"I was a Rock Stars Secret"
written by:
curious2c

I Was a Rock Star's Secret

Her voice still cuts through to my soul to this very day. Now that she's a singer with a string of top ten hits following her I can only wish her the very best. Remembering her kisses and the way she to moves her body when she's working her magic are a part of me.

It all started way back when of course, that's how most stories go and this one is no different. I had been hired out of college and was finding my place in the world. We met at a casino when I was out one night enjoying the town.

Having moved to Las Vegas from bo-hunk Montana to work had been a challenge for me. I was used to a very slow pace; even college hadn't prepped me for the pace I was to find here. Traffic going fifty miles an hour or more, all the accidents, the road reports, and all that comes with big city living. I was adapting, but it was taking time.

I found that by going to a casino every once in a while and just kicking back listening to the house band flavor of the month would fill a bit of time that I couldn't seem to fill any other way. I didn't gamble well, much that is. I did however love to sit at a slot machine near the bars where the live bands played.

Music from a live band always, well almost always, would soothe my soul. There's something about live music that drives right to the heart of me. Needless to say, most Fridays or Saturdays would find me sitting at a quarter slot machine slowly playing off twenty dollars one quarter at a time as I listened to whatever music was being played.

This night happened to be a Friday, and I was early by quite a bit. I had gotten off work before the usual time, traffic had been smooth especially for a Friday, and I had managed to get ready about three hours earlier than usual.

Normally I would have found something to while away the time at home, but this night, for whatever reason, I felt a need to ‘get there now' so I left. I ate at the casino's buffet, and then strolled down to the main floor. Early as it was I decided that tonight I would gamble a bit heavier than normal. What the heck, I had nothing else to spend the money on, so what?

I'd never played at the tables and I'd rarely play the poker machines, so since I was in such a mood I got my cash then went directly to a Roulette table.

"Hi. How's this game work?"

"You've never played Roulette before?"

"Nope."

Pointing to a table not too far away, the dealer smiled and offered his advice.

"That table right over there is for people who want to learn about Roulette. If you go there that dealer will walk you through the rules, the odds, and the proper etiquette. I know we're slow right now and I'd be willing to teach you, but the management wants people new to the game to learn it over there."

"Okay, thanks."

I was confident, but wary. I had watched the table games in action. The nights when things were going well for some I always saw others where things hadn't gone well at all. While I knew that I'd never get rich gambling I did want to learn more about it. I was just out to have fun after all.

Arriving at the learner's table the petite Asian woman smiled and introduced me to ‘Roulette'. Her tutelage was well received by me and in about an hour I was ahead sixty dollars. Feeling brave and seeing the casino was beginning to fill up; I moved out and went to a ‘real' table. I had a couple of hundred dollars in chips and a new found game to play.

I had about an hour and a half before I'd head to my favorite slot machine to listen to the flavor of the month. I was also feeling good. Way too good. I sat at the table and placed bets here and there across the numbers. Right off the bat the dealer had to remind me that I was at a ten-dollar minimum bet table...so I doubled up on my dollar bets on those six squares.

Still slightly embarrassed, I didn't realize I had hit on the 27 and the line bet too. Suddenly I was almost hundred dollars ahead. That set the tone for the next hour for me too. It seemed I couldn't lose. When I heard the band coming on stage I knew it was time for me to get to my machine before it was in play.

I cashed in my chips and found that I was slightly over two thousand dollars ahead. I hadn't been certain on how much I was ahead until I cashed in. I was surprised at my good fortune to say the least. I wasn't rich, but I had lots of money to play with now.

I got my machine and put in a couple of twenties, feeling luckier than hell, and probably I was. I was going to find out in few minutes that my luck was on a streak. I was still standing by the machine, and it was on the end of the aisle that led to the bar where the band stage was set up. I was moving the chair into a spot that I liked when I bumped into someone behind me.

"Oh I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention."

I turned to see who I had stepped into, ashamed of not paying more attention. What I my eyes found was a woman with blonde hair and quite a figure.

"That's all right. I was going too fast anyway."

"Are you all right? I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No, no ... I'm fine. So are you here to play? Wait a second, you're here quite often. I've seen you right at this machine."

"Yeah. I like sitting here so I can see and hear the band. Passes my time well enough and I can hear some great music at times too. You've got the better of me though. I can't recall having seen you. I will say you do look familiar though."

She seemed to ignore my last statement, her question already in the air as I quit talking.

"You listen to the band here?"

"Yeah. I really love the band that's playing here lately."

"So, you're a groupie then?"

"Groupie? No. I just like to hear the house band, well when there's a great band that is. Some nights, heh well some bands could use some practice at times. Know what I mean?"

"Hopefully we're practiced up enough for you tonight then."

"Practiced up? Oh, wait ... now I know you ... I mean ... I know who you are ... I mean ... you're the singer in the band."

Boy was I suddenly a smooth talker? I was embarrassed because I hadn't recognized her at all.

"I'm one of them. There's two of us gals, and then the three guys too."

"Oh wow. I'm so embarrassed. I didn't recognize you. You're usually in the jeans with the vest thingy, sunglasses and ..."

"Stage costume. Hey if you get bored out here later on, come on into the bar and I'll have a special seat saved just for you. I know some people that know some people."

Her wink and smile caused me to laugh. It also served to relieve my embarrassment at the same time. Up close she was far prettier than I had imagined. I suppose the distance I was away plus the costume and make-up she wore while singing caused me to not recognize her at first up close.

As she walked away, she stopped and looked over her shoulder at me. There was something in the sparkle in her eyes that had me at that moment. Turning, she slipped back beside me.

"You looked like you wanted to say something more."

"Well, I was thinking of how beautiful you are up close. I've never seen you. I mean like this up close and all ... out of ... um ... uniform?"

Her laugh was throaty and soothing at the same time.

"Oh baby, you're a man after my heart."

"Well, you are beautiful."

"Keep that up and you'll have a hard time getting rid of me."

"I can't imagine wanting to get rid of you. You have talent, you're beautiful, I know, I said that already, but the truth is...you are."

"Okay, now you HAVE to come into the bar."

"I just put forty into this machine ..."

Looking at me she smiled and pushed the ‘cash out' button, spewing out a ticket for forty dollars.

"Not any more."

"Lead the way Miss."

"Rhea. Short for Rhiannon, my mom was into Goddesses."

"Well, the name fits, you are a Goddess."

I followed her into the bar area and she led me right to a small table just off the edge of the stage. There were two chairs there, and the bartender was eyeing us as she sat me down in one of the chairs.

"Hey Chuck, this gentleman, I'm sorry, what is your name?"

"Don."

"Chuck, Don will be sitting here and he is my special guest. Take care of him for me okay sweetie?"

"Sure will Rhea. All ready for the show tonight?"

"Yeah. We're doing some of our own stuff tonight too."

"Good, that means the agents over there will hear what you guys can do."

"Agents?"

"That table over there, by the wall. They said that they heard about you guys and wanted to hear what you got. I've got a feeling Rhea, this could be it for you guys."

"Oh wow! Do the others know yet?"

"Yeah. They've been wondering where you've been. Better get on back there so they quit worrying."

Turning to me Rhea bent down and splashed a kiss on my cheek.

"Stick around baby. I'll talk to you later, about break time okay?"

"I'll be right here."

As she walked away I realized for the first time that every man in the place was watching her like, well, closely. She had ‘it', that was certain. I was a bit uncomfortable, she had excited me deeply. I wanted to know her far better, but I was a bit put off with the rush that seemed to surround her. She had hit me like a proverbial hurricane and my mind hadn't quite grasped that she was or could be interested in me.

