by Nicki Night
“You named the motorcycle?” she asked, wrapping her fingers around one of the handlebars.
“I name all of them.”
The bike was beautiful in an edgy way and stood firmly in a stand as if it were a featured exhibit in a museum. Alana ran her fingers along the seat.
“Don’t do that,” Drew said.
“Don’t do what?” Alana was confused. She continued running her hands along the body of the bike.
“That.”
Alana realized he was talking about the motorcycle. “You mean this?” Alana leaned forward and pressed her body against the bike, sliding her hands across it seductively.
“Yes. That.” The tone of Drew’s voice sank and became husky.
Alana teased him, stroking the motorcycle as tenderly as she would a lover. Drew looked like he held back a smile, but the desire in his expression was clear. Alana giggled, enjoying the effect that handling the bike in such a way had on Drew.
Putting down his glass, Drew stood and slowly sauntered over to where Alana put on her show with his motorcycle. He caressed her back, which arched instinctively from his touch. Immediately, heat spread throughout her body, causing her skin to tingle.
Drew straddled the bike, guiding her on to face him. She leaned back toward the handles, her breath guiding her chest up and down in a syncopated rhythm. Drew leaned toward her, sliding his tongue into her warm mouth. The sounds of their kiss echoed. Drew pulled Alana’s shirt up, skillfully unsnapped her bra in a single motion and released her mounds. As he took her nipples between his teeth, they pebbled. Alana leaned forward. Grabbing him, she held on and kissed him back, hard. Moans rumbled in their throats.
Taking the lead, Alana pulled Drew’s shirt over his head, tossed it and fondled his taut chest. Drew hissed when she took his nipples into her mouth. He removed her shirt and they held each other, bare chest to bare chest as desire bubbled between them. She ground herself against his firm erection.
Drew dismounted the bike, took Alana by the hand and helped her off too. Carefully, he peeled off the rest of her clothes and then his. They stared at each other for a moment. Alana felt something shift inside of her. All the effort placed into blocking Drew from penetrating her heart had failed. Alana stood before him, staring into his soul, wanting to connect with him in a cavernous way that she’d never desired before. His body was art, a joy for the eye to feast on, but her appreciation for the man inside that glorious casing had increased exponentially.
Drew snaked his hand around her lower back and brought her closer. Another kiss. He rested her hands on the seat of the bike and explored her body right where she stood. Burying his head between her spread thighs, he lapped until her legs became too unstable to stand on. Leading her toward the front of the bike, he placed her hands on the handlebars, bent her forward and sheathed himself.
Drew planted a trail of kisses down her back. Alana’s center tightened in anticipation of him. She wanted to feel him already. He entered slow and deep. Alana sucked in air. Drew hissed. Together they found a delicious rhythm, luxuriated in it until her heart beat in her ear like drums. Drew’s grunts let her know that he was reaching a breaking point. Alana tightened her walls around him snuggly and squeezed him. Drew jerked. Their tempo increased urgently. Alana chanted his name and he exploded, collapsing onto her back.
Drew caught his breath. “Alana,” he whispered in her ear from behind.
“Yes,” she replied breathlessly.
“I’m gonna make you love me.”
Chapter 20
“You boys have to play that music so loud?” Joyce yelled over Drew’s party playlist. Though she hollered at her sons, she looked at Alana, Cadence and Chey and threw her hands up as if she was exasperated, but everyone knew how much Joyce loved having her family around.
The Barrington estate hummed with the pleasant sounds of a family gathering. Chatter, laughter and music blended together to create a merry symphony. Floyd was proudly perched at the head of the table for the first time in months.
“Aw, Joycie, let the boys have their fun.” Floyd spoke slowly, still managing a slightly lazy tongue, one of the remaining side effects from his stroke.
Joyce peered at Floyd over her glass and then opened a large pot to stir the green beans.
“Hey, woman! Get back!” Drew took the spoon from her hand. “You’re supposed to be sitting down. We’ve got this.”
