"The Turn of the Wheel" Part One 9810.05 by Nytshaed. ©1998 Chaotic Works Inc. No part of the manuscript may be published, posted or reposted without explicit written permission by the Author. This story is of an Adult nature and is intended for persons over the age of 18
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"You have a couple of messages waiting Ms D'Arques the girl told her as she reached over for a print out, then handed it to Sophie. "Enjoy your stay."

"Thanks." Sophie said stepping away from the counter and looking over the messages. One was from Swan, wishing her a nice mini vacation, one was from a friend of hers who wanted to get together for dinner later that night, and the shortest and most pleasing of all was from Stevie.

"Room 1645 - Blaze."

The was a phone number there as well, that did not belong to the hotel, it had to be his local cel number. Looking around the lobby, she spotted a house phone, and went over to it. Dialing his room, she got no answer, and declined to leave a message, then after catching one of the elevators, rode it up to the sixteenth floor. Walking down the hall, she glanced at the signs telling which rooms lay in which direction, and followed the hallway down to number 1648. How was that for coincidence? Her room was right cross the hall from Stevie's. She smiled as she unlocked her door, and stepped inside. After putting away the few things she had brought with her, she left the room, and was startled to encounter someone standing right outside her door. Gasping, she took a step back and looked up, her eyes meeting with a pair of deep brown ones.

"Stevie!" She growled, punching him in the chest. "You scared the life out of me!"

"Ow..." He said quietly, taking a step back and placing his hand over the sore spot on his chest. "You hurt me..."

"Huh, you should be so lucky." She said stepping into the hallway and letting the door close behind her. "When did you get in?" She asked as she thumbed through the pocket guide to the schedule of events for that day at NAMM. When she did not get an answer, she looked over at him again. He was pouting at her in the most annoying way.

"What?"

"Can't I even get a hug?" He asked, holding his arms out to her.

Sophie sighed and rolled her eyes as she stepped into his embrace. The tightness with which he held her surprised her. She hugged him back, and held onto him until the comfort level of the touch was gone. Too much touching of him was dangerous for her in more ways than one. She backed away from him, and gave him a inquisitive look.

"What?" He smiled, all innocence.

"What's up with you?"

"Just missed you that's all. It has been a long time since I saw you last you know."

"Yeah..." She said, still not convinced.

"Yeah." He said drawing out the word and his accent. "You hungry?" He asked, changing the subject.

"Yeah, as a matter of fact I am. You buying?" She grinned slipping her arm in his and leading him down the hall.

"For you, anything." He smiled as they left the floor to venture out to the Convention.

"Guess what?"

"What?" Sophie asked as she slipped all of the items back into a bag to continue going over later.

"I got asked to play in the All Star Jam tonight! Cool huh?" He said reaching over to grab hold of her soda and steal a long sip.

"Yeah. That's great. What time is it again?"

"Nine o'clock I think."

"Ouch."

"What?" He asked, seeing the disappointment in her face.

"I have other plans. Look..." She said reaching into her fanny pack and pulling out a round, black leather item. She handed it to Stevie and he read the silver hand-inked lettering, and his eyebrows raised in surprise as he read aloud from the invite.

"Nothing Records Nine Inch Nails Halo 15 prerelease party. I heard about this, it's a toughie to get into... Nice score. Who ya takin'?" He asked grinning, seeing the invitation admitted two to the party.

"I was thinking of taking my friend Brent who is supposed to be some where around here. He's been leaving messages on my pager all day.

Stevie sneered at her.

"Brent." He replied slowly. "Not your type."

Sophie smiled and took another bite of her crab sandwich. She watched Stevie as he tossed the invite back to her, and leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingertips under his chin as he watched her. Sophie noticed his sudden serious study of her, and returned the serious stare.

"What's up with you?"

"Nothing. Just deep in thought for a second."

"Hmmm. Thought I smelled smoke." She smirked, and took another bite of her lunch.

Stevie shook his head and mouthed "Ha ha ha." silently at her.

Sophie smiled at him and wrinkled her nose.

"Who else would I take to the party? I will go to the Jam with you, then we can hit the party after. It doesn't start until eleven anyway."

Stevie nodded, and inhaled a deep breath then slowly let it out, still looking solemn.

"What? What is up with you?" She said kicking him under the table. Stevie shook his head and didn't respond. He looked off to the side, and watched the people who were walking around the hotel. Sophie shrugged and went back to finishing her meal in silence.

