Authors: Rochelle Paige
Drake tightened his hold on me. “He better keep his
eyes off you before I feel the need to do something about it.”
“Seriously? He didn’t even do anything. At least he
spoke to you, unlike the hostess, who acted like I didn’t exist,” I scoffed.
“I finally have you to myself. Not real excited
that our waiter has a crush on you, but I’ll handle it,” Drake whispered into
my ear. Shivers raced up my spine as he nuzzled my neck.
“Your drinks,” Tony said as he placed our iced teas
in front of us. “The usual tonight, Alexa?”
“Yes, please. Drake? Have you decided what you’d
like to try?” I turned my head to look at Drake as I asked him what he wanted.
He was glaring at the waiter with icy eyes. I nudged him in the side to draw
his attention, and his face softened as he looked at me.
“The manicotti for me,” he ordered and I giggled.
“Why is that funny? I thought you said anything with pasta is good here. Should
I order something else?”
I giggled harder as Tony explained. “That’s Alexa’s
favorite dish here. She orders it every time she comes in.”
“Great minds think alike. If you love it that much,
then I’m looking forward to trying it tonight.” Drake smirked at me.
Drake and I talked about school until the food
came. We were juniors this year but didn’t have any classes together. It was
odd since we were both Business majors and we went to a small school. Turned
out that Drake was further along in his studies than I was, even after the
transfer over to Blythe. I hadn’t declared my major until this year, so I was a
little behind on my required classes for graduation.
“Another reason to date me. I can tutor you
whenever you need it,” Drake offered before finishing his last bite. “Not like
you should need more reasons anyway.”
I pushed my plate away. Even though I was hungry, I
couldn’t finish it with all the butterflies flitting around inside my stomach.
“I don’t need tutoring. Just more time in the day. But thanks for the offer.”
Tony appeared at the table, hovering over us
attentively. I could tell he was still getting on Drake’s nerves.
“Can you box this up for me to go?” I asked Tony.
“We need to head out.”
“Sure. I’ll be right back with your doggy bag and
the check,” Tony replied.
“We have plans I don’t know about?” Drake teased.
“No, I just figured we could use a change of
scenery,” I answered. “Wanna grab some gelato next door?”
Drake pulled his wallet from his back pocket. “I
could eat gelato. You want some, then let’s do that.”
He paid the bill and left Tony a nice tip,
surprising me since there was tension between the two all night.
He noticed me looking at the credit card slip as he
signed it. “I can afford to be generous. I get to leave with you, and he gets
to go home with his tip money. No contest, babe.”
I scooted out of the booth and stepped to the side
so Drake could get out also. He grabbed my hand as we walked out, flashing a
grin at Tony on the way. Wanting to make him realize how ridiculous he was being,
I smirked at the hostess as she ogled Drake when we went past her.
“Not very good with sharing. Get used to it,” Drake
responded to my action as he snuggled me into his side. It was a little cool
outside, and the heat from his body warmed me. “You cold?”
“I’m surprised it cooled down this much tonight.
Wasn’t expecting the change in weather yet,” I answered. Here I was, on a date
with a hot guy, and I was talking about the weather. I really had been out of
the dating scene too long.
“Too cold for gelato?” he asked.
“No way! It’s never too cold for ice cream of any
kind. It’s kind of an addiction of mine.” I smiled shyly up at him.
Drake opened the door of the gelato shop and
ushered me through. “An addiction, huh? I’ll have to keep that in mind in case
I ever need to bribe you in the future. I’m sure that information will be put
to good use when I do something stupid.”
“I’ll have to be careful about sharing all my
secrets if you’re keeping track of them.” I punched him in the shoulder.
“Be careful all you want, Alexa. I’m going to learn
your secrets one way or another. Now give me another one. What’s your favorite
flavor?”
I ordered a rich vanilla swirled with caramel.
Drake got the chocolate. We sat at a table near the window and watched people
walk by as we ate our gelato. My eyes closed as I savored the last bite of
mine, a small moan escaping. I heard Drake’s spoon clatter on the table and
opened my eyes to find him staring at me with a hungry expression on his face.
