Alphas & Millionaires Starter Set (17 page)

To my surprise, Drake walked in and I gasped, realizing he was one of the judges.
Oh great,
this won’t be awkward at all.
Two other women walked in behind him and shook hands with Mr. Cooper. I assumed they were also judging.

“Excellent!” one of the women beamed, taking a second bite of our pasta. “This sauce is incredible!” She smiled, eyeing me. “Are you the master behind all this?”

I nodded and smiled, unsure of how to react. She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “Seriously, this sauce is insane. I don’t know what you did, but I want more!” She laughed. I could not believe this stranger was making such a fuss over me. It felt wonderful to have my work noticed, but I was almost overwhelmed.

“Thank you very much. I’m so happy you like it.” I smiled again, hoping she could see my sincerity.

“Ahh…I see you have met the wonderful Ms. Woods.” Mr. Cooper approached us, smiling at me. “She is one of my best students.”
Holy shit, what?
I was shocked to hear my teacher praise me like this. It wasn’t like I didn’t think I was good at what I loved to do, but to have him say it out loud to everyone had me speechless.

The judges continued around the room, tasting samples of the linguine. I spotted Drake eyeing me. He was biting his lower lip, lost in his thoughts.
I can only imagine what he is thinking.

Still feeling horrible about what happened the night before, I did everything I could to avoid Travis the rest of the contest. In fact, I wanted to erase it from my mind, and be back in Drake’s arms again.

We prepared two more items for the judges, an appetizer and a dessert. I studiously avoided Travis, and was getting rather good at it. I made sure to keep myself looking busy and always within Drake’s eyesight. I knew Travis wouldn’t try to make a scene with him in the room.

Just as the class was being dismissed for the day, my cell began vibrating in my pocket. Eager to talk to Drake, I hoped it was a message from him.

I need to talk to you after class, Molly. Please! –Travis

I quickly searched his face and he looked desperate. I glanced back at my phone and deleted the message. After Mr. Cooper announced that our group had won the cook-off, I jumped up and walked out the door before Travis could catch up to me.

* * *

Drake came over that night and it plastered an instant smile on my face. It felt like days since we had been together. Drake had been so busy with work, and I have been so focused on studying, that we haven’t spent as much time together as we wanted.

“Hey, Stella-bug!” Drake greeted Stella as she opened the door for him. He sprung his arms from around his back and presented a dozen white roses. They were absolutely stunning, and my heart swelled as I saw him get down on one knee, eye level to Stella. “These are for you, sweetheart. Happy Valentine’s Day.” He kissed her sweetly on her cheek as she grabbed the flowers.

“I love them!” she squealed. “Mommy, look!” I ran to her side, squeezing her tight. I couldn’t believe this man. He had just made my daughter feel like the most important little girl in the world.

Stella took her flowers with her down the hall to show them off to Michael. She came back with something in her fist, eager to show Drake.

“Drake! Guess what?” I loved watching those two interact. It was seriously the cutest thing ever.

“What? Tell me!” he begged, pretending to be desperately interested.

“My first tooth fell out!” She held it up high for him to see.

“Wow, that is awesome, Stella.” He gave her a high-five. “Are you going to put it under your pillow?”

Stella gave him a weird look. “Under my pillow?”
Oops.
I never raised Stella to believe in anything like that. Not Santa, not the Easter Bunny, and not the Tooth Fairy. I couldn’t lie to my baby girl, knowing someday I’d have to tell her the truth and break her heart. She was already going to have enough heartbreak in her life without a daddy, and I didn’t want to add to it.

I quickly cut in so Drake didn’t ask her any more questions. “Drake, honey, can I speak with you for a minute?” I motioned with my eyes to step away.

“What’s up, babe? Everything okay?” he questioned with a puzzled look.

“Stella doesn’t believe,” I stated.

“Believe what?”

“In that.” I waved my hand as if they were sitting in front of us. “The Tooth Fairy, Santa, Easter Bunny. I never told her any of that.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed.”

I kissed him quickly and smiled. “It’s okay.”

I walked back toward Stella and helped her get ready for bed. I hadn’t been able to spend the evening with Drake tonight, but I needed to be with now. I needed reassurance and to push Travis out of my head for good. I slipped into a pink, sheer nighty and black heels. I wanted to surprise him and wait for him on the bed.

