At the sound of Jeff's voice, Kaylee spun around so quickly she accidentally elbowed Kevin in the side. Kevin sucked in as much breath as he could and turned to glare at the man standing next to him. "Aw honey...what's wrong," Jeff in a sickeningly sweet voice that still managed to be laced with ice. "What do you want," she replied, in a strangled voice, while leaning in closer to Kevin, "can't you just leave me alone?" "No can do Kaylee....not after that night at the restaurant....you and your self righteous bitch friends," he said as he reached for her arm. "And, now...look at you....here with pretty boy.....what the hell Kaylee....look at him...this what you're into now?" "Jeff, please," her voice barely a whisper, "stop it...leave me alone." At the very mention of Jeff's name, Kevin knew he had heard enough. He gently moved Kaylee behind him, bending down toward her, whispering words of comfort yet never taking his eyes off the man in front of him. "Stay the hell away from her," Kevin said, his voice eerily calm. "Give me a fucking break," Jeff said, sarcasm and alcohol lacing his words. "What the hell are you going to do about it pretty boy? Not a damn thing I bet.....afraid you'd mess up that hair?" Kevin raised himself to his full height, his green eyes glowing with an anger he'd never known before, his jaw tightening, his left hand clenching into a fist, his right hand holding Kaylee beind him. The muscles in his arms flexed while his breathing accelerated. He took a step closer to Jeff... "Wanna find out asshole?" Jeff just snorted in disgust, "screw you....oh..but wait.....that's her job ain't it? Tell me pretty boy...she still good in the sack?" Kevin had never experienced the building of an anger so intense that he couldn't see straight...he couldn't even think straight. All he wanted was to slam his fist into Jeff's face. "Kevin," her soft voice came from behind him, "Kevin....please...." Kaylee could feel every muscle tensing in Kevin. She could hear his ragged breathing as his anger built, and even more so, she saw him raise his left arm. "You can't do this Kevin..." Kevin heard her voice, but didn't hear her words. He was beyond rational thinking, as he heard Jeff repeatedly badgering him...and more than anything hurting Kaylee with his words. Jeff took a good look at the man standing in front of him and started to realize that maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Pretty boy or not, Jeff thought...he's got a few inches on me, he looks damn strong, and he's got a wild look in his eyes. But, he was going on adrenaline and alcohol now, knowing there was a strong chance he'd regret it... he couldn't stop himself. He wanted to hurt Kaylee and wouldn't stop until he did. "She always was a good fuck pretty boy....wait..what'd she say your name was...Kevin...yeah...Kevin......she's good ain't she," Jeff said as he pushed himself closer to Kevin. "You fucking asshole," Kevin said through gritted teeth as he swung his fist at Jeff's face. "KEVIN.....NOOOO," Luke's voice bellowed in the night, as he grabbed Kevin's arm before it connected with Jeff's mouth. Kevin struggled against Luke's grip, his rage overpowering his rational mind "LET ME GO......Luke........just one...just one punch...c'mon...," his breathing ragged, "that's all I'd need you little motherfucker!" "KEVIN......listen to me......stop it......people are looking....just stop it....and YOU....you sick little fuck......don't even think of moving that scrawny ass," Luke bellowed at Jeff, as he held his coat with his free hand. "Luke...shit man....you didn't hear him....." "Listen to your 'keeper' Kevin....back off......and you...you sonofabitch...let go of me," Jeff yelled as he realized that he was in deep shit. This guy was twice his size. "Shut the fuck up...," Kevin spat back at him, "you stay the hell away from Kaylee.....or I'll find you and kick your fucking ass to hell and back." Kevin kept pulling against Luke's grip, his blood pounding in his ears, his heart in his throat...his rage blinding him. Then he felt it, the gentle touch of her hand on his right arm....her lips were moving, but he couldn't hear her. He bent his head down and all he heard was "Kevin......please....." She was shaking so hard that his own body was shaking with her. The tears were streaming down her cheeks and she was having a difficult time breathing. "Oh God...Luke...please," he pleaded, his voice more in control, "let go of me....please. He's not worth my time......" Luke looked at the state Kaylee was in and dropped his hand from Kevin's arm, but tightened his grip on Jeff. Kevin turned