Did I just say that out loud? I’m surprised at myself, but when I see the expression on Ashley’s face, I can’t say that I regret it. Obviously my admission makes her happy.
“What are you saying, Drake?”
What am I saying? I don’t think I’m ready to commit to anything more than dating, and I don’t want to get her hopes up for more than I can give her, so I decide to clarify. “I suppose I’m saying that I’d like to go out with you, but beyond that, I just don’t know.”
There, that should do it.
ASHLEY
His words fill me with a mix of hope and despair. I love that he’s being honest with me, but it’s almost like he’s predicting the failure of any kind of relationship before we even begin dating. All at once Emily’s talking point number three comes to mind: If he’s going to date me, he can’t date other women.
“I understand,” I say, though I don’t understand at all.
He nods, like everything is settled.
“One other thing,” I say, ready to share Emily’s talking point. Though she came up with the list, I completely agree with her and I’m glad she helped me focus.
With his eyebrows raised in question, he looks at me expectantly.
I remember him telling me that he likes to date lots of women, so I’m not sure how this is going to go over. “If we’re going to date,” I begin, filling my voice with confidence I don’t feel. “Then you can’t date other women.”
Obvious surprise flits across his face, but it’s quickly replaced by a smug smile. “Okay. And of course you won’t date other men, right?”
Oh. I hadn’t thought about that side of it. What about Jonathan? What will I tell him? Am I ready to stop dating him? What if things don’t work out with Drake, but Jonathan has already moved on?
“Ashley?”
It’s completely unfair for me to ask Drake to be exclusive if I’m not willing to do the same. “Uh, yeah. Of course.” Damn Emily and her talking points.
A slow smile lights Drake’s face and he holds out his hand like we need to shake on our verbal contract. “I think we have an agreement.”
I think about the final talking point: No sleeping together unless we’re in a serious relationship. For a moment I consider discarding it, but then I decide to see what Drake will say. “One last thing.”
He retracts his hand. “You already said one last thing.”
I purse my lips. “This really is the last thing.”
“Uh-huh. I think you just want to see what you can get me to agree to while you can.”
As true as that is, I’m not about to admit it. “This is actually something I wanted to bring up all along. The time just wasn’t right until now.”
“Okay. What is it?”
I swallow, not sure I want to agree to this particular talking point, but I forge ahead. “No sleeping together unless we’re in a serious relationship.” I nearly choke on my words, but manage to say them.
DRAKE
I try to conceal my surprise at her latest demand, but find it hard to school my expression. Her condition that we date each other exclusively is easy. I’m not dating anyone I really care about, and her agreement to be exclusive gets Jonathan out of the picture.
But this . . . no sleeping together? I’m not sure I can agree to that. Especially considering how much we both enjoy it. I decide to try to talk her out of it. “If we’re dating exclusively, doesn’t that mean we’re in a serious relationship?” I don’t believe that, but if she does, then her demand will be moot.
“We haven’t even been on one date yet, so I’d hardly say we’re in a serious relationship.” She smiles, like she knows what I’m doing. “Good try though.”
I smile in return, enjoying this particular negotiation. “Okay, then tell me what constitutes a serious relationship.”
“Uh . . .”
“You have no idea, do you?” I like that she doesn’t know what the heck she’s doing. It will make it much easier to get my way.
“Why don’t you tell me what you think constitutes a serious relationship.”
She’s got me there. I’ve never been in anything even resembling a serious relationship. The closest thing was my relationship with Rachel, but I still dated other women, so that couldn’t be what it looks like.
She laughs. “You have no idea either, do you?”
“I guess it’s one of those things where you know it when you see it,” I say.
“So, are we in agreement?”
I know this is going to be difficult, but what choice do I have? I want to see where this goes, and the only way to do that is to agree to her conditions. Besides, I’ve had enough dating experience to know that I’ll be able to figure out fairly quickly if there’s a future for us. As soon as I determine that there isn’t, I’ll cut her loose and finally be able to get on with my life.
“Okay,” I say, then I hold out my hand.
The moment she slides her smaller hand into mine, energy flows between us, and I regret agreeing to her second condition.
Thirty-Nine
ASHLEY
When our hands touch, the energy between us is palpable, and I wonder if making him agree to that final talking point was a mistake. Damn Emily and her talking points
But when I look at Drake, I know I can’t back out. I have to show him that I’m serious. If I change my mind on this one, then why would he think I’m serious about the dating exclusively point?
He releases my hand and I want to launch myself into his arms. Then I remember that we’re going dancing on Friday and find I can hardly wait until our first slow song.
It’s going to be a long week.
“I should probably take you home,” he says. Then with a look of chagrin, he adds, “I have some work to do today.”
I smirk. “Of course you do.”
“I should be done by this evening. Would you like to go to dinner with me?”
Our first actual date. The thought makes me giddy. “Yes, I’d love that.”
He smiles. “Good. How does six o’clock work for you?”
“It’s perfect.”
