Carol was sitting at her desk in the study of her home going over lists and plans for her son’s party the following night. She had rented out the BLT Market restaurant at the Ritz, arranging rooms for those who would be staying overnight after flying in and making sure that some of Jon’s favorite foods would be served.
She answered her phone distractedly.
“Hello?”
“Hey mom.” She heard Jon’s voice answer.
“Jon! Hi honey, what’s going on?” Carol checked off another item on one of her many note sheets as Jon spoke.
“Mom, did you call Amanda and tell her about the party tomorrow?” That brought Carol’s attention fully to her phone conversation as the truth was she was so frustrated with the lack of information from the PI she had hired that she had tried to put Amanda out of her thoughts.
Taking a breath, she answered her son.
“Jon, I’m sorry, I don’t think I did. I’ve been so busy, sweetie, with everything I think I forgot to call her. I think I thought you would tell her.” Carol made sure her tone of voice was contrite and she sighed out of earshot when Jon replied.
“I thought something like that might have happened. Don’t worry about it, mom. And thanks for doing everything.”
Smiling to herself, Carol finished the call, pleased that Jon had accepted her word. She actually had forgotten to call Amanda, but wasn’t surprised as she tried to think about her as little as possible.
Spending the remainder of her afternoon on the phone with caterers and a few of the many high profile guests who had been invited, Carol again wondered what it was about her son that made him not fully embrace the life he had earned for himself. With the right wife she felt there was no limit to what her son could achieve.
Congressman Jon Bongiovi.
Senator Jon Bongiovi.
Ambassador Jon Bongiovi.
A smile crossed her face as she contemplated what seemed to be the unlimited future for her eldest son.
Why not? If that actor, Schwarzenegger, can become governor of California, why not Jon?
Why not my son?
She had always believed Jon could do anything.
He just needs the right push.
The right wife.
She scribbled another note, this time to call the investigator after Jon’s birthday.
~~~
Amanda brought the packages into the house and carried them upstairs. The house was quiet and on her return to the kitchen she realized Jon and Richie were probably still in the studio. As Linda had weekends off, she called the men. A few words later, Richie let her know they had not yet eaten lunch and told them it would soon be ready.
They came in half an hour later still talking about the latest song they were working on. Grabbing drinks, the two men sat down to the sandwiches and chips Amanda had made. She joined them, listening quietly until Richie turned towards her.
“You packed for London?” He took a mouthful of his food. “Good sandwich.”
Smiling at his enthusiastic bite, Amanda answered.
“Yeah, all packed except for a few last things.” She shot Jon a look.
“You don’t own this plane, do you?”
He grinned around his own bite of food, finally have to settle for shaking his head no. Swallowing a sip of ice cold beer, he picked up a few chips as he caught her eye again.
“If it doesn’t say ‘Bon Jovi’ on the side, it isn’t mine.”
Something in the matter of fact way he spoke caused laughter to bubble up into Amanda’s voice.
“I’m not getting a tattoo that says ‘Bon Jovi’, Jon.”
Both men turned surprised eyes on her until the idea of tattoo’s on their women hit them and they started to laugh with her.
Feeling this was a good time to bring up the party the next day, Jon gave a last chuckle and spoke.
“I talked to mom this morning and she said she thought I was telling you about the party. I’m sorry I didn’t do that ‘cause I was thinking she would call you.”
“It’s all good, Jon.” Amanda nodded at him. “Sounds like it’s going to be great.”
He smiled then, a little relief mingled into it. “Yeah, mom does a great job with this kind of thing.”
Richie listened to this exchange, noticing how Jon took the blame on himself instead of sharing it with his mother. He wondered if in the long run this was the best thing to do.
~~~
Amanda spent the remainder of the afternoon going through the suitcase she had packed for their trip to London the day after Jon’s birthday. Somehow nothing she’d packed seemed right. Throwing down a pair of shoes in disgust at her indecision, she sat heavily in one of the chairs beside a large window.
Staring out at the snow-covered grounds of the home, she curled one leg underneath her as her mind wandered. For a reason she couldn’t yet find, the news of the party set against her own meager plans chafed. She didn’t begrudge Jon a party, but felt that she should have known somehow that he would have one. She realized that just because her family had always celebrated birthdays within the family, other people threw parties. And someone like Jon knew a lot of people.
Inadequate.
That was the feeling. She felt inadequate. How was she supposed to be a part of his life, his wife for god’s sake, if she couldn’t shake the small town girl? Her stomach gave a sudden roll, bringing her feet to the floor and her body poised to move. She sat there, willing the nausea to fade.
Stop it! You’ll learn. Stop making yourself sick over this!
Her stomach calmed and the moment passed, although a vague queasiness remained. The next hour was spent re-packing her suitcase and putting away the clothes she had discarded. With renewed determination she made herself be satisfied with her choices and closed the closet door. Giving a self-satisfied nod at the restored bedroom, she made her way downstairs.
There was no sign of the men and Amanda set about getting dinner ready for that evening. The chores of cutting up, mixing, measuring and heating took her mind off the fact that her stomach still did not feel all that well.
It never occurred to her that her nausea could be from something else.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Happy Holidays!
Chapter 216
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
at
5:29 PM
The next few days passed rather uneventfully with Richie and Jon in the studio most of the time. Amanda’s routine continued much the same. She was getting more used to always having someone with her when she went out and at times found herself letting them slip into the background while she shopped or went to a movie.
As Jon’s birthday approached, she found herself thinking constantly about what she could get him for a present.
What the hell can I possibly get him? What does he need? What does he want? Help!
March 1st found her lying in bed dozing after Jon had woken her an hour earlier, making love to her until she was breathless, and then kissing her softly as he left the room to go to the gym in his home.
Snuggling deeper into the covers to retain his warmth and scent, she let her mind wander. She was getting more and more anxious about the upcoming birthday. As far as she knew, no party was planned and her thought was taking him out to dinner and then a romantic evening at home. Today she would ask Richie if he had any plans that night so she could gently suggest he make himself scarce so the evening would not be disturbed.
Several minutes later following a quick shower and dressing in warm clothes, Amanda wandered downstairs for a cup of coffee. Meeting Richie at the coffee pot brought a smile to her face as she realized this would be a good time to talk to him.
“Good morning.” Richie raised his cup to her and then took a sip.
“Hi hon. How are you today?” Amanda poured the cream and took her own drink.
“Not bad for an old man.” He grinned at her as she looked him up and down, taking in the boots, jeans, deep blue opened shirt, and hair trinkets.
“Richie, you’re never gonna be old.” Amanda assured him. “You’re always gonna be you.”
“Yeah, but if I say that then I get to rag on Jon for getting up there too.” His eyes lit at that as he thought of all the sly comments he had been able to get in over the last few days while they were in the studio.
“I know, it’s tomorrow.” Amanda paused and then took the leap. “Richie?”
He turned to her and widened his eyes in question.
“About Jon’s birthday…” He nodded at her. “I thought I would take him out to dinner and then we might spend the evening together.”
Slowly setting down his cup, he took a deep breath.
“Manda, there’s a party set for tomorrow night. Jon’s mother arranged it.” His voice slowed as he saw a look enter her eyes. A sigh escaped him.
“You didn’t know about the party?”
Amanda shook her head, her eyes dropping to the floor. She felt foolish and embarrassed.
Of course Jon would be having a party.
Of course people would come for his birthday.
Of course she was an idiot.
Her jaw tightening in anger at herself, she raised her head.
“It’s okay, of course there’s a party for Jon.” She worked on relaxing her jaw and throat as she saw Richie looking at her intently.
“Where and when?” She turned to get another coffee as he answered her.
“The BLT Market at the Ritz-Carlton in Manhattan and we’re supposed to be there by seven.”
Richie stood there in the short awkward silence that followed, waiting for Amanda to answer him.
“That sounds great.” She rapidly drank her coffee, setting the cup down, softly on the counter.
Turning back to face Richie, she flashed a falsely bright smile and nodded at him.
“I have a few errands to run. See you later.”
Richie watched as Amanda left the kitchen without looking back, then set his cup on the counter and headed for the gym.
~~~
Jon was in the middle of his last set of weight reps when the blaring music that accompanied his workout was abruptly shut off. The sudden silence caused his head to whip around and he staggered a little under the weights until he saw it was Richie. He nodded and finished the set. The weights clinked as they hit the floor and Jon stood, grabbing a towel to wipe his face. A few deep breaths brought his breathing back under control.
“Hey man, what’s up?”
Continuing to lean against the wall beside the stereo, Richie’s eyes squinted slightly as he spoke.
“Did you tell Amanda about your birthday party?”
His lips pouting lightly in thought, Jon shook his head as he answered.
“No, I thought mom had called her. She said she was going to.” Jon heard his own words as he answered and his eyes quickly matched the narrowed look in Richie’s.
“We’ve been so busy writing I didn’t even think about her not saying anything. There’s gotta be some answer, Rich. Maybe mom tried and didn’t get her.”
Richie’s eyebrows raised slightly, but he said nothing. Jon wiped the back of his neck and nodded at his friend.
“I’ll talk to her. It was just a mistake, I’m sure.” He started to walk towards the door when Richie’s voice caught him.
“She’s gone out. Said she had some errands.”
Pausing briefly, Jon replied.
“Then I’ll catch her when she gets back. Let me shower and we’ll hit the studio again, okay?”
Jon didn’t wait for Richie’s answer, throwing back the door and heading towards the stairs.
Richie gave a half smile at Jon’s determination. When he was in a song writing mood, there wasn’t much that distracted him. He hoped it was a mistake, that Mom B. had tried, but his smile faltered when that thought didn’t quite ring true.
~~~
“Paul?” Amanda called out quietly to her bodyguard of the day.
“Yes Ma’am?” The large man moved quickly to her side.
A smile met him. “Would you mind taking some of these packages?”
Reaching out for the bags, Paul’s 6 foot 3 height towered over her. He was by far the largest of the men who went out with her and she had to admit that she always felt very safe when he was there.
Amanda had not tried to outdo anyone with her gifts for Jon. She had found a buttery leather jacket in a soft cream color and after having seen his battered briefcase, had replaced it with a new one of the same type. Her big surprise was arranging shipping of the motorcycle Jon had bought in Florida, with delivery scheduled for the following day.
As she wandered the shops, she found herself thinking about the birthday party the next day. She still felt foolish that she had assumed that someone of Jon’s stature would be happy to celebrate with just her. She was still so new in his life that she wouldn’t have known who to invite if she had thought of a party and again she felt a flush at knowing how inadequate her plans for Jon had been.
It wasn’t a feeling she was used to.
As Jon’s birthday approached, she found herself thinking constantly about what she could get him for a present.
What the hell can I possibly get him? What does he need? What does he want? Help!
March 1st found her lying in bed dozing after Jon had woken her an hour earlier, making love to her until she was breathless, and then kissing her softly as he left the room to go to the gym in his home.
