CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

 

The night before last, Drake woke me at three in the morning after a night of watching dreadful horror movies with the others, having been called into work. I presumed he was in for the day, but when he still hadn’t returned to the manor two days later, I was beginning to worry.

“Hey, Ada, can I… um, what are you doing?” I ask, worried about her mental stability.

“Being tortured,” she snaps.

“With knitting needles?”

“Yes.” Her harsh glare has me moving back a step.

“Um, can I ask why?”

“Because,” she drags out, her voice full of sarcasm, “Pammy found my paintballing gun in the shed.” I’m shocked to say the least. I thought Ada would cover her tracks better. “I forgot to clean a splatter off my suit.”

“Sooo you’re knitting because she found your stuff?”

“Not by choice. If I want to go the bachelorette party, I have to show my Pammy that I can do something people my age do. She handed me these.” She throws the offending objects on the table next to her. “I’d rather stab my eyeballs with those needles than try to knit again.”

“Okay.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Drake said to tell you his battery went. And because he’s stuck in the new ways, he just programs a number into his phone and never looks at it again, so he couldn’t ring you from another phone. He wanted you to know he’ll be back later and to wear something nice.”

“Something nice?” I repeat, though I’m relieved that he’s okay.

“Don’t you have anything nice? I can lend you my―”

“Nope, it’s fine,” I interrupt. “I’ll let you get back to… yeah, I need to go. Speak to you later.”

Rushing away, I head upstairs to find Alison before Ada forces me to wear one of her outfits. She’s been avoiding Angela since yesterday when they had their dress fitting, and I don’t blame her. Angela had been a nightmare, acting like a disobedient child.

“Pagan!”

My groan is audible as I turn around to find Aaron walking towards me. “Aaron.”

“We need to talk about the bachelor party,” he tells me matter-of-factly.

“We do?” I ask, confused. The bachelor party is already planned. They’re going out in the day to watch a tennis tournament―boring, I know―and then they’re off to some high-end club where they’ve rented a private room with a bar. Jesse asked for a live band to play, since they’re his favourite, so I can’t possibly fathom what could need discussing about it.

“Yes!” he says curtly, the pleading Aaron I’ve grown accustomed to over the past several days now gone. “You need to book strippers.” Stunned, I can only stare as he continues. “None of this pansy band shit.”

Snapping out of it, I reply, “No. Jesse asked for the band, so he’s getting it. He’s the one getting married, not you.” I turn to leave but he stops me, grabbing my bicep. I wish he’d stop doing that. I turn to him, fire in my eyes. “The next time you put your hands on me, you’re going to regret it.”

He grins, but it’s malicious. “Right. Just do your job. It’s what you’re hired to do. I expect strippers to be there. I’m paying for the bachelor party, so you’ll do as I ask.”

“And if I don’t?” I bite back, clenching my fists.

He tilts his head to the side, eyeing me up and down. “Then you lose your job. Not only would you have fucked up a direct order, but if Pam and Adam find out you’ve been fucking their son too….” He shakes his head, clearly disgusted.

My eyes water as I take a step back. “Goodbye, Aaron.”

I’ve been spoken to like crap before, but never, and I mean never, have I been degraded to that level. I’ve also never been blackmailed before.

I storm into Alison’s room. “I’m going to bloody kill him.”

“Who?” she asks, moving away from the window.

“Aaron.” My temper is boiling, tears of frustration and anger falling down my cheeks as I pace back and forth.

“What did he do now?”

The venom in her voice doesn’t surprise me. She hates him just as much as me, since any time they’re in the same room he’s staring at her boobs.

“Ordering me around and telling me how to do my job,” I hiss.

“Huh?” She clearly wasn’t expecting that.

“Yeah. Telling me—no, demanding I order strippers for the bachelor party. When I said no, that I had already discussed and planned it with Jesse, he said he’d get me fired for fucking up a direct order, and threatened to tell Pam and Adam I’m fucking their son.”

“You’ve slept with Drake?” she shrieks, her face lighting up.

“No,” I shriek back, rearing my head back in shock. Is that all she got out of my little declaration?

“Oh.” She sounds disappointed as she flops down onto the bed before her eyes narrow dangerously. “That egotistic arsehole. I have a mind to go find him and shove his dick down his throat.”

