“Sorry to interrupt, ladies.” Drake walked in. Alex glanced his way and quickly turned her attention back to her task of chopping lettuce. It was just as he suspected. She felt burned, and the fact bothered him.
“Drake, sweetie.” Regan sounded sympathetic. “Your poor face. Drew got ya good, didn’t he?” She walked over to him and hugged him. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize for Drew’s actions or feel badly for me. I’m all right, but thank you.” Drake gave her a warm hug.
“Can I get you an ice pack?” Regan asked, still in her sympathetic mode.
“No, I don’t think it’s swelling anymore. Can I help you with dinner? You’ve been very sweet to cook and keep me. I’d like to help you if I can.”
“Oh, no. Alex and I have it covered. Why don’t you go out back and visit with your brother. He had a call earlier from his mother about your father.” Regan shooed him out of the kitchen.
Drake walked out the back door and took a chair across from Damon. “How’s our father?”
“I think he’s going to be okay. The heart attack wasn’t massive. It could have been worse. They did find a blockage, and the doctor said it could be helped with a stint,” Damon explained, looking lost. “Sorry about earlier.”
“For what?” He didn’t understand what Damon had to be sorry about. It was he and Drew that owed him an apology.
“For Drew, our father, this whole messed-up situation, and being overprotective about Alex.” Damon spoke quietly and sipped his beer.
“First off, don’t apologize for the actions of our sperm bank father,” Drake said and Damon laughed. “Secondly, the shit between me and Drew is our own bullshit. He’s an asshole, and I’m pretty much one, too.”
Damon nodded with a smirk. “Noted.”
“And finally, I can understand why you’re overprotective of Alex. I’ve watched you and Regan around her. Heck, Regan has already admitted she’s like the sister she never had. She has become like family to you, and I respect that.”
“You’re actually a good man, aren’t you?” Damon sat his bottle down on the table.
Drake chuckled. “Don’t go spreading any rumors.”
Alex came out the back door with two beers. “Sorry to interrupt, but Regan asked me to bring these out to y’all.”
“Thank you, Alex.” Damon smiled.
“Thanks, Alex,” Drake responded, noticing how she avoided eye contact with him and went back into the house.
Damon sat quiet for a moment before speaking. “Alex is developing feelings for you.”
Drake sat stunned. How could she already have any feelings for him? The last couple of days she had pushed him away, and only in a moment of weakness, wanted to have sex with him. He had feelings for her, too, which boggled his mind, but he didn’t expect it was mutual or the same. “I don’t understand.”
“I can read women well, and Alex, well, she’s falling for you, Drake. I will warn you, though, her father absolutely despises us. All of us.” Damon turned his gaze to him. His expression was serious.
“But he doesn’t know me. Have you met him?” Drake took a long swig of beer.
“Just once. That’s his baby girl, and his son is in Afghanistan. They’re good people. I can’t claim they’re not. I’m just giving you a heads up.”
Drake leaned back and enjoyed the quiet with Damon. Looking up at the stars, he contemplated his next move. After his talk with his grandmother the previous day, he had begun to think about going back to college and finishing his business degree. He only needed three classes and cursed himself for dropping out. Maybe he could stay on the ranch as a hand for Damon and finish online. It was a thought that turned sour fast, because he’d have to see Drew every day, and it seemed they’d never see eye to eye. Wherever he landed after this fiasco was old news, he promised himself that he would make his grandmother proud and finish his degree.
“You look deep in thought, bro.” Damon broke the long stretch of silence.
“Yeah, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately. To be honest, I haven’t been much of a person the last year or so. I quit college when I was close to finishing, and now I want to complete it. Hell, complete anything,” Drake admitted, needing someone to talk to. He shook his head in disgust with himself. “I want to make my grandmother proud, and as funny as it sounds, Alex inspires me to want to be a better person.”
“I can understand that. Women have a way of pushing us to be our best. Regan for me was a godsend. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her.”
