“Yes, Ma’am,” Jon grinned, offering his hand to Cate.  She gently slid her fingers across his palm, then rose from her seat.  Jon chuckled as she wobbled a bit unsteadily on the 4-inch heels of the sexy shoes.  “You can’t wear those when we go out together,” he teased.  “You’ll make me look short.”  In the platform pumps Cate was at least a good inch taller than he was.

Cate wrinkled her nose at Jon in a playful sneer.  “Why on earth not?  It’s not my fault you’re vertically challenged.  Besides, where else would I wear these gorgeous shoes, besides out on the town with my Rock Star husband?”

Jon grinned at her playful petulance and tugged on her hand, causing Cate to teeter again on the heels, bumping against him.  He slipped his arms around her waist, hugging her gently against his body.  “You could wear them at home, when we’re alllllllll alone.  In our bedroom.”  He nuzzled at Cate’s throat.  “They match your panties, you know.”

Cate giggled softly and let herself melt against Jon.  “Yeah, they do.”  She sighed as his lips stroked gently over hers for a long minute.  “Okay,” she breathed when the kiss ended.  “Time to play dress-up.”

With another playful smooch Jon nodded and released Cate from his embrace, then led her by the hand toward the dressing room.  He chuckled again as he felt her hesitate, then step down as she kicked off the purple pumps.  “I’ll practice wearing them later,” she giggled.

“I’m gonna hold you to that,” Jon warned her with a devilish waggle of his brows.

“I’d expect nothing less,” Cate countered with a smile.  She giggled softly to herself as she followed Jon into the huge dressing room.  Together they stopped in front of the two racks of clothing arranged against one wall of the luxurious salon.

“So, did Mena pick out anything I’ll actually like?”  Jon grinned to himself, knowing what Cate’s answer would be.

“I think so.”  Cate reached forward to push several hangers along the bar, sighing softly as her fingertips slid over leather and suede and cotton and silk.  “It’s pretty much all black, so you should be happy.”

Jon laughed softly at her tease.  She was always bugging him about wearing more color, instead of the rock-music wardrobe staple.  “There’s a little color here.  I like this green shirt.”  He pulled a hanger from the rack.  “Bet it would look great under my black leather jacket.”

Cate snorted.  “Which one?  Black Leather Jacket Number Hundred-Eighty-Nine?” 

Jon grinned and shook his head playfully.  “No.  Number One-Thirty-Two.  Smartass.”  He swatted playfully at Cate’s behind.  “And you’re wearing a Muppet draped across your tits, remember?  So you have no room to lecture me on fashion, Dirty Harriet.”  He chuckled as he zinged Cate with the nickname she had acquired years ago from her male colleagues.

“Yeah, yeah. But you like my Muppet.”  Cate gave Jon a coy sideways glance. 

His eyes dropped to Cate’s deep cleavage, framed by fluffy black faux-fur. “Damned right I do,” he agreed in a playful growl.  “But I’ll like it better on the floor.  Now hurry up and pick something for me to try on so I can get you naked!”

Cate laughed and reached for the dark green dress shirt in Jon’s hand.  “Okay.  How about we start with this?  You could use a new dress shirt, a different color.  We have all that Foundation stuff coming up after Christmas.”

“Fine by me, Baby.  Just tell me what to put together.”

Cate and Jon stood together at the rack for another ten minutes, sorting through the garments.  Jon smiled but remained quiet as he allowed Cate to decide which shirts he should try with which pants and jackets.  He wasn’t surprised with most of her pairings; her taste was quite similar to his. 

Jon’s heart warmed as he watched her, noting the excited gleam in her swirling cobalt eyes and the delicate pink flush on her cheeks.  He could see his wife was fully enjoying her Christmas gift.  Jon smiled smugly and gave himself a mental pat on the back for coming up with this idea.

“Okay, now shoo!”  Jon grinned and fluttered his hands at Cate when she turned to him after lining up the outfits on the rack.  “Let me get started.”

Cate gave him a petulant pout.  “I thought I got to dress you up?”  She crossed her arms over her chest, the movement ruffling the long fur of her vest and causing it to float up into her face.  Jon laughed as she sputtered and puffed, trying to un-stick the unruly hairs from her moist lips.

“Baby, you know as well as I do that if you’re in here putting your hands all over me while I’m trying to change, you ain’t gonna see any of these outfits on me tonight.”  Jon grinned saucily.  “You can’t keep your hands off the merchandise.”

Cate let out a little hmph as she tried her best to give Jon a dirty look.  But she couldn’t pull it off, the corners of her mouth instead curling into a little smirk of agreement.  “Well…. okay.  I guess you’re right.”

Jon gasped dramatically at her statement.  “My God!  It’s a Christmas MIRACLE!  My wife admitted I’m right about something!”  He grinned broadly with the pronouncement.

“Ha ha ha.”  Cate mocked him with her sarcastic laugh.  “Hope you liked it, ‘cause that may be your entire Christmas gift, the way you’re going.”

Jon smirked, then dropped his chin and gave Cate his best smoldering gaze.  He chuckled when he saw her try to mask her immediate swooning response.  “Baby, we both know that ain’t the case.  There’s something else I want under my mistletoe.”

Cate involuntarily let out a little sigh at Jon’s seductive purr.  “Yeah, I’m sure there is,” she retorted gently, her will to argue lost in the warm flush that was blanketing her body.  “Okay, I’ll wait out there for you to change.  But you gotta let me see what everything looks like.”

“Oh, don’t worry, Baby.”  Jon gave Cate a wink as his hands went to his waist.  Cate heard a soft pop followed by a quiet rasp as Jon undid the fly of his jeans.  “Not only was I damned good shoe salesman, I also have experience as a professional model.”  He grinned and nodded self-assuredly.  “Versace, Baby.”

Cate couldn’t help but giggle as she rolled her eyes at his playful boast.  “Okay, okay.  I’m going.”  She turned to leave the dressing room, but couldn’t help glancing back over her shoulder.  She let out a little groan as she saw Jon tugging his sweater over his head, six-pack abs rippling with the movement.  Shaking her head, Cate hurriedly turned away and headed for the chairs in the salon, before she could turn around and maul her husband. 

Jon chuckled softly as he watched Cate cross the plush rug to the seating area, her shapely derriere swaying gently with her gait.  He toed off his boots as his eyes slid appreciatively over her body, then stood bare-chested and barefoot, waiting for her to turn and look back at him.  He grinned when she did just that, pivoting in front of the leather chair and giving the dressing room door a longing glance.

“Uh uh!  No peeking!”  Jon shook a finger at Cate before pulling the tie-back on the red velvet curtain that spanned the dressing room doorway.  He chuckled throatily as the heavy drape swung loose, obscuring Cate’s view of him.  He heard her muffled curse as he turned toward the rack of clothing. 

Jon chuckled throatily to himself as he pushed his jeans downward over his hips.  This was gonna be fun.

