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  “Just want to make sure I understand the situation right. Could have sworn that I saw something between the two of you.”

  “I don’t know what you think you saw, but I can tell you that you were wrong if it was anything other than close friendship. Jackson’s protective of me because he feels responsible for the way my last relationship ended. Maybe that’s what you saw.”

  Drake’s head snapped up when I mentioned the end of my relationship with Brad. “Is there a reason he should feel responsible for you ending things with your boyfriend?”

  “No! That’s not what I said at all. Things got messy, and Jackson had to step into the middle of it for me. End of story.” There’s no way I was going to share everything with Drake now. If he managed to dig himself out of the hole he’d put himself in and things progressed between us, then I’d think about sharing more. Maybe.

  “I’ll accept that. For now. But I don’t want any secrets between us. You got a problem or a question, I want you to come to me. I get that Jackson’s been there for you in the past, but I’m gonna be the one there for you in the future.”

  I held my hand up in protest. “Whoa. Slow down there, buddy.”

  He reached up and tweaked my nose. “I get it. I’m jumping ahead of myself. No pressure. We’ve got plenty of time because I’m not going anywhere. Now that we’ve got all that past us, we’d better hit my mom’s party. I’m sure she’s wondering where we’re at by now.”

  Drake’s parents seemed nice and were happy to have me join them. Drea was serious about introducing me to everyone and stole me away from Drake the minute we joined the party. She dragged me around the room, flitting from group to group, and refused to listen when I told her I wasn’t Drake’s girlfriend. Drake certainly didn’t help at all as he followed after us laughing.

  He kept his word and didn’t even give me so much as a peck on the cheek when he walked me back to the pool house at the end of the night. I tried to tell myself this was a good thing as I needed the time to wrap my head around our conversation from earlier. Yet I couldn’t stop myself from wishing that he’d given me a goodnight kiss. I already craved the feel of his lips on mine.

  I tossed and turned through the night, torn by my fears of jumping into a relationship with Drake and my desires. I dreamed of us together, bodies entwined. The feel of his hard body crushed against me, his lips devouring mine. The whisper of his strong fingers gliding down my body, teasing me to the point of frenzy. My legs writhing together as my body clenched in anticipation. I awoke, drenched in sweat, my heart beating thunderously. I gasped for breath when my body pulsed as a climax rolled over me.

  Holy crap! Even in my dreams, the attraction between us was insanely hot! I actually came because of a dream of Drake. Just a dream. I didn’t know if I wanted to find him right this minute so I could jump his bones or stay as far away from him as I possibly could. After everything that had happened with Brad, I hadn’t so much as noticed another guy in a sexual way. Drake was another story altogether. I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about him. Great timing for my hormones to jump back to life.

  Luckily, the morning flew by. I’d jumped in the shower and had a quick breakfast with my dad before we were to head to the airport. Drake had stopped by while I was in the shower to see if I wanted to eat with him. Dad had already been working on a batch of pancakes with yummy maple syrup and fresh strawberries. It was my favorite breakfast, and Dad wanted to surprise me. Drake couldn’t join us since his parents had expected him to share breakfast with them, so I’d had a reprieve from seeing him for a little bit.

  When we met outside at the car, Drake wrapped me into a deep hug that seemed to last forever. He huffed as he let me go. “Missed you this morning, babe.”

  I pushed myself away from him. “Drake, please stop.”

  He raised a brow at me as I stepped away. “Not gonna happen. My dad raised me to go after what I want, and I want you. Thought I’d made that clear last night.”

  I shook my head at him in frustration. “Yes, you made your intentions crystal clear. But I still need time to decide what I want to do about them.”

  “Just don’t push me away. I can handle the wait, but I want you to give me a chance. Spend time with me. Let us get to know each other better, babe. You know you want to say yes.”

  “Fine! We can see each other when we get back on campus and see what happens. Okay?” I huffed in exasperation.

  Drake’s eyes beamed at me as he grinned. “Better than okay. Give me your cell. I need to make sure you can reach me.”

