* Chapter 5 *

After much convincing on the part of both Kevin and Howie, Mariah agreed to allow Pollyanna to record one of her songs. She met with the two Dorough siblings one weekend to arrange the piece. Somehow she found herself singing the backing tracks and playing the piano during the recording session the following week. She admitted to enjoying the experience but it was more work than she'd imagined. The trio became close during their collaboration and started hanging out in their free time.

When she wasn't with the Doroughs, Mariah continued to spend much of her free time with Kevin. Going to dinner. Watching movies. Clubbing at Pleasure Island or at Church Street Station. Walking the beaches in Daytona and Tampa. Visiting the kids at the hospital. They both knew that it wouldn't be long before Kevin had to go back on the road with the Backstreet Boys and were taking full advantage of his time off.

One evening, a month after their first official meeting, they were cuddling on Kevin's bed while feeding each other popcorn and watching Ever After. Kevin was finding it difficult to concentrate on the movie with Mariah in his arms stealing glances at her and enjoying her reactions to different scenes. He couldn't resist the urge to wipe away her tears when Drew Barrymore's character ran away from the ball. After all, her sensitivity was one of the things that endured her to him.

At the touch of his strong yet gentle hand on her cheek, Mariah tilted her head so she could see into his green eyes. Kevin smiled down and her and drew her mouth to his for lingering passionate kiss. A low moan escaped her lips before they parted and invited his tongue into her mouth.

Unconsciously and instinctively, Kevin moved his body over hers and slid his hands down her sides to rest on her hips. From there, he reached to pull her shirt out of her shorts, but she stopped him.

"Kevin," she said trying to sit up.

"What's wrong?" He took her hands in his and stared into her eyes.

"I-I don't know that I'm ready," she mumbled afraid to tell him the truth. He knew she lacked experience but didn't know to what extent.

"We don't have to. I'm sorry I didn't mean to rush you." He saw the hint of fear in her eyes. "Is this about Steve?" Kevin asked referring to the blind date who had tried to grope her on the dance floor during a party a few months prior.

"Umm, yeah," she lied.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that, sweetie." His lips caressed her forehead softly.

"Umm, Kev."

"Yeah, Ri?"

"How many women have you been with?"

Kevin's eyes widened at her question. "Not very many. Enough to count on one hand."

"Oh...I figured..."

"More?" She nodded. "I'm not like that. How about you?"

Mariah stared at the now-snowy television screen. "K-Kev..I'm...I'm a virgin."

Chapter 6
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