Chapter 35

Once again Jon returned to his life, and the rigours of touring began. In May the band took a week long break from the tour as Jon and his wife welcomed a beautiful baby daughter, Stephanie Rose Bongiovi. It was a life changing event for him, as is the birth of any child for a parent and he found himself wanting to be at home for the first time since meeting Alex. But the tour called and just three days later the band was playing to a sell out crowd in Japan, and Dot was at home alone.

After Japan the band had a week of touring, Jon spent it getting to know his daughter. He was captivated by the little bundle and in awe of the love he felt for this tiny new person in his life. The next two months of the tour were spent stateside so Jon was able to make it home frequently to see the new love of his life. He spent what time he could with his family, the company jet on constant standby to fly him home when he could spare the time, for he knew the European leg was coming up. Dot and little Stephanie would join the tour occasionally but tour life was hard on an adult let alone on an infant, so weeks would go by before Jon would see his family.

The tour continued, the cities blurred, one hotel room looked like another, and Europe blended into Asia. They had been there a little over a week before Jon looked out of his hotel room window and realised exactly where they were, recognising the bright lights and city skyline of Singapore. An excitement clenched him, next stop Australia. He realised then that even the birth of his daughter had not eclipsed his feelings for Alex. He had thought that with Stephanie's arrival he may finally be able to get past his feeling for this woman he had tried so hard to forget, but it was not the case, he wanted her just as bad as he ever did.

After the Singapore show wrapped they had flown through the night, and while the band stopped in Perth to prepare for the first show, Jon was on the first flight to Sydney to convince Alex to join the tour after all. On her doorstep at Midday Jon tentatively pressed the doorbell. The intercom clicked and the door swung open, he was going to see her at last.

He caught the elevator to her floor and took a deep breath as he knocked on her door. It seemed like an eternity until he heard the key in the lock, every second ticking over in his head. The door opened a crack.

"Ali honey, finally. I thought I'd never see you again." Jon moved forward a step.

"Hi Jon" came the sad reply as the door swung open further to reveal Lanie.

"Oh Fuck, not again"

"Nice to see you too" Lanie gestured for him to come inside but he didn't budge.

"Where is she?"

"Out of town"

"Where?"

"She asked me not to tell you that, just that I be here should you turn up. She's moved on Jon. She's happy and successful and doesn't need this kind of aggravation. It very nearly killed her last time."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm only here to offer her a job" Jon said defensively.

"Yeah and pigs fly. Who are you trying to kid Jon? We both know why you're here. Now listen to me, she finally has some semblance of joy in her life. Let her be. Let her forget you once and for all. She doesn't need your phone calls, she doesn't need your letters and most certainly doesn't need you turning up on her door step unannounced." She replied angrily. "Now I can only assume that you received her refusal letter" Jon nodded "Well then that should be all you need to know. Now I don't know about you but I've got better things to do with my day than standing around here arguing with you, so if you don't mind I'd like to get on with them."

"Ok fine I'll go for now, but as for giving up on her, letting her go...that will never happen. Just let her know that I was here. Can you do that? Please!" At Lanie's nod of affirmation Jon turned and left.

"Over my dead body" Lanie whispered softly as she closed the door.

***

Alex had fled Australia to join Bryan Adam's US tour just hours before Bon Jovi flew in. She was taking no chances in seeing Jon, and although she really didn't expect him on her door step, especially now after the birth of his child, she was prepared if he did. Rick thankfully, who still knew nothing of her relationship with the rock star, was in the United Kingdom doing a series of articles on the IRA, so she had arranged for Lanie to stay at the flat in case he showed up.

She had been with Bryan for several weeks now, for her the tours end was in sight, only days away and Christmas was fast approaching. Alex had never experienced a white Christmas so she had decided she would stay on in the US after the assignment was over. Rick was also flying in on the first available flight, which appeared to be early on the 25^th.

Alex had been enjoying the tour immensely. Bryan shared her love of photography, so when he was not rehearsing, several hours would be spent discussing the finer points of technique and what inspired them. She had managed to capture the essence of the musician very early on, the duration of the tour was a bonus, the chance to get creative and just have fun.

It was these later photographs that captured the attention of a very famous New Jersey native. Alex was laying on the bed in her hotel room, a book in her hands was getting very little attention as her eyes began to drift closed until the phone at her bedside rang and startled her. She moved too quickly to pick it up and dropped the receiver in the process. When she finally managed to retrieve it from the floor and place it on her ear an unfamiliar male voice could be heard.

"Miss Belle, Miss Belle, are you ok?... Miss Belle" the stranger repeated.

"Yes, sorry! I dropped the phone. This is Alex Belle" she replied.

"I usually get that reaction after I give my name, not before. That's a refreshing change" the man joked. "My name is Bruce, Bruce Springsteen....would it be egotistical of me to presume you know my work?"

"Ahhh...yes and no... Oh shit...I mean no and yes." Alex blundered her way through her response. "I mean no, definitely not egotistical...I mean you're a legend and yes I am familiar with it. Who isn't?"

"Well, thanks Alex, is it ok if I call you Alex?" He continued on, not waiting for her response. "I wish to procure your services Alex. I've seen the work you have been doing with Bryan and I was totally amazed at the way you managed to capture the essence of the man on film. I'd like you to do the same for me."

"Mr. Springsteen..." Alex started.

"Please, call me Bruce"

"Mr. ...Bruce, it would be a great honour but I'm afraid my schedule is looking rather tight for the next few months. I doubt I'd be able to squeeze in the time it would take for me to get to know you well enough to get that kind of result. I've been pretty much living in Bryans pocket for the better part of two months now."

"What are you plans for the holiday season?"

"Well, I'll be spending it here actually. My boyfriend is coming over so we can have a white Christmas together. Why?"

"If, I'm not out of line asking you to work the holiday's I'd like you to come and stay here with me and the family. We have a guest house out back and you would be more than welcome to have your friend stay with you. It would give you the opportunity to get to see the real me and it will get me the photos I require on time." Bruce offered. "Now I know that working over the holidays is a big ask but..."

"Mr. Springsteen, I'd love to. When did you want me there?"

"It's Bruce, and as soon as Bryan can spare you." She could almost hear the smile on his face.

"Well, I wrap here on Friday, would Monday morning be too soon? Oh and where is there? Where exactly do you live?"

"Monday is fine honey, and as for the where, my assistant will contact you with details in the morning."

"Can you at least give me a state so I know how far I have to go?" Alex was grinning at Bruce's guarded answer given that in a few short days she would be living with him.

"The Garden State honey"

"Huh?"

"New Jersey, we live in New Jersey. See you here Monday Alex. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to it" Alex sat stunned. She had just agreed to move into Jon's backyard. She heard the beep, beep, beep of a disconnected line and placed the receiver back on the cradle. What on earth was I thinking?

Chapter 34

 

In October of 1992 Alex was working studiously at her desk at her apartment when Rick arrived bringing the mail in with him. He dropped the pile on the corner of the desk and came around to give her a lingering kiss hello.

"Hey there gorgeous, good day?" He questioned as he pulled away and retrieved the mail, starting to sift through it. He was slowly insinuating himself into her life. Spending more and more time at her apartment and taking care of her. She wasn't sure if she liked it or found the intrusion into her own time annoying.

"Hi sweetie, what do you have there?" Alex asked looking up only briefly from the proof sheets she was engrossed in. They were of her most recent assignment...the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

"Hmm, bills, bills and more...hang on what's this?" he said turning the envelope over in his hand. "This could be something. It's from BJM"

"Who? Should I know them?" Alex asked.

"I dare say so, it's your favourite bands management company."

Alex's heart began to pound in her chest. Even after everything with Jon she was still a diehard fan. "Bon Jovi? No they're with McGhee Entertainment."

"Oh my God...finally something I can tell you about that damned band....hell must have frozen over." Rick chuckled "No honey, they have just dumped McGhee and are self managing, I think I heard somewhere that Jon's family are involved somehow...Oh look I don't really know but I do know it's not Doc."

"Well are you going to open it?" He asked holding it before her.

"Guess so" Alex took the envelope from him with trembling hands and tore it open. The letter inside read...

 

Tuesday, 27 October 1992

Dear Miss Belle,

Bon Jovi Management wishes to extend an exclusive invitation to you. Given your previous ties to the band and your current success in the world of Entertainment Photography, we ask that you would consider joining the Australian Leg of the Keep the Faith Tour in November of 1993 with the view to being staff photographer for duration of the World tour extending through December and finishing in New Jersey for the annual Christmas Concert.

In the event you should accept this invitation, please be assured that generous remuneration will be made, as well as First Class accommodation and transportation. Further terms will be negotiated with you at your convenience.

A representative of the management company will be in Australia towards the end of next month and has hopes of meeting with you then to discuss this proposal. Could you please register your interest promptly by return mail so that arrangements can be made.

Yours sincerely

Paul Korzilius

BJ Management

 

 

"Wow honey that would have to be a dream come true, wouldn't it?" Rick said when Alex had finished reading the letter out loud.

"I guess" she replied, wondering why the letter had come directly to her and not through her agent as was customary for such offers. "I'm not sure I can do it though. I'll have to check in with the office to see if they have anything scheduled"

"Well get on the line then. This would be a great opportunity for you, especially given your affinity for the band" Rick prompted.

"I will in the morning. Right now I just want to get out of here for a bit. How about we head down to the harbour and grab some dinner...I'm half starved"

First thing next morning Alex was on the phone to her agent. She had hired him the year before at Rick's urging when she found it difficult to manage both her assignments and the job offers.

"Hi Martin" She said cheerfully when he finally answered the phone.

"Good Morning Alex, what can I do for you?"

