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Everything Your Heart Desires Chapter 17 "So why is that after Kevin and I strain our muscles to bring in Kristy’s dining room table that we’re eating on a blanket in your room?" Howie asked with a twinkle in his eye. Secretly, he was pleased with the idea of a picnic dinner alone. "I figured you’d prefer it be just us tonight, rather than share the downstairs with Kris and Kevin. We have a bit more privacy." "Privacy’s good." He sat on the blanket Indian-style, then surprised Cheryl by pulling her down to his lap. "Dorough," she warned. "Hey, I haven’t seen you all day… I’m going through withdrawal." He pouted but Cheryl could see the unmistakable glint of happiness in his eyes. ‘Mhmm and that’s going to happen more often now,’ she thought sadly, then shook her head to expel the idea. ‘Don’t ruin tonight with thoughts of the future.’ "Cheryl, sweetie," Howie whispered. This time the look in his deep brown eyes was one of concern. "What’s wrong? You okay?" She nodded. "If you’re sure… I thought I’d lost you there." "Never." She shook her head defiantly. "Now enjoy your dinner, D. If you clean your plate, then maybe you’ll get your dessert," she teased suggestively. "I hope that’s a promise," he said with a wink. Cheryl felt herself go weak. The change in her posture wasn’t lost on him and he stored the information for later retrieval. Cheryl stood to take her place opposite him. Before sitting, she hit the continuous play button the stereo that sat in the corner. The soothing sounds of Glenn Miller’s "Moonlight Serenade" filled the room.When they reached her room, Kristy automatically walked to the opposite side of the blanket to take her seat. "Uh-uh," Kevin said shaking his head. "As much as I enjoy looking in your eyes, I’d rather have you sitting beside me." He looked up at her. "Please." How could she say no to those green eyes? Without a verbal answer, she picked up her table setting and sat down beside him. "That’s much better," he agreed. Kevin took a bite of Kristy’s creation. "You didn’t tell me you were such a good cook." "You never asked." "Okay," he said raising his hands in surrender. "I give." "How much?" she challenged. He thought for a moment then grinned again. "All I have to give?" "Oh, cute Kev," Kristy commented. "You’ve either been spending too much time with Brian, or too much time with Howie." "‘Howie doin’, sweetheart?’" He laughed and pulled her into his lap for a kiss."My compliments to the chef," Howie mentioned swallowing a bite of his second helping of beef parmesan then reaching for his wine glass. "Talk to Kristy. It’s her mom’s recipe. She did the entrée; I made the dessert." Howie tried to block his thoughts from straying to the gutter, but it was too late as the smirk graced his features. "I know that look. Stop it." "Hey, you started it," he blamed, sounding like a 12-year-old caught in a fight with his siblings. She grinned. "Oops, so I did." Cheryl’s smile transformed from flirty to completely seductive. "Hold that thought. I’ll be back." She kissed each corner of his mouth and watched as his eyes grew wide at her suggestive tone. Cheryl waited until she in the kitchen downstairs to laugh at his expression. She removed the cheesecake from the refrigerator and headed back upstairs. She couldn’t have planned it better as she heard the CD switch to "Please Baby" by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and peeked only her head around the corner. "Howie," Cheryl said in a sing-song voice. "Ready for dessert?" He swallowed hard. "You don’t…" "But I want to," she said while she thought ‘He’s going to kill me.’ "Ready?" By this time, Howie could only nod. She smiled as she walked into the room still fully clothed and presented him with his cheesecake. Cheryl laughed at the obvious look of relief on his handsome face. Howie exhaled the breath he held and chuckled good-naturedly. "Damn, girl, you had me going for a minute. I wasn’t sure how I’d be able to resist you… Not that I’m not attracted to you, but well…" "I understand." She scooped a small piece of the cheesecake onto her fork and slid it into his eagerly awaiting mouth. "Tell me what you think, honestly." Howie closed his eyes and savored the rich, sweet flavor. "Wow! It’s good." "Yeah? Would you believe it’s my first time?" "Really? A cheesecake virgin?" He wiggled his eyebrows. Cheryl swatted him and blushed. "Yeah, something like that…"After enjoying their own slices of the delectable dessert, Kristy suggested they stay in and watch one of the movies from her collection. “Let me see what you got,” Kevin said. “I’m not that kind of girl,” she retorted playfully. Kevin blushed. “You know what I meant. Damn, for someone who looks and acts so sweet, you sure have a dirty mind.” “Yeah and?” “Who said I was complaining?” He began to scan her selection reading aloud. “Princess Bride… Sleeping Beauty…” Kristy leaned her chin on his shoulder as she watched him. “I see a pattern here.” They continued to survey her collection until one title – one of her favorite films – popped out at her. “The Cutting Edge?” “‘You've