10.

He awoke to the feeling of a lithe firm body pressing into him and smiled. Damn if she hadn’t taken to the payback with a vengeance. Come to think of it he wasn’t so sure he wasn’t the one recuperating from payback Waters style. He chuckled as he thought over the moments before they fell asleep, the strangled gasps, and louder moans she couldn’t hold back as he teased every inch of her delicious flesh both before and after her came, then came again and again until he was done with her. She’d fallen into an exhausted sleep or so he thought as he settled in beside her drifting into a deep sleep, but he’d awoken a bare half hour later to her sneaking back into the bedroom with an unholy and wicked grin on her face. He’d quizzed her about where she’d gone only to get an arch of her fine brow and a grin. That had precipitated round two of his payback, not that he had heard her complaining one bit.

His arm slid out to pull her closer, smiling as she nuzzled into his chest, a chuckle escaping him as his thoughts wandered over the day they’d had and how easily she’d managed to get David’s goat. It was so rare to get one over on his friend, and she’d done it, hell she’d done it in spades and managed to get him too while she was at it. His heart started to thud as he contemplated the what might have beens if she’d really been hurt. He hadn’t felt this deeply for a woman since before Heather, hell to be honest, this thing he felt for Linds was deeper than even the feelings he’d had then. Maybe it was because he was older and could appreciate it more, or maybe it was the woman herself. All he knew was he didn’t want to even contemplate being without her.

The way her eyes sparkled as she wiggled against him during their long moments of lovemaking, the near breathless quality to her voice as she tried to get out of the payback with a soft “Awww but did you see the look on Joker’s face? It was priceless,” all of it had him revved so high he couldn’t think straight. God he was forty nine and around her he felt like he was in his twenties again.


~~

The brightness of the sun blazing through the windows called to her, waking her up better than any alarm clock ever could. She stretched slowly a smile working its way to her lips as the tiny aches and pains of a body well loved made their selves known. He’d been wild the night before, from the spanking that wasn’t a spanking, his hands too busy stroking to do much more than pat her occasionally, to the soul melting movements of his tongue. Man that tongue of his, after a quarter of a century of talk box usage should be set as a lethal weapon.

She nearly giggled as Richie stretched then stole her pillow to add to the one already covering his face. Poor thing hated early mornings and hated the sun hitting his eyes “way too early” worse. More than once she’d watched him find anything close to his wandering hand to hide under as daylight made its way into the world. She shook her head and considered just going back to sleep, but she’d never been much for whiling away her time in bed. Besides she wanted to be downstairs when certain people woke up. Pushing upwards she leaned over and pressed a kiss to the only available spot on Richie’s face, his chin. “Come on you big lug, its time to get up.”

He mumbled and rolled over, dragging pillows and covers with him. “Nuhuh, someone kept me up late. I’m on old man, I need my rest.”

She poked him in the side laughing, “NOT OLD,”

He groaned and let the pillows slide away, a chuckle in his voice, “Right, just older.” Opening one brown eye he caught a glance of tanned flash and followed that flesh up to a smile that was innocent and devious all at the same time. Something was up but what? Forgoing the pillows he rolled over, one arm on each side of her head as he caged her in, his lips moving to brush over hers slowly as his tongue flicked against the crease of her lips. “What’s got you all excited this morning eh?”

She stilled as his tongue teased, and for the life of her couldn’t exactly remember why she’d been so eager to get out of bed so early. She couldn’t resist the teasing of his lips and tongue, her mouth parting slightly only to be rewarded with the plunging of his tongue against hers. God blessed damn if he didn’t taste like some heavenly mixture of sweet and spicy, emphasis on the spicy mind you. Slender hands roamed up along his sides and slowly into that silky hair of his as she trembled beneath him.

He grinned as he watched her eyes glaze over and knew he’d derailed whatever thoughts or shenanigans she’d been brewing up mentally. He moved against her slightly, and then pushed up on both hands, bracing the left as his right began to slide along her skin. He felt her tighten, felt the slight wince more than saw it and knew she was tender from the night before. Slowing his touch he started to pull away only to have her pull him in closer. Well damn, she wanted him anyways but he knew waiting until her muscles were better relaxed would mean more fun for the both of them.

Pushing up he reached down and pulled her too him, her mew of disappointment lending cause to his grin. “I know you want to Darlin’ and so do I, but I want more for you to enjoy it. You need a bit of downtime, but later, I promise. Now let’s get a shower and go see what the family’s up to.” He slipped from the bed as he talked, pulling her up with him, her sudden laugh stopping him dead. “Ok Darlin’ what did you….”

“SAMBORA!!!” David’s yelp echoed through the door and walls. “I AM SO GOING TO KILL YOU, FUCKIN’ JERSEY SWEAR I’M GONNA BREAK EVERY FINGER YOU HAVE!”

Richie glanced down at Linds and saw the laughter rising in her eyes. “Ok what the hell?” He bent over and pulled the khaki’s he’d had on the day before up along his long legs as he shook his head. “You have about 2 seconds to put on a robe or something, when he’s yelling like that he could very well…”

The door slammed open as Richie finished, “Bust in unannounced.”

Lindsay screeched and pulled the sheet up around her slender frame. “It’s not polite to just walk in Joker.” She straightened, her blue gaze pinning the keyboardist to the threshold her smile teasing her lips and eyes as she watched the man damn near vibrate. “No matter what your problems are.”

Richie’s nose wrinkled as he walked closer to David “Joker, DUDE! Fall into a perfume factory?”

David glowered at Richie and sneezed, “Fuck don’t give me that Sambo, you know fuckin’ well what..” He leaned back at Richie’s confused glance, his blue eyes shooting towards the girl wrapped in a sheet. “I am so going to get you back, when you least expect it little lady, I will I so help me God as a Jersey boy, I WILL!”

Lindsay tied the sheet around her and winked. “I didn’t do a thing.”

