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."