His words only seem to drive me forward. The more he protests, the more I want to push it. He grabs me again, but this time by my roving hands. “Evelyn, stop!” he growls.
I do as asked, but feel confused and rejected. Drake breathes heavily against my own breaths as he leans his forehead against mine. I see the rise and fall of his chest. Closing his eyes, I see the strained frown on his forehead like he’s trying to calm himself.
“I can’t do this with you.”
“Why?” I ask breathlessly.
“Because if I do, then I won’t hesitate to bring you home. If you do this with me, then that’s it. It’s your choice.”
I close my eyes when I hear that word. My choice. That’s all I’ve ever wanted, but now that it’s here, I want to throw it out the window.
He cups my face, making me look into his eyes. “I want you to want this one hundred percent. I don’t want fifty, sixty, or seventy percent of you. I want you all in. Do you understand?”
I do … despite my loins screaming otherwise at me. In the end, I nod my head. “I understand.”
Regretfully, I get off his lap and sit down. I move my hair out of my face and straighten my clothes. I’m trying to compose myself, but failing miserably. “Are you okay?” he asks.
I look at him and nod my head. “I’m fine.” I clear my throat. “What about college?” I almost squeak.
He frowns, leaning forward. I can tell he’s trying to hide his straining erection. It only makes my situation worse.
“What about college?”
“How will I fit the baby around my studying?”
He smiles. “Well, that’s what you have me for. I know this wasn’t what you wanted, so I’m going to do everything it takes to make your life as simple as it can be.”
I huff a little when he says this. My life is anything but simple. “You make it sound so easy.”
“It’s as simple or as difficult as you want to make it. Just know that I will always be there. That’s one hundred percent guaranteed. Have I ever let you down on a promise before?”
I think back to our complicated six years and shake my head. “No, you haven’t.”
“Well then,” he says, taking my hand, “this baby’s not going to want for anything. You’re not going to want for anything. I promise you that too. You will get to go to college, study, and have this baby at the same time. Nothing about it has to be complicated. Nothing needs to get in the way. I’ll make sure of that.” I smile, and he smiles too, but then he looks away and notices the envelope on the coffee table. “Is that the—”
“Yes,” I answer.
He swallows hard. “Have you signed it?”
I shake my head. “No.”
He visibly sighs his relief. “Does that mean there’s still hope for us?”
Closing my eyes, I swallow hard too. “I honestly don’t know. I just know that until I’m sure, I’m not going to sign anything.”
He nods his head in resignation. “Okay,” he answers. “Just know that no matter what, I’m not going anywhere.”
That thought never even crossed my mind.
Present Day
Another three weeks go by, and I use them to think harder than I ever have in my life. I still don’t know what I’m going to do, and the fact that Drake’s been nothing but sweet doesn’t help matters. Since our talk about the baby, I’ve been finding myself drawn to him more than ever. We text and call each other all the time. We’ve even been out to dinner together on occasion. It’s like it’s been a date, but without the kissing at the end of it. And, believe me, I want to kiss him so badly. Every time I’m with him, I feel like I’m this ball of hormonal mess. Like right now. Drake has taken me out for a meal again, and he’s looking as sexy as ever. He has a black suit on with his signature crisp white shirt. His hair is spiked up in the normal style I love to see, and as usual, it’s making his gorgeous brown eyes stand out even more. To top it off, he’s sporting a nice five o’clock shadow. I find myself fantasising about what it would be like to lick it if I had the chance. And boy do I want to have the chance! Ever since Drake told me that I can’t have sex with him until I become his again, all I’ve wanted to do is jump his bones. I think Mandy’s right. If he’s using reverse psychology, then it really is working.
“Are you playing a shrewd game?” I know I need to ask this. If he is playing a game, then there’s no way he’ll admit to it, but at least I can gauge his reaction to my questioning.
Drake frowns. “What do you mean?”