The Drake Unwound Complete Collection (The Drake Series Book 9)(73)

"No, I understand." Kate smiled. "You're not trying to avoid me?" she said, her voice almost a whisper.

"What?" I frowned and pointed the toothbrush at her. "Hold that thought." Toothpaste dripped down my chin, so I ran to the bathroom, rinsing my mouth out. Then I returned and lay on the bed beside her, focusing on her.

"Ms. Bennet, I am not trying to avoid you,” I said, my voice firm. “Liam's getting tested this morning to see if the transplant is working and so my mind will be occupied with how it's going. I need to keep distracted all day. I have work to do and that will keep my mind busy so I don’t ruminate too much on all the possible things that could go wrong. As a doctor, I already know what those possibilities are and so you can imagine how my mind is working, imagining them all." I touched her bottom lip and leaned down to kiss her.

She pulled away and held a hand over her mouth.

"Morning breath," she said, offering me her cheek.

"Lazybones," I said and laughed. "That's why you should get up when I do and shower with me." I kissed her neck instead of her cheek, and then moved the strap of her nightgown so that her full breast slipped out. I squeezed her breast and took her nipple in my mouth, sucking softly for a moment. Kate groaned in delight.

"If I did, I'd get all aroused and want you to f*ck me," she replied, her eyes closed.

"I said I would – on occasion."

"I'll hold you to it." She opened one eye, a grin starting on her lips.

I smiled back. "Ms. Bennet, you can hold me to it any time you want." I covered her breast once more and gave her a chaste kiss on her cheek, pulling her into my arms.

"Kate, I know this is a big commitment, coming with me to Africa. Giving everything up that you built here, even if only for six months. I know you're concerned about what our relationship will be. I'll tell you what it will be – you're collared. You're my life partner. There's nothing else short of marriage that’s as binding or as serious."

"I don’t really understand what collared means," she said softly. "I'm so new to all this."

"I know you are,” I replied, “but you have to know I'm serious about you. I want you and only you, from now on. I want us to be exclusive. Bound to each other."

"I want that, too."

I inhaled deeply. "Do you think you can trust me enough to tell me everything? Even things you think will upset me? I need you to trust me that much for this to work. I don't think you do yet."

"I want to," she said hesitantly. "But we've only known each other for such a short time…"


"I know, but it’s been enough time for me to know you're all that I want."

"You were so willing to think I'd cheat on you, Drake. That upset me."

I frowned, regretting how I responded. "It was foolish. I wasn't thinking straight. I know you'd never do anything like that. I had to work like a dog to get you to even kiss me that first night…" I grinned. "Most men would have already given up."

Kate laughed. "Not you."

I shook my head, remembering back to when we met. "I could feel you were different that night at your father's fundraiser. It was like you could change everything, if I let you in. That scared me, after my first disaster of a marriage. But I can't imagine a life with anyone else but you." Kate buried her face in my neck and at that moment, I felt my heart squeeze. "I love you, Kate."

"I love you."

I leaned down and kissed her, unable to get enough of her. Then I touched her collar and smiled.

"Gotta go," I said. "Or I'll be late for my meeting with the oncologist because of my not-so-small problem." I placed her hand on my erection and her eyes widened. She squeezed me and closed her eyes.

"You sure you don’t want to stay?" She opened one eye and peered at me.

"Katherine," I said, frowning. "On the days I can stay and you have that look in your eye, I will stay. I said I'd accept your amendment to the agreement and I meant it. Today is not a day I can."

"Sorry," she said, her face flushing.

"It's OK," I said and kissed her, pinning her down when she tried to avoid me. "I want to stay. Once I'm done, I'll text you. We'll do something special tonight."

She smiled and so I rolled off the bed and finished dressing. Finally I went to the hallway and pulled on my coat before returning to the bedroom, bending over to kiss her neck once more.

"I'll see you later, Ms. Bennet. Be waiting for me."

She smiled.

I closed the door behind me, eager to get my morning out of the way so I could return to her arms.



I dropped by the hospital and checked in with Liam’s oncologist, speaking to him between patients. He assured me that everything was going exceedingly well and that the transplant seemed to have been successful. So far, there were no signs of rejection and the team had high hopes that it would be tolerated. More than tolerated – Liam would be cured. On a whim, I broached the subject of visiting Liam once before I left for Africa. Luckily for me, he was agreeable and together, we went to speak to the nurses who would be on staff that night. They agreed to let me slip in and check on Liam once later that night.