These Days ~ Part Three

40

 

The three men sat together to eat breakfast, though Jon had little appetite, forcing himself to eat toast without even tasting it.  Richie and Tico tucked into hearty platefuls, and Jon played along gratefully when Richie teased him about having another hangover, hence the lack of appetite.  Tico bought it, unsympathetic as only someone who’s sworn off alcohol can be, and Jon bore the teasing good-naturedly.  God knew, it was easier than explaining the truth.

 

After breakfast, they had a couple of hours before they had to leave for the airport, and Jon decided to take one last visit to the gym before they started travelling, hopefully run off some of the rage he still felt.  As he headed for his room to change into sweats, Richie also left the breakfast table, Tico choosing to just order more coffee and relax where he was.  Which suited Richie fine as he was able to speak privately with Jon.

 

“So - is she okay?”  He asked as they waited for the elevator.

 

“I don’t know.”  Jon said honestly.  “She says she is.  Said she’s just bruised, but you shoulda heard her when she first got on the phone, Rich.  She sounded terrified of how I’d react.  Like she was scared I’d blame her for it.”

 

“Some guys would.  Some do.”  Richie explained.

 

“Why the fuck would I blame her for what he did?”  Jon shook his head.  “Anyway, she knows now I don’t blame her.  I asked her to fly up to the city on Wednesday, so I can see her as soon as we get back.  I need to see her.  Need to know she’s telling the truth about how hurt she really is.”

 

“Did she say what happened to her hand?”

 

“Yeah.  She kinda did that one herself.  Punched him, but he ducked and she’d swung so hard that she broke her hand on his skull.”

 

“Tough girl.”

 

“Mm-hm.  She said he smacked it on the floor, trying to make her stop biting him, which made it worse.”  Jon looked at his friend.  “I swear, I’d like five minutes alone with that bastard.”

 

“You and me both.”  Richie agreed.  “I’ll never understand how any guy can do that.”

 

“Me neither.  But I’m glad I spoke with Kyra about it.  She said she doesn’t want to get into it on the phone, so that’s why I wanna see her, let her talk it out.”  He looked seriously at Richie.  “Can we keep this between us, bro?”

 

“Of course.  That’s why I didn’t ask in front of Teek.  But if they see it in the papers like I did……”

 

“Well, if they ask, at least I can tell them I know and she’s okay.  I guess you just kinda blindsided me.”

 

“Sorry.  I just assumed you knew.”

 

“Don’t worry ‘bout it, Rich.  Hell - I’d have read the papers this morning anyway, so I’d have seen it soon enough.”

 

They’d been standing in the hallway outside Jon’s room as they talked, and Richie’s big hand clasped Jon’s shoulder briefly, the brotherly touch saying all that needed to be said, then Jon ducked into his room to change.  Richie took the few steps to his own room, and once the door was closed he hesitated then went to the phone, to call Heather.  Not to tell her what had happened, but just to hear her voice, his anchor in this increasingly crazy world.

 

Jon had his workout then the band congregated in the foyer before loading into a pair of SUVs and starting their long trip home.

 

 

After Jon’s early morning call, Kyra had pulled on a robe and headed down to the kitchen, finding Jenny sitting with a mug of coffee in her hands.  The older woman looked up when Kyra entered the room, seeing the relaxation in Kyra’s face, her expression and bearing telling her the call had gone well.  Thankful for that, she gestured toward the coffee pot.

 

“Figured you could probably use some.”  She smiled, and Kyra smiled back - the most genuine smile she’d shown since the assault.

 

“As usual, you figured right, Jen.”  Kyra poured herself coffee then sat down at the kitchen table.  “He believes me.”  She said softly.

 

“Of course he believes you.”   Jenny replied.  “No real man would blame you for it.”

 

“Mmmm.”  Kyra wasn’t so convinced on that.  “He’s on his way back in the next couple of days.  I’m going up to the city Wednesday to see him.”  She hesitated.  “Shit.  Now I really need to find someone to look after the horses.”

 

“I forgot to mention it last night.”  Jenny grinned.  “I was talking to Ellie - y’know, Lucas’ sister - and she’s at a loose end these days.  She knows your horses and she said she’d like to take on the job - either short term, until you find someone, or permanently if it works out.”

 

“Ellie……”  Kyra tried to think.  “Ellie’s the redhead, right?”

 

“Uh-huh.”

 

“She’d be perfect.  I’ve seen her ride - she’s more than capable.  Could you call her later this morning, Jen?  Ask her to…….”

 

“I already did, last night.  She’s going to come over here around eight to help you - us - this morning.”

 

“What would I do without you, Jen?”

 

“Hell if I know.”  She chuckled.  “But I think we should both try for a little more sleep.”

 

“Mm-hm.”

 

For once, everything seemed to work out well.  Ellie clicked with the horses, and with Kyra, who was quite happy to leave them in her charge while she dealt with what needed to be done before she went to see Jon.  That, of course, included going in to the Foundation offices and putting up with the pitying looks and stilted conversations, until she called an impromptu meeting of the few staff and explained in no uncertain terms that she was okay and had no intentions of letting this change her life.  When they finally accepted her stubborn refusal to let Jared turn her into a victim, her staff relaxed back toward normal.  It would take a while, she knew, to get people to see her the same way as before, but she was determined they would.

 

She had to make a quick trip to Lucas’ office again, travelling with him to the local court to see Jared brought out and formally charged, and she sat with her back ramrod straight, head high as he was bound over for trial at an as yet unspecified date.  Leaving the courtroom, she gave the hovering reporters a repeated ‘no comment’ all the way to Jenny’s car.

 

She’d already told Lucas of her planned trip out of town - though without naming the ‘friend’ she was going to see - and Jenny took her home to pack then drove her to the airport early Wednesday morning, sending her on her way with a hug.

 

The flight was uneventful, and the bruising to her face had faded enough already that light make-up covered it, so other than the stewardess offering assistance when she saw the bandaged hand, Kyra didn’t have to endure excessive scrutiny.  Arriving in New York, she took a cab from the airport to the hotel, finding when she inquired at the desk that Jon had checked in already, and she rode the elevator to his floor with butterflies fluttering in her stomach.  Or maybe they were birds, because they sure felt bigger than butterflies.

 

Although she had a key clutched in her good hand, her nerve failed her at the suite door, and she knocked softly, hearing footsteps approach a moment later.

 

41

 

Jon had been sprawled on the couch, sipping at a perfectly cold beer - somehow, it never seemed possible to get a Corona at just the right temperature anywhere but in the US - when he heard the knock at the door.  He rolled to his feet, wondering who it could be.  He hadn’t ordered room service and none of the guys were here.  Kyra would’ve picked up a key at reception, so she wouldn’t need to knock.  Barefoot, in just faded jeans, he walked along to open the door.

 

He didn’t bother with the peephole, just turned the handle and pulled the door inward as he spoke softly.

 

“Yeah?”  As he spoke, he looked at the person standing there, his quick glance taking in little more than the mane of dark hair and the bandaged right hand.  Which was pretty much all he could see, since Kyra was staring down at her feet.  “Kyra?”

 

“Hi.”  She whispered back, slowly raising her head to look at him, uncertainty in her eyes.

 

Reaching out, Jon tucked her hair behind her ears, then his fingertips under her chin lifted her head so she looked him in the eyes.  His eyes searched her face for a moment, seeing her fear, then he backed up a little, into the room.

 

“Come in.”  He said, and she followed him inside, Jon closing the door behind her.

 

He was almost afraid to touch her - afraid of scaring her even more - and after a tiny hesitation he just opened his arms, smiling at her.  Kyra let her bag fall to the floor and stepped into his embrace, her arms sliding around his waist as Jon closed his arms around her, hugging her tightly.

 

“I missed you.”  Jon whispered against her ear, and he felt her arms tighten on him.

 

“I missed you, too.”   Kyra could feel his jaw against her cheek, the layer of thick stubble proof he hadn’t shaved since he started travelling.

 

Easing back just a little, Jon looked at her with a gentle smile, then he pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss, letting Kyra dictate just how the kiss developed.  When she opened her mouth, her tongue touching his lips, Jon accepted the invitation, sharing a slow, thorough kiss of reunion, then they parted again.

 

“Come in.”  Jon said again, leading her down to the sitting room of the suite.  “D’you want anything?  Coffee?  Wine?  Beer?”

 

“Coffee would be good.”

 

In a few minutes, Jon poured her a cup of coffee, from the pot which was already made, and he sat again on the couch, confused when Kyra perched on the chair, not sitting beside him.  Before he could ask why, though, she spoke.

 

“I know I just got here, Jon, but can I………..I need to tell you this now, before I lose my nerve.  Can I tell you what happened?”

 

“Of course you can, baby.”  He laid down the beer and turned to face her more squarely.  “You can tell me whatever you need to.”

 

Kyra picked the coffee up awkwardly with her left hand, her right resting on her knee, and she sipped before looking over at Jon.

 

“Where to start?”  She said quietly, answering herself with a wry smirk.  “At the beginning, right?”

 

“Usually works.”  Jon smiled back.  He wasn’t sure he wanted to hear this - didn’t want to hear the details of the attack - but he knew she needed to tell him, so he’d just have to - to borrow one of Kyra’s terms - cowboy up and deal with it.

 

“After my trip to Italy, when I got home it seemed like Jared wasn’t really doing his job properly.”  Kyra began.  “So I started going down to the stables every night, to check the horses were all settled for the night and everything was okay.  I didn’t think he knew, but he did.  Unfortunately, he got the wrong end of the stick - he thought I was coming down there every night hoping to see him.”

 

Slowly, Kyra told Jon what had happened that night.  She didn’t belabor the sordid details, skipping over what she could, but even the bare outline of the assault had Jon clenching his jaw in anger.  He raised a smile, though, when she told him how, if he read anywhere about Jared being injured ‘trying to escape’, it wasn’t exactly accurate, and he winced when she told him just what had happened.

 

“Ouch!”  He said softly, and Kyra smiled.

 

“Yeah.  Lucas did tell me, the next day, that there may be permanent damage.”

 

“Shame.”  Jon grinned at her, seeing the clouds falling from her eyes, her burden lightened by sharing the story with him.  “Still, scum like that shouldn’t be allowed to reproduce, so I’d call it a public service.”

 

“I guess.”  Kyra finally picked up her coffee again, glad she’d gotten through the majority of the story without breaking down.  The last thing she wanted was for Jon to think she was playing for sympathy, though she had a feeling he wouldn’t have thought so anyway.  “So that’s it.  The whole nasty little story.  Maybe in future I’ll listen when people say someone’s bad news - I think Lucas feels bad about it, because when I took Jared on, he was going to check him out but decided not to.”  She laughed softly.  “He was scared how I’d react if I found out he was checking up on one of my ‘good causes’.  Of course, when he did get his records, after all this, it turns out he’s pretty much been building up to this.”

 

“What?!”

 

“He has some prior arrests and convictions for minor stuff, but in the same vein.  What was it Lucas said?  Oh, yeah.  This was an escalation of his previous crimes.”

 

“Jesus, sweetheart.”  Jon blurted, shaking his head.  “I’m so sorry.”

 

“Why?”  Kyra frowned, genuinely confused.  “It’s not your fault, Jon.  There’s only one person to blame for this, and that’s Jared.  I misjudged him, but I refuse.”  She looked hard at Jon, anger in her eyes as she repeated it.  “I refuse to let that piece of shit turn me into a victim.”

 

Jon looked at her with wonder, and something close to awe, seeing the strength in her and not entirely sure he could ever be that strong.

 

“They sure breed tough cowgirls down there in Nashville.”  He smiled, and Kyra chuckled.

 

“Yep.  Anyway, other than my hand, which they can’t do much about, the doctors said I’m fine.  A bit battered and bruised maybe, but nothing that won’t heal on it’s own.  I was lucky he was wearing running shoes, not boots, or he’d have broken ribs when he kicked me.”

 

“When he what?  You skipped that part!”

 

“Did I?”  Kyra flushed as she remembered the sneer on Jared’s face as he looked down on her.  “It was right after…….he stood up and said I was to tell the rockstar he could keep me.”  She looked over at Jon again, the anger still in her eyes.  “I called him a pathetic piece of shit.  Told him he wasn’t half the man you are.  Guess he didn’t like it.”

 

“Truth hurts.”  Jon said caustically, and Kyra smiled again.

 

“Anyway, the doctors aren’t worried at all.  They said that, well, I know my own body better than they do, and I’ll know when I’m healed.  When I can………”  She blushed again.  “When I’m back to normal.”

 

“When have you ever been normal, cowgirl?”  Jon teased, and his joking attitude gladdened Kyra.

 

“Look who’s talking.”

 

Jon just nodded, stretching a hand toward her where she sat so far away.

 

“Come sit with me.”

 

Leaving her coffee cup on the table, Kyra moved to the couch, hesitating for a second before Jon caught her gently by the waist, drawing her down onto his lap and into his arms.  She looped her arms around his neck, laying her head onto his shoulder with a sigh as Jon hugged her.

 

“Do you feel better now?”  He asked.  “Now that you’ve told me?”

 

She didn’t answer, just nodded against his neck, and Jon rocked her gently as they sat, just relishing the comfort they each found in the other.

 

42

 

“So, now that I’ve depressed the hell out of you, how’s the tour going?”  Kyra asked with a smile in her voice.

 

“You didn’t depress me.”  Jon told her, bumping his shoulder against her head in mild rebuke.  “I won’t say I was glad to hear it, but I am glad you felt you could tell me.  The tour’s going good, thanks.”

 

“Yeah?”  Kyra eased herself more upright, still wrapped in Jon’s arms but now able to see his face.

 

“Yeah.”   Jon grinned at her.  “Hugh’s fit right in with the rest of the guys, which is great.  Oh, and Richie said to tell you he’s thinking of you.  He also offered to help if you wanted to castrate Jared with something blunt, but I guess you already took care of that by the sound of things.”

 

“How did Richie………..oh, that’s right - Jenny said he’d seen it in the paper.”

 

“It was Rich told me about it - he thought I knew.”  Jon admitted.  “I should warn you - if you’re coming to a show - the rest of the guys know, too.  I guess you made an impression on them in Milan, because they remembered your name when they saw it in the papers.  All I’ve told them is that you’re fine, though.”

 

There was a hint of worry in his voice, but Kyra was quick to reassure him.

 

“Jon - it was in the papers - internationally, as it turned out.  I told you, I’m not letting anyone make me into a victim.  Hell, if I were bothered about people finding out, I’d probably never have reported it!”  She brought a hand forward to caress his scruffy face, smiling at him.  “Just so long as they don’t pussyfoot around me, scared to speak in case they upset me, I don’t mind.”

 

“I was right.”  Jon grinned, turning his head swiftly to kiss her palm.  “You’re one tough cowgirl.”

 

“I try.”  Kyra agreed.  “Jenny did give me a good piece of advice, though.  She told me that, sometimes, the toughest, bravest thing to do is ask for help.”

 

“She’s right.  I told you what happened - what I almost did - after the New Jersey tour.  We damned near lost it all by being too tough to admit we needed help.”

 

Kyra caressed his face again, leaning in to press soft lips to his before sitting back as far as she could.

 

“I need more coffee.”  She murmured, but Jon held onto her.

 

“Gimme another kiss first.”

 

Chuckling, she complied, a more satisfying kiss this time, lips and tongues meeting for a deliciously long moment, then Jon let her get off his lap.  While Kyra went across to pour more coffee, he sipped at his beer, grimacing as he discovered the chill had gone out of it, now unpleasantly close to room temperature.

 

“What’s wrong?”  Kyra asked, seeing his expression, then dropping her gaze to the bottle and grinning.  “Lemme guess.  Warm beer?”

 

“Yeah.  Man, I hate that!  Guess I need to call room service.  You hungry?”

 

“Actually, yeah.  I didn’t eat much on the plane.”

 

“I have a great idea.”  Jon grinned.  “Why don’t I get room service to bring a pizza with everything and some more beers, and we can veg on the bed and watch a movie.  Whaddya think?”

 

“Well, so long as that pizza has everything but olives, you’re on!”

 

“Oh, and no anchovies, either.”  Jon said suddenly, Kyra laughing as she nodded.

 

“Guess I can change into something more comfortable, then.”  She said, then blushed as Jon looked confused.

 

“You didn’t bring a bag?  Where’s your stuff?”

 

“I……….well, to be honest, Jon, I booked a separate room here, in case you didn’t want me to stay after you’d heard it all.  My stuff’s along there.”

 

“In case I didn’t want you to…………..aw, sweetheart!”  Jon walked across to hug her, hoping the gesture would say what he couldn’t quite find the words for, then when he let her go he held out a hand.  “Gimme your room key.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“The key for your other room.  Give it to me, and I’ll go get your stuff.  You’re staying right here with me.”

 

Kyra took his hand in hers, lifting it and kissing his palm.  “The key’s in my purse.  I’ll get it.”

 

While Kyra did just that, rescuing her purse from where she’d abandoned it just inside the door, Jon pulled on a pair of running shoes.  He picked up the room service menu, flipping it open then handing it to Kyra in exchange for the key.

 

“You call down, order the pizza, and I’ll go get your stuff.”  He told her.  “What room number?”

 

“Eight thirty seven.  Just along the hallway, as it turns out.”

 

“I’ll be right back.”  Jon promised, kissing her softly before he left.

 

He was as good as his word, walking back into the room just as Kyra laid down the room service phone.  Jon didn’t even hesitate, just took her bag through into the bedroom, laying it on the bed before coming back to her.

 

“Pizza ordered?”  He asked.

 

“Yep.  Extra cheese, extra ham, jalapenos, but no onions or stinky fish.”  Kyra smirked.  “And cold beer.”

 

“Perfect.”  Jon grinned cheekily at her.  “Well, since you chose dinner, I’m choosing the movie.”

 

“Hey!  No fair.”  She pushed her hand against his chest, the action spoiled when her fingers instinctively curled into the crisp fur that covered his skin.  “You suggested pizza!”

 

“Yeah, but you ordered it.”  He laughed, leaning in to kiss her. 

 

“So we don’t get a chick flick?”  Kyra pouted, then laughed when Jon shook his head.  “Thank God for that - I’m soooo not a chick flick girl!”

 

“No chick flicks.  No girly car.  Anybody’d think you were a cowgirl or something.”

 

“That’s me.”  A memory hit her.  “Oh, hey, I forgot.  When I got back home from Italy, I ran into Willie, and he said to tell you hi, if I saw you.”

 

“Willie…?”  Jon frowned, then caught up.  “Willie Nelson, y’mean?  Cool.”

 

“Yep.  He also said I was to tell you boys that, next time he was playing and you were there, get your rockstar asses up on stage with him.”

 

“Yeah?  I’d like that, actually.  And I know Richie would - hell, he’ll get up and play for anyone.”

 

While he spoke, Jon wandered through to the bedroom, finding the listing of available movies and looking over their options.

 

“D’you feel like a bit of Mel Gibson?”  He called, and Kyra couldn’t resist.

 

“Depends which bit you’re offering!”

 

“Hey!”  Jon yelped a protest.  “I meant a Gibson movie.  Braveheart - it’s that Scottish one.  You seen it?”

 

“I haven’t actually.  Haven’t been to the movies in a while.  Sounds good to me.”  She walked toward him, smirking.  “Mel Gibson in a kilt?”

 

Jon looked at her for a second, then held out his hand.  “C’mere.”

 

Confused, Kyra did as he asked, and Jon pulled her in for a hug.

 

“I’m so glad you’re still you.”  He whispered.  “You still have the same smart-mouth and attitude that drew me in.  He didn’t hurt that.”

 

“I wouldn’t let him.”  She whispered back, but she did cling tightly to Jon’s hard body, feeling his strength and his concern.

 

They were saved from any more heartfelt declarations by a soft knock at the door and the voice of a room service waiter.  Releasing Kyra, Jon handed her the movie list with a smile and headed off to get their pizza.

 

It was probably the perfect reunion night for them, given the circumstances.  They piled the big pillows together at the head of the bed, the pizza between them on the cover and a beer each on the nightstands.  After the first few minutes, the movie drew them deep into the story, though Jon winced at the attempted rape scene, glancing sideways at Kyra, relieved to see she was just intent on the screen, no distress from watching it.  Then, though, when the character on screen - Murron - fought off her English attacker, Jon’s glance at Kyra found a satisfied smirk on her lips.

 

At the ending of the movie, Kyra felt tears prickling her eyelids, not at the death of Wallace, but at the exhortations of The Bruce as he asked the men to follow him.  When the credits finally rolled, they looked away from the screen for probably the first time, looking at each other.

 

“Wow!”  Kyra said softly.  “That was great!”

 

“It was.”  Jon agreed, grabbing the remote to knock the volume down a few notches.  “Better than I expected.  Wonder how much of it was true?”

 

“I don’t know.”  Kyra reached out for her beer, pouting when she discovered it was empty and turning a mock-accusing stare on Jon.  “Did you drink my beer?”

 

“Nope.  I did drink mine, though.”  He grinned.  “Want another?”

 

“Please.”  She fluttered her eyelashes.  “I’d get it myself, but with my wounded paw…..”  She raised the bandaged hand.

 

“Thought you were a tough cowgirl?”

 

“I am.  I know - the helpless thing doesn’t work on me, does it?”

 

“Works for me.”  Jon smiled, leaning across to kiss her, intending a brief, chaste contact, but unable to prevent himself deepening the kiss, savoring her taste as Kyra opened for him.  After a few moments, though, he forced himself back, easing away from her and off the bed.  “I’ll get the beer.” 

 

43

 

When Jon brought back the beers, though, Kyra took just a sip of hers before stretching carefully.

 

“I think I’ll go take a shower.”  She murmured, then looked at him.  “If that’s okay?”

 

“What?  Of course it’s okay, darlin’.”  He told her, spreading his arms wide with a grin.  “Mi casa su casa…..or whatever the Spanish for hotel room is anyway.”

 

“I haven’t a clue.”  Kyra laughed, easing off the bed, taking her beer with her as she headed into the bathroom.

 

She was back in seconds, though, realising she’d forgotten her shampoo, crossing to the chair where she’d dumped her bag when they settled in to watch the movie.  Tugging at the zipper with her left hand didn’t work, and when she tried to use her right she gasped in pain, the movement required to close her fingers around the zip pull grinding the healing bones together. 

 

“Dammit!”  She whispered, using her left hand again, gritting her teeth and trying to hold the bag with her right, to straighten the zipper and let it slide open.

 

There were tears welling in her eyes, not from the pain, but from the sheer frustration of finding such a simple, everyday task difficult.  Before they spilled over, though, she heard Jon’s voice, close behind her, and felt his hand on her lower back.

 

“Let me help.”  He murmured, reaching his other hand past her to grip the soft leather of her bag.

 

With Jon holding the bag, Kyra was able to unzip it, the tears still there making her keep her head down, hiding behind her hair.  When it came to women, though, Jon wasn’t a stupid man, and when he lifted his hand again he swept her hair back, tilting her head so she looked at him.  Kyra blinked rapidly, trying to hide the tears, and Jon gently wrapped his hands around her face, thumbs swiping below her eyes to wipe away the dampness.

 

“You don’t need to hide from me.”  He said softly as Kyra bit on her lower lip, looking like a little girl as she fought a battle Jon couldn’t quite understand.  Well, he understood she was trying to be tough, to cowgirl up, but he didn’t understand why she felt she had to. Not with him at least.  He wiped his thumbs under her eyes again.  “You don’t need to act tough and go through this alone, sweetheart.  I’m here.”

 

“I know.”  She said shakily, raising her good hand to lay it on his scruffy face.  His beloved face, she thought suddenly.  “But I have to, Jon.  I can’t let go.  Not right now.”

 

“Why?”  Jon probed gently.

 

“Because….”  Kyra drew a breath, stroking a fingertip over the tiny lines crinkling the corner of his eye as he looked at her with concern, deciding to tell him the truth.  “Because if I let go, Jon………..if I let go and cry……….I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop.  Please………let me……let me do this my way…..”

 

He could see the pleading in her eyes, and he nodded slowly, just leaning to kiss her lightly before releasing her with a tiny smile.

 

“Okay, darlin’.  But - whatever you’re feeling or going through - you don’t need to hide it from me, ‘kay?”  He fussed with her hair, flipping it back over her shoulders, still looking in her eyes.  “I mean, I maybe can’t help, or you won’t want me to, but if I don’t know how you’re feeling I can’t even try.  Please?  Don’t feel like you have to do it alone.”

 

“Deal.”  Kyra whispered, returning the favor and kissing him back, a tremble in her soft lips as they touched his.

 

“Good.”  Jon smiled again.  “D’you want anything else from room service?  I feel like cookies.”

 

“Cookies are good.” 

 

“Okay.  You go shower and I’ll order us some coffee and cookies.”

 

“Hot chocolate and cookies.”

 

“Even better.”

 

Smiling a little again, Kyra picked her toiletries out of the bag and headed into the bathroom again.  Jon watched her go, grinding his teeth at the damage Jared had done with that single, brutal act.  Even though Kyra was trying so hard to be strong, it was obvious she was hurting from more than the physical pain, and though it was the first time he’d been in this situation, he knew that all he could do right now was be there for her.  The short break in the tour had come at a perfect time, allowing him the freedom to stay with her, and he could hopefully convince her to stay with him until the next leg of the tour got underway.

 

Sighing, Jon went to the room service phone and called in their order, the chocolate and cookies arriving before Kyra finished showering.  Jon signed for the charge and the tip, and while the waiter left the suite he headed toward the bathroom.  The shower had stopped, and he rapped gently on the half-closed door.

 

“Baby?”

 

“Uh-huh?”

 

Through the doorway, Jon caught a flash of movement, realising it was Kyra’s reflection in the long wall mirror.  She was drying herself with a fluffy towel, unaware he could see her, and as she turned Jon saw the massive bruise on her right side, obviously from the kick she’d told him about.  Clenching his jaw again, he tried to speak casually.

 

“The cookies are here…..so if you’re not out here fast, there’ll be none left.”

 

“Don’t you dare eat them all!”

 

He laughed, backing away from the door, cursing Jared yet again, but in the few minutes it took Kyra to dry off and pull on a hotel robe, he’d got himself under control once more, grinning at her when she emerged.

 

“I knew that’d make you hurry up.”

 

They sat together on the couch to enjoy their calorie-laden snack, fighting over the last white chocolate cookie until they compromised by having half each.  Kyra was still nibbling on her piece as she laid her head onto Jon’s shoulder, and he brought his arm from between them, up to wrap around her shoulders comfortingly.

 

“Tired, cowgirl?”

 

“Mmmm.”  She closed her eyes, letting her body lean more against his, the arm across her shoulders giving her a huge feeling of security for such a simple gesture.

 

“Why don’t we head for bed?”  Jon suggested.  “Or, rather, you go snuggle under the covers while I jump in the shower, then I’ll join you.”  He paused.  “If that’s okay?”

 

“If it’s okay that you shower?”  Kyra was tired enough that her brain didn’t get it.

 

“No.  If it’s okay that I sleep with you.  In the same bed with you, I mean.”

 

“Oh, Jonny.”  She sat up, looking at him, terrified she’d hurt his feelings somehow.  “I want to fall asleep with you, baby.  You……you make me feel so safe, so……”  She cut off what she almost said.  “I want to go to sleep in your bed, in your arms.  I want to wake up in your arms tomorrow……”

 

“And the next day?”  Jon asked softly.  “Because I want to go to sleep with you every night, and wake up with you every morning.”

