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Everything Your Heart Desires Chapter 6 “What do you say?” Howie said, finally finding his voice. To Cheryl, time had frozen when Howie had taken her hand. She was mesmerized by his deep brown eyes and couldn’t fully comprehend his words to her. “Mmmm?” Howie grinned and nodded to the dance floor. “It looks like Kevin and Kristy have the right idea... should we join them?” Cheryl followed Howie’s gaze as he watched their friends. She smiled as she saw Kevin pull Kristy closer to him, his hands settling around her waist and her hands resting on his muscular upper arms. They were staring into each other’s eyes, their bodies moving in unison to the slow, sexy dance beat. Cheryl turned back to Howie, smiled and nodded, letting herself be led out to the floor. “Hey guys,” Howie greeted as he and Cheryl started dancing near Kristy and Kevin. Kristy glanced in the direction of the voice and winked as she caught Cheryl’s eye. Still smiling, she turned her face back to Kevin, who had never taken his eyes off of her. She met his vivid green eyes and felt her heart race from the power of his gaze. Both couples continued to dance, the spaces between them narrowing slightly as the song progressed. Howie let one hand lay on Cheryl’s hip, his other hand held one of hers between them. Cheryl’s free hand rested on his shoulder and she fought the temptation to run her hands through his long, curly hair... at least for the time being. Kevin let his hands lightly caress Kristy’s back and sides in rhythm to the music. ‘Wonder how much I’d have to pay to get this DJ to play a really slow song,’ he thought as he imagined how it would feel to completely hold Kristy in his arms. As Kristy slowly moved her hands up his arms and let them rest on his shoulders, he decided however much it was, it’d be worth it.John and Tim stood off to the side of the bar, watching their brothers dance with Kristy and Cheryl, and comparing stories of how they’d met the ladies. “So, let me get this straight,” Tim said, the irony of the situation hitting him. “You met Cheryl yesterday and now she’s...?” “Dancing with Howie,” John smiled ruefully, shaking his head. Tim nodded, “And I met Kristy yesterday – and had a very nice conversation, I might add – and now she’s...?” “Completely under Kevin’s spell!” John laughed at the disgruntled look on Tim’s face. The two brothers looked back out at the happy couples dancing and flirting on the dance floor. Genuine smiles appeared on both of their faces as they could see how successful their matchmaking efforts were turning out to be. “We did good,” John said, patting Tim on the shoulder, watching Cheryl giggle at something Howie’d just said. “Yeah,” Tim agreed as he watched Kevin tuck a piece of Kristy’s hair behind her ear. “Though next time we should keep ourselves in mind when we start thinking of who we should introduce beautiful women to.”The group stepped out into the street and paused as they decided where to go next. “How ‘bout we mosey on down to the Wild Horse saloon?” Tim said in a thick country drawl. Howie and John rolled their eyes, “Oh, puh-lease!” John said, shaking his head. “Anything but that.” Howie chuckled, “Why don’t we let the ladies decide. Cheryl?” Cheryl smiled into his face. “I’ll go with the majority. I like most all types of music.” “What about you Kristy? You feel like a little fiddle and banjo music?” Tim asked as she looked up at Kevin. Kristy quirked an eyebrow and gave a little shrug, “I grew up on a farm. I actually LIKE country music.” Kevin grinned down at the stylish woman before him, “Really?” She nodded and smiled brightly. “So, do you, like, actually wear boots and jeans?” Tim asked, somewhat in disbelief as his eyes traveled up and down her form. He stopped himself from letting his gaze linger, as he could feel Kevin glaring in his direction. “I do own a pair of ropers and Wranglers, but I’d hardly say they’re a mainstay of my wardrobe,” Kristy smiled at the skeptical group. “Kev, don’t you have a pair of Wranglers from that Rolling Stone shoot?” Howie asked and Kevin nodded. “You should wear them sometime,” Cheryl suggested. Kevin caught Kristy and Cheryl exchange “a look” and both women smile as Kristy nodded. “Why do you say that?” Kevin asked, directing his question to Kristy. Kristy looked up at him but hesitated, a smile glimmering in her eyes and tugging at her lips. “Cause I bet you look