Chapter 32: End of the Summer?

Finally the bedroom door opened.
'Well darlin, i will see you tonight i guess.'
'See ya later Rich.'
'Don't go making him late you hear?'
'BYE RICH!'
She went into the bedroom suite Richie had just left.
'I thought he'd never leave.' She said walking back out onto the balcony.
'Tell me 'bout it babe.' Jon said still reclining on the chair.
'What time do you have to leave for the show?'
'Not for a little while....Want to make out?' He said with a smile.
She looked at him still topless in the sun, eyes hidden by his sunglasses, but she knew the smile on his lips would be reflected there too.
He moved over slightly and patted the sun lounger. 'I won't bite....well actually i can't promise that.'
She blushed as she sat down tentatively next to him.

Jon was half reclined on the lounger and Ruby rested her head against his chest.
'I wish we could spend the day together, sight-seeing or something.' She said as Jon absent mindedly stroked her hair.
'Mmm that would be nice.'
'I mean what's going to happen after today?'
'Well i've got the rest of the Europe leg...i don't know 10 days maybe? Then back to America to finish the tour.'
'I've got to finish my studies, and try to enjoy a little bit of summer before i have to go back to Bath.' She counted her list off on her fingers.
'Doesn't leave much time for us does it babe?' Jon sighed.
She turned to face Jon and moved forwards...
'In a year we will have all the time in the world.' She said kissing him softly on the mouth.

The sweet gentle kiss turned into something deeper as they moved on the lounger until she had turned and lay half on top of him. Their legs entangled, as the heart rate increased.
Her hands journeyed over his smooth chest, and down finding the contours of his abdomen hard to ignore.
Groaning slightly at the feel of her hands on his body at last, Jon's right hand trailed down her side to her bottom, and on further, finding the edge of her summer dress. But he wanted more from her, his hand moved back up making it's way between her thighs.
Pulling away slightly she broke the kiss.'Jon please stop.'
Breathlessly he whispered, 'Are you okay?'
'Yeah...i...i just want to take this slow.'
'You mean slower than a year?'
She moved to get up and started rearranging her clothes.
Dammit, there i go again,'I'm sorry. I was joking.'
'I know, you don't have to tread on broken glass with me Jon. It's just i need to know i can trust you before we....take the next step.'
'Of course.'
She turned her back to him once more and relaxed back against his chest.
A year never seemed so far away. He thought.

------------------

The chauffeur driven car pulled up to the venue, a small stadium known as Bercy.
As they walked past some roadies that were still busying themselves unloading lorries one of them wolf whistled.
Ruby cringed as he turned around, she just knew he was going to have a go at them. She had experienced his temper one night in America...
'Jon just...'
He raised his hand that held hers higher.
'Get your own, this one's taken.' He laughed, 'Ask Sambora for a look at his not so little black book!'
'Jon!' Ruby pulled her hand down.
Leaning up she kissed him on the cheek.
'What was that for then?'
'Just because.'
Finally she felt like Jon was taking her seriously, taking them seriously.

'Oh my god! Shorty!'
Ruby turned round to see Sandy coming towards her.
'I'm gonna go get ready for sound check.' Jon said, but they weren't listening.
'Sandy!' Ruby said as she got swept up by a hug.
Jon knowing when it was time for girl talk and left them to it.
'I've missed you girl! I was mad when i heard you were at the UK show and never came to see me.'
'Yeah...i didn't really want to hang around backstage then.'
'But now?'
'Well me and Jon kinda sorted a few things out and...'
'I can see that. Finally! I felt like saying enough of the angst already!'
'That bad?' Ruby winced.
'Like an episode of Dawson's creek.' Sandy laughed.

***

'Hey babe.' Jon called for Ruby to join him in the corridor backstage.
'I want you to meet one of my idols.'
Ruby walked over to see a guy stood in with Jon, who she didn't recognise at all.
'Sh...Erm Ruby this is John, also known as Southside Johnny.' Jon waved his hand in the air gesturing to the arena. 'All this is his fault.'
'Hi, pleased to meet you...Did you make this place then?'
Jon couldn't help but laugh in the background.
'I'm pleased to meet you too sweetheart. And no i didn't, i'm a musician.'
'Oh right..' She turned to face Jon and stuck her tongue out.
Jon spoke up, 'He's the reason i got into music.'
Ruby smiled, 'You have a lot to answer for.' She said to John with a wink.
'Well i best be going, onstage in 5 minutes.' He shook both their hands, 'Great to meet you Ruby. See you after Jon.'

'Come on.'
'What now?' Ruby asked.
'You have to see these guys play, i know you'll love em too.'

***

Ruby and Jon sat at the side of the stage watching Southside Johnny and his band The Asbury Jukes who were opening for Bon Jovi.
When they finished their set Jon turned to Ruby, 'So?'
'I enjoyed it.'
'Good.'
He picked up her hand and kissed it, 'I'm gonna get ready for the show. See you after?'
'Definitely.'

----------------

'I guess it's time for me to go.'
'I guess.'
'I've had a great time.'
'Mmmm,' Jon was busy kissing along her jawline. His hands on Ruby's hips holding her closer to him.
'If you don't stop that i'm going to get distracted and miss the train.' She said.
'Good.'
Ruby pulled away from him, her hands on his chest playing with the shirt buttons there, 'I'm glad we sorted some stuff out.'
'I didn't think it was going to happen for us at one point.' He said.
She smiled at him.
'Well are you going to hail me a taxi or what?'

Jon flagged a taxi down and opened the door for Ruby.
She got in and he slid in beside her.
'What are you doing?'
'Train station please.'
'Jon?'
He removed his sunglasses and pushed his cap higher revealing more of his face. 'I'm not letting you travel to London on your own.'
'But....'
Jon pulled out a train ticket from his pocket.
'Jon there really is no need, besides my parents don't...' She began.
'Not to your place, just to London and then back.'
'But Jon that's a waste.'
'I want to. I got all the money i could ever need. But time that's somethin' we don't have a whole lot of, i would just be sat in that hotel room waiting for the next show. I'd rather spend a couple hours with you.'
'Don't feel like you have to just to keep me safe or anything.'
'I don't.'
Ruby was a little overwhelmed, she could feel the tears in begin to well in her eyes.
'What did i do to deserve you?'
'Something really good, you just don't remember.' He said softly as he leaned in for another kiss.