Sunday, September 30, 2007

Chapter 11

Sara went off to find something to wear while Jon helped himself to more coffee, grinning at the crazy dragon on the back of her robe. He stood for a moment, considering, then quietly followed along the hallway to the bedroom, where he could hear Sara opening doors and drawers.

Standing in the doorway, sipping coffee, Jon watched an unsuspecting Sara as she emerged from a walk-in closet, wearing only a red thong and matching bra. She was over by the mirror, pulling her hair back and about to pick up a clip to secure it when she glanced up and saw him watching her. Spinning around to face him, she let go of her hair, and it fell in a soft curtain that covered most of what he’d been admiring.

“What?” She asked as he smirked at her, but she was smiling too. “Can I help you with something, Mr Bon Jovi?”

Jon shook his head, still standing leaning on the door frame. “Nope. I just like watching you. Didn’t you know I’m a peeping tom?”

“Shouldn’t that be peeping Jon?”

“Probably. So…...do you have a lot of work to do today?” Jon watched the sunlight play on the sparkles that were all over her body, feeling a kind of hollowness in his belly as she ran the fingers of one hand through her hair, pulling it off her face in an unconsciously sensual motion.

“Just a whole lot of boring paperwork. I was supposed to do it yesterday, but I never got the chance. Something, uh, something came up that I had to deal with instead.”

Jon chuckled softly. “And what if something came up this morning?” He joked, but his laughter died in his throat when Sara walked slowly over to him, her long stride swivelling her hips, and a delighted smile on her face when she saw his expression.

She stepped right up close to him, her hands in his wet hair as she pulled his head forward to whisper in his ear.

“What do you think?” She breathed, nipping at his ear lobe, then she felt his lips on her own ear.

“I think I need to put this coffee down.” He murmured back to her, and she could feel him smiling.

“Yeah,” she gave him a naughty grin, “I can feel the mug digging into me.” Then, pulling back from him and looking down, “Oh, it’s not the mug!”

“I thought you were so sweet and innocent!” Jon said with a wry smile. “You’ve got a very dirty mind. I like it!”

Sara pouted at him. “I was sweet and innocent until I met you. You’re just a bad influence, Jon. I’ve known you, what - three days, and I’m walking around in front of you virtually naked. You said it yourself - you’ve corrupted me.”

Jon managed to put the mug down on the floor, running his hands lingeringly up Sara’s legs onto her waist as he straightened.

“You’re not nearly naked enough for my liking.” He told her, unsnapping her bra and tossing it to the floor as she giggled and dragged her fingers down his chest, hooking them into the waistband of his jeans as she rubbed against him like a friendly cat.

“That’s a bit better.” He muttered, pushing her hair back from her face so he could kiss her, holding the long tresses in one hand while the other dropped to her breast, squeezing gently as he played with her nipple. Sara moaned deep in her throat when he pinched her nipple, the tip already almost unbearably sensitive, and her tongue flickered against Jon’s, twisting sinuously in his mouth.

She moved her hands on the waist of his jeans, unfastening the button and slowly running the zipper down until his hard cock sprang out. Their mouths still teasing each other, Sara scraped her nails through the coarse, curly hair at the base of his belly, feeling Jon’s hand tighten on her hair as her fingers closed around him.

Breaking the kiss, Sara looked down at the rigid shaft in her hand, stroking gently, then she kissed Jon softly before dropping to her knees in front of him. Now she was unsure of herself, but she decided to follow her instincts and see where they took her. Again, she stroked her hand along his length, and looked up to see Jon smiling down at her, happy to let her take control - at least for the moment. She tugged on his jeans, pulling them down to his knees, then easing them all the way off his legs, leaving them in a tangled pile around his feet.

Rising higher on her knees, Sara kissed his hard belly, working her way across the ‘v’ of sculpted muscle until she reached an intriguing pair of freckles on his side. She kissed each freckle lightly, leaving a tiny smear of moisture over each where she had laid her tongue, then she trailed her tongue down, following the line of muscle until she found herself back at his crotch. So delicately that Jon wasn’t able to tell when she was actually touching him, Sara alternately kissed and gently blew on the sides of his cock, lightly stroking the inside of his thigh with one hand. Gazing up at him through her lashes, Sara ran the slick underside of her tongue across the very tip of him, watching him close his eyes, then she kissed the distended head before tentatively taking it in her mouth.

Jon felt her teeth slide apart, scraping slightly across his most sensitive skin as she opened her mouth to him. His head dropped back, caressing her hair as she sucked on his cock, her intuitive, untutored actions making him harder still, but this wasn’t what he wanted, not today, although it took an effort of sheer will for him to force his eyes open again. He opened his mouth to say her name, just as she rippled her tongue against him, turning his words into a pained groan as he struggled to control himself.

He pulled back from her a little, and Sara released him, looking up in confusion. Jon put his hands around her face, pulling her to her feet with a smile.

“Not this time.” He told her softly, kissing her lips. “Right now, I want you.”

This time, when he kissed her, all gentleness was gone, as they devoured each other’s mouths, Jon pushing Sara back toward the bed, tripping and stumbling as he tried to free himself from his jeans. He threw her down on the bed and lowered himself on top of her, plunging his tongue into her mouth as her fingers closed on the back of his head, trying to bring him even closer to her. When Jon ran his hand down her body, down between her legs, he could feel the wetness and heat through the thin strip of her thong, and he knew she was as ready as he was. Not even bothering to take the time to pull her panties down, Jon yanked the fabric to one side, and thrust inside her, hearing her cry out at the force with which he entered her.

He tried to pull away, thinking he’d hurt her, but Sara moaned a protest, a refusal, and brought one leg up, hooking her ankle behind his thigh to keep him close as her fingers dug painfully into his scalp, and she held his mouth captive to her kiss. This was a side of Sara that Jon hadn’t imagined, had never expected her wildness, and it excited him more, knowing just how much she wanted him, making him pound into her almost violently.

Now Sara did break the kiss, every breath sobbing in her throat as Jon hammered into her, and she could feel her orgasm building until it was almost a physical pain, before it was finally too much. Jon felt her bucking wildly beneath him, and poured himself into her as he came, her contractions wringing the last drops from him as he collapsed on top of her, panting for breath.

As his muscles relaxed again, Jon tried to roll off Sara, but she tightened the grip she still had on him with one leg, keeping him inside her as the sweat cooled on their bodies, until their breathing was almost back to normal then, with the tiniest movement, Jon’s cock slipped out of her, leaving her feeling empty.

Jon rolled onto his side, propping himself on one elbow to look at Sara, who rolled to face him, eyes glowing and a mischievous smile on her lips.

“Is that it?!” She asked, mock serious, dissolving into giggles as Jon looked briefly shocked, then burst out laughing, shaking his head at her.

“I think I’ve overdone the corruption.” He said with a grin, and Sara laid a hand on his face, kissing him chastely.

“Okay.” she told him, with huge, innocent eyes, “I’ll be good.” But she couldn’t hold the solemn expression, and a beaming smile spread across her face again as she looked at him.

“Oh no! What time is it?” She suddenly asked, grabbing his wrist to look at his watch. “Shit! I was supposed to be at the studio by now! Kay’s coming over for coffee this morning!”

As she spoke, the phone began to ring, and she rolled onto her belly, then crawled across the bed to the phone.

“Hello? Hi Kay - yeah, I’m still here.” She flinched as Jon tickled her foot, trying to kick him away gently as his fingers ran along her foot and ankle.

“Sorry Kay, what was that? This is a really bad line!” Jon grinned as he rolled over to Sara, now kissing her ankle and moving further north, making her slap at his head with her free hand.

“I know - I said I’d be there at ten, didn’t I? Sorry.”

She struggled to keep her voice even as Jon pushed her over onto her back and began kissing her belly, working his way leisurely up to her breasts. Jon could hear the voice on the other end of the line, and thought she didn’t sound happy at all.

“No, I won’t be able to get in now until lunchtime.” A pause as the voice on the other end started again. “Sorry Kay - tomorrow maybe?” Now Sara glanced down at Jon, who was watching her with those electrifying blue eyes as his clever tongue flicked over her nipple, and she smiled.

“Okay, hon, I’ll see you later.”

This time Jon clearly heard the other voice, asking Sara if she was okay.

“Oh, yeah, I’m fine.” She replied, “Something came up, that’s all.”

She was laughing as she hung up the phone and grabbed Jon by the hair.

“What am I going to do with you?” She asked him, and he just smiled.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Chapter 10

Jon woke slowly and painfully. There was a musky taste in his mouth, and his head ached brutally with his first real hangover in years. Cautiously, he opened his eyes, unsure if it was a good idea, but fortunately the room was dark, although a faint glow was visible from somewhere behind him. He was lying on a couch, a soft, thick blanket over him, and he could smell a strange, but somehow familiar, perfume lingering faintly in the air. Trying to see in the gloom, he realised he didn’t recognise the room. The glow gave just enough illumination for him to see the table in front of him, and, underneath the table, his boots and a whisky bottle.

Oh, yeah, whisky. He remembered the whisky now, and it certainly explained the headache. His brain was slowly starting to function, and he recalled his discussion with Dot, and the as-yet-unofficial end of his marriage. So where was he? Jon remembered leaving the house, in a cab. He remembered staggering out of the cab, up to a door. Sara’s door. As the realisation hit, he involuntarily sat up, grunting softly as his pounding head protested the movement.

Sara?” he whispered, looking around the room. Nobody. Now that he was upright - more or less - Jon carefully stood, ignoring the pain in his head as he slowly turned to look around the whole room.

Standing, he could see that the glow came from a tiny nightlight plugged into the wall, just outside the door, and he walked softly out into a short hallway. Three other doors led off the hallway - at a guess bedrooms and a bathroom - and Jon approached the first one, opening it quietly. Bathroom. He walked to the next door, then noticed dim light under the furthest door, so headed there instead. From the flickering of the light, he assumed it was a television, and he pushed the door open.

“Sara?”

She didn’t hear him. She lay on top of her bed, wearing a tight, bright orange t shirt, with matching hotpants, both bearing the words “Las Vegas County Jail”. She was fast asleep. Jon crept over to the bed and touched her hair, still tied into pigtails. “Sara?” He said again, and she moaned, smiling in her sleep at his voice. Careful not to wake her, Jon lay down beside her, and Sara just naturally turned to lie close against him, her head on his chest. With a smile, Jon closed his eyes again. Just for a minute.

Sara woke as the sun began to flood the bedroom with light. She had a moment of panic when she felt something holding her, preventing her from moving, but then she looked down to see a strong, tanned arm wrapped around her waist, and she remembered the previous evening’s unexpected visit. Running her fingers across Jon’s arm, Sara wondered if he was awake, but the only response he made was to tighten his arm around her, pulling her tightly into his body. She could feel his warm, even breathing on the back of her neck, and she relaxed against him briefly, savouring the contact, then caught sight of the bedside clock, and realised the alarm would soon shatter the silence.