A shadow fell across my table; one bright light was blocked with the silhouette of a man.

"You know her?"

"Who are you talking about?"

"The singer, Rhiannon. Do you know her?"

"We just met a while ago."

"She seems to think a lot of you."

"What makes you say that?"

"You're at the reserved table, that speaks volumes."

"Yeah? Well she's a nice person."

"Look, my partner and I are here to hear the band. We're agents."

Spoken like I should have a clue, or maybe be impressed, I wasn't sure and frankly I didn't care.

"Well, I'm sure this band will impress you. They're pretty damn good."

"That's what we've heard."

He stood there, probably waiting for me to invite him to sit with me, which I wasn't going to do.

"So what is it you want with me then?"

"Wondered if you'd trade seats with us?"

"I like it right here, sorry. Besides, Rhea asked me to stay right here anyway. I suppose you and your associate could join me ..."

"NO. That won't work. We'll just sit where we are. Enjoy the show."

"Oh, I know I will."

As he left I felt like the king of the world. Sort of. I was still trying to get my head around what had happened to me so far tonight, the winnings, the meeting, and now sitting here in the special seating area. It was my lucky night.

The show started and right away I discovered that I was going to be the center of attention. Rhea and her partner Leah both played to me, singing, pointing, blowing kisses, and paying as much attention to me as they could while on a stage doing what they did best.

I could see that I was getting attentions that other men in the bar would kill to get and yes, I felt great about it all. Some of the women looked at me like there was more in me than perhaps there really was. Nothing like having two beautiful women on a stage singing, making eyes with you to change other's perspectives and perceptions of you.

The bartender Chuck, took care of my drinks and time to time he'd drop a word about Rhea. Nothing too deep, just comments. I knew that Chuck thought a lot of Rhea, that was obvious.

"You know she's had a tough life." Followed on the next drink delivery with; "She loves to sing on the stage." And then; "She is a great person to get to know too."

He should have known that he didn't have to sell me on her at that point. I had already been sold. After all, I was still sitting here wasn't I?

As the night went on I learned that Rhea and her band were trying to bust out and become more than a house band, and tonight would be a tell tale event. I was slightly uncomfortable when I learned that, as I hadn't been very good with the one agent, and I hoped that my refusal to move or trade seats with them wouldn't interfere in Rhea's band making a cut of some kind.

First break came soon and as the band walked backstage to do whatever bands do on breaks, Rhea jumped down off the stage and came over to sit with me. As she sat, there were suddenly all sorts of drinks being delivered to our table.

Guys stopped by trying to get next to her, and one even suggested that she come dump the loser and sit with him at a table on the other side of the bar. I was thinking that most of the guys were just hot and bothered to get next to this beautiful creature. That guy though, I was sure his rudeness had been an intentional rub aimed at me. Rhea blew them all off though, insisting that she was with me.

My hands were resting on the table and I hadn't been conscious of that fact. Not until her hands were on mine and she was leaning in looking into my eyes. I felt totally comfortable suddenly, knowing that she was paying this attention to me because she wanted to.

"So ... what do you think so far Don?"

"Well you guys are on tonight, that's for sure. I'm wondering what the agents are thinking of the attentions you ladies are paying me though."

"You don't like?"

"No, I can't lie, I love it. It's great. Just a bit ... intense maybe."

"Intense is what I am baby. I see what I want and I grab it."

I felt a thrill course through my body.

"Are you saying that you wanted to grab me?"

"Oh baby, you're here so you've already done been grabbed."

"Heh, feels nice. Actually, it feels great. Knowing that you're so nice and all ..."

Rhea leaned in and looked deeply into my eyes, her whole body language was as if she was letting me in on a secret.

"I have ulterior motives sweetie. You're the kind of guy I've been looking for."

"Oh yeah? When you break out tomorrow and become a star do you think you'll still be looking for me? You'll have your choice of men to pick from then."

I saw her smile catch, and there was a look in her eyes that warned me I had said the wrong thing.

"Oh. Why are you selling yourself so short?"

Her seriousness, as sudden as it was, caught me off guard.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by that. I don't think I'm selling myself short...I do think that those agents over there will be moving on you and your band though. You are that good. Once you become famous, you won't want to hang with some guy like me, that's all."

"Baby, when I've picked a man, there are no others. I've got to go, time to play again, but please stick around?"

"Couldn't chase me away with a stick."

The next two breaks were spent with us talking. I learned that Rhea had grown up in a tough neighborhood in a large city. She had also had a less than favorable home life too. There was more to be said on that, I could tell, but I let her tell me what she was comfortable with telling.

The last break Rhea took me backstage in a round about way. I had never been backstage before and even though they were on a break, it was busy as hell back there. People running here and there, and the curtains hanging like a huge fence, dividing the reality here from that make believe front that was the stage.

"What's up with this mike? Do we have another one handy?"

"Yeah ... here, unhook that one and plug in this one we'll do a short test."

"Where's that tuner at? Damn why can't things stay where I leave them anyway?"

"Man, my throat is dry where's the water?"

All at once that startling pace was overwhelming, yet Rhea was here and there helping out. I stood there watching, taking in everything. It was exciting, interesting and almost crazy. Suddenly one of the agents stepped in.

"Where‘s Rhiannon at?"

"I'm here. What do you want?"

"Here's our business card. Call me Monday. We'll want you and your band to come in. We like what we've heard here tonight and we want to do business with you."

"It's not ‘my' band, we're a group. But we will call Monday morning say about ten?"

"Yeah. Ten will work out."

After he left, the lead guitarist watched through the curtains.

"They've left. ALL RIGHT!!! This it is man! We are on the WAY!"

"Hey, calm down Gary." Leah was quick to try to calm him down. "We still have one set to do and besides, just because they want to talk doesn't mean that we have a contract, or anything at all. They want to talk. That's all we know right now."

Rhea was smiling, as her partner in singing tried to calm Gary down. Leah was cool on the surface, yet I could tell she was excited too. They all were, and the excitement was contagious. I was feeling it, and I think the bar crowd out front knew something was up too. It was in the air.

I was kind of drifting in thought about it all, my eyes almost shut, when suddenly a pair of lips touched mine. I opened my eyes to see Rhea lip locking me tightly. Her tongue was tapping on my lips, so I opened them, allowing her access. Our kiss became heated second by second and suddenly, just when I was getting brave she was gone.

"Wait right here, this set will be shorter and I'll catch up with you in a few, okay?"

"Sure, I'll be right over there."

I pointed to a chair next to the sound man's set up.

"How about you wait right here. By the curtain?"

‘That's kind of close to the curtain and stage isn't it?"

"I want you there, close as can be."

Leah was standing there not saying a word, but her smile was encouraging. She pushed Rhea a bit getting her to move onstage.

"Lets go wow ‘em baby. Lover boy will be here when we get back."

Rhea bent in brushing her lips on mine a trace of tongue there, then gone. I stood back a bit as the rest of the band trouped by, all smiling and laughing. I heard the girls talking to the crowd as the guys got ready to play.

"We've got a date tomorrow people! AGENTS."

The crowd was yelling and shouting, whooping it up for their band.

"Maybe if things go well, the next time you see us we'll be on a label!"

More yelling and hooting from the crowd, as an electric guitar started hammering out a Van Halen tune with a driving beat. The whole place seemed to come undone, and I could actually feel the stage vibrate as each song lead the fervor higher and higher. Then the last song came on, and as the band played in a more subdued way, Rhea introduced each member, one at a time.

"Everybody listen up! Tonight the percussion that accents the music is coming from James Duce. Jimmy - the - Deuce!"