Richie rounded on Linds, his eyes narrowing as he took in her way too angelic smile. Oh she so had, he could tell. Turning back to Joker he snorted and waved his hand in front of his face. “Seriously man, you need a shower. You smell like a girl.”

David’s eyes widened, “I showered, then I showered again, and then Dammit, I showered more. IT WON’T COME OUT!!”


Lindsay wandered over to David and leaned in and took a sniff. “Mmmm, Jasmine, lavender, cinnamon, apples, and something citrusy? You smell real pretty David.” She scooted backwards fast as his hand flashed out to catch her sheet. “Ahh no one pulls my sheet off but the big guy there. You couldn’t handle it Joker.”

David’s brow beetled down as he advanced on Lindsay. “Oh wanna bet?”

She shrieked and ran for the bathroom, getting in and locking the door before he’d taken too steps. “TOLD YA!”

David shook his head and turned back to see Richie sprawled on the bed in fits of laughter. “Man, she ain’t right; I tell ya she just ain’t right!”

Richie wiped the tears from his eyes and sat up, a shit eating grin on his face. “Takes one to know one buddy. Takes one to know one.”

David strolled towards the door with a wince. If Richie’s reaction was anything to go by, breakfast was going to be interesting. Now he had to figure out the perfect revenge for the perfume bandit. Man had Richie gotten lucky the day he found that forum. A grin crossed his lips as he glanced back his eyes crossing, “You better not let her go man, you hear me?”

Richie grinned as David shut the door behind him. He didn’t plan on letting her go. Matter of fact he was planning on keeping her, forever.

9.

9.

The party geared up with kids splashing in the pool and all the Jovi men kidding and trying to out do each other with how many burgers they could scarf down before the end of party. Lindsay watched and tried to not laugh, Richie and David alone had both taken in at least eight burgers each, and at this point Richie was getting that man I’m gonna hurl if I see hamburgers again look. David on the other hand was grinning and reaching for his ninth. She knew Richie hated to lose, especially against the Joker, so she leaned over and whispered into Richie’s ear. He snorted and twisted away from her, his hand delving into his pocket.

David’s cell rang and he excused himself a moment to answer. As he turned his back Lindsay quickly slid a few jalapeno peppers into his burger then slid all glasses, bottles and drinks away from his place setting. Quickly turning to wrap her arms around Richie she bit her lip and tried to not laugh.

Richie chuckled and pulled her onto his lap, grinning as the sudden shifting onto his lap had her shivering. He casually brushed against the side of her breath and damn near laughed when her breathing hitched.

Leaning into him she brushed lips over his ear and whispered, “If you eat that you’re gonna be too full to move and all this teasing won’t mean a thing.”

His brow flicked upwards as a wicked grin spread over his lips and made his dark brown eyes gleam. “Not on your fuckin’ life Darlin.”

David snapped his phone closed and settled back into the picnic table, his eyes catching each bump of the lips and brush of the hands going on between Richie and Linds. He cocked a brow before lifting his burger and snorted out, “I’m so gonna win this one Sambora, you’re too busy getting the girl.”

Richie glanced over at his friend and laughed, “Already got the girl, already won, but try your damnedest Joker.”

David bit into his burger and chewed happily. “I’ll finish before you ever get a chance too jackass. I always win at eating contests!” As he swallowed his face paled and he stood, grabbing for anything that would calm the fire that had started in his mouth. Oddly all the drinks that had been next to his plate had gone missing, and as he stood there waving his hand everyone started to laugh. “Man I’m dying here! What the Fuck? Come on help me here.”

Linds grinned and slipped from Richie’s lap only to pick up the cooler of half melted ice. Making sure it was empty of anything other than ice she walked over to David and grinned. “Hot are we? Need help?” Lifting the cooler she tipped it downwards, she started to laugh as David stiffened with the outpouring of frigid icy water.

David sputtered as the table erupted into guffaws. “Man that’s just priceless, See I always knew he was all wet,” washed over David’s ears as he turned on Linds, his curly hair dangling nearly straight from the water, his clothes plastered to his lean form. Reaching into the waist of his pants he dug out the few slivers of ice that had made it through and advanced on Linds. “Why I oughta!!”

She winked at David, her voice going all soft and silky, “You outta what Curly?”

David scooped her up suddenly and dashed for this pool. “This!” He roared as he swung out and tossed her into the pool. “That’ll teach ya for peppering my freaking burger Missy!”

Linds felt it the moment he started to run. He was gonna douse her and think it was funny, well he’d see damn him. No one threw Lindsay Waters into a pool and laughed about it. Just as she flew she grabbed onto a deep breath and let herself settle slowly to the bottom of the pool. Idiots didn’t know she was a swimmer, and damned good at holding her breath.

David leaned into the pool, his blue eyes going wide when Lindsay didn’t surface. “Fuck I didn’t throw her THAT hard.”

Richie stood and quickly walked to the stand beside David, his dark eyes shadowing in worry. “What the fuck did you do? WHERE is she?”

David leaned back, the look in Richie’s eyes not boding well for his well being. “Well fuck she peppered my burger, dumped ice water on me so I threw her in the pool. You saw me man, it was an easy toss; she couldn’t have gotten hurt.”

Jon came up quickly his blue eyes scanning the water. “Ok you two stand there, I’ll save the babe.” He jumped into the pool, diving low his eyes widening as Linds winked at him from the bottom of the pool. Well fuck him silly; she was pranking BOTH of the men now. Goddamn if she wasn’t the perfect woman for Richie, there was no doubt about it now. His appreciation grew as he wrapped arms around her and felt her go limp in his arms. She was gonna play this for all it was worth, and man it felt good to be in on the joke.

