ONE

Jon grinned as he pulled the Mercedes into a right-hand turn at the designated exit.  He glanced sideways at Cate and saw her confused expression.  Clearly his plan was a success.  At least so far.

“Better shut your mouth before a bug flies in there,” he teased, turning his head toward her so she could see his smug smirk.

“What the… Jon?  Why are we at the airport?”  Remembering his warning, Cate pressed her lips gently together so she was no longer gaping slack-jawed in surprise.

“We’re going to dinner.”

“At Teterboro Airport?”

“No, silly.  I have a little more class than that.”  Jon gave Cate a cheerful wink.  “I’m taking you someplace special.  But it’s a ways away, so it’s a helluva lot quicker to fly.”

Cate turned her head to look out the window as Jon guided the Benz along the road to the charter hangar.  Jon could practically see the wheels turning in her brain as she considered the possibilities of their destination.  He chuckled, reasonably sure she wouldn’t guess where he was taking her.

“How much quicker?”  Cate couldn’t hide the coy curiosity in her tone.

Jon laughed.  “Oh no you don’t, Nancy Drew.  I’m not giving you any clues.  You’ll just have to be surprised for once.”

“Baby, you surprise me all the time.  I never know what the hell to expect from you.”  Cate gave Jon a little smirk, accentuating the gentle jab.

Jon pulled the Mercedes into a spot near the client entrance to the hangar, put it in park, then grinned at Cate.  “Good.  Somebody’s gotta keep you on your toes.  Now let’s go, we have a plane waiting.”

*****

“Okay, Baby... Seriously.  I think you’re beginning to enjoy this whole intrigue bit a little too much.”  Cate raised a hand to trace her fingertips over the silk scarf tied across her eyes.  “You seem to want to blindfold me all the time now.”

Jon chuckled dirtily.  “What’s not to like?  In fact, I think we should make it a regular thing.”  He gave Cate’s hand a gentle squeeze and leaned over to nuzzle at her neck.  “I kinda dig you being all submissive.”

“I bet you do.”  Cate smiled through her mock annoyance.  She was actually a little turned on herself, wondering what romantic adventure Jon had in store for her this time.  She had been surprised when they detoured to Teterboro, and shocked when Jon pulled two overnight bags from the trunk of the Benz before ushering her to the small chartered jet. 

Cate had playfully declared she was going to figure out the mystery of their destination in a matter of minutes, and she had subtly mined for clues in her conversations with the pilot and flight attendant.  But Jon had prepared well; each of those sources had only laughed in response to her sly inquisitions and given her pat and unrevealing answers. 

As they began their descent toward landing after almost two hours of flight time, Jon had produced Cate’s black and grey Kenneth Cole scarf and gently ordered her to “behave.”  Enjoying the game and not wanting to ruin Jon’s carefully-planned surprise Cate had willingly acquiesced, allowing him to blindfold her for the remainder of the flight.   Her impairment made for an awkward deplaning, but Jon had carefully guided her to the waiting car and settled her in the comfortable backseat with a kiss and a whispered promise that all would soon be revealed.

Now, twenty minutes later, Cate could feel the car snaking slowly along winding roads.  She could tell they had gone south; the air was warmer and heavier, laden with humidity.  She also knew they were near water; when they had stepped off the plane the salty tang of the ocean mingled with a light floral aroma in the air.  Cate sighed happily and tipped her head against Jon’s shoulder.

“Are we there yet?” she asked playfully.

Her question was met with a throaty chuckle.  “Actually… yeah.  I can see the restaurant up ahead.  Patience, woman.”

Cate giggled at his reply and turned her head to nip at Jon’s shoulder.  “I’m not good with patience.  Neither are you.”

“No shit.  Now stop biting me or I’ll have to screw you right here in the back of the car instead of waiting until after dinner.”

“Hmmm.”  Cate smirked playfully.  “Actually I’m not that hungry…”  She unlaced her fingers from Jon’s and slid her hand across his taut thigh, curling her fingers down between his legs.  She giggled when she felt him tense.

“Cocktease,” Jon’s throaty murmur beside her ear made Cate laugh.   She could tell from his response against her hand that she had achieved the desired reaction. “And don’t worry, I have plans for you later.”

“I look forward to it.”  Cate flexed her fingers against Jon’s inner thigh before withdrawing them and again slipping her hand into his.  She felt the car drift to a stop, then heard Jon thank the driver and confirm that their bags would be taken care of. 

Cate waited patiently while Jon exited the car and rounded it to help her out her door, her blindfold remaining in place.  As she stood she felt a gentle breeze swirl around her, ruffling her skirt and her hair.  She drew in a deep breath and smiled at the heavy scent of magnolias on the sea breeze.  Yes, they were definitely somewhere in the South.

“You’re not gonna make me wear this thing into the restaurant, are you?” Cate asked, again raising her hand to her satin-shielded eyes.  “I’ll look like an idiot.  Plus, how many people do you think will be snapping photos of Mister Big Shot Rock Star leading his wife around blind?”

Cate felt Jon’s hands on her hips as he moved up behind her, then she heard his honeyed-whiskey chuckle in her ear.  “Jeez, we wouldn’t want that, would we?”  His hands moved to the back of her head, tugging gently at the knotted silk there.  “Okay, Baby.  Ready?”

“Hell yes.”

Cate’s lids involuntarily fluttered as Jon pulled the scarf from across her eyes, letting in the dusky early-evening light.  She felt her hair stir with the breeze as she blinked, her vision adjusting.  When her eyes focused on the sight in front of her they widened.

Jon grinned at Cate’s gasp of surprise.  He again rested his hands on her waist, gently bracing her as she wobbled a bit on her high heels.  “It’s been awhile.”

“Oh, Jon…” The two syllables were all Cate could get out as her heart swelled with emotion.  She could hardly believe they were standing here, in front of this place that was full of romantic nostalgia.

Jon chuckled and pressed a kiss against Cate’s ear.  “I wanted someplace where we could be alone, not be bothered.  This just seemed like the right place, back here where it all started.”  He slipped his arms around Cate’s waist, hugging her gently.

Cate blinked back happy tears as she stared at the stately old mansion.  Jon had brought her back to her favorite restaurant on Saint Simons Island, Delaney’s.  Almost two years ago their romance had begun when Jon surprised her with a private dinner on the veranda of this lovely establishment. The weekend that followed had been one of the most amazing in Cate’s entire life.  She softly cleared her throat and chuckled.  “A return to the scene of the crime, huh?”

Jon’s gentle laugh in her ear almost made Cate’s knees buckle.  “You could say that.”  He gave her another squeeze.  “Now, are we gonna stand out here all night or are we gonna go in and eat?”

Cate shifted sideways in Jon’s arms, looking over her shoulder to meet his gaze.  “Is there pie?”

“Of course.”  Jon grinned proudly, remembering his special request for the restaurant’s famous Key Lime Pie.

“Then what are we waiting for?”  Cate turned in Jon’s embrace and kissed him lightly.  “I’m hungry!”

Jon laughed and took Cate’s hand, then led her toward the front door.