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(JAM scene)

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After a quick cleanup after the Jam, Sophie and Stevie walked hand in hand to the elevator that accessed the upper private floors of the hotel. Standing in the elevator, he smiled as she squeezed her hand in his, and smiled.

"That was fun."

"It looked it. You guys rocked. I hope someone taped or recorded it."

"I'll find out." He said looking up at the elevator arrived at the private floor, and the doors opened. They stepped out and were immediately met by some of the most intimidating Security Guards either could recall seeing in a long time.

"Invitation?" One inquired while the other looked them over closely, obviously assessing their threat level. Sophie handed the invite over and after it was run under a infra red machine to reveal a hidden watermark, both of them were given neon green wrist bands, and allowed to enter the floor.

The party as it turned out was actually taking place in several rooms all adjoined, and Sophie noticed as they wandered from one to another, that there seemed to be a least two different colors of wrist bands. Neon green and purple.

"I wonder what the colors mean?" She said in Stevie's ear over the cacophonous music. Stevie looked around at the post nuclear holocaust decorations, and neon lighting, and shrugged.

"Maybe we are the ones who get sacrificed at midnight."

"Yeah right. Come on, let's get a drink." She said taking him by the hand, and leading him through the throngs of people. It was indeed the A List of A list parties. All the faces were familiar to her and Stevie as insiders, and major industry players. Sophie was sure it was Swan who had gotten her into this shindig. The only fan types or lesser known rockers seemed to be the dates of those in the golden circle.

After wandering from one room to the next, she at last found a room with a bar, and stepped up to it. Leaning on the counter of the wet bar, she looked at the offerings. The young Goth bartender looked at her and smiled.

"What's your pleasure?"

"Hmmm... What do you recommend?"

"Well, with the band you have on, I recommend the top shelf."

"Of course." She smiled, and looked at Stevie who was surveying the crowd for familiar, friendly faces. He was way out of his musical element here. He was one of the few not dressed up for a Victorian Funeral.

"How about you Stevie? Top shelf drink?"

"Yeah, great." He answered absentmindedly, still looking around. He looked back when he felt his wrist being examined by the Bartender.

"OK you both pass, follow me..." He said opening the door directly behind the wet bar. Sophie looked at Stevie and giggled nervously.

"Now we die." He said quietly as he followed her into the room. The Bartender shut the door behind them, and resumed his duties to the less chosen.

This new room was dark, and Gothic in decoration, however on a much more subdued level. Music was playing, but at a level where conversations were possible. There was an open space where a few couples were dancing, if you could call it that, and most everyone else in the room was sitting at tables drinking from tall clear glasses. The lighting in the room was dim at best, and in most places green of all colors. A few lamps with white light bulbs provided just enough light to maneuver by. She spotted a couch that was empty and dragged him over to sit down. After he sat down beside her, she swung her legs over his lap, and he rested his hands on her knees, giving them a gentle rub.

"We still don't have drinks."

"I know. I didn't see a bar anywhere." Stevie said looking at the people wandering about.

Not two minutes later, a girl dressed a Goth Barmaid arrived with a tray and two tall glasses of liquid that looked pale green in the green light. She smiled, and handed one first to Sophie, then one to Stevie.

"Enjoy!" She chirped, then sashayed away.

Sophie looked at the drink, then at Stevie.

"No, NOW we die."

Stevie lifted the glass to his lips, and sniffed. Sophie watched as a confused expression come over his face. He sniffed again then took a tentative sip. He smiled and looked over at her.

"Try it."

"What is it?"

"Try it." He repeated, taking a long sip from his.

Sophie gave him a wary stare as she sniffed at hers. The smell of licorice reached her nose, and she took a small sip. The face she made from the bitter tasting concoction made Stevie chuckle as he sipped at his again.

"What is this stuff?" She winced.

"Absinthe." He said in her ear.

"What?"

"Good stuff. Very illegal." He grinned as he drank from his again. Sophie shrugged, and drank from hers again, this time not so surprised by the odd bitter taste.

"It's diluted isn't it? It takes mostly like water."

"Oh yeah. Absinthe is taken in a dose. One shot per glassful of ice water, with a sugar cube or two. It's a very elegant way to get smashed out of one's gourd."

"Really?"

"Um hmmm." He grinned as he rested his glass on her knee. One will usually do you just fine, two will put you in a coma."

"Why is it illegal?"

"It has wormwood in it. It's poison liquor."

"Delightful."

"Too much will make you go insane."

Sophie gave Stevie a genuinely concerned look.

