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Rare Beauty Part 4
By Paulswomyn
Veronica slid into the desk at the front of the classroom next to her fellow teaching assistant, Amy. They had just finished distributing the exams to the students and were proctoring the exam with the professor with two additional assistants named Amber and Eric, and the professor, Jack. They sat patiently in the room with no noise save the sound of pens and pencils gliding across papers on which students worked diligently to produce argumentative, provocative essays on various works of literature. While the students were taking their exams, Amy leaned over to Veronica.
"How was the concert last night?" Amy whispered.
"Well, it was nothing but fantastic!" Veronica replied.
"Really? I’m glad you had a good time."
Before Veronica could respond, Eric overheard their conversation and said, "Oh yeah. Last night was the night you saw the painted freaks!"
Veronica, knowing he was just teasing her like good friends do, merely rolled her eyes and waved her hand at him. He always teased her about all of her favorite things, even the things that they shared a common interest, especially KISS and Paul Stanley. His teasing reminded her of her younger brother, Nathan.
"Eric, you’re so silly. And to answer your question, yes, last night was the big night."
Eric raised his eyebrows at her and said, "Oh, I can just see you now. You were sitting there on the front row looking at Paul,"---at this point Eric started imitating Veronica in a high-pitched voice saying, "OHHHH, PAUL. YOU’RE SO DREAMY!" He then clasped his hands together and batted his eyes a little. When they all looked up, they noticed the students had all stopped there writing and were giving them looks of exasperation and shock, but chuckling a little at the same time.
"Sorry about that. Continue working on your tests," Veronica instructed. The students resumed taking their tests, though one could still see traces of grins on their faces from time to time. At this point she turned to Eric, in mock aggravation, "Eric. You are so silly! I can’t believe you just said that." Veronica and her fellow assistants along with the professor laughed quietly at what happened and continued their conversation.
"Anyway, the night was great. It was interesting and nothing like anything I’ve ever experienced." Veronica told them. Amy thought she noticed a dreamy look in her eye and a somewhat goofy grin on her face when she gave that general, somewhat vague description about her night. However, she dismissed it and knew that Veronica was a devoted KISS fan and was probably just still experiencing post-concert afterglow. She didn’t know Veronica outside of the classroom and had no clue as to her fascination with and love for Paul Stanley and because of that, didn’t suspect anything more than her merely attending the concert and meeting the band backstage for pictures and autographs.
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Veronica opened her 19th century British literature textbook to read her assignment for the following day. Her attempts were futile as her thoughts kept drifting back to Paul and their upcoming date for the evening. She was curious and anxiously awaiting the surprise plans Paul had in store for her that evening. What could he have up his sleeve? The thoughts that came to her mind made her body tingle with excitement and desire making her wish the day would go by faster. She hated that she had to leave Paul that day to proctor the students’ exams, but didn’t want to lose a job she loved and worked hard to get. She knew Paul understood, respected, and admired her autonomy and didn’t want to begrudge her of anything. Paul seemed impressed by her intellect and wanted Veronica to continue having a life and identity separate from him. He merely wanted her to let him into her world as he would let her into his, without the risk of either of them losing their identities.
At this moment, Veronica looked down and noticed her cell phone lighting up signaling an incoming call. She had turned the ringer off and placed it on vibrate so her students would not be interrupted during the test with the sound of her phone ringing. As she walked into the hallway to take the call, she noticed the caller id on her phone read, "Unknown." This brought a smile to her face since only her parents, brother, and Paul had the number. She had given Paul her home and cell phone numbers on the way to work and knew that since it read "unknown," he was the caller.
"Hello." Veronica said.
"Hey there, sexy," Paul responded. A sly grin appeared on Veronica’s face when Paul called her sexy and she decided to playfully tease him on the phone about it.
"Hey, who is this?" Veronica replied.
"It’s Paul. Who did you think it would be?" Paul replied with mock indignation. He knew she was messing with him and went right along with her.
"Well, I’m pretty popular you know. My friends don’t call me a boy magnet for nothing." Veronica added. She liked Paul’s willingness to play along with her joke and appreciation of her sense of humor.
Paul chuckled and added, "You’re so funny. I bet you’re standing there cell phone in hand, looking beautiful, with a mischievous grin on your face and a flirtatious look in your eye right now. Am I right?"
Veronica giggled and said, "How did you know…. uh… Paul, was it?" She laughed to herself out of earshot when she said this while Paul answered laughing,
"All right, silly. You’ve made your point as well as my day hearing your voice and your unique sense of humor." Paul told her. He wasn’t used to women bantering with him this way. He was used to women throwing themselves at him before he got a chance to pour on his own charm. Paul appreciated Veronica’s autonomy, beauty, intellect, and assertiveness and enjoyed engaging in this type of flirtation with her. He loved the combination of general assertiveness with coyness when in came to flirtation.
"Well thank you. I must say you’ve made my day as well, love," Veronica answered, "To what do I owe the honor of your phone call?" Veronica asked.
"Well, Veronica, I was calling about our date this evening. How does this sound? I’ll pick you up at 7pm and we’ll have dinner at a great Italian restaurant I know. After that, I thought I’d take you to a coffeehouse for a poetry reading." Paul suggested.
"That sounds great, Paul. How did you know I enjoyed poetry?" Veronica asked.
Paul smiled and said, "Oh, I have my ways. Let’s just say I pay close attention where you’re involved."
Blown away by Paul’s compliment, Veronica replied, "Well, it shows and this sounds like a fun evening is in store for both of us." She couldn’t believe Paul remembered her love of poetry. She had only briefly mentioned that she enjoyed the preceding week with assisting classes since her students were studying Walt Whitman, her favorite poet. Veronica knew Paul was a wonderful man, but he never ceased to amaze her and given the conversation that just transpired between them, she amazed him as well.
"Then I’ll be there at 7 anxiously awaiting you to grace me with your presence." Paul added with a slight chuckle.
Laughing Veronica told him, "I’ll see ya then, babe. I can’t wait."
"All right sweetie, I’ll see you in a couple of hours, then. Bye."
"Bye, Paul."
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Veronica put her students exams on the floor of her apartment once she got home. She noticed it was 6pm. "Good. I have an hour to get ready before Paul gets here." She then went into her bedroom, touched up her make-up, combed her hair, and reapplied perfume. She decided to wear her form-fitting blue jeans and short-sleeved, green t-shirt that clung to her breasts. Veronica knew they were going to have a relaxed, informal evening together and couldn’t wait to unwind with Paul. Once she added the finishing touches to her appearance, she noticed her clock read 7pm and decided to stand outside of her apartment and wait for Paul. However, when she opened her door, she noticed Paul standing poised to knock on the door. Paul smiled, lowered his hand and said, "Hello there, pretty lady."
He reached out to her, hugged her, and picked her up swinging her around at which Veronica squealed and laughed with delight. Paul placed Veronica back on the ground with his hands remaining on her waist while her hands rested on his shoulders.
