Chapter 219

“Hold it right there!” Richie’s voice boomed up the stairs from where he stood at the bottom, going over their schedule with Rosa. “What do you think you’re doing there missy?”

Tori’s brow winged up. “Um…gee, let’s see….getting ready to leave so that we don’t miss our flight?”

“And what are you doing with that?” His finger pointed at the suitcase in her hand.

“Well, I didn’t think that you wanted to walk around Philly and Cleveland, not to mention appear on stage in front of an audience – as appreciative as they might be – naked, so I packed us some clothes.”

He climbed the stairs quickly and took the suitcase from her with a growl. “You don’t lift anything heavier than a bowl or a tea cup…..or a tray of cookies.”

Tori looked at Rosa and rolled her eyes. Rosa smirked and headed for the kitchen. “Have a good trip.”

As she started down the stairs, she felt Richie’s arm slide around her waist. She slanted him a look. “I’m fine. No dizziness at all.” He just grunted. She sighed. “I don’t know how I go up and down these stairs a dozen times a day without your strong arm to help me.”

He frowned, but ignored her sarcasm. “You shouldn’t be doing that either.” Seeing her eyes narrow dangerously, he continued. “What would happen if you had another spell and no one was here to help you? You could fall and hurt yourself or the baby.” She didn’t look convinced. He sighed. “All I’m asking is that you not run up and down the stairs without someone close by in case you need help. Please? For my peace of mind?”

She sighed in resignation. He really wasn’t asking for much, and the truth was she broke out into a sweat whenever she thought about what might have happened if she’d fallen. “Fine.” Besides, what he didn’t know when he wasn’t home wouldn’t hurt her.

He hugged her closer and kissed her temple. “Thank you.”


Settling into her seat on the plane, Tori fastened her seatbelt and prepared for takeoff – her least favourite part of flying. She closed her eyes at the feeling of ‘whoosh’ and being pushed down into her seat.

Richie studied her face and as soon as they reached cruising altitude, got up and headed for the galley. When he returned, he handed her several packs of saltine crackers. “Here. The flight attendant’s going to bring you a cup of tea. Are you going to be sick?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so. Thanks.” She grimaced and ripped open some crackers.

A few minutes later the attendant flipped open her tray, set a cup in front of her and gave her a sympathetic look. “Can I get you anything else?”

“No, this is great. Thank you.”

“Let me know if that changes. It should get better in a little while, and landing should be okay, at least it always was for me. If it’s any consolation, I found with both of mine, that after the first trimester flying didn’t bother me at all.”

Tori turned an accusing look on her husband as the attendant walked up the aisle. His brows rose. “What? I didn’t tell her, honest! I just said that you were feeling queasy and asked for the crackers and tea. It’s not my fault she guessed right.”

“Mmmhmm.” She wasn’t sure she believed him, but she supposed it was possible, and she didn’t want to fight. Leaning her head back against the seat, she closed her eyes, sipped her tea and waited for her stomach to settle.


A couple hours later they were watching the movie. Tori glanced around the cabin, flipped the arm between their seats up out of the way and shifted closer. She laid her head on his shoulder and one hand on his chest. He shifted the seat back a little further to make her more comfortable, covered her hand with his and kissed her forehead. Her other hand settled on his thigh. Her fingers began to play.

He glanced down to see the familiar gleam in her eyes and grinned. “Hang tight angel, we’ll be home in a few hours.”

Her bottom lip came out in an exaggerated pout. The fingers on his thigh slid higher. “Don’t want to wait.”

He sucked in a breath and grabbed for her teasing hand. “Um sweetheart, I hate to disappoint you, but this is a public plane.”

“So? It has a bathroom with a lock on the door.” She reached up to kiss him.

He could taste the hunger in her kiss. “Easy honey. You don’t really want to make a public scene now do you? I’ll make it up to you and give you all you can take when we get to the condo. I promise.”

She frowned. “When did you get to be such a prude Mr. Rockstar? And don’t try to tell me you’ve never done it before.” She pulled away from him, her eyes filling with tears of frustration. “Maybe I won’t be in the mood later. Maybe I won’t be in the mood for a very long time!” With a sniff she stood, brushed by him and headed for the bathroom. Throwing an aggravated look back at him, she opened the door and disappeared inside.

He watched her in stunned disbelief. Did she just threaten to cut me off if I don’t fuck her in the bathroom? And that’s what it would be. Time and space restrictions weren’t conducive to lovemaking. He grinned. He’d definitely found his match! Gotta love pregnancy hormones! Glancing at his watch he looked around the cabin and decided he’d wait another couple minutes before joining his wife.

In the bathroom, Tori reached under her skirt and slipped off her panties. She didn’t know what had made her wear a skirt today – she usually travelled in jeans – but she was glad she did. Or she would be if Richie would quit playing the uptight killjoy and come and give her what she needed! She blew out a breath and waited, trying to ignore the blood humming in her veins. She was just about to give up when she heard a soft tapping at the door.

“Angel? It’s me. Let me in.”

