By Trynia Merin
Disclaimer: I don't own KISS, Paul Stanley, or Eric
Singer, who are real persons, and this is a work of FICTION, not meant to
demean, but written out of admiration.
Liz McPherson belongs to Lady M, and is used with her permission. All
other characters are my own creation.
This is rated R for adult situations and some language, so don't read if
you're under 17, you have been warned.
This is another Paul Plays the Phantom of the Opera story, but unlike
others, you'll be surprised at the ending ok? Enjoy!
***
Michelle
couldn't help but worry about Liz and Paul, who had left so abruptly. When Eric's set finally ended, she saw him
come down offstage and join her at the table. Her third drink had gone
untouched, because she was afraid of the extensive bar bill she might amass for
only three drinks.
"Hey,
want to dance?" Eric asked her.
"Sure...
but I'm a bit worried about the drinks... I mean..."
"Already
taken care of," Eric smiled, and held out his hand. "C'mon let's dance..."
Music
came over the sound system, and she smiled as he lead her onto the floor to
dance to a slow waltz. He was amazed
with how well she moved on her feet, and enjoyed her pressing close to him. It wouldn't be much longer that he could
restrain his self control around her.
Yet, would she be scared away by him if he moved too fast?
Michelle
enjoyed being with someone who seemed much more down to earth. He was so easy to be with, and she didn't
have to put on some performance to prove anything to him. Spending time with him was so easy it seemed
like second nature.
"I
don't know about you, Hon but I'm starving," Eric whispered. "Want to get something to eat..."
"I
hate to think of spending more money in this place," she laughed.
"Well
I can think of a better place to spend it, and we can dump the
spectators..." he suggested.
"Don't
you have more songs to perform?"
"One
set is enough for this crew," he laughed.
"You up to some dinner in a more... private place, Hon?"
"Sounds
more my speed," she nodded.
"This place is getting a little too stuffed shirt for me..."
"I
agree... I've seen liver audiences in a morgue," he laughed. "C'mon let's split..."
He
took her hand and led her out of the club, stopping only to wave goodbye to his
friends. The drum kit would be left for
the next band on, and he would gather his things later. Much later, he hoped.
***
"Wow..."
she laughed as he slipped in the card key and opened the door.
"Welcome
to the hawk's nest," he joked.
"Only
one of the nicest rooms in the hotel?" she asked with a grin.
"Alice
Cooper's guys live in style," he nodded.
"They're all staying here.
I'm just taking the fringe benefits..."
"Nice
fringe benefits," she nodded, taking in the lavish room. She saw the suite's antechamber with a
television and sitting room area. Off of it was the door to what she guessed
must be the bedroom, for it was closed.
Then the room opened onto a balcony overlooking the pool at the top, and
an incredible view of the New York skyline.
"Awesome,
isn't it?" he asked, taking her coat and backpack. "Hmm a little heavy... were you
planning on staying?"
"I
gotta get out of this dress and heels before they kill me," she said. "It's not that unusual for me to bring
a change of clothes in case I get sick of the formal attire..."
"Oh?"
he laughed. "For a moment I
thought you had more... interesting intentions..."
"You
look disappointed," she commented.
"Hey,
a lovely girl comes up to my room with her backpack full of stuff?" he
asks.
"Actually
it's bricks to fight the guys off," she joked.
"Good
one..." Eric grinned, and walked over to the minibar. "Can I get you
anything?"
"Diet
coke?"
"That
all?" he asked.
"With
some jack Daniel's?" she giggled.
"Sure,"
he said.
"I'm
going to go change... you mind?"
"Not
at all. I'm going to order some dinner
up here... and see if there's a movie on... and we can wait and see before I
make the call... what do you want?"
"Some
Cesar salad, with grilled chicken strips on it..."
"Sure...
go ahead and I'll have them bring it right up," he nodded. "Bedroom's that way..."
Taking
her backpack she walked into the bedroom, and gasped at the size of the bed
inside. It was a full king, complete
with satin sheets. Was it her
imagination or was it a waterbed? For a
moment she sat on it and felt it yield under her body. Grinning, she rolled over on it back and
forth, letting the water buoy up her tired body. So good and so right. She
only hoped Eric would get the nerve to make the next move before she went
crazy.
Out
in the main room, Eric turned on the television. He thought she was a great girl, but he still wondered if she
really WOULD go for a munchkin like him.
Had she slept with Paul, and if so, why in her right mind would she have
turned him down... unless she really had goals beyond just finding a good
lay. That was refreshing, but he
wouldn't mind a bit of fun with her to top off a good plot coming to fruition.
When
she emerged in jeans and button down flannel shirt he smiled at how pretty she
looked. Damn, she could wear a potato
sack and look good, he laughed to himself.
Reaching for the drink he handed it to her and patted the couch next to
him.
"C'mon
and celebrate..." he smiled.
"To a prank well pulled off...'
"You
sure?" she asked, sitting next to him.
Their legs brushed, and Eric didn't seem to mind. He clinked his glass with her and they both
took a sip that mellowed their respective desires into a comfortable buzz.
They
heard the knock and Eric patted her thigh, "I'll get it..."
In
the flickering light of the television, she saw him answer the door, and saw
the room service cart being pushed in.
Eric paid the waiter and waved her over with a smile. They began to lift lids and grin at the food
now available to them.
Soon
they reclined on the sofa, watching a showing of Ocean's 11 and enjoying steak
and salad with other decadent treats.
Eric had his own food choices that she was coming to know, and she
couldn't help but ask him, "So Eric, you really think we shouldn't
call..."
"Nah,
give them a bit longer... and then we'll see what's up... because if it's one
thing Paul hates it's being disturbed when he has a girl over..."
"Eric
it's not just ANY girl... this one REALLY loves him..."
"I
know that," Eric said, falling serious as he bit into another forkful of
steak. "She told me."
"And
we are stuffing our faces when they might be having an argument..." she
sighed.
"Hey
we're entitled to stuff them," he said, poking a bit of steak into her
open mouth with his fork. "We
worked our ASSES off getting those two together...."
"I
don't know..." she sighed.
"Hey,
just let it go and enjoy... I'm sure it's okay. Paul loves that romantic stuff.
I bet you now they're enjoying the fruits of our labor..."
"What
if he doesn't love her?"
"Then
he'll learn to," Eric said. "These things take a LITTLE time,
right?"
"Yeah,
that's the problem," she grumbled.
"Are
you going to help me finish this steak or not?" he asked.
"Eric..."
"Hey,
she should be GLAD you stepped aside and let her follow Paul... and any person
would be grateful for trying to get her together with her love... so don't
worry... just relax..."
"Eric...
I can't just..."
"Please,
try Hon?" he asked.
"Actually
I was tempted to try some of that desert," she said, realizing he was
trying to change the subject so she wouldn't worry so much.
