"I hate warming up," Nick finally whined as he attempted to loosely stretch his body, obviously not prepared for the agonizing dance schedule ahead of them. The Black and Blue tour was slated to kick off in just a few short weeks, leaving the boys in a flurry of excitement. The finalizations of plans were finally tying off into perfectly met ends. The idea of getting back on the road, each with their own personal tour bus, was exhilarating. So, they wanted to get all the preparation finished quickly. Of course, they had actually managed to arrive early, before Fatima had even stepped into the building. They wanted to surprise her with their dedication, or, perhaps, it was just a shocking coincidence that no man was late for once.
"Drop a few pounds and you might actually be able to stretch all those muscles out, Lard Ass," AJ snickered.
"You sonofabitch--"
"What's with the goofy grin on your face?" Brian questioned toward Howie as Nick tackled AJ onto the shiny, buffed floors. He was unfazed by the grunting as AJ and Nick both tried to take the upper hand on one another, just glancing toward Howie as he attempted to stretch his body before Fatima came in shouting orders and Kevin barked for them to get into the groove.
"What goofy grin?" Howie replied, leaning down to stretch his knees. He seemed eager to work, something Brian hadn't seen since before the last girlfriend burned Howie. He knew one thing: it had something to do with Grace. The older man was obvious like that.
"That goofy grin," Brian exclaimed, motioning toward the wall of mirrors that reflected the broadly cheesy smile accentuating Howie's happy features.
"I don't know what you're talking about--"
"You're not good at lying."
"I'm just happy," Howie shrugged, reaching down to press the palm of his hands to the floor with his legs spread apart.
"Why?" Brian stressed, booting his sneaker into Howie's behind to send him sprawling on the floor.
"Brian!"
"Why?!"
"You didn't have to kick me," Howie grunted, pulling his face away from the floor to glare at Brian. "Because of Grace, alright?"
Brian snorted, "I already knew that--"
"Then why'd you kick me?!"
"Because I want to know why because of Grace!"
"Why?"
"Don't even."
"Why?"
"Howie!"
"Would you just please tell him?" Kevin groaned as Brian's voice actually screeched, causing an echo around the dance studio. "He wants to know why Grace made you so happy so he can celebrate for you."
"Thank you!" Brian praised his cousin with a triumphant grin as Howie made an annoyed face. "C'mon, D."
"Fine. I asked Grace out and she said yes."
Brian furled his brows in a playful disappointment to push Howie's buttons, though he was ecstatic to hear the words. Grace deserved someone like Howie. "Are we back in high school?"
"You're the one who was screeching--"
"And you asked Grace to date you like some love sick teenager--"
"Keep on talking and your face will have an appointment with the floor."
"That's okay, we met yesterday..."
"I think you need another visit--"
"I think it's great that you and Grace finally established a relationship together!" Brian squealed as Howie stepped toward him and he fell to the floor.
"Thanks," Howie stood above Brian, smirking.
"You're welcome?" Brian questioned, squinting as he continued to hold a hand above his head for protection.
"You're too skittish," Howie laughed, lending him a hand to stand up.
"And you take things too damn seriously. I hope Grace changes that..."
"Yeah, yeah--"
"Are you boys done goofing around?" Fatima suddenly fired out of no where, her voice echoing sharply enough against the walls to cause Nick to tumble away from pummeling AJ. She looked frustrated as she slapped a pile of folders onto the nearby table, flicking her long braids behind her elegantly mocha shoulders. She had been choreographing the boys for several years and they could always tell the warning signals of her fiery moods. In fact, AJ had been known to create a few of them in his time period. Only, the darkness turning her eyes to coal sent Kevin's nerves ajar.
"Um... hi, Tima. Is something wrong?"
"Oh no. Nothing's wrong at all, Kev. Everything's just peachy!"
"Definitely scared," Nick whimpered, hiding behind Brian and Howie as the woman they had known for so long continued to rant under her breath.
"What have I always told you boys when it comes to dancing?!" Fatima growled, the question sparking from her obviously troubled mind and projecting into the thick tension across the boys.
"An STD will throw off your dancing skills tremendously?" AJ guessed with a shrug of his bony shoulders.
