Lady in Red Ch. 26

Steve, Gwen, and Jordan were in great demand when the dancing began. They never missed a dance, and even had to ration their time spent with any one person. The professionals of Sparta celebrated their gifted students and their impressive accomplishments.

Steve caught sight of Mort Governs a couple times, but the auto dealer managed to avoid Steve throughput the evening. Steve noticed that he was drinking steadily and decided to keep an even closer eye on him. It was while he was dancing with Tyler Smith's mother that he noticed Mort head toward the hall that led to the restrooms, right behind Gwen! Steve politely, but hurriedly, apologized to Mrs. Smith and started across the dance floor to make certain that Governs did not upset Gwen.

Mort moved quickly once he was in the hallway and grabbed Gwen's arm and swung her around. Having no idea he was behind her, Gwen was taken completely by surprise.

"So it turns out that you are a slut, just like I thought. You acted all uppity and prissy when I squeezed your big tits, but you really liked it, didn't you?" slurred Governs. "What say we slip out the back and fuck?"

Gwen was horrified. She instinctively swung her hand at Governs' face, but he anticipated the move and caught her arm with surprising ease. "You cock sucking whore! You'll sing a different tune when my cock's buried in your cunt."

Suddenly, Governs was spun around and a fist connected with his chin. He staggered back. He had to release Gwen as he placed his hands against the wall to steady himself.

"Dad!" exclaimed Gwen as she rushed to her father and buried her head in his chest. Governs had regained his senses and was starting toward Ted when he saw Steve Hammer turn the corner of the hall. He suddenly decided it would be a good time to leave the building. He turned and went out the emergency exit at the end of the hall.

Steve took in the scene in the hall and immediately made his decision. Governs had ducked out the nearest exit, but the parking lot was around the building from the exit he took. Steve turned and hurried back across the dance floor and out the front door. He was determined to run down Governs and slap some manners on him.

Paula had been dancing with one of the hospital administrators when she noticed Governs follow Gwen down the hall to the bathroom. She turned to see if Steve had noticed. He was already headed across the dance floor, but Ted was nowhere to be seen. Paula quickly apologized to her dance partner as she made an attempt to catch up with Steve. Before she made it to the hallway, Steve had turned and hurried back toward the front door. A quick glance down the hallway, revealed Ted with Gwen, but no Governs in sight. Then Paula noticed the emergency door at the end of the hall slowly closing.

Steve was waiting for Governs when he scurried across the parking lot toward his shiny new truck. Just as he prepared to step out of the shadows and intercept him, Paula suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Steve! Please don't! You'd be risking your appointment and possibly ruining your future. He's not worth it!"

"But Gwen is," replied Steve as he gently began moving Paula to the side. "He's won't bother her again when I'm done with him."

Paula reached up and took Steve's face between her hands. 'Steve, if you love Gwen, you'll let him go. I'm begging you. Have I ever asked you for anything? I am now. You said you love our family, and love me. Prove it to me right now! Leave that bastard alone and come back with me, please."

Steve hesitated. Instinctively, he obeyed parental authority. His anger at Governs was a tangible force in his gut, but Paula was clutching him, pleading with him to think before he acted on his emotions. Paula felt Steve relax slightly and she immediately hugged him in relief.

"Paula, you're right. It's a good thing you stopped me from doing something really stupid. I was going to break his arms, at the very least. I'd be spending the night in jail and probably lose my appointment to the academy," admitted Steve as he hugged Paula.

Paula gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and took his hand to lead him back inside the building. It was immediately obvious that everyone inside knew something had taken place. The couples had all stopped dancing and were facing the door as Paula led Steve inside. Paula smiled, indicating that trouble had been averted. She saw relief on many faces as various people smiled back.

Steve's face was still dark as he thought about Governs and the way he had treated Gwen. Paula had managed to convince him to leave Governs alone, but he was still struggling to let his anger dissipate. Paula clung to his hand to be certain he didn't suddenly bolt for the door to catch Governs before he drove away.

When Ted and Gwen emerged from the hallway, Gwen felt the tension in the room. Looking at Steve's dark countenance, she had no doubt that Steve was aware of her brush with Governs. Taking that thought a step farther; she knew Steve would hunt Governs down for his actions. Did he already catch Governs and fight with him? Was he going to be in trouble with the law?

