Northern Star Falling

By KD Bryan

Beautiful
Sexy
Stalked
Senna North is a fashion model with a flourishing career, overbearing parents, and someone who wants her dead, for reasons she doesn't understand. Despite her pinnacle success in the fashion world, Senna is tired...tired of the constant travel, demanding schedules, ad having no one to call her own.
Normal is what she craves, until someone threatens Senna's dreams of a new life. Threats that send her to another city and into the arms of even greater danger. Senna suddenly finds herself questioning everything about her life, especially her insane attraction to one police Detective who's completely off limits.

Focused
Driven
Unattainable
Detective Aiden Grant prides himself on being the one who gets the job done...at any cost. He's focused and passionate about upholding the law, and protecting the career he values. Until he meets the dark-haired beauty who turns his structured world upside down, and forces Aiden to question everything he believes in.
It's Aiden's job to serve and protect, to find the threat and eliminate any obstacles. As his latest case heats up, Aiden's focus is divided between finding justice, and the incredibly sexy victim who haunts his days, and his nights. Their mutual attraction if off the charts, but Aiden must decide if he's willing to risk his career to be with the one woman who could end it all, or possibly become his new beginning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: KD Bryan
• Release date: Aug 10, 2020

KD Bryan

KD Bryan is an author of adult contemporary romance. She has always loved to write and finally decided to pursue her dream. A journalism major first, she then changed direction later to pursue a different career path. The love of books and reading have brought her full circle back to her dream of someday writing a book and getting it into the hands of readers. Her current projects include the Santos Family Series, as well as a new contemporary romance release "One Perfect Play".KD Bryan resides in the Midwest with her husband and teenage son and St. Louis Cardinal's baseball is a staple at their house from spring until fall!

Book preview

Chapter One

If patience was a virtue, then Senna North knew she was probably the most ‘unvirtuous’ person in Lambert Airport right now. Her flight from Chicago to St. Louis had been delayed for whatever reason, and now she was feeling completely out of sorts. And if there was one thing Senna hated, it was feeling out of sorts.

Sometimes it felt as if she’d spent her entire life striving to be better, to be the best at everything she did. It was exhausting at times, and the self-imposed stress of always expecting more had definitely taken its toll the past few years. She was tired. Deep to the bone, down to her soul tired, and she wanted nothing more than to just slow down. To be able to enjoy life for a change instead of just hurriedly chasing it.

Senna knew the real reason for her recent discontent. Everything she was struggling with stemmed from the fact that her focus for the past several years had revolved around work, and more work. Nothing more, nothing less. Just work.

Her professional modeling career had started at the age of sixteen, even working a few jobs as a child when the opportunity presented. At twenty-six, Senna was ready to slow down. Unfortunately, now that she was finally professing that she needed a much-deserved break, her parents were dumbfounded as to why.

Senna also knew that her parents were simply just placating her with their recent declarations that they understood her complaint. Undoubtedly, they both probably thought it would only be a matter of days before she’d call to confess that she was bored and wanted to return to work. That she’d be begging for her next assignment, and that she wouldn’t be able to board a flight home fast enough.

Well, thought Senna, they’re in for a big surprise.

After disembarking, Senna walked inside the airport and followed the arrows to the baggage claim area. Within moments her Louis Vuitton bag appeared, and Senna offered up a murmured thanks that it’d arrived at the same time she had. She’d had her fair share of lost or delayed luggage at airports around the world with the amount of traveling she did. Consequently, she now hated the hassle of trying to work with airport personnel to retrieve lost luggage that had ended up on another continent.

As she grabbed her bag, the sudden pull in Senna’s bicep muscle served as a painful reminder that she hadn’t been hitting the gym for her routine workouts lately. Over the past few weeks, she’d gotten in some runs on the treadmill at the agency, but Senna had basically avoided the gym where she normally felt right at home. Ditching her gym time was just one of the concessions she’d recently made in her routine. Senna sighed quietly and vowed to push aside the unsettling thoughts as to why she’d felt the need to make any concessions in her life.

With a toss of her long hair, she refused to think about the random, disturbing calls she’d recently received. She also tried blocking out all thoughts of the notes she’d received in the mail, as well as the downright eerie note that’d been delivered a few days ago to the agency by a bike messenger. The receptionist, Sonia, had stopped her as she was leaving for the day and handed her the envelope sporting her name printed in block-style lettering. Senna had felt her belly shift at seeing the white envelope with SENNA NORTH printed in black when Sonia absently handed it to her. The phone had been ringing at that moment, and Senna had stood quietly staring at the envelope as Sonia spoke to whoever the caller was.

