175 - You Can't Always Get What You Want

June 11, 2010

London, UK: O2 Arena (Night 4)

Show #

 

A year ago, when he and Richie had fiddled around with the idea of playing an entire month at the O2 arena, they thought it would be pretty cool. A summer vacation, so to speak, where a few hundred thousand of your friends came to visit you instead of you visiting them.  

 

Thirteen shows in twenty days with a few off days strategically placed, a piece of cake, right? Absolutely! It wasn’t their first rodeo. It was night four and, in general, things had been running smoothly. A few challenges here and there, trying to keep the crowd’s interest for one since some fans would be there for multiple nights. Another was staying put in one place for an extended period. The fans knew just where to find them.  

 

Mostly, things had been calm. A few stragglers here and there whenever they went out, but there were always a handful of unruly ones that had to make things difficult. The ones who felt they had that sense of entitlement. Matt caught a few of them hiding out in the stairwells a couple of times already, not to mention the few who had been downright rude to Ariana. There had been a few instances at the hotel and when she sat out front and watch. It’s a good thing his girl was a toughie and didn’t let it bother her, but to be on the safe side, Cliff was always close behind.

 

They had arrived earlier than usual today. Jon had a few television and magazine interviews to do and, rather than setting them up at the hotel, they set up at the arena. Which was fine with Ariana, it gave her a chance to walk around and watch the daily run throughs, sorta feeding the need of not working. It also gave Meatball more space to roam freely, both inside and out. Having just gotten back from one of his playtimes out on the arena floor, she kicked off her shoes and stretched out on the couch.

 

“Rub my foot.” She pressed her un-stockinged foot against Jon’s thigh.

 

Not looking up from what he was doing, he transferred his trusty yellow pad from his lap to the arm of the couch and, with his free hand, he nonchalantly caressed the top of her foot. 

 

“Should I open with Blood or Last man?” he asked.

 

“Neither.” she wiggled her toes, indicating she wanted him to do more than he was.

 

“Why not?”

 

“Because you opened with Blood twice already.”

 

“Then what?”  

 

“Happy.”

 

“Hm. Interesting choice, but why that one?”

 

“Because I’d be happy now if you would put down that pad and rub my damn feet.” Ari waved her foot in his face.

 

Capping the marker, he tossed it and the pad in her lap, then took her left foot with both hands.  

 

“You think this is easy?” A satisfying moan escaped her lips as his thumbs dug into her arch. “It’s hard enough to do every night in a different city, but doing it for twelve nights in a row, I need to keep the repeaters and the regulars happy now.” This time, they both giggled at his metaphor. 

 

“Lemme see how you’d do it.” he jutted his chin at the pad in her lap.

 

“Yeah?” Her face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. “And you’ll play whatever I come up with?”

 

“Mm-huh. But just know, if I get booed, I’m blaming you.”

 

Digging for the marker that rolled between the cushion, Ariana put it between her teeth and pulled, uncapping it. With the cap dangling between her lips, her hand busily moved along the pad as a small smile graced her lips now and then. When she was finished, she took a moment and admired her finished product before recapping the marker and handing it all back to him. 

 

Watching as his eyes traced over the page, Ari couldn’t help but smile when the corner of his mouth curled a few times. “So?”

 

“Where should I start?”

 

“Oh, c’mon. It’s not that bad. There are some great songs in there.”

 

“True. And some that aren’t.”

 

“Stop it. Just admit it, I did good.”

 

“Ha!” he huffed while lifting her legs and scooted closer so that they were draped across this lap. 

 

“Let’s break it down.” With the marker, Jon began chunking the setlist by drawing a line separating song segments. “Really? These two. And what’s with the arrows?”

 

Blood or LM ~ Happy

Follow

Bad Name

↝ Neurotica

Baby (deep inside version)

⤵Older ~ Radio

⤴Lost Highway - Naked

__________________________

 

“I was going for a theme, so they needed to be switched.”