"That was quite a greeting, Mr. Stanley, and all I did was walk out the door." Veronica said with her eyebrows raised and a mischievous grin as she fingered the locks of hair on his shoulders. "Just think if I’d done more than walk out the door…." Veronica added seductively laughing.
Paul laughed and responded, "Well, the night is still young. Who knows what the evening has in store for us?" At this moment, Paul leaned over and kissed Veronica softly. When their kiss ended, Paul took Veronica’s hand in his and walked her down the stairs to the limo. When they reached the limo, Paul opened the door and signaled for Veronica to wait while he reached inside the limo. Paul presented her with a single, long-stemmed red rose.
"For you, my dear." Paul said.
"Thank you, Paul. It’s beautiful. That’s sweet and thoughtful of you." Veronica told him as she closed her eyes and took in the scent of the rose. She felt touched at this gift and her incurably romantic sensibilities awakened in her stronger than she had ever experienced with other men.
Paul squeezed her hand gently, helped her into the limo and slid in the seat beside her as the limo drove away from Veronica’s home and to their next destination for dinner…
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Veronica wiped her lips with her napkin while Paul paid the check for their dinner.
"Did you enjoy your dinner?" Paul asked.
"Yes, I did. Couldn’t you tell by that pound of spaghetti and that huge chunk of chocolate mousse I just ate?" Veronica said laughing and Paul laughed at her joke, too.
At this point, they decided to leave the restaurant and walked out to the limo.
"So, what coffeehouse do you want to go to, Paul?" Veronica asked while she got her purse together and rose from her chair to leave with Paul.
"That’s up to you," Paul said opening the door to the limo, "We can go wherever you want. You’re in complete control of the evening."
A sly smile emerged on Veronica’s face. "Oooooohhhh. I like the sound of that. You better be careful I don’t let this power go to my head. There’s no telling what could happen then…." At this point, Veronica winked at Paul while he looked at her in awe and excitement thinking about the innuendo behind her comment.
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Paul and Veronica got out of the limo in front of a small coffeehouse called The Beat Stops Here. As they walked inside, they noticed a variety of individuals. They saw students sitting alone at tables studying diligently, couples drinking coffee and unwinding, groups of friends meeting to hang out, and loners---those enjoying their solitude and those wishing to find romantic company for the evening. Paul and Veronica weaved their way through the crowd trying to find a vacant table and laughed at the reactions they received from the patrons. Men and women stood and sat with their mouths agape as they looked at the couple walking with hands clasped into the coffeehouse. Some gave both Paul and Veronica looks of jealousy others gave them each thumbs up signals for the catch they both landed in finding each other.
At this moment, Paul and Veronica seated themselves at the last vacant table in the coffeehouse and ordered café mochas. They sipped on their coffee and took in their surroundings even more. They noticed a lone microphone set up at a small stage and some young students conversing over books and papers they all had in hand.
"I guess they’re getting ready to read their poetry. Are the poems usually good?" Paul asked leaning over to Veronica and holding her hand.
"Actually, Paul, I’ve never been here or any poetry reading for that matter, so your guess is as good as mine." Veronica answered. "I’m excited, though. I love beat novels and poetry."
Paul smiled and the lights began to dim except for a spotlight on a student clad in black poised dramatically snapping her fingers to signal silence amongst the audience. As the audience became silent, the young woman approached microphone, brought both hands together on it, and cast an intense, melodramatic stare at the audience. Meanwhile, Paul and Veronica both raised their eyebrows and looked at each other knowingly as if they could read each other’s thoughts and feelings of how unique this performance was from the beginning.
The young woman took a deep breath looked up in the air, brought her hands up in a circle, put them together as if to pray, and brought them and her head down. When she looked up, she recited a poem:
When I find myself sad and lonely
I traverse through the hollow fortress of unsolicited knowledge
And make my way to my caffeinated haven
Where snakes of steam rise houses of liquid
That is where I find----
MY FORGOTTEN SELF!!!!
At the pause between the last two lines, the young girl inhaled and slowly and loudly exhaled biting her lip as if in the state of orgasm. The audience arose from their seats clapping proudly and commented on how provocative and poignant her poem was. Veronica and Paul stood open-mouthed while Paul politely clapped and Veronica made a failed attempt at masking her disgust at how horrible the poem was. Paul then glanced over at Veronica biting his lip in order to conceal his laughter at her indignant facial expression about the poem. He leaned over to Veronica and said jokingly, "So, did you just love that intense, provocative poem?"
Veronica looked at him and said with a smile and increasingly indignant tone in her voice and expression on her face, "Oh God! Wasn’t that the worst poetry you’ve ever heard in your life??!! I just know that Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsburg are spinning in their graves. If I were them, I’d come back to haunt that woman! That poem is an insult to the Beat generation! What’s worse is the audience actually digs it!"
Paul grinned in admiration and amusement at Veronica’s commentary on the poem. He thought she expressed herself intelligently and articulately and found her indignance refreshing and exciting. Paul couldn’t help but think about how he could further help her expel this pent up energy and aggression later in the night.
After the applause died, Veronica and Paul sat again and waited for the next poet, but only briefly. Paul said, "Are you feeling a little better now? I’m not gonna have to pick up what’s left over from the asses you kick am I?" Paul joked.
Veronica laughed and said, "No, sweetie. I’ve got a better idea." Paul noticed her mischievously emerge and wondered what she was up to this time.
"Oh man. What are you gonna do?"
"You’ll see. I’m going to find my forgotten self." Veronica rose from her chair and walked to the stage conversing with the group of students hosting the poetry reading. Paul thought to himself "What is she doing? She can’t be doing what I think she’s gonna do……"
Veronica slowly walked onstage and grabbed the microphone with both hands causing the feedback to ring abrasively in the ears of the audience. She then put a hand to her forehead and made a helpless sound like a damsel in distress awaiting a knight to save her. She recited her own poem made up from the top of her head:
When I look out onto this sea of faces
The windows of my soul reach out
While my outward shell remains stationery
Sounds spew forth like Old Faithful
To tell the story of my painful existence!
Throughout the poem, she continuously put her hand to her forehead, squealing, and at the concluding line, collapsed on her knees with her hands extended entreating the heavens to save her. As she rose to her feet, the audience stood stupefied and silent while Paul rose, clapping immediately dramatically shouting, "Bravo! Amazing! Riveting!" while wiping fake tears from his eyes. The audience followed suit praising and complimenting Veronica on her poem as she made her way through the audience to Paul. Once she reached Paul, the two began walking through the crowd smiling and nodding at them as they headed to the exit. When they walked outside and entered the limo, they both looked at each other and laughed hard and hysterically until their stomachs hurt.
"That was hilarious, Veronica! I can’t believe you did that!" Paul exclaimed.
A chuckling Veronica said, "Thank you, Paul. You weren’t so bad yourself with those bravos and wiping fake tears from your eyes."
Paul laughingly added, "That collapse and raising of your hands to the sky were priceless! Your stage presence was impressive."