"Good
girl," he smiled, reaching for the cheesecake slathered in cherries. He took a bit on his fork and held it out to
her. She smiled and tried to nibble it
off his fork. The next piece landed on
Eric's pants, and he laughed as she tried to pick it up with a napkin.
"Whoops,"
she laughed.
"Big
whoops, I'm gonna make you pay for that," he teased, taking some whipped
cream and smearing it on her cheek.
"HEY!"
she cried. He tossed a piece of ice from his drink at her, and she grabbed some
of the cherry sauce and wiped it on his neck.
"Now
hang on!" Eric protested, grabbing her as she leaned across his lap to
grab more food. He poked his fingers
into her ribs and started to tickle her.
"STOP!"
she squealed with laughter, turning over in his lap. He grinned and continued, till her muscles lost all control and
she retaliated by tickling him. Then
they stopped, both laughing so hard they had tears in their eyes. He leaned
down and licked the whipped cream off her hand, and she drew her finger down
his cheek to lick the cherry sauce off.
Michelle
grabbed his hand, licking off the remnants of cheesecake. Eric moaned softly as she licked each finger
and inserted the last one in her mouth.
He looked down at her, and their gazes met. She loved the blue eyes
framed in the light skin and angular lines of his face, so different from hers.
"Umm,
you keep that up... and I'm going to have to..."
"What?"
she asked with a laugh. "Suffocate
me with cheesecake?"
"I
might..." he said. He pulled her legs
into his lap, and she gasped a bit.
Eric's
eyes darkened with what appeared to be passion, but he hesitated. Slowly he traced the curve of her cheek,
brushing aside her hair. She glanced up
at him, frustrated with how slowly he seemed to be moving.
Fingers
stroked her silky strands, a smile coming over his face. Wrapping her arm around the back of his neck
she pulled his face down to hers and kissed him quickly. For a moment she heard
his gasp through the kiss and panicked, but felt a sense of relief as he
wrapped his arms around her and cradled her there, increasing the pressure of
his lips. She felt him smile against
her lips as she withdrew for breath.
"Mmm,"
he whispered. "Nice..."
"I'm
glad," she smiled. Eric leaned
down and kissed her again, burying his lips in hers. Their mouths opened to each other, exploring and tasting the
sweetness therein.
He
cursed when the phone rang, and she shifted in his arms. "Ignore it," she whispered against
his lips.
"I
can't... what if it's Paul?"
"Oh
shit," she whispered, sitting up in his lap.
"Hold
on," Eric said, and nudged her off.
She sat to the side, hot and bothered, frustrated.
"Hello? What... oh yeah... Paul?"
Her
eyes widened, and she looked frantically at Eric. He held a finger to his lips and continued, "Yeah. She's
here... why?"
"Eric,
am I interrupting anything?"
"Why
are you asking ME that?" he laughed frustrated.
"Are
you in the middle of something... maybe?" Paul laughed.
"Shit
Paul, Gene's right. Your timing DOES suck..." Eric muttered resentfully. Michelle leaned over and blew in Eric's
ear. He found her hot breath inexorably
pulling him away from the conversation with Paul, yet like an annoying fly
Paul's wisecracks continued to torment him.
"That's
not the only thing that sucks around here, apparently," Paul continued to
laugh when he heard Eric's heavy breathing, punctuated by a low moan. It was then that Michelle decided enough was
enough, and grabbed the phone from Eric.
"Paul,
don't you have something IMPORTANT to do, other then bugging the crap out of
your friend?" Michelle suddenly burst in.
"Whoa...
no need to get so touchy..." Paul laughed.
"Paul,
shut up and get BACK to Liz, will you?" Michelle demanded. "That IS what you SHOULD be doing...
isn't it?"
"All right, I can't have you two girls teasing me behind my back tomorrow
when you swap stories," Paul chuckled.
"Have FUN!"
"Good
NIGHT Paul," Eric said, whisking the phone back from Michelle, and hanging
up on his friend. "Now that THAT'S
been disposed of... and about time too..."
"ABOUT
damn time," she laughed.
"Does he do this ALL the time?"
"No,
normally it's my job or Gene's job," Eric said.
"So
you WERE in KISS?" she asked.
"Figured so."
"Uh,
how much DO you know?" he asked.
"Let's
just say I only had figured out you guys took off your makeup and put it back
on... a few weeks ago," she shrugged.
"So excuse me if I'm a LITTLE tiny bit behind?"
"Suits
me fine," Eric laughed. "It's
nice not to have somebody asking me to give them the inside story... because
BELIEVE me that's not what I want to get into right now..."
"What
DO you want to get into right now?" she asked, lowering her voice to a
seductive purr.
"Hmm,"
Eric raised an eyebrow. "Let me
see..."
He
rose from the sofa, and reached out his hands to grasp hers. Pulling her to her feet, he rubbed her palms
with his fingers. They shared another
close kiss, hands gliding up and down each other's backs. Eric sighed yet again as she fingered his
wavy blond curls and he plunged his fingers into the waterfall of her silky
dark hair. Her softness molded to his
lines and angles, a perfect compliment of yin and yang.
"Man
is it hot in here... or should we open a window?" he joked.
"Did
you get your sense of humor from Paul too?" she asked.
"OUCH,"
he groaned. "I think I've been
rubbing off on you..."
"In
a good way, right?" she asked.
"Absolutely. Damn... can you just wait a LITTLE bit
longer... there's something I've gotta do if we're going to continue..."
"Another
of your plots?" she asked.
"And you're leaving ME out of it?
I helped you blow up close to twelve dozen balloons, I'm entitled to
SOME share of this plan, right?"
"But
I wanted to surprise you," he whined.
"OH
stop," she groaned. "I think
I've had enough surprises for one day don't you?"
"C'mon,
you might as well help me out then..." he said, and took her hand, leading
her to the bedroom. Just before she was
about to enter he grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder playfully, not
difficult because she was slender like he, and carried her into the room. He playfully dumped her onto the waterbed,
and she pulled him down with her. For a
few minutes they rolled in it, both succumbing to the sympathetic vibrations
that represented how their plotting merged into a continuous whole. He pinned her down between his legs, and she
shrieked in protest. Reaching under the
pillow he grabbed a sleep mask and put it over her eyes.
"Now
what is this?"
"I've
got you RIGHT where I want you," Eric laughed, and she suddenly felt him
playfully seize both her wrists in one hand, and heard a jingling. Soon one wrist was enclosed in a cold metal
band, and she heard a click that restrained her.
"You
rotten sneak!" she cried. "I
thought you'd said I'd be PART of this..."
"You
are... you're the temptation, and I'm the temptee... and now that you're here
you AREN'T gonna run away..." he laughed mischievously. Excited by the restraint, she tugged
playfully. She had never played bondage
games with her previous boyfriends, and knew it was part of Eric's playful
nature. What would happen next?
"This
is gonna be fun," he laughed. She
heard something clinking, and wondered just WHAT he was doing. Strange smells and fragrances drifted across
her nose and she started to lift the blindfold.
