FIFTY-NINE

Cate's lashes fluttered against the soft, filtered light.  Slowly her eyes opened, their blue irises cloudy against the waning dawn.  She stared unseeing at the gauzy canopy, then sighed a long breath before turning her head.

Instead of her husband she saw a rumpled pillow topped by a folded piece of paper.  Her lips curved as she focused on her name in his handwriting.

With a soft purr Cate stretched, then propped herself up on an elbow.  She reached for the note, plucking it gently from the shallow crater left by Jon's head.  Cate yawned as she unfolded the paper and  focused her still-sleepy gaze on the page. 

Good Morning, My Beautiful Wife.  Out for a run.  Be back after 7 miles... unless I run into a hungry lion.    xoxo - J

Cate chortled softly at the hand-drawn smiley-faced lion accenting Jon's message.  Her finger extended to brush across the pen-kisses beside his initial. 

With another little yawn she slumped back onto her pillow, a gentle smile still warming her lips.  She re-read the message, hearing in her mind Jon's soft, husky voice crooning the words as if they were song.  Even his notes were lyrical.  It was fitting he had written on a page of the music-staff pad from his nightstand. 

Cate chuckled at herself, realizing her unconscious habit had again manifested itself.  She couldn't help but speak or hear certain phrases in a lyrical cadence.  It was a quirk Jon found amusing and endearing, though he teased her about it every time he caught her in the act.

She let her hand drop gently onto her abdomen, the note folded between her fingers.  Cate turned her head toward the master suite's glass wall, from which the sunrise glow filtered through the drawn sheer curtains.  With another soft sigh she realized she should probably get out of bed and exercise, too.  This would likely be her only opportunity of the day.

She blinked at the curtains for another long minute, then sighed one more time before pushing herself up to sit.  She tugged a hand through her thick auburn mop yawning once more.  Reaching to drop Jon's note on her nightstand, Cate groaned softly as a ripple of pops traversed her spine and her back muscles stretched with the extension.  It felt good.

"Okay, get moving," Cate mumbled to herself.  She pushed aside the sheets and swung her feet to the floor, then stood and stretched again, raising her arms over her head and standing on her tiptoes.  Cate grunted softly as she relaxed and let her arms fall to her side before reaching for her behind.  She unceremoniously tugged her bunched boyshort panties from between her cheeks before yawning again.  As she shuffled toward the bedroom door Cate gathered her hair back and twisted it up into a messy knot at the back of her head.

Cate made her way through the quiet villa to the small kitchen off the dining room.  She smiled as she approached the single-serving coffee machine.   Placing a ceramic mug under the spout, she popped a plastic pod into the chamber and pushed the button. 

Cate began to hum along with the quiet whir of the machine as she watched the dark liquid trickle from the machine into her cup.  One of the most wonderful surprises of this vacation was her discovery of a delicious naturally-decaffeinated organic coffee in the Lodge's coffeehouse.  After just one sip of the rich beverage she had bought a box of the coffee pods for her use at the villa, and shipped another twelve dozen boxes to the Manhattan apartment.

God, she had missed coffee.  For over a year and a half she had settled for bitter teas and an occasional bland cup of decaf as she tried to keep her body clean and stable for their fertility pursuits.  Now she had discovered, in a most unexpected place, this wonderful, healthy beverage.  It was like manna from Heaven.

After one short minute Cate pulled the mug from the machine.  She quickly added a pour of organic cream and a sprinkle of raw sugar and mixed, then raised the mug to her lips.  She groaned happily and slumped against the counter as her body filled with rich warmth.

Cate stood in the quiet kitchen for several more minutes, savoring the solitude.  It was something she hadn't enjoyed much over the past six days.  Their vacation had been a wonderful whirlwind of activity, with little time for quiet contemplation.  Though she frequently spent time with Jon's younger sons at home, this was her first lengthy travel with the rambunctious boys. 

Jon had quipped that this trip was her "Mommy Boot Camp;" a challenge to see if she has what it takes to handle Jake and Romeo 24/7.   He hadn't been wrong.  As happy as Cate was to fully engage in her stepmotherly duties, managing a family vacation was exhausting.  She now fully understood why some of her married-Mom friends returned from their family trips looking worse for wear rather than relaxed and happy.