“Jesus, ” Drake muttered the moment he entered the bedroom. “You look amazing,” He quickly took his shoes and shirt off, jumping on the bed next to me and pressing his lips hard against mine. I felt the instant connection, an immediate reaction to his touch.
Yes, Drake is the one for me.

“This might be the best Valentine’s Day gift I’ve ever seen.” His fingers brushed along my cheeks and wrapped around my neck, pulling my lips to his. “

He caressed my body with his fingertips, teasing me, gently making me want him more and more. He placed his body over mine, and rocking firmly against me. Lifting up, he gave me access to his pants, allowing me to rip his belt off and push his pants down. He hen lifted me up to straddle him while he stroked my back and teased every inch of me.

“Drake…” I moaned. “I need you,” I begged him.

“Not yet, sweetheart. I want to own all of you. Touch all of you. In every way.” He continued caressing me lightly, arousing me, making me greedy.

He lifted me back up, slamming me down on the mattress underneath him. He ground hard into me, kissing my neck, chest, and down to my thighs. I buried my head in a pillow to muffle my screams and moans as he made his way down my body.

He skimmed his hands under my silk nighty and stroked my nipples until they hardened. I couldn’t wait any longer; I needed him. I flipped him back off me and straddled him, releasing his hard-on from his briefs. I quickly slid them off and kissed him hard.

“Molly,” he groaned. I hushed him and lowered my body so my lips could wrap around him. He moaned as I tasted him, leaving him completely breathless.

After I was done, he scooped me up and flattened me against the bed. He lifted my legs up and back to my shoulders and entered in me deep. I tried to hold back my screams, but I couldn’t.

“Oh, Drake…” I moaned against him as he brushed his lips with mine.

Drake lifted me up once again and wrapped my legs around him. He leaned me up against a wall and dropped my legs down to the floor. He kissed me passionately before turning me around, bending me over slightly and entering me again.

We made love around my room for hours. I couldn’t get enough of him. He was my soul mate, my best friend, and my lover. I never wanted to be apart from him.
Ever.

The following day was another classroom day. I knew I would have to face Travis sometime; I just didn’t know if I was ready yet. I tried to remain calm as I walked into the classroom. I held my breath until I noticed Travis wasn’t there.
This is weird.
Travis was always on time.

I couldn’t help but have Travis on my mind as Mr. Cooper started his presentation, and Travis still hadn’t shown up.
Was he skipping because of me? Was he okay?
I started to feel awful that I had ignored him.

Lunch break finally arrived, and I desperately checked my phone, hoping for a text from Travis.
Nothing.
My phone beeped, and I jumped checking it.

Come to my office after your class, beautiful. I need to see you. – Drake

My heart instantly fluttered at the thought of Drake. Last night couldn’t have been more perfect. Any feelings I thought I felt for Travis were forgotten as soon as I was in Drake’s arms. I tried to make sense of what I felt when I kissed Travis, but I think I was just in the moment. Travis was my friend. I still loved him as a friend and I wanted to continue the semester working next to him.

I texted Drake, telling him I’d meet him after my class, and was looking forward to it.
Really looking forward to it.
I decided to take a long shot and text Travis to make sure he was okay.

Travis, where are you? – Molly

Home. – Travis

Are you okay? Are you sick? – Molly

Yeah, something like that. – Travis

What’s wrong? – Molly

Travis never texted me back after that. I knew in my gut what was wrong. I had broken his heart when after our make out session, I hadn’t even had the decency to talk to him. My stomach turned, and I felt sick.

Please, Travis. I’m sorry. Don’t be mad at me. –Molly

I could never be mad at you, Molly. –Travis

Then tell me what’s wrong. Please. I’ll listen. –Molly

The thought of seeing you again and not being able to touch you or kiss you or even talk to you is breaking my heart, Molly. I just needed a day to think. –Travis

My heart broke into pieces after I read that. I was the reason he was hurting. I should have realized sooner that Travis had feelings for me, but I dismissed them as just being a protective and caring friend. Obviously, I was wrong.
Very wrong.

I’m so sorry, Travis. Please believe me when I say I didn’t mean to hurt you. I didn’t realize you had feelings for me until the other day. In fact, I didn’t realize I was attracted to you until that moment. I thought we were just friends. Can we please go back to that? –Molly

I don’t just have feelings for you, Molly. I’m in love with you. I haven’t stopped thinking about you since the day we bumped into each other at the café. You are always on my mind. I’m sorry I crossed a line. If all we can be is friends, then I’ll take it. I’ll take you anyway I can get you. – Travis

My heart sunk.
In love with me? Holy shit.
I couldn’t believe the words that he just sent me. I could already feel the goose bumps rising on my arms and the back of my neck. I was happy he still wanted to be friends with me, but it was going to be awkward knowing how he felt about me.