His drum rolls and cymbal crashing was smooth and accented the song perfectly.

"And on bass playing like a mad man from the depths of hell. Tom ‘the prong' - for you ladies out there he's available, Tom - the - prong - Smith!"

He hit a driving bass riff that drove the song up a level. There were some women in the crowd hollering at him, making lewd gestures. One actually palmed her breasts and shook them at him. As the crowd waited for the next person to be introduced, Rhea glanced backstage into my eyes, smiling at me. She winked and then turned back to the crowd.

"ON LEEEEAD Guitar! Gary - the - pick - Jones. Drive it baby ..."

His riffs got louder and harder his fingers moving like greased lightening as he drove the crowd up more. Then Jimmy on the drums increased his part as Tom brought in the bass combining in a heated exchange to the song's normal play.

"And people, get it up and give it off for my partner in crime, Leah -Sweet - Pea - Graham."

Leah had the tambourine in hand and shaking it into her mike. Shaking her head at Rhea's intro's she laughed. Leah suddenly grabbed her mike stand and took over Rhea's introductions to insert her own.

"And people now! AND PEOPLE NOOOWWW! Give it up for Rhiannon - Goddess - of - Love - Johnson. She's been great tonight hasn't she?"

The crowd was going wild. I loved it, knowing that this band deserved the attention tonight of all nights.

Rhea had the stage back and looking at Leah she began talking. I was totally shocked when I suddenly heard my name coming out of the speakers next to me.

"Ladies and Gents! Tonight I want to introduce a very special man in my life to you all, be nice now he's not from around here. Don - Juan - Goddess of Love's main squeeze, get on out here!"

I was stumbling back trying to get out of the spot light that suddenly hit me when a hand pushed me forward. I began to walk out trying to making sure I didn't trip on wiring or gear, not really sure what the hell was going on.

As I stepped up next to Rhea Leah put her arm around me and then Rhea hugged me close too. I was too much in shock to come up with anything to do or say so I stood there smiling stupidly standing between them as Rhea kissed my cheek. I heard women in the audience screaming and some guys booing but all I could do was smile. I had no idea of what the hell had just happened or why.

Then we were off stage. Rhea had gone on past me and was way ahead of us all. I was still trying to figure out what exactly had happened when I overheard Gary.

"What the hell? Who is this Don guy anyway?"

"Rhea's man of the year."

"Well I sure didn't expect him to get billing with us."

"Hey chill out man. Rhea is in a mood. Besides, he won't be around long anyway. Chill ... just chill."

I knew Rhea was excited and up until that moment, I had been. The harsh words kind of stung but still, I was an unknown person in their eyes. I let the comments slide off and just enjoyed their excitement. Since Rhea hadn't overheard the conversation I decided to not say anything about it. Water under the bridge as far as I was concerned.

Later walking out of the casino, Rhea took my hand. Her eyes bored into mine and I could tell she had something bothering her.

"I hope I'm not moving too fast for you. You seem to be a good person and I want to get closer to you, if you don't mind."

"Well, this has all been rather sudden. I know that when we bumped into each other a woman or a relationship wasn't on my mind. But now you have me curious ... to say the least."

We walked to the garage and while waiting for the elevator, she stepped in close. Her lips were just a scant few inches from mine and before I could stop myself I leaned in and kissed her. She responded by pressing against me and hugging me. My pulse was rapidly rising as the kiss became steamy. The elevator doors opened disgorging the people inside forcing us to quit.

As the people walked by two women sniffed as if they were shocked and appalled at our display. The men however were sneaking glances at my companion. One man openly stared at Rhea and just as they rounded the corner heading for the walkway into the casino he smiled and nodded his head while giving me a ‘thumbs up'.

In the elevator we were alone and by the time it got to the sixth floor of the parking garage, we were once again in a hot and steamy kiss. Things were moving fast, faster than I had ever experienced.

"My rig or yours?"

"What are you driving?"

"Pickup."

"Your rig will do just fine."

We walked to my rig and as I opened the door for her she kissed me again. We stood there for about an hour ... okay ... maybe it was just a few seconds ... but it sure seemed like an hour, necking. Both of us were breathing hard by the time that kiss was finished.

"So what do you want to do Rhea?"

"I want to go to your place. That's all right isn't it? I mean we did just meet and all and I don't want to give you the wrong impression but there is something about you, it's driving me crazy."

I will admit I was a bit shocked. I mean, we had just met only a few hours ago. Here we were, talking about whose place we were going to. I wanted her let there be no mistaking that. It was just all happening so fast.

"My place it is." I deadpanned; "I hope that I cleaned up all the dirty underwear lying around now."

The look she gave me was priceless. I could see her picturing my living room furniture covered in dirty underwear and socks. I knew that my apartment was clean and I was enjoying this.

"You're kidding, right?"

"I cannot tell a lie. Yes. I am kidding."

"I'll bet you keep a very clean house."

"Maybe, I guess you'll just have to see for yourself."

At my place she walked in and seemed to fall in love with it. It was small, cramped and of course, an apartment, where your neighbors knew as much if not more about you than you did. I got us some drinks and we sat on my couch. I moved to sit on one end, and she was toward the middle...but once I got settled in, she moved in close to me. Very close as a matter of fact.

I had one arm on the back of the couch, so when she moved in so close to me, it was a natural move to put my arm around her shoulders. She turned to look at me, and the next thing I knew we were kissing again. This time the gloves were off. We were hot and heavy nothing barred, or so it seemed.

We broke for some air and she laughed a bit nervously. I was as nervous since right at that second, I wanted nothing more than to strip her naked and take here right there on the couch. I wasn't sure just how far we were going to go so I kept it cool, hard as that was for me to do at the time. I didn't want to screw things up by being too aggressive.

"Do you have a shower I could use? I mean the way things are going right now I'd like to shower off the sweat from the show tonight make myself fresh for you."

Obviously I hadn't been quite aggressive enough.

"Yeah. I mean I do have a shower. Here I'll show you."

Taking her hand I led her towards the bedroom. The bathroom door was standing open and I was glad that I had been keeping that room and bath clean and ready. I handed her a towel and showed her where the shampoo and soap were.

As I turned to go out she took my hand.

"I might get scared in here by myself. Could you stay and protect me?"

I knew where this was leading and even though I was still a bit surprised at the speed things were moving, I just let go and went with the flow. I was comfortable with her and for the first time in my life, it felt ‘right' to me too.

"You'd be safe in here alone but if you want I could wash your back for you. You know ... I wash your back you ..."

"Wash yours?"

Her just voicing those words caused a shiver to shoot through my body.

"Yeah ... something like that."

"I have some other things that you could wash too you know."

My voice was rough with desire as I answered her on this one. I knew ... I really knew.

"Yeah. I know. I'll wash you all over. I'll even kiss each part I wash as I wash it too, if you'd like."

"Mmmm that sounds great. I like ... I like a lot."

She turned to face me, and began to undo the buttons on my shirt. Soon enough we were naked in the shower washing, kissing, and caressing each other's body. She had a very good body too. I mean it. Her body is what I could consider the ideal body, at least for me.

I was lathering up her back as she faced away from me when I felt her hands on my cock. I was already hard as steel but when her soft hands grasped my shaft it began to throb and actually hurt. I don't recall ever being so hard ever before in my life. Her hands behind her back as they were gave me the freedom to place my hands in a more pleasurable spot ... or rather, spots.

As she caressed me I moved my hands around to her breasts. The slippery soap enhanced everything we did and I was about to shoot off in her hands as my fingers found her hard nipples. Pulling her close to me I leaned around and kissed her on the cheek. She turned her head and locked lips with me. Bathing had been forgotten for the moment.

