tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48779608714550332832024-02-08T07:24:38.506-08:00The Last NightQueeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-9249286579194363242009-08-26T09:31:00.000-07:002009-08-26T09:37:00.321-07:00Chapter 62<span style="font-family: verdana;">By the end of the week Kara was ready to pull her hair out. She hadn’t talked to anyone other than by e-mail or IMs, her apartment was so clean she could eat off her bathroom floor if she so chose and she had watched more god-awful daytime television that any person in her right mind should subject herself to. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She wanted to talk dammit. She wanted to sing something, anything to shatter the silence that had been her companion all week. At this point she would have sung Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star to her neighbor’s cat if it she thought she could get away with it. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">With a sigh she clicked off the television and wandered her apartment. She was drawn to the little room down the hall, the old piano called to her. She had polished it and the warm honey finish shone in the late afternoon sun. Sitting down she ran a scale before sliding into the song her mother had always played for her. There were no words, just a haunting melody that flowed around the room and settled on the man standing in the doorway. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She hadn’t heard him come in, didn’t know he was there as she moved from one melody into the next. He stood and waited, listening to her sadness flow out her fingertips and into the room. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He knew how hard it must be for her not to be able to speak or sing. He had watched Jon struggle with this more than 20 years ago. But this time, this time would be different. Richie wouldn’t let Kara do to herself what he’d seen Jon do and have done to him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was no Doc McGee involved this time and there would be no steroid injections, no half-assed attempts or quick fixes. He wasn’t going to stand by and watch her push herself the way Jon had if she wasn’t ready. A doctor or a specialist would be involved, even if he had to drag her there himself. He wasn’t going to let her waste her god-given talent on what ifs or what might be. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As the music faded away he dropped his bag to the floor and she turned at the soft thud. Too surprised to even think the “Richie” was blurted out faster than he could admonish her not to talk. And it hurt. He watched the pain cross her features as he crossed the small room to her. Crowding next to her on the piano bench he wrapped his arm around her. “I know that hurt, I could see it in your face. Please Princess, no talking, not yet.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“But Rich” she started. He pressed his fingers over her mouth, “Come on, you know better.” Kara frowned and got up, heading back to the living room, to her pen and paper. Richie followed, stopping her when she picked up her pad. “Wait a minute Princess, I have something for you.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He rummaged in his bag and handed her a pink notebook that sparkled with a tiara on the cover and a pen that was pink as well. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;">Pink and sparkly? I’m a little old for that, aren’t I?</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> She turned the paper so Richie could see. He smiled, “I hoped it would bring a smile to your face. It worked, didn’t it?” She shook her head and smiled as she nodded. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Turning back to her paper she began to write again. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;">Thank you. But Rich, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere in the midwest or Canada?</span> <br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie toyed with the ends of her hair that lay over her shoulder. “I told Jon I wanted to come see you and make sure you were really all right.” Kara rested her head against his shoulder before she penned her thoughts. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;">You didn’t tell him what was going on did you?</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> She frowned; she didn’t want anyone to know.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He saw her frown and sighed, “I had to Princess. I couldn’t just up and leave.” He turned her to face him, “besides, he’s been through what you’re dealing with right now. He knows what it is not to be able to talk or sing; what it is to be afraid you’ll never be able to again. He understands and” he reached into his shirt pocket and handed her a slip of paper, “he wants you to e-mail him if you have any questions or if you just want to talk.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara looked at the paper in her hand. Jon had been through this? Maybe she’d e-mail him and get his opinion. Maybe it would help. She looked up at Richie and smiled, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;">thank you</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> she wrote on her paper before setting it all aside. She looked back at Richie, he had come to her, again, when she needed him. Crawling onto his lap she straddled him and took his face in her hands, “thank you” she whispered and before he could say anything her mouth was on his, kissing him gently.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie’s hands slid to her hips and held her close as her lips played over his. He hadn’t been looking for this when he decided to come see her. He had been worried about her, but right now, the worry was fading and the lust, the longing was taking over. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sitting up a little straighter his fingers tangled into her mass of hair and tugged her head back, exposing the creamy line of her neck to his eager mouth. She sighed as his mouth skimmed over her and she nearly whispered his name but his lips were on hers before she could get the word out. Pulling back he tsked, “uh uh Princess. You don’t get to talk.” He stood, holding her in his arms “in fact” he said as he started toward her bedroom, “you don’t get to make any noise at all.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Laying her on the bed Kara looked up at him with a frustrated glare. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;">How did he expect her not to make any noise at all?</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> He watched her, knowing what she was thinking. “You can do it Princess.” Joining her on the bed he pulled her sweatshirt up and off, groaning when he found her braless beneath. Dipping his head, his tongue drew a line from the hollow at the base of her throat to one rosy pink nipple. He looked up at her before he went any further, “you ready?” </span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-36241362115243939402009-08-26T09:27:00.000-07:002009-08-26T09:31:33.330-07:00Chapter 61<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For a long time Kara sat staring at the screen of her laptop. She had been surfing, looking for any information that might be helpful when she noticed Richie was online. She wanted to tell him what was going on, but how could she? Hadn’t he been saying right along how he wanted to help her achieve her greatest dream? Would he be disappointed and change his mind, or would he understand what she was going through, how afraid she was? With a heavy sigh she signed on to Yahoo Messenger and gave him a nudge.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: hey you…</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie had been going through his e-mail and frowned at the ping, then smiled when he saw it was Kara.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: hey yourself Princess</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: how are you?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">And there it was; the question she was terrified to answer.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: actually Rich, I’ve been better.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie sat up straighter on his bed, pulling the laptop onto his lap and adjusting his glasses.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: what’s wrong Princess?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: did you have a bad day at school/work?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara sighed, if only it was that simple.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: no, I didn’t work today.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie’s eyebrows raised in surprise. What is going on with her?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: are you sick?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara hesitated; she should just be straightforward and tell him. No more beating around the bush. Jen had been right, he needed to know.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: no, I’m not sick. Not really.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: it’s my throat. Doc says I’m not to talk for at least a week</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: he gave me meds too. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: we’re hoping they do the trick.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie took all this in. He knew there had been something more serious going on with her throat when she was with him in Philadelphia. He only wished now he had been able to convince her to get to the doctor sooner. He picked up his phone, wanting to call her but looking back at his computer her words about not talking had him turning back to his keyboard.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: I’m sorry Princess. Do what the Doc says</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: he knows best.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He watched the blinking cursor, waiting for her to answer back. He hated this, not being able to be there for her when she needed him. He wanted to take her in his arms, hold her and tell her everything would be all right. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When she didn’t answer he got antsy.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: Princess, talk to me.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: tell me what’s going on in that pretty head of yours</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara wiped at her eyes.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: what if the Doc doesn’t know Rich.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: what if its something more serious?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie wanted to reassure her, but doing it across the wires of the internet felt so cold and impersonal.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: you can’t dwell on the ‘what ifs’ Princess.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: you just need to stay positive</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After he hit send he picked up his phone. Even if she couldn’t talk, at least she could listen to him. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: Princess, I’m going to call you.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: but I’m not supposed to talk</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: I know. I’ll do the talking, you just listen.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: okay, thanks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He could practically see the sadness and fear in her words. He knew how scary this must be for her. He had watched Jon go through this, watched it nearly destroy what they had worked so hard for. He didn’t want that for Kara. He wanted her to have her dream and he was prepared to be there for her, no matter what happened.</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-42466626217835340892009-08-26T09:23:00.000-07:002009-08-26T09:26:58.858-07:00Chapter 60<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sitting at a red light Kara decided she really didn’t want to go home. She stopped and got her prescription filled and went to the person she knew who could make her feel better about this whole situation. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She just hoped Jen was home.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pulling into the driveway Kara heaved a sigh of relief. Her friend’s car was there and her daughters weren’t home from school yet. They could talk in relative peace. She checked her watch, for about an hour anyway.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Jen pulled the door open she was surprised to see Kara standing on her front step. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Kara? What are you doing here? Why aren’t you at school?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara gave her friend a sad smile, “I need to talk to you” she whispered.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jen ushered her in, “what’s wrong with your voice?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara took off her coat, “that’s what I need to talk to you about.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">They sat at the kitchen table, the place where they always sat and talked about whatever was bothering either of them. The room, that table, held more than just dishes and dinner; it held hopes, dreams, fears and joys. Today, the fears were going to be added to. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara buried her head in her hands, “I’m so scared Jen.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jen reached over and gently pulled Kara’s hands away from her face, “tell me what’s going on.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara told Jen all that had happened in the last few weeks, about being sick, her delay in going to the doctor, her trip to see Richie, her achingly sore throat, her last week at school and her latest trip to the doctor. “He gave me a prescription and told me not to talk any more than absolutely necessary.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At that last statement Jen got up and went to her desk. She handed Kara a pen and a pad of paper, “don’t talk, write.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">ara huffed out a sigh and set pen to paper. </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >How am I supposed to do my job if I can’t talk or sing?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> She turned the pad so Jen could read it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jen laid her hand over Kara’s, “you’re not. You’re going to take the week and let the medicine do its job. It’s only a week Kara, it’s not forever.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara turned the pad back, toying with the pen before writing again, what if it is. </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >What if the medicine doesn’t work? What if it is something more serious than just the swollen glands? Then what do I do?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> She paused before adding, </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >how do I tell Richie?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Just wait Kara” Jen held up her hands, “you can’t worry about what might happen. Worrying about what if never did anyone any good. Just take it a day at a time. I’m sure once the meds kick in you’ll be fine. Just focus on that for now. And as for Richie, you need to tell him what you just told me, only make sure you do it in an IM or a text. NO talking, remember?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara nodded her head and wrote, </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >I know. And I know I should tell him, but he’s on tour, he doesn’t need to be worrying about me, he’s got enough on his plate right now without me adding to the burden.</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jen just shook her head at her hard-headed friend. “He loves you, right?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara nodded her head and wrote, </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >yes, and?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jen wanted to shake her friend, “he’ll want to be there for you Kar, that’s the kind of guy he is. He won’t want you to deal with this alone.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara looked down at her paper, she knew Jen was right. </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >You’re right. I’ll tell him later. I’ll IM him when I get home</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Maddie and Lizzie came charging through the door after school Kara spent a few minutes listening to their chatter before heading for home. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jen watched her leave, wondering if Kara really was going to be okay, or if her dream was going to end up being just that, a dream. She hoped for her friend’s sake, that whatever this thing with her throat was that it wasn't serious and that her dream would indeed become a reality. She deserved that much at least.</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-64503717986211545802009-08-26T09:20:00.000-07:002009-08-26T09:22:41.255-07:00Chapter 59<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Glancing around Kara sighed. The doctor’s waiting room never changed. The plastic plant in the corner had leaves that were gray with dust and the low table held magazines that were ages old, their covers curled up at the corners. She didn’t dare close her eyes for fear the muzak would put her to sleep.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara had been out of work the last three days, barely able to talk, let alone sing. She had gotten through the weekend and had a voice on Monday for school but by Wednesday, she was breathy and hoarse again. How could she teach the kids to sing if she didn’t have a voice? So now, here she was, at the doctors, again.<br /><br />She hated going to the doctor.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She sighed again. God, what was taking so long? She was the only one in the waiting room, had been for nearly half an hour and still she was waiting. Would they ever call her name? Kara dug in her purse for her phone. Maybe she’d text Jen to kill some time. Just as her fingers closed over her phone the door opened.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Kara D’Angelo?” A woman not much older than herself wearing white pants, a floral print scrub top and a stethoscope waited; a clipboard in her hand.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She dropped her phone and stood. “It’s about time” she muttered under her breath as she followed the woman through the door. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The nurse weighed Kara before leading her into an exam room. Kara sat on the edge of the table, had her temperature and blood pressure taken before the nurse spoke again. “What brings you in today Ms. D’Angelo?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara explained about her throat and about being sick just a couple weeks prior. The nurse nodded and made a few notations in Kara’s chart. “Okay, the doctor will be in shortly.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">All this waiting was making Kara edgy. She studied the poster on the wall, glanced at the brochures next to the sink, looked out the window at the dreary March day. She was reaching for a magazine from the rack on the wall when Dr. Reed finally walked in. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Sorry to keep you waiting.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara’s hand jerked back, “its okay.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dr. Reed sat on the wheeled stool and looked over at Kara. “So what seems to be the trouble today?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As Kara talked Dr. Reed probed her neck, hmming and okaying. “Let’s check your throat” he said taking out his penlight and a tongue depressor. Kara opened her mouth and waited. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I don’t see any signs of strep but I’m going to test for it anyway. You’re glands are swollen as well. It may be a virus so I’m going to prescribe an antibiotic. If this doesn’t clear things up we’ll have to run a few other tests.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara sat quietly as he wrote out a prescription and opened the test swab. He turned back to her, “open up one more time.” He swabbed her throat quickly. “Okay, that’s it.” He handed her the prescription. “I want you to keep the talking to a minimum, can you do that?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She shook her head, “I teach music at the elementary school. Not talking is not an option.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dr. Reed scribbled something else on another pad. “Here, I want you out of work for a least a week. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara looked at the slip, and then back at the doctor “a note to get out of school?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He jotted something down on her chart, “just in case you need it.” He headed to the door, “I want to see you again when you’re done with that prescription. The nurse will call you tomorrow with the results of your strep test.” He reached for the door knob and turned back to Kara, “remember Kara, no talking unless absolutely necessary.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara sighed and nodded, “okay Dr. Reed. Thanks.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Back in her car Kara dug in her purse for her phone. As she dialed Dr. Reeds words echoed in her head </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >keep the talking to a minimum</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">. She closed her phone. She’d have to wait to talk to Richie.</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-56068966256244255332009-08-26T09:11:00.000-07:002009-08-26T09:19:18.352-07:00Chapter 58<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sitting in her classroom at the end of the week, Kara glanced out the window. The ugly March day matched her mood. The sky was gray with thick clouds and the air was damp with a late winter mist that would leave even the hardiest soul with a chill. Kara shivered just thinking about the walk to her car. Gathering her things she bundled herself up and headed for home.