He puts his truck in gear, checks both lanes of traffic, then points us towards Reno. When we get back to my place, he walks me to my apartment. “I’ll see you at six,” he says.
He doesn’t try to kiss me, which kind of surprises me, but I just smile like he’s not doing anything unexpected, then I place my hand on the doorknob. “Bye.”
He smiles, then turns and walks away.
As I open the door, I dread telling Emily what Drake and I agreed to, but I don’t regret my decision. In fact, I’m beyond thrilled that he’s agreed to date me exclusively. But that brings a new problem to mind. What to do about Jonathan.
One thing at a time, Ashley. One thing at a time.
I walk into the apartment and find Emily fixing a sandwich. She turns to me with a look of surprise.
“I didn’t think you’d be back so soon.” She studies my face. “How did it go?”
I can’t hold back my elation any longer. “It went fantastic.”
She sets down the knife she’d been using to spread mayo on her bread. “Oh no.”
“What do you mean ‘oh no’? I said it went fantastic. That’s a good thing.” I walk into the kitchen and stand beside her, then begin fixing a sandwich for myself.
She glances at me as she picks up the knife and continues making her lunch. “You didn’t use the talking points, did you?”
Proud of myself for following through, I smile. “Actually, I did. Every one.”
Her eyebrows shoot skyward. “Every one?”
“Every one.”
“And he agreed?”
I nod.
“Even to the sleeping together one?”
I laugh. “Even to the sleeping together one.”
She cuts her sandwich in half and sets it on a plate. “There’s something very wrong here, Ash.”
I finish making my sandwich and we sit on the
couch. “Why do you say that?”
“Why would he agree to the sleeping together one?”
I laugh at her consternation. “Maybe he actually cares about me and wants to make me happy.”
“Hmm.”
As I take a bite of my sandwich, I watch the wheels turn in her head.
“Okay,” she says. “Tell me what you guys talked about.”
I smile, happy to share. “The short version is, we like each other and we’re going to date each other exclusively. And no sleeping together until our relationship becomes serious, whatever that means.” Then I remember Jonathan. “Oh, and Em?”
“Hmm?” she says as she chews a mouthful of bread.
“When you said date exclusively, I think you forgot that that would also mean that I have to be exclusive.”
After a split second, her eyes widen in understanding. “Oh, crap. I didn’t think about that.”
“Yeah. Me either.” I smirk. “But Drake did. Right after he agreed to not date other women.”
“That sneaky…” She lets her sentence trail off.
I laugh. “How is he sneaky? It’s only fair, since I made him promise not to date anyone else.”
“I guess,” she says, her face glum. Then under her breath, “That stinks.”
I ignore her distress. “He’s taking me to dinner tonight. And I’m taking him dancing on Friday.”
She frowns. “You don’t have to act so happy about it.”
“Emily! I thought you wanted me to be happy.”
“Yeah. Happy with Jonathan.”
Shaking my head, I laugh, then take another bite of my sandwich.
When Drake comes to pick me up that evening, Emily makes herself scarce as she’s still upset about us getting together.
“You look beautiful,” he says when I open the door.
“Thank you.” Powerful attraction to him pounds through me in response to the look in his eyes, then he holds out his hand. When I place my hand in his, a feeling of happiness surges through me.
He leads me out to his car. This time it’s the cute black sports car I saw parked in his garage. When he opens the passenger door for me, I climb inside.
After closing my door, he walks around to the driver’s side.
My gaze follows him, and I smile in appreciation at the way his dark slacks hang on his hips, and the sexy fit of his button-up shirt. A moment later he slides behind the wheel.
Forty
DRAKE
As we pull away from the curb, I glance at Ashley, just to get another look. Like usual, she’s gorgeous. Inwardly, I smile, noticing that since I’m no longer fighting my attraction to her, it seems to grow exponentially every time I see her.
“Did you get your work done?” she asks.
“Almost. I have a few things left to do before tomorrow.” A smile plays around the corners of my mouth as I look at her. “It would be nice if I had an assistant to help me out.”
She smiles. “Then I’d guess you’d better find one.”
I nod, then turn back to the road. “Good assistants are hard to find.”
“I’m sure Barbara will help you find one.”
“I’m sure she will too, because until I find one, she has to do that job as well as her own.”
Ashley is quiet for a minute. “I feel bad about that.”
I reach out and touch her shoulder. “Don’t feel bad. She’ll find someone soon.”
She turns to me with a frown. “I know. I just feel like I wasted a week of everyone’s time.”
I put both hands back on the wheel. “We both made a mistake, but everyone will get over it.” A few minutes later we arrive at the restaurant. One of the valets opens Ashley’s door and helps her out while I hand my keys to the other. When I reach Ashley’s side, I take her hand.
Her skin is smooth and soft and I like the feel of it in mine. I lead her inside and a moment later we’re seated in a booth in a back corner. “How’s your job search going?” I ask.
“I have two interviews this week.”
“Good.” I pause. “You probably shouldn’t mention the week you spent working at my firm.”