"How much is too much, and much have you had of this before?"

Stevie laughed at her in a maniacal way, opening his eyes wide, then sipped at his again. He continued to chuckle to the point of almost spitting his drink on himself and her.

Sophie shook her head and returned to drinking hers.

Ten minutes later, both glasses were empty, and had been set on a table nearby. Sophie was cradled in Stevie's embrace, and both were staring at the odd lighting in the dark room. The lights and the effect they had on one's eyes seemed so much more intense then before.

"I feel like a Zombie." Sophie murmured in Stevie's ear, referring to the overwhelming buzz she was feeling.

"That's the idea."

Moments passed, and the cuddling became more familiar, and Sophie even looked up to receive a slow deep kiss from him after she felt him place a kiss on the top of her head. It was strange kissing him now that he was sporting a mustache and small beard. He had been clean shaven and baby faced when they had last been lovers 8 years ago. Reluctantly, she broke the kiss and looked away. Stevie stared at her, and leaned his face against hers. Closing his eyes, he fought to see through the hallucinogenic fog he was in and read her soul.

Finally the time was right, he knew it even though she did not. He would have to set her on the path that would lead her from the dark into the light. The journey would not be without risk, especially to her, but that could not be avoided, and he could not dwell on that now, lest he lose faith in his convictions. It was time to shepherd the lost, and call her home.

"Do you wanna dance?" He slurred, his words heavy with his accent in her ear.

"Yeah." She nodded heavily and slipped from his lap to the floor where he lifted her back up to a standing position. Taking her hand, he led her to the open space in the middle of the room serving as a dance floor. Two other couples shared the space as he slipped his arm around her waist, clasped her hand in his and pulled her tightly to him. At first she melded her body to his, using him more for stabilization than a dance partner. Then as the pace of the throbbing music subtly changed from hypnotic drone, to pounding fuck beat, Stevie ceased the slow circle they had been making together, and thrust one knee between her thighs. Repositioning a hand on her ass to pull her groin to his, he began to dramatically change the pace and style of their dance. Sophie moaned in weakening torment, and looked up at him. His stare back down at her was intense and full of unspoken passion. Holding her hips tightly to his, and feeling his own growing arousal, he stared deep into her eyes, her soul, and drew her into him. Her mouth slowly opened, as if to speak, and lowering his mouth to hers, he silenced any possible protest she might have offered.

She moaned behind his deep kiss, and the response of her body against his set the wheels of fate in a slow motion forward. Stevie's arms held her tightly to him as he ground his hips to hers, and kissed her soul deep. He rocked the both of them slowly back and forth, side to side in the beginnings of a mating ritual only he understood the importance of. Sophie leaned back fighting for air in the stale room, and Stevie leaned her farther backwards until her long hair fairly brushed the floor behind her. Leaving her in the dip until he was sure she was quite dizzy, he quickly pulled her back upright, and again kissed her hungrily. His left hand massaged, and kneaded the soft flesh of her ass through the sheer black mini skirt she was wearing, while the right slipped between his chest and hers to cup hold of her left breast, and knead it with equal intensity.

The heat from the closed room, was stifling, and the heat building between the two was was only adding to that. Both bodies were aglow with a light sweat, and Sophie nuzzled her face to his neck inhaling his divine scent. It filled her nose, and sent her mind reeling further, as he rocked their bodies slowly in an undulating wave of thrust, and receive. Sophie's heart raced in her chest, and she clung to him as his hands explored, coaxed, and enflamed her.

It took only a couple more minutes of the unfamiliar, and intense touch from this man to chip away at her frail loyalties to AJ. At last, in response her hands began to travel over his body. Sophie stroked his shoulders, his arms, his chest, then slid her hands around his waist and down to his ass. One hand remained there while the other snaked down between them to stroke the hardon throbbing inside his jeans. Stevie gasped, and momentarily tossed his head back, also gasping for air in the stuffy and incense filled room. Returning his mouth to her ear, he spoke.

"The time is right my love, my light, come to me..." He purred before tracing a trail of kisses from her ear to her throat, where he bit down fiercely in a claiming bite. Sophie gasped and her knees buckled. Only because Stevie's thigh was between hers, and his arms were back around her waist kept her from hitting the floor.

"Stevie." She muttered, eyes closed, lost in the sensation overload.

"Yes dove..." He whispered in her ear, brushing her hair aside to allow him more access to the tender flesh there. He bit her again, just below her right ear making her shiver in his arms.

"I -- I can't..." She whispered.

