By Theresa Meyers

Disclaimer: Paul Stanley and KISS are property of themselves, and this is a work of FICTION. It is for entertainment only, and is not meant to demean or harm. Other characters are copyright by the author.

Chapter 1: Camden Music Center at the KISS Concert

She had always wanted to squeeze that star on his left cheek, and she didn't mean his face, for that matter. When he happened to come into the green room after the concert, striding in with the others, she drooled. Still she managed to keep her cool, and quietly took a glass of punch from the refreshment table. Teri was a solidly built women, all curves with a bit of fat gently rounding her body. She was the average height for the average American woman, but her build was far from average. In some ways she liked herself just the way she was, but in other ways she couldn't help but envy the slender figures with their svelte hips and long legs which seemed much more in proportion to the ideal then her sturdy ones, attractive yet short in proportion to her body. Long brown hair, fudge colored, cascaded loose about her shoulders around her oval face, masked in Starchild makeup with the star painted over her right eye, the left outlined in black.

She slipped her glasses immediately off her nose and stashed them into the pocket of her bluejean jacket, and adjusted her silver bead choker necklace.  The winners of the KISS fan contest all clustered together in moral support. Doc smiled as he introduced the guys to the four lucky girls.

"Guys, here are the winners of the "write-my-next-hit" contest," he said proudly. "May I introduce Shelly, Kathryn, Christy...and Teri."

"Nice to meet you gals," Gene Simmons rumbled, kissing each of their hands. Shelly's long strawberry blonde hair fell loose around her shoulders, her Demon makeup fresh. Kathryn in her Cat makeup blushed behind it when Peter winked at her. Christy, a brunette, winked and rocked her hips at Ace, who gave her a thumbs up. When Teri met the eyes of the band, a slow smile came across her face, and she looked past the four figures, trying not to be rude. Her stomach churned at her proximity; for she never thought she would be this close to the four rock and rollers who set a trend when she was only 6...

"And you must be Teri," Gene smiled, kissing her hand.

"You are correct," she nodded, wincing at how formal her words came out.

"May I say that your way with the word is quite...exemplary," Gene winked, his hand on hers making her shiver. But she kept her composure, even though her stomach was squirming into a mass of nerves, and her mind detached from her body, staring at the scene with the amusement of a spectator of a comedy act.

"Oh God, I cannot believe it," she thought to herself. "What the hell do I say to him?"

"Strong silent type," Gene teased.

"Cat's got her tongue," Ace laughed.

"She's just shy," Kathryn laughed.

"You ladies up to a little food and drink?" Peter asked. Paul Stanley strode in last, talking animatedly to a slender blonde tech, her halter top precariously housing the pair of breasts that were nestled within. Inwardly a wave of jealousy hit Teri.

"My chest is as big as hers," she thought, and then realized how silly and childish that thought was. Would they be disappointed at seeing a not so average built woman, who was far shorter than the three others who were well under a size 10. Kathryn was almost built like Ally MacBeal.

"Hey Paul, here's the ladies that won our contest!" Ace smiled.

"Are we gonna stand in the door, or are we gonna eat?" Peter asked, trying to break the tension. "Let's break it up already and get down to some partying!"

The group spread out a little, the girls being questioned by reporters and staff while they met the boys in the band, and talked with Doc. Teri spoke quietly with Gene on the subject of teaching, and he seemed most interested in speaking with her, while Shelly waited at his side, drink in hand. Even though this wasn't the one she particularly had secretly hoped to attract the attention of, she could at least tell her friends back home she had spoken one on one with Gene Simmons, Teri thought to herself. Paul seemed more interested in speaking to the other two, who were next to Ace.

"Excuse me, ladies, gotta use the little Demon's room," Gene excused himself. He disappeared into the green room, towards the dressing area. Shelly moved off to talk to one of the attractive guitar techs she knew took care of Gene's Axe bass, leaving Teri standing by the table. Slowly she found a chair and sat down to absorb the unreality of this dream. Catching her gaze, Paul suddenly stood next to her, a smile on his face. She drew in her breath when her eyes traveled up the lines of rhinestones on his boots all the way to the dark eyes, as dark as her own.

"Well what did you think?" he asked, hands on his hips as he peered down at her. That gaze seemed to burn into her soul, speeding up her heart. Teri was glad she had taken her glasses off, for his makeup was a white and black blur, even though she could make out the contours of his costume and that fine hairy chest.

"Incredible, I was totally blown away by the spectacle..." Teri said softly, but definitively, not sure of what to say to this man who had turned her head many a time.

"Glad to know we delivered," Paul smiled warmly. "What are you doing here all alone?"

"Just... absorbing the reality. To tell the truth... I'm very nervous..."

"No need to be," he soothed, and reached for her hand as he leaned over her lap. His hands were soft on the palms, the fingers callused. Must be from the years of guitar playing, she thought.  "You have small hands," Paul smiled. "Nice, too..."  He leaned closer, his eyes flickering over her Destroyer T-shirt, and her body. Teri was sitting down, her knees folded casually, but something made her want to sit up straight.

"Thank you," she nodded, and glanced up to meet his gaze. "I know this sounds so corny... but I love your music...the sheer power of the lyrics..." Shut up Teri you're boring him. He'll think you're some fan girl... she thought to herself. Paul sat down next to her, his thigh pressed up against hers as he still held her hand in his. A jolt twanged her lower belly, and rose up her spine.

"Thank you," Paul chuckled. "You have a way with words yourself. Teri is it?"

"Yes," she nodded. "What... have you read..."

"A certain friend of mine said you had written quite a few stories..."

"My... stories?" she asked, her voice dry. "I thought you had read the lyrics..."

"I recognized your name," he said quietly. "Quite a writer you are..."

"I'm not professional," she stammered out. Would he think she was a fraud, if he knew what she really did for a living?

"What's wrong, are you okay?" Paul asked, stroking the back of her hand as he pulled it onto his lap. God his thighs are smooth and hard, she thought.

"I... am just overwhelmed... I'm only a new fan... and I haven't worshipped you my whole life... in fact I just liked your music at first. I only recently discovered KISS... and well... my friend asked me to draw pictures for a story she was writing..."

"An artist too?" Paul lifted a dark brow. "My, you're talented. I knew you must be an artist, judging by the hands..."

"How so?" she asked, words choked back.

"Your hands are creased so well, and there are a few cuts here and there that have healed over. Must work with a lot of paint thinner and solvents... you oil paint, right?" Teri inwardly groaned. If only that were true, she thought. God she wanted it to be the case, but it was only a hobby. How would he understand? "We'll have to break this shy stuff," Paul teased her, nudging her thigh. "Hope I'm not boring you to death..."

"Never," she shook her head.

"Good. Why don't we go somewhere more quiet, and less full of people, Teri?" he asked, taking her hand as he stood up.

"You want me... to go somewhere private with you?" she choked out, hardly believing that of all the women here he wanted to spend time with her.

"Sure. C'mon... Jeez you don't have to be nervous around me... Gene's the only one who would bite..."

She followed him into the dressing room, and he shut the door behind him. He started to hunt for
something in the mini fridge nearby. "Want a drink? Got Diet Pepsi...wine...some Jack D... no, wait, that's not mine..."

"Diet Pepsi is fine," Teri said, not sure of what he would think of her wanting wine or not. Best to air on caution.

"Here you go," Paul said, handing the can to her. She sipped it gladly, unable to drink anything during the long concert.

"Thank you so much," she smiled, cramming down her nerves which fired up again at the touch of those fine hands on hers, chemically scarred from hours of work in the lab. Her eyes wandered past him to the blur of a mirror lined with stars of light. Reaching in her jacket she extracted her glasses and slipped then onto her nose.

"Oh, I wondered why you were looking funny at me," Paul teased her.

"Sorry," she shrugged.

"Hey, don't apologize," he said, moving over and slipping an arm around her shoulders. Lord he feels so good, she reflected inwardly as his hip brushed against her side. Still he towered over her, larger then life.

"Let's break this ice. What have you always wanted to do when you dreamed of meeting little 'ol me?" he whispered close in her ear, moving her dark hair aside.

"It's... silly," she blushed, glad he couldn't see her flushed hot face beneath her makeup that mirrored his.

"Hey, I've seen some strange stuff, so nothing you have to say will bother me," Paul assured her, stroking her hip lightly. He so far didn't seem to mind her size 18 dimensions. For now anyway.

"Well..." Teri began, and stood in front of him, placing her hands on his chest.

"Aww, if you wanted a hug, that's not silly," he smiled, and wrapped her close in those wonderfully hard biceps that brushed against her own arms. Folding her to his chest, he positioned her cheek to rest on his chest so she could hear his heartbeat. Gingerly he rested his chin on the top of her head, holding her close. Shaking arms wrapped around his waist as she returned his hug.

"There you go," Paul hummed, and held her close to him. Slowly he rocked her in his arms, clearly enjoying the strength and feel of her there. Tears threatened to form in her eyes, for she realized how firm and lean he was, not an ounce of fat.

"This... wasn't what I had dreamed of, but it's wonderful," she stammered out, scarcely believing she was in his arms, a normal person, not his usual beautiful woman of statuesque beauty.

"What else," he whispered, drawing away to peer down into her face as he tilted his chin up to face him. "Tell me..."

"Well..." she said, blushing again. Reaching around his hips, she smoothed her hands down his back slowly massaging.

"Mmmm," Paul purred. "That's nice... has anyone ever told you that you feel really good in their arms?"

"Thank you so much," she whispered. When she reached the place she judged the star must be, she slipped her hands downwards over his buttocks, gently clenching. her hands shook, but she could not resist a gentle squeeze. A low rumbling moan shot from Paul's throat as he arched against her.

"Ohhh..." he gasped, his chest heaving against her. "Baby, that's awesome... why keep that to yourself?"

"I didn't want you to think I was some rabid fan, bent on getting into your pants..." she admitted, looking down at her boots near his. Even in platform sandals which added 4 inches to her height of five foot four inches, she was still dwarfed by him in his silver heeled boots.

"What a shame," he teased. "Let me be the judge of that..."  Bending over, he pressed a kiss to the top of her mass of dark hair, running his fingers through it, then following with a kiss to her forehead. Soft lips left their mark there, burning warm against her cold skin. In his arms she gasped, scarcely believing that this was happening to her. Again she squeezed and kneaded his backside, working to his back again at the small where the spine curved. Sighing, he arched against her, pressing her stomach into his hips. His own hands traveled down her back, caressing her own back and rear with kneading strokes. A low shudder came into her throat as she heard herself echo his moan.

"Paul, I'm not what you think," she stammered, glancing up into his eyes that were deep with something that made her pulse pound.

"What do you mean, baby?" he asked.

"I'm not an artist... or writer. I mean... not for a living. I'm a chemist... and I work in a lab, and oh God... I'm a sham... I'm no great writer, I have noting published. I just..."

"Shh," Paul soothed, stroking her back. "You're a scientist? That's pretty full on. Jeez, you must work very hard. I could tell you were smart, but damn. That's one hell of a career. Did you know Ace's sister was a chemist?"

"I had heard that... but you aren't disappointed?" she asked, peering up at him. His hand moved under her chin, again tilting it to meet her gaze with that mahogany one that made her shiver to the core.

"No way," he shook his head. "We all have things we wanna do. Me, I once wanted to be an
anthropologist... not as hard as chemistry, but..."

"A science nonetheless," Teri smiled, relaxing at last in his embrace. "I cannot believe this is happening Paul..."

"Believe it," he smiled. "But you're not a fake, Teri. No matter what your day job is, you are a writer and artist too. And a damned good one...."

"Thank you," she breathed, and hugged him tightly. Paul's hands stroked her back, holding her close to him. "I had thought you would be disappointed in me..."

"Why?" Paul asked her.

"I'm not your typical fashion plate, with a perfect body, and blonde and blue eyed. I'm not one of the beautiful people..."

"Says who?" Paul demanded, looking a little confused. "Sometimes it's nice not to hug a skeleton..." He caressed her chest with his own, his washboard abs pressed to her gently rounding belly, with a bit of fat at her waistline. He pulled her close into his muscular body, her softness brushing against his firmness, his excitement growing.  "Come here," Paul said, and broke the embrace, pulling her by her hand towards the makeup table. "Sit down here..."

"What?"

"I want to see what your face looks like," he said, leaning to rest his by hers in the mirror, and pulled off her glasses. "Please..."

"Why?"

"I want to see who you really are," Paul said softly, as he reached for the baby oil and began to wipe the makeup off his own face. Together they took turns removing the layers of makeup till both had no barriers between their skin and the cool air of the dressing room. Lightly he traced a thumb over her eyebrows, gracefully dark and heavy like his own. They covered the dark-lashed
eyes that were the same color brown as his. Her own skin was olive, a shade lighter then his own. Moving up behind her he rested his chin in her shoulder, embracing her from behind. His face next to hers, she laughed.

"You're lovely under that," Paul smiled, stroking her cheek as he pulled her glasses away. "Your skin is so soft...and smooth...nice..."

"As is yours," she said, turning to face him. Leaning down, he took both her hands in his, and kissed them with soft lips that made her swoon. She raised his hands to her mouth, kissing them as the tears fell behind her glasses, her head resting against them.

"Hey, look up here," Paul urged, and pulled her to stand up again. Bending his knees, he melded her close again, and lifted her face to his. Turning his head to the side, he lightly brushed his lips to hers. The soft lip touch became something more, and Teri wrapped arms around his neck, returning the kiss with a firm press that made him whisper. From behind his mouth she could feel his tongue move. He was not dealing with some teenager that had no previous knowledge of a loving embrace or caress.

Before he could tease her lips apart, she slipped her tongue into his moist mouth. Their breath merged into one space, and Paul's gasp rushed into her throat. Behind it she felt his moan, and shivered herself. Their embrace tightened so much she feared he would crush her, but she knew he wouldn't. When at last they broke to breathe, she felt lightheaded and giddy from the lack of oxygen. Paul gazed at her with half opened eyes, smiling down at her as he whispered, "Whoa..."

"Indeed," Teri breathed, her eyes deep with desire, and moist with tears.

"Want to go someplace more comfortable..."

"Me...and you?" she choked out, voice trembling.

"To talk...to get to know each other better," he said softly. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving...how about we get something to eat?"

"Please," she smiled.

"Just let me get changed, and we'll go," he said with a wink.

"Should I leave?" she asked.

"Stay right here, girl," he smiled. "I don't wanna lose track of you so soon..."

Teri's heart leaped and she pinched herself. Was she dreaming this? If so, she didn't want to wake up to find herself wrapped in a white lab coat, chemicals before her fingertips. No, this would definitely have to last for a little while longer at least...

