Jonathan and Jennifer were quiet during the ride to the corporate apartment. It wasn’t an awkward silence. Instead it was contentment of being together, of being themselves. Jonathan walked Jennifer up to the apartment and opened the door for her.
"Do you still enjoy horseback riding?" Jonathan asked as he stood outside the door.
"Yes, I do. I try to visit my father’s farm whenever I can just to go riding. Why?"
"I have a ranch a few hours from here. I was thinking we could go there tomorrow. We can ride a little, have a picnic..."
"I really should work on the article and plan my return to New York," Jennifer said out of duty not desire.
"Perhaps you will get something for the article by spending the day with me."
Jennifer felt her face flush as she gazed into Jonathan’s eyes. "Okay."
"Okay." Jonathan smiled. He leaned over to give her quick but full kiss on the lips. "I’ll pick you up at 7:30 in the morning."
"I’ll be ready." Jennifer watched Jonathan go. She was sure she had a perma-grin on her face. She felt like a schoolgirl with her first crush.
The next morning, the two drove out to Jonathan’s ranch. Nestled at the base of the Sierra Mountains, the rustic cabin sat amidst pine trees and wild flowers.
"It gorgeous." Jennifer gasped.
"Thank you. We’ll park here at the cabin and walk back to the stables. I have a local boy who takes care of things for me. I called him and let him know we’d be here so the horses should be ready."
As they walked to the stable, Jonathan instinctively took Jennifer’s hand. Her heart jumped at the feel of his warm hand in hers.
"Is it okay if we ride western. I don’t have an English saddle," Jonathan asked.
"What makes you think I ride English?"
Jonathan looked at Jennifer amused. "Your breeding."
"Well, I can and do ride both," Jennifer responded defiantly.
"Hello Mr. Hart," a young man said as Jonathan and Jennifer entered the stable.
"Good morning Mark. How are you?"
"Real good. Everything is ready. I saddled Buck and Taska..."
"I don’t want to ride a horse named Buck," Jennifer interrupted.
"It’s a misnomer. He’s the gentlest horse there ever was."
Jennifer approached the sleek chestnut colored horse called Taska. Letting the horse take in her scent, Jennifer then began to pet its nose. "That’s a pretty horse."
"Are you ready?" Jonathan asked.
"Yes. Give me a leg up?"
Jonathan helped Jennifer up on to the horse and then mounted his. They rode out of the stables, following a trail through the pine forest. They walked along for a while, admiring the scenery. In a meadow area, they decided to pick up the pace and cantered their horses across.
Jennifer moved ahead, giving Jonathan a chance to watch her. He marveled at how natural and beautiful she looked on the horse.
As they neared the lake, they dismounted and walked their horses until tying the reins loosely to a tree.
"This is absolutely gorgeous," Jennifer said looking across the mountain lake.
"It’s one of my favorite spots." Jonathan stood closely behind her. Her wonderful floral scent swirled around him. "It’s been over twelve hours since I kissed you. I was wondering if you might let me again."
Jennifer turned around. She smiled enticingly. "I thought you’d never ask." She put her arms around his neck as he pulled her by her waist towards him. He gave one quick, soft kiss before devouring her lips in a long, passionate kiss.
"Are you hungry?" Jonathan asked after he pulled away but continued to hold her in his arms.
Jennifer had a feral look on her face as her hungry thoughts were of Jonathan not food. "Yes."
Jonathan watched her, aware of the amorous glint in her eye. "Come on," he said grabbing the pack off his horse and setting up a picnic spot.
"My, someone has thought of everything. Caviar, champagne, Brie, French bread. You have a romantic streak in you Jonathan Hart."
"Only when inspired." He winked as he handed her some champagne.
After eating, Jennifer laid back lazily on the picnic blanket. "This is wonderful."
"I’m so glad you’re pleased." Jonathan rested back on his elbow, looking down on her.
"You are?" Jennifer asked looking up at him.
"Mmmm hmmm." Jonathan reached down with his free hand to brush a tendril of hair from Jennifer’s face.
Jennifer took his hand and kissed it. "You are quite a man, Jonathan Hart. To come from having so little to having it all…"
"I don’t have it all…yet." Jonathan entwined his fingers with hers.
"Really? What more could you possible want or need?"
"A family." The answer hit Jennifer in the heart. "You know a little bit of what it’s like to be alone. Your mom died and you went to boarding school." Jonathan recounted some of the family history Jennifer had shared with him.
Jennifer nodded lightly. "Yes, but I always went home for holidays and the summer. I traveled all over the world with my father."
