Chapter Sixty-Three: Pear-Shaped

Jon stood back from her satisfied she was ok from Jonathan’s panicked call earlier that had him barrelling out of a meeting and across town. He leant forward to shake Devon’s father’s hand.

“Hi, I’m Jon. It’s really good to see you.”

“Likewise Jon, you can call me Richard.”

“Everything ok?” Jon asked not sure really what to expect or why Devon’s father was here. She must have had quite the shock with him showing up as well.

“You better sit down.” Devon said as they both sat on the couch before she popped up again. “I’ll get you a coffee.” He smiled and his phone beeped. He chuckled as Stephanie’s text gushed how much she was enjoying her placement at Devon’s friends fashion shop.

It was always something else to meet your girlfriend's father and Jon couldn't’ help but feel a little on edge. This was completely different as far as circumstances went though.

“Thank you for looking after her.”

Jon raised his brow and leaned forward clasping his hands. “Well I haven’t really done that. She’s pretty good at doing that herself. I just well for a lack of any better words, fell for her.”

“Do you regret that?” Richard's eyes were steely and like any father he was scoping him out, like the true cop he was as well.

He swallowed and looked over in the direction of the kitchen. “No, I couldn’t regret finding her. She means a lot to me. Was this whole thing a complete surprise? I won’t lie and say yes, it was.”

“Understandable.”

His fingers wiggled inside his hands. “So is she likely to get into any major trouble over this?”

Richard folded his arms. “What were you planning on doing if she went to jail over this?”

Jon shifted uncomfortably. “We hadn't discussed that in detail but I told her I would stand by her any way I could. Even if I had to fly to New Zealand to visit her. I would.” He said firmly. He didn’t like to feel intimidated but he couldn’t help it.

“So you do love her that much huh?” Richard eased up a little and leant back.
“Of course I do. She’s a wonderful woman. You’d be proud of the woman she is now.”

Jon saw the sadness briefly flash over her father’s face and then he nodded. “So I hear.” Devon came back into the room and handed Jon a coffee and sat down next to him.

“Did he tell you?”

Jon sipped his coffee, again wishing it was something stronger. Richard had unnerved him. “Told me what?”

“No I didn’t Devon, I had to see if he was being truthful about his commitment to you.”

“Dad!”

“Guess I’m not the only overprotective father in the room after all.” Jon muttered quietly.

“That wasn’t nice Dad. I told you he was a lovely man, Christ he’s still here isn’t he?”

“Yes he is but I wanted to make sure you weren't a pity case or - something. Like some of these rock stars do.”

“I know I’ve made some seriously wrong decisions but this one... is a right one. I promise.” She took Jon’s hand and squeezed it. “Dad knew I was here the whole time and he prevented anyone following me... well until now.”

“As in the police?” Jon asked furrowing his brow.

“He lost his job, because of me. He covered my tracks when I left New Zealand and he made Jared a deal not to come after me.”

Jon blinked and stared at Richard but the shock soon melted away. He understood. She was his daughter. Would he do the same for Stephanie if it was her? Undoubtedly. “You risked everything to make sure she was safe?” But Richard didn’t reply.

“I am relieved but at the same time I feel awful.” Devon admitted.

“So they can’t arrest you? At all?” Jon asked. In the beginning he wanted her to do what was right. And she should have but the one thing he was most afraid of was losing her. Now that he knew she wasn’t a criminal on the run, well officially. Maybe it changed things. He wasn’t sure how he felt about it.

“All the evidence is circumstantial.” Richard said.
“And Jared?” Jon asked and Devon looked down. “What?” The sinking feeling in the bottom of his stomach started.

“I had been keeping an eye on the boy for a while, after he was released from jail. But now he’s vanished.”

Jon placed his cup on the table and closed his eyes. “The robbery at the salon Devon.”

“What robbery?” Richard asked.

“Oh god. It couldn’t have been. He would have taken more.”

“What robbery?” Richard demanded again.

“Devon’s salon was broken into a week or so ago. They took five thousand dollars.”

Shit.

“And they never found who did it?”

“No, they didn’t.” Devon said defeated. “A while ago someone was outside the salon peering in and I didn’t think anything of it.”

“What?” Jon snapped but he didn’t mean to. “And you didn't think to tell me?”

“I’m sorry I just thought-”

“Fuck. This is bad, isn’t it?” Jon asked Richard.

“Well just calm down son, we don’t know for sure but what I’m hearing...does make some sense. But it still could be random.”

“Just brilliant.” Jon hissed. He couldn’t even look at her. It wasn’t her fault but this wasn’t on the agenda. He could have dealt with the media, he could have dealt with her being in jail for Christ’s sake. But the idea of having Jared anywhere near them or his family wasn’t good.

“I’ll make some calls tonight ok. Find out if there is any new information and I’ll get someone to scan the customs entries to the US.”

Devon sighed. “I’m so sorry Dad.” She looked at him but Jon refused to meet her eyes.

“Look. How about I go back to my hotel for a bit. Make some calls. It’s just down the road. And leave you two to talk. But please, be vigilant.”

Jon nodded. “You’ll let us know?”

Richard handed Devon a card. “This is where I’m staying. Call me in a couple of hours.”

They embraced and Jon watched as he hugged her tight. Thank god for him. At least she would be ok from the system somehow. He needed to talk that through more to understand what it meant but for now he needed to process the idea that an ex-crim was possibly after them.

The door clicked closed and Devon came back in. “You’re mad with me aren’t you?”

He sighed. “I’m not mad with you. I’m mad that this is happening. Why didn’t you tell me about the guy looking in?”

“I didn’t think anything of it. You knew I didn’t think Jared would be able to get over here. I had no reason to think otherwise until now.”

He rubbed his forehead. “This isn’t good. What is he going to want? Money? What if he wants revenge?” Jon asked as the strands of patience began to snap. One by one.

“I don’t know Jon.”

“We need to get security. God!” He covered his face with his hands. “I feel like this is some twisted soap opera. This shit doesn’t happen to me!”

“It’s because I happened to you isn’t it?”

He spun around as she stood with her arms hugging herself. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I’ve ruined my father’s life and I’m about to ruin yours maybe you need to get out while you can then.”

He was angry but he wasn’t angry that she was right. He was angry because she was so wrong. “Is that what you think? That I want out? If I wanted out I would have gone. But I don’t walk away from problems Devon. I deal with them.” It came out harsh and not the way he intended.

“As opposed to me who runs right?” She snapped.

He raked his hand through his hair and sighed. “No that’s not what I meant.”
“It’s what you think though isn’t it?”

“Stop it.” He tugged her in and brushed back her hair. “Stop it.” He said softly as her eyes brimmed with tears. “I’m angry because you don’t have any faith in me that I meant that I said I would stick by you.”

“I don’t deserve it-”

“Hush. If you say that again. I really will leave. Now let’s just calm down, you’ve had a huge shock with your father coming over. And now we have to figure out if we have a lunatic after us.”

She took a deep breath and pressed her forehead against his. “I can’t believe he did what he did Jon. I should be overjoyed. But I feel so guilty for it.”

Jon smoothed his hands down her sides. “It is what happens when you become a parent. You take this silent oath that you will protect your children. Even if they hurt you.” He breathed in her scent for a couple of moments and then whispered. “They really should put that on condom packets.”

She chuckled and he smiled as he pressed his lips against her forehead. “You’re lucky you have a very good father Devon. He was only doing what any father would do. Trust me.”