"Wait?" He finished for her.

She didn't answer, she could not bear to say the words of betrayal, to vocalize that she was once again his to touch, taste and love.

"I will make it easy for you." He purred. "Don't say a word." He whispered as he swept her up in his arms suddenly, and despite briefly losing his balance, started for the door leading from the heady Absinthe Den.

From a nearby table, an interested observer, sipped his own glass of Absinthe. His hand had already slyly slid down the front of his pants to stroke himself while watching the passionate foreplay of the couple on the dance floor. He had had no doubt that he was going take her right there, but he had been wrong. Concealed by the long trench coat he was wearing, no one would have been the wiser if he were to pleasure himself at their expense. He couldn't have hired better live entertainment for the Absinthe lounge.

"Dammit." Trent quietly swore as he watched them depart, and resumed drinking while he withdrew his hand from his crotch.

Stevie negotiated the crowd of bodies until he at last found a door that led to the outer hallway, and departed the party rooms. Sophie wrapped her arms around his neck, and again nuzzled her face against the sweetness of his moist skin where she placed a kiss, then a bite of her own. Stevie dodged the arriving party goers, and at last reached the elevator bank, and pressed the down button with his elbow.

The Party Guards watched them silently as they boarded the elevator and the doors shut behind them. Letting go of her legs, and letting her feet return to the floor, he turned to press the button for the fifteenth floor, before walking her backwards until he was pressing her against the back wall of the elevator. Quickly, his hands framed her face as his mouth covered hers, and his hips pressed her to the wall. Sophie's hand moved to his belly between them, and her fingers tore open the buttons on his fly of his jeans allowing her to slip her hand into the warm recesses of his pants. Stevie sighed as he felt her cool hand slide over his fevered belly, through the mat of thick hair and wrap tightly around his cock. He was already hard needing no coaxing. He moaned softly as Sophie's hand slowly stroked up and down his firm length, making the tight fitting jeans feel all the more constrictive. His hips moved to meet her limited strokes and his hands fumbled with the blouse she wore, lifting it upward so he could slide his hands underneath. Lifting her bra aside his hands covered her breasts and massaged them eagerly, teasing the hard nipples with his fingertips as he continued to kiss her.

The elevator stopped at the 18th floor, and the couple waiting there watched the mutual ravaging going on in the elevator car, and decided to wait for another. The doors closed and the next stop was the 15th floor. Stevie looked around to check the floor indicator, and seeing they were at theirs, clasped Sophie's hand in his and together they rushed out of the elevator and down the hall. He looked over at her and smiled, his eyes wild, and was pleased to see the same look in hers. He reached around to his back pocket, and searched for his room key. A panicked look came over him when he could not find it.

Sophie quickly unzipped her fanny pack and pulled hers out just as they reached the door. Stevie stood behind her stroking her sides with his hands while she unlocked the door. Once the green light appeared, and she twisted the handle, he grasped her hips in his hands and shoved her ahead of him into the pitch dark room. Stevie guided her forward until they collided with the first of the two beds, and he landed on it beside her. Fumbling for her in the dark, his hands and mouth once again found hers, and while he rolled her over on her back and kissed her, he stripped her blouse away, then slid his hands back under her ass to unzip the skirt she was wearing.

Sophie meanwhile had unbuttoned the remaining buttons on his jeans, and began to jerk them downward. Knowing this would never work effectively, Stevie broke away from her, taking a step backwards, and shucked away the shirt he was wearing, then alternated standing first on one foot then the other to pull off the boots he was wearing and toss them aside with a pair of wall denting thumps.

Sophie sat up, quickly adding her clothing to the growing collection on the floor, and had just shimmied out of her panties when she felt him rejoin her on the bed. He covered her like a blanket with his body, pressing her down into the bed. The touch of his smooth warm skin, on hers was delicious, and she ran her hands through the long hair at his temples, guiding his face to hers as his body slipped between her thighs. He kissed her hungrily alternating bites of her lips, with gentle slips of his tongue between her lips. When his kisses moved from her mouth to her neck, she sighed aloud, and her hands rubbed up and down his sides then up to his shoulders as he bit down voraciously on the side of her neck. Sophie moaned and her back arched upward. Knowing this had to be quick, he slid his right hand downward, raking the long fingernails he used for guitar playing down her side, across her hip then down between her thighs. Sophie gasped when she felt him slide two slender fingers inside of her, and press his thumb against her clit.

