Part 15
7/02/87
Vancouver, Canada
The ringing phone woke Ashley up, the sound deafening next to her ear. She rose up, her hair in her face and picked up the receiver.
“Hello?” She whispered as she opened her eyes to see it was 2:44 PM.
“What is with everyone today? Everyone I call is asleep.” Doc’s voice came over the receiver into her ear.
She laid her head down and said nothing.
“Are you going to the show tonight?” He asked her when she didn’t say anything.
Hearing he was irritated she rolled over in bed and fought to open her eyes.
“I never thought about it,” She answered.
“I need to talk to you about some issues that have come up,” He said.
Her heart jumped into her throat and she sat up on the bed. “Issues?”
“Yeah, it’s too much to go into right now. I was hoping if you came to dinner, we would discuss them there.”
“At dinner?” She asked shocked.
“Ashley, what’s wrong with you?”
“I just don’t think we need to talk about it at dinner Doc,” she said, terrified of what would happen there.
“What do you think that I want to discuss?”
She was too afraid to answer him.
“Your pictures Ashley…remember? I’m your manager and so forth. Are you hiding something from me that I should know about?”
She laughed as her body relaxed on the bed, “My pictures, right. I’m sorry. You woke me up from a dead sleep and I didn’t comprehend anything. That’s fine. I’ll see you at dinner.”
After she hung up the phone she laid in bed awhile longer. The memory of having sex with Richie was still with her. She sighed, knowing she had let herself down and for what? She felt herself falling deeper and deeper.
Somehow, someway, she had to break things off with him but the more they were together the harder it got. One look from him and her heart fluttered, his touch sent chills running over her body and his kiss…his kiss made her want him more than she ever thought humanly possible. A single tear escaped her eye as she thought about what she needed to do to take control of her life.
She drug herself off the bed and searched for her cigarettes. Surprisingly she didn’t have a hang over. That left during the sex; she was just tired from all they had done to each other. She found her cigarette pack on her dresser. She opened the top and pulled one out, lighting it she took a long drawl. Blowing the smoke out between her lips, she happened to look in the mirror.
Shocked at what she saw, she leaned in for a closer inspection. She shook her head at the hickie on her left breast the size of a quarter that Richie had left. She couldn’t even remember just when he did it. She sighed, thankful that at least it was in a place she'd be able to cover with clothing.
She finished her cigarette, and then got in the shower. She was noticeably sore every place imaginable. Her butt, her legs and her thighs. She laughed to herself, remembering how many times they done it. Every way imaginable before they finally had enough and fell asleep.
With her face in the full stream of the hot shower water, she closed her eyes envisioning her with him again in one of the new positions he introduced her to last night. She smiled, then opened her eyes to finish her shower.
She got out of the tub and wrapped in the oversized robe hanging on the knob behind the door and wrapped a towel around her head. She took her time getting ready, thinking of how she was going to act towards Richie tonight. She knew she needed to act coolly and not do anything that would result in them ending up in bed again
Just before she headed out the door, her phone rang again.
“Hello Darlin,” he said suavely.
She melted hearing his sexy voice. “Hello,” She said smiling.
“I missed you this morning,” He said softly.
She closed her eyes, gripping the phone harder, trying to ignore the tone in his voice.
“You did?” She said trying to laugh.
“Yes, I did. What time did you leave me?”
“Umm...” She said her voice a bit shaky, “Around seven-thirty I think.”
“You were amazing last night,” he said his tone remaining the same.
Her legs began to tremble and she sat down on the bed, “That was all you,” She said softly.
“No, you were there; you had just as much to do with it as I did.”
She laughed, biting her bottom lip feeling her heart beating wildly just hearing his soft sexy voice talking to her that way.
“Are you coming to dinner?”
“Yes,” She breathed, “I was on my way out the door.”
“Maybe I’ll see you in the elevator,” He said laughing.
She laughed at his joke, “I’ll see you later Richie.”
She hung up the phone and checked herself in the mirror again. She was wearing tight white jeans and a black spaghetti strap tank top that fit snug against her full breasts. She pulled the sides of her hair back with a clasp fastened on top of her head, her hair curling seductively around her neck and shoulders. She rubbed her lips together and then left the room going down the hall to the elevator.
She pushed the button and then stood waiting with her arms crossed at her stomach. The door opened and Richie stood there with a smile on his face.
