Tristan Trilogy- Story 3

CHAPTER 43

"Okay, Holly. What's up?"

Amanda, Leighanne, Tristan and Holly had locked themselves in Kevin's studio while the guys watched football and Tracy, Tim and Ann took the children out for a ride to look at Christmas lights. The dishes were finished and put away and everyone else had gone. Holly sighed and pulled out the latest issue of Rolling Stone. Nick had gotten an advanced copy - all the guys had - but AJ and Kevin hadn't bothered to mention it yet.

Tristan and Amanda poured over the cover and then looked at each other, bewildered.

"Nice portrait, huh?" Holly rolled her eyes sarcastically.

Amanda grabbed the magazine and held it up to her face.

"Jesus, Tris! I had no idea! Kevin could catch flies with that damn tongue of his! How does he fit it in his mouth?" she laughed then she paused thoughtfully. "Hell, how does he fit it in your mouth?"

Tristan snatched the magazine back and opened it to the table of contents. Then she flipped pages until she found the Backstreet article and began to read.

"Don't read it!" Holly snarled. "Look at the pictures!"

Amanda noticed that Leigh was conspicuously silent. Tristan flipped back and forth as Amanda looked over her shoulder and Holly waited. Finally, Tristan stopped flipping and began staring. Even Amanda's mouth was hanging open.

"Isn't it sweet?" Holly growled. "The guys with all those cute little bubble-blowing girls…"

"They're naked…." Tristan whispered as if she were telling a secret.

"No shit!" Amanda barked. "What did Nick say about this?"

"Oh, he had an explanation all ready for me. Let me see…” Holly looked up at the ceiling, trying to recall a few direct quotes. "It's art, baby! Don't you get it? We're not even looking at those girls! Like we're trying to separate ourselves from bubble-gum pop…"

"Couldn't they have just said that, then?" Amanda hissed. "Does that really require a photographic explanation? That's bullshit! What this says to me is 'Yo! We're big stars and all the young girls want us! We're just surrounded by women wanting to get naked for us and do the nasty!'"

Tristan tried to offer a defense although she did find the picture a little disturbing. The group had changed their looks and attitude over the past few months. They were getting edgier but the picture made Tristan think of descriptions she had read of Roman orgies.

"Well, it's true that they're not looking…."

"Maybe not at that particular nano-second!" Holly said angrily, slapping her hand across the open page, "but they probably took dozens of these shots! Do you think these women stood like this for an hour or more? You think they didn't walk onto the shoot with nipples and pubes shining? You think they didn't talk to the guys or anything? Jesus! God only knows what the other shots looked like…" She paused and took a defiant stance. "I think this is insulting to women in general and us in particular!"

Amanda lowered her face closer to the page and reexamined it carefully. "At least I don't see any erections….," she mumbled.

Tristan was looking the page over, too. Something was off. Then it hit her.

"I don't see any Brian, either…" she said quietly and raised her eyes to Leighanne.

"Damn! You're right!" Amanda exclaimed. "Where's Rok?" she asked, also turning to Leigh.

Leighanne looked distinctly uncomfortable as she glanced back and forth between a pissed Amanda and bewildered Tristan. Holly was awaiting her explanation, too, although she could guess what it would be.

"Uh…. Brian was a little uncomfortable with the subject matter of the shoot and decided not to participate."

"See?" Holly shouted triumphantly. "Even Brian thought this was inappropriate!"

As Amanda and Tristan continued to stare at the shot, their mouths began to turn downward. As they started to read, they became even more agitated. Amanda cocked her head towards Tristan.

“Holy shit……”

“I don’t see much ‘holy’ about it, Amanda….” Tristan muttered. “Is Kevin really talking about….”

“Yeeeees….” Holly cut in. “He really is. What the hell has gotten into him lately? When did he get so much ‘mouth’?”

“Musta been the about the same time he got so much tongue…” Amanda frowned. She patted Tristan on the shoulder sympathetically. “It must be pretty frustrating for Kevin right now - you know, not being able to get any and all. At least he’s taking care of it himself…..”

Tristan’s head slowly turned. She didn’t seem to appreciate Amanda’s commiseration.

“Why do you think he’s not ‘getting any’?” she glared. “He’s getting plenty! Has he said something?”

