Thirty-Seven
DRAKE
Now that she’s in my room, I’m not sure what I want to do with her. Well, I know what I want to do with her, but I’m not sure how to approach it. In the canyon she was as passionate as me, but I’m not certain if she’s ready to go beyond kissing.
“Can I get you something cold to drink?” I ask, wanting to show her I’m not only after one thing.
“That would be nice,” she says, “but what I’d really like is to get cleaned up.” She grimaces. “I’m kind of sticky and dirty.” Then she frowns. “But I don’t have anything clean to put on.”
Glad I did some planning the night before, I hold up one finger, then go to the dresser and lift the slender handles of a shopping bag before walking to Ashley’s side. “I thought you might enjoy going for a swim after our hike.”
She takes the bag from me. “What’s this?” Then she looks inside and draws out a black bikini. “Oh, Drake. Thank you. A swim sounds wonderful.”
Pleased with her genuine happiness at such a simple gift, I’m excited to give her the other gift I’ve gotten. But I’ll wait until later that afternoon. “Let me get you that drink.”
After we’ve both quenched our thirst, Ashley asks if she can use my shower.
“Of course.”
She smiles at me, then carries her bikini with her and goes into the bathroom. I hear the lock turn and know she’s sending me a message—Do not enter.
ASHLEY
I lock the bathroom door and strip out of my clothes. Although I wouldn’t object if Drake joined me, I’m not ready to make such an open invitation as leaving the bathroom door wide open.
We have the rest of the day to figure things out. No need to rush it.
After scrubbing the dirt from my body, I put on the bikini, and a moment later I walk out of the bathroom.
Drake is standing at the window, taking in the view, but when I step out of the bathroom, he turns in my direction. His gaze slides up and down my body, which gives me a pleasant tingle.
“Looks like I chose the right size,” he says with a smile.
“Yes. It fits perfectly. Thank you.”
“I’ve ordered a light snack, and then we can go swimming.”
“Okay.”
“I’m going to take a quick shower first.”
I nod, and when he closes the bathroom door, I notice he doesn’t lock it. I shake my head as I smile, then I go to the window and enjoy the lovely view while I wait for Drake to emerge. A few minutes later he does, wearing his swim trunks.
The food arrives a short time later and we sit side by side on the couch as we eat and chat.
“How are you liking the day so far?” he asks.
“So far so good.” I purse my lips. “You didn’t cheat and check your phone for messages or check your email while I was in the shower, did you?”
He laughs. “No. I promise.”
“Good.”
“And I guess you don’t have your phone tucked away in that bikini somewhere, do you?” His gaze probes every inch of my bikini, sending a wave of heat through me.
“No.”
“Didn’t think so.”
After we finish eating, he puts the tray in the outside hallway, then he comes back to the sitting area. “Are you ready to take a swim?”
I tilt my head at a teasing angle. “I thought you were supposed to wait thirty minutes after eating before you swim.”
He laughs. “That’s an old wives’ tale.”
“So you say.”
“If you cramp up, I promise I’ll save you from drowning.”
“Okay. But I need sunscreen.”
“Oh. I almost forgot.” He walks to the bathroom, then comes back with a bottle of sunscreen in his hand. “We don’t want to fry in this desert sun.”
“Definitely not.” I take the bottle from his outstretched hand and slather lotion on my face, legs, stomach, and arms, but when I begin on my shoulders, Drake cocks an eyebrow.
“Do you need some help with your back?”
I can’t reach it, so I have no other option but to accept his help. But knowing the effect his touch will have on me, I hesitate. “Uh, yeah. Thanks.” I hand him the bottle.
“Turn around.” His voice has become deeper.
I do as he says, and a moment later his hand is slowly smoothing the lotion onto my skin. I hold perfectly still, although my skin dances with electricity at his touch.
“That should do it,” he says.
“Are you going to put some on?”
“Yes.” A smile slowly forms on his mouth. “But I’ll need your help with my back.”
“Okay.”
He hands me the bottle of sunscreen, then turns around, and I squirt lotion into my hand before spreading it on his back. I haven’t touched his skin in a while, and I’ve missed the feel of the hard planes under my hand. I forget myself until he says, “That’s probably enough.”
Self-conscious, I laugh, but don’t try to explain why I’ve been stroking his back and shoulders for so long.
Once we reach the pool, we climb right in and the cool water envelops me. With the sun beating down, the water feels just right, and I luxuriate in its depths.
There are a lot of people in the water, but with my focus on Drake, I hardly notice them.
DRAKE
This day is going better than I’d hoped.
I tick off the successes in my mind: Ashley let me kiss her on the hike, she didn’t refuse to come to my hotel, she accepted the gift of the bikini, and now we’re here playing in the pool.
Now, as I look at the woman I love—and I have no doubt that I’m deeply in love with her—all I want is to be with her.
All the time.
The thought takes me by surprise. But it’s true. The ten day break has served to emphasize how much color Ashley adds to my life. Without her all I do is work, work, work. She gives me balance and helps me remember what’s important.
