Justin and Kiki were living in blissful ignorance last night and it continued for the rest of the weekend with a belated birthday dinner for Kiki the next night.
Trace was leaving to go to New York, so he came to Justin’s suite to say bye, and found him getting dress up. When Justin told him that he was taking Kiki out to dinner, Trace became a little weary. He may have been drunk last night in the club, but he was well aware of his best friend all over his ex. A number of times he felt a sense of déjà vu watching them flirt and tease each other more than two “friends” would. After being front and center during their relationship and then last night, he wasn’t buying that friends front anymore
So before he left he warned Justin. “Be sure about what you’re doing, man.”
He was barely paying attention to Trace, too anxious about his dinner with Kiki. He couldn’t wait to see her. “What am I doing that I need to be sure of? It’s just dinner.”
Trace just shook his head. He knew Justin was playing dumb, there was no way he didn’t see what was happening with him and Kiki. He wasn’t the only friend of theirs that was starting to see it and wonder what was what. Even Lynn saw that things had changed between them. Through his mother he found out that she thought it was “sweet how close Justin and Kiki were again”. Sweet was not the word Trace would use for what he saw developing between his best friend and his ex girlfriend/mother of his child. Complicated, risky, stupid even, was more like it. Worse yet was that Justin seemed oblivious to the tough situation he was setting himself up for.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Walking out the front doors of her hotel, Kiki beamed when she saw the black town car waiting for her. She was whisked away to a small yet very swank Italian restaurant hidden in downtown Orlando.
Dinner was amazing “ good food and great company. Kiki was having a great time tonight. Justin was being so attentive and sweet. It’s the perfect romantic date, rang in the deep recesses of her mind.
Ugh stop thinking about him like that! She chastened herself. All day long he was in her thoughts and how much she couldn’t wait to be around him again. Last night they’d had so much fun together, but they always had fun and it didn’t matter what they were doing as long as they were together. The truth was Kiki was happier when she was with him, more so when it was the three of them together. It was during those times when it seemed like everything was as it was supposed to be.
No! Screamed in Kiki’s mind and she took a drink of water to hopefully wipe those ridiculous thoughts away. We’re really good friends. Of course we have fun together, but that’s all it is. Snap out of it Kiki!
She forced herself to stop thinking about her and Justin in that capacity, ignoring the flutter in her heart that said otherwise. Going down that path again would only lead to problems.
Too bad for Kiki, sitting across from her, Justin was thinking the exact opposite.
Feeling so content and happy in her presence, he knew he couldn’t do this anymore. He couldn’t continue to pretend that he wasn’t still completely in love with this woman and he wanted her back. Yes he screwed up; next to Cheyenne it was the worse mistake of his life. Everything he ever wanted was right in the palm of his hand and he totally threw it away. He hadn’t been truly happy ever since. A part of him was missing without Kiki and now it was time for him to reclaim it. It was time for him to man up and do whatever he had to, to get his Baby Doll back.
“So I had a great time last night.” He smiled and she returned the gesture in agreement. “I think that was probably my best show so far. I’m glad you came.”
“I am too. It was good to see you up there again. You’re a very good artist and entertainer Justin.” She complimented genuinely.
“Thank you…. But, um…” He hesitated. “You know me. I like details. Was anything specific that you liked about it? Did my new material sound better live? Maybe one song more than the others?” He fired off questions, digging for the specific response he’d been craving for quite some time now.
Not wanting to cause any friction between them, especially with Cheyenne around at the time, and a little dose of fear had stopped him from asking her about the song when they first talked about his album. She didn’t bring it up then so neither did he. But now, with just the two of them, a new confidence, and after performing it for her last night, he wanted to know what she thought. He needed to know.
Not in the mood for a run around, not about this, Kiki bravely got to the point she knew he was reaching for. She figured she’d just nip it in the bud right now. “I know what you’re hinting at. I don’t know what the song’s called, but-“
“(Another Song) All Over Again.”
“Whatever. It was good.” Her stomach in knots now, she couldn’t eat anymore and started fidgeting with her fork, unable to look at Justin. She did not want to talk about this. Despite the tears she shed last night, she had to bottle those emotions up, just like she had her first time hearing the song….
