Chapter 119

He leaned in a bit closer, his voice soaring higher on the chorus, and winked. In amidst all the madness of the concert she was the eye of the hurricane, the one spot his gaze kept returning too. He'd waited all night for the right spot to just briefly touch skin to skin.


His voice deepened as he sang the next words straight at her, and grinned when her face flushed with heat. Standing he whirled and leaned into Richie for the chorus. Holding the mic away from his face as Richie played his small solo he widened his eyes. "Girls are liking it out there." He knew his friend would understand he meant the two special ones, not all the crowd, and as the chorus went into the next verse he bounced and whirled like a dervish to center stage, and chuckled inwardly as he watched the crowd scream.

Richie smiled wide, his eyes on the front row more toward him than the center. Elena's happy face and her open, honest reactions had sustained him through the night. She was enjoying herself. Screaming and singing along as she did on the sidelines, but there in the front she was a wild woman.

She and Kate had collapsed against each other a few times in the night and he'd strained not to laugh out loud. Watching them enjoy the show was nearly as distracting as having a circus in the front row. He couldn't pull his eyes from them...most especially his wife. She was unadulterated pleasure in its purest form. Nothing was hidden as she soaked in every nuance of the show. From the solos to the duels, the songs that she knew by heart and the joy she brought just by being.

And for her he played harder. For her, he may have lengthened his solos a bit to watch the desire flare. And here and now let the solo to Runaway bleed into the dark as they went for bows. Walking into the center he angled himself to her and dipped low, watching her eyes.

She met his head on stare with eyes blazing with need and winked, her lips puckering into a kiss she blew his way. Glancing at Kate she chuckled. "It's not over yet, not by a long shot."

Richie slapped Jon's back and headed down into the pit. "Holy fuck man! What a crowd tonight!"

Jon laughed, "Yeah a crowd of two, there were others present? I swear I don’t think I noticed the others tonight."

"Glad I wasn't the only one having issues," Richie grumbled. "If Lains shook her ass one more time and spun around I was going to haul her back up on the stage and disappear."

Jon roared, "Least I wasn't the only one thinking that. Had Kate licked those lips again I woulda done the same, and fuck man I'm the singer."

"Kate was in a state of shock for most of the night. You probably should have warned her about the flying thing there Superman. She nearly had a heart attack."

He waggled his brows as he laughed. "Yeah, well she needs to live a little, probably did he good. I'll make it up to her later dude. She won't be complaining." He stopped at the door of his changing room. "You're little woman wasn't walking on calm street herself. Do you deliberately choose things to wear that she didn’t choose just to see her squirm?"

Richie looked down at his tank. "Hey I wore the star pants."

Jon shook his head as he toweled off, the roar of the crowd filtering loudly even backstage. "Riggghhht...." Looking around at the guys he shook his head, "It’s time for the encore guys. Let's get to it!"

Richie swapped guitars and headed up first. Wanted was first on the set list for the encore and he was up. Grabbing his Stetson he set it low. He ducked around the side and settled himself on the stool Lumpy'd set out for him. Letting the night dictate the solo he found her in the crowd and the notes went haunting and slow.

He picked out cords and slowed the progression as she stood. The crowd screamed but he couldn't see anything but her, couldn't hear anything but the beat of his heart as he played for her.

The solo was a bit different tonight and Jon knew Richie was playing straight to Elena. As it started to move towards the first verse he straightened the bandana on his head and began to slowly walk onto the stage from Richie's right.

Eyes smudged from sweat honed in on Kate as his voice started slowly to croon... "It's all the same.... Only the names are changed....." His attention centered on her as he sang of the loneliness of the road, the unending days of being without her.

"Everyday it seems we're wasting away,
Another place where the faces are so cold.
I’d drive all night just to get back home."

He leaned into the mic as the chorus began to soar, the crowd singing right along with him, as Richie's baritone joined in.

Richie played his part well, layering in and adding his fullness to Jon's straining pipes. He watched him struggle with his voice. He smiled as he watched the lonely man find his center even as his voice betrayed him. Singing louder he covered for him, punching up the quick change of guitar as he pounded through his solo.

Jon's acoustic gave his electric a full bodied flavor as the little song they'd written in the corner of the basement next to a goddamn washing machine soared. He smiled down to his wife and her friend, to the woman that drove Jon crazy and pulled him together at the same time.

He played for them tonight. And as the notes stretched out and they lifted their guitars high Richie let his head fall back and listened to the crowd cheer he enjoyed his job, and took that moment to soak it in.

And as they all quickly dispersed Jon came up to the mic.

Jon brushed the sweaty hair from his face, his smile reaching out over the crowd. "I wanna thank you all for coming down to party with us tonight. Drive safe, and we'll see ya next time."

Richie ran over and played it up. "C'mon that's not it," he spoke into the mic.

He leaned forward almost into the crowd. "WHAT? You still want more?" He grinned as the crowd roared its agreement, the chanting stomping and clapping reaching insane proportions. Turning to the guys he shouted, "Whatcha say men, I ain’t ready to go home yet, and neither are they, let’s do it a little more!" He nodded to David and the guys as they rolled into Drift Away.

Richie hummed through the harmonies and as Jon directed they nailed the cover song. His wife leaned up on the stage, her chin on her hands and he smiled through the ooohs and the ahhhs until the acapella hum of their voices soared into the rafters.

Fuck the critics and fuck the assholes that didn't come to their live shows. Even with Jonny's voice in tatters the show was amazing, and despite the rawness he'd yanked everything he could out of himself for the fans and for Kate tonight.

He laughed as the guys from Cinderella snuck along the sidelines and then Tom Keifer's raspy crack of a voice blasted behind Jon.

A rowdy rendition of Travelin' Band left antics galore at the mercy of the crowd. Thank God they cheered and screamed because by the end of it, the song was a shadow of its former glory as Eric butchered the bass line of the song and Tom tried to cover it up with his guitars only making mud of the song.

Jon ended up laughing more than singing as Tom tried to remember the words, going so far as to go on his knees to read the lyrics sheet taped to the floor. Giving up Tom ripped it off and handed it to Eric as they all sang.

Richie's sides hurt as he led the last song and the screaming licks of Get Ready rocked the house into the ground. And as he and Jon belted out the last notes he realized he'd had one of his best shows with his wife in the front.

No untoward crushing had hurt her. No overzealous fans had trampled her little self. She'd loved every moment of it.

Jon glanced over at Kate as the song began to wind down and couldn't resist throwing a wink her way. Even though his voice was raw and his throat felt like someone had set it on fire, the show had been great. He'd pulled out every stop he had in order to give Kate a good show for her first time seeing them.