toward Kaylee and enveloped her in his arms, holding her tightly to him. "K....Kev.......," she said between sobs, "please....don't let him hurt me...please....Kevin...don't let him......touch....me." Kevin pulled her even closer to him, rubbing his hands in circles over her back. "Sshh...baby...ssshh...," he whispered softly, trying to regain his composure. "He won't touch you....I'm here.....sshhh...I'm here......" Kaylee's sobs started to slow down and she picked her head up off his chest. Kevin cupped her chin in his hand and tilted her face to his. "Kaylee...baby...look at me." Her tear filled brown eyes locked with his firey green eyes. "I won't let him touch you Kaylee....Luke's here......we're going to just walk back into the car and get the hell out of here, ok?" She nodded her head and let him turn them around and head toward the car. A small crowd had gathered, and he knew he heard someone say 'Kevin Richardson....Backstreet Boys', but at that moment he didn't give a shit. She was all he cared about....getting her into the car. He tucked her head under his arm, and started to walk toward the car. As they walked past Luke, Kevin nodded, looked at Luke and just said, "do what you do best" and kept walking. Kevin helped Kaylee into the limo and he slid in beside her. He wrapped both of his arms around her and just held her...waiting to take his cue from her. They were both shaking. Kaylee was still crying although not nearly as hard as earlier, and Kevin was just starting to cry. His emotions crashing down on him.....hard. They held each other in silence, with the only other sound being the front door opening to let Luke in the car. "Oh baby," he whispered against her hair, "this night was supposed to be so special for you....and you end up getting hurt in one of the worst possible ways. I never want to see you hurting like that...." "Kevin...," she sniffled, "tonight was special.....because of you. Even YOU couldn't control what happened ..... I was just so afraid....afraid that something would happen to you .....your career......your image." "Oh baby," he said softly as he turned her to face him, "I care about that...but not nearly as much as I care about seeing a woman get hurt....especially a woman I care about..especially you," he said softly. She reached up with both hands and pushed his hair back over his ears...wiping the tears from his face. He closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. "You could've killed him Kevin....you were so angry....and you're so much stronger....and....I....aahh....Kevin...where are we going???" He put a finger to her lips and said, "please don't argue, ok? We're going to my hotel room. I don't want you going back to your place tonight. You can call Ali and let her know where........." "But.....Kevin......no....I can't do that........," she interrupted in a shaky voice. "YES...yes you will woman....and the subject is closed." He leaned into her and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, and by then they were back at the hotel. Luke helped them both out of the limo and when he saw there were a few fans at the entrance, he promptly put them back in the limo and directed the driver to the back entrance. Kevin and Kaylee were able to get into the hotel and up to the 12th floor of the hotel totally unseen. Luke said his good nights to Kaylee, and then took Kevin aside. "Got his name Kev.....full name....I'll know everything soon." "Thanks man.....I owe you one." "Don't owe me nothin' Kevin....well...just one thing...one thing for her ...take care of her boss.....you go in there and just take care of her. I'll call Ali, ok?" "Thanks man..that's all I want to do. Can you call AJ, too, and let him know a little of what happened. Tell him I'll hold HIM personally responsible for whoever knocks on this door...or calls here before noon...and thanks again," Kevin turned abruptly and shut the door behind him. Kaylee was sitting on the couch when Kevin approached her. He knelt on the floor in front of her, taking her hands in his, slowly rubbing his thumbs over them. He just stared at her....looking deeply into her eyes. Even in this state, she was so beautiful to him. He had to remember to let his breath out. "Darlin'..Luke's gonna take care of calling Ali. I'm going to get out of these clothes....and get you something to wear. I got some shorts and a few tee shirts....I'll find you something. C'mon," he said as he stood up, drawing her up with him. "Thank you.....you dear sweet wonderful man.....," her voice trailed off as she followed along behind him...never letting go of his hands. "Ssssh..not