Tracing A Happy Trail There Lars? Can I Be Next??!!??

Oh! Hello James!

Don't freak out, just be cool ...

Had this thought the other day and had to capture it! Just a short one! Well, for me!

Warnings: NSFW, Verbal Abuse mentioned, full on sex.

It’s been 30 years since I’ve actually seen Mark!  We went to high school together.  We’ve stayed in touch through the years.  After he left the armed services, he went into private security.  He’s now the personal security guard for – of all the people on the face of this planet – James Hetfield.  THE James Hetfield.  Metallica’s James Hetfield.  Mark has been around the world with them now several times.  Mark has shared photos of his journeys with me.  On the rare occasion, I get a photo of Mark and James romping about in a foreign city.  Mark made me promise that I’d never tell a soul who he works for.  I haven’t. 

Well, does my diary count?

The new tour is coming to the city I now call home.  Mark wants me to come on down to the show!  Of course I said yes!  Mark told me that he’s planning on taking the day off so that we can hang.  I get to the stadium and find the security check-in.  I have to wait for Mark to come collect me.

“Y/N!” Mark yells from behind me.

“Mark!” I yell as I run to meet him.  He swoops me up and spins me a couple of times.  “Whoah” I mumble as he puts me back on my feet, grabbing his arms.

“Head rush?” Mark grins at me.

“Ya think!” as I smack his chest.

Mark takes me back to the security check-in table and I get my pass.  An All Access pass.  I give Mark a side hug “Thanks.”

“Hey, you have helped me out with all those late-night calls when I was deployed.  This is the least I can do for you” Mark returns the hug.  “Now, this way.”

He walks me out onto what should have been an NFL field.  But instead, there sits Metallica’s massive stage.  He tells me all about it as he walks me around it, by it.  Up on it.  Being early on a summer afternoon, the black stage is very warm.  I wipe my brow. 

“Yeah, it gets a little warm in the day up here.  Let’s go get something to drink” Mark helps me off the stage.  “Canteen is this way.”

He leads me into the bowels of the stadium.  I find it fascinating as I love football as much as I love Metallica.  The place is huge.  All the hallways are super long and it takes forever to walk them.  When we get to the catering area, someone approaches Mark with a question.  Marks points me toward a counter, “Head on over there.”  Then he yells “Hey chef!  Hook up Y/N with whatever she wants please!”

The big guy wearing a chefs’ smock grins “You got it Mark!”  He smiles kindly at me, “What can I get you?”

“Just something to drink please” I smile back.

Chef points to a list on the counter, “Which would you like?” he grins.

“Oh!  A Severed Lime please!”

“Be right back!” he spins toward the big refrigerator.

A hand claws down on my shoulder “Just what do you think you’re doing here, Y/N?”

I turn to see Jolene.  Someone that went to high school with Mark and me.  She has always hated me.  “Getting something to drink” I respond flatly.

Jolene grabs my shoulder harder “Watch the attitude Y/N.”  She points to the security emblem stitched on her shirt “I can kick you out!” she snarks.

Chef has returned with the can and is trying to hand it to me.  But Jolene smacks it away.  It lands with a clang on the floor and rolls across the area under a table.  “You don’t have the right creds to be in here” a vicious gleam flares in Jolene’s eyes.

Several things simultaneously happen next:  I hear Mark’s Keep Cool signal.  I stomp my right heel twice in rapid succession on the floor in response.  Jolene is trying to pull me from the counter when a very large, very tattooed hand drops over my other shoulder to rest on my sternum, gently tugging me back into a very tall frame just as James Hetfield leans over and – Keep Cool Y/N! – kisses me.  Not a big kiss.  But not just a peck either.  “Hey babe” he rumbles at me a little loudly.  “Everything ok?” he grins at me, his stunning blue eyes sparkling.

“Just getting a Severed Lime” I smile at him, proud of myself that I didn’t squeak.  My heart is beating a zillion miles an hour.

“She’s leaving!” Jolene tries again to tug me.  “I’m kicking her out.”

“Uhm, no you’re not.”  James’s voice is firm.

“Fine!” Jolene snaps.  “You both are getting kicked out” she snarls at me.

“Nope.  You’re getting kicked off my tour” James stands up.

Jolene grabs my ponytail, yanking it hard.  Almost pulling me to the floor.  “OW!” I yelp.

James keeps me from being yanked from his arm and pulls me tighter to his chest, his fingers griping my sternum tightly, his other hand cupping the back of my head.  “Mark!”

“On it, James.”  Mark grabs Jolene’s wrist, “You’re supposed to be at Merch” he barks at Jolene.

“I’m bored there.  I belong back here” Jolene snaps.

“Jolene, you belong wherever you are assigned.  I gave you a chance because we went to school together.  But this is the third strike.  Now c’mon.”  Mark tries to spin Jolene to leave the catering area.

Jabbing a finger at James “Just who the fuck is he?” Jolene snaps angrily at Mark.

“He’s the guy who signs my paycheck.”  Mark spins Jolene from us successfully “This way.”  As they walk away, “You Chillin’ James?” Mark asks.

“Yeah.”  James’ fingers ease on me “We’ll be in the Chill.”  Marks responds with a thumbs up.  Looking at chef “Sorry about the commotion” James apologizes.

“No harm done, James.  Y/N, here’s your drink” chef smiles at us both.

“Thanks” I reply softly, taking the new can with one hand and rubbing my very sore head with the other.

James rotates us.  Keeping an arm draped over my shoulder, he walks us out of the catering area.  My arm automatically wraps around his waist.  I hear the commotion in the hallway as Jolene is loudly begging Mark to let her stay.  James holds open the door to a room that has a sign taped on it James’ Chill.

Inside, there are a couple of comfy chairs, a small sofa and a couple of tables.  There are deep purple drapes on poles covering the cinderblock walls and the two torchiere lamps give the room a warm feeling as I notice that the big fluorescent lights overhead are turned off.  One table has some munchies on it.  The other holds a couple of guitars and a small amp.  There’s a very large opened road case with clothes hanging on one side, the other filled with drawers.

“Please, sit” James smiles at me.  I sink into the sofa, still rubbing the back of my head.  James looms over me, “May I check?”

Tenderly pulling the elastic out of my hair, “Yes, please.”

His fingers very tenderly search through my long hair to my scalp.  “I’m not seeing any blood” he gently finger tidies my hair as he sits on the sofa next to me.

I sigh, “Well that’s good.”  I rub my scalp again, “It’s probably going to be tender for a while.”

His fingers are still playing with my hair.  “Probably.”  I look sideways at James.  His eyes are roaming over my hair.  I look at my hands holding the unopened Severed Lime can.  “May I ask you a question?”

I look at him “Sure.”

“When I kissed you – which was Mark’s idea” I snort a giggle “you didn’t seem surprised.”

“Mark warned me.”

“How” James’ eyebrows furrow together.

“He cooed like a mourning dove.”

“So that’s what he was doing” James grins.

Chuckling, “That’s been his Keep cool just roll with happens next signal since High School.”

“Ahh” James nods in understanding.  “But you didn’t respond.”

“Yeah I did” as I thump the floor with my heel twice, grinning.

“Ahhh!  Yes, you did.  Didn’t know what you were doing” James huffs a soft laugh.  “Who was the security girl?”

“Jolene.  We all were in school together.”  I again look at the can in my hands.  “She’s always hated me.  Don’t know why.”

“Oh.”  He twists slightly on the sofa to face me.  “Mark has told me that you were there for him during deployments.”

“Yeah.  He’s always been like a big brother to me” I smile at James.

He fidgets some “So, would he mind if I kissed you again.”  I just blush furiously.  “Would you mind” his fingers gently lift my chin “if I kissed you again?”

“Not at all” I whisper.

Still gently holding my chin, he leans in.  I meet him halfway.  We both breath in deeply keeping our lips pressed together.  His fingers on my chin slide up the side of my face to cup my head.  My fingers gently wrap around his wrist.  A feeling of electricity passing between us.  We are eagerly, tenderly, kissing the other.  I am trembling slightly.  Finally parting the kiss, he rests his forehead on mine. 

His blue eyes finding mine.  “You felt that too?” he whispers. 

“uh huh” I manage, still trembling gently.

He too is quivering “Glad it’s not just me.”

I huff out a small laugh.   And kiss him again.  His fingers still cradle my head as he returns the kiss.

A knock on the door and we jump apart like a pair of teenagers caught necking by our parents.  Grabbing my leg just above my knee, squeezing, smiling at me, “Sandman!” James says loudly standing.

For some reason, I put the cold Severed Lime can on the back of my head as Mark walks in.   “Hey” he nods at James.  “Y/N?  You ok?” as Mark sees the can on my head.

“Jolene yanked my ponytail really hard” I grin gently.

“You OK?” Mark is immediately in Big Brother mode.

“I’m fine.”

“She’s not bleeding” James offers.  Seeing the look from Mark, “She let me check” James reassures the big ex-Marine.

Nodding “Well, that’s good.”  Turning back to James, “Lars needs you in the dining room.  Something about an interview next week.”

Grimacing slightly “I hate those” James shoves both hands into his front pants pockets.

“Yeah, I know.  But they want all four of you” Mark rests his hands on his hips.

“Is there a bathroom around?” I ask quietly.

“Oh yeah” James smiles gently at me.  “That door right there.”

Setting the can down on the table with the munchies, I make a quick exit.  After using the toilet, I am washing my hands when I hear the two men:

“Do you think she’d like to have dinner with me after the show?” James asks.

“I know she’d like that.  But James, please don’t hurt her.”

“You know I won’t intenti…”

“I know you won’t mean to.  But her last relationship, the guy was a dick.  I heard some of what he’d say to her.  He was verbally abusive to her” Mark’s voice very quiet.

“Just verbally?” concern lances James’ voice.

“She claims that he never hit her.  She has no reason to lie to me.”

