as a hobby and get a “real career” first, blah, blah! We’ve been over and over this and I finally thought she was cool with it! Huh! Apparently not!” She threw an exasperated look at her father. “I mean we’ve been away less than a week and she’s freaking out already, and arrghhh!!” She threw her arms up in anger and looked to Jon for a response.
“Okay honey, just relax. I think you may have just caught your Mom in a bad mood and she’s missing you that’s all.” He put his arm around Steph whose eyes were still blazing with annoyance and squeezed her protectively, “It’ll be ok, I’ll talk to her when we get home alright?” She nodded and smiled a little as Jon dropped a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Jenn had been sitting quietly at Jon’s other side throughout the conversation. Looking up from her glass, she smiled at Steph who gave her an apologetic grin back.
“Sorry about that Jenn! Didn’t mean to rant on and on but don’t worry - you’ll soooo see where I’m coming from when you meet my Mom!”
Jenn paled slightly and took another big gulp from her glass. So Dorothea already disliked her for taking her daughter away for a week huh? ‘God help me if she ever finds out I’ve slept with her husband - EX-husband!!’, she reminded herself fiercely.
Jon stood looking at the two disgruntled women on either side of him and was at a loss for what to do. Grabbing his beer, he knocked the remainder of it back in a few swallows and announced,
“Dinner time I think ladies!!”
Food would help he reckoned, be a good distraction. Because now that he had seen the look in Jenn’s eyes when Dot was mentioned, he had a pretty good idea what all the tension in her was about.
“So you had a good day then I take it?” he asked bending over to tie his laces.
“Yup!” came back the answer from the mirror where Steph was fooling with her hair parting.
“What did you all day?” Jon was leaning back on the chair now, arms folded and eyes narrowed.
“Um…rode a few horses!” came another short reply.
Hmmm. Steph was normally pretty descriptive about things especially horses so this was getting suspicious.
“And in between?” he asked with arched eyebrows.
Steph was now busy applying lip gloss and engrossed in the mirror.
“Emmmmm……shust shstufff……”, she mumbled through her teeth, lips peeled back to add an even coat of gloss.
Jon cleared his throat,
“What was that in English??”
With a smack of her lips, Steph threw the lip gloss into her clutch bag and turned around to face her father with an exasperated sigh,
“Gee Dad, what’s with the inquisition? I rode a load of horses, learned a bunch of stuff and had a fun day! Happy?”
Jon laughed and held his hands up in defence,
“Whoah okay kiddo! If you say so! Was just wondering s’all!”
Steph just rolled her eyes and grabbed her bag.
“Ready?”
Shaking his head, Jon got up and took his daughter’s arm. As stubborn as he knew himself to be, he was no match for Steph!
Jenn had phoned up earlier to say she’d meet them in the bar. Well actually she’d told Steph, Jon hadn’t had the chance to speak to her since their parting that morning. Just before they walked in to the bar, Steph’s phone buzzed from her bag and she motioned for Jon to go ahead without her. Walking in he looked around and spotted a familiar looking dark haired woman sitting at the bar with her back to him. She wore a simple deep purple summer dress which hugged her figure in all the right places, creased slightly where her legs crossed over at the knee. His eyes travelled down her long, toned legs to where they tapered off into a pair of black heels. She was tapping one foot restlessly against the bar-front and knocking back what Jon suspected to be a large vodka and coke at an alarming rate.
Stepping up behind her, he leaned over slightly and whispered in her ear,
“Hey there good lookin, mind if I join you?”
Jenn, so absorbed in her thoughts, promptly shot up in her seat and let her glass bang down on the counter with a noisy clank.
“Jesus Jon! You nearly gave me a heart attack!”
Swinging around in her seat she looked behind him.
“Where’s Steph?”
Jon leaned against the bar and with his hands in his pockets shrugged and rolled his eyes,
“Where she is most of the time, glued to her damn cell phone!”
Jenn relaxed a little and nodded toward her empty glass, “Join me?”
“Just a beer thanks, don’t think my liver is quite recovered enough yet for hard liquor again!”
He grinned and nodded towards her glass, “I see you’re having no such problems!”
She smiled as she nodded at the bartender for the drinks, “Just one or two to help me sleep tonight that’s all.”
Running a hand through her hair to sweep it back off her face she looked Jon over. Dressed in black dress trousers and a pale blue shirt he made a dazzling sight. He was smirking slightly as he leaned towards her once more,
“Think I could come up with one or two more ways to help you get a good nights sleep baby!”
“Jon!”, Jenn hissed at him darting quick looks over her shoulder for fear that Steph may appear.
“What?” The smirk turned into a smile, displaying his beautiful teeth.
“Not here! Steph might hear!”
He took a look over his shoulder and a swig from his beer.
“Relax Jenn! I know my daughter well enough to know that we’ve got at least another ten minutes before she’s finished gossiping to whoever!”
She pressed her lips together and turned back to face the bar.
“Yeah well that’s not the point! Things are complicated enough as they are!” She grimly lifted her glass and took a large swallow.
Jon’s face clouded over with concern,
“Hey hey, what’s all this about? What’s complicated?”
Jenn looked at him and was just about to open her mouth to speak when she spotted Steph walking up behind Jon with a definite scowl on her face. Jon followed her gaze and turned around to see his daughter jump up on the stool beside him and dump her bag on the counter in frustration.
“Hey kiddo! What’s up?”
She looked up at him with cross eyes and stated,
“Mom! That’s what’s up!”
Jon sighed, Dot hadn’t been too happy about Steph coming away with him but he’d insisted on it. Hell, she was his daughter too and this was their project. He put his drink down and waited for her to embellish further.
“She claims we never told her how long we’d be away and that I should keep horses as a hobby and get a “real career” first, blah, blah! We’ve been over and over this and I finally thought she was cool with it! Huh! Apparently not!” She threw an exasperated look at her father. “I mean we’ve been away less than a week and she’s freaking out already, and arrghhh!!” She threw her arms up in anger and looked to Jon for a response.
“Okay honey, just relax. I think you may have just caught your Mom in a bad mood and she’s missing you that’s all.” He put his arm around Steph whose eyes were still blazing with annoyance and squeezed her protectively, “It’ll be ok, I’ll talk to her when we get home alright?” She nodded and smiled a little as Jon dropped a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Jenn had been sitting quietly at Jon’s other side throughout the conversation. Looking up from her glass, she smiled at Steph who gave her an apologetic grin back.
“Sorry about that Jenn! Didn’t mean to rant on and on but don’t worry - you’ll soooo see where I’m coming from when you meet my Mom!”
Jenn paled slightly and took another big gulp from her glass. So Dorothea already disliked her for taking her daughter away for a week huh? ‘God help me if she ever finds out I’ve slept with her husband - EX-husband!!’, she reminded herself fiercely.
Jon stood looking at the two disgruntled women on either side of him and was at a loss for what to do. Grabbing his beer, he knocked the remainder of it back in a few swallows and announced,
“Dinner time I think ladies!!”
Food would help he reckoned, be a good distraction. Because now that he had seen the look in Jenn’s eyes when Dot was mentioned, he had a pretty good idea what all the tension in her was about.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Chapter Fifteen
A couple of hours later Jenn was zooming down the motorway to pay her parents a final visit before they went back to the states the following day. All signs of a hangover had evaporated following her breakfast with Jon and the activities that had followed thereafter. That man had wicked ways and she shivered in delight thinking back on exactly how many of those he had demonstrated to her. She felt young and carefree, it was amazing how falling head over heels for a man can change one’s whole outlook on life!
Jon had stayed behind to meet with a few people on business and she had agreed to pick Steph up on her way back to the hotel in time for dinner. After a tearful farewell to her parents, she headed for the back roads in an effort to beat the commuter traffic from Dublin. Soon stuck behind a tractor and trailer on a narrow secondary road Jenn groaned in frustration. So much for making up time! Resigning herself to being stuck behind this guy for a while she flipped on the radio onto the national station. A selection of recession busting advertisements flooded through the car’s sound system all promising cut throat deals for one day only. Seriously! Does nobody think about anything except the damn recession? Swearing to herself she flicked onto one of the lesser known regional radio stations and swerved violently when a familiar voice crooned over the static.
And I will love you, Baby, Always
And I’ll be there forever and a day, Always
I’ll be there till the stars don’t shine
Till the heavens burst
And the words don’t rhyme
And I know when I die, you’ll be on my mind
And I’ll love you - Always
God the man was everywhere! Relaxing she hummed along to the familiar tune, smiling as the events of the last couple days replayed in her mind. Just as the final notes of the song faded away, the DJ’s voice came cutting in,
Ah yes Bon Jovi’s Always, one of the classics. And let me tell you people, word on the buzz this evening is that Mr Bon Jovi himself is visiting the city at the moment. Sources tell me the rock star has been spotted in one of our finer hotels entertaining a lady friend who has not been identified. Maybe love is in the air again for Bon Jovi who is rumoured to be splitting from his wife of over twenty years. Yes folks another Hollywood marriage has hit the rocks, maybe he’s looking for an Irish replacement - watch out girls!
The DJ chuckled and cut to another song but Jenn’s brain has frozen as she tried to process what she’d just heard. Fuck! Gritting her teeth she blew out a breath slowly through her lips. Jesus what if Steph heard that? Shit she wasn’t even sure how she felt about hearing that let alone anyone else. Just what exactly was she letting herself in for?
She drove along in a daze for a few moments trying to digest what she had just heard when her cell phone buzzed on the seat beside her. Snapping back to reality she grabbed it and glanced at the caller I.D - Karen. Grimacing slightly she answered the call bracing herself,
“Hey Kar!”
“OMG!! You will not believe what I just heard on the radio!!”
Jenn sucked in her breath sharply.
“Emmm, actually I think I will because I just heard it as well!”
Karen shrieked on the other end of the line,
“How exciting is this! You’re gonna be a real life celebrity -imagine my best friend - famous..”
“Karen! Stop!” Jenn cut across her friend sharply. “This is not what it’s about, I do NOT want to be a celebrity, I will NEVER be a celebrity. Jesus!”
Karen was quiet for a moment, shocked at Jenn’s outburst.
“Sorry hun, I didn’t mean to sound like that, it just shocked the hell out of me!”
Jenn instantly regretted snapping at her and spoke softly,
“No I’m sorry honey. I shouldn’t have jumped down your throat, it’s just that well I’m kinda shell shocked that’s all.”
The road in front of her was now clear and she pressed her foot down on the accelerator anxious to pick Steph up in time. Flipping the phone to loudspeaker she tossed it on the seat beside her and listened to Karen’s words.
“Honey I know this must be hard but look if you’re gonna be dating a rock star…well sweetie you’re gonna have to get used to it! But look, they don’t even know who you are, just a mystery woman so that’s not so bad.”
“Yeah for the moment you mean! And what do you mean by dating? Who said anything about dating?”
“Well….aren’t you?”
Jenn paused and wondered exactly how much she should tell her about what had happened since she last saw her.
“I dunno Kar, I mean I do but it’s just not something I really want to discuss with anybody yet. I need to figure some stuff out.”
“Quit the bullshit my friend! I wasn’t that drunk the other night and it was perfectly obvious what was going on between the pair of you! Stop being such a drama queen and enjoy it!”
Well hell Karen! Don’t beat about the bush anyway, Jenn thought to herself. Sighing she forced herself to admit that at least Karen was talking sense.
“Yeah I know you’ve got a point but there’s more to this whole thing than just Jon and I. For one there’s Steph, I mean her parents are only separated a few months for Gods sake.”
“Yes I understand that but they are getting divorced right?”
“Well, yeah….actually I don’t really know. I haven’t discussed that with him.”
Realisation suddenly dawned on her. What the hell did she really know about Jon’s personal life. Legally he was still a married man. Oh crap, things were already getting complicated. Her stomach was starting to feel queasy at the thought of it.
“Well sweetie if you want my advice, and you’re gonna get it anyway, you better make that top priority to talk about with him before this thing, whatever it may be goes any further!”
“I will Kar, look I better go - I’m on my way to pick up Steph. I’ll call you when I’m back in the states ok?”
Karen’s voice was filled with concern as she replied,
“You take care of yourself sweetie and remember I’m just a phone call away alright?”
“I know honey, chat soon.”
Hanging up she stared at the empty road before her. Getting to Steph on time wasn’t gonna be a problem but was talking to her going to be one? She really hadn’t bargained on getting herself into this much strife when she took on the job. She grabbed for her bag on the floor and found her pack of cigarettes. She’d been doing pretty good on cutting back on them the past few weeks but now was definitely a time for nicotine. Inhaling deeply, she relaxed as the rich smoke hit the spot. A disgusting habit she knew, but it sure had it’s advantages at times.
About ten minutes later Jenn swung into the old farm yard to see Steph and Tommy sitting on a fence waiting for her. Waving at them, she turned the car around to face out, giving the young couple time for their final goodbyes. Any fears she might have had about talking to Steph vanished as soon as she had joined her in the car. Steph didn’t let her get a word in edgeways the whole way back to the hotel, filling her in on her day at the farm and Jenn was more than happy to let her babble away.
As they made their way up to their rooms, Steph enquired what herself and Jon had gotten up to during the day.
“Oh nothing much, I visited my parents and I think your Dad had some work things to sort out.”
Jenn hoped she wasn’t blushing and if she was Steph didn’t seem to pay any heed.
“Oh I might have known, Dad’s itching to get back to work again. If Richie is still at home when we get back we won’t see much of them!” Steph grinned and rolled her eyes. “Suppose it won’t really matter anyway, we’ll be busy with the horses won’t we?”
Jenn ignored the pang she felt when she thought about the possibility of not seeing Jon so much when they got back to Jersey. Smiling she clapped a hand on Steph’s back.
“You bet we will be! From dawn to dusk!”
“Cool! See you for dinner in a bit!” Steph headed upstairs to the suite as Jenn opened her door. The first sight that greeted her was a large bunch of creamy white lilies, set in a vase on the vanity table complete with a large bow holding them together. Crossing the room to smell them, she picked up the small card left beside them. Smiling she read the scribbled words,
Hope you had a good day , missed you! Xx
The flowers were beautiful but Jenn’s mind was whirling. Things were moving so fast and a fear was growing in her gut that this situation was one she couldn’t control. Slumping on the bed she put her head in her hands and watched as a solitary tear ran off the tip of her nose. She had so many emotions playing all at once in her head that the noise of them was deafening her. She should be the happiest woman alive on the planet, an incredibly sexy rock star had just sent her flowers and wanted to see more of her yet she didn’t feel as if she fitted into the scene. What the hell was wrong with her??
Sighing she got up and paced the room. A serious conversation was needed with Jon. That morning he had made everything seem so simple but a few hours had blown that theory out of the water. This was too important to screw up for her own sake as well as that of Jon and Steph’s. Heading for the shower she resolved to discuss everything with him after dinner if she could get him on his own for a bit. If she didn’t sort this out soon she’d be jumping from her fourth floor bedroom window and that sure as hell wasn’t going to sort anything out!
