Chapter Ten
A few days later, Drake batted away her hands as Chloe attempted to help him in the car. “Cut it out. I’m not an invalid.”
She rolled her eyes, then walked around and slid in the driver’s side. “Quit being such a baby.”
He growled. “I’m not a baby. I’m fine. Quit mothering me. As soon as we deliver the artifact, I’m so going to show you how fine I am.”
Her mind went slack with all those possibilities before she started the car. Flutters indicated a half dozen butterflies seeking to get out of her tummy. Anticipation. It was a lovely thing. Her blood surged, her pussy moistening. “We’ll see if you’re up for it.”
His lecherous smile alerted her to her word choice. “Oh, I’m more than up for it. I’m hard for it.”
Her face heating, she put the car into gear and left the airport.
Drake had gotten out of the hospital the day before. She’d probably been a little too attentive. But damn, he’d been cut and smacked around. Having almost lost him through her wrong assessment and a fit of temper, she didn’t intend to lose him again.
Ever.
The police had arrived right after she’d cracked Gray over the head. Gray had a severe head injury. He was in the hospital under police guard. The papers reported there had been a couple of murders they wanted to discuss with him when the doctors released him. Not to mention he was already under arrest for what he’d done to Drake.
The totem that had helped to reunite her and Drake rested in the back seat of the rental car. They’d flown out of Richmond this morning to head for the Collector even though Chloe had wanted Drake to take more time to recuperate. Stubborn man. Afterwards, they were going to take a mini-vacation and get reacquainted.
Her eyes drifted from the road to glance at Drake’s profile. God, if she’d lost him ... Thankfully, she hadn’t. Their magical chance had brought them back together.
The totem hummed softly.
They pulled into the driveway of the Collector’s rental house and parked. Drake got out and opened the door to the back.
“What are you doing? I can get that.”
“I’m getting the artifact so you can deliver it.” He reached to pick it up. A wince twisted his face.
“Hold it right there, buster. I’m carrying it inside.”
“Dammit, Chloe, I’m not an invalid.” But he pulled his arm back, moving aside to let her do it. His wounds hurt him more than he let on. Not to mention, whatever Gray had given him still had his magic weakened with no clues as to when it would come back. Or if.
“I know, I know.” She reached in and picked it up. “I’d rather you save your strength for later.” She winked, picking up the totem. Drake followed her as she walked.
Phelan answered the door and let them in. “Come in. The Collector’s been waiting for you.”
They were ushered into the same study where he’d hired Chloe. She set the totem at her feet and sat down in the same chair.
Drake sat in the chair beside her. He put an arm on the back. “So what’s this Collector like?”
She shrugged. “A guy in search of this totem. Are you sure you don’t mind giving it to him? I know it’s been in your family for years.”
“I don’t mind. You agreed to get it for him, you should follow through. Though, you don’t need his money now.” His hand slid down to her neck to rub.
She placed her hand on his knee. “I don’t?” She’d worked hard for that money. And her sister still needed gobs of it.
Drake shook his head as the Collector entered the room. His gait was a tiny bit slower than last time. He was maybe a bit more wan. “Hello, Ms. Richards. I see you brought Mr. Marsters with you.” He offered a trembling hand to Drake to shake.
Drake took it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Collector.”
The Collector reached down and touched the totem, running his hand over the top. “You brought me my item. Thank you.”
“It was nothing.” She fumbled around in her purse. “Here’s your card back, sir.” She handed over the credit card.
He smiled, taking it in hand. “You’ve done well, Ms. Richards.”
Warmth rushed over her. She heard the pride in his voice. She’d made him proud. His belief in her when he’d hired her had made an impact. So did his emotion for her now.
Happiness infused her as well. It had all worked out so nicely. She had Drake back. The Collector had his item.
“Let me finish that bank draft.” He reached to his desk for a checkbook lying on the other side. His leg seemed to almost buckle but he caught himself on the desk, managing to stay upright. Chloe bit her lip.
