Chapter 26

***In honor of Richie's Birthday here is the next installment of MB! Have an awesome birthday Richie! We love you!!!***

Richie saw the firing squad approach and instinctively took Jasmine’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. She looked at him with abject terror in her eyes and he felt ashamed for not having kept himself in check; he had wanted to kiss her and so he did, with complete disregard for the consequences and now he felt like a bastard.

Dot blazed across the room like a woman possessed and Richie felt scared. He could deal with Jon and his mood swings but Dot was something else entirely, she scared the crap out of him and he wasn’t frightened to admit it.

“My husband has something he needs to talk to you about so sit down and listen.” Dot demanded before taking the seat next to Jasmine, crossing her legs and looking at Jon expectantly.

Before Jon could get a word out Richie began talking ten to the dozen,

“I’m sorry Frank, we tried to stop it but we can’t deny it to ourselves. It’s been going on for a while now and we’ve been really careful not to be obvious when other people are around but I lost control today and it’s not Jasmine’s fault. Take it out on me but don’t blame her.”

Jon looked bemused at Richie and his rambling. Had Dot not been there he was certain that he would have let Richie sweat for a while but as he was being shot daggers from his wonderful woman, he decided to play it straight.

“Chill out man. Calm the fuck down and sit will ya? We’re not here to get on your ass. Yeah, we’re a bit shocked at what you two just did, considering that there are people from Island here tonight, but from our point of view, we really don’t care that much what you two get up to.”

Richie and Jasmine looked at each other, not sure whether to laugh or to stay silent.

“What do you mean exactly?” Jasmine all but whispered,

“I mean that you two could have been honest with us from the start. I’m assuming you didn’t say anything because you were concerned about the contract but you needn’t have worried with us, the contract is with Island, not us.”

“Oh.” Was all Jasmine and Richie were able to say.

“Yeah, and just so you know, you weren’t that good at hiding it. We’ve known for ages,” David piped up with a grin on his face.

“Then why didn’t you sons of bitches say anything?” Richie stood up and straightened to his full height.

“Because it was too much fun watching you two sneak around,” David replied, nudging Tico and Hugh, who were flanking him,

“Yeah, we’re sorry,” they said in unison but not looking a bit sorry.

“You bastards.” Richie chuckled, not able to deny that he would have done the same thing had it been someone else in the situation.

“Well, seeing as the big secret is out now, I think it’s about time Jas and I headed home before we get ourselves into any more trouble. I’ll talk to you children tomorrow.” He said, holding out his hand for Jasmine before practically hauling her out of the building and shoving her into the waiting town car.

Once in the car Jasmine let out a sigh that she didn’t know she had been holding,

“What a relief it’s out in the open now. No more hiding and grabbing a quick five minutes here and there.” She said to Richie.

“I guess,” he mumbled as he kissed a trail of soft warm kisses down her neck, over her shoulder and over the expanse of skin exposed just above her breasts. To Richie Jasmine smelled divine, good enough to eat, and he wanted to savor every inch of her. He returned his lips to hers and pressed them together firmly, eliciting a moan from Jasmine and feeling her hands bunch in his hair. Jasmine pulled his head closer to her and when satisfied that he was close enough she wrapped her arms around him and returned his kiss as deeply as he was giving it. Her lips parted, allowing him access and their tongues danced with each other as their hands roamed each other’s bodies. Jasmine’s warm hands had wormed their way into Richie’s shirt through the gap left by the unused buttons and were roaming the scorching expanse of toned muscles, pausing to play with his nipples when she came across them.

Richie had lifted Jasmine onto his lap and she was in no position to deny his want for her as it was pressing achingly against her material covered core. His hands smoothed over her thighs, getting higher and higher on every stroke, his calloused fingers kneeding her skin and sliding further under her dress.

The privacy window had not been closed when they entered the car and Richie realized this in a few seconds of lucidity somewhere on the outskirts of New York City. He leaned forward, taking Jasmine with him, and slid the window shut.

“Now we can really be alone,” he murmured and continued his tour of her body with his hands and lips. Jasmine shifted on his lap causing him to hiss as his cock grew even more in his pants.

