Ryker Fox

Del Posto Restaurant

"So, I hope you're hungry." Emma  glanced up from the glass of wine in her hand and looked at me inquisitive. "Because we have about eight courses coming."

I couldn't hold in my laughter as she almost dropped her wine glass from her hands. My mind went back to that moment she dropped the coffee cup then bent down to pick it up and unintentionally flashed me on my balcony. Unfortunately, she managed to catch it before it spilled this time.

"Excuse me?! D-did you say eight courses?!" She stared at me like I had just told her I collect toenail clippings. I shrugged and grabbed the wine bottle to refill both our glasses.

"Relax, they aren't very large servings." I picked up my freshly filled wine glass and ignored the way she was gawking at me with her mouth open. "If we're going to do this, might as well be balls to the wall, right?"

I took a big gulp of my wine. I know the classy  thing to do is to swirl it in your glass, and then sip it slowly..so you can "appreciate it's flavor" or whatever. But believe it or not, being classy isn't high on my priority list.

She shot me amused looks and picked up her wine glass. I raised my eyebrows, silently asking her what she was smiling about.

"I kind of love that about you." She finally said as she sipped her wine, much classier than I did I might add. "I love that you're the kind of guy who will go to lavish places like this but still use phrases like 'balls to the wall' and treat your wine like it was a shot of parton." She cackled as she set down her glass, and I found myself laughing, too. I had to admit..that was me in a nutshell.

"I suppose you could say I have always been very transparent." I finally said. She leaned forward in her chair and seemed to be listening intently. "My parents never much appreciated it."

She pressed her lips together and shyly looked down at her hands resting on the table. I already knew what she was going to ask before she asked it.

"Are you..not close with your parents then?" Her voice was cautious, like she was hoping she wasn't asking me to elaborate on a sensitive subject. I had to admit, it was. But it didn't bother me as much as it used to. Besides, I couldn't expect for her to be open about herself if I wasn't willing to do the same.

"They are alive and well..I think." I realized I didn't quite know how they were doing for sure. "We don't talk though."

She looked as if what I said made her feel sad, her beautiful green eyes full of sympathy. I didn't want her to feel sorry for me, but her genuine concern was very sweet.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I don't talk with my parents either. But that's a real loaded story." She avoided eye contact and picked up her wine glass. I could tell she didn't want to elaborate further and I wanted to try to respect her boundaries, though the curiousity was killing me.

"Do you think they are aware of what an amazing person they are missing out on?" She smiled at my words, but her eyes were filled with pain. I remembered wondering in the car on the way over, who else besides her ex had hurt her so badly. It felt like I was on the verge of getting my answer.

She answered quickly without even taking time to think about it, as if she was sure of the answer. "No. They don't."

Just as I was about to ask for further information, she turned the subject back onto me, hinting she was done talking about it for now. "What about your parents? What's their deal?"

I didn't mind talking about it on the other hand, though it still stung a little. I have long accepted the situation for what it is.

"It's nothing deep. They just don't like me. They never really did." I shrugged, trying to sound indifferent. Her eyes were remorseful though as she rested her chin in her hand, listening to me intently.

"The idea of someone not liking me. Can you believe that?" I finally said sarcastically, trying to lighten the tension I felt. I took another obnoxious gulp of wine and when I had finished it off I set it on the table and poured another.

She studied me for a moment, looking very serious until she finally spoke. "No, actually. I can't believe that. I can't believe it and I can't relate. Because I like you..very much in fact."

The tenderness of her words caught me off guard. It grabbed a hold of my heart and twisted it into knots. I swallowed, suddenly feeling a lump in my throat. I wasn't normally an emotional guy, but that was just too damn sweet.

I wondered if she understood how much a simple statement like that meant to me.

Emma Riley

For a moment I wondered if I had upset him somehow. He seemed quiet, which was out of character for him. He always had something to say.

"I'm sorry..that probably sounded super cheesy." I sheepishly said swirling my wine glass, secretly wishing it was whiskey.

The sudden intensity in his light eyes surprised me as he leaned forward in his chair, not breaking eye contact with me. I was temporarily frozen and still had my wine glass in my hand while I stared back at him, waiting to hear what he had to say.