"But in the school, it was just you. You understand then, what it was like for me. The orphanage was a year ‘round boarding school."
A twinge of sadness plucked Jennifer’s heart. Looking to his face, she realized he was not looking for pity or sympathy. He was doing what she had asked him to do the night before; share his heart.
"Yes." Her voice was soft as she lost herself in his eyes.
"I am what I am today because of Max. He is my family in a sense. But I am looking for someone to share more… intimately with…" Jonathan laughed at his choice of words. He didn’t mean a sexual intimacy although that’s how he was afraid he sounded. "A soul mate of sorts." He looked down at Jennifer who didn’t respond. She was too caught up in the essence of him to really hear what he was saying.
"So are you going to kiss me again or what?" She finally said.
Jonathan laughed. "You don’t need to ask me twice." He leant over to kiss her.
"Oh yeah?" Jennifer said as their lips lingered millimeters apart. "Prove it." Jonathan’s lips devoured Jennifer’s with a hunger neither had ever experienced. Jennifer ran her fingers through his thick soft hair, pulling him closer. She lost herself in the taste of him, the feel of his mouth consuming hers.
Jonathan let his hand roam, lightly brushing the swell of her breast, the curve of her waist, the soft flesh of her buttocks. He pulled her to him so she could feel his desire for her.
A moan escaped Jennifer as his kiss sent fire through her body, burning most hotly between her legs. Instinctively, her body arched to his as he pulled her close and she could feel his response to her. He wanted her like she wanted him. What harm would there be? Although there was no future with him, he had proven he was a man of integrity. He respected her and desired her. Making love one time would be all right.
Jennifer’s heart ached. One time would never be enough. And she didn’t want to be the sort of woman who chased a man who didn’t want to settle down.
Jonathan neared the edge of control as Jennifer relinquished herself to him. God he wanted her. Her gasps as he cupped her breast in his hand, and how she clung to him when he pressed himself to her told him she was feeling it too. Surely, they could have this one day together. He wanted her but respected that her career was first in her life. He could let her go. Making love one time would be fine.
Jonathan’s heart broke. He wanted her, not just for a moment but forever, for always. But, he wouldn’t ask her give up her adventurous life to be a corporate wife.
As if on cue, they stopped and gazed at each other. Both were stunned at how close they’d come to abandoning their resolve. Jennifer smiled meekly. Jonathan swallowed hard. "I guess we should be getting back to the ranch."
"Yes, I guess you’re right," Jennifer responded.
"I need to take care of a couple of things in the cabin. You don’t mind waiting a bit before we leave do you?" Jonathan asked when they were back at the ranch.
"Not at all." As Jonathan took care of his business, Jennifer explored the cabin. She admired the rustic atmosphere of the log cabin. There was a wonderful front porch with hammock and a back deck over looking the valley.
Jennifer sighed as she glanced at the view from the living room window.
"Are you all right?" Jonathan asked.
"Yes. I just wish it could last longer." Jennifer hadn’t meant for Jonathan to hear the last part and panicked at the thought of revealing too much of her true desire.
"It can," he said standing close enough behind her that she could feel his breath on her ear. "We’ve got enough food for dinner and breakfast. We can watch the sunset from here, I can build a fire …"
"More info for the story?" Jennifer could feel the panic turn to something more libidinous but equally as frightening.
"I was thinking we could forget the story for one night. We can be two people who want to be together."
Jennifer felt dizzy with desire. She leaned back into Jonathan wanting to feel his warmth and strength. Jonathan slipped his arms around her belly, pulling her to him.
"Stay," he whispered into her ear and then kissed her neck. He knew it wasn’t right but his need to fully savor her, to get lost in her, to love her, overrode everything else.
Jennifer swallowed hard. She reached a hand up, running her fingers through his hair. "I don’t think this is fit to print anyway." She turned around and slid her arms around him. She knew the pain would be as intense as the joy but he had elicited feelings she never knew existed and her body and soul would not be denied.
Taking her cheeks in the palms of his hands, he pulled her lips to his in a desperate, hungry kiss that sent her reeling. He moved his mouth frantically over her lips, cheeks, and jaw until sliding them down to caress her neck. Jennifer met his urgency with her own as her hands explored his hard, firm body, pulling his shirt off in a single movement. His chest was even sexier than she had imagined with his broad shoulders, sculpted muscles and soft brown hair. She ran her fingers up his chest, feeling its strength and warmth. Leaning into him she caressed his chest with her lips. She could feel the shiver her touch sent through him. Like an explosion, their passion burst forth into needs; the need to taste, to touch, to join. With a frenzied urgency, they finished undressing each other and fell to the plush rug in the living room.