"Stevie! Uh!" She cried out, shifting her head, to break from his kisses. Stevie continued stirring his fingers deeper and deeper into her feeling the moisture of her arousal increase and slip over his fingers. Feeling her ready, he gathered some of her wetness on his fingers and smoothed it over the head of his cock, mixing with his own juices already there. Grasping hold of himself, he slipped the head of his cock into her, then grasped hold of her hip for leverage as he pushed himself into her. Sophie moaned, and writhed beneath him as he withdrew himself, then pushed into her again, deeper this time.

"Stevie..." She pleaded, digging her fingernails into his shoulders, as he again drew out of her, then with a final thrust, buried his length into her. Both sighed simultaneously, and he again moved his mouth to hers as he began to move himself in and out of her. Sophie immediately began to lift her hips to meet his rhythm, the high from his touch and the drugged liquor coursing through her system. He moved his hands to the bed on either side of her shoulders, and with a final nip of her lips with his front teeth, he lifted himself up off of her, and increased the power of his thrusts. He was already so close it wouldn't take much. The Absinthe was an added bonus to boost the sensations he was feeling. Opening his eyes, he looked down through the darkness at her. The only light in the room came from the green glow of the alarm clock on the night stand, and the blinking red message light on the phone. Both combined to bathe the pair of undulating damp bodies in a strange glow. As if sensing his gaze upon her, Sophie's eyes opened as well, and she smiled up at him, she blew him a kiss, and lifted her hands up over her head. She reclosed her eyes, and whimpered softly as he moved his hands to grasp her wrists, and hold pin them to the bed over her head. Lowering his mouth to her throat he nipped at the salty skin, and felt his climax nearing as the Absinthe high was peaking.

"Stevie..." He heard her call, and he moved his mouth to her ear, all the while thrusting deeply inside her.

"Yes my dove?" He whispered, still holding her hands captive.

"Mmmm..." was all she replied, the peak hitting her as well, and all that she was able to summon was a contented, stoned smile.

Stevie looked down at her, and for a flash second, the haze cleared, and he saw clearly what he was about to do. His breath caught in his throat for just a second, and he felt tears begin to run down his cheeks at his imminent betrayal. He loved her so much, and to save her, he would have to put her in the greatest danger of her entire life.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." He whispered in her ear as tears trailed down his cheeks.

"Hmmm Stevie...." Was Sophie's reply as she lifted her hips to meet his powerful thrusts, then cried out aloud as she trembled beneath him.

"Oh Stevie... Oh Stevie.." She called out, wrapping her thighs around his middle, and clutching her hands in his as he held her down under him. Feeling her tighten and contract around him pushed the darker thoughts from his mind, and tossing his head back as he lifted himself off of her again, he cried out her name as his hips bucked and he filled her with his seed. He grinned wide at the incredible sensation, as the orgasms echoed on and on for both of them. He remained there until shivering, he relaxed on top of her spent, and mind spinning. Drawing her close to him, he spooned up behind her, and sobbed quietly into the back of her hair. Reaching over with his right hand, he pulled the mussed coverlet over the both of them, and moments later she slept safely in his arms, leaving him alone with his despair and guilt.

Sophie stirred late the next morning, the black out shade doing their job of keeping the room Cave dark even though it was well past noon. She shifted her position in the bed, and pulled the covers over her exposed legs. She grimaced at the feeling of a dried stickiness between her bare thighs. Man that must have been a hell of a wet dream she had had. Then she noticed she was naked, and she never slept that way. A soft snore behind her made her whip her head around to spy Stevie sound asleep behind her, his long hair partially covering his face. Flashes of last night came filtering back into her memory, and she felt a chilling fear wash over her.

"Oh God no..." She moaned, laying back down and pulling the covers over her head. She trembled, knowing that this was a very bad thing. Fear was replaced by panic, then that was increased by the sudden, soul jolting ring of the phone next to her. Clutching her chest first at the mild heart attack, she grabbed the phone before it rand a second time, and put it to her ear.

"Hello?" She rasped, then turned the phone to the side to try and clear the phlegm in her throat.

"Sophie... I didn't wake you did it?" Purred the voice. It was Swan.

"No. I was up, just not vertical. The phone just scared the shit out of me." She said laying back on her back and brushing her long bangs our of her eyes. She glanced right as Stevie rolled onto his side, back to her, but did not awaken. "What's up?"

"I just wanted to see how you were doing. I had left a message earlier and got no reply, you are usually better about such things." He chided her mildly. "But then, you are on vacation as it were. Did you go to the Nothing Party last night?"