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once tucked in at home she stroked her throat as she sipped her tea. She had hoped by now her throat would be better, but she really couldn’t ignore it any longer. There was obviously something more wrong than she wanted to believe. She could barely talk today and every time she swallowed it felt like trying to swallow a golf ball. She would have to call the doctor. With a sigh she set her mug aside and looked at the clock. That call would have to wait until Monday though. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Grabbing her laptop she booted it up, intending to do a bit of research on her sore throat when she noticed that Richie was on line. She smiled as she typed out a quick hello.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: Hey you…</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As she was typing the words </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;">sore throat</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> in the WebMD search bar she got pinged back.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: Hey yourself Princess. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: how are you?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: I’m okay I guess. I miss you.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: how’s Connecticut?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie studied his computer screen. He knew Kara hadn’t been exactly one hundred percent when she came to Philadelphia. He wondered if it was still her throat that was bothering her. Every time they spoke on the phone she had sounded like she was losing her voice.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: I miss you too Princess.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: is your throat still giving you trouble?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: yeah</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: I was just doing a little research to see what I could do about it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: why not just go to the doctor</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: can’t call until Monday</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara settled further into her chair. She wanted to change the subject; she was tired of talking about her health.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: how are the shows going?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: still want me to come out next month?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: the shows are great.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: they make up for all the other shit we have to do on tour.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: honestly… </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: I want you here all the time Princess</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: I’d be there with you if I could babe</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: Easter break will be here before we know it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: I know. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: It doesn’t make the wait any easier.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: I know. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: why aren’t you with the guys?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie glanced at his watch; he was supposed to meet them for dinner soon.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: actually we’re going to dinner in a bit.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: I’m going to make myself something and watch a movie</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: how exciting is my life? LOL</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: I’d take a quiet night in with you anytime Princess.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie had no sooner hit enter when the pounding on his door started. “Come on man, let’s go!” He shook his head, Kara’s night in was sounding better and better to him. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: brb</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Opening the door he was surprised to see only Jon standing there. Standing back he let him in, “just give me a minute would ya?” Jon wandered over to the table and looked at the computer, hesitating briefly before hunting and pecking at the keys. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” Jon ignored him and hit send.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: hey Miss D’Angelo, how’s it going?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara stared at her screen who is that?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: I’m fine, who is this?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jon scrolled back a few posts to see what they had been chatting about.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: what movie are you going to watch Princess?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now Kara was totally confused. She was sure it wasn’t Rich, but with the princess stuck in there she couldn’t be sure. Picking up her phone she sent a text off to Richie.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">[7:15 pm] </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;">who’s on your computer?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;">Failure to Launch</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">, have you seen it?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: no, not really my kind of movie.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie smirked when he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He quickly sent off a response to her.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">[7:16 pm] </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;">Jon</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara shook her head in amusement as she typed.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: hey Jon, you going to drag Rich off to dinner now?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jon laughed as he typed.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: what gave me away, the Miss D’Angelo?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: yeah, the guys are waiting on us downstairs.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: only you and my students call me Miss D’Angelo</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: put Rich back on for a sec? </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: enjoy your dinner.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jon stepped away from the computer “she wants to talk to you man” he told Richie as he moved past him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie elbowed him as he went by, “of course she does you ass. I’ll meet you downstairs.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He waited for Jon to leave before turning back to his computer.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: sorry about that Princess.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: I should go though. The guys are waiting on me.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: it’s okay</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: go eat. Have a good time.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: I’ll call you later.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">bluesguyatheart</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: I love you princess.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara smiled at her screen. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: I love you too.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;">karad</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: talk to you soon.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara closed her computer, setting it on the floor beside her. She rested her head against the back of the chair thinking about Richie and his promise of a phone call later. She only hoped he waited until he was alone, she didn’t want to end up talking to Jon again</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-29012661179880019692009-08-26T09:06:00.000-07:002009-08-26T09:11:09.748-07:00Chapter 57<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When they left for the venue, Kara wasn't sure what to expect, it had been a long time since she had been to a concert. It was like nothing she had ever witnessed before. Jon had more energy than her class of third graders; he never stood still. She watched in awe as he commanded the audience to do whatever he bid. She could only hope to be half that good.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Switching her attention to the man on Jon's right she was completely enraptured. The way he played his guitar so effortlessly, the way he moved and when he used the talkbox, she couldn't tear her eyes away. She shifted restlessly; she knew just how talented that mouth was. He winked at her and all she could do was stare. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When the Soulmates and some of the players made their appearance with a birthday cake for Jon, Kara had to laugh at Jon's reaction, wondering 'who the fuck was on his stage'. She raised her voice with the rest of the crowd as Richie led them in singing happy birthday to Jon, twice. She was exhausted just watching and trying to take it all in. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After the last note of the last song had faded, after the last bow had been taken, after the last scream had died away, Kara barely had time to catch her breath before she was swept up against a hot sweaty body and hustled along the hallway and through one of several closed doors. Richie didn't release her until the door had been kicked shut behind him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"So Princess, what did you think of your first show?" He had been antsy all night, wondering how she would react never having been to a show before. Kara didn't answer right away, trying to gather her thoughts, trying to figure out how to tell him what she was feeling. She watched as Richie moved around the room, gathering his things, undressing, tossing his sweaty stage clothes in a pile, readying to take a shower. Wrapped in a towel he paused with his hand on the doorknob, waiting for something, any kind of reaction from her. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara crossed the room to him, wrapping her arms around him, resting her cheek against his hard, sweaty back, "I'm not sure how to describe what I'm feeling, what I saw. It was all so much more than I ever could have imagined. You were incredible, the whole night was amazing." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie turned, wrapping his arms around her "I'm glad you enjoyed your first time Princess." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She grinned as she leaned up to press a kiss to his lips, "I can tell you my favorite part though." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His eyebrow rose as he wondered just what she had found to be her favorite thing "do tell." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She smiled slightly and her cheeks pinked, "the talkbox. I loved when you used the talkbox." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie smiled at her before pressing a kiss on her forehead, "the talkbox, really? Why's that?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She squirmed slightly, "you have an amazing mouth and, knowing what you are capable of with that mouth, you had me turned on all night." Before Richie could say anything, Kara leaned up and pressed her lips to his, letting the flood of emotions swirling inside her dictate her actions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Grabbing her and holding her to him, Richie kissed her back, their mouths eating at each other, their tongues waging a war with each other. He had wanted her experience to be good, but hadn't considered her reaction being like this. He liked it. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara reached between them and with a tug, his towel fell to the floor. She pulled her mouth from his and dropped to her knees, kissing her way down, trailing her tongue through the barely there smattering of hair at his navel and lower, through the dark nest of hair that was the backdrop for his more than impressive cock, dragging her tongue up the length of him, taking him fully in her mouth. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie watched as she slid down the front of him and nearly cried out as he felt her warm mouth surround him. He had to close his eyes when he felt her tongue swirl around his head and when she took him deep and he felt the back of her throat he dropped his head back. "Fuck Princess." She smiled around him, humming lightly as she slid him in and out of her mouth. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sliding her hands up his thighs she cupped him lightly with one hand and wrapped her other hand around him, moving it in tandem with her mouth. Richie braced a hand on the wall and the other he wrapped in her hair, groaning his enjoyment with each stroke of tongue and fingers. His hips pumped as she drew him closer to the blessed relief that was hovering. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When she took him deep, when she nearly swallowed all of him, he couldn’t hold back anymore. With a long, low groan, he exploded in her mouth, his hips twitching and pumping with his release. Releasing his grip from her hair he drew her up from the floor, kissing her, tasting himself on her lips. “I’m not the only one with an amazing mouth Princess.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Her cheeks pinked and she averted her gaze, only to feel Richie’s fingers urging it back to him. “Don’t be embarrassed Princess, I love that you were able to let go and let your emotions lead you. As a matter of fact,” he swung her up into his arms and headed for the bathroom, “I intend on taking my turn next.”</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-53150265404505491722009-08-26T09:01:00.000-07:002009-08-26T09:05:54.575-07:00Chapter 56<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Covering his hand with hers, Kara was surprised to feel his hand tremble under hers. His fingers tightened on the slim ribbon holding the blue silk closed. She dragged her gaze up the front of him; the expanse of skin gave way to a light smattering of hair that did nothing to hide the sharp nail heads his nipples had become. She could almost see his heart beating as her eyes traveled further, past the adam’s apple that was working up and down, past the lips where his tongue snaked out to wet them, to his beautiful brown eyes that were near black with want.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Their gazes held as their fingers tugged on the tie of her top. It came free and the material slid across her skin, grazing her nipples lightly before resting limply at her sides. Richie’s hands moved over her, his fingertips ghosting over her skin from hip to shoulder, raising goose bumps across her flesh. Dropping to his knees in front of her, his tongue snuck out to tease her piercing as his fingers hooked into the sides of the tiny g-string that she wore; he wondered why she even bothered. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">While his hands slid the scrap of blue down her legs, his mouth nipped a trail from her piercing to the top of her mound, avoiding where he knew she wanted him, following the path her panties made down her leg. Kara moaned and reached behind her, grasping the door jamb for support. He tasted his way back up her legs, kissing an ankle, stroking the back of a knee with his tongue, caressing the inside of a thigh. He wanted her to tremble for him, wanted her to vibrate with the need like he was. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rising from his knees he dragged his tongue up the front of her, caressing the under curve of her breast, circling and suckling one hardened nipple and then the other before making his way back to her mouth. When their lips met Kara pressed herself against him and he pulled her back to the bed, turning to lay her across it. Crawling up over her, Richie stroked his fingers over her, caressing from hip to breast. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara bit her bottom lip, she could feel herself trembling under his touch. She couldn’t remember ever wanting anyone the way she wanted Richie. He made her feel so much and just when she didn’t think she could bear it, he urged her on, taking her where no one else ever had. He touched something inside her she had never known was there.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lifting her head up Kara looked down and watched as Richie moved over her, watched his hands as they played over her. She thought she might have an orgasm just from his fingers sliding over her skin alone. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie looked up and caught her eye as she was watching him. The small, intimate smile was all the warning he gave her before lowering his head and letting his tongue slide down and taste the sweetness that was waiting for him. Kara’s head dropped back to the bed and she cried out as her orgasm rushed through her.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After he pushed her a second time Richie sat up, sat back on his heels and looked at Kara. Her eyes were closed and he could see a tear sliding down across her temple and into her hair. “Princess?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She opened her eyes and found his, “please Rich, I need you baby.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He couldn’t deny her. Rising from the bed he dropped his pants to the floor and slid back up over her. She reached for him and he stopped her, “if you do that now Princess, we’ll be all done.” She grasped his arms instead, waiting for the sweet relief only he could give her.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Teasing her a bit more he stroked the broad wet head of his erection across her clit. She reared up, gripping his shoulders, her nails digging in, “God Rich, please” she begged. Lowering to his elbows he dipped his head and found her mouth with his as he moved his hips, easing his way inside her, filling her slowly, filling her completely. Groping for her hands, he laced their fingers together as he gently rocked his hips. He pressed tender kisses along her jaw and down her neck, keeping the tempo slow and easy. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He brought his mouth back to hers, their kisses long and slow, matching each thrust of his hips. When Kara could pull her mouth away she begged him for more, “harder Rich, faster, please.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Letting her hands go he pushed up on his, levering himself over her, “you sure Princess?” She pressed her hips to his in answer. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Grunting with the effort, he did as she asked; he drove into her, grinding against her with every down stroke, pushing her to scream as the first wave rolled through her. When he felt her start to tighten around him a second time, he hitched her leg higher on his hip, pressed deeper into her, letting himself go as she bore down on him, crying out with her as they found their release together.</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-73128632131677580132009-08-26T08:57:00.000-07:002009-08-26T09:00:58.346-07:00Chapter 55<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Looking around Kara couldn’t help but smile; Jen would kill to be where she was right now. Kara shook her head at the thought. Getting her phone from her purse she snapped a couple of pictures and sent them to her friend.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">[3:05 pm] </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >*wish you were here? LOL*</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She chuckled as she hit send. Glancing around again her eyes landed on Richie. He was sitting with Jon and David and they were talking. Jon looked a little tense, but it was his team out there on the field after all. She supposed he was allowed to be tense. Richie caught her eye and winked at her. She smiled at him and went to get something to drink. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Taking a seat next to Richie she sipped from the bottle of water, trying not to wince as she swallowed. Her throat was killing her. Never should have sung that damn song last night. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When the Soul scored and she cheered along with the rest of the crowd Richie saw her grimace. He left her side, returning with a bottle that he handed to her. “Here Princess, drink this.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She looked at the bottle and then up at him, “I’m not thirsty Rich, but thank you.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He sat down next to her, “I saw your face when you were cheering. You’re throat hurts, doesn’t it?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Watching the action on the field she nodded and sighed, “it does.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He urged her to take the bottle of iced tea, “it’s got lemon in it. It should help, better than the water at least.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She relented and took the bottle, “thanks.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After the game Richie and Kara begged off from going to dinner with everyone; the next day was going to be hectic and then Monday Kara was going home and he was off to Pittsburgh, the next stop on the tour. He wanted tonight just for them. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Closing the door to their room Richie turned to find Kara had slipped off her coat and was standing by the window. Moving up behind her he wrapped his arms around her, “everything okay?” He buried his nose in her hair, inhaling the musky floral scent that he would forever associate with her. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She turned her head to look at him over her shoulder, “are you sure you didn’t want to go out with everyone else tonight?