After finding out that Lexi would not be returning to the tour, David was free to spend his down time with Natalie. Whether it was going to the gym together each morning, drinks at the hotel bar and making love after a concert or sightseeing on days off, he made sure she got the time with him that she deserved.

Slowly she felt the bond between them repair and strengthen. While she kept her end of the agreement as David's uninhibited and creative lover, he returned the favor with romantic gestures and nights of tender love making.

Jon and Richie, however, kept a close eye on the two of them. Both knew what David was capable of and agreed to observe without interference unless things went to hell. Only one such event arose three weeks before the tour ended.

The boys were busy during soundcheck and Natalie had jumped in to help with the stage setup. She bent down to change out a faulty wire for Jon's mic, mindful of the very short skirt she wore.

His eyes slid to her low cut top and he frowned at the large bandage over her left breast. "Everything good?" Jon asked her.

Natalie bit her lip and looked up with a smile. "Should be good now. Other wire was frayed."

"No I mean with--"

"Natalie, I need you over here," David called out from his keyboards. She glanced over her shoulder and nodded, scurrying over to him. Jon glimpsed them from the corner of his eye, both laughing and working closely.

After a quick meal of chicken soup together, the guys parted to shower and ready themselves for the show that night. Halfway through his shower, David yelped as the shower head stopped working.

"I'll see if Richie's done with his," Nat said, trying to hold in her giggle at the sight of David looking like a drowned cat. Luckily, Richie was showered and headed out for a drink from the bar, giving Natalie full use of his dressing room and shower.

Natalie moaned as the hot water cascaded down her shoulders and chest, removing her bandages to check the healing wounds and wash them out as needed. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth and relaxation.

"Hey, Rich? Baby, we got time for...Oh fuck!" Jon swore and started to leave the stall as soon as he saw it wasn't Richie's dark hair, "Nat! I'm...I'm sorry, I thought Richie was still here. I'll..." He stopped in his tracks, unable to stop staring when he saw her body, "What the holy fuck happened to you?!"

Natalie quickly covered her breasts and crossed her legs. Unfortunately she was unable to hide the whip marks across her chest, bruises down her stomach and deep bite marks along her thighs.

"Answer me!" Jon demanded, shaking his head in disbelief, "Did he do this?"

"We've had pretty intense play sessions the last couple nights..." She even had the decency to blush. "Please...It's not something for you to make a big deal over..."

"The fuck?!" Jon swore, "What fucker does that to a woman?!" He pulled his jeans back on and stabbed his arms into the sleeves of his shirt, leaving the buttons undone in his haste.

Jon rushed from Richie's dressing room and stormed down the hall to David's, his fist clenching and he threw the door open without knocking. David looked up from his sheet music, eyebrows raising in surprise. "What happened to knocking?"

"You sonofabitch!" Jon snarled as he slammed the door shut, "What the fuck did you do to her?"

"Jon, calm down. It's nothing she didn't ask for--"

"Don't give me that shit!" Jon backed David up against the closest wall, "There's fun and games and then there's that!"

David's blue eyes narrowed on his best friend. "And how would you know what 'that' is?"

"When I see bandages and bruising," Jon snarled up in David's face, "I know you've gone beyond way too far."

"So you have seen Natalie naked. She's fine sight, isn't she?" David smirked, "How about you mind your own goddamn business for a change?"

"It IS my business when it involves people in my employ, fucker," Jon said, his voice dripped with menace as he poked his finger into David's chest with each word.

"Employ this," and David spit in his best friend's face. Both stood facing each other, flushed with fury. "Your move, asshole."

Jon curled his hands into David's shirt and ripped him away from the wall before hauling his arm back and landing a powerful blow to the blonde's smirking face. David toppled backwards, falling over the back of the small sofa and ending up in a heap on the floor in front of it. Jon stood watching, trying his best to calm down, shaking his bruised knuckles.

"David!" Natalie rushed into the room in just her towel, tossing her small bundle of clothes and dropping to his side. "Jon, what the hell is your problem?" Without thinking, she took off her towel and pressed it to David's bleeding nose and lip.