“Other than you’d go murder the fucker!” James chuckles.

I can almost see Mark’s head bobbing around “Yeah I would have!”

In the following silence, I flush the toilet again, run the water in the sink.  Grabbing another paper towel, I walk out the door.

“Feel better, Thumper?” Mark grins.

I smack Mark’s arm “Only you!”

James just looks at Mark.  “That’s what I called Y/N in school for her little bunny kicks.”  Mark does his bird call again.  I automatically thump the floor twice.  The three of us burst out in laughter.

James rests his hand on my shoulder, “Mark is going to stay with you during the show?”

I look up at Mark.  “Like I’d let her go out on the floor alone!  She’s 5’ 2”!  She’d get slaughtered!” Mark laughs.

“Take her up on the F&F” James looks with a grin at Mark.  Then gives me a wonky grin “You’ll be able to see from there.”

I smile at him “Thanks.”

James grabs a phone from the table with the guitars “Then I’ll see you two out there!”  He turns to Mark “Darren tonight?”  Mark nods.  “Lars is in the dining room?”  Mark nods.  “The others there too?”

“Heading that way” Mark nods as he opens the hallway door.  “Got everything?” as we all walk out into the hallway.

James pats down his pockets “I think so.”  The two men fist bump.  James gives me a smile and starts down the hallway.  Then he spins makes a quick trot back to me, kisses me again, and walks back down the hallway.

I stand there a second in shock.  I look up at Mark.  “Damn Y/N!” Mark grins at me.  “You just landed the biggest fish in the sea!”

My hands kinda flap as Mark leads the other way down the hall “I didn’t mean to!”

Mark pats my back “Be glad you did!”  Mark looks over his shoulder towards James’ retreating figure, then back to me.  “You two will be good together!” he grins at me.

Mark leads me back out to the field.  The floor has already begun to fill in with fans.  The seats are a little sparse, but it is still early.  Mark tucks me in behind his frame.  I rest my hand on his back – just like we used to do at the big concerts when we were in high school.  I ask him to take me into the Pit because I want to stand on the fifty-yard line in the center of the field.  He does and takes a picture of me there.  Looking like a dork.  Then we walk around the field.  I’m not really impressed with the first opener.  So, Mark takes me to the lounge and we grab something to eat.  We watch the stage get changed to the second opener.  The seats are beginning to fill.  I like the one song for this second group.  Otherwise, meh.  When that act ends, Mark walks me back down to the field from the lounge.  And to a tower.  He flashes his pass and leads me up onto a platform.

“James thinks you’ll be able to see better from here!” Mark laughs.  “Welcome to F&F!”  I give him a look.  “Friends and Family!”

“I don’t know how to act!” I grin.  Mark looks confused.  “I’m used to seeing just shoulder blades and elbows at a concert!”

We both burst out laughing.

Then it starts.  The Metallica walkout songs.  I bounce a couple of times with joy.  And perhaps I’m a little giddy.  They take the stage in full roar with Creeping Death.  The next two and half hours I get an unimpeded view of them.  Of him.  He keeps looking over towards me and each time his grin gets bigger.

When the field lights come on and Metallica are doing the usual end of show antics, Marks leans into my ear, “We need to get you down to the car.”  He grabs my hand as we exit the platform.  I walk very close behind Mark, with my other hand planted in the middle of his back.  When we get past the security barricade, I am able to walk beside Mark.  He takes me back to the Chill room.  There he loads up the backpack that is tucked into the big road case with some of the munchies and several cans of Severed Lime.  I use that bathroom again.  There’s mouthwash on the sink.  I use it since I did have garlic fries.  As Mark walks out of the room carrying two backpacks and down the hall – with me trotting behind to keep up with his long legs – he goes into the catering area.  There on a table are five to go bags, and several Hydroflasks.  Mark looks a little flustered as his hands are full.  I look at him and he hands me one backpack.  Mark stuffs a couple very large Hydroflasks into the backpack and zips it closed.  “Keep that upright please.  Those two Hydros like to leak.”  Then he grabs three of the to go bags, his backpack and nods at me.  “Let’s roll!”

He leads me down another hallway, then through a set of double doors into the stadiums loading bay.  There sits a very large black sedan, engine idling.  Marks takes me to the driver’s side back door.  “Ok, you get this side.”  I put the backpack on the floor between my feet.  Marks stacks two of the to go bags on the transmission hump on the floor.  Looking at the passenger side front seat.  “Shit.”  Mark closes my door, runs around the car, opens the front passenger door and hits the button to move that passenger seat forward.  Mark puts both hands on the seat and leans over it looking at me.  “He’s a good guy, Y/N.  He won’t talk much on the drive to the hotel.  He might want the camo hydro on the drive.  That one is on the side so that you won’t have to unzip the bag much.”  Mark smiles at me.  I thump the floor twice with my heel.  Laughing “That’s my Thumper!” Mark exits the car, closing the front door.  I make some minor adjustments to the to go bags and the backpack when the passenger back door is opened.  And James – wearing a black robe with flames on the sleeves – slides into the back seat.  He’s sweaty, but smiling.  The big sedan heads out of the loading bay.  I realize that Mark moving the passenger seat up meant that James and his long legs would easily fit into the back seat.  James just grins at me. 

“Drink?” I whisper.  He huffs out a soft snort and nods.  I find the camo hyrdo and hand it over.  James takes a couple of solid pulls from it and leans back in the seat.  I just watch him.  The sedan slows at a red stop light.  James sits up and hands back the hydro.  I put it back into the bag and zip it closed.  Just as the big sedan starts to roll again, I sit back up.  James holds out his left hand to me.  I gently rest my right fingers in his palm.  He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses the back of my hand.  I shudder out a soft sigh.  Smiling softly, James pulls my hand to his chest, holding it there.  I smile back at him.  The big car pulls into the portico of one of the fanciest hotels in town.  Two valet are quickly there.  But they open both doors on the passenger side.  The driver hops out to open my door.  I grab the backpack and both to go bags and quickly follow James.  He’s waiting just inside the hotel lobby doors giving me a wonky smile.  He wraps an arm around my shoulders and we get into an elevator.  The doors open on the top floor. 

One of the security guys there greets us.  “Hey James!  Show sounded great!” he comments as he leads us down the hallway.  He taps a key card on the door.  James gently pushes me through the door and quickly follows me.  As the door clicks closed, I move into the room and set the backpack down in a chair at the table and the to go bags on the table, kicking my shoes off.  James comes up behind me and rests his hands on my hips as I open the backpack and pull out at least the hydros – just in case the bag falls over.  His nose buries into my hair.  I shiver slightly.  My hands ghost over his.

“I’m sorry I don’t talk right after a show.”

“You don’t need to apologize” I grin turning towards him.  “You just sang for a good two hours!  I understand.”

His stunning blue eyes lock with mine.  His hands slowly wrap around to my back – one on my lower back, the other travelling up to my neck, his fingers gently cupping it.  I wrap my arms around him and pull myself into his body as our lips meet again.  Gently.  Tenderly.  He rests his forehead on mine.  “How’s your head?” he grins.

I grin “Doing great.”  I let him pull me into a hug.  My nose buries into his chest.  I inhale deeply.  Faintly, there’s cigar.  Sweat.  The fabric softener from his robe.  I feel his breath in my hair as he leans into my head.  From his robe, “I heard you and Mark talking.”  His fingers clench gently on me.  “I have just one ask.”

He urges my head back, kissing down my forehead, my nose to my lips.  His stunning blue eyes lock with mine.  “Ask” he says gently.

I whisper “Please don’t call me ‘babe’.”

Lifting his head some “Is that what he called you?” concern knotting his eyebrows together.  I can only nod.  He kisses me tenderly, “Then I will find something else to call you” he smiles at me.

“Thank you” as I pull him into another kiss, y body relaxing in his hold.

He tightens his arms around me.  Our lips still eagerly kissing.  He gently reaches under my shirt.  When his fingers touch my skin I shiver and a stuttered sigh is pulled from me.  Our lips are still kissing as his fingers reach my bra.  With a deft flick, he unhooks it.  My body arches into his.  His thumbs hook my shirt and bra lifting them both.  Gently parting the kiss, I raise my arms as he tugs the fabrics from my body.  His left hand quickly splays open on my now fully exposed back, holding me.  I watch his face.  His eyes follow as his right hand softly caresses my left cheek, slowly slides down my neck to my clavicle, then agonizlingly slowly to my breast.  He tenderly cups it.  I hitch a breath.  His right hand eases its hold but my lefthand snaps up to hold his hand on my breast.

As his left arm gently hitches me closer “Are you sure?” he purrs.  His blue eyes searching mine.  I nod slowly chewing on the corner of my lower lip.  He kisses me.  His fingertips on my breast find my nipple tenderly playing with it.  I whimper into the kiss.  Slowly he moves us towards the bed.  As the back of my legs hit the mattress, I start to sink.  With a speed I didn’t know that James possesses, his fingers hook the waistband of my shorts and thong, removing them from my body with one swift motion.  I am left sitting on the bed totally naked.  But I don’t feel naked under his gaze. 

