Page 8 of Call Sign: King
Oh, how she wished she could reach down to feel the front of his tuxedo pants to test his assertion.
“That would mean more if I didn’t know you also get a hard-on just watching me walk on the treadmill.”
Ryder’s chuckle was out of character for him while in public. She was relieved to know he was at least having a little bit of fun.
“Of course, I do. Watching those tits of yours bouncing up and down does it for me, princess.” he leaned in, whispering intimately against her ear.
Khloe couldn’t help it. She broke out in a giggle, like a giddy schoolgirl on her first date instead of the very married woman she was.
With regret, once they stepped into the opulent theater, she let Ryder fall back to allow her to mingle with several of her co-stars in that night’s movie premier. She felt his eyes on her — devouring her from the sidelines as she sipped champagne and nibbled on appetizers.
When the announcement came that the premier was about to begin, everyone took their seats. Khloe moved to the reserved seating section and was thrilled to find two seats with her name on it, just as she’d requested. Waving Ryder over, she nodded down at the sign.
“I’m not feeling very secure. I’d like my bodyguard to sit with me.”
She saw the indecision in his eyes, recognizing the yearning to throw caution to the wind to sit with her in public.
“That’s not a good idea, pri… “ He cut off his term of endearment just in time, realizing they were surrounded by way too many people to be that familiar.
“Please… “ she said softly.
Leaning in to talk against the shell of her ear, Ryder said. “You’re going to be the death of me. Do you have any idea how fucking beautiful you are tonight? Or how many men I see leering in this direction, hoping to get your attention?”
“All the more reason for you to stay close. You wouldn’t want me tempted by another now, would you?” she flirted. It took all her effort not to reach out and place her hand on his chest like she would, were they at home alone.
“Don’t even joke about shit like that. In case you forgot, I don’t share my most prized possession.”
“I didn’t forget… and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The lights flickered just as the producer of the film started walking to center stage where there was a waiting microphone. She was running out of time to convince him.
“Please…” she repeated. “I’ll make it worth your while when we get home,” she said, smiling slyly.
Ryder took her elbow again, leading her the few feet to her seat. Only after she was seated did she get her answer. He slid into the cushioned seat next to her.
He waited until the lights in the auditorium went down, and only a spotlight remained on the podium up front. Leaning over, Ryder whispered. “You have a deal, Mrs. Helms. I’ll be expecting you naked, on your knees, in the middle of our bed, waiting for me as soon as we get home.”
Khloe chuckled. “And how is that different than any other night?”
“Brat.”
Chapter Three
RYDER
Despite knowing every inch of her body, Ryder had to keep reminding himself that the woman on the thirty-foot screen in front of him was actually his wife. In the years he’d known her, he’d witnessed her take on progressively challenging roles, but tonight’s movie showcased Khloe’s versatility like no other movie she’d done to date.
With a certainty normally reserved for dangerous missions, Ryder knew that by this time next year, he’d be married to an Academy Award winning actress.
Even knowing it was coming, the final scene of the movie made Ryder’s pulse race as a heavy sadness weighed on his chest. The pride of watching Khloe’s character heroically kill the villain just before dying in the leading man’s arms was outweighed by a very real gripping fear.
Watching the only woman he’d ever loved dying was his absolute worst nightmare coming to life. He found himself swallowing several times to make the lump in his throat disappear, and it wasn’t lost on him that despite being a rather unreligious man, he said a small prayer that he’d never have to live a minute on this earth without her. With their twelve-year-plus age difference and his dangerous job, he didn’t think that was asking too much.
They’d done so well during the movie, in case one of the entertainment reporters in the room looked their way, but just as Ryder closed his eyes to avoid watching her pretend death, he felt Khloe stroke his thigh in the dark.
Of course, she knew how he was feeling. They’d been together long enough that she understood how terrified he was of one of his old enemies finding out how important she was to him.
Ryder grabbed her hand like a lifeline, letting the warmth of her touch remind him she was alive and well.
