Chapter 57 - Practice Makes Perfect

“Where?” Cate whispered. Her heart jumped into her throat at the thought of the gigantic bed in the other room. She heard the familiar, annoying little warning voice in her head and tried to push it away.

Jon saw the little shadow of panic flicker in Cate’s eyes again, and his heart melted for her. “How about the deck?” he asked gently. “There’s a chaise out there big enough for two. It’s a beautiful night.” He gave her a sweet smile.

Cate nodded silently, smiling back at him. “I’ll meet you out there,” she said softly. She and Jon stood, steadying each other as they both swayed slightly. Jon gave her another gentle kiss, then she meandered slowly into the bathroom.

When she was finished, Cate returned to the living room to find Jon had extinguished the candles. She could see him through the French doors, reclining on the chaise, his fine form silhouetted in the moonlight.

Cate saw a tiny orange spot, and she realized he was smoking. She smiled, remembering sharing a cigarette with him last night outside the bar. That seemed like ancient history, not a mere twenty-odd hours ago.

Cate slipped through the doors and moved silently over to Jon. She saw that he had brought what remained of the fruit and cheese tray to the small table next to the chaise, and he had poured two glasses of whiskey. She smiled and sighed appreciatively as she picked up the sweet, smoky scent of his cigar. “Mmmmm…” she purred.

“Come here,” Jon commanded softly. He patted the cushion, inviting her to sit next to him. Cate sat on the edge of the chaise, then swung her legs up onto the plush cushion. She scooted close to Jon as he slipped his arm around her waist. Cate settled comfortably against his chest, reveling in the warmth of his body. She gazed up at his perfect face, illuminated by the soft silvery moonlight.

Wordlessly she reached out her hand and took the cigar from his fingers. She moved it to her lips and took a long pull, then handed it back to him. Jon watched her silently, his lips parting as he exhaled softly when she sucked on the long cylinder. There’s something SO erotic about a woman smoking a cigar, he thought.

He watched as Cate turned her face away from him and slowly exhaled the smoke, puffing perfect little rings. Sweet Jesus…. he thought with a little groan, watching her lips form a soft, wet circle to expel the smoke from her mouth. He felt himself stir once again.

Cate heard Jon’s throaty rumble and smiled. Maybe we do need a little more practice, she thought. Cate sat up beside Jon and gave him a long look. Then she turned to face him, standing up on her knees and slipping one leg over him so that she was straddling his lap. She settled on his thighs, then trailed her fingers down his chest.

Jon drew in a breath as she gently undid the lone button holding his shirt together. Cate pushed Jon’s shirt open and slid her hands back up over his warm abs and pecs, marveling at the feel of hard muscles covered by soft skin and downy fur. Then she raised her hands, gently cradling his gorgeous face as she lowered her mouth to his.

Jon sighed and reached over to drop the cigar into the ashtray on the table. He placed his hands on Cate’s hips, gripping them gently as he kissed her, first softly, then more passionately. He exhaled and closed his eyes as she slid her lips from his and feathered soft kisses at the corners of his mouth, then along his jaw.

Jon tipped his head back as he felt Cate’s velvety lips slide down his throat. He chuckled huskily when she nibbled at his Adam’s apple. He felt her mouth leave his neck, and he opened his eyes to find Cate gazing at him, her sapphire eyes glittering.

A sensuous smile curled Jon’s perfect lips as Cate reached over to the tray and picked up a strawberry. She held it to his lips, a gentle offering. She watched as Jon bit into the fruit, taking half of it into his mouth and chewing slowly. Oh….My….God…. Cate thought, drawing in a breath. That is the sexiest damned thing I’ve ever seen….

Giving Jon a sultry little smile, Cate raised the other half of the strawberry to her own lips, nibbling daintily at it, feeling the sweet juice stain her lips. She chewed slowly and swallowed, then reached over to drop the stem on the table. She picked up a square of dark chocolate and turned back to Jon.

Cate raised the chocolate to her lips and bit into it, sucking it into her mouth and feeling it start to melt on her tongue. “Mmmmm….” she hummed blissfully. She felt Jon’s fingers tighten on her hips at the sound. She held out the remainder to Jon. He opened his mouth slightly, and she gently placed the half-square on his tongue.

He closed his mouth and chewed as he gazed at her, his eyes glowing with need. Jon moved one hand from her waist and reached up to tangle his fingers in Cate’s hair, pulling her face down to his for yet another steamy kiss. She was delicious, tasting of chocolate and strawberry and wine and cigar and passion.

Cate broke the kiss and pulled her face back, settling back onto Jon’s lap with a contented little smile. Her auburn hair slipped over her shoulders, and Jon reached up one hand to push the soft tresses back. His fingers gently slid aside the strap of her tank top to reveal her heart and dagger tattoo. Jon traced its outline with a calloused finger, then leaned forward to touch his lips to his brand.