Slowly he began to pull off the parts of his costume, not minding that she was sitting right there at his dressing table...and trying to keep her eyes off that body. Teasingly Paul lifted his arms and pulled off his jacket, letting it hang on his arms as he tossed it towards her. He reached at his back and was struggling with the fastenings on his belt. "Give me a hand here Teri?" he asked with a wink.

"If you insist," Teri smiled, calling his bluff. Her small fingers found the fastening, reaching around him and together they pulled off his belt. Suddenly Paul turned in her arms, and captured her lips in a kiss that burned her to the core. He leaned over to kiss her, his tongue assaulting her mouth this time, his hands kneading and caressing down her back.

"Mmm, you taste nice," he whispered against her lips.

"You sneak, stealing a kiss like that," she shook her head, laughing with a deep laugh that resonated through her chest. The movement of her nicely sized breasts felt good against his bare chest that pressed up against his abs. Raising his hand he began to trace a finger teasingly over the KISS logo there, tracing each letter individually, and stopping his hand over the face that mirrored his own in makeup.

"I'm flattered," he smiled. "Your chest is a nice place for my portrait to be..."

"Care to rephrase that?" Teri lifted an eyebrow.

"Oops," Paul apologized, blushing when he realized how crude that sounded.

"I like your bra," he said softly, continuing to feel the weight of her breast in his hand as he fingered them through the shirt fabric. She did not try to stop him, but grabbed his wrist and guided it over her the way she liked to be touched.

"Smarty, I'm not wearing one. I threw it on stage."

"Really?" Paul grinned, and broke his embrace to fetch something. She had hated to part with the bra, but in a moment of fannish devotion had unhooked the thirty dollar piece of underwire and silky fabric and tossed it up. It had been caught by a security guard and hung over his microphone stand. He held several bras in his hand, twirling them seductively around his finger. "Which one is yours I wonder..."

"I can't believe this!" Teri began to chuckle as he held them up to her. "Why don't you tell me, smart guy!"

"Hmm..." Paul smiled, fingering her breasts as he took them in his hands gently, hanging the bras over his wrist. He caressed her through the fabric of his shirt, hugging her close to him, enjoying the feel of her pressed up against him.

"Red... hmmm this isn't quite the right size. And hmm... black... no... a little too racy, and I don't think a gorgeous chest like yours needs a wonder bra... but this one..." And here he held up a beige bust minimizer, an Olga bra, with a bit of decorative flower paneling on the cups with an underwire, and reinforced straps. "Would this be it, I wonder?" Paul asked, holding it up.

"How did you guess?"

"I like to know my material," Paul smiled. She reached for it, but he held it just out of her reach
seductively.

"I paid thirty dollars for that!" she groaned. "Come-on..."

"What will you do for it?" Paul teased.

"You want me to answer that now?" she asked, and then suddenly grabbed his bare ribs, tickling him as he gasped. He backed away, grabbing her wrists and tickling her in turn when she wrestled the bra. He hit the sofa and her feet tangled with his booted ones, and both and fell backwards onto the sofa.

"Whoops... I'm sorry Paul," she gasped, realizing her full weight was on his pelvis, her chest pressed up against him.

"Do I look like I'm complaining?" Paul asked with a naughty grin on his face as he stretched under her, pulling her to straddle him. Seizing her shirt, he pulled her down on top of him, smothering her protests in a steamy kiss. Her dark hair fell around his face, like a curtain of fudge smoothness, silky soft in its waves. She began to gasp, trembling under the feel of his hands slipping under her shirt, caressing, kneading as he felt her chest. His strong hands felt so good on her. Leaning over, she pressed a trail of kisses down his chest to his bellybutton, stopping before the waistband of his spandex tights. Each kiss her hair tickled his chest and made him moan softly.
Paul suddenly flipped over, pinning her under him, his marvelous thighs straddling her hips now. "Mmm, perfect," he smiled in satisfaction as he seated himself comfortably. "You feel so good Teri..."

"Are you sure...this is what you want..." she asked, looking up at him with those dark eyes behind her glasses. He gently pulled them up of her face stroking her cheek with his hand.

"There aren't many women I can do this with. Am I crushing you?"

"Not if I don't let you," she laughed. "The effects of your mass upon me are very... pleasing... but... there's just one thing..."

"If I'm going too fast, just let me know okay?" Paul whispered. "We don't have to do anything you don't want to do baby..."

"I'm starving..." she said, peering up into his face, and Paul heard his own stomach growling.

"Good point. And I'm still not undressed. Care to help me a little more..."

"If you'll be good and get some food, that is," Teri reminded him. He guided her hands to his spandex and shimmied out of them. Reluctantly he got off of her, and she helped him pull his boots off and set them aside, leaving him only in his white briefs. With a laugh she helped him find some fresh clothes, and dress, remarking that she was used to men wanting her to help them take their clothes off, not put them on again!

"That comes later, if you'd like," Paul winked at her when he buttoned his shirt up. Gently he kissed her hand, and took it. "Where are you staying?"

"I have to go back to work tomorrow, in the afternoon..."

"That sucks," Paul shook his head, as they walked out of his dressing room, his arm around his waist.  "You have got to be kidding me."

"Ask my boss then," she shrugged as a security guard conducted them to a limo, and took Paul's bag, and Teri's as well. "I just need to make sure my car's okay. I drove here with my friends..."

"You used your own car when travel was included?" he asked.

"Why not? I don't work too far away from this city. I'm near Philly. And Camden's just across the river. I left my car at the airport and I'm just worried..."

"I'll send someone to make sure it's okay if you want. Don't you still want a late dinner?" he asked, then put on that sexy pout he was famous for.

"All right. But I gotta go to work... at least put in a few hours." she told him.

"I'll make sure you get a place to crash, and my limo will take you back, first thing..."

"Like this?" she asked.

"They can bring you a change of clothes from your car, right?" Paul asked.

"You are a nice guy after all," Teri took his hand in hers. He kissed hers gently, taking her fingers and flickering his tongue over them. In turn her hand traveled up his thigh, gently kneading. Paul smiled, because this woman wasn't going to let him have total control, and that was a change he welcomed.
 

Chapter 2: A Downtown Hotel in Philadelphia

"This hotel has an all night lounge. But we can get room service. Do you wanna come up and spend a little more time talking? I could order you anything you want..."

"You sure?"

"Would I ask if I wasn't?" Paul asked, leading her through the lobby. A dozen cameras clicked as reporters clustered around them, but they were fenced off as more security guards clustered around Paul and Teri and guided them to the elevator. Paul pulled Teri close to his body protectively and then they were pushed into the elevator, her hips pressed close to his. Then it was open to the top floor, and into a sumptuous hallway lined with a deep, plush carpet and Victorian- style wallpaper.

As they reached his room, the security guards unlocked it, and said, "There you are, Mr. Stanley. Let us know if you or the lady need anything, okay?"

"Sure thing Chris. Thanks...and stop the Mr. Stanley crap okay?" Paul grinned, taking Teri about the waist and nudging her into the room before him. Once they were in he closed the door and locked it carefully.

"Good grief," she exclaimed, taking in the size of the room. "Pretty high class place..."

"It's just a little place for me to throw my guitar," Paul joked. "Wanna sit down and have a drink? Make yourself comfortable, and I'll call room service."

Taking out his cell phone he flipped back the lid, and dialed the extension. "What would you like..."

"Fettuccine Alfredo, but I know they can't make it this time of night..."

"Trust me," Paul smiled. "Any desert?"

"Your choice. You can share it with me...whatever you want," Teri suggested, leaning back on the sofa. After he had ordered something for both of them, Paul sat next to her, and moved close as his thigh touched hers. For a moment she let him, and then put two inches distance between them. He raised an eyebrow.

"No need to be shy, Teri," he grinned, stroking her shoulder. "Not after we were going so well in the dressing room..."

"It's just so...posh here," she breathed.

"Relax," he smiled, and began to massage her shoulders as he turned her back towards him. "Relax, I'm not gonna bite you... not if you don't want me too that is..."

Soon there came a soft knock at the door, and Paul's security guard leaned in, announcing, "Room service, Mr. Stanley."

"Bring it on," Paul smiled when they pushed the cart into the room, just beside them. Teri felt rather more out of place at the silver plates and fine china that met their eyes, with the flowers in the vase to set it off. Several red roses and baby's breath were set in a vase before them with the food on the coffee table, including a bottle of white wine in an ice bucket, and two crystal goblets.

After they had set everything up, Paul reached into his wallet and paid the man. She saw hundreds and fifties nestled there with the flash of a rose-shaped gold money clip. Nervously she shivered, wondering how much this cost.

"Don't worry," he told her when they were alone. He began to pour two glasses of German wine, Moselle.

"Ein Deutsche Wine," she commented in German. "Naturlich..."

"You speak German?" he asked.

"Had to as a chemist. One of the three recommended foreign languages..."

"I'm impressed yet again," he smiled, and twisted his wrist around hers. She realized what he was doing as they lifted their glasses and sipped from each other's glasses. Teri struggled not to spill any wine on Paul's shirt.

"Well, dig in," Paul smiled, indicating the plate of pasta. He had ordered lobster, and wild rice. Taking a bit he dipped it into butter, and raised it to her lips.

"I don't know..." she muttered.

"Come on," he smiled. "Or are you allergic to seafood?"

"No... but last time I had lobster..."

"Just a little taste..." he pleaded.

"Okay, just stop that pouting, it's driving me nuts," Teri said. She took a nibble, then closed her eyes as she realized how good it tasted. She reached for her plate of pasta, taking a forkful and eating it slowly. God it tasted like ambrosia.

"Can I try yours?" Paul smiled. She held up the fork and he took a bit off of it with a nibble. Shaking his head he nodded his pleasure.

"You have good taste," he smiled, humming with satisfaction. Both washed down their food with sips of wine. Together they fed each other mouthfuls till the food was gone, and they were left with a desert, which was cherry cheesecake.

"Oh God I couldn't eat another bite," Teri mumbled.

"I'm still hungry for more," Paul smiled, and held up a small piece for her to try. She nibbled some to be polite, and the cherry topping dripped on her chin. Leaning over, Paul dabbed it off with a napkin. She clutched her wineglass in one hand, the plate in the other, and leaned to put the wineglass down. Accidentally she bumped into Paul's knee and sent the wine spilling over both of them.

"Oh shit," she muttered.

"Don't worry," Paul urged, and they dabbed at each other with napkins.

"But I just got this shirt," Teri sighed, dabbing at the Legends Never Die logo that was splattered with their wine, and over his.

"Well I'll get you another one," Paul promised. "Let's just see if they'll wash this first."

"I'm sorry I got it on you," she apologized. "That chemical nature of wine to stain the shirt..."

"Tell me more," Paul smiled, trying to help her wipe the wine off her jeans which were soaked with it.

"Oh shit, this is really embarrassing...I feel like a little kid," she complained, till Paul took her face in his hands and slowly licked the wine off her cheek, then her lips with his tongue.

"Mmm, you taste nice," he repeated, tracing his own with his tongue. Teri's heart pounded in her chest, and she felt really disgusting with the sweaty clothes and the wine-soaked shirt.

"And my other change of clothes is for tomorrow at work! Nothing casual... just a business suit. I forgot my pajamas..."

"Lemme see what I have," he said gallantly, pulling her to her feet. He searched through his luggage, and extracted two clean shirts. He began to unbutton his shirt and tossed it down to the floor. "Let's get you out of these..." he said, and pulled at the waistband of her shirt, gently pulling it up. He stopped for a moment at the look in her eyes.

"Paul..." she said slowly.

"Sorry..." he apologized. "I didn't ask you first..."

"No... don't be..." she said, and let him pull her shirt up over her face. She had stopped to put her bra back on in the bathroom briefly, and he saw the tanned flesh of her skin, and the paleness around her bra. Her arms were golden olive like his, the rest of her belly and her torso a paler cream. There was the hint of a soft down of body hair on her arms, thick and dark like his own.
Bare chested he held her close, and felt the wetness of the wine on her pants. Kissing a path down her chest he stopped at her bellybutton, kissing on the softly rounding stomach below the breasts.

"What's wrong, baby?" he asked.

"I'm ashamed of my body sometimes," she sighed. "I'm not some woman who waxes every inch... in fact..."

"Shh," he said. "Let me be the judge of that."

Gently his hands worked over her breasts, caressing them beneath the bra fabric. He hugged her close, caressing his chest against hers. God he felt so firm and smooth. Then he unbuttoned the top button of her pants, and slowly pulled down the zipper, tugging the hips of her jeans downwards,
and she stepped out of the wet sweaty jeans, her hand resting on his shoulder as he leaned over.
The underwear was covered in purple flowers, soft cotton, practical, and cut at her thigh lines. Quite different from the silk thongs and other panties he had seen. His hands traced down her thighs to her muscular calves, savoring the hardness and softness of her body. He hugged her knees, kissing them as he worked his way back up, and she cradled his head and rested it on her breast.

"Your turn to help me," he said, guiding her hands to the buckle of his belt. she unfastened it, and opened his jeans, undoing the fly with a slow deliberate movement. He shed the jeans with her help, and she caressed his thighs, kissing them softly. At his waist she stopped, kissing his chest.

"C'mere you," Paul urged, pulling her to her feet to stand before him. "I don't know about you, but a hot bath always relaxes me..."

"A bath..." she whispered, voice lost as her heart pounded.

"Wanna take one?" he asked, and led her into the bathroom, where there was a large Jacuzzi. It was already running, and she saw scented votive candles lit around it.

"I can't believe this... it's like something out of a romance novel," she muttered. "Like something..."

"Out of a story you would write?" he asked. "This is my night to share that fantasy, Teri..."

"Are you serious?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as he stepped to the edge of the tub, pulling her after him by her hands.

"Yes, never more so then now," Paul said softly, caressing her palms and laying a kiss to each.

"I'm not your usual conquest..."

"That's not what I'm thinking."

"I don't have a suit..." she said, looking at the bubbling water. "Although it might not hurt to go in my underwear..."

"You're a little overdressed," he grinned, and reached around to unhook her bra. It fell away in his hands, and he guided her to pull his underwear down as he reached for hers. She shivered, freezing in the hot air as he pulled the underwear off and supported her shaking knees as she fell against him. "Easy, don't knock yourself out. I wanna enjoy this moment...and I want you to enjoy it too..."

Their underwear fell, and Teri tried not to look at him in full nude glory before her. She glimpsed his glorious ass in the mirror though, and suppressed a gasp as Paul sat down, then held his hand to her in the water.

"C'mere Teri...and let me give you a bath..."

They settled into hot sudsy water, both moaning as they leaned into the bubble jets. Paul relaxed
completely, moaning with pleasure. She felt the warm water work its magic, and moaned also, stretching out. Feet brushed against him, and she winced when she felt her foot brush the inner part of his thigh.

"Sorry..."

