COULD IT BE YOU?

Chapter Eight: Unison(or In Sync)

Once Kate was back in the fold, it seemed everyone’s world was right. Kate, though dealing with the loss of her mother and impending unemployment, was a strong, comfortable presence. Josh was more relaxed, hence more creative. The others in the group went back to their regular routines, knowing Kate would be there to take care of any problems.

At one tour stop, after a particularly hard week, Kate arranged a couple of hours use of a gymnasium so Lake could indulge in one of his favorite past times -- basketball. Though dressed for the game in shorts and a “I’m With The Band” tee-shirt, Kate no intention of playing. At five foot-two, she could hardly be considered NBA material. She was content to tap away at her laptop.

With five guys, it made for an uneven number for two teams, so one of them sat out each short game to keep Kate company. When it was Josh’s turn, he stretched out on the floor next to Kate using her thigh as a pillow.

“Do you play?” he asked.

“Play what?” she asked absently.

“Basketball.”

“I’ve been known to.”

“Any good?”

“I’m more of a defensive player. I don’t get to score much, not with people twice my height guarding me.”

“You play against ten foot tall players?” he teased.

She looked up and found him grinning. “So, I exaggerate. At my height, anyone can block me. Chris is no giant and he blocks me.”

“You’ve played against Chris?”

“I believe I’ve played against everyone but you at one time or another.”

“And I never knew.”

“You avoided me, remember?”

Sitting up, he brushed his lips over hers. “In a way that’s a good thing. We never got stuck in ‘pal’ mode.”

“Pal mode?”

“Buddies, like you and Joe.”

“I’m not your friend?”

“You are,” he assured her. “But I see a side he’ll never see.”

Josh got to his feet. “Hey, guys!” he called and the other four, sweaty and breathless trotted over. “We can have two even teams if Kate plays.”

“Only if she’s on my team,” Lake announced.

“I won’t play against Kate,” Joe muttered.

“Kate doesn’t play fair.” Lansten shook his head.

“You ever seen her play?” Chris demanded.

Josh was amazed. All these guys adored Kate. “All you are bigger than Kate,” he chided.

“You have no idea what you’re saying, C,” Lake told him. “Kate is a dirty competitor.”

“Kate?”

Kate moved to her feet. “Little old me?” she laughed.

“Yeah. Little old you.” Joe wagged a finger at her.

“You’re just mad ‘cuz you didn’t score.”

“I was a little distracted.”

“If you can’t keep your mind on the game...”

“Whoa!” Josh laughed. He couldn’t believe no one wanted to play with Kate. “You act like I asked you play against Michael Jordan.”

“I could play against Jordan better than Kate,” Lake muttered.

“You know, guys, there’s only one way to convince him,” Kate finally said. “The boy’s gotta be taught the error of his ways.”

Lansten tossed the ball to Kate, who caught it one handed and did a fancy dribble. “You’re gonna beat the crap out of him, huh?”

“Yep.”

Incredulous, Josh shook his head. “One on one?” he asked Kate.

She nodded. “I’ll even make it easy on you. Whoever scores first, wins.”

“You’re on.”

Kate tossed him the ball, then whipped off the over-sized tee-shirt she wore. Beneath it was a skimpy, crop-top that revealed an amazing amount of bare skin. That, paired with her short shorts, exposed more than was covered. Josh swallowed hard.

“Ah, the game begins,” Chris announced.

Joe slapped Josh on the back. “Concentrate, JC. All of mankind is counting on you.”

Josh was already distracted. He knew exactly how that expanse of creamy, soft skin felt and tasted -- and Kate knew precisely what she was doing.

Once they were out on the court, it seemed impossible for him to lose her as she guarded him. She was like a determined little terrier. Even worse, she would brush against him in the most provocative ways.

“You don’t play fair,” he told her through gritted teeth when she placed herself in his path and momentum carried his crotch into her soft thigh.

“You were warned,” she reminded him. “That uncomfortable?” She looked pointedly at where encountering flesh had caused arousal in him.

“Yeah, and you’re gonna take care of it later.”

“Oh, you can count on it,” she purred. Kate stole the ball, then gave him a blindingly sex smile.

Josh froze only a second, but that was enough for her to make a drive for the basket. She gave a little jump as she smoothly released the ball and it made a swoosh through the net.

“I win! I win!” she cried, jumping up and down. “YES!”

“You little sneak!” Josh protested.

“You are so easy!”

Kate leaped at him, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms about his neck. His arms went around her to steady her. The kiss she delivered left him wondering if anyone else could see the steam rolling off him.

“We warned you!” Lake reminded Josh as the others joined the couple.

“Does she always cheat?”

“Technically, she doesn’t cheat,” Lansten stated. “She doesn’t foul.”

“No, she blind-sides you.”

“You were at a major disadvantage,” Joe commiserated. “She knows what to do to make you forget what you’re doing.”

Amen to that, Josh thought.

“You can put me down now,” she told him softly.

“May be I don’t want to.”

“Okay.” She released her legs and slid down his body, rubbing hard against his erection on her way to the floor. Once her toes touched the floor, she unwrapped her arms. “You guys can have the floor again.” Then she took Josh’s hand and walked them back to her spot on the floor. “Did you learn your lesson?” she asked him as they sat on the floor.

“That you don’t play fair? I think I learned it the hard way.” Feeling her eyes on the front of his pants, he added, “The real hard way.”

“Now, you’ll never be naive of my wicked ways.”

“How did a sweet little girl like you ever get to be such a competitor?”

“Being sweet and little you learn ways to get around people.” She shrugged. “Sometimes attitude helps. Sometimes being a bully helps. But with me, especially men who like me, being a girl helps.”

“You weren’t being a girl,” he pointed out. “You were deliberately using sex against me.”

“It worked, didn’t it? As Lansten said, I never committed a foul.”

