Chapter Forty Five

The crisp night air was just beginning to settle on the grass tips of the vast lawn as Rachel stood beside Jon watching the tail lights of his parent’s car disappear down the drive way. Slightly later than planned due to hours of fun out on the river and then a late lunch that had delayed the kid’s departure by a few hours but now, well now... it was just them.

Threading his fingers through Rachel’s, Jon blew out a long breath and smiled down at her. “You okay? I did warn you my family was full on!”

Her soft eyes glittered softly back up at him, her voice quiet and content. “ I'm more than okay, being with your family….and your kids? It was amazing……….thank you.”

Jon chuckled softly as he dropped a gentle kiss on her forehead and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Thank you for being a part of it, I was worried the kids would scare you away with Steph asking all her questions and then Jesse touting the merits of his Mom this morning…….. Hell I think I might have run away!”

Smiling, Rachel shook her head as she reached up to brush back the strands of caramel hair that flopped over his forehead. “ I'm done running Jon, I've done enough of that to last two lifetimes.”

“I'm glad.” Squeezing her waist gently, Jon turned to guide them both back to the main house when Rachel stopped him with a hopeful smile.

“Hey…….fancy a nightcap? I know a good bar not far from here.”

Grinning, Jon shook his head in wonder at her. “ I've said it before and I’ll say it again……I love the way you think! Let’s go!”

The Shoe Inn that nestled quietly in the corner of the estate came to life at the flick of a few switches with the corner lamps casting a soft glow over the low tables and comfortable armchairs. Sliding in behind the polished wooden bar, Jon slung a towel over his shoulder and cocked his head cheekily at Rachel as she perched herself on a high stool opposite him.

“What’s your pleasure Ma’am? Anything you want – I got!”

“Surprise me…..”

Chortling he leaned across the bar and brushing her lips with a kiss, murmured huskily against her cheek.

“That I can do…..”

Rachel watched as he deftly flicked two heavy tumbler glasses from the shelf behind the bar and with a dramatic flourish that made her giggle, poured a generous measure of an amber liquid into each one.

“Cognac huh? Anyone would think you were trying to get me drunk to take advantage…”

Lifting the glass to chink it noisily against his, Rachel grinned coyly at him before taking a sip of the brandy that warmed its own path down her throat. Jon eyed her over his own glass for a moment before taking a healthy swallow and topping both their drinks up moved around the bar to sidle up against her stool.

“Oh I think I already have the advantage…..”

The sweet odour of brandy tinged breath filled Rachel’s senses as Jon dipped his head to deliver a kiss filled with the promise of more. She let the fingers of her right hand curl around the base of his head, running through the soft strands of hair to gently pull him closer. A yearning to be close to him flooded her veins with a quiet desperation. While it had been an enjoyable weekend she was tired of sharing.

“You okay babe?” Breaking apart Jon looked deep into her eyes, his lips murmuring just inches away. “I know being around my family can’t be easy, wanna talk about it?”

The concern that swirled in his eyes touched a chord deep within her, here was a man that was trying everything he knew to make it all okay, to make her feel a part of his life, a part of his family. She’d never been good at talking, something she knew she had to improve if this was to work.

“Jon…….” Reaching up to gently brush her fingers against the slight growth of stubble that grazed his chin, Rachel smiled softly.

“……Each step on this journey with you has been amazing and this weekend? It was…….special but the flip side is that the deeper I get into your life, it stirs something in me that I thought was long gone.”

Pausing, she dropped her gaze from him for a moment. The air around them was quiet, not even a ticking clock to count the seconds that slowly clicked by until she lifted her face to look back at him with an honesty that laid her bare.

“I still know how to be a person that cares Jon, I've become so focused on forgetting that……..well I guess I’d forgotten how to remember.”

Jon stared at her for a moment, his breath hitched on her every word. The fact that she trusted him so completely was almost frightening, he wasn't sure if it was a credit he deserved or should be cast into hell for.

Clearing his throat he threw her a lopsided grin, “Hey……did you see what just happened there? You didn't shut me down – that’s progress! We are definitely making progress!”

With a shake of her head, Rachel laughed lightly and sat back to take another sip of the cognac that glided it’s way all too easily down her throat. The mere proximity of Jon’s body nestled comfortably against the bar beside her was almost too much to bear, he was intoxicating.

“Jon, there’s something about this that still scares me………” Taking a deep breath she set her glass back on the counter top and stared down at the engrained wood surface, her voice quiet and low.

“…….these past few days I've realised something else……….. I'm starting to feel an actual need for you….not so much as in a ‘together’ sense…..”

Jon watched as she struggled with the words, a light crimson blush colouring her cheeks highlighted by the warm glow of the overhead bar lights. He knew what she was trying to say, he felt it too. Setting his glass down on the bar he reached over to brush back the tendrils of blonde hair that were drifting across her forehead. The way he’d watched Rachel interact with his family this weekend had all but melted his heart, she just seemed to fit in seamlessly.

The depths of her eyes that flickered up to meet his gaze glistened when he gently traced the outline of her chin with his finger to draw her attention.  