Snuggling deeper into the covers to retain his warmth and scent, she let her mind wander. She was getting more and more anxious about the upcoming birthday. As far as she knew, no party was planned and her thought was taking him out to dinner and then a romantic evening at home. Today she would ask Richie if he had any plans that night so she could gently suggest he make himself scarce so the evening would not be disturbed.
Several minutes later following a quick shower and dressing in warm clothes, Amanda wandered downstairs for a cup of coffee. Meeting Richie at the coffee pot brought a smile to her face as she realized this would be a good time to talk to him.
“Good morning.” Richie raised his cup to her and then took a sip.
“Hi hon. How are you today?” Amanda poured the cream and took her own drink.
“Not bad for an old man.” He grinned at her as she looked him up and down, taking in the boots, jeans, deep blue opened shirt, and hair trinkets.
“Richie, you’re never gonna be old.” Amanda assured him. “You’re always gonna be you.”
“Yeah, but if I say that then I get to rag on Jon for getting up there too.” His eyes lit at that as he thought of all the sly comments he had been able to get in over the last few days while they were in the studio.
“I know, it’s tomorrow.” Amanda paused and then took the leap. “Richie?”
He turned to her and widened his eyes in question.
“About Jon’s birthday…” He nodded at her. “I thought I would take him out to dinner and then we might spend the evening together.”
Slowly setting down his cup, he took a deep breath.
“Manda, there’s a party set for tomorrow night. Jon’s mother arranged it.” His voice slowed as he saw a look enter her eyes. A sigh escaped him.
“You didn’t know about the party?”
Amanda shook her head, her eyes dropping to the floor. She felt foolish and embarrassed.
Of course Jon would be having a party.
Of course people would come for his birthday.
Of course she was an idiot.
Her jaw tightening in anger at herself, she raised her head.
“It’s okay, of course there’s a party for Jon.” She worked on relaxing her jaw and throat as she saw Richie looking at her intently.
“Where and when?” She turned to get another coffee as he answered her.
“The BLT Market at the Ritz-Carlton in Manhattan and we’re supposed to be there by seven.”
Richie stood there in the short awkward silence that followed, waiting for Amanda to answer him.
“That sounds great.” She rapidly drank her coffee, setting the cup down, softly on the counter.
Turning back to face Richie, she flashed a falsely bright smile and nodded at him.
“I have a few errands to run. See you later.”
Richie watched as Amanda left the kitchen without looking back, then set his cup on the counter and headed for the gym.
~~~
Jon was in the middle of his last set of weight reps when the blaring music that accompanied his workout was abruptly shut off. The sudden silence caused his head to whip around and he staggered a little under the weights until he saw it was Richie. He nodded and finished the set. The weights clinked as they hit the floor and Jon stood, grabbing a towel to wipe his face. A few deep breaths brought his breathing back under control.
“Hey man, what’s up?”
Continuing to lean against the wall beside the stereo, Richie’s eyes squinted slightly as he spoke.
“Did you tell Amanda about your birthday party?”
His lips pouting lightly in thought, Jon shook his head as he answered.
“No, I thought mom had called her. She said she was going to.” Jon heard his own words as he answered and his eyes quickly matched the narrowed look in Richie’s.
“We’ve been so busy writing I didn’t even think about her not saying anything. There’s gotta be some answer, Rich. Maybe mom tried and didn’t get her.”
Richie’s eyebrows raised slightly, but he said nothing. Jon wiped the back of his neck and nodded at his friend.
“I’ll talk to her. It was just a mistake, I’m sure.” He started to walk towards the door when Richie’s voice caught him.
“She’s gone out. Said she had some errands.”
Pausing briefly, Jon replied.
“Then I’ll catch her when she gets back. Let me shower and we’ll hit the studio again, okay?”
Jon didn’t wait for Richie’s answer, throwing back the door and heading towards the stairs.
Richie gave a half smile at Jon’s determination. When he was in a song writing mood, there wasn’t much that distracted him. He hoped it was a mistake, that Mom B. had tried, but his smile faltered when that thought didn’t quite ring true.
~~~
“Paul?” Amanda called out quietly to her bodyguard of the day.
“Yes Ma’am?” The large man moved quickly to her side.
A smile met him. “Would you mind taking some of these packages?”
Reaching out for the bags, Paul’s 6 foot 3 height towered over her. He was by far the largest of the men who went out with her and she had to admit that she always felt very safe when he was there.
Amanda had not tried to outdo anyone with her gifts for Jon. She had found a buttery leather jacket in a soft cream color and after having seen his battered briefcase, had replaced it with a new one of the same type. Her big surprise was arranging shipping of the motorcycle Jon had bought in Florida, with delivery scheduled for the following day.
As she wandered the shops, she found herself thinking about the birthday party the next day. She still felt foolish that she had assumed that someone of Jon’s stature would be happy to celebrate with just her. She was still so new in his life that she wouldn’t have known who to invite if she had thought of a party and again she felt a flush at knowing how inadequate her plans for Jon had been.
It wasn’t a feeling she was used to.
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Chapter 215
Sunday, December 20, 2009
at
7:24 PM
Most of the adults were lounging around Tico’s living room after the kids had been taken back to the hotel by their nannies. They were all going their separate ways the next day, with Hugh and Kelli returning to their home, Richie and Patricia back to New York, David and Jen off on a short trip, and Jon and Amanda returning to Jersey. Tico and Alejandra were already home and planned to stay there for a little bit before they too went on a vacation.
Amanda was talking with her mother and Susan, trying to arrange a time when she could see them again. Giving Jon a quick glance to see he was deep in conversation with Richie, Susan asked a quiet question.
“Mands, did you two set a date yet?”
Surprised by the question, Amanda started to speak, stopped, then started again.
“No, not yet. This is really new, Susan. I’m not rushing anything.”
Jennifer nodded approvingly at her daughter.
“I think that’s a good idea, honey. Give it some time, get to know each other better.”
Jon calling out to Amanda for her to come over stopped whatever response she was going to make. With a quick smile, she walked over to the two men.
Susan and Jennifer exchanged looks, wondering if Amanda would heed her mother’s advice.
~~~
Sitting down at Jon’s side, Amanda turned an expectant smile towards the two.
“What’s up?”
Jon nodded his head at Richie and spoke.
“We’re planning on doing some writing over the next week or so and Richie’s gonna be staying at the house.”
Amanda smiled at them.
“Of course! But you don’t need my approval for that, so what else is up?”
Richie gave a low chuckle at that as Jon turned slightly widened eyes to her.
“How did you know there was something else?”
Amanda shook her head at him.
“Because you would never need to check with me about Richie staying at your house, so there must be something else.”
Richie now turned his head away as laughter shook his long frame.
Jon turned a scowl toward his friend.
“Shut up, Sambora.”
Holding up a hand, Richie got up, indicating he was getting another glass of wine.
They watched him retreat for a moment and then turned towards each other as Jon took a breath to speak.
“I’ve been offered a small part in a movie that’s being filmed in London.”
A quizzical look entered Amanda’s eyes.
“Okay, that’s great, but what’s the problem?”
Jon’s own eyes reflected a puzzled look then as he answered.
“It’s in London and we’ll need to be there for four or five days.”
Amanda gave a small laugh that showed her confusion.
“I loved London when I was there with you. I don’t understand the problem.”
With a mild grimace crossing his face, he told her.
“It’s just, I knew about this a month ago and didn’t tell you.”
Amanda laughed then, her eyes twinkling.
“So, you think I’m gonna be mad about a trip to London that you forgot to tell me about?”
“Well…yeah.” Jon’s voice now held a note of laughter.
A mile-wide grin on her face, Amanda laughed harder.
“Sure, Jon, make me go to London, a great city. I’d really hate that.”
The lightly mocking tone of her voice brought an answering smile to Jon’s face. His reply was stopped by Richie’s return, with the bottle of wine, a huge grin evident.
“I brought a peace offering.” He held out the bottle.
Standing up and giving the two men a pretend scowl, Amanda gathered herself up in a regal pose.
“I don’t do diva.”
She turned and walked toward the bathroom then as both men gave widened eyes at the other and broke into laughter. Richie managed to speak first, his voice a strangled whisper.
“She doesn’t do diva?”
They both broke into laughter.
~~~
Mother and daughter embraced and then drew back to look at the other, one with simple love, the other with love mixed with concern.
“Honey, you know I love you…”
Amanda nodded at her mother, her eyes crinkling a little as she sensed the “but” she was sure was following.
“…it’s just, you’re moving into a world so different from everything you’ve ever known…” Her voice trailed off as she tried to put into words that which was still feelings.
“Mom? What is it?”
Shaking her head gently, Jennifer just smiled.
“I just miss you, honey. It’s not that we don’t talk…” she held up her hand, “…you call often enough, it’s just different having you gone all the time now.”
Amanda’s voice softened as she realized what her mother was saying.
“Oh mom…I’m sorry…it’s just…”
“No, no…don’t do that. You have a chance here to be happy and I won’t have you miss out on it.” Jennifer’s soft hand cupped her daughter’s face.
“You’ll come to me or I’ll come to you. We’ll work it out, Mandy.”
They hugged tightly and Jennifer moved to the waiting car. She turned as Amanda called out to her.
“Mom!”
Jennifer shook her head gently, a smile of great caring on her face.
“No, honey. Go. Take your chance.”
Amanda watched for long moments until the car finally vanished from sight.
Amanda was talking with her mother and Susan, trying to arrange a time when she could see them again. Giving Jon a quick glance to see he was deep in conversation with Richie, Susan asked a quiet question.
“Mands, did you two set a date yet?”
Surprised by the question, Amanda started to speak, stopped, then started again.
“No, not yet. This is really new, Susan. I’m not rushing anything.”
Jennifer nodded approvingly at her daughter.
“I think that’s a good idea, honey. Give it some time, get to know each other better.”
Jon calling out to Amanda for her to come over stopped whatever response she was going to make. With a quick smile, she walked over to the two men.
Susan and Jennifer exchanged looks, wondering if Amanda would heed her mother’s advice.
~~~
Sitting down at Jon’s side, Amanda turned an expectant smile towards the two.
“What’s up?”
Jon nodded his head at Richie and spoke.
“We’re planning on doing some writing over the next week or so and Richie’s gonna be staying at the house.”
Amanda smiled at them.
“Of course! But you don’t need my approval for that, so what else is up?”
Richie gave a low chuckle at that as Jon turned slightly widened eyes to her.
“How did you know there was something else?”
Amanda shook her head at him.
“Because you would never need to check with me about Richie staying at your house, so there must be something else.”
Richie now turned his head away as laughter shook his long frame.
Jon turned a scowl toward his friend.
“Shut up, Sambora.”
Holding up a hand, Richie got up, indicating he was getting another glass of wine.
They watched him retreat for a moment and then turned towards each other as Jon took a breath to speak.
“I’ve been offered a small part in a movie that’s being filmed in London.”
A quizzical look entered Amanda’s eyes.
“Okay, that’s great, but what’s the problem?”
Jon’s own eyes reflected a puzzled look then as he answered.