"She's gonna cut his head off!" Nick hissed as Fatima rounded on the tattooed man.
"No! Always warm up! Always! And now we're down a dancer!"
"What does warming up have to do with losing a dancer?" AJ questioned.
“Katie decided not to warm up last night. She got a cramp during the Larger Than Life routine and she fell. Broke her damn leg!"
"Jesus..." Brian groaned.
"So we can just pop another girl into the front. Damn, Tima, no big deal," AJ attempted to persuade.
"Do you realize that your tour is in a few weeks? We've been planning for months. What girl do you know of that is such a fantastic dancer that she can learn everything half the other girls can barely grasp in five months of work?" Fatima hissed, shaking her head in disbelief. "I don't know of any dance company that has someone like that, AJ, so I had to tell your managers and they are postponing--"
"Whoa, hold on a damn minute! Postponing the tour? Tima, we can't do that! The fans have been waiting too long. Hell, the fellas and I have been waiting too long and worked too hard. There's got to be something we can do!" Kevin interrupted as the others jaws dropped at the possibility of postponing their tour.
Fatima sighed as she slumped into the folding chair at the front of the studio. She furiously rubbed her face, obviously exhausted from receiving such devastating news. "I can't help it, Kevin. There is just no way that any dancer could pick up all the routines in such a short amount of time. I'm struggling with the girls I already have and I'm sorry--"
"Grace can do it!" Howie blurted.
Brian, Kevin, Nick, and AJ all glanced toward Howie with absolute mortification at his sharp outburst. But the embarrassment died when they realized what he had said, causing all their jaws to fall slightly ajar. But, Fatima, who had no knowledge of Grace, glanced at Howie with confusion. "Grace? Who's Grace? And don't tell me you're dating another dancer because it was hard enough praying that it was Corrine instead of Katie that broke her leg last night--"
"No, she's not part of any dance troupe. She's my girlfriend and one Hell of a dancer. AJ's seen her and I know she can pick up on all the dances. I've seen it myself, she did Shining Star after I showed her the routine once."
"She's your girlfriend now?" Nick scoffed with disbelief, his face contorting into a look of sheer annoyance. "You knew I had dibs on her--"
"She doesn't like you, so get over it."
"The only reason she likes you is because AJ shoved eight hundred bucks down her pants to make you feel good--"
"Nick shut your mouth right now before I shut it for you," Kevin halted the argument, clamping a hand over Nick's mouth. "Let Howie be happy for once, you selfish brat."
"Damn..." Brian whistled.
Fatima watched the boys slowly settle as Kevin kept a firm grip on Nick. Her brown eyes were slowly returning to a normal color, watching Howie closely for information on this new woman. "If Grace isn't part of a dance troupe... Then what does she do?"
"She's a fucking stri--"
"She's between jobs right now," AJ interrupted Nick, shoving his hands into the pockets of his baggy track pants. "She's a fantastic dancer, though. We took her to the club last night and the owner actually pulled her onto the stage to offer her a job. She has a raw talent that I've never seen before when it comes to dancing. She sees something once, like D said, and she nails it perfectly."
"So she doesn't have anything holding her back for the tour?" Fatima chewed on her lip thoughtfully. She was desperate enough to hire Grace without even seeing her dance. They had all worked too hard to postpone anything.
Howie smiled toward AJ with great appreciation before answering Fatima. "No--"
"Wait a minute," Kevin quickly interjected.
"Wait a minute, what? We're covered, Kev--"
"Considering what she's done in her lifetime... We don't know if she could really make it on a tour. We have over two hours worth of a show going this time around, Howie. We can't just hire her out of no where. She might have mastered one dance with you teaching her, but the atmosphere is completely different on tour. She might not have the stamina to compete with that--"
"Oh, she has the stamina, trust me," AJ breathed.
"Could she come after rehearsals tomorrow?" Fatima questioned with thought, glancing through the dozens of folders that held various candidates for the position. Typically, she would be making frantic calls at the moment, but she trusted Howie's opinion. He had been a professional dancer long before Backstreet had been formed. He knew what he was talking about and Fatima was willing to give anything a chance. "I'll keep one of the girls here and we'll work with her to see if she can really do it. Kind of like a mini try-out?"
