Chapter 32

“Well, hell, that didn’t take long.” Kris looked over at the remaining GDs and men that were still partying and drinking together after watching first Linda and Richie, then Amber and Jon leave. Followed very shortly thereafter by Lainey on Daniel’s arm, the two speaking more with their eyes than words. That Stas and Timmy, the guitar tech/musician with Nickelback, hit it off almost instantaneously and he was taking her upstairs to drink some Ouzo in his room was a surprise, not that he wasn’t a complete hottie, but earlier she’d been talking intently to David and they all figured she’d be the one to take on the Joker.

When David looped his arm around Tara’s shoulders, waggled his eyebrows and made a suggestion that she accepted was about when Kris determined she’d had enough to drink. This whole night was surreal. First, she got flown here, ended up in the pit, partied and got shit-faced with the band and her friends and now she was in a bar drinking and partying with Nickelback, well, other than Daniel who’d left with Lainey and Ryan that vanished somewhere with Bean.

From where she was sitting and now nursing a Pepsi, she was jealous that Nikki had Chad’s rapt attention. Pleased also that Lynn finally rid herself of Bobby and was currently wrapped around Mike being soundly and thoroughly kissed. Looking around she saw Bobby was nowhere around, snorting quietly to herself in relief.

“What’s so funny?”

The deep timbre of the male voice that came from behind her startled her, turning she was surprised to see Hugh McDonald standing there. “My friends.” They’d talked back at the bar during the party, but thought he’d gone upstairs and not joined their party in the second bar of the night.

“They are a pretty wild bunch. Why are you sitting way over here?” He sat with her.

“Trying to get sober enough to go to bed.”

His eyebrows winged upwards, “you have to be sober for that?” paused, then added “want an escort?”

Throwing caution to the wind, and her marital free pass along with it, even though Jon was supposed to be her free pass, she headed out with Hugh on her arm. At least, she thought, I won’t be the one not getting laid tonight. As they stood to leave, she noticed that Nikki and Chad were heading towards the elevators too. And neither will Nikki.

Having said good night to Rue and Paula when they’d stumbled upstairs too drunk to join in and seeing Dana and Tico wander outside to go find an open restaurant, she counted in her head, yep, that was all the GDs accounted for and entered the elevator with Hugh for her own private adventure.


The music he’d turned on was soft, slow and soulful, she was snuggled against his long frame on the bed, trailing her fingers down his arm, tracing the tattoo there and letting her fingers travel on down his side memorizing every inch of his gloriously nude body. Their first round had been hard, fast and pounded as intensely as the strains of Back in Black that accompanied it.

The sweat that covered both of their bodies was now drying as they laid there looking deeply into the other’s eyes, learning the curves and planes of the other’s body with gentle fingers and roving eyes. Her fantasies didn’t do this man justice. He was perfection, tall, dark, a mouth made for sin and a body to back it up. Yeah, Sambora was better than her best fantasies and she now understood completely that ‘arm of a small child in a boxing glove’ reference. He really was that big and he fit her perfectly.

“You do know that I’m not done yet, don’t you sweetheart?” Richie’s fingers brushing softly against the super-sensitized skin on the rounded curve of her breast. Lust filling the rich chocolate of his eyes as he watched the nipple pucker at his touch, dipping his head to taste her and draw the hard tip into his mouth.

Linda bit down on her own lip stifling the scream that was threatening to erupt. She’d waited a lifetime for this. She’d read stories about how romantic and giving he was, but never expected what she was getting now. His mouth suckling on her breast. Fingers, those long, graceful fingers with their calloused tips, reverently caressing her other breast, testing the weight of it, flicking her nipple with his thumb and torturing her with his deliberate, sweet attention that had her drenched waiting for more.

When he switched hands and his left snaked between them she wasn’t certain, so lost in the feeling of having him lavishing attention on her breasts. Pushing his fingers between her thighs, he was gratified to feel her spread them instinctively for his intrusion. She was wet, willing and ready for him and yet for some reason in his mind he wanted to draw this out, to take her as he would a cherished lover instead of a one night stand. Stroking his hand through her curls and into the folds of her core, he easily found the bud of her clitoris standing proudly waiting for his touch. Running his fingertip against it she gasped, shuddering already.

Chuckling against her breast at her reaction, the vibration sent shockwaves through her, sending her closer to the edge, her eyes tightly closed, lips parted, the pink of her tongue darting out mindlessly to lick her lips. Lifting away from her breast, he watched her reactions as he touched her again as he had seconds before and heard a very feminine, almost feline purr coming from deep within her. Stroking it harder her head began rolling side to side, the purr turning to a moan and moments later she broke from the sweet torture of just his one finger on her clit.

Not pausing, he pushed a finger inside her, his thumb continuing to torment her clit, starting a rhythm of entering and retreating a little, then deeper, first just the one finger, then a second and a third joining in. Linda begging for release and screaming his name when seconds later she came again. Panting from the multiple orgasms, she opened her eyes to see the deeply satisfied look in his eyes. About to say something, although words were difficult to form when you’re being fucked stupid by a rock god, he plunged into her, his own need overcoming his desire to indulge in finding out how many times he could make her come before taking his own pleasure. The feel of him inside her, filling her as only he could do, was her undoing, his name screamed triumphantly to the stars as her orgasm soared taking her to nirvana.

The way she clenched around him, enveloping him in her hot, wet womb, Richie thrust deeply. Staying seated within her he relished the feeling, listening to her ragged breathing and her mewing whimpers, withdrawing and entering again, he took his time until he was ready to explode and quickened the pace, by then her legs were twined around his hips urging him on until they both released together, collapsing in a tangle of arms and legs, sated and falling quickly to the deep, exhausted sleep of lovers.

Chapter 31

Their mouths were fused together, tongues tangling, hungrily working to get to the other’s skin. Amber had his shirt open fastest, spreading her fingers through the warm, coarse curls of graying chest hair, finding the flat disk of a nipple, she dipped her head to it and began lapping at it, sucking it into her greedy mouth and nipping on its sensitive tip. Jon’s body responded instantly to her attentions, groaning at the contact of her hot, wet mouth. Pulling at her blouse, he untucked it, his hands seared by the heat of her body as he pushed her bra away from her breasts, needing to feel their yielding weight in his hands, kneading the subtle flesh. Raising her head to his, claiming her with his mouth working overtime on her lips, traveling across her jaw trailing greedy wet kisses as he found his way to her ear, tasting and nipping at the rim of it before sucking her earlobe into his mouth. Amber moaned, tipping her head back baring her throat for his attentions.

The door dinged their arrival at Jon’s floor, Amber threw an arm out to keep it open, unwilling to allow him to stop his assault on her throat. Licking and biting down on her bottom lip at the need pooling at her core, she could feel the wet heat between her legs and anticipation was making her that much wetter. Half cognizant of the door dinging again, Amber used what little conscious thought she had to pull Jon towards it. Growling his annoyance at losing contact with her heated flesh, Jon tugged her back towards him, clutching at her bared skin below the blouse hitched up barely covering her breasts.

Panting from the need to get him inside her, she dove her fingers into his hair and drew him towards her as she stepped out of the car just as the door closed behind them, Jon’s hands latching onto her breasts and squeezing as he pushed her forward.

Falling against the wall opposite the elevator, Amber huffed out her breath at the sudden contact before she gasped, as his mouth came down on hers in a blazing kiss that stole her senses. Framing his face with her hands, she held him tightly invading his mouth with her tongue, tracing his perfect teeth, pushing against the roof of his mouth, weaving itself around his tongue in a desperate attempt to get closer.

Feeling him moving away, following out of instinct, hearing rather than seeing him hit the wall as they advanced down the hallway in a slow dance of passion that consumed them both as they attacked and counterattacked, bumping from wall to wall along their way to his room.

Jon broke away gasping, suddenly aware of their setting and laughed a low, dirty growl “you’re dangerous” spotting his shirt halfway down the hall and her blouse closer, yet still like his laying in the hotel hallway that was reverberating with the sound of AC/DC’s Back in Black coming from Sambora’s room.

Under hooded eyes, she licked her lips “and you’re an incendiary device ”, a devilish grin teased at the corners of her mouth, “fuck me now, Jon”. Reaching up to bring his face back down to hers, devouring his mouth yet again. With a gasp, Jon felt her hand leaving his face and begin caressing his aching cock through the restrictive denim that ensconced it.

