0 comments/ 24719 views/ 4 favorites A Visit to a Fan Ch. 01 By: velvetpie When his fax machine whirred into action, Gale Harold didn't even blink. He was so tired. He held the cigarette to his lips and sucked occasionally, blinking through the thick smoke but nothing else on his long, lanky body moved. He was so tired that he was beginning to wonder why he'd chosen to be an actor. After Queer As Folk and a quick jaunt to New York for a role in another movie, then a couple of quest spots, he was exhausted. And lonely. As always, his friends provided him with their much needed support and no doubt that was one of them faxing him now. Ever since he'd become a star, they would scour the internet, looking for interesting items concerning him. They'd all laughed at the proliferation of rumors swirling around his sexuality and had found several sites that had fan fiction that involved him and Randy but once he'd made his sexuality clear, things had sort of ... dried up. There were plenty of Brian Kinney stories, but not many Gale Harold stories. "They like you gay, they don't like you gay." He reached over, grabbed his vodka and tonic and drained the last of the contents. He shrugged, sighing in pseudo-acceptance of his situation and hauled himself up, heading over to the desk. A single sheet of paper lay in the basket and he bypassed it for the moment, pouring himself a fresh drink, then retrieved it on the way back to the leather sofa. It was from one of his friends. Hey, Gale, I've been cyber surfing again and I found something interesting. Check out a site called Literotica.com. Do a search on your name. I think you'll like what you find. Gale dropped the paper on the table and took a long slug on his drink, dropping the crushed stub in the ashtray. I think you'll like what you find. Those were never good words. Weary, he pulled himself up, switched on his Apple laptop and impatiently waited for the machine to boot up. "Come on. Come on!" He tapped out another cig and lit it, taking another drink until the Internet page came up and he typed www.literotica.com in the address space and clicked the Enter button. The blue-and-white page flickered onscreen and he perused the items on the page, wondering what the hell this was all about. He kept scrolling down until he found the Search The Site heading. Do a search on your name. He selected Search Stories and typed his name in the Search Text box. Several stories came up right away but none of them had anything to do with him. Except one called Gale Force. He chuckled at that, remembering that it was the name of an article he did in 2001 and clicked on the first chapter. It was an easy read and he found himself amazed at the author's depth of knowledge about him. It was as if she'd personally known him and knew his feelings on that first day of shooting. He was definitely intrigued. The intercom buzzed and he tore himself away from the computer to answer it. Jenny and couple of her friends had come by, bearing bottles of Grey Goose and Jack Daniels. He forgot that he'd invited them over to celebrate Jenny's latest project. More people came by and within an hour, his apartment was filled to the brim. He usually tolerated parties but Jenny was such a good friend that he didn't mind this one but he found himself having an interesting conversation with someone and not really paying attention because he was thinking about the website. Jenny flopped down on the couch next to him, her eyes bright with booze and gave him a playful punch in the arm. "What's going on with you?" "Nothing. You enjoying the party?" "Of course! Nothing better than one of your good friends giving you a party and then mentally checking out." Gale rubbed his forehead, finishing his drink. "Sorry." "So, what's going on?" "Promise you won't laugh?" Jenny nodded. "Let's get some drinks first, then come with me." Two fresh drinks later, Gale unlocked his bedroom door and ushered Jenny inside, pulling the chair out at the desk and gesturing for her to take a seat. He rubbed the touch pad and sent the screen saver away and stood back as Jenny digested what she was seeing. "What the hell is this?" "A literary porn website. People write stories and submit them here." Jenny laughed. "I didn't know that there was such a thing as literary porn." He stepped in front of her and clicked on something he'd saved in Favorites. "VelvetPie? Who has a name like VelvetPie?" He scrolled down to the first chapter of the celebrity story she'd written for him and clicked it open. Jenny began to read and slowly, her jaw hung lower and lower until it was completely open. "This is about you?" "Yeah." Gale sat down on the bed and sipped his drink as she read the story. She was done in a few minutes and she turned to him. "Wow, that was nice. I mean, really sweet. Romantic." "Now you know what's going on." Jenny laughed again. "And I thought only Brian Kinney would be interested in internet porn." "This isn't the same, Jenny. Someone, this VelvetPie person, took a lot of time to find things out about me and to write a story for me." "For you?" Jenny stood, moving toward the door. "I'm sure she never thought that you'd ever really read it." "Maybe not." Gale pressed the laptop's lid down. "But it was still very nice." Jenny shrugged. "Well, come on. You threw this party for me and I insist that you come get drunk. Get your mind fuck later." Gale reluctantly let Jenny drag him out to the party but not without giving his dark laptop a parting glance and wondering what the next chapters would hold. A Visit to a Fan Ch. 02 The next morning was a bleary one for Gale as he found himself face down on his bed, fully clothed and still wearing his shoes. It took him awhile to get himself together enough to get up and stumble into the other room and was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the mess was confined to the kitchen. Jenny had left a note that she'd made everyone clean up before they left and that she'd call him in the morning. He shook his head, hoping that she wouldn't call too early, shook out a cigarette and headed back into the bedroom. He set the cig in the ashtray, stripped off his clothes and shoes and stepped into the shower, luxuriating in the red-hot water and finally, feeling himself awaken. Refreshed, he shook his head at his dead cigarette and sat at the desk, lifting the Apple's lid. The website met him and he clicked on the second story in the series. I was in love. The opening words caused his stomach to twist into knots and he continued reading, feeling as if he was secretly peering into his own life. He read the next few chapters, falling in love with the story's character and the emotions that she had for him. He found himself angry at Gerry for speaking to her like he did and his stomach growled at each description of the delicious food the caterer made. He found himself wanting to be her friend, a completely strange emotion for him and after finishing the fifth chapter, he found himself wondering what the author was like. By clicking on the name, he found the author page and was happy to find out that she was female and was around his age. He didn't know why he was glad about that but he didn't stop to question long, he read the information there and stared at the inviting swatch of her face. She was black and liked big, bald men. She was also attached. Again, a feeling of despair moved through him and he wondered why these facets of her life concerned him. After all, she was just a fan, writing porn stories about an encounter