Full Moon Lover
By Mary Ann Cowley

Part 6

Paul woke up the next morning to sunlight shining through the curtains. 
He looked around getting oriented to the different surroundings and saw 
that Mary had left for work. On the nightstand, he found a note:

Good Morning Sexy,

Hope you slept well. Help yourself to anything you want for 
breakfast. Call me at work later if you want.

Xoxo

Mary

Paul smiled and shook his head. This girl was spoiling him rotten, 
making his vacation more than he intended it to be. It was much more 
pleasant this way. Mary was one of the sweetest, most sincere women he 
had ever met. 

On that thought, Paul reached for the telephone and the phone book. 
"Hello, I'd like to order a dozen…"

Mary's day job was a secretarial position typing Medicare form letters. 
It was not very exciting, but it was income. Her co-workers noticed the 
change in her this past week. She seemed happier, almost walking on 
air. When her co-workers figured out there was a new man in her life, 
Mary just grinned but refused to divulge any details. She did not care 
for the office busybodies and took pleasure in keeping her new affair a 
secret. 

However, the secret did not stay so for long. Around midmorning, 
Cheryl, the office manager came walking back to the secretarial pool 
with a vase containing one dozen red roses drawing everyone's 
attention. Cheryl walked back to the corner where Mary's desk was 
located and sat them down in front of her. Mary was tickled and 
stunned, but she was also on the spot now. All eyes were on her as she 
slowly removed the card. It read:

"Until we meet again, beautiful
Love, Paul"


Mary could not help but giggle. Liza at the desk facing against Mary's 
was straining her neck to see the name on the card. Mary knew it was 
killing her. Finally, Liza asked, "Okay, fess up. What's his name?"

Mary replied, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

Just then, Mary's phone rang. 

"This is Mary."
Rae at the switchboard answered "I have a gentleman up front to see 
you." 
Mary smiled, "I'll be right up." 
"Another surprise?" Liza teased as Mary walked up front to the 
reception area with Cheryl. 

There was Paul in the reception area with open arms waiting to hug her. 

"Thank you for the roses. They're beautiful." Mary whispered in Paul's 
ear.

"Not as beautiful as you." Paul whispered back. Then out loud Paul 
asked Mary to lunch. 

Mary blushed, "Let me get my coat and purse."

When she turned around, the entire secretarial pool was standing in the 
hall checking out the "mystery man." The ladies were all quite stunned 
with recognition. Paul Stanley! No wonder Mary had been on cloud 9 and 
kept it quiet. "BUSTED!" they all declared. 

"Paul, do you mind?" Mary asked. "You know they're not going to let us 
out of here if we don't." 

"Lead the way darling." Paul smiled. 

Mary took Paul's hand and led him back to the group of giggling 
secretaries. They were a young group of 4 all in their 20s, except for 
Anne, who was the mother hen with the spirit of a 20 something. The 
girls all gathered around Mary and Paul. 

"Okay, girl's my secret is out now. As you all know, this is Paul 
Stanley from KISS. Paul, this is Liza, Anne, Tamara and Randi."

Of course, the girls all took advantage of the opportunity to get 
autographs before Paul whisked off their co-worker. He happily obliged, 
as they teased Mary about holding out on them. Mary figured she better 
cut it short before the rest of the building made their way down here 
and they never got out. 

"Okay, girls, I'm hungry and I need my energy to type this afternoon. 
So, may I please have my man back now?" Mary begged jokingly. 

"If we have to," Randi teased in her southern accent, "y'all have fun 
now." The ladies giggled as Mary took Paul by the arm and guided him 
out safely before anyone else in the building could notice. 

When they got in Paul's car Mary and Paul reached over and enjoyed a 
quick smooch before leaving the parking lot. 

After lunch, the rest of the afternoon went fairly quickly with much 
discussion going on in the secretarial pool, as well as questions from 
others as news traveled around the building. Mary was glad when the day 
was over. 

She drove home and collapsed on the couch for a half-hour. Then she ate 
and changed her clothes. Mary had band practice that night, so that 
meant no Paul, or so she thought. 


Part 7

Mary had not given much thought to what Paul was doing while she was at 
work. She assumed he was writing songs, relaxing, whatever. It was his 
vacation after all. Well, he was writing songs, but with a partner—Don. 
It seems Paul ordered pizza for lunch one afternoon, and it was 
delivered by Don. The guys had a chance to talk without any female 
distraction, and a new musical partnership was formed. Unbeknownst to 
Mary, they were planning on trying out their new material at band 
practice tonight. 