“Darlin” he breathed, “I need to get my key.” Reaching into his back pocket for the card key that had a post-it attached with his room number, looking at it and then at the doorway where they stood, he glanced around and saw his room was about where his shirt was laying. Dipping down for another kiss, the sound of the elevator arriving and the giggling laughter of multiple female voices distracted him, grabbing her hand he dragged her towards his room, sliding the key in the slot, turning the key and just barely escaping inside with his shirt and her blouse before the intruders turned the corner of their hallway and their voices got louder.

Amber started grinning at him. “I feel like a teenager whose parents almost caught her.”

Shaking his head, Jon’s own lips spread in a wide smile “and we evaded them.”

Laughing, Amber shook her head and then stilled, placing a finger over his lips, listening to familiar voices, Lainey’s and Tara’s and if she wasn’t mistaken, Bean’s and Stas’s were co-mingled with the very male tones that continued down the hall. “Looks like I’m not the only one that got lucky tonight.”

“I’m the one that got lucky,” his thumbs stroked her cheeks as his fingers tangled in her long, blond tresses. “I want you Amber Sullivan.” Appraising her nearly bared breasts, tight puckered nipples under the thin covering of the pink lace bra and the trembling need etched in her eyes, he dipped his head towards hers.

Watching as he moved closer still, that perfect curvy mouth opening slightly as it came down on hers, the smile was wiped from her eyes in a split second turning from teasing to smoky desire. Sighing as she gave over to her desire and melted into his perfect body that she didn’t want to admit to herself how much she’d wanted him.

Blindly leading towards the bed, connected by their mouths that couldn’t get enough of each other’s, Jon unhooked her bra, pushing her hands down to allow it to drop. Amber grabbed at his waistband unbuttoning and forcing the zipper down that was pressed so tightly against his cock. Reaching in she wrapped her fingers around its silky length, sighing at its heat and the pulsing of his heartbeat within it. His hands were busily unbuttoning and unzipping her pants, frustrated when they wouldn’t budge.

Loathe to release his erection, but more anxious to be naked, Amber unfastened the second button and shoved her pants to the floor, stepping out of them and returning her gaze to the dilated depths of his electric blue eyes. “I’m ready.”

Dropping his own jeans, Jon walked over them and took her into his arms, one hand splayed across her back, the other on her sweet ass pressing her against his erection. “I’m willing and able.”

Softly smiling, she shook her head at him again “is this when we burst into song?”

Not understanding with lust fogging his brain, one eyebrow quirked upwards in a boyish look of confusion.

She provided his answer as she shifted towards him, singing softly, something she never would have considered doing to him if she wasn’t intoxicated.

Help me lay my cards out on the table
You're mine and I'm yours for the taking
Right now the rules we made are meant for breaking

Bubbling from deep within him, laughter burst forward, singing the next two lines with her.

What you get ain't always what you see
But satisfaction's guaranteed

Willing to prove it, Jon scooped her up carrying her to the bed and following down without bothering to turn it down, thinking to himself how very fortunate he was to have brothers like his, who went to such great lengths to find her for him again. He’d have to thank them, but tonight, he was busy.

Chapter 30

Jon tugged her from the car when the door opened and with his arm wrapped around her shoulders they headed for the inside of the hotel. The car full of her friends pulled up at the same time they had and were tumbling out of the car singing Bon Jovi songs off-key and laughing about nothing.

Seeing Richie and Linda emerge from the car, she grinned since Linda’s hand was still inside Richie’s shirt and he looked pleased by it. Turning back to Jon, she couldn’t help the twinkle in her eyes, she’d been waiting months see him again and getting up to his room was taking far too long. “You promised.”

One eyebrow quirked upwards, Jon had no idea what she was talking about. It didn’t help that he was more than a little fuzzy from drinking all evening. “I did? What did I promise?”

“That we’d get the sheets all wet.” Licking her lips then and batting her eyelashes in what she hoped, in her inebriated state, was a suggestive insinuation.

His mouth was on hers in answer, both hands cradling her face.

“Get a room, you two!” Tico called from behind them.

David laughed, “yeah, get a room, you’re making me jealous.” Even if his eye was on one of her girlfriends that seemed to be warming up to him.

“Shut up, assholes!” Jon flipped them off and then groaned when the entire contingent of her drunken girlfriends came flying at them and surrounded them for a good night hug. Finding himself encircled by sweet smelling and huggy women usually wasn’t something he’d complain about, but he’d been sporting wood all night long and he wanted relief. “Good night ladies, it was a pleasure meeting you.”

“Aw, Jonny, you don’t want to join us for a drink in the bar?” Tara teased, her arm haphazardly draped over Paula’s shoulder.

“Yeah, we need to have a nightcap with Amber.” Stas and Lainey chimed in, both swaying dangerously in their current state of non-sobriety.

Amber was the one to shake her head at them, “no, you whores, I’m taking him upstairs with me. I’ve waited long enough to get laid.” Laughing when they all shouted at her for being the whore, she tugged on his arm to urge him towards the door of the hotel, all of her girlfriends staggering in behind them.

“Hey, Jon. Quite the harem you got going there, eh?” Chad Kroeger quipped at the elevator door, heading upstairs after a night at the local hot spots.

Looking around at the troupe of loudly giggling women that seemed to be following Amber and him. “You might say that. This is Amber and those are her crazy girlfriends that conspired with Sambora, Tico and Dave. We just came from a private party. You wouldn’t happen to want to meet them, would you?” Asking hopefully as he looked from Chad to Ryan, Daniel and Mike. The last thing he wanted to do was get into the elevator with the crazy bunch of women he was afraid were intent on joining them upstairs. Turning to Amber then, he pinned a pained expression on his face hoping she’d catch the hint.

Spinning back towards them without leaving the safety of his arms, she started “Oh yeah, let’s see, that’s Stas, Lainey, Tara, Paula, Kris, Dana, Lynn, Rita, Bean and Nikki, who is also from British Columbia. Cassidy went home or she’d be dying to meet you and she took Serene with her. Linda’s going to be jealous they’re meeting you since she loooooooves Daniel.” Slurring the words in her drunken state, Amber didn’t see Linda and Richie standing a little ways from them, Linda blushing significantly.

“Oh yeah?” Richie’s eyebrow lifted.

Shaking her head, Linda loudly exclaimed “oh no, not even close to how much I looooove you.” Then groaned at her own state of drunkenness. “Tell me I didn’t just say that out loud?” Blushing even more brightly.

“Oh yeah, darlin’ you did.” Laughing, then spying an opening elevator, Richie dragged her into it, “and I want you to prove just how much you looooooove me.” Exaggerating it just as she had. Before the doors closed behind them Amber saw Richie’s mouth lowering onto Linda’s and grinned drunkenly.

Still stuck in the lobby, Jon’s willpower to be pleasant with these people was quickly wearing out. “Why don’t you all go in the bar and have a nightcap on me? Chad, you and the guys game?” Asking expectantly and hoping like hell they’d take him up on it.

“Sure, come on ladies, let’s go get to know each other.” Wrapping his arm around Nikki’s shoulders “so what city do you live in?”

Amber watched as all of her friends drifted off with some of the band members pairing themselves off with the women. Grinning to herself when Daniel had Lainey caught around the waist herding her towards the bar and Ryan was likewise engaged with Stas on one arm and Tara on the other. Hugh was escorting a very inebriated Paula towards the bar for drinks none of them needed. She had to chuckle when she saw that Kris and Bean snagged Mike’s attention. What she didn’t know was where Tico and David vanished off to. Bobby followed behind the group with Lynn looking most uncomfortable and tossing murderous glares at Amber, while having the man’s hand at the small of her back urging her toward the bar. Shaking her head as the lobby suddenly became quiet and the elevator dinged its arrival. Walking onto it with Jon, she leered hungrily up at him. “Finally, I have you all to myself.”

“Hey, that should have been my line” barely made it out of his mouth before his lips were crushed by hers in an aggressive, hungry kiss. Responding in kind, Jon urged her mouth open and launched an oral attack that had her breathless with need. His fingers splayed across her back, caressing her through her blouse, snaking under the hem of it searching for her porcelain skin that felt of silk and fire.

