Chapter One

New York, July, 2007.

Groaning nervously she tossed the heavy black backpack over her left shoulder and grinned foolishly at her friend.  The 6 feet tall brunette smiled at the petite woman in front of him though his eyes were bored.

“Let’s get going Thomas, don’t wanna be late to the most amazing rock band.” She spoke excitedly. She was the only excited one though. Being professional concert-photographers they had seen it all and done it all. But tonight’s band was exciting for Jocelynn Reid because she had wanted to shoot them for a long time. Thomas Jones however didn’t care for them at all. To him they were just any other band he could photograph and then leave after the first three songs.

Thomas laughed. “Yeah, yeah let’s go. I’ve been stuck with you on this bus for far too long with you. You’re not going to start drooling inside right?” He chuckled as she nodded her head furiously.

“Oh hell yeah, I’ve been a fan for years and in less than an hour I’ll be a couple of feet away from them. I’ll drool whenever I damn please.” Punching him softly in the shoulder they got off the bus and headed towards the venue. Being no newbie’s they were let in without a hassle. The main entrance was quieting down as the opening act was already almost finished so most of the hardcore fans were inside the massive building already.

It had been a hot summer day but as the evening fell it cooled down and Lynn opted for a grey tank top with denim and leather jacket over it as the tight black jeans ended just above her converse. She had no model figure but she had the assets to attract all the men. All of them except Thomas that is. He was already happy and committed to his long term girlfriend.

“Hey guys, ready for the tiny fangirl? She’s been driving me mad so far, now it’s your turn.” Thomas spoke grinning as they entered a backstage area where more photographers were seated. On the large table there was a fortune worth of camera equipment and Lynn smiled. A couple years back she might have been impressed at this but now it was nothing more than what she already owned.

The other men in the room laughed as Jocelynn glared at her friend. “Yeah let’s all make fun of my raging female hormones will you? Jon Bon Jovi is hot and don’t get me started on Richie Sambora. I ain’t afraid to tell you all that. Jon’s whiskey smooth voice and Richie’s raw smoky one…”

“Yeah we get it Lynn. No need to get your panties wet before the show started. Have a beer.” Wesley told her as he handed her a bottle. “It’s still almost a half an hour before the show starts. Relax a bit. Go for a smoke if you need to.” He grinned at her relieved face.

“You know what Wes? You’re the best. Thanks for the beer!” She yelled as she rushed outside with her pack of cigarettes.

The sun was setting behind the venue and Lynn smiled as she lit her cig. Letting her mind wander off she smiled at the thought of how her hobby turned into her work. Not four years ago she was a rookie with less than decent camera equipment and she ended up here in such short time. Being a small town girl shooting at the venue in the city was always a joy. Breathing in another puff of smoke she looked as a group of men came walking down from a town car and headed for the side entrance.

Must be some sort of business people. She thought. Until they reached her that it, the jeans and cowboy boots were the first giveaway as she was afraid to look up. Letting her eyes wander slowly she noticed a shiny silver belt buckle on a dark brown leather belt. The black tee shirt almost covering the entire buckle. Skin tight black tee shirt. The black rope around his neck held a cross and she feared looking up more. Freshly shaved neck and cheeks rounded his delicious lips. For a flash she met his dark eyes and swallowed hard. His brown hair rounded his perfect face and she quickly looked away. There had been a funny feeling deep down in her abdomen that she quickly recognized as lust and by the time she had recovered a bit he was already gone inside with his gang of bodyguards. This will be a night to remember. And she didn’t know half of it just yet.

“Let’s get moving folks, it’s show time.” A buff voice spoke from the doorway. Leading the photographers towards the photo pit she looked around in the place she’d been so often. Way in the back was a figure waiting to do his job. Tight pants hugging him in all the right places. Lynn sighed, this would be Carrying her camera apart from het bag now it relieved some pressure on her shoulders. Smiling at the security that was out tonight. They had hired the best the arena could offer and hearing the crowd they were going to need it.

