| Kaylee couldn't take her eyes off Kevin...he was actually bouncing around his house. She had to admit it was beautiful. It reflected Kevin's personality on many different levels. Strong and manly...yet warm and inviting. She was learning so much more about the man in front of her just by being in his home. His life as a Backstreet Boy was not evident in the downstairs. The Great Room reflected a man that loved his family. There were pictures of them scattered throughout the room. Kaylee was moved to tears when he reached into his backpack and pulled out a picture of them...placing it on the mantle, between a picture of his niece and nephew, and his beloved father. Done with the tour downstairs, she now was quite literally being pulled up the stairs....two at a time. She had never seen him this animated...this excited. It was obvious he was proud of his home, and thrilled to have her there. They stopped only long enough for brief glances into the extra bedrooms and the two beautiful guest bathrooms Kevin finally stopped to catch his breath at the end of the hall. He slowly walked through the double doors, into his bedroom, bringing Kaylee in behind him. Her breath caught in her throat. Even though she knew why they were there, seeing her suitcases in his room...caused her heart to skip beats. His bedroom was large and contained another fireplace. There were french doors leading out onto the second floor deck. A king sized 'sleigh bed' was the focal point in the room. "Kevin...this room....your whole house....it's gorgeous." He approached her, almost shyly, "thank you...no one but my family has ever seen it...not even the guys." "It's so...so...you. You have wonderful taste." "Yeah...," he whispered, as he pulled her close, "I do....especially in women." "Well....now it's my turn to blush Mr. Richardson," she said softly. He kissed the top of her head and stepped back. "C'mon...let's take a walk outside....and then I want to head into town. I'll show you my studio later." Kevin draped his arm over her shoulders and led her back downstairs...grabbing his keys, they headed out the back door and over to the stables. Kaylee felt her heart swelling with every look at him. It was hard to believe he was the same person she watched on stage just the day before. This was the side of Kevin most people were not fortunate enough to ever see...in his UK sweatshirt..an old pair of torn jeans...Timberland boots...denim jacket...he was a beautiful...loving man. And, with each passing minute, she realized she loved him more and more. They spent time at the stables before walking down to the lake. Kevin promising her there would be plenty of time to go riding during the rest of the week. "I can't believe we're here," he whispered, as he sat in the grass, pulling her down in front of him. He wrapped his arms around her and she rested her head on his shoulder. "I can't either.....," she sighed deeply, feeling safe and content in his strong arms. "This is all I could think about ... being here...with you," his words soft against her neck, as he gently ran his fingers through her hair. "Oh Kevin," her voice breaking, "what did I do right ... to deserve you ..." "Hey now," his voice strong as he placed his hands on her shoulders, gently turning her around so she could see his face. "Deserve me...no baby...it's what did I do to deserve you. You give to me...unconditionally....never wanting more from me....," his voice breaking, as he touched his forehead to hers. "Shh...if you keep talking handsome...I'm going to cry... then how could I go into town with my face all messy," she smiled weakly. He lightly kissed her forehead while whispering, "it could never happen...you're beautiful." He slowly stood up taking her hands and lifting her to her feet. He wrapped her hands around his neck, gave her a mischevious grin, and then turned his back to her. "Hey Richardson...oh shit......," she squealed and grabbed his neck tighter, as he bent his knees and then lifted upward, taking her with him. "Hold on baby.....," he reached around her taking her legs and wrapping them around his waist. "You are certifiably crazy buddy." "Yep....crazy 'bout you woman......," his laughter ringing in the air, "so shut up and enjoy the ride." They made their way back to the house, breathless and happier than either had been for a long time. Kevin set her down on the passenger side of his Jeep and opened the door, "now it's time to shop." Kevin pointed out the "sights" as they rode into town. Kaylee didn't think it was possible, but sure enough, he was becoming even more animated and excited as they drove. She was actually glad when they finally reached the grocery store and he could park. It had to be difficult trying to steer, shift gears, and talk, with your hands flailing around, all at the same time. As they made their way into the store, Kevin acknowledged some of the shoppers in the parking lot, and everything he had told her was true....he was able to be a normal person in his hometown. Kevin grabbed a shopping cart and took off up and down the aisles. He held onto the cart, as Kaylee held onto him. He knew exactly what he wanted to buy and exactly where to find it. She smiled at his enthusiasm over such a simple everyday occurence. A few people in the store recognized him, but they left him alone...content with a smile and a wave. "Kevin...what exactly