Chapter Thirty-Nine

Sliding into the car once more, Stephanie rested her head back against the cool leather seat.  It had been a long night and it wasn’t even all that late yet.

Richie climbed in and pulled the door closed.  He patted the seat next to him.  “Sweetheart, why are you all the way over there?”  He’d had a couple glasses of wine with his dinner and was now feeling relaxed and, more particularly, horny.

Stephanie slid across the seat, crossing her left leg over her right and curling in next to him.  She rested her head on his shoulder.  “Better?”

He slid his hand up her leg, pulling it over his knee, “much.”  His fingers wandered up to her hip before slipping down to caress the smooth, tanned thigh where the hem of her dress had ridden up.  “Did I tell you just how amazing you look tonight?”

Lifting her head, she turned slightly, smiling up at him.  “You did, but you can tell me again.” Goosebumps sprouted where his fingers were trailing across her skin.  She shivered when his fingers slipped under the hem of her dress.

He returned the smile as he lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers.  “You took my breath away tonight” he murmured “and damn near drove me crazy with this dress.”   But it was more than just the dress.  There was no pretense with her.  She wasn’t affected by the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.  She hadn’t been out to impress anyone tonight.  And, unintentionally, she had impressed everyone.  

Him most of all.  

Sliding along the seat, he propped himself in the corner, his back braced against the door, one leg stretched out along the seat.  He had been hard for her since she’d walked into the kitchen.  Now he was finally going to be able to do something about it.  Taking her hands, he pulled her against him so she rested on her hip between his legs.

Tipping her chin up, his mouth found hers in a blistering kiss.  He hadn’t felt like this over a woman since he had first met Heather.  There was an excitement in him, a fire to be with a woman he hadn’t felt without assistance in much too long.  

Letting that desire lead him, his hand slid over the slim form in his arms, his fingers slipping up under the hem of her dress.  He knew there was no way in hell she was wearing a bra under that dress, but he was dying to know if she had left her panties home too.  That he didn’t know had been eating at him all night. Every time he watched her move, he had all he could do to keep his hands to himself.  Now, he didn’t have to.

His fingers roamed further, walking up higher, up her silky smooth thigh, finally encountering a thin string across her hip.  Following it, his long fingers curled around one bare cheek.  Fuck...a thong...she was wearing a damn thong.  The fingers from his other hand drifted up the back of her thigh, sliding her dress up as he went.  

Pulling her mouth from his, she put her hands on his arms, stopping his exploring hands and fingers. She didn’t want to end up mooning all of Los Angeles or Burbank, or wherever the hell they were at the moment.  “Rich.”

His lips slid down her neck before he eased back.  “Sweetheart?”

Sprawled together on the seat they finally realized that the car had stopped.  “I think we’re at my house.”

Using his chest for leverage, she pressed away from him, straightening her dress as best as she could.  She managed to glance out the window and they were, indeed, idling in her driveway.  She started when the tap on the window came.

Richie sat up and pressed the button to lower the window.  “Yeah?”

“We’re here sir” the driver answered primly.

“Okay” Richie replied and raised the window.  He turned back to Steph.  She was gathering her wrap and purse. When she sat back he couldn’t hide the smirk.  Her nipples were stiff and pressing against the front of her dress.  Yeah he thought.  Definitely no bra.  He took a deep breath to calm himself down.  “You got everything?”

She nodded.  “Yeah.”

He put his hand on the door handle and then turned back to her.  “Can I come in?”

She looked at him for a long moment, flirting with the notion of telling him no just to see his reaction.  Instead, she simply nodded and waited.

Opening the door he stepped out and turned to help her out.  She brushed past him and his hard on raged anew.  He watched her sashay up the walk as he dug in his pocket.  He practically threw his wallet at the driver before he hurried to follow her into the house.

Nearly slamming the door behind him, he locked it and toed off his shoes.  He could hear her in the kitchen.  Coming around the corner he found her at the end of the island, toying with the empty wineglass he had left there earlier.  Plucking the glass from her fingers he set it and the wine bottle on the counter next to the sink.  He stepped in behind her and pressed his lips to the curve of her shoulder.  

Her head dropped forward and she moaned softly.  

“You okay sweetheart?”  He dragged the tip of his tongue lightly across her shoulder and up the side of her neck.

“Ohh” she closed her eyes.  “Yeah.  Did you want to-” she turned her head and his mouth found hers in a brief, torrid kiss.

He nipped her bottom lip and slid his mouth along her neck once again, teasing and tasting his way to her nape. “Did I want to what?”  She hadn’t finished her thought.  He nosed his way under her hair and debated pulling out the pins, but one glance down at her back made his decision.

“Go” she breathed and tried to finish her thought.  “Upstairs.  Did you want to go upstairs?”

He traced the first tic of her spine with his tongue.  “Here’s just fine.”  He paused and reached around in front of her, grasping her wrists lightly and spreading them until she could grasp each side of the counter.  “Don’t let go” he whispered hotly in her ear and then she felt his mouth on her back again.