“No, no!” Amanda assured her. “I just thought….” She paused and looked at Tristan’s belly. “You know…”

Tristan stepped back and put her hands on her hips. “Look, Amanda! I don’t know what you and AJ do….” Holly moaned softly and rolled her eyes, recalling the contents of their bedside table in Stockholm….” but this….” Tristan patted herself on her swollen stomach….”is not the area of my body that Kevin focuses on when he wants to get off! And for your information, EVERYTHING is in good working order! In fact, I’m hornier now than I’ve ever been!”

“Jesus, Tris! Sorrrrrry! Jump back, Jack!”

Leighanne mumbled from her corner. “Well, I’ve learned more than I needed to know… It’s a good thing Rolling Stone didn’t interview you!”

Holly grabbed the magazine, rolled it up into a tube and began to tap in on the back of a chair. She had a determined and somewhat vengeful look in her eyes.

“The point is…” she murmured, staring into space, “….what are we going to do about it?”

“There’s nothing you can do!” Leighanne said, crossing her arms. “It’s done. That issue hits the stands next week.”

Tristan made an attempt to be reasonable. Maybe there was an explanation that made sense and Nick just hadn’t expressed himself too well. She thought they should be fair. Their quotes may have been off the cuff but the photographs had been seriously considered and planned. The ‘bubble-gum orgy’ shot didn’t happen spontaneously.

“Let’s go out and talk to them first. Calmly. We’ll be real casual about it. Then we’ll come back in here and decide what we’re going to do.”

“There’s nothing you can do!” Leighanne repeated.

“Oh, there’s always something you can do….” Tristan smiled as she took the magazine back from Holly. “….and you, Leigh, gave me the idea! Let’s just see what happens first. Y’all just follow my lead….”

“Well, well…” Amanda nodded appreciatively. “Kevin’s gotten himself a mouth and Tristan’s grown herself some balls…”

*****

Brian, Nick, AJ and Kevin were enjoying the game. Everyone was gone - even Jerald and Jana. They had excused themselves from watching the football game and said they were going to ‘look at a movie in the guest room…’. Sure… AJ had just uncapped another beer when Tristan, Amanda and Holly walked into the living room single file, smiling pleasantly, and began to take seats next to the men of their choice. Leighanne was hanging back and waving desperately at Brian, trying to get his attention.

“Brian! Come on - let’s go home!"

"It'll be halftime in a minute, baby. We'll go then."

"Now…" Leigh commanded.

"Leigh…." Brian whined, never taking his eyes off the screen, "….it's the fourth down and Kentucky's on the six-yard line…"

"BRIAN!"

Brian sighed mightily and picked up his cap. He practically shuffled towards the foyer, all the while looking over his shoulder at the television screen. Within seconds, Leighanne had mumbled their thanks and they were on their way out of the door.

"What's up her ass all of a sudden?" AJ asked before sticking his fist into a bowl of popcorn.

"She can be such a bitch…" Nick griped under his breath. His observation was rewarded by slap on the shoulder by Holly.

Tristan slid into her place on Kevin's large, overstuffed chair and he automatically spread his legs as she inched up between them. She could feel him playing with her hair but it was reflexive affection. His eyes were glued to the game. Amanda and Holly were watching her as she leaned back against him and slowly began to uncurl the December issue of Rolling Stone.

AJ noticed it first. Amanda felt his quick intake of breath and smiled to herself. He tried clearing his throat and coughing to get Kevin's attention but he was being ignored. The noise did get Nick's attention, though, and when Nick took a glimpse over at AJ, AJ caught his look and started cutting his eyes over towards the stuffed chair. Nick followed AJ's furtive glances and froze. Tristan was smoothing the magazine out on her thighs. Then she held it up slightly, as if she were reading the cover.

AJ simply could not get Kevin's attention and resorted to throwing pieces of popcorn at him. When one of the puffed kernels finally struck Kevin up side his face, he frowned and turned his head to the pitcher. AJ's head was bobbing as if it was attached to his neck by a spring. Halftime was just beginning. Kentucky hadn't made their touchdown but Virginia was about to score.

"Why Kevin! You didn't tell me that y'all had made another cover!" Tristan turned her head towards him and grinned. "That must be a record breaker! Why didn't you tell me?" She squeezed his knee and then began to giggle as if she'd had a sudden realization. "Bet you wanted to surprise me, didn't you?"

She could hear Kevin swallow. "Yeah, baby. Surprise." After a moment's hesitation he pushed the magazine back down to her legs. "Where'd you get it, anyway?"

Tristan saw Holly wince. She had to think quickly.

