Stings of a Puppet (Closed for BlondeAmbition4RP)

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

'Puppet on the strings', Elle thought to herself.

She liked it, it was catchy. If they ended up touring together it would make a fun billboard, 'Elle Adams, with Puppet on the strings'.

Walter's assurances eased her worries about drawing any unwanted attention to herself that night, as did the relaxed reaction of the crowd in the bar to her arrival. She took the seat he offered, smiling a bit to herself as he held out the chair for her and removed his jacket from her shoulders before sliding the chair back in for her. She had to admit, she was still a bit of a sucker for good Southern manners.

When the older lady approached and wiped down the table she couldn't help but smile at the exchange between her and Walter as well. He certainly was well known here, well liked as well it seemed.

"A Manhattan for me, please," she replied with a smile to the older woman before turning and giving Walter a teasing nudge, "And not having your guitar with you isn't a good enough excuse, Puppet."

She crossed her legs and settled back into her chair with a smirk as she watched him.

"I'm sure there's one around here they'd loan you for the night. Seems like an awful lot of instruments up there on that stage."

 

[ThaDonger]

"And not having your guitar with you isn't a good enough excuse, Puppet

Walter laughs as he looks over at Elle now with this smirk on her face. "You know, I would play here for something to eat from time to time" he chuckles, almost to himself as he stares at the table.

"I'm sure there's one around here they'd loan you for the night. Seems like an awful lot of instruments up there on that stage."

"Not going to drop it are you?" he laughs, locked into her eyes.

"Manhattan of the lady, usual, Bourbon rocks for you" Mary says, placing thier drinks on the table.

"Could you ask Ray if he'd mind playing some bass?" Walter ask of Mary.

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind at all" she tells Walter, before walking to the door.

Ray and a couple others walk by the table, to the stage. The lights go dim through the room as multi colors illuminate the stage. Walter walks to the stage, looking over the guitars lining the wall. As he cooses one, he quickly tunes it to his liking by ear.

"How about some Little Wing?" stepping to a mic, looking back at the guys on the stage.

Walter steps back, ques Ray....Little Wing

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Elle smiled, eyes on Walter as he began to play. The guy was a natural, there was no denying it. Now that he'd shared a bit of his story with her she was even more impressed. She couldn't imagine what it must have been like for him coming to the city with literally nothing, living on the streets and having to play gigs for meals.

The music business, like most business, had a lot to do with who you knew and having the right connections. It was rare that people literally got 'discovered' by chance as Walter had. Yes, she'd worked her butt off playing gigs and writing songs to get where she was, but she doubted her career really would have gotten as big as it had and as quickly as it had if her parents hadn't been able to afford a good manager for her from the beginning.

Her smile wavered for a moment at the thought of her family. Her mother had died tragically in a car accident a few years back on her way driving home from one of Elle's shows, and her father... well he'd never really been the same after that. He'd since sold the family home that she'd bought for them near Nashville and had moved out to a beach house in Florida. They still got together every year for the Holidays, but they honestly didn't really talk much anymore.

Elle made herself push the thoughts of her family from her mind, not wanting to spoil the moment as she enjoyed Walter's playing. Reaching for her glass and taking a long drink, she let herself get swept up into music. She closed her eyes for a moment, just letting it sweep over her before opening them again as the guitar crescendoed to watch Walter's fingers as they moved like magic over the strings, her gaze slowly moving back up to his face with a smile.

 

[ThaDonger]

Intoxicated by the moment, friends who enjoyed music and plays much as he did, Elle who appears to be enjoying herself as much as he had hoped she would.

After playing more than just a song, Walter places the guitar back on the stand, shakes the hands of those who had joined him on stage before returning to the table. He grabs his drink, nothing more than bourbon and water at this point and drinks it down.

"The old timers need breaks" he says, joking as he sits the now empty glass in the table.

He can see now why Elle is the Superstar she is. He looks her in the eyes, such a beautiful woman, such natural talent and what he has realized this evening, a wonderful soul. Not many Pop Stars would have abandoned their own party to go to a dive bar with him.

He nervously lifts his hand, hesitant and a little shaky, before lowering it and looking away. "We should probably get going. There will be people looking for you soon."

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Elle smiled at Walter's joke as he joined her at the table again. His eyes caught hers and she felt her heartbeat quicken for a moment as she noticed him lifting his hand as if he might reach over to her, but instead he lowered it again and looked away.

"We should probably get going. There will be people looking for you soon."

She frowned slightly, finding herself not ready to return to the party and give up this small moment of freedom with him just yet.

