Chapter Eighteen

Her eyes were dark with desire as she gazed into his and she laughed quietly. “Don’t tempt me.”

“I’m serious,” he answered. “Get me the hell out of this hotel.”

“And just how do you propose we do that? It’s not like we can just tell everyone we’re leaving and then walk out together. Not to mention, the lobby is full of fans.” Who all have cameras.

His hand toyed with a lock of hair at her temple and he smiled softly. “Oh, I have a plan.” He brought his mouth to hers again. “And an escape route.”

“Well I’m game if you are. Tell me what to do.”

He chuckled. “Can I hold you to that all night?”

“Maybe,” she teased, swatting his ass playfully. “Now let’s get the wheels in motion before I start ripping your clothes off right here.”

He groaned. “The minute we’re behind locked doors, woman, we’ll see who’s ripping whose clothes off.” He smiled. “Okay, here’s the plan. We have to go back in there for a bit. Then I’ll announce I’m calling it a night. You hang out for a little while longer, trying not to seduce Richie while you’re at it,” he added, winking.

He continued. “You have your cell with you?” She nodded. “Okay. Put it on vibrate and keep it somewhere you can feel it. I’ll call you when I’m ready; you don’t have to answer but just take that as your cue.”

“Okay,” she answered, impressed with his plan but still not sure where it was leading.

“Bid your good-byes and go claim your car from the valet—just give them your name. Then, drive around the block to the employee entrance. I’m having one of the managers sneak me out down the service elevator and through the kitchen.”

“Ooh, very sneaky. I like it.”

He smiled. “I’ll put a do not disturb on both my phone and my door so no one will be the wiser.” He kissed her one more time before pulling away from her. “Okay. I’m going out first. Wait a few minutes before you come back in.”

He opened the door a crack, checking to see if all was clear before looking back at her with a wink. “Hang on to that thought about ripping my clothes off.”

Count on it. She waited a few more minutes and then followed him, taking her seat at the table. She pulled her cell phone out of her purse and slid it into the front pocket of her jeans. Tico had joined the table in her absence and introductions were made, then they sat visiting and joking for another fifteen tortuous minutes before Jon announced that he was wiped out and heading up to his room.

“Pussy,” Richie responded, and they all laughed.

Jon grinned and shook his head. “Fuck you. I’m the one sweating my ass off and putting in a triple aerobic workout at fifty-two hundred feet. I’m sleeping in tomorrow, too, and if any of you motherfuckers knocks on my door there will be hell to pay.”

“So what time does the train roll out?” Dave inquired.

“Sometime tomorrow night. Go skiing, go snowmobiling, sleep all day, I don’t care,” Jon shrugged and laughed. “Just don’t bother me. When I rise from the dead I’ll let you know.”

Jordan watched with interest. So far so good.

Elway and his date stood as well, saying their good-nights and walking out with Jon. Jordan took a breath, trying not to appear nonplussed as she sat with the remaining band members, the only remaining woman at the table. Oddly enough it wasn’t that uncomfortable; they were more or less treating her as just one of the guys, although she could tell they were holding themselves a little in check in her presence. Fortunately Dave and Richie kept the conversation going, although in her anticipation she barely was listening.

She jumped when she felt the vibration of her phone, but fortunately no one noticed. She reached for her purse and stood. “Hey guys, this has been fabulous but I have a busy day tomorrow so I really need to go.”

They went through the “are-you-sure-you-can’t-stay-a-little-longer” formalities but other than that, the break was pretty easy to make. Each of them gave her a big hug and thanked her for coming to the show and she thanked them for including her in their evening, then she was free.

She waited nervously until the valet brought her car up, then tipped him and slid behind the wheel. This is crazy. She drove around the block once, searching for and almost missing the employee entrance, then drove around again and there he was, waiting for her. She pulled over and unlocked the door and he strode over, opened the door and got in. He looked at her and grinned.

“Very clandestine, wouldn’t you say?”

She smiled and locked the door. “You’re mine now, boy.”

He nodded. “That I am. Now drive.” He reached over and placed a hand on her thigh. “You’re lucky you’re not wearing a skirt.”

“Oh really?” She responded, suddenly wishing she’d thought of it herself.

“Although if you were, we wouldn’t have gotten out of that coat room so quickly.”

She drew in her breath and sped up.

They arrived at her door about 20 minutes later, scarcely able to keep their hands off one another. In her haste she dropped her purse. “Shit,” she mumbled as she bent to retrieve it, her backside pressing against him. She laughed quietly when she heard him groan.

She fumbled with the keys, her hands shaking as his snuck around her waist from behind, reaching for the button on her jeans. “Dammit, Jon,” she whispered. “Let me get the door open.”

He laughed in her ear, easing the zipper down. “Then hurry the fuck up.”

