Luke was waiting at the open door to the car when he saw Kevin and Kaylee approach. He had thought that Kaylee was a pretty woman, but tonight he shook his head, she was beautiful. And, his boss ... well, he was another story. Luke chuckled outloud as he recalled the case of nerves that struck Kevin when they reached Kaylee's home. But now, looking at how happy he was, Luke knew what Kevin had yet to realize. He really was falling in love, but too "thick" to see it. When they reached him, Kaylee shook her head and pointed her finger accusingly at him. "YOU....You were in on this from the beginning too, weren't you? You and my best friend?" "Ah....am I in trouble if I say yes," he asked tentatively. "Oh...you big wonderful man...NO...," she said as she squeezed him tightly, "you are as wonderful as she is....and I thank you." Slightly uncomfortable with her reaction, Luke just mumbled something about doing his job. She kissed his cheek lightly and said, "no...it was much more than a job....", as she stepped away, and leaned into the car, Kevin following with the biggest smile Luke had seen in years. The drive to the restaurant was relatively quiet. Words seemed inadequate. Kaylee was still somewhat overwhelmed by it all....and by Kevin. She stole glances at him as he looked out the window. He really was stunning. She was studying every feature of his face, when he suddenly looked back and leaned his head to her. "What," he asked softly, his lips almost in her hair, "what are you thinking....what do you want?" The only answer Kaylee could give him came by her putting her head on his shoulder and sighing deeply. "I'm thinking that this doesn't seem real.....that two months ago I was planning a little get away with my friend ...living day to day....just for me....no one else...and then fate threw me a major curve...," she picked her head up and looked in his eyes, taken aback at the intensity of his gaze. "Oh yeah," he said softly, as he took her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers, "a curve, huh? Was I that 'curve'?" "Yes....you.....a beautiful...drunk man...on the sidewalk....in a strange town....who took over my mind....who I thought I'd never see again....," she paused, getting emotional and looking away. Kevin touched his finger to her chin, and turned her face to him. "I thought the same thing Kaylee....you took over my head...I was so afraid I'd never see you again too.....but I knew... I knew I had to...," he whispered as he touched his forehead to hers, his lips so close to hers she could feel his words on her mouth. He ran his thumb across her cheek and continued, "you are doing something to me Kaylee Barrone..something that scares me.... .....and yet....," his lips on hers, "it's something that......excites every fiber of my being." He gently kissed her trembling lips and just as Kaylee reached her hand up into his hair, the car stopped and they heard Luke's voice over the speaker announcing their arrival at the restaurant. "We will finish this conversation later woman.....," he said against her mouth..."we definitely will." Luke opened the door and the two climbed out and headed to the entrance. They rode the elevator to the top floor and entered a beautiful "underwater" world. The restaurant was very dark, and full of billowy fabric that was draped across the ceiling. There were twinkling lights everywhere...giving the impression of an underwater scene. Luke stopped to speak to a manager, explaining his situation, and that he would prefer to just sit at the bar with an unobstructed view of his "charge". The manager was very accomodating and told him he was welcome at the bar as long as it was deemed necessary. "Wow...Emma was right, this place is perfect." "Yeah boss, she sure was. I'm going to head over to the bar.....you know how to reach me...enjoy yourselves," he said as he disappeared around the corner. They were taken to a table in the corner, at the front, against the windows which offered a breathtaking view of the city of Pittsburgh. "Oh Kevin...this is amazing. A total stranger suggests we come here.......I've dreamed of being able to come here.....thank you...you did it again," she said softly. "You are spoiling me so badly mister.....how am I ever going to repay you?" "You just did.....sweetheart....seeing that smile on your face.....that's all I need." Kevin ordered a bottle of wine and they ordered their meals. As they waited, they each talked about what had been going on in their lives. Kaylee was becoming more talkative and animated which pleased Kevin, even though he realized alot of it was coming from the wine. He got his enjoyment from seeing her happy. As the waiter arrived with their salads, Kevin stood to remove his jacket. "Shit," Kaylee muttered under her breath as her eyes travelled the length of his body. She felt her mouth go dry as she watched him dig in the pocket of his jacket before placing it on the back of his chair. Dear God....how am I supposed to eat now, she wondered. Just as she feared, the black tee shirt he was wearing fit him like a second skin. The sleeves were very short and she saw every muscle flex in his arms as he settled the jacket on his chair. Holy shit....what's holding his pants up, she wondered. They really were the tightest pants she'd ever seen on a man and his belt was absolutely gorgeous...wide black leather with silver studs...a big silver buckle...and shit...look at that ... a silver chain link draped over his hips.....and crap...the end of it...the end of the belt......it's hanging halfway down his thigh. I KNOW I can't eat now. Just please...if there truly is a God...don't let him turn and walk away because I know I'll just die. Heaven help me! Kevin took his time sitting back down. His appearance was having the affect on Kaylee that he hoped it would...she was watching his every move.. and for the first time in what seemed like forever, he was feeling good about himself. "Why does this always happen darlin'? I seem to always lose you up there," Kevin smiled as he placed his hand on the side of her head. "Oh....I.....I'm sorry......I was just .... ummmm......taking in the......aaahh...view...yes...the view... from......here." "Really now....ya sure....cause it's ah...on the other side." "Shut up....smart ass....ok.....FINE......I was admiring the view right in front of me.Does that make