"We've got some time still," she assured him, "As many people that are there, no one will think anything if they can't find me right away. How's about one more drink, on me?"

She smiled then as an idea came to her.

"And maybe a song as well?... Do y'all know any Janis? Ball & Chain perhaps?"

 

[ThaDonger]

Walter shakes his glass, watching the ice rattle, "One more" as he sits his glass and motions for a waitress. He was relieved she did not want to leave. He was enjoying this time with her. He just worries if there will be backlash, not so much for him, hell no one knows who he is. Elle on the other hand... He pushes the thought from his mind as Marry sits thier drinks on the table.

"Do y'all know any Janis? Ball & Chain perhaps?"

Walter is taken back by her. Did she just ask to sing? "Yeah, I'm certain they do. I know it well."

With a large smile on his face, he turns to Elle "Excuse me a moment, I'll go verify with Ray".

Walters stands and walks back to the door where Ray was seated. He informed Ray that Elle wanted wanted to sing Ball &Chain and if they knew it.

Ray practically fell off the stool he was sitting on. "Hell yeah we know it!" Speaking loud in his excitement, he was going to play bass for Elle Adams.

The guys step back to the stage, picking up thier instruments, ensuring they are still tuned. Walter walks back to the table where Elle sat. He placed a hand on the back of her chair, extending his right hand.

"They said it would be an honor" he says with a grin, looking down her.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

"Great!," Elle replied with a smile, taking Walter's offered hand and walking with him to the stage.

Despite her enthusiasm, and despite the song being her idea, she was surprised to find herself a little nervous when she stepped up to the mic. It had been a long time since she'd sung at a small venue like this one. Odd as it may seem she'd always felt more nerves singing at small venues than the big arenas. It was hard to explain but the small venues just felt more intimate...more exposed. No flashing lights and back up dancers, just her.

"Evening everyone," she began in a surprisingly humble tone, "I was hoping y'all might humor me a bit and let me sing an old favorite of mine for you..."

She turned and gave a nod to que the band, Ball and Chain beginning to play.

As soon as the first few chords washed over her, her instincts as a performer kicked in and she felt her nerves fade away as she moved with the music and began to sing. As she song progressed she slipped the mic from its stand and moved about the stage with it, interacting with the audience and musicians. She even walked over to Walter and playfully sang to him for a bit before his guitar solo in the middle of the song, then stayed and danced beside him as he played before moving back to the front of the stage and continuing on with the song.

 

[ThaDonger]

Moments into the song, Walter realised why Elle is so admired and loved by her fans. Her stage presence and angelic voice were like no other. He had heard her music before, hell who hasn't, but to bear witness first hand to her beautiful voice in rhythm with you, that he felt was special.

As the song ends, Walter did not want the night to end as well. He knew the guys playing with them could follow with basic beats and chords easily.

Typically Walter is somewhat a loner on stage. His presence always in the back and to himself. He swallows his emotions and steps to the front of the stage, just to the right of Elle, sweat raining from his long hair to the floor as Walter begins the to lead into the song he and Elle had been working on.

He hears as Ray and the others join in with basic cords. Walter worries momentarily that he may have taken this too far. Is she ready for this song to be heard?

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

When Walter had moved to the front of the stage to join her as the song was ending, Elle thought he must just coming up to join her for a bow or something. To her surprise however he began to play their new song that they'd just recorded!

She lowered the mic away from her lips and raised an eyebrow at him in question. Was he sure about this? Was she sure she wanted to go along with this? Performing a new song in a public setting without the studio's official okay first would be a big no-no.

The music continued, the band following his lead. Once again she couldn't help but think how sexy he looked when he played the guitar like this: sweaty and passionate, completely engrossed in what he was doing. If she was going to join in she'd be needing to come in with her vocals soon...

"Oh what the hell..." she murmured with a chuckle, smirking at him as she brought the mic back to her lips and began to sing.

 

[ThaDonger]

They keep the song somewhat brief, they themselves not having haad much time together to work out most kinks. It is however enough to give Walter the performance fever. He does not step to the back of the stage this time opting to stand just off to Elle's side.

How did he ever get so lucky he wonders. Even with tiny beads of sweat on her face, her hair visually wet from the lights of the small stage, she remains as beautiful as ever.

Wrapping thier song up, Walter reaches back, standing the guitar back in It's place. Stepping back to her side, he takes Elle's hand and bows slightly with her, flinging his long, wet hair back out if his face.

He looks her in the eyes, "That's for you" picking her hand up, pointing at her.

Walter steps from the stage, holding his hand out and helping Elle on the short steps. They take thier seats back at the table where two fresh drinks await them.

