Part
2
***********************************************************************
"They
could DNA test that blood," Terri said later, after Gene had carried her
to the sofa. It scared him half to
death to see her so remote, so aloof.
As if her emotions were shoved far beneath the morass of fear she must
be suppressing.
"Terri..."
he said. "Sweetheart… I…"
"I'm
a scientist, goddamn it…" she continued.
"If I had an electrophoresis unit… we could nail that bitch… who
the hell does she think she is?"
"Terri…"
Gene repeated.
"I
didn't ask for this to happen, any of it," Terri continued, rocking as she
held her knees, forcing back tears.
"What did I do, fucking breath wrong?"
"NO…
don't even say that!" Gene snapped, hugging her tightly as he drew her
onto his lap. As if that would keep her
safe, offer her some comfort. Dammit he
felt so helpless himself. He'd just
called the police, and they were both waiting for them to show up.
"I
want to get out of here, I want to run and fucking hide! I want to go back to Philadelphia!"
she cried. "Oh please why
me?"
"Please…
you can't leave…" Gene pleaded.
"Why
not?" she asked, looking back at him.
"Why can't I just go away… and then nobody would bother you or
me!"
"Because,
how do you know this bitch won't try to hurt you… if you're away from me. I can keep you safe…"
"For
how long Gene?" she shouted.
"As
long as it takes to put this bitch behind bars," Gene growled. Anger filled him and it was an emotion he
could deal with.
"Maybe
it would be better if I left…" Terri said slowly, trying to get up. But Gene held her down in his lap, wrapping
her close in his arms.
"No. You are in this because of me. And I won't let you slip away… now that I've
found you and made you mine. Not even a
psycho is ever going to take you away from me.
I'll fight every step of the way."
"You're
so much stronger then me, Gene…"
"Bullshit. You're a holy terror when you are pissed
enough. This is the chance to fight for
something that you want. Do you want to
give her the satisfaction of fear and terror over your life, Terri?"
"No…
I want to make her pay…" Terri said slowly, gritting her teeth.
"Good,"
Gene nodded, turning her chin to face his.
"Now get angry, instead of afraid.
Use that anger to make you brave and strong. You are. And together we
can get through this…"
"Together…"
She nodded. "We'll nail her… and I
know someone at UCLA who does DNA testing… we can take some of the blood from
the door and send a sample…"
"That's
my girl," Gene agreed. "You
see, your being a scientist is a good thing in this case! Fight her with all
you have!"
"Most
definitely… but what else?"
"Well,
first you and I are going to get dressed, and finish that breakfast you made
us. Then we're going to the
police. But you're also gonna take a
blood sample from that door… before we do anything else, right?"
"Right…
except for one thing…"
"What's
that?"
"A
kiss for luck?"
"Mmm,
I thought you'd never ask!" Gene licked his lips hungrily, at last feeling
some control over some aspect of this.
She pulled him close, savoring the firm press of his perfect lips over
hers, hungrily meeting tongues in a deep kiss.
Together they gathered their courage for the battle to come, sharing the
warmth between them as their breaths mingled.
Purposes united as their hands interlaced and clenched.
***********************************************************************
An
hour later, they exited the limo and entered the huge LAPD headquarters. It was a building Terri remembered from
numerous TV shows, but to see it in person was another matter entirely. Plainclothes detectives and police swarmed
the huge squadroom that they entered. A
secretary receptionist directed them to the proper department once Gene had
described the situation. Terri felt his
hand clutching hers tightly, not wanting to let her out of his sight for a
moment. She sensed his deep guilt for
the events of the past forty-eight hours. What could he have done differently,
she wondered, except insist that she would leave him and it would all go
away? Instead he fiercely kept her with
him, insisting that for her to leave was letting this mystery suspect win. The last thing Gene wanted was to loose the
best thing that happened to him in quite a while.
They
arrived at the desk of an efficient looking female cop, Latina, who peered up
at Gene with a look of surprise. It
only lasted for a moment, for she turned to business in a second as she
indicated the two chairs before her battered desk.
"Detective
II Florez," she said, holding out a hand to Terri. "We spoke on the phone earlier. Won't you sit down and we can get a
statement from you…"
When
it came Gene's turn he picked up the Detective's hand and pressed a soft kiss
to the back.
"Pleasure
to meet such an attractive detective as you…" he smiled.
"I
have to admit this is a surprise. But
they directed you to me, since I've handled celebrity stalking cases
before," Florez admitted. Her
short-feathered hair framed her attractively lined middle aged face in a
professional manner, and they could see her leather holster strapped to her
blouse as she settled into her chair.
Terri saw the pictures on her desk of herself, an attractive man and two
small girls. A mother, perhaps, for she
saw the gold band on Florez' finger as the Detective folded her hands.
"So,
let's work backwards. You told me that
you discovered a message on Mr. Simmons' front door when you first woke. What time?"
Terri
smiled, not feeling embarrassed about this particular event, "Well it was
about eight am, and I went down to make breakfast in bed for Gene… and I went
to get the paper after I took up the breakfast…"
"With
a sprained ankle?" Florez nodded.
"Yeah…
it was a surprise," Terri said with a flush. "So I went downstairs again to get the paper… and that's
when… I… I… saw the message… on the front door…"
"What
did the message say," Florez asked, her dark brown eyes fixing into
Terri's. Her look was kindly, but
dispassionate. She had to remain
objective for sake of her job. Gene's
hand closed around Terri's urging her to continue.
"Release
my Demon, Bitch, or die," Terri completed, voice quavering with fear and
anger. "I lost it… and screamed
and… and…"
"Mr.
Simmons, where were you at this time?"
"In
bed eating breakfast. It was about nine
thirty by this time. I heard Terri
scream, and I ran like hell to see what was going on. I found her scared shit…
I mean out of her mind… and then I saw the message also, on my front door in
blood."
"WE
have just sent a forensics team to your house…" Florez nodded. She looked to Terri, who was struggling to
regain her self-control, and how tightly Gene held her hand, stroking the
back. "How did you injure your
ankle?"
"I…
last night when I was jogging about 6 thirty PM, a car sped past me…"
Terri breathed. Events of the past few
days spilled out in a halting diatribe, which Florez patiently listened
to. Gene filled in details, his
excellent memory coming in handy for the deposition.
Finally
Terri took a deep breath, falling silent.
It felt good to release the tension and Florez' eyes darkened with anger.
"Hmm…
so you say this woman… the one that you just described, with the white Ford
Festiva… do you think you can positively identify her? Was she the same woman who followed you to
staples the previous afternoon?"
"Yes…"
Terri said slowly. "The car looked
the same, even though it was dark when I was almost hit. And when I saw her behind me… on the way to
Staples… I noticed she had this tattoo on her chest… of a pierced heart. I didn't see it in the dark, but I did see
her toenails were painted red… when she stepped out of the car… and the license
plates I recall from earlier spelled out "MYDEMN".
Gene's
face blanched, and he licked his lips nervously as he shifted in his
chair. "Mr. Simmons, are you all
right?" Florez asked.
"It's…
just… I remembered something from a few years ago," Gene shook his
head. "There's no way… but…"
"Please
Mr. Simmons, if it may have some bearing on the case, I must consider all
evidence… however circumstantial it may seem.
If we can prove that this person has a connection to you… considering
you are a well-known celebrity…"
"In
1996 on the Reunion tour, I was doing my Demon routine, and I noticed two young
women in the front. One of them had a
pierced heart tattoo…"
"Was
she wearing a low cut blouse?"
"I
saw it when she flashed me," Gene said matter of fact. "Then I threw her a T shirt I'd wiped
my face with, and she almost killed the girl next to her trying to get it. That's not unusual…"
"Anything
else?" Florez asked, tapping her pen.
"Well
backstage after the concert Paul and the guys and me were pushing past the
groupies that the guys let in. And I
saw her again. About Terri's height,
brown hair, piled into a clip, and those watery blue eyes looking at me like a
lot of women look at me. But she
shouted something."
"What?"