do you have planned? Never leaving the house again? Two people cannot possibly eat this much food," she laughed, as they put the bags into the back of his Jeep. He turned his head and reached up, cupping her chin in his hand. "To answer your questions...now pay attention..in order...here we go......you'll find out.....nope...not planning on leaving....and baby....trust me, we'll need all this food," he smiled seductively as his eyes met hers. "Well....umm...alrighty then...where....ahh..where to now" she mumbled as she felt her cheeks burning from the intensity of his gaze. Kevin chuckled softly as he locked the doors, took her hand and walked back through the parking lot toward the shops, "one last stop...I promise." As they approached the quaint shop at the end of the sidewalk, Kaylee felt his hand tighten on hers...and when she looked up at him she saw him absentmindedly twisting a braid around his finger. "Hey... you ok....," she asked, surprised to feel the dampness on his palm. "Kevin...," she reached her hand up to his face, "what is it...talk to me." Kevin shook himself and looked into her eyes...."I'm better than ok....it's just somethin' I gotta do...for you...me....for us. Remember when I told you that I felt like you brought me back to life....," he took a deep breath when she nodded, and then continued on. "I want everything with you to be new....untouched....I need to be new.....to shed the past...my past......," his voice trailing off as he reached for the door handle. Kaylee followed his glance to the sign on the window and before she could say a word, Kevin had opened the door and walked inside, never letting go of her hand. Fortunately for him, there was no one inside the small shop and he was able to be taken care of before he could change his mind. While still holding onto Kaylee's hand, Kevin sat in the blue vinyl chair...looked her directly in the eyes... "Kevin......you don't have to do this.....," her voice soft and calming. "Yes....yes I do." Fuck me.....I can do this........ He took a deep breath...and without ever looking at the man in front of him...never breaking eye contact with Kaylee....the words came out........as Kaylee gasped... "Cut it off.......short......." It seemed like an eternity before the first "snip" of the scissors. He had one request.... one braid...cut off and left intact. A remembrance..., he chuckled to himself. To Kaylee...it was a scene she would never forget. His braids being undone for the last time. It took all her strength to not run her hands through his hair one last time...to not cry when he looked to the heavens, blinking hard...to not grab him and kiss him until he couldn't think straight. Never had she known a man like Kevin Richardson...and in her heart, she knew that even if she spent the rest of her life looking...she would never find anyone like him again. This gesture.....a gesture of love.....to break from the pain of his past...to move forward with her....well hell........ "Excuse me for one second please," she asked the barber politely. He nodded and stepped away. She took Kevin's face in her hands and gently brushed off the small hairs. "I'm such a baby, ain't I," he asked in a soft voice. She shook her head as her lips captured his, kissing him deeply...taking his breath away. "Far from it Kevin.....you are ALL man ...and you are going to look unbelievably gorgeous... no one else will even come close." "Hey," he chuckled shakily, "sounds like the makings of a song." She giggled, he smiled and the barber returned to finish his work. When they finally made it back to Kevin's house...they were both physically and emotionally drained. Kevin literally put Kaylee on his bed to rest, arguing that he was the master chef. "And, I don't need no help from amatuers," he laughed, kissing her forehead as he walked out of the room. Kaylee was asleep in minutes. She awoke later to the delicious smells coming from the kitchen...and the sound of Kevin rummaging around in his armoire. "Hey handsome.....what'cha doin," she asked...her voice sleepy and soft. Kevin's heart caught in his throat when he turned around to find her watching him. Her hair was toussled and sexy and when she lifted her arms to stretch..... Shit.......skin "I....," he swallowed hard, trying to win the battle that was going on in his pants, "I...shower.....going to shower....yes....yes I am." He held his clothes in front of him as he walked toward the door. "Kevin.....your bathroom is right here," she said, as she stood up, stretching her arms over her head..... Dammit.....more skin.... cold shower.....fuck "Yeah...that it is...," a blush creeping up his handsome face, "but...ah...I'll use one of the other ones....you take this one." He backed out of the room holding his clothes in front of himself, stumbling out the door...mumbling under his breath. He wasn't fooling her....she saw what was happening....hell, I always see what's going on down there...cause I've been looking down there so much lately, she thought as she closed the door, threw off her clothes and stepped into the shower. Kaylee was already downstairs when she heard him bounding down the stairs. He held her captive with his eyes, as he stopped to look at her. Jesus .. she's beautiful Kevin moved slowly toward her, his eyes sweeping appreciately over her from head to toe. She was wearing tight low rise black jeans with