"THAT is my problem, darlin'!" Jon said pointing to her injuries, "No one gets away with that shit on my watch. You don't deserve that. Fuck! He doesn't deserve you."

"What the fuck is going on in here?" Matt yelled, bursting through the door, "We can hear you both down the fucking hallway!" He stopped and assessed the situation quickly. From a nude Natalie tending to David who was still sitting on the floor and his brother pacing, his face contorted with anger.

"Get that fucker out of my room!" David yelled, wincing at the strain on his ribs and kissed Natalie tenderly.

"Boss? Do I need to deal with anything here?" Matt asked his brother, "C'mon back to your dressing room and you can explain your side." He pushed him toward the door before turning, saying, "Nat, I'd suggest you get dressed. Lema, I'll be back for you."

Natalie threw Jon a dirty look and pawed through her bag for fresh clothes. "I do deserve him," she said quietly, more to herself than anyone else.

"Look at you...Boss Man hiding behind his little brother," David scoffed, trying his best to pull himself to his feet.

Jon, blinded by rage, snapped from Matt's grasp and pushed past him, hurdling over the back of the sofa, landing on David and started laying into his friend again.

"Jon! Stop please! He didn't do anything wrong!" Natalie cried out, quickly dressing to avoid any other eyes on her naked body.

"Boss! Jonny!" Matt yelled, "JON!"

He moving quickly he wrapped and arm around his brother's waist and hauled him off David's prone body, dragging him out of the door as a small crowd had started to gather in the hallway.

Jon shook free of Matt's arm and forced a path through the onlookers, the tour doctor running past him at the sight of blood. Matt caught up with him easily and grabbed him by the back of his shirt so he didn't escape.

Richie came to Jon's room as he was applying ice to his hand, venting to Matt over how David was hurting Natalie, throwing around words like abuse and violence.

All three men jumped as the door swung open violently and Natalie stormed in, safely clad in black leggings and a hoodie. Matt stood up to stop her.

"Move," she demanded. Matt put his hands up and backed away, knowing better than to get in a woman's way. Ten years of marriage to his wife, Laurin, had taught him when to be quiet. Natalie slowly walked over to Jon, looking down at him with distrust.

"Nat, I--"

"Shut up," she snapped. "You had your say, now you'll let me have mine. I don't know who the fuck you think you are, but David and I are doing just fine without you making assumptions."

"I'm not--"

"I said be quiet," Nat growled between clenched teeth. "Whether you believe it or not, he's made a real fucking effort. What part about that don't you understand?"

"The part that causes you to bruise and bleed!" Jon retorted. "Fine! If you two want to conduct yourselves like that, get the fuck out! I'll fire you both! Do it on your own time, not mine!"

Natalie's mouth tightened and she bent down face to face with Jon. "I don't work for you, Bongiovi. I've helped out as a favor. And if you fire David, no other keyboardist is gonna work for an anal-retentive, overly controlling singer who's losing his ability to sing. David's the only one that's put up with your bullshit, saving your ass on stage..."

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Richie yelled, not able to sit quietly any longer. "Natalie! I would suggest you leave and go cool off somewhere. You're out of line at the moment."

"The only one out of line," she said, straightening up and glaring at Richie, "is your boyfriend. Maybe he's the one that needs to be taught control." Richie took her elbow and marched her to the door and firmly placed her outside before slamming the door behind her.

"I want them gone," Jon snarled around the bottle of water Richie handed him.

"Are you sure, Jon?" Richie asked, "It's only three weeks left on the road. Send Nat home, out of David's hands, absolutely, but who would be able to learn everything for only three weeks' work?"

"Who's side you on?" Jon spat.

"Hey...just playing devil's advocate, Jonny," Richie replied.

"He's killing her, Rich. You didn't see what I saw..."

"What do you mean?" Richie asked, "What did you see, baby?"