"She
screamed as she tried to get to me, holding the T shirt, and the guards held
her back. I didn't pay her a whole lot
of attention because something about that broad was creepy. And believe me it takes a hell of a lot to
set my teeth on edge when it comes to women…"
"What
did she say?"
"She
said, 'My Demon! It is I, Brenda! I've come to release you!' And then she fought like a maniac trying to
get to me. Joe and Steve had to pull
her off of me before she almost attacked me…"
"Her
name was Brenda? And you are sure this
woman had a tattoo similar to Ms. Mason's description?"
"Yes…
a tattoo on her left breast… with a dagger through it…" Gene nodded. "And her toenails and fingernails were
painted bright blood red. And I saw
another of the Demon's face…my face on her ankle…"
"Oh
God…" Terri gasped, going pale. "That woman… I saw something like
that on her ankle… the right one…"
"Shit…"
Gene shook his head. "It's
unreal…"
Det.
Florez sighed, and folded her arms across her chest as she regarded them. Slowly she looked from Gene to Terri as she
said, "Sounds like an obsessed fan to me.
I'll run a make on the car description, and wait to see what the blood
samples from SID tell me. Should take a
few days though for the DNA tests to come though…"
"I
know someone who can do it now," Terri said slowly. "I'm a chemist… and I have a former
classmate friend of mine at UCLA/Berkley who does DNA testing… I called her and
she said she was willing to do another assay… just to back up your SID…"
"Normally
we don’t send police evidence out… but that might help," Florez
nodded. "Don't worry. We'll try and get this woman, at least bring
her in for questioning. Even if she
isn't the blood writer, attempted assault and stalking are serious
charges…"
"Thank
you," Gene smiled, and Terri gripped Florez hand gratefully.
"I
was so scared…"
"That's
what these people thrive on. They get a
sick thrill out of having a fantasy that gets out of hand," Florez
snorted. "Mr. Simmons I'd suggest
you get Terri to a safe place. I'd offer protective custody…"
"I
can take care of that detail," he said with a nod as he wrapped an arm
around Terri's shoulders.
"Let
me know if there are any more incidents…" Florez nodded. "And don't go anywhere without someone
with you, Terri. There's no telling
what this stalker might do next…"
****************************************************************
"I
want this all to be a bad dream," Terri said to Gene as they climbed back
into the limo. Tucked neatly into his
arm, she leaned her head on his chest.
Today Gene wore his favorite ensemble of leather jacket, leather pants,
and a button up denim shirt that she loved so much. She inhaled the safe scent of fabric softener mingled with Gene's
cologne, while he buried his nose in her hair and took a whiff of Vanilla
Fields perfume. The top button of his
shirt was undone, revealing the dagger necklace he loved wearing.
"Well
hopefully they'll get her and then you can breathe easier… we both can,"
Gene said. "I'm just sorry that
this whole thing's happened… I never wanted you to get the shit end of this… if
you want to go somewhere safe…"
"I
want to stay with you, Gene. I feel
safe with you…" she whispered. His
hand closed around hers, and she felt the pressure from his dragon ring for a
moment on her one finger as it clenched her hand in his.
"And
I'll keep you close… believe me. I'm
not gonna let some psycho take you away from me…" Gene smiled, holding her
close as he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips.
Strong arms folded her to him, and she relished the firmness of his lips
on hers, the soft moist talented tongue slipping past to dance with hers in
their merged mouths.
"Mnn
how close?"
"Sorry
to bug you Gene," came Steve's voice from up front. "But UCLA's just
up ahead… where do you want me to drop you off?"
"Well
Terri, where's your friend's office?" he asked.
"Dept
of Chemistry… science building I think," she said, holding up a card from
her purse.
"Want
me to come?' Gene asked.
"Not
now," she winked at him. "But
later…"
Gene
kissed her deeply, and insisted on walking her up to the front door. When he
was satisfied she was all right, he returned reluctantly to the limo.
******************************************************************
Gene
returned home, sighing as he mulled over the events of that day. He wished he could take Terri with him and
go to some place where nobody had heard of him. Some desert island. Why
not? He could, but he had the band and his own job to do. Perhaps when this was all over he could…
Steve
pulled up to the house, and Gene climbed out.
He turned to give last instructions, "Do me a favor and go back to
the university. When Terri comes out,
bring her right home, okay?"
"Gotcha
Gene…"
"Thanks,"
he nodded. "See you later…"
Nodding,
Steve pulled out of the driveway and drove off. Gene strode up the walkway to his home, and saw that the police
had taken their samples. He took a
glance at the message, curling his lip in disgust.
"One
sick bitch," Gene shook his head, and slammed that door behind him, message
and all. The day left sweat thick on
his skin, and he hadn't had a chance to shower since last night. An urge to clean up came over him, and he
decided to go upstairs for a much-needed shower.
Gene
reached his bedroom, and unbuttoned his denim shirt, tossing it onto the
floor. He stripped away his leather
pants, dropping them over a chair.
Grabbing a robe he strode into the bathroom, momentarily stopping to
unfasten the necklace from around his neck, and slip his dragon ring off. Both pieces of jewelry he placed carefully
next to his watch on the dresser.
He
left the window open on the balcony of his master bedroom, to let in some fresh
air. A tree with its branches rattled
in a gentle puff of wind. Gene
disappeared into the bathroom, starting the shower.
************************************************************************
Brenda sat perched in her car across the street from Gene’s house, wondering if anyone was home. She could see 2 of his cars, but no movement inside. From her position, she could faintly see the remnants of her bloody writing on the front door. She had been there most of the day, watching the house…wondering if Gene had seen her message. Nervously she fingered the shirt, almost wearing parts of it to a frazzle as she tried to figure out what to do. She really wanted to go to him, but knowing that woman was there, she knew that he would pretend not to want her around. She began to give up; she was getting tired of just watching, when she spotted a limo pull into the driveway. She got out of the car and ran across the street and hid in the thick brush just outside the gate. She watched as she saw Gene get out of the limo and walk into the house…. Alone.
My Demon does love me… .he got my message, and he got rid of
her…. ‘
Happiness overwhelming her, she ran back to her car to go home, but stopped. Something was pulling her back to the house, her undying need to be near her Demon. She quietly made her way around the house, using open spaces through the fence that she had discovered on her many trips to his home before. When she reached his bedroom window, she paused…carefully looking inside to see if he was there. She began to leave, so she could investigate the rest of the house, when she heard the faint sound of water running. Finding the window open, she knew it was a sign from her Demon to come in and be with him.
Stepping inside the open window, she made her way to the bathroom where she slowly opened the door. There, she saw Gene standing in the shower. Steam filled the room, but she could still make out his massive form in the unforgiving glass of the door. She leaned against the doorframe and sighed, wanting so much to go to him, like she knew he wanted her too, but she knew that it was just too soon. She knew that he still had HER on his mind…..
‘ Soon, My Demon…. I will come to you again, to erase you mind and heart of that gold digging, cold hearted bitch…be patient…please ‘
She had to let him know she had been here, that she had been close, but how? She grinned as she took her blood red lipstick out of her purse. She took it and went to the mirror on his dresser and wrote a message for him, knowing he would understand and forgive her for not staying and making love to him. She turned to leave, when she saw his dragon ring sitting on the dresser. She loved that ring so much, a symbol of his true inner being. She took the ring and put it on, feeling the coolness of it as it slid on to her finger. She felt it belonged there, just as much as her Demon belonged with her. When she heard the water turn off, she dashed out the window and around the house back to her car, where she finally decided to drive home…
*******************************************************************
As
Gene scrubbed himself down in the shower, his thoughts moved back to four
months ago. Hot steam rose around him,
and it carried the scent of the rose soaps that reminded him so much of
her. Sometimes he liked to use her Bath
and Body works shower gel, just to have a portion of her with him when he
didn't get the chance to spend time with her.
Even though he knew he'd see her tonight, Gene wanted her presence with
him, to know she was safe.
"Mmn,"
he moaned, filling his mind with thoughts of her. His mind traveled back in time to that fateful week as he traced
the soft loofa over his sweaty skin.