Turning around to face me she kept one hand on my shaft always. Our wet soapy bodies were touching as our kiss flamed more passions deep inside each of us. Rhea put one foot up on the tub causing her legs to spread open and then taking my shaft firmly, she began to rub the head of my cock up and down her wet juicy slit.

I hadn't been with a woman in so long and the way things had rushed tonight, I was about to blow. I'm not sure but I think she knew that as she played with me. Just as I was about to let go she loosened her grip and changed tactics.

"Hold me steady lover boy."

"We really should be practicing safe sex don't you think?"

"You have something?"

"Well, no ... but there's other things to worry about too ... like babies ..."

"Pill, clean, hot and horny ... lets fuck now ... okay? I promise you I've never been this aggressive with a man before in my life ... honest. I have to ... just HAVE to have you. Please?"

I held her hips as she got one foot on each side of the tub, raising her body up to the point where her hard nipples were in my face. I did what came naturally for a guy, I began to lick and suck on them. Her very nice breasts were soft while the nipples were rock hard. I had one between my lips as my fingers played with the other one.

Rhea's body shook as she hugged me tightly to her chest. She loved my attack and the way I played with her nipples. Slowly she began to squat down in front of me until her nipple popped out of my mouth. I moaned in frustration, until I realized that she was squatting for a reason.

Her hand guided my shaft to her soft wet slit and slowly she lowered her body down until the head of my raging hard cock split her lips open and drove into her. She kept going down until I was fully inside her tightness. It was all I could do to not explode inside her hot, wet, and very snug pussy. She was moaning as she humped her hips against mine. Her hands were on my butt pulling me into her hard as her mouth opened on my neck.

"Oh God ... you feel so hard, so long, oh so perfect inside me. Fuck me ... take me. Please ... fuck me."

Hearing her and feeling her tight pussy surrounding my shaft as it was, I could only hump up at her and try to keep my balance as precarious as it was. She began to kiss and lick me and then as she got around my neck, it changed a bit. Light little bites became the thing. What a thing it was too.

Her teeth on my skin caused feeling to emerge from deep within me. With an animalistic growl I began to hump back at her hard and fast. I was too close to cumming to stop at that point but I did make an attempt to warn her before I blew. That warning was shoved to one side as she humped right back at me.

I imagine the sounds we made must have been like two mating tigers or other very wild animals. I know that I was almost shouting near the end as was Rhea. We both came together our orgasms almost causing us to slip and fall in the tub. Only her one foot being next to the wall stopped us from going over.

I was holding her by her ass cheeks all that time supporting her weight totally. We stayed in the tub like we were, her squatting and me standing until we could breathe. Carefully we disengaged from each other and as I watched Rhea stepped back from me and opened her arms wide.

"Come here lover. Hold me. God, that was fantastic! The water's still warm lets finish up and go try out your bed next."

Rhea was back in rush mode it seemed and at that point I was too. I wanted nothing more than to lay her on my bed and explore her fully. I was sure she wanted to explore me more too. Drying off she did indeed rub my back and I hers. Hand in hand we walked to the bed towels left behind on the floor of the bath room.

Rhea laid back on the bed and I slipped up alongside her. We kissed and then began caressing each other. We weren't talking at all just looking into each other's eyes and caressing. As I gazed into her eyes I realized that there was a lot more woman behind those big blues. I actually began to think that, perhaps, this was a woman I could live with.

That thought as sudden as it came, almost stopped me. Rhea noticed it too.

"What?"

"Oh nothing."

"That wasn't an ‘oh nothing' look sweetie. That was an ‘oh shit' look. What's up?"

"Things just happened so fast tonight. I mean ... we've never met before tonight and to be here, now ... with all that we just did ..."

Placing two fingers on my lips she shushed me. Her eyes bored holes into mine for an instant.

"You need to know that this is the first time I've ever done this."

"What? You were a virgin?"

"No silly. This is the first time I've ever met a man and gone to bed with him like this. I mean I've been with other men, not many, but a few. I've never met a guy like you. I know we just met tonight and to end up in bed that same night, there's something special about you, it's your presence, maybe your aura, whatever it is I had to be with you and I'm certain it's right too."

"Oh."

"How do you feel about it all?"

"Lets see, you're a beautiful, semi-famous, rock star, or at least about to be a famous rock star and you're naked in bed with me after having fucked me in my shower. Let's just say that I'm overwhelmed just a bit right now. I also know that somewhere in the middle of all this craziness tonight that I think that there was something right about it all too."

"Then why the ‘oh shit' look?"

"I'm not used to sharing my life with anyone. I just moved here a short time ago. I've not even been dating since moving here, and suddenly here we are and I had a thought that scared me."

"Oh? What thought was that?"

"Something along the lines of a relationship kind of thing. I mean we just met tonight and all ... and I don't know you, really and..."

Her fingers shut me up again. This time she kept them on my lips as she moved to straddle me. I could feel the heat from her hot pussy surrounding my cock as she lowered down onto me, not putting me in, just laying on top sandwiching my hardness between us.

She bent down and removing her fingers, pressed her lips onto mine tightly. Her tongue was slipping between my lips and I opened up giving her freedom to do whatever she wanted. Our kiss was far more tender than those before but at the same time it still had a bit of a rushed feeling.

Breaking away suddenly she looked into my eyes.

"You are a handsome and desirable man. I wanted you tonight and I knew it was a good thing too. If we become an item then that'll be great. I'd love nothing more than to come home to you every night, but ..."

"But the band comes first ... right?"

"Well, yes. We've all worked so hard to get to this point and we're almost there now. I can't mess up things for the others. They've been like family to me for too long."

"Logic over love?"

"Whoa, who said anything about love?"

"Well I thought with everything that happened and how it happened..."

"You think you love me? Or is it lust?"

"That's just it. It all happened too fast. I don't know, lust yeah. Love ... maybe. Can someone fall in love this fast? I mean, oh damn."

"Well Don how about we work on the lust thing for tonight, or what's left of it anyway. Maybe in the cold light of day tomorrow things will be clearer for both of us."

"Both of us?"

"Yeah, I may have had similar thoughts too. It's kind of scary. Know what I mean?"

Her hips had started to move, and I could feel the slippery wetness pressing on my cock. I was hard and the lust came up to the forefront of my thoughts.

"Scary, yeah. Right now I'm horny. I want you."

Saying that as I rolled her over so I could be on top, caught her off guard. Her nervous laugh filled the air as I moved between her legs and began to kiss and lick my way down her delicious body. My nose detected her need before I ever got to that part of her. By the time I did get there all I wanted to do was lick and kiss her pussy until she came on my tongue.

I could tell I was doing the right things when I heard her moans and cries grow. I moved here and there, my tongue working, lips sucking, and fingers exploring. I was getting into the giving of oral pleasures like this and enjoyed knowing what I was doing for her.

My tongue slid between her soft wet lips, delving into her overheated center. Her taste was slightly sweet yet salty. As my tongue parted lips exposing her tender clit, my lips would surround that little bud and I'd suck carefully on it.

"Oh God...OH GOD...I'm there...I'm so close...Please...Don...Please...OH GOD!...Unh...uh..."

Her whole body was shaking. My head had been pressed into her pussy by her hands. She was cumming hard from my efforts. I had slipped a finger into her tight little asshole while tonguing her deep as I could. The combination must have pushed her over the edge hard.

