That's right, it's here. You aren't reading that wrong. Sorry updates for stories have been slow but unfortunately that will be the norm. I hope you guys like this one. It doesn't have some stuff I orignially thought it would. Call this the calm before the storm.
NC-17
Song the band played at the VH1 Honors concert (the one on the T.V.).
Song Michelle looks up the video to.
Song Tony is playing at the awards show.
Michelle rubbed the towel over her head faster. She had more than enough time to get ready, but she didn't want to chance it. The T.V. pulled her eyes up by the loud applause coming from it.
"Thank you." She smiled as she watched Tony walk over and take a seat at the piano that was on the stage. "Our next choice is a song that most know, but isn't the most popular work from this particular band. Led Zepplin's 'Fool in the Rain' has always been a favorite of mine and well, it gives our drummer the chance to show off."
Michelle grinned as Jack did a quick ba-bum on the drums. The music started and she went back to rubbing conditioner in her hair. VH1 was replaying the tribute concert they had attended. Her cheeks heated up a bit, remembering what had happened after that concert.
They had been in Chicago for the last two weeks setting up for the start of the band's U.S tour. Tomorrow she would be joining them for the final setup and sound check. She'd be on stage this time for a few songs. Nervous doesn't even begin to describe how she felt about that, but she was going to do it. Tonight though, tonight he had promised it was just them. He was taking her to dinner and then to a Hispanic Heritage Award show. He was presenting and performing. To say she was excited was an understatement.
She finished messing with her hair and plopped down on her bed, pulling her laptop towards her. She glanced at the T.V. again and her stomach fluttered a bit. He was so damn sexy when he was performing. He showed a special part of himself when he was on stage and it drove her crazy. Kim had given her the idea to look up the band's older stuff on YouTube. She was interested in seeing what he looked like when he was younger. She smiled a little as she typed in the band's name and multiple hits came up.
She clicked on the first link and the video that loaded was marked as "Deny." Michelle reached up and covered the giggle that threatened to escape. He was so young! He had to be about 22 or 23. His hair was longer and curls were escaping everywhere as he enthusiastically sang. The video was in black and white and it made him that much more darker. Even that young he still looked dangerous. It was a typical video with everyday activities mixed in with scenes of the band together. He was walking down a street, following a woman. He sang in each setting doing nothing but continuously matching her route. Occasionally the woman would turn, like she knew someone was following her. Michelle studied her. She was very pretty. Her hair was long and blonde and she had crystal blue eyes.
Well don't deny
The hand that feeds you needs you
Oh god I'd die to try to
Finally please you
There goes a piece of me
Will I cease to be
I've never lied to you
Fought bled and died for you
The song was intense and she was a little fascinated by how strongly he sang. He was amazing to watch for sure, but the fact that he wrote everything they did was impressive. Apparently it was a gift. The video was coming to an end and as she moved the mouse pointer across the screen to select a new link she caught something strange. Squinting, she rewound the video a few seconds. Her eyes widened as she clearly saw what had caught her attention. There, on his left hand, the hand playing the neck of the guitar, was a ring.
A wedding ring.
Tony glanced over at Michelle for the third time since he'd picked her up. She was breathtaking. Gorgeous on any given day, but the dress she'd chosen for their date was made to show off every curve. It was a deep green and it brought out the brown of her eyes. She had her hair up with a few messy tendrils escaping. The moment she came into view he wanted to forget the dinner and the concert and just spend the evening showing her how many ways he'd thought of to remove her clothes in the split second it took her to open the door. If this night wasn't so special, he would have done just that. Especially considering her mind seemed to be elsewhere. She was looking out the limo window and her hands fidgeted in her lap. Tony reached over and placed a hand over both of hers.
"You alright? You've been antsy ever since I picked ya up."