"Really?"
"Yes, I couldn’t have done it better myself."
"Thank you. I take that as a compliment, especially coming from you." Veronica told Paul.
The limousine stopped and they realized they had just reached Veronica’s apartment. They stepped out, walked up the stairs, and into Veronica’s apartment. She was a little hesitant and nervous about Paul seeing it since it was so KISS and Paul-centric. Veronica had each of her KISS Alive dolls posed at different places in her apartment----Paul on top of her television, Ace on top of her computer, Gene on her kitchen table, and Peter on top of her refrigerator. Her bedroom door was covered in Paul pictures both masked and unmasked while a poster of KISS was displayed over her bed and a large poster of Paul next to her bed. She also had posters of Wonder Woman and the characters from the Rocky Horror Picture Show on her wall. Veronica noticed Paul eyeing the KISS figures and felt anxious about him seeing her bedroom door and other posters and hoped his opinion of her would not change to one of a psychotic stalker.
"Interesting apartment. Nice posters." Paul remarked with a wink and smile.
Veronica blushed and smiled a little and said, "The numerous pictures I have of you don’t bother you?"
Paul walked over to Veronica, smiled and took her hands in his saying, "This doesn’t bother me at all. I feel honored that a beautiful, smart, woman like yourself would think so highly of me."
Veronica smiled as Paul leaned over to kiss her lightly at first, then more passionately as his tongue explored her mouth and joined her tongue in a seductive dance causing them both to moan. As their kiss ended, Veronica looked into Paul’s eyes, which were dark with desire, took his hand and led him into her bedroom. They sat on the bed and began kissing passionately running their fingers through each other’s hair and exploring each other’s bodies. Veronica unbuttoned Paul’s vest and tossed it aside her lips never leaving his. When their kissing ended, Paul pulled Veronica’s shirt over her head and cupped her breasts in his hands while she caressed his chest running her fingers through his chest hair and touching his nipples. Her hand slowly roamed down to his rock hard stomach while she removed his blue jeans leaving him in his tight briefs while he unlatched her bra feeling her nipples harden under his fingers as they both gasped in pleasure. Paul then removed her jeans resuming their kissing. Both of their hands found the waistband of their underwear and found themselves naked before one another. Paul took Veronica in his arms placing himself on top of her until she stopped him.
"No. It’s my turn to please you tonight." Veronica whispered seductively as she shifted her body to the foot of the bed and Paul positioned himself on his back. Veronica raised herself on top of him with her knees on either side of him kissing him tentatively then deeply as they both moaned with delight. She moved her mouth to his ear and made a trail with her lips and tongue down to his neck and then chest where she buried her head in the nest of curls, Paul closing his eyes in pleasure. Veronica kissed her way to his nipples licking them, suckling them, and tweaking them similar to the way he did for her the previous night. She resumed her trail of passion to his stomach causing Paul to arch his back exposing his throat when she reached to his hardening desire. She caressed his member stopping only to place the protection over his erection. Veronica then began slowly licking the tip of his penis while tweaking his nipples at the same time causing Paul to gasp with desire. She slowly and gradually worked her tongue and closing her mouth over his substantial erection causing Paul to scream her name in euphoria the deeper she went. Veronica enjoyed seeing the looks of desire, satisfaction, and immense pleasure in his eyes and face. Paul then felt the moistness from his passion emerge stopped only by the rubber barrier. At this point, Veronica shifted her body upward and looked into Paul’s eyes.
Paul, panting, exclaimed, "That was incredible!" and pulled Veronica to him her nipples brushing against his with her knees on either side of him again. She and Paul kissed passionately while her hands caressed his face and his hands caressed her face and back and then her breasts and nipples. Veronica then positioned herself over his again increasing erection. She moved up and down over him sliding and thrusting his desire into her soft folds slowly at first then gradually faster. Paul continued caressing her breasts and nipples while his eyes never left hers throughout the lovemaking. As they climaxed, Paul and Veronica called each other’s names in passion as the moistness from their bodies emerged leaving them spent, but happy. As their lovemaking ended, Veronica slid next to Paul placing her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat while he smelled her hair both of them panting from their pleasure. They pulled the covers over their bodies and fell asleep basking in each other’s arms as they both softly whispered, "I love you."
Rare Beauty Part 5
"Want any more coffee, Gene?" Paul asked as he poured himself another cup. He had invited Gene to his house to hang out, talk about the rest of the tour, and catch up on how they kept themselves occupied in the preceding two days.
"No, Paul, I’m good." Gene answered. He took a sip of his coffee and reflected on his conversation with Paul. Gene noticed he seemed distracted, dreamy, and unable to stay focused or concentrate and wondered about the cause of this sudden glow in his appearance. "I do have a question for you, though."
"Shoot." Paul replied.
"Well, what’s with this sudden glow and day-dreamy look on your face?" Gene inquired.
"What do you mean?" Paul asked in response, knowing full well what Gene meant but unaware of the fact that his recent happiness with Veronica showed on his face.
Gene stared at Paul a minute before responding with, "Don’t play dumb. You know what I’m talking about. There’s a reason you’re looking all googly-eyed and silly. You look like you’re on cloud nine and I think know what it is."
Raising an eyebrow Paul asked, "You do?"
"Yes, and she has red hair, a nice rack, and a cute ass." Gene answered with his infamous evil grin.
Paul grinned and blushed a little in response.
"I knew it!" Gene said, "Now, give me all the details. Is it true what they say about redheads?" Noticing Paul’s questioning expression, Gene added, "You know, red on the head, fire in bed!"
Paul shook his head and laughed saying, "Well, Gene, a gentleman never kisses and tells…"
Gene rolling his eyes, "Hey, man. Cut this gentleman bullshit! We always talk about sexual conquests. Why should this be any different? Unless…."
"Unless what?" Paul questioned.
Gene’s eyes widened and he slammed his hands on the table as if having an epiphany. "That’s it. You’re in love with this woman. That explains the silly grins, the blushing, the far-away, dreamy look on your face. I’m right, aren’t I?"
Paul stared at Gene in awe of his insight. However, he knew he shouldn’t be surprised Gene figured it out so easily. After all, they had been friends for years and knew each other well. "Well, yes, you’re right. I love her very much."
"So this wasn’t just another conquest for you? Are you sure you really love her and not just caught up in all the hot sex you’re having?" Gene asked trying to get some sort of details about sex with Veronica.
Paul smiled knowingly at Gene and replied, "I know it’s not just sex, although the sex is amazing—"
"I knew that saying was true!" Gene said.
"Yeah, but it’s not just sexual and exciting, it’s sensual and romantic. I don’t know how to describe the sex or what I feel for her. It’s like we connect on emotional, physical, spiritual, and intellectual levels. I think about her all the time and it’s not just what we’ll do in bed. It’s looking forward to what she’ll say next or where we’ll go or what the future holds for us. I can hardly concentrate on anything else because everything about her is in my mind and heart."