Josh shook his head. “You are a wonder.” He had never suspected this from Kate. The more he learned about this mulit-faceted, complex woman he loved, the more fascinating she was.

Joe trotted over. “You’re turn, JC.”

When Josh rose, Joe said, “She does the same thing at foosball and pool. You might get away from it with video games -- if you don’t look at her.”

Joe flopped down beside Kate who was pulling her shirt back on. “Now you know never invited her along. We know her motto.”

Josh asked, “Which is?”

“Win at all cost,” Kate announced.

“And all’s fair in love and war and competition.”

“I’ve never seen one of your performances from the front,” Kate announced as she watched as they went through the sound check.

“You’re kidding.” Josh stopped beside her, adjusting his headset.

“Nope. I’ve seen it from backstage and sometimes from the side. Never what the audience sees.”

“I guess you could go out with security tonight -- for part of it. I’d say the audience, but I’d be afraid we’d lose you out there.” Kate was a pretty tough lady, still he shuddered to think what would happen in a sudden crush. He’d still worry about her being out there. He’d make doubly sure security kept an eye on her.

“I’m not a delicate flower,” she protested, reading his thoughts clearly.

“No, just five-two and how many pounds soaking wet.”

“Maybe I’ll get myself a ticket and go out in the audience.”

“You’d get nose-bleed seats -- and I’d stroke out worrying about you.”

“But---”

“Wanna fight me on this one?” he challenged softly. If she wanted an argument, he’d do it -- for her safety.

Kate saw something in his eyes that made her not want to fight. She touched his cheek and raised her face to his in a soft kiss. “No, I don’t.”

The tension flowed out of him at her acquiescence. “Thanks, Kate.”

“But I can I go out with security for a while? I won’t stay for the whole concert,” she promised.

“I’ll arrange it.”

Kate enjoyed the show much more seeing it from in front of the stage. She was ever aware of the hulking body guard not two feet from her. At Josh’s insistence, the big guy was to shadow her until she was backstage again. The crowd was deafening, screaming and crying, most of them being girls or young women. She was fairly sure she was the oldest female in the area.

All the technical stuff and special effects held no particular magic for Kate. She knew how it was done and had seen the guys go through much of it in practice. It was still an exciting show.

Josh knew where Kate was to be standing. His eyes were drawn naturally to that spot before the lights even came up. He wouldn’t take a deep breath until she was behind the stage where she belonged. He didn’t want to deny her the chance to see the performance. He just wanted her safe.

Moving to the side of the stage where Kate was supposed to be, he spotted her. Catching her eye, he gave her a wink. Of course, everyone in the area thought the affectionate gesture was for them. Kate knew. By the brief intermission, she would be where he could keep her safe. Then he wouldn’t have to fight the tightness in his chest.

Coming through the curtain, Josh accepted a towel to wipe the sweat from his face. It was the ten minute intermission where he could drink water and change clothes at a more sane pace -- But first, he had to see Kate.

“I’m right here,” came Kate’s soft voice.

“Oh, baby...” He crushed her to him, pressing his face against her neck.

Kate thought she felt him tremble. “I’m fine,” she assured him. It had been in her mind to tease him about sweating on her -- knowing he had truly been worried knocked the thought out of her head. She hugged him tight for moment, then released him. “See? I’m in one piece.”

She began toweling him off, helping him remove his microphone equipment.

“Since when does JC get a private dresser?” Joe complained tauntingly.

Kate winked at Josh. “Since his girlfriend tours with you.

Stripping his shirt off Josh reached for his fresh one. He stopped a moment to let Kate rub the towel across his chest and back. “You’re good at this.”

“I’m good at a lot of things.”

“You sure are.” When her hands reached for his belt, Josh halted her. “Don’t go there. I don’t feel like dancing with a hard on.”

Kate laughed and stepped back. “Okay, my work here is done.”

“Not quite.” Josh kissed her softly. “Later we’ll undress each other.”

“You’ve got yourself a deal. I’ll even play groupie to your rock star.”

“Now there’s an interesting concept.”

Usually the ride back to the hotel was full of chatter. This night was no different, except Josh was quiet. He held Kate tightly against her side, nuzzling and stroking her. He knew she was all right. That didn’t seem to erase the thread of fear running through him. Poor Kate, it was so unlike him, the others kept giving her commissary looks.

“We thought we’d go shoot some pool to unwind,” Joe said. “You wanna come along?” he asked the couple. “We’ll even let Kate play.”

“Not tonight, thanks,” Kate replied. “But I’ll remember you offer and take you up on it at a later date.”

“Nope. One time offer.”

“Chicken.” Kate made a clucking noise.

“No guy likes to get whipped that bad.”

“How bad is ‘that bad’?” Josh asked, finally joining the conversation.

“Bad enough I don’t care to discuss it,” Joe answered. “She has this way of leaning over the table, letting you think you’ll get a look down her shirt---”

“I don’t think I want to hear anymore.”

“It’s not as if he actually got to see anything. He just thought he might,” Kate explained. “Actually, I’m very marginal pool player. If the guys would just concentrate instead of trying to look down my shirt...”

They all laughed.

“I am a very good foosball player however. I hardly cheat at all.”

“No, it’s all that jumping up and down you do when you score that leave weak men drooling,” Joe pointed out.

Josh understood that.

“Well, I’ve given up basketball. Since I beat Josh, there are no challenges left for me.”

“And you’re just waiting to best me at pool and foosball, is that it?”

“Now that you mention it...”

Josh shook his head. “I don’t need to be beat over the head to learn my lesson.”

“Oh, pooh!”

At that moment, the limo pulled up to the private entrance at the hotel. They all climbed out.

“We’ll see you guys tomorrow,” Josh told the others as they exited the elevator.

“Night!’’ Kate gave a little wave as Josh towed her down the hall to the suite they shared.

“See you in the morning!” Joe called.