Michelle turned toward him and her heart fluttered a bit. He had shown up at her door, ready to pick her up in black dress pants, black boots and a black blazer over a deep red dress shirt. The color of the shirt made his skin seem darker and she had no idea what cologne he was wearing but it was driving her crazy. Whatever it was was spicy and mixed perfectly with his own unique scent. Between him and what she'd found out earlier, she was having a hard time concentrating. She smiled at him and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
"I'm fine. I'm just excited." Tony smiled back and lifted one of her hands to his mouth, running his lips over her knuckles. "How exactly will everything go?"
"After we eat we'll head over to the auditorium and that's when we'll have to separate. I'll stay backstage till after I perform and hand out the award then I can come join you in the audience."
"What if I want to surprise you back stage instead?" She leaned over and caught his ear between her teeth.
He groaned and smirked. "What? Ya mean like a groupie?"
She huffed and smacked him, leaning back into her place. "Well if you put it that way, nevermind."
He pulled her back quickly and kissed her hard. Startled at first, she eventually gave into the kiss and leaned into him. He broke for air and rested his head against hers.
"If you need to get to me, someone will help you find me."
"So have you, uh..." Tony scratched one cheek. "Have you talked to Carlos?"
Michelle stopped cutting her chicken and sighed. She took a few seconds and then went back to eating, timidly answering him. "Not yet. I'm sorry, I know it seems like I'm putting it off but we landed and jumped right into practice and sound checks and honestly I'm a little overwhelmed with all the preparation that goes into each of these shows."
Tony took a sip of his wine. "You'll do fine. It's the same as the symphony, just more...rowdy."
Michelle snorted. "Rowdy? That doesn't even begin to describe one of your shows Mr. Almeida." She fiercely took a bite of her chicken.
He reached across the table and touched her hand. "Trust me Ms. Dessler, you haven't seen one of our shows till you've seen us play Chicago."
She ran her fingers over his palm, back and forth. "Have you spoken to Nina?"
Tony drew his hand back slowly and picked up his fork, not meeting her eyes. "No and I don't plan to. She'll figure it out sooner or later."
"Tony you should at least tell her yourself."
"Why? Because it'll be easier for her to hear? She doesn't care what I do and frankly, I don't care what she does either. We didn't have that kind of relationship Michelle."
She watched him push his food around. She knew what kind of relationship they had. It was purely physical, at least on Nina's side. She knew Tony didn't love Nina but it was easy to see he had wanted some kind of affection from the woman. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." She spoke low and he looked up at her and finally smirked slightly.
"You didn't upset me sweetheart. It's just better this way, trust me." He reached back for her hand and brought the back of it to his lips.
She smiled and nodded, her eyes glancing over his left hand ring finger.
"Ms. Dessler?"
Michelle turned at the sound of her name and came face to face with a small Hispanic older woman. The lady smiled up at Michelle and spoke with a slight accent. "Anthony sent me to help you to your seat."
"Oh, well thank you." She smiled at woman and followed her down the aisle to the very front of the theater. "Do you know Ton-Anthony?"
The old woman motioned for Michelle to step in front of her and take her seat. Michelle sat down and removed her coat. The woman smiled at her again. "I've known Anthony for a long time my dear. I hope you enjoy the show. If there's anything I can do, just ask for Maria."
"Thank you." Michelle watched her slowly make her way back up the aisle, stopping every now and then to greet people she apparently knew. The lights started to dim indicating the ceremony was about to start. With a look of confusion still on her face, she turned back to the stage.
Michelle finished clapping with the audience after the last award was handed out. They were about half way through and Tony had already presented. The emcee came back to center stage and took up the microphone again.
"Our next performance is by an artist I'm sure everyone here knows. While the sound he creates can be called Rock and Roll, his creativity can be called nothing but unique. Here to perform "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman," Chicago's very own Anthony Almeida."
The sound was deafening as the lights dropped. Michelle could barely make out the shadowy outline of a small band in the middle of the stage. One figure in particular stood out. She could just tell it was Tony. A few slow plucks of a guitar sounded and as they echoed the lights of the stage carefully illuminated the occupants. Michelle's breath caught in her throat. Tony was wearing the same clothes as before but he was sitting on a stool, one foot resting on a rung, his thigh helping to keep his guitar steady. His other foot was stretched out to the floor below. He had removed his jacket and the sleeves of his red shirt were rolled up. But what caused her breathing to speed up was the fact that he was looking directly at her.