Cate shook her head and smirked ironically before taking another sip from her mug.  And Jon wanted to do this all over again, with another child fully a decade younger than Romeo.  He had told her so, several times over the past few days.  His happy predictions had both warmed her heart and poked at her inadequacies.  But she had smiled and agreed, forcing aside her worries and doubts.  She couldn't dwell on what was yet to come; now she needed to live in the present.

Pushing away from the counter, Cate wandered through the dining room and into the living room.  She paused to gaze out the window at the Florida savanna, watching dark four-legged silhouettes move across the morning-pink horizon.  Her lips curved as she watched the animals stream from their barns out into their pastures; if Romeo weren't still slumbering he would be buzzing with excitement at the majestic sight.

The boy may be asleep, but she wasn't.  She may as well enjoy it.

Cate stepped back, bumping against the circular leather sectional.  She settled onto the couch's rolled back, half-perching as she sipped her coffee.  As she watched the landscape outside the window her mind wandered again, reflecting upon happy memories of the past week.

As planned, the Bongiovis had spent their first full day of their Disney Adventure at the Animal Kingdom park.  Romeo had been a ball of pure energy, and had nearly given his hyper-security-conscious stepmother a heart attack on three separate occasions when he disappeared without warning.  Luckily Jon had stepped in, at one point stopping Cate from demanding a full-on park lockdown from an unfortunate Disney employee.  Romeo had been located just several frantic minutes later, dancing in the middle of an African musical street performance. 

Following that incident Cate had displayed her mother-bear instinct, sitting both boys down and sternly reprimanding them for their carelessness.  Jon had wisely stood back and let her go until she saw tears glistening in Romeo's eyes.  Then guilt consumed her and she backed down.  But her point had been made; Jake and Romeo were careful not to wander astray following their stepmother's lecture, much to her relief.

The Bongiovis spent Day 2 of their vacation at Disney Hollywood Studios, over Romeo's protest that they should return to Animal Kingdom.  Jacob in particular enjoyed the day as the family explored the movie-themed attractions.  Despite his "disguise" of sunglasses and baseball cap a number of fans recognized Jon and pointed cell phones and cameras in his direction.  Bolder fans approached him for photos and autographs, which he either obliged or declined depending on the circumstance. 

Jon was officially "outed" as a park patron when a performer recognized Jon in the audience at a musical revue and called him up onstage.  He reluctantly agreed at his sons' urging but declined to sing, only offering a smile and a wave before returning to his seat.  Following that incident, with Jon's presence officially acknowledged, the family found themselves being followed throughout the park. 

Uncomfortable with the situation, Cate had suggested they ditch their later plans and leave the park early.  Seeing his wife's concern, Jon agreed.  Despite the boys' displeasure with the sudden change of plans the Bongiovis ended up having an impromptu afternoon of family fun at a mini-golf/go-kart park before taking in a Cirque du Soleil show at Downtown Disney.

Romeo's Dream Day was the third vacation day, when the family went on a personal VIP behind-the-scenes tour of the Animal Kingdom park and facilities, culminating in an extended private safari.  Jon was nearly as exuberant as Romeo, but for photographic rather than animal-loving reasons.  Cate had teased him about seeing the entire tour through the viewfinder of his camera, he was so thorough in documenting the day.  They returned to Animal Kingdom for the evening jamboree before retreating to dinner at Romeo's selected restaurant -- Rainforest Cafe.  There the Bongiovis encountered more eager fans who unceremoniously interrupted their dinner to approach Jon, prompting him to request the Manager to move them to a private table.

By the third day of their vacation word had gotten out beyond the Disney Parks about Jon's family vacation.  Thanks to photos and comments posted on social networks by well-meaning fans, entertainment media had picked up the trail and websites, blogs, and television shared details of the Bongiovis' Florida activities.  Jon was displeased but resigned, reminding his unhappy wife that theirs was a celebrity life and the only solution was a change of scenery. 

In an effort to avoid further media attention the family had rearranged their itinerary to avoid the Disney parks for the following few days.  They had had a wonderful time at Universal Studios and Sea World, where Jon had managed to remain relatively unnoticed.  Yesterday they had fulfilled Jake's activity choice by visiting the Kennedy Space Center for a private tour.  Cate's contact had also arranged for Jake and Romeo to meet several astronauts and try on their space suits and gear, which made the boys' day. 