Reaching across, she flicked the switch, killing the alarm before it could start the irritating beeping, then she managed to slide out from under Jon’s arm. She looked down at him for a long moment, then crept silently out of the bedroom and down the hall to the bathroom. While the shower warmed, Sara cleaned her teeth, then untwisted her hair from the pigtails before stepping into the steamy water. She’d left her fluffy robe in the bedroom the previous morning, so once she had dried off, she pulled on her favourite robe - short black satin with a huge red and yellow dragon embroidered on the back. Cheesy, maybe, but she loved it anyway.

Hair swathed in a towel, she went back through to the bedroom but, since Jon was still asleep, decided to make some coffee before starting her usual search for clothes. She picked up her book on the way out of the bedroom, opening it on the kitchen counter while the coffee began to drip into the pot. Breakfast crossed her mind briefly, but she knew she had nothing in, so coffee would just have to do for now. Her eyes were focused on the book, but she wasn’t reading, her attention drifting off to things she needed to do, and she was so lost in thought that she didn’t hear Jon walk into the kitchen, didn’t know he was there until he slid his arms around her waist, making her jump.

“Jon!” Her heart was racing from the fright he’d given her, and she heard a light chuckle as he spoke.

“Sorry baby. Did I scare you?” He bent to drop a kiss on her neck, just where it met her shoulder, leaving his head resting there as she replied.

“Scare me? What do you think?! I didn’t hear you come in.” Sara moved her head, rubbing her towel-covered hair against the side of his head. “How are you feeling?”

“Mmm?” Jon sounded distracted. “Oh, I’m fine.” He inhaled deeply. “God, you smell good. What is that?”

“Snow Fairy.” Sara replied.

Excuse me?”

Sara giggled “Snow Fairy. It’s shower gel, Jon. Do you want coffee?”

“Not right now.” He said, nuzzling her neck. He moved his head forward a little, peeking down the front of her robe as he nipped at her neck, seeing that the black satin was all she wore.

“Hey - you’re sparkling!” he said, looking at her bare skin, then a sneaky hand reached around and pulled the belt of the robe so that the front fell open.

“I told you - Snow Fairy.” Sara tried to pull her robe closed again. “It’s got glitter in it.”

Jon pressed against her, pinning her to the counter so she couldn’t close her robe as he kissed her neck again. Sara sighed, tilting her head away so he could kiss up behind her ear, loving the feel of his mouth on her skin. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Jon knew that he shouldn’t take this any further, not this morning, and he drew his head back, keeping Sara pinned against the counter with his hips, arms wrapped around her slender waist.

“Sorry.” he said. “Do you have any aspirin? For some reason, I’ve got a bit of a headache.”

“Oh, I wonder why!” Sara poured coffee for them both before she moved away from Jon, closing and belting her robe as she stepped away. She found aspirin in a cupboard and handed them to Jon, who swallowed a couple with his coffee.

“Can I grab a shower?” Jon asked, and Sara nodded.

“Sure. First door on the right. There should be some dry towels in there.”

Jon kissed her on the cheek with a grateful smile, then disappeared off to the bathroom. Soon, Sara heard the shower running, and she took the opportunity to go back through to her bedroom to dry her hair and dress.

The shower helped a bit, and Jon could feel the aspirin taking the edge off the headache as he dried off and wrapped a towel around his waist. His mouth still tasted of old whisky, not helped much by the strong coffee, and he sneaked a look in the bathroom cabinet, hoping to find a spare toothbrush. No such luck, but he did find a bottle of mouthwash, which would just have to do for now. He pulled his jeans back on and gave his hair a quick rub with the towel, dropping it on the floor. Before he left the bathroom, though, he looked back, then went over, picked up the towel and folded it, hanging it neatly on the side of the bath.

Leaving the bathroom in just his jeans, Jon could hear a hairdryer in the bedroom, but he went back to the kitchen to collect his coffee before going through to see Sara. She was sitting on a low stool, head thrown forward as she dried her hair quickly, and Jon sat down on the end of the bed to wait until she was finished.

Flipping her head up to finish drying her hair, Sara caught sight of Jon in the mirror, and smiled at him while continuing to dry her hair. He gave her a lazy grin that tightened her grip on the hairdryer, but she finished what she was doing, then killed the hairdryer and reached for a brush. Jon took another mouthful of coffee, then stood up to walk over to Sara. She watched in the mirror as he came up behind her, then he took the brush out of her hand, running it gently through her hair. Sara couldn’t believe how erotic she found the simple act of Jon brushing her hair, and when she glanced at him in the mirror, she was even more surprised to see by his face that he felt it too.

As he finished, Jon laid the brush back down and crouched beside Sara, pulling her around on the stool to face him.

“Sara, I….” She laid her fingers on his soft, full lips to silence him.

“Jon, you need to go home. If you want, I can drive you to the studio, so you can get your car, but I really think you need to go sort things out. In fact, you should call home just now - they’ll be worried about you.”

Sitting back on his heels, Jon gazed up at Sara. “You really are very special, you know that?” He said, and reached for his cellphone as she gently stroked his face.

He dialled home and spoke briefly to Dot, telling her that he’d spent the night in a hotel, but had passed out from the whisky and only just woken up. There was real relief in her voice when she heard he was okay, and he knew, even though the divorce was a foregone conclusion, they’d still be friends, and he was glad of that.

Sara had slipped out of the room while he spoke to Dot, and he found her in the kitchen, pouring another mug of coffee.

“I’m sorry - there’s no food in the house.” She apologised. “I was going to go to the store last night, but I didn’t get there.”

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t know if I’m up to food yet, anyway.” Jon said. “I spoke with Dot, and we’re going to tell the kids tonight.”

Sara looked serious “Well, you know where I am, if you need to talk.”

“Only talk?”

“Jon, I’m not going to be a crutch for you through this.”

“You don’t understand. Last night, well, I was upset and hurt, obviously, but not for the reason you think. I think I was mourning the end of my marriage, but not the fact that Dot’s leaving me. Does that make sense?”

Sara looked dubious. “I don’t know. What are you trying to say?”

Jon took her mug from her, laying it on the counter, and held both her hands as he tried to express what he was thinking.

“When Dot and I talked last night - before the whisky - she said something that I agreed with. She said she still loves me, for the kids, and for all the times we’ve been through, but she’s not in love with me. Not anymore. When I was in the cab from your studio going back to the house, I’d been thinking about it, for the first time in years probably, and I’d come to the same conclusion. We’ve stuck together because it was easy, and we had the kids, but when you think about it, we live separate lives anyway - Dot is home most of the time, but I’m on the road, whether it’s with the band, with the Soul, or just doing charity stuff. She told me she’s been seeing this other guy for over eight months! I hadn’t even noticed, so what kind of husband was I being to her?”

Jon shook his head sadly, but Sara still didn’t look convinced, and he thought he knew what was bothering her. He looked directly into her eyes, bright blue staring into deep chocolate brown, as he tried to persuade her, needing her to believe him, or believe in him, he wasn’t sure.

“Sara - you and me - well, I’m not going to lie and say this was the first time I’ve cheated on Dot. It isn’t. It’s no excuse, but when I’ve been on the road, with the guys, sure - things have happened that I’m not necessarily proud of. But I can honestly tell you that I’ve been faithful to Dot for the last year - completely faithful, even through the tour, right up until the day I met you. We barely know each other - I know that - but I also know I’d like to get to know you. Can you let me do that? Will you give it a chance?”

Sara was smiling slightly now, and Jon was relieved when she gave a gentle nod.

“I’ll give it a chance.” She promised, and Jon smiled.

“Baby, that’s all I ask.” He folded her into his arms, feeling the warmth of her body through the thin satin robe.

Friday, September 28, 2007

Chapter 9

Jon sat silently in the back of the cab, thankful that he’d got a driver who didn’t want to talk, but was happy just to drive. Normally he enjoyed talking to cabbies, who always had stories to tell, but right now he needed to think.

His unfocused rage had dissipated, and he tried to think clearly about what to do. He’d be damned if he was going to start searching Dot’s closets for clues - it just wasn’t his style. Once she got home, and they got the kids settled down, he’d ask her about the phone call. He was pretty sure he’d be able to tell if she were lying to him, but then again, he’d believed her when she said she was going shopping with his mom, so maybe his antennae were a bit off when it came to her.

When the cab stopped outside the gates of his house, Jon just paid off the driver, getting out on the street. He let himself in through the gates, then walked slowly up the long driveway until he reached the house. As he approached the house, he saw Dot’s car parked off to one side, and he prayed he’d be able to control his temper if he found she was cheating on him in his own bed. Just before his fingers touched the door handle, it turned, and the door was pulled open from inside.

“Where’s your car?” Dot asked, confused.

“Oh, I got a cab back.” Jon replied. “I’d had a few drinks, and some painkillers, so I didn’t feel like driving. You’re back early.”

He walked into the house, and Dot closed the door behind him. Jon heard her draw a deep breath, then she spoke.

“Jon - we need to talk.”

Turning to face her, Jon smiled slightly “You think? What do we need to talk about?”

Dot walked past him, heading for the living room, her eyes pleading with him to follow her. They sat down, Jon taking a seat on the couch, while Dot sat on a nearby armchair. She swallowed nervously, but looked him straight in the eye as she spoke. Nobody had ever accused her of being a coward.

“Jon - I think you already know, but, well, I’ve been seeing someone else.”

There, it was out in the open, but Jon still could hardly believe it. He thanked his lucky stars that he was past the blind rage, meaning he was able to respond civilly enough, although with a chill in his voice.

“Well, yeah, I think that phone call earlier gave the game away. Would you have told me, though, if that hadn’t happened?”

Now Dot glanced away for a second. “Honestly? Yes, I think so. Maybe not right now, but soon. I love him, Jon.”

“I thought you loved me?”

“I do. I always have and always will love you, for the years we’ve been together, and for our kids, but I’m not in love with you any more, Jon, and I don’t think you’re in love with me either.”

Jon sighed. God, he hated all this grown up, mature crap. During the cab ride, though, he’d tried to analyse his feelings for Dot, and he knew, if he was honest with himself, she was right. He probably hadn’t been in love with her for a while, but it was just comfortable and easy to let it ride. Jon gave another sigh as he looked up at Dot, seeing a tear trickle down her cheek as she watched him, giving him the time to think it through.

“Okay. If we’re being honest here, I think you’re right. I was thinking about it in the cab home.” Jon said. “So - how long have you been seeing him?”

“Jon…..”

“No, it’s okay. I’m actually not mad - I was earlier, but I’m really not mad at you hon.” He tried to reassure Dot, and found to his surprise that he really did mean it.