“Let’s go at it Thomas.” Lynn spoke as she settled black earplugs to protect her hearing. The cheers erupted as the stage lights went out. Grabbing her Canon she pointed it loosely towards the stage waiting patiently as the screams got louder and louder.

As they band stepped on stage it took her a second or two to get into work mode but after that she was spot on with the band’s movements and switched between all members. Running around and snapping pics of every jump, every look and every movement. After Lost Highway she band let the arena lights come on and take a good look around. Lynn was fixated as her favorite guitar player strummed a couple of times through Jon’s speech. Setting off into ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’ Richie’s eyes met hers just before she was in the dark again. He could vaguely see her grey camera lens and grinned.

Slipping into the guitar solo Richie made sure he stood right in front of the woman with the massive camera. He’d seen her outside the venue as his dark brown eyes met her fierce blue ones. She had been running in front of the stage being as professional as possible but her facial expressions didn’t escape him. She was in awe.

After the first three songs and some persuasion she was allowed to run up to the side of the stage and watch the rest of the show from there. About halfway in the lights dimmed and she couldn’t see anything except people and their damned cell phones. A body rushed past her and the stage lights went on as the band proceeded without their front man. Glancing around the backstage area she noticed the blue eyed singer chugging down a bottle of water and changing his shirt.

Jon Bon Jovi caught her eye for a glimpse and with a wink he ran back on stage and joined his band for another couple of songs. Lynn watched the band move around and play their songs intently. All too soon they were saying their goodbyes to the crowd and the crew backstage was getting a path cleared to the dressing rooms. Turning on her heel she got ready to leave and slung the backpack where it belonged. Making her way through the people she felt her shoulder being grabbed and turned around fully intent on lashing out at whoever dared to touch her so firmly.

“Whoa easy there darlin’. Just wanted to ask you if you might have a spare cig for me.” Blue eyes stared into hers and she nearly lost her balance as she nodded. “Well then let’s go outside gorgeous.” Placing his hand on her lower back he guided her through the backstage area of the arena like he’d been living there for years.

“They’re light, I hope you don’t mind.” She spoke quietly as they arrived outside. In the hallway Jon had asked her name and complimented her on it. “That was one hell of a show.”

Jon lifted his eyes from the chain around her neck and met her eyes. “Yeah it sure was, did you enjoy it?” He asked as he took another drag of the cig. His hair was sticking to his face from the sweat and he must have been cold wearing only a tee shirt. It wasn’t too cold but a jacket would probably be welcome.

Lynn smiled as she blew out the smoke through her pink lips. “Oh yeah it was great. Both as a face in the crowd as well as a photographer. You do well on photo.” She winked and the singer chuckled. “Although Richie’s guitar faces are just as much worth capturing.”

“Thanks.” A deep voice behind her spoke. Lynn froze on the spot. “Hey man, you done with that? We’re about ready to get going and are waiting for you.”

“Yeah almost done. Sambora, this is Lynn. Darlin’ this is Richie.”

“Nice to meet ya darlin’. Hope that bastard here hasn’t been annoying you, he tends to do that with beautiful women.” The guitarist drawled and he extended his hand.

Lynn blushed at his words and shook his hand. “Not at all, he’s been a perfect gentleman. Held the door for me too.” She grinned at Richie’s stunned look.

Jon shook his head and grinned whilst tossing his cigarette butt into a large ashtray on the wall. “Let’s get going asshole. Hey Lynn, you got a business card? I’d love to see what you shot.” As he spoke the words he saw the color drain from her face as she opened a zipper on the photo bag and pulled out a business card with a photo on the front and her info on the back. Jon nodded appreciatively at the photo and smiled. “If it’s anything like this we’re gonna have to hire ya, ya know.” He winked and kissed her cheek. “See ya.”

Richie took her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it. “Till next time darlin’”

As they left trough the big black door Lynn let out a breath she didn’t know she had been holding. No big deal, they’re just men.

Yeah right, the two hottest rock stars on the planet.

Fuck.  

Slinging the bag up higher on her shoulder she headed home. This was a great experience but she wasn’t going to hear from them again. At least it will be a great memory.