"Don't be.  Mmm, getting a little frisky, aren't we, baby?" he grinned and then tickled her thigh with his foot, making her gasp. "God this is wonderful," he sighed, settling down. "Are you relaxing now, I hope?"

"Yes..." she gasped, and saw him completely relaxed, his thighs stretching out, resting on top of hers. Teri leaned over, and saw the look of complete ecstasy on his face as he rested there, eyes half shut. Gently she caressed his cheeks, then kissed him, her chest brushing against him. A low rumbling moan escaped his mouth when they parted, and he pulled her into his arms.

"Ohh..." he gasped, and felt her hands caressing his face, and brow. "Come a little closer baby..."
He settled her on his lap, and her bottom rested on his thighs, her side against his chest. The feel of her body against his was irresistible, and she reached around to massage his back. He moaned again under her small fingers working out his muscles.

"Oh Teri you're wonderful..." Paul moaned. Gently he kissed her, and pressed his lips to hers.

"Hmmm..." she whispered.

"Turn around and you'll get a better angle," he smiled. "It's scientifically sound..." He moved her against him, so her chest brushed his. Lifting her thigh, he shifted it so she straddled him.
"That's much better, isn't it?" he smiled, settling her on his lap. "Now I can reach you too..."

"Yes..." she shivered as he reached over and massaged her back. He kneaded her spine, and she felt his warmth stiffening as it pressed against her belly.

"Are you okay?" Paul asked. "You're so tense..."

"I just... feel... feel..."

"Tell me how you feel..." Paul urged, looking deep into her eyes.

"You're making me nuts, and I so badly want...resolution. But I don't want you to think that I'm some cheap person who...just wants a quick lay. I can't just give myself one time and that's it... I really want to get to know the person. I'm sorry...I don't mean to be insulting."

"You aren't," Paul said, kissing her lips. "I can wait..."

"But you're on tour..."

"I have a few days off," Paul said softly. "Want to spend some time together?"

"I just can't get away from work..." she sighed deeply.

"I'll wait. Where do you work? We could go out after your job tomorrow...but tonight belongs to us...and you belong to me..."

"Paul...I just...can't..."

"I had told you before you can take it as slow as you want..." Paul said softly, kissing her lips. "Your choice. But I do want to get to know you, and I would love it if you stayed here with me tonight..."

Teri drew in her breath sharply. "Paul..." she whispered, tracing the line of his brow. "I want to make love to you so badly it hurts...am I chicken to turn you down?"

"Not at all," he traced her lips with his own. "But I want what makes you happy. Tonight you're mine, and I'm yours..."

"But I don't want just one night," she pouted, and Paul chuckled at how cute she looked.

"Who says you have to settle for that?" Paul winked.

"I'm half wiped though and I don't know what pleasure I could bring you now..."

"You've done well already," Paul smiled, rubbing her gently. His hand slipped inside her nest of dark curly hair. She let out a gasp, arching her back like a cat as he found her sensitive place. Her hands closed around his stiffness, stroking with just the right amount of pressure.

"Oh God, you really know what you're doing," Paul breathed, his gasp coming in sharp spurts. "You really are a scientist..."

"Mm hmm... and you're my experiment..." she grinned, raising an eyebrow.

"I'd love you to try something else..." he smiled. "But I think we should get out of here first to get the full effect.

"All right then," she nodded. "Challenge accepted Mr. Stanley..."

He got up first, reluctant to leave the water, but excited at the possibilities. He took her hand and helped her out, admiring the full view of her nude body. The dark nest of curls was a lovely spread patch, matched by the hair on her head that fell about her shoulders. For a moment he stroked her hair, pulling her close to him as he felt her bare flesh against his, and marveled at how close their skin tones matched! Leaning down, he took a towel and wrapped it around her, drying her off as she toweled him down, and he wrapped his bathrobe around her, tying it tenderly as he took the towel and hitched it around his hips.

"You look good in purple," he grinned, and before she could thank him he reached down and lifted her into his arms. Which was no mean feat because she equaled him in body weight.

"Are you okay... I'm not hurting you..."

"Whoop! Not at all," Paul smiled, and actually boosted her without too much difficulty. "I'm an expert at this..."

"I'm not a lightweight...I weigh about one hundred sixty..." she remarked as he kicked open the door.

"I bench press close to two hundred fifty," he laughed. "You're nothing compared to that..."

"But I'm live weight!"

"You sure are, now relax and enjoy the ride..." He carried her through the living room, and kicked open the door to the bedroom suite. Carefully he set her on the bed, kissing her forehead. Grasping his shoulder, she pulled him down on top of her.

"For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction," she laughed.

"I thought you were a chemist... And as for your experiment, what was your hypothesis?"

"If you were Mr. Sexyman under all that makeup. And if you could deliver..." she smiled. "And if I could deliver to your satisfaction..."

"No worries there," Paul hummed, and pulled her under the sheets with him. "And I have an experiment of my own to conduct..."

"Which is what?"

"An object in motion tends to stay in motion, unless acted on by an outside force, right?" he asked.

"That's physics, not chemistry," she said.

"So? It's still science," he laughed, straddling her as he moved his hips against hers.

"Good point..."

"Hmm," he smiled.

"But I always wear P.P.E...." she said.

"What?"

"Personal protective equipment...when I'm...experimenting..."

"Of course, any sensible scientist would," he said, and turned over, reaching for something.

"Rubber gloves do help," she laughed, and helped him slide the material over his waiting firmness. In her hands she felt its length, and wondered if this would work or not. She had heard the stories about his physical attributes, and it had been a while since she had done anything remotely like this.  She lay down on her back, raising her hips as she spread her thighs, thinking this position would logically be the best to please him. Paul leaned over her, kissing her gently as he stroked himself to her. Teasingly he circled her periphery, and she felt herself growing wetter by the moment. She moistened her fingers with her own moisture, and rubbed it up and down his stiffness. The feel of her hands on him he enjoyed greatly, gasping as he poised there. Slowly, gently he moved his way inside, kissing and nibbling on her ears, her neck, and her breasts. She gasped as he slipped part way in, her muscles protesting. Paul sensed her initial tension, and kissed her forehead.

"It's been a while for you, hasn't it?" he asked. He encountered no barrier, so she was not a virgin. But she was tight and tense inside, nevertheless.

"Yes... I'm sorry," she apologized, before he put two fingers against her lips.

"Shh... don't apologize," he whispered, kissing her tenderly as he eased in further. "Just let me know if this gets uncomfortable... Just relax..."

"So far... it feels wonderful," she sighed, and Paul thrust himself into her fully. He was surprised that she so easily accommodated him when he relaxed. Her muscles tensed inside, then relaxed, gripping him firmly. She was quite strong inside, and he grinned with delight, eyes shutting as he savored this first contact. Not many women did fit him so perfectly. He began to rock his hips, measuring out doses of his passion to judge her reaction, and figured she was doing the same, because she moved in perfect unison, rising to meet him.

"Oh, this is perfect," Paul purred, increasing his tempo.

"People... have always said I had hidden depths..." she groaned, and winced at how corny that sounded. Paul's laugh resounded as he kissed her deeply, plunging his tongue into her mouth as he duplicated there what he was doing below.

"Oh God..." she gasped over and over, biting down on his tongue. Paul pulled away, carried away with the hot sweet warmth that seemed to erupt from the base of his spine and spread over his body.

"Don't hold back," Paul groaned as her legs wrapped around his hips and crossed at the base of his spine. Her thighs clenched tighter, and he liked the feel of such strength holding him into her. It seemed as if a flash of energy built up between them and they tumbled into the reaction as inevitably as sodium and chorine coming together to form salt.

She flushed with embarrassment at the sounds of her gasps, and Paul stopped for a moment. "Don't hold it back. Let me hear you, please. I want to hear it in your voice..."

Paul thrust deep, pushing himself as far into her as possible, and her thighs latched around him. When his own muscles tightened he felt the waves cresting to their full peak, a deep euphoria setting in. Teri's dark eyes fixed into his, and he saw the start of tears in them. His face contorted as if in pain, and his back arched in that last second. Only the rubber stemmed the tide of his eruptive passion. Crying out, he thrust his deepest yet, holding her hips and buttocks in his hands as he pulled her onto his knees. A strange sense of completion passed over both, as if they had fused into one being, one chemical at a stable state that would fly apart in a few minutes. With him inside her she felt so safe, so loved, not afraid of who she was.

"Paul," she stammered out, feeling the tears come. It was such a rush that pounded her heart and flashed a golden wave of comfort and affection she had not felt for so long. Her chin wobbled as she held him close, and he gently kissed her tears away.

"Oh baby," he whispered. "Shh... it's okay..."

"I didn't want to cry. But it was so... incredible... I haven't felt that high since... since..."

"You're awesome, Teri, you know that?" Paul cradled her on his lap.

"I don't want this to end..." she said, glancing up into his deep eyes. Paul pulled her in a passionate kiss, lowering her to the bed as he pinned her under him.

"Neither do I..." he sighed. Folding her close to his body he stroked her hair softly. They held each other till both fell into a deep sleep. The best either had had in months.
 

Chapter 3: Monday Morning

Paul awakened, and smiled, peering at her with those dark eyes that seemed infinitely deep. Her own dark eyes met his gaze, and it was filled with such satisfaction, it made her heart leap with joy. Momentarily she forgot her doubts. "Good morning, sweetheart," he whispered. "Sleep well?"

"Thanks to you," she stretched.

"Good," he smiled, and kissed her deeply. "So did I, thanks to you...Teri."

"What time is it?" she asked, knowing reality would soon intrude on this fantasy.

"Ten thirty..."

"Oh shit!" Teri gasped, disentangling herself from him. "I gotta go to work, and it's almost an hour away from here...and I need a shower and oh God..." She bounded out of the bed, falling down as Paul grabbed her arm, and she almost hit the floor rudely.

"Easy baby, don't work yourself into a frenzy!" he urged, pulling her back into bed with him. "There's no point in killing yourself to get there... please... slow down..."

"I must be there..." she stammered. "It's a stressful time of year at the lab and I have deadlines...You don't understand..."

"I'm trying. I'm sure there's something we can work out..." Paul urged, clamping a hand on her shoulder. Teri turned to him with mingled confusion and aggravation on her face.

"We both had a wonderful time last night. But you know as well as I do that I was just another fun time for you... and that when you see the next woman come along...I'll be history. I understand... that's the way it is with you guys..."

"You're worth more then that...you're not like the other women," Paul stammered out, a look of shock on his face. He grasped her wrist and pulled her down beside him again. "I want to see you again..."

"But I thought that you..." she stammered, not believing her ears.

Paul kissed her deeply, taking her breath away as he rested himself on her. Then drawing back he pulled her to her feet. "And besides, you can't go to work without breakfast..."

She was very quiet when he took her down to eat in the hotel's dining room, ordering a nice omelet for them both. Teri and he ate a lot, drowning their mouthfuls with coffee, fresh and hot. Slowly he took her hand, caressing it. "Are you okay?"

"Yes..." she lied, hoping he wouldn't bother asking why. "I just... need to get to work okay..."

"Do you want me to call your supervisor, let him know that you'll be late. It wouldn't be a problem..."

"Paul...you know nothing about the field I work in. Do you think they'd believe a rock star phone calling on my behalf! This isn't one of your record promoters. I'm a scientist... and your world and mine... they just... have so little to do with each other. I'll be fine..."

"I'm just trying to help," Paul said, looking hurt. "I don't want you to get into trouble because of me..."

"No. It's not that," she sighed, and couldn't look him in the face. "I just don't want...I just...I don't know."

"Please tell me what's bothering you. Would you feel better if I had them take you? It wouldn't be a problem..." Paul implored her, catching her hand. He had sent one of his security guards to have her car brought to the hotel with her suitcases and belongings, and she had hastily dressed, not even bothering to shower. When she twisted her hair up into one of those clips she looked so different.

"I had a wonderful time, Paul... Mr. Stanley. I hope... well, I hope the rest of your tour goes well..." she held out her hand. That hurt look in his eyes she couldn't bear to see. Yet she knew it was for the best. As soon as she left his side he would forget her, and it was on to the next city, the next woman. At least that is what her brain was telling her. But her heart...

"What is this all about? Jeez, can you give me a clue?" Paul asked, grabbing her hand tightly. "What's with the Mr. Stanley crap all of a sudden..."

"Just... drop it..." she said softly, looking away. "You'll forget all about me in time. It's better this way... for both of us. I've seen your life, and you belong with the beautiful people, not a normal person like me..."

"What the hell do you mean by that?" Paul said, and saw that people were beginning to stare. He released her hand as she slipped away, purse in her grasp. She ignored as she walked out of the restaurant, as Paul made to move after her. She didn't even stop to look back, fighting back the tears in her eyes. "Don't leave like this... please!" Paul whispered.

"What happened?" Ace and Peter asked, looking towards each other when they saw the woman brush past them, not even noticing them. She looked like a business-suited type. Both had just gotten up, after seeing their women off with limo rides home.

"She walked out... just left," Paul shook his head. "After I said I wanted to get to know her better! What the hell is going on here?"

"I dunno. Maybe she didn't believe you..." Peter shrugged.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Paul demanded.

"Well what do ya think Romeo?" Peter laughed. "You are the King of Hearts. Every woman's fantasy."

"Let her go. She just probably got spooked by the bright lights and big city," Ace added. "Besides, she's just another woman..."

"What did you say?" Paul asked, grabbing his T-shirt. "Care to repeat that?"

"Take it easy man," Peter said, grabbing Paul's arm before he lifted his fist menacingly at Ace.
"Hey, why are you so worked up over her... sure you had some fun. But who can figure women..."

"I'm sorry," Paul said, letting Ace go.

"Hey, you're really wrapped up about this chick, aren't you?" said Peter.

"If she doesn't want to be found, how the hell are you gonna find her?" Ace shrugged. "After all Philly is a big city..."

Paul suddenly noticed something had fallen from her purse. It was her name card badge from her chemical company, and he looked at it thoughtfully, fingering her picture. He turned the badge over. Under the words, "If Found Return to Orphan Pharmaceuticals," was an address. He had to see her again. Find out why she was giving him the cold shoulder all of a sudden. "Tell Gene that I'm gonna start R and R a little early," Paul said to his bandmates.

"Sure thing but remember that we have a rehearsal tomorrow night..." Ace began, about to remind him about the small photo shoot that was scheduled for that weekend also. All of the band members had the next few days off, but after that, it was back to Los Angeles to resume their Farewell Tour.

"Give it a rest man," Peter shook his head.

Chapter 4: Tuesday Afternoon

Within a large glass and steel pharmaceutical complex people bustled about in offices and labs going about their usual business. Orphan Chemicals was a large successful drug research company just outside of Philadelphia. Deep in Research Lab 4, five or six scientists leaned over their benches, hard at work with their most modern equipment.