Amber’s hands were as busy, pushing at the butter soft material of his doeskin chamois shirt. Pressed against him at the back of the elevator, she busily began unbuttoning it, wanting the offending article of clothing out of her way. She didn’t even notice when a matronly woman stared open-mouthed at them when the elevator stopped at her floor and declined to get in with the couple busily making out.

Chapter 29

Feeling his fingers playing in her long, blond hair, Amber sighed into his mouth, not wanting to let him release her until Richie’s voice rose again with a reminder that it was Jon’s turn to shoot. Separating, the glazed look on her face caused her friends to laugh at her. She didn’t care and her next turn was a disaster since Jon’s hand on her ass had her completely distracted.

Losing the game, she also lost interest in playing any longer, but Jon and Richie declared they wanted to play a game and before any of them knew it, Tico, Hugh and David were right there arguing who would play on which team and who was the odd man out. While they did that the girls all gathered at the tables just off from the pool room and started catching up.

It was great to get together for the first time as a whole group, something that had never happened before. Lainey and Lynn had met for various things over in England, Paula and Tara knew each other from campouts and were fast friends anyway. Linda, Rita, Bean, Kris and Dana met at Soaring Eagle in August. Other than that, Stas, Amber and Cassidy knew Linda and Rita along with Tara and Paula from shows in their area, but never had the entire group gotten together as one. It was the first time that Nikki had gotten to join them all for a show without her hubby along, she and Lainey had met for some non-Jovi outings, yet she’d never been to a show with the GDs as a whole. Once they all had drinks in hand, they sat down and started talking. It was as if they’d all been best friends for years and talked non-stop, laughing, drinking and having fun just being girls, almost, but not quite, forgetting that in the next room were their favorite Rock Gods.

After a while Jon, Richie and the others joined them and the party started getting wild. Drinking games got underway and before too long there wasn’t a single one of them that was even marginally sober, especially not after the tequila got broken out and they started playing quarters. By then Amber was sitting on Jon’s lap nibbling on his ear and teasing him with her tongue.

Linda had found her way onto Richie’s lap, although Cassidy was drunk enough that she’d crawled onto his lap as well and the two women were teasing him about who he was taking back to the hotel with him. He kept asking if he really had to make a choice and in unison they both would start laughing and reply ‘YES!’

Weaving her way towards the bathroom, the room spinning as she attempted to make the trip alone, suddenly feeling hands coming from behind, Amber lurched forward and was steadied by warm, soft hands. “Careful darlin’. Don’t want you getting hurt.” Jon’s voice feathered across her ear.

'Dammit, I finally get another chance and I’m wasted’ she thought. “Nope, not getting hurt.” With his help she made it to the bathroom and closed the door behind them. Reaching up, her hands dug into the mane of blond hair bringing his mouth down to hers “kiss me”. Obliging, Jon captured her lips and his tongue dove into her mouth. His hands slipping down her shoulders, gathering her against him and deepening the kiss that in his mind tasted like tequila and heaven.

Amber groaned into his mouth, her fingers finding the buttons of the doeskin chamois shirt and began opening them hurriedly. She couldn’t wait to get her hands on him and the graying fur of his chest. Pushing the sides of it open, she broke the kiss to lave at the flat disks of his nipples, tasting the saltiness, smelling the scent of him and that cologne that she couldn’t place.

The now familiar feel of his jeans far too tight against his crotch, Jon backed her away from the door moving her towards the handicap stall for some privacy. Their lips never losing contact, hands busily working to relieve the other of clothing, desperate to find flesh and take what they needed from one another. She had the button of his jeans open and was about to lower the zipper when they heard the door crash open and both Tara and Paula stumble into the room. Laughing, Tara spied them, her mouth went dry at the sight of Jon with his shirt wide open and Amber’s hands at his waistband. Paula just leered and laughingly rejoined “you go girl!” as she staggered towards the bathroom stall, with Tara suddenly blushing and ducking into the handicap stall behind them.

Sighing, Amber felt suddenly foolish and semi-sober, turning pleading eyes to Jon. Rolling his at her, he buttoned his shirt and waited while she did her own and returned to the party, both even more frustrated than they’d been before they arrived. As much as the both wanted to leave, neither felt it would be appropriate since the party was thrown for their benefit.

The later the evening got and the drunker they became, someone started a game of darts and when Lou’s prized football signed by Joe Montana was impaled by an errant dart, he told them that it was closing time and shooed the whole group out of the bar and into the waiting limos. Stumbling out the door, the girls all started hugging one another and the band, drunk enough that even Bobby Bandara got hugged and kissed before they started crawling into the car taking them to the hotel.

Amber got in with the guys and giggled when Linda elbowed Cassidy out of the way to join her. Grouching about how Linda always got all the luck, Cassidy stumbled over to the other limo and gave the driver the directions to her house. None of them would be picking up their cars tonight and most of them were headed back to the same hotel as the band.

Drunk and happy, Amber boldly grabbed Jon and put him in a lip-lock that had his band mates hooting and catcalling, except for Richie who was sprawled on one of the seats with Linda sprawled on top of him. Kissing him deeply, Amber’s tongue thrust into his mouth in a drunken version of tonsil hockey that was reciprocated just as enthusiastically by Jon. In his alcohol soaked brain he couldn’t help but be thankful that the sexy, sweet, sensual woman in his arms would be in his bed again shortly. Not that he’d been without sex partners, but this particular woman caused his jeans to chaff his privates more than any in a very long time.

Groaning when her long, delicate fingers slid down to his crotch and started massaging, it was all he could to do not take her right in front of the others with all of the teasing he’d endured tonight. Only iron will and uncommon restraint stopped him, and he wanted to think his affection for her played a part. “Stop” he hissed, while his own hand cupped her breast through her clothing.

“You stop then, rockstar” she retorted, drunk enough not to care who saw them groping one another. Somewhere in her head she kept thinking this was a dream, but having those intense blue eyes focused on her told her it was real.

Feeling the car come to a halt, she looked past Jon to see Linda’s hand inside Richie’s shirt and almost giggled. Not that it was any more buttoned than normal, but the sight of Linda that intimately touching his body had been the subject of several dozen conversations and to see it happening just made her want to giggle. That Richie’s hand was likewise inside Linda’s made Amber grin like a Cheshire cat, seeing that was worth the loss of Jon’s attentions the last couple months all by itself.

Chapter 28

Pulling up in front of the unassuming bar, Amber was confused to find a line of people outside arguing with a security guy she’d never seen there before “what’s going on? Richie, I thought you said the bar was closed?”

“Must be somebody caught wind of us showing up.” Jon shrugged, it wasn’t unusual to find that even when they tried to keep things quiet that their more overeager fans found out, including some of their fans that fringed on stalker status, including one particular dark-haired bitch he spotted in the throng.

Looking out the window, she recognized a couple of the regulars for the bar, although the vast majority were obviously fans of the band. “I see a couple of girls I recognize, but none of them are in our group.” Smiling over at David that had his eye on a particular girl. “See someone you like?” It was her turn to waggle her eyebrows at him.

Laughing, he just smiled “guess I wasn’t being very discreet?”

The snort of laughter that came from both Jon and Richie had her wondering, but she didn’t say anything as the limo door opened and they all piled out. Jon took her hand immediately to let all those around know she was with him, causing more than a few raised eyebrows in the little crowd. The other guys followed into the bar behind them where they found Amber’s friends all gathered around the pool tables engrossed in the games and chatting together since they never had the chance to all be together at once.

Thrilled that she was in the position to introduce the guys to her friends, Amber started out. “Okay, you hussies, anyone want to meet the band?” She didn’t have to ask a second time. Running through the introductions, she laughed when Jon informed Dana that he loved playing in Utah, using his hands while he talked keeping her transfixed.

By the time she managed to get around to Linda, she discovered that her friend had vanished. “Where’d she go?” Looking around she saw her standing off to the corner, almost hiding, “Linda, get your ass over here, it’s about damned time that you properly met Richie. I mean, hell, he brought white socks for you and everything.” Seeing her friend’s eyes bug out as she completely vanished from sight, it did her heart good to see him walking straight for where she’d been. To have seen her face when he turned that corner would have been priceless, but for now she had other things on her mind.

