KATE

Drake Morgan was the sexiest, most intelligent and most romantic man I'd ever met.

And he was mine – every beautiful inch of him.

He leaned against the hotel bar, his arms spread out on the counter behind him, one knee bent, his slick black boot on the foot rest. He wore a crisp white linen shirt, open a few buttons, over black leather jeans. I could see the thick metal belt buckle beneath his shirt, which was untucked. His leather jeans were slung low over a very ample package.

He watched me intently from under thick black lashes, his bangs falling in his eyes in this incredibly sexy way while he waited for the bartender to fix our drinks. The corner of his mouth quirked up in that characteristic way, a gleam in his blue blue eyes.

Before he went to the bar to order for us, he leaned down to me, his mouth by my ear. "I have so many plans for you tonight, Mrs. Morgan," he whispered. "I hope you're ready."

Of course, he had to know that his words would make me more than ready and in fact, just moments after he said those words, I was already wet and aching deep inside. I'd be so ready that I doubted it would take me any time to orgasm when he began touching me later that night. It had been over ten days since we made love – ten days during which time I'd been sick with a stomach bug and Sophie had been sleepless due to teething. Drake had been working five days straight, twelve hour shifts in the ER at UCSF, the evening shift from three in the afternoon to three in the morning.

We were both exhausted and feeling incredibly deprived of each other.

He returned to the table with our drinks and we held them up and clinked glasses.

"To us. To trying to make up for ten days of deprivation."

"To us," I replied and took a sip of my vodka cooler. Drake had a vodka martini with a twist of lime. We agreed to have one drink before dinner, then we'd go to the dining room and eat a meal and spend some time walking outside as the sun set. We were staying at the Ritz-Carleton in Half Moon Bay, which was a glorious hotel overlooking the ocean a few miles south of our place farther up the coast closer to San Francisco. We'd driven by it on our travels and had planned to come and stay for weeks.

Now here we were.

Drake promised me a night of pleasure. I knew he'd deliver.

Sophie was with my dad and Elaine at our new house along the coast. When we first moved to California, we'd originally located in Monterey to be close to my father but when Drake's supervisor asked him to work at UCSF instead of the hospital in Monterey because of a staffing issue in the ER, Drake had been willing. It meant he'd either commute the two hours each way five days a week or we'd have to move closer to San Francisco.

I hated the thought of Drake on the highway every day, so we found another house along the coast closer to SF. It meant we were farther away from my father and Elaine, but it was safer that way and less strain on Drake. His schedule was already grueling.

As a result, our trips to visit my father were less frequent but we made a point of driving down to spend time with them on Drake's days off. They drove up and stayed at our place every couple of weeks so that Drake and I could spend some alone time with each other.

My cell dinged to indicate an incoming text. I checked and saw it was from Elaine.

ELAINE: Sophie just went down. I gave her some Tylenol and she was happy to go to sleep. Just thought I'd let you know so you can relax.

I texted her right back after showing Drake my cell.

KATE: That's good to know. I hope you two are comfortable and have a good night. She usually sleeps through the night but sometimes, she wakes up especially now that she's teething.

ELAINE: We'll be fine. You two enjoy yourself. Drake works so hard and long and you've been sick so you need grownup time.

KATE: We do. Thanks so much. Give my dad our love.

ELAINE: I will.

I smiled and put my cell away.

"Thank God, they're so willing to sit for us or we'd probably never get a night alone."

"They love it," Drake said and popped a pretzel into his mouth from the bowl on our table. "Don't kid yourself. Elaine loves indulging herself by looking after Sophie. And Ethan wants to get as much Sophie time in as he can."

Drake didn't say because he's worried about how long he has left to live but I knew what Drake was thinking. My father had fallen and had a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. He wanted to spend whatever time he had left in a warm climate so he could spend more time outside. We'd moved to California to be closer to him and to Liam, who was living in San Francisco with Maureen and Chris.

We'd been in our new place just south of San Francisco for two months, getting settled after a brief stay in Monterey. Everything was still all new and felt like we were on an extended vacation – except for the long hours Drake worked in the ER. Other than that, when he had his five days off, we were adjusting but we'd barely had any time alone since we arrived. It was the fate of most new parents and we were no different.