Jon had stayed behind to meet with a few people on business and she had agreed to pick Steph up on her way back to the hotel in time for dinner. After a tearful farewell to her parents, she headed for the back roads in an effort to beat the commuter traffic from Dublin. Soon stuck behind a tractor and trailer on a narrow secondary road Jenn groaned in frustration. So much for making up time! Resigning herself to being stuck behind this guy for a while she flipped on the radio onto the national station. A selection of recession busting advertisements flooded through the car’s sound system all promising cut throat deals for one day only. Seriously! Does nobody think about anything except the damn recession? Swearing to herself she flicked onto one of the lesser known regional radio stations and swerved violently when a familiar voice crooned over the static.
And I will love you, Baby, Always
And I’ll be there forever and a day, Always
I’ll be there till the stars don’t shine
Till the heavens burst
And the words don’t rhyme
And I know when I die, you’ll be on my mind
And I’ll love you - Always
God the man was everywhere! Relaxing she hummed along to the familiar tune, smiling as the events of the last couple days replayed in her mind. Just as the final notes of the song faded away, the DJ’s voice came cutting in,
Ah yes Bon Jovi’s Always, one of the classics. And let me tell you people, word on the buzz this evening is that Mr Bon Jovi himself is visiting the city at the moment. Sources tell me the rock star has been spotted in one of our finer hotels entertaining a lady friend who has not been identified. Maybe love is in the air again for Bon Jovi who is rumoured to be splitting from his wife of over twenty years. Yes folks another Hollywood marriage has hit the rocks, maybe he’s looking for an Irish replacement - watch out girls!
The DJ chuckled and cut to another song but Jenn’s brain has frozen as she tried to process what she’d just heard. Fuck! Gritting her teeth she blew out a breath slowly through her lips. Jesus what if Steph heard that? Shit she wasn’t even sure how she felt about hearing that let alone anyone else. Just what exactly was she letting herself in for?
She drove along in a daze for a few moments trying to digest what she had just heard when her cell phone buzzed on the seat beside her. Snapping back to reality she grabbed it and glanced at the caller I.D - Karen. Grimacing slightly she answered the call bracing herself,
“Hey Kar!”
“OMG!! You will not believe what I just heard on the radio!!”
Jenn sucked in her breath sharply.
“Emmm, actually I think I will because I just heard it as well!”
Karen shrieked on the other end of the line,
“How exciting is this! You’re gonna be a real life celebrity -imagine my best friend - famous..”
“Karen! Stop!” Jenn cut across her friend sharply. “This is not what it’s about, I do NOT want to be a celebrity, I will NEVER be a celebrity. Jesus!”
Karen was quiet for a moment, shocked at Jenn’s outburst.
“Sorry hun, I didn’t mean to sound like that, it just shocked the hell out of me!”
Jenn instantly regretted snapping at her and spoke softly,
“No I’m sorry honey. I shouldn’t have jumped down your throat, it’s just that well I’m kinda shell shocked that’s all.”
The road in front of her was now clear and she pressed her foot down on the accelerator anxious to pick Steph up in time. Flipping the phone to loudspeaker she tossed it on the seat beside her and listened to Karen’s words.
“Honey I know this must be hard but look if you’re gonna be dating a rock star…well sweetie you’re gonna have to get used to it! But look, they don’t even know who you are, just a mystery woman so that’s not so bad.”
“Yeah for the moment you mean! And what do you mean by dating? Who said anything about dating?”
“Well….aren’t you?”
Jenn paused and wondered exactly how much she should tell her about what had happened since she last saw her.
“I dunno Kar, I mean I do but it’s just not something I really want to discuss with anybody yet. I need to figure some stuff out.”
“Quit the bullshit my friend! I wasn’t that drunk the other night and it was perfectly obvious what was going on between the pair of you! Stop being such a drama queen and enjoy it!”
Well hell Karen! Don’t beat about the bush anyway, Jenn thought to herself. Sighing she forced herself to admit that at least Karen was talking sense.
“Yeah I know you’ve got a point but there’s more to this whole thing than just Jon and I. For one there’s Steph, I mean her parents are only separated a few months for Gods sake.”
“Yes I understand that but they are getting divorced right?”
“Well, yeah….actually I don’t really know. I haven’t discussed that with him.”
Realisation suddenly dawned on her. What the hell did she really know about Jon’s personal life. Legally he was still a married man. Oh crap, things were already getting complicated. Her stomach was starting to feel queasy at the thought of it.
“Well sweetie if you want my advice, and you’re gonna get it anyway, you better make that top priority to talk about with him before this thing, whatever it may be goes any further!”
“I will Kar, look I better go - I’m on my way to pick up Steph. I’ll call you when I’m back in the states ok?”
Karen’s voice was filled with concern as she replied,
“You take care of yourself sweetie and remember I’m just a phone call away alright?”
“I know honey, chat soon.”
Hanging up she stared at the empty road before her. Getting to Steph on time wasn’t gonna be a problem but was talking to her going to be one? She really hadn’t bargained on getting herself into this much strife when she took on the job. She grabbed for her bag on the floor and found her pack of cigarettes. She’d been doing pretty good on cutting back on them the past few weeks but now was definitely a time for nicotine. Inhaling deeply, she relaxed as the rich smoke hit the spot. A disgusting habit she knew, but it sure had it’s advantages at times.
About ten minutes later Jenn swung into the old farm yard to see Steph and Tommy sitting on a fence waiting for her. Waving at them, she turned the car around to face out, giving the young couple time for their final goodbyes. Any fears she might have had about talking to Steph vanished as soon as she had joined her in the car. Steph didn’t let her get a word in edgeways the whole way back to the hotel, filling her in on her day at the farm and Jenn was more than happy to let her babble away.
As they made their way up to their rooms, Steph enquired what herself and Jon had gotten up to during the day.
“Oh nothing much, I visited my parents and I think your Dad had some work things to sort out.”
Jenn hoped she wasn’t blushing and if she was Steph didn’t seem to pay any heed.
“Oh I might have known, Dad’s itching to get back to work again. If Richie is still at home when we get back we won’t see much of them!” Steph grinned and rolled her eyes. “Suppose it won’t really matter anyway, we’ll be busy with the horses won’t we?”
Jenn ignored the pang she felt when she thought about the possibility of not seeing Jon so much when they got back to Jersey. Smiling she clapped a hand on Steph’s back.
“You bet we will be! From dawn to dusk!”
“Cool! See you for dinner in a bit!” Steph headed upstairs to the suite as Jenn opened her door. The first sight that greeted her was a large bunch of creamy white lilies, set in a vase on the vanity table complete with a large bow holding them together. Crossing the room to smell them, she picked up the small card left beside them. Smiling she read the scribbled words,
Hope you had a good day , missed you! Xx
The flowers were beautiful but Jenn’s mind was whirling. Things were moving so fast and a fear was growing in her gut that this situation was one she couldn’t control. Slumping on the bed she put her head in her hands and watched as a solitary tear ran off the tip of her nose. She had so many emotions playing all at once in her head that the noise of them was deafening her. She should be the happiest woman alive on the planet, an incredibly sexy rock star had just sent her flowers and wanted to see more of her yet she didn’t feel as if she fitted into the scene. What the hell was wrong with her??
Sighing she got up and paced the room. A serious conversation was needed with Jon. That morning he had made everything seem so simple but a few hours had blown that theory out of the water. This was too important to screw up for her own sake as well as that of Jon and Steph’s. Heading for the shower she resolved to discuss everything with him after dinner if she could get him on his own for a bit. If she didn’t sort this out soon she’d be jumping from her fourth floor bedroom window and that sure as hell wasn’t going to sort anything out!
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Chapter Fourteen
Jenn waited nervously for the call to connect. After what seemed like an eternity, a groggy Jon answered.
“Yeah?”
She jumped nervously, she’d been hoping that he wouldn’t pick up and she could avoid this phone call for like the rest of her life!
“Oh….er….hi Jon, it’s Jenn!” Shit, she sounded like a blithering idiot.
“Hey baby, how’d ya sleep?” He sounded a lot more awake now, oh crap!
“Um, good thanks……..you?”
“Think I kinda passed out but I’ve got a bitchin headache now!” he groaned softly. Jenn could hear a rustling sound and imagined him burying his head in the pillows like she had done when Steph had called her.
She laughed nervously, “Yeah had one of those myself when I woke up, drugs sorted it out though!”
Jon gave a small laugh, followed by another longer groan which was followed by an awkward silence. Oh fuck Jenn say something! She swallowed and launched into her devious plan.
“So I’ve organised for Steph to go out to Ted Breen’s farm again today and ride a few more horses. It’s a great chance for her to get some more experience and she’ll be in safe hands. So if it’s okay with you, she’ll be heading out there in about twenty minutes for the day.”
“Eh…right, whatever you think is best!” Jon sounded slightly confused, “When did you manage to organise all this?”
Shit! Jenn thought quickly,
“Oh…er… Ted rang me early this morning to finalise a few details on the horse we’ve bought and he suggested it, so I thought why not!”
That seemed to satisfy Jon and he agreed to it but added that he hadn’t spoken to his daughter yet that morning.
“Oh no problem, I’ve already discussed it with her and she’s more than happy to go. So….great that’s settled…..em…..sorry to wake you….er….bye then!” and she abruptly hung up the phone. Smooth Jenn, real smooth! Cringing with embarrassment she grabbed a pillow and hugged it fiercely wishing she could turn back the clock just a few hours.
Jon sank back on the pillows gazing in amazement at the phone still in his hand. ‘She hung up on me!” he thought. Shit, maybe she thought last night hadn’t been a good idea. He sure as hell knew he enjoyed it, at least what he could remember of it anyway. Man, he had a serious headache. Replacing the phone by the bed, he stretched and got up. His muscles felt tired but in a good way, grinning to himself he pulled on a robe and went to find his daughter in the adjoining suite.
Steph was putting the final touches on her make up when Jon came wandering in still rubbing the sleep out of his tired eyes. Finishing with a dash of lip gloss, she swung round to greet her father and grimaced when she took in the grizzle on his chin and the bed hair style in full force on him.
“Gee Dad, I didn’t think anyone could have looked worse than Jenn did this morning but you’ve just blown her out of the water!”
Before Jon had time to even register the insult, let alone respond to it, Steph ran over and gave him a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Still love ya loads though!! Byeeeee!!” and with that she shot out the door, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Jon stood looking after her in shock. ‘Hell, my brain is nowhere near ready to process what just went on there! Coffee! Need coffee!’ Flicking on the kettle in the kitchenette of the suite, he caught a glimpse of himself in the glass fronted cabinets. Well, at least his daughter was able to tell it to him straight! Steph was right, he looked like he’d been dragged through a ditch backwards! Stubble outlined his jaw and sleep lined his eyes. His hair was indeed favouring the bedroom look, and definitely not in a good way! Chuckling to himself he reckoned it had probably been a good thing that he’d slept in his own room last night. Mornings after were just not his best look!
Coffee made, he took a few sips and licked his lips appreciatively. It never failed to amaze him how a strong cup of coffee could bring him to his senses almost instantly. Pity it didn’t have the same effect on Sambora! Richie thought sleep was the preferred option to cure a hangover and would quite happily spend the entire day in bed. Which was all good and well when they were at home but was a pain in the ass on tour with early morning media engagements. These Jon normally ended up doing himself in preference to waking a sleeping Sambora - now that was not a pretty sight!
Moving over to the large window that swept around the penthouse suite, he finished his coffee gazing out over the Dublin city skyline. The morning was dull and overcast with dark clouds threatening rain at any minute. Good weather for a hangover he thought. His mind wandered back to the previous nights activities and he smiled as he relived the memory (albeit a bit blurred) of Jenn slowly removing her clothes. Shit that woman is hot! Last night she oozed confidence which had been a huge turn on for him, the way she just relaxed and made them feel right together. Jon shuddered as a shiver ran down his spine, just thinking about last night had his cock stirring again. ‘Easy Jonny baby, she didn’t sound so sure about you this morning!’ Resolving to restore her confidence in him he headed for the shower, thinking all the while about how to take this thing forward, whatever it may be.
Meanwhile, Jenn was luxuriating in a steaming bubble bath in an attempt to chase the last of her headache away. Alone with her thoughts, she drifted back to just a few hours earlier when there had been passion hotter than the bath water on her bed. Jon had worked his way inside muscles she had long forgotten she even possessed, muscles that were protesting loudly this morning. Wincing slightly she gently sponged herself tenderly, letting the heat work its way to her core. The earlier panic of realisation had dissipated somewhat now that she had time to think it through and she found herself sighing with pleasure as she remembered the feel of Jon’s hands running over her body. Any subconscious feelings she may have had earlier on in the night, he had soothed away with his fingers and his eyes and she had fell under his spell. No man, not even Steve had made her feel that way and it scared her just a small bit.
‘This could get so messy Jenn’, she told herself, ‘But it could also get so good!’
Hmm, which was the lesser evil she wondered?
An hour later she had just finished dressing when the bedside phone trilled again. Rubbing moisturiser into her face, she flopped down on the bed and lifted the receiver.
“Hello?”
“Hungry?”
Sweet fuck!
“Oh! Eh, yeah actually!”
“Great! Come on up, I’ve ordered breakfast in. See you in five!”
Click!
Jon hung up laughing. ‘Hang up on me will ya woman!!’
Downstairs it was Jenn’s turn to stare at the phone.
‘What the hell? Cheeky bastard! Game on Jon!”
She had to give it to him though! What a way to break the ice! Smiling she smoothed on a bit of foundation and added a bit of lip gloss for good measure. Tying her damp hair up in a high pony tail, she stepped into her trainers and headed upstairs. Stopping short outside Jon’s suite, she took a deep breath to quell any rising fear. Knocking on the door, she jumped back in fright as it was snapped open to reveal a smiling Jon, a napkin draped over his arm waiter style.
“Miss O’Neill! Your table awaits!”
“Oh my God! What are you like?” she giggled and walked past him into the living area. Looking around her she took in the table set up for breakfast by the window. He had even cut a flower from God knows where and plonked it in what looked like a ceramic milk jug. Smiling to herself, she allowed herself to be seated by the very attentive Jon. He took great care in adjusting her napkin on her lap, his head bent low to her chest. Jenn smelt a quick whiff of shower gel and aftershave and inhaled deeply. What is it about a freshly showered man that smells so good?
Another knock on the door heralded the arrival of breakfast, which Jon wheeled over to the table and then lifted the lid off with a flourish.
“Would madam care for some eggs and bacon?”
Jenn fought hard to keep a straight face and nodded graciously,
“Yes, Madam would!”
He proceeded to load a plate with the delicious smelling breakfast and placed it carefully in front of her, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Some freshly squeezed orange juice Madam?”
“Oh no! I only drink freshly squeezed cranberry juice! This simply will not do!”
Jenn glared at him making the smile disappear from his face. A second later she had tears running down her cheeks from laughing so hard at the look on Jon’s face.
“Seriously! Will you please just sit down and eat man! Food’s getting cold!”
“God damn!”, he sighed and sat down with a doleful look at her, “And I thought I was doing so good at charming the socks off you!”