She had never considered her back to be an erogenous zone, but everywhere he put his mouth had her hotter and wetter than she had been just a minute before.  By the time he got to the base of her spine, her knuckles were white in her grip on the counter and her hips moved in a restless rhythm of aching need.

“Sexy” he spoke quietly, his breath hot against her lower back. “So fuckin’ sexy.”  He skimmed his lips across the smooth, unmarred skin before he straightened.  

Leaning over her, he braced a hand on the counter and pressed his hips against hers. Slipping his free hand inside the side of her dress, he cupped her breast, teasing the pebble hard nipple with his thumb.

“God Rich” she moaned softly and pressed her hips back against him, rubbing lightly against the hard length of him trapped inside his pants.  She might not be able to use her hands, but damn it she wanted to touch him too.

His hips jerked forward at the contact and he swore colorfully in her ear.  “Fuck sweetheart, are you trying to make me come in my pants?”

She shook her head even as his mouth caressed her neck.  “You’re trying to make me come in mine.  It’s only fair.”

He smiled against her and stepped back, his hands dragging up her dress, bunching it around her waist.  “Let’s just see what we can do about that.”  He traced the thin strings that ran across her hips and formed a diamond at the top of her pretty heart-shaped ass.  He almost hated to take it off her, it looked so damned hot.  His dick knocking at his zipper changed his mind and he dragged it down her legs before he quickly undid his belt and dug in his pocket for a condom.

Stephanie shifted restlessly, hearing the rip of the condom wrapper and the distinct sound of his zipper being lowered.  And then he was there, the tip of him slid along her opening, teasing her just a little more.  She shifted her hips and he slipped just the broad head inside of her.  She tried to press her hips back, but he tightened his grip and stopped her.  “Rich” she hissed and turned her head to look at him. “Don’t stop.”

He leaned forward and as his tongue thrust into her mouth, he pressed forward, filling her everywhere all at once.  Curling his hands around her hips so she didn’t bump the edge of the counter, he pumped his hips, thrusting hard and fast.  She was so slick and hot and tight.  He could feel his release creeping up his spine, but she wasn’t quite there yet.  He slid one hand from her hip, down along the crease of her thigh to where he could feel that little pearl of nerves just begging to be touched.  

She pulled her mouth from his, crying out as her orgasm rushed over her.  She pressed back on him as she viced around him.  

“That’s it, sweetheart” he groaned as he pumped his hips into her over and over, his release pulsing into the condom as she came once again.

Her arms gave out and she slumped down onto the counter.  “God.”

Richie heaved in a breath, steadying himself so he didn’t drop on top of her.  Stepping back he reached for a napkin and disposed of the condom.  Turning back he pulled his pants up and drew his fingers up Stephanie’s spine.  “Think you can make it upstairs now?”

She turned her head and gave him a sated smile.  “Nah, here’s just fine.”

He chuckled as she tossed his words back at him and moved around the counter, taking her arms and helping her up right.  “Come on babe” he picked her up and headed toward the stairs.  “I’m sure your bed will be much more comfortable.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

She stood quietly by his side, as she had for the last hour, a smile pasted on her face.  He had introduced her to John Shanks, Rich Supa, Don Was and a myriad of others whom she would probably never remember.

Richie and Jon were talking to yet another record company so and so.  The conversation had long since lost her interest.  She understood a little, demos, new albums, drop dates, tours, but the more technical bits were beyond her.  She felt her eyes start to glaze and she would have totally zoned out if not for the continual flutter of Richie’s fingers along her spine.  He hadn’t stopped touching her since they walked in the room.  She needed some air.  His fingers slid lower on her back.

Now.

Sparing a glance across the room, she spied the doors to the garden just the other side of the bar.  Turning her head she quietly whispered “excuse me” in Richie’s ear and made her escape.

Stepping through the doors the evening air was blessedly cool on her heated skin, banking the arousal Richie’s constant touch had sparked.  Setting her purse on a small table she turned and leaned on the rail, gazing out over the now-dormant winter gardens.  It would be beautiful in full bloom, but in the middle of January, everything lay in wait for the warmer days that were to come.

Her gaze shifted to the sky.  There were no stars, too much light from the big city to be able to see any sparkle in the sky tonight.  She sighed and a thought of Mark popped into her head.  He would have given his right arm to be inside at that party right now.  He had played drums since he was old enough to hold the sticks.  Their basement had been turned into a studio of sorts and a couple times a week his brothers came over for jam sessions.  They made it out of the basement and into a few local clubs, but this, she looked over her shoulder and through the glass doors, this had been a secret dream of his.  He had always wanted to play in front of a stadium full of people.

“You would love this” Stephanie whispered into the night.  “But me?  I feel totally out of place in there.”  She stared out into the inky night for a moment longer.  Sighing, she straightened and rubbed her hands lightly up and down her arms.  She should go back, Richie was probably wondering where she had run off to.