“No.” She blinked, surprised at her outburst. He stopped reaching at her words. “No. I don’t want it.”
“You earned it, Ms. Richards.”
She shook her head. “I’ve already gotten my payment.” Getting Drake back was priceless. She couldn’t put a dollar amount on it.
Drake squeezed her neck, his thumb rubbing.
“Are you sure?” The Collector’s smile was huge and infectious.
“I’m sure.” Then, she bit her lip. “But I do need to tell you about some charges to your card. They weren’t for the totem.” She pursed her mouth up as she talked, hoping he’d understand.
“Oh?”
“I’ll pay you back. Every cent. But there are charges for cash advances.” She wobbled her body back and forth. “I’m sorry about using it for things other than securing the totem. But I will pay you back.”
“What were they for?”
“I paid a courier driver to take me to find Drake.”
Drake nodded, his body relaxing. “Such an enterprising woman.” He gave her neck a gentle stroke.
“That was when you rescued him from Rob Gray?” The Collector lowered into his chair. His breath came deep and regular.
“Yes ...” Chloe froze. “How did you know about that?”
The Collector pointed to the trash. “The paper.”
“Oh.” She hadn’t known they’d made any papers out of Virginia. Sometimes she forgot how well-known Drake was. “Yes, it was when I tracked Drake to where Rob Gray had him.” Where he shouldn’t have been. He should have been with her. Her hand squeezed Drake’s knee.
“You’re refusing to accept payment for the services rendered?” The Collector picked up his checkbook and waved it around. “The draft I showed you is tucked in here. You’re sure?”
“I am.” Somehow she’d help her sister without the Collector’s money. Drake had already said once she didn’t need it, but that would just have to be seen.
“Then, you owe me nothing for the courier’s charges.”
Her mouth opened before snapping shut. “Really?”
“Really. You rescued your husband. A most auspicious use for that money.” The Collector appraised Drake. “Remember to treasure what is most precious to you this time.”
Drake’s eyes warmly regarded her before shooting back to the Collector. “I certainly intend to.”
Chloe got to her feet. “We must be going, but ...” She crossed the few steps to his desk. “Thank you.” She leaned down and kissed his weathered cheek. Not anything she usually did, but it seemed right. “For everything.”
“No, Ms. Richards, thank you. You made the magic happen.”
Phelan showed them out.
As they walked to the car, Chloe looked over at Drake. “Has your magic come back from what Gray did to you?” She’d not asked him yesterday or this morning.
Drake opened the passenger door without answering. Chloe got in her side. She looked at Drake expectantly.
He huffed out a tired sigh. “Let’s go find our hotel room.”
Chloe’s hands clenched on the steering wheel. It must not have come back. What if it didn’t come back? Could Drake live with that? A million unanswered questions rattled her mind as they headed for their hotel.
* * * * *
Drake woke from a short nap he’d taken
on the hotel couch. Not his intention; he’d laid down for a second watching TV while Chloe called her sister. But his brain must have had other ideas.
He rubbed his face, struggling to wake up, smacking his lips. Had Chloe finished her call?
“Hello, Sleeping Beauty.” Chloe’s warble shimmied his way. He lifted his head to see her sitting in the chair by the balcony. She had her feet propped up and was looking out the window without a phone so the call must have finished.
“How long was I out?” He yawned, struggling to sit up. “And how’s your sister and Kimberly?”
“You snoozed for about an hour.” She let out a yawn herself. “They’re both fine. How are you feeling?”
“You shouldn’t have let me sleep so long.” He stretched out his arms. “I’m good.” He did feel better after the nap. Things had been out of focus since he’d woken up in the hospital. Things now seemed clearer, sharper. Even with the sleepy cobwebs in his head, he was more alive than he’d been since before Gray’s potion. Every nerve jangled with awareness.
“I figured you needed it. I wasn’t going to wake you. I did take the liberty of doing something, though. While you were sleeping.” She smiled a kittenish smile.