He wanted it greater than great, he wanted it to be sublime, and with her in the front row, dancing a bit with Elena, her eyes wide and shining he'd managed to do just that.

And as they took the last of their bows Richie stepped forward and crouched low. He flung a few picks out to the crowd and lifted his left hand with his wedding ring shining until she did the same then backed into the laughing bunch of his brothers and waved goodnight to his fans.

Elena took a deep breath and turned to Kate, her gaze flicking back to the Mata Hari for a brief moment. "So what did ya think katydid?"

Without thinking Kate growled. "I'm thinking I'm going to roast him over the coals for not telling me about that high wire act. I swear I can't get that out of my head."

Elena laughed merrily. "Oh hell honey he does it every night. It's a lot safer than ya think, or he's a lot crazier than ya think. Either way the people love it."

"I vote for crazy. I swear to God I've never been so mad and turned on at the same time. The man's going down."

"Or the woman is." Elena winked at Kate, tickled to see the fire in her eyes. "Fuck you know you loved it."

"He's not Superman, no matter what he says dammit."

Elena grinned. "You convince him of that."

They pushed through the crowd and she swore as she was bumped, jostled and tossed against the barrier. Hell, she hadn't been pushed around nearly that much at the damn show. As they came to the barrier she waved to the crew member. She smoothed her hand down her front and swore. "Oh fuck."

Elena's brow arched, "What's wrong Katy?"

The roadie gave her a knowing look and laughed with his buddy. "Shit, my laminate."

Elena winked, "No worries, the crew knows me on sight. They won't argue when I bring someone with me."

Chapter 118

Elena watched as Jon did his nightly spritz routine while Richie mesmerized the crowd into not seeing. Glancing over at Kate she saw her eyes narrow and that doctor look fade into the overwhelming toastiness of the night. Good. Jon needed someone to talk a little sense to him. He certainly wasn't listening to her or the guys about his throat.

She again leaned into Kate and placed her lips close enough to her ear she could talk at a bare yell. "You saw it right?"

"Damn right I did!" she shouted. Her tongue wasn't going to be the only thing inspecting that mouth tonight. Dammit, Jonny. The lights went low as Jon sprinted to the back of the stage.

The spots focused on Tico as Richie made a quick exit off the side. Slamming against the skins, Tico's tribal beat was merciless. His arms strained and muscles bulged as he played show off around the kit raking in the screams with a lit cig clamped between his lips the entire time. Puffing away he laughed and begged for more from the crowd.

The slow undertone of the synthesizer hummed as Richie came into view. The purple fringe was gone leaving lean ropey arms and a swelling chest under the scrap of tank he wore. A wide, glittering SAMBORA strap lay across his pecs and his fingers flew across the strings. The only thing glinting in the light was his wedding ring. It flashed and teased as he leaned back, his hips pushing against the back of the guitar as his face contorted with each roaring lick.

Elena grabbed onto her, "Oh fuck." Elena whimpered, her hand clasping onto Kate to stay standing. She was proud of actually not moaning aloud. "Jesus Christ, he left the coat off."

She looked down at Elena then back up to the stage as Richie slowly stepped closer. He was absolutely lost in the music. The world, the arena was gone and he was one with his shiny black guitar. The stars that shimmied up the arm were beautiful, but the man, the love and the passion were extraordinary.

Leaning back at impossible angles she saw the muscles in his legs bulge and burn as he rocked. Elena made similar gestures to her left. "Now I get to ask, you ok?"

Elena blinked back the haze in her brain and turned, "huh?"

"Thought so," she laughed and took a quick look to see how the crowd reacted. Rapture, screams, mad picture taking, and the roaring, punching gestures of men in the midst of a testosterone blaze screamed back from the crowd. Impressed that the crowd was enjoying a guitar solo, she turned back to see Richie's face contort into a mask of sweet surrender. "Hell," she said and nearly blushed. It was as if she'd caught him mid---er...moment.

Elena's dark gaze flicked to Kate and nodded, understanding her thought totally. "Yea Kate, exactly like that." She spoke loud enough to be heard, her gaze for a moment flicking backwards at the groupies. "Exactly like that."

Fighting the overwhelming blush, she focused on the stage again as David and Richie dueled it out musically. She felt her heart drop right into her toes when Jon brought his half naked self back to the stage via a swinging pulley system from the back of the arena. "Holy fuck!"

Elena's laugh whooshed from her. "Gets ya right there don’t it?"

No, rigging, no safety harness...nothing but him and the open air of the arena and the stretching fingers of women. A pair of burly stagehands caught him and Kate watched in horror as he stepped off of a simple strap and into their waiting arms. Not even a skip in the song as he had the entire place roaring in response and begging to let it rock.

He ran the length of the catwalk and rousted the crowd to an even higher level, pouring his very essence into the air and damn if they didn't breathe it in and experience the high with him.

And then, Richie was winding his way up the stairs on the other side, and the two of them ruled the air as they'd ruled the stage. Jon leaned over the scaffolding and her heart clawed its way up her throat. The screams around her drowned out her quick flash of panic. The sing-a-long began in earnest as he demanded response.

The music lowered and the beat remained. "Now Richie, you think that was a decent response?"

Richie laughed and lifted an arm, punching at the air. The crowd went nuts and Richie shook his head. "Nah. They're dead out there."

The crowd swelled and reached as if they could get to them and their screams were deafening. Jon ran to the other end. "Are you dead out there too?"

The reply was undeniable and unquestionable. He ran back to Richie's side. "Still dead?"

Richie leaned over, his guitar around the back. "Louder!"

Kate grabbed onto Elena. "He does this every night?!"

She held tight to Kate, her grin wild and unfettered in its glee. Her dark brown eyes were glowing with the excitement standing front row could bring. Even though she’d seen this spectacle every single night for weeks, it was like seeing it for the first time tonight. From fireworks to intro and through every song and solo in between the fire built higher within her soul and belly. She nodded at Kate and laughed out, "Every fuckin' night."

Heart failure...that's all there was to it. She was going to pass out. They dueled and taunted the crowd into a fight. A stylized, "Oooh oh, ooooh uh oh!" hurtled into the air as the lightshow went mad.

Finally proclaiming Richie's side the winner they both split off and went to the opposite ramps. Kate's heart-rate started returning to normal as he landed on the stage and punched, jumped and kicked his way to the center stage. "Jesus, just...holy friggin' Jesus," she panted.

Elena's sparkling eyes met Kate’s as she smiled that told ya so smile. "Couldn't have said it better myself!"

