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Everything Your Heart Desires Chapter 27 Cheryl noticed something on the doorstep as she approached the front door to the condo. Drawing closer, the object came into focus. A single white rose. "Howie," she whispered. As she turned the key in the lock and opened the door, she found the flower�s twin at the end of the vestibule. Dropping her bag there, she picked up both roses and began her search. There was no doubt Howie was hiding somewhere.Kristy was thankful to finally be alone with Kevin. Her face hurt from trying to hold a smile that she didn�t feel. For about the millionth time that night, she struggled to hold back the tears that seemed constantly ready to fall. But she couldn�t give in to her emotions right now. Now she was with Kevin and she didn�t want to waste a single moment before he left the next morning. Kevin watched a myriad of emotions cross her face � every thought and feeling reflected in those eyes of hers. God, how he loved her eyes. In a matter of seconds he�d seen everything from relief and sadness, to determination and love in those big hazel eyes. He knew she was trying to be strong and not let everyone see how much she was effected by the upcoming tour. And he had to give her credit; at the party, everyone was impressed with how composed and cheerful she was compared to some of the others there. But he knew it was an act. And in all honesty, he was slightly glad she wasn�t giving into her emotions... he didn�t think he would be able to handle watching his angel cry because of him. He pulled her into his arms as they stood in the hall outside his livingroom at the base of the stairs. He smiled as she rested her head on his chest and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. �Are you tired?� He felt her shake her head. �Do you want to watch a movie?� Again, he felt her silent answer. �Wanna figure out how we can fit you into one of my suitcases?� He grinned as he felt her giggle in his arms. �Ooh, kinky.� He laughed as she looked up at him, the smile back on her beautiful face. �How �bout I just help you pack all the stuff you still have spread out all over your bed? In case we do feel like using it tonight... Wipe that smirk off your face, Richardson. That�s not what I meant and you know it.� Kevin chuckled... he�d been caught. He did want to wait for the perfect time... perfect setting, perfect atmosphere... perfect everything. He wanted it to be everything Kristy�d ever dreamed of. But he would be the first to admit, the more time he spent with her, the harder it was getting to wait. The woman could make him feel things he�d never known before. He could barely fathom what he�d feel when they took their relationship to a more physically intimate level. �Kev? Where�d you go there? Wait... I don�t think I want to know.� She smiled as his amazing eyes met hers. Once again she felt herself getting lost as she looked into their green depths. �I was just thinking about how much I love you,� he said as he bent his head to kiss her lightly. �Mhmmm. Nice save.�Cheryl had combed the first floor for any other sign of her boyfriend�s presence. She had nearly given up the idea that he was there until she saw the stairway leading to her bedroom. The first step had three yellow roses and four white lavender-scented candles. Underneath the two peach and one white rose on the third stair was a CD. Three pink roses and two champagne flutes were on the sixth and last step. Friendship. Passion. Romance. �What does this all mean, D?� Cheryl held her breath as she opened the door to her bedroom. Once her eyes had adjusted to the candle lit room, she felt her heart skip a beat at the scene unfolding before her. Atop a blanket in the middle of the room, steam rose from three platter of Chinese food. A tiny bouquet of three red roses flanked by two candles similar to those she�d found on the stairs served as the table�s centerpiece. But the most beautiful sight her hazel eyes would behold that night was that of the man gazing out the large window at the other side of the room. He was wearing wine-colored silk pajama bottoms and a matching robe. His dark curly hair was still wet from the shower he had taken to calm his nerves while waiting her arrival. He hadn�t acknowledged her presence yet and Cheryl wondered if he even knew she was there� until she heard him humming a familiar tune.Why do birds suddenly appear Every time you are near� Just like me They want to be Close to you� Cheryl wasn�t certain how to react. However, when Howie finally faced her, she saw the goofy grin on his face and could no longer contain her laughter. "I wondered if you had seen �Parenthood�." "Several times, but only once after I became I Backstreet fan." Cheryl smiled. "That has to be one of my favorite scenes." "Why?" "For one, it�s very sweet and romantic." "And two?" "Some actor by the name of Howard Dorough is in that scene as an extra." "I think I�ve heard of him. Maybe you could describe him for me." Cheryl stepped up to him. "Let�s see. He�s around 5-foot-7. Dark curly hair." She ran her fingers through his damp locks. "Beautiful tan skin." Her index finger traced his jawline and neck down to his breastbone. "The sexiest large brown eyes. A bright smile, and the softest pair of lips." She brushed her lips against each of his features in turn, finishing with a searing kiss. When they broke apart, Howie leaned his forehead against hers. "I�m so sorry for losing it on the phone earlier, Cher. I meant none of it. I don�t EVER want to hurt you." "Shhh�" she silenced him. "It�s forgiven." He smiled and kissed her again. "Why don�t you get more comfortable then we�ll eat, okay? I want to hear about all these miracle marketing strategies." "I can�t guarantee I�ll look as sexy as you do right now." Cheryl�s eyes lingered on his ensemble. �Could this man be any more beautiful?� "Quit ogling me and go get dressed, Sparky." He pushed her out the door. "The food isn�t getting any hotter." �Nope,� she thought with a smirk, �but I am.�Kristy and Kevin headed upstairs and proceeded to finish packing Kevin�s things. As Kristy went into his bathroom to pack his shaving kit, Kevin stopped what he was doing and followed her into the room. �Uh, Kev? What�s with the bow?� �Consider it a small token of my love for you.� �A drawer? Gee, you shouldn�t have.� �Not just a drawer. YOUR drawer. For your things.� Kristy�s eyes widened as she realized what he was saying. She slowly opened the drawer in question. A new toothbrush. Her favorite lip-gloss. An organizer with hair doo-dads... bobby pins, rubber bands, butterfly clips and a couple of claw-clips and scrunchies. A bottle of Angel. �And there�s a couple of drawers in my closet for you too.� �Closet space?� Kristy teased her boyfriend, who�s wardrobe put her own to shame. �Wow. You do love me!� He gave her a kiss on the nose and returned to packing his things. Kristy smiled as she closed her drawer. 'He does love me!'Next: Chapter 28 |