Chapter 28

The plane ride to Turks and Caicos was uneventful. Jon, Frannie and Tico discussed the show and Frannie discovered that Tico had purchased two of her pieces and he inquired about her maybe doing a show at his gallery. Frannie didn’t know what to say. “Are you serious Tico?” He nodded his head, “absolutely Querida. Your work is wonderful.” By the time they landed in Florida to let Tico off they had made plans to have a conference with Joanne at the Alliance to try to set something up. As they took off again Jon asked Frannie again about the money she had received the prior evening. “You know, you never really answered my question this morning about you giving all the money away.”

Frannie sighed, could she make him understand? She turned in her seat to face him, “I was serious about giving it away Jon. I’m going to put some away for Sophie, but I don’t need it. I have always given the bulk of the proceeds away to the local woman’s shelter, but…” she trailed off. Jon urged her on, “but what?” Frannie had given this part a lot of thought and she just hoped it would go over well with him. “I’d like to split the money between two charities this time; half to the women’s shelter and the other half to the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation.” She held her breath and waited as he processed what she had just said. He took her hand “that’s very generous of you but you know you could pick any charity, why mine?”

She studied him for a minute, “because what you do with the Soul helps the entire community. You give people hope for the future and I would like to be a part of that, if only with a monetary donation. I also like to think that the women I help at the shelter benefit from what you do through Project H.O.M.E. and Habitat.” Jon kissed her, “if that’s what you want to do, I really can’t stop you. But I will say thank you for your generosity.” Frannie smiled at him, “it is what I want and you’re welcome.” They talked the rest of the way and Jon learned that Frannie had been an only child and her parents and grandparents were all gone, leaving Frannie a wealthy woman. “I have more than I need” she told him softly, “that’s why I give what I make from my paintings away.”

They were still talking when the plane landed. It was late afternoon and the sun was shining as they made their way from the airport to their villa on Parrot Cay Estates, a private expanse that Jon had booked instead of the resort hotel. The villa took Frannie’s breath. It had three bedrooms, living room, full kitchen, dining room; direct access to the beach, there was an outdoor dining area, private swimming pool, and a view beyond compare. Looking out at the beach, it was hard for Frannie to discern where the water stopped at the horizon and the sky started. She turned excitedly to Jon, “can we go to the beach?” He laughed at her exuberance. “Sure, let’s just get our suits on.” Frannie ran into their bedroom and had just found hers when Jon came in, “got it, be right back” she said with a smile as she went into the bathroom. Jon just shook his head and searched out his trunks.

Frannie and Jon headed to the beach, Geena having stayed back with Sophie. Jon took her hand as they walked, enjoying the sounds of the surf and the feel of the sun-warmed sand under their feet. Frannie sighed as they walked. “Everything okay baby?” Jon had heard the sigh and was curious as to what brought it on. They stopped walking and she turned to face him, taking his other hand in hers. “Everything is wonderful Jon. I feel more relaxed than I have in a very long time.” She brought his hands to her mouth, kissing the backs of them lightly, “thank you.” Jon pulled his hands from hers and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close, “don’t thank me baby, just enjoy it.” Frannie kissed his cheek, “I intend to.” They continued on their walk, closer to the waters edge letting the tide crash up over their feet. It seemed as if they had the entire beach to themselves, they didn’t see any other people as they headed back to their villa.

The sun had started to set as they returned to their villa. Geena had Sophie playing on the floor and Jon went to change as Frannie joined them. They ordered dinner from room service, not wanting to venture out to one of the resort restaurants, content to stay in the villa. Frannie fed Sophie and put her to bed and before the food arrived she showered and slipped into a light sundress. Geena took her meal to her room and left Jon and Frannie alone. They decided to dine outside and enjoy the evening air.

The stars were out in full force as they sat enjoying the Mediterranean fare and light wine. Jon got up and, having docked his ipod earlier, queued up a little light jazz as they ate. “It’s so beautiful here.” Frannie looked around, trying to take everything in; she was going to have to draw this later. Jon was only looking at her, “I’m sure enjoying the view.” She turned her gaze to him, finding him staring at her intently and she felt her face heat up. “I was talking about the view out there” she gestured toward the beach. Jon took her hand across the table, “I wasn’t. You’re beautiful Frannie. Thank you for coming here with me.” He tugged her hand and she got up only to be pulled down onto his lap. He had wanted her alone all afternoon and now that they were, the last thing he wanted to do was eat.

With dinner forgotten, his lips sought hers as his hand ran up her bare leg, under the hem of her dress, resting on her thigh. The kiss was long and slow, their tongues teasing and tantalizing. Frannie could feel him growing hard under her and she eased from the kiss, panting lightly. His lips were busy on her neck and she shivered when he found the sensitive spot at the hollow between her neck and shoulder. “Jon” she tried, “hmmm” he looked up at her.

She made a move to get up off his lap and he held her tight. “Where’re you going?” Taking his hands in hers she rose; “move your chair.” He readjusted and she sat on his lap again, straddling him this time.

Jon’s hands roamed up and down Frannie’s back, one hand tangling in the dark mass of her hair and tugging gently, drawing her head back so he had better access to her neck. As his hot mouth trailed across her skin, Frannie could feel the hard length of him pressing at her. She moved her hips, undulating against him and felt him grow even harder under her. She reached between them and unbuttoned his shirt, stroking her hands across the skin she had bared, teasing the hard points of his nipples with her nails. He shrugged out of the shirt and, finding the hem of her dress, slid it up and off, dropping it to the ground. His eyes widened at the sight of her naked on his lap. “You weren’t wearing anything under there?” She shook her head, “nope.” His mouth found hers again, “are you going to tease me like that all week?” She returned the kiss, hungrily, “I just may.” She moved against him again and his hands busied themselves with her breasts, “baby” he breathed against her, “move a minute?”

He helped Frannie stand and he dropped his shorts to the ground, his erection standing proud between them. “Come here” he took her hand and pulled her close. His mouth came down on hers again, and he sat back down pulling her onto his lap again and she took him in one long smooth stroke. “God Jon” she breathed, nearly coming right then.

“Baby, you feel so good” he murmured against her as she started to move. His hands traveled over her, resting on her hips. He met each of her strokes with a thrust of his own, but it was enough. He slid to the edge of the chair and stood with her in his arms and laid her on the chaise. She wrapped her legs around him and he drove into her. He could feel her start to tighten around him, “let go baby, let it go.” She cried out as her orgasm rushed through her. She threw her head back, arching into his thrusts, dragging him with her.

They lay on the chaise cradled together, chests heaving, trying to drag breath into their lungs. “I don’t think I can move” Frannie sighed. Jon chuckled, “I know I can’t.” He wrapped his arm around her, “we can’t stay out here all night though you know.” Frannie turned her head to kiss him, “I know, but a few minutes won’t hurt, right?” When Frannie opened her eyes again, the moon had moved and the stars were starting to wink out. “Jon” she whispered into the night. “Hmmm.” Frannie nudged him, “Jon, we fell asleep.” He blinked his eyes open, “what, oh shit. I didn’t mean to fall asleep baby.” Frannie stroked his arm that was still wrapped around her, “it’s okay, but maybe we should go inside.” Jon nodded and started to rise, “okay baby, let’s go to bed.”