Show #23
Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris France
God, Ariana despised Paris almost as much as her birthday. For the life of her, she couldn’t explain why she disliked the city so much. She just did, and to combine it with her birthday was just too much. That’s why, when she received the European leg logistics, she started making plans to get the hell out of here at the first possible moment. Before the clock struck midnight, her Cinderella ass would be out the door.
She’d successfully avoided anyone and everyone who knew her so far, including Sal. All she had to do was finish this one last run through, even though it wasn’t technically necessary for her to be here for it. Someone else could cover for her, but Ari didn’t like to shirk her responsibilities. If it was her job, then she’d be the one making sure it was handled.
So intent was she upon checking everything off her list that she didn’t hear the burly man lumber up behind her. His voice made her jump when scolding, “Bella, I told you I’ve got you covered. Just go.”
“I know, Zio. I just want to check one last thing.”
Pulling the clipboard from her hand, he pointed to the exit at the end of the corridor. “Go! You’ve probably gone over that list a hundred times already. Everything will be fine.”
Reaching up on her tippy toes, she gave him a quick peck on his cheek. “Thank you, Zio. I owe you one.”
Leaving in the middle of a show was not something she would normally do in a million years, but she was positive the crew would make a big fuss over her birthday. If she didn’t skip out now, she’d be stuck in a celebration that she wanted no part of, and Jon would probably follow it up with another, more private one.
For a girl who loathed celebrating her birthday even once, that was two parties too many, so she was getting a head start on her two days off.
Ari had practically made it to the exit when her father’s voice interrupted her great escape.
“Are you sneaking out?”
She spun to face him and rolled her eyes. “You know I am. You got a problem with that?"
“Normally I don’t, but it’s not every day my baby girl turns thirty.”
“S-al…” she drawled out his name. “How many times have I told you not to call me that at work?”
“Cut your old man some slack, would you? I know how much you hate when I make a fuss over your birthday, but this one is special. Heck, all your birthdays are special for me.”
Sighing, she walked closer to him. “I know. I’m sorry. Zio said he’ll cover my gear after the show.”
“He told me. That’s how I knew where to find you.”
Of course, he ratted her out. Smoke and Sal had been friends since they were eighteen and worked their first tour together. They were two peas in a pod. She'd known him her whole life, too, which was why she called him Zio, the Italian word for “uncle”.
“If I want to make my train I gotta go.”
“Then I won’t keep you.” Sal pulled an envelope from his back pocket. “This is for you.”
“You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“I didn’t. It’s from Lili. She made me promise to give it to you with strict orders that you can’t open it until you are in London. So don't make me look bad." He winked and asked, "Are you going straight to the hotel?”
“Yes. And will hide out there until we report back for the Milton Keynes show.”
Sal shook his head. He hated that she felt this way about her birthday, but he understood why. They both lost something on that day, his daughter more so than him. It was no wonder her birthday was tough for her.
Pulling her in for a hug, he kissed the top of her head. “Happy birthday, baby girl. I love you.”
She held onto him for a few more moments, fighting the tears she felt starting. “I love you too, Daddy.”
♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱
July 4, 1996
The Portobello Hotel
Notting Hill, London
The Portobello’s lobby was busy for one-thirty in the morning, meaning that there was one person checking in ahead of Ari. While waiting her turn at the front desk, she took the opportunity to soak in the lobby’s boho spirit and note the changes since the last time she was here.
The first time she came upon this little gem was back in 1990 while backpacking across Europe. It was in the West End of London, and the classic Victorian building felt more like home than a hotel, which was why it was one for her favorite places to stay. There wasn’t much room in her schedule to do that anymore, and she was looking forward to spending the next two days sleeping in a comfortable bed and exploring the city.
“I can help you over here.”
Approaching the desk, she handed the young woman her passport and credit card. “Hi. I have a reservation.”
“Ah yes. Miss Moretti,” the clerk replied. “I see we have you staying for two nights, and lucky you. It looks like we were able to make the room upgrade as requested.”
“Um. There must be some kind of mistake. I didn’t request an upgrade.”
“Allow me a minute to look over it once more.” The woman’s fingers moved quickly over the keyboard. “No, that’s correct. Your accommodations have been changed from a cozy room to one of our signature rooms. I see a note indicating that you should ‘refer to the birthday card’. Does that ring any bells?”
Shaking her head, she remembered the envelope that Sal had given her earlier. Lili.
“Yes, it does. Thank you. Will you be needing anything else from me?”