Jon was patiently standing with her while she got all of the intros out of the way as he chatted with Lainey, Cassidy and Kris about playing a game of pool. Agreeing that it would be fun, Amber followed them to the table checking to see that everyone was having a good time as Jon tugged her behind him. Grabbing her cue stick that she left at the bar for league night, Amber chalked up and waited as Kris broke. Enjoying the banter among her friends and Jon, who was plainly aware of their eyes on his ass, he was continually bending over to make certain to tease them every chance he got. Laughing at his antics, Amber found every opportunity to slide her hand across it to see if she could make him flub a shot.

Looking around she was pleased to discover that everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and talking to the various members of the band. Tico was engaged in conversation with Dana, Nikki and Bean discussing kids and showing each other the pictures they carried with them.

Tara and Paula had Hugh cornered, laughing at something one of them had said and knowing the two of them, whatever it was, had to have been off-color verging on raunchy. She didn’t even want to know what that was about. Seeing poor Lynn stuck with Bobby, she had to snicker and wonder if she was making comments about his mouth constantly being open during the shows, shaking her head it was something she guessed would be posted online later and they’d all have a good giggle over it.

Excusing herself to use the ladies’ room, she rounded the bar where she found Stas sitting with David involved in a deep conversation about the care, pleasures and horrors of curly hair and wondered why Cassidy wasn’t right there with them. Grinning to herself that at least they were enjoying themselves, she turned the corner to find Richie and Linda standing in the hallway to the bathroom having an intense conversation. The look in their eyes told her it was better left to being private and ducked away to get a drink and reclaim Jon before he took up with one of her friends. Not that she’d blame them if he wanted a roll with them, but she was feeling very territorial about him, regardless of her misgivings about where this was going.

Seeing Lainey about to break for the next game, she wandered over to Jon and slid her hand down his ass, squeezing it to let him know she was claiming him, even if it was only for the night. She still didn’t trust his admission at the show. It rolled off his tongue a little too easily for her. “Did you win?”

Bending towards her, he couldn’t resist “I did when I found you” his tongue tracing her upper lip before capturing her mouth for a kiss.

Seeing Lainey and Kris giving them irritated glances, “hey Romeo, it’s your turn.” Richie called out, his arm now firmly around Linda’s shoulders. Amber grinned at her girlfriend that was looking more than a little dazed by it all with a pair of white socks hanging out of her coat pocket.

“Told ya that white socks were the ticket.” Winking at Richie and grinning when Linda’s eyes flared. “Hey, he asked how to figure out who was our Sam.” Shrugging, she turned back to Jon, lacing her fingers in his shaggy blond locks and urging him down for another kiss. This may be just a serial fuck, but she was going to enjoy every single episode.

Chapter 27

A fist hammering on the door forced them to a sudden stop and the rich deep sound of Richie’s voice filled the room. “Hey, Bro. We need to get going. There’s a limo waiting and you haven’t showered yet. You can have make-up sex after the party.” The laughter that followed indicated that he wasn’t alone.

“Not going to any party,” Jon had better things to do than to entertain a bunch of people he didn’t know when he was about to cram himself inside Amber’s wet, waiting pussy that already had his fingers dripping. His mouth dropping to hers again as he assaulted it with her full consent and approval. Standing in the little room with his pants around his knees and her naked and quietly begging him to hurry, Jon wasn’t interested in being sociable. He wanted to ease the painful hard on he’d been sporting since he touched her during Bed of Roses.

More fists joined Richie’s, “come on man, we want to meet Amber’s friends, Rich says they’re gutter dwellers, whatever that is.”

Groaning, Jon’s head fell back. They weren’t going to get any peace until they made their appearance at this party he didn’t know anything about. Looking into her eyes that were as hungry as his own, he sighed, “darlin’ did you know about this?”

Closing her eyes, she wanted to say no, she wanted to tell him to hurry up and fuck her, but Cassidy’s voice was echoing in her brain. “Cassidy said something about a party after the show. I didn’t know anyone except my friends would be there.”

The voices on the other side of the door weren’t going to be quieted any time soon and Jon wanted her to himself and as naked as she was now. “We’ll be out in a minute.” Kissing her quickly, he pulled at his wet jeans that were resisting his tugging at them, not helped by his raging hard-on, cursing his sweaty skin and the equally wet denim. Glad that there was no reason to put the wet gauze shirt back on.

He watched appreciatively as Amber begrudgingly dressed and allowed him to straighten her hair before they exited the tiny room. “Okay, okay, just hold on.” Kissing her to the sound of more catcalls, Jon flipped them all off before reluctantly grabbing dry clothes and heading for the shower with a “take care of my girl” as he strode past winking, then he was gone and Amber found herself surrounded by the band. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined she’d be in this position.

“So, Amber, what are your friends like?” David leered playfully, his eyebrows waggling.

Laughing, she tilted her head considering her answer, knowing that not one of her friends were Joker girls, but thinking perhaps there was one that might be persuaded. “Um, let’s see....” not believing that she was doing it, but decided that stringing them along would be fun. “There’s Bean, who’s a blast, married and oh, she’s hot on Jon. Then there’s Rita, who loves Disney stuff, married and oh yeah, she’s hot on Jon too. And there’s Lynn, she’s our Brit, studies all the time, married and hmmm, she’s...”

Laughing when the guys in unison added ‘hot on Jon’ for her.

“Okay, so then there’s Nikki, she’s a bit of a firecracker from Vancouver, married and...”

“Don’t tell me that all your friends are married?” David was getting a little bit put out that they were committed to this party with what was appearing to be a bunch of married women.

“No, Lainey’s not married, Linda’s not, Stas technically isn’t, neither is Tara, but Paula is....although I think if she had a chance she’d use her free pass.” Giggling to herself about conversations they had online about the band and marriage free passes. “Cassidy’s definitely not married. The rest of them are, but with some of them that wouldn’t stop them.” Chuckling when Richie, Dave, Tico and Hugh all started snickering about the women that came before.

“So, Amber, are any of them not hot after Jon?” Richie already knew the answer, but not her identity.

“Yeah, we have a Sam among us, just one, although there are those that do like a little dark side when it gets too crowded in the light.” Seeing none of them understood her cryptic description. “Our Sam has a thing about your white socks and sandals ever since hedonism days, so if you want to find her quickly...” Winking then, which sent Richie’s eyes flying wide and he started digging for white socks in his case, still not aware of her name.

Tico piped up, “any of them like drummers?”

“Ah yeah, there’s one that’s got a thing for the drummer in Nickelback.” Enjoying it all too much that she could tease them when her heart was hammering in her chest because she was backstage with fuckin’ Bon Jovi! Not that she wouldn’t expect it since she was seeing Jon or rather as she scrunched up her face, more like having a fuck fest with him. It was at that moment she realized she’d never seen him anywhere other than on stage and between her legs, not once had they been seen socially as a couple. Banishing that thought for the moment as his words ‘the color of my love’ drifted back into her mind, she decided to leave that conversation until another time.

Snorting, Richie socked Tico in the arm, while Dave started to laugh. “See Tek, the girls are after younger guys.”

“Yeah, well you aren’t no kid either.” Rolling his eyes at their good hearted teasing, not that he was into groupies these days with a beautiful wife and new baby at home. Seeing his buddy happy was enough and if going to an after party with her friends was what it would take to keep Jon happy, he’d be there.

Laughing and chatting with them just like they were a bunch of regular guys was so easy because they made it that way that Amber didn’t even have time to miss Jon before he was back, showered, changed and smelling of shampoo and a cologne she didn’t recognize. Sneaking up behind her to envelop her in his arms causing her to squeak with surprise. “Um, you smell nice. What is that cologne?”

“You like it?” nibbling at her ear even though the guys were standing right there watching.

“Um, yeah” her mind was going to mush again and now she was blushing bright red at the looks the rest of the band were giving them “ah, Jon....” his mouth anywhere near her tended to make her go stupid and this wasn’t any exception, stifling a gasp at the shivers coursing through her.

“Give the girl a break, Jonny,” Richie rolled his eyes at his friend that couldn’t keep his hands off the diminutive beauty, “we have a party to attend and delaying will only mean it’ll be longer before you get her alone.” Laughing at the middle finger salute directed towards him.