He’d barely touched his double scoop.
“Is it too chocolaty for your tastes?” I asked.
“No. The gelato is fine. It’s just not what I’m
hungry for right now.” Drake licked his lips and flashed a sexy grin my way.
“I’m not touching that comment with a ten-foot
pole!” I joked.
“How about a ten-inch pole?” Drake glanced down at
his lap and wagged his eyebrows.
I laughed so hard in response that I snorted. I
hadn’t laughed like this with a guy ever. Sure, I joked around with Jackson,
but he didn’t really count since he was like a brother to me. “Yeah, yeah. I
walked right into that one, didn’t I?”
Drake just smiled and nodded. He spooned up a scoop
of his gelato and held it to my lips. “Here, why don’t you have a taste of
mine?”
I opened my mouth, and Drake slid the spoon inside.
I’d had the chocolate here before, but I’d swear that it didn’t taste as good
then as it did now as I licked it from Drake’s spoon. He gently pulled the
spoon past my lips and glanced down at it. “Damn. I’m jealous of a frickin’
utensil. You’re killing me here.”
He popped the spoon into his mouth and sucked the
remaining gelato from it. His eyes were glued to my mouth, and I gasped as I
watched him. “Drake,” I sighed out his name.
Drake grabbed the containers off the table and
pulled me to my feet. He practically dragged me from the shop, tossing
everything in the trash on our way out the door. He didn’t say a word or look
my way as we waited while the valet brought the car around. He just kept my
hand gripped tightly in his as he breathed deeply next to me. When the valet
pulled up, Drake yanked the passenger car door open and helped me into the car.
After he climbed in, he clenched the steering wheel before starting the car.
The tension in the car was overwhelming. “Drake,” I
said softly, looking for reassurance that I hadn’t done anything wrong.
“Shhh, Alexa. Just needed to get out of there
before I did something we both regretted. The sight of your lips wrapped around
that spoon. Your eyes on me as I savored the taste of you mixed with chocolate.
Then that damn sigh. I swear to you that you will make that same fucking sound
again, but next time it’ll be in my ear with my cock deep inside your pussy,”
Drake rasped.
His words stunned me. My heart sped up as he spoke,
and I broke out in a sweat. My pussy clenched and dripped in reaction. I could
practically see sexual sparks flying between us as I turned to look at him.
“Drake,” I repeated.
“No, Alexa. You say one more word and I won’t be
liable for what I do next. I’m hanging by a thread here, babe. Unless you want
me to find the nearest hotel with an empty bed in it, stop saying my name like
that.”
I stared at him as he drove back to campus. His
chiseled jaw was clenched. There was no sign of the dimple that usually flashed
when he laughed. No smiling twinkle in his eye. No softness in his gaze as he
sent a heated look my way. It felt like time had become suspended, but before I
knew it we were parked in front of my dorm again.
Drake cut off the engine and turned his body
towards me. He unclipped his seatbelt and pocketed his keys, but he didn’t move
to exit the car. His eyes had darkened to the color of melted chocolate, and a
flush spread across his cheekbones. I stayed silent, trying not to push him
over the edge.
“I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone
before, but I know you aren’t ready to hop in between the sheets with me yet.
You’re different, special. Gotta make sure I treat you right.” Drake reached
across and stroked his thumb over my cheek as he held my chin in his hand. “Now
isn’t the time for this. I know that in my head, but fuck if my body will
listen to reason.”
A giggle bubbled up in my throat. I had a horrible
tendency to laugh at the most inopportune times, usually out of nervousness.
Drake’s lips tilted into a sexy grin in response.
“Something funny about that to you? ‘Cause my dick
sure isn’t laughing right now.”
My giggles turned into full-out laughter, so hard
that tears rolled down my cheeks. The tension broke as Drake joined in,
chuckling in response to my hilarity. As we settled down, I figured it was safe
for me to talk again.
“Really? Does your dick laugh often, Drake?” I
asked.
He just shook his head in response. “No, babe. It
doesn’t. What time’s your first class tomorrow?”