Before the second verse could begin, she turned it off, making up an excuse to Cheyenne. She knew exactly what the song was and she did not want to hear Justin asking for forgiveness and another chance. Later that night she couldn’t sleep thinking about what the rest of the song might have said. It was 3 in the morning and she was sitting in front of her sound system with a pair of headphones on, tears streaming down her face as she listened to the song over and over. She fell asleep with Justin’s plea ringing in her ear. The next day she scrubbed the lyrics from her mind, they meant nothing and she never wanted to hear them again.
But then last night happened and experiencing it live, took it to a whole other level. There was so much raw emotion in ever word he sang, it sounded like it was coming from deep inside his soul and it hit hers directly. She could barely sleep last night and she knew he would be asking her about the song soon and she dreaded for that moment to come. It was forcing her to revisit a part of her past that she did not want to remember, that she refused to remember. She was better off just leaving it as is. And as for a second chance with Justin “ it was out of the question. She didn’t want to disappoint him, but he had to know they could not go there again.
Pissed over her aloof response and attitude, Justin pressed for an elaboration. “That’s it? That’s all you’re gonna say?”
She shrugged. “That’s all there is to say Justin.” She stared at him, her face completely void of emotion and it struck a nerve. She was trying to cut herself off from him. “It was just a song.” Her words were cold and a little harsh, but she had to stay strong for this even if it meant hurting his feelings. Protecting her heart was more important.
“You know damn well it wasn’t.” He growled lowly. “Don’t do this Kiki. Don’t shut me out, not now. We need to talk about this. You know that.”
Again all she did was shrug her shoulders. Honestly, how could she answer him when she wasn’t even willing to give herself a straight answer?
Completely wound up, Justin exhaled deeply and flexed his jaw trying to keep himself in check. Why wouldn’t she just answer the damn question?! He made his feelings very transparent, she had to know what he was asking of her. A part of him ached at the thought that maybe her silence was her answer, maybe she just wasn’t willing to give him another chance.
But how the hell could she not love him anymore? He still loved her, never stopped and things between them lately were almost exactly as they were before. Didn’t she feel that same pull they had towards each other in the past?
He finally looked back at her and he noticed her eyes were trained on the table and her face was lowered slightly like she was trying to block his view of her. She was fidgeting a lot more too. A slow grin formed on his face. She was hiding something. Could this cold exterior she was suddenly wearing just be a cover for what she really felt? Being optimistic, Justin wondered if she did still have feelings for him and was just in denial about it.
Well I’m damn sure going to find out.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Their dinner that had turned uncomfortable finally came to an end and back at her hotel, to Justin’s surprise, Kiki allowed him to escort her to her room.
Walking silently down the hall by his side, she knew the plan she formulated on the way here probably wasn’t very smart, but she didn’t want their night to end on a sour note, so she went with it when they reached her door.
“Um do you want to come in?” She asked quickly before she lost her nerve.
Shocked by the offer, Justin paused before he answered. “You sure?”
“Yeah…You were right. We do need to talk Justin.” He agreed, despite the chance that she would say something he dreaded hearing. Kiki unlocked the door and he followed her inside the small suite.
She headed to the bathroom, turning on lights on her way, but she stopped to tell him to take a seat, she’d be right back. He did the exact opposite of course, roaming around her room snooping at her things left out in the open. At first, he found nothing out of the ordinary or special. Reaching the vanity, he casually swept his eyes across the counter at her hair products and toiletries until something caught his interest among her jewelry. Somewhat in awe he picked up the necklace and smiled as he reminisced about the night he gave it to her.
It was during her 22nd birthday party that they finally acted on their attraction to each other. Everything started on that day and now here they were moving back in that direction again. Finding this necklace was a sign for Justin and if she wasn’t going to do anything to repair this relationship then he would.
The bathroom door opened behind him and Kiki stepped out, dressed in a tank and some draw string pants. “Did you want something to drink or-“ She stopped mid sentence when he turned around and she saw what was in his hand.
“You still have this. You still wear it.” He stated rather than asked. “What else do you still have?” He questioned knowing that somewhere in her condo she probably had a collection of mementos from their relationship. He did. “I still have a bunch of stuff too. Pictures and….” He chuckled at the memory. “The hunk of baby blue glass that was supposed to be a heart “ the one you made for me at that glass factory we went to in New York.”
Panic welled up inside her and she rushed over to take the necklace from him, tossing it back on the vanity. A dead silence fell over the room and the tension between them peaked.
