Simple Type

Part 1

By Starbearer TM

Disclaimer: I don't own KISS, and Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are real people. This is a work of Fiction, written as a tribute to these great guys who are a rock and roll legend, based on some facts mentioned in KISSTORY and KISS and Makeup by Gene Simmons. Raina MacLaren, Karen Valentez and the idea of Sweet Revenge are both fictional characters property of Trynia Merin.

Ray had been teaching for a full year as they learned more and more about music production that Karen said she had finally lined up a meeting with a possible manager. That was the difference between success and failure she said. He had agreed to meet their at a club where a few bands were performing. Ray wasn't sure Ray had ever heard of them.  Trish after having gotten off work remembered that she had to meet Karen back at the studio so the girls could meet up with a new producer that they had found for their first album.

Trish hung on as the attractive young cabdriver threaded his way through traffic. Karen and Liz continued to live in that same apartment. Trish was still playing with Mystery Machine at night, while Liz and Karen were trying to continue making ends meet to get enough money for a drum kit for Liz. Trish couldn't help but notice how lustrous that head of hair was in front of her, and how dark those eyes were as they fixed on her through that rear view mirror. Trish hadn't looked at men much since she was dating her recent boyfriend, but this guy was what Karen would call delicious.

"This your stop?" he asked in a very pleasant tenor voice. Trish wondered if he was a singer.

"No, it's down a little bit," she told him.

"Say, you look like a real classy lady to be going into a dive like this…"

"You're very forward mister… mister…"

"My buddies call me Stanley," he admitted. "But no seriously, what's a gal like you doing going to Harlem anyway?"

"To play," she said pertly, with a wink. His graceful eyebrow arched, and the cab pulled to a stop before Karen's building.

"Play as in a band, or play games?" he asked.

"A band actually… Stan…" Trish said with a grin.

"Hey you like rock and roll?" he asked. Here we go, Trish groaned. She saw him pass her a flier over the back of the seat as Trish handed him the money for the cab fair.

"Check this act out. It's playing tonight at the Daisy… the club address is on the leaflet. C'mon down and see us play!"

"You're in a band?" Trish laughed.

"Sure thing baby," he winked again, and turned around to look at her. That face with its classic cheekbones, graceful arching eyebrows and nicely shaped lips was good eye candy for her right then. Trish hadn't seen many men she'd consider knockouts, but this one was very easy on her eyes. And she was flirting with her, which proved she STILL had the appeal! He had to be a few years older then Karen, Trish’s age perhaps.

"Here you go," Trish said, handing him a ten. "Keep the change…"

"Holy crap are you serious?" he asked.

"I know bands. Put it in your Marshall amplifier fund," she winked back, and blew him a kiss as Trish got out with the flier in hand.

"Hey lady, what's your name? And what's this about playing in a band?"

"I'm a customer," she wagged my finger at him. "Isn't it against the rules to flirt?"

"Hey, humor me!" he said, turning on his 'off-duty' sign.

"Trisha Malloy!" Trish laughed. "And remember the name Sweet Revenge! Someday you'll be hearing it…"

"Stan!" he shouted back at her. "And the band's Wicked Lester!"

He pulled away quickly into the flow of New York traffic, and Trish felt her face flushing. She glanced down at the flier, and saw a picture of the logo, a large sunflower with the words "WICKED LESTER" superimposed on it. Thinking little of it she buzzed the number by Karen's nameplate.

"Well look at you," she said as she opened the door to Trish. "Why are you blushing?"

"I saw a cute guy," she said with a grin. "He was very easy on the eyes…"

"Gimmie his number," Karen pouted. They entered her apartment, which was filled with second hand amplifiers, wiring, and various other instrumentation. Even a battered piano dominated one corner. A large loft gave a sleeping space up over the bookcase where Liz slept. She laughed at the egg cartons taped to the walls in one corner, with the Jimi Hendrix and Doors posters plastering the other walls.

"What's this?" she asked. "We don't have much time before we gotta get the other two and head out to meet this manager…"

"What's his name…"

"No idea. But Trish said he came to see Mystery Machine, but he was interested in Trish's guitar, and Trish told him she was in a new band that was trying to get someone to help out. So he wants to meet you and me… I have the address written down here…"

We rushed over to her kitchen table, which was pretty much her filing cabinet. Bills, notices and other things were stacked and weighed down with painted pet rocks. She pulled out a small piece of paper and read off the address.

"Weird," Trish said, and looked down at the flier in her hand.

"There's a whole bunch of bands," she said.

"Would one of them be Wicked Lester?" she asked.

"Are you psychic?"

"No, actually. That gorgeous guy in the cab handed me this flier and said he was in this band called Wicked Lester, and they were performing at the Daisy, the same address that is listed on the flier that you just read off on your paper…"

"Weird," Karen shivered playfully. "Well let's get our hineys over there then, and meet up with Ray!"

***

Karen, Trish and Ray found a seat not too far from the stage, but far enough from it to get a good view. Already the raucous sounds of the first band blared out, and they had to hold their ears and shout to hear each other. Ray ordered a normal Coke, and Karen got a tequila, while Trish got a rum and coke, and they settled down to wait for this prospective manager. While they were waiting, Karen wanted to know more about that delicious cab driver Trish had met.

"Well, he's about six foot tall, has jet black hair and Paul McCartney eyebrows," Trish began.

"And…"

"The darkest deepest brown eyes you could see," Trish sighed.

"Oh I'm in heaven…" Karen sighed. "And you say he's a member of this 'Wicked Lester?'"

"Yes," Ray nodded. "His name is Stanley Eisen…"

Karen and Ray’s eyes grew wide, and she shivered. "Wait… did you say Stanley… Eisen?"

"Yes," Trish nodded. Already the curtain dropped and they could hear the sounds of the next band setting up in lieu of the first breaking down. Ray was glad the awful ruckus had stopped. But Karen and Raina’s reaction puzzled Trish. Did she know this Stanley?

"Oh my god… it can't be," she shivered. "Oh shit…"

"Karen, how well do you know him?"

"I only had the biggest crush on him in high school!" she swooned. "Holy shit this is karma! It really is! I love you! I can't wait!!!!"

"Calm down… we'll see if they're actually good…" Ray said, controlling her own desire.

"Wait a minute… I have an idea," she winked as she rushed off, and grabbed the white rose out of the vase in front of their. Within minutes she returned, a huge smile on her face.

"What did you do?"

"I just bribed the roadie to let us meet them after the show, to give them a note with that white rose," she winked. "I have to meet him!"

"Oh good grief," Ray groaned. Just then the curtain fell, and the lights came up. Ray peered at the demo tape in its paper box, and rubbed her hand over the Sweet Revenge logo they'd come up with.

A guitar part ripped into the silent smoky air, along with a active drum beat and second line.

"While walking down the street one day…

celebrating Friday the 13^th today,

then I met a simple type that started to say…

I said, Hey…can't find a way

Do you have to keep on fighting this way

The world's says it's gonna be today

The world's gonna end and your' passing this way

Can't you find yourself before that day…"

The energy was riveting, and Karen and Ray’s eyes were glued to the stage at the swaying hips of the lead singer, his dark hair glistening with sweat. Dark eyes darted back and forth among the crowd, his voice transfixing their both in their seats.

Suddenly Ray caught a glimpse of the other members, and her blood froze. Was Ray seeing things or something else? That bass player looked awfully familiar, and the long hair seemed to suit him, as did the lead singer.

