*~*Chapter 23*~*
Howie was laying on the bed,waiting for Kari to come out of the shower.He
had put on some romantic music and lit candles all around the room.They
hadn't been together for awhile,and he wanted to make tonight special for
both of them.He wanted this to be a vacation they'd both remember.
When she came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel,her body still
wet,and saw Howie laying on the bed in only his boxer shorts,she smiled.Then
she noticed the candles and soft music.She walked over to him and stood at
the end of the bed.
"What's all this?," she asked,grinning at him.
He sat up and reached for her."I wanna be with you Kari," he told
her,reaching up to the top of her towel and resting his fingers close to her
breasts.
She slowly took the towel off and let it drop to the floor,all the while
gazing down at him.
He pulled her down on top of him,as she removed his boxer shorts,and they
began to kiss.He moved so he was on top of her and entered her,making her cry
out his name.
"I've missed you so much,Howie," she breathed,as he buried himself deeper
inside of her,and she ran her fingers through his hair,as he moved on top of
her.
She moved her hips in rhythm to his,as their lovemaking became more
intense.After about an hour,they fell exhausted into each other's arms,and he
kissed the top of her head.
"I love you so much Kari," he whispered,as he kissed her arm.
She turned onto her back and gazed up at him."I love you too," she
answered.
*~24~*
Kevin quietly left him and Kelly's cabin and walked down the
hallway,unsure of where he wanted to go.Kelly had fallen asleep and he hadn't
wanted to wake her,so he had decided to get some fresh air.
He noticed Brian standing by the railing gazing out over the water,and
walked up to him.
Brian turned and smiled at him."Hey.What's going on?," he greeted him.
Kevin shrugged."Kelly fell asleep on me so I thought I'd take a stroll,"
he answered.He looked over at Brian."What's going on with you?"
Brian took a deep breath."Me and Karen told each other how we felt," he
told him.He paused."She said she didn't want to get involved with anyone
right now,but when we said goodbye earlier,she kissed me.It's like she's
sending me mixed signals."
Kevin looked out over the water."Did you say something to her?," he asked.
Brian shook his head."She left before I could say anything." He raked his
fingers through his hair."I really like her.I don't know how much longer I
can control myself."
Kevin laughed."I thought you weren't looking for love right now,cuz," he
threw at him.
Brian shook his head."I wasn't until I met her," he admitted.
They stood at the rail talking for awhile longer,then parted and went
back to their cabins.
*~25~*
Erica sighed as she turned onto her back.AJ stirred next to her,and
looked over at her.
"Will you please stop flopping around like a fish out of water?I wanna
get some sleep.I'm beat," he tossed at her.Annoyance rang in his voice.
She sighed."I'm sorry," she told him.She pulled on her robe and walked
over to the window.The moon shone down on the water,cutting into it like
little slivers of ice.
AJ got up and walked over to her."I didn't mean to snap at you,baby.I'm
sorry," he apologized,and she turned and wrapped her arms around him,resting
her head on his chest.
"It's just I can't stop thinking of Taylor.I know she's in good hands,but
I hate being away from her like this,AJ.I miss her like crazy," she told him.
He kissed the top of her head."I miss her too,to be honest.I'm so used to
hearing her cry all night long." He pulled away and gazed at her."Let's give
Denise a call.She's still up,I'm sure."
SHe smiled,and they walked over to the phone.AJ dialed,and a moment later
his mom came on the line.He talked to her for a few minutes,then handed the
phone to Erica.
Erica's face brightened when Denise told her that Taylor was doing
fine,that she had just put her to sleep and there were no problems.
When she hung up,she smiled at AJ."She's doing fine," she told him.
He leaned over and kissed her."I told you she was in good hands," he
remarked.
They got back into bed and he pulled her close to him.Within minutes,both
were asleep.
*~26~*
Karen couldn't sleep;she kept tossing and turning.She couldn't get Brian
off her mind.She was so confused as to how she really felt about him.
They had confessed their true feeling for each other earlier that day,but
when she had told him that she wanted to be just friends with him,she had
been telling a lie.She wanted so much more from him,but she was afraid to
become involved with anyone.
David had scarred her;the way he treated her was awful.She knew that
Brian would never in a million years lay a hand on her out of anger,but
because David had,she now had a mistrust for the entire male species.