After a few minutes, Sonia had finally disconnected the call and looked up in surprise to find Senna still standing there. Startled out of her thoughts, Senna recalled how she’d actually jumped a little when Sonia had said her name.

Senna, you’re still here?  I thought you were headed out, the young woman behind the desk had commented. Sonia was stunning enough to be a model herself, but vehemently protested that she is wanting nothing to do with that side of the business.

Swallowing against the dryness in her throat, Senna had finally torn her gaze away from the offending object in her hand and looked up. Uh, yes, I’m just heading out actually. Sonia, who dropped this off for me?

Senna recalled how she’d tried keeping her voice steady, but she’d heard the tremor as she’d asked Sonia the question. Sonia had given her a questioning look, but Senna had ignored it and plastered a smile on her face. She’d had no desire that day for Sonia, or anyone else for that matter, to pick up on the fact that she was more than just a little freaked out at the moment. Senna hadn’t told anyone about the phone calls, or notes for that matter, because she didn’t want to worry her parents. Models periodically received weird fan mail from an admirer, and Senna had chosen to think that the recent attempts at contact were nothing more than that. After all, none of the calls or notes had actually been threatening in any way, just weirder than anything else.

The honey-blonde woman behind the desk was a little more observant than most, though, and she’d given Senna a look that said as much. Sonia had worked at CN Modeling, Inc. for five years, and in that time, she’d never seen Senna looking as pale and distracted as she had at the moment.

Senna, it was delivered by a bike messenger about an hour ago. Why do you ask? You’re looking a little pale there, my friend. Anything wrong? Do you want me to call Delfina for you? Sonia had asked with a frown.

All it had taken was the mention of her mother’s name to startle Senna right out of her silence. No! I mean...no, that’s not necessary, Sonia, really. I, uh...I just can’t imagine who would leave a note for me here rather than, uh...call my cell, you know?

Senna knew that she’d sounded a little scattered, but the last thing she’d needed was for her mother to get involved. Delfina Conti could easily be described as the equivalent of a thunderstorm on a good day, and Senna shuddered just thinking about how her mother would react over something like this. No, the best plan had been to get out quickly. Senna knew that Sonia was fiercely loyal to Delfina while everyone else took a place in line behind that loyalty. Even Senna’s father, Sebastian, the co-owner of the agency fell into that category.

In a less-than-convincing tone, Sonia had given Senna another scrutinizing look before saying, Well, if you’re sure. Delfina is still here, so a quick phone call upstairs is all it would take...

No, everything’s fine, Sonia, really. As a matter of fact, this is probably a ticket to a concert that a friend and I are attending later this month. He said something about messaging mine over just in case we didn’t arrive at the same time, Senna had explained quickly. 

It hadn’t actually been an outright lie. She and Payne were attending a concert together this month. However, they’d met up by accident just the night before and he’d given Senna her ticket then. The ticket in question was now safely tucked away in her wallet. Payne had mentioned earlier about sending it to her, but their running into one another at a club had negated the need for that.

Sonia had believed her story, and Senna had finally escaped the shrewd scrutiny of her mother’s watchdog without any further questions. Senna had waited until she was on the train and heading home before opening the offending white envelope, she’d stuck into the side pocket of her bag. Pulling it out, she’d carefully opened the flap and sucked in a breath at the words on the page. A sheet of white, generic stationery paper folded in half had sported the words Senna-Bitch, you’re mine, or you will be soon. I’ll be waiting. Revenge is sweet. Much love until later.

A wave of nausea had swept through Senna as she clutched the page and tried focusing on the words. Blinking furiously, she’d taken a few calming breaths and then really looked at the sheet of paper in her trembling hand. Examining it closely, she’d seen that the words weren’t actually written, but instead were made from stickers found at any scrapbook or craft store.

Her stop that day was announced a few moments later where Senna had left the train and hurriedly made her way through the station. When she’d exited and reached the sidewalk, Senna had headed toward her apartment building throwing cautious glances over her shoulder with every few steps. Why hadn’t she taken a cab?

The sight of the doorman through the glass front of the building’s lobby had her sighing in relief as she’d hurriedly made her way there. Senna had tried slowing her pace, but she’d just wanted inside. She’d wanted inside and away from the people around her who she didn’t know. The same people who on any other day wouldn’t have registered on her radar as she’d walked the streets of the city she loved. Chicago was her home, from the pizzeria down the street to the Starbucks around the corner, and everything beyond. 

