Chapter 10

It was a good thing that there were no major cases at the office over the next two days. As hard as Lindsay tried to focus on her work, thoughts of Jon kept intruding. She couldn’t believe that she could miss him so much after so short a time. If it’s this bad now, maybe it would be better if he didn’t come back. Better a little pain now than a whole lot more later. The package that arrived for her on the second afternoon didn’t help either. She did learn a valuable lesson though – open your mail in your office. There hadn’t been a return address on the envelope so she opened it at the reception desk. Out fell several Hershey’s kisses and a note that just said I miss you. There was no signature, but Lindsay knew who it came from…and Julie hadn’t stopped bugging her since to spill the beans on who her oh so unbelievably romantic boyfriend was. The fact that Lindsay wouldn’t talk wasn’t stopping her from asking.

After a good workout, quick dinner and a hot shower, Lindsay had gone to bed early with a book hoping it would help her get to sleep - something she hadn’t got much of the night before. She felt like she’d only been asleep a few minutes when a knocking at the door jerked her awake. A glance at the clock on her bedside table told her it was only 3:00am. This better be important or someone’s gonna get it!

Stumbling to the door, she automatically checked the peep hole. I’m going to kill him! Opening the door, she just stared at him. Without waiting to be invited, he gently pushed her back so that he could get in and close the door. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad.” He begged with that little boy smile. “I know you need your sleep, but I just couldn’t stand it anymore. You can go back to sleep, I won’t bother you. I just want to hold you.”

Without answering Lindsay turned and headed back to her bedroom. Stopping her beside the bed, he whisked her nightgown up and off. When she looked at him with a raised brow he just grinned. “I want to hold you, not an armful of cotton.”

Shaking her head she crawled back into bed. Lying on her side and closing her eyes she could hear the sounds of his clothes hitting the floor. He’s had people picking up after him for too long. Seconds later she felt the bed dip under his weight, then his arm slid around her waist and he pulled her back against him. Kissing her neck just beneath her ear – apparently a favorite spot – he curled his hand around her breast and promptly went to sleep. It took her a bit longer, but finally the sound of his deep rhythmic breathing and the feel of his chest rising and falling against her back lulled her into dreamland.

She was awakened the next morning by the feel of Jon’s hand sweeping down her body pushing blankets out of his way. Curious to see what he would do she pretended to be asleep. Using just his fingertips he lightly traced the line of her curves from her shoulder down over her rib cage, the depression of her waist, up over her hip and down to her knee. Moving back slightly, he started again at the nape of her neck tracing the track of her spine down to her butt where he circled one globe lightly. He was using his left hand and the calluses on his fingers were causing goose bumps to rise on her flesh despite her attempts to feign sleep.

Reaching over her he caressed first one breast, then the other very lightly in ever decreasing circles until he was down to just the aureole. Unable to lay still any longer, her back arched slightly pushing her breast into his hand. Chuckling, he gave her what she wanted, taking her plump mound in his hand and kneading firmly. When Lindsay would have rolled onto her back, Jon leaned against her preventing it. “No. Stay as you are.” He whispered in her ear before taking the lobe between his lips and biting it lightly. Moaning softly she did as she was bid.

In response his hand moved slowly down over her belly, pausing to circle and dip into her navel several times. Encountering her curls, he threaded his fingers through them before searching further. Finding the nub he was looking for he rubbed lightly for long moments, then took it between thumb and forefinger and plucked it like a string. Lindsay bit back a scream as the waves of pleasure washed over her. Taking pity on her he released her ultra sensitive flesh to run his hand up over her hip and down to her knee. Gripping her thigh he bent her top leg until her knee was level with her waist. Sliding his fingers up the back of her thigh he let his fingers play in her wet slit, teasing and probing until she was gasping and writhing against him.

Moving closer behind her he replaced his fingers with the broad head of his erection and penetrated her slowly, so slowly that she clutched the sheets and bit her pillow to stifle her screams. He continued to move slowly in and out, now going deep, now more shallow. She was quickly to the point of desperation. “Now Jon, now.” She begged. He just chuckled and murmured “Not yet.” Helpless to make him move faster or deeper she resorted to a little subtle torture of her own. On his next downstroke she flexed her internal muscles to grip him tightly. Hearing him suck in a breath and release it in a loud moan had her smiling in satisfaction. Two can play that game! Relaxing, she allowed his withdrawl, but tightened again on the next stroke. He groaned again. “Ok, ok, let go!” he growled in her ear.

