Never My Love

"Lindsay please," Herb smiled, "You've got it all wrong, sweetie."

"Don't I know that," she seethed, "And I'm not your fucking sweetie, you son of a bitch."

"Maybe we can all start over," Jerry Moss spoke up, "Would that be possible?"

"I don't know," I defensively replied, keeping Ashlyn within reach of me, "I'm willing to listen to what you have to say, but that doesn't mean dick...do we understand one another?"

"It doesn't have to be like this, you guys," Herb announced, to the rest of the band, "Does he speak for every one of you?"

I was about to say something until Camryn walked over to where Ash and I stood and placed her hand on my arm, saying, "Leave it to me, Jake. I've got this," and then she walked down the stairs and off of the stage.

The moment her feet touched the floor, she walked over to where Herb Albert and Jerry Moss were standing; and then after acting like she was going to hug Herb, she kneed him in the balls as hard as she could and hissed, "Don't go away mad, just go the fuck away...and you guys have the unmitigated gall to call Bill Sanders a criminal?"

"That wasn't a very smart move on your part, young lady," Jerry Moss angrily replied, helping his partner up off of the floor, "Your little stunt just now is going to cost you and the rest of this group your musical careers."

"And exactly why is that, Jerry, old friend?" Ahmet Ertegun smiled, suddenly appearing out of nowhere. Then he smiled at us, and after handing me his business card, he happily asked, "Herb Albert and Jerry Moss might be good producers and all, but they can't ruin your musical careers and they know it. How would you kids like to be a member of the Atlantic Records family? We wouldn't dream of treating you like this."

"Are you kidding?" I excitedly grinned, "I think I speak for all of us when I say that we would love to be on your label, Mister Ertegun."

"I'm very happy to hear that," he smiled, "Can you all meet me at my office at nine o'clock tomorrow morning, Jake?" and when I excitedly nodded my head, he grinned and said, "That's great...and please, call me Ahmet..."

~~~~~~

LATER THAT NIGHT

It was getting close to midnight and everyone in the band, as well as Dad and Lindsay, were all gathered in our suite, mine and Ashlyn's, to discuss the events which took place earlier that evening.

"Holy shit, you guys" Ashlyn giggled, "I'll have to say that ya'll don't do anything half-assed," and then she continued to gently giggle, burying her face into my chest.

"Don't look at us," Jessie also giggled, "It was Camryn and Jake."

"I can see why you'd call Camryn out," I replied, a guilty smile on my face, "But I didn't do a thing. If you want to blame someone, blame Ashlyn."

"Why blame me." Ashlyn quickly asked, "I haven't done anything."

"Yes you have," I teased, "And you've been doing it since you were a little girl, too."

"What," she insistently inquired smiling, "What're you talking about, Jake, you little scoundrel?"

"I'm talking about you," I teased, quickly but gently pulling her into my arms, "And if you hadn't been so beautiful, we wouldn't be having the problems with Bill Sanders that we're going through right now."

"Uh huh," she girlishly laughed, "And if I didn't look the way I do, then you wouldn't have married me either."

"That's where you're wrong, my love," I gently replied, "I'd already fallen in love with the way you look on the inside, the fact that you're almost as beautiful on the outside is just a bonus," and then I leaned slightly forward and very tenderly kissed her lips.

"Oh, Jake," she lovingly said, "You always say the sweetest things to me, baby."

"That's because I love you, and I always will," I smiled, still holding her in my arms, "And don't ever forget that, okay Ash?"

"I won't," she quietly told me, "I promise you."

"I hate to break up a beautiful moment, you two," Dad interrupted, "But I want everyone to keep in mind that that animal is still on the loose out there."

This all took place years before the September 11, 2001, Attack on the World Trade Center so; airport security was nowhere near as strict as it is today. Because of that, I reached into my suitcase and retrieved and withdrew the Beretta 9 millimeter pistol, with 15 rounds in the clip and one in the chamber; which, unbeknownst to anyone in my family, I'd purchased a year earlier. However, I'd only begun carrying it since my discovery of the plans Bill Sanders had for my wife, Ashlyn.

"Let him come to me," I defensively growled, protectively placing my arm around my wife, "The next time I come face-to-face with Bill Sanders, he won't be walking away of his own accord, that's for damn sure."

"Jake," Ashlyn gasped, as she lightly scolded me, "Put that gun away, what's wrong with you?"

"Wait a minute," Dad replied, "Where did you get that weapon, Jake?"

"I bought it a while back, Dad," I told him, "Why, are you going to take it away from me?"

"No," he plainly said, "I taught you not only hand-to-hand combat, but also weapon safety a long time ago so; I damn well expect you to be responsible with that damn thing, understood."

"There's a good reason I'm carrying this damn thing," I adamantly replied, "It's because if Sanders goes anywhere near Ashlyn, you, or any member of this band, then he'd better gives his soul to God, because his ass will belong to me."

"All I ask is that you please be careful, baby," Ashlyn quietly said, "It would kill me if something happened to you."

"I'll be fine," I assured her, "I promise, baby."

"You're not hearing me, Jacob Daniel Benson," she told me, looking into my eyes as the volume of her voice raised, her arms wrapped tightly around me, "I'm carrying a part of us inside of me now...and I want our baby to have us when it's born. Do you understand me?"

"I've never once forgotten, my love," I gently replied, smiling as I tenderly placed my hand on her tummy, soothing her, "And yes...we...will definitely be here when our precious child is born, my love."

"I hate to be the messenger of doom," Dad interjected, "But until that asshole is either caught or killed, you kids are going to need protection," and then with a wry grin on his face, he smiled, and then picking up the telephone, he told us, "I'll take care of that personally. That way your mother won't worry...and that's a good thing, trust me."

"What's the matter, Dad," I good naturedly teased, "You sound like you might be a little bit afraid of Mom's wrath."

"You're damn right, I am," he told me, "And if you're smart, you'll stay on Ashlyn's good side after that baby is born."

"Come on, Jack," Ash sweetly smiled, "I don't have a bad side to me."

"I sure hope not, sweetheart," Dad grinned, "You'll be the only woman in this family without one, that's for damn sure..."