He settled back against the cushion and moved his hands back to Cate’s waist, drawing them together from the sides to meet at her navel. He traced her perfect bellybutton with one thumb, drawing in a breath as he felt the little silver ring nestled there. Then he slowly pushed his hands upward, skimming over her warm skin under her top, until his hands cupped her firm, bare breasts.

Cate let out a soft gasp at the contact, dropping her head back and exposing her slender throat. Jon again leaned forward, placing warm kisses down her throat to the notch at the juncture of her collarbones, his hands gently massaging Cate’s warm breasts.

Cate tipped her head forward again, her hair tumbling back over her shoulders, falling in a curtain around her face. Jon raised his mouth to hers and again kissed her sweetly, teasingly. “My God, Cate…” he whispered against her lips. “You are so beautiful…”

Cate chuckled throatily. “No, you are,” she replied huskily, a hint of tease in her voice but with all sincerity. He is the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. And he’s kissing ME….

Jon chortled softly in reply. “You know…” he murmured. “I think we’re getting the hang of this….” His thumbs traced lazy circles around Cate’s peaked nipples, causing her to shiver slightly.

“Practice makes perfect,” Cate purred. She smiled and sat back on Jon’s lap, then reached over to the table again. She picked up the cigar, flicking off the ash, and drew it to her mouth. Jon pursed his lips in a silent “Ooohhh” as she sucked on the cigar, then again blew perfect smoke rings.

Cate offered the cigar to Jon, and he reluctantly withdrew one hand from under her shirt to take it. He took a puff, then returned Cate’s smile. Giving her breast a final gentle squeeze, he slid his other hand from under Cate’s tank top, reaching up to push a stray lock of ginger hair back behind her ear.

Jon drew in a deep breath, then blew it out. He replaced the cigar in the ashtray, then picked up one of the glasses, handing it to Cate. He picked up the other glass and touched it to hers. “To a perfect night.” he whispered.

“A perfect night.” Cate echoed softly. They both drank. Cate felt the whiskey slide down her throat, smooth as satin. She smiled and chuckled quietly. Of course Jon would have Blue Label. He was a man of sophisticated taste.

Jon looked at Cate at the sound of her quiet little laugh. “What is it, Baby?” he asked gently.

“Ah, nothing,” Cate sighed. “I’m just really, really…” she looked down and paused, smiling at the realization. “…Happy,” she finished softly. She looked up at Jon’s face and saw him grin.

“So am I,” he whispered.

They each took another sip of whiskey, then Jon took Cate’s glass gently from her hand and set it on the table. “Turn around, Baby,” he said softly. “I want to hold you.”

Cate thought her heart would break at the tenderness of his voice, in that one phrase. She gave him a sweet smile, then slid sideways from his lap, back to her place beside him. “Here,” Jon prompted gently. He slid his legs apart, making room for Cate to settle between them. She moved to sit between Jon’s thighs, as she had earlier during their guitar lesson.

Jon bent his knees slightly and slipped his arms around Cate’s waist as she leaned back against him, her soft hair feeling like silk against his bare chest. She turned her head to gaze happily up at him, and Jon leaned down to give her a gentle kiss. His arms tightened around her waist as he embraced her.

Cate rested her hands on his strong forearms, tracing along one with a gentle fingertip. She laid her cheek against his warm chest, listening to his heart beat under her ear.

“Cate,” she heard Jon whisper. “I want to stay here forever. With you.”

She felt tears spring to her eyes. “I want you to stay, too,” she whispered back, blinking away the moisture from her lashes. They sat silent for a few minutes, lost in their own thoughts, the only sound the gentle rush of the waves.

“Look,” Jon said quietly. “It’s almost dawn.” Cate gazed out at the horizon and saw the first traces of pink and gold. She turned her face up to look at Jon, and he gave her a bittersweet little smile. “Every night turns to a new day,” he said gently. Cate settled her cheek back against Jon’s chest, and began to hum contentedly.

“That’s nice,” Jon murmured after listening to the sweet melody for a moment. “What is it?”

“It’s yours,” she answered, giving words to the tune.

Every beat of my heart I would give
Every beat of my heart just to live

Jon smiled and joined in, his silky voice rumbling softly in his chest.

I live for your love, all that I want
Is to die in your arms
I'd give you every beat of my heart

Cate stopped singing, sighing deeply as her eyelids grew heavy. She snuggled against the warm chest of the wonderful man who was holding her, who was singing her this beautiful lullaby…

Jon continued to sing softly as he felt Cate’s breathing slow and deepen.

It's the little things that you do that make me want you more
It's the way your hands are trembling, and what they’re trembling for
It's the way the smile fits on your lips
The way you hold me tight
God knows I'd give everything to be in your arms tonight

A tender smile curled Cate’s lips as she drifted off to the sweet sound of Jon’s voice. Jon gently kissed the top of her head, then closed his eyes. Soon the sun peeked over the horizon, bathing the sleeping couple with the first light of morning.