It must have showed in his face, because Dot gave a gentle smile.

“I met him while you were on tour the last time. We were just friends for a while, but it grew, and we’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you for a few weeks now.”

Jon couldn’t believe how blind he’d been. The tour had been over for eight months, and he hadn’t even noticed that Dot was cheating. What kind of husband did that make him? ‘I deserve to lose her’ Jon thought wryly, then turned to practicalities.

“What now?” He asked. “What about the kids? I assume you want to divorce?”

Dot was a little surprised at his reaction, and found herself wondering if he’d been seeing someone else, too. In a way, she hoped he had been, because she already knew that Jon didn’t do well alone. He needed somebody in his life, but Dot had come to the decision that it wasn’t going to be her any more.

“Yes, I think a divorce is necessary.” She said, “But how would you feel about making it on grounds of separation - we could just split up for, what is it, three years? Saves either of us having to admit to anything, and I think it would be easier for the kids.”

Jon nodded, trying to think of the best thing for the kids. His kids were the most important ones in this, and while he didn’t want to lose them, he knew they needed Dot. Plus, when he was on the road, he couldn’t exactly drag them around with him.

“What about the kids?” He repeated.

“I think the best thing would be for us to talk to them, explain the situation - well, most of it anyway - and see what they want. We should probably leave it until the weekend, when we’ve got all the time we need. There’s no way I’m taking your kids from you, Jon.” Dot reassured him. “I know what they mean to you, and they’re the most important ones in this whole thing.” She was echoing Jon’s own feelings, and he stood up from the couch.

“I need a drink.” He said. “Do you want anything?”

By the time they both had drinks in front of them, Jon had reached a decision. It was one that hurt, but possibly the easiest way forward.

“I think I should move out.” He told her, and Dot looked shocked.

“But, Jon, you love this house.”

“I do, but it makes more sense. If we’re separating, one of us has to go. You know the schedule I’ve got over the next few months, so the kids would end up being left with you anyway, so surely it’s best if they don’t have to move? We can sort it all out later, but in the meantime - once we’ve told them - I think I should look for somewhere else to live.”

Jon gulped back his drink. There hadn’t been any wine handy, so he was drinking whisky, and he felt it burn down his throat all the way to his stomach. He knew this was a bad idea - this was why he didn’t normally drink spirits - how often had he said he was a drinker, not a sipper, but tonight he needed this. Back to the bar, and he poured another drink, then brought the bottle back with him to pour Dot another. She put her hand over the glass.

“I’m fine.”

After the third whisky, Jon could feel the hurt burning inside him, as he came to terms with the end of his long marriage. He suddenly knew he had to get out of the house, so he took his glass and the bottle, and walked out onto the patio. Dot understood, and she let him go without a word. It would be a few hours before the kids would be back, so she would let him work it through himself.

Sitting outside, Jon drank down another shot of whisky. He didn’t even feel drunk, but he could feel his self control was beginning to go, and he hated that. Another whisky didn’t help, but as he shifted his weight, he heard the rustle of something in his back pocket, and remembered. Sara’s phone numbers.

He dragged out the crumpled card, found his cellphone in another pocket, and dialled the studio. After a long while, the answering machine kicked in, so he hung up and tried her cell number. This time, he got an answer, but the whisky slowed his tongue so he couldn’t speak at first.

“Hello? Hello?” Sara’s voice hardened. “Who is this? Hello!”

“S’me” he muttered. Oh, yeah, that helped, didn’t it rock star, he thought. “Sorry, it’s Jon.”

“Jon? Are you okay - you sound a bit weird.”

“Oh, not so much weird as wired.” He sounded exhausted, Sara thought.

“What is it?”

“Can I…………..can I come over?” He asked quietly.

“I’ve already left the studio. I’m nearly home now.” Sara said, but Jon persisted.

“Please? I need you. I need to talk, to - God, I don’t know what I need - please, Sara. Can I come over there? Where do you live?”

Sara hesitated, but she could hear the agony in his voice, and she always had been a sucker for wounded puppies. She gave him her address, and Jon hung up. He called another cab, then staggered into the house, passing Dot in the living room, and muttering that he was going out, he’d see her later. The bottle of whisky was still gripped in one hand as he waited at the door for the cab, pressing the button that opened the gates when the driver buzzed the intercom. He gave the cabbie Sara’s address, then lay back in the seat, closing his eyes.

When they arrived, he gave the cabbie some cash, not even realising he’d just given the guy a $100 tip, and half fell out of the cab, stumbling up the front steps to Sara’s door. She opened the door, staring up at him in shock as he stood, weaving, in the doorway.

“Jesus, Jon. What’s happened?”

“I………Can I come in?” Jon could feel the prickling of tears behind his eyes, and he fought them back, refusing to cry.

Sara stepped aside and watched him stagger through the first doorway he came to, leading to the living room. She locked the door and followed him, finding him sitting on the couch, whisky bottle in hand, staring at the floor.

“Jon, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong?” She sat beside him, touching his arm, and he turned his blue eyes on her so Sara saw that they were swimming with unshed tears.

“I’m sorry, Sara. I didn’t know who else to call. Richie’s out in LA, and I couldn’t call my mom. Not yet.”

Dammit, Jon. What?!”

“I talked with Dot. She told me she’s been seeing someone else, and she wants a divorce.” He’d said it, and the sound of the words it really hit home.

Sara saw the change in his face, and she gently took the whisky bottle out of his hand, setting it down on the floor.

“Come here.” She said, sliding her arms around his shoulders, and pulling him back onto the couch, holding him tightly. She could feel him shaking as he tried to fight it, and she rocked him gently, feeling his arms creep around her waist.

“Just let it go, Jon. I’m here. Just let it go.”

The compassion in her voice was too much, and Jon gave a racking sob as he felt the tears spill over. Sara held him close, murmuring comforting sounds as he wept in her arms, until she could feel the front of her shirt soaking wet with his tears. Eventually, his sobbing diminished, but still Sara rocked him like a scared child, until she felt his complete relaxation as he fell into a whisky-induced sleep.

Freeing one hand for a second, she wiped away her own tears, tears brought to her eyes by Jon’s anguish, then she wrapped her arms around him again, laying her cheek on top of his head as she continued to move gently on the couch, gentling his sleep.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Chapter 8

Jon looked at Sara, bewilderment in his blue eyes.

“I don’t believe this.” he muttered, looking down at the cellphone. “I think my wife’s cheating on me.”

To his shock, Sara laughed. Quietly, to be sure, but she actually laughed at him. As he snapped his head around to stare at her, Sara spoke, not entirely unsympathetically.

“Come on, Jon. Don’t act so damn betrayed - it’s certainly not like you’re as pure as the driven snow, is it?”

“I know that, but it’s just…..well, she’s……..”

“She’s what? Your wife? The mother of your children? So does that mean she’s not allowed to live her own life?”

“I don’t fucking believe this! You’re on her side?!”

Sara’s voice softened, “I’m not on anybody’s side. I just think you’re being unreasonable about this. First off, you don’t actually know she’s cheating, and second, just look at yourself. You’re acting all hurt and deceived, yet you’ve just had sex with me, so who’s cheating on who?”

Scowling, Jon leapt off the couch and threw on his jeans and boots. His Soul t shirt was lying in a puddle in the shower, so he just grabbed one of the shirts Sara had given him for the photos.

“Jon?”

“I just don’t fucking believe this!” he repeated.

He ignored Sara as he stormed out of the studio, slamming the door closed and heading down the stairs. His rage made him clumsy, and halfway down the stairs his boot slipped on a step, and he almost fell. The effort of catching his balance aggravated an old back injury, and the pain shooting down his spine stopped Jon in his tracks, forcing him to sit on the cold stairs. The sudden blinding agony also flushed the angry fog from his brain, and he began to think coherently for the first time since he’d heard another man’s voice answer his wife’s phone. His common sense began to prevail, and he quickly realised that Sara had been absolutely right. He’d just cheated on Dot - and not for the first time - yet he was acting like the innocent party. He buried his face in his hands for a moment, but he knew that he had to go back up and apologise to Sara. Right now.

Jon trudged back up the staircase, the pain in his back forcing him to clutch the handrail. It was a long time, he thought, since he’d really apologised to anyone for his behaviour, and he hesitated briefly before knocking quietly on the studio door. No answer. Well, he knew she was in there, because there was only one way out. Jon knocked again, a little louder, then softly called her name.

“Sara? C’mon babe - I know you’re there. Sara, I’m sorry.”

Still no response, but Jon was sure he heard movement inside, close to the door. He tried again.

“Sara - I guess your friend was right - I am a prick, but I’m also truly sorry for the way I just acted. I took it out on you because you were there. What you said? You were right.” His voice trailed away as he searched for something - anything - else to say. “Sara?”

Now he definitely heard movement behind the door, then the welcome sound of the lock being released and the door was slowly opened. Sara looked out at him, her eyes reddened, and he guessed she’d been crying in the few minutes since he left. She was dressed once again, the denim shorts half hidden under the white shirt he’d worn earlier.

Jon made to speak, but felt another bolt of pain ripple through his back, and he grabbed at the door frame to keep on his feet.

“Jon? What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Sara sounded worried, and Jon felt her soft hand on his face. “You’re white as a sheet!”

“I’m okay” he forced the words out through gritted teeth “I just jarred my back on the stairs. One of the penalties of getting older.” he tried to joke, but Sara was having none of it.

“Come in and sit down” she ordered, sliding under his upraised arm to help support him. She helped him across to the armchair, struggling a little under his weight, and sat him down before returning to close the door. Hunting in her bag, Sara found a blister strip of painkillers, bringing them over to Jon.

“Are you on any meds?” she asked, and he shook his head gently, trying not to move too much. “Not allergic to anything?” she persisted.

“No.”

“Okay - take these” she handed him two pills along with her can of coke to wash them down. “Is it your lower back that’s the problem?”

A careful nod.

Sara quickly moved the low table away from the couch, and stacked both seat cushions together. She got Jon off the armchair and onto the floor in front of the couch, carefully manoeuvring his legs until he lay with his calves on the doubled cushions, the backs of his thighs pressed to the front of the couch and his back flat on the floor. He tried to turn his head to the side, to speak to Sara, but she stopped him.

“Whatever it is, you can tell me later. Just lie straight and relax.” she instructed, and he obeyed, gradually feeling his back muscles relaxing. Sara stayed by him until the pained lines faded from his face, then waited until he’d fallen asleep, as she normally did if she lay in this position.

Checking her watch, Sara rose quietly and moved over to her worktable, carrying the memory card from her camera. She worked in silence, loading all of the photos onto her PC, then scrolling through them, making notes on a pad as she selected the photos she’d present to the magazine. Glancing at her watch again as she finished, she found that just over an hour had passed, and she decided to wake Jon. He hadn’t moved an inch, and she knelt beside him, stroking his hair back as she quietly said his name. Opening his eyes, Jon was touched by the concern he saw on Sara’s pretty face.

