Chapter 12 #4
He knew his voice had been even, unemotional.
That she could read him so well was…interesting.
“It was long ago. I tried to lose my accent, become all American. When my new high school friends decided Dragomir was another way of saying dragon—it isn’t—and male dragons are drakes, I ended up with a new name. And I welcomed it.”
He shook his head. “But… Eventually, my uncle took me back to France to see my mother’s family.
” They said his mother had been appalled when she learned Papa was in the mob—but she loved him and cut ties with her family to keep them safe.
“Hearing my language again, seeing family, I realized I didn’t want to become wholly American.
So I visit once or twice a year and resurrect my accent; if words slip in, I enjoy them.
And my uncle has been happy to speak his birth language as well. ”
Setting the cat on her chair, she rose and gave Drake a gentle hug. “Dragomir is a great name. But…is it French?”
“Non, Romanian. Papa was Corsican. My mother was Romanian, Latino, and probably a few other things.”
“Aha, that’s why the dark hair and eyes.” She grinned. “When I first saw you, I thought you looked like a pirate out of South America. Only then, you started talking and made one of those French expressions”—she pursed her lips in a way that made him laugh—“and so much for you being Latino.”
A pirate, hmm? They might have to explore roleplay.
“I bet your accent is really popular with your amorous interests.” She blinked, obviously realizing what she’d said, and pink colored her cheeks.
Would he ever be able to anticipate the way her mind worked? He barely smothered a laugh. “That may be true. Would you be among those amorous interests who enjoy a French accent?”
The pink deepened. “Maaaybe.”
“In that case, Chaque matin est plus beau avec toi.” Smiling at her frown, he translated, “Every morning is more beautiful with you.” He took her hand in his. “Je me sens vivante à tes c?tés. I feel alive beside you.” He kissed her palm. “Je suis fou de toi. I’m crazy about you.”
“You…you shouldn’t be allowed to say things like that.” She pulled her hand from his, her eyes wide, pupils dilated. So adorable in her confused response. Picking Max up, she sat down in the chair, holding the cat on her lap as if he’d provide a defense. “Bad Dom.”
Perhaps the cat did provide an adequate defense, given that he had an overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms. No, to take her right back to bed.
Bad Dom indeed.
“So. What with my meetings today and early Monday, I won’t be back on Bainbridge until tomorrow night.” Perhaps this was better. He wouldn’t keep his hands off her, and she was obviously tender. “I’d like to see you tomorrow evening. Unless you are becoming bored.”
Although she snorted, her gaze was on Max as she stroked the cat into happy purrs. “It worries me how very unboring you are. How interesting you are. It doesn’t happen often, but I can get, almost obsessed, in a way.” She bit her lip.
So sweet. He moved, going down on his haunches beside her legs. “Aralia, look at me.”
Her blue-green eyes were beautiful. And worried.
“New lovers are often obsessed with each other—and you might be more susceptible because you focus intensely. A bit of obsession isn’t unhealthy as long as you evaluate your lover to ensure they are a wise choice. Just as you’d check a lake for rocks before diving in. Oui?”
Her brows drew together. “You…obsess too?”
“You have been much on my mind. And at the moment, I would like nothing more than to spend the day with you, preferably with several of those hours in bed and several hours to simply talk and get to know you.”
She must have heard the sincerity in his words. Her frown eased, then reappeared. “You’re right. In the past, I didn’t take time to…evaluate…before jumping.”
“And you did with me?”
The way a corner of her mouth tipped up told him the answer before she spoke. “I asked Mac and Hope about you.” She snickered. “You get excellent reviews, Master Drake.”
“As I should.” Rising, he kissed her lightly and ran a hand over Max’s soft fur. “I must leave, or I’ll miss the ferry. Tomorrow night?”
“Yes. Yes, I’d like to see you.”
“Then you shall.” He picked up her phone from the table where it was charging, held it out for her thumb to unlock, then went into the clock app.
“I should arrive around seven, so I’ll set your alarm for six to give you time to finish in your shop and clean up.
” He raised his eyebrows, chuckled at her stunned expression, then hit SAVE.
Did she think he wouldn’t remember what she’d told him? How she needed to set alarms because she got lost in her work? But she often forgot to set an alarm. As fast as her brain worked, as creative as she was, of course trivial matters got missed.
As it happened, he was excellent with details.
He kissed her again. “As a Dominant, it makes me happy to help set your day in order. You may tell me—tomorrow—if it bothers you.”
“Hmm.” She bit her lip. “I’ll think about it.”
It was all he asked. Although he tried to respect boundaries, he also had to be himself—and he enjoyed making order out of chaos and fixing things.
Her personality didn’t need to be fixed, not at all. But he could help to ensure minor details didn’t trip her up.
With luck, she’d see the difference.
With even more luck, she’d share her thoughts on the subject. He’d never met anyone so fun to talk with. Especially when she was passionate about a subject.
The doorbell rang as Drake retrieved his bag from the great room.
A woman’s voice came from the entry. “Hey, I got your email. What’s up? I only have a few minutes before I need to be in line for the ferry.” There was a disgusted sound. “Then I have to study all the way over for the labor and delivery exam.”
“Poor baby.” Ray laughed. “Oh, I made you a present. You should take it with you.”
“Oh Ray, this is totally fire.”
Curious, Drake walked into the entry.
A short, brunette woman was clasping something made of wood, colored dark blue with a mirror in the center. Hooks ran along the bottom. Ah, an entryway organizer.
“Oh, fuck, I’m dead; it’s so perfect. But I can’t take it—”
“Marisol, you can and will. You and your mom used to pet-sit for George, and now I have Max, so more kitty sitting will happen. This is just a thank you. And you need a place to hang your stethoscope and car keys, right?”
“Yes!” The young women grinned. “I love it. And—” Her eyes went wide when she spotted him. Her voice went high. “Sheeeeeesh. Um—hi?”
Drake chuckled and moved forward. “Good morning.” He turned. “Mon c?ur, I must run, or I will miss the ferry.” Ignoring the young woman’s presence, he molded Ray against him and took a kiss that would last him a couple of days. “Monday. Obey your alarm.”
The way she’d sagged against him was delightful. “Right, Sir.” Recovering slightly, she stepped back, narrowed her eyes. “We’ll talk.”
“Oui.” He lifted her chin, kissed her again, and headed out.
Behind him, he heard Marisol squeal. “That’s a Dom. Yo, baby, he is the GOAT! Way more…more…than that Blaize guy. I want one. I went to the campus group and—”
As he got into his car, he was grinning, imagining the look on Ray’s face.
And already looking forward to seeing her tomorrow night.