Love Proclaimed

            Kevin drifts off to sleep, but later that night he suddenly wakes to the fact that he is in love with Kala. He goes into her room and just stands by her bed for a moment, looking down upon her.

                                    *            *            *            *            *            *            *

            I wake later to the sound of an eerie silence in my room. I slowly open my eyes, and can see that Kevin is standing in the doorway that leads from the sitting room; he has a blanket wrapped up around himself.  I turn on the light and gently coax Kevin to come to me. He needs very little of that. He comes and sits beside me, he says he is sorry, over and over again as he cries. I just hold my arms out to him, giving him the choice this time, and I am relieved when his arms close in around my neck. A short while later, Kevin has calmed down, and he is now able to speak to me. He crawls into my bed with me, he seems to be so grateful for it, he seems to especially enjoy the fact that I don’t waste any time. I rest my head on Kevin's chest and he puts his arms around me.

                                    *            *            *            *            *            *            *

            He loves the way her hair falls upon his shoulder. He can feel her breasts through the soft silk nightgown she has on as they press lightly against his side, and her hands feel so warm on his chest. He wants to feel those hands all over his body he thinks to himself. He realizes that this is the first time Kala has actually aroused him and he isn’t sure what to think.

                                     *            *            *            *            *            *            *

            I remain still in Kevin's arms, but my mind is racing. I wonder what Kevin is thinking at that moment, and I am almost positive that he is having the same thoughts about me; however, I don’t know how deep the feelings are. I can’t resist so I slowly move my hand across Kevin's chest.

                        *            *            *            *            *            *            *

            Kevin is just starting to push the thoughts out of his head, when Kala starts moving her hand around his chest. Is it an involuntary act he wonders? He decides he has to get her attention and find out what is really going on.

                        *            *            *            *            *            *            *

            “Kala,” he says in his deep rich voice. The one that he used in the beginning of I’ll Never Break Your Heart and Darlin’.

            I look up at Kevin and when I look into his green eyes, I can see something different there, they are calling me. As I look at Kevin, I know he wants more, he wants all of me, but I also know that his conscience is getting the better of him. So I am not surprised when he puts his head back against the pillow and closes his eyes.

            “Kevin, what's wrong?” I ask.

            Kevin takes my free hand and intertwines it with his own and says, “I am a little confused about what is going on Kala, but I do know that I am falling in love with you.”

            Kevin is having the same feelings that I am, and he feels his as deeply as I feel my own for him. But, is it possible for such a good person to love me? I think to myself “Kevin, I'm afraid. The last time that…well we both know what went on. I do trust you Kevin, and I want to let myself fall in love with you too, but I need time, and it has to go slowly,” I say. “But, my heart won’t learn and is rushing into loving you.”

            Kevin gently grabs my face so that he can look into my eyes. As though he wants me to know that he is sincere. “Kala, I understand the fact that you need time, you’re just getting over your father’s death and now you’ve been attacked by a crazy man. I can just imagine how horrible your past with that guy has been for you. Just let me into your heart; I don't want to rush you into anything. As long as you want me to, I will stay right by your side,” Kevin says as he wipes a tear off of my cheek. I know at that moment that Kevin will be there for me. I also know that I need his support to make it past the death, and the trauma of Jason, and he too needs time, to heal from Brooke. “That’s what I was crying about earlier tonight, I was and still am scared of falling in love with you,” he says. Kevin hugs me for a second, and then loosens his grip slightly.  He falls fast asleep quickly once he is in my arms, and I fall asleep shortly after that in his warm embrace.

            I am the first one to wake up the next morning. I easily remove myself from Kevin's arms, and just lie there looking at him. I know now that I can’t do this without him. I know I trust him, and if it means falling in love with him, I am pretty sure I can handle it. But I know I have to have him in my life.

            A few minutes later Kevin starts to wake up and when he no longer feels me in his arms his eyes shoot open and he sits up in bed. He seems relieved to see me still beside him. He takes me in his arms again and presses his lips onto mine. The kiss starts off rough at first, but when I start returning the kiss, Kevin slows it down and softens the kiss. When we break apart, we continue to lie in bed for quite some time.

            I excuse myself quite some time later to use the bathroom. I go in and close the bathroom door and lean up against it. I wonder what that kiss meant to Kevin. I bring my hands up to my lips and I can still remember what it was like to have his lips on my own. A shiver goes down my spine, so I quickly go to the bathroom.

                                    *            *            *            *            *            *            *

             Meanwhile Kevin doesn’t know what to think. He knew he wanted to kiss her last night, and he knows that she confessed that she was falling for him, but he never imagined that he would just kiss her without thinking. Now he has to figure out just how deep her feelings for him are, and calm her about feeling that way, by assuring her that he returns the affections. Just as he thinks that, Kala emerges in the doorway and is back in his arms. He decides he will see what brings that day.