 

“And what theme would that be? I’m horny? Crash, if you wanted it, all ya had to do was ask.”

 

“Figures you're backing out, chickenshit.”

 

“No. I’ll open with Happy, but my next three are staying.” His emphasis on the word ‘my’ caused her to purse her lips and pout. Crossing his heart with the back of the marker, he winked. “I’ll sing Neurotica and Naked at our private show later.”

 

“And deep inside?”

 

“Oh, there will be plenty of that later, too.” Jon thrusted his hips and hands in tandem.

 

Ignoring his boyish gesture, she pointed to the next song on the list. “Radio stays too.” This wasn’t a question, rather a statement, and from the way his hand slid gently over her knee, acknowledged he understood her.

 

“Let’s get back to your setlist. Brown Sugar, Tumblin Dice and Sympathy all in one night. It’s a good thing I know how much you love me, or I would think otherwise.”

 

Beautiful

Raise Your Hands 

We Got It

Sleep ~ w/brown sugar

Medicine ~ Let Bobby pick, he’s a master at this. :P

Lay Your Hands On Me (Richie) ~ Tumblin Dice (Lema)

__________________________

Open All Night

Diamond Ring

I’ll Be There

Pain ~ Love 4 Sale

Sat Nite

__________________________

Runaway ~ Sloooooow or replace Let It Rock

It’s My Life

Working Man ~ Helter Skelter (who doesn’t love the Beatles)

Who Says

Keep the Faith ~ w/Sympathy for the Devil

H.A.N.D.

Wanted

Prayer

 

“Puh-lease. You love the Stones just as much as I do. You are just jealous I got to hang out with Mick more. Besides, Tumblin is for Jeanie.”

 

“We are not going there again.”

 

“She’s got it bad. Let‘em sing for once.”

 

“I’ll think about it. You don’t care about a jukebox song?”

 

“Nope. That is when you shine, big boy. When you let down all that not-so-much-hair anymore and have a good ole time.”

 

“You're crazy, you know that.”

 

“And you know I’m right.” Playfully, she bumped him with her knee. “Next. Ah, the circle. I like those choices. I just threw in an extra classic for old time's sake.”

 

“Yeah, yeah. You and your classics.” Jon flipped the page and began writing the setlist he had come up with so far.

 

“You know what I would really love, if you could please, please,” she folded her fingers together as if she was praying. “Pretty please with my cherry on top, play Runaway slow tonight.”

 

“You know how much I like when your cherry is on top. Those big bodacious titties bouncing in my face.” Again, in a typical blue-blooded American male fashion, he held out his hand palms up and moved them in an up and down manner as if he was juggling.

 

“Ass.” Swinging her feet off his lap, Ari righted herself, using his thigh as leverage to push herself to the edge of the cushion. “Let’s finish this. I’m hungry, and Meatball needs one more walk before it gets crowded back here.”

 

“We’re done.” He tossed the pad aside and stood with an extended hand to her.

 

“What about Helter?” she asked as he helped her to her feet.

 

“What’s wrong with Working Man?”  

 

Feathering her fingers in the almost all mousey blonde strand of hair that had fallen over his brow, she brushed it back into place, then continued down his cheek and over his distinguished chin before her hand firmly rested upon his shoulder. “It’s a good song, baby, but this is a rock concert and no one wants a Debbie downer song.”

 

“Remind me again why I put up with you.” Seductively, Ari lowered her eyes to her plunging neckline and back up to his.  

 

“Incorrigible, I tell ya.” Hooking an arm around her neck, he walked them to the door. Pausing long enough to place his fingers in his mouth, he whistled.  

 

“Let’s go, Meatball.”  

 

174 - Rockin On Top Of World

June, 7, 2010

London, UK: O2 Arena

Roof top set

Gnawing at the side of her thumb, Ari's boots tapped against the concrete floor as she and Meatball continuously paced back and forth. For the most part, she had pushed this particular moment from her mind for a good part of the day. That was until they arrived at the arena and she watched as they harnessed her husband like he was Ethan Hunt, about to take on his next mission. 