We had a nice meal, and then walked hand in hand along the cliff that bordered the ocean in Half Moon Bay. Down below, the waves crashed against the beach. We watched the moon setting and the stars peeking out from thin noctilucent clouds.

Drake took my hand and kissed my knuckles, looking deep into my eyes.

"Time to go back, Katherine."

That was the signal that I was to fall into submissive mode with him and I was surprised, because we hadn't done a scene for so long, I could barely remember how to do it.

I didn’t say anything, but I smiled, a thrill going through my body at the thought Drake was going to take thorough control over me, which I knew meant a night of pleasure.

He pulled me against him so that I could feel his body. "I hope you'll remember your manners," he said, his eyes narrowed. "Or I might have to punish you."

I widened my eyes, trying to act confused.

"Punish me, Sir?" I said, innocently. "I leave that up to you."

"Yes," he said and ran a hand down my back to my buttocks, which he gripped firmly through the thin fabric of my sundress. "I might have to deny you an orgasm. Only two instead of three."

"That would be so cruel, Sir. I assure you that I will obey you in all things from here on in."

I leaned against him, looking up into his eyes, which were heated.

"I hope so," he replied. "Because I was planning on making you come at least three times and I don't like to have to change my plans."

"I'm yours," I said, resting my head against his shoulder. "To do with as you please, Sir."

"You are, Ms. Bennet. You are."

I was.

I was so totally his that my knees were weak at the prospect of us doing a scene. As we made our way back to the hotel, I wondered what he'd do because I hadn’t seen him pack any implements and saw no ties in his suitcase.

What could he do that would involve kink?

As much as I wanted to ask him what he had planned, I didn't. That wouldn't be keeping in character and showing proper submission to his desires. Whatever he planned, I knew I'd enjoy it so I finally just let myself go, turned off my mind, and let him lead me back to the hotel, our hands clasped. He took me to the bank of elevators and we waited for the next one to come when we saw another couple enter the one that opened.

"We'll wait," Drake said and pulled me over to the wall across from the bank of elevators. He stood facing me, his eyes glued to mine, one hand on the wall beside my head.

When the next elevator arrived and we were alone, we got inside and as soon as the doors closed and Drake had entered our floor number, he turned to me and pressed me back against the wall.

He kissed me, one hand sliding up along my thigh to my hip and then my breast.

I couldn't help but see the security camera in the corner of the elevator.

"Drake," I whispered, tilting my head to the side, trying to alert him about its presence.

"Shhh," he commanded.

"But—."

He held a finger up to my mouth, his eyes intense. "Katherine..."

Then he began kissing me again and I shut my eyes, trying to obey.

"It'll give them a thrill," he murmured against my neck, his tongue wet against the skin at the base of my throat. He pressed his hips against me so I could feel his erection and that sent a huge wave of lust through me, making me dizzy.

When the elevator chimed, indicating we'd reached our floor, Drake moved away, leaving me breathless with desire.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me outside and I couldn't help but smile at the thought that some security guard sitting in a small dark room in the parking garage might see us and imagine what was going to happen next.

I doubted they'd be able to guess because even I had no idea.

Drake unlocked the door to our hotel room, which was the deluxe suite with a panoramic view of the ocean and a private balcony. It was far larger than we needed but it was private and it had an amazing view

Drake pulled me inside, closing the door behind him after putting the DO NOT DISTURB marker on the handle.

He didn't waste any time, pushing me through the entry and living room to the huge bedroom with windows overlooking the ocean. We were on the top floor and had a magnificent view of the ocean and sunset. It was marvelous.

I didn't get any time to appreciate the view nor did I want the time. Instead, I was focused on Drake, on his hands on my body, his lips on my jaw, my chin, my throat. I was at the side of the bed before I could even take off my sandals. When I reached down to remove them, he stopped me.

"No, don't," he said and stepped back a few feet, his arms crossed, his expression like a wolf about to devour his prey. "Keep them on."