Josh opened their door and pulled Kate in with him. Without turning on a light, he backed up against the door and brought his mouth down hard on hers. Through his lips, he managed to telegraph the feelings pent up inside the entire evening: fear, anxiety, worry, sudden relief. Kate made no protest, letting all the negative flow out of him and adding positive in the softness and giving of herself. Eventually, the kiss lightened into a tender caress.

“I’m sorry, Josh. I didn’t know how much it bothered you,” Kate murmured once he lifted his head.

“I’m sorry, too. I didn’t need to be so rough---”

“Shh...It’s all right.”

“You’re mine, Katie Beth. I need to take care of you, protect you. Most of the time I find your independence wonderful...Not this time. Even knowing security was with you, I couldn’t help thinking ‘what if something went wrong?’...’what if Katie needs me and I can’t get to her?’.”

“Nothing happened.”

“Even I’m allowed an irrational fear now and then.”

Kate supposed so. Much of the time he was one of the most sane and steady people she knew. In this business, he was rare.

“You are planning on marrying me when the tour is over, aren’t you?” he asked suddenly.

The question startled Kate. He’d hinted at marriage several times. “I don’t recall being asked.”

Flipping the light switch, he led her to the sofa. “Have a seat.”

Kate sat on the edge of the cushion, almost ready to make an escape. “I didn’t mean---”

“Yes, you did.” Josh got down on one knee and took her hands in his.

“Josh---”

“Shut up, Kate,” he said conversationally. He smiled at her. “Katherine Elizabeth, will you do the honor of becoming my wife?”

“Josh---”

“If you say this is all so sudden, I’m liable to strangle you.”

Kate laughed. “That certainly takes some of the romantic glow off this proposal.”

“I mean it. I want us to be married.”

Retrieving one of her hands, she stroked his hair back. “You’re so young, Josh. You’ve got a great big world to live in. Are you sure you want to take such a big step now?”

His answer was a simple, “Yes.” When it looked as if she was ready to protest, he said, “I was pretty sure on your birthday, but you thought I was going to ‘get over it’, so I didn’t dare ask then. I never would have made love to you if I hadn’t meant for there to be more.”

Tears welled up in her eyes. “Oh, Josh...”

“Say ‘yes’, Kate. I love you and you love me. What else do we need?”

“Nothing, I guess.”

“Well?”

“Okay. Let’s get married -- on one condition.”

“Which is?”

“Let’s not have a huge wedding.”

“I think we can manage that -- even if we have to elope.”

“Me thinks that would make four unhappy guys.”

“Lake and Chris can be my best men and Lansten and Joe can be your maids of honor.”

Kate giggled. “That mental picture is kinda scary.”

Josh leaned forward to seal their agreement with a kiss. “Guess we go ring hunting.”

“That’s okay. I---”

“Are going to get the engagement ring you’ve always dreamed of having.” Rising to his feet, he helped her stand. “What does it look like?”

“Plain band. Maybe those titanium ones. A small emerald cut diamond. Nothing huge or gaudy or flashy.”

“I was pretty sure you’d have an idea what you wanted.”

“I know it may not be PC in these days of liberation, feminism and what-have-you; but I have to admit, I’ve looked though a few brides’ magazines.”

“Yeah, but you thought you’d be marrying Bad Pants.”

Kate snorted. “If we let your wardrobe people choose, I’ll still be marrying bad pants, just not the King of Bad Pants!”

“Nope. I’ll let you help me pick out my suit.”

“I like the one you wore to the awards.”

“Our first official date.”

She gave him a questioning look. “We haven’t dated, have we? I mean a you-ask-me-out-and-I-say-yes-and-we-go-out date.”

“I guess not. Is that a problem?”

“Uh, no. Actually, it worked out pretty well.”

“I thought so.”

“So...” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Want me to play groupie? You can get into the shower and I can sneak into my rock star idol’s bathroom and have my wicked way with him.”

The idea drew a chuckle from Josh. “As intriguing as that sounds...” He began backing her towards the bedroom. “I was thinking more along the lines of us -- Josh and Kate -- taking a shower together -- and maybe making love.”

“Maybe?” she asked as she released him to begin undressing.

“Maybe in the shower,” he explained. “Definitely making love.”

“Josh, do me a favor?”

“Anything.” He stripped off his shirt.

“Anything, huh?”

He ignored the taunt. “What favor?”

“Next time something important, I mean, really upsetting you like tonight comes up, I want you to tell me. Just flat out say ‘Kate, I don’t like this’ or ‘This is really a problem for me’. I’d rather not do something than hurt you.”

“Katie, it was my fear. It wasn’t your fault.”

She shook her head. “No, not the right answer. Next time, I want you to tell me.”

“Next time, I’ll tell you,” he promised.

Kate finished shimmying out of her clothes and sprinted towards the bathroom. “Dibs on the temperature controls!”

The next morning when everyone was straggling in for breakfast and schedule meeting, Kate and Josh were there to meet them.

“Mornin’!” Kate cheered when Joe entered the room. “Sleep well?”

Joe slumped into the chair beside her. “It took a while to beat Lake at pool, but I finally did.”

“Then you stayed up too late.”

“Don’t nag, Kate,” he grumbled.

“You have an appearance at ten and a photo shoot at one.”

“Good morning!” Lansten sat next to Joe. He was his ususal cheerful-self.

Kate smiled at him...”Good morning.”

Chris and Lake ambled in and took their seats.

“Kate and I have an announcement to make,” Josh began. He took Kate’s hand. “Kate has agreed to marry me when the tour is over.”

Lansten was up and hugged Kate and Josh. “Congratulations!”

“It’s not exactly a surprise,” Joe pointed out as Lansten resumed his seat.

“Are we gonna be invited to the wedding?” Lake asked.

“Of course. Josh wants you and Chris for his groom’s men.”

“And me?” Joe inquired.

“He said you and Lansten can be my maid’s of honor,” Kate teased.