Again Jon had been a happy shutterbug, shooting thousands of images of technological marvels, monuments to space-race history, and his awed and excited boys.  Last night he had spent nearly two hours working on his laptop, reviewing and editing the photos while Cate and the boys watched "Armageddon" in the villa's living room. 

Once the  movie and photo-editing was done, the exhausted but happy family had agreed to slow the frenetic pace of their vacation, to sleep in and have a "lazy day" today.  They would finish making the rounds of the Disney parks tomorrow and the following day, before heading back home to Jersey.

Cate smirked wryly.  So much for her or Jon sleeping in today.  But at least the boys seemed to be getting some much-needed extra rest.

She scanned the horizon again, taking another drink of her now-tepid decaf.  Noting that the animals were dispersing across the plain and the sky's pinkish tint was lightening, Cate sighed.  Well, now that she was fully awake she should get that workout in.  It would be lovely to watch the wildlife on the savanna as she enjoyed an elliptical workout on the deck outside their suite.

Swallowing one more mouthful of coffee, Cate rose from her perch on the back of the sofa.  She wandered back into the villa's atrium, then hesitated.  Instead of turning right toward the dining room and kitchen she turned left, down the hall leading to the boys' bedrooms.  She smiled at her motherly instinct to check on them as they slept.

Cate pushed open the door to Jake's bedroom and poked her head around it.  She chuckled softly as she saw the boy sprawled crosswise across the double bed, a light snore emitting from his open mouth.  Quietly she backed out of the bedroom and closed the door behind her, then stepped over to the second doorway. 

Cate eased into Romeo's bedroom, expecting a sight similar to what she had encountered in Jacob's room.  Instead she found the boy curled under a blanket on the rug in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.  Romeo had clearly put some thought into this accommodation; his head was on a pillow and he was surrounded by stuffed animals.  A pair of binoculars lay next to his pillow.  Cate chuckled quietly; it was obvious the boy had intended to watch the animals leave their barn at sunrise.  But he was clearly too tuckered-out to wake with the dawn.

She quietly departed Romeo's room, standing for a moment outside the door to ponder her next move.  She would really like another cup of coffee, but perhaps she should wait until after her workout.  Cate nodded to reaffirm her decision, then padded down the hall, across the foyer, and down the little hall into the dining room and kitchen.  There she set her cup next to the coffee machine and retrieved a bottle of cold water from the refrigerator.  Then she retraced her steps to the master suite.

Once inside the bedchamber Cate moved to the window-wall and pulled aside the sheer curtains to reveal the morning view.  Then she rounded the bed and opened the closet doors to retrieve her workout gear.  She was about to reach for a drawer when her gaze settled on a garment hanging in the closet's corner.  She hesitated, a smile turning her lips.

Instead of reaching for the drawer, Cate put her hand out to touch the wispy, creamy fabric of the elegant nightgown.  A small sigh escaped her lips and her blue eyes glittered as she recalled the smile on Jon's face when she discovered his surprise gift. 

Upon returning from their day at Universal Studios on Saturday Jon had urged her to enjoy a shower while he got the boys ready to go out for dinner.  When she retired to the master suite Cate found a long, beautifully-wrapped gift box resting on the bed.  A note in familiar handwriting said simply "For You, Because." 

Touched by his thoughtfulness, Cate had waited until her husband could watch her open his gift.  She had been stunned to find the exquisite gown inside, the same one she had admired their first night at the resort.  Jon's happy smirk told her he had bought it for her on the spot.  He confessed quickly.

Cate's mouth curved into a gentle smile as she idly caressed the silky fabric.  Jon's gesture had been the most grand of his romantic overtures the past few days.  After their rocky half-argument the evening of their arrival Cate had tried to be more accepting of her husband's affection in the presence of his sons, but it hadn't been easy.  She was still self-conscious around them, though as the vacation progressed she had relaxed a little. 

While neither of the boys seemed to notice when she and Jon had held hands or walked arm-in-arm, Cate sensed some discomfort on Jake's part when she and Jon embraced or kissed.  She had expressed her perception to Jon, who brushed it off as "pre-teen boy stuff."  While his answer puzzled her a bit, it was a topic she wasn't eager to pursue.  Such matters were better left to the boy's mother.

In private moments Jon was more overtly affectionate.  On several occasions he had made her swoon, turning on his seductive charms.  However, aside from a few interrupted makeout sessions she and Jon had not been physically intimate.  By the time they wound down from their busy, active days they had just been too damned tired to make love.  They opted instead for blissful sleep, drifting off in each others' arms.

