He strokes my face. “Not right now, but I was wondering if you would go dancing with me tonight.”
“Dancing? Yes, I’d love to.”
He smiles. “Good. I’ll pick you up at seven.” He kisses me softly, yet lovingly, then turns and walks down the stairs.
I go inside to start getting ready.
Ten
DRAKE
I think about Ashley as I park the ATV trailer in my garage, then I laugh at myself. I don’t usually buy toys on impulse, but it was worth it. She’d been so surprised, and we had a fantastic time, and I know I’ll have to come up with other surprises for her.
When I arrive at her apartment for our date and see the sparkle in her eyes and the sexy red dress that reaches halfway down her thighs, it’s all I can do to lead her out to my car instead of into her bedroom.
The diamond bracelet I gave her at my cabin circles her wrist, and I hold back a smile as I remember what prompted me to buy it. When Ashley had dropped the thousand dollars on my desk as a repayment for her car repair, I’d known I would have to be clever in my refusal. Using the money to buy the bracelet had been an obvious solution, and when she’d simply thanked me for it when she’d known full well where the money had come from, I’d been pleased.
I take her hand in mine and we walk into the dance club. It’s as packed as ever and before long we’re swaying to the music. A slow song comes on, and when I draw her into my arms and she rests her head against my shoulder, the subtle scent of flowers floats towards me. I pull her closer, relishing the feel of her in my arms.
Forty minutes later we take a break to have something cold to drink, and I lead her to a table where we sit.
“You really love to dance, don’t you?” I ask as I appraise her. Every song that played seemed to fill her with an energy that amazes me.
“Yes,” she says with a smile. “I do.”
“Hello, Ashley,” a man says from behind me.
I turn to see who it is, and when I find Ashley’s co-worker standing there, my eyes narrow. What the hell is he doing here?
“Hello, Evan,” Ashley says with a quick glance at me. “You remember Drake.”
Evan’s gaze drops to me, and I have the urge to stand so that I’ll be the one looking down on him.
“Of course,” he says, but then he seems to dismiss me as his focus turns to Ashley.
The irrational impulse to stand in front of Ashley to block his view of her sweeps over me, taking me by surprise. I frown, knowing I can’t keep other men from looking at her, although I don’t have to like it.
“Would you care to dance?” Evan asks.
Ashley’s gaze shoots to me, a question in her eyes. The last thing I want is for some other man—a man who is so obviously interested in Ashley—to dance with her. But I also don’t want Ashley to think I’m the jealous type.
I decide not to say anything one way or the other and leave it up to her.
“Do you mind, Drake?” she asks, clearly wanting my approval.
Rather than throwing my elbow into the man who stands behind me, I hold Ashley’s gaze for a moment before saying, “Of course not.” The lie tastes bitter in my mouth, but I don’t want to look like a possessive jerk.
Even with my blessing, Ashley seems uncertain, and for a moment I think she’s going to refuse. Relief and a powerful feeling of victory pounds through me, but then she pushes back from the table, her lovely smile focused on another man, and holds out her hand to him.
Jealousy, dark and ugly, slices through me as my hands curl into tight fists. Breathing slowly and deeply, I try to loosen the sensation of loathing that has clamped around my chest. But then, just as Evan and Ashley reach the dance floor, a slow song begins. Evan pulls Ashley into his arms, and before I even realize I’ve made a decision, I’m striding directly towards them.
Ashley’s back is to me, but I know Evan sees me coming. The dance floor is packed, and with a deft move by Evan, several couples suddenly block my path. Caught off-guard by his maneuver, I pause. Someone bumps into me, jarring me out of my stupor, and I force my way through the throng. A moment later I’m standing beside Ashley, and with more force than necessary, I peel Evan’s hand off her back.
“I’ve changed my mind,” I say, my voice just loud enough to be heard above the music.
Ashley notices me then, and when our eyes meet, a radiant smile lights her face. Immediately forgetting about Evan, I focus on her.
Eleven
ASHLEY
Pleased that Drake has come to claim me, I turn to him, eager to be in his arms. When Evan asked me to dance, I really hadn’t wanted to, and I’d hoped Drake would say no. But when he’d said he didn’t object, I hadn’t seen a polite way to refuse my co-worker. Though Evan is a decent dancer, he’s no Jonathan. Even more than that, he’s no Drake.
I turn towards Drake, ready to be in his arms.
“We’re in the middle of a dance,” Evan says as he stands close to me.
“Not anymore,” Drake practically growls.
Though secretly thrilled at Drake’s possessiveness, I don’t want to alienate Evan either. After all, I have to work with him every day.
“Maybe we should ask the lady,” Evan says, his gaze steady on Drake.
Both men turn to me, their faces expectant, and my gaze goes from Drake to Evan and back again. “Uh . . .”
Drake’s expression is unreadable, though I’m certain he wants me to tell Evan to beat it.
“Actually,” I begin, “I need to use the ladies’ room.” Smiling apologetically at Drake, I brush my fingers against his as I walk past both men and towards the ladies’ room. Once inside, I lean against the wall and laugh softly at the strange turn the evening has taken, then take some time to gather myself before facing Drake.