 

“Crash, if you don’t stop pacing, you'll wear a rut all the way to China.” Jon clasped his hand on her shoulders, stilling her.

 

“If...” a manicured tipped finger pointed him square in the eyes. “If you fall, I’m gonna kill you. You hear me?”

 

“If I fall, you won’t have to kill me.” he winked. 

 

“Asshole! I’m a nervous wreck.”

 

“And you’re not the one wearing a harness. Go figure?”

 

“I hate really hate you, you know, that right?”

 

“C’mere.” He pulled her in for a squeeze. “It’s gonna be okay. I wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t.” 

 

Ariana let out a long-deflated breath. She knew he was right, and that it was just her hormonal nerves playing with her head. Heck, who was she kidding? If she didn’t have this baby inside her, she’d be up there right now, rigging the damn equipment herself. Pulling away, he pressed his forehead to hers.  

 

“Why don’t you and the mutt here head back to the dressing room and rest. Tony’s hooked up a live feed, you can watch it from there. I’ll come find you after the press conference and sound check. How’s that sound?”

 

“Thrills a minute.”

 

“Be nice.”

 

“That was nice.” Smoothing the lapels of his jacket, her right hand traveled over to his necklace, where she fingered each of his charms. “Don’t be going all Sylvester Stallone up there and try to scale the building.”

 

Twisting her around, he pointed her in the direction of his dressing room and gave her ass a quick swat. “Go. I’ll see you in a few.”

 

Waving him off over her shoulder, Ariana waddled her way down the corridor, where she happened upon a few of the local crew she hadn't seen in a while. After stopping to chat for a bit, she headed on over to the catering room they had set up and grabbed a few snacks to bring back with her. That was where Cara found her.

 

“There you are. Jon said you were in the dressing room.”

 

“Got sidetracked. Heading back there now. Grab something and come with.”

 

Making her way around the l-shaped setup, Cara grabbed a few items and met her friend at the door. Arms full, they headed back to the sanctuary of silence. Upon entering the vast room, they each dropped their stash on the table and plopped down on the couch. 

 

"Do we have actual seats tonight, or are you hiding back here as usual?"

 

"We can have seats if you'd like. I just need to radio Matt and let Cliff know."

 

They heard a soft knock, then the sound of Nic's voice alerting them she was coming in. 

 

"I was told you'd be in here. You having a party or something." Pointing to the pile of junk food in the middle of the table, Nicole kicked off her shoes and curled up in the love seat opposite them. 

 

"Help yourself.” Ariana clicked the remote at the big screen television that Tony had set up for her. Ben Jones from Absolute Radio stood with the band behind him on the roof. He was talking about the month’s long stint they were about to begin, and how no one had ever played on the roof of the O2.  

 

“You can always, I guess, leave it to Bon Jovi to do something very, very different.”

 

“You mean stupid.” Ariana grumbled.

 

“Don’t tell me this is bothering you?” Cara looked over at her.

 

“Whaaat? Look at how windy it is. That’s dangerous.”

 

“Bullshit! You’re just pouting because you’re not up there yourself.”

 

Knowing she was busted, Ariana threw a cheese doodle at her friend. “Oh, hush.”

 

“Would you really be up there?” Nicole asked.

 

“In a heartbeat.” Cara answered for her friend.  

 

“Wait a minute. You’ve lost me.”

 

“Guess you weren’t aware that your little patient here is Queen Adrenalin Junkie. The higher the stage, the better.”

 

From the confused look Nicole still wore Cara explained to the good doc what Ariana actually did for a living before getting pregnant and how her need to be right in the middle of all the rather dangerous aspects of building a stage made her the best roadie in the business. Cara told one of her favorite stories about a time she met up with Ari while touring with the Stones and watched her fight her own father to climb the scaffolding to rig the lighting.  

