Kate woke up to the sound of gunfire she opened her eyes she was nuzzled into Richie's chest he was staring at the telly intently at an old Western
She lifted her hand and rubbed it down Richies smooth chest quickly his gaze broken from the TV and down to Kate
"Hey,You want me too turn it off?"
"No, what are you watching?" Kate asked looking at Richie in awe his eyes the most beautiful glistening blue, His cheekbones look like they had been carved,He really was a good looking man
He smiled "Its young guns the 80s rat pack you know Emilio Estevaz, Keifer Sutherland,Charlie sheen"
"No I don't wait Charlie sheen the guy from two and a half men"
"Yeah that and I forgot your like 10 so didn't get to appreciate the 80s
Kate sat up and slapped an obviously bemused Richie on the arm
"HA HA Richard Gecko" she mocked looking over at the digital clock on the bed stand Kate stood up and and took Richie's jacket from round her throwing it over his head she quickly grabbed a white tshirt from out her bag putting it on
"You still not slept?" Kate inquired
"I hardly sleep you will notice that"
Kate swelled at his admission she will notice as-if to cement the fact he is sticking around by her side in this absolute chaos, She grabbed the packet of cigarettes off the table
"Do you mind?" Kate asked flashing the pack at Richie
He sat back on the bed relaxing
"Whats mine is yours baby"
"So how was it for you?" Kate blushed at Richie's forward question but quickly pulled it together
"Well I dont exactly have anything else to compare it too"
"Yeah im honored you know Kate seriously, You're my first too well not my first but first virgin,Its like being the first to climb Everest its nice you know going somewhere no one else has been"
Kate burst out in uncontrollable laughter tears began streaming down her face Richie lunged to the end of the bed and grabbed her by the waist hoisting her over his shoulder and throwing her on the bed
"I was being nice" he protested to a highly amused Kate
"I know " she said composing herself and making sure she didnt burn the place down with her cigarette
"Its just the way you word things sometimes its just so funny and whats even funnier is that is legit the sweetest thing a guy has ever said to me"
he cleared his throat "You understood me when I was at my worst I did some foul stuff most would of ran a mile you still tried to reason, When you let me pray with you on the R.V was when I knew you were special,I still have some things to work on Kate this isn't all fairy tales"
"I may be a little naive but I have come to terms with the fact fairytales most certainly do not exist" she responded by kissing Richie on the lips, He cupped her face with his cold hands and a genuine smile crept across his face and he grabbed the remaining cigarette from her hand and took a drag
Spend the day in bed with me and this evening I will take you out I have a business meeting at a bar"
"Business?" Kate asked
"Yeah I haven't just been sat in Texas twiddling my thumbs"
Then Kate thought back to what Eddie had said about how Richie had killed his associate, She automatically knew this probably wasn't legitimate business
"Hmmmm"
"Please" Richie pleaded
Kate smiled and thought on it even though she had already made her mind up.
"I suppose so"
Richie spent the morning trying to educate Kate on some Hollywood greats eventually ending up drifting to sleep together through midday and early afternoon. By the time Kate woke again it was gone 4 pm she took the opportunity to hog the bathroom while Richie was still sleeping. She braided her wet hair so it would be in tight curls by the time it had dried.
She applied some make up and put on a red mini dress she hadn't yet worn and it was a bit risque for Kate's liking too much cleavage and too much leg but alas the only remotely evening wearish garment she had grabbed in the rush, She heard Richie shuffling in the bedroom.
Soon after the bathroom door opened he looked at Kate sheepishly and didn't say anything
"What?" she shrugged
"Nothing you look good in that color you look edible literally" he replied straight faced Kate rolled her eyes
"You have to go buy me shoes I have no shoes apart from trainers you know you should of let me pack my life up better"
"Whoa fast mover shoes already? Vanessa has trained you well" He smirked
"Im being serious" Kate replied trying to keep a straight face
"Yeah yeah well we will get a pair on the way by the looks of it we have to get you a dress too"
"Get out go on your distracting" Richie quickly shut the bathroom door leaving Kate to finish getting ready
by the time she had done and Richie spent 40 minutes himself showering it was approaching 7 pm
They called into a late opening boutique were they managed to spend 600$ on shoes well Richie his first gift for Kate as he put it, She was reluctant to accept. The only people that ever bought her gifts were her parents.