I stopped and stood up straight, waiting.

"Pull down one strap."

I did and he stepped closer, his fingers trailing down from my jaw to my neck and then tracing lightly over the swell of my breast. I smiled as he began kissing my neck and jaw, closing my eyes and letting him do whatever he wanted to me. He slipped the other strap down and pulled it lower, kissing the other breast while one hand cupped it.

"Did I ever tell you that your breasts are perfect?"

He glanced up in my eyes while he exposed my entire breast, my nipple hardening in the cool air. While he kept his eyes locked with mine, he took my nipple between his finger and thumb and tweaked it, eliciting a gasp of breath from me. He repeated this with my other strap of my sundress, so that both my breasts were fully exposed.

"Perfect," he said and stood there, his knee between my thighs, his eyes on my breasts, his hands cupping them. When he bent down and took one nipple into his mouth and sucked hard, my back arched in pleasure and I moaned softly in response.

"This is going to be fast," he said, his voice throaty. "I need you, now. Turn around so I can take your dress off."

I turned and waited while he unzipped my sundress and let it fall to the ground. I stood in my heels and thong, my breasts free with him standing close behind me.

"Take your thong off as well."

I did as he commanded, making sure to bend down extra deep and slowly remove my thong, pulling it off me and stepping out of it.

"Beautiful," he murmured. "You have a perfect ass and it's all mine."

I stood up straight, but he put one hand on my back and kept me bent over so I complied, waiting for him to do whatever he would do.

I heard the zhrrr of his zipper coming down and the jangle of his belt being unbuckled. He was going to fuck me, right then and there. No preliminaries.

I didn't need them at that point, my body already swollen and wet.

I felt him step closer behind me and then his hard cock slide against my pussy, the head stroking my clit. I couldn’t help but push back, wanting more stimulation.

"Stop," he said. "Let me do everything."

I stopped and closed my eyes, trying hard to stand still. I felt his arm go around my waist and his fingers find my folds, spreading me wide and the stroking his cock over my slit.

"Nice and wet," he said, his mouth beside my ear. "Almost ready."

He stroked his cock against me slowly, back and forth, until I was breathing rapidly, aching to feel him enter me and start to thrust. I wanted so badly to press back against him, to find the head of his cock and feel it press inside of me, but fought to obey his order to remain still.

"Do you want it?" Drake asked in a husky voice.

"Yes."

"Tell me what you want, Katherine."

"I want you to fuck me, Sir," I said, my voice shaky, remembering my manners.

"What else do you want?"

"I want to have an orgasm, Sir."

"You will have one, Katherine. You'll come on my cock while I fuck you. Do you want that?"

I gritted my teeth as he stopped his motions while he waited for my answer.

"Yes, please, Sir. Please let me come on your cock while you fuck me."

"You have my permission, but tell me when you're close. I want to time my own orgasm to come when you do."

"Yes, Sir," I said, biting my bottom lip, waiting for him to finally slide inside of me and give me the relief I needed.

He continued stroking his cock over me, rubbing the head against my clit while I remained bent over, my hands pressed against the wall in front of me. I smiled to myself, for as much as he suggested we'd do something kinky, he couldn't wait.

"I'm going to fuck you now, Katherine," he said and I felt the tip press against my pussy, searching for the entrance to my body. When he slipped inside a few inches, I groaned and couldn’t help but press back, wanting to feel him fill me up entirely.

"Stop," he said, his voice shaky. "Don't move."

I remained still and waited while he slid fully inside and remained like that, not moving. I knew he was relishing the sensation of filling me entirely. My body contracted around his length, hungry for sensation.

"You are impatient, Katherine," he said, a touch of amusement in his otherwise-aroused voice.

"I'm sorry, Sir," I said. "I need you, badly."

"I know what you need, Katherine.

"You do, Sir," I replied, my eyes closed, trying to keep a smile off my face. Luckily, he couldn't see my face, but I was certain he could hear the hint of humor in my voice, no matter how hard I tried to sound contrite.

He leaned over me, one hand sliding around my body, his fingers on my clit. He began to stroke me while we stood still, our bodies joined, his cock inside me as deep as it could get.