When she had kissed Brian goodnight,she hadn't really been thinking;she'd
just done it on impulse.But there was a part of her that was falling for
him,even though she knew she shouldn't.They had only known each other a
little over a week.
She let out a sigh as she stood up and walked over to the window.The
night was dark,and the only lights visible were the ones strewn over the ship.
Brian's cabin was right next to hers,and she strained to see if she could
hear anything.But all was quiet.
A few minutes later,she got back into bed and pulled the sheets tight
around her.Hugging the pillow against her,she layed staring into the darkness
until sleep finally came and rested itself over her.
*~27~*
A few days later,the day before the ship was due to arrive in the
Bahamas,the ship captain asked the guys if they would like to perform in the
lounge.Of course,they accepted,and that night Erica,Blane,Kelly,Karen,and
Kari all sat at a table by the stage,waiting for the guys to come out.
A group of girls at the next table talked excitedly about their
performance.
Erica rolled her eyes."Teenyboppers," she muttered,and they all laughed.
A few minutes later,the show started.They opened with,"I Want It That
Way," causing the group of girls at the next table to go berserk.
The last song they did was,"I'll Be There For You." Karen looked directly
at Brian while he sang,and they never broke eye contact.Karen found herself
crying as the song continued,and when it was over,and the guys had left the
stage,Erica turned to her.
"We saw you and Brian staring at each other,girl.Are you gonna tell him
how you really feel about him,or keep your feelings bottled up inside of you
forever?"
She and Erica had had a talk a few days before,in which Karen's true
feelings for Brian had been revealed.
Karen stood up."Yes," she said,taking a deep breath."I'm gonna tell him."
Before she could lose her nerve, she walked away and went to find
Brian......
*~28~*
Karen and Brian said goodbye to the rest of the guys and headed outside
for some fresh air.They walked along in silence for a few minutes,until
finally she stopped and looked at him.
"That was a great show," she told him,trying to keep her voice as calm as
possible,even though she was extremely nervous.
He smiled."Thanks," he said.
She took a deep breath."Brian,I wanted to tell you something.And I can't
go on keeping it bottled up inside of me or I'll go crazy," she blurted out.
He pulled her over to the railing and took her hand."What is it?," he
coaxed,gazing at her.
She was quiet before continuing."Remember the other day when I said I
didn't want to get involved with anyone?That I just wanted to be friends with
you?I lied,Brian.I want us to be more than friends.I've finally realized how
much I really like you and care about you,and I can't go on denying those
feelings.I'll understand if you don't feel the same way...," she stated,but
before she could finish,he stepped toward her.
"Sssh," he whispered,and before she could say anything,he leaned over and
kissed her.
At first she didn't respond,but after a moment,she returned his kisses.It
started off nice and slow,then grew more intense,as his tongue explored every
inch of her mouth.
When they pulled apart,she stood breathless."Wow," she breathed,still
trying to catch her breath.
He smiled at her and leaned over and they kissed again.He brought his
hand up to the side of her face and gently stroked her cheek.
"Brian...," she murmered,and he pulled away and gazed at her.She was
still reeling over his kiss.
He didn't say a word,but instead took her hand and led her to his
cabin.When the door was closed and locked,he began to kiss her again,and
moved his fingers to the buttons of her blouse.
She didn't stop him;he slid the blouse off then moved down to her skirt
and slid that off also.She removed his clothes,and they fell onto the bed
kissing heavily.
She moaned as he slid his fingers down to the waist of her black
panties.He slid them off,then slowly inched his fingers down until they were
resting between her thighs.He slowly moved them up and began to rub her
clit,gentle at first and then harder,making her cry out.Then he stuck two
fingers up inside of her,feeling her wetness on him.
"Oh God Brian..," she moaned,her body trembling at his touch.
He removed his fingers from inside of her,then entered her.She cried out
his name,feeling herself getting close to her release.
He moved on top of her,moving in and out of her with such ease she begged
for more.Finally they both came,and he kissed her gently on the mouth."Good
God Karen," he breathed,and they both laughed.
She rolled over on top of him and began to trail kisses all over his
body.He moaned his approval,and before long they were making love once again.
*~Chapter 29-36~*
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