 

Now a teardrop did escape, just one, falling from Kyra’s lashes to lie like a diamond, caught in the fur on Jon’s chest, but she smiled tenderly at him.

 

“I think I’d like that.”

 

“Me too.”  He smiled, touching her lips with his.  “Bedtime, baby.”

 

They went through to the bedroom, Jon heading into the bathroom as Kyra crossed to her bag, pulling out a baggy t shirt.  She never normally wore anything to bed, but somehow she felt the need to cover herself right now, not least to cover the bruise on her side.  The shirt was extra extra large, and she kept her back shyly turned to the bathroom as she took off the robe and pulled on the shirt.  She just dropped the robe onto the chair for now and went over to the bed, one-handedly clearing away the pizza debris before getting into bed.

 

When Jon came out of the shower, he found Kyra snuggled under the cover, and he tossed his towel back into the bathroom and crossed to the bed.  She opened her eyes, lifting the cover to let him in, and he grinned as he saw her shirt.

 

“I knew there was a reason I liked you.”  He smirked, pointing at the shirt.

 

Kyra looked down at the team name emblazoned across her.  “You’re a Giants fan?”

 

“Darlin’.”  Jon lay down and gathered her close, kissing her nose.  “I bleed Giants-blue!”

 

With a soft giggle, Kyra kissed his nose in return, then cuddled into the safety of his arms.

 

44

 

Kyra slept late the next morning, waking slowly from the most restful sleep she’d enjoyed since her world got turned, maybe not quite upside-down, but at least sideways.  The security of Jon’s arms around her had held her safe from the nightmares which occasionally plagued her, and the comfort of his scent, so close to her, had ensured her dreams were of the sweet variety.

 

Reluctantly opening her eyes, she focused on the forest of dark hair that carpeted Jon’s chest, smiling as she leaned a little closer, rubbing her nose gently against the soft strands.  Above her, she heard the low rumble of his voice, husky with the morning.

 

“You awake, baby?”  He purred, and she responded by rubbing her nose against him again.

 

“I hope so.”  She whispered.  “I hope this isn’t just a dream.”

 

“Let me convince you.”  Jon replied, and Kyra tilted her head back a little, looking up at him.

 

He was smiling at her, moving to kiss her forehead, then shifting down the bed a little, a gentle morning kiss easing her mouth open, re-acquainting himself with the taste of her.  When Jon slowly eased back, Kyra drew her lower lip into her mouth, tasting him again as she looked at him with those dark eyes.

 

“Convinced?”  Jon asked with a smile, pretending not to notice the teardrop that escaped her lashes, soaking into the pillow.

 

“Hmmm………not sure………just let me………”

 

Kyra brought her right hand gingerly up to the back of his head, laying her hand on his hair, the pain just bearable enough as she kissed him again.  After taking her sweet time to thoroughly explore and enjoy his mouth, she looked up at him again.

 

“I think I’m convinced.”

 

“So what d’you want to do today?”  Jon asked, trying to be casual as he arched his hips away from her, her kiss having woken his body more thoroughly, and he didn’t want to torment either of them by letting his hardening length press against her thighs.

 

“I don’t know.  I feel like doing something silly.  Something………”  She frowned at him.  “Have you ever been to the Statue of Liberty?”

 

“Uh, I’m embarrassed to have to say no.”  Jon admitted.  “I guess when it’s on your doorstep, you don’t think of it.  One of those things that you always intend to do ‘some day’.”

 

“Well, ‘some day’ is today.”  Kyra smirked.  “Whaddya think?  Wanna play tourist for the day?”

 

“Sounds like fun.”  He agreed, then rolled his head to look at the clock.  “If we’re doing it, we should probably get moving, babe.  It’s almost nine already.”

 

“It is?  Wow.”  She blushed.  “I guess I needed the sleep, huh?  I haven’t slept so well since…..well….”

 

“I kinda figured.”  He kissed her forehead again with a soft chuckle.  “When I woke up you were still so peaceful, I couldn’t bring myself to disturb you, but since you’re awake now……..I really need to pee!”

 

With one more quick kiss, Jon released her, rolling out of the bed, keeping his back turned to Kyra as he headed for the bathroom.  She cuddled back under the cover as the door swung shut behind him, then a few minutes later Jon called to her.

 

“Babe - I’m just gonna jump in the shower.  D’you want in here first?”

 

“No, s’okay babe.  You want coffee?  I’ll call down to room service.”

 

“Good idea.”

 

Kyra ordered the coffee, and some pastries, as she heard the shower start, but with the demands on room service at this time of the morning, Jon was back out of the bathroom before it even arrived.  When he came through, wrapped in a robe, Kyra was perched on the edge of the bed, fidgeting with the bandage on her right hand.

 

“Okay?”  Jon asked, wondering if she’d hurt her hand again.

 

“Huh?  Oh, yeah.  I was just thinking that this really needs changed again.  You think there’s a nurse or something in the hotel?”

 

“I can do it.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Uh-huh.”  He grinned.  “Darlin’, I have two younger brothers and my parents both worked.  Who d’you think had to patch them up?”

 

“So you like playing doctor, huh?”

 

“Oh, yeah.”  Jon smiled, stroking a hand over her hair.  “Why don’t you go shower then I’ll fix your bandage.”

 

Tears rose again at Jon’s tenderness, but Kyra blinked them away quickly, rising to her feet and smiling at him.  She headed into the bathroom, not really noticing that she was comfortable enough with Jon again that it never occurred to her all she wore was the t shirt, and he was still standing looking at the closed door when he heard the waiter with the coffee.

 

Kyra showered as quickly as she could, pulling on a robe and joining Jon in the sitting area for coffee.  When she searched through her bag and found a fresh bandage, Jon gently unwrapped the wet one from her hand, trying to stifle his curses when he saw her hand, and the wide band of bruising around her wrist from Jared’s grip.  He wasn’t very successful, though, and Kyra brought her left hand up to his face, stroking lightly.

 

“It’s okay, Jon.”  She murmured, and he looked up at her with sad eyes.

 

“I just don’t understand how the fucker could do it, Kyra.  How he could……..”

 

“Hush.”  Kyra laid her fingers over his mouth, and Jon sighed. 

 

“Sorry.  Okay - new bandage, please, nurse.”

 

He bandaged her hand with a quiet skill that surprised Kyra, then they both dressed, Kyra blowdrying her hair since she wasn’t able to braid it yet, and she wasn’t about to ask Jon to do it for her. 

 

They left the hotel and spent the day sightseeing like a pair of tourists - most of the day spent getting to, then touring, the Statue, but Jon took Kyra through some of the areas he knew, and visiting familiar places with her made them new to him, too.  By the time they finally got back to the hotel, it was completely dark, and they were both exhausted, sharing a bottle of wine before collapsing into bed, wrapped in each other’s arms again.

 

The next few days followed a similar pattern, waking late and sharing coffee and sticky pastries in their room while deciding what to do with the day.  Shopping took much of one day, Kyra finding that Jon could be just as picky as most women when it came to clothes, but that he had no objection to sitting in a store while she tried on outfits.  The next day, Jon had his car brought over from the garage where it lived while he was away, and he drove them out to Jersey, showing Kyra around ‘his’ town, showing her where he came from, as she’d already shown him where she was raised.

 

Their nights were quiet, filled with an unspoken, unrecognised, feeling of love, undimmed by the fact that the most intimate they’d been since Kyra arrived was when they were kissing.  Jon was aching for her, but his own control surprised him, though his fear of hurting her certainly helped with that.  On their fourth - or maybe fifth - morning together, while they kissed, having gone past the point of kissing each other awake and well into kissing each other into a breathless stupor, Kyra reached between them, touching Jon’s thigh and sliding her hand north.

 

“Baby?”  He broke away from her mouth, arching his back, pulling his hips away from her as her fingers closed around his stiffening cock. 

 

“I think………”  Kyra swallowed hard.  “I think I maybe love you, Jon, and I want to……Jesus, I want to make love with you, but I can’t.  Not yet.  But that doesn’t mean I can’t…….”

 

“Sweetheart, you don’t have to.”

 

“I know.  I want to.”

 

Kyra looked in his eyes, Jon seeing the truth of it there, and he relaxed his back, no longer fighting her hand as she stroked him.  When she started to slide beneath the covers, though, he stopped her.

 

“I want to kiss you.”  He whispered.  “Just…..kiss me, darlin’.”

 

She understood.  At least, she hoped she did.  With her left hand still working on Jon’s swollen flesh, she kissed him again, feeling the warmth of his hand under her t shirt, caressing her lower back.  Kyra wished she was completely healed, hungry to feel him inside her, needing to know if she would still feel the same way about sex - about Jon - after what had happened.  For now, though, she had to wait, and this was all she could do for him, his hand tightening on her as she increased the pace, bringing him right to the edge of orgasm, Jon pulling his mouth from hers as he gasped.

 

“Jesus, Kyra……..I…….”  Whatever he was about to say was lost in a groan as he came, Kyra feeling the hot fluid on her t shirt, on her hand, Jon’s eyes closing as he rode it out. 

 

His eyes still closed, Jon leaned forward, instinct bringing his lips onto Kyra’s for another deep kiss, opening his eyes as he drew back to look at her with a crooked smile.

 

“I think maybe I love you, too.”  He murmured.

 

45

 

After their mutual declarations, they just gazed at each other wordlessly, their minds processing all the implications of what they’d said.  Finally, smiling just a little, Jon raised his hand to stroke back her mussed hair, drawing her to him again for another kiss.  Kyra kissed him back just as tenderly as he kissed her, then when she eased back, Jon spoke.

 

“You’ve been hiding yourself from me, haven’t you?”

 

“I……….what d’you mean?”

 

“I mean this.”  Jon tugged lightly on the neck of her loose t-shirt, caressing his lips over hers before continuing.  “Shower with me, baby.  I miss you……I miss seeing you.  Miss touching your skin.”

 

His eyes were gentle, willing to back off if he was pushing her too far, too fast, but her recent actions convinced him she was ready for this tiny step closer to intimacy.

 

“I guess I have been hiding.”  Kyra admitted, blushing.  “But you really don’t want to see my bruises, baby.”

 

“Yes, I do.”  Jon demurred, one hand sliding under the hem of her shirt again as he tried to explain.  “I don’t like that they’re there, but they’re part of you, Kyra.  Please don’t hide from me.”

 

Despite her misgivings, Kyra didn’t protest as Jon slowly eased the shirt up, and she lifted herself slightly to let him pull it over her shoulders, never taking her eyes from his.  Jon pushed the cover down, then brought her shirt all the way off, dropping it over the edge of the mattress.  He looked down at her, eyes darkening with anger as he saw the now-fading bruise that covered most of her right side.

 

“Motherfucker.”  He breathed, touching carefully with his fingertips.

 

“Doesn’t hurt any more.”  Kyra said, only half lying, but even Jon’s gentle touch tensed her muscles against the pain.

 

“God, you’re a lousy liar.”  Jon murmured, sliding down the bed, easing her onto her back as the soft touch of his fingers was replaced by the softer touch of his lips.  “You did say I could kiss your bruises better.”  He reminded her.

 

Slowly, tenderly, Jon dropped tiny kisses on the discoloured skin, Kyra holding his head with one hand as he painstakingly soothed the bruised area with lips and tongue.  Rising up again, Jon kissed her lips before resting his forehead against hers with a sigh.

 

“Let’s go shower.”  Kyra said, and Jon smiled.

 

“Yeah.  Shower then breakfast.  Then we can decide what we wanna do today.”

 

Jon rolled out of bed, holding his hand out to Kyra, and she lifted her left hand, letting him pull her gently from the bed.  He could see the uncertainty in her eyes, the slight worry at standing in front of him in just her thong again, and he just gently wrapped his arms around her, holding her close against his naked body, nothing sexual in the gesture, just a comforting embrace.  After a second’s stiffness, Kyra relaxed into him, her arms around his waist and her cheek against his shoulder.  Jon murmured soft nonsense to her as they stood there, feeling the hot drip of a tear onto his skin then actually feeling her shrug off the sobbing before it could start.

 

Kyra rolled her head slightly, pressing her lips to his neck, then up to his ear, nipping at the lobe.

 

“Are we showering or what?”  She teased.

 

Chuckling, Jon rubbed his hands on her lower back.  “Let’s go, cowgirl.”

 

After a long, slow shower, they ate yet another room service breakfast, still wrapped in robes, then headed out to spend the day wandering the city again.

 

Another couple of days passed in a similarly lazy way, and by now Kyra was feeling pretty much back to herself, with the exception of her still-bandaged hand.  The bruises on her body had faded away, and cautious explorations when she was alone in the bathroom that morning had convinced her that her body was ready for her to finally satisfy the hunger that Jon’s kisses and attentiveness had stoked to boiling point.

 

They’d actually gone out to dinner tonight, sharing a bottle or two of a nice wine with their meal, and when they got back to the room they settled on the couch with coffee, Kyra in Jon’s lap.  Kyra sipped coffee, then twisted around to lay down her cup, taking Jon’s from his hand as he frowned in surprise.

 

“What’s wrong?”  He asked, but Kyra smiled.

 

“Not a damned thing.”  She purred, kissing him, and Jon chuckled as he kissed her back, his hand twisting into her hair.

 

Jon’s other hand just rested on her thigh, and Kyra shifted slightly, opening space between them to get her left hand onto his crotch, squeezing gently.

 

“Baby, you don’t have to….”  Jon pulled back from her mouth.

 

“I want to.”  Kyra pouted just a bit.  “I want you, Jon.”

 

“Isn’t it too soon?”  He asked, looking at her strangely.

 

“I don’t think so.”  She replied.  “I feel perfectly fine, Jon.  I’m better.  Honestly.”

 

The hand on her thigh slid downward, toward her knee, then up again, the movement repeated soothingly as Jon looked down, watching his own hand.

 

“Baby, are you sure?  We can wait.  I can wait.  We don’t need to rush….”

 

Kyra pulled back to look at him, seeing the frown furrowing his brow.  What concerned her more than the frown, though, was the fact that he wouldn’t look her in the eye, keeping his gaze fixed down toward her knees.

 

“Jon?”  She said, hating herself for the tremor in her voice.

 

“Yeah?”  He flicked a glance to her face, then looked down again.

 

“Jon - what’s going on?”  Kyra blurted, and this time he didn’t even look up, she had to tuck her fingers under his chin to raise his eyes to hers. 

 

“Nothing, baby.”  He tried to reassure her, but the look in his eyes worried her.  “I just thought it was too soon for you.”

 

His soft words hit her like a slap, and Kyra bolted upright, jolting off his lap as she looked at him in horror.

 

“Jesus!”  She sobbed out, feeling the tears she’d held back for so long filling her eyes. 

 

This, she hadn’t expected.  Not from him.  Jon got to his feet, that strange look still in his eyes as he reached a hand to her, and Kyra stumbled backward, away from him.

 

“You don’t want me any more!”  She sobbed helplessly.  “But you said……….you said it wasn’t my fault!”

46

 

Kyra stared at him in agony for a moment, and her tears were blinding her as she darted past him, heading into the bedroom.

 

“Shit!”  Jon spat, realising what he’d just done.

 

He followed her into the bedroom, appalled to see she was already throwing her clothes back into her bag, getting ready to leave.  Ready to leave him.

 

“Kyra.”  He tried, but she shook her head, throwing up a defensive front.

 

“It’s okay, Jon.  I should’ve known.  Don’t worry about it.”

 

“It’s not okay.  I…….”  He ran his hands into his hair.  “Would you stop that?  Please?”

 

His voice cracked on the last word, and that registered on Kyra.  She didn’t turn around, but her hand stilled on the bag, waiting to hear what he was going to say.

 

“I fucked up, darlin’.”  Jon sighed.  “I didn’t mean to hurt you that way.  I just…….”  He walked across, touching her shoulder gently so she turned her head to face him.  “Kyra, I’m scared.  I’m scared to do anything that scares you.  I’m scared - actually I’m fucking terrified - of hurting you.  I need you so bad right now, and I’m afraid I couldn’t control myself enough.”

 

Her face was soaked with her tears as she looked at him fearfully.

 

“You still want me?”  She whispered, almost inaudibly, and Jon bit on his lip.

 

“I need you, Kyra.  I need you like I need to breathe.  I want you so much I can’t think straight half the time, and I could cut my tongue out right now for what I said, for hurting you like that.”

 

“You still want me.”  It wasn’t a question this time.

 

“With every breath in my body.”

 

Jon gathered her into his arms, and Kyra’s next words were softly murmured into his ear.

 

“I need you, Jon.  I need………”  A gusty sigh against his skin.  “I need to feel you inside me.  I need to know he hasn’t ruined everything between us……..need to know I can still……..can still enjoy you like I used to.  I need this, baby.”

 

“I hear you.”  Jon whispered.  “You’re sure you’re okay for this, though?  Physically, I mean.”

 

“As sure as I can be.”  She said, then drew back to look at his face.  “I know you won’t hurt me, Jonny.”

 

“Never intentionally.”  He agreed, lifting a hand to wipe away her tears then giving it up as useless.  “Wait a minute.” 

 

As Kyra smiled, Jon stripped off his t-shirt, using the soft, still-warm fabric to dry her face.

 

“You’re not the only one who’s scared.”  Kyra confessed softly.  “It scares me, Jon, that he may have changed things between us.”

 

“I’m sorry.”  Jon said, dropping the shirt and cupping his hands around her face, pressing his lips to hers.  “You should’ve remembered, from that first night, what a stupid prick I can be.”

 

“Yeah, I should.”  Kyra smirked, sliding her arms around his bare back.

 

“Bitch.”  He whispered with a smile.  “C’mon baby - let’s go to bed.”

 

Smiling again, Kyra let him lead her over to the bed, Jon stopping her beside the edge of the mattress.

 

“Don’t move.” 

 

As Kyra stood still, Jon lifted her t shirt up and off, tossing it aside and quickly unhooking her bra.  For now, he left her in her jeans, turning them both around so he sat on the mattress, Kyra standing between his knees.  Gently, Jon kissed between her breasts, his hands on her back as his lips tracked slowly south until he hit the waist of her jeans, working his way back up her body to tenderly caress a nipple with his tongue.

 

Kyra sighed as his lips closed around the sensitive tip, her left hand in Jon’s hair, then she pulled him gently across to her other breast, Jon suckling on that nipple, too.  He dropped lower, kissing down to her waist again, hands coming around to unfasten her jeans and push them down a little, giving his tongue access to her navel.  There was an ache between Kyra’s thighs, but it was a good ache, a hungry ache, and she gave a tiny moan as Jon eased her jeans over her hips, pushing them to the floor.

 

“Okay, baby?”  Jon looked up the second she moaned, his concern turning to a grin as he saw her flushed face, watched her bite on her lip as she nodded.

 

He stood up now, turning to flick the cover down the bed, then taking Kyra’s hand, encouraging her onto the mattress.  She wore only a smooth black thong, and Jon quickly ditched his own jeans, naked as he lay down beside her.

 

He caressed her breast as he kissed her, then he again kissed his way down her body, this time hooking her panties with his fingertips as he passed, dragging them down and off.  Jon smoothed his hands down her legs, Kyra tensing for a fraction of a second as his hand swept up her inner thigh, but falling back into the lustful haze Jon was creating in her.  Jon saw the momentary fright, but Kyra relaxed almost instantly, her thighs parting at his touch.  Slowly, Jon shifted on the bed, kneeling between her legs now, kissing his way up one thigh, stopping just before he reached his target, easing back to kiss all the way up her other thigh.

 

Kyra gasped when his fingers stroked gently across her, looking down and seeing him watching her face intently.  She just nodded, smiling, and Jon smiled back, stroking once more before leaning down to kiss her there.  He sucked lightly on her clit, drawing another moan from her, then dipped lower, the tip of his tongue entering her carefully, retreating a little, then thrusting in deeper on the next stroke.

 

Her eyes were fixed on the shaggy blond head that was buried between her thighs, and Kyra ran her fingers into his hair, instinct making her spread her thighs wider as his tongue slid slowly back and forth inside her.  Feeling her already so wet, Jon shifted his mouth back to her clit, kissing and licking the swollen bud as he gently slipped a finger just inside her.  He heard her moan ‘yes’ as his finger slid deeper, and as he felt her rising higher, Jon drew back and slowly pushed two fingers into her this time.

 

Kyra was moving under his touch, his hand and mouth pushing her toward orgasm, and that was what Jon wanted.  He wanted her to cum first, to cum before he let himself enter her, wanted to be sure she was truly okay, and wanted to be certain she was dripping wet and ready for him.  When he heard her moaning his name, he stroked his fingers into her faster, sucking against her clit at the same tempo.  She sobbed through her orgasm, pulsing around his fingers, and as she began to recover Kyra tugged at his hair, lifting his head.

 

“Please.”  She whimpered.  “Please, Jon.  You.”

 

He slipped his hand away, letting her pull him up to kiss her, then he broke away briefly, reaching out to the nightstand for a condom, finding them in the drawer.  Protection in place, Jon kissed her again, moving to lie between her legs. 

 

Kyra reached for him, her left hand closing around his hard cock, and she gazed up into Jon’s bright blue eyes, almost as though she was convincing herself it was really him.  She guided him into her entrance then shifted her hand to his hip, Jon letting her dictate the speed of his advance as he slid gradually into her.  Kyra moaned as he filled her, stretching the delicately healed tears, and Jon froze, watching her face closely.

 

“Kyra?”  Was all he said, all he needed to say, and she lifted her bandaged hand to his face, smiling up at him.

 

“I’m fine, baby.  You feel so good.”

 

As Jon eased back and thrust carefully again, Kyra closed her eyes, forcing them open a moment later when Jared’s flushed, angry face flew into her mind.  Refusing the image, she looked up at Jon instead, keeping her eyes wide open when he kissed her again, feeling his hand slip between them, his thumb on her clit to push her further.  Jon was gritting his teeth to keep himself in check, holding himself to the long, slow thrusts, letting the contractions of Kyra’s flesh as she came again pull him toward orgasm.  He came with a groan of pleasure, feeling Kyra’s legs wrapped tight around him, and she wordlessly pulled him down on top of her, holding him there with both arms.

 

“I’m glad.”  Kyra whispered in his ear a moment later.  “That you didn’t cut out your tongue……..it’s too talented!”

47

 

Still buried inside Kyra, Jon slowly raised his head, looking down at her, worry spiking in his heart as he saw the tears on her face again.

 

“Baby?  Are you okay?  I didn’t……..?”

 

“No.”  She whispered, lifting a hand to his face, a smile trembling on her lips.  “You didn’t do anything wrong, Jon.  I just……..it still….I still feel the same about you.  About making love with you.  I was so scared I wouldn’t.”

 

“Aw, sweetheart.” 

 

Gently, Jon eased himself out of her, turning away for a second to strip the condom away and drop it into the bin, then pulling Kyra into his arms, feeling her arms around his neck.  She was trembling, and Jon stretched a hand to pull the cover over them both, but if anything her shaking got worse, and he pulled his head back to look at her, seeing her biting on her lip, fighting tears.

 

“Don’t, Kyra.”  He murmured, kissing her forehead then looking at her again.  “Let it go, darlin’.”

 

She gazed up at him with hurt in those dark eyes, the tears spilling over as he looked at her, and as the first sob broke through Jon kissed her forehead again, a hand on her head holding her close as she wept helplessly.  Kyra clung to him, Jon just holding her tightly, rocking soothingly and murmuring reassurances against her hair.  Slowly, she calmed, not even looking up at him again, just burrowing closer into his embrace, tucking her head into his chest.

 

“Better?”  Jon whispered.

 

“Mm-hm.” 

 

“Good.”  Jon pressed his cheek down against her hair, holding her there so she wouldn’t see the tears on his own face.  “Sleep, baby.”

 

“Mmmm.”  A hesitation.  “G’night Jon.”

 

“Good night, cowgirl.”

 

He kissed her hair again, feeling Kyra sigh against him, relaxed in his arms again, and he closed his eyes, leaving the lights on because he couldn’t bear to let go of her.  Not right now.

 

Jon woke much later, feeling Kyra struggling in his arms, her fists beating against his chest.  He held her tighter, bringing his lips to her ear.

 

“Kyra…….it’s me……..it’s Jon…..”  She still struggled, and Jon started to sing softly, that Italian lullaby he’d sung to her before, the soothing sound calming her almost immediately.

 

She settled back into dreamless sleep as he sang, and Jon held down the rage in his heart, knowing deep inside that this wasn’t about him right now.  All he could do was whatever it took to make Kyra feel safe, let her know she was loved, and he watched over her until sleep pulled him under again.

 

Next time Jon woke, Kyra was cuddled close against him, and he looked at her for a long moment, then eased out of the bed, snugging the cover up over her body.  He wandered to the bathroom, then pulled on a robe and went to the sitting room, calling down to room service for coffee.  The waiter had just left the room when the telephone rang, and Jon practically leapt from the couch, grabbing it before it could ring a second time, hoping it hadn’t disturbed Kyra’s sleep.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Jon?”  The voice sounded uncertain.

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Oh, good.  It’s Jenny.”

 

“Jenny?  What’s wrong?”

 

“Nothing.”  Out in Nashville, Jenny frowned.  “At least I hope not.  Kyra is with you, right?”

 

“Uh-huh.  Did you want to speak to her?  She’s still asleep.”

 

“No, let her sleep.  I was just concerned.  I hadn’t heard from her in a few days, and when I called the hotel the phone in her room just rang and rang.  Just a good thing she left a note of your room number.”

 

“Sorry, Jen.”  Jon sipped coffee.  “We’ve been out a lot, I guess.  Been doing the tourist bit, to be honest, and a little shopping.  Retail therapy according to Kyra.”

 

“But she’s okay?”

 

“As okay as she can be.  Physically, she’s great, except for her hand.”

 

“And is she……..has she………?”  Jenny stopped, not sure she wanted to get into this kind of conversation with him, but Jon got what she was trying to say.

 

“It’s only her hand that’s still sore, Jen.”  He said carefully.  “We had a little bit of a - a misunderstanding last night - but we talked that through and, well, we…….she’s fine.”

 

“You’re a very sweet boy.”  Jenny said, a smile in her voice.  “Just let her know I called, would you?”

“Sure.  Any other message?”

 

“Nope.  Tell her the house is still standing, the horses are fine, and everybody misses her - but she doesn’t need to rush back.”

 

“I’ll tell her.”  It was Jon’s turn to hesitate.  “Is there any news on……on him?”

 

“Nothing she needs to hear.”  Jenny warned, not sure what Kyra had told him.  “He tried to bring charges against her, for some injuries he got when he was being arrested.”

 

“Would that be from when……..uhhh……he fell onto the fence?”

 

“Yeah.”  Jenny chuckled.  “He tried to say Kyra did it - can you believe that?  Anyway, with four cops saying different, it didn’t go anywhere.”

 

“Shame, that.”  Jon said sardonically.  “Still, I hear nobody needs to worry about any offspring from him?”

 

“Nope.  There won’t be any little Jareds running around, which is a blessing.”  Jenny looked at her watch, realising she had things to do.  “Anyway, just let her know I called and I miss her.  Tell her to call me once in a while!”

 

“I will.  Thanks, Jenny, for calling.”

 

“Hey, if she’d called me, I wouldn’t have had to!  Just one thing, Jon.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“If you hurt that girl, I’ll do more than she did to Jared.  That’s all I’m saying.”

 

“If I hurt her, I’ll deserve it.”  He replied.  “Bye, Jenny.”

