Chapter Nineteen
Winston Smith strutted down the hall, checking everything out. He played with the holster under his jacket as he walked around the hall that housed the Backstreet Boys and their entourage. As he rounded a corner, he found himself staring at the beautiful ass of a woman bent over grabbing a candy bar from the vending machine. He approached her with a smile.

Meredith pulled out the candy bar AJ had asked for and checked the reflection on the machine to size up the man behind her.

“Honey, are you supposed to be here?” His voice grated on her nerves, and Meredith tried to hide her disgust.

As she turned around, he saw the pass hanging from her neck and wondered who she was. She didn’t look familiar, but there were a lot of people on this mini-publicity tour. Maybe he could get to know her better. A smile widened on his face, and he held out a hand.

“Winston Smith. I run the security for the boys.”

She shook his hand, her eyes widening as he introduced himself. “I’m Meredith Davenport. So, you’re in charge of security here? Must be a hard job seeing how popular they are.”

He moved a bit closer, and Meredith shifted to her left so that she had an avenue of escape if necessary. “Yeah, it can be. But I’ve got it covered.”

She moved another step to her left. “I heard about the other day. Boy, that must have been scary.”

“Naw, they’re okay. It’s the price you gotta pay in this business.” Winston leaned against the vending machine and looked her over.

“Don’t they have bodyguards?”

“I put the extra security on the AJ, Nick, and Kevin group ‘cause Blondie and the freak get more attention. The other two aren’t as popular, so I didn’t think they needed it.”

Meredith had heard the phrase “seeing red”, but had never actually experienced it until that moment. Winston’s cell phone buzzed, and he answered it. Looking at her, he smiled as he finished the conversation.

“Look I gotta go. Maybe we can talk again.”

She nodded. “I’m pretty sure we will.”

He disappeared down the hall, and she took a deep breath to calm herself before heading back to the room. She opened the door to the suite and stepped inside, carefully shutting the door. She handed AJ the candy bar, and he looked at the mangled package.

“Something happen to the candy in the machine?”

She looked at him, then at Nick who was also sitting in the room watching a movie. The other three had gone to bed.

“I’m going to rip his dick off and shove it so far up his ass, he’s going to have to open his mouth to take a piss.”

Nick winced. “Who, exactly, are you going to do this to?”

“Winston Smith.”

AJ saw the look in her eyes and was scared for the man. “What happened?”

“He explained what happened the other day with Howie and Brian.” She stood next to the wall and contemplated hitting it, but didn’t want to hurt her hand.

“What?” Both AJ and Nick were looking at her, and she turned back to gaze at them.

Her blue eyes were dark with fury, and they instinctively shrank back from her. She shook her head to clear the anger before leaning against the wall. “Apparently, Winston decided Howie and Brian weren’t as popular as “Blondie and the freak” and gave you the extra security.”

Both men were shocked into silence. They were quiet, too quiet for Meredith, and she watched them. Nick stood abruptly and headed for door, but Meredith cut him off.

“Where are you going, Nick?”

He looked down at her, and she was thrown a curveball by how much he reminded her of Andy when he had reached his limit. During their time as hostages and the subsequent battle, a switch had been clicked on in Nick’s brain—the switch that let him know he was perfectly capable of handling anything that came up. He had decided he needed to handle Winston, and Meredith was afraid of exactly what that might entail.

“Got a baseball bat?”

Nick was surprised by the question. He nodded before heading to the closet, pulling out a Louisville Slugger and handing it to her. Meredith handed it back to him and pointed towards his room.

“Go beat the hell out of your pillows.”

“Can’t I just beat the hell out of Winston instead?” He looked at her with pleading, puppy-dog eyes, and she almost gave in.

“No. Pretend the pillow is Winston’s head. You stay away from him until he’s gone. I don’t want to have to bail you out of jail.”

“They’ll never find the body.” He looked down at the bat in his hands, tapping it gently against his palm.

“You’ve definitely hung around Team 2 entirely too long. I’d better not find you anywhere alone with Winston, got it?” Grabbing his chin with her thumb and forefinger, she gave him a look he couldn’t ignore.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Meredith swatted him on the ass and pushed him in the direction of his room. “Your room, pillows, bat. Go.”

She stood in the middle of the room and rubbed her forehead. AJ walked up behind her, wrapping her in his arms. He kissed her cheek and swayed with her. Meredith dropped her hands to cover his and sighed.

“How about I fuck you into oblivion?” He whispered the suggestion in her ear.

“Promise?” She turned in his arms, walking him backwards into their room and kissing his mouth.

“Cross my heart.” He crossed his heart before he shut the door, covering her laughter with a kiss.

