Later at home, Ryder and her father argued some more, over politics, then over sports, but she could tell they enjoyed each other's company.
Christmas and family visit would be like this until death parted Ryder and her father.
The bedroom door opened, letting in a small stream of light. Soft footsteps sounded on the hardwood floor, only becoming muffled when they reached a pink shag rug. Those steps could be no one’s but Alecia's. Ryder half laughed to himself. He had not expected his timid girl to be so daring. But here she was. What could this mean? She lifted the sheets and slipped under them, resting her head on his arm. A warmth filled him as she nestled her head on his shoulder and her loose curls tickled his chin - the scent of her strawberry perfume filled him.
“You’re breaking the rules,” he said, running a finger down her cheek and twirling it in a silky curl.
“I know.”
He wrapped her in his arms and pulled her close, her small frame arousing every inch of
his body.
“I’ve wanted to be in your arms all night,” she said.
He bit on the bottom of his lip. “Really.” She had no idea how her simplest words could arouse so much in him. Moments like this, he desired nothing more than to taste the sweet innocence that covered her like the lavender lotion she spreads on her legs.
“Yeah. I think my daddy really likes you.”
“He’ll like me more when he meets Richard.”
Alecia squeezed his shirt. “You’re going to introduce them?”
“They’ll have to meet before the wedding.”
“Yeah.” She ran a finger down his shoulder, sending energy through him and reminding him how soothing she could be after a long day of business law lectures; there was so much of this girl he wanted, needed.
“I’m glad my daddy likes you.”
Ryder caressed her side, sliding his hand under her pajama top to where he wanted it. She stiffened, but he was too aroused to stop. He kissed her on the lips, moving on to her neck and then reaching for her shirt.
“I don’t know if we should do this here,” she said, scooting away.
Ryder yanked her shirt back down. “I guess you better leave then.”
Alecia wrapped her arms around him. In the moonlight streaming through the half-opened blinds, he saw her eyes moist up reminding him that she had been sad tonight, but he never got a chance to talk to her about it.
He ran his thumbs over her cheeks, gazing into her eyes. He had a feeling she was ashamed of what they did, but there was no shame in exploring their passion, especially when no man would ever touch her but him. A silly promise made as a girl was nothing compared to what she needed to give him as a woman. He’d make her understand that.
“What was wrong earlier?”
Alecia knit her brows. “When?”
“When that kid, your neighbor was speaking.”
“Oh.” Instead of answering, Alecia kissed him, sucking in his bottom lip and running her hands down his chest.
What a cunning move, but one she wouldn’t get away with.
“Ally.” He sat up, and pulled her up as her eyes widened. He placed his hands firmly on her face and made her focus on him, so he could peer as far as he could into her eyes, entrancing her. When she completely stilled, he asked, “Why were you upset?”
“I wasn’t.”
“I can tell you’re lying.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You’ll think I’m silly.”
“Tell me.” He took her chin with his fingers, holding her still as his other hand ran to the back of her head. “Do you like that boy?
“I did, but that was before I started dating you.”
A smile slipped on her face, but her bottom lip trembled. She was scared. Something inside of him turned at the idea of scaring her, but as his father taught him, just a little bit of fear would breed submission. And he needed to make sure she’d stay submissive, letting him guide her through life to where she needed to be. Just like he would do now.
“Why were you upset?”
“I really….”
“Alecia.” He paused. “Tell me.”
She took a couple deep breaths, letting them stream out from her plump lips. “Don’t be mad.”
He bent his head to the side. “Why would I be? I love you.”
“I.” She tried to move her head a little, but he held it firm, so she lowered her eyes.
“Look at me.”
She snapped her eyes back to his, they wavered in the moonlight. “It’s just I signed the pledge that Kyle spoke about, instead of pledging to be slaves of werewolves, we pledge to stay untouched till we get married, to shun excessive drinking, smoking and such. So, I guess I was a little sad because I didn’t keep it.” She took his hands. “I’m not sad anymore.”
He was right and now to make her understand all they lacked was a legal document. Every day he was making sure they molded into one like preachers often declared a man and wife should be. “I’m the one for you.” She nodded.
“So you have nothing to be upset about since you’ll never sleep with someone else.”
“I’m not going to.”
"Well, I wouldn’t let you, you’re mine.”
Alecia lowered her eyes, and ran her fingers over the flower pattern of the quilt. “All right.”
And now that she was completely bending to him, it was time to make sure she fully understood what he meant when he said no one was to touch her. “I don’t want Kyle hugging you.”
Alecia grasped his hands on her cheeks. “He’s just.…”
“I don’t want another guy touching you. I would never hang onto some other girl like that.”
She smiled. “Okay.”
He kissed her head. “Now, get out of here. I don’t need your father showing up with a shotgun.”
Alecia slipped from the bed and then out of the room, taking her warmth with her. Ryder lay back against the bed, with his hands behind his head. If his father could have seen how he made her bend to his will, maybe then he’d understand, he’d have no problems with Ryder slipping into the role he’d designed for him.