I stood there, hands on my hips, shaking my head in frustration. I loved Kevin so much, but sometimes, I could strangle him. He was always running late. If he wasn't over sleeping, he would talk the day away to anyone heedless of the time. I know he and the other guys got cornered by people wanting a piece of them a lot. The demands on his time, and that of the other guys was horrendous. Even if out privately, the pressure of always being on show was intense, one little slip, and the whole world knew about it. We felt that maybe here on their own Kentucky turf, it might have eased off. I guess it wasn't as bad as normal, and maybe I was a bit sensitive today, because Brian and Kevin had planned this day as a surprise for Sue and I. We girls had looked forward to this day so much. We'd gone shopping together for our outfits, and now here we were at the Kentucky Derby, and Kevin was trapped, and I stood, waiting for him again. I sighed and grabbed a glass of champagne from the waiter as he floated past. Taking a look at my watch, I groaned. 'Blast it, Brian's going to be annoyed, come on Kev.' I whispered under my breath. I took a sip out of the glass, and looked around trying to catch Kevin's eye.

I knew Sue would be okay, she had the patience of a saint. But Brian could get impatient, the cousins shared some traits, and impatience at times was one of them, and I shared that trait right along with them. Kevin was being unusually obtuse, we normally read each others thoughts and emotions so easily, but today the radar wasn't connecting. I drank my champagne and over the crowd, I noticed Carlos not far from Kevin's side. I grabbed another glass of champagne, and took a gulp. I felt a hand on my arm and turned, it was Howie looking sympathetically at me. 'Okay Jac?' he asked.

'Yes, no. No I'm not. Just for once I'd like to be, well I don't know, just be a girl with her guy.'

'Do you want me to go get him? ' he asked 'You know Kev, once he's focused.'

' Yeah I know.' I sighed 'It's okay Howie, honest. I'll catch his eye in a minute. Go have fun.'

He looked uncertainly at me, but I smiled and gave him a shove.' Go on, enjoy yourself.' He gave me one of his sweet smiles and drifted off. I sighed again, took another look at my watch, and I knew I was going to have to barge into the conversation, and drag him away. Something I was really reluctant to do, I didn't want to play the possessive girlfriend, because I wasn't like that. I finally managed to catch Carlos's eye, and I pointed my finger at my watch. He pulled a long suffering face, and I had to smile. Poor Carlos, Kevin did so love to talk. I watched him edge skilfully through the crowd at Kevin's side to wait for the opportunity to speak with him. But before he got the chance, Kevin glanced in my direction. If I wasn't so mad at him, I'd have laughed. The radar was now obviously working and with one look at my face, he knew I was mad at him. The fleeting expressions that crossed his expressive face were almost comical to watch. He excused himself from the press of people around him and came over to me quickly, Carlos following at a discreet distance behind.

'Babe, I know, I know, we were supposed to meet Brian and Sue.' He said trying to charm me, which made me angrier.

'Yes we were, half an hour ago. God Kevin, just once could you try to be on time. We were supposed to spend this day together.' It all rushed out. My frustration at being late, which I hated, coupled with my disappointment at having Kevin stolen away from me welled to the surface. Now we were both the most stubborn of people, both our tempers could fire easily, and although we loved each other deeply, and I knew he was my soulmate, it didn't stop the embers of our passion for each other, flaring to life in an occasional heated spat.

'Jac.' He said pleadingly his hand on my arm.

'Kev, we have to go now, I wouldn't blame them if they haven't waited, sometimes I could just strangle you.' We started to walk away from the gathering, to where we were supposed to meet Brian and Sue. Howie looked up from his conversation, and sighed, he thought.' Oh no trouble brewing', He saw Jac and Kevin leave the room, talking in a heated manner.

'Babe I got cornered, I couldn't just rush away.' He did sound contrite, but I was on a roll now.

I walked fast, even in my heels, surprisingly, Kevin was striding out to keep up with me. 'You promised Kev, you said today was for us, that we'd spent it together.' Now I knew I was being unreasonable, it wasn't really his fault, but I was wound up, and firing on all cylinders. We rounded the corner to where we were supposed to meet Brian and Sue, and surprise, they weren't there.

'Babe I know I did, and I'm sorry. Jac for god's sake slow down.' He grabbed my arm, and pulled me around to face him.

'They're not here' I said, as a tear slowly slipped down my cheek. 'I knew it.'

Kevin looked around, and saw Carlos, looking tactfully anywhere but at us. 'Can you go find Bri and Sue for us please?' Kevin read reluctance to leave in his bodyguard's face, warring with Kevin's instructions, and a natural desire to protect him. 'It's okay, we'll be alright, go find them for us okay, we'll wait here.'

