The next day at work I’m in a fantastic mood. Not only am I loving my new job, but Drake has already sent me two texts: One reminding me to put him on my calendar for lunch the next day—as if I’d forget. And the other telling me that he loves me.
Next to me, a deep voice asks, “How was your weekend?”
I turn to see my co-worker, Evan. With thick blond hair, emerald green eyes, and just the right amount of stubble on his chin, he’s hard to miss. “It was nice.” As I think about Drake, I can’t hold back the smile that blossoms on my mouth. “How about yours?”
His lips turn up in a smile as he perches on the corner of my desk. “I’m guessing it wasn’t nearly as interesting as yours. What did you do?”
Not ready to share my very private weekend with anyone but Emily, I laugh. “Nothing exciting.” Yeah, right. It was my dream weekend. The man I’m madly in love with told me he loves me, and now we’re closer than ever.
“Hmm.” He stands. “Can you go to lunch with me? We need to talk about the Harrison project.”
Mild panic sweeps over me. Would Drake consider this a date? What if he sees me with the extremely attractive Evan? But Evan’s a co-worker and the lunch would be work-related. Surely Drake would understand that. “Uh, yeah. Sure.” I smile to show that I’m fine with it, although inside my worry-meter has kicked on. My relationship with Drake has barely moved to the next level and I don’t want to screw it up.
“Great,” Evan says as his smile grows. “Can you leave in fifteen minutes?”
“Yeah.”
Fifteen minutes later the two of us leave the office and walk to a nearby deli where we order sandwiches then sit at a table for two.
“How do you like your job?” Evan asks.
“I love it. It’s exactly the kind of job I was looking for.”
Leaning closer to me, he says, “I, for one, am glad they hired you, Ashley.”
Not certain if he’s implying something, I laugh. “Because they needed a new college graduate who’s completely inexperienced?”
His lips curve into a smile. “Something like that.”
Evan is around Drake’s age, and as far as I know, he’s single. I wonder if I should mention that I have a boyfriend, but then realize that could bring up a potentially uncomfortable question—like, why am I telling him that? All I need is to put my new co-worker on the spot when all he’s doing is being friendly. I decide to let Drake’s importance in my life become obvious when he picks me up for lunch the next day.
“What did you want to discuss on the Harrison project?” I ask as I try to direct Evan’s focus to work.
He starts talking about the project and I feel like we’re back on track.
Five
DRAKE
At work on Monday I find it difficult to concentrate. The weekend turned out a hundred times better than I’d thought it would, and my head’s still partially back at the cabin.
“Mr. Drake,” Barbara says as she knocks on my open office door.
I look up at her with a smile. “Yes?”
“I have several candidates that I’ve pre-screened for the position of administrative assistant.” She frowns. “None of them seem like your last one.” Her frown turns into a smile. “They all seem very dependable and professional.”
Discomfort grows within me. Barbara’s worked at Drake Consulting longer than I have, and I respect her immensely, but obviously she doesn’t care much for Ashley. What would she think if she knew Ashley and I are dating?
For some reason I don’t want her to know.
I put aside my concerns to examine at a later time as I focus on her.
“I’d like to schedule a time for you to interview them,” she says. “When is a convenient time?”
“Any open time on my calendar will work. Thank you, Barbara.”
She nods, then leaves my office, and I focus back on what I was doing before she interrupted me.
ASHLEY
That evening Emily and I go to an inexpensive restaurant not too far from our apartment. “I promised you dinner,” I say with a smile. “Just not a fancy dinner.”
Emily laughs as she peruses the menu. “This is fine.”
I think about my lunch with Evan. “Do you go to lunch with your co-workers very often?”
Lowering her menu, she meets my gaze. “All the time, why?”
“Is it, like, a group of you?”
She sets her menu on the table. “Usually.” Her eyes narrow. “What’s going on, Ash?”
I tell her about my lunch with Evan and my feeling that he was implying something when he said he was glad they hired me.
“Did he say anything that made you uncomfortable, or say anything inappropriate?”
“No. We mostly just talked about work.”
She smiles. “He was probably just being friendly, Ash.” She picks the menu back up. “Don’t read anything into it.”
Hoping she’s right, I focus on my food choices.
Our meal arrives and we begin eating.
“Nick’s taking me away this weekend,” Emily says with a smile.
“That’s great.” I’m glad my friend is as happy as I am. It would be awkward if she was miserable when I’m so ecstatic with my love life. “Where are you going?”
“Lake Tahoe.”
“I’ve never been there. What’s it like?”
“It’s gorgeous. I guess he has a friend who owns a house there and his friend said he could use it for the weekend.”
“That sounds like a lot of fun.”
“I know. I’m excited.”
The next morning I carefully choose my outfit—with Drake taking me to lunch, I want to look my best. After deliberating for longer than usual, I finally settle on a flattering skirt and blouse that look professional yet sexy.
“You look very nice,” Evan says the moment he sees me.
Deciding to take the opening he’s given me, I say, “My boyfriend’s taking me to lunch.”
Evan’s eyebrows rise. “Boyfriend, huh?”
I nod, and as an image of Drake fills my mind, I smile.