"She can come tomorrow," Howie nodded with approval, eager to tell Grace the good news.
Kevin frowned, "I don't know if this is a good idea--"
"Can't she just try out? What's the harm in actually giving her a chance, Kev?" AJ immediately came to Grace's defense, knowing the power behind her skills. "She might just surprise you."
"But what if--"
"Look, Kev. We can either have Grace try out or the management will push back the tour. Which will it be?" Fatima interrupted.
"Please, Kevin, she deserves a chance," AJ attempted to convince the older man. Not only for Howie, but for Grace, too. He seen the magic those two created when they were in a room together and he couldn't even begin to imagine the electricity they'd ignite on stage. And, finally, the chance for Howie to pay back Corrine for all the pain she caused.
"Come on, Cuz. We've got nothing to lose and everything to gain," Brian added.'
"Thanks, Alex," Howie whispered as Kevin slowly started to cave.
"Anytime, D," AJ whispered back, smiling not only at the fact that Grace was going to be part of the troupe but that Howie was once again calling him Alex.
Kitra couldn't help but smile at the sweetness of the picturesque scene in front of her as she crossed the length of Howie's living room. Sure enough, Grace was sprawled on the largest couch with her faded and torn journal resting comfortably on her chest. A soft, content smile crinkled the corner of her lips, actually causing Kitra to coo. Usually, when Grace slept, there was a haunted quality to her innocence. It was almost as if she were truly a fallen angel from grace. Yet, since meeting Howie, Grace looked so peaceful and golden, like an angel nestled in the Heavens. Kitra couldn't have been more grateful for Howie's interventions in Grace's life. Without him, Kitra feared the darkness would have swallowed her friend long ago. She tried to brush those morbid thoughts away though, reaching to take the journal and cover Grace with a warm blanket. The young woman accepted the transition with little complaint, curling tightly into a ball against the pillow as she buried herself in the darkness of the blanket.
"You're way too cute, Racie," Kitra sighed with a soft laugh, brushing her fingers through Grace's tangled honey curls. Once she was satisfied that Grace was sleeping peacefully, she flopped onto the opposite couch. She prepared to toss the journal on the coffee table, but her interests peaked. The journal had been a gift from Grace's deceased mother for graduation. It was the final token of love passed between mother and daughter and the only place where Grace actually confided her truest emotions. Though, most turned into lyrics and poems, but they were beautiful nonetheless. And Kitra couldn't help herself.
She opened the battered journal and began shifting through the pages. Many of the poems and songs were dark and depressing, crying out for salvation or hope. Kitra could feel her heart break as she read one Grace had written after her mother died but as she went further back she realized that the thoughts of her younger friend were becoming brighter.
Holding her breath, Kitra flipped to the last dated page from yesterday. She brushed away a few stray tears that had fallen as she glanced down and found herself instantly caught within the beautiful lyrics. Kitra had arrived just that morning after AJ dropped her off before dance rehearsal, so she wasn't completely informed of all that had happened after the intense night of dancing. But the gorgeous lyrics that had fluttered from Grace's broken heart actually caused heavier tears of happiness to slide down Kitra's cheeks.
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road.
But I got lost a time or two,
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through.
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you.
Every long lost dream led me to where you are.
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars,
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms.
This much I know is true.
That God blessed the broken road,
That led me straight to you.
"You always had a way with words, Racie... I knew you were meant for him," Kitra sniffled softly, closing the book and placing it on the coffee table. She rubbed away the tears streaking her face,
"Kitty, no tears, I'll melt," Grace whined softly in her sleep as Kitra curled up next to her on the couch, hugging her tightly as she buried her wet face into Grace's hair.
"Sorry Racie."
"What's wrong?" she yawned, still pressing herself tightly against the couch in hopes to stay asleep. But the soft sniffles slowly started to rouse her from the nap. She wiggled a bit within Kitra's embrace, but only to turn so she could lazily wipe away the stray tears.
"Your writing always gets to me," Kitra replied quietly.