“Think fast,” she shouts, then she shoves her hand through the water, forming a small wave that splashes into my face.
“Ahhh,” I yell as the water hits me. “So we’re doing that, are we?” A wide smile fills my face as I dive for her, but she dodges out of the way just in time.
We play in the pool for a while, then lay in the sun until we’re too hot to stand it any longer.
“I think I could take a nap,” she murmurs, her eyes closed.
Between the hike and playing in the sun, I’m exhausted. “Me too.” I lift my head and see she’s cracked an eye open. “Do you want to go back to my room?”
“Yes,” she says.
ASHLEY
I’ve had enough of the sun for one day and want to curl up and sleep. Drake holds my hand as we head to his room and I wonder if he has other things on his mind besides sleeping. I can’t say that I don’t, but I’m going to see how things play out. This day has been fantastic, and I hope neither one of us does anything to ruin it.
“Here we are,” Drake says as he slides his keycard into the slot.
The lovely room relaxes me, and I immediately crawl onto the bed, which is surprisingly comfortable.
The A/C is a little chilly, so I climb under the covers and stretch out.
“Is there any room in there for me?” Drake asks with a hand on his hip and mock-exasperation on his face.
“I suppose,” I say with a smile.
He walks to the other side of the bed, pulls back the bedding, and climbs in.
I’m reminded of the night at his cabin—the night when he first told me he loves me—and a wave of love for him sweeps over me. With my body facing his, I know it’s time for me to say it, and though fearful, I do.
“I love you, Drake.”
His eyes widen for a second, then he closes the space between us, our faces inches apart as we lay on the pillow.
“I love you too.” His eyebrows bunch. “You know that, right?”
After having my doubts, I’m sure of it now. �
�Yes.”
He reaches out and strokes my face. “What happened to us then?”
I shrug. I’m not sure myself—or maybe I just don’t want to admit I let jealousy get the best of me. All I know is I’m ecstatic we’re together again.
“Ashley, we need to talk about it.”
Surprised that he’s the one pushing for the conversation, I nod, knowing he’s right. “Okay.”
Thirty-Eight
DRAKE
I gaze at Ashley, thrilled we’ve come so far today, and elated that she still loves me as I love her. However, the last ten days have been some of the most miserable I’ve experienced, and I have no desire for a repeat. Which is why I want to make sure we’re on the same page.
“This will be kind of like Truth or Dare,” I say with a smile. “Except they won’t be yes/no questions. And no dares.”
She laughs. “Okay.”
“When I suggested we date other people, why did you agree?”
A thoughtful expression comes over her face. “Because I didn’t want to stand in your way.”
“My way? What do you mean?”
She hesitates. “I thought you wanted to be with Jasmine, and I didn’t see any point pretending we had something if you weren’t feeling it too.”
I stroke her face and want to tug her against me, but don’t want to get sidetracked before we finish our discussion. “Why did you think I wanted to be with Jasmine?”
She frowns. “Just today you said you’re attracted to her. I’m not blind, Drake. I saw the way you were looking at her.”
“I love you, Ashley. I really do. But I’m not dead. If an attractive woman passes by, I’ll probably notice her. But that won’t diminish the way I feel about you.”
“But you work with her. Every day.”
She has a point, and I do enjoy looking at Jasmine, but she doesn’t do it for me in the same way Ashley does. “She’s a good assistant.”
Her jaw tightens. “What’s that got to do with it?”
“I don’t know what you want me to do.” The irritation I’d initially felt at Ashley’s jealousy flares inside me and I fear we’re heading back to square one. “I’m not going to fire her.”
“I know that.”
“Then what can I do to prove to you that your fears are unfounded? That you can trust me around other women?” Why does it feel like we’ve had this conversation before?
Because we have. The night I suggested we date other people.
“I trust you,” she says, forging a different path than the one we traveled the first time around.
“You do?”
She laughs. “Why do you sound so surprised?”
I shake my head against the pillow. “Because I am.” I pause. “Why the change of heart?”
ASHLEY
How can I explain the gut feeling I experienced earlier when it was as if I was gazing into his very soul and I knew, deep within myself, that I could trust him?
I shrug. “I just know.”
His eyes shine as he smiles. “Good.”
“But why did you make the suggestion in the first place?” I ask, almost afraid to hear his answer.
“Remember how you said you’d manipulated me?”
I nod, regretting having ever said that.
“I was upset with you.”
I cringe as I ask my next question. “Are you still upset with me about that?”
His face softens. “No. I think I know your heart, Ashley, and I don’t think you’d do anything to purposely hurt me.”
He knows my heart. We’re both quiet, lost in our own thoughts, and my body relaxes, exhaustion overwhelms me, and it’s as if I’m sinking into the mattress. Everything will be all right. My eyes slide closed, and a moment later I’m asleep.
When I wake, I’m curled on my side, my body enveloped by Drake’s. He softly snores, and I snuggle closer to him as warmth and security engulf me.