“I didn’t know you were dating anyone.”
Why would you? I want to ask, but instead I say, “Well, I am.” I hope he’ll take the hint.
A frown plays around the corners of his mouth. “I’m really booked with meetings today, so I was planning on the two of us going to lunch again so we could talk in depth about the Harrison project. It didn’t feel like we got to everything yesterday.”
“I’m sorry. I have plans.” There’s no way I’m going to cancel on Drake.
“I understand.” He runs his fingers through his hair. “You know, tomorrow we have a conference call with the entire Harrison team. Do you think you’ll be ready?”
Panic swells within me. I’ve been working on my part of the project, but knowing I’ll have to present it the next day makes my palms become damp with sweat. “I think so.”
“Ashley, you know Donald will be sitting in on this call, right?”
Donald is the CEO of our firm, and I had no idea he’d be there. “No, I didn’t know that.”
“If it would help, I can stay late tonight and practice with you.”
Relief flows through me. “Really? You’d do that?”
“Of course. We’re on the same team and I want to see all of us succeed.”
I nod. “Great.”
His smile grows. “I’ll plan on it.”
I work on the Harrison presentation the rest of the morning, but as lunchtime approaches, I find myself getting nervous. It’s been two days since I saw Drake, and I almost feel like I’m going on a first date. We haven’t seen each other since we got back from his cabin, and I’m worried that he’s changed his mind about me. Maybe he’s realized that he’s not actually ready for a serious relationship. After all, he’s never been in one. Maybe he’s reconsidered.
My cell phone chimes a text and I snatch it from my desktop.
Drake: I’m in the reception area. Where�
��s your desk?
My head snaps up and I turn in the direction of the receptionist, but I can’t see anything over the walls of my cubicle. I stand and see Drake. He’s looking away from me, obviously searching. Taking the opportunity to admire his masculine profile, my mouth turns up in a smile.
His head slowly swivels until our eyes meet, then a smile lights his face and he starts towards me. A moment later he’s standing in the entry to my cubicle. “Hello, beautiful,” he murmurs.
My heart races as my smile grows and I feel suddenly shy. “Hi.”
He peruses my cube, then meets my gaze. “You have more space than you did at Drake Consulting.”
I laugh. “Yes. If I’d only had a bigger desk, I would have stayed.”
An eyebrow arches. “Really? So if I give you a bigger cubicle—no, wait—your own office, you’ll come back to Drake Consulting?”
“Are you offering me a job?”
He steps closer so that we’re only a foot apart. “I’ve missed you, Ashley.”
Knowing he’s missed me like I’ve missed him makes my stomach flutter. “I’ve missed you too.” My mouth quirks into a half-smile. “But I’ll never work for you again.”
He pulls me into his arms. “Never say never.”
I relish the feel of his strong arms around me.
“Mmm,” he murmurs against my ear. “I’ve missed this.”
Me too.
He steps back and gazes at me. “Are you hungry?”
“Yes,” I say with a sultry smile.
He grins, then he leans close and whispers, “I’m talking about food.”
Holding back a giggle, I say, “So am I, Mr. Drake. Whatever else would I be talking about?”
Smirking, he straightens. “Okay, then. Let’s go get some lunch.”
Six
DRAKE
I take Ashley’s hand and guide her out of her cubicle and towards the exit. Seeing her has renewed my enthusiasm for our upgraded relationship—at least it feels like an upgrade. Particularly after we agreed to not sleep together for the duration of our dating time until we’d decided we were serious about one another.
Looking back, I think it was actually a good idea. Although it was difficult to wait, making love to this woman was all the sweeter once I’d realized that I’d fallen in love with her.
“What are you thinking about?” she asks as we approach my car.
Turning to look at her, I smile. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“Now you’ve got me curious.”
I chuckle. “Good. I like you curious.”
She stops walking, making me stop as well. “Come on, Drake. Tell me.”
I face her head-on. “Okay.” My smile grows. “I was thinking it was a good thing we’d put a hold on sleeping together until we’d taken our relationship to the next level.”
“Really? It was torture for me.”
I laugh. “You thought it was torture?”
“Yes,” she laughs. “Why is that so surprising?”
“I guess I thought it was easier for women.”
“Well, you’re wrong.” She looks thoughtful. “Of course, I don’t know how it feels for a man, so maybe I’m wrong.”
I slide one hand behind her head, then lean towards her and kiss her deeply. Desire roars to life inside me, but after only a moment I release her. “Maybe we should skip lunch,” I murmur.
Her eyes meet mine and I can tell she’s affected too. “As nice as that sounds, I have to get back to work soon and finish a project.”
“I thought you just said it was torture to wait.” A smug smile lifts the corners of my mouth, but I’m actually glad she turned me down. I have to get back to the office soon as well.
“Time and place, Drake.” She turns and begins walking to my car. “Time and place.”
I laugh as I watch her hips sway from side to side, which does nothing to cool my passion. I follow her to my car, help her into the passenger seat, then drive us to a nearby restaurant.
Once we’re seated in our booth, we talk about work.
“How’s the admin assistant hunt going?” she asks.