Mary packed her equipment into her large, 79 Grand Prix. People laughed 
at her rather large car, but it held her keyboard, that's all that 
mattered. Mary headed off for the little town of Oxford about 10 miles 
outside of Easton. It was an historic waterfront town with a view of 
the Tred Avon River from virtually anywhere in the town. 

Friends of Jim's family owned a restaurant in Oxford which they closed 
for the winter. They let the band have the place all winter long for 
practice. It was a secure place where they could stay set up if they 
wanted to leave it so. Mary backed her car up in the parking spot 
closest to the door, since her equipment was the heaviest. Usually, the 
guys came out and gave her a hand. Tonight she noticed an extra car 
that looked a lot like Paul's Porsche. Couldn't be she thought, not on 
his vacation. 

Mary proceeded to shut the car off but took a few minutes to freshen 
her lipstick when she was startled by a knock on the window. She 
shrieked and jumped dropping her compact and lipstick on the floor and 
hitting her head on the ceiling. Outside the car were the boys in the 
band along with Paul were standing there having a really good laugh. 
Mary chuckled too. She was always easily startled, especially in the 
dark. 

Paul opened Mary's door and stuck his head in the car. "Surprise!" he 
laughed.
 
"I say! What are you doing here, mischief maker?" Mary smiled.

"Uhhh, you could say I'm with the band tonight," Paul replied kissing 
her before she could ask another question. "Now give me the keys so I 
can open the trunk and we can get your stuff out." 

Everyone got the equipment out of Mary's trunk and they went inside to 
set up. The band was beginning work on a set list for their Valentine's 
Day gig at the Mariner. This would be their second gig. They wanted to 
do some special rock love songs to spice up the night's festivities. 

With that in mind, they kicked off rehearsal with "Layla." Mary had 
been working extra hard on the piano solo at the end, which was one of 
her favorites. They played a couple of more tunes, Heart's "Alone," 
"Never," and "Crazy on You." Kelly came in to do backup vocals on these 
numbers. Mary loved doing Heart material because it gave her a chance 
to really stretch her vocal abilities, plus none of the other local 
bands would touch this stuff. 
 
Paul just sat back and listened, soaking up every aspect of the sounds 
this band produced. This was not simple three-chord material, and these 
guys were nailing it. There was a lot of natural talent in Band on the 
Run. He was eager to work with them.  
 
After those warm up tunes, Paul and Don presented the material they had 
been working on that week. Band on the Run truly did write as a team 
with each member taking a crack at a melody with their own instrument 
and the others following suit. After Paul and Don played the initial 
tune, Jim obviously started working out the drums. Mary jumped right in 
on the keyboards, with Robert providing the bass line. Paul could not 
believe how well this band read each other and how the melodies flowed 
so naturally. Mary and Don previously told Paul that they would spend 
an entire afternoon with tape continuously running to catch all the 
riffs that would just pour out in improvisation.  
 
The band spent most of that night's rehearsal with the tape running 
working on Paul and Don's song, which had now become Band on the Run's 
song featuring Paul Stanley. When they decided to put it down for a 
while, Mary spoke up with a pad of paper and pen already in hand.  
 
"Y'all," she said in her Eastern Shore accent which was like a 
Baltimore accent with a little bit Southern twang added, "I want to 
take a stab at the lyrics if that's okay. I have something in mind and 
I can have it together for Sunday's rehearsal. " 
 
Everyone agreed to let Mary run with it. While the band was it, Mary 
had already scribbled notes on her pad.  
 
"I've loved you for a long time 
I always knew one day you would be mine 
Although I always admired you from afar 
Many times, you were my shining star.  
 
Your voice seduced me the first time I heard it 
Your eyes melted me like warm chocolate 
You were the star destined to be mine 
I felt the warmth of your shine." 
 
Everyone decided they had enough for the night and gave it up. Mary 
packed up her keyboard to take home so she could work on the song. The 
boys packed the car for her. While they were packing she continued to 
write.  
 
"You walked into my life on a snowy night 
Soon we were lovers holding on tight 
That night I could finally give myself to you 
You made all of my fantasies come true. 
 
You are my angel, you are my fantasy 
I get chills when you touch my skin 
My heart's on fire, I'm full of desire 
I love you from deep within."  
 