Kate held on and looked up. Jon's grinning; sweating elated face was directly in front of hers. She reached up and the tips of their fingers brushed and held.

Chapter 117

Kate and Elena ran down to the front with ticket stub in hand and VIP passes dangling. The arena was already buzzing with people. The chirp of the fan club around them was deafening. They were doubly excited after getting in early as a perk of the FC. Rows were filling starting 2nd row and every other until somewhere around the eighth row. Flashing their laminates they navigated up to the edge of the first section directly between Jon and Richie in the first row.

The stage was awesome from that vantage point and a hell of a lot higher than Kate had realized from her first impression at Richie's microphone. She turned, interested in the buzz she could physically feel coming off of the fans behind her. She'd been to concerts before but this was different. Being up front was enough of a shock, but the chirps and shrieks from people behind her was unbelievably awesome. Banners were being unwrapped and the solidarity of friendship was palpable as people hugged and chatted.

She'd never seen anything like Bon Jovi fans in person. "Do you see this every night?" she asked Elena.

Elena shook her head, "I usually watch it from the safety of side stage, but the clamor of voices, the anticipation, hell I can feel it from where I stand."

"How do these people know each other?" she asked turning around.

One of the girls sitting behind her leaned forward, her accent thick with Britain. "You have a VIP pass and this is your first show?"

Kate tried not to let her shock show, but the girl was made up beyond belief. Her face was nearly white with blood red lips and black lined eyes. Her blonde hair was teased within an inch of its life and even in the comfortable; if not a little warm building she was wearing black gloves to her elbows, a skin tight black dress and high heels. "Um, yes. I'm friends with the band."

One slim, penciled in eyebrow arched, "Uh huh," she said with a barely polite smile.

Elena turned, her brow arching at the obvious Mata Hari clone. "You have a problem believing what she said?"

"I just don't believe ya, luv. But the fantasies run rampant where those men are concerned. I don't blame you." The woman sat back, her arms crossed over her slim stomach covered in silver, glittering chains.

Elena turned and leaned near the woman holding out her pass. "Can ya read the name on this lil badge darlin?"

Kate slid her hand over the badge. "Not sure that's going to do it, Lains. I've been looking around and I saw at least three Samboras on laminates. I saw a Jen, Nikkie Andrea and Carrie at least with the last name Sambora listed."

Elena huffed softly. "Homemade construction paper doesn’t look like the original thing, but let’s see.....” She placed two fingers to her lips and blew, making a sharp whistling sound towards the security guy scanning the crowd. "BILL! Come here sweetie."

"Oh hell," Kate shrank down in her seat. "We don't have to prove anything to the groupie wannabe behind us, babes."

Elena shook her head and allowed a smile to coast onto her lips as she waved the security man back. "True enough sister girl, besides I'm quite sure we'll both get a few air kisses; well knowing Sambora like I know him, more than that." She turned around to Mata Hari and winked. "Enjoy the show Darlin’."

"That's what I thought," the girl muttered to her friend. "Probably paid out the nose for front row seats and wants to play important."

Kate turned around with a sly smile, but said nothing. She shrugged off her little white sweater and stuffed it into her bag leaving a little black strappy tank and a trio of gold necklaces. Not that Jon would notice her change of clothes with the legion of breasts on display, but she looked like Holly Hobby for God's sake. She slid on her new denim jacket and rolled back the sleeves. "Better?"

Elena nodded as the slow burn settled in her belly. She hated it when people didn't believe her. It made her feel like they'd called her liar. She turned to watch the stage and prayed for Jon or Richie to do something to make the two girls behind them eat their damned underwear, hell for that matter maybe their hairspray too.

Leaning over to Kate she grinned wickedly, "Prepare yourself Katydid."

She wasn't sure what that meant, but as the arena filled she enjoyed people watching. Music poured from the speakers, slowly getting louder in proportion to the number of asses in seats in the wide basin sized arena.

Suddenly the music soared then shot to silence as the house lights went out. The room was near pitch black save for lights roping down the stairs for safety. Ethereal lights undercut the keyboards and smoke curled out in wispy sheets from the inky stage. Blue-white lights shot up and David's teased, lionesque mane exploded as he pounded on his keys.

Surprised that it seemed like...was that organ music? She laughed as David's personality swelled from each keystroke. Sparkles and spangles, fringe and improbable leather encased his lean body. The crowd screamed their pleasure as he hammed it up.

Notes lengthened and you could feel the swell of anticipation as the stage slowly came into view. Spotlights slowly teased as the intro rolled into a song off the album that she knew. Her eyes bugged out as fire spat from pipes behind Tico's kit then exploded in front of her.

Both she and Elena jumped back a step, but even the fireball of fireworks was nothing compared to the intensity of Jon as he bounced into view. She'd seen the vanilla version of him at the small bar--this...this was the real deal.

A long coat trailed behind him, blue satin on the inside flashed with each hop, jump and bump of his hips. A huge belt cocked at his hip drew the eye down and she felt her heart swell, her nipples tighten and her body throb in reaction. "Sweet Jesus," she whispered. No one could hear her of course. Jon had the entire arena captivated as he played with the microphone stand as if it were an extension of his very body.

A bandana fluffed his hair to no end, black gloves and a ripped t-shirt completed the look, causing screams she'd never heard in her life.

Elena glanced over at Kate and bit her lip to keep from laughing aloud. She was already toast and Jon was just getting started, and although Kate wasn't into Richie the way she herself was, she knew Kate was gonna damn near faint at Richie too. Leaning closer in to Kate she yelled. "Awesome huh?"

Leaning to the side she couldn't tear her eyes away from Jon as he thumped the mic stand down and it drilled through her like a shot. "Indescribable," she shouted.

Elena winked before her eyes turned back to the stage. Richie was going all out, his guitar bleeding with riff after riff. Her breath caught in her throat as he bent half into then came up a wicked grin in his eyes. Fuck if he wasn't gonna kill her tonight and from a distance too. Glancing over at Kate again she wondered exactly what thoughts Kate had going in her mind.

Jon disappeared up the side of the stage and behind Tico's kit along a network of ramps that gave depth to the stage. She blinked and finally started to breathe. She took in the entire scene as song upon song flowed with little to no warning save for a rhythmic segue from Richie.

The purple spangles and silver fringe seemed very Richie as he ruled his corner of the stage. Stepping forward for guitar solos and back for harmonies or simply skipping to Jon's mic to build on the obvious strain he was putting his voice through by the midway point of the show showed how consummate a performer he really was.

They slowed it down, the stage going dark save for colored spots as Jon lowered his voice and crooned. The roughness added to the longing as he belted out not to let him go.