Richie watched her from the doorway.  He couldn’t blame her for wanting to duck out of there.  He’d like nothing better himself, but his job dictated that he stay and make the required rounds before disappearing.

He once again traced the line of her dress with his eyes.  It had been a long time since a woman had rendered him breathless.  But she had done it in spades tonight with a simple cocktail dress and a smile. She was a glimmer of color, a bit of sparkle in an otherwise boring sea of black in the other room.  In his opinion, she put every other woman in that room to shame tonight.

His eyes were drawn to the long line of her back.  The lightly tanned skin was smooth and unblemished.  His fingers flexed with the need to touch her.  He moved quietly, setting down the glass of wine he had brought her and sliding in behind her.  He pressed his lips to the curve of her shoulder.

“Cold, sweetheart?”

Turning her head she gave him a shy smile.  “Not anymore.”  Somehow she had known he was there.  She hadn’t heard him come up behind her, but she had known it was him just the same.  

His fingers slid up and down her spine.  “Are you okay?”

She closed her eyes and nodded.  “I just needed some air.”

“You sure that’s all?”  He was sure there was something else going on with her.  He just wanted her to be honest with him.

She opened her eyes to look at him.  “Honestly, I was starting to feel a little like ‘one of these things is not like the other’ in there.”  She stepped away from him and his way too talented fingers.  She couldn’t think straight when he touched her like that.  Spying the wine glass on the table she picked up the glass.  “Did you bring this for me?”

He nodded.  “Yeah.”

She sipped the full-bodied red wine.  The flavors of plum and blackberry with a slightly earthy undertone blossomed on her tongue.  “Mmmm.  A very nice Malbec, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”  He really wanted to drag her off to a shadowy corner and find out exactly what she wasn’t wearing under that dress.  “Can you handle about another hour?  Jon made dinner reservations after we’re done here.”

She sipped and nodded.  She could do this--would do this, for him.  “However long you need.  I’m fine.”

He picked up her purse and took her hand.  “Come on, let’s get this over with.  The faster I can get Jon to talk, the faster we can get the hell out of here.”

True to his word, an hour later they were slipping back into the limousine.  This time, Stephanie was sitting across from Dorothea, and Jon and Richie were still talking about the resumption of the tour.

“So” Dorothea started, “what did you think?  You seemed to handle yourself just fine in there tonight.”

Stephanie nearly snorted, feeling infinitely more comfortable with the couple on the opposite seat. “I handled myself, right.  Richie had to practically drag me out of the car and then I pulled a disappearing act about an hour ago.”  She smiled when she felt Richie’s fingers tighten around hers.  “I guess it wasn’t so bad, though.”

Dorothea smiled.  “Now you can understand why I go to as few of these as possible.  They are boring to the nth degree and the paprats are incorrigible.”

Stephanie nodded her head in agreement.  “It was kind of fun to get dressed up though.  I don’t get to do that very often.”

Dorothea agreed.  “Since I’m in jeans ninety-nine percent of the time it is nice to put on girl clothes once in a while.  And I love your dress by the way.”

Stephanie adjusted the hem where it rested on her thigh.  “Thanks.  I must have looked in a dozen stores before finding it in the last one.  Always in the last place you look, you know?”

“Just remember the name of the store.  You may end up going back there again and again.  The better the rapport you have with the owner, the more likely you are to keep finding little gems like that dress.”

The car slowed to a stop in front of the hotel.  “Thanks for the advice.  I’ll keep that in mind.”

They filed out of the car, and Stephanie took the offered helping hand as she stepped out. Suddenly she was nearly nose-to-nose with Jon.  Her mind went blank for a split second as he sized her up once again.  “What?”  This was really starting to bother her.

He looked over to Richie and Dorothea who had started for the door.  “I watched you tonight. You’re good for him.”

He turned from and started for the door.  That was the first, and most likely only, compliment she'd get from him.  She pulled her phone from her purse.  The girls were going to have a field day when she told them about this.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Jon settled in his seat and studied the woman sitting across from him.  Her legs were crossed at the ankle, one well-manicured hand rested on her lap, the other was entwined with Richie’s and rested on his knee.  He drew his eyes from her to his wife and the black cocktail dress she wore.  

His gaze drifted back to Stephanie, taking in the dusky gold dress. It was an interesting choice.  He didn’t know many women who would forego the traditional little black dress for a night out like this.  He liked it but he also had to wonder if it was an indication of her personality or if she was looking for her own fifteen minutes.  And while he didn’t particularly care for that thought, Richie’s judgment had been less than stellar when it came to the ladies lately, so he was going to tread on the side of caution for now.

Drawing his gaze higher, he paused unashamedly at the swell of her breasts.  He could usually tell just from a glance if they were real or fake.  He had no doubt she was as real as his wife.  Finally, his gaze slid to her face.  He could see the nervousness there as she looked everywhere but at him.  If he were a betting man, and he was, he’d put his entire portfolio on her being a fan.  But Richie had failed to mention that little fact.