“I can hardly wait to see Joe in pink taffeta!” Chris laughed.

Kate took Joe’s bearded chin in hand. “No...I think pale blue for Joe and...hmm...peach for Lansten.”

“In your dreams, lady,” Joe growled, teasingly biting at her hand.

“Actually, Joe, I was thinking you might give me away,” Kate said in all seriousness.

“I’d be honored, Kate.”

“We don’t know how the rest of it goes,” Josh stated.

“But we did want you to be the first to know,” Kate added.

“Now, we have to call my folks. Then when we have time, I have to find the right ring.” Josh brought her hand to his lips and kissed the spot where he wanted to place a ring.

“We can wait until we get back to Orlando,” Kate protested.

Josh shook his head. “Oh, no. I want a ring on that finger, like yesterday.”

“More like months ago,” Joe taunted.

“Yeah.” Josh’s voice was dreamy. If he and Kate had been a confirmed couple for months, he would have been totally blissed-out.

Kate retrieved her hand and got down to business. “At 9:30, we leave for that television spot. After that we’ll grab lunch and get to the shoot at one. Then you’ve got the sound check and meet and greet. Dinner then the show.”

Kate rose. “Meet me here in a half an hour.”

Josh got to his feet. “Later, guys.” He walked Kate to their suite.

“I still can’t believe we’re getting married,” he said as he opened the door for her.

“Want me to change my mind?”

“Not unless you decide we can get married tomorrow.”

“I don’t think so.”

Josh closed the door, then hauled Kate against him. “I want my ring on your finger and my last name tacked on behind yours.”

Kate said, “No, I plan to take yours.”

“You do?” He grinned broadly. Somehow that concession pleased him beyond belief.

“Yes.” She reached her arms around his neck and urged his head down so his lips were a mere fraction of an inch from hers. “Isn’t that what you want?”

“Yeah -- among other things.”

Kate kissed him softly.

“Katie, I didn’t think it was possible to want you any more than I already did -- but I do. How does that happen?”

“It’s that thing called committed love, I think.” Her smile was womanly and tender.

“Let’s go call Mom and Dad.”

Kate watched as a frowning Josh hung up the phone. “Problems?” she asked.

Before he turned to face her, Josh schooled himself into a neutral expression. “No.”

“The what was that dark look for?”

“It’s nothing, Kate.” He brush passed her and busied himself with packing one of his bags. It certainly wasn’t Kate’s fault he was chaffing a bit as half a couple. There were things a guy had to give up for domestic bliss. Hell, Kate had given up more than he had. She had put her job -- her livelihood on the line to be his. He should go down on his knees nightly to thanks God that Kate was in his life -- not pouting because he couldn’t go clubbing.

Kate was not to be avoided. She took his arm and made him face her. “Look me in the eye and tell me ‘it’s nothing’.”

“You’re too little to bully me, baby,” he reminded her.

“Think so?” she asked archly.

“Yeah, I got about ten inches and how many pounds on you.”

“I though that I proved that size has nothing to do with winning on the basketball court.”

He grinned down at her. “What you proved then was that you use sex to win.”

“And I’m not above using it to find out what’s bugging you.”

He shook his head. “Kate, I’m not a whiner.”

“No, you aren’t. Professional or personal problem?”

“It is not a problem.” He pressed a kiss on her forehead.

There was her first clue. “What about me?”

“Who said---”

“Joshua Scott, that’s an ‘I love you. I’m sorry’ kiss.”

His chuckle was tight and uncomfortable. How did she know these things? “Katie Beth---”

“If you don’t tell me, I’ll find out just who you were talking to and find out from him.”

“I do love you, baby. I realize I had to give up certain things...Hell, I’m more than willing to give up stuff to have you with me.”

“What stuff?”

“Kate, I---”

“What stuff?” she repeated. “Josh, may be it is something we can work out?”

“I don’t see how. You don’t like clubbing...” The words were out of his mouth before he realized he had just confessed his ‘problem’ to her.

“Clubbing?”

“See? I told you it wasn’t important.”

“You’re upset because you can’t go clubbing?”

“Upset’s too strong a word, Kate.”

Well, that certainly was one of the last things she would have guessed to bother Josh. “I never said you couldn’t go clubbing.”

“No, you never did.” He pulled her close and sensuously moved his lower body against hers to an unheard song. “You see, baby, I don’t want to dance with anyone but you.”

“I never said I wouldn’t go clubbing with you. The only time we discussed it was when we were getting to know each other better. As I recall, I didn’t think it was a good first date.” Kate shrugged. “If you don’t think I’m too old---” “Too old! Kate, you dance the legs off almost anyone we know -- including me.”

“Who’s all going?”

“Joe, Lansten and Chris.”

“I don’t know I have any appropriate clubbing clothes.”

“Anything you put on that gorgeous body of yours...” Josh murmured against her neck. “Baby, you’d be dynamite in a burlap sack.”

“Oh, I think I can come up with something a little better than that.”

Josh sort of worried about the wicked gleam in her eye.

“You are not wearing that,” Josh informed Kate when she modeled the leather pantsuit she had purchased for their club date. Damn but the material of the pants clung to every sweet curve. The way it cupped her butt made him want to drool.

Kate eyed the dark leather pants he wore and the black tank top he wore. “Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?”

“Katie---”

There was a knock on the door and she flung it open. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” she demanded of the trio of gaping males standing there.

Lansten swallowed hard. She did look fine! “Er...Nothing, Kate.”

“Definitely nothing,” Joe concurred.

Chris offered his arm to her. “JC’s turning into an old man. You’re covered from neck to foot. What’s he want? You behind glasses and clothes that hide your body?”

“I believe so.”

“I’ll be your date then.”

“Okay.” Kate took Chris’ arm.

Lansten offered for her other arm. “Me, too.”

