Chapter 38 - Getting Ready

The group journeyed back to the Firearms Training Branch building, Cate dropping Mandy off at her office so she could change her clothes and lock things up for the weekend.

Before surrendering the locker room to the guys, Cate grabbed her civilian clothes and toiletry bag from her locker then headed back down the hall to her office to change. Cate stopped in the gun room to secure her Glock and gear in one of the lockers, then entered her office.

She tossed her bag on the couch while she took a minute to do a final check of her e-mail, shut down her computer, and ensure her safe was locked. Then she closed and locked the door, pulled the blinds, and stripped.

She had showered earlier, so she spritzed on a little body spray before putting on clean purple panties and a matching bra. Then she pulled on a well-worn pair of Levis. She threaded a brown leather belt through the loops and fastened the buckle.

Cate smiled as she pulled her plum-colored tee over her head. She had chosen this shirt just for Jon, knowing he would approve. The v-neck showed a hint of her cleavage, and the hem came to rest just at the waistband of her jeans, providing a flash of taut, tanned flesh when she moved.

Sitting on her couch, Cate tugged clean socks onto her feet then slipped on her favorite pair of scuffed brown Justin roper boots. She pulled the elastic from her hair and brushed it out, then pulled it back up into a loose ponytail.

Cate rose from the couch and stepped in front of the full-length mirror that was affixed to the back of her office door. She applied a little mascara and some plum-tinted lip gloss, smacking her lips. She added some simple jewelry and tucked some personal items in her pockets, then regarded her reflection.

Not bad, she thought, turning this way and that, viewing herself as she imagined Jon would see her. Her soft babydoll tee clung to her curves, and her ass looked great in these jeans. Small silver hoops hung from her earlobes, and a simple silver chain encircled her neck. Her hair was soft and shiny, and her eyes were a clear, bright blue.

Cate froze when she realized what she was doing. She stared at her wondering expression in the mirror. It had been a long time since she had dressed to impress a man. Hell, she couldn’t remember the last time she had even cared what a man – any man – had thought about her.

A light knock at the door gave her a start. She turned the knob and pulled the door open to find Jon standing in the hall. His eyes traveled quickly up and down her body and he let out a low whistle. “Well, look at you,” he growled playfully. “You clean up good!”

He realized this was the first time he had seen Cate in “normal” clothing. All week long he had seen her only at work, wearing the prescribed instructor uniforms or workout gear, which didn’t do much to flatter her feminine figure. Jon felt a lusty stirring at the sight of her curves, accentuated by her snug t-shirt and low-rise jeans. He was gonna have a hard time keeping his eyes – and hands – off of her tonight.

Cate stepped aside, pushing the door open so Jon could enter the office. As he moved past her she caught a whiff of his cologne. She chuckled as she recognized the scent – RSVP. She had bought some for Danny for Christmas, and she loved the smell. In fact, she had a travel-sized bottle of it hidden in her medicine cabinet, so she could sometimes spritz a little on her pillowcase.

At the sound of her quiet little laugh, Jon turned and gave her a quizzical look. “What?”

She smiled. “Nothing.”

Jon rolled his eyes. “Oh, here we go,” he teased. “Never believe a woman when she says ‘nothing’.” He looked expectantly at Cate, waiting for her to argue. She remained silent, staring at him with the little smile on her lips.

Jon’s eyes traveled down to her chest, for the first time noticing the logo on her shirt. He grinned broadly as he read “Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes” printed in white, inside the outline of a star. “Great shirt,” he said with a little laugh.

“Thanks. Thought you might like it,” she answered saucily.

So, she wore it for me… Jon nodded, not saying anything in response but continuing to smile at her. He leaned against her desk, shifting so that he has half-sitting on it, one leg dangling down over the side from his bent knee while his other foot rested on the floor.

He was also casually dressed in faded Levis, worn boots, and a form-fitting chocolate brown Henley, the deep v-neck unbuttoned and sleeves pushed up to his elbows. Around his neck hung a sterling dagger-shaped pendant on a brown leather cord. As usual, he was scrumptious in the simplest of attire. He had blow-dried his hair, and it lay in a soft, tousled mop. Cate ached to run her fingers through it, remembering how silky it had felt this morning.

“Hey, I have something for you,” Cate remembered, rounding her desk and pulling open the top drawer. She stole a glance at Jon’s muscular thigh, which lay across the corner of her desk right next to the drawer. “This is gonna come in handy later, I guarantee. Since you’re the new guy here, guess I have to give you a little protection.”