He broke out in a wide grin and winked at her, “Did it work?”
“Nope! Takes more than food to charm me mister!” Laughing at him she added, “It was a pretty good attempt though! Ten out of ten for effort!”
“Hmmph! I’ll just have to be more inventive next time then!” His blue eyes twinkled back at her across the table. Jenn had great difficulty swallowing back her forkful of scrambled eggs. Those eyes were dangerous she reckoned with herself, feeling a tingle developing once again between her tightly crossed legs.
“Next time?” she looked at him under raised eyebrows.
“Yup! Next time!”, he assured her confidently, nodding his head cockily. He smiled, watching her process this information. Now or never he thought to himself.
“I had a great time last night Jenn…..I mean a really great time!” he spoke softly looking straight into her eyes. He paused waiting to see if she would respond. A crimson blush was creeping up her cheeks as she broke his gaze and pushed the remains of her breakfast around the plate.
“So did I Jon…but..” her voice was only barely higher than a whisper.
Shit, Jon thought. There’s the ‘but’. You’ve blown this one Jonny. He waited for her to continue and when nothing more was forthcoming, he prompted her gently,
“But what Jenn?”
She looked up at him and he was shocked to see her eyes glistening behind unshed tears.
“Jesus Jenn! What is it?” He got up and rushed around to her, hunkering down beside her chair.“I didn’t hurt you did I?”
“No, no, God no Jon!” Her eyes widened and she shook her head vehemently. “It’s just…” she took a deep breath, here goes Jenn.
“Last night was wonderful, in fact the past few days have been wonderful and I can’t tell you that enough. You’ve made me come alive Jon, you woke me up and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you better…..a lot better” she gave a small smile at him and he squeezed her hand back reassuringly, waiting patiently for whatever was coming next.
“But Jon, I feel awful!”
Now it was time for Jon’s eyes to widen, “Why?”
“Do you seriously not see a problem here? I’m your daughter’s trainer Jon! Surely to God this is not an appropriate relationship to have with the father of my student?”
“Is there a law against it?” he stared back at her. “No I don’t think there is and even if there was I wouldn’t give a damn. It’ll be fine, you’ll see!”
She shook her head in amazement at him, “How the hell can you be so sure Jon?”
He lifted a hand to caress her cheek and gently tucked a stray tendril of hair behind her ear.
“Because baby, if this was wrong, it wouldn’t feel so right. I can’t explain it, I’m trusting my gut on this one!”
Jenn’s eyes flickered with threatening tears once more as he bent his head towards her and laid a soft kiss on her quivering lips.
“Hush baby, I promise you it’ll be alright. We just gotta go with the flow, that’s all.”
“And Steph? Do you think she’d be comfortable with this?”
Jon stood up to think about this, stretching his leg muscles. He was pretty sure Steph would be okay with it but then again teenage girls were proving to be tricky at times. Jenn looked at him worriedly.
“I don’t know Jenn”, he answered her honestly and shrugged, “That’s just something I guess we’ll have to find out in time.” Running his hands through his hair he looked down at her and smiled,
“Lets see where this thing goes. I’m willing to take a chance on us if you are?”
She smiled at the hopeful look on his face and nodded slowly.
“I think I am, I mean nothing ever comes easy right?”
Standing up, she walked over to him and closed her eyes as he wrapped his strong arms around her. Any uneasy thoughts she may have been feeling disappeared as she felt his heart beating strongly through the light fabric of his shirt. Maybe this wouldn’t be so complicated after all?
“Yeah?”
She jumped nervously, she’d been hoping that he wouldn’t pick up and she could avoid this phone call for like the rest of her life!
“Oh….er….hi Jon, it’s Jenn!” Shit, she sounded like a blithering idiot.
“Hey baby, how’d ya sleep?” He sounded a lot more awake now, oh crap!
“Um, good thanks……..you?”
“Think I kinda passed out but I’ve got a bitchin headache now!” he groaned softly. Jenn could hear a rustling sound and imagined him burying his head in the pillows like she had done when Steph had called her.
She laughed nervously, “Yeah had one of those myself when I woke up, drugs sorted it out though!”
Jon gave a small laugh, followed by another longer groan which was followed by an awkward silence. Oh fuck Jenn say something! She swallowed and launched into her devious plan.
“So I’ve organised for Steph to go out to Ted Breen’s farm again today and ride a few more horses. It’s a great chance for her to get some more experience and she’ll be in safe hands. So if it’s okay with you, she’ll be heading out there in about twenty minutes for the day.”
“Eh…right, whatever you think is best!” Jon sounded slightly confused, “When did you manage to organise all this?”
Shit! Jenn thought quickly,
“Oh…er… Ted rang me early this morning to finalise a few details on the horse we’ve bought and he suggested it, so I thought why not!”
That seemed to satisfy Jon and he agreed to it but added that he hadn’t spoken to his daughter yet that morning.
“Oh no problem, I’ve already discussed it with her and she’s more than happy to go. So….great that’s settled…..em…..sorry to wake you….er….bye then!” and she abruptly hung up the phone. Smooth Jenn, real smooth! Cringing with embarrassment she grabbed a pillow and hugged it fiercely wishing she could turn back the clock just a few hours.
Jon sank back on the pillows gazing in amazement at the phone still in his hand. ‘She hung up on me!” he thought. Shit, maybe she thought last night hadn’t been a good idea. He sure as hell knew he enjoyed it, at least what he could remember of it anyway. Man, he had a serious headache. Replacing the phone by the bed, he stretched and got up. His muscles felt tired but in a good way, grinning to himself he pulled on a robe and went to find his daughter in the adjoining suite.
Steph was putting the final touches on her make up when Jon came wandering in still rubbing the sleep out of his tired eyes. Finishing with a dash of lip gloss, she swung round to greet her father and grimaced when she took in the grizzle on his chin and the bed hair style in full force on him.
“Gee Dad, I didn’t think anyone could have looked worse than Jenn did this morning but you’ve just blown her out of the water!”
Before Jon had time to even register the insult, let alone respond to it, Steph ran over and gave him a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Still love ya loads though!! Byeeeee!!” and with that she shot out the door, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Jon stood looking after her in shock. ‘Hell, my brain is nowhere near ready to process what just went on there! Coffee! Need coffee!’ Flicking on the kettle in the kitchenette of the suite, he caught a glimpse of himself in the glass fronted cabinets. Well, at least his daughter was able to tell it to him straight! Steph was right, he looked like he’d been dragged through a ditch backwards! Stubble outlined his jaw and sleep lined his eyes. His hair was indeed favouring the bedroom look, and definitely not in a good way! Chuckling to himself he reckoned it had probably been a good thing that he’d slept in his own room last night. Mornings after were just not his best look!
Coffee made, he took a few sips and licked his lips appreciatively. It never failed to amaze him how a strong cup of coffee could bring him to his senses almost instantly. Pity it didn’t have the same effect on Sambora! Richie thought sleep was the preferred option to cure a hangover and would quite happily spend the entire day in bed. Which was all good and well when they were at home but was a pain in the ass on tour with early morning media engagements. These Jon normally ended up doing himself in preference to waking a sleeping Sambora - now that was not a pretty sight!
Moving over to the large window that swept around the penthouse suite, he finished his coffee gazing out over the Dublin city skyline. The morning was dull and overcast with dark clouds threatening rain at any minute. Good weather for a hangover he thought. His mind wandered back to the previous nights activities and he smiled as he relived the memory (albeit a bit blurred) of Jenn slowly removing her clothes. Shit that woman is hot! Last night she oozed confidence which had been a huge turn on for him, the way she just relaxed and made them feel right together. Jon shuddered as a shiver ran down his spine, just thinking about last night had his cock stirring again. ‘Easy Jonny baby, she didn’t sound so sure about you this morning!’ Resolving to restore her confidence in him he headed for the shower, thinking all the while about how to take this thing forward, whatever it may be.
Meanwhile, Jenn was luxuriating in a steaming bubble bath in an attempt to chase the last of her headache away. Alone with her thoughts, she drifted back to just a few hours earlier when there had been passion hotter than the bath water on her bed. Jon had worked his way inside muscles she had long forgotten she even possessed, muscles that were protesting loudly this morning. Wincing slightly she gently sponged herself tenderly, letting the heat work its way to her core. The earlier panic of realisation had dissipated somewhat now that she had time to think it through and she found herself sighing with pleasure as she remembered the feel of Jon’s hands running over her body. Any subconscious feelings she may have had earlier on in the night, he had soothed away with his fingers and his eyes and she had fell under his spell. No man, not even Steve had made her feel that way and it scared her just a small bit.
‘This could get so messy Jenn’, she told herself, ‘But it could also get so good!’
Hmm, which was the lesser evil she wondered?
An hour later she had just finished dressing when the bedside phone trilled again. Rubbing moisturiser into her face, she flopped down on the bed and lifted the receiver.
“Hello?”
“Hungry?”
Sweet fuck!
“Oh! Eh, yeah actually!”
“Great! Come on up, I’ve ordered breakfast in. See you in five!”
Click!
Jon hung up laughing. ‘Hang up on me will ya woman!!’
Downstairs it was Jenn’s turn to stare at the phone.
‘What the hell? Cheeky bastard! Game on Jon!”
She had to give it to him though! What a way to break the ice! Smiling she smoothed on a bit of foundation and added a bit of lip gloss for good measure. Tying her damp hair up in a high pony tail, she stepped into her trainers and headed upstairs. Stopping short outside Jon’s suite, she took a deep breath to quell any rising fear. Knocking on the door, she jumped back in fright as it was snapped open to reveal a smiling Jon, a napkin draped over his arm waiter style.
“Miss O’Neill! Your table awaits!”
“Oh my God! What are you like?” she giggled and walked past him into the living area. Looking around her she took in the table set up for breakfast by the window. He had even cut a flower from God knows where and plonked it in what looked like a ceramic milk jug. Smiling to herself, she allowed herself to be seated by the very attentive Jon. He took great care in adjusting her napkin on her lap, his head bent low to her chest. Jenn smelt a quick whiff of shower gel and aftershave and inhaled deeply. What is it about a freshly showered man that smells so good?
Another knock on the door heralded the arrival of breakfast, which Jon wheeled over to the table and then lifted the lid off with a flourish.
“Would madam care for some eggs and bacon?”
Jenn fought hard to keep a straight face and nodded graciously,
“Yes, Madam would!”
He proceeded to load a plate with the delicious smelling breakfast and placed it carefully in front of her, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Some freshly squeezed orange juice Madam?”
“Oh no! I only drink freshly squeezed cranberry juice! This simply will not do!”
Jenn glared at him making the smile disappear from his face. A second later she had tears running down her cheeks from laughing so hard at the look on Jon’s face.
“Seriously! Will you please just sit down and eat man! Food’s getting cold!”
“God damn!”, he sighed and sat down with a doleful look at her, “And I thought I was doing so good at charming the socks off you!”
He broke out in a wide grin and winked at her, “Did it work?”
“Nope! Takes more than food to charm me mister!” Laughing at him she added, “It was a pretty good attempt though! Ten out of ten for effort!”
“Hmmph! I’ll just have to be more inventive next time then!” His blue eyes twinkled back at her across the table. Jenn had great difficulty swallowing back her forkful of scrambled eggs. Those eyes were dangerous she reckoned with herself, feeling a tingle developing once again between her tightly crossed legs.
“Next time?” she looked at him under raised eyebrows.
“Yup! Next time!”, he assured her confidently, nodding his head cockily. He smiled, watching her process this information. Now or never he thought to himself.
“I had a great time last night Jenn…..I mean a really great time!” he spoke softly looking straight into her eyes. He paused waiting to see if she would respond. A crimson blush was creeping up her cheeks as she broke his gaze and pushed the remains of her breakfast around the plate.
“So did I Jon…but..” her voice was only barely higher than a whisper.
Shit, Jon thought. There’s the ‘but’. You’ve blown this one Jonny. He waited for her to continue and when nothing more was forthcoming, he prompted her gently,
“But what Jenn?”
She looked up at him and he was shocked to see her eyes glistening behind unshed tears.
“Jesus Jenn! What is it?” He got up and rushed around to her, hunkering down beside her chair.“I didn’t hurt you did I?”
“No, no, God no Jon!” Her eyes widened and she shook her head vehemently. “It’s just…” she took a deep breath, here goes Jenn.
“Last night was wonderful, in fact the past few days have been wonderful and I can’t tell you that enough. You’ve made me come alive Jon, you woke me up and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you better…..a lot better” she gave a small smile at him and he squeezed her hand back reassuringly, waiting patiently for whatever was coming next.
“But Jon, I feel awful!”
Now it was time for Jon’s eyes to widen, “Why?”
“Do you seriously not see a problem here? I’m your daughter’s trainer Jon! Surely to God this is not an appropriate relationship to have with the father of my student?”
“Is there a law against it?” he stared back at her. “No I don’t think there is and even if there was I wouldn’t give a damn. It’ll be fine, you’ll see!”
She shook her head in amazement at him, “How the hell can you be so sure Jon?”
He lifted a hand to caress her cheek and gently tucked a stray tendril of hair behind her ear.
“Because baby, if this was wrong, it wouldn’t feel so right. I can’t explain it, I’m trusting my gut on this one!”
Jenn’s eyes flickered with threatening tears once more as he bent his head towards her and laid a soft kiss on her quivering lips.
“Hush baby, I promise you it’ll be alright. We just gotta go with the flow, that’s all.”
“And Steph? Do you think she’d be comfortable with this?”
Jon stood up to think about this, stretching his leg muscles. He was pretty sure Steph would be okay with it but then again teenage girls were proving to be tricky at times. Jenn looked at him worriedly.
“I don’t know Jenn”, he answered her honestly and shrugged, “That’s just something I guess we’ll have to find out in time.” Running his hands through his hair he looked down at her and smiled,
“Lets see where this thing goes. I’m willing to take a chance on us if you are?”
She smiled at the hopeful look on his face and nodded slowly.
“I think I am, I mean nothing ever comes easy right?”
Standing up, she walked over to him and closed her eyes as he wrapped his strong arms around her. Any uneasy thoughts she may have been feeling disappeared as she felt his heart beating strongly through the light fabric of his shirt. Maybe this wouldn’t be so complicated after all?
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Chapter Thirteen
Brrrrrnnng……….Brrrrrrnng……….Brrrrrnnnng!!!!
What the hell? Somewhere in the fogginess of her brain, an unfamiliar sound was dragging Jenn back to reality. Resist as she might, the annoying sound refused to go away yet was joined with a thumping of what sounded like bongo drums beating somewhere in the upper part of her head.
BRRRNNNG!!! BRRRNNNG!!! BRRRNNNNG!!
Oh God, make it stop! Somehow her arm managed to function all by itself and reached out toward the offending phone ringing noisily on the bedside table. Grabbing the cradle, her hand brought it to rest beside the brass band which were noisily rehearsing behind her eardrum. A garbled sound came from the receiver;
“Jenn!! Hello?………Hello?”
