“No, but she knows him,” she says, pointing right at me. The accusation is clear in her eyes.
“What makes you think I know him?” I ask, annoyed that she dared to make up some bullshit.
“You were with that guy several times throughout the weekend.”
Everyone looks at me, and I have to think about who was there that weekend. “You couldn’t be talking about any of Simon’s brothers.” I bite down on my bottom lip and then gasp, “Wait, are you talking about Richie?”
“Hell, no. Richie Henderson?” my dad asks.
“That prick. I remember now. Jack and Eric messaged me that they were stopping him from kissing you.” I blush and duck my head, shame filling me.
Simon cups my chin with his strong hand and lifts my face to look into his eyes. I never wanted Richie; I just wanted revenge on Simon. “Don’t do that, babe. I’m going to destroy that fuck, but right now we need to do something with her.”
“What?”
“Don’t worry, we’re not going to harm you if you’re telling the truth.”
“We’ll take care of her. You two head out and let us handle this,” my father says.
My brow lifts, but my father just kisses my cheek and says, “You might be eighteen, but you still have to graduate high school, so I expect you home in a few hours, young lady.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Have fun, kiddos.”
“We’re going to have more kids around here soon,” I hear someone tease as Simon and I walk out the door.
I blush. “Relax, Viv. As much as I want to fuck you so damn hard and deep tonight, I’m not. I’m taking you on a date, and then I’m taking you home.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, I’ve stayed away and good all this time. I’ll be a good boy for a little longer.” I can’t believe this. My entire body isvibrating for this man, and he’s passing it up like he isn’t given the pass to have me just where he wants me. I try not to let my doubts sink in, but they’re at the back of my mind. Maybe I’m the one truly in love and he’s just not that interested.
Chapter Twelve
Simon
I want to fuck her so bad, but there is no way I’m letting my guard down when I have at least one enemy in town who could harm my beautiful woman. What the fuck could Richie have against me other than my relationship with Vivian?
We have a nice drive out through the countryside where I ask her an important question. “What do you want out of life?”
“A lot of things, but I’m not sure exactly what you mean? You have to be more specific. Are you trying to stop this before it starts?”
“No, no, baby. Not at all. I just want to make sure you know that this is it. There’s no telling me you’re not in it forever. We’re young, and you’re even younger. If you change your mind and want something more…”
“Simon. I’ve had time to think about that. More time than I care to think about it. While you were ghosting me and then when you were hurt, I was confused, deciding what path to take. I’ve got nothing. All my soul ever wanted was you. I don’t even mind pushing papers around the office and updating spreadsheets, ordering more supplies as long as it means I get to be near you.”
“What about babies?”
“Goodness. I want a bunch of them. My mom and dad couldn’t have as many as every other Rider, but we were a happy family and I’m almost certain that my mom is chomping at the bit for some grandbabies.”
“Hell, that’s probably why your dad wasn’t trying to drag you away from me.”
“I think he’s just tired of seeing me moping around.”
“I’m sorry that I ever made you sad, Vivian. I’m sorry that I forgot a moment together. Truthfully, that delicious moment of you in my arms felt like a dream.”
“A dream?”
