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Everything Your Heart Desires Chapter 42 Cheryl sat on the edge of the cabana�s deck as the sun rose out of the ocean depths the following morning. She hadn�t slept much the night prior, wanting instead to consciously appreciate the warmth of Howie�s body snuggled to hers for as long as she could. Now she found herself trying to explain in words the meaning of the weekend in her journal. Reflecting on how wonderful the time had been, she realized how impossible it was to accomplish the task of writing any words at all to describe it. Turning away from the bright colors of the sunrise and the nearly blank page of her book, Cheryl gazed at Howie, his lower body draped in the bed�s soft white satin sheets, through the sliding screen door. The yellow light of the new day shone like a halo around his face. He was so beautiful inside and out. �Yeah, enjoy it while you can. He�s going to be gone tomorrow,� she thought sadly. �Damn, the Backstreet Boys.� Cheryl glanced back at Howie, only this time to find his brown eyes open and staring back at her. Howie knew Cheryl was bothered by something. As soon as she�d seen him awake, she had downcast her eyes and turned her head back toward the ocean. Howie sighed. Without hesitation, he wrapped a robe around his body and quietly made his way to her side. He didn�t speak, instead willing his actions to speak for the moment. Howie encircled his left arm around her shoulder and pulled her gently to him. She didn�t protest, but she also didn�t cuddle closer him as she normally would. Howie used the forefinger on his right hand to turn her head knowing that her hazel eyes would easily, though not willingly, betray her thoughts. Sadness. Loneliness. Guilt. He could guess the reason for the first two emotions. Howie was beginning to feel them as well, but guilt? He cocked his head to the side in question. Realizing that her boyfriend had again succeeded in reading her mind, Cheryl couldn�t hide the feelings any longer. "I was just condemning the Backstreet Boys phenomenon to eternal damnation," she said sheepishly. "Only a momentary lapse. We�ve had a wonderful weekend and I don�t want to ruin it." Howie sighed and leaned his head against hers. "It's becoming harder and harder to leave�" "�But you wouldn�t give it up, nor would I ask you to." She smiled. "I�ll just give into my feeling every once in a while." "You�re allowed." He turned her gaze to his once more. "When it becomes too much to handle, I�m a phone call away. Always remember that I love you." "I love you, too." Cheryl�s lips met his for a very brief kiss. "Uh-oh, forgot that someone just woke up." Howie smiled and said "Hold that thought." They both giggled as Cheryl watched Howie scamper to the bathroom in search of his toothbrush.Kevin stared lovingly at the woman asleep in his arms and for the millionth time since their fateful meeting at Pleasure Island, thanked God for bringing them together. As if on command, Kristy snuggled closer to Kevin, a smile still lingering on her lips, even her sleep. Kevin closed his eyes briefly and drew a ragged breath. Sometimes he found it difficult to breathe, he loved her so much. He smiled to himself as he thought about the incredible weekend they'd shared so far. Nothing could have prepared him for the emotions he now felt. He'd guessed his feelings for Kristy would intensify after they made love - although, even before that point he loved her completely - but he had no idea that this kind of love could exist. Words couldn't describe the intensity of his feelings for her. Another set of emotions went through Kevin as he continued to gaze down at Kristy. Happiness. Passion. Possession. He knew Kristy would probably cringe at the idea, but he couldn't help it. She belonged to him... and he to her. Kevin loved the fact that no other man had ever shared this kind of intimacy, love and passion with Kristy before. And no other man ever would, as far as Kevin was concerned. 