Elena chuckled at Kate's slack jawed responses to the music and knew it was only gonna get better. Leaning close to Kate she yelled a stupid question. "Enjoying it yet?"

"It's incredible! I had no idea what to expect," she shouted.

Elena nodded, her attention turning for the moment to the people around them as the girls jittered screamed and clapped. No doubt about it, they did Love the band.

She watched with a worried frown as Jon walked back to the drum kit as the lights stayed low. The arena went ape shit as the spotlight focused on Richie and the familiar tones of the talk-box waa-waa'd their way around the basin and back to the front.

She glanced at Richie, then at Elena as her dark eyes grew wide and her jaw went slack. To anyone else the tube was distracting, to her doctor radar, she watched as Jon coated his throat with a spray. Hurricane spray, she'd bet. Just because he couldn't feel the pain that way didn't mean his throat was any less damaged. As he glugged back water and tea to ease it, her insides clenched. And just like that the medicating was done and he was back to the front stomping and arousing the crowd.

There really wasn't any other word for it. He slowly brought the entire arena into the story and with Richie's powerhouse guitars and with the help of Alec and Richie and a sing-a-long crowd he coasted through their newest and most famous song.

Leaning down, he winked and flashed a smile broad enough to make her forget that he was in pain; that the singing he loved and lived for was shredding him apart inside as he made the roughness work for him. "Hold oooooooon..." he and Richie leaned on one another, the catwalk into the crowd with reaching and shoving women shrieking as Jon ad-libbed "I don't need your fancy car...I just want you to want me, love me, need me...baby..." and as he leaned forward he crumbled to his knees and screamed, "Gina!" as the arena went into a frenzy.

Chapter 116

Usually she wasn't much for PDA, but hell...it had been way too long. She stood on her tip toes and kissed him, her loneliness pouring into what was supposed to be a quick meeting of lips. That little bit of a connection that all couples shared, what she hadn't realized she'd been missing until she'd seen him across the arena. But one little taste hadn't been enough. Her fingers slid into his hair and she was rewarded with a hard grip at the back of her jeans.

"Ahem," Richie said.

Kate ignored him. He tasted much too good to care that everyone was probably watching. She only broke off when Richie made a wolf whistle with the talk box...loudly.

Elena tilted her head as she glanced up at Richie. "Nope they didn't miss each other one bit."

Jon pulled Kate closer to him, his arm wrapping tightly around her waist. Fuck if he wasn't gonna have a problem letting her go to be on stage. "King, I seriously will mail her home."

Kate giggled. Normally she would have been mortified at the sound coming out of her mouth, but she couldn't care. Not right then. "Aww, Sugar you know you love her around, especially this weekend when you'll be making just as much noise on the other side of the wall."

Jon's grin could have lit the dark stadium, had it been dark. Fuck matching them, we're gonna make more."

Richie laughed through the talk-box. "I wanna fuuuuck you." he said with the robotic voice. "Oh god, Jonny, yesssssss Jonny!"

Elena reached over and pinched his ass lightly. "Switching teams lover? Maybe I should go find Joker..."

"Uh-oohhhh," he answered and snagged her around the waist. "Hell no. Just figuring that's what I'm going to hear tonight. Getting myself used to it."

She rolled her eyes and stepped away from the danger that was his body. Moving over to Jon and Kate she wrapped her arm around Kate's waist and pulled. "He'll have you all night. You're mine for now, besides he's gotta go get pretty."

Kate leaned back and kissed him quick. "Make it tight and ripped, Sugar. I've seen pictures, so I know you can do it. If I've got to watch you shake it all over the stage tonight before I touch it, better make it worth my while."

Jon smirked, "Oh I have the perfect outfit Kate baby. Don't ya worry bout that one."

Elena winked at Richie, "You're outfit is all laid out babe; the black with stars, black tank, purple fringe coat, and your change, that deadly sparkly black is in your quick change area lover."

Kate arched a brow. "She dresses you now, Richie? How...wifely."

"Shaddup," Richie groused. "She just likes to see how much bling she can get me to wear at once."

Elena's cheeks stained a pretty pink. "The shinier the sexier.. that, sweat and..." her voice trailed off as she forced the thoughts back. She couldn't go into the gutter right now, she had things to discuss with her best friend.

Pulling Kate down the hall she opened the dressing room door and moved to the couch, the various guys in differing states of dress and undress not even fazing her. "I have soooo much to tell you Katy!"

Kate's eyes widened at the half naked Tico shooting through the room, followed by the slow swagger of...hell, what was his name? Alex? Alec...yeah, Alec. She'd only met him once and it was more than enough. Kate couldn't figure out what he had to swagger about, he was even skinnier than Jon.

When he flashed open his towel as if to retuck it she gave him a bland stare. It wasn't like naked really phased her, she was a doctor, but the fact that they walked around Elena like that was what had her surprised. "So, the naked guys aren't part of the story?"

Elena stiffened slightly as she looked everywhere but Alec. "Most of the guys are like gold Katydid, they’re really respectful, but him? If there's no one around he uses that opportunity to pick on me." She looked up at Kate, her dark gaze shadowy. "I try to avoid him at all costs."

Kate frowned. "Is he hasseling you?" She put a hand on her arm. "What kind of picking?"

Elena shrugged, "Just sly raunchy comments, or..." she shuddered, "he likes to flash me.." She looked up at Kate, “I told you in my letters he creeps me out ya know. First concert, the night I called you? I had one of those dreams." She nodded at Kate’s wide eyed disbelief, "Yes with Richie in bed I had one, right after meeting Alec, who makes me feel like a bug under glass. He's always watching me, like he knows something I don’t. Kate, he reminds me of .." She paused and took a deep breath, just saying it could bring it back sometimes. "that night."

"I told Richie, and he does everything to keep us separate, but, there are just those times, like now.. " Elena managed a smile, "I'm getting pretty good at ignoring it."

"Oh honey," she leaned in and gathered her in for a hug. "I'm glad that Richie's being proactive about keeping that pig away from you. Some men just have no respect for women. That's the sort of slime he is."

Elena wrapped her arms around her friend, almost basking in that girl to girl friendship she'd been missing. "Hell he reminds me of that guy, built like him sounds like him, smells.. ... Oh fuck why are we discussing the bug? Let’s discuss the concert. You have two choices, side stage or front row Katy?"

Kate pulled back and looked at her friend. The ghosts were still there in her dark eyes, but at least she was moving past them a bit. At least she hoped she was. Willing to let the subject drop for now, she grinned. "Front row baby."