Gene crossed his arms over his chest, studied the dreamy look on Paul’s face and replied, "Whoa, man. You’ve got it bad…….."
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Paul walked up the steps leading to a brick building. A large number of individuals of all ages stood outside taking smoke breaks, reading, and talking. No one seemed to recognize Paul or even notice him and he was relieved. This was not a time he wanted recognition, although he did adore his fans as much as they adored him. After talking to Gene, Paul decided he wanted to see Veronica and didn’t want to wait until the evening. He was oblivious to his surroundings and his mind was set only on surprising Veronica at her job……
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Veronica and her co-workers stood at the front of the classroom and distributed the graded exams to their students. Amy noticed Veronica seemed more cheerful than usual and often had a faraway look in her eyes during the lectures each day since the day she came back from the KISS concert.
Amy leaned over to Veronica and asked, "Hey, can I ask you a nosey question?"
Veronica hesitantly replied, "I guess. What do you need?"
Amy smiled and asked, "What’s new with you? I mean, you look so radiantly
happy and it’s great seeing you that way."
Veronica smiled in response and said, "Well, things are going well
for me. Classes are great and work couldn’t be better, not to mention things
are looking up in my personal life, too."
Amy raised her eyebrows and said, "Oh really, now. Well, that’s good to know. So does this mean you’re getting some on a regular basis now?"
After laughing with Amy, Veronica replied, "Well, let’s just say that my frustrations are minimal these days."
At this moment they regarded each other knowingly, laughed, and continued distributing the graded exams. As the crowd of students dissipated, Amy glanced at the doorway and did a double take then leaned over to Veronica.
"Don’t look now, but there’s a gorgeous man standing in the doorway. I don’t know who he is or why he’s here, but I wouldn’t mind giving him assistance with anything." Amy told Veronica.
Veronica glanced in the direction Amy was talking about and noticed Paul standing in the doorway wearing tight, ripped blue jeans and a black tanktop and Amy looked with her and said, "Hot, isn’t he?" and kept her eyes on Paul. When she looked back, she saw Veronica beaming and mouthing hello to Paul and motioned for him to wait for her.
"Oh my God! Do you know him? Is he the one eliminating your frustrations?" Amy asked. However, she didn’t need Veronica to verbalize her answer as she could tell by the way Paul and Veronica looked at each other and the energy in the air between them that the answer was yes.
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Paul walked into the classroom and immediately spotted Veronica standing at the front of the classroom talking with her students and a co-worker. She was wearing a short, black skirt that reached just above her knees, silver sequined platform heels, and a tight, dark blue, low cut blouse that showed off her breasts and cleavage. Paul couldn’t help but notice a hint of black garters that were part of her pantyhose when she moved behind the desk and leaned down to write some information in her gradebook. Paul waited patiently for the students to finish collecting their papers and leave the classroom while his desire for Veronica intensified as each second passed. He could feel himself harden and rise just watching the rise and fall of her breasts and the sway of her hips in her every movement and could barely contain himself. However, the students and Veronica’s co-workers soon left the classroom and Paul and Veronica were there alone.
Paul walked up to Veronica and they embraced during which he inhaled and savored the scent of her cologne.
"Hi." Paul said with a smile.
"Hi yourself. This is quite a pleasant surprise. What brings you here?"
"I just thought I’d come by and surprise you, but I wasn’t expecting
this."
"What?"
"You looking so damn sexy. I mean, wow. I can barely contain myself."
"I noticed." Veronica replied looking at his crotch before looking back up at him and slyly smiling and winking at him.
At this moment, Paul walked to the door, closed it, locked it, and then closed the blinds while Veronica watched gazed upon his firm ass the whole time. Paul walked back to Veronica, placed his hands on her waist, picked her up, and placed her seated on top of the desk. He proceeded to lean over her kissing her while his hands roamed over her body. He pulled her waist and hips closer to him causing her to rest her back on the desk placing her legs on either side of him reaching up into the air. As their bodies shifted on the desk, papers fell onto the floor in disarray unnoticed by Paul and Veronica as they continued exploring each other’s bodies and with their hands and lips and clothes began falling to the floor.
Paul appeared shirtless over Veronica as he continued kissing and caressing her body, which he had now disrobed down to her black lace panties and garter pantyhose. Paul kissed her deeply and passionately while Veronica unzipped his jeans and slid them off his body while Paul fingered the waistband of her pantyhose and panties. The table rattled underneath them as their bodies continued moving vigorously on top as they continued tantalizing and teasing each other. Paul then broke their kiss and buried his face in Veronica’s softness inhaling her perfume and sliding off her pantyhose and panties with expertise while she fingered the waistband of his boxers and sliding them off his body to join the heap of clothing collecting on the floor.
Meanwhile, Paul made a trail of kisses to Veronica’s breasts as he suckled her nipples and caressed them giving them equal attention. Veronica moaned with delight as Paul worked his magic with his hands, tongue, and lips on her breasts. She bit her lip and ran her fingers through his hair and dug her fingernails into his back to control her passion and stop herself from jumping him. However, just when she thought she could contain herself no longer, Paul lifted his head from Veronica’s breasts, and shifted his body above her and forward preparing to enter her. Veronica could feel his desire stiff and firm against her thigh as he slowly eased inside her soft depths. He began thrusting slowly and softly at first and gradually thrusting harder, faster, and deeper inside her. Veronica screamed his name with pleasure and euphoria as her desire increased and her climax drew near and Paul screamed her name as well as he caressed and made love to her on the desk that banged harder and louder onto the floor with each of Paul’s thrusts inside her.
Veronica and Paul soon reached their climaxes screaming and moaning as their spent, yet relaxed bodies remained merged with only a latex barrier stopping the flow of their passion from Paul’s body. Paul and Veronica smiled with delight and both said, "Wow! That was amazing," in tones of awe and wonder at the height of passion they both reached and the excitement of it all forgetting their whereabouts for a while.
As they gazed at each other with grins of satisfaction, they noticed knocks on the doors and windows of the classroom increasing in audibility and quantity.
"What is all that noise?" Paul asked Veronica.
Puzzled for a second and then with a look of sudden realization Veronica answered with surprise and, "It’s probably the students and the professor from the next class that meets in this classroom waiting to get into the room." She looked at the clock, and said, "Yes, it’s 2pm, time for the next class to meet."
At this moment, Paul and Veronica looked at each other open-mouthed and burst out laughing.
"Well, here, we better get dressed and leave before they break the door down and find us in here naked. I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure even we could talk our way out of or explain this one!" Paul said laughingly as he gathered his clothes and handed Veronica her outfit.
They quickly got dressed and Veronica unlocked the classroom door with one hand and her other hand clasped around Paul’s hand.
As she opened the door, they noticed a sea of questioning, aggravated, bewildered faces looking upon them.