with him. Why should it affect him so deeply? Jenny called minutes later and he went out to meet her for lunch. Once he'd returned to the loft, he found a message from his agent and called her back, excited to hear that he'd been offered another guest spot, this time in Vancouver and she had the script for him. He left immediately, dropping by her office and having drinks with her before returning home. Again, the site commanded his attention and he found himself reading more chapters, his interest piqued when he reached nine. The first kiss. He read the chapter slowly, leapfrogging over the dialogue in search of the kiss description and he was not disappointed when he read it. The blood rose to his face and his cock plumped in his pants, making him uncomfortable. The description was so romantic and erotic that he almost felt her tongue in his mouth. He closed his eyes and imagined her hands in his hair and her lips moving softly against his. Would she whisper his name as she gave herself to him? "Yes." He answered audibly, his hand rubbing his denim-clad cock. He found himself wanting to hear her voice, wanting to know that her cries were his and his alone. He eased his zipper down and pushed his hand inside, finding his hard prick and giving it long, loving strokes. He imagined her hands on him, light and teasing at first, her fingers curling around his balls and giving them a gentle tug before returning to his stalk and firmly stroking it from base to head. His body jerked in reaction to his own touch and he groaned, his imagination once again taking over as she moved that lovely mouth over, the tip of her pink tongue delicately licking the pre-cum away as if it was melting ice cream. Her eyes would meet his as she took him into her mouth, her tongue swirling over his flesh and laving him lovingly. His rod swelled in his hand and he gasped as tingles ran down his legs. It wasn't just because he was imagining a blow job; it was because he was imagining that it was from her and that she really cared about him. He exploded with such force that he was momentarily stunned, his mind filled with her imaginary voice as he dropped his load into her waiting mouth, his groans echoing in his room. When he came back to himself, he realized that the sound he was hearing was his own gasps and looked down to see white streaks of cum across his shirt. He let his head hang back, tears filling his dark eyes. He needed her. He had to figure out what to do now. A Visit to a Fan Ch. 03 It was two days before he could return to reading more from the site. His brother dropped by for a visit and they made merry before he flew back to Georgia. Gale was pleased for the visit, not just because it offered him the chance to see his younger sibling but because it kept VelvetPie off of his mind. It made him rethink the crazy idea that he'd been toying with but only for a moment. He wanted to find her; he needed to find her. He couldn't explain why but he wanted to see her, to talk with her, to find out why she'd written such a romantic ode to him and how she was able to limn him so well. He fixed a cup of coffee and went back to the computer, clicked on her name and re-read her biography. It was very cryptic, stating that she lived in Florida, but not which city and he sat back, rubbing his face. He had a three-day meeting in Orlando next week and if he could just find out where she was, he could make a side trip. He scrolled down to the bottom of the site, searching for webmaster information and was upset that there was nothing other than a Contact Us link. It took him another twenty minutes to copy down the information he needed and he quickly picked up the phone. At first, he didn't exactly know what to say. Hello, I'm Gale Harold and I'm looking for VelvetPie. Sounded like a desperate man searching for a date. He decided to rely on his charm and hope that it was enough. He finally reached someone that was in the know and convinced them to give him the address. They only had it because she had won a contest the previous year and had recently moved, sending the updated address to one of the owners. When he hung up the phone, a thrill raced through him, observing the address information he'd just written down. He could do it. He could actually go find her. On a whim, he picked up the phone again and asked directory assistance for her number. It was unlisted. He sighed and called Jenny. She answered on the third ring, sounding rushed and tired. "I'm going to do it." "Do what?" He explained what he'd done to her and what his plans were. "Are you crazy? You don't know what kind of person she is! She could be a crackpot!" "Yeah, she could be but I don't think so." "Just because she wrote a story about you?" "It's not just a story, Jen. It's like a love letter to me. It makes me feel like a million bucks." "Well, it should, especially if you jerk off to it." Gale lit a cigarette, listening to his friend. She was reminding him of what fans were like, that most of them were crazed women who wanted him to knock them up. Still, he couldn't deny the feeling that he got from reading the story, the intense need to meet her. Jen was right. He remembered the nights when he did the play, Uncle Bob, and had to escape with Thea Gill because the crush of fans had been overwhelming. "Are you listening to me, Gale?" "Yeah," He sat up. "I hear you." "But you're still going to go, aren't you?" "I have that meeting ... " "Not that. You know what I'm talking about." He thought for a long moment. "Yeah. I'm still going." Jen huffed loudly on the other end of the line. "Well, just be careful. You don't know this chick and her husband may not want you to know her, either." "I'll be careful, Jen, and thanks." He hung up and returned to the story, beginning where he left off. Chapter eleven left him breathless with its passion and intensity. He was still stroking himself when he reached thirteen and his dreams came true. He couldn't do anything except sit helplessly as his cock erupted in his hand, the description of her impromptu blow job fueling him. Gale cleaned his hand and stripped down, putting a towel across the chair's cushion and a box of tissues nearby. Over the next few hours, he slowly read through each chapter, cumming three more times as he became ensnared in the clever web she wove with her words, feeling her insecurity and his own need for true acceptance. As he closed the last page, he knew instinctively that without a doubt, he had to find her. He had to make a visit to a fan. A Visit to a Fan Ch. 04 He made the left turn into her neighborhood and checked the wrinkled rectangle of paper he'd scribbled on a week ago. He was looking for the number now; he was on the right road and he was that close. He'd flown into Orlando International Airport the day before and had taken his meeting at Disney. He appreciated their offers but he didn't really think that he was interested in anything the Mouse House had to offer. He wanted to stay edgy and visions of Hilary Duff threatened to make his stomach turn. So from Orlando, he'd taken I-4 to Daytona and had followed the Map Quest directions until he was now on her street, looking for the woman who was known on the Literotica website as VelvetPie. He slowed down in front of a brown brick house, noticing the number on the mailbox and the person ardently digging in the front yard. He pulled around the island and parked the rental behind the Expedition in her driveway, letting the Chrysler idle into quietness. He watched her rise and