Reaching out his hand, he decided he’d made her squirm long enough.  “Hi.  I’m Jon.  It’s nice to meet you.”

Dragging her gaze from somewhere over his right shoulder, Stephanie glanced over at Richie.  He was chatting with Dorothea.  Her fingers tightened imperceptibly in his and she struggled not to fidget under Jon’s intense scrutiny.  Never had she had someone so blatantly size her up before.

She didn’t particularly care for it, even if it was by Jon Bon Jovi.

Swallowing back her nerves, she took a deep breath and met Jon’s steely blue gaze with her own determined one.  He may be a rock God and one that she had admired for most of her life, but right now, she was feeling less than amicable toward the man.  “Hi.”  She shook his hand. It was warm, and softer than she expected.  “I’m Stephanie.”  Narrowing her eyes, she looked him up and down as blatantly as he had her.  “Did I pass inspection?”

He didn’t miss the subtle, stubborn lifting of her chin or the slight change from green to brown in her eyes.  From the little that Richie had told him about her, he hadn’t been exactly sure what to expect.  Someone soft and vulnerable maybe?  Instead, he saw a feistiness in her.  He liked that.  She would be no shrinking violet and that might just be what his friend needed to keep him on the new path he was on.  He didn’t need his right-hand man taking any more detours.  Jon put on his most charming, endearing smile, certain it would win her over.  “You are every bit as lovely as Rich said.”

Before she could say anything Jon uttered a soft “oof.”  Dorothea had elbowed him in the stomach.  “Leave her be.”  Dorothea smiled at her and held out her hand.  “I’m Dorothea.  Pay no attention to him.  He’s been cranky all afternoon.”

Stephanie smiled, genuinely, at Jon’s wife and shook her hand lightly.  “It’s nice to meet you.  And thanks for the advice.”

Jon just grunted at his wife and pulled out his phone, checking his messages as they made their way toward the Four Seasons on Doheny Drive.

~

The tension in the back of the limo eased and Stephanie’s nerves didn’t return until they pulled up in front of the hotel.  When it came time for them to exit the car her grip tightened on Richie’s.  She was scared to death to step out of the car.  

Richie let Jon and Dorothea go ahead of them.  He turned to Stephanie.  “Are you okay, Sweetheart?”

She nodded her head “yes” even as the word “no” fell from her lips.  “Way out of my comfort zone here Rich.”  She had never in her life experienced anything like this.  Having a family photo taken was nothing compared to what waited or her outside the car door.  

She leaned forward slightly and could see a forest of legs and the flashes that never stopped.  Closing her eyes, she swallowed hard and lightly licked her lips.  Maybe she should have said no to this particular date.

Richie stroked his thumb light along her jaw.  “Sweetheart.”  When she didn’t open her eyes or respond he tried again.  He cupped her face gently in his hand.  “Sweetheart, look at me.”

She slowly blinked her eyes open.  The green and brown were swirled with nerves, anticipation and a hint of fear of the unknown.  “You are beautiful and you look amazing tonight.  All you need to do is hold my hand, smile and keep walking.”  He searched her face for a moment.  “Okay?”  He knew this wouldn’t be easy, the first time never was, but if she was going to be a part of his life, she would have to at least try to get used to the least pleasant parts.

And just like every other time she had needed that little bit of reassurance, his touch and his words had her feeling like everything would be all right and she really could do this.  Pulling her wrap around her shoulders, she took his hand and nudged him toward the door.  “Let’s go.”

Before she could change her mind he stepped from the car and reached his hand down to help her out.  There was no going back now.  She put her hand in his and could hear the shouts of “Richie” before she had cleared the door.  Standing next to him she took a quick look around.  She had never felt so out of place.  

As if sensing her returning nerves, Richie turned his head and looked down at her, “ready?”  He smiled and his dimpled winked at her.

She smiled back and squeeze his hand lightly.  That damn dimple of his got her every freaking time.

They moved toward the door slowly, pausing every so often so the photographers could get their pictures.  She focused on the door, Jon and Dorothea had made it inside already and just as she could see the finish line in her sight she heard the almost-but-not-quite derogatory comments.  “Who’s the hot little number on your arm tonight, Richie?”  The photographer’s emphasis on the word “tonight” had her cringing and she saw Richie’s smile slip for the first time since he had shown up at her door.

Sensing his unease she turned into him slightly and raised her head so her mouth brushed by his ear.  “Don’t’” she whispered.  “It’s okay.”  She didn’t want him to do something he would regret in the papers and online tomorrow.