“Hey” he breathed “Did I fall asleep?”

“Mmm. Usually happens when you lie like that.”

He began to move, to get up.

“Whoa. Take your time.” Sara told him, helping him slowly get onto his side, then over onto his knees, and finally helping him to stand.

“How are you feeling now?”

“Actually” Jon carefully flexed his back “I feel pretty good. My back doesn’t really hurt at all now. What were those pills?”

“Just painkillers, but they’re pretty strong. I get them on prescription.”

“Well, thank you Sara.” Jon said sincerely. “After the way I stormed out of here, I wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d just pushed me down the stairs!”

“I wouldn’t do that - you were upset, and I wasn’t being exactly sympathetic. I probably asked for it.”

“Yeah, but you were right. Don’t get me wrong - I don’t regret a single thing between us, but I just never thought Dot would be unfaithful. Guess I sound like everybody who finds out their partner’s cheated, huh?”

“I wouldn’t know.” Sara said truthfully, then changed the subject. “What did you do to your back?”

“Oh, it hurts off and on, but I was so damned angry that I slipped on the stairs and jarred myself, and that brought it on. Where did you learn that lying on the floor trick? Really seems to work.”

“I’ve had back trouble for years, which is why I have those pills. I was shown that position years ago, and I’ve always found it works for me.”

Jon was pacing back and forth as they talked, trying to gauge if there was any lingering pain in his back. Sara put her couch back together and pulled the table back in, then sat down on the armchair.

“Are you going to be okay to drive?” She asked, and Jon thought for a second.

“You know, I probably shouldn’t. I’ve been drinking - only a few beers, but I’d hate to get stopped - plus those pills you gave me. I’ll probably be best to call a cab.”

“I could drive you, if you’d like.” Sara offered, but Jon shook his head.

“Don’t be silly. I can’t ask you to do that - it’s way across the other side of the city, and at this time of day…..no, I’ll get a cab.”

“Well, if you’re sure. What about your car?”

“If it’s okay, I’ll just leave it here. I could pick it up tomorrow.”

“And maybe it’ll still have all it’s wheels.” Sara joked, then giggled at the worried look on Jon’s face. “I’m kidding! I’ve never had any problems around here. It’ll be fine, and I’ll be here tomorrow morning, so I can check on it for you.”

Jon came over to the armchair, and reached down to take Sara’s hand. She stood up, to stop him bending too far, and Jon hugged her tenderly.

“Thank you.” he said simply.

“For what?”

“For being honest enough to tell me what you thought. An awful lot of people would have just agreed with me about Dot, because of who I am.”

“Well, I’m not an awful lot of people.” Sara said, making Jon smile.

“Ain’t that the truth.” He squeezed her tightly, then slowly let her go. “I’d better call that cab. I need to go home and see what’s going on.”

He made the call, arranging to be picked up in a few minutes, then turned to Sara again.

“Do you want to give me your phone number? I’ll call here tomorrow when I come for the car, see if you’re in.”

Sara found a card on the worktable, which listed her studio and cell numbers, and Jon thrust it into his back pocket before heading for the door.

“Jon! What about your t shirt?”

“Keep it!” He said with a smile. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Bye.”

“Bye.” Sara echoed softly as he left. She stood for a long time, looking at the closed door, then tiredly began to tidy up the studio. There was still a lot of work to be done before she could head home.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Chapter 7

“Well, now I need you in that shower stall.” Sara instructed, picking up a couple of bottles of beer and twisting the caps off before handing one to Jon. “Here you go.”

Jon took a quick drink from the bottle, then stepped into the shower. Before Sara could warn him, he turned the shower control, getting hit full in the chest with a blast of icy water.

“Jesus! That’s freezing!!” he gasped, jumping back out of the way.

“Sorry - I was about to warn you! It takes a few minutes for that to warm up.”

“Oh, sure you were going to warn me! You’ll pay for that later.” He promised her, and Sara suddenly remembered.

“We could just call it payback - for those photos you took yesterday.”

“Huh? Photos? What ph……..oh - those photos? Of you sleeping?” He’d forgotten all about that. “Okay, we’ll call it even for the moment.”

Steam was starting to billow in the shower, and Sara reached past Jon to turn the heat down a bit, yelping as his hand closed on her ass where the t shirt had ridden up. She backed out again, shoving him into the stall, and he let the water run down over his head until his hair was soaked before raking it back with one hand.

“So - whaddya want?” Jon enquired, gulping another mouthful of beer.

“Why don’t you do whatever feels right.” Sara suggested, lifting her camera, then backing hurriedly out of reach as a soaking wet Jon tried to grab her.

“You said to do what felt right.” But he raised his hands in capitulation. “Okay - back to work. I’ll be good.” he promised.

“I guess there’s a first time for everything.” Sara commented, shielding her camera when Jon flicked water at her.

They worked for a while or, rather, Sara worked and Jon clowned around and generally acted the fool for her, giving her the kind of shots she’d been hoping for, showing that behind the rock star, father and serious businessman, he was still just the same kid from Jersey.

“More beer!” Jon demanded, holding his second bottle upside down to show Sara it was empty.

“I’ll have to get more from the fridge.” Sara jogged away across the room, and Jon leaned out of the stall to watch her go, grinning as he watched her pale buttocks flash from under the hem of his t shirt. Sara returned with two beers and a diet coke, also carrying a couple of towels. She stooped over the low table to set down the drinks, forgetting Jon was directly behind her, and that all she wore was a t shirt, until she heard his sharp intake of breath and realised that, bent over the way she was, the t shirt was covering nothing from the waist down.

For the first time in her life, Sara suddenly felt comfortable enough in her body that she didn’t straighten up immediately, but finished what she was doing - opening Jon’s beer and her coke - before slowly standing and turning around to walk back over to Jon. She sipped from her coke as she approached him, smiling sweetly at him as she observed the unmistakable evidence of his arousal.

“Your drink, sir.” She handed him the dewy bottle, and he gave her a broad, appreciative smile, enjoying this somewhat bolder Sara.

“No beer for you? Don’t you drink when you’re working?”

“Ick! I don’t like beer. Actually, I don’t drink at all.”

“You really have had a sheltered life, haven’t you?!”

“I’ve just managed to avoid bad influences,” Sara said, then smiled at him again, “Until yesterday, anyway.”

Laughing, Jon said “Maybe we’ll get you drinking beer today then. I’m enjoying corrupting you!”

“Just one or two more shots” Sara told him “And I really will need to keep the camera up now!” She gestured below his waist with a smile, then quickly fired off the last few shots she wanted.

“Right. That’s us all done.” She laid the camera down on the table, picking up a towel and walking toward the shower.

“You can get out of there now.” She told Jon, who seemed to be having difficulty with the shower controls.

“Shit!” he exclaimed. “How do you turn this off, Sara?”

“Oh, God. You’re not very mechanically inclined, are you?”

She dropped the towel on the floor, stretching past him to shut off the water. Jon grabbed her wrist, pulling her all the way into the stall and under the rushing water. Sara gasped as the water - thankfully warm - cascaded over her, soaking the Philly Soul shirt instantly.

“I may not be mechanically inclined.” Jon pressed against her wet body, pinning her against the wall. “But I do have other talents.”

“Really? And what would those be?” Sara teased, but shivered convulsively when he ground his hard cock against her with a smirk.

Jon drank down the rest of his beer, setting the empty bottle on the shower shelf, then brought his mouth down onto Sara’s. He watched the teasing sparkle fade from her brown eyes, then her lashes - spiky from the water - fluttered together as she closed her eyes. As their lips touched, he closed his own eyes, as he explored her mouth with his tongue, opening them a long moment later when he felt Sara’s hands pushing against his chest.

He broke away, thinking she wanted him to stop, but then allowed her to take control as she kept pushing until his back was against the opposite wall, then she pressed down on his shoulders wordlessly. Jon let himself slide down the slick tiles until he was sitting on the floor of the stall, his back against the wall, and looking up at Sara from what was, to say the least, a very interesting perspective.

Sara’s eyes were fixed on Jon’s as she slowly sank to her knees beside him, licking her lips a little nervously before leaning in to kiss him. They lost themselves in the kiss, lingering over every delicate touch of their tongues, then Jon felt Sara shift as she moved across to straddle him, keeping herself balanced on her knees above him, the shower pouring warm water over them both.

“Sara? Are you sure?”

She didn’t even bother to answer him, but took his rigid cock in one hand to guide him into her heat. Her eyes widened just a little as she carefully lowered herself fully onto him, smiling at Jon when he let out a low groan. Sara quickly stripped off the sopping wet t shirt, dropping it to the shower floor. As she pulled the shirt up and over her head, the movements of her shoulders ground her hips against Jon, who drew in a shuddering breath and placed his hands on her waist.
Again, Sara rolled her hips voluptuously, settling into an easy rhythm, while Jon was content to let her take the lead, his fingers resting only lightly on her skin and his eyes locked with hers.
Following her instincts, Sara began to lift herself off Jon as she rolled her hips, rising and falling over and over until she felt his hands tighten on her as he tried to accelerate the pace. She froze instantly, ignoring the pressure of his fingers as he tried to urge her on. Only when his hands relaxed again did she resume the slow rocking of her hips. Twice more she did it, teasing and torturing him the way he’d tormented her earlier, until she heard a growl of frustration.

“Jesus - you learn fast, don’t you?”

She laughed then, and Jon could feel the chuckles around him, where he was deep inside her, forcing another groan from his throat.

Finally, now, Sara relented, and when she started to move again she allowed Jon to dictate the pace, placing her hands on the tile wall for support.

His fingertips were digging deep into her hips now, and she knew there would be bruises there tomorrow, but she didn’t care. Harder and faster she moved, letting the power of Jon’s arms slide her up and down on his straining shaft, until she felt the hot flood deep within her, and his movements slowed, his face buried between her breasts as she cradled his head close.

This time it was Jon who - gasping for air - suddenly spoke.

“Sara - you didn’t…….” and she smiled at him tenderly.

“No. This was your turn. That was just for you.” And she reminded him of his earlier words, when he had pleasured her so skilfully.

Jon chuckled, a little breathless still. “Just give me a chance to catch my breath, and we’ll go for round three!”

Sara remained kneeling astride him, until she felt him soften and slip away from her, then she took his face in both hands to kiss him deeply. As she drew back, she wrinkled her nose.

“You taste of beer.”

She reached up and turned off the shower, then picked up the towel she’d dropped on the floor, using it to wipe the water from first her own face, then Jon’s. Standing up, she wrapped herself in the towel and threw the other one to Jon as she grabbed some chocolate from the bowl on the table.

