Day 4

The next afternoon around 2 Richie set to work making lunch for them. Today he was a little more grown up with his selection and opted for homemade pizza and a salad and set to work in the kitchen while she showered and changed. They had spent another day at the beach and she wanted to get the salt off of her skin. He enjoyed himself more than he thought he would, but it shouldn’t have come as too much of a surprise. It was starting to seem like every and anything they did together left them laughing and in high spirits.

Rather than falling into their routine of the last few days, Cynthia had talked him into going to a beach a couple miles down the coast where they could rent jet skis. He was hesitant for fear that he may be recognized if he strayed too far from home. A screaming woman begging him to sign her chest may be hard to explain. He wasn’t exactly hiding his identity from her, but how was he supposed to slip that into a conversation? “Cynthia, can you pass the bottle of wine? Thanks, oh by the way, I’m a world famous rock star in one of the most successful and long lasting rock bands in history. Can I pour you another glass?”

This wasn’t a problem that he had ever had and he was enjoying being able to just be Richie. He would have to tell her eventually, and it would be better for it to come from him than someone else.

She came down a little while later as he was throwing the last couple of ingredients into the salad. She was dressed in a pair of well-worn sweat pants and one of his tee shirts. Richie smiled, to him there was nothing sexier than seeing a beautiful woman in his clothes.

“It smells delicious down here,” she said happily.

“Well, thank you. I though I’d make something nice after yesterday’s lunch,” he said putting the salad bowl on the table.

“How thoughtful,” she teased. “What are you making?”

”It’s just pizza nothing too special. It should be just about ready,” he said checking the oven.

“Was I gone so long that you had enough time to thaw an entire pizza?”

“Oh no, this is homemade. I got some dough, added a little sauce, cheese and bingo, it’s a pizza,” he said smiling at his handiwork.

“I’m impressed, you just whipped this up in a half hour. Who knew you were such a culinary expert, there’s so much I have to learn. What’s next? Are you an artist, an athlete, a fashion designer too?”

“No, not now anyway, but you never know. This is done, why don’t you get some plates,” Richie said removing the pan from the oven and putting it on the table. He then grabbed a bottle of red wine and two glasses before joining her.

“This all looks so amazing,” she said loading up her plate.

“Thanks, and before you think I’m a bad Italian using store bought sauce, its homemade.”

“I wasn’t gone that long mister,” she said picking up her slice.

“I didn’t say that I made it, it’s my mom’s recipe. She’s afraid that I’ll forget what ‘good Jersey cooking’ tastes like, so she always sends me some for Christmas-“

“Umm, Richie, it’s July. Maybe we shouldn’t be eating this,” she said rethinking the piece in her hand.

“If you would’ve let me finish, she also sends me some for my birthday, which was last week, and any other time she feels necessary. I get about a dozen jars in each care package.”

Confident with his explanation she took a bite letting out a loud, “mmm” as she chewed. “This is fantastic, I bet you don’t mind one but that she sends it to you!”

“Nah, I don’t mind and it keeps her happy, which is what’s important,” he said with a little sadness in his eyes.

“I bet you make her very proud,” she said smiling as he nodded. “I just don’t know if you should tell her that I kicked your ass racing this morning.”

“I believe that’s because you cheated,” he said smiling at her.

“Moi, cheat? Never,” she said giving him an innocent look.

“Yeah, yeah, just remember that whole ‘damsel in distress’ thing only works once. I hope it was worth it,” he said and her beaming face said it all.

A little while later once the pizza was completely devoured and the salad bowl was empty, she excused herself up to his room for a nap as she had been yawning through the latter half of their meal. Richie finished cleaning up the kitchen and took the opportunity to call Jon. He settled into one of the oversized leather couches in the living room with the leftover bottle of wine and dialed the familiar number.

