Richie glanced at the end stage, expecting to see Elena there dancing as she had been most of the night. He did a quick scan of the crowd and then to the bar, but didn’t spot her little purple self. Frowning he flipped the acoustic off his lap and signaled to Everett that he’d be back.
Hopping off the stage he looked around one more time, trying to stuff down the uneasy feeling that was slowly churning in his gut. She probably just went to the bathroom that was all. He rubbed at the sudden ache in his chest and headed toward the flickering neon sign for the bathrooms.
The crowd was starting to thin out as the band was well into the final set of the night. He heard the whimpers before he saw a man pushing a woman against a wall. He averted his eyes, not wanting to catch someone in an intimate moment. Hell, he’d nearly done the same thing with Elena just an hour ago.
But the flash of purple and the hiccupping cry drew him back. Moving further into the hallway he grabbed onto the wall. Dear God, no. Bile rose in his throat, his knees nearly crumbling when he saw the mascara tracks of tears run down the cheek of his wife.
He didn’t remember running down the hall, but the bellow of rage would forever be locked in his brain. He dragged the man off Elena and lifted him six inches off the ground with his forearm. Richie's fist drilled into the man's face and low into his abdomen. He saw the rapidly softening cock hanging out of his jeans and saw red. “No!” Not his Elena, not…
Richie's fist smashed into the man’s face again and again, blood spurting across his cheek but he still couldn’t stop.
She slumped to the floor, her hiccupping cries echoing in the hall as she wrapped her arms around herself. She rocked slowly, paying no heed to what had pulled the thing away from her, only knowing it had stopped. It stopped, swirled through her brain as she hiccupped through another sob. Her brain kept whirling through the last few minutes as her whimpers shifted to full fledged moans. She could still feel his hands on her skin.
She whimpered Richie's name, as if it would magically bring him to her. The shaking began to race along each nerve until her system was completely overwhelmed. "Richieeeeeeee!" Her voice was nearly non existent, her throat too tight to make sounds, the sound husky and rough with her tears. The terror inside of her reached deep, keeping her from moving out of the tight little ball she’d curled into for safety. To move meant he might start up again, might finish what he’d started.
She ran a shaky hand over her face, the sobs just wouldn’t stop, her voice broken and shattered as she whispered for Richie. As the seconds ticked by and the creep didn't reappear, she found the courage to open her eyes. Please be gone, please…
All she could hope for was that he’d passed out. Maybe he’d just left. He wasn't just waiting for her to open her eyes so he could hurt her again. Was he?
Shock and disbelief registered first. Some man was pounding the immortal ever loving shit out of the creep that had just tried his best to... Her mind skittered away from using the *R* word. No, can't go there, can't think on that now. Her eyes widened as the clothing finally began to sink in. Tight blue jeans and a filmy white shirt, dark silky black hair flying, but it was the roars of pure rage echoing from a mouth that usually had only sweet words to say that really dragged her back.
RICHIE!!
He’d found her, he was her savior, and he was damn near trying his best to kill the man.
Well he deserved killing dammit! She curled back into a ball, wrapping her arms around her knees. He tried to...he’d tried…a choked sob bubbled up. He deserved to fucking die.
Pulling herself up she considered letting her husband rid the world of this piece of scum. It wouldn’t be a loss. In fact, it would probably save another woman from the hurt of…she squeezed her eyes shut. The world was better off. She tried to convince herself that it was true, but a soft voice kept nagging at her. Those beautiful hands were only meant to create. Not to kill, not to kill even this man. Pushing herself up from the floor, she stood and wavered a moment before pulling strength she didn’t know she had forward. Reaching out she grabbed for Richie’s arm.
“Richie,” her voice cracked as she called to him one last time. "Richie,” she gasped. “Baby, stop.” She sobbed, “Please God, stop."
He barely heard her through the rage. The connection of his fist to the face of her attacker wasn't enough. It wasn't nearly enough. He'd kill him. As sure as the sun would shine the next morning he was going to kill him.
"Man, I wasn't doin' nuthin' wrong. She wanted it," the man croaked out.
Richie finally heard his wife's pleas through the haze of bloodlust. He looked at the nearly unrecognizable face of the man dangling from his forearm. The scumbag was scratching at his arm, blood matting the fucker's fingernails as he tried to get away.
He turned to Elena, her face was ghost pale and her eyes wide with shock and fear. "Lains," he said on a shaky breath and let the man drop into a pile at their feet.
Her cheek was scratched and bleeding and her shirt was torn. Her beautiful doe eyes had lost their sparkle and had been replaced with a fear that ate at his gut. He dragged her in. "Elena," he said on a shaky breath. He curled his arms around her saying her name again and again.
"She wanted it," came the muffled reply of the man on the floor. "I swear it, man."
She reached for Richie, nearly falling against him as the trembling started again. Her arms wrapped tightly around him, soft sobs beginning again as tears raced along her pale cheeks. "Richie." It was all she could manage to say, it was all she could see. He was there, he'd make the bad go away.
The man on the floor started to slide away, crawling toward the exit. Richie moved to follow him, to drag him back. He wasn’t done with him, not by a long shot. He ached for blood, to hear the man’s bones break beneath his hands, but Elena's arms wrapped around him completely. "Baby, he's going to get away. I want him to be punished for what-" he choked on the thought. "He r-r--" he took a deep breath. "I have to..." his voice cracked as he held onto her.
Her soft whimpers faded as his arms wrapped around her. "No,” She held him harder, the strength of his shoulders anchoring her. “No, don't leave me, please don't leave me." Just the thought of him walking off had her shaking like a willow tree in a storm. "He," She stuttered over the words, “He didn't manage,” she swallowed against the fear bubbling up again. She had to get out of this place, now, before the scent of the man and hallway consumed her. “Just get me outta here. Please God don’t leave me here!" Her words were soft, but she could feel the panic there, so close to the surface. Her gaze skittered up to his shattered dark eyes. She didn’t need anything but him. Not now, not ever. "Please, love."
He watched helplessly as the man stood and disappeared into the crowd. Dark, curly hair faded into the crush of people enjoying the last dance. His arms gripped her tighter as the words sunk in. Did she really say he hadn't? Had he been in time? "He didn't?"
Shivers wracked her body as flashes of memory threatened. Shutting her eyes against the torrent of fear, she held him even tighter. "He didn't get a chance…” She bit back a sob. “He just," She looked into his eyes and reached a hand to touch his face, "Was gropey. Hands and fingers,” she growled, shaking her head. “Hands where only yours should be.” When she saw the pain in his eyes she leaned up, her hands cupping his cheeks as her thumbs brushed away the tears tracking silently down his face. “He didn't get to finish.” She drew in a deep breath, forcing herself to stop the shudders. He needed to know that he’d been in time. She could see it, feel it, hell almost taste his need to believe. “You saved me Pony. You SAVED me!"
Winding her arms around his neck, she pressed her face into his chest as the tears came. "You saved me."
The images exploded into his mind and he gentled his embrace. God, the bastard had hurt her. He could still see the press of the smaller man against her. The piece of trash was just a little taller than his wife, his wiry body pinning her as if she wasn’t any stronger than a child.
His hands under her skirt…God, no!
His gut was on fire with the need for blood. He wanted to find him and kill him. Even if he hadn't managed to ra- He shied away from the word even now that he knew it hadn't happened. Or had it? "Lains, I can take it if he did. We'll get through it. I'll get you the best help I can buy. I'll take you to any hospital." He sniffed and pressed a kiss to her temple. "You can tell me." He saw the small, pink dick in his mind. The jeans open.
Her skirt lifted…
He closed his eyes and hugged her close. Not his Elena. Not his sweet Elena.
His soothing words were like a balm to her troubled sea of a soul. "He didn't Pony, I swear, just his hands, just his," her voice cracked. It was enough. The thought of those nasty hands on her…inside of her. She felt the tremors start again, but she forced herself to look Richie in the eyes. "He didn't finish, honest." She buried her face in his neck, dragging in the musky richness of him as she held tighter. "Just take me home. Make me forget. It’s over,” she gasped. “It’s over…just make it over."
He could hear the hysteria starting to build in her voice. He wanted her home, wanted her close and alone with him when she broke. He gathered her in and fussed with her skirt to make sure she was covered. "Okay, love. I'll get you home." He pressed a lingering kiss at her temple. "Just hang on to me," he said and scooped her up in his arms. He didn't care if it looked crazy or stupid. He would get her out of there and having her in his arms...he fought back the rage. It helped to have her close.
She kept her face pressed close to his neck, his hair. The soft sobs broken by deep inhales as she tried to pull his scent in. The hallway stench, the man’s skin all needed to be gone, eradicated by his clean scent. The ocean and coco butter, musk and Richie. The walk through the bar was a blur. The confusion on Rett’s face was merely a peripheral thing. All she could do was concentrate on the strong arms around her and that spicy, earthy scent that told her she was safe.
He didn't even remember what he said to Everett, but somehow they'd managed to make it out of the bar. He held her tight as he flagged down one of the gypsy cabs that he'd always been warned against. He didn't care what he had to pay. He needed to get her back to the beach house. He needed her safe.
"Where to, mon?" The taxi driver’s voice was friendly, almost bright in this dark moment.
Richie rattled of their address. "There's an extra twenty in it for you if you do it quickly and quietly," Richie said with a rough edge to his voice.
"Will do," the man said and stepped on it.
Curling her onto his lap, he didn't let go as the beach and the quaint village sped by.
She curled tighter to his body and tried to stop the shakes, tried to stop the tears and be strong. How could she have not stopped him? She had the defense training, how had he managed to get her pinned? Her mind kept whirling in circles as the whimpers faded in and out. The only thing keeping her from total hysteria was the strong arms around her and the softly whispered murmurs telling her it was ok. He'd get her home, he'd help her forget. Things would be ok.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Chapter 78
Richie linked fingers with Elena as he headed up the stairs into the small waterfront bar. The music was already blaring and the bar was near capacity, with the majority of the patrons of the female persuasion. Anything seemed to go for fashion, from bikinis to dresses and everything you could think of in between. Zoning in on the bar, he caught the bartender's glance after a few minutes and signaled for two beers. He fought his way for a spot along the bar and settled Elena between his thighs. "Pretty cool place," he said into her ear.
She leaned back as she took a sip of the ice cold brew, her hips already beginning to sway and shimmy instinctively to the music. "Mmmm, yes it is." Her gaze traveled the room slowly, resting on the band for a few moments before moving on. "Band's not half bad."
He slid his hand over her hip and along her belly, letting his hips roll with her slow swivel. The song had a deep Caribbean flavor that hinted of heat and sweat. He sipped his cold beer then buried his nose in her hair, "God, you're so fucking hot," he whispered.
He groaned as her head tilted backwards, her elegant neck shimmering under the club lights as she arched backwards with a slow swaying move, the soft sultriness of her voice of her whispered "mmmm, not the only hot thing here tonight lover," doing more damage to his control than he expected.
He placed her empty bottle and his twin on the bar and led her onto the dance floor. Between the crush of people and the heat of the heavy night, he felt the rivulets of sweat sliding down his back already. He nudged her thighs apart with a knee and groaned when she plastered herself to him, her arms twining around his neck. The driving beat and his near constant arousal near her was too much to ignore. He lowered his mouth to hers, drawing her unique flavor into his mouth with the bite of the Mexican beer on her tongue.
He kissed her, long and slow letting his body glide with hers in a dance that was more sex than anything else. His hands eased to her hips as his fingers went lower to cup her amazing ass. He pulled her to a slow grind against his thigh, stirring himself up as much as his wife.
She whimpered softly against his chest as her fingers played over his back and ass, her hips moving into their own timeless beat to the music. One slender leg lifted to rub itself against his as she molded herself to him, her body moving to the beat and his lead.
Richie broke the kiss with a groan, his lips drifting to her ear. "Dancing with you is like sex, just the thought of your hips under me has me so hot I'd fuck you right here," he said darkly.
His grin quirked as her eyes nearly black with music and desire lifted to his, and his resolve to simply go dancing with his new wife almost flew out the window with her words.
Pressing a light kiss to the skin showing on his chest she whispered up to him, "I'd probably go along with it, arrest be damned too."
Richie took a half step away from the danger that was Elena's hips then lifted her hand to his mouth, scraping his teeth over her wrist. "You're a dangerous woman. Perhaps it was too soon for us to leave the house."
He let his head fall back at the flick of her tongue on his chest. Thankfully the music began to fade as a deep Jamaican bass of a voice came over the microphone. "We're going to take a little break folks, we'll be back in five. Go and feed your bartenda," he said with a rich, booming laugh.
Her gaze twinkled as it slid from his face then down along his body and slowly up again. She knew it, he was already half hard and all because of her, and if the visual hadn't told her the long fingers still holding tightly to her ass did. "We can handle it darlin, will just make later more fun."
He growled, leaning into her neck and scraping his teeth where her scent was strongest. "Evil wife," he muttered with a smile against her skin. He looked up when he heard his name from the corner.
With a huge smile he recognized an old friend. "Jesus, Rette what the hell are you doing here?" He twirled Elena around into his body facing outward. With both hands he grasped his hand.
She blinked in stunned amazement at the giant standing before her. Tilting her head up her eyes widened as she took in the massively tall, bald ripped man whose skin was darker than the Caribbean night. Holy hell he was bigger than Richie, and his smile was bright enough to light the room on its own. She glanced back at Richie a moment then back to the man he'd called Rette wondering how in hell her husband knew this one man.
"Elena Sambora meet Everette Bradley, one of my oldest friends in the world." He slid a hand around her waist. "Rette, this is my wife, Elena."
"Holy shit, no way!" Everette enveloped her into a hug. "Welcome to the inner circle, Miss Lovely."
She tilted her head, Richie's introduction lending an added sparkle to her already dazzling gaze. Soft lips split into a luminous smile as she lifted a slender hand. "Pleasure's all mine, I'm sure."
"Ah, man, I like her already," Everette said with a wide smile. "I can't believe it! Hitched? For real?"
Richie laughed. "I know. It was a little spur of the moment, but when you know, you know my brotha."
She leaned against Richie a moment and listened as the two men lost themselves in reminiscing and music. Her husband's face took on a glow that she recognized for what it was, a love of music that would damned near rival his love of all things sexual. "Richie sweetie, I'm gonna go get us a drink while you chit chat with Rette here."
He hauled her in, lifting her onto her toes as he kissed her. "Thanks, babe. Are you sure it's okay?" He blushed, realizing it must have been boring for her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck a moment and gave him a sweet smile, her lips sliding over his ear for a brief instant. “I just know you think its boring to me, but its not.” She pulled away and winked, “I actually like listening to you talk, even when it’s about your music, It’s the only way to learn all about you."
"See, I totally won the wife jackpot," he said and grinned at Rette. "Oh, wait, shit. I don't think you brought a purse." He dug into his jeans pocket. "Here you go babe, want a beer too Rette?"
"Thanks, man." Everette nodded.
She winked up at Rette and blew Richie a kiss as she turned to walk to the bar, her hips swaying to the normal house music playing. Shoulders rolled to the sounds as she glided her way up to the bar.
"Pretty little thing, you got there, Rich." Everette nodded to Elena's retreating back.
"I lucked out. You're the first to know about the marriage too." Richie followed Rette's gaze. Elena's naturally sweet demeamor was currently slaying the bartender. He glanced back at his friend. "So how've you been?"
~
He watched her. He'd been scoping out the ladies in the room and this chick was by far the sexiest of any of them in the ratty bar. He sneered at the canned music that piped around the bar. It was better than the Caribbean shit that had been thumping.
The chicks sure did dig that shit though. Grinding all over the dance floor in their bikinis and barely there skirts, they were all asking for it. He brushed his finger under his nose, sniffing hard against the bit of powder left there. He belted back a double shot of whiskey and motioned the bartender for another.
Settling against the bar, he watched the girl with the long dark hair shimmy her way through the crowd and come right up to him. She must have seen him across the way. He flicked his pinkie over his eyebrow and grinned. "Hey baby, lookin' hot out there. You are F-I-N-E in all capital letters baby."
Her gaze flickered casually over the slightly scuzzy male beside her before moving away to watch for the bartender. Ignore it and it will go away ran through her mind as slender fingers drummed on the counter. No need to answer him, short skinny and creepy just wasn't her style, especially now that Richie was in her life.
"Hey there, I'm talking to you. What? You too good to talk to me?" Anger flared suddenly as the beauty in purple continued to ignore him.
"Something like that," Elena's voice dripped with disdain as her gaze looked for the bartender more intently. "Make like a tree and leave man."
"C'mon don't be that way, baby. I'm the finest man in here, don't you know?" He turned to her, crowding in close. God, she smelled good, like expensive sex. He lifted the ends of her hair. "I could make your entire night."
Elena sighed and scooted a pace away from the man. "Yeah you could, by leaving me be."
He laughed. "I see how you are. Playing hard to get, I get it." He leaned back on the bar. "Those drinks are on me, baby. I'll take care of you."
[i]God did the bugs never stop? Couldn’t scuzzball tell she wasn’t even interested?[/I] She forced an overly polite tone into her voice. "I can buy my own thanks." She motioned to the bartender as he walked up, "Three Coronas please."
"I got plenty of money, babe. You could live it up in the finest hotel tonight. I only do four star hotels and four star women," he said with a leer.
She kept her eyes firmly on the bartender, no need to give the creep any more of a reason to pester her. Her voice was quiet yet firm and carried across the space, "Sorry I don't do charity cases." She almost groaned aloud. Did men REALLY use those lame attempts to pick up girls? Thank God Richie wasn't like that, well he DID say lame stuff sometimes, but he had a way about him that made the lamest thing seem sexy. "Go find someone else to use those crap lines on buddy."
He smiled through the anger. "You don't know what you're missing, babe." His eyes flicked over her tight purple top, with the nipples so obviously on display for him. She was hot for him, he knew it. "You'll come back when you realize that I'm the best there is in here."
She gave the bartender a bright smile as she handed over the cash to pay for the drinks. Turning to walk away she muttered loudly enough for him to hear, "Yeah the best trash around, but don’t look for me back, I don’t play in garbage."
She walked back towards Richie, relief at being away from the creep nearly warring with the tension of having to deal with scum in this of all places. Thank the good Lord that she had Richie here, he'd keep the scum away for sure.
Richie accepted the beer as she returned, sliding his arm around her shoulder. "Hey, love." He felt the tension along her shoulders and the stiff posture. Where was his loose and fancy free Elena? "Everything okay?"
She forced herself to relax as a genuine smile began to play upon her lips. "It is now gorgeous." She took a sip of her drink, her eyes wandering the bar quickly, relieved to see the creep had stayed at the bar. "It is now."
