Chapter 176

Frowning, Kate looked down at her patient. His hair was overlong and falling in his face. Bruises shadowed deep set eyes. It couldn't be... "Jon?" She looked around the back of the van and punched on the overhead dome light. 

He looked up at her, his face scrunched up at the quick change from dark to light. She looked out the door and saw Elena stuffing her fist into her mouth to stop laughing. "You!" Kate shook her finger at Elena then looked up to the front seat where Richie was peeking over the head rest. "And you!"

Richie grinned. "Surprise!"

He started to grin as the bluster turned into an almost shriek. His hands flashed upwards, digging into the always present braid as he pulled her down. "Nicest damned surprise ever, Hellooooo baby."

Elena stepped to the door, her head poking into the interior of the van. "This was an official rescue mission Katydid.. Don’t hate us okay?"

She was far too busy to think about hating her best friend when Jon had a cement hold on her to keep her on top of him. She angled her knees into the bucket seat and sat on his lap, kissing him back with equal fervor.

She just couldn't care that she had a couple of extra eyes on her. He tasted so good, even the bite of the Corona he'd had was perfect. She threaded her fingers into his hair and sighed into his mouth.

She slammed the van door closed then turned to wave at Jim before crawling into the front seat. "See there’s been this bear, he needs to be a guy aga...." Her voice dropped off as she glanced back. Ok no need to talk, Kate wasn't gonna be listening anyways.

Jon pulled her in tighter, his arms wrapping around the one body he'd missed above all. So what if she smelled antiseptic, beneath that was the teasing scent of the one woman he craved. His lips pressed tighter to hers, hsi tongue teasing the seam of her lips. "Open up Katy, I wanna come home."

She grinned against his mouth, opening to get his taste inside of her. Oh God, it has been far too long. She groaned against his mouth and slid her tongue along his as he hardened right between her legs. Scrubs were roomy, but not that roomy. Thank God her house wasn't far away.

She tore her mouth away from him. "Okay, hang on a second," she gasped, her body more than screaming for her to say screw it and go at him. She pressed her forehead to his. "What are you guys doing here?"

He tightened his hold, pulling her back into his body. "Fuck if I know. I thought we were going out for drinks after the show."

She glanced at Richie, then dug deep for an innocent look, praying she didn't fail at the attempt. "Just thought this little break deserved a real vacation sister girl. Complaining?"

"Uh, no. Just wish you would drive faster. I'm gonna have to be rude and say g'night at the door. You can pick him up for the show.” She couldn't stop the evil laugh that formed. “Jonny's going to be busy for the next few days."

She turned and leaned into the backseat, her lips close to Kate's ear as she whispered, "Just fix him, I don't care how, throat, sex, hell anything, just get rid of growly bear ok?"

Kate's concentration on Jon's mouth, the ridiculous hard on that was turning her into a hormone crazed teen, all of it faded as she turned her head to meet Elena's eyes. Nodding, she leaned back into Jon. "He'll be as good as new when I'm done with him."

She smiled then moved back to her seat winking at Richie as she settled. "Good."

Jon growled and tugged at her braid. "Ignore the peasants, talk to me." He bucked up slightly, rubbing against her as she straddled him. damn he wanted her clothes off and now, but knew he'd have to be patient, for a couple minutes at least.

Kate growled. For the love of Mike...it didn't take this long to get home. Was Richie going the long way for fuck's sake? She sucked in a breath when he hit her just right and she bit his lip. "If you give me an orgasm in front of--" she cut off when he swiveled again, a demon hot in his eyes.

He started to grin as the words tumbled from her lush lips, his hands sliding up to glance over the hospital apparel."Or you'll what beautiful?"

He glanced down, and considered slipping a hand inside those roomy pants. "Daring me?"

"Sugar, you are just playing with fire here." She scraped her teeth along his throat, tugging on his ear, tucking her hips tighter into his body. "I want you so bad I might even be willing to do it in front of an audience." The friction was fierce and her breathing was a little harsher than she intended. If she wasn't careful she would go over. It had been so very long.

His hand wiggled in between the two of them, his finger scraping slowly along a seam. His head rolled, his gaze finding Richie. "If the fuckin' driver don’t hurry....I'll let Alec sing the secondary leads for a month!"

The van jerked to a stop. "Good thing we're here then. Get the fuck out," Richie shouted over his shoulder with a grin at Elena. He'd already revved his wife's engine, he was more than ready to get rid of Jon. 

Chapter 175

After beating on the door for a good twenty minutes she started cussing. "Shit I knew I shoulda called first." Turning around she headed back to the van, and answered the question riding in her husband's brown gaze. "She's at work, shit, the shift is bound to be nearly over."

Opening the driver's door she nodded for him to move over then settled herself into the driver's seat before burning rubber towards the hospital. "The plan just shifted."

She drove as if the hounds of hell were chasing her and pulled into the emergency parking lot within minutes. "You stay here babe, open the side door. I'm finding us an accomplice."

He didn't know what the hell his wife was doing, but he learned not to ask questions. "You got it, darlin'."

"Pull his hat down over his face, shit, and umm.. cover them eyes." She hopped from the van and scurried towards the door, grinning as Jim, an intern she actually knew walked outside for a smoke. "Hey Jim!"

She talked for a few moments and smiled as Jim nodded. "Now you tell her just like I said okay?" As Jim nodded she turned around and hurried back to the van. "Phase one of fool the doc now in place."

He sauntered up to the nurse’s desk and took a deep breath. Hell, how did Kate's little friend manage to do this?? Shit, he was always helping her pull some odd shit on Kate. "Hey Kate! Emergency outside, need your help."

"Hell no, Jimbo, I'm outta here." Kate walked quickly down the hall, her lab coat flapping behind her. There was no way, no how she was going to get sucked into a trauma when she had eleven minutes left on a thirty-six hour shift. Hell no.

"Look, some kids drove up in some rattletrap van, said they found this drunk in the ditch. He's bad and you're the one still on. So COME ON!" He stepped behind her to push her towards the door. "Sorry bout it Kate, but no one else here yet."

"Aw c'mon, can't you take it?" She dug in her sneakered heels. "I'm so tired I could drop. I have a whole day off tomorrow and I plan on sleeping through at least half of it." Blissfully and happily, thank you very much. If she couldn't have her boyfriend--or whatever the fuck he was--at least she could have sleep. Rich, wonderful, soul indulging sleep. She could feel the crisp cotton of her sheets now.

He shook his head, "You want his death on your head? Come on Kate, that’s not the doc I know." he kept pushing her towards the door, turning his head slightly to wave the rest of the crew back with a wink. "Your it girl, AT least until relief gets in."

"You make sure Naomi finds me as soon as she clocks in, you shit." Kate pushed back her sleeves, the July night thick and heavy with steamy freshly laid blacktop that stuck to her sneakers. God, Jim was a useless piece of shit these days. She didn't even know how he was going to make it out of the program. Of course no one knew he was a waste of space because she was always covering for him, but dammit. Someone had to.

She saw the rickety van at the edge of the trauma doors and jogged over. "What's going on over here?" A woman with a bandana and a hat pulled low waved her over. God, how could she be wearing so many clothes in this heat? Of course, the good Samaritans liked to keep things under wraps anyway. She was probably ready to bolt.


She coughed and waved Kate over. She knew if she spoke the damn joke was up. Pulling the door open she managed a whisper. "Found him in the ditch."

"Great," Kate muttered. Wary of anyone these days with the attacks and the gang violence she didn't look at the woman. "Can you step to the side? Give me as much of that light there as possible." She climbed into the van, her head reeling at the obvious odor of beer. An empty bottle lay on the floor and another in his lap.Since when do bums drink Corona? "Sir, what seems to be the problem? Are you hurt anywhere?"

She stepped to the side, slipping the bandana off as she watched Kate. Oh this was gonna be good.

