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Everything Your Heart Desires Chapter 32 Kristy and Cheryl entered the grand lobby of the Four Seasons and approached the elegant front desk to check in, anxious to see their boyfriends for the first time since they left on tour. They gave the handsome young man behind the wide marble counter their names and got their room keys. �Have our friends gotten in yet?� With a couple of keystrokes, the man raised his smiling eyes back to the two attractive women in front of him. �The rest of your party has not checked in... as of yet.� The girls smiled, seeing he understood their need for discretion. They headed up to their suites, both women taking advantage of the time before their guys were supposed to arrive... and the grand style in which the Boys traveled. Cheryl unpacked her bag and called her mom to let her know they�d arrived safely and that she would see her the next afternoon at the FleetCenter. She changed into stretch pants and one of Howie�s shirts she�d �borrowed,� lay down on the bed to rest for a bit, and soon drifted off to sleep. Howie slipped the key card into the slot and opened the door, smiling as he saw some of Cheryl�s things in the front living area. He wandered around the suite and noted how there were little signs of her here and there. As he stepped into the bedroom, his smile warmed as he saw his girlfriend curled up, fast asleep. She looked so peaceful; he just stood there and watched her for several minutes before lying down next to her. Cheryl sighed in her sleep as Howie pulled her to him. Her eyes fluttered open and a sleepy smile crossed her face. �Mmm, D.� He kissed her lightly on her forehead, then on her nose, then on her lips. Cheryl sighed again as she leaned in for another kiss. It�d been too long since their last night together - really, their first night spent together. �What do you say we just spend the rest of the weekend like this?� Cheryl smiled and shook her head. �As tempting as that sounds, I�m afraid that�s not a viable option. We have places to go, things to do... mothers to meet.� Howie groaned in spite of the smile on his face. �You could try to act like you�re not enjoying this so much.� Cheryl giggled and kissed him on the cheek. �Oh, but I am!� She kissed him softly on the lips. �And I�m enjoying this even more.� Howie smiled as she pressed her body closer to his and initiated a long, sensuous kiss.Kristy had unpacked her bags as she drew a hot bubble bath, then soaked in the large marble tub till the water had cooled considerably and the bubbles had long started to fade. She dried herself off with a large fluffy towel, then slipped on one of the hotel�s plush robes. She stepped out of the bathroom as Kevin stepped into the suite. The two crossed the distance between them in a matter of seconds and were soon wrapped in each other�s embrace. �My timing is a little off,� Kevin teased. �Guess I should have arrived a little earlier.� He fingered the collar of her soft robe. �Oh, you would have liked that, wouldn�t you?� Kristy teased back, enjoying their role reversal and the feeling of being in his arms again. �So, did I miss one of your marathon baths?� Kevin touched the damp curls that fell from her ponytail and framed her face. Whenever Kristy wanted to really relax, she�d take a long, hot soak in the tub. Kevin recalled the first time he�d drawn such a bath for her... after one particularly long day at the clinic before he�d gone on tour. Kevin had surprised Kristy by meeting her at her place as she walked in the door. He�d kissed her softly as he�d taken her briefcase, pager, and Daytimer out of her possession, and then had gently pushed her towards the stairs. While she took what Kevin thought could possibly have been the longest bath in history, he had fixed some pasta and vegetables, poured two glasses of wine and turned on some soft music. Dressed in stretch pants and an oversized sweatshirt - a far cry from her professional work attire - Kristy had joined Kevin downstairs for a quiet dinner, completely appreciative of his efforts to help her relax. Now in the hotel suite, Kevin smiled down into her face, caressing her cheek and drawing her lips to his for another thorough kiss. His other hand roamed over her back and around to her side. Kristy leaned more fully into the kiss and sighed softly as his tongue slipped into her mouth. Kristy felt Kevin�s hands drift to her front of her robe and forced herself to break the kiss. �I think I�d better go get dressed, huh?