“I’m starving!” She said, unwrapping a chocolate and popping it in her mouth. “Let me see what’s in the kitchen.”

Jon heard her searching in cupboards as he slumped on the couch, picking chocolates from the bowl. She returned carrying two mugs of coffee in one hand, the other hand clutching a variety of cookies and chips, and dumped the whole lot on the table.

“That’s all I can find.” She said, opening a bag of chips and digging in ravenously. Jon looked at her in amazement.

“I don’t know where you put all that food - you’re so skinny. But I suppose, all you had this morning was a pastry.”

Sara giggled at him. “No, all you saw me eat was one pastry. I’d had four before you arrived.”

“Really? So, do you work out a lot, or are you one of those annoying people who just doesn’t gain weight?”

“Sorry - I’m one of those annoying people.”

“I used to be that way.” Jon said. “But the older I get, the less I seem to eat. Dot reckons…..” he paused, remembering the conversation with his mom.

“Look, why don’t you just call her?” Sara said. “You’re obviously concerned about her - why not put your mind at rest.”

Jon nodded. “Yeah, I think I will. Where did I put my phone?”

They found his cellphone buried down the back of the couch, and he punched in the number.
“Well, it’s ringing - that’s a good sign. Hello?” He looked surprised, pulling the phone from his ear to check the display. “Hello?!”

Jon lowered the phone, frowning.

“What’s wrong?” Sara asked, worried by the look on his face.

“Uh….I thought I had a wrong number, but it was definitely Dot’s phone.”

“Yeah - and?”

“Well, it wasn’t Dot. Some guy answered, then I heard somebody in the background say ‘No - that’s mine!’, then he hung up. Hold on.” He hit the ‘redial’ button. “Now it’s switched off. What the fuck’s going on?”

Monday, September 24, 2007

Chapter 6

Jon dropped his hands from Sara’s hair, to the bottom of her cami, slipping his hands under the soft fabric, finding the softer skin beneath. He ran his hands up her sides, raising the cami up onto her shoulders, breaking the kiss to ease it over her head and down her arms, before tossing it away. Still wearing the white shirt, he stood up, pulling Sara with him. He bent his head to taste her flesh, taking a nipple in his mouth and sucking gently.

Sara moaned, and spoke shakily “We haven’t finished the photos yet…….”

“I think we’re entitled to a break.” Jon murmured, moving across to nuzzle her other breast before kissing her again to silence her protests.

One hand ran swiftly between their bodies, and he unfastened her shorts so he could slide his hands into the back, gripping her ass to bring her closer still. As he ran his hands beyond the waistband, he felt another strip of fabric and pulled back to look down, seeing a flash of hot pink lace.

“So you remembered your panties today, huh?” he said with a smile.

“Mm-hm…….did you?”

“Hell no - I never wear underwear!” Jon laughed, then pushed at her shorts, trying to slip them off. “Damn - how do you get into these?” he asked, as the tight denim fought his attempts.

Sara grinned at him, “They’re not that tight!” She put her hands just inside the waistband and, with a rippling of her hips which devastated Jon, slid the shorts loose so they fell at her feet, leaving her wearing only the tiny pink thong. “See?”

“Oh I see” Jon said hoarsely, biting his lip as he ran his palms down her sides.

Sara reached her fingers up to his mouth, pulling his lip out of his teeth. “Don’t do that. You’ll hurt your lip.” For the first time, now, Sara made the first move, her fingers twining into his hair to pull him down for a kiss.

As Sara kicked her feet free of the shorts, she felt Jon’s hands behind her once more. He was backing up toward the couch, pulling her along with him. Their mouths were still locked together, teasing each other with their tongues, as Jon fell backward over the arm of the couch, hauling Sara down on top of him and moving one hand around to fondle her breast.

Jon’s fingers were on her belly now, pushing under the pink lace and moving unerringly to his objective, and he ran his hand underneath, feeling the heat and wetness already there. He lightly stroked the tiny bud of hard flesh, feeling her moan into his mouth, but when he moved his hand further, and slipped one finger just inside her, Sara gasped in a different way and pulled back from his mouth.

“Oh, I’m sorry! That’s just a bit…..” she said, looking up into his eyes.

Jon smiled, “It’s okay baby. Are you still a bit too tender?” She nodded, and he moved his hand again, stroking gently, until he felt the tension seep out of her again.

He slid her back up into a sitting position of the couch, dropping himself onto the floor in front of her, then tugged her head down by the pigtails to whisper in her ear.

“Still trust me?” Sara nodded. “Okay then,” his smile turned wicked, “Just let Jonny kiss it all better.”

A quick, hard kiss on the lips, then he painstakingly kissed his way down over her chin and all the way down her throat and chest, tantalizing her mercilessly with lips, tongue and teeth. Lower, he kissed her belly, flicking his tongue into her navel.

With just the tips of his fingers, he eased the scrap of pink lace down over her hips, dragging it all the way down and off her feet. Kneeling between her bare legs, Jon nipped at the soft skin on the inside of her knee with his teeth, before hooking his hands behind her knees to pull her all the way to the edge of the cushion, her knees either side of him, and her shoulders arching to the back of the couch. Kissing his way up one thigh, his hand on the other, he worked his way leisurely back up to the luscious junction of her thighs. He kissed her there, and heard her gasp at the sensation, sitting partway up as she tried to move back.

“Jon?” He raised his head to look at her, a trace of her juices sparkling on his lower lip before he licked it away with that same wicked smile.

“What? I told you I was going to kiss it all better!” He smirked up at her, then returned to his task.

He kissed her again, finding the hard nub of flesh standing proud and circling it slowly with his tongue before sucking on it for a moment, then moving away. Like a cat, he drew his hot tongue across her wetness, tasting her again as he heard her moaning above him. Delicately, he slipped the tip of his tongue inside her, curling it forward to touch the sensitive wall, and he felt her try to sit up again.

Without interrupting the ministrations of his mouth, he laid one hand, palm down, on her taut belly, splaying his fingers wide to pin her back to the couch while his tongue lightly pushed further into her.

She was moaning louder now, writhing against his hand, and Jon could feel her stomach muscles pulsating under his hand. Bringing his other hand up from her thigh, he sucked again on her clit, very carefully nipping with his teeth to bring her right to the edge, then he gently slipped first one, then two, fingers deep inside her, stroking her inner walls as his mouth pushed her higher still. She stiffened suddenly, her back arching so that only her buttocks and the back of her head were touching the couch, and Jon felt the deep contractions of her orgasm around his fingers, tasting the sweet juices that she gave to his hungry mouth.

Sliding his fingers free, his hand on her belly could feel the heaving of ragged breaths as the final spasms shook her, and he continued to caress her with his tongue and lips until she slumped back against the cushions. He looked up at her then, with a smile, then kissed the swollen lips again before sitting back on his heels.

“Oh - my - God” she finally managed to say, fighting for breath.

“It’s okay - you can still call me Jon” he quipped, and Sara swatted weakly at his head. Catching her hand, he kissed the palm, then kept hold of her fingers as he lifted himself back up onto the couch beside her, pulling her half into his lap and cradling her in his arms.

“Better now?” Jon asked quietly, stroking her hair, and Sara gave him a lazy, contented and supremely sexy smile that said more than any words.

She cuddled contentedly against him for a while, then a sudden thought struck her and she looked up at him anxiously.

“Jon?”

“Mm-hm?”

“What about……..I mean, you…..well, we didn’t…..umm……you didn’t.…”

“Oh, don’t worry about me, baby……after all, the day is still young……” That same wicked smile, softening as he dropped an affectionate kiss onto her lips.

Sara looked at her watch. “I guess it is. Just so long as I remember we’ve still got a bit of work to do!”

“Oh, you’re a hard woman!” Jon let go of Sara and stretched, “Do you want to get started - or rather finished - just now?”

Nodding, Sara stood up, and was about to go fetch her camera when she realised Jon was watching her. She looked down.

“Ah. Maybe I should go put……..where are my clothes anyway?”

Jon laughed and tossed her something. His Philly Soul t shirt. “Here - just put this on. I think your clothes are over there somewhere.” He gestured vaguely behind the couch.

She pulled the shirt over her head, and it fell just to the tops of her thighs, not really hiding much, but allowing sudden glimpses of bare flesh to torment Jon.

“Okay, so - beer?” Sara tried desperately to get her mind back onto work, knowing she’d had a plan for this set of shots, but having real trouble remembering it. Matters weren’t helped in the slightest when Jon stood up and stripped off his shirt. She got some beer from the kitchen, returning to find Jon inspecting the shower stall.

“Oh, shit. You don’t have any other jeans, do you?” she asked.

“Not with me - why?”

“Uh - water tends to make things wet, so unless you fancy driving home in wet jeans, I’d better see what I’ve got here.”

Jon looked at her in surprise. “Sara - it’s not like you haven’t seen me naked already.” He started to unfasten his jeans. “Just make sure to keep your camera up!”

‘Dammit’ thought Sara. ‘How the hell am I meant to keep my mind on the job now?’

He sat on the couch to remove his boots, then kicked off his jeans and threw them onto the cushions. They hit Sara’s guitar, making it slide toward the floor, and Jon instinctively caught it. Sara giggled at the sight of him sitting there, stark naked, holding a guitar, then an image flashed into her mind.

“Oh wow!”

Jon looked at her quizzically.

“Oh, I just had an idea for a great shot! Would you mind if I tried something before we do the shower ones?”

“I’m all yours. Where do you want me?”

Sara forced herself not to reply to that with the thought that immediately came to mind - ‘inside me’ - but got him up from the couch and led him over to the corner of the walls. She got him positioned as she’d seen in her mind - sitting on the floor with one leg drawn up a little, ankles crossed. The guitar carefully sited in front of him, and his arms loosely around it.

“Oh, yes. Just like that. Do NOT move.” She ran over and got her camera, taking shots from as many angles as she could, with Jon grinning at her naturally, then looking seriously moody when she asked him to.

“Thank you,” she said when she’d finished. “Thanks for going with me on that one. We’d better do the shower ones now.”

She took the guitar from Jon and pulled him to his feet. As he headed for the other side of the room, Sara heard a cellphone ringing, and saw Jon detour to the couch, pulling the phone out of his jeans pocket.

“It’s my mom.” He said, then picked up the call. “Hi mom. What’s up?”

He listened for a moment, frowning slightly. “Why didn’t you just ask Dot?” A pause. “Oh. Sorry - I thought you were going shopping with her today. Oh, okay, I must’ve misunderstood. Yeah, should be fine.” Another, longer pause, and Jon looked apologetically at Sara. “Mom - sorry, I’ll have to go - I’m in the middle of a photo shoot. Yep - love you too. I’ll call you later. Bye.”