Back when Paul had first rushed out of the midweek rehearsal to answer
that urgent phone call, leaving them all nonplussed. By then the girls including Terri were fast asleep. Gene took a moment to steal over and check
on them as they slept. His eyes alone
caressed her soft clear olive complexion much the same shade as his, her black
hair tinged with mahogany highlights curled around her smooth cheeks. Dark eyelashes were fast shut, and Gene
gently pulled off her glasses and lay them beside her. Out of her shirt slipped a gold rose pendant
with a diamond caught up in its petals.
It looked serious, Gene thought, with regret.
What
did he care about Paul's affairs? A
lot, Gene told himself. He remembered
Paul's anguished story about their first night of passion, how Terri had left
him for work. Telling herself and him
she was content with a one nightstand, but how Paul had felt he wanted more of
her uniqueness and gentle love.
Gene
remembered how he had told Paul, "Well go find her, you dope! You say she lost her badge? Well take it to her already!"
So
Paul had taken Gene's advice and sought out her place of employment. For the next two days Paul said he was
"on leave." Till the call
came for the rehearsal, and he returned, bringing a shy but attractive woman in
KISS T-shirt and comfortable jeans. Gene
couldn't help noticing the sad look in the beautiful eyes. They were soft brown, much like his
own. Why was she sad, Gene had asked
himself? When she was with a man that
most KISS fans would die to spend one minute with.
How
frail and vulnerable she was at the moment when she went faint for lack of
sugar, and he'd rushed to get her a Coke as quickly as he could. Paul hovered over her, but Gene had wanted
to take her hand and tell her not to worry.
That it was no big deal that she "interrupted" their
rehearsal. She took things so
seriously. How intently she'd watched
them all, singing along to their music, and fallen asleep unaware of the call
Paul had taken.
After
a half-hour Paul had rushed back into the studio, rapidly packing his
belongings. Peter and Ace had looked
concerned, almost guessing what had happened.
"What's
wrong," Gene had asked.
"Shit,
what am I gonna do," Paul shook his head.
Gene indicated the sleeping girls, and Paul yanked Gene into the
hallway, bursting with some urgent development.
"What's
got you so freaked?" Gene asked.
"Who called you at this time of night?"
"It
was Pam…" Paul blurted out.
"The doctor called me from Mercy General in New York City… they
said she was in a horrible car accident, and she was moaning for me. She's in a coma… and they aren't' sure if
she'll live…"
"Aw
shit this is perfect," Gene groaned, slapping his forehead.
"She
needs me Gene. I've gotta go…"
"But
what about that gal Terri that you're sweet on?" Gene had demanded. "You can't just walk out of here
tonight and leave her here…"
"No
I can't," Paul shook his head.
"But Pam needs me! If she's
asking for me… there could be a chance she still…"
"Paul,
what are you thinking? You know how she
did you wrong! Why are you even
bothering to go back…"
"Gene…
dammit! I can't just leave her!"
"And
you can walk away from a girl who worships the ground you walk on, for one who
doesn't give a shit?" Gene exploded at him. "Are you fucking crazy?"
Paul
bit his lip, and put a hand over his face, rubbing it, "I don't expect you
to understand Gene. You've never loved
a woman in your life…"
"How
the hell do you know?" Gene wanted to say, but stopped himself. "Look, can't you just wait to leave
till tomorrow? What are you gonna tell
Terri? Are you in love with her?"
"I…
don't know… I'm so confused. She's so
sweet, and cares for me. But I just
feel like she wants more then I can give…"
"Paul,
did you ask her what she wanted?"
"No
way!" Paul groaned. "You
can't just ask a woman straight out or they'll get suspicious!"
"That's
bull," Gene muttered. "Look,
you owe her some explanation…"
"Yeah
I do. I'm gonna leave her a note and
let her know I had a family emergency.
She'll understand that us rock stars have crazy schedules… then when
Pam's better I'll come back… and we can talk…"
"Paul…"
Gene sighed. "Okay, whatever. Just remember we have a show to do in LA… in
a week…"
"I
know Gene. Look, let Doc know I'm gonna
be a few days. I'll try to be back
Friday…"
"What's
Terri's address," Gene asked, pulling out his planner.
"Why
do you need to know her address?" Paul asked.
"Just
in case," Gene said. Paul
scribbled it down on Gene's planner, and rushed back into the room.
"Paul,
be careful. Terri's stuck on you."
"It'll
be okay, Gene," Paul threw up his hand.
"What
if your 'friend' needs you more?" Gene growled.
"Just
let me handle this okay?" Paul urged, slamming the door.
Gene
frowned and walked away, shaking his head.
Anger boiled in his stomach, fast and furious. That girl was on the edge of a fall, if Pam wanted Paul
back. Yet he caught himself, asking why
he should care about Paul's affairs.
"Because
of the girl," Gene muttered. "She doesn't deserve that ride…"
Peter
Criss had wandered out into the hall to see where Gene and Paul had gone, and
nudged Gene's arm, "Hey, Gene, what's shaking? What's with Paul?"
"Pete,"
Gene muttered, turnign to face him.
"Why don't you and I talk about it over a beer back at the
hotel?"
"Sure,"
peter had agreed.
Back
at the hotel, Peter sipped a Heineken while Gene nursed a glass of iced
tea. Slowly he stirred the sugar into
the dark liquid, his dark eyes staring pensively into the depths of it.
"You
trying to see your fortune in that?" Peter asked.
"That's
a bunch of crap," Gene chuckled back.
"So
what's the real reason for this little chat?" Peter asked. "And don't tell me it's just cause you
and I needed a man to man… something's got up your ass about Paul, hasn't
it?"
"What
are you talking about?"
"Bullshit
Gene, don't get me started. Ace and I
saw how pissed you looked when you were standing in the hall. Is it something to do with Paul's phone
call?"
"His
ex called, Pete," Gene said, sipping his tea.
"Aw
man," Peter groaned, clicking his tongue.
"I thought he was sweet on that Terri girl…"
"So
did I," Gene said, folding arms across his chest. "What really pisses me off is that he
was all set to run away and be with his ex and just leave this broad high and
dry with no explanation! How could
he?"
"You
guys have done it in the past," Peter pointed out.
"Yeah,
on the road. But Terri's not a
groupie. She's a talented woman. Far better then for the likes of that
shit…"
"Gene,
why are you so hot about this?" Peter asked. "I mean she's Paul's girl, and Paul's problem…"
"Terri's
not a problem," Gene said slowly.
"Since
when did you care about Paul's affairs unless…" Peter wondered, then
trailed off as he slipped into thought.
He took another swig of beer, and a slow smile came over his face.
"Unless
what?" Gene asked.
"You're
stuck on Terri, aren't you?"
"What
are you talking about…" Gene blurted out.
"Don't
BS me Gene. This isn't' the first time
this has happened. I've known you too
many years for you to put one over on this cat!"
"Can
I help being concerned?" Gene said defensively. "This girl's all stuck on Paul, and he's wrapped up in the
past! What happens to her if hubby and
ex mend the fences?"
"Gene,
Gene, Gene," Peter laughed, shaking his head. "You know the answer to that, man!"
"Shit,
and that's what's pissing me the fuck off," Gene slammed down his
glass. "She's a sweet dame. This will rip her apart. She doesn’t' need to be jerked around… she
needs someone who is gonna level with her… someone who…"
"Someone
like you, Gene?" Peter raised an eyebrow.
Gene felt embarrassed that he had been found out.
"Well…
I do worry about her," he admitted.
"Then
tell her how you feel," Peter said, pushing his glass aside. Another beer appeared at his elbow.
"Why are you keeping this bottled up?"
"Because
of Romeo, that's why. How can I tell
the girl how I feel, when she's got her eyes full of him?"
"Gene,
say something before you drive me nuts," Peter groaned. "This is really cramping your
style…"
"A
girl like her wants a man who's gonna romance her. Give her flowers and chocolate and undying sweet tenderness. I've seen the girls that fall for Paul. They don't want the Demon… the bad boy. Even if it's a secret desire, she's too
stuck on the idea to want to be naughty…"
"How
do you know?" Peter asked.