another word....at least not now.....c'mere..let's get you into some REAL clothes." Kaylee followed him into the bedroom of the suite and sat on the edge of the bed as he found a pair of shorts and an old University of Kentucky tee shirt. "You really meant what you said, didn't you," she asked with a slight giggle. "Don't even think about knockin' my hospitality woman," he said in mock indignation, as he handed them to her, grabbed some things for himself and then headed into the bathroom. "You change out here.....I'll go in there.....and then I'll meet you back out here in .... like...5 minutes." He shut the door behind him....and Kaylee proceeded to change her clothes. Kevin was out of his clothes in a flash, but was afraid to leave the bathroom for fear she was still changing. "Ummm...Kaylee....you .. ummm...ain't naked are you?" "It's ok Kevin...I'm dressed....c'mon out," she called to him. Kevin walked out...totally unprepared for the reaction he felt seeing her in his clothes. After the night she just had, he was ashamed of the stirring in his groin. He didn't think she could look more beautiful, but she did. She looked fresh and sexy...even though the shirt was far too big...and the shorts far too long. He tossed his clothes on the bed and held out his hand to her. There was no way he could lay in that bed with her....no way at all. Kaylee too was unprepared to feel what she felt. She was distraught over the night, to be sure, but to see Kevin standing in front of her...she felt a peace slip over her....she felt a calmness......she felt safe. He had put on a pair of nylon shorts with his black tee shirt ....he was bare foot and had pulled his hair into a ponytail. She took his hand, and let him walk her toward to the couch....relieved that he had left the bedroom. He stopped only long enough to turn on the stereo and to shut off all the lights, except for the small soft light coming from the bathroom. He pulled her close, sat them down... and then he slowly was able to lie then down on the couch, holding her in the crook of his arm....listening to the rythym of her breathing. He felt like a shit for the feelings he was having from her being so close to him....the feel of the skin on her legs against the skin of his legs. Her arm over his chest...her head under his chin. He sighed deeply and ran his hands over her back. "Kaylee..baby.....," he whispered, as he tipped her head up to meet his gaze, "we need to talk about this further in the morning..but for now..rest.....try to get some sleep." "Lay here with me Kevin..please..don't move. Just hold me....." Kevin sighed....kissed the corner of her lips and pulled her closer, wrapping both arms around her while pulling a blanket over them both. "I'm not goin' anywhere darlin'.....nowhere at all." Kevin was determined to not let go of her for however long she needed him. "Thank you Kevin.....," she said trying to stifle a yawn. She was worn down, and it was getting harder to stay awake. Kevin watched her start to fall asleep, overcome by so many feelings for this woman that he held in his arms. He sang to her....softly...singing along with a song on the stereo...a song with words that suddenly held so much meaning to him... "And in your eyes I see ribbons of color..... I see us inside of each other..... I feel my unconscious merge with yours.... And I hear a voice say, "what's his is hers" He ran his hands through her hair as she snuggled closer. "I'm falling into you This dream could come true And it feels so good falling into you...." He kissed the top of her head....... "I was afraid to let you in here.. Now I have learned love can't be made in fear.. The walls begin to tumble down.. And I can't even see the ground..... I'm falling into you This dream could come true And it feels so good falling into you.... Falling like a leaf, falling like a star.... Finding a belief, falling where you are... Catch me.....don't let me drop. Love me....don't ever stop." He gently ran his fingers over her face, tracing the outline of her eyes...her lips..... "So close your eyes and let me kiss you.... And while you sleep I will miss you.... I'm falling into you This dream could come true And it feels so good falling into you..." He gently lifted her face to his and kissed her tenderly on the lips. She smiled and sighed as he kept his mouth close to hers..... "Falling like a leaf, falling like a star Finding a belief, falling where you are.... Falling into you Falling into you Falling into you......" "Sleep baby......I'll be right here....never letting you go." "Falling Into You" ~ Celine Dion |
 |
| CHAPTER 39 |