Reluctantly Jon released her and intertwined his fingers with hers as they headed to the waiting cars. “So where is this party?”

“Some bar the girls know. The place closed for our private party. Cassidy arranged everything, we just supplied the money and concert tickets.” Richie offered, listening as David groaned about the costs, but more about the possibility that there weren’t any of his fans in the group. Tico just smiled seeing Jon radiating his happiness, confident that their prima dona wouldn’t be busting everyone’s asses for at least the next few days.

Chapter 26

Her eyes were focused on the stage in front of her, knowing the show was about to close when her arm was grasped lightly and Jon’s tech handed her the black electrified acoustic guitar that he used for Wanted. “I’ll take the other one from him.” Smiling when he saw the delight in her eyes as Kevin told him would be there. He waited as Jon approached, the million watt smile at full radiance when he saw the woman everyone backstage was gossiping about.

Knowing his routine as well as any other fan that attended multiple shows, Amber watched as he handed over his guitar to the tech and accepted the one she was offering, sliding the strap over his head and leaning forward to give her a quick peck before heading right back to the stage. Her lips were suddenly wet from the sweat on his lips, licking them unconsciously to taste him, while she closed her eyes to listen to those beginning strains of their national anthem. Looking around then she saw her friends flanking the stage in the pits, noticing for the first time that Kris was there as was Tiff and Nikki! Fully convinced now that this was orchestrated for Jon and her benefit by the band and thankful for their assistance, although she was even more anxious to get Jon alone after the show.

She was only marginally aware of the sudden whirlwind of activity backstage as she intently watched the man on stage that had her mind in a fog and her body aching to touch him. Then he was heading towards her, the smile on his face and twinkle in his eyes sending signals to her heart that was bursting with the need to feel him against her. His fingers entwining with hers and pulling her along with him as he exited the back of the stage and down into the hallways behind it. Nearly tripping along as he pulled urgently to get her to the relative privacy of the band’s dressing room, her heart slamming against her chest at the realization that Jon was as anxious to get alone as she was.

The hubbub in the room startled her as the stark white lights glared in the nearly bare room except for a couple couches and a table with drinks and food. Jon ignored it all, dragging her into what she guessed was an office and forcefully closed the door behind them.

“Finally,” turning on her, his lips were upon hers, pressing them apart and plunging inside, her whimper swallowed as he hungrily devoured her mouth. Desperately grabbing at him, feeling the tension of his muscles coiled in his back and shoulders, her own body tense with need for him. His hands that had been cupping her face to hold her mouth immobile were pressing the small of her back against the hot, throbbing shaft of his sex that was still encased in the tight denim that she adored.

The man was made for denim and she was a devotee to what he did for it. The feel of his wet, sweaty hands pulling away her low cut blouse sent shivers down her spine, her own hands reaching for the hem of his shirt to get her fingers on him, wanting to taste the sweat running off his body. The lyrics suddenly racing through her brain, bringing forth a little giggle. The sound bringing Jon’s head up and a questioning expression in his intense eyes.

“Sorry” she tried to blow it off, he wouldn’t understand how her mind worked and wasn’t in any mood to explain with her blouse dangling from his fingers, her bra unsnapped and hanging from her shoulders. There were more immediate things on her agenda.

Teasingly, he moved back infinitesimally, “uh uh, I wanna know.” Finding that even against his hormones racing at ramming speed that he needed to find out what she was thinking.

“Just some lyrics that hit me” her fingers tracing the swirls of crisp, wet hair that covered the muscular expanse of his chest “it’s nothing.” Kissing his nipple and licking off the sweat. “I just remembered some words to Let’s Make it Baby, I wanna taste the sweat that’s running off your body, get the sheets all wet, I wanna make you feel naughty.”

A hearty laugh roared from deep within him “now those are words I can make happen.” Lifting her up then to suckle her breast, feeling alive for the first time in months. Jon held her there, feeding on the taste of her then, hearing her moans as her fingers were tangled in his hair, begging to be let down, so she could touch him too. Allowing her body to slide down his, he relished the softness of her against the heat of him.

Laughing herself and shivering at the contact of her nipples sensitized by the rasp of the wet, coarse hair on his chest, Amber’s fingers slipped across his shoulders, now devoid of his blue gauze shirt. “And actions I look forward to. Let’s make it baby.” Her grin was engulfed by his mouth, leaning against the wall with him solidly against her. The cool of the concrete in stark contrast to the heat between them. The play of tongues and fingers on bare skin wasn’t enough though, she wanted more, she wanted the hard pulsing shaft inside her that she felt through his jeans, even if she wasn’t completely convinced his words earlier weren’t just in the moment.


Escorted off the stage the noise level exploded as the gutter girls were all finally together, heading for the cars waiting for them that Richie arranged.

“OMG, Blaze set Jon on fire!” Nikki exclaimed in earnest.

“That’s when he spotted Amber. You should have seen his eyes, they were fixed on her.” Bean explained, jealous of her friend, yet thrilled that it was a GD that he was intent on. “The dance, did you see their dance?”

“Holy Hannah it was like watching them having sex standing up. And that kiss! Mercy!” Fanning herself, Tara added in.

Paula laughed at her friend “you fuckin’ whore!” The exclamation greeted by uproarious laughter from the remainder of the group, all very aware of the slightly warped compliment she was bestowing on Tara.

“Where are we going?” Kris inquired, only having gotten to the concert moments before it started and finding her seat down front with Tara, Paula, Linda and the others. Not getting a chance to find out anything other than getting a purple wristband strapped on and getting up onstage. Pretty much she’d been called, told there was a plane ticket waiting for her, all expenses were paid for the trip and she had to be there.

“Party!” Came a chorus of voices, all laughing conspiratorially.

Shrugging she fell in beside Linda that looked like she was about to puke. “Are you okay?” Nodding Linda refused to admit her nerves were on edge, fearful that she’d meet Richie and make a fool of herself. “It’ll be fine. It’s just us, right?” Kris still wasn’t sure what was going on and why nobody was going to their cars, since she’d heard Tara and Paula talking about driving to the show.

Cassidy slowed up to join them. “This whole shindig was arranged by Richie and the guys without Jon knowing. He said they’d all be at the party after they change, so we have about an hour to get loosened up before Richie and the guys along with Amber show up. She doesn’t know about this, she thought I won tickets on the radio. It was all this big plot...” Continuing on she explained to them what went before, proud of her part in this little plot.

The words were strangled as they passed Linda’s lips “Richie’s going to be at the party?”

Grinning then, Cassidy could see the panic in her eyes. “He’s really cool. Laid back, funny as all hell. Oh and in case you didn’t know, he dumped Denise for good.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, even though she’d heard that from other sources, but the twinkle in Cassidy’s eyes didn’t do anything for her confidence. “FUUUCKKK”

Laughing then, Cassidy went on teasing her friend “I told him to wear white socks and you’d be his.”

“You did not!” Linda was horrified and ready to break ranks and run.

Shaking her head, Cassidy grinned harder “no, but I told him we had a Sam in our group and he wants to meet you. Said he’s always happy to meet one of his fans.”

“Oh my god, this is not happening.” Feeling Kris’ hand at her back urging her along, Linda wasn’t sure she could speak coherently when she did finally meet him, especially after the incident in the bar in Toronto.

Everyone piled into the limos that were waiting for them, all laughing as comments were bantered around regarding some of the fan fiction about the guys and the ride to the party commenced, each one of them nervous and excited to finally meet the band.

Chapter 25

She was floating as she headed back to where her friends were all standing, goofy grins on each and every face, aware now that not only was Bean sitting behind her, but so were Beth, Dana and Nikki. It seemed all the GDs were aware of her budding relationship with Jon and had come to witness it themselves. Someone grabbed at her sleeve and she turned expectantly.

“OMG, you’re a Bed of Roses girl and Jon Bon Jovi kissed you! You are sooooo lucky.” The giddy fan excited that she’d been a witness to someone getting a kiss like that from Jon.