"Uh
uh," he said, snaring her other wrist and shackling it on the other
side. "Not yet... no fair
peaking!"
"You
son of a bitch," she cried.
"You are gonna GET it when I get out of this..."
"Don't
sweet talk me yet..." he laughed.
"I
might just sit here and say all sorts of things that will drive you crazy
then," she said. "About how I
think you're an incredibly sexy guy... and how I'd LOVE to just peel those
clothes off your skin and see if you're blond all over..."
"Hmm,"
he laughed. "I like the sound of
that. And when you've done that what will
you do next, missy?"
"Find
your secret spot and show no mercy when I tickle you half to death... and then
I'll very SLOWLY show you the meaning of sympathetic vibrations... like the
ones that I'm feeling on this waterbed..."
She
raised her hips playfully, making the bed ripple under he body in a seductive
fashion. Ordinarily she'd not be so
suggestive, but Eric's playful mood seemed contagious. Just WHERE was she
coming up with all these crazy lines?
"Save
some of THAT for later," he clicked his tongue. "Damn..."
"I
am going to get you so hot and bothered you'll need a crowbar to get those
jeans off... or a very sharp knife..."
"Ooh
hurt me more," he groaned, her words obviously having SOME effect on
him. Whatever game he had started, she
was indeed matching him in the wits department.
Finally
he pulled the sleep mask off of her, and she gasped at the golden glow
illuminating his soft gold hair. All
around her were small votive candles, twinkling across the top of the dresser
and magnified with their light reflecting in its mirror. On the two nightstands flanking either side
of the bed, a large candle glowed with steady flames that seemed to echo the
warm glow developing between the two. A
soft scent wafted past her nose and she realized it smelled like an ocean
breeze. She spotted a potpourri burner
set up on the dresser, hidden behind the lines of candles. Eric leaned over her, his blue eyes shining
for a second in the warm glow, and his hair seemed even more softer then
usual. Shadows cast by the variable
lights emphasized his cheekbones and pale features even more.
"Damn
you're beautiful," Eric suddenly said, voice soft and low. That glance in his blue eyes told her now he
was serious, no joking now. VERY
serious.
"So
are you," she whispered back, and glanced back and forth at what was
encircling her wrists. Then she realized she was secured with two pairs of
handcuffs to the brass headboard of the king-sized waterbed.
Eric
leaned down and captured her lips with his own. Expecting some strange
development she tensed, but Eric's sweet soft kiss caught her off guard. Fingers tickled down and unzipped her pants
very slowly, tugging them off her body.
Then he pushed her shirt up and off, tugging it gently over her head and
inching it up her arms till it was free of her body. It remained caught around her wrists. He kissed down between her breasts to her navel, rubbing her
breasts through the silk of her bra. Sneakily she rocked her hips under him,
and felt him hardening above her stomach, where he sat perched atop her.
"You
little vixen," he groaned, realizing that even snared she still had the
power to enchant him.
"I
want to peel those clothes off of you," she whispered hoarsely. "And lick you all over because you look
so good I want to taste you..."
"Hmmm,
now you're getting personal," he whispered.
"And
you're not?" she laughed. Reaching up past her head, he turned something.
One after the other the cuffs broke free, and she finally reached up to pull
his face down to hers. Twisting her leg
under she flipped him off balance and levered him to the side, then climbed
atop him.
"Now
you're mine," she chuckled, sitting astride his hips and rubbing his chest
through his button up shirt. Eric
groaned, when she pinned either wrist under hers, and leaned down to thrust her
tongue into his mouth and sealed his lips in a kiss so deep it staggered
him. Playfully he wrestled against her,
and she released his hands to start unbuttoning his shirt in a frenzy to
undress him. Once his chest was revealed
she stroked her fingers over his soft chest hair, covering skin that was
freckled and fair, another contrast to her own. She unfastened his belt next, and reached down inside to feel
him. Amused by her slow seduction and
touch, he lay back and closed his eyes in satisfaction as she began to tease
him through the denim. A suspicion
arose in his mind that if she had slept with Paul, she might be disappointed
with his body in comparison to the starchild's.
However
with where this was going, she seemed to be caring little even if she was
comparing the two, because when her fingers closed on his hardening passion he
groaned deeply at her soft touch. He
unzipped his pants and freed himself, his own hands eager to help her along.
"Leave
the fun to me," she scolded, tugging his jeans off till he was like
she.
"This
bed has silk sheets," he whispered through clenched teeth. She stopped what she was doing long enough
for Eric to reach under them both and tug down the bedspread. Soon they were both embraced by luxurious
silk, cool against their warmed flesh.
The last clothing was quickly removed, and soon their bodies pressed
close together, hair and muscles against smooth soft skin and curves. A moan was shared by both in their kisses
and frantic caresses as they explored each other intimately for the first time.
"Do
you want me to..." he asked. She
nodded, and he tossed his head in the direction of the bedside table. Together they prepared themselves and lay on
their sides, gazing deep into each other's eyes. Before Michelle could lie back, Eric stopped her with his hand.
"I
like it better this way..." he whispered.
"At least for now..."
She
lifted her thigh over his, and he pushed one arm under her body, the other
overtop so he held her in his arms. She
wrapped hers around his neck, and they came together. Tentatively he eased his way to her, and she guided him to the
right place. Once he was inside, she
rolled over onto her back so he was kneeling between her knees. It wasn't clear if he moved first or if she
did, but soon it didn't matter who initiated the erotic dance between
them. Rolling over he pulled out for a
moment, and urged her to lie facedown on the silk sheets. Gently holding her hips, he moved in from
behind, reaching around to caress her front.
Then he turned over so she was on his lap, facing the mirror so she
could see herself cradled there. From
behind, he thrust up, rubbing his hands up and down her body. Seeing their reflection only sought to spur
her on more till they both reached that place together where she didn't know
where he began and she ended.
Their
cries of release merged into one, and Michelle collapsed against his chest,
Eric beneath her.
"Turn
around," he whispered, and pulled out for a moment. Wrapping her close in his arms, he pressed
her to him, not wanting to let her go.
"Damn
that felt good," she whispered.
"NO
argument here," Eric murmured, snuggling into her hair. She felt him enter her again, still not
completely spent. It felt as if they
were made to fit together she felt so much at ease with this closeness. With nothing to prove to each other except
the mutual extent of their desire, they each echoed their sighs, simply
enjoying their joined bodies.
"Ohhh
you feel so good," she whispered.
"I'm
glad... you're so perfect, Shell," he whispered to her. "I don't WANT to move from this bed for
a LONG time..."
"Neither
do I, 'Ric," she sighed.
"Rick?"
he groaned.
"That's
logical, isn't it, since you're using one syllable of my name?" she
bickered back playfully. He kissed her
forehead at this statement.
"I
could seriously get used to this, you know, love," he whispered, and she
shivered at the use of his endearment.
"So
could I," she answered.
"I
know this is a stupid time to ask this, but you don't have anywhere in
particular you need to be, do you?"