"I took some music out to Nick's car a few minutes ago and saw it on the back seat," she lied as Holly relaxed again. "You don't mind, do you Nick?" Tristan asked sweetly.

"Uh….no…no…" he stammered, squirming on the sofa. "But I'll bet Kevin was waiting to show you himself…"

Tristan turned back to Kevin and gazed at him sadly. "Oh, I'm sorry sweetie. I ruined your surprise…."

She felt Kevin shift in the chair.

"No, no darlin'…." Tristan noticed his voice seemed a little strained. "But why don't we wait until later to look at this…."

He reached in front of Tristan and made a grab for the magazine but she was too quick for him and sat up, holding it to her chest.

"I can't wait now." She laughed innocently. "Has everybody seen this but me?" she asked.

Amanda remembered her instructions and followed Tristan's lead.

"Uh…no! I haven't seen it…"

"Well, come here, and we'll look at it together! It sounds like AJ wanted to 'surprise' you, too…. Is that right AJ?"

"Uh, sure. You got it, Tris…” AJ and Kevin exchanged uneasy glances.

Tristan laid the magazine down in an open space on the rug as Amanda knelt beside her and she opened up the pages to the cover story. When she got to the questionable photograph, she stopped and examined it closely. Kevin and AJ could see what she was looking at from where they sat.

"Oh, my…." Tristan frowned as if she were seeing the picture for the first time. "What is this?"

Kevin began his explanation. It had a familiar ring to it.

"It's artistic, Tris - sophisticated. The photograph is symbolic of how we've turned away from bubble-gum music and have evolved into more serious musicians…"

"Yeah!" AJ chimed in. "Notice how we don't look at the girls in the picture….."

"The article's purpose is to show that the Backstreet Boys are no longer 'boys'," Kevin nodded confidently. "This is probably the most artistic and meaningful photograph we've ever had taken."

Amanda couldn't keep completely silent and she struggled to keep the bitterness out of her voice.

"It kinda looks like the Backstreet Boys have evolved into pedophiles, to me…." Tristan nudged her with her elbow.

"Noooooo….." Kevin chuckled uncomfortably. "Notice how we're grouped together on one side of the picture. We've separated ourselves. This is art!" He had begun to sound a little defensive.

Tristan chewed on her lip, thoughtfully. "Well, maybe you're right. I guess I don't get it but I'll have to take your word for it." She looked into his face. "Are you sure you don't see anything questionable about this, Kevin? Do you really feel that this has true artistic merit?"

"Definitely…" Kevin nodded.

"And you two feel the same way?" she asked turning to Nick and AJ.

"Absolutely…"

"No doubt about it…."

Tristan shrugged and pushed herself up from the floor, with Amanda's assistance.

"Well, okay…. If you're sure….," she sighed and began walking towards the stairs. Holly and Amanda were close on her heels when Tristan suddenly stopped and turned around. "Why isn't Brian in the picture?"

Kevin, AJ and Nick grew distinctly uncomfortable and began cueing each other for a rational explanation.

"Well, Brian thought that Leighanne would get bent out of shape…" Nick stated.

"Yeah…" AJ added, "….you know how she can be…."

"She kind of 'old school' about this sort of thing…" Nick continued.

"Brian didn't think she'd understand the artistic merit of the photograph." AJ concurred.

"Yes. All great artists have used nudes in their work - like DaVinci or Bottecelli…" Kevin nodded. "The human body itself is a work of art."

Tristan rolled her eyes at the other two women. "Okay," she smiled. The bubble-gum must have thrown Leigh off…" Kevin seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as Nick and AJ relaxed a little and leaned back in their seats. "You guys enjoy the game. I'm going to show Amanda and Holly the baby’s' rooms."

They had barely gotten out of sight before Holly let go.

"Have you ever heard such bullshit? Funny, I don't remember classical nudes blowing bubbles…"

"Man, that was SO rehearsed! They could take that shit on a twenty-city tour! I'm surprised they didn't stand up and dance to it!" Amanda spat.

Tristan was quiet as she picked up a stuffed lamb and sat herself in the rocking chair. She looked bemused but didn't say anything until Holly prodded her.

"You're not buying into that load of crap, are you Tris? You're awfully quiet…"

"No…" Tristan shook her head, smiling. "I was just thinking of a nice gift I could get for Kevin - one that AJ and Nick might enjoy, too, since they've all grown to appreciate the visual arts so much…"

"You mean for Christmas?" Amanda asked.

"No…. I don't think this should wait until Christmas….." Tristan grinned.