His hands cup my face, kissing me.  I lean back, my arms pulling me up the bed, his hands on either side of my body hold his weight as he follows me, his knees naturally going between my legs.  Spreading them.  I can smell myself.  His hand grabs my thigh stopping me.  He kneels up.  I am quivering as he eases the robe from his lean, firm body.  His erection proudly standing at attention.  Again, he leans over me, kissing me.  His lips blazing a trail from my face, down my neck, to my breasts, my stomach.  He lowers himself between my legs grinning like the Cheshire cat at me.  I answer the question in his eyes with a short nod.  I know that I am a sopping wet mess.  His grin goes wicked as he sticks out his tongue.  With the very pointy tip, he licks into the very top of my cleft.  His grin is even more wicked.  I whimper.  His tongue delves deeper into my wetness.  My back sinks to the bed as he groans happily into my pussy.  His arms snake under my thighs, wrapping over my hips.  Holding me.  His tongue is non-stop gently swirling around my bud, searching through my folds, dipping teasingly into my opening.  I squirm in his hold, whining.  His fingers dig deeper into my hips.  I look down my body to see the silvered hair on the top of his head between my legs – his feet up in the air wiggling.  He tenderly sucks on my clit drawing a loud moan from me.  My hips try to buck up into his mouth, but his hands prevent them.  An “uh huh” from him reverberates through my cunt as I feel his lips smile.  My fingers find his hands on my hips and grab his wrists.  He begins licking me with broad tongue laps.  Again I squirm in his hold.  He only grips me tighter keeping his tongue working on me.  My head rocks side to side as I whine loudly, the knot in me tightening quickly.  I start panting hard as he finds the spot.  His tongue concentrates on that spot “pahhleez” I whine loudly.  He chuckles and uses a slightly harder pressure on that spot.  I hitch a deep breath “Th  deheere” I pant out as my eyes fly open wide.  Another lap from his velvet warm tongue and I explode.  I grab a pillow and scream into it.  He overstimulates me making my body convulse.  My eyes close when he finally – with a gentle parting kiss – extracts his mouth from between my legs.

I feel him move on the bed.  His arm runs under my right thigh to grab my left leg as his other hand grabs my right arm.  In a swift action he flips me over.  I yelp.  His lips press between my shoulder blades as his hand slowly runs up between my legs, his fingers wiggle against my clit.  My hips lift as I whine loudly.  He huffs out a soft laugh against my back.  In a blink, he’s kneeling between my legs.  His hands grab my hips hoisting them up his thighs.  “I don’t want to rush ….”

“Gawdz pahleez faahkkkk me!” I beg.

His fingers grip me tightly “Gladly!”  I feel his hand between our bodies.  Then his cockhead is gently pressing against my entrance.  My back arches allowing him easier access to me.  He grunts softly as he slowly pushes into me.  Spreading me.  Drawing a long low loud moan from me as his girth presses into me.  Bottoming out in me, James holds my hips tight to his body.  His hands hitch me up gently thudding a little deeper into me.  I wallow in his hold.  I hear him chuckle as I squirm.  “Ready?”  I nod slowly.  His hand connects sharply with my ass “I want to hear you.”

“Yaeezzz!  Paahhhleeezz!”  My begging only making me wetter.

He smacks my other ass cheek “Please what?” his voice a deep growl.

“Fuck me!” I yell.

“Be happy to!” I hear him grin before he starts doing what I just begged of him.  His hips begin thrusting his rigid cock in and out of me at a fast pace.  I feel the rigid veins of his shaft sliding deep into me.  His fingers hold me tightly, digging into my hips.  I know will be bruised.  I wrap my feet around his legs, pulling.  His motions become a little harder.  I groan happily.  My hands push on the headboard.  Into his hips.  My butt cheeks shake in his hold.  He ruts into me grunting.  Thrusting deep into me.  He hitches me up his thighs as we both are sweating.  The knot in me tightens up again.

“Harder!” I plead.

He snarls as his hips begin slapping into me.  Hard.  Deep.  Fast.  I whine loudly.  My feet tug him hard.  I feel him get impossibly thicker inside me.  Twitching.  His right hand reaches around me and finds my clit.  With a few flicks, I am tossed over the edge of my orgasm again as he explodes deep inside me with a roar.  I bury my face into the mattress as I scream in release. 

Slowly, he eases me down his thighs to the bed, his cock gently sliding from within me.  His body gently sinking over mine.  His lips gently pressing kisses to the back of my neck.  We shift to our sides so that I am wrapped up in his arms, my back pressed up tight against his chest, one of his arms now my pillow.  His lips still leaving a million tiny little kisses on the side of my neck and over my shoulder. 

I reach back and pat his hip, “I should go and let you sleep” I murmur groggily.

His arms pull me tighter into him “No” he purrs.  “You fit perfectly right here.”  I nod slowly.  “There is no need for you to leave.”  His lips kiss my neck just below my ear.  “Ever” he whispers.  “My little bunny.”

Rockies Christmas - Day 15

Warnings:  Snow Day, Wind event,

Guide: CBF = Cali’s Boyfriend / CGF = Castor’s Girlfriend / MBF = Marcella’s Boyfriend {I didn’t want to give them names}

I slowly rotate in bed.  My legs a little achy from being pinned by James earlier this morning makes me smile.  I can hear that the winds have picked up outside.  Reaching out I find his side of the bed empty.  The smell of onions being grilled floats into the room.  Sitting up, stretching, I make my way into the bathroom.  When done and cleaned up, I dig out a pair of stretchy pants.  I’m down to the bottom of the stack which means that I need to do laundry.  Pulling open the drawer that should have my tank tops in it, it’s empty.  Yup.  Need to get the laundry done.  I find a bra and taking one of James’ t-shirts – Bastardane – I finish getting dressed and head into the kitchen finding James at the stove with a huge skillet grilling onions.  I hug him from behind, “Morning.”

Twisting slightly and wrapping an arm around me, he kisses me, “Morning.”  He smiles at me and wiggles his eyebrows, “Feeling ok?”

I stand on tiptoe and kiss him, “I feel beautiful.”

Gently patting my ass, “Good.”  Then, “Hey, that’s my shirt.”

“Well, if the kiddos weren’t here, I’d be starkers” as I flash him my lacy bra.  I get a grin in response.

“Need to do laundry?” he smiles turning back to the skillet.

“Should probably change our sheets too” I purr at him as I head towards the coffee maker running my hand over his ass.

He nods in agreement, “Yeah, that’s probably a really good idea!”

Almost as if by magic, all the kids turn into the kitchen together.  “Damn, Dad.  You use a lot of onions” Cali declares sitting at the bar.

Looking at his oldest, “You have a problem with that?” he grins.

CGF sits next to Cali, “I don’t, except that they give Castor gas.”

“Tell us something we don’t already know” Marcella snarks at her brother.  He gives her a snarky smile back.

Marcella pulls out her phone as it buzzes.  James looks at her.  “Reminder that we need to check in to our flights.”

All the kids pull out their phones and check into their flights.  “Hey Marcella” Castor says putting his phone away, “Thanks for the reminder.”

“You’re welcome” she grins at her brother.

“Hey Kira!  Nice choice in shirts!” Castor grins.  I give him a pair of horns.

James finishes the onions and starts the eggs.  I see that he’s already put out the stuff to make burritos.  “Kira, will you please start the microwave?  I already have the roast beef in there.”

He’s even set the time needed.  I push the start button smiling at him.  Then grab our mugs and make our coffees.  A few minutes later, we are all sitting at the kitchen table enjoying our breakfast burritos. 

I watch as Cali and CBF keep giggling with their hands interlaced over Cali’s belly.

James smiles at them, “Moving more in the morning or evening?”

“A little in the morning.  More in the evening.” Cali smiles.

Nodding, “I’ll bet on an evening birth” James grins.

“Morning” Marcella speaks up.

“Midday” is CGF addition.

“Someone write these down!” Marcella giggles.

CGF finds a notepad and pen.  We all make our guesses.

“What does the winner get?” Castor asks.

“To change the first diaper” CBF suggests and there’s laughter all around.

A strong gust of wind hits the house.  “Picking up out there” James says looking out the window.  The wind picks up the loose snow and is blowing it all around.  The clouds in the sky are being torn apart and then put back together.  I shiver some as another gust lifts more snow from the patio.  “How many episodes to we have to finish Stranger Things?” James looks at Castor.

Thinking, “There’s all of season 4 – which is 9 shows, and I think we have 3 left on season 3.”

“Shall we do the long haul and finish this?” James looks around the table.  Another gust of wind hits the house.

“Sure.”  “Not going out in this.”  “Might as well.”  “Yes!” are the mixed responses.

Everyone helps get the kitchen and dishes sorted.  Carrying my coffee mug as I’d not yet finished it, we all make our way to the media room.  Marcella and Castor pull out some extra blankets as the room is little chilled today.  Sinking into our positions on the sofa structure, Castor fires up the system and starts the next episode. 

Between every other episode, there’s a bathroom break.  Someone gets something from the kitchen.  Someone takes all the dirty dishes from the previous kitchen run to the dishwasher.  As the second episode of the fourth season starts, there’s a very harsh gust of wind.  I wince and lean into James.  The power flickers.  “Hold on Castor.  Let’s see if the genny is going to kick in.”  The lights flicker again - then go out.  About 45 seconds later, they all come back on.  There’s a dull roar from outside.  “Ok.  The genny is on.  Go ahead.”

Restarting the TV, Castor starts the next episode.  James pulls me into a tight hug, “I got you” he whispers to me.  Smiling, breathing a little fast, I lean into his chest. 

Pausing before the fifth episode, it’s the usual bathroom and kitchen runs.  I lean back and look up at James, “How long will the generator run?”

Frowning slightly, “36 to 48 hours.  Depending on how many devices we have running.  The furnace is gas, but the fan is electric.  The biggest draw will be the TV, chest freezer and the fridge.”  He kisses my forehead, “I doubt the power will be out that long.”

Before the sixth episode, it’s a unanimous decision to have more Jambalaya.  CBF pulls the leftovers out and in short order, we are all seated at the kitchen table.  A couple more heavy gusts hit the house.  One of them followed by a loud thud.  I jump.  James kisses my hair, “I should check on that.” 

MBF stands, “I’ll go with you.” 

The rest of us clean up the lunch dishes.

James comes back in the house after being outside for a time, “Hey Castor, where are the keys for the rental van?”

“Uhm, by the front door.”  Castor follows his Dad and I follow Castor.  “Everything ok Dad?”

Nodding, “The van is fine, but that old oak dropped a branch.  I’m going to move the van just to be on the safe side.”

“Is that side drive slick?” Castor asks.