~~~~~~

Once we were alone again and everyone had gone back to their respective suites, Ashlyn and I were lying in the bed talking before we went to sleep for the night.

"Can I ask you something, my love?" Ashlyn sweetly asked, "It might make you angry though."

"Come on, Ash," I smiled, "Have you forgotten the pact we made about always telling one another the truth?"

"No," she smiled, leaning over and kissing my lips, "I'm just making sure that you haven't forgotten."

"Of course not," I lightly chuckled, "What is it that you want to ask me?"

"Would you actually kill someone?" she plainly inquired.

"To save you, I would," I replied, "And I wouldn't blink an eye, nor would I lose a night's sleep over it either."

"The same thing goes for the band and your family, too, I hope," she said, "Am I right?"

"Yes," I automatically answered, with no hesitation, "But I would think that you already knew that about me, my love."

"Mmm, that I do, my darling," she sweetly purred, hugging me, "That I do..."

~~~~~~

The next morning found us, the members of Covenant, sitting around a large table in what I'm sure was a conference a room. Ahmet Ertegun was with us as we all watched a video tape of our performance the night before playing on a television monitor. Needless to say, the video footage we were watching showed Ahmet how well we sounded before the bullshit with Bill Sanders occurred.

"You guys have a great sound, very distinct, very original," Ahmet smiled, "And I think that Covenant should sign with Atlantic Records."

"That's all well and good, Ahmet," Lindsay, our new manager said, "But what kind of deal are we talking about here?"

"Talk to me, Lindsay," he grinned, "You know me well enough to know that I would never screw these kids around. I'm not like that."

"I know, and I'm just making sure, Ahmet," she appreciatively smiled, "But while we're on the subject of how fair you are, why don't you make us an offer first?"

"Alright, then," he chuckled, "How about if I offer you kids a five album deal, with a guarantee that I'll release everything you want me to, provided that you're first album does well; does that sound fair enough?"

"That sounds fair," Lindsay replied, "What about royalties, publishing, and leave us not to forget about the mechanicals?"

"How about this?" Ahmet smiled, "I'll split the mechanicals down the middle with you, fifty/fifty, and because you guys aren't in the position to handle it yet, I want all of the publishing on the first album. You guys can have all of your writer's royalties. Now, will that assuage your conscious, Lindsay?"

"Can we have a minute to talk?" she asked

"Of course," he smiled, rising from his chair, "I've got some paperwork to do for the next thirty minutes. Will that do?"

"That would be great," she smiled, "Thank you, Ahmet."

"Alright then," he cordially smiled, "I'll see you folks in a little while then..."

~~~~~~

"SO, tell us, Lindsay," I excitedly grinned, once Ahmet was gone, "What do you think?"