Matt pushed himself from where he was leaning on Jon's roadcase. "I'm gonna go while you two talk. I'll get David's side of the story and Nat's, then see if she wants to press charges against him if what you've told me is correct." He didn't wait for an answer, knowing his brother was in capable hands, closing the door quietly behind him.

*~*~*

Natalie had been thankful to arrive back in Colts Neck, especially being away from Jon. Downside was that Lexi was back in the picture, but David still tried his hardest to be there for her.

During his work nights in the office, she'd lay in the playroom bed and listen to his piano. David was sweet enough to leave the door open and took a break to curl up with her until she fell asleep.

Tonight, however, her head was pounding to the rhythm of the loud music emanating from the band downstairs. It was David's 49th birthday and Lexi had planned a huge party ... a loud party...a party that was quickly irritating her.

Her certification exam was quickly approaching and she had been on edge all week. If her studying went down the drain, so would her chance of advancing in a field that she loved. She let out a frustrated grunt and threw one of her notebooks at the door.

Did she really think anyone would hear that? Maybe if she just asked David, he could help her out. Natalie pushed herself off the bed and headed down to the party. The spotlights were trained on the band; surprisingly David wasn't playing with them.

She scanned the room and saw him talking to a couple old friends, a glass of wine half empty in his right hand. She crossed the room and smiled as David put an arm around her. He pulled her into their small group and introduced her.

"Bill you've met, Matthew and Eric I don't think you have..." He introduced. Natalie smiled at them then turned to David. He smelled like cologne and red wine, delicious.

"Is there a quiet place I can study in? I really need to concentrate," she said next to his ear. David nodded and excused them from the group. He led her down to his studio. There were instruments and recording equipment, sound and mixing boards, and a couple plush couches. Thankfully it was off limits to most visitors unless David was working.

"Sorry," he apologized, "I wasn't planning on the party being held here. It's soundproof so you can't hear anything." It was true...complete opposite from the chaos upstairs. She couldn't hear anything.

"I really appreciate it. These certs are killing me," she sighed. David gave her a sweet smile in return.

"Mini fridge is stocked too. You can study down here..." He handed her a key. "You can lock it too if needed, so you won't be disturbed. Get cozy down here, I'll go and grab your books."

She nodded, collapsing on one of the couches, and David left for the main part of the house. The studio was beautiful with a fully stocked bar and a large flat screen mounted on the wall. "Quiet at last..."

Natalie eyed the stereo remote sitting on the coffee table. She turned on the stereo and smiled as a demo of David's new musical started playing. It was simply him singing to a piano track, but it was the soulful rocker voice that she adored.

Since he was out of the room she decided to let loose a bit. She jumped up and started dancing around the room. The music was infectious. David quietly entered the room, unknown to Natalie, and set down the plate of snacks, wine and her books on the coffee table.

He smirked and locked the door, sliding up behind her and started dancing with her. Natalie screamed when she saw David and blushed. She tried to slink back to the couch, but David's arms snaked around her waist.

"Seems there is a better party down here," he whispered.

Natalie swallowed. His breath was warm, his arms strong. She allowed him to lead as a slower song came on. "I didn't mean to invade your privacy...it was just too quiet..."

"What do you think?" David asked, nodding towards the stereo as they swayed to the ballad.

"I like it...you're more talented than people give you credit for. More than just a piano player."

"I'm always appreciative of your approval..." David's voice trailed off as he leaned in closer to Natalie. His lips brushed against her, sending a volt of electricity through her spine. His hand cupped her face, his fingers gentle and soft.

Natalie lifted a hand to tangle her fingers through his blond curls. Their tongues danced wet and sweet together. She grinned against his kisses as a more familiar song started, still with David's voice. She pulled back slightly. "Living in Sin?"

"I remember you saying it was one of your favorites," David said with a wink and caressing her cheek with his thumb. Why did he have to be so damn irresistible?

Natalie didn't want the kiss to end, fearing it would be the last she would get from him for a while. She melted into his embrace, her heart and soul in one moment given for eternity to him in the kiss that they shared.