“It’s in London and we’ll need to be there for four or five days.”
Amanda gave a small laugh that showed her confusion.
“I loved London when I was there with you. I don’t understand the problem.”
With a mild grimace crossing his face, he told her.
“It’s just, I knew about this a month ago and didn’t tell you.”
Amanda laughed then, her eyes twinkling.
“So, you think I’m gonna be mad about a trip to London that you forgot to tell me about?”
“Well…yeah.” Jon’s voice now held a note of laughter.
A mile-wide grin on her face, Amanda laughed harder.
“Sure, Jon, make me go to London, a great city. I’d really hate that.”
The lightly mocking tone of her voice brought an answering smile to Jon’s face. His reply was stopped by Richie’s return, with the bottle of wine, a huge grin evident.
“I brought a peace offering.” He held out the bottle.
Standing up and giving the two men a pretend scowl, Amanda gathered herself up in a regal pose.
“I don’t do diva.”
She turned and walked toward the bathroom then as both men gave widened eyes at the other and broke into laughter. Richie managed to speak first, his voice a strangled whisper.
“She doesn’t do diva?”
They both broke into laughter.
~~~
Mother and daughter embraced and then drew back to look at the other, one with simple love, the other with love mixed with concern.
“Honey, you know I love you…”
Amanda nodded at her mother, her eyes crinkling a little as she sensed the “but” she was sure was following.
“…it’s just, you’re moving into a world so different from everything you’ve ever known…” Her voice trailed off as she tried to put into words that which was still feelings.
“Mom? What is it?”
Shaking her head gently, Jennifer just smiled.
“I just miss you, honey. It’s not that we don’t talk…” she held up her hand, “…you call often enough, it’s just different having you gone all the time now.”
Amanda’s voice softened as she realized what her mother was saying.
“Oh mom…I’m sorry…it’s just…”
“No, no…don’t do that. You have a chance here to be happy and I won’t have you miss out on it.” Jennifer’s soft hand cupped her daughter’s face.
“You’ll come to me or I’ll come to you. We’ll work it out, Mandy.”
They hugged tightly and Jennifer moved to the waiting car. She turned as Amanda called out to her.
“Mom!”
Jennifer shook her head gently, a smile of great caring on her face.
“No, honey. Go. Take your chance.”
Amanda watched for long moments until the car finally vanished from sight.
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Morning!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
at
6:22 AM
This has been a good week. A friend retrieved all my stories from my poor broken-down laptop and amazingly I was able to get a new laptop.
Should be able to post next chapter tomorrow.
Thanks for checking back!
Should be able to post next chapter tomorrow.
Thanks for checking back!
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1 comments
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Where The Hell Am I?
Sunday, July 12, 2009
at
12:17 PM
Hey guys - sorry it has been so long. Yes, I'm still around, but the computer gods have been seriously f ' g with me!
Within 1-2 weeks I hope hope hope to get my files off my now defunct laptop and put them on a desk top for further publishing.
Never ever again will I be caught without my stuff being backed up!
Thanks for thinking about me and I miss you all. Send me some good karma, cause I need it!
Within 1-2 weeks I hope hope hope to get my files off my now defunct laptop and put them on a desk top for further publishing.
Never ever again will I be caught without my stuff being backed up!
Thanks for thinking about me and I miss you all. Send me some good karma, cause I need it!
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10
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John Francis - Chapter 214
Saturday, February 14, 2009
at
8:46 AM
A chuckle near her ear brought her out of her thoughts.
“You’re staring…” Susan’s low voice held a hint of teasing. She gave a quick glance at the other two women to see them in deep conversation.
Amanda turned embarrassed eyes toward her friend.
“Well, uhm, yeah…” she demurred in a low voice. “He doesn’t relax that often. It’s really nice to see him do that.”
Looking at Amanda with a thoughtful look on her face, Susan asked what came to mind.
“Doesn’t he relax with you?”
“Of course he does! It’s just different when he’s with them, especially Richie.”
“Susan replied thoughtfully. “Yeah, Richie…”
Amanda turned to her. “What?”
“It’s just…sometimes I wish he and I had…” Her voice trailed off.
“Suze?”
Susan shook her head. “It’s nothing, Manda, he’s with someone now and…”
Amanda put her hand on her friend’s shoulder. “I thought you two didn’t…”
“We didn’t…it’s just…sometimes I still wonder…” Susan broke off then, smiling at Amanda.
“I guess if you’re marrying Jon I have to get used to seeing the guys, right?”
Amanda looked closely at her friend. “You okay doing that?”
Susan glanced briefly to Trish and then to Richie who’s face was expressive as he looked only at her.
“Yep, I’m okay.”
~~~
Later in the day, after the kids were fed and involved in their various Game Boys, iPods, and for the younger ones, their baths, the adults sat around the dinner table. Bottles of wine littered the table top amidst the remains of their dinner. Everyone was feeling relaxed and full after the meal of seafood, Alfredo pasta, fresh vegetables and several bottles of Tico’s best white wine.
Jon’s arm was around Amanda’s shoulders, his fingers playing absentmindedly with one of her curls. Trish and Richie were holding hands and sharing quick glances and Hugh and David were talking, while Tico seemed to be paying attention with half a mind until Alejandra returned to the table side after tucking their son into bed. She leaned over and whispered something in Tico’s ear and glanced at Jon.
Seeing Alejandra’s nod, Jon excused himself from the table and walked towards the stairs. At Tico’s urging, they all left the table and went into the living room where comfortable chairs and sofas were waiting.
They had brought their wine glasses and were lounging in various poses when Jon came back downstairs. In his hand was a large rectangular wrapped package with a bright blue bow. The others turned from their conversations as Jon entered the living room and then glanced at Amanda with smiles on her face.
Amanda met the looks of her friends with confusion. She wasn’t sure why she was the object of their sly looks, but when Jon put the package in front of her light began to dawn. She looked at the carefully wrapped package and then up at Jon, who had a particularly self-satisfied smile on his face.
Carefully opening the paper, Amanda was astonished to find a painting of bright colors, abstract shapes and geometric designs that still somehow managed to convey the image of a woman with the ocean behind her. The sun seemed to be rising and streaks of color shot out from the center. Next to the woman was a man with light hair, his hand on her shoulder, both facing the ocean, the wind blowing their hair.
There was silence in the room as Amanda took in every detail of the amazing painting. She had seen enough of Tico’s style when she had been his guest before that she knew he had done this. She looked from Jon to Tico in question. Jon answered.
“I knew you liked his work. This is an original and one of a kind Tico Torres.” He glanced at his friend and saw Tico nodding.
“Querida, it’s called ‘A New Dawn’. For the first birthday in your new life.” Tico’s voice held the warmth of his smile.
Carefully passing the painting to her mother, Amanda jumped up and moved to Tico’s chair. She kissed his cheek and beamed. He hugged her in return and smiled at his wife when Amanda immediately turned to Jon.
“Jon, it’s…amazing. Thank you so much. I can’t believe you asked Tico to do this for me.”
She shook her head softly as the uniqueness of the gift overwhelmed her. Her lips sought his as she pressed the gentlest of kisses there. He deepened the kiss, curling her hair around his hand as he did so. The murmurs of conversation finally registered and the two moved apart enough to sit, but never let go of the other’s hand.
Jennifer and Susan exchanged looks, both more reassured than they had been at the beginning of the depth of Jon’s feelings for Amanda. Richie watched Jon lose some of his customary caution in a group that had more than his friends in it. Tico and Alejandra smiled indulgently. Jen and Patricia glanced at each other and grinned at Amanda’s love-stricken look at Jon. David, Hugh and Obie threw quick eye flicks around, while Matt and Tony both raised eyebrows and gave slight shakes of their heads. Neither Amanda or Jon noticed.
Richie did and wondered at it.
~~~
The cue ball smacked resoundingly into the seven, banking off three sides as one brother stood watching the other shoot.
Absently chalking his stick, Matt watched the seven slide into a corner pocket.
“So, what do you think about her, Tony?”
Shrugging his shoulders, chalking his own cue stick, Tony glanced at his brother.
“She seems pretty decent. Didn’t see her flashing any jewelry to the other women, not even her friend…what’s her name…Sharon?”
Matt shook his head. “Susan.”
“Yeah, her…” Tony continued, “…and she seemed to like that painting…but, shit, Matty, we both know Jon’s taste in women these days…”
Waiting until Tony shot again, Matt countered.
“You remember Maryann?”
Tony nodded yes.
“She was the one who would keep me informed as much as possible while they were on the road about what was going on with Jon. She was the one who told me about him carrying her out of that room at Giants. And she saw them screwing in the limo. Apparently it was a big joke, with the other guys banging on the car and shit.”
Tony threw him a slightly puzzled look.
“So? What’s the big deal about that? You know our brother’s never been shy about that kinda shit. He just makes sure there’s no press around to get pictures.”
“The point is that what they did made it onto Backstage. I had to ban a few members just to get the rumors shut off. Once the other broads realized that talking that kinda crap was getting some of them banned, they shut up.”
“Matt, I’ve told ya a hundred times, that kinda shit is gonna catch up to you one day. You think that’s the only place they talk?”
“I’m not worried about them, Tony, I’m worried about Jon…and Ma.”
Tony’s head snapped around.
“What about Ma?”
“Not sure, but she does not like Amanda. You know that.”
Shrugging his shoulders, Tony replied. “Yeah, she called me once or twice, but you know her, she’ll get over it.”
Looking his brother directly in the eyes, Tony’s voice was low.
“You’re talking about Jon and Mom, Matt, she's always...she'll never...fuck, Matt, you know..."
Matt nodding, just a little grimly.
"Yeah...the golden boy..."
“You’re staring…” Susan’s low voice held a hint of teasing. She gave a quick glance at the other two women to see them in deep conversation.
Amanda turned embarrassed eyes toward her friend.
“Well, uhm, yeah…” she demurred in a low voice. “He doesn’t relax that often. It’s really nice to see him do that.”
Looking at Amanda with a thoughtful look on her face, Susan asked what came to mind.
“Doesn’t he relax with you?”
“Of course he does! It’s just different when he’s with them, especially Richie.”
“Susan replied thoughtfully. “Yeah, Richie…”
Amanda turned to her. “What?”
“It’s just…sometimes I wish he and I had…” Her voice trailed off.
“Suze?”
Susan shook her head. “It’s nothing, Manda, he’s with someone now and…”
Amanda put her hand on her friend’s shoulder. “I thought you two didn’t…”
“We didn’t…it’s just…sometimes I still wonder…” Susan broke off then, smiling at Amanda.
“I guess if you’re marrying Jon I have to get used to seeing the guys, right?”
Amanda looked closely at her friend. “You okay doing that?”
Susan glanced briefly to Trish and then to Richie who’s face was expressive as he looked only at her.
“Yep, I’m okay.”