"All right people! Glad to be here!" he shouted out. "We're Wicked Lester, in case you didn't know… and we have some lovely ladies out there tonight. So we're gonna slow things down… just a little…"

Ray heard the next number, her eyes riveted to the bass player, trying to think where Ray had seen him before. It wasn't till the slow love song came on that her blood froze, and she knew who it was.

"We want to shout it out loud, that we can't let people know…

We wanna shout it out loud, but our love is not to show…"

"Oh my god," she gasped. "It can't be…"

"Are you all right?" Karen asked.

"My god, that's Gene!" Ray gasped, for he was right there, in that damned band, singing lyrics that she had sung for him a year ago.  Her knees went weak as the rest of the world faded into noise and music. Ray fixed her eyes on the stage, shivering with anticipation. Would he want to see her, to talk to her? Ray dared hope he would. The fire that she felt for him suddenly burned ever brighter, and she realized she had to see him again…

The manager came to them at that point, and she passed him her demo tape, still in a funk. Memories tumbled back at sight of him there onstage before her, and Ray dared hope that he would catch notice of her.

"Ladies, it is a pleasure to meet you," said the manager. Ray saw the bouquet of roses he hand in his hand, and didn't give it much notice. He mainly spoke to Karen, who was more then happy to oblige him about their band and their philosophy. As for her Ray was a million miles away, her eyes fixed on Gene.

Atone point Ray stood up and cheered, clapping her hands vigorously. Grabbing a pen, Ray scribbled a note, and wrapped it around the white rose she pulled out of the bouquet, and threw onto the stage. she saw him pick it up, as the others were bowing, and read the note attached. A stunned look came over his face, and he peered out into the audience. Ray stood up on her chair, waiving frantically to him. Karen pulled her down just as his eyes met mine.

"Get down here, and say something!" she scolded. "He wants to give us a gig for next week…"

"Uh…yeah… sure…" Ray babbled to her friend and the grinning 'manager' who had agreed to sign them on. Then he took their demo tape, and bid them goodbye.

"Will you ladies come with me?" asked the bouncer who came by their table. "The guys in the band wanna meet you…"

"Sure," Karen chirped brightly. They followed him, their hearts both pounding for different reasons. Ray had told Karen about Gene, but Ray never dreamed that she would ever see him again so soon. It had been a whole year and three months since she had seen him, and she was wondering if he would even remember her.

***

They walked backstage to a smoky little hole in the wall, and there were several guys fiddling with instruments. Stanley recognized Ray right away, and waved her over to him. Before Karen could even go over to him, this guy named Brooke Ostrander was all over her, putting the moves on her. She found it hard to get away from him so Stanley would even notice her. And then Ray tried to pry herself away from Stanley to find Gene.

"Hey, you came! Terrific! What did you think?" Stanley laughed as he kissed Trish’s hand.

"The name has got to go," Trish winked.

"You're kidding," Stanley winked at her. "I bet you say that to all the musicians you meet…"

"Hey good looking," Toni Zarella laughed as he lay his eyes on Trish. "What’s cooking?"

"You are," she smiled, and winked at him. Ray and Karen walked out and Ray’s eyes met Stan’s.

"Damn, been a long time,’ Stanley smiled at Ray.

"You two know each other?" Trish laughed, her arm around Tony’s waist.

"We do," Stan smiled, and Raina gave him a big hug. Just then out of the back she saw him, and her heart stopped. "Hey Gene, guess who’s here!" Stanley laughed.

"I…" was all Ray could get out as Gene strode up to her, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"Raina…" he got out. "Is that really you, baby?"

"Yes…" Ray stammered, her knees turning to water. "It's me… and I know you told me not to find you… but I couldn't help it… and Stanley here gave me a flier and… oh god I can't believe it's you!"

"C'mere baby," he breathed, and advanced upon her. Ray felt strong arms wrap her close and hug her tight, his perfect lips clamping down on hers with a force that took Ray’s breath away. His hand swept down her back, caressing the muscles there till it worked to her backside, pulling her up into his hips. Ray sobbed through the kiss, hardly believing Ray was in his arms again.

"Ohh yeah," he got out, pulling away from their kiss which I desperately didn't want to end. "I should disappear more often…"

"Gene, I missed you so much it hurts even now," Ray sobbed, her eyes brimming with tears. "What the hell was this stuff about me not looking for you…"

"Ray, it's damn good to see you again! How the hell did you find me?" Gene asked Ray, stroking her cheek and holding her close to him in his strong arms. They clutched her possessively close, rubbing her back with his hands very sensually.

"Uh, well Gene," Stanley said with a look of shock on his face. "She was one of my fares… I had no idea you two were already… hem… acquainted."

Just then Ray saw Karen wander over, desperately trying to shake Brooke. "Uh… hi… you probably don't know me…" she got out. "But I remember your band, Tree…"

"This is my friend Karen," Ray said, waving her over to Stanley. She flushed as his eyes flickered over her, and he gave her a slow sexy wink.

"Nice to meet you, Karen," Stanley smiled, kissing her hand. "You friends with this lovely lady?"

"Yes," she stammered out. "I love your music…"

"Hey, that's good. Because that audience was so damn dead you'd think we were playing a dirge," Stanley laughed.

"Did you guys do a song called Stanley the Parrot?" she asked him. Stanley grinned and seemed clearly impressed.

"Where did you say you saw me before?" he asked, stroking her back.

"Uh well, nowhere special, you see I hang at the clubs too… and well…"

"Hey I've already got a fan club," Stanley laughed. "I love this girl!"

Gene had his arm tight around her waist, as Ray slipped her arm around him. All thoughts of Mark, work and everything else were forgotten. It was incredible to have him in her arms again. Ray pressed a kiss to his chest, burying her cheek in the soft flannel of his shirt. "We've got a lot to catch up on," Gene whispered into her ear.

"Hey Stanley, stay away from my woman," Brooke shouted to him.

"Since when is she 'your woman'?" Stanley snorted at Brooke. Karen rushed to his side and slipped her arm around Stanley's waist. He gladly slipped an arm around her shoulders. She looked as if she had died and gone to heaven.

"Well guys, this is her. Raina MacLaren," Gene said, introducing her to the others. "You remember the guys, Steve Coronel you already know… And Stanley you know… then that's Brooke, and Tony, and Ron as the rest of us…"

Looking down at her, his gaze smoldered, and Ray felt a new sense of confidence exuding from him that Ray didn’t remember before. Being a musician suited Gene well, and Ray wasn't sure how to feel around him, since it had been a year since they parted.

"Wanna get reacquainted?" Gene whispered to her. Ray felt him take her hand, and her flesh burned with desire.

"We'll be heading out soon…" Stanley said. "Don't take too long…"

"I won't be," Gene whispered. "Let's go somewhere we can be alone…"

He led her by her hand, to a small room off the back. It was one of the other dressing rooms, with a small couch and a mirror. It looked as if others had been in here, but it was quiet, and it was conveniently private. Probably little more then a broom closet, Ray thought with humor. But Ray didn't care. Ray was with Gene again, and the rest of the world ceased to matter.

"So, how have you been, baby?" he asked her, slipping his arms around her waist. "Still teaching?"

"Yes," Ray nodded. "You?"

