Rock 'n' Roll Step Dads: School of Sex(2)
Rhonda nodded and sighed, turning over the ethics of using sympathy to her sexual advantage. “About a year ago. This new guy has her convinced she isn’t an alcoholic. That she can quit anytime she wants.”
Ricky’s concern turned to obvious anger. “Sonofabitch.”
She decided he looked even hotter when he was mad, but still opted to change the subject. “So, you come to say hi for her birthday?”
“Well…” He cast her a sheepish look. “That, and I wanted to talk to her about something. When your mom is dry, she’s got a level head on her, and she’s a good listener.”
Rhonda leaned closer, wishing she’d worn a shirt that showed off more cleavage. “Hey, I’m a good listener, too. Spill it to me.”
Still, the sheepish look remained. He rubbed the back of his neck with a big hand. At six feet, he wasn’t a giant, technically, but he towered over her petite five-foot two.
“Come on.” She poked him gently in the ribs and smiled. “What’s up. You were always there for me when you were with Mom. Let me be there for you.”
“Okay.” He held up his palm. “But you can’t get angry. Deal?”
Curiosity piqued, she frowned. “Sure. But, tell you what. Let’s go talk up in my room. I’ve got an eighth of Purple Kush in there…”
Grinning, he stepped back from her and mocked an authoritative voice. “As your former guardian, I can’t condone—”
She gave him a light slap on the chest. “Oh, please. I know you’re as chronic as I am. Only Mom hates it when I smoke it in her area of the house. So, my room it is.”
She glanced at his face to gauge his reaction, but if he found her insistence on smoking up in her room odd, he didn’t show it. Instead, they talked about her college, and his latest music projects, while they walked up the stairs. So far, her plan was going smoothly.
After removing a small, wooden chest from her dresser she flopped on the bed. “So, what’s up?”
With a sigh, he joined her. “I’m quitting Devoid.”
She was in the middle of rolling a fat spliff, but the news stopped her. “You’re kidding…I hope.”
His brilliant blue eyes deepened with obvious weariness. “No, I’m serious. I need a break, Ronnie. I’ve been doing a lot of session work lately, and it’s nice. Cash without the notoriety. Just straight up music. No flash and image.”
The use of his old nickname for her made her weak in the gut. She softened, and she wondered if he used it on purpose to buffer her reaction. “But, damn, you’ve been with those guys for 25 years, Ricky.”
She lit up, took a deep drag, and passed the quality ganja his way. He smiled and took a toke, and she was glad to see some of his usual good humor return.
“I know,” he said. “But we all need time away from each other.”
They talked about his departure from Devoid some more, finishing off a second spliff, and Rhonda relaxed. He told her he’d be in town all weekend, and she decided it was time to really open up and enact her plan.
“You know…I had the biggest crush on you as a kid. You’re the reason I aspired to the rock star lifestyle in high school.”
He stared at her from across the bed, his eyes slightly glazed and red from the green goodness. His charming, wide smile flashed. “Well, I’m flattered. But I was never much of a rock star.”
“Can I confess something?” she whispered, and her mouth felt so dry. “I still want you.” She held her breath and avoided his gaze, until she felt callused fingertips brush her chin.
“Ronnie…” he said, and she couldn’t read the intent behind the word. Was he rejecting her? “Are you sure?”
She gazed into those glittering blue eyes and forgot to breathe once more. Rhonda licked her lips. “Yes.”
His hand moved behind her head and cupped it. She leaned into his palm.
“I’m twenty-five years older than you,” he said.
In frustration, she reached down and yanked his belt loose. “Do you think I care?” The THC had boosted her courage just enough.
“Apparently not,” he said, as he pushed her to the bed, while she slid his jeans off his hips.
Braced on his knuckles, he hovered over her and stared. “You know, when I came to visit you in college, last year… You tried to seduce me then, didn’t you?”
She blushed and thought about closing her eyes. “Yeah…but I passed out. Learned my lesson about smoking up and downing a bottle of Jack at the same time.”
He chuckled at this, but there was no malice in the laughter. Ricky gently squeezed her hips with his knees and then lowered his face until their noses were inches apart. “I think you bluffed about your experience that night, too. How many partners have you really had, Ronnie?”