Chapter 8

Emmie woke bright and early even though she’d had a hard time falling asleep. She couldn’t stop thinking about Richie and those kisses. Even after the effects of the wine wore off, the memory was still just as tantalizing as ever. But she had eventually fallen asleep and now here it was, 7 am and she was wide awake with hours to kill before he’d be there for lunch and whatever else he had planned.

She spent the morning casually sipping coffee, taking a long warm shower and primping. Gone was her plan to spend her whole vacation looking like the plain Jane her mother despised! She wanted to look her best, she had a reason to now. She’d dug through he clothing, unhappy with everything she brought with her. What would he like? Why did she care? She huffed as she finally settled on a pair of denim shorts and soft white cotton tank top trimmed with lace. Comfortable white tennis shoes completed her look. In the bathroom she brushed her thick blonde waves up into a high pony tail then took a bit of time to apply just the right amount of make up. Not too much, not too little, she looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. She knew she looked good and was satisfied.



Richie woke up early well earlier for him , his normal wake up time is noon the same time he had told Em he would meet her at.  Stretching then crawling out of bed , he called down to room service ordering some  coffee then sauntered to the bathroom for a shower.

A few moments later , he emerged towel wrapped around his waist as he rummaged into his bag to find his Japanese tank top and blue running shorts,  He let the towel fall to the floor and slipped on the shorts and tank , slid on a pair socks then a pair of blue tennis shoes to finish the look .  He then walked back to the bathroom , dried his hair taking one last look and with a nod he walked back out just in time for his coffee.

He poured himself a cup , glanced at the clock then after a sip or two it was time to go see Em.  He grabbed his key and headed off to Em’s hotel.

About 20 minutes later he was standing in front of her door knocking .

Emmie opened the door and tried to keep her expression cool. Inside she was eager, overly eager. She’d never so much as had a crush on a boy, let alone a grown man as virile and sexy as Richie. She was sure she would find someway to embarrass herself today, either with her over enthusiasm or with her naivety but none the less she couldn’t wait for their day to begin.

 “Mornin’” she smiled sweetly.

“Mornin’ “ Richie’s gaze fell over her , damn if she doesn’t get more beautiful over night , “Ready to tackle Jamaica man “ he said in his best or worst Jamaican Accent.

Emmie chuckled “I’m ready but um... you know you just sounded like Prince Charles gone Rastafarian right?”

He laughed “ This is why I’m a rock star and not a interperter “

“I think you missed your calling.” she laughed as she grabbed her room key and followed him out into the hall. “You shoulda been a comedian.”

“You think I’m funny , you should meet the Joker “ He winked , risked taking her hand in his and walked down the hallway to the elevators.

She flushed clear to her roots at the simple contact of his hand on hers. Why did she like it so much? who cared, so long as he didn’t stop! “Who’s the Joker?” she asked.

They had stepped onto the elevator , he pushed lobby button then answered “ David, our keyboardist , He’ll have you laughing so much you’d piss yourself “

Emmie giggled “Well, I’m not sure I’d....” she paused. Swearing was more Gia’s style than hers, her mother didn’t think a lady should let such words pass from her lips. But mother’s not here Em so just say it! Quit being so uptight! “Um.. piss.... myself but um... he sounds like an interesting character for sure.”

Richie bit back a smirk “ I think your mom will think I’m a bad influence on you , darlin’ “ he teased “Yes Dave , Lemma or Joker whatever you wanna call him is very interesting never a dull moment thats for sure “

They stepped off the elevator , walked a short jaunt to the hotel restaurant  where they were immediately seated .

All through lunch Emmie marveled once again at how easy he was to talk to, to laugh with. He was so attentive! When he asked a question and she answered she could tell, he really paid attention to what she said. She wondered why he was the way he was. From what she knew of men all they wanted in a woman was beauty and silence. It’s the main reason why she’d never really dated. The few times she’d agreed to go out with a guy, usually arranged by her loving but meddling mother, she’d felt as if having an opinion was a crime. It was no wonder she was one of the very few girls her age that until last night had never even been kissed!

After lunch Richie decided on Horseback riding on the beach would be a fun thing to do. So off they went to the stables , he paid and helped her up on the horse then he climbed behind her.

He laughed “This is a first for me. How about you? “ The boys would be having a good laugh about now if they saw him. Never had he ever gone to this extreme to romance a girl, but there was just something about Em and wanting to make these couple weeks special, if she'd let him.

