Winter in ChiTown

Chapter 7


Once home, Charley tossed her keys on the counter and glanced at the answering machine which caught her attention with its blinking numbers. She tapped the play button.

"Charley, its Ben." Charley blinked in surprise. "I have two tickets to the Chicago Christmas charity ball and want you to be my plus one. I've called a few times now and haven't heard from you. I know it's been a few weeks since we went out but I know we could be great together if you would put in some actual effort." Charley scowled and punched the delete key with a huff of irritation.

The last time she had talked with Ben, he had all but chewed her out about cancelling yet another date before hanging up on her. And now he was berating her for not being interested in him?

There were two more messages, one a hang up and the third was from Ben again, " I didn't heard from you again so I drove by your place. "

Was he insane?

"You didn't give me much of a chance, did you?" There was malice in his voice she hadn't heard before.

She didn't have time to think to over before the phone rang again. Charley gave an exasperated sigh and answered the phone while she propped open the door to make room for the tree.

"Hello?" Charley said into the receiver.

"So, you decided to answer your phone. Should I be honored?" Ben's voiced dripped with sarcasm.

When she didn't reply he continued, "So about that party, should I pick you up around 7?"

"Listen, Ben, thanks from thinking of me but I need to tell you that I am...involved with someone else."

"You met someone already? Didn't waste any time, did you?"

She missed the easy, friendly tone she had been accustomed to.

"We have been close for years." she told him.

"And yet you dated me?"

"Ok, I'm done with this. Sorry if I hurt your feelings or whatever but please, don't call here anymore." Charley didn't give him a chance to reply by hanging up the phone.

"What a jerk." she mumbled and tossed the phone onto the couch.

"Who's a jerk?" Vinnie asked.

"Nobody, don't worry about it," She wasn't about to let Vinnie know that Ben was giving her a hard time.

After the guys somehow managed to get the tree in the door, with minimal breakage of limbs and lose of needles, Modo propped the tree up in the corner. The foursome quietly observed the behemoth of a tree until Vinnie spoke,

"Sure does look bigger inside, don't it?'

The three turned to look at the white mouse with ya think? expressions.

"We have to chop off at least two or three feet before we get it in the stand or tits not going to fit." Throttle said.

"I'm gonna let you guys figure this one out." Charley remarked and instead, went upstairs to change into a black tank top and red pajama pants. While she was changing she heard the phone ring and made a dash for but heard Vinnie pick up before she was able to snatch it up.

Charley waited then exhaled with relief when she heard Vinnie say, "They hung up, probably wrong number. "

Coming back down, she stopped in the kitchen and poured herself a glass of cheap box wine and grabbed a few beers from the fridge. The long neck bottles clinked together when she sat them on the table. She sat back into the plush couch and tucked her feet up under her. Vinnie and Throttle were debating on the best way to cut away the excess tree.

"We have a saw in the garage," Throttle said.

"Don't bother. Throttle! I got it covered," Vinnie replied, proceeding to strike one of his flares and started to burn through the trunk when the bottom of the tree started to smoke then catch on fire.

"You don't use fire to burn through wood you dumbass!" Throttle yelled.

"Well it worked, didn't it?" Vinnie shouted and kicked the smoking trunk. The extra section broke off and Vinnie stomped out the flames. Luckily the ashes only made a small stain on the floor.

Charley closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. "Next time use the damn saw! If you boys can't be merry and festive without making a huge mess, I am going to cancel Christmas."

Vinnie chuckled and shook his head. "What a grinch."

"Nuh-uh- this was all Vinnie." Modo said. He grabbed his beer and walked over to the stereo. "We need some tunes to decorate to."

"There should be a few of my Cds over there.," Charley said.

"No offence sweetheart but your taste in music sucks," Vinnie said as he crawled under the tree and helped Throttle guide the blackened trunk into the stand.

"Yeah? Well, looks like my taste in men isn't any better," Charley remarked.

"Ha!" Modo chuckled while browsing the collection of holiday cds.

"I like the Beatles," Throttle said in Charley's defense.

"Ok, well...the Beatles are different. Who doesn't like the Beatles?"

"I'm so glad you approve. "Charley said, dryly. Then added to Modo, "Look for the "Then to you' album. It's the Beatles Christmas record."

Soon the classic four part harmony drifted from the speakers. Once the tree was firmly in the stand Vinnie moved back to inspect his handiwork. He took a swig of his beer.

"Looking good. Ok, now we can take this netting off." Vinnie grabbed the scissors and began cutting the netting away from the tree.

