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Everything Your Heart Desires Chapter 18 The muffled sound of stocking feet on the stairs made both Cheryl and Kevin turn to see Kristy appear, dressed in a black pair of running pants with white accents, jog bra, and an open zippered sweatshirt, her blond hair brushed and pulled back in a black scrunchie. She entered the kitchen, and wordlessly, Kevin handed her his cup of coffee for her to take a sip while he poured another cup. Kristy opened the fridge and grabbed the milk, adding just a tiny bit to their cups, then reached to grab a packet of sweetener from one of the kitchen cupboards. Instead of simply stepping around Kevin, Kristy leaned against him and reached over his head, making Kevin inhale as she pressed up against his body. Kevin saw the twinkle in her eyes and knew she knew exactly what she was doing to him. He reached out and slid his hand around her back, his thumb caressing the exposed skin below her sports bra. He pulled her more fully against him, and Kristy let her hands rest on his bare chest. He lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers in a light, teasing kiss, which Kristy willingly participated in. She let her hands roam over his muscular chest, then downwards to his rippled stomach. Kevin grabbed her hands as they inched towards the waistband of his plaid boxers. “What are you trying to do to me?” he whispered hoarsely in her ear. Kristy pulled back a bit and smiled innocently. “I’m sorry.” Kevin saw the glimmer in her blue-green eyes and chuckled, “No you’re not!” He shook his head as she smiled seductively. After Kevin had agreed to stay the night before, the two had laid in bed, cuddling and talking for hours. They’d talked about the upcoming tour and what it would mean to their relationship. Kristy had been hesitant to bring up the discussion about exactly what that relationship was, preferring to just let things continue as they were, without having to define them and risk Kevin feeling trapped. But it was Kevin who’d wanted to reassure her that he was committed to her and “them”, whether he was in Orlando or across the country... that he only wanted to be with her. Which had led them to another discussion entirely. Both agreed that, although the physical attraction between them was almost dangerously strong, they weren’t ready to take their relationship to that level... yet. Wrapped in Kevin’s arms, Kristy had let down her defenses, sharing with him her beliefs, hopes and fears. Kevin had listened to her carefully, hearing not just her words, but the emotion behind them. To Kevin, Kristy was what he’d always been looking for. Although he teased her about having a dirty mind, he knew she was fairly innocent in many regards... although he’d been somewhat surprised to learn how innocent. That in itself, made Kevin cherish her even more, especially considering how passionate she was with him. They’d talked about their jobs and the time requirements involved. Kristy had stopped seeing Kevin as a “Backstreet Boy” soon after they’d first met. Even as they talked about touring and fans and appearances, Kristy recognized that it was what he did, not who he was. They were both excited for the weekends Kristy would be able to join him on the road, although Kevin understood that those times might not be as frequent as either of them would like. For the first time, Kevin realized how much training and education Kristy had gone through to get to this point in her career. He’d know she was very intelligent and motivated, but as she talked about the work she’d be doing at the medical center and her goals for her future, he saw just how incredible she was. Cheryl tried to avert her eyes from the scene in the kitchen, but couldn’t resist giving her roommate a bad time. “Hey Kris. Would you mind holding my cup between you and Kev? My coffee’s getting a little cold.” Kristy turned, Kevin’s arms still wrapped around her under her sweatshirt, and tried to give her friend a squelching look. She failed though, because as she turned towards the living room, she caught a glimpse of her and Kevin in the hall mirror and started giggling at the sight they presented. “Kev honey, maybe you should go put some real clothes on.” “I know. I’m simply too much of temptation to you this way. It’s okay,” he teased as he grabbed his coffee mug and headed back upstairs. “Sexy,” Kristy called out as she moved into the living room. She and Cheryl both giggled as they heard Kevin stumble slightly at the top of the stairs. Kristy ignored the raised eyebrows Cheryl gave her as she situated herself in her oversized chair and reached for the Sunday comics. “So, did you guys have a good time