 

“Well, that explains things a little better and why Jon’s been so protective of you.” She tore open a candy bar. “So, is that how you met Jon?”

 

It was an innocent question, and one Ariana had to carefully think about before answering. So, after an awkward pause, she pushed herself up off the couch.  

 

“I wasn’t actually hanging from the rafters. I was sleeping on a crate.”

 

♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱

 

“Romeo Jon. You sit back down and finish your dinner.” Where that child got all his energy from, she did not know but, after a long and tedious day of phone call after phone call, she was coming to her wits' end. After finishing her charity work, she headed to Brooklyn, to the younger boys' campus, for their final chorus concert of the year. Once they were loaded in the car, they headed to the other side of Brooklyn, where Jesse needed to be picked up from practice and Stephanie from a friend’s house. All this just in time for the evening's rush hour traffic back to the city. It was times like these she was grateful for her driver. So, when Romeo called out from the backseat about going to Sal’s for dinner, she had no qualms about agreeing.

 

“But Ma, Sal said I can help make the next pizza. Please. Can I?”

 

“One pizza, then eat. Or no Italian ice. Got it?” She kissed his nose.

 

“Got it.”  

 

Watching him disappear behind the counter, she turned her attention to her remaining children at the table. “Where’s Jake?”

 

“He went up front for something.” not picking his head up from his phone, Jesse answered his mother.

 

“Can we please put down the electronics for five minutes and have a normal family dinner for once?”

 

“Since when are we normal?” Stephanie clicked her screen closed and looked up at her mother.

 

“You know what I mean.” Dorothea took a long sip from her wineglass. “Are you all ready for next week?”

 

“Yeah. Uncle Mook sent me some last-minute details, but I’m pretty much set.”

 

“How ‘bout you, Jess?” Dorothea reached across the table and pulled the phone from his hand.

 

Replacing his phone with a slice, he answered. “I guess so.”

 

“I guess so isn’t a good enough answer.”

 

“I got it under control, ma. Chill.” Reaching across the table for his phone, his mother moved it further away. “This isn’t the first time we’ve had to finish school early.” 

 

“Watch your tone with me, mister, or you won’t be going anywhere.”  

 

They had a busy schedule this coming week. All four kids had to complete end-of-the year projects, not to mention finals and prom for the two older ones before they headed off to London to be with Jon. On top of all that, Stephanie needed to finalize what outfits she was wearing for the White Trash Beautiful fashion show later that month. 

 

“Hey Ma, that guy I met with Dad that day is eating out front.” Jake pulled out a chair and took a seat.

 

“First, where were you? And second, what guy are you talking about?”

 

“I went out front because the internet sucks from back here. That is where I ran into Billy…. no wait…. it’s Bobby.”

 

Dorothea needed to be careful how she approached this. If she overreacted, they would know something was going on, but she needed to know just how her son knew who Bobby was. Lifting her glass, she took another sip and let the burgundy liquid lingering in her mouth before swallowing. 

 

“When did you meet Bobby?”

 

“Cuppala weeks ago. When I forgot my homework.”

 

It was all coming back to her now. It was the day after Jon and Richie pulled that stupid stunt and slept at her house. She remembered Bobby telling her he ran into Jon outside, but he mentioned nothing about meeting Jake. She made a mental note to ask him about it.  “

 

“So, did you talk to him?”

 

“Just hi. Are we leaving soon? I’m getting bored.”

 

“Mom. Mom. Look what I made. Sal said I can take it home. Oh yeah, and Dad, Ari and Meatball were on the TV. Can I call them?”  

 

Romeo came running from behind the counter holding a pepperoni pizza, or what looked like a pizza. All she could see were mounds of pepperoni. 

 

“You know you shouldn’t be watching the television and no, you can’t call them. It’s late there.”

 

“But Dad was on the roof of some building, and Ari and Meatball were playing outside. It was daytime. Pleassssssse.”