She turned the deadbolt and opened the door and they fell in, closing and locking it behind them. She dropped the keys and her purse on the floor, and they somehow managed to kick off their shoes and hang their coats on the hooks behind the door before wrapping themselves around one another. In a matter of moments she had unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it and the jacket off his shoulders and onto the floor. She brought her mouth to his shoulder, biting lightly before letting her tongue trail up his neck and bringing her lips to his.

He returned her kiss edaciously, reaching to peel her shirt off. “God I’ve needed you,” he whispered in her ear as he undid the front clasp on her bra, pushing it off and cupping her breasts in his hands. She felt a fire run through her veins at his words and her legs grew weak.

Her hands reached to undo the buttons on his jeans as they stumbled through the darkness, unwilling to disengage even long enough to make it to the bedroom. She tugged at his jeans, bending to pull them down his legs impatiently. She let her tongue trail briefly up his erection, eliciting shudder from him before he pulled her mouth back to his and he finished stepping out of his jeans, making sure his socks came off as well.

She pulled away breathlessly for a moment, smiling softly.

“What?” he asked, returning the smile.

“I like that I got you naked first.” In my living room, no less.

“Oh yeah?” he answered sexily. “Well, you’re next.” He eased his hands inside the waistband of her jeans and panties and slid them off, his fingers immediately seeking out the warmth and wetness he knew was waiting for him. She gasped at his touch and he chuckled. “You have missed me, haven’t you?”

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him down on the couch with her. “Shut up and fuck me.”

Five hard, fast, and fervid minutes later they lay together, hearts pounding. “Wow,” she said, laughing softly. “That was intense.”

He let his hand trace a path down her side. “Yeah, well… like we weren’t already about to burst. Then you go and say ‘shut up and fuck me’? You’re lucky I lasted as long as I did.”

She smiled and brushed the hair from his eyes. “I’m not complaining. I was right there with you. And if I’m not mistaken,” she smiled. “it feels as if you’re already preparing for round two.”

He laughed with a nod. “You can feel that, huh? I can’t tell you the last time that happened.” He stroked her cheek. “See what you do to me?”

“Back at you, babe,” she replied with a smile. “So should we move into the bedroom?”

He kissed her. “I like that idea. And this time we’ll take it slow.”

It was almost five a.m. before they finally collapsed against each other in a satiated heap among the tangled sheets, her head resting on his chest as he stroked her hair.

“Was it good for you?” he teased, and felt her shake her head in response.

“Not at all. Hardly worth the effort,” she replied, breathlessly.

“That’s what I thought,” he answered, nodding lazily. “Let’s do it again later.”

“Definitely,” she mumbled, fighting a losing battle to stay awake. Right before she succumbed, she could have sworn she heard him speak softly to her.

“Damn, woman. What am I going to do about you?”

He closed his eyes and drifted off, deeply aware of the fact that he was lying in her bed, in her home. And at that moment there was no place he’d rather be. The fire he was playing with was getting hotter yet he felt powerless to extinguish it.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

He woke a few hours later to the sun peaking through the wooden blinds of her bedroom. He was dying of thirst—the damned high altitude and dry climate got him every time. He’d probably barely have a voice today. He slipped quietly out of bed and walked to the bathroom, hoping the flush of the toilet wouldn’t wake her. When he came back out, she was curled around his pillow, still sleeping soundly.

He snuck to the kitchen, taking a glass from the cupboard and filling it with cold water from the tap. He drank it down and filled it again, drinking it as he walked through her home, noticing a series of framed and matted black and white portraits on the wall. He noted her name in pencil at the bottom of each. They were quite good, and he was surprised that the hobby hadn’t come up in their conversations.

He filled his glass one more time then returned to the bedroom, sitting the glass on the nightstand before slipping into the warmth of the bed. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled softly, letting him pull her into his arms.

“So it wasn’t all a dream,” she said, her hand playing lightly with the hair on his chest. You’re really here.

“Which part?” he answered, kissing the top of her head.

“Any of it…the concert, the party…” she paused, feeling the warmth on her face. “Sex that registered on the Richter scale.” She raised her eyes to meet his. “Waking up with you in my bed.”

“Not a dream at all,” he answered. “But a little surreal, that’s for sure. Especially after that phone call the other night.” He grinned and she flushed. “This isn’t exactly how I pictured it but it’s pretty close.” He let his thumb brush across her lips. “It’s much better in person, though.”

She lowered her mouth to his chest, letting her tongue dance lightly at his nipple as she slid her hand down to rest gently on his groin, where she felt his erection stirring. He gave a small laugh. “You have high expectations of me this morning, babe. But I’ll see what I can do.”

She shook her head, bringing her mouth to his. “You worked hard last night. Let me take charge this morning.”

A few minutes later and fully hard, he pulled her on top of him with a groan. She lowered herself onto him slowly, her eyes holding his unabashedly in the morning light. He let her make love to him, watching as she moved on him and against him until they were both on the edge, until she breathed heavily in his ear, “Come for me, honey. Come with me.” And he did—as if he had any choice in the matter at all. Or wanted one.