Kevin waited till Carlos left. 'Jac, babe.' He cupped my face gently between his large hands, wiping the stray tears away with his thumbs. His lovely green eyes gazed deep into mine, and as always my heart stopped with the love I saw in them. His fingers traced a path across my face, before sighing deeply and claiming my lips in a sweet tender kiss, that made me tremble with the emotion he put into it. My hands were linked around his neck, and I pulled away to look at him. To study the face and features of this man I loved so desperately. 'Kev hon .. I'm sorry, I've done it again, I've overreacted to something you had no control over. When will I ever learn ? And will I ever learn to curb my tongue and temper, I love you so much..' He silenced me again with another of his breathless kisses.

God, has the earth spun off it's axis, because it sure felt like it to me. We pulled apart, and looked shell shocked into each other's eyes. A slow grin spread over his face, lighting up his eyes. 'I guess our spats always end up like this, but seriously Jac, I did promise you a day to remember, and I've been neglectful, so neglectful of my English rose, does she forgive me?' Again his finger gently trailed across my face, burning my skin with his touch.

'Kevin, my love, how could I not forgive you. Honey, I really love you so much.' I whispered huskily my voice thick with emotion, He pulled me close and looked down at me with this most heart rending smile. But no further words were necessary, our mouths met feverishly, clinging together, the intense longing we both felt driving us to distraction. Some how we'd backed ourselves against the stable door, and as we leant against it, our arms entwined about each other, mouths locked in a passionate embrace, it gave way and we tumbled to the hay covered floor. Now we both suffered from an extremely strange sense of humour, and our lovemaking besides containing a lot of passion had also generated a lot of fun and laughter. We hit the hay, with a thump, in a tangle of limbs, my hat falling off, I think underneath me, but our giggles were stifled as our mouths barely left each others. 'You sure know how to impress a girl Richardson.' I breathed against his lips, giggling, .'I think I've busted my butt. Oh my dress, I bet it's ruined. Kevin I so wanted to look so nice for you.'

'I'll buy you a hundred dresses, but I'll always remember you this way.' He bit his lip to stop from laughing. I could only imagine what I looked like, I felt like I had hay everywhere. I kissed him quickly, and laughed as his lips teased mine, ever so slowly, his tongue teasingly, tracing the outline of my lips. He lay spread eagled across me, his trilby hat had flown off in our tumble, allowing me easy access to his hair. He was growing it longer, and I delighted in running my fingers through it's silky softness, smoothing it but roughing it up at the same time. Just feeling his long muscular body on top of mine, inflamed my senses, the heat of my desire for him, was burning me up inside, my limbs turning to molten lava, as his kisses deepened, and my body wilted under his onslaught. His skilful hands slowly unbuttoned my dress, his mouth following the trail of his fingers. The delightful sensations he produced, fired the flames of our passion, and I reached for him, needing to feel him close. I pulled and yanked his shirt apart, allowing me access to his body. I revelled in the feel of his muscular frame as my hands wandered wonderously over his taut toned upper body. Then I realised where we were. I pulled away and whispered breathlessly 'Kev, we are in a stable, at the Kentucky Derby, about to have a tumble in the hay and the door is wide open. What a photo opportunity.'

He looked around 'Oops.' then grinned 'So you wanna stop ?'

'Not on your life, I'm game if you're game, but I think maybe you should close the door.' I giggled. He smiled ' That's my girl, game for anything. Well, we may as well make ourselves a bit more comfy then.' He got up, pulling me to my feet and with a quick peek outside, shut the door and bolted it. He turned and looked at me, and his mouth gaped. I had my sandals swinging from my hand, and I tossed them aside. My dress was slipping off my shoulder from Kevin's earlier ministrations, and I brought my hand from behind my back and waved my undies temptingly to and fro. He laughed softly, and with two quick strides had me in his arms. 'So my baby is going to naughty, how naughty ?'

