Chapter 58

Ignoring the group of girls for a moment, Richie watched Linda walk off down the street, waiting until he saw her get safely into her car and drive away. Slightly saddened, he turned back to the girls, signing the last few autographs and posing for photos. Once all of the girls had what they wanted - or at least as much as they were getting - Richie said goodbye and returned to the hotel, going straight up to the suite.

It had been, he thought as he prised his boots off, a very grown-up evening. Not that he hadn’t wanted to take Linda into his bed and make love to her until she begged for mercy, but neither of them had felt the urge to cheapen what was a very promising beginning. Anyway, he thought, there was always next time, when she’d be on his home turf and couldn’t get away so easily!

Richie felt extremely virtuous as he threw back the cover and climbed into bed, and he slept the sleep of an innocent baby.


Sara jolted awake, momentarily disorientated until she realised she was stretched out on her own couch, in her own living room, with her own rock star asleep at the other end of the couch, still holding onto her bare feet. She looked over at the clock, although the deep gloom had already told her it was late. Somewhere after three in the morning, so it didn’t look like Jon would be going back to the hotel tonight, then. Her neck ached from the awkward position she’d been sleeping in, and she rolled her head from side to side, trying to loosen off the protesting muscles.

“Jon?”

No reaction, so Sara moved one foot, scrunching her toes into his tummy as she said his name again. This time, the combination of her voice and the irritating pressure of her foot woke him, and Sara heard his groan as he tried to straighten his neck.

“We fell asleep?” He asked, realising as he said it what a dumb question it was.

“Mmhm. It’s gone three am, so I’m guessing you don’t want to drive back to the hotel?”

“No way. Lead me to your bed, baby.”

“You know where the spare room is, right?” She teased him, and he looked shocked for a moment, until his sleep-fogged mind worked out that she was kidding.

“Only one place I’m sleeping.” He told her with a grin. “And that’s right beside you. The way it should be.”

“Oh, okay then.” She smiled back at him, swinging her feet to the floor.

Sara stood, then took Jon’s offered hand and hauled him to his feet, and they hobbled together to the bedroom, cramped muscles making them move slowly.

Standing by the bed, they stripped off their clothes into a messy pile and fell onto the sheets, Jon pulling the cover up over their bodies as Sara tucked herself naturally against him, shivering slightly until their bodies warmed the bed. They quickly fell asleep again, and didn’t wake until Sara’s annoying - and very loud - alarm clock began to shriek.

“Already?” Sara muttered, feeling really grouchy from lack of sleep as she slapped the alarm and killed it.

Unbelievably, Jon had slept through the alarm, and Sara was almost glad - she’d be able to shower and have some coffee to come to life before he woke and encountered - for the first time - grumpy Sara! As she sat up, the roses caught her attention, and her morning mood faded away instantly as she looked at them. Of course, the roses made her think of Jon, and she turned to look down at him, his face relaxed in slumber, one muscled arm sprawled onto her side of the bed. She leaned across to gently press a kiss to those soft lips, trying not to wake him, then she tore herself away, tiptoeing out of the room.

First stop was the kitchen, and she got the coffee brewing before she headed to the bathroom. The shower certainly helped, and she went back to the kitchen wearing her dragon robe, pouring her first mug of coffee, and savouring that first delicious mouthful. Feeling a whole lot better, she fixed coffee for Jon and padded along to the bedroom.

Jon had kicked the cover down, and he was lying on his front, and Sara licked her lips involuntarily as she gazed at his perfect ass. Giving in to impulse, Sara laid the two mugs of coffee on the bedside table and sat down on the bed. She stroked the tangled blond hair back from his face, revealing a sculptured cheekbone, then ran her hand slowly down his back. Sara hesitated a second at the pit of his back, letting her fingers rest on his skin, then she tenderly brushed her hand across his ass, the muscles - even in sleep - taut and hard under her touch. Her fingers continued their journey, down onto his thigh, until she couldn’t reach any further without changing her position on the bed. She reversed direction, trailing her fingers back up the slope of his buttock, dragging her nails against him and seeing the muscles bunching at the sensation. Jon gave a deep sigh, but Sara didn’t realise he’d actually woken until he spoke suddenly.