He grunted and tried to roll over, only to feel soft hands against his neck. Fuck where'd he pass out at? He shook his head and tried to get comfortable as he wondered where the hell this bar was they were going to party at. "Lemme be.”

"It's okay, sir. I just want to check your neck. These nice people found you and brought you to the hospital. I'm Dr. Morrison. Does anything hurt?"

He growled as the soft voice intruded on his sleep. Shit they smelled nice, just like.... Did she say Dr. Morrison?? Kate was Doctor Morrison too. Cracking one eye open he got a slight view of alot of woman leaning over him and she had red hair. His Katy had red hair. Wait, woah. Man I only had 2 beers. Fully opening his eyes he blinked once, then again. "Fuck Katy, how'd you get to Pittsburg?"

Chapter 174

Mid July

She felt in the back pocket of her jeans for the tenth time, just to reassure herself that the keys for the car she'd rented were still safe. All plans were a go. The car was parked just outside the venue door, loaded with clothing and alcohol. No one knew she'd rented it although getting it parked and then getting inside without Doc seeing had been a major miracle. Richie was primed on all he needed to say to get Grouchy pants to agree to party after show, and her? Well, she had every map from here to Jersey and back out and unfolded, just to ensure she didn't get lost on the way.

She glanced down at her rather unusual attire, normally being in a mini or something equally as heat inspiring for after concert and laughed. Man Richie was gonna be hot over the jeans, but hell she had her bandana to cover her hair and all things ready to play at kidnapper.

Stepping over the myriad of chords she heard the husky cough of Jon and winced. Fucking break was just on time, he needed more than loving right now, he needed Kate's expertise, and she was going to make damn sure he got it. Doc wasn't gonna know what hit him or Where Jon was. Not if she had a thing to do with it.

Richie flipped off the towel Jon had covering his face. "C'mon man, you took care of the reporters before the show. Let's blow and just find a hole in the wall bar that doesn't know our names or faces."

He glanced up at Richie, his hand lifting to flick the middle finger up. He was too fuckin' tired to do anything other than sit here. All he wanted was sleep, sex and Kate although not in that order, even if the Kate and sex were mixed in his mind. "Naah man, I think I'm just gonna go crash before Doc finds a new interview."

.

"C'mon, the only way to crash before he finds you is to be out of reach. He'll find your ass at the hotel. Seriously, this is the best way. A beer to clear your head, you'll feel better."

"You're not gonna fuckin' shut up unless I do huh?"

Rich folded his arms over his naked chest. "Nah, we need to get you outta this place, man. Somewhere a fan would least likely be." He bit his lip to stop the laugh. Kate's couch was about as secret as you could get.

He pushed off the couch, his grumbles interspersed with coughs, one hand lifting to push hair from his eyes. "Okay if we are doing this, what are YOU gonna be doin' with the wife man?"

"You know Elena, she's always good for a quiet night sometimes. Besides," he slapped Jon on the back. "I'm sure you'll wander off to be grouchy and quiet anyway." He waggled his brows. "I'll just make out with her in a random dark corner."

She wandered up, her hand full of cap, coat and bandanas. "He gonna party with us baby?"

Richie smiled down at her, taking the load of clothes. "See how helpful she can be?" He pressed the pile into Jon's hands. "Let me go get dressed and we'll get the fuck outta here."

He glanced down at the coat that was three sizes too big and looked nearly stuffed with cotton, the over big ball cap then flinched as he felt something touching his hair.

"Shhh ya big baby, I'm just pulling it back so we can stuff it under the hat. We're running away and that hair is way too noticeable."

He glanced down and started to laugh at her look. All that long hair Richie was so fond of was tied up under a bandana and she was swimming in a sweat shirt she had to have stolen from Lumpy. "Going incognito huh?" He started to grin, a night away from the guys and Doc? He could deal with that. Let them work him during the five day break if they wanted, tonight he was taking off.

Richie sighed in relief when he got back. At least Jon was getting into the spirit of things. That would make things much easier. Once he was in the car, he'd crap out anyway. He was like a Pavlovian dog when it came to cars and sleep.

She jammed her cap on her head then turned to grin at Richie as he came out. "We're ready to roll baby."

Richie opened the back door to the van. "See, even have a getaway van, Jonny!"

He turned, his eyes going wide at the sight. No limo, not even a nice car. Jesus would the thing even stay together to get to the bar? Damn thing was held together by hope, prayers and rust for shit sakes. "We are riding in THAT?"

Elena nearly crowed. "Can you imagine ANYONE thinking the men of Jovi were in that seeming death trap?"

He grunted and shook his head. "I can't even see me getting into that thing."

She popped his ass and chuckled. "Crawl in your highness, your carriage awaits."

Richie slammed his door, and stared at the jittery stick shift. It was going to be fun to find first. Slamming down on the clutch and crunching the shifter to first gear he lurched forward. "What's a little rattletrap between friends and getaway cars!" Easing onto the gas pedal he shouted in excitement. "There we go!" He glanced in his side view mirror as one of Doc's little helper's waved for them to stop. "Buh-bye!" He looked over his shoulder at Jon. "Bill the Ball-less was just outside looking for you. We kidnapped you just in time."

Jon glanced back over his shoulder and felt the first true smile he'd had in weeks. "Fuck yeah, Doc probably scrounged the sewers for a interview." He leaned back and tugged the cap off. "Next time though do I have to look like a refuge from fatville?"

"Better than the scrawny twelve year old you look like dude."

He flicked a middle finger up, "Fuck you man."

"Nah, I got that covered," he settled his wide hand over Elena's denim clad thigh. "Nice jeans, baby, any wear spots I can maneuver around?" he laughed.

She twisted and turned to lean over the front seat, her ass wiggling slightly. "That’s a seek and find mission Sambora."

Lifting the top from the cooler, she swiftly unwrapped the lemon slices residing on top of the ice, popped the tops from three coronas and slammed the slices into the neck. Handing one to Jon she turned back around. "You up to the mission?"

“Fuck yeah!" Richie said with a wide grin.

She leaned into him, handing him the drink before taking a huge pull from her own bottle. "Good, then I should tell you these jeans are older than dirt and the seams are very weak."

Jon shivered in the backseat. "You two can fuckin' wait til we find a dark corner you hear me?"

Richie glanced in the rear view mirror. "Aww, jealous?"

Jon took a huge swallow, nearly choked and grumbled, "fuck yeah, man."

"You should be," he looked over at Elena, "I'm a lucky man."

He muttered quietly, the bottle emptying fast. Reaching over to the cooler he pulled another, quickly adding the lemon. Taking another drink he felt the first niggle of guilt for escaping and shoved it down.

Glancing out the window he noticed they weren't in town, his brow flicking up. "Ok, I'm not too sure, but this doesn't seem like, okay where the hell where we? Pittsburgh? yeah, well it don’t look right."

Elena glanced back at him and shrugged, "that's cuz we're going to this place I heard of a bit outside of town. Man you can't party in town, they all will find you. Sheesh Jonny where’s your brain?"

He closed his eyes a moment, frowned then pushed back the irritation. "She always this feisty man?"

"Yes," he leaned over and licked the lemon off her lips with a quick and deep kiss. "I like the feisty."

His head tilted back to rest on the seat. "Man you would, but then you like the strangest shit."

Richie snicked the radio on, sliding his hand into the thready seam of her jeans. "That's right my boy." Digging his hand into the V, he looked over his shoulder at Jon's closed eyes. The beer rested against his jacket as he dropped lower in his bucket seat.

She shivered as one long finger kept wiggling and teasing at the seam, her head turning to see Jon dropping off to sleep. "Just like planned."


"And I told you he'd go to sleep," he leaned over nuzzling her neck.

She leaned closer, her hand teasingly tracing circles on the top of his leg. "That you did."

"Now, about those seams," he wiggled his finger closer, "we have a few hours to kill."