All she could do was smile and nod, there was no reason to explain that her kiss was much more than one bestowed on a lucky fan. “Thanks” she finally said as she found herself deluged by her friends celebrating with her. Everything rolled in slow motion as she heard the congratulations and reveled in their hugs. Her attention was drawn back to the stage after a few moments as the strains of Bad Medicine sank in and noticed Jon pointing in her general direction. Laughing as she imagined his gut was aching as bad as hers now that they’d finally seen each other again, she wanted, no, needed to be closer to him. Then the fun of a Bon Jovi show took over when Raise Your Hands started and her friends were teasing her. Mesmerized by the man on stage and his words in an unending loop in her head ‘the color of my love’ , she was antsy to get in his arms. A firm hand landing on her shoulder stole her attention, the familiar face a welcome sight.

“The boss says you’d better be waiting backstage when he gets there.”

“Hi, Kev. What about my friends?”

“They know the plan. You’ll see them after the show.” Crooking his head towards the back of her section, Amber touched Cassidy’s arm to catch her attention and saw the recognition in her eyes. “I’m going with Kevin. See you later?”

“After the show.” Beaming at her girlfriend, Richie’s strategy may have not had a chance to play out as planned, but it was even better now knowing that Jon and Amber were together.

Squeezing her hand, Amber took off at nearly a run trying to keep up with Kevin when she heard Prayer starting and knew the encore would be coming soon. Winding through corridors she didn’t know existed until she found herself in a hallway bustling with people seemingly oblivious to the show. “Where’s the stage?” She asked breathily, winded from the sprint they’d just run.

“This way. He’s going to be soaked in sweat.”

“I don’t care.” Nothing mattered except getting him in her arms again. Until he saw her and spoke those words she didn’t understand how badly she’d missed him and wanted to be with him, now that she did, she couldn’t wait. Standing in the tunnel that led to the stage she listened to the end of Prayer, Jon’s first round of goodbyes to the audience and then she saw them headed her way, Tico first, followed by David and Richie, none of them paying attention to her, then Jon came bolting towards her with a whoop that caught everyone else’s attention.

Wheeling around, Richie instantly recognized her, a wide smile creasing his mouth. “It’s about time you got here.”

Amber didn’t hear the comment, her mouth was being crushed by Jon’s, not that she was objecting, hell, if there was a way to crawl inside him she would. His sweat soaking her clothing didn’t even register with that mouth clamped down on hers inhaling her breath, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, not willing to let him go. Fingers were cupping her face, assuring him that she wasn’t moving, the hunger that began building the moment he spotted her in the crowd almost to a point of agony that he couldn’t reach her once he hit the stage. The sweet taste of her was like ambrosia and he couldn’t fathom how he’d managed to live without her for these last months. Someone was pulling at him, attempting to drag him back to the dressing room, with a whimper they were separated. Jon being pulled, he captured her hand and took her with him as instructions were being barked at him. Finally they were inside the band’s room and his face lit up when he saw his band mates, their faces aglow with self-congratulations. “What?”

“Nothing.” David tried to suppress a smile having been in on Richie’s scheme from the beginning, even if he didn’t think flying in a bunch of women for the show was necessary.

“Amber, the guys, guys this is Amber.” Grinning widely with one arm wrapped around her back, holding her next to him.

“Hey, nice seeing you again, good thing your friend still works for Evan.”

“Cassidy?”

“Yeah, nice girl, she’s been a lot of help.”

Choking, Amber’s eyes went wide “Cassidy? Cassidy’s been a lot of help? She’s the one that forgot to give me the note from Jon, the one where his number was wrong.”

A strange expression came over Jon, “I wrote the number in the message that I sent you through her.”

Thrusting it towards him since she’d kept it, “see, no area code and the number’s wrong. I called every area code in the country. All of them, and not one of them was yours.”

Sheepishly he shrugged “did you dial sevens or ones?”

“Those are most definitely ones.”

“They’re sevens.”

“They.... are... not! Those are ones.” Stabbing at the paper as she spoke “you mean you wrote your own fucking number down wrong?” incredulous and angry now. “Besides, you know where I live, you’ve been there, you know my ex-boss and went to school with him, you could have found me if you wanted to.”

“Whooooaa. I’ve waited way too long to have you in my arms again and I’m not spending the four or five minutes between the show and the encore arguing with you. I spent all of my spare time driving all over the fucking city trying to find Freedom Street or Avenue or whatever it was and it doesn’t exist! Evan’s pissed at me cause he thinks I’m the reason you quit and you have an unlisted phone number.”

Richie, David, Hugh and Tico were far smarter men than to hang around to witness this, they needed to cool down and get ready for the next round on stage, as did Jon, but not one of them were getting between the two standing toe to toe arguing.

“I didn’t quit because of you! I quit because Evan is a male chauvinist pig and Rafael is worse than Evan. I don’t live in the city, I live in fucking Jersey just like you do and someone needs to teach you the difference between ones and sevens!” Her eyes were flashing at him with frustration and anger, while he was fighting a losing battle in a war he had no heart to fight.

Knowing his time was limited and refusing to continue this, he pulled hard against her causing her to fall against him “I’m not going to continue fighting.” His lips sealed over hers, his tongue thrusting into her mouth to silence any protests while he held her tightly and swallowed all her objections until she softened in his arms, submitting to the need she felt as strongly as he did. While her senses were still reeling and the flames licking at her core were at their peak, Richie’s voice broke into their heated exchange.

“Jon! You have about 30 seconds to change. There’s not enough time for make up sex now.” Laughing when a middle finger salute flew his way, Richie tossed a towel over Jon’s head and got ready to go back to the stage.
Stripping off his shirt and drying off best he could, Jon grabbed the one offered him and slid it over his head, using another towel to dry his hair since he didn’t have time for a proper drying. “Wait here!”

“I want to see the rest of the show!”

Grinning, he grabbed her hand and pulled her along. “Kev will take care of you.” Giving her a quick kiss, he handed her off then as he refocused his attention on his adoring audience impatiently waiting for him; Amber looked to the man she was finding herself in the company of regularly.

“Come on.” She followed to the stairs leading to the back of the stage and discovered she had an unimpeded view of Jon’s backside. Laughing to herself that Rita would be jealous, she settled in and sang along with the music, completely unaware that the pits were filled by those in purple wristbands.

Chapter 24

Sitting in the stands on the side of the stage, Amber didn’t feel the anxiety she had when Cassidy initially showed her the tickets, tugging at the low cut top Cassidy bought her for the occasion, even if she protested it was a waste of money. Although the little platform across the aisle and four rows down was a bit of a concern, even if Cassidy said it must be from some other event. Something about it gave her stomach flutters that wouldn’t settle down. The opening act was now finished and they were listening to the musical interlude waiting for Bon Jovi to hit the stage.

One of the women sitting close explained that Jon came out at the back and stood on the sound boards to sing Last Man Standing opening the show and then raced up to the stage to join the rest of the band. Her eyes kept stealing towards that white mic and she wished he’d looked her up in the months since they’d seen one another. She wanted to forget that night and the following day, her memories of him sitting naked on her bed strumming his guitar as he had her senses wouldn’t let her forget. Looking around for Cassidy who’d said she needed something to drink was starting to make her nervous, her friend was never one to leave her seat after finding it. Stas and Rita hadn’t made it to the show yet and she wondered if that was where Cassidy had really gone.

“Amber!”

Turning around she saw her two friends just as she’d almost given up hope of them making it in time. A grin split her lips “it’s about time!”

“Traffic was terrible and we had to stop at the airport.”

Both eyebrows shot skyward “airport?”

“Yeah, last minute Lainey and Lynn decided to fly in for the show. Guess they couldn’t wait for summer when the guys tour over there.” Laughing then when Amber’s jaw dropped at the sight of the two foreign members of their group standing behind Rita and Stas.

“OMG! What are you doing here? This is nuts and we don’t even have great seats.”

Lainey stepped forward “oh, but we do, we get to sit with you.” Hugging Amber before she could ask what was meant by the comment.

Then Amber saw Cassidy approaching with a tray full of drinks. “What exactly have you been posting on our board?”

“Just that you’d met Jon.”

“And that was enough for them to fly in?” Pointing towards the snickering women she’d previously not met except online.

“That and the party we’re having afterwards. These might have something to do with it too.” Producing purple wristbands, Cassidy handed them out while Amber held the drinks, her jaw still slack and her suspicions on high alert that they knew something she didn’t.