He kicked for the surface, her body limp in his arms. Man he wanted to laugh so badly, but forced it down as he lifted her supposedly unconscious form into the waiting arms of Richie. “She musta hit her head man, I can’t... she was just lying down at the bottom of the pool.” He pulled on every piece of acting ability he had as he pulled himself from the pool. Jon glanced at David and shook his head as David went pale. Turning to Richie he nearly lost it as his friend growled, “Goddammit Bryan if you’ve killed my woman ….”

He left the threat unnamed as leaned over Linds tilting her head back as he frantically tried to remember his CPR. “Dammit baby, come on wake up here, it was just a LITTLE water!”

His finger brushed over her lips before pressing against them, ready to breathe for her only to feel her tongue flicker against his lips. Cracking one eye open he saw her wink as she deepened the kiss. Fuck, she’d got him too, the minx.

Her arms slid up around his neck as she whimpered softly, the soft sound turning into a strangled laugh as Richie bolted back. Sitting up she glanced over at David and grinned. “And that’s what you get for trying to dunk me.”

David’s heart jolted back into rhythm as a gleam of pure appreciation filtered into his gaze. “Well fuck, I’ve been outdone.”

Richie pushed to his feet only to lean back over and scoop the naughty Lindsay up and onto his shoulder. Clapping a hand over her drenched butt he turned and started to the house muttering, “That deserves a little payback Sambora style.”

Jon shook his head as Lind’s fingers waggled in goodbye. “You know that’s the last we’ll see of them today right?”

David started to laugh, “That may be the last we see of them before the end of fall man. I do think Sambora has it bad.”

Jon and Tico started to laugh as they nodded in agreement. “Bout damned time too.”

8.

As she wrapped herself around David she glanced over at Richie and winked. It was perfect, David was stammering and trying to convince Lexi he had no idea who she was and Lexi? She was playing into the whole thing by refusing to believe. Biting down on David’s ear lightly she simpered, “Awww come on Curly, I’ve been waiting for days and days for you to get here and you can’t even kiss me back?”

David’s blue eyes went wide as the girl didn’t let up. “Honestly Lexi babe, I’ve never seen her before in my LIFE!” He watched Lexi’s arms cross and that exasperated look that didn’t bode well for his sleeping arrangements. “JON FUCK call the cops or hell, do something!”

Richie tried to not laugh, laughing would ruin the joke, but when Lindsay’s hands went to roam along David’s back he winced. Ok enough was enough, it was time to lay the final track in this song. Standing up swiftly he moved over to David and chuckled. “Where’d you find this sweet little lady Joker?”

David glanced up at Richie as he tried to fight off the hands and lips. “Man, I have no idea who she is.. fuck help me out here shit!”

Richie grinned and leaned in his lips brushing over the wiggling woman’s ears. Within seconds she’d hopped from David’s arms into Richie’s. “Richie Sambora!!! I’ve heard about you! Fuck yeah who’d want curls when they can have…….” She blew a kiss at David as a killer smile lit her eyes. “Sorry Curly, better man done and made me an offer!”

David frowned as the girl slipped over to Richie so easily. Shit that Sambora Charm was freaking lethal and thank God for that. He moved over to Lexi and pulled her into his arms his mind working overtime on how to prove that little piece of fluff was a stranger. Glancing back at Richie he shook his head to see the girl laughing and Richie’s hands already roaming along her back like he’d been doing it for ages. He turned, his eyes narrowing as Richie and the girl both started to laugh hysterically. “Ok I don’t get it.”

Jon nearly choked on his drink as David’s eyes shone with a cross between relief and annoyance. He didn’t want the girl all over him, but didn’t like how easy she’d thrown him over for Richie either. God this was priceless and it was up to him to throw the punch line. “So what don’t you get man?” He turned to Lexi and winked, “Seems your paramour has decided to move on.”

David turned to Jon, confusion rising, as Lexi started to laugh. “Man the only paramour in my life is this beautiful blonde. Why don’t anyone believe me?”

Lindsay pressed a kiss to Richie’s cheek and stood to sashay over to David her eyes twinkling. “Cuz they aren’t supposed to Jokers… wild.”

David leaned back his eyes narrowing. “How’d you……”

Richie stood and moved to Lindsay, his arms wrapping around her securely as he called back towards the house. “You get all of that Dot?”

Dorothea wandered out of the back door the small camcorder in hand. She winked at David as she stepped up to Richie and handed him the small silver camera. “Every single second of it.”

Lindsay grinned and leaned in to David, her voice soft against his ear. “Ya see Joker, I know how to get a video made too.”

David’s lips started to flap uselessly again as Lexi and the rest of them started laughing. “You, you.. How’d you know about that?”

Richie’s big hand clapped on David’s shoulder his voice rumbling with laughter. “Maybe I should introduce you to the sweetest lady on the earth? Her name is Lindsay Waters, but some idiot Jokers might know her by RosaryD.”

His brain stopped full halt as Richie’s words settled into his brain. This was Rosary Darlin? Well fuck him if that didn’t blow to hell and back his theory of everyone online being a plain Jane. She was absolutely stunning, with her satiny soft dark hair and dancing blue eyes, gorgeous but in a fresh all too real way. She was definitely not a Hollywood Blonde bimbette, she’d be good for Richie, hell if the look of utter rapture in his eyes was any indication she already was. “So tell me Lindsay, what induced you to go roaming about in that huge rolling tin can with my man here?”

Lindsay glanced at David then at Richie a sweet innocent smile on her lips. “Oh I guess I’m just a glutton for punishment.”

David’s eyes went wide as his mind hit the gutter with a big resounding Whap. “Uhhh.”

Richie and Linds both started laughing, the look on David’s face was priceless. “Man not THAT kinda punishment. Fuck man, get your mind outta the gutter!’ Richie thwacked David beside the head. “She didn’t mean it like that.”

She leaned in close to David, her finger tapping him on the nose gently. “I meant the lure of punishing wicked friends who do things without thinking.”

David stepped back his hands hitting the air in an “I surrender” motion. “I give, I give, but you gotta admit, it didn’t seem to hurt things any.”