“I am lucky. To have him and you. And Jonathan.”

“You told him huh?”

“He was great. He knew I’d come from somewhere I didn’t want to go back to. He figured I’d been in trouble but none of it mattered. I don’t deserve you guys.”

“If you say that again I really will have to hurt you.” He teased. “What happened to the Devon that was going to fight for me? Where is she now?” He knew this wasn’t her. She was scared and overwhelmed and he couldn’t really be angry at that.

“I know. “Her lips brushed against his. “I won’t let you down. And I won’t let him touch you. I swear to god if he comes near you or your family.”

The bitterness in her voice was strength. That’s what he needed to hear. That they would face this head on. He was used to leading, being the man in charge but this was different. He needed her for this. They needed each other. It scared him that he needed her in his life but at the same time it was wonderful.

“We’ll be ok. We don’t even know it’s him.”

“God. I hope it’s not. He might have just disappeared. That’s what Dad told him to do after he was released from prison but he had some people watching him to make sure he didn’t do anything. He didn’t for a year and now he’s just gone.”

He steadied them and pulled her in for a tight hug. He’d protect her. If he could throw money at the problem to make it go away he would be prepared to do it but he had a feeling that if it was Jared. He wasn’t going to ask for his two hundred and fifty thousand dollars back. He was going to ask for it with interest and then some.

“There’s one thing I am a little afraid of though.” Jon said clearly his throat as she stepped back.

“Oh?”

He grinned. “Your father.”

She laughed. “He’s always been like that. Once a cop always a cop. It was kind of touching to see him still do it now.”

“He still loves you Devon. He wouldn’t be here otherwise.” Jon checked his watch. “Why don’t you call him and I’ll arrange for us all to have dinner tonight?”

“That would be lovely. I think he’d like that and it would give you a chance to get to know him.”

Jon rolled his eyes. “Oh yeah. I am sure the trivial pursuit version of getting to know Jon will be fun.”

She tugged his arm and laughed. “He’s not that bad and c’mon I’m hardly dating an idiot.”

“Well-that is up for discussion.” He teased as their noses bumped.

“Do you have to go again quickly?” She asked as she pushed him back gently.

Jon narrowed his eyes. “No, why?” He’d seen that look before. The one that usually ended up with clothes flung over lamps and rails.

She tugged on his belt buckle in between steps backwards. “I need a break from reality for a few minutes.” She kicked off her shoes as they reached the stairs. She reached up on her tip-toes, with her fingers curled around the lapels of his coat and kissed him squarely. The anxiety briefly melted and he groaned as her hand slid south and cupped him.

“I could be persuaded.” He lied as his cock hardened instantly at her touch.

“You’re in luck. That’s what I’m good at.” She whispered as she nipped his chin.
He chuckled and his eyes narrowed as she stepped him up the stairs. She was sure something. Sometime together wouldn’t hurt and it would give him a chance to settle his nerves and then they could talk to her father tonight about what next.

Chapter Sixty-Two: A Father's Love

She blinked and open her eyes as a hand stroked her forehead. “Hey there.” Sunlight inched into the room and Jonathan’s frowned face stared back at her.

“Hi.” She quietly said as she blinked while she slowly remembered why she was here. She shot up on her bed but Jonathan braced her. “Dad.” Her head spun and she winced.

“Hey, easy Devon. You fainted downstairs so just take it easy.”

She stretched as her body reminded her of being slammed into the ground. “I’m fine.”

“Not dizzy? I’d still like to get you checked out and so does Jon. He’s sending his doctor over shortly.”

“He is? How did you get hold of him?”

Jonathan held her cell phone up. “Duh. He’s coming over once he gets back from uptown. I assured him you were ok.”

“Did you tell him why I fainted?”

“Yeah I did.” Jonathan nodded towards her living space. “Your father is in there. I hope it was ok to bring him up.”

Devon swung her legs off the side of the bed. “Of course. I just-” She pressed her hand on her forehead. “I just don’t know what to say to him.”

“Say sorry. That’s all you can do Devon. He’s here isn’t he? He wouldn’t be unless he cared.”

She blew out her breath. “I guess you’re right. Man.” She felt like she wanted to throw up again. Between that and crying this week she was in the running for the most emotionally unstable woman ever at this point.

“I’m going to go downstairs ok? You just call me if you want me back up here ok? I’ll let Jon up as soon as he arrives.”

“Thank you Jonathan.”

She waited a few minutes as Jonathan left and then crept down the stairs to the living area. She stood quietly at the foot of the stairs as she laid her eyes on her father. He still looked the same, just a little older. His hair had turned more salt and pepper than the light sprinkling of grey she remembered. His sturdy frame was still lean which would be due to her father’s love for working out. It came naturally in the police force but her father used to love it anyway and she used to love running on the beach with him. Even if he beat her each time.

He was staring out the windows to the city. She had a nice view, it was lower and smaller than Jon’s but it still was a view.

Her heart was in her throat but it was now or never. “Dad?”

He turned and managed a half smile, the green eyes weren’t full of love like they usually were. It was the hard cop stare she was used to especially in the last times that she saw her father. “Devon.”

She twisted her hands in her own. “Did you want some tea? If you still drink it that is?” She asked nervously.

He nodded then stared right through her. “Please. White with one sugar.”

She walked across the living room to the kitchen and made some tea. Her father stood in the doorway while she did. “You look good.”

She didn’t look at him. “I don’t feel good but thank you.”

“You always did like the big city dream didn’t you?”

She met his gaze and knew he meant it. “Yeah I did. It’s been fun-well amazing.” She replied.

“I can’t do this.”

She dropped her teaspoon felt her heart fall into her stomach. “Wh-What?” She didn’t blame him if that’s how he really felt.

“I am so angry with you Devon.” He raked a hand in her hair. “So angry but all I can think about is hugging the stuffing out of you.”

The tears spilled freely down her cheeks as she whispered. “Daddy.” His arms as thick as tree trunks wrapped hard around her and held her tight. Her fists balled up against the wool of his sweater and she closed her eyes. The strength of his embrace was something she’d never thought she’d get again.

He stroked her hair and then released her. “You look good Dad. Older but good.”

He smiled and this time it reached his eyes. “Gee thanks.”

“I’m so sorry.”

His eyes left hers. “I know you are. You better make us the tea and then we can talk.”

She nodded. A few minutes later they were sitting in the living room. “I can’t believe you are actually here. Why did you come?” She couldn’t believe that within days her father was sitting here in the middle of New York City with her. It was both humbling and petrifying. “I thought you’d hate me for what I did.”

Her father took a sip of the tea. “Well I did go through that, I won’t lie to you Devon. Your betrayal did run deep. You did a silly foolish thing.”

She sighed. “I know. I wished I had the guts to come to you before I ran. I really do.” If that was the one thing she could have done better in this whole mess that was it. “I was so afraid of you and what you would think of me that I couldn’t face it.”

“Well at least one of you was locked up for what you did.” He took another sip. “The right one of you in my opinion.”

The words hurt but he was right. “Am I going to jail Dad?” She felt like she was sixteen asking if she was about to be grounded. The irony was completely weird. It was what she wanted to know. She could handle anything, losing the money--losing her salon knowing that she had Jon behind her. But the one thing she didn’t know how she would handle was going to prison.

He stared at his tea and then set it down. “You should be. But I think that’s unlikely.”

“Wh-Why?”

He clasped his hands on his knees. “Because they have no evidence you did it with Jared.”

