"Shayla, the dogs are fine," Brian said sighing.
"It'll just take a minute," she said opening the door. After pushing them out she turned around and Brian was standing right behind her. He looked into her eyes for a moment. He could see she was just as scared and unsure as he was. He smiled and put his arms around her and pulled her close to him. "Brian I....."
"I know," Brian said.
"It's just that....." Shayla was silenced by his finger over her lips.
"Stop over analyzing it. Let's try this again," he said as he searched her eyes. He bent his head and placed his mouth on hers. As he felt her respond to the kiss and her body loosen, he grabbed her face in his hands and opened his mouth to which she responded allowing his tongue to roam her mouth. As she did the same he sighed and she wrapped her arms around him holding him tight, as he ran his fingers through her soft hair, twisting and pulling it. When they couldn't breathe anymore, they broke apart staring at each other and smiling, Brian continuing to play with her hair.
"Maybe we should sit down and talk about this," Shayla said.
"Yeah, I think so," Brian said. He led her over to the sofa and sat down sitting next to her, putting one arm around her. Shayla sat with her legs pulled up to her chest nervous again. Brian took her legs and pulled them into his lap, rubbing her legs. Her tan skin was so smooth and silky.
"Brian, I saw the letter from Leighanne," Shayla said. Brian looked at her confused. "You left it in your pocket and when I put your things in the laundry, I found it."
"Oh, did you read it?" he asked turning his eyes from her.
"Yes, I did," she answered.
"So, then you know what happened?" he asked embarrased.
"Yes, I know. Brian I didn't mean to snoop or invade your privacy.....well, I don't know why I did it. I just felt you were so sad and I wanted to help. And I guess I was curious as to what happened. I'm sorry," Shayla said. Now she was the one who was embarrased.
Brian looked at her. He didn't seem to be angry. "It's ok," he said smiling. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you the whole truth."
"I feel so bad for you. You must be heartbroken," Shayla said rubbing his hand.
"I was but it's passing. Actually that nightmare I had the other day......I was having a dream where I was having my heart surgery and in the dream I wasn't going to make it and they were looking over me in my hospital bed and laughing at me," Brian said explaining the painful nightmare. "I didn't think I could be with anyone again while I was on the road. But I loved when I would talk to you on the phone and I couldn't wait to get home. Now I know why. It was because I couldn't wait to see you. I knew it the second I saw you at the airport."
"Really? I couldn't wait to see you too. I just don't want to be a replacement for Leighanne. I'm not sure that you're ready to move on yet and I don't want......I don't know what I'm trying to say," she said.
"Shayla, I was very confused about my feelings for weeks. I was being blind to what was right in front of my face and if you feel the same way about me as I do about you, then I don't want to fight those feelings anymore. And trust me, you could never be a replacement for anybody," Brian said stroking her cheek.
Shayla smiled and Brian wrapped her in his arms and held her. As they talked for a while longer, Shayla became very sleepy. She just wasn't totally convinced Brian was ready. She liked him very much. She knew she could easily fall in love with, in fact she felt she already was. She just was unsure what they should do. But when he kissed her, he took her breath away and captured her heart. Brian knew he was already in love with her. He just didn't know how to convince her things would be ok. They decided to continue the conversation tomorrow and call it a night. Shayla eventually fell asleep after tossing and turning. Brian couldn't sleep. He had to show her this could work and prove his feelings for her. Around 3:00am it finally came to him. The perfect way. He snuck over to his house through the back door without the press out front seeing him and set things up. He then went back to get Shayla. He quietly opened the door to her room and crept to the side of her bed.
"Shayla," he whispered softly as he touched her shoulder.
"Hmmm," she stirred awakening. Her eyes opened. "Brian? What is it?"
"Get up, I need you to come with me," he told her.
"What are you talking about?"
"Come with me. I need to show you something," he said.
"Oh Brian, that's the oldest line in the book," she groaned turning over and going back to sleep.
"No," Brian chuckled at her and shook her again. "Come on, we have to go over to my house."
Shayla sat up and looked at the clock. "What?"
"Come on, you'll see," he said pulling her up.
"Ok, give me a minute," she said trying to get up. She crawled out of bed, ran a brush through her hair and brushed her teeth and met him downstairs.
"What's going on? We can't go to your house," she said.
"We can sneak in the back, come on," Brian said taking her hand and leading her out.
They crept across the backyard and he helped her hop over the fence. Shayla hoped the reporters and photographers didn't catch them. They'd have a field day catching them in their pj's sneaking around. Brian led her inside, through the kitchen, and into the music room, where he kept the piano and some recording equipment and all his awards. Her eyes were still adjusting to waking up. The room was lit only by lots of candles and looked beautiful. Shayla looked around the room.
"What are you doing?" she asked him.
Brian smiled one of his perfect smiles, "come here." Brian led her over to the piano and stood her next to it. He sat down on the bench. "Maybe this will help you see how I feel," he said.
Shayla couldn't believe he was doing this. She knew he was going to sing to her and she felt goosebumps all over. He began to play the piano. It was the most beautiful song. She looked at the music sitting on the piano. It was called "Who Do You Love"(authors note: if you haven't heard this song, get the video "A Night Out With The Backstreet Boys". It's the most beautiful song) It was perfect. She had never heard the guys sing it before because it was one of their old songs. It described how both of them were feeling expertly. Being torn between the way things were and what could be. Two people being in love and not knowing it. Telling her to put her trust in him and that he would make this love their own. Taking time out to find their way. How his thoughts were always of her and he realized he couldn't be without her, and how when he's alone, all he thinks of is her.
By the time he was done singing tears were rolling down her face. His voice was amazing. He sang like an angel and he moved her soul. She loved him. His voice and that song would forever be in her heart and mind. After singing the last note and playing the last key, he looked at her, deep into her eyes reaching her soul. He pulled her over so she stood in front of him with his hands around her waist.
"What do you think now?" Brian asked softly. "That's how I feel about you. How do you feel about me?"
Tears were pouring from Shayla's eyes, and she didn't speak for a moment as she searched for what she wanted to say. He put his forehead against her stomach waiting for her decision. Shayla finally managed to speak. "Brian Littrell, I am absolutely amazed by you," she said. She'd never felt so much for someone in her whole life.
Brian looked up at her. A smile came over his face and he slowly stood up. He leaned down and kissed her pulling her as close and tight as he possibly could. This kiss was different. It was powerful and explosive and he wanted her, and she wanted him. He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. He laid her gently on the bed and layed down next to her. He kissed her over and over as they caressed each other letting the passion between them go that had been building for so long. He made love to her so sweetly and tenderly, taking their time to get to know every inch of each other before falling asleep in each others arms.