Words formed in Jenn’s throat but her lips refused to open on command. All she could manage was a gurgle type mumble into the phone lying on the pillow beside her,
“Emmmblehhhbluhhuh?”
“Jenn it’s Steph! Are you alright? Hello??”
Starting to come to her senses, Jenn ignored the ever growing symphony of heavy metal instruments in her head and grabbed the phone a little more firmly. Clearing her throat, she tested a few words, small ones.
“Hi…..yup…..fine….ughhhh!”
“Oh crap! Sorry if I woke you but I gotta talk to you and Dad is snoring his head off next door so can I come down? Like now?” Steph was speaking excitedly on the other end of the phone.
“Ummm….yup…..sure”, Jenn mumbled, sighed and buried her head in the pillows. Oh God, whatever I drank last night must have been poisonous! The fog was slowly clearing however as her eyes focused on the objects in her room, the bedside lamp, her open suitcase, the comfy armchair in the corner, Jon’s belt draped over it, the vanit…..WHAT THE FUCK?
Jenn sat up wildly in the bed and stared at the black belt which had been flung over the headrest of the chair at the far side of her room.
“OH MY GOD!” she spoke loudly to the empty room, “TELL ME I did NOT do last night what I think I did!!”
Memories of a drunken Karen, a bottle of tequila, a fumble in the elevator, flashed through her brain. Shifting over to swing her legs over the side of the bed made her wince. Oh crap! More images of a naked Jon, a very naked her, a tousled bed. Burying her aching head in her hands, she moaned softly. She had done last night what she’d sworn she would never do. She had gone and slept with the fucking boss! Literally!! Now what the hell was she supposed to do?
A loud rapping at the door shook her awake. Holy shit! Steph! Sweet Jesus the belt Jenn! Hide the damn belt. Jumping up she grabbed a robe and made a beeline for the chair, grabbing the incriminating evidence and stuffing it under the cushion. Another loud rap on the door made her jump.
“Hang on! Just a sec!!” she called out. Looking hurriedly around her she scoured the room for any more offending items and decided the coast was clear. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and was greeted by a painfully bubbly Stephanie.
“Morning sleepyhead!! Thought you’d never get up!” and with that she grinned and bounced into the room past Jenn.
“Ugh! So dark and it’s such a gorgeous day out there! I’ll open the blinds shall I?” Without waiting for a reply from Jenn, the teenager strode over to the window and threw back the heavy curtains. Bright light streamed into the room from all angles, temporarily blinding Jenn. She threw her arm across her eyes and stumbled towards the bed.
“Ugh! Shut them again! Quick!!” and with a moan she sank back onto the bed.
“You don’t look so good, too much vino had last night?” Steph was amused by the sight of her normally bright eyed trainer looking less than well on the bed in front of her.
“Mnnnn, something like that,” Jenn muttered screwing her eyes shut trying to force away the pounding headache that was rapidly building in her head. Sighing she sat up and wobbled over to her suitcase. Fumbling through it until she found the box of ibuprofen, she swallowed a couple of the pills with a slug of water from the bathroom tap.
“Ugh, please God let them work fast!” she moaned sinking down into the armchair. “So what’s up Steph that’s so important at this ungodly hour?”
Stephanie held up her watch and looked pointedly at Jenn.
“It’s almost 9am! I’ve been awake since seven am but thought that was a little too early!”
“Normally honey, I’m up at that time but hangovers disturb my sleeping pattern greatly, you will discover this when you get to my age!” Jenn leaned her head back against the soft cushion and tucked her feet under her. “So spill!! What’s going on?”
Steph immediately blushed and looked a little nervous.
“Promise you won’t tell Dad?”
At the mention of Jon, Jenn’s stomach flipped alarmingly and she felt her own cheeks colour.
“No, no, promise. Go on!”
“Well I think you kinda guessed yesterday why I didn’t wanna go with you guys last night?”
Jenn smiled, remembering the frantic texting that had been going on the drive back to the hotel. Nodding her head, she waited for her to continue.
“Okay then, well Tommy came to see me after you and Dad had left. And oh my God Jenn, he’s like sooooo sweet! He brought me chocolates!”
“Really? Hope you’ve hidden them well! don’t want your father finding them now do we?!” Jenn cocked her head to the side and winked at her.
“Oh yeah I know! It’s okay, I hid them in my underwear case!”
Jenn threw her head back and laughed, ignoring the pain in her head. Such devious ways that teenagers have!
“So what happened?”
“He’s great! We talked for like ages about …..stuff and things you know?”
“Mnnnhmm, so you guys have really hit it off so?”
Steph nodded vigorously, “Yeah, he’s pretty awesome, knows loads about horses too!”
“Well I should hope so! His father has bred some of the best horses this country has ever seen! So….” Jenn paused mid sentence and looked seriously at the girl perched on the bed , “He behaved himself??”
Steph blushed furiously and blurted out, “Oh yes!! Absolutely!” Smiling shyly she added, “And so did I!”
Jenn breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank the lord for that! I was pretty sure I could trust you on that one. So what’s next in this blossoming romance?”
“Actually that’s why I needed to talk to you so bad! We’re heading home tomorrow and after that who know’s if we’ll ever see one another again so he asked me to spend today with him out on the farm?” The young girl looked hopefully at the older woman who was grinning back at her.
“Well, well! Aren’t we the fast movers!!”, she chuckled and then thought for a few seconds. Looking more serious, she leaned forward, “How do you think your Dad’s gonna like this?”
Steph frowned and looked down at her feet, “That’s just it! If Dad thinks that I like Tommy, you know in that way, he’d go ape-shit! Would you be able to talk to him for me?”
Jenn’s stomach was lurching uncomfortably now and she actually felt sick at the prospect of having to go speak to Jon. Well shit Jenn, you’ve gotta talk to him sometime! She just didn’t relish the idea of trying to persuade him to let his daughter loose with a strange young man, even though she couldn’t see a problem, she knew Jon most definitely would.
“Okay Steph, we keep this between us girls ok? I’ll tell your father that I think it’d be a good idea for you to go and ride a few of Tommy’s dad’s horses, you know to get a bit more experience. I’ll make it out that the whole thing was my idea alright?”
Steph’s eyes lit up and she bounced up from the bed and hugged Jenn tightly making her groan.
“Jenn you are just the coolest! Dad’ll totally go for that!”
“Whoah! Steady on a second! Just promise me you’ll look after yourself alright? No stupid moves by either of you! I know what boys are like Steph and believe me I know what girls your age are like too! I was your age once too!” Jenn levelled her eyes with Steph, who nodded solemnly.
“Best behaviour I promise!”
“Good! Now what time where you thinking of going out there at?”
Steph had the good grace to look slightly ashamed now,
“Er….Tommy‘s actually gonna pick me up at ten am!”
Jenn shook her head smiling. God this girl has everything figured out. Glancing at her watch she saw it was already nine thirty. Crap, better inform Jon of the plans. Suddenly starting to feel very nervous, she rubbed her hands together and sent Steph back to her room to get ready. She definitely didn’t want Jon’s daughter in the same room as her when she spoke to him for the first time since last night!
Once Steph was gone, she made a quick visit to the bathroom to relieve her bladder and sent a quick prayer up above in thanks that the painkillers had finally kicked in. Her head almost felt like it belonged to her again. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she took a deep breath and dialled through to Jon’s room. This is gonna be good, she thought to herself - eh NOT!
What the hell? Somewhere in the fogginess of her brain, an unfamiliar sound was dragging Jenn back to reality. Resist as she might, the annoying sound refused to go away yet was joined with a thumping of what sounded like bongo drums beating somewhere in the upper part of her head.
BRRRNNNG!!! BRRRNNNG!!! BRRRNNNNG!!
Oh God, make it stop! Somehow her arm managed to function all by itself and reached out toward the offending phone ringing noisily on the bedside table. Grabbing the cradle, her hand brought it to rest beside the brass band which were noisily rehearsing behind her eardrum. A garbled sound came from the receiver;
“Jenn!! Hello?………Hello?”
Words formed in Jenn’s throat but her lips refused to open on command. All she could manage was a gurgle type mumble into the phone lying on the pillow beside her,
“Emmmblehhhbluhhuh?”
“Jenn it’s Steph! Are you alright? Hello??”
Starting to come to her senses, Jenn ignored the ever growing symphony of heavy metal instruments in her head and grabbed the phone a little more firmly. Clearing her throat, she tested a few words, small ones.
“Hi…..yup…..fine….ughhhh!”
“Oh crap! Sorry if I woke you but I gotta talk to you and Dad is snoring his head off next door so can I come down? Like now?” Steph was speaking excitedly on the other end of the phone.
“Ummm….yup…..sure”, Jenn mumbled, sighed and buried her head in the pillows. Oh God, whatever I drank last night must have been poisonous! The fog was slowly clearing however as her eyes focused on the objects in her room, the bedside lamp, her open suitcase, the comfy armchair in the corner, Jon’s belt draped over it, the vanit…..WHAT THE FUCK?
Jenn sat up wildly in the bed and stared at the black belt which had been flung over the headrest of the chair at the far side of her room.
“OH MY GOD!” she spoke loudly to the empty room, “TELL ME I did NOT do last night what I think I did!!”
Memories of a drunken Karen, a bottle of tequila, a fumble in the elevator, flashed through her brain. Shifting over to swing her legs over the side of the bed made her wince. Oh crap! More images of a naked Jon, a very naked her, a tousled bed. Burying her aching head in her hands, she moaned softly. She had done last night what she’d sworn she would never do. She had gone and slept with the fucking boss! Literally!! Now what the hell was she supposed to do?
A loud rapping at the door shook her awake. Holy shit! Steph! Sweet Jesus the belt Jenn! Hide the damn belt. Jumping up she grabbed a robe and made a beeline for the chair, grabbing the incriminating evidence and stuffing it under the cushion. Another loud rap on the door made her jump.
“Hang on! Just a sec!!” she called out. Looking hurriedly around her she scoured the room for any more offending items and decided the coast was clear. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and was greeted by a painfully bubbly Stephanie.
“Morning sleepyhead!! Thought you’d never get up!” and with that she grinned and bounced into the room past Jenn.
“Ugh! So dark and it’s such a gorgeous day out there! I’ll open the blinds shall I?” Without waiting for a reply from Jenn, the teenager strode over to the window and threw back the heavy curtains. Bright light streamed into the room from all angles, temporarily blinding Jenn. She threw her arm across her eyes and stumbled towards the bed.
“Ugh! Shut them again! Quick!!” and with a moan she sank back onto the bed.
“You don’t look so good, too much vino had last night?” Steph was amused by the sight of her normally bright eyed trainer looking less than well on the bed in front of her.
“Mnnnn, something like that,” Jenn muttered screwing her eyes shut trying to force away the pounding headache that was rapidly building in her head. Sighing she sat up and wobbled over to her suitcase. Fumbling through it until she found the box of ibuprofen, she swallowed a couple of the pills with a slug of water from the bathroom tap.
“Ugh, please God let them work fast!” she moaned sinking down into the armchair. “So what’s up Steph that’s so important at this ungodly hour?”
Stephanie held up her watch and looked pointedly at Jenn.
“It’s almost 9am! I’ve been awake since seven am but thought that was a little too early!”
“Normally honey, I’m up at that time but hangovers disturb my sleeping pattern greatly, you will discover this when you get to my age!” Jenn leaned her head back against the soft cushion and tucked her feet under her. “So spill!! What’s going on?”
Steph immediately blushed and looked a little nervous.
“Promise you won’t tell Dad?”
At the mention of Jon, Jenn’s stomach flipped alarmingly and she felt her own cheeks colour.
“No, no, promise. Go on!”
“Well I think you kinda guessed yesterday why I didn’t wanna go with you guys last night?”
Jenn smiled, remembering the frantic texting that had been going on the drive back to the hotel. Nodding her head, she waited for her to continue.
“Okay then, well Tommy came to see me after you and Dad had left. And oh my God Jenn, he’s like sooooo sweet! He brought me chocolates!”
“Really? Hope you’ve hidden them well! don’t want your father finding them now do we?!” Jenn cocked her head to the side and winked at her.
“Oh yeah I know! It’s okay, I hid them in my underwear case!”
Jenn threw her head back and laughed, ignoring the pain in her head. Such devious ways that teenagers have!
“So what happened?”
“He’s great! We talked for like ages about …..stuff and things you know?”
“Mnnnhmm, so you guys have really hit it off so?”
Steph nodded vigorously, “Yeah, he’s pretty awesome, knows loads about horses too!”
“Well I should hope so! His father has bred some of the best horses this country has ever seen! So….” Jenn paused mid sentence and looked seriously at the girl perched on the bed , “He behaved himself??”
Steph blushed furiously and blurted out, “Oh yes!! Absolutely!” Smiling shyly she added, “And so did I!”
Jenn breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank the lord for that! I was pretty sure I could trust you on that one. So what’s next in this blossoming romance?”
“Actually that’s why I needed to talk to you so bad! We’re heading home tomorrow and after that who know’s if we’ll ever see one another again so he asked me to spend today with him out on the farm?” The young girl looked hopefully at the older woman who was grinning back at her.
“Well, well! Aren’t we the fast movers!!”, she chuckled and then thought for a few seconds. Looking more serious, she leaned forward, “How do you think your Dad’s gonna like this?”
Steph frowned and looked down at her feet, “That’s just it! If Dad thinks that I like Tommy, you know in that way, he’d go ape-shit! Would you be able to talk to him for me?”
Jenn’s stomach was lurching uncomfortably now and she actually felt sick at the prospect of having to go speak to Jon. Well shit Jenn, you’ve gotta talk to him sometime! She just didn’t relish the idea of trying to persuade him to let his daughter loose with a strange young man, even though she couldn’t see a problem, she knew Jon most definitely would.
“Okay Steph, we keep this between us girls ok? I’ll tell your father that I think it’d be a good idea for you to go and ride a few of Tommy’s dad’s horses, you know to get a bit more experience. I’ll make it out that the whole thing was my idea alright?”
Steph’s eyes lit up and she bounced up from the bed and hugged Jenn tightly making her groan.
“Jenn you are just the coolest! Dad’ll totally go for that!”
“Whoah! Steady on a second! Just promise me you’ll look after yourself alright? No stupid moves by either of you! I know what boys are like Steph and believe me I know what girls your age are like too! I was your age once too!” Jenn levelled her eyes with Steph, who nodded solemnly.
“Best behaviour I promise!”
“Good! Now what time where you thinking of going out there at?”
Steph had the good grace to look slightly ashamed now,
“Er….Tommy‘s actually gonna pick me up at ten am!”
Jenn shook her head smiling. God this girl has everything figured out. Glancing at her watch she saw it was already nine thirty. Crap, better inform Jon of the plans. Suddenly starting to feel very nervous, she rubbed her hands together and sent Steph back to her room to get ready. She definitely didn’t want Jon’s daughter in the same room as her when she spoke to him for the first time since last night!