"Playing with these clowns," he laughed, stroking her cheek. "Shit, it is so damn good to see you again baby…"

"Let's not waist any time…" Ray whispered, raising her lips to his for a kiss. "We can talk later…"

"I like the sound of that…" Gene winked lasciviously at her, his hands reaching down to pull her hips into his. Ray wrapped arms around his neck, and pressed a firm kiss to his mouth that Ray had hungered for over a year. Ray moaned as his tongue thrust its way into her mouth, gliding over her own. Hands clenched down her backside, squeezing tightly. Ray whimpered with the sheer delight of his hands caressing her after so long.

He lifted her up, and put her on the makeup table, as Ray shifted against his hips. Ray could feel his desire building, and a desperate need arose inside of her. Ray felt as if she would die if he didn't make love to her immediately, and she made no illusions about what she wanted.

Ray felt clothes being repositioned, caresses and kisses devouring her with each part exposed. she felt as if she was burning from an intense volcanic fever. My hands pulled at his shirt, almost ripping it off to get the buttons undone. Gene's hungry kisses passed down her chest, as he pulled open her blouse and devoured her chest. He pushed up her skirt, his hands kneading up her thighs to the hot places above.  She gave out a cry when she felt his finger sample her. There was a smile on his face as he slowly began to tease her.

"C'mon that's not fair!" Ray whimpered. "It's been so damn long and you're playing games!"

"I like to play games sometimes," he grinned wickedly at her. "And since you came all this way to see little old me, I'm gonna enjoy every minute, and so are you…"

His words were stifled with a low groan as Ray rubbed her hand against his growing need. Ray pulled myself back so his fingers could not reach her. As he leaned to kiss her Ray kept her lips just out of his reach, meeting his tongue with her own.

"Oh… bad girl, aren't we? Well… we'll see about that…" Gene winked, and he spread her legs, pushing her back so her rear hit the glass of the makeup table. He grabbed her hands in his, brushing himself up against her with only cloth between them. His lips flickered over her tongue, teasing them till they begged to be kissed again.

Ray twisted her wrists out of his grasp, and put her hands on his belt, teasingly tracing them over his belly, then down the backs of his thighs. Gene laughed deeply, and took them in his, placing them where he wanted to go. Ray unfastened his sturdy belt and denim jeans, pulling him into her. He took her ankles in his hands behind his back, and pulled her onto him in one swift movement.

"Oh god!" Ray screamed, gasping at the intensity of his entry. He began to thrust deeply, then stopped for a moment.

"Umm," he groaned, savoring the feel of her again. "It's been so long baby, and it's worth the wait…"

"Almost…" Ray whispered.

"Really?" he winked, and thrust into her again, pulling almost out with each stroke. Ray groaned as she felt her muscles contracting on him, and heard his low growl of pleasure. He resumed his thrusting, plunging harder and deeper into her with each advance of his hips. she wrapped her legs around him tightly, pulling him in as deep as she could each time. Desperately she wanted to make this last.

Her screams increased, drowned out by the loud rock music that had resumed. Gene's groans increased in volume, music to her ears. Faster and faster the fire burned, searing her with hot sweet pleasure she had desperately missed for the past year. It was likely he had made love to other women since her, but she almost didn’t care. All that mattered was the shattering orgasm that eclipsed all other sensations.

"Raina… oh god you feel so good," Gene moaned, almost reaching his own climax. He thrust full force into her as she felt him stiffen and reach his own release. The force of it thundered through her, bringing her to a second plateau of sheer bliss.

"Oh god…" she whimpered, as he held her close in his arms. "I missed you so much…"

"So did I," Gene whispered back, kissing her deeply for a full minute. He stood before her, staying there till they both steadied their racing hearts and breathing.

"So… I wanna know all about what you've been up to…" she smiled.

There came a knock at the door, and she started. "Gene! You in there?" came Stan's voice. "We gotta clear out!"

"Yes! I'll be out in a minute!" Gene bellowed back.

"Bring your lady friend to the apartment so we can all meet her!" Stanley shouted, still with his arm around Karen's waist.

"And her friend's looking for her too!" Karen shot back. Stanley playfully pulled her close, and pressed a light kiss to her cheek. She flushed, and squirmed lightly out of his embrace. Laughing, he chased after her down the hall.

While she had been detained, Stanley had taken her into their green room and sat her down on a battered sofa. He had offered her a drink and smiled when she chose a Tab. She couldn't take her eyes off this beautiful man who draped his arm around her shoulders and held her close. Other girls had been let backstage to meet the guys, and they must have discussed a number of interesting topics for at least an hour.

"You remember her, eh?" Stanley grinned to Karen. "I'm flattered."

"You should be," she joked back. Gently he fingered her cheek with the back of his hand, and she shivered with delight.

"I am," he laughed, and she swooned at the touch of his lips on her cheek. Tightly she gripped his hand.

Summoning her courage she leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek in turn. She felt Stanley lean close and nose into her hair, his hot breath against her ear. His hands did not even reach out to touch her body. Rather he fingered her hair and nosed along her neck, his hands firmly clasped in his. Tipping her chin to face him, he peered into her with deep dark eyes that pierced into her soul.

"Hey baby, what are you thinking?"

"I wish I could perform, just like you," she whispered back, nose inches from him.

"Who says you can't baby?" Stanley laughed. She leaned forward, eyes shut when she realized he must be readying himself to kiss her.

Gently their lips met, and she trembled against him. Stanley pulled her closer gently with a strong arm, and turned her head to the side. Softly and tenderly his lips again contacted hers, moving over in soothing strokes.

"Tell Karen I'll be right out…" Ray said. Gene and Ray laughed gently, kissing each other as he pulled out of her.

"Wanna come to the party and catch up on old times?" he asked, tossing her a towel to wipe myself off with as he put himself back together.

"Sure," Ray said without thinking. Once she had combed her hair a little and straightened up her clothes, she let Gene lead her out of the room. Our hands were clasped as they walked down the hall, and met up with the others who were coming out of the green room.

"Better get your guitar Gene before we head out…" Stanley winked.

"Where's the bathroom?" she asked.

"I'll go with you," Karen offered, pulling her hand out of Stan's reluctantly. "Wait for us!"

"See you soon," she winked at Gene, and he pulled her to him in a last deep kiss. They rushed off to where Stanley pointed, their lips eager to spill what they had experienced.

"So, did you two…" Karen asked her.

"Yes, did we ever. And they invited us to come back with them!"

"Holy moley!" she squealed with laughter. "But what about Mark…"

"Shit," Ray groaned. "I totally forgot…"

"Well, I'll cover for ya!" she smiled. "Scout's honor, you spent the night at my place… ok?"

"You're the best," Ray told her.

We stole out into the hall, looking for Wicked Lester.

Gene clung to her hand as if he did not want to let go. "Come to the party," he whispered into her ear.

"I don't know," Ray got out. "Where is it?"

"Stan's and my place," he whispered back. "We're all crashing there..."

"All right then," Ray nodded, realizing at that moment she didn't care where she was next going. To hell with Mark and his situation. He was away on some teacher's convention that weekend anyway. For all she knew he could be trying to find some young skirt to chase. For all the affection, he was showing her...

***

Brooke had grabbed another girl who had gotten backstage, and was trying his best lines on her. Steve wandered up to her and Gene, a girl on his arm that Trish had seen from another part of the club. Seeing her with Gene he rubbed his eyes and shook his head, "Damn, is that who I think it is?"

"It's her all right," Gene nodded, arm around her hips.