Snapping out of her troubled thoughts, Senna realized she was now at the airport’s exit where the car she’d arranged was hopefully waiting.  She’d been to St. Louis previously for a few brief work assignments but had never ventured anywhere in the city. Her past trips had been solely focused on work, and then she’d been off to her next assignment in another city or country.

Sighing in relief, Senna immediately spotted the older gentleman dressed in a dark suit holding a sign with her name in black block letters. 

With a smile, she said, Hi, I’m Miss North.

Tucking the sign under one arm, the man returned her smile. Welcome to St. Louis, Miss North. I’ll take your bags, and then we’ll be on our way.

Senna gratefully passed the pull handle of her luggage, as well as the smaller bag she still carried on her shoulder, to the driver. After stowing the bags in the trunk, the driver stepped to the back door and opened it so Senna could slide into an interior where cool air circulated to combat the heat and humidity outside.  Even in early fall, St. Louis was still sporting unseasonably warm temperatures, and Senna was suddenly thankful for the lightweight clothing she’d packed. She might need the light jacket she’d brought for the evenings, but certainly not during the daylight hours.

The ride from the airport was generic at first as the car made its way smoothly through interstate traffic toward downtown. Senna had made a reservation at the Hilton and recalled smiling at the listing touting it as the ‘Hilton at the Ballpark’ due to its close proximity to the infamous Busch Stadium. Senna wasn’t much of a sports fan herself, but even she knew of the long-standing rivalry between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals.

After checking into her room, a short while later, Senna strolled to the window and looked down at the street below. The downtown area of St. Louis was certainly interesting with its many historical landmarks. She’d noticed the Gateway Arch of course, and Busch Stadium rose impressively proud as a focal point.

Sighing heavily, Senna turned from the window to where her open suitcase rested on the bed. She mechanically began the task of putting her clothes away in the room’s closet and drawers without any real thought to the process. At times it felt like she’d stored her clothing in strange closets and bureaus more often than she ever had in her own apartment. She’d been living on her own since the age of eighteen, but much of that time had been spent traveling for work.

Even as a child, Senna had never been stationary for very long. She’d frequently traveled abroad to Italy to visit her mother’s family since she was a small child. It was true that Delfina Conti loved America, and all it had provided her in the way of a successful career, but her heart was firmly planted in the Italian soil of her family’s vineyards.

On less frequent occasions, Senna had traveled with her dad, too, for visits to California. His family lived in the Santa Monica area, and Senna had loved roaming the expanse of Ocean Front Walk.  Her dad had taken her to the Aquarium on several occasions, and they’d played on the beach with her cousins and other relatives.

As a child, Senna had wished she could share the fun with both of her parents but that was out of the question. Delfina never accompanied them to California, and Senna had known why for most of her life. It was hard to understand sometimes, but she’d learned early on that her parents weren’t married to one another. The most heartbreaking point she’d had to accept through the years was that nor would they probably ever be.

Senna’s dad, Sebastian North, for all intent purposes was already married, but to someone else.  Senna had learned of this mystery woman’s existence one day by accident when her own highly emotional mother had been cursing the woman in Italian. The mystery woman, whose name Senna had later learned was actually Claudia, and not Selfish Bitch as her mother frequently referred to her, lived in Santa Monica as well.  Needless to say, they never visited the woman on their trips there, but Senna had overheard her dad and her grandparents discussing her at odd times when she was younger. On one occasion she’d walked into the room where the adults were enjoying a before dinner drink and all conversation had abruptly stopped when she’d entered.

Her grandmother’s voice had carried just enough, however, that Senna had overheard her saying, "Sebastian, please, just call Claudia while you’re here. Surely the two of you can work things out. After all, you are still married to one another..."

Her father had looked uncomfortable as he’d sat sipping his scotch, and her grandmother had simply sighed heavily after realizing that Senna had entered the room.  Senna had been twelve at the time, and she’d already known about the mystery wife for several years by then. Not wanting to pass judgement on the dad that she loved, Senna had never mentioned the woman until years later when she was older.

They’d been flying home from a California visit the year she’d turned eighteen, and Senna had unexpectedly turned to her dad and asked, Dad, did you see your wife while we were there this time?

Sebastian had disappeared for several hours one evening under the pretense of meeting up with some old college friends who still lived in the city. The next morning he’d been quiet and withdrawn, barely speaking to either Senna or her grandparents. At one point he’d even disappeared outside, and Senna had noticed him walking along the beach alone. Shoulders slumped and head down, he barely resembled the tall and vibrant man she’d loved her entire life. Despite all of his faults, her father had always loved her, of that she was certain. 