“Pretty early. I have Macroeconomics at eight a.m.”
I answered.
“You gonna walk to class?” Drake asked.
I nodded my head. “Yeah, I always walk to my
classes.”
Drake leaned closer to me. “I’ll meet you here
before and walk you over then.”
“You gonna carry my books, too?” I quipped back.
He tilted his head down until his lips rested
directly in front of mine, a whisper of space between us. “Sure, why the hell
not. Never carried a girl’s books before. It’ll be a first for me.”
I licked my lips, and Drake’s tongue darted out and
flicked against mine. As my lips closed, Drake’s mouth gently caressed mine.
His breath was warm against my skin as he kept the kiss light. He pulled away,
and I licked my lips again, tasting the chocolate flavor from his gelato.
Drake groaned and turned away from me. He climbed
out of the car and opened my door. I stepped out and right into his space.
Drake kept me trapped by the car for a moment as he looked down at me. I was
convinced he was going to kiss me again, but he took a step backwards to let me
pass by. “Go on up, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
“’Kay,” I answered as I walked past. I felt a light
slap on my ass and swiveled my head to look at Drake. “Hey!” I yelped.
Drake smirked in response and nodded his head
towards the dorm. I could feel his eyes on me as I walked into the dorm. As the
door closed behind me, I looked back and saw Drake watching me from the car,
making sure I made it inside okay. His concern for my safety warmed me inside.
I felt like he wanted more from me than just sex, even though we hadn’t known
each other long. If he was playing with me, he was doing a good job of sucking
me into his trap. I wasn’t sure how long I’d be able to keep myself out of his
bed when I melted any time he was near.
chapter
8
I found Drake waiting for me outside the dorm the next morning
when I left for class. He was leaning against the wall next to the doorway,
legs crossed at the ankle while he played with his phone. I paused a moment so
I could drink him in before he noticed me. His hair was darker than usual,
still a little damp from the shower. His athletic body was totally relaxed, a
stark contrast to the tension that seemed to permeate the air whenever we were
together.
As my gaze drifted across his chest and trailed back up to his
face, I realized he had caught me staring. “See something you like?” he teased.
“Not much I see that I don’t like,” I retorted. “Arrogant boy.”
“How am I arrogant if it’s true?” He picked his backpack up from
the ground next to him and straightened. As he walked towards me, I felt
trapped in his dark gaze. “You haven’t got much room to talk, Alexa. You’ve
gotta know that guys like what they see when they look at you. You might not
play it up all the time, but you’re fucking hot.”
“If that’s true, then you better carry my stuff so everyone
knows we’re together, huh?” I held out my bag, not expecting him to take it
from me.
Drake snatched the bag from my fingertips and hefted it onto his
shoulder. “I’ll make it damn clear you’re with me, babe. Don’t doubt it for a
second. Now gimme a kiss to make looking pussy-whipped worth it.”
I snorted at his grumbling tone and gave him a quick peck on the
cheek. “There. That’s all you’ve earned today, errand boy.”
Drake’s free hand snaked out and wrapped around the back of my
head, holding me in place. “Errand boy? I’m going for love slave here! I know
you can do better than that. Guess I’ll just have to steal my own damn kiss.”
He pressed his lips against mine. I could feel their warmth all
the way down to my toes as they curled in response. I parted my lips, and
Drake’s tongue swept into my mouth and rubbed against mine. My fingers trailed
over his back as he deepened the kiss. I felt a sharp tug on my hair as he
groaned and pulled away from me.
“Much better. That might last me until later today.”
In a daze, I walked hand in hand with Drake across campus toward
the academic buildings. People threw greetings our way, and we got a lot of
surprised glances aimed at us. For someone new to campus, he sure seemed to
know a lot of people already. And many of them were women who glared at me when
they saw his hold on my hand and my bag on his shoulder. He just nodded in
response to the guys and basically ignored the girls who tried to get his
attention.
I gestured at the building we were walking toward. “How did you
know where my class was?”
“I guessed it would be here and asked one of the guys at the
house last night just to be sure. He’s an Econ major, so I figured he’d know.”