"Nice and hard," he said when he stroked my clit, eliciting a delicious ache in my core. I would be quick, once he started thrusting.

When he removed his fingers, I groaned at the loss of sensation, but I was so ready that I didn’t need additional stimulation. It felt so good with him inside of me, filling me, that I knew it wouldn't take too long to come.

He gripped my hips and began thrusting, slowly at first – agonizingly slowly, withdrawing completely only to enter again, angling his cock so that the head struck a sensitive spot inside of me over and over. Soon, I felt that familiar buildup of sweetness inside my core, and I knew I would come with only a few more thrusts.

"I'm ready," I managed to say, forgetting to add the "Sir" part of the equation, but Drake seemed not to notice – or care – for he began to thrust in earnest now, pumping, entering me and filling me up. When my orgasm began, my whole body tensed as white hot pleasure coursed through me, spreading from my core down my legs and up into my chest.

"Oh, God," I gasped, my breath caught in my throat, my body spasming around his cock. He thrust harder, faster, with my hips still in his grip, then he slowed his motions and thrust slowly through his own orgasm, his body shuddering over top of me.

When he was finished, he slipped his arm around my waist and raised me up, supporting us both with a hand against the wall.

"Fuck, that was good," he said, his voice next to my ear.

"It was."

"I planned to tie you up and fuck you slowly, but I needed to fuck you fast and hard."

I smiled to myself. I had thought he'd do a full scene, since we would be alone for the entire evening and had the time and ability to focus, but fast and hard had been just as good.

I knew that it would be the first of many.

* * *

A week after our glorious night at the Ritz-Carleton, life was back to normal.

I awakened just as the sun was rising and the first rays of sunlight beamed through the crack between the curtains. Dawn was my favorite time of the morning. The house was quiet and Drake and Sophie were sleeping. This morning, she lay between us on her back, her little arms spread wide, her pacifier in her mouth. Although she fell asleep in her crib hours earlier, she started babbling and the sound from the monitor woke me, so I went into her room and brought her into our bed where she quickly settled down. Now, I lay beside her and just watched her sleep. Her hair was starting to grow in and was soft light brown wisps, curling over her ears and down the back of her neck. She was such a beautiful happy baby that I felt I couldn't deny her the comfort of sleeping with us. We'd moved our bed into the corner so that she couldn't fall out if she woke up and crawled around. A safety bedrail had been attached to the foot of the bed so she couldn’t crawl out without waking Drake up.

Beside us, Drake slept on his stomach, naked except for his boxer briefs, a pillow over his head. He worked late last night, kept busy by the surfers and motorcyclists, skateboarders and highway speeders whose antics ended up in trips to the ER and a call to Drake to consult when a brain injury was suspected.

When we arrived, we thought Drake's workload would be lighter than in Manhattan since he wouldn't be taking on any patients outside of those who came in through the ER, but that hadn’t turned out to be the case. The brain injuries were constant, and Drake had been busy.

That was good – he needed to be busy to take his mind off what has been going on back in Manhattan.

The trial made news almost daily with salacious bits of gossip about Lisa Monroe's sex life, Derek Richardson's sex life and Drake's sex life before I met him. Drake had been portrayed as Manhattan's Mr. Grey, even though nothing could be further from the truth. He hadn't faced the daily onslaught he did while he was still in Manhattan, so that had been a relief.

I slipped out of bed, crawling around my two sleeping beauties, and went to the bathroom for a quick shower. When I was dried off and dressed in my sundress, I tiptoed to the great room to make my cup of coffee and start the day. While Drake and Sophie slept, I squeezed some oranges for fresh orange juice. After making toast and peanut butter, I sat on the patio and watched the ocean. Even from our house, I could hear the surf roar in the distance. A few seagulls flew up and down the coastline, looking for their next meal.

I loved it here.