Her eyes rolled as she looked over at Lexi, “and you put up with this?”

Lexi chuckled and nodded, “Yeah cuz I’m a real glutton for punishment.”

David turned to look at his girl, a tiny frown on his face. “Well hey! I resemble that remark!” It hit him then that not only was his Lexi not mad, but she’d taken part in the joke. Hell he just wasn’t safe anymore. “Please tell me we are all friends now. Jokes over right?”

Lindsay’s eyes widened comically. “Is it EVER really over with you guys?”

David winced as he watched the shimmering wickedness in her eyes. Hell no it wasn’t over, not by a fuckin’ long shot. When one of them got going there was no telling what might happen next. He was in for it, there was no doubt about it, he just hoped he could survive whatever those two came up with next, and with Lindsay being an unknown in this new equation, he wasn’t so sure he would.

7.

It was the laughter that woke her from a solid sleep. Laughter that was raucous and happy. Pulling her arm up she blinked away the drowsiness only to realize they’d been napping for a good three hours. Ok so they didn’t nap the entire time, the delicious twinges between her thighs reminding her well exactly what they’d done for a good two hours of that time. He’d definitely made up for the month of doing without though, along with murmured promises of never going that long again. She sorta looked forward to that truth be told.

She slipped from the bed and moved over to the window, taking a deep inhale of soft sea saturated air and smiled. Life with Richie was never dull, and although she didn’t have to get up and go to work every day, she missed having something to do, well something other than lazing around and loving the man himself. She was going to have to find work and soon, she just wasn’t so sure how she’d manage that as the idea of not being around Richie was fast becoming something she didn’t even want to think about.

Glancing down into the backyard she saw Jon standing near a grill a curly headed familiar blonde next to him. Well, well David had finally shown up. A half smirk began to play about her lips as a beautiful blonde walked up to hand him a beer. So that was the famous Lexi, the one Richie had said was dating David. Turning she moved back to the bed and knelt, her finger slipping over to brush over Richie’s lips. She chuckled as his hand moved up to brush the offending tickle away, his grumble at being bothered rumbling in his chest. Leaning forward she brushed lips against his and whispered, “Time to wake up.”

She smiled as his chocolate brown eyes opened, then laughed as he reached out and pulled her on top of him. Propping her head in her hands she couldn’t restrain the shiver at the feel of his hands ghosting along her back. “You keep doing that and we might not make it down to dinner.”

Richie grunted, his hands cupping her hips gently as he bucked up lightly. “And this is a problem?”

Her head dipped down to press kisses along his chin, “well no, but you wanted to get David’s girlfriend off to yourself and get her in on this joke I thought?”

Richie groaned. Of course she’d be right, they had to do the first step of things tonight or he’d have to hide his beautiful Lindsay away until then, but somehow that didn’t bother him. So what if they were holed up in the bedroom? He could think of a bunch of ways of keeping entertained.

Her brow lifted as the expression on his face became all too clear. “Oh no, I’m not hiding out in here with you just so we can play. There’s a beach out there and I want to…..” Her voice faded out as a blush raced across her cheeks.

His brow arched as he lifted his head to press a kiss to her lips. “You want to what?”

She leaned back on her knees, her hips wiggling against his middle as a smile flashed. Leaning forward, her hair brushed over his chest as full pouty lips teased his ear, “Always wanted to play in the surf at midnight with a special guy, before you it was the wickedest fantasy I had.”

His hands slipped up as he pulled her closer, groaning as the hard nubs of her nipples pressed into his chest. “Well I’ll just have to see about taking care of that fantasy, and any other you might think up, but right now we have revenge to take care of.”

He smiled as she slipped over when he sat up, her cute little self glancing at the trail of clothing from doorway to bed. They’d both been so intent on getting to the bed their clothing had ended up tossed this way and that, but at her glance at the bathroom he couldn’t stop the chuckle. “Well we can race for the shower Darlin, or we can share. I promise to behave.”

Linds glanced over at Richie and gave a rather unladylike snort. “You and the word behave do not belong in the same sentence or dictionary. I doubt you even know what it means.”

Richie stood and scooped her into his arms, nuzzling her neck as he walked towards their private bath. “Already you know me too well.”

Less than half an hour later both exited the bathroom wrapped in towels, Richie with one at his waist, Lindsay with one covering her entire body. As she glanced over at Richie his towel dropped as he reached for the beach shorts and tank he’d chosen to wear. She couldn’t restrain the small whimper that escaped her, the urge to just pull him back on the bed warring with the need to get out of the room and give David a little bit of that payback they’d been planning.

Richie glanced over just as she whimpered and grinned. God he was forty nine years old and felt thirty all over again, just from this one girls love and caring. He could hear the want in that little gaspy moan she had made and it had him hardening just on anticipation. “Darlin you do that much more and we’ll never make it downstairs.”

She winked his way and quickly slipped on the bathing suit top turning her back to him for his assistance. She leaned back against him as his hands brushed over her shoulders, supposedly straightening the tiny spaghetti straps there. As he backed off she slipped the bikini bottoms on and fastened a sarong around her hips. Turning she watched as he dressed, his moves quick and economical. He didn’t waste time with dressing, that’s why his buttons were never done. He’d explained it once, as long as he was covered that was all that mattered.

He winked and reached towards the dresser picking up her small cell phone. “I’ll buzz ya after I talk to Lexi Darlin. Just you sit tight.”

Lindsay nodded as she took the phone and moved to the mirror to fix her hair. “I’ll be waiting.”

Richie slipped from the room and made his way downstairs. As he hit the doorway to the patio he glanced up at the window that led to his room and saw a hint of a girl standing just to the side watching. Well that was just like her, she couldn’t sit still. She was more like him than he’d ever thought at first. Hell they just fit, just like he fit with the guys. Moving over to David he threw an arm around his friend and sometime writing partner and smiled. “Woahhoho.. if it ain’t the Joker himself. How’s things going man?”