CHAPTER 44

Kevin's family left on Friday and by the following Wednesday, the ‘gifts’ were ready. Lord knows it had taken some doing. Tristan had spent most of Friday sneaking phone calls and trying to track down the people she needed to talk to. The gods were on her side and she managed to make her connections. Eighteen by twenty-four-inch prints of the ‘orgy’ picture were on their way, courtesy of Rolling Stone magazine and Federal Express. She was loath to use the Richardson name to get what she wanted but this had been an emergency. Although it was unlikely that she would ever grace their cover, Rolling Stone had developed a surprising affinity for the Backstreet Boys and it didn’t hurt that they were familiar with Tristan’s mixing and arranging skills. They couldn’t have been more cooperative.

She had also hired the person they needed to complete the gift and make it a reality. Tristan explained what she wanted and was assured that everything would be taken care of and in a timely fashion - for a price. A price that she happily paid. The timing was perfect. The group was doing a full day of promotions on Sunday with business meetings slipped in between interviews and photo shoots. She had arranged everything with Holly and Amanda. They were set to go. The orchestration had been perfect and Tristan began to wonder if she had missed her calling as a strategic planner for the CIA or military. She just hoped this thing didn’t backfire.

They met with their connection on Sunday. The product was ready by Monday night. On Tuesday it was prepared and on Wednesday night it would be presented. Kevin would be the first and most dramatic recipient. The three couples had agreed to meet for dinner on Wednesday night seeing as how Tristan and Kevin would be leaving for Kentucky the first of December and were expected to stay there until the babies were born and the tour began. The group had been arguing with the label about scheduling tour rehearsals in Lexington but, so far, no decision had been made.

Holly and Amanda had arrived at the house well ahead of Nick, AJ and Kevin. They had tried to include Howie, Brian and Leighanne as well, but Howie had already made plans with his family and Leighanne had said that there was no way she was coming. AJ and Nick's gifts, duplicates of Kevin's, were wrapped and waiting in the hall closet. When the guys came in, they would be ready.

Part one of Kevin's present was already sitting on the mantelpiece, leaning against the wall. It was an exquisitely framed and matted photograph - an enlargement of the infamous 'Bubble-Gum' shot. The print was only one half of a pair, however. The second half was wrapped and waiting for Kevin's unveiling.

"We're back!"

The sound of Kevin's voice caused a slight wave of nausea to sweep through Tristan's body and up into her throat. The three women began to glance at each other nervously, suddenly unsure that their righteous indignation was warranted. Oh well - it was too late now.…

"Kevin - we're in the kitchen!" Tristan squeaked.

The three men piled into the kitchen and went for the refrigerator, pulling out beer bottles and passing them around. Soon, everyone held a bottle except for Tristan. Too bad she couldn't have one. She could use a beer right now and she didn't even like the taste….

"Where do you want to eat tonight?" Holly asked, attempting a normal conversation. "Anyone got a craving?"

All eyes shot immediately to Tristan who shook her head. "I don't care what we eat as long as it's not turkey…" she laughed.

They decided upon Casa Cubana, a small and intimate Cuban restaurant in one of the areas of downtown Orlando that had been revitalized. The old streets were cobbled and worn and shops, galleries and intimate bars lined the two blocks that lead to a small lake. It wasn't really 'touristy' and they would probably be able to enjoy a meal and window shop in peace. It was already 7:00.

"You girls ready to go?" Nick asked, wrapping his arm around Holly's shoulder. "Grab your coats. It's a little on the chilly side out there!"

Tristan took a deep breath. It was show time.

"Just a minute…" Tristan grinned. "I have a present for Kevin."

Kevin brought the bottle down from his lips, which had formed a small smile of surprise.

"Really, baby? A present?" His eyes began to search the kitchen. "Where is it?"

"It's in the living room…"

Kevin turned and started walking. He began to look at the surface of the tables and on top of the sofa and chair cushions. Tristan and the rest of the group were right behind him when he turned to the fireplace. Two facts registered with Kevin at the same time - the large painting that had been hanging over the fireplace was missing and leaning against the wall, in it's place was a large framed print of the controversial Rolling Stone photograph. The enlarged size of the print made it look as if forty naked women surrounded them instead of twenty. He wasn't sure how he should react to this. Tristan had seemed disturbed by the picture. Had his song and dance convinced her to reconsider? Kevin glanced at AJ and Nick. Their eyes had grown large as they stared at the picture. No one spoke for several seconds.