� Kevin nodded painfully. �Fully clothed you�re SLIGHTLY less of a temptation.� Kristy smiled seductively at him as she returned to the bedroom to dress. Kristy giggled to herself as she heard the shower running in the bathroom and Kevin�s yelp as the cold water hit his body.Cheryl stood with Howie behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist as they chatted with A.J., Nick and Brian, waiting for Kristy and Kevin so they could go to dinner. The younger members of the group chuckled and rolled their eyes as the elevator doors opened and Kevin and Kristy remained where they were... clearly taking advantage of the long ride down from the suites. �Are Leigh and I this bad when we�re together?� Brian asked as his cousin and Kristy finally broke their kiss - after the elevator doors had started to close again - and joined the rest of their friends. �Uh huh.� �Yep.� �Pretty much,� came the replies from the laughing group. Cheryl suggested one of her favorite restaurants � Boston Beerworks � saying, �It�s not fancy but my alma mater is right nearby. It�s across the street from Fenway Park and, more importantly, some of the best dance clubs the Hub has to offer.� The group readily agreed as they got into the awaiting van. Although not overly crowded, Kevin and Howie both pulled their girlfriends onto their laps to sit. Nick sat next to Kevin and Kristy and scooted over, patting the seat next to him. �Kris, you can sit here if you want.� Kristy smirked and caught Kevin�s eye. �I�m actually very comfortable just like this.� �But there�s plenty of room...� �Nick. Shhh,� Kevin said with a shake of his head, like they were actually fooling the girls into sitting on their laps. �B - I thought you were going to explain to him about the birds and the bees,� Cheryl teased. �Ya know, I try and I try... but I can only do so much.� Nick realized he was being picked on again, but decided to retaliate this time. �Actually, I think I�m starting to get it, but I COULD use a little more, ahh... coaching. I was kinda thinking Kris and Cher might want to help me with some of the �finer points�.� As he said this, he had rested his hand on Kristy�s leg and sent Cheryl a sexy little smile. Howie pulled Cheryl closer to him as a reflex and Kevin physically removed his hand from Kristy�s thigh. �I don�t think so, little man.� Howie concurred. �Not in this lifetime, Nicky.� Kristy and Cheryl both thanked their �protectors� with a kiss on the cheek. �Okay, but I can�t promise I won�t keep asking questions to help clarify things for my innocent little mind. And I MAY happen to occasionally interrupt something... seeing as I won�t completely understand what�s going on.� The two couples groaned and the other guys chuckled at Nick�s wide-eyed innocent look. For the rest of the drive, every time Howie and Cheryl had a quiet, close moment, Nick would ask some stupid question. And Kevin was about ready to strangle Nick as the youngest member had practically attached himself to Kristy and would do anything in his power to interrupt Kevin�s attempts to kiss his girlfriend. �Nick,� Kevin said in a voice that the rest of the guys recognized as him meaning business. �We still have a very long tour ahead of us. I know where you sleep. If you value your health, sanity and life, you will leave us alone.� Kevin pulled Kristy to him and kissed her with such intensity that Kristy�s knees literally went weak. As Kevin ended the kiss, Kristy sent Nick a bright smile. �You�re welcome, Spunky!� The party was seated away from the rest of the crowd even though there wasn�t much risk of teenage fans interrupting at a place like Beerworks. �Okay, guys, Crazy and Smarty, might I suggest the beer-basted burger for the MacDonald�s connoisseur?� Cheryl recommended. A.J. smiled. �Can Nicky order it without getting carded? He is underage afterall.� �Ya know, we should get him his own �dry table� in the corner. Being a minor and all,� Cheryl added. �Hey, what is this, Pick-on-Nick Day and no one told me?