Throttle and Modo glanced at each other and cautiously backed away.

Vinnie had just neared the top when the branches burst out from the containing netting and the long branches fluffed out, swallowing Vinnie up and knocking him into the wall. The three howled with laughter and the whole tree shook as Vinnie tried his best to escape. He finally crawled out from under the evergreen and stood; glaring at his friends who were only laughing harder now at the sight of him covered head to tail with pine needles.

Charley covered her mouth with her hand and tried her best to stifle the giggles when she got up and helped him brush off. "Well you said you didn't want a sparse tree."

Vinnie simply huffed and helped Charley begin snaking the strings of colored lights around the tree. Modo helped when they neared the top. Once the final string was tucked in-between the branches, Charley handed the star to Modo who carefully sat it on the highest point.

Throttle tilted his head, regarding the tree from his recliner where he was absently peeling the label from his Yeager bottle. "You did good, Vincent."

"I don't know why you guys ever doubt me." Vinnie stated, simply.

Modo rolled his eye and handed the extension cord to Charley who was the only one small enough to squeeze behind the entertainment center to the outlet. The tree burst into a rainbow of colors when the lights sprang to life.

"Awesome," Vinnie mused and draped an arm over Charley shoulders once she reappeared. "Now will you admit it? Best tree ever, right?"

"Yeah, I guess so. But lets face it, you were due to finally be right about something." Charley chuckled at her own smartass comment and turned around to start hanging Christmas balls when she spotted the white blue out the corner of her eye. Vinnie tackled her, luckily having enough sense to cradle her head when they hit the floor. He moved to support himself on his forearms, taking some of the weight of his body off her chest. Charley pushed against him but he wouldn't budge.

He tickled her neck when he spoke into her ear, "You almost hurt my feelings. You need to say you're sorry or I'm not moving. "

"That's fine. I'm pretty comfy."

Vinnie leaned his head down again, his voice soft and sweet, "Well if you're not going to apologize then…" his voice trailed off before he let out a huge belch right next to her ear.

"Vinnie! That's so gross!" Charley struggled but could not squirm out from under him.

Vinnie was laughing so hard he almost had tears. "Say you're sorry and I let you go."

"No way. Now get off before I hurt you."

"You? Hurt Me? That's funny babe. Now about that apology"

Charley cut him off with a stiff left hook that sent him flying. Well, maybe not flying but enough for her to scramble to her feet.

Throttle and Modo howled with laughter and even Vinnie had to grin. He sat up, rubbing his jaw.

"This is why I think this relationship they got going will work; Vinnie needs someone to keep him in line." Modo said with a laugh.

Charley looked down at Vinnie and offered her hand with a grin. "I warned you, didn't I?"

Vinnie took her hand and stood. "Kiss me and I won't retaliate."

"Ok but only cause I want to, not because I'm afraid of you Van Wham." Charley replied and pulled him down for a deep kiss.

While they hung the ornaments on the tree Charley saw Throttle watching her interaction with Vinnie and noticed for the first time in awhile, Throttles expression was quiet and lonely. This caused her to frown and set the balls down to regard her friends.

"Would you guys mind if Christmas came a little early this year?"

This peaked the guts interest.

"What do you mean, Charley?" Modo asked.

"Presents?" Asked Vinnie, excited.

Charley didn't answer but instead motioned the guys to follow her out into the garage. Charley led them to a small work table and reaching out, pulled a rag off a small electronic device. "Ta Da!" she exclaimed with a smile.

"Is this Stokers old video comlink?' Modo asked.

"Yup. It took me longer than expected to repair it. Martian technology is a bit confusing but I finally got the wiring worked out."

Charley reached over and turned the device on. "I figured it would be easier being so far from home if you had a way to see and talk to everyone back on Mars."

"Wow. This is great, Charley." Modo said and wrapped her in a hug.

"And it works?" Throttle asked.

Charley nodded. "It should. I was able to talk to Stoke a few nights ago. The picture was kinda fuzzy but I was able to clean it up."

Charley looked at Throttle and pulled out the chair. "Try it out."

Throttle was quick to drop into the chair and reaching out, he sent out a signal to the Freedom Fighters home base.

"Let me know if there are any problems." Charley called to Throttle and ushered Modo and Vinnie back inside.

"I will Charley, Thanks."

Once inside, she, Modo, and Vinnie finished hanging the ornaments on and stepped back to inspect their work.

"Pretty awesome." Vinnie said and Modo and Charley had to agree.