Elena snorted. "That's gonna take an act of congress. The guys won’t let me out there, claims its dangerous, but I think we can handle it if we both pull a pretty beg."

She started to laugh as Richie walked in, "he's afraid I'll talk to more groupies." She leaned in closer to Kate. "Ask him for a zucchini or a cucumber, I dare ya."

"She's a menace," Richie muttered, leaning down to drop a quick kiss on her mouth. "David was right."

"And you love it and you know it." Elena returned the brief kiss. "Baby we wanna stand in front row tonight. Kate wants the full on experience." She fully intended on bringing up vegetables if need be, she wanted to see it from front row herself.

Richie frowned and sat on the arm of the couch. "Do you realize how crazy they get down there? I mean seriously there's shoving involved."

She reached up to ruffle his hair. "I've seen, we're big girls baby, we can handle it can't we Kate?" She held back the big guns, she didn't wanna or else if she didn't have to. Gazing up at him, she let her eyes go soft and doe like. "Please?"

He rolled his eyes. "It's not fair when you do that, you know that right?"

"I'll make it worth your while, I promise." she waggled her brows slightly. "Can we?"

"Yeah, Jonny already set aside a pair. He wanted Kate to have the full experience this weekend." He waggled his eyebrows. "Not sure letting the two of you free into the public is a good thing."

She leaned back against the couch, "So says the expert. Scoot, go get ready, or I'll tell Kate all your secrets, loudly." She winked, not meaning a word of it. "Make sure ya grind a bit just for me though, really hot solo ok?"

Leaning down he growled and nibbled his way into her neck. "Grind," he laughed and came up for air, catching Kate's eye. "Only MY wife would request me to grind on stage."

She stood up and grabbed Kate’s hand, then patted his cheek with her free one, "Like you won’t do it any hows, you can’t help it."

Rolling his eyes he smacked her ass. "Behave Mrs. Sambora or I won't let you play with the big girls and boys again."

She pulled Kate towards the door laughing, "That means you don't get to play either Stud. You'll be outta the game too." She laughed as she went through the door and headed towards the entrance to the audience. "We're gonna get our spot before the crowd gets here."

Kate's heels clunked behind Elena. Jon was talking to a tech person, his frown evident. Feedback bounced around the house as he called it. Oh man, she thought, I hope that doesn't keep up. He'll be rippin'. "Where's the fire, Lains? We've got hours before the show yet."

Elena stopped and looked at Kate. "The crowds start arriving early, it’s just good to get a place. That’s why I usually watch from side stage, besides, they start talking set lists and all kinds of dumb shit, and Alec's there so I make myself scarce .. We can go back if ya like." She winked, "Just thought you might wanna see the souvenir table."

"Oh, yeah? Think I should wear a tour shirt instead of my little sweater?"

"God no, the groupies wear them, your special, but they have other stuff, and well you COULD use a new sleep shirt." Elena kept walking through the stadium grounds until she reached the table. "See? They have all kind of things."

Kate's eyes bugged. Pins, t-shirts, patches and tour books littered the tables. Beer cozies, magnets and even a mirror were stacked along the back of the tables. "Holy crap!"

She nodded at the girl behind the table. "Pick out whatever you want, its already covered Kate. Jon said to make sure you had plenty of souvenirs."

She flicked the VIP pass. "So I just get all sorts of perks, huh?" she grinned. Pushing through the piles of merchandise she picked out an assortment of patches labeled with each album and pointed to the denim jacket with the Bon Jovi logo on the back. "And that please," she said to the girl running the merchandise cart.

The girl handed over the jacket. "Good call ma'am, you'll look killer in that."

"Think he'd sign it for me?" Kate gushed in a mock groupie voice. "Maybe sweat on it for me?"

Elena giggled, "If ya ask him nicely enough he will."

Laughing, she took the bag from the girl. "Don't mind me, I'm Jon's girlfriend. He likes my brand of crazy...well, most of the time."

Elena’s brow arched. [i]She called herself the girlfriend? How interesting. [/i] She grinned wildly, "Fuck that Katydid, I don't think he can live without it for long spells, he gets downright bear like after a week or two."

Kate slid her arm through hers. "Yeah, he had a min-tantrum on the phone with me the other night, hence my visit." She snorted, "You know how many times he's threatened to send you home in a box?"

Elena rolled her eyes, "At last count it was around 300, the last 150 in this last week alone."

"Don't you worry, a little TLC from me and he'll be back to normal...well at least until I can see him again." Her teasing voice went serious. "I hate how much I miss him. It was just supposed to be a fun thing but now..." she sighed. Hell, how was she supposed to complain that Jon was throwing around the L-word/

Elena's arm slipped back around her waist. "Hell Katydid its about freaking time. You deserve to have a great guy, and outside of Richie, Jon's the best there is."

"Well he's certainly persistent," she said and put her head on Elena's shoulder. "I'm just afraid he's going to break my heart. I couldn't take it again, Lains. Not after..." she cleared her throat. "Not again."

"He’s a good guy Katy, for all his controlling ways. I don't think he has it in him to hurt ya, he’s not like James was..."

Kate controlled the growl that threatened. "If he was like James he'd have been a eunuch and a dead man a long time ago, Lains."

Elena laughed, "True that, mighta helped him hit a few of those high notes."

Concerned she stopped walking. "Is he having trouble with his voice again?"

Elena sighed, "When the concerts are back to back yeah. It's worrying his throat, he’s getting no rest, but he just keeps pushing himself. There were a couple of times Richie had to sing the higher parts for him."

"I swear to God, I could kill that Doc. He's always pushing for more shows...more interviews. And Jon, being Jon is lured by the whole 'get the word out' motto that they live by." She sighed. "When he calls, I chatter on so he'll just have to listen. You know what a friggin' chatter box I am." She rolled her eyes. "Not!"

"Well Kate, We do the same thing. God the inane stuff I talk about. I think that’s half the reason he keeps wanting to mail me home. " Elena started to laugh, “I tease him.. about his hair.. about his clothes, hell I even talk business.. Me talking business, you ain’t seen funny until you’ve seen that, but it keeps him quiet

"Well, I'm glad you guys are helping out. Someone needs to watch over him, no matter what he says." She started walking again. "Okay...let's get to our seats. My first Bon Jovi concert...real and in person!!"

