Riding into Love

by Nicki Night

  “This is my good friend Alana. She needs a nice outfit for tonight. She has exquisite style. Can you help me find something that will make those beautiful brown eyes of hers sparkle even more?”

  “You know I can.” Karen took Alana by the hand. “Come with me.”

  Alana allowed Karen to lead her through the shop while Drew took a seat on a contemporary white leather sofa as if he had all the time in the world.

  Alana couldn’t help but gush just a little. She was reminded of the scene in the movie Pretty Woman when Richard Gere took Julia Roberts to those expensive shops along Rodeo Drive.

  Alana thought she knew Drew, but lately he’d surprised her. He seemed to be a different person than the guy she dated a few years back. Their dates didn’t extend beyond the normal dinner and movie. She was almost afraid that he’d break down her resolve.

  Karen set her up in a dressing room and brought a few ensembles. Alana was surprised at how well Karen was able to pinpoint her style. She fell in love with two of the outfits and couldn’t decide.

  “Drew,” Karen called out to him. He looked her way, holding up one finger. With the other hand, he pressed the phone to his ear.

  A few seconds later, Drew ended his call, put the phone away and joined them at the rear of the store.

  “She needs help choosing, darling,” Karen said.

  “Give her both,” he replied.

  “No, Drew, that won’t be necessary. Just help me pick something for tonight.”

  Drew assessed the black jumpsuit as Alana twisted in front of him, showing him how well it fit. It was perfect for a night out on the town.

  “You like?”

  “I like.” Drew nodded.

  “Okay, let me show you the other outfit.” Alana retreated to the dressing room and returned with a sweaterdress that hugged her in all the right places. She wasn’t a gym buff, but none of that mattered in this well-made dress. “What about this?”

  From the wide-eyed expression on Drew’s face, she didn’t have to ask which one he liked best.

  “Karen, she’ll take both, but please let her wear that one out of the store.”

  “You’ve got it, darling.”

  By the time Alana went back to the dressing room to get her stuff, Drew had already taken care of the bill and Karen had handed him the bag containing the other outfit. Alana put the suit that she’d worn to the store in the bag that Drew insisted on carrying. Luckily, her shoes already went great with the dress. She felt fit to dine with stars.

  They headed to the play, which Alana loved. She even cried a few times. Not only was Delphine great, but the entire cast was performed well. When the play ended, Drew escorted her backstage and she had the chance to meet everyone. They rode together in the limo to a Senegalese restaurant owned by a friend of the director.

  Alana tried her best not fidget, but it was hard to keep still when all she wanted was to pinch herself to prove she wasn’t dreaming. Delphine and the rest of the cast were diligent about including her in the conversation, yet she still felt as if she were standing outside of herself watching them have dinner with an Academy Award–winning actress and friends. She wondered how Drew had made it all happen—again. Regardless of how it all came together, Alana appreciated how Drew went out of his way to make such memorable experiences possible.

  Never without a good story, Drew entertained them with his antics as comfortably as he would have if they had been simply hanging with old friends. She wondered how well he’d known Delphine before today.

  Alana knew she was uncharacteristically quiet. Yet she didn’t miss the way Drew touched her hand or leg as a way to check in with her. Other times, he’d look to her for confirmation, saying “Right, Alana?” here or there to make sure she was included. She enjoyed being a part of the whole scene. She didn’t need to talk.

  By the time Drew walked Alana to her door later that night she had to fight every morsel of her resolve to keep from inviting him in for a nightcap. She already knew the regrets she’d scuffle with the next morning so she stood there, facing Drew on her doorstep while the most pronounced sexual tension swirled around them, threatening the very air they breathed. They stood close, drinking each other in without words but communicating in sync—a conversation that was unspoken but understood:

  I want to let you in, but I can’t—I won’t.

  I want to come in, but only if you really want me to.

  Should we...

  Maybe...

  But I have my rules...