“A little.”

“Let me grab my coat.  It might need a shove.”

James back tracks into the kitchen, stopping to give me a reassuring kiss.  He smells of fuel.  Then he, MBF and Castor go out the side door by the kitchen.  I see the two younger men walking beside the van, hands on it, with James in the driver’s seat.  He slowly moves it up into the small, protected area in front of the side door.  The three stomp the snow off their boots before coming in the door.

“Thought we couldn’t park there, Dad” Cali teases.

“Hey, my house, my credit card on the rental van” James grins at his daughter.

Holding her hands up, “I concede the point!” she laughs.

The two boys put their coats on the coat rack by that door.  James takes his into the garage.  I stand at the end of the hallway waiting for him.  “I topped off the fuel in the genny” he smiles at me.  “Diesel fuel stinks” he grins at me before kissing me gently.  He stops in the kitchen to wash his hands.  Several times.  He just grins at me.  Another powerful gust hits the house.  I shiver.  James pulls me into a hug, one arm around my waist, the other tenderly cupping my head.  I wrap both my arms around his waist.  Gently easing his hold on me, “You ok?”  I heave a sigh and smile at him, nodding.  We all make our way back to the media room. 

Castor stands and stretches before the last episode.  “Who’s up for some snacks?” he grins.  Again, we all head into the kitchen.  Some popcorn is made.  James, MBF and I make sandwiches from the last of the roast beef.  Cali heats up some rice and tops it with butter and salt.  Grabbing a couple bags of chips and everyone grabs a Liquid Death can from the fridge, there’s a parade back to the Media Room.  Castor is the last one to enter the media room, carrying one of James’ guitars.  Grinning, “Here Dad, in case you want to play along!”

Laughing with his son, “Thanks, but that’s not my line.  That’s Kirk.”

“No, it’s yours.”

“I do a short solo in the middle.  The lead is all Kirk” James smiles at his boy, taking a bite from his sandwich.

“I thought this was all you.”

“Sorry Castor” James smiles.  “They even cut my solo from the show.  This rendition is all Kirk.”  Seeing the look on his boy’s face, “But I appreciate the vote of confidence.”

Castor, setting the guitar on the counter, “I honestly thought this was all you” he grins at his Dad.

“It’s me in Jungle Cruise” James offers.

“We should watch that next” MBF offers.

“How about we finish this show.  Next time we’ll do a movie marathon” James counters.

“Deal!”

Castor starts the last episode.  Everyone sits up to headbang when Eddie starts playing.  When the lines comes, we all shout “Most Metal ever!” laughing.  I smile at James.  He pulls me into a kiss.  When the episodes ends, Castor flops back on the sofa, arms raised, “We did it!”  There’s general laughter.

“You guys should pack up tonight” I offer.

James nods in agreement, “Excellent idea.  With the winds, you’ll want to leave a little early in case there’s trees on the freeway.”

Looking up at his Dad, “That corner there at Wolcott can be tricky.”  James just nods.

“Ok dorks” Marcella turns to her counterparts, “Let’s bag up.”

Castor powers down the system.  The kids all depart to their rooms.  I gather up the blankets.  James helps me, grabbing his guitar before turning off the lights in the room.  Leaning his guitar against the wall, the blankets get dumped on the floor in front of the washer.  “I’ll get to these when the power’s back” I tell him as he pulls me into a hug, my hands rest on his chest.

He kisses my forehead.  “What about the wind here has you jittery?” his eyes search my face.

“The winds here just sound … savage.”  I pat his chest, “The winds in the city just don’t sound like the winds here.”

Cupping my head into his chest, “I can understand that” as he pulls me in tighter.  I lean my head back looking into his face.  “From the sounds, I think the worst is over” he looks at me a gentle smile on his lips.  Leaving the laundry room and taking my hand, James reaches for his guitar and is almost bowled over by Castor.

“Yikes!”  Castor grabs his Dad.  “You ok?”

“I have enough bruises, thanks son” James teases Castor.

“I was just coming back.  I forgot to put your guitar away.”

James hands the axe to his boy, “Here ya go” he smiles.

Smiling, “Thanks.  I’ll put it back.”  Castor heads up the hallway, “Night Dad.”

“Night Castor” he watches the young man retreating up the hallway.

I rest my hand on his forearm and let it slide into his hand, smiling gently at the megarocksuperstargod dad at my side.   Sighing, he gently squeezes my hand.  Then turning to me with a gentle smile, we walk into the living room.  I see that there are some things the kids have left in the room and start collecting them.  James stops me, makes me set the things down and smiles, “Hey dorks!  Y’all left things in the living room!”  I raise my eyebrows at him.  “What?” he grins.

“So you started the dorks thing?”

“No.  That was actually Lars” he smiles.

Soon all six young people are in the living room collecting their items.  CGF and Marcella do a thorough search of the room as well as the kitchen.  With a “Good night!” they return to their rooms.

James turns off the lights in the living room.  With a sigh, he turns off the tree lights.  The room is very dark indeed.  Draping an arm over my shoulders to my other hip, he leads us to our bedroom – making sure to close the door behind us.  After climbing into bed, he’s fidgety.  I roll over, “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t like sleeping with the genny running.”  Reaching to my bed side table, I hand him the TV remote.  With concern etched on his face, “Are you sure?”

“Positive” I caress his face.

He sits up against the headboard and turns on the TV.  I completely roll over, putting my head into his lap.  His fingers play with my hair.  I drift to sleep. 

I feel him shift me gently off his lap.  That’s when I realize that the faded roar of the generator is silenced.  James is cold when he curls up against my back.  “All good?” I whisper.

“Yes, other than I’m cold” he snugs up closer.  I pull his arms tighter around me.

Sleep grabs us both.

I would kill to have this man be looking at me......

Da bulge......

That tongue.......

Rockies Christmas - Day 10

Warnings: Some angst, Hospital stay, Shameless product placement

Guide: CBF = Cali’s Boyfriend / CGF = Castor’s Girlfriend / MBF = Marcella’s Boyfriend {I didn’t want to give them names}

A hand on my shoulder is gently shaking me, “Kira.”  It’s a hand much smaller than James’.  “Kira.”

I roll over scrubbing my eyes, “mmmyeah.”  I look up and there stands Cali.

“It’s six fifteen.  Thought you’d like some breakfast before going to see Dad.”

Yesterday slams into my brain.  “Thanks.  I’ll be out in a minute.”  She nods, smiling softly, and closes the door on her way out.  I swim to the side of the massive bed.  Scrubbing my eyes again, I get up and go to the bathroom.  After flushing, I wash my hands and splash water on my face.  I change clothes quickly back into what I’d worn yesterday.  Returning to the bedroom, I pull out my brush, do a quick raking on my hair and bun it up again as I open the door.

Timothy is there with a couple large bags from McDonald’s.  I just huff a smile.  Cali comes up to me, “We may have ordered too much.”  There’s concern in her eyes.

“We’ll leave a note for the cleaning staff.  They’ll appreciate it” I console her.  Finding an Egg McMuffin, I pull out a chair and sit.

“What do you want to drink?” Cali asks.

“Oh wait!” Timothy speaks up.  “Jordan told me.  Here.”  He hands me a SB cup.

I chug part of it.  “Bless you both!”  I hear a phone ringing in my room.  I quickly find that it’s mine.  “Hi Lars.”  I walk back out to the table.

“Hey.  How you holding up?”

Sighing, “I’ve been better.  Sorry for the crappy Birthday present yesterday.”

“Hey, that wasn’t on you!” Lars laughs.  “I just talked to him.  He sounds tired but good.”

“Who can sleep good in a hospital?”  I hear the Dane laugh.  “We’re just getting ready to go see him.”  Cali is bouncing, “Hey Lars, Cali wants to talk to you.”

“Put her on.”

“Hi Onkel Lars!” as she hits speaker.  “Is Auntie Jess there too?”

“Yeah, so are the boys.”  A chorus of Hi’s from the background.

“Uhm.  You’re going to be Store Onkel Lars.”

“Say what?” Lars’ voice says.

“Onkel Lars, I’m pregnant.”

“You’re making James … a Grandfather?!” there is happy cheering in the background.

The room on this side of the pond erupts in laughter.  “Yes.”

“Well, it’s about time one of you did!” he laughs.  “I’m … we’re very happy for you!!”

Cali hands the phone back to me.  I take it off speaker.  “Hey Lars.”

“Hey.  Tell that lunkhead to stop showboating.”

“The kids say that he wasn’t showboating.”

“Please tell me he was wearing a helmet.”

“Yes.”

“Thank god.”  I hear him chew on his toothpick.  “Ok, Jess is excited, she wants to go baby shopping for Cali.”

“Hey, I really hope that you did have a good day yesterday.”

I can almost see him nodding, “I did.  Until that lunkhead of yours took a spill!  But I’m grateful he’s going to be ok.”

“Oh!  So now he’s my lunkhead!”

“This time yes!” Lars laughs.

“I don’t know if the others know.”

“I’ll call them.  Kira, it’s all good.”

“Thanks Lars.  I’ll keep you posted.”

“Please do.  Farvel!”  He ends the call.

I chug more of my coffee and finish the sandwich.

Castor stands up and starts clearing away the garbage.  “Let’s get this show on the road.”

Cali finds a pen and paper and leaves a note for the cleaning staff.

I look up the number for the car service.  “The van will be downstairs in ten.”  That put a hustle in everyone.  Shirts are changed, coats grabbed, last bites of breakfast taken, shoes found and put on feet.  Grabbing both phones, my wallet and my jacket along with a key card, we all pile into the elevator.  Shortly after we get to the lobby the van arrives.  Same driver as the night before.  Piling in, I watch the Christmas decorations go by on the drive to the hospital.  The same ones that I’d been happy to see just a few days ago with James at my side.  Getting to the hospital, I lead the way to the nurses’ station.  After getting his room number, we make our way to the floor.  The elevator doors open and there stands the doctor.

