Chapter 196

Throughout the flight Tori kept trying to get more details of their trip from Richie, but he refused to give them up. He just kept saying. “You’ll just have to wait and see angel.”

She sat back with a huff. “Hmpf.”

“Can I get you any…thing?” The flight attendant hesitated when she saw the look on Tori’s face.

Richie chuckled. “Don’t mind my wife. She’s pouting.”

Tori stuck her tongue out at him and turned in search of female support. “He won’t tell me where we’re going. I mean, I know it’s Hawaii, but I don’t know which island or which city or anything.”

The attendant’s brows rose. “Wife? So you’ve had the wedding then?” She blushed. “Sorry, that wasn’t very professional of me and none of my business.”

“It’s fine. Yes, the wedding was yesterday.” Richie answered.

“Oh, so you’re on your honeymoon then! Well congratulations and I wish you both the best.” She looked at Tori and hesitated, checking to make sure that none of her colleagues were close enough to hear her. “Well you could try going Bongiovi on his ass, that might make him give it up.”

Tori laughed. “I’ll have to remember to tell Jon that one!

Richie shook his head. “After twenty-five years, I’m pretty much immune.”

Tori crooked a brow. “So you don’t care if I’m mad at you? What happened to knowing I’m upset hurting you? I thought you didn’t like the temper being directed at you if it was coming from me?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want you seriously angry with me. But annoyed?” He shrugged. “That’s bound to happen. Besides, think how dull and boring your life would be if I didn’t add some spice to it every now and then. Anger gets the blood pumping and the synapses firing, clears the mind. Think of it as exercise for the emotions.”

Tori snorted. “Your logic astounds me.” She looked at the flight attendant who was snickering. “See what I have to deal with?”

“Aw come on angel, you know you love me.” He leaned over to kiss her neck.

She sighed. “No accounting for taste I guess.” She studied the attendant – her name tag said Sarah - for a moment. “Light or dark?” She knew the signs.

“Light, but I can appreciate the dark side.” Sarah admitted.

Tori nodded. “I was that way too until a little over a year ago.”

“Is this some female code conversation?” Richie was lost.

“No, it’s a Sistahood code conversation.” Tori answered. Sarah chuckled.

“Oh. Never mind then.” He stuck his fingers in his ears. “La la la la.”

“He knows about the Sistahood?” Sarah was surprised. She was also surprised that Tori knew about it.

“He knows it exists, but that’s all, and it annoys him to no end that I won’t tell him. But I just remind him that he and the rest of them have Brotherhood secrets, so fair’s fair. If he wants me to spill, he has to spill too. That’s why his fingers are in his ears.”

“You were a fan first.” It made sense now. The stories that Sarah had heard described how Jon’s sister was discovered and joined the Jovi family, but none of them had mentioned that she was a fan – and obviously a fairly active one if she knew about the Sistahood. Tori nodded. “And you’re a member?”

Tori nodded again. “For quite a few years now.”

Sarah glanced around. “Can I get you anything? Dinner will be served in a few minutes.”

“Diet Coke for both of us please.”

Sarah disappeared into the galley and returned a few minutes later with two glasses of something bubbly. “From the crew. Congratulations again.” She glanced at Richie and lowered her voice. “It’s non-alcoholic.”

“Thanks.” Richie accepted his glass.



When they landed in Honolulu, they were ushered to another plane for the short hop between islands. Landing in Lanai City, Tori was relieved to find a car waiting to take them to the hotel. Between the wedding, the wedding night and travelling all day today, through several time zones, she was exhausted. Despite her fatigue, the beauty surrounding them couldn’t be ignored. The luscious green of the grass and foliage, the water in every shade of blue sparkling in the late afternoon sun, the brilliance of the flowers in every conceiveable hue, the slender palm trees reaching for the sky, leaves waving in the warm breeze. It really was paradise.

Entering their suite, Tori was stunned. She wandered from the livingroom to the bedroom and out onto the terrace. The view was breathtaking. “Oh, Richie! It’s beautiful! I may never leave this room. I may spend the next two weeks right here.” The rooms were large and airy, the furniture well cushioned and comfortable, the décor flowed with the natural beauty outside, with cut flowers on several tables and potted plants in the corners.

Tipping the bellman, he joined her on the terrace, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her. “That’d be okay by me. After all, isn’t that what a honeymoon’s supposed to be?”

She gave a throaty chuckle and leaned back against him. “How’d I get so lucky to find such an incredibly romantic man?”

He shrugged. “I just want to make you happy.”

She turned in his arms. “Oh you do. I didn’t know I could be this happy.”

