CHAPTER 66
Richie saw Claudia's door open on his way upstairs. She was laying on her back, across the bed
with her feet propped up on the edge as she stared at the ceiling.
"Rough day?" he asked.
Sitting up she tugged a little at her hair and let out a little scream of frustration. "I'm a musician …
an artist … not … not … some … some … UGH!" she couldn't even think of a word to use and
fell back on the bed.
Leaning against the doorframe, Richie wished he could think of something that would make this
easier. "You can be both. You have to be."
"Why? I didn't ask for this?" she said in frustration.
"None of us did. But aside from the losing your head part, it can be pretty cool … you just have to
look at the positive … or you'll drive yourself crazy."
"I'm already crazy." She replied shaking her head. "And I am so tired of feeling like I'm in a
prison. I miss being able to just go out … and not be afraid someone is going to try and make
sure I don't make it home."
"Come on. Get your jacket. We're getting out of here." Richie told her.
"Where are we going?"
"Just get your jacket … " he said on his way downstairs.
Ten minutes later Richie had driven Claudia out of the city and they were winding their way up
toward the cliffs on his motorcycle … pushing it to the limit and then some."
It was exciting and wonderful and scary all at the same time. Claudia had never done anything
remotely like this before. She'd always been so careful … so cautious. But it felt good to be
going 100 miles per hour with the wind rushing past her. She felt so alive as she held on to
Richie in what was almost a death grip.
When they finally reached the top, the sun was about to set and the sky was alight with color as it
met the ocean.
"Would you look at that?" Claudia gasped as she pulled the helmet off her head and walked with
her eyes wide to the edge and drank in the sight. "You know sometimes I wish I'd studied art?"
she said turning briefly to Richie as he walked up behind her.
"I love my music, but when I see something like this" she gestured across the sky. "I want to
capture it and save it … It's too beautiful to just let slip away in a moment, never to be seen in the
same way again. But I had to choose … there just isn't enough time to devote to both and do
either well."
"You have all the time in the world now Claudia …" he reminded her, getting a charge out of how
honestly happy she looked at that moment. Standing there with her hair pulled back wearing a
simple pair of jeans and a black suede jacket, she didn't seem like the spoiled, pampered artiste
that could wear on his last nerve. She was beautiful … and her eyes sparkled with life … and she
seemed to be genuinely enjoy something so simple.
"What?" she asked, and Richie realized he'd been staring.
"Nothing really. But I don't think I've ever seen you look this happy … not when you're playing or
at the gala when you were mobbed by your adoring public … I thought I'd seen it, but not like
this."
She thought a minute about what he was saying. "I used to be happy … but I don't know, lately
it's been like I was just going through the motions. I guess that's why I made such a big deal
about the holidays. I know it was terribly presumptuous of me to ask everyone to do this … but I
wanted to feel what it was like to do something normal, with people who maybe cared a little
about me."
"I'm kind of glad you did. I've never had much of a Christmas … foster homes and orphanages
didn't provide what you would call a 'normal' holiday." He told her. "And as crazy as things are
right now with Devan … it's like I'm a part of a family for the first time, and not just some outsider
they half try to include."
"I was adopted … and they were good to me. But we didn't have much and they didn't really
know what to do with me. So basically they left me to do my own thing." She replied as she
walked a little further up the cliff to sit on one of the big rocks and watch the colors play on the
water. "If it hadn't been for Duncan I don't know what would have happened to me."
"You would have still found a way to pursue your music. You're stubborn that way." He said.
Richie stood behind her, giving her some space until she scooted over and motioned for him to
share the rock.
"Who would have thought?" she said finally.
"Thought what?"
"You and me … being so different, but having so much in common."
"I guess it is pretty funny when you think about it, world renowned concert musician and biker
street punk." He laughed.
"That's not how I see you." She said turning to look at him.
"Oh really? This should be good." He grinned, waiting to hear her definition of how she sees
him.
"You're a good friend Richie. You care about people and yeah you're kind of a tough guy" she
said punching his leather jacket lightly. "but you're no punk. You're too brave and loyal for that.
And I don't think I could have handled what happened yesterday … or what I know I have to do
now if you weren't here." She said honestly. "I was so scared. But what you said right before the
place exploded, it was all I could hear over and over until it was finished. You said I'd be ok …
and I was. You got me through it."
While she was speaking, her face had drifted so close to his. But Richie had made the mistake of
reading too much into his relationship with Beth, and he wasn't going to step into that trap again
… not so soon. Turning his face toward the view, he broke the gaze they'd fallen into.
"I'm sorry … I thought …" Claudia said, turning to look out in the same direction.
"What did you think?" he asked honestly.
"It doesn't matter …" she replied, unaccustomed to verbalizing anything like this. Her world was
her music. She'd never even thought about anything else.
"We should probably be getting back." He said, not sure if she was just playing with him. He'd
seen the way she got around people, and didn't want that.
"I'm sorry, I should have just been happy to have you as my friend." She said, standing up to
follow him.
