RIDER
Three weeks have gone by since I started dating Alicia. The first thing I did when we parted the next day, after officially becoming a couple, was to call Rowe. Something didn't sit right with me when Alicia saw that picture of Hope. Call it a gut instinct or whatever, but something was off. And still is.
Rowe was evasive and said Hope was an only child and has no immediate family left. Since then, he's been avoiding me most of the time when I text. He'll answer every third or fourth text, and it's always with short replies. All it's doing is pissing me off and making me wonder what the fuck I'm missing here. I even called him and gave him hell for being a dick to me over text. He apologized and said he's just going through a tough time at work. The precinct he's with in Alaska is in search of a new detective since the other one retired. So Rowe said he has to take on more work than usual. I'm letting his attitude and shortness with me slide for now. Tonight, I have plans and need to focus on those.
Alicia and I are about two hours north of home for a club opening. This is in a smaller city, but the hype for it is no less than if it were in a major city. Her dad hired some extra security to be positioned around the club and outside as people arrive. They are anticipating big celebrities, none of which I recognized by name. Alicia said I needed to get out more. I told her I'd rather stay in, with her legs wrapped around me, than worry about the latest celebrity gossip or what's on television. Between work and her, I'm busy and so fucking happy. I don't have room for any other shit.
Alicia steps out of the bathroom in our large hotel room. She's stunning. Her hair is pinned back on the sides with soft curls hanging down her back. She's wearing a gorgeous, deep red dress that molds to her body. Fuck me, I can't wait to take that off of her tonight.
I finally bought a tux of my own. If I'm going to be spending time with her, I need to look the part of a boyfriend of her caliber. She does these things often: banquets, charity dinners, openings, and other events. The tuxedo wasn't cheap, but at least it fits like it's supposed to.
I walk to her, not wanting to admire her from a distance. "You're gorgeous."
Her hands find the lapels of my jacket. "You don't look so bad yourself."
"I can't exactly show up in jeans and a T-shirt. You said there will be reporters, and I want to be worthy of having your arm in mine."
Her eyes find mine as she becomes serious. "You know it doesn't matter what anyone thinks, right?"
"I know, but I want to be a man who fits by your side, not a slouch who looks like he's just with you for money." She turns, but I gently cup her elbow to bring her back to me. "Hey," I say softly, reaching up to brush her hair back. "You're this amazing woman, who would do anything for anyone, and I want to be worthy of you. You have an image to uphold, and the last thing I want is any negative press sent your way."
"If someone looks at you and thinks anything other than how sexy and perfect you are, I don't want to talk to them." She places her hand over my heart. "I know what's inside here. I know how good you are, and you’re an amazing detective." An amazing detective who can't solve the cold case Rowe left me before leaving. But I keep that thought to myself. "Fuck anyone who can't see you for who you really are."
I grip her waist, pulling her flush against me. "Who am I?"
Her eyes flutter closed for a second then open again. In them is so much emotion. Emotion that makes my chest ache, but in a good way. This woman has so much power over me and doesn't even know it.
"You're the man I love," she replies quietly.
My eyes widen. "You love me?" It sounds stupid now that it's left my lips. She wouldn't have said it if it weren't true.
"I do."
I crush her to me in a tight embrace. "Fuck, baby. I love you, too." I've never said those words to any woman but speaking them to Alicia doesn't scare me. It feels right.
A knock sounds on our door, pulling us apart and bringing us back to reality—to a world where it isn't only us who exist. Alicia opens it, her dad on the other side. He's wearing a tux that is probably way more expensive than mine. He's taller than Alicia but only by a few inches. His greying hair styled neatly. "Are you ready? We don't want to be late."
He sprang for our hotel room. I was happy to pay for it, but with this trip being about business, he wanted it to go under the company account so he could write it off. I acquiesced, even though it didn't feel right. I should be paying for everything for Alicia. I might not be rich, but I have money.
Stepping forward, I offer him my hand. "Sir, nice to see you again." We got in late last night and spent all day in bed today, which worked out because Alicia's dad had meetings.
He shakes my hand. "I told you to call me Frederick. No need for formalities." I nod and Alicia gathers her small clutch purse.
Together, the three of us walk down the hall toward the elevators. My nerves begin to kick up. Not because this is a big deal, and there will be cameras on us for the first time as a couple, but because so much could go wrong. Alicia and her dad have a high profile. People know who they are. I'm glad he hired extra security since I won't be able to be everywhere at once.