Richie started to follow her gaze and twisted when Rette called out to him. "C'mon Richie, you know you want to get up here."
Richie rolled his eyes. "C'mon man, I'm on my honeymoon here."
She gave a light laugh as she pinched his ass. "Go on, you know you wanna. I'll be right here watching and dancing to the magic you make."
He heard the lure of the music, but he wanted to keep her happy. His fingers nearly itched to get around that beautiful mandolin he saw sitting on the stage. "Are you sure?"
She leaned up and pressed gentle lips against his. "As sure as I was about saying yes. Now GO, you haven’t really played in days, your aching for it, so GO."
He squeezed her hard and lifted her into a smacking kiss. "How is it that you know me so well already?"
"C'mon man!" Rette called out.
She returned his kiss then giggled, "Ya better go, he's bigger than you."
He looked over his shoulder. "Give me a second here; do you see how hot my wife is compared to you jokers?" He dipped her and laid a playful kiss on her gasping lips.
Her head swam even with the playful kiss as he bent her back. As she straightened her eyes glittered with unspoken promises for the night ahead. With a little shove she pushed him towards the stage, "Go on, make me some music to dance too Husband."
He waggled his eyebrows and headed up the stairs. "Alright you got me, now let me at that mandolin." He reached out toward the gorgeous and well used guitar that barely fit in his hand. It was so small, but the sound it made was so lovely. He settled into a stool and flicked through a few chords, familiarizing himself with the instrument. He spotted Elena's sweet smile in the crowd and followed suit as the band started in with a croony ballad.
He watched as she moved to stand closer to the part of the stage he was on, her smile echoing the light desire playing in her eyes as she began to move to the music. Her eyes closed as she lost herself inside the music and the fantasies of what the night would bring later on. Each inch of her body became the music as the songs began to really soar.
~
He watched her, feeling his dick rise as her lithe hips lured him in. She was the ultimate package female. Some looked good, but couldn't fuck for shit, but that one, that one he knew would be the real deal. He dug for the brown vial in his pants and unscrewed the cap, flicking a pinkie nail full of coke and quickly snorting as he felt the full blast of her sexy dance. She was hot and he wanted to drill his dick inside that pussy.
She was gonna be so hot, wiggling around and pushing back against him. He could practically feel her now, vicing around his dick. God, she would be such a good fuck.
When her arms went over her head, to flow with the music, he practically shot his load in his jeans right there. Just a few minutes and she'd have him cross eyed and coming so hard. He could practically feel it right now with the buzz of whiskey and the coke. It'd be soooo fucking good.
He moved into the crowd, watching as she got off on the guitarist music. Maybe he'd just tell her he was a guitarist. That got chicks hot, anything to get into that tight pussy.
She watched Richie as she danced, her heart speeding up as his eyes closed. He was so into the music. She almost giggled to see a recognizable orgasmic look on his face. As his eyes opened and found her she winked and did a slow dip forward, the front of her halter gaping slightly before she spun and swayed to the left. God even his music made her hot. She watched his fingers fly over the strings and remembered each stroke of their long length over her skin.
He felt his fingers shake a little and he reached for the vial again. Just a little more and he'd be steady enough to give it to her like she'd never known.
He smiled wide when he saw her wave at the band and head off to the dark hallway. Had to be the chick bathrooms over there. Just a quickie in the hallway. Yeah, he was feelin' it. She'd take it in a dark hallway. She was definitely the type.
She wandered into the ladies room and swiftly took care of business. Stepping out, she stopped in front of the small sink and reached for a few paper towels and dried the sweat from her shoulders and neck. Dance and desire had her heated to the point of no return, along with the thoughts Richie and his hands were going to do her later that night. Turning the tap onto cool she dampened the towels and lightly patted her forehead and cheeks. Winking at the mirror she sauntered back out, intent to return to the stage.
"Hey there, sexy. I knew you'd be holding out over here for me." His eyes were glassy with the extra dose of coke.
Her eyes widened as the creep from the bar blocked her exit. "Move outta my way."
"Hey now, let's not play this game anymore," he said and twirled her against the scratchy brick-face. He twisted her arm, so that her shoulders hit the brick with a jarring slam. "I knew the first time I saw that ass on the dance floor that it would be so sweet." His fingers gripped the warm leather that cupped her ass so perfectly.
"I suggest you let go of me now asshole. I am NOT interested in your brand of sewage. You're totally nasty and you stink of rot.!" Elena bit back the bile as his odor swirled into her nose making her nearly gag. She wouldn't be afraid of a piece of trash. "You’re too drunk or high to do anything that would remotely please me. Get your nasty ass fingers off of me NOW!"
"Did you just fucking call me nasty, you bitch?" he said and pressed his knee into the back of hers so she'd bend. He yanked at the skirt and twisted her arm harder. "I'm so hard I could fuck you for an hour until you couldn't stop screaming, bitch."
She pushed against the wall and bucked back hard trying to dislodge him, her mind beginning to skitter into the fact that whatever he was on had him stronger than usual, none of the moves she’d learned in defense class was working. It didn’t stop her from berating him, sometimes a drunk would finally hear the anger and let go. "It wouldn't be pleasure I’d be screaming for you gross piece of refuse. I'd be yelling for the goddamned police. Now as I said let me go, before you regret what you're doing."
He ripped at the skirt until he felt the fleshy roundness of a cheek. He pushed his fingers around the scrap of panties that she was sporting. His dick swelled when he felt how wet she was for him. "Yeah, you want it baby, I can feel it. You're fucking soaked for me." He licked along her cheek. "I knew you'd be tight, but fuck you're like fire. I can't wait to get my dick into that pussy," he said on a rough wheeze as he jerked at his buckle.
The slightest whimpered gasp escaped her, eyes closing as she finally accepted he wasn’t going to let her go. This couldn’t be happening, not in a public bar with people all over. His hands couldn't be, no they wouldn't be where only Richie's should be. Her mind began to shudder as her body became wracked with chills. "Dude, please, stop," her voice was a soft whimper, "Please just stop, you so don't wanna do this."
"C'mon wiggle back at me like you did on the dance floor." He pushed two fingers into her letting his thumb press against her asshole. Girls liked that full feeling. Just wait until she got a feel for his dick, he thought and unzipped. She'd be so full she wouldn't know what to do. He laughed, "You're gonna scream when you feel my dick, baby. It's gonna be so good."
She leaned back as she took a sip of the ice cold brew, her hips already beginning to sway and shimmy instinctively to the music. "Mmmm, yes it is." Her gaze traveled the room slowly, resting on the band for a few moments before moving on. "Band's not half bad."
He slid his hand over her hip and along her belly, letting his hips roll with her slow swivel. The song had a deep Caribbean flavor that hinted of heat and sweat. He sipped his cold beer then buried his nose in her hair, "God, you're so fucking hot," he whispered.
He groaned as her head tilted backwards, her elegant neck shimmering under the club lights as she arched backwards with a slow swaying move, the soft sultriness of her voice of her whispered "mmmm, not the only hot thing here tonight lover," doing more damage to his control than he expected.
He placed her empty bottle and his twin on the bar and led her onto the dance floor. Between the crush of people and the heat of the heavy night, he felt the rivulets of sweat sliding down his back already. He nudged her thighs apart with a knee and groaned when she plastered herself to him, her arms twining around his neck. The driving beat and his near constant arousal near her was too much to ignore. He lowered his mouth to hers, drawing her unique flavor into his mouth with the bite of the Mexican beer on her tongue.
He kissed her, long and slow letting his body glide with hers in a dance that was more sex than anything else. His hands eased to her hips as his fingers went lower to cup her amazing ass. He pulled her to a slow grind against his thigh, stirring himself up as much as his wife.
She whimpered softly against his chest as her fingers played over his back and ass, her hips moving into their own timeless beat to the music. One slender leg lifted to rub itself against his as she molded herself to him, her body moving to the beat and his lead.
Richie broke the kiss with a groan, his lips drifting to her ear. "Dancing with you is like sex, just the thought of your hips under me has me so hot I'd fuck you right here," he said darkly.
His grin quirked as her eyes nearly black with music and desire lifted to his, and his resolve to simply go dancing with his new wife almost flew out the window with her words.
Pressing a light kiss to the skin showing on his chest she whispered up to him, "I'd probably go along with it, arrest be damned too."
Richie took a half step away from the danger that was Elena's hips then lifted her hand to his mouth, scraping his teeth over her wrist. "You're a dangerous woman. Perhaps it was too soon for us to leave the house."
He let his head fall back at the flick of her tongue on his chest. Thankfully the music began to fade as a deep Jamaican bass of a voice came over the microphone. "We're going to take a little break folks, we'll be back in five. Go and feed your bartenda," he said with a rich, booming laugh.
Her gaze twinkled as it slid from his face then down along his body and slowly up again. She knew it, he was already half hard and all because of her, and if the visual hadn't told her the long fingers still holding tightly to her ass did. "We can handle it darlin, will just make later more fun."
He growled, leaning into her neck and scraping his teeth where her scent was strongest. "Evil wife," he muttered with a smile against her skin. He looked up when he heard his name from the corner.
With a huge smile he recognized an old friend. "Jesus, Rette what the hell are you doing here?" He twirled Elena around into his body facing outward. With both hands he grasped his hand.
She blinked in stunned amazement at the giant standing before her. Tilting her head up her eyes widened as she took in the massively tall, bald ripped man whose skin was darker than the Caribbean night. Holy hell he was bigger than Richie, and his smile was bright enough to light the room on its own. She glanced back at Richie a moment then back to the man he'd called Rette wondering how in hell her husband knew this one man.
"Elena Sambora meet Everette Bradley, one of my oldest friends in the world." He slid a hand around her waist. "Rette, this is my wife, Elena."
"Holy shit, no way!" Everette enveloped her into a hug. "Welcome to the inner circle, Miss Lovely."
She tilted her head, Richie's introduction lending an added sparkle to her already dazzling gaze. Soft lips split into a luminous smile as she lifted a slender hand. "Pleasure's all mine, I'm sure."
"Ah, man, I like her already," Everette said with a wide smile. "I can't believe it! Hitched? For real?"
Richie laughed. "I know. It was a little spur of the moment, but when you know, you know my brotha."
She leaned against Richie a moment and listened as the two men lost themselves in reminiscing and music. Her husband's face took on a glow that she recognized for what it was, a love of music that would damned near rival his love of all things sexual. "Richie sweetie, I'm gonna go get us a drink while you chit chat with Rette here."
He hauled her in, lifting her onto her toes as he kissed her. "Thanks, babe. Are you sure it's okay?" He blushed, realizing it must have been boring for her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck a moment and gave him a sweet smile, her lips sliding over his ear for a brief instant. “I just know you think its boring to me, but its not.” She pulled away and winked, “I actually like listening to you talk, even when it’s about your music, It’s the only way to learn all about you."
"See, I totally won the wife jackpot," he said and grinned at Rette. "Oh, wait, shit. I don't think you brought a purse." He dug into his jeans pocket. "Here you go babe, want a beer too Rette?"
"Thanks, man." Everette nodded.
She winked up at Rette and blew Richie a kiss as she turned to walk to the bar, her hips swaying to the normal house music playing. Shoulders rolled to the sounds as she glided her way up to the bar.
"Pretty little thing, you got there, Rich." Everette nodded to Elena's retreating back.
"I lucked out. You're the first to know about the marriage too." Richie followed Rette's gaze. Elena's naturally sweet demeamor was currently slaying the bartender. He glanced back at his friend. "So how've you been?"
~
He watched her. He'd been scoping out the ladies in the room and this chick was by far the sexiest of any of them in the ratty bar. He sneered at the canned music that piped around the bar. It was better than the Caribbean shit that had been thumping.
The chicks sure did dig that shit though. Grinding all over the dance floor in their bikinis and barely there skirts, they were all asking for it. He brushed his finger under his nose, sniffing hard against the bit of powder left there. He belted back a double shot of whiskey and motioned the bartender for another.
Settling against the bar, he watched the girl with the long dark hair shimmy her way through the crowd and come right up to him. She must have seen him across the way. He flicked his pinkie over his eyebrow and grinned. "Hey baby, lookin' hot out there. You are F-I-N-E in all capital letters baby."
Her gaze flickered casually over the slightly scuzzy male beside her before moving away to watch for the bartender. Ignore it and it will go away ran through her mind as slender fingers drummed on the counter. No need to answer him, short skinny and creepy just wasn't her style, especially now that Richie was in her life.
"Hey there, I'm talking to you. What? You too good to talk to me?" Anger flared suddenly as the beauty in purple continued to ignore him.
"Something like that," Elena's voice dripped with disdain as her gaze looked for the bartender more intently. "Make like a tree and leave man."
"C'mon don't be that way, baby. I'm the finest man in here, don't you know?" He turned to her, crowding in close. God, she smelled good, like expensive sex. He lifted the ends of her hair. "I could make your entire night."
Elena sighed and scooted a pace away from the man. "Yeah you could, by leaving me be."
He laughed. "I see how you are. Playing hard to get, I get it." He leaned back on the bar. "Those drinks are on me, baby. I'll take care of you."
[i]God did the bugs never stop? Couldn’t scuzzball tell she wasn’t even interested?[/I] She forced an overly polite tone into her voice. "I can buy my own thanks." She motioned to the bartender as he walked up, "Three Coronas please."
"I got plenty of money, babe. You could live it up in the finest hotel tonight. I only do four star hotels and four star women," he said with a leer.
She kept her eyes firmly on the bartender, no need to give the creep any more of a reason to pester her. Her voice was quiet yet firm and carried across the space, "Sorry I don't do charity cases." She almost groaned aloud. Did men REALLY use those lame attempts to pick up girls? Thank God Richie wasn't like that, well he DID say lame stuff sometimes, but he had a way about him that made the lamest thing seem sexy. "Go find someone else to use those crap lines on buddy."
He smiled through the anger. "You don't know what you're missing, babe." His eyes flicked over her tight purple top, with the nipples so obviously on display for him. She was hot for him, he knew it. "You'll come back when you realize that I'm the best there is in here."
She gave the bartender a bright smile as she handed over the cash to pay for the drinks. Turning to walk away she muttered loudly enough for him to hear, "Yeah the best trash around, but don’t look for me back, I don’t play in garbage."
She walked back towards Richie, relief at being away from the creep nearly warring with the tension of having to deal with scum in this of all places. Thank the good Lord that she had Richie here, he'd keep the scum away for sure.
Richie accepted the beer as she returned, sliding his arm around her shoulder. "Hey, love." He felt the tension along her shoulders and the stiff posture. Where was his loose and fancy free Elena? "Everything okay?"
She forced herself to relax as a genuine smile began to play upon her lips. "It is now gorgeous." She took a sip of her drink, her eyes wandering the bar quickly, relieved to see the creep had stayed at the bar. "It is now."
Richie started to follow her gaze and twisted when Rette called out to him. "C'mon Richie, you know you want to get up here."
Richie rolled his eyes. "C'mon man, I'm on my honeymoon here."
She gave a light laugh as she pinched his ass. "Go on, you know you wanna. I'll be right here watching and dancing to the magic you make."
He heard the lure of the music, but he wanted to keep her happy. His fingers nearly itched to get around that beautiful mandolin he saw sitting on the stage. "Are you sure?"
She leaned up and pressed gentle lips against his. "As sure as I was about saying yes. Now GO, you haven’t really played in days, your aching for it, so GO."
He squeezed her hard and lifted her into a smacking kiss. "How is it that you know me so well already?"
"C'mon man!" Rette called out.
She returned his kiss then giggled, "Ya better go, he's bigger than you."
He looked over his shoulder. "Give me a second here; do you see how hot my wife is compared to you jokers?" He dipped her and laid a playful kiss on her gasping lips.
Her head swam even with the playful kiss as he bent her back. As she straightened her eyes glittered with unspoken promises for the night ahead. With a little shove she pushed him towards the stage, "Go on, make me some music to dance too Husband."
He waggled his eyebrows and headed up the stairs. "Alright you got me, now let me at that mandolin." He reached out toward the gorgeous and well used guitar that barely fit in his hand. It was so small, but the sound it made was so lovely. He settled into a stool and flicked through a few chords, familiarizing himself with the instrument. He spotted Elena's sweet smile in the crowd and followed suit as the band started in with a croony ballad.
He watched as she moved to stand closer to the part of the stage he was on, her smile echoing the light desire playing in her eyes as she began to move to the music. Her eyes closed as she lost herself inside the music and the fantasies of what the night would bring later on. Each inch of her body became the music as the songs began to really soar.
~
He watched her, feeling his dick rise as her lithe hips lured him in. She was the ultimate package female. Some looked good, but couldn't fuck for shit, but that one, that one he knew would be the real deal. He dug for the brown vial in his pants and unscrewed the cap, flicking a pinkie nail full of coke and quickly snorting as he felt the full blast of her sexy dance. She was hot and he wanted to drill his dick inside that pussy.
She was gonna be so hot, wiggling around and pushing back against him. He could practically feel her now, vicing around his dick. God, she would be such a good fuck.
When her arms went over her head, to flow with the music, he practically shot his load in his jeans right there. Just a few minutes and she'd have him cross eyed and coming so hard. He could practically feel it right now with the buzz of whiskey and the coke. It'd be soooo fucking good.
He moved into the crowd, watching as she got off on the guitarist music. Maybe he'd just tell her he was a guitarist. That got chicks hot, anything to get into that tight pussy.
She watched Richie as she danced, her heart speeding up as his eyes closed. He was so into the music. She almost giggled to see a recognizable orgasmic look on his face. As his eyes opened and found her she winked and did a slow dip forward, the front of her halter gaping slightly before she spun and swayed to the left. God even his music made her hot. She watched his fingers fly over the strings and remembered each stroke of their long length over her skin.
He felt his fingers shake a little and he reached for the vial again. Just a little more and he'd be steady enough to give it to her like she'd never known.
He smiled wide when he saw her wave at the band and head off to the dark hallway. Had to be the chick bathrooms over there. Just a quickie in the hallway. Yeah, he was feelin' it. She'd take it in a dark hallway. She was definitely the type.
She wandered into the ladies room and swiftly took care of business. Stepping out, she stopped in front of the small sink and reached for a few paper towels and dried the sweat from her shoulders and neck. Dance and desire had her heated to the point of no return, along with the thoughts Richie and his hands were going to do her later that night. Turning the tap onto cool she dampened the towels and lightly patted her forehead and cheeks. Winking at the mirror she sauntered back out, intent to return to the stage.
