Riding into Love (7 page)

Chapter 12

D
rew 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
r
s 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

A
lana 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.”

“Come on, Drew. It will be my treat.” Alana was certain that he had to be hungry. Airline food wasn't the most appetizing and he'd been cooped up in those cabins for almost a full day.

Drew leaned over and whispered something in his father's ear before leaving his bedside.

“What about you, little lady?” he asked his mother. “Have you eaten?” Drew massaged her shoulders from behind.

“Oh, I'm fine. People have been bringing me stuff since yesterday. I sent Hunter and Blake home with a bunch of goodies.”

“Okay, I'll be back.” Drew kissed his mom's forehead.

Joyce squeezed Alana in a warm hug again. “Tell him to get some rest,” she whispered in her ear.

As they left, Alana pondered Drew's interactions with his mother. She could draw good conclusions about a man who treated his mother well.

“After we eat, do you want to go to your mother's house or...home?” She stopped herself from offering her place as an option.

“I already appreciate you picking me up at the airport. I don't want to take you out of your way by having you drive me all the way to Brooklyn. Let's just go eat. I'm starving.”

“You got it.”

They left the hospital and headed to one of Alana's favorite grills in Garden City. The crowd was light as usual for a Monday evening. They were seated right away. Alana ordered wine and Drew ordered a snifter of cognac.

“You seem more at ease than when I first picked you up.” Alana ran her finger around the rim of her glass.

“I didn't know what to expect. Being so far away, I automatically thought the worst. I prayed...”

Alana raised her brows at his admission.

“So Drew Barrington prays,” Alana teased.

Drew shook his head and chuckled. “I just wanted him to be alive when I arrived. I couldn't wait to get off that plane. Now that I've seen him I know that even though he has a tough road ahead of him he'll still be here. That's all that matters to me. I can't imagine losing my dad. He's like a superhero.”

Alana's heart swelled. She knew exactly how he felt. She also appreciated meeting the tender side of Drew. It made him...real.

Conversation came with ease and they enjoyed their food. Back in the car, Alana asked again, “Okay. Where to?”

“How about your house?”

Alana swallowed. “You sure?”

“I don't really want to be alone.”

She cleared her throat. “Okay.”

It took a quick twenty minutes to get to Alana's house. She led the way to the den, disappeared and returned with a towel and washcloth.

“You know where to go whenever you're ready. I'm going to run upstairs and get out of these work clothes.”

“Need some help with that?”

Alana narrowed one eye at him. “Drew,” she admonished.

“If you don't want my help, I was only joking, but if you do, then I'm serious.”

“Drew!” Alana yelled as she climbed the stairs. His laugh followed her to the room.

Alana removed her suit and slipped into a pair of blue yoga pants and a graphic T-shirt that hung slightly off one shoulder. She stuck her feet into a pair of fluffy pink slippers and came back downstairs.

Drew was no longer in the den and his washcloth and towel were gone. Alana inclined her ear toward the bathroom that adjoined her first-floor guest room and heard the shower running. She retrieved a bottle of wine from the butler's pantry and placed it, along with a glass, onto the tray sitting on top of the center ottoman. She looked around for the remote and placed it on the tray, as well.

Just as she placed a throw across the arm of the sectional, Drew came out of the bathroom.

“I brought you—” Alana turned to find Drew standing in the entrance wearing nothing more than a towel. Moisture caused the creases of his rippled abs to glisten and her core to tighten. “Put some clothes on!” Alana acted as if taking in the masterpiece that was his body had no effect on her. However, the urge to run her hands across his smooth skin and trace the ripples in his stomach made her giddy. The jewel creating an imprint behind his towel beckoned her. Alana turned quickly so she wouldn't get caught staring.

“I just got out of the shower.” He stared at her incredulously—arms out and shoulders lifted.

“I know that. Where are your clothes?”

Drew smirked. “Behind you.”