"I am your friend Claudia." Richie said as they walked back to the motorcycle. "But if there's
something else you want from me, you need to tell me."
"I want you to hold me." She replied softly, looking down at the ground and kicking a rock in the
dirt.
Richie watched her for a second and then took the three steps that stood between them. And
when she didn't look up, he wrapped his arms around her and let her bury her face in his
shoulder.
"I'm not good at this." She admitted against the soft leather of his jacket. "I'm selfish and I'm
stubborn and I'm moody, and I'm not used to caring about anyone but myself."
"You forgot pain in the ass." He laughed against her hair, making her laugh too.
"That's royal pain in the ass to you." She countered, still not looking up.
"I can overlook most of that … I think." He replied. "I care about you Claudia. I enjoy your
company … most of the time … but I'm not in love with you."
"Do you have to be?" Claudia asked, finally looking up into his clear blue eyes.
"No … not if you are ok with the idea of just seeing how this goes …"
"we'll see how it goes …" she repeated dreamily, her eyes moving to his mouth as she lifted her
face closer, grabbing the front of his jacket in her hands.
Richie bent his knees, dipping to capture her mouth as his hands grasped the back of her head,
anchoring her to his lips. Claudia felt herself melt against him as she tightened her fingers in the
soft leather. She'd been kissed before … once or twice, but not like this. His mouth was strong
and warm and when he gently traced the seam of her lips with his tongue, she couldn't help but
open to him.
The wind was cold as it rushed around them, but Claudia could only feel the warmth of his arms
and his mouth as he slid his tongue over her teeth and into the deep recesses of her mouth,
tangling with hers when she timidly moved to taste him back.
Slowly Richie lifted his face, and he couldn't help but smile. Even after the kiss was finished, she
was still lost in it. Her eyes were closed and her mouth slightly parted, and she shook slightly in
his arms … but not from the cold. And when she did open her eyes, she had this look like a child
who had opened their first present. Who would have thought? As well traveled and sophisticated
as Claudia was, she'd never felt this … And it gave him a rush to know it. So much so that he
couldn't help but kiss her one more time before letting her go.
"Let's get you back before you freeze." He said, putting the helmet on her and lowering the visor
before putting on his own and climbing on the front of the bike. When she put her arms around
him, she lightly caressed his chest before securing herself tightly against him.
He took it a little easier on the curves going back, covering her hands with one of his own when
they stopped at red lights or got behind a slow vehicle.
Claudia felt her heart pumping almost out of her chest. It was all new to her and as she leaned
into him, she wondered if the next time he kissed her she would feel as alive as the first on had.
Richie saw Claudia's door open on his way upstairs. She was laying on her back, across the bed
with her feet propped up on the edge as she stared at the ceiling.
"Rough day?" he asked.
Sitting up she tugged a little at her hair and let out a little scream of frustration. "I'm a musician …
an artist … not … not … some … some … UGH!" she couldn't even think of a word to use and
fell back on the bed.
Leaning against the doorframe, Richie wished he could think of something that would make this
easier. "You can be both. You have to be."
"Why? I didn't ask for this?" she said in frustration.
"None of us did. But aside from the losing your head part, it can be pretty cool … you just have to
look at the positive … or you'll drive yourself crazy."
"I'm already crazy." She replied shaking her head. "And I am so tired of feeling like I'm in a
prison. I miss being able to just go out … and not be afraid someone is going to try and make
sure I don't make it home."
"Come on. Get your jacket. We're getting out of here." Richie told her.
"Where are we going?"
"Just get your jacket … " he said on his way downstairs.
Ten minutes later Richie had driven Claudia out of the city and they were winding their way up
toward the cliffs on his motorcycle … pushing it to the limit and then some."
It was exciting and wonderful and scary all at the same time. Claudia had never done anything
remotely like this before. She'd always been so careful … so cautious. But it felt good to be
going 100 miles per hour with the wind rushing past her. She felt so alive as she held on to
Richie in what was almost a death grip.
When they finally reached the top, the sun was about to set and the sky was alight with color as it
met the ocean.
"Would you look at that?" Claudia gasped as she pulled the helmet off her head and walked with
her eyes wide to the edge and drank in the sight. "You know sometimes I wish I'd studied art?"
she said turning briefly to Richie as he walked up behind her.
"I love my music, but when I see something like this" she gestured across the sky. "I want to
capture it and save it … It's too beautiful to just let slip away in a moment, never to be seen in the
same way again. But I had to choose … there just isn't enough time to devote to both and do
either well."
"You have all the time in the world now Claudia …" he reminded her, getting a charge out of how
honestly happy she looked at that moment. Standing there with her hair pulled back wearing a
simple pair of jeans and a black suede jacket, she didn't seem like the spoiled, pampered artiste
that could wear on his last nerve. She was beautiful … and her eyes sparkled with life … and she
seemed to be genuinely enjoy something so simple.
"What?" she asked, and Richie realized he'd been staring.
"Nothing really. But I don't think I've ever seen you look this happy … not when you're playing or
at the gala when you were mobbed by your adoring public … I thought I'd seen it, but not like
this."