But it beame apparent to Kate why Richie had bought her a gift so to speak when they pulled up at an illuminous building, She thought it might be a joke at first.
The thing that grabbed her attention the most was a neon sign flashing girls girls girls. She looked over at Richie less than impressed and crossed her arms,When he said buisness this for some reason was not what she had in mind
"Bar?" she queried
Restaurant,bar,dance-club oh and the best tacos in Texas"
"I seriously fucking doubt that" she huffed
Richie looked over bemused at her tone "Dont curse Kate I told you it doesn't suit you, I knew you wouldnt come if I told you it was a bar with extras"
"God forbid I should swear but taking me to an exotic dance club is totally appropriate,Do you even remember what happened last time we went in a sleaze pit?!"
"Do you even remember what I am now!?" Richie snapped
"No Richie you have always been a bit of an asshole"
He laughed at Kate's remark "Staying in the car or coming with me?"
"Fine" she huffed
Richie placed his arm around Kate's shoulder as they walked in the entrance, She was irritated but grit her teeth, She figured that was just part and parcel of living around a Gecko smile and agree they were both stubborn as mules.
It was a modern looking place big dance floor strobe lighting, Two dancing poles much to Kate's dismay but they were more discreet than those at the twister, A massive bar that streched across the back and seating area, The customers were more business types than truckers.
It had a more professional feel not as sleazy but still not somewhere Kate wanted to be
"Hey" cooed a bimbo too Richie as he walked past, Kate scowled at her she could see Richie's arm around her the skeeze, Richie saw Kates face
"She is just a barmaid"
"Like I care" Kate sulked
"Come on I will take you to meet the owner of this place"
"How did you end up involved here then?" Kate asked
"Being a culebra my employment options are pretty limited "
"I see"
Richie led Kate up some stairs and down a long hallway a huge aquarium built into the wall, Kate admired the fish and corals at least there was something in here she could appreciate, Well apart from the vast quantities of alchol behind the bar anyway
As they came to a tall oak double door Richie smartened himself up before he knocked
"Yeah" a big burly bald headed guy opened the door slightly as soon as he saw Richie he opened it fully
Kate followed Richie sheepishly the bald headed guy eyes well and truly peering down her cleavage, Richie flashed him a dirty look and he immediately looked anywhere but at Kate
"Ahh Richie Gecko how the fuck are ya" Came a southern accent a guy with long fair hair and a peach colored suit with gold hanging from around his neck asked, He was an eccentric character that was for sure slouched on a leather couch Kate noticed lines of what she assumed was cocaine on a coffee table in front of him
"Woah shit" he choked as he noticed Richie had bought company
"You didnt tell me you were bringing a guest?"
"Well I have literally walked in" Richie answered in a smug tone
"If I knew he was bringing company I would of cleaned up a little specially a girl as pretty as yourself" The guy informed wiping his hands on his trousers and looking generally uncomfortable
Kate laughed nervously
"Its ok I have seen worse believe me im Kate by the way" She said holding her hand out to shake and trying to make it a little less awkward
"Im Chase" he winked taking her hand
"Good firm handshake you got there Kate"
"EHHHUM" Richie cleared his throat looking a little unimpressed with there rappour
"Yeah this is my very good friend Kate" He informed
"Yeah man we could do with a woman's touch in here keep these bitches inline if your interested"
"No she isn't she is just here with me" Richie cut in sternly Kate was a little annoyed he spoke for her but he was right she should technically be in her senior year thinking about stood in a lap dancing joint talking with a high guy about job prospects
"I've come to go over shipments with you for the month" Richie informed
"Yeah sure man, would your friend here like to go for a drink in the V.I.P while we talk?"
"I could definitely do with a drink" Kate reasoned
"Great well my girlfriend is down there, This meathead here will take you" Chase said pointing at the bald headed bouncer type
Richie turned to Kate and kissed her "Do not leave that section I wont be long"