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Turning her to look at him he brushed her hair back over her shoulders, “we spent last night with them and we’ll be with them most of tomorrow. TonightI want just for us, okay?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She smiled and nodded, “I like the sound of that.” She ran her hands up his arms, resting them on his shoulders “so, any idea of what you want to do?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He smiled slightly before lowering his mouth to hover just above hers, “I’m sure I can think of something.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She closed her eyes, “I’m sure you will” she murmured just before his lips claimed hers. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie’s hands slid down and cupped her butt, pulling her flush against him as he backed toward the bed. Sitting on the edge of the bed he nipped his way from Kara’s mouth to her jaw, “Princess?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She sighed as he found a sensitive spot near her ear, “yeah?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He curled his tongue around the lobe of her ear, “I wanna see what you bought for the weekend.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She pulled back from him, her eyes wide open, “what?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He smirked, “you were going to give me a fashion show last night, remember?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She nodded, “I remember, but you want it now?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He nodded, “absolutely.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A secret smile slid across her lips as she thought about what she had bought. She pushed him back on the bed, “make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Kara opened the bathroom door she found Richie stretched out on the bed, barefoot with his shirt open and eyes closed. She leaned against the jamb and struck a pose with one hand over her head and one down along the molding. “Rich?” He turned his head toward the sound of her voice and opened his eyes. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He let his gaze peruse her from head to foot. The satin slip he guessed you’d call it was the palest pink and hugged her like a second skin. Her breasts were pushed up to almost spilling over the cups and it stopped just below her ass. His mouth watered, his pants tented. She looked amazing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara watched him look at her. He looked like he wanted to eat her alive. “You like?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He nodded his head “oh yeah” before motioning for her to turn around. She did a slow spin, the back of the slip dipped slightly and hugged the curve of her butt. When she met Richie’s eyes again the hunger there caused her to swallow hard. He started to move but she stopped him, “I’ve got one more.” She disappeared into the bathroom once again.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He kept his eyes trained on the door, willing it to open. He couldn’t imagine what else she might have found. He didn’t have to wait long to find out. The door opened again and he nearly bolted off the bed. The midnight blue baby-doll top had a single tie holding it together between her breasts and left nearly all of her smooth abs bared and he could see her navel ring winking at him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Rich?” He hadn’t spoken a word since she opened the door.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He came off the bed and ran his finger down between her breasts and toyed with the tie. “You’d better take this off Princess; I don’t want to ruin it.”</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-33150532923434347822009-08-26T08:47:00.000-07:002009-08-26T08:56:22.405-07:00Chapter 54<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">While they were sitting at the table eating the light dinner Richie had ordered, a pounding on the door made them both jump. Kara looked up, “you expecting someone else?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie shook his head, knowing full well who was on the other side of the door.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Open up man, we know you’re in there.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie didn’t move, trying to finish his dinner while ignoring the ruckus outside his room. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara looked over at him again, “are you going to get that?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie put the last bite of his sandwich in his mouth, “I know who it is and I was hoping if I ignored them they would go away.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As Richie stood another voice came through the door, “come on man, open the door already. You can ‘study’ later.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara recognized the voice as belonging to Jon and hung her head and laughed. “You have nice friends Rich.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He rolled his eyes at her and yanked the door open, “go away already!” The three men standing on the other side of the door ignored him and shouldered their way into the room, David stopping to pick something up from the floor on his way. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara stood and stepped near Richie when the three men entered the room. She felt a little exposed wearing only Richie’s shirt. Her hand went to her chest, holding the shirt closed as best she could. Scanning the faces in front of her she brought her gaze to rest on the only familiar one. “Hi Jon. Nice to see you again.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He smiled and leaned in to kiss her cheek, “nice to see you too Kara.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She looked at the other two men, trying to remember their names. The blonde curly-haired one was holding her dress. She turned to him and snagged it from his fingers. “I believe that’s mine. Thank you.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">David laughed, “well I hope its not Sambora’s.” He paused and looked over at Richie “unless there’s something you haven’t told us in the last 25 years?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie punched him in the arm, “fuck off man.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">David turned his attention back to Kara, taking her free hand, “I’m David and you are?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She looked him up and down, “not impressed.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jon and Tico laughed uproariously at her comment while David put on a great show of being insulted. “You wound me Kara. We’ve barely met and already you’re insulting me.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara laughed, “just getting my shots in when I can. It’s nice to meet you David.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie sidled up to Kara and put his arm around her, “nice one princess.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He turned her toward Tico, leaving David reeling from the sharp retort. “This is Tico.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tico took her hand, kissing the back of it, “nice to meet you baby.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She gave his hand a squeeze, “it’s nice to meet you too Tico.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie pulled Kara to stand in front of him and wrapped his arms around her, “what do you all want?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“We’re going downstairs to the bar and we came to see if you guys wanted to join us.” David replied as he tried to keep his eyes off of Kara’s bare legs.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie looked down at Kara, “you wanna join these losers?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara shrugged, “can I put some pants on first?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A resounding “NO” came at her from three different directions. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She laughed and Richie herded his friends to the door, “we’ll meet you down there. Get out!” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He shut the door behind his friends and turned to find that Kara had disappeared. “Princess, where’d you go?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She called out from the other room, “in here.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Going into the bedroom Richie found her pulling on a pair of jeans. Taking a few steps to close the gap between them, he slid his hands inside her open shirt and pulled her close, “I have to agree with the guys, you really didn’t need to put pants on.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She laughed as she pressed a kiss to his throat, “this is a respectable hotel, I don’t want to get thrown out.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie chuckled and tilted her head up for a kiss, “with those legs, highly doubtful princess.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When they got to the bar they found the guys at a table in the back corner trying to be inconspicuous. There were a few people milling about, but it was quiet for a Friday night. Kara dug into her purse for some money and excused herself to walk over to the jukebox. Rifling through the songs she made her selection and sat back down next to Richie. “Find something good?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She sipped on her drink, smirked and nodded, “oh yeah.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He raised an eyebrow at her, leaning in to whisper in her ear, “what did you do princess?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When the strains of Pink’s </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >U + Ur Hand</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> started she smiled and hummed the first few lines.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh oh<br />Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh oh</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When she started singing along, four pairs of eyes turned and stared. Richie couldn’t believe she picked this song and was singing along.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >Check it out<br />Going out<br />On the late night<br />Looking tight<br />Feeling nice<br />It's a cock fight<br />I can tell<br />I just know<br />That it's going down<br />Tonight<br />At the door we don't wait cause we know them<br />At the bar six shots just beginning<br />That's when dickhead put his hands on me<br />But you see</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara looked around the table and her gaze landed on David as she started the chorus. He didn’t know what to think. And who knew she could sing like that?</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >I'm not here for your entertainment<br />You don't really want to mess with me tonight<br />Just stop and take a second<br />I was fine before you walked into my life<br />Cause you know it's over<br />Before it began<br />Keep your drink just give me the money<br />It's just you and your hand tonight</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh oh<br />Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh oh</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She pinned her eyes on David, infusing a bit of attitude as she sang the next part.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >Midnight<br />I'm drunk<br />I don't give a fuck<br />Wanna dance<br />By myself<br />Guess you're outta luck<br />Don't touch<br />Back up<br />I'm not the one<br />b-b-bye<br />Listen up it's just not happening<br />You can say what you want to your boyfriends<br />Just let me have my fun tonight</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >I'm not here for your entertainment<br />You don't really want to mess with me tonight<br />Just stop and take a second<br />I was fine before you walked into my life<br />Cause you know it's over<br />Before it began<br />Keep your drink just give me the money<br />It's just you and your hand tonight</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh oh<br />Break break<br />Break, Break, Break it down</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Stopping to take a sip of her drink Richie leaned over, “you’re too much princess.” She smiled and picked up again when the song did, gesturing to all the guys as she sang.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >In the corner with your boys you bet them five bucks<br />You’d get the girl that just walked in but she thinks you suck<br />We didn't get all dressed up just for you to see<br />So quit spilling your drinks on me yeah</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >You know who you are<br />High fivin, talkin shit, but you're going home alone aren’t cha?</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >Cause I'm not here for your entertainment<br />No<br />You don't really want to mess with me tonight<br />Just stop and take a second<br />Just stop and take a second<br />I was fine before you walked into my life<br />Cause you know it's over<br />Know it's over<br />Before it began<br />Keep your drink just give me the money<br />It's just you and your hand tonight<br />It's just you and your hand </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >I'm not here for your entertainment<br />No no no<br />You don't really want to mess with me tonight<br />Just stop and take a second<br />Just take a second<br />I was fine before you walked into my life<br />Cause you know it's over<br />Before it began<br />Keep your drink just give me the money<br />It's just you and your hand tonight<br />Yeah oh</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Well, well, well” Jon said as Kara finished, “Ms. D’Angelo has a little attitude.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara turned to face him, “just because I teach elementary school doesn’t mean I don’t know the grown up songs too, Jon.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He held his hands up in defense, “hey, I’m just surprised that you chose that of all songs.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She patted his knee, “what’s the matter, hit a little close to home for ya tonight?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He laughed and looked around the table, gesturing to David and Tico “maybe for them, but my wife will be here in the morning. I’m sure I can wait until she gets here.” </span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-7290555749362136972009-08-26T08:43:00.000-07:002009-08-26T08:46:36.407-07:00Chapter 53<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie pulled Kara to him, his mouth unrelenting on hers. Their tongues wrapped around each other, tasting and teasing. Richie's hands searched Kara's back for the zipper of her dress, "no zipper" he mumbled against her lips. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara nibbled along his jaw, "tie at the waist." His fingers fumbled with the knot for the slightest moment before the dress fell open and he pushed it off her shoulders. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He pulled his mouth from hers as the dress slipped away. "God baby you look so good." He fingered the lacy edge of her bra and up the strap, his fingers drawing light circles on her shoulder. "Is this new?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She nodded as her hands wandered up the front of his shirt, unbuttoning it as she went. "I did some shopping this week." She had bought the dusky violet lace bra and g-string knowing that purple was his favorite color. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie lowered his head, nibbling at her shoulder as he pushed at the strap, "what else did you get?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara's chuckle got lost as his nimble fingers found her hardened nipple through the lace of the bra. "I'll show you later." She dragged his mouth back to hers. He walked them toward the bed, pulling his shirt off as they went. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Depositing her on the bed he moved to her feet. Slowly he worked the zipper of her boots, dropping each one to floor before slowing caressing her legs from ankle to thigh, rolling her stockings down and tossing them somewhere behind him. When he stepped back, Kara propped herself up on her elbows to watch him. As he reached for his belt she sat up and stopped him. "Let me." His belt clanged to the floor and she stroked him through his pants before releasing the button and zipper. Pushing the jeans down over his hips she had him in her mouth before they hit the floor. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie closed his eyes and his muscles tensed as he fought the urge to let go and just fuck her mouth. When she took him deep and he felt the back of her throat he had to stop her. "Kara, baby, stop." She slid her mouth slowly up the length of him, her tongue swirled around the head and his eyes slammed shut against the need to just let go in her mouth. He pushed her back slightly, letting her fall back on the bed. Crawling up with her he reached for her panties, tugging them down and off. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He lay next to her, his hands skimming over her, her skin like silk under his calloused fingertips. As his fingers reacquainted themselves with her body, his lips caressed her jaw, nuzzled her neck, nipped at the hollow between her neck and shoulder, relearning the flavor that was Kara. When he slipped two fingers easily into her heated flesh Kara groaned and her hips arched from the bed. He pumped his fingers in and out and when his thumb brushed across her clit, her release rushed through her leaving her trembling. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie moved over her, slipping into her, burying himself to the hilt in one measured thrust. He closed his eyes against the exquisite heat and tightness of her, his control perilously close to slipping. When she moved under him, he couldn’t fight the need any longer. He pounded into her, hoping she was as close as he was. Kara wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer, driving him deeper. He thrust one final time, pouring himself into her, her muscles draining him of all he had to give. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">For several long moments the only sound in the room was the heaving of their breaths. “Rich?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He turned his head, “hmmm?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara tried to move, “can you pull the blankets up?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He reached down and tugged the blankets up. “Better?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She curled into him, nodding her head against his sweaty chest, “yeah.” Wrapping his arm around her, his hand idly stroked her up and down. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Frowning, he moved so he could see her. “Princess?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">With her eyes closed she didn’t see his frown. “Hmmm, what is it Rich?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"You've lost weight." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She nodded, "I don’t really eat when I’m sick." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie’s protective instinct kicked in and he sat up, “well maybe we should get you some food. You need to eat, what do you want?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara sat up next to him, laying a hand on his chest, “Rich, stop. If you want to get dinner, that’s fine. But the few pounds I lost aren’t a big deal. Don’t worry, they’ll come back. Unfortunately.” She coughed, “I wish this would go away though. The sore throat could go too for that matter.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie cupped her chin and tilted her face up so he could see her, “princess, I like your curves so I hope the ‘few pounds’ do come back and your cough and sore throat will go away.” He pressed a soft kiss to her lips, “now, what do you want to eat and can we have that fashion show later?”</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-16044282152010772672009-08-26T08:38:00.000-07:002009-08-26T08:42:06.827-07:00Chapter 52<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara had never been so anxious for school to be over, and apparently she wasn’t the only one. Jake could barely stand still and when Kara wasn’t checking the clock, he was. It was Friday and she was leaving right after school for Philadelphia, for Richie. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">When class was over she pulled Jake aside as the other children filed out of the room, “Jake, I know its Friday, but you were awfully fidgety today. What’s going on?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">His smile was so bright Kara couldn’t help but smile with him, “Ms. D’Angelo, we’re going to see Dad this weekend. It’s almost his birthday!” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara laughed, “I guess I should have known it was something like that.” She herded him toward the door, “don’t miss your bus and have a good time this weekend.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He nearly danced out the door, “I will Ms. D’Angelo. See ya!” She shook her head and laughed as he zipped down the hall and around the corner. She was nearly ready to do the same. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Smoothing a hand down the front of her dress she reached for her coat. She smiled to herself hoping Richie liked it. She had bought it with him in mind. It was a chocolate brown cashmere wrap dress. One slip of the tie and the dress would reveal one of her other special purchases. She slipped her coat on, grabbed her purse and headed out to her car. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Three hours later she pulled into the hotel parking lot. Everyone and their brother must have been going to Philadelphia today, traffic had been just awful. Stepping out of the car she got her bag from the trunk and looked up. </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Wonder which floor he’s on</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">When she approached the desk Kara realized she had no idea how to go about finding out what room he was in. She didn’t know if asking for him by name would get her anywhere but what else could she do? The clerk behind the counter hung up from the call she was on, “hi, welcome to the Four Seasons, how can I help you?