turn in his direction and he quickly glanced at the print he'd made of the picture swatch on her bio and instantly knew that it was her. He opened the door and got out, slowly removing his sun glasses and giving her his warmest smile. She was wearing a pair of brown cargo pants and a sports bra, her brown skin streaked with a mixture of mud, manure and sweat as she planted bulbs in the prepared earth. "Hi, I'm ... " "I know who you are." She backed up, clearly unnerved and went ass over elbows over the wheelbarrow. He rushed forward to help her up but she was already on her feet, trowel still clutched in her gloved hands. "What the hell are you doing here?" "Can I ask you a question first?" "Uh, sure." "Are you VelvetPie?" Her face changed from surprise to confusion, then back to surprise in the span of a few seconds and she tossed the tool and gloves in the mound of top soil. "Why don't we go inside?" He was glad to escape the Florida heat and followed her inside, waiting patiently as she washed her hands in the garage sink, then returned to the kitchen. She pushed her shoes off and politely asked him to do the same, walking across the huge living room to the back room where a glass block bar stood. "Vodka tonic?" Gale nodded and she grabbed two cold glasses from the bar refrigerator, filled his short glass with a bit of ice, poured a generous shot of Grey Goose, then splashed it with tonic. She took her own taller glass, filled it to the brim with ice, liberally poured Smirnoff Watermelon Vodka and topped it off with Sprite. She took a long drink before joining him on a stool on the other side of the bar, shaking her head in disbelief. "I can't believe that you're here, sitting in my living room." "Well, I am." "So what did you come here for?" "For VelvetPie. You are her, aren't you?" "Are you planning to sue me?" "No." She nodded. "Okay then. I'm VelvetPie." "What's your real name?" She sighed heavily and told him her real name, along with some vital information. As she talked, he observed her, taking in the muscled arms and legs, the almost-pupil less dark brown eyes, high cheekbones and her husky voice, clear and accent-free. Her name was as exotic as she was and he offered her a reassuring smile. "And your husband?" "Loves the show. He was actually very sorry to see it go, although he didn't get into it until the last season. I was there from day one." He smiled at the pride in her voice. "It was very hard to see it end." "It was for everyone." "Are there any plans for a reunion show? I'd love to see Brian finally happy." "No plans as of yet but I wouldn't doubt it. A lot of fans have written in requesting more shows." He drained his drink and watched as she dutifully made him a refill. "So where is your husband?" "Visiting family in Canada. He won't be back until next week." "You didn't want to go with him?" "Not really. I hate funerals." She swallowed quickly and he understood that this was a sore spot for her. "So you know that I'm VelvetPie but you never told me why you're here at my house." "Because of the story you wrote." A Visit to a Fan Ch. 05 "Gale Force." "That's the one." She got up and made another drink for herself, filling his a third time. "May I smoke?" "No, not in the house, at least." He nodded, tucking the pack back into his pocket. "What possessed you to write it?" "Quite simply, you." "I possessed you?" She wouldn't look up at him and his heart leaped, a bolt of adrenalin tightening his chest. "Ever since I saw the first show. You've been my secret obsession." Velvet laughed, glancing at him quickly. "Hey, I know how many fans you have and we can't all be wrong." "But you're not the same as most of the others." "How do you know that?" "Your story. The way you wrote it." He set his glass down, briefly touching her hand to gain contact with her eyes. "I liked it very much." She looked away with a shy smile, fanning her face. "You all right?" "Just overwhelmed." She let loose with a nervous laugh. "It's not every day that the object of your desire shows up on your doorstep." For some odd reason, hearing those words from her made him blush. The underlying hint of her sexuality brought a response from his cock as well and he tried to make himself more comfortable without letting her see that his jeans were now too tight. "I'm flattered." She seemed to ignore his words, sliding off the chair and walking over the baby grand piano that sat in the corner. "So you liked my story?" "Yes." "What did you like about it?" "The way you had me fall in love with you." "With me? The character's name is Cary." "Yes," He arose, slowly striding over to her. "The character's name is Cary but if I asked anyone that knows you ... " "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. I confess. She's me." "Can you really cook like that?" Velvet smiled, taking a long sip of her drink. "Every single item I've described is one I've made." "Even the quiche?" "That's one of my best recipes." "You know, you really suck! How am I ever going to find a woman like Cary?" "As handsome as you are, Gale, I'm sure you'll find plenty." Her lighthearted comment brought his loneliness crashing down on him and he turned away, draining his glass. Maybe it had been a mistake to come here. "That's the problem." "That's a problem?" He appreciated the change in her tone and went back to the bar, pouring a refill for himself. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so insensitive." "You couldn't have known." "It's just that ... I thought that the pretty people always got what they wanted." "Not in my case." He sat back down with a heavy sigh. "I seem to attract women who either want to fuck me or spend my money or both." "And a woman wanting to fuck you is a problem?" "It is when there's no care behind it. I'm just a notch on their bedposts." Velvet sat next to him, touching his arm lightly. "Sorry, Gale. I guess I've never heard of a guy suffering what usually happens to us girls. It's usually the guys that want us as a notch." "Yeah. I've been finding that out." "So what are you looking for that you haven't been able to find?" "Cary." She laughed and he grinned, taking a drink. "A smart, beautiful woman that wants me for me, not because of my celebrity." "And you can't find one woman like that?" He shook his head, wondering what she was thinking about all this. "Not until I read your story." A long stretch of silence followed and he realized that she wasn't quite sure what to do. In her eyes, she was an ordinary mortal visited by Gale Superman. "And what does this have to do with me?" "I have a favor to ask you." "A favor? What could I possibly do for you?" Gale took a deep breath, using the few moments to again drain his drink. Damn, he didn't want to be drunk or even appear like an alcoholic but this woman made him nervous. "I want you to seduce me." She just stared at him, her lovely mouth hanging open. "W-What?" "I want you to seduce me. Just like you did in the story." He leaned close, glancing down at her tasty lips and wondering just what she tasted like. "I want you to make love to me." He was surprised when she sat back, glaring at him. "You came all the way to Florida for a piece of ass?" "No, not at all. You misunderstand ... " "No, I don't." She stood up, nearly slamming her drink on the table. "You stars are all alike, aren't you? Some poor little fan writes a story about having sex with you and you're down here like a horn dog, trying to sniff up my skirt. I'm taking the stories off of the site." "No, please. You've got it all