The phone picked up on the second ring, and Richie enjoyed the little taste of home that he heard in the distance. “No, absolutely not. If you want to go to the party that’s fine, but you need to be wearing more than a foot of material. Are you trying to give your poor father a heart attack? Go change.” He heard the unmistakable whining and complaining of a teenage girl before the attention was finally turned to him with an exasperated, “Hello?”

“Hey, Dot, sounds like you’ve got your hands full over there,” Richie said brightly.

“Hey, Richie, it’s good to hear from you. How are you doing?”

“Wonderful,” he answered with an uncharacteristic content sigh.

“For some reason I’m a little hesitant to believe that, but we’ll let Jon be the judge of that. What can I help you with,” she asked.

“I wanted to see how things are going over there,” he said.

“You know, it’s the same old mid-summer fighting breaking out with each other, and with me because I’m horribly trying to get the kids to look at their summer work and they want nothing to do with it. I swear I live in a zoo with kids all over the place and friends coming in and out all the time. God Richie, I’m sorry, that was insensitive of me, why didn’t you stop me?”

“Because your family is my family and I love hearing how the kids are doing. Just because Ava’s with her mom, doesn’t mean I don’t want to know what your little monsters are up to,” he said optimistically.

“Still, I’m sorry. You probably want to talk to Jon huh,” she asked.

“If he’s around, but if he’s busy with the kids or something I’d be more than happy to talk to you for a while or he can call me back,” Richie said.

“Absolutely not, he’d probably chew me out if I didn’t give him the phone. I swear he’s going crazy already, how long have you guys been off tour? I think he just checked on the boys let me see if I can find him for you,” she said.

“Thanks Dot, I appreciate it. Give the kids a hug for me,” he asked. He was their godfather, and being on the opposite coast left him with little time to spend time with them even though he had known them since they were born.

“Absolutely. And Richie you sound happy, its good to hear you like this again, its been too long,” she said genuinely.

“Thanks Dot, I couldn’t have done it without Jon,” he said.

“Sometimes I think you give him too much credit, his ego doesn’t need anymore stroking. Here he is hold on,” she said passing Jon the phone.

“Hey man, how are you,” Jon said with some hesitation in his voice.

“Like I told your amazing wife, I’m wonderful. I feel like a new man, and I owe it all to you,” Richie said grinning from ear to ear.

“You sound much better that a couple days ago, what happened,” Jon asked.

“I did exactly what you told me to. I met this gorgeous woman at a bar, and she actually picked me up. She came walking over to me with this confidence and she told me that I would be making a huge mistake if I went home with the table of these young chicks, in their 20’s, and she was right. So she told me that I owed her one and that she was going home with me. Who am I to argue with a woman when she’s right? So I took her home and god is she amazing in bed.”

“I didn’t need to know that, get to the part where you owe your new found happiness to me,” Jon teased.

“I’m getting there. So she’s like the best I’ve had in like a long, long time. So I wake up in the morning and she’s in the shower and I’m thinking ‘It’s not worth the aggravation just let her go.’ But then I hear your voice in the back of my head guilting me out of bed to make her breakfast. Turns out she’s between places and she’s only here for a couple days so I told her she should stay here a couple days, so I went to her hotel and helped her get her stuff. And then yesterday we were talking and she asked me why I really asked her to stay so I told her what you told me and she said that she would stay the two weeks with me,” Richie said in what seemed like one long breath.

“Wait let me get this straight. You go home with some girl from a bar, who Richie Sambora is saying is one of the greatest fucks he’s ever had and then two days later your living together? Rich I’m worried about you, do you really think this is smart. She’s just some woman you met.”

“Hey don’t talk about her like that, she’s amazing. Look I know it sounds crazy, but she’s so good for me. She reminds me of how I used to be, I don’t think she knows it but she really is helping me,” Richie said defensively.

“Look, you’re a grown man, I can’t tell you what to do but I can’t help but worry about you,” Jon answered.

“I know, but trust me ok, she’s different. She’s like a real person, and she treats me like a real person. When was the last time that that happened to me, huh,” Richie said.