Once Steph was gone, she made a quick visit to the bathroom to relieve her bladder and sent a quick prayer up above in thanks that the painkillers had finally kicked in. Her head almost felt like it belonged to her again. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she took a deep breath and dialled through to Jon’s room. This is gonna be good, she thought to herself - eh NOT!
Friday, 8 May 2009
Chapter Twelve
Jon’s head was starting to swim as the taxi headed into the city centre. Jenn was nestled quietly beside him, her head resting lightly against his shoulder. Blinking rapidly in an attempt to bring some focus into his head, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and squeezed gently.
“Hey you okay hon?”
“Mmmnn” came the sleepy response, “Trying to concentrate!”
He frowned and looked down at the top of her head,
“On what?”
“On not being ill! I don’t feel so good!”
She groaned and tried to sit upright. Sinking that bottle of tequila was definitely not one of the brightest things she’d ever done. She’d gone beyond the nice, light headed feeling of earlier and the motion of the car was seriously not helping things.
“Need air!” she fumbled for the switch on the window, inhaling deeply at the cold draught that came rushing in. Jon took a few deep breaths himself and caught the driver looking at them suspiciously in his rear view mirror. The last thing he wanted was to have somebody throw up all over the back of his car and Jon reckoned on his options.
“Hey buddy, how far have we got to go still?”
“About five minutes.”
“We’re good from here thanks, we’ll walk the rest of the way.” Jon guessed the walk would do them both good. As the car pulled over, Jenn sighed in relief and started fiddling with her purse.
“Don’t worry babe, I got it” Jon handed the driver a fifty Euro note muttering to keep the change and joined Jenn on the pavement.
“Um Jon, we got a problem!” Jenn stood looking around her, wobbling unsteadily on her feet.
“What’s that darlin?”
“I have no idea where we are!”
She frowned and gazed around her at the darkened street they were standing on, the shadows broken by the light of the streetlamps lining the length of the road. She was pretty familiar with the city normally but right now they could have been standing in a foreign land for all she knew. Jon threw an arm around her shoulders and started to walk both of them down the street, reassuring her that he knew exactly where they were. Jenn snorted in amusement,
“If I don’t know where we are, how the hell do you?”
Jon smiled and nuzzled her hair with his nose,
“Relax baby, we just gotta walk this way a while, I thought the walk would do us good, I dunno about you but I had way more to drink tonight than I should have!”
“That makes two of us buddy! I warned you about Karen’s antics!”
Giggling like kids they both huddled closer and wobbled steadily down the street. Jon slipped his hand under her jeans to rest on top of her opposite hip and held her close to him. Jenn was aware of a tingling in her abdomen, growing more insistent every second she felt his hand around her. Sliding her own arm under his jacket and shirt she found a smooth muscular back, warm to her touch. They ambled along like this for a few minutes until they rounded the corner and Jenn recognised the street behind their hotel. The fresh air had worked wonders and both of them were now feeling more normal although still highly intoxicated.
“I think you’re safe now!” Jenn proclaimed, a grin plastered across her face.
“Oh yeah? Safe from what?”
“Safe from me throwing up all over you!!” she hiccupped and giggled at him, “It was looking likely a while ago - how rose-mantic would that have been!!”
Walking through the hotel door, the lobby was deserted except for the lone night porter on reception. Recognising Jon immediately, he nodded in their direction with a discreet smile. Jon returned the smile and steered Jen in the direction of the elevators. Pushing the button, his arm returned to the small of Jenn’s back.
“I may be safe darlin, but you sure as hell aren’t!”
Before she could respond, Jenn found herself in the empty elevator with his lips crushing down on her own. Her body responded to his tongue’s urgent probing, her knees buckling as they both crashed back onto the wall. Her hands flew up to his head, running her fingers through his silky hair, tugging frantically as Jon’s own hands slipped under the hem of her halter neck and slid upwards. He groaned as he felt her hips move toward his own, thrusting involuntarily against his groin. Both were lost in the need for the other’s touch, a burning need for intimacy that screamed aloud. Breaking apart briefly as the elevator reached Jenn’s floor, they stumbled out onto the mercifully deserted corridor. Kissing and fumbling at each other until they reached her door, Jon nibbled on her ear while Jenn searched for her swipe card. Once inside, he kicked the door shut with his heel, all the while showering her in kisses, moving from her lips down her neck and back up again. Jackets and coats were whisked away as they searched for every new piece of skin that wasn’t concealed by clothing. Finding themselves at the foot of Jenn’s bed, they broke apart and stood looking at one another, hands running over one another’s bodies, chests heaving for air.
“You’re beautiful Jennifer O’Neill” he dropped a kiss on her forehead, running his hands down her arms, feeling the toned muscles quiver beneath his touch. Jenn reckoned she was incapable of speech, so blown away she was by the way her body actually ached for his touch. She smiled at him, looking straight into his blue eyes as she kicked her boots off. Not looking away from her for a second, Jon followed suit, toeing his way out of his leather boots, resisting the impulse to grab the woman standing in front of him and give in to his wildest inhibitions. Slowly, she unbuttoned her jeans and let them slide down to her ankles, neatly stepping out of them as they hit the floor. Her stomach was clenching in anticipation as she watched him slowly unbuckle his belt and drop his own jeans to the floor revealing a set of strong, lean legs. Neither spoke now as they moved toward each other, embracing in the dimly lit room. Pushing her gently, he turned to face her as she sat back on the soft bed. Dressed only now in her red halter neck and panties, long legs gleamed in the twilight streaming through the gap in the curtains. Watching as he pulled his shirt over his shoulders, Jenn pulled in a sharp breath as she took in all his masculine glory, strong pectoral muscles broad in their beginnings and leading down to a chiselled abdomen, below which all his manhood strained against the fabric of his boxer shorts. As he leaned across her she fell back on the duvet, bringing her hands up to caress the silky hairs which adorned his chest. A low moan escaped from her throat as she felt his lips upon her neck once more. Jolts of delicious electric tension shot through her core as he moved lower, whispering softly.
“I need to get you naked woman, I can’t stand it anymore.”
Jenn murmured her consent and duly obliged, wriggling out of her top as Jon’s hands slipped around to undo her bra. Scooting further up the bed, she sank back against the pillows, her arms dragging him closer to her. Once again, his lips found that sensitive spot at the base of her neck, hovering for a moment before he continued his quest downwards. His hands gently cupped her breasts, thumbs circling across her nipples which hardened instantly to the extent that they almost hurt. Groaning she dug her heels in and arched her back up to him. She wasn’t sure how much more of this her poor body could take. Having gone so long without a man’s loving touch, her body was going into sexual overload.
Jon felt her muscles quiver and contract beneath his touch and fought to contain his own excitement. Deliberately slowing his kisses, he traced lightly down to her belly button with one finger. She was a glorious sight beside him, her head buried in the pillows, eyes flickering in the semi-darkness. Fistfuls of the sheets were twisted in her hands as she shifted beside him, toes curling and hips swaying at every move he made. A small pair of black panties was all that concealed her from him now and he sashayed further down her body to hook a finger underneath the elastic string. Pulling down gently, her buttocks rose from the bed once more to allow him to slip the now sodden material down her legs. Deciding to prolong her agony a little while longer, he ignored her most intimate place and continued down her legs, kissing and licking until she gasped at him. Glancing up at her face, he was met with a pleading look,
“…..please Jon……..I….can’t….take….”
“What’s wrong baby?”
He grinned wickedly, taking great delight at the obvious effect his actions were causing. In response to his question, she drew her knees upright and widened her legs, exposing her softest tissues.
“…..I…need…you….to….”, she gasped between words.
“S’okay baby, I know what you need….ssshhh now”, he soothed as he worked his way back up the inside of her thighs this time, slowly savouring every salty taste of her. Reaching her slick folds now, he flicked just the tip of his tongue into her juices. She instantly bucked beneath him, her brain no longer connected to her bodily movements. Stars exploded in her eyelids as she felt him probe deeper, sucking softly as he reached her clit. Emotions could no longer be contained as she screamed aloud, an earth-shattering orgasm rushing through her, flooding all senses. Jon gripped her hips with both hands and steadied her as she climaxed, all the while teasing and flickering inside her. Feeling her build again, he replaced his tongue with a finger, then two, slowly stretching and stroking. Coming back to reality, Jenn held in a breath and reached to guide him back up to her. When their eyes locked, she wrapped her thighs around his and deftly guided him free of his own restraints. Free now, his cock sprang up between them, the engorged tip glistening with his own excitement.
“Now…Jon….sweet Jesus now!” She implored him to relieve her of the tension that was rapidly building within her inner walls. Smiling, he bent down and kissed her deeply on the mouth, Jenn could taste herself on his tongue which aroused her all the more if that was possible. Settling his hips between her legs now, Jon nudged at her entrance , thrusting little by little as he entered her slowly. Opening herself to him fully, her muscles closed around him as he found her centre. He gasped himself now at her tightness, the slick juices flowing freely as they slowly began to move as one. Heads bent together, beads of sweat trickled off them both as the crescendo gathered. Simultaneously quickening their thrusts, low moans were emitted from throats as lips and tongues found their partners. Jenn arched against him until she could find no more as he penetrated deeper and deeper with every movement. One further thrust hit the spot and she cried out as her muscles clenched so tight around him, Jon thought he’d died and gone to heaven. Releasing his own load at the same time, he buried himself deep inside her as her muscles swelled over his own, milking him for all it’s worth. Spent now, they collapsed together as one, heartbeats thundering together, chests rising and falling in unison, fingers entwined in fingers.
When she found the will to speak, Jenn breathed quietly,
“Incredible, sweet Jesus Jon!”
“Mmmm, I don’t think we held back did we?” He lifted his head from her shoulder and kissed her softly on her flushed cheeks, “We make a good match darlin’!”
Smiling back at him, she ran her fingers slowly through his hair and soothed them both back into a regular breathing pattern. Just as tiredness threatened to engulf them both, she glanced at the bedside clock. Four thirty blinked back at her as she felt Jon’s head grow heavier on her shoulder. Shit!
“Jon? JON!! Don’t sleep! You gotta go!”
She nudged at his shoulders with her one free hand, the other pinned beneath a very sleepy Jon. Getting no response, she noted with a small smirk the faded superman tattoo on his shoulder. Punching him softly on it, she raised her voice a little,
“Superman!! Rise and shine baby!!”
“Huhhh??” came the sleepy response, “what the hell woman? I put in the performance of my life and you wanna kick me out??” his voice sounded incredulous.
“Honey, I sure don’t want to but I don’t think Steph would be too impressed if you’re missing when she gets up!”
Realising her point, Jon swore softly,
“Goddamm, you’re right.” Groaning he kissed her and rolled off her gently. “Don’t suppose I could chance making it back to my room naked?” He had no idea where any of his clothes were.
Giggling, Jenn threw his shirt at him, “Be my guest but I wouldn’t advise it buddy!!”
Together they found most of his clothes, which he threw on him haphazardly. Grinning he turned and gave her a quick kiss,
“Been a hell of a long time since I had to do a runner from a gal’s hotel room!!”
“Glad to hear it Superman! Now go on, get!!”
Sharing one last lingering kiss at the door, Jon stroked her cheek with a hand.
“See you in a few hours baby!”
Opening the door, he took a quick look both ways down the corridor. Seeing the coast was clear, he flashed Jenn a cheeky grin and was gone. Shutting the door softly, she made her way back to the dishevelled remains of her bed and crawled back under the sheets. Smiling to herself, she breathed in his musky scent and drifted off into a very satisfied and peaceful sleep.
“Hey you okay hon?”
“Mmmnn” came the sleepy response, “Trying to concentrate!”
He frowned and looked down at the top of her head,
“On what?”
“On not being ill! I don’t feel so good!”
She groaned and tried to sit upright. Sinking that bottle of tequila was definitely not one of the brightest things she’d ever done. She’d gone beyond the nice, light headed feeling of earlier and the motion of the car was seriously not helping things.
“Need air!” she fumbled for the switch on the window, inhaling deeply at the cold draught that came rushing in. Jon took a few deep breaths himself and caught the driver looking at them suspiciously in his rear view mirror. The last thing he wanted was to have somebody throw up all over the back of his car and Jon reckoned on his options.
“Hey buddy, how far have we got to go still?”
“About five minutes.”
“We’re good from here thanks, we’ll walk the rest of the way.” Jon guessed the walk would do them both good. As the car pulled over, Jenn sighed in relief and started fiddling with her purse.
“Don’t worry babe, I got it” Jon handed the driver a fifty Euro note muttering to keep the change and joined Jenn on the pavement.
“Um Jon, we got a problem!” Jenn stood looking around her, wobbling unsteadily on her feet.
“What’s that darlin?”
“I have no idea where we are!”
She frowned and gazed around her at the darkened street they were standing on, the shadows broken by the light of the streetlamps lining the length of the road. She was pretty familiar with the city normally but right now they could have been standing in a foreign land for all she knew. Jon threw an arm around her shoulders and started to walk both of them down the street, reassuring her that he knew exactly where they were. Jenn snorted in amusement,
“If I don’t know where we are, how the hell do you?”
Jon smiled and nuzzled her hair with his nose,
“Relax baby, we just gotta walk this way a while, I thought the walk would do us good, I dunno about you but I had way more to drink tonight than I should have!”
“That makes two of us buddy! I warned you about Karen’s antics!”
Giggling like kids they both huddled closer and wobbled steadily down the street. Jon slipped his hand under her jeans to rest on top of her opposite hip and held her close to him. Jenn was aware of a tingling in her abdomen, growing more insistent every second she felt his hand around her. Sliding her own arm under his jacket and shirt she found a smooth muscular back, warm to her touch. They ambled along like this for a few minutes until they rounded the corner and Jenn recognised the street behind their hotel. The fresh air had worked wonders and both of them were now feeling more normal although still highly intoxicated.
“I think you’re safe now!” Jenn proclaimed, a grin plastered across her face.
“Oh yeah? Safe from what?”
“Safe from me throwing up all over you!!” she hiccupped and giggled at him, “It was looking likely a while ago - how rose-mantic would that have been!!”
Walking through the hotel door, the lobby was deserted except for the lone night porter on reception. Recognising Jon immediately, he nodded in their direction with a discreet smile. Jon returned the smile and steered Jen in the direction of the elevators. Pushing the button, his arm returned to the small of Jenn’s back.
“I may be safe darlin, but you sure as hell aren’t!”
Before she could respond, Jenn found herself in the empty elevator with his lips crushing down on her own. Her body responded to his tongue’s urgent probing, her knees buckling as they both crashed back onto the wall. Her hands flew up to his head, running her fingers through his silky hair, tugging frantically as Jon’s own hands slipped under the hem of her halter neck and slid upwards. He groaned as he felt her hips move toward his own, thrusting involuntarily against his groin. Both were lost in the need for the other’s touch, a burning need for intimacy that screamed aloud. Breaking apart briefly as the elevator reached Jenn’s floor, they stumbled out onto the mercifully deserted corridor. Kissing and fumbling at each other until they reached her door, Jon nibbled on her ear while Jenn searched for her swipe card. Once inside, he kicked the door shut with his heel, all the while showering her in kisses, moving from her lips down her neck and back up again. Jackets and coats were whisked away as they searched for every new piece of skin that wasn’t concealed by clothing. Finding themselves at the foot of Jenn’s bed, they broke apart and stood looking at one another, hands running over one another’s bodies, chests heaving for air.