“Feels like you’re gonna burst out of there before too long.” She said, sliding off his lap and onto her knees. Richie’s eyes widened at the realization of what she was about to do and for a second he thought about stopping her as he needed her so badly and didn’t want to wait. What stopped him was the sensation of her tongue wrapping itself around him and being dragged up and down. He all but lost the last little bit of control when her mouth slid over him and took his whole length until he hit the soft part at the back of her mouth. She massaged him with this part of her throat then sucked hard as she dragged her mouth upwards, pushing downwards again keeping her grip on him firm. 

He clenched his fists into the leather of the seats and closed his eyes tightly. Jasmine moved faster and faster over him and could feel the tightening and throbbing begin.

“Stop. Please, I want to taste you,” Richie gasped but Jasmine didn’t pay any attention, only continuing her ministrations and sucking Richie into oblivion.

She began to hum as she felt him tighten further; looking down she saw his knuckles were white with the force of him clenching his fists. With a few last swirls of her tongue and a swipe across his tip she felt him let go and the warm liquid spurt onto the back of her throat as he groaned for the length of his climax. She continued licking him like a lollypop until he was empty. 

Jasmine returned to the seat next to Richie and rested her head on his heaving chest as he fought to regain his normal breathing patterns. Richie rested his arm around her and kissed the top of her head, his other hand brushing through her hair, a pastime that was becoming one of his favorites.

“That was amazing sweetheart, thank you. When we get home you can be sure I’ll be returning the favor.”

“Don’t thank me. I like doing it. I love seeing the effect I can have on you, to know that I made you do that.”

“Yeah, it was all you, and you do it so well. You want a soda or something from the fridge?”

Jasmine knew what Richie was really alluding to and loved him for it. Although she enjoyed giving head and wasn’t really that bothered about swallowing. It did leave a funny taste in her mouth and she would rather be rid of it. 

“Yeah, that would be great thank you.” She said, taking the can from him and dripping the condensation drops onto his chest.

“Jas, I can’t take any more just now, please wait the ten minutes until we get home.” Richie chuckled and grabbed her to continue his exploration under her dress.

Chapter 25

The party was in full swing and the drinks were flowing. Jasmine and Richie had danced, laughed and messed about on the dance floor, enjoying letting their hair down and having some fun. 

They collapsed in the chairs around the table being used by the band, laughing and breathing heavily. Richie slumped in his chair, resting his hands on his stomach and tilted his head to look at Jasmine who was doing the same in her chair,

“Are you trying to kill me?”

“Not able to keep up Sambora? Maybe you should go home and get your slippers on.”

“I can keep up thank you very much. I was more talking about the fact that right now I can see right up your dress and it’s driving me wild knowing what is under the rest of it and how it tastes.”

Jasmine sat up straight and gasped at Richie’s words, looking around her to make sure no one else was around to hear him. She moved her chair closer to him and whispered in his ear, “That was brave, saying something like that, but rest assured you will get to see what’s under here later. Please stay on your best behavior until then.”

Richie smirked and whispered back, “I’ll try but I’m making no promises, you’re far too hot for me to keep my hands off of you, and with everyone else swooning over you tonight the green eyed monster is rearing his ugly head too,”

Jasmine stood, rested her hand on his shoulder and squeezed to reassure him.

“In which case, I’m off to speak to Dot and dance around our handbags for a while. You go and take your mind off what you want to do to me. See you back here in a while,” and she was gone.

Whilst Richie and Jasmine had been huddled in the corner of the room whispering to each other, Jon and David were standing at the bar watching the interaction.

David nudged Jon to bring his attention to Richie and Jasmine. They watched for a few minutes, occasionally looking at each other and grinning, until David couldn’t hold out any longer.

“You know we should stop this don’t you? He’s going to explode if he doesn’t get his hands on her before the night is out. I actually feel sorry for the fucker.”

Jon nodded, “I know. Dot told me to tell him we know and that it’s ok or she’d do it herself.”