  I handed him my phone without really thinking about it. Before I knew it, his cell was ringing in his front pocket. My eyes followed his hand as he reached inside to pull his cell out. The phone snagged on his shirt and lifted it up to reveal his six-pack abs. He pulled the phone away and chuckled when he realized I was staring.

  “Hey! What are you doing?” I asked.

  “Doesn’t do me much good if you have my phone number but I don’t have yours. I don’t know that I can trust you to call me yet.” Drake handed my phone back to me. I glanced at the screen and saw that he’d added himself to my contacts as ‘Drake aka My Boyfriend.’

  I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped my lips before I changed the contact information to just his name. “Really? So you’re my boyfriend now? After one sorta date at your parents’ house?”

  Drake shrugged his shoulders. “I’ll take whatever edge I can get. Thought that subliminal messaging just might work on you.”

  “Subliminal messaging, huh?”

  “A guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do. You’re not exactly making this easy on me.”

  “I only met you two nights ago and we’ve already kissed, been on a date, and met each other’s parents. That doesn’t exactly scream ‘hard to get’ to me.”

  Drake reached out and stroked my cheek. “True, but I’ve wanted you since I saw you weeks ago. Most other girls would’ve been in and out of my bed by now.”

  I snapped my head away from him. “Geesh, Drake. Talking about other girls isn’t going to help you with me.”

  “It’s not like I’m sharing details here. Just pointing out that you should never think of yourself as an easy conquest. I don’t think of you that way at all. Now, are you and your dad ready to head back to campus?”

  Arms crossed, I glared at Drake. I was a little irritated with him for putting the thought of him with other girls into my head. “Yes, we can leave whenever you want to go.”

  “Alexa, stop. I didn’t say that to make you angry with me. We have lots to learn about each other, and we both have pasts. But that’s all it is—the past. I’m not interested in having anyone else in my bed or in my life but you. I’m not the kind of guy who will blow smoke up your ass. You can trust me to tell you like it is, whether you want to hear something or not.”

  I shook my head in response. “I don’t know you well enough to throw around the word trust about anything.”

  “But you will, babe. You’ll know me better than anyone else. And I’m gonna know you, inside and out. In every way possible.”

  I could feel the heat rising as I blushed in response to the images his words evoked of our bodies entwined. “Down, boy. I thought you said you were okay with the wait.”

  “I did, but I never said that I’d pussyfoot around with you. That’s not my style. But I hear what you’re saying. Let me know if I’m pushing too hard. Yeah?”

  “Consider yourself warned that you’re pushing then,” I responded.

  Drake raised his hands up in the air. “Gotcha. Backing off here.”

  The trip back to campus was uneventful. We rode to the airport in the same limousine, with Drake and my dad talking about sports again. Male bonding time, I guessed. At least it gave me time to rest before the flight since I was tired from my restless night. I curled up on the seat and leaned my head back so I could take a little nap. When we got to the airport, I awoke, disoriented, with my head on Drake’s shoulde
r and his arm wrapped around my shoulders. My dad sat across from us and smiled indulgently at me as I stretched.

  “You sure you’re alert enough to co-pilot? You seem awfully tired, Alexa,” he asked.

  “Yeah, Dad. I’m fine. I had a little trouble settling down to sleep last night. That catnap helped a lot though,” I answered.

  “Alexa’s welcome to rest with me in the cabin if she wants,” Drake offered.

  I was tempted to skip out on co-piloting, but I could easily imagine the temptation Drake would provide for me instead of resting while we were alone. “No, thanks. I need more hours logged in the Lear, Drake.”

  I jumped out of the car as soon as it rolled to a stop. I needed a moment away from Drake so I could pull myself together. My defenses were down, and I wasn’t ready to move forward so quickly with him.

  “Alexa, you okay?” I heard Drake ask from behind me as his hand skated up my spine.

  I turned and smiled at Drake. “Yup, everything’s okay. I’m just excited to get back in the cockpit.”

