Chapter 78

When Jon awoke the next morning he knew before he even opened his eyes that he was alone in the bed. His temper ignited instantly and calmed only slightly when heard the click of computer keys and the murmur of Veronica’s voice coming through the open doorway. Throwing back the covers, he rose and stomped through to the other room, the sight of her already dressed and working souring his mood even more.

Veronica glanced up and saw him scowling. “Okay. That sounds good. Thanks. I’ll get back to you to confirm the time. In the meantime, if there’s anything else you need or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give me a call. Right. Thanks again Abdul. Bye.” Hanging up, she smiled at him. “Good morning. I’m sorry, did I wake you? I was trying to be quiet.” Jon just grunted. She studied his face. “Are you ready to eat or do you want to shower first?” Another grunt. Standing, she walked over him and kissed him. “Don’t be a grumpy ass. You got laid last night...twice! You should be smiling.”

He had to laugh at that and kissed her again. “Morning. You can order the food. That way it’ll be here when I get out of the shower.”

Veronica watched him turn and head for the bathroom, her smile fading. She had a pretty good idea why he was in a mood, but what it would take to prevent it wasn’t in her plan. She was having a hard enough time accepting how much control he had over her body. A touch, a kiss and she was putty in his hands. She couldn’t allow that to continue or before she knew it, she’d lose her heart to him again. And that wasn’t something she was ready for.

Brunch was quieter than usual. Veronica tried to get a conversation started, but when Jon responded with grunts and the odd word when prompted, she gave up and left him alone to brood, finishing the meal in silence.

Jon knew he was being an ass, but he couldn’t help it. He’d really wanted to wake up with her in his arms this morning. When that didn’t happen he had been afraid that she was pulling back from him again. He still wasn’t a hundred percent sure she wasn’t, but he was trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. His instinctive urge was to push her for something more.....permanent, but he knew that would only make her run the other way, so he kept quiet. The short, flirty black skirt and off the shoulder top the exact colour of her eyes that she was wearing today didn’t help his mood either. He wanted to take her away somewhere where it would only be the two of them for a few days. They were heading for Richie’s house after the show tonight to relax for a couple days. Hopefully he could convince her to spend some quality hours with him.

The men in the lobby giving her the appreciative once over didn’t help his mood either.

Neither did the way she parted from him at the venue with only a reminder of what time the interviews started and what time sound check was. No kiss, no hug, not even a squeeze of his hand!



“What did you do to him now?”

Veronica looked up to see Richie looming over her desk. “ Hey Jughead. You guys done with the interviews? How did they go? And what did I do to who?”

“Interviews were fine.” He waved the subject away. “What did you do to our fearless leader who is crankier than a bear with a belly full of cubs? I thought you guys were back together.”

“Despite what you and many others seem to think, I’m not responsible for all of his moods.” She ignored his fishing for the status of their relationship.

“No, just ninety percent of them.”

“Well, this must be part of the other ten percent, because I haven’t done anything. In fact, he should be in a good mood....a very good mood...if you get my meaning.”

“Well he’s got a burr up his ass about something.”

“Maybe you should ask him.”

“Maybe I will.” Richie frowned and turned towards the door.

“Warn me first Rich, so that I can have paramedics on standby.” Paul commented dryly.





“Fuck!” Jon cursed and kicked a cable out of his way.

“What’s with you today, bro? You’re snapping at everybody.” Richie decided to bite the bullet. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were having woman troubles.”

Jon just grunted and glared at him.

Richie frowned. “But I thought things were better there. You did spend the night together didn’t you? Not to mention her....visit...to your dressing room last night.”

Jon sighed and glanced around to make sure no one else was close enough to hear. “She gets up early.”

“So....you’re short on sleep?” Richie frowned in confusion. Then it hit him. “Oh...you mean she got up early and wasn’t there when you ‘got up’.” He grinned. “Yeah...I can see how that would put you in a foul mood.”

“Fuck off asshole!” Jon growled and stomped off the stage.

Chuckling, Richie followed and saw him shove a table in the hallway up against the wall. He was still snickering when he stuck his head into the control room and saw everyone looking towards the hallway. “Do you want to fix that please Ronnie?”

“Me? How am I supposed to ‘fix it’?”

“You know. You were always really good at....pulling the thorn from the lion’s paw.” He winked at her.

Veronica felt her face heat at the look in his eyes and his reference to the past and what she used to do to settle Jon down a bit before a show when he got too wound up. “Go away Jughead.” His laughter echoed back as he continued on down the hallway. Glancing around the room she found Paul and a few others looking at her expectantly. She bit back a growl, tossed down her pen and left the room.