  Alana cleared her throat, snapping them out of their trance. “Good night, Drew.”

  “Yeah.” He cleared his throat too. “Um. Good night, Alana.”

  They said their goodbyes, but neither moved. A few moments ticked past. Drew leaned over and planted a soft, lingering kiss on her cheek. He stepped back, stared directly into her eyes, leaned forward and planted another on her lips.

  Alana closed her eyes. Drew pulled her to him, holding on as if he’d never let go. Alana wrapped her arms around his neck and lost herself in the deliciousness of their kiss. Drew rested his forehead against hers while they caught their breath. Breathing in time, she smiled and he kissed that smile.

  Alana opened her mouth and welcomed him again, leading the charge, their tender caresses morphing into greedy gropes that left them panting. Loins ignited, challenging inhibitions. An erection strained against his pants, pressing into and teasing the fire in her belly. They separated from each other, almost abruptly, in order to avoid being completely consumed by their passion and need for one another.

  “I’ll call you in the morning,” he said, respiring and then gently touching her swollen lips with his finger.

  Alana knew he would, just like he had every morning since the surprise lunch the week before.

  Chapter 12

  Drew ended his call with Lucia and headed back to the table with a few of his fellow riders. She had congratulated him on his second-place finish earlier that day and went on to share with him how happy she was with her new boyfriend. Drew had wished her the best, grateful that he didn’t have to be the one to cut that string.

  Their group captured the attention of every guest in Maderos, a popular Argentinian restaurant, with loud cheers, beer-bottle clinking and infectious laughter. Meagerly dressed groupies trailed them most of the day and sat on the laps of willing riders, joining in the lively festivities. One of those smiling women would have been sitting on Drew’s lap if Alana hadn’t hijacked his focus. When one voluptuous brunette offered, he politely declined, despite the fact that Alana was more than five thousand miles away.

  Drew felt pretty good. Coming in second place in spite of the bit of soreness that lingered in his shoulder was an accomplishment. He had continued to work on strengthening his upper body over the past few weeks and felt better every day. As he looked toward his third race of the season, he was confident that he could secure a first-place win in the near future.

  “We’re going to do it again in seven days!” Sean held his wineglass in the air. Cheers rang out again.

  “And on my turf,” Drew added since the next race, the third of eighteen in the season, was going to be in the United States. “I’m taking home first prize this time, Sean,” Drew teased. Sean had come in first today.

  “Yeah. We’ll see about that,” Sean objected.

  “Both of you will have to move over,” Antonio said in his heavy accent. “I let you both win today, but in America, Antonio takes the trophy!” he said, referring to himself in third person and rolling his rs harder than usual because the wine made his tongue lazy.

  “Yeah, right!” Drew jutted his chin in Antonio’s direction.

  “Hey, you come to my country and take the win. I come to your country and take the win. It only seems fair.” Antonio’s laugh reached the rafters
, forcing the others to join in. The atmosphere was too jovial to be in the midst of without being affected.

  The blonde sitting on Sean’s lap whispered in his ear and he raised his brow at Drew.

  “Hey, Sean, make sure you’re at the airport on time.” Drew knew Sean would be missing for a while if he walked out of the restaurant with that woman.

  Sean looked confused. “We leave tomorrow?” His brows knitted.

  Antonio laughed. “We’ve been there before with you and your...uh...company. Don’t get left behind again. We have to be in America by Tuesday.”

  Recognition flashed across his face. Those who were snickering now laughed heartily, remembering when Sean had taken up with a local woman after one of their races and couldn’t be found for two days. His friends always enjoyed reminding him about that.

  “Well—” Sean shrugged his shoulders “—she was a great cook.”

  “I’m pretty sure it wasn’t her cooking that you couldn’t tear yourself away from.” Drew raised his glass and sipped his wine. Mid-laugh, he heard his cell phone ring. Drew excused himself and took the call outside.

  “Big brother, what’s happening?”