"Ms. Mason, there's a visitor for you at the front desk. Says he found your badge," one of the lab technicians, swathed in a white lab coat with the company logo on it, said as she nudged her shoulder.

It was three thirty, and already she had sat through a departmental meeting, and a paper presentation before getting her research schedule together for that week. There were many questions from her close friends about how her "weekend getaway" went. Yet she refused to mention much, except that it had been very interesting.

"Well, that was nice," she muttered, adding one chemical to another before she would set the samples on the chromatography machine for analysis. It seemed the work piled up more and more lately. Suddenly the lab phone rang, and one of the scientists who had a free moment picked it up.

"Analytical Lab, R and D four... yes, she's here... hey, Teri!" he called.

"What?" she muttered, looking up again.

"That was the front desk. Someone says he has an appointment with you... for dinner. Says he knows you..."

"Who the hell..." she muttered. "Who is it?"

"A Mr. Stanley..."

"Mr. Stanley?" her friend asked, her eyebrows raised.

Teri shook her head, wondering. Could it be? Heart skipping a beat, she excused herself from the lab without bothering to take off her lab coat or safety glasses. She rode the elevator down to the main lobby, staring through the glass doors to the reception lobby. At the front desk she saw a person wearing rather a nice casual jean jacket, and leather pants! Who in their right mind would... Trying not to appear too anxious, she walked out to the desk, her heart pounding. He turned, brown eyes fixed into hers, and she flushed red then and there.

"There she is. Teri, this gentleman says you have an appointment with him..." the receptionist said.

"Give him a visitor badge," she said slowly, not able to look him in the face, but settled on glancing at a spot just beside his head. His eyes flickered up and down her form, and there was no sign of anger there. "Hello," she said slowly, glancing up at him.

"You lost your badge," Paul said, handing the name card to her. Shyly she took it from him.

"Thank you for returning it..." she said slowly, levelly, now glancing right into his eyes. "I wasn't in my right mind this morning..." She pulled him by the hand behind her into the glass doors that led to the lab complex. His hand clasped around hers, and he wasn't sure if she was angry, amused, or scared when she took him past the glass doors that looked into a strange world. To him it was like another planet. "I'm sorry I left like that," she said, stopping as she turned to him. "I had no right to embarrass you like that..."

"Hey, look, you didn't embarrass me," Paul said, taking her hand. "I just wanna know why you left like that!"

"Because... I was afraid," she said, lowering her eyes, then looking past him.

"Why?" Paul asked, taking her hand, and squeezing it.

"That it wasn't really true...that you had not said what you did...about wanting to see me again... I guess I didn't want to believe it was possible," she said slowly. Taking his finger he put it under her chin, lifting her face to gaze into his eyes. Those safety glasses hid her eyes, clear plastic over the sides of her normal glasses. Her white lab coat hid the curves of her hips, revealing only those shapely calves, for she was wearing a skirt and stockings, with platform loafers. The dark hair was swept up into a spring clip, with the sides slicked back. She wore little makeup, but Paul thought he had never seen her so attractive with the hair out of her face.

"I wouldn't have said it, if I didn't mean it," Paul said softly.

"I'm sorry to hurt you," she apologized.

"It's okay. I should have explained myself a little better. What we had last night...was not like anything I've felt for anyone in a long time. I am serious when I say that I want to get to know you."

"Really?"

"I'm here now, aren't I? I'm trying to understand why you're afraid of me... what you're afraid of..."

"Come with me, and see my world," she said, holding out her hand. She passed him a visitor's lab coat, and insisted he put it on, with the safety glasses tucked into her lab coat pocket. They looked like a clear version of ultramodern sunglasses. Paul followed her into the laboratory, glancing at the white-coated chemists walking slowly around the large black topped tables. Strange faucets sprang out of them, and large boxes with wires and tubes were set up on some of the tables. Huge glass-fronted cabinets with sashes that slid up and down lined the front of the large room. Everyone seemed at ease here, making adjustments to the large boxes with computer pads, pipes and bottles hooked up to them. At the sight of Teri with the tall, dark and handsome stranger a few of her co-workers gave her odd looks, and one even cast her a wink.

"What is this place?" he asked.

"Chromatography lab. Those boxes are machines that separate chemicals for analysis. There are other labs here where chemists make new chemicals... like drugs and polymers..."

"Polymers," Paul shook his head slowly. There were some scientists extracting chemical bottles from large red cabinets marked "flammable" and they would pour them together with the ease and comfort that he would exhibit restringing his guitar. She led him over to one bench by one of the chromatography machines, and started to leaf through her notebook. The white bandanna scarf held Paul's hair back out of his face, and he leaned over her shoulder to see what she was writing. On the graphed surface she taped a computer printout, of something that looked like an EKG chart. Suddenly Paul felt very much out of his depth. Especially when one scientist started talking to another about some experiment in progress. The gentle hum and click the boxes made seemed an odd rhythm in the background, mingled with the noise of flasks and beakers rattling, and the strange spinning white pellets in what appeared to be mixing plates...

"That's chromatography pumps you hear," she said. "They pump the liquid at high pressure through the filtering columns of the machines. And those are the mixing units there..."

"I'm not bothering you, am I? Is it okay for me to be in here?" he suddenly whispered, taking her hand.

"As long as you're with me, yes," she said, taking his hand. His eyes widened at the sight of so many bottles and unfamiliar pieces of electronic equipment.

"I just never expected a lab to look like this!"

"You were expecting maybe men with frizzy hair and crazy laughs experimenting on rabbits or sheep? Or bubbling flasks with smoke coming out of them?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Well... yeah... but these look like... normal people..."

"Exactly," she said slowly.

"But flammable chemicals... isn't there some risk of an explosion?"

"No more or less then your pyrotechnics on stage at a concert," she said matter of fact.

"Teri, this trace isn't right," someone said to her, putting a strange graph before her.

"Did you make up the right mobile phase?" Teri asked. The rest of the conversation shot right over Paul's head. It was all chemical jargon, a different language to him. He waited patiently as Teri showed him around and introduced him to some of her friends, as Paul. They were old and young, and most had no idea who he was. Although from one or two people he did get funny looks, as if they had seen him somewhere, and they whispered among themselves. When it was four o'clock, they sat by her desk, which was just outside of the lab, and he sat down on it, taking her hands in his.

"That was... interesting," he said slowly. "All those people must be pretty damned smart to work in this place..."

"Yes. But I hope you didn't feel too scared off by it," she said.

"Well let's just say I didn't know what to expect," he said with a slight laugh. "But you're right, it's a different world. But that's one thing that hasn't changed. No matter what. I want to know about you, to share some more time with you. I like you Teri. A lot... and I'd like it very much if you gave me a chance to prove it to you..."

"I am sorry I ran away from you this morning..." she apologized.

"Hey I'm sorry I scared you off. And to find out what your world is like... it's only fair..." Paul said, leaning close as he pinned her between the lab counter and himself. Gently he breathed into her ear, making her smile as she took his hand and kissed it gently.

"You're making it awfully hard for me to say no. What did you have in mind about 'proving' what you say is true?"

"How about dinner..." he said. "Your place."

"Hmm, but I haven't even had time to clean my apartment! That's not fair..." she laughed, shaking her head.

"So?" he smiled. "I'll give you a hand with that..." They were surrounded by a cubicle, which was off from the main lab area, a separate office space for the scientists. Here he could take off his lab coat, to reveal his outfit: leather pants encasing his fine legs, with the white shirt unbuttoned to reveal his chest, the loose jacket, and the white bandanna holding his hair back. Much like in the concert videos she had seen. Leaning forward he caressed her stocking leg, and pulled her wheeled office chair forwards so her shoulders were between his knees hooked over the edge of her desk. His lips reached down to press a kiss to hers, and he lifted the safety glasses off her nose.
She brushed her hands under his thighs, making him chuckle with delight. His hair tickled her face, and he slowly unbuttoned her lab coat to reveal her skirt and blouse beneath. Sliding her hand between his thigh and the desk she felt paper.

"Paul... you know what you're sitting on?" she asked with a slight laugh.

"What?" he grinned.

"My chromatography from last week... you might want to move..."

"Sounds good to me," he raised an eyebrow, and started to get up, but she shifted her chair as close as she could, and pulled him down to share another soft kiss. He almost pitched forwards into her lap as she grabbed his face and caressed his cheeks, drawing her thumbs down their contours. His tongue slipped into her mouth when she coaxed his lips apart and shared his breath in her own sweet mouth.  Just then two of her lab mates walked by the cube, and stopped cold.

One of them whispered, "Do you see that? Who is that handsome guy... she was with him in the lab earlier..."

"I dunno but he looks a hell of a lot like Paul Stanley from KISS..." the other grinned. "Funny how many look alikes are out there..."

They moved away quickly so they wouldn't bother the two. Pulling out of the kiss, Paul and Teri grinned at each other, laughing at their secret.

"It's nice to not have anyone know who I am... for a change... or be sure..." he smiled.

"I never thought you'd be anonymous again, and actually like it!" she giggled.

"Believe me, that's something that few women have ever given me, and I like it..." he cooed, kissing her forehead. "I like it... and I really... really like you..."

"So, what are we going to do about it?" she asked, stroking his knees lightly, making him shiver with desire for her. She saw the leather pants contouring his excited desire for her.

"Why don't we get out of here," he raised an eyebrow. "It's four o'clock, isn't it? Or do you have to work overtime? If you do, I can wait..."

"Not today I'm not," she said decisively.

"Good, you deserve a break," he nodded, getting up from the desk, and pulling her to her feet. He swept the lab coat off her shoulders, and hung it up on the back of her chair.

"Let's go," she said, taking a deep breath as he took her hand in his, and slipped his arm around her waist. He picked up her purse and briefcase for her gallantly.

"Shall we?" he asked, kissing her ear as he drew her close. His breath was warm on her ear, making her twinge with desire in her lower belly. Out of the office and lab complex they walked, eliciting some stares and thumbs up from her friends, to a long black limo parked out front. Opening the door for her, he said, "After you..." Teri drew in her breath, and climbed in, Paul close beside her... "Where do you live?" he asked her.
 

Chapter 5: Downtown Ambler, PA, near Philadelphia

"There's no need, I'll just drive it home tomorrow when you drop me off at work next morning."

"Right," Paul nodded, consigned to the fact that she still was a working woman and couldn't just ask for time off at the drop of a hat. Besides, he had a few ideas about how to occupy himself at her apartment when she was at work. Fifteen minutes after they left Orphan, they headed to a small town outside of Philly called Ambler. They pulled up to a large Victorian house, and Teri fished for her house keys. His limo driver opened the door for them, and Paul got out first, then helped her out by taking her hand. He took her briefcase in one hand, and grabbed what looked like a guitar case in his other.

Chris handed him a soft hanging bag that he swung onto his shoulder too. "Are you okay whit all that?" she asked.

"Hope you don't mind if I crash here?" he asked carefully. "After all, a hotel isn't a rock star's dream..."

"What? You sick of room service?" she asked, picking up on his reference immediately.

"I'll let you know..." he smiled. Then went serious as she walked to the separate entrance in the back. "You don't mind do you?"

"If I did, I would have said no already," she smiled slowly, taking the briefcase from Paul and walking up the stairs with him close behind her. Paul glanced at the entryway, which was small, but opened into a generous apartment that took up the whole second floor of the house. The living room area was sizable, with a bay window and cases loaded with books. A piano sat in one corner, opposite a computer stand and a separate art table. He chuckled when he saw the small television and large stereo. "I'm sorry about the mess..." she apologized as she struggled to straighten up. Hanging his bag on the back of the front door, and setting down his guitar case, he rushed to her side.

"I said I'd help, okay?" he breathed into her ear, moving her hair aside. "Now why don't you go slip into something more comfortable and I'll make dinner..."

"But.."

"It's my way of saying thank you... for a wonderful time last night..." he said softly. "Please... gimme a break here and lemme help you relax..."

"All right," she nodded. "I'm going to just change then. Are you sure... oh damn there's nothing for dinner... I..."

"Let me take care of that," he said with a smile. "Just go get out of those work clothes..."
While she moved into the side room, Paul looked around the apartment. All the furniture was used, but carefully cared for, with a little clutter, and no excessive neatness. The desk was piled high with papers, and he started to toss the clothes he found into a hamper, and straightened out her CD collection that was a little unwieldy. His eyes widened at the number of KISS CDs she had. Almost every album was present and accounted for. On the top of the stack was his solo album. When he opened the jewel case he noticed the CD was missing. Pressing the button on the CD player he saw the CD inside the small tray. He grinned.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door, and Paul quickly answered it, getting up from his cleaning. At the door was his chauffeur who said slowly, "Hey you left these downstairs and I thought..."

"Leave them here," he instructed.

"Everything going according to plan?" he asked.

"So far so good," Paul winked. "Now go away and have the night off. I'll call you if I need anything okay?"

"Sure thing. Good luck..."

Paul lifted a hand to his bandannaed head and gave him a salute. Then he lugged the bags of groceries into her small kitchen. There was a little table and chairs for two, and she had bills piled high upon it. Paul couldn't resist a look, and carefully put the stack to one side on the counter.
He quickly emptied her sink into the dishwasher. Tossing off his jacket, he threw off his shirt revealing the tank top underneath. Quickly he got to work on dinner. When Teri emerged, she could swear she smelled pasta. "He didn't..." she muttered to himself, tiptoeing to the kitchen. However Paul suddenly walked out, and stopped her from entering. Tucked into the front of his pants was a white dinner towel, and his hands were covered with what looked like flour! She began to laugh aloud, hugging herself. Wagging a finger he scolded, "Uh uh, not yet. You gotta relax, working girl..."

"First time I've been called that..." she laughed. Paul guided her to the sofa, and pushed her gently down to sit. Bringing the hassock, he lifted her feet onto it, and punched the remote on the CD player. Soft strains of Yanni keyboarded through the apartment.

"You're going to relax, and that's the order of the evening..." he reiterated, resting his hands on his hips. "Dinner's on its way, and you must want something to drink..."

"You're spoiling me rotten," she said with a shake of her head, amused.

"Not even," Paul winked, and disappeared into the kitchen again. When he re-emerged, he carried a can of Diet Pepsi and a glass, and set them down. The can opened with a refreshing pop, and he poured a little for her, before handing her the glass.

"Thank you," she nodded, and he sat on the hassock, straddling it as he took her feet in his hands. Slowly he began to massage them, then started to work up her calves. Leaning back she relaxed into the feel of those slender hands on her tired muscles. Then Paul changed position, slipping next to her and pushing her forward a little bit. His hands began to work on her tight and tired shoulders, gently but firmly rubbing out the kinks. "Ahh...Lord that feels excellent," she hummed, relaxing at last. "Where'd you learn that, good sir?"

"Good sir," he laughed. "Oh another hidden talent... that I've picked up along the way."

