The rest of the guys, especially Kevin, couldn't stop watching Laura do what she was trained to do. She worked with great precision and with amazing speed. Howie was done in no time. "Wow, that looks great! What'cha think, guys--won't I look mah-velous for the camera?" he asked as he preened in front of the mirror. "Yeah you look great, but you're gonna have to get out of the way so the rest of us can get ready, ya Prima Donna," AJ joked and pushed Howie aside so he could sit down.
It took Laura a bit longer to do AJ's makeup because he kept making sound effects with everything she did. Every time she moved, there was a "creak" or a "squeak." Laura laughed. "Damn it, Alexander, stop that!" she commanded like an old school marm. "Yes Ma'am!" he said saluting her. Laura just rolled her eyes and soon finished with him. He stood up and surveyed himself in the mirror, then turned to face everyone else. "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful," he joked, as he strutted around the room. What a clown, Laura thought as Brian sat down.
Brian was doing similar things to make Laura laugh, including Jim Carrey impressions. "Ya know, if y'all keep cracking me up I'll never get you done," Laura said smiling. Quickly Brian calmed down and sat still. When he was done, he, AJ and Howie went to the wardrobe room to get into their first set of clothes. Laura then started Nick. "Remember, I don't like a lot of makeup--makes my face feel heavy. Don't really wear any onstage either 'cuz I sweat it all off anyway," he added. "Yessir! I remember!" Laura said with a smile as she glanced at the clock. She only had about a half hour, so she got Nick done fast and he was off to wardrobe.
Last, but certainly not least, was Kevin. Her heart did a flutter when she saw him walking up to her. I can't believe how amazing he is, and how kind and sensitive and... Kevin spoke and cut off her train of thought. "I guess I'm next," he said as he sat down. Again Laura had to focus on her task, but it wasn't going to be easy. She smiled warmly at Kevin as she began on him. "If you want my opinion, I don't think you need any makeup," she said, gazing into his eyes. Kevin blushed at the compliment. "Well, tell the camera that," he chuckled. Laura laughed too, as she continued her work. Kevin watched her work so diligently in the mirror. He admired her drive to pursue a career that she loved to do over doing something that would have paid more money, especially in a world that has become so materialistic. Knowing that about her, he knew she was a person of strong morals, which was very important to him. Kevin smiled as she finished and he checked himself in the mirror. "You done wonderful again, beautiful," he said as he took her in his arms. Laura felt so safe there--she knew then and there that Kevin would never hurt her. She stood on her toes to kiss him, then told him he better get to wardrobe to get dressed. Kevin kissed her again and they walked down there together.
AJ and Howie were already sitting in the hallway waiting, and Brian was just on his way out of the wardrobe room. Laura whistled at them when she and Kevin got closer. "Wow, look at you guys," she said as she made adjustments to collars, touched up their hair, and other last minute things. Kevin smiled at her as he went to change also. Nick emerged a couple minutes later. "Damn!" Laura said as she looked at him, then all 4 of them. "What some fine-lookin' men!" she said. They all smiled at her in appreciation as they headed to the studio. Just as they rounded the corner, Kevin came out, dressed and ready for the camera. "Well?" he said as he turned around. "Well--" Laura replied as she put her arms around him, "in MY opinion, I think you look the best!" Kevin kissed her gently on the lips. "Thank you, m'dear," he said as he took her arm and they walked down to the photo studio together.
"Kevin, over here!" a photographer yelled. Kevin sighed and blew Laura a kiss as he walked over to where the first photos were to be taken. Laura watched everything that was happening around her. Props being moved, orders being yelled, cameras getting set and focused. It was so new and exciting to her. Then there was Kevin. Laura looked at him as he took his place with the rest of the guys. He saw her looking his way and again smiled and blew her another kiss. Laura felt as though her feet weren't even touching the floor. She always thought is was so romantic when a man did little things like that to show love and affection. And Kevin was definitely a romantic. Laura smiled at that thought as she watched picture after picture, pose after pose, and several wardrobe changes. It was almost 3 hours later before they were done. All 5 guys were ready to fall over in exhaustion, especially because this photo shoot was just after a long bus ride.