“But I was there? It will be on camera?” She frowned not understanding what he meant.

“No, it won’t. You were covered anyway remember? I doctored the files and covered it up Devon.”

It was like an arrow in her belly. “What? Why? How the hell did you get away with it?”

He shook his head, his face as flat as stone. “I didn’t. I lost my job over it. They know it’s you Devon they just have no hard evidence that will put you behind bars.”

“God--Dad. Wow...you lost your job? But you love your job? God-I’m so sorry.” Instead of relief she felt guilt. And bucket loads of it.
“How did you get away without facing charges Dad, isn’t that illegal?” She felt that urge to be sick again. Her father risked his career and lost it for her. She did not deserve that.

“Your case would have been thousands of police dollars to chase. Honestly Devon the whole thing was a mess. By the time I had things swept under the carpet the police force just wanted it over.”

“But Jared-he knows I was there?”

“Yes he does. I did a deal with the prosecution and I got him out early and it was only on the provision he didn’t pursue you.”

“I doubt Jared would go for that? How in the hell did you convince him?”

“Let’s just say if he didn’t accept my offer - I would have made his prison years very hard to deal with. He got a nice cell, quiet prison with all the privileges.”

“He’s out now though?”

“Yes he got out over a year ago but that’s why I came here.”

“Why?” Oh god.

“My mate-Reg, you remember Reg, well he is still in the force and every once and awhile I get him to track Jared. Well he called me just two weeks ago and said Jared was off his radar.”

“What does that mean?” She asked scared of what the answer could end up being. Jared was here?

“Well it means nothing - he could be flying under the radar but...” Her father trailed off. “He may have seen you with your new boyfriend in the media. Honestly I thought until I saw a picture of you and Jon that he was coming here to meet you.”

“Oh god--you don’t think he’s here?”

Her father shook his head. “Honestly I don’t know. I didn’t know what to think. It wasn’t till you called me I realized, you have changed.”

She sighed. “I have changed Dad. Honestly. I did such a stupid thing. A really stupid thing and you lost your job! I don’t even know how to accept that. If I gave myself up-would that make it better?”

“No, giving yourself up would make it worse. They wouldn’t find the evidence. Just the self-confession and this whole mess would be dragged up. What I’m saying Devon is that if you stay in the US--you won’t ever have any problems.”

He may have handed it to her on a silver platter but she shook her head and stood up. “But I ruined your career, your life...”

“I won’t lie but yes, but look at it this way it’s an early retirement. Plus I’ve been doing some consultancy work for security firms. It’s nice. Honestly. Your mother loves me out of there.”

“She did always worry about you. How is she?”

He smiled. “She’s good. I haven’t told her about this. I am not sure how she’s going to take it.”

“So where does she think you are?”

“LA with this security company on a conference. Devon, I’ll sort her out but I need to know you’re ok here. Jared hasn’t contacted you at all?”

She wrapped her arms around herself. “God, no.” The little whisper of him crawled up her spine. Just his name was enough to keep her on edge. The thought of coming face to face with him now was horrifying. “Do you think he will?”

“I think he’d be stupid to but he was a stupid man.”

She sat back down on the couch and covered her eyes. “I was just as stupid believing him about everything. I just thought he loved me. Boy, how wrong I was.”

“Does Jon love you?”

She dropped her hands and smiled. “He does. Dad you would love him. He’s a good man who has done so much and gosh, he’s so humble about it.”

“I know who he is, I was surprised at first and I had wondered what the hell you had yourself mixed up with now. Drugs? Sex? But then I read about him and realized he wasn’t your stereotypical rock star at all.”

“We’ve really only dated for two months now but it’s been amazing. Even through all this.” She added.

“You told him, or did he find out? I got to tell you for someone that was on the run I was surprised when I saw a picture of you and him in a magazine.”

“It just happened and yes I told him, I couldn’t stand him not knowing when he’d given me everything. Did many people notice who I was?”

“Not really. Your hair well it's cut now and you looked so-well glamorous.” He half smiled at her and she knew it was a compliment.

“Well I am certainly not glamorous but I’ve learned to look after myself. Mum would be proud of the place here...” She trailed off. Would she even see her mother again? If what her Dad was suggesting was going to happen, that she would stay here indefinitely. What about her Mother? Maybe she would never forgive her for what she had done.

“How can you even look at me?” She asked abruptly. “I stuffed things up and you still looked after me?”

“You’re my daughter Devon. My only daughter. You made a horrendous mistake but after visiting Jared a few times in prison when I cut him a deal, I can see you were wound up with the wrong crowd. I should have done more to get you away from him. I knew he was bad news.”

She moved herself over to the couch her Dad was sitting on and took his hand. “Don’t you dare blame yourself. I wasn’t a child.” She clasped her hands tight over his. “You were right about him Dad. I was so stupid and if I could change it, any of it I would. I still can.”

He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and cupped her cheek. “We can’t change the past now Devon.”

“Is there any way you or mum will ever forgive me?” She asked in a voice like a five year old kid asking for an extra helping of dessert.

The tears shone in her Dad’s eyes. “I just want my daughter back.”

She choked on her words and embraced him hard. She closed her eyes as his arms wrapped tight across her back. If she could take it all back and make things right for her father, she would in a heartbeat.

She pulled away and her Dad nodded over her shoulder. Jon was standing there wrapped up in a leather jacket and scarf.

“Hey--I came as quickly as I could.”

She smiled and stood up to reach into his kiss. “I’m ok, just a shock and I fainted.”

“Jonathan told me.” His face was full of worry as swept his hand over her forehead.

“Jon, I want you to meet my father.”

Chapter Sixty-One: The Ties That Bind

It had been two days since he’d called. She’d checked her voicemail so often it was close to the point of over-compulsion. Maybe he’d changed his mind? Maybe he didn’t want anything to do with the daughter that had betrayed him and made a mockery of his fine police career? God only knew but she was holding onto hope with both hands.

Jon had been writing with Richie most days and into the early evenings so she’d been pulling some extra time in her salon, more so to keep herself busy more than anything. The other thing that had been on her mind was how and when she would talk to Jonathan. There was a good chance that this whole thing could blow up in her face and she was going to need Jonathan to know about it if and when it did.

He’d been so good to her and given her his loyalty right off the bat when he’d come to work with her. There was no doubt that the success of her salon was also partly because of him. He shared the same vision as her and believed in the same high standard of care. Plus he brought in some of the very first customers the customers with his connections right at the start and they’d only grown from there.

The morning in the city was awful; the rain hammered the pavements as she slid the open sign out to the curb. Two figures came scurrying across the road waving at her with rain coats dragged over their heads and followed her back inside.

“Hey guys!” She said as Jon and Stephanie revealed themselves.

“Hey yourself.” Jon leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “Any news?”

“No. None.” She replied softly forcing the smile to stay on her face for Steph. He tipped her chin and kissed her quick on the lips.

“You two are so cute.” Steph laughed.

Devon blushed but stood back. “How is Antonio’s going?” Devon had sorted out some work experience as promised with Antonio who owned a boutique about a block away while she was on school holidays.

“I love him. He’s so sweet and he’s showing me so much stuff. He even said I can wear this cute designer dress out on my date Saturday night.” She gushed as she grabbed Devon’s arms. “It’s gorgeous you have to see it.”

Devon raised her brow. “A date huh?” She winked at Jon. “Is this the college boyfriend I’ve been hearing so much about?”