Chapter 115

Jesus Kate, don't press your nose against the glass. It's not like you've never been in the big city before. She rolled her eyes and sat up straight as the limo came to a stop. Philly was similar to NYC in many ways. Huge buildings and overrun streets were the norm, but the crazy mish-mash of streets and back-alley turn arounds had her dizzy. It didn't make any sense, so she stopped trying to figure out where she was. She had a relatively good sense of direction, but she felt like she was going around in a circle instead of making any headway. Trusting the driver she watched the city blow by. She was surprised with the level of poverty that she was driving through only to find herself in front of a glass and metal structure that seemed to grow out of nowhere.

She grabbed her small purse and looped it over her head. She arranged her lightweight sweater so the simple twinset top was off her shoulder. The ends brushed her belly showing off the blingy little belt she found in Elena's closet.

The door opened and her formal driver blinked a little but kept his eyes on hers. "Here you go Dr. Morrison." He held out a laminate on a cord much like her hospital badge.

"Is this my," she smiled and saw the VIP sticker, "never mind."

He tipped his hat. "Just go through that door and down the hallway. Mr. Bon Jovi said he'd meet you there."

She turned back. "And my bag?"

"I'll deposit your luggage at the hotel. Everything will be taken care of for you. Do you need anything else before I go?"

"No, Bobby. Thanks a lot for all your patience. I'm sure you just loved driving through to see the Liberty Bell during lunch hour traffic."

"Nah, a pretty lady makes a request not to go to a mall or a boutique? I'm surprised and honored."

Kate laughed. "Well, I can buy clothes anywhere. The Liberty Bell is history." She winked and reached up to kiss his cheek. "You're an all right guy, Bobby."

He blushed. "Thank you Dr. Morrison, you're an all right woman yourself."

Kate headed into the side door with a few roadies, flashing her little badge of honor. She could hear the guys behind her, surprised when they started talking about her ass. She shot a look over her shoulder, but instead of stopping, they simply leared. Frowning she walked faster...well as fast as her stupid heeled boots would carry her.

Of course the heels made her sway more and the leers turned to cat calls. She finally made it into the heart of the back stage and the roadies split off. She simply stopped. It was like a hive. Every single person seemed to have a role. She was pretty sure her mouth was hanging open as she watched cases roll by, men and a few women rushing around.

The echo of sound-check and the tinny slash of drums bounced around the arena and into the back. She slowly walked further in until she found the stage. Rigging, lights and catwalks were hanging from the sky. Overhead the lights were amazing. Spotlights, mini lights, rotating lights that looked like Christmas ornaments all twisted as they were tested for the night's festivities.

Then she saw him. He was up on the catwalk walking across with a mic, stomping to make sure it took his weight. His fluffy light brown hair was tied back in a ponytail, a sweatshirt pushed up at the elbows and work out shorts hung to his knees. Running shoes looked huge next to his skinny legs and tiny ankles.

She grinned as he hopped twice then ran to the back of the arena and returned with a quick one-two punch.

She glanced out the door for the fifteenth time wondering where Kate had gotten off too. She was supposed to be here by now dammit. It had been weeks and she wanted to see her best gal. Kate was never late so she knew something was holding her up, had to be or she'd be here by now right?

She stepped from the dressing room, the reverb of soundcheck making her smile as she heard strains of a guitar starting to blast through the building. Shaking her head she laughed aloud. Even in sound check her husband liked it louder than loud.

She heard vague cat calls and leers coming from the hallway near the stage so set off in that direction. Cat calls meant the roadies had found something nice, and knowing Kate she'd headed straight for Jon on stage.

Stepping up to stage right she glanced up at Richie, who looked over and winked as he went into Samantha Fox's Touch me I want your body. She forced back the laugh as her eyes centered on long curly red hair and a killer bod, encased in way tight jeans and a sexy little sweater.

Tiptoeing up behind Kate she wrapped fingers around her eyes and whispered, "Jewelery  thieves usually get hurt, but you I'll hug."

Kate turned around and laughed. "Hey! Don't smudge the make-up man. You know it takes me an age to figure out how to do it!" She gathered Elena in for a hug.

She'd actually put on a little weight in a good way. Her little skirt had some extra curves in the hip giving her a little hourglass shape. A silvery shirt shimmered out of place with all the black concert t-shirts and jeans, but was so Elena. "I missed you, girl!"

Elena returned the hug, pulling her so tight she could have cut her breath off. "Hell I've soooo missed having a girl around. You just don't knowwww what its like.. " she mock shivered as David wandered by intent on finding his keyboards.

Elena winked at Kate and whispered watch as her towel zipped out to zap David on the ass. "It’s rude to walk by without saying Hi Joker babe."

David rubbed his ass and frowned. "Why you always gotta go for the same cheek?" His face split into a smile, his own fluff of hair stuffed under a ball cap as he walked over. "How you doin' Kate?" His face split into a wide grin. "I don't know how you can be friends with this creature."

"It's a hardship, but I enjoy the torture. I'm a masochist, what can I say?"

Elena snorted before her grin slipped out and her dark eyes began to sparkle. " Oh hush, ya both love me and ya know it."

David snaked an arm around her head and pulled her down in a headlock. "She keeps lying, I just don't know why." He turned to Richie. "Your wife is a menace!"

"I told her to torture you, Lema!" Richie called back and wrapped his lips around his talk-box to drive his wife crazy.

Elena closed her eyes and tried not to tremble as his voice did that lil tinny odd sound. She had to get free and watch that, it was the one thing that nearly always drove her crazy. She twisted her head and looked up at Kate, her eyes glimmering as she reached back, pinched David’s ass cheek hard then with a speedy move had him flipped and on his back.

"Now you can never say I didn't get you on YOUR back Joker." Elena grinned and grabbed Kate’s hand and pulled her towards the stage. Looking around she finally found Jon still up on the catwalk, her smile growing wickedly innocent. Moving to Richie's mic she pressed her lips closer and sing-songed, "Mop Top get that supreme ass down here!"

Jon stopped and glanced over the railing. Well fuck there stood Teensy and the one person he'd been aching over for weeks. Turning he trotted to the end of the catwalk and disappeared only to trot onto stage from somewhere off to the right.

Moving up to Kate he wrapped his arms around her and smiled. "Hello baby."

Kate linked her arms around his waist and hugged him back just as tight. Weeks had gone by, she swore she didn't even remember what he smelled like anymore. She took a deep breath, Ivory soap and some sort of shampoo hit her first, but then the fabric softener she was used to and the bit of smoke that always lingered on him from the life he was a part of soaked in and brought everything back. "God, I missed you," she said into his shoulder.

His head turned as his lips pressed into her neck. "I won’t fuckin’ even try to describe how much I missed you Katy." He forced himself not to groan as the scintillating scent of her again filled his nostrils and replenished that empty hole that was his heart of late. It amazed him even now how much he needed her, and how different he felt about everything when she was around.