"Well I've just had an offer of employment for the last two months 1993 and I want to know what my schedule looks like before I commit." Alex explained.

"Hmmm, give me a sec" Alex heard the shuffle of papers then Martin's gravelly voice came back on the line "Well there is nothing confirmed but there was a request for you to be in the States for November for the Bryan Adams Tour, other than that it's all clear."

"Perfect, can you lock that in for me?" Alex jumped at the offer...a little too quickly.

"But you don't even know the details.."

"I'll worry about those later...just confirm the job please. Oh and while you're at it, can you arrange for an out of town assignment for the last two weeks of this month, like overseas out of town."

Alex chatted for a few more minutes, reviewing the next week's schedule before saying goodbye. Then began to pen a response...

 

Friday, 6 November 1992

Dear Mr Korzilius,

I thank you for your offer, but regret to inform you that my services have already been secured for that period and I will be unable to accept your very generous offer. It would be very much appreciated if all further correspondence of this nature be directed through my agent. I have enclosed his business card for your records. Please extend my regards to the band; I have very fond memories of my time working with them.

Kindest Regards

Alex Belle

Alex folded the letter and addressed the envelope, sealing it with a kiss. She just couldn't bear to be in the same country as him again. She feared the temptation to go to him would be too hard to resist. It was best for everyone involved if she put as much distance between them as she could.

***

When Jon received Alex's return letter he couldn't quite believe his eyes. She had turned him down flat. He had penned the letter in Pauls name so that she wouldn't think it a personal proposition - which of course it was. It just meant that now he would have to travel to Australia himself instead of sending one of the others. He was adamant the he would see her again.

When Jon arrived in Australia later that month for a pre tour promotional visit, he went straight to Alex's from the airport. He was anxious to see her again, it had been far too long. The hire car pulled up in front of her building and he made his way to the door. His sources assured him that this was still her current address. He rang the buzzer for her apartment and ran his hand through now short hair as he waited for a response. When he heard the intercom click his heart jumped up into his throat.

"Yes, can I help you?" An older unfamiliar female voice croaked.

"I'd like to see Alex if I may" Jon said in his best formal voice.

"I'm sorry son, she isn't here. Miss Alex is away on assignment. Won't be back til the end of the month"

Jon's heart fell "Would you have a contact number or address please?"

"Sorry, I can't help you. I'm just in from downstairs to water the plants"

"OK, well thanks anyway" heartbroken he walked away from the apartment once again. It seemed that they would never have their time.

Jon finished his business in Australia and left promptly. He had allocated more than a week there but without Alex there it wasn't the same. With her it had felt like home...now it was just another stop on a busy calendar, and one that he had no interest in at all.

Chapter 33

Jon returned to the tour and his life but she was never far from his mind. At first he did his best to forget her as she had asked, but her absence from his mind would last no more than a few hours. Even in sleep she haunted his dreams, her soft skin, those luscious pink lips, her infectious laugh. Her long legs wrapped around him, her breasts pressed into his flesh. More often than not he woke with a screaming hard on and hoped against hope he didn't talk in his sleep. He hadn't even indulged in the sexual favours groupies were only too happy to offer.

Barely a month had past and his resolve to do as she wished was torn to shreds. He couldn't stay away. He contacted her boss at the paper only to be told she had moved on. Her parents were of no help, but then he hadn't expected them to be. Even Lanie, who expressed her regret to him for how things had turned out, would not disclose Alex's location or contact information. Jon was at a loss. She was gone from him once again.

A month after the tours end in 1990 Jon was at his mother and father's house celebrating his 28^th birthday. His family were all there, a couple of his childhood friends and of course his wife, all singing Happy Birthday and enjoying good food and company. Once the cake had been cut and while his family continued to celebrate inside, Carol Bongiovi watched her son discretely sneak out the back door.

Jon was sitting on the porch step when he heard the screen door creak, and his mother's voice.

"Jon, please come inside honey, it's far too cold to be sitting out here like this"

"I'm fine ma, I'll be in soon. I just wanted a little time alone" Carol was gravely concerned for her son, never had she seen him so despondent.

Since his return from the tour he had barely spoken, to her or anyone else. She had at first assumed it was just burn out, she had seen that before but this was different somehow. Finally the week before, her daughter-in-law had come to her to express her concern. Jon was apparently having difficulty sleeping, he was drinking too much and was unresponsive to his wife's attentions. Dot was at her wits end and hoped the Bongiovi matriarch would be able to help her. Carol assured her she would try.

"What's wrong honey?"

"It's nothing Ma"

"Jon... I can see something is troubling you. Believe me when I say I have no delusions as to the lifestyle you lead, if you need to talk, I'm here for you. You've always been able to tell me anything, that hasn't changed just because you're a rock star. That's just your job honey not who you are"

The pair sat in silence for long minutes as a war was waged in Jon's head and heart. Did he keep Alex to himself, wrapped up in that magical place in his heart he had reserved for her? Or did he share her with the one person who had always understood him the best, the one who had always managed to give him perspective when he needed it the most.

"Awe geez Mom... I don't know where to begin." He started, and then he couldn't stop. "I met someone Ma. And she's just amazing...beautiful and intelligent and kind and strong and independent and....and" he began to shake his head "....she's not Dot"

"Ohhhh" Jon's mother said quietly. "I thought this funk you were in was about the band and the boys"

"That hasn't helped but no. It's her...I can't get her out of my mind" Jon couldn't bring himself to look at his mom. Instead he kept his head dipped and his face hidden in the long hair that dropped either side, as he fidgeted with this fingers.

"Who is she? Do I know her?"

Jon shook his head "No. No one you know. I just don't know what to do Ma. I made a commitment to Dot, I know that but that was before....well before her." He looked up then, and Carol could see the depths of pain and the unshed tears in her son's eyes.

"How far did this go?" Carol asked.

"We had an amazing week together" A small smile crept onto his face at the thought of the blissful week he and Alex had shared.

"So you..?" Carol asked.

Jon nodded.

"And how do you feel about this woman?"

"I love her Ma...more than I thought possible. She had me from hello."

"Oh dear. Did she come home with you? Where is she now?"

Once again Jon shook his head. "No idea really, I haven't seen her for a few months. We had an amazing week together and then she ended it, told me I needed to go back to my wife."

"She sounds like a smart woman, though the fact she got involved with you in the first place tends to speak against that...." Carol looked down at her hands in her lap and own wedding band.

"It really wasn't like that Mom. I pursued her.....relentlessly. It started years ago but she was too young then..."

Carol looked up with alarm "How old is she now?"

"Just eighteen"

"Oh Jon" Carol said in dismay "and I suppose she's a fan" Jon nodded in response.

"Oh my dear boy....what were you thinking?"

He looked directly at his mother now, sensing her disapproval. "What was I thinking...I was thinking that she is the most amazing woman I have ever met. That she makes me feel like no one has before, and I don't just mean physically. I was thinking that if I wasn't already married to Dot I would have asked her to marry me. I'm in love with her Mom... It really doesn't matter what I was thinking. When I'm with her emotion just takes over."

"But honey, you are married to Dot. Listen sweetie, marriage isn't always easy. In fact, besides motherhood it's the hardest job I've ever had. And that's just what it is. It's a job. You have to work at it son." Carol put an arm around her son's shoulders and pulled him to her. "Dorothea is a good woman Jon, a strong woman and one that will keep you grounded. She's known you forever and loves you for who, not what, you are. And that is something you will never be sure of again. Don't mess that up, honey."

"But..." Jon started

"No buts Jon. You said it yourself, you made a commitment and no Bongiovi goes back on their word. I think what you need is to get away for a while. Take that fancy new bike you bought, take Dot, and get away for a while, just the two you, have the honeymoon you didn't have. Hopefully you will be able to find what it was that you once had together, and get it back."

Jon nodded sadly. "I hope so ma, I really do, 'cause as things stand now...I just can't see a future for us"

Within a month Jon was back in the studio. He had been approached by the producers of a Young Guns, they wanted to use "Wanted Dead or Alive" as the soundtrack for the sequel they were shooting. Jon instead thought it more appropriate to create a new track for the film, one track turned into more than a dozen and he was soon recording an album. It was yet another way to wind down from the rigours of touring, but enabled him to keep in touch with what had always been so important to him...his music.

With the soundtrack out of the way Jon did as his mother suggested. He and Dot got on the bike and took an extended vacation, the honeymoon they never had, touring the States in an attempt to get back their old magic, and to a degree it worked. Without the pressures and temptations of tour life Jon was able to focus on his wife and remained faithful, at least physically.

Dot was just glad that her attentive husband was back. With only the two of them to concentrate on initially, there were no diversions for his attention, and later she assumed that he was, as always, consumed by his work. What Dot didn't know, was that, while she was sleeping soundly beside him, Jon would often lay awake at night thinking of another woman, another love....Alex.

Dot and Jon settled into a comfortable routine at home. The press were reporting that with two solo albums coming from the band - Richie's having been released shortly after Jon's - that Bon Jovi were through. But it wasn't long before Jon was feeling that old itch again. It appeared the rest of the band was feeling it too...at the end of 1991 Keep the Faith was born. The boys fell into their old routines as if they had never been apart, the break from touring and each other worked wonders...they were back.

By late October 1992 Jon was on top of the world. The new album charted well, a tour was in full swing and he had just received some of the greatest news of his life...he was about to become a father for the first time. But yet something was still missing....