Five minutes later I walk out of the bathroom and into the main space of the dance club, my gaze seeking Drake. At first I don’t see him among the crowd, but then I do. To my surprise, he’s not alone. A gorgeous brunette is standing next to him at the bar, and I watch in stunned disbelief as she touches his arm briefly, then laughs. His back is to me so I can’t see his expression, but his body language says he is relaxed and comfortable.
I wonder if this is another one of his exes, although she doesn’t seem at all unhappy with him. In fact, she appears to be completely captivated by him.
My first instinct is to march over to them and stake my claim, but then I pause, not wanting to put Drake in the awkward position I’d barely gotten out of with Evan.
“Everything okay?” a voice says next to me.
I turn to see Evan. Speak of the devil. “Yes.”
His gaze goes to Drake. “I guess he’s not so eager to dance with you after all.” His words sting, but only because they have a whisper of truth to them. Before I have a chance to reply, he says, “How about we finish our dance?”
Deciding to take control, I say, “Not right now, Evan. But thank you.” I don’t give him a chance to respond as I walk away from him and towards Drake and the brunette. When I reach Drake’s side, the brunette’s gaze shifts to me, and Drake turns to see what’s caught her attention. His eyes meet mine, and when his face brightens at my appearance, I know any distress I felt at seeing him talking to the brunette was for naught.
“Ashley,” he says as he takes my hand, his attention focused solely on me. “Are you ready for a dance?”
Love towards this man explodes within me. “Absolutely.”
Without even glancing at the brunette, he leads me to the dance floor, drawing me into his arms as a romantic ballad begins to play. Delighting in the feel of his strong and sure arms around me, I lay my head against his chest as he leads me around the floor.
“I’m sorry about earlier,” he murmurs into my ear.
I pull away and look at him. “What do you mean?”
He laughs, but it sounds like he’s embarrassed. “The way I barged in when you were dancing with Evan.”
“It’s okay. I did
n’t really want to dance with him anyway.”
Drake’s head tilts to one side. “Really? Then why did you?”
My shoulders lift in a small shrug. “It seemed rude to say no.”
He looks past me for a moment, then his eyes meet mine. “Never think you’re being rude if you tell a man no.” His eyes narrow. “About anything.”
His intensity catches me by surprise and I want to lighten the mood. I cock an eyebrow. “Even to you?”
He laughs, then smiles. “Yes. Even to me.”
I touch his lips with one finger. “I’ll remember that.”
He kisses my finger, then captures my hand and tugs it against him, holding our clasped hands between us as we continue moving in a circle, his other hand held snuggly against my waist.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” he whispers in my ear.
Smiling, I pull away and look into his sparkling eyes. “No, I don’t believe you have.”
His eyebrows rise. “That was a serious oversight on my part, because you look especially lovely tonight.”
“Why, thank you, Mr. Drake. You look rather handsome yourself.”
He smiles, then places a finger under my chin as he lowers his mouth towards mine. Our lips meet, and all the sounds and people around us seem to fall away, and it’s just the two of us. My arms slide around his neck and I wonder how I was ever happy before I met Colton Drake.
Twelve
ASHLEY
At work on Monday, Evan barely acknowledges me. I try not to let it bother me as I focus on my to do list, but when we attend a small meeting together that morning, it’s difficult to ignore the issue.
“How was your weekend?” Andrew, the only other person in the meeting with Evan and me, asks us.
Evan smiles. “Couldn’t have been better.” Then he looks directly at me. “What about you, Ashley? Did you do anything fun?”
My weekend was fabulous, but there’s something about the look in Evan’s eyes that makes me want to deny that. “It was okay.”
Evan laughs. “Just okay?”
I nod, hoping Andrew will get on with the meeting since he’s the one who called it.
“Maybe you need new friends,” Evan says, then his mouth twists into a semblance of a smile.
I’m still the new girl and I don’t want to make waves, so I give a courtesy laugh before turning my attention to Andrew, who finally begins the meeting.
When the meeting is over, I try to hide how eager I am to get back to my desk—and away from Evan. Twenty minutes later I sense someone standing just outside my cubicle and I look up to see Evan.
“I’m sorry about what I said in there,” he says as he runs his hand through his thick blonde hair. “It was out of line.”
Surprised, yet pleased that he recognizes that he’s being an jerk, I say, “I accept your apology.”
He nods and begins turning away, but then he faces me again. “I’d like to make it up to you. Will you let me take you to lunch?”
I have no desire to go anywhere alone with him. Not now. “Today’s not a good day for me.”
He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Okay. Maybe another time.”
I nod, then watch as he walks away. Trying to forget about Evan and his annoying behavior, I focus back on my work.
DRAKE
“Good morning, Mr. Drake,” Jasmine, my new assistant, says as I arrive at the office.
“Good morning.” Somehow I don’t remember her being so attractive, or how striking her blue eyes are. Well, maybe I do, but she seems especially radiant this morning, and my thoughts go right to Ashley and what she will think of my new assistant. “Are you settling in okay?”
“Yes,” she says. “Barbara’s brought me up to speed, and I’ve gotten the conference room ready for your first meeting.”
