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A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes Chapter 37 Kristy wandered down the stairs, the smell of brewing coffee and frying bacon filling her nostrils while the sound of humming reached her ears. She rounded the corner into Kevin�s kitchen and saw him slicing fresh strawberries at the island, then moving back to the stove to flip pancakes. She paused to watch him, enjoying seeing her boyfriend dressed in running pants and a wife-beater, his dark hair still damp from his morning shower. "Exactly who are you planning on feeding with all that?" Kristy asked as she entered the kitchen, giggling at the amount of food being prepared. In addition to the bacon she�d smelled coming downstairs and the pile of pancakes Kevin had accumulated near the stove, there were some hard-boiled eggs cooling by the sink and an assortment of fresh fruit on a platter on the island. Kevin grinned sheepishly at his girlfriend, admiring how cute she looked in her own running pants and a Backstreet Boys T-shirt. "I wasn�t sure what you liked, so I thought I�d make a little of everything." Kristy raised both eyebrows and smirked. "Okay� I made a lot of everything." Kristy walked up to Kevin and stole a slice of peeled grapefruit from the plate and giggled as he swatted her hand. She took a bite of the juicy fruit, then offered the rest to Kevin. He held her gaze as he lowered his mouth, capturing her fingers along with the fruit. Kristy inhaled slightly at the feel of his warm, wet mouth around her fingers� but before she could react � one way or another � Kevin ended his incredible torture. "Ahh� umm�" Kristy struggled to articulate her next thought, "Do you need any help?" She glanced around the kitchen, taking the extra time to compose herself. Kevin smiled smugly at the distracted look on his girlfriend�s face. He placed his hand on her back and guided her around to the other side of the island where he pulled up a tall chair for her. "Just sit back and watch a master at work." He poured her a cup of coffee and passed it across the island and continued to slice and peal fruit. "By the way, nice shirt." "Thanks," she said with a bright smile. "Nicky gave it to me." She giggled mischievously as Kevin groaned. While Kevin worked, Kristy took the opportunity to sip her coffee and watch him over the rim of her mug. He prepared the breakfast with the same efficiency and fluidness as he did everything. Kristy enjoyed seeing him in this environment � his home � even more than she liked seeing him on stage, which was essentially his second home. She watched his hands as they handled the paring knife with ease, coring and quartering apples and pears to join the variety of other fruit on the silver platter. Kevin glanced up and frowned as he noticed Kristy staring intently at the counter. He picked up another piece of fruit and then realized Kristy�s eyes were following his movements. He bit back a smile and watched her watch his hands as he cut some apricots. He stilled his hands � mid-slice � and waited for her to raise her eyes to his. Kristy was indeed focused on Kevin hands � admiring their strength, yet gentleness � while he continued getting breakfast ready. She was thinking of how the same hands that could bring a piano to life could also make her go weak in the knees. It took her awhile to realize that the hands she was contemplating had stopped moving. She lifted her eyes to Kevin�s and smiled sheepishly. Kevin raised his hand and caressed the side of Kristy�s face, then leaned across the island to kiss her sensually. "Ready for something to eat?" Kevin asked in a quiet voice, forcing himself to stay on his side of the kitchen. Kristy nodded, hoping that something as routine as eating breakfast would help her stay composed. She�d been with Kevin for less than 24 hours and she was already having a hard time resisting him. She knew it would only get more difficult as they spent more time together� but it was a "problem" she was happy to have. Breakfast was perfect � but more because of the company than any of the food. They decided to take their food out to the patio and eat breakfast by the pool. Kristy smiled to herself, again having a sense of familiarity about the whole situation. Kevin saw the twinkle in her blue-green eyes and grinned. "You notice that I didn�t let you get your hands on the knife in this version," Kevin said with a laugh. "I didn�t want to take the chance that you might actually decide to use it this time." Kristy rolled her eyes with a giggle. "And endanger that body? Never!" She emphasized her point by letting her eyes wander purposefully over Kevin�s muscular form. Despite having thousands of women�s attention focused on him practically nightly, Kevin still found himself blushing at his girlfriend�s actions. He cleared his throat and took a long drink of his freshly squeezed orange juice while Kristy smirked, enjoying the role reversal. "So," Kristy said cheerfully, her eyes sparkling with a glint of mischief, "Do you have any big plans for today?" Kevin sat back in the deck chair, chewing thoughtfully on his last slice of bacon. "Well, there�s the show tonight," he started, referring to the first of the Orlando concerts � and the last handful of shows of the current tour. "But we�re skipping sound check from here on out." The Boys had performed in each