Charley looked over her shoulder and saw Throttle coming back inside. "Perfect. I'll get everyone a refill in their drinks and cut the lights. I bet it's even better in the dark." She hummed along with the sweet music while she walked towards the kitchen and one happy looking tan mouse. She couldn't help but smile at his uplifted spirits. "Did it work?"

Throttle didn't immediately reply but instead reached out and pulled her into a dancing frame, swaying with the soothing holiday music.

"I'll take that as a yes. You didn't talk to a certain fiery general did you?" Charley asked with a laugh before he twirled her towards the kitchen and let go of her hand.

"Sure did. And the com worked fine. Thanks Charley-girl. I needed that."

"My pleasure." Charley called back from the fridge.

Throttle plopped back down in his chair and pulled up the footrest. "Your turn, buddy." He told Modo. "Rimfire wants to talk with ya."

Modo grinned and headed out to the garage, eager to speak with his "little" nephew.

Charley handed Throttle and Vinnie a chilled body and flipped off the lights. Vinnie pulled her down onto his lap from where he lay on the couch. Charley grabbed a blanket and rested her head back on Vinnies shoulder. The tree lights cast colorful shadows across the room. Eventually Modo joined them and the three soldiers and the petite mechanic settled into the sedate quiet for mere minutes before the ring of the phone rudely disturbing the silence.

Throttle, who was closest to the phone, answered on the second ring. "Hello?" The person did not answer right away.

Charley held her breath.

"Who is this?" The man asked.

Throttle did not appreciate his tone. "Who is this?" Throttle countered.

Ben did not miss that this was a different male voice than answered Charleys phone earlier. "Two different guys answering her phone on the same night? Classy. I know she's there, put Charley on the phone. "

Throttle gritted his teeth. "I really don't think she wants to talk with you. Call this number again and we're going to have a problem." Throttle hung up abruptly and sent Charley a look.

"What was that about?" Vinnie asked. Charley felt the tension that filled his body.

She bit her bottom lip under Throttles questioning stare. Charley reached out for the phone and checked the number.

"Ben," she said with a sigh and set the phone on the coffee table.

"What the hell did he want?" Vinnie asked.

Charley sat up to look at Vinnie and placed a hand on his chest, then tossed a glance to Modo who looked at her with questioning concern.

"I don't know what he wants, exactly. I haven't seen or heard from him in a few weeks until recently so I don't know what has him calling again."

"I can tell you what he wants, sweetheart." Vinnie almost growled.

"He didn't sound very friendly." Throttle said.

"Maybe we should pay him a visit?" Modo suggested and cracked his knuckles. "Ask him his intentions?"

"No. Please, he's not worth the trouble. I don't know where this attitude is coming from but I'm not concerned about it." Charley squeezed Vinnies hand. "I'll ignore him and hopefully get the point." she continued again quickly before Vinnie could respond. "And if he doesn't, then we'll deal with it then."

The three mice did not look convinced but dropped the subject, for now.

A little while later, Modo and Throttle stood and stretched. Charley appeared to be asleep so Throttle kept his voice down when he spoke to Vinnie. "We're heading home."

"I'll catch up with you guys later." He flashed a grin and a wink. "Probably tomorrow, if you know what I mean."

Modo groaned and shook his head and Throttle rolled his eyes behind his shades. "Later Vin."

"See ya bros."

Vinnie looked down at the young beauty pressed against him and couldn't resist kissing her forehead. He was surprised when Charley, who apparently was not asleep, turned around and pressed a kiss to his lips. Vinnie parted his lips when Charley ran her tongue over his buck teeth and deepened the kiss. Vinnie shifted under her to lay flat on his back when Charley turned over to straddle his lap.

"Mmm…thought you were asleep," Vinnie mumbled against her lips.

Charley pulled back and grinned. "I can go back to sleep if you'd rather-"

Vinnies insistent lips claimed hers before she could finish.

His hands roamed over her back and under the tank top. She shivered under his touch and shifted closer, sitting fully in his lap, extracting a low moan from her mouse. She loved that sound, and hoped to hear it again and again. She rolled her hips, pressing against the growing bulge in his pants and was rewarded with another groan.

The way Vinnies breath turned harsh enchanted her. Especially in this position, her body pinning his to the couch, she felt a shudder of feminine power she hadn't felt in ages. It was empowering and wonderful, every part of her coming alive.

His soft hands splayed across her thighs, sliding up to settle on the swell of her hips. Vinnie wrapped a hand behind her neck and pulled her down for another fiery kiss.