good in them,” she replied, trying to look innocent, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. >From his experience in Kentucky and the impish expression on Kristy’s face, he knew what else she was thinking, but decided he wouldn’t be the one to ask her to elaborate. He glanced at the mischievous grin on his brother’s face and the puzzled looks on John and Howie’s faces and knew he wouldn’t have to. “And how do you know that?” Tim asked, holding back his laughter. Cheryl also fought to contain her giggles, and sent her friend a sympathetic smile. Kristy’s face turned a slightly deeper pink, but true to form, she didn’t back down. She raised her chin, but avoided Kevin’s smirk and Tim’s wicked grin. “Because,” she began, directing her answer to the Doroughs, who she felt would benefit most from her explanation. “To look good in Wranglers...” she paused and turned to look Kevin straight in the eye, her eyes twinkling, “You have to have a nice ass.” Kevin pulled her to him and gave her a big hug as the rest of the group burst into laughter. “In that case,” he whispered into her ear, “I can’t wait to see you in yours!”Cheryl and Howie stepped off the dance floor of 8Trax and made their way upstairs to the “rumpus room” with it’s retro furniture and atmosphere. It was getting close to midnight, and the group was planning on going to the “New Year’s Eve” party on the street in front of the West End Stage. Until that time however, Howie wanted to spend some time getting to know Cheryl a bit better. They found a couple of seats open by the railing and sat down, looking down on the crowd of dancers on the floor. “Are you having fun tonight?” Howie asked, his warm brown eyes taking in everything they could about the lovely woman in front of him. Cheryl smiled affectionately at him. “I’m having a wonderful time... although I keep expecting my alarm clock to go off at any minute!” Howie grinned, “Not me, I know I’m awake... although from the amount of times I’ve pinched myself tonight, I’m gonna be all bruised.” He chuckled as Cheryl blushed prettily. “My fear is you’re going to disappear on me as soon as the clock strikes midnight, and only leave me with one of your shoes!” Cheryl’s cheeks turned a darker pink. “Howie, stop it!” she giggled and playfully swatted at his arm. He caught her hand in his and drew it to his lips, kissing the back of it, his eyes holding hers. Cheryl felt his moist lips on her skin, and suddenly felt extremely warm. Howie raised his head and slowly leaned forward, his face a mere inches from hers. “Hey guys! Ca’mon... we gotta get outside for the countdown!” John said, placing his hand on Howie’s shoulder. Howie shut his eyes in frustration, then turned and shot his brother a warning glance. John smiled sheepishly and mumbled, “Tim’s getting Kev and Kris, and I’m in charge of you two.” Howie turned back to Cheryl who smiled and shrugged. “Fine. Let’s go.”Kristy danced closely with Kevin, and turned her head to look at him as she heard him chuckle in her ear. “What?” she asked, seeing the laughter in his amazing green eyes. Kevin looked down at the spirited, confident woman in his arms and knew he’d met his match. “I can’t believe you actually said I have a nice ass!” he teased. Kristy giggled, “Actually, neither can I!” She smiled warmly at him, “I was a little embarrassed though.” Kevin’s eyes searched her spectacular hazel ones. “Aww, but you look so cute when you blush!” he teased, causing her cheeks to pinken. “Kinda like now!” He chuckled as she looked down, her blush deepening. He leaned closer to her and brushed his lips over her forehead. Kristy slowly raised her sparkling eyes to Kevin's, their noses practically touching. Every nerve in Kevin’s body was aware of her closeness. The urge to kiss her was almost overwhelming. Kristy’s eyes drifted shut as she felt Kevin’s warm breath on her lips. “Sorry to break up this cozy little scene, but I’m supposed to round you two up so we can meet Howie, Cheryl and John outside,” Tim said, biting back a smile as Kevin sent him a look that could’ve maimed. Kevin took Kristy’s hand in his as they followed Tim through the club. Kristy barely noticed the crowd of people surrounding them or looking their way. She was too busy trying to breathe normally. Kevin was also oblivious of the people who pointed in recognition. He was trying to decide which would be the best way to kill his own flesh and blood.Next: Chapter 7 |