Lady in Red Ch. 19

Steve had received a nomination to the Naval Academy shortly after the president visited him in the hospital. The vice president had nominated him. Then he had received an appointment, pending his physical. His school grades and college entrance test results easily surpassed the required minimums. The Navy wanted to publicize the fact that he was going to the Naval Academy and planned to play football for them. The US Naval Academy wanted to field a competitive football team and the belief was that when other good players heard that Steve would be quarterbacking for them, they would be more anxious to attend the Academy.

The four seniors left classes Thursday afternoon and reported to the gym. There were numerous sports reporters in attendance, as well as Amber Stahl. She smiled and waved to Steve when he stepped onto the small raised platform. Since all four of the seniors had been involved in the terrorist attack in some way, the press was very interested in the announcements. Three of the students had been shot during the attack and Tyler had been present when Steve killed the first terrorist, and then opened the door for Steve that fateful morning.

The sports reporters dwelled on the attack and the heroic actions of the seniors. They asked quite a few questions about that day and then a few about the championship season. Amber waited her turn and then asked the guys what career they would pursue after college and what majors they had selected. Then she asked how they had chosen the schools, or if they simply went to the school that offered the best scholarship.

Steve was surprised at the thought behind the questions and impressed with his friends' responses. Then she asked Steve about the Navy and why he wanted to become a Navy SEAL. He explained that his father and grandfather had been in the Navy, and how his father was actually a Navy SEAL Commander. He was going to play football because he enjoyed the sport, but he was becoming a SEAL because he had spent a lot of time among them and he had always admired and respected them. It had been his dream since childhood.

Finally Amber asked, "Your girlfriend, Gwen Anderson, has a scholarship to Stanford, where she also expects to attend medical school. How do feel your well documented romance will hold up with you two a continent apart for so many years?"

"That's a good question. I hope it holds up very well. I expect it to grow and mature. But ask me again in eight or nine years, okay?" smiled Steve. "She'll be a doctor, you'll be a network anchor, and I'll probably be looking for a way to spend more time with Gwen."

Jordan watched the interview with Gwen and her family that evening. Gwen was smiling broadly as Steve answered Amber's question. Paula and Kate appeared to be quite happy also.

"Eight or nine years? Most marriages don't even last that long. Nobody keeps a boyfriend that long, even a Boy Scout like Steve," predicted Jordan. "When he puts on that uniform, women will be lined up to jump in his bed. The fact that he sings and dances will increase his appeal. Gwen will have a couple dozen lovers in nine years. A beautiful woman like you will have men chasing you all the time. The odds are way against your 'friendship' lasting even a year."

"Oh yeah!" demanded Kate angrily. "How many guys win a football game singlehandedly, just for a date with a special girl? How many guys dive into freezing water and swim into a submerged car to save a couple kids? How many guys kill an armed terrorist with their bare hands and then shoot four more to save hundreds of people? How many guys get bound and beaten with a club, but still force a crash to kill another terrorist? How many would survive the beating, crash, explosion, and four days in a blizzard to come back to his girlfriend? How many guys do you know going to the Naval Academy?

"How many girls would strip and jump into freezing water to save her boyfriend and two little kids? How many girls trust their boyfriends enough to follow his instructions to disconnect four bombs? How many then have the presence of mind to call a doctor immediately after all that shooting and start saving lives by treating bullet wounds? How many girls do you know with hit songs, a clothing line, a TV show, and a full academic scholarship to Stanford? Don't you worry about Gwen and Steve! They'll always be together!"

By the time Kate finished her response, she realized that everyone was looking at her in surprise. She managed a sheepish grin as Gwen smiled and pulled her into a hug.

When the weekend rolled around, Gwen insisted that Jordan accompany them when she and Steve went out. Steve did not appear very happy about it, but admitted to Gwen that he understood that she was trying to help Jordan acclimate to her new surroundings. After a basketball game they stopped as Marsh's Landing with Billy and Charlotte for burgers and fries. Jordan spent a long time looking at the photos hanging on the wall.