In one moment of calm, Jonathan stopped to admire her firm round breasts and long legs. Then admiration turned to greed he devoured her with his hands and mouth. Jennifer’s gasps only heightened his arousal, sending him closer and closer to madness.
Jennifer lost herself in Jonathan’s caress. Where he touched she burned, where he kissed she ached. Her thighs throbbed with need. She arched to him desperate for him to take her now.
Jonathan felt torn between his savage desire to plunder her body and wanting to take in and savor each part of her. His hands roamed, molding every inch of her.
Jennifer’s hands clung onto his shoulders, as his moist, warm mouth consumed her breasts. Jonathan searched and found the soft petals of her femininity, expertly caressing until she trembled and shuddered again and again from the agonizing pleasure. And yet he didn’t stop. All of Jennifer’s inhibitions were gone as Jonathan drove her from one violent peak to the next. Desperate for a reprieve, Jennifer grabbed him tighter and begged him to kiss her.
As he crushed his lips to hers, she reached to stroke his firm erection. A growl escaped Jonathan as she expertly massaged him to the brink of madness. Kneeling between her legs he teased her entrance with his hardness.
"Oh yes,..." Jennifer panted as his velvet softness taunted her.
Jonathan poised himself to slowly enter her but as he began to push, a flame so wild shot through his body and he had to feel her around him, now. With one forceful thrust he pushed himself in.
Jennifer cried out as a fire engulfed her body.
"Oh, God, Jennifer. Did I hurt you?" Jonathan panted trying to rein in his untamed desire for her.
"No," she gasped grabbing Jonathan and encouraging him to continue. "Please ... don’t stop." Jonathan began to move in deep, forceful thrusts. Her moist, tight warmth brought sensations he’d never experienced and he found that he was nearing the edge too quickly. He didn’t want it to end. He wanted to keep tasting and touching but his control was ebbing.
"I don’t think I can wait..." Jonathan confessed desperately trying to control his release.
"It’s ... okay..." Jennifer responded in gasps. Jonathan resumed his powerful rocking motion, moving in rapid thrusts. Jennifer dug her nails in his back as she exploded a final time in a downpour of fiery sensations.
Jonathan heard her call his name as he too headed over the edge into oblivion.
Jonathan was exhausted. Not wanting to crush her under his weight, he rolled over on his back pulling Jennifer on top of him. Still joined, he ran his fingers through her hair as she laid her head on his chest.
"You’re so beautiful," he said. It had never been like that before for him and he was dazed by the knowledge. Wanting to savor the moment he focused on the feel of her body entwined with his. He knew without a doubt that he loved her in a way he’d never love anyone else.
"I bet you say that to all the pretty ladies you bring to your hide-a-way," Jennifer said, kissing his chest.
"I’ve never brought anyone up here."
Jennifer’s head bounced up to look in his eyes. "Really?" Jonathan studied her face, wondering if she would understand the magnitude of what he was saying.
"Really."
At that moment, she felt the loss of her heart. "Not even Nikki?"
"Not even Nikki." They gazed at each other, searching each other’s eyes, and souls. The love he felt for her enveloped him. He rolled Jennifer over again so he was on top of her. It couldn’t be possible that he’d just had her and now he wanted her again. "I want to make love to you again," he said as he looked down on the tousled and ravaged woman he loved. "I promise to be more gentle this time."
"And what about the time after that?" Jennifer responded with a feral smile on her face.
Jonathan lay spooned around Jennifer as she slept. He couldn’t believe how good he felt. They had made love two more times throughout the night. The second time was more gentle and slow, allowing him to feel and taste every part of her. And the last time, was a treat as Jennifer led him on an erotic journey he’d never before experienced.
As he lay around her, they seemed to fit perfectly. It was a metaphor he decided. Max had been right; Jennifer was the one. The thought thrilled and excited Jonathan as he envisioned them traveling to exotic places, going on adventures, being together. His euphoria was interrupted by the memory of Jennifer’s comment about past relationships and her lack of desire for a corporate life. She believed men would hold her back. Jonathan knew he would never want to hold her back from her dreams and ambitions. He lived in Los Angeles and ran a conglomerate of over 20 companies. It limited what he could do... and would therefore limit her too. He would have to let her go. His heart ached at the thought. He pulled her close against him, to savor the time he could have with her.
Jennifer lay quietly in Jonathan’s warm, strong arms. She enjoyed the feeling of him wrapped around her. She couldn’t believe she gave into her primal urge and made love to him, not once but three times. She was surprised how unbridled his lovemaking was the first time, and lovingly slow and passionate it was the second. And, she thoroughly enjoyed being able to return the favor giving her a chance to feel and taste every part of his strong, sexy body.