"Yes
I do," she said, rocking her hips mischievously against him. "And what are you going to do about
it?"
"I'd
either chain you here with those cuffs, or call whoever it is whose at wherever
you have to be that you have other plans," Eric answered with a sigh of
contentment.
"Rather
presumptuous of you, isn't it?" she teased. "What plans would I tell them I had?"
"My
master plans," he said. She pouted a bit, and he quickly became serious
again, asking, "But where do you need to be, really?"
"Here
with you, of course," she whispered. Eric groaned and shut his eyes
because she really had fooled him for a split second.
"Tease,"
he whispered.
"Incorrigible
flirt..." she whispered back.
"Mm,
do that again..." he moaned.
"Gladly,"
she chuckled, as he rolled her over for another round of playful tumbling.
*********************************
Chapter
8
Liz
awakened at first, a bit disoriented.
She realized she wasn't asleep in her own bed, and puzzled over
this. Surely what had happened last
night had to be another dream but why was she here? It then registered WHOSE bed she was in, and she shivered with
her revelation. Unfamiliar aches and
pains present in her body also told her that it had indeed happened.
"Oh
my god, it really DID happen," she said aloud. Anxiously she reached for him, but faced momentary disappointment
when she found the place beside her empty.
"Paul?"
she asked. "Are you here?"
She
then became aware of someone singing loudly in a tenor voice. Just why she hadn't heard it before became
apparent when she heard what sounded like a door closing and opening. AS it grew louder she recognized distinct
words, and felt tears coming to her eyes when she realized what they were. "I really love you baby, I love what
you've got... let's get together baby, and get HOT!"
"Paul,"
she chuckled, wiping away her tears.
He
poked his head and shoulders into the room, and she smiled when she saw the
tray in his hand. Even a small rosebud
in a crystal vase was present on the corner of the tray, along with a pot of
hot tea and a covered plate. Walking in
he smiled warmly and set the tray over her lap.
"Good
morning love," he whispered, kissing her cheek tenderly. "I thought we could both use
this..."
"You
are too darn sweet," she laughed.
"How
do you feel?" he asked, sitting next to her on the bed as he poured her
some hot tea. She lifted the lid and
began to butter the belgian waffles.
"Syrup?"
she asked. He poured some overtop, and
she started to eat. Even fresh
strawberries were on the side of the plate as decoration.
"Right
here..." he nodded. He watched her
eating, and fell serious.
"Paul
what's wrong?" she asked.
"I
was just thinking... you don't regret... what happened last night, do
you?" he asked.
"Are
you kidding?' she asked. "It was
the best night of my life... how can you think such a thing?"
"It's
just... I was surprised when..." Paul sighed, scratching his head. "Why didn't you tell me you were a
virgin?"
Liz
put down her fork, blue eyes narrowing in concern. She swallowed what was in her mouth hard and stared at Paul with
surprise. Why was this an issue all of
a sudden? Slowly she asked, "Paul,
why... is that a problem all of a sudden?"
"Well
it's just that... well you didn't know if we would... um... be together,"
Paul said as tactfully as possible.
"Would
you have stopped if you HAD known?" she asked, a bit of disappointment in
her blue eyes. "My god Paul,
didn't you think I thought of that? I
was so caught up in the moment I was scared you'd stop if you knew!"
"I
might have... if I had known..." Paul admitted, a bit guilty.
"WHY?"
she demanded. "I saved myself for
YOU. WHY? Because I love you! My virginity was a gift freely offered for
you and you alone! Is that WRONG?"
"No
I'm not upset... I just wish you had prepared me for it..." he said,
stroking her hand. "I'm honored
that you felt like giving me such a precious gift... really!"
"Maybe
I should have," she sighed, glancing down. "I just..."
"No...
please baby... just look at me," Paul urged, taking her chin and tilting
her head up. That sincerity present in
his dark eyes told her he was dead serous.
"I
am looking at you Paul," she said softly.
"Look
right here, baby," Paul said.
"Because I am stone cold serious here. After last night... I finally realized..."
Liz
held her breath, and time slowed as Paul hesitated. Lost in the depths of his eyes she felt her heart slow to a
stop. Coughing Paul cleared his throat
and slowly said, "that I love you.
I absolutely love you..."
"Oh
Paul... I've waited YEARS to hear you say that," she gasped.
Paul
smiled, kissing her hands softly. He
whispered, "I always have. I guess
I always did, but I never thought to look at you that way. As more then a friend. Far more."
"That's
so sweet," she laughed.
"And
now love, why don't' we go get you some new threads," Paul smiled.
"Mmm
sounds lovely," she laughed.
"Although
what you're wearing NOW is perfect also," he said, pulling the sheets off
her. She shrieked and rolled over, hiding herself from him.
"Now
what's this?" he asked.
"Don't be shy around me..."
"I...
well..."
"You
have NOTHING to be worried about, trust me.
And the FIRST thing we have to work on is getting you used to letting me
feast my eyes on your fabulous hot body...' Paul said.
"How?"
"By first taking a shower with me," he said with a wink. "And we'll get used to feasting our
eyes on each other..."
****
Michelle
stirred, shaking off sleep reluctantly. If it weren't for the fact nature
called her, she would have remained longer in the large bed. Beside her, Eric still slumbered; blankets
pulled up to his chin. She slipped out
of his grasp carefully and rushed off.
When she returned he was still slumbering, and she leaned down to gently
slide beneath the sheets again and nibble on his ear. He had turned over onto his side, facing away from the door. When her lips touched his ear he turned
over in his sleep, mumbling, "Where'd you go baby.... C'mere..." and
drew her to him. She felt his soft kiss
on the top of her head and sighed.
Pleasantly
surprised, she went into his arms and snuggled up to him, head on his
chest. Even when Paul had been with her
she had felt wonderful, but never had she felt so content. Just to lay next to a man who really seemed
to click with her, and her with him.
For a few minutes she played with his blond locks, just stroking them in
the silence of the morning. A crack of
light peeked through the curtains, slightly ajar.
Eric's
eyes flickered open, and he whispered, "Hey,"
She
enjoyed looking into those baby blues, and decided that it wasn't easy not to
wake up to them every morning. This
thought brought a small frown to her face and she sighed, "Hey
yourself..."
"What's
wrong, baby?" Eric asked, concerned.
"Nothing
I..."
"You
aren't upset that we went to bed together are you?" Eric asked, serious.
"No,
of course not!" she said quickly.
"It's just that I felt so wonderful waking up next to you here, and
it got me thinking..."
"Thinking
what?" he asked, stroking her cheek.
"How
hard it is going to be to wake up, and not have you next to me."
"Aww,
that is sweet of you," he chuckled.
"Well I'm not going anywhere for at least a week, and after that,
we'll see..."
"You
sure?" she asked.
"Would
I have said that if I didn't mean it?" Eric answered her question with a
question.
"Well
I know you're a musician and well... have to travel... I just..."