“Wow, you are punctual” he smiles.  “He’s actually awake.  But please, don’t over tax him.”  Motioning with his hand, “This way.”  As we get to the door, he puts a hand on my arm as the kids all enter the room, “This might be a little much for him.”

“I’ll kick them out soon, but I’m not going to deny him his kids.”

The doctor nods as he walks away.

I enter the room.  There’s one IV bag hung and a heart monitor beeping.  The kids have all taken up space around the bed.  I can’t see him.  I can hear him.  Lars was right.  James sounds exhausted.  I wait patiently.  They are chattering about the hotel suite.  The helicopter ride.  That the other machines got back home ok.

“Is Kira here?” comes James’ voice.  Castor looks over his shoulder at me.  He steps aside.  James is pale but alive.  He looks like he’s been in the boxing ring with George Foreman.  The whole left side of his face is bruised.  That eye a little swollen.  He’s holding a cold pack in his right hand which looks a little puffy.  But those eyes.  Those big glacier blue eyes.  They are perfect.

“I’m here.”  He smiles and reaches out for my hand.  I take his left hand with my right.

Cali speaks up, “Hey, let’s go do some after Christmas sales shopping.”

“Then maybe hit up a movie” Marcella pitches in.

They all bid us goodbye and tumble out the door.  Then it’s quiet and just us.

“Hey” he says, his eyelids dropping.

“Hey.”

He tugs me, “Come here.”

I climb into bed beside him, making sure that all the tubes and wires are not being pinched, and stretch out beside him, my head cradled on his left shoulder.  His hand rests on my hip.

He looks at me, “I’m sorry.”

I press my fingers to his lips, “You didn’t do anything wrong.  The kids have assured everyone that you were not showboating.”  He barely shakes his head.  “I’m just grateful that you were wearing your helmet.”

“That bad?”

I lift my head up, “James.  It’s split in two.”

He sniffs out a smile, “Explains why my head hurts.”

I caress his chin, “Sleep.”

He snugs me in closer to him, “Ok.”

My eyes close shortly after his.

I hear the nurses coming in and checking monitors.  I hear other machines beeping down the hallway.  I hear his heartbeat in my ear.  I feel his hand resting on my hip.  I say a prayer and thank those in the great upstairs for watching over him.  I feel the tear leak from my closed eye warm my cheek before warming the hospital gown covering James.  I have no idea what time it is when my eyes finally crack open.  James’ hand is playing with my fingers resting on his chest.  I rock my head back.  His eyes slit open.  “Hey.”  I smile up at him.

“This bed sucks.”

I pat his chest, “Most hospital beds do.”  I wiggle a little.  He winces.  “I’m not hurting you, am I?”

“Right now, everything hurts.”  He tightens his arm around my back.  “But, I do gotta piss.”

Snorfelling at him, I detangle myself from him, the wires, tubing and slide from the bed. 

A nurse walks in, “Ah.  You’re awake.”

“And I gotta piss.”

“Here, let me pop these off.  That will make it easier.”  She pops off all the heart monitor leads. 

He swings his legs off the bed, the sheet still wrapped around his legs and slowly stands.  Then sits quickly grabbing his left knee with a wince.  I lift his gown.  His left leg from mid shin to almost waist is black and blue.

“I think I know where the snowmobile landed on me” he grimaces.

The nurse hands over a plastic urinal bottle, “Use this right now.  I need to get your doctor in here.”

I help James get lined up in the bottle.  His head leans onto my shoulder.  I hear his pee hitting the plastic container.  He heaves a sigh.

“Better?”

“mmmmhmmm.”  He’s still leaning into me.  I lift his gown and remove the urinal.  Closing its lid, I set it on the floor.  Then I help him shift back into the bed.  I move the urinal into the bathroom by the toilet and wash my hands.

The doctor comes in the room as I exit the bathroom.  The doctor flips back the covers and hoists the hospital gown.  James’ left leg, hip and part of his torso look like a Jackson Pollock painting done in blues, purples and flesh tones.  The doctor runs his hands over the area watching James’ face.  “I know that you were seriously burned, but don’t let that pain tolerance hide if these hurt” the doctors’ words are kind.

“It hurts” is all James says.

“I don’t really want to give you a narcotic pain med.”  He pulls the covers back over James’ body.  The nurse reattaches the leads.

“Please don’t.”

“Okay.  I’m going to give you a high dose of naproxen.  But to do that, you’ll need to stay another night.”

James just nods.

“I would highly recommend that you” he looks at me, “sleep on his other side.”

“Alright.”

He writes up the order and hands it to the nurse.  As he walks out, “You both should have a sleep study done.”

We both just look at each other.  He looks at me.  “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For being a pain.”

“Turn around is fair game.”  He looks at me.  “Halloween?” I grin.

“Yeah, but you didn’t end up in the hospital.”

“True.  But I didn’t have a five hundred pound snowmobile land on me.”

“Seven hundred, but I concede the point.”  I look at him.

“What?  Dad concedes a point?” Castor says coming in the door grinning.  The other kids follow in.

They start talking about the bargains they’d found.  The movie that they went to see.

“Hey Dad” Marcella pipes up.  “We brought you two a late lunch.”

“Oh yeah” CGF pulls out a bag from her backpack.  The smell fills the room.  MBF closes the door.

“I know that Dad wants the meatball sub,” Cali says.  “I hope you’ll like the turkey one.”

“Thank you.”  I take the offered sandwich.  “This is huge!”

“Castor will finish whatever you don’t” says CGF.  “And something to wash them down.”  She pulls out a pair of Severed Lime cans.

James almost inhales his sub.  “Gee Dad, you weren’t hungry at all!” Castor teases him.

“Nope.”  James lets out a huge burp.  “Not at all.”  I smile at him as he looks at me.

The nurse comes in with a new IV bag loaded with the pain meds.  “Oh good, you’ve eaten.  This med might have upset your stomach without food.”  She quickly changes out the bags.  “Uhm, where is the…?” she looks at me.  I point to the bathroom.  “Thanks.  I’ll collect it later.”  She walks to the door, “Those really smell good!” as she leaves.

“You kids aren’t eating” James says.

“We ate there” MBF says.  “We thought that you two might be hungry and hospital food is horrid.”

“Yes, it is.  Almost as bad as the beds.”  James tries to shift some and winces.

“You need to move up the bed?” I ask.  He just nods.  “Castor, MBF will you two please help?  Grab under the arms.  Now.”  They pull James a good six inches up on the mattress while I hold the bottom sheet from sliding with him.  His eyes close for a minute.  I rest my hand on his chest.  He rests his hand over mine and opens his eyes.  I can tell he’s ready to drift back to sleep.

CGF speaks up, “I think we need to let him rest.”  She wraps an arm around Castor’s waist, “C’mon.”

Cali whispers to me, “You staying?”  I just nod.  Cali smiles at me, then leans over and kisses her Dad on the cheek.  “See ya later – Grandpa!”

He smiles and his eyes brighten some, “See you later little Mama.”

As the kids file out, I hand Castor the rest of my sub.  He smiles at me, his eyes lighting up.  Damn.  He has his Daddy’s eyes.

Once the door is closed, James pats the bed on his right side.  I climb in, again making sure that I’m not on any wires or tubes.  His hand curls around my head, playing with my bun.  I reach up and pull off the hair tie.  His fingers snarl into my hair, caressing my scalp.  Those fingers in my hair slow.  Then stop.  I grab the TV controller and start a long movie.  The nurse comes in a couple of times to check the IV flow.  She also collects the full – and leaves an empty – plastic urinal bottle.  She smiles at me each time.  The movie ends and I start another.  James shifts some in his sleep, groaning softly.  The next time the nurse comes in, I ask her quietly about using arnica oil on James.  She lifts her eyebrows and just as quietly says that she’ll ask his doctor.  About an hour later she comes back with a bottle and a towel.  She hands me the bottle and lays the towel over my hip.  “I guess you know how to use this.”  I just nod.  Memories of various aftermaths of being in bed with James flow through my brain.  I gently work the oil into the bruises on his body.  I can’t quite reach his leg, but the worst part on his hip and torso I am able to rub the oil in.  Again, I start another movie.  It’s getting dark out.  The nurse comes in again, this time changing the IV bags.  James shifts in his sleep while she’s there.  He again moans softly.  She pulls up his chart on the computer and makes notes.  She smiles at me as she leaves the room.  I hear my phone buzz.  It’s Cali.  She’s asking for an update on James.  I send her the snoring emoji.  She replies with a thumbs up.  About eleven, James wakes.  Sorta.

“I gotta piss.”

“Hang on.”  I climb out of bed, grab the urinal and put in place.  “Let ‘er rip” I say. 

He smiles at me, “I could get used to this.”

As he finishes, I cap the bottle, “Yeah, I don’t think so.”  I put the bottle in the bathroom, wash my hands and climb back in bed.  He’s already half asleep.

“Thanks for staying with me” he mumbles.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way” I kiss his chin.

His grin slowly slips as he surrenders to sleep again.  I curl up against him.  The nurse comes in again to check the IV.  She leaves and returns with a blanket for me.  “See you tomorrow” she says kindly before leaving the room.  I pull the blanket up over me, my head on his chest, my eyes close.

Sneaking a feel there, James?

Rockies Christmas - Day 4

Warnings:  Shameless product placement plugs, NSFW, Sex, oral sex, Holiday sex

It’s dark still as I roll over and pat his side of the bed.  Empty.  I listen.  He’s in the studio, guitar screaming.  Having a house does have its advantages over an apartment.  Stretching, I decide to get up.  Pulling on a pair of yoga pants and a light sweater, I make up the bed. 

I grab the dirty clothes hamper and lug it to the laundry room.  After starting a load, I go to the kitchen.  Starting the coffee maker, I pull out what I need to make omelets.  I make our breakfast bopping out to what James is working on in the studio.  I put our plates on the table.  James has already turned on the tree lights. 