“That makes us even then.” He bent and kissed her softly. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”



They had a light dinner out on the terrace and were just relaxing, enjoying the sunset when there was a knock at the door. Tori got up to answer it.

“Mrs. Sambora?” A hotel staffer with what looked like a folded table stood in the hallway.

“Yes?”

“My name is Kiki and I’m here to do your in-room massage.”

“Massage?”

“Yes. Your husband ordered it for you.”

“Oh, he did, did he? Well, that was thoughtful of him.” She stepped back to allow the therapist in and turned to raise a brow at her husband who had come inside and was presently leaning in the doorway to the bedroom, a smile on his face.

“You’ve had a stressful few weeks. I thought you might enjoy being pampered a bit.” His dark eyes twinkled. “And with all the travelling today and sitting in planes, I bet your muscles are a little cramped and sore.”

“What about yours?” Tori fought not to blush.

“I’m used to it. I’m good.”

Kiki never let on that she understood the by-play between the newlywed couple. “Mrs. Sambora, if you would like to get undressed I’ll set up my table in the livingroom.” Tori nodded and headed for the bedroom, pausing to kiss her husband as she passed him. “Mr. Sambora, maybe you would like to choose the scent or flavour of the oils?”

“Flavour?” He was intrigued.

Kiki nodded. “Yes. I have several different fruits, and a few spices, and of course chocolate.” She smiled to herself. People were so predictable. Women usually chose scents, but men were always interested in the flavours and she could usually pick out which one they would choose within a few minutes of meeting them. With what she knew about Richie from the media, she would have guessed chocolate or maybe strawberry, but after what she’d witnessed here in the last few minutes, she changed her mind. Vanilla, definitely vanilla. He didn’t disappoint her.

When Tori emerged from the bedroom in a robe, the table was prepared with towels, and a tray set with oils sat nearby. The therapist lifted a towel, Tori dropped the robe and settled face down on the table.

“Would you like some music?” The therapist asked.

“Mmmm. Honey? Would you play for me? Please?”

“Sure angel. Anything in particular?” Richie reached for his guitar case which was never far from him.

“ Some blues maybe? You know what I like.”

“You got it. Just relax and let Kiki work on those tight muscles.”

For the next hour, the only sounds in the room were Tori’s occasional sighs of appreciation and the soothing melodies wrought by Richie’s talented fingers on the strings.

“She’s asleep.” Kiki murmured. “Do you want me to wake her up?”

Richie shook his head. “No. Let her sleep. Give me a second.” Setting aside the guitar, he went into the bedroom and pulled back the covers on the bed. Returning to the livingroom he carefully scooped Tori into his arms and carried her to the bed, depositing her gently, and pulling the blankets over her. After Kiki had packed up and left, he stripped off his clothes and slid in beside his sleeping wife.

When his familiar weight dipped the bed, she instinctively rolled to curl into him. His body reacted to the feel of her silken limbs draping over him and the scent of vanilla emanting from her skin. Closing his arms around her, he debated whether to wake her or suck it up and wait until morning. Their long day finally caught up with him as well and he fell asleep still undecided.


Chapter 197

Tori awoke early, even by her standards. The warm breeze blowing through the open windows carried the sound of waves lapping at the shore, and the heady scent of nearby flowers. With a contented sigh, she rolled over taking inventory of her body as she moved. There were still a few twinges, but the massage the night before had taken care of the worst of her soreness. She thought about getting up, then realized that for the first time in months, there was no place that she had to be, nothing that she had to do, no lists to be checked and rechecked. The only thing she had to focus on was enjoying her husband and this incredible paradise he had brought her to.

Her husband. She turned her head to look at him sound asleep beside her. Some of her married girlfriends had talked about how long it took them to get used to being called by their husband’s name. Tori didn’t have that problem. To her it just felt….natural. They hadn’t discussed it, but obviously he didn’t have a problem with her keeping her maiden name if she wanted to, but that was never even a consideration for her. She was ecstatic about being Mrs. Richard Sambora, and wanted the world to know it. A satisfied smile curving her lips, she let the jet lag still dragging at her take over and drifted back to sleep.

Richie regained awareness pleasantly surprised to find his wife curled up in his arms, the scent of vanilla clinging to her silken skin. He picked up the hand resting on his chest and pressed a kiss to her palm. A lick of his lips had his brows raising and sent him back for another taste. One by one, he sucked her fingers into his mouth, licking off the residue of the oil Kiki had used. Glancing at her face he found her watching him – or more precisely, watching his lips and tongue - her blue eyes soft and shining.