I was breathing through my nose and that was hard to do at times. She was holding me so tight to her pussy that my mouth was crushed against her body. Rhea's orgasm lasted for a long time. I'm not sure how long but I was beginning to get worried about breathing by the time she finally released me.

I looked into her sleepy looking eyes as her fingers played in my hair.

"Wow."

"Yeah ... wow."

"How'd you get so good at that?"

"I had a sister."

The look she gave me was absolutely priceless. I hadn't meant I'd been with my sister this way ... just that I‘d been there when she'd talk to her friends about this or that sexual encounter. I had been ignored so long by her that I guess she never even thought about the things she talked about to her friends in front of me.

Rhea was staring at me like I was a pervert and I knew I had to tell her the whole story, so I did.

"That didn't come out right. I mean I have a sister, she used to talk to her friends while I was there in the same room with them. My sister usually ignored me, so I guess she never thought about what she was saying in front of me. Her friends were the same way too, so over time I learned what women desire, sort of."

"Oh my God! I thought ..."

"Yeah, I could see that look in your eyes. No, my sister and I never did anything. Nothing at all."

"I'm sorry."

"Not an issue. Really. I mean, I could have explained a bit instead of just blurting that out like I did."

"The first thing I thought was ewwwww. Then I thought, kinky bastard. Now I'm glad your sister ignored you. Really. You are good at oral, very good."

‘Heh, thank you."

"Guess it's my turn. Uh, just for your information I don't have any brothers ... sisters either. I was an only child."

"Does that mean I'll have to teach you some things then?"

"I doubt it, but I'll show you what I know, and do. Afterward you feel free to critique me, okay?"

"I'm sure you'll be getting ‘A's' from me Rhea."

"I'll bet you say that to all the girls."

"What? Call them Rhea? Nope."

"Smart ass. You know what I meant."

"Yeah, I, uh, ohhh, wow ... oh ... uh ..."

Her lips had found my hard shaft and as I was trying to answer she began to show me what she knew about oral. I was impressed to say the least.

Lying on my back as I was, Rhea moved down until her head was even with my cock. It was lying there throbbing in the cool air. Her lips had surrounded it not taking me inside her mouth, but covering the part of my shaft that was in open air.

With her lips at the base of me and the head of my cock still in the cool air of the room I was treated to a feeling of hot/cold like I had never had before. She moved her head up and down my shaft her lips sliding along the ridge of my cock. When she'd get to the head, all purple and aching she'd just stop for a second then slide her lips back to the base.

As she did this my balls became sensitive to an extreme too. With one hand around my cock just beneath the head and her lips on my shaft below she began to lick me around my balls. Soon enough I felt her lips sucking on first one ball then the other. Her tongue moved down farther and played around the edges of my ass. I was on fire. The sensations she was causing were intense.

Suddenly she moved away still keeping my cock in her one hand though. The wetness her tongue had left around my balls and ass was chill in the room's open air. Just as suddenly she left my balls and anal regions her lips were on the head of my cock.

Her hand moved away playing with my balls as her lips held my shaft straight up. I opened my eyes to look at her when I realized that she wasn't doing anything else with my cock. Looking down I found her eyes on mine ... a mischievous gleam in them.

Watching her looking at me, I felt my cock throb several times hard. Then as I kept my eyes on hers she began to take me into her mouth and down her throat. If I began to look away, she'd pull off until only the head of my cock was in between her lips.

I finally got the idea. I kept my eyes on hers and she really began to work on my cock. The effect of eye contact was more than I could have given credit for. I was about to cum in just a few minutes of it. She knew by my eyes as well as by the throbbing of my cock in her mouth.

She'd back off when I got too close and start licking around my balls or on my shaft. Then when I calmed down she'd take be back in her mouth and suck me deep. I had never had a woman suck on my cock like this before. When she got to the point of taking all of my cock into her throat, feeling her lips on my pubic bone, it was all I could do to not shoot off.

Rhea kept teasing me this way until I was about begging her to let me go. She smiled into my eyes as she finally came to some kind of decision in her mind. She took me fully down her throat and I was working hard to be calm and not shoot off into her. She had other ideas though, and the pressure of her finger entering my asshole was more than I could take.

Massaging my asshole with her finger with my cock fully down her throat was what did it. I began to shoot off before I could warn her but looking down into her eyes I knew that she knew it too. She kept me in her mouth backing off until just my cock head was between her lips.

Her finger kept massaging me as I shot off load after load. I know it wasn't much in quantity but the feeling was hanging in there for a long time. I just had the best orgasm ever. What's more, I never wanted it to stop either.

"Mmmmm. Sweet. You taste sweet. I'll bet you eat a lot of fruit don't you?"

"Uh ... oh ... yeah. I do. Wow. That was terrific. Really."

"Yeah, I could tell you sort of like it."

"SORT OF? Damn woman I loved it. LOVED IT. I've never had a woman, not like that I mean."

"You've never had a woman suck you off like that before? Really?"

"Yeah. Really. I've never had the eye contact thing, or the deep throat, or that ass thing with the finger either. That was great."

"I should have warned you. I mean, I am an oral person. I have always loved sucking things especially a man's cock. Your cock is perfect by the way, I mean, not too big around, not too thin, not too long, not too short, and it fills me up just right. Perfect."

"Perfect?"

"Absolutely. I mean that too. Perfect."

"Well, we ought to rest a bit and then figure out what we both know beyond what we've done so far what do you think?"

"I think that's a right fine idea."

She slid up beside me and laid her head on my chest. With my arm around her soft firm body we both fell asleep. Much later I woke up to hot wetness on my cock. Opening my eyes I saw Rhea down there once again sucking my cock. Looking at the clock I realized it was morning.

"Finally, you're up. Let's go shower and then come back to bed. I have to show you some stuff."

"Okay, but you were doing fine just a second ago ..."

I didn't expect the pillow and after I got up I chased her into the bathroom. We showered together again, and afterwards we went straight to bed. This time she got on top and slipped my cock into her body in one smooth move. She rode me hard bouncing up and down on my shaft. We came close together and then she fell on top of me.

"You're the best."

"Really? You seemed to do all the work so far this morning."

"Couldn't help it. I was having dreams of you and when I realized those dreams could be real I just had to take you. You know, right?"

"Yeah, I know."

We spent the day lying around naked. It was a first for me and I loved it. I would watch Rhea every chance I got admiring her beauty. I knew for whatever reason we'd hit it off in ways most people never could. There was something between us even from that first time by the slot machine.

That night as Rhea got ready to go to the gig she looked at me weird.

"What?"

"I was just thinking. You may be right."

"I'm right? About what?"

"Love instead of lust ... you know. Maybe two people can fall in love at first sight."

"Well I know that I don't go around falling into bed with every chick I meet. Matter of fact ..."

"I don't either. You're about to say that you've never taken a girl you just met to bed, aren't you?"

"Uh ... yeah."

"Well, you're the first and only man I've ever done this with, really. I'm not a virgin not by a long shot ... but you're the first man that I ever felt this way about. You scare me."

"Is it my eyes?"

"What? You're eyes? What do you mean?"

"You said I scare you ... is it my eyes? Maybe my manly physique? That ‘dangerous' type of thing going on?"

"Oh you. You know what I mean. I can't have a relationship right now. The band and everything ... and I find that I could be falling ... that you ... oh damn."

She had tapered from normal conversational voice to almost a whimper by the time the ‘oh damn' had slipped out. Suddenly I knew. She probably felt like I did about ‘us' more than I knew. I hadn't let on too much how I was feeling, only because I wasn't ready to accept it to myself yet.

I knew the band was all important especially at this particular time in their lives. I was a new guy, an unknown. Had I been in Gary's or any of the others place I'd have been worried about Rhea and her new man too.

