15. January
Chapter 15
January
I slowly come awake to the sun’s warm rays pouring in through the windows. I squint as I open my eyes, then quickly bury my head in the pillow. I turn over and stretch, and my body feels different. Memories of Drake and I come rushing back: how he took his time, how he didn’t take his time, how he was strong and steady then losing control at times, and I loved every minute of it. I loved seeing him come undone just for me.
He’s romantic and emotional and he’s not afraid to let it show. It’s new to me, because what Sean demonstrated was fake. Fake enough to make me believe him. But Drake is a good man. He’s a solid force who listens, who knows how to be playful, and who can comfort too.
And I’m beginning to think it would be okay to let him in. And to let him stay.
I reach behind me and pat the empty bed, and a bit of disappointment rushes through me. I don’t know why I thought he would stay. We never talked about that. I just invited him back for nothing more than to be close to him. But today is Lily’s birthday party, and the last thing I need is for her to come walking in with my sister and find Drake and me in bed.
I turn, facing the pillow he slept on, inhaling his scent, and grabbing my phone to check the time. Then I see a text.
Drake: Good morning. Leaving you was the last thing I wanted to do this morning. Just know I’ll be thinking about you. See you later.
And once again, he knows the right answer. I smile and force myself out of bed. “You're going to need two cups of coffee to get through the day today, girl. Get it going.” I have so much to do and so little time. We came home last night and didn’t make it past the front door before we were pulling our clothes off. So none of the decorating or unpacking of bags got done.
But when I walk into the kitchen for a cup of coffee before the madness of today begins, the sight makes me gasp.
Drake. He handled everything before I could even stress over it.
The dining room table is covered with the mermaid tablecloth, and the paper plates, cups, and napkins are all set. The balloons are tied strategically around the house, and the birthday sign is strung in the living room. I grab my phone and shoot off a message to him.
Me: Someone was busy this morning.
Drake: I felt invigorated when I woke up, so I had to do something with my energy.
Me: Invigorated, huh? Why’s that?
Drake: Because your pussy is magic.
I nearly choke on the coffee I haven’t had yet.
Me: Drake!
Drake: What’d I say wrong?
I shake my head even though he can’t see me, and I bite my lip.
Me: Thank you.
Drake: What are you thanking me for? That incredible orgasm I gave you, or the decorations?
Me: You’re so full of yourself.
Drake: I didn’t hear any complaints when YOU were full of me last night.
I laugh out loud to myself and it startles me. I’m alone in my kitchen, texting, smiling, and laughing at a man. I feel like a teenager again.
Me: Goodbye, Drake.
Drake: Wait! Don’t go!
Me: What?
Drake: I’ll see you soon.
Me: See you soon.
Everyone is gathered in the kitchen, and I’m just laying out some snacks when Meadow comes over.
“Do you want to explain the extra car in your driveway last night?”
I don’t look at her and continue putting crackers and cheese out on a platter, but as if they have radar hearing, Blossom and Courtney instantly appear by my side. And as if they practiced this, magically four glasses and a bottle of wine are slid across the countertop.
They stare at me, waiting for an answer.
“He helped me buy decorations and food for Lily‘s party.”
“I didn’t realize stores were open at two in the morning,” Meadow keeps pressing.
“Did you bang in your bathroom this time?” Courtney asks with a raise of her brow and a smug grin as the other two girls fall into fits of laughter with her. I place my hands on the counter, head hanging loose on my shoulders, before bringing my eyes to them.
“Last night was soo good. Like really, really good.”
“Better than the bathroom bang?”
I laugh. “Better than the bathroom bang.” They gasp. “Well… okay… so it was different than the bathroom bang. That was need; last night was passion, take your time and do everything right passion.”
Courtney squeals. “I’m so happy for you! This is just what you need!”
I put my hands up in a defensive motion. “I don’t know what I need, but I don’t think a relationship is it.”
Blossom takes my hand and places it down before covering it with hers. “Drake is a good guy. I think he’s just the type you need to make you feel comfortable dating again.”
“I don't want to date again,” I whine.
“So you’ll just date Drake,” she states matter-of-factly.
“It’s not that easy. Clearly there’s a lot we need to talk about, and I can’t just let him walk into the house and think Lily is going to be okay with it.”