I laugh. “I know! I didn’t know what to do. I was too stunned over the fact that he wasn’t hitting on me to say anything. I just stormed off. Now I wish I’d kneed him in the balls. Better yet, I’m going to order his goddamn strippers. He only said strippers, after all. He didn’t specify what gender.”

Alison squeals, running to her laptop on the dresser. “I have the perfect idea. You know the people we hired for Amelia’s bachelorette party?”

“Yeah,” I answer warily as I step up beside her, looking over her shoulder at the screen. Then I grin, wondering how I never thought of this. “But what about the others?”

“Who cares.” She shrugs. “They’re to blame by default. He’s their friend.”

“Very true. They can all make him suffer further for making them suffer. You’re a genius.”

“No, we’re genius. Now, I hear Drake is picking you up at five. Want to go dress shopping?”

“How did you know?”

She smiles. “I have my ways. Now come on.”

Bloody Ada.

She’s rubbing off on my staff now.

Rolling my eyes, I follow her out of the room, excited to see what Drake has planned for tonight. I just hope it doesn’t involve paintballs, crazy grandmas, dye bombs or itching powder.

 

*** *** ***

 

To miss someone after only knowing them eleven days is madness, but I do. So when Drake steps into the foyer, looking dapper in a suit, I smile wide and run up to him, jumping in his arms.

“Miss me?” His chuckle is deep as he swings me around once before dropping me to my feet. I breathe him in, my smile never dropping.

“Nope. I just knew you missed me, so I thought I’d save you the embarrassment of running and jumping in my arms.”

He grins. “Smartarse.”

“I try.” I shrug, still smiling.

He kisses the tip of my nose before taking my hand in his. “There’s a taxi waiting outside.”

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“What’s the surprise?” I prod.

He turns to give me a dry look and I giggle. “Just trust me, okay. You’ll love it.”

“Oh all right.” I sigh, pretending I’m put out when really I’m dancing with excitement.

He chuckles and opens the taxi door for me. I step inside, feeling his eyes on my arse when I do.

Tonight, I decided to wear a white strapped dress to show off my tan. I have a black short-sleeved blazer since it’s cooled down, and a black pair of ankle boots. I wasn’t sure where we were going, but the dress can be for anything. And since I accessorised the outfit with gold bangles and necklace, I think I look pretty darn good.

Drake is wearing a dark blue shirt with a couple of the top buttons undone, making him look drop-dead sexy. He’s mouth-watering at the best of times, but when he dresses up, he’s a knockout.

We only travel twenty minutes before the taxi pulls up near the boating docks on the River Thames. A massive boat is docked, passengers milling around and talking, some already walking on the boat. My face must be full of surprise when Drake glances in my direction because he chuckles, taking my hand.

“Come on.”

“Are we going for a romantic walk along the river?” I gasp, teasing him.

He’s adorable when he frowns. “Um, I―”

I laugh at his expression. “Come on. I’ve never been on a boat on the River Thames before.”

He looks shocked. “You’ve never been on a boat? But don’t you live in Winchester? That’s surrounded by water.”

“I said I’d never been on a boat on the River Thames, not that I hadn’t been on a boat,” I giggle.

We walk hand in hand down the wooden platform, smiling at other passengers as we pass. The boat is lit up with round glowing lights around the edge, and on the top and bottom decking are tables with candles flickering.

“Let’s get seated. I heard they serve the best steak ever,” he tells me, helping me up the steps.

“As long as it’s not sushi, I’m good.”

He chuckles, moving to my side as we walk up to the hostess stand. “Hi, we have a table booked under Donovan.”

The waitress, dressed in a black pencil skirt and black shirt, with the boat’s logo on the breast, paired with a white tie, looks Drake up and down, licking her lips suggestively.

My eyes flicker to Drake, waiting for his reaction. From what I’ve read, if he simply ignores her, he’s a keeper, but the second he engages or even shows a hint of approval, it’s time to walk away and never look back.

But when I look at Drake, he’s doing none of those things. Instead he’s smiling down at me, not even registering the girl’s flirtation.

“What?” I ask when he doesn’t look away.