When he finished with her hand he continued up her arm, licking his way to her elbow, and right up to her shoulder. With gentle pressure he rolled her onto her back and proceeded to give her a tongue bath. Tori sighed and surrendered herself to the sensuous experience. He took his time, making sure not an inch of skin was missed. He sampled from fingertip to shoulder, along her collarbone, and down her torso. A murmur of approval was pulled from her throat when he spent long minutes on her breasts, licking and sucking on her nipples when they hardened in response to his ministrations. Her fingers clenched in his hair and she tugged lightly, silently asking for more. With a twist of his head he broke her hold and continued on his path. Her stomach muscles contracted at the touch of his hot breath, soft lips and rasping tongue. When he reached her hips he had to smile as her legs opened almost eagerly. But he had other territory to taste first, and explored the smooth skin of her thighs, before spreading them wider and settling in between. Fingers holding back her swollen folds, he touched just the tip of his tongue to her nub and flicked. Her body jerked in response. Once again he felt her hands in his hair. This time he didn’t resist when she pressed him closer. Instead, he lapped at her succulent flesh, monitoring her response by the moans ringing in his ears and the movements of her hips. When he judged that she was on the verge of desperation, he thrust his tongue deep and wiggled it. She gasped.

“Please!” She whimpered.

He didn’t pretend that he didn’t know what she wanted. Licking the length of her cleft once more, he took her clit between his teeth, flicked it with his tongue a few times, then sucked it. Hard. Tori’s back arched and she screamed as her body shook.

He pressed a kiss to her throbbing nub, and raised his head to look at her, his lips glistening with the evidence of her release. Her eyes were closed and her chest heaved as she fought for breath and waited for her heart to stop pounding. He licked his lips and grinned as he moved up to lay beside her and stroke her body with his hand. At his touch her eyes cracked open to see his face. His dark eyes were nearly black in his passion and reflected his approval and need of her. Together they watched his large hand cruise lightly over her upper chest, raising goosebumps as he went. He cupped first one breast, then the other, squeezing gently. With one fingertip he circled her nipples over and over and over until she shuddered. Raising his gaze to hers he smiled and leaned over to kiss her gently, but thoroughly while his fingers toyed with her hard peaks. The taste of her own juices on his tongue increased her arousal and she reached out to clutch his shoulders and urge him closer.

“Not yet.” He murmured against her lips.

She groaned in anticipation as his hand left her breast to roam over her stomach and down to cup her mound and knead firmly. One finger traced her cleft, and, finding her nub, rubbed it firmly. Her eyes drifted shut and she moaned deep in her throat, her hips rocking against his hand. Sensing her building urgency, he circled her opening and probed lightly. He lifted his head. “Baby look at me.” When she obeyed, brown eyes locked with blue and he watched for any sign of pain as he slowly penetrated her. Her eyes dilated even more and her teeth caught her lower lip. Easing his finger out, he added a second one and invaded her moist sheath again. Still she showed no sign of pain. In fact, her hips lifted in search of more.

He ignored the sweat running down his back and his own burning need. He had to be sure he wouldn’t hurt her. When the addition of a third finger ripped a cry from her throat, he froze, but was quickly assured that it was an outburst brought on by pleasure, not pain, by the heat and hunger glowing in the sapphire depths of her eyes. He curled his fingers slightly and searched for the sensitive patch in the front wall of her passage. Finding it, he rubbed slowly and lightly Within minutes she arched up off the bed, fingernails digging into his shoulders as she shattered again.

Before she had a chance to recover Richie shifted over her and replaced his fingers with his aching erection. Entering her slowly, he once again searched for any sign of discomfort. When he had gone as far as he could he held still. “Okay?”

Heart pounding, nerve endings tingling, desperately sucking in oxygen, all she could do was nod and try to prepare herself for the next round. She closed her eyes briefly, licked her lips and swallowed heavily. When she opened her eyes again she found him braced on his elbows, still watching her, unmoving. She flexed her internal muscles to caress the hard pulsing length stretching her and raised a brow at him. His chuckle turned into a groan when she squeezed again and he gave in and rocked against her. He kept his strokes slow and gentle, gradually lengthening them until he was pulling almost all the way out, then gliding back in.

Her eyes drifted shut again. “Mmmmm…Richie..”

“Like that?” His voice was a raspy whisper.

“Mmmmm.” Her hips move in time with his. She licked her lips again.

Richie bent his head and followed the path of her tongue with his, plunging deep when she opened for him.