"Um, sorry, everyone. I got detained in the classroom and had some important, pressing affairs to tend to that needed and deserved my full, undivided attention. I hope I haven’t inconvenienced anyone in my desire to fulfill the needs of a person who sought my expertise." Veronica told the crowd, while Paul stood behind her and managed to maintain a straight face and stifle a laugh. The couple then walked through the crowd hand in hand while their spectators looked on them with confusion and shakes of their heads as they filed into the classroom……………..
Rare Beauty Part 6
Veronica and Paul walked into Veronica’s apartment where Paul sat in the living room and Veronica set her bookbag in her bedroom both of them still glowing from their passion. They were thrilled and exhilarated at the spontaneous lovemaking and loved the thrill of possibly getting caught in public while in the throes of passion. They enjoyed learning more about each other and hoped everything would remain new and fun throughout their relationship without the relationship growing stale. They both were willing to work with unwavering determination to make their relationship retain its spark and romance.
Veronica peeked out of her bedroom and told Paul, "Babe before we go out, I’m going to change clothes, check my phone messages, and finish up a couple of projects for tomorrow. Just make yourself at home. Watch TV, check e-mail, have a beer, or all of the above if you want."
"All right. That sounds good, but don’t be too long." Paul replied.
In a joking, playful tone Veronica replied, "Don’t worry. I won’t leave you unsupervised too long." Veronica and Paul laughed at her last comment after which she went into her bedroom leaving Paul in the living room to keep himself occupied. Paul grabbed a Coke from the refrigerator before seating himself at Veronica’s computer to check e-mail and surf the web for the purpose of killing time until Veronica finished returning phone calls and completing her work.
As Paul tried to connect to the internet, he unknowingly clicked on an icon placed directly adjacent to the internet connection icon entitled "Veronica’s Creations" failing to notice his error and immediately close the window and switch to the internet connection. Paul noticed various files with titles such as "Deep Thoughts of a KISS Fan," "The Feminist Bible," "PhD Meets White Trash Elegance," and a plethora of additional files saved on the hard drive. Paul thought to himself, These are Veronica’s creative writing stories and tried to decide if he should read them or if Veronica would see it as an invasion of her privacy and become angry knowing he read her fiction without her knowledge. Paul paused before proceeding to open one of her stories and then decided it wouldn’t hurt just to peek at one story to skim it and opened the "PhD Meets White Trash Elegance" file.
However, Paul found himself engrossed in the story and couldn’t tear himself away from it. He was impressed with her writing abilities and found them compelling, poignant, and worthy of publication. Paul thought of Veronica’s dreams of writing full time and her fear of taking the career risk in fulfilling her dreams and wanted to help make her dreams come true. Paul thought, I’m gonna make her dreams come true. He then looked toward Veronica’s bedroom to make sure she couldn’t see him before he grabbed a blank disk and saved the stories onto it. He knew she wouldn’t notice a disk missing since she had plenty of them and decided to send her stories to a few publishers. Paul smiled to himself thinking about the look on her face when the moment arose that she would learn she achieved the goal of her works’ publication.
As Paul finished saving the files onto the disk, he heard the sound of Veronica’s bedroom door opening and quickly closed the files and haphazardly threw the disk into his pocket. He hoped Veronica hadn’t seen him reading and saving her files or putting the disk into his pocket because he wanted to keep his plans for her stories a surprise.
Veronica walked into the room, came up behind the chair in which Paul was sitting and placed her arms around him kissing the back of his neck and then his cheek while letting her hands slide into the nest of hair on his chest. "Did you miss me?" she asked laughing.
Paul smiled and looked at her saying, "Of course," then softly kissed her.
Veronica asked, "Now you didn’t get into any trouble while I was gone, did you?" while coming to the side of the chair sitting in Paul’s lap while Paul placed his arms around her waist.
"Getting into trouble without you? What would be fun about that?" Paul asked pulling her close to him.
"You’ve got a point there." Veronica said as she kissed him letting one hand run up and down Paul’s chest while the other stayed around his shoulders.
When their kiss broke, Veronica told Paul, "I hate to ruin the mood, but I’m starving and if I don’t eat now, I’ll pass out and/or chew off my arm."
"Well, we can’t have that happening," Paul said, "I want you to be energized later for the post dinner festivities."
"Sounds intriguing." Veronica said as she rose from Paul’s lap, but leaving her hand clasped with his as they left the apartment to eat dinner.
Rare Beauty Part 7
Veronica and Paul lay in bed next to each other, Paul resting his head on his hand while Veronica lay next to and against him keeping herself warm and enjoying being with him in the afterglow of their passion. She thought about how happy she was with Paul and her determination not to let him get away. These thoughts brought a smile to her face, which Paul immediately noticed.
"And what, my dear, are you smiling about?" Paul asked.
Veronica touched Paul’s face and said, "I was just thinking about how happy you make me in every way and the way things are falling into place for me. I’m finally at peace with life and it’s a wonderful feeling." She then pulled Paul gently to her and kissed him passionately and lovingly. When their kiss ended, Paul resumed resting his head on his hand while touching Veronica’s hair and face and decided this was the appropriate time to tell her his plans to help her get her stories published.
"Veronica, I have some news for you that I think you’ll like and will bring even more peace into your life." Paul told her anxious to see her reaction once he told her what he did with her stories.
"Okay. What is it, Paul?" Veronica asked noting the serious tone in his voice. She wondered what news he could possibly have for her that would bring her more inner peace with life.
"Well, remember this afternoon while you were working and making phone calls and I was online?" Paul asked to which Veronica responded with a nod and said, "Yes. Why do you ask?"
Paul continued, "Right before you opened the door and walked in the living room, I accidentally stumbled upon your fiction. See, I was trying to connect to the internet and unknowingly clicked on the icon with your stories and didn’t immediately notice my error until I saw titles of files." Paul paused briefly before continuing his explanations to her allowing Veronica to interject if she wanted.
"Okay. So you didn’t notice your error immediately. You clicked out of it as soon as you did notice and clicked on the correct icon to connect, right?" Veronica questioned.
"Not exactly." Paul told her, "The titles of your works caught my eye and I couldn’t help but take a peek at your ‘PhD Meets White Trash Elegance’ story. Well, I found myself engrossed in the story and impressed with your talents as a writer, Veronica, and I just couldn’t stop reading. In fact, I was so impressed that I saved your stories to one of your blank disks and when we stopped at the mailbox on the way to dinner, mailed it to a publisher! Veronica, your dream of becoming a full-time writer is about to be your reality. That means you can quit school and travel with me on tour and have a career you love at the same time! How does this grab you?" Paul grinned at Veronica after he finished telling her his news.
Veronica slid away from Paul so she could sit up in bed and gave him a look of horror and disbelief yelling, "You mean you sit there and tell me you not only read one of my stories without asking my permission but had the nerve to save all of my stories onto a blank disk---again, without asking me---to send to a publisher without asking me??!!"
A shocked Paul cried, "Veronica, I thought this would make you happy. Why are you so angry?"