"Mind if I use the bathroom to clean up?" Ray whispered to Gene. He nodded, and she rushed off to try to find Karen. She leapt up from the sofa; her eyes clouded over with a dreamy haze that must have one cause, the man named Stanley.

"It's over that way ladies," Steve pointed. Exchanging looks of excitement, they rushed off to their destination.

"Did you..." Karen whispered, barely keeping her frenzied excitement to a squeak.

"Yes," she nodded eagerly. "But is it wrong..."

"Well if he asks, you were with me the WHOLE weekend, okay?" she winked.

"You are a doll!" Ray whooped. Eagerly they returned to where the guys were loading up their equipment. They schlepped it out to a Volkswagen bus in the back alley. Karen caught up with Stanley, who was lugging a guitar case.

"Ready to head out?" he asked.

"Yes..." she nodded. "But how is your van going to hold more then eight people plus equipment..."

"What makes you think we're riding with them?" he winked. "Hey guys, don't DROP THAT!"

"I heard you, man," Steve groaned, shaking his head. "So, who gets to ride with the kid?"

"Your buddy Gene and the two hot chicks they stole from me!" Brooke joked.

"What's he talking about?" Ray asked Gene, helping to carry the amplifier as he got his base.

"Kid's got his own ride," he nodded. "You'll see baby."

Out into the back of the club, in the rear alley he led her, toward a taxicab. It was parked behind the van that Brooke and his other band mates were loading up. Unable to stop from laughing, Ray held her sides with mirth. Steve had already opened the door for his date to get in, and Gene was urging her after him, stopping first to throw his cases into the trunk.

"I know it's a tight fit, but I don't think you guys'll mind," Steve winked at Gene and her.

"Do they know your buddy Stan's off duty?" Ray joked. Stan had opened the door and let Karen climb into the front passenger seat next to him.

"Hey, it's a living...and besides, they are fare paying customers," Stan joked. Crammed between Gene and Steve, Ray felt snug and embraced with something that far surpassed the mundaneity of her own workaday life. That taste of something remote and distant begged her to further sample it.

"I think it's hard to breathe," Ray gasped. Steve grabbed his date and pulled her across his lap to sit as the taxi lurched forward.

"Easy, let me just..." Gene grunted, pulling his arm from beside her and sitting half on his side to give her more room on the seat. Squashed against him Ray could feel the breathing and the quickening pace of his own pulse. Ray sighed at the strength of his arm that draped around her shoulders and held her close to his side.

"Tell me more about what you've been up to," Gene urged, lips by her ear.

"Karen and I... well, we have been exchanging song ideas," Ray whispered back, skirting around the issue of where Ray'd been staying.

"So, you are actually performing?" he asked.

"Karen writes songs, and so do I," Ray whispered back. "We come to the clubs regularly to hear the new sound. She's got two friends that we play with sometimes..."

"That's terrific baby," he whispered back. "Are you still teaching?"

"Yes," Ray nodded. "During the day... you?"

"I do what I can to make ends meet," he laughed. "But I'll be damned if I want to see another classroom filled with snot nosed kids..."

"It wasn't THAT bad," Ray joked back.

"Teaching isn't a good profession for someone who just wants an audience," he said. "You do it because I think you really want to impart knowledge. Me, I just like the attention... and I got to thinking that's the WRONG reason to teach. Which is why..."

"You get up on stage and play," Ray answered for him. "At least you know that. You KNOW what you want to do with your life..."

"Yeah baby, but I'd much rather talk about what I want to do with you, when we get back to the party," he whispered, sending shivers all over her body. For a moment, Ray glanced up to the front seat where Karen and Stan were quietly talking. Ray saw those dark eyes wink at her, and she lost myself in them admiring her through the rear view mirror.

***

"So you're from Queens?" Karen said to Stan.

"Sure enough, and what's a good little girl like you doing in the bid bad city..."

"Mr. Eisen what ever made you think I was good?" she chuckled.

"Good point," Stan laughed, winking back at the vivacious blond sitting next to him. She shared that strange funky sense of fashion, from her ruffled shirt to long bell-bottomed jeans and platform clogs.

"I think that my gal pal is getting into it," she whispered to Stan, intimating the back seat with her head.

"Really?" he chuckled, and turned the rear view mirror to see that Raina and Gene were peering intently into each other's eyes, softly talking to one another. Both their hands were clasped, Gene rubbing the back of her palm lightly and sensually. The combined sexual charge of that observation and the further observation of Steve kissing his own date made Stan realize how tight those jeans actually felt.

"Are we there yet?" Steve got out.

"Hold onto your chick man we're there!" Stan shouted back, a big grin on his face. "Do I gotta get the shoehorn to get you people outta here?"

"We're working on it!" Gene laughed, fumbling at the door. For a moment, he almost tumbled out of the seat as it swung open, and caught himself just in time to stumble to his feet. Steve's date, Michelle got out of his lap, and he soon followed.

Ray realized she had little idea of where they were, but at that moment she didn't' care. Just accessing that past piece of her life was all that mattered. Mentally she was berating myself for even being here, for even taking this step, because she had made a life for myself already hadn't she? With someone named Mark, who was supposed to be the right man? Why did she suddenly hate it, and who she was when she was with him?

"This way ladies," Stan laughed, leading the way up the stairs. They grabbed some equipment; helping to haul it up the flights of stairs with their flaking chipped paint. Down winding hallways to a door front where Paul fumbled with the keys, only to have Brooke pull open the door to a loud music beat.

"What took you so long?" he laughed. Burdens in hand they stepped into the smoky place. Gene waved his hand as she coughed through the haze of smoke.

"You'd better put those out," he waved his finger at Brooke. "You don't want the damn Fire Company here do you?"

"Lighten up Gene," Steve laughed.

"I HATE smoking..." he muttered. "Of all the stupid assed..."

"Hey, it's cool, let's open a few windows," Stan suggested, fumbling with the sash of one or two windows and levering them up.

"Be right back," Gene whispered, taking the amp and guitar from her hands. He wandered down the hall of the small apartment, which Ray realized had egg crates taped to the walls. The small kitchen had what appeared to be a shower stall curtained off near it, and there were battered sofas along one corner, and amplifiers stacked to the other side. Compact, tattered and cozy, it looked as if it doubled as a practicing room.

"You and I have the same decorator," Karen joked to Stan.

"C'mon Raina, what's your drink of choice? We can't be rude to two fine ladies who came all the way out to see us," Stan waved them to the fridge. We saw the bottles of Utica club, Budweiser, and coke here and there. Ray extracted a bottle of coke, while Karen helped herself to a bottle of beer. Brooke and his date took up the easy chair, while the sofa was partly occupied by one of the other band members. Ray felt Stan drape an arm around her shoulder, and his other arm around Karen's and lead them over to the sofa. Glancing toward the back, Ray saw no sign of Gene.

"Now ladies, tell me a bit more about yourselves," Stan offered, and patted them both on their knees. Karen flushed, her words deserting her. She cracked open her beer and took a quick swig. Ray opened her bottle of coke with a bottle opener Steve tossed her as he walked past.

"Well, I'm a teacher by day, musician by night," Ray started.

"And you?"

"Waitress in the day, but really a musician in the night hours," Karen chuckled, rubbing her hand over Stan’s, which caressed her cheek lightly.

"Both fine professions," Stan smiled, and leaned over to press a soft kiss to her cheek. "And may I say you're lovely as well as intelligent..."

"You may say so," Ray chuckled, rubbing her hand over his leg. Grabbing her hand, he moved it teasingly higher.