"My writing?"
"I... kind of read your journal..."
Grace looked horrified. "Kitra--"
"They're all beautiful, Racie. You have such a talent for writing... especially that one you wrote yesterday. It's about Howie."
"Kitra Holly," Grace groaned, immediately climbing out of her friend's embrace to dive toward her journal. She hurriedly clutched it to her chest for protection, feeling as if her heart had just been ripped out of her chest to be displayed for everyone's benefit.
"You're not supposed to read that!"
"It's not like I've never read them--"
"Kitra!"
"What?!"
"These are mine and mine only!"
"It's not like I copied them and passed it around the city. I was curious, alright? The only way I know how you're feeling is through that journal because you don't tell me anything."
"Maybe I don't tell you for a reason?" Grace groaned with disbelief, continuing to hold the journal against her chest before burying her face in her hands. She couldn't believe that Kitra had invaded her personal space so blazingly. Not to mention the fact that the journal was always laying around. If Kitra had no qualms about opening it, then what was to stop Howie? Especially with the words she had wrote the following night as Howie was curled peacefully against her in a deep slumber.
"Racie, just calm down. It's not like I'm going to run to Howie and tell him. I have boundaries with that and I--"
"I just shouldn't have wrote anything to begin with. The song was so damn stupid and it's not like I even know what I'm talking about to begin with," Grace murmured more to herself than Kitra, ashamed at the feelings that her best friend had unearthed. She had taught herself for so long that the only meaning of life was to survive. She felt like such a hypocrite as her writing began to transform. She didn't know what these emotions were. She didn't know what she was doing. And she certainly shouldn't have been wasting her time fiddling away in her journal.
"Oh stop the bullshit before it starts! I'm so tired of you putting yourself down when it comes to these things," Kitra groaned, highly annoyed at Grace's denial of her feelings for Howie. "You're human and all humans feel love and everything else you're feeling that's new. So, please, don't."
"Fine," she whispered, scrambling up from her seat on the floor.
"Hey, you're not going anywhere!" Kitra tackled Grace.
"Get the Hell off me!" Grace screeched in surprise as her journal popped out of her grasp and went flying toward the now opening door. Grace gasped in shock as Howie bent down to pick up the tattered piece of her memories as Kitra's knee embedded into her gut. "OH HOLY HELL!"
"Did I miss something?" Howie raised his eyebrows at the women tussling on the floor and screeching at one another.
"I think that might be the key..." AJ trailed, attempting to peek into the journal.
"Excuse me, but you're rupturing my spleen, Ms. Jack the Fucking Ripper!" Grace growled in agony at her friend, aching to just spring upward and snatch the incriminating journal from Howie's hands.
"Struggling only makes it worse!" Kitra yelped as Grace found her balance and shoved a foot into her chest. She pushed and was finally free from Kitra's grasp.
"Thank God," Grace breathed, scrambling upward to practically tackle Howie within the doorway.
"Whoa! Babe, you could have just asked for the journal," Howie replied as they fell to the floor.
"I didn't want to take any chances," she breathed, sitting on top of Howie's chest as she took back the journal. She hurriedly tucked it close to her heart, taking some painfully shallow breaths as she rested a hand against her side where Kitra's bony knee had dug into her.
"I don't open things that aren't mine. I would have asked permission," he cupped her cheeks, rubbing them with his thumbs.
"The answer would have been no," she answered simply, pulling away from his grasp. The simplistic affection caused her soul to light with intense heat, but she could feel the two sets of eyes upon her intimacy with Howie. She couldn't help but blush furiously as she darted up the stairs, fully intent on hiding her journal away from prying eyes.
"How many times have I told you to play nice with others?" AJ finally laughed when Grace disappeared, reaching down to help Kitra stand.
"She was being all touchy like a hormone-crazed teenager," Kitra groaned as her chest and back ached from the wrestling around. "I think I'm getting too old for that shit."
"Then stop tormenting the little whipper snapper," AJ teased, kissing the side of Kitra's face before gently rubbing her back.
"Then how would I stay entertained?"
"Do you really have to ask that?"