Cate sighed, her fingers still sliding over the soft fabric.  She hadn't even tried this beautiful gown on yet, let alone worn it for him.

But since she was changing her clothes anyway...

Cate lifted the padded hanger from the bar.  She pulled the gown from the closet, careful not to snag the delicate chiffon.  She took a few steps back and held it up, watching the fabric float with the movement.  The boys were asleep, Jon was out running... now was the perfect time for her to see how it looked on her.  Or if it even fit.

The thought made her frown.  Jon would be terribly disappointed if this thing didn't fit her.  It's not like he could exchange it for another size -- it was one-of-a-kind.  Shit.

With a freshly-found sense of urgency Cate carried the gown over to the bed and laid it across the rumpled covers.  Stepping over to swing the bedroom door shut, Cate turned back around, her fingers curving under the hem of her comfy sleep t-shirt as she moved.  Quickly she stripped off the tee and wiggled out of her shorts and panties.   She shivered slightly, though the room was warm.  Cate shook her head at herself, wondering where her flash of modesty came from.

Carefully she removed the nightgown from its satin-padded hanger, then found the hem.  She gathered the silky sheer fabric into her hands before ducking her head under the skirt  With a slight struggle, Cate managed to find the neck and arm holes in the sea of creamy chiffon.  She lifted the gown, mildly surprised by its top-heavy weight due to the ornate beadwork around the low-cut neck.  Cate held her breath as she pushed her head through the opening.

She exhaled with relief when she realized it fit.  Cate tugged the beaded collar surrounding the scoop-neck opening into its proper place across her chest and shoulders, then shook her arms to untangle the gathered chiffon sleeves.  She smoothed her hands down her front and sides, straightening the silky folds and drapes.  The lovely garment reminded her of a choir robe in its construction, with its full, flowing sleeves.  But it certainly wasn't church attire; it was practically transparent. 

Cate giggled softly at her silent appraisal.  She turned toward the oval cheval mirror in the corner to evaluate her appearance.  The soft swish of the fabric around her and its silky caress over her skin made her sigh.  She hadn't even seen how it looked on her yet, but this gown made her feel beautiful, womanly.... purely feminine. 

She approached the mirror, then stopped.  Cate couldn't hold in a soft gasp as she evaluated her appearance.

It was stunning.  She was stunning. 

Cate's lips parted, then curved.  Sparkling sapphire-blue eyes shone back at her from the glass.  Ethereal folds of creamy sheer gauze floated around her body like wisps of smoke.  Beneath the fabric her figure was enticingly visible, her curves evident, her skin a darker shade of cream than the gown.  Spots of color stood out through the elegant filter... a faded shield on her hip, a dark-red patch at the juncture of her thighs, and higher, just below the beaded curve of the neckline, two dusky peaks atop full swells of flesh.

Silently she reached behind her head.  With a gentle tug at the knot her mahogany tresses tumbled down onto her shoulders.  Cate's cheeks flushed a delicate pink as she took a deep breath, hardly able to believe the vision at which she stared was her own.

She hadn't felt this beautiful for a very long time.

Cate stared at herself in the mirror for a long minute before breaking into a sheepish smile.  She had almost forgotten she could move.  Slowly she turned, watching the fabric flow with her body.  Cate evaluated her appearance from every angle she could see, then turned back to face her reflection.

Jon would love this.  Even if he didn't get to see it until they returned home.

Cate giggled softly at the thought, then sighed.  She took one more long look at herself in the mirror before turning away.  She really should get dressed so she could get her workout in before the boys woke up.  Cate took a step toward the closet, then hesitated.

Why not?

When she had spied the gown in the shop, Cate's first thought was that it looked like something from an "Out of Africa," a sweeping epic of wild romance and beauty.  Now she was wearing it, and it made her feel like a movie heroine. 

And "Africa" was right outside the door.

With another self-conscious little giggle Cate moved toward the windows.  She paused with her hand on the latch, then tugged.  The glass door slid aside, opening the portal to the deck.

Cate shivered lightly as the mild morning air braced her.  Her nipples contracted with the light chill, making her aware of her pseudo-nakedness.  It was invigorating.