'First and only,' Kevin thought with a smile, remembering their conversation on the beach from the night before and brushing his lips across her forehead. Eyes still closed, Kristy turned her face upwards and met Kevin's lips with her own. The kiss reflected Kevin's thoughts of love and passion - thoughts that were never far from Kristy's own head or heart. "I could certainly get used to waking up to that," Kristy said with a bright smile as she caressed the side of Kevin's face. "That's the idea." Kevin drew her close for another long kiss.Cheryl and Howie were almost surprised to see Kevin and Kristy waiting for them outside the resort�s main office punctually at three that afternoon. They had thought that having not spotted the other couple all day that THEY would be the ones waiting. Kevin and Kristy radiated with happiness thanks to the healthy flush and seemingly permanent bright smiles they wore. It was a sight not lost on Howie and Cheryl, who winked at one another, fully realizing what their friends had planned for their last day when they saw the �DO NOT DISTURB� sign on the door that morning. "So, ladies, it seems your ransom has been paid," Kevin said, keeping with the kidnapping theme. "You are free to go." "What if I don�t want to?" Cheryl whispered to Howie, who had thought more than once that morning about whisking her away - consequences be damned. He sighed sadly, dismissing the thought again. The two couples stepped onto the passenger ferry. Kevin, his arms wrapped around Kristy�s waist from behind, guided her toward the bow of the boat. "The romance doesn�t have to end quite yet," he murmured in her ear. Howie took Cheryl�s hand, shaking his head. "Man, he is going to be so unbearable when we rejoin the rest of the guys. I mean, he was bad before, but now that he isn�t going to be getting any." The redhead slapped him playfully on the shoulder. "What? It�s called sexual frustration," Howie drawled. "I know what it is," she replied � an almost terrifying glint of mischief in her hazel eyes. She ran her forefinger from his jawbone down his neck then back up the other side and felt him shudder involuntarily before giving him a lingering kiss. "Damn, girl, stop teasing." Howie pulled her closer. Their bodies touched from shoulder to foot. Cheryl just smiled. "Wicked. You�re just wicked."Kevin and Kristy watched the boat break through the ocean waves. She sighed happily and leaned back against him. "You okay?" Kevin asked. "Mhmm, just enjoying present company�" Kevin smiled and kissed her neck softly. "Leaving you here in Florida is going to be so hard." "Who said you�re going anywhere?" Kristy withdrew two sets of keys from the pocket of her shorts and dangled them in front of his face. Kevin instinctively patted the pockets of his jeans realizing for the first time that his set of keys was conspicuously missing. "I know I put them here this morning. How did you do that?" Kristy pocketed the keys again and grinned wickedly. "Oh, I have my ways. Distraction is key." She pressed her lips to his. When they broke apart once more, Kevin dangled her set of keys in front of her eyes. "Guess I learned from the master," he teased with a smile. "Trade?" Kristy begrudgingly surrendered.On the ride to the airport, the couples discussed the possibility of meeting in New York City in three weeks while the Backstreet Boys handled some promotional and publicity obligations. Howie saw the not-too-enthused look on Cheryl�s face and asked her about it later. "What�s wrong? You don�t want to come see me?" "I�ve never been a fan of New York," Cheryl admitted as they strolled down the terminals to the gate her boyfriend and Kevin were scheduled to leave from. "Not a city girl?" "Nah, it�s not that. I don�t know, but that place� it reminds me of Tim Burton�s version of Gotham City. Dark and unfriendly." She unconsciously shivered at the thought. "Somehow though, I don�t think it will matter if I have you to keep me company." Howie squeezed her hand feeling the emotions behind her statement spread like electric current through his body. Kristy and Kevin dawdled a few steps behind the other couple, lingering in their own realm of reality. "Ever have a sense of de ja vu?" Kevin watched Kristy affirm his question with a simple nod of her head. "It seems to me that I say goodbye to you more often than I should have to." Kristy nodded again � this time with an air of sadness. "But we�ll make it through this, just like always. You are a very good friend of mine after all," he said with the utmost sincerity. "And when this whole Backstreet thing dies down, we�ll still be together. I love you so much, Angel." "I love you, too, Kev." The passion and love they�d shared over the weekend was reflected in their goodbye kiss. Neither wanted to let go. Howie cleared his throat as he listened to the final boarding call for their flight. "Careful, you two, I don�t want to have to explain to the other guys, the fans, and the press that I had to leave Kevin behind because he was arrested." Kevin threw his friend a look as Cheryl and Kristy motioned for another striptease.Next: Chapter 43 |