Obviously Rhea had never done what she'd done last night with any other man and any change would lend to that feeling of distrust. Leah's comment about me being the ‘man of the year' told me that Rhea didn't do things like this often if ever.

"Rhea, maybe we need to slow down and get to know each other a bit more first. Then there's the band. Gary and the others weren't exactly thrilled with your introducing me on stage last night ..."

"Don't worry about them, they'll get over it. I've never done that before. You're the first man I've even gone to bed with during the first time together too ... you're so different ... so ... mine. Yeah, that's it, I belong to you, you belong to me. It has to be Karma."

"I think you mean Dharma."

"What?"

"Karma, is the cause and effect. Dharma on the other hand is the cosmic harmony."

"I've never heard that before."

"Most haven't. Karma is the most misused term for what it really is or meant to be. I learned that a few years ago. I'd prefer that it was Dharma that was working for us than Karma. Really I would. Dharma isn't heard much in the west."

"So, Dharma would be good, Karma bad?"

"No. Karma is like ... a cause and effect. You do this and that happens. That happening in the world or universe has a ripple effect. Karma is that ripple ... so to speak. Good or bad Karma is the result of cause and effect. Humans have a choice, Karma is the effect of that choice. Dharma on the other hand is those choices working in harmony with the universe making things right."

"Okay."

She said it like she understood but I could see she didn't. I could spend a life time explaining it I supposed, but I wanted to give her understanding without that.

"How about this ... we met by that slot machine."

"Yeah, you backed into me."

"Right. Our meeting was the start of that "cause and effect". I bumped into you, we met, you ended up liking me and I you, we talked, you introduced me to your band, and fans, their reactions are based on that cause and effect the Karma. Today we're talking about things beyond face value and moving towards that inner part ... love. Our love of each other could possibly be the Dharma, the harmony of what should be."

"Whoa ... love?"

The look on her face was one of fear yet hope at the same time.

"I was just saying that there seems to be something there ... between us I mean. It's more than like, we're not just two strangers any more. I feel, I have feelings for you, that go beyond what I've ever felt for any woman. I know it's all happening so fast. I'm scared too ..."

"You're right. There is something more to us than just last night. I just can't ... I'm not supposed to fall in love. Not yet. The band, my career ... there's just so much riding on me right now. I can't fall for a man. I can't be falling for you. I'm sorry ... I just can't."

"I know. It may have been better that we never met. I can't say I'm sorry though. Last night will live in my memory forever."

"What about today though. I mean ... it's too late. For both of us."

"What?"

"I think I may love you, now. It's too late for me because when I say ‘I love you' it feels too right. I have always gone with those feelings I have, and I know you're that one."

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel the same way."

"Okay. What do we do then? What's next?"

"How about we just play it all by ear. We can get together as often as we choose. Until life says different."

So that's what we did. We dated for several months up until the band really took off. The first album they cut in L.A. became a hit. Three number one songs in the first four weeks. It was breaking all sorts of records and Rhea's life became someone else's. It belonged to the record company and the fans.

I could tell Rhea was torn. Badly so. On one hand the fame of the band was in a serious upward spiral. Her time available to be with me was going down. Her band mates were pushing her one way then the other all wanting to taste that ‘Rock and Roll stardom'.

On the other hand there was me. ‘Her man'. I couldn't leave my job since it was how I earned my living. I had no interest in traveling around the country or the world, living out of suitcases and motel rooms. We loved each other but our lives were going in two different directions.

The final hit came just as a concert they gave was over. I wasn't able to be there during the concert but at the last minute I was cut loose from work so I drove to where they were. I made the last song and headed back stage.

The crowd of fans, roadies, agents and others was thick and then I saw her, Rhea was kissing some guy. She broke away from him as I approached looking at me with sad almost frightened eyes, then she suddenly kissed this guy hard again. I turned and left.

As I walked past Leah, she grabbed my arm.

"Don't leave. She's never done this before, there's something going on with her. Honest. She loves you too much, it's all an act."

"Loves me too much? I know what this is Leah. She loves me ... she loves you and the band more. Have a good life Leah. I really truly hope that everything works out for all of you guys ... Rhea included."

"Don ... no ... don't leave. Rhea's just acting out. She's worried about life, the band, you, everything. She's just a bit crazy right now, it will pass. Please don't leave, not like this."

"Leah, I can't compete. Not with the thousands of fans, the band, the agents, we've seen it coming. We've talked about it even. It's time."

I drove all night to get home. Once there I didn't feel better. I felt worse. As the days went by I remembered what it was like to have loved and lost. Only now that bad feeling just didn't go away. I lived it daily. I hadn't been mad that night. Hell, I wasn't all that hurt by what I'd seen either. Not by her actions with that guy. I knew it for what it was.

It was Rhea's way of facing a truth, and letting me know that though she may love me her life was going somewhere I didn't want to go along. She'd kissed that guy like that to let me know. I saw it in her eyes. 'We' were no longer. We couldn't be. Our paths had separated. Her band and fame and fortune were now where she was headed. I was soon to be a side note.

The pain I felt was that emptiness. That full rich love I had was still there but the person I loved wasn't. Neither of us could have our cake and eat it too so we'd both just move on, hopefully finding what we sought eventually.

Life went on and I kept track of Rhea as much as I could. There wasn't a ‘stalking' thing from my part don't get me wrong, I was just an interested party. I read about her drug issues, the alcohol problems, but nowhere did I read about significant others, or men. She was a rocker on a fast path and she was self destructing for a while. Then suddenly she started to turn herself around and get straightened out.

Don't get me wrong this wasn't over a few months, it was years. We'd been together for a few months over ten years ago. I'd never found anyone else so I gave up looking. I wasn't sure about Rhea but it appeared to me that some change had occurred in her life, something that would cause someone to make this big of a change ... there must be someone else in her life then.

Those were my thoughts that afternoon. I was at work on break, reading about Rhea's latest hit song and it hit me. She may have found someone else! It shook me up. Ten years and a bit more had gone by and I found myself still loving her. She'd ruined me for any other woman. It had taken her one night to get me ... and now I had a life sentence to bear.

One of my co-workers came in. Jim was a likeable guy, and we were good work friends, but not social friends.

"You okay Don?"

"Yeah. Feeling a little blue, that's all."

"She's hot. I'd love to bone her."

He was looking at the rag mag I left on the table. Rhea's picture was all over the cover.

"She's a special person that's for sure."

"Whoa ...'special'? What's going on with you Don? She's more than special. That's Rhiannon and her band. They're the hottest thing since, well, dirt. They're bigger than water for Christ's sakes. She's more than special. I'd bet almost any man would kill to bed her ... even to get a kiss and a date would be fantastic."

"You don't know her very well."

"And I suppose you do? Hah hah hah! In your dreams Don. In your dreams."

He turned and walked out. I sat there realizing for the umpteenth time that having known someone so intimately, someone so special and famous, would always lead to this. Doubt by others that I'd actually known her closely. I'd learned to not talk about it ever. Almost.

She'd become what she'd worked hard for. Rhea and the band were still together, still knocking out hit after hit. She had what she wanted. I was always grateful for the time we'd had. What she shared with me was something that nobody could take away from me. Or from her, if she even remembered me at all, that was. I may not have been all that special to her, after all.

I had not been out in a long while. I decided that I'd go to ‘that' casino tonight and try my luck. After work I showered and then dressed. Heading out I decided to play what had been my usual amount back then even though I could afford more now.