Swallowing thickly, Kiki stood in front of the vanity, bracing herself on the counter top, her head down and back to Justin, willing her building tears away. The memories were vibrantly blazing through her mind with all the emotions she felt at the time, the happiness and love, as if it happened yesterday.
Composing herself because she could not, would not breakdown, she cleared her throat and took a deep breath before turning back to him. The look on his face damn near blew her over. His blue eyes were filled with such longing and love that it scared her. He still loved her, just as much as she did, but by the looks of it he was ready to shout it from a rooftop and reunite. She was not.
“You know…” She paused to clear her throat again and shifted uncomfortable on her feet. “It’s getting late. Maybe you should go.”
“No.” Justin immediately responded with a stern voice that surprised her, but told her he was about to fight her on this, tooth and nail. He was in fact prepared to be dragged out of her room by security if necessary. He was not leaving until they resolved this.
Making a second attempt, this one more confident than the first, she demanded. “I want you to go Justin.”
Shaking his head, he refused to go and since he had nothing else to lose, he put it all on the line. “Kiki…I..” With the shrug of his shoulders, he raised his extended arms in submission. “I still lo-“
“Stop!” She yelled so loudly it actually startled him. “Don’t even think about finishing that sentence.”
Again the room was washed in uncomfortable silence as they stared each other down. Justin glared at Kiki with a combination of hurt and resentment for the way she totally disregarded the heartfelt admission he was trying to profess. But that tension in him melted away when he really acknowledged her reaction to the volatile moment they just had.
Kiki’s eyes were wide and she was panting hard as if she was a wild animal backed into a corner ready to claw her way out. It hit Justin that her anger was rooted in her fear, she really was afraid of what she felt for him. He didn’t get that, it wasn’t like her feelings weren’t reciprocated or anything. What was the problem? Why did she have to be so difficult? This could be so easy if she would just give in. What was stopping her from see what was right in front of her face? Him. Them!
All kinds of possibilities went through his mind until he stumbled on the worse. She said numerous times that she wasn’t involved with anyone, but he didn’t know how true that was. She had dated someone in the past for couple of months and didn’t tell him about it. Maybe…..
“Is this about Shai?”
“What?”
A red anger haze came over him at the thought of her with that dick again and he lashed out at her. “Are you fuckin’ him? Or anyone else for that matter?” Watching her appalled face, that haze began to fade as he got the impression that his fears were unfounded, but he needed to be sure so he added for good measure. “Have you even been with anyone else since we were together?” He wanted to know about any competition he had out there, but smugly his ego swelled at the hope of still being her only lover.
Kiki gaped at him, totally insulted and throw by his words. Did he really just ask her that?! She sneered at his audacity. “That is none of your damn business.” She pushed past him and started moving around the room, putting things away, straighten the already impeccable room.
Her refusal to answer said it all. She wasn’t just offend, but embarrassed that he might find out that her sexual experience still consisted of one person. Him.
Kiki was so determined to ignore him and focus on something, anything, else that she didn’t notice Justin advancing on her until it was too late and she found herself corralled into a corner in the sitting room. Between the wall, the desk and Justin, she couldn’t escape and he took full advantage.
Letting out a husky chuckle, Justin drew a finger down her neck, tracing the divot at the base. “There hasn’t been anyone since me. No one. Not in your heart……” Leaning into her ear, he stated rather than asked in a gruff voice. “Or in your body.” He shifted back and with a proud grin on his face, pressed on with his epiphany. “I mean you’ve been on a few dates, but that’s it. Nothing happened, maybe a small kiss, but it didn’t mean a thing to you. You’re still in the same place as me, feeling the same thing.” Her now shakey stance told him that he hit a nerve, he was dead on accurate. There was no outside interference that was preventing her from opening up to him again. She hadn’t moved on with anyone else, in any way. She hadn’t moved on from him.
Deciding to test the waters, he leaned in to kiss her and she turned her head, but he didn’t back off. Instead he laid soft, coaxing kisses on her cheek, taking hold of her waist so she couldn’t get away from him.