***

Alex found the first few months after Jon's departure tortuous. With the continued success of the band the tour was highly publicised, and it seemed there was no escaping it...or him. His face taunted her from the covers of magazines, his voice tormented her from the radio and their time together haunted her dreams. Then word came from her boss, Lanie and her family that he was trying to contact her. All had been instructed not to give him any information and they all came through for her and then slowly, oh so slowly as the tour wound down and came to an end, the media saturation waned and the dreams became less frequent.

As a distraction Alex threw herself into her work, even more so than before. The photos of both the concert she had attended and the Lost Week photo shoot had been published internationally and as a result she was highly sought after, receiving offers from both international recording artists and several top shelf publications...Rolling Stone being one of them. At first she turned them all down, but soon reconsidered for although her passion had always been current affairs, it no longer held any appeal. The incident with Abbie had taken a huge toll and she found she could no longer bring herself to work the streets she once loved, so when Rolling Stone became relentless in their pursuit of her, she found it was an offer she couldn't refuse...she would be their Australian staff photographer, covering local artists and events and taking the occasional overseas assignment.

On March 2^nd, Alex stood on her balcony, looked to the stars and wished Jon Happy Birthday before stepping out on her first date since coming home. It was time to move on. Rick of course was only too happy to help her. He had been patient when she returned from Queensland, he sensed a profound change in her, but knew nothing of what had bought it about. He offered her friendship and support and he bided his time and waited for her to come to him, and was eventually rewarded. They dated, only casually at first, though the arrangement was much more casual for Alex than Rick who was intent on one day making her his wife.

The next two years were a flurry of activity for Alex. Her new job took her around the world several times over. She travelled to Japan in 1990 to cover Madonna's Blonde Ambition Tour, back at home that same year she toured with Cher during her Australian Leg and photographed Phil Collins, Aerosmith and Motley Crue. She was even hit on by Tommy Lee. In 1991 she returned to Japan for George Michael's Cover to Cover Tour and also worked the tours of AC/DC and Nirvana. She was also astounded and honoured when she was specifically requested to photograph Frank Sinatra. 1992 bought yet more tours and even more artists, Prince, Def Leppard and New Kids on the Block.

Alex's career was on an all time high, and eventually her personal life settled into a nice routine. She dated extensively those first couple of years, both at home and abroad. Rick was the one constant in her life, but it was not perfect - he was not Jon. So she dated others seeking the connection she had felt with him, trying to recapture it time and again, ultimately coming to realise that it would never, could never, happen again. It was upon this realisation that she finally committed to Rick. From mid 1991 the pair became exclusive, though work commitments often kept them separated, she was happy to come home to him when she could, to his home. They each kept their own apartments at Alex's insistence and much to Rick's annoyance but she just wasn't ready for that step just yet, for just as Jon had felt, for her there was always something lacking.

Chapter 32

Jon joined the rest of the band on the smaller jet to Brisbane the next morning but when their plane took off for the Europe a few hours later, it was short one passenger. He wasn't leaving her behind again. Instead he had made arrangements for the private charter continue on to Sydney and on to Europe later that night. By midday he was knocking on her door.

Noise could be heard coming from inside the apartment so he knew she was there. He heard footsteps approach and the key turn in the lock. "Thank God" he uttered.

The door swung wide. "Jon what are you doing here, where's Al?"

Jon pushed past Lanie at the door. "Don't play innocent with me Lanie. I know she's here. ALEX...ALI.... C'mon I know you're here...we can sort this out...don't do this to me again"

"Jon...I'm telling you she's not here. You're worrying me now....last I heard she was with you. She rang a couple of days ago telling me how happy she was, how amazing you were and that she would be home this morning some time. I thought you were her. Where is she Jon? If you've hurt her again I'll....."

"So she really isn't here." Jon asked already knowing the answer because he had been searching the apartment while Lanie spoke.

"No and I haven't heard anything either."

"Where else would she go?"

"Geez Jon, I don't know..."

"C'mon Lanie you must know. You're her best friend. I need to find her, I can't let her go again."

"Maybe her Mum and Dad's..." Lanie offered tentatively, wondering if she had said too much. But he just looked so desperate.

"Where?"

Lanie scribbled the address on a piece of paper, and was rewarded with a kiss on the cheek and he was gone.

***

At Tony and Sophia Belle's house the phone receiver sat off the cradle, had it not been they would have received one of the many calls Lanie had tried to make to warn them of their impending visitor. Their daughter had arrived on their doorstep during the night, the very early hour and puffy bloodshot eyes alerting them to her distress. Sophia had folded her daughter into her arms and held her close waiting for the tears to come but they never did. It seemed her daughter had already exhausted them but that she was glad nevertheless for the comfort of her mother's arms making no attempt to remove herself from them. Tony had stood by protectively. He knew not what had caused her distress but was resolved to sorting out whatever or whoever it was.

Sophia had led Alex to her bedroom, though she had never slept in this house, her mother had arranged all of her belongings as they had been in their old house before the move and Alex welcomed the sense of familiarity. She lay on the bed in her mother's arms until she finally fell asleep around dawn. The only words she spoke were "If he comes I'm not here and you don't know where I am."

Sophia had tried to question her daughter but Alex's lips had remained resolutely closed. She had always been a stubborn child, a trait she had unfortunately inherited from herself, one that had exacerbated many an argument over the years. She knew that in waiting her daughter would finally come to her but that pushing at this emotional time would only serve to drive her away.

In the early afternoon the knock on the door Alex had dreaded finally came. She was locked in her room sitting cross legged on her bed, her childhood friend Big Ted clutched firmly to her chest. Sophia was busying herself in the kitchen preparing the evening meal and Tony, who had decided to work from home so he could be near his daughter, was holed up in their home office attending to some phone calls that could not be postponed.

Alex's heart started to thump at the sound and she listened intently for the exchange downstairs.

"Can I help you?" Tony asked as he opened the front door to find a long haired youth....no not a youth a man...this guy had to be in his twenties. Immediately he was unimpressed.

"Hello Mr Belle. I'm Jon, I was wondering if I could see Alex please?" As he spoke he ran a hand through his hair and immediately realised his mistake when Tony's attention was drawn to his wedding band. Fuck why didn't I take it off. Great first impression.

"She's not here." Tony said as he made to close the door but a cowboy booted foot prevented him from doing so. Was that an American accent?

"I think she is sir and I'm sorry to be forward but I really need to see her." Jon pushed on the door and it slipped from Tony's grasp and swung wide.

Sophia, who had heard the ruckus, made her way into the foyer stood in awe of the young man who graced her doorstep. Could it be... no impossible.

Tony became aware of his wife presence and beckoned her over. "Honey this is Jon, he's here to see Alex"

"Oh I know who he is." She would reserve the pleasantries until she knew his intent.

"You do, I haven't heard Alex mention any Jon."

"Have you not looked at her walls at all over the last few years dear" Sophie was a little exasperated by her husband's lack of attention to details. "This is Jon Bon Jovi, you know the one from the posters, he sings that 'Prayer' song you don't mind."

"Oh...Ohhhh. Well rock star or not, no long haired lout will be sniffing around my little girl, especially not one that's considerably older and married to boot." Alex's father moved to stand before Jon effectively barring his entry.

"I'm sorry son we can't help you. I really think it's best that you leave." Sophia said, diplomatically echoing her husband's sentiments.

"Please sir, ma'am, just tell me if she's here. Tell me that she's ok. I only want to talk to her but at the very least I need to know she is safe."

"I can assure you that she isn't here and even if she were you wouldn't have an icebergs hope in hell of seeing her so I suggest you just get on your bike and scram. You won't get any satisfaction here."

"I'm not leaving until I talk to her. I know you must know where she is."

Upstairs Alex listened intently. She had fled the resort unsure of her resolve to tell him goodbye, but here, with the support of her family, she felt strong enough to face him. Slowly she descended the stairs and still clutching her bear and flopped down on the second last step. Jon pushed past Tony and knelt on the hard tile floor before her. She looked so young and innocent, sitting there with her childhood toy but her eyes expressed the pain she felt.

"Alex honey go back upstairs I can handle this" Tony said as he came up behind Jon ready to physically extract him from the house.

"No Daddy, it's OK. I need to do this. He needs to hear this from me or he won't leave." She said, her tear streaked face breaking her father's heart as he stood by helpless.

"Jon, you need to leave. We have been through this. There is no future for us. I would never settle for what you can offer me Jon. I deserve better. If you were free, I am sure that we could have had something truly amazing......"

"But Ali it is amazing...."

"NO Jon! What it is... is tragic" she paused and swallowed down the huge lump that had formed in her throat.

"Now please leave and don't bother me or my family again"

"You don't mean that Ali. I know you don't. Please baby we need to talk some more. I'm not gonna lose you again. It hurt too much the first time" Jon pleaded.

Tony and Sophia stood by dazed and confused, looking at each other with a puzzled expresion..the first time?

"When was the first time?" Alex heard her father's whisper and glanced across to see her mother's shrug. "She's barely eighteen" her dad continued.

"Shhh Tony" Her mothered hushed.

"You never had me to begin with. I will always cherish our time together but I got from you what I wanted, what I needed and now it's over. So you need to walk out that door, back to your life... and your wife, and never look back."

Tony placed his hand on Jon's shoulder. He couldn't help feeling a little sorry for this poor man who had fallen so hard for his daughter's charms. "OK son, it's time for you to leave."

Jon rose but dropped a card on the bottom step at Alex's feet. "I fly out at midnight tonight on a private charter, I have a show tomorrow in Portugal, the boys have already left this morning. If you change your mind and want to talk that's where you'll find me." He bent down to kiss her on the top of the head but was distressed and taken aback when she shrunk away from him. He cupped the side of her face with his hand and leaned in, whispering in her ear "I love you." Before backing away and walking out the door.