Gwen moved across the floor, watching Steve's face as she walked. Then she realized that Paula was holding Steve's hand. Without knowing exactly why, Gwen felt relief.

The entire room watched as Gwen stepped close to Steve and ran her fingers along his chin as she whispered to him. Steve slowly lost his grim demeanor, and finally smiled. Then he gathered Gwen to his chest and smiled again. By this time Ted had reached his side. The two men shook hands and nodded to each other. Gwen hugged her mother and then led Steve onto the dance floor as a new song began.

Tyler's mother hurried across the floor and congratulated Paula. "That was fast thinking. When Steve headed for the door, I was certain he was going to hurt that jackass, and I couldn't blame him if he did. I take it that you caught him before he cornered Governs and rearranged his face.

"Did you see how Gwen was able to push away his anger and make him smile? Your girl has a grip on that young man's heart. You must have some influence yourself, Paula. He really seems to love and respect your family. That's to your credit, as well as his. You must be very proud of those two."

"How much did you see and hear?" asked Gwen as she and Steve danced very close.

"I saw him follow you around the corner when you went to the restroom. I hurried over there, but your father was holding you when I got there. Governs looked at me and then fled out the exit. I knew he must have done something, so I hurried out front to intercept him going to his truck. I would have had him, but your mom caught me before I could do anything stupid. She talked me out of it. Your mom's a special lady. I'll have to thank her for saving me from a lot of trouble."

"Governs grabbed my arm, spun me around, and called me a slut and a whore. Dad came out of the bathroom just as he started bothering me. Dad slugged him! I hope he doesn't get in trouble for it, but Governs assaulted me first. He was just protecting his daughter from a drunken assault. I'm so proud of Dad, and Mom!"

During the ride home, Steve voiced his appreciation to Gwen's parents. "You both came through for me tonight. I was caught flatfooted when I should have been keeping a closer eye on Governs. Then Paula kept me from doing something really stupid. I can't thank you enough."

"You've got to be kidding. You've saved our daughters' lives. You've helped Gwen grow into the amazing woman she is today. You've given us so much. We're in your debt," insisted Paula. "Besides, Ted's been taking care of the girls for a long time and he won't stop just because they have some big, tough boyfriends. He's their father and they'll always be his girls. We're family and we take care of our own." Early Friday evening, Jordan, Gwen, and Steve were preparing to leave for the state capital and another recording session. Jordan would be staying with Charlie while Steve and Gwen rented a hotel room. Jordan and Gwen explained the logic of the overnight stay to Paula, Diane, Stephanie, and Kate as they sat in the kitchen waiting for Steve to arrive.

"This way we won't be tired out from the long drive tomorrow. We can start earlier and work Sunday if Clyde needs us. It's only two nights and it'll save us a lot of time," explained Gwen.

"I'm sure it would. It'll also give you girls two romantic evenings with your boyfriends. You're not fooling anyone here," insisted Paula. "Will you be home in time for my Sunday dinner? You know how much Steve likes my home cooking."

"From what I've been hearing through the grapevine, Steve really enjoys private fine dining with Gwen even more," suggested Diane with a smirk. "I was having my hair done when Natalie, my hair dresser, told me that she heard from her cousin that Steve and Gwen are quite fond of oral sex."

"Mom!" groaned Stephanie. "Don't tell that story. It's embarrassing!"

"I'd like to hear more about what your hair dresser's cousin heard," insisted Paula as Gwen turned a bright red.

"That was pretty much it. It seems that her cousin's daughter is in Gwen's gym class and overheard Gwen describing the sexual delights and carnal pleasures she enjoys with Steve, orally."

"Really?" asked a surprised Paula. "That's not really something I'd expect from my daughter. It would seem like she'd know enough to not express the pleasure she derives from that activity in writing, or orally."

"Was that a joke, Mom?" asked Kate. "It sure sounded like one. Aunt Diane, what did you say when your hair dresser told you about Gwen's sick, perverted acts against nature?"

"I shouldn't say this in front of Stephanie, but she's been out all night to the prom, and she's been to Paris already. She's growing up fast and may as well hear these things with the rest of you.

"I asked Natalie if she'd ever seen Steve Hammer with his shirt off. She admitted that she had in some of those ads for the swim suit line. Then I asked her if she knew any female between sixteen and sixty-six that wouldn't jump at the chance to do that with Steve if they could get away with it."