Of course, we can still be friends Travis. I just want things to return to normal, ok? I need you to help me kick ass the rest of this semester! Plus, we’re round teammates. We need to practice! –Molly

Don’t worry. I’ve got your back, Mols! See you Monday. Have a good weekend! –Travis

I smiled as we finally agreed to be friends and return to normal. I was so relieved that we could still work together and hopefully there wouldn’t be any awkward tension.

After class, I walked up to Drake’s office and was stunned when he wasn’t alone.

“Hello…” I said slowly, as I shut the door behind me.

“Hi, Molly, come in.” Drake was talking to me with a business tone.

I sat down in his office chair and turned it to face the others sitting on the couch. I was confused about what was going on and felt extremely uncomfortable.

“What’s going on?” I asked quietly. I was hoping this didn’t have anything to do with our pictures still, since I was finally getting over all of that.

“Miss Woods, it is a pleasure to finally meet you personally,” Alistair greeted me. It was Drake’s father. I smiled as he continued, “I wanted to say how well you managed during the social media blow out and to thank you for keeping everything confidential. It has come to my attention what a wonderful student and chef-in-training you are, and I’d like to talk about potential opportunities here at the Riverside.”

My face turned beet red. I didn’t want any favors, and it wasn’t because I was ungrateful, I just wanted my work to show for itself. “Thank you, Mr. Stagliano, I truly appreciate it.”

“After graduation, we are looking to add two more chefs to our kitchen line. I was hoping you would join our team.” Alistair smiled at me and then up at Drake. Of course, I wanted the position. It was my dream job.

“I appreciate that, Mr. Stagliano, I really do. But I want to get the position by myself. I don’t want to get in because I’m the manager’s girlfriend,” I said softly, making sure I wasn’t coming off rude.

“Molly,” Drake intervened. “It will be because of your work. You are in the top five of your class, and you show great potential.” I smiled back at him like I half believed him.

After a few more exchanges, Alistair and his business partner Niguel departed, leaving us to discuss my options with Drake. I was completely taken aback that Drake would just put me in a meeting like that without giving me any sort of heads-up.

“Molly, you have amazing talent. Please don’t think this is only because of me. You have worked hard for this opportunity.” Drake leaned in to hold me tight to his chest.

“Drake, you should have warned me. I looked like a total idiot in front of them. You know I don’t want any favors. I want to do this myself.” I pushed back slightly, trying to break us apart. “You basically ambushed me.”

“Don’t think of it like that, baby. It isn’t a favor. It’s a gesture to show that you stand out from your peers. You should be happy.” He tried to pull me back in.

“I am flattered, Drake, really I am. But how is it going to look seeing Drake Stagliano’s skanky ass girlfriend who puts out in the kitchen all of a sudden get hired on as a chef. I want to do this myself. I want to prove to myself and to everyone else that I did this on my own.” And with that, I separated us completely. He looked at me, speechless, as I grabbed my things and walked out.

Drake didn’t bother to follow me as he could tell I was upset and needed some time. I wanted the job more than anything, but I didn’t want it handed to me. I wanted to know that someday when I ran my own restaurant it was because I struggled to get there, I worked my ass off, and I did it. Unrealistic as it may sound, I didn’t want help. I had to do this myself.

Drake left a few messages for me that night, but I just texted him back that I didn’t feel like talking. He was respectful and left me alone. I was a swirl of emotions, between Drake, the job, Travis… everything.
When did everything become so complicated?

The following morning, Michael took Stella to Millennium Park for the day. I wasn’t up for going so I crawled back into bed, wallowing in my worries. My head wouldn’t stop spinning; I just wanted to make sense of it all.
Was I making things complicated?
Is it silly that I just couldn’t allow others to help me?
I was so used to doing everything myself with little help—It was hard to accept anyone else who reached out. Michael and I have been best friends for years, and he was basically the only person besides Liam that I got help from.

I dozed in and out of sleep for a few hours before I heard a knock on the door. Looking at the clock, I saw it was almost noon and wondered who it could possibly be. Drake hadn’t texted me since last night, but I kind of hoped it would be him anyway.

“Travis?” I took a step back, completely stunned to see him.

