Chapter 104

The flight to their next destination went smoothly and Ciara sighed, relieved that they had settled Ksenia into her bed without any hiccups.

Jesse was a bundle of boundless energy on the plane but by the time they have arrived the little boy was pooped, nodding sleepily on Ciara’s lap as she waited for Jon to join them.

The two men exited Ksenia’s bedroom and for the first time in what seemed like years, they smiled.

“I take it Ksenia is getting better?” She smiled hopefully.

“Yep, all the signs are there. She is going to be weak for quite some time but she is definitely on the mend.” Richie looked deathly tired.

Jon took the dead weight of his son from her lap and she stood up.

“Why don’t I keep watch over Ksenia tonight and you to get some much needed sleep? You have a show in a few days and you look like a zombie Richie. No offence.” She brushed a quick look Jon’s way. He looked well rested and as handsome as sin. Nothing seemed to faze him...ever!

For her trouble she received a drop dead gorgeous flash of pearlies. Man! This guy played havoc on her senses. She hated herself as she felt the slow lick at her core, trying to ignore the tug of want emerging from within her femininity.

“You are a sweetheart! Are you sure you want to do this? She can get quite feisty when she gets feverish.” Richie seemed unsure.

“Of course I’m sure! If something goes wrong, I’ll call you. I promise.”

“Well sweet heaven! I’m going to kill my bed tonight! Jon can I bunk at your place tonight? If I have to sleep on the couch one more time...”

“My hotelroom is empty. Why don’t you stay in mine for the night?”, Ciara offered.

Richie took one giant step towards her and left a loud smack on her forehead.

“You are an angel in disguise. Thank you Sweetie!”

Ciara giggled at his unexpected display of affection.

She had met he first gentle giant.

“You are most welcome sir.” She squeezed his arm.

A low rumble turned their heads in unison.

Jon swiftly cleared his throat, heading towards the door. A burrow between his eyebrows darkened his face.

“I’m going to get my boy to bed. See you all in the morning.”