 

“Bye, Jon.”

 

He laid down the phone, stepping toward the bedroom, seeing Kyra still sound asleep and returning to the couch with his coffee.  His notebook, never far away, lay open on the coffee table, and Jon grabbed it as he sipped at the hot coffee, flipping pages to look through what he’d written last.  There was a pen hooked into the spine of the book, and as a lyric caught his attention Jon pulled the pen free, scratching a line through a few words and replacing them with something different.

 

The lyrics drew him in, and he sipped absently at his coffee as he reworked the song as far as he could without a guitar - or Richie - by his side.  His concentration was absolute, so he didn’t hear Kyra getting out of the bed, didn’t hear her padding across the bedroom.  It wasn’t until a soft hand stroked over his hair that he jolted out of his own little world, looking up in surprise.

 

“You’re awake.”  He smiled up at her, and Kyra smiled back, her hair loose and tangled around her, the bedcover wrapped around her.

 

“More or less.”  She agreed.  “I smell coffee.”

 

“Yep.  Over there.”  Jon pointed with his pen, making a final change to the page before laying down book and pen.

 

Kyra poured herself coffee then came over to the couch, sitting down beside him, the cover trailing behind her.  Jon let her take a sip of coffee before leaning toward her, pressing his lips to hers.

 

“Good morning, baby.”

 

“G’mornin’, Jon.”

 

She looked down at her coffee cup, cradling it in her hands, then glanced shyly up at Jon, the shy glance turning to a sparkling grin when he smiled at her.

 

“Where’s your bandage?”  Jon asked suddenly, registering that she held the cup in both hands.

 

“I took it off.”  Kyra said, taking her hand off the cup and carefully flexing her fingers, almost making a complete fist.  “Feels much better this morning.”  She grinned at him again.  “Everything feels much better this morning.  Sun seems brighter today.”

 

“You seem brighter today.”  Jon grinned.  “My tough cowgirl’s comin’ back, huh?”

 

“Uh-huh.”  Kyra flushed slightly.  “Sorry for crying all over you last night.”

 

“Ah, that’s why I’m here baby.  Well, that and kissing your bruises better.”  He smirked.  “All your bruises!”

 

“You sure did that.”  She agreed, leaning in to kiss him, a more passionate kiss that Jon returned in equal measure.

 

48

 

After a long, thorough kiss, they slowly parted, both feeling the heat in their blood and backing away from it for now in mutual, unspoken agreement.

 

“Breakfast?”  Jon said softly, his voice husky and low.

 

“Mm-hm.”  For her part, Kyra didn’t trust her voice right now, and the soft murmur, with a nod of her head, was all the response she’d give. 

 

Jon cleared his throat as he got off the couch, crossing to grab the room service menu that the room staff kept putting back in it’s place, no matter how often they left it on the coffee table.  He handed it to Kyra as he sat again, and she flipped it open briefly before handing it back.

 

“You know what I want.”  She smiled, and Jon gave a dirty chuckle.

 

“Yeah, I do, but what d’you want for breakfast?”

 

Kyra just laughed, lifting her hand to tug his hair.  “Pancakes and bacon.  And juice.”

 

“Think I’ll join you.”

 

He called the order down to room service, grimacing slightly at the response.

 

“It’s going to be a half hour or so.”  He told Kyra.  “They’re really busy, apparently.”

 

“Aw, you mean they’re not going to drop everything for a rockstar?  Shame!”

 

“I know.”  Jon pouted as he came back to her.  “I feel all unloved.”

 

“You shouldn’t.”  She whispered, getting off the couch as he sat down.  “Be right back.”

 

“They won’t feed me, you leave me….”  Jon grumbled jokingly, picking up his coffee as Kyra went through into the bedroom.

 

Jon  heard the bathroom door click open, and when Kyra came back a few minutes later she was still wrapped in the bedcover, but her hair was now brushed and, when she sat and gently kissed him, Jon discovered she’d cleaned her teeth.  He slid his tongue into her mouth when she opened for him, Kyra sighing into the kiss, moving closer as Jon gripped her head.  Their hunger stoked higher as they kissed, and Jon only pulled back slightly as he felt Kyra move, sitting astride his lap.

 

“And what are you doing, missy?”  He growled as she untied his robe, reaching inside.

 

“If we need to wait for food, we can at least satisfy another hunger.”  Kyra purred back, leaning down just enough to catch his nipple in her lips.

 

With her mouth on his nipple and her hand wrapped around his dick, Jon groaned, letting his head drop back for a second before grabbing her hair, pulling her up again.  On the way to his mouth, Kyra trailed her lips up his throat, nipping at his adam’s apple as she passed.  He was fully hard now, and Jon kissed her deeply before drawing back again.

 

“Lemme go get……”

 

Before he could finish, Kyra brought her right hand out from where it gripped the cover, showing him the condom she’d brought through from the bedroom.

 

“Forward planning again, huh?”  Jon grinned, taking it from her.

 

As he rolled the thin latex over himself, Kyra pushed his robe fully open, keeping the cover over them both.  Jon gripped her hip gently with one hand, the other sliding between her thighs, stroking her clit, pushing her excitement higher.  Kyra rose a little on him, bringing her breasts level with his mouth and, without interrupting the movements of his hand, Jon captured a hard nipple in his mouth, sucking hard as Kyra gave a soft moan of pleasure.  She was rocking her hips against his hand, then her hand grabbed onto his hair, pulling him up.

 

“Please, Jon.”

 

Before he gave in, Jon slowly pressed two fingers into her, watching her face, seeing nothing but the ripple of pleasure at his penetration.  Grinning, he withdrew his fingers and brought both hands to her hips, Kyra angling herself onto him, then letting Jon slowly draw her down until he was buried in her hot, wet flesh.

 

“Oh God.”  She whispered, fluttering her eyes closed for a moment as Jon just held her there, held her still with his cock buried deep inside.

 

“Okay?”  Jon checked, and when Kyra chuckled he felt it around him, tightening her flesh.

 

“Oh, yeah.  Very very okay, darlin’.”

 

Her body quickly adjusted to the feeling of him inside her, and Kyra started a slow motion, rolling her hips, lifting herself just a little as she rode him.  She kissed Jon as they made love, but as the sensations grew stronger she raised her head, bracing one hand on the back of the couch, and Jon instead suckled her nipples again, moving from one to the other, Kyra’s right hand gentle on the back of his head.  Kyra moaned in equal parts arousal and frustration, her orgasm seemingly just out of reach, making her move faster, harder on Jon, and as his hands helped her accelerate the pace, she dropped her head forward, biting gently on his shoulder.

 

“Oh, baby.”  Jon grated, his hands biting into her hips now, his own release close, Kyra’s biting turning him on even more.

 

“Jon.”  Kyra breathed, the only word she could manage, then her body tensed, pleasure slamming into her, her scream muffled against his skin as she bit down on his shoulder again.

 

The pain from the bite threw Jon over the edge with her, his hips thrusting up into her as he pulled her down, Kyra still moving on him as she felt him cum, slowly relaxing on him, only now realising how hard she’d bitten him when she saw the imprint of her teeth on the smooth, freckled skin.

 

“I bit you.”  She whispered, licking the damaged area.  “I’m sorry.”

 

“You’re….”  Jon broke off, panting as he tried to get his voice under control.  “You’re just getting me back for those hickies, aren’t you?”

 

Kyra chuckled.  “Well, now that you mention it….”

 

“I knew it.”  He laughed.  “Kiss me, cowgirl.”

 

She did, Jon still inside her as they lost themselves in each other’s taste again.  They were only barely aware of the knock at the door, the soft voice calling ‘room service’, but they jolted as the door opened, staring at each other in comical embarrassment.

 

“Shit!”   Kyra yelped, but Jon just laughed again, grabbing the cover and pulling it over them both, Kyra gripping the edges to hold it high.

 

“Just leave the food over on the table, thanks.”  Jon said, looking up at the waiter as though it was the  most natural thing in the world to have a beautiful girl wrapped around you at this hour of the morning.

 

The waiter almost managed to hide his smile as he laid out the breakfast, and the only difficulty came when he brought the charge slip across, since Jon and Kyra were still wrapped up in the cover.  After a tiny hesitation, Jon chuckled again.

 

“Just leave it and I’ll sign it later.”

 

“Of course, sir.”  The waiter smiled now, laying the slip on the table by the door.  “Good morning.”

 

He left, and Kyra collapsed into giggles, laying her head onto Jon’s shoulder.

 

“Thank God he didn’t come a few minutes earlier!”

 

“Or - to put it another way.”  Jon suggested.  “Thank God, we came a few minutes earlier!”

 

That just raised more giggles, and Kyra tried to look haughty as she eased herself off Jon, the giggling ruining the act.  She just wrapped the cover around herself, leaving Jon in the wide-open robe, and he reached down to remove the condom, stopping as he looked at himself.

 

“Kyra, are you okay?”  He sounded truly worried, and Kyra frowned.

 

“Yeah.  Why?”

 

She looked down at his crotch, seeing what Jon had seen - the streaks of blood on the condom.

 

“I feel fine.”  She assured him.  “Probably just got a little too enthusiastic.  I’ll be right back.”

 

Kyra got off the couch, hesitated, then reached down to strip the condom from Jon herself, taking it to the bathroom to ditch it in the bin there.  She was only gone a few minutes, and she shrugged as she approached him again.

 

“I’m fine.”  She repeated, and Jon smiled back at her, seeing the complete lack of worry in her face, believing her.

 

“Good.”

 

Jon went and cleaned himself up, then they ate breakfast, discussing their plans for the day.  They were at the toast-and-final-coffee stage when he suddenly remembered.

 

“Shit!  I almost forgot!”  He said apologetically.  “Jenny called earlier.  Said to tell you she misses you, everyone’s thinking of you, the horses and house are fine, and you don’t need to hurry back!”

 

“Nothing like making me feel indispensable, huh?”  Kyra joked.

 

“Yeah.  So…..”  Jon jumped in with what he’d been thinking for a day or two.  “Why don’t you travel with me and the guys for a week or so?  Call it a vacation if you like.”

 

“Really?  That might be fun.”  Kyra considered.  “But only for a week or so!  I do have a life back home.”

 

“A week is fine.”  Jon answered.  Hell, he’d have a week to change her mind.

 

49

 

Kyra sipped coffee before smiling slyly across at Jon.

 

“Of course, if I’m going to stay with you another week, I have a bit of a problem.”  She smirked.  “I only brought enough clothes for a few days, so that means…….”

 

Jon interrupted with a smirk.  “You’re going to have to stay naked?”  He suggested hopefully.

 

Kyra giggled.

 

“No!  Not a bad idea, I’ll admit, but what I really had in mind was…..”

 

“Shopping.”  Jon forestalled her once more, grinning, and Kyra laughed again, blushing just a little.

 

“Uh-huh.”

 

“So does that mean I get to be your designated bag carrier again?”

 

“If you don’t mind.”

 

“Not in the slightest, darlin’.  I do have one condition, though.”

 

“What?”

 

“If you’re planning on visiting any lingerie stores, I am not sitting around waiting outside the dressing room.”

 

“Oh, okay.”  Kyra smirked.  “When I go there, you can grab a coffee.”

 

Jon laughed.  “Darlin’, the only thing I’ll be grabbin’ is you!”

 

Kyra pretended to consider his suggestion.

 

“Well, I guess I might need some help, with my wounded paw and all.”  She raised her damaged hand like a hurt puppy, pouting her lower lip and batting her eyelashes at Jon.

 

“That’s exactly what I was thinking.”  He replied, a naughty spark in his eyes.  “Well, okay, maybe not exactly what I was thinking.  But it did involve helping you out of your underwear.”

 

Shaking her head, Kyra picked up her cup, finishing the last of her coffee before getting to her feet.

 

“I’m going to take a shower.”  She murmured, stroking a hand over Jon’s hair as she passed him.

 

He caught her hand gently, halting her.

 

“I’ll join you.”

 

So they showered together, both taking a simple, sensual pleasure in washing each other, Kyra still cautious with her right hand.  When the bathroom was filled with thick steam, and their skin glowing pink from the heat, they finally turned off the water and got out of the shower.  They dried off, then Kyra pulled on a robe while Jon walked naked to the bedroom, opening the closet to find a clean pair of jeans. 

 

Kyra followed him through, settling herself on the bed as she picked up the phone, calling Jenny to find out what was happening back home.  The older woman reassured her that nothing was wrong, she’d just wanted to find out how Kyra was, and when Kyra told her she’d be travelling with Jon to Long Island, Jenny chuckled.

 

“You enjoy yourself honey.”  Her voice grew wicked.  “You enjoy him.”

 

Chuckling at the dirty tone of Jen’s voice, Kyra glanced across the room, watching Jon as he tugged the tight denim to his waist, zipping up as he looked back at her.  Hearing the smutty quality of her laugh, he grinned, walking slowly across to her.

 

“I will.”  Kyra told Jenny as Jon stopped in front of her.

 

His bare torso was begging to be touched, and Kyra gave in with alacrity, laying her palm gently on his belly as she looked up at the blue eyes.  Jon grinned, laying his hand over hers, but carefully, conscious that it was her right hand.

 

“Jenny has a dirty mind.”  He murmured, gently sliding Kyra’s hand up his body, lifting it clear as it passed his chest, bringing her palm to his lips.

 

“Jon says you have a dirty mind.”  Kyra said into the phone, and Jon heard the delighted cackle from where he stood.

 

Jon’s lips caressed Kyra’s palm, butterfly soft, his tongue trailing up the underside of her middle finger, sucking lightly on the tip of her finger for a moment before turning her hand, kissing the bruise that covered the back.

 

“Not saying it’s a bad thing, though.”  He murmured against her skin, his eyes gleaming as he looked at her, and Kyra swallowed a moan before speaking to Jenny again.

 

“He said it’s not a bad thing.”  She whispered, and Jenny could hear in the tone of her voice that something was going on.

 

“No, it isn’t.”  Jenny agreed.  “Okay - I’m going to let you kids get back to……….whatever you were doing………and I’ll talk to you later, Kyra Sue.”

 

“Whaddya mean, Kyra Sue?”  Kyra giggled.  “I didn’t do anything bad.”

 

“Not yet you didn’t.”  Jenny told her with a laugh.  “Now scat!  I’ll talk to you later honey - just keep in touch, will ya?  Don’t make me worry and phone your boyfriend again!”

 

“Okay.  I will, Jen.  Bye.”

 

As Kyra laid the phone down, Jon’s lips were still lightly caressing her bruised hand, his eyes still on hers.  When the phone was back in the cradle, Kyra laid her left palm on his belly, smiling up at him.

 

“Kyra Sue, huh?”  Jon smiled.  “I didn’t know that was your name.”

 

“It’s not.”  Kyra laughed at Jon’s confused expression.  “It’s what Jenny calls me if she’s mad at me!  She does it with everybody.  Well, everybody female at least.  Don’t know why.  She just adds ‘Sue’!”

 

“Oh.”  Was all Jon could think to say to that little bit of weirdness.  “I was thinkin’……we may need to cut short the shopping, babe.”

 

“Why?”  Kyra pouted dramatically, making Jon laugh.

 

“Well, because the next show is Friday………and today’s Wednesday.  We kinda need to get ourselves to Long Island baby.  I think I told Rich I’d meet him there tomorrow, meet all the guys, so we can run through stuff.”

 

“So we could go this afternoon, then.”  Kyra suggested.  “I can shop fast.”

 

Jon looked down at her, bursting into laughter, Kyra fighting her own giggles, trying to maintain a serious expression.

 

“I can!  Honestly!”  She flicked a sly glance at him.  “So long as you aren’t trying to distract me, I can do it!”

 

“Make you a deal.”  Jon said, controlling his laughing.  “We’ll shop until two o’clock, then back here to pack up.  Should only take a couple hours to drive out there.”

 

“If it’s only a couple of hours, then we could shop until……..four?”  Kyra tried.

 

“Three.”

 

She sighed heavily, rubbing her left palm slowly up and down his belly as she pouted her lower lip, not looking at his face, just concentrating on her fingers and the fur they were toying with.

 

“Oh-kaaay.”  She sighed again.  “Guess we don’t have time for the lingerie store then.”

 

Jon groaned, but he was grinning as he trapped her left hand against his belly.

 

“You drive a hard bargain, darlin’.  Four o’clock, but not a minute more!”

 

“Whatever you say, Mr Bongiovi.”  She smirked up at him, leaning to kiss his belly.  “Thank you.”

 

Kyra dried her hair quickly, dressing in jeans and a fine black sweater before heading through to the sitting room, finding Jon finishing off the coffee.  They headed out to find Kyra some new clothes, which was a pretty quick process to start with, as she simply found a store which stocked her favourite jeans and bought a few pairs.  She grabbed some t shirts and a couple of sweaters in another store, then decided it was time to get a little more adventurous.

 

“Am I invited to a concert?”  She asked as Jon took her latest purchases from her hand.

 

“What?  Of course you are!  I’d love to have you at a show!”  Jon said, surprised she’d even ask.

 

“So I need to step up the shopping, huh?”  Kyra smirked.  “I need to find something a little more……sexy?”

 

“Well, since the sexiest thing I’ve seen you in is nothing, and I can’t have you distracting the band like that, yeah, I guess we need to shop some more!”  Jon smirked right back at her.  “Besides, we haven’t been to the lingerie store yet!”

 

“I was saving that for last.”

 

They were passing a coffee shop, and Kyra had just spotted a store a few doors down which appealed to her, but not with Jon in attendance.

 

“Let’s go in here.”  She said.  “We can grab a coffee.”

 

“Sure.”

 

Once they had their coffee, Kyra took just a sip before standing again, holding out a palm to stop Jon as he made to stand.

 

“You stay right there, rockstar.”  She ordered.  “I’m going along the street to a store, and I want whatever I wear to the show to be a surprise!”

 

“I like surprises.”  Jon assured her.  “But remember you’ll be at more than one!  If you stay with us a week, you’ll probably see five or six shows, baby, so make sure you buy enough!”

 

“Okay!”  With that, she left him sitting in the coffee shop, and she could feel his eyes follow her as she walked away.

 

The store was one she remembered from her school days up in New York.  She picked out another pair of jeans - these skintight and patterned - and a pair of soft leather pants.  A few deliciously revealing tops, plus a second pair of leather pants, since she couldn’t make a decision between the black and the toffee color, and she headed for the dressing room.  Everything fit perfectly - a minor miracle in itself - and she redressed in her jeans and sweater, taking all her finds to the cashier.  One hefty credit card slip later, she was out of the store and heading back to Jon, a heavy, bulky bag slung on her shoulder.

 

Jon had dug a notebook from his jacket, scribbling a few quick reminders to himself, and he had the strangest sensation as he suddenly felt Kyra close by.  Looking up, he saw her walk through the door, and he pushed away the odd feeling, grinning at her as she walked over.

 

“Don’t I even get a sneak preview?”  He pouted as she laid the bag down.

 

“No.”  But she relented, snagging the edge of the toffee colored leather and pulling it up into sight.  “Okay - there you go!”

 

“Leather.”  He said appreciatively.  “Nice.”

 

Kyra sat, sipping at her coffee which was just warm enough to be drinkable, and Jon looked at his watch.

 

“We have forty minutes to find your lingerie store and get back to the hotel.”  He told her.

 

“So let’s go.”  Kyra answered, standing again.  “Unless you want to give the lingerie store a miss?”

 

“Not a fuckin’ chance.”  Jon growled, grinning as he gathered all the bags.  “Let’s go.”

 

50

 

With Jon grumbling theatrically about being used as a pack-mule, they headed out of the coffee shop, Kyra turning unerringly toward their final destination.  As they walked, Jon a half-pace behind Kyra, she could hear him muttering something, and she turned to look at him.

 

“What?”  She asked curiously, and he grinned, that twisted little-boy smile that made her want to throw him to the ground right there on the street.

 

“Are we there yet?”  He repeated a little louder, and Kyra laughed.

 

“Just about, baby.  See?”  She pointed a few stores ahead, and Jon brightened noticeably as he saw the distinctive sign, black script on pink.

 

“Well, would you look at that?  Heaven’s right here on……..”  He looked at the street name.  “Mercer Street.”

 

“Heaven?”

 

“Yeah.  Where I get to see my angel naked.”

 

She just rolled her eyes and walked on, Jon chuckling as he followed her to the door.  Though she tried to hide it, the constant movement of using her right hand as she tried on clothes was starting to cause real pain to shoot through her hand, and she’d resorted to tucking her hand into her jacket pocket, trying to support it.  She pushed the door open when they reached Agent Provocateur, using her left hand, and Jon held his shoulder against the glass panel, pushing it wide for her.

 

“You should’ve kept that bandaged.”  He muttered close behind her.  “How bad is it?”

 

“S’fine.”  She replied, but the tightness in her jaw called her a liar, and so did Jon.

 

“Don’t lie to me, Kyra Sue!”  He growled.  “Is it bad?”

 

“A bit.”  They were inside the store now, and assistant in the store’s ‘uniform’ of fluffy feathered stilettos and fishnet stockings approached them.

 

“Welcome to Agent Provocateur.”  For a moment, Kyra felt like the invisible woman as the assistant’s gaze flicked over her, coming to rest on Jon.  “If I can be of any assistance……..”

 

There was a definite emphasis on the ‘any’, and Kyra felt Jon’s tension as he moved closer to her.

 

“We’ll be just fine.”  Kyra replied, turning her head to look at Jon.  “Won’t we, baby?”

 

“Oh, yeah.”  He replied with a grin, and the assistant looked from one to the other then smiled a little sadly.

 

“Well, okay then.  You need any help, just give me a yell.”

 

She wandered away again, and Kyra was touched to notice Jon didn’t even watch the scantily clad woman leave - his attention was solely focused on her own eyes.

 

“You know what you got, baby?”  He purred softly, and Kyra arched her brows, indicating no.  Jon laughed.  “You got thirty minutes to shop.”

 

“That all?”  She blurted on a giggle.  “Damn.”

 

Moving away from Jon just a little, Kyra started browsing, but she had difficulty in picking things off the racks with her left hand.  Much as she hated to admit it, her right hand was getting seriously painful, spikes of pain shooting up her arm at each movement, and she knew Jon had been right - she’d discarded the bandage way too soon.

 

“Jon.”  She whispered, tears in her eyes, hating her own weakness.  “I need help.  My hand….”

 

“Shhh.”  Jon could see that it hurt her more to ask for help than any pain in her hand.  “S’okay, Kyra.  Just wait one second.”

 

He moved away from her, across to the loitering assistant.

 

“Hey - could you keep these back there, darlin’?”  He held up the bags.  “My lady needs a little help over here.”

 

“Sure.”  The girl smiled, rocked back on her spiked heels by his crooked grin and being called ‘darlin’.

 

With the bags safely deposited behind the desk, Jon returned to Kyra’s side.

 

“What does my girl need?” 

 

Kyra turned to face him, her big brown eyes swimming with unshed tears as she bit on her lip.  Jon didn’t hesitate, but - the fact that they were in the middle of a store be damned - just gathered her into his arms, holding her close, one hand on the back of her neck to tuck her head onto his shoulder.

 

“It’s okay.”  He said firmly in her ear, and he felt Kyra shudder against him, then nod slowly.

 

“I’m okay.”  She murmured, nodding once more.  “Sorry, Jon, I just…….”

 

“Hush.”  He squeezed a little tighter, joking to distract her from her tears.  “You’re just playing for time here, aren’t ya?!”

 

“That obvious?”

 

“Yeah.”  Chuckling, he gave her back the line she’d used on him, down in Nashville.  “You’re so not subtle.”

 

Now Kyra did giggle, Jon’s teasing banishing her tears, for now at least.  He felt the tension leaving her and eased back a little, pressing his lips to hers in a tender kiss before letting her free.

 

With Jon by her side, pretending to cover his eyes shyly, Kyra picked out a few things she liked, then turned toward the dressing room, holding out her good hand to Jon.

 

“I can take it from here.”

 

“Like hell you will.”  He laughed.  “I told ya already, baby.  Not happenin’!”

 

The assistant was looking their way again, and Jon hustled Kyra toward the dressing rooms.

 

“Quick!  Scary-assistant-lady is watching!”

 

Kyra snorted as Jon pushed her to the back of the store, and when they reached the dressing rooms she spoke loud enough for the assistant to hear.

 

“Baby, could you come in and help me?  My hand hurts.”

 

“Sure.”  He chuckled, shoving her into the little room and closing the door swiftly.  “You’ll get us thrown out of here!”

 

“More likely she’d throw me out and keep you for herself.”  Kyra teased him, and Jon shuddered.

 

“She’d have to kill me first.”

 

“Aw, no your type?”

 

“Hell, no.  I prefer my ladies more………”  He stepped toward her, slowly unbuttoning her jacket.  “….more cowgirly.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Yeah.”  Jon whispered, kissing her softly, then chuckling, his lips still against hers as he spoke.  “You’re running out of time, baby.”

 

“Shit!”  Laughing, Kyra tried to take off her jacket, moving unintentionally roughly as she pulled her right hand out of the pocket, and the pale pink of the dressing room swam giddily around her.  “Jon…….”

 

He grabbed her as she swayed, the blood draining from her face at the pain.  Silently praying to meet Jared again some dark night, Jon supported her across to a low armchair, depositing her gently on the seat.  She was cradling her right hand protectively, head bowed as she tried to swallow the tiny whimpers in her throat.

 

“Shhh.”  Jon perched on the edge of the chair, holding her against his body, wishing there was something more he could do.

 

After a few minutes, Kyra got herself back under control, slowly raising her head to look at Jon.

 

“Sorry, baby.”  She smiled up at him. 

 

“Nothin’ to be sorry for.  Okay now?”

 

“Uh-huh.”  Kyra looked across the room, looking at the underwear Jon had hung on the short rail at her instruction, then shook her head.  “I can’t face trying all of that on.  Not right now.  Hell, I’ll just try one for size and take it all - I can return it later if I don’t like it.”

 

“So you’re telling me not to rip it when I take it off you?”

 

“Nah.”  She smirked at him, the pain faded to a manageable level.  “You rip it, you buy it!”

 

Laughing softly, Jon pressed a kiss to her forehead then eased himself off the side of the chair, walking toward the door, toward the rail.

 

“Which one?”

 

“Doesn’t matter.”  Kyra slid to the edge of the chair, carefully tugging her sweater off.  “You choose.”

 

Jon unhooked the one that had appealed to him instantly - a beautiful piece of lace in a strange shade of grey, a hint of lilac in the color.  He turned around, finding Kyra still sitting in the chair, now in just jeans and bra, her face flushed in embarrassment.

 

“You’ll need to undo me.”  She mumbled, standing up.  “I can’t do it with one hand.”

 

“Told you I’d be getting you out of your underwear.”  He chuckled as she turned around.

 

Not only did he unhook her bra, sliding it off, his hands following the satin across her breasts as they both watched in the mirror, his thumbs slowly circling her nipples, but he helped her into the new bra, fastening it with gentle fingers, bending to kiss just above the strap as he finished.

 

“What d’you think?”  Kyra asked, looking in the mirror, partly at herself but mostly at the reflection of Jon’s smiling face.

 

He grinned, gripping her hips and stepping into her, grinding slowly against her ass.

 

“What d’you think I think?”  He asked in response, Kyra smiling as she felt the lump in his jeans.

 

“I think you like it.”

 

She squealed a laugh as Jon laved his tongue across the side of her shoulder before chuckling.