With a grin, she reached out to flip the lock, lifted up the back of her skirt to prevent any embarrassing stains and hiked herself up onto the tiny countertop.

Richie squeezed into the small compartment and locked the door behind him. He studied his wife then looked around. “Are you sure about this? It isn’t going to be very comfortable, and we can’t stay in here long or we’ll get caught. And although you’re right, I have done this before, a long time ago, I don’t think either one of us wants to have this….interlude….splashed all over the gossip rags.” She simply raised the front of her skirt and held her arms out to him. He groaned at the sight and gave in. “Okay, but this is going to be hard and fast.”

When he took a step towards her she grabbed his shirt with both hands and pulled him closer yet. Her mouth reached for his while her hands rapidly undid the buttons on his shirt, slid inside and stroked the warm skin she found. Mouths melding, he set his hands to her body, knowing he needed to arouse her quickly. One hand found its way under the hem of her sweater and up to cup her breast and tease her nipple. The other hand slid up her thigh to her female core to check her readiness. He needn’t have worried. She was already drenched and swollen. He speared her with two fingers just to be sure. She gasped through their kiss and lifted her hips towards his hand.

Her hands left his chest, reached for the bottom of her sweater and tried to remove it. When he realized what she was doing, he broke the kiss and shook his head. “No time.” He raised her sweater, tugged one side of her bra down, exposing her creamy mound, bent and closed his mouth over the already hard tip. Her cry echoed around the small room. He lifted his head. “Ssh. You have to be quiet.” Even though she nodded her understanding he knew she wouldn’t be able to hold back. He fused his mouth to hers once again.

Tasting him, she reached for the waistband of his pants, stripping open the button and easing down the zipper. She pushed both his pants and underwear over his hips, then closed her hand around his rapidly swelling shaft and stroked.

The teasing warmth of her hand and her obvious urgency had him hard and aching in seconds. Withdrawing his fingers from her pulsing flesh, he nudged her legs wider, gripped her hips with both hands and stepped closer, pulling her to the edge of the counter. When she felt his broad head nudging her opening, she raised her legs, wrapped them around his waist and squeezed. They both groaned at the feel of her body opening to let him in, then closing tightly around him as he filled her.

The murmur of voices outside the door got him moving. “Tell me if its too much.” He muttered against her lips. She responded by sucking his tongue into her mouth, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and tightening her legs even more. He set a fast, hard driving rhythm, only mildly surprised that she kept up.

It was over in minutes. He swallowed her scream as her body shuddered in release. Her walls clamped down around his buried flesh, taking him over the edge with her. He held still while his hot seed flooded her womb.

Richie eased back, wiped himself with some toilet paper, pulled up his pants and fastened them. Glancing at his wife, he chuckled. She was leaning back against the wall, eyes closed, panting heavily. He reached for more paper, cleaned her up as best he could and kissed her gently. “Babe, you need to go out first. I’ll follow in a few minutes.”

She sucked in a deep breath, nodded and sat up, patting around for her panties. Finding them, she slipped them on, wincing slightly at the scratch of lace on her sensitive skin. She stood and touched her lips to his. “Thank you.”

He grinned. “That’s what I’m here for. Now scoot before we get busted.”

She was still chuckling when she resumed her seat and flagged down a flight attendant. “Could we get a couple Diet Coke’s please?”

“Sure.”

Richie slid into his seat beside her. “Feel better now?”

“Much.” She smirked.

The same attendant who had brought her tea earlier brought their drinks. “Dinner will be served in a few minutes.” She caught Tori’s eye and winked.

Tori grinned. “Thanks.” When the attendant had moved on she leaned over. “I think we got busted.”

He nodded and sipped his drink. “Uh huh.” He’d seen the wink. “I warned you.”

“I wonder how she figured it out?”

Richie shrugged. “We were in there for quite awhile. Maybe she saw me go in and you come out.” He wasn’t about to tell her that her flushed face and the sated, slumberous look in her eyes was a dead give away.

“Maybe.” She shrugged it off, too content to worry about it.

When dinner arrived, Tori surveyed her plate and glanced around for the attendant. “Do you have any maple syrup?”

The attendant frowned in thought. “Let me check. There may be some left from the morning flight.”

“What do you want that for?” Richie asked.

“My chicken.”

The attendant did manage to find her some pots of syrup and Richie watched in awe – and a bit of disgust – as Tori dipped her chicken into the syrup before eating it.

“Is it good?” He couldn’t imagine how it could be, but he had to ask.

“Not bad, but it would be better with real syrup, and not this fake stuff.”

He just smiled, made mental notes and went back to his own dinner. Yup, definitely a craving.


It was mid evening when they arrived at the condo.

“Good evening Mr. Sambora, Mrs. Sambora.” The night door man greeted them.

“Evening Joe.” Tori replied with a smile. His form of address for her was finally right.


Tori was laying on the couch watching T.V. when Richie joined her. He’d been on the phone finalizing the arrangements for his performance the next evening. She curled her legs giving him room to sit. He did, pulled her feet into his lap, removed her socks and began to rub them.

