"Where are you?" Lance asks into his cell phone.
"LAX. Waiting for a taxi. Is the opening act on yet?" Mercedes asks.
"Pink just went on stage." Lance exhaled, "Mercedes, it will be so great to see you."
"Be, I feel like it’s Christmas or something..." she chuckles, "I cannot wait to be alone with you under the mistletoe!!"
"Darlin‘, I’ve missed you so much." Lance watched the other guys as they mulled around the Quiet Room adjusting costumes and head sets. "You know that our reservation is under Mr. and Mrs. Lambert, right?"
"That’s a familiar name. Is it for our Inn in Tisbury?"
"Yes, I was thinking about that sword fisherman and his wife the other night."
"It seems like such a long time ago that I was home and you were there with me, Lance."
"Some day soon, I’d like to show you my home in Mississippi. Since my parents live so close, we would probably have more privacy on the Vineyard." Lance chuckles. "But, it’ll be a dream come true to have you there with me."
"I’d like that, Be." Mercedes says quietly.
"I think I might have 36 hours near the end of this month to visit the Vineyard."
"That would be heavenly, Lance."
"So, we will have our own holiday later tonight. It’s always a celebration whenever we can be together, Mercedes."
"I get the key for Mr. and Mrs. Lambert and meet you upstairs in the suite, is that right?"
"That’s the plan, Baby. I will get there as quickly as I can."
"I’ll be waiting, Be."
Upon Mercedes arrival at the hotel, she contacted the concierge to enlist his help in her special plan. The flickering twinkle lights, mistletoe and holly around their four poster bed should make it a holiday to remember.
Mercedes indulges in a bubble bath while she anxiously watches the clock. By this time, their concert in San Diego should be almost over. She can imagine the noise and hysteria surrounding the final two numbers. Mercedes closes her eyes and pictures Lance’s face. His unruly blonde streaked hair, those beautiful green eyes, the soft touches, strong arms, cute tush...she giggled. Mercedes could feel her cheeks blushing! What was it that made her gush whenever she thought of him? Then, Mercedes turned a little somber.
What was it that made Dr. Fitzpatrick say those horrible things about Lance? She had tried, but not totally succeeded in putting them out of her mind. Like so many times before, she resolved to erase any trace of those idiotic questions out of her mind. Anyone who KNEW Lance would KNOW he was not capable of any deception. His was a true and loving heart. And it was beating in that...chest of his.
’Mercedes you are BAD.‘ she said to herself. In her mind, she was drawing all sorts of interesting pictures of Lance. And of her and her lover beneath the twinkling lights, mistletoe and holly under the covers in that four poster bed.
At around midnight, Mercedes settles onto the couch in the sitting area. She had chosen some music, and finally decided what nightgown to wear.
Although she willed herself not to, as soon as she gave into putting her head down and wrapping a soft blanket around her shoulders, she fell asleep.
At around 1:30, the weary friends strolled through the hotel lobby. "There will be a wake up call at 7. Breakfast 7:30 in Lance’s suite. "
"When’s the wake up call?" Lance asked, only partially listening. Mainly, he was eyeing the elevators and trying to decide whether or not he should take the stairs and not tempt the fates tonight. In his arms were two dozen red roses he had stopped to pick up on his way through the airport in San Diego.
"Seven. AM." Johnny said. "We’ve got Wade out here to freshen up the routine a bit. I came out to make sure you guys behave yourselves after the show."
There was subdued laughter. "See you in the morning."
Mercedes opens her eyes to see Lance standing there in the doorway. The door closes and automatically locks behind him, as he grins to see her just realizing that he had finally gotten there. A smile slowly erupts on her face. He lets his flight bag drop to the floor while keeping a grip on the roses. Mercedes almost leaps off the couch and across the floor.
The roses scatter onto the carpet as Lance enfolds Mercedes into his waiting arms.
Lance takes a deep and cleansing breath. They stand there holding each other. "How I...have needed...this." Lance whispers in her ear. He lifts one hand to hold the back of her head to his, touching her soft curls. Then gently places that hand down around her once again.
How long they stood there, neither could say. The scent of her lover and the warmth of his embrace lifted Mercedes’ spirits. The strength it gave to reenergize Lance made his heart beat with a renewed spark.
"We have all night...and right now, all I want is to hold you until morning." Lance said. "You look as beautiful as I remember." Mercedes lowered her eyes and hugged him tighter.
"Thank-you for the roses, Be. They’re beautiful." Mercedes tilted her head up and looked directly into Lance’s eyes. "I have missed you so much."