“You mean the one Dad hates without even meeting him?” Steph rolled her eyes. “That’s the one! Gosh he’s so awesome. You’ll have to meet him.”

“I’d love to. Do you want me to do your hair on Saturday before the date? Maybe your Dad and I can stay at his place in Redbank so we’re close and you can pop in before the big date and show me the dress.”

“Oh my god-can we Dad?”

Jon rolled his eyes. “Sure why not, it’s like I’m not here anyway.”

Steph rubbed his arm. “We still love you Dad. I gotta go.” She pressed a kiss into her Dad’s cheek and left them.

Devon burst out laughing at his face and went to slide behind the coffee bar. “Your usual?”

His arms wound around her waist before she could escape and he pressed into her from behind. She sighed as his warmth moulded into her and his breath tickled down her neck. “I haven’t had my proper morning kiss yet.” His nose nuzzled along her neckline, the scent of dark cinnamon and pine behind her.

“Mmm.” She replied as his hands slid along her belly. The stress melted away in an instant as he whispered in her ear how much he loved her.

“I missed you last night.”

“Me too. Did you at least get some good writing done?” She asked rubbing her hands over his as he held her suspended in the moment.

“We did. Thank god. I owed it to Richie as I’d been so scattered this week.”

She turned in his embrace and drew up on her tip toes. “Me too.” The kiss popped and warmth flooded into her bones as her hands slid up around his neck. He lifted her up onto the coffee counter and dragged in her. Their teeth clicked and she giggled as his hand slid up her leg.

“Careful.” She giggled. “We’re in public.”

His lips crushed hers. “I can’t control myself Devon--”

They both jumped as the door slammed and she pulled away from Jon but no one was standing in the salon.

“Oh god.” She pressed her hand against chest. “Holy crap.”

“Must have been the wind. Steph can’t have closed it properly when she left.” He went to drag her back in but her eyes wandered back to the doors for a brief second before she gave in.

“Your heart is racing baby. You got a fright huh?”

Her eyes flicked up to his and she stroked his cheek. “I did but I’m fine now. It spooked me, Damn weather.”

He gently dropped her back down to the ground and she straightened herself up. “Coffee before you go?”
She rounded the counter and set to work on their coffees. She still was spooked by the door, the slam almost sounded like a gunshot. She was only on edge because she was waiting for the call from her father, the one where he would tell her what to do. She hated that in the last years she’d gained so much independence and confidence in her life and now she had to rely on someone else to steer her back in the right direction of what to do next.

“He’ll call you back Devon.”

She sighed and jerked the knob to froth the milk. “I want to believe that but I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t honestly.”

“He will. He will be processing all this and who knows maybe he’s getting some advice on what to do as well.” He encouraged.

She shrugged. “Maybe.” She lost herself in the motion of making a latte for a moment.

“Do I need to take you out to dinner tonight? Get our minds off this thing for a few hours?”

She smiled at him. God love him. He was sitting at her counter with his arms folded; the grey thermal hugged his upper body in all the right places. They grey made his blue eyes pop with colour and the smile on his face was adorable.

“I’d love to but I am not sure how fun I’ll be.” She wished she could shake this feeling of dread but it came with the territory. This was never going to be easy owning up to her deeds but the unease grew in her belly.

“We’ll do it. I can be very distracting.” His wiggle of the eyebrows made her chuckle.

“Ok we’ll do it.”

“Good. I have just the spot.” He grinned as he accepted her latte and they dissolved into small talk until he left. She laid out the beauty rooms all ready for the day and by the time Jonathan and the Stylists arrived the phone had started off the hook. Many people cancelled due to the weather coming in from over the bridge so she was juggling reschedules. She flopped down in her office around ten-am and Jonathan joined her.

Her palms flattened on her dress as she steadied her nerves. She had made the decision it was time to tell Jonathan. Whether it was a good idea or not but she needed to be honest and if everything went pear shaped he’d not at least know why. And he deserved it.

“Jonathan, sit down I need to talk to you.”

He sat down in the seat opposite her desk and rolled up his shirt sleeves. The dark cashmere vest against white was a clean cut typical Jonathan look that went well with his thick black rimmed frames he had on. His chocolate brown hair was swept over to the side and he looked like he’d stepped straight out of the pages of GQ magazine.

“This sounds serious.” He teased as he crossed his legs.

“Jonathan. I should have told you this a long time ago.”

“You’re in love with me? And you’re dumping the rock star for me?” He winked and she rolled her eyes.

“I’m serious. This is serious.”

He leaned forward, his eyes went wide. “You’re getting married! No-you’re pregnant!”

“No! God. No and listen to me for a minute.” Typical fun loving Jonathan. He was her first real friend over here. Hell, if she was honest her first real friend in a decade. Where was he when she needed someone to confide in before she made the biggest mistake of her life with Jared?

“You certainly haven’t been yourself of late, I know that much.” Of course he’d know, he seemed to always know what she needed. She just hoped he didn’t walk out after she told him.

She sighed. “Jonathan, darling. I just want you to know I’ve valued your friendship and loyalty to me all these years. Sometimes I don’t know how this place got off the ground without you.”

“Sure-Devon what’s going on? You sound like you’re about to break up with me or fire me.”

It was the first time she’d seen worry in his eyes and it would kill her if she ended up losing this place and he lost his job. “No, god none of the above. I’ve just-” She braced herself. Would this ever get any easier she wondered? “I’ve been lying to you about who I was and how I got here.”

“Oh?” He asked as he leaned back again and his shoulders eased.

She blurted out the entire story including how she revealed herself to Jon. She blew out her breath and let her stomach settle for a moment. “So, if you want to leave I fully understand as I can’t guarantee what is going to happen in the end.”

He clasped his hands together and it was killing her that he hadn’t said a word. “I’m really disappointed in you Devon.”

Her heart sank as she felt tears form under her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

He didn’t take his eyes off her. “No, I’m disappointed that you’d think I’d just leave you to deal with all this.”

“What?” She asked as she reached for her box of tissues. That was her Jonathan. Loyal.

“Devon. I’ve known you for close to three years now and you’re one of my dear friends. We discuss everything but the only thing you never discussed was your life back home. I had to figure something bad had happened. Ok, I’ll admit I didn’t think you’d robbed a bank but I knew you’d runaway from somewhere.”

She was overwhelmed that he had a hunch she had a bad past and he was still what he was to her, all this time. “I don’t deserve you.”

He snatched a tissue. “God, woman please stop crying and come here.” He stood up and stretched out his arms. She hugged him hard and smiled into his shoulder. He was one in a million.

“So what now?”

“I wait to see if my father calls me back. Honestly I don’t know what to expect with him. The disappointment in his voice was awful Jonathan. I wish I could reverse it all just to never have heard that.”

“If he knew you were here, why didn’t he contact you?”

“Jon asked me the same thing and I don’t know. I don’t know anything until he wants to talk to me.”

“Well if there is anything I can do to help, you’ll tell me right?”

She wiped away her tears. “You’ve already done so much but if you could just keep this place running if anything happens. Jon will tell you what to do in my absence if it comes to that.”

He nodded. “You got it. And he’s really ok with this?”

“He wasn’t at first-I broke his heart but he’s willing to fight for me. I probably don’t deserve that-”

“Oh hush, stop talking like that. Yes you made a mistake but look at you. You’re such a different person than you were. And you want to make it right. That counts for everything. You’re a good person Devon and I know that, we all know that.”

“Are you sure you’re really ok with this?”

He grinned. “As I said, I knew something was there. I am glad you told me and you can trust me k?”