Sophie's mind was a fog, but bits and pieces of the previous evening were coming back to her.

"Yeah. It was a hoot. Did you get me into that?"

"Of course. Spoke to Trent my elf. Did you see him?"

"No, No I didn't. We uh... " She paused realizing her misstep, but it was too late. "We didn't stay too long." She finished.

"How is Stevie?" Swan asked after a pause. "You did tell him that anytime he wants to make a record again, I am here to help."

Sophie had to grin wide at that.

"Yeah, he knows. He's happy doing the local thing right now."

"Good, Well I jut wanted to see that all is going well. I spoke to AJ this morning." Sophie's stomach twisted into a sickening knot at just the mention of his name. "He is going to be arriving back in LA early Monday morning. I assume you will be able to go and claim him at the airport. I don't want him getting "lost" between there and Swanage. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal."

"Good. I will call you later with the details of that, you will be taking my car and some security of course. We don't want anything to go wrong."

"No. We don't." She said almost robotically, lost in her own whirlwind of thoughts.

"Good deal then. Enjoy the rest of the convention, I will be in touch, and give my regards to Stevie." He said, then the line clicked dead. Sophie slowly hung up the phone, then quickly got up from the bed to rush into the bathroom.

Normally she had nerves of iron, but the thought of what likely lay ahead due to her liaison with Stevie, and betrayal of AJ was more than enough to unsettle her stomach.

After the dry heaves subsided and she was able to sip at some water, she sat in the cold darkness of the bathroom for a long time. Finally the sobs could be contained no longer, and she broke down, covering her face with her hands. He would know, there was no way he would not. Even if he did not use his dark gifts to rape her mind and emotional being, he would know she had been with another, and there was no other that could have possible led her astray other than Stevie. Resting her forehead on her knees and wrapping her arms around her bent legs, she started to get a bit of control back. The sobs continued, but quieter now, and she looked up when she felt the weight of eyes upon her.

Stevie stood in the doorway, his expression matching hers. She sniffled and was taken aback by the pronounced sadness in his eyes. She had never seen him this way in all the years she had known him.

"I'm sorry Sophie. I'm so sorry..." He said quietly. Sophie looked away from him. It would have been better, but uncharacteristic behavior if he had just left after doing her. He had made his point, had his conquest of AJ's woman, what else was there to say? She could feel the anger building towards him, but it was hard to hold onto. She knew she had to be at least as guilty as he was. She had never been one not to take responsibility for her actions.

She could not bear to look at him when she felt his warm and consoling touch envelope her. He said nothing, but held her close to him and placed gentle kisses on her wet cheeks.

"He's gonna kill me." She said at last, sniffling again and wiping at her nose with a bath towel.

"No. He won't. You are too dear to him." He whispered to her, hoping to God he was right. He knew AJ only too well, even if mostly by second hand information, and there was no predicting what his reaction would be. He would seek revenge, that was easily surmised, but at whom and at what level remained to be seen.

When she shivered against him as a chill washed over her, Stevie silently helped her to her feet, and they returned to the bed. After slipping under the covers and reluctantly back into his arms. Sophie laid her head on her pillow and remained silent. Stevie's light touches of his fingertips on her shoulders, cheek, and lips went unanswered. He placed gentle kisses on her shoulder, and waited.

Suddenly, she leaned away from him and went to sit up.
"I need to take a shower." She said quietly. Stevie put a hand on her arm.

"Don't go yet. Please stay." He said, the words catching in his throat. Sophie turned to look at him, the accusatory glare wounded him to the core, but he had to forge ahead.

"Stay? Why?"

"I need you." He said softly, still holding onto her arm. Sophie opened her mouth to berate him further, but the sadness in his eyes stopped her. But for just a second.

"You need me. You need ME?! Do you realize what you've done to me? I hope it felt good for you, I hope it was all worth it. You played me Stevie! What the hell were you thinking?! How could you do this to me?" He shook his head, unable or unwilling to answer. this only made her angrier.

"Answer me Blaze!!" She shouted. "Why? Why now? Why ruin my life now? Because that's what you've done! I am going to loose everything, at the very least my job, at the most, my fucking life!!"

Stevie looked up at her, tears filling his eyes.

"Because I am lost. So lost without you. I need you now. I need you to come back."

"Back? To what? I thought you were engaged the last time I talked to you."

"That was a lie." He said looking down at the bed momentarily, then back to her. "I am alone."