Lance gently lowered his face to her lips, "Me, too." The magic of that first kiss electrified them. Lance made every effort to be patient. It is too important to him that she know how much she means to him. Lance wasn’t going to pursue the purely physical route as soon as he came through the door. Besides, it was the hugs and holding her close that brought such comfort and healing to him.
Lance removed his leather jacket. "Did you select this music, Mercedes?" Lance asked, upon hearing one of his favorite songs, "I Need You" by Leanne Rimes. "This is a good one. Dance with me?"
They didn’t cover much territory holding one another, leaning together Mercedes’ head on Lance’s shoulder, his hand rubbing her nearly bare back. Occasionally, Mercedes would raise her head and their cheeks would touch. Lance would kiss her head, or the side of her face.
Mercedes choice in apparel didn’t go unnoticed by her lover. The back of the nightgown hung low below the waist affording a peek at tush. No, that didn’t go unnoticed. Especially not after the electrifying kiss that noticeably excited her. As the couple continued to dance, Lance’s hand would slip further and further down her back. So soft, so luscious. Mercedes rubbed his chest, her fingertips touching his silver cross and the palms of her hands caressing him through the blue shirt he wore. The couple was dancing so close together that Mercedes could feel Lance as he became aroused.
"Baby, you make it so hard for me to be good."
Mercedes smiled demurely and said, "Lover, you can’t help but be good." Lance kissed Mercedes’ forehead, "I don’t want you to think that getting you into bed is all I want when we’re together. But, you make it so hard."
"I don’t mean to." Mercedes smiled. "Lance, I’ve missed you and tonight I just want to do whatever makes you happy."
Lance lifted her chin so that he might kiss her lips. "Having you here with me is what makes me happy."
Mercedes smiled widely, "Let me pick up these roses and put them into water..." Lance watches as she bends down and picks up the roses, one stem at a time. The expression on her face, and the excitement the sheer silk fabric reveals makes her every movement erotic. Lance shifted uncomfortably. He felt desperate to touch her and hold her against him.
"Baby, what a tease you are."
"Ouch!" Mercedes came across a thorn. Lance quickly took her hand and examined her finger. He placed her finger in his mouth. Mercedes gasped. As his head was lowered to suck her finger, Mercedes began to kiss his earlobe.
They laid intertwined on the sofa. Legs and arms, heads and hands. Mercedes fit snuggly between Lance’s legs, her head nestled on his chest, his chin snuggling her curly head. Lance placed a rose bud in her hair, and quietly chuckled. That crazy, curly, wonderful hair. This moment, the quiet, peaceful joy of being together, was worth living for.
"Are you cold, Baby?" Lance asked her. She glanced over at her nightgown that was thrown across the chair in the corner. Without waiting for her answer, Lance reached for the blanket Mercedes had cuddled with earlier that evening, pulled it up from the floor and placed it over the both of them.
"I had something I wanted to show you." Mercedes pouted sleepily.
Lance chuckled quietly again. "Baby, nothing could compare with what I’ve already seen." Mercedes smiled and looked embarrassed which made Lance quickly apologize, "I’m sorry. What was it you wanted to show me?" Mercedes playfully punched him and that made them laugh all the more.
Mercedes got up off the couch and pulled Lance’s arm. "Hey, I gotta get up? That was comfy there." He humorously whined. Mercedes opened the door to their bedroom...and watched Lance’s face for his reaction.
"This is, WOW, this is beautiful, Mercedes." Lance hugged her. "Truly beautiful."
"The lights. They’re like the Barn." Lance said quietly. Then he looked down to see her face. Mercedes looked into his eyes, "It’s okay to mention that. I still don’t have a complete memory of that night, but if it was that special for you...I’m glad it was."
Lance drew Mercedes against him and kissed her forehead, "I don’t know what to think about that night. It was magical for me. But, every night I’ve spent with you has been magical. Now each night we make love, I can be sure it’s me you want to have with you. Because there’s never been anyone else for me, but you."
"Lance, I don’t want to be your first love. That scares me."
Mercedes says holding onto him tightly. "I want to be your last."
"Why not be my first, my last, and everything in between?" Lance kisses her and lifts her up into his arms. He lays her down on the bed with the twinkling stars and the mistletoe. Each soft place gets a special kiss.
Mercedes hungers for his touch, and welcomes his attention with loving and open arms. "Don’t ever be scared." He says as he touches her.
"I love you, Mercedes." Lance whispers breathlessly. He enters her repeatedly. Mercedes holds on to the wooden spokes of the bed’s head board.