"Well, do you like it?" Tristan asked cautiously.

Kevin's eyes narrowed a bit as he considered his answer. The fact was that they knew they were taking a leap when they posed for the photograph. They had all had second thoughts over the subject matter but had also decided it was time to be bold and not sugar coated. The print did have some artistic merit but in all honesty, Kevin wondered how much was art and how much was sensationalism. Howie, Nick, AJ and he had all convinced themselves, with prodding by the magazine and the photographer, that this printed illustration of the band's musical position in the world made a significant statement. Still, he wasn't sure that statement belonged over the fireplace in the living room. Maybe Brian had been right.

"Kevin?"

"Hmmm?" He whirled around again and looked at Tristan. She seemed concerned at his lack of response.

"Don't you like it? I was thinking about what you said - about this being 'art' and all and how it was probably the most important picture y'all had ever had taken…. I thought that maybe I should try to be more open-minded…Like you…"

"Oh…"

Kevin nodded and stepped over to give Tristan a hug. He appraised everyone else's reactions over her shoulder. Amanda and Holly were beaming - and he didn't know why. Nick still looked a little dumbstruck and AJ, who was standing in the back, laughed silently, pointing to the print and shaking his head. Kevin stood back from Tristan and gave her a halfway convincing smile.

"Thanks, baby… That was really thoughtful of you…."

"Well, open the other one!" she laughed, pointing to an unnoticed package at the side of the hearth. "This present has a second part!"

All eyes turned to the wrapped gift that was leaning against the stone. Kevin took a deep breath. This package looked to be about the same size as the Rolling Stone print. This made him a little nervous. When he didn't grab for the package, Tristan took matters into her own hands.

"I'll tell you what!" she cried happily as she danced over to the hearth. "I'll open it while you stand back and look at it!"

"What is it, darlin?" Kevin's voice sounded a little weak as Tristan began to rip the paper.

"Well, Amanda, Holly and I felt a little foolish and backwards after you guys explained to us the deeper meanings behind the photograph and how it really was art and how all famous artists had used nudes and how the human body itself was a work of art and all…"

Finally, the paper ripped one last time and Kevin stood staring at the 'second part' of his present. She can't be serious…can she? Funny how his reaction to this print was so different, especially considering the subject matter was virtually the same. He felt himself growing warm and questioned Tristan's motives. Is she trying to yank my chain?

Tristan held up another eighteen by twenty-four-inch, matted and framed photograph. Three figures stood to the left of the frame. It was obvious that great care had been taken to assure that Amanda, Holly and Tristan were posed like their male counterparts. Holly and Amanda stood behind Tristan, who was seated on the floor with her kegs spread out before her. They wore serious expressions and had even managed to replicate the clothes, except that the women's garments were definitely more feminine and revealing. Kevin couldn't help but notice Tristan's bare legs jutting out from a denim skirt that could pass for a loincloth. She had pale pink polish on her toes and Kevin was annoyed when he felt Little Kev responding. Despite Tristan's state of pregnancy and the Led Zeppelin tee shirt that had been stretched to its limit across her belly, she looked quite provocative. What tempered his interest were the twenty naked men who were photographed along side of the three women. They, too, had been posed to match the stance of the women in the Rolling Stone picture and they, too, had pink bubbles coming from their mouths.

"They're a set!" Tristan said happily. "I thought we could put them over the fireplace!"

Nick and AJ had moved up beside Kevin. All three stared at the photograph with a combination of fascination, disgust and shock. The last thing they were thinking of was 'fine art'. The women had made a hard point. The guy's reaction to this print was the same as the women's reaction to the Rolling Stone photo.

"The guys in this picture are buck naked!" Nick scowled. He cut his eyes accusingly towards Holly. "What the fuck is that? Where did you find these guys?"

"The photographer hired them!" Holly said defensively. "What's the big deal?"

Even AJ was becoming a little unglued. "The 'big deal' is that they're naked!" he spat at Amanda.

"IT'S ART!" Amanda shrieked. "At least it was 'art' a week ago! Has something changed?"

Her question silenced Nick and AJ's protests and they found themselves backtracking.

"No, baby..."AJ relented. "I'm sorry. I was just surprised, that's all…"

"Yeah…" Nick agreed. "It is artistic…. "

"I'm glad to hear you say that, Nick." Holly said softly. "For a minute I was thinking there was some kind of double standard going on here…"

Tristan had set the photograph down and was listening to what the others were saying but she felt Kevin's eyes on her. He had yet to say a word and she was forced to fish for a response.