Her hand moved over his, sliding them to the spot she'd worked the seams the most. "Get luckier if you hunt in the right spots."

"Think you can be quiet?"


She nodded as the fire started sparking in her blood. "Hell yah."

"Now let's see..." he trailed off as he brushed his fingers against the thick seam at the center of her jeans. When she pressed back into the seat, he grinned. "Ahh, right about there, I think." At her low whimper, he stopped. "Ah-ah-ah, no sounds or I'll have to stop."

Her lips slammed shut, her breaths gaspy as she pushed back against the seat. She nodded as her eyes closed, everything inside honing in on the scrapes of fingers on denim. "Gotcha."

He curved the tips of his fingers until her whole body shuddered, digging deeper until he could keep up a slow, steady rhythm. The van smoothly slid into traffic and merged onto the highway where he had to pay less attention. When her fingers wrapped around his wrist, holding him still, he twitched faster. When her fingernails bit into him, he lengthened his strokes.

She felt the cry rise and bit her lip, her hand moving to press into her mouth, muffling the cry into a groan, Turning her head she took him in, his eyes straight ahead, his lips quirking in full on smirk. Taking a deep breath, her hips bucked slightly against his fingers.

He felt the little quiver inside of her, the insistent moving of her hips. He knew his wife and he knew when she was going to come. Intent on holding out a little longer he backed off, pressing his knuckle against the seam, but no longer moving.

She shuddered, her eyes widening as she whispered urgently, "Richard!"

"Hmmm?" He asked and slid his hand away. "Gotta get off this exit."

Her brow quirked upwards as she scanned the area and growled quietly. Fuck they were almost at Kate’s? Shivering, she slid her hand over, barely brushing against the seam of his jeans, a teasing smile rising. "Well If i have to be all bothered, so do you."

He lifted his knee. "Un-uh, I have to shift here woman. You want us ramming into a tree?"

She kept her hand still on his leg and muttered, “well want ya ramming into something for sure."


He smirked and downshifted. "Not to worry, love. I'll find a good way to ease your pain when we dump the luggage."

She brightened as he turned onto her old street, her brows waggling. "Damn right you will."

Chapter 173

Mid July- 1987

Richie looked out into the empty expanse of seats. In a few short hours they'd fill the house. It was another sold out show. He was pretty sure they were in Quebec, but he couldn't say he'd been totally sober when Doc had handed out the room keys at 8am.

He and Elena had spent the better part of their one night off partying with Lumpy and his flavor of the Summer. They'd talked about the new design Lump had been working on until Elena had distracted him with a well placed hand and a bottle of Tequila.

Body shots off his hot little wife were far more entertaining than frets and wah wah bars that was for fucking sure. Of course it wasn't just a few shots. The four of them had polished off the Cuervo and if he didn't miss his guess--he'd fuckin' eaten the worm.

He snorted, and if he wasn't completely fuzzy on the details, Elena had swallowed a worm as well. His gaze drifted across the lower stage where Elena sat talking with one of the roadies. Her silky hair was tied up in a high ponytail without a lick of makeup. She looked impossibly young. Far too good for him, really. Never a complaint of boredom, never an eye roll when he got caught up in band politics and interviews, just the ever patient woman.

He turned away, to help Lumpy with the setup. His pedals took up a good twenty minutes of frustration. New technology and a show had to go hand in hand, but he preferred to use just a new guitar and the ultimate control, but his guitar tech was ever up on the new shit out there.

And in turn, he was forced to try it for a time, before going back to what he loved. Even if he had to prove to him that his way was better. Thank fuck, Jon usually let him go and do what he wanted on that side of the stage.

Turning back, he caught Elena at the control boards with an intent look on her face as Scott, their engineer, explained things. She'd been hanging out with Scott more and more these days.

"She sure does like Scott, huh?"

He glanced back at Alec with a snort. "Hey, she keeps busy. Not bitching like April does."

"True dat, true dat." Al lounged on the amps that curved out from the side stage. "Scott's a bit of a dog though. I'd be careful, man."

Richie's eyebrow arched. "Scott knows I'd feed him his balls after I trashed them all over his board if he touched Lains."

"Well with a sweet--" he cut off and cleared his throat. "What? Don't give me a look like that Rich. You know your wife's hot."

"Don't talk about her like that you fuck. Show some respect." He looked down at the Gibson he was tuning. Alec was getting a bit too liberal with his thoughts on his wife these days. Hell, any woman. His internal censor was as tweaked as he was.

Al's hands fluttered. "La-di-da, man. Don't get so anal." He dragged the side of his hand under his nose with a sniff. "Just sayin' she's hot. Not a federal offense."

Richie looked up. Sure enough, Al's eyes were bloodshot and the pupils were little better than a pinprick. Shit. Looks like I'll need to cover for him again tonight. Al hadn't played a sober show yet this month and there was only one day left. He lifted the strap up and over his head. "Just don't say anything, all right."

"C'mon, Rich!"

Richie headed down the steps to the front row and back up the middle. Elena looked up from the board, her ponytail sliding forward, curling around her jaw. He frowned at the tank that showed a little more of her lacy bra than he was comfortable with.

She glanced up as a chord throbbed through the room, her gaze finding Richie as he stood mid-stage. Throwing a wink his way she turned to Scott and smiled, nodding as he explained the next row of knobs buttons and gizmos that made her guy sound so great live.

The last few weeks had been more interesting thanks to Scott's offer to help her understand the technical side of things and boy had she enjoyed it. Truth be told she was pretty good with the sound, not good enough to take over for Scott, but at least she was learning the ins and outs. It sure as hell beat sitting side stage or side anywhere just watching, it even made her feel more a part of the group. Being semi known as just Mrs. Sambora was neat, but she had a brain and there were days, especially with the partying they were doing, that she felt like her brain was beginning to petrify. Learning the boards was helping with that.

As Scott threw a joke her way, she tilted her head back and laughed. He was a true horn dog, the biggest flirt since Richie, but it didn't bother her. Didn't faze her either. Why should it? She had the best guy around.

Glancing up she watched as Richie drew closer. Shit he looked a little odd, had that dangerous dark look in his eyes. Shaking her head she said a quick so long to Scott and moved away from the board.

As she met Richie just in front of the boards she smiled, her hand tip toeing up along his arm. "Hey baby, Miss me that much?"

"Always," he said and settled his mouth on hers. The quick squeak had him wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her up on her tiptoes. He opened one eye to see Scott busying himself with his headset and talking to Tico behind his kit. Letting her settle back on his feet, he stepped back.

She blinked a moment, even now overwhelmed with the possessiveness of the kiss. "Ok big guy what was that for? Jealous of Scotty there?" She glanced back at Scott and snorted, "Not exactly in your league you know."

He linked his hand with hers and headed back to the stage. "Like I'd be jealous?"

She arched a brow as she trotted to keep up with him, "Well something's got those britches in a bunch, otherwise you wouldn't be pulling my arm off here." she huffed out a breath to blow her bangs out of her eyes. Was he upset? Good lord Why? He'd suggested she find stuff to do for heaven sakes. "Richie!"

"What?" he looked down at her. "I'm done with soundcheck and I don't really want to hang around with cranky ass today, all right? Can we just go in the back?"

She shook her head and tried to stop only to be pulled the next few inches, her voice soft, "only cranky in here is you right now." Her smile turned on as she pulled at his hand, "Mop Top on the other hand, he’s a grizzly bear, no cranky to him, he’s all out bonafide scary these days."

"Yeah well, the way he fucked last night's show isn't making him any better. Christ, we need a break." He dragged a hand over his scruffy cheek and chin. "Jon needs another cortisone shot and we can't get near Kate until August for fuck's sake."

She tugged at his arm. "Pony, baby, stop... just a minute. STOP!"