Paul walked up behind Mary while she was writing and put his arms 
around her. "Care to share?" he asked.  
 
"Not until I sleep on it for a night. I want to work on it some more." 
she replied rather seriously.  
 
"Would you be interested in sleeping on it with me?" Paul smiled as he 
kissed Mary's neck.  
 
"Mmmmmmmm. Sounds wonderfully relaxing. Follow me back to my place?" 
Mary asked turning around to return the kisses.  
 
"You bet." Paul said as he helped Mary with her coat.  
 
They returned to Mary's apartment where they ended the day with tender 
loving and drifted to sleep. 


Part 8 
 
On Saturday, Mary and Paul spent the day playing music at his hotel 
suite. They also played KISS tunes, classic rock tunes and kidded 
around with the music. They played around with some original melodies 
as well. It was refreshing for both of them to have a significant other 
who had creative musical skills in common. After a while they decided 
to work on the song Paul was doing with the band.  
 
Paul asked Mary, "Are you ready to share the lyrics yet?"  
 
Mary replied, "Yeah, I'm ready. This is the most personal piece I've 
ever written, and I really want to share it with you first because I 
wrote it for you."  
 
Mary pulled out her pad of paper and handed it to Paul. She watched him 
as he read it: 
 
I've loved you for a long time 
I always knew one day you would be mine 
Although I always admired you from afar 
Many times, you were my shining star.  
 
Your voice seduced me the first time I heard it 
Your eyes melted me like warm chocolate 
You were the star destined to be mine 
I felt the warmth of your shine. 
 
You walked into my life on a snowy night 
Soon we were lovers holding on tight 
That night I could finally give myself to you 
You made all of my fantasies come true. 
 
You are my angel, you are my fantasy 
I get chills when you touch my skin 
My heart's on fire, I'm full of desire 
I love you from deep within. 
 
By the time Paul finished, Mary felt like she had a lump in her 
stomach. She was afraid of scaring Paul away, however, she had to be 
honest. She also thought she had a strong set of lyrics for the song, 
and hoped she could share a songwriting credit with him. Paul looked up 
at Mary with his deep brown eyes and walked over to where she was 
sitting. He squatted down next to her and put his arms around her. He 
gave here a long deep kiss.  
 
He placed his forehead against hers, looked her in the eye, and 
replied, "I love you too. I love you more each day. Your lyrics are 
beautiful. I can't wait to hear you sing them tomorrow." 
 
Mary couldn't help but leak a few tears of joy at Paul's response. Life 
was just too good at the moment. She stood up with him as they kissed 
some more. Paul picked Mary up and carried her into the bedroom where 
they stayed for the rest of the night expressing their love for each 
other.  
 
Over the next couple of weeks, the band worked hard with Paul on their 
upcoming Valentine's Day show, as well as their new song, which they 
all agreed to let Mary title "Angel Fantasy." Soon, Valentine's weekend 
was upon them.  
 
The band and Paul both felt it would be best if they did not advertise 
he would be playing with them that evening so they could keep the 
attention on Band on the Run. They also arranged to videotape and 
record the show since they were also playing "Angel Fantasy" for the 
first time.  
 
Mary was busy in front of the mirror making sure her hair and makeup 
were perfect. Generally, she did not get nervous before a performance, 
but this night was an exception. She was playing with her musical idol 
who had also written a song with her band that she would sing. He was 
the man she loved, she was his love, and she wrote the lyrics for him. 
Had the past month been a dream? What would happen in the future? Paul 
was only supposed to be in town on vacation for two months, and one 
glorious month had already slipped by. Mary cleared the thought from 
her mind. The last thing she needed was to go on stage upset.  
 
Paul stepped into Mary's dressing area sneaking up behind her to slip 
his arms around her. "You look hot tonight," he commented. She was 
wearing the outfit she wore for his birthday. "Does it still come with 
the surprise under it?" he grinned wickedly.  
 
"You'll just have to wait and see, sweet cheeks," she replied turning 
around and grabbing his spandex clad butt. Paul was wearing his usual 
stage attire of spandex pants and sleeveless t-shirt. "You look too 
damn good in that spandex," she continued "I just might have to attack 
you right here." 
 
