Chapter 53 - Make Yourself at Home...

Cate brushed her feet against the small mat outside the doors, trying to shake the sand from her toes. Then she stepped into the interior of the villa. Her mouth dropped open as she gasped at the sight before her.

She was standing in a large, open room that was dominated by a massive, curving sectional sofa covered in soft tan suede. In front of the sofa rested a huge round ottoman covered in supple leather of a darker shade of caramel. A plush sand-colored rug lay under the furniture, covering the terracotta-hued ceramic tile floor. Large palms stood in colorful pots in the corners of the room, their leaves swaying gently in the light breeze from the fan that dropped from the high ceiling.

Several smaller tables were scattered throughout the room, and a large oak sideboard was stationed against one wall. Creamy white candles of varying heights, their flames flickering softly, were grouped throughout the room. On the wall opposite the sideboard was a gigantic fireplace of ivory marble, framed by a heavy oak mantle. Over the mantle hung a huge plasma screen television, its dark screen dotted with the reflection of the candles’ flames. The fireplace itself was filled with larger candles, all glowing alight.

Though the candles could have illuminated the room themselves, several lamps glowed dimly throughout, bathing the room in soft light. Cate looked beyond the couch and saw a sleek oak dining table and chairs, and a small but modern kitchen. She swept her gaze across the wall and saw a small hallway that presumably led to the front door. In an alcove at the end of the hallway sat a half-round table bearing a large arrangement of fresh magnolias and roses, their sweet scent mixing with the ocean air.

Cate drew her eyes further along the wall, passing over the entry to another dark hallway, until she saw a large doorway framing two ornate oak sliding pocket doors. The doors were closed, concealing what lay beyond them. Cate assumed that was the doorway to the master bedroom. Her heart stopped at the thought of seeing where Jon slept.

Cate heard Jon’s throaty chuckle behind her. “Cate?” he asked softly. “You okay?” He could tell she was stunned by her surroundings. As he looked around the room and saw what Danny and Mandy had done on his behalf, he smiled gratefully. The living room of his villa had been transformed into a romantic retreat.

“It’s beautiful…” Cate breathed. She turned to face him. “How did you do this?” she asked softly.

“I had a little help,” he answered. He watched, smiling gently as Cate again turned her gaze to the living room. Her eyes sparkled in the candlelight as she noticed the details she had overlooked before. She saw that there was a bottle of wine and two glasses on the sideboard. Beside the wine sat a tray of fruit, cheese, and gourmet chocolates.

Jon chuckled again as Cate’s eyes widened when she saw his sleek black Takamine guitar resting on its stand beside the fireplace. She let out another involuntary little gasp, suddenly realizing what was happening.

Jon stepped up close behind Cate and placed his hands gently on her waist. “I understand you have a little fantasy,” he said softly, his lips brushing her hair. He smiled when Cate craned her neck to look at him over her shoulder, her eyes still wide.

“I told you I had another surprise for you,” he laughed gently, at her bewildered expression. “Come with me.” he said, stepping up beside her and taking her hand.

Jon led Cate over to the entrance to the bedroom. He felt Cate hesitate and pull back slightly on his hand as they neared the heavy oak doors. He glanced at her face and saw a shadow of panic in her eyes. Whoa! he thought. Slow down… you don’t want to scare her off. He squeezed Cate’s hand reassuringly, then slid one of the doors aside.

Cate gave a little squeak of surprise when she saw the bedroom. Jon laughed softly and coaxed her through the door. “It’s just a bedroom, Cate,” he said gently. “I’m not trying to take advantage of you.” He grinned. “Like I could… if I tried anything you weren’t ready for you’d plant my ass on the rug!” he teased.

Jon’s little joke shook Cate from her spell. She smiled weakly at him and took a deep breath. “Sorry. I’m just a little….overwhelmed.” She looked around the bedroom, trying not to gape at the gorgeous canopy bed. The room was decorated in soft tones of blue and tan, accented with a deep chocolate brown. A large fan revolved lazily above the canopy, whirring softly.

The gigantic oak four-poster bed dominated the room. From its canopy rails hung shimmering silvery-blue sheer drapes, pulled back and tied to the posts with dark brown satin cords. The soft cotton duvet was striped in varying shades of blue, brown, and cream. Cate counted at least twenty pillows of various shapes, sizes, colors, and fabrics arranged in front of the headboard.