“Barbara has a few candidates lined up that I’ll interview later this week.”
She grimaces. “I hope one of them works out.”
Her obvious chagrin at the fact that she didn’t work out reminds me of Barbara’s disapproving opinion of her and my discomfort with Barbara knowing I’m dating her. I take a moment to examine my feelings. Am I afraid Barbara will say something to my father, who has yet to meet Ashley? Or am I worried about losing the respect of my staff? I’m not sure which it is, or maybe it’s a little of both.
I push down my concerns and concentrate on the woman sitting across from me.
“Emily told me your sad story,” she says with a grin.
“Sad story? What sad story?”
“The one where you got her to help you convince me to go on a drive with you last Friday.”
I laugh. “What was sad about it?” I remember how worried I’d been that Emily would refuse to help me, and how I’d been forced to tell her why Rachel had been in my office. I’d gotten the feeling she thought it had been an asinine thing to do, and I couldn’t blame her, but the important thing was that she’d come around to my point of view. And now she was an ally.
“Well, maybe not sad,” Ashley says, “but the way Emily described the way you were sitting on the top step like a lost little boy touched my heart.”
I laugh. “I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration.”
“Hmm. Well, that’s what she said.”
I smile as I reach across the table and take her hand, but the waitress arrives and I have to release Ashley’s hand to make room for our plates.
For the rest of the meal we keep the conversation light and all too soon it’s time to go back to work.
“Thank you for taking me to lunch,” Ashley says as we ride the elevator up to her office.
We’re alone and I don’t hesitate to pull her in for a kiss. “Can you come to my house for dinner tonight?” I ask after I release her. I gaze down at her, but when I see disappointment fill her eyes, I know the answer before she says it.
“I’m sorry, Drake. I want to, but I can’t tonight.”
“That’s okay.”
“It’s just that I have to get ready for this presentation tomorrow.”
“You don’t have to explain.” I laugh. “Especially to me.”
“Maybe another night?”
“I’m going out of town for a few days at the end of the week, but let’s get together on Saturday.”
“Yes.” Her face lights up as the elevator doors open.
I walk her all the way to her cubicle and give her a quick kiss on the mouth. “I’ll see you on Saturday.” I remember the hike we took together and decide it would be fun to go again, especially now that the weather is warming up. “Are you free that morning?”
“I need to run a few errands, but I can work around that.”
“Great,” I say. “I thought we could go on a hike.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“Hey, Ashley,” a man says from just outside Ashley’s cubicle. I turn to see a man about my age whose gaze is locked on Ashley. I know that look—predatory, hungry—and I bristle.
“Hi, Evan,” Ashley says, then focuses on me. “This is my boyfriend, Colton Drake.” She gestures to the man. “This is Evan.”
I don’t miss the boyfriend label, and though it’s somewhat unexpected, I’m glad she’s made our relationship to this man clear. “Hello,” I say as I shake the man’s hand. His grip is strong and confident, and I want to squeeze his hand to show I’m stronger, but I control myself. My visceral reaction to the man surprises me. I’ve never felt like this before and I don’t like it.
“Hey,” he says as he meets my gaze straight on.
The moment he releases my hand he turns to Ashley and completely ignores me.
“Sorry to interr
upt,” he says, “but I have to take off for a while and I wanted to make sure we’re still on for tonight.”
“Yeah,” she says. “I’m planning on it.”
“Great. I’ll be back by six.” He smiles at her. “I’ll see you then.”
“Okay.”
He turns to me. “Nice to meet you.”
“Yeah,” I say. “You too.” He walks away and I turn to Ashley. I’m sure my face shows my unhappiness, because she frowns.
“He’s going to help me with my presentation,” she says.
So he’s the reason I won’t be able to see her that night. The thought upsets me and my jaw tightens as jealousy threads through me. I really don’t like that, but it’s out of my hands, and it’s unreasonable for me to ask Ashley to change her plans. She’s still a new employee and I know it’s important to her to excel. I admire that in her. I just don’t like that it’s interfering with what I want. “It’s fine,” I say, but my tone states the opposite.
Seven
ASHLEY
I hear the irritation in Drake’s voice and for a moment my muscles tense in an answering burst of annoyance. This is my career and it’s important that I get this presentation right. “The CEO will be watching the presentation, so it’s important that my part is flawless.” I don’t know why I feel the need to explain, but I do.
He smiles at me, but his eyes say he’s pissed. “I’m sure you’ll do great.”
I don’t understand why he’s angry. I haven’t done anything wrong. What does he think I’m going to do?
Stress about my presentation is now layered with stress about Drake. “I hope so.”
“How long do you think you’ll stay?” he asks. “Maybe you can stop by my place afterwards.”
“I don’t know how long I’ll be here.” To show him I’m not completely against the idea of going to his place, I smile. “I’ll have to see how I feel when we’re done.” Though I hold out the possibility of getting together, I know myself well enough to know that I’ll want to get a good night’s sleep before tomorrow’s presentation. It’s doubtful I’ll have the energy to go to Drake’s house tonight, but I don’t want to tell him that just now.
Drake and Ashley: The Complete Story Page 33