That day on the airplane Sebastian had started and looked at her with guilt written across his handsome face. Senna had known then that yes, her father had visited with his estranged wife while they were in Santa Monica. Rather than being angry, she’d been more curious than anything. No one had ever explained the dynamics of their strange situation to her in all these years, and she’d never asked.

Quietly, her father had shook his head saying, Yes, Senna, I did. Claudia and I had some very important financial issues that had to be discussed this year. I met with her to go over those, and we had dinner together afterwards.

Senna recalled how she’d gaped at him in surprise until she’d finally found her voice to ask incredulously, "Dinner? You had dinner with her? Why?"

Sighing patiently, Sebastian had looked at her and stated firmly, Senna, I have been married to this woman since the age of twenty-four. And no, we don’t have a conventional marriage, or relationship, for that matter. Furthermore, I don’t love Claudia, not at all. We were never compatible in any way, and I was never truly in love with her.

While her father had paused to evidently collect his thoughts, Senna had sat in her seat beside him in quiet shock. She’d learned more about this bizarre situation in the last five minutes than she’d known her entire life.

Not compatible? Never truly in love with her?  What did that mean? Weren’t those two of the most basic building blocks of a relationship that led to marriage? She’d had no idea what any of it meant, but she’d been determined to find out once and for all.  Her parents had put her, their only child, in the middle of this unconventional lifestyle they’d chosen to live, so she’d felt she deserved some answers.

Dad, I don’t understand what any of that means. Why did you marry her if those things were true? How long were you together after you were married? Senna had asked with determination in her tone.

Sebastian North had looked at the beautiful young woman sitting beside him and wished he had all the answers she wanted.  Senna was eighteen now, certainly old enough to hear the details, but Sebastian hated that there were details to tell. Since this was his story to tell, he knew it was ultimately his responsibility to answer her questions. After all, Sebastian was the one who’d been married when he and Delfina had met and fallen hopelessly in love. Unfortunately, he’d had a wife back home in America at the time who’d refused to set him free.

Senna, sweetheart, life isn’t always that simple at times. I found myself in a set of circumstances where marriage seemed to be the only answer. Not the right one perhaps, but at the time I was young and fresh out of college. Your grandparents were putting pressure on me to do the right thing, as well as Claudia’s family, Sebastian had explained.

Suddenly, the light bulb had clicked on as Senna shook her head. She was pregnant, wasn’t she?  This Claudia woman was pregnant with your baby, and you married her out of a sense of obligation. What happened to the baby? Or do I have a half-sibling that you’ve been hiding all these years as well?

Her voice that day had been harsher than she’d intended causing the woman across the aisle to give her a peculiar look.  

Senna let me explain, and lower your voice, please. Yes, Claudia was pregnant with my child. We were married early in the pregnancy, and things were, how shall I say, comfortable. As I said before, we were never really in love, but anyway, the baby was stillborn at birth. It was a boy, and Claudia was devastated as you can imagine, Sebastian had admitted quietly.

Claudia was never the same afterwards. She’d always had some problems with depression, even some anxiety issues. The baby’s death seemed to push her over the edge. Her parents and I tried, we really did, but nothing seemed to help. The two of us drifted further apart until we eventually just lived separate lives.

Senna had seen the resignation mixed with sadness on her dad’s face that day, and suddenly she’d felt like the worst daughter in the world. However, she still hadn’t understood why her dad was still married to this woman after so many years.

But, Dad, why did you stay married to her? Why didn’t you divorce after you met Mom?

Clearing his throat, Sebastian had turned away from the beautiful girl sitting beside him. His daughter might be eighteen, but she was still naïve in the ways of the world sometimes, despite the unconventional way she’d been raised.

Turning back to face Senna, her dad had said, Senna, it wasn’t that simple. I did file for a divorce after I met your mother and knew that I was in love with her. Claudia fought it, however. I don’t know whether it was out of an unrealistic sense of anger and bitterness, or what. Then Delfina became pregnant with you during the whole ugly mess which was the catalyst that sent Claudia completely off the deep end. She adamantly refused to sign the divorce papers, and her father had strong connections to several judges in the area, as well as the Church. It seemed that no matter what I did Claudia tried to block my every move. You were finally born, and by that time your mother had gotten involved in the situation as well.