She smiles. “I know. I was already planning on leaving that out. I don’t think an employer would be impressed to know I quit my job after only a week.”
I laugh. “I know I wouldn’t.” We order our food, and Ashley tells me about her life growing up.
“I followed my older brothers around when I was little,” she says. “They mostly didn’t mind, but sometimes they would get mad at me when I insisted on playing with them.” She pauses. “What about you, Drake? You’ve never told me anything about your family. Barbara told me your dad started the business, but that you took it over two years ago.”
“Yeah,” I say as a feeling of sadness wells up inside me. “My dad retired when my mom was diagnosed with cancer. He took care of her, but she died last year.”
“I’m so sorry.”
I nod. “Thanks. She went quickly, but at least I was able to tell her good-bye.”
“What’s your dad doing now?”
I think about my father and how hard it had been on him when Mom died. At the funeral he’d been stoic, but afterwards he’d lost a lot of weight and I’d had to come over in the evenings to make sure he ate. It took a number of weeks before he started taking better care of himself, and then a while after that he came to the decision to do some traveling. “He and my mom always loved to travel, so even though she’s not with him, he eventually decided to do as much traveling as he could while he was still in good health. I guess he saw how quickly things can change and he wanted to enjoy life while he could.” I pause. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he decides to come back to the firm eventually though.”
The waitress sets our food in front of us and we begin eating.
“Why do you think he’ll want to come back to the firm?” Ashley asks.
“He’s only fifty-four. He’s a little young to retire. And knowing my dad, he’ll get bored with traveling eventually.”
“What will you do if he comes back? Do you think he’d take over as CEO?”
I remember the conversation Dad and I had before he left on his latest trip. He told me that if he does come back to the firm, it would just be part-time. “No. I think he’d be happy to leave me in charge, and then he would just do the parts of the job that he enjoys most.”
After a few moments of silence, Ashley asks if I have any siblings.
“No,” I say. “It’s just me.”
“Can I ask you something?” she says.
The tone of her voice tells me I might not like her question. “Yes, although I might not answer.”
She laughs. “Fair enough.” After a brief pause, she says, “What made you change your mind? About dating just me? You told me you like to date lots of women. Isn’t this kind of new for you? To just date one woman? I mean, besides the fact that I made you agree to it. Why did you agree to it?”
“That’s way more than one question,” I hedge with a laugh, a bit uncomfortable with delving so deep into my feelings.
“Don’t be a wuss, Drake, and answer my questions.”
Am I being a wuss for not wanting to answer her? Maybe I am. Okay, fine. I’ll give it a try.
“I’m sorry,” she says. “That wasn’t nice of me.”
“No,” I say. “Maybe you’re right.”
Her eyebrows rise in obvious surprise. “Okay then. Let’s hear it.”
“Maybe it’s just that I’m ready to try something new.”
She smiles. “So you admit this is new to you.”
I laugh. “Yes. I will readily admit that.”
“Why do you think you’re ready to try it? I mean, going from being a serial dater to being monogamous is a big leap.”
“Hmm.” Why am I? Maybe it’s because she fills my thoughts so constantly, more than any other woman ever has. Maybe it’s her innocence and her staunch belief that I’m a good man, even though I don’t nece
ssarily agree. I know how selfish I can be. I want what I want when I want it. Yet she seems to easily find the good in me. That’s a very attractive quality. Maybe it’s because I think she’s worth it. “I’m getting older. Maybe it’s just time for me to try something new.”
She stares at me a moment. “Is that the best you can do?”
I purse my lips, then nod. “Yep. I think it is.” The thought of baring my soul makes me break into a cold sweat. I don’t want to influence the way she sees me. I don’t want to scare her away.
Even more, I don’t want to tell her that I think I’m falling in love with her. I’ve never felt this way towards a woman, and truth be told, it scares the hell out of me. What if she discovers how selfish I truly can be? Will she run for the hills? Then what? I’ve never fallen for a woman to the point where her rejection has hurt me.
I saw how devastated my father was when Mom died. How can I give my heart to someone like that? Loving someone that much will make me too vulnerable. I’m not sure I’m ready to take that risk.
Forty-One
ASHLEY
I don’t think Drake is telling me what he’s really thinking, but I respect that. We’ve made tremendous progress today, and I’m not about to ruin that by insisting he tell me more than he’s ready to.
“Okay. I’ll let you off the hook,” I say as I swirl some pasta onto my fork, then I smile. “This time.”
His face seems to relax. “Good.”
We enjoy the rest of our meal, and when he takes me home, he walks me to my apartment.
“Thanks for the meal,” I say, then smile shyly. “And the company.” I’m getting to know him so much better. The only danger is, I can feel myself falling for him even more. I’m just not sure how he feels about me. I know he’s attracted to me—he’s told me that much. Beyond that, I just don’t know. And I’m not about to push him to tell me. That could lead to pushing him away.
“It was my pleasure,” he says.
Drake and Ashley: The Complete Story Page 27