David glanced up and couldn’t stop the smile. Damn if that last month off hadn’t done Richie a world of good. He looked, fuck he looked young again. “Shit man, you find the fountain of youth on that trip across the world with Ava?”

Richie shot a glance at Jon, who shrugged. “He asked Dean, who that monster tin can in the front belonged too.”

He nodded and turned back to David. “Maybe I did, or maybe it’s just the relief of not being around you man. You can wear a person out sometimes ya know.” Richie turned to Lexi as David snorted and pulled her into a hug. “Heya Lexi girl. Good to see you finally.” As Lexi laughed and returned the hug Richie leaned in and whispered quickly, garnering a quick nod and soft “hell yeah give it too him good. I’ll be glad to play a part,” as a reply.

Moving over to the cooler he pulled a soda out, garnering a curious look from David. “Wha? I don’t need a stinking beer to enjoy myself Joker.”

David blinked then shrugged. Hell even after the arrest and the months of touring Richie would still have a beer here or there. The problem with Richie had never been drinking, just the need to drown his troubles out in a sea of something that numbed pain. If Richie wasn’t drinking something, then SOMETHING had made those troubles go away and David grinned as the need rose to be sneaky and found out just what had Richie smiling that old King of Swing grin again.

Before David had a chance to make his way over to Richie and start the in depth quizzing, a gravelly voice rang out over the patio. Glancing up to a man they all yelled, “TEEK!”

Jon grinned as he called back to Dot for the platter of steaks. “Teeks here the end of summer bash can now officially start!”

Richie leaned back and took a sip of his soda. Perfect, just perfect, Teek had made it, now the payback would be complete. Slipping his hand into his pocket he lifted the phone and quickly hit the button for Lindsay’s phone. Thank God he’d remembered to program it into the phones quick dial. At the glances from David, Richie shrugged as he flipped the phone close. “Sorry bout that, just heather checking to make sure I have Ava back home and ready for school.”

David shook his head and went back to chatting with Teek. There were just times he wished Richie had never met that woman. Shit she never trusted the man to know what to do with his own daughter.

Lindsay glanced up at the house from her position on the beach. After Richie had left, she’d glanced out the window, listening in to the goings on when her mind had hit on the possibility of the joke playing out better if she came from somewhere besides the house. Slipping from the room she’d made her way to the beach and watched the waves crashing on the shore until Richie called. Settling the phone back into her pocket she started to walk up the sandy path to the Bongiovi patio her heart tripping wildly as she took a deep breath and got ready to play the first and last role in her life.

Richie glanced around wondering which way Lindsay would enter from, his heart nearly stopping as he saw her approach from the beach. Well the sneaky little wench had found something that instantly he knew would make a bigger impression with what they had planned. He smiled as she grew closer, the light breeze teasing her hair about her shoulders, the sarong moving as she walked up.

The soft screech had everyone on the patio turning at once.

“DAVID!!! OMG I finally found you!!” The brunette whirlwind flung herself into David’s arms, as ruby red lips plastered kisses all over his face. “I know you invited me and I know I said I’d be here earlier, but I got lost baby. Forgive me??”

Lexi gasped as the petite woman plastered herself to David, her gaze moving to see an equally astonished Tico and a supposedly amazed Jon. Her voice went quiet as she stepped up to David and his “new” girl. “What the hell is going on here David Bryan Rashbaum?”

David pushed and prodded, trying valiantly to dislodge the whirlwind that had surrounded him with arms legs and lips. “I.. I… I…”

Lindsay pulled in closer as she made her voice all breathy and southern. “Aww baby, don’t be shy. You can tell them all about how I stayed with you on tour. I told you it would be ok.”

“DAVID BRYAN RASHBAUM EXPLAIN YOURSELF!”

David watched as Lexi’s lips thinned. He tried to reassure her, tried to talk and couldn't as the girl kept kissing him. When she pulled away his lips flapped together uselessly. God he had a rabid obsessive fan? He never had those kind of fans, that was Jon’s and Richie’s forte! He tried again to push the girl off only to receive more kisses.

Shit. Lexi was gonna kill him.

6.

They continued chatting and laughing as the afternoon wore on. Jon marveled at the ease in which Linds just seemed to fit, with him and Rich at least. He couldn’t stop the smile that kept creeping onto his face as he watched the two of them. The talk had moved from the living room into the den when Ava had called them and even that had him smiling. There was none of that usual pre-teen angst he’d witnessed when Ava had been around Richie’s other girlfriends. No one was good enough for her daddy and she’d let the world know about it with some of the exes of Richie’s. He wasn’t sure exactly what had happened on that road trip they had talked of, but obviously Linds had shown Richie’s little girl something that had won the little girls heart.

The more he saw of this new woman in Richie’s life the more he liked her. She had a no nonsense way about her that had the small lead weight that had settled in his heart after Richie’s drinking problems just vanishing. At one point when he’d offered them a drink he knew Richie was about to ask for his usual drink only to stop, nearly stutter and change his request to iced tea and all because of a tiny brow arch by Linds. Fuck she was just good for him, and when she’d started explaining her plans to pay back David Jon’s mind was made up. She was the perfect addition to the Jovi family. Fuck he didn’t need a lot of time to decide on people, he always trusted his first impression and she’d made one hell of an impression on him.

When Dot and Stephy returned, Richie didn’t even have time to introduce her before she was off of his lap, introducing herself and moving to help bring in the grocery bags and that spoke volumes to Jon. Normally the women attracted to Richie and his way of life would lay around and let Dot or his staff do for them, as if they owed it too them, but not Lindsay. Even now she was in the kitchen laughing and helping with the meal Dot was doing and Jon knew that if anything would win Dot over it was a woman who acted like a human being and not a plastic doll.

