~*~ Any Lengths ~*~

Orchids. The aroma of hundreds of orchids wafted down the hall intoxicating Andi. What did he have planned for her? And why did she have to use the guestroom? What kind of surprise did he have planned? One peek, what would it hurt?

Sure enough, just as AJ had said, Marcus was standing guard at their bedroom door.

"Hey, Marcus. What are you doing?" she purred as she ran her finger down his arm.

"Don’t even try it, Andi," glared Marcus trying hard not to smile. He adored Andi because she was good for AJ. "Alex made it PERFECTLY clear that you are NOT to go in this room until he’s with you."

"Oh, come on, Marcus," pleaded Andi. "What’s one little peek gonna hurt? I promise not to tell Alex."

"NO!" He couldn’t cave in. AJ had gone to great lengths to have everything perfect for her tonight.

"Fine," conceded Andi nonchalantly. Turning with her nose in the air, "See if I get YOU a Christmas present," and off she pranced to the guestroom.

Marcus shook his head and let out a sigh of relief. One bullet dodged. Thank god AJ was coming up to get her to take her downstairs. He wasn’t sure he could withstand another round of her sexy pleading.

Stepping into the candle lit room, Andi found the first source of the intoxicating aroma. Everywhere she looked, there were flowers…tropical flowers of every variety. Spotting a note in one of the arrangements, Andi moved to get it.

Andi giggled at the PS because she knew just what he meant. She had fully expected him to have her completely undressed by the time they pulled away from her grandfather’s house and she wouldn’t have minded one bit. She’d missed feeling his body next to hers.

From behind her, a voice spoke, "Hi, Andi. I’m Fatima."

Startled, Andi whirled around, "You’re here!"

The girls laughed as Fatima said, "Been here. Are you ready?"

"What exactly did Alex ask you to do?" asked Andi curiously.

"Sort of a day at the spa…only in an hour," said Carmen. "We’re going to start with a facial, manicure, and pedicure, then a massage. Then you’ll have a relaxing lavender bath before getting dressed."

"WOW!"

"Alex said he’d be up to escort you down at seven so we need to get started. First thing is to get you out of your gown," said Janna as she moved to help Andi. "Your gown is sooooo beautiful."

"Thanks. Alex actually helped me pick it out. So, how do you know Alex?"

"We’re the dancers for the group," explained Fatima as she took Andi’s headpiece. "I also do the choreography."

"Cool. So you’ve known him a while?"

"About three years, ever since they came back from Europe and started trying to break through here in the US."

The next hour was spent exactly as AJ had planned…Andi being pampered. She asked them questions about Alex wanting to know as much about him as possible and they gladly shared all they could. They also got to know Andi better. By the end of the hour, it was as if they’d known each other forever.

"Now, to get you dressed," said Leigh as she finished the last of Andi’s makeup.

Fatima held up a beautiful two piece white bikini with a wrap. "Alex asked that you wear this."

"It’s gorgeous," whispered Andi in shock. She hadn’t expected all this by any means.

The bathing suit had very little to it. The top covered her breasts and the bottom, well, it covered what needed to be covered and that was it. It was killer on Andi though, accentuating all the right things from her golden skin tone to her legs. Taking the wrap, she tied it around her waist just right leaving enough out to run AJ hot and covering enough to be decent. The final touch was an orchid that Leigh pulled from one of the arrangements and placed in Andi’s hair.

"Shoes?" asked Andi.

"Nope. AJ wants you barefooted," said Fatima as a knock sounded at the door. "There he is and he’s gonna be blown away."

"You think?" asked Andi suddenly nervous.

"Oh yeah," chorused all four ladies as Janna adjusted the flower.

"Relax, Andi! AJ adores you and you’re gonna have fun," whispered Janna as she squeezed Andi’s hands. "You look absolutely breathtaking."

"Now stay right there," instructed Fatima. "The way the light dances on your skin will just make it that much better…and he can’t see you from the door when we open it."

Fatima nodded her head and Carmen opened the door. AJ wanted to rush in but the four ladies blocked his way.

"She’s all ready for you," greeted Fatima as she gave him a kiss.

"Thanks, ladies," gushed AJ anxious to see her. He gave them each a rushed kiss and tried to move around them but Janna blocked his way.

"You’re a lucky man, AJ," whispered Janna as she hugged him.

"Damn lucky," agreed AJ as his eyes found her.

"Catch ya later, Andi," called the ladies before they headed down the hall.

Andi’s eyes were locked on AJ’s and she barely got out, "Later". How in the hell did one man become so hot in an hour’s time? Not that he wasn’t hot before but now…Andi felt her stomach flip. Standing there at the door wearing nothing but a pair of floral print swim trunks, his tattoos standing out on his arms and stomach, he took her breath away. He was also missing his usual dark glasses leaving his eyes visible and her completely helpless.