“You’re beautiful Jennifer O’Neill” he dropped a kiss on her forehead, running his hands down her arms, feeling the toned muscles quiver beneath his touch. Jenn reckoned she was incapable of speech, so blown away she was by the way her body actually ached for his touch. She smiled at him, looking straight into his blue eyes as she kicked her boots off. Not looking away from her for a second, Jon followed suit, toeing his way out of his leather boots, resisting the impulse to grab the woman standing in front of him and give in to his wildest inhibitions. Slowly, she unbuttoned her jeans and let them slide down to her ankles, neatly stepping out of them as they hit the floor. Her stomach was clenching in anticipation as she watched him slowly unbuckle his belt and drop his own jeans to the floor revealing a set of strong, lean legs. Neither spoke now as they moved toward each other, embracing in the dimly lit room. Pushing her gently, he turned to face her as she sat back on the soft bed. Dressed only now in her red halter neck and panties, long legs gleamed in the twilight streaming through the gap in the curtains. Watching as he pulled his shirt over his shoulders, Jenn pulled in a sharp breath as she took in all his masculine glory, strong pectoral muscles broad in their beginnings and leading down to a chiselled abdomen, below which all his manhood strained against the fabric of his boxer shorts. As he leaned across her she fell back on the duvet, bringing her hands up to caress the silky hairs which adorned his chest. A low moan escaped from her throat as she felt his lips upon her neck once more. Jolts of delicious electric tension shot through her core as he moved lower, whispering softly.
“I need to get you naked woman, I can’t stand it anymore.”
Jenn murmured her consent and duly obliged, wriggling out of her top as Jon’s hands slipped around to undo her bra. Scooting further up the bed, she sank back against the pillows, her arms dragging him closer to her. Once again, his lips found that sensitive spot at the base of her neck, hovering for a moment before he continued his quest downwards. His hands gently cupped her breasts, thumbs circling across her nipples which hardened instantly to the extent that they almost hurt. Groaning she dug her heels in and arched her back up to him. She wasn’t sure how much more of this her poor body could take. Having gone so long without a man’s loving touch, her body was going into sexual overload.
Jon felt her muscles quiver and contract beneath his touch and fought to contain his own excitement. Deliberately slowing his kisses, he traced lightly down to her belly button with one finger. She was a glorious sight beside him, her head buried in the pillows, eyes flickering in the semi-darkness. Fistfuls of the sheets were twisted in her hands as she shifted beside him, toes curling and hips swaying at every move he made. A small pair of black panties was all that concealed her from him now and he sashayed further down her body to hook a finger underneath the elastic string. Pulling down gently, her buttocks rose from the bed once more to allow him to slip the now sodden material down her legs. Deciding to prolong her agony a little while longer, he ignored her most intimate place and continued down her legs, kissing and licking until she gasped at him. Glancing up at her face, he was met with a pleading look,
“…..please Jon……..I….can’t….take….”
“What’s wrong baby?”
He grinned wickedly, taking great delight at the obvious effect his actions were causing. In response to his question, she drew her knees upright and widened her legs, exposing her softest tissues.
“…..I…need…you….to….”, she gasped between words.
“S’okay baby, I know what you need….ssshhh now”, he soothed as he worked his way back up the inside of her thighs this time, slowly savouring every salty taste of her. Reaching her slick folds now, he flicked just the tip of his tongue into her juices. She instantly bucked beneath him, her brain no longer connected to her bodily movements. Stars exploded in her eyelids as she felt him probe deeper, sucking softly as he reached her clit. Emotions could no longer be contained as she screamed aloud, an earth-shattering orgasm rushing through her, flooding all senses. Jon gripped her hips with both hands and steadied her as she climaxed, all the while teasing and flickering inside her. Feeling her build again, he replaced his tongue with a finger, then two, slowly stretching and stroking. Coming back to reality, Jenn held in a breath and reached to guide him back up to her. When their eyes locked, she wrapped her thighs around his and deftly guided him free of his own restraints. Free now, his cock sprang up between them, the engorged tip glistening with his own excitement.
“Now…Jon….sweet Jesus now!” She implored him to relieve her of the tension that was rapidly building within her inner walls. Smiling, he bent down and kissed her deeply on the mouth, Jenn could taste herself on his tongue which aroused her all the more if that was possible. Settling his hips between her legs now, Jon nudged at her entrance , thrusting little by little as he entered her slowly. Opening herself to him fully, her muscles closed around him as he found her centre. He gasped himself now at her tightness, the slick juices flowing freely as they slowly began to move as one. Heads bent together, beads of sweat trickled off them both as the crescendo gathered. Simultaneously quickening their thrusts, low moans were emitted from throats as lips and tongues found their partners. Jenn arched against him until she could find no more as he penetrated deeper and deeper with every movement. One further thrust hit the spot and she cried out as her muscles clenched so tight around him, Jon thought he’d died and gone to heaven. Releasing his own load at the same time, he buried himself deep inside her as her muscles swelled over his own, milking him for all it’s worth. Spent now, they collapsed together as one, heartbeats thundering together, chests rising and falling in unison, fingers entwined in fingers.
When she found the will to speak, Jenn breathed quietly,
“Incredible, sweet Jesus Jon!”
“Mmmm, I don’t think we held back did we?” He lifted his head from her shoulder and kissed her softly on her flushed cheeks, “We make a good match darlin’!”
Smiling back at him, she ran her fingers slowly through his hair and soothed them both back into a regular breathing pattern. Just as tiredness threatened to engulf them both, she glanced at the bedside clock. Four thirty blinked back at her as she felt Jon’s head grow heavier on her shoulder. Shit!
“Jon? JON!! Don’t sleep! You gotta go!”
She nudged at his shoulders with her one free hand, the other pinned beneath a very sleepy Jon. Getting no response, she noted with a small smirk the faded superman tattoo on his shoulder. Punching him softly on it, she raised her voice a little,
“Superman!! Rise and shine baby!!”
“Huhhh??” came the sleepy response, “what the hell woman? I put in the performance of my life and you wanna kick me out??” his voice sounded incredulous.
“Honey, I sure don’t want to but I don’t think Steph would be too impressed if you’re missing when she gets up!”
Realising her point, Jon swore softly,
“Goddamm, you’re right.” Groaning he kissed her and rolled off her gently. “Don’t suppose I could chance making it back to my room naked?” He had no idea where any of his clothes were.
Giggling, Jenn threw his shirt at him, “Be my guest but I wouldn’t advise it buddy!!”
Together they found most of his clothes, which he threw on him haphazardly. Grinning he turned and gave her a quick kiss,
“Been a hell of a long time since I had to do a runner from a gal’s hotel room!!”
“Glad to hear it Superman! Now go on, get!!”
Sharing one last lingering kiss at the door, Jon stroked her cheek with a hand.
“See you in a few hours baby!”
Opening the door, he took a quick look both ways down the corridor. Seeing the coast was clear, he flashed Jenn a cheeky grin and was gone. Shutting the door softly, she made her way back to the dishevelled remains of her bed and crawled back under the sheets. Smiling to herself, she breathed in his musky scent and drifted off into a very satisfied and peaceful sleep.
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Chapter Eleven
Stepping out of the shower, Jenn applied some luxurious lotion to her body, rubbing it into her shoulders she subconsciously thought about how good it might feel to have Jon’s hands kneading it into her back. She closed her eyes and lay back on the bed, allowing herself to drift into a daydream where she wasn’t alone, where Jon was beside her, murmuring in her ear, running his hands over her naked body. God she could almost feel him, a musky, masculine smell nearly reached her nostrils, just out of reach, it had been so long since she’d been held by a man intimately, now her body craved it. These last few easy days with Jon had brought her sleeping womanhood to an abrupt awakening. Forcing her eyes open she sighed heavily.
Snap out of it Jenn! You have no idea what you’re letting yourself in for here. Get a grip woman!
Stowing her comforting daydream to the back of her head, she carried on preparing herself for the evening ahead. Stylish, black boot cut jeans, coupled with a deep red halter neck finished her outfit as she pulled on her knee high boots. Leaving her hair loose once more, a light covering of her favourite foundation with a dusting of bronzer let her face glow subtlety. A quick spray of her old friend Ralph Lauren left her skin with a sweet smell. Grabbing her coat and bag, she marched out the door straight into Jon, almost sending him flying.
“Oh fuck! Sorry!!”
“Whoah woman!! Where’s the fire?” he said laughing , grasping her shoulders.
Damn but if this woman isn’t attractive as hell! Jon blew out a breath under his lips as he took in the woman before him. Jenn with an arm across his chest to stop herself from falling as she cannoned into him took an equally appreciative look at the man stood before her. A light blue shirt falling out over dark jeans showed a slight smattering of hair at the tip of his chest which offered a tantalising glimpse of what lay beneath. Staring deep into one another’s eyes, Jon took her hand from his chest and kissed it gently.
“Might I say Miss O’Neill, that you look wonderful this evening?”
Blushing furiously she allowed him to take her other hand. Biting her lower lip slightly she looked up at him coyly.
“Why thank you Mr Bon Jovi and might I say you’re looking wonderfully well yourself!”
Both of them laughing now, they headed down the corridor arm in arm. For all the world to see they looked as any other couple would, comfortable in each other’s presence.
Jenn had decided on ordering a taxi to take them out to Karen’s house which lay in the leafy suburbs of Dublin. She wasn’t quite ready to spend another evening with this wonderfully attractive man without a little help from Mr Smirnoff again, as awful as it sounded. God knows she wasn’t an alcoholic but she reckoned a girl could always do with a little help in situations such as these!
After picking up a bottle of wine from the hotel bar to bring to dinner they settled in the back of the car, riding in comfortable silence, their bodies just touching. Both lost in thought about how they felt about one another. Jenn wondered where her reservations about having feelings for a man who was essentially her employer had gone, while Jon thought about how quickly he was falling for her, not just an apparent crush but a deeper connection existed for him at least. Pulling up outside Karen’s house, Jenn took a deep breath and smiled at him.
“Alright Mister! Brace yourself!”
Jon thought quickly to himself, Fuck it! and quickly reached for her before she went to open the door of the taxi. Cupping his palms around her face, he drew her in for a gentle kiss. Jenn froze, resisting at first, her brain going into overload but as his lips tentatively brushed against her own, her body relaxed of it’s own accord. Closing her eyes, she surrendered to her inhibitions, shutting out the fears for those few brief moments when the rest of the world ceased to exist. He slowly tasted her, almost afraid to venture further for fear of rejection but he found only sweet willingness. Her arms closed under his armpits as he moved his fingers to the base of her hairline, caressing the tight muscles of her neck. After what seemed like an eternity they slowly pulled apart, eyes locked onto eyes. They both felt they could have stayed in that embrace forever if it hadn’t have been for the impatient driver in front.
“Eh….yeah…whenever ye are ready there folks?” the driver was grumpy and impatient to get onto his next fare.
“Oh God! Sorry, here! Keep the change thanks!”
Jenn hurriedly threw some cash into the drivers outstretched hand, breaking apart from Jon who at that moment could have quite easily strangled the man with his bare hands. Glaring at him as he stooped and followed Jenn out of the car, the driver just smirked at him and sped off as soon as the door had shut. Turning to face one another on the dark pavement, Jon was about to speak when a bright light from the doorway was cast over them.
“Hey you two! Come on in, you’ll catch your death out there!”
Karen called out from the hallway. She had seen the taxi’s headlights when it had pulled up outside and unable to contain her excitement any longer had gone to find out what was taking her guests so long.
Jenn took a quick glance at Jon, her brain seemingly unable to process what had just happened in the taxi. Taking a step toward the house, she felt him take her hand and squeeze gently, a firm but calming pressure. Breathe Jenn, breathe!
“Hi honey! We made it!” Her voice sounded unnaturally high as she greeted her best friend.
“Well I can see that! Come on in………er…….hi!!” Karen’s normally confident voice shook slightly as Jon came into view behind her friend.
“Hi Karen! Good to meet ya! I’ve heard a lot about you!” Jon flashed his megawatt smile which had Karen blushing furiously and looking down at her feet. She laughed nervously,
“All good things I hope! Em…er…..right…come through, come through!!” she stuttered nervously shepherding them down the narrow hallway into the small but neatly kept living room. A man in his late thirties, lay sprawled on the couch, a slight beer belly rising from above his belt.
“Mark!!” Karen hissed at him, “Get up you lazy sod, our guests are here!”
Turning around to face Jenn and Jon, she motioned with her hand to Mark who was struggling to sit up straight,
“Jon, this is my lazy ass husband who loves me dearly and who is going to make everyone a drink now, aren’t you dear?” she narrowed her eyes and glared at her husband, before excusing herself to check on dinner.
“Yes darling beloved, right away!” came the good natured reply from the couch. Standing up he extended his hand to Jon,
“How’re you doing? Welcome to our humble abode!”
“Thanks for having us! You watching the game?” Jon motioned behind him to where the TV blared from a corner.
Mark snorted, “Ha! Trying to but it’s only a replay from the weekend. You interested in hurling?” Mark was surprised that an American would know anything about the Gaelic game of hurling.
“Well, I gotta admit I don’t know much about it but hey a game’s a game right?”
“You got that right! Sit yourself down there and I’ll get us a beer!” Mark was delighted he had someone to talk sport to for the night.
“AHEM!! Do I even get an hello??” Jenn glared at Mark, her hands on her hips.
“Oh fuck, sorry honey! Forgot about you there with my new buddy! How’ya doin babe?” He enveloped her in a big hug.
“Yeah I kinda see that! How about you just sit there with your ‘new buddy’ and I get you both beer?”
“Ah you always were a good girl! They’re in the fridge!” and he promptly flopped back down beside Jon. Throwing her eyes up to heaven, Jenn left the two boys to it and headed into the kitchen to find Karen. Delicious aromas of garlic and herbs were circulating around the kitchen and she found Karen with half her head immersed in the oven. Going to the fridge she grabbed the beers all the while sniffing appreciatively.
“Smells good Kar! What’s cooking?”
“Oh nothing fancy, just something I whipped up - where you going?!”
“Bringing the beers in for the boys, don’t worry, Mark’s looking after Jon very well! They have sport in common it seems!”
“Oh right, well hurry up and get back here, we got girl talk to do!”
Shaking her head and smiling, Jenn dropped the beers into the boys who were deep in conversation about the finer aspects of hurling it seemed. Back in the kitchen she found Karen struggling to open a bottle of wine.
“Here, give it to me, you better rescue whatever’s about to explode in that pot back there!” motioning to a large saucepan on the cooker which was bubbling a red liquid dangerously close to the brim. Karen shrieked and raced to grab it off the gas. Once she had it settled on a lower heat and after a quick glance at the oven, she threw herself down on a seat at the dining table beside Karen.