“Sorry, Sara.” Jon sounded distracted. “My mom just wanted to find out if we were all still going to hers for dinner tomorrow. Said she couldn’t get hold of Dot - she wasn’t at home or answering her cell.” He shook his head. “Weird. I could’ve sworn Dot told me she was going shopping with mom.”

“It’s fine.” Sara assured him. “I hope she’s okay. Why don’t you give her a call? Just make sure.”

“Hmmm? Oh, no, it’s okay. I’ll see her later.” Jon decided. “So - what now?”

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Chapter 5

Sara woke slowly, stretching as she opened her eyes to look over at her alarm clock. Six am. No wonder she felt so good - she’d slept well over twelve hours. She rolled to the edge of the bed, still feeling a slight tenderness from yesterday’s unaccustomed exertions, and got out of bed. Her robe hung near the bed and she pulled it on as she wandered through to the bathroom, looking at her reflection in the mirror as she perched on the toilet. Strange. She didn’t look any different, but she felt different today. Standing, she turned on the shower and left the water to heat while she popped through to the kitchen to switch on the coffee machine. While it started to gurgle, Sara showered, luxuriating in the scent of her favourite shower gel, taking her time for once, instead of rushing out of the house, late for something. Quickly, she clipped her fingernails short and filed them smooth, remembering the problems she’d had with her guitar the previous evening.

Wrapped cosily in a fluffy bathrobe, her hair swathed in a towel, Sara poured herself her first mug of coffee - always the best one of the day. She sniffed it appreciatively, then took a drink and began to look for something to eat. The cupboard, unfortunately, was bare, as was the fridge, so she decided to treat herself to breakfast on the way to the studio. She topped up her mug and went through to the bedroom, where she braided her wet hair into two long pigtails behind her ears then went in search of clothes. The heat was already building steadily, so she decided shorts would be the best idea, and found her favourite pair of cut-off jeans and pulled them on - this time remembering to put on her underwear. A black cami with an old t-shirt which bore the words “Miss B. Haven” over the top, her battered old sandals, and she was ready to go. The remaining coffee went into a travel mug, then she collected her bag and left the house, jumping into her car.

She drove most of the way to work, amazed at how many people were around this early, and pulled into the little mall near the studio, where she bought a bag of pastries for breakfast, and some more milk. Another few minutes driving, then she parked at her building and headed upstairs, carrying her purchases, and this time managing to get up the stairs and into her studio without dropping anything. She started the coffee brewing then tore open the bag of pastries, dumping them onto a plate, and chewing on one as she found her I-Pod and dropped it into the little dock, just letting it play randomly as she ate.

Jon had also woken early, easing out of bed without waking Dot and heading downstairs for coffee. He took his mug outside, enjoying the cool morning, then went back inside to shower and dress. So far, Dot hadn’t noticed the fingernail marks on his back, and he was hoping to keep it that way! By seven thirty, he was sitting in the kitchen eating breakfast, when first Dot, then the kids, appeared. He kissed them all good morning - all except the oldest boy, who was too old for all that sissy stuff - and started pouring juice for everybody.

“You’re ready early.” Dot observed, and Jon nodded.

“Mmm - couldn’t sleep, so I was as well getting up.” He looked at his watch - nearly eight o’clock now. “I’d better get going. I’ll see you later.” he kissed Dot “You guys have a good day,” he told the kids as they variously smiled and nodded at him, mouths full. He felt the twinge of guilt again as he left the house and climbed into his car, driving away slowly as he searched for his sunglasses.

Sara was stuffed. Sitting in the armchair reading a book, her feet on the table, she’d eaten four pastries, and was halfway through a fifth when she heard a knock on the door. Eight thirty - must be the mailman, she thought. He was an older guy, one of those who liked to chat to all ‘his people’, and he’d always try the door before leaving the mail in the box outside. He said it was to stop mail going missing, but Sara reckoned he was just lonely and liked making conversation.

“Just a minute” she yelled, standing up with pastry in hand. Well, it’d be a shame to let it go to waste.

She tried to unlock the door one-handed, but her fingers were slick with grease and frosting, so eventually, as the knocking started again, she stuck the pastry in her mouth to free both hands. Pulling the door open, she took the pastry out of her mouth, saying ‘Morning’ before looking up at, not the mailman, but Jon.

“Oh! You’re early” was all she could think to say, stepping aside to let him in, then closing the door behind him. “Sorry - I thought you were the postman.”

“S’okay. Good morning to you.” he smiled, then reached out to tear off a piece of the pastry, taking a bite. “Hey, that’s good. Got any more?”

Sara had expected to feel awkward with Jon this morning, but his easy manner and ready smile put her at ease. For his part, Jon had promised himself during the drive over that he would really try not to pressure Sara, and would try to keep himself in check. Then, of course, she opens the door with pigtails, he thought, and it was all he could do to keep his hands off her.

“Over on the table. D’you want coffee?”

“Mmm - thanks.” Jon made for the table as Sara went into the kitchen to pour more coffee. As he sat on the couch, smiling at the memories it evoked, Jon looked at the blue guitar, seeing the wear on the fret board, and wondered where Sara had found it. It certainly looked well-used.

“Do you mind if I leave the music on?” Sara asked, pausing by the table.

“That depends! What are you listening to?”

“Oh, there’s a mixture on there.” She turned up the volume slightly as one of her current favourites started to play, and Jon raised his eyebrows at the opening lyrics, ‘oh, my name it is nothin…..’.

“With God on Our Side? Bob Dylan?”

“Mm-hm. I like older music - Dylan, The Doors, Rolling Stones….”

“Not what I expected. Yeah - leave it on.”

She brought Jon his coffee, and took a seat on the armchair again, picking at the remains of her pastry, then dropping it onto her plate, licking the frosting off her fingers. Jon looked away from her darting tongue, struggling to keep his ass sitting on the couch, and forcing himself not to go over there and grab her, much as he wanted to. He had to bite his lip to prevent himself asking if he could lick it off for her, recalling his vow not to push too hard.

“So - how are you this morning?” Jon asked, selecting a pastry from the plate.

“Oh, I’m fine. How ‘bout you?”

“I’m good. But, I meant, how are you? I mean, are you okay?”

Sara blushed. “Oh. Yeah, I’m fine. A little bit………”

“Sore?”

She wrinkled her nose, “Not exactly sore. Tender, maybe, but I’m okay.” She brushed crumbs off her bare legs. “Well, we’ve got quite a lot to do today. As you can see, I found the guitar, and I even checked the fridge for beer.”

“Too early for beer!” Jon joked, picking up the guitar. “Where did you get this? Looks like it’s seen a bit of use.”

“Oh, it’s mine. I’ve had it for years. Just don’t get time for it much now.”

Jon grinned. “Cute, talented, and she plays guitar? The perfect woman.”

“I wouldn’t call it playing! Playing around maybe, but I’ve more enthusiasm than skill.”

Plucking at the strings, Jon looked over. “Where do you want to start then?”

“May as well start with the guitar. Are you happy to stick with what you’re wearing?”

Jon looked down at his black jeans and Philly Soul t-shirt. “I guess so - is it okay for you?”

“Yep. Fine.” Sara went over to the worktable for her camera, and Jon smiled at the sight of her long legs disappearing into the tight denim shorts. ‘Lucky shorts’ he thought, watching the way the denim clung lovingly to her ass. He started to pick out a tune on the guitar, stopping as Sara came around in front of him again.

“No, carry on.” She said, “Might be nice to get some shots of you playing, too.” So he carried on softly playing and Sara snapped a few photos like that, then asked him to hold the guitar up vertical, and took a few more photos.

“Do you mind if I get you a different shirt?” She asked, “I don’t want all the shots to look the same.”

“Fine - I’m in your hands - do with me what you will, Sara.”

She grinned and disappeared through to the bedroom, where she took a few shirts off the clothing rack, bringing them back into the main room with here. As she walked in, Jon was in the process of stripping off his shirt, standing with his back to her, and she gasped as she saw the red half-moon marks of her fingernails on his back.

“Oh God! Did I do that?”

A muffled ‘huh?’ came from Jon, as he had the t shirt wrapped around his head. He pulled it off, throwing his hair into wild disarray, but with the shirt still caught around his elbows.

“Oh, don’t move!” Sara grabbed for her camera and, moving around to the side a little, to avoid the marks on his back, she took a series of photos of Jon as he stood with the shirt half-off. “Okay, sorry! That just looked really good. Did I make those marks on your back?”

“Uh-huh, you certainly did! War wounds from a wildcat.” He smirked at her, laughing as she blushed again, then took the shirt she was offering and pulled it on.

Jon was amazed by Sara’s intensity, as they worked for most of the morning, using different shirts and different poses. She was completely different, even from her professionalism of the previous morning, and she worked quickly and efficiently through the shots she’d planned, Jon finding himself almost as turned on by her dedication to detail and perfection as he was by her pigtails. They finally broke for coffee and the remaining pastries nearly four hours later, just after twelve, when both their stomachs started to make it very clear that they were empty.

“What’s next?” asked Jon, devouring a sticky pastry.

“I think there are only a couple more shots I wanted to work with.” Sara replied, “The one with you kind of half-sitting, half-lying on the floor, and the beer and shower one. Figured to leave that until last. Oh, I’d also like to reshoot the ones I did yesterday, when you were by the window. Couple of little changes to the pose I’d like to try.”

Jon nodded agreeably, then looked at her t shirt. “I’ve been trying to read that all morning! What does it say?”

Sara stretched the fabric away from her, looking down at the text. “It says…..‘Miss B. Haven - they’re your rules, not mine’.”

“Suits you. Not sure about the misbehavin’ part though!”

Sara stuck her tongue out at him, and Jon grinned, remembering what that action had led to the previous morning, but contented himself with blowing her a kiss. “Just kidding!”

“Okay - let’s get back to it.” Sara ordered, earning herself a mocking salute from Jon, who nevertheless dragged himself off the couch. “Let’s do the one by the window first - the light’s pretty good for that just now.”

“What shirt? Same one?”

Cocking her head to one side, Sara considered, then mused aloud, “No shirt? Maybe. Let’s try that.”

Jon dropped the shirt onto the couch and followed her to the window, obeying her instructions as she directed him to put his hands on the steel transom that ran along the glass above his head, looking out of the window, which framed his reflected face.

“Great. Perfect.” She muttered, moving around to the side to catch more of the reflection, reaching forward to rake his hair away from his face until she could catch a glint of one blue eye. “Thank you. I like that one.” she said. “Okay - over here?”

At the couch, she stopped, glancing back at Jon’s naked torso as he walked over, then she picked out a pure white shirt, tossing it over to him. “This one?” She could feel sweat starting across her back, as the temperature rose, and she pulled off her t shirt, more comfortable in just the cami now.

