"How many years did I think about this very moment, Mr. Bossman? I used to fantasize about things heating up between us while we were setting up the stores."
"I did, too, babe. Every single day."
She blinked innocently at him. Their mouths crashed together, taking her right up to the brink of ecstasy.
"Let's fulfill your every fantasy," she said. "And mine."
And they did.
Afterwards, he carried her to the sofa and laid her down, loving her tenderly, passionately, pouring all of his love, all of his strength and devotion, into their connection. And when he finally abandoned all restraint, she was right there with him. They both collapsed, panting and sated, to the cushions.
They lay squished together on the tiny couch, their legs intertwined, holding each other as their breathing calmed. He kissed her forehead, her cheeks, and finally her lips as he ran his fingers through her hair and whispered, "I could stay right here forever and die a happy man."
Chapter Fifteen
SUNDAY MORNING SERENA tried not to think too much about having to leave in a few hours. Last night they'd had a fun night with their friends at dinner and the concert. She'd been so nervous about how it would feel acting like a couple in front of them, she'd decided to take the fear out of it and claim their relationship in the biggest way possible, leaving no room for awkwardness. When they sat down to dinner on the patio of the Bookstore Restaurant, she'd climbed onto Drake's lap and kissed him long and hard, to the point of being obscene. At first it had taken all of her courage, but once they were lip-locked, her emotions had taken over, making it as easy as breathing. Then she'd turned to their friends and announced, This is how things are going to be from now on. Any questions?
Drake sat beside her and pulled her close. "How's my man-claiming girlfriend?"
She liked the sound of that. "I'm great. I can't wait to congratulate Daphne at breakfast." She tried to focus on the positive rather than how breakfast would bring her that much closer to leaving.
He lifted her onto his lap and gathered her hair over her shoulder. "I know you're bummed about going back to Boston. I can see it. Please stop trying to hide your feelings from me, okay?"
He'd skipped his morning run with the guys both days she was there, and she felt bad about that. At least when they'd been just friends she hadn't messed up his schedule. But selfishly, she was glad he'd stayed with her. They hadn't made love this morning. They'd just lain in bed talking and holding each other, the way they had lain on the beach after the concert and a long walk on the beach last night. They'd talked about everything and nothing at all for hours, and it had been perfectly romantic. When they'd finally decided to turn in for the night, Drake had offered to stay at her cottage instead of at his place, but she wanted to be there among his things, in the bed they'd shared the night before. They'd brought a bunch of her clothes over, which were now tucked safely away in his dresser and hanging in his closet.
She eyed the card on the nightstand, remembering how nervous she'd been when she'd written it. Look how far they'd come.
"I think I liked you better when you were all gruff and not caring about what I felt," she said, and touched her forehead to his. "No, I didn't," she admitted. "But let me lie to myself, okay? Let me tell myself I'm fine, because even though it's hard to leave, I'm excited to meet more clients this week and spend time with my team. I just hate the thought of a week going by before I see you again."
"Me too. But we'll talk on the phone and video chat, and before we know it, you'll be back for the grand opening and we'll celebrate."
"And dance like we did last night?" She rubbed her nose over his, then kissed him.
Their friends had joked with them when they were slow dancing, saying things about how Drake didn't look like he was going to kill anyone as long as Serena was in his arms. She'd loved every second of it-being in his arms and knowing their friends had seen the same look in his eyes she had when they'd danced before becoming a couple.
"I loved dancing with you as my boyfriend. It changes everything."
Mira had said the same thing last night, that Drake seemed truly happy and relaxed for the first time in his entire life.
"For me, too, Supergirl. We'd better get going. Daphne's probably already there. She's bringing her daughter, Hadley, and she'll have her in the office this morning while she finishes training with Harper."
He smacked her butt as she climbed off his lap and said, "You know what my favorite part of last night was?"
"Groping me under the dinner table?" She slipped her feet into her flip-flops.
He gathered her against him and said, "The moment you claimed me in the restaurant. That was frigging hot. Almost as hot as christening the office."
"Maybe next weekend we can christen your office downstairs."
He made a guttural sound of appreciation and kissed her. She was going to miss falling asleep in his arms, but she might miss their mornings together even more. She loved waking up to him-his scent, his strong arms wrapped around her, and his raspy morning voice. Showering and getting ready for the day, stolen kisses and smacks on her butt-she felt like she was stockpiling all the little things like a chipmunk saving up for winter.
Drake grabbed their matching sunglasses as they went out the door. She loved that he wasn't embarrassed to wear them. As they crossed the grass, she tucked away the feel of her hand in his, the way he pulled her closer as they walked, and the scents and sounds of the place she'd called home for the past several years.
"There's Daphne," he said, heading toward Summer House Inn's parking lot.
Serena walked quicker. "I can't wait to see her little girl."
Daphne was leaning into the back seat, lifting her daughter out of the car seat. "Hey, you two," she said as she settled Hadley, her adorable ten-month-old baby girl against her rounded hip. A few tufts of brownish hair stuck up from behind a tiny headband with a pink bow. Like Daphne, Hadley had chubby cheeks, but unlike her outgoing mother, Hadley had serious eyes, and her tiny lips were pursed in an almost-scowl, like a discerning adult. She was clearly unimpressed with her newfound situation.
"I'm so glad you made it," Serena said. "Hadley is adorable. Hi, sweetie." She tickled Hadley's foot. The baby's expression didn't change, but she clutched Daphne's T-shirt.
"Sorry we're late." Daphne stood up a little straighter, showing them her T-shirt, on which SORRY I'M LATE was emblazoned across her chest. She lifted Hadley a little higher. I'M THE REASON WE'RE LATE was printed across the front of Hadley's pink shirt.
"That is hilarious," Drake said. "Nothing like being prepared for anything. How can we help?"
"I need to get her car seat and bag. Would you mind holding her for a sec?" Daphne handed her to Drake, and Hadley's tiny brows knitted. She looked at her mother like she was out of her mind. Then she cocked her head, studying Drake's face.
"Believe it or not, she likes you," Daphne said. "She usually cries when anyone other than family holds her."
Drake was a natural with kids. Serena had watched him with Hagen over the years, and with other kids who had come through the resort. But nothing could have prepared her for the unfamiliar desires pinging around inside at the sight of Drake's thick arms cradling the sweet baby girl, making her look even smaller and more in need of his protection. He cooed at her.
Serena tore her gaze away, afraid her ovaries might explode.
"Okay, all set." Daphne threw her bag over her shoulder and held out the baby carrier. "Want to trade?"
Drake tickled Hadley under her chubby little chin, earning a slobbery grin. She had two teeth on the bottom and four on top. "Actually, would you mind if I carried her?"
Daphne looked at Serena like Drake was speaking another language. "Are you kidding? I'm a single mother. I welcome the help. He's a keeper, Serena. My ex didn't want to have anything to do with children, which is the reason why he's my ex."
"Not everyone's cut out for parenthood," Drake said, reaching for Serena's hand as they headed toward the inn.
She knew he was thinking about her mother, but it was all she could do to nod. Her mind was racing with new worries. She had so much she wanted to accomplish before she could even think about having children, but Drake was thirty-four and settled in his career. He'd never hidden the fact that he wanted a family, but if they stayed together, would he be willing to wait until she was settled in hers?
Mira and Chloe rushed over to greet Daphne and fawn over Hadley. Harper had asked them to apologize to Daphne for her. She had to miss breakfast because she had an early conference call about her most recent screenplay.