by S. E. Lund
I heard Drake chuckling beside me. “He’s lucky I didn’t clock him one,” he said and pulled me against him possessively. “I imagine he was wishing he had you there in person so he could use you as a model. Probably naked…”
I grinned up at him. “You men and your minds always go to the same place.”
“They do,” he said and smiled. “That’s why there’s still a human species in existence. Did you know about this?” he asked softly, his voice light.
“No,” I said firmly. “He must have taken a photo of me when I didn’t realize it.” I thought back to the safari. Sefton did have a big camera and was snapping photos during the entire time we were there. “He had a camera along with him so I guess he used that for the painting.”
“It’s really very good,” Drake said. “I hate to admit it, but he’s talented.”
“He is,” I said and poked Drake in the ribs, “but he’s a jackass.”
“That’s true, but I have to tell you, I’d like to smear my face with war paint and dance around a bonfire with this burning on top.”
“Drake!” I said and laughed. He pulled me closer and kissed me suddenly.
“I’m incredibly jealous,” he said. “I didn’t realize he’s so good. I was hoping he was just a lot of hot air.”
“He is talented,” I said. “He’s really big in South Africa, from what Claire said. He has shows all over the world so he’s famous in the art community.”
“Well, I hope you put it in your studio. I don’t want it in our apartment in any prominent place because it’ll make me jealous every time I see it.”
I laughed at him and watched as he went to the bar to get us fresh drinks. While he was there, I thought about the art safari and the disastrous evening that Sefton tried to kiss me and Claire found us alone in the tent. It felt like a betrayal, when he hit on me like that. I had finally imagined he saw me as more than just a young woman to hit on – that he actually saw me as a fellow artist – and his attempt to make a pass threw all that in the trash. I hated it.
Yes, I wanted him to respect me as a fellow artist, but that was all.
We returned to the living room and I glanced around the room. We still hadn’t spoken with Sam, which was a relief. She spent her time talking to Camille or Claire or Michael and didn’t seem to circulate much. I felt as if she was waiting for us to go to her, but Drake didn’t seem interested in seeking her out.
We were talking to one of Drake’s fellow faculty members about the food in Nairobi when Drake turned to me and made a comment about how delicious the canapés were. Made from a local recipe with spices native to the area, they were tasty bits of fish with a spicy sauce on a puffed pastry.
He caught my eye and licked his bottom lip slowly and suggestively.
I realized that it was ‘the signal’ and felt a surge of desire flood through me, for I had forgotten all about Drake’s plans for me, caught up as I was in the discussion of local cuisine.
I took in a deep breath and turned to Drake. “If you’ll excuse me,” I said and squeezed his hand. “I need to freshen up.” I smiled at Drake’s colleague and left the two of them standing at the treat table.
I followed the hallway to the back of the house and the last bedroom, which looked like a girl’s bedroom. Pink with a frilly canopy bed and white French Provincial furniture, it looked like something I would have liked when I was twelve.
I went inside and walked around, checking out the pictures on the wall and the books on the shelf. Young adult books about vampires, witches and other supernatural creatures.
The door opened and I turned, my heart in my throat. It was Drake, a look of mischief in his eyes.
“Ms. Bennet, what are you doing back here?”
“Master D, I seem to recall an order to go on your signal. I took you licking your lips as the signal. Was I wrong?”
He chuckled and closed the door behind him. “No, you were absolutely right.”
He came over and motioned to the bed. “Now lie back on the bed and spread your legs wide. I’m going to eat you until you come.”
I heard some voices from the living room – loud laughter – and felt a thrill of fear.
“I’m not so sure about this,” I said and swallowed hard.
“Shh,” Drake said and pushed me back so that I fell onto the bed. He pushed up the skirt of my dress and wrenched down my panties. “Spread.” When I did, he smiled carnally and knelt down at my feet. “Put your leg over my shoulder.”
I heard another loud laugh from the living room and closed my thighs. “Drake…”
“Katherine,” Drake said admonishingly. “Do I have to discipline you?”
I took in a deep breath. “Sorry, Master,” I said. I lifted a leg and placed it over Drake’s shoulder. He leaned in and spread me wide, then ran his tongue all around me, lapping at my folds without actually touching my exposed clit.
It drove me wild with lust and I had to bite my lip to keep from groaning out loud. When he finally stroked his tongue over my clit, I shuddered, my thighs closing around his head. I raked my fingers through his hair and closed my eyes in pleasure.
“Oh, God,” I whispered.
“You like that, Ms. Bennet?”
I bit my lip again. “You know it.”
I kept watch on the door, torn between the delirious sensations Drake was eliciting with his tongue and his fingers, and the door, praying that it didn’t open to admit anyone.
What would I do if Michael walked in?
I knew that my worry was distracting me from what Drake was doing, so I shut everything off, and focused on the sensations, keeping my eyes on Drake as he licked me and slipped his fingers inside of me. The sooner I came, the better.
He tongued me and sucked on my clit and soon enough, I felt the familiar ache that proceeded my orgasm.
“Master, I think…” I managed and he stroked inside of me, pressing his tongue flat against my clit and that sent me over. Pleasure filled me, almost blinding me with its intensity and I began to spasm around his fingers.