 

“Oh, I thought you said lick it.”  He smirked.

 

“No, I didn’t.  Not a bad idea, though.”  Kyra pushed back into him.  “But that’s my job.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Before he could move away, Kyra spun to face him, kissing him hard as she pressed him backward across the room until his back hit the door.

 

“That’s my job.”  She repeated.  “Licking it.”

 

Jon was still trying to figure out what she meant as she sank to her knees, realisation hitting him at the same time as her fingers hit his zipper.

 

51

 

“Jesus, cowgirl!”  He blurted as she unzipped his jeans, reaching up again to pop open his button.

 

“What’s wrong, rockstar?”  Kyra whispered, looking up at him with a deliciously evil smile, her fingers reaching inside his jeans. 

 

“Not here……….”

 

“Yes, here.”  She’d eased him through the jeans, his dick almost fully hard already, and she tried to tug the denim down off his hips.  “Damn, these are tight.  You’ll need to help me out, baby.”

 

“Kyra-aaah fuck………”  When he tried to protest, she curled her tongue around the tip of him, chuckling softly when she saw him take hold of the waist of his jeans, still undecided as to whether to push them down or zip them up.

 

To help his decision, she moved a little higher, nuzzling her nose under his t shirt, kissing his lower belly, nibbling gently on the soft skin along the edges of the trail of dark hair that led from his navel to something far more interesting.  The nibbling sensation overthrew any intentions he had to stop her, and Jon slowly pushed his jeans lower, the denim bunching around his thighs.  He was swollen fully hard, and he looked down with a soft groan as Kyra fluttered her tongue against him.

 

“You see what you do to me?”  He groaned, and she sucked on the tight head for a moment before looking up again.

 

“Can you see what I’m doing to you?”  She flicked her eyes to the side, and Jon raised his head, realising he could see them both reflected in the mirrors, Kyra on her knees, her dark hair cloaking her body and him leaning against the door.  “Can you?”  She asked again.

 

“Yeah…….”  His voice faded as she slowly took him in.  “Oh, sweet Jesus, yeah……..”

 

Kyra teased her tongue along his shaft, raising her head, then lowering again, taking him all the way into her throat again.  She brought her left hand onto his thigh, sliding upward until she cupped his balls, squeezing carefully, her hand moving in rhythm with her sucking on his dick.

 

“Kyra...”  Jon breathed, bringing his hand onto her head, his hips already moving slightly as he thrust against her.

 

She was too busy to reply, just humming low in her throat, feeling his hand instantly tighten on her hair.  Jon reached his other hand out, grabbing onto the clothing rail, needing support as Kyra sank him deep again before withdrawing to suck harder on the tip of him.  His hips were moving slowly with her, and he bit down hard on a curse as someone knocked on the dressing room door.  There was a brief hesitation outside, but Kyra never halted what she was doing, just flicking her eyes up at Jon, chuckling.

 

“Is everything okay?”  Came the voice of the assistant.  “Do you need any help?”

 

Kyra raised her head, sliding Jon out of her mouth but bringing her left hand up to encircle him instead, continuing the same rhythm with her hand as she spoke.

 

“No, everything’s great, thanks.  We should be done in a few minutes.”

 

“Oh, okay.”  The assistant replied.  “Well, just let me know if you need a hand.”

 

Stifling a giggle, Kyra looked up at Jon, seeing he had his lips pressed firmly together, fighting back any sound he might make as she kept working her hand on him.  They both heard the assistant clatter away on her high heels, and Jon shook his head down at Kyra helplessly.

 

“You’ll be the death of me, darlin’.”

 

She just chuckled, sliding her mouth down over him , feeling his hand clench into her hair again as she moved faster, her hand between his legs again.  He’d been right on the brink when the assistant interrupted, and Kyra had held him there with aching precision.  And that wasn’t the only thing aching, Jon thought as he thrust himself further into her throat.  His dick felt like he could explode at any second, and he just wished he had Kyra on her back under him, instead of on her knees in front of him.  The grip he had on the rail threatened to bend the steel as he clenched his jaw, holding in the shout of satisfaction as he climaxed deep in Kyra’s throat, feeling her swallow against him, prolonging the agonising pleasure.

 

Jon was gasping, leaning weakly against the door as Kyra slowly sank back onto her heels, smirking up at him.  He gave her that wasted, crooked grin as he reached for her, pulling her up into his arms, driving his tongue into her mouth like he’d been driving his dick into that same place moments before.

 

When he released her again, Kyra stepped back to let him pull his jeans up again, and she giggled suddenly as she fidgeted.

 

“I’m just glad I didn’t try on the full set.”  She said.  “Because there’s no way I could’ve let that assistant see how wet my panties are now.”

 

“Shit.”  Jon leaned his head on the door as he buttoned his jeans, raising his eyebrows at her, then raising a hand in defeat.  “You’ll have to give me a few minutes, baby, before I can help you with that.”

 

Kyra laughed, turning around.  “Undo me?”  He obeyed and she walked away, smirking at him in the mirror.  “We have a loooong journey out to Long Island, right?”

 

“Yeah.  This is when I’m glad I can pay somebody else to drive.”

 

“Me too.  ‘Cause that means we can amuse ourselves somehow in the backseat during the trip.”

 

Looking at her, Jon could only laugh, loving how quickly she’d bounced back from her earlier upset.

 

“That we can, darlin’.  Now put your clothes back on and let’s get outta here.”

 

Of course, Jon had to help her with the hooks on her bra, but then she pulled on her sweater and jacket and they left the dressing room, Jon again carrying the variety of underwear she’d chosen.  While Kyra paid, he wandered away, glancing quickly across at her and seeing she was busy trying to sign the card slip.  He pulled a hanger from a rail, taking it quickly to the other cash desk, paying for the item and having the assistant stuff the bag inside one of the other ones.

 

“What you doing?”  Kyra’s voice right behind him.

 

“Getting the rest of your stuff.”  He said nonchalantly as the assistant handed him the bags he’d left earlier.  Unobtrusively, the girl tapped one of the bags, telling Jon that was where his purchase was, and he winked at her as they left.

 

“Thanks, darlin’.”

 

They made their way back to the hotel, packing quickly since their little interlude in the dressing room had eaten up more time that they’d intended.  Still, they were downstairs in time to check out, the doorman opening the door for them as they headed out to a waiting limo.  The driver took their bags and loaded them into the trunk as Jon helped Kyra into the back of the big car, then they hit the road, heading for Long Island.

 

Once the car was moving, Kyra opened her purse and reluctantly took out the bandage she’d hoped not to need any more.  Jon looked at her hand carefully before bandaging it.

 

“I don’t think you’ve made it any worse.”  He assured her.  “Just keep it wrapped another few days.”

 

“Yessir.”  She muttered rebelliously, and he quirked an eyebrow at her as he fastened the bandage.

 

“Do you want a spanking?”  He asked, and she pouted, raising her re-bandaged hand.

 

“Wounded paw!”  She tried for sympathy, and Jon laughed.

 

“Okay.  I’ll let it pass.  This time.  But only for a kiss.”

 

“Only a kiss?”  She muttered again, but moved in to kiss him before he could retort, chuckling as their lips met, Jon’s hand once more in her hair.

 

52

 

Gasping for breath when she lifted her mouth from Jon’s, Kyra looked around the car, getting distracted by the feel of Jon’s soft, warm hand sliding under her sweater, caressing around onto her back.

 

“Tinted windows.”  She mused, then looked forward, at the divider between them and the driver, lowering her voice.  “Can he open that whenever he likes?”

 

“Yep.”  Jon’s hand moved forward again, higher, his thumb stroking over her satin-covered nipple.  “Unless I do this.”

 

With his free hand, Jon reached out to flick a switch, locking the divider in place.

 

“Now it only opens from this side.”

 

“So a naughty rockstar could take advantage of a cowgirl, couldn’t he?”  She smirked.  “If he felt the urge to, I mean.”

 

“Darlin’, I feel the urge to take advantage of you every time I see you!”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Yeah.”  Jon murmured, kissing her throat as he eased her jacket down off her shoulders.

 

Kyra tried to move, to help him, but Jon immediately raised his head with a soft smile.

 

“No, baby.”  He purred.  “Leave this to me.”

 

He finished easing the jacket down and off, watching carefully as he slipped the sleeve over her injured hand, then just threw the jacket to the floor of the limo.  Jon kissed her again, deep, slow and lingering, Kyra moaning into his mouth.  Or maybe it was him moaning into hers, he wasn’t quite sure.  Either way, he could feel it on his tongue as he stroked it against Kyra’s, reminding him of how it felt when she hummed with his dick in her mouth.  Moving back again, he grinned at her flushed face and sparkling eyes.

 

“I may as well finish what I started.”  Jon muttered, gripping the bottom of her sweater and pulling it upward.

 

Once the sleeve had slipped over her bandage, Jon pulled the sweater all the way off, tossing it to join her jacket, leaving her in just bra and jeans.  He chuckled as he kissed her again, twisting around, pushing her down onto the seat.  Kyra shifted, trying to bring one leg onto the seat, and Jon broke the kiss long enough to let her do that, then he laid himself between her thighs, sliding his tongue into her mouth again, supporting some of his weight on one elbow as his other hand cupped her breast.

 

Jon’s weight on top of her felt wonderfully familiar, and Kyra kissed him back harder, bringing her hands to his head.  Her right hand, though, stabbed with pain when she tried to grip his hair, and she had to content herself with laying that one onto his shoulder, knotting her left hand into the tangled blond hair.  When he moved slightly on her, Kyra could feel him at the juncture of her thighs, the hard proof of his arousal pressing against her.  She moaned again, and Jon obviously knew why, because he pushed his hips gently into her, increasing the contact, then backing away to do it again, rhythmic thrusts building her arousal in tandem with his own.

 

Still kissing her, Jon managed to get his hands under Kyra’s back, unhooking her bra blindly.  He broke away from her mouth, kissing her throat now, the bra flying across the limo, hitting the divider before falling to the floor.  Seconds later, Jon and Kyra nearly joined her clothes on the floor, as the limo jolted almost to a halt.  Jon barely noticed, just shifting his weight to keep them where they were, his mouth busy on her nipple, fingers teasing her other breast.  Kyra’s grip was close to ripping his hair out as she arched her back, pressing her nipple into his hot mouth, then the voice of the driver disturbed them over the intercom.

 

“Sorry about that, sir.  We may have a bit of a delay here - seems to be a hold-up on the Expressway.”

 

There was a pause, the driver obviously waiting for a response, and Jon reluctantly raised his head, reaching to flip the intercom switch with one hand.

 

“No problem.”  He grunted, Kyra trying impatiently to drag him back to her breast.  “We’re in no hurry.”

 

They didn’t realise, but he was a half-second too slow in killing the intercom again, so the driver heard Kyra’s soft moan of frustration.

 

“Please, Jon……….”

 

The driver just grinned.  Typical bloody rockstar, he thought as he diplomatically increased the volume of the radio he had playing in the front of the limo.  Still, the chick was pretty hot, so he could hardly blame the guy for not wanting to waste any time getting inside her.

 

In the backseat, Jon and Kyra knew nothing of the driver’s thoughts, and probably wouldn’t have cared even if they did.  As well as getting Kyra wetter by the second, Jon’s movement against her had his dick ready to burst through his jeans, and he fumbled one hand between their bodies, unfastening her jeans before a horrible thought intruded and he lifted his mouth off her nipple again.

 

“Please tell me you have………”  He begged, and Kyra turned hazy eyes on him.

 

“Huh?”  Her brain fought through the lust, and she figured out what he meant.  “In my purse……..”

 

“Thank fuck for that.”  Jon groaned. 

 

It maybe wouldn’t have killed him right now if he couldn’t get inside Kyra to satisfy the burning hunger, but he wouldn’t bet on it.  He slid backward, her grip on his hair tightening instinctively so that he gasped in pain.

 

“Baby………you gotta let me go!”

 

With a frustrated whimper, Kyra obeyed, and Jon slid from the seat to the floor, grabbing her purse.  He opened the snaps then made to hand her the purse, but she shook her head, gesturing he should just open it.

 

“Inside pocket.”  She murmured.

 

Jon dug into her purse, finding the condoms she’d stashed there, and he just dropped a couple of the foil packets on the floor, reaching for her again, finishing unfastening her jeans and starting to tug them off.  The tight denim wasn’t inclined to let go of her easily, but Jon had enough incentive that he got them to her ankles, pausing to remove her boots then taking the jeans off, too.  From his position on the floor, he could see her panties were soaked, and he pulled them down her legs, dropping them before leaning toward her, his hands pressing her thighs apart as his tongue spread the wet folds of her sex, licking and tasting slowly.

 

Kyra jerked against him, growling softly.

 

“Don’t tease me, Jon.  Make love to me.”

 

Still kneeling on the floor, Jon kissed her clit tenderly then sat back, Kyra shuffling around on the seat again, lying flat on her back as Jon stripped off his shirt.  His jeans and boots took a moment longer, then he grabbed up a condom, groaning at the pressure as it rolled onto his swollen shaft.

 

Kyra reached for him, and Jon lifted himself onto the seat, between her thighs, covering her mouth with his as he slowly entered her, muffling the cry he’d known she wouldn’t be able to contain.  When he was buried balls-deep into her, Jon raised his head, looking down at her as she sucked her lower lip into her mouth, moaning again.

 

“Please…..”

 

Holding his weight off her again, Jon took her mouth in a searing kiss, his hips starting a slow rhythm of their own as he caressed her breasts with one hand.  She was soaking wet, hungry and ready for him, and the tiny whimpers and moans she made were stifled in his kiss.  Kyra raised her thighs, wrapping her legs around him, her grip on his hair pulling him from her mouth as she panted for breath.

 

“Jesus, Jonny……..”  She blurted, arching her head back against the cool leather seat, clinging to him as his thrusts accelerated slightly, pushing her higher.

 

“Kyra….”  Was all he said, panted really, close by her ear, then when he felt her teeth close on his shoulder he jolted, returning the favor and biting on her neck.

 

Kyra couldn’t control herself to remain silent, but she did manage to hold it down to a guttural groan as she came, thrusting her hips upward into Jon’s as she felt him reach his own orgasm at the same moment.  He still thrust down into her, prolonging both their pleasure, finally slowing and sagging exhaustedly down on top of her.

 

For a while, they lay tangled together like that, until the sweat had dried on their bodies, then Jon slowly raised his head, blinking drowsily.

 

“I think we should put our clothes back on.”  He murmured.  “Because I could fall asleep right here, and I don’t think you want the driver opening the door to find us like this when we arrive!”

 

Kyra pouted, but she knew he was right.  They were both close to sleep and it would be far less embarrassing to have the driver find them asleep than have him find them asleep and buck naked.  They eased themselves apart, and Jon gathered up her clothes from their various landing places around the floor, handing everything to Kyra.  She more or less got dressed, dispensing with bra and panties, just tucking them into her purse, and by that time Jon had on his jeans and shirt again.  He got back onto the seat beside her, cuddling her in close, and they both closed their eyes without another word, contented together.

 

53

 

They must both have fallen into a doze, because Jon was jolted awake by the voice of the driver over the intercom. 

 

“Sorry for the delay, sir.”  He said, really only wanting to give them a chance to get re-dressed, in case they hadn’t already.  “We’re just coming up to the hotel now.  Should be just another few minutes.”

 

“Okay, thanks.”  Jon mumbled into the intercom, still half-asleep. 

 

Flicking the switch off again, Jon looked at Kyra, seeing she was still asleep and envying her the ability to sleep through interruptions that way.  Still, she needed to wake up so they could get out of the car, and he stroked her hair gently.

 

“Kyra.”  The only reaction was a scrunching of her nose as she burrowed closer against him, and Jon chuckled, moving to whisper in her ear.  “Kyra Sue?”

 

“Not morning yet.”  She protested, and Jon shook his head despairingly.

 

“It’s not even night yet, baby.”

 

“Told you.”  Kyra mumbled, and Jon decided more drastic action was needed to wake her.

 

With a gentle hand, he turned her head to face him, licking his way past her lips to kiss her thoroughly.  Once he heard her moaning into his mouth, felt her turning further to him, he eased back with a smirk, and that was the first thing Kyra saw when she opened her eyes.

 

“Don’t look so damned smug.”  She muttered, but she was smiling, too.

 

“Hey - I can’t help it, darlin’.  I like kissing you awake.”

 

“You make me more than just awake.”  Kyra purred.  “And you know you have to make good on what that kiss promised, right?”

 

“That.”  He punctuated with another quick kiss.  “Is not a problem, Kyra.”

 

“Oh, good.”  She pushed herself upright, peering through the tinted glass as she felt the limo slow.  “Are we here already?”

 

“Yeah.  The driver woke me with the intercom.”  Jon winked.  “I think he wanted to give us time to get our pants back on.”

 

“That was nice of him.”

 

“Yep.”  Jon stretched slowly as Kyra moved away from him, picking up her purse from the floor.  “I gotta say, that was the most enjoyable trip to Long Island I’ve taken.  Even if we did sleep part of it.”

 

“Sure beats crossword puzzles for passing the time.”  Kyra agreed.

 

The limo pulled to a gentle halt outside the Garden City Hotel, and they exited the big car, thanking the driver with words - and a little something more appreciated - as he held the door then handed off their luggage to a waiting bellhop.  Inside, the hotel was obviously primed for Jon’s arrival, and they were ushered swiftly through check-in and up to one of the luxurious rooms.  On a table just inside the door was a sheet of paper, listing the rooms the rest of the guys were in - both band members and some of the more vital non-band people - and Jon picked it up, scanning for Richie’s name.

 

“You hungry?”  He asked Kyra as he crossed to the closest phone, watching her as she investigated the room.

 

“I guess.”  She smirked at him as he dialled a number.  “I mean, those protein drinks are all well and good, but……….”

 

Which was why Richie picked up his room phone to hear someone laughing uproariously, and he gave half a thought to just hanging up, but decided to speak.

 

“Must be a good joke.”  He said.  “But whoever you are, you called me for a reason?”

 

“Aw, Jesus, sorry Rich!”  Came Jon’s voice, still chuckling.  “Just checking if you were here.”

 

“Yeah.  I’m here.”

 

“Cool.  D’you…..”  The phone was muffled for a second, Jon speaking to someone else, then he continued.  “D’you wanna join us for dinner?”

 

“Us?”  Richie queried.  “You got my angel with you?”

 

“Yeah, Kyra’s here.”

 

“She okay?”

 

“Join us for dinner and find out for yourself.”  Jon suggested.

 

“Sure.  What time?”

 

“Dunno………..baby, what time you want to eat?”  That to Kyra, and there was a response that made Jon laugh again as he answered Richie.  “Half an hour?”

 

“Okay.  Come get me on your way down.”

 

Jon didn’t even answer, just grunted and hung up the phone, grinning at Kyra, shaking a warning finger.

 

“You’re a dangerous lady!”  He scolded.  “Protein drinks?!  Richie was gonna hang up on me!”

 

She just shrugged, smirking at him.  “So is he coming?”

 

“I fucking hope not, since it was me he was talking……….oh, wait, you mean to dinner?”

 

“Yes, I mean to dinner!  God, you’re impossible!”

 

“I know I am.”  He walked across, pulling her into his arms with a cheeky smile.  “But you don’t need to call me God.”

 

Kyra was laughing as he kissed her, then they parted slowly.

 

“Yeah, Rich is joining us for dinner.”  Jon grinned.  “Said we’d be about a half hour……….which would give us time to……….”  He nodded toward the bed.

 

“Nuh-uh!”  Kyra pushed him back.  “I expect way longer than a half hour out of you tonight………and anyway I need to shower.  And put on underwear again.”

 

“You mean you’re not wearing any?”  Jon grabbed the bottom of her sweater, yanking it to her shoulders, dropping his head to suckle a tender nipple before he continued.  “You aren’t, are you?!”

 

“Impossible……….incorrigible……….insane………”  Kyra pushed him back again, but she did take off her sweater.

 

“All that and horny, too!”  Jon called after her as she headed into the bathroom.

 

He let her shower in peace, then when a wet and glowing-pink Kyra emerged, he kissed her as he passed, taking a quick shower while she dried her hair.  The hotel staff had brought up their bags while she was in the shower, and Kyra ignored the various shopping bags, just opening her leather bag and finding underwear and a clean sweater.  Her last clean sweater, before their shopping trip.

 

Jon returned with a towel around his waist, dropping it to pull on jeans and a familiar white thermal sweater, then they left the room, Jon quickly re-checking Richie’s room number as they headed out.  His wingman was just a few doors down, and Jon raised his fist, hammering against the door when they got there.

 

“You trying to wake the whole place?”  Kyra chided him.

 

“Hey - remember how he disturbed us, darlin’.  Payback’s a bitch.”

 

“Not really payback, though, since he’s in there alone.  Be far better to do that at maybe four in the morning!”

 

“You have a real evil streak, donchya?”

 

“Uh-huh.”

 

Their exchange was halted as Richie yanked the door open from inside, glaring at Jon.

 

“How did I know that was you?”  He asked rhetorically.

 

“Uh, ‘cause I said we’d be here in a half hour?”  Jon suggested with a smirk.

 

“Yeah.” 

 

Richie looked away from Jon, looking down at Kyra with concern showing deep in his dark eyes.  He didn’t speak, just scrutinised her face, looking at her intently as Kyra gazed back at him silently.  After a moment, realising he was almost scared to speak to her, Kyra slowly crossed her eyes, and Richie finally grinned, a soft chuckle escaping him.

 

“How’s my angel?”  He asked, flicking a glance at Jon then opening his arms to Kyra.

 

“I’m fine, Richie.”  She told him, stepping forward to hug him, feeling his strong arms wrap around her in a brotherly embrace.  As his grip tightened, she swallowed a gasp at the pressure against her bruised side, looking up at him with a smile.  “I’m fine!”  She repeated.

 

Richie squeezed her again before letting go, a twisted grin on his wide lips.

 

“If I see him again, can I rip the little fucker’s nuts off?”

 

Jon and Kyra both laughed, though Jon did wince slightly at the mental sensation.

 

“You may as well, bro.”  Jon told Richie.  “They’re no use to him now, thanks to our little cowgirl here.”

 

“Really?”  Richie looked at her in surprise.  And respect.  “Glad to hear it.  So, we eating or what?”

 

“Food!”  Kyra demanded, both of them looking at Jon now, and he raised his hands.

 

“I’m not stopping you!”  He slung his arm over Kyra’s shoulders as Richie closed his bedroom door.  “Lead the way, Swing.”

 

The three of them made their way down to the hotel’s heavily decorated restaurant, lucking out and finding it quiet, and a waiter led them to a table over by the windows, taking drinks orders and offering menus before leaving them in peace. 

54

 

Once they’d placed their dinner orders, the three of them talked in soft voices, Kyra quickly becoming aware of Richie’s frequent glances at her before he’d speak.  She was pretty sure she knew what the problem was, but when he frowned slightly at one of Jon’s more risqué comments, she’d had enough.

 

“Richie.”  She began, only to be interrupted by the waiter with their meals.

 

Once the waiter had gone, he looked at her.  “What’s wrong, angel?”

 

“Richie, will you please stop?”  She asked, glancing at Jon, seeing he understood but was letting her say it herself, and silently thanking him for it. 

 

“Stop what?”  The dark-eyed guitarist was lost.

 

“Stop being so damned careful around me.”  Kyra said, reaching over the table to lay her hand on his far bigger one.  “I’m trying very, very hard not to let Jared turn me into a victim, Richie.  And I’m succeeding - most of the time.  But what I can’t cope with, not right now, is people - people I hope are my friends - treating me with kid gloves.  If I’m going to get back to normal - if I ever have been normal, before you say it, Kidd.”  She shot an evil glance at Jon.  “Then I need you to treat me normally.  Otherwise you’ll make me crazy.”

 

Richie tilted his head, looking at her closely, then he gave the most genuine smile she’d seen from him tonight, this one finally reaching his eyes and making the sparks of mischief dance there.  He brought his free hand over, laying it on top of hers.

 

“I’m sorry, Kyra.  I guess I didn’t realise I was doing it.”  He grinned, stage-whispering to Jon.  “Bro - how am I gonna know if she gets crazy?  I mean, she’s already kinda………”  He lifted his hand again, twirling a finger next to his temple in the universal sign. 

 

“Hey, leave me out of this!”  Jon protested, raising his hands as he looked at Kyra, grinning.  “I didn’t agree with him, baby, honest!”

 

“Coward!”  Richie muttered.

 

“Hey - since I don’t want to turn into you, old man - y’know, jacking off all alone in your hotel room every night………”

 

“Keep being mean to Richie and you just might!”  Kyra threatened, and now Jon pouted.

 

“Bitch!”  He smirked.  “I try to take your side and you side with Swing?”

 

“Yeah, well, he was more polite when we met.”  Kyra reminded him.  “He said hello.  You, I seem to remember, said ‘fuck off’.”

 

Jon reddened slightly, remembering what he’d been told of that night, and the resultant bruise he’d sustained.  As Richie chuckled, Jon picked up his fork, stabbing a piece of salmon.

 

“Let’s eat.”  Jon said, and the other two, still laughing, obeyed.

 

After Kyra’s little speech, Richie, who truly hadn’t realised he was treating her differently, fell back into his usual smart-ass, irreverent attitude, firing insults at Jon and getting back as good as he gave.  The meal was fairly average, spiced by the company and the conversation, and when they’d all finished - the dessert menu so uninspiring that even Kyra didn’t bother - they headed through to the bar, where they settled themselves in a booth, listening to the band that were playing on the tiny stage.

 

The musicians on the stage weren’t all that bad.  Their style and choice of music was pretty much what could be expected, covering songs which had been hits over the decades, though it seemed that their style fell more toward an older audience.  When they started on the intro to Bridge Over Troubled Water, though, Kyra glanced at Jon as he glanced at her, while Richie from one to the other before laughing.

 

“Aw, fuck.  Are you two going to embarrass me again?”  He shaded his eyes.  “I’m not looking.”

 

“Kiss my ass, Richie.”  Jon snapped without fire, holding out his hand to Kyra.  “Would you like to dance, baby?”

 

In answer, Kyra carefully placed her right hand in Jon’s left, both of them standing from the booth and heading to the well-worn dance floor.  On the floor, Jon folded Kyra into his arms, waltz-style, consciously keeping his grip on her right hand as light as possible.  They danced slowly, then Kyra moved a little closer, resting her head on Jon’s shoulder, and he dropped his hand, wrapping his arms around her waist as she hooked hers around his neck, finishing their dance like that.

 

When the song ended, they were still moving together on the floor, and the singer on the stage smiled as he looked at the young couple, turning to his band to whisper a change in the set, so that instead of moving into a faster song they played an old Gershwin tune, ‘How Long Has This Been Going On?’.  Kyra got a surprise, though, as Jon shifted his head a little closer to hers, singing the words softly into her ear, overshadowing the voice of the man on stage as his low, husky tones rippled through her.  She’d have never believed it, but just the song, the sound of his voice on those lyrics, twisted knots into her belly, hardening her nipples and dampening her panties with hunger.  Jon could feel at least part of her reaction to it, could feel her nipples pressing against his chest, even through their clothes, and so Kyra felt him react to her arousal, his cock thickening, swelling in the confines of his jeans as she pushed her hips into him.

 

As her motion against him changed, Jon groaned softly, breaking off from the song for a moment.

 

“You’re killing me, baby.”  He whispered.  “Unless you want me to just bend you over the nearest table, you might wanna stop that.”