She nodded. “You’re the best friend a girl could ask for.”

“You’re welcome. “ He checked his watch. “We’ll talk more later. I want to know more about Jared but right now I have to bleach Mrs Caruth.”

“Promise. We will talk as much as you want.”

The knock on the door broke the conversation off as Emma popped her head into the room. “Devon, there’s someone asking for you at reception.”

“Sure I’ll be right there.”

Jonathan squeezed her hand as they both walked out. “We’ll get through this.”

“Thank you.” She dusted herself off and made sure she was presentable as she walked back out to the reception desk where a man waited with a cap tugged over his head. She was relieved that everything had gone well with Jonathan; she couldn’t have handled it otherwise.

“Hi, you were waiting for me?” She cleared her throat and plastered a smile on her face as she shelved the whirlwind going on in her life to serve her customer.

When he looked up she looked deep into the eyes of her past. Her childhood flashed before her eyes like an old movie reel and her heart leapt into her throat as she attempted to speak. Her belly dropped to her knees and the blood rushed from her head.

“Daddy.” She whispered before her knees gave way and the world went black.

Chapter Sixty: Daddy's Girl

She sat cross-legged on the patio, her legs peeking out under the tails of one of his shirts. She was up before him watching the sunrise across Manhattan with a cup of coffee and bagels that she prepared. Sunrises were so simplistic but beautiful and easy to take for granted. She couldn’t imagine not seeing the clusters of buildings that shaped Manhattan but it was one reality she may have to be prepared for.

Jon had lawyers but what good would lawyers do in a case like this? Unless they were crooked and could twist the story somehow and she knew she didn’t want that. The whole thing kept coming back to one thing...her father. She knew if she had any hope in surviving this she would have to contact him and find out realistically what she’d be in for. He knew New Zealand Law and Statute of Limitations like the back of his hand.

But what would she even say? And then there was no going back for real. She’d start something she couldn’t back out of.

“Morning beautiful.” She looked up and Jon had stepped out onto the deck in a pair of low navy riding pyjama pants and lit a cigarette.

“Hey you.”

“Now I know why you’re up so early. That sunrise is a killer.”

She sighed and took in his profile against the morning. “Isn’t it? I made coffee and bagels. It’s the best you’re gonna get.”

“I am starving.”

“I’ll get one for you then shall I, while have your post-coital cig.”

He snorted. “Hey-it’s a compliment.”

The night had been nothing short of amazing and they had reconnected and she was relieved. Something inside her had been worried that they wouldn’t and that this thing would become a bigger thing between them. And the reality was it still could.

She smeared a bagel half with cream cheese and poured him a cup of coffee. “You slept well?”

He leaned back against the railing and faced her stretching out his arms. “I did. Like a baby, you?”

She shrugged. “Not really if I’m honest but I felt safe with you.” She doubted she would ever be able to sleep properly until this was over but just being near him was strength in itself.

“I think I need to ring my father Jon.” She blurted it all out and dropped the knife on the table.

He took one more drag and flicked his ash over the balcony. “How do you feel about that?” He sat down opposite her and picked up the bagel half and took a bite. His hair was still mussed from sleep and the five o’clock shadow crept up his neck.

“Petrified. I miss him so much but I’m not sure he’s going to be happy to hear from me.” Her belly was like squirmy liquid. She’d rather have been able to walk up to him and tell him she was sorry than to do it over a phone. The time factor was another thing, she had waited so long to call him she doubted he’d wanna know her.

“I think it’s a right first step. We can deal with the rest as it comes.”

She nodded and cupped her coffee mug. “I know he’s going to be angry with me but I deserve it.”

“I don’t think you deserve it Dev, but you know why he’s going to be angry and he has that right. You're still his daughter.”

“If Steph did this to you, what would you do when she rang you years later? Honestly?”

“Whew. Well I don’t know how I’d feel. I’d be hurt. She’s my daughter and she would have done a very stupid thing but then if I listened.” He chuckled. “And that would probably take me awhile. I’d realize she’s changed and she’s truly sorry for what happened.”

“The problem is - and I am but things are so different now they can never be the same unless-”
She drew in her breath.

“Unless you’re accountable for your crime?” Jon asked.

“Yeah something like that.”

“Hey.” He reached out his hand onto her arm. “Maybe there is a way around this. I’ll help you any way I can. Even if it means helping you financially. I’ll pay your bail if it comes to that.”

“You would?” She asked astounded.

“Of course. I’m hoping your father knows a way we can settle this discreetly out of a courtroom though.”

“Because of the media attention it would draw?”

“Somewhat, yes. If I’m honest.”

“I get it and that's natural I don’t want to be dragged through the courts as well but that’s the problem isn’t it. I don't know what I am dealing with until I ring him.” The last thing she wanted for Jon was to drag his name through any of this and he wasn't being selfish he had a career and a family that relied heavily on his good name. His kids especially didn’t deserve to be dragged into this mess either.

His finger brushed over her wrist. “I’m going to be here. We’ll sort something out and we’ll get married and live happily ever after once it’s over--if that's what you want.” He quickly added.

Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. “What? I mean-” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I mean don’t-just not yet. I need to know this is over before I could even consider that and I don’t want you to think you have to.”

“I don’t. It’s the next natural progression isn't it. If we can get through this-we can get through anything, right?”

“You really think that?” She wasn’t surprised more humbled that is how he was still thinking even after what she’d done. He still wanted to marry her.

“I do.” He smiled.

“Ok, but just do me a favour.”

“Oh?”

“This sounds crazy but the proposal is the most important part. I want to be floored, I want it to be unexpected. Not in the middle of all this, when it’s over and when we come out on the other side.” If we come out on the other side.

“You want the romantic grand gesture huh?” He asked with a wicked grin.

“I do-I know that sounds silly but after all I’ve managed to screw up I kind of still believe in that part of romance. But when it counts and when it's real.”

He nodded and brought his coffee to his lips. “Got it. I can do that.”

She smiled and while her heart swelled it sank at the same time. She couldn’t see them on the other side of this together, she hoped like mad she was wrong but it just seemed too good to be true at this point.

“So, your father? You going to call him today?”

“God, yes. I feel sick just thinking about it but I have to do it.”

“Did you want me there?” Jon asked.

She shook her head. “Thank you but no. I think I need to talk to him alone, that’s if he’ll talk to me.”

“He will. No father can stay mad at his daughter forever. Trust me.”

~

It was later that morning she sat upstairs in her loft with her phone resting in her lap. She’d been there almost thirty minutes. She knew she had to do it soon as she had another client in thirty minutes. That is how confident that this conversation would be a short one.

Her throat was dry and her heart pounded with dread. The snakes in her belly coiled tight as she lifted the receiver and dialled her home. What if they had moved? Their father’s number had always been unlisted for his job and it wouldn’t be easy to find by herself. The last thing she wanted was to tell more people who she was in order to get it.

It rang once, twice, three times and her head spun with anticipation.

“Hello?”

Her father’s voice sucker punched her right in the chest. It was still the same. Confident no-nonsense like it always was. Her lungs squeezed tight and she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t say a word.

“Hello? Anyone there?”

Tears swelled to her eyes as the guilt and pain all flooded back to her.

“Daddy?”

The line fell silent and the seconds felt like hours, no lifetimes.

He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, who did you want?”

“Dad, it’s Devon.”

The sharp intake of breath down the line followed by a cluttered noise confused her. She heard a door click shut and then he spoke.