“What is going on? I’m not going on stage! I refuse to get that close to him again.”

“Yeah, like he’s going to bite.” Cassidy’s comment sending them all into gales of laughter, each one fully apprised of the Amber situation and the plot Cassidy and Richie had in play. Everyone having their part to play in the plan. That he’d spared no expense to get all of her friends together to help support him in the plan wasn’t lost on any of them, that she was completely clueless made it that much more fun. “Or that you’d object.”

Groaning, she knew without doubt Cassidy had spilled everything. Her wrist grabbed and the offending purple band strapped in place. “I won’t do it. I’m not going up there. It isn’t what you think.”

Shaking their heads at her delusions, as AC/DC cranked up overhead, everyone started moving to find their seats. “Right then, you have a seat and we’ll be on stage with Jon and Richie without you.” Lynn teased as she took the seat below Amber with Lainey sitting next to her.

Amber wanted to choke Cassidy then, but her thoughts were interrupted by the lights dimming and the sight of the band on the stage starting the beginning strains of Last Man Standing, her eyes shifted along with the others to the back to see Jon take the little stage on the sound boards and begin the show. Standing along with all the rest she didn’t pay attention to those filing in behind her or Cassidy handing out even more wristbands.

Her eyes were glued to Jon in his military jacket and black pants and the memories of their night, the sweet words, the hot sex and the plea for her not to leave the party the next night. Finding herself wanting him more than she’d ever done before and now he was just a rock star on a stage half an arena away performing for his adoring audience and she was only a face in the crowd. Her heart hurt knowing she’d had him and let him go, fingering the purple wristband she tried to deny that she wanted to be up on that stage and see if he’d even notice her or if he’d single out one of the others.

Watching him as he strutted towards the stage when the song finished, high fiving and grinning at the fans lining the way to the front, suddenly wanting to be in his line of vision for just a moment, long enough to know once and for all if it was in her mind or if they really had chemistry. Remembering the phone number she’d been given, thrown out and then retrieved, calling every area code to no avail, resigned then that he never meant for her to reach him.

Still, here at a show she could enjoy the music and let her memories enhance the experience. Lost in the moment as he launched into You Give Love a Bad Name, then feeling hands squeezing her shoulders she turned to discover her good friend, Sabina, grinning like a Cheshire cat behind her, shocked she nearly jumped up the stair to hug her. It was good to see Bean again “what are you doing here?”

“Had to be here for this show!”

Seeing the purple band on her wrist, Amber was positive there was more to this show, the purple bands and her friends suddenly flying in than some party and pit passes, refusing to verbalize her suspicions though. “He looks awesome! Love the military jacket.”

“Me too!” Rita chimed in and they all laughed, knowing her obsession with the jacket.

“Did you see Tara?” Bean asked before getting a warning glare from Cassidy.

“She’s here too?” She shouldn’t be surprised since they usually camped out together for fan club seats.

“Yeah,” Cassidy broke in almost screaming to be heard over the band “down front.”

“Then Paula is with her, right?” Amber was starting to total the number of GDs in the audience. Seeing Bean nodding, she smiled “so who’s going to be at this party you are all attending?”

“Just us, unless you invite Jon.” The whole group laughing at the obvious reference to her tryst with the man.

“As if he’d attend.” Then her attention returned to the stage and Jon strutting it like he owned the place, which, of course, they all knew he did that night. Settling in to laugh, dance and sing with her friends, Amber shelved everything that had gone before and let the music and her friends fill her with a joy she’d been missing since the abrupt departure of Rafael from her life and with him all other men including Jon.

Her heart skipping a beat when Jon introduced Richie to sing I’ll be There for You and he left the stage. Bean’s comment that Linda would be happy hit her that yet another GD was here for this show when it wasn’t even Giants or the end of this leg, it was just another show for the guys. “She’s here too? Is Susan with her?”

“Nope, couldn’t get time off work, but she’s with Tara and them.”

“Purple wristbands too?” This was all starting to smell like the plot to a bad movie, seeing the smiles and fingers pointing to purple bands, her attention started to return to Richie singing when she saw the white mic stand being placed on the little stage in front of her and gasped. “I have to use the restroom.” Suddenly panic struck and wanting to be far away from him and the flood of memories.

“Oh, no you don’t.” Cassidy took her arm “you’re not going anywhere.”

“I can’t, I don’t want...”

“We’re here, got my Jersey attitude going, so nothing’s going to happen.” Stas chimed in as the commotion and murmurs began rising around them, everyone able to see Jon walking through the crowd to take the stage directly in front of them.

Looking for an escape, Amber was suddenly aware she was surrounded by her friends, not just in the seats, but they were crowding around so she couldn’t get away. Uncertain whether or not she wanted to or if the purple wristbands were a ruse to keep her mind off that stage where Jon was now standing, his back to her, the spotlight singling him out. She felt herself being moved down the steps towards the little stage and was stopped by security two rows up behind a wall of other women wanting to get close to the man singing. “you ask me if I’ve known love...” Those words had no more than crossed his perfect lips and she caught his eye ever so briefly. Her heart sank when he continued on as if she wasn’t there, yet she continued to stay singing with him and the crowd, hoping against hope he’d recognize her and ... and what, she suddenly wondered, how could he possibly single her out when he was standing on a stage in front of 20,000 plus?

Moments later he swung the guitar off and handed it to security, stepped down and began singing again, this time it was what she now referred to as their song. He touched hands with the crowd, singing the lyrics he knew so well and she felt rooted to the spot as she saw him starting down the steps back towards the stage. Those around her returning to their seats, even her friends were making their way back, fighting back tears as he moved further away.

“Miss, you need to return to your seat.”

She looked up into the eyes of the security guy and nodded sadly, as she turned a hand touched hers from behind and she whirled around to the realization the band was playing the break in the middle of the song and Jon was standing one step down from her, question in his eyes. Stepping down into his arms, she was gathered close as they swayed together then on that narrow step in the aisle. “You did see me.”

“I didn’t want to look away, I was afraid it was a dream.”

“This is a dream.”

Jon knew the guys were drawing out the interlude for his benefit and would be thanking them later, for now he was holding the woman he’d been missing. “I have a song to finish.”

“I know.”

Kissing her then, deep and heartfelt. “Um, Amber, love the name, love the color, the color of...”

“I know Jon, the color of whiskey.”

“No, the color of my love.” Giving her another quick kiss, he started back into the song his hand caught in hers, trying to take her with him, she shook her head no and nodded towards Kevin standing nearby. He understood and dove back into the song, while hot tongues of desire licked at her core knowing that very soon she’d be back in his arms and his bed.

Chapter 23

Sitting in the booth across from him, Cassidy was having difficulty eating, which was completely out of character for her although she’d never shared a pizza with the likes of him before. Listening to Richie describing how Jon was being impossible, more demanding than ever and wasn’t exactly on the same page with the rest of the band, she knew she was getting a glimpse of the band that very few outside their private circle ever saw. That her best friend was the cause of the strife within the band was disturbing on a plethora of levels that she didn’t even want to probe.

Speaking with him on such a personal level changed all of her perceptions of Richie, although admittedly since she was a Jon girl her perception of the man was rather vague. His voice reminded her of dark, rich chocolate that slid across your tongue leaving a sweet, creamy taste, while his laughter chimed like tenor church bells. It was eye-opening and as they chatted she found herself becoming more comfortable with the tall, dark haired man that she’d previously only thought of as a rock star, finding instead a very down to earth, normal guy sitting with her in his worn jeans and a distractingly open shirt. The longer they sat and talked, the less intimidating he became and the easier she found it to eat, devouring several pieces of the pizza along with a couple of beers before the thought crossed her mind “so how exactly are we going to pull this off?” Seeing a deviously cunning expression light up his face, she sat back to listen.

He laid out his simple plan in between bites of the deep dish gooey pie topped with everything, the pitcher of beer sitting between them getting downed as quickly as he was inhaling the pizza, while he teased her lightly about her appetite. “So what do you think?” Finally asking, wiping his full, sensuous lips with the paper napkin.

“It’s worth a try” she replied, wiping her own lips and declaring she was full. Richie finished off his dinner, emptied the beer and grabbed the bill, satisfied they’d be able to pull it off with some additional planning and a whole lot of luck.