“There you go,” he said and continued to stroke inside of me while I clenched around his fingers. “That’s my girl.”
When I was finished, I lay back on the bed with my eyes closed and breathed in deeply. Drake pulled my panties back on for me and smoothed down my dress. Then he lay on top of me, resting between my thighs, and kissed me.
Just then the door to the bedroom opened and one of Drake’s students poked his head in.
“Oops,” the man said and caught my eye. “Sorry.”
The door closed and I covered my mouth with a hand. “Oh, God, Drake…”
“That was Chris Dawson,” Drake said. “He’s a good guy. He won’t think anything of it. Don’t worry.”
Drake kissed me again, his mouth curved in a wicked smile. “He’ll probably tell one of the other residents and word will spread like wildfire that Dr. Morgan is lying on the bed with his fiancée.”
“That’s what you wanted, right?”
“No,” he said and shook his head. “What I really wanted was to have you obey me and risk being caught. It shows me that you’re ready and willing to do what I say even if you feel uncomfortable.” He kissed me once more. “We’re perfect for each other, in other words.”
“We are.”
I smiled as he kissed a trail down my throat to my breast, which he cupped over the fabric.
We were perfect for each other. Sam, Claire, Sefton and any other doubters could all go to hell.
I was his and he was mine—body, mind and soul.
Of course, we entered the living room together, hand in hand. Drake had the biggest smile on his face as if he was making a point with everyone there – look at us. We’re inseparable.
My cheeks were hot as we walked up to the canapé table and refreshed our drinks. When I glanced around, there were quite a few grins on the faces of those who were present. Sam, however, was not smiling and I felt triumph that she got the message loud and clear.
I squeezed Drake’s hand and smiled up at him. He turned to me and smiled back.
“Well played, Dr. Morgan,” I said softly. “Well played.”
“I am a Master,” he said with a grin.
We sat around the large dining room table and ate a feast of local cuisine while Michael and Drake regaled their audience with tales of the OR and patients they had treated. I sat beside Drake and listened to their talk, feeling like I was seeing inside Drake’s world for the first time.
They bragged to each other about the speed of their surgeries and their very low complication rates like a couple of cocks on the walk, as my father would have said. The students all smiled and laughed, enjoying the performance. Drake held my hand when he could, squeezing it now and then, and I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the evening.
Sefton sat beside Claire and listened closely to Drake and Michael as they spoke about their time together. Every now and then I felt his eyes on me, but I never once met them. I refused to engage him in any way. My focus was entirely on Drake.
The rest of the evening went well up until I went to the washroom and left Drake alone in the living room. When I returned, Drake was nowhere to be found, so I went in search of him and found him in the kitchen, leaning against the island with a very angry-looking Sam facing him. I stood in the doorway and listened, for neither appeared to know I was there.
“I hope you don’t regret it down the road when she realizes how bad being married to a surgeon really is,” Sam said, her voice petulant.
“What happens between Kate and me is none of your business,” Drake said, his voice low and slow, like he was really trying to rein in his anger. “I won’t have to keep usual surgeon’s hours because I can take only the cases I really enjoy, so I won’t ever neglect our marriage. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” he said and pushed past her. He saw me in the doorway and came right over to me and kissed me, pulling me into his arms.
“There you are,” he said and pulled me out of the hallway and into the living room, our hands locked together. “I hope she gets a clue, but I doubt it.”
“Did she ambush you when you were alone?” I said, surprised that she had the balls to do so. I glanced back to the kitchen door and she was standing there, her face dark.
“Unfortunately. I went in to get some more ice and she followed me. I had to speak with her and she tried to warn me off marrying you once more. Can you even believe her nerve?”
I shook my head. “No, I can’t.” I couldn’t, but people had surprised me. First, Dawn with her willingness to meddle in my life and Drake’s career. Then Kurt, hoping to break us up, then Sam and Claire…
I held on tight to Drake’s hand and thanked my lucky stars he loved me as much as he did.
Drake stifled a yawn later when we were standing in the living room with our cups of tea and coffee. He led me over to where Michael stood with a few students and extended a hand. “It’s time for us to go, but thanks so much for everything.”
Michael took Drake’s hand in both of his huge meaty ones, those large hands that had shocked me with their size the first time I met Michael, and shook.
“I’ll miss you, young man, more than you can know. You’ve done the hospital and college a great service and I’ll never forget it. Anytime you want to return, you are most welcome. There will always be OR time for you and a position on the faculty.”
“I’ll see you on Monday when I come in to wrap things up,” Drake said softly and Michael nodded. They embraced and clapped each other on the back.
I saw Claire standing off a few feet, her face sad. She came up once Michael ended the embrace, the painting in her hands. She set it down and held out her arms. I watched Drake to see what he would do, but like a true gentleman, he embraced her and kissed both her cheeks.
“Claire,” he said softly. “Thanks for everything. And thanks for the painting. How very thoughtful of you.”
She said nothing, as if she were fighting emotions.
