| This time when Kaylee awakened, she knew exactly where she was and who it was that had his arms wrapped tightly around her. She moved slowly and gently, trying to get up without waking him. She smiled and thought, yep, this time he really is asleep...not moving at all...I guess it's true what they say about him. She remembered the conversation she had with Ali. "Kevin loves to sleep...I hear the guys can't even wake him up." And, at that moment, Kaylee realized how true it was...this time, Kevin let her get off the couch. She slipped out of his arms, and walked to the balcony doors looking outside. She hugged herself tightly, remembering all that had happened to her in the last 24 hours. The sheer joy of being with Kevin, and the sheer terror of being near Jeff. She shivered when she recalled the magnitude of Kevin's anger. Thank God for Luke, she thought. She closed her eyes and just tried to remember all the good from the previous day. She touched the choker around her neck and smiled. Kevin made her feel good...made her feel safe...made her feel loved. "Loved," she whispered, "could I dare to dream...could he love me....would he love me...." She turned and looked at him laying on the couch. He slept there all night with me, she thought, he sang to me.....he said he'd do anything for me. What the hell does all that mean? Just then, Kaylee was jolted back to reality when she heard the knock on the door. "Oh no," she muttered, as the knocking continued "what do I do now? I can't...I WON'T wake him....well shit...," she continued to mutter as she found herself walking toward the door. Looking through the peep hole, she found a pair of sunglasses staring back at her. "AJ," she whispered as she opened the door, "ssshh...he's sleeping." "Kaylee...honey," he said as he stepped in the door, "you ok...why's he still asleep...what happened....." He had a million questions. "And....ummmmm...why you wearin' Kev's clothes??" As Kaylee shushed him, and pulled him into the room, she slowly told him as much as she could without getting too emotional. She truly did not want to wake up Kevin. ".......so, that's why I'm here.......and why I'm wearing his clothes," she stated, looking back at him sleeping on the couch, smiling at the sight in front of her. "Holy shit Kaylee...this guy sounds like a lunatic," AJ spoke softly not wanting to wake Kevin either. Under normal circumstances, he would've taken great pleasure in waking him, but knowing what had gone on the night before, he backed off. "Oh AJ...if I would have known then....," her voice trailed off, "and..Kevin....thank GOD he didn't land that punch." "Train came out swingin' huh," he asked while sliding down to sit on the floor. "Swinging...shaking...pointing...cussing....you name it.....he was doing it. He was so angry....I just......it......what if......if Luke....," she said, her voice breaking, as she sat next to him, leaning on the wall. "No Kaylee...shit...don't cry, ok? Luke WAS there...Luke is ALWAYS there...but more important, lovely lady, Kevin was there. Yeah yeah...the man has a temper...believe me...I know...but, Luke always manages to win out in the end. God girl...please...if those tears start...and he wakes up....I'M gonna be the one getting my ass kicked. He won't stop to ask questions...just unload on this sorry excuse for a butt....THEN he'd ask questions later." "AJ...really...as if he'd kick your ass just because I was crying.....," her voice becoming steadier. "He'd kick the world's ass if he thought it made you cry....you have no idea Kaylee...none at all." "No," she said quietly, "but I think I'm starting to get the idea. What he did for me last night.....no one..no man....has ever done that for me before....and he did it all wanting nothing in return..." "You ...you sweet...slightly blind...a bit deaf...and obviously crazy woman," he said as he took his sunglasses off, and looked her in the eyes, "you really don't get it, do you? You don't see it......" "Don't see what," Kevin mumbled, interrupting AJ, as he walked toward Kaylee, and held out his hands, pulling her up next to him. He slid his arms around her waist, kissed the top of her head, then looked back toward AJ, "what don't she see? You? You being a pain in the ass? Which reminds me....what the hell are you doing here?" "The radio station, 'Mr. I Never Forget An Interview'...we gotta be there in an hour." "Shit...with everything that happened...I did forget. Dammit....baby, can you just hang here while I go...and when I'm done... I'll take you home?" "Kevin...please....just go...I can get home from here." "No....don't think so.....not without me...or Luke," he whispered softly into her hair, "not alone...please." Kaylee sighed, knowing there was no way she would win this one. "Ok...you win...with Luke ...now ...YOU go get ready for your interview. Don't ever let me get in the way of your work Kevin...understand?" Kevin tilted his head back, and he gently touched his finger to her chin and raised her face to his, looking into her eyes. He smiled and shook his head, speaking so softly she could barely hear him, "I'm thinkin' AJ might be right...you don't get it at all...but, before too long...you will...baby...you will...." He lightly brushed his lips over hers and continued to look deeply into her eyes. Kaylee found herself unable to move or even speak. His eyes were so mesmerizing...so beautiful...she was getting lost in them again. But, this time she saw something there that made her tremble...something she hadn't seen there before....but what was it? AJ jumped up, coughing loudly..."AHEM....excuse me...but I'm still here....ya know...ME....the one that was RIGHT....ummm...hellooooo.....well.......ok.......guess