Jon anxiously waited out the day at the hotel. He didn't leave his room for fear that he would miss her call. He was restless and distracted. He took a brief shower for fear he's miss her call and he called reception several times to check if there were any messages, and on the one occasion that there was his heart raced until he discovered it was from Doc urging him to "Get your fucking ass on that plane immediately". Never had an addiction grabbed him so hard, for she was an addiction and just as he had sung in his song there was no cure.

Come 11.45 p.m. Jon was at the airport on the tarmac ready to board. He had been whisked through security and customs as was customary for him. He turned again to look at the terminal, nothing. He made his way to the boarding ramp and began to ascend the stairs. He was half way up the stairs when he felt a set of eyes on him. He turned towards the terminal for one last look, was it ...no it couldn't be. He took the remaining steps two at a time til he stood on the landing where he could get a better view but there was no-one in sight. Jon boarded the plane and was in his seat, but a niggling voice in his head kept telling him NO! GO BACK!

Jon jumped out of his seat, ran down the aisle, past the startled flight attendant and flew down the stairs and across the tarmac. He breached security when he ran up the service stairs to the closest aerobridge and set alarms wailing as he burst through the door to the terminal. He ran through the building to where he thought had seen her last....but she was gone. He remained there for a long moment, running his fingers through his hair as he spun around searching her out in the near empty terminal. Nothing. He crouched low his hands still threaded in his hair his elbows resting on his knees, his eyes focused on a dirty patch of dried up chewing gum on the carpet. When he raised them, noticed an abandoned child's toy propped against the terminal window. He went to retrieve it; it may belong to a child on the plane after all. It was a well worn teddy bear, her teddy bear...a note hung from his neck... 'Something to remember me by'. As if he could ever forget.....

Chapter 31

It was with a heavy heart that on Monday evening while Jon was busy with his band mates that Alex packed her bags and left the resort without so much as a goodbye. She and Jon had spent the entire evening before and the whole day in bed, ordering room service for sustenance and venturing no further than the bathroom.

They had made love slowly, sensually, revelling in each other. Delicate touches, sweet kisses, passionate explorations. They dozed in each other's arms when they became tired, and fed each other when they were hungry, and time passed all too quickly. Before either of them realised, the sun was setting, signalling that dinner would soon be served at the farewell bash some of the girls had arranged as a thank you for an extraordinary week.

Jon regretfully disengaged himself from Alex's arms; she had once again fallen asleep. He hated that he had to move away from her, hated that he had to spend what was possibly his last evening with her for quite a while in the company of strangers. He wanted to wrap the two of them in a cocoon and never come out, but real life and all that it entailed beckoned...he only hoped that he could convince her to join him. He had already begun to make some of the arrangements. He had an agent looking for a suitable residence and had made some enquiries about her career and job availability, all very discretely of course.

He made his way to the shower and stood beneath the pounding water jet. He could feel the tension begin to build in his body once again at the mere thought of continuing the tour, and knew that within days it would seem like the last week had never happened. Jon felt a soft hand encircle his manhood and turned to greet Alex with a kiss. She kissed him hungrily, her tongue delving deep into his mouth, and he felt he knew then what her answer would be to his question later that night, she was already saying goodbye. At least they still had the night, and now that he had found her he had no intention of letting her go. He was committed to doing whatever it took to keep their relationship alive in whatever way possible.

Alex moved slowly down his body until she was close enough to take him in her mouth but didn't. No longer was she the hesitant inexperienced girl of a week ago. Jon was a kind and patient lover and was teaching her well. She slowly ran the tip of her tongue up the underside of his cock but stopped short of the head. She repeated this several times before she paused at the base to suck one of his balls into her mouth; Jon braced himself on the wall no longer confident in the ability of his legs to hold him. She rolled it around gently eliciting a moan from him as her hand moved frustratingly slowly up and down his shaft that was still slightly lubricated by the bodywash that remained there from his cleansing ritual, but once again she was careful to stop just shy of its head, denying him the pleasure he sought.

Jon thrust his pelvis in her direction but she took no notice. It was happening on her terms. She released his ball from her mouth and instead cupped both of them in one hand rolling them gently in her palm while massaging the sensitive area behind them with the tip of her middle finger. Her free hand snaked a slow curvy path up over his abdomen and chest to play with an erect nipple, flicking and pinching, teasing unceasingly.

Taking his penis to hand once again, Alex changed the motion slightly rotating it clockwise on the downstroke and anticlockwise on the up. She kissed his left thigh and began a large circle of kisses around his manhood, all the way up to his navel and around closing in with each lap until she was upon him again, her warm breath tantalizing and then her mouth was on him and he was gliding into the warm silky depths of her mouth. She looked up at him through the shower spray, making eye contact, as she took him deeper and deeper, all the way until her nose nestled in his pubic hair. She moaned a little and he noticed then that one of her hands had moved to her own sweet folds and she was pleasuring herself, turned on by her ministrations of him. The moan vibrated through his cock as she withdrew all the way, where she teased the tip a little with her tongue before sliding back down his shaft again. He felt his head hit the back of her throat and prompted her up, knowing it wouldn't be long now and wanting to feel her against him... all of her.

As Alex stood he swung her around parted her feet with his foot and promptly slid into her from behind, clenching her tightly to him with an arm wrapped around her waist as he thrust into her. One hand found her breast and kneaded and teased the nipple, the other moved lower to her pussy where he found her hand still at work. He covered her small hand with his and learned her most intimate secrets of how she liked to be pleasured, his hand mimicking hers as it worked her erect little nub. His rigid member slid in and out of her slowly at first but as her breath quickened and started to hitch he quickened the pace.

She began to clench around him and her hand moved away from her now sensitised bud, pulling his with it. She braced her hands against the shower wall before her, high over her head, and he gathered them up in one hand and held them there, his other hand spread low across her abdomen still holding her two him. He was now pumping at a furious pace and she met every thrust with a backwards push, allowing him deeper access.

Jon's lips were all over her shoulder, neck and ear and once she turned to grant him access, her mouth, his kisses reflecting the urgency he felt, no longer soft and gentle but hard and demanding, searching for an answer he knew he wouldn't find, for this was a goodbye, he was sure of it now, he saw the tears in the depths of her eyes as they both climaxed in unison. A mind shattering, debilitating orgasm that left them both as exhausted as satisfied.

They stood together for long moments still joined, Alex never wanting to forget the feeling of his hard body against her, inside her, Jon simply too spent to move. The warm water washed over them and disguised the tears that now flowed freely from her eyes. In little more than an hour she would be gone from this place and Jon's embrace forever.

She turned around and held him tightly to her and whispered in his ear "I'll love you, baby....always."

"This is goodbye isn't it?"

"Don't be silly Jon. We still have all night ....and a little bit of tomorrow." She lied.

He kissed her deeply and picked up the sponge he had dropped when she had joined him and washed her reverently. Though he desperately wanted to believe her he had a sinking feeling that this would be the last time he would hold her in his arms.

Jon was right. A little less an hour later while he was seated in the tent watching the evenings "entertainment" Alex stood on the sidewalk as the chauffer placed her bags into the trunk of the limousine that would speed her away from him. He rounded the lengthy white monster and opened the door for her and she slid inside. The sense of loss she felt was profound, she hit the button for the privacy screen, the driver had no need to speak to her for he knew their destination. Tears flowed unchecked, knowing, as the car pulled away from the kerb, she was leaving behind the only man she would ever love.

***

A couple of hours into the farewell party Jon checked his watch. Where the fuck is she? A sense of dread washed over him. NO way would she leave without as much as a goodbye! Would she? He looked at his watch again. FUCK!!

"Rich..Richie....." Jon tugged on his brother's sleeve. Slowly Richie turned towards him, an alcohol induced daze affecting his reaction time.

"What?! Man, can't you see I'm busy?' His words slurring just a little.

"Did Alex say anything to you today?"

"How could she? You most likely had her in bed all day" Richie hadn't taken his eyes off Elle who was on stage dancing. She hadn't taken her eyes off the exchange happening before her, knowing that Alex should be gone by now.

Jon grinned at the thought "Oh yeah...well last night then? How did she seem to you?"

"Fine man, why, what's this about?" Richie was still absorbed in Elle.

"She should've been here by now, that's all?" Jon glanced at his watch again. "She was just going to do her hair and shit and follow after me." Jon's gaze followed Richie's to rest on Elle, welcoming the distraction. She managed a small smile but looked at him with pity, a sadness in her eyes and he knew.

"FUCK...FUCK...NO FUCKING WAY" Jon stood knocking the chair backwards and ran from the tent, Richie calling after him. He ran all the way back to the villa, stormed through the door and took the stairs two at a time.

"ALI...ALEX" No answer.

He went to her old room, the one she had all but abandoned days before, but that still housed her belongings.

"Alex you can't do this to me, not again." He was speaking to an empty room. He swung the wardrobe doors wide. It was empty.

His heart started to pound, the thump, thump, thump echoing in his ears.

He hesitated when he got to the door of the room they shared, placing his forehead against it. It was closed but he could hear gentle music coming from the other side, U2's With or Without you.

"OH thank God" he exclaimed as he swung the door open. But it too was empty.

Please don't be gone, please don't be gone. But she was.

In the middle of the bed lay a single red rose across a photo of the two of them together. The inscription at the bottom read 'Goodbye baby.
I will love you always. A.'

Jon raged at the closest thing to him. The table lamp beside the bed flew across the room with one bat of his hand and smashed against the wall, the pieces scattering throughout the room. The momentum of his swing and the alcohol he had consumed throwing him off balance causing him to fall to his knees, where he stayed as the despair of loss consumed him once again.