"Shell,
let's just take it one step at a time..." said Eric, putting a finger on
her lips. "We'll figure it out as
we go along... ok?"
"So
this is just more then a one night stand?" she asked. "I'm sorry to be so direct..."
"I'd
sure as hell LIKE it to be more then one," Eric said.
"Good,"
she nodded. "I know that sounded
crude but..."
"Don't
apologize for being direct. Too many
people bullshit around in this world," Eric smiled, pushing her hair from
her face. "Now how about a shower
while I order up breakfast..."
"Sounds
good. I am going to need some really HOT coffee..." she winked, slipping
out of bed and gathering the sheet around her.
"Hey
what is THIS?" he asked, whipping it down and she shrieked. "Don't hide that gorgeous body from me
after last NIGHT!"
"I'm
just not used to a guy seeing me in BROAD daylight!" she said, hands over
her breasts. Eric leaned up in bed and
let the sheets fall, and there was little more on him then a mischievous smile
and his usual jewelry.
"It
doesn't bother me, so it shouldn't bother you," he said practically, and
grabbed her around the waist, tackling her to the bed. "We're NAKED and ALONE in NYC, and
we're gonna ENJOY it damnit!"
"You're
NUTS!" she laughed as he tickled her.
Scooping her up in his arms he carried her toward the bathroom.
"Nuts
about you, lover," he grinned.
***
Liz
still ached from the activities of last night, but she knew it was well worth
it. Even the activities in the shower
added to the total score, leaving her feeling things her body never had till
now. She never in a million years
considered that she would ever have spent the night with the man she most
loved, and yet it had happened. As
naturally as waking up in the morning.
The
phone rang, and she answered it, still riding along in the cab,
"Hello?"
"Hi
honey, glad you turned this on," Paul's voice came.
"Paul,
you REALLY didn't have to give me a cell phone," she said.
"Of
course I did. I don't want my lady without a way of keeping in touch with
me," Paul answered. "Besides,
what if there was an emergency and you needed to contact me?"
"That's
so sweet of you," she said.
"Did
you get to Sak's Fifth Avenue yet?"
"We're
stuck in traffic," she chuckled.
"Why
don't you call up Shelly and get her to go shopping with you," Paul asked.
"Are
you sure she's not being... entertained still by Eric?"
"Nope,
he just called and said he wanted to ask me about something. So he said he was
sending Shelly to go shopping, and wondered if you were going too..."
"Why
didn't you call Shelly?" she asked.
"Because
she doesn't have a cell phone, and Eric didn't call you because he doesn't know
your number," Paul laughed.
"I'm gonna have to suggest he get her one..."
"Is
she already there?" asked Liz.
"Eric
says he dropped her off," said Paul.
"She'll meet you there..."
"Thanks
love..."
"Oh,
and call me when you're ready to come back...I thought we could go out to
dinner," Paul suggested.
"Wonderful.
See you later sweetheart," she said.
"I'm here..."
"Love
you, baby," Paul said.
"Love
you too," she said.
She
reached into her purse and extracted some money Paul had insisted she take as
pocket change. Close to two hundred
dollars in bills dropped into her lap and she hastily shoved it back into her
purse, keeping a twenty for the driver.
Then it was quickly into the store's lobby to find Michelle.
Just
inside she found her friend, already attired in a different dress then she had
seen her in. Had she already bought a new outfit, or was it a change of clothes
she had brought with her?
"Nice
outfit," she said.
"I
just got it. I couldn't wait... Eric
said I had to get something new... or else he'd bring me himself..." she
chuckled.
"Lucky.
Maybe you can help me find something else," she winked.
"Sure
thing..."
"And
then we can break for lunch at the cafeteria here," she said. "So... shall we?"
"We
shall," said Michelle with a smile.
Together they moved into the women's department and began their spree.
***
"After
we finish up here, we need to find you some fun stuff," said Michelle.
"As
in?" Liz asked.
"You
know," Shelly lowered her voice.
"Some nice lingerie..."
"Lingerie?"
Liz asked, a bit shocked. "I
couldn't."
"Why
not?" Shelly asked, taking a bite of her lo mien.
"Because
it's just... not me..."
"How
do you know unless you try?" asked Shelly. "I mean why not have FUN?"
"But
Paul..."
"Knows
a lot about that sort of thing, and well I was reading in magazines that there
is NOTHING wrong with spicing up your bedroom life with some fun," Shelly
said.
"you
really think he would... like it?"
"Hell
yeah," Shelly laughed.
"Did
you ever?"
"Uh
one of my ex boyfriends bought me some fun stuff yes, but I never had the nerve
to put it on..." Shelly said.
"Look the point is that guys go for wrapping. And what harm is it in taking some
initiative in the bedroom? You might be
surprised at his reaction."
Liz
tentatively nibbled a spoonful of chocolate sundae. Plunking her spoon down she said, "I just dont' want to give
Paul the wrong idea..."
"Wrong
idea nothing," Shelly laughed.
"I think he'd LOVE it. And
love you in it... and I'm sure that you wont' be wearing it long if you wear it
for him... "
"Shelly...
really..."
"Okay,
I'll make you a deal. I help you pick something out, and you help pick ME
something out. And whatever we pick out
for each other, we'll buy, and make sure we're wearing it for our respective
men, deal?"
"Deal,"
she nodded with a smile.
"So..."
Liz asked, a smile on her face. "I
know the answer already, but did you and Eric..."
"did
we EVER," Shelly sighed, blushing. "So what was it like with the
STARCHILD?"
"Paul
was sure shocked," Liz blushed.
"But after that..."
"After..."
Shelly prompted, dying to know.
"Let's
just say I'm no longer a virgin."
"Oh
my god... REALLY?" Shelly gasped.
"You saved it for him... wow..."
After
she said this, she went silent. Liz nudged her arm and asked, "I'll tell
you later. Now I'm worried about what THAT look means."
Shelly
sighed again, giving a faraway look. Finally
she said, "I just wonder what happens when Eric will go on the road
again..."
"That's
a tough question," Liz admitted. "If you're serious with Eric... are
you afraid he'll not be faithful to you, if he's on the road?"
"I
am...' she sighed. "I think I'm
falling hard... and fast..."
"Well
then TALK to him about it..." Liz urged, nudging her friend's hand
again. "Tell him."
"But
what if he thinks I'm being too presumptuous?" asked Shelly anxiously.
"Tell
him how you feel... and what you want him to know," Liz said. "If he feels the same way, then bring
up the subject... of him being on the road."
"I
hope so... because you know... I'm scared to think of not waking up to
him."
"That's
how I feel about Paul," Liz nodded.
"Well
then, if that's the case..." said Shelly.
"Then you do understand.
Thanks..."
Liz
smiled at her friend in sympathy, and nodded.
"I do understand..."
"Now...
enough of the sad stuff. Let's find some lingerie that will make them BEG for
mercy!" Shelly suggested with a wicked grin.