When the wave finally subsided and their breathing had returned to normal, she gently eased herself from him, a slight gasp escaping her lips when he slipped free of her. She fell on the bed beside him, her nerve endings sending little electric shocks throughout her body. Oh my God.

He took her hand in his, wanting to reach for his water but not quite yet having the energy to do so. “Jesus Christ, woman,” his voice was husky and rough. “When I told you to take me home and rape me I had no idea you’d take it so literally.”

She grinned. “Neither did I. But damn it was fun.”

He laughed. “You wanton hussy.” He pulled her to him, smiling. “What am I going to do with you?”

“I think the question is, what haven’t you done with me?”

“Well, I could think of a few—” he began, and she cut him off, laughing.

“Never mind. Stupid question on my part,” she shook her head and kissed him. “I don’t know about you, but I need some coffee.” She pulled away from him reluctantly and rose from the bed.

She walked to her dresser, opening a drawer and pulling on a green plaid flannel nightshirt. “No comments—it’s warm and comfy,” she said to him, and he laughed.

“What? I said nothing. To be honest, it’s pretty damned sexy,” he responded.

She looked at him a moment and then smiled and dug further in the drawer until she came up with a pair of worn sweatpants with the CU logo on them. She tossed them at him. “These might fit if you’re interested. I’ve had them since college—they belonged to an old boyfriend but they’re so comfortable I’ve kept them around.”

Jon grinned. “For what? All the other rock stars you bring home?”

She smiled. “Exactly.” She winked at him and padded to the bathroom.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The aroma of her favorite Columbian blend filled the room as Jordan took two coffee mugs out of the cupboard and set them on the counter. She stepped around the cats several times before realizing that it was a good three hours past their normal breakfast time—and thus the reason they were so underfoot.

“God I’m a bad mom!” she chastised herself, smiling as she filled their bowl. Her Sunday morning routine was a little off kilter, she realized. She remembered the Sunday Post sitting on her doorstep and decided she should go grab it to see if there was a review of the concert.

She walked to the front door, opening it and bending to retrieve the paper. As she stood up she saw Tina coming up the sidewalk, a bakery bag in hand and a big smile on her lips. Shit.

“Good morning sunshine!” Tina said cheerily. “Did you just get up, lazy bones?”

“Uh… um…” Fuck. “What are you doing here?” She asked, trying to sound casual.

“Kevin was up bright and early to go snowboarding with his brother so I decided to pick up some breakfast and come debrief you about last night,” Tina leaned in and kissed her friend on the cheek. “I have to say I was a little relieved to see your car in the driveway.” She breezed past Jordan into the hallway and Jordan closed the door. Shit, Shit, SHIT.

She handed Jordan the bag as she unzipped her coat and hung it on the hook, right over Jon’s leather jacket. I can’t believe this is happening.

“You won’t believe what I was thinking,” Tina continued, taking the bag back and turning towards the kitchen. “Before we got to that party last night, I was starting to think that maybe…” her voice trailed off as she noticed the path of discarded clothing on the floor.

She looked back and forth a couple times, processing the information. The boots by the door…the black suit coat and white shirt in the hall, with Jordan’s shirt and bra nearby…the pair of men’s faded jeans in the dining room and finally, Jordan’s jeans and thong underwear in front of the couch.

She stood a minute, scanning the evidence once more. Her eyes came to rest on the shirt and coat, and her mind raced back to the night before, and the last time she’d seen them. And who she’d seen them on. Her jaw dropped as she looked at Jordan, who had closed her eyes as if she were waiting for the ax to fall.

“And I was fucking RIGHT,” she said, lowering her voice as much as her excitement would allow.

“Tina,” Jordan answered, scrambling for some sort of explanation, even though she knew it was too late. “It’s not what it looks like…” Of course it is. It’s exactly what it looks like. Shit.

“Oh really?” Tina responded confidently. “You’re going to tell me that he’s NOT in the other room and you didn’t have sex with him last night?” She paused, finally noticing the obvious just-fucked look her friend had—the messy hair, the post-sex flush, the hickey on the inner part of her shoulder where her shirt lie open. “And from the looks of things, some pretty amazing sex.”

Jordan shrugged, not knowing what to say. There was no way she could hide this one. She was busted and she knew it.

Tina shook her head in amazement. “Oh, my god. Jordan. Oh, my god!”

As if on cue, Jon’s voice interrupted them as he came walking out of the bedroom. “Hey babe, that coffee smells great. Is it read…” He stopped short when he saw them standing there then, both looking at him—Tina in wonderment and Jordan as if she’d been caught heisting the Hope Diamond.

Tina couldn’t help but stare. The man in front of her seemed far removed from the man she’d seen the night before; he had a light growth of beard and was wearing Jordan’s old CU sweatpants and nothing else—well, except for the same freshly-fucked look that her best friend was sporting.

Jon decided someone needed to break the tension. “Hi Tina. Did you bring breakfast?”


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