“Phew! Anyone would think I’ve never cooked before!” Then thoughtfully she added, “Although I’ve never cooked for a rockstar before!!”
“Believe it or not Kar, they eat the same food as us regular humans you know!”, Jenn handed her friend a large glass of chardonnay.
“Mmmnn, thanks! You know this could be the start of something huge! Think Jon needs a cook at home?” her eyes widened at the possibilities, “I could be famous!!”
Sitting back on the chair she closed her eyes and started waving her wine glass grandly through the air,
“Ah yes! I can just see it now - Karen Shields - chef to the stars!”
“Would you cut it out!! I know for a fact there’s no way you’d up sticks here and move to the states! And I very much doubt you’d get your hubby to move either!”
“Feck him!! I could find a new husband, hell I’d be so rich I could buy me a new one! And one of those cute dogs that live in your handbag!” Karen was starting to dissolve into giggles now. Jenn joined in and had tears rolling down her cheeks at the mere thought of Karen poncing around with a mutt in one of her ridiculously oversized bags.
“You’re unreal you know that!”
“Yeah but you love me for it!” Karen winked at her and then took on a more serious note.
“Soooooo? How’s it been going?”
“Good, we found some nice horses…”
“I don’t give a fuck about the horses you tart, I mean him!” she butted in lowering her voice for the last part. There was something different about her best friend tonight and she was determined to get it out of her.
Jenn blushed and gazed into her glass, watching the wine swirl around it. Pausing she looked Karen straight in the eyes,
“Not a word of this leaves this room, you hear me Karen Shields?”
Karen nodded, mouth agape at whatever Jenn was about to divulge.
“Well, I can’t help it but …….oh God Karen, he’s wonderful. I mean, shit, I shouldn’t even be thinking like this, he’s my boss after all, but there’s just something about him. I can’t put my finger on it but I can’t stop thinking about him.” Jenn looked helplessly at her.
“It’s his ass!”
“What?” Jenn stared at her.
“It’s his ass!” she repeated staring back right back at her. “I’ve done my research and apparently it’s been scientifically proven that Jon Bon Jovi’s ass has a strange effect on women! In fact I think I may have to inspect it more closely later on!” Karen started squealing with laughter at the look on Jenn’s face, who promptly picked up the wine cork and pegged it at her.
“You are meant to be helping me you cow! Taking the piss is most definitely not helping!”
“Okay, okay, sorry! It’s just so simple it’s staring you in the face!”
“What’s so simple Kar? Nothing from where I’m sitting looks simple!”
Karen leaned closer with a small grin on her face,
“You my friend, are falling in love with this man!” Satisfied she had solved her friends problem, she sat back and took a drink of her wine watching Jenn digest this particular bit of information.
“Love? Don’t be ridiculous! I barely know him!”
“Look at me honey” Karen took her friends hands in her own across the table. “You felt this exact same way when you met Steve, didn’t you?”
Jenn pulled away and put her hands to her face,
“Oh my God! I did!!”, she looked up sadly, “Yeah and look how that turned out.”
“You’ve gotta move on sometime sweetie, Steve wouldn’t have wanted you to waste your life grieving for him. Here’s your chance Jenn. Seize it with both hands!”
A solitary tear landed on the table from Jenn’s face.
“Oh bollocks! Don’t you dare start crying! This is a happy occasion!” Karen frantically handed her a tissue, “ Come on, knock that wine back and help me set the table.”
They both stood up and Karen pulled her into a hug,
“Just go with the flow babe, you’ll see it’ll work out. Trust me, that ass will work wonders for you!”
Laughing Jenn swatted her across the head and they set about making the final preparations for the dinner. Half an hour later, during which Jenn had been called upon to replenish Jon and Mark’s beer supply twice and they were all sat around the table. Karen served up the first course of Bloody Mary soup, garnished with a little crème fraice. Taking a sip Jon spluttered,
“Good God Karen! You didn’t hold back on the vodka did you?” smacking his lips together he added, “But it’s darn tasty! Good job we got a taxi here huh Jenn?”
“Oh don’t worry! If you’d seen the state of me after some of the nights in this house before you’d be wise to it too!” Jenn replied with a little twinkle in her eye. Looking at Mark she continued,
“Did you know Mark that Jon doubts my vodka abilities!”
Mark snorted into his soup and almost scalded himself,
“Haha! You’ll learn Jon! It ain’t a pretty sight! Lock up the breakables is all I can say!”
“Shut up asshole!” Jenn howled, “That was only one night and you always said you hated that vase anyway!” She threw her napkin at him in mock disgust.
Jon looked on amused at the banter between the friends. They reminded him so much of his own friends and he hoped he would get to introduce Jenn to them. She’d fit right in, he knew that already. And so the dinner continued on through a main course of Beef Wellington, which Jon declared to be the best he’d ever tasted and finishing with Karen’s speciality, home made crème brulees.
“Oh my God!” Jon groaned , “I am gonna have to put in some serious hours on the gym to shift all this off!!”
“Why bother mate!” Mark patted his own, not so svelte stomach, “Look at me! No gym hours here!!”
“Exactly Mark! You are a walking advertisement on why people should go to the gym!” Karen looked fondly at her husband.
“Now now baby! You know what this machine’s capable of producing, if you get my drift Jon!”
“Enough!! This conversation is headed downhill fast! C’mon into the living room guys, and NO more hurling Mark!!” Karen gathered up the remainder of the wine and led the way into the living room where they all flopped into the well worn but comfy couches. Jon unconsciously draped an arm around Jenn’s shoulders and she smiled happily at him. It just felt right somehow. When the wine ran out, Mark produced a large bottle of vodka which he waved gleefully in front of Jon and Jenn.
“C’mon then! Are ye still up for it?”
Before Jon could reply, Jenn had scrambled across his lap to retrieve it,
“Hell yes!!” She looked over her shoulder at Jon, “And no backing out tonight mister! Are you man or mouse?” There was a mischievous glint in her eyes and an equally amused one in Jon’s.
“Oh all man baby!! C’mon lets see what you’re made of!”
Mark went out the door to get some ice and coke for mixers and shouted back at Karen,
“Better put your china collection away honey! Jenn’s loose aboot the hoose!!!”
“Shag off fat boy not so slim!!”
An hour or so later and there wasn’t a sober body in the household. They had taken out the poker set and were cheating each other left, right and centre in a game of Texas Hold ‘Em.
“Full house!! I win!!” Karen produced her cards with a flourish.
“Ha hah! Fraid not darlin!” Jon threw her a lobsided grin and threw down his own cards. Four Queens stared back up at Karen.
“Well damn and screw you Bon Jovi!”
She looked in disgust at the cards. Jon gleefully handed her the shot of tequila they had decided on as the forfeit for the losing bet.
“Bottoms up sweetheart!!”
Giving him the two fingered salute, she threw back the foul smelling yellow liquor and threw the shot glass down on the floor on top of the winning hand. Noticing Jenn doubled up with laughter behind Jon’s back, she frowned and took a closer look at the cards.
“What the hell?…..” confused, she picked them up. Turning them over, she let out a roar and grabbed the box from behind them.
“You cheating fuckers! Two decks of cards!! Assholes!”
Jon couldn’t contain himself anymore and collapsed back on top of Jenn, howling in laughter. The two of them lay on the floor together, trying to protect themselves from the barrage of cushions that Karen was now pelting them with. Climbing unsteadily to her feet, Karen produced the half empty bottle of tequila.
“Finish it! The pair of you! S’only fair!” came out the slurred challenge.
Jon looked at Jenn who was still semi pinned underneath him,
“It’d be rude to refuse wouldn’t it?”
“Very!” came the giggle from under him.
“Alrighty then, pour em out Mark!”
“Mark?”
Everyone looked around to see Mark, fast asleep on the floor beside Karen.
“Hmph! Fat lot of good you are to me!”, she snorted looking down at him. Looking back at the pair, she once again thrust the bottle towards them, swaying a little unsteadily now.
“Bottle only!!” she declared.
The pair on the floor helped one another to their feet and turned to face Karen.
“Gimme!” Jenn lurched forward with one hand outstretched for the bottle, the other wrapped firmly around Jon’s neck for support. Taking the bottle, she proceeded to neck most of it, only coming up when she gasped for air. Spluttering, she waved the bottle towards Jon,
“Finish it hot shot!”
“No problem babe!” the crooked grin came out as he reached for it and poured the last of the burning fuel-like liquid down his throat.
“Waaahey!!” They all cheered as they officially pronounced the bottle empty. Vaguely aware that it must be pretty late by now, Jenn asked Karen to call them a taxi. As she left to go to the hall, Jon turned Jenn around to face him.
“Jennifer O’Neill I may be pretty drunk by now, but I do declare you are the most beautiful drunk I’ve ever come across!”
Running his fingers under her jaw line, he tilted her chin up to him and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Jenn felt the floor swirl away under her feet but she wasn’t quite sure if the kiss or the alcohol was to blame. Leaning forward on Jon, she wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled the spot below his left ear, murmuring softly,
“I think I’m falling for you, you’ve got me hooked you bad, bad man!”
Running his hands down her back, he hooked two fingers just under the waist band of her jeans above the slight curve of her butt. Kissing her again, more urgently this time, he rested his forehead against her hair. She smelled so good, so right. But no, not yet, not here. Pulling away from her slightly he braced her against himself,
“C’mon baby, lets get your coat. We gotta get back to the hotel.”
Murmuring her consent, Jenn swayed along the hallway in front of him, allowing him to put her coat on for her, before she made a visit to the bathroom. Karen helped him on with his own coat and he turned to thank her for the great evening.
“You’re welcome Jon, come again anytime.” She paused and leaned in closer to him, her eyes locking onto his, losing the slightly drunk look. “But Jon, if you hurt her, you better not step foot in this country again!” Smiling softly now, she gazed at him, “She’s something special y’know and she doesn’t deserve to be broken again.”
“S’okay, I get it and don’t worry, I know she’s special!” He squeezed her shoulders and gave her a hug,
“Give Mark my regards when he wakes up!”
“Ha! That won’t be for a week or so! Once a lightweight always a lightweight!!” Jenn declared triumphantly as she bounced off the walls back to where they were waiting at the front door for her.
“G’nite honey! Thanks for a wonderful evening! You’re the best!”
“Ooh sure don’t I know it!! Ring me before you go back to the States ok?”
“Yes ma’am!”
Just then the taxi pulled up outside and they turned to go until Karen shrieked at them,
“Oh Hang ON!! I almost forgot!” She came rushing down the steps after them almost breaking her neck on the pavement. They both looked at her, confused in their drunken states, as she produced a piece of paper and a pen. Looking shyly up at Jon she whispered,
“Can I have your autograph please Mr. Rockstar!”
“Ohmigod Karen!!” Jenn shook her head grinning.
“What!” she hissed at her, “It’s not like I cook dinner for a rock star everyday!”
Jon chuckled and took the pen and paper off her,
“How could I refuse after that Bloody Mary soup?!”
Scribbling a little note, he signed it and handed it back to her grinning.
“For when you want to make it again! Look after yourself!”
They both climbed into the back of the taxi and waved as they snuggled against one another. Waving back until the car was out of sight, she looked down at the piece of paper and gasped,
To Super Chef Karen!
Come and make me dinner anytime babe! JBJ
Scribbled underneath was his address and what she supposed was his phone number.
Well, he’s not hiding himself away anyway, she thought to herself.
Looks like he’s serious about her, at least he bloody well better be!!
Folding the piece of paper carefully, she pocketed it and headed inside wondering how in hell she was going to get her comatose husband to bed!
Snap out of it Jenn! You have no idea what you’re letting yourself in for here. Get a grip woman!
Stowing her comforting daydream to the back of her head, she carried on preparing herself for the evening ahead. Stylish, black boot cut jeans, coupled with a deep red halter neck finished her outfit as she pulled on her knee high boots. Leaving her hair loose once more, a light covering of her favourite foundation with a dusting of bronzer let her face glow subtlety. A quick spray of her old friend Ralph Lauren left her skin with a sweet smell. Grabbing her coat and bag, she marched out the door straight into Jon, almost sending him flying.
“Oh fuck! Sorry!!”
“Whoah woman!! Where’s the fire?” he said laughing , grasping her shoulders.
Damn but if this woman isn’t attractive as hell! Jon blew out a breath under his lips as he took in the woman before him. Jenn with an arm across his chest to stop herself from falling as she cannoned into him took an equally appreciative look at the man stood before her. A light blue shirt falling out over dark jeans showed a slight smattering of hair at the tip of his chest which offered a tantalising glimpse of what lay beneath. Staring deep into one another’s eyes, Jon took her hand from his chest and kissed it gently.
“Might I say Miss O’Neill, that you look wonderful this evening?”
Blushing furiously she allowed him to take her other hand. Biting her lower lip slightly she looked up at him coyly.
“Why thank you Mr Bon Jovi and might I say you’re looking wonderfully well yourself!”
Both of them laughing now, they headed down the corridor arm in arm. For all the world to see they looked as any other couple would, comfortable in each other’s presence.
Jenn had decided on ordering a taxi to take them out to Karen’s house which lay in the leafy suburbs of Dublin. She wasn’t quite ready to spend another evening with this wonderfully attractive man without a little help from Mr Smirnoff again, as awful as it sounded. God knows she wasn’t an alcoholic but she reckoned a girl could always do with a little help in situations such as these!
After picking up a bottle of wine from the hotel bar to bring to dinner they settled in the back of the car, riding in comfortable silence, their bodies just touching. Both lost in thought about how they felt about one another. Jenn wondered where her reservations about having feelings for a man who was essentially her employer had gone, while Jon thought about how quickly he was falling for her, not just an apparent crush but a deeper connection existed for him at least. Pulling up outside Karen’s house, Jenn took a deep breath and smiled at him.
“Alright Mister! Brace yourself!”
Jon thought quickly to himself, Fuck it! and quickly reached for her before she went to open the door of the taxi. Cupping his palms around her face, he drew her in for a gentle kiss. Jenn froze, resisting at first, her brain going into overload but as his lips tentatively brushed against her own, her body relaxed of it’s own accord. Closing her eyes, she surrendered to her inhibitions, shutting out the fears for those few brief moments when the rest of the world ceased to exist. He slowly tasted her, almost afraid to venture further for fear of rejection but he found only sweet willingness. Her arms closed under his armpits as he moved his fingers to the base of her hairline, caressing the tight muscles of her neck. After what seemed like an eternity they slowly pulled apart, eyes locked onto eyes. They both felt they could have stayed in that embrace forever if it hadn’t have been for the impatient driver in front.
“Eh….yeah…whenever ye are ready there folks?” the driver was grumpy and impatient to get onto his next fare.
“Oh God! Sorry, here! Keep the change thanks!”
Jenn hurriedly threw some cash into the drivers outstretched hand, breaking apart from Jon who at that moment could have quite easily strangled the man with his bare hands. Glaring at him as he stooped and followed Jenn out of the car, the driver just smirked at him and sped off as soon as the door had shut. Turning to face one another on the dark pavement, Jon was about to speak when a bright light from the doorway was cast over them.