“Oh?”
“I ordered room service for dinner.” She pointed to the table where several brochures were laid out. “Hope you don’t mind.”
“Did you now?” He grinned. “You want to keep me here and have your way with me instead of sharing me with the world. Admit it.”
She chuckled. “I figured you were still tired. And you needed to stay in and rest.”
“Ruin a man’s reputation, why don’t you?” He rubbed his face again. “I do feel better after the nap.”
“Ah ha, so you haven’t been feeling well. I knew it.” She fixed him with triumphant eyes.
He waved a hand. “Just a little bad. Nothing to worry about.”
Her voice softened. “But I do worry. That’s my job.” She got up and traveled to the couch, plopping softly by him. Her hand reached out to caress his cheek, gently stroking down it.
He nuzzled into her hand before placing a kiss on her palm. He looked up into those beautiful eyes and got lost.
The spell was broken by a knock at the door.
“Dinner.” She bounced over to the door to greet the waiter and take in their food, which gave him time to go get something he needed. Coming back into the room, Drake saw Chloe had set their dinner on the table.
“Hope you like chicken. I figured it was better than steak.” She began opening up the containers. There was a bottle of champagne, too. Good. They should have even more to celebrate. I hope.
Dinner had almost finished, when she asked, “Are you going to pop the cork on that champagne?”
“Yeah.” He smiled. Now was the time. “I thought I might wait until we had one more thing to celebrate.”
“Oh, what’s that?” She took a bite, chewing quickly.
He stood up, patting his pocket. He sauntered two steps to stand in front of her. Then, he dropped to one knee.
She gasped, her eyes growing wide. “Drake.”
He pulled out the little black box. “Chloe. I didn’t do this the first time. I didn’t even have a ring. This time, I’m doing it right. Would you marry me?” He opened the box to show her the pear-shaped diamond ring he’d managed to get ordered and picked up without her knowing.
Her breathing increased to the point he worried about her hyperventilating. Tears sprang out from her eyes like little raindrops. “Oh, my God. Oh, my God.” She launched herself at him, tackling him to the floor and smothering him with big kisses all over his face. “Yes. Yes. Yes!”
Laughing, he laid back, letting her get all the exhilaration out.
“Oh, I can’t believe this. Put it on my finger. Now. It’s so big. Oh, my God, how did you get this?”
“Hang on, I dropped it.” He pushed her up, searching for the box. “I snuck out before we flew to here this morning and got it.”
“You dropped my ring.” She stared aghast at him.
“You tackled me.” He located it and opened it up again. “That made me drop it.”
She peeked into the box, putting her hand to her chest. “It’s beautiful. Good thing your game was magic and not football.” She tossed him a cheesy smile.
“Hush, wife.”
“Not your wife yet.” She patted his arm, holding out her other hand for him to put the ring on. “But soon.”
“How about tomorrow?” He slipped the ring on her finger. He closed his eyes a second, emotion bathing him in its wake.
“Are you O.K?” she asked him, a worried note to her voice.
He opened his eyes. “I’m fine. I just never thought I’d be doing this again. I thought I’d lost you.”
“Me either. I thought I’d lost you for good.” She slipped into his lap. “And tomorrow is fine.”
“Once we’re married, your sister is my family.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
“Your sister will be my family. My money will be yours. I want to help Kimberly. I would have helped you before, but you made it clear you didn’t want anything to do with me. I didn’t want you to think I was trying to buy your affection. Like you did when you thought I’d stolen the totem.” He stroked her arm down to the elbow and back up to her wrist. “But now, I need to help our family. I want that clear.”
“Oh, Drake.” Her eyes filled with misty tears as she hugged him tightly.
Chloe was his again. Nothing could be better with the world. Or righter. God, how he loved her.
He lowered his lips to thoroughly claim her mouth until she was breathless. “Come on. Let’s move this celebration into the bedroom.” He pushed on her bottom to make her get up. Not that he wanted her out of his touch, but he wanted this time to be special. This romp would be in the bed. They had plenty of time here to break in the hotel suite. He eyed the table. Just how sturdy was hotel furniture?
