After riding the Big Shot at the top of the Stratosphere, we had eaten in the revolving restaurant. Brian and Nick had taken a while to settle down because they were both freaked by the Big Shot and by eating in a restaurant so high up. It was a lot of fun and the food was great. After the meal Kevin, Howie, Brian and Nick had all hit the gambling tables. I’m sat in the bar with Jade and AJ. It’s really cool cos the three of us used to always be hanging out together and lately we haven’t had the chance.
“Ya see that pool in the hotel?” asks AJ and we shake our heads. “Dudes, it’s wicked! It has this Jacuzzi in the middle.”
“In our hotel?” asks Jade excitedly.
“Yeah! I wanted to go in before but it closed at six I think.”
“Duh AJ,” I roll my eyes at him. “You’re a Backstreet Boy. Ya REALLY gotta learn how to abuse it.”
“Huh?” he looks confused before grinning. “Oh! Ya mean I could go and order it to be opened JUST for me? Yeah! Hey, wanna go swim?”
“Yeah!” Jade says happily. “Let’s go now.”
“Ok,” I shrug. “I could do with lazin’ in a load of bubbles.”
“Cool,” AJ stands up and we follow him. As we reach the exit, Jade stops.
“I’d better go tell Brian where I’m goin’,” she says and walks away.
“Ditto for Nick,” I say.
“Jeez,” AJ mutters impatiently.
I walk over to where Brian is watching a hand of poker intently. I wrap my arms around him from behind and kiss his neck.
“Hey baby.”
“Hey Mrs Littrell,” he whispers, turning around to pull me into him for a long kiss.
“Aren’t you playing?” I gesture towards the poker game.
“I’m waitin’ for somebody to drop out.”
“Ah, ok. Hey, I’m gonna go back to the hotel with Ali and AJ. Ali’s talked AJ into abusing his fame and gettin’ the pool opened for us.”
“Sounds good,” Brian smiles. “Wanna wait awhile and I’ll join?”
“Just come back whenever you’re ready,” I tell him. “I’d kinda like to have a little time with Ali and AJ.”
“What about me?” he says a little quietly, letting go of me.
“I used to spend all my time with Ali and AJ, but now I spend it with you.” I reach for his hands. “Just because I want a little time with them doesn’t mean I don’t want time with you.”
“You spend lots of time with them.”
“Yeah, but you’re always with us.”
“Gee, thanks,” he says as he turns away from me. I realise how that comment must’ve sounded and walk round to face him again.
“I didn’t mean it in that way. It’s just… Whenever you’re around, I have no time for anyone else cos all I can see is you,” I see his eyes soften and he wraps his arms around me.
“You say the sweetest things… Eventually,” he chuckles and kisses me. “Ok, so go,” he lets go of me and gives me a little push towards AJ. “But I will be along in a coupla hours.”
“Good,” I smile and walk back to AJ.
“All set?” I ask walking back to Jade and AJ.
They both nod and we head outside to a car. Around an hour later we are changed and stood in the hotel lobby as AJ tries out his “don’t you know who I am?” act on the assistant manager.
“Could we get the key to the pool?” he starts off and the woman blinks at him.
“I’m sorry sir but the pool closed at six. It will open again at seven tomorrow morning.”
“Aw,” he bats his eyelashes at her and Jade and I snicker slightly. “I’ve just had a real tiring day… I had to rehearse this dance cos I’m a BACKSTREET BOY,” he emphasises. “And I think I pulled a muscle cos I’m real sore… And I got this whole day of promotions tomorrow and I just wanted to relax a little…”
“Well I do sympathise sir,” she starts but he cuts her off with a wide smile.
“See, the manager did say we could have anything we wanted and… Well, the MGM Grand would let me use their pool but…”
The assistant manager’s face hardens at the mention of their nearest rival and she reaches for a key under the desk, “There’s no need sir, we would be happy for you to use our pool.”
“Really? Oh, you are just WONDERFUL!” AJ enthuses dramatically as she hands over the key.
“No problem sir,” she smiles. “Would you like me to switch on the Jacuzzi?”
“Oh please,” AJ smiles widely and walks away in the direction of the elevator, Jade and I following in his wake. When the elevator doors close, he starts to laugh. “That was EASY… And kinda arousing too…”
“AJ!” Jade and I groan as he chuckles.
“Hey, I’m a guy,” he defends. “We like power trips.”
“You hide it well,” I say dryly as we unlock the pool door and step inside. The dark water shimmers in the dim light and in the middle a Jacuzzi starts to bubble. “Where’s the changing room?” I look around as Jade just pulls off her shirt and wriggles out of her pants.