Kiki was poised to push Justin away from her, but the minute his lips touched her skin, her entire body was lit on fire. Then there was the feel of his big, warm hands on her waist, gripping her firmly, taking charge of her body. She didn’t want to feel this way, this intense need for him, but she couldn’t help getting turned on. It was like he had turned up the volume exponentially on everything that attracted her to him “ his charm, confidence, his dominance and determination, and those blue eyes dark with desire for her. She couldn’t fight it, a part of her didn’t want to and let him shower her cheek and jaw line with those tender kisses she’d missed. But the part of her that knew this was wrong wouldn’t back down and burst into action.
She started pushing at his arms trying to get free, but then his mouth moved down to her neck, licking and sucking at her spot. In that instance, any fight she had left was gone. He had remembered and just like before it rendered her defenseless against him and his persuasion. Her hands stopped pushing him away and started pulling him closer as she moaned lightly in satisfaction. He wrapped both arms around her, sealing their bodies together.
As his lips glided down her neck, Kiki’s moans and whimpers got louder. Her mind had lost all control of her body, her desire and lust took over, and she titled her head to give him better access. Her hands were no longer stationary on his biceps and moved to grab, almost desperately at his back.
Justin had enough, she wanted this, her body practically screamed it. So he ran his hands up her back into her mass of curls where he gently, but firmly grabbed a handful of her hair and slanted her head to finally lock their lips together.
Kiki was putty in his hands, holding onto his shoulders for dear life. His lips had full command over hers as his tongue plunged into her mouth, exploring her warm depths. It felt so good being in his arms again and feeling his mouth ply hers that she lost it. Un-tucking her arms from under his, she firmly wrapped them around his neck, holding him close as they continued to try and consume each other.
Justin groaned when he felt her completely let go in the moment and his hands began to roam her body. They ran down her back to her hips where he gripped her tightly and thrust her against his growing arousal. He was pleasantly surprised when she didn’t pull back, but started grinding into him. He couldn’t resist and quickly responded by grabbing her ass, giving it a good squeeze as he smashed their groins together. His excitement spiked when she whimpered and gave his bottom lip a hot little nip. He constricted his grip on her and his tongue forcefully invaded her mouth again, reclaiming his dominance over their kiss.
Their passionate embrace continued on, seemly never-ending since neither had any inclination to stop. In fact, they wanted more and Justin made the first move to take it to another level.
He lifted her until her feet were off the floor and backed away from the wall, moving them towards the bedroom.
At first Kiki was in such a sexual daze that she felt like she was floating. But then she noticed she no longer felt the wall at her back and peering out the corner of her eye, she saw that they were moving. Towards the bedroom!
That set off all kinds of alarms inside her, breaking up her clouded mind and she became aware of how far things had gone between them.
Suddenly she started wiggling in his arms and pushing at his chest so hard that Justin couldn’t hold on to her anymore and he let her drop back to the floor. Once she was more stable, she practically threw herself out of the kiss and his arms. Her back hit the bedroom door and with eyes wide with shock, she just stared at his confused face.
The room was silent with the exception of their panting as they tried to get their breathing under control.
Still caught in the moment, Justin had no idea why she stopped, but he was far from done and reached out for her. Kiki quickly knocked his hand away before he could touch her and reset the fire between them.
“No.” She said, adamantly shaking her head and pressing herself deeper into the door. Her mind continued to clear and she realized how bad this situation had become. “Oh God.” They were kissing, she was kissing Justin and it felt so good that for a moment, she didn’t want it to end, but to go farther, much farther. The more those thoughts raced through her mind the more desperate she became to get away from him before she threw herself back into his arms. “I have to go to bed. I have to get up early tomorrow.” She scrambled to wrap her hand around the doorknob and jerked her wrist to turn it. The door gave way and she stumbled back over the threshold. “You can stay on the couch, if- Whatever. I just.. I…Goodnight.” She was so flustered she couldn’t even comprehend why she offered to let him stay she just needed to get away from him immediately. “Goodnight.” She repeated and scurried behind the door, firmly closing and locking it. Leaning back against it, she ran her hands over her face to her neck where she cupped the area she knew would be decorated tomorrow morning. “God what did I just let happen?”
It wasn’t until he heard the click of the lock that Justin snapped out off it, but instead of being upset, he stood alone in the living room with a self satisfying grin on his face. Yeah she had just run away from him, but his job was done. He got the truth. She was just as into that kiss and wanted it just as much as he did. And that kiss was not simply lust driven, there was so much passion and love in it, coming from both of them. It verified everything he already knew - she wasn’t over them either and if he played his cards right, he could win himself another chance.