 

“Don’t tempt me.”  Kyra purred back, but she did ease her hips away from Jon’s at least an inch.

 

The song ended, and they both looked up at the stage, smiling at the singer, Kyra moving back from Jon so they could both applaud.  Jon, though, still needed her to camouflage him, at least until they got back to the table, and he put his hands lightly on her waist, walking close behind her back to where Richie sat smirking.

 

Jon let Kyra slide onto the seat first, then sat down hurriedly beside her, glaring across at Richie.

 

“What?”  Jon snapped, slightly flustered.

 

“Nothin’.”  Richie grinned again, looking at the pair of them.  “But would ya just keep your hands above the table, where I can see ‘em?”  He asked. 

 

“Like the man said.”  Kyra answered first, a tiny smile playing on her lips.  “Kiss my ass, Richie.”

 

“Darlin’……….shh………not in front of your boyfriend!”  He laughed at their obvious embarrassment then waved to the waitress.  “I think you two need a drink!”

 

Another hour or so passed in laughter and conversation, and a few drinks, then Richie yawned suddenly.

 

“The King’s gettin’ old and can’t take the pace.”  Jon whispered, sotto voce.

 

“Ah, fuck you Kidd.”  Richie grinned tiredly.  “But he’s got a point, angel.  I’ll see you lovebirds tomorrow.”

 

“Today.”  Kyra corrected him, glancing at her watch.  “It’s almost two.”

 

“It is?”  Jon looked surprised.  “They’ll be kicking us outta here soon, then!”

 

“Let’s go upstairs, then.”  Kyra suggested, sliding across to bump against him.

 

Jon nodded and got out of the booth, wrapping his arm over Kyra’s shoulders as she stood.  They all headed out of the bar, to the closest elevator, and rode up to their floor together, Richie’s presence keeping Kyra and Jon on their best behavior.  Well, more or less their best behavior, though Kyra’s hand did slide down Jon’s back to grip his ass for a moment.  Outside Richie’s room, he hugged Kyra again, kissing her forehead like a big brother should.

 

“G’night angel.”  He grinned.  “Try to let my boy get at least some sleep, darlin’ - he’s workin’ tonight!”

 

“That’s hours away!”  Kyra shot back at him.  “And, y’know, he’s young………unlike some people…..”

 

Richie pouted, and Kyra laughed at his theatrical expression, stroking his tanned face.

 

“Awww………you know I’m only kidding, your Highness.”

 

“Ha!”  He laughed at Jon.  “She calls me Highness.  What does she call you, Kidd?”

 

Smirking, pulling Kyra to his side, Jon spoke over his shoulder as they walked away.

 

“She calls me God…….at least, she did earlier………  Ow!!”  His smart-ass response earned him an elbow in the ribs from a laughing Kyra, and Richie just chuckled and went into his bedroom.

 

55

 

Jon and Kyra walked along to his - their - room, Jon stubbornly keeping his arm around her and just fumbling awkwardly for his room key.  He opened the door and with a gentle pressure on her shoulders he pushed Kyra ahead of him into the room, but then turned them both around as he kicked the door closed. 

 

With Kyra smiling at him, Jon pressed her against the door, his hands cupping her face.  The touch of his palms was tender, but even that wasn’t so tender as the kiss he laid on her parted lips, a bare caress of flesh on flesh, a single light kiss for her upper lip, then the lower, tantalising and teasing.  Kyra gave a low purr of satisfaction, though, as his mouth opened on hers, Jon’s tongue taken willingly into her mouth.  A long, slow kiss later, Jon eased his mouth away from hers, Kyra sure he’d taken brain cells with him as her mind blanked of everything except here and now.

 

Nothing else mattered - not Jared - not the rape - not even her own life back home.  Right now, Kyra would have happily stayed right there for the rest of her life - leaning against a door, that hot, hard male body pressed against hers, his tongue - a tongue that could give voice to an angel’s song or throw her into screaming abandon like the very devil - deep in her mouth.

 

Jon was fighting an urge to just take her right there, against the door, and as he watched Kyra suck her lip into her mouth for a second, tasting his mouth again, his control strained toward breaking point.  He kissed her again, hunger there now, and he felt Kyra responding equally, her tongue flickering against his like a flame, driving him deeper into lust.

 

Panting, gasping, he pulled back from her mouth, Kyra whimpering at the loss of contact, and the tiny sounds from her throat drove him toward her again, another blazing kiss, his hands sliding around behind her, gripping a tight, denim wrapped buttock in each hand.  Kyra raised one thigh, hooking onto his hip, instinct making her rock her pelvis, searching for what she so desperately wanted.  Jon groaned into her mouth, dropping his grip a tiny bit lower, lifting her and feeling Kyra wrap her thighs around his waist, her hands on his face now. 

 

He pressed her against the door again, pushing against her, letting Kyra feel the solid bulge of his dick against her groin.  She groaned now, rocking on him, and Jon pulled back from her delicious mouth again, moving away from the door with her wrapped around him.  Kyra’s mouth was on his neck nibbling, sucking kissing his neck and throat as Jon carried her to the bed, and when he stopped she unhooked her legs from him, standing in front of him for another kiss.

 

Slightly hampered by her damaged hand, Kyra undressed Jon, his shirt falling to the floor, quickly followed by his jeans, his swollen cock pushing through as soon as she lowered his zipper.  With Jon naked before her, Kyra undressed herself, watching Jon’s eyes as he watched her, and when Kyra turned to flick down the bedcover, Jon grabbed up a condom from the nightstand, ripping the foil and covering himself in the time it took Kyra to get onto the bed.

 

Jon’s dick was hard to the point of pain, the only thoughts crowding into his brain revolving around burying himself inside Kyra, and as he reached to touch her belly, sliding his hand lower, she spread her thighs wide in invitation.  A gentle touch between her thighs found her dripping wet, and Jon slowly thrust two fingers into her, hearing her soft moan at the feeling.  Moments later, her hand closed on his dick, stroking him as she looked up, brown eyes gazing into blue.

 

“Make love to me, Jon.”  She whispered, and he was amazed - and aroused - to feel her tighten around his fingers when he grinned crookedly.

 

“Anything for an angel.”  He whispered back, moving between her thighs, sliding his hand away and immediately entering her, Kyra biting down on her lip as she tried to hold herself back.

 

Kyra spread her thighs, taking him deeper on his next slow thrust, but as Jon kissed her she could feel the tension in him, could feel him holding himself in check, trying so hard to stay gentle with her.  The knowledge that he was trying so hard, though, turned her on even more, and Kyra broke the kiss, pulling his head lower with her right hand, hiding the pain as she nipped at his ear, her tongue sliding inside for a moment.  Jon groaned at the feel of her hot tongue teasing inside his ear, her teeth nibbling at his earlobe, tugging the gold hoop there.  He felt her left hand on his back, sliding lower, until her fingernails jabbed into his ass, the pain making him drive into her a little harder, her moan in response making him raise his head contritely.

 

“Sorry, baby.”  He murmured, but Kyra shook her head, her eyes gleaming as she looked at him.

 

“S’okay, Jon.”  She dug her fingernails into him again, and he kept watching her face as he thrust again, another harder thrust, seeing her smile.  “Yes, Jon.  Yes………..”  Kyra smirked.  “Oh, God, yes…”

 

He chuckled, levity at that moment something new to him, and as he let her draw his head down so she could get back to nibbling his ear, Jon grinned.

 

“I’m telling Richie……….you called me God again…”

 

Kyra retaliated with another jab of fingernails into bunching muscle, and Jon allowed himself to slip control a little more, not quite pounding wildly into Kyra, but driving her hard to orgasm, her scream of pleasure rattling around the high-ceilinged room as she arched beneath him.  He was close behind her, grunting as he rode the waves of it, Kyra folding arms and legs around him as he shuddered on top of her, whispering soft nonsense in his ear as he slumped onto her.

 

Recovering, Jon raised his head to look at her seriously, searching her face and seeing nothing but a post-orgasmic smile.

 

“I didn’t hurt you?”  He asked softly, and Kyra stroked his tangled hair with a shake of her head.

 

“Nope.  I………”  She blushed.  “I needed that so much, baby.  Needed to feel you driving me…….”

 

“Crazy?”  Jon suggested, and she tugged his hair as he continued.  “How am I s’posed to tell?”

 

“Rockstar asshole.”  She muttered with a sleepy smile.

 

“Guilty.”  He whispered back, slowly easing himself out of her.  “Be right back.”

 

Jon disappeared off to the bathroom, and when he returned he passed Kyra as she made her own trip there.  When they were both back in the bed, Jon gathered her into his arms for another kiss.  They talked themselves to sleep, though neither of them could have said what they talked about, just knowing that they fell asleep looking into each other’s eyes, and woke later that morning still cuddled in each other’s arms, heads on the same pillow.

 

56

 

They were woken by the intrusion of housekeeping staff, unaware that the room was still occupied since neither Jon nor Kyra had given a thought to hooking on the ‘do not disturb’ sign.  The maid got as big a shock as they did, thinking the room empty until a tousled blond head raised from the pillow to look over at the door.

 

“Oh!  Sorry, sir!”  The woman blushed as the man looked sleepily across at her.  “I’ll come back later.”

 

She was gone before Jon could say a word, and as he dropped his head to the pillow again, chuckling, Kyra woke.

 

“Did you say something, baby?”  She mumbled, and Jon smiled at her, brushing her tangled hair back off her face.

 

“Nope.  Not a word.  I think we scared the maid, though.”

 

“We what?”  That woke Kyra, and her voice dropped to a whisper.  “The maid’s here?”

 

“Nah, she’s gone.  I guess we never thought to put out the ‘dnd’ when we got back here.  She said she’ll come back later.”

 

“Mmmm.”  Kyra just purred, rolling closer to Jon, bringing their mouths together for a kiss before sitting up in the bed.

 

She stretched slowly, Jon still lying on the pillows, watching with interest as the cover fell to her waist, baring her breasts.  Kyra heard his low growl and twisted around to look at him, seeing the direction of his eyes.

 

“What?”  She smirked, tilting her head.  “See something you like?”

 

“Oh, hell, yeah.”  Jon sat up now, glancing at the clock with a soft groan.  “But we don’t have time.”

 

“No?”  Kyra took his hand, raising it to cover her breast, Jon squeezing the soft flesh as he replied.

 

“Shit………no.  I have to get together with the guys and get to the venue.  We have soundcheck in…..”  He looked at the clock again.  “…..just over an hour.”

 

“Poor baby.”  Kyra whispered, but she smiled.  “You gotta go work.  I get that.  I’ll be here later.”

 

“I sure as hell hope you will.”  Jon said, throwing back the cover.  “But you could always join me in the shower………we could………”

 

“Kill two birds with one stone?”

 

“My thoughts exactly.”

 

So that’s what they did, sharing the shower, soaping and shampooing quickly with just enough time for a fast and hungry up-against-the-tile interlude, Kyra muffling her scream in Jon’s mouth as she came. 

 

When they finally got out of the shower, Kyra started pawing through her shopping bags, looking for something to wear, and she paused when she found a small Agent Provocateur bag buried inside one of the others.

 

“What the……..?”  She pulled the bag out, and Jon saw what she held, stepping over to take it from her.

 

“That’s a gift.”  He told her.  “And you’ll get it tonight.”

 

“I sure hope so.”  Kyra drawled.  “But when’ll I get the gift?”

 

Jon was still laughing at that as he tucked the bag away in a drawer, and they dressed in jeans and t shirts before heading downstairs to eat breakfast.  Well, brunch anyway. 

 

Richie was still in the restaurant, sipping coffee and gazing out of the window, so they went across to join him.  When Jon spoke, Richie turned with a grin.

 

“You two finally surfaced then?”  He scrutinised Jon’s face, then frowned at Kyra.  “Dammit, angel, I told you to let him sleep!”

 

“He did.”  Kyra protested, leaning down to kiss the guitarist’s cheek.  “Morning, your Highness.”

 

“Highness.”  Richie teased Jon, who just smirked, and Kyra caught his expression as she turned, shaking her head and laughing.

 

“Yeah, yeah.  Sit down God!”

 

A waitress took their order, then Jon looked around the near-empty restaurant.

 

“Where’s the rest of the guys?”

 

“They’ve gone upstairs to grab their stuff.”  Richie explained, then looked at Kyra.  “I hope you don’t mind, Kyra, but I tried to explain to them what you said last night - about not treating you with kid gloves.”

 

“Thanks, Richie.”  His thoughtfulness was touching, but before Kyra could say more she heard the voices of the other three men approaching.

 

“Kyra!”  The unmistakable gravel of Tico’s voice.

 

“Hi Tico.”

 

Kyra stood again, turning to face them, and without even a hesitation the drummer folded her into his embrace, hugging her tightly until she gasped.

 

“Careful Tico!”  Jon cautioned, and he relaxed his grip.

 

“S’okay.”  Kyra said softly, looking into the dark, concerned eyes.  “I’m mostly okay, but I’m still a bit tender on my ribs.  You squeezed me too hard is all.”

 

“Sorry, girl.”  He pecked a kiss onto her cheek.  “I’m glad you’re okay.”

 

Strangely, David seemed more cautious of her than Tico had, hesitating before Kyra was the one to pull him into a hug.  He relaxed then, hugging her back and whispering his own hello in her ear, telling her that he, too, was glad to see her well.  The last to greet her was Hugh, and he hugged and kissed with a murmur of welcome before Jon finally got her back where she belonged - sitting close beside him.

 

“If our fearless leader is ready, we’re ready to go to work.”  David joked, and Jon flipped him off.

 

“Not until we’ve had brea……….uh………brunch.”

 

“In that case we may as well join you.”  The blond keyboardist threw himself down on a chair, and the other two pulled chairs from a nearby table.

 

While Kyra and Jon ate their belated breakfast, the rest of them just had coffee, then Jon and Kyra made a quick trip upstairs to grab what they needed.  All Jon needed was his jacket and sunglasses, since his stage wardrobe was at the venue, but Kyra quickly threw an outfit into a bag, Jon pouting when she zipped it shut without letting him see what she’d be wearing.  A few bits of makeup dropped into her purse and she was ready to go.

 

At the venue, she watched them go through their soundcheck, fascinated by the inner workings of a band, something she’d never seen before.  Somehow, Kyra had always assumed that techs took care of everything like that, and seeing the guys fussing over what already sounded good to her was an eye-opener.

 

Eventually, they were done, and Jon jumped down off the stage, walking over to where she sat waiting in the front row.

 

“That’s the work-stuff done for now.”  He told her, pulling her to her feet and into his arms.  “Let’s head backstage, get a drink and something to eat.”

 

Kyra let him lead her backstage, his arm around her shoulders, hers around his waist, and they found the other four already in the dressing room, joking and laughing together at some nonsense Richie had said.  Grabbing a couple of beers from the cooler, Jon opened them and handed one to Kyra, then they flopped down on a couch across from Richie.

 

They all sat around companionably backstage, until their road manager appeared, telling them they had an hour before showtime.  Almost immediately, the guys got up, wandering toward a back room, and Kyra looked at Jon, still sitting next to her.

 

“Shouldn’t you be going with them?”

 

“I guess.”  He said, sipping at a bottle of water, since all he allowed himself before a show now was one beer.  “They’ve gone to change.  I was kinda thinking we could wait until they were done back there then you and I can change together.”

 

“You just want a sneak preview of what I’m wearing, donchya?”

 

“Yeah.”  Jon leaned close to whisper in her ear.  “I wanna make sure - if your outfit’s gonna make me horny - that I get a………heads-up………before I see it with the guys watching.”

 

“Coward.”  Kyra purred.  “Still, I guess if it does get your……… ‘head’ up…..I can help with that back there.”

 

Jon was still laughing when the rest of the band returned, David in a supremely ugly silk shirt and black leather pants, Hugh in black jeans and a plain t shirt with a leather vest while Richie and Tico both wore black-on-black outfits, the only difference being Tico wore a sleeveless t shirt and Richie was in black silk.  Kyra wolf-whistled at them with a smirk, and Richie bowed.

 

“Thank you, darlin’.”

 

“I was whistling at David.”  She smirked again, and he laughed.

 

Levering himself off the couch, turning to pull Kyra up, Jon grinned.

 

“We’ll be back.”  He told the guys.  “Kyra has to change, too, so we may as well………”

 

“We don’t need to know what you two are gettin’ up to back there.”  Richie interrupted.  “Just keep the noise down.”

 

Kyra blushed slightly as she collected her bag from the floor, following Jon through into the dressing room and closing the door.

 

57

 

Inside the back room, she laughed as she looked at the five separate clothing rails, each one tagged with one of the guys’ names.  She didn’t need to see the name on one of them though - the wildly ugly shirts could only belong to David!

 

“What’s so funny?”  Jon asked, and she turned around to find he’d already stripped off his shirt and was unbuttoning his ‘street’ jeans.

 

“I was just thinking that you lot have more clothes just for performing than I do for everything!”

 

“Aw!  Poor baby!”  Jon joked, walking over with his jeans still zipped.  “And you expect me to believe that, after shopping with you?”

 

“I didn’t buy that much!”  Kyra protested.

 

“Sure you did.”  He disagreed with a grin, taking her bag out of her hand and dropping it, winding his arms around her waist.  “It’s just that most of it was so tiny, you don’t think it’s a lot.”

 

“Hey, you liked the gray lace!”

 

“I did.  I do.”  His grin broadened.  “Is that what you’re wearing tonight?”

 

“You want me coming to the concert in just my underwear?”

 

“Fuck, no.  The audience would get a real show if you did that - but we’re in Long Island, not Amsterdam, so I don’t think live sex on stage is allowed.”

 

“You should be so lucky!”  Kyra smart-assed back at him.  “Now, if you’ll let go of me, I’ll get changed.”

 

Laughing, Jon released her, sitting to take off his boots before stripping off his jeans, naked as he approached his rack of clothes.  He grabbed a pair of black jeans - that was the easy part - then with the jeans hanging over his shoulder he ruffled his hand along the shirts, stopping to pull out a black vest with a basketweave finish to the leather.  Pausing, he pulled out another vest, this one the soft brown leather he’d worn in Milan.

 

“Don’t wear that one.”  Kyra said softly behind him, and he turned around with a quizzical frown.

 

“Why?”

 

“Because……..”  She walked over, sliding her hands behind him to grip that finely muscled ass, squeezing gently.  “……..when I saw that in your closet in Nashville, I had this mental flash of you wearing it.  Wearing nothing but that.”

 

“Really?”  Jon smirked, immediately hanging it again.  “Maybe I’ll wear it back to the hotel after the show.”

 

“Good idea.”  Kyra approved, her hands sliding across his skin again before she lightly slapped his butt.  “Now get dressed, rockstar!”

 

“Spanking now?”  He chuckled.  “You gotta change, too, cowgirl.”

 

“I know.  I’ll be right back.” 

 

Kyra picked up her bag and headed toward the tiny bathroom in the corner of the room.

 

“Darlin’, I have seen you naked before.”

 

“I know - but where’s the surprise if you see me get dressed?”

 

She closed the bathroom door behind her with a smirk, quickly undressing, glad the outfit she’d brought didn’t have any tiny buttons or ties, since her right hand still wasn’t quite up to par.  The beige leather pants hung low from her waist, exposing the top curve of her hipbones, and the black silk halter draped loosely around her.  The halter was high at the front, a band of black around her throat, the front of her body completely covered, but at the back there was just the collar at her neck then the sash that tied around her waist.  Everything between the two bands of silk was exposed.

 

Of course, her hair covered most of her back, and she wondered how Jon was at hairstyling - he’d already proven he could wash her hair like a professional - perhaps he could cope with twisting her hair into a knot for her.  She quickly put on a tiny bit of makeup - a sweep of chestnut shadow on her eyelids, then black mascara and just a touch of colored gloss on her lips.  She’d even brought high-heeled boots, and she pulled them on, smoothing her pants down over them before straightening.

 

She pulled a hairbrush and a velvet band from her bag, then threw everything else back inside and zipped it shut before turning to the door.  As soon as she opened the door, she jumped, finding Jon standing leaning on the frame.

 

“Took you long enough.”  He teased, even though she’d only been a few minutes.  “C’mon, then.  Lemme see.”

 

Kyra smiled, swinging the door wide, and Jon’s grin broadened automatically as he looked at her, scraping his teeth over his lower lip reflectively.

 

“How easy do those come off?”  He asked huskily, nodding at her pants.

 

“How…….?  Hey - I just put them on!”

 

“I know you did……….but damn I’d like to take them down to your knees right now.”  He shifted off the door frame, holding out a hand to her.  “You look beautiful.”

 

“Not so bad yourself.”  Kyra reached out, though, tugging the zipper of his vest a bit higher.  “Guess I’m going to find out soon if I’m the jealous type!”

 

“Doesn’t bother me if you are.”  Jon assured her.  “Because I’m pretty possessive myself.”

 

Kyra chuckled, then held up the brush and hairband.

 

“How are you with hairstyling?  Wounded paws don’t make life easy.”

 

“Dunno.  What do you need?”

 

“You.”  She whispered, then chuckled again.  “But that’s for later.  Can you twist my hair back into a knot?”

 

“Uhhh……..how do I do that?”  Regardless, he took the brush, turning her around and stroking it through her hair.

 

“Okay, pull it all into a ponytail at the back of my neck.” 

 

As Jon gathered her hair up, he now saw the back of her top.  Or lack of back - nothing but an expanse of smooth, tanned skin.

 

“Maybe I should leave this down.”  He muttered.  “You know you’ll kill Richie, showing this much skin!  And Tico……..he’s even older…….”

 

“Well, there’s no point wearing a top like this then covering up with my hair, is there?”  Kyra chided.

 

“I guess.”  Jon dropped a kiss on her shoulder as he held her hair firmly in one hand.  “Now what, ma’am?”

 

“Just twist it around - I usually go counter-clockwise - and it’ll start to fold in on itself as it tightens.”

 

Frowning in concentration on what - to Kyra - was a simple task, Jon obeyed, getting the idea as her hair knotted together, twisting the ends around and holding the ends in neatly.

 

“Okay.  Done.”

 

Kyra passed him the velvet band. 

 

“Just wrap that around a couple of times and it should hold.”

 

Jon did that, then gingerly released his hold on her hair, slightly surprised when it did stay put.

 

“Hey - it worked!”

 

“Of course it did.”  Kyra turned around to face him, tilting her face up to his kiss.  “Thank you.  I hate playing the helpless female.”

 

“Hell, you’re not helpless, darlin’.”  Jon hugged her, his hands smoothing down her bare back.  “This top is kinda growing on me.” 

 

He kissed her again, slipping one hand higher, pushing under the edge of the silk, forward far enough to touch a bare breast, and he grinned as he raised his head.

 

“Definitely growing on me!”

 

“Not the only thing.”  Kyra murmured, feeling the beginning stiffness at his crotch as he stroked her breast.

 

“No.”  Jon agreed, forcing himself back.  “But not here.  Not now.”

 

“No.”

 

Just as they separated, turning to the door, somebody - Richie, no doubt - hammered on the panel.

 

“Put some fuckin’ clothes on and let’s go to work!”  He yelled, a laugh in his voice.

 

Kyra was first to the door, opening it and gazing at Richie with wide eyes, fluttering her lashes as she spoke huskily.

 

“Sorry, Richie.  My fault.  I had to ask Jon to…….to do something with my hair…..”

 

Richie just laughed, taking her hand and bringing her into the main room, leaving Jon to follow.

 

“You look gorgeous, angel.”  Richie said, then flicked a glance at Jon and grinned wickedly.  “And it looks like Kidd agrees with me.”

 

The rest of the guys were just heading to the door, and Jon stepped up behind Kyra.

 

“Baby - I should’ve thought sooner - do you want to be down in the audience or on the side stage?”

 

They were out of the dressing room, walking down a dim corridor, and Kyra could already hear the murmur of sound from the crowd, muffled by the walls so it sounded like a huge beehive had been prodded with a stick, a low, penetrating sound.

 

“I guess maybe I should stay up on the side?”  She suggested.  “I’m guessing everyone is in their seats already.”

 

“Yeah.  Sorry ‘bout that.  If you want, we’ll get you front row for the next show.”

 

“You can do that?”  She joked.

 

“Yeah.”  Richie shrugged in a sort of wise-guy, Godfather, ‘offer you can’t refuse’ kind of way.  “I know a guy!”

 

They were at the back of the stage now, and Kyra heard the crowd roar as Tico, David and Hugh took to the stage.  Richie hugged her quickly, then took his first guitar from his bearded tech and vanished, the screaming building toward fever pitch when the crowd saw him.

 

Jon grinned at her, kissing her hard and fast, then as he raised his head he gestured to a security guard, who approached.

 

“This lady.”  Jon turned Kyra to face the guy.  “Is going to be on the side of the stage for the show.  Make sure your guys know she’s supposed to be there.”  His gaze turned icy.  “I do not want to hear of her having any problems, you hear me?”

 

“Yeah.  Not a problem.”  The big guy nodded, and Jon turned back to Kyra with a smile.

 

“Gotta go to work, baby.”  He grinned crookedly, more than aware what that did to her, and Kyra smirked, knowing he’d done it deliberately.

 

“You do that.”  She said, looking at the ‘minder’ she seemed to have just acquired.  “And I’m sure this gentleman will make sure I’m safe.  Good……….actually, what d’you say to a singer?”  She queried.  “Break a leg?  Like with actors?”

 

“No idea.”  Jon grinned, pulling her close and whispering in her ear.  “Personally, ‘I wanna fuck you’ works for me.”

 

Kyra chuckled against his ear, biting the lobe hard enough to leave a red mark, Jon gasping silently, then giving a low laugh as she said it.

 

“Okay, then.  I wanna fuck you.”

 

And with those sweet words ringing in his ears, Jon spun around, heading out onto the stage, and Kyra winced as the noise level rose even further.  The security guard laughed, gesturing to her to follow him, and as he led her around to the stage side, he picked up a pair of earplugs, handing them to her, then grabbing an official pass and handing her that, too.

 

“Wear that, miss, and nobody will question you being here, okay?”

 

“Thanks.”  Kyra hung it around her on the lanyard, and the guy just nodded and walked away, leaving Kyra watching from the side, Richie grinning over at her as he realised she was there, Jon busy seducing the crowd, drawing them into the show from the very start.

58

 

Standing in the shadows to the side of the stage, Kyra was enthralled not only by Jon’s voice and presence, but also by Richie’s playing.  Though she’d seen the pair of them on the tiny barroom stage in Nashville, this was something totally different, as the various electric guitars his tech handed him allowed Richie far greater scope to display his skill.  Watching him, though, and remembering the wild and beautiful piece he’d been playing when she and Jon found him that evening, Kyra couldn’t shake a feeling that he was somehow holding himself back, and she recalled his comment that evening, about the fans expecting to hear certain things in certain ways.  Even though he was clearly loving being up there, Kyra couldn’t help but feel a tiny bit sorry for him, that he wasn’t able to just let go and let the music take over.

 

She heard the familiar voice of the guard Jon had tasked with ensuring she had no problems, and when she turned around she saw him with another guard, leading a group of women up onto the stage.  They got the women situated at a mocked-up bar which ran to the end of the stage, and Kyra could feel the eyes of some of them focused on her, wondering who - and whose - she was.  A few minutes later, though, their silent question was answered, as Jon started in on Bed of Roses.

