Chapter 203

Richie awoke before his wife. That was unusual, but considering the events of the previous night, not surprising. Last night! He frowned. Not wanting to wake her, he slipped from the bed, tucked the blankets around her and headed for the bathroom. After a quick shower he emerged and smiled to see her still sound asleep, curled around his pillow. He pulled on a pair of shorts, ordered some coffee and when it arrived, took it out onto the terrace where he sat contemplating his recent behaviour. He really didn’t know where it had come from. He’d never been into the whole dominance scene, aside from the occasional little sex game – and even then it had never lasted a whole night. He’d never felt the need to control another person – particularly a woman – like that. But something about seeing Tori tied up in his bed, open to him and at his mercy had brought out the Neanderthal in him. He couldn’t get enough. In the bright light of day he wasn’t sure how to react. It wasn’t that he regretted his actions exactly – he could never feel sorry over something that had felt so incredibly good – but even though she said that she didn’t mind if he was….not quite gentle, he didn’t think that last night was what she had in mind. He had no idea what her reaction would be and that’s what had him concerned! He didn’t know whether to apologize or just act like nothing unusual had happened. He guessed he’d wait until she woke up and play it by ear. The sound of rustling sheets coming through the open door had him standing and heading inside. Now was as good a time as any to find out what she thought. Plus, he had a feeling she might need some help.

Tori rolled onto her back and sighed, a feeling of utter contentment surrounding her. As memories of the day before – especially of what happened after they got back to the hotel – flitted through her brain she grinned and opened her eyes. She had asked for the caveman and she got it – well, the pirate version of it, but considering where they were she guessed that was appropriate. In fact she’d gotten a lot more than she’d bargained for. She’d always sensed that Richie was capable of it, but figured that he was so afraid of hurting her that he would keep a pretty tight lid on it. And he had….until last night. She shivered at remembered sensation. Apparently his possessive tendancies had gone into overdrive over the last few days. Whether it was due to the wedding or throwing away the pills she didn’t know, but it seemed that it was also on a hair trigger. She just hoped that he didn’t feel guilty this morning like he tended to after their more…aggressive… lovemaking sessions. He’d only done as she’d asked. In fact, if she was being totally honest, she’d pushed him into it. She didn’t regret a single minute of it. She might be a little sore for a while, but it was definitely worth it. A glance at the clock got her moving. She needed a bath and the housekeeping staff would want to get in to clean the room – and change the sheets. Throwing back the sheet, she started to sit up and swing her legs over the side of the bed only to groan and fall back.

“Hang on angel, I’ll help you.” Richie entered the room, scooped her up into his arms and carried her into the bathroom. Sitting her on the toilet, he started the bathwater for her, making it as hot as he thought she could stand. When the tub was full he lifted her and set her in it. “Are you ready for some lunch?”

“Yeah, for some reason I’m starving. I can’t imagine why.”

He grinned, leaned down and kissed her. “I’ll order us up a feast. Call me if you need anything.”

She soaked for half an hour, but when she tried to stand she found that she could only get to her knees – and that only with the support of the side of the tub. She groaned and shook her head ruefully. I’m going to have to be more careful of what I ask for. With a sigh, she did what she knew she had to do. “Richie! I need your help!”

“Coming!” He appeared in the doorway, grabbed two fluffy towels and approached her. Wrapping one around her shoulders he lifted her out and set her down. “Can you stand?”

She nodded. “I think so.” She used the towel he’d given her to dry her arms and wrapped her hair in it while he used the second one to dry the rest of her. He held a robe for her – there was no point in her getting dressed, she was in no condition to leave the room today. Tying the belt of the robe she turned toward the door. “Is the food here?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I set it up out on the terrace.” He watched her carefully as she went to take a step, catching her when she nearly collapsed. Without a word, he carried her out to the terrace and set her in a chair.

While they ate they talked about what else they wanted to do with the rest of their time in Hawaii, what changes Tori was thinking about making to the L.A. house and grounds, what projects they both had waiting for them, Tori’s thoughts on new merchandise for the band, anything but what had happened the night before. Since Tori didn’t seem to be upset even though she was obviously in discomfort, Richie was content to let it go and simply help her any way he could.

After lunch he carried her into the bedroom and set her on the newly made bed. “Do you want to rest in here or sit out on the terrace?”

“On the terrace I think. Will you hand me my pink bathing suit please?”