Senna had quietly sucked in a breath realizing how that must’ve complicated things.  Her mother was pure Italian with a passion for everything, and a loud voice to support it. Delfina Conti was a force to reckon with on a good day. Senna could only imagine her in a situation such as Sebastian described.

Oh, I can only imagine how that must’ve helped the situation, Senna had remarked dryly. 

Yes, and then magnify that by about one hundred and you’ll have the true picture. It was a terribly difficult time, and your mother resented the fact that our joy and happiness over your arrival was overshadowed by my problems. I’ve always felt like I’ve failed both you and Delfina in so many ways through the years, Sebastian had said quietly.

Surprised by his statement, Senna had reached out to put her hand over her dad’s where it lay on the armrest. Dad, don’t think that. You’ve always been there for us. You’ve always loved us, regardless of whether you and Mom were legally married or not. I’m still confused, though, about why didn’t you ever get a divorce.

It was just a difficult situation for many reasons, Senna. The divorce proceedings drug on longer than expected, and there were major money issues involved as well. Eventually, it seemed better to simply try and diffuse the situation and gain some semblance of peace in our lives. Your mother still wasn’t happy, but we eventually made it work in our own way, Sebastian had offered by way of explanation. 

Senna pulled her thoughts away from the conversation years earlier with her dad and continued hanging her clothes in the hotel closet.  Yes, they’d made it work, and in their own way. Her parents had forged ahead and eventually built a business together, a very financially successful business at that. CN Modeling, Inc. was one of the most prestigious and well renowned modeling agencies in the Midwest, and Senna’s parents had worked hard to achieve that status.

Delfina had been the creative force behind the duo, while Sebastian had taken on the duties of shrewd business manager. Delfina had carefully chosen and groomed the very first models who’d worked for them, and things had simply taken off from there. Delfina herself had modeled in Italy, as well as around Europe prior to her move to the United States, so her many connections had paid off through the years. Sebastian ran a very profitable bottom line, and the agency had made money almost from the start.

Senna sighed as she placed a black slip dress onto a hanger and hung it alongside the others she’d brought with her. Yes, her parents were successful, but in her own right so was she. Now she just needed to figure out if continuing her modeling career was what she really wanted at this time. Then she had to figure out a way to tell her parents if she ultimately decided that it wasn’t.

Chapter Two

The coffee was stale, and the donuts were even worse than the coffee, if that were possible. The knowledge left Detective Aiden Grant with a frown after figuring out both situations. He’d been looking forward to his second cup of the day. And although he didn’t indulge in sweets too often, a glazed donut could definitely hit the spot-on occasion. Turning away from the offending box with another scowl, Aiden left the lounge to make his way down the hall toward the Detective area.

As he rounded the last corner, Aiden was saved from a near collision when his partner’s voice rang out saying, Damn, Grant, wake up and watch where you’re goin’, man! I just about upended my caramel mocha all over your ass.

Startled at first, and then aggravated a few moments later, Aiden looked at the tall man to his left. "Well, RT, you can kiss my ass this morning, buddy. And besides, why didn’t you call to ask if maybe I wanted a caramel mocha, too? Ever think about that, huh? No, it’s all about you."

The two men walked the short distance to the Detective area and then parted to head to their own desks. With anyone else their earlier exchange might sound like a confrontation, but not between the two of them. Aiden knew that his partner in crime, pun intended, always had his back when it came to the important things. However, not bringing him a caramel mocha was pretty crappy he had to admit. The last time he’d stopped at Mickey D’s for a breakfast sandwich, Aiden had graciously called RT to ask if he wanted anything.

Pushing a manila folder aside on his desktop, Aiden glanced toward the desk positioned a short distance away where his partner sat. He was just in time to watch as RT took a sip of his drink and let out an exaggerated sound of appreciation.

You’re just damn selfish, you know that?  I brought you an egg McMuffin just last week if you recall, Aiden complained grumpily.

Man, he loved busting his partner’s chops just about more than anything. RT was very laid back for the most part, and nothing really ruffled him too easily. They’d been partners for five years now and looking around the Detective area Aiden couldn’t readily point to one other person he’d rather rely on, or spend his time with at work. He was friendly with everyone else, and he had a good working relationship with them as well, but there was something about the relationship you shared with your partner as a police officer, or detective in this case. It was a sense of trust, a bond, and the underlying knowledge that someone always had your back. Aiden knew without a doubt that he’d been lucky the day their Captain had assigned the new guy to partner with him. 