Veronica, flushed from anger, quickly jumped out of the bed and quickly threw on her bathrobe and turned to Paul screaming, "Why are you so angry?, he asks. Why the hell do you think, Paul? First, you invade my privacy by reading my stories without asking me then you have the audacity to save all of my stories onto one of my blank disks without asking me and to top it all off, sent them to a publisher without consulting me! Gee, I wonder why I could possibly be mad! Did you ever stop to consider my feelings in all of this, Paul? You went through my private property like it was insignificant---like I was insignificant. Is that what I am to you? Do you think I’m just some insignificant object void of all thought and feeling that you can just pick up and do with as you please and then put away when you’re through?" As Veronica shouted these words at Paul she stood near the doorway of the bedroom and felt tears well up in her eyes but refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry, while Paul tried many times to interrupt her but without success. Veronica paused to collect her thoughts while waiting for Paul to answer.
"Veronica, no! I don’t think that about you! I only wanted to make you happy. I wanted to make your dreams come true. I had no clue you’d react this way. I thought you’d be thrilled about the opportunity." Paul replied.
Veronica stared at him for a long time before answering. The short silence seemed like an eternity to Paul who still held on to a shred of hope that she would see things his way. In a sarcastic tone Veronica asked, "Which opportunity? The one where I become a published author or the one where I give up my life and identity to follow you on tour and live in the identity you construct for me?" After this comment, she stormed into the living room where Paul followed her with a pleading look in his eyes wanting desperately to make up with her. After another pause Veronica lowered her voice and said to Paul, "You still don’t get it do you? I can tell by the look on your face."
"Veronica, I just don’t get why you’re so angry and how you’re drawing these conclusions from me simply reading your stories and sending them to a publisher. I know I was wrong to read your stories without your permission and I apologize for that, but I don’t see the harm in it. Your writing may be published and that’s something you’ve dreamed of and never thought possible." Paul explained.
"Paul, it’s not just a matter of you reading my personal writing without my permission. Yes, I’d be pissed about it, but I’d respect and accept your confession and understand your curiosity. You’re only human. However, you infringed on my personal rights to my fiction. Yes, I want so much for my work to be published, but I want it to happen on my terms. It should be my decision when and if I decide to submit my writing to publishers, not yours or anyone else’s interference. You’ve betrayed my trust and hurt me deeply, Paul. You’ve stabbed me in the back. That’s the source of my anger, Paul." Veronica explained to him.
"Maybe so, but I just think you’re overreacting about all of this," Paul said, "Why don’t we just call it a night? You’ll feel much better in the morning and I’m sure you’ll see things my way."
Veronica’s eyes filled with rage as she screamed, "You asshole! I can’t believe you just said that to me. You’re so convinced you’re right and I’m wrong that you won’t even consider my views. We’ll be calling it a night all right!" At this point Veronica grabbed Paul’s clothes from her bedroom floor, opened her front door, and threw them over the balcony while a naked, shocked Paul stood watching his clothes scatter into the apartment complex parking lot. Veronica then grabbed Paul by the arm and literally kicked him outside shouting, "Get the hell out and stay out! I don’t ever want to see your face again!" Veronica slammed the door while Paul stumbled down the stairs in shock trying collect and put on his clothes while ignoring the gazing and snickering of Veronica’s neighbors and other onlookers.
Rare Beauty Part 8
Veronica walked across campus in a depressed stupor with scenes from her argument with Paul repeating in her brain like a broken record. Her melancholy state accompanied by her sleep deprivation and eyes swollen from crying the previous night resulted in her inability to maintain focus on her students, professors, and almost caused to her to pass by her good friend, Terri Mason, who unbeknownst to Veronica, was currently visiting the area including the university.
"Veronica?" Terri cried trying to get Veronica’s attention. Veronica turned and saw her friend standing waving at her. She and Terri initially became friends when they met in a KISS chatroom and realized they shared similar interests and views extending beyond KISS.
"Terri!" Veronica cried, "Oh my God! What are you doing here? It’s great to see you!"
The two friends embraced and Veronica noticed their opposite attire---Terri in a navy blue three piece business suit that was professional without looking matronly and Veronica in a short, form-fitting purple dress that was less professional and more casual.
"It’s good seeing you, too. And to answer your question, I just got through giving a lecture on women in science and the obstacles they face entering such a male-dominated field." Terri explained.
"So that explains the professional attire. That sounds very interesting. How did it go?" Veronica asked.
"It went very well, actually. Of course there are always the groups of students there solely for extra credit points." Terri said.
"Well sure. That goes without saying." Veronica said knowingly as they both laughed.
"But there were quite a few people interested in the topic and I entertained tons of questions. In fact, we went way over and had to cut things short and unfortunately, leave some questions unanswered. All in all, it was a success and I was pleased." Terri told her.
"That’s great!" Veronica answered smiling at her friend. However, Terri observed that despite Veronica’s encouragement and genuine happiness for her success, something was amiss. She had a distant, sad look in her eyes that no amount of external, verbal expressions of happiness could hide.
"Um, Veronica are you okay?" Terri inquired, "You seem a little sad and distant. Did something happen at work today?"
"Am I that transparent?" Veronica asked, but not surprised Terri could sense her sadness. Terri nodded in response and Veronica added, "Well, nothing happened at work and the classes I’m taking are going well."
"Okay. Well, if it’s not school or work, then that leaves your personal life. Is it your family?" Terri asked to which Veronica answered in the negative.
"Is it a man?"
Veronica sighed and replied, "Yes. I think pigheaded idiot is more accurate, though."
"Yikes. This sounds awful. Do you want to talk about it?" Terri asked concerned about her friend.
"Yes, I do. You won’t believe who the man in question is." Veronica said.
"Oh, try me. You know I don’t shock easily."
"Well, okay. Here goes. The man is Paul Stanley."
Terri looked at Veronica as if experiencing an epiphany when hearing Paul is the object of her affection.
"Oh my God! You’re the new woman in Paul’s life. I should’ve known it was you when Gene described a petite redhead! Duh on me!" Terri exclaimed.
Veronica with a confused, surprised look on her face asked, "Wait a minute. How do you know Gene?" She paused before saying, "Are you Gene’s girlfriend?"
"Yes ma’am." Terri said and proceeded explaining how Gene interviewed her for a position as a pyrotechnician for KISS and how she had resumed an academic career after the end of the last tour. She mentioned she and Gene moved to California where she is a scriptwriter as a side career.
"Wow. It sure is a small world." Veronica replied.
"It’s smaller than you think, Veronica." Terri said and explained how she met Paul and had a short-lived relationship with him before meeting and becoming involved with Gene.
"Now, that’s something I wasn’t expecting to learn but it’s very interesting. Thanks for sharing." Veronica said.
"Speaking of sharing, Paul’s not bad in bed, is he." Terri replied.
A wicked grin appeared on Veronica’s face as she said, "He’s phenomenal in bed. I’m surprised I can still walk and don’t need a wheelchair to get around. Wait a minute. Let me check." Veronica starts walking a few feet then returns to Terri to say, "I can still walk. Somewhat bow-legged, but I can walk."