After helping her dress he stood close by as she stood and once again tried to walk. She managed about half a dozen steps before stopping and shaking her head. He scooped her into his arms again and carried her back onto the terrace and deposited her gently on a lounge. Ducking back inside, he returned with her sunglasses, book, a glass of Coke and suntan lotion. Setting the glass and the book on the table beside her lounge chair he handed her the sunglasses and the lotion, and headed back inside. He returned with his own drink and his guitar. Settling on the other lounge chair, he strummed idly while he watched her smooth the lotion over her exposed skin.

Tori wiped her hands on a towel, put on her sunglasses, started to reach for her book, but decided instead to just lay back and listen to Richie play. She had almost fallen asleep when he stopped. “Please don’t stop.”

“I thought you were asleep.” He started to play again.

She shook her head. “Just relaxing. Sing for me?” He nodded, thought for a moment, then strummed. Recognizing the intro, she stopped him. “No. Not Jovi. Sing me yours.”

He grinned and proceeded to serenade his wife.

If God was a woman
with long brown hair

Tori chuckled at the lyric change and blew him a kiss.

would you kneel at her altar
and offer her prayer
could she be your addiction
could she make you sin
If God was a woman
and you were her man
If God was a woman
would you be impressed
if she showed up in high heels
and a pretty red dress
would you make a donation
or would you draw the line
would you yield to temptation
or savor her wine
If God was a woman
she'd come like an angel
or a devil in disguise
when she left in the morning
would you lose your religion
or kiss your faith goodbye, goodbye
If God was a woman.
If God was a woman
tell me who could we blame
would she make Jesus righteous
or completely insane
If God was a woman
would she kiss and tell
would we wind up in heaven
or would we all burn in hell.
If God was a woman
she'd come like an angel
or a devil in disguise, oh yeah
and if she left in the morning
would you lose your religion
or kiss your faith goodbye, goodbye
If God was a woman and you were her man, yeah
If God was a woman
would she come like an angel
or a devil in disguise, oh yeah
when she left in the morning
would you lose your religion
or kiss your faith goodbye, goodbye
If God was a woman
If God was a woman
If God was a woman
If God was a woman
We'd all burn in hell
If God was a woman, woman, woman, woman
If God was a woman
tell me who would we blame
If God was a woman
If God was a woman
she'd drive us insane, yeah

For the next couple hours Richie played and sang as per her request. Tori smiled in contentment – being married to such a talented musician certainly had its fringe benefits!

When dinner arrived, Richie once again set it up on the terrace, but when he would have lifted her from the lounge she stopped him. “Just help me stand up.” Upright, she made her way slowly to the table, with him standing close by just in case.

Later, they were curled up on the couch inside watching a movie when someone knocked on the door. Richie answered it, then stepped aside, allowing Kiki to enter with her table. “Hello Mrs. Sambora. Would you like me to set up here again?”

Tori looked at her husband and tried not to blush. “That would be fine Kiki.”

When Kiki was all set, Richie distracted her with the oils so that she wouldn’t notice Tori’s slow, painful movements, although he had to force himself not to rush to help her. “Do you want the vanilla again honey, or do you want to try something different?”

Tori groaned into the towel covering the table underneath her, the memories of what happened after her last massage sending ripples through her aching body. “Um, something different I think.”

Richie hid his grin – he’d heard her groan and understood the reason for it – and surveyed the scented oils. “Oh, Kiki’s got Pikake. Isn’t that what your lei was made of yesterday? What about that?”

Tori lifted her head and stared at him in disbelief. “Not today.”

“I thought you liked it?”

She realized what he meant. “ Oh I do, I love it, but it’s such a beautiful, rare, heady scent, that I wouldn’t want to use it every day and have it become commonplace. I think it’s something that should be kept for special occasions. Today, I’d prefer something more….soothing.”

His eyes met hers for a long moment, then he nodded and turned back to the oils. “Let’s go with the lavender.”

Kiki lifted out the chosen bottle and went to work, smirking slightly to herself at the love bites visible on Tori’s body, and resisted the urge to glance at Richie who had resumed his seat on the couch and was strumming his guitar softly.

By the time Kiki finished, Tori was once again asleep. Richie picked her up and carried her to bed. Kiki was packing up her oils when he returned to the living room, her table already folded and waiting by the door. She handed him a bottle. “This will help her sore muscles. Just massage it gently into her skin.” She hesitated, not sure how to say it. “It’s made of all natural ingredients and is safe to use….everywhere…Just keep it out of the eyes.”

Richie felt his face flame, but he nodded. “Thanks.” He walked her to the door, locked it behind her and went to join his wife.