She explodes in an orgasm that feels like the release of bondage. The sound of which completely sends Lance and Mercedes into ecstasy. Lance’s thrusting continues for a few moments longer. Mercedes grabbed his tush as he thrust into her and moaned her approval as he climaxed. Soon he collapses in her arms.
"Are you alright? That sounded like I hurt you, Baby." He asked, concerned as he lay beside her. Mercedes held Lance tightly, still feeling the last remnants of her orgasm, wrapped around his leg.
"I’m fine. Very fine." Mercedes lifted herself up to look into his green eyes, "Lover, that was...soooo good. Thank-you." She smiled and laid her torso on top of his. The soft mounds against his chest, and the smell of her was almost overwhelming. Lance could easily make love again. Right now.
"Mercedes. Baby, I have two options here."
"Umm?" Mercedes murmured against his chest, kissing him.
"A cold shower or making love again. Because, baby, you leave me no other choices. I have to have you. I need you."
Mercedes merely smiled, moved a little ways away and laid back beaconing him to come to her. Lance slid across the bedspread, scooping her up into his arms and kissing her lips with urgency.
The hotel phone rang. Lance picked it up, mumbled his thanks and clicked it off replacing it on the night stand. He looked over and was glad to notice that the noise hadn’t awoken Mercedes. She still slept peacefully next to him, her soft curls caressing the pillow case. Lance kissed her cheek, her chin, her shoulder, her arm, her hand...if he wasn’t opposed to disturbing her slumber he might have lifted that quilt that laid over her and left a few strategically placed kisses underneath there as well.
"Thank-you God. For this beautiful woman who loves me and this time we can share together." Lance said quietly.
‘Shit. Did Johnny say, ‘Lance’s suite’?’ Lance bolted upright with the realization that it was HIS turn to ‘host’ breakfast for the guys. That means Room Service would arrive within minutes. He crept out of bed as quietly as he could, dressed and made an inspection of the sitting area.
Lance picked up as many roses as he could, and retrieved Mercedes’ nightgown that was left draped over a chair. Lance folded the blanket that they had used to keep their naked bodies warm on the couch, and brought the blanket and Mercedes’ nightgown into the bedroom.
Mercedes stirred. "Lance?" She rubbed her eyes, "Lance?" He sat down on the bed next to her. "You’re already dressed, Be. What time is it?"
"7 or a little after." Lance answered. He leaned down touched her face and kissed her lips. "Good morning, Darlin’." Lance brushed away the curls from her face. "You look so lovely this morning."
"Did you already take your shower? I had hoped to join you." Mercedes said with a sleepy grin.
Lance closed his eyes, "I wish we had the time for that. But, breakfast is here this morning and the guys will be arriving soon."
Mercedes slowly came to a full appreciation of what Lance was saying, "Do you mean HERE, as in this suite HERE?"
Lance nodded his head and frowned. "’Fraid so, Baby."
Mercedes sat up, "I better go get the..."
Lance held her and enticed her to relax and lay back down, "I got the nightgown, it’s here on the bed. I also picked up the rest of the roses. Or at least most of them." He smiled.
"Thank-you." Mercedes said noticeably relieved, "You are the best."
Lance cuddled with her, laying next to her and putting his feet up on top of the quilt. "One of these mornings, Darlin’, we aren’t moving from the bed. Wherever we are, we’re staying in bed, eating breakfast in bed, reading the paper in bed..."
"Sounds wonderful!" Mercedes giggled.
"Yes, it does. That’s our plan. We vow to remain in bed."
"Sounds like John Lennon and Yoko Ono."
"’Cept, John was a musical genius and you’re much more beautiful than Yoko."
"Thank-you, Sir." Mercedes smiled. "Give Peace a Chance."
There was a knock at the door to the suite. Lance laughed and winked at her as he left the bedroom. Mercedes rushed after him and caught up to him in the sitting room just before he was about to open the door.
Mercedes flung her arms around him, "Beloved, that was the most wonderful night of my life. Each moment with you is a celebration."
Lance was bowled over by the outpouring of Mercedes’ affection. He hugged onto her tightly. This was one of the most adorable sides to her personality, where she could be so childlike and innocent. Lance was so happy to see that woman, the woman from the boat who grabbed his hand and jumped into the inlet...the woman who would cheer with such enthusiasm whenever the guys would perform...the same woman who would love him with such warmth and depth it could bring tears to his eyes.
Mercedes gave him a shy smile, "I’ll be out after my shower." she kissed him, "I’ll miss you."
Lance stood there for a minute, deep in thought. ‘I love that woman.’
