Miranda gasped as she took in the multi-colored bruise along AJ's jaw. "What happened?" she asked reaching out and gingerly touching it.
Pulling away and cringing, AJ shrugged. "Pissed Howie off," he mumbled grabbing her bag. He started towards the cab, but stopped when he realized she was still standing there. He turned back around and looked at her. "What?"
She was giggling quietly behind the hand she had over her mouth. "Howie? Howie did that to you?" she asked in between giggles.
"Yeah, Howie. Come on. I don't want to get mobbed," he said walking away.
"Awww. Poor baby," she said hurrying over to him. "What was he mad about?" she asked.
"Could we not talk about it? Please?" he asked putting her bag into the trunk.
She looked at him funny and shrugged. "Sure," she said as they got into the car. As they pulled away from the curb, Miranda slid closer to AJ wrapping her arms around him. Nuzzling his neck, she whispered, "I've missed you so much."
He closed his eyes and smiled softly. "I've missed you, too, Rayray." He reached around and placed a hand on her cheek as he rested his on her head. "Why'd you leave?" he asked quietly.
She sighed. "Could we not talk about THAT?" she asked sitting up and looking out the window.
His brows came together in confusion, but he shrugged. "Whatever. It's only fair," he said. AJ paid the driver as they got out of the cab. He got Miranda's bags out of the back and they walked quickly to the elevator. AJ peeked his head out the doors, praying the hallway was empty. Sighing in relief, he grabbed Miranda by the arm and practically ran to his room, dragging her behind him. Opening the door, he almost shoved her inside.
"What in the world is wrong with you?" she asked looking at him, confused.
"I just…they don't know you're here," he said.
"Umm…I'm not going to be that easy to hide," she pointed out.
"I'm not hiding you," AJ said defensively. "I'm just…I don't want to talk to any of them right now."
Miranda smiled and walked over to him. "Well, I don't want to talk to you right now, either," she murmured wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing it softly.
AJ stood completely still, his eyes closed. He took in the feel of her lips tasting him, her hands touching him, and her scent surrounding him. His lips found hers in a bruising kiss, their tongues tangling in an erotic war. All the familiar spots, all the familiar noises. His hands slid under her dress, cupping her firm butt in his hands, squeezing gently. Moving up slowly, the dress followed. He pulled it off her, tossing it across the room. He smiled down at her, not in the least surprised that she was completely naked underneath the dress. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he pressed his lips against hers harshly, moving slowly towards the bed. Laying her down, his hands began roaming her body.
Her hands knew where to touch him as well. They knew how to get him to respond. She pushed him over, climbing on top of him. Beginning with his lips, she kissed every inch of his body, biting and licking her way all over him. She knew just the amount of pressure to apply with her teeth before the pain went past pleasure. God how he had missed her. She was driving him crazy, teasing him with her mouth. Her hands moved over his stiffness, causing him to growl deep in his throat. Undoing his jeans, she pulled them slowly from him, continuing her torture. Moving up, she kissed him deeply before moving back down to finish what she had set out to do. Images of carnivals, seafood restaurants, movies, and wine filled his mind. Perfume filled his nostrils, and it wasn't Miranda's. "She'd never wear something as wonderfully sweet as…what was the name of it? Oh yes, Heaven Scent," he thought. Gentle hazel eyes were staring at him, as soft red hair caressed his face as she looked down at him.
"AJ," she said. Only it wasn't her voice, it wasn't her beautiful, sweet voice with its slightly southern accent. "AJ!" that annoying voice said again.
AJ opened his eyes to see Miranda looking down at him. Anger was boiling in her blue eyes. "What?" he asked, his eyes wide.
"Where were you?" she asked. Moving off from him and sitting down on the bed.
"Wh-what do you mean?" AJ asked looking guiltily away.
"Well, you certainly weren't here with me. Because if you were, then I've definitely forgotten how to get you to react," she said.
"I don't know what you were talking about. I was here with you," he said looking back at her.
"My name isn't Kyndall," she snapped at him, her eyes flashing.
"I…I know that."
"Oh? Then why did you call me that?"
"I didn't," he denied.
"Yes, you did. I was just about to go down on you when you murmured 'Kyndall'," she pouted, glaring at him.
"Oh man," he said, sitting up and running his hand down his face slowly. "I'm sorry, Ray. I thought I could do this. But…but I can't."
"Don't tell me you're in love with that girl," she said looking at him in disgust.
"She isn't a girl, Ray. She's a woman. The woman that yes, I'm in love with."
"Then why aren't you with her? Why are you here with me?" she asked.
"Because I fucked up and didn't realize how I felt until after I had lost both of you," he said. "And I thought that I could just pick up where we left off. But I love her too much. I can't…I can't just turn my back on that," he said softly, looking at Miranda with tears in his eyes.
"You're pathetic," Miranda said as she stood up. She walked over to the chair and grabbed her dress that was hanging haphazardly from it. Slipping it over her head, she walked to the door. She opened it, and then closed it turning around to look at him. "Ya know, I use to think that you were the sexiest man alive. You were arrogant, sure of yourself, strong, independent. Now you are as pathetic and weak as most of the rest of the world. Goodbye AJ McLean."
"I'm pathetic because I'm in love?" he asked her as she opened the door again. She just looked at him, pity on her face and then she was gone. AJ sat staring at the door, wondering if his life was ever going to be straightened out.