As for now, he had her completely off balanced. She was on the edge and sooner or later, using every trick in the book, he would pull her over with him.
Taking off his blazer, Justin got comfortable on the couch instead of going back to his hotel. She offered and he wasn’t going to leave just in case she changed her mind. He chuckled deeply at the thought of her, all turned on and hot because of him, creeping out of her room in the middle of the night, looking for him. Nope he was staying right here. He fell asleep with very satisfying thoughts about Kiki floating through his dreams.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning Kiki woke up to find the couch empty and breakfast set up for her on the table by the window. Along with the food there was a single white rose and note.
Last night was cold Kik. You just left me all alone on that couch when you could have let me into that big warm bed you were sound asleep in. What a way to treat your baby’s Daddy. That’s okay though, I still love you. I had a great weekend with you. Have a safe trip home and call me when you get in.
Enjoy the breakfast.
Love,
J
P.S. Don’t think I forgot about getting my birthday licks.
With the note still in her hand, Kiki dropped into the chair in front of her breakfast. She rubbed her hand over her forehead, musing over the previous night.
It was a mess, a complete mess, that was all there was to it. The night started off really good, but quickly made a turn for the worse. If only Justin had just kept his mouth shut and let the past stay in the past. Gawh! Why did he have to write that stupid song!
That song was like the Pandora’s Box of their past “ every emotion, good and bad between them was laid open and there was no way it could be contained again.
Justin made it very clear how he felt about her with his actions, his music and most importantly with his almost-confessed confession that she couldn’t bare to hear. She knew he regretted how he treated her and how he let their relationship fall apart. And as much as Kiki would love to throw her arms around him and tell him how she forgave him and how much she loved him, she couldn’t. Her head wouldn’t let her heart give in and take that risk again. She couldn’t trust that he wouldn’t hurt her again.
Oh how the tables had turned.
All Kiki knew was that at this point with the way things were going between them, something had to give. Looking back on the past five months, she could see what had gone wrong. They had grown too close and too attached to one another. Spending more time than necessary in each other’s company when they were just supposed to be dropping Cheyenne off at the other’s house, or hanging out even when Cheyenne wasn’t around. Really thinking about it, Kiki would bet Justin spent more time with her than his own girlfriend.
And it wasn’t just the quantity of time they were wrapped up in each other, but the quality. Not only did they both love being with one another like they used to, but ever since the night of the Pussycat Doll show the attraction between them had gone to a level that was questionable for ex lovers.
It was as plain as day to Kiki now and she couldn’t understand how she missed all the signs. The easy touches that turned to soft caresses, short hugs to long soothing embraces, the constant cuddling, and the kisses that started on the cheek, but landed on the corner of the mouth on a few occasions or placed on the neck.
Sure a lot of these bolder gestures came from Justin, but Kiki allowed them, she could see that now. No wonder he thought they could try again. She was sending mixed messages that she was open to it.
I’ve been leading him on. She thought and groaned out loud. “Oh God.”
She definitely had to stop that and then make this whole situation right. She would sit down with Justin and make him understand that the past was in the past. They couldn’t go back.
Yup, the next time he called for Cheyenne, she would tell him how it was going to be from now on and then she would keep her distance from him for awhile. It’s what was best for them all.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
What the hell are you doing Kiki?! This is not a part of the plan!
“Mommy we here!”
“Hmm?” She murmured briefly before her mind came back to the present. “Oh, ok honey. Let’s go surprise Daddy.” She announced and picked Cheyenne up before climbing out of the car.
It’s Father’s Day and he’s the father of your child. Your two year old child who has no comprehension of what this day really means unless you teach her. You’re only doing your job as a mother by bring her here to honor her father. It would be completely irresponsible of you to just put her on a plane by herself and let her fly all the way across the country to celebrate. This is in no way an excuse for you to see Justin again. Nope. Just fulfilling your legally and morally bound duty to look after and nurture Cheyenne. Part of that is making sure she spends time with her father. You’re just doing what a mother is supposed to do. That’s it. No personal gain involved whatsoever.
“Hey Kiki. Hi Cheyenne.” Andrea called out when she saw the two walk into the hotel lobby. For the second time Kiki had to be knocked out of her incessant thoughts about Justin and it irked her, but she let it go. All she had to do was get through today.