Her warm breath ghosted across his neck, soothing the beast that wanted to lash out at the rude, gossip mongering paparazzi.  Instead, he turned his head nuzzling his lips against her forehead amidst a flurry of camera flashes.  They moved on, not stopping again for anyone until they had made it inside.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Standing in front of the mirror, Stephanie studied her face and applied her moisturizer. How had she let him talk her into this?   A red carpet event?  Granted, it was a small one, just an industry party he had said, but it was an event nonetheless.  She shook her head.  She must be nuts.  

They hadn’t seen each other since New Year’s Day, with her working and him having to deal with getting ready to go back on tour, fashion and design issues with Nikki and school functions with Ava, they just been able to find any time to get together.  Then he had shown up at her office out of the blue one day and he whisked her off for a long, quiet lunch.  That’s when he asked her to go with him to this party.  She had jumped at the chance, just because she wanted to spend some time with him.  After seeing so much of him before and during the holidays, she missed him.  Then she thought about it.  And then she had told Darcy.  Now the nerves were dancing an furious cha cha in her belly.

She turned from the mirror and stepped back into her bedroom.  Her dress hung on the closet door.  Darcy had dragged her out on her lunch hour every day for the last two weeks looking for a dress.  They had found it in the very last shop they ventured into, yesterday.  She slipped off her robe and hung it on its hook before reaching for the dress.  She dropped the sheath over her head and it slithered down and clung to her curves.  The dull gold shimmered against her skin and the neck draped, showing off the lightly tanned skin of her chest.  The crystals where the dress gathered at the front of her shoulders glistened in the light of her room, but it was the back of the dress that had sold her on it.

She turned slightly, the back of the dress had the same draped effect as the front, but it left nearly her entire back bare.  She turned back and pulled her hair up, gathering it loosely at the nape of her neck.  Scurrying back into the bathroom, she dug in a drawer.  With a few strategically placed hairpins she pulled a few strands loose and studied herself again in the mirror.  The hair didn’t look half bad.  She sprayed it lightly and prayed that it wouldn’t fall out until the night was over.

She was in the middle of putting her make up on when the doorbell rang.  Leaning back she glanced around the door to the clock.  “Shit” he was right on time.  She picked up her phone and shot off a text.

[7:00] Rich, is that you ringing my bell?

[7:01] Yep.

[7:02] There’s a key in the flower pot by the door.  Come on in.

She heard the door open and close.  “I’ll be down in a minute, make yourself at home.”

He slipped the key in his pocket.  “Take your time sweetheart” he called up the stairs and then headed down the hall.  He found her half empty wineglass standing next to the now familiar blue bottle.  Picking it up he downed the still cool, golden liquid and, picking up the bottle, added the remainder to the glass.  He really didn’t want to go to this party, but Jon and Dorothea had flown in for it, so he really had no choice.  If not for the party he and Stephanie could have found something a lot more interesting to do.  He sipped from the glass again.  He wouldn’t trade his life for anything, but sometimes, he wished he wasn’t quite so busy.

~

Stephanie stepped in front of her mirror once more, one final once-over.  She ran her hand over the front of at her dress, smoothing it down and trying to tame the butterflies that were dancing in her stomach.  Who was that woman in the mirror?  She hardly recognized herself in the pretty party dress and fancy shoes.  She drew her eyes up to her face.  Her eyes weren’t as sad these days, her smile was easier, genuine.  So much change and yet, she was comfortable here in this room, in this house, in this new life.  Baby steps, she told herself.  Just a little at time and she was finding a new rhythm for her life.  

Reaching to the dresser, she picked up her earrings and slipped them on, the rose gold cascades dropping just far enough not to be hidden by her hair.  Reaching again, she fingered the delicate gold “S” on the fine chain Richie had given her for Christmas.  She had wanted to wear it, but thought the earrings, her rings and one lone bracelet were enough with the dress.  Instead, she picked up her lipstick and coated her lips with a shimmery gloss.  She dropped the gold tube into her clutch and thought about Richie waiting downstairs for her.  Her heartbeat kicked up at the thought of him all dressed up down in her kitchen.  

Picking up her wrap she turned off the light and made her way down the stairs.  She couldn’t help but wonder what he might be wearing.

~

He heard her coming, the click of her heels on the hardwood giving her away.  He turned just as she stepped into the room and his breath caught in his throat.  She was absolutely stunning.  She would put any Hollywood starlet to shame.  The closer she got, the harder it was for him to breathe.  Her heady, moonlight and walk-in-the-woods scent wrapped around him until he knew he would never be able to forget it.  

She stopped just in front of him.  “Hi.”  That was all she could manage.  He looked amazing.  She had seen pictures of him in the black suit and gray vest combo, but pictures just didn’t do the man or the suit justice.  He was one of the sexiest, best looking men she had ever seen.  

They stood just looking at each other for several long moments.  This was the most dressed up either had seen the other.  Richie smiled and his dimple winked at her.  “You are stunning, sweetheart.”

The corner of her mouth curled up in a quiet smile.  “You look pretty amazing yourself, Rich.”