After laughing hysterically Veronica asks, "So how do Gene and Paul compare in bed?"
Terri replies, "They don’t. Gene’s just more my style."
"You always did like that tongue of his." Veronica added with a smile.
Grinning Terri asked, "I take it sex wasn’t the problem with you and Paul, then."
"No, that part was amazing. The relationship wasn’t just about sex, either. It transcended sex. It was fun, exciting, romantic, loving, sexual, spiritual, emotional. It was all I could ask for in a relationship until last night." Veronica answered with a sad facial expression and tears in her eyes.
"What happened? If you don’t want to talk about it, I’ll understand." Terri said.
"No, I do want to talk about it. I think you can relate to it more than anyone and I know I don’t need to keep my feelings bottled up forever." Veronica replied. She recounted the events from the previous night to Terri who intently listened offering her shoulder for support through Veronica’s tears.
"I’m sorry, Terri. I didn’t mean to get so emotional. That bastard has too much of a hold over me and I just want to forget all about him. I can’t believe I ever let my guard down and offered myself to him completely. I’m a dumbass, aren’t I." Veronica told Terri.
"You don’t need to apologize to me, okay. I’m your friend and I want to be here for you and help you. And no, you’re not a dumbass. He gave you no reason to believe you couldn’t trust him until last night." Terri pointed out to Veronica.
"True, but now I wonder how much of his affection was an act. Did he deceive me about that, too? I swore I’d never open up my heart again, but then Paul came along and that changed. I should’ve stuck to my guns and kept him at arm’s length." Veronica answered.
Terri looked at Veronica, put her arm around her shoulders, and said, "Hey, why don’t we go to mine and Gene’s hotel room and talk. It would do you some good to get away from home and work."
"Okay, but I’m worried about running into Paul. I just don’t think I could handle facing him right now." Veronica told her friend.
"Don’t worry about that, my friend. We’ll take care of things. You just go ahead and come hang with Gene and me for a while, ok." Terri reassured.
"Okay. Let’s go." Veronica answered.
A half hour later at Terri and Gene’s hotel room.
Veronica, Terri, and Gene seated themselves eating lunch while Veronica updated Gene on the situation between she and Paul. Gene, like Terri, listened intently to Veronica’s story and found himself shocked, angry, and embarrassed about Paul’s deception. Though Gene didn’t know Veronica well, he liked her, knew Terri considered her a good friend and hated how Paul treated Veronica.
"Damn that man is so dense! When will he learn his lesson? He’s my best friend, but sometimes I wonder if he shouldn’t have been the Space Ace instead of the Starchild!" Gene replied after Veronica finished recounting the story.
"You’re telling me! I’m so glad you understand it, Gene. Now why the hell can’t he? Stupid pigheaded bastard!" Veronica replied.
"I think you just answered your own question, my dear. Now I have a question." Gene said leaning closer.
"What?" Veronica asked.
"What are you going to do?" Gene asked her.
"Nothing. I’m not speaking to him until he grows up which at this rate, means never. I’m not wasting my time with someone so deceitful." Veronica answered.
At this moment, the three could hear footsteps and a voice saying, "Hey Gene. Are you here?"
The three recognized the voice as Paul’s and Veronica’s eyes opened wider as she whispered, "Oh shit. I really don’t want to see him."
"You’ll be fine, Veronica. Try to relax and take a deep breath." Terri said.
"Yeah, Paul. I’m in here." Gene yelled.
"Your door was unlocked, so I just let myself in. You won’t believe what happened last night, Gene--" Paul said and then stopped short when he noticed Gene wasn’t alone.
"Sorry, Gene. I didn’t realize you had company. I’ll come back later. Hello, Terri. Um, Hi Veronica." Paul stammered.
Veronica answered with a civil nod while saying, "Paul, " before gathering her purse and keys to return home. As she rose to leave, Paul walked towards her saying, "Veronica. I—"
Veronica interjected motioning for him to halt and angrily commanded, "Step any closer and I’ll see to it you sing soprano for the rest of your life." Paul stopped and Veronica looked up at Gene and Terri and told them, "Thanks for listening, guys. I’ll be in touch." She and Terri embraced and she and Gene shook hands.
"No problem, Veronica. Call me if you need me." Terri replied.
"Yes. We’re here for you, babe." Gene answered.
"Bye guys." Veronica said and exited the hotel room.
Gene and Terri watched the door and listened for the door to close before turning to Paul and saying in unison, "Man, have you got some explaining to do!"
Paul raised his eyebrows before saying with fervor and emphasis on his fate for the evening, "I take it Veronica told you all about last night and how one minute things were going beautifully and the next my clothes are thrown into the parking lot and then I’m literally kicked outside naked stumbling down the stairs with people outside snickering and staring at me."
Gene stared at Paul in shock, looked briefly at Terri, then looked back at Paul before emitting a hearty, deep laugh at Paul Terri joining him in laughing. Gene said to Paul, "Now, she didn’t tell me the part about throwing your clothes and you outside naked!" Gene looked at Terri and asked, "Did she tell you?" Terri nodded still laughing at the mental picture of Paul gathering clothes outside while enduring the humiliation of others staring and laughing at him. "That makes sense. Now, I can see why you guys are friends." Gene turned back to Paul and exclaimed, "I knew there was a reason I liked that woman! She’s got a fire in her that knows no bounds! No wonder you kept coming back for more!"
Terri rolled her eyes at Gene’s comments saying, "ANYWAY. Back to the topic at hand." Gene put his arms around her shoulders, but retained his wicked grin.
Paul with sarcasm and frustration in his eyes and voice replied, "I’m glad you guys find my misfortune so funny."
"Oh, come on Paul!" Gene exclaimed. "Quit throwing yourself a pity party. What you did was reprehensible!"
"Whatever. I’m surprised she didn’t mention to you, Gene, about how she threw me out of her apartment." Paul answered.
"That’s because she has integrity and respects your privacy so much she’s not about to tell that to someone she barely knows---something you know nothing about." Gene pointed out to Paul.
"What did I do that was so bad? I shouldn’t have read her stories without consulting her. I understand that and apologized, but I just don’t see the harm in trying to help her dreams come true."
Terri jumped in the conversation and asked Paul, "When are you going to learn your lesson? Are you really that stubborn, pigheaded and dense?"
"Yeah, Paul. When are you going to learn that you can’t just take things into your own hands simply because that’s what you want to do? Need I remind you what happened the last time?" Gene said looking at Terri and forcing Paul to remember how he went wrong with her and caused her to lose his job with his intervention and using his celebrity status to get his way. "When you’re at the lady’s computer and you see private files of hers, you keep your nose out of it! That’s her territory, not yours! And that goes for any personal, private area of her life!"
"I still don’t understand." Paul said.