“Dinner is ready, guys. Come on in,” Regan announced from the door.
Damon smiled at her with a twinkle in his eyes, making Drake crave that feeling even more. What started out to be a conquest two days ago had now become a desire to do better and be better. Of course, his mind still wandered to darker places, but he was all man, and Alex was the woman he was determined to win, heart and soul.
* * * *
“I wonder what they’ve been talking about all this time.” Alex helped Regan set the table.
“Shop talk. Men are unusual creatures, and I bet it would surprise even me to know,” Regan replied with a laugh. “Do me a favor and go out there and tell them to get their butts in here.”
“All right,” Alex agreed, yet hated to go out. The event earlier still stung. Drake’s rejection and admission that he thought she was fragile pissed her off. She was still simmering about it.
“Hey, Regan said y’all needed to get your butts inside for dinner.” Alex walked out and closed the door behind her.
Damon grinned and looked at Drake. “Women are also very impatient as well.”
“Impatient?” Alex scoffed and put her hands on her hips. “I’m telling Regan you said that.”
“That’s okay. I’ll make it up to her later.” Damon winked, walking past her and into the house.
Alex stood there, unsure of what to say to Drake. He hadn’t moved from his chair. “Are you coming in for dinner?”
“Yes, but first I want you to sit down and let me explain how I felt earlier.” Drake turned and motioned for her to sit down.
“I don’t want to talk about it. It’s fine. Really,” she lied and started for the door.
Drake got up. “Wait.”
“You don’t owe me any kind of explanation, Drake.” Alex turned around and was met with his lips on hers. Surprised by his forwardness, she moaned, falling into his kiss. The man may be a city boy, but he could kiss better than any country boy she’d ever encountered.
Drake slowed his kiss to a small peck and looked into her eyes. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to take advantage of a vulnerable situation. When I claim you as my own, you won’t have any regrets.”
Alex nearly burst from excitement as desire spread through every extremity. Claim me as his own? She had trouble catching her breath from his statement, and it sort of made her mad. A little schmoozing and honesty from him and she became putty in his hands. “Okay, Romeo.” She cleared her throat and tried to act uninterested. “Dinner is getting cold.”
Drake gave her a playful smile, furthering her racing pulse. It wasn’t fair. He shouldn’t be able to affect me this way. She reached for the doorknob and jumped when the door opened.
“Okay, lovebirds. We’re officially kicking you out for the night.” Regan came out of the house with a basket.
“You’re kicking us out?” Drake asked, looking as confused as Alex felt.
“Yep, we’re kicking you out.” Damon recited Regan’s words and exited the house with an armful of blankets. “You two are going to have dinner alone somewhere. I don’t care where, just not here.” He continued to walk past them toward the old farm truck.
“What? Why?” Alex followed Regan as she made her way down the steps.
“It’s simple. Y’all have business to take care of, and we don’t want an uncomfortable dinner with you two, so we’re kicking you out for the night.” Regan laughed as she opened the truck door and put
the basket in the middle of the seat.
“That’s a bit extreme. Don’t you think? All night?” Alex stood in complete disbelief.
“All night,” Damon answered and patted her on the back as he walked by. “I’ll get a couple of pillows. It shouldn’t get too cold out tonight. If it does, cuddle for extra warmth.”
“You can’t be serious.” Drake followed Damon to the house.
“Oh, believe me, when my wife sets her mind on something, there is no budging her.” Damon left Drake standing on the porch.
Alex listened, not sure if what was happening was real or a joke. “Ha, ha. Very funny, Regan.”
“Oh, I’m not making a joke.” Regan offered a sweet smile as Damon came out the door with two pillows and a cooler.
“My wife doesn’t joke. The door will be unlocked at six in the morning,” Damon said with a chuckle. “So, here you two go. A cooler with drinks, two pillows, and the rest is already in the truck.”
Alex accepted the pillows while Drake grabbed the cooler. They are serious. I can’t believe they’re serious! She looked at Regan with her bright smile and was astonished.
