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Everything Your Heart Desires Chapter 4 Cheryl’s hands sliced through the water, the rest of her body following in their path as she dove into the complex’s clear blue pool. Moments later, her head surfaced, water dripping from her nose and eyelashes that framed vivid blue-green eyes. She began a powerful breast stroke, covering the length of the pool, while the midday sun shone down on those on the deck. Kristy set her book aside and got up from the lounge chair she’d been sunning herself on. She walked over to the pool and sat at the edge, dangling her tan legs in the water as Cheryl finished up her laps and swam to the side. “I could definitely get used to this!” Cheryl remarked as she rested her forearms on the edge of the pool. “I know. I still feel like we’re on vacation or something,” Kristy agreed, enjoying the feel of the warm sun on her shoulders and back, and the cool water on her legs. “Well, technically... we ARE!” Cheryl laughed, referring to the fact that they wouldn’t be starting their new jobs for over a week. During that time, they would be able to get settled and “regroup”... and have some fun! Cheryl had brought a carful of her belongings with her in her move and was waiting for the rest of her things to be delivered. Kristy, on the other hand, only had a few suitcases of her clothes and essentials that she’d flown out with. Her other things were being shipped out, courtesy of the Medical Center, and would be arriving within the next day or two. Until then, she was sleeping on an air mattress and would have to make due with the things that she’d packed... or could borrow from her roomie! The women had stayed up late the night before unpacking Kristy’s bags, sorting through some of Cheryl’s boxes, and of course talking. After they’d finally gotten up that morning, they’d decided it was simply too nice out to worry about unpacking, slipped on their swimsuits, grabbed their towels, sunglasses and other accessories, and headed for the pool. “So, since we can’t do much else until the rest of our things get here, what should we do to amuse ourselves tonight?” Cheryl asked with a grin, knowing what Kristy would likely suggest. “Well,” Kristy started, looking thoughtful, “We could rent movies and stay in, or...” she shrugged, a smile playing on her lips, “We could always go clubbing! I did bring that stuff with me!” she giggled. Cheryl laughed with her, “Somehow, I knew you would!”“D, ya gotta help me here!” Kevin pleaded to his friend. “Tim’s determined to see me with a woman in my life... I think Mom’s been talking to him again,” Kevin said with a wry smile. “I feel for ya man,” Howie replied. “John’s been giving me the same pressure lately.” “So, come out with us tonight... I could use the moral support. Besides, maybe if Tim and John are together, they’ll be so busy catching up, they’ll leave us alone,” Kevin chuckled as Tim entered the room. “Not a chance, Kevy-Kev.” Tim said, causing Kevin to roll his eyes.Kristy and Cheryl strolled through the streets of Pleasure Island, enjoying the festive mood of the weekend crowd. At nine p.m., it was only just starting to cool off from the afternoon, and considering how much dancing they were planning on doing, both girls were dressed appropriately. Cheryl wore a sleeveless, short black dress that complimented her trim figure perfectly. She spiced up the outfit with some trendy jewelry and strappy heels, making the entire look both classy and fun. Her short red hair was curled loosely to give it lots of body and styled so the front layers framed her beautiful face. Kristy had on a sapphire-blue sundress that accented her blue-green hazel eyes. The ends of her golden blond hair were curled up, and brushed her shoulders, the sides clipped behind her ears. She’d taken time that afternoon to paint her nails a bright cheerful red, and in her strappy pumps, her matching toenails could be seen. The duo drew many appreciative looks as they headed to the BET Soundstage.Kevin hesitated at the entrance to the club. “Tim, do ya really think this is necessary? I mean, how many ‘quality’ relationships actually start in a bar?” Kevin loved clubbing, but preferred it without the pressure that his brother was putting on him. Tim pushed Kevin into the club without responding. Hip-hop urban dance music filled the two-story building as the brothers made their way to the railing overlooking the dance floor below. Tim started to answer Kevin as his eyes drifted over the sea of dancers. “OK, maybe you won’t find your dream woman tonight,” he paused and smiled as a pair of familiar faces were projected on the video screens that mixed music video clips and shots of the club’s guests, “But, then again... maybe you will!” Kevin glanced at the screen as it switched back to part of a video and sighed with frustration. Tim bit back a smile and put a hand on his brother’s arm. “Tell ya what. If you honestly don’t end up having a great time tonight, I’ll back off... ‘kay?” That elicited a smile from Kevin, “You promise?” Tim nodded, his eyes drifting back down to the dance floor, “Promise!”Kristy and Cheryl had been dancing for about an hour before they excused themselves from their current partners and stepped over to the bar. They exchanged “hello’s” with a few men along the way and waited to be acknowledged by one of the bartenders. “So,” Kristy heard a deep voice with a Southern accent in her ear, “Can I buy you that drink now?” Kevin stood off to the side as he watched his brother approach a woman standing at the bar. Soon after Tim had promised to butt out of his romantic life after tonight, he had insisted Kevin follow him downstairs. Without a moment’s hesitation, he had led them across the dance floor. Kevin shook his head. Now it looked like Tim was more concerned with his own social life than Kevin’s, which Kevin decided wasn’t such a bad thing. Kevin wondered what his brother was up to as he watched him say something in the ear of the blond waiting at the bar. As she turned to smile at Tim, Kevin felt his breath catch in his chest. He continued to stand there, frozen as his brother chatted and laughed with this beautiful woman and her equally beautiful friend. There was something slightly familiar about the two, but Kevin couldn’t put his finger on it. He was studying the blond’s face... her twinkling eyes, her bright smile... as