Chapter 23: 'Just Friends'

As he let her go her legs buckled slightly, before he put his hands round her waist to steady her.
'Wow.' She was light headed and unsteady on her feet.
'Hey babe how much have you had to drink?'
'Enough...can we do that again?' She leaned forward and put her arms round his neck.
'You have no idea how much i'd like to do that all night babe. But i don't want you to regret anything tomorrow.'
'I wouldn't regret you.'
Jon smiled 'Come on let's get you back to the hotel.'

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Jon turned the coffee machine on before creeping quietly into her room.
Tip-toeing to the curtains he quickly whipped them open and let the blinding sun into the room.
'Wakey wakey rise and shine, it's beautiful day.'
'I hate you!.' she shouted before pulling the covers up over her head.
He bounced onto the bed beside her.
'I know you love me really' he said with a pout.
'You wish.' she said, but she couldn't hold her laugh in.
'You want coffee?' Jon asked as he started to get up.
She pulled the covers down from her face, squinting in the sun.
Even hungover she is gorgeous he thought.
She had sleepy eyes half open, and her hair was a mess reminding him of his own in the eightes. He couldn't help but laugh.
'Even though you laughed at me, i will love you if you bring coffee.'

Jon came back into the room with a tray of bacon sandwiches and a pot of coffee.
Ruby had composed herself slightly, run a brush through her hair and washed her face.
'A sight for sore eyes.' She said.
Jon cocked an eyebrow.
'.......Breakfast i mean.'
He wore a Giants football jersey and an old torn pair of jeans that were barely decent. They had holes so you could see the pockets beneath the denim. When he sat down with the tray she felt she had to avert her eyes.
'I hear fat is the way forward for a hangover.' He said pouring the coffee and passing one over.
'I don't think i can bear to eat.' She said crinkling her nose up.
'Aww i even brought that brown sauce english people like....well i asked the concierge to bring it anyway.'
'Well if the concierge brought it i will have to have some.....' she said taking a plate from him. '....he's cute.'
Jon laughed.

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The tour went on through Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Wilkes Barre in Pennsylvania. Before rolling into East Rutherford, New Jersey.

They pulled up to the Continental Airlines Arena just before two. Early soundcheck and then a short time to do interviews. This was their 'hometown gig' so there was more press than usual.

Jon and Ruby had been getting along famously. And it had not gone un-noticed.
'So kid what's going on between you and the old man?' David nudged her once Jon was out of earshot.
'Mind your own Curly.' She joked back with him.
'Aww come on i'm all out of gossip here. Richie is all happily ever after with Mrs. Hollywood. He's my usual source.'
'We're friends. Like each other's company. Is that too much for you to understand? Sorry Dave you aren't gonna find your gossip fix here.'
She looked over to where Jon was recording a radio interview. He caught her eye and smiled that smile. The smile that sold a million records.
Yep just friends. She thought.

****

Later after soundcheck the band were back at their respective hotel rooms.
'There's so much waiting around i've noticed.' Ruby was sat on the couch flicking through the TV channels.
Jon sighed. 'Yeah can get a bit tedious, sitting in a hotel room for hours on end.'
'And American TV sucks! There is never anything good on.'
'Stop!' Jon shouted suddenly.
Ruby looked up but continued flicking.
'There was Football go back!'
'No. Way. Football sucks! It's not even football...'
'Gimme the remote!' Jon held his hand out to her.
She just shuffled further away from him on the couch and held it behind her.
'Right i warned ya! I'm taking it.'
Jon moved onto his knees on the long L-shaped couch and crawled towards her.
'Get away we don't have time for football.'
Jon came ever closer.
'There's always time for football.'
He was right in front of her now. She was sat cross legged her back against the arm rest of the couch still holding the remote behind her.
'How am i going to get that back hmm?' Jon said putting an arm either side of her bottom. Leaning in he softly kissed her on the lips.
She closed her eyes and moved in to deepen the kiss.
'Ha got ya!.' Jon quick as a flash reached behind her and snatched back the controller.
'No fair!.' She said lurching forward as Jon backed off, determined not to lose.
As she reached to get the remote she lost balance and fell forward onto Jon sending them toppling off the side of the couch onto the floor.

'Oww, crazy woman!.' Jon said laughing.
She had fallen on top of him.
Jon rubbed his head where he had banged it on the wooden floor boards. And Ruby took the opportunity to take back the remote.
Jon rolled them both over so he was ontop. He pinned her arms to the floor, their legs were entwined, he looked down at her.
'There is no escape now.'
She looked up smiling, 'Oh i'm quite happy where i am.'
Suddenly the smile in Jon's eyes was gone.
He slowly dipped his head, still holding onto her arms.
Inches away from her face.
'I want you.' He whispered.
She couldn't reply just lifted her head up, impatient.
Wanting his lips on hers. Wanting to feel the softness again.
Jon sensed this and avoided her lips, choosing to kiss a trail down her neck instead.
He released her from his grip so he could bring his hand to her waist.
Sneaking it up under her shirt.
His hand could curl halfway around her tiny waist.
She shuddered under his light touch, arching beneath him.
Their breathing was becoming faster and shorter as Jon continued to kiss her.
Finally he broke contact and looked at her.
She looked up into those pale blue pools and begged him silently.
He finally sucummed and brought his lips to hers.
Finally getting what she needed, she found it wasn't enough.
Deepening the kiss they took all they could from each other, months of tension pouring out.
She brought her hands to the hem of his shirt, pulling it up, only getting as far as his chin because he wouldn't break the kiss.
Pulling away for a matter of seconds he dragged the t-shirt off the rest of the way.
Lying himself gently back onto her body he rested on his elbows. Eager to return to where he had left off.
Ruby wriggled beneath him getting comfortable on the hard floor. Inadvertantly rubbing her thigh between his legs causing him to groan into her mouth.
'Jesus. I'm burning up.' She said as he parted from her lips for a moment.
'I could help you out there.' Jon said with a smirk. His voice was deeper than usual.
He eased back onto his knees and quickly got to work unbuttoning her shirt.
Soon enough her shirt was off.
'Have i ever said that you are stunning?' He asked.
Ruby just blushed, not that he would notice her cheeks were already red.

Suddenly there was a knocking at the door, 'You ready Jon?'
It was Richie.
'Shit.' Jon swore as he leapt up. Grabbing his t shirt he pulled it over his head.
'Fuck.' Jon swore again. 'Sorry babe.'
Ruby quickly got up and rearranged her clothing before quickly escaping to the bathroom.

***

Standing infront of the mirror she looked at her reflection.
Her lips were swollen and bright red from their kissing. And her face and chest were flushed.
Jesus that was intense.
She washed her face trying to cool down.

She heard Richie calling out, 'Shorty you coming or what?'
No. Thanks to you. She chuckled to herself.
'Be out in a minute!' She replied.