He couldn’t prove anything.
“I picked her up from her house, Drake. I know what kind of environment she’s from. If her family and friends are from that area as well there’s no way they’d waste a year’s worth of house payments or rent on a bracelet.”
“Cooper, as much as I want to entertain you and your theories, I don’t have time—”
“It would make sense, Drake,” he said, his teeth clenched and his jaw tense.
His strong reaction made me hear him out. I had never known Cooper to be anything but cool, calm, and collected. His foreign agitation definitely deserved attention.
“She came into my car not wearing it, and when she left you she was. Then there’s the way she stared at you while we had frozen yogurt together, the weird way you were acting at the store when I spoke to her, and don’t pretend like you didn’t kiss her at the country club. I’m not stupid, so don’t treat me like I am.”
I rubbed my hand across my face to relieve the tension. “So what now?”
“I told you. I just want to warn you. Lacey and I, we would have had issues being together. I mean, I’m from the North Shore and she isn’t. We would have naturally been ridiculed. But you and Lacey have a whole other can of worms to deal with. I just want you to be aware of that, and prepare for it. She deserves someone strong who will take care of her when those rough times come. Are you ready to be that man?”
I pointed to my face, the clear marks of what I was willing to do for her present for the entire world to see. Not just him. “I’ve got the scars to prove it.”
He studied my face. “I see.”
“Good. So we’ll have no issues from you then?” I needed to make sure he wasn’t going to go flapping his lips. If he was warning me, it seemed like he wouldn’t.
He raised his hands. “No, issues. Just be aware of what you’re getting yourself into, and make sure she’s happy. She deserves that.”
I watched him as he backed away and headed down the sidewalk. I was left with nothing to do, but watch him. I didn’t like what I felt as I did. I was getting exactly what I wanted tonight after I left the theater, but I had to strip Cooper bare of what he had to get it. I refused to let that fact hinder my plans. I had Lacey, and that was all that mattered.
Collecting myself, I waved off the valet and hopped into my car.
“What was that about?” Lacey asked, biting the spot of her lip ring.
I buckled myself in, then started the car. “Nothing I couldn’t handle. He knows, but he won’t tell anyone.”
“What did he say?” She strapped herself in, as well.
After she was secure, I took us off onto the downtown street.
“He wanted to warn me about what we’d be dealing with by being together.” Watching the road, I gave a short laugh. “I think he was trying to be a friend.”
When she didn’t say anything, I glanced over. I brushed her leg with my finger. “What’s up?”
She shrugged, her eyes on the buildings we passed. “It just sucks that I had to hurt him. He was really nice to me, Drake. I feel terrible.”
I rubbed her leg. “Don’t worry about it. I think he’s okay. He’s big boy.”
“I don’t want to lie to anyone anymore. This whole situation sucks.”
Grabbing her hand, I kissed her caramel skin. “We won’t for much longer.”
Turning her head, she finally showed me her exquisite face. She looked so sad.
The expression made my heart clench.
“Hey, you can’t be sad. I’m taking us to my special place. It will be just you and me, and I have no curfew tonight, so we can stay and watch the sunrise.”
She sat up a bit, turning my way in her seat. “Really? Where?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see, and I promise I’ll make that frown go away.” Her hand in mine, I raised it and ran my finger along her jaw line.
Giving a half-smile in the corner of her mouth, she watched the road ahead.
I’d make that smile full before the end of the night.
Chapter Forty
Lacey
Drake’s Jaguar sat on a hilly overlook just outside of the city. Downtown Chicago’s distant lights ahead hit the darkness surrounding it, giving the night an iridescent glow. With the stars above us, Drake and I lay in the backseat of his car with the top down. The doors open and the seats pushed forward, the space was actually kind of roomy. The blankets covering us only added to the comfort, and I’d practically forgot we’d spent nearly the whole last hour all over each other in the back of a car. While engulfed in him, I’d lost count how many times he took me over the edge. Drake knew how to please my body in ways that shouldn’t be considered legal.
I wasn’t going to be the one to turn him in for his crimes. Not this time.
Coming up from between my thighs, Drake’s head of jet-black hair peeked out of the blanket, then his handsome face appeared. I didn’t see it long before he kissed my lips.
I groaned, tasting myself on his delicious lips and even more when he delved his tongue into my mouth. I was right about what his tongue could do, and all the ways he could make it work for him. I was a very lucky girl.
We switched positions. Lying back on the seat, he lifted me up, pulling my worn-out body against his hot one. Draping his long arms around me, he completely wrapped me up. I fit snuggly into him, like I was made for him, and he was made for me.
“Don’t cover these.” He folded the blanket down until my chest was completely exposed.
Giggling, I watched him rest the blanket just below my belly button. “Drake, they’re starting to get sore.”
I was beginning to regret getting those damn barbells done. Drake liked them far too much with the way he nipped and sucked at them.
My body vibrated against his chest when he laughed.
“Don’t worry. I’m giving them a break.” He wrapped his arms around my waist. “I just enjoy looking at them.”