of the Florida venues several times, allowing them a few more hours before each show to spend how they wanted. "As for the rest of the day� I was sorta hoping I could spend it at home with the most beautiful woman in the world." Kristy smiled as she reached for another strawberry then leaned back in her chair, mirroring Kevin�s posture. "I don�t know� think Nicole Kidman will dump Tom for you? Although I�d be happy to help him get over her�" she trailed off, biting back a smile as Kevin shook his head fiercely. "Uh-huh. No way. I don�t care if he is the biggest movie star in the world � he�s not getting anywhere near you," Kevin argued good-naturedly, forgetting momentarily that they weren�t originally even talking about the actors. Kristy pretended to pout, slightly thrusting out her bottom lip and widening her vivid hazel eyes. "Not even at an awards shows or big Hollywood parties?" She batted her eyelids a few times for good measure. "I�ve always wanted to meet Tommy. He�s such a good actor." Kevin was trying to remain stern looking, but chuckled as Kristy managed to produce a tear or two. "Damn girl, now THAT�S good acting." Kristy giggled and bowed slightly in her chair. "Anyway� you know perfectly well that I meant I want to spend the day with you." "Just you and me? Alone? Hmmm� I think I can handle that." She leaned over and kissed him lightly. Kevin, however, had other ideas and reached his hand up to her face, prolonging the kiss. The chemistry between them was as undeniable as it had always been. Kristy felt herself getting lost in the sensual kiss and rested her hands on Kevin�s thighs to balance herself as she leaned forward in her chair. Kevin took her hands in his and moved them away from she�d put them. "Umm� Princess, be careful� please," Kevin whispered roughly. Kristy glanced at where her hands were and blushed. Evidently she wasn�t the only one who�d gotten immersed in the kiss. Kristy stood and turned, walking towards the pool, breathing deeply as she went. She gazed into the clear water and felt herself relax. She wasn�t sure what to say or do next. She felt the force drawing them together but still had some reservations. As she stood there, she felt Kevin�s hands on her upper arms, his head next to hers. "We'll take this as slowly as you want, okay?" Kristy nodded and leaned back against him, aware that he seemed to read her thoughts. They stood there silently for a while then Kevin spoke quietly. "Would you like to go for a swim?" Kristy turned her head and looked at him questioningly. "Of course, I�ll be joining you." "It�s December," Kristy said, as if those two words would end the conversation. "And it�s Florida and sunny," Kevin replied, turning her in his arms. "I�ll help you put some sunscreen on," he said in a singsong voice. Kristy giggled. "Okay, you convinced me." Truthfully, the moment he suggested it, the image of him in swim trunks was enough persuasion for her. Kevin, on the other hand, had suggested it first thinking about the coldness of the water. Unfortunately, he hadn�t thought past that and when Kristy reemerged a few minutes later in her black two-piece, he suddenly regretted his suggestion. He was willing to take things slowly � in fact, he thought it was important for their relationship � but he would be the first to admit he was only human. And a male human at that. "Kev, you okay?" Kristy asked as she approached him. He was staring into the water, much like she had been before, lost in thought. He met her concerned eyes and smiled. "Let�s see� you�re here, in Orlando, staying at my house, spending the day with just me, wearing a swimsuit, enjoying the weather and my pool� did I mention you�re in a swimsuit? I�d say life is pretty great right now." Kristy smiled brightly and took his hand in hers. She then tipped her head back and closed her eyes, letting the sun warm her face. "I agree." Kevin felt his heart do a little flutter, and he realized once again how much he loved Kristy. Watching her standing before him as she savored the heat of the sun and everything around her, made his heart swell with love. She was so beautiful and had such a good heart. He loved how she didn't take anything for granted and how she still appreciated the little things that some people ignored. He bent his head and brushed his lips over her forehead softly. Kristy sighed as she opened her eyes and saw Kevin's smiling face very near hers. She knew he was very dedicated to their relationship and that he was willing to take things a bit slower. She knew he loved her, and that he really would do anything for her. As much as she was trying to protect her heart, she couldn't deny that she loved him too. But she knew that to have a lasting relationship they needed more than just love and chemistry. That was the part that still needed work. * * * * * After that evening's show, Kristy and Kevin returned back to his house, forgoing the multiple invitations to go out with the others. The concert had been amazing and Kevin had put 120% into it, directing much of his performance to Kristy. He even rededicated "Once Upon A Time" to her, telling the audience that "his inspiration was in the audience with them tonight." They arrived and Kristy could tell Kevin was still full of energy from the show as he talked animatedly. "Want to watch a movie or something?" Kristy smiled, holding back her laughter as