you guys got everything under control here ...so....I'll be leaving now....k....bye....see ya....oh...and...the room's on fire....." Kaylee started to laugh, and even Kevin couldn't help himself as they turned toward AJ. "Nice of you two to come back," AJ chuckled. "And....nice of you to GO," Kevin said with a smile as he opened the door and gently pushed his friend into the hall. "I'll be ready....don't worry.....now git movin'....." "Later man....and Kaylee....be safe...it was......," his sentence interrupted by the door shutting, "damn.....the boy's rude...," he said to himself, shaking his head, "....but...I think the boy's in love." As Kevin locked the door behind AJ, he turned to find Kaylee staring at him, mouth open, shaking her head. "You....you are soooo rude," she said, while poking her finger at his chest. Kevin smirked as he grabbed her hand and pulled her into him, "rude, huh?" He bent his head and placed a trail of kisses up her neck. "STOP that now....that is not going to work every time buddy." "Well shit....," he paused, cocking his head to look at her face, "I sure like trying though," he continued as he wiggled his eyebrows at her. "GET IN THE SHOWER KEVIN," she laughed as she pulled away from him, afraid that if he did keep 'trying' she wouldn't be able to say no the second time. He kissed her nose and headed for the bedroom. "I'll call Luke from in here...get your stuff together...and when I'm leaving...you can leave, too...ok?" "Works for me," she yelled back as he walked into the bathroom. The next thing she saw was a black tee shirt flying out of the bathroom and landing on the bed..... "Shit," she mumbled. ........followed by a pair of shorts..... "Holy shit," she took a step closer to the door. ........the silk boxers landed near her feet........ "Good Lord help me....," she muttered as she stepped into the bedroom trying to get her clothes and NOT look at his clothes scattered around the room, because seeing that, meant she knew what was behind the bathroom door and THAT made it difficult to even stand...let alone breathe. Pull yourself together Kaylee, she thought, he's just a man....taking a shower....who the hell are you kidding...JUST a man....stop it...and stop it now. She paced around the room listening to the running water, her imagination on overload. Get your clothes Kaylee...just gather them up and get the HELL out of this room...go....now...., she continued to talk to herself while trying to fold her dress. "You should really put that on a hanger, sweetheart, it's gonna get all wrinkled doin' what you're doin'...trying to kill it or something," Kevin chuckled as he stood in the open doorway. "Shit Kevin...you scared me...I didn't even hear the water shut....off.........," her voice suddenly catching in her throat as she glanced up at him. Kevin was leaning against the door frame ... arms folded across his chest ...long legs crossed at the ankle...his wet hair slicked back off his face...wearing nothing but a white towel around his waist, and a smirk on his face. "I'll give you a hanger...don't do that....it's a beautiful dress...," he said, stepping closer to her, "you made it beautiful." He was so close to her she was overcome with his scent...clean, manly and so very sexy. She let her gaze travel down his long frame. His chest was so broad and defined, and his arms so strong....she followed the line down the center of his chest to his narrow waist. The towel was slung low on his hips and she caught herself letting her gaze linger there a little too long. He took another step closer...taking her hands and wrapping them around his waist. He then gently slid his hands up her arms. He drew his fingertips across her cheeks and down to her mouth where he traced one finger over her lips. She sucked in a breath and closed her eyes, her head spinning and her mind racing. "Open your eyes baby...," his voice barely a whisper, "look at me. Do you ....do you see anything you want," his question so loaded with innuendo she couldn't answer. "Kevin......," her voice a whisper on his lips. He slowly and deliberately touched his lips to hers, his hand never leaving her cheek. His kiss was so gentle...so tender...she barely felt it...until he did it again, only this time becoming more forceful...his kiss becoming urgent, as his tongue slid over her lips. The kiss deepened, as Kevin dropped his hands down her back and over her hips pulling her closer to him. Kevin felt himself slipping out of control, his desires flaming ... his senses on overload. She ran her hands up his back and around to his chest leaving a firey sensation everywhere she touched. He kissed down her throat, across her neck, then traced his tongue over her ear, pulling her earlobe into his mouth..sucking it gently. Kevin's control was almost gone...he needed her...he wanted her....he didn't want to stop. He pressed himself closer to her, as he slowly and sensually moved his hips against hers. She gasped at the sensation of him...against her.... knowing only a towel and a thin pair of nylon shorts was seperating them. She felt his hardness reach to her very soul. "God Kevin," she said between ragged breaths. He lifted his head to look at her. Her eyes were barely open .. her cheeks flushed, and her lips slightly parted. "Kaylee..you're so beautiful...dear God help me.. I want you so badly," his voice deep and seductive. "You know that, don't you....feel what you do to me....," his voice trembled as he rotated his hips against hers, and her eyes met his. She was trembling and he knew this was wrong. He had let his control slip too far away...and he was angry with himself. "You do that to me ... I can't be