 

As he sang, he walked along the stage, touching hands with the girls as he went, smiling at each one of them but never pausing more than a moment.  His timing was impeccable, and just as they hit the bridge of the song, Richie stepping forward to take what he and Jon had already arranged would be an extended solo, Jon stepped in front of Kyra and held out his hand with a smile.

 

“Dance with me.”  He said, the mic held low but still picking up his soft invitation.

 

Kyra smiled and took his hand, slightly surprised when Jon backed up, drawing her with him, out onto the stage before folding her into his arms.  They danced together as Richie played, both of them almost forgetting they were on a stage in front of God-knows-how-many thousand people, though Kyra did retain enough sense to keep her arms up around Jon’s neck, not allowing herself to drop her hands to cup his ass.

 

“I should’ve really brought up one of them to dance.”  Jon flicked his eyes toward the fan area.  “But I wanted - I needed - to touch you.”

 

“I’m glad you picked me.”  Kyra murmured against his ear, knowing he’d hear her despite the earpieces he wore.  “Because I’m starting to think I am the jealous type.”

 

She wasn’t sure if anyone would see, but she also didn’t really care as she nipped at his ear, Jon gasping at the sting of her teeth.

 

“You’ll pay for that.”  He growled, then sighed against her.  “Time to get back to work I guess.”

 

He looked past her shoulder, nodding to Richie who grinned and started to wind up his solo, so that when Jon waltzed Kyra back to the side of the stage, he had just enough time to give her a swift kiss - keeping it close-mouthed and chaste in deference to where they were.  Back out on the stage, he finished the song to the screams of the crowd, then headed to the back of the stage, wiping away the sweat before taking a guitar from his tech.  Throwing the strap - plain black nylon, in complete contrast to the wildly patterned ones favored by Richie - over his head, he strutted to the white mic stand, pausing before yelling.

 

“Tico - gimme the beat!”

 

Other than occasional glances and grins - from Richie as well as Jon - Kyra was left alone for the rest of the show, slightly surprised to suddenly see Jon in a ruffle-front velvet shirt, his hair hidden under a bandana.  His run off-stage to change had been so quick, and so well-timed into one of Richie’s solos, that Kyra hadn’t really realised he’d been gone.  Then, suddenly it seemed to Kyra, it was over - two encores and all - and the house lights began to come on as the stage area plunged into darkness.  The suddenness of it disorientated Kyra, and she took a couple of minutes to let her eyes accustom to the darkness before making her way cautiously toward the back of the stage.

 

Unfortunately, when she’d walked up with the band, Kyra had just followed where they led, and she hadn’t paid a great deal of attention to the route, so she walked slowly and uncertainly toward the only lighted hallway she could see.

 

“And where d’you think you’re goin’, darlin’?”  An unfamiliar voice behind her, followed by a meaty hand on her shoulder.

 

“I’m trying to find Jon and the rest of them.”  She explained, turning to display her ‘access all areas’ pass.

 

“Where did you get that, then?” 

 

Just as the guy reached for the pass with his free hand, Kyra heard another voice.

 

“Take your fuckin’ hand off her, Mikey, unless you wanna lose it.”  The voice of ‘her’ guard growled, and the guy instantly complied.

 

“Sorry ‘bout that.”  The guard came around in front of Kyra.  “The boss sent me to get you, but I got held up a little.  This way.”

 

“Thanks.”  Kyra smiled, following him along the hallway to the dressing room.

 

He didn’t come in, just opened the door and pushed it wide, revealing an empty room.

 

“Huh.”  He grunted.  “Guess they’re in the showers already.  Make yourself at home, miss.”

 

“Thanks again.  And it’s Kyra, by the way.”

 

“Kyra?”

 

“Uh-huh.”  She grinned up at him - Kyra wasn’t exactly a midget, but this guy was at least a head taller than her.  “No doubt I’ll see you at the next couple of shows, so let’s drop the ‘miss’, okay?”

 

“Sure thing.”  He grinned back, liking this woman.  “I’m Steve.”

 

“Nice to meet you.”  Kyra cautiously held out her right hand, and the bandage warned him so that the grip he took was far gentler than she’d have expected.

 

After they’d shaken hands, he gestured at the bandage.  “What happened?”

 

“Hmmmm?”  Kyra realised what he meant - and also that he either didn’t read the papers or hadn’t recognised her.  “Oh, long, boring story, Steve.”

 

“What is?”  Jon appeared from the back room, wearing fresh jeans and - Kyra smiled - that brown vest, his hair still dripping-wet.

 

“Oh, Steve just asked what happened to my hand.”  She told him, her eyes narrowing dangerously as a flash of jealousy passed over Jon’s face, quickly gone when he saw her expression.

 

“The lady has a hell of a right hook, but lousy aim.”  Jon joked, and the guard laughed as he left.

 

“Down, caveman.”  Kyra told Jon, walking across to him.  “I just figured I should introduce myself if I’m going to be seeing him at the next couple of shows.”

 

“Sorry, darlin’.”  Jon folded her into a hug.  “Forgive me?”

 

“Oh, that you’ll have to earn.”  Kyra bit lightly on his bare shoulder, licking the cool, freckled skin.  “Though you’ve made a good start.”

 

“How so?”

 

“By wearing that vest.”  She whispered.

 

59

 

Chuckling, Jon kissed her, but before they got too into it, they heard Richie’s voice, obviously yelling back to the other three who were still getting dressed.

 

“Aw, fuck, guys….you don’t wanna see this………” 

 

Kyra blushed slightly as she pulled back from Jon, but then stuck out her tongue at Richie.

 

“Just because you’re all alone here.”  She teased, and he pouted again, like he had the night before.

 

“You have a point, darlin’.”  He smirked.  “Go ahead……..give me something to…….”

 

“Just stop right there!”  Jon snapped, laughing.  “We don’t need to know that!”

 

He wrapped a possessive arm around Kyra as they turned around, the rest of the guys wandering through again.

 

“So did you have fun?”  Jon asked Kyra, and she nodded, smiling brightly.

 

“I really did.  You guys are great!”  She smiled at the four men in front of her as they smiled back.  “I mean, I’d heard Jon and Richie before, back home, but it’s so different, hearing the whole band.”

 

There was a chorus of thank yous as they headed for the buffet table, but Jon hung back, squeezing his arm on Kyra.

 

“You hungry, baby?”  He asked softly, and she turned to look at him, smiling sweetly.

 

“Not for food.”

 

His laugh was almost a purr, and he nuzzled her neck for just a moment before speaking.

 

“Guys - I’ll - we’ll - see ya tomorrow.  I gotta get this lady home to bed.”

 

“I just bet you do.”  Richie mumbled around a mouthful of cold pizza, then swallowed and spoke normally.  “Bye, angel.”

 

“G’night Richie.  G’night guys.”

 

“Night, Kyra.”  Tico replied, but the other two just waved, mouths full of food.

 

Kyra and Jon’s jackets were lying on a table close to the door, along with Kyra’s bag of clothes from earlier, and they gathered their things before leaving, Jon just flicking a casual salute at the guys as they walked out.

 

Jon led her down the dim hallways, finally exiting the building into a fenced parking lot, an impressively large security guard standing by the gate.  A trio of black SUVs sat waiting, and Jon headed to the front one, opening the door and helping Kyra into the back before the driver could even lay down his newspaper and get out to help.

 

“Where to, sir?”  The guy tried to be as unobtrusive as possible as he laid down his newspaper, but luckily for him Jon was distracted as he slid onto the seat by Kyra, feeling her breast, unrestrained by any bra, brush against his bare arm with just the black silk between them.

 

“Uh, back to the hotel, thanks.” 

 

As they drove away, Kyra looked around the car and pouted, bringing her lips right up to Jon’s ear so that he felt every one of her soft words.

 

“There’s no privacy screen here.”  She punctuated by kissing his ear, Jon stifling a groan when the tip of her tongue slipped out, licking the inner curves of his ear.

 

“Keep doing that and I won’t care.”  He warned her.  “Now stoppit!  Look at the pretty scenery.”

 

“Scenery?”  She raised her eyebrows, looking through the darkened window, seeing nothing but the side of the building, then as they travelled just a little further she could see the fan-like spread of the tiered seats.  “Wow!  Everybody’s gone already!”

 

“Well, yeah.”  Jon chuckled.  “Show’s over, baby.”

 

“Duh - I know that!”  She swatted at his arm, smiling.  “I just……..I’m just surprised that the place emptied out so fast!”

 

Jon just shrugged, accustomed to the whole thing.  Accustomed to it almost to the point of boredom.  Kyra shifted to lean against the side of the car, looking at him with bright eyes.

 

“So………what’s this gift, then?”  She asked unexpectedly.

 

“That’d be telling.”  Jon smirked.  “You’ll just have to wait to find out.”

 

“I could beat it out of you.” 

 

“You and what army?”  He chuckled.  “Don’t forget that wounded paw, sweetheart.”

 

“Okay.”  She changed tack, moving closer again, laying her good hand on his knee.  “How else could I convince you to tell me?”

 

“Darlin’.”  Steeling himself, Jon lifted her hand and held it.  “Just wait till we get back, okay?  These cars aren’t built for fun.”

 

Looking at him, Kyra could see he was serious.  She could also see it wasn’t that he didn’t want her, but just that he didn’t want to share her, didn’t want the driver getting an eyeful of anything he shouldn’t, and when she smiled her acquiesence, Jon lifted her hand to kiss it with a smile and a nod.

 

The ride to the hotel didn’t take long, and they held hands all the way to the suite, Jon carrying Kyra’s bag over her protests.  Inside the suite, he dropped the bag to the floor and locked the door, Kyra backing slowly across the room, watching him hungrily.  She was still backing up as Jon crossed the room in long strides, catching her by the hips to halt her movement.  He looked into her eyes, then his hands slid slowly up, pressing the silk against her, cupping her breasts and squeezing lightly before wrapping his palms around her face and drawing her mouth to his.

 

Kyra’s mouth sighed open, the breath fluttering against Jon’s tongue, but she only kissed him briefly before breaking away.

 

“I need to get out of these pants.”  She murmured, blushing enchantingly.

 

“Funny, that.”  Jon smirked.  “I was just thinking about getting you out of those.  But are our reasons the same, I wonder?”

 

“I don’t know.”  Kyra moved back from him, unbuttoning the waist, fidgeting with the zipper pull as she looked at him.  “I was thinking because they’re so pale……….they’ll mark where they get wet.”

 

“Yeah?”  Jon voice was soft as his hand slid between her thighs, cupping underneath.  “And where are they getting wet?  Here?”

 

“Uh-huh.” 

 

She was still fidgeting with the zipper, and Jon pushed her hand away, unzipping them himself and sliding his palm down over her belly until his hand was between her thighs again, now only a layer of lace separating their skin.  Kyra purred as he rubbed gently, then Jon slipped his hand away just as slowly as he’d pushed it into her pants.  While he pushed at her pants, edging them off her hips, Kyra unbuttoned his vest, scratching her fingers into the fur, then Jon dropped out of her reach as he sank onto his knees, removing her boots then her pants, standing again when she wore just panties and the black halter.

 

Cupping her ass with both hands, he kissed her again, seeming as though he just needed another taste of her before he went any further, and with the flavor of her mouth still on his tongue he stepped back, quickly removing his own jeans and boots.  He took her hand now, leading her toward the bed, and when they got there he tugged her hair loose, dropping the velvet band to the floor as they kissed again, re-establishing his grip on her ass to pull her tight against him.

 

60

 

Kyra shifted her feet apart slightly, feeling the heat of his body against hers, and more importantly feeling his cock pressing against her as it swelled, hardening and rising as they kissed.  Jon’s hands rocked her pelvis, grinding her onto him until Kyra was moaning with hunger, her left hand on his butt and her right on his head, holding him to her mouth.  She tilted her hips toward him, feeling the heat of his erection between her thighs, lying close against her pussy, the barrier of lace an annoyance now.  Jon obviously felt the same, because he pulled back from her mouth, gripping the sides of the lace thong as he growled.

 

“This has to go.”

 

He stepped back enough to drag it down her legs, and Kyra kicked them away, then Jon ran his hands up onto her bare back, feeling for the ties of her halter.

 

“Turn around, darlin’.”  He murmured, and Kyra obeyed, her knees and lower thighs pressed to the edge of the mattress as Jon slowly untied the bottom of her halter.

 

The black silk fell loose, now draped just from her neck , and as Jon’s hands ran up the front of her, up to caress her breasts, his lips followed a similar path on her back, kissing and nibbling his way to her neck.  He lifted his head away, tumbling her hair forward over her shoulder so he could find the collar of the top, popping open the tiny studs that held it together.  He stripped the silk away, then when he kissed her shoulder, Kyra could feel the burning heat of his cock, pressed against her ass, and she smiled as she slowly leaned forward, taking her weight onto her hands on the bed, rubbing back on him.

 

“Jon…….”  She purred, looking back at him, and she could feel her reaction when he grinned crookedly.

 

“That what you want, baby?”

 

“Mm-hm.”

 

He dropped his hand between her thighs from behind, caressing the wet flesh, teasing a fingertip around her clit before dipping into her with his middle finger.  She was soaking wet, open and more than ready for him, and Jon switched hands, his left between her thighs now as he stretched his right hand to the nightstand, yanking open the drawer and grabbing a condom.  He had to pause in his teasing to cover himself, then he gripped her hips firmly, tilting her as he pressed forward, feeling her take him in easily.

 

Kyra whined as he kept his thrusts teasingly shallow, never filling her all the way like she wanted - needed - to be filled, but only ever seeming to slide halfway into her before drawing back.  Their position, though, meant that every slow thrust was rippling across that extra-sensitive spot just inside her, and when Jon changed his rhythm, still shallow thrusts but faster, harder, she moaned, feeling herself suddenly rising faster.

 

“Jon………..please……….”  She begged.  “More………deeper, Jon……..”

 

“No.”  He growled, keeping to the short strokes, holding her still when Kyra tried to push back on him, to force him deeper.

 

“Oh, Jesus….”  She blurted, realising he knew exactly what he was doing to her, realising he wanted her to cum first, before he allowed himself the luxury of release, and his next softly grunted words confirmed her thoughts.

 

“Let it go, baby………..cum for me, Kyra…..”  He chuckled without breaking the rhythm of his thrusts.  “Scream for me, my darlin’.”

 

Kyra groaned, her hands fisting on the bedcover, the pain in her right hand overshadowed by the pleasure he was giving her.  Despite their intimate joining, though, she needed more of a connection with him, and she lifted her left hand off the bed, gripping onto his left wrist where he held her hip, feeling the taut cords of his tendons, realising how much he was holding himself back.  She clung to him as she moaned, panting through her orgasm as Jon held her up, destroying her last shred of control when he finally drove all the way into her as she came, clenching tight around him as he just held her against him.

 

As she gathered her shredded wits, she realised Jon was still rock-hard inside her, that he’d stopped moving the instant she fell over into orgasm, and she felt him now - unbelievably - slide himself out of her.  He pulled her upright, turning her to face him, kissing her hungrily before pulling her with him to the floor so that they ended up with Jon kneeling on the carpet by the bed, Kyra kneeling astride him, and his aching cock once again buried inside her.

 

She kissed him again as she started to move on him, Jon’s hands on her waist dictating her pace, and Kyra whimpered as she felt another orgasm beginning to build.  Jon pulled away from her mouth, fastening his lips over a nipple, sucking her as deep as he could, and Kyra laid her right arm around his shoulders, her left hand knotted into his sweat-damp hair to hold him close as she still rode him hard.  As his own climax started to creep over him, Jon inadvertently bit down on Kyra’s nipple, and when he heard her yelp of protest he released her from his mouth, just burying his face between her breasts now, panting against her body. 

 

Even with her arms wound around his head, he heard Kyra’s scream of pleasure, but Jon needed just a tiny bit more, leaning forward into her, pressing her back against the side of the bed as he rose off his heels, driving just that little deeper inside, and it was enough, with her pulsing around him, to rip a shout of ecstasy from Jon’s throat as he came, jamming Kyra down onto him as he thrust against her.

 

Kyra held him close as they both recovered, hugging his head against her chest, knowing he was getting back toward normal when she felt his tongue lazily taste the sweat on her skin, heard his purr of satisfaction.  Only when she felt him soften inside her did she release him from her arms, and Jon looked up at her drowsily, Kyra smiling at him.

 

“You need to sleep.”  She whispered.

 

“No.  I………..”  Jon protested, then remembered. “I haven’t given you your gift yet!”

 

She chuckled.  “If it’s more like that, then I don’t know if I can cope with it right now!”

 

Jon grinned, reaching up to kiss her lingeringly, then he lifted Kyra to sit her on the edge of the bed.

 

“Stay.”

 

As Kyra gave a joking ‘woof’, he got to his feet, wincing as his knees protested the kneeling position, and he went through to the bathroom, returning a few moments later carrying a washcloth and towel.  He knelt in front of her, shushing her protests and pushing her legs apart, watching her eyes, smirking as he slowly cleaned her and dried the sensitive flesh.  Kyra blushed - she couldn’t recall any man having ever performed such a tender, intimate task for her - and Jon leaned to gently kiss her there when he was finished.

 

“All done.”  Jon murmured, standing and tossing the towel and cloth toward the bathroom before crossing to the drawer where he’d put the bag.

 

Jon brought the bag across and handed it to Kyra with a smile and a kiss.

 

“From me to you.”  He said simply, and Kyra played with the bag for a moment, slanting a glance up at him.

 

“I haven’t bought you anything.”  She said, slightly embarrassed.

 

“So?  I don’t buy gifts to get gifts, baby.  I saw it and I could imagine you in it.”  He chuckled.  “At least until I take it off you again.”

 

She fidgeted with the bag for a moment more, silently resolving to buy him a gift the next day, then she opened it and peeped inside.

 

Kyra wasn’t quite sure what she’d expected, but what she saw was a pool of fine, dark red fabric, looking like some kind of chiffon.  She reached in and pulled it out, finding the thin straps and holding it up in front of her.  The spaghetti straps fell to lace, then a wide satin ribbon that tied in a bow under the bustline.  The rest of the babydoll was finely pleated georgette, and Kyra looked through the fabric - it was that fine - at Jon, seeing his slight nerves, his worry over whether she’d like his gift obvious.

 

“It’s beautiful.”  She whispered, lowering the fabric to smile brilliantly at him, and Jon clutched his chest in mock relief.

 

“Thank God for that!”  He leaned down as she beckoned him closer, and his next comment was silenced by Kyra’s mouth as she kissed him in thanks.

 

After thanking him thoroughly, Kyra stood and walked toward the long mirror, surreptitiously watching Jon in the mirror as she stopped and dropped the babydoll over her head.  Impressively, it fit her perfectly, and she spent a few minutes carefully arranging her breasts in the lace top, prolonging her actions when she heard Jon’s soft groan, then she turned to face him.

 

“What d’you think?”  She asked, smirking as she walked toward him, gesturing at his crotch as his dick responded to the sight.  “Or is that your answer?”

 

“It’s gorgeous now it’s on you.”  Jon purred, finally stripping off his leather vest.  “Wanna take it off again?”

 

“Nope.”  Kyra stopped in front of him then sank onto her knees by the bed.  “Don’t need to.”

 

Kneeling by the bed, Jon’s hand in her tangled hair, Kyra thanked him even more thoroughly, until he was gasping and cursing, and thinking that maybe he should change his plan of buying her some jewelry, because if this was how she said thank you for a simple babydoll, her gratitude for anything more might just kill him.

 

61

 

After blowing Jon’s………..mind……….Kyra got slowly to her feet, smiling down at his wasted grin.

 

“I’m going to take a quick shower.”  She murmured, and Jon watched her carefully strip off the babydoll before getting to his feet, the pause giving his thigh muscles a chance to stop quivering.

 

“I’ll join you.”  He grinned, taking her hand.

 

They shared the shower, Jon - at Kyra’s request - unwinding the bandage from her hand before they stepped into the water, and though she was still cautious with it, Kyra murmured that her hand felt much better.

 

“Just don’t try to be clever this time.”  Jon told her with a smirk.  “Unless you want me to play doctor again?”

 

“If you’re going to play doctor, then, yes, it’s agony……..”  She raised her hand, pouting and fluttering eyelashes, and Jon took her hand tenderly in his, looking at her face.

 

“Is it really sore?”  He whispered, lifting it to his lips, brushing kisses over the almost-gone bruise. 

 

The whimper that escaped her throat wasn’t from pain, and Jon chuckled against her skin, still kissing her hand, then he raised his head.

 

“Let’s go to bed.”  He purred.

 

“To sleep.”  Kyra clarified. 

 

She did want him - God knew she wanted him - but she knew it wouldn’t be a good idea right now.  Her body needed just a bit longer to recover from earlier, and Jon seemed to understand, smiling warmly at her, nodding.

 

“Yeah.  You’ve worn me out, darlin’.  And you know Richie’ll be pissed if you don’t let me sleep.”

 

Kyra chuckled evilly.  “Yeah.  That reminds me.  What time is it?”

 

“Dunno.  Why?”

 

“Well, d’you think Richie’ll be asleep?”

 

“Hell if I know.”  Jon tilted his head, looking at the naughty smile on her face, then he got it.  “Payback, huh?  Payback for Nashville?”

 

“Uh-huh.”

 

Laughing, they got out of the shower and dried off, then headed into the bedroom.  It wasn’t all that late - just after midnight - and Kyra considered for a moment before smirking again.

 

“He won’t be asleep yet, but I’ve got a better idea.”  She crossed to the phone, picking up the handset and dialling reception as Jon watched with interest. 

 

“What are you planning, cowgirl?”

 

“Wait and………..oh, hi.  Can I book an alarm call, please?”

 

Jon was chuckling as he picked up the other phone - the dedicated room service one - and he waved the menu at Kyra who just nodded, continuing her own conversation as Jon ordered up some food.

 

“No, not this room.  It’s for room five forty five - yes, Mr Wingman - I’m his assistant.”  She rolled her eyes at the silly codenames the guys used, giggling at the response of the girl at the reception.  “I know!  You’d think they could manage an alarm clock, huh?  But you know how these damned rockstars are, hon.”

 

“Hey!”  Jon said softly.  “No fair.”

 

“Ummm…….five o’clock should do it I think.”  Kyra smirked at Jon again.  “Can you put a message with the call?  Thanks.  Just let him know that Angel and Kidd arranged the call, as a thank you for Nashville.  Yep - that’s all - he’ll understand.  Thanks.  Bye.”

 

She laid the phone back in the cradle just as Jon did the same with his, and he was still chuckling as he walked over, pulling her into his arms.

 

“You know he’ll get you back for that, right?”

 

“Probably.  Still, I was brought up on the philosophy that if they don’t tease you, they don’t love you, so I don’t mind.”

 

“Nice philosophy.”  Jon agreed.  “Guess my family’s the same.  You don’t have any siblings though, do you?”

 

“Nope.  Just me.”  She seemed saddened by it, and Jon hugged her harder.

 

“Hey - you’ve got Jenny.  And you’ve got me now.”  He laughed.  “Which, by extension, means you have Richie and Tico and Davey……..and Hugh, I guess.  Count in my two brothers, too.”

 

“Well, shit!”  She joked.  “That’s gonna make Christmas expensive now!”

 

Jon laughed and kissed her forehead.  “Let’s go to bed.”

 

“I thought you ordered food?”

 

“I did.”  He looked at her, then down at himself.  “So maybe we oughta put on some robes or something.”

 

“Put on a robe if you like.  I’m going to put on that beautiful little bit of nothing you bought me.”

 

“Perfect.”  He kissed her again, then frowned.  “Hey - I was distracted before - but I think there’s panties in the bag, too.”

 

When she rescued the bag from the floor, Kyra found he was right, a satin g-string that perfectly matched the ribbon on the babydoll was in the bag, and she put on both parts of the outfit this time, Jon just going into the bathroom and grabbing a robe.  He was belting it shut as he walked through again, and his eyes flickered hungrily over her, the touch of his gaze almost physical, Kyra feeling the heat of his look.

 

“Maybe you should get into bed.”  He suggested.  “Otherwise I may need to beat the waiter to death.”

 

“Caveman.”  Kyra muttered, picking up her brush and stroking it through her hair before obeying him.

 

With perfect timing, she’d just slid under the warm cover when there was a knock at the door, and Jon quickly got rid of the waiter and crossed to the bed with the tray in his hands.

 

“What did you order?”  Kyra asked, and Jon laid the tray on the bed, lifting covers to reveal a platter of fries and breaded strips of what Kyra assumed were chicken, and a platter with a selection of desserts - mainly chocolate - and strawberries.  “Healthy stuff, I see.”

 

“Pfft!  This is as healthy as it gets on tour, darlin’.”  He laughed, tossing his robe to the floor and climbing into bed.  “Anyway - it’s chicken, for protein.  And strawberries, so that’s fruit.”

 

“And chocolate is, of course, a food group all of it’s own.”  Kyra smirked, going straight for the fries, dipping them into a pot of warm barbecue sauce then smirking at Jon.  “I’ve already had my protein fix for the evening.”

 

Jon was busy pouring the wine he’d ordered with the food, and it almost ended up on the bed at her comment.  He handed her a glass, grabbing a piece of chicken as his hand passed over the tray again.

 

“You’re a dangerous lady.”  He grinned, raising his glass, Kyra lifting hers in anticipation of his toast.  “To……tough cowgirls, especially when they’re wrapped in silk and leather.”

 

They tapped glasses, then Kyra had a toast of her own, which nearly led to Jon choking on his piece of chicken.

 

“To sexy rockstars with leather vests and furry chests.”

 

They both drank to their respective toasts, then settled back against the pillows to enjoy their late-night snack, talking in soft voices until Jon suddenly fell silent, and Kyra looked across to see him asleep.  She smiled tenderly, carefully taking the almost empty wineglass from his hand, and she eased out of bed to shift the tray to the table, then returned to him.  Flicking off the light, she slid up close against him, gently pushing him down the bed until he grunted softly, sliding down of his own accord to lie flat, his arms instinctively wrapping around her and his head resting on her shoulder. 

 

Kyra stroked his hair, watching him sleep in the dim light from the window, then she kissed his forehead and closed her eyes, holding him close.

 

62

 

Next morning, Jon woke to the tickle of hair against his face, and the scent of Kyra filling his head.  He cracked an eyelid open, smiling a sleepy, contented smile as he focused on an expanse of skin, just moving a tiny bit to press his lips against her chest.  The warmth of her eased him further awake, and he got both eyes open now, edging his lips down the slope of her breast, exposed almost to the nipple because of her position.  Kyra was still asleep, but Jon’s tenderly caressing mouth slipped into her dreams, and she gave a soft sighing moan.

 

“Jon?”  She mumbled.

 

“Yeah, baby.”  He purred back, but there was no further response, and when he lifted his head he realised she was still sleeping. 

 

The sudden, blinding arousal as he realised she’d spoken his name through instinct, not knowledge, shocked him for a moment, then Jon raised a hand to stroke her face before pressing his lips to hers.  Kyra woke to the touch of his lips on hers, opening her mouth sleepily to kiss him back, and by the time Jon drew back again, her lingering sleepiness was well and truly banished, hunger taking it’s place.

 

“Good morning.” 

 

“It is now you’re finally awake.”  Jon teased, and Kyra flicked a fingernail against his nipple.

 

“Don’t even go there, rockstar.”  She warned.  “I wasn’t the one who fell asleep still holding their wineglass last night.  Or this morning.”

 

“I didn’t.  Did I?”

 

“Uh-huh.  I had to tidy up and tuck you in.”