'Like this.' I gave him a shove pushing him backwards and he fell into a pile of hay. I slowly unbuttoned my dress, letting it fall in a pool of silk about my feet, I stepped out of it and walked slowly over toward him. He lay still, looking up at me love, longing and desire evident in his eyes. I straddled him and leaned over to kiss his eyes. Slowly I placed featherlike kisses over his face, and I could feel his arousal against me, straining against his trousers. I nibbled his neck and ears, and he gasped softly. 'Babe, oh Jac.' His hands were rooming over my body, stroking, caressing, his gentle touch stirring such sensations of delight within me. I'd undone his shirt to allow me easy access to his body. I pushed it off him, anxious to touch him. I delighted in feeling his smooth skin under my hands. He was truly beautifully built, and I could feel his well defined muscles, as my hands roamed over him. I kissed the hollow at his neck softly, and trailed my mouth and tongue lower, teasing his nipples into hard tight buds. I unzipped his suit's trousers and let his erection burst free. He gasped as my hand found it and begin to gently stroke it. I could feel Kevin straining beneath me, his breathing shallow and uneven. He'd somehow kicked off his trousers and freed himself of their restraint. He reached up and flipped me over onto my back, lying half across me, he held my face in his hands. He tantalisingly teased my mouth with his tongue. He breathed soft slow kisses all over my face, before seeking my mouth and kissing me with such tender passion, I was endanger of dying from the emotion he made me feel.

'Jac, my love' he breathed softly against my lips 'Marry me?'

I pulled away, and cupped his face in my hands, not sure that I'd heard right, my senses were reeling from his kisses. 'Kevin?' I asked questioningly.

'Will you marry me ?' he asked simply, but I heard the emotion in his voice. His intense green eyes looked deep into my own pale green ones.

I pulled his face towards mine, and as my lips touched his, I whispered. 'Yes, with all my heart, yes.' I heard his shuddered breath escape, before our lips found each others, and the world slowed. Our natural instincts took over, as we pleasured each other. Each touch, each caress, each kiss, now meant so much more. Even here in this stable, we rose to a higher plane, now committed to each other body and soul. Cherishing this moment, we lost ourselves in each other, neither time nor place impacting on the consummation of our love. Our hands clasped together, our eyes locked, we stared deep into each others hearts, as we rode the tidal wave that pushed us over the edge, and here in Kevin's arms I found a new heaven. Coming back down to earth, he held me tight with in the circle of his arms, we were reluctant to let each other go. Reluctant to spoil the mood, he raised himself on his elbow, and brushed a lock of hair from my eyes, 'I love you, so much, you know that?' His green eyes were serious, intent and gazed steadily at me. I let my fingers drift over his face. 'I know. What we share is special Kev. I know that we'll fight, and we'll make up, because that's us. But I know that together, we'll share our highs and lows, and that it we'll be alright, because we'll be together, always.'

He smiled. 'Together always. I like the sound of that.' He kissed me, his lips lingering softly on mine. I sighed, then reality intruded. I giggled. "Kevin, poor Carlos, he'll be wondering where on earth we are, and Brian and Sue. God we'll be in strife when they find us, and then we've left Howie all alone.

'You're right' he laughed 'We should maybe get dressed and go face the music.' We straightened up the best we could, and hunting around for my hat I finally found it looking squashed and a bit the worse for wear. I watched as Kevin fiddled in his pocket, like he was looking for something. He caught my eye and smiled shyly. In two strides he was in front of me and had hold of my hand. 'I was actually planning to propose in a grander setting than this, but it just felt right to ask you at that moment.' He slipped a beautiful white gold diamond ring on my finger, the diamond was nestled between two sapphires, which were my birthstone. I looked into his eyes, they were shining with love and happiness. 'Oh Kev, this is beautiful, so beautiful, oh I love you so much, and I'll remember this day forever, nothing could have been grander than this stable Kevin , nothing.' I flung myself into his arms, the happiest woman alive. He kissed me quickly and smiled, ' I will remember as well, but babe we better go though, We are going to be in enough trouble as it is.' He unbolted the stable door and pushed it open slowly, and grabbing my hand we walked outside. Kevin stopped suddenly causing me to bump into him. I looked from behind him. Oh god, it was Brian and Sue, looking a little ragged around the edges. A funny feeling tugged at the back of my mind, surly not, I thought to myself, it would be way to amusing.

'Kevin, where on earth have you been?' Brian asked with a smile in his voice.

'Um, hiding out, Carlos is looking for you.' Kevin hedged.

Brian laughed "Tom is looking for you too.'

'And Howie is looking for all of us.' I added.

"Kevin, you have hay in your hair.' Sue pointed out laughing at us. I knew they knew what we'd been up to, and I thought my suspicions about them were right as well. Kevin grinned lovingly at me, he's eyes shining with laughter. Then he looked across at Sue, and reached over and plucked a piece of hay from her hair. 'Why Sue, so do you. I wonder why that would be ?'

'Probably the same reason why Jac has her hat all crumpled up." Brian pointed out.

'Brian you should speak, look at your.' I burst out laughing.

'Jac!!' Sue squealed at me.