Michael embraced me next. “Thank you, Ms. Katherine, for coming with Drake and keeping him happy. I wish all the best for the two of you in your lives together as a married couple.”
He kissed my cheeks and my eyes welled up. “Thank you,” I said.
Drake turned to those who were still present and waved at them.
“Thanks all of you and good luck in your studies and careers.” They responded in kind, murmurs of thank you, and best of luck from the group.
Then he picked up the painting and we left.
In the car on the way home, Drake took my hand as we drove through the darkened streets.
“That went well,” he said and glanced at me. “Better than I hoped, with the exception of that bastard deVilliers showing up. I’m pissed that Claire invited him. She didn’t have to. I think she was rubbing it in.”
“It did go well,” I said and squeezed his hand. “Sefton was like Claire’s knife in the back. I can’t believe she actually invited him, given what happened.”
“I know,” Drake said, his brow creased. “I guess I was always so busy with work when I was here before that I never realized how manipulative she really is. I wonder if she didn’t push Sam and me together back when I was here before.”
“She might have,” I replied. Then, to change the subject from Sefton, I thought about our little interlude in the back bedroom. “What do you suppose your student said to the others about catching us alone in the bedroom?”
Drake laughed at that. “He probably said that he caught the two of us lying on the bed together, kissing, and that we were obviously deeply in love.”
I smiled in the darkness. “I notice Sam didn’t say goodbye.”
“No, she knew well enough not to, for a change.”
“Do you think she finally got the message?”
Drake held my hand up to his lips and kissed my knuckles. “I hope so. If not, she’s not as smart as I thought.”
“It has nothing to do with smart, Drake,” I said softly. “It has to do with desire and that involves none of the prefrontal cortex, if I remember my anatomy course correctly.”
“You do remember it correctly,” Drake said with a laugh. He sighed out loud. “I hope you realize that we can weather any storm that we encounter after tonight. As long as we’re open and honest about our needs and desires, we can handle anything together.”
I smiled and nodded. “I do realize it,” I said and took in a long breath, happy that the night I’d been so worried about was finally over.
When we arrived home, Drake didn’t wait to fuck me. Instead, he pushed me up against the wall just inside the entryway and kissed me passionately, before lifting up my thigh and placing it around his hip.
“I’ve been waiting all night to fuck you again, Ms. Bennet, and I’m not waiting another moment,” he said, his voice almost a growl.
Before I knew it, we were on the floor, going at it like a pair of hungry teenagers and I was surprised at his desire, but I imagine that Sefton’s presence fueled his lust.
I bit my bottom lip and closed my eyes, letting him ravish me with pleasure.
CHAPTER FIVE
Drake
Leaving Nairobi was harder than I imagined.
On Monday morning, I went to the hospital one last time to say goodbye to Michael and to make sure all my paperwork had been signed and delivered to the proper office. I’d donated all my salary while working at the hospital and college, as well as considerable technology, which would help equip a new OR with robotics used in the techniques I taught.
I stopped off at the nursing desk and said thanks to all the staff I worked with on a regular basis. Then, I went to Michael’s office and waited for him to finish a phone consultation before entering his office and sitting down at his desk.
“I guess this is it,” he said and removed his glasses, rubbing his eyes with a hand as if he were extremely tired. “I hate having to say goodbye, Drake. I hope to see you soon, whether in New York or here in Africa.”
I smiled, genuine affection for him filling me. “You know I can’t stay away from Africa for too long. Kate and I never did get to go on safari after all so we may book some time next year when we’re both free from other responsibilities and when my fellowship is finished.”
“Make sure you call me when you’re anywhere in Africa and I’d be happy to come and meet you if I can arrange things.”
“I will,” I said, although I knew Michael was way too busy to be flying off to visit with friends on a whim. I knew he meant it, though. There was no doubt about it.
I checked my watch and saw that it was already almost lunch. The movers would be arriving so I wanted to get home. “I guess I have to go. I just wanted to come by and say goodbye once more.”
“What time are you leaving tomorrow?” Michael said and stood up when I did. He came around the desk and stood with me at the door. “I could give you and Kate a ride to the airport if you need me.”
I shook my head. “We’ve already made arrangements with a young taxi driver who served as a chauffeur to us while we’ve been here. But thanks. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me – for us.”
Then we embraced and clapped each other on the back with affection.
“I’ll miss having you around to talk shop with, Drake. Don’t become a stranger.”
We shook hands once more. “Never,” I said and I meant it.
Then I left him in his office and made my way past the coffee room, popping my head inside to say goodbye to any of the residents who were taking a break. There was only one person in the room and I kicked myself mentally for stopping by.
Sam.
I pulled my head back, hoping to leave without saying anything, but she must have caught sight of me out of the corner of her eye.
“Drake!” she called out. I stopped in my tracks, angry that my last experience of the hospital would be with her.
She came up to me and looked at me playfully. “Were you really going to leave without saying anything?”
I took in a deep breath, hoping for patience.
“I have to go,” I said and pointed to my watch before turning to walk backwards down the hall, trying to get away from her. “I was just stopping off to wrap things up and say goodbye to Michael.” I shrugged helplessly. “Sorry. Gotta run.”