"I like you too, Miss Riley." His voice was suggestive, and pleasing to the ear. I felt my cheeks get hot as he placed his hand over mine, both his touch and the look in his eyes giving me chills.

"In fact..would you like to hear of all the ways I'm going to prove it tonight, or do you prefer to be surprised?" He lightly stroked the back of my hand with his fingers, I took a deep breath..trying to keep my rising nerves calm. He was just way too damn good at seducing me.

"I love being with you, Emma. You've made me very happy by giving me a chance." There was a sincerity in his voice behind the suggestive tone. I smiled, really glad I gave him a chance too. Though I still found myself waiting for him to realize he was actually too good for me.

He squeezed my hand and bit his bottom lip. The wild look in his eyes was a look I recognized..he was getting turned on.

"Be a good girl and come closer." He instructed in almost a whisper. "You're much too far away."

I gulped, and a devlish grin spread across his face. He looked deliciously sinful. His button shirt unbuttoned enough to reveal just a peek of his hard chest. His dark hair was messy but kept and invited you to run your fingers through it. His gorgeous blue-gray eyes were even more hypnotising than usual in the candlelight, and they were locked onto me.

"Come closer, baby." He repeated, with an intense look still in his eyes. "So I can make those pretty lips of yours my first course."

This is a nice place, Emma. You wait and fuck his brains out until when you get home like the classy broad you are. Did I mention how much I wish the wine in this glass was whiskey?

"Um..speaking of courses,  what's the deal with these alleged eight courses?" I made a weak attempt to turn the conversation in a safer direction, but he could not be faltered.

"But I already have eight courses right here at the table." He licked his lips, and I couldn't take my eyes off him as I hung on every word he said. "I'll start with your lips. Then, that sensitive spot on your neck. After that, those amazing breasts. Would you like me to continue? Because I can. I have a very big appetite where you are concerned." I gulped again after he spoke, quickly grabbing my wine glass and finishing off the rest of it like it was a matter of life or death. He grinned, seeming to find it funny he could make me squirm so well.

"Ryker, not in a public place. Behave." I waved my index finger, scolding him. He appeared unphased, and blew me a kiss.

"You love it." He stated bluntly as he hid his smirk behind the glass of wine in his hand. It was a statement, not a question. Asshole was so sure of himself, and the fact he was absolutely right annoyed me even more. "In fact, I bet you're nice and wet for me right now, aren't you?"

Yes. He bit his lip and seemed to let his mind go off to a different place. I took a deep breath in, trying to keep my mind clear. The truth was, he was wearing me down. He had a habit of doing that, it was kind of a talent of his. One of many.

Something in his smile shifted for a moment as he examined my every move. "Am I making you uncomfortable?" He asked, seeming serious.

Um, no. You're making me very comfortable. That's the problem. "This is just a nice place, I don't want to get kicked out or something." I tucked a curl behind my ear, and he surprised me by starting to laugh.

"I assure you..they would never kick me out." He sounded very sure of himself. It may come off as a little arrogant, but he also might have been correct. The way everyone seemed to kiss his ass when we came in was insane.

"You know, I have to be honest. Tonight isn't turning out as bad as what I had pictured in ny head." I looked up from my wine and he was looking at me with a puzzled, slightly hurt expression. I flushed, realizing that came out in a way I had not intended.

"No no, I don't mean it like that! I mean, I didn't think it would be bad because of you!" I put my hands up defensively and he sighed in relief. "I just meant since you're so famous and everything..I had pictured a huge mob just tackling us at the dinner table." I shuddered just thinking about it now. When I looked at him, I thought for a moment he was still offended. But instead, he cracked up laughing again.

"You said it yourself, this is a nice place. In fact, it's one of the nicest places in the city. I'm not the only 'celebrity' to come in here." He assured me, seeming to be trying to ease my mind. Another one of his talents. "They have to keep a certain level of professionalism, or celebrities will stop coming. So a huge mob wouldn't be allowed in here." He took another big gulp of his wine and set his empty glass down on the table. The thought suddenly occured to me that for whiskey drinkers, we were sure drinking a shitload of wine.