            A few hours later, Kevin and Kala are out of bed and Kala’s staff is making them a huge breakfast that consists of bacon, scrambled eggs, toast and hash browns, well, that’s what Kevin is having, she not a big breakfast fan, and so keeps her meal simple, this morning’s fare, like most others, is fruit salad. Kevin sits there pretending to read the paper, but Kala knows that he is really watching her every move. She is staring out of the huge back wall, which is made of windows and three sets of double French doors. They lead out onto the stone verandah, and then open arms staircases go down to a nice yard and beyond that, there is a lake. He notices how her stretch pants hug her slim figure and how her breasts rise up with every breath she takes. He lets her catch him staring at her when the food is brought over. She just smiles back at him.

            They sit together eating breakfast and have some light conversation. “So what do you want to do today Kala? I can actually have the day off if you are interested in doing something together,” Kevin says as he finishes off a piece of toast.

                                    *            *            *            *            *            *            *

            I reach up and kiss Kevin on the cheek and say, “Thanks Kevin, you’re a sweetie.” With that I get up and stretch. “I think I am going to go up and take a bath and get ready.”

            “Are you going to wash your hair?” Kevin asks.

            “Of course,” I tell him.

            “Would you consider letting me wash it for you?” he asks.

            “Well, do you have any experience?” I ask.

            “Can't say I have ever washed a girl’s hair before, but I’d like to give it a try,” Kevin says as he moves closer to me.

            “It isn't any different than washing your own hair, Kevin,” I say with a chuckle.

            Kevin takes a strand of my hair in between his fingers and says, “But there is so much more of it, I thought perhaps that there was some sort of secret technique that all women knew.”

            “Not that I know of, but it really isn’t that difficult. Come on, I’ll let you do it,” I say as I turn to leave the dinning area laughing.

            Half an hour later both Kevin and I emerge from the bathroom with both of us are soaking wet, and laughing. “Okay, remind me never to ask to wash your hair again for you, Missy. I am not sure how I got wetter than you did,” Kevin says while laughing.

            “Oh what? You wouldn’t want to have fun like that again?” I tease as I pull a brush through my hair.

            “What are you going to do to make it worth it for me?” Kevin asks with a smirk on his face.

            I walk over to Kevin and say, “Oh I think I can figure something out.” I lightly place my lips on his. He brings his arms around me and puts them on my waist and pulls me in closer as he deepens the kiss. I bring my hand up and start running my fingers through Kevin's wet hair. A knock at the door interrupts us, Kevin answers the door and chats with Brian in my room as he continues staring at me; I stay in the bathroom.

            “Hey Brian, what's up,” Kevin says. “Oh I am not sure Kala will want to go out tonight, but I will ask. But I will be there for sure tonight,” Kevin says as he comes back in and starts blow-drying my hair out so it is silky smooth.

            “What was that all about?” I ask as Kevin finally finishes my hair and we both go into my bedroom and sit down on the bed.

            “Brian wants to know if the two of us want to go clubbing tonight. I would love it if you would come, but I didn’t commit you,” Kevin says, I can tell that he is hoping that I will say yes, but I think that deep down, he also knows what the answer is going to be.

             “Thanks for the invitation, but I think I will skip it. I can’t tolerate the noise, or the crowds, plus, I’m not into drinking, or dancing, and I think that I’m going to be pretty tired out when I get home from work today, I have constant meetings, so, I want you to have enough fun for the both of us,” I say as I face the mirror to brush my hair.

            “It won't be as much fun without you, but I certainly will try,” Kevin says as he takes the brush out of my hands and brushes my hair himself. Then he gets up and leaves my room, closing the door behind him.

                                    *            *            *            *            *            *            *

            Kala goes off to work, and Kevin also goes to work, planning a romantic evening for the two of them for when she gets home. He hopes to be able to coax her into coming to the club with him that night.

            Kevin is sitting in the dinning room, waiting for Kala to come home; he has a beautiful, romantic setting in the room for her. When everyone else learned of Kevin’s intentions towards Kala for the evening, they all vacated the house. Kevin promised that he’d meet everyone at the club, if he couldn’t coax Kala to join them.

            Five minutes later, Kala comes in the front door, with a saddened expression on her face. Kevin knows something is wrong and so he gets up and gives her a hug.

                                    *            *            *            *            *            *            *

             “What’s wrong?” Kevin asks.

            “Bad day,” I say.

            “Here, come and sit down, and let’s make the day a little bit better, okay?” Kevin asks with a quality of tenderness in his voice. I nod my head and follow him into the dinning room.

            “Kevin, it’s beautiful, when did you have the time?” I ask.

            “Sh, hush, sit down and eat, and tell me all about your day,” he soothes me.

            “I’m just so conflicted about you and I and I miss my father terribly, and now with Jason coming at me like he did, I just don’t know what to do,” I say as I just break down.

            “Oh, poor thing,” Kevin coos as he holds me close. We sit down to eat and then Kevin scurries upstairs to my room and draws me a hot bath in my Jacuzzi, the water churns and makes bubbles froth up, Kevin leaves until I situate myself inside of the tub, so that he doesn’t see anything indecent. “That’s a good girl, everything’s okay,” Kevin sings to me softly in his own deep voice. He lets me soak for a long time in the tub while he gently talks to me, calming me down about absolutely everything.