When she complied he grabbed her hip and picked up speed. “More” she pleaded. Tightening his grip he did as she asked. He was so deep she thought he must be touching her heart. As the peak approached she reached back needing something solid to hold onto as she drowned in sensation. He grabbed her hand and held tight as they reached the summit together and cried out in unison.


Chapter 11

After three nights of broken sleep Lindsay was at her wits end. If she didn’t get a solid eight hours in really soon, she wasn’t going to be able to do her job. She loved falling asleep and waking in his arms, but she really needed sleep. That night, after much internal debate, she was ready if her late night visitor came again. At three am, right on cue, the knock came. Opening the door she turned, and picked up what she had left lying on the table. “Here.” Grabbing his hand she slapped the key into his palm. “If you’re going to keep showing up at this hour, use this and stop waking me up.” And she headed back to bed. Grinning he pulled out his key ring, added the new one and followed her. Entering the room she pointed at a chair she’d placed in the corner by his side of the bed. “And your clothes go there.”

The next few weeks fell into a sort of routine. At first Lindsay would still wake briefly when he joined her, but she soon became used him arriving at all hours. After a few days Richie headed back to L.A. Jon would stay home until the kids were in bed before heading to Lindsay’s. They would curl up on the couch together and talk – about their day, their likes, dislikes, families, their pasts…getting to know each other. If Jon noticed that Lindsay always managed to turn the conversation back to him without revealing much about herself he never let on.

One Saturday afternoon Jon called Lindsay at work. “Dorothea took the kids to her sister’s for the weekend. Why don’t we go to Elements for dinner tonight?”

“I’m just about finished here, why don’t I cook for you instead?” she suggested.

“But you’ve been working hard all week. You deserve a break.” He coaxed.

“Well, I could pick up a couple of movies and some take out from that Chinese Restaurant you told me about.” She countered.

There was a long moment of silence at the other end. “Is it that you don’t want to go out or that you don’t want to go to Elements?”

“I’m just not sure I’m ready to meet your family.”

“But honey, you’ve already met my parents, what’s the big deal about meeting my brother? He’s been bugging me for weeks to bring you by.”

“I met your parents in a professional capacity not a personal one – big difference…..and how does Matt know anything about me?”

“I told him.”

“You told him what, exactly?” Her tone warned him to be careful.

“Don’t worry I didn’t tell him your name, just that I had met someone special.” He assured her placatingly.

“I still think it’s too soon.” She replied stubbornly.

“Ok, ok, we’ll play it your way…..for now.” He sighed. “I’ll see you in a little while.”

Hanging up Lindsay let out the breath she’d been holding. That was close.


A few days later Jon walked into Lindsay’s apartment looking exhausted but triumphant. Concern etching her face she watched him sink down on the couch beside her. “What?”

He smiled tiredly. “Dorothea and I sat down with our lawyers today. There’s still a few little things to sort out, but the major stuff is done. It went surprisingly smoothly and amicably. We’re thinking of making a public statement next week.”

Stunned, Lindsay didn’t know what to say. Oh my God. Please tell me he didn’t do this for me! “Are you sure this is what you want?” Seeing his look of surprise she hurried to explain. “I’m just saying that this is a huge step. You’ve been together a long time. There are four kids to think about. Then there’s your image and your career. Just be sure you’ve thought this thorough from all angles, especially before you go public.” The very thought of this hitting the media made panic start deep in her core.

He gazed at her thoughtfully for a long moment. “Honey, what is this really all about? Do you want me to stay with her?”

Trying to calm her pounding heart she looked him in the eye. “I want you to do whatever is going to make you happy. I just don’t want you to jump into this and then a few months or years down the road realize you made a big mistake.” I couldn’t take that again.

“Believe me I’m not ‘jumping’ into anything. I’ve thought about this for a very long time. Dorothea and I both agreed – it’s time to let go. The kids will be alright, we’ll both still be there for them. As for my career, I don’t think the fans are going to leave because I get a divorce.” He smiled wryly.

“Are you kidding? When you’re going to be fair game? If you think Richie’s being hounded, you’re about to learn the meaning of the word! You’re going to have every red-blooded single – and some not so single – woman chasing after you like starving dogs after fresh meat!” And I can’t compete with that.