There was a look of hesitation in his face, and I eyed him suspiciously. "What are you not telling me?" The overthinker in me immedietely thought of several possible scenerios and started to internally panic.

"It's just..you should be prepared. There will probably be pictures of us on the internet." He didn't sound like he particularly cared, but he knew that I did. "They can stop fans and paparazzi alike from coming in their restaurant, but they can't stop them from camping across the street and taking pictures of people coming in and out. Someone most likely took our picture coming in, and will likely take it again when we leave. That's just part of being in the business, I'm afraid." He studied my reaction wearily, and I realized his hesitation.

The whole paparazzi and mob of fans thing, that's part of his job. It's not something he can do anything about, apart from never leaving his house. If I have a serious problem with it, this won't work between us in the long run. In order for this to work, I have to become indifferent..like him.

"Doesn't that ever get weird for you?" I asked, genuinely curious. He looked at me confused, tilting his head and narrowing his eyes. He seemed to be wanting me to elaborate, so I continued. "I don't know..having strangers following you around and taking your picture, it's kind of creepy if you think about it. Isn't it?" I was being serious, even though he laughed.

If you heard about an average, unknown person having someone follow them around everywhere taking pictures..you'd naturally find that inappropriate and say they are being stalked, right? But somehow because of his choice of profession, it's suddenly not creepy anymore? What..did he stop being a human or something? There was something about the fact he was expected to just 'get used to' his privacy being violated on a daily basis that rubbed me the wrong way. Although I knew there was nothing I could do about it.

I understand the big fuss over Ryker Fox. Handsome, sexy, charismatic, talented..he certainly was a spectacle. I understand the fascination. Trust me, he fascinates me too. But I still find myself forgetting he's actually famous when we were together. He was intimidating sure, but at the end of the day..he was just Ryker  to me.

"It used to bother me, yeah. It definitely is weird." He said, pulling me out of my own thoughts. "It still bothers me sometimes to be honest, but I guess I've just learned to accept it for what it is." He shrugged casually, sounding indifferent once again. It always amazed me how he managed to be so cool.

"Someday, I'll be old news. I know that. One of these days, someone younger and better will come along and it will be their turn to get followed around." He smiled, but his mind seemed to be elsewhere. I studied his face, and he almost seemed sad in a way. Perhaps because, this life was all he knew. Maybe..he was wondering what he would be without it.

"Someone younger will come along, sure. That's inevitable." I said honestly as I refilled his wine glass. He was looking down at the table, but nodded in agreement. "But somebody better? I wouldn't count on it. There's no such thing." I knew it sounded cheesy, but I happened to mean it. He looked up from the table and to my face, something in his mood shifting. A smirk spread on his lips, and I could almost see the fire reignite in his eyes.

Ryker Fox

She really needs to stop adorable stuff like that if she doesn't want me to ravish her right here at this table. Can't you see I'm already struggling to keep my hands off you? Stop being so damn cute.

She spoke up again, and something told me it was out of nerves. She always seemed to get nervous when I looked at her like that. Probably because she doesn't realize how incredible she is.

"I'm just saying..that's the cool thing about what you do. Long after you're gone, people will go on to watch your movies and see your face." Her voice was soft and sweet, her eyes gentle and kind. I knew she was trying to cheer me up, and it was working. "So even when your time in the spotlight is up, you'll never really be forgotten. It's almost like your immortal." She continued before taking another sip of wine.

Okay, enough is enough. A man has to draw the line somewhere. I damn near scared her to death as I quickly got out of my chair and walked over to hers, in a rush. I grabbed onto her blonde curls and tilted back her head, placing my other hand on her neck.

She gasped in surprise, parting open her mouth. I took the opportunity to lean down and press my lips on hers for a kiss. At first she was too stunned to react but it only took a moment for her to submit and I felt her tongue enter my mouth. She grabbed a handful of my hair and I heard a moan escape somewhere in the back of her throat.

I could taste the wine on her sweet lips, I could feel her shiver to my touch when I very slightly tightened my grip around her beautiful neck. It made me want to touch her other places, too.

Now, believe it or not..there actually is a very, very, very small part of me that can think with my brain. I knew this was inappropriate, given our setting. That and the fact I took her out to actually get to know her, I knew I had to stop before we lost control completely.