"Hey there, sexy. I knew you'd be holding out over here for me." His eyes were glassy with the extra dose of coke.
Her eyes widened as the creep from the bar blocked her exit. "Move outta my way."
"Hey now, let's not play this game anymore," he said and twirled her against the scratchy brick-face. He twisted her arm, so that her shoulders hit the brick with a jarring slam. "I knew the first time I saw that ass on the dance floor that it would be so sweet." His fingers gripped the warm leather that cupped her ass so perfectly.
"I suggest you let go of me now asshole. I am NOT interested in your brand of sewage. You're totally nasty and you stink of rot.!" Elena bit back the bile as his odor swirled into her nose making her nearly gag. She wouldn't be afraid of a piece of trash. "You’re too drunk or high to do anything that would remotely please me. Get your nasty ass fingers off of me NOW!"
"Did you just fucking call me nasty, you bitch?" he said and pressed his knee into the back of hers so she'd bend. He yanked at the skirt and twisted her arm harder. "I'm so hard I could fuck you for an hour until you couldn't stop screaming, bitch."
She pushed against the wall and bucked back hard trying to dislodge him, her mind beginning to skitter into the fact that whatever he was on had him stronger than usual, none of the moves she’d learned in defense class was working. It didn’t stop her from berating him, sometimes a drunk would finally hear the anger and let go. "It wouldn't be pleasure I’d be screaming for you gross piece of refuse. I'd be yelling for the goddamned police. Now as I said let me go, before you regret what you're doing."
He ripped at the skirt until he felt the fleshy roundness of a cheek. He pushed his fingers around the scrap of panties that she was sporting. His dick swelled when he felt how wet she was for him. "Yeah, you want it baby, I can feel it. You're fucking soaked for me." He licked along her cheek. "I knew you'd be tight, but fuck you're like fire. I can't wait to get my dick into that pussy," he said on a rough wheeze as he jerked at his buckle.
The slightest whimpered gasp escaped her, eyes closing as she finally accepted he wasn’t going to let her go. This couldn’t be happening, not in a public bar with people all over. His hands couldn't be, no they wouldn't be where only Richie's should be. Her mind began to shudder as her body became wracked with chills. "Dude, please, stop," her voice was a soft whimper, "Please just stop, you so don't wanna do this."
"C'mon wiggle back at me like you did on the dance floor." He pushed two fingers into her letting his thumb press against her asshole. Girls liked that full feeling. Just wait until she got a feel for his dick, he thought and unzipped. She'd be so full she wouldn't know what to do. He laughed, "You're gonna scream when you feel my dick, baby. It's gonna be so good."
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Chapter 77
Richie woke to streaming sun, soft skin and a quiet sense of peace he didn't think he'd ever find. They'd managed to make their way back to the beach house and hadn't come up for air for two solid days. If he didn't know every square inch of Elena's body before then, he certainly did now.
A whisper and a murmur, a plea and a scream, even a sigh could all be named now. Instead of feeling itchy for newness, he just wanted to hear each and every sound from her for the rest of his days.
He traced the line of her spine with the tip of his finger and slid from their bed when his body let him know that even a naked and more than willing mate would have to wait for other more urgent things. She turned into his pillow as he stood and curved her lithe little body around it with a soft smile on her lips. Groaning before his morning erection talked him out of nature's call he padded into the bathroom.
Taking advantage of a little alone time he took a quick shower after he emptied his bladder and brushed his teeth. Tugging on a soft pair of worn cargo shorts he zipped them, leaving the button open as he sat down next to his wife. Wife, he snorted softly. Still couldn't believe that.
He pressed a kiss along her shoulder, down to the soft skin of her back, to the tiny flare of her hips. "Wakey, wakey my beautiful wife."
She murmured softly into the pillow as sleepy eyes fluttered opened slowly. She shifted slowly and turned, her gaze roaming up his body, a whispered hint of a smile playing about her lips. God he was beautiful, even this time of the day.
Her husband, it still felt a bit unreal to even think, but after two days of unadulterated pleasure, of learning each inch of him, each gasp and groan, each little growl, it was becoming more and more real. Funny that a growl could be defined into groups, but they could and each one could set her to shivering on the barest of whispers.
Her hand reached out and traced his forearm as she began to speak, "Mmmmm, someone's awake a bit earlier than usual."
"As much as I love making love to you in every," He leered with an exaggerated waggle of brows. "Imaginable way, I figured it might be nice to actually leave the house today." He leaned in and pressed a light kiss on her upturned mouth.
A bright smile flashed into her eyes as she sat up swiftly then leaned in to plaster a kiss onto those sensual lips of his. "Mmmm, you mean I finally get to show you off huh?"
He grinned into the kiss. "Absolutely. Bad sea salted hair and all."
She tilted her head and pretended to study him carefully. "Might SHOULD get you some conditioner." She laughed softly, knowing her hair was probably as frazzled as his from the sun and salt water.
He pushed his fingers through his rat’s nest of hair. "We could do a little shopping in the village. Not to mention we're completely out of food. Especially mangos." His eyes lit with hunger as he remembered just how he'd eaten the meaty, stringy fruit the night before. His fingertip slid beneath the sheet to tease a soft nipple to readiness with just a light stroke.
A slow flush built in her cheeks as a soft whispered moan escaped her. "Ahhh mangoes, yes," her eyes lighting as his inventiveness coursed through her memories. "Eating, it’s a good thing." She leaned closer, her skin rubbing along his slowly, her head dipping down to kiss that slight valley in between his pecs, even now that one spot fascinated her.
Trying to be strong against the soft little licks and the feel of her soft, soft skin against his he let his arms fold around her. "Eating is a very good thing, and if I could sustain myself on you and your rather delicious taste, I would." His stomach made the argument for him as it growled loudly. "But I only had mangos for dinner last night," he laughed. "That ain't gonna cut it, love."
A fine brow arched as a she sighed softly over his skin, her lips sliding up to his lips for a gentle kiss. "Right, real food it is." She leaned back before sliding from the bed. "Give me ten minutes?"
"Too late, I already gave you forever," he smirked. "But you can have ten minutes to get ready to leave the house," he said and leaned back on the bed with his fingers laced on his stomach.
She shook her head and began to chuckle as she walked to the closet, "and if I take twenty?"
"I'll have to just come help...um, dress you." He said with a wide grin.
She reached into the closet and pulled a couple of items out before turning towards the bathroom. "I'll hold you to that honey." She laughed all the way to the bathroom, intending to be out in less than ten just to prove a girl could get ready faster than expected.
Eight minutes later she exited the bathroom, hair washed and brushed up into a pony-tail. Standing in the door way she let her gaze wander over each glorious inch of him, so casually reclined on the bed. "Well I'm ready and you’re still just laying there?"
Richie opened one eye. A white denim skirt sat low on her hips showing off her tanned and toned stomach. Her legs were showcased and looked smooth to the touch. He opened his other eye to take in the full effect of the cropped purple shirt that tied at the back of her neck showing off her sun-kissed shoulders. "I'm deciding if that cute denim skirt can flip up quickly."
A slightly evil grin started on her lips and traveled to her eyes as she turned around, letting the wrap around skirt flare slightly, the absence of even thongs apparent. "Oh I dunno, do ya think it might?"
He slid off the bed and hooked an arm around her waist, letting his other hand cup her butt through the material. "I'm thinking I could go without food for at least another ten minutes."
She leaned back against him, her hips slowly shimmying against his crotch as she offered up a soft whimper. "But your tummy keeps growling."
He nosed his way around to the back of her ear, nipping none too gently. "I know something else that's growling louder," he said and pressed his quickly hardening erection into her belly.
She gasped softly, her body trembling slightly, "Richie.. food??"
Easing away slowly he hissed. "I'm never going to pick food over sex darlin'." He dipped in and caught her lips, letting the heat and the hunger free as he backed her into the long bureau that took up half the wall from the bathroom to the door of their bedroom. Hiking her and her skirt up, he groaned as skin was her only underclothing.
Her tummy chose that moment to grumble and protest, and rather loudly, "But baby I'm hungry, you don’t want me fainting from hunger do ya?" She batted her lashes as she turned her gaze upwards as a soft smile gracing her lips. "I could really do with a juicy burger or something."
His finger slid up the sweet slit that her skirt had covered. "Something else seems pretty juicy."
She wiggled quickly and slid under his arm and scooted to the door. "If you feed me now I'll make it even better later...." She fluttered her lashes his way and backed slowly to the door. "Come on, you need fuel handsome."
He banged his cock then his head against the wall and pouted over at his wife. "You're really going to leave me hard and aching?"
She giggled softly as she studied him, "What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but I promise to kiss it better later." She arched a brow and stepped closer to the door, "I'll even buy a bit of ice too."
Groaning he backed up and shifted himself inside the roomy cargos. "Better be a big bag, beautiful." He grabbed a shirt from the dresser in front of him and tugged the fitted cotton shirt over his head. He held out his hand to meet her at the door. "Let's go get you something to eat."
She twined her fingers with his and winked, "Only takes one piece if you recall. We both need to eat baby, can’t be getting too weak." She wandered out the door and almost turned left, forgetting that the small town was in the opposite direction.
Curling his arm around her shoulders he steered her right. Some things would never change, he thought with a laugh. "This way, darlin'."
A soft blush suffused her cheeks as she walked beside him. "Ahh right, this way." Her eyes brightened and a wide grin floated onto her lips. As much as she loved the alone time with him, seeing people, shopping, just being in around other people was a joy. Being the social animal she was, she looked forward to the next hours. "Pony?"
"Hmm?" he answered absently as they headed into the village, fingers twined with the sun blasting overhead. He maneuvered them into the bazaar, making a beeline for the straw hats that caught his eye.
She watched as he bee-lined for the hats. Of course it would be the hats, he seemed to have an obsession of all things with strings, and headwear. As he plundered through each hat, trying each one on she grinned, "You think maybe we could go to that little club we saw the other day, you know the one that had the band and the dancing?" She missed dancing, dancing in the sheets excluded, she just missed the throb and thrill of moving. "I'm sure they'd even love for you to jam with them, the band that is."
He turned and settled a wide brimmed hat on her head, grinning down at her as her sweet face went instantly Audrey Hepburn. "We can go wherever you like, love."
With a laugh he settled a wide pair of shades on her nose to finish the look. "Sexy as hell," he murmured.
She nearly squealed with delight before striking a pose, her smile widening if possible. "You won’t mind going out?"
"Nah, I like watching you dance." He ducked under the brim of her hat and kissed her nose, then grabbed the rolled cowboy hat with the feathered decorations above the brim and tugged it on. "We'll take both of these," he grinned down at her dazzling smile and motioned to the shades. "Those too."
His hand slid down to clasp hers again as he tugged her over to the outside restaurant with the wrought iron seats and scrolled iron-worked tables with their tiled tops. "How's this? We haven't tried this place yet."
She smiled up at him and nodded. "This will be fine baby, if it’s got food its entirely wonderful."
A waitress waved them in. "Pick any seat folks, I'll be with you in a sec."
Richie picked a square table along a railing of vine flowers and held the chair for her. Pressing a quick kiss at her shoulder when she sat down he picked up the menu before he even took his own seat.
They talked over fresh salsa and chips while they waited for a very non-traditional Caribbean fare. Large burgers with salty fries and a huge beer for each of them started off the day just perfectly.
When they finished they went shopping again, another armful of clothes ended up on his arm while his ever frugal wife only snagged a pair of earrings for herself. "You know we don't have to bargain shop or window shop, right? Get whatever you want, love."
She glanced up at him and winked, "I got what I wanted." She tilted her head a moment, her eyes playing over the bazaar. It was making him a bit nuts that she never bought anything, she could see that. Her eyes settled on a vivid concoction of purple leather skirt and lace halter top. "But if it will make you feel better, we'll just get this." She placed the outfit on top of his assorted odds and ends a teasing smile lighting her eyes. "Now I’m done shopping."
He just shook his head and handed his card over to the merchant. Collecting his bags he moved onto the next booth. A wide array of fruits and fresh vegetables littered every box and he made his way to the mangos. "I'll take four please."
He did love his mangos and it made her grin as she wondered exactly how those mangos would fair. Quickly charming the vendor she quickly had a selection of other berries and fruits, along with other staples chosen. With a wicked grin she pointed back to Richie. "He's paying."
"Damn right," he grinned. "A husband provides, now doesn't he?" He pounded his chest and gave her a crazy monkey look.
She snorted softly and rolled her eyes towards the vendor. "Don't mind him, he’s been off his medication for a couple days. He'll be right as rain as soon as the next injection comes." She turned and winked at Richie before wandering down to the next stall.
He laughed and chased after her, bags bumping into her hips and thighs as he wrapped his arms around her. "Injection huh? I think you're the one that's going to get the injection."
She laughed as she reached up on tiptoe to give him a soft kiss. "Only if you’re a good boy." She flicked her tongue against his lips softly, "AFTER we go dancing."
"Well, we'll dump the bags and I'll change into jeans so we can head out on the town, how's that sound?"
"Sounds like a plan husband of mine. It will give me a chance to wear that new outfit." She placed her hand in his and waited on him to turn in the right direction. One misfire directionally a day is all she could handle.
"C'mon tell me which way to go," he said with a sly smile.
She cut a look his way, then glanced around the barest hint of frustration in her gaze. "Ummm, that-a-way" She pointed back and to the right. "Somewhere over there."
"Only if we want to go further into town," he said cheerfully and headed to the left. When her brows beetled he leaned down, "Even if you get lost, I'll always find you, Lains."
She shook her head as a wry grin slid onto her lips. "That's a good thing to know Pony." She walked along side him as she for the millionth time in her life wondered how she, a rather intelligent person could get lost so easy. It had become such a part of her that she simply used it to find the next adventure, but sometimes it was downright irritating. It was also why she always memorized certain routes til she could walk them in her sleep. "I'd hate to think of getting lost and NOT getting found."
He lifted her hand to his mouth. "Never going to happen." He let her hand go as he unlocked the door and headed for the bathroom. "I'm going to take quick shower."
"Ok." She moved into the room and quickly began to put their day's plunder away. Food, fruit ice into its cabinets or fridge, clothing into dressers, or hung in the closet so avoid wrinkles. With an arch of her brow she laid out a gauzy white shirt and pair of skintight blue jeans for him and the new purple outfit for her. She'd been dying to see that gauzy shirt on him for days.
Five minutes later he had a towel at his hips and a toothbrush between his lips as he walked out to find her mid change. Watching the stretchy lace hug her back and waist he envied the leather skirt for the way it curved around her hips and hugged her ass.
She turned and moved past him, stopping long enough to kiss his cheek before stepping into the bathroom to finish getting ready. A few minutes later, teeth brushed and a light coat of make up applied she stepped from the bathroom and slipped into a strappy set of heels, her gaze finding him as a slight heat began to burn in her veins. That damned shirt definitely should be illegal coursed through her mind as she studied him quietly.
He lifted the filmy shirt and looked at her thru the material. "I could just go without a shirt," he muttered.
"But then the hint of skin through that shirt wouldn't tease me and heat me up all night now would it?" She reached out to trail a finger along his chest, "Its all about teasing the eyes baby."
"Well when you put it that way," he grinned. "I was going to save it for the stage, but I'd be happy to torture you with it all night," he said with a leer. Shrugging it on, he tucked it into the jeans she'd chosen and a thick, shiny buckle to finish the job. "Do I pass inspection?" he said and fluffed his hair.
She waggled her brows as she wrapped her arms around him for a moment, her nose nuzzling into his chest swiftly. "Oh yeah. With an A+ even."
He slid his hand into her hair and held her there for a moment, enjoying her breath on his skin. "Alright, let's party," he whispered against her hair.
A whisper and a murmur, a plea and a scream, even a sigh could all be named now. Instead of feeling itchy for newness, he just wanted to hear each and every sound from her for the rest of his days.
He traced the line of her spine with the tip of his finger and slid from their bed when his body let him know that even a naked and more than willing mate would have to wait for other more urgent things. She turned into his pillow as he stood and curved her lithe little body around it with a soft smile on her lips. Groaning before his morning erection talked him out of nature's call he padded into the bathroom.
Taking advantage of a little alone time he took a quick shower after he emptied his bladder and brushed his teeth. Tugging on a soft pair of worn cargo shorts he zipped them, leaving the button open as he sat down next to his wife. Wife, he snorted softly. Still couldn't believe that.
He pressed a kiss along her shoulder, down to the soft skin of her back, to the tiny flare of her hips. "Wakey, wakey my beautiful wife."
She murmured softly into the pillow as sleepy eyes fluttered opened slowly. She shifted slowly and turned, her gaze roaming up his body, a whispered hint of a smile playing about her lips. God he was beautiful, even this time of the day.
Her husband, it still felt a bit unreal to even think, but after two days of unadulterated pleasure, of learning each inch of him, each gasp and groan, each little growl, it was becoming more and more real. Funny that a growl could be defined into groups, but they could and each one could set her to shivering on the barest of whispers.
Her hand reached out and traced his forearm as she began to speak, "Mmmmm, someone's awake a bit earlier than usual."
"As much as I love making love to you in every," He leered with an exaggerated waggle of brows. "Imaginable way, I figured it might be nice to actually leave the house today." He leaned in and pressed a light kiss on her upturned mouth.
A bright smile flashed into her eyes as she sat up swiftly then leaned in to plaster a kiss onto those sensual lips of his. "Mmmm, you mean I finally get to show you off huh?"
He grinned into the kiss. "Absolutely. Bad sea salted hair and all."
She tilted her head and pretended to study him carefully. "Might SHOULD get you some conditioner." She laughed softly, knowing her hair was probably as frazzled as his from the sun and salt water.
He pushed his fingers through his rat’s nest of hair. "We could do a little shopping in the village. Not to mention we're completely out of food. Especially mangos." His eyes lit with hunger as he remembered just how he'd eaten the meaty, stringy fruit the night before. His fingertip slid beneath the sheet to tease a soft nipple to readiness with just a light stroke.
A slow flush built in her cheeks as a soft whispered moan escaped her. "Ahhh mangoes, yes," her eyes lighting as his inventiveness coursed through her memories. "Eating, it’s a good thing." She leaned closer, her skin rubbing along his slowly, her head dipping down to kiss that slight valley in between his pecs, even now that one spot fascinated her.
Trying to be strong against the soft little licks and the feel of her soft, soft skin against his he let his arms fold around her. "Eating is a very good thing, and if I could sustain myself on you and your rather delicious taste, I would." His stomach made the argument for him as it growled loudly. "But I only had mangos for dinner last night," he laughed. "That ain't gonna cut it, love."