Chapter 30

The rest of the week passed in a blur for Alex and Jon. They spent every moment together, not wanting to waste any of the precious little time they had left. The only time they emerged from the cocoon of their newfound passion was for meals, these they spent with the band and crew, laughing and joking, and accepting the good natured ribbing they knew was their due, given their inability to keep their hands of each other.

It was obvious to Alex that the other women at the resort were less than impressed at Jon's attachment to her, but she couldn't care less. While she was friendly and courteous to all, she had really only formed a friendship with one, Elle. Given her exclusivity with Richie, and the brotherly relationship that Jon and Richie enjoyed, it was a natural evolution for the two women to become friends. The four sat together for meals, often detached from the rowdy goings on that had become the norm at this week long party.

In a very early conversation, Elle revealed to Alex that she was under no illusion as to the nature of her relationship with Richie.

"I know all I am to him is a diversion from his real life. He's in a relationship, I accept that. We are just enjoying what we have while we are here." Elle explained.

"But how can you do that? How can you be with him every day knowing that in a few days you will part and never see each other again?" Alex asked.

"Well" Elle considered the question before answering "Aren't you doing exactly the same thing? I mean what will happen with you and Jon once you leave here? Will you join him on tour?"

"Noooo, I couldn't. My life is here; my family, my friends, my job. I could never leave all of that behind"

"Well then, you are doing the same as me. I mean, if he's there and you're here what kind of future can you have. No man wants a mistress that lives on the other side of the world. What would be the point of that?" Elle offered.

She had articulated Alex's thoughts perfectly. Deep down, hell even not so deep down, Alex knew there was no future for her and Jon. It was an impossible situation, and while they hadn't discussed it yet, she knew what he would offer.... and knew that she would turn him down.

Laying on the beach three days later Alex revealed her thoughts to Elle. The two men were taking advantage of the cooling waters while the women lazed on the sand working on their tans.

"Elle" Alex said almost tentatively. She felt she could rely on her new friend but was hesitant given the gravity of what she was about to reveal.

"Hmmm" Elle answered lazily as she turned her head towards the voice.

"I need to ask a favour of you. I'm sorry to do this to you but I really need your help, thing is you can't tell anyone, especially not Richie or Jon?"

"Sure, whadda ya need?"

"I'm leaving here tomorrow night. Jon doesn't know and I'm not going to tell him. He's told me he has something to ask me after dinner tomorrow and if it's what I think it is I don't want to be here for the question."

"You think he's gonna ask you to go back to the States with him?" Elle asked surprised, she still did not know the history between Jon and Alex so had no reason to think of her as anything more than a holiday fling.

Alex nodded in affirmation. "There is a history here Elle and a lot you don't know. Jon and I met last tour and when he got here he sought me out again. I know it sounds crazy but there is a connection there, and he's told me he feels it too. And if he does ask me to go back with him, well....I'm not sure I would have the strength to say no to him and I really need to for my own sanity."

Elle was now sitting crossed legged on her towel her attention peaked. "So what do I have to do?"

"I need transport, a car to get me out of here while Jon is distracted at dinner tomorrow night, and for you to do some of the distracting. I don't know maybe get some of the girls to do a farewell floor show...I'm sure they'd be up for it"

"A few of them already have something in the works I hear but I'll see what I can find out. As for the car, consider it done, I'll head over to the concierge before I hit the shower." Elle agreed. "But are you sure this is what you want, I mean imagine the life you could have with him."

"But that's just it" Alex lifted a hand to wave at Jon who currently had Richie in a headlock and was waving furiously to catch her attention before he slipped from his grasp, which he did grabbing Jon about the waist and tackling him into the surf. Alex grinned "Hmph ...boys will be boys. Where was I ...Oh yeah... but that's the thing I wouldn't have a life with him, I'd have a life on the sidelines and just can't be the other woman. That's just not enough for me."

"OK, well I'll head over there while they are re-enacting their childhoods, save the suspicion if I need to make excuses later. Just let Rich know I'm heading back to my apartment to grab a couple of things and I'll meet him at his before dinner."

"Thank you sooo much Elle, this really means alot to me." Alex engaged the other women in a brief hug before she rose.

"Don't mention it" Elle shot over her shoulder as she moved off down the beach towards the resort.

Alex spent the rest of the afternoon and evening saying her goodbyes. Of course no-one realised that's what she was doing. She managed to get each of the band members alone for a quite chat and thanked them for their friendship and acceptance. They all thought she was just a little emotional now that their holiday was drawing to a close.

She found her time with Richie to be the hardest, and it was for this reason she left him until last and caught up with him after dinner while the boys were enjoying a game of pool. Alex had spent more time with him than any of the others, and his charming easygoing nature had led to a fast friendship being formed. He teased her relentlessly and on more than one occasion had referred to her as the little sister he always wished he had. It was the time Alex spent with him that made her realise she was not only saying goodbye to Jon but to all of them, and it hurt her deeply, a small tear forming in her eye as she took him in a deep hug.

When Alex pulled back Richie noticed the tear and the sadness in her eyes. "Hey what's this darlin?" he said as he brushed away the tear with his thumb. "We still have a couple of fun filled days and as for us, I really don't think it will end there"

"It's just been a bit overwhelming, this week, ya know? This is a dream come true for me, meeting all of you, being with him. You have become like family, I never expected that and I just don't want it to end, but reality has to hit sometime."

"Maybe not," Richie hinted "now, don't let on I told you but I believe Kidd may have plans for you yet."

Alex simply smiled in response but Richie noticed it didn't quite reach her eyes, and he thought then that this may indeed be goodbye. He hoped he was wrong for Jon's sake, but feared he was right.

Chapter 29

Jon and Alex could not get enough of each other. Jon could not believe his own reaction to her, his body's reaction to her was one he had never experienced before. He knew emotionally he could never get close enough to the exquisite creature lying beside him, but his physical need was just as urgent. His recovery time was unheard of; it seemed that he barely had enough time to catch his breath before his body was responding to her once again. Her reaction to him spurred him on; she was insatiable and willing to try anything he initiated. Her lack of experience more than compensated for in her enthusiasm.

Sometime after midnight, and several episodes of lovemaking later, Alex finally became bold enough to initiate a session herself. Though lacking in actual experience, her intimate conversations with Lanie, who was far more experienced than herself and the little reading she had done meant she was now confident and comfortable enough with Jon to try some of the techniques she had discovered.

Jon was lying on the bed one arm behind his head, the other cradling Alex to his side. They were covered to the armpits now by the downy quilt, a slight chill now in the night air. Jon had, at some point released the organza from its tethers at each corner of the bed and it now swayed in the breeze, its decorative form also functional in that it was keeping the insects at bay.

Jon doubted whether he could ever feel this content again. The woman of his dreams, for she was a woman now...no longer the girl he had met two years before, was in his arms, they were alone and the world couldn't touch them. It was bliss; at least he thought it was until Alex began to move. She threw back the doona and Jon shivered, though more from anticipation than the chill. He loved that she was comfortable enough with him so quickly that she was willing to make the first move. At least he hoped that's what it was. He wasn't disappointed.

The long slender fingers of her right hand began to trace lazy circles across his chest, his nipples immediately forming hard peaks. She trailed lower, thinking it was time to take matters into her own hands....literally. She 'walked' her hand down on her two first fingers and wrapped it around his semi errect penis. Immediately it jumped in response and began to harden further. Slowly Alex stroked her hand up and down at first avoiding the head; she didn't want him peaking to early after all. Alex kissed him tenderly, and then as her hand worked his swollen cock, she began to lay gentle kisses across his torso following the path her hand had taken.

She took each nipple in her mouth in turn, teasing, titillating, but didn't pause there for too long anxious to get to her prize. She circled his navel with her tongue then with the tip barely touching flesh took a direct path to the base of his penis. As Alex moved lower a trail of silky curls ticked Jon's chest and abdomen, and just as he was wondering what it would feel like on his thighs, she flicked her head and the tangle of tresses fell across them, causing goose bumps to rise and giving her a perfect view of his reaction. Her hand continued its slow pumping action low on his shaft as her mouth found its way to the top, laying kisses along the way. She kissed the circumcised head, before following the slit with her tongue, tasting the evidence of their earlier lovemaking.

Then she let her mouth envelop him. Her luscious lips, swollen from passionate kisses, surrounded him as she moved up and down over his cock. She could not deep-throat yet, that would come with time, but she managed to take the majority of his length into her mouth on each downstroke and on the up she would pause to flick over the sensitive area of flesh just below the head with the tip of her tongue several times before moving back down.

Alex's reward came in the way of Jon's response, deep, husky moans and groans escaped him involuntarily. His hips began to move almost of their own volition, pumping in and out of her mouth. When he did this Alex would pause and pull way, prolonging his pleasure...and the sweet pain that came of ecstasy. When he settled down she would begin again, each time taking him to the precipice but not allowing him to go over.

Jon had had just about all that he could stand, one hand gained purchase on a bed post, while the other formed a tight white knuckled fist at his side. It was taking every ounce of control he possessed not to grab her head and fuck her mouth senseless. Alex glanced up over his body, admiring the beauty of it, his abs taught with unreleased tension; a film of perspiration glistened on his tanned skin and seemed to glow in the flicker of the fire torches that surrounded them. His eyes had lost focus now, she knew he was close, his bottom lip clenched between his teeth. His nipples stood proud and erect through the dark fur that laid a trail from her position and widened as it approached his chest. She reached up and flicked one lightly with a nail.

"Oh God.... Ali ...I can't... h-h-hold it...any...... I'm gonna c-cum" Jon panted short of breath.

