Riding into Love (10 page)

Chapter 18

D
rew was still standing when Alana returned to her office. The blood coursing through his veins made him too antsy to sit down. Why was Gary there? Was he trying to be slick again?

“What's up with you and this guy, Gary?” Alana asked.

“What was he doing here?” Drew moved closer to Alana.

She stepped back with her hands up. “Whoa! Stand down, cowboy. This is
my
business.”

Drew lifted his hands in surrender. “That was out of line. I apologize. I just don't like that guy.”

“That wasn't obvious.” Alana sat on the edge of her desk and crossed her arms.

Drew chuckled at her sarcasm. Her response prompted him to relax just a little. Alana was certainly capable of taking care of herself. He took a breath and swallowed the rest of his anger before walking over to her. He kissed her and then sat on the desk beside her.

“We're not friends. Seeing him here and so close to you just...reminded me that I don't like him.” Drew decided there was no need to go into too much detail. He certainly didn't want to bring up Gary's rendezvous with Jade. Mentioning her name to Alana wouldn't help the situation.

“Wow. That's too bad.” She frowned. “He's our new client.”

Drew gave her a long, pensive look. “I can't tell you who to do business with, but I would prefer if it wasn't with him.”

“Drew!” Alana's mouth was ajar. Drew laughed and kissed her open mouth. “Why don't you want us to work with him? Why don't you two get along?”

“Gary is not a nice guy. In fact, he's a bit of a jerk. Competitive too.” Drew paused a moment. “He went after my ex while we were still together.”

Alana's posture straightened and her eyes stretched. “Whoa. Okay, I get it now. What's for lunch, mister?” She changed the subject.

“Something tasty,” Drew said with mischief in his eyes.

Alana shook her head. She collected her purse and jacket before Drew took her hand and led her to the elevator.

When the door closed, he pulled her into his arms. “I can't get enough of you.” He enjoyed making her blush.

Outside, Drew hailed a taxi, giving the driver directions to his destination on the Upper East Side. Drew held Alana's hand throughout the ride and they settled into a companionable silence as the city landscape rolled through the windows.

During lunch, the city unleashed its flood of hungry professionals onto the streets. Business suits walked along with uniformed delivery personnel each looking to outpace the other. No one stood out in this tapestry of colors and cultures except those whose pace resisted the tempo of city living.

Drew loved the rapid rhythm of Manhattan, which energized him. He appreciated the distinct qualities that each of his locales offered. Brooklyn and London both offered equally trendy vibes at a smoother pace. His parents' estate was cozy and inviting, while his chateau in France served as a stunning but tranquil setting where he could completely unwind. Drew wanted Alana to experience all the places he loved.

The taxi pulled up to a building tucked deep into the city's East Side, a few short blocks from the city's typical hustle. He appreciated how solemn the area was even though it was nestled on the rim of one of the busiest parts of New York. Drew paid the taxi, jumped out and reached back to help Alana exit.

“Where are we going?” Alana looked around.

“I need your opinion on something before we eat.”

“Okay,” Alana elongated the word, eyeing Drew suspiciously. He simply chuckled.

“Mr. Barrington?”

Drew and Alana turned around. A short, hearty woman with a sturdy handshake greeted them both.

“How are you, Mrs. Morano?”

“Oh, please call me Jan. My husband was pretty excited to know that I was showing this place to you today. He's a huge fan of yours.”

“That's great. Thanks and feel free to call me Drew. This here is the lovely Alana Tate.”

Jan dipped her chin and smiled sweetly. “Pleasure to meet you, Alana. Now let's go check this place out one more time.”

Alana looked at Drew again. He acknowledged her inquisitive stare with a clever grin. They followed the woman through the glass doors of the brick building they stood by. A friendly doorman greeted them, holding the elevator open. Jan tapped a few numbers onto the keypad on the elevator panel and a few moments later, the door opened to a spacious apartment with a magnificent view of the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge reaching across East River.

Drew watched with pleasure as Alana's eyes easily widened. She walked right over to the wall of windows as if the view had summoned her.

“It's absolutely stunning, isn't it?” Jan voiced.

“Completely.” Alana scanned the length of the view.

“So here we have a beautiful, open floor plan, which gives a very
lofty
feel,” Jan announced with the excitement of a game show host. Her voice bounced around the empty apartment. She held her hands open, gesturing to the spaciousness as she spoke. “As you'll see—” Jan's heels clopped against the hardwood floors “—the kitchen has been completely updated with stainless-steel appliances and amazing slate countertops and floors. You have an abundance of storage space.” She opened several of the cabinets lining the two walls. She went on to show them a small library on the opposite side of the dining and living area. “There's a powder room just over there.” She pointed to a door just off the kitchen. “Down this way—” Jan led them down the hall “—you'll find two very spacious bedrooms each with a full bath.”

Drew took Alana by the hand, leading her through the long hallway.

She looked at Alana and nodded. “Here's one bedroom,” Jan offered.