Cate slumped back against the soft leather chair back and sighed.  Her left hand dropped to her chest, covering her heart, feeling it thumping against her breastbone.  She smiled wanly.  The things that Man could still do to her. 

Cate glanced down, the sparkle of the diamond on her finger catching her eye.  Her smile softened as she gazed at the beautiful ring, recalling the day Jon had asked her to make him the happiest man on earth by agreeing to be his wife.  She still couldn’t believe how lucky she was.

“Alright, Baby… Brace yourself!”  Jon’s playful voice floated through Cate’s reverie.  She looked up, toward the red velvet curtain that shielded the dressing room entry.  She chuckled when a tousled blonde head poked out from behind it.  “Here I come!”

Cate laughed aloud at Jon’s cheekiness.  “Okay, Rock Star.  Bring it On!”  She crossed her legs and gripped the arms of the chair, pretending to hold on tightly.  “I’m ready!”

Pushing aside the curtain, Jon stepped into the salon.  He gave her a sultry look and puckered his lips as he slowly swaggered across the room toward Cate.  He paused halfway across the plush rug to pose for her, cocking a hip to the side and hooking his thumbs into the pockets of his jeans.  Tilting his head to the side Jon grinned beguilingly at his wife.  “Whaddya think?”

A soft gasp escaped Cate’s parted lips as she stared at Jon.  He looked absolutely delicious in the hunter-green dress shirt and form-hugging black jeans.  As was his onstage preference, Jon had fastened only the bottom two buttons of the shirt’s placket and the cuffs were turned up to uncover his muscular forearms.  The deep open vee of his shirt revealed the simple sterling cross he wore on a black beaded chain.  The silver and sable fur blanketing his chest shone softly in the salon’s dim light.

“Jesus…” Cate breathed.  Uncrossing her legs she leaned forward, as if trying to get a better look at him.  “You look fantastic in that.”

“Hmm… you think?”  Jon smirked and turned to his right, revolving slowly until his back was to Cate.  He craned his neck to look back at her over his shoulder.  “You don’t think these jeans make my ass look fat?”

“GOD, no….”  Cate’s gaze was already on Jon’s back pockets, just under the untucked hem of the green shirt.  “Nothing makes your ass look fat.”

“I don’t know….” Jon slowly turned again, until he was facing her.  “I put on a few pounds on the road, you know.”

“It’s all muscle.  Believe me.”  Cate smiled naughtily.  “C’mere.  Let me cop a feel just to be sure.”

“Nuh uh.”  Jon sniffed haughtily.  “The models are not to be touched during the show.”  He tossed his head back, scowling in a goofy imitation of a snooty fashion model.  “I have to change now.” 

With that he pivoted and sashayed back toward the dressing room, exaggeratedly rolling his hips from side to side as he moved.  Cate giggled quietly.  “Put on the turtleneck next!” she called out.

“What-EVER!”  Jon flapped a hand at her over his shoulder as he swished through the curtain.  Cate burst into laughter at his silly play-acting.  She couldn’t see Jon but she knew there was a self-satisfied grin on his face at her reaction.  He always knew how to make her smile.

Quieting her giggles, Cate sat up and turned to the table beside her, where the refreshment tray still rested.  She tipped the champagne bottle to Jon’s empty glass then settled back into the chair.  Cate sipped from the crystal flute while she awaited the next modeling turn from her husband.

Cate’s gaze was drawn downward, to the large black box Mena had set on the floor when she returned from retrieving the purple suede pumps.  Mena had said it was a gift from Kenneth, something from the new home décor line.  Cate wondered what it was.  It certainly seemed large, if the box’s size was a true indication of what it contained.

Cate noticed there was a small folded black card attached to the ribbon wrapping the gift box.  Setting the champagne flute on the table Cate leaned forward to pull the card loose.  She would wait for Jon to open the gift, but there couldn’t be any harm in looking at the card without him.  Settling back in the chair, Cate gently opened the card and scanned the hand-written message.

Shrugging at the unrevealing note, Cate set the card on the table and picked up the champagne glass.  She almost choked on her sip of bubbly when Jon dramatically flung back the red velvet curtain to reveal his latest outfit, a tight black turtleneck, a purple scarf, dark sunglasses, and painted-on skinny jeans. 

“YES!  Now ZIS is FASHION!”  Jon declared in a bad French accent, striking a silly pose.

“Oh Lord…” Cate groaned.  “No.  That looks ridiculous.  Take it off.”  She laughed as Jon turned around and wiggled his butt at her.  “Where did you get those jeans?  I didn’t pick those out!”

“Zey were on zee hanger.” 

“Not one I chose.”

“Pear-hapssss not.  But zey make my assss look fantastique!!!”  Jon’s French accent wavered a bit as he choked back a chuckle at himself.

Cate laughed aloud at his silliness.  “Maybe so, but that’s definitely not your look.”

“Ah, you make me so sad.”  Jon sashayed over to Cate, leaning down and bracing his hands on the arms of her chair as he grinned.  “I must have a keess to make it better.”

“Okay.  One kiss.”  Cate giggled again as she raised her face to Jon’s.  She sighed against his mouth as his tongue slid over her bottom lip.

“Mmmm.  Think that cured my awful French accent,” Jon murmured, then smiled.  “Okay, Baby.  What’s next?”

Cate felt a little shiver run through her at the return of Jon’s sexy purr.  “Umm… how about the brown leather jacket and the distressed jeans?”

“You got it.” Jon dropped another light kiss against Cate’s lips, then smirked.  “Maybe I’ll let you take that one off of me.”

“Nuh uh.  That’s why I’m saving the black leather for last.”

Jon chuckled.  “You always have liked me in leather pants.”

“What’s not to like?”

Jon didn’t reply; he just gave Cate a wink and stood, then retreated to the dressing room.  Cate watched him go, once again admiring his perfect rump.  He paused at the dressing room door and looked back at Cate. 

“Baby, I know this was part of my gift to you, but…. Let’s get this dress-up thing over with fast, huh?”  He smirked.  “I have a feeling we’re both losing interest in fashion.”

Cate grinned and reached for her champagne flute.  “Baby, if you can dress fast I can undress you slow.”

Without another word Jon disappeared behind the curtain.

Cate purred softly as she savored the feel of Jon’s body against hers.  “Well…” She smiled to herself as she felt the tip of his tongue trace around the shell of her ear.  “Normally I’d say ‘naked,’ but…”

Jon chuckled, the husky rumble in her ear sending a wave of heat coursing over Cate’s body.  “Yeah, the fatal flaw in my plan.  It requires us to put on clothes.”

“Mmmm.  But once I try all those sexy outfits on you… I get to take my favorite one off of you,” Cate pointed out.

“Ah. Well then, I guess the plan is salvageable after all.”  His hands remaining on her hips, Jon pulled back from Cate and gave her a naughty wink.  “But before you get to dress me up we have to complete that ensemble you’re wearing.”  Pressing gently on her hips, Jon maneuvered Cate to stand in front of the chair. 