AJ closed the distance between them quickly and put his hands on her waist. He bent his head slightly covering her mouth with his own. Her lips parted allowing him entrance and he dove in. His hands pulled her closer pressing her against his body as she ran her hands up his arms to the back of his neck where they played in the curls. The kiss was erotic and hot and they both sensed the need to be together.

Pulling out of the kiss, AJ whispered, "I have missed you so much, baby."

"I’ve missed you too, Alex."

"Did you enjoy the treatment from the girls?"

"I could get very use to it," grinned Andi.

"Good because on New Year’s Eve, you and Tabitha have a full day at the spa waiting. Then afterwards, Nick and I are gonna pick you two up, take you to dinner, and then to the party where we have to perform."

"Tabitha will love you forever."

"What about you?"

"I already love you forever. What do you have planned for tonight?"

"Romance, baby," smirked AJ. "You ready?"

"Uh huh."

AJ stepped away and took her hand. Tucking it under his arm, he said, "Right this way, beautiful lady. Your evening awaits you."

As they started out the door, Andi asked, "Alex, what’s up with the bathing suits?"

Grinning, AJ said, "Just be patient, beautiful. Good things come to those who wait."

"I’m NOT going swimming, Alex…it’s too freakin’ cold."

"Baby, that’s what I’m here for…to keep you warm."

"Uh huh," she sighed dreamily as she put her head on his shoulder. "All of this so far has been wonderful, Alex. Thank you."

"I’d do anything for you, baby," whispered AJ as he kissed the top of her head.

AJ led her through the house headed to the dining room. His mind was a whirlwind of things he wanted to say to her but couldn’t. She always did this to him…left him tongue-tied or speechless.

At the door of the dining room, AJ stopped her, "Close your eyes, Andi."

Andi started to protest but one look into his eyes and she stopped. "You know, you could do anything to piss me off but with one look from those eyes and I’d forgive you."

"I’ll have to remember that," smirked AJ. "Now, close YOUR eyes."

Andi complied and AJ led her into the dining room. Giving the signal, tropical island music began to play and AJ whispered from behind, "You can open them now."

In front of her stood a Polynesian lady dressed in an island muu muu and holding a lei made of even more orchids. Placing it on Andi, she kissed her cheek and said, "Aloha and welcome to your island getaway. I am Kaylanie and I will be your hostess for the evening."

Kaylanie moved to AJ and greeted him the same way before leading them to the short table in the center of the room. There were pillows on the sand-covered floor for them to sit on and she motioned for them to sit.

Leaving them alone, AJ leaned to Andi to kiss her. "Well, what do you think?"

Andi was in shock. The entire room had been transformed into a luau complete with tiki torches, palms, sand, and ocean sounds in the background.

"It’s amazing, Alex…but why?"

"I promised you a tropical island honeymoon and I couldn’t give it to you."

"Oh baby," whispered Andi with tears in her eyes. She put her hand on the side of his face as she said, "You didn’t have to do all this, Alex…just being with you is enough."

"But I wanted to, Andrea." Putting his hand on hers, he stared into her eyes, all the way to her soul. As he started to say something though, he was interrupted by his wedding gift to her.

Andi looked around. "Alex, when did you get a dog?"

"Dog?" questioned AJ innocently. "It must have been one of the neighbors’."

There was another ‘yip’. "That came from the kitchen, Alex. Don’t tell me you didn’t hear it."

"Hear what, baby? All I heard was the caterers getting the next dish ready."

The ‘yipping’ began again and this time, there was scratching at the door. "THAT! DO NOT try to play innocent with me, Alex! I know damn well you heard that."

AJ laughed as the hostess opened the door and a cute little fur ball scurried across the sand/floor to where the couple sat. It went immediately into Andi’s lap and curled up into a ball to sleep.

"Ahh….it’s so cute, Alex! Is it yours? When did you get it?" asked Andi excitedly as she stroked the puppy’s head.

"No, he’s not mine and I got him about three days ago. Baby, he’s yours…your wedding present and his name is ‘Vegas’."

"For me?" Andi was stunned once more.

"Yeah, to keep you company while I’m away but it might not be a problem soon," said AJ as he put his hand on her stomach. "Do you like him?"

"He’s adorable. Thank you! God, I’m gonna be saying that all night. Alex…."

Tears fell from her eyes and AJ wiped them away. "Baby, save it. I know how much you’re enjoying it by the look in your eyes…and you can thank me in a DIFFERENT way later. Let me take ‘Vegas’ and I’ll put him back in his playpen until we’re free to play with him."

AJ took ‘Vegas’ from her and quickly got up to go put the puppy up. He wasn’t gone long and returned to continue their evening.

Rekindling Passions        Index