The Drake Unwound Complete Collection (The Drake Series Book 9)(31)

“Go figure,” I said and laughed.

“Yeah, who can understand women?”

He said nothing more, obviously getting a clue for once.

We spoke about Liam and the tests and how I would donate my stem cells in the hopes his new bone marrow would cure his leukemia. He asked about any change in plans for the trip to Nairobi because he had lined up a few hospital visits for me. I reviewed them and asked him to put everything on hold until I learned more about Liam.

“Makes sense,” he said, although I knew he’d put a lot of work into the trip and those involved in the hospitals would be disappointed. My family, such as it was, came first.

I wouldn't make the same mistakes my father did and put career above everything else.



After a final trip to the corporate office, where I signed a few papers authorizing a temporary replacement for me, I went to my club and worked out. I needed to build up a sweat and get rid of some of my nervous energy. I showered once more and dressed, before I drove back to the apartment. I called Kate on my way back and asked her about supper. We agreed that I’d stop on the way home and pick up some Thai food, pho and spring rolls as well as a rice dish.

I wasn't up to a scene. Instead, Kate and I sat on the couch and ate our takeout, talked about my day and what I’d done.

I felt quite down, so I lay on the couch with my head on Kate’s lap, and watched the news while she ran her fingers through my hair. I turned onto my back at about ten o'clock and looked up into her eyes, touching her cheek affectionately.

"I'm sorry I'm not up to too much," I said. "I'm a bit exhausted for some reason."

She leaned down and kissed me. "You've had a huge shock. It's understandable."


"Do you mind if we just go to bed to sleep tonight?"

She shook her head. "Of course not." She forced a smile, but I knew she was disappointed that we wouldn't have sex. I couldn’t even think of it for some reason, so as much as I wanted her happy, I couldn’t get past my thoughts of Liam and of my test results.

We went to bed and lay in each other's arms. I was exhausted, but couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned with Kate awake beside me.

I’d get the results in the morning, and my gut was knotted as I wondered if the news would be good or if we’d have to start looking for other matches.

Sleep was a long time in coming.





CHAPTER TWO





I woke to find that Kate was up already, which was unusual, since it was me who had business that required me to leave the apartment. I saw she was sitting at the dining room table so I decided to have a quick shower and get ready, just in case I got a call with the results of the compatibility test.

As I washed, I wondered what would happen if I wasn’t a match and how long it would take to find a suitable tissue donor for Liam. He wasn’t doing well and had one of the most aggressive forms of leukemia, which no longer responded to chemotherapy. Sadly for Liam, it was stem cells or death.

I finished up and wrapped a towel around my waist, then glanced through the bathroom door and saw Kate standing there, watching me.

She smiled slowly and there was a definite expression of desire and lust in her eyes. I left the bathroom and went to her.

"There you are," I said, pulling her into my arms. "I have a meeting with the oncologist about my test results. My tech promised me he'd work on the test last night so he should have finished the tissue study and sent the results over by now."

"How certain is it? As his father, are you more likely to be a tissue match?"

I shook my head. "Not necessarily. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on the roll of the genetic dice. Identical twins are the best source, and then siblings, but sometimes a perfect stranger can be the best match."

Kate put her cup of coffee on the windowsill and leaned against me. "If you are a match, how soon before they start the procedure?"

"Hopefully, right away. Depends on how the oncologist wants to proceed. I won't be feeling too well for a week or so while they stimulate my bone marrow, so I hope we can do our scene tonight when I'm done with all my meetings."

She looked up at me and I could tell she liked that idea.

"I think you're ready," I said and stroked her cheek. I imagined what she would look like as she knelt by the bed, blindfolded, wearing only her hose and garters. "If I tried it too soon, you would've been overwhelmed. Now, you're more familiar with submission so you'll be able to enjoy every element."

She sighed and slipped her arms around my waist. Then, the landline rang and I let go of her, pulling out of the embrace to answer the phone.

"Drake Morgan," I said.

“Hey, Dr. Morgan, it’s Jake at the lab. We got your test back.”

My heart rate increased immediately. "Oh, hello. Thanks for calling. What have you got for me?"

“Good news. You’re a match.”

Adrenaline surged through me. "Are you certain?" I said, my voice choking a bit. I turned away, one hand on my forehead, overwhelmed.

“Absolutely. Test came back and you’re the best possible match.”

I couldn’t keep a huge smile off my face. "Best possible match?"

“Yes. On all markers you were almost perfect.”