Cataclysm (Four Horsemen #4)(36)

He’d become more affectionate towards me after I’d told him I needed him, not hesitating to give me casual touches and kisses. Every morning when I brought his coffee into his office, he’d make me come around his desk so he could kiss me before he got on with his day. I didn’t know where this side of him had come from, but I wasn’t about to start complaining. He’d made the effort to give me what I’d asked for. And every time he smiled at me, it made my heart go all funny in my chest.

“Why do you look happy?” he asked after we’d been walking for a couple of minutes along the road running through the cemetery.

I glanced up at him. His dark hair was a little messy like he hadn’t bothered brushing it this morning. I admired his casual attire of black jeans, a dark jumper and a black coat, along with a pair of trainers. It was the first time I’d seen him be so careless with his appearance. It was really fucking hot. Whilst I probably should not be thinking about how much I wanted to jump his bones when I was visiting my mother’s grave, I needed a distraction. The thought of saying goodbye was making me anxious.

“I’m with you.”

“Being with me makes you… happy?”

“Um, I hate to break it to you, Drake, but you make me happy even when you’re being all domineering and shit. I’d be kind of worried if you didn’t, considering you’re my boyfriend.”

I smiled more when I noticed a slight blush appear on his cheeks as he looked away.

“So you’re definitely set on calling me that then.”

“Do you have a problem with being my boyfriend? Or is it because I have four and you don’t feel special enough?”

He gave me a reproachful look.

“No, I don’t have a problem with it, nor you being with the others. You know that.”

“Do I though?”

He pulled me to a halt and took my chin between the fingers of his free hand, making me meet his eyes.

“Are you mine, little wisp?”

“Yes.”

“And am I yours?”

“Yes.”

“Then don’t ask stupid questions.”

He let me go and took off again, his long legs eating up the road and making it difficult for me to keep up with him.

“How is that a stupid question?”

“I have never given you any indication I have an issue with you having a relationship with West, Prescott, and Francis. I don’t know why you would ever think that about me.”

I tried not to laugh even as I had to jog to keep up with him.

“I don’t.”

He stopped abruptly, making me almost crash into him.

“Then what are you playing at, Scarlett?”

“It’s fun to see you get worked up.”

He huffed and gave me a disapproving stare.

“Are you capable of going one day without being a brat? Not that I’ll complain about fucking the attitude out of you later, but is this really the time? We’re about to get to Lylah’s grave.”

I bit my lip and looked away.

“Maybe I was deflecting.”

The next thing I knew, I was gathered up against Drake’s chest and he was pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

“I know this must be difficult for you, little wisp, but you asked to come here today. I’m just trying to give you the space you need to say goodbye, okay?”

“Are you really going to fuck the attitude out of me?”

“Scarlett…”

“I’m just asking.”

“Yes.”

“Okay. I’d like that.”

I heard him chuckling whilst he held me tighter.

“You are a reckless little troublemaker.”

“That’s what you lo… like about me.”

What the fuck? Were you just about to tell him he loved you?

I almost winced. Drake hadn’t expressed his feelings towards me, at least not like that. I knew he wanted me, but as for love? Fuck knows. My heart was his. He might be grumpy, overbearing and drive me crazy at times, but the glimpses of the younger version of Drake I had made it impossible for me not to fall in love with him. He was trying his hardest when it came to me. I appreciated it so fucking much.

“I like a lot of things about you. I always have.”

“Even though I’m a brat?”

“You’re my brat, little wisp. Mine. No one else’s, just mine.”

Jesus, I swear you’re trying to kill me. How am I supposed to not melt in a pile of goo at your feet right now?

We stayed locked together for a long moment before Drake pulled away and looked down at me.

“You ready now?”

I nodded. He took my hand and led me down a small path into the trees. I swallowed hard as we approached a little wooden plaque. Drake’s hand tightened in mine as we stared down at it.

“She wanted a woodland burial,” he said when I didn’t say a word. “We all came to the funeral. It was… I don’t really know how to describe a funeral, to be honest.”

I had to smile at his words.

“It’s okay. You don’t need to.”

I looked up at him. His indigo eyes were full of sorrow as if he was remembering the day it happened.

“Would you mind if I have a few minutes alone?”