“Then you’d better do as she says, I don’t want to be in her bad books.”

Just then Jasmine walked away from Richie and Jon saw his chance. “Well, I might as well do it now, he looks in pain.”

David shrugged and waved over at Richie. Jon walked in his direction but was cut off by his brother Matt, who seemed in a hurry to speak to him. He huffed and growled grumpily at Matt for interrupting him but followed him into a back room where he found a room full of people wanting interviews and pictures. The stink eye was given an outing and Matt made a quick getaway as far away from Jon as possible for fear of being yelled at.

Meanwhile Richie found David and Hugh chatting with some session musicians with whom they had worked with previously. Richie tried hard to concentrate on the conversation but in the corner of his eye he could see Jasmine and Dot dancing, their hands in the air and their hips gyrating to ‘I Love You More Than Rock and Roll’ by Thunder. He clenched his teeth together and forced himself to think of cold showers and lying face down in snow, but it didn’t work and he could feel himself growing.

Before he could embarrass himself in front of his friends he made his excuses and stalked over to where Jasmine and Dot had been joined by some of the women from Island and some journalists that had been allowed in to cover the event. He waited until the song finished and a path appeared between him and his prey. Dot noticed his approach before Jasmine, and could not believe the lust she saw in his eyes. She had known him for all of his adult life and had never once seen so much desire in him. She smiled inwardly, knowing that Richie had it bad and approving of his choice of Jasmine. She looked around for Jon, hoping that he had already put Richie out of his misery but her husband was nowhere to be found. With Richie getting ever closer Dot closed in on Jasmine,

“I’m pooped, I’m going to find my workaholic husband. Looks like someone wants a bit of your attention.” She said, pointing in Richie’s direction. 

Jasmine blushed a little and was glad that she was already hot because it hid the redness that she knew would have appeared. She saw what Dot was referring to and the fire was again ignited in her; Richie, his shirt opened by a fourth button and his shoulder length hair slightly damp with sweat, was marching determinedly towards her with what could only be described as a hungry look about him.

She turned to Dot only to find that she had already left and was just disappearing through the door that led to the lobby. She swung back around only to be caught around her middle by strong arms and kissed by the most soft lips on her neck.

“Hey gorgeous, you look good enough to eat,” Richie said seductively which made Jasmine shiver from head to toe.

“I could say the same about you. You’re showing so much chest right now that it’s hard for me not to lick my way across it.”

Richie winced, he was able to dish it out but unable to accept the comments coming from the other direction. He was now starting to feel real physical pain being so close to Jasmine but not being able to do anything about it.

Jasmine, for her part, was not immune to the invisible force between them, Richie’s scent had engulfed her and was now seeping into her pores. It was the most heavenly aroma she had ever smelled and coupled with being anchored to Richie by his awesome arms, she was sure that she would not be able to control herself much longer.

She turned in his arms so that they were looking at each other, then stood on tiptoes so that she could whisper in his ear,

“How much longer do we have to stay here? I don’t know how much longer I can keep myself in check. You’re too damn tasty.”

“A while yet sweetheart, we’ve not been here long. If it makes you feel any better, I feel exactly the same way. Its getting so bad I may have to go relieve myself.”

“Don’t you dare! I’m sure we could sneak away for a bit like we did the other night. You won’t be relieving yourself whilst I’m still breathing.”

Richie let out a roar of laughter and gathered Jasmine closer to him, gently lifting her up so they were face to face,

“You’re killing me here. No more talk of your lips around me, you hear?”

Jasmine nodded as she was lowered back to her feet. The beat of the music slowed and an old ballad started. 

“Wanna dance?” Richie asked and was rewarded with Jasmine pulling his arms tighter around her and her head resting on his chest.

They began to dance slowly, their feet moving very slightly with Richie’s hand clasped against Jasmine’s which was resting on his chest just about where his heart was beating inside it.

Jasmine breathed in deeply for the umpteenth time that day almost as if she was trying to inhale Richie so he became part of her, and subconsciously she closed in on him further, so far that it would be impossible for a sheet of paper to be passed between them. Richie’s breathing hitched as Jasmine got closer and brushed against his crotch.