"It seems like forever since I've been able to enjoy you," she whispered.

"I know things have been hectic, just know I haven't forgotten my babygirl." David moved them closer to the couch, sitting and pulling Natalie so that she was straddling his lap. She felt his erection straining against his jeans and rolled her hips against him.

"Show me," she replied. David held her waist and rocked her against his bulge, smirking as she whimpered.

He reached up and hit the light switch, dimming the light to a soft glow. "Much better..." David inhaled deeply, savoring Natalie's scent and growled into her neck. He pressed his lips to the sensitive flesh, moving her hair aside for easier access.

She reached her hands up, her fingers nimbly unbuttoning David's shirt, wanting to feel his skin and see him completely. When the last button was un-done she splayed her fingers out and slid them up his chest, taking his shirt and slipping it over his shoulders.

"May I touch you, Daddy?" She asked shyly and David nodded. Her hand had slipped down his chest and over the flat of his stomach to touch his manhood through his jeans.

Natalie looked at him with a wicked smile, then began to move down to follow the path her hand had made, kissing his warm skin and nibbling here and there. She took a long moment to nuzzle her nose into his chest hair, flicking her tongue over his nipples.

Getting to her knees, Natalie clumsily unzipped David's jeans and tugged at the offending material, setting her lover free. She reached for his cock, leaning down to run her tongue over the tip and along the shaft, giving him the pleasure that his marriage was neglecting.

David moaned as she headed back up the other side to the tip, then parting her lips to take him into her mouth completely, moving back up and sucking gently as she went. David's body visibly shuddered as Natalie's mouth closed over him, becoming harder with each adoring caress with her tongue.

She glanced up into his face as she began her rhythm on him, seeing the passion in his eyes made her moan, knowing that the vibration that it caused would be stimulating to him. He gave her a large and devious smile, letting out a playful laugh as Natalie's hair tickled his chest.

Her lips sending shivers of pleasure down his spine. He licked his lips slowly and closed his eyes only briefly, his hands following a trail down her arms and over her shoulders. Natalie's skin was so soft and he found her irresistible as he watched her.

"Oh god, woman...please...so long...to feel your lips..." He said in between his shallow breath.

David's fingers tangled in Natalie's gorgeous hair, moving it slightly off to the side so he could have the most stunning vision of her. The warmth of her mouth was delicious and perfect, and he wanted more...wanted all of her.

His hand lowered from her neck and down her chest, and he sat up only a little to gently roll one of her perfect nipples between his pointer finger and thumb. His cock had reached full hardness in her mouth, feeling her tongue flicking over the head.

Natalie loved giving David such pleasure. The look in his eyes, his breathing, his words were enough to fill her with happiness and to express the adoration she felt for him. As he sat up slightly, feeling his fingers graze her skin then her nipple, she let out a groan and wiggled under his touch.

She continued her rhythm, the movements on his erection, running her tongue around the shaft as she went up and back down, turning her head from side to side to give him as much pleasure as she could. She slid her hand up his inner thigh, feeling the soft curls at the base then wrapping it around him and gliding along with her mouth.

Natalie watched David's face, his passionate expressions, something only a lover could give to another, continuing her movements over his hardness, her cheeks sucked in as she pleased him, feeling the tip hitting the back of her throat before sucking back up to the head.

Natalie could feel his release coming, his shaft thickening and the look in his eyes as she quickened her pace, twisting her head. David moaned quietly, never having been one to scream or be loud in bed.

His hand retreated to give Natalie complete control, trusting her enough to do so. He watched as she practically devoured his length in each downward stroke, groaning each time and gripping at the plush leather.

As much as he wanted to let his eyes close, he refused and steadied his gaze on her. David watched her lick and tease the shaft from the base. He slid from her lips with a tiny pop, eyes rolling back as she gently suckled each ball and rolled in her wet mouth.

One tight orb then the other, every nerve was set on fire and her hand stroked him mercilessly. His mouth fell open and let out a deep growl, an abandoned animalistic sound.

