The Drake Unwound Complete Collection (The Drake Series Book 9)(76)

"He's an engineer. He makes things so this was easy for him."

I stood for a moment and watched as Liam assembled the robot once more into a car. He smiled and showed us the transformed robot, proud of his accomplishment.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. "I guess we better go. I'm glad to see you're all better."

Liam nodded, and in a few seconds, we were forgotten. Before we were even out the door, he was watching television. I took Kate’s hand and led her into the anteroom to remove our gowns and masks. We didn't stop by the nursing station, but I nodded to the nurse as we passed to let her know I appreciated the help getting in to see my son, despite Maureen’s wishes.

I pulled Kate down the hallway, and out of the hospital, wanting to leave as soon as possible so that we didn’t run into Maureen and Chris. The sun had set and the sky was dark, overcast. I stopped outside the rear exit where I was parked and closed my eyes, finally overcome with emotion from seeing how well Liam was doing.

"He looks really good," Kate said and squeezed my hand.

"He does," I said, forcing a smile. "He's happy. He has parents who love him."


I pulled Kate into an embrace, needing to feel her warmth. She slipped her arms around my neck and pulled me down. I nuzzled her neck, my lips pressing against her throat and beneath her ear.

Then, I pulled away and sighed.

"Let's go home."



We decided to stay at my apartment before we left for Africa so we could spend some time alone. Ethan and Elaine understood since we had a lot of planning to do, packing and repacking, and some decisions to make. I sent off boxes to the college for the class I would teach, including textbooks and lecture notes, as well as other paraphernalia I would need to teach robotic surgery. I also packed a few of my father's personal mementos, which I would ship before we left.

"I'm not sending any of this," I said as I sorted through my bondage gear. "Don't want it to be found by curious housekeepers or border security. We'll have to improvise when we get there. No cuffs, no spreader bars, and no butt plugs. Just me." I grinned at her and quirked an eyebrow.

"You're more than enough," she said and leaned down to kiss me, her arms threading around my neck.

"I hope so. I'm a very jealous man. Don't want you getting too attached to B.O.B. or Big or anything…"

"With you, Drake," she said and grinned. "Who needs substitutes?"

"I want to ship your painting though," I said and considered one that was propped against a wall. "The one with the sheet covering my … manhood."

"Manhood," she said and smiled back.

"The risqué one can stay here. When we come back, I want it moved to our bedroom on 8th Avenue."

"You really aren't going to ship any of your toys and implements?" Kate asked, seeming surprised.

"I can always buy some rope. Leather. I'm handy enough. I could probably even build you canvases for your studio."

"What studio?" she asked and leaned against the table.

"The one we'll make sure to have in whatever house we get." I went to where she stood and pulled her into my arms. "I want you to paint as much as you want while we're there. Do what you want. I'll be really busy at the college and hospital so you have to do what makes you happy."

She nodded. "I'd like my own studio. But you might have to watch out. I've been known to spend the entire day in my pajamas when I get into a painting. No cleaning, no cooking, no domesticity."

"No problem. We'll get a housekeeper and a cook. When I come home from the hospital, I want you ecstatic, ready for me after a long day working on your art."

"Sounds like heaven."





CHAPTER FIVE





A few days before our flight, I picked Kate up from where she was sitting on the couch and carried her into my office. All morning I had been thinking of what I needed to do before we left for Africa. Talking to Kate about our agreement was top on the list.

"We'll be going away in less than a week. I think it's time to do what we've already discussed and renegotiate the agreement. I want you to tell me if anything's changed."

Then, I let her slide down my body. "I'm going to print off a copy and I want us to sit down and go over it once more. Point by point. Anything you want changed, you should say it now. We'll discuss it. Negotiate."

I sat at my desk and opened my laptop, searching through my emails for the one Kate sent with the agreement. I opened the email and printed the document off. I stood up and took her hand, leading her into the living room, where I sat on the couch. I pulled her down onto my lap the way we sat that first night at her apartment, her arms around my neck.

"Now, Ms. Bennet, I want you to tell me exactly what you want and need from me. A lot has changed since we wrote this up,” I said and held up the document. “We'll be leaving Manhattan, living in Nairobi. I'll be working five days a week and will be on call one weekend a month. What do you see when you imagine us together there?"

Kate inhaled deeply and didn’t speak for a moment. "I see us as a committed couple," she said, looking into my eyes. "We spend our time together. We do things together. We cook together. We explore together. We sleep together. Of course, we have lots of sex."