Dawn and AJ just stood there for a minute looking at each other, neither of them knowing what to say or do. Finally, AJ walked towards Dawn and stopped right in front of her.
Tears were streaming down her face. He took her face in his hands, wiped away her tears and looked into her eyes.
"I’m so sor...." Dawn began to say.
"Shhhh,” AJ put his finger up to her lips. "You don’t have to apologize," he pulled her into his arms. "But you do have to promise that you’ll never do that again, especially without talking to me about it."
"But..", she began.
"No buts,” AJ cut her off. “Promise me."
Dawn looked deeply into his eyes, she could see the pain she had already caused him and wasn’t sure if she could make him any promises.
"I don’t know if I can do that, Alex,” she said softly.
"Yes you can," he replied.
He then took her chin in his hand, lifted her head up and kissed her tenderly on the lips. Kevin stood there for a minute watching them, he started to get a little misty eyed himself. He was a little mad at himself for ratting Dawn out to AJ, twice.
‘I had to’, he told himself. ‘Every once in awhile love needs a little kick in the pants to get it going’.
He started to walk away then turned around and looked back at them. They were in each other’s arms, kissing. He smiled.
‘I did the right thing’, he said to himself and walked away.
A few minutes later, Dawn and AJ walked into the kitchen holding hands, Kevin was sitting at the table.
"We’re gonna get outta here and let you have your living room back,” AJ said to him with a smile.
"No problem, I thought you guys needed a little privacy,” Kevin responded. "So, are you kids gonna be okay?" He asked, looking at AJ first, then settling his gaze on Dawn.
"We’ll be fine,” Dawn said as she squeezed his arm. "Thanks Kev,” she said with a smile.
He smiled back then bent down and gave her a hug.
"You take care of him,” he said to her.
"I will,” she replied with a smile, then looked lovingly at AJ.
"Thanks man,” AJ shook Kevin’s hand and have him a one armed hug. "We’ll see you tomorrow at the studio?"
"I’ll be there,” Kevin responded.
When they got outside, they walked to Dawn’s car. She started to unlock the door to get in. AJ stopped her and pulled her into his arms and kissed her. When their lips finally parted, Dawn’s head was spinning.
"I don’t ever want to be without you,” he said in a soft voice.
"Well, you know, it’s only about 15 minutes back to your place,” Dawn joked.
"Smartass,” he replied as he smacked her butt. "Well, talk about this later, and I’m locking all the doors so you can’t get out", he teased.
He started to walk away and Dawn grabbed his shirt, pulling him into a passionate kiss.
"That should hold you over until we get back to your place,” she joked.
"So you think,” he winked at her.
They both got into their cars and headed to AJ’s house. When they got there, there was about ten fans in front of his house. They moved to let the cars in the driveway.
Once out of their cars, AJ said, "I’ll let you in the house, then I’ll go sign a couple autographs".
"That’s fine, I’ll go take a bath".
He let her in the house and she started her bath. She was so happy to be back there. She loved AJ’s house, she felt so at home there. She got into the bubble bath. She must have started to doze off because the next thing she knew, someone was getting into the bathtub with her. She opened her eyes and saw AJ. She looked around the room and saw that the room was dark except for the few candles he had lit.
"Hey sexy,” he whispered in her ear as he slid into the bathtub behind her.
"I was afraid they’d tear you apart out there,” she joked.
He laughed then there was a moment of silence.
"So, do you wanna talk now or later,” he asked.
"What do you want to talk about?" She asked as she sat up and started to run the soap over her arms. AJ took the soap and began to wash her back.
"What made you leave this morning?"
She thought for a minute. "I don’t know", she started. "I guess I’m just not sure if I’m ready for this so soon".
"And you didn’t think that I needed to know this?" He asked.
"I knew you’d try to talk me out of leaving. I only had your best interests in mind,” she replied.
"Mine?" he questioned. "Without so much as talking to me about it?"
"Okay, I admit, I was wrong, I should have talked to you about it, I’m sorry,” she said.
He pulled her back so she was resting on his chest as he kissed her shoulder.
"Just please, in the future, don’t make decisions on your own that affect the both of us," he said softly.
"I promise,” she responded then turned her head around, looked up at him, kissing him gently on the lips.
"I love you so much,” he whispered in her ear.
"I love hearing you say that,” she closed her eyes and smiled.
"Why do you have such a hard time saying it back?" He inquired.
"I’ve said it,” she said defensively.
"Twice," he began. "Once after we made love, the other time you didn’t even know I was there".
“No, I’ve said it more than twice. I can’t help it if you were sleeping and didn’t hear me,” she said matter-of-factly. She moved to the other side of the tub so she was facing him.
He picked her leg up and started massaging her foot. She laid her head back and closed her eyes.
"I’m just gonna keep telling you that I love you all day every day and eventually you’ll just get so sick of hearing it you’ll start saying it back just to shut me up,” he joked.
Dawn opened her eyes and looked at him.
"I’ll never get sick of hearing you say it,” she said with a smile as her stomach grumbled.
"Boy, I’m hungry,” she said. "I haven’t eaten anything all day".
"Me either,” he said. "I’ll make us something to eat while you’re getting dressed".
He got up and wrapped a towel around his waist. He grabbed a towel for Dawn and held it out while she got up and started to get out of the tub. She got lightheaded and stumbled as she stepped out. AJ caught her in the towel and wrapped it around her.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yeah," she said, holding her head. "I just got a little lightheaded".
"That’s been happening to you a lot lately", AJ responded. “You should go see the doctor".
"It’s probably just stress," she replied. He put his arms around her.
"I still want you to go to the doctor. Promise me you’ll make an appointment".
Dawn sighed.
"I promise. I’ll make an appointment as soon as I can,” she replied, rubbing his chest.
"Baby, don't start something you can't finish," he smirked.  "I might just have to carry you into the bedroom and have my way with you if you keep it up". 
"How do you know I won’t be the one having my way with you?"   She looked at him with a mischievous smile.
He pulled her to him and bit her neck as he growled in her ear playfully. She laughed and pulled away from him.
"You’re such a tease," he whined.
"You love it", she joked.
"I love you," he sang as he walked down the hall towards the kitchen.
"Shut up,” Dawn sang back. They both laughed and she closed the bedroom door.


Chapter 24
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