I pulled out my bullet journal and wrote for a few moments, listing all the things I was grateful for in my life – first, Drake. The love of my life. My soulmate and the man who made me realize how loved I was. Second was Sophia and her sunny disposition. Every day I thanked the universe for sending me a baby who was so easy, despite her difficult beginning. Finally, I was thankful that I had been raised by parents who loved me and now I truly appreciated that I was part of an affluent family where I never lacked for anything. I realized that everything was still open for me. I could go back to college and finish my MA when I felt ready. I could paint. I could become a freelance journalist and write about whatever I wanted. I could devote myself to charity, given Drake's money inherited from his father and from the business.

I closed my bullet journal after writing down some goals for the day: enjoy Sophia, show my love to Drake, and check out the studio space in downtown San Francisco.

Life was good.

I heard Sophie making noise on the monitor and went back to the bedroom to retrieve her so Drake could continue to sleep. When she saw me she smiled, her pacifier falling out of her mouth.

"There you are," I whispered as I picked her up where she sat up in bed, playing with her pacifier. "Time to get up."

I carried her to her bedroom and quickly changed her diaper before taking her to the kitchen island for her breakfast. She sat happily in her high chair and played with the toys I placed before her while I fixed her cereal. I dropped a few Cheerios on the high chair tabletop and Sophie was happy to pick each one up and pop it in her mouth.

I heard sounds from the back of the house and realized that Drake was up. I checked my watch – it was still far too early for him to get up, but he was a light sleeper and liked to spend the mornings with us when he could. Later, I'd take Sophie out for a walk and he'd go back to sleep, but for now, we'd have our breakfasts together.

Drake emerged down the hallway, wearing a pair of khaki shorts and nothing else, his hair still mussed from sleep. Seeing him half naked still did it for me. He was such a gorgeous man, tan and fit, his dark hair and blue eyes still making my knees weak.

"Good morning, Mrs. Morgan," he said when he came to my side at the stove. He kissed me and I could taste toothpaste on his tongue. He stroked my hair, smiling down at me. His eyes were still a bit bleary, but he looked somewhat refreshed after his sleep.

"Good morning, Dr. Morgan," I replied and kissed him again, a quick peck on the mouth because my bacon needed flipping. "Would you like bacon and eggs?"

"Sounds fabulous," he said and went over to Sophie, leaning down to kiss her and stroke her head. "My two girls."

Then he sat beside Sophie at the island and fed her a spoonful of cereal. He turned to me after he finished the second spoonful.

"What's on your agenda for today? Are you going to check out that studio space?"

I nodded, eager to look at the space in an old warehouse near the waterfront in San Francisco.

"Elaine's coming over this afternoon to watch Sophie for me so I can go and see it. I saw pictures online, but it's always nice to see the space in person."

"It's exciting," Drake said with a smile. "You'll get to meet a few other artists and make friends."

"I'll be happy just to have a space for myself," I said, feeling a little guilty still that I'd be leaving the house, but Elaine insisted that it would be good for me to create my own life outside of family. "Time to focus on my collection."

"You need it," Drake said and I was so glad he was so understanding. "Being a new mother is a lot of work. You need to be Kate, the artist or writer as well as Kate the mother and wife."

I removed the bacon from the pan and then went over to where he sat reading the morning paper.

"I'm happy to be a wife and mother, but I feel like moving here has opened up so many possibilities for me and for us."

"It has, strangely enough. I never thought I'd want to move away from Manhattan, but after the whole business with Lisa, I honestly couldn't wait to get away."

I leaned into his arms for a moment and stroked my fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry all this happened to you. You've sacrificed so much because of her."

"I sacrificed nothing," he said and kissed me. "I have everything I could ever need or want right here."

We kissed again and smiled at each other.

"Do you want your eggs scrambled or fried?" I asked when I left his embrace and went back to the stove.

"Scrambled," Drake replied and returned to reading his paper. Beside him, Sophie fingered her Cheerios and munched away happily. I nodded and quickly scrambled his eggs, before fixing him a plate. I placed it in front of him and sat beside him with my own and together, the three of us ate our breakfasts and watched the view through the picture window as the sun played on the ocean.

My cell rang and I grabbed it from the counter and checked the caller ID. It was my dad.

"Hey, Dad," I said, smiling at the thought of him.