In response Alex moved to the tip of his cock and sucked harder, giving Jon the signal that it was ok to cum she was ready for him. For the final time she moved down his length, a gravely moan erupting from her throat, and Jon came undone. She clenched then released the base of his penis to extend his orgasm, tide after tide of cum erupted from him and she swallowed all of the creamy tangy fluid hungrily. Alex continued to suck Jon's cock until the flow was exhausted, when even the slightest touch on his sensitive head made him flinch and spasm. She then moved up his body to lie beside him.

He rolled over and kissed her thoroughly, tasting himself in the velvety depths of her mouth. She had been hesitant to initiate a kiss, not sure whether he would want to or not, but she was more than happy to participate.

"Now you are sure you've never done this before?" Jon asked playfully when he got his breath back.

"Of course I'm sure I ...." Alex trailed off when she looked into his eyes and saw the laughter there. "Oh YOU, you..." She didn't get any more out than that. He rolled her onto her back and his mouth came down on hers and any words or even coherent thoughts were lost.

Their lovemaking continued through the early hours of the morning, sometimes slow and sensual, other times passionate and explosive. The long awaited and highly anticipated union heightening every sensation each of them experienced until they finally fell asleep sated and exhausted in each other's arms.

When Alex awoke a golden glow surrounded her. She reached to the other side of the bed for Jon but he was gone. She stretched languorously and opened her eyes slowly to the glare to witness a fiery orb rising leisurely from ocean and then he was there beside her lifting her from the bed and carrying her beyond a copse of trees just feet away where a claw foot bath sat on a raised timber deck overlooking the ocean. Gently he lowered her through the white cloud of bubbles into the steaming hot water then slipped in behind, his legs and arms surrounding her. Alex relaxed back into him resting her head on his shoulder and he kissed her temple tenderly. She tilted her head so she could feel his mouth where she craved it most, for her entire life she would never experience kisses like his, filled with urgency and passion and longing and lust yet so patient and tender and loving. As the sun crept slowly up into the sky the lovers silently enjoyed the view and each other's company.

Both Alex and Jon were now feeling the pressure of time slipping away, but did their best to ignore it, instead focusing on each other exchanging soft and sensual caresses, heated kisses, and lusty lovemaking. Long before they were ready it was noon and the yacht had returned to ferry them back to the mainland. As they gathered their things, no words were spoken. They weren't required. The look in each other's eyes was enough to convey the change that had occurred in them both. Neither was quite ready to confront reality head on and as the boat slipped away from their island paradise, they were each consumed by those nagging insecurities that the real world would bring. Where do we go from here? It was not a question that would be easily answered.

Chapter 28

She had waited two long years for this moment, and as she laid there and admired his naked form Alex couldn't quite believe that her dream was finally coming true.

"Oh my God you're gorgeous" She said softly looking at him in awe. "I can't believe I am really here with you"

"Baby it's you that's gorgeous. I'm just an average guy, lying here waiting for you to love me."

He was still lying on his side leaning on his arm so she reached up to pull him down to her. His lips met hers in a kiss filled with such heated passion they almost expected to combust. His mouth soon left hers and found its way to her breasts, soft pliable mounds of flesh with rock hard peaks that ached for his consideration. Jon's hand travelled down her body and she arched her hips showing him where she wanted it to stop but he merely traced the outside edge of her curls and continued on down her thigh. He paused and drew lazy circles with the tip of his middle finger on the underside of her knee before making his way back up and repeating the action on the other side.

"Roll over Ali"

"But..."

"I said roll over" he stressed each word and this time she did his bidding without a fuss.

Jon used his fingertips to trace feather light patterns all over the back of her body and down her sides. She had brought her hands up to support her head leaving the edges of her breasts exposed and he would occasionally glide over them with the nail of his pinkie finger, at which point he would be rewarded with a gentle mewing sound. He soon incorporated the use of his mouth following behind the path that his fingers laid down, alternating between delicate kisses and tantalising swipes of his warm tongue.

No exposed part of her lacked his attentions, from the tips of her toes to the nape of her neck, but it was not enough, not for Alex. Just when she thought she would go insane, every inch of her skin on fire, he rolled her over and started again, touching, caressing, everywhere but where she needed him the most.

"OH God Jon pleeease" She begged him and it was almost... almost enough to tip him over the edge, to abandon his plans ...but not quite.

He softy blew on the manicured curls at her center and she arched up off the bed but he had already moved on, creating a gentle breeze as he moved up over her taught stomach and ribs on his way to her breasts. He gently sucked on each in turn then blew on them gently causing them to pucker and become erect.

"Jon please no more torture, I need you now, I want to feel you inside me" He did not respond. And I want to be inside you but not yet...

He flicked the nub on one before moving to the other and gently nipping on it, grazing it between gentle teeth. As his mouth continued its ministrations on her breasts his hand came to rest on her rib cage and began to move lower, lower but it stopped short just shy of its target on her pelvic bone, his fingers tapping out a slow rhythm.

Alex trembled as a mini orgasm overtook her. She was so frustrated she thought she would scream. She was ready for him, more than ready, she could feel the wetness between her thighs,now trickling towards the bed. Finally she could stand it no longer. She moved her hand to her dripping pussy and was just about to slide a finger in to her warm folds when Jon pulled her hand away.

"OH no you don't" he took both of her hands and pinned them together above her head and kissed her soundly. "You can put on a show for me a little later baby, but for now I'm in control"

As Jon moved from her mouth down her neck and back towards her breasts he was glad that he had taken things into his own hands in the shower earlier. It was the only thing saving him from embarrassing himself, for had he not done so, he would have lasted no more than a minute after her dress came off. He could understand her frustration and knew the time was right to step things up a notch.

"I need to move now, will you be a good girl if I let your hands go?" He asked her. Alex nodded, unable to trust her voice.

Jon let go of her hands and kissed and licked his way down her body. He paused at each breast then moments later at her navel where he emulated what he would be doing soon after with another part of her body. He continued to move lower. He tenderly parted her thighs with his hands and lowered his head between them where gently nipped at her outer lips with flesh covered teeth. It was all it took to send her into a mind shattering orgasm. She didn't even feel it build, she was already so on edge. He moved back up to kiss her, giving her a moment to come back down before moving back down to plunge deeper into her core.

Again Jon started with her outer lips, kissing, licking, teasing. He parted them with the thumb and forefinger of his left hand to gain better access to the source of her pleasure. With the tip of his tongue he teased all around her clit with light flicks but barely touched it. He moved lower, licking her several times, in long slow strokes from bottom to top stoping just short if her erect bud causing her to moan and writhe beneath him. He looked up at her over her mound and found she was watching him intently. His cock was purple and straining, he couldn't last much longer.

Alex looked down upon Jon, his head contentedly between her thighs showing no sign of letting up. She lifted herself onto her elbows for a better viewpoint. She wanted to see everything she was feeling.

The knowledge that Alex was watching him urged Jon on. He slipped first one then two fingers inside her. He knew when he had found that special hidden pleasure trigger, for she bucked at first touch. Jon went to work in earnest then, his fingers plunged in and out of her increasing in intensity. He set his tongue to work on her clit, alternating between flicking lightly and sucking.

"OH FUCK JON ..YES... Oh my sweet lord yes.....right there" Alex reached down with one hand and gripped his hair, holding him into her. Each flick of her over sensitised clit now caused her to jump. Each time she was about to cum he would change rhythm slightly, holding her back but she was there now right on the edge and it was time to drop off.

Jon began a steady rhythm pumping in and out with his fingers. He placed a gentle kiss on Alex's clit then sucked it into his mouth, stretched it and released. He took it between his lips again and sucked gently, occasionally tonguing the small nub as he went. Jon continued this action until he felt her body begin to tense. He removed his fingers from her clenching pussy and replaced them with his tongue plunging as deep as he could, lapping at her sweet juice.

Alex no longer able to support herself in the throws of passion slumped back onto the bed, she could no longer see anyway...her vision now blurry. She had never felt so intense an orgasm. It started as a tingle in the very tips of her toes and built as it travelled up her body. One hand tangled in Jon's hair, the other in the beautiful bed linen. She felt she would die of ecstasy, that she would explode or implode...something. Just when she thought she couldn't get any higher Jon gave one last hard suck on her clit and she started to buck uncontrollably but he did not stop. He pumped her pussy with his fingers prolonging her orgasm but was mindful to avoid her now painfully sensitive clit.

When she had finally come down he moved above her. Alex could feel his arousal pressing firmly into her thigh. She pulled him down for a kiss and tasted her self on his lips, tangy, musky and sweet. She kissed him deeply, thoroughly.

"Are you ready baby?"

"MMM HHMMMM"

"You're sure?"

"Will you just get on with it and fuck me. I want to feel you inside me, I want to feel this inside me" Alex said as she gripped his straining member.

Jon positioned himself above her. Her touch had felt like fire scorching his skin. He couldn't wait any longer, he wouldn't last long as it was. He guided himself to her entrance then paused. He looked to her for confirmation and at her nod applied a slight amount of pressure. Her hymen was still intact and he felt its resistance. He pushed a little harder and felt her tense.

"OH God baby are you OK? I don't want to hurt you." He said with so much compassion that it bought a tear to her eye.

"I'm fine, baby, please just do it. I want you inside me...all of you."

With one firm push he was fully seated within her. She was warm and wet and felt so good. He stayed still for a moment before beginning to stroke in and out, slowly at first all the way in, all the way out. He kissed her tenderly his tongue reflecting the motion of his cock, slow and steady.

"You feel so good baby..I love how you feel inside me" Alex said, her tender tone belying the urgency she now felt as she wrapped her legs around his waist. "Harder Jon, please..."