Slowing her steps, she considered what she should do, Richie’s suggestion foremost in her thoughts. The more she thought about it the more she thought it might work – on a couple of fronts. It would put Jon in a better mood, and would show her whether she had as much – or any – control over his body and passions as he did over hers.

By the time she reached his door, she’d made up her mind. Not bothering to knock – and warn him – she opened the door and walked in, closing the door behind her and quietly turning the lock.

Jon eyed her from his position lounging in a chair, legs extended out in front of him, shirt on but unbuttoned and hanging open. He didn’t move and didn’t say anything.

Veronica surveyed his wardrobe, picked out a couple of shirts and set them aside, before moving to the table. Reaching into the cooler underneath she pulled out a bottle of water, opened it, took a swig and set it on the table.

Taking a deep breath, she stood in front of him for a moment, letting her gaze travel over his firm pecs and sculpted abs to the waistband of his pants...and beyond. Her foot nudged his further apart and she knelt in between.

Jon watched her, one brow lifting. “What are you doing?” His body – or at least one part of it – thought it knew – or hoped.

She leaned forward and spread the sides of his shirt wider, caressing his chest in the process. Her lips followed her hands, kissing her way down the centre of his chest and abdomen, smiling inwardly when his stomach muscles contracted in response. She looked up at him, tongue teasing his belly button. “I’m pulling the thorn from the lion’s paw.”

Jon’s hands gripped the arms of the chair and he sucked in a deep steadying breath as her hands unfastened his pants and slowly slid the zipper down. His breath hissed through his teeth when she spread them wide open, even tugging them down his hips slightly, exposing his rapidly hardening shaft.

Bracing her arms on his thighs, Veronica settled back onto her heels slightly, leaned forward and swiped her tongue up the underside of his erection from base to tip...very...very....slowly.

Jon’s eyes drifted shut, his head tipped back and his hips lifted towards the teasing touch. She was going to kill him. He knew it.

Next, she made a ring with her thumb and forefinger around the base to restrict the blood flow and keep him hard and hold off his climax. With her other hand she stroked up and down making him swell even more. Then she brought her mouth back into play flicking her tongue over the sensitive tip, then blowing on it.

“Jesus Nica!” His knuckles were white with the strength of his grip and his voice was a growl. As much as he wanted to, he knew better than to try to guide her. Past experience told him that anything she wanted to do would blow his mind. She was the best he’d ever had, especially in this area.

Several minutes later, sensing his growing tension, she backed off and turned her attention to his sac. First she cupped it in her hand and gently stretched the soft skin. Then she bent and took first one ball, then the other into her mouth and sucked. Releasing it, she squeezed in between, along the seam with her fingers, watching his face for any sign of discomfort. The grimace there was not one of pain. His face was flushed a dark red, sweat dripped from his nose and chin.

She grinned. Dipping a little lower she found the super sensitive patch of skin behind his boys and sucked lightly.

“FUCK! Nica...finish it.” The only thing preventing him from exploding was her fingers squeezing him. He was sure if she didn’t give him relief very soon his heart was going to burst.

“But I’m not done yet.” She murmured against the pulsing tip. He groaned. “Look at me babe.” When he did, she locked her eyes with his, opened her mouth wide and took him in, descending slowly until she’d swallowed his entire length. Backing off, she repeated the process. Several times.

He couldn’t take his eyes of the sight of his glistening erecting sliding in and out of her mouth. She was the only woman he’d ever met who could take his entire length without gagging. He was breathing like a racehorse, and his vision was blurred. The feel of her throat tightening around him as she swallowed was almost more than he could take. “Nica....no more....please!”

She could barely make out the words, but his tone told her he was at the end of his endurance. Lifting her head, she took in the glorious sight.

“Please!” The single word was all he could manage. He didn’t know what he would do if she didn’t give in.

Licking her lips, she opened her mouth and once again took his length deep. She released the base of his shaft and shifted until she could rub the spot behind his sac. Then she started to suck. Slowly at first, then faster and harder. When she sensed he was at the brink she took him a little deeper, sucked a little harder and pushed with her finger.

“Oh GOD! FUUUUCK!” Jon couldn’t hold back a shout as his back arched and he exploded.

Veronica sucked and swallowed until he had nothing left and started to soften. Then she backed off and rose to her feet. She reached for the bottle of water while she surveyed the result of her ministrations.

He was wrecked. Eyes closed, mouth hanging open, sweat sheened chest heaving, desperately sucking in oxygen, his face almost purple. He couldn’t have put two words together if his life depended on it.

She grinned. Apparently she wasn’t the alone in this wanton madness. Good. Fair’s fair after all. Taking another swig of water, she bent to touch her lips to his. “Mmmm. I always did like dessert before the main course.”

With that she walked out of the room and went back to work.