“G’night Jon.”

~~~

Ciara stepped from the shower, towelling herself vigorously she felt her skin tingle all over. She wished this dreaded nausea spells she experienced these last couple of days would ease up or disappear all together. Her appetite was out of whack and for some absurd reason she craved something, hell knows what it was! She had tried sweet, salty, sour and spicy and none of it could appease this silly craving.  Ciara walked into the bedroom.

Ksenia was sleeping so peacefully, she had decided to clear her tired mind by taking a quick shower, dressing in her nighties and warm fuzzy gown.

There was a long night ahead of her, so she brought her book with, the best companion for a lonely night ahead.

Ciara winched as she settled into the oversized chair in the room. Her muscles felt stiff and unyielding for some reason. Her queasy stomach demanded food but she knew the moment she tried something, she’ll feel sick again. The only explanation could be that she was coming down with something and Ciara sent a quick prayer up to heaven, hoping that whatever Ksenia had wasn’t contagious.

With a steamy cup of hot chocolate and a packet of biscuits, Ciara snugged into the chair, she flipped open the book, ready to disappear into the world of fantasy and romance.

Ciara must have nodded off and she jumped slightly. Something had woken her, what it was, she wasn’t sure.

Her book was lying on the floor and she smiled, convinced that it was the culprit that woke her.

Ksenia jerked on the bed and Ciara stood up, moving towards the bed.

Her head was thrashing from side to side. Her face distorted into a mask of fear.

“No!....I’m sorry...so sorry...please don’t hurt me. Don’t put me in with them! Please no!” Her hands came up in defence, her tiny voice raising the hair on Ciara’s neck.

 Brushing the back of her hand over Ksenia’s forehead she felt the definite presence of fever again.

Racing towards the bathroom she returned with cold cloths, her voice soothing the pleading girl.

“Sshhhhh...its alright now. You have a fever again, its just bad dreams. Its ok now...” she wiped the burning forehead.

“You have to get out before they get you too.” Ciara gasped as she stared into glassy eyes of her friend. Naked fear shone from the dilated pupils.

“We are in a hotelroom Sweetie. Nothing is going to get us. We are safe.” She whispered softly while her hand stroked.

“Only Jon and Richie can protect us. They will come for us. I  don’t want them to hurt me again. See what they do?” She was wrenching on the bandage at her wrist.

“No, Ksenia. Don’t do that. You are going to hurt yourself.”

Ksenia yanked at the bandage and Ciara sit back in shock.

Two puncture wounds jumped out at her. Blood started to wiggle down her skin.

Something oppressive enveloped Ciara and she shivered in fear. Grabbing the bandage she kept herself busy by winding it back where it belonged. 

“We are safe here. Everything is just fine. Jon and Richie won’t let anything happen to us.”

“They won’t let them take me back. They promised.” She turned onto her side, she had calmed down quite a bit but Ciara could feel her fever radiating from her body.

“No they won’t. Jon and Richie will keep their word.” Ciara had no idea what they were talking about but just by mentioning Jon and Richie’s names she seemed to calm down quite a bit.

“Will you please stroke my back? It hurts so bad.” Ksenia stared at her with feverish eyes.

Ciara sat on the edge of the bed. Gliding her hand over the girl’s back she bit back a sob as she felt the ripple of spasms gripping Ksenia’s back muscles.

The girl had quieted down but Ciara kept stroking, kneading softly, easing the tight knots.

Ksenia’s words played over and over in her mind; it haunted her until she broke into soft sobs.

 “Do you want me to take over?”

Ciara’s head snapped up as she stared at Jon. It almost seemed as if he had come out of the shadows.

“Where...?”                                                                             

“I couldn’t sleep so I thought I’ll check up on you two, seems like I’ve arrived just in time.” His face was trained on her tear streaked cheeks.

“She’s running a bit of a fever again and she has these awful muscle spasms.” She sat back to display the rippling muscles on the girl’s back.

Jon’s eyes grew hard.

“There should be some strong painkillers in her medicine bag. Why don’t you get it for her?”

Ciara went in search for the painkillers. Coming back a few minutes later she was about to announce her failure in finding the meds when she stopped dead in her tracks.

Jon’s hands were cupping the girl’s fragile face, staring into her eyes intently, he whispered gently to her in a language she had never heard before.

Mesmerised at the scene before her she almost felt guilty when his eyes turned her way.

“I..I couldn’t find the painkillers. I looked everywhere.”

Tucking the girl in like a small child, he smiled her way. His eyes gentle, his lips pulled into a slight grin.

“She won’t be needing it after all. I think she will have a good night after this.” He stood up from the bed, closing the distance between them.

Ciara could feel her heart galloping in her ears as she watched him coming closer. Her being was pulled towards him and all she could do was watch...wait...

His breath brushed over her face as she spoke, his eyes drew her in, captured her.

“You haven’t eaten yet.”

His voice rippled down her spine.

“I had a few biscuits...”

“That’s not a meal Ciara. You have to look after yourself. Do you want me to get you something to eat?”

Ciara was lost in the sapphire jewels so close to her face, she could almost imagine the taste of his lips.

“Ciara...” his voice was a growly warning.

She blinked and took a step backwards.

“I...I’m not really hungry.” Only for you.

“Don’t say things like that!” He stepped closer.

“I didn’t....” Ciara panicked, taking another step backwards, she found herself flush with the cold wall against her back.

Jon hadn’t missed a step and was now pushed up against her, caging her between the cold wall and the warmth of his body.

“I’m hungry for you. God knows its wrong but I can’t help myself anymore...” his voice brushed her senses.

His thumb stroked the fullness of her lower lip, the rest of his fingers capturing her head to bring it closer to him.

As if her body knew him, she melted into his hardness, surrendering to his onslaught.

His tongue slipped past her parted lips, delving hungrily into her mouth, it explored, claimed.

Ciara’s hands found the springy bangs of his hair, stroking slowly, she cupped his nape, holding him so close to her.

The kiss was devastating to her senses, scorching every nerve ending. It left her shaky when he eventually pulled away.

Realisation dawned as his touch fell away. Her cheeks flared with embarrassment and without thinking she slapped him good and hard.

Shock and anger flashed in his eyes and she held her breath, suddenly terrified at the violence she saw there.

“I don’t kiss married men. Don’t ever manhandle me like that again.”

“From where I stood this was mutual. You’re only fooling yourself, no one else , but let me warn you, don’t ever do that again Ciara. EVER. I will not be held responsible for what I do to you if you ever slap me again.” He stepped back, his eyes flashing dangerously.

Ciara sagged against the wall. An icy breeze gusted through the room and when she looked up she was alone.