  Drake chuckled and said huskily, “I’d love to hear you say cock in a totally different setting, babe.”

  I punched him on the shoulder and shushed him. “Drake, my dad is right over there!”

  He held up his hands in mock surrender. “Got it, babe. I’ll save it for later when we’re alone. Go do what you need to do to get ready for the flight. I’ll see you when we land.”

  7

  By the time we got back to town, Drake had to run so he’d make it to his team meeting on time. He wanted to drop me at my dorm first, but my car was already at the airport. I raced to the dorm to meet Aubrey. I’d sent her a text when we landed to make sure she was there. Luckily, Faith and Natalie were gone for the day, so we’d have some privacy. I needed her advice about Drake. She had a lot more experience than I did with boys and relationships.

  Aubrey was waiting for me with the makings for sundaes set out. She had all my favorites—vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, whipped cream, and cherries. “Comfort food! It sounded like something was up in your text. Sounded like a sundae occasion to me!”

  “Damn! That’s why I love you, girl. Just what I needed.” I gave Aubrey a hug and started to pile ice cream into a bowl. I was generous with the toppings I added before we settled onto the couch.

  “What’s up? Did something happen with your dad on the trip?” Aubrey asked.

  “You won’t believe who our passenger was. Drake fucking Bennett,” I answered.

  Aubrey’s jaw practically hit the floor. “Shut the front door! Seriously? Is that what has your undies in a bunch?”

  I shook my head. “Nope. Flying with Drake as a passenger wasn’t that big of a deal. Finding out that he’s interested in me threw me for a curve. Going to his mom’s birthday party was a little different. Kissing him and having him pretty much telling me that I am going to be his girlfriend? Yeah, that’s enough to make me a little crazy.”

  Aubrey squealed. “Yikes! Sounds like you were wrong. Third time was the charm with him. What did he say? Did he kiss you or did you kiss him? C’mon, dish already!”

  I recapped the trip for her, sparing very few details. By the time I was done, she was on the edge of her seat, her sundae sitting forgotten on the table. Apparently, the idea of me having a love life that featured Drake Bennett was more interesting than ice cream. Go figure.

  “So when are you going to see him again?” she asked.

  I shrugged my shoulders. “I’m not sure. He had to get back to campus for some rugby thing. We swapped phone numbers. I’m not sure when he’ll call.”

  Aubrey wagged her finger at me. “Uhm, no! You don’t have to wait for him to call. Take the initiative and make the next move. He made it clear that he’s interested. There’s a ton of girls on campus who would die for a chance like this. Go for it!”

  I held my hand up to stop her rant. “No way! That’s not gonna happen. I’m not even sure that I want to date Drake in the first place. He seems like a player to me. The last thing I need is another cheating boyfriend.”

  Aubrey just laughed at me. “Lex, no! You can’t think that way. You have to start dating sometime, and I will kill you if you pass up this opportunity. You haven’t noticed another guy in two years, but you perked right up when you mentioned Drake yesterday morning. You’re interested in him, aren’t you?”

  I shoved a big spoonful of ice cream into my mouth and pointed at my face to indicate that I couldn’t talk. Aubrey leveled a stare at me until I finally broke. “Okay, okay. I admit that he’s hot, but does that really mean I should date him? Maybe now that my hormones are awake, I’ll start noticing other guys too.”

  “I know you’re scared to trust someone again. Dating a new guy is scary no matter what. After Brad, it has to be even more frightening for you. But you aren’t going to go out and find someone you are barely attracted to just so you can try to protect yourself. That’s just crazy.” Aubrey looked disappointed in me. “Besides, you already told Drake you would give him a chance. You just told me so yourself. Are you going to go back on your word? Because I don’t think he’s the type of guy who will let you get away with that.”

  My cell phone chimed with a text message.

  Drake: Free tonite?

  Aubrey snatched the phone from my hand to read the message and typed out a response before I could react.

  Alexa: Yes!

  Drake: Dinner?

  Alexa: Where?