“How did you do that?” She laughed, stepping inside.
"I've been riding up and down waiting for you," He said grabbing her when the door closed.
“Richie,” She moaned, feeling him press against her.
His tongue slid into her mouth and she readily kissing him back unable to control herself.
“I can’t fuckin’ keep my hands off of you,” He said into her ear running his hands over the white denim.
She moaned when his fingers slid between her legs,. “And I can’t get enough of it,” she whispered.
He pulled away from her, stepping to the other side of the elevator just as the door opened. She cleared her throat and walked out first as he was behind her.
“Damn you look good in those jeans,” He said softly so no one around them could hear him.
She turned around and gave him a wink. “Thanks for my mark by the way.”
“Your mark? Oh, that.” His face turned red remembering giving her a hickie.
“Is that so everyone knows I’ve been branded?”
Richie laughed, “Yeah, Sambora style.”
She stopped turning to look at him and he kept walking on past her still laughing at his own remark.
They entered the restaurant together and joined the rest of the crowd at the table. Jon was already seated and he looked up and nodded seeing them both arriving together. Ashley could hardly look at him without blushing. She didn’t know if she would ever be able to look at him the same way or not.
The only two chairs left were at the end of the table beside Doc. Richie pulled out one chair for her to sit in, seating himself after she sat down.
“Well, this is interesting. You two on a date?” Doc laughed.
Ashley looked up with a smirk on her face as she saw Richie’s expression. “What if we were Doc?” Richie asked.
Unable to keep a straight face Jon turned his head towards the other end of the table.
“Yeah, okay Sambora.” Doc said shaking his head. “Don’t get any ideas.”
Ashley giggled and looked down at her lap as she reached for her water.
The group was their usual selves while no one owned up to where everyone had been the night before. Ashley laughed to herself knowing they all were protecting her and she thought of them highly for doing that.
After they ordered dinner and drinks Doc turned business and his attention to Ashley. Richie could hear everything that was being talked about, but he kept out of it.
“I have one more interview that will be done in Akron before I let you meet them. They are all women. I knew you would be more comfortable with that. I need to have someone hired by the 13th because you have to be in New York City on the 14th.” Doc explained to her.
“How long exactly will I be gone?” Ashley asked briefly making eye contact with Richie before he turned away.
“My guess is about five months maybe more. These photo shoots are vital to Mr. Delarouche. He wants everything just right before his runway tour.”
Ashley licked her lips and smiled at Doc, “Sounds good.” She said taking another drink from her water.
“You’re happy with everything?”
She nodded her head, “Why wouldn’t I be? Sounds like you know what you’re doing. I just hope whoever you hire is just as good.”
Doc laughed, “Me too.”
"You're gonna make this pretty lady leave us for five months?" Richie asked Doc.
"I'm not making her leave," Doc laughed, "it's her choice."
Richie shot Ashley a defiant stare. “Getting tired of us already?”
“No, my career is important to me right now.” She said staring back at him.
The tension that had grown between them wasn’t seen by anyone else. Ashley looked away from him as Doc continued to talk to her about what was going to happen. Richie got up and left the table, going to the bar for a minute.
He ordered a shot of liquor. As he waited he turned and looked back in the direction of the table. He was pissed she was leaving after last night he thought things had been settled between the two of them. He downed that shot and ordered another before even considering returning to the table.
He returned in time to eat dinner but moved his chair and his plate down to the other end of the table.
“I have to talk to Jon,” he said.
Ashley ate her dinner quietly, knowing he was mad. But what else was she to do? She wanted more then he did from what they had.
‘What they had?’ She thought to herself, ‘What exactly did they have?’
After dinner, she excused herself saying she needed some fresh air and went outside on the balcony of the restaurant to smoke a cigarette. The doors and windows were tinted, obstructing the view from the outside. She looked over the balcony into the bay the hotel property sat on and admired the view as she smoked.
Hearing the door open behind her, she turned and flashed a smile at Jon who had come out to smoke. He grinned and then lit up his cigarette.
“What are you doing out here all alone?” He asked leaning back against the black wrought iron rail.
Ashley shrugged her shoulders, “Enjoying the view.”
She looked away from him back out across the water.
“Did you enjoy yourself last night?” He asked with a mischievous laugh.