                                                          ***Backstreet Boys***

Meredith woke up the next morning to the delicious warmth of AJ pressed along her back. She knew he was sort of awake because he kept stroking her belly, occasionally sliding his knee up and down the inside of her thigh.

“Know any good tattoo artists around here?”

The question pulled him into full consciousness, and he sat up to look down at her. “Seriously?”

“Yep. I found one I liked, brought the design with me.”

“Oh, yeah. I know some good people around here. Let me make a call, and I can get her here this afternoon.” He leaned over to reach the telephone.

Meredith laughed as she shifted to lie on her back. AJ’s torso draped across hers, and she rubbed his back as he talked to Anita. “Yeah, she’s got the design. Great, see you then.”

He hung up the phone and looked down at her. “Where are you getting it and what is it?”

She rose up to kiss him good morning. “It’s in my backpack, which is still in the living room. If you’ll let me up, we can get showered, and I’ll show it to you.”

He thought about his choices. “You or the tattoo? Sorry, the tat loses.” He pressed a kiss to her willing mouth, slipping his tongue inside.

She moaned, grabbing his hips as he slid between her thighs and sank into her body. “Have I told you how much this means to me?”

AJ stopped moving as he looked at her, a soft smile touching his face. “It feels like home.” He whispered the words as he kissed her.

She smiled back because he understood. “Yeah, home.”

Unlike the night before, this coupling was quiet, slow, and easy. They moved together, gently rubbing each other’s body as they eased into the day. Her quiet gasp and the shudder of her body let him know that she had climaxed; her shivers pulling him into his own. He settled on her body like her favorite blanket, and she wrapped her arms and legs around him.

“I’ve missed you.” He whispered the words into the crook of her neck.

“I’ve missed you, too.” The gentle kiss on his temple was followed by a kiss on his nose.

A banging on the door broke the silence. “C’mon, guys, it’s time for breakfast.”

AJ sighed as he pulled himself from her body. He stood and held out his hand. “Shall we?”

“We shall.” She accepted his offer, and they strolled into the bathroom for a shower.

Within thirty minutes, they had joined the others in the living room. AJ clapped his hands together. “Let’s see it.”

“You didn’t want to see it earlier.” She looked at him.

“You were naked in bed earlier. Now you’re dressed and in the living room. Fork over the design.”

The other four watched the two of them, a little thrown off by the familiar intimacy between the two. Meredith rolled her eyes before pulling the paper out of her backpack. She passed it over to AJ, and he studied it.

“It’s beautiful.”

“And she can do it?”

“No problem. Where?”

It was as if the two of them were talking in code. Nick looked between the two. “What the hell are you talking about?”

AJ showed them the tattoo design Meredith had picked out. “It’s Meredith’s new tat. Anita’s coming to the hotel in a couple of hours to do it.”

Nick studied the artwork, liking the simplicity. “It’ll look great. Gotta get the right shirt to show it off.”

“How do you know where it’s going?” Meredith stared at the young man.

“Cause it’s the perfect size to fit around your bellybutton. You said you couldn’t get it on your back.”

“But my arms and legs aren’t out of the question any more.”

“Nope, it’s the bellybutton.”

She laughed. “You’re right, it’s the bellybutton.” She took the design and laid it on the table.

“I’m hungry, what’s for breakfast.”

The five gentlemen escorted her downstairs to the buffet that had been set up in one of the conference rooms for them. By the time they finished eating and talking, it was time for Anita to show up. The young woman was on the elevator they got on, and AJ introduced everyone. She and Meredith chatted for a few minutes as they rode upstairs and walked down to the suite. When they got there, Meredith handed her the design, and Anita studied it.

“This will be beautiful. Where do you want it?”

“Bellybutton.”

Anita laughed. “You’ve been hanging around AJ *way* too long. Okay, can you lie down on the floor for me? AJ, get me some towels and a pillow.”

The young woman placed the towels on the floor to catch any alcohol that might end up dripping down Meredith’s sides as she worked. Anita pointed to the floor, and Meredith laid down and got comfortable. Anita made the stencil of the design and lifted Meredith’s shirt to place it. She looked up at AJ, who nodded that it was straight, then applied it.

“Are you ticklish?” Anita prepared the cups of color that would decorate Meredith’s skin, setting them on the table.

“Not there.” Both Meredith and AJ answered the question.

AJ sat down near Meredith’s head and held onto the hand she held out to him. The other guys were draped over the furniture surrounding the two women so they could watch. AJ would occasionally run his fingers across Meredith’s forehead, smiling at her when she looked at him. She winked back and nodded slightly, letting him know she was okay. The gun Anita used contained five needles, giving better coverage as she outlined the quarter sun and moon on either side of Meredith’s bellybutton. Stars were added to the moon side, and clouds were added near the sun. Then, Anita began to color in the design, the yellows and blues vibrant against Meredith’s skin.