"What?" He snarled and stopped, gentling his tone with a deep breath, he licked his lips. "I told you, I want to get backstage before Jon gets on stage, darlin'."

She leaned forward, going onto tiptoe to whisper against his lips, "but I have an idea."

He leaned his forehead to hers. "What?"

Her grin grew as her arms slinked around his waist. "We are going to go into a new business. Wanna play kidnap?"

He laughed. "Only if that includes me and you and an island with no telephones."

Her hands slipped lower to cup his ass as a bright smile filtered onto her lips. "Well that’s after the kidnapping. See we kidnap Mr Cranky and take him for a visit to Doctor Love, then you and me?? We go home for a few days. It's so close to home baby, we could have time there, and leave Cranky with the doctor. Maybe you won’t kill him knowing that's coming?"

"As long as that's me dumping him on the doorstep," he pictured Jon in a heap at Kate's door with a grin, "and you driving the getaway van."

She started towards the back, as she started to laugh, "Oh I'll be driving something alright."

"Now that's more like it." The more he thought about it, the more he warmed up to the idea. Jon needed a day with Kate, and if a treatment was in there, then hell, whatever works. Dipping his wick would probably cure most of shitty mood anyway. "That deserves a drink, baby. Great idea!"

She stopped just as she reached the communal dressing room door and grinned, "Brains and beauty huh? whoda thunk?" She pulled in closer and grinned, "Drink of what darlin'? protein shake for me or something less enticing?"

He dragged her inside the dressing room. "Now that's what I love about you, Elena. You're always willing to take one for the team." At her laugh, he shut the door and dragged her onto the couch.

Chapter 172

Richie woke to cool hands sliding under the covers until they skipped the prize and went for his thighs instead. His wife was a tease. He grinned into the satin pillows of the Waldorf's honeymoon suite. Indulgence was the name of this little break. He knew if he went home, he'd never want to leave. At least here, the opulence was perfect and yet not his own.

He could leave without a backwards glance because his home was currently tracing a path along his inner thigh. What more did he need when she was actually right there with him every day for the rest of the tour?

She snuggled in closer, enjoying the simple feel of his skin. She hadn't felt warm in months damn his hide. Married to a man who slept with the Air conditioner on 24/7 had her doing it when alone, but alone she had no personal heater.

A sigh whispered over her lips as she pressed a kiss to his chest, her hands still roaming over his thighs and hips, always just missing the one spot she knew would wake him up. He needed this sleep no matter how much she still wanted and needed him.

"Are you just going to tease me all morning or actually put those soft little hands on me?" He grumbled into the pillow. "The little man is lonely." He wiggled until her tinkling laughter filled the room.

She huffed softly into his chest, her hands finally flitting over his groin, "Nothing little about you husband, just didn't wanna wake you up."

"Riight," he laughed. "Tracing shapes and little swirls on my thighs. Nope, no waking me up there." He groaned as she finally cupped him, stroking him until he was fully awake.

"Was just enjoying the warmth." She grinned before delving under the covers, her lips sliding along his chest and lower, her tongue fluttering along his skin. "Get's awfully cold sleeping alone you know."

He hissed as she took the tip of him deep into her mouth. "Sweet fuck," he groaned, his fingers sliding into her hair as she bobbed up and down along his length. The flat of her tongue curling around him as he went deeper. With each stroke, she relaxed until he felt his head at the back of her throat. "Lains," he groaned roughly.

Her hand wrapped around the base only to move in time with her mouth as she let the pure taste of him fill up the empty spots. He completed her. She'd missed feeling whole for months and with a growl, flex and laugh she'd felt at peace. As she heard his hoarse groan she hummed quietly, knowing the simple vibration of the tone would drive him nuts.

Taking a leaf from his book she remained silent, knowing the non response along with the long slow actions of her tongue would soon have him as mindless as he always made her.

He arched, flinging the covers back so he could watch as she accepted him into her mouth again and again. His eyes never left that sight. The soft moan and her hands restlessly covering every inch of him had him panting. He ached to slam into the back of her throat, but controlled the impulse. He'd have her under him soon enough.

She slowed her movements as she sucked in creating a slight vacuum. Her eyes lifted to watch his face go lax and tense all in the same breath and smiled. God she did love the faces that man could make when in the throes of passion, whether it was during sex or playing music. He went all in and she loved it. On the next pass up she scraped her teeth lightly over the throbbing vein and almost laughed when he bucked upwards. Pulling away she grinned, her voice throaty with need and laughter. "Problem there Pony?"

He sat up and tugged her underneath him. "No problem, just enjoying the view." Lifting her knees over his shoulders he drove into her in one long stroke. The laughter faded from her eyes as he drilled into her. So long, he'd been away from her so long. Even with a day's worth of loving, he wanted more.

Even though she was his bride, he needed to brand her. Each stroke was deeper, stronger and reaffirmed his connection with her.

Her hands slid to his upper thighs and dug in. Dammit she wanted to feel his skin and couldn't, but on each downward thrust she forgot her want and lost herself in the heat. And as the connection knitted tighter she sobbed out his name on a barely there sigh, her entire being centering on the moment. It was this she had missed, not just the sex, or the heat, but the feeling of oneness they had and she knew that she'd stay with him through hell to not lose it.

He leaned back, rolling her onto her stomach, covering her from back to thigh as he opened her for him. His lips were sharp and merciless on her neck as he wound her hair around his fingers. On her knees, she took him even deeper. His name was an endless litany as he covered her in every way. The friction, hot and relentless kicked her over the edge as he kept his thrusts short, wanting to stay inside of her to feel each pulsing reaction. "Mine," he said into her ear. "Mine. Forever mine."

She nodded in agreement, the possessive hold and quick movements driving her closer and closer to the edge. "Yours, always," and as the words fell from her lips she felt him tug at her hair until she turned her head, his lips and teeth there to nibble that little spot on her neck, "RICHIE!" She gasped as he used everything he knew about her to ensure maximum pleasure.

Locked together, he finally let her milk him dry. The orgasm was all consuming as she shuddered around him. His arms held her tightly as they collapsed onto the bed, still spooning. He still wanted to stay inside of her, even spent as he was. "I love you," he whispered.

Her head tilted as she pressed a slight kiss to the sweaty skin of his arm, her body still trembling in the aftermath as she exulted in the fullness. She loved how he stayed there, wrapped around her and inside of her as if he still couldn't get enough. "Love you too Pony, always will."

Chapter 171

Kate capped the syringe with shaking fingers. Watching the wild pain in his eyes as she slid the needle into his neck was going to haunt her for a long time. He'd sat there, still as death while she'd injected the cortisone. Not a single complaint as every muscle locked on his body.

It truly only took a moment to do it, but it felt like eleven years instead of eleven seconds. The involuntary tears that leaked down the side of his eyes into his hair had been the last thing she'd been able to bear. She wrapped the discarded needle in white medical tape, tucking it into the side of her bag.

The sudden gagging as he drew a deep breath before dashing to the bathroom was the last straw. She collapsed into the secretary chair tucked into a tiny desk in the corner, tears running unchecked. What the hell was wrong with me?

She'd given a million cortisone shots over the years. She couldn't understand why this man made a difference. She'd warned him of the side effects, but she'd been unsure just how quickly they would hit him with the location of the shot.

She'd been studying case files in laryngology, volunteering for a rotation with the ENT's at the hospital. Her fellow interns were fighting to get into surgery and she was spending every free moment learning the ins and outs of the voice box.

She bit her knuckle as Jon heaved in the other room. Finally, unable to stand it, she stood hovering outside of the bathroom. "Are you okay?"

A shuddered breath choked through him as his hand shakily moved to pull his hair back. Good fuck, it felt like fuckin' fire boiling through his neck and up along his scalp, even his hair felt itchy. He managed a nod before whispering, "I'm fine," He choked as another shaft of nausea hit and he prayed he'd hit the toilet and get nothing in his hair. God help him, he felt like he was going to choke on his own damn tongue. He tried to unglue his tongue from the top of his mouth, it felt like it was three sizes bigger, before muttering again, "I'm totally ok." Who am I trying to convince me or her? Fuck it I feel like crap and she damn well knows it.