He didn't need to be asked twice the change in position had granted him deeper access, she engulfed him completely and as he began to move in and out slowly increasing his speed he could feel her starting to contract around him once again.

"Jesus Alex, you feel so good, you feel like home." He paused all motion then. "Look into my eyes baby please"

Alex did as she was instructed "Now don't look away, look right here" he said and pointed at the crystal blue pools that were his eyes.

Once again Alex obeyed, she held his gaze as he began to move, faster, harder, until she found herself bring her hips up to met him. Jon felt her begin to tremble amd new she was close.

"Wait for me baby" He pumped into her at a feverish pace now and only moments later the two of them exploded in pleasure wrapped in each others arms, staring deep into the others eyes. Alex trembled from within as she felt Jon's seed spill deep inside her, the force with which he had cum astonishing her.

"Ali" Jon said still laying above her, intimately connected.

"Yes Jon" All of her attention was focused on him. Every sense was heightened, every nerve tingled.

"I love you Alex! You don't have to say anything... I just needed you to know that what I feel is real. This is real." It was the most honest moment of his life thus far, his eyes glazed over with unshed tears.

Alex considered him for a long moment. Before struggling to speak "Jon"

"Yes baby? Oh Geez, are you OK? Am I hurting you?" He attempted to move off her but she held him still.

"No Jon I'm fine, please don't move. I love feeling this close to you"

He simply smiled at her "Me too"

"Jon" she paused unsure whether to continue.

"I love you too" She said, tears welled in her eyes, tears of joy but also tears of pain because she knew while she could have this, the here' and now's, she would never truly have him.

Chapter 27

Alex could not believe her eyes. How was it even possible for someone to organise this. She took a mental picture of the scene before her, knowing full well that it was something she would never forget.

Bamboo fire torches lined a red carpet on the sand, a path that led up the beach to a small clearing beyond. An amber glow flickered in the clearing, also dimly lit by bamboo torches. A large Persian rug lay covering the sandy ground and in its centre sat an ornately carved antique king size four poster bed. The canopy above was draped in white silk and gathered at each corner was fine white organza. Around the canopy were strung garlands of white plumeria blossoms, their sweet fragrance lingered in the air.

The bed itself was swathed in gold brocade, masses of plump pillows at its head. Beside the bed sat side tables, French provincial in style, the one to the left holding what appeared to be a small stereo, the one on the right, a silver tray covered by a silver dome and two champagne flutes to accompany the bottle of Crystal Champagne sat chilling in the ice bucket beside the right hand table.

Jon did not know it now but the scene before him would embed in him a deep affiliation for French provincial antiques, one that would influence his taste many years into the future. He had requested an ornate setting, a bed in the middle of a deserted paradise and was thrilled at the lengths to which the staff had gone to accommodate him. He could not have dreamed a more perfect scene.

Alex wandered around the fire-lit grove, running a shaking hand over the luxurious fabrics, she paused at the ice bucket, picking up the champagne bottle to inspect it before cradling it back gently in its icy home. She could not believe he had gone to all this trouble for her. Either his feelings for her were genuine or he was desperate to fuck her, and she couldn't imagine the later given his popularity with the fairer sex.

Slowly Jon came to her, he didn't want to spook her. She was clearly overwhelmed by the scene before her. Hell, he was in awe of it and he had planned it.

"You ok baby?" He took one of her hands and felt her trembling. "Are you cold?"

"Nuh Uh"

"You want some champagne?" he asked. She simply shook her head and moved to kiss him but he hesitated and stepped back. Alex looked at him puzzled.

"Ali, come sit with me" he said as he led her to the bed and sat beside her on the edge. "Are you sure this is what you want. It's a big step baby. I need to be sure you're ready. I'll be just as happy to lie down next to you to sleep and wake with you in my arms in the morning."

"It's what I want Jon, it's what I need, you're what I need. It's been that way since the very first night we met, I knew I wasn't ready then but I am now." She said as she took his hand in hers and bought it to her mouth lovingly kissing his palm.

Shockwaves of excitement raged through him at her touch. Finally it would happen, finally she would be his. He stood and moved to the other side of the bed where he turned a dial on the stereo so that the soft strains of Sam Cooke's 'You Send Me' filled the air, then returned to take her in his arms to dance. He pulled her in close, and they moved as one gently swaying to the music as he sang along with the song....

Darling you send me. I know you send me
Honest you do

Honest you do

Honest you do

You thrill me, I know you thrill me
Darling you thrill me
Honest you do
Honest you do
Honest you do

At first I thought it was infatuation
But it lasted so long
Now I find myself wanting
to marry you and take you home

You Send Me

You Send Me

You Send Me

Honest you do

Whenever I'm with you
Whenever I'm near you
Honest you do
I know when you hold me,
whenever you kiss me

His warm minty breath caressed her ear, the vibration of his voice as he sang causing the fine hairs on the back of her neck and arms to stand on end, and she shivered again in sweet anticipation. As the song ended he gently cradled her head in his hands and kissed her tenderly. His tongue parted her lips and then sought hers, stroking, exploring her. One of her hands came up and tangled in his hair, oh how she loved its silky length, perfect to hold on to and lose her fingers in. Her other had made its way to his firm ass, pulling him in closer if that was even possible.

They danced close like this for as long as Jon could stand it. He was trying very hard to keep the pace of the evening slow; after all they had all night and the island to themselves. He led her to the bed and sat her on the edge, she immediately missed his warmth, even in the balmy tropical evening air. He reached beneath one of the pillows and found the black silk scarf he had instructed be put there.

"Do you trust me?" He asked her.

"Should I?"

He smirked, but said nothing else as he placed the black silk scarf over her eyes. She heard the clatter of metal on metal and felt something pressed to her lips.

"Open wide baby" Alex slowly opened her legs showing him a good portion of silk clad thigh before crossing them and opening her mouth.

Jon momentarily distracted by the sight of her gartered thigh was bought back to reality when she spoke. "Well, I'm waiting"

He placed the object in her mouth and she bit down to an explosion of flavour, dark chocolate on strawberry, yum. When she had swallowed, something else brushed her lips and she opened to taste it, ripe mango, it's juices running down her jaw and onto her neck. Jon leaned in and used his tongue to clean her, catching the trail at the bottom near her clavicle and following it all the way up to her mouth where he couldn't resist a sensual kiss. She tasted of the fruits he had just fed her and he wanted to get lost in her, but not yet, he had more in store so he pulled away.

He picked up the last of the fruit from the tray and dipped it in honey before bringing it to her mouth. He pressed the tip of it to her lips and removed it so that only a trace of honey remained. Her wet pink tongue darted out to lick the sticky substance from her lips and when he brought the fruit back to her mouth she lapped at the tip of the banana and his arousal grew at the thought of that same tongue on the tip of his cock. And when she took the banana deep into her mouth and released it intact a groan escaped him.

The next thing Alex tasted was Jon. His lips met hers in a fiery kiss before he pulled away once again. She heard him walk away and an unfamiliar song began to flow from the hidden speakers. It was not soft and tender as the Sam Cooke song had been...this told of raw passion and wanting, it washed over her like the waves that crashed on the shore. She felt the bed move as he crawled up behind her, his knees creating a dip either side of her where he kneeled. He placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned in to whisper in her ear.

"This was written and recorded with you in mind, only you"

And then his voice began on the recording ...low and velvety at first, then husky and full of desire....

When I look in your eyes
I can feel the fire
I see through disquise
I can see your desire

He trailed the back of his fingers down her arms and back up again. He swept her curls aside and laid a gentle path of kisses across her shoulder, up her neck to her ear where his tongue flitted inside. Her senses were already heightened from the situation and her arousal acute and this small insignificant action almost took her over the edge.

"Jesus you're beautiful Ali, I don't think I'll ever be able to get enough of you" He turned her head and ravished her mouth with his and she responded in kind.

I can read your lips
I don't need no translation
It was more than a kiss
I want to make my donation

Every now and then he would whisper the lyrics of the song in her. It was the most sensual experience of her life. Knowing it was for her, about her...he was telling her what he wanted, what he wanted to do to her...

So turn out the lights
I'm going down slowly
Tell me what's right
Tell me you want me
Tell me you want me
Don't tell me you love me
Tell me you want me

Let's make it baby
Let's make it baby
Let's make it baby
Let's make it baby

She felt him move away again until he was standing before her. He took her hand and prompted her to stand, then turned her so that her back was to him. She felt his hand on her zipper and moments later her dress was on the floor in a crumpled heap, his mouth was once again on her neck and his hands were on her breasts and she was naked but for the shoes, the silk stockings and the garter that held them up.

Come a little bit closer
I want to play doctor
It's getting harder, harder, harder
To keep you away

Jon turned Alex around and his mouth found its way immediately to a pert breast, his tongue flickered lightly across her nipple, causing it to pucker and stiffen while his hands found their way to her ass, he dragged her into him then his hand moved on, roaming her body.

I want to taste the sweat
Rollin' off your body
We'll get the sheets all wet
Baby, I'll make you feel naughty

Turn out the lights
I'm going down slowly
Tell me what's right
Just tell me you want me
Just tell me you want me
Don't tell me you love me
Well tell me you want me, want me, want me

Lets make it baby
Lets make it baby
Lets make it baby
Lets make it baby

He couldn't get enough of her, he needed to be closer to her. He scooped her up in his arms and laid her on the bed. She still wore the blind fold and could only hear the rustle of his movements. When he laid down beside her on the bed she could feel his bare flesh on hers. She let her hand travel over his body, she ran her fingers through the thick, familiar hair on his chest then moved them lower, not knowing what to expect, as she, til this point, had only felt his torso.