“Well, I guess let’s go find a place to camp out.” Drake gave a strange look back at the crazy pair as they walked down the stairs together.
“You’ll thank us later!” Damon hollered from the porch with an amused grin on his face.
“Weirdos,” Drake whispered, making Alex giggle.
Alex got in the truck and the heavy door creaked as she shut it with a hard slam. She looked up to the house and watched Damon and Regan wave, walk into the house, and shut the door behind them before turning the back porch light off. OMG! They’re freaking serious!
Drake started the old beast of a truck up with a roar. “Dinner smells great.”
Alex couldn’t help but laugh. They were being forced to spend the night out on the ranch, in the truck together, and all he could say was, “Dinner smells great?”
“I don’t mind camping out, but I will say that I’m not particularly fond of mosquitoes.” That was the truth and the only reason she didn’t like camping out to begin with. Maybe all the family camping trips as a kid made her hate it now. She was surprised that city boy didn’t have any more complaints. Nope, he just smiled and drove toward the barn.
“Do you want to stay in the barn?” Alex asked when he slowed.
“Hell no. I’m stopping to get the gate.” He bounded out of the truck.
Chapter 7
Two weeks later, Drake and Alex had formed a new bond. When Damon and Regan kicked them out for the night, the pair used their time to talk and get to know each other. They had their dinner and lay back against the cab of the truck and pointed out shooting stars together. For once, Drake didn’t feel the urge to move straight to sex. The night was gorgeous, and the company was more than he could have ever dreamed up.
Everything changed between them that night. Alex told him about her family and the fact her brother was stationed in Afghanistan. He couldn’t imagine being stuck in such a place, but saluted those with the balls willing to endure it. It also made him want even more to make positive changes in his life. While men and women were putting their lives on the line for freedom, he took that freedom and played as if it meant nothing. He came away that night a changed man with purpose and drive.
Alex fell asleep in his arms, and for once he understood how his mother must have felt during the few times she had his father’s complete attention and him by her side. He also began to truly realize the hurt Evelyn must have endured. He wasn’t sure how long Evelyn knew of the affair, but he was certain it was long enough to surprise him. That night, Drake vowed to cherish the woman his heart connected with. He hoped it would be Alex.
“Do you really want to camp out with me again?” Drake teased as he carried a picnic basket to the truck.
“Yes.” Alex wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I packed bug spray this time.”
Drake grinned. The first forced campout left them with many mosquito bites, and he was thankful she remembered the repellent. This time would be different, because this time, he planned to make Alex his own.
The last two weeks had been great. Both worked together as a team on the ranch, and he was learning more and more from her each day. Sexual tension had built with winks and kisses, a couple of make-out sessions late at night. But the time hadn’t been right. Drake wanted more than anything to make their first time special, and not the typical roll in the hay he’d experienced many times before. Not that any of those women could compare to Alex, but he wanted and craved so much more.
“I think we’re all set.” Alex slid into the truck and eyed him with an adoring look.
Their brief encounters leading up to tonight left him breathless, as well as hard up. He allowed his gaze to take her in before starting the truck. An angel sat next to him wearing jeans, boots, and a snug top. There was something uniquely refreshing about her innocent beauty. She didn’t need to try. She was just beautiful without effort. No fake nails adorned her fingertips or gaudy makeup covered her face. The woman was captivating without all the cosmetics and enhancements most believed they needed.
Alex was sweet and intelligent. She made no qualms about speaking her mind or going after her dreams. Life just became hers for the taking, and her confidence and spunk impressed him the most.
“Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have something stuck in my teeth?”
And then there was her sense of humor. “No, I was just wondering how you felt after your fall from heaven.”
“Ooh, good pickup line.” Alex scooted closer to him and allowed her hand to rest on his thigh.
“They do work on you. I knew it.” Drake smiled and started the truck.
Alex laughed and kissed him on the cheek. “It depends on who they come from.”