Just then, there’s a knock on the door. I look up to see Drake and Cole walk through my front door and hear my daughter yell out his name before she goes running towards him. The house falls silent at their interaction. She jumps, and he catches her, not caring that he’s coming in from the snow and cold. He drops the bag he was holding and laughs. “Good thing there was nothing breakable in there, Pretty Lily. Happy birthday!”
She grabs onto his neck, and he looks at everyone staring back at him. Cole gives him a little nudge.
“Come on, man. Close the door. It’s freezing and we’re letting the snow in.”
“You were saying?” Courtney quips.
“Looks like Daddy’s home.” I turn quickly to Meadow and shush her. I should be used to her outlandish comments, but the daddy word takes me by surprise. Courtney must see my unease, and she runs her hand down my arm.
“It’s fine, you're fine. Everyone is fine. There’s nothing happening right now except we are going to celebrate Lily’s birthday today with friends and family, okay?”
Lief casts a glance my way as he walks towards Drake. They meet at the end of the hallway, clapping hands and saying hello. Cole does the same while assessing the room, though he’s clearly searching for Meadow. I watch Drake, and when his gaze finds me, that thunder in my chest begins again. Only this time it isn’t so much fear as it is happiness.
I asked the guys to take some wine and the platter into the living room for Mom, and Meadow grabs Cole, saying she’ll introduce him. He tilts his head at her in question, but she just ignores it.
When Drake approaches with Lily, her smile is brighter than the sun. She’s still hanging onto his neck desperately, and I give a little chuckle to myself remembering how I didn’t want to let go either. Blossom and Courtney excuse themselves, leaving the three of us alone.
“That was some welcome I got. How has your birthday been?”
“It was good. Momma made me pancakes when I came home from Aunt Blossom’s house.”
“Aunt Blossom didn’t make you breakfast?”
I shake my head quickly. “Oh you don’t want to eat anything my sister has cooked.”
Drake lets out a laugh. “Well I’m glad you had a great breakfast here with your mom.”
“Maybe she can make us pancakes tomorrow?” Lily asks, and Drake lets out a laugh. It’s not a nervous one, more of a ‘let’s see how you’re going to answer this’ one. He eyes me and gives a wink.
“If your mom wants to invite me, I’ll never say no to pancakes.” He raises a brow.
“Yo! You guys coming?” my brother yells from the other room.
“Just a minute!”
Drake unwraps Lily from his neck and places her on the ground. “Go tell your Uncle Lief to hold his horses. We'll be right in. I have to talk to your mom real quick.”
She nods and goes running to the other room, yelling about holding animals, and I shake my head. “She’s very literal; you have to be careful what you say.”
His lips turn up as he steps closer to me, and the simple move turns me on. He smells so good, like beechwood. I want him to go lay in my bed again just so I’ll have that smell with me tonight.
He cradles my face and gives me a soft kiss. “Hello.” He smiles and I melt.
“Hi,” I breathe out.
“I couldn’t wait to do that.” He glances into the other room. “Don’t worry, no one saw anything.”
“It’s fine. Meadow spotted your truck here early this morning.”
His lips roll in. “She did?”
I nod. “I have no idea why she was out at two in the morning, but she was asking lots of questions.”
He furrows his brows and then his eyes get wide. “Cole usually comes home shortly after two. Think they were together?”
I lean in like we both share the same secret. “Let’s start a rumor and take the heat off us!”
He chuckles and slides his hand into my back pocket, squeezing as he goes. “But I like our heat.”
I inhale deeply, catching his scent again. He pulls his hand out and gives me a light spank. “You need to keep yourself under control today, January. I only have so much restraint and definitely not enough for the two of us.”
“So no bathroom breaks?”
“Woman,” he growls out, and I let out a boisterous laugh. “You’re testing my patience.”
“Woman? Might as well call me ma’am. You make me sound old.”
“Thought we already established that I caught a cougar.”
I study him. Twenty-six is so young. And here he is, stepping into my life, our family, like he’s ready to take it all on.
“So young.” I don’t realize I’ve whispered it out loud until he puts his hand around my waist.
“Not young, January. Certain. Now, come on. Let’s get this party started!”