"Mom!" gasped Stephanie. "You're between sixteen and sixty-six! So am I, and Kate, and Aunt Paula. Grandmother isn't even sixty-six yet!"

"And your point is?" responded Diane with a straight face.

"My point? What you said means that all of us, even grandmother, would like to do that with Steve if we could. Do I have to spell it out for you?" asked Stephanie.

"Again, what's your point? Go ahead and spell it out for me, and everyone else here," insisted Diane.

"It would mean that you'd...wait! You would, wouldn't you? And Aunt Paula? Even Grandmother? Kate, Jordan, and I are all lumped into that group, too!" stated a blushing Stephanie.

"Hey, I'm good with being in that group," chimed in Kate.

"There's no problem here," added Jordan.

"It looks like Stephanie and Mom are the only two females in that wide age bracket that aren't in the Steve Hammer Oral fan club," laughed Kate.

"I never said I wasn't in that club!" insisted Stephanie emphatically. "I just think that Mom, Paula, and Grandmother shouldn't be in it."

"The key term in my statement was 'if they could get away with it'. I don't think it's any secret that every female in this family is enamored with Steve. Probably every woman in the country is! My hairdresser thought about it for a minute and then admitted that off the top of her head she couldn't think of anyone that wouldn't want to experience that pleasure with Steve," recalled Diane.

"But you're married, and old and everything," reasoned Stephanie.

"Sweetie, I'm not that old. Heck, your grandmother isn't too old to get weak in the knees when she's around Steve," laughed Diane. "We're talking about fantasy, not reality. I love your father. He's a great husband and I'd never betray him. That doesn't mean that I can't appreciate what an incredible young man Steve is. Did you think you're the only woman that gets all tingly when you're close to him?"

"I agree with Aunt Diane. I kind of have a boyfriend now, but I don't feel the same things for him as I do for Steve. Heck, I felt funny all over the first time I saw him sitting with Gwen. I know he's totally in love with my sister and I'd never do anything to hurt that relationship. The truth is, I don't think that anyone could. Steve has pretty girls throw themselves at him all the time, but Gwen has him all wrapped up," finished Kate.

"Kate's right. I have a great guy and I think I'm in love with him. That said, he knows that I adore Steve. He accepts it," added Jordan. "He told me that he didn't think any guy could compete with Steve if Steve decided to go after a girl. Then he asked me how many guys do I know, or know of, that have that effect on women. I couldn't think of any others, although Brad Pitt is pretty hot."

"Okay, I understand Mom thinking Steve looks really hot. She'd have to be blind to not think that. I like Tyler, but let's face it. He's no Steve. Does this mean that all of us except Gwen, even our moms and grandmothers, have to settle for second best when we fall in love?" asked Stephanie.

"That's not a fair question," answered Diane. "Your father is not second best, not for me. He's the best man I ever met. He's a great father and husband. What it means, I think, is that Steve should not be involved in any direct comparisons with other men in our lives. How many guys are like Steve? Name one."

"Lisa's boyfriend is pretty cool," suggested Kate. "He's good looking, smart, brave, an officer and he's going to be an Army Ranger. He's not as cool as Steve, but he's pretty good."

"You're right, Kate. He's a wonderful young man and we're all delighted for Lisa. But, as you just said, he's not Steve. Does that mean that Lisa settled? Not at all! She's found the best available man for her, or so we hope. I guess the word 'available' is important in this discussion. Steve isn't available, is he, Gwen?"

"You know, I'm a bit overwhelmed by this conversation. I knew Steve was special, but you guys make me nervous that every girl is going to try to steal him away from me. My own family has the hots for him. At least I trust all of you to respect our relationship. To answer your question, he'll never be available if I have anything to say about it."

"Mom, you haven't said anything. Why's that?" asked Kate to Paula.

"I was listening to my family discuss my daughter's boyfriend and lover. It gave me food for thought. One thing we need to learn is that frank discussions about sex, men, and our fantasies need to be held with a great deal of caution. Gwen learned that when she spoke about her sex life with Steve to girls in the locker room.