Understanding what he was doing, Cate sank down onto the seat, which was still warm from Jon’s recent occupancy.  She giggled softly when she realized the backs of her thighs were in direct contact with the leather-covered cushion.  Damn, this skirt is SHORT!  She’d have to remember that if she was ever brave enough to wear this daring outfit outside their bedroom.

With a self-confident smirk Jon sank to the floor, settling on his knees in front of Cate.  He reached for the shoebox, flipping its lid off with a flick of a calloused finger.  “Now if this doesn’t fit your fetish, I don’t know what does…” he teased, withdrawing an elegant suede shoe with a rustle of tissue paper.

Cate nodded and grinned.  “It’s beautiful.”  She giggled again when Jon reached for her foot, his hand closing gently around one delicate ankle.  “Oh, you’re gonna fit them on me?”

“Yep.  I’m a trained professional.” Jon gave her another wink.  “I’ve sold more than a few peep-toe pumps in my day.”

“Ah.” Cate arched a brow at her husband. “You were a good shoe salesman, were you?”

“The best.”  Jon set the shoe on the floor beside his knee and placed his other hand on Cate’s foot.  “Selling ladies’ shoes is a lot like singing to an audience.  It’s a seduction.”  His fingers curled under the arch of Cate’s foot, gently kneading and massaging.

“Oh,” Cate breathed, stifling a groan of pleasure at his touch.  “That so?”

“Mmm Hmm.”  Jon looked up at his wife, giving her his best sexy smirk.  “You see, the thing with women is, they like pretty shoes. The trick isn’t to convince them they like them, it’s to convince them that they need them.”  He gently trailed the fingers of his right hand to the top of Cate’s foot, tracing upward to her ankle.  “That they’re going to feel good when they wear those pretty shoes.” 

His hand slipped around Cate’s ankle, bracketing her Achilles’ tendon with his thumb and forefinger.  He pressed the web of his hand against the spot and squeezed as he continued kneading the sole of her foot with his other hand.

This time Cate couldn’t hold in a little whimper.  “Ohhh… And… and so…?”

“So.”  Jon smirked again as he looked down at Cate’s foot in his hands.  Her toenails were painted dark burgundy.   God, even her feet were beautiful. 

He withdrew his hand from behind Cate’s heel and reached for the suede pump at his side.  “You make them feel like Cinderella.  And you’re Prince Charming sliding that glass slipper on her foot, the pretty little shoe that’s going to carry her away to happily ever after.”  With that sultry purr Jon slipped the sexy stiletto onto Cate’s foot, then slowly trailed a finger around its edge, against her skin.

With a self-satisfied grin Jon looked up at Cate.  He chortled when he saw her staring wide-eyed down at him, her eyes swirling sapphire and midnight and her soft lips parted with her shallow breaths.  Yeah, I still got it.  He gazed smugly back at his wife, waiting for her response. 

When none came, Jon laughed softly and shook his head, then reached for the shoe’s mate.  He slipped it gently on Cate’s other foot, then sat back on his heels.  “See? You don’t just like them now, you need them, right?” 

“Fuck the shoes.” Cate’s voice was low and husky, laden with desire.  “I need YOU.”

Jon laughed, his blue eyes twinkling merrily.  “Yeah, well… that works too.”  Standing up on his knees, he placed his hands gently on Cate’s thighs before leaning up to brush a soft kiss across her lips. 

Cate sighed happily against the kiss, smiling at Jon when he pulled away.  “I bet you sold a crapload of shoes with that technique.”  She groaned softly.  “Good grief.”

“Well, let’s just say I had more than a few repeat customers.”  Jon grinned mischievously.

“I bet you did.” Cate chortled quietly, imagining what it must have been like to be the focus of twenty-something John Bongiovi’s attention.  “And I’d imagine a few ‘close encounters’ in the stock room?”

Jon chuckled.  “I think I better plead the Fifth on that one.”

That made Cate laugh, her musical voice floating through the salon.  “Yep, that pretty much answers the question.”  She sighed and looked down at her feet, which were now clad in a pair of sexy aubergine suede peep-toe platform pumps.  “And I didn’t really mean that about the shoes.  They’re beautiful.  You’re right, I do need them.”  She giggled.  “Damn, you’re good.”

“Why Thank You, Baby.”  Jon grinned and reached again for Cate’s foot, pulling it gently to him and resting the heel and sole of the shoe against his taut thigh.  He slipped his hand up Cate’s bare calf and hooked it behind her knee, urging it to bend so she was comfortable.  “You know, the foot is one big erogenous zone.  A lot of people just don’t think of it that way.”  He smirked.  “In fact, there’s actually a spot on a guy’s foot that, if you manipulate it correctly, can cause orgasm.”

Cate giggled and leaned back in her chair, sliding down just a bit to make herself more comfortable.  “Yeah, I heard something about that.  A ‘cum-button,’ I believe was the term I heard?”  She gave Jon a naughty grin.  “It was in some video clip I saw.”

Jon gave Cate a confused look, then realized what she was talking about.  He tossed his head back as he laughed heartily, his blonde shag ruffling with the movement.  “Fucking Sambora!  Swear to God I’m taking his phone away next time we go out.”

“Oh no you don’t!” Cate warned playfully.  “How else am I gonna keep tabs on you?”  She giggled again and gave Jon a coy look.  “So, did you ever find it?  The cum-button?”

“No, Goddamnit.”  Jon chortled again and shook his head.  “Gonna have to research that one before the next long trip.  And practice.”  He grinned up at Cate again for a moment, then his expression softened to a gentle smile.  “God, Baby.  I love this.  I love that we can just be so damned goofy and silly and totally get each other.”  He gazed happily at her for a long moment, watching the joy dancing in her swirling blue eyes.  “I love to hear you laugh.”

Cate nodded and smiled back at him.  “I love to laugh with you too,” she agreed softly.

Jon’s heart flipped at her gentle statement, and he felt the familiar flush of warmth radiate through his body.   He dropped his gaze to his lap, staring at the sexy shoes braced against his thighs.  Gently he cupped his hands behind Cate’s calves, savoring the feel of her warm flesh against his palms.  His gaze roved upwards, over the bend of her knee and along the inside of her firm thigh, to the hem of her leather skirt.  He chuckled dirtily at the sight of the narrow crotch of her purple lace panties, revealed by her less-than-ladylike pose.

“Know what else I love?”  Jon’s voice dropped to a seductive rumble.

“What?”  Cate watched Jon’s eyes darken to the swirling shade of indigo, the telltale sign of his rising desire.

“To hear you sigh.”  Jon dropped his head to breathe against Cate’s thigh, his soft lips brushing across her warm flesh.  He was immediately rewarded by the melodious sound, Cate’s breath escaping in a throaty rush as his mouth traveled upward.  He chuckled against her skin before continuing.

“To hear you purr…”  Jon raised himself slightly from his kneel, his hands gently squeezing her firm calves.  He sucked at Cate’s thigh before turning his mouth to its twin and licking at her flesh.