Chuckling, he hugged her close. “Oh, it won’t be that bad.” She snorted in disbelief. He turned her face to his. “Hey, you’re the only one that I want.” And he kissed her gently.


The next evening Jon appeared with guitar in hand. “I’ve been working on a couple songs and I’m having problems with them. I thought I might work on them here if you don’t mind.”

Mind? Do I have STUPID written across my forehead? “I don’t mind at all.”

Something in her voice had him glancing sharply at her. “What?”

“Nothing.” She managed to get out.

“Then what’s with that look?” He looked bewildered.

Unable to keep a straight face any longer she blushed and laughed out loud. “You’re about to make one of my fantasies come true and you’re asking me if I mind?!” She just shook her head.

He grinned. “Fantasies huh? You got anymore you want to tell me about?”

“Maybe later.” She blushed again. When he continued to look at her speculatively, she wrinkled her nose at him. “Oh shut up and play!” He laughed.


Chapter 12

Lindsay could have said to the exact moment when the news hit the tabloids, even if Jon hadn’t warned her the night before. The normal buzz of conversation around the lab doubled – at least from the female component of the staff. Knowing she wasn’t going to like it, but unable to help herself, she glanced through the stories while she was trying to choke down a sandwich in the cafeteria at lunch. Shaking her head at some of the conclusions these “investigative reporters” came up with, she threw away the rest of her now tasteless sandwich and headed back to her office. She only got as far as the reception desk. There Julie and a group of female colleagues were gathered, pouring over the latest editions and drooling. Julie looked up and saw her.

“Let’s ask Lindsay what she thinks. After all she has met the man. In fact he came to see her here a few weeks ago.”

As one they turned towards her and the questions started flying fast and furious. “What’s he really like?” “Do you know what really caused the split?” “Can you introduce me?” “Have you met Richie?”

Holding up her hands to stop the flow she had to laugh. “He’s a really nice guy, I think whatever caused the split is between the two of them, and no, I didn’t get to meet Richie. Now, sorry girls, but I really need to get back to work.”

By mid afternoon she gave up. She couldn’t concentrate on anything for longer than five minutes. Her thoughts were in turmoil. How much longer will he stay with me? Is this the beginning of the end?

Deciding she needed a drink -or two- she let the girls talk her into joining them at their favorite bar after work. As an exercise in de-sensitizing herself it failed miserably. The more they speculated on Jon’s tastes, prowess, and “assets”, the more she drank. Consoling herself that she could really shake them up and tell them the true story, she let their conversation wash over her while she continued to drown her sorrows. Well, it was nice while it lasted.

When she walked, or more aptly stumbled into her apartment she found Jon waiting for her. Leaning against the doorframe to the kitchen he watched her. “Where were you tonight?” If she was going to be working late she was good to call and let him know – until tonight.”

“The girls at the office insisted I join them after work for a few cocktails to discuss New Jersey’s newest, hottest, most eligible bachelor.” She answered snidely.

Running a hand through his hair he grimaced. “Honey, I’m sorry.”

“Why, it’s not your fault. Although according to some reporters it might be. Apparently some ‘source close to the couple’ has hinted that infidelity was the cause of the split. Naturally, it must be you because you have beautiful women all over the world falling at your feet, and surely no woman would be stupid enough to take the chance of losing you by cheating.” She laughed shortly. “They’ve already started speculating on who you got caught with. They’ve got quite the list – from Jennifer Aniston to Demi Moore to at least one of Dorothea’s sisters with Diane Lane thrown in for a little nostalgia. You certainly have the gossip mill buzzing.” Heading toward the kitchen she mumbled “I need a drink.”

Stepping in front of her he blocked her path. “How about some coffee instead? I’ll make it.” he suggested carefully, trying to figure out how to diffuse her anger.

“I need an anesthetic not a stimulant. I’ve had quite enough of that today.”

“Why don’t we sit down and talk about this?” he coaxed.

“What’s to talk about? I knew this was going to happen, I just wasn’t prepared for how much it would hurt.”

The tears in her eyes and voice tore at him, but he didn’t know how to ease her pain. “Lindsay, what do you want me to say?”

That you won’t leave me. That you really do want me. “Nothing,” Suddenly exhausted she closed her eyes. “I just want to go to bed.”

After watching her stagger to the bedroom, Jon sat on the couch for a long time contemplating the situation and how to help Lindsay cope with it before finally heading for bed himself.