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara glanced at the girl’s name tag, “Chrissy, my name’s Kara D’Angelo and I’m here to see…” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Chrissy stopped her, “I know who you’re here to see. He left your name with us. He’s in room 416.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara smiled in relief as Chrissy handed her a key, “thank you.” Chrissy smiled; “enjoy your stay.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara headed to the elevator, “I intend to” muttered softly as the doors slid open.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie was waiting impatiently for Kara to arrive. He glanced at the clock; she should have been here an hour ago. Pacing the room again he paused by his laptop and hit play. He could at least listen to her while he was waiting.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >The holy voices speaking, words I can't recall.<br />And I do still believe if I still believe in anything at all.<br />All you hear in me and all you hear.<br />I thought I saw you walking down by a street yesterday.<br />I thought I heard your voice though I could not hear just what you say.<br />And I am waiting .<br />and I am waiting.<br />And I'm waiting here for you. I'm whispering your name.<br />I am telling to the wind.<br />Your love has brought me here.<br />Until I see you again. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >I am opening the door.<br />I will let this moment in.<br />Your love will find me here. Until I see you again.<br /><br />And I still can remember as I write down these words.<br />The music in your voice and the silence of the universe.<br />And I am singing.<br />And now I'm singing here for you.</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie sat on the couch and rested his head against the back. With his eyes closed he listened to Kara’s beautiful voice singing to him. Lost in her voice, he thought he imagined the knock on the door when it came.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >I'm whispering your name.<br />I am telling to the wind.<br />Your love has brought me here.<br />Until I see you again.<br />I am opening the door.<br />I will let this moment in.<br />Your love will find me here.<br />Until I see you again.</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">When the knock came again he realized he wasn’t imagining things. He quickly crossed the room and opened the door, gazing at her long enough to gauge who was standing there before he dragged her into the room and his mouth came crashing down on hers. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">When Kara could find the strength to pull her mouth from Richie’s she gasped for breath, “I’m guessing you’re glad to see me?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie smiled wryly at her, “you have no idea princess.” He went back for a second taste before letting her go. “Where have you been? You’re late.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara stepped around him and surveyed the room while she unbuttoned her coat. “Traffic was unbearable. I thought I’d never get here.” She turned and smiled at him as she slipped off her coat, “must be something going on here in town this weekend. Any ideas what it might be?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie threw his head back and laughed, “I think I have a pretty good idea. Now,” he stalked across the room to her, “come here, I’ve missed you baby.”</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-46619351886656745402009-08-26T08:13:00.000-07:002009-08-26T08:17:49.072-07:00Chapter 51<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara went and put the water on for her tea and came back, Richie still hadn’t moved. She shook him gently. “Rich.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He stirred and opened his eyes, “hey princess.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara turned and coughed. “What are you doing here?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He sat up and pulled her down to his lap, rubbing her back as she coughed. “I came to make sure you were all right.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She reached for the tissues, “you shouldn’t have come here Rich. What’s going to happen if you get sick?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He toyed with the end of her ponytail, “don’t worry about me princess.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The tea kettle whistled and Kara tried to move but Richie held her tight “stop right there.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She looked at him, “I’m just going to fix myself some tea.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie stood with her in his arms and set her down, “I’ll get it for you.” Kara curled up on the couch; the spot still warm with Richie’s heat. She pulled the blanket up over her and tried to catch his scent, but she was too congested. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie came back carrying a tray laden with a mug of tea, a glass of orange juice, cold pills, aspirin and a bottle of water. He looked down and Kara had her eyes closed. He set the tray on the table and caressed her forehead; it felt warm. Kara’s eyes fluttered open at his light touch, her gaze flitted between his face and the tray, “what’d you bring me?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Smiling, he indicated to the tray, “what’s your poison princess, tea, juice or water?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She pointed to the mug, “tea please.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He set the mug of tea on the table next to her and then handed her two aspirins and the glass of juice. “Take these then you can drink your tea.” When she leaned over to put the glass on the tray he heard her breathing. “You’re wheezing Kara. You really should go to the doctor. This cold could be turning into something worse than just a cold.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She waved him off, “stop with the doctor already, please? I’ll be fine.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara hated going to the doctor. She just needed to rest and she would be fine; at least that what she kept telling herself. She sipped her tea while she and Richie watched a movie, dozing off while Richie held her close. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie looked down when she started to move around. He could feel the heat emanating from her. Her fever had come back and she was sweating, trying to kick the blanket off. He shook her, “baby, wake up.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Trying to take a breath she turned slightly panicky eyes toward him, “I’m hot Rich and I can’t breathe.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He sat her up, “okay Kara, that’s it. If you won’t call the doctor, I will.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She was still fighting for a deep breath, “okay, get me the phone please.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">~</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Two hours later they were back on the couch. Richie had helped her into clean pajamas and had given her the first dose of her prescription. Holding his hand, Kara couldn’t bring herself to look at him. “I should have listened to you the other day Rich. I’m sorry.” She had a sinus infection and bronchitis. The doctor had thought it was pneumonia, but the chest x-ray had ruled that out. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">With his fingers under her chin he tugged her face toward him, “it’s all right baby. But next time, don’t wait so long. At least now you got the meds and you’ll start to feel better.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She rested her head on his shoulder, “did I mention that I’m glad you’re here?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He squeezed her fingers, “I’m glad I’m here too princess.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">By the next afternoon Kara’s antibiotics had kicked in and she was feeling slightly more human. She and Richie were in the chair together, flipping through the channels, trying to find something to watch. “When do you have to leave Rich?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He looked down at her, “in the morning. We have a show tomorrow night and I told Jon I’d be back in time for sound check.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara nodded, “we still on for next weekend?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie kissed her head, “of course. This wasn’t exactly what I had in mind for us to be doing the next time we saw each other.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara grimaced, “sorry. I didn’t intend on getting sick.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He shushed her, “I know you didn’t. No one does. Just be prepared not to see much but the inside of my hotel room next weekend.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara grinned at him, “promise?”</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-63166963131733352562009-08-26T08:09:00.000-07:002009-08-26T08:13:05.996-07:00Chapter 50<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara changed her pajamas for the second time that night after she changed her sheets. She had a fever, but without a thermometer she could only guess at what her temperature was. She only knew she was hot right now, but would soon be shivering with the chills. Padding out to the living room she dumped her sheets into the washer and went to pour herself yet another glass of juice. She had just shut the refrigerator door when her phone started vibrating madly on the table. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">“Hello?” She croaked her greeting into the phone, her voice barely recognizable even to herself.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">“Princess, is that you?” Richie pulled the phone from his ear and checked the number, sure he hadn’t misdialed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">“Yes Rich. It’s me.” She coughed again, “is everything okay?” She glanced at the clock, “how was the show?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie winced at the sound of her cough, “Princess have you been to the doctor? You sound terrible.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara tried to laugh, “that’s an improvement over how I feel.” He heard her sigh. “No, I haven’t been to the doctor. It’s just a cold. I’ll be fine in a couple of days.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie wasn’t going to lecture her, she was a grown woman after all and she should know when she should go to the doctor. “The show was fine. What are you doing up anyway?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara curled into their chair, “I had to change my sheets and my pajamas and my phone started vibrating.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He rubbed his hand across his forehead, she was worse than Ava, “go back to bed princess. You have a fever, you shouldn’t be up and about.” He made a mental note to call his mother tomorrow and ask her to bring Kara some soup. “Where are you right now?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara pulled a blanket around her, “our chair. I can breathe slightly better sitting up.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie paced the room, “okay princess, stay in the chair, but try to get some sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">After they hung up Richie decided against calling his mother. Instead, he threw some things in a bag and went and knocked on the door across the hall. Jon yawned as he opened the door, “what do you want?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie didn’t hesitate, “the plane.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jon’s eyes widened in surprise; “what the hell for?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie pushed Jon into the room and shut the door, “I just got off the phone with Kara, she’s sick and I want to go make sure she’s all right.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jon studied his friend, “you love her don’t you?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie nodded, “I do man. Look, I’ll go tonight and meet you in Chicago on Saturday. I just need to see for myself that she’s all right.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jon could see the worry etched into Richie’s face. “Go man. Just be back in time for sound check on Saturday.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie hugged him briefly, “thanks man.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jon waved him off, “just get out of here already and let me get some sleep.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie used the key Kara had given him and he let himself into her apartment. After quietly dropping his bag and hanging up his coat he went in search of Kara. He found her curled up in the chair, covered with a blanket. He reached out and felt her forehead. She was warm, but not overly so. He left her to go make sure her bed was made. He came back out, scooped her up and settled her in her bed, pillows stacked under her head to keep her propped up. With a gentle kiss on her forehead he backed out of the room and shut the door.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Looking around he gathered up the two dirty glasses and put them in the dishwasher. He remembered her telling him she had to wash her sheets so he checked her washing machine, they were still in there. He moved the sheets to the dryer and stretched out on the couch.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">When Kara opened her eyes she looked around, confused. How did I get in here? She couldn’t remember getting out of the chair and going back to bed. Getting up she grabbed some clean pajamas and decided that taking a shower might help her feel better. After brushing her teeth she stepped into the steamy shower and just stood there, letting the hot water cascade over her, the steam helping to ease her breathing. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">When she was finished she dried off and pulled on her clean pajamas quickly, not wanting to get chilled. Pulling her hair back in a loose ponytail she headed to the kitchen for a cup of tea and more cold medicine. She stopped short as she made her way through the living room. There was someone on her couch. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">“Richie?”</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-36664138014622150712009-08-26T08:00:00.000-07:002009-08-26T08:08:07.079-07:00Chapter 49<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie rolled over. Laying flat on his back the sun warmed him, the ocean breeze caressed his skin and he could just make out a soft voice singing close by. He smiled as he realized it was Kara that was singing. Her soft voice called to him and he reached out to her. He moaned lightly as his fingers moved over her soft warm skin. When he opened his eyes he realized his fingers weren’t stroking over Kara, they were stroking his own over-eager dick. </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Fuck</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">. He was too far gone to stop and he let himself fall back into the fantasy, picturing Kara in a barely there bikini, imagining it was her hand stroking him and her name rolled off his tongue as the warmth spilled over his hand.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Disgusted, he got up and headed to the shower. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t ever done this before. He shook his head as he shampooed his hair, </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >it’s only been a week and a half! What am I going to do when we go to Europe for six weeks?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> He sighed and rinsed the lather from his hair and body; he hadn’t missed anyone like this in so long. Other than Ava, he hadn’t really had anyone to miss in a long time. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Giving his hair and body a cursory rub with the towel and wrapping it around his waist, he brushed his teeth before padding to the table in his room and turning on his computer. Maybe Kara was online and they could chat. That might help.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He logged on and opened his Messenger program and was glad to see that she was on as well.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> hey princess.</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> how are you today?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara had been pouring a glass of juice when she heard the ping. Coughing she hurried back to the computer.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >karad:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> hi Richie!</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >karad:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> I’m all right.</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >karad:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> how about you?</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> I’m okay. I miss you tho.</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> I had a hot dream about you.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >karad:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> I miss you too.</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >karad:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> You dreamt of me?</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> You’re never far from my thoughts princess,</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> even when I’m asleep apparently.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara was coughing and didn’t answer right back.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> princess, are you still there?</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >karad:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> yeah, just had a coughing fit.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> are you okay?</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> are you sick?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara sneezed and blew her nose. </span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >karad:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> that’s one word for it I guess.</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >karad:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> I think I’d rather be dead right about now tho.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She’d managed to catch the cold/flu that was going around the school. She’d woken up this morning feeling like death warmed over and her head so heavy and full that even with the cold meds and aspirin, she still wanted to crawl in a hole somewhere.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> I’m sorry princess.</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> chicken soup. Ma always says chicken soup for a cold.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara couldn’t help the smile. </span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >karad:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> it’s a little early for that yet.</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >karad:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> I’m drinking my OJ right now.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> that’s good. Tea too princess.</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> how’s your throat?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara picked up her laptop and snuggled down into their chair.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >karad:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> it’s a little sore from all the coughing.</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >karad:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> I hope this doesn’t last long.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> me too.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >karad:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> God I hate being sick.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie smiled.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> me too. Glad it doesn’t happen often.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >karad:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> I’m sorry Rich, but I’m gonna go back to bed.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> that’s okay princess.</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> the guys’ll be here soon anyway.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >karad:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> love you</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >bluesguyatheart:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> love you too. feel better.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie shut his computer down and reached for the bag to put it away. A flash of something red and shiny caught his attention. Reaching into the pocket he pulled out a flat package wrapped in red paper. The little card indicated it was from Kara. How did I miss this?</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >R -</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >I didn’t have time to go out and buy you anything for Valentine’s Day but I wanted to give you something. I hope you enjoy it. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Love,</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >K</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He tore the paper off and found a CD that Kara had apparently made for him herself. Her handwriting in black sharpie wound its way around the CD. So you can hear me anytime you want. </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Happy Valentine’s Day!</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie booted up his computer again and slid the CD in. There was video from the other night at the school, the four songs she had previously recorded and two new ones that he hadn’t heard her sing before. Selecting the last one, he found some clothes and got dressed as he listened.