A fine brow arched as a she sighed softly over his skin, her lips sliding up to his lips for a gentle kiss. "Right, real food it is." She leaned back before sliding from the bed. "Give me ten minutes?"
"Too late, I already gave you forever," he smirked. "But you can have ten minutes to get ready to leave the house," he said and leaned back on the bed with his fingers laced on his stomach.
She shook her head and began to chuckle as she walked to the closet, "and if I take twenty?"
"I'll have to just come help...um, dress you." He said with a wide grin.
She reached into the closet and pulled a couple of items out before turning towards the bathroom. "I'll hold you to that honey." She laughed all the way to the bathroom, intending to be out in less than ten just to prove a girl could get ready faster than expected.
Eight minutes later she exited the bathroom, hair washed and brushed up into a pony-tail. Standing in the door way she let her gaze wander over each glorious inch of him, so casually reclined on the bed. "Well I'm ready and you’re still just laying there?"
Richie opened one eye. A white denim skirt sat low on her hips showing off her tanned and toned stomach. Her legs were showcased and looked smooth to the touch. He opened his other eye to take in the full effect of the cropped purple shirt that tied at the back of her neck showing off her sun-kissed shoulders. "I'm deciding if that cute denim skirt can flip up quickly."
A slightly evil grin started on her lips and traveled to her eyes as she turned around, letting the wrap around skirt flare slightly, the absence of even thongs apparent. "Oh I dunno, do ya think it might?"
He slid off the bed and hooked an arm around her waist, letting his other hand cup her butt through the material. "I'm thinking I could go without food for at least another ten minutes."
She leaned back against him, her hips slowly shimmying against his crotch as she offered up a soft whimper. "But your tummy keeps growling."
He nosed his way around to the back of her ear, nipping none too gently. "I know something else that's growling louder," he said and pressed his quickly hardening erection into her belly.
She gasped softly, her body trembling slightly, "Richie.. food??"
Easing away slowly he hissed. "I'm never going to pick food over sex darlin'." He dipped in and caught her lips, letting the heat and the hunger free as he backed her into the long bureau that took up half the wall from the bathroom to the door of their bedroom. Hiking her and her skirt up, he groaned as skin was her only underclothing.
Her tummy chose that moment to grumble and protest, and rather loudly, "But baby I'm hungry, you don’t want me fainting from hunger do ya?" She batted her lashes as she turned her gaze upwards as a soft smile gracing her lips. "I could really do with a juicy burger or something."
His finger slid up the sweet slit that her skirt had covered. "Something else seems pretty juicy."
She wiggled quickly and slid under his arm and scooted to the door. "If you feed me now I'll make it even better later...." She fluttered her lashes his way and backed slowly to the door. "Come on, you need fuel handsome."
He banged his cock then his head against the wall and pouted over at his wife. "You're really going to leave me hard and aching?"
She giggled softly as she studied him, "What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but I promise to kiss it better later." She arched a brow and stepped closer to the door, "I'll even buy a bit of ice too."
Groaning he backed up and shifted himself inside the roomy cargos. "Better be a big bag, beautiful." He grabbed a shirt from the dresser in front of him and tugged the fitted cotton shirt over his head. He held out his hand to meet her at the door. "Let's go get you something to eat."
She twined her fingers with his and winked, "Only takes one piece if you recall. We both need to eat baby, can’t be getting too weak." She wandered out the door and almost turned left, forgetting that the small town was in the opposite direction.
Curling his arm around her shoulders he steered her right. Some things would never change, he thought with a laugh. "This way, darlin'."
A soft blush suffused her cheeks as she walked beside him. "Ahh right, this way." Her eyes brightened and a wide grin floated onto her lips. As much as she loved the alone time with him, seeing people, shopping, just being in around other people was a joy. Being the social animal she was, she looked forward to the next hours. "Pony?"
"Hmm?" he answered absently as they headed into the village, fingers twined with the sun blasting overhead. He maneuvered them into the bazaar, making a beeline for the straw hats that caught his eye.
She watched as he bee-lined for the hats. Of course it would be the hats, he seemed to have an obsession of all things with strings, and headwear. As he plundered through each hat, trying each one on she grinned, "You think maybe we could go to that little club we saw the other day, you know the one that had the band and the dancing?" She missed dancing, dancing in the sheets excluded, she just missed the throb and thrill of moving. "I'm sure they'd even love for you to jam with them, the band that is."
He turned and settled a wide brimmed hat on her head, grinning down at her as her sweet face went instantly Audrey Hepburn. "We can go wherever you like, love."
With a laugh he settled a wide pair of shades on her nose to finish the look. "Sexy as hell," he murmured.
She nearly squealed with delight before striking a pose, her smile widening if possible. "You won’t mind going out?"
"Nah, I like watching you dance." He ducked under the brim of her hat and kissed her nose, then grabbed the rolled cowboy hat with the feathered decorations above the brim and tugged it on. "We'll take both of these," he grinned down at her dazzling smile and motioned to the shades. "Those too."
His hand slid down to clasp hers again as he tugged her over to the outside restaurant with the wrought iron seats and scrolled iron-worked tables with their tiled tops. "How's this? We haven't tried this place yet."
She smiled up at him and nodded. "This will be fine baby, if it’s got food its entirely wonderful."
A waitress waved them in. "Pick any seat folks, I'll be with you in a sec."
Richie picked a square table along a railing of vine flowers and held the chair for her. Pressing a quick kiss at her shoulder when she sat down he picked up the menu before he even took his own seat.
They talked over fresh salsa and chips while they waited for a very non-traditional Caribbean fare. Large burgers with salty fries and a huge beer for each of them started off the day just perfectly.
When they finished they went shopping again, another armful of clothes ended up on his arm while his ever frugal wife only snagged a pair of earrings for herself. "You know we don't have to bargain shop or window shop, right? Get whatever you want, love."
She glanced up at him and winked, "I got what I wanted." She tilted her head a moment, her eyes playing over the bazaar. It was making him a bit nuts that she never bought anything, she could see that. Her eyes settled on a vivid concoction of purple leather skirt and lace halter top. "But if it will make you feel better, we'll just get this." She placed the outfit on top of his assorted odds and ends a teasing smile lighting her eyes. "Now I’m done shopping."
He just shook his head and handed his card over to the merchant. Collecting his bags he moved onto the next booth. A wide array of fruits and fresh vegetables littered every box and he made his way to the mangos. "I'll take four please."
He did love his mangos and it made her grin as she wondered exactly how those mangos would fair. Quickly charming the vendor she quickly had a selection of other berries and fruits, along with other staples chosen. With a wicked grin she pointed back to Richie. "He's paying."
"Damn right," he grinned. "A husband provides, now doesn't he?" He pounded his chest and gave her a crazy monkey look.
She snorted softly and rolled her eyes towards the vendor. "Don't mind him, he’s been off his medication for a couple days. He'll be right as rain as soon as the next injection comes." She turned and winked at Richie before wandering down to the next stall.
He laughed and chased after her, bags bumping into her hips and thighs as he wrapped his arms around her. "Injection huh? I think you're the one that's going to get the injection."
She laughed as she reached up on tiptoe to give him a soft kiss. "Only if you’re a good boy." She flicked her tongue against his lips softly, "AFTER we go dancing."
"Well, we'll dump the bags and I'll change into jeans so we can head out on the town, how's that sound?"
"Sounds like a plan husband of mine. It will give me a chance to wear that new outfit." She placed her hand in his and waited on him to turn in the right direction. One misfire directionally a day is all she could handle.
"C'mon tell me which way to go," he said with a sly smile.
She cut a look his way, then glanced around the barest hint of frustration in her gaze. "Ummm, that-a-way" She pointed back and to the right. "Somewhere over there."
"Only if we want to go further into town," he said cheerfully and headed to the left. When her brows beetled he leaned down, "Even if you get lost, I'll always find you, Lains."
She shook her head as a wry grin slid onto her lips. "That's a good thing to know Pony." She walked along side him as she for the millionth time in her life wondered how she, a rather intelligent person could get lost so easy. It had become such a part of her that she simply used it to find the next adventure, but sometimes it was downright irritating. It was also why she always memorized certain routes til she could walk them in her sleep. "I'd hate to think of getting lost and NOT getting found."
He lifted her hand to his mouth. "Never going to happen." He let her hand go as he unlocked the door and headed for the bathroom. "I'm going to take quick shower."
"Ok." She moved into the room and quickly began to put their day's plunder away. Food, fruit ice into its cabinets or fridge, clothing into dressers, or hung in the closet so avoid wrinkles. With an arch of her brow she laid out a gauzy white shirt and pair of skintight blue jeans for him and the new purple outfit for her. She'd been dying to see that gauzy shirt on him for days.
Five minutes later he had a towel at his hips and a toothbrush between his lips as he walked out to find her mid change. Watching the stretchy lace hug her back and waist he envied the leather skirt for the way it curved around her hips and hugged her ass.
She turned and moved past him, stopping long enough to kiss his cheek before stepping into the bathroom to finish getting ready. A few minutes later, teeth brushed and a light coat of make up applied she stepped from the bathroom and slipped into a strappy set of heels, her gaze finding him as a slight heat began to burn in her veins. That damned shirt definitely should be illegal coursed through her mind as she studied him quietly.
He lifted the filmy shirt and looked at her thru the material. "I could just go without a shirt," he muttered.
"But then the hint of skin through that shirt wouldn't tease me and heat me up all night now would it?" She reached out to trail a finger along his chest, "Its all about teasing the eyes baby."
"Well when you put it that way," he grinned. "I was going to save it for the stage, but I'd be happy to torture you with it all night," he said with a leer. Shrugging it on, he tucked it into the jeans she'd chosen and a thick, shiny buckle to finish the job. "Do I pass inspection?" he said and fluffed his hair.
She waggled her brows as she wrapped her arms around him for a moment, her nose nuzzling into his chest swiftly. "Oh yeah. With an A+ even."
He slid his hand into her hair and held her there for a moment, enjoying her breath on his skin. "Alright, let's party," he whispered against her hair.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Chapter 76
Richie's breath caught as she emerged from the tent. Her beautiful hair curled around her face, the breeze off the ocean letting it float around her with pretty white flowers. His eyes drifted down, surprised to find a lacey gown replacing the earlier outfit, but as his eyes traveled the length of her tanned leg he and was just as pleased with this outfit.
Storybook princesses and sprites had nothing on his...wife, echoed in his head. She was going to be his wife. All five foot nothing of her would be his forever. He jangled the rings in his pocket, eager to slide the band around her finger, letting the world know just how special she was to him.
She walked up too him and tilted her head upwards as she reached for his hand. She was trembling, both from nerves and excitement as she watched emotions flicker like fire in his gaze. "Last chance to back out Sambora."
"Do you want me to carry you down the aisle too? Because you aren't going anywhere. Too late you said yes."
A soft giggle escaped her as she winked up at him. "I think I can handle walking beside ya this one time Pony. I'll reserve my rides for later."
"Damn right," he said with a leer. "Everything starts new here, we're one with only the future ahead."
Her ever present smile widened as her eyes began to glow. "I like that, One forever."
He took her hand, linking finger to finger, palm to palm. "Forever is the only thing that works for me where you're concerned."
Leading her down the petal strewn beach that had suddenly became an aisle, he let his toes sink into the sand. The wind kicked up a little as the tide came rolling in with the setting sun. The beach roared like their fast rising fan base, as if to cheer them on while the priest’s quiet, yet strong voice fought with nature.
Brother Martine spoke of forevers and of God’s plan. He spoke of the future and of the growing burdens of family life and Richie tried to listen, but the voice became a buzz as he watched his Elena soak it all in. Watched as the setting sun flamed around them and dreams of forever centered right there, right now, on this beach.
Three weeks ago he’d never have believed that a woman like Elena would bless his life, but he wasn’t one to question the grand plan. He only hoped he’d be good enough and strong enough to be worthy of her.
Faintly he heard the priest start the blessing of the union, holding his hand out for the rings. With shaking fingers he managed not to drop them into the sand. And as the sun reached the smooth glass of the water, the ocean sparked almost as much as her brown eyes. In that moment he promised before the vastness of all of nature to love, honor and cherish her. He spoke aloud his words of forever, unsure if they even made sense.
And without a flicker of remorse he said, “Until death us do part.” Knowing right then that she was his and he was hers. As she did little more than mouth the words back to him, he fought the urge to drag her in as tears escaped from her and from him when her voice broke on forever.
The moment was only the start of the adventure named Elena. “It’s only the beginning,” he whispered it aloud, knowing it would seal the moment. When the priest smiled back Richie lifted his left hand, the circle of white gold and tiny crust of diamonds until her small hand met his. Diamonds flared from her delicate finger and they held palm to palm before they laced fingers again, ring to ring and he pulled her in.
“Hello Mrs. Sambora,” he murmured against her lips just before he sealed them with his own.
She returned the kiss with each and every part of her being, before pulling back and giving him a silly smile. "Hello husband."
Richie turned to the priest, shaking his hand with his right, unwilling to beak their connection just yet. "Thank you for sharing our day, Father. It was perfect."
Elena's gaze traveled to Aggie as she smiled. "Thank you both, so much for making this day perfect."
He turned to the small woman standing on the side with eyes bright with as many tears as his wife. Pulling her in, he brushed each cheek with a kiss. "Thank you for being here so I could marry this amazing lady."
Aggie gave the obviously deliriously happy man a smile. "May the Lord's blessings be on you both."
Elena leaned in towards Richie as she watched the priest and Aggie leave, her petite body still trembling. Taking a deep breath she finally turned and looked up into Richie's dark brown eyes and smiled. "Well now that ya have me, what’s the plan husband of mine?" She laughed inside of herself, as she caught herself saying husband again, but dammit it just felt right to say it. It would make it even more real as the day so far had seemed more like a dream than anything else.
He leaned down, rubbed her nose. "Now I show you what being married means to me the naked way," he said with a laugh when her mouth dropped open.
"Like you haven’t BEEN showing me?" She began to giggle as she pressed closer to him, a wicked light beginning to shine in her eyes, "SO how’s it gonna be any different?"
He shrugged, "It's legal," he laughed. Well, most of the positions are anyway."
She shook her head and started laughing, "You still owe me the ones illegal in most southern bible states." She wrapped her arms around him and grinned, "But if all you can handle is legal, then I'm ready for that too."
"Hell no, I want you every way possible. Carnal knowledge is best when it's at its dirtiest."
A devilish gleam began to twinkle in her eyes as she whirled, "Gotta catch me first," as she darted off and began to run towards the tent.
With three long strides he had her in his arms, swinging her up off her feet as he liked her best. "Caught," he said and pushed through the flap that had been drawn down during her preparations. "This threshold will do for starters."
She continued to giggle until she was nearly gasping, "Oh look, I’ve been caught, WHATEVER shall I do?" Her hands slid around his neck as she watched the curious gleam in his eyes.
Laying her on the bed he started with a long, thorough kiss. Lips and teeth vied for attention as he took and took until she was breathless with it. The shadows were thick as the sun had disappeared and night took over their beach. Richie pulled back, grinned down at his wife for a moment before striding from the tent as he dug into his pants for his lighter.
Her brow arched slightly as he stood and left the tent. Deciding that she could give as good as she got she stood and swiftly unzipped her dress and slid it from her body. Moving to the chair she laid it carefully across the back before removing her panties. Walking back to the bed she reclined back against the pillows and casually bent one knee.
He returned to the tent, a butter soft glow filled the room, leaving flickering shadows and his wife in the center of it all. Sun-kissed from head to each little toe, her skin gleamed in the firelight.
He flicked open the three buttons that he'd bothered to button for the sake of the priest and let the woven silk shirt slide from his arms and drop to the floor. An earthy rosary was his only jewelry tonight. Kneeling on the bed, he left his pants on for now, wanting to savor his wife until her screams were the only things he could hear beyond the pounding surf.
He caught a foot, tracing his tongue around her slim ankle bone and up the smooth expanse of her calf to the dip in her knee. His lips traced a path up with the cool metal of the cross following in his wake.
A soft gasp whispered over lips suddenly dry with need as her body began to shiver from the heat of his lips and the coolness of his cross. "Well there you are."
Deciding the silence would make her even more insane, he didn't say a word, just grinned up at her as his teeth replaced his lips on a smooth scrape up her inner thigh. When he made it to the tissue soft skin just at the top, he nipped ever so gently before nosing his way into the nest of nerves that was already open and ready for him.
He flicked the tip of his tongue from end to end, gathering his first taste of her as his wife. Savoring, he delved a little deeper and found the heart of her and sucked gently as he draped her leg over his shoulder.
Delicate fingers reached for and fisted in the sheets as a soft whimper began to build in her throat. Instinctively she arched up towards his lips before arching away on the barest of nibbles, her eyes fluttering closed before opening again revealing the dazed heat building there. "Jesussssssss Pony!"
"Jesus can't help you tonight, Darlin'. I plan on branding every inch of you tonight," he said darkly. He looked up at her restless movements, the arch of her neck and the soft sighs just weren't enough. His tongue thrust inside of her, mimicking the aching cock that was currently pinned against his body right now. Her taste bloomed in his mouth, his fingers gripped her knee as he felt her shudder beneath him. He wanted more.
A moan wrenched through her as his tongue delved deeper and her body began to shiver wildly. Her fingers slid from the sheets to tangle in his hair s she began to writhe slowly from his actions. "Brand me darlin, god help me Brand me!" Her tongue slid over her dry lips, as the she began to burn with a fever bright heat that only he could inspire.
Leaving her just on the edge, he rose higher, his lips covering her tummy and teasing the fire bright diamond winking at her belly button. He arched away from her, letting the cross trail across her ribs and up to the curve of her breast.
Settling himself against her thighs, he let the rough linen of his pants rub along her center as he slowly swiveled his hips. With each gasp and groan he wanted more, dragging another scream from her as he scraped his teeth over the copper fire of her breast. Sucking none too gently, he rolled her nipple between his teeth and tongue until she bumped and bucked beneath him. Her body not its own now, only instinct reaching for pleasure.
He glanced to his right as her thick cry of near release had him an inch away from flipping her over and ramming into her until they both passed out. He grabbed the readied bottle of champagne, touching the icy bottle to the side of her breast for a moment.
The utter gasp of shock drowned in a groan as he poured a tiny river of gold over her nipple and down to the small concave curve of her belly. Lapping it from her skin and following the ribbon of bubbles he sipped from her belly button.
Her hands slid from his hair to his shoulders as finger nails alternately grazed over skin or dug in with each movement he made, soft cries echoing into heart stopping moans. When the ice cold champagne hit her over sensitized and heated skin she bucked upwards, her eyes flying open as she let go of a soft scream, her mind so swept up in the moment her lips were unable to even frame his name.