Sliding out of his lap, she hesitated, biting her lip. “Are you sure you’re up to this? You’ve been through a lot.” She patted his leg, not getting up. “We can wait a while if you need to.”
“I’m fine, Chloe.” He took her hand, tugging her up, before leading her to the suite’s bedroom. The covers were turned down on a massive queen-sized bed with a flowered comforter, which would be in the floor before morning.
“Long as you’re sure.” He pulled her against him, loving the soft curves that plastered to his body.
“More than sure.” He kissed her again, his hands running slowly up and down her back. Her silken shirt tickled his hands. It was time for skin. He couldn’t wait to get her naked.
The lights dimmed.
“Wow, did you see that? Did the lights just dim?” She glanced around, checking all around the room. “Maybe the hotel didn’t pay the power bill.”
“No, Chloe. I did it.”
“No way. You were standing here with me, far away from the light switch ...” Comprehension dawned in her eyes. “Your magic’s back.”
“After the nap. I was starting to worry the herbs might never leave my system. But my powers are back.”
She ran a hand over his chest in small circles that made him want his own shirt off. “I love you with or without magic. You know that, right?”
He swooped in to fiercely kiss her until she moaned against his lips. “Come to bed with me, baby.”
* * * * *
Chloe inched toward the bed. Drake continued to kiss her as though he didn’t want to let her go anytime soon. Not that that was a problem. His mouth plundered hers with an abandon that made her breath come faster and faster. He tasted fresh and clean with a hint of hazelnut from the coffee they’d drunk this morning.
Maybe the floor would serve them nicely for a first time here. But, soon, her knees were touching the edge of the bed. So they’d made it without tearing off any clothes.
Breaking the kiss, he tugged on the bottom of her shirt. She helped him yan
k it over her head. She reached around, fumbling with her bra, releasing her breasts.
He let out a deep breath, his hands sliding up to cup them. “God, Chloe, you’re so beautiful.” His hands worshipped her, emphasizing his hoarse words.
She smiled before tugging on the bottom of his shirt. “Off now.”
Reluctantly, his hands left her breasts to slide it off. Before she could request more off, he shucked off his pants, too. Now it was her turn to breathe in admiration as his cock sprang free. Her hand glided across his length, taking on some of her pre-come from the tip, swirling it between her fingertips. “Ohhhh.”
He took the hem to her pants in his hands and slipped those down with her underwear. He leaped onto the bed with a wicked glint in his eye. She followed him, and he quickly rolled her under him. His weight pressed her down as his hands stroked down her body, slowly sliding over the sensitized skin. Inhaling his spicy scent, she wiggled around under him, liking his cock slapping against her stomach, and his touch.
“Chloe?”
“Ummmm?” The sensual spell had wrapped around her enough she almost didn’t hear him say her name.
He nipped at her throat. “Would you like me to use magic?”
Her heart sped up from an easy trot to a full gallop. “Do ...” She licked her lips. “Do you want to?”
He stroked along her side with his open hand, tickling. “I want to do what you want me to do.”
She shivered at his touch and the sincere note in his voice. “Do your magic.” Her stomach clenched as did her pussy. Permissions had been given for something she wasn’t quite sure what it would involve. How would he love her with magic?
“Flip over.” He straightened up, making a motion for her to turn over on her stomach. She flipped, her heart pounding with machine gun fire. “You want to stop me, just say elephant.”
She glanced back over her shoulder at him. “Elephant?”
“I wanted something you absolutely wouldn’t say normally during sex.”
“That’s for sure.” She shook her head. A rope twisted across her wrist, pulling tight. The tickle of it was real. But it wasn’t there. There was nothing across her wrist when she looked. But the sensation was there. It drew taut, pulling on her arm.
THE COLLECTOR 1 - Magical Chances Page 11