Gene folded his arms, looked at Paul and said, "You know. You’re lucky you’re my best friend because you’re exhausting my patience! Let me pose a hypothetical situation to you. Let’s say that during your little spontaneous, romantic tete a tete a passerby sees you and Veronica and instead of walking by and minding their own business, they whip out a videocamera and record your live porno. Then, this person makes copies of the videos and auctions them off to Ebay. The thrill of getting caught would disappear as your private moment with Veronica enters the public domain. Now, Paul, how would that make you feel?"
"I’d feel pissed because this person would be violating my privacy with such a cruel, deceitful act!" Paul said slowing his speech as he reached the words about privacy violation and deceit. "Oh, man. What have I done?? I’ve made a terrible mistake. I may have just lost the best thing ever to come in my life because I was too busy being a selfish loser in my interference and trying to make her forgo her identity just to stay with me!" Paul cried with a sad, apologetic expression.
"Bingo!" Gene said pointing at Paul.
"FINALLY, a breakthrough!" Terri exclaimed throwing her hands in the air while Gene squeezed her with the arm he had placed around her shoulders.
"Guys, I’ve got to make things right with Veronica. What do I do?" Paul asked.
"You mean, you’ve got some serious groveling to do." Terri corrected.
"Yeah, Paul. It’s not gonna be easy getting back into her good graces. She’s like this one, "Gene said motioning with his head to Terri, "She’s not a force to be reckoned with. You’re gonna have to do some serious apologizing and prove yourself to her before she’s going to let you back into her life. She does love you otherwise, none of this would upset her like it does, but she’s going to keep her guard up and stick to her guns and you better be armed and ready to prove yourself."
"I know. I know, but how?" Paul pleaded.
"That’s something you’re going to have to figure out yourself. It has to be your own idea and from your own heart or she’ll never take you back." Terri advised.
"You’re right. She’ll see right through my bull shit." Paul agreed. After pausing for a few moments, Paul’s eyes lit up and he smiled. "I think I know just the thing to prove I’ve learned my lesson, but I’m going to need your help. Will you help me?" Paul asked.
"Of course, my friend. You can count on me!" Gene said.
"Me too! Anything to see Veronica happy!" Terri replied.
"Thanks guys. Here’s what I’m thinking…" Paul said as he began telling Terri and Gene his plans for proving himself to Veronica…
The following week at the university
Veronica and Terri walked across campus heading to a lecture the latter was scheduled to give.
"The lecture is in the library, right?" Veronica asked.
"Yes." Terri confirmed. Once they reached the free speech area of campus, the two women saw a crowd forming and Terri suggested, "Hey, let’s stop here and see what’s going on before heading to the lecture."
"Won’t we be late for the lecture?" Veronica asked.
"No, we still have a few minutes." Terri said after looking at her watch.
"Okay. I must admit I am a little curious." Veronica told her.
Once they neared the crowd, Veronica and Terri spotted Gene amongst the spectators who motioned for them to stand next to him.
"Hey, babe." Terri said hugging Gene.
"Hey, Gene. It’s good seeing you, but I must admit I’m surprised to see you here." Veronica told him, "Is something going on?"
Before Gene had time to answer, the three noticed Paul approach the microphone set up in the area to which Veronica said, "Oh, hell. I’m getting out of here." She started to walk away, but Gene held her in her spot telling her, "Now, I know he’s the last person you want to see, but why don’t you stick around and listen. If nothing else, you might wanna stay in case he pisses you off and the crowd needs your ass-kicking services rendered."
"Yeah, Veronica. I agree with Gene. Why don’t you listen for a couple of minutes and if you still want to leave, then you can leave."
"All right. I’ll stay here and listen, but only for a few minutes." Veronica said.
At this moment Paul’s cried into the microphone, "How you doin’ people! I’m Paul and I’m here to tell you I’m a pigheaded, self-centered idiot!"
Veronica leaned over to Terri and Gene saying, "So far, so good. That’s the most intelligent thing he’s said in a long time! Maybe I’ll stay and listen."
Paul continued, "See, I met this gorgeous woman. Beautiful green eyes, red hair, and a set of breasts that would make a gay man straight and priest leave the church!"
As the crowd roared with thunderous applause and screams, Veronica leaned over to Terri and Gene and remarked with a laugh and a wink, "Accurate description there. So far so good."
"But it doesn’t end there, my friends," Paul continued, "She has a beautiful spirit, intelligence, kindness, humor, and a strong sense of her identity. All of those reasons are why I fell for her. Things were going beautifully until I decided to become King Asshole of the Universe. I tried to choke the very spirit and independence that made me love her and she tossed me out of her life." Paul paused as the crowd grew silent leaving even Veronica and Gene speechless and the former with tears in her eyes along with Paul.
Paul then turned to where he had seen Veronica enter with Terri and pleaded, "Veronica, I’m so very sorry for what I did to you. I know now what I did was wrong and will do anything to make it up to you. I just can’t stand the pain of our separation and it’s not because I’m lonely or desperate, but because you complete me and I’m better with you."
Paul paused again as the crowd’s eyes went to an open-mouthed, teary-eyed Veronica.
Veronica then ran to Paul crying, "Paul, I-I don’t know what to say." Veronica couldn’t believe he had gone through so much trouble for her and admitted his faults in public.
"Just say you’ll forgive me and we can start anew. Veronica, I love you and I want to be with you. I know I’m not perfect, but I’ll do all I can to ensure you’re happy." Paul said to her with his arms around her waist.
"I forgive you, Paul, and love you. I want us back together." Veronica told him. The two embraced and kissed while the crowd applauded with Terri and Gene looking happily at their friends kissing and making up.
When Veronica and Paul finished kissing, they walked arms around each other over to Gene and Terri.
"I’m so glad you guys are back together with smiles on your faces." Terri said with relief in her voice.
"Me too." Gene said.
"Thanks, but none of this could’ve happened without your help. I’m indebted to you forever." Paul told the two.
"You mean, you two were in on this too??" Veronica asked.
"Indeed. Gene and I helped Paul see how wrong he was and I reserved the free speech area and agreed to bring you here, Veronica. The idea was all Paul’s though." Terri replied.
"Thank you guys so much!" Veronica said embracing Gene and Terri. "And Paul I’m so glad this is all resolved and I can’t believe you went through all of this trouble for me. I’m touched." Paul responded with a smile and squeezed her shoulders.
"So let’s go celebrate!" Terri said.
"Wait, Terri, there’s one more thing left to resolve." Veronica said to Paul whose face fell wondering how else he failed.
"Well, we’ve been apart for over a week now," Veronica said in a flirtatious tone. "And well, we need to make up for some lost time." Veronica had turned to Paul moving her hands up and down his chest.
"Well, then. We better hurry because we’ve got some catching up to do!" Paul told her smiling down at her and stroking her hair.
Veronica turned to Gene and Terri and said in unison with Gene, "I think we’ll/they’ll have our/their own private celebration." The four laughed at the comment while the couples parted ways to allow Paul and Veronica time alone together as the latter walked away hand in hand ready to continue discovering the physical and inner unique beauty in each other.