His breathing became much deeper as he felt his release so close and his body pleading...begging for it. She licked between both balls and around them, following the wet trail back up his cock. He watched her speed up in pace, the suction around the shaft making him melt for her.

"Just like that Natalie, fuck I'm close..." He breathed to her.

When she felt the first pump she sucked back down on him, humming happily and loving his taste. His stomach muscles tightened down to his pulsating cock in Natalie's mouth, unable to hold back his longing to give her his hot passion.

Letting out another groan of Natalie's name, his lower body convulsing in the release. She continued until the last thick rope of his orgasm had been released, then leaned up to kiss his lips.

"I need you, David...Please..." she said with all the passion she felt for him then kissed him once more.

As his body relaxed, he laid down on the couch and pulled Natalie up to him. He smiled deviously and grabbed her hips, sliding her naked along his chest so her legs were settled on either side of his head.

Natalie was pulled up towards David's head, settling her legs on either side, looking down at the man she loved and the wicked grin he was giving her. David chuckled and smiled up at her, his eyes staring up from between her legs, showing her just how evil and devious he really was.

"Allow me to pleasure you, my Princess." His tongue tickled around her clit, his lips loving on the soft and sensitive folds. David's nails scratched lightly at her bum, savoring Natalie like sweet strawberries and whipped cream.

She was soon taken to heaven as his tongue began to stroke the most intimate part of her, one that was his and his alone. She had leaned back slightly on his chest, laying her hands behind her on either side of his hips.

When she felt him circle her clit with his tongue she dug her nails into his skin as the rush of passion ran through her body, her head tilted back and moaning at the intenseness of such an act of love making they were sharing.

Natalie did feel like his Princess, the way he treated her, touched her, kissed her, he treated her like no other as she did him. She leaned her head back to look in his eyes, her own glazed over in passion. How truly magical their lives had become.

"You know how to drive me insane, baby," she said in a passionate moan as he was working to bring her to her own sexual release. David gently rolled her tiny bud between his teeth, bringing his hand between them and sliding two fingers inside her. He loved on her clit as his fingers were buried deep inside her.

David withdrew his fingers and held tightly to Natalie's waist. His hands rocked her hips forward and back, lips and teeth gently sucking and pulling on the sweet button. He listened as she cried in delight, smiling against her. He looked up and moaned against her, the soft vibrations and her taste turning him on.

One hand instinctively sneaks downward, stroking at his now hard length. His tongue slipped out and teased her tight opening, penetrating between the sweet folds and moving around, thrusting inside of her roughly. Natalie's breathing was shallow and quick, her head falling back as her mouth parted slightly to breath.

She breathed out David's name in delight, a little softer each time like a fading mantra. To allow him deeper access, she slid her knees very slightly outward, wanting to feel David inside of her, in any way possible. Natalie looked over her shoulder, the sight of David pleasuring himself making her pussy drool with excitement.

David's lips enveloped her clit, the hand not stroking his cock stroking deep inside her. "Fuck...right there, DB. Don't stop..." His fingers playing staccato against her G-spot. Natalie rocked back and forth, riding Dave's face and fingers with abandon.

Natalie reached and grabbed a fistful of blonde curls. Her body was brought to the heights of ecstasy with David taking her there, his tongue, his mouth, his fingers giving her the pleasure only he could give her. David grinned as she let out a loud moan, her body convulsing as her orgasm shook her.

She shuddered and moaned his name as she climaxed. Her sweet juices ran into his mouth, and he lapped it up like a thirsty, deprived puppy. At the same moment, his cock thickened and creamy cum oozed from him, coating his hand which he brought up to caress Natalie's hot womanhood.

Natalie slowly rolled off to the side of him, moving her head to kiss his lips, slipping her tongue into his mouth, tasting her own essence in his mouth, it was such a turn on to her, to love and be loved this way. When the kiss ended she draped her body over his, tucking her head in the crook of his neck. "Happy Birthday, Mr. Bryan."