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >At last<br />My love has come along<br />My lonely days are over<br />And life is like a song<br /><br />At last<br />The skies above are blue<br />My heart was wrapped up in clover<br />The night I have looked at you<br /><br />I found a dream, that I could speak to<br />A dream that I, can call my own<br />I found a thrill, to press my cheek to<br />A thrill that I, have never known<br /><br />You smiled, you smiled<br />And then the spell was cast<br />And here we are in heaven<br />For you are mine at last<br /><br />I found a dream<br />That I could speak to<br />A dream that I can call my own<br />I found a thrill, to press my cheek to<br />A thrill that I, have never known<br /><br />You smiled you smiled<br />And then the spell was cast<br />And here we are in heaven<br />For you are mine<br />At last<br />At last<br />At last</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-76737946053953597182009-08-26T07:54:00.000-07:002009-08-26T07:58:26.023-07:00Chapter 48<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">After school Friday Kara let herself into her apartment and sighed. It was so quiet. She hadn't ever noticed before how quiet it was, until after she had had company for a week. She hung up her coat and went and sat in their chair. It wasn't just hers anymore. She and Richie had spent a lot of quality time in that chair; it was theirs now. Leaning back she turned her head and caught a whisper of his scent that still lingered. She let herself sit there and wallow for a few minutes then forced herself to get up. Picking up the phone she dialed her best friend.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"Hello?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara tried to smile, "hi Jen, it's me."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jen sat down in the kitchen chair, "hi hon. How're you doing?" She knew Richie had left and had been wondering how she was handling it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara twisted the phone cord around her fingers, "I'm okay. I was just wondering if you were busy tonight."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jen looked up at her calendar, "you caught me on a good day, we have nothing going on tonight. What did you want to do?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara smiled, "do you think you could come over and bring some of your Bon Jovi collection with you? I need to be educated." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jen laughed, "it's about damn time girl! I'll be over shortly. Did you eat yet?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"No" Kara shook her head, "I've only been home a short while. You wanna get Chinese or something? I'll crack open some wine and we can figure that out when you get here." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"Okay, see you soon." Jen hung up and turned to her husband, "I'm going to Kara's tonight; you and the girls are going to have to fend for yourselves." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jen arrived at Kara's half an hour later with a bag full of DVDs and CDs. Kara's eyes widened when she saw it all. "How much stuff do you have there and how much more wine are we going to need?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jen laughed, "this is just a portion of it and we can always use more wine. What shall we start with?" She rummaged and pulled out a bootleg with all their early videos on it. "Pour the wine and we'll start here." She put the disc in and pressed play.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Several hours and two bottles of wine later, amongst half empty cartons of now cold Chinese, Kara had learned enough to know that Jen was right. She had missed out on so much good music. She couldn't wait to go to Philadelphia and seem them play live. She nudged Jen, "I should have listened to you all those times you told me to listen to them." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jen glanced at Kara, "I only told you that about a million times." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara smiled and wrapped her arm around Jen, resting her head on her shoulder, "how would you feel about a trip to Las Vegas in April?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jen's eyes widened and she turned and nudged Kara to sit up. "What did you just ask me?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara looked over at the TV, Richie was singing I'll be There for You. "I asked if you might want to take a trip to Vegas in April." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"Why would I want to go to Vegas in April?" Jen was starting to get excited, she knew the tour schedule and wondered if that was what Kara was getting at.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara took Jen's hand, "Richie wants me to come to a show and he said I should bring you too. I'm going to Philadelphia in a couple of weeks and then to Vegas in April. Do you want to come with me to Vegas?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jen's grip in Kara's hand tightened, "of course I want to! I'll have to check with Dave of course, but yes, yes I want to!" Her voice had gone up an octave or two with the excitement and Kara had to shush her. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"Jen, calm down. It's two months away yet. I'm sure you'll get all the details worked out." Kara glanced back over at the TV, Jon and Richie were singing Wanted. "He loves me you know." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jen tugged on Kara's hand, forcing her to turn to face her, "What?! Really?! Oh my God Kara, that's wonderful." She took a breath "any more surprises? You're not pregnant or anything are you?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara laughed, "no Jen, I'm not pregnant or anything. I told him yesterday morning that I loved him and the feeling is mutual." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jen hugged Kara, "oh honey, I'm so happy for you. Jealous too mind you, but happy that you've found yourself such a good guy."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">They sat back on the couch to finish watching the DVD, falling asleep next to each other, Kara's head on Jen's shoulder, a blanket pulled haphazardly across them</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-88821800194203271572009-08-26T07:47:00.000-07:002009-08-26T07:52:42.635-07:00Chapter 47<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara and Richie lay tangled together and she reveled in having the weight of him on her. As she stroked her hand lightly up and down his back his breathing evened out and she sighed. She was going to miss him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Easing herself out from under him she slid her robe on and grabbed up the dirty laundry that littered her floor. Normally her things found their way to the hamper, but this week it seemed that wherever the item landed is where it stayed. With one last longing look at the man in her bed, Kara headed to the washer and started a load of clothes. She didn't figure he'd want to wear dirty clothes until he could get back to California, besides; she kind of liked the domesticity of the chore.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">While the washer was humming she started coffee and booted up her computer. Jen had told her that she would send the video from the night before and sure enough, it was waiting for her in her inbox. Saving it, she burned it to a CD along with a couple other items and packaged it up to give to Richie. She hadn't gotten him anything for Valentine's Day, hadn't even given it a thought until he presented her with her gift this morning and she wanted to give him something. So she was giving him the one thing he seemed to like the best about her that he could carry around with him. He'd be able to listen to her anytime he wanted to. She smiled slightly at the thought and went and slid the CD into a pocket in his laptop carrier.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As she moved the load of clothes from the washer to the dryer and started a second one, Richie wrapped his arms around her, "what are you doing princess?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She nearly jumped out of her skin, "dammit Rich, don't do that!" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He hugged her tighter, "sorry baby. What are you doing?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She turned and kissed his stubbly cheek "what does it look like I'm doing? I'm washing clothes."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He looked around and noticed some of his things mixed in with hers. "Why are you washing my things?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She shook her head, "because they aren't going to wash themselves." She tried to move and get by him but he held on. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"You didn't need to do that you know." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She looked up at him, "I know. It's no big deal; I had to do mine anyway. Don't worry about it." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">His lips grazed her forehead, "thank you." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She smiled, "you're welcome. Now, how about some breakfast?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As they ate they talked about where he was going from here and when she might be able to come out and what she was doing for the next school break.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"I'm going to visit Jack and Lucy for Easter break." She looked over at him, "will you be in LA with Ava or here with your mother?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie sipped his coffee, "I will actually be in LA, hopefully with Ava. Mom's coming out this year too." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara nodded, "it's good that you'll all be together. Maybe we can get together while we're all out there." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie reached across the table and took her hand, "I'm sure that won't be a problem princess." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara squeezed his hand, "where will you be after that?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">They discussed his schedule and when Kara heard that he would be playing in Vegas she decided that that was the show she wanted to go to. She hadn't ever been to Las Vegas and knew without a doubt that Jen would leap at the chance to go to that show. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie raised his eyebrows in surprise, "you want to wait that long to come to a show?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara shrugged her shoulders, "not really, but I want to go to Las Vegas." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie chuckled, "we're playing right across the way in Philadelphia in a few weeks, why don't you come that weekend?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara went and got her calendar, "I could, but I'm not sure Jen can come that weekend." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie pulled her over to him and she sat on his lap, "so come alone to Philadelphia and bring Jen to Vegas." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara smiled at what he said and then put on a pout, "you want me to cum alone?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie looked at her and chuckled; the gleam in his eye turned wicked and had him shifting her so she was straddling his lap. "Would you, for me?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Dropping her calendar Kara's eyes widened. She knew what he wanted and wasn't sure if she could actually go through with it. She peppered his face with tiny little kisses, "would I what for you?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">His eyes never left hers and his grip on her hips tightened, "cum for me princess. Show me what you'll do when you're missing me." Even though she had known this was what he intended, her mouth still dropped open at his request. Could she do this? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie watched her face, wondering if she would do this for him. He traced her lips with his tongue as he waited for her to say something. Kara didn't say anything; she just tilted her head slightly and kissed him fully. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As their mouths danced, Kara's hands slid from Richie's shoulders to the tie on her robe. With one slight tug she opened the robe and shrugged it off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor in a silky puddle. She pulled her mouth from Richie's and her head fell back as her hands slid over herself, caressing her breasts and teasing her own nipples. Richie watched her, his eyes darkening and his hands itching to help her.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara's hips undulated against him as her hands roamed over herself. Her fingers plucked at her nipples before caressing down across her stomach, sliding past her navel ring and lower. She whimpered as her own fingers moved across her already slick center. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie's fingers pressed harder into her hips as she moved. Surely there would be marks there later but he was too turned on to care. He had been the recipient of more than his share of lap dances, but this had to be the most erotic thing he had ever seen. She had him impossibly hard and when her hand dipped between her thighs he wasn't sure he was going to make it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She groaned low in her throat as her fingers danced across her clit and slid lower to dip inside herself. She was so close. "Richie" she looked at him, "I need you inside me, please!" He didn't hesitate. Richie slid her back on his thighs and freed his straining cock from his pants. Kara raised up and lowered herself onto him in one long slow motion, nearly coming just from that one movement. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">They groaned together as Kara rolled her hips. Richie let her set the pace and she moved. Bracing her hands on his shoulders, she rode him hard and when he slid his hand between them and flicked his thumb across her sensitive nub, her release raced through her. Richie pulled her down onto him one last time, spilling into her, her muscles drawing out everything he had to give.</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-12422010597082327022009-08-26T07:42:00.000-07:002009-08-26T07:47:31.512-07:00Chapter 46<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Waking early the next morning, Kara lay nestled in Richie’s arms. It was Valentine’s Day and he was leaving either that night or the following morning as the tour was picking up again. Kara sighed and turned to look at Richie. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She was going to miss this; waking up with someone, going to sleep with someone, having someone to share the little and not so little things with, not being alone all the time.<br /><br />She stroked his cheek with her fingertips, somewhere along the line, between e-mails and phone calls and a week long visit, she had fallen in love with him. Kara smiled; it felt good to admit that, even if it was only to herself. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">“What are you smiling at princess?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She started at his gravely sleep-tinged voice, “I didn’t know you were awake.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He opened his eyes, “just barely, but I am.” He took her hand and kissed her fingers, “what could possibly be going on in that pretty head of yours this early in the day baby?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara raised her eyes and found herself looking directly into his sleepy chocolate brown ones. She couldn’t stop the words, really didn’t want to; they had to come out. “I love you Richie.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">His grip on her fingers tightened for the briefest moment before easing. He kissed her forehead and brushed her hair back off her face. “I love you too.” As his lips met hers in a soft sweet kiss, Kara’s eyes grew wet and a tear trailed down her cheek. Richie brushed it away with his fingers, “what’s the matter princess? I just told you I loved you, why are you crying?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">“Because I’m happy Rich; and because I’m sad.” She cupped his cheek, “I’m thrilled that you feel the same way about me, but you’re leaving and that is making me sad. I’m going to miss you like crazy while you’re gone.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He pulled her close so that her head rested on his chest, “ahh princess, I’ll miss you too, but the time will pass quickly. You’ll see. It won’t be so bad.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She looked up at him, “you really believe that?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He nodded, “sure. We can talk on the phone and do our e-mail thing. You could even come out and see a show if you want to.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie was trying to convince himself as much as her that it wouldn’t be so bad. He hoped she wouldn’t cry again. The image of that one tear falling down her cheek was going to haunt him for a long time. Tears always got to him more than anything. He never could stand to see a woman cry.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara took a fortifying breath, “I’d like to come see a show, but I think I need to be schooled in your music. I’m going to have to call Jen and have a girls’ night in so she can bring me up to speed.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie rolled them so that Kara was lying on her back, “You do that princess and then let me know when you want to come out. You can even bring Jen if you want to.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara’s eyes widened, “she’d flip. I’ll talk to her and see what she thinks, if she can get away at some point.” She looked up at Richie, “thank you.” <br /><br />He pressed his lips to hers, “you don’t have to thank me, just make sure you come out.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She nodded her head, “I will.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He smiled at her, “good. Now, don’t go anywhere. Stay right there.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara watched curiously as Richie got out of bed and rummaged in his bag. He came back and slid under the covers next to her and handed her a small box with a red bow on it. “Happy Valentine’s Day.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She looked at the small box and then back at him, “what’s this?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie rolled his eyes at her, “open it and see princess.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Untying the bow she opened the box and nestled in the paper was a new belly ring. Dangling from the curved bar were three music notes; a quarter, eighth and sixteenth; and at the base of each was a sparkling red gemstone. She looked up at Richie, “it’s so beautiful. Thank you.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie watched as she got out of bed and stood in front of the mirror. He was impressed to see how quickly she exchanged the butterfly for the music notes. She turned and stood there so he could see, “what do you think?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He looked her up and down, taking in not only the new decoration but her beautifully naked body, “I think you’d better come back over here right now.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She knelt up on the bed, “Now that I’m over here, whatever are you going to do with me?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He snaked a hand out and up her thigh, his fingers teasing her, “anything I want princess.” </span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-90829493213965551742009-08-26T07:36:00.000-07:002009-08-26T07:39:45.951-07:00Chapter 45<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie slid his hands up and down Kara’s back before stepping back and sucking in a breath, “come on princess, let’s go.” He helped her with her coat before taking her hand. Together they weaved their way through the throng of people that were still milling about. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once in the car she turned to Richie, “are you going to tell me how you wheedled Dave out of his ticket for tonight?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He smiled and started the car. “It was Jen’s idea. They offered it on Sunday when we were over there for brunch.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara smiled broadly and kissed him soundly on the cheek, “I’ll have to remember to thank them the next time I see them.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He noticed that her voice was sounding raspy again. “Let’s get home and I’ll make you some tea. You’re voice sounds a little rough.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara stroked his leg lightly, letting her hand come to rest dangerously high on his thigh, “I can think of something else I’d rather have.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie grabbed her hand, “princess I’ll be more than happy to oblige when we get back to your place. Just don’t make me crash the car.” Kara left her hand on his thigh, every so often stroking her fingers over him, as the fingers of her other hand walked up his chest and found their way inside his shirt to play with the light smattering of hair. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The car jerked to a stop at the red light and Richie blew out a breath, “Princess, are you trying to kill us both?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She smiled as she leaned closer and traced his ear with her tongue, “do you want me to stop?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He shook his head, “yes… no… shit” the light changed and he turned his attention to the road, trying to block out what she was doing to him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">They made it back to Kara’s and Richie slammed the car in park as he turned to kiss her, only to growl when the seatbelt got in the way. “Fuck, let’s go inside princess.