"Well, seducing another man's girlfriend is not the way to make anyone happy. What is wrong with you? What has happened to you? This isn't you..." She said, her voice trailing off at the last accusation as she heard her own words echo in her head. "This isn't you at all..." She said pausing and stared deep into his eyes. The stare continued for several minutes, with neither looking away or saying another word.

Stevie at last spoke, giving her arm a squeeze as he did so.

"He will know. You and I both know that and nothing we do now or later is going to change that. Last night was my doing, and I will not deny it. I will take the blame."

"Do you think that is going to matter to him?! He's gonna have our heads mounted over his mantle."

"No. You and I both know that Swan will protect you. Remember that."

Sophie paused to think. He was right. She had on more than one occasion over the past several years seen and heard Swan punish AJ for transgressions against her. He had sounded so casual on the phone this morning as well when asking about Stevie, as if he knew what had occurred and was not concerned. It made her head hurt to try and figure that enigma out.

"Yeah. I guess I do have Swan as backup, still..."

Stevie reached for her again, and this time she did not pull away.

"Please, let me hold you, let me be with you. I know two wrongs won't make things right, but what is done is done. Let's live in the moments we have left, make memories. I promise it will be the last. I will not pursue you like this again. I know we will be together if and when the time is right. If it is meant to be, it will be." He said quietly. Sophie nodded after a moment, and slipped back down into the bed beside him.

Laying on her back, as she looked up at him, he offered her a weak smile as he brushed the side of her cheek with the back of his hand.

"How could I not want you? You know I never stopped. How could I not love you? You are my soul, my light." He said, quoting an old song of his. Sophie smiled and reached up to mimic his touch.

"How could I live without your kiss? You know it sustains me. How could I live without your smile, it is the light by which I live." She whispered, finishing the verse. Lowering his mouth to hers, he kissed her gently, and slid his hands behind her back. With one fluid motion, he rolled them over until she lay atop him. Sophie brushed her hair back out of her face and smiled down at him. He returned the smile.

"I should tie you up and beat you ya know."

"Oooh!" He mouthed silently, eyes growing wide.

"Mmmm, naw.. Why reward such deviant behavior?"

Swan looked up from what he had been reading as the phone on his desk rang. He let it ring three more times before picking up the receiver.

"Yes AJ?" He answered, knowing who it was as soon as the phone had started to ring.

"Do I get a bonus if I come back early?"

Swan chuckled.

"Hardly. Even if you got on the plane now..." He said looking at his pocket watch. "You would arrive too late to do any good. Besides, everyone has the weekend off. Monday morning as planned will be fine. Good-bye AJ."

"Wait! Is Sophie around?"

Swan smiled cruelly.

"No, she's at NAMM. You know that."

"Have you talked to her?"

"As a matter of fact yes. Not too long ago actually. I do believe I caught her still in bed."

"She had better have been alone."

"On that I cannot say. I heard nothing to lead me to believe she was in the company of anyone."

"Blaze is out there isn't he?"

"Yes, she did mention seeing him. Went to a party together I believe."

"Who's party?"

"She didn't say." He coolly lied. He knew it would only take a few phone calls from AJ to find out EVERYTHING that had gone on at the party, and he did not need that distraction for his star yet. If there was going to be Armageddon, it would happen in his realm of control.

"Yeah, well whatever. Just tell her to be on time when she picks me up. If Bayou Boy makes her late or touches her, I'll have his fucking head for a hood ornament."

"Nice talking to you too AJ. Good day." Swan said before hanging the phone up. Leaning back in his chair, he smiled. Everything was progressing according to plan.

Sophie raised herself up off of Stevie, and rested her palms on his chest as he rocked his hips under her. Her hips moved back and forth in perfect synchronization with his. Stevie pulled at the strips of shredded towel that held his hands fast over his head. He was trapped, but what a way to be held prisoner. Sophie opened her eyes to glance down at him, and changed the rhythm to a slightly quicker pace.

"I like you like this." She smiled.

"So do I."

She closed her eyes as she felt a climax nearing, and rocked her hips harder, sending him deeper and deeper into her. Stevie smiled. It was going so well, his success was at hand. Last night he had sensed her cycle being at the optimum point. All he had to do was keep her thoughts from the future, and on the present. Sophie's sudden gasp, and labored panting drew his attention again to her, and he watched as she thrust against him harder yet, and then shiver as she came. He felt her tighten around him, and he moaned as he neared his own climax. He pulled against the bonds that held his hands from her. He wanted to caress her, stroke her skin, and pull her to him.