“Oh Goddddd…..” Cate slumped back against the chair’s supple leather back, her thighs parting more in response to Jon’s movements.  Her eyes fluttered closed as her head tipped back, a blissful smile curving her lips.

Jon smirked, hearing the tigress purr he so loved rumbling from Cate’s throat.  He couldn’t resist teasing her a bit more.  Slipping his hands up behind her knees he pulled firmly, causing her to slide forward until her shapely ass was at the seat cushion’s edge.

“To hear you moan….”  Jon’s seductive growl vibrated against Cate’s sensitive skin as he slipped his lips higher, nudging under the leather band of her skirt hem.  Cate’s thighs automatically fell open in response to his gentle torture.  He chuckled evilly as his lips contacted the purple lace barely covering her.

“Ohhhhhhh!!!!!”  Cate’s soft moan floated through the salon.  “Jonnnn….” 

Jon felt the stiletto heels of Cate’s sexy shoes dig into his thighs as she braced herself for what she was sure was coming.  The delicious stab of pain sent a jolt of electricity surging straight to Jon’s cock.   “Mmmm…. Baby….” he growled, sucking the scrap of purple lace between his teeth.  “You’re delicious.” 

Tugging gently at Cate’s panties with his teeth, Jon couldn’t resist swiping his tongue forward over her warm, moist womanhood.  She was sweet and wet and ready for him, as always.  But he wasn’t quite ready to abandon his plan yet.  She still hadn’t fully enjoyed her Christmas present from him.

With another gentle sucking kiss against Cate’s inner thigh Jon reluctantly retreated from his intimate position.  He sat back on his heels and took a deep breath before giving Cate a half-apologetic smile.  “So, Baby.  You ready to dress me up?”

Cate sighed deeply before opening her eyes and giving Jon a weak smile.  “Okay,” she breathed, willing her arousal to subside, at least for the moment.  She took a deep breath and sat upright, dropping her stiletto-clad feet to the floor beside Jon’s knees and modestly pressing her knees together.  Her passion-clouded eyes gleamed as she smirked at Jon.

“Let’s get you out of those clothes.” 

“What do you think?”

Jon sat up straight in his chair at Cate’s quiet query.  His jaw dropped and he stared as his wife moved slowly toward him, from the dressing room.  He drew in a deep breath as he felt a surge of heat in his groin.  “Wow,” he replied huskily. 

Cate giggled softy at his reaction.  When she had seen this outfit hanging on the rack with the others Mena had selected her immediate reaction was negative.  But once she put it on and looked in the mirror she felt like a complete Rock Star.  A very sexy, very naughty one. 

At that moment Cate realized how Jon must feel in his stage clothes.  She had always teased him about being vain in his wardrobe selections, about being a bit of a clotheshorse.  But standing in front of him in this daring, revealing outfit, she totally understood.  She was completely turned on by her husband’s lusty reaction to her appearance.  She was certain Jon got that same euphoric rush when he stepped out on the stage in those tight pants and shirts he knew would drive his female fans wild.

“Does that mean you like it?” Cate smirked coyly and batted her lashes.  She cocked one hip to the side and placed a hand on her waist, posing for him.

Jon’s mouth watered as he drew his gaze up her bare legs to the hem of the short black miniskirt.  The supple leather garment ended high on her thigh, revealing plenty of taut flesh to his stare.  He grinned as his eyes traveled up to her torso, which was covered by a long, shaggy fall of jet-black faux fur, belted by a black leather tie at her waist.  The vest was daringly cut, showcasing Cate’s toned arms and shoulders and revealing the soft skin of her sides from her underarms to her waist.

“Hell yeah.  That’s the best one yet.”  Jon grinned.  “Even if it does look like you’re wearing Cousin Itt draped around your neck.”

Cate tossed her head as she laughed at his tease.  The movement made her dark chestnut mane ripple slightly, her thick locks slipping forward over her shoulders to mingle with the long shag of the vest.  Jon growled softly as his dick pushed eagerly against his fly.  “Turn around,” he ordered huskily.

Cate gave Jon a wink, then slowly revolved to reveal her first her side, then her nearly-nude back.  Jon groaned appreciatively as he ogled her leather-clad ass and her bare back.  His eyes traced over the narrow leather strap that circled her waist, the only thing holding the faux fur stole in place over her breasts and abdomen.  At the sound of Jon’s approval, Cate looked back over her shoulder and gave him a sultry smile.

“Cousin Itt, huh?” she repeated his remark with a smirk.  “Really?  Addams Family?”

“Yeah, you make Cousin Itt look damned hot.”  Jon grinned at Cate for a moment.  “Do you like it?”

Cate turned back around to face Jon and stepped closer to him.  As she leaned forward to take the half-empty champagne glass from his hand Jon got a clear eyeful of her cleavage, the swell of her breasts only minimally contained by the skimpy vest.  She straightened and took a sip from the glass, then nodded.  “I do.  I feel… sexy.”

“Well you sure as Hell look sexy,” Jon agreed.  “But then again, you’ve looked sexy in everything you’ve tried on.”

Cate sighed.  “Thanks, Baby.  But I just don’t know which ones to choose.  They’re all so amazing, such beautiful pieces.  All of Ken’s stuff… every garment feels like it was made just for me.”

Jon reached for Cate’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.  “Then don’t choose.  Take them all.”

Cate’s eyes widened, then she shook her head.  “No, Baby, you don’t have to do that.  I can’t…”

Jon rolled his eyes and chuckled.  After all this time together Cate was still self-conscious about spending his money.  “Baby…”  He leaned forward and placed a kiss on the back of her hand before dropping his voice to a mock whisper.  “We can afford it.”

Cate blushed and smiled sheepishly.  She hesitated for a moment before replying in a small voice.  “Really?”

“Really.  I want you to have it all.”  Jon leaned to look around Cate, toward the dressing room where their personal assistant stood silently watching and waiting.  “Mena, you have done a fantastic job.  We’ll take the lot.”

Mena nodded, her smile broadening at the thought of her commission for this special sale.  “Very good, Mr. Bongiovi.  Shall I have it sent ‘round to your residence tomorrow, or would Mrs. Bongiovi like me to box it up to take with you tonight?”

“You can have it sent over tomorrow.”  Jon smiled at Cate and gave her another once-over.  “But there is one thing, Mena.”

“Yes, Sir?”

Jon nodded at Cate’s bare feet.  “I believe we are missing some shoes to go with this outfit.  If I recall correctly there is a pair of purple suede platform pumps downstairs on the display?  I’m pretty sure my wife was drooling over them when we were here for the Benefit last night.”

“Yes, we do have those in stock.  Size eight, correct?”  Mena moved closer and waited for Cate’s reply.

Cate blushed at Jon’s comment, remembering his offer to buy them on the spot the previous evening.  “Yes.  Thank you.”