He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing the back of it lightly.  “I don’t want to mess you all up, but I can’t not touch you.”

She gently pulled her hand from his and cupped his cheek before leaning in and pressing her lips lightly to his.  “I’m fixable.”

As much as he wanted to take her up on the offer, they had to get going.  Pulling her hand from his face he kissed it once more.  “I’ll mess you up later.  right now, we have to go.”  He turned her to urge her toward the door and again lost his breath and his eyes bugged out of his head and nearly bounced on the floor.  Did they really have to go to this damn party?  He dragged his fingers lightly down her spine and caressed across the lovely curve of her lower back.  “You are going to kill me with this dress tonight.”

She looked at him over her shoulder, a sly smile playing on her lips.  “I’m glad you like it.”

He mumbled something she couldn’t quite understand and she stopped to shut the door behind them.  “What was that?”

He took her hand and led her to the car.  “I said I think I’d like it even better on the floor.”

She laughed as she ducked her head to get into the back of the limousine.  “I’m sure you would.”

He took her hand as he settled next to her.  “I’ve missed you darlin’.”

She squeezed his hand lightly.  “I’ve missed you too.”

They chatted quietly as they made their way into Los Angeles.  When the car slowed in front of the Chateau Marmont she looked over at Richie, “what are we doing here?”  She was sure the party wasn’t at this hotel.  “I told Jon and Dorothea we’d pick them up.”  The car stopped and Richie had his phone in his hand before she could say anything.

Her heart started to race and she struggled for a minute to catch her breath.  Holy shit.  She dug her phone from her purse and shot off a quick email to her friends.  

To:    The Girls
From:    Q
Subj:    Holy Crap!!

OMG, OMG, OMG!!
Just a quick note for now... I’m out with R and we’re picking up Jon and Dorothea!  
I can’t breathe!!

More later...and I’m sure there’ll be pics all over tomorrow!

Q

She tucked her phone back into her purse and when she looked up, Jon and Dorothea were sliding into the seat across from her.

Thirty-Five

Sunlight danced along the walls and Stephanie rolled over, sliding closer to the lean, hard body next to her. She smiled and pressed her lips to a well-muscled shoulder. She had slept better last night than she had in as long as she could remember. With her eyes closed, she let her hand wander across a broad, warm chest. Her fingers found his where they lay on his stomach and she twined them together, bringing them to her lips. She blinked her eyes open slowly and a winged guitar came into focus. In that instant, her lips hesitated over his knuckles. This wasn’t Mark.

She pressed her lips to his knuckles once again and resettled his hand on his stomach. Rolling away from him, she sat up on the edge of the bed and dropped her head to her hands. She couldn’t keep doing this.

Lifting her head, her eyes darted around the room, finally landing on the heap of clothes in the chair. Snagging the first item her hand landed on - Richie’s shirt - she slipped it on and stepped toward the doors that led to his balcony. The late morning sunlight sparkled like tiny diamonds on the still water of the pool below. She rested her head on the cool pane of glass. Last night had been amazing. Different in every way from what she had once known, but amazing just the same. She shook her head slightly. She had no regrets.

Raising her hand, she pressed her fingers to the glass. She needed to let Mark go. She would always have the memories, they had been together for too long not to, but it was time to tuck them away so she could finally, truly move on. Shifting her gaze to the cloudless blue sky, she whispered “goodbye” and a lone tear slid down her cheek. She would never forget him, but maybe now she could focus on healing the hole his death had left and the man who was slowly carving out his own corner in her heart.

~

Richie watched her from across the room. She had barely moved in the long minutes she had been standing in front of the balcony doors. He couldn’t begin to guess what she was thinking about. He could only hope she wasn’t having second thoughts about last night. Closing his eyes again, he replayed the night in his head, from the time everyone else left until they practically passed out here in his bed. She hadn’t once hesitated or given him any indication that she was uncomfortable with what they were doing.

Opening his eyes again, she was still standing in front of the windows, the sunlight pouring in around her. He stole quietly from the bed and crossed the room to stand behind her. She didn’t startle as he came up behind her and slid his arms around her. “Everything all right, Sweetheart?” The look on her face reflected in the glass had him worried.

She leaned back against him, resting her hands on his over her stomach and closed her eyes, taking a minute to soak in his warmth and strength. A small smile played across her lips and she nodded her head. “Everything is just fine, Rich.”

Turning her gently to face him he looked down into her face. The clouds in her eyes had parted and the storm on her face had cleared. Relief flowed through him and he gently kissed her forehead. “You had me worried there for a minute.”

She pressed her lips to the center of his chest. “Just a minor freak out moment, but really” she looked up to his face, “I’m okay.” Reaching up, she stroked the pillow crease on his cheek with the pad of her thumb. Such a caring, handsome man. How had she managed to find such a good man for the second time in her life? She had never been that lucky, but maybe today she should play the lottery.