“Hey Andi.” She greeted her with a smile as did Cheyenne.
“You guys have perfect timing. Justin is in the restaurant with the band waiting to leave for his ‘meeting’.” Andrea informed.
Before Justin had gone on tour, Kiki had conspired with Johnny to give him a little celebration on the road for his first Father’s Day. Johnny had put a phony business meeting in Justin’s schedule, telling him it was a company looking to set up an endorsement with him. Once he went for it, the plan for Kiki and Cheyenne to surprise him in Atlanta was set in motion. Of course this was before the events of Orlando. If Kiki knew then what she knew now, this surprise would have gone a lot different. Alas she hadn’t gotten the heads up so here she was, feeling incredibly nervous; a part of her dreading seeing Justin again and a part of her very excited about it. But for Cheyenne and for her own sanity, she had to play it cool.
“Great.” Kiki smiled deceptively and asked Cheyenne. “Are you ready Pix?”
She peeped happily, “yup,” and the three ladies proceeded to the bar.
They found Justin and the band at the back of the bar and restaurant surrounding a table talking, drinking and eating from a bunch of appetizer platters. Once they got close enough, going completely unnoticed, Cheyenne did the honors of announcing their presence when she squeezed her hand out of her mother’s and dashed over to her father.
“Hi Daddy!”
Justin heard the familiar high pitched yell and whipped around in shock to see his little girl bouncing towards him with a big ol’ smile on her face. She got within reaching distance and jumped into his lap.
“Surprise! Happy Daddy’s Day!” Cheyenne proclaimed while giving him a hug.
“Thank you baby.” They pulled apart and Justin sat her in front of him on the edge of the table. “What are you doing here?”
“Itsa surprise. You surprised?”
“Yeah I am. Thank you, but um where’s Mommy?” He asked, hoping she and not his mother had accompanied her.
“Right there with Ms. Andi.” She pointed behind him.
Justin turned around to see them approaching and along with a big smile, a mass of happiness came over him when he saw Kiki. “Stay here baby girl.” He instructed her and got up to greet her mother.
Cheyenne did as she was told “ well kind of “ she maneuvered herself off the table and into Justin’s empty seat to face the other’s sitting around her. At first she was nervous since she didn’t know any of them, but then she looked at the person to her left and smiled.
“I know you. You that man in my Daddy’s office pushing all those buttons.”
Tim laughed. “Yeah that’s me. Do you remember my name?”
“No.” She blankly responded and turned away to look at her parents who were hugging. She beamed.
Tim was laughing at her dismissive reply as was the band, thinking she was quite the little rascal.
“My name’s Cheyenne.” She said returning her attention to her father’s friend.
“I’m Tim.” He extended his hand and she shook it.
“Hi Mr. Tim. Can I have that?” She asked eying the nachos in the middle of the table.
While Cheyenne was busy making it look like her parents didn’t feed her and getting acquainted with the band, Justin and Kiki were once again getting caught up in themselves.
“Hey.” Justin said with a touch of reverence in his voice as he stared at her.
“Hi. Happy Father’s Day.” She acclaimed and took the initiative in hugging him in hopes that it would catch him off guard so she could pull back quickly.
Of course Kiki wasn’t that fortunate and Justin wrapped her up in his arms, tight, before she could get away. In a matter of seconds he had their chests pressed together, his hands spanning her back, squeezing a few times, and his face buried into the crook of her neck.
“Thanks for coming.” He murmured.
It was so overwhelming for Kiki, he felt and smelled too damn good. So she grabbed his upper arms and pulled their bodies apart. “You’re welcome, but I had help with this little surprise.” She looked over at Andrea and they giggled.
At his questioning look, Andrea explained. “You know that weird business meeting that Johnny insisted you attend today?” He nodded. “Well ta-da.” She signaled towards Kiki and Cheyenne.
He shook his head approvingly. “Nice. I definitely prefer this over that shit he was talking about.” He said while pulling Kiki by the waist into his side. “Thanks Andi.”
“No problem. You guys just have fun.” With that she left the two to join the others at the table.
“I can’t believe you came.” Justin beamed and hugged her again.
Kiki shrugged. “Well Cheyenne wanted to see you and give you your gifts today, not when you got back.”