 

“Speaking of tucking things in……….”  Jon flexed his back slightly, letting his erection press against her.

 

“I’m too sleepy.”  Kyra teased him now, but she couldn’t hold her serious expression when she saw the surprise - and dismay - in his eyes.  “Oh, God, I’m kidding, baby!”

 

“Thank fuck for that.”  He muttered, rolling away for a moment to fetch a condom, then turning back to find Kyra had already stripped off the dark satin g-string.

 

Jon kissed her again, his hand sliding between her thighs, stroking skilfully, building her arousal until she moaned, grabbing at his wrist to pull his hand away, mumbling to him to make love to her.  He was happy to oblige that request, easing himself between her legs, his cock sliding home as he moved over her.  Kyra purred in delight as he filled her, and Jon made love to her until the purrs turned to moans, to whimpers and cries of pleasure, reaching his own climax as Kyra clung onto him, holding him through it until they were both sweaty and drowsy in each other’s arms.

 

As they relaxed, Kyra played idly with Jon’s hair, and when he eased himself out of her he chuckled suddenly.

 

“I wonder if Rich got his alarm call.”

 

Kyra tugged at the strands she’d been toying with.

 

“I could take it as a real insult - or an even bigger worry - that we’ve just made love and your first thought was of Richie.”

 

Jon groaned, looking at her sheepishly.

 

“Does it help if I tell you that was the end of my thought?  That it was more a thought about you, about angelic cowgirls, and the angelic thing reminded me of you telling reception the call was from angel and Kidd.  Does that help?”

 

“No.”  She pouted dramatically, turning away from him as though sulking.

 

“Shit.”  Jon groaned again, realising she was playing and deciding to play along.  “Does it help if I tell you I was just trying to distract myself?  To stop myself thinking about how deliciously hot you are, to stop myself just getting another instant fucking hard on and sliding back into you?  To stop myself just staying here with you all day and all night and saying to hell with the show tonight?  Does that help?”

 

Kyra raised a hand, waggling it in a maybe-maybe-not gesture, and Jon shifted up the bed with a grin.

 

“Does it help if I do this?”

 

He kissed her tenderly, slowly building intensity until his mouth was ravaging hers, Kyra moaning into his mouth when his fingers dropped between her thighs again.  Jon never lifted his mouth from hers, catching her cry as he got her off once again with his fingers buried inside her, his thumb working against her clit.  When he finally did raise his head, he gave another soft kiss before smirking at her dazed expression.

 

“Does that help?”  He repeated, his fingers still inside her pulsing flesh.

 

“Uh-huh.”  Kyra breathed, gasping as he slipped his hand away.  “Oh, Jesus, yes, that helps………”

 

Jon reached to grab tissues from the bedside, drying her soaked pussy before finally stripping away the condom he still wore, crumpling it into the tissues as he rolled to the edge of the bed.

 

“I’m goin’ to shower.”  He smiled.  “You coming?”

 

“I already did……….”  Kyra smirked, Jon laughing at that.  “But, yeah, I’ll join you in the shower.”

 

After showering, they dressed quickly and Kyra dried her hair before they headed down to the restaurant to get some breakfast.  The place was quiet again, and they were sipping coffee when Jon glanced up, grinning.

 

“I think you’re in trouble.”  He muttered, and Kyra twisted around to see Richie approaching, a scowl on his face.

 

“Angel - if your boyfriend wasn’t sitting here - I’d spank you.”

 

“Richie!”  Kyra protested with an innocent gaze.  “What are you talking about?”

 

“You’re a cruel woman.”  He pouted, dropping into an empty chair.  “Five o-fucking-clock?  You got me an alarm call at five in the morning?  That’s just evil.”

 

“What makes you so sure it was me?  Could’ve been Jon.”

 

Richie snorted.  “Darlin’, something sneaky and evil like that can only come out of a woman’s mind.”  He shrugged.  “Besides, when I came downstairs I asked at reception, and she told me my ‘assistant’ had arranged it last night.”

 

Giggling, Kyra gave it up.  “Well, you deserved it, for thumping on Jon’s door in Nashville and disturbing us!  Payback’s a bitch.”

 

Laughing, Richie nodded.  “That it is.  You two eaten already?”

 

“Nope.  Just waiting.”

 

So, when the waitress brought Kyra and Jon their plates, Richie placed his own order, and they ate breakfast together, joking and chatting their way through the meal.  When they were finished, Kyra glanced at her watch, then at Jon.

 

“You guys have stuff to do today, right?” 

 

“I guess.  Why?”

 

“I’m going shopping.”  She explained, and Jon groaned.

 

“More shopping?  What else can you possibly need, baby?”

 

“Shopping isn’t about what you need, darlin’, it’s about what you want.”  Kyra explained, then smirked.  “Anyway, who said it’s for me?”

 

Jon frowned slightly, recalling her comment the night before about not having bought him anything, but he just nodded with a smile.

 

“Do you need a bag-carrier?”

 

“Nope.  I’m good - see?”  She lifted her right hand and closed it into a fist.  Closed it slowly, to be sure, but certainly closed it all the way into a fist.  “I’ll see y’all later?”

 

“We’ll be leaving for the venue around four.”  Jon nodded.  “If you’re running late, just go to the gate we went in yesterday and ask for Steve.”

 

“Will do, baby.”  She bent to give him a soft kiss, then turned around to kiss Richie’s cheek.  “Later guys.”

 

They watched her go, then Richie looked back at Jon, seeing the soft smile still on his lips.

 

“God, you’re pathetic.”  He muttered, and Jon just flipped him off, reaching for his coffee with the other hand.

 

63

 

Leaving Jon and Richie in the restaurant, Kyra headed first to Jon’s room, collecting her purse and coat and, after a quick glance outside, a pair of sunglasses.  She knew Jon would tease her about it if he saw her - especially considering how she’d teased him about his sensitivity to bright light - but her own eyes tended to tear up in any wind over a light breeze, and the way the trees were moving outside told her that shades were a good idea.

 

A quick consultation with the girl at reception told her which direction would bring her to the best stores, but Kyra shrugged off the offer of a cab, explaining she needed the exercise, so she’d walk.  She didn’t, of course, mean she needed the exercise for any reasons of being a fitness fanatic, but rather just that she was used to a fairly physically demanding life with the horses, and the last couple of days - while relaxing - had left her itching to do something.  Well, to ‘do’ something other than Jon, she thought with a smirk.

 

She didn’t really know what she was looking for - a gift of some sort for Jon, certainly, but with nothing specific in mind.  Hopefully, though, something would hit her with inspiration as she browed.

 

It was surprisingly relaxing - wandering alone around the streets where nobody knew or cared who she was or what she’d been through.  Or, if she were honest, who she was dating.  That thought actually stopped her mid-stride.  Damn, where had that word sprung from?  Dating?  She started to walk again.  ‘Is that what we’re doing?’  She wondered, knowing deep inside they were that serious, that exclusively ‘together’.  The idea of it didn’t unnerve her as much as she’d have expected, but she pushed it to the back of her mind anyway.  Further thought on that little idea would require the assistance of a great deal of wine.

 

She was startled when a line of Johnny Cash’s “Ragged Old Flag” popped unexpectedly into her mind, then she realised that her wandering eyes had fallen on a faded blue sweater with an equally distressed American flag on the front.  The blue was almost the exact shade of Jon’s preferred fade-level of denim, and Kyra could almost see the tangled blond hair lying soft on the shoulders of the sweater.  She pushed through the door into the store, finding the sweater on a shelf and pulling down a medium.  It looked just about the perfect size for Jon’s lean form, and Kyra smiled, folding it over her arm and heading toward the register at the front of the store.

 

The young guy at the desk helpfully removed the price tag before folding and bagging it for her.  Kyra scrawled her signature on the credit card slip and took her purchase with a thank you and a bright smile that had the barely-out-of-his-teens assistant blushing and shifting uncomfortably behind the desk.

 

Kyra left the store and carried on with her wandering, stopping off for a coffee at a quiet café.  As she left the café, her right hand twinged with pain when she gathered up her shopping and purse, and when she saw a drugstore down the street she headed in that direction.  In the store, she searched about until she found what she was looking for - a so-called cohesive bandage which reminded her of the VetWrap she always kept around for the horses.  After she’d paid for it and left the store, she found a washroom where she quickly - if a little awkwardly - strapped her hand with the bandage, feeling the support ease the pain almost immediately.

 

When she left the washroom, the next store to catch her eye was a jewelry store, the sparkle of the window display drawing her across the street like a magpie.  A sparkling pendant attracted her to actually enter the store, and a smiling assistant greeted her pleasantly, asking if she could help with anything.  Kyra described the necklace she’d seen in the window - a tiny heart crusted with sparkling pink stones which the girl told her were pink sapphires.  Unusually, the chain and setting were of silver, which suited Kyra just fine.  She tried it on and loved it, so told the girl she’d take it.  While the assistant was laying it into the velvet recess of the box, Kyra looked idly down into the display under the glass countertop, and something else caught her eye.

 

She asked the assistant to let her see it, and the girl obligingly brought it out.

 

“This is a gents piece.”  She explained, but Kyra had already realised that.

 

“Uh-huh.”  She said absently, fingering the chain and watching the light strike sparks from the diamonds inlaid into the surface. 

 

“How much is it?”  Kyra asked, barely wincing as the girl told her the hefty price.

 

Kyra wasn’t really given to extravagant gestures, but something about this necklace was screaming ‘buy me!’, and she nodded slightly.  Hell, if she couldn’t use some of her wealth recklessly, what was the point in having it?  Besides, Jon had been such a support to her recently, she felt like she wanted to surprise him with something crazy and weird and over-the-top, and this certainly fit the bill.

 

“I’ll take it.”  She said, smiling at the girl.  “I just hope he likes it.”

 

“I’m sure he’ll love it.”  The girl agreed, though privately not so sure - it wasn’t something she could imagine many men wearing and it looking ‘right’.  “He’ll feel like a rockstar wearing this!”

 

It wasn’t easy, but Kyra managed to swallow her laugh at that, just handing over her credit card, the girl apologising as she had to follow store protocol and call through to the issuing bank for authorisation of the large amount.  That done, she gave Kyra the small - but very, very expensive - bag of jewelry and wished her a pleasant day as she left the store.

 

Looking at her watch, Kyra discovered that her slow wanderings around the town meant she’d not be able to ride to the venue with Jon and the guys, but she should hopefully make it in time to see them before they hit the stage.  She lengthened her stride as she headed back to the hotel, entering the foyer just after four thirty, and she went straight up to the room to take a fast shower and change into something a bit more concert-worthy.

 

She blow-dried her hair and pulled on tight black pants and a baby pink camisole, but was forced to just drop her new necklace into her purse when the tiny catch defeated her attempts to fasten it.  Hopefully Jon could take a second to do it for her.  She called reception for a cab to the venue then applied a fast coat of mascara and a slick of lipgloss before heading for the door, leaving Jon’s gifts for their return.  Her cab dropped her at the rear gate of the venue, over the driver’s reluctance since he knew this area was for official vehicles and staff only, but Kyra reassured him and sent him on his way, walking up to the gate and the burly guard.

 

“Wrong door, darlin’.”  The guard said as she approached.  “You can’t come in here.”

 

“I’m looking for Steve.”  She told him, with an attitude that said she had every right to be there. 

 

Unfortunately for Kyra, though, the guard was well-accustomed to groupies who thought they could sweet-talk or bullshit their way into the backstage area, and it took her a few minutes of patient insistence before he reached for his radio.

 

“Once he tells me he doesn’t know you, will you go away?”  He grunted, certain of himself as he keyed the switch.  “Gate to Steve.”

 

“Go ahead.”  Even through the radio Kyra could recognise the voice, and she prayed Jon had made the guy aware of her arrival, and that he’d remember her.

 

“I got a chick here, says she’s looking for you.”  The guard said.

 

“Is she hot?  If she’s not hot, I’m not interested.”  Steve either didn’t know - or didn’t care - that Kyra could hear every word, but any anger was mollified a little by the instant response.

 

“Hell, yeah.  That’s why I don’t think she knows you.  Name’s……..”  He looked across.

 

“Kyra.”

 

“Name’s Kyra.”

 

“Aw, shit.”  Steve now realised his boss’s lady had heard every word.  “Brunette, right?  Maybe a bandage on her right hand?”

 

The guard raised his eyebrows.  Or maybe that should’ve been eyebrow, singular, Kyra thought.

 

“To a ‘t’.  So you do know her.”

 

“Yeah.  I’m on my way.”

 

Just a couple of minutes later, Steve appeared at a jog, smiling as he stopped in front of Kyra.

 

“Hi.  Sorry - I totally forgot Jon told me you’d be coming here later.  C’mon in.”

 

“S’okay, Steve.  I know you must be run off your feet at this time.”

 

The guard watched the exchange with a confused frown.  “Steve, how the fuck did you get a girl like this?”  He asked, and Steve answered as Kyra giggled.

 

“I didn’t, asshole.  This is Kyra, and she’s with the boss.”

 

Light finally dawned, and the guard colored slightly.  “Oh.  Sorry to keep you back, miss.”

 

“It’s fine.”  Kyra laughed, then winked wickedly.  “But if any other girls come around, saying they’re with Jon……”

 

She and Steve left the guard laughing at that as they headed into the hallways of the venue, down to the dressing room in search of Jon.

 

64

 

Reaching the dressing room, Steve thumped a fist against the door before opening it to peer inside.

 

“You guys decent?”  He yelled.  “Got a lady here who wants to come in.”

 

The door was suddenly yanked wide open, Richie peeping around the edge with a grin.

 

“That’s no lady.”  He quipped, continuing before he found himself in too much trouble.  “That’s an angel.  Come on in, darlin’ - Kidd’s just getting dressed.”

 

“Thanks, Steve.”  Kyra smiled as the guy stepped aside to let her in, and he just nodded a polite acknowledgement as he closed the door.

 

By the time the door closed, Kyra was wrapped in Richie’s bearhug, and when he let her loose the other three grabbed her for their hugs, too.  Just as Hugh - always the last one to step forward - released her, Jon bounced through from the back room, dressed in stage clothes of tight black leather pants and a black ‘body glove’ sleeveless top, carrying a pale leather jacket with Native American style quills decorating the front.

 

“Baby!”  He exclaimed, tossing the jacket onto a couch and crossing to her with swift strides.  “You made it!”

 

“Uh-huh.” 

 

They kissed hello, but briefly, mindful of the four sets of eyes watching them with amusement.  As Jon let go of her and stepped back, Kyra chuckled softly, and he tilted his head.

 

“What?”

 

“Nothing.”  She lied.  Even though she was pretty comfortable in front of his friends, there was no way she was giving voice to what had just flashed through her mind, a rather naughty thought which revolved around her teeth and the laces on his pants.  “I’ll tell you later.”

 

“Yeah - don’t go corrupting our poor, innocent minds with your dirty ideas!”  Richie told her with as serious an expression as he could ever manage, and Kyra snorted with laughter.

 

“Yeah.  Right.  You and innocent - really not two words that go together!”

 

While the rest of the guys laughed at Richie, Jon tugged at Kyra’s camisole, straightening it slightly.

 

“Did you want to be down in the crowd tonight?”  He asked softly.  “I arranged with Steve, if you wanted, that he’ll get you down into the front row, then bring you back here after the show.”

 

“I’d like that.”  Kyra said, then smirked and pulled his ear to her lips.  “Because if I’m on the side of the stage tonight, I won’t be able to stop myself thinking about untying those laces on your pants.  With my teeth.”

 

Fortunately, the laughter still echoing around the room covered Jon’s soft groan, and he stepped back from her with a warning look in his eyes.  Grinning, Kyra dug into her purse to find the little jewelry box that held her new necklace.

 

“Could you help me with this?”  She asked.  “My wounded paw can’t quite manage.”

 

“Sure, baby.”  Jon took the box, opening it and smiling at the pretty pendant.  “Treated yourself, I see.  Turn around.”

 

While Kyra held her hair out of the way, Jon clipped the pendant around her neck, then took a gentle hold of her right hand when she turned to face him again.

 

“What happened?”  He asked.  “You had to bandage it again?”

 

“Oh, it’s okay really.  Just started to ache, so I bought this bandage and strapped it up.  No biggie.”

 

“Mm-hm.”  Jon mumbled, sounding completely unconvinced, and Kyra poked his stomach with her left hand so that he grunted a laugh.  “Okay, cowgirl.  Lemme get Steve to take you to your seat.”

 

Jon looked out into the hallway, yelling for Steve, who appeared moments later.  A brief conversation, then Jon gave Kyra another hug and kiss before sending her away with the big security guard.

 

Steve led Kyra to the side of the stage, speaking quickly to one of his security staff as he took her through the barriers.  He took her to the prime seat, front and center, right under the white mic stand, and with his lips up to her ear against the noise around them, he told her to just wait right there after the show, and he’d come get her.  When he walked away, Kyra could feel the mixture of curiosity and resentment from the women around her, but it was only a few minutes more before the house lights dimmed and the crowd forgot all about the woman in their midst who clearly had some kind of pull with the band.

 

Tonight, Kyra got to experience Jovi the way it was meant to be seen, as up close and personal as most fans could ever hope to be, though she felt her hackles rise slightly when Jon sang down to her with that devastating crooked grin and she heard the girl behind her yell to her companion that ‘Oh my God, he’s singing to me!’.  Kyra tamped down hard on the jealous anger she felt, knowing he was singing to her, and even if he wasn’t, she was the one who’d be sharing his bed that night, which was so much more important than who shared his attention on stage.

 

After the show, Kyra - as instructed - stayed where she was, just lifting her feet onto the seat to let the rest of the crowd pass.  The row was just about empty when Steve appeared on the other side of the barrier.

 

“Hey Kyra - ready to go?”

 

“Yep.  Guess I need to wait for the crowd to ease a bit, though.”  She gestured at the solid press of people between her and the gated section of barrier.  “Unless……”

 

The barrier wasn’t all that high, and she reached across with her left hand, steadying herself on Steve’s shoulder.  “Gimme a hand?”

 

Chuckling, he stretched over the barrier, gripping her waist and lifting, until Kyra was able to hook one leg, then the other, over the barrier, sliding down to her feet on the other side.  Steve let go of her, laughing, and led her backstage again.  When they reached the dressing room, he again checked it was ‘safe’ for her to enter, finding the room empty, the sound of friendly abuse being yelled in the back room telling them the guys were in the showers already.  He left her there, and Kyra said goodbye then helped herself to a beer from the cooler, settling on one of the couches to wait.

 

The guys emerged one at a time, fully dressed, though Jon’s hair was still dripping-wet, as Kyra discovered when he shook his head over her like a dog.  They all sat around for a little while, this time leaving the venue en masse, heading back to the hotel.  Richie and Dave headed for the bar, but Tico and Hugh pleaded tiredness and went to their rooms.  Kyra and Jon didn’t even give an explanation, but just said goodnight and headed for the elevator as soon as they hit the foyer, ignoring Richie’s teasing shouts as they left.

 

When they reached the room, Jon pulled Kyra in for a deep, satisfying kiss, releasing her slowly and with great reluctance.

 

“I bought you something.”  Kyra murmured, pulling free of his arms and crossing to the bed, picking up the bag which held the sweater.

 

“You didn’t need to…”  Jon told her, but he took the bag anyway, pulling out the sweater and holding it up.  “Hey - I love it!  Thank you.”

 

He reached for her with one hand, pulling her close again to kiss her, then Kyra eased away again, a bit more nervous over her second gift.  Jon wore a faded denim shirt, half buttoned, exposing the mat of chest hair that she found so fascinating.

 

“I bought you something else.”  She said, opening the nightstand drawer where she’d laid the jewelry store bag and bringing out the box.  “And I just hope you like it, too.”

 

“Baby…….”  Jon hesitated, recognising that it was a jewelry box and wondering what the hell she’d bought him.  “You don’t need to……”

 

“Hush.”  Kyra said firmly, holding the box carefully in her right hand, her left fingers covering his mouth.  “You’ve been so good to me - with me - since everything that’s happened, and when I saw this I could see you wearing it.  And don’t go panicking over me buying you jewelry - I know you wear pendants, and I liked this one.  I wanted to buy it for you, I could afford to buy it for you, and I want you to have it - if you don’t like it, you don’t need to wear it - hell, you don’t even need to keep it.  But it’s just a gift, Jon, me to you.  No strings, no expectations.  Just………aw, dammit, will you just open it already?!”

 

Smiling, he took the box from her, giving her a lingering kiss before he even opened it.  When he did open it, Jon raised his eyebrows in surprise - he wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but this wasn’t it.  The black velvet interior of the box perfectly set off the bright white metal - he was assuming white gold or platinum - and the sparking fire of the diamonds that crusted the skull pendant.  The chain was the same metal, biggish loops that were a curious mixture of delicate and totally masculine.  Without even touching it, Jon knew the necklace had cost a lot, but he knew Kyra could afford it, and her little speech told him she wasn’t going to brook any refusal of her gift.

 

“It’s………..wow!”  Jon lifted it from the box, unsurprised by the weight of it.  “Not something I’d have picked out myself, but……..”  The chain had no clip, but was big enough he could just drop it over his head, and he did that now, stepping toward a mirror to see how it looked.  “Damn, you have good taste, baby.  I love it.”

 

“Whew!”  Kyra breathed.  “I wasn’t sure if you’d like it.  It was funny, though - the girl in the store said that a guy would feel like a rockstar wearing it.”

 

“And do I?”  Jon smirked, Kyra walking over instantly, smoothing her palm down over his crotch.

 

“Yeah………you do……….”  She murmured as Jon’s lips met hers.

 

65

 

“Oh sweet Jesus!”  Kyra whimpered brokenly, grabbing at Jon’s hair.

 

His ‘thank you’ kisses hadn’t stayed on her lips for long, as he’d reminded her of how she’d thanked him for her babydoll, and led her across to the bed.  Slowly - so slowly it was almost painful - he’d stripped her of her clothes, tender kisses following each item as it slipped from her body, then he’d pushed her down to sit on the very edge of the mattress as he opened the nightstand drawer and dropped a condom to the floor, ripping the foil open in readiness.  He’d gently smacked away her hands when she reached for him, stepping back out of reach to take off his own clothes, coming back to her wearing nothing but the skull necklace.

 

Jon had dropped to his knees, pulling her even further to the edge of the bed, then torturing her with his slow, deliberate approach as he kissed every inch - hell, every fraction of an inch - of her thighs on his way to her pussy.  Before his lips even touched the softly furred mound, Kyra was whimpering with frustration, juices dripping from her to betray just how excited she was.  Jon’s tongue flicked out, lapping across her swollen lips, catching the taste of her, chuckling when she bucked against him, her thighs spread wide on his shoulders.

 

That was when the soft, blasphemous words had blurted from her lips, Kyra writhing helplessly on the bed, not quite sure whether she loved Jon for the pleasure he was giving her or hated him for prolonging the torturous climb to release.

 

“Please, Jon……”  She whimpered again.  “Please…..”

 

“Please what, baby?”  He asked, looking up from between her thighs, wincing as her grip on his hair pulled him closer again.

 

“Please………”  Kyra whispered again, blushing as she looked down and met his glittering eyes.  “Make me cum, Jonny……..let me………”

 

“Are you sure?”  He smirked, letting her pull him in, flickering his tongue against her clit.  “You don’t want me to keep you waiting?  Keep you right here on the edge?”  Another swift touch on her clit, a soft breath blowing over her immediately after the contact.  “Might be fun to see how long I can hold you here…….”  A kiss on her clit, then another soft breath on her hot flesh.

 

“You bastard….”  Kyra moaned, yanking on his hair now.  “Damn you, Jon………oh, fuuuuck…”

 

Her words failed when he drove his tongue deep inside her, then drew it slowly out, now assaulting her clit as two fingers pushed into her body instead, slowly driving her higher with mouth and fingers. 

 

He’d made himself a promise that this time was all about Kyra - no matter how desperately he wanted to be inside her, he was determined to utterly satisfy her first, to know that he’d given her as much pleasure as she gave him every time she took him into her mouth.  Her moans and whimpers guided him, and every time he felt her hands tightening in his hair, he backed off a tiny bit, making her wait until the hunger was burning through her, and he wondered dimly where her mind went at those moments, because he knew that when she loved him this way, his own mind could take only so much before his thoughts were just a mass of pleasure and desperate need. 

 

He slid his hand back, carefully thrusting three fingers into her now, Kyra’s back arching at the sensation, and Jon’s lips, tongue and teeth played on her clit with devastating skill.  Panting, sobbing for breath, Kyra managed to free her left hand from Jon’s hair, reaching to his shoulder.

 

“Jon!”  She gasped helplessly, almost frightened by the strength of what she was feeling, and somehow he understood, bringing his free hand up to lace his fingers through hers, Kyra clinging to his hand as she screamed his name, just repeating it as an almost unbearably intense orgasm ripped through her, her brain blanking for long moments of everything except the man on his knees before her.

 

As the pulsing of the flesh under his lips, around his fingers, began to ease, Jon slid his soaked fingers out from inside Kyra, fumbling for the opened condom he’d left on the floor, fingers trembling with need as he awkwardly rolled it over his aching dick with one hand.  With Kyra’s fingers still laced through his, Jon kissed her clit again, feeling her buck at the touch, then he rose higher, just pushing her around until her trembling legs were on the bed then laying himself gratefully between them as her hand finally released his.

 

He slid himself into the slick flesh, Kyra moaning again as he stretched her, the contact of coarse hair against her clit like an electric shock to the overstimulated bud.  She could felt the cool metal of the skull slide up her body as Jon entered her, the pendant coming to rest between her breasts as he reached as deep into her as he could go.  As Jon began to thrust gently into her, the skull slid further forward, until it lay against her own necklace, right at the hollow of her throat.  Another orgasm was already starting to overwhelm her, and Kyra brought her hands onto Jon’s back, clinging to him as he made love to her, her moans swallowed in his kiss. 

 

Jon felt Kyra thrusting her hips against him, the pulsing clench around him as she came again, and his own orgasm, held back so long while he’d satisfied her, was explosive, racking the muscles of his back into hard bands as his hips pumped against her.  When he gathered the strength to lift his head again, he saw the tracks of tears down her face, but when he tried to speak, to ask if he’d hurt her, Kyra swept her hand around to close his lips with a gentle finger, shaking her head and smiling blissfully.

 

Carefully, already knowing she enjoyed the feeling, Jon let himself relax down onto Kyra, hearing her contented purr and feeling her hand stroking his hair tenderly.

 

Kyra’s whole body ached from the spasms that had rippled through her muscles, but the weight of Jon on her felt so good, she couldn’t bear to ask him to move.  When he finally did, easing back to slide out of her, she whimpered again, quickly reassuring him when he looked at her in concern.

 

“I’m fine, baby.”  She murmured, then grinned deliciously.  “Okay - that was a serious understatement.  I’m……..I feel sooooo good.”  She touched his face tenderly.  “You made me feel soooo good, baby.  So good I can’t even be mad at you for making me wait!”

 

Jon chuckled, leaning to kiss her. 

 

“It worked then!”  His soft smile said it all, though, and he caressed her hair before getting to his feet.  “Be right back.”

 

While Jon was in the bathroom, there was a familiarly rude banging on the door, and Kyra moaned as she rolled to the edge of the bed, looking around for something to put on and just grabbing Jon’s denim shirt, pulling it on and just holding it shut as she stumbled on shaky legs to the door.  On tiptoes, she checked through the peephole, seeing it definitely was Richie, and just as she began to open the door she heard Jon emerge from the bathroom.