RT Jackson was already an experienced detective when he’d been hired to fill the gap left by a retiring officer in their squad five years ago. Aiden had initially been concerned when word had come down from the brass that some shifting in partner assignments was happening. His previous partner of two years had just transferred out to the Narcotics Unit the week before leaving him to work with whoever was available. Aiden could still vividly recall the day he’d met RT, and how they’d seemed to click immediately.

The other detective was a year younger than Aiden, single like him, and had recently moved from the Chicago area citing that he just needed a change. Aiden’s first thought had been that the new guy was probably leaving a broken relationship situation behind, but that hadn’t been the case. Over time, RT had confided in him that Chicago had gotten a little too small for both himself and the gangbanger who’d made it his personal mission to kill him. Not one to run from any situation regardless of the brevity, RT had explained to Aiden one night over beer and wings that he’d simply grown tired of always looking over his shoulder.

The thug in question had threatened RT’s family, as well as making sure RT knew he meant business when his posse had shot into the detective’s parents’ home one night. Thankfully, his family had been out of town that weekend, but the message had still been sent and received loud and clear. Aiden knew that RT had remained in Chicago for a few months afterwards but had eventually made the decision to relocate. His parents were leaving the city to fulfill a lifelong plan of moving to Florida after his father’s retirement from his medical practice anyway. Both of his sisters were now married and living out of state, so RT had decided it was a good time for him to make a change as well.

As a fellow police detective, Aiden hated the circumstances surrounding his partner’s decision to leave his job with the Chicago Police Department, but he was selfish enough to admit he was happy that RT had made the move. Their subsequent assignment as partners had effortlessly led to them forming a friendship, as well as a partnership at work.

RT Jackson glanced up from the report he’d started working on long enough to send his partner a scowl. Yeah, you did. And the damn muffin part was cold by the time you got here with it, as I recall.

RT hid a smile as he heard Aiden mumbling something with regards to you know what you can do with your muffin and your mocha, pal. After hitting the send button on the document, RT leaned back in his chair and eyed his partner closely. Yeah, old Aiden looked a little worse for wear this morning for some reason. Then it suddenly hit him just as RT took another sip of the delicious drink which had started their morning off so well together. 

"So, Detective Grant, how’d the date go last night that you were looking so forward to, huh? Did the lovely Miss Flight Attendant let you frisk her before or after you had her handcuffed to your bed?" RT asked wearing a wide grin.  

He did just manage to hold back a laugh when he heard another detective in the room snort out a laugh of his own.

Walking past his partner’s desk toward a file cabinet, Aiden slung his pen at RT and frowned. Neither one for your information, asshole. She had an early flight out this morning, so we had dinner and I dropped her back at her hotel. And no, before you ask, because I know you’re gonna ask, I didn’t go up to her room.

RT laughed as he lifted his cup toward Aiden’s retreating back and called out, Damn, so that’s what’s wrong with you this morning! You had those shiny handcuffs all ready to go and she shot you down, so to speak. Man, Grant, you’re losing your touch, brother. That was like the first date you’d had in what, three or four months now.

Reclaiming his seat at his own desk, Aiden lifted his right hand in a one-finger salute toward his partner and turned his attention to the file in front of him. It was a cold case he’d been looking at when time allowed, and he figured it was just what he needed this morning to take his focus off the love life he didn’t have. Not that he wanted a love life so to speak, but one date that actually turned into a second date might’ve been nice at this point. The flight attendant he’d had dinner with last night had been a nice woman, but he had no plans to be at the airport waiting when she landed again.

Sadly, Aiden had no idea what his problem was lately, but he certainly wasn’t going to discuss it with the grinning fool sitting at the desk beside him either. RT had women pressing their phone numbers on little slips of paper into his hand, or into the pocket of one the expensive tailored suits he wore, on a regular basis.  Women flocked to him no matter where they were, and RT usually took it all in stride. The dude was almost too pretty for his own good, a fact that Aiden also never failed to mention on a regular basis. 

RT was six-foot two inches, with skin the same color as the mocha drink he was sipping on at the moment. He had his dad’s dark, curly hair which he wore cut close to his scalp to prevent the fro from getting out of control as he referred to it jokingly. His very blonde, and beautiful, mother had passed along the sapphire blue color of her eyes, as well as ridiculously long lashes, to her only son. The combination, in conjunction with the stylish way he always dressed, had prompted more than one woman to ask if he was an actor, or maybe even a model.

Of course, the model reference was always a guarantee that RT would catch a boat load of crap from his fellow detectives and other friends he hung with. He’d just blow off