Chapter 79

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.

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."

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.