Chapter 56 - All Night Long...

Cate made her way back to the living room and found Jon reclining on the couch, playing a quiet melody on his guitar. “Hey Baby,” he said softly, grinning at her as she settled on the couch beside him. He sat up and handed Cate her refilled wine glass. They both drank, then Jon grinned. “Ready for some more?” he asked, strumming the Takamine.

“You bet!” Cate grinned in response. She could listen to that gorgeous voice all night. Hell, she could listen to him for the rest of her life.

“Well, what would you like to hear? I only rehearsed a three-song set list,” he chuckled. “I’ll play anything I can remember. The only rule is that you have to sing, too.”

Cate beamed. “Deal,” she said softly. She took another sip of wine. “Okay, how about this one?” She started to sing in a sweet, clear voice.

Sitting here just watching you sleep
Wish I could slip inside and be
In some Technicolor dream…

Jon grinned and began to play “Janie.” His voice joined hers, his foot tapping out the beat as he strummed. They both sang with enthusiasm, belting out the chorus when it came. Their voices danced together, echoing sweetly through the villa.

When the song ended, Jon laughed happily and leaned over to plant a smacking kiss on Cate’s cheek. “Fantastic!” he grinned. “What’s next?” He reached over to take a drink of his wine.

Cate smiled slyly at Jon, sipping from her own glass. “You’ll play anything, right?” she asked.

“If I know it,” Jon answered. He raised an eyebrow and gave her a suspicious look. “Why?”

“Well, there’s something I’d really like to hear…” Cate gave Jon a hopeful look.

“Well, kick it off there, Janis!” Jon teased. He was still turned on by that throaty Janis Joplin impersonation Cate had done last night at the bar. Damn, was that sexy!

“Okay…” Cate took one more swallow of her wine, then grinned.

If I had to I would lie for you…

Jon groaned, half laughing. “Oh, no….” He rolled his eyes. Cate grinned and continued, her voice rasping lightly over the word “Baby.”

And Baby I would cry, I'd cry for you…

Jon chuckled and shook his head, looking down at the floor. He looked up when he felt Cate rise from the couch. She stood in front of him, her eyes twinkling merrily. She crooked a finger at him, daring him to join her.

If I have to, I'll get down on my knees for you… Ba da da!

Cate raised her arms above her head and shook her hips as she mimicked the guitar part. Jon laughed, unable to resist her. He stood up beside her and struck a chord, then growled the next line.

Tommy's home and waiting up for you…

Cate squealed delightedly as Jon shook his head and launched into the song he had written decades ago. She laughed and danced beside him as he sang the verse, then she chimed in on the chorus.

Don't leave me tonight, don't leave me tonight,
Don't leave me tonight, oh no no.

Jon smiled and shook a finger at her as he sang the next verse, indicating that she should take the words to heart.

If you only knew what you put me through,
How many nights I've waited up for you.
Thinkin' about you Baby every night,
Now you're here and you’re not goin’ home!

Cate laughed at Jon’s amendment to the lyrics, then sighed dreamily and placed her hand over her heart, casting her eyes skyward. Jon chuckled at her silliness and continued to sing.

When he reached the solo after the bridge, he widened his stance and shook his ass as he strummed along, curling his lip into an Elvis-like sneer. Cate squealed again and danced around him in a circle, shimmying her hips and laughing merrily. Jon grinned and shook his head in amusement, continuing the song as he watched the flame-haired vixen dance around him.

When he reached the repeating chorus at the end of the song, Cate’s voice again joined his, ringing out joyfully until finally the song was done.

Jon fell back onto the couch with a laugh, resting his guitar across his thighs as he slumped back against the soft cushions. “I can’t believe you wanted to hear that!” he groaned. “All the good songs I’ve written, and you want that one!” He turned his face to look at Cate as she bounced down onto the couch next to him.

“I LOVE that song!” she protested. “It makes me happy.” She leaned forward and gave Jon a sweet, lingering kiss. “Thank you for playing it for me. And for the little booty show!”

Jon’s heart melted at the joy in her smile. “You’re welcome, Babe,” he grinned, reaching up to tap her on the nose. Then he sat forward, reaching for his wine. He took another long drink, then clapped his hands together. “Now what?” he grinned, rubbing his palms together. Cate’s reaction had gotten his blood pumping. The performer in him was now “on,” and he was ready to play a two-hour set.