"That was fun" he maanges to say trying to catch is breath still. "I hope it is always this much fun."

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

"That was fun," Elle agreed, smiling over at Walter as she reached for her drink and took a sip, her blood still pumping strong from her performance high.

Her eyes glanced at him over the edge of her glass, noting the beads of sweat dampening his brow and hairline. He'd gotten a haircut since the first time they'd met at the agency, but he'd left it long. She was glad he hadn't cut it all off. She suddenly found herself wondering what it might feel like to run her fingers through it.

At the same moment however her eyes flitted over to a clock on the wall behind him, her smile fading a bit as she noticed the time.

"It's getting late though... we should probably go ahead and make our way back to the party."

 

[ThaDonger]

Elle's words snap him back to reality. Walter panics slightly on the inside. This could get the two of them into major trouble with the label, well him more than her.

Nodding his head, Walter stands and pulls her chair out for her. He places his jacket over her shoulders before waving to thier waitress. He drops some folded bill on the table, places his hand on the small of Elle's back and make thier way to the door.

Walking the couple blocks back to her building, Walter stuffs his hands into his pockets. The cold Nashville night air is enhanced by the amount of sweat his cloths and hair absorbed.

Sneaking back in through the garage, the hurry to the elevators, pressing the call button. As the doors open, he let's Elle enter first before stepping in. He leans back on the rail of the elevator, hands still inside his pockets.

"Thanks for taking the risk tonight. I loved playing with you" he looks down at his boots "Meaning it felt natural."

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Once more Elle was struck by Walter's gentlemanly manners as they left the bar and headed back to her place. She smiled at his words as they entered the elevator, watching him as he looked down at his boots and wondering how someone with such good looks and stage presence could be so bashful and humble. She smirked at herself as she realized now that she could not have been more wrong about her initial thoughts about him at the agency.

"It did feel natural," she agreed as she slipped his jacket from around her shoulders and moved over to him, pressing it against his chest so that he would take it from her.

She looked up at him, her eyes meeting his as she smiled.

"And it was my pleasure."

Once his hands were upon the jacket as well, she knew she would step back, give him his space again, but instead she found herself lingering there with her hands upon his chest, leaning into him slightly as she looked up at him.

 

[ThaDonger]

His eyes were lost inside hers. He knows what he desires to do. Up until a couple days ago, he was young homeless guy trying to make it in Nashville. He now finds himself in an elevator with one of the most popular musicians on the planet.

Walter reaches and lightly run his finger over Elle's cheek. He skin is warm and soft in comparison to his callus fingers. Leaning in slightly, his finger under her chin, he lifts it gently upwards.

As Walters lips touch hers, he swears there was a small spark arching between their lips. His eyes closes softly as a hand find her waist, the other moves across her neck, holding her head inside his palm.

Slowly Walter pulls back, his eyes greeting her's once more. Did he just do that?

His hand remains on the back of her neck, his eyes glazed and glued to her's. "Uuummm..." was all he was able to mutter.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

As Walter ran his finger across her cheek Elle felt a tingle run down her spine, time seeming to slow down as he leaned in towards her and their lips met. Just like him she swore she felt a spark pass between them in that moment, one that warmed her all the way down to her toes.

As the kiss ended her eyes slowly blinked back open and gazed up at his as she let out a soft sigh. She made no effort to move or pull away from him as she smiled slightly in amusement at his dazed expression and muttered "Uuummm..."

"Yeah," she murmured in agreement, her smile growing as she slid one of her hands up and brushed the pad of her thumb softly across his bottom lip, "I think I'd like another one of those..."

She started to lean forward, but at that same moment the soft ding of the elevator could be heard letting them know they'd reached their floor and she stopped, a look of disappointment crossing her features.

"Guess it will have to wait though."

 

[ThaDonger]

Walter smiles into her eyes "Guess it will."

The doors slide open and he is surprised. Although the crowd has thinned some, the party is still on pace, even at such a late hour. "You know how to throw a party" Walter laughs as they exit the elevator and trying to do so anonymously.

Blending into the crowd, Walter looses Elle among the sea of people. Not sure if it's they alcohol or the high from their performance, but Walter finds himself talking and interacting with several of Elle's guest. Admittedly, he is enjoying himself.

The crowd thins over the next hour. Walter sits on a sofa overlooking the night sky through the large windows. He has long retired his drinks, opting for a bottle of water in it's place. His fingers loosen the top two buttons on his shirt, runs his fingers through his hair.