At the end of the bed sat a long, tan suede-upholstered bench. Cate saw that there was something resting on it… something familiar.

Jon led Cate over to the bench and watched as recognition dawned on her lovely face. He grinned at her when she smiled up at him. “As beautiful as you look in that dress,” he said gently, “I know you’re a blue jeans girl at heart. So, I’ll give you a couple minutes to get changed, then we can enjoy the rest of our night.” He raised an eyebrow and smiled suggestively. “Unless you need some help getting out of that dress…”

Cate laughed. “I think I can handle it,” she said bemusedly. “I got myself into it, I’m pretty sure I can get myself out of it.”

She looked back down at her favorite, most comfortable outfit. Oh my God…it’s really happening, she thought. She knew now that Danny had told Jon about her little romantic fantasy. And she just couldn’t find it in herself to be angry with her friend for betraying her secret.

“Okay. I’ll meet you in the living room, when you’re ready.” Jon squeezed Cate’s hand, then turned and walked out of the room, sliding the door closed behind him.

Cate stood staring at the door for a moment, then turned to look around the room. She had been so fixated on the gorgeous bed that she hadn’t noticed the rest of the luxurious suite.

On the wall opposite the bed was another fireplace filled with flickering candles, a smaller twin of the one in the living room. At the far corner of the room Cate saw another set of French doors, draped with cream-colored sheers for privacy. Through the filmy fabric Cate could see a small patio enclosed by a wrought-iron railing.

On the adjacent wall Cate saw another doorway, the oak pocket doors slid back in their casings to reveal a large, airy bathroom decorated in the same colors as the bedroom. On the same wall, another oak door led into what Cate assumed was a closet.

Curious, she padded over to that door. Pulling it open, she flicked on the light and stepped into a sizeable walk-in closet. She let out a little sigh as she saw Jon’s clothes hanging from the bars; his shirts on the top rail and his jeans and pants folded over hangers on the bottom rail. A jumbled pile of boots and shoes lay in the corner, next to a large hard-sided suitcase, a black and yellow duffel, and a pile of the various gear bags Cate had given Jon for his training.

The opposite wall of the closet was lined with drawers, and Cate saw the edges of t-shirts and socks peeking out of the cut-out finger pulls. Cate smiled and reached out to brush her fingers over the sleeves of Jon’s shirts. Somehow, standing in this little room with Jon’s clothing seemed almost obscenely intimate. Cate blushed slightly and quickly stepped out of the closet, flicking off the lights before closing the door.

She walked back over to the bench and her clothes, taking a deep breath. She smiled again, realizing she was eager to get back to the amazing man in the next room. Cate quickly pulled her dress over her head and dropped it onto the floor. Nude except for her jewelry and her lacy black panties, Cate felt a little shiver run through her. I’m almost naked in Jon Bon Jovi’s bedroom! she thought in amazement.

She chuckled and reached over to pick up the jeans that were laid out on the bench. They were her favorites, almost fifteen years old, soft, worn, and covered in patches. She sat on the edge of the bench and pulled them on, sighing as the soft denim caressed her legs. She stood and did the zipper and button, then picked up the tank top. She frowned slightly when she saw that there was nothing else on the bench; she had assumed her bra was hidden underneath her tank.

Cate noticed her gray duffel bag on the floor under the bench, and she crouched to pull it out from its resting place. Opening the bag, Cate saw that it contained more of her clothing; several pairs of panties, a bikini and her beach cover-up, a pair of flip-flops, a pair of shorts, and another top. Cate blushed as she found the tiny black thong bearing the "Slippery When Wet" logo. I can’t believe he put this in here!

She pawed through the contents of the bag again, then pulled all the garments out into a pile on the floor. No bra. Danny, you Shit! she thought. Then she chuckled and shook her head, her auburn waves sliding over her shoulders and falling onto her naked breasts. Well, nothing she could do about it now. Guess Jonny’s gonna get a surprise, too.

Cate replaced her clothing in the bag, folding her dress and placing it gently in the bottom before tossing the other garments in on top of it. Then she stood and pushed the bag back under the bench with one foot. She pulled the tank top over her head, feeling it stretch over her bare breasts. Her nipples puckered at the sensation of the fabric sliding over them.

Well, shit. At least he’ll know I’m happy to see him! Cate thought wryly. She pulled her fingers through her hair, sweeping it back from her face, and took a deep breath. Here I go….