She stepped through the door and crossed the deck to the rail, the gown flowing around her.  Again she shivered, not from a chill but from exhilaration.  Something inside her sparked, a warm glow spreading through her body.

Cate braced her hands against the rail and took a deep breath, in and out.  Her smile gentled and she felt herself relax.  Her blue eyes went to panorama before her, where the sun was now fully above the horizon.  In the fields beyond the villa hundreds of beasts grazed and drank, wandered and cavorted.  Zebras, antelope, giraffes, impala, ostriches, kudu, wildebeest.... other animals Cate couldn't even name.  It was Africa.    

Maybe she and Jon would go to Africa someday.  Just the two of them.

But in this moment, this was Her Africa.

Cate giggled at herself, at her silly girlish fantasy.  It had been a long time since she had fantasized about anything.  She had nearly forgotten how wonderful it felt.

She took another deep breath and gazed out at her Kingdom.

*****

Jon blew out a deep breath, raising his hands to rake through his sweaty hair.  He turned his head to spit on the ground, clearing his mouth of excess saliva before yanking open the villa's front door. 

He stepped inside and paused, listening.  As expected, he didn't hear anything.  Cate and the boys were probably still sleeping.  That was good.  They needed it.

Quietly closing the heavy door behind him, Jon lowered himself to sit on the step.  He yanked of his running shoes and stripped off his sweaty socks, tossing them in a little pile next to the door.  With a little groan Jon stood and padded barefoot through the atrium, headed for the kitchen and a fresh bottle of water.

When he reached the room he yanked open the refrigerator and extracted a cold bottle.  After unscrewing the cap and taking a long drink, he swiped a hand across his brow and groaned again.  His run had felt good.  Now he needed a shower and a hearty breakfast.

Jon tugged his hand through his hair again and looked around the little kitchen, wondering if it contained any breakfast food other than fruit and cereal.  His eyes narrowed when he spotted the coffee mug on the counter next to the cream and sugar, then they crinkled at the corners with his smile.  So, Cate wasn't asleep after all.  She had already enjoyed a cup of that crazy African decaf coffee she had been raving about for the past week.

His smile turned to a devious smirk.  If they were the only ones awake, he and Cate could enjoy a little private time.  Maybe he could convince her to join him in the shower.

Jon gulped down another slug of water before leaving the bottle on the counter and sauntering out of the kitchen. He crossed the foyer in a few quick strides, his gait picking up urgency as his body started to respond to his idea.  Jon's pace slowed when he reached the hall outside the boys' bedrooms, then he stealthily opened first one door, then the other. 

"YESSSSS!!!!"  Jon hissed to himself, pumping a fist in the air after confirming both his sons were still deep in slumberland.  He hurried back across the villa and down the hall to the master suite.  At the door Jon forced himself to pause, collecting himself for his entry. 

This time he was pulling out all the stops to seduce his wife; he'd use every blatant rockstar flirtation he knew if that's what it came to.  He needed to get laid.

Jon reached behind his head to tug at the neck of his sweat-dampened t-shirt.  He stripped the shirt from his body, then used it to wipe away residual perspiration from his neck, underarms, and torso.  Tossing the shirt onto the tile floor, he dropped beside it into a rigid plank position.  Grinning eagerly, Jon rapidly raised and lowered his body in a set of 30 push-ups, pumping up his chest and arm muscles.

Jumping up, Jon grabbed his dirty shirt and swiped a hand across his whisker-roughened cheeks.  He hadn't shaved yet today, which was fine.  Cate liked him stubbly.

Adjusting his grin to a sexy smirk, Jon turned the knob and pushed open the door to the suite.  He stopped, mildly surprised to find the door to the adjoining bedroom closed.  He closed the suite door behind him, then repeated his entrance move into the bedroom.

Stepping inside, Jon paused and scanned the room.  The bed was empty, its covers still a rumpled white nest.  The closet doors were open, as was the door to the adjoining bathroom.  Cate's sleepwear lay in a pile between the bed and the closet, her panties tangled into the knit shorts.  Jon's brow furrowed as he tried to put the clues together.

A light breeze made it click.  Jon turned his gaze to the deck.  Despite his preparation, his seductive smirk faltered and his jaw dropped.  He hadn't expected this. 