  Drake: You pick. Pick you up at 8.

  Alexa: K

  I chased Aubrey around the room as she replied to each of Drake’s messages. “Woo-hoo! You have a dinner date with Drake tonight at eight. No backing out now!”

  Aubrey handed my phone to me, and I read through the conversation. “Aubrey! I told you that I wasn’t sure I wanted to date Drake. Whose side are you on anyway?”

  “Yours. I am always on your side. No matter what. That’s why I’m telling you to go on this date. Drake’s hot and seriously interested in you. If he ends up being a total ass, you’ll find out before you get in too deep with him. I’ll just ask Jackson for all the dirt on Drake. I’ll have all the details for you when you get home tonight. Promise.” She swept her finger across her heart in a cross motion.

  There was a knock on our door promptly at eight. Faith and Natalie were both hanging out in the common area so they could get a glimpse of Drake before we left for dinner. Aubrey had told them about the date and threatened them with bodily harm if they flirted too much with him when he picked me up. Her warning didn’t stop either of the girls from primping before he showed though.

  Aubrey waved them away and answered the door. “Hey, Drake. Not sure if you remember me. Aubrey Silver, Jackson’s sister and Alexa’s best friend.”

  Drake nodded his head. “Yeah, I’ve seen you around with Jackson. Nice to see you.”

  Aubrey waved Drake into the room. “These are our suite mates, Faith and Natalie.”

  Drake lifted his chin in greeting at the girls on the couch, his eyes locked on me. They giggled and whispered to each other.

  Drake came over to me and pulled my body towards his. “Babe, you look fantastic! I’m starved. Ready to go?” he whispered into my ear with his husky voice.

  I shivered in response and just nodded my head. I felt his lips graze my ear as he pulled away to look at me.

  “You okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. Just really hungry,” I answered.

  “Let’s get you fed. Can’t have you starving on my watch.” We waved goodbye to my roommates, and Drake took possession of my hand as we walked out of the dorm. He laced his fingers through mine and held on tight, like he thought I was going to pull away.

  He led me to a Dodge Viper parked illegally at the curb in front of the dorm and opened the passenger door. Once I was settled into my seat with the door closed, he went to his side of the car and climbed into the driver’s seat. The car smelled like Drake, I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes.


  Drake looked over at me as he started the engine. “You doing breathing exercises over there?”

  My eyes snapped open, and I blushed. I was embarrassed to have been caught sniffing his car, but I wasn’t about to admit to it. “Nope, just trying to catch my breath.”

  “I take your breath away, huh?” Drake flashed me a sexy smirk in response.

  He really could be a cocky bastard. “Not what I said. It’s been a busy day, and I’m starving. I’m happy to have a moment to relax and think about food.”

  Drake chuckled in response. “Sure, that’s what you were doing. Where am I taking you to satisfy that hunger of yours?”

  “Do you like Italian?” I asked. “Ciao Bella is probably my favorite restaurant in town.”

  Drake picked up my hand and placed a light kiss into my palm. He put my hand on his thigh and squeezed before he pulled the car away from the curb. “Sounds good to me. I like the idea of feeding you your favorite foods.”

  I could feel the heat from his body through his jeans. His muscles clenched as he pressed the gas, and it took all my willpower not to squeeze his thigh. My hand still tingled where he’d kissed it, and my heart was racing. “It’s downtown, across the street from the library.”

  I sat in silence, darting occasional glances his way as we drove to the restaurant. It was only a few minutes from campus and served fantastic food. I’d been going there since I was little, so it seemed like a safe place for our first date. When we pulled up in front, Drake opted to use the valet service. He hopped out of the car and waved the attendant away from my side of the car to help me out himself.

  I smiled up at him, happy that he had opened the door for me. “Good manners. Your mom would be proud.”

  “I’m sure she would, but it doesn’t have anything to do with the manners my mom taught me. Don’t need to give another guy an excuse to get up close and personal to you.” Drake tugged me to his side as we walked into the restaurant.