Jon’s mind immediately turned to dirty thoughts and he smirked. “Well, Darlin’,” he drawled. “I’m happy to provide my own protection, if that’s what you want.”

“Alright, get your mind out of the gutter,” Cate scolded gently. “This…” she held up a large bronze medallion. “… is gonna save you from having to buy every round tonight.”

She handed the item to Jon. He turned it over in his palm and saw that it was a commemorative coin. One side was cast with the Center’s official seal, and the other with a rifle, a pistol, and a pair of handcuffs and the words “Firearms Training Branch.” He smiled, touched, as he noticed the initials “JBJ” were freshly engraved on the smooth space in the center of the FTB logo. Cate had obviously had it specially-made for him.

“Cool,” he remarked. “And how does this protect me? Does it have some kind of magic spell or special powers?” His eyes sparkled as he looked up at Cate.

Cate could see he was teasing, but he really wasn’t quite sure what to do with the coin. She chuckled. “There is a tradition in law enforcement and military circles. Everyone assigned to a unit carries an official unit coin with them at all times. When you go to a bar, any member of the unit can call a ‘coin check’ by slapping his or her own coin down on the table. Anybody who can’t produce their coin within ten seconds buys a round. If everyone has their coin, the person initiating the coin check buys.”

Jon nodded, grinning. Another insider tradition – he loved it! “So, I just keep it in my pocket?” he asked.

“Yep.” Cate winked. “I didn’t tell the guys I’m giving you this, so they won’t expect you to know what’s going on. It’ll be a surprise.”

“But I’m not technically a member of this unit,” Jon pointed out. “So they can’t really hold me to this, can they?”

“Probably not, but it’s an honor thing,” Cate explained. “You’re not gonna act like some kinda slimy lawyer and try to weasel out of this, are ya?” she teased.

“Hell no!” Jon answered quickly. He was flattered that Cate and the guys considered him one of them. No way was he going to disrespect their traditions. “Do you have yours?” he asked Cate.

“Of course!” She pulled an identical coin from her pocket and held it out in her palm. “Never leave home without it,” she joked.

Jon saw that the coin was well-worn, the raised designs polished by handling. He saw her name etched in the metal, in the same place where his initials were engraved on his coin. Jon laid his coin on Cate's palm, beside hers, then closed her fingers around them.

He wrapped her hand in his and rested it gently on his thigh. He looked up at her and leaned in to brush her cheek with his lips. “Thanks,” he murmured in her ear. “For looking out for me.” He pulled his face back and smiled gently at her blush.

“Well, it’s about time I gave you a present, don’t you think?” she asked softly, savoring the feel of his strong hand wrapped around hers.

“Not necessary, but I’m not gonna argue.” Jon’s voice was soft and sweet.

“Slick! You guys ready?” Cate heard Danny bellow from just outside her door. “We’re heading out!” She started to pull her hand away from Jon’s but he tightened his grip, not yet ready to break their contact. He looked meaningfully into Cate’s eyes.

Danny turned into Cate’s doorway and stopped as he saw Jon and Cate close together, gazing intently at each other, her hand in his. He grinned and leaned against the door frame, clearing his throat.

Cate looked over at him and Danny saw her flushed cheeks and slightly shy smile. It warmed his heart to see that look on her face. It had been absent for far too long. Jon looked down at the floor, then turned his head to glance at Danny, a gentle smile also on his lips. He let go of Cate’s hand and stood as she stepped away from him.

“We’re ready,” Cate said to Danny. “Troy’s driving, right?”

“Yeah, he headed out to the parking lot.” Danny tipped his head toward the door. “Jon, we’re leaving our cars here. Troy’s gonna be the DD tonight. Office rule – we never go to Sonny’s without a designated driver. And we leave the other cars here because, face it…” Danny grinned. “There probably isn’t a safer place in the state than our parking lot.”

“Cool.” Jon answered. It had been a long time since he had even thought about the logistics of getting to and from a bar. After all, he usually had a car service or limo waiting for him whenever he went out. Or he just drank at the hotel bar. It felt good to be living in the “real world” for awhile, even if only for a few days.

Jon started to follow as Danny turned and headed down the hall. He stopped when he felt Cate move up close behind him. Jon felt Cate’s hand on his right hip as she slipped his coin into the front pocket of his Levis. He smiled as she let her hand linger on his hip for an extra-long minute before pulling it away.

“Thanks, Baby.” he murmured then moved forward, Cate following him out the door.