I make my way into his studio.  He’s just cranking on his guitar.  I lean against the wall and just watch him create.  He’s completely lost in his music.  I love to watch him.  His eyes closed, head thrown back just rocking out.  The tune ends.  He clicks on his computer.  He puts his guitar into its stand, and scrubs his eyes.

“Damn!  That sounds great!” as I walk toward him.

He turns and looks at me, a big grin plastered on his face.  “I’m really happy with that one!” he pulls me close. 

I cup his face and kiss him.  “Breakfast is ready.”

He plants a deep kiss on me, “Great tune followed by breakfast!”  He kisses me again.

“C’mon, the omelets are getting cold.”

Wrapping his arms around me, crushing my face into his chest, “Omelets!” as he carries me – laughing – to the kitchen.  Putting me on my feet, he sticks his finger into the middle of his omelet, “Still warm!” 

“Sit!  I’ll go get the coffee.”  I love seeing him happy.  His glacier blue eyes glittering, a cheesy grin plastered on his face as he digs into his omelet.  Fixing our coffees, I set them on the table and dig into my own plate.  The winds gust against the windows.  James’ playing had covered that sound.  I tense up a little.

James stands and goes to the living room.  A moment later, Christmas music is filling the house.  “That better?” as he kisses the top of my head.

“Yes, thank you.”

His hands squeeze my shoulders, “I got you.”  He reclaims his seat.

I smile at him.  “Are you done?”

“With my omelet or playing?” he grins at me.

I lean on the table, “Both” I smile at him.

“Yup” he pats his stomach.  Then he points at his empty plate, “Did Grandma show you how to make omelets?”

“She did.”  I collect his plate and mine.  Moving into the kitchen, I put them into the dishwasher and start it.

James stands, stretches – his shirt rising up showing off his belly just above his waistband on his sweats – smiling at me.  “Let’s finish this tree.” 

“What time did you wake up?” as I follow him into the living room. 

Shrugging, “Didn’t look at a clock.  Knew I needed to get that tune recorded.”  He stops short, I plow into his back.  Laughing, he grabs me to keep me from falling.  Turning to me, “You ok?” his hands on my waist.

“I prefer to slam into this side” I purr up at him bumping my hips into him.

He kisses my forehead, “Later” he wiggles his eyebrows at me.  “Now.  Ornaments.”

Smiling up at him, I step back.  As he begins digging out the ornaments, I take the bins that we’re done with to the storage room and re-shelve them.  I also take all the cushions from the patio furniture to the storage room too.  His eyes twinkle as he hangs the ornaments.  I wonder if there are enough ornaments as it has to be a 12 foot tall tree.  He tells me the story behind each one.  There’s probably two dozen or more made by his kids when they were in grade school.  His face is glowing in the memories and lights from the tree.  He finally steps back moving the step ladder out of the way.  Nodding, “I think that’s got it.”

“It’s beautiful” I almost whisper.

“Almost” he grins at me.  He goes to a drawer in the wall unit, “Here.”

He hands me a paper wrapped item.  I slowly unwrap it.  “My snowflake!”

“I grabbed that just before we left NY.  I wanted you to have an ornament on the tree here.”  He gives me a goofy look, “Tree here Colorado home - here.”  I try to not laugh, but loose that battle.  He joins me.  Once we get our selves together, James kisses me.  “Where do you want to hang it?”

I approach the tree.  There’s a branch with nothing on it.  I just give him a look as it’s obvious now he’s left that spot open.  “There.”  I point grinning at him.

He comes up to me, “There?”  He wraps his arms around me, “Can’t you reach that branch?” grinning at me.  I reach up as far as I can, but the branch is still about three inches out of my reach.  “C’mon!” his fingers tickle me.  “Reach!”  I’m giggling and squirming.  His arms tighten and he lifts me up about an inch, “Stretch!”  I’m outright laughing now.  Another inch, “So close!” he’s laughing now too.  I put my hands on his shoulders and push up – wrapping my legs around his thighs – and finally hang my snowflake on the tree.  I find myself under him on the floor laughing.  His face is buried into my neck laughing.  He flops to his back breathing hard with a smirk on his face.  Rolling over, I straddle his hips.

His eyes, gawd, those stunning blue eyes, look up at me.  His hands rest on my thighs.  I can feel him getting hard.  “What are you thinking?” I purr.

“That I might have an early present for you.”

I raise my eyebrows, “Something just … pop up?” as I grind into his growing erection.

Nodding, “You could say that.”

I push myself to my feet, ass in the air – downward dog from yoga coming in handy - but grab the waistband of his pants and pull them off.  His erection stands tall.  I drop my pants, stare into those blue eyes, put my fingers on his belly and slowly kneel back down – one hand guiding him into me.  “I have something that you can … open … now” I sigh out as he fills me.

His fingers grab my hips, “Ohhhh, you are wicked.”

I rock my hips, my gummy walls grabbing him, “Yes, I am.”

His hips buck up as his hands pull down on my hips impaling me.  My head lolls back.  I lean back resting my hands on his thighs.  His hands roam over my body, his hips not stopping.  My breaths start shortening.  He lifts a knee overbalancing me into his chest.  He rolls us over, pulling out of me slightly, “Not yet” his lips on my neck.  I whine loudly trying to force him back into me.  I just get an evil grin from him.  He knocks his knees up against my ass, lifting my hips.  His left hand runs up my body from pubic bone to sternum holding my back to the floor.  His right hand grabs the base of his cock.  He teases my clit with his cock head gently.  I paw at his thighs as I can’t get a grip on them trying to get him into me.  I’m a gasping mewling mess at his mercy.  Without warning, he slams into me.  His balls slapping my taint, his left hand holding me firmly in place, his right hand pulling my thigh.  I can only cry out in pure pleasure, “awgain.  Please … James … again.”  He pulls out slowly, “As you wish” and he nails me hard several times in a row.  My body arches off the floor even with his weight pinning me in place.  He hooks my knee with his arm and tosses my leg over his shoulder.  My other leg follows.  He holds me by my thighs tight to him.  I reach for him and manage to get my fingers behind his knees, and I pull.  He grunts.  He thrusts.  He ruts.  Hard.  Deep.  He’s growling at me.  I tug his knees again, he bottoms out in me and we both explode.  The cheery holiday music is drowned out with our total porno soundtrack sounds.  He slowly sits back easing out of me.  He lowers my legs to either side of his body.  My eyes blink open.  I’m looking up into the tree.  My head is literally a good foot under the tree.

“uhm, James” I tap his knees, “a little help here.”

He snorts in laughter, “That’s a sight!”  He grabs my hips and tugs.  “Wonder what the Big Guy would think to see you under there!”  Then he helps me sit up. 

“That I’m a very naughty good girl!” as I laugh.  Then I grab my stretchy pants and stuff them between my legs. 

“Leaking?” he asks merrily.

“Half that leakage is you!” I grin back at him.  He stands up and pulls me to my feet.  I crash into his chest, “woah.”

“You ok?”

“Headrush.” 

His fingers stroke my hair, “Take your time.”

I push back a little, “Can’t.  Still leaking.”

“Puddle?”

“Working on pond” as I step away from his body and head towards our bedroom with my yoga pants clasped between my legs. 

As I’m passing the bed, James pushes me on to it.  He starts crawling up the bed looking every bit the hungry lion.  “You can leak all over the bedding” as he grabs my pants and tosses them aside.  I creep backwards up the bed, chewing my bottom lip.  “I’m not done with you yet” his voice a low velvet rumble.  He grabs my ankles and pulls me back toward him as I let out a yelp.  He yanks my legs wide and flops between them, his hands holding my knees wide.  His eyes are still staring me down as he licks his lips.  A loud whimper escapes me.  He presses tender kisses to my pussy.  I squirm without escape.  An evil grin spreads across his face, “The second one usually takes longer.”  His tongue flicks my clit.  I gasp.  “And I’m not in any hurry.”  He sinks down between my legs, his tongue starts gently lapping at me.  Small, precious, tender little licks that last forever.  And not long enough.  His glorious eyes holding mine.  He slow blinks me and sends his tongue on a broad stroke from my entrance to my clit.  My head hits the pillow. 

And the headboard. 

Reaching up with both arms, I push myself down some.  Right into his mouth.  His chuckle vibrates my cunt.  I moan loudly.  His mouth latches onto my clit with a power suction.  I cry out and my hips buck up into his mouth, making him chuckle again.  It’s almost too much and not enough at the same time.  My hands lock over his still holding my knees firmly and obscenely wide.  His tongue starts flicking my clit while it’s still trapped in the suction of his mouth.  “Ahh  gawds  Jaammess” and I am thrown down the Mt Everest of orgasms.  James locks my hips with his hands holding me tightly as I thrash in his grip.  My vision blurs, my body twitches, my voice just whimpering mewlings.  I feel the tension ease on my clit as he lets it literally pop out of his mouth.  I feel him crawl up over me.  Tucking me into his arms, his legs gently pull mine together.  I whimper softly.  I can feel his lips next to my ear, “Shhh” his breath warm on my skin.  I try to reach up to grab his arm, but I have no strength.  I feel his chest vibrate as he chuckles, “Ooops.  I may have overdid.”

I manage to get my head to turn towards him, “I’m not complaining.”

His hands caress from the crown of my head down to my neck, “You can barely speak” he chuffs at me.

I kinda laugh as my eyes try to blink open.  Those big blue eyes are right there.  I kiss his lips.  His mustache smells of me.  His hand cups my face holding us in the kiss.  I let him tuck my head under his chin, “Shhh.  No rush.”  I heave a sigh and he pulls me closer.  I drift in the far reaches of the galaxy.  Somewhere in the background Bing Crosby is caroling about Christmas chestnuts.

James shifting my arm wakes me.  “Hey.  Didn’t mean to wake you” he whispers. 

