The Drake Unwound Complete Collection (The Drake Series Book 9)(34)

"I could make some time after I speak with the hematologist." I stood still for a moment and just looked at her.

"Call me and let me know when you're done,” she replied and nodded. “I'll text Nathaniel and let him know we'll be by."

"Sounds like a plan."

I kissed her, deeply, wanting to ensure she knew I wanted her, that I was her Dominant and her lover. I wanted to leave her breathless so she couldn’t wait for me to return. I told myself I didn’t have to worry about potboy, but I’d still do everything I could to make sure of it.



I spent my morning at the hospital. After meeting with the hematologist on Liam’s case to discuss the procedure through which they would extract my stem cells, I spent time on the wards checking with the nurses about Liam. I made sure not to run into Maureen but I did sneak by Liam’s room when Maureen was out getting coffee. Just a quick peek through the window. He was there with Chris, and looked so frail and small that it made my gut clench.

I went back to my office and sat quietly, reading over the latest research for a paper I was writing. Then I met a fellow neurosurgeon to go over the research we were collaborating on. I kept busy, which I needed so I wouldn’t dwell on the worst case scenarios that I knew could happen. Even with me being a perfect match, there were still a lot of potential problems that could arise. Liam wasn’t out of the woods by a long shot.

He wouldn’t ever be out of the woods completely. Children who survive leukemia often have other cancers later in life due to the effects of the chemotherapy on their bodies and the radiation used to destroy their bone marrow.

I knew it would be a difficult few months for Liam, Maureen and Chris. I would do everything I could to help and to keep out of their lives. I knew I was the interloper—the outsider. I’d do my part and not expect anything in return except news on how Liam was doing.



It was while I was in my office after my meeting that I received a text from Kate.



Drake, I spoke with Nathaniel and he’s agreed to let me use the studio to work on a canvas. I can go before lunch. Also, my father called and wanted to meet us at Katz’s Deli for lunch. I’d like to go if you’re able.



I texted her back right away:



Katz's sounds good. Haven't been for a while. I can pick you up at around eleven to go to the studio. Will you be ready?



She agreed and so I picked her up at about 10:45, texting her that I was on the street waiting. She emerged with her sketchbook and backpack, sliding into the passenger seat and leaning over to kiss me.

"So, where is this artist's hideaway?" I said while she buckled her seatbelt. "Where do young artist-type pot-smoking hipsters hang out now? When I was in college, it was in Soho, but it's really expensive there now."

"In an old commercial building on West 36th and 7th Avenue. It's not too far from your place in Chelsea."

"That's some pretty expensive real estate."

"His dad is like Rockefeller-rich in the oil business and could probably afford to buy a whole city block in Chelsea," Kate said.

I parked the car in a park & lock that was near the building. There was no security system, so we went right in and up the elevator to the top floor. Before we even reached the floor, I could hear music blaring from the studio. As we went into the studio, I stopped and took it in. Large tables, full-length windows, sinks splashed with multicolored paint, the walls splattered with bright colors, canvases lined up against the walls. Power tools, easels, work benches. Art work hung on the walls.

The studio was a totally different environment than any I had been in. It was crazy, mayhem, chaos, and I wondered if Kate liked this kind of life. It was such a sharp contrast to my own studious past, the labs, the science, the precision required in surgery.

For a moment, I felt like such a stranger.

Some guy with long blond hair was bent over a table. Kate went up behind him and I followed her, eager to meet the man she’d be spending time with. Alone. She tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around, made a face of recognition. Thankfully, he turned the music down so we could hear ourselves think.

"Hey, sug," Nathaniel said. Then he checked me out, and gave Kate a hug.

I didn’t like him touching her, although I couldn’t imagine that she could prefer a man like him over me. The toque he wore had a marijuana plant emblazoned on it, and a row of tiny silver hoops pierced his eyebrow. He wore Jamaican colors and sported a Bob Marley t-shirt. Sleeve tattoos covered each arm, and his faded jeans were torn. To top it all off, he was tall and skinny.


"This is Drake," Kate said and pointed to me. I did my best to smile, but I felt like an alien in this world.

"Dude," Nathaniel said and waved his hand. "Come in, I don't bite unless I'm asked."

I went over to where they stood.

Nathaniel turned to Kate, his eyes moving over her. "You look as sweet as ever, Katie. I heard you won the thesis prize. Way to go."

Kate smiled and glanced at me quickly. "I'm taking some time off to go live in Africa for a while in March."

"Africa? Cool," Nathaniel said, eyeing Kate up and down. "So you’re going to get back into art? I've got lots of wood for frames, and tons of canvas. There's gesso and all the tools. If you need any help, let me know. We'll whip up a couple of canvases in no time."