Karen leaned over and kissed Stan's cheek softly, and he turned to her. Ray rose from the sofa, only to have Stan grip her hand and tug her back down next to him, "Hey, easy, there's plenty of me to go around."

"I'm just wondering where your friend got to," Ray asked, nudging Stan.

"Gene always pulls a disappearing act," Steve shot out. "Just making sure his tools are all in one peace..."

"Before he goes on for the second act and the encore," Stan joked.

"Shut up you guys, I'm trying to make out here," Brooke called. "Let's put on some music already!"

Ray coughed as Brooke lit a cigarette, and passed one to Tony and his date. They sipped their beers, talking amongst themselves as Ray struggled to keep her eyes from burning from the cigarette smoke. Karen reached into her purse and pulled out a pack, inserting one into her lips. Brooke leaned over with a lighter and she took several puffs to bring it to life. Stan winced a bit, and knocked back another sip of beer.

"So, what did you ladies think of the show?" Stan asked.

"Great energy," Ray said, clearing her throat yet again.

"My favorite was that first number," said Karen. "But why aren't you letting that pretty butt of yours move to the music..."

"My, aren't we forward," Stan joked, and Karen flushed.

"You have a gorgeous set of hips, you should flaunt 'em," she chuckled back. Ray realized she was starting to slur her words a bit, relaxing as she lay her head against his shoulder. Stan stroked fingers through her hair, smiling broadly.

"Excuse me, I gotta attend to some business," Brooke said, and got up after he nudged his date off his lap. "See you in a few, and DON'T hog all the beer!"

"Gotcha," Tony nodded.

"If the door ain't rocking, don't come a knocking," he joked. "Have fun ladies!"

Gene suddenly emerged at that moment from one of the other doors, and strode over to where Ray sat. she struggled to rise, falling against Stan. He extended a hand to her, and helped her to stand next to him. Stan saw the momentary dark look in his eyes, and said," Hey, I was just keeping her company for you."

"Mind if I take the lady and go someplace private?" Gene asked.

"I think I need to get some air... I don't want to be a bummer about the smoke... but I'm allergic..." Ray coughed.

"Good idea..." he nodded, slipping his arm around her waist.

"Getting a little too stuffy in here for ya?" Tony joked.

"Screw you, he's just gonna get down to business, right Gene?" Steve winked.

"That's for me to know, and you to find out," Gene shot back with a gleam in his eyes.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Stan called, giving her the thumbs up sign as Gene led her toward the back rooms. I guessed that there were two other chambers to the apartment, although it resembled a studio. For Brooke had gone somewhere, leaving the others outside.

"Who pays the rent here?" Ray asked Gene as he opened one door, and guided her inside. It was tiny, with a single bed and piles of comic books, a few guitars leaning up against the sides of the walls and a few bureaus along either wall.

"WE all split it. Whatever it takes to keep it going. The other guys have places elsewhere. I mainly stay here with Steve and Stan. Stan likes to keep his business private, if you know what I mean, and I can't say I blame him... are you all right?"

"Just a lot of cigarette smoke makes me sick," Ray coughed. Gene urged her to sit down on the bed while he levered open the window to let some fresh air in. Closing the door behind him, he locked it from inside.

"There, just relax baby. Nobody's going to bother us in here..." he whispered, sitting down next to her on the bed. Softly he kissed her cheek, and slipped an arm around her shoulders.

"Thank you," Ray whispered back.

"I remembered. Do you want me to get you anything else?" he asked, stroking her hair out of her face and rubbing her cheek softly with the back of his other hand.

"Not really," Ray whispered back, her hand stroking up his jean-clad thigh. Ray felt her resistance trembling in its protestations, the sounds of Cream and Eric Clapton reverberating through the wood of the door that separated them from the party. Ray heard laughing and shouts, shivering even more when Gene tilted her face towards his, to peer deep into those soft brown eyes again.

"Tell me baby, are you happy? Still living at home?"

"No, I moved out," Ray answered.

"Good," he nodded. "I'm glad...."

"I missed you so much," Ray repeated again, cutting off his next words with her lips on his. Ray dreaded whatever questions he would ask about whom she shared her room with. she feared that any moment this house of cards would tumble into nothingness as so many dreams had before. Groaning through the kiss, he folded her into his arms, rubbing her back and kneading around to gently rub her breasts through her shirt. Moaning, she arched her neck and let his soft kisses trace down the sensitive skin there.

"Tell me what you want," he whispered back.

"To be with you..." Ray whispered. "All alone, to myself... all night... I don't want to be separated from you..."

"Mmm, I like the sound of that little girl," he whispered back, with a boldness that Ray realized was perhaps gained from the experience of many more encounters between the last time they had been together. At that thought Ray tensed up, suddenly afraid she wouldn't measure up any more. For she had no experience but what Gene had initially taught her.

He tugged her shirt out of her jeans, and she raised her arms over her head so he could pull it off. Now only her bra separated her bare flesh from his probing touch. Something soft and spongy licked its way down between her breasts, his hair tickling her skin. His hands unbuckled her belt and unsnapped her jeans, tugging the zipper down in one fluid motion. Simultaneously she twined fingers in his hair, rubbing his shoulders and back with her own hungry fingers. When he raised his head to gaze into her eyes again she put her fingers on the buttons of his shirt, and he smiled.

"I like a woman who takes initiative," he purred.

"Well it's hard to help it, when you take me to a room alone... not to respond..." she answered with a smirk.

"How well you know me," he laughed deeply. When she started to unbuckle his belt, she felt her bra fall away, his teeth gently nipping at her breast. she rubbed her hands over the front of his pants, making him moan in turn. Gently he pushed her back on the bed, tugging her jeans off with the downward motion of his hands, and massaging every inch of her body on the upward pass. she couldn't stop the moan as hands worked back up to her bared chest and played with her aching breasts. Such attention she had not received for so long from any man. Mark's fumbled groping were nothing compared to his slow maddening touch. Over her earlobe, he flicked his tongue, nibbling on her ear.

Hands still immersed in his hair she felt him throw her legs over his shoulder and slip his fingers into her panties. The feel of fingers reaching into her hot desire made her squirm with anticipation. Desperately she reached for his waist, under her hips to brush her hands wildly against his excitement. He stopped, lowering her legs to his hips, and pulling her up onto his lap. she fused her lips to his, burying her tongue hungrily between his lips. she freed him from the confines of his jeans as she swooned from the feel of his tongue slipping past mine. It dawned on her that his tongue seemed quite a bit more dexterous and longer then she had first remembered, for he could touch the back of her throat with ease. Our moans merged as their breath merged, and she struggled to push his jeans down his hips. she fell back with him atop her, still wrapped in a close hot kiss while he shimmied out of the pants with her help.

"Mmm," she groaned, breaking free from the kiss that left her breathless.

"Feel better?" he asked.

"Oh do you have to ask," she moaned. Under his weight, he pressed her, peeling away her panties and straddling her. He only stopped to switch off the light and reach for something to tuck under the pillow.

"Yes love," he chuckled, finding her breasts again with his soft lip caress. she lay back in expectation of what was to come, letting him tease and please her as he kissed down her belly and beyond. she was thankful for the loud music blaring overtop that silence and drowned out her ecstatic cries that Gene wrung from her. My groping hands found his length, squeezing and massaging it eagerly. It stopped him in mid kiss, a low groan that sounded almost like a growl as he leaned over her.