“Really? Didn’t he find it weird that you needed to know?”
Drake chuckled deep in his throat. “Nah. He assumed it was about
a girl. Why else would I give a fuck where I was going this early in the
morning since my first class isn’t ‘til ten?”
“You woke up early just to walk me to class?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Wanted to see you today and wasn’t
sure how our schedules would mesh. This way, I’ll get some time with you and a
workout in before class.”
“Thank you, Drake. I’m surprised that you were willing to wake
up so early for me, but it means a lot that you’re making an effort to spend
some time with me.”
“Got a feeling you’re going to be worth any effort I make.”
I smiled and felt my walls coming down a little bit further.
“Want to meet me for lunch today? I usually eat at the café on this side of
campus instead of heading back to the cafeteria.”
“I know, babe. I’ve seen you heading in as I’ve been on my way
out. Already decided to crash your lunch. Now I don’t have to since you invited
me.”
I just shook my head as he opened the door for me and ushered me
inside. “Meet me there at noon?”
“Yeah, that works for me.” He handed my bag to me and pushed a
strand of hair behind my ear. “I have a feeling my day is going to creep by
today, waiting for noon.”
I watched him walk away, my enjoyment of the view interrupted by
whispers and giggles behind me. I turned to find several girls staring at me.
One of them looked familiar, and I realized she was the one who had been
arguing with Drake when I saw him at the frat party. If looks could kill, I
would definitely be six feet under. I walked past them as they stopped talking.
It was pretty clear that Drake and I were the topic of conversation. I needed
to remember to ask him what the hell was up with this girl. If she was an ex,
then he needed to deal with it fast before I had to do something. If Aubrey
caught wind of a bunch of sorority chicks giving me a hard time, all hell was
going to break loose. My bestie always had my back, but her temper could get us
into trouble.
My classes were pretty uneventful. I’d picked business as my
major so I would be prepared to help my dad with the business side of things. I
loved flying and was excited by the idea of being able to do it full time when
I graduated in a couple years. Dad was adamant that I had to get a college education,
but I’d be happy without one if it meant I could be in the cockpit now. He
wanted me to be prepared in case I wanted to fly for one of the big airlines
since they wouldn’t hire me without the degree.
As I headed to the café for lunch, I could see Drake in the
distance waiting for me. He was surrounded by a group of girls, including the
blonde with the killer look earlier. Just what I needed. I slowed my pace down
in the hope that their conversation would break up before I made it there.
Walking slower than a snail, I felt a pair of hands grab me from behind and
squealed out in surprise.
“Caught ya!” I heard Jackson say. “Whatcha doing, Lex?”
“Jackson, you scared the crap out of me!”
He turned me around and glanced at my butt. “Nope, don’t see any
crap there. You must be okay.”
“Geesh, Jackson. You know what I meant. You can’t sneak up on me
like that.”
He tweaked my nose and grinned down at me. “Gotta keep you on
your toes, or I’ll be falling down on the job. On your way to lunch?”
“Yeah,” I sighed and glanced back over at Drake to find him
staring at Jackson and me.
“Great! I’m starving. Let’s grab some grub.” He nudged me so I’d
start walking again.
“I’m meeting Drake for lunch.” I nodded my head in Drake’s
direction and noticed that he had broken away from the pack of girls and was
heading our way fast.
“Drake?” Jackson asked, sounding surprised. “How did you meet
him?”
“He chartered a flight with Dad this weekend and I went along to
co-pilot.”
“I’d heard around the frat house that he had something come up
for his mom’s birthday. Didn’t even cross my mind when Aubrey mentioned you
were flying with your dad that it would be for Drake.” Jackson put a hand out
to stop me so we could talk before Drake made it to us. “So you met him this
weekend and you guys are meeting for lunch today?”
“Is that a problem?”
Jackson looked down at the ground and shook his head. “Not a
problem. Just not sure it’s a great idea, Lex.”
“Is there something I need to know about Drake?”
“No, he seems like a good guy. Are you sure you’re ready to
think about dating again?”