Vinnie held her tight against him but she soon pulled back and rubbed her collarbone. "These need to come off." Charley said and unbuckled his bandoleers. Vinnie sat up, shrugged them off, and dropped them on the floor. Charley slid her hands up his chest to grasp his shoulders, pressing herself against him again.

Vinnie marveled at the feeling of her smooth, furless skin, his hands drifting up her sides to cover her breasts, gently massaging them with his strong hands.

Charley moaned against his lips and her fingers ran slowly over his chiseled abs. The hungry kiss continued for some time, Charley throwing gas on the fire with the slow rolling of her hips.

Vinnie moved thumbs up under the bra straps and tugged them down her arms. Then reaching behind her, undid the bra with one deft move, the garment tossed on the collection of clothing on the floor.

"Love this… your skin," Vinnie whispered, dotting kisses along her collarbone. "So smooth and soft… You're a perfect ten, doll. Perfect."

Vinnie added his fingerless gloves, wanting no barrier between his touch and Charley's incredible body. Vinnie sat up and ran his hands up her back and drew her lovely neck closer to his lips. Charley looked like she wanted to say something but a whimper was all she could muster.

Charleys head tilted back and her eyes drifted shut when he began to trail kisses along her jaw bone and down her neck. She gasped when his kisses finally claimed a hard nipple. He toyed with her, showing equal attention to both breasts, his hands rubbing circles into her thighs.

Charley trembled under Vinnie's attentions. "Vinnie…" She said breathlessly. Her soft hands wandered over his body again and she shifted back slightly to get her hand down between them. He groaned against her chest when she traced the outline of his bulge. She drew his lips back to hers as she unbuckled and unzipped his pants. Pulling him free, she wrapped her hand around him and brought her thumb up the underside of his length, a move that almost made his eyes roll back into his head. She leaned into him and caught his eye. A naughty smile crossed over her lips and her voice was low.

"I have an early Christmas present to you too, handsome."

He ran his hands down to cup her ass, giving them a hard squeeze. "That sounds very promising, babe." he nipped at her neck and grinned against her at the sounds of her laugh. Charley slid back until she was settled on the floor at his feet. She tugged off his boots then removed his and her remaining clothing. Vinnies head rolled back the moment she took him into her hand again. She gave a few slow pumps before taking him into her hot mouth. Vinnie was overcome with the sensation of her warm, wet mouth and suction that enveloped him. His fingers curled into the blanket and his hips moved up to meet her.

A whimper hissed through his teeth.

"Holy …I….Charley...never…had….you gottaaaahhh….!" His eyes squeezed shut and Vinnie tried his best to keep some control. The thought alone that this was actually happening was, in itself, almost too much.

The fact that is was Charley who with him. Charley, the woman that had invaded every thought and dream.

Charley chuckled around him, glad he was enjoying himself.

She played, she nibbled, she bathed him with her tongue.

Vinnie threaded his fingers through Charleys hair, massaging her scalp lovingly as he sputtered her praises.

"Gods, so warm….gahh…you…..y-you're amazing…"Vinnies eyes closed again and groaned when she took him further into her mouth, her hand at his base squeezing in time with her mouths efforts. "So good, so goooood."

Charley giggled around him again and his entire body shuddered at the vibrations. She took him in further, her throat muscles tightening around him when she suppressed her gag reflex. The way his body tightened and the helpless whimpers rushing through him were worth any discomfort.

"Charley….sweetheaaaooohhhh…you gotta…" Vinnie stopped and panted, his hands falling to her shoulders. "Stop or this is gonna end way too quick." he sucked in a quick breath.

Charley moved back up to sit on his lap, her knees resting on either side of his thighs. "New experience for ya Vin?"

His reply was punctuated with kisses along her throat. "You. Are. Incredible." Vinnie moaned against her neck, his hands running over her thighs. "Oh yeah- our teeth would get in the way. "

One hand slid across the smooth skin of her thigh and coaxed a harsh cry from Charley when he slid the side of his palm against her slick flesh. He grinned and dropped soft kisses down the side of her neck as he massaged her intimately.

Charley shuddered and clamped her hands down on his shoulders, her body shuddering hard at his ministrations.

Charley was breathing harshly when she drew his face up to kiss him. She reached down between them again then raised up to press him against her opening. "Now you'll understand when I say that I have some high expectations," Charley said breathlessly. She was attempting to sound more in control. "You speak very highly of yourself."

"Wait…should we…," he panted against her, struggling to hold on to a coherent thought.

"Protection. On it."

"Will it… is that enough?"

Charley shrugged against him, her body throbbing with need. "Has been before. I know we're…different but.."

