Chapter 151 - Ghosts

She was back in the villa. In the bedroom.

Cate was sitting in the corner of the room, watching him. He was magnificent, his torso bare, the black denim jeans skimming his form, undone at the waist. He stood by the bed, his chest heaving in anticipation, looking toward the bathroom doors.

He sucked in a sharp breath as she moved into the doorway, posing seductively for a long moment, then sashaying across the bedroom. She was beautiful, glamorous, sexy. Her long blonde hair shimmered in the candlelight, and the black lace teddy hardly covered anything. Her legs looked a mile long in the black thigh-high stockings.

The blonde stopped in front of Jon and his eyes slid over her body, coolly evaluating her curves. He stood tensed and motionless as she advanced further, sliding her arms around his neck and slithering her body against his. His hands remained at his sides even as the blonde pressed her scarlet-stained lips to his mouth. He didn’t respond to the kiss.

The blonde pulled back, giving Jon an astonished glare. She wasn’t used to this response. Her eyes flicked to the corner, then narrowed in disdain. “Who’s that?” she asked with a sneer, pointing an acrylic-tipped claw.

*****

Jon’s eyes snapped open at the sound of Cate’s whimper. He still held her cradled against his chest where she had fallen asleep hours ago. But now she was anything but peaceful.

Jon could feel Cate's heart pounding as she trembled. Her skin was clammy against his warm flesh, the perspiration evidence of her reaction to the dream. Cate let out another low, frightened whimper. The sound almost broke Jon’s heart.

Not knowing what else to do Jon lay still, trying to control his own breathing, keeping Cate within the protective circle of his arms. He didn’t want to disturb her dream, to make it worse. He prayed she wouldn’t awaken in a panic and run like she had last time.

They were in her home, in her bed. Surely she would wake up and realize she was safe. That whatever demons were still plaguing her were only in her dreams.

Jon fought back the urge to hug Cate tight, to whisper in her ear that everything would be okay, to rouse her from sleep and chase away her nightmare. Somehow he knew that wasn’t the answer.

*****

“She’s the One.” Jon’s answer was simple and straightforward, his voice sure and even.

The blonde shot a contemptuous glare at Cate before backing away from Jon. “Your loss,” she spat before stalking past him, out of the bedroom.

Jon turned and gave Cate a soulful look, then his lips curved into a tender smile. Silently he held out his hand, beckoning to her.

Cate felt herself rise then take hesitant steps toward him, unable to resist. She could hear her heart thudding in her chest, warning her of the dangers of falling again. Of falling for Him.

On the verge of panic Cate looked down, expecting to see the stain of crimson on her shirt, to feel the gun in her hand…

But they weren't there.

Her eyes widened as she looked up, back to Jon’s glittering indigo eyes.

“Don’t look back, Cate. Let it go.” His words were a gentle command.

Drawing in a deep breath, Cate stepped forward. She reached out to slip her hand into Jon’s as she silently nodded.

His smile in response told her the truth.

Her heart was full, not broken. It was safe.

It was his.

*****

Jon felt Cate’s body relax as she let out a long sigh. Surprised, he lay motionless for another moment before letting out the breath he didn’t realize he had been holding. Tentatively, unsure of what had happened, Jon tightened his embrace around Cate, hugging her gently.

She let out a soft purr in response, shifting to burrow her face against his chest. “Jon…” she mumbled.

“I’m here, Baby.” he whispered.

“I let it go.” she murmured.

Jon felt tears spring to his eyes as he smiled. He pressed a kiss into her hair at the crown of her head, squeezing her gently.

He lay awake for a long while, holding Cate as she slept peacefully in the circle of his embrace.