The Drake Unwound Complete Collection Book 9 (25 page)

After Kate called
Clair
, I moved over on the couch and pulled back the blanket.

"Come and snuggle with me," I said. "I need some affection. And more Tylenol."

Kate brought me more Tylenol and snuggled into my arms and we spent the next few hours like an old married couple.

Which was perfectly fine by me.

I slept in the next morning and felt much better. Although I still had a cold, my aches were gone and my fever down. Kate had been up for some time, had already showered and was making coffee when I finally stood in the doorway and watched her pour herself a cup.

"Good morning," I said and went to her, tilting her chin up so I could kiss her on the cheek. "Why didn’t you wake me up?"

"You needed more sleep,” she said, matter of fact. “I didn't want to bother you."

"I do feel a lot better this morning than last night,” I said, glad that the worst part of the virus was over. “I was exhausted even lying on the couch all evening."

"How's your cold? Are you almost back to normal?"

I shrugged and breathed in through my nose. "It's better. I don't think I have a secondary infection. Luckily, we have nothing to do except enjoy each other's company."

She smiled and slipped her arms around my waist, resting her head against my chest. "Luckily."

Over the next few days, I gradually recovered, and it was the first time off I had since our trip to the Bahamas. While Kate spent time at the studio working on her canvas, I read over my notes for the paper I was working on and did some writing on my laptop while laying on the couch. Gradually, my cough lessened and my nose stopped running. My fever cleared completely and by the third day, I was up early and had showered and was standing at the closet, selecting a tie to wear before Kate even woke.

I heard her yawning and turned to see her still snuggled under the covers, watching me.

"What's going on in that mind of yours, Ms. Bennet?" I asked, enjoying the feel of her gaze on me.

"Just admiring the view."

"Oh, you were, were you?” I said and smiled at her. “See something you like?"

"Something I like very much."

I turned back to the closet, selected a tie and then turned to face the bed, watching her while I tied it. "You can have it later this afternoon if you want. I've deprived you for the past few days. I don't want you unsatisfied."

"I've been very busy the past few days working on a project," she said, smiling coyly.

"How's your painting going? Can I see it?"

She shook her head. "Not until it's finished. It's a gift for you."

I smiled. "I'm glad you're painting again. I was worried that you'd be really bored with nothing to do, now that you've withdrawn from courses and took a leave from the paper."

She yawned and stretched her arms. "I'm glad to be painting again."

I finished dressing, and was busy fastening my belt when her expression changed.

"There's something we have to talk about, Drake,” she said. From the tone of her voice, I knew it was something important but I didn’t have time to give it my full attention.

I bent down and kissed her, regret filling me that I had to leave. "Sure," I said. "I'm a bit rushed, but later, when I get home."

Kate ran to the bathroom and before I finished dressing, she returned, slipping under the covers quickly. I sat on the edge of the bed and leaned over her, kissing her, unable to get enough of her with her mussed hair and sleepy eyes.

"You look so delicious Ms. Bennet," I said, admiring the curve of her breast peeking out from under the sheets. "I think I'm crazy to leave you here all warm and snuggly under the covers."

"You have things to do,” she said and nestled into the pillow. “I'm glad you're feeling so much better. Can you join us for lunch at my parent's today?"

I nodded and ran my fingers down her cheek. "Should I pick you up or will you get a ride over to you father's?"

"I think I'll walk. I've been locked inside the studio for a couple of days. I need the exercise. I'll meet you there at 12:30?"

"Sounds like a plan." I kissed her again and smiled. "Then, after lunch, I want dessert. In other words, I want
you
," I said and slipped my hand down under the covers to her breast. "I have to make up for lost time. I hope you're ready for me, because I'll be
more
than ready for you."

Her eyes widened. "I'll have a hard time eating my lunch when you talk that way."

"Good. I'm feeling
very
deprived. I'm sure you feel that way as well."

She shrugged. "You were sick. But now…" She bit her lip and raised her eyebrows.