“Exactly. We’ve got this,” Blake echoed. “Why make us learn how to cook if you’re never going to let us do it?”
“Alright, I’m sitting.” Joyce parked herself next to Floyd and patted his hand.
Drew and Blake continued preparing Sunday dinner as they waited for Hunter to get back from the store with more eggs. Alana, Cadence and Chey sat around the table chatting with Joyce and Floyd since they weren’t allowed to help cook.
Hunter blew into the kitchen like a violent wind. “I got the eggs.”
Blake took a few bags from him.
“Give me two eggs for the mac and cheese so I can put it in the oven,” Drew said.
Hunter handed him the eggs, and Drew danced back to the cabinet to retrieve a bowl to beat them in. Drew danced through every step of his meal preparation, matching his movements to the tempo.
“Leave room in the oven for my cornbread,” Hunter instructed.
“Can you believe this, Floyd?” Joyce yelled.
Drew turned down the music just a bit so his mother wouldn’t have to keep yelling.
“Thank you!” Joyce threw both hands up in the air as if lowering music was a gift from God.
“Okay, now taste this.” Drew scooped a small forkful of his herb jasmine rice and fed it to Joyce.
“Yum! I taught you well, didn’t I?”
“Uh, Ma, you didn’t teach me that.” Drew said and ducked his mother’s playful whack just in time. Everyone laughed.
“Boy, I taught you how to cook and that’s all that matters.”
“I still cook better than both of you,” Hunter interjected.
“What?” Drew and Blake said simultaneously.
“Blake, do you remember that day Hunter burned those boiled eggs? We came into the kitchen and they were no longer in the pot.” Drew doubled over laughing.
Blake cackled until he could hardly catch his breath. “And then we finally looked up and saw they were stuck to the ceiling.”
“No! Hunter, say it isn’t so!” Chey’s entire upper body rocked as she laughed.
“That’s your man, Chey.” Drew pointed at her with the spoon he used to stir the green beans. “Burning boiled eggs. Who does that?”
“Oh yeah? Well, what about that fire you started when you were trying to fry chicken that night when we were at your house watching the Super Bowl.”
“Oh—” Floyd lifted a wobbly finger “—I remember that!” He chuckled slow and easy.
“Floyd! You never told me about that.” Joyce looked genuinely surprised.
“Blake, what about that chicken you messed up at your BBQ that time?” Hunter said.
“That doesn’t count. I was hungover.”
“So was I when I set the kitchen on fire,” Drew said, exaggerating. “Those times shouldn’t count. What was your excuse, Hunter? You weren’t hungover when those eggs went airborne.”
The brothers kept the family entertained with their joshing and stories of capers as they finished dinner. The women helped them set the table.
Joyce said a moving grace, thanking God for bringing her husband home and her family together. She ended by saying, “Lord, if you see to it that I get some grandkids I’ll be forever grateful.”
Drew’s eyes popped open and he noticed that Blake’s and Hunter’s had done the same. They snickered without making a sound. He looked over at Alana. Her head
was still down and her eyes closed. As much as he joked, he looked forward to one day having a family with her. He had meant it when he told her that he planned to make her love him. Drew wasn’t sure if he could call what he felt for her love just yet, but he knew it was close to it.
“Amen,” Joyce finally said and everyone sat down.
“Pass me a piece of Hunter’s cornbread. Let me see if it’s better than mine,” Drew teased. They continued the banter until someone rang the bell, surprising them all into silence.
“You’re expecting company, Ma?” Hunter asked as he headed to the door.
“No.” Joyce looked as surprised as her husband and sons.
Hunter walked back into the room with an unreadable expression.
“Who is it, baby?” Joyce asked.
“Hi, everyone!” Jade stepped from behind Hunter. “It’s been such a long time.”
Several moments dragged by before anyone spoke. Blake looked at Drew. Drew looked at Alana.