“Richie sweetie could you come help a moment?” At Lindsay’s call Richie was off the couch like a shot and on his way to see what she needed and that had Jon in stitches. Standing he moved quickly to the kitchen only to see Richie happily chopping things for a salad and before he knew it Linds had put him to work too, to Dot’s never ending mirth.

“But I burn water!” Jon snorted as he made his way to the counter and leaned back. That one statement always worked with Dot and would work on Linds, he just knew it. He’d get out of helping like he always did.

Lind’s glanced up and chuckled. “Good thing breaking lettuce apart isn’t water right?”

Jon’s brow furrowed as he caught the lettuce coming his way. Well hell he had no defense to that.

Dot stopped her eyes going wide as Lindsay explained how to break lettuce up and Jon started doing it. “Well I never thought I’d see the day…”

Linds grinned as she looked over at Dot, “Even a rock star can handle breaking up lettuce.”

Jon flicked her the finger without even thinking about it and before he knew it a wet dish towel snapped at his ass cheek as various small veggies came hurtling his way. He dodged and ducked as he muttered only to stand straight and see a slender lady like finger returning the favor. Linds shrugged and glanced at Dot, “Whaa? I can give as good as I get.”

Richie’s brow flicked up as he tossed the carrots, cucumbers and other veggies into the salad before pulling her into his arms. “Boy can she.” He nuzzled the back of her hair as he glanced over at Jon and smiled as he saw the acceptance in those famous baby blues. He’d dated a few that the guys or Dot hadn’t liked and life hadn’t been too pleasant, that Dot and Jon seemed to like Linds just reinforced in his mind at how perfect she was.

Linds leaned back against Richie and heard a soft grunt and started to grin. She shifted slightly against him and was rewarded with the feel of the big guy starting to tremble. “Something wrong Rich?”

Richie straightened and cleared his voice. “Not a thing Darlin, not a thing.” His brow waggled as promises began to burn in his dark gaze, his hand sliding up over her back to her arm. Tonight he was free to do what he wanted; tonight there was no daughter in the small bed just a few feet away. Tonight he’d have another taste of Lindsay, if he could make it through this meal.

After calling all the kids in to eat Jon watched as each person got settled into his or her place, and just as he suspected Richie had made sure to seat himself right next to Linds. He glanced over at Dot and saw she was watching the the both of them as intently as he was, her brow lifting as Richie would lean into Linds and get a blush for his efforts. Oh man was the King ever in full on flirt mode. Scooting closer to his wife he leaned in to whisper, “Wanna bet they vanish before the day’s ever over babe?”

Dot shook her head, “I never take your sucker bets babe, and I ain’t about to take one concerning him. I give it ten minutes.” She winked Jon’s way and turned back to their favorite momentary past-time, watching Richie.

Jon snorted as he turned back to his meal, ten minutes? He didn’t give Sambora five to finish his meal and disappear with the new woman in his life. Hell he was looking forward to the next few days thanks to Linds. He had missed the old give and take of Richie and the guys and their practical jokes, to know that she had brought the life back to Richie, hell that Richie had gotten smart and chosen a *Real* woman had him eager to take part in the shenanigans himself. His grin widened as he thought over what they had planned. David would never know what hit him.

Jon watched as Richie pushed away from his half finished meal and nodded at Dot and Jon, “Man, that was good, but I was driving a long way and I’m beat, you’ll watch Ava for a few? I think I wanna get a nap. I ain’t as young as I used to be.”

Dot’s snort had Jon’s laughter roaring as Richie leaned in to Linds and lifted her. Yeah he was gonna nap all over that woman, it wasn’t involving sleep and every adult there knew it, including Linds who had blushed a vibrant pink. “Nap huh? Yeah I guess ya have to take little naps when you’re an old fart.”


Richie and Lind’s voices echoed back to the table as he walked from the room, “NOT OLD, OLDER!”

Dot glanced over at Jon as the laughter started, “Man, used your own words against ya again. I think I like that little lady.”

Jon nodded as the weight of worry over his friend finally lifted completely. “Yeah, she’s gonna fit in just fine.” As the kids cleared the table Jon and Dot left the room, a chuckle leaving Jon, “And lemme tell ya what they have planned for David..”

Dot’s laughter rang through the house as she listened to what Jon had to say. God was the Joker ever in for it.

5.

Richie turned onto the road leading to Jon’s Hamptons house and sighed. It had been a glorious month of laughter and fun, and he nearly hated how it was now almost over. Chocolate brown eyes glanced up into the rear view mirror and caught a glimpse of Ava and Linds deep into a competitive game of Monopoly. Fuck put him on a basketball court or in a bowling alley and he reigned supreme, but set him down at a Monopoly board and he was sunk.

His two favorite girls were ruthless when it came to the game, and he’d often been the recipient of the “now you owe us ice cream” grins as one or the other took the last of his play money. Thank God Jon was at the helm of Bon Jovi if Monopoly was anything to judge by.

He smiled as memories of the past month filtered through his mind. Linds had been worried that Ava wouldn’t like her, but Ava had taken too her like a fish to water, hell he’d had to almost compete for time with his daughter so close had they gotten. There had been a few moments, when the spoiling she’d gotten from his ex had reared its head, but Ava had quickly learned that Hollywood princesses didn’t impress Lindsay at all. From that point on the trip had flowed from one non-stop happy moment into the next, with all three of them enjoying the taste of what it was like to be a family traveling the country.

Family, it was something he thought he’d never have again, but with the closeness of Ava and Linds the word was again a part of his vocabulary. He smiled as he turned into the Bongiovi driveway. There was just one small hurdle left, and that was introducing the new light of his life to his brothers. They’d all love her, there was no doubt about it, even David, once he got over the sting of payback that he and Linds were still plotting.