~~~
Later in the day, after the kids were fed and involved in their various Game Boys, iPods, and for the younger ones, their baths, the adults sat around the dinner table. Bottles of wine littered the table top amidst the remains of their dinner. Everyone was feeling relaxed and full after the meal of seafood, Alfredo pasta, fresh vegetables and several bottles of Tico’s best white wine.
Jon’s arm was around Amanda’s shoulders, his fingers playing absentmindedly with one of her curls. Trish and Richie were holding hands and sharing quick glances and Hugh and David were talking, while Tico seemed to be paying attention with half a mind until Alejandra returned to the table side after tucking their son into bed. She leaned over and whispered something in Tico’s ear and glanced at Jon.
Seeing Alejandra’s nod, Jon excused himself from the table and walked towards the stairs. At Tico’s urging, they all left the table and went into the living room where comfortable chairs and sofas were waiting.
They had brought their wine glasses and were lounging in various poses when Jon came back downstairs. In his hand was a large rectangular wrapped package with a bright blue bow. The others turned from their conversations as Jon entered the living room and then glanced at Amanda with smiles on her face.
Amanda met the looks of her friends with confusion. She wasn’t sure why she was the object of their sly looks, but when Jon put the package in front of her light began to dawn. She looked at the carefully wrapped package and then up at Jon, who had a particularly self-satisfied smile on his face.
Carefully opening the paper, Amanda was astonished to find a painting of bright colors, abstract shapes and geometric designs that still somehow managed to convey the image of a woman with the ocean behind her. The sun seemed to be rising and streaks of color shot out from the center. Next to the woman was a man with light hair, his hand on her shoulder, both facing the ocean, the wind blowing their hair.
There was silence in the room as Amanda took in every detail of the amazing painting. She had seen enough of Tico’s style when she had been his guest before that she knew he had done this. She looked from Jon to Tico in question. Jon answered.
“I knew you liked his work. This is an original and one of a kind Tico Torres.” He glanced at his friend and saw Tico nodding.
“Querida, it’s called ‘A New Dawn’. For the first birthday in your new life.” Tico’s voice held the warmth of his smile.
Carefully passing the painting to her mother, Amanda jumped up and moved to Tico’s chair. She kissed his cheek and beamed. He hugged her in return and smiled at his wife when Amanda immediately turned to Jon.
“Jon, it’s…amazing. Thank you so much. I can’t believe you asked Tico to do this for me.”
She shook her head softly as the uniqueness of the gift overwhelmed her. Her lips sought his as she pressed the gentlest of kisses there. He deepened the kiss, curling her hair around his hand as he did so. The murmurs of conversation finally registered and the two moved apart enough to sit, but never let go of the other’s hand.
Jennifer and Susan exchanged looks, both more reassured than they had been at the beginning of the depth of Jon’s feelings for Amanda. Richie watched Jon lose some of his customary caution in a group that had more than his friends in it. Tico and Alejandra smiled indulgently. Jen and Patricia glanced at each other and grinned at Amanda’s love-stricken look at Jon. David, Hugh and Obie threw quick eye flicks around, while Matt and Tony both raised eyebrows and gave slight shakes of their heads. Neither Amanda or Jon noticed.
Richie did and wondered at it.
~~~
The cue ball smacked resoundingly into the seven, banking off three sides as one brother stood watching the other shoot.
Absently chalking his stick, Matt watched the seven slide into a corner pocket.
“So, what do you think about her, Tony?”
Shrugging his shoulders, chalking his own cue stick, Tony glanced at his brother.
“She seems pretty decent. Didn’t see her flashing any jewelry to the other women, not even her friend…what’s her name…Sharon?”
Matt shook his head. “Susan.”
“Yeah, her…” Tony continued, “…and she seemed to like that painting…but, shit, Matty, we both know Jon’s taste in women these days…”
Waiting until Tony shot again, Matt countered.
“You remember Maryann?”
Tony nodded yes.
“She was the one who would keep me informed as much as possible while they were on the road about what was going on with Jon. She was the one who told me about him carrying her out of that room at Giants. And she saw them screwing in the limo. Apparently it was a big joke, with the other guys banging on the car and shit.”
Tony threw him a slightly puzzled look.
“So? What’s the big deal about that? You know our brother’s never been shy about that kinda shit. He just makes sure there’s no press around to get pictures.”
“The point is that what they did made it onto Backstage. I had to ban a few members just to get the rumors shut off. Once the other broads realized that talking that kinda crap was getting some of them banned, they shut up.”
“Matt, I’ve told ya a hundred times, that kinda shit is gonna catch up to you one day. You think that’s the only place they talk?”
“I’m not worried about them, Tony, I’m worried about Jon…and Ma.”
Tony’s head snapped around.
“What about Ma?”
“Not sure, but she does not like Amanda. You know that.”
Shrugging his shoulders, Tony replied. “Yeah, she called me once or twice, but you know her, she’ll get over it.”
Looking his brother directly in the eyes, Tony’s voice was low.
“You’re talking about Jon and Mom, Matt, she's always...she'll never...fuck, Matt, you know..."
Matt nodding, just a little grimly.
"Yeah...the golden boy..."
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John Francis - Chapter 213
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
at
11:35 PM
Tico and Alejandra were sitting outside on the patio of their home, talking with their guests and friends. The kids had eaten and were already in the pool as the adults sat lingering over the buffet that had been offered and the excellent Cuban coffee Alejandra had prepared.
Trish and Jen were sitting beside Alejandra on lounge chairs by the pool, talking while keeping one eye on the kids. They all knew the nannies for the Bongiovi children were watching, but Alejandra keep watching her young son and their eyes traveled frequently to the laughing children.
Richie, Tico, and David sat at the table, sipping their coffees and smiling indulgently whenever a shriek came from the pool area. Tico turned dark eyes to David.
“So, what’s going on with you and Jen?”
David turned his head back from the kids with a slightly surprised look in his face.
“Where’d that question come from?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Tico gave a small smile.
“Just wondered. I like her. She doesn’t take any shit from you.”
David grinned a sly one cheeked smile and then smirked.
“Yeah, but it’s a lot of fun giving it back.”
He glanced at Richie, deftly turning the tables.
“What about you, Swing? You figured out yet Trish is smarter than you?”
“Fuck you, Lema.”
“Fuck you? That’s your best shot? You’re slippin’ man.”
Richie scowled at David over the rim of his coffee cup, meeting the twinkling eyes and wide grin of the other man.
“Either of you know if Jon invited his parents here?” Richie’s eyes glanced at both the other men as he spoke.
David shook his head ‘no’ and Tico just raised an eyebrow.
Richie shot a look at Tico. “What?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Tico answered. “Jon said yesterday that he had asked them to come but his mother was sick.”
Richie’s radar twitched at the slightly questioning expression on Tico’s face.
“She was sick? Or she didn’t want to come?”
Again shaking his head, Tico replied. “He said sick, but I think she didn’t want to come.”
David jumped in. “What’s up with her? I’ve never seen her be so rude to someone.”
“I don’t know, but Jon didn’t seem too upset when she said they weren’t coming. He also didn’t seem worried about her being sick, which made me think she probably wasn’t.” Tico answered as he refilled his coffee cup.
The men were stopped from pursuing the conversation further at the arrival of the other guests. Hugh and Kelli arrived, followed shortly by Obie, Chris, and Mrs. Sambora, with Tony and Matt following shortly. Everyone was spending the day together and the drinks soon began as the laughter grew.
The doorbell rang again to announce Susan and Mrs. Adams’ arrival. They entered to warm greetings from Tico and then a tour by Alejandra. Once they returned to the patio, Jennifer settled herself by Joan Sambora. The two were soon deep in conversation. Susan said hello to the other men and then wandered over to sit with Jen and Trish.
“Wow! Great house, huh?” She smiled at the other two, settling herself on a comfortable lounger.
Jen nodded. “Oh yeah, did you get the tour too?”
“Sure did.”
Trish smiled a little distractedly. After glancing at her and then at where she was looking, the other two women grinned at each other and then turned to her.
“Uh, earth to Trish…” Jen poked her with a finger on the shoulder.
Trish’s head snapped back to her.
“What?”
Jen laughed out loud. “You. Mooning over Richie. How old are you anyway, girl?”
Trish blushed lightly as she gave a small laugh. “I know, it’s ridiculous. But he’s such a great guy.”
Susan watched Patricia blush lightly and guessed correctly that she and Richie were sleeping together. She felt a small flare of jealousy when she realized that she had met Richie before Trish and he had never shown an interest in her. This was quickly followed by an image of the people crowding them on the street that day in New York and she gave a small shudder. She did not do crowds like that. Malls, concerts, that type of crowd were okay, but the pressing of bodies and shoving that had happened that day…no.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she was drawn back into the conversation, answering a question from Jen.
Trish found her eyes drifting again to Richie, remembering with an imperceptible shudder their morning together. A twinge of worry crossed her mind, but she brushed it away. It wasn’t that close to a dangerous time. They had always been careful. It would never happen again.
And no matter, it really, really wasn’t that close.
Hearing her name in a question from Susan, Patricia and then Jen talked about how they had met the men. She told about the dinner she had gone to for The Soul and how the press had been all over the event when Jon had announced the engagement. The three were talking and laughing over something Jen had said when a figure plopped down on a chair beside them.
“Can I join this party?” Amanda eyed the three who were now wiping tears from their eyes.
“Hey girl!” Susan threw an arm around her friend’s shoulder.
“Did you have a nice birthday night?” Jen asked with a wink.
Nodding with a big grin on her face, Amanda replied. “Yes…I’d have to say I did.”
“So…” Susan asked, throwing a smile at the other two women, “…what did you get for a present from Jon?”
Amanda made surprised eyes as she considered the question. “This…everyone here, that was my present. And I love it!”
The other three lightly raised their eyes to each other as Amanda looked around at friends and family. Susan shook her head at them, saying without words that this was Amanda. Sudden laughter from the men drew the women’s eyes to watch their group.
Tico stood there, the smallest of the group, but with a presence that made him seem larger than he was. He had heavily muscled arms from his years as a drummer and a full head of black hair. His voice was the lowest of the men also and his deep laughter could be heard across the length of the pool.
David’s golden corkscrew curls seemed to almost shoot off sparks as bright sunlight hit it. The curls shook when he talked and flew back and forth in continuous motion. Hugh was always the quieter one in the group, but whenever he spoke the men turned to listen. He seemed more low key, but heads were thrown back in laughter after he had added something to the conversation.
Richie’s own dark hair was also catching the light of the sun, or more likely it was the beading of the trinkets that dangled down below the ends of his longish hair. Constantly throwing different voices and accents into the group, he mugged for his friends, drawing frequent laughter. Somehow with the trinkets, the open front purple shirts, and the jeans, Richie also seemed to be ready for rock and roll.
Jon had already thrown on swim trunks and stood there in the sun, one arm under the other, a drink in his hand, the sun glinting off his hair and seeming to linger on the fur covering his chest, arms, and legs. He seemed supremely at ease, throwing his head back in throaty laughter at something one or the other of his friends said.