His eyes are doing that darn sparkling thing, shining brightly at me. It doesn’t escape his notice when a sigh―like I always do when he does it―escapes.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”

No, he hadn’t, and I melt, grinning like a fool. “No, but thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

“Not so bad?” He chuckles, winking at me. We both know damn well I think he’s hot. My jaw practically hitting the floor when I first saw him said it all.

“Excuse me!” the hostess says rather loudly. I’d forgotten she was even there.

“Sorry,” Drake replies, not looking sorry at all.

She smiles coyly at him. “It’s fine. Let me show you to your seats. If you need anything, and I mean anything, just call me. I’m Clarissa.” She grins, practically drooling over him.

If she knew how hot he looked naked, she’d pass out.

“If you and your sister would like to follow me.”

I rear back, disgusted she would even have the gall to say something like that in front of me, especially when he was distinctly checking me out not a few seconds ago.

“She is not my sister,” he says loudly, looking offended. “What kind of guests do you have on board?”

My cheeks heat, but I swallow the laughter bubbling up my throat. She glances around, horrified. A few guests have stopped talking, staring our way to see what the commotion and hold-up are about. And when a man in a crisp black suit walks briskly our way, I know he’s the boss. It’s written all over his face.

“I’m—I—” she stutters, but in the end she wisely snaps her mouth shut, her face now red.

“Hello, may I be of assistance?” the burly man asks, his rounded belly sticking out of too-tight trousers.

“I most certainly hope you can. I want to know what kind of boat you’re running.”

“It’s a restaurant on the water, sir.”

“Then why did she just accuse my date of being my sister after I’d just been flirting and practically undressing her with my eyes? Hell, look at us. Do we look like siblings?” The manager, who seems more appalled by Drake’s outburst than the girl, turns bright red. When he turns his glare Clarissa’s way, I feel a tiny bop of sympathy for her. She looks like she’s going to get her arse handed to her.

“I didn’t―”

“Clarissa, why on earth would you say such a thing? You can clearly see the young couple is in love,” he snaps before turning back to us. “I apologise for the misunderstanding. Please take a fifty-percent discount on your meals as an apology.”

I’m shocked to say the least, because this place looks expensive.

Drake stands up straighter. “We will. Thank you for your hospitality.”

The man seems to relax. “I’ll show you to your seats,” he tells us, quickly looking at the clipboard Clarissa is holding.

“Donovan,” she whispers.

“Ah, follow me.”

The man walks ahead and, with a snarl from Clarissa, we walk off. I’m half tempted to turn around and stick my tongue out at her. What did she expect? She was trying to belittle me in front of Drake, knowing full well I was his date.

“You’re a mean man, Drake Donovan,” I whisper, giggling.

He chuckles, staring down at me lovingly. “Serves her right. She openly flirted, then had the nerve to insinuate that you’re my sister.”

“I’m too awesome to be related to you.”

He shakes his head in amusement. “At least we get a discount. Not that I cared about paying, of course. It’s just a bonus.”

“Devious man.”

He smirks, then turns to the manager who’s waiting for us to arrive at our table. We’re right next to the edge, overlooking the water, and I gasp at how beautiful it is.

He really does make it hard to keep my feelings at bay when he does things like this.

“It’s beautiful,” I gush. He pulls my chair out, then pushes it in for me when I take a seat. My smile widens at the chivalrous act. My father does it for my mother all the time, but they’re… well, old. I never expected to be treated like a princess. “Thank you so much for bringing me.”

“Oh, it’s my pleasure.” He winks.

 

*** *** ***

 

After having one of the best nights of my life, and what has to be considered the most romantic night I’ve ever had, or ever known about, I can’t seem to keep the smile off my face.

When Drake said he had another surprise for me, I expected him to take me somewhere else, but when we arrived at the manor, I got confused.

Instead of going inside though, he pulled me round the back where a grinning Jeff waited with a bag. He handed it to Drake before bidding us a good night.

Drake didn’t stop to exchange pleasantries, just nodded and headed to the right.

When I realised where we were going, my heart began to beat faster. He was taking me to his favourite spot, and to me, that was more special than any gift a man could buy a woman.

“Where are all the lights?” I ask as we near the large oak tree, the same one we sat next to the first time we came here.