� Nick protested with a mock pout as he folded his arms across his chest. Cheryl put a hand on his shoulder. �I�m sorry. Would it make you feel better to know that almost all the clubs in Boston are 19-plus thanks to the college crowd?� �Maybe.� He gave her a shrug then a sly smile as he leaned closer. �A kiss might make me feel lots better though.� Howie raised his hand to stop him. �Geez, Nick, forget Smarty. I think we should rename you Horny.� �No, D,� A.J. countered. �That distinction belongs to those two. Horny and Horny Too.� The group laughed as they turned toward Kristy and Kevin, neither of whom had said much since he had silenced Nick in the van earlier that evening. It seems they were a bit preoccupied. They all settled into friendly banter as they ate dinner, enjoying the company. Kristy and Cheryl had become a part of the Backstreet family since day one and felt like older sisters to A.J. and Brian � not to mention the sisterly ribbing they always sent Nick�s way.After paying the check, the group crossed onto Landsdowne Street. �Mini tour!� Cheryl announced. �Sports fans� that�s the infamous Big Green Monster and Fenway Park.� �Ooh, aah,� Brian and Nick chorused taking out fake cameras and snapping �photos� as they passed by. "That would be where Steve Tyler�s rock club, Mama Kin, used to be," she said gesturing to the building on their left. "And lastly, a little know fact, the New Kids on the Block filmed their video for �No More Games� at the club on the end � now called Karma." �Really?� Brian asked. Cheryl nodded. �I love you, Joey,� Nick mimicked in a high pitched voice. A.J. rolled his eyes. �Okay, I say we stay away from there then� Don�t want that jinx on us.� �Don�t want the women cage dancing either?� Cheryl asked raising an eyebrow. A.J. eyes lit up. �Well�� Before he could answer, �How about that one?� Kevin asked. �Ooh, good choice. That�s Avalon. I have yet to see the inside since they renovated it. I�ve seen some great bands play live there.� Determined not to draw to much attention to themselves and to have as normal an evening as possible, the Boys, Kristy and Cheryl stood in line and had their ID�s checked with the rest of the crowd before going into the club. �Like my new fashion accessory?� Brian asked showing off his plastic �over-21� wristband. �Where�s yours, Frack?� �Shut up,� came Nick�s reply. Howie pulled Cheryl onto the dancefloor as soon as they entered the club, anxious for an excuse to hold her close. Cheryl hoped the dancing would distract him... help keep him from being nervous about meeting her mother and sister this weekend. She rested her head on his shoulder as their bodies swayed slightly to the music. �God, I�ve missed you.� Howie smiled as he pulled her even closer. �Me too, Sparky.� He lifted her chin gently with his fingertips and drew her lips to his for a lingering kiss. They continued to dance, letting the music do the rest of their talking for the moment. Howie�s brown eyes drank in her every move. He�d never forget what he felt the second he had seen her in the hotel room earlier that evening. God, how he�d missed her and it had only been a few weeks. He wanted to concentrate on being with her this weekend but found himself curious about their future for a flickering moment before drawing her to him. Over his shoulder, he saw Kevin and Kristy at the table with the rest of the guys. He saw his friend lean down to give her a lingering kiss before whispering what looked to be the words �I love you� in her ear. Howie turned his attention back to his girlfriend. �If she only knew,� he thought. �Oh, great. Now I�m quoting songs from the competition. What�s next? I like girls who wear Abercrombie and Fitch? or better yet, It�s not easy to be alone, it�s not easy to fall in love� Damn, those boys from *NSYNC just had to be right.