I smiled and squeezed her breast. "Now I feel almost my old self. I think I want that massage you promised."

"Your wish is my command, oh
Sultan
." She fluttered her eyelashes.

"I wish that you'll give me a very long and very sensuous massage when we get back from your father's,” I said. “Use some nice scented oil, have some soft music in the background, light some candles…"

She smiled. "Sounds heavenly."

I checked my watch and sighed, wishing I could stay home with her, take off my clothes and slip back under the covers. She was nice and warm and now her eyes were bright. I knew she loved sex first thing in the morning and regretted that I had to leave.

"Now I
do
have to go." I leaned down and kissed her deeply. "Hold that thought."

I reluctantly left the apartment and while I was glad to be up and around again, I would have preferred to spend a leisurely morning with Kate, fucking her slowly, relishing the intimacy of our naked skin against each other.

I went to the hospital and headed directly to the pediatric oncology ward to speak with the nurses and see how Liam had been doing. I’d been in contact with Liam’s doctors via email but hadn't been well enough to visit the hospital. I was infectious as long as I had a fever so I had to wait until it broke, and my cough had subsided enough, so I wouldn’t put the sick children at risk. They were especially vulnerable when fighting cancer, taking chemo drugs. Liam had a barely functioning immune system.

It would take weeks before we knew for sure whether my donation was successful but I had real hope for the first time that it would.

Once I was satisfied that Liam was doing as well as could be expected, I went back to my office and went over my paper once more, looking at the revised tables my colleague had submitted for my review. I approved the changes and made a few edits and then sent it off to him in an email, apologizing for my delay but explaining that I had been ill.

It felt so good to be working again. By the time I checked my watch, a couple of hours had passed and so I decided to pop by the studio and see how Kate was doing and if she was ready for lunch with her parents. I decided to surprise her. I wanted to see her in her natural state, and maybe peek at her canvas. I hated secrets, and hoped I might catch a glimpse of what she was working on.

I parked the car and walked up to the building. When I arrived at the studio, I opened the door quietly so I wouldn’t bother anyone. Kate sat at a table in front of a canvas that looked much darker than her art. Behind her stood a young man I hadn’t seen before. He leaned over her and was talking to her, pointing to whatever it was she was examining. I couldn’t help but feel jealous that some other man was sharing her art and had seen her paintings but tried my best to tamp it down.

They must have heard me for they both looked up at the same time and immediately, our eyes met. He said something to Kate that I couldn’t hear. Kate stood up, a bit of a guilty look on her face when she realized I had caught her in a rather intimate moment with a strange man. She came right over to me and took hold of my coat by the lapels and pulled me down for a kiss.

I let her, glancing away from the young man. I kissed her finally, pulling her against my body possessively.

"I thought I'd pop by and see how you’re doing,” I said, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

"Almost done,” she replied. “Just finishing up the last touches."

"Can I see?" I went to the canvas, which was over by the far window, facing the other direction. Kate ran to the painting and tried to block me from seeing it.

"I don't want you to see it just yet, Drake." She stood with her body blocking my access to the canvas. When I tried to sneak by, taking her shoulders and pushing her gently out of the way, she resisted, so I tickled her. She couldn’t help but squirm in my arms, giggling.

"No, Drake!" she said, fighting to appear angry, but I could see her grin.

Then the other guy came over and tried to block me from seeing the canvas.

"The lady said no," he said firmly.

I stopped and put my hands on my hips. "Take it easy," I said, my voice tight. "I was just playing around."

The guy glanced at Kate, a frown on his face.

"It's OK," she said. "He was just having fun. He knows I don't want him to see it yet."

The guy held up his hands and backed away. "Sorry."

Kate took my hand, trying to diffuse the situation. "This is Keith," she said. "He's one of the artists who uses Nathaniel's studio. Keith, this is Drake, my…" she hesitated as if she didn’t know how to describe our relationship.

"I'm her
boyfriend
," I said as authoritatively as I could.