“I dunno, but this is quick and it sounds crazy, you know that. You don’t even know her, she could be selling your stuff on ebay for all you know,” Jon said sticking to his suspicions.

“God nothing like that, she doesn’t even know who I am,” Richie said almost embarrassed.

“So you’re living with this woman and she doesn’t know your last name or what you do for a living? What’s her last name?”

“She knows I’m a musician but I like that she treats me like any other man, is that too much to ask for? And no I don’t know her last name, but I know that she likes her coffee black with sugar, and she wrinkles her nose a little when she laughs, and I know she’s allergic to walnuts but no other nuts. I know that she likes to cuddle after we have sex, and I know there’s this little spot behind her ear that drives her crazy. When we have sex its different its not just sex it’s like this intimacy that I’ve been missing for years, but I didn’t know it until I had it with her again. This is something special I can feel it Jon, if you met her I know you’d like her. There’s this level of comfort that I have with her, I can’t explain it. Its even different than anything I ever had with Heather all the years we were married, I can just be myself with her which I don’t know if I ever could do with Jen.”

“Ok I’ll let you go for now, but be careful please,” Jon said giving in just a bit.

“I will, be happy for me,” Richie asked.

“If she makes you happy than that’s good enough for me, you know that. I just don’t want to see you hurt again. First sign of trouble I want your ass on a plane back here to Jersey,” Jon said warily.

“I will, but I’m not gonna need it this time. Thanks man, you always know what to do. Hey are you by a computer,” Richie asked knowing the answer.

“Aren’t I usually, why,” he asked.

“Let me send you some pictures, I swear she takes pictures of everything,” Richie said grabbing his computer from the coffee table.

“I’m sure she does,” Jon said under his breath.

“Hey, it’s not like that. Remember Richie circa like 1990? He was in love with life and couldn’t get enough of it, how much video footage does he have of that time? It’s like looking in a time warped mirror,” Richie said email a bunch of pictures along to Jon. “They’re all sent lemme know when you get them.”

“I just got it, and you weren’t kidding she is gorgeous. Not your type though, I’m kinda surprised. Where are the fake boobs, and the blonde hair, and the whole ditz look,” Jon teased remembering his slew of recent choices in his personal life.

“That’s a picture of her trying to bodysurf yesterday afternoon, the one with the seaweed on her leg. And there’s a couple of us just hanging out,” Richie said ignoring him.

Jon had to admit he did look genuinely happy, maybe Richie was right. “What are these last couple from?”

“Those are from today, she talked me into going down the coast to go jet skiing. Even in that horrible life jacket she looks great. Anyway while we were out she saw these parasailers and she just had to try because she said she did it in the Atlantic and wanted to see if it was the same over here in the Pacific.”

“And was it the same?”

“How the hell should I know? But I swear I haven’t smiled as much as I do when I’m around her,” Richie said looking at all of their pictures.

“These are a great view of you by the way, all tethered in. I think I found our next album cover,” Jon teased.

“Fuck you,” Richie said just noticing the unflattering angle of the picture that was taken from the boat.

“There’s my best friend, I was afraid I lost you to all things kittens and rainbows. I bet she doesn’t mind being able to do all this stuff of the whim of things when she’s living with a guy with a bottomless bank account,” Jon said.

“Still leery are you? For the record she wouldn’t let me pay for anything, we split it all 50-50,” Richie said.

“It’s in my nature as the father of a teenager to be leery. But look like I said I’m happy if you are,” Jon said.

“Thanks, I don’t know if you really mean it yet, but you will. I should probably let you go thought. It sounded like Steph was headed out for some party and was wearing something a little risqué according to Dot,” Richie said.

“Again? I swear she’s never home, I try not to look at what she’s wearing or it’ll put me in an early grave. Take care of yourself man,” Jon said.

“I will man thanks, good luck,” Richie said.