When she felt her peak approaching yet again, she wrapped her arms and legs around him and held on tight, sucking hard on his tongue. With a groan that came from deep in his chest, he lowered his chest down onto the cushions of her breasts, slid his hands under her hips, tilted her towards him and reached even deeper, while still keeping his thrusts slow and gentle. Long minutes later, he shuddered and swallowed her orgasmic cry as her body convulsed, her throbbing passage clenching around him, pulling him into the abyss with her.

Her hands stroked his back soothingly, her lips pressing kisses to his shoulder, while they both waited for the world to resettle. Blowing out a breath he raised up to his elbows, smoothed her hair back from her face and kissed her gently. When he lifted his head again he was surprised to see tears shining in her eyes.

“Tori? Angel? What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”

She shook her head. “No, you didn’t hurt me, and nothing’s wrong.” She lifted a trembling hand to caress his cheek. “You’re amazing. You make me feel special and cherished and desired more than I have ever been in my life, and you bring me the most exquisite pleasure. It is the most incredible feeling. I don’t know what I did to deserve it, but I don’t ever want to lose it.”

Catching her hand, he pressed a kiss to her palm, then touched his lips to hers. “I promise to do my best to see that you never do.”



Chapter 198

After dozing for awhile, food became a priority. Richie ordered lunch while Tori was in the shower. Since she didn’t know where or if they were going anywhere she opted to just put on a robe . Her eyes widened at the array and quantity of the food that arrived, but didn’t comment. She was hungrier than usual, and she guessed that she had Richie to thank for that. Once again they ate on the terrace so that they could admire the view.

Declining dessert, she sat back with a satisfied sigh she sipped on her iced tea. “How about going for a walk on the beach?”

He nodded. “Sure. Just let me grab a quick shower first.”

While he was in the bathroom, Tori stacked their dirty dishes on the cart and wheeled it inside for room service to pick up, then returned to the terrace. Richie found her still standing there when he emerged in his swimsuit.

“Are you going to walk the beach in your robe? That’d be fine by me, but you might be a little embarrassed if we ran into someone.”

She laughed. “No, smartass. I guess I got lost in this incredible view. It’s so peaceful. I’ll just be a minute.”

Attired in her new lavender string bikini, a floral sarong in her hand, she stopped to investigate a bottle that was sitting on the table. One sniff told her that it was the oil that Kiki had used the night before and had obviously left for them. She remembered hearing something about it being flavoured and dipped her finger in for a taste.

“Angel, would you bring out the suntan lotion with you please? I don’t want you to get burned.”

“Sure.” A slow smile curved her lips as an image formed in her head. Picking up the bottle of oil as well as the lotion, and their sunglasses, she went to join her husband.

Richie looked up at her approach and was transfixed by the vision in front of him. His eyes darkened, then narrowed as his gaze raked her from head to toe and back again. “Maybe the robe was a better idea.”

She chuckled. “I’m glad you like it.” She glanced down. “A lot I see.” The material of his swimsuit couldn’t hide his reaction.

He looked down, then back at her and shrugged. “You’re a nearly naked beautiful woman and my wife. Would you rather I didn’t react like that?”

“No, but that display is much more embarrassing than me in my robe.” She straddled the lounge he was lying on and set the items she was carrying down beside them. “Maybe we should take care of that before we hit the beach.”

He watched her settle on his thighs and crooked a brow. “Take care of it how?”

“Well, I think it’s my turn.” Her voice turned husky.

“Your turn for what?”

“Dessert. I didn’t have any at lunch remember. But now I suddenly have a craving for vanilla.” She reached down and lifted the bottle of oil. Pouring some into one palm, she rubbed her hands together, then smoothed them over his chest and belly. “I kinda got the feeling this morning that you thought this stuff tasted pretty good, so I thought I’d give it a try.” She leaned over and licked a path up the centre of his chest. “Mmmmm. You’re right. It is pretty good.” She reached further to nibble his earlobe. “Or maybe it’s just you that tastes good.” She smirked as he groaned and set out to torture him some more.

He watched with glowing eyes as her open mouth slid over his taut skin, sucking up moisture as she went. When she reached his nipple she circled the hard tip several times with her tongue, then flicked it. His breath hissed through his teeth. Her gaze came up to meet his and she shivered at the flame of desire visible in the chocolate depths. Eyes locked, she closed her mouth around the sensitive nub and sucked. His back arched slightly in response. Without looking away, she licked her way across his chest to give the same treatment to his other nipple. His hands slid into her hair, destroying her ponytail and held her to him. Shifting back slightly, she followed the taste of vanilla over his ribs and stomach and felt the muscles contract under her mouth.