He put the shirt on obediently, then sat on the floor in front of the fabric backdrop with his weight on his hands and one hip. Sara flicked a switch, turning on the lights around the area, then dropped to her knees to get down to Jon’s level for the next set of photos. There was something not quite right about the shot, though, and she lowered the camera as she considered.

“No.…that’s not….uh, can you….” she gave up trying to describe what she wanted, going across to Jon. “Sorry - can you just…”. She pushed him back slightly, so he was sitting straighter, trying to visualise the shot she wanted. Jon’s hands lifted from the floor, tugging at her braids.

“I’m sorry - I’ve been wanting to do that since I arrived!” he apologised, controlling himself and putting his hands back on the floor as she giggled.

“I think that’ll do now” Sara moved back to her camera, much happier now with what she saw. “Look at me? Good. Fantastic. I think that’ll do for here - just one more set and we’re all done!”

Rolling forward onto his knees, Jon crawled over to Sara, gently taking the camera from her hands and setting it down to one side. He knelt in front of her, catching her braids again, and pulling her toward him.

“I’ve been wanting to do this since I arrived, too.” he whispered, kissing her lips, softly at first, then more forcefully as Sara opened her mouth to him, her hands moving up into his hair as they knelt together on the floor.

Chapter 4

Jon felt Sara move against him, snuggling closer, one hand spread on the centre of his chest. He looked down at the chestnut hair, smiled and kissed the top of her head. As he brought his free hand up to lay it over hers, he caught a glimpse of his watch, looking again in disbelief. Two o’clock. They must’ve fallen asleep he thought, realising he needed to leave - soon. Carefully, he disentangled himself from Sara, sliding the pillow underneath her head without waking her. He slid out the bottom of the bed, and pulled on his jeans before tiptoeing out of the room in search of coffee.

As he entered the main room, he heard the buzzing of his cellphone, which he’d left in the pocket of his jacket, so he detoured to the couch to grab the phone. Looking at the display, he saw ‘home’, and swore silently to himself before picking up the call.

“Hello”

“Jon, where are you? Are you picking the kids up this afternoon?” his wife asked.

“Uh, yeah, I can pick them up. Just finishing up with this photographer - did you call before?”

“I’ve called a couple of times, but you didn’t pick up.”

“Sorry - I left my phone in my jacket, and it was in another room.” At least that was technically true, he thought - so far he hadn’t had to lie.

“Oh, right. So are you all done now?”

Jon thought quickly, trying to remember if they had any plans for the following day. Nothing came to mind. “Well, finished for today, but I need to come back tomorrow apparently - something about doing a second set of shots in a different location. God knows why.”

“Well, the ‘why’ is because you agreed to do the interview, honey. If you do the interview, you know that they’re going to want photos. Don’t act so surprised - you’ve been at this long enough to know how photographers are. It’s fine. I was going to go shopping with your mom anyway tomorrow, in the city, and the kids have sports tomorrow evening, so I can pick them up later, when I get back.”

Jon couldn’t believe he was getting away with it so easily, as he agreed again that he’d collect the kids today, and told his wife he’d see her at home later. Hanging up, he checked the phone’s memory, seeing the two missed calls from home, and one message, which he played back. Richie. Short and sweet as usual. “Hey bro - I’ll be in town next weekend, so I was thinking we could get together. Gimme a call…..okay, bye.” Jon grinned - for someone who was perfectly happy to sing and record all day long, Richie hated answerphones, and very rarely even left a message.

In the kitchen, Jon poured another mug of coffee and took a long sip. Damn, but Sara made good coffee! As he headed through to the hidden bedroom again, he scooped up one of her cameras from the table, then pushed the door open silently, looking across at the bed where Sara still slept. She lay on her side, hair covering her face, with the blanket fallen to her waist. Walking silently, Jon set down the coffee and crept to the bed, carefully lifting the skein of hair, dropping it back over her shoulder so he could see her face. He picked up the camera and quickly took a few shots of her sleeping there, so innocent and beautiful, then turned the camera off again and laid it on the chair.

Coffee mug once more in hand, Jon sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at Sara. When she was asleep, he could see how vulnerable she was, before she had time to put up her confident front. He sipped at the coffee again, then dipped one finger in the mug, wiping coffee across her soft, full lips. She stirred, then licked her lips, smiling in her sleep at the taste. God, he hated to wake her, but he wasn’t going to just leave without saying goodbye.

“Sara” he laid his hand on her shoulder as he spoke softly, and saw her eyes flutter open.

“Mmmmm?”

“I’m sorry babe, but I guess we fell asleep. I’ve got to go.”

She licked her lips again, “You brought coffee.”

“Here you go” he held the mug to her lips.

“Ugh - no milk!” but she drank anyway. “What time is it?”

“Just after two, but I have to go, I need to pick up my.…..um”

She just looked up at him “Your kids? Your wife? I do remember that you’re married with kids, Jon - you don’t need to try to avoid the subject.” Her eyes widened “But I also remember that we haven’t done any photos! Damn! When do you need to leave?!”

“It’s okay - you did do some, when I got here at first, but I can come back tomorrow…..and I won’t have to rush off. Unlike today.”

Jon stretched out a hand for his boots, pulled them on, then turned to kiss Sara one last time.

“What time tomorrow?”

“Same as today? I promise I’ll be here on time!”

“Okay. Anything particular you want me to wear?”

“Nothing.” Sara blushed again, and Jon saw that even the tips of her ears glowed red, turning him on instantly, so he had to look away for a second “I mean……..anything you want…..”

Now Jon laughed as he stood to pull on his shirt, only fastening a couple of buttons for now. Sara stood up, too, wrapping the blanket around her shoulders as she followed him through to the studio, giving him a quick kiss as he picked up his jacket, but staying back from the door, just in case any of her neighbours in the building were passing - the last thing she needed was for them to see her wearing only a blanket!

After Jon left, she made sure the door was locked, then went back into the bedroom to find her clothes. As she tied the halter, she felt the back of her neck tender where his teeth had been, making her smile again. No matter how hard she tried, Sara was finding it impossible to feel guilty, even though he was a married man, and she straightened out the bed then threw the blanket over the top again.

Turning to leave, she saw the camera sitting on the chair, and frowned. She hadn’t brought that camera in here - all she’d brought in here was Jon. Picking it up, she switched it on and scrolled through to the memory, squinting at the little screen. ‘Who is that?’ she thought, then looked closer, spotting a small - and very familiar - mole on the back of the naked shoulder.

“Oh, you swine” she muttered, pulling out the memory card and taking it through to the PC to get a clearer view “You didn’t?”

The card loaded, and she shook her head “You did. You rotten bastard, Jon.” Her fingers moved the mouse over to the delete icon, but she stopped, considering the photos objectively. It was easier for Sara to look at herself on the screen than it was when she looked in a mirror, which she normally avoided as much as possible. On the screen, though, she was able to view herself like one of her subjects, and she tried to see what Jon saw in her. So maybe she wasn’t that bad looking, but she still didn’t get it, and closed down the PC impatiently….but without deleting the photos.

She picked up her appointment book, remembering Jon’s promise to return the next day, and saw that she already had someone scheduled in for the afternoon. After a brief hesitation, she picked up the telephone and called the agent to cancel, apologising profusely, but blaming it on a primadonna rock star - unnamed of course - whose demands on her time meant she would have to reschedule. Fortunately, the agent said that they had actually been going to call Sara, as their client was no longer available for the shoot, since she had just checked into a clinic to receive treatment for her eating disorder. They left things open for the future, with the agent promising to call Sara just as soon as the client was once more ready to be photographed.

Sara tidied up the studio, picking the photos of Jon out of the printer basket and scanning them. The one by the window was definitely worth using, but she thought she might reshoot it tomorrow, if the light was as good. Maybe with his hands in his pockets, or on the glass, above his head, so she could frame his face a little better. The one where he lolled in the armchair, facing full into the camera made her smile involuntarily, and she marked that one for use also. The others, her intended re-creations, she’d have to shoot tomorrow, since they never actually made it that far.

With that in mind, she went to the kitchen and checked the fridge. Yep, her absent assistant had left a pack of beer, so the only other thing she needed to find was the guitar. Funnily enough, it was exactly where she’d left it - propped in the corner of the props cupboard, safely wrapped in it’s soft case. She hesitated, then pulled the guitar out of the cupboard, unzipping the case and taking out the guitar. The guitar was an acoustic, deep, lustrous blue, with mother of pearl inlay around the centre, and she remembered the Christmas she’d been given it, so long ago. She took it over to the couch, and started to pick at some chords, but gave up - she hadn’t played in a while, and her fingernails were way too long to allow her to hold any chords. She left it lying on the couch as she took the empty coffee mugs through to the kitchen, washing them up and cleaning out the coffee machine, leaving it ready to switch on in the morning.

She switched off the lights as she left, locking up the door and making her way downstairs to her car, then drove home. As soon as she was home, she locked up the door and hit the shower, washing away the sweat and the sticky moisture between her legs, feeling the tenderness there. Even though it was still only 4pm, Sara felt exhausted, and she decided to pass on dinner, heading straight for bed. Maybe this way she’d be able to get up on time tomorrow.

At almost the same time, across the city, Jon drove up to his house with a car full of kids. He got them into the house and they immediately disappeared in the direction of the kitchen. Dot appeared from somewhere, talking on her cellphone, and he called softly,

“I’ll see you in a minute - I need to take a shower.” She nodded and smiled, still talking as she followed the noise of the kids down to the kitchen.

Jon ran upstairs, stripping off his jeans and shirt and tossing them into a basket on his way to the shower. He turned on the water and stepped under, letting it sluice down his chest, then moving closer to the wall so the steaming water ran down his back. Yow! His lower back stung, and he craned around to see why. He couldn’t see, so he slid open the shower door again and looked across to the mirror, seeing tiny red marks low on his back. Now he remembered - Sara had dug her nails into him, and he wondered how he was going to explain that to Dot, then decided to just wait and see if she noticed.

Finishing his shower, he towelled himself down then found some sweats to put on before heading downstairs to join the rest of the family. As he dressed, he felt a pang of guilt at cheating on Dot, but found his mind wandering to Sara at the same time. Confused by the contradictory feelings, but knowing there was no way he was going to confess to Dot, he tried to put it out of his mind. After all, it wasn’t as though he’d never cheated before.

Friday, September 21, 2007

Chapter 3

They lay quietly together, Sara’s arms around Jon’s neck, and his wrapped loosely around her waist, occasionally running his hand tenderly up and over her bare back. Sara could feel the ache where he’d been so deeply inside her, and she felt more keenly aware of her own body than ever before. Jon’s forehead lay on her shoulder, his hot breath on her upper chest, then she felt the wetness of his tongue as he licked his lips.

Jon chuckled at the taste on his lips.

“What?” Sara asked, looking down at the blond head.