Kevin smiled tiredly at Laura as he approached her. "What now, sweetie?" Laura asked Kevin as he sat down and she massaged his shoulders. "Well for starters, you can keep doing that," he joked. Then he stood up, and started walking to the wardrobe room with her. Kevin changed clothes and he and Laura headed upstairs to their room. All the other guys were upstairs already, probably making plans for dinner. "So, what's the agenda tonight?" Laura asked. "Where does everyone want to go eat?"
"Well, if AJ had his way, we'd all be at McDonald's," Kevin joked. Laura laughed. He continued, "Actually I was thinking--they could maybe do without us for tonight, and we could just stay here and order room service. I mean, after all, we have something pretty significant to celebrate." Kevin took Laura in his arms and kissed her, then concluded, "US." Laura smiled at the idea of "us." Never had she thought that she would find someone again that treated her with respect, dignity, and such adoration as Mike did, but even more so. She couldn't quite explain it, but there was just something more about Kevin that Mike didn't have. But that was unfair, because they are 2 different people. So Laura agreed. It was the beginning of something new and exciting for both of them. "Why don't you do whatever you need to do to relax. You worked hard today. Soak in the tub, or take a long hot shower, and I'll arrange everything for dinner." Laura smiled as she kissed Kevin before heading into the bathroom.
Laura decided that a hot shower was what she needed. The bus ride was long and by the time they got settled into the hotel room, they had to be downstairs for the shoot. Laura sighed as the water hit her skin, and washed away her tension from the day. She thought of all the times, as a fan, that she thought of how hard the Backstreet Boys worked, but even knowing that they worked hard, she was still surprised. They were very professional too. She was especially impressed with the way Kevin handles himself. She definitely saw that he was the "big brother" of the group, as she had always read was his unspoken role in the group. Then she thought of how meeting Howie, and all of the guys, had changed her life, and how glad she was that she followed her heart rather than her brain. Even though she thought she shouldn't do this, she knew in her heart it was going to be the best thing for her. And if her only purpose in taking this job was to meet Kevin, then she felt it's purpose was served. He was definitely one in a million, and she felt fortunate to have met him when she did. Nicole then entered her thoughts. She wondered if Nicole was watching over Kevin, and if she approved of her getting involved with him. Laura even wondered if she had something to do with her and Kevin meeting. Maybe Nicole knew that Kevin needed someone in his life again, and saw that someone in her. Whatever it was, Laura was thankful.
Laura got out of the shower and dried off. She slipped on a robe and dried and combed her hair. Just then Kevin knocked on the door. "You OK in there?" he asked. Laura smiled. "Yes, sweetie, I'm great. I'll be out in a minute," she said. "Great," Kevin responded, "because dinner is ready." Already? Laura thought as she finished up and left the bathroom.
Laura stood in amazement as she took in the scene before her. There were a few candles sitting around, and a candlelit dinner ready on the table. "Oh my God... Kevin, how did you--" Kevin silenced her by putting his lips on hers ever so gently. "Baby, this is your night--our night," he said as he lead her to the table. Kevin held out her chair for her and she sat down, still overwhelmed by the gesture he had made for her. Kevin then sat down himself and they began eating. There was soft music playing in the background. Kevin couldn't help but notice how beautiful Laura looked with the candlelight caressing her skin. Soon he felt compelled to get up and ask her to dance. Laura gladly accepted. From This Moment by Shania Twain was playing. Kevin sang to her while they danced. Laura felt as though this scene was familiar to her, but from where? She honestly didn't care. All she cared about was what was happening at this very moment. "Mr. Richardson," she said, looking up into Kevin's green eyes, "Why are you so good to me? Why me?" she asked. Kevin smiled as he held her closer. "Why NOT you?" he responded as he kissed her tenderly and they continued to dance. This was definitely a night they would both remember...
First page . . .
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