“Darlin’ you’re going to have to stand back a little or I’m going to have a little accident,” he whispered, his voice gravelly with need.

“Can’t help it, I want to be so close to you. Hold me tighter,” Jasmine said dreamily.

Against his better judgement Richie did as he was asked and they continued dancing. His hands shifted slowly until one hand was resting on the back of her head, her hair dripping through his fingers, and the other hand was resting comfortably on the perfect roundness of her ass. Jasmine stood on tiptoes and wound her arms around his neck as the song reached it’s peak. They swayed and ground into each other as the chorus rang out for the final time, and, without thinking, Richie dipped his head and kissed Jasmine thoroughly on the lips in front of anyone who may have been watching. Jasmine kissed him back fervently, forgetting where they were for a few seconds, but quickly came to her senses and pulled back.

“Richie,” she hissed, taking a step back.

“What?” he said, knowing what she was going to say but feeling particularly blasé and not really caring about who just saw him lose control.

Jasmine was scanning the room around them for some indication that they had been busted and that the shit was about to hit the fan, but couldn’t see anyone really looking in her direction or even looking remotely shocked. She turned back to Richie, who still had his hands wrapped around her and refused to let go.

“I guess you finally lost control. Doesn’t look like anyone noticed but we’d better disappear before anyone realizes what they just saw.”

“Lost control? I have no idea how I didn’t do that sooner. All I’ve been thinking about tonight is getting you out of that dress and pushing deep inside you. You think that is losing control, you wait til later.”

Jasmine felt the blush darken her cheeks at his words, partly because she couldn’t believe he was saying it in public, and partly because she knew he wasn’t joking and she just wanted to get him to herself as quickly as possible.

Jon, Dot, David, Tico and Hugh witnessed the whole exchange because they had been watching the pair all evening in morbid fascination at how they were managing to control themselves even though it was plainly obvious they would rather be anywhere but where they were.

“Jon! You didn’t tell him did you?” Dot admonished as she saw Jasmine reel backwards and away from Richie.

“How do you know?” he said indignantly.

“If you had, then he’d have told Jasmine and she wouldn’t have reacted like that. She saw Pete Armstrong leave an hour ago so she knew that he wouldn’t be a problem.”

Jon had the grace to look shameful, “No I didn’t tell him, but only because Matty cornered me before I had a chance, he made me go talk to some reporters. I was going to tell him, tell her Joker,” he pleaded with David,

David considered the situation before confirming Jon’s story. He had thought about denying and watching Dot get mad, but then realized he was too close to escape her wrath so went for the peaceful, and truthful, option.

Dot sighed at the incompetence of her husband but didn’t let him off the hook that easily,

“Well, go and do it now. They’re both together so you can tell them both at the same time.”

Jon hesitated,

“Well go on!” Dot almost yelled at Jon, David, Tico and Hugh, before heading towards the sheepish looking couple who were slowly closing in on a secluded table by the door.

Richie led Jasmine to the table by the door, where their drinks were sitting and where the band had been based all evening. Both their pulses were dancing the quick step and their chests heaved with the exertion of breathing. Jasmine was shaking with passion as well as the fear that they had been seen by someone. She wasn’t sure whether she should be angry at Richie for forcing her into that situation or whether she should be happy that he had brought things into the open.

Just as she began to launch into a hysterical rant, she saw Dot approaching, followed closely by the rest of the band, and her stomach jumped into her throat. This was it, she was about to get sacked and Richie was about to be ripped a new one.

Chapter 24

The next morning Jasmine and Richie visited with Joan and Adam before having a relaxing afternoon. Richie spent most of the afternoon with his guitars and watching television. Jasmine, however, took her time to prepare for the wrap party. It had been a while since she had been to a work related function and had never been to one as big as the Bon Jovi one so she needed time to prepare herself mentally as well as physically.

She languished in the bath until her skin began to wrinkle and the water had cooled enough that she felt a slight chill. She hopped into the shower to wash her hair then shut herself in the bedroom that she now thought of as her own, to continue the beautifying process.