“I may need it,” Jon said before hanging up the phone.

***

A few hours later Cynthia came downstairs a little groggy to find Richie doing some work on his laptop. He was pleased to see her come in and quickly put his business away.

“Well hello sleepyhead. Feeling better,” he asked as she sat across his lap.

“Much, I didn’t think I was that tired. You didn’t get bored did you,” she answered giving him a kiss.

“Nah, just catching up on some stuff. What are you in the mood for, for dinner,” he asked.

“Chinese,” she asked.

“Sounds perfect, eating in or going out,” Richie asked.

“I don’t really feel like changing so unless you know a restaurant that I can go to like this I think we’ll be eating in again,” she said.

“Take out it is,” Richie said reaching for the phone and placing an order.

After dinner they played a competitive game of Trivial Pursuit where he beat her, payback for that morning of course, before they turned in early for bed and their night of heat and passion left them both in a sound sleep.

Day 3

The next day was less awkward for both Richie and Cynthia. When Cynthia awoke she was pleased to find the smell of coffee and breakfast waiting for her in the kitchen. They enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before Cynthia insisted that they hit the beach again. He thought of protesting but she disappeared upstairs before he could get a word in. He wasn’t exactly in the best shape of his life and the thought of spending yet another day at the beach with 20-something male models didn’t exactly sound like his idea of a great time. When she reentered the kitchen his jaw dropped at the sight of her quickly changing his mind.

“God, Cyn, you look amazing,” Richie said taking a good look at her. Her pale skin made the intensity of her magenta bikini pop even more so. The halter-top hugged her breasts giving them just a bit of a lift; he would have to thank the makers of the Miracle Bra later for that. Her skirt bottom was ruffled leaving a bit more covered than a regular bottom would, but it only seemed to accentuate her long, lean legs.

“Thank you sir, now you go get changed quick. We’re wasting daylight here,” Cynthia answered giving him a shove out of the kitchen. She waited for him on the patio and he returned in a few minutes later with towels for both of them.

“Ready my dear,” Richie asked.

“Absolutely,” she answered smiling. “I think today I’m gonna learn to bodysurf. I mean really get the hang of it. Do you know how?”

“I didn’t spend every summer of my childhood down the shore for nothing,” Richie said leading her down the beach to an area that wasn’t overrun with models.

“So that’s a yes,” she asked excitedly taking his hand.

“Yes ma’am, but I’ll warn you it’s been maybe 25 years since I’ve even attempted to do it,” he said laughing at the memory.

Once he found a more secluded part of the beach he put their towels down and laid them out. His hands were barely empty when Cynthia kicked off her flip-flops and was nearly dragging him to the water. Once they were out a good distance, about to her chest, he gave her some basic instructions.

“There’s really not much to it. Watch out for surfers, and people once you get closer to the shore. When you get your wave just paddle into it, and let it take you,” he said.

“Ok, I think I got it, but I’ll warn you I’m pretty uncoordinated,” Cynthia said.

“I’ll go first, so you can see, then take the next one in,” Richie offered.

“Ok, but I don’t know if you’ll be up for the challenge once you see me,” she said laughing.

“You can’t be that bad. I’ll take this one,” he said seeing the wave building behind him. “Then wait for a smaller one and I’ll see you at the shore,” He gave her a salty kiss before riding the wave effortlessly to the sand.

When he stood and looked back at her, she was all smiles giving him two thumbs up. He gestured behind her to take the next wave and she nodded excitedly. She tried to remember what he told her in their ‘mini lesson’ and let the wave take her to shore. She started out strong but by the time she reached Richie she has been turned around half a dozen times; there was sand in her hair and her bathing suit had been noticeably shifted.

Richie did all he could to keep from laughing as she walked over to him removing a piece of seaweed from her foot and adjusting her top. “Well that was a nice try, but maybe you should stick to land sports,” he said smiling.

“What’s the matter? Not up for a challenge?”