When she finished, Anita wiped it with alcohol, spread a topical salve on it, and covered it with plastic wrap and hospital tape. “Leave that on for a couple of hours, then you can take it off. You can use anti-bacterial ointment for two days, then some anti-bacterial lotion to keep it from itching too badly. Don’t peel it, or you’ll lose color. Try to keep too much water from it for a week.”

Meredith looked down and touched the moon with her fingertip. She saw AJ’s finger touching the sun and she smiled.

“Like day and night.”

“Incomplete without the other.” He leaned over and kissed her as Anita packed up her stuff.

“Let me know if you want another one.” She took the money from Meredith and smiled at everyone before she left.

“Very nice, Merry.” Kevin looked at the design. “Think Irene would go for one?”

“I think you could probably convince her.” She grinned at him. “When’s she gonna be here?”

“Next week.” He shrugged as he looked at her.

Nick cleared his throat, and Meredith looked at him. “Something you want to say?”

He looked at his band mates, who all nodded it was time. “We have a proposition for you.”

A wary look crossed Meredith’s face as she looked from one to another. Whenever they looked like that, something serious was going on. “I’m listening.”

“We want you to head up our security team.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but Nick held up his hand for her to let him continue.

“We know what you can do, that you can handle this. You know what needs to be done, and we trust you.”

She waited a moment. “Can I speak now?”

“Sure.” Brian nodded as he looked at her.

“Yes.”

“Hoo-yah!” Nick pumped his arm in victory as AJ hugged Meredith.

“Thanks, love. We really needed you.” He leaned close to her and spoke into her ear.

“Why do you think I came?” She smiled as she pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth.

                                                             ***Backstreet Boys***

Kevin wasted no time in getting Firm representatives up to their suite. Meredith recognized one of them, Jack Mason, from the debriefing in Costa Rica, but none of the others. They listened as the guys laid out what they wanted and why they felt she was the best person for the job.

Jack looked up from his planner. “We’ll have to talk about this.”

Nick piped up before anyone else could speak. “You don’t understand. *We* have already decided. *You* just need to draw up the contract.”

Jack raised his eyebrows at Nick’s assertion, unused to this strong determination from the youngest member of their group. Seeing that none of them were going to budge, he nodded. “I do have a copy of a standard contract with me. You’ll need to review it, Commander.”

“Meredith is fine, Mr. Mason.”

“Jack, please.”

Meredith nodded and took the contract, pulling out a red pen to start marking it up. As she read, she spoke to the group in general. “Is this the same contract Winston signed?”

“There were a few modifications.” Jack rearranged some notes as he waited for her to finish.

“When we’ve signed and sealed the contract, I’d like a copy of his contract, as well as the other security members’.”

Jack nodded. Meredith continued to read and make changes to the contract. Forty-five minutes later, she was still reviewing it, and the guys were getting antsy. Nick started twirling a pen in his hands, bouncing his leg. Without looking up, Meredith reached over and placed her hand over his.

“Go play a game, Nick.”

“But…”

She looked up and smiled, nodding towards the door. “Go.”

She looked at the rest of the group. “You guys don’t have to stick around. Go find something to do.”

“You sure?” Kevin stood up.

“Yeah, yeah. Go on.” She waved them away, smiling at AJ as he trailed his fingers across her shoulders.

When she finally finished reviewing and editing the contract, Jack took it back to their lawyers to see if there would be any problem with the changes she had requested. Meredith escorted them to the door then leaned against it. With a shake, she stood up and headed for her room. Stopping in the doorway, she watched as AJ changed into something “appropriate” for the interview scheduled that afternoon.

Feeling eyes on him, he turned to find Meredith leaning against the doorjamb, enjoying the view.

“Hold that thought.”

“What thought?” She played innocent, much to his delight.

“The thought rolling around in your head that says you’d like to throw me on the bed and have your way with me.”

“Oh, *that* thought. I think I can restrain myself until we’re alone.”

“You coming to the interview?”

“Is Winston going?”

“Yeah, he kinda has to.”

“Then, yeah, I’ll be there.”

They both got ready to go. As Meredith began to braid her hair, AJ stopped her, running his fingers through the curls and spreading them across her shoulders.

“Can you leave it down? For me?” He looked at her in the mirror.

She smiled and leaned back against him. “Sure. It feels a little weird since I’ve been putting it up for so long.”

“I love to see your hair down, especially when it’s spread across my skin.” He continued to stroke the soft auburn curls.

Turning around, she held his face in her hands. “Then I’ll have to make sure I spread it around a lot.”

He grinned at the promise, and she slapped his ass as they walked out of the bathroom.

“Let’s hit the road, McLean.”

