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.