“Is this some kind of joke?”

God. Had he really forgotten what her voice sounded like? “No Dad, its Devon.” She swallowed hard. “Your runaway daughter.”

The sound she heard next she doubted she’d never forget for as long as she lived. The short sob down the line resounded through her like an electrical shock. “Dad?”

“What do you want? Do you need money?” The cop instinct took over just as it did any other time with him and the emotion was gone.

“No. Dad, I’m so sorry.” She blurted it out but she had wanted to say it for the last five years.

“Are you in some kind of trouble?” His answer was more like an accusation. That she was only ringing because she wanted something. Even though it was true it wasn’t anything he could give her.

“No, Dad I’m fine. I’m not in any trouble. I’m in New York.”

The silence was deafening. “I know you are.”

Her heart stopped and she snapped up her head. “You do?” He knew where she was, all this time?

“How-how did you know?”

“I had a suspicion you were in the States but a photo with your boyfriend confirmed it.”

Oh god. He knew she was seeing Jon? “I-I” She stuttered. Why hadn’t anyone come and got her? Arrested her?

“You’re not ripping him off are you?”

The question hurt like a knife in the chest but he had a right to ask it given the history.

“No, god-no. No!”

“I had to ask. And you haven’t had any kind of trouble?”

She frowned. “No.” That was the second time he’d asked it. He must have thought it was the only thing she had rung him for. He knew where she was and who she was dating? She couldn’t believe it but why had he stayed so silent?

“Ok good. I just-never mind.”

The genuine concern laced his voice sliced and she hiccupped as the tears came. “I don’t know what to do. I made a life here but it’s so incomplete with this lie.”

“Oh Devon.”

“Dad. I’m so sorry. I want to fix this but I don’t know how.”

He blew out his breath. “What you did Devon...” he trailed off. The disappointment in his voice was terminal and she couldn’t blame him one bit.

“Unforgivable. I know.”

“I don’t know how I’m going to break this to your Mother Devon. She was pretty devastated when you left. You tore this family apart.”

She needed to hear it but it didn’t make it any easier. “I know, if I could take it back. I want to make something right. I do Dad, god I do.” She bit her lip.

“Listen, I’m in the middle of something at the moment. Is there a way I can reach you? I want to call you on a secure line maybe tomorrow.”

“Sure.” She gave her father the number and waited.

“Don’t call back here Devon, it’s important. I’ll call you.”

“Ok Dad. I won’t. What am I going to do?”

“I don’t know Devon. I don’t even know what to think at the moment. It’s been years. You went years without calling me.” The pain cracked his voice and her Dad never lost his resolve and she was the reason.

She covered her eyes as she sobbed. “I know. I’d give anything to take this back but I can’t. I have no right asking you this, not after what I’ve done. But I need your help Daddy. I’m scared.”

He took a deep breath. “I’ll call you.”

And then the line was dead. Her hand shook as she replaced the receiver. What if he didn’t call back? What if he didn’t want to deal with this? She couldn’t expect him to if he really didn’t want to. It was the first step if there was any hope or way to fix this and she’d done it. She’d taken the responsibility and she just hoped her father knew she meant it.

God she hoped he knew that.

Chapter Fifty-Nine: Blown Away

Somewhere between the living room and a second round over the dining room table they had made it to the bedroom. Jon lay flat on his back wide awake as Devon curled into him sleeping soundly. His fingers twisted gently through her hair as her breathing evened out. There was one thing that was clear - and that was that he didn't want to be without her. How did he stop her going to jail? He wasn’t corrupt and he didn’t play in circles where big boys could make things happen with sums of money.

From what Devon had said to him she wanted to make it right, in the right way. He respected that but he didn't know how that could even happen. They needed to see his lawyer. Once he called back he would make an appointment with him and take Devon along. The pads of his fingers drifted over her shoulder and down the delicate curve of her back where the sheet and slipped down and creamy porcelain skin began.

The other outstanding issue was Jared, where was he now? And was he content to let his absent ex-girlfriend get away with the money until the end of time? Somehow Jon doubted that but distance is what kept her safe. No man with a criminal record could get into the US. And as long as she stayed here, she’d be safe.

“What are you thinking about?” A sleepy voice came through the night.

“How did you know I’m thinking?” He swallowed the dryness out of his mouth.

“You twitch a little.”

He chuckled. “I do?” Dorothea had never told him that and he’d laid awake many times in bed before thinking about the band and all kinds of shit.

“Yeah you do. So what were you thinking about?” In the night she propped herself up against his chest and faced him. The lights from outside caught in her eyes, her face was soft and sleepy. Her hair mussed from all the passion and play early on.

He snorted. “Your hair is a mess.”

“Shut up.” She playfully flicked one of his nipples but he snatched her hand.

“Hey--we know where that will end us.”

She shifted up so she lay flat against his body, his curves against her curves and her lips grazed his chin. “I know you. You’ll be thinking about me.” He closed his eyes as her fingers brushed over his forehead. “Either that or how to get Steph to stop dating her college guy.”

“Awe, why did you have to go and remind me of that?”

She giggled and kissed him gently on the lips. He ran his hands down the side of her and then locked them on the small of her back. “She will be fine. She’s a smart kid. Speaking of which do you still want me to set her up with that part time job?”

His brow beetled. “Of course we agreed on that didn’t we?”

“Just checking. Things have changed since then that’s all.”

“I know-but still go ahead with that. Steph would hate me even more than she will when I get to meet her jock boyfriend.”

“Stop thinking. Just for a minute.” She whispered against his mouth. He closed his eyes and kissed her, she groaned as his tongue slid into her mouth and he tasted silky decadence. If he wasn’t completely smitten with her at this moment, the painful logic in him would flesh this problem out but he shelved it till the morning. She had that effect on him and he needed it. He needed her around when his life got crazy, she could centre him just with her smile or her touch, or fuck her laugh.

His hands drifted down her to her cute ass and he cupped it. “Why is it when you lie on top of me just when I thought I had no more energy, I can go you again? You’re an addiction Devon Scott.” So it wasn’t her real name but it was who she was now.

She flattened her palms on his chest and pushed herself up, his cock waking with the movement.

The soft outline of her breasts could be seen in the light the city lights provided his bedroom, they never drew the curtains when she stayed and he kind of liked that. Her nipples peaked so he covered them with his hands and let his thumbs roll over the tips. Her head tipped back and she arched with a short intake of breath. Her small and curvy body was perfect; perfect for his hands to roam around and touch her in the places he knew could make her sing.

“I’m thinking again.” He announced. “But I’m thinking about the best way to make you scream.” His finger trailed down the middle of her, down over her belly and into the soft curls around her sweet spot. “Perhaps here.”

She gasped as his fingers traced along the lips of her labia. His cock ached as the guttural groans filled the room. She pulsed under his hand and he took her soaring to her heights. Each groan, each heated gasp pushed his cock into a state of readiness.

Her hand reached down to his and she held it as she shook above him, the cream of her orgasm dripping down onto his hand. He wanted to be inside her but she leaned down and her hot breath tickled his neck.
“You’re still tense.” She whispered as her lips kissed down his neck. He jumped as her hand hooked down and around his cock.

“Oh fuck.”

She giggled against his skin and her teeth scraped over his shoulder. “Say it.”

He frowned. “What?”

The tip of her nail grazed the side of his cock and he breathed. “Oh god.”