“Ah, I see. So you like when they come from me?”
Her gaze hinted of mischief, and her eyes lit up and sparkled. “Oh, yeah.”
They made it to their campsite and Drake parked. His enthusiasm continued to build as he spread the blankets in the bed of the truck. The creek that he and Damon had crossed when he first arrived seemed as tranquil of a place as any. In the distance, he could hear cows bellowing for their calves as the darkness began to settle in, leaving only an orange glow across the sky. The sounds of crickets and frogs made him smile, because it was a sound he wasn’t accustomed to hearing. The trickle of the stream sounded heavenly as it blended with the nocturnal sounds of night.
Alex climbed into the bed of the truck, lugging the picnic basket with her. “I don’t know what Regan packed in this thing, but it weighs a ton.” She sat it down with a huff.
“Whatever it is, it smells great.”
“Well, we made fried chicken, potato salad, and corn on the cob, but I can’t imagine those items would be this heavy.”
“Let’s see what she put in here.” Drake opened the top of the large wicker basket. “Wow, there is a ton of stuff in here.” He pulled out paper plates and silverware off the top and laid them in front of Alex. His stomach growled, yet his pulse raced. The first time they were out together like this, he was content with her company. Tonight, he had other plans.
Digging deeper into the basket, Drake pulled out a container of chicken, followed by the corn and potato salad. At the bottom of a basket was a note. Picking it up, he read it out loud. “This is for later.”
“What’s for later?” Alex asked while sorting through the food.
“I don’t know what it is.” Drake sat the box down and turned his attention to Alex and the dinner she was placing on their plates.
“Dare to guess.”
“Oh, we need something to drink.” Drake opened the cooler, noticing it was stocked with beer, water, and a bottle of wine.
“Seriously? Wine?” Alex laughed and opened the other side of the basket. “Well, here’s the glasses, and a can of whipped cream?” She scrunched up her eyebrows and looked at
Drake with the can in her hand.
Drake shrugged, even though he thought of lots of uses for it. He continued his task and opened the bottle of wine, pouring them each a glass. “They spared no expense here.” He looked over the label under the pale light the moon reflected.
Alex had begun to dish their dinner out between their plates. “I know nothing about wine, so I wouldn’t know.”
“I’ll admit, it’s good stuff, but I only know that because my grandmother enjoys it,” Drake admitted.
Alex handed him his plate. “Thank you.” He handed her a glass of wine in return. “I’ve never had wine with fried chicken, but here’s to lots of firsts.”
Dinner was heavenly, as all of the dinners Regan prepared seemed to be thus far. He wished this night would go on forever. Between bites, he and Alex shared family stories and memorable events that occurred during their lives. Drake hated that he didn’t have stories to share that included his father, where Alex did. Most all of his memories were of his mother and grandmother only. There wasn’t much to say about his father, because they hadn’t ever seemed to bond. It bothered him to feel so much on the outside of the fence looking in, but overall, he had a couple of people that cared deeply for him, and that was what mattered the most.
“You have a little potato salad on your chin.” Drake motioned in the direction of where it lay.
“Where?” Alex blushed, wiping her mouth with the paper napkin.
“Oh, you missed it. Here, I’ll do it.” He leaned forward to rid her of the dab of offending food.
The pink of her cheeks fanned into a more crimson color as she looked away. “Thanks.”
Heaven help him. The woman was beautiful when she blushed. He was seeing a softer side of her, and he felt himself falling harder because of it. She amazed him with her knowledge, her strength, and her will to keep striving toward her dream of becoming a veterinarian. She was dedicated and hard working, committed to attaining her goals. That was the quality he most admired, and he loved how she made him want to get back into the saddle of life and spur on. He hoped that there was more between them and their relationship would continue to develop into more. Deep down, his stomach leapt every time she smiled. Mercy, the girl was it, the one, and it happened in a blink of an eye.
Drake [The Texas Senator's Sons 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 7
