"Are you ready?"
"I think so."
"You’re going to do just fine."
"I hope so."
"Trust me."
Jennifer sighed for what seemed like the millionth time that day.
Jonathan gave her a confident smile. They were both seated on the sofa, and Jonathan had briefed Jennifer once again as to what she should say. Now, it was a matter of her picking up the phone and dialing,
"All right," she said finally, and she picked up the receiver of the phone on the coffee table. She dialed D.J.’s number. Jonathan made his way to the desk and waited to pick up the receiver of the phone on top of it.
It rang three times with no answer. "Maybe he’s not there," Jennifer said, hopefully.
Jonathan was beginning to agree with her when her eyes signaled he had answered. She nodded and Jonathan picked up the extension as Jennifer said, "Hello…it’s Jennifer."
"Hi," the man’s voice said. Jennifer could hear the pleasure and surprise in his voice.
"Hi…I…uh…I got your package," Jennifer stammered, feeling extremely nervous.
"Good," he responded, "I can’t wait to see you again."
"I can’t wait either," Jennifer managed to say, knowing that was expected response.
"So nothing’s wrong?" he said. "I mean, I didn’t really expect to hear from you."
"I just called to let you know it arrived," Jennifer answered.
"Oh, okay. I was afraid you were going to tell me he wouldn’t let you go to France."
Jennifer knew who the "he" D.J. referred to was. "No, no problem there." Now came the tricky part, as she continued, "Actually, I was kind of hoping we could get together before that." She looked at Jonathan who nodded his approval.
"You were?’ he asked, sounding surprised. "What about…him?"
Jennifer was hoping he’d refer to Jonathan by a name. She wasn’t sure if D.J. viewed him as her husband, Jonathan Hart, or as her fiancé, Mark Vincent. She still didn’t know.
"He just called me from work," she said, deciding not to take any chances on using his name. "He’s got to fly to New York on some business. He leaves tomorrow evening and won’t be back until late Sunday." She paused, then added, " I was hoping you could come over here."
Jonathan beamed at her. She was doing great. Now, if this guy would only take the bait.
The man’s voice was hesitant. "I wasn’t counting on that," he said. "I mean, I’ve already got the plans made for Paris."
"I know," Jennifer responded, "and I’m still going. It’s just…well, we had a fight, and I’m so tired of fighting."
The man chuckled. "I see," he answered. "I can understand that. And I’m ready to get together too."
"So what do you say?" Jennifer asked, trying to sound as enthusiastic as she could.
"All right," he replied. "But you’ll have to wait until Wednesday morning. I’ve got some things to get ready."
Jennifer glanced at Jonathan who gave her a confirming nod. "That’ll be just fine," she told D.J.
"What about that other guy?" the man asked, as if the thought had just occurred to him. "The old guy?
"That’s no problem," Jonathan had rehearsed her on that too. "He started his vacation today, and is leaving tomorrow night for a week long fishing trip."
"So, they’re both going to be gone tomorrow night?"
Jennifer’s heart fluttered. She didn’t like the eager way he had said that. "Yes," she replied simply.
"Good," he said then. "Wednesday morning will be perfect."
Jennifer paused, then said, "Okay, I’ll see you then."
"Now, Jennifer," he said then, his voice taking on an ominous tone.
"Yes?"
"If anything changes, you have to call me right away. I don’t want anything messing this up. Do you understand?"
"Perfectly," Jennifer answered, her voice flat.
He must have noticed her emotionless tone. "Don’t worry, My Love," he said, his voice much softer. "We’ll be together soon."
"Okay," Jennifer responded, not knowing what else to say.
"Goodbye for now, My Love."
"Goodbye." Jennifer hung up the phone, and Jonathan did the same.
Neither of them spoke for a moment, then Jonathan said, "Well, it looks like it worked."
"Yes," Jennifer agreed. "If he sticks to what he says he’ll do."
Jonathan nodded. "Even if he does try to pull a surprise, we’ll be ready for him. Herschel knows what’s going on; Max knows his part…it’s going to be okay." He slid his arms around her.
Jennifer accepted the kiss he gave her, then pulled back for a second. "It’s a good thing I trust you," she said with a smile.
He smiled his easy charming smile, the one that rarely failed to melt her heart. "Yes, it is," he said.
She laughed and kissed him. The kiss started out affectionately, but grew deeper as Jennifer suddenly found herself very hungry for him. Jonathan responded immediately, his hands pulling her closer to him.
When the kiss ended finally, the air crackled between them. "I’ve missed that," Jonathan whispered.
"So have I."
"I’d like to continue, but I really need to call Herschel and tell him how the phone call went. He’ll be going off duty soon." The look he gave her was full of regret.
"That’s all right," Jennifer responded. "I’ll got tell Max how it went, then I’ll meet you upstairs."
He brightened visibly. "It’s a date," he said. He stole another kiss before picking up the receiver.
When the Harts came down for dinner, their mood was much changed. They were in much higher spirits than Max had seen them for a few days. It did his heart good to see it.
After dinner, Jennifer suggested they play rummy and Jonathan and Max readily agreed. The evening flew by as they joked and talked. When it was finally time for bed, Jennifer gave Max a warm hug. "Thanks, Max," she whispered in his ear.