 

“I said no. It’s after midnight there. Go get a box for your pizzas. We are leaving.”

 

The beating in her temples from earlier had increased to a thumping steady pulse. What she needed was the serenity of her jacuzzi tub so she could process the evening’s events. But first she’d have to make it out of the restaurant and pass Bobby without the kids picking up on anything.

173 - Rock Me Gently

Still laughing when Jon pushed open the door, his smile quickly melted into a frown when he saw his wife sitting on the couch.  

 

“You’re outta bed?” he asked, tossing his key along with his hat onto the desk. “Whaddabout my real coffee for nookie deal?”

 

“Blame your daughter here.” Ari placed her palms over her belly. “Seems she’s taken a liking to my bladder as her pillow, so much so that I might start sleeping on the toilet.”

 

Walking across the room, he set their drinks down on the coffee table, removed his phone from his pocket and set it next to them, then dropped to his knees between her legs. 

 

"Yoo-hoo. Hello in there.” Pushing up her shirt, he gently knocked on her stomach. “This is your Daddy. Your mama needs to pay the coffee delivery man now. Ya think maybe you can pick another organ for about an hour, maybe two?”

 

“Doofuss.” 

 

A drawn out oww accompanied the hand that rubbed the side of his head she just playfully smacked. 

 

“Do you know what I had to go through to get that coffee?”

 

“Poor baby.”

 

“Pay up Crash.” His calloused fingers tickled her outer thighs as they slowly inched into the pair of shorts she pilfered from his gym bag. 

 

Squirming and giggling from his touch, her foot connected with his chest, causing him to lose his balance and fall backwards on his ass. “See what you get.”

 

“You are so lucky I have a show tomorrow or I'd pick your ass up and throw you over my shoulder.”

 

Ariana hooked her bare foot behind his bent knees and pulled. Sliding from the chair, she joined him on the floor and took up residence on his legs. “Did. You. Just. Call. Me. Fat.” Stabbing a finger into his side, she punctuated each word. 

 

“Well…,” he laughed, trying to catch each one of her fast fingers. “I have noticed a little extra junk in your trunk.”

 

“Is that so? You didn’t seem to mind my junk sitting on your face the other morning.”

 

The shrilling sound of a classic telephone ringing halted her tickling. “That’s Ken. I gotta answer it.” Jon reached for the ringing phone.

 

“Nope.” Ari snatched the phone up first and answered. “Hi Ken.” she said cheerfully. “Jon’s a little tied up at the moment. Can I help you with something?”  

 

Attentively listening as Ken spoke, Jon took the opportunity to distract her, letting his hands roam wherever her free swatting hand wasn’t. “Okay, I will. Thanks again. Bye.” Tossing the phone on the chair behind her, she looked down at him.

 

“The roof?”

 

“So, it’s a go, then.”

 

Her head ticked in frustration as she rolled her eyes at him. “Yes. He is sending you the details.” 

 

“What’s that look for?”

 

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it’s because my crazy husband will play from the roof of the O2 tomorrow.”

 

Instead of her little declaration, Jon wanted to keep her in her playful mood and gain leverage on his current trapped situation. Opening his legs, she slipped off his knees, landing in between them. “Even the more reason to pay up, this could very well be the last time I get laid.” 

 

“Well, then…” Using her elbows and feet for support, she pushed her hips up and wiggled out of her shorts. “We better make it count.” Her green eyes flashed with want as her knees slowly fell open; offering herself to him.

 

Flipping his body so his torso was flush to the carpet between her legs, he slipped his hands under her ass, pulling her forward. Placing a languid, open-mouthed kiss at her core, Jon ran his tongue up along her folds to her clit and began probing. Hard swirls and soft flicks alternating between the two until the first hint of her arousal coated his tongue. 

 

“Mmm. I love the way you taste. So sweet.”  

 

A moaned emanated from deep within her throat.  