“Not at all.” Handing Ariana back her credentials along with her key, she smiled. “Enjoy your stay Miss Moretti, and have a lovely birthday.”
Ari returned the smile with a nod. “Thank you.”
Her upgrade was on the ground floor, so it wasn’t technically up, but it did leave her blissfully free from dealing with steps or an elevator. There was just a brief walk down the corridor to get the room, and after inserting and twisting the vintage metal key in its lock, the door to her hideaway eased open.
Stepping inside she dropped her duffel bag, closed the door and leaned against it. Holy cow. This was way nicer than the last room she’d stayed in here. Her eyes darted from one luxury item to another, not sure where to look first.
Across the entryway there was a table and two upholstered chairs. It was hard to tell in the middle of the night, but she thought the French doors behind them might open onto a garden area. She couldn’t wait to check it out tomorrow. That would be the perfect spot for room service brunch after crawling out of the massive bed on the left.
It seemed like there were miles of royal mahogany that made up the king-size frame. Four posts climbed well above Ari’s head to support a solid mahogany upholstered in ornately pleated fabric. It was the most breathtaking thing in the room, and the neutral cream bedding and canopy were the perfect splash of cool in the warm palette that the decorator chose.
In second place for breathtaking was the tub that sat on her right. The free-standing roll top beauty didn’t live in the bathroom with the shower and toilet. This show piece had its claw feet planted in the middle of the floor and was easily big enough for two people. Since she was traveling alone, she’d have to take twice the baths to make up for it.
Kicking off her shoes, she hopped right in the middle of the bed, where the billowy down comforter felt like she’d landed on a cloud. She would sleep like a baby under it, and she would be doing so very soon.
Given the time, she opted for sleep over a bath, so she shimmied out of her pants and tugged her hoodie over her head, before pulling her bra off through the sleeve of her crew shirt and crawling under the covers. Realizing she should probably let Sal know she arrived safely, she was just stretching toward her hoodie on the floor when the phone inside it rang.
“A little birdy told me you snuck out.” His voice was raw and raspy, as it usually was after a show, but she’d heard Jon in that condition often enough to recognize him.
“Sal’s got a big mouth,” she noted, flopping back onto the pillows.
“Not Sal. Smoke.”
“Yeah, well, he’s got an even bigger mouth.”
“You know I’m gonna have to dock your pay.”
“Do what ya gotta do,” she said without caring. “There was no way I was sticking around, and you knew that.”
“You’re right, I did. So whaddaya say you open this door so I can wish you a happy birthday?”
Sleepy eyes flew wide. Jon was here? “Huh. Wait. What?”
“Just. Open. The. Door.”
She hopped off the bed and scurried across the floor to check the peephole. Sure enough, there was a familiar eyeball looking back at her, and even as she snorted, she couldn’t hold back the happiness that he’d sought her out. She didn’t even get mad when she opened the door and found him holding a cupcake with a single lit candle.
There were worse ways to spend a birthday.
“Gonna let me in, or do you want my singing to wake up the other guests?”
She pulled him in by his shirt, almost causing him to drop the sweet treat. “How the hell did you know I was here?”
“Hmm.”
“Don’t you dare say a birdy.”
“Would you believe me if I say I followed you?”
“No. But only because I was long gone before you even left the stage.”
“Ah-ha. So, you admit to sneaking out early.”
“Spill it, Bongiovi.”
“Lili.”
“I should’ve known. So, tell me, was it my grandmother or you who upgraded my room?”
“Both.” He stretched out his palm with the cupcake. “Now will you blow out your candle so I can properly wish you a happy birthday?”
With puckered lips, she inched forward to blow out a breath. In the same split second that the flame went out, the cupcake hit the floor and she found herself wrapped in his arms. With the tip of his nose brushing hers, he whispered, “Happy Birthday, Crash.”
Their eyes locked, emerald and sapphire in the instant before their lips connected. There were definitely worse ways to spend her birthday, and since he’d gone to the trouble of seeking her out to celebrate, Ari was ready for a party. A very private party.
Desire raged like wildfire between them as her hands tunneled through his hair, and each swirl of their tongues only took the flames higher. He captured her bottom lip between his teeth and nipped before drawing away slowly to take his nibbles down her jawline.
His faint after-show stubble tickled as he continued down her neck to the hollowed space just beneath her throat. That’s where she could feel his quietly growled, “God. You drive me fucking nuts.”
The dirty words incited a slight moan but didn’t ease the need for him to keep going. She tilted her head, offering – directing – him to take those talented lips up the other side of her neck. The stubborn man didn’t obey, though. He just lingered at the hollow spot until Ari’s frustration mounted.