To really love a woman
To understand her - you gotta know her deep inside
Hear every thought - see every dream
N' give her wings - when she wants to fly
Then when you find yourself lyin' helpless in her arms
You know you really love a woman
The band kicked in behind him and the Spanish undertones of the song joined his voice. She watched mesmerized as he spoke directly to her. He was doing it; taking that last step. He was telling her how he felt. She felt her eyes begin to water.
To really love a woman
Let her hold you -
til ya know how she needs to be touched
You've gotta breathe her - really taste her
Til you can feel her in your blood
N' when you can see your unborn children in her eyes
You know you really love a woman
She watched his hands slide gracefully up and down the guitar, watched him pour his love and lust for her into his performance. Her cheeks burned at the thought of so many people watching such an intimate moment between them, but she knew no one had a clue. No one but them. The only time his gaze dropped from her's was during the solo. The chords popped as he played and she felt herself shiver. A few tears had started to fall by the time the song came to its final few sultry words. He played the last teasing notes as the lights started to dim and everything went quiet and dark. And then the applause came.
Michelle didn't wait for it to die down. She made her way up the aisle and into the lobby as quickly as she could. She turned to the first usher she could find.
"I'm looking for Maria."
Neither of them had said a word in the past 20 minutes. She had met him backstage as he was finishing up the applause. He had been nervous. The look on his face cautious. She just pulled him to her and kissed him, turning her head and sliding her tongue over his hotly. He had pulled her close, eventually breaking the kiss to run his lips along her cheek. "Let's go."
Michelle watched as he opened the penthouse room of a hotel in the middle of downtown overlooking the water. The lock clicked and he pushed the door open, motioning for her to go ahead of him. She passed by him and walked to the middle of the living room. It was breathtaking. A wall of glass was all that separated them from the patio. The curtains were open and she could see the moon giving the only light in the room.
Tony set down his keys and removed his jacket, never taking his off of her. He walked up behind her and carefully wrapped one of her stray curls around his fingers. Michelle sighed, closing her eyes. He tugged gently at the ties that held her hair up, letting it fall down over his hands and across her back. He leaned closer to her, her hair tickling his nose and he breathed in as he closed his eyes. Michelle's breath caught as his hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her back into him. Tony dropped his head to the left and nudged her hair to the side, his lips finding her neck. Michelle whimpered and reached back, running her hand through his hair.
"Do you have any idea what you do to me?" His voice was rough and low, little puffs of sensation that traveled along her skin.
Michelle reached back with her other hand and found him already hard. She slowly ran her hand along the front of his pants. "Mmm, I might have some idea."
Tony growled low in his throat and tightened his grip on her, burrowing his face further in her hair. He started pressing her forward, moving her closer to the glass wall. Once she was close enough to touch it, he moved away from her and made her turn. He slid his hands into her hair, pulling her into a kiss. They took their time, and he moved his hands down to her waist again, pulling her dress up inch by inch. Michelle panted into his mouth. He stepped closer into her and she backed into the cool glass, causing her to shiver as her bare shoulders made contact. He pulled the dress up higher and she raised her arms, letting him pull it over her head. He dropped it beside them and brought his eyes back to her, just watching. She fought the urge to cover herself and jumped slightly when he finally reached out and ran one finger from the base of her throat down between her breasts and stopping just above her belly button.
"You have no idea how much I love you."
Michelle's breath hitched and she sought out his eyes, only to notice he was glancing down, unable to look at her. His eyes shifted from side to side when she didn't respond and he chanced a look up. She stepped away from the glass slightly when her eyes met his and she slid her hands up his chest, fisting handfuls of his shirt.
"I want you to show me."