wrong!" She marched over to the door, yanking it open and gesturing for him to move through it. "Goodbye, Mr. Harold." A Visit to a Fan Ch. 06 "I don't believe it." Gale winced, hearing the laughter in Jenny's voice. He took a long pull on the cigarette and reached for his drink. "She has cojones." "Yeah. I can't believe that she threw me out." "I can. You tell a married woman that you want her to seduce you? How selfish of you!" Gale sat up on the hotel bed. "Selfish?" "Can you imagine how shocked she must have been, to see the infamous Gale Harold on her doorstep? And then her hero asks her to seduce him?" She laughed, a tinny sound that bounced through the cell phone's tiny speaker. "What did you expect?" "I expected her to do what she did in the story!" "Then you'd better rethink what you really want to say to her. Step in her shoes and really think." That phone call had taken place an hour ago, when he'd called Jenny to tell her about what had happened. Since then, he'd stayed in his room, smoking and thinking about her words. He kept replaying the conversation, trying to figure out where it had gone wrong, where she ceased to be a fan and he became just another star. He thought about the story again, remembering the tenderness of the scenes and the tone that ran through the entire piece. Then he understood. She had connected with his soul and he had rushed things. Her story proved that she was a deeper person than that. He needed to make her understand what was going on in his heart and to do that, he'd have to open himself up to this total stranger that so eloquently described his soul without knowing him. "I know what to do." * * * * * He sent the invitation with a bouquet of flowers. I'd like the pleasure of your company for dinner to apologize and to talk with you. Choose anywhere you wish and call me on my cell. Please give me a chance to explain. Gale. Three o'clock. Four o'clock. Five o'clock. The hours passed and still no response. He called the florist and was told that yes, the bouquet had been delivered and that yes, a woman accepted it. How did she look when she saw it? Surprised. And how did she look when she read the card? I don't know, sir. She closed the door after giving me a tip. Confused and tired, he showered and lay down in his towel, hoping that he could catch and nap and be awakened by her call. His cell phone blazed to life at seven-thirty and he groped for it, half-asleep, thumbing the correct button. "Hello, Velvet?" "Mr. Harold?" A male voice inquired. "Yes?" "Your car is waiting." Gale rubbed his eyes. "My car?" "Yes, sir. I'll be waiting downstairs for you." He sat up, momentarily wondering what the hell was going on and when it dawned on him that it could be from Velvet, he jumped out of bed and dressed. It took him less than thirty minutes to shave, brush, do his hair and put on a funky blue pinstriped suit that he'd brought for the occasion. Grabbing the room key, he took the elevator down and was met by the driver, a young man named Chauncey. "Mr. Harold?" "Yes?" "I'm afraid that I'll have to ask you to change your clothes." Gale stared at the young man. "What?" "My instructions are to make sure that you are dressed ... " He pulled a note card from his pocket and consulted it. "'Brian Kinney Babylon' style." He knew it was from Velvet at the mention of those words. He grinned, asked Chauncey to wait and dashed back upstairs. He selected a pair of denim and leather jeans, short boots and a comfortable shirt, tousling his hair before he left. He took the elevator back down and presented himself to the driver who gave him a respectful bow of approval. Chauncey opened the doors and they sped off toward Daytona, ending the journey in front of her house. "Uh, Chauncey, I didn't ask, but do I have anything to take in with me?" Chauncey smiled and handed Gale a bouquet of Casablanca lilies and a basket of four chilled bottles of Asti. "You are fantastic." "Thank you, sir. Now get going. She has my number when you're ready to return." Gale slid out, accepted the flowers and wine and once again, walked down the flower-flanked walkway, pausing to ring the door. He couldn't help the smile that spread across his face as she opened the door, looking quite different from earlier and a wonderful smell wafting out of the house. "Hi. I'm sorry." He felt like an idiot. He didn't know what else to say. "I'm sorry, too, Gale. Come in." He offered her the flowers and she gave him a warm smile, pulling a vase from under the sink and placing it on the dining room table that had been lit with candles. "I hope you don't mind. Your note said that I could choose dinner anywhere I wanted. No one in this town cooks better than I do." He smiled, knowing the importance of what she'd done and his heart thumped extra loudly in his chest. "Really?" "Really." She opened another cabinet and set two rose crystal glasses on the table. "You gonna stand there holding those? Pop one." A Visit to a Fan Ch. 07 Dinner began with the sparkling wine and plates of baked lemon-infused shrimp scampi, drizzled with butter-thickened sauce. Gale took the opposite end of the table, smiling when she arose to serve him. He protested but she would hear none of it, handing him a navy blue napkin and watching as he spread it across his lap. Lifting and biting into a jumbo shrimp, he was so grateful to have a homemade meal that he suddenly felt close to tears and had to take a deep breath. An exquisite combination of lemon, butter and garlic burst across his taste buds, perfectly amplifying the sweetness of the shrimp. He closed his eyes and chewed, enjoying the slight crust that provided a counterpoint to the dish. It was just heavenly. When he opened his eyes, he was startled to find her watching him. "How is it?" "Fantastic. I've never had scampi this good anywhere." She smiled and shyly looked away, raising her glass for a sip. They continued with the appetizer, eating silently and enjoying both the food and the company. Velvet lifted the bottle of Asti from the metal container and arose to refill his glass, then filled her own, taking her seat again. She stared at him for a moment before speaking. "I'm sorry for being so judgmental earlier. I guess my poor brain was overwhelmed." "Don't apologize, Velvet. You did nothing wrong. I just didn't express myself as well as I could have." She stood, taking their plates and was in the kitchen for several minutes before returning with bowls of salad greens. A second trip brought a platter of dressings and he selected Roasted Red Pepper Vidalia while she opted for Three Cheese Caesar. Again, more silence as both tore into mixed field greens, slivered tomatoes and cucumbers, all covered with a sprinkling of cubed pickled beets and sharp cheddar cheese. Gale opened a new bottle and filled glasses, surprising her by taking her empty salad bowl and heading into the kitchen. She followed with the tray, putting the assortment of dressings back into the refrigerator and turned to face him. "I've never had anyone ask me to seduce him." "And I've never asked anyone." He looked down at the floor briefly. "I suppose you would say that with my looks, I wouldn't have to." "The thought did cross my mind." She said honestly, lifting a lid and stirring a pot with a slotted wooden spoon. She reached into another cabinet for two deep bowls, setting them on the counter, then retrieved a plate of sliced red meat from the refrigerator. "But why me, of all people?" "Because of that story and because of the way you made me feel when I