"Do you like them, Kevin?" Tristan whispered sweetly.

Hell, no…! "Of course I do, Tris…" he answered, pulling her towards him and holding her tightly. "I just can't believe you went to so much trouble….. They're great, baby…" Kevin rolled his eyes at Nick and AJ "…..aren't they guys?"

"Oh yeah!" Nick grinned with fake enthusiasm. "You're one lucky bastard, Kevin. I wouldn't mind having those two prints in my house!"

"Me neither!" AJ agreed. "You're one in a million, Tris!"

"Actually one of three in a million…" Holly corrected.

Nick and AJ glanced quickly at each other. They looked a little ill. Oh, no… Within seconds Holly and Amanda had run to the hall closet and returned with identical prints.

Tristan had never seen AJ at a loss for words before and she had to try very hard not to burst out laughing at his inability to speak. She should have tried a little harder. Kevin caught her expression and his mind quickly cleared. Tristan didn't buy the 'art' excuse…. This is payback… Instead of being angry, he found himself somewhat amused at the lengths she went to in order to 'put the shoe on his foot', so to speak. He wouldn't tell AJ and Nick right away. He might as well enjoy their misery a little, too.

"Well, let's get going…" Kevin ordered. "I'm starving…"

"We'll take these out to our cars…" Amanda grinned, as she and Holly lifted the wrapped frames, "… and meet up with you at the restaurant." Kevin could have sworn that Amanda winked at Tristan.

*****

They were almost at the restaurant and Kevin hadn't said anything else about his 'gift'. He wasn't sure what to say. He figured he could take one of three avenues. He could blow up and get angry which would give her the opportunity to take him down a few notches and throw out a few 'I told you so's. He could accept the gift gracefully and act like he loved it which would give her no satisfaction whatsoever and ruin her grandiose planning. Or he could be honest and tell her that he understood her point, that he should have told her about Rolling Stone and that he understood why she might not like the subject matter of the photograph. The fact was that the print of her with all of those men had agitated him, as she had, no doubt, intended for it to. In a perverse way, he rather enjoyed knowing that she had suffered the same annoyance at seeing his pose with unclad women. It was a validation of sorts.

Kevin walked around the truck to the passenger's door, which Tristan had already opened. He legs were dangling from the seat as she held out her hand in order for Kevin to provide the counterbalance she now required in order to maneuver her expanded girth out of tight places. In that split second before taking her hand, Kevin wondered how she could look so innocent and yet be so devious. He chuckled out loud as he half-pulled, half-lifted her out of the truck and drew her face to his, surprising her with an open mouthed kiss, complete with tongue, in the parking lot of the Casa Cubana. It took her a few seconds to catch her breath and when she did, Kevin was standing back grinning at her like a fool.

"What was that?" she asked, confused by the unexpected semi-public display.

"I love you, baby! That's all…" he laughed.

Tristan wasn't convinced. Kevin was a little too happy - in every way - judging from the movement she had felt emanating from his groin.

"I love you, too…"

"I believe that, Tris," he nodded. "You'd have to love me to go to so much trouble just to prove a point…."

"I don't know what you mean…" she lied. Her voice was unnaturally high.

Kevin laughed at her attempt to appear ignorant. "Okay…we'll leave it at that. Just know that I 'got' it, okay?"

"Got what?" she asked nervously.

"I 'got' that the Rolling Stone pic bugged the shit out of you. I 'got' that I should have told you about it. I 'got' that art is in the eye of the beholder and I 'got' all of that because you made me feel the same things that you probably felt…"

Now Tristan relaxed and returned Kevin's smile. "You're just too damn smart for me, Richardson…" she murmured. "You going to tell the others?"

"Naw. They'll figure it out. Eventually…"

"Good boy…"

"Come on," he said, throwing his arm around her shoulder. "They're waiting."

"You'd better button your coat up, Kevin. Your pants are looking a little tight…"

"I'll take care of that later, Tris…" Kevin laughed as he fastened a few strategic buttons.

"Gonna 'rub one out'?" she asked turning her head up to meet his face.

Kevin stopped, stepped in front of her and cocked one eyebrow. "Why? You wanna watch?" he teased suggestively.

"Maybe I do…" she moaned and then began walking towards the door, leaving Kevin standing on the walk in a mild state of sexual shock.

He had not expected that response and had to reach inside his coat to adjust his pants. His mind was already spinning. Ooooh, baby….

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