Chapter 65 - Stay

“Well…maybe just one more…” Cate answered hesitantly. That sexy gaze was making her feel weak. And it couldn’t hurt just to sit here, snuggled in his arms, just a little bit longer. The weekend was almost over, and tomorrow it would be back to reality. May as well enjoy the last few moments...

“Good,” Jon grinned. He stood and took Cate’s empty beer bottle. Moving to the kitchen, he opened two more beers, then carried them back into living room.

He paused by the sofa and smiled down at Cate. “Come with me,” he invited softly, tipping his head toward the French doors that led to the deck. Cate felt a little shiver run down her spine as she stood to follow Jon out onto the deck, remembering their previous encounter out there.

When she stepped outside she saw that the breeze had picked up slightly and the temperature had dropped. The waves were rushing more violently against the shore, and rolling clouds dimmed the moon’s silver light. The air crackled with electricity. There was definitely a storm on the way.

Jon sat on the edge of the chaise and set the beer bottles on the small table to his right. He slid back until he rested comfortably against the cushion, swinging his legs up onto the lounge. He held out his hand to Cate. She took it and settled down beside him, turning slightly toward him and tucking her shoulder against his as he slid his arm around her waist.

Jon handed Cate her beer, then picked up his own. He touched the neck of his bottle to hers with a soft clink, then they both drank. They were silent for a moment, then Jon spoke.

“Did you think about what I asked you earlier today?” he asked gently.

Cate didn’t answer right away. She had spent most of the evening replaying their conversation over lunch in her mind. And she had struggled mightily with his words.

Cate was trained in interrogation, and it was second nature for her to dissect communication into tiny bits to uncover its true intent. But it hadn’t been easy for her to do this time. She was too emotionally invested. She couldn’t be sure she was reading Jon correctly; that she wasn’t seeing what she wanted to see instead of what was really there.

“Cate?” Jon probed.

“Yes, I did think about it,” she answered softly. “I thought about it a lot.” She turned her face to Jon’s and met his gaze. “Did you really mean it? That you want to continue to see me after you leave here?”

“Yes.” Jon answered simply. Cate looked into his eyes and saw nothing but sincerity. “What do you want?” he asked her.

Cate sighed and lowered her cheek to Jon’s shoulder. “I don’t want you to leave at all. I don’t want Friday to come. I want time to stop,” she wished. She chuckled sadly. “But I know that’s not realistic. So I don’t know what I want.”

Jon closed his eyes and drew in a breath as his heart throbbed. He had hoped, had expected her to tell him that she wanted to continue their relationship beyond the bounds of their allotted time. But there was something holding her back, something that prevented her from looking toward the future.

She had been afraid to be alone with him, then afraid to kiss him, now afraid to make love with him. Of course she’s afraid to think of a future with me. It touched his heart to think that such a strong, tough woman could be frightened by emotions, by dreams. He tightened his arm around her waist, giving her a little hug.

Jon thought back to Cate’s description of this experience, working with him. "Surreal," she had said. Sometimes I forget that I live a very different kind of life, Jon thought. Sure, he had suffered heartbreak and failure and he had even lost himself for awhile, but he had succeeded in making even his wildest dreams come true.

He knew only a little bit of what Cate had endured over the course of her life, but she had certainly seen her share of heartache and adversity. And while the work he loved involved creativity and hope and beauty, hers involved danger and fear and hardship. No wonder it’s hard for her to trust, he realized.

“Jon, are you angry with me?” Cate’s voice pulled Jon from his contemplation. He gave her a tender smile.

“Of course not,” he said softly. “I know you need time. I understand.” He tipped her face upward with a finger under her chin and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “I’m just glad you’re here with me, right now.”

Cate felt tears spring to her eyes at his kindness. She gave him a gentle smile, then snuggled her head against his shoulder. Jon felt her shiver a little. The wind was picking up, and the ocean air was laced with the scent of fresh ozone. Rain was on the way.

“Do you want to go in?” Jon asked.

Cate nodded against his shoulder. “I should probably get on the road, anyway, so I can get home before it really starts to come down.” She pushed herself up to sit beside Jon.

“You don’t have to leave, you know.” Jon reminded her gently.

Cate gave him a little smile. “Yes, I do,” she replied simply.

Jon sighed and nodded, then watched as she slid over to the side of the chaise and stood. He climbed off the lounge and followed her into the villa, closing and locking the doors behind them. He flicked on a lamp, the dim light supplementing the glow of the candles in the fireplace.

Cate moved over to the kitchen, setting her half-full beer bottle on the counter. Jon followed her over, placing his bottle beside hers. She turned to him and he gathered her in his arms and gave her a sweet smile, dropping his forehead to rest on hers.

Cate slipped her arms around Jon’s waist and smiled back at him. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said quietly. “And I’ll dream about you. Promise.” She gave him a little grin, remembering his text message to her on Friday night.

“Good.” Jon dropped his mouth to Cate’s and kissed her tenderly. He savored the feel of her soft lips against his until finally Cate pulled away.

“I have to go,” she whispered. “Good night.” Cate turned and moved toward the door. She picked up her car keys from the hall table and stepped into the foyer. Jon followed her. Cate slipped her feet into her flip-flops then unlocked the deadbolt on the heavy oak door.

She turned the knob and pulled the door toward her, ready to step out into the windy night. She felt Jon move up close behind her, his breath warm on her neck. Then she saw his hand in front of her, on the door.

Her lips parted in a little gasp as he pushed the door shut. “Stay,” he whispered in her ear.