"Seems to me she should tell you that herself. When it comes to women, assume
nothing…"
"Really?"
Gene leveled his gaze.
"How
do you think I've stayed married to Gigi?" Peter asked him. "It's a thing called communication, you
know…"
"Yeah,
all that touchy feely stuff," Gene snorted.
"Hey,
it doesn't hurt. And anyway, you're
honest. You aren't a smooth operator,
but you're honest. A lot of women dig
that. Plus she looks like the kind of girl who might like a little
misbehaving. I know straight-laced ones
like she looks and they deep down inside love bad boys. Why else do you think she's in for KISS
anyway?'
"I
know it seems whacked," Gene admitted.
"But this girl, Terri I can't get her out of my mind. I want to protect her, help her. She's got a hell of a lot of talent, a damn
nice face, and those eyes are killer.
Not to mention she's got a nice body too…"
"You
always liked the larger women…"
"Hey
the bigger the cushion, the better the pushin," Gene threw up a hand.
"Uh
huh," Peter nodded. "So tell
her. What have you got to loose?"
Gene
fingered his chin, and stared into the mirror over the bar thoughtfully. It might just work, if Paul did want to stay
with Pam. Terri of course would need a
shoulder to cry on, and who better then a sympathetic friend. And then, who could tell what might develop.
Gene's
mind whirled back to the present, and he gave a slow smile of
satisfaction. Soapsuds trickled down
his legs and spiraled into the drain.
He remembered the first time her lips had touched his, and how sweet
they tasted. Gentle and soft as her tongue
had moved with his in an intricate dance that flushed him with hot fire. How he'd relished the softness of her sturdy
soft body pressed to his, in his arms.
The smooth tightness of her surrounding him, although he had known she'd
been with Paul, it had felt delicious to have her on his lap, her dark eyes
fixed with desire into his own. Every
bit of pleasure he had given her that first time, to expunge the anger and
sorrow she felt. Wanting to kiss away
each bad memory and let her know someone cared for her, wanted to be with
her. He'd seen the look deep in her
eyes, bonded as close as a man and woman could be, of her passion. Gene had sex with enough women over the years
to know the looks they gave him in the throws of lovemaking. This was one in a million. There was a hunger to be loved, and give
love present in her eyes. A need that
mirrored his own to give and receive.
Without expecting any more then what Gene had to give.
His
desire grew, and he moaned at the rush of blood southward toward his
loins. Slowly he slipped his hand over
the erection that grew stiff and tall in his hands. He would have preferred to feel her small strong hands gripping
and working him with their expert touch.
How she balanced the strong grasp with a velvet touch that drove him
wild. It didn't matter to him that it
wasn't her soft moist mouth. At that
moment he could transpose the memory of her luscious tongue and lips sucking at
his own endowed tongue to the sensation of how it must feel to have her down on
him. A pity she was freaked with
blowjobs, he sighed. Although it didn't
diminish what she could do with her hands!
Such hands worked with a skill that rivaled his own on her body.
Softly
Gene moaned her name as he released his stiffened passion. Fast and furious he climbed to a pinnacle of
pleasure. It would be far better if she
was there to enjoy it with him, but he consoled himself that this was but a
rehearsal of tonight's activities.
Release came mercifully. Gene
rinsed away his excitement and the shampoo from his hair. He turned off the shower, and stepped onto
the waiting soft towel. Vigorously he
toweled his mane of curls off with another towel, grabbing his robe and
throwing it on. Was it his imagination,
or was it suddenly cold in the room that he entered. His towel was still over his face as he wandered over to the
dresser and pulled out clothes to put on.
He tossed them onto the bed, and began to dress. Leather pants and a black silk shirt made an
outfit that would drive her wild, along with the tall black boots that matched
the belt he fastened. He turned;
knowing what finishing touches would top off the outfit.
Reaching
for his watch and dagger necklace, he noticed something missing. Suddenly his eyes saw the strange mess on
the mirror, and his blood ran cold.
"Oh
shit…" he got out before he realized what it had said. His eyes traced back to the open window,
where a branch was tapping impatiently on the glass. Rushing over he slammed shut the window and locked it.
Quickly
he scanned the room, looking to see if anything was missing. There was his watch and dagger necklace
there, which he quickly slipped on. His
wallet was still in his other pants that he'd thrown down, and he quickly
shoved it into his front pants pocket.
"Where
the fuck is my ring?" he panicked, seeing it gone. Frantically he scanned the floor, in a vain
hope it had fallen on the floor.
His
eyes returned to the red message, done in what appeared to be red
lipstick. Quickly he rushed out and
grabbed a camera from the other room, and snapped pictures. He would get them
developed soon.
"You
just stepped over the line, bitch," Gene growled at the writing on the
mirror. It was the only
explanation. She had come into his
private home, into his own bedroom, and stolen his dragon ring. What else was she capable of? Was nothing sacred?
He
grabbed his cell phone and dialed a number scratched into his planner. Grimly
he tapped his foot, waiting for the familiar receptionist to come up.
"Hello? LAPD?
This is Gene Simmons. I want to
talk to Det. Florez. I want to report a
breaking and entering…"
***********************************************************
Later Terri stepped out of the building, glancing left and right. She saw a black limo pull up, and Steve hung his head out the window. "Hey! Gene sent me to come get you…"
"Hi Steve," she smiled. "Where's Gene?"
"Paul's invited you guys to dinner. Gene said to take you there…"
"But I thought…"
"He's already there by now. Hop in and I'll take you over!"
"Okay…" Terri nodded, and climbed into the limousine. Soon they streaked away from UCLA and towards Beverly Hills.
When they pulled up to the Mediterranean style villa, she saw the black convertible pulled up behind Paul's Porsche. Ace's DeLorian was still there, and she wondered just how Paul and Liz had coped with Ace and Christy as houseguests.
The door opened, and she saw Gene stride out wearing a long leather coat and that outfit that drove her wild. His arms were outstretched when he opened the limo door.
"Hey, how did it go, love?" he asked, helping her out.
"Very good," Terri nodded. "It'll take 24 hours for the sample to go through, but it's better then three months. Good thing my friend agreed to do this… since Det. Florez said it would take 3 months for SID to…"
Gene put a finger over her lips, silencing her. "Let's just forget about that for now. Paul's making us dinner…"
"I thought Paul and Liz wanted to be alone…"
"They insisted. And who am I to turn down a free meal from my best bud?" Gene winked. "Now, do you have a greeting for your main man?"
Terri grinned and leapt into his arms. Gene lifted her off her feet, and kissed her tenderly at first, then deepened the kiss as he held her close in his strong arms. Steve pulled a bag out of the trunk of the limo, and put Terri's crutches down at her side. Gene released her long enough to pick them up and help her to the door with one arm around her waist as she took the crutches in her hand.
"Mm," she murmured with a smile. "Nice… what's the occasion…"
"Seeing you again," Gene smiled, stroking his hand over her backside. Liz opened the door and moved out to greet the couple.
********************************************************
Paul rushed to get the bread out of the oven while the pasta steamed. Liz tossed a huge Greek salad in the opposite counter. Around the kitchen table Gene and Terri relaxed, Gene with a glass of Fresca, and Terri sipping Merlot. Already she began to feel the buzz at work. Gene held up a mozzarella cheese stick dipped in sauce to her. Leaning over she bit off a piece and licked the sauce off his fingers.
"So you guys went to the police, right?" Paul asked, stirring the sauce.
"You bet. It'll take 24 hours for the DNA test to come through," Terri explained. "If I waited for SID to do it, it'd take 3 months… they're so backed up…"
"Thank goodness you’re a scientist, eh?" Liz nodded.
"Here, taste this," Paul said, holding a spoonful of sauce up to Liz' lips as she turned. She nibbled a bit and shut her eyes in bliss.
"Excellent! Can I kiss the cook?"
"Go right ahead," Paul laughed, drawing her to him and kissing her gently. Both wore white aprons, their sleeves rolled up. Except Paul wore a sleeveless tank top and leather pants. His curly hair was held back in a white bandanna out of his face. They both looked so comfortable together one would think they had been a couple for years.
