The Drake Unwound Complete Collection (The Drake Series Book 9)(42)

Kate said goodbye to Nathaniel, thanking him for helping her with the canvases and we left. She asked me how my morning went and I described trying to find something to do while she was busy. When we arrived at the car, I opened the door for her and then went around to the driver's side.

"Did you smoke pot with them?" I asked, trying to keep my voice light.

She glanced at me. "No," she said. "I'm not really much of a pot smoker. Never did like it. Besides, with the hanging judge for a father? No way…"

I smiled in relief. I didn’t like the thought she was getting stoned with anyone else but me, my jealousy rearing its ugly head once more.

"You looked right in your element at the studio with that paint on your apron and cheek," I said and reached over to touch her skin. "You looked really happy."

"I was. I am," she said and took my hand. "I haven't even started on the work but it feels so good to be doing art again."

I squeezed her hand, knowing I had to swallow my petty jealousies over Kate being alone with men who were more her age. This made her happy and a happy Kate was my goal in life, even if it meant I had to let her outside my immediate control. It was hard, but I fought my Dom tendencies as much as possible outside the bedroom.

After we returned to the apartment, we sat on the couch and watched the news, cups of tea in our hands.



Later in the afternoon, Maureen called, asking me to come by to talk about Liam’s case.

"She wants me to come by to talk about Liam," I said to Kate. She was in the kitchen trying to decide what to cook for our supper.

"Do you have the memento you wanted to give to him?"

I nodded. "Yes, I'll bring it along. I hope she lets him have it. I don't know what cover story she can give him, but it should be his."

"What is it, if you don't mind me asking?" she said, trying to sound casual but I knew she was curious.

"A picture of Liam outside a field hospital in Vietnam receiving the Medal of Honor for saving the lives of two soldiers who were in a burning helicopter that crashed.” I thought about the picture I had always treasured. “I hope that, one day, Maureen will show it to him and let him know who his real father and family were."

Kate said nothing but I could see doubt in her eyes. "Speaking of later tonight, I was thinking about supper," she said, as if trying to change the subject. "The fridge is pretty empty. Should we have supper with my father and Elaine? Or would you rather stay here?"

I shrugged. "Up to you. I am entirely at your command."

Kate hesitated. "Let's go to my father's for dinner. Once we go, I won't see them for six months, so it would be nice to see them as much as possible."

"Fine with me."

Kate left the kitchen and called her father to make arrangements. Then, she and I spent the afternoon listening to news of an earthquake in China, lounging around, reading the paper and talking about the trip. Doing ordinary things that couples did.

I hadn’t done them with a woman for years, and it felt perfect.





CHAPTER FOUR





The afternoon passed quickly and soon it was time for us to get ready for dinner at Ethan’s. While I dressed in the bedroom, Kate was doing her makeup in the bathroom. I watched her from where I stood by my chest of drawers and was amazed that she was mine. She had no real idea how delicious she was with her curves and milky skin and breathless desire for submission. Although I felt an incredible need for her body, it was her mind that captivated me. She wanted to be taken places sexually she was too afraid to go on her own. She needed a dominant man for that.

I was perfect for her and she for me.

I went into the bathroom while she was bending over, pulling up her stockings, and the sight of her bare ass was far too tempting to merely watch. I wanted to feel her body against mine and run my hands over her skin so I grabbed hold of her hips and pulled her against my body.

"Ms. Bennet, when you stand like that, with just your garter belt and your bra, I'm unable to resist you." She tried to stand up, but I stopped her, wanting her to remain in that position while I enjoyed the view. "No, stay like this for a moment. I like this position. I'm getting ideas…"

Kate glanced up into the mirror and our eyes met. She smiled as I ran my hands over her back to her buttocks, pulling her against my groin and my growing erection. I wasn’t planning on f*cking her at that moment, but I wanted to enjoy her luscious body and most of all, my complete freedom to touch it and arouse it and play with it whenever I chose.


I released her and she stood facing the mirror with me behind her. Our eyes met once more in the mirror and she watched as I stroked her belly with one hand and cupped a full breast with the other. She was mine – all mine. I exhaled and bent down to kiss her shoulder then slid my hands down her arms to clasped her hands in mine, our fingers entwining. We stood like that for a few moments, my cheek resting on her shoulder. I wanted her every moment of the day, but what I first took as sexual need was now transforming into a need just for her presence. To touch her and have her close.

"Well, as much as I'd love to f*ck you right now, I guess we better get going," I said and released her hands. "Don't want to keep your father waiting."

Kate nodded without a word, although I was pretty sure I had aroused her with my touch. Still, she didn’t protest or push for sex. Instead, she resumed dressing, my good little sexual submissive.