“I’ve actually spent quite some time on horseback.” she admitted and sighed a bit when she felt his warmth pressing against her back. His thighs leaned heavily on the outside of hers and when his arms enveloped her as he reached for the reigns she tilted her head back a bit to peer up at him. “You uh... you know what your doin’ with those?” She asked a bit warily.

“Um honestly no “ He laughed “Care to help ? “ he reached for her hands placed them under his “So whats next , Giddup right ? “

“Why don’t you let me handle this one cowboy?” She grinned and tossed a wink over her shoulder at him. She slid both reigns into one hand and let her free hand rest gently on his bare thigh. It was a bold move for her but oh so exhilarating! his warm smooth skin teased her fingertips and she nearly forgot to nudge the horse forward.  Shaking herself out of her daze she pressed her knees gently into the horses sides and the docile mare obliged her by traveling at a smooth steady gate out of the stables and down the wide expanse of white beach.

Richie chuckled “This is actually fun. But don’t let on to my friends. Will ya ? “ his hands rested on her hips , his gaze every once and awhile would glance back on her backside that bounced up and down from the gentle cadence of the horse , causing his shorts to get a bit tight as his thoughts drifted to what else would make her backside bounce like that.

It was getting harder and harder to ignore the hot firm body the was gently nudging against her own with every step of the shared horse. The sun had her warm, but Richie’s closeness had her warmer.  She found herself closing her eyes and leaning back against him. The natural rhythm of the mares gait  was just enough to send even her innocent mind plunging into thoughts of more carnal pleasures. How would it feel to have him this close, naked, their bodies rubbing gently together. Her eyes flew open and she had a very hard time not gasping in shock at her own wayward thoughts. My God! this man is making me insane!

Richie growled inwardly who knew just riding horseback would lead to the perverted thoughts that plagued his mind more often than not.  “Em , why don’t we stop here and take a walk in the water? “ He shifted again trying to give his hardened member room to breath, he was trying to be a gentleman but his lower half was saying Fuck being a gentleman! Seduce her you know you can.

When she pulled on the reigns calling the horse to a halt , He climbed down then offered his hand to her.  .

She slipped off her shoes and socks before she  took the offered hand and followed him silently to the waters edge. The cool water lapped at her feet and while it relived a bit of the weather induced heat she felt. It did nothing to alleviate the burning she felt deep in her belly, or the fluttering of her heart. She was caught between thoughts of throwing herself at him right then and there and bolting as far away from him as possible.

Richie had kicked off his shoes and socks, then gently reached for her hand as they walked silently along the beach.  “So have you been to Jamaica before ? This is like my second time , thinking of getting a home here . Its so breathtakin’ “  God , Sambora that sounds so cheezy

 It’s not as breathtaking as you are She said silently but spoke, “Well, yeah I have, a few times actually.. and yeah it’d be a nice place to live, at least part of the time.” She stopped to look out into the crystal clear blue waters.

‘So you love California then ? “ Richie asked “ I also thought about getting a house there too “ he stood behind her his arms encircling her waist pulling her up to his chest.

“I do, I really do.” She sighed contentedly and backed up even closer to him. He made her feel so safe wrapped around her like he was. She stole a glance back at him and smiled

Richie turned her to face him, his hands cupping her face then smiled as he leaned in for a kiss “Trying to be a gentleman , but girl its just so damned hard “

She knew now it’s definitely wasn’t just the wine last night. That same intense feeling that had her tingling from head to toe was back the instant his lips touched hers. She turned in his embrace and slid her arms around his neck. She stood on tip toe and this time, instead of merely allowing him to kiss her, she gently pulled his lips down and returned his kisses. Her efforts were unskilled and she knew it but it didn't stop her from trying. A light moan of deep seated pleasure escaped her mouth when his tongue gently invaded.

Richie slipped his tongue gently into her mouth , probing as his kisses intensified.  His hands slide down to her backside and cupped it .  Pulling back briefly , he smiled “Wanna head back inside ? Your room or mine?”

She heard herself answering him in a voice she didn’t recognize “yours”

“Ok darlin’ my room it is “ Richie pulled away, taking her hand in his , walked back to the horse, grabbing the reigns with the other hand , and they slowly walked back to the stables .