Tony's breathing sped up significantly the instance she spoke. His eyes dropped to her lips and he slowly licked his own. He dipped his head and touched her lips as he reached up and unclasped her bra. His fingers whisked along her arms, taking the clothing with them. The bra made a soft shuffling sound as it hit the carpet and his hands then went to her sides, slipping his fingers in and out of the lace of her panties. He trailed his lips down to her breasts, taking each peak into his mouth and suckling shortly. Michelle tilted her head back against the glass and ran a hand into his hair as he moved lower. He tongued the edge of her panties as his hands skimmed the backs of her thighs, moving down to her ankles. He removed her heels and made a reverse journey back up her legs. On his knees now, he hooked his fingers under the edge of her underwear and tugged, removing them.
Michelle's other hand was flat against the glass and she gripped with her fingers, finding no purchase. It did, however, remind her that they were out in the open. They were very high up, but there were other buildings flanking this one. She gasped as Tony's tongue made a slow sweep between her folds.
"Tony...shouldn't we-"
"Let them look." He opened her to him and growled at her scent. He lifted on leg and set it over his shoulder. Breathing her in deep, he hummed and let his lips and tongue work her.
Michelle sighed and whimpered as he devoured her. Her body burned and the glass was becoming foggy, a steamy outline of her drew on the window. She looked down and their eyes met. She didn't know why, but it turned her on even more to watch him do this fully clothed. His shirt looked blood red in the light coming from the moon, his eyes and hair darker. He watched her watching him and his eyes sagged in arousal. He moved to her clit and sucked harder.
Her release caught her by surprise and she tightened her grip in his hair, moaning his name softly. He lowered her leg and stood back up, leaning in and kissing her, letting her taste herself on his tongue. Michelle didn't bother to control her breathing. She reached for his shirt and unbuttoned it, her hands shaking from her release. She didn't remove his shirt, just moved onto the opening of his pants.
Tony was done taking his time. He shooed her hands away from his slacks and pulled himself out as he pulled her to him roughly. Michelle lifted a leg, wrapping it around his waist and throwing her arms around his neck. He stroked himself a few times and then lined up, pushing into her slowly. She groaned as he slid deep but he just dropped his head to her shoulder and grabbed her other thigh, winding it around his waist as well. Michelle squeaked then moaned at the sudden movement. Tony buried his face between her breasts, kissing and licking anything that was close to his mouth as he started walking, making his way to the bedroom.
Michelle pulled his lips back to hers as he lowered them to the mattress. He never left her body, pushing into her as they slid to the middle of the bed. He started an easy rhythm and broke their kiss, bumping her chin to get her to move her head back. He nibbled down the underside of her throat. Her nails were digging in deeper to the muscles on his shoulders, each thrust causing a slight sting of pain from her grip.
"Tony..." She was almost there. It was starting in her toes and working its way up.
"Te amo." It came out broken and she pulled at his hair, trying to get him to look at her but he wouldn't.
"Tony, please." She had to do this. He finally gave in and raised his eyes to hers.
She pulled him into a hard kiss, both their eyes closed. She broke the kiss suddenly. They were panting heavily into each other faces. So close. She rested her head against his.
"I love you, Tony."
Her words made him frantic. He groaned loudly and pounded into her with everything he had. He raised himself up on his hands, watching her back arch, her breasts move along with his thrusts. "Say it again."
"I love you."
He felt her tighten up on him, release just seconds away. "Again."
"Love you..." She came with a groan of his name on her lips. He pushed deep into her and dropped his head to her chest, his warmth filling her for longer than he thought possible. He let his weight settle and nuzzled under her hair by her ear. Michelle giggled softly and pushed at his sweaty face.
"One more for me?" He raised up enough to see her face. "This time in English please."
They both chuckled but he got a serious look on his face. "I love you Michelle."
She pulled him back to her and they shifted, burrowing further into each other. No one thought of Rachel. No one thought of Carlos. No one thought of Nina.
And there was no thought given to Tony's once occupied ring finger.