“Tell me you want it.” She lifted her head to his. “Like you always make me.” Innocence gleamed in her eyes even in the darkness of the room. He was in trouble. Her hands were like silken flames and it was all he could do was take it as her torture commenced.

“I want it.” It was dangerous to play his game back at her. He knew what she wanted to hear but he was holding out on her. It’s what made it fun. If he could make it.

Desire raged in her eyes and seduction in her voice. “Tell me exactly what you want big boy. Or you won’t be getting it.” Her tongue flicked out to his lips. “And do you really want to miss out?” Her soft lips brushed against the shell of his ear. “And you know I suck you spectacularly.”

His head flipped back on the pillow and his hand twisted in the sheets. It made his heart clench how innocent she was in the daytime, the sweet sexy woman she was and now here the devil temptress she could be.

Then she licked her lips. He could see it but the worse thing was he could hear it and the sound arrowed right down to his cock. “Ok, Christ ok ok. Suck it.”

“Suck what?”

“Devon. Fuck. My cock. Suck my cock.” He hurriedly begged.

She remained still and didn’t show any signs of moving down there. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

“Devon-please suck my cock.” It was a desperate whisper because hell, he was desperate for her. He watched her slowly slide down his body and he reached out to the bedside light. He needed to watch. Her hands were like silken flames, her eyes taunting as her soft fingers curled back around his shaft.

“You want to watch me?”

He nodded, “I want to watch.”

The little grin that danced on her pink lips was pure evil. How it could come from such a sweet girl he’d never know. But he liked it. Jon wasn’t prepared for the lightning surge of pleasure as her tongue barely touched the tip of his cock. “Christ.”

A slow sensual glide of her tongue down his length had him wrestling with his self-control but fuck it felt so good. His teeth clenched and he let out a low hiss as she rounded her tongue back over the aching tip.

“Damn you Devon.”

Her mouth opened and any innocence vanished in one fell swoop as his cock disappeared into the depths of her wet warm mouth. His groan came out strangled and hungry but he barely had the strength to do anything but hold back his release.

His hands went into her hair, his finger clenching at the soft blond curls that fell around his palms. He want to hold her there, scared she’d back off and tease the holy hell out of him again. Combined with him watching her mouth was the pop of her mouth around his cock, the same sounds that a nine dollar porn movie made but a thousand times more lethal.

And he watched.

Watched his cock slide back into her mouth.

Growled.

Growled as her tongue curved around him.

Felt.

Felt her groan against his sensitive skin as she tasted him.

It was the sexiest thing he’d seen and he loved her for it. She pressed in back and took him stronger, longer and deeper. Cried out as he hit the back of her throat, sensitive skin on sensitive skin and he had no control. His balls tightened and ached for release and his legs were numb from clenching so hard.

The pleasure was intense. Too intense that it was dangerous. Yup she was killing him. One suck at a time. The temperature in the room was stifling but he was near release. His hands shot up into his hair as he bowed back, panting, fighting for breath.

“Oh fuck.” The tiny tears of sweat trickled down his temples.

He felt her tongue stroke one more time before it blinded him and he shouted hard from his lungs. Every fibre of his body twisted and then unravelled.

When he opened his eyes again it was dark, he was breathing normally and Devon’s finger was stroking his chest gently. “Oh god, what happened?” His voice cracked as she shifted up to meet him again. She smelt like the citrus soap in his shower and her breath was minty. “Did you have a shower?” He asked puzzled his head fuzzy.

“I did. You passed out.”

His hand clutched his chest. “Fuck, I did?” He chuckled. “Well shit.”

“I thought I’d broken you.” She said seriously but he could see the cheeky grin through the darkness.

“You did--I don’t ever think I’ve-I mean I’ve had women pass out after sex, you know in a ball of contentment.”

She stroked his forehead. “That was you. I knew you weren't dead, the smile on your face proved otherwise.”

He laughed again. “God. I mean-that was wow.” He covered his face with his hand. “Wow.”

She handed him the water bottle off the bedside counter. “You need to drink this though.”

He glugged the water back and then sighed. “Fuck me Devon.” He rolled them onto their sides and wrapped his arms around her.

“You-I can’t lose you.”

She pressed her cheek against his chest. “Why? Because I can give you a good blow job?”

He kissed the top of her head. “No, well ok partly.” He teased. “I just can’t lose you. I’ve never let go with someone like that before. Ever.”

She squeezed him tighter. “I know. I hope you know no matter what I’ve done. It’s got nothing to do with how I feel about you.”

He smiled. At last knowing the truth he thought he always had. She was different now. And he loved her. And he would fight for her.

“I know. And I won’t lose you. I’m not going to let it happen. Come hell or high water.”

And he meant it.

Chapter Fifty-Eight: Right Where We Belong

She breathed a deep sigh of relief as she locked the doors to the salon. It had been quite the day. From the early morning song that slayed her emotionally to the busy bustle of the salon and happy customers, she was ready to drop on her feet. She had promised to head over to Jon’s and spend the night with him, catching up where they had left off.

Things weren’t perfect and she doubt that they would be for a while but she craved his touch and through his touch she drew his strength to help her through what was to be the toughest moment of her life. She still wondered what made him change his mind and regrettably she still wondered how this was going to work but the important thing was that they both wanted to try.

She showered and slipped into a dress with matching shoes. The red ones he’d always loved. She spent an ample amount of time in the bathroom before she was ready to go. A flutter in her stomach was ridiculous at this point as they’d come so far they should have been old hands around each other by now. But, there was something when he looked at her, the way he did that still could tear her apart.

When she knocked on the door of the penthouse she was greeted with the door ripped open, his hand buried in his hair and his cell phone tucked in-between his shoulder. He waved her in and walked away from her towards the windows of the apartment.

“I know that she’s older enough to be seeing him. But Christ he’s a freshman Dorothea. Guys want different things at that age. They’re not content sitting in movie theatres and having quiet nights at home with a DVD.”

She dropped her bag and sat neatly on the couch. It was still scattered in note paper scribbled to high heavens on and balls of screwed up paper.

“I should know, I was one of them. I’m not saying that she shouldn’t see him. I’m saying it should be chaperoned.” He slammed his hand on the table as he faced away from her. “I don’t care if it’s embarrassing she’s my daughter.”

Yikes. While it was amusing that he was over-reacting to obviously Dorothea breaking his daughter’s love life to him, it was endearing as well. Kinda sexy. Was she a bad person for thinking that?

“No. I just saw her yesterday. She didn’t mention any of this to me.”

“I would have not over-reacted!” He shouted.

Devon raised a brow as he turned and looked at her but he looked away again, his face frowny and she stifled a giggle.

“Fine, but this is not over. You’re to call me if they see each other without an adult.”

He hung up and sighed. “Don’t say it.”

She chuckled. “Steph has a boyfriend? By any chance?”

“She’s had boyfriends before but she was thirteen or something. This guy is eighteen.”

“And Daddy isn’t too happy about this?”

He sank into the couch beside her. “No I’m not happy. I was with her yesterday and she didn’t even say anything.”
Devon rolled her eyes. Men could be so stupid sometimes. “You’re her father Jon. She’s not going to tell you--especially when you carry around that invisible shotgun there.” She teased as she rubbed his knee.

He placed his hand on hers and met her gaze. “I’m over reacting aren’t I?”

“Just a little but it’s ok--it’s what makes you, you. What father wouldn’t have high standards for their daughter?” Her face fell as she realized what she’d said. She had certainly exceeded her own father’s douchebag boyfriend expectations.