"Why don't you let me give you a massage," she said, and turned to him.

"Later," he smiled, giving her a sexy wink. "Dinner should be ready soon..." When he guided her to the kitchen, she realized why he had shooed her out. Her best dishes were set out on a lace tablecloth, and a dozen roses were in a crystal vase to one side. Two champagne flutes were out, with a bottle of Cabernet at the ready. Other small candles were placed on the windowsill of the kitchen, and offered a nice flickering light. "Mademoiselle, be seated," he laughed, putting on a French accent as he pulled out her chair. She had to admit he looked like a waiter in his getup. A sexy waiter at that! He set two plates of fresh Caesar salad before her and himself, and waited to see her reaction. "The first course," he said.

"Good grief, there's enough lettuce here to open my own salad bar," she shook her head. He waited as she took a few tentative bites, and prodded the anchovies with her fork. "Nice... salty but nice... are these anchovies?"

"Wouldn't be a Caesar salad without them," he smiled. "You like?"

"Mm-hmm," she said. Both ate over light conversation, and Paul mentioned the large poster he had seen with the letters in the small boxes, and the names.

"The Periodic Table," she laughed. "Yes... I suppose that is cheesy... but it helped me through grad school." She was almost done her salad, and said, "What do you do for an encore..."

"This..." he said, after setting down two plates of tortellini. Slowly she took a mouthful, closing her eyes as she chewed. For a moment Paul panicked when her head shook back and forth, her mouth seemed to contort into a frown.

"Well?"

"This is without a doubt... the best I have tasted," she gasped, taking a swallow. "Far better then any hotel would make..."

"Good," he smiled, and gently took her hand.

"You're spoiling me rotten..."

"I hope so," Paul grinned. "The best is yet to come..."

After dinner they sat on the sofa together, and Paul drew out his guitar. "Thought we'd do a little work on that song together..."

"My song?" she asked.

"That was the deal. You gals write the lyrics, and we put it to music..."

"So you are really going through with it then... it wasn't just a gimmick..."

"Hell no," Paul laughed, taking out his electronic tuner and adjusting the strings on the acoustic. It was an Ibanez; very nice and traditional compared to the ultramodern flashy guitars she had seen him famous for on stage.

"Wish I could play," she shook her head. He strummed out a few bars and began to experiment. She was amazed to find how well her lyrics had fit the tune he had set them too. "God that was beautiful," she shook her head when he was done. "How do you do it?"

"Simple," he said slowly. "When you know how. I'd probably ask you how you can be a scientist and a writer... and an extremely attractive woman all at the same time..."

She blushed, and her knee touched his as she reached for his hand. Taking hers, he kissed it. She took the guitar, moving it off his lap when he set it down to the side. Gently she pulled his arms, and patted her lap. Paul lifted an eyebrow at her, and she winked again, stroking her knee as she pulled his leg onto her. Did she seriously mean it? Tentatively he moved over, resting his legs across hers. She began to stroke his thighs through the blue jeans. Paul drew in his breath, giving a slight moan at the feel of her fingers. "Come closer," she said, and tugged at him. He tentatively sat on her lap, unsure of sitting on a woman's lap instead of the other way around. She rested his head on her chest, and stroked her hand up and down it. "If you turn around, it's easier for me to reach you," she grinned. Paul turned so his knees straddled her, sitting atop her thighs. Slowly she reached up his back, kneading along his spine.

"Ohh God..." he moaned deeply when her own fingers worked out the knots in his back as he had done to her. Leaning over, he brushed his tongue against her lips, and she teasingly leaned her head back just out of his reach. Chuckling, he worked his hands down and began to massage her chest. "One good turn... deserves another..." he joked. Teri's lips met his in a warm wet kiss, which he deepened, leaning heavily on her with his full weight. It was incredibly sexy to feel her thighs under his, and feel his excitement pressing into being against her belly. Reaching up she pulled his tank top, and he obligingly lifted his arms, letting her pull it up, and he tossed it off. He grabbed her shirt, and pulled it up out of the waistband of her pants, and lifted her arms to tug it off, avoiding catching her glasses. Now her hands moved up and down his bare chest, folding him close to her chest in her arms. He slipped his hands behind her back, enclosing her in a crushing embrace for a moment. She traced a line of feather kisses down his chest to his waist, stopping just above his belt.

Paul was ready to just take her then and there, but it seemed like she had something else in mind, when she pushed him lightly away. He climbed off her lap, and sat next to her. Grabbing the bandana from his head, she untied it to liberate the soft curly mass she loved running her fingers through. "You make me sick, your hair is longer then mine!" she laughed. "Do you know how many women would die to have such beautiful hair?"

"I don't know about that, but I love to run my fingers through your hair...all of it," he grinned seductively, and gripped her hands to draw her to her feet. They stood up, and held each other for a moment. "Do you want me?" he asked softly, nuzzling her ear.

"Is that a trick question?" she whispered back, drawing her tongue down his earlobe. Paul shivered with delight as her breath fanned his ear. Damn this woman was good! Matching him seduction for seduction...

"Depends," Paul shot back with a grin, separating himself from her for a moment, only holding her hands. "If the scientist has all the data from her experiment..."

"What do you mean," she asked.

"Or else, does she need another sample to analyze?" he winked.

"Mmm hmm..."

"Shall we go to the lab and perfect our chemistry?" he joked.

"Chemists always do it... in the lab," she grinned, and took his hand to lead him into her bedroom.

The first thing that his eyes fell upon was the four corners, where he saw the 24-inch Love Gun dolls. Peter stood over the bookcase in one corner, while Gene sat atop her dresser, and to the opposite corner was Ace over her television. Over her bed there was another set of shelves, and he saw his own likeness, leaning over with the jacket half off. Posters of comic book characters lined one wall, with a poster of Jimi Hendrix at the foot of her bed. It was a double, set into one corner with a nightstand. He saw a bulletin board littered with dozens of hand sketches -- her sketches -- including a few of him! Amused, he glanced at one that was pinned atop the others, only half done. It was a pose he had remembered doing for the photo shoot for the Reunion Tour. Where the naked women had posed. Yet she had drawn him there, clutching the Rose before the full moon, the women pressed up against his thighs.

They both sat down on the edge of the bed, Paul looking at all her familiar things. Even a poster of the Periodic Table of Elements hung on one wall, except it said Periodic Table of Desserts on it, and Paul burst out laughing.

"That's good!" he grinned.

"Hey, I love my desserts," she smiled.

"And you're gonna get your just ones now," he teased her, gently leaning over to kiss her softly. The touch of his lips was gentle like rose petals, slowly pressing into something more. She met him kiss for kiss, hugging him so close she was afraid he would evaporate. Paul leaned over, pressing her under him as he lowered her to the bed. Slowly he began to unzip her jeans, tugging them off as he kissed her belly. Feather soft kisses traced all over her body, driving her wild. For a moment she was letting him have control, before she gently pushed against his chest, tickling him. He gasped, and felt her hands reaching to his belt buckle.

"Wait," he whispered, and guided her hand just under the waistband. "Here..."

"What?" she asked.

"I want you to test a hypothesis. Tease me... drive me to the brink," he requested. "Till I can't stand it anymore..."

"Testing the time of hormonal response?" she asked. With a grin she nodded, starting to rub along his inner thigh through cloth. Just as soon as her hand kneaded up the inner surface, it would teasingly pull back. Then her hands diverted course, moving to his million-dollar backside that begged to be squeezed. How he loved the feel of her hands on his cheeks. Slowly they retreated, moving down to his front and starting to rub over his excitement. Already he was fast growing hard, begging for release. It was maddening.

"Assume a horizontal position," she whispered. He did so, and she began to brush her dark hair up and down his chest. Slowly she rubbed her cheek against his stiffness through his jeans, like a friendly cat. His moans were priceless, as he made no move to stop her. Then her hands slipped under his waistband, slowly undoing the belt and working downwards between his jeans and hot body. "No underwear?" she said. "Interesting observation... must make a notation of that..."
He came up off the bed, arching against her as he felt her fingers creeping inside his pants. Slowly she stroked and rubbed, bringing him to a stage where he could barely restrain himself. Then she slowly undid the fastenings, peeling his jeans off slowly, deliberately. "Do you wish the experiment to continue?" she asked him.

"Yes..." he breathed.

Straddling him, she began to stroke her breasts against his chest. He gasped, undoing her bra and slipping his hands over her quickly. She lowered her mouth to his chest, feasting on him for a change, blowing cold breath that drove him even crazier. Any time now... he thought to himself... any time now... the longer the chase the sweeter the victory.

He peeled back her underwear, and she began to finger along his length with her soft hands.  However he was quite surprised when she moved away, and lay at his side, playing with the hair on his chest.  Her hands slipped the protection into place teasingly slowly.

"How... goes the experiment?" he groaned, almost on the verge of madness.

"Almost... to completion..." she whispered. He gripped her hips when she settled into place, working herself downwards. "There..." she whispered, sighing deeply when she had seated herself, and pushed his wrists down. "That concludes the demonstration for today?"

"Does it?" Paul winked, and thrust upward, very hard, before she was quite expecting it. Her gasp of surprise was priceless, and suddenly he was thrusting upward into her heat, gripping her hips to hold her in place onto him. Using her hips as a pivot he sat up.

"Oh my God..." she whimpered, arching her neck back.

"Stay with me, baby," he urged, fingering her chin as he fixed her gaze into his. Dark brown eyes met dark brown, deepening with desire with each passing second. "What's your conclusion..." he laughed as he found a faster tempo, driving her breathless in his arms. "How long can I take to drive you wild now?"

"I'm already going... crazy... Paul...oh God..." she cried aloud, and then seized his face in a hungry kiss, crushing him to her. Her tongue attempted to duplicate in his mouth what he was doing to her down below. Both felt the warm expanse of energy flooding their bodies, an incredible reaction speeding to an inevitable state of bliss. Exothermically they exploded. Their moans and cries merged into a single harmony of her voice and his. Paul reached his peak just before she did, shouting her name. His last thrust pushed deep inside, causing her to shriek a long scream of pleasure. Both fell to the bed, completely exhausted. He held her close, covering her in feather soft kisses while remaining connected to her. Teri rested on him, working the blankets around them both. As she moved to get off him, Paul stopped her.

"You're not done yet," he smiled.

"But we've reached completion..."

"There's a second part to this experiment," he smiled. "How long I can hold onto you. And I'd like you to know something. How long this love gun wants to stay in its holster..."

She laughed and flushed, thinking this sounded like some cheesy cheap come-on line. From any other man it would be, but from Paul it sounded deliciously sexy. He was spent, softening in her aching depths. But he felt so good where he was, that he lay back, complete contentment on his face.

"Hmm..." she sighed, and he echoed that sigh. Resting her head on his chest, she fell fast asleep. Paul peered past her to look at the constellation of glow-in-the-dark stars that she had glued to the ceiling. Enjoying the feel of her around him, he soon passed into sleep himself.
 

Chapter 6: Wednesday Morning

That next day, it was so hard to get out of bed. Yet she got up, and wondered where he was. For a sick moment she thought she must have dreamed this whole thing. Yet as she moved she felt the blissful ache inside, and groaned with pleasure. "I must have had him here..." she laughed, trying to get out of bed. There came the distant noise from the kitchen, and she stumbled in to hear sizzling noises punctuated by scrapes.

"Good morning sweetheart!" he smiled, and leaned over to kiss her. "Sleep well?"

"Thanks to a certain someone...yes..." she sighed. He put a plate of scrambled eggs and toast before her, and she saw something red drizzled on top. "What is this?"

"Tabasco sauce. Spices things up a little. If it's too hot, lemme know..."

"Paul...about today... well...what are you going to do when I'm at work..."

"I'll just hang here, if it's okay with you," Paul smiled, sitting down opposite her.

"But I hate to think of leaving you here alone..."

"That's sweet, but I'll find some way to amuse myself. Now don't be late for work!"

She dressed quickly, and by the time she put herself together, she was stumbling to get her stockings straight when Paul steadied her. "Whoa, don't' forget your lunch..."

"My what?"

"Here... I heard the stuff in the cafeteria's bad..." he grinned. "Now... have a good day..."

"This is so unreal!" She laughed. "You waiting on me hand and foot."

"Believe it," he said, drawing her to him in a goodbye kiss which they both didn't want to end.
"Now..." he said when she pulled away. "Got the limo waiting downstairs. Have a good day, working girl!"

Paul turned on her computer after he finished cleaning up the breakfast dishes. He had already made the bed with fresh sheets, and threw the soiled ones into the washer, which was in the closet in the kitchen. Her screen came up, revealing a wallpaper of strange hexagonal pictures. To the one side he saw what looked like small balls and sticks stuck together. Reading the box they rested on he spelled out, "Molecular Models..." Of course. These were molecule pictures. He saw the word processor, and suddenly a mischievous look came over his face. Clicking it open, he clicked under My Documents. What met his eyes were no less then fifty files with varying titles. Eagerly Paul clicked on one titled, "Tonight You Belong to Me."  It suddenly struck him. This was her writing. Slowly he began to read the story before him...

It must have been noon when he finished another stimulating story she had typed recently. He had to admit she had a way with the written word. A lot of the stories had him as the main focus, or some other dark mysterious stranger. Even her original stuff he had breezed through, sipping on some spring water while he fixed himself the remains of the salad for a late lunch. Paul then realized he had better check his messages. He saw that she had AOL, and grinned. Signing on as a guest, he managed to get a link online, and started to check his email. A weird blinking flash in one corner was punctuated by an "uh oh" noise. He realized that it was one of those pager messenger services. Someone was vigorously paging Teri. He wondered if he should answer it...
Clicking the mouse on the contact list, he brought up the list of online buddies. There were at least ten, and he realized these were names he recognized when Ace had once taken him online... and showed him the KISS fan posting board. Many of the nicknames were the same. And Teri's, Flaming Youth was the one she went under.

"Teri, are you there?" the message again flashed. Someone who called herself Starwomyn86. Interesting, Paul noted. And there was another, who called themselves Paul'srose, and yet another calling themselves prettystrutter14. All names that focused on songs that he wrote...

"Jeez, this is interesting," he grinned, and was seriously tempted to answer the response himself...
Paul Stanley began to type, in response to the query. It seemed the natural thing to do, because how else would she explain the presence online since he'd turned on her computer? He saw the person paging called himself or herself Shandistarr, and the little message that popped up read, "Teri? What are you up to, girl? Home or work?"

Fingers poised over the keys, Paul mentally argued the reason for what he was about to do. These were all Teri's personal friends. What right did he have to say anything? Besides, they had no idea of who was typing on the computer. Should they know? Just what sort of people did Teri call her friends? Curiosity won out, and Paul typed a response, "Hi there."