I attempted to elbow him, but he held me so tight I couldn’t. Relaxing, I let him leave me exposed. “You’re lucky I’m not self-conscious or anything.”
“You shouldn’t be.” He parted his lips against my neck, sucking on my skin. “Because, baby, you have nothing to worry about.”
My mouth went dry and my fingers gripped the blanket covering my legs. He sucked harder, and my hand went restless against my stomach. Brushing the skin, I slowly moved my hand up to my breast.
He stopped his suck. “Lacey, if you start touching yourself, I can’t guarantee your breasts are safe.”
Taking two fingers, I rolled a nipple between them. “What if I don’t want them to be safe?”
He breathed in deep and cupped my breast with his hand until he pulled my fingers away from myself. “As much as I enjoy watching you touch yourself, I’m going to have to take a small break before I indulge again. I hate to admit it, but I’m kind of tired.”
My jaw dropped, I gazed up at him. “Are you wimping out on me?”
I didn’t think the fiery Truman Drake could ever get tired.
Chuckling, he laced his fingers in mine. “I’m not wimping out. I’ve been doing all the work. The mouth and hands get tired after so much activity, you know? Why don’t you try doing something for once?”
Trying to get back at him, I reached under the blanket for his length.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” He rose up off the seat and managed to snatch my hand. “That’s the most tired. Let’s just take a small break. I’ll be good to go soon.”
With a sigh, I lay back against him and got snuggly into his arms. “Then how am I supposed to work for you if you won’t let me work you, Mr. Drake?”
He played against the skin of my arm with the pads of his fingers. “Sing for me.”
“Sing for you?”
“Yeah,” he said, bringing me in close. “Sing like that day I met you. It’s been too long since I’ve heard my angel of song.”
Who knew it was possible for words to make a per
son feel so special. With Drake, he always managed to do that to me. Even from day one, he made me feel sexy. Beautiful. Special.
“So will you?” He brushed my cheek with his fingers.
And so I did, but I was sure not what he expected. It was rare I shared this voice with anyone. It was rare I shared this passion with anyone. The voice was mine, but cut raw, the emotion completely exposed with every note. The song was sad, happy, and beautiful all at the same time. The character of the song was trapped, contained by her struggles. Once she allowed herself to open up to the world, she found that she wasn’t as trapped as she thought. She allowed herself to be. She allowed herself to live. In response, the song grew joyous with her cheer. I felt so connected to her. Like her struggles were mine, and mine were hers. That was why her song was my favorite. I felt like she was myself, but I still waited for the last note of my song to come. Maybe one day it would. In the meantime, the song gave me hope. Gave me light.
Drake brushed his lips against my cheek. “God, Lacey, what are you doing here?”
His kiss making me warm, I closed my eyes. “Hmm? What do you mean?”
He propped me up on his lap so he could see my eyes. “I mean what are you doing here? With a voice like that you should be a star.”
He sounded like Margot. She was one of the few people I’d let hear me sing like that.
“It was different from how you sang on stage the night we met. It sounded like those people singing tonight, and it wasn’t even English.”
Laughing, I wrapped my arms around his neck and laid my head into the crook. “No, it wasn’t English. It was French. Operatic style.”
“Do you speak French?”
I shook my head against his warm, tan skin, playing my fingers at the nape of his neck. “I love the French operas the best. That makes learning them easier. I just kind of took to them.”
“I guess I scored a bit with the show tonight, then, eh?”
I kissed his cheek and left my lips there, giving small kisses. “You did.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” He pulled his head back. “Why are you here and not in some opera house showing the world your stuff?”
I shrugged. “Life keeps me here. Mama needs me.”
“Yeah, but you can’t forget about you, Lacey. You can make a living with your dream and always send money back for someone to care for her.”
“I wish it were that easy, Drake.”
“It is that easy. If I had talent like yours I wouldn’t be wasting it. I bet if you auditioned for something you’d get a lead role for sure.”
“I did audition for something.”
“Oh.” He looked uneasy. “I’m sorry. Did you not get—”
“I did get a callback for the part I auditioned for, and it actually was a lead.”
His eyes widened. “Wow. Once you get it, you’re taking it, right? Where’s the show? Here?”
“It’s actually a French opera . . . in France. Paris to be exact. This company in the states is opening a new show abroad. They had an open casting call in some of the major cities.”
“So once you get the part you’re going, right?”
Laying my head on his chest, I refused to look into his eyes.
“You’re not.”
“Life is just so complicated, Drake. I couldn’t leave Mama, especially not now. She’s getting worse.”
“But will you being here make her better? Tell me that.”
“No.”
He ran his hand up and down my arm. “Then I think you owe it to yourself to go, and to your mama. How does she feel about you staying here because of her?”
I breathed in deep. His scent wafted from his skin and relaxed the tension I’d built inside. “She wants me to go.”
“Well, there you go then, Lace.” He left a single kiss on my shoulder. “Live for you. Do what you want.”
“What do you want to do with your life?” I raised my head.
He rubbed my shoulders for a moment before he spoke. “I have no idea. I envy you, Lacey. You have dreams. Ambitions. Goals. I couldn’t be more confused about where I’m going.”