Jon brought her back into reality by giving her hand a squeeze, “Hey. He would be pretty proud of you now. Dating a rock star millionaire all round good-guy extraordinaire.” He beamed at her and she burst out laughing.

“Jesus. Don’t think much of yourself do you?”

“Nope. Not at all.” He leaned in and the fresh cool scent of him surrounded her. “Good day?”

Her eyes skimmed along his lips and back to his eyes. “It was much better. That song Jon--I can’t stop thinking about it.”

His lips curved. “I played it to Richie today--he loved it. It’s going on the record.”

“Really?”

His lips barely brushed hers. “Uh huh.” His hot breath tickled her skin.

“There’s so much more to say.” She said softly no more than a whisper.

His hand cupped her jaw and his tongue skimmed along the bottom of her lip eliciting a groan from her.

“There is but not tonight. Tonight I need you. I missed you.”

She swallowed as the intensity was all on her. He had this way of making her turn to jelly that nobody else could. “It’s only be a few days.” But it felt like a lifetime.

“In penis years everything is ten times longer.”

She chuckled. “Oh god. Need I ask-” But he didn’t reply, he only kissed her hard and his hand drew her in. The heat poured from his mouth into hers and she closed her eyes.

“Do you need me Devon?” He asked as she tipped her head and his butterfly kisses lined the centre of her throat.

“Yes.” She whispered no more like pleaded.

He kissed along the edge of her collar bone slowly across to the shoulder where the edge of her dress sat. “You look sexy as hell. You know what the red does to me.” His hand shifted up her legs and in-between her thighs as she parted them for him. Tiny pinpricks of sensation rippled over her skin as she shuddered.

“Your legs. Sexy.” His tongue swirled in the dip from her shoulder to her neck.

“Your neck. Perfect.” His tongue slid up the side of her neck and around the shell of her ear. She was teetering on the verge of sanity and torture. His finger tip slid around the lines of her panties and under the elastic.
“Lace. And I bet they’re red. You always like to match.” His throaty whisper was all she heard over the loud hammer of her heartbeat. His fingertips brushed the top of her clit through the lace and she moaned madly.

“You’re wet.” She tipped her head forward and met his mouth. Their tongues wrestled as his finger slid inside her.

“All I care about tonight is us. The rest can wait.”

She nodded already spellbound by lust, he had her and he could have torn her in two if he wanted.

“Oh god.” She breathed against his mouth as she arched forward feeling his finger move inside her.

Her nipples were bullets that stretched through the silk of her dress. Clothes were becoming an inconvenience. Her palm traced over his chest, across his abs and down over his cock. She rubbed it firmly and hissed as his teeth but gently on her lip. He was hard for her and it boiled her blood.

“Come for me.” He whispered as his thumb circled her tiny bundle of nerves and she quivered.

Her hands slid on his face. “I want to feel your skin on mine.” She pleaded but he kept going.

“Oh god.” She panted as came and stole her resolve. “Oh god yes, yes.” She moved with his hand until she was almost there. His teeth scraped along her cheek and his mouth covered her ear.

“Come for me. I need to hear you come for me.”

“Oh shit.” She started to shake.

“Your pussy-mine.” He whispered and she came undone.

She screamed his name as she bowed back and let the orgasm rip through her. He pushed her back on the couch and hovered over her, covering her mouth with his. Her hands shot up into his hair as she kissed him and wrapped her legs around his waist. His erection pressed into her sweet spot and she moaned as he did.
Desperately he tugged her zipper down and slid the dress down with his hands in-between hurried kisses. His eyes drew down to the see-through red lace bra she had chosen and he bit his lip. He reached out and cupped one breast and his thumb brushed over the aching tip.

“Yes...” She hissed as his mouth dipped down in the centre of her breasts and he nosed his way to her left breast. He swallowed the tip, sucking hard through the lace and she slid down into the river of passion. Once she was there she knew there was no going back.

He’d reached inside her and stole her heart but in the process filled her with his own special brand of being. If they could survive this, this is what would help them make it. Their undeniable connection.

He unhooked her bra and his hands splayed around her ribs as his mouth laved her breasts. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him as he devoured her. His eyes blazed as his tongue ran along her nipple, so hard it throbbed like the centre of her. She wriggled and groaned as the endless friction between them spun out of control like a getaway on the freeway.

She wanted to feel him, feel the weight of him on her and the fullness of him inside her. Where she needed him the most. She grasped for the connection, her fingers biting at his shoulders and then up buried in his hair as he made his way up to her. He struggled with his shirt but she helped tug it over his head. Her fingers scraped down through the soft downy chest hair and over his belly for good measure.

“Pants.” His voice was thick as aged whiskey as she unbuckled his pants and wrapped her hand around his shaft. He buckled above her and clenched her inside his knees.

“Fuck me.” His eyes were like fire and his body was like silk covered rock where muscles moved under her hands. She needed him inside her taking her to the place only he could. Her fingers curled into his hair and she dragged him to her mouth as they hung suspended in pleasure. She pumped his cock and their teeth clicked as his primal growl ripped down her throat.

He stood momentarily and kicked off his shoes and then angrily his pants. He knelt above her, and positioned his cock between her legs, between bunched silk and lace that was cast aside. She purred completely as he filled her slowly and wrapped her legs wide around his hips.

Her fingers gripped his skin, sliding down over his hips to the perfect curve of his ass. His hips pressed her hand into the couch and his eyes stayed on her as he began to move. She sipped from his neck until she felt the pulse of him under her tongue. Her tongue followed the splattering of freckles along his shoulder until she hit the superman tattoo on his arm. She outlined the tattoo with the tip of her tongue and gasped as she contracted around his cock.

The intimacy was quiet, the only sounds their hurried pants and soft groans in the room. His mouth found hers and they kissed as drew her hands up to brace around his shoulders. He was as hard as steel on the outside but warm and loving on the inside. This was them, she’d been afraid they’d lost it but he’d come back to her.

The darkness of the night mirrored in his eyes as he softly kissed her nose as he drew her to orgasm, she wanted to let go but she didn’t want this moment of strength and love to end. As long as she had him like this the rest had to work, it just had to. Somehow.

He whispered her name as she drew him into her neck and he exploded inside of her. The sensation of him coming inside of her was like a thousand orgasms. He twined his fingers in hers and held her hands above her head as he sank deeper inside her.

“Godddddddd.”

“I want to watch you come.” His gravelly voice was the last thing she remembered as her body arched and pleasure washed over her. She came too as he slumped on top of her, still inside her. Her fingertips feathered over his back as their breathing steadied and she closed her eyes and smiled.

“I’m old.” He groaned as he stayed tucked in against her shoulder.

“Haven’t you heard the saying, you’re only as old as who you’re banging?”

He choked and laughed and lifted his head looking down at her. “In that case I feel like a thirty five year old.” She stroked his hair back and traced along the soft lines of his face.

“Did I tell you that I loved you lately?”

His smile this time was sleepy and content. “A man can never hear it enough, you know us guys. We want to be important.”

“A man-or just you?” She teased.

He wriggled his arms around her and held her in his embrace. He kissed her gently on the nose. “You’re lucky the last few days are catching up with me. I’d spank you for that.”

“It’s been pretty rough hasn’t it?”

“From where I’m sitting though right now. Worth it.”

They shifted around so she was lying against him, him flat on his back as they drifted into sleep. His hand held her tucked into him around her shoulder as she felt the warm hair on his chest press into her cheek.

“For the record. I do love you too.”