Pouring and sipping his way up her body, he licked a trail up her neck and slid a hand down to find her soaking wet. He slid two long fingers in, letting his thumb press down on her clit but not move, just press and leave her full, holding her still when she wanted to arch and finish.
"Not yet," he whispered.
She gasped softly, her lips working as she tried to frame words, "ba...baby please," her words a drawn out husky sigh. Nails raked slowly over broad shoulders then down along his spine, "Pleaseeeee."
Holding her still with one powerful thigh, he caught her mouth in a drugging kiss as he slowly moved his fingers in and out. Her heat poured over his hand, leaving his dick so hard he could barely stand it. Soaking in her, he used his other hand to unhook the loose pants. "Can I come inside, baby? Will you take me?"
Her eyes met his as the fires of passion blazed even higher within her gaze. Returning his kiss with a desperation that only his touch, his kiss and his body could feed she whispered softly against his lips, "God yes..."
Kicking off the pants he rolled her onto her tummy. His teeth went from the backs of her knees to the muscle of her thighs to the perfect shape of her ass. Opening her legs, his rosary dipped into the arch of her spine just as he slid inside, long and slow. "Push back on me, love." he said as her knees dug into the bed and she took all of him.
She arched back against him, her hips trembling as she slowly rotated her hips left to right. Hands with nowhere to roam fisted again in the sheets as her head braced itself on a pillow, her breathing racing and hitching with each simple movement.
He slid a hand under her and banded around her, holding her tight against him. His right hand curved across her shoulders as he dragged her back against him. His lips, sucking, sliding and tasting her neck as he slammed inside of her. The roll of his hips as they found a rhythm as old as the pounding surf seemed to meld into one.
He held her tight against him as he felt her go over, the spasming grasp of her body around him, the guttural screams that came from both of them all converged.
She cried out wildly, her body tensing as she followed his lead, her cries ebbing and flowing with the ocean. "Pony, baby, Love, god..." Sentences were a thing of the past, her mind capable of minimal words as she rode the wave of passion his movements were bringing. There was no her, no him, just them, one body, one mind, one soul, and she was lost....
Her body slumped, eyes wild with passion closing as she gave herself up to him and the darkness.
Richie felt her fall away, her body loose and completely relaxed save for the soft shudders of reaction as her body came back down from the heaven they seemed to find only together.
Curling around her, he watched the flashes of shadow and light on her skin as his heart finally came down to a manageable beat and didn't feel like it was going to rip out of his chest. Pressing a light kiss along her temple he settled in for a quick nap to recharge.
Storybook princesses and sprites had nothing on his...wife, echoed in his head. She was going to be his wife. All five foot nothing of her would be his forever. He jangled the rings in his pocket, eager to slide the band around her finger, letting the world know just how special she was to him.
She walked up too him and tilted her head upwards as she reached for his hand. She was trembling, both from nerves and excitement as she watched emotions flicker like fire in his gaze. "Last chance to back out Sambora."
"Do you want me to carry you down the aisle too? Because you aren't going anywhere. Too late you said yes."
A soft giggle escaped her as she winked up at him. "I think I can handle walking beside ya this one time Pony. I'll reserve my rides for later."
"Damn right," he said with a leer. "Everything starts new here, we're one with only the future ahead."
Her ever present smile widened as her eyes began to glow. "I like that, One forever."
He took her hand, linking finger to finger, palm to palm. "Forever is the only thing that works for me where you're concerned."
Leading her down the petal strewn beach that had suddenly became an aisle, he let his toes sink into the sand. The wind kicked up a little as the tide came rolling in with the setting sun. The beach roared like their fast rising fan base, as if to cheer them on while the priest’s quiet, yet strong voice fought with nature.
Brother Martine spoke of forevers and of God’s plan. He spoke of the future and of the growing burdens of family life and Richie tried to listen, but the voice became a buzz as he watched his Elena soak it all in. Watched as the setting sun flamed around them and dreams of forever centered right there, right now, on this beach.
Three weeks ago he’d never have believed that a woman like Elena would bless his life, but he wasn’t one to question the grand plan. He only hoped he’d be good enough and strong enough to be worthy of her.
Faintly he heard the priest start the blessing of the union, holding his hand out for the rings. With shaking fingers he managed not to drop them into the sand. And as the sun reached the smooth glass of the water, the ocean sparked almost as much as her brown eyes. In that moment he promised before the vastness of all of nature to love, honor and cherish her. He spoke aloud his words of forever, unsure if they even made sense.
And without a flicker of remorse he said, “Until death us do part.” Knowing right then that she was his and he was hers. As she did little more than mouth the words back to him, he fought the urge to drag her in as tears escaped from her and from him when her voice broke on forever.
The moment was only the start of the adventure named Elena. “It’s only the beginning,” he whispered it aloud, knowing it would seal the moment. When the priest smiled back Richie lifted his left hand, the circle of white gold and tiny crust of diamonds until her small hand met his. Diamonds flared from her delicate finger and they held palm to palm before they laced fingers again, ring to ring and he pulled her in.
“Hello Mrs. Sambora,” he murmured against her lips just before he sealed them with his own.
She returned the kiss with each and every part of her being, before pulling back and giving him a silly smile. "Hello husband."
Richie turned to the priest, shaking his hand with his right, unwilling to beak their connection just yet. "Thank you for sharing our day, Father. It was perfect."
Elena's gaze traveled to Aggie as she smiled. "Thank you both, so much for making this day perfect."
He turned to the small woman standing on the side with eyes bright with as many tears as his wife. Pulling her in, he brushed each cheek with a kiss. "Thank you for being here so I could marry this amazing lady."
Aggie gave the obviously deliriously happy man a smile. "May the Lord's blessings be on you both."
Elena leaned in towards Richie as she watched the priest and Aggie leave, her petite body still trembling. Taking a deep breath she finally turned and looked up into Richie's dark brown eyes and smiled. "Well now that ya have me, what’s the plan husband of mine?" She laughed inside of herself, as she caught herself saying husband again, but dammit it just felt right to say it. It would make it even more real as the day so far had seemed more like a dream than anything else.
He leaned down, rubbed her nose. "Now I show you what being married means to me the naked way," he said with a laugh when her mouth dropped open.
"Like you haven’t BEEN showing me?" She began to giggle as she pressed closer to him, a wicked light beginning to shine in her eyes, "SO how’s it gonna be any different?"
He shrugged, "It's legal," he laughed. Well, most of the positions are anyway."
She shook her head and started laughing, "You still owe me the ones illegal in most southern bible states." She wrapped her arms around him and grinned, "But if all you can handle is legal, then I'm ready for that too."
"Hell no, I want you every way possible. Carnal knowledge is best when it's at its dirtiest."
A devilish gleam began to twinkle in her eyes as she whirled, "Gotta catch me first," as she darted off and began to run towards the tent.
With three long strides he had her in his arms, swinging her up off her feet as he liked her best. "Caught," he said and pushed through the flap that had been drawn down during her preparations. "This threshold will do for starters."
She continued to giggle until she was nearly gasping, "Oh look, I’ve been caught, WHATEVER shall I do?" Her hands slid around his neck as she watched the curious gleam in his eyes.
Laying her on the bed he started with a long, thorough kiss. Lips and teeth vied for attention as he took and took until she was breathless with it. The shadows were thick as the sun had disappeared and night took over their beach. Richie pulled back, grinned down at his wife for a moment before striding from the tent as he dug into his pants for his lighter.
Her brow arched slightly as he stood and left the tent. Deciding that she could give as good as she got she stood and swiftly unzipped her dress and slid it from her body. Moving to the chair she laid it carefully across the back before removing her panties. Walking back to the bed she reclined back against the pillows and casually bent one knee.
He returned to the tent, a butter soft glow filled the room, leaving flickering shadows and his wife in the center of it all. Sun-kissed from head to each little toe, her skin gleamed in the firelight.
He flicked open the three buttons that he'd bothered to button for the sake of the priest and let the woven silk shirt slide from his arms and drop to the floor. An earthy rosary was his only jewelry tonight. Kneeling on the bed, he left his pants on for now, wanting to savor his wife until her screams were the only things he could hear beyond the pounding surf.
He caught a foot, tracing his tongue around her slim ankle bone and up the smooth expanse of her calf to the dip in her knee. His lips traced a path up with the cool metal of the cross following in his wake.
A soft gasp whispered over lips suddenly dry with need as her body began to shiver from the heat of his lips and the coolness of his cross. "Well there you are."
Deciding the silence would make her even more insane, he didn't say a word, just grinned up at her as his teeth replaced his lips on a smooth scrape up her inner thigh. When he made it to the tissue soft skin just at the top, he nipped ever so gently before nosing his way into the nest of nerves that was already open and ready for him.
He flicked the tip of his tongue from end to end, gathering his first taste of her as his wife. Savoring, he delved a little deeper and found the heart of her and sucked gently as he draped her leg over his shoulder.
Delicate fingers reached for and fisted in the sheets as a soft whimper began to build in her throat. Instinctively she arched up towards his lips before arching away on the barest of nibbles, her eyes fluttering closed before opening again revealing the dazed heat building there. "Jesussssssss Pony!"
"Jesus can't help you tonight, Darlin'. I plan on branding every inch of you tonight," he said darkly. He looked up at her restless movements, the arch of her neck and the soft sighs just weren't enough. His tongue thrust inside of her, mimicking the aching cock that was currently pinned against his body right now. Her taste bloomed in his mouth, his fingers gripped her knee as he felt her shudder beneath him. He wanted more.
A moan wrenched through her as his tongue delved deeper and her body began to shiver wildly. Her fingers slid from the sheets to tangle in his hair s she began to writhe slowly from his actions. "Brand me darlin, god help me Brand me!" Her tongue slid over her dry lips, as the she began to burn with a fever bright heat that only he could inspire.
Leaving her just on the edge, he rose higher, his lips covering her tummy and teasing the fire bright diamond winking at her belly button. He arched away from her, letting the cross trail across her ribs and up to the curve of her breast.
Settling himself against her thighs, he let the rough linen of his pants rub along her center as he slowly swiveled his hips. With each gasp and groan he wanted more, dragging another scream from her as he scraped his teeth over the copper fire of her breast. Sucking none too gently, he rolled her nipple between his teeth and tongue until she bumped and bucked beneath him. Her body not its own now, only instinct reaching for pleasure.
He glanced to his right as her thick cry of near release had him an inch away from flipping her over and ramming into her until they both passed out. He grabbed the readied bottle of champagne, touching the icy bottle to the side of her breast for a moment.
The utter gasp of shock drowned in a groan as he poured a tiny river of gold over her nipple and down to the small concave curve of her belly. Lapping it from her skin and following the ribbon of bubbles he sipped from her belly button.
Her hands slid from his hair to his shoulders as finger nails alternately grazed over skin or dug in with each movement he made, soft cries echoing into heart stopping moans. When the ice cold champagne hit her over sensitized and heated skin she bucked upwards, her eyes flying open as she let go of a soft scream, her mind so swept up in the moment her lips were unable to even frame his name.
Pouring and sipping his way up her body, he licked a trail up her neck and slid a hand down to find her soaking wet. He slid two long fingers in, letting his thumb press down on her clit but not move, just press and leave her full, holding her still when she wanted to arch and finish.
"Not yet," he whispered.
She gasped softly, her lips working as she tried to frame words, "ba...baby please," her words a drawn out husky sigh. Nails raked slowly over broad shoulders then down along his spine, "Pleaseeeee."
Holding her still with one powerful thigh, he caught her mouth in a drugging kiss as he slowly moved his fingers in and out. Her heat poured over his hand, leaving his dick so hard he could barely stand it. Soaking in her, he used his other hand to unhook the loose pants. "Can I come inside, baby? Will you take me?"
Her eyes met his as the fires of passion blazed even higher within her gaze. Returning his kiss with a desperation that only his touch, his kiss and his body could feed she whispered softly against his lips, "God yes..."
Kicking off the pants he rolled her onto her tummy. His teeth went from the backs of her knees to the muscle of her thighs to the perfect shape of her ass. Opening her legs, his rosary dipped into the arch of her spine just as he slid inside, long and slow. "Push back on me, love." he said as her knees dug into the bed and she took all of him.
She arched back against him, her hips trembling as she slowly rotated her hips left to right. Hands with nowhere to roam fisted again in the sheets as her head braced itself on a pillow, her breathing racing and hitching with each simple movement.
He slid a hand under her and banded around her, holding her tight against him. His right hand curved across her shoulders as he dragged her back against him. His lips, sucking, sliding and tasting her neck as he slammed inside of her. The roll of his hips as they found a rhythm as old as the pounding surf seemed to meld into one.
He held her tight against him as he felt her go over, the spasming grasp of her body around him, the guttural screams that came from both of them all converged.
She cried out wildly, her body tensing as she followed his lead, her cries ebbing and flowing with the ocean. "Pony, baby, Love, god..." Sentences were a thing of the past, her mind capable of minimal words as she rode the wave of passion his movements were bringing. There was no her, no him, just them, one body, one mind, one soul, and she was lost....
Her body slumped, eyes wild with passion closing as she gave herself up to him and the darkness.
Richie felt her fall away, her body loose and completely relaxed save for the soft shudders of reaction as her body came back down from the heaven they seemed to find only together.
Curling around her, he watched the flashes of shadow and light on her skin as his heart finally came down to a manageable beat and didn't feel like it was going to rip out of his chest. Pressing a light kiss along her temple he settled in for a quick nap to recharge.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Chapter 75
((Sorry bout the delay folks but laptied died and i had to spend a lil time pulling the stories from my various sources so i could edit again :)
Without further ado....
_____________________
Jon casually reached over and placed his arm around her waist, more for comfort and to anchor her back to the present than anything else. He picked a topic that had to at least get her attention back to the table for a moment. "So Katie, heard from the runaway yet?"
Kate blinked rapidly as the curtain of her past swept away and the dust motes of history settled back where they belonged. She just gave him an eyebrow raise at the arm around her hips. "What do you think you're doin', Sugar?"
A mega watt smile hit his lips as he winked. No way would he admit to hating her attention being elsewhere. Choosing his words he gave a lighthearted reply. "Talking to a friend and drinking wine. What about you?"
"Uh huh," she said but didn't remove his arm. It suited her purposes for that particular moment. Perhaps James would keep clear if he believed she was on a date. Ignoring his question, she shrugged. "No word from Elena. She's probably hip deep in sand and sex."
Jon snorted and started to laugh, "Yeah, knowing Richie, that's about how its gonna be going. So babe, wanna sit here in the corner all night or do you wanna dance?"
Leaning back she grinned. "You dance to slow smokey jazz, Jon? I'm surprised. I thought you'd be too white to dance."
He leaned forward until he was nose to nose with her. "Baby I dance to everything."
Her head tilted of its own volition and she could nearly taste the warm, rich red on his lips. The wine shined there between them and she ached to taste, to feel alive again. She watched him swipe his lower lip and groaned, pulling back. Struggling to find the light, teasing facade they'd worn all evening, she grinned. "I don't know Sugar, you're with the big boys tonight."
His grin reached out at the same time he stood and took her hand. "Well only one way for you to find out baby, and that’s experience it first hand." He pulled her over to the corner the dance area was in and pulled her tight and let the music guide the way as his hips began to grind and swivel to the music. "Its all about feeling the music Katie," He whispered as his head dipped close to her ear. "It’s all about the music."
His scent wrapped around her, soap and spice with an airy cleanness that invited her closer. When his hands slid into the ass pockets of her jeans and dragged her in, she felt the first pull of longing.
Memories of their time together was so shadowy, she didn't have anything to go on but the present. And when his hips undulated low and slow she let the music take her. Her arms rose to his shoulders as they flowed into one luscious shimmy against the tide of bass and rhythm guitar.
She felt the bump of his lips against her ear, but there was no words, just a low sound of pleasure and the puff of breath on her skin as he rocked closer. And as the rhythm increased, so did their bodies.
He bit back a groan of pleasure and offered up a silent prayer that his body wouldn't betray him, a prayer that wasn't getting any answer; yet he couldn't pull away, and didn’t want too. Their bodies just seemed to fit and it was all he could do to not pull her into a kiss. He held her tighter, and allowed himself the small pleasure of nuzzling her neck with his nose, inhaling her scent and feeling as if it had drugged him. She was everything he could ever want, and she wanted to be friends. There had to be a way to change that, and he'd find it.he needed was time, Sambora and his friend zone shit wasn't gonna do it for him. His hips swayed closer as he dipped her slowly and pulled her back up and into his chest. "You dance divinely Katie."
She slid her fingertips up to his lips. "Don't ruin it by talking," she said and let the drumbeat pulse though her. He was surprisingly firm everywhere. She'd expected the leanness to be one of inactivity, but not the sinewy muscles both in his arms and chest, abs and the distracting ass that bunched with each undulating rush of adrenaline. She felt the slim line of sweat trickling down her spine. Hoping the cotton of her shirt was thick enough to hide the aching tips of her nipples she pulled a hand out of her back pocket. She gasped when his firm grip transferred to her hip, down her thigh as the beat grew tribal.
The dance floor was a crush of people, creating more friction and more sweat as they were forced to crowd closer. She felt his nose bump along her neck and she tipped her head back instinctively.
A soft groan whispered over his lips as her neck was thrown into light and shadow by her movements. Instinct drove him as his tongue flicked out and tasted the sweat that had her pale skin gleaming. His lips slowly slid from neck to ear as he exhaled softly. That small taste had his soul clamouring for more and his logic forcing back the rising desire. Slow and easy would win this race, not his all too eager cock, damn it all, and even as he thought the thought, his lips made one more slow pass over the fragile column of her neck. She was sugar and spice, and damn near lethal with it all, and he wanted more God help him. He tugged her closer, his hands splaying over those curvy hips as a softly uttered groan left him, his lips unable to stop their gentle slide over her skin.
She gasped. Her skin felt hot and tight, each time his hips pushed against hers she came closer to the point of no return. She'd had the argument with herself, until she was blue with it, but here in the middle of the heat of him, it didn't seem to matter that their lives didn't mesh.
Here it didn't matter that he'd be gone within a month. And when his tongue flicked behind her ear, she'd nearly lost it. But the cold light of reality made her decision for her as the house lights went up and she heard James' voice.
"We'll be back in five, folks. We have a visitor in the house and I need to drag her ass up here to play."
He kept his arms around her as the lights came up, a soft growl whispering over his lips. His brows wrinkled at teh look on Kate's face when the guy on stage talked about a visitor. She didn't look happy, not at all. "He’s talking bout you aint he Kate?"