Kevin moved in rhythm to the radio playing in the background. She was pretty sure that he wasn't aware of what he was doing, because she doubted he would've normally been dancing to an *N Sync song. "Why don't we do something to use up some of that extra energy of yours instead." Kevin grinned mischievously and Kristy rolled her eyes. "Not THAT. I was thinking of a late-night swim." Kevin knew he was being punished for his behavior weeks before. Being near Kristy in a swimsuit was always a mixed blessing, but he didn't know if he'd be able to control himself twice in one day. Yet he knew he would never actually turn that kind of offer down. Once again, Kevin was outside as Kristy emerged in her suit - this time a bright yellow and blue floral tankinie. She'd pulled her hair up in a clip and had a large blue towel from the guest bathroom wrapped around her waist. He tried to control his breathing as she slowly removed the towel and set it aside before diving into the pool to join him. Kristy surfaced a few feet from Kevin and he held his arms open for her. She swam to him and let herself be enveloped in a gentle hug. "This is nice." Kristy had been thinking the same thing as she nodded against his chest. They broke apart after awhile and swam a bit. Kevin was in the process of completing a few laps, while Kristy was doing a lazy backstroke and staring up at the stars on the clear night. She was trying to identify a few constellations when a pair of hands grabbed hold of her ankles and began to pull her to the edge of the pool. At first, Kristy had been surprised by the "attack", but then relaxed and remained floating - rather than fighting what would've been a loosing battle. Kevin reached the steps at the shallow end of the pool and sat down, still guiding Kristy by her ankles. He pulled her closer, sliding one hand to her lower calf, then the other to her upper calf. Kristy struggled to stay calm - so she could float - but thought she might be in danger of drowning as Kevin's hands reached her knees. Kevin pulled her into his arms so that she sat in front of him on one of the steps, their legs touching and intertwining in the warm water. Music played overhead, thanks to the speakers that Kevin had both inside and outside the house. Kristy turned her head towards Kevin slightly as the sound of a train whistle and a heart beat filled the night air. He kissed her temple and pulled her even closer to him, as they sat and listened to one of their favorite songs. I want somebody to share,Share the rest of my life, Share my innermost thoughts, Know my intimate details... "Remember dancing to this?" he asked in deep voice, barely above a whisper - as if anything louder might break the spell. Kristy turned to him, her eyes shining with unspoken emotion, and nodded. Kevin pulled her onto his lap and, facing each other, raised his hand to caress her cheek. "We fell in love that night." It wasn't a question - they both knew it was true - and Kristy nodded again. He drew her face closer to his so that they were mere inches apart. "And my feelings for you grow every day you're in my life." Kevin looked deeply into Kristy's blue-green eyes. "I love you." Kristy drew a shaky breath, unable to stop herself from shedding a couple of tears. "I love you, too." She'd said it. Kevin couldn't contain his pure happiness - he'd been waiting to hear those words again for so long. "But..." Kevin's face fell as heard the uncertainty in her voice. "I'm still not sure if I can trust you..." Kristy saw the pain in Kevin's eyes, and she couldn't hold her tears back any longer. "I'm so sorry, Kevin. I want to... I do. But I don't want to get hurt again. I don't think I could handle having my heart broken again." Kevin pulled her into his arms, resting his cheek on her head, unable to speak with the lump that had formed in his throat. He deserved everything she'd said, but it still tore him apart. The last thing he'd ever wanted to do was to hurt Kristy, but he had... badly. "Angel," he whispered. "I know love can't last without trust. No matter what it takes, I'm going to earn your trust again. I don't think I could handle living without you." Kristy pulled back and stared into Kevin's deep green eyes. She saw love and sincerity that matched his words and for the first time since right after Allen's attack, her heart, body, and mind were all in agreement. She wrapped her arms around Kevin's neck and leaned in to kiss him. Kevin felt the emotion in her kiss and responded with as much love as he had inside him. They breathlessly broke apart, the pounding of their hearts drowning out all other sounds. Kevin helped Kristy out of the pool and wrapped her in her towel - and his arms - before kissing her again. They headed upstairs, holding hands and exchanging kisses until they reached the guestroom. Kristy looked up at Kevin. "For a little longer, okay?" she asked, referring to their separate sleeping arrangements. Part of her wanted to spend the night in his arms - feeling safe and loved - like she had before. But for the "protection" of her heart, she would wait. Kevin nodded. He wasn't going to push her. He wanted her in his life... no, he needed her in his life. He knew she loved him - his heart still treasured those words. Soon she'd trust him again - as a boyfriend and a friend. And he knew what he was going to do to make it happen. Next: Chapter 38 |