“Jeff must’ve taken them down. I put them up.” He passes the oak tree, surprising me, but then I see a large thin garden mattress on the ground. It belongs on one of the sunbathing beds in their little hut. I’ve been wanting to lounge on it since I first saw it, but I know if I ever lay on it with the heat we’ve been having, I’ll fall asleep.

He throws some blankets onto the mattress and sits down, grinning up at me and holding his hand out. I take it, sitting next to him, still stunned. The night went from romantic to magical.

No one has ever done anything so special for me in my life. Nothing could beat tonight, nothing whatsoever.

“Lie back,” he whispers.

“Why?” I ask, looking around but seeing nothing.

He glances at his watch and pulls me down next to him. “Look up.”

I do as he says and squeal when the sky fills with fireworks. Not just the crappy ones my brother always seems to get but giant ones, filling the sky in the most spectacular arrangements I’ve ever seen.

“Oh my God. It’s breathtaking.”

“Yeah,” he replies hoarsely. I shift my head in his direction to find him staring down at me intensely. My heartbeat picks up and I stop breathing.

“Drake,” I whisper, right before his lips meet mine.

Hungrily, I kiss him back, pouring everything into the kiss that I know will change my life forever. It’s different from the other ones we’ve shared. It’s more intense, demanding, and needy. I’ll never be able to get enough of him.

My legs open on their own accord, letting him fit perfectly between my thighs. I gasp when his erection presses against me, whimpering when he pulls away.

He chuckles against my neck before kissing down my collarbone, sliding the thin straps of my dress down for better access.

I moan, breaking out in goosebumps. “Oh God.”

His hands finds their way up my body, trailing over every dip and curve before finally cupping my breasts, leaving them aching and begging for more.

When I become restless, Drake keeps his assault up with his talented mouth.

I’m completely lost in the sensations running through me, fuelling a need inside me until it screams to burst free.

That’s when I do something I never expected—I push Drake off me. At first he seems confused, a flicker of worry and hurt flashing in his eyes. His mouth opens when I straddle him, undoing his buttons as I lean down, capturing his mouth with mine. He moans into my mouth, and with one swipe of his tongue I’m lost again, nearly forgetting what my goal is. And that’s to have this incredibly sexy, intelligent, funny man inside me.

“Pagan,” he hisses, sounding pained, and I realise I’m rubbing myself against him aggressively, desperate to find the friction my body craves.

I want to tell him it’s not me, it’s my body, but it would be a lie. This is all me. My body has a mind of its own, like it’s synced to his somehow and knows what he needs—what we need.

“I want you,” I whisper against his lips.

“Are you sure?”

“Pretty darn sure.”

I squeal as he flips me over, looming over me. He loses his shirt quickly, unbuttoning his trousers but going no further to remove them. I’m worried he’s changed his mind, but his fingers running up my bare thighs has my core tightening, begging to be touched.

“I’m going to worship you, Pagan. I’m going to devour every inch of you until you can barely scream my name, and even then I’ll keep going,” he growls, and in one swift movement he has my dress off, leaving me in only a pair of white lace knickers.

His eyes are fierce, and chest heaving. “Christ, you’re so goddamn beautiful.”

“Please, Drake.”

He quickly kicks off his trousers and boxers, grabbing a condom from his pocket before moving back up my body. “I didn’t have this thinking we would―”

I kiss him, shutting him up. “I know.”

His gaze burns into me, seeming to reach right into my soul. He looks like he’s about to say something but changes his mind as he leans down, kissing me once more with a fiery need.

The rustle of the condom wrapper has me squeezing my thighs together in anticipation. It’s been too long since I’ve been with a man, and back then, Aaron was just a boy. He never made me feel like the world was imploding around me with just a kiss, or made my pulse pick up speed with just one heated look. No, Drake is different, and being with him will be more than I ever dreamt of.

His fingers slide through my folds and he growls. “Fuck, you’re so wet.”

He positions himself at my core before leaning down and kissing my lips gently. “Are you ready?”

Am I?

It’s a loaded question because I’ve never wanted anything more in my life. On the other hand, am I ready for the heartbreak I know is soon to follow when I have to leave him behind?

“Yes.”

The moment he enters me, I know I’ve fallen in love with him.

And I’ve only known him eleven days.