last night?” “Funny, that’s exactly what I was about to ask you!” Cheryl said with a nod of her head towards the stairs. Kristy smiled guiltily and blushed, knowing how it must have looked. “It’s not what you think... really. We fell asleep watching movies.” “And Kevin’s clothes came off how?” Kristy giggled and blushed harder. “I can honestly say I didn’t do it!” “Uh-huh.” Cheryl was about to say more when they heard heavy footsteps on the stairs. “Okay Spunky, I’m gonna head home and get cleaned up. I’ll call D and the other guys and see if they’d like to join us. Talk to you in a couple of hours?” he asked as he leaned down to kiss her. Kristy murmured something that sounded vaguely like a “Mhmm” as she kissed him back. Kevin paused as he opened the door. “Oh, and thanks again for last night,” he said with a devilish smile and a wink. “Kevin Richardson!” Kristy admonished and tossed a pillow at his retreating, laughing form. “And you were saying?” Cheryl teased. Kristy groaned and shook her head. “So, what is Kevin going to call D and the guys about?” Cheryl asked, deciding to let her friend off the hook... for now. “We were thinking about one last hurrah before we start our J.O.B.’s tomorrow,” Kristy whispered the last part like she was a little kid saying a dirty word. “Though Kev wouldn’t tell me what he had in mind.” Cheryl smirked, but Kristy purposefully ignored her friend’s expression. “So, wanna join me for a run? I have some pent-up energy I need to burn off.”“Sparky and I will be one team,” Howie said as Cheryl handed him his putter. “Sexy and I will be another... obviously,” Kristy grinned as Kevin wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her head. “Oh great! That means I’m stuck with Jokey and D.A. over there,” A.J. groaned as Brian and Nick dueled with their clubs. “Hey! It’s ‘Smarty,’ thank you very much!” Nick corrected as he dove for Brian who darted behind a topiary. Howie pulled Cheryl to him and gave her a soft kiss. “I hope you aren’t super competitive, I’m not very good at golf.” “Sweetie, it’s okay. You make up for it in lots of other ways,” Cheryl replied with a seductive smile. “Besides,” Brian said, smiting Nick with a dramatic lunge. “This isn’t real golf... it’s putt-putt! You’re SUPPOSED to put the balls into the houses in this game,” he teased Howie. While the group waited to tee off on one of the Fantasia Gardens courses, Kevin and Kristy warmed up on the putting green. Kevin stood off to the side and watched her form, shaking his head sadly as she missed her putt by a mile. “Angel, would you like some help?” “Yes, please!” She smiled brightly at him as he approached her. Kevin stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her and repositioned her hands on her putter. “Now bend your knees just a little bit... Relax your arms... Center the ball on the putter’s head... Good.” Kevin was having some difficulty concentrating on the instructions he was giving with her body so close to his. “Look at the slope of the green... Now bring the club back slowly and gently hit the ball.” Kevin swallowed as Kristy swayed her hips against his as she putted. Kristy turned and kissed him soundly as the ball dropped perfectly into the cup. “Guess all I needed was a little coaching.”At the end of the first nine holes, Nick, Brian and AJ were leading the teams, with Kevin and Kristy a close second. Howie and Cheryl were only a few strokes behind, but neither really seemed to care as they held hands and wandered the course, occasionally disappearing behind obstacles and sculpted topiary characters. Nick was teasing Kristy about her continual need for Kevin’s “coaching”, saying their team should be penalized... for making the others watch them fawn over each other, if nothing else! Kristy saw the competitive gleam in Kevin’s eyes and raised her chin. “Fine. I’ll do it myself.” Kevin, Howie, Cheryl and the other Boys all watched Kristy with interest as she approached the tee. She surveyed the hole’s obstacles, lined up the ball to bank high on the corner and swung her club. She turned to the surprised group as her ball rolled to a stop inches from the cup and shrugged. “Beginner’s luck.” After 6 more holes of “beginner’s luck” – including one hole-in-one – everyone, including Kevin, was suspicious. “Kev,” A.J. said as she sank another birdie putt, “I do believe we’ve got a shark on our hands.” “Spunky,” Kevin started, and for the first time, saw the twinkle in Kristy’s hazel eyes. “How much have you golfed before?” “A bit.” “Uh-huh.” Kevin simply stared at her, knowing there was more to the story. “My dad’s friend taught me,” she clarified. “And who would your dad’s friend be?” “Peter Jacobsen!”Next: Chapter 19 |