"Only if it makes you sweep me off my feet and over to your house."
"Our house," he corrected with a heartfelt smile, reaching to do as he was told. "Besides, Howie has some important private conversations for Gracie-Poo."
"I do not call her Gracie-Poo," Howie objected.
"Alright, Gracie-Wacie--"
"What's the private conversation?" Kitra interjected as she wrapped her arms around AJ's neck for stability. "Does it have anything to do with last night?"
"Probably that, too--"
"Too?"
"Shush," AJ chuckled, kissing her briefly. "He has another proposal thing for Gracie."
Kitra frowned with confusion. "Isn't marriage a little too much?"
"Not marriage!"
"Well, then what?!"
"That'd be my cue to take her," AJ laughed as he noticed Grace jogging down the steps. He smiled toward Howie as he carried a whining Kitra toward the open door. "Good luck, D."
"Thanks. I'm going to need it."
"He's taking the Ripper for the night?" Grace guessed when she reached the living room and the front door closed. She looked much calmer compared to when the men had arrived home. Her cheeks were slightly flushed and damp, obviously having been splashed with cold water. She seemed relieved that she had gotten away from Kitra's badgering. She had stashed her journal in a private space, refusing to right anymore of her feelings within the pages. She had almost gotten caught, which caused an uneasy queasiness to invade the pit of her stomach. Howie couldn't find that journal. Ever.
"Like always," Howie turned to face her and smiled. "Feel better?"
"Yeah..." she trailed as she hopped off the last step while gathering her curls into a high ponytail, "How was rehearsal? Need me to draw you a hot bath or anything?"
"A bath would be nice... and I have something to ask you."
"We are not flying to Vegas tonight for a torrid love affair that ends in a cheesy drive-by wedding chapel," she teased lightly, climbing the stairs to prepare Howie's bath for him. She knew how hot and sweaty one became after dancing for long periods of time. Many days while she was rehearsing her new number for Devil's Playground; she would come home sopping wet with sweat. A bath always relaxed her afterwards.
"Damn... I'll have to ask another time," Howie chuckled as they reached the large master bathroom. "But it's something that I want you to seriously consider, because it's something I know you love."
Grace playfully rolled her eyes as she sat on the thick edge of Howie's large tub, reaching to turn on the water so it cascaded down the metal waterfall Howie had specially installed. She tested the water with the back of her hand, finding the right steaming temperature before reaching for the vanilla extract she dotted into her baths for fragrance. "You're talking to the wrong girl, I'm not the sex maniac--"
"Not sex. Just shush and listen. One of our dance troupe members broke her leg last night and if we don't find a replacement the tour is going to be put on hold. Would you come with me to rehearsal tomorrow and do a mini-tryout?"
Grace stared up at Howie for the longest moment of uncomfortable silence she had ever felt before. It took a moment for the words to process within her brain, but even then it was surreal. Finally, she just started laughing as she pushed herself off the edge of the tub. "That was really cute. I almost believed you for a second."
"I'm not lying! Tima came out and just started laying in on us before we got her to tell us what happened. No one wants the tour postponed and you're a hell of a dancer. Grace, please. This is your chance to dance without having to take off your clothes." Howie grasped her arm and pulled her close to him.
Grace yelped softly in surprise as she crashed hard into Howie's chest, their beautiful contrasting eyes locking immediately. It took only a moment for her to realize that he truly was serious, which caused her knees to slightly buckle as her heart flopped into her stomach. Her color grew ashen as she attempted to push him away with fright. "I'm a stripper, Howie. Not a professional dancer. I haven't had any formal dance training in my life. I've just goofed off and got paid well to find creative ways to take off my clothes. To even ask me to go and make a fool of myself in front of--"
"I have faith in you. I know you can do this, Grace. You were born to be a dancer."
"I was a mistake," Grace whispered, shaking her head in disagreement. "I'm sorry that your tour is going to get postponed, but I can't do that. Besides, once you went on tour, Kit and I were supposed to move out--"
"No, no, no. Grace, please. I'm begging you. Try out for the dance troupe. I can get Kitra a job so you both can go on tour and make some money," Howie interrupted, determined to get Grace to say yes.