She flashed the whites of her eyes at him and giggled, “Don’t tell anyone, but yes I did.”
They both laughed animatedly. Jon loved the color that gushed into her cheeks as she laughed. She raised her eyes and saw him grinning at her and she had to turn away, the thoughts of seeing him practically naked came rushing back to her.
She covered her eyes partially with one hand and shook her head, “Oh god.” She giggled softly.
“Don’t be embarrassed. You had a good time.” Jon laughed, taking a drawl.
She still couldn’t look at him, “You don’t know what I saw.”
“What do you mean?” Jon asked leaning closer to her.
Meanwhile, inside at the table Richie couldn’t help but watch Jon and Ashley outside as he drank his after dinner wine. Jealously started eating away at him seeing how they were laughing, Jon getting closer and closer to her. He gritted his teeth, still watching.
Ashley opened her eyes, looking at Jon she felt her cheeks continuing to burn. “You don’t remember what happened in the limo on the way home?”
Jon’s lips twisted as he knew what she was probably talking about. He was trying not to laugh from the embarrassment he felt at that moment. Ashley looked at him and busted out laughing making it hard from him to hold it in any longer.
“You saw everything?” He asked.
She tilted her head slightly as if she were thinking about it, “Pretty much everything.”
Jon lowered his head laughing and Ashley leaned over on him, “Don’t worry about it. From the looks of it you don’t have anything to be embarrassed about.”
“ASHLEY!” He said laughing. He looked up at her and shook his head, “I take that as a compliment coming from Richie’s girl.”
Ashley’s eyes widened in amusement. Laughing, she grabbed his hand and closed her eyes, shaking her head at his comment. “Let’s just keep this between us okay?”
Jon laughed, “No one else knows you saw my stuff?”
“Richie does, but hell he won’t say anything.”
Jon smirked, “Great.”
They both looked at each other and laughed some more about it.
Coming in from the balcony, everyone was up walking around the table, paying for their checks and so forth. Richie gave Ashley a look that she was unsure of, and then turned around and finished his conversation with Dave.
Later at the venue before the concert, Ashley was getting a coke when Richie walked up and stood beside her.
“I’d need to see you tonight.” He said in a low voice.
Ashley looked up at him, “What if I don’t want to?”
“I need to see you, I’ll call you.” He said and then turned to walk away.
“Richie,” Ashley said softly pulling his arm.
He turned to her, his expression somber. “Ashley, I need to talk to you,” He said firmly before he walked off.
____________________________________________
Just as planned after the concert, Richie called Ashley’s room at 1:30 after she had left the bar thirty minutes earlier. He had kept his distance from her the entire night and she wondered what was going on. Her stomach was tied in knots remembering what happened last time he needed to talk to her.
She left her door unlocked so he didn’t have to knock. He walked in the door and closed it behind him. She stood at the big window looking out when she heard the door open. She turned to him as he walked across the floor to meet her. He looked troubled; his forehead was wrinkled.
“What’s wrong?” She asked looking up at him with worrying eyes.
His looked as though he didn’t want to tell her. He didn’t greet her with a kiss or a hug. He just stood there staring at her.
“Richie? You’re scaring me.”
“Ashley…when were you going to tell me that you were leaving?”
She heaved a sigh, “What does it matter?”
“It matters to me,” He told her.
“Look, Richie. I can’t continue to be your toy.”
His eyes filled with fury, “You’re not a toy Ashley.”
“Then tell me just what am I to you Richie?” She asked as she crossed her arms and glared at him, her eyebrow arched.
“I need you,” He said softly.
Ashley ignored the feeling that shot thought her soul. “No, you don’t need me. What you get from me can be gotten from any girl that looks at you night after night.”
“No,” He said running his hands threw his hair. “You don’t understand.”
“And you don’t understand. I love you Richie. I don’t want to be used the way you have continued to use me. Don’t you understand that? When I leave, it will be the best thing for us.”
“The best thing for us?” He asked harshly.
“This is the only way to get over you. You’re no good for me.”
He grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her with a passion that was built on anger. She tired to pry herself from his arms, but his hold was too strong. She started to cry as he kissed her, deeply. The sensation of his kiss sent her spinning into the world she was trying to escape. She placed her hands on his face, kissing him back with everything she had.