"Sophie..." He moaned, writhing under her as he moved at his own pace now.

Suddenly her lips were on his, and her hands framing his face as she kissed him ever so tenderly. A kiss of innocent love. Stevie lost himself in her sweet touches, and let out a long moan as she moved to nibble on the side of his neck. Her teeth, and lips sucked and bit at him, starting what would be a bright love bite. The painful sensation combined with his captivity pushed him to the brink. Then she spoke.
"You are the one I think of when he takes me. His touch is so cold, it's you alone I dreamed of." She whispered in his ear.

Stevie couldn't believe what he was hearing, and cried out her name a final time as she pressed her body tightly down onto his, and he bucked under her, sending his seed deep into her with a final thrust. His eyes closed, he gasped for air, until she kissed him again, and clung to him while the tremors of the release echoed on. No more was said for several long moments, it was as if time were standing still. Stevie inhaled a deep breath, and let it out slowly. Success, and triumph was his.

Sophie, slowly slid off of him, and nuzzled beside him. After placing light kisses on his lips and eyelids, she laid her head on his chest and listened to his pounding heartbeat.

"Mmm... That was nice."

Stevie nodded aimlessly, no matter how good it felt to be with her again, his hidden agenda had left a bitter aftertaste following the sweetness of their joining. He stared up at the ceiling overhead, and sighed.

"Whatsa matta you?" Sophie asked.

"My hands are going numb." He lied.

"Oopsie, sorry love." She said sitting up to untie him.

Once his wrists were free, he rubbed them, feeling the indents left by the strips of towel. Sophie looked down at him and brushed his hair back behind his left ear.

"How about a shower Bayou Boy? I gotta get downstairs for a panel and I can't go down there smelling like you." She grinned before kissing him. Stevie kissed her back and wrapped his arms around her back, hugging her to him. Breaking the kiss she looked down at him for the longest time with the most serene of expressions. He alone could see the spark of life that was just beginning to burn. It was done.

"Penny for your thoughts." He asked, mostly to distract himself from his own.

Sophie smiled and shook her head.

"You'd be overpaying." She said as she slipped out of his embrace, and the bed to disappear into the bathroom. Folding his hands behind his head, he sighed. He heard the water start up, and Sophie singing a tune he did not recognize, probably some abomination from FAUST. As he laid there thinking, he sniffed, once, twice, and made a face. Leaning his head to the side, nearer to his pits confirmed his suspicions. Groaning, he rolled out of the bed, and went to join Sophie in the shower.

He found her already in and busy shampooing her hair. Her smile was warm as he stepped inside. He moved towards her slowly, and gave her a shy smile.

"You are amazing." he said slipping his hand around her waist.

"What makes you say that?" She asked as she continued washing her hair.

"The truth." He said simply.

Sophie rolled her eyes, and leaned back into the water to rinse out her hair. "You are too much."

After the shower, Sophie dressed in her room, while Stevie rushed across the hallway in a towel after at last locating his room key to change his clothes. Sophie finished first and knocked on his door fifteen minutes after he had left, and was left standing there until a third round of knocks was finally answered.

"What the hell were you doing in here Blaze? Whacking off? Jeez."

"Nope, blow dryer was on." He said giving the sides of his hair a last fluff-up with his fingers before turning away from the mirror. Sophie looked around the room and went to the window to look outside as he sat on the bed, and pulled on a pair of boots.

"What are your plans for today?"

"I have to be at the Parker booth for a while then I think I am on a panel."

"You think?" She asked turning from the window and the bland urban scenery to look at him.

"Yeah, I haven't read my packet yet."

Sophie rolled her eyes and shook her head as she went to retrieve it from the dresser.

"Musicians." She grumbled as she opened it and looked through the itinerary.

She gave him a long look over when he stood up, assessing his outfit du jour. Maroon shirt under a black leather vest, black leather pants and a pair of snakeskin boots. She smiled and nodded her head in approval. Stepping over to him, she hooked her finger in the waist of his pants and gave them a tug.

"Can you breathe in those or what?"

"Actually no. I have about half an hour before I pass out from oxygen depravation."

"Mmmm... Indeed. You are on the Musicians and Marketing panel at one, and supposed to be at the Parker Guitar booth. at two thirty." She said glancing at her watch. "You better move it son."

Stevie smiled at her, hiding the guilt that nagged at him now.

"Yeah, wanna walk down with me?" He said offering her his arm. Sophie smiled as she accepted, and together they left the room for the Exhibit Halls.