Steve and Gwen joined her when they realized that Billy's parents had added numerous new photos. Gwen recognized the picture taken the night that Nick Fallen and Monique Dorn had stopped in. Then there was a photo of Governor O'Leary dining with the Andersons the night of the attack. Gwen was surprised to see a picture of her hugging the President that day. There was another photo of her and Charlotte in their bras, smeared with blood, and asking the Spartan Nation for blood donations. There was a photo apparently drawn from the video of the shootout that day. It featured Steve on his knees, shooting with his left hand as his right arm hung limp and bloody.

Jordan beamed when Billy's dad asked her to pose with the two couples for a picture so that the wall photos would appear in the background. She stood in the center between Billy and Steve with an arm around each, with Gwen and Charlotte on the other side of their respective boyfriends.

Valentine's Day was the following weekend. Jordan, Gwen, and Steve flew to LA on Wednesday. They left right after school and met with Clyde Davis in a rented studio. Steve and Gwen saw the business side of Clyde as he introduced them to the director and staff. Soon they were going over their assignments, given scripts and briefly told about the dance routines they would be doing. They were scheduled to rehearse Thursday and Friday in the studio. Then they were spending Saturday and Sunday at two of the city's larger Macy's promoting the 'Lady in Red' line. Kate and Stephanie were flying in with Diane and Paula Friday evening and leaving Sunday evening. Monday through Wednesday were set aside for actual taping of the TV shows.

Steve was completely healed from his ordeal at the hand of the demented terrorist, but he found his conditioning had suffered greatly over the past month. Between being shot, beaten, ill, and cold, he had done very little exercising. Rehearsals began at six in the morning and lasted until long after the sun had set.

Thursday night found Steve and Gwen alone in Steve's hotel room. "I thought we'd never be alone again!" complained Gwen. "I've been on the pill for a while and we still haven't had sex! I don't know about you, but I'm so ready I can hardly stand it."

"Your dad spoke to me before we left. He asked me if we've had sex yet and I told him that we haven't done anything that would remove you from the virgin ranks. He told me he wanted you to remain in that rare state for a few more weeks," revealed Steve. "He said your mom wants to be sure that the birth control has had time to be effective. He also said he wants us to sleep in our own rooms at the hotel, and not together. He worries about your reputation."

"Why didn't he mention it to me?" demanded Gwen. "I would have straightened him out! It's been long enough and I think it's about time you screwed my brains out."

"I think that you answered your own question," replied Steve. "We're both exhausted anyway. I want to be rested, with lots of time and privacy when we make love the first time. I want you to remember it the rest of your life. I guess you should go back to your room. Ted probably made Jordan promise to call if you didn't return to your room before too long."

"Did Dad say anything about me not giving you a really good blowjob?" asked Gwen as she pulled Steve down for a long slow kiss.

"Now that you mention it, I don't think the subject even came up," admitted Steve as Gwen ended the kiss and dropped to her knees. "You know I'm going to have to repay you for this. I hope the walls are soundproof!"

"You know I could hear you in there," said Jordan when Gwen returned to the room they shared. "You're a screamer, aren't you? Here I thought you were a goody two-shoes virgin, but you're in there having hot monkey sex with the Boy Scout."

"I am a virgin. I don't seem to be able to catch a break there. Dad asked Steve not to screw my brains out while we were here in LA. Being a 'Boy Scout', Steve's going to honor Dad's request."

"What the hell was all the screaming and moaning if he didn't bang you?" demanded Jordan. "It sure sounded like you were having some pretty impressive orgasms."

"If you must know, Steve has other useful organs that he uses to please a girl. He's no one trick pony, although a lot of ponies would be jealous of his penis," laughed Gwen.

"Let me guess, either you did 69 or you took turns doing oral sex. I'd guess you took turns because you can't scream like that around a hard cock. Miss Goody Two-Shoes gives blowjobs? Who's going to believe this?" wondered Jordan.

"Oh, Jordan. I shouldn't have said anything! Please don't tell people about that. It would be embarrassing."

"Don't worry, Gwen. I know how important a girl's reputation is. After all, I have one for being the biggest slut in the country. I guess I earned it. I used to be proud of it until I met you. Everyone admires and respects you. That's way better than being laughed at and the butt of dirty jokes on late night TV."

The next day was even more rigorous. By day's end, both Steve and Gwen were exhausted. Gwen talked Steve into sharing his Jacuzzi. After a long bath, Steve once again found himself dining at the Y, partly to repay Gwen for her efforts on his behalf and partly because he enjoyed the pleasure Gwen derived from his newfound skills.