“I’m up for it but I don’t know many people who would willingly get back in the water to try again after a first attempt like that one,” he said as gently as he could, still suppressing his laughter. “Hell most people would avoid the beach like the plague.”

“Then I guess I’m not most people. Do I strike you as a woman lacking confidence,” she asked.

“Absolutely not,” he said. If there was one thing that he knew about her it was that she was unusually confident, maybe that’s what drew her to him. It wasn’t in a conceited way just that she was sure about who she was and nothing else seemed to faze her.

“Good, then lets go,” she said taking his hand and pulling him back to the water.

He obliged her and tried to correct the mistakes he saw her make. She listened eagerly but each attempt ended as ungracefully as the first. Each time she swam back to him confident that she would nail it the next time.

They had been working at it for a couple hours to some improvement but no real success. The water had risen a bit and she held onto him so her tiny frame didn’t get knocked around in the water.

With her arms wrapped around his shoulders he felt his stomach growl again as it had been for the past half hour. “Cynthia, while this has been quite enjoyable, my stomach is begging me for a break,” he pleaded.

“Nope, I’ve almost for the hang of it. Were not stopping till I get a good one. This is the one I can feel it,” she answered confidently.

He shook his head as she turned to choose her wave. When she got into one, she rode it all the way to the shore nearly flawlessly and she turned to him beaming. He waded in towards her and she jumped into his arms nearly knocking him over, chatting excitedly.

“Perfect, now we can eat,” he said laughing.

“After that accomplishment, all you can think about is your damn stomach,” she asked through a fake pout. He nodded at her with a pout of his own and she gave in. “Fine we can take a break, but after lunch we are coming right back out here.”

“Any chance of calling it a day,” he asked.

“Absolutely not! It’s a beautiful day and the beach is right here. How could you think such a thing,” Cynthia asked genuinely surprised.

“I dunno, I guess I’m used to it,” he offered.

“Well not for me. When you grow up in the nearly artic Midwest like I did, you enjoy everyday that it’s not snowing and we like to do that outside. Come on lets get you some food, before you pass out or something,” she said gathering their stuff.

“Wonderful,” Richie said as his stomach growled again right on cue.

Cynthia rolled her eyes as they made their way back to his house hand in hand. When they arrived she left their sandy towels and shoes on the patio and wiped off a majority of the sand off before they entered through the kitchen.

“How do sandwiches sound? Quick and easy,” Richie asked.

“Sure what do ya got,” she asked reaching for plates out of the cabinet.

“PB & J,” Richie said grabbing the three necessary ingredients.

“You’re too much sometimes, you know that,” she said shaking her head.

They set to work making a plate full of sandwiches before they settled at the table. “So tell me something,” she said taking a bite.

“Anything,” he answered smiling at her.

“Why did you really ask me to stay? And none of the ‘I could see that you were special’ bullshit.”

“Honestly,” he asked to her encouraging nod. “I’ve been going through a rough patch and a good friend of mine told to me to give the next woman a shot and to get to know her. But I asked you to stay all on my own because I do think you’re special and all of that bullshit. Disappointed?”

“Not at all, I just wanted to know. Did this friend of your say how long you had to get to know this person?”

“Two weeks, from when we met,” he answered trying to read her.

“So this is Sunday and we met Friday night so this is day three of our two week adventure,” she said teasingly.

“Your mad,” he asked.

“Are you kidding? I love it! I like how this friend of yours thinks, and besides now I know I’ll be here another 11 days,” she said smiling.

“So you’ll stay then? Two weeks,” he asked anxiously.

“Oh yeah. That puts off my decision of where to go till then, and I could get used to this whole beach thing,” she answered.

“I’m glad it was you,” he said sincerely.

“Oh yeah, why’s that?”

“Because there is something about you,” he stopped when she shot him a look. “No I mean it. I can’t put my finger on it. You just seem so full of life. You don’t seem to take anything for granted and every minute you’re taking something in. I used to be like that, once, but now…” he let his voice trail off.