Chapter 114

Richie peered through a slit in the hotel door and saw an empty hallway. Man, all he wanted was some ice. The hotel was too friggin' hot and a little Jack and Coke would go down nice after the long show. He and Elena had snuck back for a little alone time after the backstage mess had ended.

He honestly didn't see the need for him to entertain local celebrities just because they were...well, local celebrities. It wasn't like they wanted to talk to him anyway. Jon was the golden boy and he liked it that way. Leave him alone with his guitar and his wife and he was perfectly fine with it.

He stepped out in his running shorts and no shirt. Their room was close to the ice machine. Swearing as the door swung shut he realized he didn't have his key. "Well fuck," he muttered. He didn't want to wake up Elena, but it looked like he was going to have to. Padding down in his socks he filled up the bucket and headed back but this time a set of blonde's were scoping out the hall. "Fuck."

He didn't really want to show them which room was his but he also didn't want to run around the hotel in his shorts. "Hell," he muttered and decided it was the lesser of two evils and started knocking.

"Oh my God!! That's Richie!" One of the blondes shrieked.

"Lains! Open up!" He turned around holding the ice bucket in front of himself. "Uh, hi ladies."

"Oh my God, you're Richie Sambora!" Blonde number two repeated.

"Ahh, yup. I mean, yes I am."

She looked him up and down. "Look, Trish we didn't even have to try to get his clothes off. He's almost ready."

The other girl with the too-red lipstick smiled showing yellowing smokers teeth. "Must be our lucky day. I'm Debbie, by the way. Is this your hotel room?" she asked as she moved in closer.

Richie's eyes started watering. Sweet fucking Christ! What the hell kind of perfume was she wearing? Eau de Piss? "Um, yes this is my room but somehow I don't think my wife--" He stumbled back as the door opened.

She brushed the hair from her eyes and took a glance into the hallway. "What the hell?" Her eyes widened as she caught wind of a full ice bucket, ok that looked promising, her husband in nothing but his damned white socks and shorts which was good, but then she saw what had him surrounded and her brows lifted. "Excuse me? Just what the ..."

"Uh, hi honey. I forgot my key," he smiled winningly. "Say hi to um...Debbie was it?"

She nodded encouragingly and looked Elena up and down. "He was just going to invite us in. I've never done a foursome."

Elena straightened majestically; her five foot nothing height seemingly taller as her brow arched. "Well hello there Debbie. You girls lost or what?"

Richie fumbled with the ice. "They were just saying goodnight. Girls, meet my wife, Elena."

"Wife?" Trish sputtered. "When the hell did you get married?"

Elena grinned, her hand snaking out to wrap around Richie's waist and pull him into the room. "Now why does that matter girls?? He's still the best guitarist in the best band. That's why you're here right, for an autograph?" A tiny smirk played about her lips. She knew damn well why they were here. She'd heard enough groupie banter to turn her grey. "I mean it wouldn't be to experience a ride on the Sambora love train right? You're decent girls; you wouldn't be roaming hotels at the ungodly hour it is for nefarious means?"

Trish looked at the little bit of fluff and laughed. "Hell yeah we are."

Debbie had the grace to blush. "We were just leaving."

"No we weren't." Trish said and stepped closer to the door.

"Goodnight girls," Richie said with a rueful grin. There was a time when he would have been all over that sentiment. He slid his arm around Elena. "I'm a one on one guy these days."

"That's okay, we can take turns."

Elena's brow winged into her hairline, a devious gleam whispering into her dark brown eyes. "Did you bring the cucumber, or zucchini? He doesn't do doubles without the green veggies."

"Elena!" Richie gasped. Jaysus what the fuck kinda stories was she being told? Clearing his throat he twisted his fingers into the belt of her robe tightening it. "My wife is a comedienne."

She stood on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to his chin. "Facts is facts lover." She glanced back at the girls. "So?"

Richie started shutting the door. "Sorry, no veggies here tonight. Gotta go. Nice meeting you. Hope you enjoyed the show."

"Hell, can I at least get an autograph," Trish whined.

Richie opened the door. "Got a pen?"

The girl produced a sharpie and handed it over then pulled her stretchy top low until the tip of her nipple peeked. "Right there please."

Elena shook her head, "It won’t last long there."

"Oh yeah it will." Trish batted her eyelashes and let it go a little bit lower as Richie started signing.

Richie tried not to look, he really did. But hell, a breast was a breast and hers were still pretty good.

Elena turned to study Debbie. "Let me guess, you want him to sign your ass?" She glanced at Richie and sighed as he took a nice long look at what he was signing. Maybe she needed a boob job, she'd ask him about that soon.

"Uh no Ma'am, my ticket stub would be fine." Debbie said and looked down.

Richie turned to Elena and shrugged. "You'd be surprised how many I sign, darlin'."

He reached for the ticket stub and let Debbie have a quick hug. "Night girls. Glad you had a good time," he said even though they didn’t mention the show.

Elena watched as the two girls backed up, then frowned as Trish darted forward and attempted a kiss. Jesus some of them just wouldn't give up. She cleared her throat as Trish tried to slip Richie tongue. "Umm I think that’s enough now."

Richie tried a big smile. "All I wanted was ice. I swear it."

She shook her head and started to laugh. "I don't doubt you Richie, not one bit."

Waving to the girls he closed the door and leaned on it. "Welcome to my life, Lains. Damn, they're not usually so...focused."

She slid closer her hands gently roaming up along his spine. "Baby none of that matters. If at the end you’re on this side of the door and they are on that side I have no complaints. Look at the bright side, they are loyal. Yes that’s a good word to use.. Loyal."

Richie snorted, "That's one word. I’m not exactly interested in those girls when I've got a woman like you in here." He passed off the ice bucket to a small table and snagged a cube popping it into his mouth before he lowered his head. Snagging it between his teeth he slid it along her lower lip.

She shivered at the contradiction of heated skin, hot lips and cold ice. Wrapping her arms around his waist tighter she gasped, her hands teasingly tracing over the waist of his shorts.

Lifting her up, he waggled his brows. He'd heard that ice could be fun for foreplay. He dumped her on the bed and flipped open her robe not bothering to open the top. The ice was quickly melting so he sucked it back in and let the tip come out like his tongue and traced his way up her thigh.

A soft whimper sang over her lips as she trembled at the feel of his tongue so cool upon her rapidly heating skin. Her eyes closed as she relaxed and let go, her petite hands brushing over his head as he dipped and moved along her legs.