She grabbed a washcloth and soaked it with icy water. "C'mon, let's get you into bed." She smoothed back his hair. "Do you want to rinse your mouth?" She pressed the white cloth against his forehead, frowning when they were nearly the same color.

He straightened a moment and nearly stumbled, his eyes closing for just a moment. His mouth tasted like the inside of a trashcan for god sakes. He leaned over the sink and splashed water onto his face before palming some into his mouth. Swishing it around a moment he spat then pushed back. "Man it tasted better going down," he croaked, a lopsided grin on his lips. As he opened his eyes he saw the glimmer of tears in her eyes before pulling her in close, "Feel like my body's on fire. Shit babe, next time you wanna heat me up I have better ideas."

She wrapped an arm around his neck, giving a hiccuping laugh as he stumbled against her. "I don't know if the reaction is because there was too much injected or just the way your body processes it." She stepped back, looping an arm around his waist. When he sagged against the bed, she ended up falling with him into the queen bed. "Can't keep your hands off me, huh cowboy?"

He managed a smirk, his hands moving to coast over her back even as he swallowed hard to keep the nausea at bay, "would have to be damn near dead babe."

She looked down at him, his eyes closed as sweat popped out all over his forehead, beading down his chest. "Okay, so we've got a check in the sweats column for side effects." She dragged the well worn t-shirt over his head and went for his jeans. When his eyes peeked down at her fingers she snorted. "Don't get too excited. I'm tucking you in, not starting a party."

He lifted his hips, a half growl half grumble on his lips. He was beginning to wonder if this had been a good idea, he felt like death and hell he only had two days to be with her. "I’d prefer the party Katy."

"The good news is you'll probably feel like partying tomorrow," she patted his butt when he rolled over. Even sick as a dog, the man's ass was prime time. Shaking her head, she tossed his jeans over her shoulder before shrugging out of her own clothes. "I'll have a million questions for you when we wake up, Sugar."

He reached for her and tugged even as he felt the world bottom out. AS she snuggled into him he managed a grunt."I might answer half."

She ran a hand down his back feeling helpless and about as low as fire ants. Cripes, she'd done this to him. Sniffing, she pressed her cheek to his shoulder, soothed by the even breathing as he settled into sleep.

The night was long, his restless sleep and muttering incoherence as he thrashed through the night sweats was difficult to control. She didn't know if it was a reaction to the site injection or the fact that he didn't deal well with the steroids. The only saving grace was his obvious delirium, he didn't seem to be waking up with the sweats, just having awful nightmares that seemed to star her.

Finally he seemed to stop around nine in the morning, about four hours after she'd injected him. His sleep was sound and eerily deep, letting her finally follow suit as sun beams slid higher across the bed. 

Chapter 170

170

Kate pushed Jon out of the beater Ford truck they'd hijacked from one of the roadies. They didn't need it; they were still sleeping off the backstage party that night. The four of them filed into the dive of a diner, aptly named Mel's. Linoleum, probably the original, lined the spacious room from end to end. 

Battered red vinyl booths lined the windows with another row down the center. A few tables were scattered around, but it was definitely a cram your butt in a booth kind of place. 

She linked her fingers with Jon as the waitress waved. "Sit where you want, don't be shy."

Richie laid a hand on Elena's back, shuffling her after Jon. "Looks like we get our pick, ladies." At Jon's finger waving in the air, he laughed and dropped into the widest booth. Elena scooted in, draping herself over his arm. 

Jon and Kate slid in across from them and an Asian woman that was probably eighty, but looked fifty passed out a handful of napkins and four miniature waters. "I'm Daisy, I'll be your waitress tonight." She pulled a pencil out of a mist of dark feathering hair about three inches off her head. "Can I start you with drinks?"


Jon glanced up at the diminutive woman, smiled and nodded, "Fresh coffee, lots of it and pancakes for her. LOTS of pancakes. I'll just have a steak, medium, and a couple of eggs over easy." 

He glanced over to the married couple, "You two?"

Richie rubbed a hand over his growling belly. "Waffles for me, extra butter and syrup with bacon and sausage." He smiled at the crinkling eyes of Daisy. "Oh yeah and OJ." He patted his pocket. "I've got the vodka."

Elena's brow arched slightly as he talked, her gaze turning to Kate a moment as she heard him talking about vodka for breakfast. She couldn't decide if he was joking or serious and that worried her slightly. After all he’d had quite a bit at the after show party, and then a little more ‘refreshment’ during their homecoming at the hotel. 

Glancing to the waitress she nodded, "Same as him, just the OJ though." Her hand slipped into his jacket pocket, and sure enough felt the bottle there. Wrapping her fingers around it she slid it from the pocket and to her other side. He so didn’t need more at this time of night, especially to relax. She was here, she’d help relax him.

"So how many more dates before tour ends Jon?" She tried to keep her voice calm, and her attention on the conversation as she waited on Richie to figure out his bottle was missing.

Jon snorted, his gaze moving towards the window. "Way too many to count Teensy. Way too many to count."

Richie slid his arm around her waist and snagged the bottle in her pocket as the waitress came back with their drinks. "These are precious from the flight, babe." He glugged the full airline mini bottle into the jelly glass sized OJ and stirred with his finger. Taking a liberal sip he sighed. "Nectar of the Gods." He brushed his lips over her forehead. "Well, next to yours of course."

Her brow arched at his teasing. Even half lit on whatever alcohol he was taking in, he was the perfect flirt and tease, his words settling into her belly like a fire. She closed her eyes, forced back the desire and watched as he poured the bottle into his OJ and sighed. It wasn't worth the argument, but the fact he needed it enough to steal it back bothered her. Turning her attention back to Kate and Jon she managed a half smile. "So what time do you have to head back Katy?"

"I convinced Jon to steal away with me and take the Harley into NY. He'll drop me off and you meet you guys for the show on the 8th." She pushed his hair out of his eyes. That would give her some time to do the procedure and watch him. She wasn't sure how the Cortisone would react with him.

She smiled at her friend and nodded. "I see you figured out a way to keep him a few more days. You go girl." She lifted her hand in a high five, knowing it was Kate’s way of helping him get away from the partying and a way into helping his throat issues. "Always knew you were the sneakiest one."

Kate smacked her hand and elbowed Jon. "He likes the hiding part anyway." 

Jon's brows waggled, "Any excuse to get away from the zoo for a couple days, and to get to spend it with my beautiful gal? Fuck yeah."

Kate grabbed his hair and dragged him in for a noisy kiss. "That's for the beautiful remark." She hooked her leg over his. "It'll be nice to get him out on the open road again. The motorcycle's good for both of us." 

She smiled as the waitress came back again with their food. Drowning her pancakes in butter and syrup she dug in. She'd depleted all her energy with the bedroom Olympics and Jon was going for gold for God's sake. She needed her energy. And since she only had two days to watch him, she'd need to do the procedure when they got back to the room, so she needed a steady hand. 

Richie downed his OJ and flagged her down for another one. "Well, I can do with the two full days off, that's for sure. Elena and I are going to find a swanky hotel and use a name no one will ever figure out who we are."

He ran his hand up along Kate's leg and smiled. He could still feel her at his back on the bike. "Yeah man, within driving distance of a house you own and you're gonna go hole up in a hotel? Typical." He glanced over at Elena a moment and wondered what had her so silent before turning his attention back to Kate who was shoveling in the pancakes. "Woah baby, you don’t have to eat them whole, no ones gonna steal those pancakes from ya."