Terri sipped back another shot of wine, and leaned on Gene's shoulder. He lay his arm over her, resting his one hand on her left as he regarded Paul and Liz. A huge bowl of salad plunked on the table, with bowls for each of them.
Just then Ace and Christy joined them. Christy had her Ace solo album T-shirt, while Ace had a Josie and the Pussycats T-shirt along with faded comfortable pants.
"Hey, got room for this Space Pioneer?"
"You're almost late for Dinner, Ace," Gene joked. "Some things never change…"
"You mind if we join you?" Christy asked.
"Go right ahead, there's plenty for all!" Paul clapped his hands. "Now, who's ready to Mange?"
"I am!" Ace cackled, settling in beside Christy. Liz sat at the foot while Paul sat at the head. He first plunked the sauce and bowl of steaming pasta on the table. Liz popped the garlic bread into a basket and rejoined them.
"Okay… let's dig in!" Ace cackled. Paul portioned out pasta while people started on their salad. Gene and Terri ate heartily, while Ace devoured his whole plate in less than two minutes. Laughter and words were exchanged as the three couples forgot their troubles. Terri reached under the table at one point, gently squeezing Gene's leather clad thigh. He looked up briefly from his mouthful, and gave her a slow sexy wink.
"Are you two holding up okay?" Liz asked them.
"As well as can be expected," Terri answered. She felt a hand shift hers further up on his thigh.
"Thanks for letting us drop by," Gene nodded.
"Hey, anytime," Paul smiled, biting into a breadstick. "What are buds for?"
"Good cooking!" Ace cut in with a grin. Christy gave him a playful kick under the table. Terri began to forget what had happened before, as the conversation swirled in her head with a healthy buzz of food and drink.
"Okay with you ladies if Gene and I relax in the studio? We had some new tunes we were gonna try…" Paul asked.
"Sure, go ahead…"
"Wanna sit in ace?" Gene asked.
"Nope, I'll join ya later. I'm still hungry…" Ace said through a mouthful of pasta. Gene and Paul grinned, and nudged their girlfriend's shoulders before they left the kitchen. By now Ace was on his third plate of spaghetti. Liz already started to clean up, and Terri leapt up to help her.
"Hey don't bother…"
"But I want to…"
"Leave it to me, the hostess. Sit down or I'll have Gene come in and make you!" Liz scolded, pushing Terri down.
"Better listen to what she says," Christy joked.
"I was wondering what you and Ace did with all the peanut butter and jelly…" Terri asked.
Ace and Christy exchanged a look, smolder passing between them in a slow smile. "Wanna know?" Ace cackled.
"Yeah… do tell," Liz grinned, leaning over Ace's chair to listen.
"Well… it's like this," Ace said slowly. He leaned over to Christy, and whispered, "I'm the peanut butter…"
"And I'm the jelly," she whispered back, winking. Ace pulled her onto his lap and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips.
"Ace, you written any music?" Terri bumped his arm.
"Nope… this Space Ace has been perfecting his reentry and docking…" he winked at Christy, who blushed.
"Any interplanetary relations?" Terri joked.
"Just a two way dialogue in alien sex techniques…" Ace winked. "How about you and the Demon? Worshipping the God of Thunder? Has he made you give up your virgin soul?"
"Funny," Terri smacked his shoulder. "What makes you think I was a virgin before I met him?"
"Well," Ace began, before Christy cut him off with a kiss.
From the distance came the sounds of two guitars picking their way through the air. Liz and Terri looked at each other thoughtfully. "Sounds like they're having creative differences again…" Liz grinned.
"Wanna play a joke on em?" Terri asked.
"Sure…"
"Here's what we'll do…"
****************************
They stole into the studio, where Paul and Gene jammed. Terri's mouth dropped open at the sight of the walls festooned with all of Paul's guitars. There were so many it blew her away. Now Paul and Gene both sat on stools plugged into the amplifiers while they picked their way through a new song. Gene was commenting on Paul's latest progression, while Paul argued over a transition. Slowly Liz and Terri walked behind each, with a mischievous grin on their faces. This would be fun. Oblivious to what was about to happen, Paul and Gene continued to interlace their melodies into a seamless whole. Gene played guitar instead of base, giving Paul a run for his proverbial money. Sweat poured down each man's brow, their fingers pushing into the frets of their instruments with force.
Slowly Liz leaned over and blew into Paul's ear, slipping her arms under his and reaching into his shirt. Her fingers played with his chest hair, lightly stroking. Meanwhile Terri leaned over, rubbing Gene's shoulders through his shirt. Gene leaned back, moaning slightly at the soothing touch. Lightly Terri stroked her tongue down Gene's ear, moving his dark hair aside.
Both men glanced at each other with mischievous grins on their faces. This was getting interesting. They kept right on playing as if nothing was happening. Terri raised an eyebrow, and moved in front of Gene. Very slowly she began to undo the top buttons of her blouse. Liz suppressed a laugh, and moved in front of Paul. Gene raised an eyebrow and looked down again. Slowly Liz turned, pushing her skirt down a bit so Paul could see an expanse of creamy white skin on her back. She rolled her hips, and then placed a leg on his knee, pulling up her skirt a notch.
Terri finished unbuttoning her blouse, and let it drop from her shoulders lightly. She slipped down one bra strap, and leaned in close to Gene. Inches from his face she breathed lightly, blowing his hair from his sweaty face.
Liz leaned forwards, and then moved around to Paul's back. She slid her arms down around his back, and pushed aside the strap of his tank top. Her fingers wandered down his shirt, playing with his chest hair. Paul suppressed a moan of delight as her hands worked south. Terri spun about, and straddled Gene's knee, lightly running a finger down the bridge of his guitar. His gaze met hers, and she winked, flicking her hair in his face.
Gritting his teeth Paul struggled not to respond. He wanted Liz to tease him till he couldn’t' stand it anymore. Very slowly she pulled her hand out of his shirt, and slipped her hands down to his belt. Slowly she began to work her hand into it, and rubbed her hand over his growing excitement. Paul let out a low moan, loosing his place in the music.
Gene pushed his guitar to his back, reaching for Terri. However, she undid her skirt, and let it drop as she stood up. With a glance to Liz, she nodded towards the door. Liz let her spaghetti strap dress fall to the floor at Paul's feet, giving him an eyeful of her new underwear. Suddenly Paul stood up, stepping toward her. Liz shook a finger at Paul, while Terri pushed Gene back with one hand.
Just then Liz and Terri rushed out of the room, brushing past the two men. "C'mon and love us!" they shouted.
"What?" Paul wondered.
"Don't just stand there let's get them!" Gene laughed, and tossed his guitar into a rack. Paul grinned as he realized what was going on.
*****************************************************************
They almost tripped over Ace and Christy making out at the table. "Hey!" Ace shouted while the two girls picked themselves up.
"Christy, c'mon and join the fun!"
"What's the game?"
"Tag! And Ace is it!" Terri laughed, slapping his back. Ace cackled as he rushed after them, tripping over the table.
Just then Ace almost banged into Gene and Paul who were hot on the ladies trail. "C'mon, don't just sit there, Ace!" Paul laughed, pulling him to his feet. They rushed out back where the women were strutting around the pool playfully. Paul darted toward Liz, who ducked around an umbrella table. Gene moved toward Terri, who rushed off across the lawn. Ace went after Christi, who had just taken off her top and thrown it at him. Her skirt was soon to follow.
"Man, this is out there!" Ace laughed, rushing toward Christy. She dodged out of the way, and Ace slipped on the edge of the pool. Arms flailing he toppled in with a mighty splash.
"Hey!"
"One down two to go!" Christy laughed, drawing a tally mark in the air.
"Naughty girl!" Paul laughed, and shoved Christy into the pool while she wasn't looking. While her attention was focussed on Paul, Liz didn't' notice Gene sneaking up on her. He grabbed her, fingers poking into her ribs mercilessly.
"Hey! Stop!" she shrieked with laughter as Gene continued to tickle her bare sides.