            After that I dress in a warm nightgown and hold Kevin close to me. I know that Kevin is not going to leave me alone, and I am pleased that Kevin joins me on the bed and puts his arms around me. I try to get to sleep, but all of a sudden I feels nervous with Kevin lying beside me. I know I am falling for him and am still not sure what to do about it. I want to be with Kevin, but I am also afraid to let myself fall in love, I didn’t fall in love with Jason and he managed to harm her more than any other person thus far in my life, I am terrified of how much a broken heart would hurt me.

                                    *            *            *            *            *            *            *

            Kevin knows that he has promised the others that he would be that the club that night, but now that he has Kala in his arms, he doesn’t want to leave.

            But he gives her a light kiss on the lips and says, “Well, Brian is counting on me to be there tonight, so I have better get going. You have my cell phone number if you need me. Don't hesitate to call if there’s anything that you want or need,” Kevin says as he gets up off the bed.

                                    *            *            *            *            *            *            *

            “You have been so great to me, Kevin. Please go and have fun, you deserve it. Remember have enough fun for the two of us, and I am sure I will be fine,” I say as I lie on my back and look up at Kevin. Kevin bends down and gives me another quick kiss before he leaves.

                                    *            *            *            *            *            *            *

            He feels the house key in his pocket as he leaves the house. Kevin does manage to have a good time that night, but he still has Kala on his mind the whole night. He realizes how comfortable he feels around Kala. At around eleven Kevin goes to Brian and the others, and says goodnight. Everyone is a little shocked to see he is going home so early, but they are having such a great time with their girlfriends and boyfriends, that they don’t seem to mind.

             Unknown to anyone, Kevin had all of his belongings shipped up to Kala’s house. He has decided that Florida is nice, but he wants to be somewhere a little less exciting, someplace where no one will think to look for him. He’ll still remain with the group, but he feels as though he needs to be with Kala for an extended period of time. She’s delicate and fragile, and needs to be cared for as much as possible.

            He makes several trips from the storage space that his things were put into and into his room through the house that night with various things.

                                    *            *            *            *            *            *            *

            I am woken late that night by a box being dropped on the floor of my brother’s old room, I assumes that it is Kevin, and figure that he’s bringing some more of his things into his room to give it a homier feel. I had asked him to move in with me, to keep me company. Knowing that sleep is useless until he’s finished, I go down to the family room and turn the television on. However, shortly thereafter, I fall fast asleep, while I lie on the deep and soft sofa with a blanket under me.

                                    *            *            *            *            *            *            *

            Finally, everything that he wants and needs to bring is over at Kala’s house around midnight. He comes into the house for the third and final time that night, and he sees that there seem to be lights on in the house. He stands there for a few minutes looking up at her house and sees that there are certainly lights on, but only on the ground floor. He decides instead of using the key Kala gave him he will just try knocking on the door first.

            When he doesn’t get an answer he does use the key to let himself in. He quietly closes the door behind himself and walks into the main foyer. He hears the television in the family room, so he goes back to investigate it. He is relieved to see that Kala is asleep on the couch with it on. He just stands there for several minutes watching her sleep.

            He shuts the television off. Kevin wraps her up in the blanket and carefully carries her into her bedroom. He tucks her in her warm bed and is about to leave her bedroom, when he hears her voice quietly call his name. He turns around and sits on the side of her bed.

                                    *            *            *            *            *            *            *

            I want to do this to see what kind of a reaction I get from Kevin, so I sit up and at first and just put one arm around his neck. Then I pull away and look into his mesmerizing green eyes. I get my answer considering I am not the one that initiates the kiss. Kevin leans forward and covers my lips with his. We break apart for a split second and I say, “Stay with me tonight Kevin. I just want to feel your arms around me again tonight.”

            “Of course I will stay. Just give me a second to get changed and turn the lights off,” Kevin says as he lightly touches my face.

            I watch as Kevin undresses, he takes off his shirt and pants and I can’t get enough of his body in just his boxers. I vow to myself that we aren't going to do anything ever, but he does have a well built body; one that I almost can’t resist.

            Kevin certainly takes his own sweet time climbing into bed beside me, I wonder if he noticed me looking him over. He crawls under the covers and I don’t waste any time. I rest my head on Kevin's chest and he puts his arms around me.

                                    *            *            *            *            *            *            *

            He can smell how sweet her hair is, and he loves the way it feels as it falls on his shoulder. He can feel her breasts against his side, pressing up against him through the satin nightgown that she is wearing that night. Her hands feel so warm on his chest. He wants to feel those hands all over his body so much he thinks to himself.

                                    *            *            *            *            *            *            *

            Without saying a word, I adjust myself and start kissing Kevin. His arms start to explore up and down my back and I am surprised to hear a small moan escape from deep in Kevin's throat. I stop and look at him, not knowing what to do next. Kevin gently repositions my head on his chest, with my hair falling softly on his shoulder. We hold each other near, and then we both drift right off to sleep.