After finishing their round of pleasuring each other, Gwen put on a robe, kissed Steve, and returned to her room. When she opened the door, Jordan was grinning from ear to ear. Gwen realized that Jordan probably heard her in the throes of an orgasm again and gave her a big smile. Then she saw Kate, Stephanie, Diane and her mother sitting on the small sofa!

Kate and Stephanie were grinning as hard as Jordan. Diane was blushing while Paula was trying to look stern. "Young Lady, Ted gave Steve very explicit instructions about NOT having sex. It's very disappointing to think that Steve would disrespect Ted like that."

"Mom! We didn't have actual sex! Steve won't because Dad told him not to do it. Don't embarrass Steve again by saying anything about hearing us. You could make him so nervous or embarrassed that he might stop... , you know, doing what he does that I like so much."

"Just what does he do, Sis? You need to write it down or something! You look so happy! How many big O's did he give you, anyway?" quizzed Kate.

"We are not going to have that discussion!" interrupted Paula. "We want to hear all about the rehearsals while we eat dinner. See if Steve has enough energy left to dine with us."

"If he's still hungry!" laughed Jordan. "He may not be able to eat any more."

Kate and Stephanie gasped at Jordan's comment while Gwen turned a brilliant red. Paula and Diane both grinned and nodded their heads knowingly.

"It's been my experience that he'll be more than ready for steak and potatoes now," suggested Diane. "The light dining he just did will never hold him till morning."

"Mom! You shouldn't know about that stuff. You're my mom!" groaned Stephanie as the others, including Gwen, broke into loud laughter.

The next day was hectic as the group had to rise early and travel to a large mall east of the city. By eight AM, they were greeting shoppers. Jordan was wearing a one piece suit that seemed to reveal more than most bikinis. Kate and Stephanie were in more modest suits while Gwen started the day in a gown which matched up with the tuxedo Steve wore.

"The guy may be a jerk sometimes, but he sure cleans up good," observed Jordan to Gwen. "Don't tell him I said that, okay? I'm still mad at him for pouring soap down my throat and throwing away my cigarettes."

"I can see that," responded Gwen with a big smile as Steve headed in their direction. "I won't tell him what you said, but you should tell him what you think. He's really a very good guy. You'd get along great if you'd forget those little incidents."

"Gwen, you're stunning this morning!" observed Steve as he ran his eyes over his girlfriend. "Jordan, you look great in that suit. I know Amber's good, but she didn't create that figure. You're really sexy."

"You really mean it?" asked a surprised Jordan. "You really think I look sexy? You're gorgeous in that tuxedo! I mean, ... you look good, too."

Jordan blushed as she realized that she had revealed more than she had intended. Steve had been cruel and overbearing to her and she didn't want him to think she was okay with that. No one could get away with treating her like he did that day.

Gwen was pleasantly surprised at the turnout for the promotion. They were attracting a lot of interest from shoppers of all ages. Many of them seemed to know her name, as well as Steve's, and all about their adventures of the previous few months. Jordan was another draw as many people recognized her and asked for her autograph. Stephanie and Kate were very popular with the teen shoppers.

"I'm staying with Gwen and going to school with her for the rest of the year," responded Jordan to questions about how she wound up modeling for the "Lady in Red" line. "Steve and I will be doing a music video soon, so look for that. Yes, he's a dream, but he only has eyes for Gwen."

Jack Timberline was performing in concert that evening. Gwen was scheduled to do another guest appearance in return for him appearing in their TV show. Gwen left the promotion early with Paula to travel to the arena where Jack was performing. She had to get changed and do a quick rehearsal with him.

By the time the promotion was finished and the last autograph seeker was out the door, Steve and the girls were hungry and tired. They returned to the hotel with Diane and had a nice dinner.

"We're way too late to go to the concert and we didn't get any tickets this time anyway. Who wants to join me in the hot tub in a little while?" asked Steve.

"I'm not sure I can let the girls go down to the hot tub unsupervised," worried Diane. "I know Paula's pretty lenient, but I sure don't want any problems on my watch."

"The invitation includes you Diane," responded Steve. "Join us for a relaxing soak. You'll love it."