Mena nodded.  “Let me retrieve them from the stock room.  Are there any other shoes you fancy?”

Jon laughed.  “She fancies ALL of them.  Believe me.”

“No, just those, thank you,” Cate answered hurriedly.  She was already so overwhelmed by Jon’s wonderful gift that she felt almost guilty adding to the bill.

“Very well.  Mrs. Bongiovi, please enjoy some refreshments while I retrieve the shoes.  I will return in a moment.”  Mena gave Cate and Jon another warm yet professional smile before turning and heading for the elevator.

Taking advantage of their privacy, Jon pulled Cate down onto his lap and nuzzled at her throat.  He immediately sputtered, then chuckled when the long fur from the vest stuck to his cheeks and lips.  “Damn, Baby.  That fur thing you’re barely wearing is sexy as Hell.  You’ve got me so fucking hot, watching you strut around in all those tight, sexy clothes.”

Cate chortled and dropped her mouth to Jon’s for a sultry kiss.  “I know.  I saw you fidgeting around on that chair.  Jeans getting a little tight, are they?”

Jon nodded and groaned playfully against her lips.  “Yeah.  Superman wants to come out of his phone booth.”

“Mmmm.  Well, I guess he gets to when I dress you up next, huh?”

“Yep.  But he ain’t gonna want to go back in.  Some of those pants Mena picked out look damned tight.  May need a little assistance in… um… reining him in.”  Jon smirked dirtily.

“I’m sure we can come to some solution.”  Cate giggled softly and reached again for Jon’s champagne glass.  She drained the remainder of the bubbly in a long swallow, then set the glass on the table before wrapping both her arms around Jon’s neck.  “Baby, thank you so much for this wonderful gift.  I’m just blown away.  It’s… amazing.”

Jon smiled and rubbed his nose playfully against hers.  “You’re very welcome, Baby.  I’m just glad I could come up with something original, rather than the usual.  Guns or jewelry.” 

Cate laughed softly at his reply.  “Hey, I love my Ruger.  That was an awesome birthday gift.”

“Yeah, but somehow firearms don’t quite convey the ‘Merry Christmas’ sentiment.”

Cate grinned and nodded in agreement.  “That’s true.”  She gazed into Jon’s shining blue eyes for a long moment.  “You know, before I met you I rarely wore this kind of stuff.  I don’t think I’d been in a pair of heels for years.  Then you came along and turned my world upside down.  Made me start acting all girly and stuff.”

Jon chortled at her tease.  “Baby, I’m not sure ‘girly’ is the word I’d use to describe you.  But ‘sexy,’ definitely.  I just helped you remember how to be a woman, that’s all.”

“That you surely did, Baby.”  Cate laughed softly and nodded in agreement.  “And look at me now.  Here I am wearing some kind of Muppet-fur drape over my tits and a fuck-me leather miniskirt, sitting smack on top of a Rock Star’s hard on.”  She winked saucily.  “Damn, it’s good to be me.”

Their laughter rang through the salon, until they heard the elevator doors slide open.  Mena exited and paused, discretely clearing her throat to warn her clients of her return before moving into the salon.  To Jon and Cate’s surprise, she was carrying a gray shoe box balanced on top of a large square black box, tied with a white ribbon.

“Mrs. Bongiovi, I have the shoes you requested.”  Mena announced, gracefully crouching to set the boxes on the floor next to her clients.  “I also have something for both of you, from Mr. Cole.  A Christmas gift, something from our new home collection.  He thought you might enjoy it this evening.”  A conspiratorial little smile curled the corner of Mena’s mouth as she looked up at Jon.

“Oh?”  Jon grinned.  “I’ll have to be sure to give Ken a call tomorrow and thank him for the gift, as well as for the exceptional service we’ve received tonight.  You’ve been fantastic, Mena.”

Mena nodded deferentially.  “Thank you, Sir.  It’s my pleasure to assist you.”  She reached for the shoe box.  “Now, Mrs. Bongiovi, if you’d like to take a seat I’ll fit these on you…”

Jon held up a hand.  “Thank you Mena, but that won’t be necessary.”

“Sir?”

Jon patted Cate’s hip.  Understanding the cue, she slid off his lap and stood, allowing Jon to rise from his chair.  Following her clients’ movements, Mena also stood.  

“Mena, thank you for everything you’ve done for us tonight, but I can take it from here.”  Jon gave Mena a dazzling smile.

Mena nodded, recalling the instructions she had received from Mr. Cole himself, regarding the visit from these very special clients.  “Very good, Mr. Bongiovi.  As I mentioned, your wardrobe selections are prepared, on the rack inside the changing room.  If you need anything else from me, please press the button in the dressing room and I will be happy to assist you.  Otherwise, you will not be bothered.  When you are ready to depart please notify me, then come to the front entrance and Anton will show you out.  Your car will be waiting.” 

Mena paused in her instructions, giving Cate a knowing smile.  “Please take your time and enjoy yourselves.  The night is yours.”

Jon nodded and reached into his front pocket, withdrawing a folded stack of crisp hundred-dollar bills.  “Thank you again, Mena. We’ll let you know when we’re ready to go.”  With another of his best panty-dampening smiles, Jon pressed the generous tip into Mena’s palm.

Cate saw Mena’s composure crack slightly at Jon’s grin.  She couldn’t help but chuckle, knowing exactly how the young woman felt.  We’re all defenseless against his powers, she thought amusedly.  “Mena, thank you so much,” Cate added.  “This has been a wonderful evening.”

“You’re very welcome.  It has been a pleasure to meet you and to be at your service.”  Mena returned Cate’s smile, then bowed slightly.  “Good evening.”  With that she turned and walked to the elevator.

Jon turned to Cate, grinning broadly.  “So, the night is ours.”  He reached out to capture her waist, pulling her body against his.   With a husky chuckle he lowered his lips to Cate’s ear.  “How should we spend it?”

“So?  Figure it out yet?”

Cate smiled at Jon’s words in her ear and at the feel of his hand sliding a little further up her thigh.  They had been in the car for ten minutes, crawling through what Cate assumed was midtown traffic.  Wherever they were headed couldn’t be far, or Jon would be much more impatient at the slow progress they were making.

“No.  You keep distracting me.” 

Jon chuckled and nuzzled at Cate’s ear.  “Oh.  I’m sorry.”

“No you’re not.”

“You’re right.  I’m not.”  Jon grinned and dropped his lips to Cate’s neck, sucking lightly at her warm skin.  “Whoops.  Sorry again.”

Cate sighed happily.  “Yeah, sure.”

With another wicked chuckle Jon pulled away, smiling at his wife.  She looked so sexy in the dim light, calmly facing straight ahead, the black and gray silk scarf over her eyes and the gentle smirk on her full crimson lips.  He could jump her right now.  Hell, they’d probably have time for foreplay and an orgasm a slow as traffic was moving.