I arrived at the casino and went to the roulette table that started my luck all those years ago. Different dealer, different feel, everything was different. I thought to myself ‘After all, it has been over ten years.'

I gambled and lost a couple of hundred dollars there, having not much luck. I walked over to that slot machine. At least it was still here, rather, one just like it. Sitting down I started to play. One quarter at a time.

I found that I was getting angry. At myself, at life, at everything. I couldn't seem to let go of her even now. Because of that I wouldn't give any other woman even half a chance. Self imposed solitary is never as neat or cool as being some guru on a mountain top may seem. There was a lot of lonely up there. A vast amount of it matter of fact.

Disgusted with myself, I ‘woke up' to find I'd blew through all forty bucks I'd put in the machine. It wasn't my night. I stood up quickly, slipping to the side of the machine. It had been a very fast move on my part. Someone slammed into me, hard. I heard her breath go out as we collided. I turned and caught her.

"Are you okay? I'm sorry ... I ..."

"I'm fine ... really I am. I was just ..."

"Rhea?"

"DON! Oh God ... it's you."

"What on earth are you doing here?"

"We're playing here tonight. As a favor to the manager of the casino. Remember Chuck? The bartender? He's the manager now. He asked if we could play here one night ... unannounced ... we made the arrangements ... here we are. How have you been? I've ... I've missed you."

"I've been good ... I guess. Still working at the same place."

Her searching eyes seemed to bore into my very soul.

"There's ... someone in your life now?"

"How about you Rhea? Whose your main man now?"

She looked away uncomfortably. I knew something was up.

"Rhea? It's all right. I understood. That night, why you kissed that ... why you did what you did. I understand ... understood. Really. You did what was best for you ..."

"It wasn't best for me. I let the best thing in my life walk out on me that night. I acted the fool. All these years ..."

"What? You did what you had to do to become what you are Rhea. If you'd have stuck with me you'd have never made it. I couldn't have put up with it ... not at all. Just the little I was exposed to your new life was enough to let me know that I'd never like it."

"I should have told you. I should have talked to you, instead I acted like ..."

"Rhea I know why you did it, I saw through you. It's okay. I accepted it. We both had talked about it a little anyway so it wasn't a shock ... well, not quite a shock anyway."

"I'm sorry Don. I never ... I mean ... I've never ... ever ... since that night."

"Never kissed a man? Really?"

"No I mean ... that night I did, it didn't mean anything at all, he was the only one since. I had the issues with the drugs and alcohol. Leah kept me alive, Gary too, but there never has been another ... man."

"Oh. Well, I tried dating for a while, didn't work out quite like I'd wanted it to though. Turns out I gave my heart to someone ... can't get it back now."

"Oh."

She looked hurt. Actually, more than a little hurt ... she'd missed my intent though. I let her swim in it for a bit.

"So, is she nice?"

"Yep. She's a beauty. Loving, caring, everything that ..."

"That I wasn't. I'm sorry, I have ... to ... go."

She turned to run...I grabbed her arm. I could see tears just barely holding in her eyes. She was upset to the point of crying after all this time?

"You're going to leave me again? How long will this go on Rhea? All our lives?"

"What?"

She turned to look at me, tears just beginning to streak her face.

"You ... you're the one I gave my heart to Rhea. Years ago. You ruined me for other women. None could stand up to fit your mold. I gave up a long time ago too. I figured you'd never come back and I couldn't give you up in my heart, so I just ... quit trying."

"What?"

"Oh man you're not going to make me repeat that are you? All that rock-n-roll made you deaf did it?"

"No ... tell me, you gave me your heart? I'm the one ... you gave your heart to and I let you sit here by the wayside ..."

"Rhea, your career was the thing you needed. The band needed you and you did good kid, you really did."

"But I never had you Don, all those years we could have been ..."

"Rhea ... I wouldn't have made it. You knew I hated all the travel, the fans, the crush of people surrounding you and that pace too."

"We could have ..."

"Woulda, coulda, shoulda ... let it go. You're rich and famous, you're a rock star ... I'm just the same old guy, a working stiff that's living day to day."

People were starting to realize that Rhiannon was there, all accessible. Talking to some lucky jerk. I could see them beginning to crowd in. A couple of security men from the casino came up and blocked them. Chuck came through the growing crowd. He looked good, a bit gray here and there, but much like I remembered him to look like.

"Hey you two ... could we take this up to my office or somewhere less ... public? You're diverting attention from my machines here."

"Hey Chuck, looks like you've moved up in the world, just a bit."

"Yeah, how's things Don? Haven't seen you around in a few ... years."

"Haven't been around. Lets get out of here before things get too crazy."

We were escorted up to a large plush office. Rhea had my arm the whole way and wouldn't let go. It was like she was glued to me. I was still in a bit of shock. First Rhea just showing up out of the blue, then Chuck still remembering me after all these years.

"You two make yourselves to home we'll be out and about. Good seeing you Rhea, Don."

With that Chuck was gone.

"Wow, Chuck really moved up in the world huh?"

"Yeah well, I may have helped with that a little bit."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, I'm a major shareholder in the casino. I'm not without a little sway for old friends."

"So ... think you could set me up with a good machine then? I seem to have lost my luck lately."

I was trying humor to ease the tension we had between us yet.

"I don't know which machine would be lucky for you or not. I don't think you've lost your luck though ... unless I've lost mine ..."

"What is it you want Rhea?"

"You."

"Me? Need someone to fill in for a bit? Something for old times sake?"

"That sounded bitter."

"Well I was stood up for rock and roll don't cha know?"

"Not in my heart Don. I've never stopped ... loving you."

"Funny thing about that, I've never seen it."

"Don't be mean, not now, not after all these years."

"I'm sorry. I'm being petty. I never expected to see you here again. I always figured that I'd love you from afar ..."

"You still love me then?"

"What's not to love Rhea? I knew you did that, with that guy just to break it off with me so you could move on to where you wanted, hell, needed to be. You knew that I'd never go for living here and there and sharing you with the whole world."

"I struggled with it you know. The drugs, the booze, I'd remember you, your eyes, you haunted me. I tried to hide from you in the booze and drugs until I figured out it wasn't working. Wrote songs about it ... about us ..."

"Those songs, that was us?"

"Yeah ... some of them."

"I couldn't lose my love for you don't you get it? All these years there was never a chance for anyone else because of you Rhea. You stole my heart and then you ran away. Left me here all alone."

"I'm sorry Don, God how I'm sorry. I thought I knew what I wanted ... I thought I made the right choice ..."

"You did Rhea. If you'd have stayed back for me, you'd have hated me eventually. You'd have grown to see me as the man who held you back. I didn't want that, you didn't want that, so I copped out too, I let you ‘win'."

"Well, we're both fuck ups then aren't we? I got what I thought I wanted and found it lacked ... you. I couldn't fill that void that you made in my heart. I tried, God knows I tried."

"There were other men then?"

"No just that one, and he didn't mean a damn thing to me. Gary and the others were all talking about where we were going, what they wanted so I felt I had a duty, an obligation to go along. I used that poor man and all he ever got from me were kisses. You couldn't accept my life, the travel, the crowds, those damned publicity people. I did take the chicken's way out, I'm sorry for that."

"But I understood you Rhea, I knew. I knew why, I knew the ‘what', it was the ‘when' that was difficult and it would have been nicer to have had a weekend to talk just you and I, but it's all in the past now. Where do we go now?"

"I'm retiring. This is my last hurrah concert tour. That's why I came here, for Chuck, because this is where it all started. Gary wants to go solo so does Jimmy. Leah found some guy and wants to just settle down out of the limelight."