  “It’s Dad.” From the tone of Blake’s voice, Drew knew something was gravely wrong.

  His back became rigid. “What happened?” Desperation seeped into his voice.

  “We’re not totally sure yet, but it looks like a stroke. Ma just called and they are rushing him to the hospital. How soon can you get home?”

  Drew hastened back inside the restaurant with the phone still pressed against his ear. “I’ll call you back when I get to my hotel. I’ll be on the first bird out of here.” Drew had ended the call by the time he returned to the table.

  His change in demeanor must have been obvious. The expression on his friends’ faces turned serious.

  Sean stood, almost knocking over his lady friend. “What’s wrong, man?” Antonio stood, as well.

  “My dad is being rushed to the hospital. They think he had a stroke. I’ve got to go.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Sean offered.

  “Thanks, but I’ve got this. I’m going to catch the first flight that’s available. See you fellows next week in Texas.”

  Sean, Antonio and the two other riders hugged Drew and he left. On the taxi ride to the hotel, Drew was lucky enough to book a seat on a flight that was leaving that night. To get to New York, it would take over twenty hours and two layovers, one in Buenos Aires and one in Bogota, but none of that mattered. He needed to be with his family.

  Being far away with his dad in crisis scared Drew. He spent the majority of the year at a considerable distance from his family. He prayed that his father would hang on until he arrived the next day and he wished that somehow the time and miles between them could be condensed.

  At the hotel, he snatched up his belongings and stuffed them into his suitcase. He’d paid the taxi driver a healthy sum to wait for him. Ten minutes later, he was on his way to the airport. Drew spoke to Hunter, Blake and his mother several times. Since he’d first received the news, nothing had changed. All he knew was that his dad was lethargic and now under the care of the emergency-room doctor at one of New Hope’s best hospitals.

  Drew got through security with ease but couldn’t keep still once he arrived at his gate. He sat for a few moments, stood and then paced. Grabbing his bag again, he strolled through the airport until he found a bar where he stayed drinking native rum. When the rum was unable to quell the angst, he headed back to the gate. Despite all of the people hurrying through the airport, Drew felt as if he were there alone.

  Drew’s phone rang again. Relieved, he answered right away. He’d become accustomed to feeling a certain level of delight when he heard Alana’s voice. It soothed him. That’s one reason why he was sure to speak with her several times a week. That and the fact that she’d finally opened up to communicating with him. His plan was to tread carefully until she realized that the two of them together made perfect sense. As hard as it was to be around her and keep his desires at bay, he wanted to make his move at precisely the right time.

  “Hey,” he said.

  “Are you alright? No. Sorry. That was a stupid question. Cadence called and told me what happened. She’s at the hospital with Blake.”

  “I’m fine right now.”

  “You don’t sound fine, but I understand.” They listened to each other breathe for a few moments.

  “Where are you?”

  “At the airport.”

  “Want me to pick you up tomorrow?”

  “Sure.”

  “Text me the details.” The attendant’s voice blared through the speakers, announcing that it was time for first-class customers to board. “You’ve got to go.” Alana had apparently heard the woman clearly. “Don’t forget to text me. I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a safe flight.”

  Drew ended the call without a salutation. He didn’t want to say the word goodbye.

  Chapter 13

  Alana left work early to make sure she’d be on time to pick up Drew at JFK Airport. When she arrived, he was already standing at the curbside with his phone to his ear.

  Alana tooted her horn to get his attention.

  Drew looked up and then held up his phone. Tossing his bag in the back, he eased into the passenger seat, leaned over and kissed Alana’s cheek as if it was their routine. Alana paused for a moment, surprised by the fact that the action didn’t feel out of order.

  “I was just calling you when you pulled up.” He fastened his seat belt. “Thanks for picking me up.”

  “Where to?”

  “The hospital, please.”

  “I figured that, but I wasn’t sure if you wanted to stop at home or my house, at least, to freshen up or something.”