"Fuck," she said with a voice just a hair too shaky for her taste. "He wouldn't," she said more to herself than Jon. But sure enough, she heard the whoops and hollars as James pushed through the dispersing crowd.
"Hiya Killer," came his smooth bass voice. Large arms tugged her from Jon's grasp. Lifting her a full six inches off the floor, he folded her into a hug. "It's been far too long since you've graced my stage with your voice or your brass."
Jon's brow arched nearly to his hairline as he watched the interplay between the two. Closing his eyes a moment he dipped deep inside and pulled on his charisma, letting his stage presence fill his eyes as he put a work smile on. "Well sweetheart, wanna introduce me to your friend?"
"Dammit, James, put me down." She pushed back on him, letting the sharp toe of her boot connect with his shin.
James let her slide down his body, remembering the curve of her, the sheer sexuality of her. For a little white girl, she had surprising moves and more blues in her soul than half of the men he worked with. Too bad she was so independent.
He gave a quick grunt as knee went for his jewels. "Hey now, darlin', don't go for the hot spot. You liked it once upon a time."
Kate hissed and took a step back from him. "Jon, this is James Dupris." She gestured to Jon. "James this is my friend, Jon Bon Jovi."
"What's goin' on with you, Kats. You bring a scrawny glam boy in my club? Have you no shame?"
Jon reached out and pulled Kate into his chest, his hands wrapping around her in a seeming show of possession, his lips dipping to her neck for a moment. "Honey you never told me you knew James Dupris, how bad of you. I might just have to punish you for that later." The ass wanted glam? He'd get it, only not the way he expected.
Hard blue eyes swept over the bigger man, a half smirk gracing his lips. "Glam as I might be, She’s with me now not you, so must be something I have that does it right eh Dupris?"
Kate nearly growled. No way was she going to be in the middle of some testosterone laden tug of war. Extricating herself, she smiled slow and smooth. "Boys, boys, we're attracting far too many eyes." She glanced at James her voice whisper soft."I'm not getting up on that stage."
"Sure you are, Kats. I'll only taunt you into it." His gaze flicked from her all too cool gaze to Jon. "I used to be able to taunt you into damn near anything."
Jon backed up a pace, holding his hands up to Kate in an I give salute. "Katie if you wanna play go ahead, or we could leave to the next spot we were planning on hitting. I was looking forward to that other club you mentioned? Totally up to you though."
"What you don't have it anymore, Killer? Lost your mojo to the medicine that stole your soul?"
Kate's back went up. "What, you think you can guilt me into the set, James? That only works on the groupies you feed into."
His fingertip slid down her arm. "Groupies never replaced you, Kats. Never could. I'm a weak man when it comes to the flesh. If only you'd have given me more, I may not have strayed."
Kate's jaw dropped. Fury and the quiet gleam of battle rose in her cheeks and flashed in her eyes, " You son of a bi-"
Jon reached out with lightning reflexes and pulled Kate into his arms feeling the ice of his rage rising and knew it would glitter in his eyes like a warning. "Only a stupid man would cheat on someone like Katie here." Turning Kate too him he offered her a swift understanding smile. "Baby lets go someplace a bit more befitting your class. Anywhere you wanna go, ok?"
"Ahh, I see you've been tamed by a boy. Never could handle a real man, could you, Kats." James crossed his massive arms over his chest. "I see now that all my tutoring was wasted. That fine body of yours used to shiver beneath my touch both on and off the stage. Now you go for this milquetoast? Momma Beth would be shamed."
Kate nearly shook with the need to lash out. Momma Beth had been the croon to the band before she passed. The owner of the bar before Clarence took over. "Don't you dare bring Momma Beth into this. Just because you can't control me any longer and your pathetic groupies don't excite you anymore, doesn't mean you can come over here and act like the ass I know you are." She let her voice raise and carry. One thing he and Momma had taught her was range. "I'm too good for your stage," she said with her chin held high.
Jon chuckled softly and watched without saying a word. Damn she didn't need protecting one bit. She was glorious with the fire in her hair and eyes. The respect he had felt for her grew a few more notches as he watched her dress down the man making a mockery of them both. "So shall we pretty Katie?"
She laced her fingers in his. "He's twice the man you could even imagine being," she murmured. "And where you've got age creeping higher, he's got the lust and the fire of youth. Everything you fear, Dupris." Turning on her heel she heard James' booming laugh as they headed for the exit.
"White girl, gave me a fine dressing down. She got soul in those hips and pipes," he said to the room to save face. "Too bad, the Dupris just never could tame her. Poor glam boy, he never tame that shrew."
Kate stalled at the mouth of the stairs, then felt Jon's lightly reassuring touch at the small of her back and clattered down the stairs to the door and out into the fresh air.
"Remind me to never piss you off Kate." Jon's voice was droll as a devilish glint sparkled in his eyes. "You’re fucking dangerous babe."
"All that talent wasted on an egotistical ass with a mixture of a God complex and fear of growing old. The women he fucks get younger every year and I didn't see it until I'd already made the mistake," she growled. "I'm sorry you had to see that. I was stupid to think James could control himself with a younger man on my arm."
Jon pulled her into a hug, a gentle smile in his eyes and on his lips, "Its not a problem Katie, gave me a good insight into how you handle things. I admire how you did it. Just never let me be on the wrong end of your anger ok?"
She hugged him back, reluctantly at first, then harder. "Well, don't piss me off like that and we'll be fine. Nothing a woman hates more than her mistakes shoved down her throat with a smirk."
He nodded swiftly, a soft laugh echoing out as they exited the building. "Duly noted Dr. Katie."
"And dammit, I'm hungry. I hate that, I get angry and the only thing that will calm me down is a pizza." She slid her arm around his waist, letting him curl an arm around her shoulders. "You wanna grab a pie, Sugar?"
"Sounds like a plan Katie, a most excellent plan." Turning to the right he began to walk back down the street to the small pizzaria he had noted earlier, his arm still firmly wrapped around her waist.
Without further ado....
_____________________
Jon casually reached over and placed his arm around her waist, more for comfort and to anchor her back to the present than anything else. He picked a topic that had to at least get her attention back to the table for a moment. "So Katie, heard from the runaway yet?"
Kate blinked rapidly as the curtain of her past swept away and the dust motes of history settled back where they belonged. She just gave him an eyebrow raise at the arm around her hips. "What do you think you're doin', Sugar?"
A mega watt smile hit his lips as he winked. No way would he admit to hating her attention being elsewhere. Choosing his words he gave a lighthearted reply. "Talking to a friend and drinking wine. What about you?"
"Uh huh," she said but didn't remove his arm. It suited her purposes for that particular moment. Perhaps James would keep clear if he believed she was on a date. Ignoring his question, she shrugged. "No word from Elena. She's probably hip deep in sand and sex."
Jon snorted and started to laugh, "Yeah, knowing Richie, that's about how its gonna be going. So babe, wanna sit here in the corner all night or do you wanna dance?"
Leaning back she grinned. "You dance to slow smokey jazz, Jon? I'm surprised. I thought you'd be too white to dance."
He leaned forward until he was nose to nose with her. "Baby I dance to everything."
Her head tilted of its own volition and she could nearly taste the warm, rich red on his lips. The wine shined there between them and she ached to taste, to feel alive again. She watched him swipe his lower lip and groaned, pulling back. Struggling to find the light, teasing facade they'd worn all evening, she grinned. "I don't know Sugar, you're with the big boys tonight."
His grin reached out at the same time he stood and took her hand. "Well only one way for you to find out baby, and that’s experience it first hand." He pulled her over to the corner the dance area was in and pulled her tight and let the music guide the way as his hips began to grind and swivel to the music. "Its all about feeling the music Katie," He whispered as his head dipped close to her ear. "It’s all about the music."
His scent wrapped around her, soap and spice with an airy cleanness that invited her closer. When his hands slid into the ass pockets of her jeans and dragged her in, she felt the first pull of longing.
Memories of their time together was so shadowy, she didn't have anything to go on but the present. And when his hips undulated low and slow she let the music take her. Her arms rose to his shoulders as they flowed into one luscious shimmy against the tide of bass and rhythm guitar.
She felt the bump of his lips against her ear, but there was no words, just a low sound of pleasure and the puff of breath on her skin as he rocked closer. And as the rhythm increased, so did their bodies.
He bit back a groan of pleasure and offered up a silent prayer that his body wouldn't betray him, a prayer that wasn't getting any answer; yet he couldn't pull away, and didn’t want too. Their bodies just seemed to fit and it was all he could do to not pull her into a kiss. He held her tighter, and allowed himself the small pleasure of nuzzling her neck with his nose, inhaling her scent and feeling as if it had drugged him. She was everything he could ever want, and she wanted to be friends. There had to be a way to change that, and he'd find it.he needed was time, Sambora and his friend zone shit wasn't gonna do it for him. His hips swayed closer as he dipped her slowly and pulled her back up and into his chest. "You dance divinely Katie."
She slid her fingertips up to his lips. "Don't ruin it by talking," she said and let the drumbeat pulse though her. He was surprisingly firm everywhere. She'd expected the leanness to be one of inactivity, but not the sinewy muscles both in his arms and chest, abs and the distracting ass that bunched with each undulating rush of adrenaline. She felt the slim line of sweat trickling down her spine. Hoping the cotton of her shirt was thick enough to hide the aching tips of her nipples she pulled a hand out of her back pocket. She gasped when his firm grip transferred to her hip, down her thigh as the beat grew tribal.
The dance floor was a crush of people, creating more friction and more sweat as they were forced to crowd closer. She felt his nose bump along her neck and she tipped her head back instinctively.
A soft groan whispered over his lips as her neck was thrown into light and shadow by her movements. Instinct drove him as his tongue flicked out and tasted the sweat that had her pale skin gleaming. His lips slowly slid from neck to ear as he exhaled softly. That small taste had his soul clamouring for more and his logic forcing back the rising desire. Slow and easy would win this race, not his all too eager cock, damn it all, and even as he thought the thought, his lips made one more slow pass over the fragile column of her neck. She was sugar and spice, and damn near lethal with it all, and he wanted more God help him. He tugged her closer, his hands splaying over those curvy hips as a softly uttered groan left him, his lips unable to stop their gentle slide over her skin.
She gasped. Her skin felt hot and tight, each time his hips pushed against hers she came closer to the point of no return. She'd had the argument with herself, until she was blue with it, but here in the middle of the heat of him, it didn't seem to matter that their lives didn't mesh.
Here it didn't matter that he'd be gone within a month. And when his tongue flicked behind her ear, she'd nearly lost it. But the cold light of reality made her decision for her as the house lights went up and she heard James' voice.
"We'll be back in five, folks. We have a visitor in the house and I need to drag her ass up here to play."
He kept his arms around her as the lights came up, a soft growl whispering over his lips. His brows wrinkled at teh look on Kate's face when the guy on stage talked about a visitor. She didn't look happy, not at all. "He’s talking bout you aint he Kate?"
"Fuck," she said with a voice just a hair too shaky for her taste. "He wouldn't," she said more to herself than Jon. But sure enough, she heard the whoops and hollars as James pushed through the dispersing crowd.
"Hiya Killer," came his smooth bass voice. Large arms tugged her from Jon's grasp. Lifting her a full six inches off the floor, he folded her into a hug. "It's been far too long since you've graced my stage with your voice or your brass."
Jon's brow arched nearly to his hairline as he watched the interplay between the two. Closing his eyes a moment he dipped deep inside and pulled on his charisma, letting his stage presence fill his eyes as he put a work smile on. "Well sweetheart, wanna introduce me to your friend?"
"Dammit, James, put me down." She pushed back on him, letting the sharp toe of her boot connect with his shin.
James let her slide down his body, remembering the curve of her, the sheer sexuality of her. For a little white girl, she had surprising moves and more blues in her soul than half of the men he worked with. Too bad she was so independent.
He gave a quick grunt as knee went for his jewels. "Hey now, darlin', don't go for the hot spot. You liked it once upon a time."
Kate hissed and took a step back from him. "Jon, this is James Dupris." She gestured to Jon. "James this is my friend, Jon Bon Jovi."
"What's goin' on with you, Kats. You bring a scrawny glam boy in my club? Have you no shame?"
Jon reached out and pulled Kate into his chest, his hands wrapping around her in a seeming show of possession, his lips dipping to her neck for a moment. "Honey you never told me you knew James Dupris, how bad of you. I might just have to punish you for that later." The ass wanted glam? He'd get it, only not the way he expected.
Hard blue eyes swept over the bigger man, a half smirk gracing his lips. "Glam as I might be, She’s with me now not you, so must be something I have that does it right eh Dupris?"
Kate nearly growled. No way was she going to be in the middle of some testosterone laden tug of war. Extricating herself, she smiled slow and smooth. "Boys, boys, we're attracting far too many eyes." She glanced at James her voice whisper soft."I'm not getting up on that stage."
"Sure you are, Kats. I'll only taunt you into it." His gaze flicked from her all too cool gaze to Jon. "I used to be able to taunt you into damn near anything."
Jon backed up a pace, holding his hands up to Kate in an I give salute. "Katie if you wanna play go ahead, or we could leave to the next spot we were planning on hitting. I was looking forward to that other club you mentioned? Totally up to you though."
"What you don't have it anymore, Killer? Lost your mojo to the medicine that stole your soul?"
Kate's back went up. "What, you think you can guilt me into the set, James? That only works on the groupies you feed into."
His fingertip slid down her arm. "Groupies never replaced you, Kats. Never could. I'm a weak man when it comes to the flesh. If only you'd have given me more, I may not have strayed."
Kate's jaw dropped. Fury and the quiet gleam of battle rose in her cheeks and flashed in her eyes, " You son of a bi-"
Jon reached out with lightning reflexes and pulled Kate into his arms feeling the ice of his rage rising and knew it would glitter in his eyes like a warning. "Only a stupid man would cheat on someone like Katie here." Turning Kate too him he offered her a swift understanding smile. "Baby lets go someplace a bit more befitting your class. Anywhere you wanna go, ok?"
"Ahh, I see you've been tamed by a boy. Never could handle a real man, could you, Kats." James crossed his massive arms over his chest. "I see now that all my tutoring was wasted. That fine body of yours used to shiver beneath my touch both on and off the stage. Now you go for this milquetoast? Momma Beth would be shamed."
Kate nearly shook with the need to lash out. Momma Beth had been the croon to the band before she passed. The owner of the bar before Clarence took over. "Don't you dare bring Momma Beth into this. Just because you can't control me any longer and your pathetic groupies don't excite you anymore, doesn't mean you can come over here and act like the ass I know you are." She let her voice raise and carry. One thing he and Momma had taught her was range. "I'm too good for your stage," she said with her chin held high.
Jon chuckled softly and watched without saying a word. Damn she didn't need protecting one bit. She was glorious with the fire in her hair and eyes. The respect he had felt for her grew a few more notches as he watched her dress down the man making a mockery of them both. "So shall we pretty Katie?"
She laced her fingers in his. "He's twice the man you could even imagine being," she murmured. "And where you've got age creeping higher, he's got the lust and the fire of youth. Everything you fear, Dupris." Turning on her heel she heard James' booming laugh as they headed for the exit.
"White girl, gave me a fine dressing down. She got soul in those hips and pipes," he said to the room to save face. "Too bad, the Dupris just never could tame her. Poor glam boy, he never tame that shrew."
Kate stalled at the mouth of the stairs, then felt Jon's lightly reassuring touch at the small of her back and clattered down the stairs to the door and out into the fresh air.
"Remind me to never piss you off Kate." Jon's voice was droll as a devilish glint sparkled in his eyes. "You’re fucking dangerous babe."
"All that talent wasted on an egotistical ass with a mixture of a God complex and fear of growing old. The women he fucks get younger every year and I didn't see it until I'd already made the mistake," she growled. "I'm sorry you had to see that. I was stupid to think James could control himself with a younger man on my arm."
Jon pulled her into a hug, a gentle smile in his eyes and on his lips, "Its not a problem Katie, gave me a good insight into how you handle things. I admire how you did it. Just never let me be on the wrong end of your anger ok?"
She hugged him back, reluctantly at first, then harder. "Well, don't piss me off like that and we'll be fine. Nothing a woman hates more than her mistakes shoved down her throat with a smirk."
He nodded swiftly, a soft laugh echoing out as they exited the building. "Duly noted Dr. Katie."
"And dammit, I'm hungry. I hate that, I get angry and the only thing that will calm me down is a pizza." She slid her arm around his waist, letting him curl an arm around her shoulders. "You wanna grab a pie, Sugar?"
"Sounds like a plan Katie, a most excellent plan." Turning to the right he began to walk back down the street to the small pizzaria he had noted earlier, his arm still firmly wrapped around her waist.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Chapter 74
"Lead the way, darlin'." Richie followed his bride-to-be out the door. Sunlight glinted off the sheen of her deep brown hair flowing over her shoulders. It accentuated the almost fragile line of her shoulders and petite curves. But damn, the lace was distracting as it cupped her ass lovingly. She looked over her shoulder and smiled at him, the light in her eyes was so complete that he would have followed her to the ends of the earth to keep it on her face.
She reached back for his hand, pulling him up next to her as they headed across the street. Whitewashed clay sat low against the baking sun. Sunbeams bounced off the small stained glass windows and arched wooden doors that were open and welcoming.
"Our Lady of Perpetual Hope," he read aloud. Richie flipped his sunglasses on top of his head as they headed inside. The simple adobe style echoed in the church with rough hewn pews and an ornate altar with intricate hand carvings were lit with a soft glow.
A graceful hand caressed the aged wood of the pews as she wandered down the aisle, her other hand holding tightly to his. It was such a beautiful little place, so peaceful and quiet. The name too spoke to exactly what they were living with now, hope, for the future, for the day and for forever.
She scanned the darker areas in search of the priest or anyone that could lead them too said priest. "Sure hope he’s not out fishing too."
Richie laughed softly. "Things run on a different schedule when you have a beach like that in your backyard."
Elena huffed out a soft giggle then turned to face the front of the church and called out a quiet, "Helloooo?" She sighed as no response came back, her gaze skittering to Richie.
“Daily, daily sing to Mary,
Sing, my soul, her praises due.
All her feasts, her actions worship”
She turned as the melody and strong bass voice filtered through a recessed area slightly to the front of the church.. Holding tighter to Richie's hand she made her way quickly to the front. Placing a hand on the knob she quickly turned it and opened the door to a small courtyard garden. Stepping through the door her head tilted as she studied the young man busily pulling weeds and singing contentedly .