� Cheryl closed her eyes as she savored another kiss from Howie and as she reopened them, a friendly face came into view over her shoulder. "Hi, Jeremy." "Cheryl, fancy meeting you here. I thought you were working for Disney in Orlando," he said. She nodded. "I�m just here for a weekend visit and decided to see what they did to some of the old hangouts on Landsdowne." "You couldn�t have picked a better weekend." He leaned closer to her. "I heard the Backstreet Boys are here tonight." She stifled a laugh and caught Howie�s gaze. "I heard that, too." She had been shadowing her boyfriend prior to that moment and stepped back then, enabling Jeremy to see him. "J, I�d like you to meet my boyfriend, Howie." Jeremy�s eyes grew wide as he realized who it was. The two men exchanged pleasantries and shook hands. Howie felt self-conscious as the other man�s eyes glanced over him. He unconsciously retreated behind Cheryl and wrapped his arms around her waist. Jeremy leaned toward Cheryl once more. "So does that mean Nick�s here, too?" he asked into her ear. Cheryl smiled and answered aloud. "Yes, Nick�s here, too." She nodded her head in the direction of the table they�d sequestered. "Thanks. Nice meeting you, Howie." "Likewise." Howie watched the other young man less-than-obviously dance toward their table. "What was that all about?" "J is a friend of my sister�s. He�s a huge fan of the Backstreet Boys," Cheryl explained. "Nicky�s his favorite. It seems he likes them young and innocent. Or so I was told." Howie laughed. "Little does he know. Poor Nick." Just then they were interrupted by the said-blonde, who was wearing a bemused expression on his face. "Do you know anything about some guy who just passed me and Bri and winked at me?" The couple giggled as they continued to sway side-to-side to the music. "Jeremy is a BIG fan of yours, Smarty." Nick blushed. "Ah, man, thanks a lot." He wandered away mumbling something about Pick-on-Nick becoming a national holiday. Kevin and Kristy sat at the table, catching up about work and the tour thus far. A.J. had joined the DJ and was talking music and mixes, while Nick and Brian joined Kristy and Kevin at the table, filling in any parts they felt Kevin had missed. Kristy was laughing so hard she was literally crying as Nick and Brian described - in graphic detail - the Charlotte concert and Kevin�s costume mishap. �Oh honey, I�m sorry,� she said, unable to keep a straight face, picturing her boyfriend struggling to sing, dance and keep his pants up all at the same time. �You wouldn�t have thought it was so funny if you�d been there to see 20,000 plus women staring at my butt!� He tried to sound serious, but started to smile as Kristy, Nick and Brian burst into another fit of giggles. �The least you could do is act jealous,� he pouted. Kristy struggled to contain her laughter and pulled Kevin from the table into a dim corner of the dancefloor. �Sexy, I know you have a nice butt - I believe I made that observation the night we met! - but I�m not jealous that all those women got to see it.� As Kristy talked they danced closely to a slow, sexy Brian McKnight song. �Wanna know why?� she whispered seductively in Kevin�s ear. He pulled her closer and she took that as a �yes�. �Because of the MILLIONS of women who lust after you and that cute butt of yours, I�m the only one who gets to do this...� Kristy drew his lips to hers for a searing kiss, letting her hands drift from his shoulders, over his back in a slow caress, down to said-butt. Kevin deepened the kiss as he felt her hands resting there, smiling to himself as he thought about how out of character it was for her. But he had to admit - he kind of liked it. The more Howie thought about it, the more it ate him up inside. �Cher,� he said motioning her toward Brian at the bar. �I need to sit the next one out, but why don�t you dance with Bri?� She nodded. �Hey, B, you want to join me?� �Sure, Sparky, if you�re certain the boyfriend won�t kill me.� �As long as you don�t try to seduce her, you�re fine.� Howie watched them enter the crowded dancefloor then went to find A.J. The Latin Lover wasn�t afraid to admit he needed some advice from his best friend.The group returned to the hotel and was greeted by a small group of attractive young women looking for autographs. Kristy and Cheryl stood off to the side and chatted as their boyfriends obliged their fans. Kristy was listening to Cheryl when she noticed one of the women eyeing her suspiciously. She smiled casually at the girl and then, catching Kevin�s eye, smiled brighter. Kevin left the woman in front of him and grabbed Kristy�s hand, pulling her to the open doors of the elevator. �Night all!� |