I could actually hear my penis screaming as soon as I stopped. Emma's  green eyes were on fire as she looked up at me when I pulled away from our kiss.

It was now my turn to be surprised as she grabbed a hold of my jacket, stopping me. "Excuse me, did I say you were dismissed?" She practically growled the sentence as she pulled me back to her, causing me to fall on her.

"More." She demanded in a whisper as she took my bottom lip between her teeth. Quick question..is it possible for a man to have a heart attack in his penis? Asking for a friend. Someone needs to bring some jumper cables over here and attach them to my balls pronto because I'm pretty sure Ryker Junior  just died.

Just then we were violently thrown out of our embrace by the sound of someone clearing their throat. We looked in the direction of the noise to find a waitress standing there with plates in her hand, her face redder than a tomato.

"Uh..I'm so sorry. Should I come back later?" The waitress's voice came out quiet, and as a squeak. Yes. You should definitely come back later. How's next Tuesday work for you? I looked down at Emma  and she had her entire face covered with her hands, her elbows resting on the table. I didn't have to see her face to know she was redder than the waitress was. I tried to contain my laughter, but it was hard. Really..very..incredibly hard. Sorry, what was I saying?

"I'm sorry, we weren't intending to be rude." We definitely weren't intending to be rude, but we were intending to fuck until you doing your job got in the way. Selfish.

I straightened myself up and brushed off my clothes, as if that would somehow take away my massive boner. I motioned to the table before returning to my poor, abandoned chair that just had to witness that entire thing. "Please, set those down." I said, referring to the plates in the waitress's hands. "I promise we will behave ourselves." For the time being. But Emma Riley  is in for a long, long night..I'll tell you that much.

Emma  peeked out from behind her hands at the waitress setting down the plates of food. Both of their faces were still red, and Emma  glared at me when she saw the shit-eating grin on my face. I was just amused as hell that it wasn't entirely my fault for once.

"Is there..anything else I can get you folks right now?"  The waitress asked hesitating, and still struggling to look either one of us in the eye. I smirked as I thought about being a smart ass and asking for a condom, but I stopped myself. Both Emma  and the waitress was mortified enough already.

"Well, I'll be back to check on you in a few minutes." The waitress said it more like a warning, and I couldn't stop myself from chuckling as she left the table and dissapeared.

I turned my attention back to Emma, who looked as if she was trying to get her breathing under control. She looked so embarrassed I felt bad for her..but it was hilarious at the same time.

"Now, where were we? Come on over to daddy Ryker." I laid it on thicker than molasses and wiggled my eyebrows up and down suggestively. Her mouth dropped open, her embarrassment turning to anger.

"Oh my god! Just a joke!" I put my hands up where she could see them, as some kind of proof I was behaving. "In my defense, I tried to stop. You were the one that was all like, 'Oooo, give it to me Ryker. Mmm Emma likey.'" My tone was mocking as I did my best Emma  impression, sticking my chest out for good measure.

Emma Riley

"First of all..you're an asshole." I said as I glared at him. He was super annoying sometimes. The most annoying part, was that he was also funny as hell...so it was almost impossible to be cross with him. He was obnoxiously shimmying his chest back and forth, sitting awkwardly in his chair as he purposely stuck his chest out.

I continued when he showed no signs of stopping."Second of all..what the fuck are you doing?" He stopped and started laughing again, only this time very loudly. I wanted to stay mad at him, but his laughter was even more obnoxious than he was..not to mention contagious.

"Come on, let's start eating before that traumatized waitress comes out with the next course." He said, turning his attention to his incredible looking salad and still trying to stop laughing.

"You're a weird guy, you know that?" I shook my head and suddenly found myself laughing, too. He  grinned at me as he picked up his salad fork. "You still love me." He said, jokingly.

The next few moments were awkward. He seemed to realize he had just dropped the 'L'  word and his face turned a bright red, his mouth full of food. He started fidgeting in his chair and avoided eye contact as he attempted to quickly chew so he could speak.

"I didn't mean you actually lov--I mean..what I meant was--" I cut him off when he struggled to find the right words. He exhaled a deep breath, looking terrified. I had to admit, it was nice seeing him squirm for a change.