Though it’s early evening, the June sun still shines brightly. I’m wide awake now, and I roll over so I’m facing Drake.
I gaze at his handsome face, love for him cascading over me.
I can’t believe I almost lost him. I vow to not let my petty jealousy get in the way again.
His eyes open, and I smile.
“That nap felt good,” he says.
“Yes.”
He stretches his arms above his head, exposing his biceps and chest, and I realize we’re still wearing our swimsuits.
“What time is it?” he asks.
I glance at the clock on the bedside table before turning back to him. “Six-thirty.” I pause. “What else do you have planned for us?”
He slowly smiles. “First, I think it’s time for this.” One arm wraps around my waist, and he effortlessly drags me against him.
ASHLEY
A while later, Drake climbs out of bed, takes a large box from his closet, and sets it on the covers beside me.
“What’s that for?” I ask as he sits next to me.
“You told me you didn’t have any fancy clothes with you, and I want to take you dancing tonight.”
“Oh.” I lift the lid to find a shimmery blue dress and strappy black heels tucked inside. With a warm smile I look up at the man I love. “When did you get these?”
“Last night. I hope they fit.”
I pull him against me. “You are wonderful, Drake.”
He laughs. “Just remember that if I ever get stuck in a slot canyon.”
I laugh with him. “I would never leave you to get eaten by coyotes.”
“Good. I’m glad we cleared that up.”
I leap out of bed and slide the dress over my head. “Once again,” I say with a grin, “you chose the perfect size.”
“That’s because you’re perfect.”
That is so not true, but I laugh anyway. “Thank you.”
We take time to shower, then I put on my new clothes while Drake puts on a nice pair of slacks and a button up shirt.
At dinner our conversation is relaxed, and I’m so happy we’ve gotten past this bump in our relationship.
DRAKE
This day is beyond successful, and I couldn’t be happier. We’re back together and we’ve cleared the air. We’re on the right track again.
But one thing still pushes at the back of my mind.
Are you ready to take this to the next level?
My feelings for Ashley are strong, and I’ve never felt this way about any woman before her—and I’ve dated a lot of women.
She trusts me. She said she just knows. There’s no reason to do anything crazy.
Then I consider what I know. I know I love her, I know I want her to be in my life, I know she loves me and brings out the best in me.
I smile at her across the table, but then it hits me.
These epiphanies, these discoveries, seem to happen when I’m away from Reno—telling her that I love her at my cabin, and now, here in Vegas, her realization that she trusts me. Why? Why do the struggles take place in Reno and the good things happen away from there?
Because real life gets in the way. But she is my real life now. And that’s why I need to make a statement, make it permanent.
“What are you thinking about?” she asks.
A smile lifts my mouth and I reach across the table and take her hands. “That I love you, and that I’m glad we figured things out.”
“Oh yeah?” Her eyes sparkle. “What did we figure out?”
I figured out that I’m going to marry you. I smile a secret smile and say, “That we can get beyond our differences and come back together.”
“I like that,” she says, her smile bright.
Thirty-Nine
ASHLEY
The feel of Drake’s hand covering mine sends fresh waves of love cascading over me, and I’m eager to have him hold me in his arms while we sway to the music.
We finish our meal, and when we reach the nightclub, I’m ready to dance. The pounding beat and flashing lights get me in th
e mood, and with Drake’s hand in mine, we head to the dance floor.
I love dancing with him, but when a slow song comes on and he pulls me into his arms, I’m in heaven.
We sway and dance for an hour before he murmurs in my ear, “I’m ready for some fresh air.”
“Me too.”
He leads me out of the club and into the pleasant night air. The sky is dark, although the lights on the Strip brighten the entire area.
“Let’s go for a walk, ” he says, then he looks at my feet. “Are those shoes okay?”
The strappy heels he bought are surprisingly comfortable, although I don’t want to walk too far in them. “I can always take them off.”
“All right.”
We stroll along the sidewalk, enjoying the displays in the shop windows, and when we come to a jewelry store, Drake stops and turns to me with a smile. “Let’s go inside.”
“Why?”
He gazes at me. “I want to get you a little gift.” A smile lifts his mouth. “To remember this day.”
“All right.” As we walk inside, my gaze sweeps the area and I’m overwhelmed by the sparkly selection. “What do you want to look at?”
With his hand in mine, Drake leads me to a case filled with diamond earrings. “Maybe a pair of earrings to go with the bracelet I got you.”
I chuckle as I remember the tricky way he’d kept me from paying him back for the car repair—using the money I’d given him to buy me a gorgeous diamond bracelet. “Too bad I didn’t bring it with me to Vegas.”
He laughs. “That’s okay. I’m sure you can find a pair of earrings that will work.”
As I closely examine the offerings, Drake says, “Excuse me a moment.”
I smile at him. “Okay.” A moment later I hear him ask a salesman where the restroom is as another salesman asks if he can help me. I have him show me a number of different earrings, and after a while I realize that Drake hasn’t returned.
Drake and Ashley: The Complete Story Page 45