“Mmmm. That feels good.” She sighed in appreciation. He grinned. A few minutes later she pulled her feet out of his lap, stood and almost ran out onto the balcony.

Richie watched her go, stunned. He’d seen the tears in her eyes, and didn’t know what had caused them. What the hell? Did I do something, or not do something? With a sigh, he followed her. She was standing at the railing, her hands gripping it tightly. “Angel? What’s the matter?”

She wouldn’t look at him. “What’s wrong with me? I’m like some kind of sex addict. I can’t seem to get enough.” Tears were running freely down her cheeks.

“Sweetheart, it’s okay.”

She shook her head. “No it’s not! Look at what I made you do on the plane! What if we’d been caught – or God forbid, photographed – by someone? You tried to tell me, but I wouldn’t listen. I couldn’t even control myself for a few hours! Then after that, all it took was you rubbing my feet, to rev me up again. A look, a touch, your scent, hell, just the heat of you close to me, and all I can think about is making love with you! I’m never like this. THIS ISN’T ME! I don’t understand.” She turned her head, her glistening eyes begged him for an answer. “What’s wrong with me?”

Her tears were the only thing that stopped him from laughing. She really didn’t understand. He enfolded her in his arms. “Ssssh. Sweetheart, there’s nothing wrong with you. What you’re feeling is perfectly normal, and unfortunately, from my point of view, won’t last. It’s all part of the early days of pregnancy. One of the best parts. Just relax and let us both enjoy it.”

“You’re sure? I’m not being too demanding?”

“You could never be too demanding in that department. And yes, I’m sure. I’ve been through this before remember?” As soon as the words were out, he wished he could take them back.

She went from tears to anger in the blink of an eye, and stiffening, pulled away from him. “You don’t need to remind me that you know more about having a child than I do, that while it’s my first time, it isn’t the first time for you, that we won’t be sharing the experience for the first time together!” Spinning on her heel, she stalked to the door and slammed it shut behind her.

He let his head fall back on his shoulders and stared up at the stars hoping for heavenly assistance. And there’s the bad side of pregnancy hormones. Way to go Rich. When are you going to learn to think before you speak?! Taking a deep breath, he followed his wife. He found her huddled at the end of the couch, a blanket wrapped around her. He turned on the fireplace before joining her on the couch, sitting sideways to face her. His hands curled over her upraised knees. “Sweetheart, listen to me. There’s nothing I can do about my past, and I know you wouldn’t wish Ava away either, but you and our baby are my future. I want to share everything about this experience with you. I may know a few things that you don’t right now, but that doesn’t mean that this baby means any less to me.” He knew what her earlier outburst had really been about. “I love you and the baby so much it hurts sometimes. You are my life!”

Back to tears again. “I’m sorry. I know you love me. I don’t know why I said those things.”

“Ssssh.” He pulled her into his arms. “It’s okay. You can’t help it. Your horomones are pulling you in a hundred different directions at once.”

She sniffed and buried her face in his neck. “When will it stop?”

His lip twisted. “A few weeks after the baby’s born.” If we’re lucky.

She groaned. “That long?”

“Afraid so.”

She licked and nuzzled his neck. “You really don’t mind being my….service stud?”

He chuckled and squeezed her tighter. “I’ll service you wherever, however, and as often as you want, and thank you for the priviledge. In fact…” He trailed off as he stood, scooped her into his arms and gently deposited her on the fur rug in front of the fireplace. “How about now?”

“Mmmm…you read my mind.” She slid one hand to his neck and tugged him down to her.

This time he took his time, undressing her slowly, caressing her silky skin with hands and mouth. When he had her naked he stood and stripped off his own clothes, then laid down beside her once again. His hands were reverent and worshipful as they roamed her body, pulling sighs of appreciation and soft cries of pleasure from her throat. Tears – happy ones this time – filled her eyes at the expression of love on his face and his gentle touch as he stroked and dotted kisses over her stomach.

He brought her to gasping, screaming climaxes over and over with his hands, lips and tongue. It wasn’t enough for her. He inundated her with pleasure, but it still felt like something was missing. She was a shivering mass of zinging nerve endings when he finally joined his body with hers. Yes! THAT’s what she was missing. As much as she enjoyed his skilled hands and mouth, she needed this merging of flesh to satisfy her deepest craving.

He used long, slow thrusts to slake her desire. He’d lost count of the number of orgasms he’d brought her to. It didn’t matter. This wasn’t some adolescent game. He wanted – and needed – to show her that he could provide everything she needed. She was fulfilling his greatest desires. He just wanted to return the favour. The fact that he was getting incredible pleasure out of it as well was just a bonus.

When he’d judged she’d taken all she could, he let go, emptying himself deep inside her. Long minutes later, he rolled off her and cuddled her close. Sated and exhausted, she fell asleep almost immediately. He thought about carrying her to bed, but was too comfortable where they were. Reaching out he snagged the blanket she’d used earlier and a pillow off the end of the couch. Within minutes he let the dancing flames, and her even breaths bathing his chest, lull him to sleep.