She was standing at the railing, looking out at the sunrise.  A misty white cloud flowed around her, stirring lightly in the breeze.  Golden sun rays glinted through her glorious auburn mane.  And her body... she may as well have been nude.  The only thing covering her figure was the translucent fabric of that elegant African gown.  Every curve, every dimple, every cut... her silhouette against the morning sun was beautiful and erotic.

She was exquisite. 

Jon stood transfixed for what felt like an hour before he gathered his composure.  Dropping the sweaty t-shirt, he moved to the doorway.  He stood watching her for another moment before speaking.  Then his voice was a reverent, hoarse whisper, not the sexy growl he had planned.

"My God, Baby..."

Her head turned toward the sound of his voice, but she didn't move from her spot.  The curve of her mouth made his heart leap.

"You're back already?"  It was more a musing than a question.

"Uh huh..." Jon licked his suddenly-dry lips and took a breath, regaining his composure.  "Turn around.  Let me see."

Cate didn't move for a moment, just turned her face back to the savanna.  Then she slowly stepped back from the rail before revolving to face him.

Jon's lips parted in a soft gasp as his eyes slid over her body.  "Beautiful,"  he breathed.  When his gaze raised to meet hers, his groin tightened. In her shining sapphire stare was something he hadn't seen in a long while. 

"It is, isn't it?"  Her answer was quiet.  As Cate took a step toward Jon she raised her arms, making the gown's long sleeves billow behind her.  "Baby, thank you.  So much.  It's one of the most beautiful things you've ever given me."

Jon blinked, not fully comprehending her statement.  He was talking about her, not the garment swathing her glorious body.  Then he smiled as realization dawned. 

"Oh.  Yeah.  You're welcome."  Semi-recovered from his surprise, he stepped closer.  Jon reached for her, needing to touch her.   "I meant you're beautiful." He reached up to stroke his finger along her jaw.

Cate giggled softly, blushing at his compliment and shyly dropping her gaze.  Jon found her reaction adorable. 

He lowered his hand and swallowed hard against the lump rising in his throat.  But he was unable to do anything immediate about the lump rising in his shorts.

"Did you put that on for me?"  His voice was now a low purr, his seduction plan remembered.

Cate slowly shook her head, then looked up at Jon, smiling sheepishly.  "Actually, no.  I was changing for a workout and I thought I'd try it on to see if it fit.  I didn't think you'd be back so soon."

"Well then, I'm glad I came back when I did."  Jon stepped closer and reached for her hips.  The fabric was soft under his palms, between his hands and her flesh. 

Cate's eyes automatically dropped to Jon's chest as he moved in close.  She gasped quietly as she noticed his pectorals and biceps were full and taut, strained by recent exercise.  Cate raised a hand against Jon's sweaty chest.  "Good run?"

"Uh huh."  Jon pulled Cate's hips against his, almost groaning at the soft brush of fabric over his bare abdomen and sweaty thighs.  "I was gonna try to lure you into the shower with me, since the boys are still asleep." 

"Oh."  Cate's reply was gravelly.  "Well, I was gonna work out..."

"How about I give you a workout.... in the shower?"  Jon's growl was close to her ear.  "But before we go inside..."  He leaned into her, with his hands on her hips guiding her to turn away from the railing.  He felt her tense under his grasp as he walked her backwards until she bumped against the half-wall where the railing attached to the villa's structure.

Cate squeaked as her nearly-naked behind impacted the stucco-sided wall and her shoulders braced against the vine-covered privacy trellis above it.  She automatically reached for the deck railing to steady herself as Jon leaned into her, making her shrink backward.  Her pulse kicked up as she looked into his face and saw desperate want gleaming in his indigo eyes.  He looked dangerous.  And sexy as Hell.

"Don't.  Move." 

He breathed the command into her ear before his lips found her neck.  Cate's gasp made him grin against her flesh.  This time he had her.  And fuck, how he wanted her. 

Jon hummed eagerly as his mouth slid down the side of Cate's neck to the curve of her shoulder.  One hand left her hip and curved over her breast, her tightened nipple drilling into his palm through the silky fabric as his fingertips brushed over the ornate swirl of beads adorning the gown's neckline.  Jon growled a chuckle as his wife whimpered softly, her back arching to press her breast more firmly to his touch.  His cock responded too, stiffening unrestrained inside his baggy knit running shorts.