For a moment, he didn’t respond and just took in the sight of her. She looked beautiful, but tense, she wasn’t fooling him. The slight tint of red in her cheeks, the way she kept tucking her bang behind her ear and the best sign of all, the fact that she couldn’t keep eye contact with him for too long. It had been a week since Orlando and she was still noticeably affected by him and the things he said.
Mentally, Justin patted himself on the back. All his efforts that night were still paying off big time.
“Well I’m really glad you’re here.” He stressed.
Kiki felt like his stare was piercing through her, making her feel exposed and vulnerable, his comment only heightened that.
She fidgeted a little and her eyes started darting all around the room until they fell on Cheyenne.
“Pixie face, what are you doing? We’re going to dinner and you just had a snack on the plane.”
She shrugged sheepishly and dusted her hands off after stuffing the rest of her fried cheese stick in her mouth. “I finished.” She defended and showed her empty hands. “Thank you Mr. Tim.” She said to her new friend.
“No problem kid.”
“Cheyenne you remember Tim?” Justin asked surprised. “Hmm, well did you introduce yourself to everyone else?”
“She sure did. She’s absolutely adorable J.” Diedra complimented.
He thanked her and proceeded to make the last introduction. “Okay then, Kiki this is Tim. Tim “ Kiki.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.” She smiled.
“Yeah you too. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
He and Justin had talked a number of times about the two important ladies in his life since the news of their existence broke. Justin had told him the whole story and he was surprised that his friend had made such a blunder. But he was relieved to find out, especially being a father himself, that he had stepped up and became a real parent to his daughter. Hearing Justin’s story also answered a lot of questions about the material he had written for the album. Seeing Kiki in person there was no wonder his boy was so sprung over her.
“Oh I’m sure you have. Justin doesn’t want anyone to know his business, but he’ll sure as hell tell someone else’s. Big mouth.” Kiki shot a glaring scowl at Justin as Tim chuckled.
“Oh come on, I don’t tell people anything major. Like no one knows that when I touch you-“
Kiki elbowed him in the gut before he could say anymore or his hand could travel any further down her body in demonstration.
“Oh my gawh.” She half laughed, half outraged at his gull. “You’re daughter is sitting right there.” And to add effect to her statement Cheyenne beamed up at her parents when Kiki gestured towards her.
“Oh please, she’s clueless. Stop hiding behind her.”
That hit a little too close to the truth for Kiki and she startled, her smile twitched, but she recovered before anyone noticed.
“Pfft.” She blew off his accusation and quickly changed the subject. “Now I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry. Obviously so is your daughter so do you want to get your celebration started?”
“Absolutely. What time is our reservation for?”
She looked at her watch. “About two hours, but we still have to check in and change.”
“Alright, let’s go. You ready baby girl?” She nodded eagerly and hopped out of her chair. Before joining her parents she made sure to say by to each person at the table and then the trio was off.
After getting in their room for the night and changing into their dinner outfits, Kiki and Cheyenne meet back up with Justin in his room.
As soon as Cheyenne got into the big penthouse, she went exploring, giving her mother the chance to talk to her father.
Kiki had rehearsed her speech in her head the whole plane ride over. She had to get this off her chest now while she still had the balls so the air could be cleared between them.
Justin had changed as well into something more casual and was checking himself out in the foyer mirror when Kiki pulled his attention to her.
“Justin, listen I want to talk to you about something.” Using all her bravado now that they were face to face, she started reciting her speech. “I know things were weird in Orlando, but um…It was a mistake that won’t happen again.” She deadpanned, trying to stress her seriousness, but it quickly became obvious that he wasn’t buying it. Still Kiki continued, she was going to set things straight right now damint! “We’re just friends.” Justin rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation wondering who she was trying to fool. “You have a girlfriend and there’s too much history between us. We had our chance. Now we’re just friends who share a child. Right? Everything’s cool right?” She was trying to convince herself of everything she was saying just as much as she was trying to convince him. And honestly she wasn’t doing a great job on both fronts.
It was all bullshit to Justin, but if she wanted to keep living her life with blinders on, he would just have to make her see the light. Until then, especially tonight since it wasn’t the appropriate time, he was going to play it cool. “Sure Kik. Whatever you say.” He didn’t even blink when he spoke. His look was so deep and intense that it left no doubt in Kiki’s mind that he didn’t agree with her at all and that she was in trouble. He was coming after her and knowing how determined he could be, she wasn’t sure she’d get away if another night like Orlando occurred. Right this minute though she needed some space to breath and to get away from another one of his stares that was burning into her, caging her in.