"I like how you tease," he whispered. "And now... let's finish what we started..."

"Definitely," she groaned, feeling the package he slipped into her hand, and slipping protection over slick hard passion. she guided him into her, knowing he needed no urging to thrust deep and pound her into a state of sheer bliss.

"Let me know... if it hurts," he whispered.

"It's sweet pain to me," she groaned, feeling the tears threatening to form again. He moved so hard and fast it left her breathless, before slowing to a teasing pace after her next orgasm. she wrapped myself around him, finding his mouth in the darkness and kissing him soundly to muffle her cries. What they had shared in the back dressing room was increased ten times, flooding her with so much pleasure she could hardly contain it.

Beneath them, the twin bed was sturdy, but she was afraid she'd roll off it. Gene turned over on his back, so she was astride him, thrusting up powerfully into her. she still could not believe he was still firm inside, holding off as she had yet another orgasm explode into her brain. "Please, you have to let me know..." she panted.

"What?" he whispered, stopping momentarily.

"I want to pleasure you, hear you..."

"You are, you are," he groaned repeatedly, resuming his upward pounding into her. Each shake rocked her, her hands gripping his shoulders tightly, nails digging into his skin. At that moment, he tensed, moaning her name with a fierce last stroke upwards. Whimpering, she collapsed atop him.

Gene pulled the blankets over them both, sighing in pleasure. He urged her to stay right where she was, before he fell into a sound sleep beneath her. Sighing she nestled her face in his shoulder and dozed off in sheer exhaustion.

***

Out in the main room, Karen inhaled another puff of her cigarette. She glanced at her watch, and looked over to Stanley. He had picked up his guitar and was starting to restring it.

"Damn, I didn't realize I broke a string," he muttered.

"Can I help?" Karen asked.

"Sure... if you wanna," Stanley said, as she grabbed the package of strings and started to unwind them for him.

"I think this guitar is great," Karen murmured, fingering the instrument Stanley had sported onstage. He was surprised to see the reverence she treated his prized possession with. Surely she was not like any of the girls he had met before with the guys in the band, only wanting to party and carry on.

"You said you play?" he asked.

"Yes, I play an Ibanez," she chuckled. "It's not that great, but it's a guitar, and it has strings... right?"

"Exactly, but you should have something NICE to play, something that makes you feel good about being up there... I think," Stanley said. He rested the instrument across his lap, and let her thread the end of the string through one tuning peg. Tugging it out, he pulled it taut while she turned the peg, and he fastened the other end to the lower soundboard. To do this, she leaned against Stanley so her thigh touched his. Both blushed and Karen moved away.

"Oops," Stan laughed. "Hang onto this would you? I gotta see a man about a horse, as my dad would say..."

"So would my dad," she laughed. Rising, Stanley crossed his way past Tony kissing Trish, and Brooke who suddenly got up and sat next to Karen. She wondered where he had come from, because she didn't see a sign of his girl.

"So... you wanna tell me a little bit about you?" Brooke asked her.

"Uh... well I'm kinda busy..." she blushed. "Where's your girl?"

"Sent her down with Steve and his date to get some more beer at the store," he winked. "That gives us a few minutes... and hey... anything can happen..."

"I... really think I'm waiting for Stan..." she said.

"The kid? Why waste your time with him, when you can have a real man..." he laughed, fingering her hair. Karen moved away.

"Uh... I don't think..." she stammered.

"Relax," Brooke said, breathing in her ear. Tony glanced up, and saw the two cuddling up on the sofa.

"Keep it down you two, I'm gonna go in the back," he muttered, getting up and taking Trish’s hand.

"I'll be cool out here," Brooke winked. Karen backed away, putting Stan's guitar between her and Brooke.

"Excuse me?" Karen asked, still backing away.

"Baby... you and me and paradise," he patted the sofa next to him. "The kid's not even gonna know..."

"But your girlfriend..."

"Hey, she'll be back in thirty minutes... now how about a little sugar for me..."

"No... I'm NOT interested!" she said firmly.

"Baby, c'mon you know you want me," he said.

"NO!" she shouted.

"Back off," Stan interrupted, making Brook turn from her. Dark eyes flashed with something akin to anger, his hands resting on his hips. That kooky chain link belt hung about those shapely hips, his loose shirt hanging from arms which she wasn't sure were strong or not. Yet she knew she was about to be rescued.

"Uh hi kid, didn't see you there," Brooke said. "I was just..."

"Stanley..." she stammered, getting up quickly and pushing Brooke away. "I fixed your guitar..."

"Karen, you okay? You look a little spooked..."

"I don't want to..." she whispered.

"She came onto me, she wants me," Brooke said.

"I didn't!" she snapped.

"Uh huh," Stanley shook his head at Brooke. "The lady said no, so you'd better listen next time..."

"Wanna make something of it kid?" Brooke asked.

"If you want to," Stanley snapped, dark eyes blazing in sudden anger. Protectively he pushed Karen behind him.

"Whoa guys, easy there!" Steve Coronell said, standing in the open door. He held a paper bag in one hand, his girl Michelle's hand in the other. Brooke's girlfriend Lacey glared at him.

"Brooke, didn't you miss me?" his date asked, rushing over.

"Uh sure baby," he stammered. "A lot..."

"We got some more beer, and some cold gin..." Michelle, Steve's girlfriend said, pulling a bottle out of the bag.

"Great," Stanley nodded. "But I think Brooke's had enough..."

"Why don't you go home to mommy kid," Brooke snapped at Stanley. "Isn't it past your bedtime, Stanley Harvey..."

"Cool it, Ostrander!" Steve pointed a finger at Brooke. "he's welcome to crash here any time he wants..."

"Like your bud Eugene who's hogging your room?" Brooke asked pointedly.

"He's got a new girl," Steve held up a hand. "If you're that hopped up I'll send them home..."

"That's uncool," Stanley snapped. "Kicking Gene out in the middle of getting some!"

Tony Zarella suddenly emerged from the other room rubbing his eyes as he buttoned his pants. Rubbing his eyes he grumbled, "You guys mind shutting up? I'm right in the middle of finding Mr. Goodbar!"

"Sorry man," Brooke held up a hand. "The kid was getting a little hot under the collar like..."

"If you guys cant shut up and coexist here, you can leave now," Tony snapped at them all. "Some of us freaking LIVE here?"

"I don't' want to be any trouble..." Karen started. "I can go home..."

"You won't be," Stanley told her. "And it's late anyway. You shouldn't be going out at this hour alone... You're welcome to crash at Gene's with me..."

"Can't you just go home to your parents?" asked Brooke with a sneer.

"Nope, I told them already I was staying with friends," Stanley said. "They're away for the weekend, and you expect me to schlep to QUEENS at this time of night?"

"I'm from Queens," Karen got out. Stanley's eyebrows raised a bit, and he squeezed her hand.

"I say they can crash here," said Steve, impatiently.

"Since WHEN did you run that by us?" Brooke shot back.

"I don't give a DAMN who stays WHERE!" Tony interrupted. "I've got a girl back there, and I'm NOT putting up with this shit... so stay or go, but shut the hell up!"

***

Sleepily Ray raised her head from Gene's chest at the sound of shouting. Peacefully he snored under her, and reached for her as she got up. Apparently he was a lighter sleeper then Ray anticipated.

"Where are you going baby?" he asked Ray.

"I hear shouting,” she said softly. "And I'm worried about Karen!"