“You do taste of chocolate and orange” he said, raising his head to look at her with a smile. She smiled back, then stuck out her tongue at him. Before she could move, Jon’s mouth covered hers, sucking her tongue in as she involuntarily opened her mouth to him. The kiss was harder than before, with Jon probing deep into her mouth, and Sara returned the kiss with equal fervour. She felt Jon’s hand slide up her spine until it was buried in the mane of chestnut hair, his fingertips digging into the back of her head as he tilted her head to allow him fuller access. Against her thigh, Sara became aware of the growing hardness, and she heard a faint mewing sound. With a shock, she realised the sound was coming from her, and she dropped one hand from Jon’s neck, reaching under his open shirt and feeling the bands of muscle across his back contract at her touch. Jon started to ease Sara onto her back again, but at that second there came a loud banging on the door. They both started violently and Sara - already balanced close to the edge of the couch - fell to the wooden floor, narrowly missing the table.

“Owww! Dammit!”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. No. What time is it?” Sara looked at her watch. Eleven thirty. “Shit. Somebody was coming by to pick up some proofs. That must be them.” She rose to her feet and turned to the door, but Jon stopped her.

“Um - Sara….” he nodded at her top, still hanging loose around her waist where he’d left it. She giggled and pulled the straps up around her neck, quickly knotting them back in place. “You’d better button up too. I don’t have the proofs out, so they’ll have to come in for a minute.”

“It’s fine” Jon said, pointing at her camera “They’ll just think it’s for the photos. There are quite a few photos of me with my shirt open.”

“Just a sec!!” Sara yelled as the banging on the door started again, then looked at Jon with a sly smile. “I wasn’t talking about your shirt. What kind of photos do you think I take?”

Jon followed the direction of her eyes, down to his crotch and the stiff shaft poking out from his still-open jeans. “Ah. Right.” He tucked himself back in as best he could, then picked up his coffee mug and held it in his lap, trying to at least disguise the evident bulge behind his straining zipper.

Sara laughed as she walked across to the door, smoothing her skirt and trying to compose herself before she opened it. With a glance back at Jon, Sara yanked the door open. It was worse than she’d expected. Standing in the doorway was one of her closest friends, who just happened to work for one of the magazines that used Sara’s photos. When she had the time, Kay would come across herself to collect the photos, so she could catch up with Sara and scrounge a free coffee.

“Jesus! What took you so long? Any coffee?” Kay brushed past Sara, headed for the kitchen.

“Kay!” Sara virtually shouted, and her friend swung around in surprise, catching sight of someone on the couch as she did so.

“Sorry Kay” Sara spoke more quietly “I’m working”. Despite her efforts at composure, her tongue tripped over the word ‘working’.

“Oops - sorry hon.”

Sara led Kay over to her worktable, sliding open the lower drawer and pulling out a folder full of proofs. She flicked quickly through the folder, checking everything was there, as Kay twisted around to look back at the couch.

“So - who is it today, then?” she whispered.

“C’mon Kay - it’s not for your magazine, so you know I can’t tell you.”

“Saaa-raaa - it’s never bothered you before!”

Sara grimaced - that was true enough - but at that moment she heard Jon’s voice from the couch.

“Sara - is there any more coffee?” She was relieved to hear the tone of his voice - professional to professional - with no betrayal of their recent intimacy. Of course, she remembered now, he was a married man, so he wouldn’t want the liaison broadcast either. She decided to take her lead from him.

“Uh, sure Mr Bon Jovi, in the kitchen. I’ll get you some.”

“No - that’s okay - is it through here?”

Jon rose from the couch, shirt flapping open, and Sara clearly heard Kay gasp as he walked toward them, heading for the kitchen door. Unbidden, Sara’s eyes flicked to the front of his jeans, but he’d obviously waited until his arousal had subsided before he stood up. He smiled a greeting at Kay as he disappeared into the kitchen, and Sara braced herself for Kay’s reaction.

“Oh. My. God. Jon Bon Jovi? You’re shooting Jon Bon fricking Jovi, and you weren’t going to tell me?!”

Sara shrugged, and her friend shook her head sadly.

“I don’t believe you sometimes, Sara. How can you be so calm about this? He’s gorgeous.”

“Well, it’s not like it’s the first time I’ve photographed a good-looking guy, is it?”

“No, but you could at least enjoy it a little, instead of always being so damned cold and professional.”

“I am a professional, though” Sara protested, hurt by Kay’s words, and stunned that her close friend thought of her as cold.

From the kitchen, Jon could clearly hear the quiet conversation, and he had to bite his tongue and force himself not to walk out and leap to Sara’s defence. He couldn’t believe that a supposed friend would be so cruel, even if they thought they were justified. Hadn’t this girl ever heard of tact?! He decided to try another route, which would hopefully have the result of getting rid of Kay. He strode out of the kitchen, coffee in hand, looking at his watch as he approached them. He prayed Sara would pick up on what he was trying to do, and wouldn’t be upset by his sudden change of demeanour.

“Look Sara” he began, looking directly into her eyes, trying to make her understand “I don’t have all day for this. Can we get on with it?”

To his great relief, he saw a faint twinkle in Sara’s eyes as she smoothly picked up his cue. “Yes, Mr Bon Jovi. I’m sorry. Kay - are those all you need?”

Key was slightly open-mouthed, staring at Jon in disbelief, as Sara handed her the folder and pushed her toward the door. As she held the door open and urged Kay out, Sara muttered to her,

“Kay - you know what these guys are like. Everything’s got to be done when they want it. I’ll call you later.”

“You know, I didn’t ever think he would be such a prick.” were Kay’s parting words as Sara smiled and locked the door behind her. She closed her eyes, laughing, and leaned her forehead weakly against the door.

A soft footstep, then Jon’s voice close behind her.

“What did she call me?!”

“Well, she thought you were being mean to me” Sara tried to justify Kay’s comment.

“I wasn’t as mean as she was” Jon replied, pulling her hair back from one side of her face and bringing his lips right up to her ear, “Now, where were we?”

“On the couch”

“Ha ha - funny lady.” Jon caught her earlobe with his teeth, nipping gently, then pulled her hair further to the side so he could kiss the nape of her neck. Sara shivered, and she felt Jon smile, his mouth still against her neck, his teeth scraping against the knuckle of her spine, then the touch of his tongue again. This time, she was faster than him, turning to face him with a smile on her lips, and she kissed him softly, still smiling.

“Do you have anything more comfortable than that couch?” Jon asked between kisses.

“Hey! I’ve spent a lot of nights sleeping on that couch, when I was too tired to drive home!” Sara said, then relented at his crestfallen look “but I will admit it isn’t as comfortable as it used to be….which is why I now have a bed here.”

“Ah! Where?”

She turned to lead him in the direction, but Jon grabbed her from behind, kissing and nibbling her neck again as she walked slowly across to a door hidden behind the backdrop and lights. Sara opened the door, to reveal a small room furnished with a bed, chair, clothing rack and an enormous mirror.

“I use this as a dressing room, so people can change between shots.”

Jon looked at the mirror with interest, then kicked the door closed behind them and spun Sara to face him again.

“I want to see you” he murmured, and gently untied the halter again, this time untying the bottom part too, and dropping the scrap of cloth to the floor. Before he could remove her skirt, Sara pushed at his shirt so it slid down to join her top, then her skirt landed atop the pile. She shook her head, so that her hair covered her breasts, and began to move her hands in front to cover the triangle of soft fur at the base of her belly, but Jon flicked her hair back over her shoulders and pulled her hands to her sides, pinning them lightly so he could look at her.
He gazed at her in silence, drinking in the sweet curve of her body, from breasts to waist to hip, then the long supple legs. On one velvety thigh, he could see just the merest trace of blood, and he felt a kind of awe as he realised it really had been her first time.

Sara stared at the floor, but Jon’s silence intrigued her, and she glanced back up at his face, amazed by his rapt expression. He smiled then, as their eyes met, and drew her to him, kissing her forehead.

“You really don’t get it, do you?” he said, confusing her “You don’t see how lovely you are.”

She gave him a twisted smile, as though to say ‘yeah, right’, and he shook his head.

“Honey - look at yourself” he turned her to face the mirror, then slid his hands around her waist from behind, pressing himself against her back.

“I am looking - I guess I just don’t see what you do” Sara mumbled, then whispered low “I want to see you too.”

Jon kissed her shoulder then released her, sitting down on the chair to remove his boots, then standing again to undo his jeans, kicking them away impatiently. Sara reached out one hand and touched his chest, moving a little closer as she trailed her fingers down his body, drawing her nails gently over his belly and feeling the muscles tighten, then stopping as her hand touched the hair at the base of his belly. She flicked a glance to his face, seeing the calm, patient smile, then she dropped her gaze once more, for the first time looking at his hard cock, and biting her lip at the sight.

Timidly, her fingers trailed down to touch, and the light, almost innocent way she stroked him was almost too much for Jon, making him groan softly deep in his throat. She looked at his face again, and saw he was - like her - biting his lower lip, fighting for control. Matching the light touch, Jon laid his hands on her waist, moved them slowly up to cup her breasts, then higher, tangling in her hair as he drew her to him so he could taste the sweetness of her lips again.
Sara stroked him gently again, allowing him to turn her and push her down onto the bed, never breaking the contact of their hungry mouths, then Jon moved his mouth down onto the hollow of her throat again, and she arched her head back as he licked his way down to her breasts. Jon glanced to his left, realising that the entire bed - and their naked bodies - were reflected in the mirror, and he said in Sara’s ear “Look at the mirror.”

She looked over, then looked away, but he growled softly at her “I want you to watch.”

This time, Sara turned her head to face the mirror, and she saw Jon’s hand disappear between her thighs, then she sucked in a breath as he touched her, exciting her further with his clever fingers. Jon kissed her again, sliding his engorged cock inside her at the same time. He broke the kiss as they began to rock together, both of them now watching the mirror, and he could feel Sara tightening around him as her orgasm grew near, but he shifted a little, changing the angle to hold her on the very edge of release, teasing her now.

“Jon …. no…….please…” she dug her nails into his lower back, and he grinned down at her before surrendering to his own need, and driving into her much harder than before, making her head arch back even further as she came violently, crying out in the sweet agony. A few more deep thrusts, and Jon joined her in release, pouring himself into her with a hot rush. Panting, Jon pulled himself off Sara, flopping down beside her in the bed, still feeling the tremors running down his back and legs. Sara caught her breath, raised up on one elbow to kiss him softly, then snugged her head down on his chest. Jon shivered slightly as his skin cooled, and Sara reached for a blanket, covering them both warmly. Slipping one arm under her shoulders to hold her, Jon kissed Sara’s hair, then relaxed on the bed, enjoying the warmth of the blanket and the body next to him.