CHAPTER 9
Sonnie
The moment his lips brushed mine, Monster hissed and we sprung apart. The damn cat sat in the doorway of the kitchen, glaring at Drake. How he’d escaped Rosie’s room, I wasn’t sure, but he was in full cockblock mode as he strutted into the kitchen and wound his way around my legs before swatting at Drake.
“Sonofabitch.” Drake ran his hands through his hair and looked at me. “He’s a pest.”
I covered my mouth as the urge to giggle bubbled up out of nowhere. “I guess he doesn’t like you.”
“I’m not a huge fan myself.” With a dramatic sigh, he looked around the kitchen and seemed to orient himself. “Okay. I can do this. I can focus.”
“Are we not going to talk about that kiss?”
He met my gaze with a heated one of his own. “That wasn’t a kiss. When I kiss you, you’ll know.”
I swooned internally but tried to look reasonable on the outside. “Sure. Yep. Maybe we should bake now.”
“Yeah. It’s either that or I see how far I can get my hand down those jeans before you slap me.” He ran his eyes down my body and swallowed so hard I watched his throat move. “Baking. Baking now.”
I was bright red and shaky with need as I started us on the cakes. It took me all the way through mixing the batter to feel remotely normal again. I’d never felt so much need in my life and the fact it was Drake causing the reaction in me was nerve-wracking.
When I slipped the cakes into the oven and straightened, I realized we were once again free. I looked up at Drake at the same time he looked down at me and just when I thought he was going to grab me again, he shoved his hands in his pockets and shifted farther away. Disappointment hit me quick and hard.
“I’m not trying to fuck you and run, Sonnie.” He blew out a harsh breath and shook his head. “I was serious about taking you out on a date. I don’t want you to think I’m just here to fuck you.”
I groaned. “Please stop saying you don’t want to fuck me.”
He crossed the kitchen in a single stride and grabbed my hips. “Don’t be mistaken. I want to fuck you. I am dying to. I am in pain right now, Sonnie, from needing to fuck you. I just don’t want to scare you. I also really want you to give me a chance, even if it’s fake dating. I plan on fake dating the shit out of you until you beg me to date you for real.”
I rested my hands on his chest. “This feels weird. You’re going to be giving me things to fake date you. I’m telling you I can’t date you but I know I’m giving mixed signals. And you just popped up last night out of nowhere. Last night! This is crazy.”
He shrugged. “I’ve been told I’m decisive when I finally see what I want.”
I rolled my eyes. “And I’m what you want? A twenty-four-year-old who lives in a shack with her life in shambles most days? There were three things in my fridge this morning, Drake. Icing, pickles, and the Diet Coke I got in trouble for drinking.”
“Is there more in there now?” He tried to move away but I tightened my grip on his shirt.
“There’s stuff in there now. It’s fine. I wasn’t saying that for any reason other than to point out how much of a mess I am. Why the hell are you trying to get involved with me?” I frowned and searched his face. “You’re literally famous enough for my sister to know you on sight.”
He frowned back at me. “Do you think I’m only supposed to date other famous people? Or that I should be shallow enough to dismiss you because of your house? Sorry, that’s not me. I like your sass, Cupcake. I also really like your ass. Plus, your cupcake was fucking delicious and maybe I’ll steal your recipes while I’m here.”
I gasped. “You wouldn’t!”
He grinned and squeezed my hips before stepping back. “Let’s make the frosting. I’m not leaving until this cake is mostly assembled.”
“You’re nuts. You can’t just stay here. You have to sleep.” I started the base of my icing automatically. “I’m not sure you can keep up with me when it comes to staying up all night. You’re not in your twenties anymore.”
“Bitch.” He laughed out loud and then swore when Monster hissed at him again. “This cat is a dick.”
I nodded. “I’m aware.”
“This is fun. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to stay up late to get an order done.” Pulling out his phone, he pulled up the camera and angled it so we were both in his selfie. “Smile pretty, Cupcake. I’m going to send this to Cole and Price so they can’t accuse me of lying about baking.”
I made a face and then moved closer to press a kiss to Drake’s cheek. It was chaste but I felt a jolt of awareness down to my toes. “Are they supposed to be finding fake dates, too? Or do they have real dates?”
He sent the picture and then slid his phone onto the counter. “They don’t have real dates. They’re just as busy as me and find this whole thing as asinine as I do. None of us give a shit if people think we’re gay. We’ve worked our asses off for Trio, though, and if this is what it takes to make sure it stays healthy, it’s the least we can do. Honestly, it turned into something fun for me. It helped me trick you into spending time with me so I can win you over with my charm and handsome looks.”
I bumped him with my hip as I laughed. “At least you’re honest about trying to trick me!”
His phone ringing cut him off and he grinned when he saw the caller. “This’ll be good.”
When he answered, he put it on speaker so I could hear whatever was about to happen and we were both rewarded with a deep male voice that was thick with sleep. “What the fuck are you doing? Are you baking? I saw a compote. Why are you baking in the middle of the night? Did something happen? Are we poor again? Is that your crush? She’s fucking beautiful. Maybe she’ll want to date me since she doesn’t want to date you. The smart ones always do. Hand her the phone. I can charm her. I’m charming. Is it a strawberry compote? Are you giving her our secrets? If you give her our secrets, she has to marry one of us. Me again, sucker. Do you know what time it is, asshole? Tell your crush I have a recipe for a bourbon cupcake that will rock her world. Just put her on the phone. I’m awake enough to be charming, I think. Wait. Do I sound charming? No, I know I don’t. Never mind. Never mind, Drake. Just tell her to call me tomorrow.”
Drake turned his screen off after the call disconnected and his eyes disappeared as he laughed so hard, they crinkled shut. It was adorable, of course. He wiped his eyes after a few seconds and put his hands on his hips as he tried to regain his composure. “Price is known for his middle of the night talks. He won’t remember a thing in the morning. He once told Cole he thought his mom was sexy during one of his talks. He couldn’t figure out why Cole wasn’t talking to him the next morning. That’s the first time he’s ever tried to steal my date, though. He must think you’re especially cute.”
I snorted. “Pretty sure you could’ve sent him a picture of a parrot and he would’ve reacted the same way.”
“Sleepy Price is still Price. He’s as decisive as I am. And he’s never once been attracted to a parrot.”