They ended up with the rest of the guys in the living room of the suite and waited for the bodyguards. Winston showed up with his entourage and assigned the guys. He noticed Meredith and smiled at her before they left. Meredith shuddered slightly when he looked at her, then again when he assigned himself to AJ and she realized she would have to deal with him.

“Think he’s doing it deliberately?” Brian watched Winston, Meredith, and AJ.

“Only if he’s incredibly stupid.” Kevin looked at the trio and hoped there wouldn’t be any bloodshed.

As they moved through the interview and photo shoot, Meredith observed Winston’s security setup. There were a number of things she approved of, but she found it difficult to hide her disgust each time the man brushed against her. She could tell AJ was reaching a boiling point when he almost threw a tripod at the man during the photo shoot.

Howie pulled on his arm. “Relax, AJ, she can take care of herself. If she wanted, he’d be on the ground before he could blink.”

“Yeah, I know, I just don’t want him to touch her.” AJ blew out a breath as he tried to ignore them.

“I don’t think she wants him to touch her either.” Nick leaned close to talk to his friends as he watched Meredith ease away from the head of security.

After several hours, they finally escaped back to the quietness of the hotel. The guys collapsed on various pieces of furniture. Meredith wandered around the room, answering the door since she was the only one standing. A bellman stood outside with a package, handing it to her when she opened the door. She handed him a tip and slipped her finger under the seal to open it since it was addressed to her. Walking back into the room, she read the document.

“What is it?” Nick leaned his head back over the side of the sofa.

“My contract.” Meredith sat down at the table to finish reading.

“And?” Howie sat up to watch her.

“Anyone got a pen?”

Five men scrambled to find one, with Brian victorious. She smiled at him as she took it then scrawled her name at the bottom of the contract. She slid it back in the envelope they provided and called a bellman to have it taken down to the desk to be delivered.

“Well, I guess that does it, doesn’t it?”

“There wasn’t anything in there about fraternization, was there?” AJ leaned against the arm of her chair.

“Nope. Besides, I would have crossed it out if there had been.” She smiled up at him, accepting the kiss he gave her.

“I’m ready to celebrate.” Nick clapped his hands together then rubbed them.

“I need to make a phone call first, then I’m ready.” Meredith pulled out her cell phone and punched in a few numbers.

“Hey, got any plans for the next several months? Yeah, I need you four. I’ve got the other one. Thanks. We’ll see you in two days.”

“Who was that?” AJ handed her a bottle of water.

“Backup.” She grinned at him. “What say we hit the pool before dinner?”

“Let me call down and clear it out for us.” Kevin reached for the phone, arranging for them to get the pool in forty-five minutes.

“It’ll be ready at five, and we’ve got it for an hour.”

AJ pulled Meredith out of her chair. “I believe you had something you were holding for me.”

“Why, McLean, I believe I was.”

At five, they gathered in the main room, each of them carrying their towels and wearing shorts and t-shirts. The bodyguards escorted them downstairs, letting them relax in privacy. They dropped their stuff on chairs and stripped down to their suits. Nick and Brian raced for the pool, landing in the water with cannonballs. Kevin dove in, followed by Howie. Meredith laid down on a chaise and let the sun wash over her. She felt the shadow fall across her and looked up to find AJ staring down at her.

“Go play in the pool.”

“What if I want to hang out with you?” He stared down at her.

She scooted over on the large chair and patted the cushion beside her. “I would be delighted to share your company.”

They sat there and talked about little things, taking off on tangents when the mood struck. Nick swam over and leaned on the pool edge, watching the two of them.

“You guys planning on getting in?”

Meredith nudged AJ. “Go dunk him for me.”

He smiled at her before heading for the pool. She leaned back and closed her eyes. About twenty minutes later, she felt another shadow fall across her body but knew it wasn’t AJ. Looking up, she found Winston staring down at her. It took a lot of restraint for her not to slap him, so she just stared at him.

“Can I help you?”

“It’s about time to head out of here.” He stepped back a bit to let her get up, watching her body in the bikini and paying close attention to her tattoo.

Meredith stood up and pulled on her t-shirt and shorts, gathering stuff and putting it into her bag. She whistled, and the guys headed for ladders to get out. Winston watched as they answered her call without fuss.

He caught the glares of the five men, but figured it had to do with him making them leave rather than the way he was ogling Meredith. Nick was giving him a particularly evil stare when Meredith smacked him in the belly. He looked down at her.

“Do I need to make you do pushups?” She gazed up at him.

“It’d be worth it.” He draped an arm over her shoulder as they all walked out.

She held on to AJ’s hand as she wrapped an arm around Nick’s waist, hoping neither man would haul off and hit Winston before she could get rid of him.
Chapter Twenty
Table of Contents
Chapter Eighteen