Drew and Alana peeked in. It was an average size. “Not bad.” Drew nodded approvingly.

They followed Jan to the second bedroom at the end of the hallway. Jan stopped at the door. “I've saved the best for last.” She paused dramatically before swinging the door open. “Your master suite!” She presented the room with a grand, sweeping gesture.

Drew and Alana stepped in. Alana gasped. Drew smiled on the inside. He was impressed with the massive space, closed-in glass balcony overlooking the water and a full wall of closet space. They moved into the master bath with his-and-her sinks, a walk-in shower and horizontally veined marble covering the floor and walls. The bath looked like one that could be found in a luxury hotel.

“Goodness, Drew! This place is incredible. Are you thinking about getting it?”

Jan took that as a sign to leave them alone for a moment.

Drew shrugged. “Maybe. Do you like it?”

“Do I like it?” Alana looked around. “It's incredible. Are you selling your house in Brooklyn?”

“I plan to rent it out and move here. I looked into this because of changes I'd like to make for the future.” Drew looked at his watch. “It's time for lunch.” He didn't want to reveal too much.

They met Jan in the living room. “Jan—” Drew held his hand out and they shook “—thanks so much. I'll be in touch.” Drew held the door for the Jan as she exited the apartment, leaving them behind.

“Great.” She smiled at Drew and directed her attention to Alana. “I'm sure you'll help him make the right decision. It was a pleasure meeting you,” she said to Alana before saying a final goodbye and stepping onto the elevator.

“Have you decided what you wanted for lunch?” Drew asked Alana once Jan was gone.

“No, but as hungry as I am, anything edible will do.” A moment passed. “Drew, are you listening to me?”

“Yes.” He quieted again, his hands moving quickly across the screen of his cell phone.

“Hello! I'm still here. That's rude, you know.”

Drew laughed. “I'm just taking care of our lunch.” Approaching her, he wrapped his hands around her waist. “You're so feisty.”

When Alana tried to respond, he hushed her with his lips. They kissed, and time seemed to fade away until they heard the elevator chime and the door slide open. Startled, Alana jumped back.

“Right on time,” Drew declared, releasing her.

“What are you up to?”

Drew turned her around to watch the two gentlemen in chef coats wheel in a table covered in white linen with candles and covered plates on top.

Alana's hands flew to her mouth. Her head shook slowly. “You're so full of surprises.”

The gentlemen set up the table with a stainless-steel cooler, a bottle of wine nestled in ice and a centerpiece of lilies, Alana's favorite. Drew observed as she reacted in wonder. When the men were sure that met Drew's approval they left as stealthily as they had arrived.

Alana grabbed Drew and hugged him tight. “This is incredible. Why do you keep going to all this trouble to do this crazy stuff?”

“Because I like to see your smile, and you're worth it.”

Chapter 19

Y
ou're worth it.
That comment woke Alana up yet again. No man had ever told her that and backed it up with his actions. She'd been dreaming of their recent excursions and the surprise lunch since that exquisite afternoon. In the past few weeks, Drew had spent more time in the States than he had in years, splitting that time between visiting his father in the rehabilitation center and cuddling with Alana. They couldn't resist one another's touch when they were together and craved each other when they were apart.

Alana and Drew spoke every day, even if it was for just a few moments when the time difference allowed them reasonable intervals. He'd stay up late just to be able to speak to her when she got home after a long day at work.

Alana wouldn't allow Drew to ask too much about her trial with Gary. She had to protect attorney-client privilege, but she also didn't want to upset him. Gary was proving to be as unlikable as Drew had warned. His arrogance went far beyond reasonable expectations. The media was all over the case, capturing scenes of them entering and leaving the court whenever they could. The trial put their business back in the spotlight and, eventually, they started to pick up more clients.

Despite Gary's obnoxious attitude, business improved. Alana and Cadence had a case to win regardless of how much of an ass their client was. Exhausted by the demands of Gary, the media and new clients, Alana was more than ready to board her flight to France to spend a week with Drew and see his next race. She and Cadence both needed a break and, fortunately, they were able to maneuver their schedules so that business was handled while they took turns enjoying time off.

Drew had Alana picked up and taken to their hotel in Le Mans, France, a culturally robust city that was most famous for their twenty-four-hour car race every June. Spring had taken ahold of the city. Lush parks dotted the town, sharing space with cobbled streets, regal cathedrals, trams, modern shops and slim homes that stood side by side.

Drew had a busy week of participating in media briefs, practicing and qualifying for the race, which is why Alana didn't arrive until the day before. With Alana's full schedule and fifteen-hour flight, including stopovers in both Dublin and Paris, she needed rest as much as Drew did. It wasn't until after his race, which he won, that they really had time to actually commune with one another.

The next morning, Alana accompanied Drew on a photo shoot for
Fire Fuel
energy drinks, Drew's latest endorsement deal. Watching him pose for picture after picture in his colorful, close-fitting jumpsuit next to a polished silver motorcycle, Alana couldn't wait to get back to the hotel and show Drew how turned on she was.