God the only downside to the entire month was the raging hard-on he’d had to learn to live with. Fucking minx would brush up against him with her silky smooth skin, tease and torment him then shake her head and tell him “they couldn’t do things with Ava in the RV.” Fuck that shit, they so could have, he would have just had to keep kissing her silent, but no, she’d stood firm, and now that he was just blocks away from Jon all he could think of was getting little Lindsay into a bedroom while Ava was occupied with her “cousins” and fucking her until he could think straight again. Thank God for end of summer for that one reason alone.

----

Jon slipped from his bedroom and headed towards the stairs after washing the sand of the beach from his body. God it had been a crazy morning of chasing Romeo as he bolted this way and that along their private beach, thank God he’d finally worn himself out. Jake and Jesse were immersed in some video game and that left him time to relax while Dot and Stephy shopped; Hamptons time was family time so they had no one to do the shopping except themselves, no staff was ever allowed during family time. The guys were due in any time and Dot had laughingly agreed that they had to put in more supplies. For all their lean physiques, each and every member of the band could eat his weight in whatever was being served.

He heard the heavy sound of the motor as he reached the first floor and moved to a window curiously. His brow arched as the sight of the biggest fucking RV he’d ever seen pulled up to the smallish parking area they had beside the house. Well who the flying fuck would drive up in an RV? David just wasn’t the RV type and Tico, well Tico was more of a muscle car kind of guy, and it sure as hell wouldn’t be Rich, fuck he loved his creature comforts too much to be in an RV, even one as obviously luxurious as this one was.

He stepped to the door and opened it before leaning against the door frame. Fuck who the hell was it?? They were taking for ever to get out of the stupid tin can on fancy wheels. He straightened and started off the porch and actually made it to the door of the RV only to be nearly bowled by a small ball of blonde energy. “HIYA UNCLE JON!”

He threw his arms around Ava and twirled her around laughing. “Well hiya princess.”

Ava threw her arms around him and hugged him hard. “Where’s Stephy, Jakey and Jesse??”

Jon snorted and settled the girl back on her feet. “Steph’s with her mom shopping but the boys are in the living room playing games sweetie. Why don’t you…..”

Before he could get the entire sentence out Ava had bolted towards the door. He turned back to the RV and watched as Richie stepped from the confines of the vehicle. “We’ll I’ve seen a lot of things in my time, but Dean this takes the cake. Never thought I’d see you arrive in something like this.”

Richie snorted at Jon’s words and grinned. “Ya ain’t seen nothing yet Frank.”

Jon’s brow arched as he studied Richie in that moment and saw the changes in his friend. The last two years had taken a lot out of Richie, aging him in ways that only Jon or the guys could see, but in the final months of the tour he had started to come around. Jon wasn’t sure what had caused it then, but the look on Richie’s face now was screaming it loudly. He looked younger again, hell he looked happy again, and whatever was inside that RV was the obvious reason why.

Probably another Hollywood bimbo, but shit how’d he get one of those to ride around in a fucking RV? On top of that he brought Ava along? Jesus, what did this blondie have that the rest didn’t? Jon’s gaze went wide as the tiny figure stepping from the RV was revealed. His startled gaze moved back to Richie then back to the woman looking up at his friend like he was chocolate cake, and all good things combined.

She was a looker, and not in that wild wacky Hollywood way. She was like a breath of fresh air with her sparkling blue eyes and unaffected air. And she wasn't a blonde, she was a brunette? So this is what had Richie looking so happy? Well fuck if this wasn’t something else.

As his head tilted Richie pulled the lady in close and walked closer. “Man I’d like ya to meet Lindsay.” The intro was short and sweet, but the gaze he gave Jon spoke volumes. Turning to Linds he chuckled and nodded, “And Darlin, I’d like you to meet the best brother a guy could have, for all his anal controlling ways. Linds, this is Jon.”

Lindsay glanced up at Richie’s best friend, her hand reaching out. “Nice to meet you.”

Jon shook his head and snorted. “That’s not how we greet folks around here little lady.” Pulling her from Richie he gave her a bear hug, his lips burrowing into her ear as he whispered, “If you’re the reason for the smile on the big mugs face we’re just gonna have to adopt you or keep you around.”

She pulled back and watched as Jon and Rich unabashedly gave each other a hug, amidst a bit of back slapping and colorful commentary. It was nice to see that how they acted towards each other on camera translated into the same easy camaraderie off camera as well. Now she understood why Richie had said that Jon would be the perfect cohort to fit in with their plans. He had that same youthful joy of living that Richie had, for all his rock star trappings and business acumen.

Wrapping an arm around Lindsay and Jon Richie started leading them inside. “So Frank, when’s the Joker supposed to arrive? We got plans to make my man, plans within plans, and you my brotha, are just about to become a part of it.”

Jon’s brow arched as Richie rambled about plans as they stepped into the coolness of his home. Richie was plotting a joke? He was fucking plotting again and pulling him into things right off the bat? That more than anything had his heart damn near singing. If Richie was plotting then he had finally let go of all his past demons, and from the looks of it a lot of the reason was walking in beside him. For that alone she’d earned a sudden and irrevocable place in his heart.

A shit eating grin began to play about Jon’s lips as they settled themselves into the living room. “So tell me Dean, exactly what is the plan?”

He settled himself into a chair then pulled Lindsay into his lap, his brown eyes sparking with humor. “Once upon a time there was a very naughty Joker…”

Jon leaned forward and intently listened as Richie spun his story his grin growing as he learned how Richie had found and took part in a forum, met Linds and how David had played into that. When Richie got to the part about the video Jon started laughing and even requested a viewing of the homemade vid he’d unwittingly taken part of. As his story wound down Jon leaned forward, the devil flickering in his gaze.

“So Dean, tell me what I can do.”

4.

She stretched and rolled over as she wakened, only to have her nose bump into a very warm wall of flesh. Bemused crystal blue eyes flew open and to the sleeping face of the man in front of her. Holy Hannah it wasn’t a dream? She shifted again and felt the delicious little ache between her thighs that reaffirmed the night before had been all too real. Smiling she pressed a kiss to his chest and was rewarded with a tightening of the arms that were still around her.