“Molly, I needed to see you.” He looked like shit. He had bags under his eyes and his hair was a mess, but sexy at the same time. The
just out of bed look was hot on him.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” I asked, gesturing him inside. I was still in my yoga shorts and t-shirt, feeling a little uncomfortable. We had resolved everything the night before—at least I thought we had.

“No, Molly.” He walked to the kitchen, slightly rubbing against me. My body betrayed me and shivered at his touch. “I don’t want to just be friends with you.” He turned to face me as I leaned up against the kitchen island. “I’m so in love with you.” He stepped toward me but paused, inches away from my face.

I froze in place as he stood in front of me. I was arguing with myself about whether or not to kiss him. Part of me wanted to jump him right then and there but I knew I’d regret it later.
How does he have this impact on me?
Frustrated with myself, I just stared at him, hoping he would make a move, or not make a move, or say something.

“Molly, I know you are with someone else. But a part of me doesn’t care.” I could hear the pain in his voice. He brushed a hand through his hair, obviously frustrated. “I just needed to tell you. I love you and I want you. I won’t do anything against your will. If you say we are just friends, then we’re just friends, okay?” He leaned in close once again, rubbing his hand against my cheek. My eyes closed as I felt his fingertips on my skin. “I know you feel something, Molly. You quiver every time I touch you.”

I opened my eyes and just stared at him.
Why, why, why?
I didn’t know what to say. I am in love with Drake, but I do feel something for Travis. It was undeniable.

“Travis…” I began, trying to figure out what to say. “I do feel something.” He perked up a small smile. “But I can’t act on those feelings. I’m sorry.” His face instantly sunk as he realized I was letting him down easy.

“I understand, Molly,” he said reassuringly. I nodded as he backed up slightly but leaned down to kiss my cheek. “I just needed to tell you. I’ll see you Monday.” He turned and let himself out the door.

* * *

As I sat at the dining room table, thinking about the day, I could still feel my heart racing from Travis’ unexpected visit this afternoon. I didn’t know what to think. I’ve never had feelings for two guys at the same time. Hell, before Drake, I’d never had feelings for anyone besides Liam. This was all too new for me to fully digest.

I heard Michael and Stella walk through the door and was relieved when I noticed they brought back Chinese takeout.
Perfect timing.

“What’s wrong with you?” Michael questioned as I ate in silence.

“Men.” I sighed.

“Can’t live with them, but we can’t live without them.”

“Yeah…” I mumbled.

After dinner and tucking Stella in for the night, I decided it was time to call Drake and tell him the truth about everything.

“Hi,” I said as Drake answered his phone.

“Molly! I’m so happy you called,” he said, exuberant.
Apparently not talking to him was making him crazy.

“We need to talk. Can you come over later?”

“Sure, baby. I can be there in an hour.”

“Okay, see you then.” I sighed as we hung up, anxious to talk to him, nervous he’d be pissed once he found out.

An hour later, Drake showed up with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of white wine.
Damn him for being so thoughtful.
“I’ve missed you so much, Molly,” Drake said as he wrapped his arms around me.

“I missed you, too,” I mumbled as he kissed my lips.

This man didn’t deserve to be hurt, and I felt awful knowing that telling him about Travis would probably put him in a rage. He opened the bottle of wine and poured us a couple of glasses. It was so good to see him, but I couldn’t enjoy our time together until he knew the truth.

“Drake, we need to talk…”

“Molly,” he interrupted. “I shouldn’t have done that. At least I should have talked to you about it first. I’m so sorry I got involved.” He brushed his fingers on my cheeks, holding me in close. “I just love you and wanted to help you, but I shouldn’t have crossed those boundaries.”

“Drake, it’s all right. I’m not mad about that anymore. I realized I was overreacting. You just wanted to help me, and I get that.” I looked up into his piercing, dark eyes. His eyes were soft yet intimidating. “I have not had anyone in my life before who looked out for my best interests. This is all so new to me,” I confessed.

“I understand, sweetheart. Next time, I swear, I will speak to you about anything first. Whatever you want, okay?”

“Sounds great.” I smiled. “But I have to talk to you about something kind of serious.” I instantly frowned, as I was going to have to relive everything.

“Is something wrong?” he asked, worried.

“Well…I need to tell you about someone. His name is Travis, and he’s in the internship program with me.” He nodded as he recognized the name.
Of course, he is the one that looks through all the applicants.