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As the door clicked shut behind them Richie had his hands on Kara’s coat, helping her out of it and pressing her up against the wall before she could comprehend what he was doing. His hands found the hem of her dress and started to slide up as his mouth came down hungrily on hers. She pulled her mouth from his, turning her head slightly so she could speak. “Richie, wait, here?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He kissed down her neck and into the vee of her dress. “I’m not taking another step. You started this in the car, I’m finishing it. Right here.” His mouth ate at hers again as his hands slid further up, bunching her dress around her waist. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara fumbled with the buttons on Richie’s shirt as his fingers unsnapped her garters and delved inside her panties. She groaned against him when she felt the pop at her hip and his fingers pushed inside. She nearly crumpled to the floor when his thumb slid across her clit. “God Rich.” Pushing his shirt open she pressed her mouth to his chest as her hands found his belt. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When he felt her hand wrap around him, Richie paused, groaning as she stroked him. He pulled his hand from her, shoved his pants down over his hips and lifted her leg up to wrap around him. He pulled her hand away from him and slipped inside her as their mouths clashed again. Kara lifted her other leg and Richie slid in further groaning at the slick heat that enveloped him. “Fuck Princess.” He wrapped his arm around her, holding her to him and braced the other arm on the wall as he moved in her. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara groaned and gripped Richie’s shoulders, her nails digging in as his hips pistoned in and out of her. He shifted, holding her closer, thrusting harder as he felt her tighten around him. With one last thrust he spilled himself inside her, their cries of release echoing around them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara rested her head against the wall, “Jesus Rich, where did that come from?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He pressed a kiss to her neck and shoulder before raising his head to look at her. “I don’t know, you tell me. This all started in the car. I was just following your lead.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She unwrapped her legs from his waist and he helped to steady her on her feet, “must have been the adrenaline from performing combined with the fact that I was so happy to see you there. I don’t know. I was feeling so many different things; I guess this is how they chose to express themselves.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie smiled and pulled his pants back up, “your feelings can express themselves at me anytime princess.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara rolled her eyes and laughed, “come on let’s go to bed.”</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-89213067073633105882009-08-26T07:25:00.000-07:002009-08-26T07:33:28.078-07:00Chapter 44<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara peeked out to watch as people started filing in. Between parents and faculty, there was going to be about 100 people there tonight. The school was hosting this event as a way to thank the parents for their involvement and to raise awareness for the music program at the school, their own scaled-down version of Vh1’s Save the Music. They wanted the parents to realize just how important the music and art programs were for the children. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">After her last class of the day Kara had rushed home, showered, grabbed a quick bite with Richie and changed before heading back. She ran her hands down the front of her dress. She had chosen the violet one she had worn on New Year’s Eve but was now second guessing herself. Too late now. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She ran her hand through her hair and peeked out front again. Her stomach was churning with each new face that came through the door. She took a deep breath and took Richie’s advice. She tried to picture each person in their underwear. She laughed at the images that ran through head and she felt mildly better.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The principal, Ms. O’Hagan found Kara pacing the hallway. “Nervous Kara?”<br /><br />Kara looked up, “that obvious, huh?”<br /><br />Ms. O’Hagan chuckled, “not too bad, other than the path you’ve worn in the floor. Listen will you do something for me?”<br /><br />Kara nodded, “What do you need?”<br /><br />Ms. O’Hagan smiled, “will you go out there and play the piano while the people are coming in and getting settled? I think it will make them more comfortable.”<br /><br />Kara swallowed, “sure, I guess I can.”<br /><br />Ms. O’Hagan patted Kara on the shoulder, “you’ll be fine. Thanks.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara settled herself at the piano and start to play, trying to ignore the noisy hum coming from the room. She opened her eyes halfway through and looked around; nearly all the tables were occupied. She found Jon and Dorothea sitting with Jen and she had to smile. Jen must be flipping out right about now. Then she noticed that chair next to her friend was empty. Wonder where Dave is? She continued to peruse the room, noting the parents that she knew and the faculty members moving about. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">What she didn’t see was the tall dark-haired figure standing in the shadows near the door watching her. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">When the principal, Ms. O’Hagan, took the stage the crowd got quiet. “Good Evening and thank you all for coming out on this cold February night.” Ms. O’Hagan talked, telling the parents a little bit about the evening and the reason behind it. As she finished her speech she told everyone that there would be coffee and refreshments. “Now, I’d like to introduce our school’s </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Music Director, Ms. Kara D’Angelo.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As the principal finished speaking and before Kara came out, Richie snuck in and sat down next to Jen. “Have you seen her?”<br /><br />Jen shook her head, “not yet. Shhh. Here she comes.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara came out alone and approached the microphone. “Good evening.” She spoke for a few minutes about the importance of music in the schools. “Now, I’m also this evening’s entertainment. Sit back, relax and enjoy.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Taking a breath she closed her eyes and started, unaccompanied. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Behold the way our fine feathered friend,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >His virtue doth parade</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Thou knowest not, my dim-witted friend</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >The picture thou hast made</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Thy vacant brow, and thy tousled hair</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Conceal thy good intent</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Thou noble upright truthful sincere,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >And slightly dopey gent</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >You're my funny valentine,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Sweet comic valentine,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >You make me smile with my heart.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Your looks are laughable, un-photographable,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Yet, you're my favorite work of art.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara opened her eyes and glanced around as she sang, her eyes landing on the figure sitting next to Jen. He’s here! She kept her composure and continued. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Is your figure less than greek? </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Is your mouth a little weak? </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >When you open it to speak, are you smart? </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >But, don't change a hair for me.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Not if you care for me.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Stay little valentine, stay!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Each day is valentine's day</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Is your figure less than greek? </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Is your mouth a little weak? </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >When you open it to speak, are you smart? </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >But, don't change a hair for me.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Not if you care for me.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Stay little valentine, stay!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Each day is Valentine's day</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The applause thrilled her and the looks on her fellow teacher’s faces spoke volumes. She looked over to where Richie was sitting, he was smiling broadly and when their eyes met he winked at her. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She continued, moving through Mariah Carey’s <span style="font-style: italic;">Hero</span> and she brought out Jeffrey and Jason, the two high school boys to help her with Alicia Keys’ <span style="font-style: italic;">No One</span>. After she flawlessly performed Michael Buble’s <span style="font-style: italic;">Everything</span> she once again approached the microphone. “I hope you are all enjoying yourselves. I’m going to take a short little break. Please help yourselves to the coffee and refreshments.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">While Kara was gone Richie leaned over to Jon, “what do you think?”<br /><br />Jon smirked at his friend, “I think Ms. D’Angelo’s days as a music teacher are numbered my friend.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara came back out and sat at the piano while people were still milling about, getting their coffee and talking. She played quietly, motioning for Jeffrey and Jason to join her. She went into Daughtry’s <span style="font-style: italic;">What About Now</span> while people were taking their seats. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As she hit the chorus her eyes met Richie’s. She was so glad he had found a way to be there, even if she was slightly irritated that he hadn’t told her. She sang to him, sang for him, hoping he could understand how much it meant to her that he was there. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >What about now </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >What about today </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >What if you’re making me </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All that I was meant to be</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie smiled at her, he had known she was good, but tonight there was just something he couldn’t put his finger one. He had agreed with Jon that her days as a teacher weren’t going to last, but there was something else. He watched her, held her gaze when their eyes met, nearly sang along with her. Then, when she dragged her eyes from him and she perused the crowd, he knew. She had drawn everyone in. She had captivated them all. Jon had been right and how had he not seen it before? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Before she started her next number she spoke to the audience. “I have to thank Jeffrey and Jason. We weren’t sure we were going to have that last song down in time for tonight. They worked really hard the last few days and I think they deserve a round of applause for their efforts.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Everyone applauded and Kara sat back down. “Everyone still with me? Ready for a few more?” After the applause died down she went into Faith Hill’s <span style="font-style: italic;">If My Heart Had Wings</span>. She loved this song and sang it with gusto. She caught a few of her fellow teachers singing along and chanced glancing around the room. People were smiling and tapping their fingers, they’re enjoying it! She smiled as she finished and while she played the intro to the next song spoke to them again. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">“If you know the words please, don’t be shy, sing along.” She went into <span style="font-style: italic;">Show Me the Way</span> by Styx, another old favorite. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jen leaned in and spoke to Richie, “what do you think, she’s great, isn’t she?”<br /><br />Richie nodded his head, “she’s amazing.” Richie returned his eyes to the woman at the piano and she turned as if she knew he was looking for her. He winked as their eyes met and she smiled and sang the last part of the song to him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Give me the strength and the courage </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >To believe that I’ll get there some day </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Show me the way</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">At that moment, Richie knew he’d not only show her the way, he’d be there every step of the way. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">When she finished she stood and once again addressed the crowd, “I’d like to once again thank Jeffrey and Jason for all their hard work these last few weeks. Without them, I don’t think this would have been as much fun.” She motioned to the boys, “thank you both for everything guys.” The crowd applauded as the boys left the stage and Kara sat back down at the piano. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">“If you don’t mind, I have two more that I’d like to play for you tonight. I hope you have all enjoyed yourselves and realize the importance of the art and music programs in our schools.” She began to play Elton John’s <span style="font-style: italic;">Empty Garden</span>. “Where would we be without music in our lives? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >What happened here </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >As the New York sunset disappeared </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >I found an empty garden among the flagstones there </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Who lived here </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >He must have been a gardener that cared a lot </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Who weeded out the tears and grew a good crop </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >And now it all looks strange </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">It's funny how one insect can damage so much grain</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >And what's it for </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >This little empty garden by the brownstone door </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >And in the cracks along the sidewalk nothing grows no more </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Who lived here </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >He must have been a gardener that cared a lot </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Who weeded out the tears and grew a good crop </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >And we are so amazed we're crippled and we're dazed </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A gardener like that one no one can replace</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >And I've been knocking but no one answers </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >And I've been knocking most all the day </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Oh and I've been calling oh hey hey Johnny </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Can't you come out to play</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >And through their tears </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Some say he farmed his best in younger years </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >But he'd have said that roots grow stronger if only he could hear </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Who lived there </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >He must have been a gardener that cared a lot </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Who weeded out the tears and grew a good crop </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Now we pray for rain, and with every drop that falls </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >We hear, we hear your name </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Johnny can't you come out to play in your empty garden</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She went right into <span style="font-style: italic;">Let It Be</span> by the Beatles, never taking her eyes off the piano, letting the music flow through her and out her fingertips. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >speaking words of wisdom, let it be. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >speaking words of wisdom, let it be. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">When Kara let herself look around, her eyes filled, everyone was singing along and when her eyes landed on Richie, the pride he felt for her was evident on his face and he too was singing along. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >there will be an answer, let it be. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >there will be an answer. Let it be. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Let it be, let it be, .....</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >shine until tomorrow, let it be. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >speaking words of wisdom, let it be. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Let it be, let it be, .....</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As the last strains of the song filtered out into the room, the crowd erupted with applause and cheers. Kara looked up, almost startled by the response she got. She thanked everyone, stood and took a bow before leaving the stage. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The principal went out and thanked everyone for coming and bid them all a good night. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara moved through the crowd of people that had gathered and said her thank yous as they all congratulated her and expressed their surprise at the incredible talent she possessed. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">When she made it to her classroom she closed the door and sat down in one of the student’s chairs. She couldn’t believe it. She had made it through the evening with no mistakes, the kids had been fantastic and everyone had seemed to enjoy it. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">When a knock came Kara looked up to find Jen’s face pressed against the window. She waved her friend in. Jen opened the door and rushed her friend, leaving three other people in her wake. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">“You were freakin’ amazing girlfriend. I knew tonight was going to be good, but Kar, you blew me away!”<br /><br />Kara hugged her friend tight, “thank you so much Jen. You don’t how much that means.” She looked over her friend’s shoulder at the trio hanging by the door, “thanks for bringing Richie.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Before she could move toward him, Jon and Dot moved in to congratulate her. Dot rested her hand on Kara’s forearm, “you were fantastic Kara. I think you surprised everyone with just how much talent you have.”<br /><br />Kara blushed, “thank you very much. I had a lot of fun tonight.” She turned to Jon, “well? Sorry you wanted a sneak peek the other night?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jon took her hand, “not at all. I was very impressed tonight. We need to talk about getting you in the studio.”<br /><br />Kara smiled, “can we at least wait until the next school break?”<br /><br />Jon chuckled, “well I didn’t mean tonight.”<br /><br />Kara squeezed his hand, “good. I’m beat.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">When the laughter died down Jon and Dorothea left, as had Jen. Kara was alone with Richie, finally. He closed the door and crossed to her, sweeping her into his embrace, “princess you were absolutely amazing tonight. I’m sorry I questioned you about those last two songs. They were perfect.” He didn’t give her a chance to respond. His mouth came down on hers and any thought of conversation was lost as their lips parted and their tongues met.</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-73825822394642846072009-08-26T07:20:00.000-07:002009-08-26T07:24:50.898-07:00Chapter 43<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara spent the next two days preparing herself. She spent her days at school teaching her classes and practicing for two to three hours after school was out. She was as ready as she could be. When she let herself into her apartment Tuesday night the heavenly aroma of something warm and comforting assailed her. She dropped her bag and purse by the door and followed her nose into the kitchen. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie was standing at the stove stirring a pot of beef stew and had a dishtowel tucked into his pants. Kara nearly laughed out loud. “What’s cookin’ good lookin’?” <br /><br />Richie turned at her question, his smile giving way to a look of concern, “what happened to your voice?” She had sounded raspy when she spoke and he hoped she wasn’t losing her voice.<br /><br />“I’m just a bit tired and I think I pushed it a little too much this afternoon. I’ll be fine.” <br /><br />He pulled her in for a hug, “this is just about ready, why don’t you go change and I’ll dish it up.” <br /><br />She kissed his cheek, “you’re too good to me. I’ll be right back.