Vinnie nodded, his fingers sliding up to caress the sensitive under swell of her breasts. "You're ok?"

Charley nodded and looped her arms around his neck. "But if you're not up for it…"

Vinnie growled low in his throat and tilted his hips up to push a few inches inside her warm body. "I'm up for anything, baby." And with that he gripped her hips again and pulled her roughly down onto his erection, banishing the teasing look from her face. Both gasped and clung to the other.

A sharp cry burst past her lips and Charley gasped harshly. She tossed her head back, her hands pressed against his chest. Her entire body trembled, feeling coursing through every part of her. They had barely moved and already, she was all but overwhelmed.

Vinnie panted under her. "Charley….sweetheart, did I…did I hurt you? I…"

Charley blinked and shook her head erratically, dipping to trail kisses across his jaw. "No…you feel….oh god."

Vinnie nodded and kissed her, his hands kneading her thighs.

"Gods, I've wanted this for so long. Wanted you…" he said.

"You got me." Charley replied breathlessly. Her lips met his again and soon his hands moved to her hips, helping her lift off his lap just to moan into her mouth when her body fell again, welcoming him back in her warmth.

Charley moved over him in long languid strokes, developing a natural rhythm. Vinnie looked up into Charley's beautiful face, the soft glow of the tree lights highlighting the silky tresses that fell down her bare back and over his hands. I can't believe this is finally happening. Her hands gripped his shoulders and she bit down on her bottom lip, not even trying to stifle her moans of pleasure.

"God…Vinnie!" she rested her forehead against his before sweeping him into another deep kiss.

The pace and intensity quickened. "Mmm…you feel so good…" Vinnie mumbled against her lips. "Are you ok?"

She nodded hurriedly in agreement. "Yes…good…goood…"

Time stopped and the world around them ceased to exist. For a time there was only them. His strong body surging into her; she clinging to him with desperation.

Charley wrapped her arms around his neck as her whole body shuttered when he moved a hand down to rub hard circles over her sensitive bundle of nerves. The action had Charleys body arching against him, her head throw back and Vinnie took the opportunity to run his tongue over the soft skin of her neck.

The house was dark and quiet around them, the only sounds heard were their shared whimpers and moans, and the illicit sounds of their bodies warring each other.

Vinnie ran his hands down her back again to cup her ass, guiding her up and down his length. Charley trembled in his lap and clenched those hidden muscles, encouraging a long moan to rumble past his lips.

The intensity of his gaze was intoxicating. Never in her life had anyone ever looked at her like that. Like she was Aphrodite herself, fallen from Heaven and into his lap.

She knew just by the way his muscles tightened around her that he wasn't going to last. Not with her squeezing him so sweetly, welcoming him over and over again into her tight depths. She felt him trembling, ready to tumble over that edge but unwilling to reach that pinnacle without her.

When this fingers between them resumed their rough caresses, it was over. That was all it took. Another rough kiss and suddenly Charley was coming hard. She yelled out his name and her mouth dropped open in a silent scream as she was pushed over the edge and tumbled into ecstasy. Pleasure rocked through her being, every nerve she had overcome with pleasure. Her body tightened impossibly around him, and she cried out again when she felt him shudder and explode within her. She dropped her forehead to his shoulder and moaned in encouragement.

They kept the steady rhythm, gradually slowing the tempo and clung together as they rode out the waves of pure ecstasy together. Finally they sat intertwined and gasping for air. Charley's head rested on his shoulder and she tried to slow her erratic breathing. Vinnie ran his finger times up and down her spine and pressed a kiss into her hair. Charley eventually sat up and they shared a slow, lazy kiss before meeting his gaze.

With a content, sleepy smile she said, "Wow."

"I think wow is a serious understatement, doll." he wore the same satisfied expression.

Mmhmm." Charley replied and slowly got up, her legs a bit unsteady. She reached out her hands and drew him up off the couch. "Bedroom?" she suggested.

Vinnie nodded and followed his biker beauty. "Hope you're not tired yet, babe. I've been wanting to taste every inch of that amazing body of yours." He tugged her close and buried his face in her hair.

Charley smiled. "Then lets- " They had just mounted the stairs when the phone interrupted her. Charley was quick to grab the receiver and glancing at the caller id, she yanked the cord out of the wall.

"Mr. cant take a friggin' hint?" he asked with anger in his voice.

"Forget about it." she ran her hands over his chest. "Please?"

Vinnie reluctantly huffed, "Fine, but we're talking about this tomorrow." Then allowed Charley to lead him up and into the bedroom.