"There are practically hundreds of professionally trained dancers swarming Orlando that would die to get on your tour. Girls that can dance a hell'uva lot better than I can. Girls that don't have some tainted past that could get dragged out--"
"No can dance better than you. No one can pick up on dances better than you. Damnit, Baby, can't you see how good you are? Tainted past or not, you're a dancer at heart!"
"No, I can't..." Grace whispered, refusing to let Howie dangle this offer in the air like some cat toy. It was insulting to offer her hopes and chances when her entire life she had been denied such gifts. It hurt to think that Howie weaseled her into the dance troupe, because she knew she hadn't worked for it. The only reason she could possibly get the position was because she was close to having sex with one of the key ingredients in the damn band.
"Grace. Please. Stop denying yourself that dream I know you have deep inside you," Howie made her look into his pleading eyes.
"Why are you so damn insistent--"
"Because you're meant to be a dancer."
"I can't even begin to compare with the girls that you probably have right now. They're perfected in every way and I'm some redneck white trash that popped out of no where because I've managed to almost sleep with one of the singers..."
"Stop that bullshit that's coming out of your mouth right now. You're going to get the job because you deserve it. Not because you're with me. Fatima won't allow favorites. She hires purely on talent and that's something I can vow on."
"I refuse to make a fool of myself thinking I can pretend to be in some fantasy world for the rest of my life."
"What fantasy world? This is my career. It could be your career."
"Stranger, please--"
"Grace, just come and try out. You don't want to go living life thinking 'what if,' do you?"
"...Can I think about it?"
"Well... umm... you have until tomorrow before I leave for rehearsal."
"Right..." Grace replied, releasing a heavy sigh as she untangled herself from his embrace. As if things hadn't been severely complicated with the previous evening's fiasco, now Howie was offering her a chance at a whimsical dream. "Why don't you enjoy your bath?"
"You'll really think about it?"
"I'll think about it. I think I can give you that much, Stranger."
"You've given me much more than you'll ever know, Grace. But thank you for considering it."
"Thank you for offering it," she responded politely.
"You're welcome. How about after my bath we make some sandwiches from yesterday's meatloaf and watch a movie?"
"Okay..."
"Okay," Howie leaned over and kissed her. "I'll see you in a little bit."
"That'll be the first time I was ever kicked out of a bathroom by a man," Grace decided to tease in an effort to lighten the seriousness of their conversation. She couldn't help but smile coyly as she walked toward the door.
"You never stay when I ask--"
"Enjoy your bath."
"Grace--" the words dropped from Howie's mouth as the door closed behind her. "She may drive me crazy, but... God, I love her."
"KIT!"
Kitra fiercely shook her head as she hurriedly tipped another long shot of tequila into her mouth from the slim flask she had been hiding. After several days of trying to stop her bad behaviors cold turkey, she was getting stir crazy. Usually, she'd just crawl into bed with Grace and the physical and emotional symptoms would fade away. But this time was different, because AJ was stopping cold turkey with her, because of her. He offered to stop just for her and she had been foolish enough to say that they could do it together. Only, when the fog of alcohol and drugs had been cleared away, Kitra was left with raw feelings. She was honestly falling in love with AJ, but the system they had worked out was 'no strings attached.' She refused to go back on that deal, so she just needed some to kill the feelings. That way, sex remained sex and she remained free.
AJ finally whined again. "Baby, I need you!"
"Alex, hold on! I'll be right out!" Kitra managed to call back, clearing her throat as she hid the flask underneath a loose board she found in the bathroom cabinet. It was a place she knew AJ would never look. She opened the door and forced a playful smile on her face. "Can't a woman have a peaceful moment once in awhile without you whining?"
"What kind of peaceful moment could you possibly have without me?" AJ questioned with a pitifully adorable pout, flopping back onto his large bed.
"You drive me crazy sometimes," she laughed, laying down on her stomach next to him while chomping on some of her favorite gum.
"You're so damn mean to me," AJ huffed, rolling over so he laid on top of her. Instantly, his lips found the back of her neck, offering the sweetest of kisses as his hands roamed her supple frame. He always loved holding her at night, caressing her skin, knowing she was his.