in the same room as you...and not want you...but...this isn't the time......or the place...is it...," he whispered while never breaking his gaze from hers. "I know....in my heart, baby...that the time will come for us......it will....and I hope you know it too....a time when we'll share everything....every part of ourselves. But...it won't be in a strange hotel room....no matter how much I want it....it's not you...and it's definitely not me." He gently sat her on the edge of the bed, got on his knees and placed himself between her legs. "You, Kevin Richardson, are amazing," she said as she placed her hands on the sides of his face, pushing his damp hair back over his ears...her eyes searching his face. "No....I'm not.....you are.......," he replied, as he took her hands in his and kissed each finger. "You don't want anything from me...you just want me...Kevin Richardson....I've never known anyone like you before....and I just don't want to lose you.....," he sighed and put his head in her lap. "Kevin....honey....you don't have to worry about that....I've never known anyone like you either. I mean...beside the fact that you're pretty easy on the eyes....," she giggled as she felt him start to laugh, "your soul is beautiful Kevin...it really is. An outer beauty can only go so far....but when that beauty comes from deep inside....well....you radiate it honey...you really do...and I'd be a fool to let you get away from me." "Well then...I guess we're both just stuck with each other then, aren't we," he asked, looking back up at her, tilting his head to the side, a shy smile on his face. "Stuck....like glue....," she smiled as she kissed his nose, "now let me up handsome...you need to get dressed......God knows you NEED to get dressed...and I need to get home." He laughed as he stood and pulled her to her feet. "Damn bossy woman....but...you're a smart...and absolutely right woman. Here...take this...use it," he said as he handed her one of his hangers, and get outta here so I can get dressed....that is...unless you wanna help," he wiggled his eyebrows, and playfully tugged at the towel. "Oh my God...you dirty old man you......get away from me," she shrieked as she grabbed her clothes and backed out of the room. "I'll wait out here...thank you very much!" "Fine....," he laughed, "give me a few minutes....don't miss me too much." "I'll try not to," she laughed back at him as she sat on the couch. He doesn't need to know that I already do, she thought. After about fifteen minutes, he emerged from the bedroom. "Wow...you look incredible, Kevin...really nice," she said appreciatively. And she meant it. He was wearing a tan turtleneck with a well worn pair of jeans. He'd pulled his hair back into a ponytail, but it was his jacket, again, that took her breath away. It was soft leather...dark brown with tan and rust colored stripes across the chest and onto the sleeves. "It's a shame it's radio and not TV, Kevin...it really is...." "Thanks darlin'," he said while blushing furiously. "We need to get you ready....Luke will be here any second. So...here's what I thought......" He handed her his jacket from the night before...and a pair of his tennis shoes. "You have got to be kidding...right? Kevin...oh my god...this is hysterical." "Makin' fun of my clothes again woman? Just wear them home......bring them back with you tonight." "Tonight....did I miss something?" "The show....tonight....you're coming.....I hope," he asked nervously. "I hoped too......I don't want to spend anymore time away from you than I have to...." They were interrupted by a knock on the door. "That should be Luke....," Kevin said as he opened the door, "and...I'm right...again." "Boss....Kaylee.....how are you ... really? You ok," he asked almost afraid to speak to her. Kaylee pulled him into a hug and whispered, "I'm fine....and again....thank you. You're the best." "Ummm...yeah....you're....ah..welcome...," he replied, visibly flustered, as he pulled away. Kevin helped her into his jacket and she easily slid on his shoes. She giggled at how she must have looked, but Kevin just stepped back and smiled. "You're still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," he said quietly. Luke cleared his throat, and took Kaylee by the arm, "time to go. Kevin...the others are by the elevator. You go ahead...and then I'll leave with Kaylee. The fans are out boss.....stick close to Marcus. With you clowns in the lobby...no one will notice us leaving." "Perfect...as always Luke...now can I just have one minute to say goodbye," Kevin asked. Luke smiled ... stepped back into the hall...and pulled the door shut....."of course." "Well baby...until later....," he lowered his head, gently pressing his lips to hers. "Stick close to Luke....please...be careful." "I will Kevin....don't worry." He hugged her tightly then opened the door. "OK Luke...she's all yours for now." "I got her Kevin...she'll be fine. Now you get moving.....and I'll catch up with you later. "Oh...and Luke," Kevin leaned in closer, "you do whatever you have to do...understand?" Luke nodded and Kevin turned to walk away. He stopped before he rounded the corner, and looked back at her standing in his clothes. He felt his heart tug and then leap into his throat. My God, he thought, how did I ever live without her in my life....I don't care how it happened....or how long it's been anymore.....but thank you Lord. She blew him a kiss....he caught it...and held it to his heart. He pressed his lips to his fingers, and blew it back. Soon baby....soon there won't be anything between us. Just me.....and you......a man.....lovin' his woman. |
| CHAPTER 41 |
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