"Aha!" Paul grinned, and moved to help Gene. But Terri leapt on him, wrestling Paul playfully by the poolside. As they wrestled, Paul backed Terri toward the pool. Ace reached up, winking at Paul and snagged Terri's foot. Paul broke her hold and she tumbled backwards with a huge splash.
Suddenly Paul felt a wet eruption in his back and turned to see Christy with a large super soaker gun aimed at him. He let out a yelp of surprise.
"You little…" he laughed.
"Hey, take care of this for me," Gene said, hauling a laughing Liz to Paul, and shoving her gently into Paul's hands. Mischievously Paul grabbed her and dragged her toward the grass.
"Oh no!" Liz laughed as Paul began to tickle her bare body. She screamed with glee when he pinned her to the grass under his thighs, running his hands up and down her body.
Meanwhile Christi had moved to the shallow end of the pool, training her gun on Gene. He gave a wicked grin, and dodged her shot. Ace grabbed Terri from behind, dunking her as he grabbed her.
Gene leapt, and plucked Christy out of the pool, tossing the spraygun to Paul. His fingers tickled Christy, who shrieked this time. "Ace, help!"
"Trade ya Gene!" Ace shouted, pushing Terri before him. Terri grinned, pretending to acquiesce. She pressed a kiss to Ace's cheek, turning in his grasp. He was so shocked she managed to worm out of his grasp and swim toward Gene.
"Hey, no fair!" Gene growled playfully.
"I got away, didn't I?" she laughed, and climbed out of the pool. Gene grabbed her hand, and gave Christy a shove. She landed in the pool, by Ace who had his arms out to her.
"You forgot to take your clothes off to swim, silly!" she laughed, pulling at Ace's soaking T-shirt and jeans. Quickly she began to strip them off, and throw them into the bushes. Ace grinned happily, splashing as he treaded water.
"Hey, I was occupied!"
"NO excuse!" Christy laughed.
Liz reached up to Paul, tickling his ribs while she pushed his shirt up. Paul whooped, pinning her arms playfully as he grinned, "Now… that was very naughty. You know what I do to naughty girls?"
"What?"
"This…" Paul whispered, and leaned over to kiss her. He settled on her hips with a satisfied grunt, pinning her as he seated himself comfortably. Suddenly he felt her hand tracing up his inner thigh and jumped. Liz tossed him off, and rolled over till she pinned him down. Slowly she rocked her hips, moving over his growing excitement. Her fingers pushed his shirt off, and pinned him down as she kissed him deeply. Paul moaned deeply under her. Reaching under her hips she unbuckled his pants and unzipped them slowly.
"Ohh… now you're playing dirty," he grinned.
"Not yet.." she laughed, and pulled off her underwear. Reaching in she started to massage him, before slowly settling on his waiting excitement. Paul groaned when she slipped herself onto him torturously slow. Her hips rocked, shoving her deeply inside.
"Oh god!" he got out.
Everyone heard their cries, feeling their arousal heighten. Gene grasped Terri, pulling her to him for a long kiss, his hands moving up and down her bare back. She pushed him away when he slipped his hands to unfasten her bra. Slowly she undid each hook, and let the material fall away. Her underwear dropped around her ankles. Rolling her shoulders she stood before Gene in full nude glory. Slowly she reached for his shirt, unbuttoning it quickly, then ripping it aside. Next she unfastened his pants, kissing a path down to his bare belly. He gasped when she tugged them down, and he stood much like her.
Ace moaned when Christy pulled off his underwear from beneath the water. Her hands moved up and down his bare legs and butt. He treaded water when she moved before him, wrapping her legs around his waist. They swam into the deep end, Ace pulling her along with him. A wink came over his face as he whispered, "Hold on…"
Christy did just that, lips closing over his while Ace wrapped his arms around her. Suddenly she felt the water close over her head while they sank like stones. When Ace's long legs hit bottom, he pushed himself into her, and thrust up with his feet. On the way up to the surface the force drove him deeply into Christy. She screamed her delight into his mouth. Both broke the surface gasping as Ace rocked his hips, struggling to tread water. Again he pulled her down, sinking beneath the surface once more with her in his grasp.
Liz and Paul rolled over in the dew-wet grass, bodies intertwined. Their cries of passion increased to fever pitch when Paul rolled on top of Liz. "C'mon baby, fuck me!" Paul shouted at the top of his lungs.
Gene grabbed Terri, leaping into the pool with her. He wrapped her legs around his waist, as she buried her lips into his. He swam toward the pool ladder, but Terri pulled away from him before he reached it. She was halfway to the pool steps, running out of the water with Gene close behind her.
"Do you want me?" she laughed breathlessly.
"Gotcha!" Gene laughed, grabbing her arm. He swept her up, and she smiled, when he carried her to a deck chair and lay her down. Slowly he climbed on top of her, and she lowered him into her waiting depths. He relished the feel as he plunged deep within, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Their lips merged in a hot kiss, Gene thrusting deeply inside as she moved with him. Cries of passion filled the air as everyone reached their own heights of bliss in Paul's backyard.
****************************************************************
*****************************************************************
Later, Ace floated on one of those floating chairs in the pool, with Christy curled up over him. They had Ace's towel draped over them both. Paul and Liz sat in the grass, giving each other backrubs while Gene and Terri reclined on the deckchair together.
Terri gave Gene a gentle kiss, and he woke from his nap with a smile. Softly he whispered, "Hey sexy lady…"
"Hey yourself…" she laughed.
"Man, that was wicked," Paul whispered at Liz. Still they sat, Paul with a towel wrapped around him, and Liz wearing his tank top shirt.
"I know… but you had a blast, right?" she winked.
"Definitely the best fun I've had in a while," Gene opened an eye and snuggled closer to Terri.
"Man, I'm definitely not coming down from orbit after a rocket ride like that!" Ace cackled wearily from the pool. Christy wore his Josie and the Pussycat's T-shirt, while Ace had put his underwear back on. Only Gene and Terri were still in their birthday suits, nestled under a large beach towel to keep the chilly night air off them.
Liz felt Paul pull her to her feet, and nod in the direction of the house. "See you later kids! Have fun!" he laughed.
Ace and Christy looked at each other, and then drifted to the edge of the pool. Slowly they got out, and wandered over to the pool house hand in hand. They entered the sauna, giggling as they shut the door behind them. Gene and Terri waited and watched, then regarded each other again.
"So… you want to get something to eat?" she asked, sitting up and letting the towel fall from her shoulders. "I'm starved…"
"Hmm sounds great," Gene nodded. She managed to stand, pulling him up. He picked her up in his arms and carried her carefully to the house. Their clothes they had rescued and put over Gene's arm. In the chill of night they entered the warm villa, moving toward the sitting room. Already a fire had been built, and the television had been left on. Gene set Terri down on the sofa, and perched beside her. She seemed so comfortable now with him; she wasn't even phased that she had not even a stitch of clothes on her body.
"Looks like Paul and Liz left in a hurry…" Gene said, pointing to the robe draped over the chair. He passed it to Terri, who slipped it on. He took the towel, and hitched it around his waist, mentioning that it was still chilly.
"Look, Nosferatu is on," Terri pointed to the TV.
"Good, I'll get us some munchies," Gene nodded, wandering into the kitchen. He returned with a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies, still chewy and slightly crisp on the outside, and two glasses of milk.
He pulled her to lean across his knee as he reclined there, resting the food on the coffee table. For the rest of the night they watched in silence, basking in the afterglow of well being. Soon Terri was fast asleep, and Gene carried her gently upstairs to their guestroom for a much-needed rest.
**********************************************************************
Paul murmured and turned over in the morning, feeling a warm breathing woman in his arms. With a smile he snuggled her closer, pressing a kiss to her warm soft lips. A soft exhalation came in response and his dark eyes fixed into blue ones, which smiled.
"Hey, what's going on in that pretty head of yours, sexy lady?" he cooed.
"Hmm... Just how nice it feels to wake up in your arms, Paul," Liz whispered back.
"Want some coffee?" he asked, stroking her soft blond locks.