“Hey you two! Come on in, you’ll catch your death out there!”
Karen called out from the hallway. She had seen the taxi’s headlights when it had pulled up outside and unable to contain her excitement any longer had gone to find out what was taking her guests so long.
Jenn took a quick glance at Jon, her brain seemingly unable to process what had just happened in the taxi. Taking a step toward the house, she felt him take her hand and squeeze gently, a firm but calming pressure. Breathe Jenn, breathe!
“Hi honey! We made it!” Her voice sounded unnaturally high as she greeted her best friend.
“Well I can see that! Come on in………er…….hi!!” Karen’s normally confident voice shook slightly as Jon came into view behind her friend.
“Hi Karen! Good to meet ya! I’ve heard a lot about you!” Jon flashed his megawatt smile which had Karen blushing furiously and looking down at her feet. She laughed nervously,
“All good things I hope! Em…er…..right…come through, come through!!” she stuttered nervously shepherding them down the narrow hallway into the small but neatly kept living room. A man in his late thirties, lay sprawled on the couch, a slight beer belly rising from above his belt.
“Mark!!” Karen hissed at him, “Get up you lazy sod, our guests are here!”
Turning around to face Jenn and Jon, she motioned with her hand to Mark who was struggling to sit up straight,
“Jon, this is my lazy ass husband who loves me dearly and who is going to make everyone a drink now, aren’t you dear?” she narrowed her eyes and glared at her husband, before excusing herself to check on dinner.
“Yes darling beloved, right away!” came the good natured reply from the couch. Standing up he extended his hand to Jon,
“How’re you doing? Welcome to our humble abode!”
“Thanks for having us! You watching the game?” Jon motioned behind him to where the TV blared from a corner.
Mark snorted, “Ha! Trying to but it’s only a replay from the weekend. You interested in hurling?” Mark was surprised that an American would know anything about the Gaelic game of hurling.
“Well, I gotta admit I don’t know much about it but hey a game’s a game right?”
“You got that right! Sit yourself down there and I’ll get us a beer!” Mark was delighted he had someone to talk sport to for the night.
“AHEM!! Do I even get an hello??” Jenn glared at Mark, her hands on her hips.
“Oh fuck, sorry honey! Forgot about you there with my new buddy! How’ya doin babe?” He enveloped her in a big hug.
“Yeah I kinda see that! How about you just sit there with your ‘new buddy’ and I get you both beer?”
“Ah you always were a good girl! They’re in the fridge!” and he promptly flopped back down beside Jon. Throwing her eyes up to heaven, Jenn left the two boys to it and headed into the kitchen to find Karen. Delicious aromas of garlic and herbs were circulating around the kitchen and she found Karen with half her head immersed in the oven. Going to the fridge she grabbed the beers all the while sniffing appreciatively.
“Smells good Kar! What’s cooking?”
“Oh nothing fancy, just something I whipped up - where you going?!”
“Bringing the beers in for the boys, don’t worry, Mark’s looking after Jon very well! They have sport in common it seems!”
“Oh right, well hurry up and get back here, we got girl talk to do!”
Shaking her head and smiling, Jenn dropped the beers into the boys who were deep in conversation about the finer aspects of hurling it seemed. Back in the kitchen she found Karen struggling to open a bottle of wine.
“Here, give it to me, you better rescue whatever’s about to explode in that pot back there!” motioning to a large saucepan on the cooker which was bubbling a red liquid dangerously close to the brim. Karen shrieked and raced to grab it off the gas. Once she had it settled on a lower heat and after a quick glance at the oven, she threw herself down on a seat at the dining table beside Karen.
“Phew! Anyone would think I’ve never cooked before!” Then thoughtfully she added, “Although I’ve never cooked for a rockstar before!!”
“Believe it or not Kar, they eat the same food as us regular humans you know!”, Jenn handed her friend a large glass of chardonnay.
“Mmmnn, thanks! You know this could be the start of something huge! Think Jon needs a cook at home?” her eyes widened at the possibilities, “I could be famous!!”
Sitting back on the chair she closed her eyes and started waving her wine glass grandly through the air,
“Ah yes! I can just see it now - Karen Shields - chef to the stars!”
“Would you cut it out!! I know for a fact there’s no way you’d up sticks here and move to the states! And I very much doubt you’d get your hubby to move either!”
“Feck him!! I could find a new husband, hell I’d be so rich I could buy me a new one! And one of those cute dogs that live in your handbag!” Karen was starting to dissolve into giggles now. Jenn joined in and had tears rolling down her cheeks at the mere thought of Karen poncing around with a mutt in one of her ridiculously oversized bags.
“You’re unreal you know that!”
“Yeah but you love me for it!” Karen winked at her and then took on a more serious note.
“Soooooo? How’s it been going?”
“Good, we found some nice horses…”
“I don’t give a fuck about the horses you tart, I mean him!” she butted in lowering her voice for the last part. There was something different about her best friend tonight and she was determined to get it out of her.
Jenn blushed and gazed into her glass, watching the wine swirl around it. Pausing she looked Karen straight in the eyes,
“Not a word of this leaves this room, you hear me Karen Shields?”
Karen nodded, mouth agape at whatever Jenn was about to divulge.
“Well, I can’t help it but …….oh God Karen, he’s wonderful. I mean, shit, I shouldn’t even be thinking like this, he’s my boss after all, but there’s just something about him. I can’t put my finger on it but I can’t stop thinking about him.” Jenn looked helplessly at her.
“It’s his ass!”
“What?” Jenn stared at her.
“It’s his ass!” she repeated staring back right back at her. “I’ve done my research and apparently it’s been scientifically proven that Jon Bon Jovi’s ass has a strange effect on women! In fact I think I may have to inspect it more closely later on!” Karen started squealing with laughter at the look on Jenn’s face, who promptly picked up the wine cork and pegged it at her.
“You are meant to be helping me you cow! Taking the piss is most definitely not helping!”
“Okay, okay, sorry! It’s just so simple it’s staring you in the face!”
“What’s so simple Kar? Nothing from where I’m sitting looks simple!”
Karen leaned closer with a small grin on her face,
“You my friend, are falling in love with this man!” Satisfied she had solved her friends problem, she sat back and took a drink of her wine watching Jenn digest this particular bit of information.
“Love? Don’t be ridiculous! I barely know him!”
“Look at me honey” Karen took her friends hands in her own across the table. “You felt this exact same way when you met Steve, didn’t you?”
Jenn pulled away and put her hands to her face,
“Oh my God! I did!!”, she looked up sadly, “Yeah and look how that turned out.”
“You’ve gotta move on sometime sweetie, Steve wouldn’t have wanted you to waste your life grieving for him. Here’s your chance Jenn. Seize it with both hands!”
A solitary tear landed on the table from Jenn’s face.
“Oh bollocks! Don’t you dare start crying! This is a happy occasion!” Karen frantically handed her a tissue, “ Come on, knock that wine back and help me set the table.”
They both stood up and Karen pulled her into a hug,
“Just go with the flow babe, you’ll see it’ll work out. Trust me, that ass will work wonders for you!”
Laughing Jenn swatted her across the head and they set about making the final preparations for the dinner. Half an hour later, during which Jenn had been called upon to replenish Jon and Mark’s beer supply twice and they were all sat around the table. Karen served up the first course of Bloody Mary soup, garnished with a little crème fraice. Taking a sip Jon spluttered,
“Good God Karen! You didn’t hold back on the vodka did you?” smacking his lips together he added, “But it’s darn tasty! Good job we got a taxi here huh Jenn?”
“Oh don’t worry! If you’d seen the state of me after some of the nights in this house before you’d be wise to it too!” Jenn replied with a little twinkle in her eye. Looking at Mark she continued,
“Did you know Mark that Jon doubts my vodka abilities!”
Mark snorted into his soup and almost scalded himself,
“Haha! You’ll learn Jon! It ain’t a pretty sight! Lock up the breakables is all I can say!”
“Shut up asshole!” Jenn howled, “That was only one night and you always said you hated that vase anyway!” She threw her napkin at him in mock disgust.
Jon looked on amused at the banter between the friends. They reminded him so much of his own friends and he hoped he would get to introduce Jenn to them. She’d fit right in, he knew that already. And so the dinner continued on through a main course of Beef Wellington, which Jon declared to be the best he’d ever tasted and finishing with Karen’s speciality, home made crème brulees.
“Oh my God!” Jon groaned , “I am gonna have to put in some serious hours on the gym to shift all this off!!”
“Why bother mate!” Mark patted his own, not so svelte stomach, “Look at me! No gym hours here!!”
“Exactly Mark! You are a walking advertisement on why people should go to the gym!” Karen looked fondly at her husband.
“Now now baby! You know what this machine’s capable of producing, if you get my drift Jon!”
“Enough!! This conversation is headed downhill fast! C’mon into the living room guys, and NO more hurling Mark!!” Karen gathered up the remainder of the wine and led the way into the living room where they all flopped into the well worn but comfy couches. Jon unconsciously draped an arm around Jenn’s shoulders and she smiled happily at him. It just felt right somehow. When the wine ran out, Mark produced a large bottle of vodka which he waved gleefully in front of Jon and Jenn.
“C’mon then! Are ye still up for it?”
Before Jon could reply, Jenn had scrambled across his lap to retrieve it,
“Hell yes!!” She looked over her shoulder at Jon, “And no backing out tonight mister! Are you man or mouse?” There was a mischievous glint in her eyes and an equally amused one in Jon’s.
“Oh all man baby!! C’mon lets see what you’re made of!”
Mark went out the door to get some ice and coke for mixers and shouted back at Karen,
“Better put your china collection away honey! Jenn’s loose aboot the hoose!!!”
“Shag off fat boy not so slim!!”
An hour or so later and there wasn’t a sober body in the household. They had taken out the poker set and were cheating each other left, right and centre in a game of Texas Hold ‘Em.
“Full house!! I win!!” Karen produced her cards with a flourish.
“Ha hah! Fraid not darlin!” Jon threw her a lobsided grin and threw down his own cards. Four Queens stared back up at Karen.
“Well damn and screw you Bon Jovi!”
She looked in disgust at the cards. Jon gleefully handed her the shot of tequila they had decided on as the forfeit for the losing bet.
“Bottoms up sweetheart!!”
Giving him the two fingered salute, she threw back the foul smelling yellow liquor and threw the shot glass down on the floor on top of the winning hand. Noticing Jenn doubled up with laughter behind Jon’s back, she frowned and took a closer look at the cards.
“What the hell?…..” confused, she picked them up. Turning them over, she let out a roar and grabbed the box from behind them.
“You cheating fuckers! Two decks of cards!! Assholes!”
Jon couldn’t contain himself anymore and collapsed back on top of Jenn, howling in laughter. The two of them lay on the floor together, trying to protect themselves from the barrage of cushions that Karen was now pelting them with. Climbing unsteadily to her feet, Karen produced the half empty bottle of tequila.
“Finish it! The pair of you! S’only fair!” came out the slurred challenge.
Jon looked at Jenn who was still semi pinned underneath him,
“It’d be rude to refuse wouldn’t it?”
“Very!” came the giggle from under him.
“Alrighty then, pour em out Mark!”
“Mark?”
Everyone looked around to see Mark, fast asleep on the floor beside Karen.
“Hmph! Fat lot of good you are to me!”, she snorted looking down at him. Looking back at the pair, she once again thrust the bottle towards them, swaying a little unsteadily now.
“Bottle only!!” she declared.
The pair on the floor helped one another to their feet and turned to face Karen.
“Gimme!” Jenn lurched forward with one hand outstretched for the bottle, the other wrapped firmly around Jon’s neck for support. Taking the bottle, she proceeded to neck most of it, only coming up when she gasped for air. Spluttering, she waved the bottle towards Jon,
“Finish it hot shot!”
“No problem babe!” the crooked grin came out as he reached for it and poured the last of the burning fuel-like liquid down his throat.
“Waaahey!!” They all cheered as they officially pronounced the bottle empty. Vaguely aware that it must be pretty late by now, Jenn asked Karen to call them a taxi. As she left to go to the hall, Jon turned Jenn around to face him.
“Jennifer O’Neill I may be pretty drunk by now, but I do declare you are the most beautiful drunk I’ve ever come across!”
Running his fingers under her jaw line, he tilted her chin up to him and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Jenn felt the floor swirl away under her feet but she wasn’t quite sure if the kiss or the alcohol was to blame. Leaning forward on Jon, she wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled the spot below his left ear, murmuring softly,
“I think I’m falling for you, you’ve got me hooked you bad, bad man!”
Running his hands down her back, he hooked two fingers just under the waist band of her jeans above the slight curve of her butt. Kissing her again, more urgently this time, he rested his forehead against her hair. She smelled so good, so right. But no, not yet, not here. Pulling away from her slightly he braced her against himself,
“C’mon baby, lets get your coat. We gotta get back to the hotel.”
Murmuring her consent, Jenn swayed along the hallway in front of him, allowing him to put her coat on for her, before she made a visit to the bathroom. Karen helped him on with his own coat and he turned to thank her for the great evening.
“You’re welcome Jon, come again anytime.” She paused and leaned in closer to him, her eyes locking onto his, losing the slightly drunk look. “But Jon, if you hurt her, you better not step foot in this country again!” Smiling softly now, she gazed at him, “She’s something special y’know and she doesn’t deserve to be broken again.”
“S’okay, I get it and don’t worry, I know she’s special!” He squeezed her shoulders and gave her a hug,
“Give Mark my regards when he wakes up!”
“Ha! That won’t be for a week or so! Once a lightweight always a lightweight!!” Jenn declared triumphantly as she bounced off the walls back to where they were waiting at the front door for her.
“G’nite honey! Thanks for a wonderful evening! You’re the best!”
“Ooh sure don’t I know it!! Ring me before you go back to the States ok?”
“Yes ma’am!”
Just then the taxi pulled up outside and they turned to go until Karen shrieked at them,
“Oh Hang ON!! I almost forgot!” She came rushing down the steps after them almost breaking her neck on the pavement. They both looked at her, confused in their drunken states, as she produced a piece of paper and a pen. Looking shyly up at Jon she whispered,
“Can I have your autograph please Mr. Rockstar!”
“Ohmigod Karen!!” Jenn shook her head grinning.
“What!” she hissed at her, “It’s not like I cook dinner for a rock star everyday!”
Jon chuckled and took the pen and paper off her,
“How could I refuse after that Bloody Mary soup?!”
Scribbling a little note, he signed it and handed it back to her grinning.
“For when you want to make it again! Look after yourself!”
They both climbed into the back of the taxi and waved as they snuggled against one another. Waving back until the car was out of sight, she looked down at the piece of paper and gasped,
To Super Chef Karen!
Come and make me dinner anytime babe! JBJ
Scribbled underneath was his address and what she supposed was his phone number.
Well, he’s not hiding himself away anyway, she thought to herself.
Looks like he’s serious about her, at least he bloody well better be!!
Folding the piece of paper carefully, she pocketed it and headed inside wondering how in hell she was going to get her comatose husband to bed!
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