They were interrupted by the rest of the band with the news it was time 
to go on. Band on the Run put on a killer performance playing some of 
rock's best love songs along with some of their original material. They 
saved Paul and "Angel Fantasy" for the last set. The bar was full, and 
the audience was tuned into the music. When Paul was called out on 
stage, the crowd went wild. They started out Paul's set with "Love Gun" 
and Mary's personal favorite "Do You Love Me." Then they slowed the 
pace with "Reason to Live" (Mary and Paul both on vocals). After the 
duet, came the moment they all worked hard for…"Angel Fantasy." It was 
a hit. The audience loved it! At the end of the show, the band was 
greeted with many compliments and handshakes, and of course, Paul was 
stormed for autographs.  
 
After the bar had cleared out and all of the equipment was packed and 
loaded, Band on the Run and Paul Stanley congratulated each other on a 
successful gig. They all parted their separate ways, as the guys had 
their girls to take care of for Valentine's Day, in addition to Mary 
and Paul wanting to head their own way.  
 
Mary and Paul made their way back to Paul's suite at the Tidewater. 
When they got to his door, Paul told Mary to close her eyes because he 
had a surprise for her. She obliged with a smile on her face. Paul 
unlocked the door, and then he picked Mary up and carried her into the 
suite where he told her she could open her eyes now. Mary opened her 
eyes and gasped… 



Part 9 
 
Mary and Paul made their way back to Paul's suite at the Tidewater. 
When they got to his door, Paul told Mary to close her eyes because he 
had a surprise for her. She obliged with a smile on her face. Paul 
unlocked the door, and then he picked Mary up and carried her into the 
suite where he told her she could open her eyes now. Mary opened her 
eyes and gasped… 
 
All over the room were vases filled with dozens of roses of assorted 
colors. There were red, fuchsia, purple, peach, yellow, white, hybrids, 
any color rose imagined etc. The smell was wonderful. Mary looked at 
Paul and kissed him. 
 
"Happy Valentine's Day, baby. I love you." he responded.  
 
"I can't believe it. Paul, you really shouldn't…" Paul cut Mary off by 
placing a finger on her lips.  
 
"Shhh. The best is yet to come. Wait here," he told her, as he sat her 
down on the sofa.  
 
Paul then slipped into the bedroom. Mary could also hear water running. 
Her mind began to wonder what kind of surprises Paul had planned. Paul 
reappeared in the living room and took Mary by the hand through the 
bedroom. The bedroom was full of more roses and lit by soft 
candlelight, as well as the fireplace. There were also candles in the 
bathroom.  
 
Paul led Mary into the bathroom where he had a steaming hot, rose 
scented bubble bath waiting for her. He stripped her clothes off, 
teasing her a bit as he removed them, and helped her into the tub. Then 
Paul turned around to walk out the door. 
 
"Wait. Aren't you coming in with me?" Mary asked with a pout on her 
face.  
 
"I have another surprise for you. You just relax, lady," Paul grinned 
on his way out the door.  
 
Shortly he returned with an acoustic guitar. Mary's eyes went wide. 
 
"Are you getting ready to do what I think?" she asked. 
 
"Yes, I'm giving you a serenade," Paul replied. 
 
"I have to be the luckiest girl in the whole wide world," she smiled.  
 
With that, Paul began with "Shandi" followed by "Tonight You Belong to 
Me," "Hard Luck Woman" and "Hold Me, Touch Me." Mary was in heaven. 
Paul just instinctively knew how to please her.  
 
On that note, Mary decided it was time to get out of the bathtub. As 
soon as she stood up, Paul was there with a large body towel to wrap 
around her. He wrapped her up taking in the rose scent on her skin 
while lightly kissing her neck.  
 
Paul led Mary back into the candlelit bedroom.

They continued into the early morning hours pleasuring and professing 
their love to each other until sleep would hold off no longer. They 
arose in the afternoon to spend the remainder of Valentine's Day loving 
each other and ended it with a romantic candlelit dinner.  
 
It was the most wonderful Valentine's Day Mary ever experienced. 
However, when it was over, Mary knew she was going to have to confront 
reality… 



Part 10 
 
Mary laid awake that night thinking and wondering how much longer her 
relationship with Paul could last. She knew going in there was nothing 
permanent, but damn it all, she fell hard anyway. Paul was sweeter and 
more charming than she had ever imagined. The reality was that Paul was 
here only for vacation and would soon have to go back to his rock star 
jet set life. She would have to continue her life as it was before 
Paul's arrival.  
 