It's been, without a doubt, the best night of his life.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Elle had meant to find Walter again after blending into the crowd for a bit so as not to raise suspicion of the two of them sneaking out together, but apparently they'd both done too good of a job at blending into the crowd of people still at the party because when she did start to look for him again he was no where to be seen.

It was about that same time when some of her friends that she usually went out partying with found her and insisted she do some shots with them. She'd already had a few drinks over the course of the night, but at their persistence she figured what the hell. After all they were supposed to be celebrating, right? She couldn't look like she was having a bad time at her own party.

Later on after the party had begun to wind down and her friends had left for the night Elle found herself feeling light headed, and so she decided to head back out onto her balcony for a little fresh air. Her heels in one hand, she wasn't exactly certain when in the evening she'd decided to slip them off, and some sort of cocktail in the other; she didn't even notice Walter as she passed the couch that he was sitting on and slipped out the door, swaying a little bit along the way.

 

[ThaDonger]

Walter turns his head left, then right. Most everyone is gone, except a handful standing near the elevator talking. He lifts his frame from the sofa, quickly realizing it was a good idea to start drinking water. Walking in the direction the drinks once were, he notices Elle standing out on the balcony, in the very spot his evening had begun.

Grabbing two bottles of water, he walks quietly out on the balcony. He stops for a moment, pausing to contemplate whether or not to disturb her. He sees a small blanket lying folded beside the lounge chair on the balcony. He picks it up and walks behind up behind her.

He unfolds the small throw blanket, placing it on Elle's shoulders. With a gentle squeeze of his hands, Walter softly tells her "It's a little cool out here" then steps besides her.

"Whatch got there?" Nodding to the drink in her hand and giving a little laugh. He holds a bottle of water in her direction, "Can I get you drink?" then sits it on the rail.

Using two fingers, Walter swipes and softly tuckes Elle's hair behind her ear, wanting a clear view of her beautiful face. "Long night, yet you are still as beautiful as you were hours ago." He senses himself turn red, before turning to look out over the city.

"I should probably get going, I think the party ended a couple hours ago."

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Eyes looking down and watching the activity on the street down below as she had earlier that evening while drinking her cocktail, Elle did not notice Walter approaching until she felt the warmth of the blanket drawing around her shoulders and heard his voice behind her.

Turning towards him with a smile, she shrugged in response to his question about her drink, sharing in his little laugh and setting her glass down on the railing next to his offered bottle of water. Already feeling lightheaded and off balance from the alcohol, she suddenly found herself having to grip the railing tightly to keep from swaying again as his fingers tucked her hair behind her ear and she felt herself go a little weak in the knees.

"Long night, yet you are still as beautiful as you were hours ago."

A smile appeared on her face again in response to his words, though it quickly faded as he looked away and she heard his next ones.

"I should probably get going, I think the party ended a couple hours ago."

She turned her head and looked into the windows, noticing now that the crowd had cleared and the last few stragglers were loading onto the elevator at that very moment. This was always her least favorite part of the day, the moment where everyone left and it was just her in this apartment by herself, no one but her own thoughts for company.

Her thoughts didn't make for very good company these days.

"Yeah, I guess it did.." she murmured, her tone somber as she reached for her drink and downed the last of it, setting the empty glass back on the railing and gazing out at the city in silence for a moment before hesitantly turning towards him again.

"But...you don't have to go though," she told him softly, her eyes looking up hopefully into his, "You could stay if you want to."

 

[ThaDonger]

Walter looks into her eyes, a warm feeling rushes over his body. His awkwardness with Elle is undeniable, he knows that, but with good reason. Outside of typical small town U.S.A. high school sexual exploration, Walter is very inexperienced. Leaving home at a young age, homeless for a couple years on the streets of Nashville, sexual exploitation was not at the forefront of his todo list.

Walter touches her face, his eyes exploring her's. He steps closer to her, his hand on her waist as Elle leans back on the balcony rail. He kisses her gently but can't help but notice her level of intoxication, not to mention his own.

He smiles at her , nods just a little before he lifts her into his arms, pulling her close to him. He climbs the stairs of her penthouse, her head buried in his shoulder, until he gets to the door leading to her room. Entering her room, he cannot help but notice the size of the room. He swears it bigger than the house he grew up in.

He lays her down in tthe center of her bed, taking her heels from her hand. He pulls her covers up over her legs to her waist. Placing her heels off to the side, Walter sits on the edge of her bed, removing his boots.

Laying down beshind her, on top of the covers, he wraps his arm around her, pulling her tight against him, kissing her hair as he feels her snuggle in.