The drive in the limo is short. Frederick opted to stay close to the venue since he had meetings there today and more tomorrow. It's a soft opening. They will work out any kinks tonight, and everyone attending is aware of that. He knows what he's doing, though, and I have no doubt it will run smoothly.
The limousine stops and a man opens the door for us. Frederick steps out first and then offers his hand to Alicia. I follow and take her hand in mine once we're both outside. Something primal takes over, and I need to let the world know she's mine. That she's off the market and no one should be approaching her for anything other than friendship or for business.
Lights flash as our picture is repeatedly taken. The photographers ask questions, but Alicia and I keep walking as she smiles at them, making our way inside. Frederick, however, stops to talk to them.
We go through two sets of doors before we're inside the club. The second set has a pair of very large, very built bouncers outside of it who I have no doubt could handle any asshole who tries to get inside and shouldn’t.
The club is dark with lights bouncing around the room. Music blasts through the speakers placed consistently throughout the building. There is a decent crowd already on the dance floor and a line at the bar. Tonight, everything is on the house. Frederick wants to make sure there are no errors and, in exchange for feedback, he's letting everyone drink for free.
We step up and wait our turn to order. Alicia chats with a few people while we do. She introduces me, and I honestly have no clue who they are. Maybe I should, but I don't. The bartender finally makes his way over to us and, once he sees Alicia, his smile broadens. This guy is tall and lean, but I don't miss the muscles pulling his shirt tight over his chest and arms. For fuck's sake, I could look like that too if I weren't wearing this tux. But I’m with the owner’s daughter. There’s no way I could have attended looking like I usually do. Peering around the place, other men are dressed like me. Some with their jackets still on. Others with their jackets off and their sleeves rolled up as they dance.
"Landon, I didn't know you were working here tonight," she says loudly so he can hear her over the music.
"I needed a change of scenery, so I moved up here." He leans forward and kisses her cheek over the bar. "It's great to see you. How have you been?"
I move closer, my chest heating her back. I'm not sure if these two have ever had a relationship, but I don’t miss the way his eyes rake over her lips and breasts.
She turns to me then back to him. "This is Rider, my boyfriend. Rider, this is Landon. He's worked for us for years. One of the best damn bartenders in the country."
"You know that's not true, but I appreciate the compliment," he says with a wink, then holds out his hand for me. "Nice to meet you."
"Same." I don't waste any time ordering our drinks, effectively dismissing him back to his job and away from my girl.
Alicia spins, her eyes heated and not with lust. "What was that for?"
"What is he to you?" Fuck it. I'm getting right to the point.
"He's a friend and nothing more. I've known him for years." She assesses me for a second. "Wait. Are you jealous?"
I scoff and wrap my arm around her waist. "I have nothing to be jealous of, do I?" My lips brush against hers as she lets out a husky sigh.
She smacks me lightly on the chest. "You know I can't resist you. Stop trying to use your charm against me."
I brush my lips over her ear. "I'm just reminding you who you're with and letting everyone here know you're mine."
She shivers against me, pulling back slightly to look into my eyes. "I kind of like this possessive side of you. But don't overdo it, and please be nice to my friends. I may love you, but I won't take any caveman bullshit."
Someone coughs behind us. We turn and find Landon again, drinks on the bar. His eyes are bouncing back and forth between the two of us. "So this is pretty serious then?" he asks.
"Yes," Alicia replies and snakes her hand under my jacket, around my back.
"I'm happy for you, truly. You deserve someone good." He leans over the bar again, this time toward me. "Make no mistake, if you hurt her, I'll come after you."
I bark out a laugh. "I'm a fucking detective. I'm not scared of you."
"Maybe you should be." He goes back to tending bar, serving the long line of people who are waiting. He's not the only bartender, but he's working the section of the long bar where we're standing.
We grab our drinks, then Alicia leads me through the bar to the VIP section. While the club does cater to celebrities, it's open to everyone. We pass two more bouncers and find a table in the corner. She sets her drink down then turns, her hands on my chest. "Dance with me.”
"Do I get to show the whole club you're mine again? And fend off any asshole who thinks he can put his hands on you?"
"Absolutely," she grins.
I drop my jacket to the back of one of the chairs at the table, not wanting the restriction when dancing with her. I didn't strap any guns to my sides today, but I do have one holstered to my ankle. There may be security here, but that doesn’t mean I fully let my guard down. I knew she'd want to dance tonight, and the last thing I wanted was for everyone in the club to know I was carrying. "Lead the way."
Hand in hand, we walk out of the VIP section and to the dance floor.