Rising on her toes, she fit her mouth to his. His lips were soft and inviting. The kiss was tender and passionate, stroking to life the heat that simmered between them. Her hands slid up, around his neck and she fit herself to him, needing to feel his skin against hers.

He kept their kisses soft and ardent, somehow knowing that was what she needed this morning. Drawing his fingers up her sides, he caressed her lightly, reveling in the goosebumps that his touch raised on her skin. Reaching her smooth, strong shoulders, he gently nudged his shirt from her, letting it flutter to the floor at their feet. Easing back he studied her for a moment, the sun burnishing her skin a pale gold. “Beautiful” he murmured as his lips found hers again.

Lifting her gently, he walked them to the bench at the end of his bed. With her straddling his lap, he scattered tiny kisses across her chest, he kissed his way to her pretty, rosy nipples that were already taut with need. Curling his tongue around one pebble hard tip, he drew it into his mouth, sucking gently first, then harder when her head dropped back and that purr-like moan escaped her throat. It was music to his ears.

Drawing his mouth up from her breast, he traced a path up her neck, dipping into the hollow at the base of her throat. He smiled against her when she made that beautiful sound again. His hands slipped from her hips to her thighs. Light pressure had her spreading her legs wider, and his dexterous fingers found her wet, heated center.

She nearly came apart at his first, feather light touch. But she wanted to touch him too, to love him here with the sunshine of a new day, the hope of the new year spilling over them. Her hand slid down from his shoulder, along the firmness of his chest, down to find the hard length of him pressed against his belly. She stroked him lightly, learning from his expression what pleased and enticed.

“Enough” he growled when he could take no more of her teasing touch. He pulled her hand away, pulled his hand from her and urged her up on her knees. Using his thumb, he pressed his cock away from his stomach and slid inside her in one gentle thrust.

She gloried in the feeling of fullness he gave her, the feeling of wholeness she had long forgotten. She moved on him slowly, deliberately drawing out the moment until her eyes started to cross and she couldn’t hold back any longer. Her climax rocked her, had spots dancing before her eyes. She collapsed against him, resting her head on his shoulder. Panting she lifted her head, meeting his eyes with hers. She felt him twitch inside her. “Didn’t you-”

He smiled and shook his head. “Nope.”

Her eyes widened and her mouth formed a pretty “o” of surprise.

He lifted her and turned to lay her across the end of the bed. “You okay?’

She could only nod and he started to move. He thrust into her hard and deep, hitting that spot over and over, driving her to another screaming climax before he finally relented and let himself go.

They lay, tangled across the end of his bed trying to catch their breaths. Her hand moved slowly up and down caressing his strong, sweaty back. She felt his lips grazing her neck and she sighed. He made to move and she held him fast. “Don’t, not yet.”

“But sweetheart, I’m too heavy.” He didn’t want to crush her.

She cupped his face with her hands and pecked him on the lips. “No you’re not. I like the weight of you on me.” She had missed this feeling of closeness and wanted to revel in it as long as she could.

He kissed her back and redistributed his weight as best he could. “All right, sweetheart, you just nudge me when you ready for me to move.”

Never she thought. Never.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Scattering kisses across her shoulder, Richie eased up and away from her, heading toward the other room to dispose of the condom.  He came back with a glass of water in his hand to find Stephanie sitting up, the blanket from the back of the couch wrapped around her shoulders, her eyes scanning the room for their clothes.  “Cold, sweetheart?”

Looking over at him she pushed her hair back from her face and nodded.  “A little.”  She looked back over at the pile of clothes.  What did she do now she wondered?  Did she find her clothes and go home?  Did she wait and see if he asked her to stay?  She closed her eyes and breathed deep.  “So…”

He smothered a chuckle and crossed the room to sit next to her.  He offered her his water.  “Drink?”

She took the glass and took a long, deep drink.

He studied her while she sated her thirst.  He could tell exactly what she had been thinking.  And he had seen her staring at the pile of clothes on the floor.  He knew this couldn’t be easy for her, but he’d wait her out and see what she was going to do.  “I hope you aren’t thinking of leaving yet.”

She nearly choked on the water.  How had he known what she had been thinking?  “Um, well…”  She set the glass down on the end table before she dropped it and coughed to clear her throat.  “I’m not really sure what to do.”  She turned to face him.  “I’ve never been in this situation before.”

He stood and reached for her hands, urging her to her feet.  The blanket slid from her shoulders and his eyes traveled her from head to toe.  His cock surged to life.  “I’ll make it easy for you, sweetheart.  I want you to stay.  All night.  I’m not nearly done with you yet.”

Her eyes widened and she looked up from their hands to his face.  “You’re not?”

He shook his head.  “Not even by half.”  Before she could say anything more he turned, grabbed their clothes off the floor and headed toward the stairs, leaving her no choice but to follow.

