The Drake Unwound Complete Collection (The Drake Series Book 9)(74)

Maureen had asked them to call police if I showed up, but none of them agreed with her orders.

Elated from the news about Liam and happy that I’d get another chance to see him before Kate and I left for Africa, I spent only a short time at the corporate offices of my father’s surgical implements business, for I had another errand to run that was far more important – at least to my mental state. I’d woken up in the middle of the night and lay awake watching Kate as she slept beside me. Mrs. O’s words came back to me and I thought about how I’d feel if Kate and I broke up and I learned that Kate was getting married to someone else.

I couldn’t imagine it. The very thought made my chest ache.

I knew what I had to do – what I wanted to do – and so after I signed some papers and made a show of attending to business, I sent Ethan an email asking for a meeting and he agreed happily.

I left the offices and drove to Ethan’s Park Avenue apartment. I thought hard about what I’d say to Ethan when I met with him. I was going to ask him formally for his blessing when I asked Kate to marry me. I felt a little knot in my stomach at the prospect of asking Ethan.

He welcomed me at the door and ushered me into his study. I sat down on a chair across from his desk and exhaled.

“So, tell me what you wanted to talk about. I’m all ears.”

I took in a deep breath. “Ethan, I’m here to ask for your blessing to ask Kate to marry me.”

Ethan had been sitting with his hands steepled, examining me with a pleasant expression on his face.

“Why?”

I frowned, and swallowed hard, not expecting to be asked why.

“Why do I want to marry Kate?”

He said nothing for a moment and then burst into laughter.

“Of course, you have my blessing. Good lord, man. I couldn’t be happier.” He stood up, extending his hand for a shake. “I’ve been wondering when you’d get around to this.” I stood and we shook hands across the desk.

“Oh, hell, this deserves a hug at least,” Ethan said and came around the desk to my side. We hugged, clapping each other on the back. I was smiling broadly, relieved that Ethan was taking my question so well.


“Thank you,” I said, my gratitude almost overwhelming me. “You don’t know how happy this makes me. I’m in love with Kate. I want to spend the rest of my life with her and make her happy.”

Ethan pulled away and nodded.

“You will. I have no doubt about it. I couldn’t be happier.”

After Ethan and I said our goodbyes, I drove down Fifth Avenue in search of my next quarry.

Cartier’s Flagship store.

I spent an hour there, speaking with the sales clerk about diamonds, settings and choice of band. I wanted something unique, something a bit excessive, and something that would symbolize our unique relationship. When I finally found the right setting, the sales clerk smiled, obviously pleased with the price and her commission.

I felt sure that Kate would love it and hoped she’d say yes.



After I was finished at Cartier, I went to the Chelsea apartment and came in to find a pair of men’s boots by the door. The sound of Kate’s laughter filtered in from the back of the apartment – in the bedroom.

Kate came out of the bedroom with Keith behind her, a serious expression on his very Byronic face.

"Drake, you’re home," she said and came over and kissed me on the mouth. She turned and pointed at him. "Keith helped me with my canvas, bringing it over in his van and then helping me mount it on the wall in our bedroom. Come and see it."

She took my hand and pulled me towards the bedroom.

"That’s my cue," Keith said and winked at Kate. "See you later."

She smiled at Keith, and I felt a stab of jealousy that she would smile at another man – especially one who was a potential competitor but kicked myself.

Kate chose me.

“Keith again?” I said when the door closed behind him, unable to keep a note of jealousy out of my voice.

"Come on, Drake," Kate said. "I'd never be able to do it myself and I wanted it to be a surprise for you."

We entered the bedroom, and I stopped in my tracks, my jaw dropping when I finally saw it. A painting of me, naked.

"Kate…" I said, letting go of her hand, moving closer to examine it. It was really really good and very realistic, right down to my flaccid penis. "I had no idea this is what you were doing."

"I woke up early on a few mornings and sketched you, then I painted from memory. What do you think? Can you understand why I'm so aroused in the morning?"

"It's beautiful. The lighting, the shadows." I turned to Kate and pulled her into my arms. "But no one can see it. I don’t want people looking at my dick…"

She laughed and pulled me closer. "I did another one with the sheet covering you up. I think I'll do a series of portraits. A collection."

"I don't know what I think about that."

"Don’t worry," she said quickly. "None of the nudes will show your face. I'll do some with your clothes on, too, although that’s such a waste."

I hugged her, completely baffled and impressed at the same time. "Only if you agree to let me take some photos of you for a book."