Chapter 22

 

Krista was flipping through the radio stations in Nick's car when she heard 'Smells Like Teen Spirit.'  "You don't mind, do you?"
      

"No," he smiled.  "I love Nirvana."
      

Krista was liking him more and more.  They had a lot in common and they clicked well together.  "Why couldn't I find a guy like this back in Kentucky?" she asked herself.
        

Nick had parked the car right by an entrance to the beach.  Little did Krista know that Nick had taken her to the western side of Florida.  "Where are we?" she asked.
        

"I drove you to the Gulf of Mexico.  I thought we could get to know each other better here," he explained as he looked out over the water.
        

"It's beautiful," she sighed.  Krista took off her shoes and headed for the water.  Nick watched her for a minute before heading down there himself.
        

"Sorry I didn't cook you a dinner or anything fancy," he mumbled, knowing that Brian always outdid him in the romance department.
        

"That's OK," she assured him.  "I'd take this over a dinner any day."

Nick gave her a half smile and felt better knowing that.
        

They both sat down in the white sand, not knowing really where to begin.  "Tell me what you were like in high school," he said.
      

"I played clarinet in the marching band and concert band, I sang in choir, and was in the school musicals.  I chilled with my friends and I guess had an average high school career.  What about you?"
        

"I never went to high school," he started.  "I became a Backstreet Boy when I was 13.  I mean, I wouldn't trade it for the world, but I missed out on all the things like everyday classes, dances, the prom, and things like that.  When I look at it though, I realize how lucky I am to have this opportunity even if it did mean giving up high school."
        

"Wow!  And with all that you had to give up your privacy and grow up so fast, right?"

        

"Yeah," he looked at her.  "But it was all worth it."
        

"I bet it is."
        

"Did you really sing in the choir?" he suddenly asked.
        

"Yeah, why?" Krista said slowly.
        

"You just don't seem like you would," Nick stated.
        

"Oh, but I so did!!"
        

"I know what you're up to; you're just saying all that stuff to impress me, aren't you?" he said with a mischievous grin on his face.
        

"You figured me out!  I'm so shallow that I have to pretend to have things in common with a Backstreet Boy just so he'll like me!"
        

"I knew it!  I'm good!" Nick laughed.
        

"Yeah, you are," she said a little bit quieter and more serious.
        

He stopped laughing.  "You really think so?"
        

"Yeah.  I feel like I've known you my whole life."  Krista found herself leaning in.

     

 "I think you're amazing," he whispered as their lips touched.
      

Krista could feel her heart melt and scream for more as the sparks flew between them.  She never wanted this kiss to end.
        

They ended up pulling away at the same time, coming up for air.

 

"Magical, wasn't it?" she whispered.  He nodded and they both went in for some more.
        

They both fell backward into the sand, never breaking their kiss.   The moon was shining over them, giving them the slight light they needed.  And the stars sparkled, happy for the couple in the sand.
        

Krista loved how his lips were soft, yet they knew how to make her feel good.  She could smell his cologne faintly as he broke away and kissed her neck.  He found one of her sweet spots.
        

The chills Nick left going up and down her body were something she had never felt before.  She knew that this was going to be something special. The feelings she was getting for him were way beyond anything she had ever felt before.
      

 Nick came up again and looked deep into her eyes.  He was feeling something for Krista that he had never experienced before either.  She looked as far into his soul as possible before pulling him in for another kiss.
        

They finally broke away for the last time.  Nick went to sit up, but Krista pulled him back down.  She moved closer to him and laid her head on his chest.  They laid together in contentment for what seemed like forever.
        

"Nick?"
        

"Yeah?"
        

"Do you believe in love at first sight?" she asked.

 

"I didn't until I met you."