"Hey, sweetheart, how are you today? How's the little family?"

I glanced at Drake and Sophie side by side. "We're great. What's up?"

"Elaine said we'd come by and sit with Sophie whenever you're ready and you can go into the city and do your business. We'll be happy to have her at our place for a few hours if you and Drake can come over for dinner tonight."

"Drake's working evenings so he won't be able to, but Sophie and I would love to have you stay at our place for dinner."

My father called out to Elaine. "Katie wants to know if we can stay for dinner. Drake's working so he can't come down. We could stay if you don't mind driving back later."

I heard Elaine respond and then my dad spoke.

"She says yes. Just tell us what time to come by and we'll be there whenever you're ready."

"Okay, thanks Dad. I appreciate you and Elaine sitting for me while I go out and check on the studio. I was planning on going sometime after three when Drake goes for his shift."

"No problem. I'll let Elaine know. We love to do it and you know it."

I said goodbye and ended the call.

"Too bad you can't join us," I said with a sigh. "You've worked so hard since we came to California."

"Gotta pull my weight," Drake said and held up his cup of coffee. "If I do, I might get a better shift next time. I hate sleeping during the mornings."

I nodded in sympathy. "You're far too successful to be putting in time, but I understand it was the only position open that fit."

We tidied up once we were finished eating. Drake kissed us both and went back to bed for a couple more hours of sleep before heading to the hospital to check on his patients.

On my part, I got us ready, packing up everything I'd need for a walk along the beach. When I was ready, I took the stroller out of the garage then packed Sophie in, her tiny pink sunhat fastened around her chubby cheeks. We stopped on the beach a mile down from our house and Sophie played in the sand. I sat beside her and got in some sun, enjoying the morning. There were only a few people walking the beach that morning, collecting shells and walking their dogs. I saw the same older couple out for their morning walk and we smiled at each other. People were generally friendly and often stopped to say hello to Sophia.

When I'd had enough sun and Sophie had crawled around, getting sand in her hands and her playsuit wet, we made our way back along the beach to the house. All in all, we were out for about an hour and a half. I wanted the house to be quiet so Drake could sleep longer. Because she was wet, I changed Sophie quietly and then we took a drive to the store to pick up a few items we needed. The local Whole Foods had great organic vegetables that I used to make Sophie baby food and so I did some shopping while Sophie sat in the cart and sucked on her pacifier. I picked up a cup of coffee from the local Starbucks, and then sat in the window seat with Sophie beside me in a high chair, and we watched people on the street while I planned my afternoon.

I looked at the calendar on my cell and thought about what I'd do if I liked the studio space. I'd get the keys and pay the deposit and the year's rent, then I'd start to move in my supplies. I was so excited that I had butterflies in my stomach. I was planning to finish the rest of the series of paintings from Africa and hoped to get the collection shown at a local gallery. I didn't care about selling my work, but I would be happy to feel like a real artist.

When I was done with my coffee, we drove back to the house and I hauled in the groceries and Sophie. She sat happily in her chair while I put the groceries away.

For the next couple of hours, I amused myself with Sophie, watching television and eating a light lunch. Finally, around two o'clock, I heard water running in the back of the house. Drake was up and was having a shower before he went to work. He emerged from the bathroom, wearing only boxer briefs, his hair still damp, and came right over to where I stood by the island reading my emails.

"I hate to leave you," he said, his arms slipping around me. "I wish we could go and lie down for a while."

"Me, too," I said and turned around in his arms, sliding my arms around his neck.

We kissed and it was a tender kiss that could have become passionate if we let it, but Drake would be leaving in a few moments and so we didn't go there.

The kiss ended and we stood together for a while, our foreheads pressed together, our arms around each other.

Drake sighed heavily. "Two more days," he said softly. "Two more shifts and then I'm all yours."

"I can't wait."

We kissed again and then he pulled away reluctantly and went to the bedroom to finish changing for his shift. When he emerged from the bedroom, he was wearing a pair of blue scrubs that made him look devastatingly handsome, highlighting his deep blue eyes.