  “Why? Do I smell?” Drew lifted his arms, sniffed and then laughed.

  “No, silly!” Alana laughed.

  “A shower would probably feel wonderful, especially since I spent the past twenty-one hours stuck on airplanes, but I need to see my dad.” Drew sat back and looked out the window.

  After a few moments passed, he cleared his throat but kept his face turned toward the window. Alana allowed him the space to feel without interruption. Silence dominated most of the ride to the hospital. She’d never seen Drew this quiet before.

  Alana finally made her way through the slow crawl of evening rush-hour traffic and entered the hospital’s parking lot, retrieved a ticket and quickly found a spot. Drew still hadn’t said much and hardly looked in her direction. She felt for him—having witnessed her father’s health scare a few years back, she understood the angst he was going through. Fortunately, her dad had made a full recovery from his heart attack and changed his lifestyle for the better. Her dad was her superhero and she was sure Drew felt the same way about his father.

  Drew stepped out of the car. His eyes appeared strained. Alana wasn’t sure if it was from trying not to cry or fatigue from the long flight. She rounded the car and took Drew by the hand—a small gesture to let him know that she was there for him. His smile looked more like a weary frown and he mouthed thank you.

  Hand in hand, they walked into the hospital and headed to the elevators as they had been directed by the guard. When the elevator doors opened on the second floor, Drew squeezed her hand a little as he stepped off. She could feel his trepidation. It showed in his walk. He slowed as they reached the room in ICU where his father lay. Abruptly, Drew stopped and closed his eyes for moment before taking a deep breath. He looked at Alana. She nodded. He nodded back. She gave him a warm smile. She understood. Drew didn’t know what he was walking into and he needed to brace himself.

  After another breath, he slowly moved forward. His mother stood and ran to him the second he hit the door.

  “My baby’s here! Drew,
honey.” Joyce looked him over. “Are you okay?” She wrapped her arms around him, shut her eyes and held on.

  How sweet, Alana thought. Her husband was lying in a hospital bed connected to tubes and wires that monitored every bodily function and she was concerned about Drew. Alana admired a mother’s way of exuding love.

  “I’m fine, Ma.” When Joyce finally released him, he kissed her forehead. “The question is, how are you?” Drew held both his mother’s hands in his. She nodded wearily. After a while, he walked over to his father’s bedside.

  Joyce opened her arms and Alana stepped in. She hugged her just as long and tight as she had just hugged Drew.

  “Thanks for bringing him, sweetheart.”

  “No problem, Mrs. Barrington.”

  Joyce walked over, stood beside Drew and rubbed loving circles on his back. Drew had his father’s limp hand in his, moving his thumb across the back of it.

  “How’s he really doing?”

  “He’s resting now. They have him sedated,” Joyce whispered. “He’s doing so much better. Fortunately, it wasn’t a massive stroke. They hope to have him out of ICU by the middle of the week.” Joyce told him about Floyd falling when he had gotten up to go to the bathroom and explained that the doctors said that he was lucky to have had someone there with him. They expected him to recover well, but he’d need several months of therapy to get back to his old self.

  Joyce leaned her head against Drew’s arm and he placed his head against the top of hers. They stayed that way for several moments, watching Mr. Barrington’s chest rise and fall in syncopation with the symphony of hisses and beeps of the monitors. Drew gnawed on his bottom lip. From the tight way his facial muscles were set, Alana imagined him willing himself not to cry. The love that manifested in those simple gestures between mother and son almost brought Alana to tears.

  “Sweetie, did you eat?” Joyce finally broke the silence.

  “No, I came straight here from the airport.”

  “Why don’t you get yourself something to eat, rest up a little and come back. I’ll give you my keys and you can go to the house instead of driving all the way to Brooklyn. You must be tired from racing and then all that flying. I know how that stuff can wear you out. When you come back, you can hang out with him as long as you want.”