"Teri! Don't tell me you are at work!" Shandistarr typed, with a little frowning face.

"I'm taking a break," Paul typed back.

"After that concert you were going on about... I want details girl! How did it go? Did you meet them?"

"I did," Paul typed, not sure how Teri carried herself on the internet. Besides, writing styles could be as colloquial as voices. Another name popped up, and Paul noticed it was called ILUVPAUL.

Immediately ShandiStarr typed, "Lemme let Debbie in!"

Another female fan, Paul thought, with interest. "Teri! How did it go! I want the dirt girlfriend!" Debbie, aka ILUVPAUL typed. Paul chuckled at the boldface capital letters and the smiley face with the open grin. He realized that the other id's on the list looked familiar, from the KISSOnline site he often visited. Especially the Starchild's Paradise board, the tribute to him personally. The most interesting messages had been appearing there... especially typed by some with the same names. Coincidence?

"Yeah, tell us about it. Did you meet Mr. Sexypants?" Debbie typed.

Paul burst out laughing, feeling a red flush flood his face. What next, he wondered. He left an awkward pause, wiping the sweat off his forehead. From the distance came the smell of baked goods coming to full form in her kitchen. Soon they'd be ready to take out, he thought. Wouldn't Teri be surprised when she came home...

"She's speechless," ShandiStarr typed. "Good sign..."

"Ohh... don't tell me... you did!" Debbie typed the next minute.

"Jeez," he typed, then realized this might be a bit of a giveaway. Still he pressed on with, "Wouldn't you like to know..." followed by a smiley face.

"C'mon Teri, spill it..." Shandi typed. Her text was lavender, while Debbie's was purple. Very appropriate for Paul fans, he thought with amusement. Suddenly another name was added to chat. Paul excused himself to grab some iced tea he'd left brewing on Teri's kitchen window. When he looked up it was three thirty. Amazing how the day was just flying by.

"Leave us in suspense, girl!" someone named Starwomyn86 typed in purple text also.

"That's not fair..." typed Debbie.

"This is something else," Paul shook his head, taking a bite of the experimental chocolate chip cookies he'd also whipped up to surprise Teri. They were hidden in the bag that his driver had brought up, various ingredients that he always had at hand in his own place. "Well it was... interesting," Paul typed, licking a bit of chocolate off his finger, and propping one long leg under his knee.

"Ohh... you are terible!" ShandiStarr typed. "C'mon now! Did you meet HIM or not?"

"I sure did..." Paul typed.

"What did you say when you met him?" Debbie typed. "What did he do? Was he as hot as he is in the pictures?"

"It was definitely not like anything I've seen before," Paul continued. This was getting very involved.

"Did you squeeze the star?" Debbie typed.

Paul flushed again, a grin creeping over his face. So this was the source of her fantasy, or else the people in which she confided her secret dreams.

"What?" he typed.

"Was he... cooperative?" ShandiStarr typed.

"Did he... squeeze you back?" Starwomyn86 typed.

"Let's say he was very surprised... but didn't think it was silly at all..."

"OOOH!" they all typed. There came another blank space and several emoticon winks after this.

"So, what next?" Starwomyn typed.

"He invited me backstage to his dressing room..." Paul continued to type. "And asked if I could help him change..."

"OMFG!" someone typed, Starwomyn it was.

"I'm so fucking jealous!" Debbie typed. "You touched that Million Dollar Ass!"

"Whoa," Paul shook his head, shaking off the amused smile from ear to ear. "Is it hot in here or is it just me?" he typed.

"I wanna squeeze!" ShandiStarr typed. "Did you give an extra squeeze for me?"

"We'll just have to kidnap him then and find out!" Starwomyn typed. "I'll drive the getaway car..."

"I'll get the purple fur handcuffs and the silk blindfold!" ShandiStarr typed.

"And I'll get the rose petals!" Debbie typed.

"Sheesh, what an imagination these gals have," he laughed aloud, holding his sides because he was guffawing with a mixture of embarrassment and exhilaration.

"Actually I think he likes chocolate sauce," Paul typed, licking his lips as he took a swallow of iced tea.

"Yeah, pour it over me, and I'll ask him to LICK IT UP!" Debbie typed, with a winking smiley face.

"Lather on the ready whip and make a banana split!" ShandiStarr typed.

"With plenty of SUGAR, SPICE and everything nice!" added Starwomyn.

"So... he took you to his dressing room... and then what?" ShandiStarr asked.

"Did he sing you your song that you wrote for him?" asked Debbie.

"Well, it's not done yet... I... he said that the next part of the prize was actually being there at the studio to have it sung... by Paul himself..." Paul typed. He secretly hoped Teri would be able to be there. After all, she had made this song possible. Plus he wanted her to have a taste of his world, beyond the masquerade and the seven-inch leather heels.

"Oh, to die for!" Debbie typed, with the words, :get a mop for the drool:.

So engrossed did Paul get into the conversation, that he suddenly heard the click of the doorknob as someone put a key into the lock downstairs. "Uh, gotta go gals," Paul typed, and suddenly shut off the messenger, struggling to sign out before he heard her footsteps on the stairs. He nearly jerked out of his seat when Teri swung open the door and he leaped out from behind the computer, rushing to stand between the door and her computer. "Welcome home, sweetheart," he panted, taking her in his arms and pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.

"Mm, nice to see you too," she smiled, pulling away with a look of pleasure and delight on her face seeing him still here. Looking past him she saw her computer was on, and Paul moved over to turn it off. "Were you using my computer?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, I hope you don't mind... I had to check for some email..."

"You didn't open anything did you?" she asked.

"I didn't look at anything I wasn't supposed to. What kind of a guy do you think I am?" he teased. "Actually I downloaded some juicy images from a few XXX sites Gene likes... and paraded around in your underwear..."

"Paul," she groaned, seeing the teasing twinkle in his eyes.

"Well..." he grinned, trying to hide the odd flush of guilt he felt. "I did read some of your stories..."

"My... stories?"

"The ones that were... on your site," he said with a quick breath. "You're amazingly talented..."

"Aww, you're too sweet," she flushed.

"So are the cookies, and fresh iced tea..." he nodded, and guided her into the kitchen, hoping to distract her from any more questions. He knew she was quite smart, and the last thing he wanted was some awkward situation if she decided to log on... Damn, he muttered mentally. You just had to look, Stanley! You curious dumb ass! Now she'll think you're damned nosey!

She nibbled one, savoring the flavor of chocolate as they shared them together. "You've got some chocolate on your cheek," she laughed, fingering his face gently.

Leaning over he lightly brushed his tongue over her lips, whispering, "So do you..."
As she reached for another, he caught her in his arms, gently pinning her between the kitchen table and his warm body. The bandana he wore around his forehead was soaked with a little sweat, and she couldn't help but wonder what he'd been up to. Gently he lowered his lips to hers, and pressed a firm kiss, working his strong arms around her. On his tongue she tasted chocolate when he caressed her mouth from the inside lightly. Teri folded arms behind his head, pulling him downwards as she deepened the kiss, and lightly nibbled on his tongue, trapping it there between her teeth gently for a moment. His moan in her throat was priceless. Close and firm to her body pressed every inch of his as their excitement for each other grew very apparent...Just then the phone rang, making them both jump.

"Jeez, who'd be calling you now?" Paul muttered, pouting momentarily as she squirmed in his arms to answer it.

"It might be anyone..."

"Probably some stupid telemarketer," Paul chuckled. Her answering machine got it, but it clicked off soon. Lowering his lips to hers again he renewed his kiss. Only to hear his own cell phone ring. Separating, they looked at each other and laughed.

"It's an epidemic!" she giggled, her chest heaving up and down against his deliciously.

"Better call your drug company for a cure," he said.

"Maybe you'd better answer it," she said.

"You sure?"

"Why should I interfere with your job, since you were kind enough to let me go to mine?" she winked.

"You're terific," he said as he kissed her nose. Still pinning her to the table he pulled the phone from his belt, clicking it open.

"Yeah? Hey...what's up?" he asked, keeping one hand on her hip, lightly stroking. For a time he listened, then said, "Yes... about that... I was wondering if you could move it to Saturday... why? Well... she can't get off work this week... and I want them all to be there... to hear the songs. Jeez, it's the fair thing to do, okay? Don't want them to be disappointed!" Teri realized he must have been talking about the studio taping of the four songs. Her heart leaped when she realized he was rearranging the taping just for her... "Thanks Doc.... bye!"

"So... you want me at the taping?" she asked.

"Why not?" Paul smiled, breathing lightly into her ear. "After all you wrote the lyrics... it's only fair that you're gonna be there when it gets recorded..."

"Have you finished it yet?" she asked, stroking his back with those fingers he came to savor on his tight muscles.

"Let's find out," he said softly. "You feel like taking a little ride tonight?"

"What?" she asked.

"The recording studio's not far..."

"But I thought you were doing it at SIR..." she asked.

"We're doing it locally," he said with a grin. "In a secret location. The other gals will be bussed out there too..."

"You're something else," she shook her head.

"Is that good or bad?" he asked.

"Let me find out..." she smiled.

"You get to see us without our makeup, warts and all. Your call... I mean if you don't wanna go..."

"I wouldn't miss this..." she grinned.

"Great, then you'll come? To the jamming?" Paul grinned. "Awesome. Why don't we both get cleaned up and then we can go..."

"Cleaned up?"

"You've got all those chemicals around you all day... I just thought... well I don't mean to say you're... aww hell..."

"You're pretty sweaty yourself, mister...Wanna save time and give me a hand cleaning up?" she grinned.

"C'mere," he grinned, and pulled her towards the bathroom. Picking her up he swung her over his shoulder and carried her the rest of the way there. Both her shoes he pulled off and tossed to one side, and started to unzip her skirt playfully as she grabbed his shirt.

"Hey! Put me down you crazy man!"

"I'm crazy all right..." he laughed, setting her down as he kicked open the bathroom door.
 

Chapter 7: Wednesday Night

"I could drive you," she said.

"I don't want you to go to any trouble," he insisted, when Chris opened the door for them both, and he nudged her into the limousine before him. "Just think of it like an expensive taxi," Paul joked when he closed the door and they motored off. A thirty-five minute ride took them into Philadelphia, through the city that was rushing towards evening. They rolled past office complexes and other huge hotels, before pulling up to what seemed like just another office complex. She cast Paul a nervous glance, followed by a smile when the limo rolled to a stop. "Let's go," he grinned, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. "Come see my world..."

"Oh good grief," she gasped to herself, when she saw the other limos pull up.

"Easy baby, it's okay. You're here with me, remember?" Paul said. Nervous tension mounted each step she took, her platform loafers matching pace with his leather boots. He wore long leather pants, a t-shirt under his loose jacket, and a red bandanna to hold his dark hair back. Her own outfit was just as casual: her Farewell Tour shirt, jeans, and a leather jacket. Security people walked just behind them, and they were dressed casually with a bit of a uniformity that gave them away to the trained eye. They were quickly bustled inside, and she could swear she saw Gene Simmons getting out of the next limo that pulled up, his guitar case in hand.

"Are the other girls here?" she asked.

"They'll be coming to sit in too," Paul said. "But not till the actual recording..."

"You mean..."

"Yep," Paul grinned. "This is a real rehearsal..."

"Oh God," Teri breathed when she clung more tightly to his hand for support. That nervous feeling cut off circulation to her brain, making her feel giddy. Especially when Paul led her into the small sound studio, where techs were helping a brown haired man set up a drum kit. "What do I do?"

"Just have a seat and take the load off, sweetheart," Paul urged her, as he showed her a few folding chairs. "And enjoy yourself!"

"You mind if I watch you set up?" she asked.

"Sure," he said as she followed him to where the amplifiers were being set up. He took his guitar out of its case, which was passed to him by one of the black shirted guys, who were her age. The guitar glistened as if it were comprised of stars, the fragmented patterns of her face shattered in its surface. The famous shattered mirror guitar, she guessed. Priceless, a holy grail to many a KISS fan to witness. Gene had arrived, fussing over the female staff as he exchanged some flirtatious pleasantries. He moved over to another amp, plugging in and slipping his BC Rich over his shoulder and giving a few experimental strums. There was a sort of greeting that went on between him and Paul, and all Teri felt she could do was sink to the nearest flat surface and sit quietly. Which happened to be Paul's amplifier.

"And who's your fan club, Stanley?" Gene joked, pointing to Teri.

"Who me?" she asked, head jerking up at the sound of her name.

"Admiring the view sweetheart?" Gene laughed, coming over to her. "Have you come to bask in the sexiness of the Gods of Thunder?"

"Well you know how we like to sit and take in the vibes," she stammered out, trying to think of something witty to stay to this.

"Uh huh. I know you women love sitting on vibrating surfaces. I was just reading that it makes you gals think of sex..."

"What better place to bask?" she shot back. "Especially since this is a warm up..."

Gene grinned, and gave Paul a knowing look as he said, "You been giving her the royal treatment?"

"Nothing but the best," Paul grinned. "How about you and the Lady Demon?"

"Been showing her the town sure enough," Gene laughed. "Where did you find this gal?"

"I'm surprised you don't recognize me, Mr. Simmons. Especially since they say you're the one with the photographic memory..."

"Gene you dumb butt," Paul laughed. "It's Teri, the gal from the contest..."

"Aw shit," Gene laughed. "Sorry gal, but I didn't exactly see you without the makeup! Sorry..."

"No harm done," she smiled, and he took her hand, giving it a kiss worthy of Paul.

"Okay, let's get started," Peter shouted from the back. "I haven't got all day, man!" Just then Ace stumbled in, guitar case in hand as he gave a thumbs up and a few entering remarks to some of the road crew and technicians. He plugged into the third amp hastily, looking sheepishly at Peter and the others who were already jamming. When he joined in, Teri recognized the song as "Into the Void". She hummed along, still sitting on the amp to the side. When Paul's guitar chord shot through, she leaped off in shock and surprise. The intensity of the music hit her full force and she rushed over to the chair, sitting down as she felt she had trespassed on a place she had no business being. Admiring looks of a few female staff who had suddenly entered made her nervous.

"God I look like some damned fool groupie," she thought to herself. True she was a fan, and not ashamed, but suddenly the unreality hit her. "I don't belong here," she thought again as the next hour dragged on. Part of her was fascinated by watching KISS interact, but the rest felt she was intruding on a part of his life she could never be equal to. And yet another part realized that they looked like normal people, who could just be several guys jamming than a virtual legend that millions had seen around the world.

When Gene finally called for a break, she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Hey what do you think so far?" Paul asked, a smile on his face.

"Nothing like it," she shook her head, shoving down her mixed emotions.

"Hey, I saw you last night!" Ace laughed. Just then three girls rose from the chairs nearby, and Teri realized they were the other contest winners. Of course they would be here.

"I thought you said they wouldn't be here," Paul whispered to Gene.