She knew this kind of love would never happen with any other man, ever. He was a man who could live and love as deeply and passionately as she did. She pictured them together on safari in Africa, showing him the wonders of the bush and Mt. Kenya. Then they were off to Fiji for a romantic holiday before visiting Hong Kong. Her daydream was interrupted by the realization that she lived in New York and had a career that took her all over the world, while he lived in L.A. running a huge business empire. He didn’t have the luxury to leave on a whim. She would have to let him go. She snuggled in closer to him, relishing the wonderful moments they had left together.
Jonathan reached across the tangle of sheets, searching for Jennifer’s delectable body. His hand found emptiness. Last night couldn’t have been a dream, he thought as he opened his eyes and searched for her. Sitting up he caught a glimpse of her outside on the deck off the bedroom. Getting up, he looked around the room for his pants before remembering they were in the living room. Looking out again, he saw that Jennifer was wearing his shirt. There was something oddly wonderful about that. He grabbed his pants from the living room, stumbling to get them on as he headed back to the bedroom.
"Good morning," he said as he opened the sliding door to the deck.
"Ah, good morning." He saw her smile at him but beneath it he saw unease.
"Did you sleep all right?" He stood in front of her but something about her demeanor prevented him from taking her in his arms and kissing her, as he really wanted to do.
"Very well."
"Good." Regret. Was that what he saw? The thought of it hurt him more than he would have imagined.
"I was going to make some coffee but I couldn’t find any."
"I keep it in the freezer."
Jennifer could see Jonathan analyzing her. God she wanted to be held in his arms, to taste his lips, to feel him fill her. But the magic of the night had now given way to the reality of the day. She wasn’t good at good-byes and this one would be the toughest of her life. "Freezer. Right." She couldn’t look in his eyes so she turned to the view from the deck. "I leave tomorrow." She stated softly.
Jonathan paused for a moment. "Seems like you already have." He was surprised at the hurt and even anger that was lapping at him.
Jennifer turned quickly, taken aback by the turseness in his voice. "Please don’t make this harder than it is. We knew this would happen."
Jonathan sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "It was fun, nice knowing you… is that where we are now? And you accused me of engaging in meaningless sex."
"Jonathan." Her voice was a little more than a whisper. "It was more than that. So much more…" her voice trailed off. She leaned back against the railing and wrapped her arms around herself.
Jonathan placed his hands on her shoulders. "Saying good-bye now when we have 24 hours left isn’t going to make it any easier. In fact, I think it will be worse. To be with you and not touch you… Don’t push me out yet." It wasn’t his pleading or his nearness as much at it was her own desire and needs that caused her to reach for him. Once she did, she knew the next 24 hours would be the most wonderful and agonizing of her life.
After a morning of love and horseback riding, Jonathan and Jennifer drove back to Los Angeles, the sorrow of their inevitable parting hanging over them. Jonathan dropped Jennifer at the apartment so she could finish some last minute details of her work while he went to get take-out dinner.
"When is your flight?" Jonathan asked as he and Jennifer sat nestled together on the couch after eating.
"Six in the morning."
"That early."
"Yes. I’ll call a cab so you don’t have to worry about taking me to the airport."
"No. Max and I will pick you up. We’ll take you to the airport."
"Really, Jonathan, its fine. I know you have work to do." Jennifer wanted to end the agony of their parting as soon as possible.
"I want to take you. And I know Max will want to say good-bye."
Good-bye. The word hung between them. The most incredible days of their lives were about to end with no indication that they would see each other again. And so when Jonathan led her to the bedroom, their love was a mixture of ecstasy and torment. They devoured, savored and immersed themselves into each other wanting to find a way to make their joining last forever. Together they reached peak after peak until they were spent. And still they hungered for more, trying to fit a lifetime of love into one last night.
"I love you, Jennifer." She heard him whisper before sleep over took them both.
Jennifer checked her watch. Three in the morning. Carefully removing Jonathan’s arm from her belly, she got out of bed. Gathering her clothes, she quickly dressed. She looked down on Jonathan as he slept. Her heart felt it would burst, the love and pain were hammering so violently.
"I love you, Jonathan," she whispered. She hurried from the room and left the apartment before her tears could overtake her.
Jonathan opened his eyes to catch the last glimpse of her as she left. He thought about stopping her but at this point it would have been unfair, even torture. The emptiness consumed him as the sound of the front door closed behind her.