His eyes opened to the most beautiful sight he’d experienced in years, and she was smiling just for him. “Morning Darlin’.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, his hands skating over her silky skin. It was still early, he thought they just might have a time for a little morning love, that was until she laughed and managed a sort of twist and roll maneuver that had her standing beside the bed.

“Ohhh no, I know how you are, you hate getting outta bed, but we’re supposed to be on the road to Calistoga soon.” She waggled her brows and leaned in for a kiss only to be pulled back onto the bed, her laughter gasping from her as he started to tickle along her sides.

“Darlin, trust me, Calistoga won’t be going anywhere.”

Forty-five minutes later he rolled from the bed and slipped his jeans on, zipping them halfway as he moved to the tiny kitchenette to start coffee. Looking back over his shoulder he chuckled to see her still on the bed and still trying to recapture her composure. Still got it after all these years. Damn I’m good. He put a pot of coffee on to brew then reached for breakfast fixings. “Come on lazykins, we got a schedule to keep.”

She groaned and pulled herself upwards, the ache from the night before deliciously enhanced by how he liked to wake up. “Alright already I’m up, I’m up.” Dressing quickly she stepped into the small kitchen area and offered up a smile at the cup of coffee that was placed into her hand. Taking a sip of the potent brew she whistled. “Like it a bit strong do we?”

Richie chuckled, ”Hell Darlin, only thing that will wake me up this early, well that and a bit of morning loving.” He settled two plates on the tiny pull out table and pulled out her chair. “Now lets eat, we’ve got, what is it a unfaithful geyser to ooh and ahh over?”

She swatted his shoulder and laughed as she slid into her chair at the tiny RV table. “Well that was the plan, but I’ve had a better idea.”

Richie pulled the small fry pan from the burner and turned, the light in her eyes making his belly curl and knot in anticipation. “So what bright idea might sway you from your overwhelming urge to see that geyser?”

She leaned forward, her lips moving in to taste that irresistible slice of skin he always let show when he wore a button up shirt. “I know you said that you are supposed to have Ava for a month, and you mentioned the end of summer fling your buddies always throw for the families….”

His breath caught at the alluring slip and slide of her lips, his mind scattering as she kept up the easy lil flicks of the tongue. Forcing down the tide of need that started to rise he forced out a grunted, “And?”

She smiled as his arms snaked around her and pulled her close. “Well, if you could get her a week or two early, you think she’d like traveling around in a big old RV?”

His eyes widened as he heard the words. He had two weeks before he needed to pick up Ava, two weeks that Lindsay could have him totally to herself and she was offering to share it with his little girl? He’d never had anyone be so selfless before, never had anyone be that giving, well except for his brothers. “You’re something else did you know that Lindsay Waters?”

She lay her head on his chest and smiled. “If you don’t think she’d enjoy traveling around then it’s ok, but I just wanted to let you know it would be ok.”

He pulled her closer, his hands cupping her firm little ass as his lips slid against hers in a gentle thankful kiss. “How’d I get so lucky to find you Little Darlin?” He gazed down into eyes so blue they rivaled the ocean in their intensity and thought how bright the world seemed with that one smile gracing his world, and in that one instant, all the swirling thoughts that had centered on her coalesced as his heart left its hidden place deep within his soul and began again to beat with a music too far long missing in his life.

She gasped as his lips pressed against hers and lost all sense of time when his tongue began the slide against hers, his flavor and taste filling her in ways nothing had before, or would again. She’d loved him from afar for years, but never truly understood him, and now that she did she’d realized she’d loved a fantasy for far too long, and hell if the reality wasn’t something special and wondrous. She pressed a kiss to the tip of his nose and pulled away.

“Don’t ya think you need to be calling and arranging to pick up that cute little girl of yours?”

“Damn straight Darlin, damn straight.”

She smiled as he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed excitedly. He was just like a kid at Christmas. Just the thoughts of a little extra time with his daughter had him glowing with happiness. She puttered around, cleaning up from their breakfast and intently trying to not listen to the soft conversation going on just behind her. She prayed his ex would be giving, that she’d let him have more than a month. Hell after the last few months with all her problems too be sure she would.

She glanced up as he shut his phone, relief flowing through her at the sparkle in his eyes.” She agreed to it, man you must be my angel of luck because she agreed to let me have a couple of extra weeks!” He stood up and moved in on her quickly before scooping her up and twirling around. “I get to take her school shopping, have her the rest of the summer…Heather has a picture to film, said I was an answer to a prayer. ME!” He dipped in and plastered a happy sloppy trail of kisses from cheek to lips. “I would have never thought to ask if you hadn’t suggested it. Thank ya Darlin.”


Her hands stole around his neck as she watched his eyes light up in ways she’d never seen before. She’d trod hell itself if it kept that light in his eyes. “Well then what are we waiting for? Put me down and lets get on the road.”

Richie pressed a hard kiss to her lips and let her slide to her feet and along his body. Ok maybe that was the wrong thing to do, he thought as he stepped forward to the drivers seat. Damn, a whole six weeks with his two favorite girls, could life get any better?

Linds situated herself into the passenger seat and smiled at the look of anticipation on Richie’s face. “Ya know Richie, while we’re on the way to pick up Ava I have the most wonderful idea.”

He slipped his sunglasses on, his gaze flickering towards the angel to his right. “Another one? Do I dare ask this time?”

She winked and leaned back, propping her feet casually on the dashboard. “Mmmhmm, you mentioned revenge on an ohh so curly one. Let’s start to plan.”

His laugh echoed as he pulled out onto the highway. “You think you can out joke the joker Darlin?”

Linds reached over and brushed a finger along his arm, “I don’t think it gorgeous, I know it.”

His laughter grew as his heart fell even deeper into love. Fuck yeah life could get no better.