read it." He took a deep breath as he watched her ladle fragrant soup into the bowls, then got another small saucer and halved the raw meat. "You said that before but why come to me? Surely you could have found someone in your zip code." "No. It had to be you." She turned around. "But why?" "Because you really care about me." He moved closer, letting his fingers touch her hand. "And that's what I want." He slid two fingers under her chin, lifting her eyes to his. "Someone who really cares about me." Slowly, he bent, assessing her response the closer he got until his mouth was touching hers. Her lips were soft and warm and smelled like the cherry lip balm that he'd seen her use earlier and he slipped his hand fully inside hers. When he stepped back, her eyes opened slowly, searching his and she licked her lips, glancing down at his mouth. "Soup's getting cold." He nodded and released her, happy that she hadn't rejected him. He took his bowl and a saucer of the meat and followed her back to the table. "This is my famous Beef Tartare soup. This is thinly sliced beef tenderloin. Drop a few slices into the soup and stir it around. It's cooked by the heat of the soup." He ate silently, enjoying the tiny pearl onions, quartered creamer potatoes with their skins and sliced mushrooms that comprised the rest of the soup. The tenderloin cooked perfectly and was tender, nearly melting as he chewed. "This is fantastic. You should open a restaurant." "I plan to." More Asti was poured as they finished the soup and he stepped out to have a cigarette while she checked on the main course. He joined her in the kitchen when he had finished, standing back as she removed a large foil-covered broiler pan from the oven. "Are you full?" "Getting there." "Good. I was worried that I made too much food." He smiled. "There's never too much food where I'm concerned. I love to eat." "Good. Well, go have a seat and I'll bring your plate out in a minute." Eight minutes later, she presented him with a plate that was so artistically arranged that he would have sworn that he was in a restaurant. She had sliced a rack of pecan-crusted lamb into six ribs and arranged them in an arc at one side of the plate and a thick brown sauce had been drizzled over them. Bright green spears of asparagus fanned out on the other side in counterpoint and baby carrots with their green tops completed the palette. The lamb rested on a mound of garlic mashed potatoes and a blue cheese-portobello muffin nestled against it. "Oh, my God! I can't eat this. It's too beautiful!" He arose as she smiled, her face filled with pride. "Thank you." He leaned forward and gave her a kiss, noting with a flip of his heart, that she leaned in as well. "You're very welcome." She went to the other end of the table and started in on her own plate. Halfway through, she arose to refill his glass and brought out a plate that had another sliced rack of lamb, setting it near him. "There are more vegetables if you want, too." Gale nodded and finished what was on his plate, arising and grabbing more asparagus and mashed potatoes from the kitchen and serving her as well. By the time they'd finished, the lamb was gone and just a few carrots swam in their butter sauce. He burped, excused himself and let out a huge sigh, patting his stomach. "No meal in any restaurant I've ever eaten in comes close to this. This was so good." "I'm glad you enjoyed it. Food always tastes better when someone who loves you makes it for you." She smiled at him and the heat rose in his face. "I hope you left some room for dessert." A Visit to a Fan Ch. 08 Shrimp scampi. Field greens salad. Beef tenderloin soup. Rack of lamb. And now ... "My specialty. Black Velvet Cheesecake." She set the dark chocolate slice of cake in front of him, then drizzled a white chocolate sauce around it, then sprinkled a handful of chopped hazelnuts over it. "Enjoy." The first bite was astonishing. The mixture of milk and bittersweet chocolate slid over his tongue, the white chocolate sauce winding around and joining perfectly. The roasted hazelnuts added a perfect scent as well as a crunch that married with the nuts sealed in the crust. It was perfectly named. "This is so good!" She smiled and went into the kitchen, returning with a cold shot glass of Bailey's Irish Cream. He took a sip, then a bite of cake and hummed in appreciation. While he ate, he heard her busily putting things away in the kitchen and sighed happily. Obviously, she cared enough to fix the meal for him and it had been no small feat. He could go home with a smile on his face but he wanted to make love to her. To feel that care and concern wrapped around him. He arose and stood in the doorway, his empty plate and glass in hand, just watching her and was suddenly extremely jealous of her husband. "Done?" She held out her hand for his plate and he moved forward, entranced by her and watched as she put the dish and the glass into the dishwasher, closed it and set it running. "How about a nightcap before you go?" Before you go. The words fell like stones in the pit of his stomach and it took him a moment to compose himself and answer. "Sure." She poured a DiSaronno amaretto for him and a Frangelico for herself, then took his hand, leading him into the den where a fire was burning in the fireplace. She sat back on the leather couch, propping a pillow up behind her and spreading her legs, patting the space between. He settled against her, his entire body relaxing at the touch of her hand sliding over his shoulders and chest. "This is what I need." He reached up and caught her hand, pressing his lips into her palm. She cupped his chin gently, then moved her hand into his shirt, rubbing his chest and he sighed yet again, closing his eyes and sipping the liqueur. Everything was so perfect. Dinner, the fire, her touch. They sat silently for a long while, enjoying the atmosphere and each other's company and Gale wondered if he'd died and gone to heaven. The sound of her glass meeting the table startled him and she gently pushed him forward, sliding out from behind him. He watched as she padded across the carpeted floor, clicked a few buttons on the stereo, then moved to a spot in front of the fireplace, gazing at him. The song began with a guitar solo, then Roberta Flack's mellifluous voice, singing 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', filled the room and Velvet held her arms out to him, asking him to join her. He set his glass aside and walked over, a shiver moving through him when her arms looped around his waist and her head against his chest. He pulled her close, burying his face in her soft hair and they gently began to move, swaying to the music. She felt so good in his arms, her hands roaming over his back and moving down to his ass. She squeezed him gently and he gasped, involuntarily pressing his stiff cock into her. Embarrassed, he tried to pull away but she stopped him, keeping her hands on his waist, then moving them up to either side of his face, searching his eyes. The touch of her lips affected him like a shock wave, sending tingles through his entire body and he tilted his head, pulling her close again and slid his tongue against her lips. When her mouth opened, she tasted like hazelnuts and he moaned as her tongue shyly searched his lips, then moved inside looking for his. He used every ounce of restraint he had left when their tongues met and slid along each other, twining and twisting until his head was spinning with need. She broke the kiss just as the song was ending, her