Jon reluctantly shook the naughty thought from his mind.  “Okay, I’ll give you another clue.  We’re going someplace to indulge your fetish.  Actually… a couple of your fetishes.”  Jon smirked as Cate turned her face toward him, obviously surprised by his words.

“What?  My fetish?  Baby, all my fetishes involve parts of your anatomy.”

Jon laughed at her bluntness.  “Well, yeah.  Most of them, but not all of them.”

“You’re taking me to see baseball players in tight pants?”  Cate grinned.  “Outstanding.  Merry Christmas indeed.”

“Har-dee-har-har.”  Jon couldn’t resist leaning forward to taste her lips as he teased her.  “It ain’t baseball season yet.  And I know for a fact you have other fetishes.  You’ll see.”

“Not ‘til you take off this blindfold, I won’t.”

“Soon, Baby.  We’re almost there.”  Jon slipped his arm around Cate’s waist and pulled her closer to him.  She purred in response, snuggling against him and tipping her head to rest on his shoulder.

Cate and Jon spent the next ten minutes of gridlock murmuring and giggling, cuddled together in the back seat of their hired car.  Finally the sedan drifted to a stop and the driver announced they had arrived at their destination.

“Okay, you can look now.”  Jon disengaged himself from their embrace and gently slipped the blindfold off Cate’s head.  He smiled, watching her blink rapidly as her vision adjusted to the dim light.  Ducking her head, Cate looked past Jon, out the window of the Town Car.

“What…  Kenneth Cole?”  Cate’s eyes widened as she stared up at the ornate façade of the Fifth Avenue flagship store.  “Jon, we were just here last night.”  Confused, she turned her wide-eyed gaze to her husband and saw him grinning.

“It’s your favorite store, right?  And I saw you eyeing that silver purse at the benefit last night.”  Jon grinned cheekily. 

“Yes, but… It’s eleven at night.  They’re closed.” Cate protested weakly, hesitating as she looked from Jon to the storefront, then back to Jon.

“Oh, come on.  That bag’s in the window.  Come see.”  Jon chortled and pushed open the door, stepping out onto the curb before ducking to offer his hand to Cate.  “You coming?”

Taking his proffered hand, Cate shook her head slowly as she tried to decipher the puzzle of Jon’s earlier clue and their current location.  Maybe they were just getting out here and going to another place.  Somewhere in Rockefeller Center, perhaps?  Cate carefully stepped out onto the curb and stood while Jon thanked the driver and closed the door.

Cate’s hypothesis was immediately disproven when Jon gave her a wink and a dazzling smile, then took her hand and led her toward the store’s main entrance.  He chuckled at her little squeak of surprise when a well-dressed man swung open the door as they approached, inviting them inside.

“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Bongiovi.”  Just inside the store’s entrance, at the base of the stairs, stood a tall, thin, exotic-looking brunette woman dressed head-to-toe in black.  Her greeting was delivered in a proper English accent.  “Welcome to Kenneth Cole.”

“Good evening,” Jon grinned in response.  He turned to look at Cate and almost laughed aloud at her surprised expression.  “Thank you.”

“I am Mena, the Personal Services Manager.  It is my pleasure to be at your service this evening.”  The woman stepped forward and offered her hand to Cate.

The movement shook Cate from her shock.  She smiled and accepted Mena’s handshake.  “Nice to meet you.  And thank you.”  Cate glanced quizzically at Jon.  “Um, please forgive me, but what service will you be providing this evening?”

Mena nodded slightly and smiled.  “As your personal services aide, I will gladly assist you in making your selections from our collection.  You are welcome to browse the retail floor, but at your husband’s request I have put together a personalized wardrobe consisting of pieces from our retail line as well as from our couture collection and design vaults.  I hope you will find the selection satisfactory.”

Cate’s lips parted with her little gasp of surprise, then the corners of her mouth curled into a delighted smile.   She turned to look at Jon, her eyes glowing with excitement.  “You… you set up a personal shopping appointment… for me?”

Jon chuckled and raised Cate’s hand to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on her fingers.  “I knew this was something you’d never do for yourself, so yeah.”  He grinned saucily.  “But not just for you.”  Jon glanced sideways at Mena.  “Right?”

Mena nodded again, her accommodating smile still in place.  “Yes, Mr. Bongiovi.  I have also put together a selection of items from our men’s line for you.  As you requested, it includes the range of our collection – jeans, casual wear, suits, and outerwear.  In fact, there are several one-of-a-kind items that Mr. Cole asked me to include for your consideration.”

Jon watched Cate’s reaction, chuckling softly as he saw her look from Mena to him, then back to Mena.  He could almost see the wheels turning in her head as she processed what their personal shopper had just said.  Jon grinned broadly when Cate’s swirling blue eyes widened and her face lit up in a dazzling smile. 

“The paper dolls… to dress you up… my fetish…” Cate’s voice was soft and husky with excitement. 

Jon nodded.  “Yeah, Baby.  How many times have you said you want to dress me up in all these great clothes?  Well, now’s your chance.”  He reached up to tap the tip of her nose with a gentle finger as his blue eyes sparkled merrily.  “You can put ‘em on me, take ‘em off me, however you like.  But first you’re gonna pick out some things for yourself.  Whatever you want.  Anything, everything.  It’s Christmas.”

Jon saw the beginnings of happy tears sparkling in Cate’s eyes.  He leaned down to drop a gentle kiss on her trembling lips, his heart swelling with love and pride that he had done something special for his wife.  “Shall we get started?” he asked gently.

Cate nodded, holding his gaze for a moment, then looked to Mena.  Clearing her throat and regaining her composure, she gave Mena a smile.  “I’m ready.”

“Very good, Mrs. Bongiovi. If you will both follow me, please.”  Mena turned and moved toward a set of elevator doors recessed behind the staircase.  Ushering them into the car, she smiled as the doors slid closed.  “We have the private salon set up for you on the third floor.  Refreshments are compliments of Mr. Cole.  He asked me to wish you both a very Happy Christmas and to thank you for your friendship.”

Jon chuckled.  “Please give him our thanks and our best.  Ken’s a good man.  We’re honored to call him a friend.”

“Yes sir, he is quite remarkable,” Mena agreed as the elevator dinged to a stop and the doors slid open.  She gestured for Jon and Cate to precede her out of the elevator car, then moved past them once they had exited. 

Jon squeezed Cate’s hand as he watched her take in their surroundings.  The private salon was elegant and modern, decorated in rich browns, reds, and black.  Walnut-paneled walls were accented by a dark red plush rug over a dark hardwood floor, and black leather chairs flanked a low chrome and glass table.  At the far end of the salon red velvet curtains framed the entrance to a large dressing room. 

“Wow,” Cate breathed, her eyes wide with excitement.  “This isn’t exactly what I’m used to in a changing room.”  She giggled softly.  “No crappy fluorescent lighting or dingy carpet in this place.”

Mena chuckled huskily at her observation.  “Certainly not, Mrs. Bongiovi.  Only the best for our clients.”  She held out her hands.  "Please, may I take your coats?"