Richie remained downstairs concentrating hard on not joining Jasmine in the bath or going to investigate what she was up to once he heard the bedroom door close. The thought of Jasmine a few feet away from him, caressing lotion into the softness of her skin, something he desperately wanted to do himself, was almost too much to cope with. 

By the time he decided that he had better get ready himself, Richie was itching to lay his eyes on Jasmine in the beautiful sapphire dress and killer silver heels that he had seen a glimpse of on their shopping trip.

He opened the door to the bedroom and stopped dead in his tracks; Jasmine stood in front of the mirror smoothing her dress down and making a few adjustments so that it fit her perfectly. She had straightened her hair to such a degree that it appeared as smooth as running water and the light bounced off it giving it a shimmering look. It fell over her shoulders to the middle of her back, the layers sitting perfectly together, shaping her face. The heels lengthened her legs, legs that disappeared under the blue material, legs that would be slightly exposed every time that she moved thanks to the split up the side of the dress.

Richie was temporarily speechless, the vision in front of him was so dazzling that he wanted the memory etched into the back of his eyelids so he could see it whenever he closed his eyes.

Finally the power of speech returned and he shook his head, “Wow!” he breathed, unable to control himself,

Jasmine turned around, “You like?”

“No. I LOVE! You look spectacular. You won’t want me cramping your style tonight, maybe I should just stay here.”

“No chance!!” Jasmine exclaimed, “You will most definitely be right by my side tonight, for as long as we can get away with it. I am NOT going to pass up the opportunity to be seen with you in a suit.”

“Oh really?”

“Yeah. You are hot in a suit, especially when you leave a few of the buttons undone so some of that wonderfully tanned and toned chest is on show.” Jasmine said, fanning herself.

Richie laughed at her as he stripped ready for the shower, and was still laughing when he turned the water on and stepped underneath the spray. Jasmine finished off her outfit with a silver tear drop necklace, her bracelet wrist watch and a pair of earrings that matched her necklace.

She laid out Richie’s clothes on the bed, black dress pants, a matching black jacket and the dark blood red shirt that she picked out for him a few days previously. After making sure that he had everything he needed, Jasmine went to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine to settle her nerves and sat at the kitchen table to wait for Richie to be ready.

“Holy fuck!” she exclaimed unladylike when Richie appeared in front of her in the kitchen a few moments later. He was wearing what she laid out for him along with a black leather necklace with a silver cross hanging from it, and some leather bracelets on his left wrist. He smelled divine, the aroma made Jasmine feel giddy with desire, she felt the fires being lit within her and involuntarily she breathed in deeply. When she reopened her eyes she noticed that Richie had taken her words to heart and had left the top three buttons undone, exposing the slightest hint of the treasure that lay beneath the material.

“I scrubbed up ok then?”

“More than ok. You look beyond gorgeous, in fact I think we should both forget this party and stay here instead. I’m sure there’s an awful flu virus going around.”

Richie’s mouth stretched into a smile, his mirth obvious, “Sorry darlin’, boss man wants us there and a bout of flu won’t stop him from demanding our presence. I promise you though, later on that pretty dress of yours will take pride of place on the floor with all the other clothes that are keeping us from being naked, and you’ll be ravished until the sun rises, or we pass out from exhaustion.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep Rich, I’ll be holding you to that.” Jasmine said, holding her hand out so that he could help her out of her chair,

“I fully intend to keep this promise. Come on, let’s party!” he said, pulling her out of her chair and kissing her passionately before leading her to the waiting car.

The drive into the city was painful for both of them; the urge to rip each other’s clothes off was strong but they both knew that the time for that was not now, and they sat in almost silence most of the way, thinking about anything unsexy that would dampen the infernos burning within them.

They arrived at the club in Midtown a while later, Richie got out of the car and helped Jasmine to her feet. The night was warm and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The few stars that could be seen through the lights of the brightest city in the world twinkled happily in the sky and shone down on them expectantly.

“Ready?”

