John Francis

It was late in the day by the time they arrived and both admitted they were starving. Looking through the cupboards and fridge, Amanda found enough fresh ingredients to make a chicken Alfredo pasta. With a box of fettuccine in her hand, she turned to Jon and grinning, ask,

“I’m right in guessing you like pasta, yes?”

He smirked at her, “Manda, I’m Italian, I think I was weaned on linguine.” She giggled at that.

“Okay, then, I can do dinner.”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “I think I’m gonna take a quick shower first though, as there’s sand in places there shouldn’t be.”

He laughed along with her, feeling the tickle of salt and sand himself. “I know what you mean”.

They were playful in the shower, but both were too hungry to do more than get clean.

During dinner Jon brought the conversation around to her admission at the beach.

“Honey…” she looked at him, “Thanks for telling me what you did before, I know you didn’t want to, but I didn’t expect to get so carried away either” he motioned with a bit of chagrin on his face.

“Thanks for answering my questions too, Jon. I know they were personal but…”

“You had every right to ask, baby, I always made sure not to take any chances. I haven’t …well…lost myself in the moment like that in more years than I can remember” he admitted softly.

“Well, if you had to, I’m glad it was with me” she confessed quietly.

“Me too, Manda, me too.”

She grinned slyly at him though as she couldn’t resist adding, “Of course, there goes your boy scout merit badge.” Her laughter echoed as he chased her through the house.

They retired early that night to enjoy the closeness of their bodies and the warmth and comfort the other provided. Jon curled around her, a slight stirring in his loins, but right now he just wanted to take pleasure in the sensation of her in his arms. He fell asleep breathing in the scent of her hair.

Tuesday morning found them waking to the sounds of a heavy thunderstorm. Lightening flashed brilliantly and thunder shook the glass in the house. They snuggled closer under the covers, watching the storm through a half opened blind and listening to the sounds of a raging Mother Nature.

Jon curled closer behind Amanda. “Good morning, sweetheart”.

He heard her sleepy “Mornin’, honey”.

“Manda?” he whispered.

“Hmmm?”

“Will you come with me tonight to the charity auction?”

She nodded and he heard her say, “I would love to”.

He settled back against her listening to the rain and to his heart. They fell back asleep, bodies intertwined.

A little while later the absence of sound woke them and they realized the rain had passed. Stretching languorously, Amanda laughed softly.

“You did it again, Bongiovi, made me ache in places I forgot I had.” His laughter at her innocent statement caused a blush that unfortunately he saw.

“You are so cute when you blush” he just had to say.

“Errr!” she growled, “Men! Let me up, you fiend!”

Laughing, he released her as she got up and went into the bathroom, giving the door a mild slam as she did so. He heard the shower start, but gave her a few minutes of privacy as he stretched on the bed, feeling a bit of an ache in his muscles too if he was to be honest. He felt so deeply peaceful that he had to analyze the feeling a bit. It didn’t take long, it was Amanda. He wondered if she had figured out yet that she was his.

After a few minutes, he got up and entered the bathroom calling out, “Sorry, darlin’, nature’s calling”.

She laughed from the shower. “I have seen a man pee before ya know”.

He finished then brushed his teeth and entered the shower with her. He took her in his arms, rubbing the scruff of his face against hers until he noted her skin reddening slightly. Rubbing his jaw reflectively he stated, “Gotta shave today for the shindig tonight”. Knowing she was a bit razor burned, she agreed.

“What do I need to wear tonight for this?” she asked.

“A nice dress, but not floor length. I’ve been to a lot of these and that seems to be what most of the women wear.”

She was thinking hard. “Uh, Jon, I don’t think I have anything like that in my closet and I sure don’t have something like that here.”

He groaned theatrically, “Shopping?! We gotta go shopping? Now that may be asking just a little too much” he jiggled his eyebrows at her.

“I know,” she sighed, “men hate shopping. I can call a cab and go get something. You don’t have to come.”

He caught her open mouth with his and kissed her. “Do you really think I’m letting you outta my sight? No chance, lady, you’re stuck with me!”

Grinning at him, she cocked an eyebrow. “What? Think I’m gonna run?”

“Nah” he grinned at her, “but you know how I missed you when you just went to the bathroom.” She blushed at that reminder of the close call at Taboo.

“What am I going to do with you?” she asked while shaking her head.

“You want a list?” came his wicked response.

“OUT! Out of my shower!” she playfully shoved him.

“Okay, okay, I’m goin’. Jesus! You’re one feisty broad!”

“Broad!” she hollered, “you are so going to pay for that.”

He stuck his head back into the shower and leered at her, using her own words: “Jesus! I hope so!”

He left her open mouthed and silent for once.