| Colby exited the store and walked north on Fifth Avenue. The air was crisp and she delighted in the feeling it gave her as she fell in step with the crowd. The holidays were fast approaching and you could feel the anticipation in the people as they walked along the street. She still couldn’t believe she was actually here. When Brian had suggested she accompany him on this trip to New York, she had said an emphatic no. She needed to stay in Lexington and get her shop ready for Christmas and besides she had been gone nearly three weeks and needed to get back to some kind of normal routine. And there was this nagging thought in the back of her mind that people would talk if they found out she had gone away with him. But he wouldn’t hear of it, proving once again his stubbornness and single-minded nature. She finally gave in only so he would stop his incessant pleading. When she finally agreed, his smile lit up his face as he took her in his arms telling her not to worry about the busy bodies in town. She laughed at his comment but that gnawing feeling wouldn’t go away. Somehow her life was still not her own. Colby wondered if it would ever be. When they returned from the beach Brian moved into the house. Colby had been under the impression that all his furniture still needed to be shipped too. But when they arrived the morning after their return, Colby found the house strewn with boxes and furniture haphazardly placed all over. So with the help of Brian’s parents and his brother, by evening they had the place livable. Colby and Jackie had left the men to move and place all the furniture while they tackled the kitchen and bathrooms. Colby noticed that Brian had refinished the trestle table and chairs in the kitchen and the wrought iron rack over the workstation gleamed in the afternoon sunshine. All the artwork he had chosen still sat in their cartons. Colby removed the pieces thinking back to the first time he had brought her to the house. Brian came upon her and saw the distant look in her eyes. It seemed so long ago and so much had happened since that hot summer afternoon. They hung the pieces exactly where Colby had suggested and as they all sat around the table in the kitchen talking after sharing a delicious meal, it felt like a home. Colby spent that first night with Brian. She tried to leave, arguing it wasn’t proper, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He made slow, sweet love to her and she fell asleep in his arms. Upon awaking the next morning Colby told him that this couldn’t happen again. As much as she loved him, there was no way she could keep spending the night. For the sake of appearances, she had to sleep in her own bed. Yet here she was staying with him at the Plaza, not only sharing his room but his bed. Colby pushed the button for their floor and the elevator made its slow ascent. It was their last night and Brian had secured tickets to a play and made dinner reservations. He had given her explicit instructions to be ready by six. Colby glanced at her watch. It was only four. That gave her a couple of hours to shower and maybe even take a nap. Their three days here had flown by. Brian had been busy every day with recording sessions and some radio interviews. This was all so new to Colby. Life of a corporate executive had not really prepared her for this. From the minute they landed in Newark, they were recognized, well Brian was, wherever they went. He never left the suite without his trusty ball cap and a pair of dark glasses. It helped some, but somehow the fans always managed to find him. She kept a low profile, fading into the crowd and letting his security take charge. She was never far away, but she wasn’t ready for the world to look on them as a couple yet. And so far there had been no leaks to the media about them being together. Their suite was empty upon her return but a message on the phone from Brian told her he should be back no later than five. Colby ordered some tea and took a shower to prepare for their evening out. She was toweling her hair when a knock on the door brought her out of her daydreaming. She pulled the plush robe tighter around her waist as she walked to the door. She was greeted by a pair of deep green eyes, set in a face with a chiseled jaw and framed by a shock of mid length jet-black hair. Colby stood speechless at the presence of this stranger and totally oblivious to the fact that a young man from room service was also standing there with her tea order. A grin curled on the lips of the green-eyed man as the waiter cleared his throat. “Miss,” the waiter said, “your order.” Colby shook her head and went to pay for it. The man refused saying it would be taken care of. Colby tried to argue but was cut short. “Brian won’t stand for it,” the taller man said, “you know. Besides it’s a pot of tea and a few scones. It won’t break him.” He laughed at his comment. His eyes danced as he spoke and Colby felt uncomfortable under his gaze. She stepped aside to let the waiter roll in the cart. Colby stood with the door ajar as the man removed the contents of the cart to the table. He eyed them both as he left the room, a silly grin on his face. “Do I know you?” Colby questioned, averting her eyes as she tugged at the collar of the robe. “No. But Brian has mentioned you.” He smiled at her, but this time it was warm and friendly not mocking like before. “Kevin,” he extended his hand, “Brian’s cousin.” Colby’s mouth dropped. She slowly took his hand, his grip firm yet gentle at the same time. “Colby. How do you do.” “Very well. You?” “I’m sorry. Please come in.” Colby stepped back and Kevin entered the suite. Brian wasn’t sparing any expense during his stay, Kevin noted as his eyes roamed the room. Long