“Hi, honey.” Joyce stood and approached Jade, rescuing them all from the awkward silence. “We just sat down for dinner.”
“Hey, Jade. Long time no see.” Blake finally spoke. The others followed his lead.
Drew wasn’t uncomfortable. He just wanted to know why Jade had to choose today, of all days, to stop by his parents’ house.
“What brings you by, dear?” Joyce asked, still standing between Jade and the table. Drew understood his mother’s actions. She was making sure Jade kept a considerable distance in the presence of Alana.
“Yes, Jade, what brings you by?” Drew asked. “Oh, please pardon my manners,” he added before she could answer. “This is Blake’s fiancée, Cadence, Hunter’s fiancée, Chey, and my girlfriend, Alana.”
Nice-to-meet-yous were politely exchanged. Jade’s eye lingered on Alana and, suddenly, she looked uncomfortable.
“I was in the area and heard about Mr. Barrington. When I rode by, I saw all the cars and figured it would be a good time to catch someone at home. You look well, Mr. B. I hope you’re feeling good.”
“I’m getting there. One day at a time. Thanks for stopping by.”
Another few moments of awkward silence settled in until Joyce asked Jade if she wanted something to eat.
“Sure, I’d love to stick around for a moment and catch up.”
Drew sighed inwardly, but he understood his mother’s hospitality wouldn’t allow her to be rude. She would have offered a plate to anyone who knocked on that door.
“Hunter, darling, could you fix Jade a plate?” Joyce said with a tight smile. “Come on over here and sit right by me, sweetheart. Blake, sweetie, get that chair over there and bring it next to me.”
Hunter and Blake did as they were told. As they continued their meal in the presence of their unexpected guest, the easy banter of their earlier conversation dissipated, replaced by strained small talk. Joyce worked to keep the conversation on neutral ground, but Jade kept directing it back to Drew.
“Congratulations on your recent win.”
Instinctively, Drew craned his neck and massaged his shoulder. “Thanks.” He hadn’t mentioned anything to Alana or his brothers, but his shoulder still got pretty sore at times and the tension of having Jade and Alana at the same table caused some of the soreness to emerge now. It could have been in his mind, but he was pretty sure that Jade’s visit had brought it on.
“What’s new with you?” she asked.
Everyone at the table looked back and forth from Jade to Drew as if they were watching a ping-pong match.
“Not much. I’m starting to think about what I’d like to do after I’m done with racing.”
“You’re quitting?”
“Not just yet. Just thinking about my next move, that’s all. When I’m ready to make that shift, I want it to be a smooth transition. I’d love to possibly do some broadcasting or something like that.”
“Oh, I could help you with that. My family’s company represents quite a few folks in broadcasting. We’ve recently expanded and can help you with publicity, personal brand management and all kinds of opportunities. Actually, our company is quite influential in the industry.”
“That’s cool. Maybe we can chat about that,” Drew said in a noncommittal way.
“Sure. That would be great.”
Drew didn’t miss the quick glance Alana gave him. “I’m not looking to do anything just yet.”
“What’s the name of your family’s company?” Cadence asked.
“The Donnelly Group. Our client list is pretty impressive.”
“Anyone we would know?” Chey inquired.
Drew wondered how authentic their questions were, knowing that they would undoubtedly have Alana’s back.
“Of course.” Jade rattled off a few well-known celebrities, broadcasters and athletes. “We’ve helped several athletes transition into lucrative opportunities in the spotlight. We brokered the deal to get David Stanton his spot on the morning show on channel seven when he retired from basketball.”
“Oh, really?” Cadence said.
“Yes. We could help you do something like that too, Drew. The camera has always loved a pretty face.”
The room went silent once again.
Seeming oblivious to the tension she carried in with her, Jade stayed for another hour, sticking around for Blake’s rich, moist chocolate pound cake, Hunter’s delicious sweet potato pie and Drew’s decadent chocolate croissants.