been doing what?! Finger painting?’” he quoted. So he did know the movie? “‘I want to see your ass in the air.’” She quipped with a giggle. Kevin bent over to slide the videotape into the VCR then made himself comfortable on the bed. “‘There's only two things I do really well sweetheart, and SINGING'S the other one.’” “‘All we needed was a little flip.’” She plopped herself next to him. “Com’ere.” Kevin pulled her to sit between his legs. Kristy leaned back against him as he folded his arms around her.Howie and Cheryl sat in his Corvette later that night. He had driven them to place overlooking the airport. Cheryl rested her head on his shoulder and the two watched the planes taxi, take off and land. He turned and kissed her temple. "I wish we could stay like this." "But if I wasn’t starting work this week, you are still going on tour soon." "It won’t be easy. We’ll still see each other at night and on weekends. You can fly out to see me on the road." Cheryl sighed heavily. "It might not be that easy. Howie, my job sometimes requires evening and weekend work, long hours and travel." "Oh?" "Public relations at Disney World isn’t unlike PR in the music business." "I know. Things are just so perfect. I guess it’s something I tried to conveniently forget." He glanced down at her hand wrapped so perfectly in his. "Both industries are hard on relationships." He blocked the quickly fleeting thought of ending their affair before it started. Cheryl used her free hand to bring his gaze back to hers. "I’m willing to try, Howie. You already mean too much to me not to." "You ARE worth it," he agreed then vowed to himself that he would give everything he had to making their relationship work. "I promise to try." Howie gave her a lingering kiss to seal the deal. The issue resolved, Cheryl began to talk excitedly about her new job and he recognized how much this dream meant to her. "I’m a little nervous, though," she admitted. "Sparky, you are a smart woman, who is also very driven. I have faith in your capabilities. Don’t worry you’ll do fine."Cheryl stifled a yawn when Howie dropped her back at her condo. "Has it been that bad? Am I that boring?" he teased. "No way. I had a great time tonight, but my God, it’s almost 2 a.m.," she replied glancing at her watch. "Guess I kept you out past your curfew." "You are such a bad influence on me, D." "Yeah, and you love it. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay? Sweet dreams, Sparky." "You too, Sweetie." She leaned in for one more kiss before traveling the walkway to the front door. Cheryl watched as Howie climbed back into his car and drove away. It was then that she spotted the familiar Toyota 4Runner in the parking lot. ‘Hmmm… looks like we have an overnight guest.’The sound of the front door closing jolted Kristy from her dream. She tried to turn over but realized that something was hindering her movement. Finally opening her eyes, she found herself gazing into Kevin’s face. Her brain tried to focus on her surroundings and she saw that the television was still turned on. ‘We fell asleep,’ she realized, then smiled. As Kristy moved her body to get more comfortable in Kevin’s arms, he slowly awakened with a moan. “Kristy," he murmured, his eyes barely registering the face in front of him. "KRIS?" "Hey, Kev," she whispered, then kissed him. "What?" She smiled suggestively. "We didn’t…" He noticed that both of them were fully clothed. "Nice try… although I’m not that good." Kristy slapped him gently. "Well, it’s two in the morning. It’s late and you’re obviously tired. You should stay. I’m not letting you drive home now." "Like you had to twist my arm?" "I’ll be back in a second. I need to change into something for the occasion. I feel overdressed." "Please don’t tempt me. In other words, nothing too sexy, Angel." "In that case, ugly gray sweats it is." When she appeared a few minutes later, she was wearing a pair of blue silk boxers and a matching tank. He had stripped down to his boxers and was already under the sheets of her bed. Kristy didn’t hesitate as she lay down next to him. Kevin pulled her into his arms while she rested her head on his chest. "If I’m not careful, I could get used to this." "Mhmm, me too."Cheryl awoke the next morning to silence. ‘What, no BSB step classes this morning?’ She crawled out of bed and went downstairs to make some coffee. Generally, she didn’t drink the stuff but after tossing and turning the night prior thanks to the Howie-induced adrenaline, she needed it. She had sat in her pappizan chair to read the paper when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a tall dark figure saunter down the stairs. Cheryl both stifled a chuckle and tried to check her hormones. ‘If only those teenyboppers could see you now, Mr. Richardson.’ Kevin was dressed only in his boxers and his dark hair suffered a serious case of "bed head", but he still looked sexy. "Morning, Kevin," she said brightly. "Morning," he mumbled. "Is that coffee I smell?" "In the kitchen. Help yourself." "Thanks." Cheryl watched him pour a cup and take a sip. ‘Kris has some explaining to do.’Next: Chapter 18 |