"For what?" he asked, surprised.
"For being another guy I can always count on," she replied sweetly. Max just beamed as Jonathan slipped an arm around her waist and led her upstairs.
"How about a shower?" Jonathan asked, as they undressed.
"Now, why do I feel like that’s a loaded statement?" Jennifer asked, even as she felt his arms encircling her.
"Probably, because it is," Jonathan admitted with a laugh.
"I thought so." He kissed the back of her neck, sending shivers up and down her spine.
"So how about it?" he whispered, tickling her ear with his breath.
"Now, how can I resist that?" Jennifer responded, her voice filled with pleasure. For tonight, she was willing to forget about what was coming up the next couple of days.
"You can’t," he returned, after nipping her neck. He turned the water on, and they finished undressing silently, each lost in their own, similar thoughts.
Jonathan stepped in the shower first, and gallant as ever, stepped back so Jennifer could absorb the warmth of the water. For a moment, they teased themselves and each other, soaping and rinsing their own arms and shoulders.
When Jennifer started on her torso, however, Jonathan reached for her hand. He gently took the soap from her saying, "Let me do that for you."
Jennifer leaned back against him, giving him the green light. Jonathan gently washed over her stomach, his fingers touching as much skin as the soap was. He kissed the curve of her shoulder as she closed her eyes and sighed contentedly.
Jonathan’s fingers worked their way up the flat plane of her belly, over her midriff, and up to her breasts, covering her with a thick lather. The soap slipped from his fingers and fell to the tile, but neither of them noticed. His hands continued to massage the soft mounds of flesh.
Jennifer reached behind him, and rubbed his thigh, wordlessly thanking him for his efforts. As his fingers grew more erotic however, her own questing hand did the same, and she firmly grasped his erection, stroking him at a maddening pace. His breaths grew ragged in her ear.
Jonathan urged her to move forward a bit, letting the hot water rinse the soap from her body. His lips played a symphony on her neck and shoulders, as his hands sought retaliation for the torment she was inflicting on him. They played over her nipples one more time, before moving downward to plunge between her thighs. He found her slick and wet and she was suddenly the one having troubles breathing.
They continued like that for a few minutes, until Jennifer was feeling her legs grow rubbery beneath her. Jonathan felt her sag against him, and his fingers ceased their movements. The last thing he needed was for her to slip and fall.
Jennifer immediately felt a pit in her stomach from the absence of his hand, but it didn’t last long. Jonathan had no intention of quitting. He turned their bodies, then put her hands on her shoulders, urging her to bend forward. He ran his hands over her smooth shoulders and back, and then Jennifer felt his hardness at the opening to her body. She relaxed her thighs obligingly, and he slid deep inside her. Gripping her by the hips, he began an easy rhythm, almost leisurely in its tempo.
He reached incredible depth in that position, and his strokes stretched and released the hood of Jennifer’s pleasure center in a most distracting manner. It was long before she felt the tickle of her rapidly approaching climax. One of Jonathan’s hands slid beneath her to rub her clitoris, but she was already flying at that point, her heart pounding as she flew over the top. A long hiss escaped her lips.
Jonathan paused for a second, letting her calm down before he continued his thrusting. Jennifer put her hands against the wall of the shower, giving him full access to her. His hands moved from her hips to her breasts. He leaned down, covering her body with his as his own climax approached. Presently, he was burying his face in the nape of her neck to muffle his exclamations of pleasure. He held her like that for a little while longer, allowing their senses to return to them, then he straightened up, his manhood slipping from her body.
Jennifer turned to give him a kiss, feeling refreshed somehow. They finished showering before heading to bed.
Jonathan had invited Herschel Gray to join them for breakfast the next morning. The plan he had come up with hinged on a number of factors, and although Jonathan had been over it with Jennifer and Max several times, he had to make sure the lieutenant knew his part.
"You want some more eggs, Lieutenant?" Max asked.
"Thanks, Max," Herschel replied, holding up his plate for a refill. "They’re pretty good."
Herschel was a master of understatement, so Max considered this a genuine compliment. He beamed as he served Herschel.
"Herschel," Jonathan said then, "we want to thank you for helping us out. I appreciate your trusting me in this."
"I want this over just as much as you do," Herschel replied.
"Thanks," Jonathan said. "We realize you’re kind of sticking your neck out for us."
"How are you going to explain catching a criminal when there isn’t a crime?" Jennifer asked.
"Don’t worry about it, Jennifer," came the response. "I’m off-duty tonight and tomorrow. I’ll just happen to be visiting with some friends when the guy shows up. I’m sure he’ll commit plenty of crimes just once he gets here. Or attempts to, anyway."
Jennifer nodded with a smile. She considered Herschel a very loyal friend.
"I’m going to the office for a couple hours," Jonathan said. "I’ve got a couple of meetings tomorrow that I’ve got to reschedule. Do you have any questions, Herschel?"
"No, I’ve got it," the lieutenant replied. "I’ll see you later this afternoon."
"I’ll walk you out, Darling," Jennifer said, standing with Jonathan. Jonathan put his arm around her, and they left the kitchen.
"More eggs, Lieutenant?" Max asked.
Herschel held his plate up. "Thanks, Max," he responded.