“I hear you babe……..”

The heat behind the kiss that followed affirmed his words, their lips meshed tightly against one another, tasting and releasing the pent up need both of them felt for the other. Drinks forgotten, Jon hitched both of Rachel’s legs around his hips and with her hands burrowed deep in his hair, lifted her straight off the stool and over to a soft lounger in front of the empty fireplace. Their insistent lips never parted for a second, the deep cushions under Rachel’s light frame supporting them as they became entwined in one another. Blood heavy with desire pumped through Rachel’s veins as she pushed the light jacket off Jon’s shoulders and moved quickly to curl her fingers under the shirt that concealed him from her. Breaking apart for a moment, Jon rose above her and in one swift motion flicked the offending clothing over his head and dropped it to the floor before crashing down once more on her lips.

“Are you fond of this shirt?” Smirking slightly he eyed Rachel in amusement as his fingers paused at the buttons of her light blouse. Gasping for breath, she stared confusedly at him.

“Not particularly……..why?”

“Good!” The wicked delight that danced in Jon’s eyes heightened when he tugged hard at the top of the blouse causing the buttons to fly off into the dimness of the bar around them. Surprise soon switched back to desire when Rachel felt his teeth nip gently on her hardened nipples only barely encased by the cups of her laced edged bra. Biting her lower lip to stifle the moan that escaped her lungs, her stomach involuntarily arched up to grind against the soft fur of his chest while her fingers wildly tugged at the roots of his hair as he persisted in torturing her with his teeth. The only distraction from the almost painful sensation in her aching nipples was the wet heat she could feel seeping from between her legs, a throbbing that was emanating from deep within her.

“Enough Jon……I need you……” She almost growled at him in her longing to feel him inside her, the pent up carnal frustration from the weekend spent together but at the same time apart set to tear her in two.

“Damn right you do.” Finally lifting his head from her chest, Jon smirked down at her before sitting back on his heels to none too gently wrench the fitted denims from her hips, the harsh sound of the fly unzipping cutting through the still air. Chest heaving, Rachel grabbed onto his belt to lever herself up just enough to wriggle out of the panties that went with her jeans in Jon’s fists and with an eagerness to match his, deftly flicked open the buckle to reveal the hardened bulge that she so longed for. She took a moment to gaze at it before curling the corners of her lips in a smug smile.

“Apparently I'm not the only one in need here…….”

“That’s quite enough talk from you little girl!” Unabashed Jon half stood to shuck his own pants, kicking off his boots in the process and quickly lowering himself back to between her quivering legs where he knew his prize was awaiting. Any further smart comments Rachel may have been about to retort with flew out of her head the moment his tongue quickly darted between her folds, the instant release buckling her legs as she flooded his mouth with juices.

“ Ohhhhhh………”

Almost as soon as the pressure within her released, she could feel it building again with an even stronger intensity as Jon probed deeper and quicker, his hot breath against her tender flesh making her hum with pleasure. Gasping for air she arched against him, her head thrashing against the plush cushions until she could stand no more. Heart hammering, she reached to pull him to her, their lips once again colliding with bruising force as she tasted herself on his tongue, his fingers exploring and teasing where his mouth had left off between her legs. The throbbing had been replaced by a crashing of lustful waves, receding and building with every long stroke of his fingers deep within her walls. With her hair fisted in Jon’s free hand, she was powerless to resist even if she had wanted to, never before had they consumed one another like this, with a pure and unadulterated carnal pleasure.

Seconds later, Jon’s lips hovered above her eyes and after dropping a soft kiss on her sweat streaked forehead, he locked eye contact with her and buried himself to the hilt in one fluid motion. Rachel’s eyes widened in pleasure as he stretched her to breaking point, her core muscles greedily accepting the welcome intrusion. He filled her completely, again and again until the cords in his neck began to strain and with a long groan they fell over the abyss together into a deep hole of sated bliss.

Laying together on the scattered cushions, Jon dropped his head to lean against Rachel’s neck as they both fought to recapture their breath while their hearts thumped together in unison. With a trembling hand, Rachel softly swept back the damp tendrils of his hair and gently caressed his cheek with her finger.

“This is what gets me Jon….it only seems to get better…..every time is better than the time before….how is that even possible?”

Jon listened to the wonder in her quiet voice as he felt his heart rate slowly return to normal. She was right, she got him – every damn time. He wanted her more now than the first night they had spent together, he needed her like he needed the air around him to breathe. Carefully he sat himself upright and slouched back against the cushions pulling her up into his arms at the same time. Gazing down at her he smiled softly and ran a thumb along the line of her chin tilting her eyes up to meet him.

“It’s possible Rach because I keep finding you more irresistible than ever and I know you feel that – it’s time we both admit it…..”

Gazing into his blue eyes filled with nothing but affection and sincerity and wrapped safe and secure against his bare chest, Rachel finally gave in and allowed herself to finally believe the fantasy she has so often indulged in since her life had been torn apart……..she was falling in love……… they were falling in love.