Watching with the other women, Amanda realized that she was seeing a rare side of Jon. A glimpse of the man when he was with friends, at ease, with no hint of the “rock star” persona he so often had to adopt. His smiles and laughter were genuine and there was no guardedness in his posture.
Trish and Jen were sitting beside Alejandra on lounge chairs by the pool, talking while keeping one eye on the kids. They all knew the nannies for the Bongiovi children were watching, but Alejandra keep watching her young son and their eyes traveled frequently to the laughing children.
Richie, Tico, and David sat at the table, sipping their coffees and smiling indulgently whenever a shriek came from the pool area. Tico turned dark eyes to David.
“So, what’s going on with you and Jen?”
David turned his head back from the kids with a slightly surprised look in his face.
“Where’d that question come from?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Tico gave a small smile.
“Just wondered. I like her. She doesn’t take any shit from you.”
David grinned a sly one cheeked smile and then smirked.
“Yeah, but it’s a lot of fun giving it back.”
He glanced at Richie, deftly turning the tables.
“What about you, Swing? You figured out yet Trish is smarter than you?”
“Fuck you, Lema.”
“Fuck you? That’s your best shot? You’re slippin’ man.”
Richie scowled at David over the rim of his coffee cup, meeting the twinkling eyes and wide grin of the other man.
“Either of you know if Jon invited his parents here?” Richie’s eyes glanced at both the other men as he spoke.
David shook his head ‘no’ and Tico just raised an eyebrow.
Richie shot a look at Tico. “What?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Tico answered. “Jon said yesterday that he had asked them to come but his mother was sick.”
Richie’s radar twitched at the slightly questioning expression on Tico’s face.
“She was sick? Or she didn’t want to come?”
Again shaking his head, Tico replied. “He said sick, but I think she didn’t want to come.”
David jumped in. “What’s up with her? I’ve never seen her be so rude to someone.”
“I don’t know, but Jon didn’t seem too upset when she said they weren’t coming. He also didn’t seem worried about her being sick, which made me think she probably wasn’t.” Tico answered as he refilled his coffee cup.
The men were stopped from pursuing the conversation further at the arrival of the other guests. Hugh and Kelli arrived, followed shortly by Obie, Chris, and Mrs. Sambora, with Tony and Matt following shortly. Everyone was spending the day together and the drinks soon began as the laughter grew.
The doorbell rang again to announce Susan and Mrs. Adams’ arrival. They entered to warm greetings from Tico and then a tour by Alejandra. Once they returned to the patio, Jennifer settled herself by Joan Sambora. The two were soon deep in conversation. Susan said hello to the other men and then wandered over to sit with Jen and Trish.
“Wow! Great house, huh?” She smiled at the other two, settling herself on a comfortable lounger.
Jen nodded. “Oh yeah, did you get the tour too?”
“Sure did.”
Trish smiled a little distractedly. After glancing at her and then at where she was looking, the other two women grinned at each other and then turned to her.
“Uh, earth to Trish…” Jen poked her with a finger on the shoulder.
Trish’s head snapped back to her.
“What?”
Jen laughed out loud. “You. Mooning over Richie. How old are you anyway, girl?”
Trish blushed lightly as she gave a small laugh. “I know, it’s ridiculous. But he’s such a great guy.”
Susan watched Patricia blush lightly and guessed correctly that she and Richie were sleeping together. She felt a small flare of jealousy when she realized that she had met Richie before Trish and he had never shown an interest in her. This was quickly followed by an image of the people crowding them on the street that day in New York and she gave a small shudder. She did not do crowds like that. Malls, concerts, that type of crowd were okay, but the pressing of bodies and shoving that had happened that day…no.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she was drawn back into the conversation, answering a question from Jen.
Trish found her eyes drifting again to Richie, remembering with an imperceptible shudder their morning together. A twinge of worry crossed her mind, but she brushed it away. It wasn’t that close to a dangerous time. They had always been careful. It would never happen again.
And no matter, it really, really wasn’t that close.
Hearing her name in a question from Susan, Patricia and then Jen talked about how they had met the men. She told about the dinner she had gone to for The Soul and how the press had been all over the event when Jon had announced the engagement. The three were talking and laughing over something Jen had said when a figure plopped down on a chair beside them.
“Can I join this party?” Amanda eyed the three who were now wiping tears from their eyes.
“Hey girl!” Susan threw an arm around her friend’s shoulder.
“Did you have a nice birthday night?” Jen asked with a wink.
Nodding with a big grin on her face, Amanda replied. “Yes…I’d have to say I did.”
“So…” Susan asked, throwing a smile at the other two women, “…what did you get for a present from Jon?”
Amanda made surprised eyes as she considered the question. “This…everyone here, that was my present. And I love it!”
The other three lightly raised their eyes to each other as Amanda looked around at friends and family. Susan shook her head at them, saying without words that this was Amanda. Sudden laughter from the men drew the women’s eyes to watch their group.
Tico stood there, the smallest of the group, but with a presence that made him seem larger than he was. He had heavily muscled arms from his years as a drummer and a full head of black hair. His voice was the lowest of the men also and his deep laughter could be heard across the length of the pool.
David’s golden corkscrew curls seemed to almost shoot off sparks as bright sunlight hit it. The curls shook when he talked and flew back and forth in continuous motion. Hugh was always the quieter one in the group, but whenever he spoke the men turned to listen. He seemed more low key, but heads were thrown back in laughter after he had added something to the conversation.
Richie’s own dark hair was also catching the light of the sun, or more likely it was the beading of the trinkets that dangled down below the ends of his longish hair. Constantly throwing different voices and accents into the group, he mugged for his friends, drawing frequent laughter. Somehow with the trinkets, the open front purple shirts, and the jeans, Richie also seemed to be ready for rock and roll.
Jon had already thrown on swim trunks and stood there in the sun, one arm under the other, a drink in his hand, the sun glinting off his hair and seeming to linger on the fur covering his chest, arms, and legs. He seemed supremely at ease, throwing his head back in throaty laughter at something one or the other of his friends said.
Watching with the other women, Amanda realized that she was seeing a rare side of Jon. A glimpse of the man when he was with friends, at ease, with no hint of the “rock star” persona he so often had to adopt. His smiles and laughter were genuine and there was no guardedness in his posture.
She also grasped that no matter what happened to him in the future, these men would hold a place in his life that could never be changed.
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John Francis - Chapter 212
Sunday, February 8, 2009
at
10:42 PM
Amanda felt giddy as they returned to the room. She went in as Jon opened the door and practically twirled as she walked through the room to the floor to ceiling windows that faced onto a dark ocean, she stood there a moment, reflected in dim light of the room. Setting down the room key on a table, Jon came up behind her, and wrapped strong arms around her from behind.
“It’s still your birthday for a few more minutes. Is there anything you want?”
The breath from his whispered words warmed her skin where it touched. She turned in his arms until she faced him, running her fingers into his hair as she drew his lips towards hers.
“I want you.”
Jon’s eyes widened even as a smile crinkled the corners.
His lips touching the softness of hers was his answer.
Currents seemed to shoot through her as he nibbled at her mouth, touching her softly with tongue and teeth, sharing a breath with her. Her blood seemed to warm and her skin felt as if a fever had started, sensitive, aware of the slightest touch. Sliding his hands down her back, he cupped her buttocks, pulling her upward and into his hardness, pressing back against the warmth of her. Reluctantly releasing her, he moved quickly to the back of her dress, sliding the zipper down with one hand while his mouth trailed kisses from her cheek to the smooth hollow of her neck.
Amanda’s head dropped back as Jon’s lips moved lower down the front of her. She felt relief when the clasp of her bra was released and shrugged her shoulders to drop it down. He allowed her to slip it off and quickly removed his own shirt before drawing her back to press her fullness against the tangle of hair that awaited it. Her arms around his muscled back drew him closer to her as her hands found his hair, tugging him more fully against her. Their kisses deepened, mouths fused together as if each needed the other to breathe.
Separating herself only enough to allow her hands to touch the front of him, Amanda ran her fingers through the rough hairs of his chest and lower stomach, teasing by dipping her fingers gently down into the front of his pants. A low growl made a laugh catch in her throat as he entwined a hand in her hair, bending her to his passion. She shuddered when his lips touched a breast, nipping the aroused tip before taking it fully into his mouth. Her eyes closed as pleasure spread from that one point throughout her body. Her hand in his hair tightened as she raised him up to meet her eyes.
“Jon…please…”
The hoarseness of her voice brought a smile to his lips and with a twist she was in his arms and then on the bed. Her dress was gone, his pants were dropped, and he slowly crawled up over her, intent on only one end. The lightest pressure of his knee against her thigh had her opening to him and he slowly moved up until his shaft pressed against her. She reached for him, easing his entry with the arousal that awaited him, until the tip of his length caught and he was inside her, each stroke causing a grunt to leave his throat and an answering moan from hers.
Over and over again he buried himself inside her as she thrust back up to receive him. Deep shudders announced her peak as Jon ground himself further into her, only moments from his own release. Her breath caught and then a muffled scream into his shoulder betrayed her as sensation poured through her. The spasms of her orgasms gripped him and Jon felt himself slip over his own edge, plunging into her once, then twice, as he poured himself inside her.
Lowering himself over her, he allowed his weight to settle on her gently, his arms cradling her, small kisses on the sides of her neck causing giggles to shake them both. She wriggled against him, catching her lip as a smile threatened as his eyes widened at her movements. Squinted dark eyes met his blue as she smiled at him.
“Well, it IS still my birthday, right?”
A raised eyebrow met that question as she actually leered up at him.
The growl that accompanied the duck lips made her laugh even as they once again re-kindled the fire.
~~~
“Hey babe? Breakfast is here.”
Jon looked at the closed bathroom door, wondering if Amanda was still in the shower. He had woken that morning feeling that all was right in his world. The party had been a success. She was happy. All their friends had come. He frowned again as he thought of his mother’s “excuse”, then shrugged it off as the door opened and Amanda came out in a hotel robe with a towel wrapped around her head.
“Thanks. I’m starving!”
He gave an exaggerated “I’m so good” puff of his chest as she laughed and poured coffee.
She helped herself to eggs and toast, filling a plate for him also.
“So, what’s happening today?”
Jon sat at the table, taking a forkful of food before answering, and adding a pile of bacon.
“Heading over to Tico’s. The kids can play in the pool and we’ll have lunch, spend the day.”
She nodded at him. “That sounds great. I’m really glad the kids could come.”
His smile was warm as he gazed at her.
~~~
Patricia snuggled down deeper into the covers of the bed as she listened to the singing coming from the shower. She grinned to herself, wondering at the man’s energy. They couldn’t have gotten more than four hours of sleep and she ached in places she had forgotten she had, and he was up already, in the shower, and singing.
Now that she thought about it a little more, waking up to hearing Richie sing in the shower was something that she could easily get used to. Throwing back the covers in a sudden impulse, she walked the few steps to the bathroom and knocked on the door. Unfortunately, he had to stop singing to tell her to ‘come in’, but the warm soapy man opening the shower door to invite her was worth the interruption.