She gripped his wrists to pull his hands from her head and sat up. One hand reached out to trace his hard length through his suit. Her brow rose in question. He just smiled. She toyed teasingly with the drawstring of his suit before pulling it undone, loosening the waistband and easing the cloth over his hips, revealing him to her avid gaze. When she picked up the bottle of oil again he took a steadying breath, bracing himself for what was coming.

Pouring more oil in her palm, she rubbed her hands together briefly, then slowly smoothed them over every bit of his shaft and sac. She closed her hands around him and stroked lightly, first one hand then the other, rubbing the tip with her palms. He stiffened and groaned. For long minutes she let her fingers play over his sensitive flesh. Light, teasing strokes along his shaft, then firm squeezes, cupping his sac in her palm and stretching the skin gently. Over and over again until he growled a warning. “Baby, enough. You’re killing me!”

The wicked gleam in her eyes when they met his told him his torture was just beginning. “Baby, I’m just getting started.” With that, she replaced her hands with her mouth. She licked his erection from base to tip, paying special attention to the swollen tip and the ridge under it. Bending further, she sucked one ball at a time, savouring the mixed flavour of vanilla oil and manly musk. Finally, she swallowed as much of his length as she could, then backed off until she held just the tip and swirled her tongue around it. Back and forth she went, tasting him thoroughly, sucking only lightly.

His hands fisted in her hair. “Tori please! No more!”

She studied his face for a moment. It was flushed dark red and sweat gathered on his upper lip. His chest was heaving. With a grin she gave in, took him a little deeper and sucked a little harder.

He tugged gently on the silken strands wrapped around his fingers and shook his head. “No. Not like that. Don’t waste it. Angel please!”

She frowned slightly, but released him, and moved up to straddle his hips. Holding him in one hand she reached for the string ties of her bikini bottom. Unravelling one side, she reached across herself to tug the string on the other hip. One tug removed the barrier between them and she tossed it to join the pile on the terrace floor beside them. Locking her gaze with his, she raised up and guided him home, lowering herself slowly until she was fully seated. His eyes glazed over and a moan was torn from his throat. She braced her hands on his chest and rocked against him.

He raised his hands and cupped her breasts, kneading the lush globes firmly and pushing aside the small triangles of material to pinch the hard tips . Next his hands skimmed down her sides to grip her hips, holding her lightly as his flexed to augment her rhythm.

“Baby, I can’t take much more!” His fingers dug into her flesh as his whole body tensed, fighting to maintain control.

Tori bent over to kiss him lightly. “Then don’t. Let go.”

He shook his head. “You first.”

She grinned, leaned back and ground harder against him. Hanging on by a thread, the blood pounding through his veins, he slid one hand around, pressed his thumb to her clit and rubbed. She gasped and increased the speed of her movements. So did he.

“Now baby! NOW!” His back arched driving deeper and pushing her over the edge.

With a cry she collapsed on his chest and held him while he shuddered in the aftermath of his release. Recovering first, she stood, grabbed the rest of her suit and headed for the bathroom. When she returned she found him just as she’d left him, eyes closed, panting heavily, still exposed to the elements. A smirk twisting her lips, she leaned over and gently tucked him back into his suit and patted lightly. “We don’t want him to get sunburned.” She got a grunt in response.

She picked up the suntan lotion and slathered herself while she waited for him to recover. Tying on the sarong, she turned to him. His breathing had slowed, but shudders still shook him periodically. Picking up the lotion again she smoothed it over his legs, chest, and arms, then tugged on his shoulder until he leaned forward so that she could reach his back. He blew out a breath, took the bottle from her and returned the favour.

Tori stood, set the bottle on the table and walked towards the stairs that led down to the path to the beach. Glancing back, she saw that he was still sitting on the lounge watching her. “Are you alive yet?”

He took a deep breath. “I’m not sure yet. Where do you get your energy?”

Her sunglasses prevented him from seeing the glint in her eye. “Well I am almost a decade younger than you.” Self preservation had her turning and running down the stairs, hoping to reach the open beach before he caught her.

“Why you…..You’ll pay for that one! Brat!” He leapt up, grabbed his sunglasses and tore after her.

He caught up to her on the beach, slid his arm around her waist and lifted her clear off the ground. She shrieked as he spun her around. Feeling water splashing her as he walked into the surf, she managed to turn and wrap her arms around his neck. She covered his face with kisses. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! You’re not old. You are my very virile, strong husband and I love you.”

He stopped, the water lapping at his knees. “That’s better.”

When she relaxed her grip he started to set her down, then threw her into an oncoming wave. She came up sputtering. “RICHIE!”

"I love you too."