"But what does Rhea want? What is it you want Rhea? You can't live without the fame and fortune can you?"

"Actually I was hoping that I'd find you again. I wanted to tell you ..."

"Rhea, for once, be honest with yourself ... what is it you really want? You can't hide from your heart. What did you want to tell me? "

"You. I want you Don. I should have never left you back then ... I should have fought to keep you with me one way or the other, now we've lost ten years. Ten years we could have been together. Ten years loving each other. I want you, please."

"Fame and fortune Rhea ... what about all of that?"

"The fortune is locked in I've managed to invest well. The fame ... I'd rather have one man to love and loving me than all the fame in the universe."

"Maybe I don't want to be rich and famous for being Mr. Rhiannon ... maybe I just want to live my life in simple terms, day to day."

I could see in her eyes that she hadn't expected that I'd say something like that. I was intentionally pushing all her buttons trying to see the woman I loved come out.

"I can't undo what's been done Don. The fame is a part of my life now. Yours too should you want to be with me. The wealth can insulate us a little bit and after a while the fame will die down too. Nobody remains on top for very long fame wise, especially if they push to be not famous. I want you Don. I want us. I'm willing to turn away from my life now and be what you want."

I looked into her eyes and saw the truth. I couldn't take it anymore. It had been too long, and too much. I opened my arms to her, smiling. Her reaction was to start crying as she jumped into my lap. Our kiss was long and hard ... we broke up for a moment, just staring into each others eyes, then we kissed all over again.

"Never again."

"Nope ... never ever again."

"You'll wear my ring?"

"With pride."

"You'll love only me?"

"Like always ... like I always have."

"You'll give up everything for me?"

There was a pause.

"Can't I bring something in to the marriage ... I mean ... money is nice ..."

"Money or me ... make the choice."

"YOU of course ... but all that money ..."

"Oh all right ... you can bring in something too. I guess money can't be evil ... only the love of it."

"You can quit your job now if you want. I can take care of us. I have some put by."

"What will I do with all that time on my hands?"

"Make up sex?"

Her eyes were on fire. I just repeated the statement.

"Make up sex?"

"Yeah, we have ten years to make up for Don ... that's a lot of sex."

"Whoa ... that is a lot of sex."

"Of course you can keep working if you want and I'll be little miss Suzy homemaker."

"YOU? Suzy homemaker? No way. I want a Goddess. A Goddess of love. We can use some of that money you're bringing in and eat out once in a while, in between the make up sex of course."

"Ohhh baby, I can't wait to start."

"No better time than the present?"

"I have one more show to do ... and my announcement to make, then can we go to your place?"

"Yep. My place it is. Of course, I don't live in that little apartment anymore."

"You don't? Where do you live now?"

"Out in Summerlin."

"Isn't that a ritzy part of Vegas?"

"Yeah, it's upscale a bit. I made a few good investments over the years too."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah ... just a few little investments here and there. I'm not wealthy, but I am comfortable. So you know you're not marrying a pauper."

"Wouldn't matter how much you had or didn't have Don ... I want you."

"Same goes for me too Rhea ... I just want you."

" Wait, did you say marry? As in get married marry? You want to marry me?"

"Yeah, I'm not ever letting you get away again. Ever."

"Oh baby ... I love you so much."

"Yeah ... I know."

She hit me. I was being a smart ass of course. We wrestled a bit then kissed. That kiss became a long hot one with hints, flat out flagrant shouts of the lust that was to follow. Only the knock on the door broke up our heated embrace.

"You two decent in there?"

It was Chuck.

"Yeah, come on in Chuck."

"Rhea needs to get ready for the show ... you have a table with your name on it. I'll be serving you tonight too Don."

"Whoa, the manager of the casino is serving me?"

"Yeah it's ‘way back' time, without the ‘way back' machine. Only this time I hope you two get it right."

We both said it together like it was rehearsed ... only it wasn't. It showed just how much we knew each other, even after the long separation.

"We will this time for sure."

"YO, you two, you're both scaring me. Stop that. Rhea ... they're waiting for you. Don, allow me to show you to your table."

Rhea's announcement that night surprised everyone except the band members. They had worked it out before so they were all in the know. Sitting in the bar I remembered how we first met, and learning about her. Seeing her up on stage, now a very famous rock star was surreal to me. That she kept eyeing me and blowing me kisses caused a stir in the crowd too.

During a break Rhea and Leah came out and sat at my table. Chuck served us as casino security kept away people. Leah kissed me on the cheek.

"Finally you two are getting together. It sure took me long enough. Rhea can be singularly stubborn at times ... dumb too."

Her eyes were lit up and she looked from Rhea to me, waiting for us to rise to the bait.

Rhea beat me.

"Yeah, and I need to thank you for setting me straight. Sorry it took so long though Sweet Pea."

Leah burst out laughing and I sat there not knowing what the secret was, although I could guess.

"So, I have you to thank for Rhea coming home to me then Leah?"

"No. That was her idea. I was always after her to find that one man and grab him. She never let go of you though Don. All this time ... who would have thought you'd still be the one man she loved?"

Her teasing caught me off guard. I had to remember that they hadn't seen or heard from me in ten years, but even then it was like yesterday all over for me.

I got up to go to the restroom. As I walked out I bumped into a guy. Jim was here tonight, just arriving.

"Hey Don, finally got up the nerve to come out and party huh? I heard that Rhiannon is here tonight ... maybe you'd like to share some more great insights on her with me?"

He was kidding me, not knowing that I had just left Rhea at the table. They were now backstage getting ready to play the last set of the night.

"Hey Jim, you almost missed it. This is their last set. Rhea's going to make a big announcement too. Enjoy the show."

He gave me a funny look when I referred to Rhiannon as Rhea and then a doubly strange look at my cryptic comment on her announcement too. I snickered to myself all the way to and back from the restroom.

Jim wasn't too far from ‘the table' and when I sat there he looked at me like I was crazy to try to sit there. When Chuck came over and served me a drink, Jim did a double-take. I was enjoying this. I was enjoying this far more than I should have.

Jim obviously recognized Chuck as the manager of the casino. I could see something building in Jim's eyes that hinted at the comprehension of things.

Rhea came on and the band performed the last of their recent hits. As the sounds of the last guitar riff's floated through the air she told the assembled crowd that she was retiring.

"Well everyone, I want you to know that it's been a wild and crazy ten years. I want to thank you for the wonderful years and for putting up with me. We have decided to move on our own ways. The guys are going to be around doing solo work and Leah found a guy she wants to spend time with. Me ... well, lets just say that I've found what I was looking for, and that ride into the sunset is here and now. Thank you all for the years of rock and roll."

Pandemonium broke out. People were shouting, cheering and for the most part happy for the band and Rhea most of all. I saw some crying as they digested the news. It was a bitter-sweet moment, one that would go into the history books as the surprise announcement of this year. Nobody saw it coming. Nobody.

I glanced over at Jim and he was looking at me with that strange look again. He knew I had known what was up before anyone else, but he didn't understand how I had known that. I smiled and nodded my head at him.

Then Rhea jumped down from the stage and ran up to my table. I stood, hugging her as our lips met. Looking over her shoulder I saw Jim sitting at his table, mouth wide open. His friends were pointing at us. I smiled once again as Rhea and I left. Rhea had her arm in mine and we were almost at a dead run.

As we passed Jim's table I slowed and shouted to him (to be heard over the noisy crowd.); "Never underestimate someone Jim. You never know who they might know or what their history has been. See ya around dude."

He'd hear the ‘other' news later. I mean, a celebrity wedding always has some kind of coverage ... doesn't it?