a red chenille knit top that skimmed her collarbone...and stopped just at the top of her waist. Her hair fell into natural waves around her face, and her only jewelry was the necklace that Kevin had given her. Kaylee trembled as he got closer. "You are so beautiful....," his voice a deep whisper, barely hiding his desire. Kaylee looked away from his intense gaze. "Hey....," he turned her face back toward him, "don't ever look away from me like that...you are beautiful...," his voice trailing off as he ran his thumb over her lips. He bent his head toward her, kissing her gently at first. When she moaned softly against his mouth, he pulled her tightly to him and deepened the kiss. "Oh god......," his voice husky, "if I don't stop now....." "Shhh...it's ok.....I want to do this your way." "You're amazing," he whispered into her hair as he slowly pulled away. "Sorry you had to wait for me..had to shave the grill...then the hair," he sighed and pointed to his head, "almost didn't remember how to deal with it short." As Kaylee took a step back, she took a good look at the man in front of her. She started at his feet and worked up. Black jeans...button fly.....nice. White cotton shirt.....tucked in..sleeves rolled up...nice Lots of open buttons at the top......REAL nice Those bracelets......really nice Goatee.....perfect Short hair...shows off his eyes even more........AMAZING His scent.....sexy...yet indescribable "C'mon baby....dinner's ready," he took her hand and led her into the dining room. The table was set with candles...flowers...and the wine had been poured. "Kevin....this is beautiful," she whispered, amazed at the scene before her...and even more amazed at the man responsible. "Thanks," he replied, suddenly feeling very shy. He brought their filled plates out to the table and sat down next to her. "Wow.....oh......wow......chicken marsala....Kevin....you really can cook." "Told ya I could......didn't believe me....I knew you didn't....," he said in between bites. The rest of dinner was spent in relative silence..the only conversation being meaningless chit chat. They were both feeling so many things...talking seemed minor. When dinner was done, Kevin chased Kaylee out of the kitchen so he could clean up. She headed upstairs, making the excuse that she needed a quick check in the mirror. When she returned downstairs, the sight before her made her heart leap into her throat and caused her breath to hitch. The stereo was playing, Kevin had turned down the lights and there were candles lit throughout the Great Room. As if that wasn't enough...she saw him. He was standing on the deck....looking out at the lake. The breeze ruffling his shirt against his body...the moonlight shining through the fabric making the strong lines of his body visible to her. She tried to still her heart, but it was useless even trying. She quietly made her way to him, gently slipping her hands around his waist. She felt him shiver, even though she could feel the heat radiating off his body. She rested her cheek on his shoulder as he closed his eyes and gently tilted his head onto hers. Kaylee felt his heart beating under her hands as she pulled them tighter across his chest. He trembled. Kevin slowly turned in her arms as he buried his face into her neck breathing in her perfume. He placed gentle kisses up her neck and then ran his tongue along her ear. His breath hot against her skin. She trembled. "Dance with me," his voice deep...slow...and sexy. Their bodies moved to the rythymn of the music. Kevin leading her.....singing in her ear. They danced under the moonlight...oblivious to the world around them. Nothing existed for them except each other. They slowly danced their way inside and Kevin reluctantly let her go. "Sit here baby," he motioned to the stack of pillows, on the flokati rug, in front of the fireplace. "I'll be right back.....don't move." Kevin lit a fire ... refilled their wine glasses...then sat down next to her, stretching his long legs out in front of him. They sat together, mesmerized by the dancing shadows from the fire, neither speaking. Kevin finished his wine and set his glass down. He gently took her half empty glass and set it on the table next to his. He put his arms around her, pulling her gently onto his lap...tucking her head under his chin. "Kaylee....I don't know where to start....what to say......." "Kevin...you don't need to say anything......." "Sshhh....," placing his finger to her lips, "....yes I do. When I was in New York....Trish.....she was there...but baby...believe me...." "I know," she cut him off, "nothing happened." "What......how......how do you know," he tilted her face up to his. "I saw her...I saw Trish in the lobby..she recognized me. She told me....she told me alot of things, Kevin...the most important being that nothing happened...not for lack of her trying....," her voice trailed off. "Baby....she did try....I told her no...I wasn't interested," his voice emotional. "She didn't take it too good...I hate to hurt women....even after what she did to me...," he shook his head, "I still didn't want to hurt her." "That's because you're a good man, Kevin." He sighed deeply, "yeah.....guess so......but...I will be forever grateful to her....she made me see everything so clearly...what I thought I had with her...what I know I have with you." He lightly brushed his fingertips along her