double doors at one end indicated a bedroom obviously. The suite was well appointed but not overly done, elegant but tasteful. Colby moved to the sofa and motioned for her guest to sit. She sat on the edge of the easy chair, still disconcerted at the unexpected visitor. “You didn’t answer me.” Kevin sat back on the sofa, looking her square in the eyes. “I didn’t? I’m…I’m fine. Will you excuse me?” She returned a few minutes later in a pair of jeans and an UK tee shirt. Kevin sensed her uneasiness but seemed to be enjoying the little game. “Tea?” Kevin nodded and Colby flushed as she poured a cup and handed it to him. She poured one for herself as well taking longer than usual to add sugar and lemon. She handed the plate of scones to Kevin avoiding his gaze. Where was Brian? “Um, Brian should be back soon,” Colby said. “He said by five and it’s almost…” She checked the clock. It was only four thirty. Half hour! She let out a sigh. “Actually I just came to drop off this sheet music.” He dropped a large brown envelope on the table. “It’s a song we’ve been working on.” Colby nodded. The cup rattled in her hand and Kevin came and sat closer taking the cup from her and placing it on the table. “Will you calm down,” he said gently. “I won’t bite.” That devilish smile returned and Colby let out a nervous laugh. “I really could have waited to give him the music, but I was curious. He said you might be here, so I took a chance. I’m sorry if my showing up has set you on edge.” Colby detected that same easy drawl in Kevin’s voice. And even though he looked nothing like Brian, except for the jaw line, there was the same kindness in his manner. “You must excuse me and accept my apology. I wasn’t expecting anyone, let alone you.” Kevin’s eyebrows raised at her remark. “That didn’t come out right. I’m just a bit nervous about meeting the rest of you and being publicly acknowledged as Brian’s…” Colby stopped. What actually was she? Girlfriend? She felt too old to be called that. Significant other? She hated that term. Lover? Well, it was true but she didn’t want to see it in print. “I understand. I would feel the same way. But I’ll let you in on a secret.” He leaned in. “You pass muster.” Now Colby raised her eyebrows. “You are everything Brian said.” Colby blushed at the compliment. “We can be a tough crowd but that’s because we’re only looking out for each other’s welfare. He told me you might be nervous and I should take it easy on you.” She eyed him warily and he laughed. “Now relax.” The ice had been broken and Colby settled back in the chair as she and Kevin got to know each other, sharing another cup of tea as well as a few laughs. And this is how Brian found them when he returned. When Colby heard the door, Kevin noticed the change in her as Brian entered the room and came directly to her dropping a light kiss on her lips and caressing her face. This was different than all the others that had recently come in and out of Brian’s life. Kevin could tell. This was for a lifetime. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ They said their good-byes at the curb. Kevin gave Colby a big hug. “I hope you’ll forgive me.” Her look was puzzled. “For throwing you off your axis and just showing up out of the blue.” She nodded. “As long as you do the same,” she laughed. He nodded and a smile spread across his face. “Well, cuz,” Kevin gave Brian a familial hug, “see you back home for Thanksgiving. You too Colby.” She shot Brian a look and he just put his arm around her. “You bet, Kev.” A car pulled up at the curb and Brian opened the door for Colby. As they drove away Kevin stood waving. Colby noticed another car arrive and Kevin disappeared behind dark windows. “I like him,” Colby said as she nestled against Brian. “He took me by surprise but once I calmed down we had a nice conversation.” “Kevin’s the best. Too serious sometimes and a hard taskmaster, but he’s always there to listen or lend a shoulder to lean on. If it wasn’t for him, I might not have made it in the early days.” Before she could ask about his comment he pulled her closer as the car made it’s way through the midtown traffic. “I want tonight to be special for us, Colby, being our last night.” She looked up into his eyes and he cupped her face in his hands placing a soft kiss on her lips. The kiss was tender and sweet and somehow it set Colby reeling. The gentleness of his touch and the pressure of his lips on hers were enough to make her heart pound in her chest. His lips lingered a bit and Colby wrapped her hand around his neck not wanting him to stop. But the car, coming to an abrupt stop, brought them back to reality. They had barely traveled a few blocks but Brian seeing they had reached their destination stepped out and offered his hand to Colby. Brian had made reservations at the Tavern on the Green in Central Park. They made their way to the dining room and were escorted to a table in a corner that had a view overlooking the park. “Brian, this is beautiful. I’ve never been here before. It’s perfect.” She smiled as the maitre ‘d helped with her chair. “I told you I wanted something special. I mean every minute with you is special and I could eat pizza on the floor of our suite with you and love it, but I wanted to do this for us.” He took her hand. “I just wanted tonight to be one we’ll remember.” Colby detected the serious tone in his voice. “This whole trip has been wonderful, Brian. I won’t forget any of it.” “Even Kevin’s impromptu visit?” He grinned, his eyes sparkling in the candlelight. “Yes, even his visit. Speaking of Kevin Brian, what did you mean before about him helping you in the early days?” He took a sip of water as the memories flooded his mind. It seemed like a lifetime