“Very good.” I smile briefly, then continue into my office.
During my meeting, I work hard to stay focused, but from time to time I glance at Jasmine out of the corner of my eye. She’s concentrating on taking notes and I mentally scold myself for noticing anything beyond that.
At the conclusion of the meeting, I turn to her. “I’d like your notes on this meeting emailed to me within the hour.”
Her smile is warm and confident. “Certainly, Mr. Drake.”
I nod once, then grab my laptop and stride to my office. I work steadily for two hours, but a brisk knock on my closed office door pulls my attention away from my monitor. “Come in.”
“Sorry to bother you, Mr. Drake,” Jasmine says from the open doorway, “but I need to discuss something with you.”
“I need to take a break from working on this presentation anyway.” Smiling, I gesture to the chairs in front of my desk. “What can I help you with?”
She sits, then crosses one shapely leg over the other. “I just wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity to work for you. As you know, I’ve worked as an administrative assistant for several years, but I can already tell that I’m really going to like working here.” She pauses for a beat. “And for you.”
Remembering that she wasn’t my first choice, I nod. “I’m glad to hear you’re settling in okay. I know Barbara is especially happy that you’re here.”
Confusion flickers across her face. “I hope I can make your job easier, Mr. Drake. I’m available to do whatever you need me to do.”
My thoughts go to an inappropriate place, but the moment I realize what I’m doing, I picture Ashley and gain control of my wayward imagination. “I appreciate that, Jasmine.”
“Is there anything you need from me right now?”
Of its own accord, my gaze goes to her sweater and her curves. What is wrong with me? I lift my gaze to hers, worried that she’ll be offended by my unprofessional behavior. But when our eyes meet, she doesn’t seem at all upset. In fact, it seems like she’s trying to hold back a smile. “No, but I’ll let you know if I do.”
She stands. “All right. You know where to find me.” Then she turns and walks towards the door, her hips gently swaying from side to side.
My gaze strays to her backside, and I know if I don’t exercise some self-control, I could be in trouble. Not used to denying myself the company of beautiful women, I have two reasons to keep my relationship with Jasmine professional and aboveboard. First and foremost is Ashley, the woman I love, the woman I’m in a serious relationship with. I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize the progress we’ve made. Second, Jasmine works for me. I would be a fool and an idiot to even consider anything outside of a working relationship.
Thirteen
ASHLEY
I get through the rest of my workday without any more uncomfortable interactions with Evan, although my work load seemed to grow as the day went on, and when I get home, I stretch out on the couch, ready to relax. My shoulders are knotted and tight, and I think about the jacuzzi at Drake’s cabin and how good that would feel right about now.
Does he have one at his house here in Reno?
Our relationship is so new that I haven’t spent any time at his house yet—besides that fateful day when I was still working as his assistant. I smile as I think about how far we’ve come in only a few weeks.
I should go to his house. Just drop by and surprise him.
Then I remember how I’d stopped by uninvited right after I’d moved to Reno. How I’d walked into his slightly open front door when his cleaning people were there. How I’d scurried away, ashamed, moments later.
But that was before. Before we were dating, before we were in love.
I grab my favorite bikini and walk out to my car. My gaze goes to Emily’s parking space, which is empty. I have yet to see her. She got home late the night before from her trip to Lake Tahoe with Nick, and I left for work before she got up.
As I drive to Drake’s house, I know there’s a good chance he’ll still be at work. Regardless, I want to see him. The day before, Sunday, we barely saw each other. Between the work he had to do and th
e errands we both had to run, we only squeezed in an hour together.
Stressed, and needing to be with the man I love, I continue on. When I get to Drake’s house, his truck is in the driveway. I park at the curb with a smile, and with a bounce in my step, I walk to his front door.
I ring the bell and listen for the sound of Drake’s footsteps, but there is only silence. I pull out my phone and send him a text.
Ashley: I’d love to see you tonight. When do you think you’ll get home?
Not expecting him to reply instantly, I drop my phone into my purse and walk back to my car. Just as I climb behind the wheel, my phone chimes a message. I dig my phone out and read his text.
Drake: Looks like I’ll be working late tonight. Can I get a raincheck?
Ashley: Sure
Not only can I not see him right away, but I won’t see him that night. At all. Disappointment slices through me. Then I have an idea.
I drive to Drake’s office building, and as I ride the elevator to his floor, I smile as I imagine his reaction to seeing me. No one is around as I walk towards Drake’s office and I know he’s probably the only one still working.
All the better.
His door stands open and I waltz right in. Like usual, he’s focused on his computer monitor, but at the sound of my footfalls, he looks up with a smile, almost like he’s expecting me. Then his smile falters. “Ashley. What are you doing here?” His gaze flicks behind me, and I glance over my shoulder. No one is there.
Not exactly the reception I envisioned.
Nonetheless, I move forward with my plan, settling in one of the chairs across the desk from him. “I had a great idea.”
His smile returns as he leans back in his chair. “I’m sorry. I would really love to leave with you right now, but I have a new client I’m meeting with tomorrow and I have to prepare.” He grimaces slightly. “You know how it is.”
Drake and Ashley: The Complete Story Page 35
