Chapter 17

They'd been driving nearly thirty minutes when he finally pulled off the highway. He glanced at Mel; she seemed to have fallen asleep. That was good. He could do without her constant ire right then. He slid his eyes to the NY skyline off in the distance. She was going kill him when she realized where they were.

He drove down a dark street and turned off into a side alley. He knew just the place. In Woodbridge there was nothing to do at this hour, but New York never sleeps, especially for someone like him. She didn't know anything about who he was or what he could do. He would show her. He had the world at his feet.

He parked then finally spoke "Hey Mel.... wake up... we’re here."

She muttered softly and shifted in her seat, her eyes slammed shut against the dark. "Go away Shan, if you’re hungry fix it yourself."

"Mel!" he said a bit louder and poked her ribs "Come on girl.. it's time to party!" He opened his door and got out, walking around to pull open her door. He towered over her slumped form and waited for her to move.

Party? She didn't party. Hell he was even invading her sleep now. She should of sold that house and moved to Timbuktu. "Go way Shan, lemme sleep!"

He sighed and reached in to scoop her out. Once in his arms he planted a firm yet gentle kiss on her lips, coaxing her mouth open with his tongue.

She felt the lips on hers and stiffened. Shan didn't kiss her... No one kissed her.. Except.. Her eyes popped open to find herself being carried towards a building. "DORK! what the hell?"

He grinned and sat her down on her own two feet. "There, now your awake.... lemme look at’cha" He first eyed her conservative button up blouse, made a face and reached out to unbutton the top three buttons letting just a slip of white lace bra peek out the top. He then eyed her ever present ponytail. That just wouldn’t do, he wanted his sunburst hair free. He reached around and let it loose tossing the hair tie on the ground and ran his long slender fingers thru the mass till it laid just so. "There... that'll work." He grabbed her hand and took a step toward the door of the massive, if not slightly run down building then stopped. "Shit... just a sec.... don't move..."

He crossed back to his car, unlocking it and reaching into the backseat. He pulled out a well worn black Stetson and with a quick swipe of a hand thru his hair he stuck it on his head then returned to her. "Now I'm ready."

He grabbed up her hand in his and swung open the door to the late night pub.

Her eyes went wide as he readjusted her clothing, her hands inching up to refasten the buttons, stopping when he jammed the hat on his head. That wasn't his little golfer's fishing hat, and damn what it did, made him darker, sleeker, shit it made him dangerous looking. Don’t look Melanie Jo, just fix your shirt. Eyes skittered away as he walked towards her, her fingers valiantly trying to fix what he'd undone. "You threw away my hair clip! Why'd you throw away my... GAAAH!"

He didn’t even answer her just scooted her into the dimly lit place. It was small yet filled with what could only be described as a few of the more hardcore "beautiful people." There were guys jamming on a small stage, the room was filled with strange smelling smoke and the drinks were flowing freely. He waved when he heard more than one person call out, "Hey Sambora!" from across the room. Pushing Mel towards the bar he stepped up behind her, winked at the buxom blonde barkeep and said "The usual Darlin’ one for me.. one for my girl here"

The girl nodded and smiled, her eyes shining as she looked him up and down. She placed two tall glasses filled with vodka on the rocks and a twist of lime in front of him and with a knowing wink in Mel’s direction said "Enjoy."

She looked wide eyed around the room, into the veritable sin pit he'd dragged her into. My god that girl had on scraps for clothes and that guy’s hands were...Was that Judd Nelson? Jesus Christ! There were famous people here! She slammed her eyes closed as the words my girl washed through her and she trembled. She snapped to attention at the barkeeps words and damn near stuttered, "Uhh.. um.. thanks."

She whirled on Richie as his words sank in, the urge to just pop him one shining in her eyes. "YOUR GIRL??? You... God where is this place? IT looks like.. "She lowered her voice, aware suddenly that they were getting a lot of looks. "What the hell are you doing?"

"I'm showin' you a good time Darlin'." He slipped an arm around her waist and drove her thru the crowd, waving hello to familiar faces as they went. "I have a feelin' it's been a long time since you just cut loose and enjoyed life so... tonight’s the night...." He stopped their journey in front of the stage, closed his eyes and let the sound of the blues wash over him.

She glanced up at him and watched as he got totally lost in the melody. He wanted her to enjoy herself, wanted her to cut loose, but damn if she remembered how. She scanned the small room and stepped closer to his body. Damned if all the women weren't either staring daggers at her or looking at him like they could eat him alive. God they didn't know her, why'd they look like they hated her?

He felt her sidle up to him and smiled. He pulled her close and bent down whispering in her ear "Close your eyes Mel."

She shook her head, her dark blonde locks flying. "Uhh no, someone might stick a knife in my back or something." She did scoot closer to him though; he'd hopefully keep her alive.