A grin split his face as he took in the lushness of the woman standing under the spray. He moved up behind her and cupped her heavy breasts in his hands.
“Mornin’ darlin’…” he nuzzled her neck with his warm breath.
“Ummm…good morning…”
“Glad you woke up.” His hands moved more firmly around her breasts, the thumbs teasing rising nipples.
With her backside firmly pressed against Richie’s front, Patricia couldn’t stop a grin crossing her face.
“Looks like I’m not the only one.”
Richie chuckled in her ear as he pressed his length against her.
Patricia made a low sound of pure pleasure as the long fingers of Richie’s hand reached between her legs and began to weave their magic. The warmth of his shaft against her seemed to grow stronger as their soft breaths turned harsher with the need to be together. In a sudden graceful move, Richie turned Patricia to face him and quickly lifted her up, positioning her against the shower wall, with her legs now wrapped about his back.
Eyes wide in anticipation, Patricia felt him seek entry and then her eyes closed as his length entered her fully and his hands pressed her against him until he could get no further inside. As always, the size of this man brought it’s own mixture of pleasure and pain at the onset which quickly turned to pure pleasure as her body adjusted and moisture slicked down to ease his passage.
Her breath quickened when she heard his hoarse whispered urging, almost in time to his thrusts.
“Come for me, baby…”
Her teeth caught her lower lip as the pleasure built and built.
“That’s it, baby, that’s it…”
Patricia whimpered now, her fingers tightening on his shoulders, using their broadness to both balance herself and aid her in matching his thrusts.
“Baby…” Richie ground out, the slick heat at the core of the woman in his arms working it’s magic, bringing him closer to release.
“God…Richie…ohhhh…” Patricia’s words failed as her orgasm rolled through her, dropping her head onto his shoulder as she clenched her hands on the muscles they found.
Richie felt her go, felt her spasming around his cock, the heat of her growing as he thrust again and again.
“Trish…ahh…god…” He slammed into her again as he poured himself into her willing body.
The two clung together for more than a few minutes afterwards, until Richie reluctantly lowered her off his body and onto the floor. Patricia’s legs trembled as she stood, the warm water beating down on her still throbbing body. Richie shared the water with her, one hand bracing himself against a wall. He reached for the soap to wash and glanced down at himself.
“Well…shit.” His voice was low as he took in the news that there was no protective sheath to remove.
Patricia turned at his voice, glancing at him in puzzlement.
“What?”
Richie gestured downward and her eyes followed…and widened.
“Oh…shit.”
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John Francis - Chapter 211
Saturday, February 7, 2009
at
7:00 PM
Jon’s eyes took in the woman standing in front of him, saw her own light enhanced by the warm reflected rays of the fading sun. Her smile as she saw Jon standing there widened and radiated with her love.
“Nice day baby?” He asked as he kissed her cheek.
“Amazing day. Thank you.”
Jon had a wine at the ready and sipping the chilled white, tasting the light almost not there barest hint of fruit, she smiled her approval of his choice. They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, both turning to watch the waves as they rolled onto the shore. There were a few people still on the beach, catching the last of the rays, while some were gathering towels and moving toward the hotel.
“Ready for dinner?” His words, spoken softly, brought her thoughts back to the man across from her.
“Sure. Here?”
“No, somewhere else. Let’s go.” He pulled her chair out and they walked from the room.
Expecting to be led to the main entrance of the hotel and a waiting car, Amanda was surprised to be taken to a hallway that apparently led to a series of rooms. Glancing quickly at his watch, Jon smiled and then opened one of the doors. Amanda stepped in to see a crowd of people, all yelling “SURPRISE!”. She started laughing as she saw who was there. It seemed Jon had been busy.
Along with her mother, Susan, and a few of her other close girlfriends, there was Richie, Patricia, Tico, Alejandra, Hugh, Kelli, David, Jen, Obie, Chris, Matt and Tony and their wives, Richie’s mom, and a few others in attendance. She gave a gasp of surprise as her legs were suddenly tackled by a small set of arms. Looking down she saw Romeo and then the rest of Jon’s children along with two women who appeared to be their nannies. Quickly giving and receiving hugs and kisses, she was moved through the crowd, birthday wishes coming from all her friends and family.
Jon stood back a little, watching Amanda’s reactions to the evening he had planned for her. He caught Richie’s eye and saw his friend wink at him, a big grin on his handsome face. Working his way over to Jon, he moved through the mingling crowd, ruffling Romeo’s hair as he passed by. He reached Jon and stood at his side. They both watched for a few minutes.
“Did she suspect anything?” Richie asked without turning his head.
“Nah, not a thing.” Jon’s grin was wide enough that Richie caught it from the corner of his eye.
“Ya did good, bro’…real good.” Richie also grinned as he spoke.
Jon had sent the plane for everyone from the New York and New Jersey area, while Amanda’s mother and her friends were picked up and driven to the hotel. The only people who had declined were Dorothea and Eric and his parents. He could understand Dot’s reasons and appreciated that she had allowed the kids to come without a fuss; however, his parents were another story.
His dad had relayed the information that Carol wasn’t feeling well and didn’t want to travel, but he was fairly sure she wasn’t as sick as she made out as evidenced by her normal-sounding voice when he called to check on her. Hearing laughter from others in the room, he shook off his dark thoughts and got back into the moment.
“Jon?” A woman’s voice and the touch of a hand on his arm brought him turning to his other side.
“Hi Jennifer…” A warm smile and a flash of white greeted Amanda’s mother.
“You really surprised her. Thanks so much for doing this.” She squeezed the strong forearm in her hand as she spoke.
Jon put his hand over her smaller one, patting it as he widened his smile. His eyes traveled from the mother to the daughter. He watched her for a few minutes as smiled at something Susan said then threw her head back in laughter, a hand reaching to cover a smile that wouldn’t stop even as her eyes twinkled with another.
He inclined his head toward Jennifer, speaking almost from the corner of his smile.
“I love hearing her laugh.”
Nodding her head, watching her daughter intently, she leaned towards Jon.
“Me too.”
Jon gave a slight lurch as Romeo, who seemed to think he was suddenly a linebacker, grabbed him. A quick step forward saved him as he turned to find Romeo firmly attached.
“Hey big guy! Come here!”
Romeo giggled as he was swept up high by his father, then settled against a hip. Jon almost winced at the stickiness that met his cheek, but the sweetness of the kiss that accompanied it turned the wince into a smile. His youngest beamed at him as he pulled back from the kiss.
“Dad?” Bright eyes met those of his father.
“Yeah?”
His son’s emphatic “Bathroom!” was accompanied by a point of his finger and a wiggle to get down.
A wry grin from Jon was all that was needed for Jennifer to break out into a big smile. She laughed at the expression on his youngest son as he tugged his father’s hand.
“Better hurry!”
Those legendary blue eyes rolled as he allowed himself to be pulled from the room.
Susan glanced up to see Jon being led out the door to the room by his son and Jennifer watching them with a fond smile. She moved over to her and gave a small chuckle of her own at Romeo’s nonstop talk. She figured it was the last rather frantic “Dad! Come on!” that did it.
“Hey mom…you having fun?”
Jennifer turned to her daughter’s friend, a big grin still on her face.
“Yeah…I am. He’s really good with those kids, isn’t he?” Her gaze traveled once again to the closed door, before turning to Susan.
“This is the first time I’ve seen him with them, but I’m thinking that’s a yes.”
“How’s our girl doing?” Jennifer nodded toward her daughter.
“She’s having a blast. Just got out of the spa here and says they have a gorgeous room, so…” Susan trailed off as she also watched Amanda beaming at those around her.
Amanda saw two of the people she loved most talking to the other and excused herself to walk over. Hands on her hips, she cocked her head at them.
“And what are you two talking about?”
Susan quickly piped up.
“You, of course!”
Raised eyebrows met that.
“Oh? And I’m that interesting suddenly? Hmmm?”
“Hell yeah, girl! Haven’t seen you for weeks and in the meantime you’ve gotten engaged! I’d say that’s interesting.” Susan’s voice was teasing as she smiled at her friend.
Before she could respond to that, she was grabbed from behind by a small figure. She gave a slight lurch forward and reached out a hand, catching Susan’s. Turning to look behind her, she grinned at Jon’s littlest one.
“Hey Romeo! Where’d you go?”
“Bathroom. With daddy.” He let her go and turned to look around.
“Where’s Jakey?” His eyes found his brother and he dashed off before she could answer, a young woman quickly following him.
Jon came up behind her then, his arm slipping around her waist as he pulled her back to him.
Looking at the other women, he nodded towards the table.
“You ladies ready to eat?”
~~~
The birthday dinner was over and most of the guests were in the bar. Jon had offered a room to both Susan and Jennifer and they had accepted. Even Tico and Alejandra were staying over at the beautiful hotel, although Tico lived extremely close. Their son was with his nanny and their evening was free.
Drinks and laughter flower throughout the elegant room as the guys delighted in telling Amanda’s mother some of the stories about her. She found herself threatening one then the other with bodily harm when they were in the midst of some tale that usually found her at the losing end. Her mother exhibited a laugh close to Amanda’s when she heard what her daughter’s friends were telling her.
“You punched him?” Jennifer turned wide eyes to her child.
“Well, yes, but not very hard.” Amanda stuttered as those who had witnessed the event roared.
“Uhm, excuse me, it was my stomach.” Jon turned to look at Amanda, squinting his eyes as he did so. “It was hard.”
“Oh yeah, right! Like I really hurt THAT stomach!” Amanda retorted before what she said reached her own ears.
They all laughed at the blush that consumed her.
Jon flashing his stomach to the room at that moment didn’t help.
“Nice day baby?” He asked as he kissed her cheek.
“Amazing day. Thank you.”
Jon had a wine at the ready and sipping the chilled white, tasting the light almost not there barest hint of fruit, she smiled her approval of his choice. They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, both turning to watch the waves as they rolled onto the shore. There were a few people still on the beach, catching the last of the rays, while some were gathering towels and moving toward the hotel.
“Ready for dinner?” His words, spoken softly, brought her thoughts back to the man across from her.
“Sure. Here?”
“No, somewhere else. Let’s go.” He pulled her chair out and they walked from the room.
Expecting to be led to the main entrance of the hotel and a waiting car, Amanda was surprised to be taken to a hallway that apparently led to a series of rooms. Glancing quickly at his watch, Jon smiled and then opened one of the doors. Amanda stepped in to see a crowd of people, all yelling “SURPRISE!”. She started laughing as she saw who was there. It seemed Jon had been busy.
Along with her mother, Susan, and a few of her other close girlfriends, there was Richie, Patricia, Tico, Alejandra, Hugh, Kelli, David, Jen, Obie, Chris, Matt and Tony and their wives, Richie’s mom, and a few others in attendance. She gave a gasp of surprise as her legs were suddenly tackled by a small set of arms. Looking down she saw Romeo and then the rest of Jon’s children along with two women who appeared to be their nannies. Quickly giving and receiving hugs and kisses, she was moved through the crowd, birthday wishes coming from all her friends and family.