"Of course I'll stay" he whispers in her ear. "Night Elle" laying his head on the pillow behind her's.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Elle had to admit her thoughts were pretty hazy at the moment after such a long night of drinking and partying, so it wasn't until she heard Walter lean in and whisper goodnight to her in her ear that it completely sunk in for her that she was under the covers, he was on top of the covers, and... both of them were still fully clothed?

This was definitely a first for her. Usually if she invited a guy to her place after a night of drinking he wanted to head straight to the bedroom as well, but not to actually sleep of course. In fact, by the time she actually was falling asleep the guy was usually on his way out the door. She waited, expecting at any moment for Walter's hands to start to explore, or for him to slide under the blanket with her... but he didn't. He just held her.

She could feel the warmth of his body behind hers as he held her tightly to him, one strong arm wrapped around her smaller frame and making her feel anchored and secure as she rested against him. She could hear the soft sound of his steady breathing behind her, feel his breath brushing against he back of her hair as his head rested on the pillow behind her.

It felt nice.

Finding her eyelids growing heavy, she allows herself to relax fully back against him as they drift shut and she releases a soft sigh of contentment.

"Goodnight, Walter," she murmurs as she falls asleep.

 

[ThaDonger]

Walter sits up, somewhat startled. His eyes blinking in an attempt to adjust to the dimly lit room. He looks down at the pillow and see Elle resting peacefully there, snuggled firm against him. Looking towards the window, he can see tell it is still dark outside. He looks over Elle towards her nightstand, trying to determine the time, but no clock is there.

He reaches inside his back pocket, pulling his phone out, 5:00am. He places it back inside his pocket and slowly gets up, taking care not to disturb Elle. He walks out her room and quickly down to the kitchen.

One could hardly tell there was a party. The staff she had hired made sure to clean once it had ended. He puts on a pot of coffee, opens her fridge. "Life of a pop star" he laughs a bit, noticing there was not much in the fridge. He pulls a knife from the block on the island, begins slicing some oranges. That with a few strawberries and blueberries he found would have to do.

Placcing the bowl of fruit and two glasses of orange juice on a try, Walter stands in front of the coffee pot, wondering where he went wrong.

"Why is there no coffee?" looking into the empty cup.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

A soft laugh of amusement is heard from the kitchen entryway.

"Because it's not plugged in," Elle tells Walter with a sleepy looking smile as she walks towards him.

"The cleaning crew unplugs it when they're wiping down the counters, and sometimes they forget to plug it back in," she explained, "Here..."

Reaching around him she found the cord and plugged it back into the socket. Instantly a green light began to blink on the front of the coffee maker and coffee began to pour.

"There you go," she told him with a smirk as she leaned back against the counter top.

It was then that she noticed the bowl of fruit and two glasses of juice sitting on a tray nearby, her heart giving a little squeeze at the sight.

"Are you making breakfast for me, Puppet?" she asked him with a smile.

 

[ThaDonger]

Walter's head hangs liw as he gently shakes it from side to side as Elle plugged the machine back into the wall. Even in his embarrassment, he had to smile. "Thank you" not wanting to look up until his redness had subsided.

He pours Elle a cup of coffee before turning in her direction. Leaning in her direction, he hands her a cup of coffee before picking up the tray, placing it beside her on the counter. "It was the plan. Actually" grabbing his cup "it was meant to be a surprise, until the coffee pot got the better of me" he laughs.

It is hard for Walter to divert his eyes from her. Even though they both are still dressed in the same cloths they partied in last night, hell even slept in, she is still the most beautiful person he has met.

Placing his cup beside her on the counter, Walter grabs her waist then lifts her to the counter, placing her on top."Cream or sugar?" he ask, sliding the tray closer to where she now sits. "Hope this is enough for breakfast" lifting a strawberry, placing it by her lips, "you didn't have much to choose from." He offers the strawberry to her, placing his hand on her right thigh.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

"It's more than enough," Elle replies, smiling at Walter as he holds out the strawberry for her, feeling her skin tingle in response to the warmth of his hand on her thigh as he rests it there.

Leaning forward she takes the offered strawberry with her mouth, her lips closing around it and then biting in as he holds it for her.

"Mmmm..."

She takes a moment to savor the flavor, her tongue slipping past her lips to capture a stray drop of juice.

"Delicious...but still kinda early for it," she admitted with a bit of a laugh, "We were up late, aren't you tired still?"

She wasn't usually a morning person at all these days, but she had gotten chilled without his body warming her and had stirred awake shortly after he'd left the bedroom. Finding him gone she'd just assumed that he'd left at some point while she was sleeping and was reaching to pull the blankets up higher around her when she'd heard movement downstairs and realized he was still there.

"Do you always get up this early?"