Cate and Jon quickly shrugged out of their coats and scarves, handing the garments to Mena.  As she carried them over to a small closet and carefully arranged them on hangers Jon slipped an arm around Cate's waist and gave her a little squeeze.  "This is gonna be fun," he murmured in her ear before placing a kiss against her hair.


"I think so," Cate agreed softly.  A little shiver ran down her spine at the thought of watching Jon perform a private fashion show, just for her.


Mena returned to find her clients standing close together, clearly enjoying a private discussion.  She waited a moment for them to turn their attention to her, before smiling and waving a hand at one of the black leather chairs.  “Mr. Bongiovi, if you would like to have a seat I will show your lovely wife the items I have selected for her.  And please help yourself to the refreshments.  Mrs. Bongiovi, would you care for a glass of champagne before we begin?”

Cate shook her head.  “No thank you.  Please, let’s get started.  I don’t want to keep you here all night.  It was so kind of you to be here so late.”

Mena nodded and smiled in reply.  “I thank you for the sentiment, but I am happy to be here.  Please don’t feel you must hurry.”  She gave a sideways glance toward Jon.  “Take as long as you like, the night is yours.”

Jon chuckled inwardly at Mena’s comment.  She obviously understood exactly what he had planned for later.  Jon knew there was a reason Ken had asked Mena to personally accommodate his request; she was professional, loyal, and discrete.  He would be sure to reward her handsomely for her attention and discretion.

“Have fun, Baby.”  Jon gently kissed Cate’s cheek as he released her hand.  “Can’t wait to see what you try on.  I’ll wait out here for the fashion show.  He playfully swatted at Cate’s behind as she turned to follow Mena toward the dressing room.

“Okay, Baby.  I want your opinion,” Cate called back over her shoulder.  “And if something makes my butt look big you better tell me.”

“Not a chance,” Jon muttered playfully as he turned to lower himself into one of the chairs.  Stretching his feet out in front of him, he slumped against the soft leather and reached for a glass of champagne.  He sighed softly as he savored the Dom Perignon bubbles on his tongue, then he grinned.  Damn, I done good, he thought.  But the best is yet to come…

“Hurry up, Baby!”  Jon’s whiskey-smooth voice floated in through the bedroom door as Cate stood in front of the mirror.  “We gotta go pretty soon!”

Cate smiled at her husband’s impatience as she slipped the post of her earring through the hole in her lobe.  “Yeah, yeah.  Keep  your pants on!” she called back teasingly.  “You said we don’t have to leave until ten thirty.  It’s only ten-ten.”

Jon’s reply made her giggle.  “You usually want me to take my pants OFF!  And yes, we’re leaving at ten-thirty.  But hurry up and get in here.  I have something for you.”

Cate regarded her reflection in the mirror, appraising her outfit.  Self-consciously she smoothed her hands down from her shoulders to her thighs, brushing her palms lightly over her cranberry cashmere sweater and her snug black jeans.   She hoped she looked okay for wherever Jon was taking her tonight. 

He had told her to dress casually and comfortably, but would give her no clues as to their destination.  Cate assumed they were going out for dinner or drinks, or maybe a live music set.  She couldn’t imagine where else Jon would be taking her this late on a Thursday night, two days before Christmas.

“Baby, what are you doing in there?”

“All right!  Coming!”  Cate laughed softly and turned away from the mirror.  She automatically tucked a stray lock of auburn hair behind her ear as she moved quickly to the bedroom door.  The gentle smile remained on her lips as she thought for the thousandth time this week how nice it was to have Jon back home. 

The heels of her boots clicked softly on the hardwood floor as Cate traversed the short hallway to the living room.  Her smile broadened and her heart skipped a beat as she saw Jon standing beside the fireplace, looking expectantly in her direction.  He looked handsome as ever, his dark jeans hugging his muscular thighs and his shaggy blonde locks curling against the collar of his charcoal-gray v-neck sweater. 

Cate paused in the doorway to appreciate the sight, her swirling blue eyes drifting deliberately over his form.  “Your hair’s getting long,” she observed softly, flushing a bit at his smirk of response.

“You like my hair long.  Easier to grab onto, remember?”  The impatience was gone from Jon’s voice, replaced by gentleness.

Cate nodded and moved forward.  “Yeah.”  She rounded the end of the couch and stopped facing Jon, smiling up at him.  She reached up to gently finger a thick caramel strand.  “I remember.”

With a throaty chuckle Jon stepped closer to Cate and rested his hands on her hips before ducking his face to hers for a sweet kiss.  “You look gorgeous, Baby,” he murmured against her mouth.

Cate pulled her face back and gazed at Jon for a moment.  “You sure?  This isn’t too casual?”

Jon sighed and rolled his eyes with mock annoyance.  “You look FINE.  I told you, comfortable.  Jeans.  Shirt.  Both of which you have on.”  He arched a brow.  “Panties optional.”

Cate snorted a laugh.  “Panties in place.  I’m not going out commando when you won’t tell me where we’re going.  Besides, it’s winter.  Need the extra layers.”

Jon chortled dirtily.  “I hardly think you could consider those tiny little things you wear to be any sort of ‘layer’.  Not that I’m complaining, mind you.” 

He dropped another gentle kiss on Cate’s lips, then stepped back.  “C’mere.”  Tugging on her hand, Jon led Cate over to the couch and sat, urging her down beside him.

Cate silently obliged, an amused smile turning her lips.  She watched as Jon leaned over to reach behind an overstuffed pillow at the opposite end of the couch.  Withdrawing a large flat silver box from its hiding place behind the pillow, Jon straightened and beamed at Cate.

“Here.”  He laid the box gently in Cate’s lap.  “Merry Christmas.”

Cate chuckled softly, her fingers toying with the black velvet ribbon bow.  “I thought we were going out to get my present?”  Her voice was gentle, with just a hint of tease.  “To some super-secret location?”

“We are.”  Jon grinned smugly and nodded toward the gift box.  “That’s a clue.”

Cate giggled at his self-assuredness and dropped her gaze to the parcel on her lap.  “So I can open it, then?”

“Yep.”  Jon’s eyes gleamed as he watched Cate gently tug the ribbon until the bow came loose.  She slowly worked the knot and slid the ribbon off the corner of the box, her own little smirk revealing that she was purposely taking her time.   With a silent chuckle of acknowledgement at her tease, Jon spoke up.

“Baby, we ain’t got all night.  Come on.  Open it.”

Cate giggled again and pulled the ribbon free, tossing it on his lap.  “Keep that.  I may need to tie a bow on something later.”

“Baby, I’ll tie a damned bow on Superman myself if you just hurry up and open that box.”

Jon’s reply caused Cate to laugh out loud, the musical peal warming Jon’s heart.  Obliging his demand, she lifted the lid off the silver box and set it aside before ruffling through the tissue paper.  Her grin turned from amusement to confusion as she lifted the item from the box.  It was a sturdy, laminated cutout of some sort, shaped like a human figure.  Curiously Cate turned the item over, then burst into giggles.