you happy? Because the little show you put on for me worked buddy.....you're damn good!" Kevin blushed and took her hand. "Busted ain't I? Can I help it if I worked hard to look good for you.....I really did. God...I'm so embarrassed.....I can't believe I'm saying this...but...it's been so long since I really cared about what a woman thought .... about how a woman looked at me...." "Kevin....ssshh," she said as she touched her finger to his lips, "you look incredible...all the time...and whoever can't or couldn't see it is a jackass. But, the way you look outside isn't why I'm here.....ok? It's because of who you are on the inside....that man is even MORE beautiful." "We better eat baby...," he said, deeply shaken by what she said, "dinner's gonna be here..and we still got full salads. But....thank you...," he stammered shyly, "thank you for what you said......thank you for everything." Their dinners finally arrived and they ate in relative silence. Kevin had been wondering if she was ever going to open up to him about what had been bothering her that one night on the phone. He promised himself that he would not bring it up to her, that she had to trust him enough to just tell him. But, as the night went on, he found himself growing anxious. When they finished their dinner, Kaylee talked about her mom...how much she loved her and how much it hurt when she died. Kevin was deeply moved by the connection he felt with this very personal part of her life, and his. They both were hurt deeply that they were not available more when their parents were ill......and angry that the world didn't take notice that they had passed. As Kevin said, "truer words were never spoken than 'life goes on as it never ends', and that it took a lot of time for them both to get past the hurt and anger. But, as moved as he was by her opening up to him, she still was not telling him everything. He reached over and took her hands in his, rubbing his thumbs over the tops of them. "Kaylee," he said softly, "keep talking to me.....what had you so upset that night on the phone. Tell me......" She wasn't sure this was really the time or the place, but when she looked up into his eyes, she saw all his emotion, his concern for her....his need to know. She sighed, and accepted her need to tell him. "His name is Jeff Carson.......," she started, as Kevin gave her hands a reassuring squeeze. Kevin thought his heart was going to explode while she talked. The range of emotions that he felt....his heart was breaking for the pain she went through..the rage he felt. This man, if you could call him that...this asshole...what he had done to her...what he would like to do to him if he had a chance. He fought to keep his emotions under control. As she started to cry, he stood up and went to her, kneeling on the floor, not caring who about anything other than her. He took her head in his hands and held her to his chest. "Ssshh...ssshh baby...please...don't cry.....I'm so sorry......" Luke, watching from across the room, jumped up and moved toward the table as soon as he saw Kevin jump to his feet. "Boss....maybe we should get out of here.....whaddya think?" "Yeah...," Kevin replied, never breaking his hold on her, "take care of the bill.....and call for the car." Kevin grabbed his jacket, and helped Kaylee up. "C'mon ... let's get you out of here." They took the elevator down and got outside. Kaylee had stopped crying, but clung tightly to Kevin, afraid to let go. He ran his thumbs over her cheeks attempting to wipe away the tears. "Kevin," she said in between sniffles, "can we walk a little?" "Do you really think that's a good idea sweetheart?" "Yes.....I wanted to do this.....to stand and take in this view.....with you....please," she asked on a soft whisper against his neck. Her voice felt like velvet carressing his skin. "Anything.........anything." He was sunk and he knew it. "Thank you," she said as she placed a kiss on his jaw. Kevin had the car just follow along as they walked up the street toward an overlook platform. He felt Kaylee shiver so he took his jacket off and placed it over her shoulders. She shivered again, but for a completely different reason. His heat...his scent....enveloped her body.....making her dizzy. They reached the overlook and just stood quietly looking out at the city. Kevin took a step behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. He tentatively slid his hands down her arms, and as she stepped back into him, he gently wrapped his arms around her placing his chin on her shoulder. "What'cha thinkin' about beautiful?" Kaylee couldn't say "him"... that with him, that close to her, she couldn't think about anything else. Instead, she just sighed and snuggled closer. "Not much.....same thing I've been thinking about for days....weeks....how my life has changed...how much you've come to mean to me.......just everything." He turned his head toward her....and placed small feathery kisses on her neck....awakening every nerve ending in her body. She wrapped her arms over his, marvelling at how strong they were, pulling him closer. He pulled one arm free and gently turned her to face him. She placed her open hands on his chest, as he took her face in his hands, looking deeply into her eyes. "I want to kiss you," he said in a husky drawl, "I want to kiss you until you can't think straight...." She looked down at his mouth, and whispered, "then please......kiss me......" Kevin slowly lowered his mouth and gently placed his lips on hers. What started as gentle light kisses, quickly deepened as he ran his tongue over her lips and she parted them slightly allowing him to taste her once again. He slid his hands down her arms, her waist, and settled them on her hips, pulling her closer to him. She ran her hands down his chest, and then she slipped them around his waist, holding him as close to her as she could. A soft moan escaped his lips as he finally came up for air. "God Kaylee," he whispered, his breath ragged, "I can't....God knows I want to...but...I can't...I can't do this......not here...dammit......I can't be with you and not want you..........." Just then the voice came from beside her....like a recurring night mare... "Well look here ...I'll be damned if it isn't Kaylee Barrone and fuck me.....it's the pretty boy, too." |
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| CHAPTER 38 |