"Oh yeah, I'm so mean to you. That's why we have had sex in every single part of the house?" Kitra smiled, the alcohol pushing away all feelings that had to do with love. She craned her neck to kiss his stubbly chin.
"I think that pleasures you more than me," AJ laughed.
"Can't deny that much--"
"Damn straight," he concluded, turning her so he could straddle her waist. Both had already gotten ready for bed, making it easy for AJ to gain access to her intimate delights. But, instead, he brushed his fingertips easily down the sides of her face, simply watching her.
"What are you doing?" she asked after a few moments of silence, feeling his fingers trail over her cheeks and forehead.
"Admiring a masterpiece."
"Me? A masterpiece?"
"Did I stutter?"
"Well, no, but I'm not--"
"Every woman is a piece of art, Kitra."
"They are?"
"Yes and a masterpiece isn't exactly perfection either. If you look at all the paintings that the experts have coined the greatest works of a century... If you truly study them long enough... You'll find flaws. They may be tiny, but they're still there. And, those flaws make them that masterpiece. Just like your flaws make you more beautiful," AJ spoke easily, reaching to place a delicate kiss on her lips.
"You're too much sometimes," Kitra sniffled softly, rubbing her eyes to rid the pooling tears.
"I'm just the master at verbal orgasms," he teased lightly, helping to clear away the tears with no true recognition at how deeply he touched her heart. He figured that, hopefully, with time, she'd draw around toward him. He realized that he had first stated a no strings attached relationship, but it was too late to keep that promise. He was far too attached to her already, especially as the thrill of her dangers died away with the alcohol and recreational drugs.
"No wonder all the girls scream to sleep with you and to have your baby," she laughed quietly, thankful deep down that she had taken those few secret shots.
"But they're just girls," AJ shrugged with a lazy grin, leaning down to nibble on her neck again. "I'd rather have the woman underneath me."
"And I'd rather have the man on top of me."
"Good, 'cause I was thinking..."
"You didn't hurt yourself, did you?"
"Okay, screw you and the offer I was going to give you to come on tour with me--"
"Holy shit, what?!"
AJ shrugged, attempting to climb off her. "Forget it now--"
"Oh Hell no, you're not pulling a Racie on me!" Kitra interrupted, flipping him over so she was straddling his hips. "Alexander James McLean, you tell me right now."
"Mmm, I've always loved your aggressiveness," he growled with interest, knowing she had easily taken his bait.
"No changing the subject--"
"You're the one who burnt that bridge, Baby," AJ interrupted, leaning so he could place the softest kisses to the lowest portion of her abdomen. He felt her shiver at the stubble tickling her skin, causing him to smile as he nibbled, sending erotic messages to her core.
"You... no fair... you know my weakness... I want to go on tour with you," Kitra moaned with a whine, running her fingers through his fire-tipped spikes.
"I know you do and it'd be even sweeter if you made money in the process with an honest job, huh?" AJ questioned, leaning her back on the bed. He continued his kisses along her lower abdomen, inching up her skimpy, silk camisole as his kisses traveled upward on her bare skin.
"H-Honest job? I've never had one before," Kitra agreed, arching her back against him.
"D and I think it would be a good idea for you to do something since Gracie will be dancing--"
"Really? She's going to be on the troupe?!"
"Kevin technically wants her to try out tomorrow after rehearsals to make sure she can cope with a two hour concert, but there's no doubt in my mind that Fatima will snatch her up before anyone else can."
"Racie is going to be perfect! I know she can do it."
"As long as D said the right words tonight," AJ agreed, finally tossing her camisole to the floor as he trailed his tongue against the valley between her breasts and up toward her throat where he suckled the sweetness of her flesh. "But, we figured you could do costume design or something. Whatever you want. You'll be part of the team. But you'll be with me on my tour bus, sight seeing with me, sleeping with me, and...did I mention you'll never leave my side?"
"I like the sound of this deal," Kitra smiled softly, running her nails down his back to the hem of his wife-beater.
"So, is that a yes?"
"It's a Hell yes, Baby."