He was obviously the gardener as he was simply too young to be what she thought a priest could be. Even smudged in the dirt of the garden she could tell he would have been the flirting type, had she had the desire to flirt. He was tall, with dark hair and eyes and a tan to die for. This guy obviously enjoyed living on a beach.
"Umm, hello? Sorry to bother you, but we're looking for the priest?" Her voice was soft, with a slight nervous tremble too it. "Could you tell us where he is?"
The song stopped suddenly as the man stood and looked over the young couple standing in his door. "That would be me mon, I’m brother Martine. How can I help you?" His dark gaze centered on the tall young man who seemed to have a strong grip on the pretty filly at his side.
Richie greeted the man with steady eyes. It was a rare thing for him to actually meet someone's gaze, but as the young man rose to his full height he matched Richie inch for inch. He held out his hand. "We were hoping we could speak with you for a moment, Father."
He wiped his dirty hands on his jeans then reached out to grasp the young man's hand. "One always has time for those who search young man. What can I do for you today?" He studied the long haired fella intently. There seemed to almost been a sheen of urgency and desperation in his gaze, yet it wasn't the bad type of desperation. "Why don’t you come with me to my office? We'll talk there out of the heat of the day." Brother Martine gestured to a door on the opposite side of the courtyard. "Whatever it is that brings you to our small church, I'm sure we can figure a way around your troubles."
He opened the office door and pointed to two chairs for them to sit in. Moving behind his desk he sat and steepled his fingers, his chin resting lightly on their pointed ends. "So tells me what brings you to Perpetual Hope young man?"
Richie followed him into the room, bringing Elena in front of him. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "I'm here to request the church's blessing and your help for our wedding."
His brow arched slightly as he watched the near possessive move by the young man. "You wish my blessing and help? Before I consider that, how about you tell me who you are?"
"I'm a simple man with a crazy life. My job takes me to some crazy places both in and out of the states, but there's one constant that I've found." He squeezed her shoulders. "This woman is that constant. I'm Richie and this is Elena."
"You wish to get married then.” He studied Richie intently as an idea of what the trouble could be rose to mind. “You haven’t gotten this pretty little girl in trouble have you? How long have you known her? You realize that in making a vow before God it’s never to be broken?" He studied the couple intently, awaiting their response.
Richie’s brow lifted as he held back the growl that threatened to escape. Yet again how he looked was coloring someone’s impression of how he’d treat someone so important to him. Taking a deep breath he counted to ten before responding. "Not that I wouldn't love to have her carry my babies, but right now it's about us, so no...there's no child. We've known each other for what feels like forever, but by regular definitions, it's been a short time." He rubbed his thumbs over her shoulders. "One thing I hold sacred is the church, which is why I'd like you officiating instead of a justice of the peace."
Elena smiled up at Richie before turning to the priest. "We want it blessed by the church because we believe vows are forever. I love him with all I am. Maybe we haven't known each other for years, but when its right its just right. We just don’t want to wait forever when we both already know its the right thing to do. Please say you can help us."
Brother Martine studied the young woman a moment, then turned back to the young man. Both had that look to them, a look that spoke of deep bonds and intentions. "Before I agree, tell me more about your crazy life."
Unsure if it would work against him or not, Richie nodded at the preacher. "I'm a musician, father. There's very little in my life that's not insane with the type of job that I have. I've felt very lost for a long time, but meeting Elena has been a blessing. I don't," he paused. "I won't ever let her go."
He leaned back in his chair and nodded. "It can be hard to find someone who can center you, especially in that line of work. Consider yourself lucky Richie. So tell me, when did you want to do this wedding? How big ? How many people?" He smiled at them both, as it was rare to find two that seemed that in love.
Richie let his hands slide over her shoulders and down her arms. "Party of two, plus a witness if you're not enough. Tonight, just before sunset," Richie answered with a smile.
The priest nodded and smiled. "Well that should give me enough time to prepare. I'll round up a witness, I don't think you have one in that back pocket of yours. Where do you want to hold the ceremony?"
"We'd like to use the beach, just outside on the hill."
He nodded then stood reaching out to grasp Richie's hand in a firm shake. "I'll see you there at sunset."
Richie's smile was wide as he leaned in. "Thank you, father. I really appreciate this."
The priest smiled, "you just take good care of that pretty little lady. That’s how you'll show your appreciation to me and The Good Lord above young man."
"Well, God was kind enough to give her to me, I'll do anything to keep her."
Elena gave the priest a bright smile. "Thank you so much."
As they arrived back at their Robin Leach get away she smiled. The hours had flown by as they wandered about in town after leaving the church. Richie’s desire to find the perfect sparkly bling for wedding rings had taken them from store to store, to every outdoor market the small town had to offer. She chuckled to herself as he looked at and discarded what had to be over fifty rings before settling on a matching set of white gold bands, the female’s ring having a small set of diamonds encrusting it. She glanced down at her hand and smiled as she pictured the ring that would be a perfect match to the engagement ring next to it.
When they arrived back at the tent, Richie had ushered her inside then excused himself, claiming brides shouldn’t see the groom’s before the wedding. Elena quickly moved about the tent, more in an effort to stave off nerves than anything, the hotel had seen to their needs that well. As she checked the cooler she noticed another meal already waiting and yet another bottle of champaygne cooling in the bucket that had held an empty bottle when they’d left earlier.
The faint sound of guitar music reached her as trembling fingers flicked non existent wrinkles from the bed. The haunting melody drew her to the tent flap like a magnet. Peering out curiously she began to smile as she took in the vision before her. So that’s where Richie had gotten off to. He was leaning against a small rock outcropping strumming his new guitar, making music to put order to his thoughts. It put a smile on her face to just watch him play. For all his boisterous actions, when he played he was graceful, making music a physical expression. Her eyes heated a moment as she wondered what deep thoughts had him looking so intense. Turning slowly she moved back into the tent, her thoughts wandering back over the afternoon.
The sound of a female voice clearing its throat had her turning around and smiling a hello. “Hello can I help you?”
The older lady smiled Elena’s way, “I take it you’re the lucky young lady whose getting married today?”
A soft blush crept up into Elena’s cheeks. “Yes Ma’am, to that handsome guy with the guitar out there.” She moved over to the older woman and gave her a hug, her soft smile seeming to brighten the entire tent. “Well thank you for taking the time out of your day to do this favor for us. I’m Elena by the way.”
The lady grinned at the distracted young woman, who kept trying to fluff her hair with her fingers. “Well I’m Aggie, and Father Martine told me you were a pretty little thing, but he didn’t tell me how much like my precious Jenny you were.”
Elena’s brow arched in curiosity. “Jenny?”
Aggie moved over to the table and sat, settling a box on the table before looking back at Elena. “Yes, she was my daughter, not much older than you when she died.”
Elena walked over, her instant affinity with the woman had her wrapping arms around her shoulders. “I’m sure she was a wonderful person Aggie. I’m so sorry you had to lose her so young. Tell me about her?”
Aggie smiled. “She was a pretty little thing, had studied for years to be a nurse, and when the time came, she chose to put off her own wedding to go overseas to help those being hurt in the war. She was just like that, always bubbly but always ready to help. It was just bad timing I suppose. The day after she got to the missionary hospital it was hit with a stray bomb and she was killed.” Aggie looked up at Elena and saw a tear racing along her high cheekbone. “Now, now, don’t you go to crying and make your face all red for the wrong reasons. She died a hero’s death, and I’ll always have her in my heart.” Standing up Aggie looked around the tented area and grinned. “That young man out there must think the world of you to set something like this up. I bet you he hasn’t given you time to breathe or prepare has he?”
Elena started to giggle as she watched Aggie begin to take items out of her box. “Truth be told, I wasn’t expecting it, I came here without much more than my purse and a comb, and although marrying him is more important than anything, I’m beginning to wish I had brought a bit of make up or something to freshen up.”
Aggie snorted softly. “Well I had a feeling something like that might be the deal, so I came prepared. How’s about we give that young man out there something to really be surprised about? Now you sit right here in this chair and let little old Aggie fix your hair and get you ready for that wedding?”
Elena sat and almost sighed in pleasure as Aggie’s hands began to brush through her hair. Within moments the older lady’s talented fingers had brushed and twisted her hair into a simple romantic upsweep that left soft tendrils of hair whispering around her neck and face. With that done she started winding small bits of baby’s breath into her hair carefully. “Well now, don’t you just look like an angel with a halo?” Aggie gave her a devious grin. “Now tell Aggie what you were planning on wearing to this wedding of yours?”
She looked over at Aggie and laughed nervously, “I bought this today for the occasion Aggie." Elena gestured to the lacy white pants and blouse. "It’s white and lacy. I thought it would do. Not many wedding type dresses here to be honest.”
Aggie’s hands went to her waist as she stared down at Elena. “Well no truer words I suppose. Being a vacation get away you’re lucky to find something that’s not made in bikini style, and although I’m sure that pretty little outfit made that handsome man outside all hot and bothered a girl should still have a special dress for her special day.” Aggie reached into the box and pulled out a dress with a gentle smile on her lips, “You seem to be the right size, so if we’re lucky you’ll be able to use this. I won’t take a no for an answer young miss, so quit giving me that doubtful look. It was to be my Jenny’s wedding dress and I just KNOW she’d want you to have it.”
Elena stood and took the dress from Aggie and gasped with amazement. It was just perfect from its unevenly edged skirt to its pure but sexy lacy paneling. “Oh my God Aggie its just beautiful.
“Yes, well,” Aggie started, “Let’s get you ready so your young man won’t think you’ve changed your mind.”
They continued to chat and laugh as Aggie helped her into the dress. Within moments Aggie had her zipped and carefully arranged the off the shoulder lace and straps to perfection. “Now don’t you just look lovely?”
Elena took a deep breath and tried to quell the New York sized butterflies that were suddenly dancing the fandango inside her tummy. “I’ll have to take your word for it, doesn’t seem to be a mirror here.” She giggled a moment, then took another deep breath. “I don’t know how to thank you Aggie, for going out of your way to make this day even more special. But when I think on this day I’ll always remember you and your Jenny because you’ve helped it be even more special.”
Aggie smiled, “Well thank you young Elena. Now I’m going to go out there and take my spot. You follow me in a moment or two. Let’s not keep that pretty young man of yours waiting any longer.” Aggie gave Elena a quick hug then moved to the tent flap and went outside.
Elena moved to the exit and took another deep breath and tried to again will the fluttering in her tummy away. Closing her eyes a moment she whispered softly, “Welcome to your future Elena Masters.” Opening her eyes she reached out and opened the tent door and stepped through it, her soft brown eyes finding Richie as she began to smile and make her way towards him.
She reached back for his hand, pulling him up next to her as they headed across the street. Whitewashed clay sat low against the baking sun. Sunbeams bounced off the small stained glass windows and arched wooden doors that were open and welcoming.
"Our Lady of Perpetual Hope," he read aloud. Richie flipped his sunglasses on top of his head as they headed inside. The simple adobe style echoed in the church with rough hewn pews and an ornate altar with intricate hand carvings were lit with a soft glow.
A graceful hand caressed the aged wood of the pews as she wandered down the aisle, her other hand holding tightly to his. It was such a beautiful little place, so peaceful and quiet. The name too spoke to exactly what they were living with now, hope, for the future, for the day and for forever.
She scanned the darker areas in search of the priest or anyone that could lead them too said priest. "Sure hope he’s not out fishing too."
Richie laughed softly. "Things run on a different schedule when you have a beach like that in your backyard."
Elena huffed out a soft giggle then turned to face the front of the church and called out a quiet, "Helloooo?" She sighed as no response came back, her gaze skittering to Richie.
“Daily, daily sing to Mary,
Sing, my soul, her praises due.
All her feasts, her actions worship”
She turned as the melody and strong bass voice filtered through a recessed area slightly to the front of the church.. Holding tighter to Richie's hand she made her way quickly to the front. Placing a hand on the knob she quickly turned it and opened the door to a small courtyard garden. Stepping through the door her head tilted as she studied the young man busily pulling weeds and singing contentedly .
He was obviously the gardener as he was simply too young to be what she thought a priest could be. Even smudged in the dirt of the garden she could tell he would have been the flirting type, had she had the desire to flirt. He was tall, with dark hair and eyes and a tan to die for. This guy obviously enjoyed living on a beach.
"Umm, hello? Sorry to bother you, but we're looking for the priest?" Her voice was soft, with a slight nervous tremble too it. "Could you tell us where he is?"
The song stopped suddenly as the man stood and looked over the young couple standing in his door. "That would be me mon, I’m brother Martine. How can I help you?" His dark gaze centered on the tall young man who seemed to have a strong grip on the pretty filly at his side.
Richie greeted the man with steady eyes. It was a rare thing for him to actually meet someone's gaze, but as the young man rose to his full height he matched Richie inch for inch. He held out his hand. "We were hoping we could speak with you for a moment, Father."
He wiped his dirty hands on his jeans then reached out to grasp the young man's hand. "One always has time for those who search young man. What can I do for you today?" He studied the long haired fella intently. There seemed to almost been a sheen of urgency and desperation in his gaze, yet it wasn't the bad type of desperation. "Why don’t you come with me to my office? We'll talk there out of the heat of the day." Brother Martine gestured to a door on the opposite side of the courtyard. "Whatever it is that brings you to our small church, I'm sure we can figure a way around your troubles."
He opened the office door and pointed to two chairs for them to sit in. Moving behind his desk he sat and steepled his fingers, his chin resting lightly on their pointed ends. "So tells me what brings you to Perpetual Hope young man?"
Richie followed him into the room, bringing Elena in front of him. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "I'm here to request the church's blessing and your help for our wedding."
His brow arched slightly as he watched the near possessive move by the young man. "You wish my blessing and help? Before I consider that, how about you tell me who you are?"
"I'm a simple man with a crazy life. My job takes me to some crazy places both in and out of the states, but there's one constant that I've found." He squeezed her shoulders. "This woman is that constant. I'm Richie and this is Elena."
"You wish to get married then.” He studied Richie intently as an idea of what the trouble could be rose to mind. “You haven’t gotten this pretty little girl in trouble have you? How long have you known her? You realize that in making a vow before God it’s never to be broken?" He studied the couple intently, awaiting their response.
Richie’s brow lifted as he held back the growl that threatened to escape. Yet again how he looked was coloring someone’s impression of how he’d treat someone so important to him. Taking a deep breath he counted to ten before responding. "Not that I wouldn't love to have her carry my babies, but right now it's about us, so no...there's no child. We've known each other for what feels like forever, but by regular definitions, it's been a short time." He rubbed his thumbs over her shoulders. "One thing I hold sacred is the church, which is why I'd like you officiating instead of a justice of the peace."
Elena smiled up at Richie before turning to the priest. "We want it blessed by the church because we believe vows are forever. I love him with all I am. Maybe we haven't known each other for years, but when its right its just right. We just don’t want to wait forever when we both already know its the right thing to do. Please say you can help us."
Brother Martine studied the young woman a moment, then turned back to the young man. Both had that look to them, a look that spoke of deep bonds and intentions. "Before I agree, tell me more about your crazy life."
Unsure if it would work against him or not, Richie nodded at the preacher. "I'm a musician, father. There's very little in my life that's not insane with the type of job that I have. I've felt very lost for a long time, but meeting Elena has been a blessing. I don't," he paused. "I won't ever let her go."
He leaned back in his chair and nodded. "It can be hard to find someone who can center you, especially in that line of work. Consider yourself lucky Richie. So tell me, when did you want to do this wedding? How big ? How many people?" He smiled at them both, as it was rare to find two that seemed that in love.
Richie let his hands slide over her shoulders and down her arms. "Party of two, plus a witness if you're not enough. Tonight, just before sunset," Richie answered with a smile.
The priest nodded and smiled. "Well that should give me enough time to prepare. I'll round up a witness, I don't think you have one in that back pocket of yours. Where do you want to hold the ceremony?"
"We'd like to use the beach, just outside on the hill."
He nodded then stood reaching out to grasp Richie's hand in a firm shake. "I'll see you there at sunset."
Richie's smile was wide as he leaned in. "Thank you, father. I really appreciate this."
The priest smiled, "you just take good care of that pretty little lady. That’s how you'll show your appreciation to me and The Good Lord above young man."
"Well, God was kind enough to give her to me, I'll do anything to keep her."
Elena gave the priest a bright smile. "Thank you so much."
As they arrived back at their Robin Leach get away she smiled. The hours had flown by as they wandered about in town after leaving the church. Richie’s desire to find the perfect sparkly bling for wedding rings had taken them from store to store, to every outdoor market the small town had to offer. She chuckled to herself as he looked at and discarded what had to be over fifty rings before settling on a matching set of white gold bands, the female’s ring having a small set of diamonds encrusting it. She glanced down at her hand and smiled as she pictured the ring that would be a perfect match to the engagement ring next to it.
When they arrived back at the tent, Richie had ushered her inside then excused himself, claiming brides shouldn’t see the groom’s before the wedding. Elena quickly moved about the tent, more in an effort to stave off nerves than anything, the hotel had seen to their needs that well. As she checked the cooler she noticed another meal already waiting and yet another bottle of champaygne cooling in the bucket that had held an empty bottle when they’d left earlier.
The faint sound of guitar music reached her as trembling fingers flicked non existent wrinkles from the bed. The haunting melody drew her to the tent flap like a magnet. Peering out curiously she began to smile as she took in the vision before her. So that’s where Richie had gotten off to. He was leaning against a small rock outcropping strumming his new guitar, making music to put order to his thoughts. It put a smile on her face to just watch him play. For all his boisterous actions, when he played he was graceful, making music a physical expression. Her eyes heated a moment as she wondered what deep thoughts had him looking so intense. Turning slowly she moved back into the tent, her thoughts wandering back over the afternoon.
The sound of a female voice clearing its throat had her turning around and smiling a hello. “Hello can I help you?”
The older lady smiled Elena’s way, “I take it you’re the lucky young lady whose getting married today?”
A soft blush crept up into Elena’s cheeks. “Yes Ma’am, to that handsome guy with the guitar out there.” She moved over to the older woman and gave her a hug, her soft smile seeming to brighten the entire tent. “Well thank you for taking the time out of your day to do this favor for us. I’m Elena by the way.”
The lady grinned at the distracted young woman, who kept trying to fluff her hair with her fingers. “Well I’m Aggie, and Father Martine told me you were a pretty little thing, but he didn’t tell me how much like my precious Jenny you were.”
Elena’s brow arched in curiosity. “Jenny?”