'What?' I looked at her puzzled.

'You and Kevin !'

'Yes ?'. She held out her hand proudly showing off her engagement ring and my eyes widened with surprise and I gasped 'You too ? Oh my God, this is so incredible. Brian did you propose in that stable?'

'Yes I did.' He said proudly, he tenderly dropped a kiss on Sue's head. Kevin laughed loudly throwing his head back. He looked at Sue and Brian, then back at me, his love glowing in his eyes. 'I proposed to Jac in there too.' He pointed to the door we'd just walked out of. 'And a little bit more than that I bet.' I heard Brian laugh. Kevin pulled me towards him turning me in his arms and said. 'I love this girl with everything in my heart and soul. I want her to be mine forever.' He leaned in and kissed me, tenderly sealing his vow. Brian looked at Sue, his eyes alight with his emotions. 'Ditto'. He said before pulling her into a passionate embrace. No of us caring if the world saw us.

We heard a clatter of excitement behind us, and Howie came rushing over to us. 'Where the hell have you all been. We've been looking everywhere for you. We almost got the police involved, I have been worried sick. Howie babbled on. All four of us were still lost in our own little world, barely registering his words. 'Hey you four, listen to me. Where have you been?' Howie pleaded.

'Spending a little private time with our fiancees.' Brian told Howie his eyes never leaving Sue's shining hazel ones.

'You should have told someone, we've been frantic especially since I thought Jac and Kevin were arguing .. Woah , hold on what did you say.. your fiancee's ?'

'Yep, fiancee's, I asked Jac to marry me.' Kevin said proudly, looking at me with love in his eyes and a smile on his face.

'And I asked Sue to marry me.' Brian added.

'But you two were arguing. 'Howie said pointedly at Kevin.

'Well, you know us. We only do that so we can make up again. ' I told Howie with a slight guilty grin, I knew all four of us were just emersed in our happiness and were barely registering the fact that Howie was here with us. We were interrupted by the sight of two big burly bodyguards, Tom and Carlos looking frantic. The look of concern and worry on their faces stilled all conversation. It was now the realisation of what we'd put these two nice men through sank in to the four of us. Not only were they our protection, but they were our friends, and our wayward behaviour had seriously worried them. Howie also was right to be mad at us, we'd left him alone and I knew how sweet he was. He would have worried about Kevin and I arguing. Sue caught my eye and nodded in the direction of the stables, we walked away, leaving the men to talk this out. It was always going to be hard for us to have some semblance of normality in our lives, but it was worth any sacrifice to share our lives with these two special men.

'So Jac I can't believe we've both just become engaged. I knew we were connected in more ways than one. Our guys are connected too.' Sue said excitedly to me.

'It's the Kentucky connection I guess, ' I smiled 'They are Kentucky's finest cousins after all.' I couldn't resist calling them that. Sue and I had come across a website called that. And we'd nicknamed Kevin and Brian Kentucky's finest cousins.

'Oh Jac it was so romantic. Who would think being in a horse stable being thought of as romantic, but when Brian got up on one knee and asked me to marry him, I couldn't even answer him. I was nodding my head and yes wouldn't even come out.' Sue sighed, a far off look in her eyes. I giggled infectiously and Sue's interest was piqued, knowing I was about to amuse her no end. We had become very close, and could read each other like a book. She looked inquiringly at me her eyebrows raised as if to say well spill it.

'You'll never guess, but we ended up in the stable because we fell through the door while kissing. And well one thing led to another, and you know us… we were starkers in the hay, when he asked me' I could feel myself blushing and giggled. ' I know I egged Kev on a bit, but Sue it felt different, the mood was different, and he asked me to marry him, and as if I could say no, I love him so much' Sue laughed

'Starkers ? At least we had gotten dressed again after our roll in the hay.' She giggled 'The look on your faces when you walked out of that barn was priceless.' I saw Sue had a far of dreamy look in her eyes again, and I knew she was thinking of her own proposal, she was twisting her ring around. 'Jac show me your ring again.' She asked 'It's beautiful Jac. We are the two luckiest girls in the world aren't we.'

'Sue, we are the happiest girls in the world.' I said with a smile a mile wide. 'We love our men.'

It was then the guys joined us, Brian going straight to Sue, pulling her in his arms, and they walked towards to VIP tent. Tom trailing behind, looking relieved. Kevin smiled, and held out his hand 'Shall we join them, my love?' I straightened his hat, placed a kiss on his nose, and took his outstretched hand and with a smile at Howie and Carlos, I knew all was well. I was here with my man, I was loved, and I loved in return.

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