"Don't worry, Ryker. I know what you meant." He seemed to accept this answer as we both focused on finishing our meal.

I knew what he meant. He didn't mean that I actually  loved him. I mean..obviously. It's too soon for that. But the scary part is, I'm pretty sure I could.

Ryker Fox

Outside Del Posto Restaurant

As Emma  and I walked out the front doors and onto the busy sidewalk, I could immediately see paparazzi across the street.

I grabbed her hand and picked up the pace towards my car. She looked at me puzzled. "Ryker, could you slow down? I'm really full and I can barely walk in high heals, let alone run in them." She sounded out of breath, but I didn't slow down.

Just as I thought, the herd of paparazzi spotted us and began to run across the street trying to catch up to us. Emma  looked in their direction just in time to be almost blinded by a dozen camera flashes. They were all shouting questions at once, so it was hard to concentrate on any of them in particular.

"Ryker, who's the girl? Is she the one from the video?" "Is this your new girlfriend, Ryker?" "What's your name, young lady?" "Ryker, is it true you're up for the lead in Stanley Charleston's newest project?"

I put my arm around Emma's  waist protectively and quickly pulled my keys from my pocket as we speed walked to the car. I looked at her face among all the bright camera flashes, and she looked very overwhelmed. It reminded me of my first time being bombarded by paparazzi and how intimidating it was.

"Don't worry, Emma. You don't have to say anything. Let's just get in the car, we'll be fine." When we got to my car I opened her door for her and she quickly jumped inside. The paparazzi were still taking their pictures and asking a thousand questions. For the most part, while they were annoying and obnoxious..they were harmless. But I couldn't help but feel guilty, and hoped that Emma  wasn't too upset.

Fifteen minutes later
In the car.

Emma  was very quiet the entire way to our next destination. I didn't push her, afraid I'd upset her and make it worse. I figured I'd give her a few moments to process what had just happened.

"So that always happens to you?!" She finally broke the silence and I looked at her from the corner of my eye. Her eyes were even wider than usual and she appeared to be shaken up..but she seemed fine, for the most part.

"Sometimes..yeah. I'm sorry, I know it's a lot to take in." I couldn't keep myself from feeling responsible. She let out a deep breath and looked out the window. "Are you okay?" She seemed alright, but I still had to ask.

"So you're going to be in a Stanley Charleston movie?! He's like, a big-time director isn't he?" She acted like she didn't hear me as she changed the subject. I smiled at the fact she sounded genuinely happy for me to have an opportunity like that. Her face lit up with an innocent excitement and it warmed my heart, just a bit.

I pulled over when we arrived where we were going to next and put the car in park. She didn't even look around or ask any questions as she stared at me, waiting for an answer.

"Yeah well..I actually have an audition for it in a few days. Dexter thinks it's just what my career needs right now. I have the script but I haven't had the chance to look at it yet with..everything going on." I cringed as I reminded myself I had to spend the day tomorrow with my head buried in the script, and not between Emma's legs. Unfortunate, to say the least. She looked like she felt guilty, guessing that she had been unintentionally distracting me.

"Speaking of Dexter.." she started, setting panic in my heart. Oh, God. I knew it was only a matter of time before she asked about what he told me about Sheila, but I had hoped to avoid it as long as possible.

I took in a deep breath and sat myself back in my seat. I shut my eyes for a moment, and tried my best to prepare myself to get it over with and tell her. When I opened my eyes and looked at her, she was staring at me with a concerned look on her face.

"The thing is..I've been having an incredible time with you, Emma." I meant it, too. I loved every moment with her. "But I'm afraid once I tell you, that you won't want anything to do with me and our time will be over." I tried to not give away how sad that made me feel, but I could hear it in my voice. I was sure she could, too.

"Whatever it is, you have to tell me." She said, sounding both sad and suspicious. "The best thing to do is to rip it off like a band-aid." She absent-mindly played with a strand of her hair and nervously bit her lip.

I made a silent prayer that somehow someway this wouldn't be my goodbye to her, and spit it out like it was venom.

"Sheila is pregnant, and she says that it's mine."

Author's note: If you enjoyed this chapter, please make sure to vote. :)