“Yep, let me at the dance floor!” Jasmine replied, sliding her arm through Richie’s and opening the door into the building.

They shed their coats then toured the room, chatting with band members, family and industry people. Jasmine was caught by Pete Armstrong not long after arriving and despite her best attempts, she couldn’t escape to go and find where Richie had gotten to.

“So Jasmine, how did you find working with the guys?”

“It’s been amazing thanks Pete, I can’t believe just how much I have learnt, how easy it is to get along with them and how down to earth they are.”

“You were lucky, not all bands are like these guys, not so easy going. Jon can be difficult to work with at times but he’s nothing compared to the demanding primadonnas that we have the pleasure of working with most of the time. There are lots of things lined up for you when Bon Jovi is finished with you, but Jon has requested your services for a few more weeks yet so enjoy the ride while you can.”

“I will. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to work with them so early in my career with Island. It was a huge responsibility that you laid on me, I just hope I did ok.”

“Jasmine, you did more than ok. Jon hasn’t stopped singing your praises, I wouldn’t be surprised if there are more people queuing up to work with you soon enough.”

At that moment, Richie appeared at Jasmine’s side, resting his hand at the small of her back, his thumb running soothingly in circles.

“Hi Pete, sorry but could I borrow Jasmine for a bit? Jon wants her to meet a few people and Dorothea is looking for her too,”

“Sure. Catch you both later.” Pete said, turning to leave and bumping into Cathy from the promotions team.

“Thanks, I didn’t think I’d ever get away.”

“I figured that’s what was happening. I thought I’d come to your rescue.”

“Thanks. Where did you get to anyway?”

“I was talking with Teek for a bit, then got accosted by some woman from a magazine. I gave her a sound bite then came looking for you. Have you made it to the dance floor yet?”

Jasmine shook her head and pouted, “No. People keep getting in my way. Do you fancy heading that way now?”

“Lead the way,” Richie smiled, holding out his hand for her and followed her to the crowded dance floor.

Chapter 23

Richie and Jasmine didn’t surface until past noon the next day; Jasmine groaned as she rolled onto her side, her head pounding and the light burning her retina.

“Why didn’t you stop me from drinking so much? I think I’m dying,” she complained, resting her arm over her eyes to relieve the pain emanating from them.

Richie’s chuckle rumbled in his throat and he rolled towards her to take her in his arms. He stroked her hair slowly and kissed her lightly.

“You’ll be fine after a shower and a big greasy lunch. Go get washed up and we’ll order in from Benny’s. I could just eat a double cheeseburger, fries, onion rings and a chocolate shake. The perfect hangover cure I promise you.”

Richie hadn’t lied. Jasmine closed her eyes with the pleasure of the first bite into the double bacon cheeseburger, the grease and special sauce oozing out of the sides and dribbling down her hand. She licked the sauce off her hand and cleaned herself up with a napkin, feeling instantly better and more human than she had previously.

Richie watched her with delight, he thanked his lucky stars that he had found a woman who wasn’t scared of food and enjoyed it as much as he did. There was no fun in having a hangover if you couldn’t pig out on junk food the morning after. He munched his own food leaving not even a crumb, and downed his drink so quickly that he winced in pain from the brain freeze that comes from drinking cold things too quickly.

The Bongiovi’s enjoyed a less relaxing morning, thanks to Stephanie arriving back from her grandparent’s at just gone 10am. Over breakfast the conversation between the adults moved to Richie and Jasmine.

“So, Jasmine is done with you guys now isn’t she?” Dot asked tentatively,

“Pretty much. I can’t tell you how good she is Dot. She’s probably the best person we’ve had working with us in forever. She’s good enough to join us full time really but I don’t know how to mention it to her, and I have a feeling Rich might have something to say about it too.”

“Rich? I’d have thought he would jump for joy to have her close for longer.”

Jon rolled his eyes at his usually perceptive wife. “Think about it honey, if they are still working together, the contract she has with Island will still stand and that means no fraternizing with any of us.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, can’t you just give her a new contract?” Dot suggested, slightly surprised that Jon hadn’t thought of that.

