Livvie sat on her bed cross-legged and scrolled through her empty journal. Although she had read Drake’s message a million times, it was time to deal with the rest of it. Both her and her journal were empty. How funny and ironic. It was up to her to fill the journal and to fill herself with happiness. And this leather-bound object would help her heart become content once again.

It was interesting that Drake had bought her a journal and not a laptop. But she was well aware of why he had chosen a journal versus a laptop, and it had nothing to do with money. He knew Livvie would be more inspired to write with a journal. And as a little girl, that was how she had learned to write. How fitting that he had chosen to bring her back to her beginnings, to simpler times. Drake had given her the most precious of gifts. He had given her back her dream. And right this second she was holding her lost dream in her trembling hands.

Livvie picked up the purple wrapping paper she’d thrown on the floor and noticed a pen taped inside. She laughed. It was a Tiffany pen, her favorite. When she was fifteen years old, she’d asked her parents to buy her a Tiffany pen for her birthday. At that age, she was writing like crazy, and she wanted a special pen to go along with her dream. She remembered in detail the euphoric feeling she had when she’d picked up the pen for the first time and wrote in her notebook. This leather-bound journal would help her feel whole again. It was the missing piece to her puzzle. And it had nothing to do with a man except for the person who bought it for her.

This feeling she was experiencing had been missing every day when she’d wrote for Raven’s Edge; a feeling she hadn’t felt in years. Her epiphany made her feel incredibly sad but free at the same time.

Now more than ever, she knew what she needed to do. She closed her eyes and squeezed them shut exactly as she had as a little girl. Within seconds, different story ideas came to her, like magic. But one story stood out more than the others. Then she slowly opened her eyes and turned to the first page of her new journal.

Haley drove down the paved road as if she had been there a million times. She hadn’t and couldn’t understand why she felt as if she’d lived there before. She wanted and needed this to be the perfect week. Not only because she finally had a vacation—one she needed badly. But also because this place…this beautiful, majestic place…made her feel as if she’d come home. The wood cabin sat against the clear blue lake, reminding her of the lake house she had once visited with her family. The wind blew the trees gracefully around the house, as if they were dancing a ballet. Haley stopped her car, opened the door, and ran out with her hands in the air, doing a dance of her own. Maybe hers wasn’t as graceful as that of the trees, but it was her version of a freedom dance. She was free for one week of her life, free from problems, worries and bills arriving in the mail.

Livvie put down her pen as an, “Ah-ha” moment struck her, which felt overwhelming. The description she’d just written fit how she’d felt when she’d first seen Drake’s house—as if she had come home. Oddly, she hadn’t felt as if she really had a home—not since she had left her parents’ house to go to college. But the idea she felt at home here was somewhat terrifying, because she was experiencing an illusion. This wasn’t any more “home” than her house in Los Angeles. She had been here only one day, and yet she already felt a strong connection. She felt safe here. And after this week, she’d never return. She’d be back in Los Angeles with the exact opposite feeling.

Livvie continued writing, and by nightfall, Mr. Birkshire dropped dinner by her door—salmon with fresh asparagus and roasted potatoes. It was just as delicious as yesterday’s dinner, except Drake wasn’t with her tonight, and she felt the loss.

After she ate, she wrote a while longer and then tried to sleep. But she found herself tossing and turning, straining to hear if Drake had returned. Where had he been all afternoon and evening? Maybe he had gone somewhere else to get laid because she had turned him down. The idea made her feel sick. But finally, at two o’clock in the morning, she heard him outside his bedroom door.

She was dying to thank him for the journal, so without analyzing and obsessing over her decision, she got out of bed. She was wearing one of her favorite pajama sets—a blue silk tank top that matched her eyes and blue silk shorts. She heard him open his bedroom door, so she quickly ran to her own door and opened it.

With his hand on his doorknob Drake turned and looked at her, but she could tell he had been drinking. She couldn’t smell the cedar and his vines; all she could smell was alcohol. Livvie cringed inside.

“Yes?” He looked at her as if he wanted to eat her, and then he raised an eyebrow.

“I just wanted to properly thank you for the journal and the pen.” Livvie smiled up at him, but as he had been drinking, she guessed her timing was bad.

“Then thank me properly.”

He looked her up and down, making her instantly wet and aware of how little clothes she was wearing. She felt her clit pulse, so she immediately clenched her vagina, hoping to stop the feeling. She knew what Drake was like when he was sober; what was he like when he was drunk?

Not feeling comfortable enough to look him directly in the eye, Livvie looked down at her bare feet. Thank goodness she had gotten a pedicure before coming here.

Drake chuckled and opened his door. “Olivia, if you’d like to thank me properly, then thank me properly. Make up your mind.” He paused and looked as if he wanted to devour her. “But coming out of your room, for whatever reason, at two o’clock in the morning in the sexiest pajama outfit I’ve ever seen, knowing how badly I want to fuck you, whether I’m sober or drunk, was a really bad idea.”

And then Drake shut his door in Livvie’s face. She guessed she deserved that. What had she been thinking, coming out here at this time of night—or rather morning? That was just it. She hadn’t been thinking. She’d needed to see Drake as she had missed him at dinner, and she felt a strange separation anxiety. That was a bad sign, especially because she came here to heal from men. Nice going, Livvie.