“Now you’re stuck with me for another week and a half,” she said.

He smiled his thanks at her and she nodded supportively. It was as if she understood him even though he hadn’t even told her his last name. A quiet ‘thank you’ was all he could manage.

“You don’t have to tell me anything. You’ll tell me what you want when you’re ready,” she said giving him a kiss.

It was this kiss and Richie’s honesty that turned what could have been a couple of crazy weeks or days even, into something truly special, because this was the first time in a long, long time that he let his guard down, stopped expecting the worst and embraced the rest of their two weeks with an open heart and an open mind.

Day 2

The next morning Cynthia found herself in a strange bed. It wasn’t a dream last night was it? I mean that certainly couldn’t have been a dream, but was it really Richie Sambora? She slowly opened her eyes and looked at the unconscious man next to her and sure enough it was who she had hoped for. She smiled at herself but knew she couldn’t stay any longer, as the sun was already peeking through the curtains. She saw the clock next to her read 10:25 and convinced herself to leave the warmth of the bed and the man next to her for a quick shower before she left. She gently moved his arm from across her stomach and slid out of bed hoping not to wake him. She shut the door to the bathroom, and started the shower needing to get the feeling of cheap sex off of her, no matter how wonderful it was. When the shower was warm enough she got in letting the hot water flood over her body awakening her senses.

Though Cynthia was quiet getting out of bed, she did manage to wake Richie though he didn’t stir until he was sure she was in the bathroom and heard the water running. He checked the clock and saw it was still early, so that it was possible for him to pretend to still be asleep. If I’m sleeping, she won’t wake me. She’ll be none the wiser who she slept with and I can forget what I did, again. Richie was ready to put his plan in motion when he heard Jon’s words from two days earlier echo in his head. “Give it two weeks, two weeks isn’t gonna kill you in the big scheme of things.” Shit he’s right. Richie thought dragging himself out of bed.

He found his clothes from the night before on the floor, and threw them in the hamper. He grabbed some clean clothes from his dresser and pulled them on and then gathered her clothes and placed them on the bed for her. He heard the water stop and a minute later the bathroom opened and a very surprised Cynthia stood in a towel looking at him curiously.

“Good morning,” Richie said brightly.

“Morning,” she replied surprised to see him awake and dressed. “I thought you’d still be sleeping, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Not a problem at all. In fact I was hoping to beat you up this morning. Why don’t you get dressed and I’ll go start some breakfast downstairs,” Richie offered.

“That’s ok, I’ll just be a minute and then I’ll be out of here,” Cynthia said grabbing her clothes from his bed.

“Don’t be silly. Breakfast is the least I could do after last night,” Richie said smiling. “Get dressed and I’ll meet you downstairs. If you don’t want to put that back on, help yourself to anything in the closet.” He walked over to her and gave her a quick kiss.

“Thanks,” Cynthia said still in shock. “I’ll be down in a couple minutes.”

“Perfect, I’ll be waiting,” Richie said giving her another kiss before leaving her to dress.

Over a slightly awkward breakfast of bacon, eggs, and toast Richie tried to learn more about Cynthia, though she was hesitant to tell him much and seemed to deflect the questions back to him.

“So are you from around here,” he asked.

“Nope, I’m just in town for a little bit. You live here I see, so what made you come to a hotel bar last night,” she replied.

“I like the bar there, and its close to home. How long are you in town for?”

“Indefinitely, I guess. I’m kinda just going with the flow for now,” she answered.

“Where are you from,” he asked.

“I’m from a little town near Minneapolis, what about you? Have you always been a So Cal guy,” she responded.

“Oh no. I’ve only been out here about 10 years or so. I’m originally from Jersey, born and raised,” Richie said proudly. “But the question is if you’re from Minneapolis what brings you indefinitely to Malibu? Business or pleasure?”