Josh gritted his teeth. “Back off, fellas. Okay, wear the damned outfit,” he told Kate. “I’ll just spend all my time beating guys off you with a big stick.”

The outfit got worse -- or better -- depending on one’s perspective once they reached the club. Kate removed the jacket to reveal a red, high-necked, sleeve-less crop top that left her mid-drift bare to the hip hugging pants. She heard the groan that came from Josh. She brushed his ear with her tongue, the whispered, “Who’s taking me to bed tonight?”

“Me.”

“Who’s ring is on my finger?”

“Mine.”

“If I’m as hot as you seem to think---”

“It isn’t just me,” he muttered. “Look around.”

It did seem that Kate seemed to be attracting a lot of male eyes.

“If that’s the case, you’ll be the lucky guy I go home with.”

He rested his hand on her bare back, pulling her closer. “Baby, how do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“You always know what to say.”

“No, I don’t. I just stated the truth.”

“Dance with me, Katie.”

It became clear fairly quickly the little brunet only danced with the four men she came with -- and the blue-eyed, dark-haired man guarded her jealously.

Josh had forgotten Kate didn’t drink. Mineral water was her beverage of choice. After a few drinks, he switched to water as well. He wasn’t about to get sloshed, not with Kate looking so delectable. It was his job to turn away any would-be partners, and later, to make sweet love to Kate. He didn’t want liquor dulling his senses.

As she looked out over the floor, Kate felt strong familiar arms come about her from behind. She leaned back against Josh. “Enjoying yourself, darling?” she asked softly.

Darling! Kate called him ‘darling’! It was a wonderful first. An endearment like a shining treasure. “Mmm...hmm...Thank you, baby.”

“Whatever are you thanking me for?”

“For coming with me. You do so much for me. When is it pay back time?”

“When I’m unemployed,” she mused. It still rankled her Olivia thought Kate unfit for her job.

“I mean it, Kate.”

Kate turned her head to nuzzle his neck. “There is no score keeper in love, Josh. That’s just the way it is.”

“You think?”

“Mmm...hmm...”

Josh looked out over the jammed floor. It was noisy as Kate had once said. Couples were practically having sex right there, their lower bodies making intimate contact. Strange, he had once enjoyed clubbing, the chase. He supposed his tastes had matured. Kate had brought so much into his life he now found this favorite sport of singles rather shallow. He would have much rather be at home -- or in their hotel room -- spending quiet time with Kate.

“Katie, let’s go back to the hotel.”

She gazed up at him. “Why?”

“Because I’d rather be alone with you than spend one more minute here.”

“Josh---”

“I probably won’t ask you clubbing anymore. That’s strictly for the singles stuff now.”

Kate turned within his embrace. “You’re not a single?”

He smiled and brought her beringed hand to his lips. He kissed her palm. “Nope. I’m half of a couple now -- and I couldn’t be happier.”

Josh released her, keeping her hand in his. “Let’s go find one of the guys and tell ‘em we’re going back to the hotel.”

“Joshua...” Kate tugged him back to her and kissed the breath out of him. “I love you.”

He grinned broadly. “And I love you, Katie Beth. Let’s go.”

“I learned a few things tonight,” Josh confessed to Kate as they sat in the taxi. He slid one hand inside her jacket to rest on her ribs. The skin there was warm and satiny. He’d have to remember to pay homage to that sweet flesh later.

“Such as?”

“I realized I’m not a single...That I’d rather be alone with you than in a crowd.”

“Me, too.”

“That you don’t mind letting the whole world know what a little hottie you are. You’re sexy and you know it -- and that’s extremely sexy.”

Kate giggled at that statement.

“That you are a tease and a flirt.”

“What?” Kate straightened, ready to do battle.”

“I don’t mean with me -- just every other red-blooded male in your sight.”

Kate frowned. “I am? I don’t mean to be.”

Smiling down at her, he said, “You do it as naturally as you breathe, baby. It’s part of your personality -- at least since we’ve been together.”

“That has to do with you,” she told him softly.

“I realize that, too. Being loved gave you a chance to be free, gave you feminine confidence. You never got the chance with Bad Pants.”

“Thank you, darling,” she whispered before she kissed him lingeringly. “You asked about pay back. There it is.”

Josh nuzzled her neck. “That’s twice tonight.”

“Twice what?”

“You called me ‘darling’. You never have before.”

“I’m not much on endearments. I’m sorry. You’re so free with yours---”

“I’m not complaining. I know you love me.”

“I do.”

He brushed her hair back tenderly. “I can hardly wait to hear you say those words in front of a priest.”

“Are you sure you want to?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m very sure.”

Josh’s certainty was very comforting to Kate. She never had to worry about where he stood. He wasn’t ambivalent about anything. He was a man of passions.

“Here we are, folks,” the driver announced.

“Around the back, please,” Josh instructed.

“Sure thing.”

The couple got out at a rarely used entrance. Luckily, no one was lurking about. Josh tugged Kate into the service elevator. Waiting for the doors to close, he pulled her hard against him, into a long scorching kiss.

“Baby, I’m gonna peel those clothes off of you and make love to you all night,” he growled.

“Not all night. We have to be on the road at five tomorrow morning.”

“I’ll sleep on the bus.”

Josh had always enjoyed sleeping on the bus -- until Kate. The bunks set up for them were comfortable enough for one, but he couldn’t share one with Kate. When she was the coordinator and not his lover, he hadn’t given much thought to where she slept. There was a larger bed in the very back and he knew the guys would gladly give it over for Kate, but she never asked. And Josh didn’t know how to broach the subject. So, he had chosen to sleep on the seats with her in his arms.

“Night, Kate, JC.” Lansten rose from the seat across from the couple.

“Sleep well,” Kate called after him.

Joe and Chris took Lansten’s place.

“So, C, when you gonna start really sleepin’ again?” Joe asked casually.

Josh squirmed a little. “I’m fine out here.”