For
the rest of the afternoon the two friends enjoyed suggesting various play
outfits together. Liz seemed shocked
when Shelly showed her a classy black and purple silk teddy with matching
garter belt and stockings. However when
Shelly reminded her they were Paul's favorite colors, she relented, and
realized it would knock his socks off when he saw her in it. Then it was Shelly's turn to blush when Liz
found a red silk camisole and panty set that she was sure Eric would love.
Shelly
cried, "I cant BUY that..."
Liz
said, "YES you can... I mean we made a deal!"
Shelly
blushed as red as the camisole, and walked off with Liz to pay at the checkout
counter. Liz extracted the credit card
Paul entrusted her with, and handed over her purchase first. Shelly followed, forking over the card that
Eric had loaned her, feeling strange about using someone else's credit to buy
something so extravagant.
"Get
used to it," Liz whispered.
***
Chapter
9
A
week had passed, one wonderful week, and already both women were spending much
more time with their new men. More and
more Liz realized how protective Paul was of her, often making certain he knew
exactly where she was going, and when she would be back. It was reassuring he kept such tabs on her,
and she was most glad for his 'protection.'
Despite
this she sometimes wondered if she was up tot he task of satisfying his
desires. Even though he was teaching
her much about the arts of lovemaking in the bedroom. Due to her inexperience in matters of lovemaking, she often felt
she didn't know just HOW to satisfy him.
As Paul and she were walking in Central park one day, she tentatively
brought up the subject.
"Honey,"
she said. "I have a
question..."
"What,
love?" he asked, swinging her held hand playfully as they walked along.
"Am
I... pleasing to you?" she asked.
"Sure,"
he nodded. "You're a damn fine
woman, if I do say so myself..."
"I
don't just mean physically, how I look, but do I... please you... in other ways... like between the
sheets?" she asked.
Amused
Paul said, "Hmm what makes you ask that?"
"Don't
tease me..." she said. "I'm serious... am I... doing all right?"
"Do
you want a grade from teacher?" he joked.
"Well
considering you're my FIRST lover..." she said hesitantly. "I feel... inadequate."
"Now
wait a minute,' he said firmly.
"Don't EVER think that, for a moment!" Drawing her to him he
kissed her hard, the sparks of passion flying between them. She realized then and there they were out in
public, exposed to any passers by.
"Honey,"
she said, when they parted for breath.
"I think we should get out of here, don't you?"
Paul
kissed her neck and whispered, "I think so. Its time for another lesson..."
"Where?"
she asked, blue eyes deep with desire.
****
Eric
sat next to Shelly, watching a movie and trying his best to convince her to
come and join him on the used sofa. He
called out to her, "Hey gorgeous, why don't you come in here and keep me
company."
"Just
getting us some snacks and drinks. You
wanted diet coke right?"
"Yeah,
but I'm gonna have to get it and YOU if you keep me waiting much longer,"
he teased.
"Coming,
coming," she said, bringing the chips and dip with two cans of soda.
Plunking the bowl of chips on the coffee table, she tossed a soda to Eric.
Neatly he caught it, and then leaned forward and grabbed her. She fell across
his lap, and he smiled with satisfaction.
"You
sneak," she pouted.
"Hmm,
that's me. Sneaky," he grinned, leaning forward to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and
returned the kiss, deepening it.
Relaxing into his lap, she buried her fingers in his light brown hair,
and massaged his scalp.
"Eric,"
she whispered.
"Yes
Hon?" he asked.
"I
think I heard something..."
"Relax,
I think it's just the people down the hall," he smiled.
"Well
nobody gets home at this time... they're all singles on this floor..."
"You
never know," Eric winked, and she leaned forward for another soft
kiss. So deeply were they wrapped in
their embrace and kiss they failed to notice the door clicking open, and the
bolts being disengaged.
Ingrid,
her roommate pushed the door open, and stopped dead in the doorway when she saw
them there. Just who was this strange
man with the shoulder length long hair kissing her roommate? Whoever he was, he didn't impress her. Her eyes were open wide, and her head shook
in disbelief.
"Oh...
Ingrid!" Shelly gasped, pulling out of the kiss.
"Shelly...
WHO is this?"
"Uh...
well he's my boyfriend..." said Shelly.
"Eric
Singer, pleased to meet you miss," said Eric with as charming as a smile he
could muster.
"I
see I'm interrupting something," Ingrid said slowly. Shelly slipped off Eric's lap, and stood up,
shifting her weight from one foot to another.
"Sorry
miss, didn't realize you were coming home," Eric apologized, noticing the
awkwardness between the two women.
"I
thought you were with Brian," said Shelly. "I would have gone somewhere else if I had known... you'd be
back."
"Well
it is... my apartment too," Ingrid said.
Glancing at Eric, she regarded him as if he were an alien being from
another planet. Eric didn't care much
for her judgmental stare, but he didn't want to embarrass Shelly before her
roommate.
"We
can go, if you need some privacy," Shelly offered.
"How
long... have you two been dating?" Ingrid asked. "And where did you meet?"
"I
met him through my friend Paul," she said. "When working on Phantom."
"Really?"
Ingrid asked, levelly. The temperature
in the room dropped ten degrees with her icy stare.
"And
he's new in town and I've been showing him around," Shelly added.
"We
can go, if you prefer," Eric offered.
"Can
I talk to you privately?" Ingrid asked, fixing her glare on Shelly.
"Eric...
you can wait in the bedroom," Shelly said softly. He nodded and walked into the bedroom
without a further question.
Nervously
Shelly faced her roommate, who was less then thrilled, and asked, "What's
wrong? I've never seen you act this way
around my other boyfriend..."
"Your
other boyfriend didn't have long hair and a beard," she said. "And an EARRING in one ear... not to
mention tattoos on his arms. Who the
hell is this guy?"
"He's
Eric, my new boyfriend... he's a
musician..."
"What
sort of musician? Is he in some...
band?" Ingrid asked.
"He's
in Alice cooper," said Shelly defensively, folding her arms. "If I had known you'd be so adverse I
would have TOLD you before..."
"You
conveniently forgot to mention you had a boyfriend, and you bring him HERE
without even LETTING me know? Good
GRIEF this isn't' a hotel... is he going to be staying?" Ingrid tapped her
foot.
"He's
staying in a hotel," said Shelly.
"And anyway, we were just kissing..."
"Well
that just goes to show my recent decision is prudent," Ingrid said. "Because I had been meaning to tell you
before, but since you are never around... I think its high time..."
"What
decision?"
"Brian
has offered to marry me," said Ingrid.
"And he's moving to Seattle with his job. He's moving in two months.
So you're going to have to find a new roommate..."
"Wait
a minute... you're LEAVING?" Shelly asked. "Just like that?"
"Yes,"
Ingrid said. "If you had BOTHERED to pay some ATTENTION to me instead of
ignoring me, you would have noticed..."
"What
is your deal?" Shelly demanded.