He broke their kiss and closed his eyes. “Let me make love to you,” he whispered.
“Richie,” She cried softly. The weight of her body gave in to him and he scooped her up in his arms. Carrying her over to the bed, he laid her down.
He quickly removed his shirt and then unbuckled his belt, lying down on top of her body. He looked deeply into her eyes as his hands caressed her cheek, and along her neck. He slowly lowered his head, tasting her trembling lips once again.
She gave herself to him, the way he wanted her to. They never slept; they just continued to pleasure each other. Her desire filled his longings again leaving them satisfied but clearly wanting more of each other time after time.
It wasn’t until daylight that Richie pulled himself from her to go to his own room.
________________________________________
07/11/87 East Troy, WI
The last week had been extremely heart-wrenching for Ashley. Her plans were carried through the way she had wanted them to go, with the exception of staying away from Richie.
No matter how she tried, she still ended up in bed with him every single night. She had now fallen so deep into a hole she was sure it was going to be hell for her when she tried to climb out. She just couldn’t say no to him. One word, one look, she was under his magic charm of lust and unbridled passion. She did enjoy being with him and had come to the conclusion that she would just be happy with him now and pay the consequences later.
Aside it being his birthday it was their last night together. She would be leaving tomorrow and he refused to acknowledge that. Her feelings were so torn she questioned if she was doing the right thing by letting go of what she knew for something she didn’t. She reminded herself that she was in the same situation before she came to know him. Deep down inside she secretly told herself that she knew he loved her. The way he looked at her sent chills up her spine and the way he touched her made her warm inside.
Jason was another issue that she had to lay to rest, for the sake of no hard feelings. She explained to him that she didn’t want a relationship because she was concentrating on her career. The truth was that he was a very nice guy, someone that she could possibly fall in love with if her heart wasn’t so wrapped up on another man.
At dinner when champagne was served, Doc didn’t say anything when Ashley had a glass. Doc had changed a lot since the talk with her and she was relieved. He now saw her for what she wanted to be and seemed to be okay with letting her spread her wings and fly. Still, the issue of her and Richie wouldn’t be as easy and it was best that he never knew about it.
After everyone was done eating, Richie was given a few presents from the guys and afterwards everyone left for the venue. He made eye contact with Ashley frequently, winking and grinning at her.
The show was excellent. Fans made banners that read “Happy Birthday Richie!” and some even threw roses and various gifts on stage at him. The band sang happy birthday to him letting the fans join in on the last chorus.
The party continued after the show with a hired stripper that popped out of a cake. Ashley enjoyed herself talking with the friends she made and was leaving behind. She paid no attention to Richie flirting with the stripper, it didn’t matter to her. The only thing that did matter was getting though the night with him and then telling him goodbye.
When that time came, she went to everyone and told them goodbye. Jon wished her luck and gave her a warm hug and chose not to say goodbye, but “See ya soon.”
Then she had to pretend to tell Richie goodbye. He was leaning on the jukebox in the corner with a beer in his hand. He smiled as she put her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.
“I’ll see you later,” she whispered in his ear.
“Good luck, Ashley,” he said to her as he took her hand.
She felt funny from the look in his eyes and when he said “The future is yours,” she wondered just what exactly he was talking about. The future of her career or their future together.
Finally, she was able to leave the party. Having a key to Richie’s room, she let herself inside. The lights were dimmed and soft sensual music was coming from the radio. She saw the ice bucket with a bottle of champagne in it and smiled. Looks like he had taken measures to make their last night memorable, she thought as she started undressing herself.
She changed into the negligee she had bought just for this occasion. She wanted to pour herself a glass of champagne, but thought she should at least wait for Richie.
She didn’t have to wait long. He came through the door and found her lying in the center of his bed, on her side, her leg curled up beside her. She smiled at him and he looked as though he couldn’t believe what he saw when he smiled back at her. She slowly got up off the bed and went to him.
The teddy she was wearing was a short baby-doll style, just barely covering her butt cheeks and made completely of lace. The front cups were made like a demi bra. The high heals she was wearing made him ache all over, leaving him speechless.
Still he continued to stare at her. Ashley ran her hands up his chest. “I was hoping you wouldn’t be that long,” she said softly.
“Why’s that?” He asked her, his voice was gruff.
“Because I really wanted a glass of champagne.”