Cate grinned and drained her glass. “Now, more wine.” She stood and picked up Jon’s glass from the ottoman. “Then surprise me.” She shot him a sassy little look and pranced over to the sideboard to refill their glasses.

Jon laughed and started to play, this time one of his favorites, an old Southside Johnny tune. Cate returned after filling their glasses, then settled on the couch beside him and joined his song. Jon gave her an admiring look, surprised that she knew the words and the harmony. Damn, she IS my soulmate… he thought. His heart skipped a beat when he realized what he had just said to himself.

Cate and Jon continued their little concert on into the night, singing, dancing, and enjoying each other with blissful disregard for the clock. Between songs they would stop to nibble on fruit, cheese, and chocolate, and to sip from their wine glasses and from each others’ lips.

They talked about their shared love of music, and Cate told Jon how his songs had been with her through all the milestones of her life. Jon told her funny stories about the band’s early days together, and a few racy tales of their glory days in Vancouver, writing “Slippery.” He performed her requests of his own music, and he played some of his favorite songs from Dylan, Elvis, Southside, Springsteen, the Beatles, and others. He was amazed that she knew every lyric of every song.

After finishing Cate’s request of “Hearts Breaking Even,” and sharing another delicious kiss, Jon rose to again refill their wine glasses. He laughed giddily as he wobbled a little on his trek to the sideboard. He was getting really tipsy now, and he was sure Cate was as well.

He poured the last of their third bottle of wine and carried it back to Cate, who had slithered down off the couch onto the plush rug. He smiled as he saw her sitting facing the fireplace, her back against the ottoman, cradling his guitar on her lap and gently tracing her fingers over the strings.

Jon set the glasses down on the fireplace hearth and lowered himself to the floor next to Cate. She smiled and slid the guitar over to his lap, ready for more music. Jon grinned and winked at her as an idea came to him. He strummed and began to sing with a husky growl.

Rosie whatcha doing in this low-class joint,
Dancin’ in the dark all day
You used to be the darling of your high school scene
Now you put your love on display

Cate let out a little squeak made a face. She shook her head slightly at Jon, her eyes wide. “What?” asked Jon, laughing at her reaction. “Don’t you like this song?”

“No, I love it. It just sounds…strange. I mean, when you sing it. It should be Richie.” Cate answered. She gave Jon an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry.” Crap, you must be drunk, she told herself. You just told Jon Bon Jovi to stop singing to you.

Jon laughed and clutched melodramatically at his heart. “Ouch!” he whined. “My ego!”

Cate giggled at his antics. “I’m sorry, Baby,” she repeated. “There are just some things you don’t mess with.”

“Oh really?” Jon teased. “Well, if I get Richie’s permission to sing his song, will you let me?” He raised his eyebrows daringly at Cate.

What? Cate saw the mischief in Jon’s eyes. “Hmmm,” she said, furrowing her brow as if she was considering his question. “Well….I guess.”

“Oooooh-Kay.” Jon answered. He set his guitar aside and climbed to his feet. He chuckled and weaved over to the hall table where he had placed his Blackberry beside Cate’s purse earlier in the evening. Retrieving the phone, he padded back over to Cate, wobbling slightly, and dropped back down beside her on the floor.

He pushed one button, then another. Cate looked incredulously at Jon as he gave her a self-satisfied little smirk, holding the phone out in front of them.

“What?” a gruff growl sounded through the little speaker on Jon’s Berry.

“Eeep!” Cate squeaked, recognizing Richie’s throaty voice. Holy shit!

“Hey Man, you got Prince Albert in a can?” Jon asked, chortling.

“Hey asshole, why the hell are you calling me at… Holy Fuck, it’s almost four in the morning!” Richie swore.

“Yeah, yeah. I know you weren’t asleep.” Jon answered, grinning at Cate. “And apparently you’re alone, or you wouldn’t have answered your phone.”

“Yeah, well, same goes for you, Buddy. What happened, did you get detention?” Richie teased.

“Nope. I am in the company of the most gorgeous, beautiful, sexy teacher you could imagine.” Jon boasted, sliding a hand gently over Cate’s thigh. “We had to call to ask you a question.”

Cate heard Richie let out a hearty laugh. “Hi Cate,” he said. “Jonny’s had a bit to drink, eh?”