Diane acted reluctant, but the girls quickly talked her into going since they feared that she wouldn't allow them to go without her. Steve noticed that Jordan remained silent while Stephanie and Kate convinced Diane to visit the hot tub with them.

"Jordan, you'll go with us, won't you?" asked Steve. "You've had a long day, too. It'll help you relax."

"You want me to go with you?" asked a surprised Jordan. "You're not going to drown me or something, are you? Do they have any soap near that tub? I don't want to swallow any more of that."

"We've been doing pretty well, don't you think?" laughed Steve. "Don't try to smoke or swear and we'll get along great. Come on down with us. You know you'll enjoy it."

Half an hour later, Steve was sitting in the hot tub with Diane, Kate, Stephanie and Jordan. Kate and Stephanie squawked loudly when Diane and Jordan quickly took places next to Steve, but soon calmed down when they promised to switch places with them in a few minutes. On the way back to the room, Steve found he had received a text from Gwen. She and Paula were invited to dinner with Jack Timberline and would not return to the hotel for another hour or so.

When Gwen and Paula returned to the hotel almost two hours later, they found Kate gone from her room. Diane and Stephanie were not in theirs. Checking her room, Gwen found Jordan was among the missing as well.

Steve had given Gwen a key to his room, so she suggested to Paula that they check his room, even though it was almost one AM. Gwen quietly slipped the card key in the slot and pushed the door open. She stopped so short that Paula bumped into her.

Steve was stretched out in the middle of his king size bed, fast asleep. Jordan was tucked under one arm, with Stephanie under the other. Diane was lying behind Stephanie while Kate was asleep next to Jordan. An old movie was playing on the TV and a couple partial bowls of popcorn rested between Steve's legs.

"It isn't easy chaperoning a group of teenage girls when there's a testosterone laden hunk around," grinned Diane. "I had to stay awake to make sure the girls didn't take advantage of Steve while he slept. I can't take any credit for it, but Jordan seems to have forgiven Steve for making her give up smoking and swearing.

"We went to the hot tub for half an hour. Then everyone decided to watch a movie. Of course it had to be in Steve's room since he has the king size bed and he sleeps all alone, right Gwen? We got in our pajamas and then the girls actually worked out a rotation for being next to Steve, and followed it until they started falling asleep. Stephanie and Jordan were the winners there, as you can see. Kate and I wound up on the outside looking in."

"You were taking turns next to Steve, too" asked Paula with an arched eyebrow. "How can you expect the girls to show restraint when you don't?"

"Don't give me that 'look'. I sacrificed myself so the girls would have less time to get in trouble next to Steve. With me taking a turn, they spent more time in the second tier. I even had to speak to Stephanie a couple times about keeping her hands above the covers. She's so brazen with Steve! I hope she isn't like that with boys that'll take advantage of her."

Gwen was silent as she took the scene in. Smiling, she pulled up her phone and took a picture of the group packed tightly on the bed. "Now we have to wake these girls up and get them to their rooms. We sure don't dare leave them here all night. It wouldn't be safe, for Steve!"

Gwen began shaking the girls gently, beginning with Jordan. It took a few shakes before Jordan opened her eyes. She looked at Gwen and slowly realized where she was. She had Steve's arm around her shoulders and draped across her ample bosom.

"Gwen! I'm so sorry! We were watching TV and fell asleep. Steve didn't do anything. His arm wasn't even there when he konked out. I didn't do anything. Diane and the girls were here. They can vouch for me," insisted Jordan.

"You're beginning to succumb to Steve's charms, too? Don't worry about his arm. Maybe now you understand his relationship with Lisa better. He's really starting to like you, although he won't be making love to you. But he may come to love you and that's pretty nice by itself. You can tease and flirt with him, but he's my guy. That's his decision, not mine, although I'm glad he feels that way."

Steve woke up when the girls began crawling off the bed. It took him a few seconds to remember why his bed was so full. Then a big smile broke across his face. "Thanks for watching the movie with me, ladies. Did anyone stay awake to the end?"

The next day, Sunday, saw the group head north to a different mall. Once again they were very well received and were kept busy all day. Steve, Gwen and Jordan managed to sing a couple songs each and the crowd responded enthusiastically.