Knowing he will go through with his threat, I wisely move and get inside the car. “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”
I ignore his remark and instead scoot up as far as I can towards the other door. I don’t want to be too close to this man. Not when every part of me starts to tingle when I am lately.
Once he shuts the door, he scoots over towards me, leans forward, and reaches his hand up over the back of my shoulder. I get a whiff of his aftershave and my insides burn. Purposefully, he leans in close to my lips and smiles when my breath hitches. “I have to make sure my baby’s safe.” He pulls my seatbelt down over me and clicks it into place. I’m practically trembling. Everything inside me has come alive. My heart beats rapidly, and I feel the strain of my nipples against the fabric of my t-shirt.
“Comfortable?” he asks, finally pulling away.
At last, I can breathe!
“Yes, thank you.”
Nodding his head to me with a knowing smirk, he barks orders to Reese to get going and pretty soon, I can hear Mandy chewing Reese’s ear off.
“Give me your hand.”
I look at Drake and shake my head. “I’m okay as I am, thank—”
“It’s not a request.”
Reluctantly, I move my hand towards his, and I feel when his soft, yet strong hand envelopes my tiny one. “So, tell me … How have you been? Are your parents treating you well?”
In front of him, they treat me like an angel, but when he’s not there, I either get horribly snide comments, or I’m treated like a leper. Thankfully, the majority of the time, they leave me alone. I’m untouchable thanks to Drake. And they know it.
Ignoring his question, I in turn ask him one. “Why did you tell Mandy that we are getting married next year?”
I await his answer eagerly, but I know I’m not going to like it. “Because we are.”
“And I suppose I don’t get a say in the matter?”
“You made me promise, remember?” he asks with a stupid smirk.
“Yes, but I was barely fourteen—just a stupid little kid. I didn’t know what I was saying back then. Back then, you were sweet and kind to me, and you … made my head dizzy.”
He looks affronted. “But, I’m sweet and kind to you now.”
“Sometimes, but not all of the time. You can also be a menace.”
He raises an eyebrow. “A menace, huh?”
I nod. “Yes, that’s right. How can I marry a menace?”
His hand squeezes mine slightly. “I will ask, and you will say yes.”
I frown and he notices. “But, I won’t.”
“Yes,” he says, squeezing a little harder, “you will. That’s the end of that discussion. Now, I want you to answer my question.”
Sighing, I close my eyes. “Yes, everything’s fine at home.”
“Good.” Leaning forward, he strokes the side of my face with his fingers. “I am the only one who knows how to look after you.”
Without my willing it, my breathing hitches again. I hate when he’s so domineering, but I equally hate it when he’s sweet to me. I don’t know which one is worse.
“Were you following me earlier?”
He sucks in an angry breath and pulls his fingers away. “I needed new shoes.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
With his hand still clamped on my own, he answers, “That’s all you need to know.”
“What else do I need to know?”
Frowning, he looks at me. “What are you talking about?”
“What else do I need to know about you?” He laughs like my question amuses him. I’m deadly serious.
“We’ve known each other for six years. I think we both know enough about each other by now. I certainly know everything about you. I know that you’re favourite colour is peach, your favourite food is steak, and your favourite film is An Affair to Remember. I saw how much you cried when you watched it.”
“I did not,” I protest. I’m also a little annoyed at the fact that he got all of my favourite things spot on.
Placing his fingers on my chin, Drake turns my head to meet his dazzling brown eyes. “You were vulnerable and let me hold you then. Do you remember that? I like it when you’re vulnerable. I wish I could tell you how much, but I have to hold my tongue for now.” He leans closer rewarding me with the softest of kisses to my lips. “Four months. Four months, Evelyn, and you’ll be mine.”
With a quick turn of his head, Drake stares out of the window like what he just did was nothing. Meanwhile, I’m still sitting here with the tingling feeling of that soft kiss he just placed on my lips. I don’t even have time to be angry about what he said. All I can think of is how much I want him to kiss me like that again.