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">They sat together in the oversized chair and fed each other bits of the thick, rich stew while Kara tried to talk about the show the following night. Richie put his fingers over her mouth in an attempt to get her to stop talking. “Princess, you need to save that voice for tomorrow night.” He stood and took their dishes in his hand, “just stay here, I’m going to make you some tea. That should help. Trust me.” She just nodded, he was right, she did need to be able to sing tomorrow and if anyone would know how to help her, it was him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He came back with pen and paper in one hand and a mug of tea in the other. Richie handed her the pen and paper first, “if you want to say something, write it down.” He then handed her the tea, “it’s got honey and lemon in it to soothe your throat.” She smiled at him and signed ‘thank you’ as she took the tea. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie settled himself next to her, “do you have your set list ready for tomorrow?” He waited as she scribbled her answer, <span style="font-style: italic;">sort of</span>. He raised a brow in question at her note. “Sort of? Do you need some help with it?” <br /><br />She smiled and put pen to paper again, <span style="font-style: italic;">would you mind? I’ve got an idea of what I want, but…</span>. Her note trailed off and she stood, he reached for her hand, “where are you going?” <br /><br />She held up her fingers as if to say “just a second” and walked over to her tote bag. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara handed him the sheet of paper as she sat back down. He perused her choices, nodding and agreeing with some, frowning at others. Together they worked her list so the songs flowed well and the mix was better. He looked down at her, “are you sure about these last two?” <br /><br />Kara nodded her head as she penned her answer, <span style="font-style: italic;">yes, why?</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He stroked her hair, “they aren’t the easiest songs.” She leaned up and kissed him before hastily jotting down a reply. <span style="font-style: italic;">I know they’re not easy, but I love them and I’m sure I can do them justice</span>. She sighed and started to write again, <span style="font-style: italic;">I wish you could be there.</span> <br /><br />He looked down at the paper and then took it from her and set it on the table with her song list. “Princess you’re going to be great whether I’m there or not. I told you I can call Jon or something and listen in. I’ll be anxiously awaiting you’re return and you can tell me all about it.” He felt bad lying to her, but he wanted tomorrow night to be a surprise. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie stood with Kara in his arms, and she looked at him questioningly. “What, you’ve got a big day tomorrow and you need your rest. It’s time for this princess to hit the hay.” She pouted at him as he walked to the bedroom. “Don’t give me that. You want to be well rested for tomorrow don’t you?” He smiled; it was like talking to Ava. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He set her on her feet by the bed and pulled the blankets back. She laid her hand on his arm as he tried to get her to get in bed. “Rich” she whispered, “I’m not ready for bed yet.” <br /><br />He put his fingers over her mouth, “no talking, remember?” <br /><br />She pulled his hand away, “I remember, but I’m talking anyway. I’ll be fine.”<br /><br />Something was bothering her, he could tell. “What’s wrong?” <br /><br />She leaned into him and he wrapped his arms around her, “I’m nervous, no, I take that back, I’m scared to death about tomorrow night.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie managed to get Kara into bed and he slid in next to her. Holding her close Richie tried to allay her fears. “You’re going to be great tomorrow night princess. Just remember, you know most of the people that will be in the audience tomorrow. There’s nothing to be nervous about."<br /><br />Kara rested her cheek against his chest, “I know, but I’ve never sung in front of a large crowd before. I just don’t want to screw up.” <br /><br />He kissed the top of her head, “just think of it as a night out at karaoke with your friends; either that picture everyone but Jon in their underwear. That should help.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara laughed, “why not Jon?” <br /><br />Richie snorted, “I’ve seen it and it ain’t so pretty. Believe me, you don’t want to have that image burned in your brain.” <br /><br />Kara laughed again, “you are so mean. Does he know you say stuff like that about him?” <br /><br />Richie laughed, “I’m sure and I would bet he says the same shit about me. We’ve been friends for 25 years, we gotta get our laughs somehow.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As their laughed died away they talked quietly until their whispers faded and as sleep overtook them Kara had forgotten all about being nervous.</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-14556131212950002102009-08-26T07:12:00.000-07:002009-08-26T07:20:37.266-07:00Chapter 42<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara woke early the next day. She was going to call Jen and see if they were available to get together. Richie wanted to meet her friends, she was just afraid of what her best friend might do. Hopefully she wouldn’t totally lose control. She picked up the phone and hoped for the best. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">By the time Kara got off the phone she was laughing and sure she would never hear properly out of her right ear again. Jen had squealed, actually squealed when Kara asked about getting together. She and Richie were expected over there for brunch at noon. With a smile she went to wake Richie and let him know. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Stopping in the doorway she looked over to her bed and the dark head that rested on the pillow next to hers. He must be having a good dream, his full soft lips were curved into a slight smile. She crossed the room, dropping her robe on the way and slid back into the bed next to him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">“Morning princess.” She looked up at him, “you’re awake?” He hadn’t even opened his eyes or moved when she got into the bed.<br /><br />He rolled over and wrapped his arm around her, “not really but we could remedy that.”<br /><br />She closed her eyes as his lips found her shoulder, “oh, what did you have in mind?”<br /><br />He slid his hand around to cup her breast, “let me show you.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He kissed his across her shoulder and up her neck, nudging her hair out of the way and nuzzling up behind her ear. “I like your remedy so far” she sighed as his tongue traced the shell of her ear. She turned her head and as their lips met his hand slid from her breast, down across her belly, teasing the butterfly there before moving lower. He swallowed her groan as his fingers slid inside, she was already wet for him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She grabbed his forearm as his fingers teased and tantalized, pushing her over with a near scream before replacing his fingers with the hard length of him. “Jesus princess, so good.” He held her close as he moved, slowly at first, enjoying the feeling of her fisting around him. He nipped at her shoulder and her neck, his hand cupped her breast, pinching the hardened tip lightly as he thrust into her. She was so close. “Richie.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He could feel that she was almost ready, “what do you need baby?”<br /><br />She turned her head, “touch me.” She took his hand and slid it down her body, needing his fingers on her. He shifted his hand, covering hers with his and he watched as she touched herself, throwing herself into a near violent orgasm, her contracting muscles pulling him into his own release. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">“Richie?” They had been lying there, quietly, Richie still inside her, when she glanced at the clock and realized they needed to get up. “Hmmm, what?” She tried to move, but he held her fast, “don’t move yet baby.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She turned her head to look back at him, “we need to get up and get dressed.”<br /><br />He kissed her, “why’s that?”<br /><br />She smiled, “you get to meet my friend Jen and her family today. She invited us for brunch.”<br /><br />He opened his eyes, “should I wear my body armor or just the steel cup?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">~ </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Standing on the step waiting for the door to be answered Kara turned to Richie, "you sure you're ready for this?" Before he could answer the door was thrown open and two small bodies hurtled themselves at Kara. "Auntie K!" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara knelt down and hugged the girls close, "how're my girls today?"<br /><br />They kissed her cheeks, "good" they answered in unison. It was only when they stepped back that they realized that Kara wasn't alone. Before the girls had a chance to ask who she had brought with her, Jen appeared in the doorway. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"Girls, let Kara get in before you throw yourselves at her."<br /><br />Kara laughed, "it's fine Jen, really." They hugged and as they stepped into the foyer, Kara turned to Richie. "Richie, these are my best girls, Madeline and Elizabeth." She pointed to each little girl as she named them. He crouched down, "hi girls, it's very nice to meet both of you." The girls giggled and ran off down the hall. Richie stood and Kara took his hand, "now I'd like you to meet my best friend, this is Jen."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jen looked from Kara to the tall, dark haired man of many of her fantasies standing next to her. <span style="font-style: italic;">Holy shit, Richie Sambora is standing in my foyer!</span> She had all she could do not to scream the house down. She extended her hand and in a voice that was decidedly none to steady she greeted Richie, "hi Richie, it's nice to meet you." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Knowing full well that she was a fan, Richie took her hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a kiss to the back of it, "the pleasure is most definitely all mine Jen. Thank you for having us over today."<br /><br />Kara rolled her eyes and shook her head at the scene in front of her. "Jen, where's David?"<br /><br />She gestured absently behind her, "in the kitchen I think." Kara grabbed her arm and Richie's hand, "come on, let's go find him and see what he made for brunch. I'm starved." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">When they got to the kitchen Jen took Kara's arm and directed her toward the back door. "Come with me for a minute."<br /><br />Kara dragged her heels, "it's freezing outside Jen. What's your problem?"<br /><br />Jen dragged Kara along, "just come with me!" Kara sighed loudly and followed Jen out to the garage. As soon as the door shut behind them Jen whirled around to look at Kara. "OH MY GOD! Richie freaking Sambora is in my house!" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kara grabbed Jen's hands, "shhh, he's right in there" she indicated behind her. "Calm down Jen. He's just a guy."<br /><br />Jen looked at her incredulously, "just a guy? He's Richie Sambora, the man I've had more than one fantasy about Kara. Come on, you know me." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">With Jen's hands still in hers Kara tried to calm her friend down. "I know who he is Jen and believe me when I tell you, the band is just his job. He's just a regular guy, just like your husband." Kara stopped for a second, "you want to know something normal about him? Something I bet even David does?"<br /><br />Jen nodded, maybe it would help. "Sure, what does he do that is so normal?"<br /><br />Kara closed her eyes, Richie was so going to kill her. "He leaves the toilet seat up." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jen started laughing. "No way, really?"<br /><br />Kara nodded, "yep. See, he's just a normal guy."<br /><br />Jen took a deep breath, "okay, I think I'm all right now." She grabbed bottle of wine from the fridge, "come on let's go back in." She turned to Kara before opening the door, "thanks for not letting me make too big a fool of myself."<br /><br />Kara nudged her with her shoulder, "you're welcome, now open the damn door, I'm freezing." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie and David were talking when the girls came back in. "Everything all right?" Richie had an idea of why Jen hauled Kara off to the garage but he didn't want to embarrass her.<br /><br />Kara smiled and went to him, "everything is just fine." She kissed his cheek before moving to hug David, "how are you Dave?"<br /><br />He hugged her back, "just fine Kar. You guys ready to eat?"<br /><br />The girls jumped up from the game they were playing, "we are! We're starving!" Laughing, the adults made their way to the dining room. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">After they had eaten and the girls went back to their game, the adults sat drinking their coffee and the recital at school was brought up. Jen looked pointedly at Kara, "are you nervous?"<br /><br />She shook her head, "no, not really. Not yet anyway. Ask me again Wednesday night at 6:59."<br /><br />Jen laughed and looked over at Richie. "Are you going?"<br /><br />Richie glanced at Kara and then back at Jen, "sadly no, apparently I'm not allowed as I don't have a child in the school."<br /><br />Jen sighed, "that's too bad." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">She looked over at Kara, "isn't there anything you can do about that?"<br /><br />Kara shook her head, "as much as I want him to be there, it's out of my hands. The tickets went to all the parents, none were given to the teachers." She looked over at Richie, he was just finishing his coffee, "sorry Rich, you know I want you to be there, right?" He nodded, "I do baby, I know." Kara stood, "more coffee?" They all nodded and she left for the kitchen. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jen leaned over and whispered something to David and he nodded at her. With his permission she turned to Richie, "do you really want to go Wednesday night?"<br /><br />Richie studied the couple across from him. They were up to something. "I do. What do you have in mind?"<br /><br />Jen leaned across the table, David'll stay home with the girls and you can come with me." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Richie's eyes widened slightly and he looked over at David, "you sure about that?"<br /><br />He nodded, "she wants you there more than me Richie. Jen's going to video it anyway, I'll watch it later."<br /><br />Richie stretched his hand across the table, "thanks man. I appreciate it." he looked conspiratorially at Jen, "let's not tell Kara. I want to surprise her."<br /><br />Jen grinned, "you got it."</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-26408290972250122582009-08-26T07:03:00.000-07:002009-08-26T07:12:16.813-07:00Chapter 41<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie poked his head around and over Kara's shoulder to look down at Jake, "hey little man." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jake tore his eyes from Kara and looked up, "Uncle Mookie, you're here too?" The confusion was evident on his little face. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Jake" he turned his head at his father's voice, Jon scooped him up and flipped him over his shoulder, "you're not supposed to answer the door." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jake's arms were dangling down Jon's back and he was giggling, "sorry dad."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jon motioned for Kara and Richie to come in, "come on in guys, Richie you know where the closet it, hang up your coats." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie just shook his head and looked at Kara, "he's the hostess with the mostess, if you couldn't already tell." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara laughed, "this should prove to be an interesting evening." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He took her coat and hung it up, "how so?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She smiled and took his hand, "I get to see you in your natural habitat." Richie's laughter rang down the hall ahead of them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As they were sitting in the living room talking, Jake sidled up to Kara, "Ms. D'Angelo?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She turned her attention on the handsome little boy, "yes Jake, what is it?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He shifted his weight from one foot to another, clearly uneasy. "Did I do something bad?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara's eyes widened, "of course not. Why would you think that?" The conversation in the room had quieted as everyone was trying to hear what Jake was saying.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jake looked down at his feet and then back up at Kara, "well if I didn't do something bad then why are you here?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara chuckled, "oh Jake, I'm here because your Uncle" she paused and looked at Richie with a question in her eyes, "Mookie? He invited me." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The relief Jake felt was written all over his face, "really?!" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara smiled, "really Jake. I'm not here because of anything you did at school." He smiled brightly, hugged Kara before he realized what he was doing and then ran off after the other kids to wash up. Kara turned her attention back to the adults, "Jon and Dorothea, you have wonderful children." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dot nodded, "thanks, but you haven't seen them when it comes to chores and bedtime yet."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jon and Richie turned their conversation toward music and Dorothea and Kara chatted idly about school and the kids. "Do you have any children of your own Kara?" Dot was trying to get a feel for how things could possibly go for her and Richie. She didn't miss the wistful look that crossed Kara's face. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"No, unfortunately. Maybe one day I will, but it just hasn't happened for me yet." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dot looked at Richie and then back at Kara, "I'm sure it will."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After dinner the children took off in four different directions and the adults were left alone with their coffee and conversation. "Kara?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She looked up from her cup to find Jon looking at her, "yes?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He looked at Richie and and taking his slight nod as an okay continued, "will you do something for me?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She smirked, "that depends on what it is you want." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dorothea laughed and he raised an eyebrow, "I want you to sing for us." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara felt the color drain from her face, "you want me to what?" She turned to Richie "did you know he was going to do this?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He shook his head, "nope, not a clue." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara took a deep breath, "you're going to hear me sing on Wednesday, can't you wait til then?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He shook his head, "no, I want the sneak preview. Come on, you've been practicing, right? Think of this as just one more chance to perfect your performance." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She shook her head and looked at Richie and Dorothea, "does he always get what he wants?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">They nodded, "pretty much." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She sighed and looked at Jon, "I don't know. Do you happen to have a piano on hand?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jon stood and motioned for them to follow him. He led them into the next room and in the corner was the most gorgeous, glossy black baby grand piano Kara had ever seen. He looked at Kara, "will this do?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She nodded blithely as she stared at the beautiful instrument. "It's beautiful. Do you play it?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He took her over to it and had her sit down, "not as much as I should. Do you need music?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She shook her head, "no." She ran a few scales before starting in on the song.</span><br /><br /></span> <span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >Someday, somewhere<br />We'll find a new way of living<br />Will find a way of forgiving<br />Somewhere...<br /><br />There's a place for us<br />Somewhere a place for us<br />Peace and quiet and open air<br />Wait for us<br />Somewhere</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jon watched as she performed, he had heard her sing before, but he hadn't seen it. Now he knew; she had </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >it</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">. That same it that everyone told him he had. He had seen it before, but never up close like this. Richie had been right. She was going to be sensational. </span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br />There's a time for us<br />Someday there'll time for us<br />Time together and time to spare<br />Time to learn, time to care<br />Someday, somewhere<br /><br />We'll find a new way of living<br />Will find there's a way of forgiving<br />Somewhere... somewhere... somewhere...<br /><br />There's a place for us<br />A time and a place for us<br />Hold my hand and we're half way there<br />Just hold my hand and I'll take you there<br />Somehow...<br />Someday, somewhere...</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dorothea was the first to speak after Kara had finished. "Do any of the other teachers know you can sing like that?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She shook her head, "no, I don't think so. Up until now, I haven't done much singing outside of teaching the kids songs for the Christmas program and the spring concert." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dorothea shook her head, "well they're in for quite a shock on Wednesday night."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie nodded his head in agreement, "you're going to be great princess." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara felt her cheeks grow warm, "I hope so."</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-66410004836485372892009-08-14T09:20:00.000-07:002009-08-14T09:26:34.921-07:00Chapter 40<span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie toyed with the dark strands of hair that were spread across the pillow. Kara was still asleep. He slid the covers down and traced light circles on her shoulder. Turning on his side, Richie wrapped his arm around her, resting his hand on her stomach, his fingers brushing idly at the butterfly nestled at her navel. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A light tickling sensation dragged Kara from her dreams. She turned as she came fully awake, nestling in closer to Richie, resting her forehead against his chest. “Good morning.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie kissed her head, “good morning princess.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara pressed a kiss to the center of his chest, “how long have you been awake?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He shifted and their legs tangled together under the blankets, “long enough to watch you sleep for a little bit.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She lifted her head and pressed a kiss to his adam’s apple, “that had to be about as much fun as watching paint dry.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He shook his head, “I’d lie here all day and watch you sleep; nothing boring about it.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Her fingers coasted over his chest, “if you say so. What time is it?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie lifted his head to look across to the night table, “10:30. Why, you in a hurry to go somewhere?” He didn’t want to get out of bed yet, he was enjoying just holding her in his arms.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara shook her head, “not at the moment, but I do have my normal Saturday stuff to do; laundry, bank, Stop & Shop.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He rolled her over, “sounds like a pretty full day. Got room for one more thing?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She traced his face with her fingers, “depends on what that one more thing might be.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He trailed light kisses across her collar bone, “Jon invited us to dinner tonight.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Her eyes widened, “what did you just say?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie smirked against her chest, “you heard me princess. Jon invited us to dinner tonight.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She pulled his head up so she could look him in the eye, “why did he do that?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie rolled over onto his back and pulled her with him, “because he’s my friend and he wants to get to know the woman I’m spending most of my time with.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara sighed “I don’t suppose I could not go. Is that an option?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie pushed her hair off her shoulder, “now why would you not want to go? Don’t you want to meet my friends?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She shook her head, “it’s not that Richie, not at all. It’s just that he’s the parent of one of my students. It just feels a little weird. I’ve never had a meal with one of the parents before.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie tugged her over on top of him so she was straddling him, “don’t think of him as one of the parents, he’s just Jon, my friend.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara sat up, letting the sheet pool at her waist, “can we stop talking about your friends now?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He slid his hands up and down her sides, caressing her breasts before resting his hands on her hips. “What do you want to talk about?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She rolled her hips and leaned down, her mouth hovering over his, “I don’t want to talk anymore.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When they finally got out of bed they took a leisurely shower and Richie made them breakfast as Kara started the laundry. By the time they got back to Kara’s place after all her errands, they had gone to the bank, the dry cleaner, ran her car through the car wash and stopped at the Stop & Shop, it was late afternoon. Richie stretched out on the couch as Kara put away her groceries and hung up her clothes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">While Richie was ‘recharging’ as he called it Kara wandered into her spare room. Taking a look around she decided that it was time; time to put the past in the past and leave it there for good. She opened the curtains to let the late afternoon light in, dusted off the piano and shelves and sat down. Her eyes landed on the few small boxes that were stacked against the far wall of the room. They contained all her mother’s sheet music. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie found her stacking the music on the shelves a little while later. “What’re you doing?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara turned, “something I should have done a long time ago. Did you have a nice nap?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He chuckled, “I did not nap, I told you I was recharging. You wore me out today.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara laughed, and patted his arm, “its okay babe. It must be hell getting old.” Richie started to say something and then stopped when he noticed the shelves that had been empty the night before now held stacks of music. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He walked closer and thumbed through the piles. “Where did all this come from?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara set the last stack down, “it belonged to my mother. It came with the piano.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie nodded and looked around, “you cleaned in here.” It wasn’t a question. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She looked up at him, “I decided it was time.” She glanced at her watch, “now its time to get ready to go meet your friend.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie smiled, “am I ever going to meet your friends?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">They walked out of the room together, leaving the door open behind them, “I think if I introduced you to my friend Jen, she just might have a heart attack. Either that, she may try to have her wicked way with you. Quite possibly both.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie laughed, “I’ll be gentle. But, seriously, I do want to meet your friends princess.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara paused at the bathroom door, “I’ll call Jen tomorrow and see what she’s got going on.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The ride to Jon’s was short and uneventful. Kara was impressed by the house and grounds that spread out before her as they passed through the gate. Waiting for someone to open the door, Kara gripped Richie’s hand. She had never socialized with parents and/or students outside of school and she was slightly nervous. Before she could focus on that too much they heard the pounding of running feet and the door was thrown open. Kara found herself looking down into Jake’s startling blue eyes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Ms. D’Angelo, what are you doing here?!”</span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-27382285585282523282009-08-14T09:11:00.000-07:002009-08-14T09:19:39.366-07:00Chapter 39<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After waking alone, Richie found Kara in the kitchen, dressed not in her robe but in the pajamas he had seen her in once before. The red flannel pants with snowflakes scattered over them were matched with a red sleep tank and a white zip up hoodie sweatshirt. Her feet were covered in thick red socks, her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail and she had her glasses on. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He slid his arms around her from behind, “what are you doing?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara looked up over her shoulder, “playing tiddlywinks with manhole covers.” She said it with such a straight face that Richie had to laugh. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Smart ass, what are you making?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She turned and kissed him, “pancakes, how’s that sound?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His stomach rumbled, loudly, making them both laugh, “Pancakes sound good. Apparently I’m hungry.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She poked him in the stomach, making him step back. “What was that for?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She grinned at him, “I need to get to the stove and you were in my way.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He rubbed a hand across his stomach, “you could have asked, I would have moved.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She poured batter on the hot griddle, “it was more fun to poke you.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He rolled his eyes and reached for a coffee cup. “What do you want to do today princess?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara pondered his question, wondering what he would think of what she wanted to do. She flipped the pancakes before turning back to him. “I want to stay in my pajamas all day and just read or watch movies or just talk. Would that be all right with you?” She turned back to the griddle, missing the smile that crept across his face. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Princess?” He waited for her to turn her attention back to him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When she turned her head she saw the smile and relief washed through her. “Since you have such cute pajamas on, how could I refuse that?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She looked down at herself, then back up at him, “they are cute, aren’t they?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He laughed, “you are in some kind of mood this morning princess. What got into you?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She brought the pancakes to the table, “you did, last night.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He nearly choked on his coffee, “Jesus princess. I think I’m in trouble here today.” She just smiled at him and kissed his cheek.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After the breakfast dishes were done Richie and Kara settled themselves in her oversized chair, put their feet up on the ottoman and surfed through the channels looking for something to watch. Finding nothing of interest Richie flipped to one of the music channels and set the remote aside, letting the quiet music envelope them. <br /><br />He wrapped his arm around Kara and kissed her head, enjoying the closeness. It was something he had been missing since his breakup with Heather. And with Denise, there weren’t really any moments like this. She liked to be on the go all the time. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara flipped through her People magazine and Richie stopped her when she came across a random picture of Heather. She looked up at him, “something wrong?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He shook his head, “no, not really.” He looked at the picture again, “do you want to know about her” he paused, “or Denise?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara closed the magazine, “do you want to tell me about them?” He took the magazine from her and dropped it to the floor before taking her hand and lacing their fingers together. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">For the next hour Richie filled Kara in on everything that had transpired in the last few years of his life. His divorce, his dad, getting together and then breaking up with Denise, the drinking; he didn’t hold anything back. She had told him about Greg, this was the least he could do for her. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara shifted and draped one leg over the arm of the chair, resting her head on Richie’s chest as she looked up at him, “how has Ava fared out through all of this?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">That one question cemented in Richie’s mind just what a gem he had found in her. None of the other women he had dated had ever asked about Ava. He looked down at Kara, “actually, better than I would have ever expected. She seems to have adjusted to her new routine without any problems.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara reached up and pressed a kiss to Richie’s lips, “good. It can be hard for a child to go through all of that and come out unscathed. I’m glad she’s doing so well. You are doing the best that you can and it shows, through her.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie pulled her fully onto his lap and hugged her close. His voice was full of emotion when he spoke “that was the nicest thing anyone has said to me princess. You are truly a gem baby and I’m glad I found you.” <br /><br />Kara kissed him again, lingering this time, the tip of her tongue tracing his lips until he parted his lips. The kiss was gentle and soothing rather than igniting the passion between them. With a sigh Kara pulled her mouth from his and laid her head on his shoulder. The morning had moved on to mid-afternoon while they sat there, listening to the music and learning more about each other. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara was idly running her hand across his chest when she looked up to find him watching her, “what?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He shook his head, “I know we were going to just sit here all day but I was wondering if you want to do something?” His stomach rumbled, “how about we get dressed and go have a late lunch and then catch a movie?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She walked her fingers up his chest and wound them into his hair, “can I pick the movie?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He kissed the tip of her nose, “only if I can pick where we eat.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara agreed, “as long as I don’t have to get any dressier than jeans and a sweatshirt, that’s fine.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie slid his arms under her and stood, “I don’t think Barnacle Bill’s has a dress code, I think you’ll be fine.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She smiled and kissed his cheek, “good, let’s go.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The burgers were juicy and messy, just like a good burger should be. She had ketchup on her cheek and chin. Richie reached over and wiped her cheek with his finger, “you missed a spot.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She smiled, “at least I didn’t get any on me. This is my best shirt.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He had to laugh. The ancient Giants hoodie had seen better days. It was faded to almost gray from so many washings. “If that’s your best shirt, I’d hate to see what your worst one looked like.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She flipped her hair over her shoulder, “my worst one is a rag that I dust with now.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He just shook his head and motioned to the waitress for the check. “Come on, ready for the movies now?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She stood and grabbed her jacket off the hook, “aren’t you worried that I might have picked a chick flick?” He hadn’t asked what they were seeing. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He helped her with her coat and slipped his own on, “did you? Pick a chick flick I mean?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She shoved her hands in her pockets as they stepped out into the cold February air, “no actually, I didn’t.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He opened the car door for her, “good.” He rounded the car and slid in behind the wheel, “what are we seeing?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She turned to face him as he started the car, “a foreign film, with subtitles.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie put the car in park and turned to meet her gaze, he could see the laughter twinkling in her eyes, “good, I love those.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She crossed her eyes at him, “you’re no fun.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He laughed at her, “actually, I am a ton of fun. So come on, what did you decide on?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She stuck her tongue out at him, “the new Matthew McConaughey movie, </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >Fools Gold</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He put the car in drive again, pulled out onto the main road and headed into town, “good I can fawn over Kate Hudson while you drool over Matt.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She elbowed him, “I do not drool!” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He chuckled, “we’ll see about that.” </span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877960871455033283.post-35663430236857264172009-08-14T09:05:00.000-07:002009-08-14T09:09:39.504-07:00Chapter 38<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara looked down at her hands and then back up at Richie. His eyes, usually full of smiles and mischief, were now dark with worry and concern. “Because of you.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Without taking his eyes off of hers he laced their fingers together, “tell me.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She looked down at their intertwined fingers, “when my mom was still alive her and Jen were my biggest supporters. She, like you, wanted me to do something with my voice. Then Greg came along and we thought ‘this is it, it’s going to happen.’ You know what happened after that. He screwed me over, left me high and dry; then my mom and dad died. Other than Jen, I lost the people who believed in me the most. I decided that was it, I was done. My dream was over. I went back to school got my teaching degree and tried my damnedest to forget.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She paused, looking up at him, “then, on Christmas Eve, in the most unlikely place, I met you. You’ve made me remember. You’ve helped me find my passion for the music again. You believe in me and are helping me to believe in myself again.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie pulled his hand from hers and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close “princess, you have a gift, one that should be shared and I’m more than happy to be the one that helps you do that. How could I not believe in someone who has a natural talent that most people would give their right arm to have?” He paused, pulling back and turning slightly so he could see her face, “I have never been happier to have been in church on Christmas Eve than I was this past year princess. Meeting you was the best gift I could have been given.” He tilted her head up and pressed his lips to her forehead. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She sighed, “thank you” before reaching up and pressing her lips to his, kissing him gently. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rising from the bench Kara took a few steps and turned to look at him, “Wednesday night is the faculty/parent night. I have to admit, I’m more than a little nervous just thinking about it. I just wish you could be there.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He stood and went to her, “you’re going to be great. I wish I could be there too, maybe I can call Jon and he can leave his phone on so I can listen in.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kara smiled and wrapped her arms around him, “it’s not the same as being there, but I guess that will have to do.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Richie swung her up into his arms. “Let’s go back to bed.” He carried her back to the bedroom and set her on her feet next to the bed. He worked the tie of her robe loose and slid it off her shoulders, letting it pool at her feet, exposing her creamy skin. His lips were soft and warm as they caressed her shoulder and nipped their way up to her neck. She felt his warm breath at her ear, “turn your brain off” he whispered before trailing the tip of tongue around the shell of her ear.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She shivered and put everything out of her mind, everything but what he was doing, how he was making her feel.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Easing her down onto the bed he dropped his pants to the floor and lay down next to her, taking her in his arms. As their mouths met in a tortuously slow kiss, Richie’s hands moved over her body, his fingers touch every bit of bare skin he could reach. When they slid lower, through the dark curls and into her heat she pulled her mouth from him, his name rolling off her tongue on a groan. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He pulled her over on top of him, letting her take him into her warmth. “Jesus princess you feel so good.” She sat up and rolled her hips, watching his eyes nearly cross as she did. She stretched her arms letting her fingers comb through her hair before leaning back and letting the dark mass sweep across Richie’s thighs. He reared up, “God baby,” he flipped them and drove into her. She had him so close he could barely control himself. She wrapped her self around him and met each thrust. When he dipped his head and took her nipple into his mouth he felt the tell tale tightening and with a final thrust he spilled into her, their shouts of release echoing in the room.</span><br /></span>Queeniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14400635275075265985noreply@blogger.com0