“I’m stuffed. Everything was so good. You always were a great cook, Mrs. Barrington.”
“Thanks. I’d love to take the credit, but my sons did all of the cooking today,” Joyce explained.
Jade’s gasp was dramatic. “Really? Well I’m sure they learned it all from you.”
“Of course they did.” Joyce gave her a quick smile. “Have a good night and thanks for stopping by, dear.”
“You’re welcome.” Jade embraced Joyce. “Glad to see you’re doing well, Mr. Barrington. My dad will be happy to hear that. Good night, everyone.” They all offered polite goodbyes. She started for the door and paused. “Um. Drew, may I speak to you for a moment?”
He didn’t answer right away. Instead he passed Alana a subtle look and she raised her brow just as subtly, giving him an unspoken green light. He also noticed the looks on everyone’s faces as they awaited his response.
“Sure,” Drew finally said. “I’ll walk you out.”
“She seems nice,” Jade said once they made it to the door and were out of earshot.
“She is.” Drew’s smile was genuine. It happened involuntarily every time he thought of Alana.
“That’s great.” She looked down at her hands. “Here’s my card. I could really help you with your transition. Give me a call.”
Reluctantly, Drew took the card. “Thanks.” He looked back.
“It was nice seeing you again, Drew. I’m glad we’re able to...put the past behind us.”
“Yeah.” Drew looked back toward the dining kitchen again.
Neither of them spoke for a few moments.
“I need to get going.” She smiled but didn’t move.
“Nice of you to stop by. I’m sure my dad appreciates it. Get home safe.” Drew opened the door, but Jade stayed put for another moment before walking out unhurriedly. “Good night.”
Drew hadn’t told anyone, but there was a chance that his transition could happen sooner than he had planned. This was his second dislocation in the past year. His doctor had warned him after his last injury that he needed to seriously consider retiring because his shoulder wasn’t healing the way they had anticipated. Drew felt the difference after every race. He had worked hard to win that last one, attentively nursing his shoulder before Alana arrived.
He loved racing and, if he was going to be forced
to retire, Drew was determined to go out with a big win. This season meant everything to him. He would certainly need the services of The Donnelly Group, but he didn’t know if he should do business with Jade. However, if he could handle Alana working with Gary, then maybe, just maybe, it would be okay to work with Jade. He would just have to make sure Jade knew where he stood.
Chapter 21
The ride home with Drew after dinner had Alana on edge. Drew spent the night just as he did most nights when he was in the States, but this night was different. It was void of their usual, electrifying, sensual chemistry. They simply cuddled and fell asleep when she claimed to be too tired for sex. Still Drew held her as if she was all that mattered in the world.
The next morning, Alana chided herself for even letting Jade’s presence get to her, but she couldn’t help being reminded of the sting she felt when Jade had returned to town to reclaim Drew years ago. Alana and Drew hadn’t been dating long at the time, but she felt that they’d had potential. It didn’t take much for Jade to take him back, which left Alana on the sidelines.
Alana’s womanly instincts told her that Jade wanted more than just to pop in for old times’ sake. She wanted Drew back—once again. What if Drew was willing to give her another shot? Where would that leave Alana? She couldn’t subject herself to that situation again. Jade’s visit prompted Alana to begin reconstructing the barriers around her heart. Alana was tired, not from lack of sleep but from overthinking the Jade situation all night.
Drew leaned against the frame of the bathroom door as she painted her lips with a creamy pink matte.
“Good morning.” His voice was extra deep whenever he first woke up. That had always turned Alana on. Right now, she was too preoccupied with her thoughts to appreciate that or the fact that he stood there in all his natural glory as if he was fully dressed. “Feeling any better this morning?” he asked.
“I’m fine.” She didn’t intend her answer to sound so short, but what else could she say? She wasn’t going to admit how much Jade’s presence rattled her. Despite what intuition told her, she was curious to see how Drew would handle Jade’s return.