He smiled, then grabbed her face in both hands and kissed her deeply.
She giggled and pulled away, taking a few steps backwards and then turned slowly so he could get the full view of her.
“Mmmmmm,” he growled.
When she turned back to face him she grinned.
“So you want some champagne?” He said as he reached for the bottle, never taking his eyes off of her.
She slowly nodded her head.
He expertly opened the bottle with a loud POP, then poured two glasses full of the bubbling drink. His eyes were still fixed on her when he walked towards her with the glasses.
“You seem to know what you’re doing,” she said as she took a glass from his hand.
Richie’s eyes moved down her body as he shook his head. “I’m glad you think so.”
She laughed softly and then raised the glass to her lips to take a drink. They couldn’t take their eyes off of each other, something that Ashley found to be so sexy. She couldn’t wait to touch him.
She finished her glass and then sat it down on the closest thing and that was the dresser along the wall behind her. She stepped towards him, her hands running up his chest as he finished off his drink. He tossed the empty glass down on the floor and quickly his hands were on her rear, grabbing both cheeks in his hands, as his tongue pushed past her lips. He picked her up and held her there for what seemed like an eternity, as he kissed her deeply. Being so caught up in him and his kiss she didn’t realize that there were now standing in front of the bed.
He slowly let her down, his hands never leaving her body as they moved from the cheeks of her bare bottom up to her shoulders. She smiled up at him as her fingers found each button on his shirt. She pushed it off of him and then pushed him down on the bed. He grinned when she went straight to the button on his jeans. She had him completely naked when she moved down in front of him in the floor.
She pleasured him until he couldn’t take anymore of the teasing she was doing. He grabbed her and pulled her up onto him then flipped her over on her back. He stared down at her, his eyes searching hers contently. His gaze was so deep, her breathing showed how moved she was. She reached up and touched his face, smiling as her fingers softly trailed along his jaw.
So many different emotions were going through Richie’s mind. He had never known love before and wasn’t sure why his heart felt like it was beating outside his chest as he lowered his lips to hers. As his tongue found its way into her mouth he parted her legs and plunged deep inside her in one quick movement.
He opened his eyes and pulled away, looking down at her lace covered body. He touched her, watching his own hand cup her left breast. He moved his hips at a slow pace, kissing her just as slow and sure. Their bodies moved to the same slow rhythm, pushing towards beautiful passion that turned into raw untamed sex as he quickly pulled the teddy over her head, throwing it down into the floor.
Sweat covered their bodies, as time stood still in the hum of the afterglow that had moved up on them. They laid in each others arms, Ashley snuggled against him with her head on his chest as it rose and fell with his steady breathing. They laid that way for a long time, both had smiles on their faces.
Ashley rose up and looked up at him, expecting to find him asleep. He was gazing right back at her.
She softly kissed his lips, running her finger around the bottom of his bottom lip.
“What time are you leaving?” He asked her.
He felt her stiffen when he asked her the question. “Early.” She answered. “What time is it now?”
He rose his head off of the pillow he was laying on and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “5:23.”
“Grrrrrr. I guess I’ll sleep on the plane.”
He said nothing as he reached for his pack of cigarettes and lit one up. He caressed her hair with one hand and smoked with the other. Neither of them spoke. Partly because they didn’t know what to say, and partly because it hurt too much to talk about.
“Richie,” she said softly after he put out his cigarette.
She raised her head and looked up at him. He closed his eyes.
“Ashley, don’t.”
“I need to go,” she said softly.
He said nothing as he moved from under her and got to his feet. She was shaking as she dressed and gathered her things. She started to cry when his arms encircled her waist, turning her towards him. He held her tightly in his arms as he caressed her hair. His heart was aching and he couldn’t do anything about it.
He pulled away from her, and took her face in his hands. “I’ll never forget you.”
She smiled and kissed his lips. “Thank you,” she said softly.
She removed herself from his arms and walked to the door.
“Richie, it’s better this way,” she said as she turned to him.
He nodded his head. “You are right, it is.”
She smiled and wiped the tears from her face. “Bye,” she whispered.
He forced a smile and gave her a wave as he too said, “bye.”
Richie watched her leave. The sound of the door closing echoing though the silent room. He stood, not moving for a moment. He leaned his head back closing his eyes, his heart aching for what he had just lost.
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