“Um…I gotta go…um I left something in our room. I’ll be right back.” She started backing away from him, but the wall got in her way. God, she and walls weren’t vibing too well lately. “Oh! Um.” Embarrassed, she giggled nervously and repeated. “Be right back.”
Once again Justin watched her run from him and he smirked. He was good, damn good, because there was no question, if she felt like she couldn’t even be in the same room with him for a few minutes, he’d get her to give into him eventually.
He was pulled from his thoughts by Cheyenne tugging on his blazer tail. He looked down to see her cute little face looking curiously up at him.
“Where Mommy go?”
“She left something in your room.”
“Why?”
“Because your Mommy’s a silly girl Pix.” He explained and brushed her hair back. Silly to think if she runs from me this time I won’t chase her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Upon Kiki’s return, the three were all set to go and made their way to the lobby when the front desk called to let them know that the car Andrea ordered for them was here.
Despite his original decision to play nice, Justin couldn’t resist working his magic on Kiki a little as they walked through the busy lobby. It wasn’t like it was inappropriate for him to wrap an arm around her waist as they walked. Cheyenne was already in his arms, perched on his hip, it would look weird and disconnected if she kept walking way over there when they were anything but. Besides the way Kiki was looking was drawing the attention of every male in the room so he saw his move as exercising his right to stake his claim.
It was obvious that Kiki didn’t see things the same way when she blocked him by sticking out her elbow as she pretended to look through her purse for some mysterious, probably non-existent item.
Ha! I’m not that easy Mr. Timberlake. She thought and triumphantly pulled out her lip gloss, applying it.
Justin chuckled to himself. Cute attempt Kik, but I’m far from put off…Oh and not very smart drawing my attention to those juicy lips of yours. This time he laughed out loud and when Kiki looked up at him, he just smiled smugly.
Their cat and mouse game continued into the limo where Kiki’s defense lucked out when Cheyenne seated herself in between her parents, but her good fortune ran out once they got to the restaurant.
While being escorted to their table, Justin placed a hand on her lower back so lightly she didn’t know it was there. His slick move wasn’t detected until that hand quickly skid around to grasp her hip and he jerked her into his body.
Kiki’s head shot up at him, complete bewilderment coloring her face. Justin simply smirked and kept moving, pulling her along. Begrudgingly she resigned to her predicament. Knowing that he would fight her on it, she had no other choice, but to play along unless she wanted to cause a scene. Asshole!
She was thankful when they were seated because now they were in Cheyenne’s frame of focus again and their tug of war would have to end. At least for the night. There was no way Justin was throwing in the towel for good.
Too excited to wait Cheyenne insisted that Justin open his gifts before dinner. With the help of her mother she presented him with a hand made paperweight for his office that she and all the kids in daycare made for their fathers (or mothers) which was a painted clay molding of her little hand. And going with his new tailored image, Justin got a new tie, picked out by Cheyenne, so it was very loud and colorful, and two pairs of cufflinks “ a set of platinum music notes and a set of enamel pianos.
“Wow baby these are great. I can’t wait to wear them.”
“You gonna wear them when you sing?” She asked with excited hope shining in her baby blue eyes.
“Of course I am.” He promised, even if the tie specifically, looked a hot mess. He’d wear it proudly. “Thank you baby.” He picked her up and they held each other close in a heartwarming hug.
The scene almost brought tears to Kiki’s eyes, in particular, the look on Justin’s face. She could see how much this all meant to him especially after the bad start he had in fatherhood. This was his first earned Father’s Day, the one she knew he’d probably cherish more than any other forever.
Actually Justin, right in that moment, did more than permanently etch this day in his memory, but he made another vow to always give Cheyenne a reason to want to honor him on this day.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dinner came to an end and during their ride back to the hotel, both Kiki and Cheyenne nodded off. Justin used the opportunity to watch them openly, to really soak in the sight of them. This was what he wanted out of his life, to be with his family, his daughter and her mother, the woman who he knew he’d be in love with for the rest of his life. All he had to do was convince her that they belonged together and one way or another, he’d get that through her head and her heart.