I nodded my head. “I better be since I went to dinner with him
last night, and he seems pretty persistent.”
“Damn. I’m sure he is. You need anything, you come to me. You
know that, right?”
“No, Jackson. If she needs something, she is going to come to me
from now on,” Drake said from behind me. He placed his hand on my back. “I get
that you guys are friends, but she has me in her life now.”
Jackson leveled Drake with a serious look. “No offense, Drake,
but boyfriends come and go. I will always be part of Alexa’s life and will be
here for her if she ever needs me whether you like it or not. If you’re going
to spend time with her, then you better get used to it.”
“As long as we both know where my place is and where yours is,
we’ll be fine,” Drake responded.
I jumped into the conversation before it escalated into a fight.
“Down, boys. I’m a big girl. I get to decide who is in my life and who I go to
for help. Learn how to get along or it won’t be either of you. Now, I’m
starving. I’m going to go eat, and each of you can choose to join me or not.”
Their staring contest ended as they both turned to look at me. I
wasn’t sure what the pissing contest was about, but I wasn’t about to let it
interfere in my friendship with Jackson or what was starting to develop between
Drake and me. I walked to the cafe and they both followed me.
I dropped my bag onto an open table and dug through it for my
Coach wristlet. Drake reached out to stop me. “Sit down. I’ll grab lunch. What
do you want?”
“You don’t have to get my lunch,” I said at the same time that
Jackson chimed in with, “Grab her a turkey sandwich on sourdough with cheddar
cheese, a bag of pretzels, and a Diet Coke. It’s what she gets for lunch every
day.”
Drake didn’t look very happy that Jackson had my lunch
selections memorized.
“It’s a funny quirk of mine. Once I find something I really like
at any restaurant, it’s usually the only thing I will get from there. That way,
I’m not disappointed when a new dish isn’t as good as my favorite.”
“Manicotti at Ciao Bella, turkey sandwich here, and Moo Goo Gai
Pan at Golden Wall. When you eat out with Lex, it’s pretty predictable,”
Jackson explained, trying to push Drake’s button, but it had the opposite
effect.
“Let me guess, caramel swirl ice cream is another favorite? I’ve
already hit several of them. Can’t wait for the Golden Wall experience. We’ll
have to do that this weekend, babe.”
Drake went to grab our sandwiches, and I glared at Jackson. “I
thought you were starving. Shouldn’t you go get your lunch?”
He glanced to where Drake stood in line. “I will in a second.
Want to make one thing clear. No matter where this thing with Drake goes, you
need to know I’m not going anywhere. I meant it when I said I’m here for you,
Lex.”
“Awww, Jackson. I know that. You are one of the reasons I didn’t
lose all faith in guys after what happened with Brad. I wouldn’t give up our
friendship for anything in this world. We’ll figure it all out. Don’t worry.
Just give him a chance, okay?”
“Drake’s a pretty intense guy, Lex. I’m not sure you’re ready
for a boyfriend like that. But if he’s who you want, I’ll give him a chance.
And if he messes up, I’ll be here.”
“That’s the pot calling the kettle black, Jackson. It’s not like
you’re a laid-back guy either.”
“Which means I know what I’m talking about. Promise me you’ll
take your time getting to know him. Make sure you fit together before diving
into a relationship.”
“Jackson, I know you worry about me, and I love you for it. But
I’m not going to take relationship advice from you. You don’t even have
girlfriends. Just random hookups!”
“Doesn’t mean I don’t want one or I know how they should work.
My parents set a great example, and I’m just waiting for the right girl to be
ready for me.” My jaw dropped as he walked away.
Drake set our trays down on the table. “Better close that mouth,
babe. You’re giving me ideas.”
“I can’t believe it. I think there’s someone that Jackson is
really interested in. With all the one-night stands, I never even pictured him
with someone.” I rubbed my hands together in glee. “Matchmaking time! I just
need to figure out who it is.”
Drake pulled my hands towards his mouth and kissed my palms, his
tongue darting out to taste my skin. “No, babe. Leave it alone. Jackson doesn’t
need you to set him up.”