Aggie moved over to the table and sat, settling a box on the table before looking back at Elena. “Yes, she was my daughter, not much older than you when she died.”
Elena walked over, her instant affinity with the woman had her wrapping arms around her shoulders. “I’m sure she was a wonderful person Aggie. I’m so sorry you had to lose her so young. Tell me about her?”
Aggie smiled. “She was a pretty little thing, had studied for years to be a nurse, and when the time came, she chose to put off her own wedding to go overseas to help those being hurt in the war. She was just like that, always bubbly but always ready to help. It was just bad timing I suppose. The day after she got to the missionary hospital it was hit with a stray bomb and she was killed.” Aggie looked up at Elena and saw a tear racing along her high cheekbone. “Now, now, don’t you go to crying and make your face all red for the wrong reasons. She died a hero’s death, and I’ll always have her in my heart.” Standing up Aggie looked around the tented area and grinned. “That young man out there must think the world of you to set something like this up. I bet you he hasn’t given you time to breathe or prepare has he?”
Elena started to giggle as she watched Aggie begin to take items out of her box. “Truth be told, I wasn’t expecting it, I came here without much more than my purse and a comb, and although marrying him is more important than anything, I’m beginning to wish I had brought a bit of make up or something to freshen up.”
Aggie snorted softly. “Well I had a feeling something like that might be the deal, so I came prepared. How’s about we give that young man out there something to really be surprised about? Now you sit right here in this chair and let little old Aggie fix your hair and get you ready for that wedding?”
Elena sat and almost sighed in pleasure as Aggie’s hands began to brush through her hair. Within moments the older lady’s talented fingers had brushed and twisted her hair into a simple romantic upsweep that left soft tendrils of hair whispering around her neck and face. With that done she started winding small bits of baby’s breath into her hair carefully. “Well now, don’t you just look like an angel with a halo?” Aggie gave her a devious grin. “Now tell Aggie what you were planning on wearing to this wedding of yours?”
She looked over at Aggie and laughed nervously, “I bought this today for the occasion Aggie." Elena gestured to the lacy white pants and blouse. "It’s white and lacy. I thought it would do. Not many wedding type dresses here to be honest.”
Aggie’s hands went to her waist as she stared down at Elena. “Well no truer words I suppose. Being a vacation get away you’re lucky to find something that’s not made in bikini style, and although I’m sure that pretty little outfit made that handsome man outside all hot and bothered a girl should still have a special dress for her special day.” Aggie reached into the box and pulled out a dress with a gentle smile on her lips, “You seem to be the right size, so if we’re lucky you’ll be able to use this. I won’t take a no for an answer young miss, so quit giving me that doubtful look. It was to be my Jenny’s wedding dress and I just KNOW she’d want you to have it.”
Elena stood and took the dress from Aggie and gasped with amazement. It was just perfect from its unevenly edged skirt to its pure but sexy lacy paneling. “Oh my God Aggie its just beautiful.
“Yes, well,” Aggie started, “Let’s get you ready so your young man won’t think you’ve changed your mind.”
They continued to chat and laugh as Aggie helped her into the dress. Within moments Aggie had her zipped and carefully arranged the off the shoulder lace and straps to perfection. “Now don’t you just look lovely?”
Elena took a deep breath and tried to quell the New York sized butterflies that were suddenly dancing the fandango inside her tummy. “I’ll have to take your word for it, doesn’t seem to be a mirror here.” She giggled a moment, then took another deep breath. “I don’t know how to thank you Aggie, for going out of your way to make this day even more special. But when I think on this day I’ll always remember you and your Jenny because you’ve helped it be even more special.”
Aggie smiled, “Well thank you young Elena. Now I’m going to go out there and take my spot. You follow me in a moment or two. Let’s not keep that pretty young man of yours waiting any longer.” Aggie gave Elena a quick hug then moved to the tent flap and went outside.
Elena moved to the exit and took another deep breath and tried to again will the fluttering in her tummy away. Closing her eyes a moment she whispered softly, “Welcome to your future Elena Masters.” Opening her eyes she reached out and opened the tent door and stepped through it, her soft brown eyes finding Richie as she began to smile and make her way towards him.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Chapter 73
((Happy Birthday Richie!!))
His gaze flickered over her smug look, a slight smile on his face. Shaking his head slowly he offered her a wry smile. "Haven't dated anyone in over a year Katie, broke up with the one girl I dated in high school, been too busy to really care, up until recently that is. But the one girl I’d even consider only wants to be friends," he grinned, "so we're friends. So Katie, no squirrels gonna come nibbling atcha."
"More like too busy to care what her name is, I bet." She bumped his hip. "Just making sure I don't have to fight anyone off. Girls are crazy."
Jon snorted, "You don't have to worry about that one Katie, ever." He winked her way and nearly laughed at her expression, "besides I can always hire a body guard if need be.'
She sent him a sidelong glance as he laughed outright and saw the twinkle in his cereulean gaze. "I was kidding, but I don't think you are. Is it really that crazy?"
"It can get a little wild on tour yeah, that's why we never sight see much and stick to our rooms, but when I'm home? Nah, it’s not that bad. Hell Jersey ain’t impressed with us, too many come outta the state ya know?"
"Wow, I had no idea. Med school really put me deep in a cave. I swear by the time I'm done with a 32-48hrs shift the only thing I see is my car, my bed and a shower if I'm lucky."
His voice was quiet as he watched her more than where he walked, "If ya only knew how that impressed me Katie. I can't even start to imagine how much work goes into doing what you do." Damn if she wasn’t just the type of woman he liked, driven to the point of obsessiveness about her work, independent and strong, yet sassy and fun.
"Well, I don't know about impressive, stubborn and hard working, yes. Now that I'm done with my boards I have to do my rotations and residency. It's a killer. They do love to torture us. I swear I've never dealt with so much blood in my life." She side-stepped a crack in the sidewalk and slid her arm companionably through his. "Enough of my shop talk. It's boring. No one cares about blood unless it's their own coming out," she laughed.
His brow arched as she put herself down. "Hey Katie, I happen to care. I'm impressed ok? You have it going on, a plan for life and your working for it. I admire that in a person." He shook his head, "I couldn't do it, man I'm just a singer, don’t confront me with blood ok?"
She bumped his arm. "Big bad rock star doesn't like blood splattered everywhere?" Kate smiled up at him. "Being a doctor sounds glamorous but it's just like your job some good, some bad."
He gave a snort, "Nothing I do will save a life Katie. It will entertain them and keep them from being bored, and maybe sometimes if it touches them just right it can help a sad heart feel better. But can it heal a wound or repair one that’s ill? It’s my life though, can't remember a time I didn't wanna sing or write. But if we were all doctors you'd have no patients, so it works right?" He flashed a bright smile her way as they walked. The more he knew of her the more he wanted to know. She was just perfect.
"Well, I don't know...I picked up your album after our meeting. Had to know just what I was getting myself into with you in my life, even if it's on the outskirts. I think you fix and break a few hearts just with those words. You and Richie have a lot of talent."
He felt the heat in his cheeks as he blushed then managed to get a non stammered reply out. "Well thank you. I just write about what I know, or what I want to know so to speak."
"I think that's great. Now that I know who you are, of course I hear your damn name everywhere. I can't believe how in the limelight you are. And seriously," she paused and gave him an up and down look. "This man is not the man I saw in your video. Talk about holy layers, Batman." She sighed, "And you know what kills me, you have like four layers on in a video and don't look at all fat. So unfair." She slapped each hip. "If I wore more than two, I'd look like a heifer."
She had made it a point to get his album, see his video. That in and of itself made his heart do a little jump for joy. She had very little free time but she’d spent some of it looking up his music. "It’s all in the lighting Katie. But let me tell ya, and don’t go getting all weird on me here, but I happen to think your ass is just fine." He turned towards her a moment, and waited on the come back, even a slap. "Yep, don’t go putting down that ass, it’s totally nice."
She just let her eyebrow quirk as his eyes twinkled even more. "Well thanks. It gets me into far more trouble than it helps, that's for sure. Its hell on a woman who has Betty Boop curves and wants to have a serious career."
"Don’t let it get to you Katie. Hell the people who see just the outside of a person are stupid. You’re more than your body, and as rockin’ as that body is your brain? That’s the sexiest thing about ya." He grinned and slid his arm around her waist as they walked. "That can turn a man on quicker than any Betty Boop curve, trust me."
"Well, I don't know about that, Sugar, but there is hope in the world if a man in your business can see past the curves, unless, of course, it's a line to get me on my back, sneaky boy." She felt at ease with him. More so that she probably should have given the topic.
"HEY I'm just a guy!" He laughed softly, "Should I say it’s amazing you can appreciate music cuz you’re a doctor?"
"No, amazing me can appreciate your music even if you're a cocky bastard, Sugar." She walked ahead and caught the door. "Now, you'll be able to listen and learn what true music is," she opened the door. "Welcome to Nirvana."
"Well thank you Katie." He grinned and walked in with her, ready to experience what got her creative juices to flowing.
Kate followed Jon into the smoky recesses of the bar she'd lost a year of her life to. She heard the soulful sounds of the sax first. As she took the small stairs up to the main floor, she felt the familiar stirring in her gut. James was there.
She'd known he would be, but seeing him again was always a jolt at first. The front tables were full to bursting with females as always and James played to them. Loved them. Jimmy came up the rear with his guitar mellow and powerful, layering the rich jazz until she could feel it in her marrow.
Her fingers itched for her own sax, itched to be a part of that, as she was in another life. She scooted Jon to the back, in a dark corner where no one would recognize her. "Is here alright?"
He gave her a curious glance as she tried to hide them in a corner, began to wonder if she was protecting him or what she was hiding from. Seeing her slight fidgets he gave her a gentle smile. "Perfect place Katie. You have a seat I'll go get us a drink. What would ya like?"
"I'll just have a red wine, Sugar." She dug into her pocket and handed him a ten dollar bill. “Just tell Clarence to start a tab for Killer Kate."
"Kate," he tsked her way, "I think I can handle a couple glasses of wine babe." He winked at her and turned to make his way to the bar, wondering how she'd gotten the moniker Killer Kate in a place like this. It was definitely a question he stored in his brain for later. Motioning to the tender he grinned and ordered up two reds for Killer Kate and blinked wide-eyed as the tender opened a bottle of a better wine than he saw sitting on the counter. Damn she must be special here.
When the tender refused cash, he shook his head in bemusement and thanked him before turning and moving back to the table. As he sat her glass of wine in front of her and slid into his seat he chuckled. "One day Katie, you'll have to explain how a big bad tender like that knows sexy doctor Katie."
Kate blushed. "Yeah, well a girl's gotta have a few secrets." Clarence had been one of the few men who'd finally let her in on the joke that her life had become as one of James Dupris' harem. She watched as the man himself, moved forward on the stage, his height only magnified by the houselights and stage. Thick ebony arms strained as he lifted the huge tenor sax. White teeth gleamed as he flashed a smile to the women and then his nearly iridescent cat eyes found her in the crowd.
He dipped, powerful thighs bulging under the dress pants as his graceful fingers found his notes. And he watched, knowing it was their song. Knowing it would effect her. Knowing he still had an edge, even now. She lifted her wine and gulped, hoping to wash away the memories of him and the stupid hold he'd had on her once upon a time.
Jon watched as she grew more and more fidgety, his eyes swinging to the stage and catching exactly who she had honed in on up there.
Secrets indeed, pretty deep ones if he was to guess.
His gaze flickered over her smug look, a slight smile on his face. Shaking his head slowly he offered her a wry smile. "Haven't dated anyone in over a year Katie, broke up with the one girl I dated in high school, been too busy to really care, up until recently that is. But the one girl I’d even consider only wants to be friends," he grinned, "so we're friends. So Katie, no squirrels gonna come nibbling atcha."
"More like too busy to care what her name is, I bet." She bumped his hip. "Just making sure I don't have to fight anyone off. Girls are crazy."
Jon snorted, "You don't have to worry about that one Katie, ever." He winked her way and nearly laughed at her expression, "besides I can always hire a body guard if need be.'
She sent him a sidelong glance as he laughed outright and saw the twinkle in his cereulean gaze. "I was kidding, but I don't think you are. Is it really that crazy?"
"It can get a little wild on tour yeah, that's why we never sight see much and stick to our rooms, but when I'm home? Nah, it’s not that bad. Hell Jersey ain’t impressed with us, too many come outta the state ya know?"
"Wow, I had no idea. Med school really put me deep in a cave. I swear by the time I'm done with a 32-48hrs shift the only thing I see is my car, my bed and a shower if I'm lucky."
His voice was quiet as he watched her more than where he walked, "If ya only knew how that impressed me Katie. I can't even start to imagine how much work goes into doing what you do." Damn if she wasn’t just the type of woman he liked, driven to the point of obsessiveness about her work, independent and strong, yet sassy and fun.
"Well, I don't know about impressive, stubborn and hard working, yes. Now that I'm done with my boards I have to do my rotations and residency. It's a killer. They do love to torture us. I swear I've never dealt with so much blood in my life." She side-stepped a crack in the sidewalk and slid her arm companionably through his. "Enough of my shop talk. It's boring. No one cares about blood unless it's their own coming out," she laughed.
His brow arched as she put herself down. "Hey Katie, I happen to care. I'm impressed ok? You have it going on, a plan for life and your working for it. I admire that in a person." He shook his head, "I couldn't do it, man I'm just a singer, don’t confront me with blood ok?"
She bumped his arm. "Big bad rock star doesn't like blood splattered everywhere?" Kate smiled up at him. "Being a doctor sounds glamorous but it's just like your job some good, some bad."
He gave a snort, "Nothing I do will save a life Katie. It will entertain them and keep them from being bored, and maybe sometimes if it touches them just right it can help a sad heart feel better. But can it heal a wound or repair one that’s ill? It’s my life though, can't remember a time I didn't wanna sing or write. But if we were all doctors you'd have no patients, so it works right?" He flashed a bright smile her way as they walked. The more he knew of her the more he wanted to know. She was just perfect.
"Well, I don't know...I picked up your album after our meeting. Had to know just what I was getting myself into with you in my life, even if it's on the outskirts. I think you fix and break a few hearts just with those words. You and Richie have a lot of talent."
He felt the heat in his cheeks as he blushed then managed to get a non stammered reply out. "Well thank you. I just write about what I know, or what I want to know so to speak."
"I think that's great. Now that I know who you are, of course I hear your damn name everywhere. I can't believe how in the limelight you are. And seriously," she paused and gave him an up and down look. "This man is not the man I saw in your video. Talk about holy layers, Batman." She sighed, "And you know what kills me, you have like four layers on in a video and don't look at all fat. So unfair." She slapped each hip. "If I wore more than two, I'd look like a heifer."
She had made it a point to get his album, see his video. That in and of itself made his heart do a little jump for joy. She had very little free time but she’d spent some of it looking up his music. "It’s all in the lighting Katie. But let me tell ya, and don’t go getting all weird on me here, but I happen to think your ass is just fine." He turned towards her a moment, and waited on the come back, even a slap. "Yep, don’t go putting down that ass, it’s totally nice."
She just let her eyebrow quirk as his eyes twinkled even more. "Well thanks. It gets me into far more trouble than it helps, that's for sure. Its hell on a woman who has Betty Boop curves and wants to have a serious career."
"Don’t let it get to you Katie. Hell the people who see just the outside of a person are stupid. You’re more than your body, and as rockin’ as that body is your brain? That’s the sexiest thing about ya." He grinned and slid his arm around her waist as they walked. "That can turn a man on quicker than any Betty Boop curve, trust me."
"Well, I don't know about that, Sugar, but there is hope in the world if a man in your business can see past the curves, unless, of course, it's a line to get me on my back, sneaky boy." She felt at ease with him. More so that she probably should have given the topic.
"HEY I'm just a guy!" He laughed softly, "Should I say it’s amazing you can appreciate music cuz you’re a doctor?"
"No, amazing me can appreciate your music even if you're a cocky bastard, Sugar." She walked ahead and caught the door. "Now, you'll be able to listen and learn what true music is," she opened the door. "Welcome to Nirvana."
"Well thank you Katie." He grinned and walked in with her, ready to experience what got her creative juices to flowing.
Kate followed Jon into the smoky recesses of the bar she'd lost a year of her life to. She heard the soulful sounds of the sax first. As she took the small stairs up to the main floor, she felt the familiar stirring in her gut. James was there.
She'd known he would be, but seeing him again was always a jolt at first. The front tables were full to bursting with females as always and James played to them. Loved them. Jimmy came up the rear with his guitar mellow and powerful, layering the rich jazz until she could feel it in her marrow.
Her fingers itched for her own sax, itched to be a part of that, as she was in another life. She scooted Jon to the back, in a dark corner where no one would recognize her. "Is here alright?"
He gave her a curious glance as she tried to hide them in a corner, began to wonder if she was protecting him or what she was hiding from. Seeing her slight fidgets he gave her a gentle smile. "Perfect place Katie. You have a seat I'll go get us a drink. What would ya like?"
"I'll just have a red wine, Sugar." She dug into her pocket and handed him a ten dollar bill. “Just tell Clarence to start a tab for Killer Kate."
"Kate," he tsked her way, "I think I can handle a couple glasses of wine babe." He winked at her and turned to make his way to the bar, wondering how she'd gotten the moniker Killer Kate in a place like this. It was definitely a question he stored in his brain for later. Motioning to the tender he grinned and ordered up two reds for Killer Kate and blinked wide-eyed as the tender opened a bottle of a better wine than he saw sitting on the counter. Damn she must be special here.
When the tender refused cash, he shook his head in bemusement and thanked him before turning and moving back to the table. As he sat her glass of wine in front of her and slid into his seat he chuckled. "One day Katie, you'll have to explain how a big bad tender like that knows sexy doctor Katie."
Kate blushed. "Yeah, well a girl's gotta have a few secrets." Clarence had been one of the few men who'd finally let her in on the joke that her life had become as one of James Dupris' harem. She watched as the man himself, moved forward on the stage, his height only magnified by the houselights and stage. Thick ebony arms strained as he lifted the huge tenor sax. White teeth gleamed as he flashed a smile to the women and then his nearly iridescent cat eyes found her in the crowd.
He dipped, powerful thighs bulging under the dress pants as his graceful fingers found his notes. And he watched, knowing it was their song. Knowing it would effect her. Knowing he still had an edge, even now. She lifted her wine and gulped, hoping to wash away the memories of him and the stupid hold he'd had on her once upon a time.
Jon watched as she grew more and more fidgety, his eyes swinging to the stage and catching exactly who she had honed in on up there.
Secrets indeed, pretty deep ones if he was to guess.
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