"Well, they twisted my arm," Gene laughed. "And what's wrong with having three other lovely ladies here watching us?"

"Absolutely nothing!" Peter laughed, arm around Kathryn's shoulders. "How are you doing little girl?"

"Purrfect!" she laughed and grinned, hugging his waist. Ace grinned and joked with Christy, who had a strange laugh much like his. Gene and Shelly exchanged some words. They were quickly shown around before security escorted them out to the hallway. Yet when they came to urge Teri out, Paul came between them.

"She came with me," he whispered to them, and slipped an arm around her. The strange feelings washed over her, and Teri was again overwhelmed. What suddenly made her so special? Could it be? She felt herself getting rather faint when she thought of the possibility...

"Are you okay?" Gene asked, seeing Teri go pale. Paul supported her as she leaned heavily into him. Peter and Ace were just returning when she felt Paul's arm grip her waist as her knees gave out.

"Hey baby, what's wrong?" Paul whispered.

"I... you... all... it's just... oh God..." she stammered out, feeling the haze creeping over her brain.

"Maybe her blood sugar's low?" Peter suggested.

"Get the lady a soda then!" Gene shouted to one of the road crew who were walking by. "Right now!"

"Maybe she should sit down..." Ace muttered, and Paul helped walk her to a chair nearby, sitting at her side as he slipped an arm around her.

"You okay?" Gene asked, when someone put a glass of soda with ice into his hand. He passed it to Paul, leaning over them with some concern.

"I think so... I'm sorry to make a scene," she shook her head, as Paul lifted the glass to her lips and tipped some into her mouth. Peter and Ace stood back a little, looking over Gene's shoulder with some concern on their faces.

"You almost spaced out there for a minute, gal," Ace chuckled. "You having an OBE?"

"Chick's got nothing on you, Ace..." Peter laughed. "Hey, is she gonna be okay?"

"I'm fine... I didn't mean to ruin your rehearsal, dammit I feel stupid," she shook her head, face flushing.

"Hey we have that effect on women," said Peter with a good-natured smile.

"Most of the girls just scream and chase us," Ace laughed.

"Hell, I'm flattered when a lovely lady faints in front of me," Gene joked. "So don't worry about it. You have some blood sugar problem?"

"I'm not diabetic, if that's what you mean..." she shook her head. "Sometimes when I get a little excited..."

"Just a little excited?" Ace joked.

Paul kept his arm around her, gently guiding her hand with his on the soda glass. She took a few sips, her hands still shaking a little.

"But your rehearsal..."

"Is not ruined, and we're breaking for dinner anyway," Paul said, stroking her shoulder. "So don't worry baby...."

"Take it easy on her Paul," Peter winked. "Or she won't last the rest of the night!"

"And I suppose you'll be heading for the oysters?" Teri managed to joke at him.

"Good one," Ace grinned. "Dunno about you guys, but I'm starving... see you there!"

"Come in when you feel like it okay?" Gene said, nudging Teri's knee. "And take it easy! You make sure she doesn't faint on you again Paul... or she'll miss the excitement..."

Paul nodded and stayed with her as the others filed out of the practice studio. He turned back to Teri, stroking her cheek. "You sure you're okay?"

"Paul I'm fine," she laughed, pushing the soda glass gently away. "I didn't have a heart attack or anything..."

"Still, I was a little worried. If you were hungry you could have asked one of the guys to get you something to eat..."

"I didn't want to be..."

"Don't start that again," Paul joked, putting the glass down on the floor beside his chair.
Silver buffet trays basked over sterno cans, lined along one end of the room on a table. Ace and Peter had already helped themselves to large plates piled with food, and were sitting with the contest winners on easy chairs near round tables. A few promoters and roadies ate near them at another table.

"So I was checking out this board with these interesting stories the other day," Ace said, leaning near Kathryn and Christy. "And I was wondering if either of you knew who Frehley'scometchick was?"

"Uh... which board?" Christy asked.

"The Jendell Journal," Ace said.

"Oh my God," Christy flushed.

"Are you okay?" Ace asked.

"Well... I'm that chick," Christy muttered and looked nervously at him.

"I'm glad," Ace grinned, resting a hand on her knee. She shivered with delight at his touch. "Because I have some questions about where you came up with those great ideas..."

"What great ideas are those?" Peter chuckled.

"Let's just say they're very creative," Kathryn winked at Shelly.

"Is she okay?" asked Ace. "Teri I mean..."

"Yeah, she's fine," Peter nodded. "Here they come now..."

Paul sat Teri down near them, and insisted on serving her some food from the buffet despite her protests. Gene was already piling on the deserts as he sat near Shelly, and the girls were giving each other the thumbs up sign out of eyeshot of the guys. Or at least they thought so. Both had their hands wrapped around beers provided from an ice chest, and were fast in the process of taking the rough edges off their day. Paul sipped a little white wine, and made sure that Teri had as much as she wanted. After dinner the rehearsal continued, and the girls were allowed to sit in. Still they continued to beg the road crew for drinks, which were provided in a portable ice chest. The Coors and Miller Lite were downed with cherry Jack Daniels while the girls watched every gyration of Paul's hips, and every wink and thumbs up that Ace tossed them. They loved the audience of four, and there were a few times that Teri's eyes met those of Paul's during the next few songs. Time ran very late, and Teri found herself disappearing into the music. It was a combination of the drinks and the excitement that tired them all out. Soon Kelly was already curled up on a sofa, fast asleep as the guys jamming continued till half past eleven. Christy lay across a few chairs, her face pointing up towards the ceiling. As for Teri, she lay her head against the wall, her eyes drooping with sleep. It had been an exhausting day at the lab. Suddenly she jerked awake, and was aware she was laying against something soft and firm. Gasping she saw that her head and shoulders were on Paul's lap, and the sound of a car engine droned in her ears. Paul sat in the side seat of a limo, and riding along with him was Ace and Peter, who were talking quietly. Gene was nowhere to be seen. Christy was cuddled up to Ace, while Kathryn was cuddled up to Peter, half-asleep as he gathered her to lean on his chest.

"Oh shit..." she gasped, feeling the haze of intoxicant on her brain. How much wine had she had? It had been a long time since she had done any social drinking past one or two glasses at meals.

"Don't worry sweetheart, I'm taking you home..." he said. "Just go back to sleep, okay?" The next sensation she felt was being carried upstairs to her apartment, and heard the jangle of keys unlocking the door. She glanced momentarily to see Paul was carrying her, and Chris the limo driver was unlocking her door. She pretended to be asleep and shut her eyes fast as Paul carried her inside, and towards her bedroom. Soft firmness cushioned her back, as he gently placed her on the bed. Momentarily she heard fading footsteps receding into the distance, and heard two male voices talking. Before long she heard the footfalls return, and felt the sensation of someone unbuttoning her blue jeans and shirt, gently tugging off her garments. Last to go were her socks, and she felt the cool silk of a nightgown being placed on her, and the blankets pulled up around her legs. Weight shifted on the bed when she felt someone lying down next to her, a warm body pressing up to hers as a soft kiss rested on her ear.

Chapter 8: Thursday  Morning

"I'm sorry sweetheart, I have to go take care of some band business," Paul whispered in her ear to wake her with a gentle kiss.

"Damn," she groaned, noticing that it was already seven thirty. Only twenty minutes to throw herself together and break the land record on the turnpike.

"I made some breakfast, and it's in the microwave. Look, I'll catch you sometime later today at work..." Paul said, rushing to button his shirt as he almost tripped in a hurry to get out.

"Wait!" she cried. "You can't just drop in whenever you want to..." She almost stumbled when she leaped out of bed, head pounding. Quickly Paul shoved a glass of orange juice into her hand with two aspirin, grabbing his guitar case.

"Take these, they'll help cut through the haze..."

"Why didn't you wake me sooner, I'm going to be late!"

"I'm really sorry... I'll make it up to you... I didn't mean to let you oversleep," he babbled, almost to the door. He grabbed her and pecked her quickly on the lips before rushing off down the stairs.
"See you later sweetheart. I'm really sorry... I'll see you soon, promise!" were his last words as he rushed down to the waiting limo. Teri watched, stunned as Chris pulled away, and down the block. Groaning, she collapsed into an easy chair, pressing her hand to her head. It was then she realized that she still held the glass of juice in her one hand and the aspirin in her left. Shoving both pills onto her tongue, she downed the juice in a single gulp.

"They still can't improve the taste of this," she grumbled, wishing she had gotten the coated buffered kind. Part of her was angry with Paul for whisking her off to a rehearsal, the rest was resentful he just picked up and left. She noticed his guitar case and other belongings were gone, and groaned as she felt her throbbing temples. How much had she drunk last night? It wasn't that much, but alcohol and too many late nights...

Bleary eyed she stumbled into work, cursing and muttering. A hangover hung thick on her brain. Somehow she managed to drag herself through work that day, doing her best to concentrate on the little traces here and there. Paul Stanley...had he just been a dream? Her body ached with the secret pleasures they had shared. Now he was no longer there, and she felt the strange feelings surfacing yet again. How could it possibly work, she wondered. Anxiously she was on edge the whole day, almost dropping a beaker of acid as she carried it to her lab bench. Twice she had to make a new mobile phase, for her mind was consumed with memories of Paul's hips gyrating. She couldn't get him out of her mind. Just like that he was gone. Even when she went home, she felt a dull ache in her chest. Part of her hoped he would be waiting for her when she trotted up the stairs. However when she pulled open the door, she saw her usual living room area. It then hit her that both his guitar cases were gone. Rushing to the bedroom she saw the bed, mussed and unstraightened as half the covers were on the floor. Even his suitcase was missing, the one he had brought up with him his first day there...

"Oh God, it did happen?" Teri realized. Quickly she checked in the bathroom, and the extra study. No sign of him anywhere. As if he had never been. Except for the unmade bed, which could have easily been hers. There came a knock at the door, and she whirled about. Heart in her throat she rushed to get it, but found only a delivery person holding something in their hands.

"Special delivery," he said, handing her an envelope.

"Who is it from?" she asked.

"Wouldn't say. Sorry but I got other deliveries to make..." he said, and turned to leave. Opening it, she glanced at the handwriting, which looked suspiciously familiar...

Dear Teri,
Jeez I'm sorry to rush out like that. I'll make it up to you, promise. But Doc called me earlier, and the guys and I had to fly to New York for a press conference. Something's gone wrong with the production schedule for the new album, and Gene insisted I had to cut short my vacation time. I'm really sorry about this. But I wanted to thank you for a great time these last few days. What can I say, but thanks from the bottom of my heart for showing me such a good time in Philly. You are a unique and special person...

"Oh God," Teri groaned, feeling a stab of pain. She should have known it was too good to last. Bitterly she crumpled the paper in her fingers, feeling hot tears welling up in her cheeks. Not bothering even to take off her suit she dropped to the easy chair, fighting the tears that threatened to form. Her world had been turned upside down because of this man, and on top of it she had been late for work two days in a row! In her mind's eye she could still hear her supervisor's reprimands. The scrap of paper landed in the trash can, half crumpled. Teri had not bothered to read the last part of the note. She didn't care, for she could tell what it had said, or guess. This was what she had been hoping to avoid, getting too close and facing the emotional turmoil of stepping down from her three-day fantasy of sheer pleasure. "Paul Stanley, you are a pain in the ass," she muttered, pulling off her glasses and tossing them down on the table. "Why did you have to get to me? Why? I could have just walked away with one night just like any other girl...why me?"

Slowly she punched the remote and rung up the news. She flickered past a few channels here and there, hoping to dull the pain in her chest, which tightened. Without her glasses the TV screen was a blur, and she could only hear what was going on. Just then she heard a familiar song, "Tears are Falling," and stopped the clicker on VH-1. It was a Behind the Music special about KISS. Quickly she shoved her glasses on and saw Gene and Paul there, in an excerpt from Exposed. Beautiful women, scantily clad, perched in beach chairs around a huge pool while Gene and Paul answered the questioned posed to them. Granted this was thirteen years old, but Paul's dark eyes seemed to stare past as he and Gene spoke of "living out their fondest dreams..."

"I'm so goddamned stupid," Teri shook her head. "Sons of bitches. He's there with the beautiful people..." Another clip came on, talking about Paul's solo album, and in the background she could hear the song "It's Alright..."

"I knew the minute that I picked you up, that I would never wanna put you down... don't try to tell me that you've had enough until you realize what you've found..."

At that point she hurled the remote down, and stormed out of the room. Tearing off her clothes she jumped into the shower, feeling the hot water surge over her wearied body. Hugging herself, she sobbed bitterly. In the muffled roar of the shower she could still hear the TV as it blared.

"It's alright if you want me... it's alright if you need me... girl if you want me to stay for the night...girl if you want me to be satisfied... it's alright!"
 

Chapter 9: One Week Later

It was Wednesday, and Teri had stopped crying sporadically. Enough to not have to rush to the bathroom every fifteen minutes to keep from bursting into tears. Her friends had noticed her odd behavior, and her preoccupation. They wondered what was wrong. Someone had even offered to cover for her, insisting that she call in sick. "Teri, you have got to snap out of this," her friend Crystal said to her at lunch. Teri prodded at a Caesar salad, barely having eating half of it.

"I can't stop thinking about him," she shook her head, pressing hands to her face as she pulled off her glasses.

"That guy you met?" Crystal asked.

"Yes..."

"Well what happened?"

"He left... after we had shared three wonderful nights together..."

"Men," Crystal sniffed, slamming down her bottle of Evian water. "Just when they get comfortable they up and leave for the next woman..."

Teri started to feel tears burning again in her eyes. "I was okay with a one night stand. I had told him that. But he insisted on wanting to get to know me better. I thought I could walk on, just resume my normal life. But it's so hard..."

"Are you gonna let him get you down?" Crystal asked. "I'd call him and demand to know why he left you like that! Didn't he even leave a phone number..."

"He left a note," Teri sighed. "I threw it away..."

"Sorry girlfriend," Crystal sighed, grabbing Teri's hand. Just then the supervisor, a woman named Georgia Ryan came by, and stared at Teri.

"I'm coming..." Teri sighed.

"I've just come to voice my concern about your latest activities, Ms. Mason. It's come to my attention that you've had trouble focusing on your work lately. You know how important the Hannibal project is. They're one of our biggest pharmaceutical customers. I want to know what is going on..."

"Back off, okay?" Crystal said. "She's going through a rough time."

"Three late mornings, and half a day without even calling in? Teri, this is not good, and I don't know how long I can stall the manager. You are a good chemist, but these late mornings and lack of focus are really affecting your results..."

"I know that!" Teri snapped. "It's just not a good week for me!"

"Well if I were you I'd get it together. I told you so many times that if you show up late consistently the manager's going to notice. This isn't the first time!" With these words the supervisor moved off, and Crystal and Teri exchanged uncomfortable looks.