“Is Kate?” Chris asked him.

When Josh didn’t answer, Chris looked to Kate. “Are you, Kate?”

“I’ve told him a dozen times to take a bunk,” was her answer.

Joe shook his head, amused. “Let me help you both out. JC isn’t sleeping too good, because he won’t sleep in a bunk. He won’t sleep in a bunk, because he can’t sleep with Kate. And neither of you want to ask if it’s okay for the two of you to use the bed in the back that’s big enough to share. Am I right?”

“You’ve made enough concessions for us already---” Kate began.

“We never use it unless our families are with us. Use the damn bed,” Joe grumbled. “C’s gonna fall asleep during one of our slow songs one of these nights.”

“Chris?” Kate wanted to hear from another member.

“We all talked it over. You guys are as good as married -- You’re even beginning to squabble like married people.” The leather pantsuit was a prime example of that. “So, take the bigger bed. Just don’t get so noisy you make us jealous.”

Kate blushed furiously. “We wouldn’t...”

Joe snorted. “We won’t hold you to that. Just don’t rock the bus.”

“Thanks, guys.” Josh rose to hug both of his friends.

Joe and Chris said their good-nights and made their way to their bunks.

Josh offered Kate his hand. “Let’s go to bed, baby.”

When Kate got to her feet, he pulled her close.

“No funny business, mister.”

He grinned. “No funny business. I promise.”

He tugged her down the narrow corridor to the cramped compartment holding a full-sized bed. he closed the pocket door shutting them off from the rest of the bus.

“Josh---” She protested when he began pulling her blouse from the waistband of her slacks.

“I’m not being funny. I’m totally serious.” He started on the buttons. There seemed to be an awful lot of them. At the final one, he pushed the blouse off her shoulders.

“I might remind you I have no clothes in here.” She turned her back to retrieve her blouse. That was her first mistake. He made quick work of her bra clasp and it sagged from her body. “Josh...”

He pulled her back to him and moved his hands to cup her breasts. He squeezed them gently and brushed the sensitive tips with his thumbs. “This leg of the trip is killin’ me,” he murmured, scraping his teeth against her neck. knowing exactly how to gain her acquiescence. “The last time I even came close to being without you this long, I didn’t even know where you were.” One hand slid down her body to unfasten her slacks. “I need you, Katie. Please, let me love you. I’ll be real quiet and I’ll show you how much I need you.”

“But I said we wouldn’t...” She was breathless as his mouth worked on her neck as his hands pushed her slacks and underwear from her body.

“No one’s gonna hold us to it. They know how much we love each other. They’ll understand -- Blame me -- I don’t care. Just let me---” Josh sucked in a breath when Kate reached back and caressed him through his pants. “Mmm... baby, I take that as a ‘yes’.”

Kate gained her release. She removed the rest of her clothes and folded them neatly. She looked up to see Josh still fully dressed. “Are you planning to make loved to me fully clothed?”

“No, ma’am.” He began stripping off his shirt as Kate’s soft hands unfastened his jeans. He groaned when she found him. “Mr. Happy’s really missed you, baby.”

“I’ve missed Mr. Happy.”

She turned down the bed as he finished undressing. A moment later, they stretched out on the bed. He began with soft kisses.

“Remember we have to be quiet,” Kate reminded him.

“I’ll swallow all your sweet little moans,” he promised.

“And we can’t rock the bus.”

“All I’m plannin’ on rockin’ is you, Katie.”

“Not you?”

“Kate, you rock me every time.”

“Then I’ll have to keep you quiet, too.”

“Guess you will, baby.”

“Make love to me, darling. I’ve missed you inside me.”

The intimacy he shared with Kate changed day by day, Josh realized. It got stronger, more certain. He was amazed at the difference in Kate. Her displays of affection were easy and comfortable -- She didn’t seem the least bit shy about a brief kiss or hug. They didn’t get into any heavy clinches or lip-locks in front of anyone. It was wonderful to share the little moments with Kate openly.

Love making was fantastic. He learned when he was impatient, the urgency transferred itself to Kate. If he approached her in a rush, that’s when she expected and desired rougher handling. Once they settled into a pattern, confident of tomorrow, the pressure was off.

Josh then discovered slow leisurely love making brought out a soft, sweet side of Kate. Tender caresses. Lingering kisses. Unhurried foreplay. That’s when he nearly dissolved with pleasure. It was love at its very best.

Kate was a born flirt. Once happy, her feminine ego restored, his Katie was a force of nature. Men were drawn to her like bees to nectar -- never once did he feel threatened by her appeal. She always made it clear who her man was.

Then there was the fun and teasing aspect of Kate. Josh tended to be serious and focused -- sometimes to the detriment of everything else. If he seemed obsessed with finding just the right word or chord as he composed at his portable keyboard, it wasn’t beyond Kate to pounce on him, tickling or kissing him until all he wanted to think about was her. He had needed that in his life without ever knowing it.

Kate came in from a shopping trip to find Josh exactly where she had left him hours earlier, sitting on the loveseat, his keyboard in his lap and paper at his side. He didn’t even look up when she came in. That would never do! Putting her packages on a chair, she went up behind him and put her arms around his neck.

“Hi there, handsome. Come here often?”

"Often enough,” he answered absently.

“Stuck?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Would it help if I took of my clothes and danced around?”

“Doubt it.”

“Want me to try?”

“No.”

Kate sighed and stood away from him. This really wouldn’t do! “I’m gonna take a shower.”

“Okay.”

“Join me?”

“No thanks.

“Joshua?”

“Hmm...”

Kate didn’t bother. She went into the bathroom with some of her purchases. She had splurged on soap and lotion in the same scent as her perfume. The cost was ridiculous, but decided she deserved it. The tour was winding down and Josh was focusing on going into the studio. He wanted to give them a new sound, he had said. That meant when he wasn’t on stage, his head was into new music, which apparently meant he forgot Kate. She hadn’t minded too much at first. It was Chris who had pointed out that Josh’s laser like focus tended to become obsession if it wasn’t stopped.

