The Drake Unwound Complete Collection (The Drake Series Book 9)(58)

Instead, I lay aching on the couch, my nose running.

She kissed my forehead one last time and left me alone with the business news playing on the flatscreen. I felt so bad, I couldn’t even focus on the news. Eventually I gave up and fell asleep, hoping I‘d feel better when she returned.



Kate woke me hours later.

"There you are," I said and sat up. "What time is it?" I checked my watch and frowned. "Have I been asleep all this time? When did you get back?"

"I was back pretty early, but you were sleeping so soundly, I didn't want to wake you."


I yawned and stretched, admiring how lovely she was and regretting that I was unable to go to the event with her. "I missed you."

"I missed you, more than you can know," she said and sat on the side of the couch. She leaned over and kissed me, cupping my cheek.

"Why did you miss me, Ms. Bennet?” I said. “What was it that you missed?"

"I wish you'd been there with me,” she said, making a face. “I couldn't wait to get out of there."

"Was Nigel there at least?"

She nodded. "Yes," she said. "We had a nice visit, such as it was."

"Anyone else I'd know?"

She pursed her lips. "Captain Donnelly was there. You'd know him from Doctors. Dave Mills was, but I didn't speak with him. I'm sure the regular crew was there."

I sighed. "Sorry I wasn’t up to it, but I'm sure your dad appreciates that you went in his place. It's good PR for his campaign to be seen giving away his money to a non-political social cause."

"I suppose," she said. "What do you want for supper? Should I order in from Clair? Something light – maybe some fish and vegetables? A salad?"

"Sounds great." I sat up a bit more. "I needed that nap. I feel like an old man falling asleep in front of the television."

"You're hardly an old man," she said. "You're in your prime, Drake. Prime Grade A Manflesh."

"My manflesh is still a bit sick tonight, I'm afraid," I said and groaned.

"Just as well." She tucked a hank of my hair behind my ear. "I'm under the weather anyway."

"A bit hung over from the Anisovaya?"

She nodded.

"You should have taken some aspirin and drunk copious amounts of water."

She smiled and pecked my cheek. "Always the doctor."

After Kate called Clair, I moved over on the couch and pulled back the blanket.

"Come and snuggle with me," I said. "I need some affection. And more Tylenol."

Kate brought me more Tylenol and snuggled into my arms and we spent the next few hours like an old married couple.

Which was perfectly fine by me.



I slept in the next morning and felt much better. Although I still had a cold, my aches were gone and my fever down. Kate had been up for some time, had already showered and was making coffee when I finally stood in the doorway and watched her pour herself a cup.

"Good morning," I said and went to her, tilting her chin up so I could kiss her on the cheek. "Why didn’t you wake me up?"

"You needed more sleep,” she said, matter of fact. “I didn't want to bother you."

"I do feel a lot better this morning than last night,” I said, glad that the worst part of the virus was over. “I was exhausted even lying on the couch all evening."

"How's your cold? Are you almost back to normal?"

I shrugged and breathed in through my nose. "It's better. I don't think I have a secondary infection. Luckily, we have nothing to do except enjoy each other's company."

She smiled and slipped her arms around my waist, resting her head against my chest. "Luckily."



Over the next few days, I gradually recovered, and it was the first time off I had since our trip to the Bahamas. While Kate spent time at the studio working on her canvas, I read over my notes for the paper I was working on and did some writing on my laptop while laying on the couch. Gradually, my cough lessened and my nose stopped running. My fever cleared completely and by the third day, I was up early and had showered and was standing at the closet, selecting a tie to wear before Kate even woke.

I heard her yawning and turned to see her still snuggled under the covers, watching me.

"What's going on in that mind of yours, Ms. Bennet?" I asked, enjoying the feel of her gaze on me.

"Just admiring the view."

"Oh, you were, were you?” I said and smiled at her. “See something you like?"

"Something I like very much."

I turned back to the closet, selected a tie and then turned to face the bed, watching her while I tied it. "You can have it later this afternoon if you want. I've deprived you for the past few days. I don't want you unsatisfied."

"I've been very busy the past few days working on a project," she said, smiling coyly.

"How's your painting going? Can I see it?"

She shook her head. "Not until it's finished. It's a gift for you."

I smiled. "I'm glad you're painting again. I was worried that you'd be really bored with nothing to do, now that you've withdrawn from courses and took a leave from the paper."