With clenched fingers, she tugged the hair at the nape of his neck. “Don’t you fucking stop!”
He laughed, giving her only a teasing dust before extracting her hands and using them to walk her backward until the backs of her thighs hit the mattress.
“Don’t you want your birthday present?” he teased with a mischievous grin stretched across his face.
“You’re the only present I need.” she rasped. “Now you have five seconds to take off your clothes and fuck me like you mean it.”
Jon didn’t need to be told twice. Without taking even half a step backward, he focused smoldering eyes on her while shucking his jacket and letting it drop. It hadn’t yet hit the floor when he reached behind his head to yank at the shirt collar there, tugging until it was free to join the jacket.
The up-close-and-person strip was driving her wild, and the way she watched him was Jon’s undoing. Long, masculine fingers curled around her thighs and dug into the backs of them so he could lift and toss her in the middle of the bed.
“I want you ass up and on your knees by the time my jeans are off. Birthday girl needs a spanking.”
Scrambling to the center of the bed she could feel wetness slick down her thighs in anticipations of what was about to happen. Sometimes they made love, sometimes they had sex like animals. On the very best nights, they did both and she quickly shed her t-shirt and panties, ready for anything.
“I said ass up.”
She cut him a look over one shoulder and went on hands and knees, wiggling her bottom in invitation.
“Better,” he approved, climbing in with her. The mattress still jiggled when she heard a loud smack, and it was followed by a sting that radiated through her left buttock.
“I hope you don’t think you’re going to give me thirty of those.”
“I might.”
“How about you give me something more satisfying?”
He crawled up close behind her, his knees touching the outsides of hers and the head of his cock teasing her weeping slit. Dragging it up and down, there was a rumble of appreciation in the back of his throat. He liked knowing she wanted him. Almost as much as he liked filling her with one breath-stealing stroke.
“Gah!”
“What’s the matter? Too much for you?”
“Never! Give me more.”
He leaned forward, chest pressed to her back and arm circling her waist as he took her from behind again and again, making Ari forget what day it was, what country it was or even what planet it was. Over and over he claimed her with such possessiveness.
“Mine!”
He kissed her shoulder than sank his teeth in a rather sharp bite. Her hiss turned to a moan as he slid out and then slamming back in without pause.
“Say it again,” she demanded
“You’re mine.” He husked out in unmistakable relish.
A whimper eked its way through her lips as Ari’s arms buckled beneath her. Desperate hands fisted the bedding as she moaned into it, “I am. Yes! Yes! I am!”
The confession stirred a frenzy within him and he brutally pummeled her until they both screamed out with relief. Then he slowed to a gentle pace, dropping soft kisses over the spot he’d bitten. He licked it gently as his hands stroked her back, hair, arms, legs and every other part until she was a puddle of goo.
Her limbs collapsed and he curled up next to her, scraping his thumb along her cheek with a smile. “Now are you ready for your present?”
“There’s more?”
Jon reached for his discarded jacket and rummaged in the pocket before dropping it back to the floor. When he opened a closed fist in front of her, his palm held a small black velvet box tied with a white satin ribbon.
“I don’t need you to buy me gifts,” she insisted, scooting up in the bed and sitting cross-legged next to his prone body.
“And I usually don’t. But it’s your birthday and everyone deserves a gift on their birthday.”
Accepting the box, she hesitantly pulled at one end of the ribbon until it unwound and slithered free, falling between her legs. A quick flip had the top open, and almost as quickly, a single tear rolled down her cheek.
It wasn’t fancy by most women’s standards, since it wasn’t platinum with a rock as big as her hand, but it suited Ari perfectly.
The sterling silver was cut in the infinity shape of her tattoo, only thicker. One arc of the lazy figure eight was defined by twelve little diamonds, and there was a larger diamond on each “end”, where the design met the band.
When she removed the ring from its bed of velvet, she found out that it held another beautiful secret. On the inside of the band Jon had them engrave the same words she had on her tattoo – “you and me” – only these words were done in his handwriting.
“Jon, it’s beautiful, but…”
Her words were hushed by a single finger pressing gently against her lips. With his other hand, he took the ring and slowly slipped it onto her index finger.
“If this is so wrong, why does it feel so right?” she whispered as her tears slowly fell.
“Because it is.”
Despite their lies, the love they shared was always each other’s for the taking.
Awww I’m glad Ari wasn’t alone on
ReplyDeleteHer birthday!! Happy Birthday Ariana!!