"Sure, love some…" she smiled, watching as Paul slipped out from under the sheets and grabbed a pair of black silk boxers to throw on.
She fingered the gold rose pendant that fell around her neck, and peered at the diamond caught in its petals. Such a lovely pendant it seemed, and he had given it to her only a few days ago. IT meant the world to her, and she never could bear to take it off.
**************************************************************
A few minutes later, Gene slowly arose at the sound of knocking at his door. He blinked at the alarm clock and noticed it was close to noon. "Damn, I was really out," he muttered. Terri soon stirred, feeling Gene move beside her. "Hey," she whispered.
"Paul's let us sleep in," Gene laughed. "Think he's mellowed…"
"Gene… where is your ring?"
"What, sweetie?" Gene asked.
Just then there was a light knock on the door, and Gene breathed a silent thank you to fate for this timely intervention. They heard Paul's muffled voice calling out, "Anybody want coffee?"
"Yeah!" Gene shouted. "Nice and black!!!"
"Gotcha! Here or downstairs?"
"Whatever's easier for you pal!" Gene called. He took Terri's hands, asking, "You want to go down now, or stay up here a little more?"
"I think it wouldn’t hurt to join the land of the living," she smiled, stretching. Gene handed her the silk Victoria secret robe, draping it over her. Something slipped out of the pocket and fell onto the floor with a thud.
"What on earth…"
Gene picked up the small velvet box, flat and the size of a pack of cigarettes. With a slow smile he presented it to her. Tentatively she took it, her heart pounding hard in her chest. He urged her to open it, so she swung the lid up to see a flash of gold meet her eyes in the morning light. Nestled in blue velvet were a line of clear diamonds interspersed with rubies.
"Oh lord… you didn't…"she gasped, pulling out a ruby and diamond tennis bracelet.
"You like?" Gene asked.
"Oh god… it's beautiful! Put it on me?"
Gene slowly took it from her and unlatched the clasp. He pulled her wrist and put the bracelet on her left arm, clicking the clasp in place.
**************************************************************
When Terri and Gene returned to the house, Gene seemed anxious about something. But he was covering his nerves well, she thought. He quickly helped her out of the car, and tugged her along with his arm around his waist toward the front door. Momentarily he stopped to unlock it, and help her inside.
"Gene, what's the hurry?"
"I just want you to myself," he whispered in her ear, and slammed the door behind her. He locked it with both deadbolts and the chain.
"Why don't we take care of this stuff later," Terri asked, grabbing his hand, as he was about to carry it upstairs.
"Hmm," Gene fingered his chin, and saw the desire in her eyes. She wrapped both arms around his neck. Lightly he lifted her, as if she were a small child, and carried her upstairs to his bedroom. Once inside, Gene set her on the bed, and pulled off his coat. Leaning over, he pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
"Mm," Terri whispered, and felt his hands working over her back. She suddenly caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. Lightly Gene took her hand in his; pressing soft kisses up her arm.
"Gene… where is your ring?' she asked, noticing it was gone. Not only that, but it wasn't in the small jewelry tray on his vanity.
"Why do you ask?" he wondered, glancing straight into her questioning gaze.
"It's just you wear it so often, and I wondered if you'd misplaced it or put it somewhere safe…"
"It's not important now," Gene hastily answered.
"Why not?"
"Don't ask me okay?" he implored. "I just lost it… that's all… but I don't care about it now…"
"Gene… you told me it was your favorite… what is going on…"
With a sigh he pulled away, and turned to stare at the mirror pensively. He glanced over his shoulder at her and said, "Please… can we talk about something else?"
"Gene, what's wrong?" Terri asked, slipping an arm around his waist as she hugged him from behind.
"I just don't want to talk about it, okay?" came his answer. "Just drop it…"
Terri backed away, confused by Gene's sudden distance. Peering over his shoulder she noticed a red stain on the mirror.
"What the hell is this?" she asked, wiping at it with her finger. An oily substance came away in her fingers, and she realized it was lipstick.
"It's nothing… the cleaning team was probably playing a joke…"
"No… I don't think so…" she said, backing away. "This is lipstick, Gene. Where did it come from? Someone else was here, weren't they, while I was gone…"
"Terri it isn't what you think… I've been with you… just you this whole time…"
"No… that's not what I mean Gene!" she snapped. Everything started to add up in her mind, and it made sense why his ring had been missing. "Level with me… please! You didn't lose your ring, did you? I think someone stole it… and whoever did left you a message on this mirror…"
"Terri…" Gene pleaded, begging her not to continue.
"Isn't that what really happened?" she demanded, voice rising in volume. "Answer me!"
Gene said nothing, staring past her in defeated silence. He shoved hands into his pockets, and turned away.
"Why the hell didn't you tell me?" she shouted.
"I didn't want to upset you, okay?" Gene shouted back, whirling on her.
"Damn it Gene, what happened to honesty? To being in this together? Someone breaks into this place, steals something precious to you, and you don't tell me because you're afraid I can't handle it?"
"I was only trying to protect you!" Gene protested weakly. "Can't you see that this is killing me to see you like this? Doesn't that mean anything?"
"If you and I are together…" she breathed, anger flooding her. "Then you have to be honest! You said for me to trust you and tell you whenever I had a problem! Can't you give me the same consideration at least? I may not be rich and famous… but I have feelings…"
Gene opened his mouth to spit something out; finger all set to wave at her when the phone shrilled into their conversation. Growling he stormed off to answer it. Terri's face flushed and she turned away, fists clenching she was so angry. How could he hide something so important from her? Out of love yes, which was very sweet, but right now she was too furious to care.
"Who is this?" Gene asked. He listened for a minute, then came over with the phone to Terri, holding it out. "It's for you… it's the police. I think you might wanna hear what Det. Florez has to say…"
"Hello?' Terri asked, taking the phone from him.
"Det. Florez here, Ms. Mason. I just wanted you to know we arrested a suspect matching your description. We're holding her here in custody, and would like you to come out and see if you can positively identify her. Also the DNA test is done. We're going to take a blood sample to confirm it…"
"Oh god…"
"Her name is Brenda. She's as mad as hell… when can you come over?"
"Soon…" Terri stammered. A flood of relief mingled with disbelief, and she felt herself growing faint.
"Is it over?" Gene asked as she put the phone down and said goodbye.
"I… hope so… oh God I hope so…" Terri said, turning to him. "Gene… I'm sorry…"
"Shh…" Gene whispered, silencing her with a finger on her lips.
************************************************************
Brenda’s endless thoughts about Gene began to consume her whole world. Walking through her messy apartment, she meticulously tended to her shrine, adorned with faded pictures, a worn out Gene Simmons doll, and a multitude of bass pics. She lit her candle, and knelt in front of it, trying to summon up the courage to go back and visit her Demon again.
Through her endless meditation, she could swear she heard him speak to her…
That was all she needed to hear. She began to make her way out the door, but stopped. She needed something….just in case. Once she gathered it, she left for Gene’s house.
She pulled into a grassy area across the street from his house, and got out. She made her way to the gate and back around to the house. She wanted to surprise him, so she didn't make her presence known. She went around to the window of his bedroom, but this time, found it closed. She pushed on it, hoping to find it unlocked, but was unsuccessful. She grabbed a rock, and paused a moment, hoping this wouldn’t scare her Demon, before breaking the glass with it. Again, she paused….nothing. Relieved, she reached in and unlocked the window and made her way inside. She looked around, but saw no one, but then her ears caught the sound of music coming from the downstairs, which explains why he didn't hear her break the glass.
She walked around the room, pondering whether she should go and find him, when she heard the music stop. She quickly dropped her black bag, and ran to hide behind the door. While she was there, she noticed sticking out of a side table drawer was a pair of handcuffs. A devilish idea came into her mind as she scooped up the cuffs, and hid then inside her shirt pocket.
Patiently, she waited for her Demon to come to her. She had been waiting for so long to finally show him that she was the only one that could love him the way he needed to be loved. When he came into the bedroom, she stood silent for a moment, watching him while he was still oblivious to her presence. Finally, when she thought it was safe, she stepped out from behind the door. She didn't get a chance to say a word before Gene spotted her. His face went pale with fear and anger.
