31. Kate
Chapter Thirty-One
KATE
The driver pulls up in front of Drew’s building. I gaze up to the top window, where I know he’s waiting for me.
“If you decide you want to stay a little longer, we’ll just see you when you get back,” Beau says. She’s made several comments like this since yesterday.
“Yeah, we’re leaving in thirty minutes with or without you,” Garret adds, sitting behind me in the dark vehicle, his face lit by his screen.
“I won’t be long.”
“Uh-huh. Here, take this so you’ll be ready in case you need to rush.” Garret hands me a condom. “We don’t need any accidental pregnancies, now do we?”
Beau laughs. “Oh, my God, can you imagine?”
As much as I would love to wrap my naked body around Drew’s one last time, our time is up. “No, thank you.”
“You sure? Better safe than sorry.”
The funny thing is that it was Garret who encouraged me to loosen up and have some fun. And I did. Nothing about the last two weeks has been safe, and the only thing I’m sorry about is getting attached. I decline his offer and head into the building for the last time.
Drew’s door swings open the moment I knock. And there he is, black tee, ripped jeans, and that sexy five o’clock shadow. Damn, I’m going to miss his face—those dangerously dark eyes.
“It’s getting late. I wasn’t sure you’d make it.” Drew invites me in.
“I know. I was hoping we’d have more time, but I got caught up at the store,” I say, and walk into his living room. Everywhere I look harbors a memory—a very fun, kickstart-your-heart memory. Like sharing martinis over Welsh rarebit, singing Billy Joel songs, and the way he pleasured me against the front door. It seems impossible for anything else to come close to what we had here. How is it possible to feel this good with someone I’ve just met?
“How much time do we have?” he asks.
“Not much.” I gaze out the wide windows that peer over the city. And I just know. This is the last time I’ll ever be in his apartment. It’s a damn shame. I turn to face him and offer a small black gift bag with red tissue paper. “I got you something.”
He looks intrigued. “What is it?”
“Just a little something to remember me by.” I smile, hoping he likes it.
He tosses the paper aside and pulls out a black thong with the bow on the back—the one I wore during the photo shoot and that rainy night under the tree. The cutest freaking smile spreads across his face.
“You know, I like these a lot better when you wear them.” He twirls the panties around his finger and gives me a look. A look that might instigate me missing my flight.
I step closer and trickle my fingertips down his soft cotton tee between his pecs. “I thought you liked them better on the floor.”
“You know me well,” he says, placing a gentle hand on my cheek. “Thank you. I have something for you too. But you have to come with me.” He takes my hand, leading me down the hallway, and I’m positive that he’s taking me to his bed. Why didn’t I get here earlier? Then, we pass his bedroom door and keep moving. Hmm, where is he taking me?
We stop in front of a door at the end of the hallway. A room I’ve never seen before. “Are you ready?” he asks and cracks the door open. The room is pitch black until he flips a switch. A dim red light glows, somewhat revealing the room.
I raise my eyebrow. “Is this your secret sex room?”
Drew spits out a laugh. “What? No. This is my dark room for developing photographs.” That’s when I notice equipment on the counters and photos hanging in the center.
“Oh,” I say with a giggle.
“You thought I had one of those sex dungeons or something?”
I shrug. “Yeah, for a second, I thought you might have a fetish.”
Drew's lips graze my ear lobe, and he whispers, “Baby, the only fetish I have is with your gorgeous body.” He runs his hand down my backside like it’s his. And I wish I could give it to him. Not just my body but all of me.
He takes one of the photographs down, careful not to leave prints on the new development. “This is for you.” It looks like a photograph of the tree in Hyde Park—our tree. “I still need to get it framed, but do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful. I love it.” I kiss him, mustering every ounce of gratitude I can for the gift. For all the gifts. We stay there for a few moments, tangling our fingers in each other’s hair and kissing softly.
I know this is it. My friends are waiting for me in the car. My flight back to California will take off soon. But at this moment, I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to give him up.
I remind myself that it’s just a fling and that I’ll eventually find a man who makes me feel this good and doesn’t live across the globe. Except I don’t believe it. Maybe I’m just consumed by the moment. High from the thrill.
He must be thinking the same thing, romanticizing our time together a little more than he should because he asks, “You sure you have to leave tonight?”
I nod, looking down at our intertwined hands. “So what happens now?” I definitely don’t know how to navigate any of this.
“I don’t know. You go home and get back to your normal life. In a few days, I’ll send this photograph in the mail. You’ll find a place for it, and when you look at it, you’ll remember that little moment in time when you broke all the rules with a bloke on a motorbike.” Drew definitely inspires me to break the rules. He inspires me in all kinds of ways. “And the next time you’re in London, we can go for another ride.”
“I’d love that.”
“You’re a good girl, Kate. I’m going to miss you,” he says, looking into my eyes. I reach for his face, feeling his stubble beneath my fingers and breathing in his gorgeous scent. My heart flutters.
“If you do, then come to Los Angeles and give me a call.” I’m not entirely sure if we’re exchanging actual invitations or just niceties for the moment. This thing I have with him can’t possibly go anywhere, but I’d like to imagine it can.
“I will,” he says.
I glance at my watch. “It’s time for me to go.”
“Okay.” Drew sweeps my hair away from my face and kisses me hard like it’s the last time our lips will meet. I feel a rush rippling through my entire being. I look into his eyes again. Will I ever see him again? Is there another ride waiting for us?