Kate planned on stopping it dead in its tracks tonight. She showered, lotioned and perfumed her limbs and body. She then slipped into a new and tiny nightgown of red satin and lace that revealed more than it covered. Finally, she ran her fingers through her hair, fluffing it into a touchable mess.

Going back to the sitting room of their suite, she shook her head at the sight of Josh still frowning at his keyboard. From behind, she snatched the keyboard and paper away.

“Hey!” Josh complained.

Kate set the confiscated items on the table.

“Kate, I---” Josh stopped when she straddled his lap. “God, Katie!” Her scent enveloped him as her arms went around his neck. His body’s reaction was immediate.

She gave a husky chuckle. “At least some part of you notices I’m alive.” Her fingers slowly unbuttoned his shirt. “You forgot I even existed.”

“Baby, I---” He groaned as she scraped her fingernails down his chest.

“I decided I’d had enough of being ignored.”

“Sorry, baby.”

“Are you?” She nipped at his ear lobe then bathed it with her tongue.

“Oh, yeah.”

“How sorry?”

Josh ran his hands up her back, enjoying the feel of body-warmed satin. He brought her closer to kiss her lingeringly. “Sorry enough to spend the rest of the day concentrating on you and giving you pleasure.” He kissed her again, letting his tongue stroke hers sensuously.

This was getting out of hand, Kate thought dimly. He was taking the reigns from her. Before he could seduce her further, she pulled her mouth away. She trailed kisses down his jaw, down his throat, across his collarbone. Her mouth stopped to let her tongue tease his flat nipples.

“Katie...”

She slipped from his lap to kneel between his feet on the plush carpet. She took one of his hands, licking from the sensitive flesh inside his elbow to the pulse point of his wrist. Tickling his palm, she ran her tongue up each finger, then sucked each one into her mouth in imitation of what she had planned for another part of his anatomy. She then repeated the same torture on his other arm and hand.

“Baby, I want---”

“No,” she said firmly as he mouth went back to suckle his nipples, “it’s what I want that counts.”

Grabbing the back of her neck, he lifted her mouth from his body and captured it with his. “I’ll give you what you want,” he promised.

She had no doubt of that. Damn, he’d done it again! She pulled her mouth from his once more. “I have every intention of getting what I want -- when I want it.” Her hands went to the front of his jeans. The snap and zipper gave easily, relieved from the strain of his arousal.

“Mr. Happy’s glad to see you,” Josh mused at the tightness of his underwear.

"Let’s see how happy I can make Mr. Happy.”

“I think he’ll be estatic.”

“You think?” she asked, a sexy smile on her lips.

“Oh, yeah.”

She put her hand at his waist band. “Lift.”

He lifted his hips from the cushion, so she could divest him of his jeans and shorts. She tossed them aside.

“Impressive,” she murmured.

“C’mere and I’ll really impress you.”

Kate shook her head, her silky hair tickling his thighs.

“Jeeze, Katie!” he groaned. He put his hands on her shoulders, trying to urge her onto his lap.

“No.” She nipped at the inside of his knee, then ran her tongue up one thigh and then the other.

“I can’t get harder,” he told her, his voice strained.

“You sure?”

“Pretty damn sure.”

Kate straightened, giving him hope he could raise her to his lap, but once again she shrugged him off. “Wanna get rid of that shirt?”

“Wanna get rid of that red scrap?” he demanded of her hardly there nightie.

“No.” She pushed his shirt from his shoulders and tugged it off. It joined his pants in the heap. For a moment, she sat back on his haunches to admire her handy work. Josh naked and fully aroused. It was a magnificent sight.

“Should we go to the bed room?” he asked.

“Why? You tired?”

“No, baby, I want to get horizontal with you.”

Without warning, she licked him from base to tip. Josh couldn’t suppress the gasp from the pleasure she was giving him. She swirled her tongue around the tip, then blew softly. The sudden chill drew a shiver from him.

“You’re good at torturing me.”

“Want me to stop?”

“Only if you plan on climbing on my lap.”

Kate smiled and shook her head back. “Uh-uh.”

“Gonna finish me off?”

“Uh-huh.”

He leaned forward and kissed her softly. Kate wanted to do this for him and he wasn’t going to fight it any longer. “I love you, baby.”

“I love you, too, Josh.”

“I’ll never get tired of hearing that.”

“I think I’d better quit talking.”

Kate got down to business. Cupping him in her hands, she bent her head to lick at him, then drew him into her mouth.

“Oh, baby...” Josh looked down at the silky, dark head pleasing him. Was it possible to feel love in every movement? He stroked her hair, holding her head as it bobbed up and down. “Ah, sweetheart!...” As he neared completion, he thrust his hips up, forcing her to take more of him.

Kate swallowed to accommodate him. She hadn’t meant to scrape him with her teeth, but he didn’t seem to notice.

“Katie, I’m gonna!...” Josh stiffened as he thrust up one more time. “Kate!”

Kate took all that shot from him. She swallowed then licked him one more time.

Josh’s body went limp. He’d never experienced anything like that. He felt boneless from the force of his pleasure.

“Josh?” Kate called softly, suddenly uncertain.

“Yeah, baby?” He opened his eyes and gazed lovingly at the woman kneeling at his feet.

“Did I do okay?”

“Okay?” He reached his arms out to her and this time she came to sit on his lap. “Katie, if it was any better, I’d die from it.”

“Do you want to go to bed now?”

He smiled. “Yeah.”

Kate slid off his lap and offered him a hand up.

Josh rose. “You are a wonder, Katie Beth.”

“Am I?”

“Oh, yeah.” He kissed her softly. “Soft, sweet and innocent, and hot, sexy woman. You’re an amazing mix of both.”