"Damn," Gene cursed, as Ray flipped on the light. "It's the guys bitching again. Hang on... where are my pants..."

"Here," Ray said, reaching down and retrieving them for him. He slipped them on, buckling his belt and sleepily rubbing his eyes.

"Wait here, doll," he whispered, kissing her ear. "I'll just see what's going on... and if they're bitching about whether or not we can stay..."

"Wait, you don't live here?" Ray gasped, totally floored.

"No, I have a place elsewhere in Manhattan, I just crash here when the gigs get late.  You know the old apartment? Well when you moved out, I put it back in my name and just moved back in there," he said, combing fingers through his hair. "I'll be right back okay?"

Ray watched him shuffle out of the room, and he stopped to grab a shirt out of a duffel bag and throw it to her. She guessed it was for her to wear, so she slipped on the soft flannel that smelled of Gene. Sighing Ray grabbed her jeans.

Gene strode out into the main room, noticing that Stanley stood between Brook and her friend Karen, while Steve had moved between Brooke and Stanley. He could see the dark look that Stanley was giving Brooke, and Tony was equally ticked, Trish nowhere to be seen, so Gene guessed that Ray’s friend must be waiting for him in the infamous love den. Tension crackled in the air, and he saw he had to resolve it, and soon.

"Okay, now what's going on here?" he asked. I wandered over to where Karen stood, apart from Stanley.

"Oh just a little snarl between Brooke and the kid," Tony said.

"It seems like they've got some major hassle if you and Stanley stay here..." Steve sighed. I could tell by the way Steve rolled his eyes at Gene that this wasn't the first time they had such an argument.

"All right, I'll leave, if that will make it easier, but I can't take the girl home, and I'm not letting her schlep back at this time of night," Stanley snapped.

"C'mon, you can stay with me," Gene grumbled. "If that will shut you all up..."

"Fine with me," Stanley nodded. "Just get your stuff together and let's go..."

"I'll just tell Ray," Gene said. He turned to see Ray already pulling on her jeans.

"Is that okay?" he asked Ray.

"Yes, absolutely," she nodded. "Karen?"

"Sure, as long as its not a problem," she nodded.

"Having 2 lovely ladies stay at my place is never a problem," Gene winked at Karen.

***

A quick cab ride later and they sleepily stumbled up the steps of another apartment building. Carrying Stanley's duffel bag, Karen yawned and followed Ray and Gene upstairs. It was several exhausting flights to where he set down his guitar case and fumbled with his keys.

"Next time, don't wait till I'm asleep, Stanley," Gene grumbled.

"Sorry, it's just that Brooke here..."

"He wouldn't take no for an answer," Karen sighed. "I'm sorry..."

"Don't be," said Gene. "He should know better."

"Well Gene are you finding a key or not?" Stanley teased. "Or do you need a little more warm-up with your tools..."

"Shaddup Stanley," Gene shot back. "Unless you wanna sleep on the doorstep..."

"Ouch," Stanley laughed, and followed Gene in after Raina. He urged Karen into the small apartment, where it was blessedly cool.

"I'm sorry again about getting you guys kicked out of that party," Karen began to apologize.

"Hey, don't apologize for saying no to Brooke," Stanley reiterated, grabbing her hand and squeezing it. Gene shut the door behind them, locking both deadbolts and the chain.

"Hey, it's cool," Gene said, smiling reassuringly at her as he put his things down. "If you guys want the sofa it's all yours... just keep it down okay?"

"Not unless you do first," Stanley shot back. He began to toss the pillows off the sofa bed and set them aside, while Gene flipped the bedroom light on, and beckoned to Ray.  She saw Karen flush red for a moment, slowly helping Stan with the bed. Gene disappeared into the single bedroom and returned with a blanket and several pillows.

"You be okay out here Karen?" I asked. "Or do you want..."

"No, you guys go ahead," Karen said waiving at them. "I'll just uh stay here..."

"Have fun, and don't' do anything I wouldn't do,' Gene winked at her. She flushed crimson, sitting down on the rollout bed that Stanley unfolded. He unfurled the blanket, and lay it out atop the single fitted sheet.

"Karen you sure?" Ray asked.

"It's cool," she winked at Ray, trying to hide her nervousness. Stanley folded back the covers, and sat down next to her. He blew Ray a kiss goodnight, and gently patted Karen's thigh. Gene took her hand and urged Ray toward the bedroom.

"Let's leave the kiddies to their slumber party," he said within earshot of Stanley.

"Screw you, Gene," Stanley shot back with a big grin. Gene grinned and led Ray into his room, closing the door on Stanley and Karen before turning back to her.

"You stinker, you could have TOLD me that wasn't your apartment, and that you’d moved back into the old homestead," Ray rested a hand on her hip.

"What, and spoil the mystery?" he joked. Ray noticed the same bed, and dresser as she remembered it a year before, his guitar and amp to one side, and posters of the Beatles and Alice Cooper in his room. Drawing Ray to him, he pressed her lips in a seriously heady kiss she didn't want to part from. Slowly they undressed each other again, and he lifted Ray up to set her on the bed gently.

"This is a reunion of sorts," Ray joked. "The last time I was in this bed..."

"Was too long," he whispered back, climbing in next to her. He reached up to turn off the light, and position himself on his back.

"Now where were we?" Ray asked, as he reached for something under the pillow and pressed it into her hand.

"Right about... here..." Gene answered her, and Ray groaned at the feel of him entering her once more. "Damn it's good to have you in my bed again, baby..."

***

Nervously Karen sat on the sofa bed, as Stanley began to unbutton his shirt. He had his back to her, and she saw the undershirt and muscular arms. She couldn't resist a gasp as he tossed the shirt down and turned around to face her.

"What?" he asked.

"It's just you've got a very nice.... back and arms," she whispered.

"Really?" he asked.

"Yes," she whispered, and Stanley sat down next to her on the bed. She flushed again, and he handed her a t-shirt.

"We don't have to do anything, if you don't want to," he said slowly.

"I wanted to thank you for rescuing me from Brooke," she said, taking his hand. "You didn't have to..."

"I did. He was being a pain," Paul nodded. "And I mean he doesn't know when to back off..."

"Stanley I'm only 17," she said slowly. "I've never been with a guy... and well... I hope you don't take this the wrong way... but I don't know if I'm ready to..."

"Hey, it's okay," Stanley said, taking her hand. "That's nice..."

"I'm waiting till I get married... I mean... is that uncool..."

"No it isn't. I wish more girls were like you," he laughed.

"Really, you're kidding right?"

"No," he laughed nervously. "Sometimes I don't mind if well..."

He tossed her a t shirt and turned his back, and she realized he was trying to give her privacy. She unbuttoned her shirt and stripped off her jeans, pulling on the t shirt. Stanley strode over to the television and flipped it on to the Late Show with Johnny Carson.

"It's okay, you can look now," she said, and felt dumb. Stanley turned around and smiled nervously at her. She patted the bed next to her, and he sat down, pulling aside the covers.

"I won't bite," he chuckled, and she smiled at how cute that grin was.

"You can sleep here," she whispered to him.

"You sure?" he asked.

"I would like it... I mean I never have... slept next to a guy before... and I am curious," she laughed.

"There's a first time for everything," he smiled, and sighed as she moved over and gently brushed her lips to his cheek. Slipping his arm around her shoulder, he pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers again. Hot fire shot over Karen's nerves, making her moan as she felt something warm and wet open her lips.

