Alecia opened her eyes, they felt very heavy. A yellow light blasted into them, blocking her vision. She blinked a couple times. It was a car light. What was going on? A black wool coat covered her. Alecia rubbed the smooth fabric with her fingers. It must be made out of some kind of rich material. The strands were so delicate, like rose petals newly fallen to the ground.
“Do you believe me now?”
She tensed, turning to see Ryder typing on a laptop. What was she doing with the Alpha in a car? His gray eyes held a glare in them as he focused on the screen of a laptop.
Gabriel had drugged her. She placed a hand on her head, pressing hard as it all came back to her. The cup flying through the air. Brown liquid dropping everywhere as two large hands grasped her, yanking her to him. She closed her eyes and took several small breaths, but her nerves wouldn’t settle. Why had Gabriel drugged her? He was going to rape her. She had been a fool.
Alecia sat on the wooden bench out in the park. Today was her study date with Ryder, and she found she wasn’t even thinking of her books. The wind danced around her, ruffling her clothes and playing with her hair. A smile curved at her lips, Ryder would be there any second. He had called, wanting to study at his apartment, but she knew it would be wrong be alone with him so she’d suggested a picnic. She shivered. He might be a nice guy, but still, anything could happen. One look at his gray eyes and she’d crumbled. How could someone be so handsome, like he was a Greek statue? A silver Bugatti pulled into the street in front of the park. Alecia bounced on her feet, as the warm feeling spread through her. She placed a hand on her cheek. Her mother always said a woman’s face glowed in the presence of her beloved. Did hers? The car stopped in front of her and Ryder opened the door and came out from the driver’s side, dressed in a dark blue T shirt
Alecia sat on the bed as Ryder searched for a song on her laptop. His black long-sleeve Yankee t-shirt stretched across his skin, showing off the muscles underneath. Someday she would have to run her fingers over his powerful chest, touching his skin. Just the thought made her tingle all over. They had just returned from dinner and here he was alone in her room. She kicked her feet out in front of her. Ryder was a nice guy. He never did anything he shouldn’t. He clicked on one. ‘Justin Bieber's melodious voice filled the air, singing you are the only one I'll ever love. ''How romantic,” Ryder said as she stood and held out her hands for him. Ryder sang the words as his sensuous smile stretched across his face. His voice was smooth and held the pitch so well, and even though Alecia knew it was just a song, she still wondered how awesome it would be if Ryder meant the words he sang, if she was indeed
Alecia gripped Ryder hand as they walked to his apartment door - his other hand held two movies. Somehow she had talked him into the romances instead of the action thriller. "I’ll get some blankets,” he said, letting go of her hand and reaching for the doorknob. Yes, they would need blankets, since she had agreed to come back here and cuddle with him. She rubbed her fingers together, feeling the sticky sweat that gathered despite the chilled air. They were starting to make a habit of being alone. That could be bad or good, but so far Ryder hadn’t asked for more than holding and kissing her. Ryder opened the door and ushered her in, but she stopped in her track, her body tensing. A tall, slender woman with brown hair that fell to the middle of her back sat on the couch in a blue dress shirt that she recognized as Ryder's. "Hey, Ryder.” The girl bit down on one of the cuffs of the shirt.
Alecia pulled her book bag strap over her shoulder as she passed by the general education building at. She had two more classes and then she would call Ryder. They had no plans for tonight, just watching a movie and cuddling. Laughter floated to her.“There’s Ryder's new slut.”She stopped and turned. Kat leaned against the wall surrounded by a few other girls.All wore the same sorority shirt, a white V-neck with pink Greek letters ironed on.Alecia shook her head and reached for the door handle. Her hand stilled.“Of course, she keeps insisting she hasn’t slept with him yet.”Tears swelled in Alecia's eyes. She pushed back her shoulders and turned to look at the girls. “I see Helen's jealousy has spread to you.”“Jealousy.” Kat twirled a red ringlet around her finger. “More like gratitude.”Kat turned and headed in the opposite direction. She stopped and
Alecia rolled over and wrapped her arms around her waist as a chill swept over her body.Fingers brushed her bare skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps. What had happened to the blankets and Ryder? The whole night, she had listened to his heartbeat thumping against her ear. She reached for the sheets, but grabbed something solid. A hand. She opened her eyes and smiled at Ryder who leaned over her. His damp hair was brushed back, making his eyes stand out. Those eyes had held so much compassion last night when she started to cry from the pain.“What are you doing?” she asked.“Just watching you sleep. You’re so beautiful.”“Oh.” She looked down over her bare body. He must have pulled the sheets off of her. She sat up and pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs.“Close your eyes,” he said.She closed them. Something cold encircled her neck and fell over her skin, maki
Alecia walked into her composition class wearing a smirk on her face. She looked around the room and spotted Helen sitting by herself, chewing on her eraser. This shouldn’t take long and then she could return to Ryder's apartment and wait for him to get done with his study session. She strolled to Helen's seat in the back, and sat next to her. Helen must be ignoring her, but Alecia focused on the back of her head.“What, Alecia?” Helen said, finally turning to her.“I just wanted to show you something.”She waited for Helen to respond, but the girl just glared at her.“I guess he’s not playing with me.” Alecia raised her hand and showed Helen the diamonds.“He gave you that?” Helen shouted, and everyone in the room turned to look at them.Alecia turned the ring to her face. “Yeah. He said he couldn’t imagine his life without me.” Alecia looked at her. “
Alecia kissed her family goodbye and rushed onto the plane, finding her seat in first class. The amethyst earrings Ryder had given her for Christmas dangled from her ears, matching the necklace that looped around her neck. Hopefully, he’d like the cute purple dress she had bought to accent the jewels. In her hands she held her other gifts: a Kindle packed with clean romance novels and a copy of a ticket to New York City, so she could meet his family.Alecia turned on the Kindle, tapped on a book that she had wanted to read for many months, but she rested it in her lap. Three days they had, and then two weeks before school started again. Soon, his lips would caress hers, his hands would run through her hair. Soon he would be all hers again.Alecia walked down the tarmac and stopped as a smile spread across her face. Ryder stood at the end holding one white rose. She flung her carry-on over her shoulder, and ran to him, throwing herself into his arms as he sp
Alecia stood at the edge of the tarmac, listening to Ryder profess his love for her again. She kissed his cheek before turning to get on the plane but he took her arm, stopping her, and then pulled a brown envelope from inside his coat pocket. “It’s for your dad,” he said.She opened it. Inside was a picture of President Richard speaking, written across the picture was, “Thanks for your dedicated support Mr. Bell. Can’t wait to meet you, Richard.”Alecia jumped into Ryder's embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around him. “My father is going to be so happy. I love you so much.”He kissed her on the head. “You better get going.”She turned from him and held his hand as she stepped through the tunnel, finally letting go at the last possible moment. Soon, she would be with him again, but now she couldn’t wait to see her father.Alecia stood in the doorway of her family’s den. Her fa