“You know - that could constitute sexual harassment - taking advantage of me while I’m asleep.”

Sara jumped when he spoke, but her hand remained firmly on his ass.

“Only if you said no.” She told him, getting caught unawares as Jon quickly rolled onto his back, so her hand now rested on his crotch as he grinned at her.

“I could never say no to you, Sara. Good morning.”

He puckered his lips in an exaggerated fashion, and Sara giggled as she leaned in to kiss him.

“Morning, Jon. I brought you some coffee.”

“Thanks, babe.”

He pushed himself up to sit against the headboard, pulling the cover to his waist and patting the piece of mattress next to him, inviting Sara to sit beside him. She picked up the coffees then planted herself next to Jon, handing over his mug. He took a sip.

“Jesus! That’s not coffee - it’s rocket fuel!” But his smile robbed the words of any offence, and he took another drink. “What time is it anyway?”

“After eight.” Sara said. “You slept through the alarm. I don’t know how - the damned thing scares the pants off me every morning!”

“Good job you weren’t wearing any, then.” He looked speculatively at her robe and wet hair. “Are you wearing any now? Panties, I mean?”

“I just got out of the shower. What do you think?”

Jon grinned, transferring his coffee mug to the other hand and touching her robe where it covered her belly.

“Let’s see.”

He slid his hand down over the black satin, pressing firmly enough to be able to feel if there was another layer of clothing underneath. Didn’t feel like it. The exploring hand moved down onto her thigh, sneaking back up under the hem of the robe to check more fully. Nothing. Not even one of those wisps of lace Sara seemed to favour, just the sweet nest of curls that he toyed with as he drank down the last of his coffee.

“So - what’s the verdict?” Sara asked, squirming only a little as his fingers teased a little lower.

“Oh, I think you’re guilty all right. Guilty of being sexy as hell, guilty of driving me crazy when I look at you.”

“And what’s the punishment for that?” Sara asked with a smile.

“I’ll think of something appropriate.” Jon muttered as he reached across her to lay down his mug, taking Sara’s out of her unprotesting grasp and setting is aside too.

On the return trip, Jon’s hand caught her shoulder, twisting her around to face him and licking his lips before touching his mouth to hers. The kiss deepened as Sara drew his tongue into her mouth, and Jon was just taking hold of the belt on her robe when another alarm sounded, this time on Sara’s cellphone.

“Shit!” She pulled away from Jon, reaching out to grab her phone and silence the alarm. “Shit!” She said again, slamming her head back against the wall with an impact that made Jon wince.

“What’s wrong?”

“I have to go to work.” She said, looking at him in a plea for understanding. “I mean, I need to leave right now.”

“You may want to get dressed first.” Jon said with a smile, but he could see in her eyes that she was serious - maybe not happy about it - but serious that she had to leave.

“Baby, it’s fine. I know your work’s important to you.” He reassured her.

“But so are you.”

Jon grinned at that. “And I’ll be here when you’re finished work.”

“What? Today?”

Thinking quickly, confirming he didn’t have much to do today, Jon nodded.

“How about this? You get ready and go to work. I’ll clean up and go do what I need to, then I’ll come back here. Hell, I’ll even cook dinner for you! How does that sound?”

“Sounds like heaven. Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.”

Sara tilted her head as she looked at him. “You can cook?”

“Of course I can cook! I’m Italian, remember?!”

Laughing, Sara kissed him softly, then dragged herself off the bed. She ran to the closet, untying her robe on the way, which nearly undid her good intentions as Jon watched the satin flap open, giving final confirmation that it was all she wore. In minutes, she came back out of the closet, dressed in jeans and t shirt, and went straight to the dresser, tying her hair back in a knot. She opened a jewellery box and took out a key, then came back to the bed, kneeling on the side.

“I guess if you’re going to come back, you’ll need a key, huh?” She offered him the key, and Jon took it with a smile.

“Thanks, Sara. Now get going!”

“I know, I know!”

She pressed her lips to his briefly, then jumped off the bed again, grabbing her bag on the way out of the bedroom.

“See you later, baby.” She said, pausing in the doorway.

“Yeah, you will, love.”

Then she was gone.