“What the hell…?” Gene began.
“Don’t be frightened, my love, its just me. I’m here to make sure you were all right.” Brenda said assuredly.
“You need to leave…NOW!” Gene demanded. “I will call the police…”
“Oh darling…I know you still are under the spell of that gold-digging little bitch….” She said, shaking her finger like a scolding mother. “That’s all right, I’m here now…I’ll take your mind off her.”
She took the handcuffs and held them up, grinning. “I see you were waiting for me too huh?” Gene looked at the handcuffs, realizing they were his trick cuffs, but he said nothing.
“Look, I’m giving you one last chance to get out” he said, heading for the phone; his patience now growing thin.
Brenda decided that Gene was just still too poisoned by Terri’s influence and needed a bit of persuasion. She reached into her bag that she brought from home, and pulled out a gun. When Gene saw what she had, he began to back away.
“Looks like I need to get my point across a little better…” she said, pointing the gun right at Gene. “Now, just do what I say and everything will work out just fine.”
“Now wait….we can work something out….you don’t need to…” Gene tried to talk his way out. Brenda wasn’t having any of it.
“We don’t have much time honey…” she began. “Get on the bed….”
Gene’s blood began to run cold as he realized what she had on her mind.
When Gene lay down on the bed, Brenda took the first pair of handcuffs she had found and handcuffed his arm to the bedpost. Now knowing that this might not hold him quite enough, she went back into her black bag and pulled out three more pairs. She used them to handcuff his other arm and both his legs. Now thoroughly satisfied with her new position over him, she smiled and leaned down to kiss him, but heard the sound of a door opening downstairs.
“Don’t say a word, my darling, I will get rid of them…” she said, heading toward the door with the gun.
Gene panicked…he was sure it was Terri, and didn't want her hurt. “Please don’t hurt anyone…you have me, no resistance…what if its Paul or Ace? You don’t want to hurt them do you?”
Brenda paused, she knew he was right, she wouldn’t want to hurt Paul or Ace, she loved them too. “Ok, let's see if they leave…I won't do anything.” She said, waiting by the door.
“GENE???? I’M HOME!!!” came a call from downstairs….it was Terri. Brenda felt herself begin to get enraged!
“What the hell is she doing here??” she said to Gene, trying to whisper as best she could.
“Please…lock the door, and she will go away…” Gene begged.
“GENE??? ARE YOU HERE??” Terri continued to call, oblivious to the danger that awaited upstairs.
“No... no, its too late…she must be punished for this outrage! Call to her my Demon…bring her to me, or I will go find her and kill her” Brenda demanded, her anger beginning to get the best of her.
“I’M UP HERE” Gene said, to Terri, but Brenda knew it wasn’t loud enough.
“Louder, honey….or she will pay for your defiance”
“I’M UP HERE TERRI!!!” he hollered.
Terri came up and entered the bedroom. “Well, I picked up the DNA report from…..” she started to say, but was stopped cold by a gun to her head.
“Oh my God!…what's going on?” Terri asked when she saw Gene shackled to the bed, with his own handcuffs. He twisted his head wildly and looked to her.
"Terri…" he got out.
"Ahhh… what's this…" Brenda hissed, grabbing Terri's wrist. She snatched her and held the gun to Terri's chest, and twisted her arm behind her. "You whore! He gave you this? You only want his money… admit it…"
"No… it's not true!" Terri shouted back. "That's not the way it is at all!"
"One false move and you die…" she snarled. The gun pressed closer into her chest now, and Terri heard the
click of the hammer being cocked.
"Do what she says, Terri," Gene said softly. "She wants me…"
"Oh dear God no…" Terri got out.
"Sit down now…" she said, and forced Terri to sit in a chair. Taking ropes she began to tie them tightly around Terri, securing her arms and hands. Still she held the gun to her as she worked. All four pairs of handcuffs she had used on Gene. The ropes she pulled tight, tying them as best she could with one hand. Terri flexed her muscles, pretending the ropes were cutting much deeper then they actually were.
"Now… you will watch as I release the demon from your domination, bitch!" she laughed, backing over to the bed.
Taking her knife out of her skirt, she slowly began to cut Gene's leather jacket, and pull it off him. A smile came over her face and a slow tenderness as she began to unfasten his belt, and tug his pants down. She traced the knife lovingly over his chest, popping each button in slow deliberate succession. After each button was torn away, Brenda pressed a lipstick covered kiss to his chest. Gene didn't even flinch; his mouth whispering words that made Terri's eyes water.
"Please don't do this!" Terri shouted. "You can't… oh god no!"
"It's all right!" Gene called out to her. "She's just another woman…"
"No…. Please… no… I don't want her to rape you it's not right… not for my sake…"
"It's not worth it," Gene said.
Brenda laughed as she aimed the gun at Terri from across the room. "If you don't be a little more cooperative I'll kill her here and now…Say that I'm yours, Demon… say that I am your only woman…"
"Gene!" Terri shouted. "I beg you don't do it…"
"I am yours…" he growled low in his throat. "It's the only way…"
Brenda kissed a bright crimson path to his belly, then ripped his underwear aside. She slowly teased him with her tongue, her mouth closing over his length. Terri stammered, shaking her head as his moans reached her ears.
"My demon… say I'm yours…"
"I'm yours Brenda, all yours…" he groaned, gasping and writhing.
"See how I can do what she can't…" came the muffled laughs.
"No… oh god no!" Terri screamed, shaking. Tears fell down her cheeks, and she saw Gene's anguished look as he stifled his reactions. Something snapped inside her, and she began to rock the chair backwards. Anger forced aside fear as fight overcame flight in her instincts. She would fight with everything she had for Gene… the one she loved.
"Nooooo! Stop!" Terri screamed even more loudly. Slowly Brenda looked up, a mixture of anger and delight on her face.
"Shall I cut her tongue out so we can have some quiet?" she asked.
"You might want to gag her…" Gene whispered.
"Hmm…" Brenda laughed, and then slipped the gun into her skirt waistband. She took the knife, and advanced on Terri.
"You can't, you just can't have him like some goddamned trophy in your collection! And you call yourself a KISS fan?" Terri shouted. She suddenly noticed Gene was struggling with one of the handcuffs while Brenda's eyes were on her. Her eyes met his, and he mouthed something.
"Trick…" it looked like. Terri stopped convulsing. She watched again as Gene jerked the one hand. And mouthed, "Distraction…"
"I know what he needs…" Brenda snarled. "No one can love him like I can!"
"You call this love?" Terri spat. "To shackle someone down and force your will on them? You have a strange idea of what love is…"
"You have no right to him whatsoever!" Brenda shouted back. "He is mine! I hunger for him! I have what he needs…"
"Then…if you really want him to be yours…You must release the demon… I bear the mark…" Terri shouted. Gene nodded frantically.
"What is this…?" Brenda asked. "Is it true?"
"She bears my mark, close to her heart…" Gene growled. He knew what Terri had in mind. All he needed was a few precious minutes to act.
"Is it so?" Brenda hissed, pulling away from Gene. "Is it true? Have you stolen his power this way?"
"He's mine… because I bear his mark…" Terri whispered. "That is the power over the Demon… which you cannot have… unless you take it from me…"
Brenda started to cut with the knife, ripping into Terri's shirt. She yanked the shirt aside, and bared Terri to the waist. There in black and red ink she saw the Demon's face.
"You… clever whore!" she laughed angrily. "That's how you have your hold on him… isn't it?"
"Yes…" Terri said, glaring angrily into Brenda's face. Those brown eyes fixed into Brenda's watery blue ones with a stare worthy of Gene himself. She even managed a low growl in her throat for added emphasis.
A stinging slap hit Terri's face, knocking her glasses down. Brenda ground them under her heel, laughing, "Oops, did I break them?"
Terri continued her defiant piercing stare, seeing the knife in her one hand as it traced over her temple. Slowly she traced the line of the tattoo over Terri's chest. <