"You obviously have never been an intern," Kate said with a dripping forkful of golden delicious. "You think jail's bad?" She shook her head. "Nothing compared to the on call board and a sneaky resident." 

Richie laughed and smiled up at Daisy. "Thanks, sweetheart." He dumped another bottle into the glass and sat back to sip this time. The heat of the Smirnoff was giving him a nice glow from the inside. He threw an arm along the back of the booth. "I had no idea St. Mary's was so cutthroat."

Elena leaned forward as he fixed yet another drink at the table. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, counting to ten before speaking. It was their only time together as a group, she wouldn't start an argument. Hell she hadn't seen him in months, he was tired, he needed something to keep going. She ran through a litany of excuses for him and not a one made the fact he was drinking so much better. It finally hit her, she couldn't change how he handled the stress, she might was well join him, at least then she wouldn't notice it so much. Sliding her hand across the table she snagged his juice and lifted it to take a swallow her eyes nearly crossing at the strength. "Yum."

Richie grinned down at her. "That's not for little girls."

She took another long pull of the drink, "I don't see any little girls around here Richie." She glanced over at Kate and grinned, "Do you Katy?"

Kate glanced down at the watered down OJ with a frown. Well if vodka counted as water. "I see a woman in a tiny body that better cool it with the Screwdriver." She jumped a little as Jon pinched her. Glancing at him, her frown deepened as he shook his head. What the hell was that supposed to mean?

Elena took another swallow and felt the bomb inside the OJ starting to swirl a bit through her veins. She could party just as hard as her husband, seems he'd forgotten that tiny bit of info. 

Jon glanced at Kate and read the confusion and dash of anger in her eyes and smiled. He’d explain to her later, out of hearing range of his friend. Sometimes ya needed things and fussing with Sambora about it only made him more stubborn.

Richie pushed his plate away. "Well I'm glad we got to hang out with you for a little while, Kate. The next few months are going to suck sideways." He dragged Elena onto his lap and snagged the glass, finishing the last of the OJ. When she wiggled, he bit back a groan. He was fed, but far from tired. "The drive home would be too much time wasted when I can be naked and happy. I'm thinking the Waldorf for a few nights of pampering." 

Jon snorted, "You would man. Ever think to ask the wife there?"

Elena glanced up at Jon and smiled. "It's only a couple days, less time traveling the better right?"

Richie hugged his wife closer. "That's okay, right? Since we have to go to Uniondale, might as well get the traveling out of the way and stay naked as long as possible." At her flushed face and sparkling eyes, he dropped a kiss on her pouty lips. Vodka was shooting through her little veins. "Room service naked," he grinned.

Kate pushed Jon out of the booth. "All this naked talk is making my pancakes come back up. C'mon let's go pay, so I can get you back to the hotel." The sooner she got the procedure over, the better.

Jon slipped from the booth as he laughed, "Yeah it is kinda sickening." He winked over at Elena and caught the sparkle in her eyes and for the life of him couldn’t decide if she was in a good mood or bad. He prayed it was a good one or else Richie wouldn’t be as naked as he planned. "I'll see you two in a few days." 

Wrapping his arm around Kate he made his way to the cash register and paid up before pulling Kate outside. "Finally alone again." He stopped a moment and started grumbling. "Fuck." Turning around he opened the diner door and yelled, "Well fuck it asshole come on or I'm leaving ya's to walk."

Richie slid out of the booth. "Damn, we still have to go with them?" He laughed, dragging her along behind him. "C'mon. We can ditch the no-fun's and raid the mini-bar."

She shook her head and tried to keep up with his long legged stride, "Or we can just ditch the no funs and have non mini bar fun." She waggled her brows slightly and grinned.

He shrugged. "If you're here, I don't need the mini-bar." He backed out the door, clutching both her hands. "I'm not worried." He leaned down to her height. "You worried?" he made a funny face dropping his voice a few octaves.

Her eyes rolled as he went into goofy mode. "Do I need to be?" She kept her tone light and teasing. No need to push things. She was here now, she'd help him relax without the damned drinking if she could. 

"Nahh," he laughed. "It's all good. I can deal with anything as long as you're here."

She laughed as they all jammed back into the front of the truck, her ass landing in his lap as he tugged her in closer. "was there any ever doubt about that? I'm the best medicine there is for what ails ya."

Jon glanced over at Elena and grunted, "Depends on who you talking bout Teensy." He winked at Kate, "Sometimes medicine comes in Red though."


Kate smirked and shifted the truck into first smoothly as Jon rode the clutch. "I don't even need my prescription pad for that one, sugar." 