"Gotta go," he said and kissed Sophie on the top of her head, running his hands over her hair before kissing me once more. I followed him to the door and watched him go to the SUV and get inside. He slipped on a pair of sunglasses and then backed out of the driveway, waving at me as he did.

Then he was gone.

I busied myself getting my art supplies in order in the office. Sophie played in her chair, grabbing at the toys I placed strategically around her.

The doorbell rang and I picked up Sophie and went to the door. Elaine and my father came in, he in his wheelchair. Luckily, the house was easily accessible for him. Once inside, we all hugged and kissed hello.

"Come in," I said and led them to the living room. I kissed Sophie and went to the door, watching as Elaine took Sophie and placed her into my dad's arms.

"Sophie was just having some playtime. She could have a bottle in about thirty minutes and then you can put her down for a nap if you want. I probably won't be too long."

"Don't rush on our account," Elaine said. "Your father's looking forward to playing with her," she said and I watched as he kissed Sophie's cheek. "We haven't seen our little angel for almost a week."

"I'm on my cell if you need me," I said and went to the door. "I'll see you when I get back."

"You have fun. Don’t rush because of us. Take your time and meet the other artists who work there if you can."

"I will," I said. "I hope the space is as nice as it looked on the website. I can't wait to get started back painting."

She smiled and I waved at her as I drove off, making my way up the coast to San Francisco, through the winding streets to the city and the Dogpatch area to Minnesota Street, renowned for its warehouses used as galleries and artist studios.

* * *

The warehouse was directly across the street from a converted building that functioned as a gallery for local artists. I was excited as I met with the building manager and went inside to check out the space that was open. I was lucky that the person who originally wanted the space pulled out at the last minute and so it was available and I was next in line, otherwise I might not have been offered a space. It was so in demand.

We walked through the halls to a studio facing the bay and the manager opened the door to admit me. I walked inside and glanced around. It was basic – a long narrow room with windows at one end and a small area with a sink, cupboard and countertop. We would share washroom facilities with the rest of the building tenants.

"I love it," I said, turning around in a circle and taking it in. The walls were a bit battered and there were marks on the wall where paintings had been hung but I didn't care.

"We can paint it white before you move in," he said. "That way you can start with a clean slate."

"No, that's fine. I like the way it looks. Makes it feel like a real studio."

"Okay, but if you change your mind, the offer stands. Just give me a day to arrange a painter to come in and it's done. We don't usually get people willing to pay for a full year up front, in addition to the security deposit, so we're happy to do it if you want."

"I'll be happy to be here looking out at that view of the bay, especially with the natural light."

We talked about the building facilities and then he handed me the magnetic card that I could use to get into the building and a key to my space. I left, and on my way out, decided to go to the gallery across the street and see what they had on display. I entered and walked around, looking at the paintings and collages and sculptures as well as installations. It inspired me and I felt giddy as I walked through the building, imagining that one day, I could have my work displayed there as well.

I had to finish my Africa collection and that was first on my agenda when I finally took possession of the studio.

As I was on my way out of the gallery, I passed a wall of notices of upcoming exhibitions, as well as requests for studio space. I saw one flyer, glossy, with a photo of something that looked familiar. At first, I couldn't remember where I'd seen the painting before but then I realized it was Sefton deVilliers.

Sefton was holding a traveling exhibition in the next month, that went across the country from Manhattan to LA and then up to San Francisco and Seattle before going to Canada. The poster featured him standing beside a large easel. On the canvas, a scene from the savannah. I could almost imagine it was from our time on the art safari. I checked the dates – in two weeks, he'd be in San Francisco after a week in New Orleans and then a week in Los Angeles. He'd already spent a week in Charlotte, North Carolina and another in DC. Before that, he'd been in Manhattan.

I got in the SUV and drove back to the house for supper. On the way, I thought to myself that I certainly didn't want to run into Sefton.

It wasn't that I felt anything for him. I never did, but he brought back painful memories of Drake's and my time in Africa and the whole business with Sefton and Sam.

I was glad that was behind me and would make sure that I didn't go to the exhibition he was holding while he was in town. He was the last person I wanted to see.