cheek .. then down her neck....stopping to touch her choker. "Kaylee....you're everything to me. I told Trish you filled the hole in my heart....that you put me back together....," his eyes searching her face as tears threatened to spill over. "C'mon handsome...please don't.....you cry...I cry," she spoke softly, as she touched her hand to his cheek. He leaned into her...his face close to hers as he spoke again. "Tonight.....everything changes...you understand that don't you...I'm handing you my heart Kaylee....but tonight...tonight...you have to reach out and take it...then hand me yours... let me take yours, too," his voice barely a whisper. She sighed deeply as he traced his finger over her lips. She reached her hand up into his hair and pulled his head closer...her lips seeking his....they kissed gently...both knowing there was still so much more to say. "Kevin.....I've only been with one other man," her lip quivering, ".... I want to give you my heart....but please...promise me you'll take care of it...." "Always....Kaylee....always." She placed her head on his shoulder and they sat quietly as the song changed on the stereo. Kevin started to hum along and then began to softly sing as he watched the flames dance in the fireplace. "Sometimes I close my eyes... And imagine you with me... Chasing passion into the night... All tangled in a dream" Kaylee lifted her head and looked at him. His strong profile..the flickering flames from the fire reflecting in his eyes. She had never seen anyone or anything as beautiful as him. He felt her gaze on him...he turned to look at her, rubbing his knuckles over her cheek, as he continued to sing. "Oh if you could see my heart... The way I feel inside..... You would know just how far I'm willing to go to get to you... There is nothing I won't do." Even in the dark, Kaylee could see the desire in his eyes...hear it in his voice. "Let me show you what it's like to lose control Free the desire in your soul Oh oh...let me love you. Let me take you to a place like no where else Show you the things you never felt... Oh oh...let me love you." "Kevin....," her voice quiet, "please....." "I want to taste your kiss Be the reason for your smile Touch the magic on your skin Be the one that drives you wild. He turned her so that she was straddling his lap.....holding her head with both hands. "Oh if you could read my mind You'd know you're everything I need You'd see yourself through my eyes You may understand what I'm going through And just how much I want you" He pulled her closer to him...making her very aware of how much he wanted her...his hardness pressing against her. He closed his eyes...... "Let me show you what it's like to lose control Free the desire in your soul Oh oh...let me love you. Let me take you to a place like no where else Show you the things you never felt Oh oh let me love you.... Let me love you." She slid her hand in the opening of his shirt...feeling the heat of his body. "Let me show you what it's like to lose control Free the desire in your soul Oh oh...let me love you. Let me take you to a place like no where else Show you the things you never felt Oh oh let me love you.... Let me love you." "Kaylee....let me....please...let me love you." "Oh God Kevin....," her voice breaking, "I want you to love me as much as...as...." "What baby...as much as what....tell me," his voice deep with desire...his eyes searching her face. She licked her lips and lowered her mouth to his...drawing her tongue over his lips...seeking access to his warm mouth. Their tongues found each other....caressing....stroking. Kevin slowly .. gently ... thrust his tongue into her mouth, mimicking the most intimate act of love...mimicking what his body ached for. Their kiss gradually became urgent...almost frantic as Kevin ran his hands over her arms. Taking her hand in his he slowly guided it down his body to the front of his jeans. As he moved her hand over himself he moaned softly and felt himself grow harder. "This baby.....this is what you do to me all the time. I want you......," his voice a raspy demand against her mouth. "I need you.....let me make love to you.....tell me that's what you want...." His mouth moved down on her neck ... as he drew his tongue down to her collarbone. "Please......," she lifted his face to hers, "I've never wanted anything more in my life...I love you Kevin." She feathered kisses on his face, "I love you so much.....please just love me back....." Kevin took a deep breath, then stood up from where they sat in front of the fire....took her hands in his pulling her up to him. Their eyes locked. "I do Kaylee...I swear to God I do.....," his eyes and voice filled with more love and tenderness than she ever thought possible. "I love you.....I know what it means now...what it really means...I promise to keep your heart safe..." She placed her trembling hands on his chest and looked up into his face. "Make love to me Kevin.......please." They knew the time had come..the months of wanting...only a heartbeat away from becoming a reality. He took her hands in his and with a gentle squeeze and a slight tug toward the stairs...Kevin took the first step toward forever changing their lives. "Kaylee.....baby.....c'mon......it's time...we're going home." BACK HOME NEXT **"Let Me Love You" ~ Tim McGraw |
| Chapter 48 |
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