Drake kissed me quickly. "Nothing to forgive. Let's go. Unless you want to stay…"
I shook my head. "No, let's go. I can't do anything until the coat dries. I have to finish cleaning up first."
He released me and I went back to the sink to finish drying off the brushes. He came closer and glanced at Nathaniel and then Jules, a look of restrained mirth on his face.
Jules held the roach out to Drake. "Have a toke, man," he said.
Drake shook his head, holding his hand up, palm out. "Thanks, but no."
Jules shrugged and turned away, sauntering back to his studio.
I said goodbye to Nathaniel, thanking him for helping me with the canvases and we left, walking to the car. Drake opened the door for me and then went around to the driver's side.
"Did you smoke pot with them?"
I glanced at him. "No," I said. "I'm not really much of a pot smoker. Never did like it. Besides, with the hanging judge for a father? No way…"
He smiled. "You looked right in your element at the studio with that paint on your apron and cheek," he said and reached over to touch my skin. "You looked really happy."
"I was. I am," I said and took his hand. "I haven't even started on the work but it feels so good to be doing art again."
He squeezed my hand.
We returned to the apartment in Chelsea where we had a quick lunch and spent the next hour sitting together on the couch, watching the news and drinking our hot tea.
Later in the afternoon, Drake received a call from Maureen.
"She wants me to come by to talk about Liam," Drake said to me when he hung up. I had been in the kitchen checking through the fridge, deciding what to make for supper and didn't hear the details of the conversation.
"Do you have the memento you wanted to give to him?"
Drake nodded. "Yes, I'll bring it along. I hope she lets him have it. I don't know what cover story she can give him, but it should be his."
"What is it, if you don't mind me asking?" I asked, curious, but not wanting to push him.
"A picture of Liam outside a field hospital in Vietnam receiving the Medal of Honor for saving the lives of two soldiers who were in a burning helicopter that crashed. I hope that one day, Maureen will show it to him, let him know who his real father and family were."
I said nothing. I doubted that Maureen would indulge Drake. Even though he might be key to saving Liam's life, I imagined she'd be just as happy to have him back out of her and Liam's life as soon as possible.
"Speaking of later tonight, I was thinking about supper," I said, trying to keep my voice light. "The fridge is pretty empty. Should we have supper with my father and Elaine? Or would you rather stay here?"
He shrugged. "Up to you. I am entirely at your command."
I hesitated. It was nice being alone with Drake, but at the same time, I wouldn't see my father for a long time. "Let's go to my father's for dinner. Once we go, I won't see them for six months, so it would be nice to see them as much as possible."
"Fine with me."
I called my father and let him know we'd be over for supper. He seemed pleased and said he'd be on a conference call between five and six o'clock, but would be glad to see us for drinks after that and dinner at seven.
Drake and I spent the rest of the afternoon listening to news reports on the television about an earthquake in China, lounging around the apartment, reading the paper and talking about the trip. I finally felt relaxed and enjoyed our together time. I felt like we were a real couple for a change.
It was nice.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Later, while I was getting dressed for supper, while I was still in my bra and was bending over, pulling up my stockings, Drake came up behind me in the bathroom and grabbed hold of my hips, pulling me against his body.
"Ms. Bennet, when you stand like that, with just your garter belt and your bra, I'm unable to resist you." When I tried to stand up, he stopped me, one hand on my shoulder keeping me still. "No, stay like this for a moment. I like this position. I'm getting ideas…"
I smiled and glanced up into the mirror, watching as he ran his hands down my back to my buttocks, pulling me against his hips once more. I could feel his hardness pressed between my cheeks. We hadn't had sex the previous day or that morning and even I felt a bit deprived. But I said nothing more, waiting to see if he pushed things or was enjoying it.
Finally, he let go of my hips and pulled me up so that I was standing facing the mirror with him behind me. He watched my face and body in the mirror, our eyes meeting while he stroked my belly with one hand and cupped a breast with the other. Then he exhaled and bent down to kiss my shoulder and said nothing more. He slid his hands down my bare arms and clasped my hands, standing with his cheek resting on my shoulder. All he had to do was touch me and I was ready for him.