Jon stood back a little, watching Amanda’s reactions to the evening he had planned for her. He caught Richie’s eye and saw his friend wink at him, a big grin on his handsome face. Working his way over to Jon, he moved through the mingling crowd, ruffling Romeo’s hair as he passed by. He reached Jon and stood at his side. They both watched for a few minutes.
“Did she suspect anything?” Richie asked without turning his head.
“Nah, not a thing.” Jon’s grin was wide enough that Richie caught it from the corner of his eye.
“Ya did good, bro’…real good.” Richie also grinned as he spoke.
Jon had sent the plane for everyone from the New York and New Jersey area, while Amanda’s mother and her friends were picked up and driven to the hotel. The only people who had declined were Dorothea and Eric and his parents. He could understand Dot’s reasons and appreciated that she had allowed the kids to come without a fuss; however, his parents were another story.
His dad had relayed the information that Carol wasn’t feeling well and didn’t want to travel, but he was fairly sure she wasn’t as sick as she made out as evidenced by her normal-sounding voice when he called to check on her. Hearing laughter from others in the room, he shook off his dark thoughts and got back into the moment.
“Jon?” A woman’s voice and the touch of a hand on his arm brought him turning to his other side.
“Hi Jennifer…” A warm smile and a flash of white greeted Amanda’s mother.
“You really surprised her. Thanks so much for doing this.” She squeezed the strong forearm in her hand as she spoke.
Jon put his hand over her smaller one, patting it as he widened his smile. His eyes traveled from the mother to the daughter. He watched her for a few minutes as smiled at something Susan said then threw her head back in laughter, a hand reaching to cover a smile that wouldn’t stop even as her eyes twinkled with another.
He inclined his head toward Jennifer, speaking almost from the corner of his smile.
“I love hearing her laugh.”
Nodding her head, watching her daughter intently, she leaned towards Jon.
“Me too.”
Jon gave a slight lurch as Romeo, who seemed to think he was suddenly a linebacker, grabbed him. A quick step forward saved him as he turned to find Romeo firmly attached.
“Hey big guy! Come here!”
Romeo giggled as he was swept up high by his father, then settled against a hip. Jon almost winced at the stickiness that met his cheek, but the sweetness of the kiss that accompanied it turned the wince into a smile. His youngest beamed at him as he pulled back from the kiss.
“Dad?” Bright eyes met those of his father.
“Yeah?”
His son’s emphatic “Bathroom!” was accompanied by a point of his finger and a wiggle to get down.
A wry grin from Jon was all that was needed for Jennifer to break out into a big smile. She laughed at the expression on his youngest son as he tugged his father’s hand.
“Better hurry!”
Those legendary blue eyes rolled as he allowed himself to be pulled from the room.
Susan glanced up to see Jon being led out the door to the room by his son and Jennifer watching them with a fond smile. She moved over to her and gave a small chuckle of her own at Romeo’s nonstop talk. She figured it was the last rather frantic “Dad! Come on!” that did it.
“Hey mom…you having fun?”
Jennifer turned to her daughter’s friend, a big grin still on her face.
“Yeah…I am. He’s really good with those kids, isn’t he?” Her gaze traveled once again to the closed door, before turning to Susan.
“This is the first time I’ve seen him with them, but I’m thinking that’s a yes.”
“How’s our girl doing?” Jennifer nodded toward her daughter.
“She’s having a blast. Just got out of the spa here and says they have a gorgeous room, so…” Susan trailed off as she also watched Amanda beaming at those around her.
Amanda saw two of the people she loved most talking to the other and excused herself to walk over. Hands on her hips, she cocked her head at them.
“And what are you two talking about?”
Susan quickly piped up.
“You, of course!”
Raised eyebrows met that.
“Oh? And I’m that interesting suddenly? Hmmm?”
“Hell yeah, girl! Haven’t seen you for weeks and in the meantime you’ve gotten engaged! I’d say that’s interesting.” Susan’s voice was teasing as she smiled at her friend.
Before she could respond to that, she was grabbed from behind by a small figure. She gave a slight lurch forward and reached out a hand, catching Susan’s. Turning to look behind her, she grinned at Jon’s littlest one.
“Hey Romeo! Where’d you go?”
“Bathroom. With daddy.” He let her go and turned to look around.
“Where’s Jakey?” His eyes found his brother and he dashed off before she could answer, a young woman quickly following him.
Jon came up behind her then, his arm slipping around her waist as he pulled her back to him.
Looking at the other women, he nodded towards the table.
“You ladies ready to eat?”
~~~
The birthday dinner was over and most of the guests were in the bar. Jon had offered a room to both Susan and Jennifer and they had accepted. Even Tico and Alejandra were staying over at the beautiful hotel, although Tico lived extremely close. Their son was with his nanny and their evening was free.
Drinks and laughter flower throughout the elegant room as the guys delighted in telling Amanda’s mother some of the stories about her. She found herself threatening one then the other with bodily harm when they were in the midst of some tale that usually found her at the losing end. Her mother exhibited a laugh close to Amanda’s when she heard what her daughter’s friends were telling her.
“You punched him?” Jennifer turned wide eyes to her child.
“Well, yes, but not very hard.” Amanda stuttered as those who had witnessed the event roared.
“Uhm, excuse me, it was my stomach.” Jon turned to look at Amanda, squinting his eyes as he did so. “It was hard.”
“Oh yeah, right! Like I really hurt THAT stomach!” Amanda retorted before what she said reached her own ears.
They all laughed at the blush that consumed her.
Jon flashing his stomach to the room at that moment didn’t help.
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John Francis - Chapter 210
Sunday, January 4, 2009
at
9:04 AM
The next several days were extremely frustrating for Amanda. Jon, with Richie’s full agreement, had insisted on reporting the letters, the nails in the tires, and the package she had received to the police to get things on record. She had a guard with her now at all times and while this was to prevent some of the problems that had occurred the two previous times, she found herself constantly aware that whatever she did she had a shadow and a male one at that.
The things she had enjoyed previously, such as spending hours just walking a mall, browsing her way from store to store, she now hurried through, sure the man with her was bored to tears. Paul, Hank, and Steve alternated in accompanying her and while they were all nice guys and assured her that she could do whatever she wanted for as long as she wanted, she just couldn’t seem to get to the point where she didn’t notice them as Jon and Richie seemed to do.
She found herself leaving the house less and less to avoid the seemingly ever-present crowds that appeared when she did. A few times she’d had to be whisked away by one of her security men when a situation had arisen where people had spotted her and started in with questions and comments and even asking for autographs. She had no idea where that one came from, but it was becoming a more common event. Why the hell do they want my autograph? She had asked one of the men, Paul if she remembered correctly, why people were asking for her signature as she wasn’t a celebrity and he had explained it was a way for them to be close to Jon.
The two of them continued their social schedule, with Amanda finding more and more events scheduled onto her phone planner. She and Sharon were in daily contact now as she had quickly realized that Jon didn’t quite understand that while he could be ready in half an hour after a quick shower and throwing on a suit, or jeans, or whatever attire he needed, she needed a bit more time.
Richie and Jon were almost constantly in the studio these days, working on songs for a new album. They were moving back to a harder rock style of some of their earlier hits and she even found herself meeting the famous Desmond Child one afternoon when he had flown in to work with them for a week or so. Both Jon and Richie were enthusiastic in their praise of the songwriter, giving him extensive credit for many of their biggest hits.
~~~
Saturday arrived and Amanda realized with a small shock that February was almost over. It was the 22nd and her birthday. She had been awoken that morning by a wide awake Jon pressing his rather formidable morning erection against her backside. He whispered into her ear exactly what he intended to do with her that morning and the sound of that husky voice elicited a response that had her whirling to face him and pulling him onto her with a strength born of lust and excitement.
Smiling down at her, her eyes still slitted with sleep, seeing the flush of her skin, the crinkle of her nipples, and feeling the moisture that awaited him, Jon made love to her. When she tried to hurry him, he lingered, driving her further to a precipice that remained just out of reach. Long slow strokes had her whimpering as her head tossed back and forth, fingernails rasping along his back and buttocks, until the steady rhythm moving inside her rocked her head, arched her back, and she screamed her release. Her excitement moved Jon to deeper strokes that soon had him groaning over her, pouring his hot seed inside her. He curved over her, resting his head alongside hers as both gasped for breath. Her thighs quivered against his legs and the fur of his chest rasped against her sensitive skin. Jon finally managed to raise his head and look at her.
“Morning.” His voice was even huskier than when he had been whispering to her.
She nearly purred as she returned his greeting.
“Hmmm…what time is it?” She could have turned her head to see the clock, but couldn’t seem to find the energy.
“It’s 5:30…sorry to wake you so early, but we’ve got a busy day ahead of us.” He grinned at her like a little boy and as always she found that grin was impossible to resist.
“What? Your schedule was clear for today and tomorrow.”
He again gave her that crooked grin of his and lifting himself off her, he quickly pulled her to her feet, sending her on her way to the shower with a smack on the ass. She gasped and whirled but met his raised hands that promised no more swats if she moved.
“It’s a surprise, birthday girl. So get moving and trust me, okay?”
Amanda broke into a huge smile at that. She knew he wouldn’t have forgotten her birthday, but they had not discussed any plans. Now she knew why – he wanted to surprise her.
Within an hour they were being driven to what turned out to be the airport. Her eyes wide as they pulled up to departures, Amanda was further baffled when Jon pulled out two small bags from the back of the car.
“Who packed me a bag?”
“I did, with Linda’s help. Now hush, we’ve gotta catch a plane.”
They hurried through security and with Jon pulling her along and prompting her to rush a little more, she didn’t see where the plane was scheduled to land. Once settled into first class, a champagne glass in her hand, she turned to her devious abductor.
“Okay Bongiovi, spill it. Where are we going?”
Jon simply raised an eyebrow at her and grinned devilishly when a flight attendant announced their itinerary, a straight thru flight to West Palm Beach, Florida. Grinning madly at Jon, she raised her glass to toast him her thanks.
A little after noon that day they arrived in West Palm where a limo was waiting for them. A small picnic basket was in the back and they nibbled at some shrimp, brie, and crackers as Jon opened a delicious white that had been chilling. Amanda was expecting to be taken to her mother’s house as she thought that was her birthday surprise, but instead the limo drove over the Flagler bridge onto Palm Beach and they pulled into the Breakers.
The Breakers Hotel was an historic landmark in Palm Beach. It was set amidst 140 acres of prime beach front property, with a staff of 2,300 for 540 guest rooms. It was legendary for its architecture, amenities, and history. The site was originally the location of The Palm Beach Inn, built in1896 by Henry Morrison Flagler. Unfortunately, this structure was destroyed by fire in 1903 and was rebuilt in 1904 and christened The Breakers. Again in 1925 disaster struck, fire demolishing the hotel. The Breakers as it exists now, opened its doors again in December 1926, the rebuilding taking only 11 ½ months.
