High Priestess

2.4

February 10, 1978. 

For the first time in the whole of her marriage, Stevie actually acted on the "open" aspect of it. She and Lindsey had started meeting every Friday night. Mick wasn't stupid he knew she was sneaking out during his parties but he wasn't going to say anything because he was possessive of his treasures and Stevie was a treasure. He knew that she was seeing someone, but he didn't know who she was seeing. At the same time though, it was better that she was seeing someone outside of the parties because he didn't want any of the men that frequented their house to lay a hand on her. 

At this point, Stevie was dependent on her alcohol and cocaine intake spending most of her evenings drunk off her ass and she spent every day higher than a kite and Mick was living for it because it meant that he could do whatever he wanted to her whenever he wanted to. He never slept with her while she was under the influence but she was almost sedentary so it made it easier to knock her around and several times she'd wake up in the morning with a pounding headache and bruises all over her body that she didn't remember giving herself and it was easy for him to say, Oh yeah...you were so out of it last night you fell down the stairs. When in reality he was tripping her. It was cynical really. He had tripped her going down the stairs by accident one night and as she tumbled he felt a bubble of satisfaction for some unknown reason so he just started doing it more frequently. Bumping her just perfectly that she'd spill hot soup, coffee, or tea on herself. Tripping her down the stairs, knocking into her in the hallway causing her to hit the wall so on and so forth. 

The Fleetwood's major Friday party was in full swing and Mick watched her slink out wearing a white strapless dress with red flowers on it, but he just went about his business. It meant for at least an hour he could take a pretty girl upstairs and do what he pleases with her because his wife wasn't up there. 

***

Stevie walked into the Jazz bar and waved slightly to Sharon and then made her way over to Lindsey. 

"You look really pretty, a little high but really pretty," Lindsey smirks taking her into his arms and giving her a hug. It's been their thing for almost two months and while they haven't done anything further-though Stevie wishes they have-they still treasure those moments together. 

"I have some coke if you want it." Stevie holds her purse up.

"The strongest drug I use is Pot." He smirks pushing her purse back down to her side. "What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Oh nothing, It's Saturday so it means Mick is going to go out with his friends, and then he'll probably end up at a hotel with the blonde of the evening." Stevie shrugs. 

"So would you like to go to the beach with me?" Lindsey inquires.

"The beach...Lindsey, we can't do anything during the day together Mick'll know and I..." Stevie starts.

"He wants me to sign a contract with him. What do you think, should I? I mean I'd get to see you more." Lindsey cuts her off.

"Lindsey..." She trails off.

"Okay, fine...we'll drop it. Back to tomorrow." He shifts gears.

"You want to go to the beach at night, Lindsey it's February, it's going to be freezing." Stevie shakes her head.

"Nah, the beach I want to take you to is my private beach. I swim in the ocean every day, 365 days a year. Right now is prime temperatures." He tells her.

"Maybe during the day." Stevie crosses her arms.

"Just trust me." Lindsey urges.

"Fine. Pick me up at nine, he leaves at eight." Stevie smiles. 

***

The following evening, Stevie is sitting outside the gate waiting to meet him wearing a white gauzy blouse and a white long skirt, a brown belt at her hips. His Mercedes pulls up and she smiles climbing in.

"I didn't know what to bring but I did bring us a picnic. It's nothing special just turkey and cheddar, some watermelon, and some potato salad." She grins.

"I can't wait to try it. Did you cook it?" He asks.

"I did. I'm a feeder. I love cooking but Mick has chef's and I hate not being able to cook so when I can I jump at it. I don't know what you like so even though I wanted to make an elaborate meal I couldn't." She looks down sheepishly. 

"Steph, it's perfect." He grins.

"Steph...I like it." She smiles wide enough that her eyes crinkle. 

***

Lindsey pulls up to the beach house and he leads her around back. She's hurt at first that he didn't let her in the house, but she knows it's his because much like Mick's house it's gated and the guy IDed him but she doesn't question it, she just follows him out to the back of the house. 

They've set up shop on the beach and Stevie smiles at the romantic nature. It's dark and there's not much light save for Lindsey's porch light and the little tiki torches surrounding his part of the beach but it's perfect in Stevie's eyes. Stevie and Lindsey are eating and making small talk when Lindsey clears his throat.

"I'm going to run to the bathroom. I'll be right back." 

She nods but Lindsey can see the fear in her eyes of being on the beach alone at night so he just smirks and heads to his back door. He opens it and leaves the backdoor open, going towards the crate in the corner of his kitchen and he lets the chocolate lab out who runs directly out the door to the other human that she sees.

"Steph, this is Roxy. She's going to protect you." Lindsey calls as Stevie turns around to see the giant dog running to her. 

Roxy practically knocks her over and licks her face, which surprises Stevie because most dogs are cautious when dealing with initial meetings but Roxy seems fearless. 

***

Roxy, Lindsey, and Stevie are just lounging on the beach when Lindsey sighs and stands up stripping off his teeshirt, and runs into the sea. He plays in the water for a moment Roxy going in after him, just as excited to be out in the water and when the two of them finally had enough of the sea, Lindsey comes stalking over to Stevie and by instinct, she knows so she kicks off her platform mule sandals holding them in her hand and she bolts up and starts running down the beach away from him. But he catches her and grabs her from behind by the waist spinning her around. They're both cackling and Stevie's struggling against him as Roxy barks at their feet and then Lindsey finally sits her down and she knows he has her in the water because she can feel it against her feet and the bottom of her skirt is floating. 

Roxy knowing the fun is over goes back over to the house and makes herself comfy on the porch as Lindsey and Stevie stare at each other looking into their eyes. It's almost like a magnet when their lips connect and Stevie jumps up and wraps her legs around his waist. He carried her over to their blanket and what happened was unspoken between the two of them. Literally, no words were said, they spoke with their eyes and when Stevie nodded, Lindsey hiked up her skirt and pulled off her white lacey panties and he worked her over and while engaging in sex on the beach can be uncomfortable it wasn't for them and as they bundled up with some extra blankets, and Roxy nosing in next to Stevie, Lindsey kissed her head and then he spoke.

"Should I sign the contract with Mick...I would get to see you more if I did." 

"No, he cheats out his clients. The only reason he wants you is because he thinks you're going to be on the shortlist for the Grammys. He'll use you for the fame and milk you for all your worth. I wouldn't do it...oh just to let you know, Divinity is opening on Monday. " She urges a small smile playing on her lips. 

"Hey that's great, but alright, I won't sign it." He states as she closes his eyes against his chest and once she falls asleep Lindsey makes a vow then and there, lying on the beach with her in his arms that he was going to do everything in his power to try and protect her and to help her get herself out of the marriage with Mick Fleetwood.