"I think you guys should take the man up on his offer," she victoriously grinned, "You won't get a better offer from anyone else, especially in this business..."

~~~~~~

Needless to say, as well as with no objections from our respective parents, we all put our college educations on hold and signed with Atlantic Records that day. Lindsay had negotiated with Ahmet to cover our living expenses while we were in the studio recording our first album. Not only did he agree to do it, but he also gave every single member of the band a ten thousand dollar advance, which Ashlyn insisted that I immediately deposit into the bank.

The only problem that I foresaw in the immediate future was whether or not Ashlyn was going to remain in L.A. with me while we were recording, or go back home and wait for me.

You can only imagine the pleasure and also the surprise I felt when Ash informed me in no uncertain terms that she wasn't going to go anywhere without me, and if it meant that she had to go on the road with us to be with me, then so be it.

"We just got married not too long ago, honey," she softly smiled, "I'm not quite ready to be away from you for any amount of time...well, not just yet anyway."

"What about the baby," I asked, "What're you going to do when the time comes to deliver it?"

"Don't you mean, what we are going to do?" she teased, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, baby. Besides, you guys aren't going into the studio for another ten days so; that'll give us plenty of time to fly home and take care of everything that needs taking care of..."

~~~~~~

Because of the fact that Dad had flown in the day before us, he and Mom, as well as Leah and Laura were all at the airport to greet us.

"Hi, babies," Mom smiled, hugging Ashlyn and I the moment we walked into the terminal, "Your father told me what happened in Los Angeles, are you two alright?"

"Come on, Mom," I cockily chuckled, "You know that I'm not about to let anything happen to my wife, or the members of my band; don't you?"

"That's because your father was there to look out for you, boy" she crossly said, and then she looked at Ash and sweetly told her, "Come on, baby girl, I'll bet you're probably starving by now. Don't forget that you're eating for two people these days."

"Hmm," Ash grinned, winking at me, "Something to eat sounds good right about now. Lead the way, Naomi; I'm right behind you..."

~~~~~~

"Rob told me that you guys got a five album deal with Atlantic Records, Jake," Laura proudly told me, as we all sat around the table at Mom and Dad's house eating a late lunch, "And I wanted to let you know how proud of you that I am. I hope you know that the rest of the people in the band all depend on you to lead them in the right direction."

"I know," I worriedly replied, "I just hope I don't let them down."

"You won't Jake," Leah smiled, "I know that you're going to lead these guys to greatness. I can just feel it, big brother."

"Is that right," I grinned, as she excitedly nodded her head, "And just what makes you so sure, little sister?"

"Because," she said, tears suddenly beginning to fill her eyes, "You've been great at everything you've done up to now. When me and Laura were little, you were always there to look after us while Mom and Dad were at work...and I know that you're going to be a wonderful recording artist," and then she couldn't continue for crying.

"Hey, now," I said, quickly hopping up from my seat at the table to hold my little sister in my arms, "Why're you crying, Lee-Lee, this is supposed to be a happy occasion, remember?"

"I am happy," she sniffled, her head on my shoulder as we spoke, "It's just that I'm so proud of you, and now that you and Ashlyn are married, I'm finding that I miss you all the time now."

"Aw, it's okay," I gently soothed her, "I'm only a phone call away, sweetie."

"I know," she said, "I'm still having a little difficulty with you not being around all the time these days."

"Why don't you and Laura come and stay with us while we're home, Lee-Lee?" Ashlyn gently asked, placing her arms around my sister's waist and hugging her, "It would mean the world to us. Besides, don't think for a minute that Jake doesn't miss you girls just as much as you miss him."

"I don't miss him at all," Laura teased, "Especially now that I've got his old bedroom to sleep in."

"What a load of horse shit," Mom laughed, making me immediately snap my head towards her for using the language she just did, "You two girls have slept in the same room together since the both of you were little bitty, and nothing's changed either."

"I know, Mom," Laura giggled, "But Lee-Lee was getting too serious and I had to do something to break it up."

"Yeah right," Leah spat, "You did it because you're a mean heifer."

"Is that right?" Laura asked, starting to bristle, "I'd rather be a heifer than a bitch so; kiss my ass, bitch."

The next thing I knew, Mom had entered into the conversation between my sisters and it immediately became and arguing match, which was getting louder by the second until I raised my voice and said, "KNOCK THIS SHIT OFF...ALL THREE OF YOU," which immediately silenced the three of them.

"Thank God, Jake," Dad sighed, "Now you see what I have to put up with these days," making me laugh...