“It’s not up to me, she’s an employee of Island, but Obie and I were talking about the possibility of asking her to join us full time. I’ll talk to him again and see if we can come up with an attractive package. Something is going to have to happen. I don’t think Rich and Jas can keep the charade going for much longer. Did you notice how they both disappeared last night?” Jon grinned,

“It didn’t go unnoticed, no. The rest of you are really enjoying this aren’t you?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Jon said innocently, giving Dot the puppy dog eyes.

“Pull the other one Jon, you guys are reveling in winding up Richie and Jasmine whenever you can. You need to talk to Richie and tell him that we all know and that it’s ok to be with Jasmine. It’s cruel to keep him in the dark, you know what he’s like. He’s probably feeling so guilty about keeping it from you.”

“I know you’re right, I was thinking about mentioning it tomorrow at the party. His tongue is looser when he has a drink and there will be more opportunity to talk privately.”

“Make sure you do, or I will.”

Jon kissed Dorothea square on the lips and pulled her to him. “I like it when you talk tough.”

“You would.” She slapped him playfully and kissed him back, only to be interrupted by the ringing of the phone.

Jasmine lay dozing on the sofa resting her head on Richie’s lap. Her body was so relaxed that she wondered if she would be able to get up ever again. Richie was absent mindedly stroking his long fingers through the silky threads of her golden hair lost in thought. They had sat in silence for most of the afternoon, alternating between sleeping and stroking each other. Jasmine’s mind had wandered through the events of the past few years right up to where she was currently sitting. She couldn’t believe how she had ended up in that position but decided that rather than have regrets about things that had happened, she should embrace them because if they hadn’t have happened then she wouldn’t have met Richie and be as content as she was right now.

Unbeknownst to Jasmine, Richie was also thinking along the same lines. He had certainly lived an interesting life, and had thought of himself as the life and soul of the band, always ready for the next party or adventure. However, right now he couldn’t be more satisfied or happy. It seemed to him that as long as he had Jasmine, he wouldn’t care if he never went to another party again.

It was the rumbling coming from Jasmine’s stomach that compelled her to move from the comfort of Richie’s embrace sometime past 6pm. She prepared a more healthy meal than their last and had presented it in front of him before he could complain about her doing anything and send her to go rest again.

“Thanks darlin’,” Richie mumbled, having just woke up. He took the plate and cleared it within a few minutes, rubbing his satisfied stomach. 

“This time tomorrow we’ll be all dressed up and ready to party.” Jasmine noted.

Richie smiled widely and his eyes sparkled at the mention of the coming festivities. “It went so quickly didn’t it? It only seems like yesterday we started recording but somehow it feels like you have always been around, in the nicest possible way I mean!”

“I know what you mean, in some ways it feels like we’ve known each other for ages, years even, but in other ways it feels like we have only just begun to get to know each other, like the whole colorblindness thing.”

“Ha, yeah! I guess I took it for granted that you would know that. I’m so used to everyone knowing everything about me that I forget that there are some people who don’t.”

“I can understand that. So, is there anything that I really need to know but don’t already?”

Richie pondered her question, his brow furrowed in response to his hard thinking. “I don’t think so. I’m really very easy.”

Jasmine couldn’t help herself and giggled at the innuendo but didn’t respond any further because she could see Richie was still thinking.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“I think so. You already know what makes me tick, what my favorite things are and the important things about my past. I guess you’d have to talk to everyone else because they know my irritating habits. Anyhow, if you knew everything now, it would get rather boring quite quickly. Half the fun of a relationship is learning about each other.”

“You’re right. I know the important stuff, and I’m sure you’d have told me if you’re allergic to anything, so let’s have lots of fun finding the other stuff out.”

Richie’s mind went into overdrive and he shifted so he was leaning on his arms above Jasmine. “I have a few things I want to find out right now,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows and laying a trail of kisses down her neck towards the creamy skin peaking out from under her top.

Jasmine chuckled as she hooked her legs around his hips and locked her arms around his neck, 

“I think I’m going to enjoy this quest for knowledge!”