“Stsok”

His eyes light up, “Man, you are still gone!”  His fingers caress my face.

I stir some, “Ow.”

“What hurts?”

Trying to sit up, “Kinda everything.”  I scrub my eyes, “And I gotta pee.”

“Yeah, I do too.”  He releases his hold on me.  Sliding off the bed, he gently pulls me to my feet.  I grunt softly.  I can feel him laughing softly.  As soon as my bare feet hit the cold tile floor in the bathroom, I’m wide awake.  He lets me use the toilet first.  I’m shivering slightly while washing my hands when he’s done.  He quickly washes his and puts his hands on my shoulders, “You need a robe, c’mon.”  Sliding into the big comfy robe, I shiver once more.

“I’m hungry.”

James considers a moment, “There’s leftover pizza.”

I nod, “That sounds really good.”

Making our way into the kitchen, I grab a plate and a couple cold slices of my – as James calls it – fruity pie and take it to the living room.  James heats his meaty slices and joins me. 

The windows behind the tree are quickly fading to black as the sky turns to night.  The lights on the tree make the ornaments sparkle.  There are no other lights on in the room.  I lean into his bicep, still munching my pizza.  “That’s a pretty tree” I sigh out between bites. 

“yes it is” he breaths at me.

We sit for a time just being.  Leaning into one another.  The Christmas music still playing softly.  Happily munching left over pizza.

I rock my head back, looking up at him.  His eyes are closed.  I take his plate and stand up.  He sniffs awake.  “C’mon.  Beddy-boo time” I coo at him.

“Mmmk” he mumbles standing.

I push him towards the bedroom, putting our plates into the sink on the way and quickly follow him.  He’s climbing into bed holding the covers up for me.  I let the robe slip off and climb into bed.  His arms snake around me pulling my body tight against his.  As I curl up around his arm as my pillow, my eyes drift closed. 

Michael Bublé is serenading us to sleep.

Everybody Loves a Parade - Part 6

Saturday – Part 6

Warnings: Pancakes, Fluff, shameless product placement

Again, his side of the bed is empty when I wake with music coming from the living room.  I wonder what it will take to make one of the other two bedrooms a music room for him.  I peek out the drapes.  It’s finally stopped snowing.  Whatever James is working on is going to be amazing.  I can hear him humming as he figures out where the words are going to fill in.  Maybe.  He did help write two amazing instrumentals.  His bandmates do call him the Riff Master.  I stretch out in the bed.  These sheets really do need to get changed.  I climb out of bed and tug the dirties off.  It took a moment because I was stumbling over the pile of dirty sheets, but I got the sheets changed.  I was piling them up in front of the bathroom when I see James standing there.

“I didn’t interrupt you, did I?” my voice a little high.

“No.  No.  I hit a wall.”  He scrubs his eyes, “That’s when I put it aside.  Why didn’t you wait?  I would have helped.”  Concern spreads across his face.

“You were a little busy and I wasn’t going to potentially ruin a gold record.”  I wrap my arms around his waist. 

The concern seeps from his face making his eyes brighten, “You really liked it?”

“Yes I did” I squeeze his waist looking up into his face.

He cups my face and kisses me.  “Well, I can at least take these to the washer.”

I give his waist another squeeze, “Thank you.”  I help him by collecting all the pillowcases and follow him out of the bedroom.  I grab the towels from the dryer and take them to the bedroom.  I can fold those later.  I hear James start the washer.

Returning into the kitchen, “What do you want for breakfast?”

James turns to me, “I kinda wanna go out.  Is there a place close by?

“Yeah.  It’s a real small place.  It’s about a 5 minute walk.”  I pull him into me, “They have pancakes….”

Pulling me into a kiss, “Let’s go!” he laughs.

Ten minutes later, we’re dressed.  As I head out the door, I grab the hot plate and towels for Fannie and leave it with Carl.  I call Fannie to tell her, but I know that Carl will just carry it over to her.  Fifteen minutes later we are seated in a booth at the diner, pancakes ordered.  James rests his hand over mine, “What’s on your mind.”

“What would you think if I give that second bedroom to make it into a music room for you.”  I look him in the face.

His eyes open wide, “You’d do that?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Why not.  I don’t use that second bedroom.”  I think a moment.  “Ever.”  I play with his fingers, “What would it take?”

Using his other hand, he rubs at the scruff on his face, “It wouldn’t have be a full blown studio.”  He looks at me again, “Seriously.  You’d do that for me.”

I smile at him, “Yes, James.  I will do that for you.”  I sigh deeply, “Besides, it’s time I clear out both those rooms.”  I look back at him, “You get to pick the room.”

He pulls me around the bench of our corner booth to his side and plants a deep kiss on me.  I wrap my hands around his head.  Our waitress clears her throat.  Still clinging to the other, we look at her.

“Pancakes go?” she says holding our meal grinning.

James loses it, laughing into my shoulder.  I just shake my head, “Thank you.”  She sets our plates down as James slowly pulls himself together.  “Are you ok?”

“It just caught me off guard.  I’m fine!” James laughs.

We tuck into our meals.  “That was an excellent idea” I look at James as I push my empty plate away.

Nodding, “Thanks.”

The waitress brings our bill.  She’s obviously a fan.  I just nod at her.  “Can I ask you for your autograph, please?” her voice shaking slightly.

Smiling broadly, James signs the order slip and thanks her for being a fan.  I go to the register and pay our bill.  I make sure to add a good-sized tip and we walk with arms around each other back to the apartment.

Once inside, James looks at me, I nod, then he goes and looks at the spare bedroom.  He opens the room that had been Grandmothers room.  He comes back to me, “What’s over these two rooms?”

“There’s a mechanical crawl space between this floor and the one above and below.  It’s the side walls that have neighbors.”

He rests his hands on my shoulders, “Is that why you scream into the mattress?” his eyes gleaming.

“uh huh.”  I bite my lower lip.

He plants a kiss on me.  “You are amazing.”  I just smile up at him.  He looks into both rooms again.  He returns to me.  “You’re sure.”

Nodding, “Positive.”

He claps his hands, “Ok.”  Pulling me to him, “Do you want to go gear shopping with me?”

“How about you go gear shopping and I clear out the room you want.”

He plants another toe-curling kiss on me, “Ok.”  He looks back to both rooms again.  “That one.”  He points to the spare room.  “No neighbors on those walls, right?”  I nod.  “That one.”  He pulls out his phone.  “Don’t you even think of moving that bed.  I got a guy” he points a finger at me.  “Hey Pete!  Need a favor.”  James wanders into what will become his music room.

I remember that I’d done a floor plan, well, of the whole apartment.  I needed one for the kitchen remodel and just kinda did all the rooms.  Going into my office, turning on my computer, I pull up the diagram and hit print.  Pulling the paper from the printer, I return to the kitchen to grab a glass of water.  I can still hear James talking in the other room.  His studio, I remind myself.  He comes out with the biggest cheesiest grin on his face.  “What?”

He wraps me into a hug, “One of our engineers is going to pick me up and take me to the warehouse to get gear.”  He looks at me, “What?”

“You look like the kid that was just handed the key to the toy shop.”

Cupping my head, he kisses me deeply, “I was!”  He kisses me again.  His pocket buzzes right beside my crotch.

“Uuh!” my eyes cross.

“Sorry!” 

I kinda grind into him, “Don’t be!”  My voice a little higher than normal.

He pulls out his phone, “Yeah.”  He eases his hold me, making sure that I’m stable on my feet.  Sitting down at the dining table, he starts talking numbers.  I’m sure it’s equipment, but I have no clue.  Going into Grandmother’s room, I pull up the shades.  I start shifting things.  Most of what’s in this room is holiday decorations.  So, I start shifting all those boxes together by the closet.  Against the wall is what I’m looking for.  Empty boxes.  Grabbing a couple, I take them into James’ room and set them down.  Going into the office, I pull out the packing tape.  Going back to the room, I put together one box and start plowing through the built in drawers.  After realizing that most of what’s in them can donate, I go grab a couple of large trash bags from the kitchen.  These I fill with the donations and drop them in the living room.  James grabs me after I drop another bag.  “Damn you can be fast!”

“I have been accused of being a bit of a pit bull when I get an idea.”

“I can see that” he smiles.

“You are grinning like the Cheshire cat.  What’s up?”

“Ahh.  Big Mick happens to be in town and he’s gonna come over and look the room over and then we’ll go gear shopping."  He kisses me.  “Might be able to just pull a bunch of stuff from storage rather than having to buy anything."

"That’s cool!”  I lean into him.  “Oh!”  I pull away, “You might find this helpful.”  I give him the room diagram.

He scans it, “Damn!”  He looks around and I give him a pencil.  He kisses me.  He starts noodling on the sheet.  His eyes pop up to mine, “I can write this, right?”

I just smile at him, “yes.”  I go back into the room to continue cleaning out my shit.  Twenty minutes later the doorbell rings.  I hear James answer it.  I’m elbow deep into a box from the closet, ass to the door, when James walks in and smacks my butt. Hard.

I pop up, “OW!”

“Well, don’t leave him a target.”  The man speaking with a heavy English accent is a rock and roll version of Santa.  Long white hair and beard with blue eyes as piercing as James’.  All his clothes black.

“Kira, this is Mick” James says.  He has me tucked into his side, gently rubbing my tender ass.

I shake his hand, “Nice to meet you.”

Mick scans the room.  “Not bad for a New York apartment.”  He starts looking around for power plugs.

“Oh!  Hang on!”  James lets go of me and quickly returns with the room diagram.

Mick takes a look at it.  “Who did this?”

“I did.”

He’s nodding, “This is very good.”  He points to something on the diagram, and finds it in the room, nodding.  “Do you have your own circuit box?”

“Yeah, it’s in here.”  I led him into the office.  Tucked into a small closet is the circuit box.