 

“Who is………..oh, no fuckin’ way!”

 

“Uh-huh.”  She murmured, turning to look at him with a devilish gleam in her eyes.  “How do I look?”

 

Jon smirked.  Her hair was mussed around her and her lips puffed with the violence of their kisses.  Tiny red marks dotted her exposed thighs, legacy of the gentle bites he’d left on her skin, and even from here he could see her thigh muscles still trembling slightly.

 

“You look like you’ve just been screaming my name.”  He grinned, just leaning against the wall, letting her deal with Richie.  “You look like you just came, baby.”

 

“Good.”  She winked, opening the door and gazing up at Richie.  “Uh-huh?”  She said huskily, blinking drowsily at him.

 

“Shit.”  Richie breathed almost inaudibly, his plan of disturbing them turning against him, but he grinned at her, realising she knew exactly how she looked.  “Yeah - I just came…..”  He stumbled over the word, reddening as he heard Jon’s laugh from somewhere in the room.  “I just came to ask you to keep the noise down, angel.  Some of us are tryin’ to get to sleep, and you were screamin’ so loud…….”

 

“Blame Jon.”  Kyra pouted at him.  “All his fault.”

 

“Glad to hear it.”  Richie winked at her, then raised his voice.  “Kidd - will you try to get at least some sleep tonight?  We do gotta work tomorrow, remember.”

 

“Maybe it was a little bit my fault.”  Kyra admitted.  “He was saying thank you for a gift I bought him.”

 

Richie laughed.  “I don’t even wanna know.”  He smiled at her, more brotherly than teasing now.  “G’night angel.”

 

“G’night, Rich.”  She reached onto her tip-toes to kiss his cheek.  “Sweet dreams.”

 

“Sweet dreams of your own woman.”  Jon clarified, stepping from behind the door wearing a pair of shorts, and Richie flipped him the finger.

 

“Go to……..whoa!”  Richie - as much of a magpie as Kyra - spotted the sparkling skull on Jon’s chest.  “Where’d you get that?”

 

“That’s what he was saying thank you for.”  Kyra explained with a smile.

 

“I can see why.”  Richie grinned at her.  “You have great taste in jewelry, darlin’.  Not so sure about your taste in men, though!”

 

“I don’t know…….he tastes good to me.”  She told him, and at that Richie stepped back, shaking his head with a broad grin.

 

“And on that note, I’m outta here!”

 

66

 

Richie walked away and Jon pushed the door shut, then pushed Kyra against it, grinning at her.

 

“You hungry?”

 

“Nope.”  Kyra shook her head, blinking up at him.  “I’m sleepy.  You wore me out, baby.”

 

“Awww.”  He kissed her lightly.  “Let’s go to bed, then.”

 

At the bed, Kyra tossed Jon’s shirt to the floor again, where she’d found it, and he dropped his shorts on top of the warm denim before joining her under the rumpled covers.  They fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms, both naked except for their new jewelry, sleeping soundly and peacefully until sunlight began to filter through the windows, easing them both awake at the same time.

 

There was another show that night, then next morning they loaded into the black SUVs - Richie, Dave, Tico and Hugh climbing into one as Jon hung back slightly, then he smirked at them, still holding Kyra’s hand.

 

“Well, look at that.”  He grinned.  “There isn’t room in there for both of us.  Guess we’re travelling alone, darlin’.”  That to Kyra.

 

“Like you didn’t do that on purpose.”  Dave grumbled with a grin.  “Guess we’ll see you kids in………oh, wherever the hell we’re going!”

 

“Camden.”  Richie supplied, as usual having a better idea of their schedule than the rest of the guys.

 

Jon and Kyra travelled snuggled together in the back of the other car, talking softly about nothing in particular, until they arrived at the next hotel.  By the time they got to Jon’s room, their luggage was already there, courtesy of the well-oiled Jovi tour machine, and there was just time for a quick lunch before the guys had soundcheck at tonight’s venue.

 

Next night was to be a night off for the band, a rare thing during a tour, so after that night’s show they all headed out to a club, spending a few hours - until the dawn was turning the sky to pale amber - relaxing and getting fairly drunk.  Kyra was no exception - though she didn’t get to the totally drunk stage, she went past merry and straight to horny, finally curling onto Jon’s lap and purring in his ear, telling him what she wanted to do with him - what she wanted him to do with her - when they got back to the room.  Finally, before he did something they’d both regret doing in a public place, and especially in front of the band, he silenced her with a kiss, his tongue deep in her mouth as Kyra kissed him back just as hungrily.

 

“Get a fuckin’ room.”  Richie said, barely slurring his words despite the amount of Grey Goose he’d put away tonight.

 

“Great idea.”  It was Kyra who answered him, smirking across the table.  “Come on, rockstar.”

 

She slid off Jon’s lap, reaching for his hand, and he let her pull him to his feet, grinning.

 

“Let’s go, cowgirl.  G’night boys.”

 

There was a drunken chorus of ‘good nights’, along with some smuttier comments, and Jon slung his arm over Kyra’s shoulders as they headed for the door.

 

The club was a little bit away from the hotel, so Jon waved down a cab and they half-fell into the backseat, continuing their kiss on the way to the hotel, then making their way more-or-less straight to the room, with only a couple of pauses to kiss in quiet hallways.

 

Inside the room, their kisses became even hungrier, and they stumbled their way to the bed while stripping each other of their clothes.  Falling onto the mattress naked, Kyra landed on top of Jon, her hair tumbling around both their heads as she kissed him, straddling his body, feeling his hot hands on her ass before they slid to her waist and halted suddenly.

 

“Shit.”  He broke their kiss.  “Wait.”

 

Laughing, he lifted Kyra off him and dropped her onto her back on the bed, and she lay watching him with sparkling eyes as he dug into the nightstand drawer, finding the little box Kyra had dumped there earlier and grabbing out a condom.  Once that was dealt with, he turned back to her, lust glittering in his eyes as he caught hold of her feet, spreading her legs wide and crawling up between them with that crooked grin hanging on his lips.

 

Dropping his hips over her, Jon let the tip of his erection brush between the wet, swollen lips, teasing for a second as Kyra reached for him.  She moved beneath him, trying to get him inside her, moaning in frustration as he held back.

 

“Please, Jon……….don’t make me beg………”  She grinned suddenly.  “Don’t make me hurt you!”

 

Chuckling, he gave in to her pleading eyes, pressing slowly forward until her body enfolded his entire length then stopping.

 

“God, you’re beautiful.”  He murmured, kissing her softly, then starting to move, thrusting gently in long, slow strokes.

 

“So are you, rockstar.”  Kyra whispered against his lips, then pulled his ear to her mouth, sucking on earlobe and earring at once.

 

Jon kept to the steady rhythm, feeling Kyra tighten herself around him, then she released his flesh from her mouth to speak again.

 

“Jon………”

 

“Uh-huh?”

 

“Fuck me, Jon.”  Her eyes were hungry as she blinked up at him.  “Fuck me.”

 

He growled low in his throat, an almost silent refusal as he shook his head slightly, though he did drive into her just a little bit harder, speeding his thrusts, too.  Kyra moaned - he had already brought her very close to the edge - but she wanted more this time.  She wanted to feel him lose control, to feel him pounding against her like he had before, but even as he pushed her higher toward orgasm, she could feel him holding himself back, restraining his natural impulse despite her request.

 

“Jon…..”  Kyra tried to force him, grabbing onto his ass and jabbing her fingernails into the bunching muscle, but though he grunted at the pain he held control, dropping his mouth onto hers, partly to taste her mouth, and partly to hide from the scrutiny of her eyes.

 

Jon reached one hand under her, gripping onto her ass and pulling her leg up onto his hip, and as the position spread her wider he felt her trembling, the new contact against her clit bringing her to orgasm now.  Kyra whimpered as the pleasure hit her, lifting her hands onto Jon’s back, just clinging to him as he rode her through her climax, feeling him cumming as a second orgasm washed over her, then he slowly stopped moving, kissing her tenderly again as they both panted.

 

After a few minutes of necessary recovery, Jon eased himself out of Kyra.

 

“I’ll be right back.”  He said, heading toward the bathroom.

 

She lay on the bed, rolling her head to watch him walk away, biting on her lip as tears threatened.  When Jon emerged from the bathroom a few short minutes later, Kyra was under the cover, curled on her side, and he got into bed with her.

 

“Baby?”  He whispered, touching her shoulder, but there was no response, and he smiled in the dim room, reaching to flip off the light before sliding up close behind her, wrapping his arm across her waist to hold her close as she slept.

 

In the now-dark room, Kyra opened her eyes as she felt his arm around her, felt his warm breath on her shoulder.  She held back the tears, but sleep wasn’t going to come to her tonight as her brain churned relentlessly, and when she felt Jon totally relaxed against her, obviously asleep, she laid her hand gently over his where it rested on her belly, her mind still racing.

67

 

That morning, Jon woke late, which wasn’t surprising given the time they’d gone to bed.  The room, though, was still dim, the curtains drawn almost all the way across the windows, and as he rolled onto his back he became suddenly aware that he was alone in the bed.

 

“Baby?”  He sat up, scrubbing his hands sleepily through his hair as he looked toward the bathroom, seeing the door ajar and the light off. 

 

“Hi.”  A soft voice from over by the window, and he swung around to look.

 

Kyra was sitting in the armchair by the window, one of the spare blankets from the closet wrapped around her body, her feet up on the seat as though she was hugging her knees.

 

“What’s wrong?”  Jon moved to the edge of the bed, sensing something very wrong in her posture.  “Are you okay?”

 

“Oh, I’m fine.”  Her voice sounded anything but fine, distant and somehow……faded was the only description Jon could come up with.

 

“That was convincing.” 

 

He got out of the bed and walked over to her, now seeing the marks of long-dried tears on her face.  At the chair, Jon dropped onto his knees, looking up at her.

 

“Talk to me, cowgirl.”  He said gently.

 

Kyra opened her mouth, then closed it again, pressing her lips together as she looked away, but Jon tugged at the blanket, finding her foot and wrapping his fingers around it, needing to touch her.

 

“Stoppit, Kyra.”  He insisted.  “C’mon - we agreed - doesn’t matter whether you think I’ll like hearing it or not - don’t hide from me, darlin’.”  A gentle rub on her foot.  “Please.”

 

She sighed, looking at him again, wanting nothing more than to throw the blanket to the floor and let him make love to her until all her worries faded into insignificance, but she knew she’d made her decision, and delaying wouldn’t make it any easier.

 

“I………dammit………last night, Jon.  Well, this morning, I guess……..”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“I asked you…….asked you to fuck me, but you wouldn’t……..you didn’t…..”  A single tear escaped.  “Jared’s won, hasn’t he?”

 

“What?!”  Jon was shocked.  “What d’you mean, Kyra?”

 

“You knew what I wanted, how I wanted - but you wouldn’t do it, because of him.”

 

“I just……..”  Jon thought about it.  “I don’t want to hurt you, or scare you, Kyra.  I don’t want you thinking I’m like him……forcing you…..”

 

“But you weren’t forcing me, Jon.  Don’t you see?  There’s a difference - a whole world of difference - between….between rough sex - fucking - call it what you want - and rape.”

 

“Is there?  If I let myself lose control, Kyra, if I let go, I’m afraid - if you asked me to stop - that I wouldn’t listen - that I’d think you were just playing the game……”  His eyes were pained.  “I couldn’t handle that, baby.  Couldn’t handle realising……realising too late…..that you were afraid of me.”

 

“I know.”  She said softly, freeing one hand from the blanket, giving in to her temptation to touch his handsome face.  “I know that, Jonny.” 

 

Jon just gazed up at her, and Kyra steeled herself to say what she needed to say.

 

“I know that.”  She repeated.  “And that’s why I have to leave.”

 

“What?”  His face paled with shock.  “No!  Why, Kyra?!”

 

“Jon……..my darling Jon……..  You’re always going to see two Kyra’s.  You see the one you met - the strong, independent one that you’d fuck in a heartbeat - and you see this one.  The one you feel sorry for.”  She raised her hand when he made to protest.  “I know you still care about me, but you’re making me feel like a victim, Jon, and I can’t deal with that.  It’s better this way - I’ll leave this evening - I’ll leave while we still like each other, before this……this thing rips us apart.”

 

“But I ……….. I love you, Kyra……..”

 

“Then let me go.”

 

“But…….”  Jon tried desperately to think of what to say, how to make her stay, but he was coming up blank.  “Baby, please……talk to me……how can I make this work?”

 

“You can’t, Jon.”  Tears were starting to form, building to drip from her lashes as she looked down at him.  “Please don’t make this harder than it already is.  I need to do this, Jon.  I’ve been thinking about it all night, and no matter how hard you try, when you look at me you see what happened.  I know you do, because when you look at me I can see the worry in your eyes.  It’s like you’re constantly worrying about doing or saying the wrong thing, and it’s making me crazy.”

 

Sitting back on his heels, looking at Kyra, Jon couldn’t honestly argue with what she was saying.  He’d never been conscious of it until now, but he did always have a nagging concern in his mind that something he’d do or say would be the wrong thing.  The last thing he wanted was to lose her, but he could see in her eyes that her mind was made up, and the best thing he could do right now was let her go, let her go home and think things through.  Give them both a chance to think things through, really.

 

“I don’t want you to go.”  He said softly, continuing before she could interrupt.  “I don’t want you to, but I understand, Kyra.  I get what you’re saying, baby - I honestly do - and if this is what you need right now then I won’t stand in your way.”  His hand, still on her foot, gave a gentle shake as he dredged up a muted version of that grin.  “Just know I’m a stubborn sonofabitch, so I can’t guarantee I won’t be knocking on your door sometime.  Anyway, if nothing else, I want us to stay friends, baby.”

 

Kyra let out a relieved sigh, smiling down at him.  “I want us to stay friends, too.  Thank you, Jon.  Thank you for not fighting me on this.  You’ll see - it’s for the best - to end it before we hate each other.”

 

Jon rose onto his knees, reaching out to her, and she understood, leaning forward into his hug, the blanket still between their naked bodies.

 

They hugged for long minutes, then headed into the bathroom, silently taking leave of each other in a poignant shared shower, washing each other down like some kind of ritual bathing before stepping out to dry off.  Jon called down to room service for coffee, and Kyra dressed before packing the rest of her clothes back into her bag.  After that, Kyra called reception to arrange a cab and then made the necessary calls to get a plane ticket back to Nashville.  When she came to sit beside him, Jon cleared his throat.

 

“Do you want me to call Richie?  So you can say goodbye?”

 

“No.”  Kyra said softly, turning sad eyes on Jon.  “I can’t do it, Jon.  I’ve ripped out enough of my heart this morning…….I can’t……I…….”

 

“S’okay.”  He shushed her.  “I’ll tell him.  Just - do me a favor?  Call him when you get home?  He’ll not believe me unless he hears it from you, too.”

 

“Okay.”

 

It was all too soon that reception called to say Kyra’s cab had arrived, and she refused Jon’s offer of coming downstairs with her, just hugging him quickly and grabbing her stuff then leaving the room.  When the door clicked shut, Jon stared at the blank panel for a second, then walked across to throw himself down on the bed, staring blindly at the ceiling, fighting the impulse to run after her.  Finally sitting up again, the diamond skull slid against his chest, and Jon slowly lifted it over his head, looking at the pendant and then finding the box it had been in, laying it carefully back into the velvet and closing the lid.  He was still sitting staring at the sleek box when he heard that all-too-familiar thump on his door, and he walked over slowly.

 

“I didn’t wake you two, I hope.”  Richie grinned, frowning when Jon just walked back into the room without a word.  He followed his friend inside, looking around in confusion.  “Where’s Kyra?”

 

“She’s gone.”  Jon said simply, finally looking at Richie.  “She’s gone home.”

 

“Shit!  She didn’t even say goodbye!”  Richie pouted.  “Is she coming to another show, or are you going there?”

 

“No.  Neither.  When I said she’s gone, bro, I meant she’s gone.”  Jon raised a hand to stop the questions.  “She’s fine.  She just……..we……..shit.  When she looks at me…..when we - y’know - she remembers how we were together before……  Without meaning to, I’m treating her different, and it’s making her feel like…like……..”

 

“Like a victim.”  Richie supplied gently.  “You had to know that could happen, Jon.  Give her time.”

 

“Yeah.”  Jon said softly.  “But I don’t think time’s going to help this one, Rich.”

 

 

 

That had been just over a month ago.  A long, difficult month for Jon, though he’d managed to keep his emotions well in check except when he was alone in his hotel room at night.  Richie hadn’t been able to figure him out.  He hadn’t gone into the deep depression he’d been falling toward when he split with Dot, and he hadn’t gone the opposite route of fucking every groupie he could lay his dick on.  He’d just seemed preoccupied, often spending most of their travelling time staring blindly out of whatever window was closest.  Other than keeping an eye on him, though, Richie let him work it through alone, knowing Jon was a big enough boy to ask for help if he needed it.  After a few weeks, Jon had pulled Richie aside for a chat, bouncing his intention off his best friend, and Richie had - after a bit of persuasion - agreed that Jon was probably doing the right thing.

 

After he’d spoken with Richie, Jon had headed back to his hotel room, taking a beer with him for a little moral support - or Dutch courage - then he’d finally taken a deep breath and picked up the telephone.  It only rang a couple of times, then that beautiful, familiar voice answered.

 

“Hey baby.”  Jon said softly, hearing the surprised gasp at the other end.  “Can we talk?”

 

It had taken most of his powers of persuasion, but Jon had finally convinced her to fly to Cleveland to see him.  Once he got her there, and once the rest of the guys had greeted her like family, he’d taken her up to his room, finding that it took him a fair bit longer to talk his way past her understandable defences, but eventually getting her into his arms, and shortly thereafter into his bed.  The night had been torrid, both driving each other relentlessly in the search for pleasure, and Jon was now lying propped on one elbow, looking down at the dark hair that fell across her face as she slept, exhausted.

 

He reached out and stroked her hair back, gazing at her, then he shook her gently awake.  She came out of sleep slowly, rolling onto her back to look up at him, still slightly bemused that she’d let him talk her into this again.  Jon cleared his throat before whispering to her.

 

“Marry me?”

 

“What?!”  She sat up suddenly, rubbing at her eyes.  “What did you say?”

 

Jon chuckled, then decided to do this the traditional way.  He slid off the bed, reaching to grab her ankle and drag her closer, until she perched on the edge of the mattress, looking down as he moved onto one knee, taking her hands in his, drawing a deep breath.

 

“I said……….would you, Dorothea Rose Hurley, do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

 

68

 

Richie leaned comfortably back in his chair in the quiet bar, long legs stretched out as he talked with his friend.  It was funny - he’d not known Kenny all that long, really, but they’d clicked since the day they met, and these days the crazy country rocker was helping him climb out of that dark place he’d fallen into since Heather filed for divorce.

 

The band were on a bit of a break right now, the Have a Nice Day tour over and the next project barely a glimmer on their creative horizon, so he’d taken off, down to Nashville to play a little.  Of course, the fact that it meant he could spend some time with Kenny was a decided bonus, and it was - as always - great to be in Nashville where nobody really cared who he was.  That was part of the reason that Jon had said they’d record the next record down in Nashville, the record he’d been describing as their ‘country record’.

 

Unusually for him, Richie was dressed in a fairly boring fashion - loose cargo pants and a t shirt, and though he did wear a hat, it wasn’t his beloved stetson style, but a battered ball cap, jammed backward on his head - worn because he wanted to, and not in any attempt at disguise.  Besides, where he sat slouched in his chair, Richie was partially concealed from passers-by, but his attention was distracted suddenly from the funny story Kenny was telling him as a denim clad brunette walked by, heading to the bar.  There was something strangely familiar about the way she moved, and Kenny noticed his preoccupation, laughing raucously.

 

“See something you like, Sambora?”

 

“Huh?”  Richie turned back to his friend.  “Sorry - I just thought I recognised her.”

 

“Her?”  Kenny looked over, raising his eyebrows.  “Too young for you, I’d have thought.  Perfect for me, but she ain’t interested.”

 

“You know her?”

 

“Yeah.  She’s patron of a charity here.”

 

“No fuckin’ way.”  Richie breathed, confusing Kenny.

 

“What?  She don’t look the charitable type?”

 

“What’s her name?” 

 

“Masters.  Kyra Masters.”

 

“Jesus - she never married, huh?”

 

“Okay, now you’re freaking me out.  How do you know she’s not married?”

 

“I used to know her.”  Richie said softly, remembering back a dozen years to when he’d known her. 

 

“Yeah?  Well, I haven’t known her all that long - from what I’ve heard, she split with some guy years ago - I mean, like a decade ago - and she never got over him.”

 

“Shit.”  Richie whispered again.  “I’ll be back, buddy.”

 

He levered himself from the chair, walking across to the bar, seeing her reflection and confirming he’d been right.  Moving up close behind her, he dropped a hand in front of her eyes, growling in her ear.

 

“Punched out any rockstars lately, angel?”

 

“Wha….?”  Kyra spun around, her face lighting up when she saw it was really him.  “Richie!  Oh my God!”

 

He grabbed her in a bearhug, Kyra’s arms around his neck as they clung to each other for minutes, until Richie finally put her down again.

 

“What are you doing here, your Highness?”  She smirked, and Richie grinned as he looked at her, seeing barely a change from the last time he’d seen her, back in ninety-five.

 

“I’m just here killin’ time with Kenny.”  He gestured to where his bemused friend sat, and Kyra waved to him.

 

“I can’t believe you’re here!  How did you know it was me?”

 

“Believe it or not, I recognised the way you walk.”  Richie admitted.  “I didn’t think it could be, but then Kenny told me your name.  You never married, huh?”

 

“Uh, no, I……”

 

“According to Kenny - who is, you gotta know, more of a gossip than most women - you split with a guy years ago and never got over him……?”

 

“I had to, Richie.”  She said, remembering the heartbreak of that time.  “I had to leave him.  Anyway, he got married to Dorothea, and they’ve been happy-ever-after, so it was for the best.”

 

“Yeah, sure.”  He snorted softly, and Kyra tilted her head with a frown.

 

“What is it, Richie?”  She asked.  “What’s wrong?  Is Jon okay?”

 

And that was it.  As soon as those words escaped, Richie knew she still loved Jon, and he knew he was going to tell her the truth that hadn’t yet come out.

 

“Darlin’.”  He began, lowering his voice.  “Jon and Dot are divorcing, Kyra.  They’ve been thinking about it for a while - let’s just say their marriage isn’t all it seems - hasn’t been for a few years.”  He grinned.  “According to Dot, she got tired of competing with an undead ghost.”

 

“A what?”  Kyra didn’t get it.

 

“Jon still loves you, Kyra.”  Richie explained, seeing her blanch at that.  “Yeah, he married Dot, and they’ve been happy for years, with each other, then with the kids, but he still loves you, and she knows it.  Hell  - you said once you didn’t know much of our stuff - that still true?” 

 

Kyra blushed, shaking her head.  “It was my only way of staying close to him, Richie.  I probably own everything you guys have put out there.”

 

Chuckling, Richie just smiled at her.  “You two are perfect for each other!  Anyway, Jon wrote a song about you - it never made an album, but we put it on the boxset.  He called it ‘The One That Got Away’.”

 

A tear trickled down Kyra’s cheek, and Richie gently wiped it away.  “Why don’t you come back up to Jersey with me?”

 

“No.”  She shook her head firmly.  “If - when - he’s free and single, I’ll think about it, but I won’t get involved while he’s married, Richie.  Whether that marriage is strong or not, I won’t get in the middle.” 

 

Before she could say more, her cellphone buzzed, and she looked at the display.  “I’m sorry - I have to go, Richie.  I have a meeting.”

 

She tried to walk away, but he blocked her.  “Give me your number.  I’ll call you when the divorce is done.”

 

After a hesitation, Kyra grabbed a napkin and wrote her number on it, handing it to Richie.  He pocketed it then hugged her again.

 

“I missed you, angel.”  He whispered into her ear.

 

“I missed you, too, Rich.”  Kyra kissed his cheek.  “Now I gotta go!”

 

Richie went back to Kenny, giving him a very brief outline of how he knew Kyra, then a few days later he was back up in Jersey.  He kept in touch with Kyra, calling her periodically, then one day he just called to tell her to watch a particular TV show that night.  Mystified, she did, flipping onto the channel and listening to the presenter announce that Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora were to be interviewed next, and she settled back in her chair.  Minutes later, when they walked out, she almost fell off the chair as she bolted forward at the sight of a familiarly sparkling necklace around Jon’s neck.  Moving across to the TV, Kyra was astounded to see she’d been right - he was wearing the skull necklace she’d bought him.

 

During the interview, Jon confirmed - albeit a little uncomfortably - that, yes, he and his wife were divorcing, but that it was amicable.  His next statement shocked Kyra almost as much as his choice of jewelry, as he explained that the band were headed down to Nashville to work on their new record.  Nobody else watching would have understood it, but Kyra did, when Richie looked straight at the camera and winked with a slight smile.

 

Two nights later, Kyra’s cell rang as she was finishing making dinner, the display showing ‘Richie’, and she flipped the phone open with a smile.

 

“Hi there.”

 

“Hey cowgirl.”

 

Her legs somehow turned instantly to rubber, and she leaned on the counter helplessly.

 

“Rockstar?”

 

“That’s me, baby.”

 

“Oh my God.”  She breathed, away from the phone, then spoke normally.  “How are you?”

 

“Oh, y’know.  You still living at the ranch?”

 

“Uh-huh.  Why?”

 

“Because I’m standing on your front porch.  Come let me in, darlin’.”

 

“Let yourself in.”  Kyra was smiling now.  “You know it’s never locked.  I’m in the kitchen.”

 

She heard the door open, and there wasn’t even a hesitation in the footsteps that headed toward the kitchen.  Kyra opened the fridge, grabbing out a couple of bottles of beer, bumping the door shut just as the footsteps stopped.  Jon was standing in the doorway, gazing at her, and the hunger in his eyes shocked her.

 

“Do you still drink beer?”  She asked, waving the bottles.  “Do you want one?”

 

Jon walked over to her, dropping his cellphone - or, rather, Richie’s cellphone - onto the table.

 

“Screw the beer.”  He murmured, taking the bottles from her and laying them aside.  “I want you.”

 

As his mouth closed over hers, Kyra caught the still-familiar scent of him, and she whimpered as she opened her mouth, letting him in, somehow feeling as though it had been twelve hours since they’d last kissed, not twelve years.  Jon groaned at the taste of her, familiar and beautifully strange, then he lifted his mouth a fraction.

 

“Your bedroom hasn’t moved, has it?”

 

“Nuh-uh.”  Kyra lifted one hand, lightly touching the sparkling diamond skull.  “You kept it.”

 

“Damned right I did, baby.  I never wore it, because every time I looked at it I remembered, but when Dot and I decided to call it a day……and I heard you might still…….”

 

“And do we have to thank the King for that bit of gossip?”

 

“Yeah.”  He had the grace to blush.  “Does it bother you?”

 

She didn’t even answer, just brought her lips to his again, and Jon picked her up, carrying her upstairs where they spent the rest of the night and most of the next day, re-acquainting themselves with each other until neither of them had an ounce of energy left. 

 

Six months later, just before the Lost Highway record turned into an irresistible whirlwind of concerts, Kyra and Jon were married.

 

THE END