The Drake Unwound Complete Collection (The Drake Series Book 9)(59)

She yawned and stretched her arms. "I'm glad to be painting again."

I finished dressing, and was busy fastening my belt when her expression changed.


"There's something we have to talk about, Drake,” she said. From the tone of her voice, I knew it was something important but I didn’t have time to give it my full attention.

I bent down and kissed her, regret filling me that I had to leave. "Sure," I said. "I'm a bit rushed, but later, when I get home."

Kate ran to the bathroom and before I finished dressing, she returned, slipping under the covers quickly. I sat on the edge of the bed and leaned over her, kissing her, unable to get enough of her with her mussed hair and sleepy eyes.

"You look so delicious Ms. Bennet," I said, admiring the curve of her breast peeking out from under the sheets. "I think I'm crazy to leave you here all warm and snuggly under the covers."

"You have things to do,” she said and nestled into the pillow. “I'm glad you're feeling so much better. Can you join us for lunch at my parent's today?"

I nodded and ran my fingers down her cheek. "Should I pick you up or will you get a ride over to you father's?"

"I think I'll walk. I've been locked inside the studio for a couple of days. I need the exercise. I'll meet you there at 12:30?"

"Sounds like a plan." I kissed her again and smiled. "Then, after lunch, I want dessert. In other words, I want you," I said and slipped my hand down under the covers to her breast. "I have to make up for lost time. I hope you're ready for me, because I'll be more than ready for you."

Her eyes widened. "I'll have a hard time eating my lunch when you talk that way."

"Good. I'm feeling very deprived. I'm sure you feel that way as well."

She shrugged. "You were sick. But now…" She bit her lip and raised her eyebrows.

I smiled and squeezed her breast. "Now I feel almost my old self. I think I want that massage you promised."

"Your wish is my command, oh Sultan." She fluttered her eyelashes.

"I wish that you'll give me a very long and very sensuous massage when we get back from your father's,” I said. “Use some nice scented oil, have some soft music in the background, light some candles…"

She smiled. "Sounds heavenly."

I checked my watch and sighed, wishing I could stay home with her, take off my clothes and slip back under the covers. She was nice and warm and now her eyes were bright. I knew she loved sex first thing in the morning and regretted that I had to leave.

"Now I do have to go." I leaned down and kissed her deeply. "Hold that thought."

I reluctantly left the apartment and while I was glad to be up and around again, I would have preferred to spend a leisurely morning with Kate, f*cking her slowly, relishing the intimacy of our naked skin against each other.



I went to the hospital and headed directly to the pediatric oncology ward to speak with the nurses and see how Liam had been doing. I’d been in contact with Liam’s doctors via email but hadn't been well enough to visit the hospital. I was infectious as long as I had a fever so I had to wait until it broke, and my cough had subsided enough, so I wouldn’t put the sick children at risk. They were especially vulnerable when fighting cancer, taking chemo drugs. Liam had a barely functioning immune system.

It would take weeks before we knew for sure whether my donation was successful but I had real hope for the first time that it would.

Once I was satisfied that Liam was doing as well as could be expected, I went back to my office and went over my paper once more, looking at the revised tables my colleague had submitted for my review. I approved the changes and made a few edits and then sent it off to him in an email, apologizing for my delay but explaining that I had been ill.

It felt so good to be working again. By the time I checked my watch, a couple of hours had passed and so I decided to pop by the studio and see how Kate was doing and if she was ready for lunch with her parents. I decided to surprise her. I wanted to see her in her natural state, and maybe peek at her canvas. I hated secrets, and hoped I might catch a glimpse of what she was working on.

I parked the car and walked up to the building. When I arrived at the studio, I opened the door quietly so I wouldn’t bother anyone. Kate sat at a table in front of a canvas that looked much darker than her art. Behind her stood a young man I hadn’t seen before. He leaned over her and was talking to her, pointing to whatever it was she was examining. I couldn’t help but feel jealous that some other man was sharing her art and had seen her paintings but tried my best to tamp it down.

They must have heard me for they both looked up at the same time and immediately, our eyes met. He said something to Kate that I couldn’t hear. Kate stood up, a bit of a guilty look on her face when she realized I had caught her in a rather intimate moment with a strange man. She came right over to me and took hold of my coat by the lapels and pulled me down for a kiss.


I let her, glancing away from the young man. I kissed her finally, pulling her against my body possessively.

"I thought I'd pop by and see how you’re doing,” I said, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

"Almost done,” she replied. “Just finishing up the last touches."