Kate backed towards the bedroom with him in tow. “You bring it out in me.”

“Am I ever glad.”

He slid a strap of her gown off one shoulder. “What’re you wearin’? Something to be removed?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Then let’s get to it.”

“Don’t you need to get back to that song?” Her legs bumped into the mattress.

“What song?”

“The song you’ve ignored me all week for.”

Josh skated his mouth over her bared shoulder. “I’m sorry, Katie. You should have hit me over the head.”

“I think I just did?”

Walking around her, he pulled the covers back to the foot of the bed. “You do have a wicked way about you.”

Without hesitation, Kate lay back on the bed and held her arms out to him. He joined her, stretching out beside her.

“My sweet, sexy Kate...How did I ever get live without you?”

She grinned teasingly. “You were celibate more.”

He laughed, his eyes twinkling. “You’re right there.”

Kate stroked back his hair. “I’m so lucky to have you to love.”

“I’m the lucky one, Katie Beth.”

This was one of those times slow lovemaking was going to take a long, long time...And it started with a soft kiss.

The tour had a four day break and everyone decided they wanted to go home for it. Kate was more than agreeable since she had her tiny apartment to vacate since Josh was insisting she stay with him.

“We’ll be married in a couple of months anyway,” he told her. “There’s no use in spending money on a place you never see.”

She didn’t have much in the way of furniture or belongings, since she had moved to Florida with no intention of staying. Then when she decided to take the position of coordinator, she hardly spent time in her apartment. She figured by the second day the movers could come and unload everything at his house.

The house was quiet when Kate entered with her second load of belongings. Josh had said he planned on working in the studio for a while then he was going to sleep -- one of his other favorite past times. Since she heard no noise of any kind coming from the studio, she decided to check the bedroom.

Josh lay sprawled over the large bed, his face buried in her pillow. Their kids would be lucky to look like him, she thought. The idea startled her. Josh had talked about babies. Kate hadn’t even considered the prospect until that moment. Sitting gingerly on the edge of the mattress, she stroked his hair. Josh smiled at her touch but didn’t wake. He did look very young when he slept. Having a blue-eyed little boy...She found the idea tremendously appealing.

Kate leaned forward to kiss his cheek. “Hey, sleeping beauty,” she called softly.

Josh rolled to his back and opened his eyes to find her at his side. A slow, sleepy smile came over his face. “Tell me I’m not dreaming. I’m in my own bed and you’re here, too.”

“You aren’t dreaming.”

“Then come here.” He held his arms out to her.

“I’m all sweaty and dusty from packing.”

“I wash up pretty easy.”

Kate stretched out on top of him.

“Wanna hear a shocker?”

“Good shocker or bad shocker?”

“I’m pretty sure you’ll like it.”

“Then let me hear it.”

Suddenly, Kate felt shy in her confession. He hadn’t mentioned children since Lake Geneva. What if he no longer felt that way?. Biting her lower lip, she toyed with the medallion at his throat.

He read the signs of her indecision clearly. “Come on, Katie. Tell me,” he encouraged her softly.

“I--I was thinking...” She raised her gaze to his. “I was thinking that I’d like to have a blue-eyed boy who looks like you.”

What Josh wanted to do was crow. Kate was finally catching up to him in her level of commitment. It seemed he’d had to drag her into their relationship.

“What made you decide that?” he asked quietly.

“Watching you sleep. It hit me out of the blue.”

“Was it too painful?”

She smacked his chest playfully. “You meany!”

He laughed. “Bad choice of words...When you had this epiphany, was it a pleasant surprise?”

“I don’t know. It made me feel all soft and gooey inside. Marshmellow-y.”

“That sound kinda good.”

“So, how about you? We never really discussed having a family.”

“I’d like a couple of kids.” He stroked her hair. “A girl with dark hair and honey-brown eyes would be great.”

“I’m Catholic, you know.”

“I know. I’ve got no problem with that.”

“I think it’s important for kids to go to church.”

“That’s cool with me, Kate.”

Kate lay her head on his chest, against the strong beat of his heart, and closed her eyes.

“Tired?” he asked.

“Not really. At the moment, I’m savoring a feeling that doesn’t come too often.”

“Which is?”

“Contentment. Blissful contentment. Like everything is right with my world and, at the moment, there’s nothing I need or want.”

For a long while, Josh lay there with his arms around her, drinking in the feeling he was experiencing as well. Kate was moving into the house they would share as husband and wife. They would have a couple of kids. There was nothing else he could ask for at the time.

Finally, Kate raised her head and looked him in the eye. “Are we waiting to have kids or are we going to let what happens happen?”

“I think that’s something you need to decide. I’m ready, like, tomorrow.”

“Well, not tomorrow surely.” She grinned. “You know what that means, don’t you?”

That he didn’t have to use protection. That he could be truly inside her, release himself in Kate’s womb -- The day just kept on getting better!

“So...you wanna help me empty out my car or try and make a baby?” Her voice was even as if she was asking ‘Chinese or Mexican’ for dinner. She didn’t know how she managed that when her insides were quivering from the momentous decision they had just made!

“I can add a third choice. I finished a song I’ve been writing for you. Wanna hear it?”

“I should have warned you. Don’t give me a lot of choices or I tend to make no decision at all.”

He rolled to reverse their positions. “Okay. I’ll decide.”

From the fact she was on her back, Kate thought she knew his choice.

“We’ll empty the car, go into the studio so I can play your song, then come back in here and make love.” Josh bounced off the bed and offered her a hand up. “How’s that for decision making?”

“I’m impressed, sir.” Kate let herself be tugged to her feet.

He delivered a tender, lingering kiss that left her breathless.

“You sure about the car?” she asked.

“Yep. Since the movers come tomorrow, we’ve got to get things done.” He gave her a wink. “And once we hit that bed, I don’t plan on leaving it until tomorrow.”