"Bitch," Crystal muttered. "Don't let her get to you. She's been riding all our asses lately for stupid nitpicking shit. And then she had the nerve to ask us to sign off on a product that wasn't completely tested!"

"But I need this job," Teri ran her hands over her face. "I don't want to get fired..."

"Well you have shown up late. But so have we all. Don't let her get to you..."

"It's hard..."

"Come on let's go up to the lab now," Crystal said, and they both left their trays behind.
Upstairs they wandered, putting their lab coats on again as they donned their safety glasses. Into the lab they strode, going to their individual benches. Teri started to fire up her HPLC, setting the tubes in place as she set the flow rate. Crystal started her own chromatography machine to the right.

"Oh shit I forgot to type up the sample set," Teri muttered, and moved over to the terminal in the other lab. Just then she bumped into the supervisor.

"Sorry..."

"Teri, I'm telling you this for your own good. You just seem to be so unfocussed lately. This last data packet had two errors, and I'm going to have to write an investigation. It will be your fourth this month! Don't you know that you're only allowed three without retraining..."

Something inside Teri snapped, and she retorted, "Excuse me, but I am a human being! It's not the end of the world. So I need retraining, so what?"

"With that attitude, you're going to need a lot more then that. What's wrong with you?"

"I don't have time to talk about this. If you don't mind, I have work to do..." Teri said coldly, and pushed past the supervisor to get to her lab bench. Momentarily she paused, holding the edge of the lab table as if for support. Her whole world seemed to be crashing around her ears, and her career was no longer the safe haven she could turn to. "Goddamn you all," she sobbed. Slowly she wandered into a side lab, down the hall, where there were special projects she had been assigned to work on. She sat down before one of the terminals, near the balances, and put her head in her hands. So wrapped up was she in the rush of thoughts she failed to notice the knocking on the door. Slowly she lifted her head to see who it was. "Go away," she muttered.

"Teri?" came a voice. "I've gotta talk to you!" It was Crystal, knocking frantically on the door. She waved Teri to stand, trying to get her attention.

"What?" Teri asked.

"What are you doing in the Hannibal projects lab? I thought the supervisor had taken you off that project..."

"So, she can't stop me from coming in here to check my email can she?"

"There's someone here looking for you. He says he needs to talk to you..."

"He who?"

"He him," Crystal pointed, dragging Teri out of the lab and pulling her towards her desk. Sitting on it was a tallm dark and handsome gentleman, in leather pants, his onyx hair falling over his shoulders. "Damn, he's delicious," Crystal breathed.

"Oh my God," Teri shook her head. Her knees went weak, but then she stormed over, feet pounding into the carpet.

"He looks a hell of a lot like Paul Stanley," Crystal muttered.

"You don't know the half of it," Teri muttered.

"Teri..." he said, standing up as he held his arms out to her. In one hand he held a bouquet of a dozen red roses in baby's breath. So angry was she that she grabbed his hand and yanked him behind her.

"Come with me, right now, Mister Stanley," she said, voice low but tinged with anger.

"What's wrong..." Paul got out before Teri jerked him into the Hannibal projects lab, and pushed him in front of her.

"I need to talk to you alone," she said firmly. "I've got a few words to say to you..." Once she slammed shut the door, and locked it, Paul leaned against a lab counter, shocked. Teri stood with her back to him, forcing back the anger that threatened to explode out of her.

"Sweetheart...I thought you'd be glad to see me...What's going on..."

"Obviously you were wrong," Teri shouted, whirling on him. Brown eyes blazed into his. "Why don't you tell me, Mr. Stanley!"

"Jeez, what is this about?" Paul asked, holding up his hand as she took a step towards him, then stopped.

"What makes you think you can barge your way into my life, and just suddenly pick up and leave. And now you're back here like nothing happened..."

"I'm sorry," Paul said, holding out the flowers to her. "It was a last minute thing honestly!"

"That's just not good enough," Teri growled. "Who the hell do you think you are, pulling me around at all hours of the night, and jeopardizing my job, my life! Because of you I am on probation!"

"What?" Paul asked, shocked. She snatched the flowers from him and hurled them into the trash with disgust.

"I'm so angry I can hardly see straight! I thought I was okay with this... but I just don't know what you want from me..."

"What do you want from me?" Paul asked, gripping her hands. "You know my schedule's unpredictable! But why are you so pissed off! I want to make this work..."

"Do you really, Mr. Stanley?" she shouted back. "Just answer me this. Was I just another woman to you? If that's the case, then that's fine! I can live with that!"

"No, you're worth more then that!" Paul shouted back.

"Well that's not how I feel, dammit!" Teri screamed, wrenching her hands from his with surprising strength. "You have some fucking nerve showing up here like this! As if you can come and go like you please! I'm not some stupid girl who's going to forget and swoon in your arms! Why are you wasting your time with me, I'll never know..."

"Teri..." Paul said, softly.

"Just go away!" Teri sobbed, turning from him. "Go back to your beautiful women and Hollywood lifestyle. We don't belong in the same world..." Burying her head in her hands, she turned from him. Feeling a hand on her shoulder she flinched.

"Didn't you get my note?" Paul asked, rubbing her shoulder.

"Your note..." Teri sniffed. "Have a nice life and all that shit... yeah..."

"Why are you so angry? I said I would be back Friday..."

His words hit her hard, and she grasped her chest. "What did you say?"

"I said I'd meet you at work," Paul said softly. "Have you changed your mind?"

"Oh shit," she shook her head, bursting into sobs as she pulled off her glasses. She had not finished the note at all.

"Teri... please talk to me..." Paul said, both hands on her shoulders now, massaging them. Why did his mere touch bring such pleasure mingled with such pain?

"I never finished reading it..." she sniffed. "I thought it was your kiss off..."

"Do you think so little of me?" Paul asked.

"That's goddamned unfair and you know it, Paul!" she sobbed. "What gives you the right to play with my emo--"  Drawing her into his arms, his lips closed over hers and stifled off her next words. Angrily she squirmed in his grasp, but as his kiss intensified, she was sandwiched between his body and the lab counter.

"Oh baby, I'm so sorry," Paul sighed, when the kiss broke. He held her face in his hands, wiping away her tears with his index finger. She shook with anger and passion, her eyes full of questions. For a time she gripped the front of his shirt, burying her face into it as he stroked her back. Strong arms held her tightly, and Paul shushed her with gentle noises.

"You're awful... you know. Like some goddamned fix I can't get enough of..." she finally stammered out. "Half of me wants to hate you, Paul..."

"That's not the first time I've heard that, and it won't be the last..." Paul chuckled lightly. "At least you're not on with the Mr. Stanley crap anymore. I was beginning to worry there..."

Teri laughed despite herself, chest heaving against his with relief, "Guess it goes to show that I should read my mail more carefully."

"I really am sorry."

"How sorry are you?" Teri asked him.

"Hmmm," Paul lifted an eyebrow as he slowly lowered his face to kiss her. Yet his kiss touched her neck instead of her lips, and she threw her head back with a surprised gasp. His hand traveled up to her hair, which was pinned up in a clip. Slowly he unfastened it, letting her dark hair fall free about her shoulders, and unclipped her tight barrettes. Grabbing him she guided her face to his and kissed him hard and deep. Her tongue thrust into his mouth as her hot breath again mingled with his, arms clasped tightly around his neck. His moan rumbled against her chest, his hands kneading down her back to grip her rear and pull her closer to his growing excitement.
Lifting her up, he set her on the edge of the lab counter, and slowly began to unbutton her lab coat. Her hands stroked over his chest, creeping under his shirt. Gently his fingers kneaded at her breast, starting to unbutton the top button of her own blouse.

"Paul... you devil you, what are you doing... ohh..." she groaned, words cut short as he kissed a path down to just above her bra line. Fingers slipped her lab coat off her shoulders down to her wrists. He slipped her skirt, fingering her knees as he fingers walked their way up her stockinged thighs.

"What does that other half of you want to do?" he grinned wickedly.

"This," she whispered, hands working their way free of the lab coat. He helped her free them, placing them on his hips. He smiled when she gripped that million-dollar ass and squeezed with gentle massages of his flesh through the warm leather. His fingers pulled at her stockings, tugging them off before she knew what hit her. Slipping her skirt up her thighs he moved in between her knees till they bracketed his hips.

"Paul..."

"Didn't you tell me chemists do it in the lab?" he chuckled, fingers fumbling at her skirt waistband.

"The button's on the side, silly," she whispered into his ear. He worked his fingers in, shoving her pantyhose down and tugging them off and out of the way. They fell to the floor, joining her shoes. She now sat on her lab coat, on the clean lab bench jutting out from the wall. Surprise met his eyes when he fingered the inside of her thigh.  "I must have forgotten underwear," she blushed, feeling his hands touching her sensitive skin, making her shriek.

"I want you here and now," Paul whispered into her ear while he traced that supple tongue along the outside edge, over the stud high in the second and third holes. It traced up the curve to the ring high up, sucking and licking delicately.

"This is insane..." Teri groaned. "If I'm caught..."

"Then it's all my fault for getting turned on," Paul grinned. He guided her hands to his belt, pressing a deep kiss to her lips. Those leather pants contoured every inch of his wonderfully muscular body, and his excitement brushed against her belly, firm and strong.

"Paul," she choked out, as he surfaced for air, and guided her to unfasten his leather pants. He worked one of her hands into them, inviting her to stroke, to tease. His other hand pulled her shirt out of her skirt, his lips hot against the line of her bra.

"What baby?" he asked. "Am I turning you on? Do you want me..."

"Paul... there's something you should know..."

"It's okay, I came prepared this time," he whispered, slipping her hand deeper into his pants.

"That's not it!" she whispered fiercely, and grabbing his chin she guided his head around.
The door swung open, and Teri struggled to hide behind Paul as she saw her supervisor glaring at her.

"Teri Mason what in the name of hell are you doing?"

"Oh shit," Teri got out, trembling. Paul glanced annoyed at her, as if she had interrupted something casual. Never mind that they were about to get laid on her lab counter.

"Is there a problem," Paul asked, fastening his pants as he started to button his shirt. He hid Teri behind him, his mahogany eyes fixing into Dr. Ryan's.

"I don't know who the hell you are, but I must ask you to leave right now... this is not the place for... for... people such as you to cavort..."

"Who the hell are you?" Paul asked, voice low and calm.

"Paul... don't..." Teri gasped, grabbing him. "I'm in enough trouble..."

"Who am I? What nerve! I'm the shift supervisor, and I don't tolerate sexual fraternization on the job! Get out or security will escort you out this minute!"

"Don't talk to him like that," Teri suddenly said, jumping off the lab counter. "He only wanted to talk..."

"If that is your idea of conversation, that does not reflect on your character..."

"I can't say much for yours," Paul snorted. "Are you the person who's been driving Teri nuts with those damned long hours?"

"It's none of your affair. Get out now! And Teri, I will see you in my office this minute!"

"Go Paul, please..." she whispered. Gripping her hand, Paul pulled Teri behind him.

"She doesn't have the right to treat you like that... you told me all about the late hours..."

"Security," the supervisor hollered into her phone. "I have an unauthorized person here on the premises..."

"No...Please don't..." Teri pleaded, grabbing Dr. Ryan's arm. She shook it off, glaring at Teri.

"Why are you putting up with this..."

"Paul," she began to cry.

"All right, this has gone far enough. If you don't report to my office this instant, and you leave the premises, Mr. whoever the hell you are..."

"You'll what?" Paul asked, hands on his hips. "Are you going to fire her?"

"That's none of your affair!"

"It damn the hell is!" Paul shouted, eyes flaring dark with anger. "If you should blame anyone, it's my fault, okay! Don't fire her because of me..."

"Paul... no..." Teri groaned. "Just go... I'm in enough trouble..."

"It'll be okay sweetheart." Paul urged, grabbing her hand as he pulled her to his side. "I promise I'll make it right. Trust me..."

"But my job..."

"Teri..." Dr. Ryan warned, a threatening tone in her voice. "You're fast on your way to termination..."

"Don't bother. I quit," Teri sighed in disgust. Clearly she could never live this down. Her whole world was crumbling to dust before her eyes.

"C'mon you, let's get the hell out of here," Paul said, dragging her towards her desk. "You haven't heard the last of me lady..."

"Teri. Come back here at once..."

"Kiss my ass," Teri shot back, letting Paul lead her away.

They had just enough time to throw her stuff into a box as Paul apologized, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to..."

"The damage is done, Paul," she sighed.

"I want to help make it right," he said softly, taking her hand.

"Just... don't say anything okay?" Teri sighed, voice breaking.

"Let's get out of here... I can send someone to get your stuff..." Paul offered, taking her hand in his.

"Whatever," Teri sighed gloomily. They passed by onlookers, who were astonished. They had heard Teri tell off Dr. Ryan from down the hall. Just who was this man who was helping her haul the two cardboard containers in such a hurry?

"Teri?" Crystal asked. "You okay?"

"I'm out of here," she sighed. "Fired..."

"Oh my God..."

"It's my fault," Paul explained. "I'm sorry..."

"My stuff..."

"I'll box it up and make sure you get it girlfriend... I'm sorry..."

"It's okay," Teri sighed. "See you on the other side..."  They wandered out, towards her car sitting under the light pole. Paul watched her unlock the door, and opened the door for her.

"Teri... I didn't mean for you to lose your job... I just..."

"Don't say anything Paul... it's like I said... you think you can just..."

"I said trust me, didn't I?" he asked, climbing into the car on the passenger side before she could hit the locks.

"But my job..."

"It's gonna be okay... why don't we go back to your place..."

"I won't have that place much longer thanks to you," she sighed bitterly. "You know how long it took me to get that job?"

"I'm sorry... look... I can make it right..."

"I care for you a lot, Paul, but this isn't some..."

"Teri... what if I said I could offer you a job?" Paul asked. "Would that help?"

"What?" she asked. "Are you serious?"

"If I gave you a job, would that help make it right?" Paul asked. "Since it was me who got you fired in the first place?"

"Yes, but what the hell can a chemist do for KISS?" she asked.

"Well, we need people who know how to mix chemicals for fireworks. Pyrotechnicians for this latest tour..."

"But Paul... that's not the same thing..."

"It's chemistry right? And I'm sure you'd do a great job..."

"Good grief... I don't know whether to kiss you or kick you..."

"I'd prefer the first choice," Paul grinned, leaning close to her. "Why don't we talk about it on the way to my hotel?"

"Uh, I suppose that's appropriate, considering the circumstancesÖ" Teri said, pushing him back for a moment. Paul grinned, letting her pull out of the parking lot of the chemical company and onto the main road. She did not even look back as they roared off towards his hotel.

Click here if you think Paul and Teri should stay together

Click here for an alternate ending!