Reaching blindly for the bucket he tugged at the tie at her waist. Naked beneath the soft terry cloth he opened her like a present, parting the robe with the side of his hand letting the ice explore the new skin. He watched her flush and goose-bumps rise on her pretty pale skin.

He slid down the line of the white robe taking a quick circle of one nipple as he traced the underside of her breast. He leaned down and enveloped the chilled nipple in his hot mouth and sucked.

She arched against his lips as the ice and his mouth short circuited her brain, her hands sliding to graze over his shoulders. Soft breaths hitched as the ice continued its trek along her skin, chilling her yet oddly heating her from outside to in. The softest whimper fell from her lips as his silky dark hair brushed over skin previously chilled. "Jesus baby."

He grinned up at her moving the ice cube into the palm of his hand he pressed on her tummy and moved lower. Her quick gasp at the cold, tightened her nipples more. He couldn't resist them and took one then the other into his mouth swirling his tongue around each hard tip as his hand worked lower.

Her belly quivered as he found the slim line of hair at her center and let the ice sliver sit at the top of her slit as he sucked greedily.

Her hips bucked as a mewl of frustration echoed in the air. The ice was so cold, his lips were so warm, His tongue was burning a trail of heated desire along each centimeter of her skin. The softest sob broke through as the ice dripped tendrils of chilly water onto her over heated flesh and shudders began to wrack her petite frame.

Taking another cube from the bucket he gave her nipple one last lick and flipped open her robe so she was completely bare to him, her arms pinned to the bed. He lowered himself so he was between her thighs. She was wet, creaming even without his touch. Not able to resist the lure of her, he licked once and her musky flavor nearly sidetracked him.

The dripping wetness of the ice seared his fingers. It would melt inside of her. The heat and the come would sizzle. Pulling his thoughts away from her taste, knowing it would be better if he waited, he slid the ice down her slit and found her clit.

Using his thumb to open her wider he rolled the ice around until her back bowed off the bed.

His name was a strangled scream as, her body beginning to throb in anticipation and abandon. Her fingers curled into the terry cloth of the robe holding them stationary as her throat tried to work beyond the spasms to speak. Jesus what was he doing to her?

The ice had melted to the size of half of his pinkie, sliding it inside of her he held her down as her hips thrust up. She wanted his mouth. He could feel her burning for it, holding off, he slid it all the way inside then curled the tip of his tongue through the icy warmth and sucked her clit into his hot mouth.

She almost came off the bed as the ice slid deep into her heat, her hips arching and wiggling to get away from the cold and closer to the heat as gentle sobs whispered over lips gone dry with need. Her heart raced as she lost herself in the magic of his lips and fingers, his tongue setting fire to anything resembling normal thought. Were she able to speak she'd be begging, and she knew it, he had her exactly where he wanted her, insane with need.

Sliding two fingers into her tight heat he growled at the expanding tissue as she took him. The ice had overloaded her and the loss of control had him hard as a fucking rock. He wanted to slam inside of her, but relished the thought of taking her higher. Always wanting more, giving more...taking all.

He tucked his thumb under her clit and pressed flicking his tongue over her clit as he pumped into her slowly. Her body was tense and fluid all at once. "More," he groaned as he tasted her. Flowing, hot and cold at the same time she screamed his name and still he didn't stop.

Three fingers now he thrust deeper until he couldn't stop. The feel of her vicing around him had his cock so hard he only saw red. Pulling away he climbed up and slammed into her.

Her hips moved to meet his with urgency as he plunged deep. Her hands quickly struggled from under the robe to reach and hold onto his shoulders, her head tilting to taste the salt of his skin. She was on fire, couldn't get enough; she needed his taste, his smell, his entire being. She no longer existed except in the throbbing need that coursed through her. It's what she was, need.

Nails raked along his back, unmindful of any scratching occurring as she lifted one leg to wrap around his waist, her lips still sliding over skin as she pulled his taste and scent in to attempt to center herself, but all it did was drive her higher, her moans turning into loud cries of need that begged response.

Richie growled against the scrapes knowing the wounds would be deep, proving just how much she wanted him. Feeding off of that energy he felt himself swell and her clamp down on him until his name echoed around him. She felt like sin and salvation, heat and heaven. "Mine," he whispered against her neck. "Mine."

Her lips slid over his sweat coated skin, soft sobs whispering against his ear, "Yours, yes.. god. Yours." She writhed against him, her body begging for the final push higher, needing that last bit as her heart tripped through her chest and her lips continued to taste each inch of his shoulder before a final thrust had her biting down in a primitive need to mark what belonged to hers. "Mine too."

His head fell back in surrender as she bit into him leaving another mark. Richie slung her leg over his arm and pushed deeper. "Elena," he groaned as he lifted her off the bed. Her scream as she pulsed around him left him shattered.

She was too limp to move, unable to move her leg from his arm as sex glazed eyes blinked to focus on his face. Her hands slowly slid over his back as she noticed the rather angry looking bite on his shoulder. Swallowing hard to get a bit of moisture into her throat she managed to croak, "Damn, didn't mean to...bite ya."

He leaned down, dropping a quick kiss on her mouth before shifting her until she was curled in front of him. "My little tigress was clawing and biting tonight." He tucked his chin into her neck. "I like making you come so hard you can't think straight." He kissed her shoulder. "It's worth a few battle scars."

She pressed a lazy kiss to his chest. "I kinda like it too. I scratched too? "She curled into his warmth and sighed a contented growly sigh. "You make me forget myself."

"Well let me remind you. You're Mrs. Elena Sambora and you're my wife...period end quote."

She weakly pushed at his chest and laughed, "Oh I won’t forget, but you best not either, remember I know how to take a man bigger than me down."

"I'm not going anywhere, darlin'. You're stuck with me until I'm fat, old and bald. Sorry about that."

She rolled her eyes and snorted. "I won’t let ya get fat and I doubt you go bald, but if you do I'll love ya anyways. Not much I can do about the older part." She grinned into his chest, "well except talk dirty too ya or sit on your lap that is."

"We'll have to get big rocking chairs for the porch," he said with a yawn. "Pretty house on the water. Kids and grandkids everywhere, a couple of dogs."

She closed her eyes and let his dreams of the future wash over her. "Yeah, that sounds really nice. A house full of love where kids can grow up to do what they truly want."

"Kids with wings always do better in the end. You just got your wings late that's all darlin'. I love you," he said and let his hand stroke down her hair.

She lifted her head to kiss his cheek. "Not as much as I love you."

Deciding it was better to stay quiet than refute her he curled her in closer. He wasn't sure it was possible to love her more but every day she proved him wrong. There was always more inside of him, just for her.