“Okay, let me go so you can get dressed.” Alana stepped around him, avoiding the sight of Drew's muscular arms. “I put the remote, some wine and a glass on the ottoman for you. That throw is there in case you get cold.” She looked at everything she mentioned to keep from considering Drew. Still she noticed how toned his calves were and then, once again, she looked away. Drew walked right up to her.

“Do I make you uncomfortable?”

“Of course not,” she huffed. Alana planted her arms on her hips and her eyes on the blank TV screen.

“Alana.” Drew touched her chin, guiding her head in his direction. Her pulse quickened and her mouth ran dry. “I hate to think that I make you uncomfortable.”

She pulled away from his touch but could still feel him.

“You don't.” She walked away. “I'll give you a moment to get dressed.”

* * *

A while later, Alana returned. Drew had on sweats and a T-shirt. She held car keys in her hands and jingled them. “Feel free to take my car if you want to go over to the hospital anytime tonight. I just need to get to the train station for work in the morning.”

Drew's smile and nod expressed his appreciation. “Come.” He patted the space on the sofa next to him.

Alana shifted her weight to one foot, folded her arms across her chest and tapped the floor with her other foot.

“I won't take a bite out of you, unless you want me to.”

“Drew.”

“I'm kidding. Jeez!” Drew shook his head. “Now, come. Sit.”

Alana dropped her arms like an exasperated teen and trudged over to the sofa. She plopped down. Her expression remained cool while Drew laughed. His laugh made her laugh.

“You're trouble, you know.”

Drew simply shrugged. He didn't deny or confirm that he was something to be reckoned with. He took her hand. “I just want to thank you for today. I appreciate everything you did.” He swept his hand toward the wine and glass. “And all you're doing. Thank you.” His sincerity cooled her demeanor.

“You're welcome.”

“Watch TV with me.”

Alana took a deep breath.

“I'll behave. I promise.” Drew slid his lips into one of those sexy smiles that she could never read. She didn't know if he could be trusted or not. Worse, she didn't know how long she could trust herself with Drew in her home.

She snatched the remote from him. “If I'm going to watch TV with you, then we're going to watch what I want to watch.”

“I love it when a woman takes the lead.” Drew ducked, knowing that a swat was on its way.

Alana sat back on the couch and flipped through the channels until she found one of those cable networks that played reruns of
Law and Order
all day long.

“I'm cool with that.” He lay across the couch, resting his head in Alana's lap. She looked down at him. He was such a tease.

“What?” he asked innocently.

“Just watch the TV, silly,” she instructed. Alana caressed his closely cut hair, gently scratching his scalp.

Drew's eyes lazily closed halfway. He seemed to enjoy the soothing gesture. Drew looked up at her and winked. Alana smiled back, leaned forward and kissed his lips. Drew sat up, slid his arm around her neck and brought her closer. The exchange was warm, sensual and passionate, ending with countless kisses.

Drew laid his head across her lap again and laced one hand in hers. With the other, she continued caressing his head until Drew's eyes grew too heavy to keep open.

Carefully, she lifted his head from her lap and eased up. She covered him with the throw, lowered the volume on the TV and changed to a music channel that played soft jazz. Dimming the lights as she exited the room, she softly said, “Good night.”

Thoughts of all the possibilities with Drew accompanied her to the bedroom. Maybe they could become something. Perhaps she might consider giving him another chance. She tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to deny her attraction to him, which now grew much deeper than just the physical. Could he be worth breaking her rules? Things were certainly different this time around. Drew was more compassionate, more attentive. Could he give Alana what she'd always sought? Could he actually become her prince?

Alana turned those thoughts and the vision of Drew's freshly showered body over in her mind. She pictured him sheathed only in a towel. She didn't want to think about how scrumptious he looked—didn't want to remember all the delicious things he could do with what was hidden under that towel—but her memories betrayed her. Then she remembered how tenderly he dealt with his parents. That made her smile—even though she didn't want to. Memories like that were detrimental to her rules.