“Come here, Alana,” Drew called her over once the shoot was over.

When Alana got close enough, Drew grabbed her and held tight. The photographer, who had just begun to pack up his materials, took a few shots. Alana threw her head back and laughed, but as she tried to walk away Drew pulled her back and nodded at the photographer. He called his assistant over and they engaged in an impromptu shoot taking sweet photos with them kissing and holding hands, cool photos with their arms folded in hip-hop stances and quirky photos with silly faces. Drew even convinced her to take a few risqué photos with the two of them seated on the motorcycle in various positions. Surprisingly, those made Alana feel sexy and uninhibited.

Drew exchanged numbers with the photographer, who promised to email the pictures to him.

“Are you ready?” Drew asked.

Alana was about ask,
Ready for what?
but held her words, knowing now that Drew wouldn't give her a direct answer. He'd much rather show her.

“I'm ready for whatever.”

“You're finally getting it.”

Alana attempted to swat him playfully. He caught her hand midair and kissed her palm. Her stomach fluttered, which had happened more in the past few weeks with Drew than she could remember over her entire life. He made energy course through her with just a glance.

“Let's go.”

Drew changed and headed to the hotel. The day was still new and Alana was excited for anything Drew would bring her way. They gathered their belongings and checked out. Alana was surprised since she had assumed they would stay there until she left for New York.

Drew arranged for a driver to take them to Paris for sightseeing, shopping, dinner and an evening of live jazz. The next afternoon, they took a long ride through the French countryside, where lush carpets of lavender bloomed in the fields.

As tired as Alana was from their excursions, she refused to go to sleep during their ride and miss the beautiful old villages, colorful homes and cheerful spring blooms lining the canals. She felt like she needed to see everything that Paris had to offer.

Alana looked at Drew quizzically when they pulled up to a lone, quaint home set on an expansive field.

“Are we visiting someone?”

“Nope. Get out of the car, lady.”

Alana rolled her eyes. “You're too much, Drew.”

“I know. You'll never be able to compare me to another man.”

“And so darn arrogant.”

Drew responded with a sly smile. “It's not arrogance when it's true, sweetie. Now let's get inside. This air is a little nippy.”

Alana looked around trying to see what she could through the blackness of the night. The only light came from the car's headlights. She followed Drew inside. He flipped on the lights and she looked around, immediately feeling the warmth of the cozy setting. In spite of being thousands of miles away, she felt like she was at her grandmother's country home in North Carolina.

“Whose place is this?” she asked, inspecting the comfortable two-story home while Drew placed their bags in the living room. The place was decorated in soft, inviting earth tones. Alana wondered what woman had put her touch on the house.

“Mine.” The word fell casually from Drew's lips but hit Alana like a boulder.

This man was truly full of surprises. “Do I even know you?” she teased.

Drew turned and headed back to the kitchen, leaving Alana to ponder what she had learned about him in the past few weeks. She realized she'd only known a part of Drew's life.

“Actually, you know me better than anyone.” He walked to the kitchen and pulled a bottle of wine from a cooler. “Wine or tea?” He continued moving about, seemingly oblivious to her amazement.

“I've known you for years and never realized you lived like this.”

“I also own a flat in London, and I just signed the papers on the place you approved of on the East Side.” Drew spoke as if owning amazing homes all over the world was commonplace.

“You bought that place?”

“Yeah, I've always wanted to live in Manhattan.” He held up a bottle of wine in one hand and a teakettle in the other.

“Wine, thanks.”

He headed back to the kitchen as he continued to speak. “Each place gives me something different, but this place just might be my favorite. I do most of my reflecting here. Right outside of this door—” Drew pointed toward the door at the back of the kitchen with his elbow, his hands holding two glasses of wine “—is where some of my biggest ideas manifest. It's peaceful here.”

“Wow.” Alana thought back to the day Drew took her and Cadence to that restaurant for lunch and he spoke French to the hostess. “So this is where you learned how to flirt so fluidly in French.”

Drew winked as he set the glasses down on a coffee table and sat on the couch, patting the space beside him. “Join me.” She did.

Alana clinked her glass against his. “Cheers.” She took a sip and lolled her head back. “My goodness. This is so good.”

“It's from a winery a few miles down the road.”

“This is the life. I'd never leave here.”

“Not until you get a craving for the city.” He lifted himself up. “Come on, let me show you the back.”

Alana picked up her glass and followed him out to a closed-in porch, complete with more cozy couches, a TV, a sparsely stocked bar, hot tub and one of his motorcycles. Alana wondered how many women he had entertained in that hot tub.

“Entertain much?” she asked, cutting back more probing questions.

“I know what you're thinking and, to answer your real question, the only woman who has ever been in that tub was my ex-girlfriend.”

“Jade,” Alana said almost at a whisper.

Alana went over to his bike.

“That's Jolie,” he said leaning against the door frame.

“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.”