~~~~~~

That night when we got home, the first thing I did was to hop my ass into the hot tub, not waiting, but stripping down the moment we got home.

"Damn, baby," Ashlyn sweetly giggled, as she, too, began taking her clothes off, "You could've at least waited on me ya know."

"Nah," I teased, watching her disrobe, "This way I get to watch you take your clothes off...Mmm."

"Silly boy," she giggled, stepping naked into the tub and taking a seat in my lap, "That's because you're such a pervert."

"Only around you, baby," I softly replied, taking her into my arms and kissing her sweet lips, "Only around you..."

~~~~~~

Chapter Thirty Four

After climbing out of the hot tub and covering it back up, Ashlyn and I walked naked back into the house. Needless to say, my cock was an iron bar by this time, and for reasons that I've only just become aware of, the mere sight of my wife's naked ass that night made me cum with no physical stimulation of any kind.

Of course I told Ashlyn what was happening just as it began to happen, and because she loves me so much, as well as the fact that it turned her on immensely, she immediately hit her knees and took my cock into her hand and began jacking me off.

"Ooo, yeah, that's it, baby," she erotically moaned, licking my cock up and down as it began to spurt, "Give me that hot fucking cum, Jake. I want all of it."

"Oh, God, Ashlyn," I groaned, as I began squirting what felt like gallons of cum not only all over her face, but also down her throat, "I love you so much."

"I love you, too," she moaned, as she diddled her clit with her other hand, "Ah...so much," and then the next thing I knew, Ash's ministrations to her clit brought her to orgasm, making me drop to my knees to eat her pussy, as she began howling.

"OH, GOD, JAKE," she wailed, "EAT MY PUSSY, BABY, ONLY YOU KNOW HOW TO DO IT RIGHT, BABY, AH, AH, I'M CUMMMMMIIIINNNGGG, 'OH, OH, AAAHHHHH..."

~~~~~~

"Oh, my God," Ashlyn panted smiling, once we were done, "Why don't you warn me the next time you're going to do that, my love?"

"Because that's the first time I've ever done it," I smiled, "I don't know what happened, I swear. I was looking at your naked ass and then the next thing I knew; I was cumming all over the place."

"I'll tell you exactly happened, baby," she knowingly grinned, "It's because I turn you on as much as you turn me on, Jake. Why else do you think I waited until Christmas to make my move?"

"You've got me there," I unthinkingly replied, "What're you talking about, Ash?"

"Don't you remember me spending Christmas night with you at your folk's house?" she asked smiling, "It hasn't been that long ago, silly."

"Of course I remember," I grinned, "But I still don't understand what you're talking about though."

"I can't tell you how many orgasms I had that night, baby," she softly told me, gently caressing my face with her right hand, "I was so excited just being near you, that every time you touched me in your sleep, you made me cum, Jake."

"Why didn't you tell me?" I gently asked, "I didn't know a lot at the time, but I would've tried to make it really good for you."

"That's just it," Ashlyn tenderly smiled, "It was because you were so naïve, and so very beautiful," as tears suddenly began to fill her eyes.

"Aw, what's wrong, baby?" I asked, her tears startling me.

"I'm so proud of you; Jake," she sweetly and softly whispered, "And I love you so very much. I never thought that I'd ever find a man that loves me like you do, and I wanted you to know that I'll never hurt you, and I'll never leave you...no matter what."

"I know that, baby," I tenderly smiled, leaning over and softly kissing her lips,, "And just so that you know; I'm nothing without you...absolutely nothing."

"I love you, Jake..."

~~~~~~

I had to go to a local music store near our home, a place called, Sam's Music Center, to get my an adjustment made on the tension bar in the neck of guitar, and I figured that since I was already there; I would also get Sam to restring in the process.

"Hi, Jake," Sam smiled, as I walked into the store with my guitar on one hand, and a large manila envelope, a copy of our recording contract, in the other hand, "What can we do for you today?"

"Hey Sam," I grinned, shaking hands with him, "I was wondering if I could get you to adjust the tension bar in the neck of my guitar for me."

"No problem," he grinned, as I handed him my guitar, "Do you want me to put some new strings on it, too?"

"Sure," I smiled, opening the envelope, "I need to ask you something, Sam."

"What's that?" he asked

"Well, I know that you heard my band at the music festival," I began, "What I really want to know is what you thought about our performance...and I want you to be as honest as possible. You're not going to hurt my feelings, I promise."