Drake Restrained(20)

Dave stepped closer to her and leaned in, not getting her obvious cues.

"I'd be only too happy to do an interview, Ms. McDermott. Your place or mine?"

She laughed but I could tell she was embarrassed at his suggestion.

"I think she meant she wanted to interview me," I said, irritation with Dave’s cluelessness filling me.

Dave wouldn't let up, waving me off.

"You're far too busy with all your important breakthroughs in robotic brain surgery, your band and humanitarian projects, Drake. I'd be more than happy to oblige, take Ms. McDermott off your hands."

"Either one of you would do fine," Kate said and smiled. Just then, Peter came back and put a hand on her shoulder, scooping her up and away from us. Dave made a telephone sign with his hand and mouthed call me.

"Nice to meet you Dr. Morgan," she said and smiled at me, and it sent a little jolt to my groin. I wanted that smile all to myself. I wanted to see it in the morning when she woke up naked in the bed beside me, her hair all mussed, her cheeks warm.

"Please, call me Drake, considering," I said, pointing to her knees.

She gave me another quick smile and left, limping off with Peter to the next group of wealthy suits.

I felt an actual physical reaction to her leaving. Regret. Loss.

I rarely felt this way about a vanilla woman, but she… She wasn't just any women. She was different.

She was Katherine.

"So that's Ethan's daughter," I said, a bit breathless, my heart beating faster. "He calls her Katherine. I didn't connect the dots at first."

"Oh, I forgot," Dave says. "You and the Judge are on a first name basis. I'm surprised you haven't already met her."

"Other than at the health club or at a Doctors Without Borders event, I never see Ethan socially."

"Too bad she's his daughter. I'd like a piece of that," Dave said, wagging his eyebrows.

"Wouldn't we all," I said, bothered by his suggestive tone.

Dave laughed. "I offered but she's not biting."

I raised my eyebrows. "You actually hit on the Ethan's daughter?"

"Hey, she needs some dick, too," Dave said and laughed again. "Poor girl." He took a sip of his beer. "Must be hard to have a man like him as a father."

"I wish I'd had someone like him," I said and frowned, my irritation with Dave mounting.

Usually, I was amused by his antics. We met and became friends during several drunken parties in our undergrad years, and had seen each other at our worst, but just then, I wanted to tell him to get serious. Kate wasn't some easy hookup. I could tell that by meeting her. She was smart, talented, and fragile emotionally. Someone like Dave would use her and throw her away when someone new spread her legs.

I sipped my drink and watched as she was introduced around the room to various movers and shakers.

Judge McDermott's daughter wore black retro hose and garters? I felt a real affection for the old man, which fought with my desire for his daughter. He had been quick to befriend me when my father died and for that kindness he showed when he didn't have to, I was loyal to him for life.

I watched Kate as she limped beside Nigel Benson, leaning on his arm for support. She knew what it was like to have a famous and powerful father. To live in his shadow.

"So, how do you know Katherine?" I said, wanting to know more about her social life.

"I tried to get her drunk at a fundraiser a couple of years ago but she played hard to get.”

“Maybe she wasn’t attracted to you," I said, hoping Dave would get the hint.

"What? Not attracted to me? Never,” Dave said, laughing. “She’s no innocent. She dated some former Marine pilot who flies for Doctors Without Borders. I know because I checked up on her.”

“She’s not your type, Dave,” I said, irritated at him.

“Every pretty woman is my type,” Dave said and slapped me on the back. “Daughters of preachers, senators and judges are probably wilder underneath the formal exterior. You know, pretending to be a good girl, but underneath, nymphos. I bet she’s hot.”

I had to hold myself back. “She's doing her Masters of Journalism at Columbia and was in Africa with Nigel when he did his documentary on Mangaize. She’s not a nympho." I was growing more angered with Dave by the moment, feeling more and more protective towards her the more he pushed. "She's a serious writer. You should read her work on the Mangaize camps. Really heartbreaking."

"She's got a nice rack," Dave said, grinning. "I had hopes she'd come home with me some night and ride me like a stallion."

I frowned, angry that he was being so carnal about her.

"She's not like that," I said, gritting my teeth. Of course, I had already thought of tying her up, blindfolding her, and eating her like an ice cream.