“Jon!  What the hell is THIS?” Cate laughed harder as she evaluated the item in her hands.  It was a full frontal cut-out image of her husband, smiling sexily and nude save for a pair of form-fitting black boxer briefs. 

Jon chuckled at her response, gesturing at the box.  “There’s more!  Go on…”

“What the…” Cate murmured, shaking her head as she reached again into the gift box.  She laughed harder as she withdrew another photo cutout, this one of a headless and handless male body, clad in a black leather jacket and jeans,  holding the same pose as the image of Jon.  Another reach into the box yielded three more similar images of different clothing ensembles.

Cate tossed her head back and laughed heartily as she realized what she was holding.  “You.. you gave me…” She could barely form the question through her peals of laughter.  “You gave me a paper doll set?”  Of YOU?”  The realization made her laugh harder, tears sparkling in her eyes.

“Yeah!”  Jon grinned and reached for the cutouts.  “Look!”  Holding up the unclad likeness of himself, he laid the image of the black leather outfit over top.  “You can dress me up in whatever you like.  Or undress me.”  He pulled the clothes away from the paper doll and waved it at Cate.  “See?”

A mirthful tear slid down Cate’s cheek a she tried to calm her giggles.  “Yes… I… I see… but….” She took a deep breath.  “Jon… why the HELL would you ever think to give me a paper doll of… yourself?”  Again she collapsed into a peal of laughter.

Jon sat grinning on the couch, watching Cate struggle to regain her composure.  His soul danced at the sound of her laughter, and his pulse quickened with excitement in anticipation of her reaction to his real gift.  So far everything was going just as he envisioned.

“I told you… it’s a clue.”

Cate took another deep breath and paused for a long moment before speaking again.  “A clue?”  She smiled quizzically, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink from her exertion.

Jon couldn’t resist reaching up to touch her rosy blush, gently caressing her cheek with his thumb.  “Yeah.  A clue.  You don’t think I’m such a cheap bastard that all I’m gonna get you is some stupid paper doll?  And how fucking narcissistic would I have to be to make it a paper doll of MYSELF?”

His comment set Cate off into another spasm of giggles.  This time Jon couldn’t help but join her.  He pulled her into a hug and dropped a kiss onto the crown of Cate’s head.  “You Goof,” he chided her through his laughter.  “It’s not that funny.”

“No,” Cate agreed, pulling away from Jon’s embrace and wiping her eyes.  “But the thought of you posing for those pictures is!  How the hell did you pull that off?”

Jon grinned sheepishly.  “I had to bribe Matty to take them for me.  In Australia, in my hotel room.  The rat bastard was supposed to keep it quiet, but of course he ran straight to Sambora and told everybody what I was doing.  You can imagine the grief I had to put up with.  All for YOU.”

Cate giggled again as she thought of the hazing Jon undoubtedly endured, especially about the underwear photo.  “Oh, I can imagine.  But you were the one foolish enough to trust family.”  She leaned over to give Jon a playful kiss.  “And who developed them for you, and had them cut out?”

“Obie.  Needless to say I owe him, too.”

Cate chortled as she regarded the figures in her hands.  “I gotta say, Baby, this is one gift I never expected.  And I have absolutely NO idea what a dress-up doll of my darling husband means in terms of a clue.”

“Hmmm.”  Jon gave Cate a mischievous wink.  “You’re a trained investigator.  I would think you could figure it out.”  He nodded again at the box on Cate’s lap.  “There’s one more thing in there for you.”

“Did I miss an outfit?  Swim trunks, perhaps?”  Cate grinned as she again ruffled through the tissue paper lining the box.  Her fingers brushed over something soft and smooth.  With a little gasp she withdrew a beautiful black and gray silk scarf.

“Oh Jon, it’s gorgeous,” Cate breathed, unfolding the fabric and looking at the delicate pattern.  “Thank you!”  She leaned over to place another kiss on his soft lips.  “It’s the one I was looking at last night!”

Jon chuckled.  “I know.  Sometimes it’s good to know people at Kenneth Cole.”  He grinned smugly.  “Like Kenneth Cole, for instance.”

Cate chuckled and raised the whisper–soft fabric to her cheek.  She sighed gently as it brushed over her skin.  “Thank you, Baby.  I love it.”

“Good, because you’re gonna wear it tonight.”  Jon reached for the scarf, taking it gently from her hands.  Cate watched as he laid the long rectangle of fabric on his lap and folded it into a wide strip.

Cate smirked, realizing what he was doing.  “You’re gonna blindfold me?”  She felt her pulse kick up a notch at the thought. 

“Uh huh.”  Jon gave Cate a sultry look.  “It’s all part of the surprise, Baby.  Can’t have you see where I’m taking you.”

Cate’s stomach flipped at her husband’s seductive purr.  She glanced at her watch.  “Well… it’s ten thirty.”

“Then we should go.”  Jon gave Cate another smirk and raised the scarf to her face.

A tingle ran down Cate’s spine at the touch of the silk against her skin, over her eyes.  She chuckled throatily.  “Can’t that wait until I’m in the car?  Or at least until I get my coat on?”  A flush of heat spread throughout Cate’s body as she felt Jon lean in to murmur in her ear.

“I suppose it could.  But isn’t it more exciting this way?”

Cate drew in a breath.  “Yeah,” she agreed breathily.  “But it’s not very practical.  It’s gonna take us longer to get out the door.”

“S’okay.”  Jon whispered, purposely drawing out his response, breathing in Cate’s ear.  “We can be a few minutes late.”

“Okay…..”  Cate sighed her response more than spoke it.  She felt her nipples contract against the satin cups of her bra, her anticipatory response to what she knew the night would eventually bring.  She would never tire of Jon’s touch, of making love to him.  There was no way her body could be conditioned so that it became routine.  It was too damned exciting, even after all this time.

Cate sat still as Jon gently knotted the scarf behind her head, drawing it tight enough that it wouldn’t slip down.  She raised a hand to trace her fingertips across the silk, smiling at the delicious thoughts running through her brain.  She should probably try to figure out the clue Jon’s gifts provided to their destination, but she was too damned distracted by her own body right now.  He had a way of doing that to her.

“Stay there.  I’ll get your coat.”  Jon brushed another kiss across Cate’s lips before standing.  He smiled down at his wife, a surge of lust coursing through his groin as he remembered the last time she had submitted to being blindfolded.  Down Boy, he thought.  There will be plenty of time for that later.

Jon retrieved his and Cate’s coats, scarves, and gloves from the hall closet and returned to the living room.  Helping Cate stand, he wrapped her snugly in her winter garments before donning his own.  Then he led her to the door, moving slowly so she could keep up in her sensory-impaired state.  Together they exited the apartment and stepped onto the private elevator.

“This is gonna be a night to remember, Baby.” Jon murmured in Cate’s ear as they stood close together in the elevator car.  “I promise.”