"Umm," she moaned, unable to stop the sound. Stanley sighed, stroking her cheek with the back of his hand. He was at a loss as to what to do next, but swallowed hard and kissed her again. Her breasts pressed to his chest, and she rubbed it through the undershirt.

"This bra is really getting uncomfortable," she grumbled.

"You can take it off if you want," he winked, and then flushed. "Oops sorry..."

"Only if you take off that undershirt."

"Nah," he laughed nervously.

"It's only fair..." she said, tugging at it.

"I'm gonna warn you, I'm not..."

"Oh hush... I've seen a guy's chest before," she laughed. "I might be a good little Catholic girl, but I am curious..."

Relenting, he let her pull the shirt up and over his head, and flinched when she gasped, "Oh my god..."

"Uh... well..."

Soft fingers ran over his chest, lightly playing with the thick hair. He realized she was staring at him in strange awe and admiration, touching him in ways that drove him wild. Seizing courage from this, he folded her in his arms and kissed her softly at first, increasing in firmness as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"It's okay, you can touch me," Stanley whispered, returning her hand to his chest. He loved how her fingers glided and smoothed his hair, blue eyes filled with awe.

"Mmm, you feel so good," she whispered. "I love the way you kiss..."

"Really?"

"Yes..." she whispered back, her heart pounding so fast she was afraid it would burst. Reaching around her he unfastened the bra through the shirt, fumbling at the hooks.

"You're not making this easy," he joked. She chuckled nervously, as he slipped a hand up under her shirt. Shrieking she laughed at the feel of his hands clumsily pulling at the bra.

"I'm sorry did I..."

"You have cold hands!" she laughed. "No, it's okay... that feels... hmmm... just reach around in back, and unhook it..."

Stanley held a lacey white bra in his hands, fingering the silk. Karen smiled, and took his hand, placing it on her chest. "It's okay... I want you to touch me..."

"Good, I'm glad, because I love touching you, Karen," he whispered. "You're so..."

"I know... so are you," she whispered back, stroking his hair. Reaching up under her shirt he felt her breasts, cupping them in his hands. She moaned softly as he felt their weight and softness, not pinching or poking, but gently exploring them. Again she leaned up to kiss his descending lips, shakily slipping her tongue against his. He moaned softly through the kiss, her hands twining in his thick dark curls. Under him he pressed her, body melding to her curves. Between them she felt a hardness pressing against her thigh, and she momentarily wondered at it. That, combined with the sharp edge of his belt buckle cutting into her stomach made her grunt for a moment.

"Stan... could you get the lights?" she asked.

"Just a minute," he answered, rising and climbing off the bed. He flipped a switch on the wall, and returned, unbuckling his belt without even thinking.

"Thanks," she whispered, feeling the bed shift as he climbed in next to her again, arms finding her through the dark. Heads almost collided as he tried to find her lips, and her hand brushed over that bulge in his jeans.

"Uhhh," Stanley groaned.

"Did I hurt you?"

"Oh no..." he moaned, and she reached for the bulge again, stopping as she barely touched it and it registered just WHAT she had touched.

"Uh... I... uh..."

"Mmmm," he whispered. "It's okay... I like that..."

"I feel really silly, but I never... I mean I want to... but I want to wait... and you're so sweet... damn..."

"Hey, its okay... we don't' have to..."

"Dammit I want to be with you, but I just can't..."

"Hey, wait, there's another thing we can do... if you're not grossed out by it..."

"You mean this?" she asked, returning her hand and massaging him. He groaned and whispered his affirmation.

"It's hard... to feel you through these jeans," he gritted his teeth. Shockingly she put her hands on his belt buckle, and he guided her to unfasten it. Gasping she fumbled at the zipper, and delicately reached inside to touch him. Her hands met fabric and hot warmth that drove a bolt from her fingers down to her loins.

He struggled to shed the jeans that were all too confining, standing up and stripping them off in the flickering light of the television. When he was free of them he returned to the bed, putting her hands on him. She gasped when she felt bare skin, and soft silky hair.

"Oh... this is..." she whispered, as he positioned her hands on him, and she felt something alive and warm in her hands that she had seen in the boy's locker room, on her brothers in the bathroom, and in the nudie magazines smuggled into summer camp. She had remembered one of her brothers grabbing a pillow and pounding into it, or slipping a hand into his pants during intense movies, and tried to put two and two together. It dawned on her that he was circumcised, and whatever she held was rather sizable with a life and will of its own.

"What do I do... feel it?" she asked. "What do you want... I can't... I mean..."

"Lay down next to me...and uh... well... kiss me down there," he whispered. "I read this in a magazine... and well..."

"You mean put it in my mouth," she whispered soberly. "And..."

"You don't have to..." he whispered, his protests vanishing to a groan when he saw her silky curls descend and tickle him on his hottest parts. Gingerly she slipped her mouth over hot firmness, curiosity overriding fear. One of the senior girls she remembered during a slumber party had played truth or dare, and there were stories about girls doing this to guys.

Giving head. What a crude word. She felt his hand on the back of her neck, clamping down as she felt him alive in her lips. Laying on his side, Stanley reached and stroked her belly, making her moan with the contents of her mouth. He rocked his hips against her, sliding over her tongue in an odd slickness that made her groan. Fingers slipped into her panties, and she whimpered as they reached up inside. There was a strange eruption of moistness, and his whisper of," I won't hurt you... trust me..."

Suddenly something stiffened in her mouth, and she heard Stanley's cry. It shivered her, and a strange bitter taste rushed over her tongue, making her back away. A warm wetness dribbled down her bared chest, and she gasped and choked.

"Ohhh god Karen," Stanley groaned. "That was... hmmm....."

"Oh... god... this tastes... weird," she half laughed, half coughed. "Oh... lord..."

"C'mere baby..." he whispered, and pulled her to lay alongside him. "That was perfect..."

Hugging her close, he fumbled for something and dabbed the creamy substance off her. She still felt that fire surge through her, and moaned as his hands rubbed down her belly and tugged at her panties. Fingers slipped inside and she shirked with them reaching inside.

"Stanley... oh that feels... mmmm..." she whimpered as he slipped two fingers into her, gently probing and reaching for the source of her own heat.

"Relax... this is for you... I think..." he whispered, gently kissing her and reaching between her legs to rub gently and press his fingers into a spot she had known of for years, but never dared touch when the nuns said it would make you go mad, or grow hair on your palms.

"Oh GOD Stanley!" she shrieked when a shiver of light wracked her whole body. It didn't take but five minutes of rubbing and caressing to make her heart pound to a fast rush, her lungs gasping for air. Like a wave of fast heat it rushed over to the extremities of her nerves and back. An incredible feeling of pleasure unlike nothing she had ever experienced twisted her body, her scream echoing in the room. She was thankful the television drowned it out.

When at last she stopped shaking, she felt him wrap around her, kissing her ears softly. He shushed her, holding her close as she cried with the sheer joy. "Shh, hey... it's okay..."

"What... did you do..." she whispered. "I've never... never..."

"That's an orgasm," he said softly. "I think..."

"It's wonderful..." she whispered back. "Thank you Stanley..."

"You're welcome..." he whispered, turning her over in his arms. She pressed close, every inch of her skin against him as he peeled away her underwear, and they lay together in an embrace. Feeling every inch of her skin embraced by sheets and a muscular hot body was a thrilling sensation. Exhausted by her new experiences, Karen lay her head on the pillow and fell fast asleep.