As the limo drove down the 1,040 foot drive to the main entrance, the Italian villa influence patterned after the Villa Medici in Rome was a breathtaking view. The driver stopped at the entry where attendants snapped to attention to assist the passengers inside. Jon didn’t bother with their bags, knowing they would be brought in and taken to their room. A quick stop at the main desk in the glorious lobby, inspired by the Great Hall of the Palazzo Carega (circa 1560) in Genoa, didn’t allow Amanda long enough to linger and take in the beauty around her. Laughing softly, Jon assured her she would have time later.
They were whisked away to the Imperial Suite, a luxurious 1,650 square feet, done in creams, whites, gold, and sage green that seemed to exist solely to showcase the breath-taking view of the ocean from the endless floor to ceiling sliding doors.
The attendants who had accompanied them quickly vanished after Jon’s discrete tipping as Amanda wandered around the room and again took in the view of “her” ocean. One of the men nodded at Jon’s questioning look, assuring him that the instructions he had faxed a few days before had been taken care of and that all was in readiness.
The phone in the suite rang and Jon answered, apparently receiving information he had been waiting for. Turning to Amanda, he took her hand.
“Let’s go babe…” He smiled at her wide eyes as he pulled her to the door. Taking the elevator to the spa, Jon turned her over to the spa associates who started her experience. For this day, Jon had chosen the most extensive and lavish spa package, the Regal Experience. For the next several hours Amanda enjoyed a massage, a mud wrap, a facial massage, and a manicure and pedicure.
Returning from her shower afterwards, she entered a private dressing room in the spa where she found a hanging bag, a small box and a card with instructions.
Your makeup is inside the box, a little nothing is inside the bag, and a very lucky man awaits your arrival in the Tapestry Bar. Love, J
Opening the hanging bag, Amanda found an elegantly simple cocktail dress, pale pink in color, with off the shoulder short sleeves and a slightly flared skirt. She laughed softly to herself at seeing the matching underwear and hose and garters that were also enclosed. Opening the box that contained her make-up, she was surprised to see a small gift box encircled with a bow. Inside the box was a necklace of large clear pink stones – she wasn’t sure what they were – encased in gold that fit just below choker length when she put it on. There were also matching earrings and a bracelet.
Freshly made up, her hair glossier than usual from the spa treatments, garters affixed, she drew the dress down over her shoulders and looked at herself in the large mirror. She put on the jewelry Jon had given her and just stood for a few minutes. Never before had she experienced anything like this for a birthday and she was in a bit of a daze as she gazed around her. A knock at the door startled her back into the here and now and she opened the door to find one of the spa personnel. The woman informed her that her personal belongings would be returned to her room unless she preferred to take them herself. Amanda agreed to having the items brought by one of the attendants and asked directions to the Tapestry Bar.
The things she had enjoyed previously, such as spending hours just walking a mall, browsing her way from store to store, she now hurried through, sure the man with her was bored to tears. Paul, Hank, and Steve alternated in accompanying her and while they were all nice guys and assured her that she could do whatever she wanted for as long as she wanted, she just couldn’t seem to get to the point where she didn’t notice them as Jon and Richie seemed to do.
She found herself leaving the house less and less to avoid the seemingly ever-present crowds that appeared when she did. A few times she’d had to be whisked away by one of her security men when a situation had arisen where people had spotted her and started in with questions and comments and even asking for autographs. She had no idea where that one came from, but it was becoming a more common event. Why the hell do they want my autograph? She had asked one of the men, Paul if she remembered correctly, why people were asking for her signature as she wasn’t a celebrity and he had explained it was a way for them to be close to Jon.
The two of them continued their social schedule, with Amanda finding more and more events scheduled onto her phone planner. She and Sharon were in daily contact now as she had quickly realized that Jon didn’t quite understand that while he could be ready in half an hour after a quick shower and throwing on a suit, or jeans, or whatever attire he needed, she needed a bit more time.
Richie and Jon were almost constantly in the studio these days, working on songs for a new album. They were moving back to a harder rock style of some of their earlier hits and she even found herself meeting the famous Desmond Child one afternoon when he had flown in to work with them for a week or so. Both Jon and Richie were enthusiastic in their praise of the songwriter, giving him extensive credit for many of their biggest hits.
~~~
Saturday arrived and Amanda realized with a small shock that February was almost over. It was the 22nd and her birthday. She had been awoken that morning by a wide awake Jon pressing his rather formidable morning erection against her backside. He whispered into her ear exactly what he intended to do with her that morning and the sound of that husky voice elicited a response that had her whirling to face him and pulling him onto her with a strength born of lust and excitement.
Smiling down at her, her eyes still slitted with sleep, seeing the flush of her skin, the crinkle of her nipples, and feeling the moisture that awaited him, Jon made love to her. When she tried to hurry him, he lingered, driving her further to a precipice that remained just out of reach. Long slow strokes had her whimpering as her head tossed back and forth, fingernails rasping along his back and buttocks, until the steady rhythm moving inside her rocked her head, arched her back, and she screamed her release. Her excitement moved Jon to deeper strokes that soon had him groaning over her, pouring his hot seed inside her. He curved over her, resting his head alongside hers as both gasped for breath. Her thighs quivered against his legs and the fur of his chest rasped against her sensitive skin. Jon finally managed to raise his head and look at her.
“Morning.” His voice was even huskier than when he had been whispering to her.
She nearly purred as she returned his greeting.
“Hmmm…what time is it?” She could have turned her head to see the clock, but couldn’t seem to find the energy.
“It’s 5:30…sorry to wake you so early, but we’ve got a busy day ahead of us.” He grinned at her like a little boy and as always she found that grin was impossible to resist.
“What? Your schedule was clear for today and tomorrow.”
He again gave her that crooked grin of his and lifting himself off her, he quickly pulled her to her feet, sending her on her way to the shower with a smack on the ass. She gasped and whirled but met his raised hands that promised no more swats if she moved.
“It’s a surprise, birthday girl. So get moving and trust me, okay?”
Amanda broke into a huge smile at that. She knew he wouldn’t have forgotten her birthday, but they had not discussed any plans. Now she knew why – he wanted to surprise her.
Within an hour they were being driven to what turned out to be the airport. Her eyes wide as they pulled up to departures, Amanda was further baffled when Jon pulled out two small bags from the back of the car.
“Who packed me a bag?”
“I did, with Linda’s help. Now hush, we’ve gotta catch a plane.”
They hurried through security and with Jon pulling her along and prompting her to rush a little more, she didn’t see where the plane was scheduled to land. Once settled into first class, a champagne glass in her hand, she turned to her devious abductor.
“Okay Bongiovi, spill it. Where are we going?”
Jon simply raised an eyebrow at her and grinned devilishly when a flight attendant announced their itinerary, a straight thru flight to West Palm Beach, Florida. Grinning madly at Jon, she raised her glass to toast him her thanks.
A little after noon that day they arrived in West Palm where a limo was waiting for them. A small picnic basket was in the back and they nibbled at some shrimp, brie, and crackers as Jon opened a delicious white that had been chilling. Amanda was expecting to be taken to her mother’s house as she thought that was her birthday surprise, but instead the limo drove over the Flagler bridge onto Palm Beach and they pulled into the Breakers.
The Breakers Hotel was an historic landmark in Palm Beach. It was set amidst 140 acres of prime beach front property, with a staff of 2,300 for 540 guest rooms. It was legendary for its architecture, amenities, and history. The site was originally the location of The Palm Beach Inn, built in1896 by Henry Morrison Flagler. Unfortunately, this structure was destroyed by fire in 1903 and was rebuilt in 1904 and christened The Breakers. Again in 1925 disaster struck, fire demolishing the hotel. The Breakers as it exists now, opened its doors again in December 1926, the rebuilding taking only 11 ½ months.
As the limo drove down the 1,040 foot drive to the main entrance, the Italian villa influence patterned after the Villa Medici in Rome was a breathtaking view. The driver stopped at the entry where attendants snapped to attention to assist the passengers inside. Jon didn’t bother with their bags, knowing they would be brought in and taken to their room. A quick stop at the main desk in the glorious lobby, inspired by the Great Hall of the Palazzo Carega (circa 1560) in Genoa, didn’t allow Amanda long enough to linger and take in the beauty around her. Laughing softly, Jon assured her she would have time later.
They were whisked away to the Imperial Suite, a luxurious 1,650 square feet, done in creams, whites, gold, and sage green that seemed to exist solely to showcase the breath-taking view of the ocean from the endless floor to ceiling sliding doors.
The attendants who had accompanied them quickly vanished after Jon’s discrete tipping as Amanda wandered around the room and again took in the view of “her” ocean. One of the men nodded at Jon’s questioning look, assuring him that the instructions he had faxed a few days before had been taken care of and that all was in readiness.
The phone in the suite rang and Jon answered, apparently receiving information he had been waiting for. Turning to Amanda, he took her hand.
“Let’s go babe…” He smiled at her wide eyes as he pulled her to the door. Taking the elevator to the spa, Jon turned her over to the spa associates who started her experience. For this day, Jon had chosen the most extensive and lavish spa package, the Regal Experience. For the next several hours Amanda enjoyed a massage, a mud wrap, a facial massage, and a manicure and pedicure.
Returning from her shower afterwards, she entered a private dressing room in the spa where she found a hanging bag, a small box and a card with instructions.
Your makeup is inside the box, a little nothing is inside the bag, and a very lucky man awaits your arrival in the Tapestry Bar. Love, J
Opening the hanging bag, Amanda found an elegantly simple cocktail dress, pale pink in color, with off the shoulder short sleeves and a slightly flared skirt. She laughed softly to herself at seeing the matching underwear and hose and garters that were also enclosed. Opening the box that contained her make-up, she was surprised to see a small gift box encircled with a bow. Inside the box was a necklace of large clear pink stones – she wasn’t sure what they were – encased in gold that fit just below choker length when she put it on. There were also matching earrings and a bracelet.
Freshly made up, her hair glossier than usual from the spa treatments, garters affixed, she drew the dress down over her shoulders and looked at herself in the large mirror. She put on the jewelry Jon had given her and just stood for a few minutes. Never before had she experienced anything like this for a birthday and she was in a bit of a daze as she gazed around her. A knock at the door startled her back into the here and now and she opened the door to find one of the spa personnel. The woman informed her that her personal belongings would be returned to her room unless she preferred to take them herself. Amanda agreed to having the items brought by one of the attendants and asked directions to the Tapestry Bar.
Walking through the main areas of the Breakers on her way to the bar, she was aware of the appreciative glances that came her way. She blushed lightly as she was sure she was beaming from what had so far been an amazing day. Entering the bar she glanced around. The glow of the setting sun reflected off the ocean, shedding a soft light on the furnishings in the bar. Jon’s hair caught that sunlight as he waited at a table by the large windows, his eyes drawn to the rolling waves outside. Amanda walked to the table and was met at she arrived by the man who had made this day possible.
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