Chapter 169

Note: Sorry it's been so long, but thanks to a blown modem and other life issues I've been off the net over a month. I'm back now so back to the life and loves of our favorite SWW guys and gals :)


~~~~~~~


She slowly sat up, pulling the sheet up to wrap around her as she walked towards the door only to yank it open. Glancing at Kate, a moment she turned to walk towards the bathroom. "Well get your asses in here before the entire hotel starts a sit down on this floor." She moved into the bathroom slamming the door behind her. Man she loved Kate, but in moments like this she wanted to kill her.


Kate snorted and walked inside. "Hiya Richie." 


Richie just glowered and got out of bed, his naked ass for the world to see. Kate blinked, laughing. Naked didn't mean anything to her, but the swing of a shadow had her swallowing a comment. No wonder Elena didn't want to get out of bed.


"Don't pout, Lains--you get to keep him, I still have to go home tomorrow night."


One slender arm stuck back out through the door, "Richie, could ya hand me my jeans and a shirt?" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before replying to Kate's comment with a sickeningly sweet voice,  "All the more reason you two should have been camped out in HIS room."


"You know I gotta have pancakes," Kate said rubbing her hand over her empty belly. "I've literally been had every way to Sunday. I need sustenance, woman." She looked over her shoulder at Jon. "As tasty as he is, woman can not live on protein alone."


Richie snorted, hiking his jeans up before digging into Elena's bag. "Heard of room service?"


"Heard of cardboard, frozen pancakes?" Kate sing-songed back.


Elena felt Richie’s hand brush hers, and tightened her hand over the offered clothing and pulled them in the door. "Cardboard is nutritious! Lots of fiber!" She closed the door and quickly showered the sweat of the night and morning away before finally noticing what Richie had handed her. Rolling her eyes at the mini skirt and brief top she dressed and stepped out of the bathroom. 


Richie grinned at the tiny denim skirt. "Much better than jeans." 


Kate looked down at her own jeans and sweater and shrugged. "My legs won't be cold on the cold diner seats," she said to Jon.


Elena grinned, "I'll just sit on his lap. Much warmer than jeans."


Jon shook his head, his eyes moving between the three of them. "You are so not right Elena."


"More like a boiler plate," Kate smirked.


Richie's eyebrow just rose. "Excuse me?" 


"Seriously, you have an imbalance--I've never known a man that gives off so much heat. I can feel it from here. Even with your clothes on, stud."


Elena slid over to wrap her arms around him. "Better than a itchy rug to cuddle up with."


Kate laughed. "You'd think so, but that's a no." She grinned up at Jon as he slid his arm around her waist. "Everything about him works for me."


He pulled her tighter, his lips brushing over her hair a moment. "Well I'm glad about that." He glanced up at Richie and Elena a moment. "So you're going to eat with us. That’s all she wrote."


He watched Kate a moment as she tried to tease Elena out of the mood being interrupted had brought on and smiled. She was like a damn breath of sunshine, and when Elena actually laughed he revised his opinion. She was a fucking miracle worker. Even Richie didn't work that fast when Elena managed to actually get moody. 


Richie slung an arm around Elena's shoulders. "Well now that I'm actually vertical, real food sounds really good." He pressed a kiss to Elena's brow. "We should hang out a little. We don't get much time with the doc as it is."


She glanced at Kate and saw the appraising look in her eyes, recognizing it for what it was. She was seeing the ravages of touring, and the trek to the diner was just a step in repairing some of it. "Right, best girl in the world to spend time with, well next to me of course." 


Wrapping her arm around Richie her brow arched as she glanced Jon's way. "Well? Lead on Captain."


He snorted and turned. Taking Kate's hand, he laced his fingers through hers and started walking. "There's a diner not far from here. We'll go out the back and walk through the alley, Fans shouldn't catch us. Will be nice to get some air."


Richie jammed his feet into his boots. "Yeah, I know the one. You want grease," he said to Kate, "you'll get it there."


Kate tugged Jon ahead, walking faster. "Stop talking about it and feed me dammit. I'm starving." She skipped backwards, dragging Jon to the stairs. She was wired for sound. Sex energized her, especially when she had such good sex on the all around. 


Richie turned around, hiking Elena on his back again. "Looks like it's time for pony to return if she's going to run."


She tightened her grip, uncaring if the mini skirt rode up a bit. Being on Richie's back was fun. Laying her head on his back she pressed a quick kiss to the top of his spine,. "Giddyup Pony. Kate could win the Derby if food was at the finish line."

168

Richie laved his tongue up her throat, sweat and the shuddering cry of her release kicking him into a frenzy. He slid himself deeper inside of her, grabbing her knee, jerking it higher and wider to get closer. 


It felt like he'd been away from her forever instead of just the weeks she'd been gone. He couldn't seem to touch enough of her, his fingers gripping her waist as he took her again and again. His cock, hilt deep inside her warmth. Home, lust and contentment warred inside of him. One toppling over another as she surrounded him, called his name and shuddered under his hands. "Elena," he breathed as a drop of sweat slid down his nose. Harder--More--Now. His body pushed him, his heart pounded out of his chest. "Elena," he shouted as he pounded inside of her again.


Nails raked along his spine as his movements went wilder, darker, and deeper. He'd been insatiable the last few hours, not that she was complaining. She rose to meet each thrust, his name shifting from warbling murmur to unadulterated cries of completion. 


She felt the urgency to the marrow of her bones, and as his moment took hers she shuddered, her arms wrapping around him in an effort to stay grounded. As his head dropped to her shoulder she managed a half sigh half laugh. "You'd think you missed me."


"Nope," he gasped, sucking in as much oxygen as possible. "Not at all," he laughed.


She bit down on his shoulder before snorting in laughter, "Well I didn't miss you either. Me and that big pillow got very cozy ya know. Might have to marry it one day."


"I don't plan on letting you out of my sight long enough for you to become a bigamist." He laughed, rolling himself onto his back, dragging her on top of him.


She propped herself up on her elbows, luxuriating in the simple sight of him. He looked a little less tired, but still frayed around the edges. The dark shadows under his eyes making his chocolately brown eyes even darker. 


Leaning in, she pressed a kiss to the tip of his nose, as she wiggled to get comfortable. "I guess Mr. PIllow will just have to deal."


"Hell yes," he said and dragged her up until he could catch her perfect mouth in a kiss. "I missed you," he said softly. "I figured that the whole house thing was important enough to keep you there, but I wanted you here every day."


Her tongue flicked along the seam of his lips tasting him slightly even in the gentle kiss. "I should have come sooner, wanted to be here, every second of every day. Didn't want ya thinking that I couldn't handle it, you know? "


She rolled her eyes and snorted, "Who we kidding? I wanted to be here too, shoulda been here, cuz you don't look like you've eaten right in the time I was gone. What am I gonna do with you Mr.Sambora?"


"Stay and keep me in line," he said with a grumbling buzz of words into her ear. She smelled amazing. That crisp, line dried smell that eased him and centered him. He wrapped his arms around her. "Just stay."


She curled up on top of him, her nose brushing over his neck slowly. "Oh I plan on it. Plan on taking good care of you." 


She grinned and parroted back his words from the first time she traveled with him, "Can't promise you'll get decent sleep, but I can promise it will be interesting."


"I'll sleep when I'm dead," he muttered. Rolling her over one more time, he groaned at the fist against his door. "You have got to be fucking kidding me."


She glanced at the door and groaned. "Please let it be room service."


"Go away!" Richie yelled, sucking her nipple into his mouth and drawing deeply.


Thoughts of the door vanished as his teeth grazed sensitive flesh. They'd just ignore it, they deserved the time alone. It had been so long. 


He glanced over at Kate and pounded on the door. "Drag it outta fuckin' bed Dude. Not like you haven't seen her before!"


"Fuck off!" Richie yelled and sipped from her belly button, flicking the purple jewel there with his tongue. 


She gasped, her fingers twisting into his hair. When the knocking became even more insistent she yelled,  "Go be with KATE MOPTOP, BEFORE I FIND A PAIR OF SCISSORS!"


Kate leaned against the door. "I have one more day, Lains, then I'm gone. Get the heck out of bed and out here right now! I'm hungry for more than man flesh!"


Richie growled, his stomach growling right after him. "Goddamn it," he muttered, nipping at her waist. "Order room service!"


Jon pounded on the door again. "Pancakes man,dripping in syrup, steak, eggs, toast, coffee... SHE wants Diner food and she wants it with you two. GET your ASS outta BED."


He had a feeling none of that was gonna work, "Either up and at them or I'll change my mind about certain spouses on tour!"


"Only if you want to be missing a guitarist," Richie said and leaned back on his knees. "Dammit," his stomach roared. "I'm hungry, but I was just going to order up something from the damn kitchen."


She stilled, her eyes moving from the door back to Richie. "I know who started the pancake thing. She always wants them after sex. I'm gonna kill her."

Chapter 167

Kate slid down the shower wall, her knees shaking. "Sweet baby Jesus," she gasped. Three orgasms and the loss of hot water didn't seem to matter. She was so overheated the lukewarm drippings that made it to her on the floor felt good. 

She looked up at him. His head flung back, his hair slick as rain down his back. He was far too thin, his cheekbones even more pronounced now after months of a grueling tour. The long line of his neck stirred her again--as it had the last four times since they'd gotten back to the hotel. God, would she ever be able to put the wanting into an equation she could understand? Even after more than a month apart, instead of leveling off, it made her even more mad to have him touch her, kiss her--taste her. 
She pressed her forehead to her drawn up knees, encircling them loosely as the water bounced off his perfect skin. Taking another deep breath, she finally looked up at him. "You trying to kill me here, Sugar?"