lips plumped and her eyes heavy with passion. "I think you'd better go now." He wanted to protest but decided to be thankful for what he had received this evening. His belly was full and his heart was about to burst with happiness. "I'll see you tomorrow." She whispered at the door, turning her face up for another kiss which turned into another deep French kiss. Finally, she pulled back and gave him a soft smile, pressing a covered plate in his hands. He stumbled out, ignoring Chauncey's laughter. He knew he looked goofy, grinning like an idiot, but he couldn't help it. "I take it that you had a good night, sir." "Very good." "Excellent." As the driver started to raise the partition, Gale spoke again. "Do you mind if we make a detour on the way back?" "Not at all, sir." * * * * * Wal-Mart was open 24 hours and he was glad to see that as they pulled up to one of the front entrances. He went right to a cashier to ask her a question, found what he wanted and was back in the car in less than fifteen minutes. He handed the CD to Chauncey and asked him to play track number one. A moment later, Roberta's voice filled the car and Gale sat back, a dreamy smile on his face. "I love this song." Chauncey said with a grin. "Yeah," Gale smiled back. "I do, too." A Visit to a Fan Ch. 09 Life was unbelievably wonderful. His meeting with director Victor Nunez went wonderfully. If he read the man right, he had just landed a lead in his next project. But Gale knew the reason that everything was so wonderful. It started when he returned to the hotel last night and opened the plate that she'd given him. A second slice of Black Velvet Cheesecake with White Chocolate Sauce lay inside, along with a handwritten note that had been taped to the plastic wrap. Gale, I've always had a crush on you, hence the reason for the stories. But last night ... last night was so very special. I hope you're the man that I think you are and I hope that you'll treat my heart as if it was yours ... because it is. Please join me tonight for an evening of pleasure. Chauncey will pick you up at nine. Bring your bags because you will not be returning to the hotel. Your wish is my command. Velvet That same note, now folded and re-folded several times lay in his shirt pocket, close for easy access and read several times during the day. He showered, took a nap and dressed casually, just as he had the day before: jeans, t-shirt, tennis shoes. She wanted him to be himself: totally comfortable and at ease. He packed his bags early, had a light dinner of fajitas and paced the room, smoking like a fiend until his cell phone rang. "Mr. Harold?" "Yes, Chauncey?" "I'm downstairs. Whenever you're ready." "I'll be right down." Gale checked out while Chauncey took the bags out to the car and he did his best to contain himself on the hour-long drive. The driver gave him a small bouquet of lilacs and he thanked Chauncey with a hundred-dollar bill. "She said to tell you that these were her favorite flowers but I didn't think we'd have enough time to pick some up so ... " "Thanks again, Chauncey." The young man smiled, checking his clipboard. "Your flight leaves at two so we have to be on the road by ten. I'll be here at nine-thirty." Gale nodded and got out of the car, the bouquet in his hands. Velvet answered the door at the first ring, wearing a robe and fluffy slippers, her hair hanging in curly tendrils around her face. She smiled and opened the door, welcoming him into her home. "Hi." He bent to give her a kiss and she placed two fingers against his lips. "Hold on a minute." He watched as she grabbed a plastic bag and dashed out to the departing car, handing it in to Chauncey. A few words and the limousine slowly drove off. "I thought you were going to leave me for a minute." His heart nearly pounded a hole in his chest when she strode up to him, her dark eyes fathomless in the low light. She pulled his head down, opening her mouth to his and softly moaning as he added a sense of urgency to their kiss. "Not a chance." He pressed the flowers in her hands, grinning as she raised them to her face. "Thank you for these." "My pleasure." "No." She extracted a sprig and dragged it along his jaw line. "Ours most definitely." A streak of white heat flew through his body and he was surprised to find himself speechless. She tucked the sprig into his shirt pocket and set the flowers in a short vase. "Have you eaten?" "I had an early dinner." "Would you like me to fix you something to eat?" He thought for a moment. "I have some homemade chicken pot pie ready. All I have to do is stick a piece in the microwave." His mouth watered and he held out his arm. "Twist my arm." She laughed and took his arm, dragging him into the kitchen. The pot pie was sitting on the counter in a deep French white Corelle casserole dish and she took a flat bowl out of the cabinet, cut a slice out of the pie and spooned it into the bowl, dipping back into the dish for gravy. She slid the bowl into the microwave, set it and turned to him while it hummed into life. "Now, I think I owe you a kiss." Her mouth opened under his and Gale clasped her to him, the breath leaving his lungs when he realized that she was nearly naked under the robe. She laced her fingers through his hair and he shivered at the feeling. The microwave beeped and she slowly pulled away, leaning back in to give him several small kisses in parting. "Eat." She opened the door and placed the bowl with a spoon on the counter in front of him. "You're going to need your strength." A Visit to a Fan Ch. 10 Gale used the spoon to slice through the crispy puff pastry crust of the pot pie, his mouth watering at the rich scent of chicken that wafted into his nostrils. He lifted the large spoon and blew on a steaming mound of hand-stripped roasted chicken, wavy-cut carrots, Blue Lake green beans, sweet green peas and white corn, then shoveled the whole mass into his mouth, chewing and swallowing in bliss. He hadn't noticed that she was gone until the bowl was empty and an ice-cold beer was butted against his forearm. "Want more?" "Maybe later. I don't want to fall asleep." Velvet wrapped her arms around his neck with a smile. "Hmm." She raised a finger and he felt her fingertip tracing the line of his mouth. "Afraid that you'll miss something?" His mind reeled back to the story and he remembered the romantic tone and the love that he'd felt. "Yeah," He whispered, sucking the tip of her finger into his mouth. "And I don't want to miss a thing." She responded with a tiny gasp and he pounced on her mouth, shoving his tongue deeply into her soft mouth and was gratified by the whimper that came from her. He loved her honest response, the way her body pressed against his and her tongue stabbed back. There were no phony emotions in her touch and he shivered with that knowledge. She pulled away, flicked the kitchen light off and took his hand, leading him into her bedroom. He watched as she headed for the stereo, made a selection and slowly walked back to where he stood, the romantic strains of 'My Funny Valentine' filling the room. She looped her arms around his next and pulled his mouth down to hers, involving him in a deep kiss as they swayed slightly to the music. Gale felt as if he was floating, dreaming that he was with this beautiful woman who loved him but her teeth nibbling on his bottom lip brought him back to reality. He let his hands drift downward, his mouth sliding along her neck while her perfume intoxicated him. He found the tie to her robe and eased it open, letting his