“Who needs a changing room Ali?” she grins. She had put her bikini on underneath her clothes. I glance at AJ and see him trying, and failing, to subtly check out her body as she dives into the water. Seconds later she surfaces and smoothes back her hair with a satisfied smile. “The water’s great. What’re you waitin’ for?”
“Not a clue,” AJ mutters before pulling off his own clothes and diving in, his boxers doubling as trunks. He surfaces near Jade and splashes her. “This is JUST what I needed.”
“Me too,” she grins and I start to get changed quickly.
A few seconds later, I’m also savouring the warm water.
Around twenty minutes later the three of us are relaxing in the Jacuzzi when the door opens and the other four Backstreet Boys saunter in. Howie fans out a wad of $100 notes with a huge grin.
“Hey, I guess you won,” grins Jade and he nods.
“Of course.”
“Anybody else?” she looks at the others who just look glum and laughs. “Ah well.”
“How much did you lose baby?” I ask Nick who is looking sheepish.
“Oh not much,” he casts a nervous glance at Kevin.
“How much?” I ask again.
“Uh, only about $2000…”
“Whoa,” my eyes widen and Jade splutters slightly.
“Nick!” yells Kevin. “You told me it wasn’t much!”
“Well it wasn’t!” Nick says. “Not really…”
“Aw baby, I guess you’ll just have to sign up for the doll version of yourself. That should bring in a few dollars,” I tease him.
“No way!” he says adamantly and Kevin laughs.
“Things’d have to get pretty bad before THAT,” Kevin says.
“The water looks good,” Brian crouches down to dip his fingers in the water.
“It is,” AJ says. “Come in guys.”
“Uh, I’ve already gotten wet once tonight,” Howie says. “My hair will be AWFUL tomorrow as it is.” We all laugh as he runs his fingers through his hair.
“I’m with Howie,” says Kevin. “I’m kinda likin’ being dry.”
“Ditto,” grins Brian.
“Aw,” Jade pouts at him and he laughs.
“Sorry baby.”
“Nick…” I start to say but before I finish his name he has stripped down to his boxers and dived in to join me.
“Mm, the water is perfect,” he grins before kissing me. “You warm it right up.”
I ignore the groans coming from Jade and AJ to kiss Nick right back.
“Oh save us,” AJ rolls his eyes.
“Well, I am gonna go to bed,” says Kevin. “G’night y’all.”
“Me too,” Howie grins and follows Kevin out of the room.
“I’m kinda tired too,” Brian says looking at Jade.
“Aw, just come in for ONE swim…” she begs him and he shakes his head.
“I’m real tired honey. I barely slept last night and I got a big day ahead.”
“Ok, whatever,” she says and turns away from him. I look at him and see him sigh slightly. He looks very tired and very torn – torn between Jade and his physical needs.
“Wanna come with me?” he asks her hopefully.
“Why? You’re just gonna fall asleep. Big whoop,” she says without even looking at him. He stares at her back in silence before walking out slowly.
“Hey you, what’s up?” I ask her as Nick and AJ start trying to channel the Jacuzzi bubbles for some weird reason known only to themselves.
“What?” she looks at me.
“You know. What was with the attitude towards Bri? He looks tired. Where’s the crime in that?”
“Like it’d be really exhausting just lying here in the bubbles with me,” she mutters.
“He’s entitled to his choice,” I say before turning away from her to join Nick and AJ.
After a few minutes, Jade swims to the side and climbs out, “I’m gonna go to bed. See y’all tomorrow.”
I open the room door as quietly as I can and creep inside. It’s dark and I can just about make out Brian’s shape under the bed sheets. I slip out of my wet bikini and towel myself off before slipping under the sheets next to him. I put an arm over his back and gently kiss his head. He murmurs sleepily and turns to face me. He opens his eyes slightly and then closes them with a smile. I rest my head against his shoulder.
“Sorry ‘bout being bitchy before,” I whisper.
“S’ok.”
“I love you Mr Littrell.”
He smiles and rolls onto his side to wrap his arms around me. “And I love you Mrs Littrell.”
I kiss the tip of his nose and snuggle into his warm body. “Now get some sleep.”
“Yes ma’am,” he chuckles and closes his eyes.
I lie encircled by his arms as his breathing slows down and his face slowly relaxes into sleep. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so loved or safe in my life before. You know how people say there’s a place and a time that just makes everything feel so right? This is mine.