“Neither really, I had some personal stuff to settle, but I wouldn’t call it pleasure,” she said. “What do you do that gives you this gorgeous house on the beach?”

“I’m a musician,” Richie started.

“Any good,” she asked not letting him off the hook that easy.

“I’m not bad,” Richie said and promptly deflected the topic. “What is it that you do?”

“I’m not working at the moment. I’ve been doing some traveling and I’ve been trying to figure out where to go next. Any suggestions?”

“I’ve done some traveling, what are you looking for,” he asked.

“I’m not sure, which is why I’m still in Malibu. I’ve been trying to decide where to go for almost a week now,” she said sighing.

“And what’s so bad about Malibu? You’ve got the beach, beautiful weather, what more could you want?”

“A change of scenery maybe,” she said.

“Well, if you’re just gonna be stuck in a hotel until you make up your mind, you’re more then welcome to stay here until you figure things out,” Richie offered, his caring and nurturing personality shining through.

“What,” Cynthia asked nearly choking on her coffee.

“I mean it was just a thought, if you wanted. A free home, even if it’s not your own, has got to beat a hotel. And I cook, and I think we had a pretty damn good time last night,” Richie said smiling.

“What the hell? A couple days couldn’t hurt, but just until I get back on my feet. Do you do this for all your one-night stands Mr. Rock Star,” she asked.

His mouth dropped open and his cheeks started to turn red beneath his scruff. “What?”

“You said you’re a musician right? You kinda ooze that whole rock thing. Did I guess wrong,” she asked amused by his reaction.

“Yeah rock is pretty right,” Richie said thinking he dodged a bullet.

“That didn’t answer my question, do you always have this kind of open invitation?”

“Not at all, you just struck me as intriguing. Complaining,” he asked.

“Not at all. I’ve been waiting for a bit of a sign of where to go, and I guess this is it,” Cynthia replied.

“Perfect, make yourself at home. The living room’s through there or help yourself to anything in the fridge. I’m gonna grab a quick shower and then I’ll drive you back to the hotel to get your stuff,” Richie offered.

“As long as you’re sure its not too much trouble,” she replied.

“Not a bit if I can have a beautiful woman in the house for a couple days. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Richie said and made his way upstairs to shower.

What the hell am I thinking? I basically asked a complete stranger to move in with me. I don’t think this is what Jon had in mind. Baby steps, Rich, baby steps. What do I even know about her, she could be a serial killer for all I know! No serial killers aren’t that good in bed, but I don’t know that as a fact. Shit, what if she is a serial killer? Take a breath man; she’s not a killer. And she did seem hesitant to stay at all right? And there is something about her; I just cant put my finger on it. God Richie you have two totally different sides, a girl a night, or taking in strays and taking care of them.

Richie was lost in his thoughts of this mysterious woman who had suddenly become his bedmate for the foreseeable future. He dressed quickly and was happy to see that Cynthia was looking a little more at ease as she was watching the news when he returned downstairs.

When they arrived at the hotel Cynthia threw her clothes, toiletries and personal items into their respective bags in less than 10 minutes. It was a routine that she had become used to with the amount of traveling she had been doing. Richie insisted on carrying her two suitcases for her and waited in the car as she checked out.

When they arrived back at his home, they made some quick sandwiches before spending most of the day on the beach. He thought she would want to spend most of the day sunbathing but was elated to see her join him in the surf. The stayed in the sand for hours and even stayed late enough to see the sun set.

They opted for takeout for dinner at Richie’s suggestion so he wouldn’t risk being hounded by paparazzi if he took her out. He liked that she didn’t know who he was; it was reassuring to him that people still looked at him as a person not just a persona. After dinner they spent the night watching a movie marathon both relieved that this was not another night that they would be forced to spend alone. Though they were still strangers it was still somehow comforting that they were together and turned into bed earlier than they probably would have on their own knowing that the morning no longer bore the constant reminder of their solitude.