hands roam inside and smiled at the shiver that ran through her at his touch. He took a small step back and pushed the silk robe from her shoulders, taking in the contours of her body. Her shoulders were soft and her breasts hung heavily, the nipples hard and tenting the lace. She shivered again as he cupped them, enjoying their weight and softness, then slid his hands underneath, gently rolling her nipples. "Gale." Her soft whisper made him return to her mouth, kissing her while slowly backing her toward the bed. He lifted the edge of her camisole, pulling it over her head and revealing her lovely breasts, flat stomach and a scar that began under her belly button and disappeared under the elastic rim of her panties. Gale laid her back on the snow-white comforter, pausing to admire the beautiful contrast of her chocolate brown skin against it before lowering himself on top of her, taking her mouth again before moving down to taste her nipples. She half-groaned, half-whimpered, an electrifying sound that made his cock harden even more and he slid back up to kiss her again before moving back down. "No, Gale." She pulled his head up, planting kisses across the bridge of his chin. "This is for you." Her words made his stomach twist into knots and he let her guide him onto his back, gazing into her dark eyes. She straddled him, crawling up the length of his body like a black panther and he was breathless with the thought that he was her prey. She bent down low enough that her lips just grazed his and remained that way while her hands worked on the buttons of his shirt. "Do you know what a dream this is?" She whispered as her warm palms caressed his trembling abdomen and he closed his eyes, letting her words seep into his weary soul. "To have wanted you for so long ... " She sucked his bottom lip into his mouth, letting her tongue move over it for a moment. "And now, to have you right where I want you ... " She slid down, using her lips and tongue to create a wet trail along the side of his neck, pausing to nibble on his Adam's apple and make him laugh. "Velvet ... " "Right where I want you ... like a juicy lollipop ... " He gasped when she bit the flesh just above his pubic hairline, her hands unbuttoning and unzipping his pants. She sat up to yank the jeans off and he suddenly felt embarrassed when he glanced down and saw the huge wet spot on the front of his boxer briefs. She smiled, moving back down and hovering over his straining cock. "A lollipop waiting to be licked." She licked the spot first, then used her teeth to grasp it, tugging his shorts down. He lifted up, nearly holding his breath at her passion and watched as she rubbed his cock against her cheeks, then her mouth. Gale shuddered at the heat of her breath as she avoided licking his cock and instead concentrated on the sensitive skin at the base and his balls. A ball of fire seemed to build in his groin, the flames fanned by her hot tongue. Then slowly, very slowly, she licked his prick from the base to the top and down the other side. "Oh, yeah." He hissed, watching her tongue his dribbling slit and draw a long string of sticky cum from the head. She licked her lips, causing the string to hang from her bottom lip for a moment, then licked again, taking it into her mouth. A tingle of pleasure went straight through him at that sight and she looked up at him, her hot, wet mouth poised above his pole. "Time to see how many licks it takes to get to the center." A Visit to a Fan Ch. 11 Gale closed his eyes. And unexpectedly exploded in the back of her throat. He gasped his way through his release, wanting to instantly apologize but the way she reacted, keeping him deep in her throat as she swallowed and continued sucking until he became too sensitive. "I've haven't blown my load that quick since I was a kid." He panted, shivering as she nuzzled his balls, taking one into her mouth. "Sorry." "There's nothing to be sorry about." She murmured, licking his nut sack. "It's better to get the first one out of the way, don't you think?" Gale laughed and he put his arms around her, drawing her close and giving her a long, warm hug. She lifted her head and he tasted his salty-sweet essence on her tongue, her panty-clad pussy rubbing against his re-awakening cock. "You're going to spoil me for anyone else." "That's a nice thought." She gave him a quick kiss and whispered for him to turn over. He did so and lay absolutely still, wondering what she was going to do next. When he felt the soft item that was running down his leg, he gasped at the sensation, moaning in appreciation when she reached his head and he realized that it was her hair. She swept her soft black hair over his back, tickling his ass and teasing the insides of his legs. His cock tingled, signaling its re-awakening and he shivered as her scented hair brushed against his face. "You smell so good." "Glad you like it." Her breath on his ear made another shiver skate through him. "I hoped you would." Gale felt her move away and groaned long and loud as her tongue basted the inside of his legs from foot to where his buttock connected. "Jesus." "Like that, did you?" She didn't give him a chance to reply, attacking his buttocks, back and legs with her mouth and tongue. He gripped the sheets tightly, moaning and writhing with each touch of her lips to his body. She left no part of him untouched and he was trembling so hard that he felt like a mass of jelly. Her arms curled underneath his middle, bringing him to his knees and he tried to catch his breath, anxious for her next touch. Her hands on his ass cheeks, spreading them apart was his clue. The thrust of her hot tongue against his asshole was quickly followed but her lips gently sucking the skin around the hole made him nearly scream into the pillow. Her flattened tongue swabbed and probed, then snaked into him, pushing and spreading him as wide as she could. Just as she thrust her tongue inside, her hand slid around his waist and found his half-hard cock, giving it a couple of strokes. "Oh, Jesus!" He thought his skin was on fire. Every inch of him tingled as she worked on him, stroking him while her tongue speared his asshole over and over. His cock plumped with blood, pulsing in her soft palm and he groaned, trembling, afraid that he was going to explode again. She had sensed that he was close and pulled back, running her hands over his body to calm him a bit. It didn't work. He reached back and grabbed her arm, pulling her down beside him. "I can't wait any longer." She reached down and yanked her panties off. "Good, because I need to be fucked." Heat suffused his face. He looked down into her dark eyes, moving between her legs. "Oh, yeah?" "Yeah." Her husky reply sent chills up and down his spine and he lowered himself onto her, his cock head butting against her wet pussy. He pushed into her, his groan matching hers as he sank deep, her hips tilting up to meet his. When he opened his eyes, he paused, suddenly super-aware of what he was doing. She was giving herself to him and had only been interested in his pleasure. It was time for that to change. "Tell me how you like it." He whispered, taking her ear lobe between his teeth and biting down gently. "Tell me." "Slow." She gasped as he began to move, slowly pulling all the way out, then pushing back in. "Oh, yeah. Right there." Gale bent down and took her mouth again, loving the way her hands glided over his body, her nails scratching here, her fingers pinching there as she moved with him. It was everything he wanted and everything