I had no idea he was so unsure of his future. Surely, his life was planned out. He came from a family that had structure; security in that next step. “But you’re going to school.”
“I am, but I’m undecided. I’m only going to school because I can. It’s paid for, so I enrolled. No other reason really.”
“That’s okay, Drake. Many students are undecided. I’m sure you’ll pick something that interests you while you go.”
Shaking his head, he squeezed my arm. “I’m not so sure, Lace.”
I tilted his chin with my finger. “Why not?”
He gazed past me and to the outlook of the city. “I’ve just never been sure about anything about my life. I’m always looking for something to put it in perspective, but I can never figure out what I’m actually looking for. What I want to do. Who I want to be.” He gave a crooked smile, bringing his focus to me. “I’m probably not making any sense, am I? I know I’m not to me, so you have to be confused.”
I laced my fingers in his, seeing the slight contrast of our skin tones. “You don’t understand who you are. There’s nothing confusing about that.”
He watched me play with his hand.
I gazed up from them. “Do you know anything about your family, Drake? I mean your other family from your home country.”
Frowning, he let out a breath. “I wish I did. Maybe that’s part of the problem. I don’t really feel like I’ve found my place. I know nothing about where I’m from. My roots. My culture.”
I couldn’t imagine not knowing my own culture. Mama always made sure I got to know both sides of my family. Being only half black, I straddled a racial line that could have easily confused me about who I was and where I belonged. Mama helped me avoid that, though, by keeping me in contact with my white grandmother. Before she and my Mama’s mother passed, I gained lots of my sense of self from both sides. I always felt that I knew who I was, despite the fact I was from two worlds. In a way, Drake was too, but his situation was even more complicated. He was Asian, but was raised by a white family. He learned of one world, but was never exposed to the other. He probably couldn’t be more confused about his sense of self. Was it possible for him to connect to that other side of his heritage without feeling awkward or like an outsider? Could he ever really feel completely comfortable amongst his people since he was raised differently?
His words brought me out of my thoughts.
“My heritage was just something my parents never addressed when I was young. I guess it’s not really my mom’s fault. I just never pushed the issue. In a way, I was kind of scared to. I didn’t want her to think I didn’t love her or something, so I left it alone.”
He was worried about what his family would think if he pursued that side of himself; that he would betray them by trying to fill in the gaps that seeking out his culture could only fill. He really was lost in so many more ways than I ever knew. Feeling for him and the sadness of his situation, I held him close, nudging my head into the crook of his neck.
Looping his fingers around my wrist, he slid his hand up and down my skin. “Maybe I can work it out while being with you.”
My lashes flickered up as I met his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I mean while you’re making it big in your French opera houses, some of that drive might rub off on me. Who knows, maybe ole’ Paris may inspire me, too. Light a fire under me to figure it all out.”
My heart bouncing inside my chest I leaned up to see his eyes. He looked completely serious about what he said. “If I go, you’d go with me? Seriously?”
He gave a half-smile. “I guess you’ll find out when you finally go.”
Chapter Forty-One
Drake
The world around me still dark, I awoke to a face full of curly brown hair and a crick in my neck. My body was at the weirdest angle imaginable against the seat o
f my Jag, and Lacey’s arm dug into my side. Despite the discomfort, I didn’t want to stir. The Amazon princess I had in my lap looked so freaking cute that it would have been a shame to wake her. She was snuggled up on me like a little bear cub, arms around my chest and head in the crook of my neck.
Freaking adorable.
Giving a slight yawn, I swept her hair away from her face to see those features of hers. With the moon still out, it lit up her caramel skin and made it a light honey tone.
Could anyone be more gorgeous than this girl?
Bending down, I kissed her cheek, and her curly brown lashes fanned when my breath touched her skin before the contact of my lips.
She shifted, and I didn’t pull my lips back right away. Not wanting to unsettle her further, I didn’t move. Even though I was conscious of my mistake and tried to prevent her from waking, her eyes still fluttered open.
The chocolate-brown eyes stared upon me, and she angled her set of perfect lips into mine.
Drawing in a deep breath, I took advantage of all senses. The wonderful smell of her skin, the smooth feel of her lips, her soft moans in my ear, and the delicious taste of her tongue I couldn’t get enough of.
She couldn’t get enough of me either.
She indulged in me for quite awhile before pulling her lips back. She lay there against my chest, completely breathless.
“Hey there.” I grinned.
“Hi.”
She slid her hand along my chest, making the temperature of my blood skip past the warm stage and straight into boiling. We had a pretty active night already, which is why we both fell asleep, but I was definitely ready for more of that tight, sexy body of hers. Anywhere she’d let me in, I’d take her.
“Mmm,” she said, her voice a light purr as her lashes flickered at me. “I know that look in your eyes, Truman Drake.” She continued to rub the lines of my chest, sweeping her small fingers down and outlining the sections of my abs.
Her touch sent a much-desired chill throughout my entire body, making my cock twitch with need for that tight center it missed.
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