She thought a minute about what he was saying. "I used to be happy … but I don't know, lately
it's been like I was just going through the motions. I guess that's why I made such a big deal
about the holidays. I know it was terribly presumptuous of me to ask everyone to do this … but I
wanted to feel what it was like to do something normal, with people who maybe cared a little
about me."
"I'm kind of glad you did. I've never had much of a Christmas … foster homes and orphanages
didn't provide what you would call a 'normal' holiday." He told her. "And as crazy as things are
right now with Devan … it's like I'm a part of a family for the first time, and not just some outsider
they half try to include."
"I was adopted … and they were good to me. But we didn't have much and they didn't really
know what to do with me. So basically they left me to do my own thing." She replied as she
walked a little further up the cliff to sit on one of the big rocks and watch the colors play on the
water. "If it hadn't been for Duncan I don't know what would have happened to me."
"You would have still found a way to pursue your music. You're stubborn that way." He said.
Richie stood behind her, giving her some space until she scooted over and motioned for him to
share the rock.
"Who would have thought?" she said finally.
"Thought what?"
"You and me … being so different, but having so much in common."
"I guess it is pretty funny when you think about it, world renowned concert musician and biker
street punk." He laughed.
"That's not how I see you." She said turning to look at him.
"Oh really? This should be good." He grinned, waiting to hear her definition of how she sees
him.
"You're a good friend Richie. You care about people and yeah you're kind of a tough guy" she
said punching his leather jacket lightly. "but you're no punk. You're too brave and loyal for that.
And I don't think I could have handled what happened yesterday … or what I know I have to do
now if you weren't here." She said honestly. "I was so scared. But what you said right before the
place exploded, it was all I could hear over and over until it was finished. You said I'd be ok …
and I was. You got me through it."
While she was speaking, her face had drifted so close to his. But Richie had made the mistake of
reading too much into his relationship with Beth, and he wasn't going to step into that trap again
… not so soon. Turning his face toward the view, he broke the gaze they'd fallen into.
"I'm sorry … I thought …" Claudia said, turning to look out in the same direction.
"What did you think?" he asked honestly.
"It doesn't matter …" she replied, unaccustomed to verbalizing anything like this. Her world was
her music. She'd never even thought about anything else.
"We should probably be getting back." He said, not sure if she was just playing with him. He'd
seen the way she got around people, and didn't want that.
"I'm sorry, I should have just been happy to have you as my friend." She said, standing up to
follow him.
"I am your friend Claudia." Richie said as they walked back to the motorcycle. "But if there's
something else you want from me, you need to tell me."
"I want you to hold me." She replied softly, looking down at the ground and kicking a rock in the
dirt.
Richie watched her for a second and then took the three steps that stood between them. And
when she didn't look up, he wrapped his arms around her and let her bury her face in his
shoulder.
"I'm not good at this." She admitted against the soft leather of his jacket. "I'm selfish and I'm
stubborn and I'm moody, and I'm not used to caring about anyone but myself."
"You forgot pain in the ass." He laughed against her hair, making her laugh too.
"That's royal pain in the ass to you." She countered, still not looking up.
"I can overlook most of that … I think." He replied. "I care about you Claudia. I enjoy your
company … most of the time … but I'm not in love with you."
"Do you have to be?" Claudia asked, finally looking up into his clear blue eyes.
"No … not if you are ok with the idea of just seeing how this goes …"
"we'll see how it goes …" she repeated dreamily, her eyes moving to his mouth as she lifted her
face closer, grabbing the front of his jacket in her hands.
Richie bent his knees, dipping to capture her mouth as his hands grasped the back of her head,
anchoring her to his lips. Claudia felt herself melt against him as she tightened her fingers in the
soft leather. She'd been kissed before … once or twice, but not like this. His mouth was strong
and warm and when he gently traced the seam of her lips with his tongue, she couldn't help but
open to him.
The wind was cold as it rushed around them, but Claudia could only feel the warmth of his arms
and his mouth as he slid his tongue over her teeth and into the deep recesses of her mouth,
tangling with hers when she timidly moved to taste him back.
Slowly Richie lifted his face, and he couldn't help but smile. Even after the kiss was finished, she
was still lost in it. Her eyes were closed and her mouth slightly parted, and she shook slightly in
his arms … but not from the cold. And when she did open her eyes, she had this look like a child
who had opened their first present. Who would have thought? As well traveled and sophisticated
as Claudia was, she'd never felt this … And it gave him a rush to know it. So much so that he
couldn't help but kiss her one more time before letting her go.
"Let's get you back before you freeze." He said, putting the helmet on her and lowering the visor
before putting on his own and climbing on the front of the bike. When she put her arms around
him, she lightly caressed his chest before securing herself tightly against him.
He took it a little easier on the curves going back, covering her hands with one of his own when
they stopped at red lights or got behind a slow vehicle.
Claudia felt her heart pumping almost out of her chest. It was all new to her and as she leaned
into him, she wondered if the next time he kissed her she would feel as alive as the first on had.