she listened and talked to Tim. Suddenly Kevin realized that she was looking at him. His green eyes met her hazel ones, both pairs now slightly wide with surprise. Tim had been enjoying talking to Kristy and Cheryl very much. It wasn’t until Kristy inquired if he was out with his brother that he realized that Kevin wasn’t right beside him. He turned to point to his brother, curious to see the girls’ response, knowing that at least Kristy was somewhat of a fan. Tim grinned as both Kristy and Cheryl stared at Kevin with slightly dazed looks on their lovely faces. He looked back to see how Kevin was handling being recognized and chuckled. If the expression on his brother’s face was any indication, Tim had a feeling he’d soon be able to retire from his matchmaking duties. “Kevin,” Tim called out, breaking the trance-like state Kevin felt like he was in. Kevin forced his gaze away from the blond and walked over to their group, smiling at the redhead sitting next to her. Cheryl’s heart raced as Kevin Richardson smiled at her. Although Howie was her favorite BSB, she couldn’t deny her attraction to Kevin. And in his tailored black slacks and short-sleeved, black cashmere sweater, he looked absolutely incredible. Cheryl had possibly seen thousands of pictures of Kevin over the years, she’d even seen the Backstreet Boys in concert before, but nothing could have prepared her for seeing him “up close and personal”. The man was beautiful. With Kevin’s eyes off of her, Kristy felt like she could breathe once again. ‘Relax,’ she told herself silently. ‘He’s a person too. He’s just a regular guy... just a regular, extremely talented, gorgeous, sexy guy.’ She looked up to see him directly in front of her. “Kev, this is Kristy and Cheryl, Orlando’s newest - and prettiest - residents,” Tim said, watching the two women both smile shyly at his brother. Kevin smiled at Kristy, then Cheryl, then back to Kristy. “The women from the airport, right?” Tim and Kevin watched as two pairs of blue-green eyes widened again, as each woman put the pieces together for herself. “The 4Runner,” Cheryl said shaking her head, “It WAS you.” Kevin nodded and smiled at the attractive redhead. Kristy just sat there, replaying parts of her conversation with Tim in her head. “Oh my gosh... no wonder you admitted to liking that kind of music,” she said, gesturing to Kevin in reference to the Backstreet Boys video that had been shown on the flight. Kevin guessed what she meant and raised his eyebrows, “And what about you? Do you like ‘that kind of music’?” he said, giving her a stare that could intimidate most people. Kristy responded to him just as she had when Tim had asked her the question. She looked him straight in the eye, a small smirk on her lips. “Yes. I do.” She raised her eyebrows back at him, as if daring him to challenge her. Kevin smiled broadly, revealing his dimples. Not many people stood up to him, especially when he looked serious. Yet Kristy didn’t even seem to be phased... in fact, she looked like she was amused by his attempt to intimidate her. “Good,” he said, his green eyes filled with laughter. “What can I get you?” the bartender asked the group. “Something strong,” Kristy mumbled as she turned back towards the bar. Cheryl heard her and coughed to cover a laugh. As awestruck as she was herself, she knew her friend had to be about beside herself as she stood talking to the object of her BSB obsession. “Strawberry margarita.” Cheryl ordered. “Blended. Light sugar.” “A woman who knows what she wants,” Tim teased. The bartender turned to him, “JD and coke,” he ordered, causing Kristy and Cheryl to both wrinkle their noses. “Uck,” Kristy said with a shudder, making Kevin chuckle over her shoulder. “Black opal,” she told the bartender, to which she received a blank look. She sighed and described her favorite drink for him. “It’s a Long Island without the coke and sweet-n-sour, but with Chamborg and sprite.” She turned to see Cheryl, Tim and Kevin all looking at her with interest. “What?” “Sounds interesting,” Kevin commented. “I’ll try that too,” he said to the bartender. “Where’d you learn that one?” Kristy smiled, “One of the bars in Oregon has it as their specialty. But thanks to me and a few of my friends, bartenders all around the world have learned how to make it!” The bartender gave them their drinks and Kevin handed him a few bills. Kristy took a sip of her drink and nodded at the bartender, “Perfect.” Kevin took a sip and grinned, “Wow! Sweet, but it’s definitely got a kick to it.” Cheryl laughed, “Kinda like Kristy!” Kevin looked down at her. She had the face of an angel, but he could definitely tell by the twinkle in her eyes and the smile that played on her lips that she could hold her own. “So, ladies... shall we?” Tim asked, motioning to the dance floor. They took their drinks with them and hit the floor. Although Kevin was the performer of the family, Tim was no slouch and was able to draw plenty of appreciative looks of his own. Kevin didn’t need any choreographed routine to dance well, and in fact, both women silently thought he looked even better on his own. Cheryl and Kristy both loved to dance and were very good at it, making the foursome a very attractive, talented group. Both Kristy and Cheryl alternated from silently wishing the DJ would only play fast dance songs, to wanting him to play a slower, sexier number. As it was, they were dancing in a small group... boy-girl, boy-girl... without any set partners. Both girls enjoyed Tim’s company and thought he was certainly attractive... but he wasn’t Kevin. Kristy finally excused herself to the ladies room, and Cheryl followed. Once inside the safety of the women’s lounge, the two friends and roommates looked at each other and started giggling. “Oh my God!” Cheryl finally cried, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. Kristy was trying to keep calm by taking deep breaths. She shook her head and looked at Cheryl, “I can’t believe this!” Cheryl leaned against the vanity area. “If he chooses you, I’ll be totally happy for you... you know that, right?” Kristy nodded, “Same for me.” She saw Cheryl’s smirk, “OK, not as happy as I’d be if it were me,” she giggled, “But seriously, I’d be happy for you! Now, if only Howie were here too!” “Then there wouldn’t even be a question,” Cheryl agreed. The two girls composed themselves and headed back to the dance floor.Next: Chapter 5 |