“Give me a ride to my hotel then? I just hope this works.”

Following him out of the restaurant, she couldn’t help noticing that his legs seemed to go on forever and the man walked with a delicious self-assurance that she never noticed before. Even now she was wondering if it would be too late to call her friend Linda to learn even more about this man, since a turn to the ‘dark side’ was most definitely in her future. Thanking him as he held her car door once again, Cassidy started her car and instinctively turned on the CD player without thought. By the time it hit her that she had a passenger and her CD player was blaring Let’s Make it Baby, she had the good sense to blush tremendously and reached over and quickly shut it off. “Sorry, I forgot that was on.”

Laughing heartily, Richie shook his head, watching the road as she started driving towards his hotel. “It’s okay, babe, I kinda figured you were a fan. So you started to tell me about your little group of friends?” his effort to take her mind off of the gaffe.

“Ah, yeah, they’re hanging out at our favorite bar. We go there after work every Friday night and play pool, talk and shove quarters in the juke box.”

“Juke box? I take it the bar has it stocked with Bon Jovi songs?”

“Uh huh. There’s a whole gang of us, mostly Jon fans, but we do have one Sam in the group, she’s turning us to the dark side slowly.” Speaking animatedly as she fought to concentrate on the road and not the gorgeous man sitting next to her that was flipping through her CD holder. “You find anything you want to hear, just put it in.” Ejecting the burned bootleg that she had been listening to.

“Dark side, you make it sound like something bad. Almost like Dot said once about the devil...”

“...doesn’t have horns and a tail, he looks like Sambora.” She giggled when she could finish the quote for him and caught the stunned surprise on his face.

“That’s scary. How?”

“It was on some interview I heard online. I admit to being a huge fan and if you don’t autograph one of those CDs, I’ll be hurt.” Pulling up in front of the hotel, she put the car in park and dug through her purse until she came up with a Sharpie.

Shaking his head again, Richie signed the copy of Have a Nice Day that was in her collection and gave back the pen. “Thanks for your help. I’ve got your number and will be calling to check on our plan. If you need anything you have mine too.” Then he got out before she could correct him.

Watching as he strode away, Stetson pushed low over his eyes, she looked down at the CD and saw not only his name, but his telephone number and gasped. Life suddenly was getting better and knowing that she had unrestricted access to that man was a dream she’d never anticipated, silently thanking Amber for fucking up her fledgling relationship with one Jon fucking Bon Jovi!


“That’s great Cassidy! Enjoy the show.” Amber was thrilled for her friend when she called screeching that she’d won four tickets to the show the following Saturday night. Her heart was beginning to heal after the months that passed since seeing Jon last and after initially throwing away his number, she dug it out of the trash and tried every area code in the four state area to try to reach him without luck. Guessing that he’d given her a bogus number and didn’t really want to see her again. He was only attempting to placate her after giving her the best lay she’d ever had. It still hurt every time she walked into her spare room and saw the multitude of personalized autographs, even now still finding new ones that she hadn’t noticed previously.

“No! You don’t understand, I want you to go with me. You can’t still be mad at Jon. Hell, you got to sleep with him and you’re the only one I know that’s done that. The tickets aren’t even up front, so he won’t see you and Stas and Rita are sitting with us. Come on! You love their music!” Pleading with her friend that just in the last week or so started joining them again for their Friday nights at the bar. “Please????”

Grumbling to herself for denying herself the love of their music when it was the one thing that always helped her out of funks, she grudgingly agreed only because Cassidy assured her three times that the seats weren’t up front where Jon would see her.

Chapter 22

Having tried every area code she could find without any luck in locating the elusive Jon Bon Jovi in a desperate effort to redeem herself in her friend’s eyes, Cassidy went back to answering the phones and greeting the clients with little enthusiasm. Amber flat out refused to do the camp out for tickets to the Philly show, the MSG shows or any Bon Jovi show at all, stating that she didn’t want to torture herself by seeing the man again. As big a fan as she’d always been Cassidy was kicking herself hard that she’d forgotten about the phone number in her purse more than the fact the phone number was either a fake or nobody would admit that it was Jon’s when she tried calling it for Amber. Glancing up to see how close it was to closing time she found herself looking into amazing brown eyes, long silky hair and a Stetson hat shielding his identity from anyone that wasn’t expecting him. Suddenly her mouth went dry while her heart did a double time tattoo.

“Hi, I’m...”

“Richie Sambora!” as much as she wanted to sound normal the name came out more as a squeak than actual words.

Laughing lightly, he tipped his hat slightly. “I was looking for Amber Sullivan.”

Scrambling to regain her composure and hopefully salvage her friendship with Amber, Cassidy stumbled forward “she doesn’t work here any more, but I am or was her best friend until I forgot to give her Jon’s phone number when he had the messenger deliver it to me, even though it didn’t have an area code and I’ve tried them all and nobody will admit it’s his number anyway, so I don’t think she would have gotten a hold of him anyway and I’m really in the doghouse with her because of it and...”

“Whoa, slow down sweetheart. You’re the one Jon sent the number to?” Thanking his lucky stars, Richie was grateful she was feeling the same pressure he was to get the two of them back together again.

Nodding enthusiastically, Cassidy started to launch into another diatribe but was cut off.

“Isn’t it about quitting time?” He needed her calm and alone, so he could lay out his plan to get Amber and Jon in the same room at least, from there they’d have to take it on their own.

Dialing a number, she gave a lame excuse why she was leaving 45 minutes early, grabbed her purse and headed for the elevator, fighting hard to conceal her shaking when the ever so hunky Richie Sambora not only stepped into it with her, but stood relatively close to her.

The smokiness of his voice broke the silence as they dropped the five floors to the lobby “would you like to join me for dinner?”

Her eyes glazed over at the sound of his voice, the invitation to dinner sent shivers down her spine and a decided wetness much lower. “Um, yeah. I need to call someone first though.”

“Amber?”

“Uh uh, my, um, gutter dwelling girlfriends.” She couldn’t think of any other way to describe them. “We meet for drinks after work on Fridays.”

Gallantly he held the elevator door as she stepped out and then followed behind her towards the parking lot “you don’t want to share me with them?” Laughing lightly as her eyes lit up in shock.

“No! God no! We need to talk and they’ll head straight for the gutter. No, it’s bad enough that Amber’s unhappy with me, but if she found out I was with you, she’d kill me.” Listening as the phone continued to ring, she stopped walking when she heard her friend pick up “Stas? Hey, it’s me Cassidy. I’m not going to make it tonight. I suddenly have a dinner date. Yeah, you heard me a date. No, it’s not my father. Yes, he’s single. Yep, details later, bye.” Rolling her eyes then, she smiled tentatively at the man standing so casually beside her as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “She’s not going to believe this.”

“You called her Stas?”

“Short for Anastasia. There’s a whole group of us and ...” she stopped herself before revealing too much while still in her place of employment’s building “I’ll tell you about them later, you’ll get a kick out of it.” Heading out towards her car she stopped suddenly again, Richie running solidly into her when she did and grabbing her to keep her from falling. “Thanks. Um, do you have a car?”

Shaking his head she noticed for the first time he was wearing one of his hair trinkets and wasn’t even on stage, then again with his shirt front open his hair wasn’t where her eyes were focused. “I took a cab here, didn’t know where it was exactly and if I didn’t find either of you, I would have asked Evan for info.”

Her lips formed a perfect “Oh”.

“So which of these is yours?” His long arms spread wide.

Stammering yet again, Cassidy’s mind was deeply embedded in the gutter as she considered the possibilities of having him in her vehicle. “The Malibu over there, practical, economical and paid for.” Leading the way to her Sandrift Metallic Chevy that she was especially proud of up until about five seconds ago when she didn’t have something flashier to drive Richie around in.

“Nice, I like Chevys, hell I just like cars.” Slipping in the passenger seat after opening the driver’s door for Cassidy and enjoying the view as she bent forward to put the keys in the ignition, her cleavage exposed as she did. “So where to for dinner?”

“I figured you might know somewhere.” Starting the car, she waited for his response.

“Know a good pizza joint?” A sparkling smile reached his eyes when she nodded and started towards her favorite, still in shock he wanted to have dinner with her even if it was to discuss Jon and Amber.