ago. “Well he had been gone to Florida for a while working at Disney. And even though singing had always been a dream of mine I was looking at a scholarship to a Bible College in Cincinnati when Kevin called all those years ago. I knew it was a great opportunity but leaving home was hard. My parents had their own reservations, since I still had a year of school to complete, but for me going so far away was a big step. “ A half smile crossed his face. “I came in cold. They all knew each other, well Nick, Howie and AJ did. But here I was with no real experience except for singing in the church choir and I land this gig.” The waiter brought their wine and poured them each a glass. “They needed a fifth voice and Kevin felt I could be what they needed. Those first couple of years it was almost like boot camp. We rarely got home. The guys were great, but I missed my family and still do when we’re gone for long stretches of time. Kevin was my link to family. He helped me get through the holidays we were away, the family celebrations that happened without us.” Colby held his hand as he spoke rubbing her thumb back and forth. His eyes grew sad as he talked about those early years when money was tight and they worked long hours rehearsing. “It is easier now though.” It was more of a statement than a question. “Yes. We have more control. In the beginning you’re aching to make it big, catch the rising star so you agree to all the publicity, live performances, tour after tour. But by early 1998 we started to realize we needed to slow down a bit.” “That was before your surgery right?” He nodded. “You’ve been doing your homework.” “I told you I had checked you out.” Colby smiled. “It was going back out on tour eight weeks to the day of my surgery that did it. I was scared. I didn’t know if I had the stamina to perform night after night, but we were locked in. We eventually sought new management and took more control. Now don’t get me wrong I love the touring and as we became more successful I was able to have my family join me on occasion but I like coming home, sleeping in my own bed, fixing meals, driving myself. Doing the normal stuff that the average guy finds boring. This is real life.” His eyes held hers; their hands still clasped together. “I want what anyone wants, a home, a wife, a family.” Colby felt her face flush a bit at his last words. “And someday I will have them all.” He lifted his glass to her. “To us, Colby.” She took a sip of the amber liquid never letting her gaze leave his. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ They stood at the curb their hands clasped as they waited for the car. Colby leaned into Brian and kissed his cheek. “Tonight was wonderful, thank you.” “You’re welcome but the night is not over yet.” He raised his eyebrow a sly grin across his face as he kissed her softly. The car pulled up and Brian helped Colby in and they were whisked away. He had surprised her with tickets to Phantom. How he managed fifth row orchestra seats he wouldn’t say. She had sat spellbound as the play unfolded before them and Brian would catch glimpses of her as she was transported to Paris and the Opera House. He held her close as the car weaved through the New York traffic. Colby could feel his breath against her ear and it sent a shiver down her spine. She squirmed a bit and Brian tilted her face to his and kissed her. His tongue played across her lips seeking entry. She opened her mouth and he sought out every corner. His hand held her head and the kiss grew more passionate and Colby moaned against him. He moved his hand down along her neck and slipped her jacket off her shoulders as his lips left soft kisses along her skin. “Bri,” she couldn’t say anymore as his mouth devoured hers again. “Bri…Brian, slow down,” she finally panted. “I don’t want to. I love you and I want you so bad.” He kissed her along the swell of her breasts and Colby’s head fell back against the seat as her body began to respond to him. There was a rap on the window and they noticed the car had stopped. Colby sat up and fixed her jacket and Brian opened the door. The driver stood aside as they exited the car reminding Brian he would return in the morning at ten to take them to the airport. They entered the lobby and Brian kept a quick pace to the elevator banks. He pushed the button for their floor and the doors closed. He turned his eyes dark and full of passion. He gathered her in his arms and picked up where he had left off in the car. She could feel his arousal through his pants and it only heightened her need as well. When they reached their floor he took her hand and practically dragged her down to their room. “Brian, slow down,” they both laughed and he shook his head. “No. I want you now.” When they reached their room he took out the key card. Brian fumbled with the card in the slot. “I hate these things. Keys are so much simpler.” He slid it through again and still the door would not open. He was getting frustrated and Colby ran her hand along his back trying to soothe him, but it only increased his desire to get her in their room as quickly as possible. He took a breath and tried again and finally he was able to get the card and door handle to work together. He took her hand and pulled her into the room pushing her against the door as he closed it. His mouth crashed against hers as his hips moved seductively against her body. Colby moaned against him and could feel a familiar wetness begin to pool between her legs. She held onto him as he moved his mouth along her throat to the swell of her breasts. “Ah hem.” Colby opened her eyes and Brian stopped midstream with his mouth on her chest. He turned to see a silhouette against the window. He flicked on the switch. |