"We also need to separate fantasies from reality and be sure we understand which is which. For every woman, but Gwen, Steve is a fantasy. Understand that. Never forget it, no matter how much you admire his broad shoulders, ripped abs, and those amazing eyes. You won't meet another man like him, but you will meet some very good men. Learn to recognize them. Ted and Will are both very good men. Diane and I would never jeopardize their love, or our marriages.

"Men have fragile egos. Be careful when you talk about Steve to your boyfriends or husbands when you get married. No husband should ever feel that they were second best. I would hate it if Ted admired Jordan so much that he expressed the notion that he settled when he married me. I'm sure he has fantasies, but he keeps them to himself, for the most part. I don't know what he tells Will or his golf buddies, but I know he'd never say anything that would disrespect me. And I'll never do that to him. That means I'll just have to try to keep my opinions, and Steve fantasies to myself," stated Paula.

"That pretty well tells us how you feel. You don't want to even voice your thoughts on the guy," observed Kate. "I can see where that's a good idea if you're already married. My husband will know I really love Steve and that he'll always be a part of my life. I'll never be able to sleep with him, but I'll still tease him and stuff. That'll be okay because Lisa, Jordan, Stephanie, and Gwen will do a lot of teasing with my guy, whoever he turns out to be. We're going to have the luckiest, horniest husbands and boyfriends in the world!"

A few minutes later, Steve walked into the kitchen to a suddenly silent group. "What? Is my fly open? Is there a frog on my head? What's everyone looking at?"

"The consensus is a very hot, extremely sexy male," laughed Kate. "We were discussing our Steve fantasies before you arrived. Gwen's been bragging about your oral skills to the world and we're just wondering how good you really are?"

"That isn't entirely accurate!" interjected Paula. "It was a discussion about the need for ladies to be very careful what they tell about their sex life, especially to those that are not close family or friends."

"I didn't, I mean that I never said anything, it's pretty embarrassing to talk about with Gwen's family," stuttered Steve as he blushed and fidgeted with his hands, much like a small boy.

"What about the grin with the arched eyebrow response?" asked Gwen with a straight face. "I thought that was your standard response to any questions about your romantic skills. You're not going to use that on Mom and Aunt Diane?"

"No! It works on guys and girls our age, but not on your mother and aunt!" replied Steve hastily. "Paula, I never told anyone about that stuff."

"What about Billy?" asked Gwen mercilessly. "Didn't you discuss it with him?"

"That was because he heard your moans that morning and wanted some, ah, pointers on certain, ah, techniques. It was more of an educational thing. I was just trying to help him. He wasn't supposed to tell anyone."

"Maybe you could conduct clinics," suggested Diane while holding her hand over her mouth to suppress a giggle. "There's a lot of husbands and boyfriends that could use some help in that area."

Steve finally realized that he was being teased when Diane made her comment. He strode around the table and easily lifted Diane from her chair and carried her into the living room and placed her on the couch.

"You have a point, Diane. There's no time like the present and no one I'd rather demonstrate on than you, so let's get to it!" urged Steve as he dropped to his knees near the couch and began pulling the belt from Diane's jeans.

To his dismay, Diane offered no resistance. She simply watched him, until he reached up and began tugging on her jeans and then she made a suggestion. "You'll need to undo the snap and pull the zipper down first."

"Okay, you win!" groaned Steve as he stood up and handed Diane her belt. "I thought I could bluff you."

"How far would you have let him go, Mom?" asked Stephanie. "It looked like you didn't plan on stopping him at all."

"A lady needs some secrets," laughed Diane. "Let's just say he didn't even make me nervous. Steve is way too much of a gentleman to suddenly indulge in inappropriate behavior. I knew he was only bluffing, darn it!"

"Mom!" groaned Stephanie as Gwen led Steve out the door with Jordan following close behind.

The kids met Charlie at the mall near their motel. Gwen and Jordan wanted to do some shopping, so Steve and Charlie tagged along. By the time the group emerged from the first business they entered, they had a group of kids asking for autographs and photos. They tried to accommodate their fans, but the group kept growing in number.

"It doesn't look like we're going to get any shopping done," observed Jordan. "This is even more intense than it was a few years ago when I had a string of hit records."

"Let's just plan of spending some time with these fans and then going back to the motel. At some point, we'll have to start gaining on them. It's hard to believe that they're so excited about seeing us, isn't it? We're pretty much just like them."