Mary wiped the tears from her eyes and quietly left the bed. She moved 
to the living room to watch some TV and, hopefully, quiet her mind to 
sleep. She did have to work in the morning. However, she continued to 
quietly worry and weep.  
 
Paul rolled over and reached for Mary only to realize she wasn't there. 
He sat up and saw the light from the television in the outer room. Mary 
was usually a heavy sleeper, so Paul decided to check on her.  
 
"Mary, are you okay, sweetheart?" Paul asked as he sat down on the 
couch next to her.  
"I'm fine" she sniffled looking away from him.  
"Why do I think you're not then? Did I do something wrong?" he asked. 
"No. You've done everything right" she cried. 
 
Paul gathered Mary in his arms and just held her until she gained 
enough composure to talk.  
 
"Honey, please talk to me. Let me make it better." he asked.  
 
Mary sighed with resignation, and decided she should level and tell 
Paul what she was feeling.  
 
"What I'm upset about is that we only have a month left together and 
then we both go back to our separate lives. I don't expect any 
attachments or promises from you, but it still hurts. Paul, you've 
given me love like I've never had before. You are the sweetest man I've 
ever met and I fell for you head over heels despite the fact that I 
knew it couldn't last." 
 
Paul looked Mary in the eyes and replied. "Who says it can't last? I'm 
not playing with your hear. When I said I love you, I meant it. There's 
something I've been wanting to talk to you about that might help you 
feel better about us staying together. It involves the band." 
 
"What's up?" Mary asked curiously. 
 
"I want to produce a demo for you guys and take it to some record 
labels when I go back to New York. After you get a deal, I want to 
produce your first album" Paul said seriously.  
 
"You're serious aren't you. You really think we are that good?" Mary 
asked looking surprised.  
 
"Would I have played on stage with you? You all are talented 
musicians/songwriters" he stated.  
 
"Oh my God!!! I can't believe it!" Mary smiled as she threw her arms 
around Paul and kissed him. "You know I did not expect you to do this." 
 
Paul replied, "I know, but I really want to see your band succeed. I 
figure we can do the demo at that little studio that just opened up 
behind the car wash. After the deal, I want to bring you all to New 
York and record the album at Electric Lady." 
 
Mary's eyes went wide. Electric Lady studios, founded by Jimi Hendrix, 
site of early KISS recordings.  
 
"Paul this is all fantastic and I don't want to sound ungrateful, but 
what are we supposed to do about our day jobs?" Mary was worried.  
 
Paul smiled, "I know you're not content typing form letters, working in 
factories or delivering pizzas. I can put you all in contact with some 
people if you want to support yourselves as studio musicians in the 
meantime." 
 
Mary grinned and replied, "Okay, I'm in. Now, when do you plan to 
propose this to the guys?" 
 
"Tomorrow night at rehearsal. Now, do you feel better?" he asked.  
 
"Much better, thank you" she yawned.  
 
"Then how about some sleep. You have a long day tomorrow" Paul said as 
he extended his hand to his love.  
 
Mary smiled and made her way back with Paul to their warm bed.  



Part 11 
 
The next night was band rehearsal. Mary was excited and nervous about 
Paul's proposal to produce Band on the Run. Work went by very slowly 
that afternoon as she thought about all of the career and life 
possibilities.  
 
Paul and Mary arrived at rehearsal together that evening, as had become 
the usual. After everyone finished setting up, Paul asked for the 
band's attention and made his proposal. Paul then left for a short 
while to let the band discuss the possibility. When he returned, Band 
on the Run accepted Paul Stanley's proposal to produce their demo and 
first album.  
 
For Band on the Run, the remainder of that year became a blur in the 
whirlwind known as the music business, including the album and a tour, 
as well as music videos. Over time, Mary and Paul drifted apart as a 
steady couple because of the demands of their respective careers.  
 
By the 1990s, Band on the Run was no more. Mary continued working as a 
studio musician and backup singer. She and Paul kept in touch and 
periodically caught up to hear about the latest events in each other's 
lives and to reminisce a little. They remained friends after Paul's 
marriage as well. Mary never found anyone who loved her like Paul did.  
 
CONCLUSION 
Mary was startled from her memories by the voice of a small child. 
"Mommy, can you come stay in my room until I fall asleep?" the child 
asked.  
 
Mary turned to face a little girl with dark brown eyes and dark curly 
hair. "Of course, Shandi," Mary smiled. She took the little girl's hand 
and led her back to her room.  
 
THE END