He glanced down a moment then bent over , his hands reaching to pull her up slowly. Angling her so the water rushed over her skin he smiled. "Only fair baby, you already put me in heaven."
He leaned in, his nose nuzzling over her wet skin as he lost himself in her scent. Damn he'd missed her, and hte limo and the times since that had done nothing to assuage his damn need. She was too much a part of him now, and the separation had been too wearing, hed have to find a way to make sure he saw more of her on tour, somehow.
He laughed as she weakly punched at his arm at his words. "What? you kill babe, I think we left my brains back in the limo as it was."
She rolled her eyes, pressing her cheek to his cooling chest. "So lame. Do those work when it comes to lyrics?" When he pinched her ass, she laughed and curled around him. "Okay, okay--so they probably--Ow!" She twisted his fingers away from the sensitive flesh. "Okay, usually work." Laughing she tipped her head up to his lips. 
They were wet and soft, as the kiss lingered in the rapidly cooling water. His tongue warm and clever as he stirred her yet again. Her body was less than willing though. "Can I persuade you to curl into bed with me for awhile?"
He stepped out of the shower, quickly wrapping a towel around his waist before grabbing one to wrap around her. Scooping her up he started towards the bed. She thought they'd just curl in bed? Didn't she get if she was within inches of him he needed more than that? He knew though, that she needed just that too, and he was willing to give her that, hell if he was honest wiht himself he was ready to give her the entire world if she only asked for it. "Curling sounds like a plan Katy."
He lay her down gently, then moved in to settle behin her, his arms moving out to wrap around her. As she snuggled against his chest he bit back the slight groan that threatened, and internaly demanded of himself to remain unaffected. Nuzzling into her hair he let himself get lost for a moment, as her words from the night before hit. "You said you had something that might help me? well i think I'm sufficiently recovered to listen." His brows waggled, "well I am."

She sighed against his neck. "I was doing some research on cortizone and the effects on tissue. Knees and that sort of thing--it sort of stops working after one or two injections, but they've been doing some trials about different cords for people that have lost the ability to talk from throat cancer and trauma. I sort of have a theory."
His brow arched as he listened. "Cortisone injections?" His mind halted at that, what little he knew of the medication had the injection going into the area affected, "Baby how would that help my throat?"
"Well, it would ease the symptoms of the damage you've done. At least enough to get you through the last few months you have left on the tour." She threaded her fingers through his hair. "You'd need to see a vocal coach when you got home of course, but this would be a bandaid. At least a way to keep you from going hoarse by mid-set."
He hated needles, fuckin' hated with a passion, but ifit would help he knew he'd walk through hell barefoot. "So, um, how often would you have to like do this?"
She felt him stiffen, smiling into the darkened room. She pressed her hand to his chest, lightly rubbing circles into his muscles. "Do we not like the thought of a needle, Jon?"
He snorted and pulled her in closer. "Katy, not like is such a gentle term. I fuckin hate the things."
She laughed. "Well, it would only be once tonight and once before I leave. We'll see if it has any effect." She crawled up closer, pressing her lips to his. "I'm not going to lie, it will hurt, but nothing like it does when you go for a high note."
He put a pout on his face, before cupping her chin to angle her head. Looking into her eyes he whispered, "Does the doctor give out a reward for the good boys?"?
She scraped her teeth over her bottom lip. "What's my incentive?"
His hips arched forward slightly as his lips slid over her shoulder before biting down along the shoulder blade. "More of what we had last night and this morning? 

She laughed, arching under his touch. "I was thinking food." Her stomach concurred and she laughed louder. "More than protein."
He started to laugh, before rolling over to grab the phone. "what Katy wants she gets. Lets go wild, order anything ya want babe,"
She snagged his arm. "Um, I want diner food. I want a stack of delicious pancakes and syrup," she nipped the cleft of his chin, "lots of butter."
He settled the phone back on the cradle. "Diner food it is babe. We'll blast the Sambora's outta bed and go to eat. Then you can poke holes in me."
"Man--Elena's gonna kill me." She rolled out of bed with a laugh. 
Jon mumbled,"And King will kill me so we'll go to heaven together in every way,"

Chapter 166

She moved in closer, her hands slipping along his chest and lower. "Hell no, just keep me quiet somehow."

"So," he sipped from her shoulder moving up to her neck. "I should keep something in your mouth, you're saying?"

She nearly licked her lips at the thought, "Or over it, hand, mouth, chest," her eyes started twinkling, "Not that I care if they hear."

His eyebrow quirked. "Hand?" He nipped at her earlobe. "My wife likes it a little kinky." He lifted her onto the back of one of the chairs until she tucked a heel into each side of the seat. "Maybe I just want my mouth full at the moment."

She braced against the wall behind the chair, and grinned as he moved closer, her grin growing as she watched him move in. he'd have to unzip her, there was no slack in the tightness of that little skirt. She'd wanted this for months, him and all he could do. "So what’cha waiting on stud?"

Richie slid his hand around to find the zipper he'd seen earlier. It went down her hip. He expected to find a strappy string of panty, but only the curve of porcelain flesh showed from waist to thigh. "Oh fuck," he swore.

She laughed, her eyes brightening. "Problem?"

He tore his eyes off the slice of perfect skin. "Uh, no," he mumbled and leaned in. He had to have that. Right now. Just a taste. His tongue flicked along the zipper as he pulled it down. Peeling the leather back he found Elena. Just Elena. Smooth and perfect, the slim line of her mound trimmed tight so that she was completely on display for him. He groaned, leaning in further until he could taste.

He ran his tongue up from her thigh into the heat that was his wife. He nosed her thighs apart and tasted. Her fingers twisted into his hair and still he wanted more. He flipped her knee over his shoulder and tipped her up sucking around the nestled knot inside of her. God, she tasted amazing.

She tried to not make a sound, kept it at the front of her brain, until his lips touched down and his tongue did that wicked little flick thing it did. Her hands twisted into his hair tighter as she pulled him in, her blood already racing, her heart pounding and quiet nearly restrained whimpers starting to flow

His hands slid up her thighs, his thumbs sliding in to help as he drove her mad. He needed to make up for his earlier blunder and the taste of her on his tongue was no punishment. He felt her stiffen as he opened her wider, the leather slinking off to drape over the seat. "More," he whispered and pressed his thumb to her clit as he drilled his tongue deeper into her.

She wanted to move, to twist to arch into his tongue and thumb and couldn't; the seating held her immobile, and as his teeth glanced over her heat she hissed out an urgent "More."

"Hold onto me," he ordered. When her hands clamped down on his shoulders he lifted her into his mouth, sliding two fingers in deep as he swiped his thumb over the pretty little pearl inside of her. At her gasp he blew gently on her over sensitized flesh until she bucked up against him. She was more than primed. The concert, the time between visits, hell even the fight had her so wound that watching her fall apart was beautiful.

Standing straight, he wrapped her legs around him and freed himself. He needed to feel that pulse around him.

Her lips moved to his neck, as she sought to reacquaint herself with his scent, his taste and feel. Teeth nibbled, lips glided as she held tight, her murmurs of need muffled by the satin of his skin. "Please. Pony, god."

She needed him, now, his heat, the fullness, the belonging. She sought the connection with lips, wiggles and whimpers, even as he held tight, his hands angling her just so, she bit down gently on his shoulder, holding back the cry she knew would come.

He slid the head of his cock along her slit. Everything inside of him wanted to drive into her, but the sweetest part of sinking into Elena was the anticipation. He nudged her out of the crook of his neck and caught her lips in a soft kiss as he sunk into her. Their breaths mingled as they became one.

She locked ankles around him, her lips pressing against his, her throat vibrating with the need to cry his name. Meeting each slight arch and thrust with an answering squirm and wiggle she lost herself in the totalness that was Richie, the connection she'd been longing for there, settling into her again as she pressed even closer to him.

He lifted her against him, taking her weight on his thighs as he sunk into her again and again. Sprinting for the completion he only found in her. Too long denied, his body took over and demanded the release he needed. He felt her vice around him, her shuddering moans as sweet as he'd ever heard.

She trembled even as she felt it build, longed to prolong the moment but was totally unable too. Her body tensed as she pressed lips hard against his shoulder, biting down as she felt everything within her plummet over the edge, his name a simple broken refrain whispering against his skin.

He held her close, tucking her into him as he collapsed into the chair. He flicked off his jacket and wrapped around her on his lap. "God, that's what I've been missing. Nothing feels as good as you in my arms, Lains."

She snuggled into the heat of the coat, her nose brushing over its roughness before moving to his chest as she settled. "I don't think I could survive much without you, three months was too long baby, way too long."

"Thank God, it's almost over. I'm so tired, baby." He tucked his chin into her shoulder and neck. "I don't remember ever being this tired."

She smiled, her hand brushing over his cheek. "Well, unless you force me to leave, I intend on staying a bit, house is finished and well its just not you. August is close and,” she glanced up to meet his gaze. "Unless ya don’t want someone to help ya sleep better that is."

"Yeah?" He grinned. "I'll take it. Anything to make it through to the end. I don't mind being greedy. I need you to keep me sane."

She pressed a kiss to his chin and winked, "Good thing I brought luggage then huh?"

"Damn good," he laughed. "Now...to put you back into this," he lifted his hip off the seat and snagged the purple leather, "skirt."