“Hi.” Cate answered meekly. Sweet Hell! I’m talking to Richie Sambora! And he knows my name! “Uh…I have your hat.”

Jon chuckled at Cate’s awestruck reaction to Richie’s greeting, as his friend laughed on the other end of the line. “Well, Darlin’, I guess we’ll have to figure out how you’re gonna get it back to me.” Richie teased. “Sounds like you’ve both had a little vino tonight, huh?”

“Um, yeah.” Cate blushed.

“Hey Rich! You’re not gonna believe what Cate can do! It’s the sexiest damned thing I’ve ever seen!” Jon exclaimed boozily into the phone. “Cate, you gotta do it for Richie!”

“WHAT?!?!” Cate heard Richie bark through the phone. “Darlin’, I don’t know what he wants you to do, but you seem like a nice girl…”

Cate giggled, knowing what Jon was asking of her. Jon grinned and gave her a sassy wink, his hand sliding a little higher up her thigh. “Man, you have a dirty mind!” he chided his pal. Jon tilted his head and gave Cate his sexiest smile. “C’mon, Babe. Do it for Richie?”

“Jon!” Cate heard Richie shout through the phone. She laughed. Her musical inhibitions had disappeared hours ago, somewhere around the third glass of Amarone.

“Okay, Baby. Richie, this is for you,” she purred. She took a deep breath, then belted out her rendition of “Mercedes Benz,” reprising her previous evening’s performance. When she was done, she took a deep breath as Jon gave her a lusty grin.

“Damn! Cate, that was you?” Richie asked through the phone. “Shit, that was good!”

“Told ya so!” Jon crowed. “You should SEE her do it! It’s hot as Hell!”

“Alright, easy there, Kidd. Cate, you’ll have to sing that for me in person sometime, okay?” Richie drawled, chuckling. “Right now I think you’ve got your hands full there. Somebody seems a bit worked up.”

Cate laughed at Jon. She loved the way his face lit up as he bragged about her to his friend. It’s true. They are brothers, she thought, her heart warming. “I think I can handle him,” she replied to Richie, giving Jon a sweet smile.

“I’m sure you can.” Richie snickered dirtily. “Jonny told me you’ve kicked his ass every which way but up. And by the way, he likes it rough.”

Cate blushed slightly. “Uh…” She didn’t know what to say to that.

Jon grinned and waggled his eyebrows at her, then leaned over and gently kissed her cheek. “Alright, Man. Gotta go,” he called to Richie.

“What the fuck? What was the question you just HAD to ask me at four o’clock in the Goddamned morning?” Richie sputtered.

“Never mind.” Jon pushed the button, cutting Richie off in mid-curse. He dropped the Blackberry onto the floor and leaned toward Cate. He raised his hand to her face as he pressed his lips against hers, kissing her first gently, then more urgently. Cate purred and kissed him back, reaching up to tangle her fingers in his hair as her tongue dueled with his.

Jon shifted his weight onto his hip, turning toward Cate without breaking the contact between their mouths. He slid his free arm around Cate’s waist and pulled her toward him. His other hand trailed down Cate’s neck to her breast, his thumb teasing her nipple through the soft fabric of her tank.

“Ohhh…. Jon….” Cate sighed against his mouth. She felt dizzy, not sure if it was from the wine or the passion of the kiss, or both.

“God…. Cate…” he growled in response. He shifted his position again, trying to pull her closer against his body. As he did, Jon pushed hard against the ottoman with his shoulder, trying to leverage against it to turn his body to Cate’s. The ottoman unexpectedly slid away from them, causing Jon to lose his balance and topple sideways onto the rug, pulling Cate with him.

They were momentarily stunned by the abrupt movement, but then Cate began to giggle. Feeling her body shake, Jon began to laugh, too. “Shit.” he gasped between peals of laughter. He rolled onto his back and pulled Cate into a hug. “We can’t seem to do this right! If we don’t get interrupted by a bunch of drunk broads, we fall over the damned furniture!”

Cate giggled harder at that. “Yeah, maybe somebody’s trying to tell us something.” She raised her head to look at Jon’s gorgeous face, her eyes sparkling. He grinned back at her.

“Nah,” he said softly. “We just need more practice.” Jon pushed himself up onto his elbows as Cate sat up beside him. “How about we try this somewhere else?” he asked softly.