“This has been upgraded” he says in approval.

“I redid the kitchen a few years ago.”

“Upping the circuit box was a good idea.”

“Thanks.”

Mick takes a snap of the circuit box with its meticulous labeling.  Then he and James sit down at the dining table and start going over what is needed and where it should go.

I go back into the room and pull out several more bags of donation stuff.  I move a couple boxes into Grandmother’s room.  As I come out of that room, James snags me in a hug, “We’re going to the warehouse.  Shouldn’t be too long.”  He kisses me.

“You might think about putting down a rug in that room” I suggest.

“Excellent idea!  I think there are a couple in the warehouse” Mick chimes in.

James runs his hands over my head smoothing my hair, “You going to be ok?”

I look up into those fucking gorgeous eyes, “Yes.”

He leans his forehead against mine, “No bed moving.”

I look at him, “No bed moving.”

“Ok.”  He kisses me, “We’ll be back.”

“See you soon!”  I kinda follow them to the front hallway.  I listen as the front door clicks closed.  Knowing that’s secure, I return to the task at hand.  Clearing out his music room.  Stripping that bed, I forward my bed sheets and start the others.  Most of what was in the built-in drawers in that room I decide is donatable.  There are a few things that I add to my closet.  A few things that I just shudder at and throw out.  I check under that bed.  A few dust bunnies.  I pull out the vacuum and am working on the built in drawers in the closet when I hear, “Honey!  I’m Home!”  I turn off the vacuum and stretch my back.  James comes up behind me wrapping his arms around me, “Damn!  You can be tenacious!”

I lean back into him, “mmmhmmm.”

He kisses my neck, “We brought back lunch.”

The smell of burgers wafts in the room at that moment and my stomach rumbles.  “It has been a while since breakfast."

"It has!"  He takes my hand and pulls me from his music room.

There are about 12 people in my apartment.  Most sitting on the floor eating burgers.  I give James a look. 

“They are going to help shift the furniture.”  He whispers into my ear, “They are all our roadies.  I trust them.”

I nod ok.  James parks me at the table and hands me a burger.  There is a communal pile of fries in the middle.  James hands me a Severed Lime, puts his on the table and sits next to me.  Mick is on the other side of the table.  Someone asks where the trash is and James directs him to the can under the kitchen sink.  About twenty minutes later, the bed is shifted into Grandmother’s room, as are the nightstands.  A couple of the guys help me re-org that room so that I could get into the holiday boxes easily and they are neatly stacked by holiday.

I go to take a look in James’ music room.  There’s a huge paisley carpet on the floor.  A desk has been setup so that it looks out that window – tho it doesn’t really have a view.  A big tempered glass mat covers the carpet and a rolly desk chair sits on that mat.  There are a couple of guys behind the desk, at least one under it with both Mick and James sitting on the front side of the desk working on a piece of gear and cables are sliding all over the place.  There’s a standing mic stand.  There’s one clamped to the desk.  There’s all kinds of music boards sitting on the top of the desk that cables are being plugged in to.  A rolling road case filled with guitars now sits in the closet.  But it’s at a wonky angle because of the doors.

“James?”

“Yeah?” he turns, his eyes bright.

“Just have them take the closet doors off.  They can store them in Grandmother’s room against the wall.”

“What about the building super?” one guy asks.

“I’m the super.  I own this apartment.”

Nodding approval, “Page six and an apartment owner.  James, you dog!” Mick grins.

I just blush, spin and leave the room laughing softly.  Checking on the laundry, I fold the one set of sheets and forward the other.  Taking the clean sheets to my closet, I put them away.  Then fold and put away the towels I’d dumped on my bed earlier.  Crossing back into the living room, I realize that all the trash from lunch has been neatly put into a garbage bag left by the end of the kitchen counter.  There’s nothing left on the floor in my living room except the donation bags.  I sit on the sofa, a little bit in shock.  A couple of guys come in the front door carrying foam that they have obviously custom cut.  I follow them.  They neatly tuck the foam into one of the built in drawers and close it.  They measure the next one down and leave.  The first drawer is reopened, and another guy starts setting microphones into the foam.  James sees me watching and he pulls me onto his thigh.

“You look a little shell shocked” his lips right by my ear.

“They are so neat and tidy!”

“They better be for what they get paid” Mick says.  “I don’t pay them to be slobs.”

“I’m impressed.”  I see a couple of them smile. 

“We’re almost done” James leans into my ear kissing it.

“James, unless you can play with Kira on your knees, I’m sorry love, but you’ll need to move so I can test the setup.”

“Of course” I stand and move back.  One of the guys taps my shoulder.  He indicates a shorter road case.  I raise my eyebrows and he just nods.  I perch on the case.  James puts on a set of headphones and starts playing.  I can only hear the strings twanging.  The same guy plugs in another set of headsets and hands them to me.  I put them on.  I smile.  That screaming guitar riff that James plays so well sounds in my ears. 

James turns to me.   “What should I play?”  My eyes fly open wide. I can hear him.  “Mics in the headsets” he smiles and points at the headsets covering his ears.

“Roam” I ask.

He smiles and he starts the song.  I can hear the tweakings that Mick is making on the sound board.  James is getting into the rhythm.  I can tell that he wants to sing but is holding back.

“James, run the bridge again” Mick asks.

Effortlessly, James replays the bridge.

Four of the roadies come in the room.  They are carrying some kind of drapery concoction.  They hang a 1x2 along the top of the walls and make a large x on the ceiling.  They staple gun the top of the fabric to the 1x2.  As it unfolds, it’s been covered in the foam waffle sound proofing squares.  They repeat this for all four walls and the ceiling.  The one over the closet space has plastic tubing in the fabric to make an opening to get into the closet.  They’ve done the same idea with the window.  Once those are hung, James lets go with the vocals.  I just smile.

“That’s got it James.  You’re good.”  Mick stands and stretches his back. 

I take the headsets off and set them on the road case.  Another one of the guys taps my shoulder.  “Yes?”

“I probably should have asked, but I tapped into the light switch line.  That way James doesn’t have to turn each piece on or off individually.  It’s kinda like a master switch now.”

“That’s fine.”  I smile at James. “And actually a really great idea.”

“You think so?” my downpicking barbarian god grins.

“Yes, that way when we go back to Colorado, we know that this room is powered down.”

“Excellent job Trevor” James says.

Trevor’s shoulders square up a touch, “Thanks!”

“You guys get everything done?” Mick asks the room.

They all answer in the affirmative. 

I quickly leave and move into the living room.  Trevor approaches me, “Are these trash?” as he points at the donations bags.

“No.  Those are to donate.”

“Ah.”

“Do you know someone that could use some women’s clothing?”

“My sister works with a shelter…”

“Take them” I cut Trevor off.  “Please.”

“Thank you.”  Trevor and a couple of others remove all the donations bags.  Sinking into the sofa, I hear them chatting as they leave the apartment, “Damn!  James scored a winner this time!”

I smile like a Cheshire cat. 

Mick and James come out of the studio.  James makes a point to stop and flick the switch off grinning.  “Mick, thanks for giving up your Saturday.”

“Just remember this at the next acceptance speech!”  Mick squeezes James’ shoulder.  The Brit looks to me, “Nice to meet you Kira.”

“Nice to meet you too!”

James walks him to the front door.  It clicks closed.  I suddenly realize that it’s quiet in my apartment.  James comes to me, leans on the back of the sofa over me and kisses me.  “Thank you.”

I cup his face, “You’re welcome.”

His eyes pop open, “Ribs.”  He stands and quickly goes into the kitchen.  “Need to get these babies marinating!”

“Anything I can do to help?”  I ask from the sofa.

“Nope.”  He’s pulling spices from the drawer.  “Maybe order a pizza?”

“That I can do.”  I retrieve my phone from its charging stand in the office.  Calling my favorite pizza place, I order two for delivery.  With a salad.  Then I let Monty know.

“It is nice having a doorman” James smiles at me.

“Yeah it is.”

Twenty minutes later the door bell rings.  I go collect the pizzas and James tucks the ribs back into the fridge.  He grabs a couple of plates and forks.  “What do you want to drink?” as he pulls open the fridge.

“Grave Fruit please.”  I sort the pies and pull out the salad, giving that container a good shake.

He grabs a Severed Lime for himself and brings my tallboy along with the plates and forks.  We plate up and go sink into the sofa.  I turn on the TV just as the National News ends.  We watch the local news until the weather.  Skies are supposed to clear overnight, which will drop temperatures as the clouds move north.  Again, we watch Jeopardy.  James collects another slice of his meaty pizza.  I set my plate down, leaning back into the sofa, patting a full tummy.  “Gawd, you and Kirk with pineapple on the pizza” he laughs.  I just look up at him.  “What?”

“I love to see you happy.”

He swallows his bite, “You make me happy.”  He kisses me, “Today makes me very happy.”

“That makes me happy.”  Holding up a finger, “Although, I would keep the singing to between 8 and 5.  Don’t want Mrs. Friedman and Floofy making a house call.”

James snorts in laughter.  “No!  We don’t want that!”  I kickstart my eyelids.  He gently pulls me down to lie on the sofa, my head in his lap.  I wrap an arm over his knees stretching my legs out on the sofa.  He starts to gently play with my hair with his right hand, his left gently rubbing my back.  My eyes start to close.  I squirm a little to get comfy.  “Shhh.  You’ve done a lot today.”  Both his hands work my shoulders.  I groan lightly.  “That’s my girl.   Shhh.”  Both his hands run down my back to my hips.  He works his thumbs into my lower back gently.  I sigh as his hands work my back softly.  I feel his lips kiss between my shoulder blades.  The next thing I know he’s tucking my naked body into bed, pulling my back into his chest, wrapping his arm around my ribs.  His other arm is my pillow and I curl up around it.  His nose buries into my hair and the back of my neck, “Sleep.  Shh” he coos at me. 

And I’m out.