"Why are you being so mean all of a sudden..."
"Oh
I don't know?" Ingrid said sarcastically.
"Maybe it's the fact you have all those posters over the wall of
those hairy Neanderthals and facepainted freaks, and these VIDEOS with sleazy
women and sweating MEN doing GOD knows what..."
"They're
just music videos!" she stamped her foot.
"Shelly
what's happened to you? You've been such a good girl. Why have you all of a
sudden gone bad?" Ingrid asked.
"I mean you come home smelling like cigarettes, I see BEER in the
fridge... are you doing drugs with this hippie freak?"
"No! And what I chose to do in my spare time is
NONE of your business," Shelly snapped.
"If you'd stop being so judgmental and get to KNOW Eric you'd see
he doesn't smoke or use drugs at all!
And I don't either!"
"Well
since this is none of my business, I'd like to see you get a new roommate in the
next two weeks. Because if you're going
to continue to bring that... Neanderthal over, I'm moving out by the end of
this week!"
"But
how do you expect ME to pay for this place?" Shelly asked. "You're
name is on the lease!"
"Get
a real job," Ingrid said.
"And figure it out. I can't stand to see this any longer..."
"EXCUSE
THE HELL ME?" Shelly
demanded. Eric opened the bedroom door
a crack at the sound of raised voices, his anger boiling.
"Since
WHEN did you have an issue with my JOB?" Shelly asked. "I do work!"
"OH
I don't know," Ingrid said dryly.
"Since you started acting like you were some bigshot STAR...
talking all about your role on Broadway which lasted all of a WEEK?"
"Since
when did you have a problem with that?" Shelly asks. "I never rubbed it in your face!"
"Yeah,
especially since you are associating with riffraff like HIM... where did you
find him, the local gutter?"
"Don't
you DARE insult Eric!" Shelly yelled.
"Oh
so he has a name? Well I'm impressed.
You know I held me tongue till now, but you really HAVE let yourself go.
And I can't stay silent any longer. I've been tolerant of your dreams, but
lately you've been acting like a class a SLUT. Sneaking in all hours of the
night, listening to that horrible sound you call Rock... And now bringing MEN
over to the apartment! I don't know you anymore, and I Can't stand living with
you a moment more!"
"Get
the HELL OUT before I THROW you out!" Shelly screamed at her. "You have NO right to tell me how to
live my life!"
"I'll
be BACK next day for my THINGS. Have a
nice life, SNOB," Ingrid sneered as she marched out the door and slammed
it hard. Shelly stood there a moment,
fists at her sides. Then she turned to
teh sofa and flopped down on it, sobbing.
Eric pushed open the door and rushed to her side. He sat next to her, pulling her head and
shoulders onto his lap and hugging her tightly. She buried her head into his shoulder and cried.
"You're
not gutter trash," she blubbered.
"Stupid BITCH I hate her!"
"Shh
it's okay,' Eric whispered. "I
heard the whole thing..."
"I
hate her," Shelly sobbed.
"She suddenly blows up at me for no reason... and accuses me of
horrible things... and I had NO IDEA..."
"She's
just jealous of you," Eric shushed her.
"And I think she was obviously holding her tongue for a long
time. And then you got cluster fucked
all at once..."
Shelly
pulled away, wiping her eyes. Eric
grabbed the box of tissues and gently wiped her eyes. Grabbing his hand she cried, "But she called you gutter
trash Eric... she acts like you are
beneath her because you are a rock musician!"
"She's wrong," he said. "She's beneath you, because she didn't
have the decency to tell you how she felt. So she hid it and stuffed it down...
and let it explode. Instead of getting it out into the open."
"Yes
she is, " Shelly said, and frantically sought his lips, kissing him to
make him belive she knew he's a good man.
For
a few minutes Eric held her close, comforting her the best he could. Eventually
she stopped crying so hard, her sobs quieting down to a rhythmic
breathing. He held her out at arm's
length, stroking her soft hair and cheek with his free hand. Blue eyes filled with concern as he said,
"Why don't we get out of here and go for a ride?"
"Where?"
"Just
out," he said. "Get some air,
and get out of this stuffy place?"
"Yeah,"
she sighed. "Let's..."
He
got up, taking her hand to pull her to her feet. She rubbed her arms, hugging herself a bit. Eric walked over and grabbed her jacket,
holding it up for her to get into. Then
he put his own jacket on, and walked toward the door. She let him take her hand and lead her out, locking the door
first before they left.
****
"Eric,
what am I going to do?' she asked as they threaded their way through Manhattan.
"Well,
I was thinking we could talk about that," Eric said. "When I find a parking place, and I can
give 100 percent to this convo..."
"Okay,"
she sighed.
"Which
won't be TOO long I hope," he laughed, pulling into a parking garage. He handed the keys to the attendant, and
opened the door for Shelly. Offering
her his arm, he led her toward Park Avenue.
Shelly realized they were headed to Central Park, and she quickly tugged
Eric in the way of a shortcut she knew.
"This
way," she said. "There's
something I have always wanted to do..."
"What
love?" he asked, letting her lead him toward the park entrance. They stopped right near a horse and buggy,
the driver waiting by his sign that listed the price.
"Can
we?"
"Sure,"
Eric smiled. "That would be a good
place for us... to talk... among other things..."
They
climbed into the buggy, and soon it started at a gentle pace on the paved
path. Trees arched their branches
overhead, the blue sky peaking through the leaves. Shadows fell across them occasionally, and they caught sight of
skaters and cyclists on the path streaking by.
Eric
slipped his arm around her shoulders, and she snuggled up to him, resting hear
head on his chest. The swaying motion
of the buggy combined with the clip clop of the horse's hooves on asphalt was
hypnotic and calmed her down considerably.
"I've
been thinking," Eric said suddenly, stroking her hair. She gazed up into his blue eyes, settling
into place so she was more comfortable.
"Hmm?"
"I
have a solution to your rent problem..."
"What?"
"I
was thinking there's a perfect roommate just waiting for you," he said.
"Where
am I going to find someone tomorrow?"
"Well...
right under you nose..."
"HUH?"
she straightened up.
"Well,
I could move in with you..." he suggested. "I mean I found out earlier today, and I was going to tell
you before we were occupied... but Alice Cooper's got some other obligations,
and the tour's on hiatus..."
"Really? You mean you WANT to move in... But
Eric..."
"I
insist. I was thinking of putting some time in the studio recording a solo
album... my friends have been bugging me for a long time, and Paul and I were
kicking around the idea that Paul could produce it, and play lead on the
tracks..."
"Are
you sure?'
"Well
yeah. I mean if you don't mind... it would be better then staying in a hotel. And a lot cheaper then renting my own
place... and I'd be here for at least four months... what do you say?"
"That's
incredible... but Eric... I have to tell you something first..."
"Anything
baby," he said.
"Eric...
I have to tell you..." she breathed, mustering her courage to tell him
what was in her mind and heart.
