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.

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!

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?