he needed. A woman loving him for his heart and soul. He put every bit of his emotions into making love to her, losing himself in the passion he saw in her eyes and the love in her fingertips. Her hands slid up to his head and she pulled him down until his nose touched hers, gasping as she teetered on the edge. "Baby, I'm going to cum. Cum with me." A streak of pleasure flashed through him as she exploded beneath him, her pussy muscles gripping him, rippling against his rod and he gave up his resistance, filling her with his cum. Her arms looped around his neck, pulling him completely down on top of her, her legs wrapping around his back in a hug. He slid sideways, taking his weight from her but remained within her arms, enjoying the comfort of being with her. "Velvet?" "Yes?" "Will you heat me up some more pot pie?" A Visit to a Fan Ch. 12 After another plate of pot pie and a glass of wine, Gale felt as if he'd won the lottery. This had all been such a risk. What if she would have been a nut case? What if he'd been wrong about the feelings he'd had when he read her works? He set the plate in the sink and took his glass into the living room, joining her on the couch. It made his heart flutter when she crawled over to him, putting her arms around him and giving him a hug. "What are we watching?" "Oddly enough, Particles of Truth." "Oh, no! Please turn it. I don't want to watch myself." She flipped through the movie channels and settled on I Heart Huckabees, smiling when he laid his head on her lap. She set the remote down, picked up her glass and ran her fingers through his hair, pushing it out of his eyes. "I'm glad you came." "I'm hoping to cum some more." He gave her thigh a playful squeeze and she gave him an answering shove. A goofy grin on his face, he nestled back against her legs, sighing in happiness. "I'm glad, too." When the movie ended, neither party knew it because they were deep in an embrace, kissing each other like love-starved teenagers. Gale had missed being with a woman like this, passionate, spontaneous, all-consuming. There was something about Velvet that was protective like a mother hen and sexy like a cute girl who lived next door all wrapped up into one package. She was Martha Stewart one minute, then Pam Anderson the next. She was perfection. And she was married. He made love to her in the living room and in the den in front of the fire before taking a shower with her and heading back to the big bed. She was so vibrant, so alive, so loving, so giving that he convinced himself not to think about what would happen a few hours from now when he had to leave. She was perfect for him, flawed but unapologetic, intelligent but childlike, beautiful but unknowing. A conundrum that he would be more than happy to spend a lifetime trying to solve. He slept but he awoke early, checking the clock as she lay spooned in his arms. Eight o'clock. Chauncey would arrive in an hour and a half and he would be out of her life. Might not be forever but it would feel like it. "You're supposed to be sleeping." Her drowsy voice brought his eyes down to meet with hers. "What's wrong?" "Nothing." He tucked his chin into the side of her neck, inhaling her scent of sweat and shampoo. "Just thinking about leaving." She reached back and ruffled his hair. "I know. I've been thinking about it, too." "Gonna miss me?" He regretted asking the question when he heard the tears in her voice. "That's a stupid question." "I didn't mean to hurt you." He pulled her closer. "Will you be all right?" "Of course." She sniffled. "I'll just miss you." The last time was the best. Slow, unhurried, explorative. Give and take between two lovers. This time, he learned what made her breathless and took her there several times before joining her on that rare plane. Twice. He coaxed her into taking another shower with him and was ecstatic to find fresh coffee brewing while she fried bacon and eggs for him. "I didn't know how you liked your eggs ... " "Anyway you make them is fine." They ate in silence, then she made a breakfast sandwich for Chauncey, wrapping it in foil. "Go give this to him, will you?" "Sure." When he returned five minutes later, she was waiting, a cup of tea in her hands. He set the vessel aside and pulled her up from the stool, looking down into her eyes. "Time for me to go." He saw her eyes fill with tears but she pulled him down for a kiss, slipping a note in his hand. "Don't read it until you're on the plane." "Velvet ... " "No, Gale. Don't say thanks." She cupped his cheek. "It was my pleasure." He walked down the front walkway, pausing before he slid into the car to look at her once more. She tugged her robe's belt a bit tighter and gave him a shy wave, hiding the fact that she had to wipe her eyes. Chauncey backed out and before long, they were heading to Orlando. "That's a special woman, if you don't mind me saying so." "No, I don't mind." Gale watched the scenery speed by. "You're absolutely right." It was then that he remembered the envelope that she'd slipped to him. Don't read it until you're on the plane. He couldn't wait. He ripped the flap open and pulled the sheaf of paper out, quickly reading the words she'd written. "Chauncey, turn around." "What?" "I said, turn around." "But you'll miss your plane." "Yes, I will. Just turn around." Fifteen minutes later, he was on her doorstep, ringing the bell and anxiously waiting for her to answer the door. She was surprised to find him there. "Gale! What are you ... " He held up the envelope. "Why didn't you tell me?" "You weren't supposed to read that until you got on the plane!" "Answer my question." She took a deep breath. "I didn't want to sway your decision." He opened the letter and read, "Gale. Thank you for a lovely two days but I have a secret to tell you. I am not attached. I've been single for awhile and just made up the story to keep unsavory guys away. I know I should have told you right away ... " His eyes met hers. "You're damned right that you should have told me!" "Gale ... " He grabbed her arms, forcing her to look up at him. "Want to come to with me? Pack a bag. I'll be waiting for you in the car. If you don't want to go, call Chauncey and we'll head to Orlando." Without waiting, he stalked back to the car, happy that Chauncey had the forethought to grab a six-pack of beer and handed a cold one back to him as he settled in the back seat. "Are we waiting?" "I hope so." For twenty long minutes, he sat in the car, swallowing beer past a nervous lump that threatened to grow even larger. Chauncey did not make any small talk but handed a second beer back and admired the scenery. A knock on his door surprised him and he quickly opened it, smiling up at her. "I'm sorry." The driver took her bag and Gale took her hand as she stepped into the vehicle. "I just ... " "Sshh." His lips covered hers, his tongue sliding inside to open hers softly and she moaned, a sound that he hoped to hear every day and night in the future. "I understand. It makes me want you even more." "Why?" "Because you were willing to give me what I wanted without asking anything for yourself." "How do you know that I wouldn't have come along later and asked for something?" "Did you forget that I know your truth?" Gale gazed into her seemingly fathomless eyes, once again hypnotized by them. "That the last time you came, you screamed that you loved me? You can't buy that kind of honesty." He touched her cheek. "That was what I was looking for." Her smile warmed him to his toes. "I can't help it. I'm your biggest fan."