~

Dropping the clothes in the chair by the door, Richie urged her across to the bed.  Lying down beside her, he ran his fingertips lightly over her, admiring the silvery glow the moon had a cast over her.  Now that he had finally gotten her in his bed, he couldn’t seem to stop looking at her.  He wanted to touch her, taste her, memorize every delectable dip and captivating curve.  He wanted to find each and every spot that would drive her to distraction and beyond.  He wanted to make her forget, for just a little while, that she had ever been with anyone else.

Starting with her hands, he kissed each slender finger, her palms.  His teeth scraped lightly at the insides of her wrists and up, to the sensitive skin at the inside of her elbows.  His lips grazed across strong, slim shoulders, dipping into the hollow at the base of her long, graceful neck.  With every touch, he watched, gauging her reaction.  When he heard that purr-like sound from deep in her throat, he knew he found a good spot.  “Like that?"  He whispered.

She nodded her head, slowly, almost drunkenly.  Richie was a better buzz than any wine she had ever had.  “You have no idea.”   She heard his quiet chuckle and then he was gone.

He moved lower, peppering her chest with kisses, trailing down the valley of her breasts, sipping along the heavy under curve, dragging his tongue lightly up to curl around a pebble hard nipple. 

Lost in a sea of sensation, Stephanie could only twist her hands into his hair and hold on as he brought her ever closer to the edge.  And just when she felt the first ripples, when the pull on her nipple was answered with an echoing pull in the depths of her womb, he backed off, leaving her hanging just this side of ecstasy.  She cried out incoherent pleas when he moved away.

He moved lower, shushing her cries.  “Soon sweetheart, soon.”  He fluttered kisses across her belly, and then he stopped, tracing the ancient, silvery scar that rode low on her abdomen.  “Sweetheart?”

She blinked her eyes open slowly, not wanting to break the bubble of arousal he had created all around them.  But she couldn’t ignore the question in his voice.  “Hmmm?”

He traced the scar with his fingertip, “what happened?”

Flexing her fingers she closed them over his over the scar.  “Appendectomy when I was twelve.”  She moved their hands to the end of the scar close to her belly button, and traced the even fainter silvery line.  “The one stretch mark I got while I was pregnant.”  Closing her eyes again she let her hand fall away and waited for what would come next.

She felt him shift lower on the bed, straddling her legs.  The next thing she felt was his warm breath on her stomach and then his tongue tracing along the scar and the briefest, sweetest kiss on that one lone stretch mark.  With one eye barely open she found his hand, tangled their fingers together and squeezed gently. 

Richie looked up, smiled tenderly and left their fingers twined together as he moved on with this most pleasurable task.  He pressed a knee between her legs, shifting them apart.  His lips grazed along the inside of her thigh, the scent of wildflowers mixed with her own musk had him hard, her sexy whimpers had him ready to plow into her and fuck her into next week.

Taking a breath he tamped down the beast that roared in his head and turned his focus back on her.  With one swipe of his tongue her sweetness coated his tongue.  She was so wet already it wouldn’t be long before he’d have her screaming.  He drilled the tip of his tongue into the little pearl at the top of her slit and her hips shot up off the bed.   Placing his hands on her hips, he held her down and continued to learn the most intimate part of her.

Stephanie writhed on the bed above him. Her hands fisted into the sheets at her side instead of his hair.  Every swipe of his tongue, every suck of his mouth had her nearly delirious with desire and at the very edge of exploding under him.  She could almost taste the orgasm.  “Richie” she begged.  “Please” she pleaded, whimpered.  A tear escaped the corner of her eye and ran across her temple.  She was so damn close.

Richie paused and looked up at her, reached to the night table and hurriedly protected both of them.  He was more than ready to blow and wanted to be inside her when he did.  Moving back over her, he drove into her in one hard thrust. 

The relief she felt was so intense that her climax whipped through her, taking her breath with its enormity.  She writhed under him, meeting every pump of his hips.

He continued to thrust into her, harder, faster.  His own orgasm raced like fire along his spine and then he was there, roaring out his release as his hips continued to pump into her.  He came for what seemed like hours.  With a final thrust he collapsed on top of her.  It had been a long time since he had come that hard. 

Stephanie trailed her fingers up and down his back.  She was totally spent.  She could feel the muscles of her pussy contracting and relaxing, still.   “Holy hell, Rich” she breathed.  “I think I’m still cumming.”

He chuckled against her neck and had her squirming under him. His dick twitched inside of her.  “You are, I can feel it.”  He eased off of her and headed to the bathroom to get rid of the condom.  He came back to find her in the same position he had left her in.  “Are you all right?”

She nodded.  “Never better.”

He chuckled again and dragged the covers back, “come on, sweetheart, let’s get some sleep.  The sun’s starting to come up.”

With her eyes barely open, she crawled under the blankets and was immediately dragged against his hot, hard body.  Turning her head, she pressed her lips to his cheek.  “Happy New Year, Rich.”

Wrapping an arm around her, he kissed her shoulder and up to her neck.  “Happy New Year, sweetheart.”