So turn out the lights
And Baby go down slowly
Don't you tell me you want me
Don't you tell me you love me
Just tell me you...you...want me...tell me...tell me...tell me

Let's make it baby
Let's make it baby
Let's make it baby
Let's make it baby

Her hand brushed across the tip of his manhood and she felt it jump in response.

"Jon, can I take off the blind fold please?" She begged. "I want to see you. I need to see you."

Without a sound he reached up and pulled the scarf from her eyes kissing each lid in turn.

Chapter 26

On arrival back at the Villa Jon suggested that Alex might want to go check her room.

"Why? What have you done?" she asked excitedly.

"You'll have to go see for yourself" he said on a grin.

Alex took the stairs two at a time and burst through the door to her room, Jon, following behind her, laughed at her enthusiasm and thought she looked like a kid on Christmas morning. On the far wall of Alex's room stood a clothes rack full of evening gowns. She moved closer to inspect them. There were ten in total, each different in style and colour, but all her size. She picked one up and holding it against herself spun around, it's flowing skirt twirling out around her.

Jon was standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame his thumbs hooked through his belt loops, with wide grin.

"Well... go on... have a good look. They're all yours if you want them, but you will need to pick at least one. You'll need it for tonight."

"Why is there a function?"

"Something like that" he said evasively. "I have to go get ready myself. Your next surprise should be here in about 20 minutes. I suggest you have a shower before it arrives"

"What surprise? Jon this is already too much. I don't need you to be buying me things, I can do things for myself now you know."

He crossed the room then, coming to a stop just inches from her. "I know, Miss Independent" he said tapping her nose playfully with his forefinger. "But I wanted to do something special for you...will you let me....please?"

She hugged him then. "Ok baby whatever you say."

He could have melted into her then, so sweet and trusting was her reply. Instead he kissed her forehead and stepped away from her. "I'll be back" he said as he moved to his room, calling out "Enjoy your surprise" over his shoulder as he passed through the door.

Alex showered as instructed. She was just wrapping herself in her robe when she heard a knock on the bathroom door and a female voice. "Miss Belle, are you ready for hair and makeup?"

Alex swung the door wide to find two stylists and one very large cosmetics bag. The first course of action was to pick out a dress, complimentary hair and makeup would follow. There were so many choices that Alex just didn't know which to choose. She discounted several gowns immediately, and tried on the remaining five. In the end it came down to two dresses, one scarlet the other black, she finally settled on the scarlet. While the black slip dress was exquisite in its simplicity, the scarlet spoke of passion and romance.

The gown was strapless with a gathered crossover top that was finished on the left hip with a stunning Swarovski crystal clasp. The skirt of the gown fell straight from the hip its defining feature a long split that finished high on Alex's left thigh that would reveal a hint of the silk stockings and black garter. Black five inch stiletto pumps completed the outfit. Alex removed the dress and placed it back on the hanger, ready for the stylists to work their magic.

Their names were Anna and Ivy, and they were stylists to the stars. They explained that they had been flown in that afternoon under a cloud of secrecy to prepare her for a very special evening. The girls got to work immediately, never once asking about Alex's date. She couldn't have told them anything anyway, except for who it was with, but she assumed they didn't even know that so she didn't offer up that information. Alex had never felt so spoilt. While Anna worked on her make-up, Ivy gave her a manicure and pedicure, painting her nails the exact shade of the dress. Jon's lyrics came to mind, Blood red Nails on your fingertips, bringing a smile to her lips that drew curious looks from the two women.

"Well what's so funny?" Anna asked.

"Blood red nails" Alex explained. "It's a line in one of my favourite songs"

"Ooo, mine too" exclaimed Ivy excitedly "I love Bon Jovi. That is the one you're talking about isn't it?"

When Alex nodded Ivy continued "I was at the concert a couple of weeks ago. WOW, what a show. The best I've ever seen. And Jon, Oh My God, what I wouldn't do for just one night with that man. Did you get to see them?"

"Um yeah I did" Alex was concerned that Ivy may piece things together, knowing that if she was at the same Sydney shows she may have seen her on the big screen and that would spell trouble for Jon, but at the same time she knew she was a terrible liar. She hoped for the best. "I saw them a couple of times in Sydney, how about you where did you see them?"

"Oh really! Same. I was at the second Sydney show. You?"

"First and last, the one where they played outside" Alex replied with relief.

"You were there? How cool. My friend was there too. She said it was amazing, seeing them so close and without the theatrics. She did say he was a little distracted though, that some photographer lured him away from the set and when he went back he just wasn't himself, I don't think he likes the press much. She said it didn't last long after that, he wrapped it up and took off inside looking annoyed. What did you think of it?" Ivy asked.

"It was nice to see them off the arena stage, but I was a little distracted taking photos to notice too much" well it was the truth, kind of.

"There" Anna and Ivy both exclaimed as one, then giggled. "you're almost done. Just the hair left."

While Anna busied herself doing Alex's hair, Ivy began to pack all the equipment that was no longer required. The hour was getting late so when she was done with the packing she began to help Alex into her stockings. Alex had never felt so deliciously pampered, she owed Jon big time, and intended to pay up in spectacular style.

Finally she was ready. Before leaving Anna and Ivy had helped her into her dress and wished her well for her big date, none the wiser as to whom it was. Alex positioned herself on the balcony and waited, knowing that the late afternoon sun was casting just the right light to flatter her. At 6 p.m. on the dot there was a light knock on her door.

"Come in" she called. "I'm out here."

Jon made his way out to the balcony but stopped dead in his tracks when he caught sight of her. Never before had he seen anything so beautiful. She stood against the railing her back to the ocean. Her silken hair was swept back from her face but tumbled down her back in a cascade of curls. The make-up she wore had been artfully applied, enhancing her fine features while being very subtle and natural. She had chosen his favourite dress and it fit her like a second skin, her breasts were lifted, her small waist pinched and the position in which she stood permitted him the slightest hint of a garter and stockings. All of this on five inch black stilettos, Jon thought he had died and gone to heaven, for surely she was an angel.

He stalked across the room, a predatory glint in his eye. It won't be long now, you will be mine tonight. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply, showing her the passion he felt. He tasted like home, smelled as good and looked amazing, dressed in a white button down shirt and black dress pants under which the hint of a cowboy boot could be seen.

"It's time to go" Jon said. "They'll be waiting"

"Where? Who's they?" Alex asked a little disappointment in her voice. "I thought we'd be staying here.... alone"

"You'll see"

Jon took her by the hand and led her out of the Villa and towards the main building. Alex assumed they would be heading for the restaurant for dinner but when he turned right a little further up the path she became very confused, it was the access path to the beach and she was in no way dressed for a swim. It was only when they cleared the small copse of trees that all became clear, for there moored at the jetty sat a small white sailed yacht, its length aglow with fairy lights strung from stern to mast to bow.

Jon led her by the hand down to the yacht and helped her aboard. Once on board himself he poured her a glass of white wine and signalled the captain that it was time to go. The captain was waiting at the helm and on Jon signal he released the moorings and began the journey to their destination.

Alex could not imagine a more perfect evening, a reflection of the first night they met. Set on the yacht was a table for two. Two shiny metal domes concealed dinner, marinated barbequed spatchcock served on crispy garlic and rosemary potatoes dressed with a lemon dressing, and were accompanied by a fine bottle of Tasmanian Pinot Grigio. As he had at breakfast, Jon helped Alex into her seat and removed the lids from their dinners before taking his own. He poured them each a second glass of wine and settled in for the hour plus journey that would take them to their destination.

"There's something I've been meaning to ask you" Jon said.

"Oh and what would that be?"

"Well, your circumstances seem to have changed a bit since I was here last and you've told me as much on a couple of occasions now. Surely being staff photographer doesn't pay that well...." he said

"Oh I wish..... No actually, I had a small windfall. My father's Aunt passed away a year or so ago. She was a spinster, never had any children. I used to visit her after school when I could; apparently I was the only one. When she passed a little over a year ago now, she left her entire estate to me. She had made some very wise investments over the years and was quite wealthy, now I'm benefiting." Alex explained.

Jon and Alex spent the remainder of the trip getting to know each other over again. They had spoken throughout the day but hadn't really touched on the years they had lost. Alex told him about her studies and her launch into a media career, Jon shared tales of life on the road and the stresses it bought.

Time passed in an instant and soon the captain was dropping anchor off the coast of a small reef island. Alex could see a lighthouse and several outbuildings silhouetted against the night sky, but a lack of lighting led her to believe that the island was uninhabited that night. A mixture of excitement and anticipation at the thought of being alone, truly alone, with Jon set her stomach aflutter. She had imagined, dreamt this evening a thousand times and so far nothing even came close to what she was experiencing.

Jon helped Alex into a small boat that had been towed behind the yacht and got in himself sitting beside her, cradling her to his side, the captain joined them at the stern, controlling the rudder. He steered them into shore and dragged the boat up onto the sand so that his passengers wouldn't get too wet when they got out. When both of them were clear the captain pushed the small boat back into the water and was gone. Within half an hour the yacht would be gone from sight, moored on the other side of the island, ready to return them to the resort the next day, but only when summoned.

Jon took Alex's hand and led her slowly up the beach. Off in the distance he could see their destination clearly and a pang of trepidation gripped him. Now that he was finally there he was....scared. That was the only word for it. What if she didn't like what he had done? What if she had changed her mind again? What if it was not what she wanted? What if he was not what she wanted? These questions and dozens more swirled around his brain, and the closer they got, to his surprise, the more anxious he became. For her part he needn't have worried, as soon as the scene he had set for them became clear to her, so did his intentions and this time she was ready, even eager to see them through.