Keith eyed me up and down, as if measuring whether I was good enough for Kate, and then he backed down and went back to his table. While I didn’t really feel much of a threat from the two potheads I saw Kate with previously, this Keith guy was much more like the kind of man Kate could be with. He was good looking enough and seemed protective of her—the way I would be if I had found her in the same situation. I had to admit to myself that I could get very jealous if Kate was going to be spending any length of time with him—especially alone.

I tried to swallow my jealousy but it wasn’t easy. To be honest,
not
being jealous where Kate was concerned might not even be possible.

I took Kate back to my apartment in Chelsea, where she showered and dressed in something pretty for our meal with Ethan and Elaine.

As usual, Kate was breathtaking in her cashmere sweater, the soft fabric hugging her lush curves, accentuating her ample breasts and curvy hips. When I saw her, and thought about her eager willingness to submit to me, I felt incredibly lucky that we stumbled together on the way to the bathroom that first night at the pub. If it hadn’t been for Kate's interest in D/s, I probably would have been matched with some new submissive and would be going through my same old routine of work, the band, and a very sterile session of B&D with someone I cared nothing about.

We drove to Ethan’s but instead of going up with Kate, I dropped her off because I received a text from my answering service. I needed to stop by the hospital for a moment to check on a patient who had experienced a few complications post-surgery. I didn't bother Kate with the details but told her I need to run an errand and would only be a few minutes.

I drove to the hospital and popped onto the ward, meeting with the nurse who was providing care for my patient. We discussed his case and then I met with my fellow neurosurgeon to discuss treatment options.

After I was finished, I stopped at a little market to buy some roses for Elaine, in thanks for her generosity towards me. As I walked through the narrow aisles crammed with groceries to the rack of flower bouquets, I thought about how lucky I was that she intervened that day. Elaine was one of the main reasons Kate and I were now together and I wanted her to feel appreciated.

I selected some beautiful yellow roses and had them wrapped. When I checked my watch, I realized I had taken longer than I expected. Kate would be wondering where I was and why I was taking so long.

I rushed back to Ethan’s apartment and parked in the guest parking in the basement. I took the elevator to the penthouse, eager to see them all. I’d been gone over an hour and hoped I hadn’t delayed lunch for too long.

I entered the apartment and was greeted by the three of them seated in the living room.

"There you are, young man," Ethan said, smiling broadly. "We were beginning to worry about you."

Kate followed her, smoothing her skirt and sweater. I caught her eye and tried to look apologetic.

"Sorry I'm late," I said, and showed the flowers to Elaine, who rose to meet me at the door. "I wanted to stop and get you something on my way. Here," I said, handing the bouquet of roses to her. "Something to brighten up the table." In my other hand was the bottle of champagne I picked up at the liquor store on the way.

Elaine took the bouquet and kissed me on the cheek.

"Why, thank you so much, Drake. Fresh flowers are always nice." She turned and pointed to the kitchen. "I'll go put them in some water."

I handed an eager Ethan the bottle of chilled champagne. "I'll get some glasses," he said, smiling. "We have lots to celebrate."

Kate came up to me and after I hung up my coat and removed my boots, I leaned down to kiss her, pulling her briefly into my arms, rocking her gently for a moment. Ethan returned all too soon with champagne glasses and the bottle in a chiller. We took our seats while he opened the bottle and then poured champagne into the crystal flutes. He seemed his jovial self so he was obviously recovered from his own bout with the virus.

"Ethan," I said, looking him over, checking his color. "Good to see you're feeling better."

"You as well, young man,” Ethan replied, smiling. “You're a hero with all that's happened this past week."

I shook my head and put my arm around Kate, leaning back. "I'm no hero. Liam's my son. It was the least I could do."

Elaine returned with the flowers in a vase. "Katie, do you want to help me in the kitchen?"

Kate stood up to leave, but when she got to the door, Ethan’s cell phone rang and he looked at the call display.

"Oh,
damn
," Ethan said, shaking his head. "Gotta take this, Drake. You relax for a bit, read the paper, watch some headlines."