"What?"
he asked, grasping her hand.
"I
think I'm falling in love with you," she said, dark eyes fixing into
his. Eric swallowed hard, and stroked
her cheek. For a moment, it looked as if
he had been hit with a sledgehammer, and Shelly was frightened.
"Baby..."
he whispered. "That's exactly why
I want to move in with you... I think I'm also falling for you... hard... and I
want you with me..."
"Eric,
before we say anymore, I want to ask you... you're going to be here four
months, but what if you have to go on tour... what then?"
"I
figured you'd ask that," Eric sighed
"Typical question..."
"Not
to be indelicate, but what will you do... when I'm not there on the road...
will I have to worry..."
"Honey,
that's a question lots of women ask me... women I've seen before. And I'll give you an honest answer. After being with you, I don't think I'd want
any other woman on the road. Sure I'd be TEMPTED. I mean who isn't... and it
would be difficult not to, but I think knowing you're here waiting for me...
will be MORE then enough to make me behave..."
"Are
you sure?" she asked shyly. Far
too shyly for her, he thought seriously.
***
"Relax
baby... relax... just let me do the work, move with me... that's it..."
Paul gritted, sweat pouring down his forehead. He lay back, his dark hair askew
of his face in a black halo about his face. How lovely he seemed, eyes dark
with the flames of passion, his body beading with perspiration.
"Oh
god Paul I love you!" Liz almost screamed as she released the bolt of
pleasure wracking her body. Joined in the most intimate way possible, she
tossed her head back and let the waves rock her to bliss again. They were one
being, moving together in their fusion of love, for what seemed an eternity.
Finally
Paul reached his release, and cried out. Liz collapsed and lay on his chest,
sighing deeply. Paul pulled the covers around them, and sighed in pleasure
himself.
Safe
and protected in his arms, Liz dozed for a time. Paul remained awake, simply
basking in the afterglow. She was a fast learner, he had to admit, as the silk
scarves now untied bore witness. At the last moment, she had freed him from
them, to let him take command.
"Honey?"
she asked, lifting her head from his chest.
"Yes?"
he asked, stroking her golden hair. So soft and silky it was, he reflected.
"I
was just thinking... wondering how long you were planning on performing on
Phantom?" she asked.
"Hmm,
good question," he nodded, brushing her hair aside of her face.
"Because...
well..." she said. "I was
thinking..."
"About?"
Paul asked.
"Well,
you know... it's been WONDERFUL the last few days and all, but I just wonder
what will happen when we're not always able to see each other so often..."
she asked reluctantly, turning over.
"What
do you mean?" Paul asked, reaching around and locking her in an embrace
from behind, so they were spooning.
"Well,"
she said, turning her head to face him a bit.
"I mean when you're on the road with KISS..."
"Yes?"
"Baby
I don't' want to hurt you with my next question."
"Liz,"
he said, turning her over with a firm tug on her shoulder. She lay on her back, still a bit apart from
him.
"I
just don't..."
"Now
that we're lovers, we have to be honest with one another. You can ask me anything. That part of our
relationship shouldn't change just because we share the same bed... what's
going on in that pretty head of yours?"
"I
mean won't you be tempted... to seek the company of other women when I'm not
there?" she asked. "I don't
want to hurt you by asking that Paul... but I have to know..."
Paul
sighed a bit, and reached over to take her hand. Between his two hands, he took
it, depositing a kiss on the back and working up her arm. Liz shivered a bit in
uncertainty, as he seemed to be formulating his next answer. He looked deep into her blue eyes, and
kissed her forehead. Slowly he said,
"I think that's an honest question, baby.
And to be honest, it will be hard to resist the lovely ladies..."
"I
know... but I want you to myself," Liz said. "I mean I don't mind if you give fans hugs and kisses, but
what is the line? I mean... I don't'
want to share this bed with any other women.
Is it too selfish to expect you to remain true?"
"No
it isn't," Paul said. "I said
it would be difficult to resist the temptation, but I didn't' say it was
impossible baby..."
"I
am so scared you'll meet some wonderful woman who's much prettier then me and
she'll rock your world..." Liz said with a tear in her eye.
Paul
wiped it away, and kissed her cheek where the tear had fallen. Pulling her close to him he hugged her
tightly to his body, hanging on tightly as if afraid to let her go. As if in doing so, he'd lose the most precious
thing he had found. Into her ear he
whispered, "Baby, I don't want that to happen. I don't' want to lose you to some handsome younger man who'll
dazzle you with his looks and ways... and you'll lose sight of the man who
loves you and wants you as his own... I'm not getting any younger baby, and you
can't say that there aren't other younger men out there who would snap up a
beautiful lady like you in a heartbeat..."
"I
couldn't love another man Paul. Only you," she answered without
hesitation. "I don't want another
man."
"I'm
glad," Paul said. "Because
after finding someone who really loves me like you do I don't think I want
another woman in my life."
"Do
you really mean that?" she asked, her heart still shadowed by doubt.
"Really,
and honestly baby," Paul said, pulling back and locking her lips in a deep
kiss. She moaned softly, leaning into
the kiss and letting him press her into the depths of the silk sheets. They lost each other in a sea of bliss for
what was in reality only five minutes but seemed like forever.
"Then
what should we do?" she asked.
"If
you're wondering about you and me... when I decide to go back to
California," Paul said, anticipating her question. "I was wondering if... you would
consider..."
"Consider?"
her blue eyes widened in anticipation.
"Moving
back with me to CA, and moving in with me?" Paul asked, kissing the tip of
her nose, and nudging her ear with his own.
"OH
Paul...you really mean it?" she whispered, tracing his earlobe with her
nose.
"Of
course I do, love," he said, breathing in her ear softly. "I wouldn't
have said it if I didn't mean it..."
"But
what about before then?" Liz asked, anxiously.
"How
would you like to um... move in here with me till then?" Paul asked,
between soft gentle touches of his lips to hers.
"Move
in with you... here too?" she asked.
"What
better way to get used to each other then now?" Paul smiled. "After all, you said you didn't think
you'd sleep well without me here... and I have to confess baby it's awfully
hard to sleep in this bed without YOU here too."
"But
my apartment... my things..."
"Would
today be too soon?" he asked.
"I could call some movers... and they can take care of your
things... if you want they can put whatever you want in my place...and anything
else into storage till we move to LA..."
"Today?"
she asked. "Wow... you really ARE
serious."
"That's
what I wanted you to think," he chuckled, playfully rubbing down her chest
over the curve of one breast.
"You
don't waste time once you've made you mind up, do you?" she chuckled,
snaking her hand over his chest. Paul seized it and pushed it down, much further
down. This action made Liz blush, and
Paul guided her hand where he wanted it most.
"Right
THERE..." he hummed with delight.
"Paul...
I couldn't..."
"You are," he raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. so will you let me make the arrangements to have you moved in today? It'll only take one call... and then we can go on over and you can decide what you want in storage and what you want moved here.&