Encouraged by her reaction, Jon raised his other hand to Cate's other breast.  He nipped at her shoulder before drawing back and giving her a hungry leer.  Jon's intense blue gaze dropped to Cate's chest and he slid his hands aside, revealing her pebbled rosy nipples beneath her sheer gown.  Beneath his hands her chest heaved with her shallow gasps for breath.

Jon's mouth curled into a devilish smirk as his gaze dropped lower.  Through the translucent material he could see the diamond stud glittering in Cate's navel, and beneath that a dark stripe lay partially-obscured by draped layers of filmy fabric.   His eyes slid back up her beautiful body, then shifted sideways to Cate's hands.  One was wrapped tightly around the deck's rail; the other had raised to curl her fingers into the trellis near her shoulder.  Cate stared half-dazed at him as she held on against the assault of his seduction.

"You like this, Baby?"  Jon couldn't resist crooning the question.  He could see that she liked it.  He could feel her want, smell her desire.  He also knew she was letting him take control.

"Y... yes..." Cate breathed shakily, her chin dipping in a slight nod.

"Good.  Stay still."  Jon leaned in to whisper against her lips.  "And try to be quiet.  Don't wanna scare the animals." 

He chuckled huskily when he saw Cate's blue eyes dart sideways, toward the savanna.  His tongue parted her lips as Jon let his hands slide down her sides, riding the curves of her figure beneath its silky-sheer wrapper.  When they reached her hips he paused, then slipped his mouth from hers. 

Cate gasped again and tipped her head back as Jon's lips traveled down her throat, toward her chest.  She moaned softly as his teeth scraped across one hardened nipple, then over the other.  His breath was warm against her breasts, making the delicate chiffon flutter against her flesh and ripple down her body, tickling her torso and teasing her heated thighs.  Jon noticed her reaction, and sent puffs of warm breath against the fabric.  He smirked as her flesh quivered beneath the brush of the material.

"Stay still.... Shhhh...." Jon reminded her in a sultry whisper as his mouth moved lower.  Steadying himself with his grasp on her hips, Jon sank smoothly to his knees as his lips slid down her midline and past her navel.  Cate whimpered.

Jon paused his sensual assault to look up at her face.  She was staring down at him, her sapphire-blue eyes half-hooded and dark with arousal.  Long chestnut locks slid over her shoulders and around her breasts, fiery red against her creamy skin and gown.

Jon gave her a sexy grin, then let go of her hips.  His hands dropped to the hem of her gown.  He lowered his chin, purposely breathing against her trembling thighs as he gathered the skirt into his hands and lifted.

"Ohhh...." Cate moaned softly with anticipation. 

"Shhhhhh......" Jon's lips pursed as he chided her in a breathy whisper.  Then they relaxed as he leaned forward and ducked his head beneath her gown.  He released the fabric bunched into his hands and it cascaded down over Jon's bare  back, cloaking him in sheer chiffon.   Again Jon grasped Cate's hips, pinning her gently against the wall as he licked his lips.  Now there was no barrier between him and his objective. 

Cate let out a strangled squeak as Jon's mouth closed over her.  Her thighs quivered and her knees went weak, but Jon's grip kept her from slumping down the wall.  Her head tipped back and her eyes slipped closed as she struggled not to cry out.  When she felt his tongue part her, sliding into her slickness and circling her clit, Cate sucked her lower lip into her mouth and bit down.

The sensation was torturous.  Wonderfully, evilly, exquisitely torturous.  Cate drew in a shuddering breath as she felt heat explode from her center, an electric tingle shooting to her extremities. Wanting to see what he was doing to her, to take in the erotic vision, Cate forced her eyes to open and her chin to lower.  She looked down and saw a matted, tangled shock of silver-blonde hair covered by the filmy net of her gown, dipping forward and back with the strokes of Jon's tongue.

Sensing her observance, Jon paused his delightful torture for a moment, pulling his face back and regarding his work.  Cate groaned softly as his glance turned upward and he gave her an evil smirk before lowering his mouth again to her pussy.

"My God, Jon....."  Cate sighed hoarsely and let her eyes drift closed again.  She sank back against the trellis, her thighs parting further as she surrendered to his mouth.  She had no will to resist him, no ability to tell him to stop.  She had no choice but to let him perform this exquisitely dirty oral act upon her, right here on the deck, outside their hotel room, in plain sight of anyone with binoculars or a telescope or a long-range lens....

The strange noise came from just feet away.

Cate's heart jumped into her throat.  They weren't alone.