Her frustration grew even worse when she heard Drake’s shower turn on. She forced herself to walk back into her room, close her door, climb into bed, and throw the covers over her head.

A few minutes later, she heard a knock on her door. Hoping it was Drake, she jumped out of bed and opened it.

“Here, put this around you.” Drake handed her a large blue blanket, which she secured around her. “Good. Now I can look at you without thinking dirty thoughts. Come with me.” Drake held out his hand, expecting Livvie to grab it.

“Are you drunk?” As much as she enjoyed his company, if he was drunk, she’d rather stay away.

“I was buzzed, but the shower sobered me up,” he said. “I wouldn’t be with you if I was drunk. I want you when I’m sober. Being around you when I’m drunk would be pure torture.”

“You want me that much?”

“Yes, now come on.” Drake’s hand was still extended.

Livvie took it, even though she felt slightly uneasy. He was fully dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt. If he was drunk he probably would have shown up in a towel after his shower.

“I swear, I’m not drunk. And I promise I won’t touch you,” he said, before leading her out her bedroom door.

She believed him. In fact, his promise made her feel safe. She kept one hand around the blanket as she walked with him down the hall. He released her hand for only a second to open a door, before grabbing it again. Together, they climbed a small, winding staircase. At the top of the stairs was another door. Drake opened it, and Livvie gasped.

“It’s beautiful, Drake.”

They were on his roof. The view was breathtaking. Since it was still dark out, she could see millions of stars. Even the mountains had little lights coming from houses that were nestled in the trees. It looked magical. It looked surreal. It looked perfect. She felt Drake’s eyes on her, so she turned toward him.

“You’re beautiful, Olivia.”

He squeezed her hand and she squeezed back. Then he led her a little farther down to where there was a large couch. He sat down, and she followed, their hands still clasped.

“I like to come up here at night. I never get sick of seeing the stars. All those years I lived in New York I never saw a single one. The bright city lights made it impossible. But here you see thousands.”

Livvie got more comfortable, pulling her legs up and tucking them under her and tightening the blanket around her. No small feat, considering she was still holding Drake’s hand, but she didn’t want to let him go.

“I’ve only seen stars in Los Angeles when I’ve gone hiking in the mountains.”

“You went hiking at night? Was it safe?” Drake asked, concern etched all over his gorgeous face.

She laughed and shivered slightly. “Yes, I’d go with a bunch of women. It’s totally safe.”

“Come here.” Drake released her hand, so he could scoot Livvie closer. Then he put his arm around her. “You’ll feel warmer now.”

Livvie loved snuggling up against him. Neither Zach nor Liam liked to cuddle. It always bothered her. She was a very affectionate person.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “I feel warmer already.”

Drake tightened his arm. “I’m sorry I didn’t bring a bottle of wine.”

“I don’t need wine. I just like being next to you.” Livvie bit her bottom lip. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

Using his free hand, Drake raised her chin. “I like it, too. I enjoy your company very much.” He paused. “You were right to say no to me, even though no woman ever has. I wanted to sleep with you before I got to know you. That was wrong, and you deserve better. I’m not saying I don’t want to sleep with you now, but I’m respecting your wishes.”

She smiled softly. “Thank you. You’re not easy to resist.”

He chuckled. “I’m glad to hear that. I’m not a perfect man, Olivia. I wish I didn’t have these commitment issues. If I didn’t, I would pursue you like crazy.”

Livvie looked into his eyes, seeing the pain reflected in their depths. “What happened to make you so dead-set against committing to one woman?”

“I watched my mom go through hell. I was young, and I couldn’t do anything to make her feel better,” he said. “I know I should be over it by now, but it’s etched in my sub-conscious.”

Livvie touched his face gently. “Have you seen a therapist?”

“Yes, years ago. But I still haven’t been able to commit. And now, I no longer want to.”

She looked down at the blanket. “Do you think you’ll ever change your mind?”

“There are moments when I want to change my mind. Like when I met you.”

Livvie’s heart beat faster. She was leaning against Drake. She was sure he could feel it.

“That’s something at least.” She didn’t want to look at him.

“Olivia, look at me,” he said in his demanding tone.

She raised her eyes. “I’m looking.”

Drake smiled. “We may not have a future, and we may never see each other past this week, but I promise you, I will remember every moment we’re together.”

“But I’ve only known you for a short period of time.” Livvie had never felt so confused in her life. She was snuggling with an alpha-male who couldn’t or wouldn’t commit to one woman, but who seemed vulnerable, soft, and warm at the same time.

Drake sighed. “I’ve been telling myself the same thing, and I don’t have an answer.”

Livvie leaned closer and rested her head against his shoulder. “I forgot to thank you for the journal. That was the reason I came out of my room earlier.”

Drake chuckled again. “It wasn’t because you wanted to fuck me?”

Livvie laughed, even though her eyes started to feel heavy. “No, I want to be with you, but I’m scared.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I know. Let’s fall asleep outside for a bit. Then I’ll take us back down.”

Livvie couldn’t argue. She was already half asleep. This was the safest she’d felt in a long time, maybe ever.

Drake bent down and whispered in her ear. “I’m respecting your wishes, but eventually, I will have you. I always get what I want.” He held her tighter.

Livvie was too sleepy to respond. Besides, maybe Drake was right, but she wouldn’t give in without a fight.