 

“You like that, don’t you?” He licked her folds again, only this time he used one of his hands to spread them ever so slightly, giving him better access. Harder and harder, his fiery tongue probed all the right places, occasionally closing his mouth around the bundle of nerves and grazing his teeth along the sensitive nub. Incoherent murmurs fell between hot gasps when he blew a cool breath over her warm skin. She was close. Jon could tell by the way her thighs quivered with each push of his tongue; he even tasted it. Again and again and again, he dipped his tongue inside her until he felt the wall of her muscles clench around him.

 

“J-onnn!” Her whole body shuddered as he lapped up every drop of her orgasm.

 

Jon’s voice calling her name brought her out of her orgasmic stupor long enough to open her eyes and see him hovering over her. Just the sight of his oceanic blue eyes looking down at her sent her core clenching again.  

 

“Kiss me.” She growled, pulling his mouth to hers. Hard and slightly rough, her lips were more demanding than usual.  

 

He didn’t want to stop, but he was using his upper body to hold his weight above her, and it was failing fast.  

 

“Crash.” he groaned into her mouth.

 

“Yes.” she thrusted her tongue deeper.

 

“Gotta move.”  

 

Breaking away, he dragged her bottom lip along with him until their contact was no more. Which for her was already too long to be apart. Looking for the quickest and easiest place for this to happen, she pushed him away and rolled to her knees. Sex these days was becoming challenging. They were usually in a bed full of pillows to help them out, but here on the floor, the only place remotely workable would be the chair. Raising to her feet, she braced her knees at the cushion's edge and bent forward.

 

“Fuck me.”  

 

“Ari, you sure about this?" 

 

He was so hard he could hammer nails and didn’t want to hurt her. But the way she looked bent over that chair; glowing body, ass high in the air, and her wanton eyes looking back at him. He needed a moment to find some control.

 

“YES!”

 

Dropping his sweats around his ankles, he gripped her hips gingerly and trailed kisses up her back and down again. Her frustrated sigh didn’t go unnoticed as he scraped his teeth over her tattoo at the small of her back. 

 

“Crash, I don’t want to hurt you.” He whispered over the cleft of her ass.

 

“Please. Jon.” She moaned as he lapped at her skin.   

 

Sliding his length between her folds, her walls immediately pulled him in, sending waves of pleasure through him and with every inch that went deeper, tight, hot wetness hugged his now aching cock.

 

“More.” she whispered huskily.

 

Digging his fingers into her hips, he agonizingly pulled back, pausing for only a second to ask if she was ready, but she was already pushing back, slowly meeting his throbbing need. Breathless groans matched the staccato rhythm of their thrusting hips, propelling each of them closer to the end. 

 

“So close.” Ari groaned loudly underneath him.

 

Leaning into her again, Jon reached around to cup her mound, but she reached for his hand and moved it to mold to her swollen breast. The heavy globes had increased in size and barely fit in his hands. Kneading the weighted globe, his thumb and forefinger circled the permanently pebbled peak, arousing them even further. Small droplets of milk dampened her shirt and his fingertips as the sweet sounds of her pleasure sent him moaning right alongside her, riding out their bliss together. 

 

Sagging from the exertion, Ari half slid, half sunk back down onto the chair. Slightly sprawled, she let her gaze slowly trace up Jon's frame, finally settling on his now smirking face. 

 

"What're you smirking at?"

 

Bringing his fingers to his lips, he delicately licked the liquid, one wet digit at a time. “Mm. Tasty. Like warm milk with a hint of honey.” 

 

Realizing what he just did, she looked down at her shirt. Two wet marks encompassed her nipples. She’d had some discharge recently, but nothing quite like this. She had read that stimulation could bring it on.  

 

“I can’t believe you did that.” Standing. she wiped the corner of his mouth with her thumb and padded off to the bathroom. 

 

“Where are you going? I want more?” He called after her.

 

“Shower.”

 

Tugging his shirt over his head, he kicked his sweats free and trotted after her.