I could barely pay attention in class. I couldn’t focus, and I was called on twice. I glanced up, completely oblivious to what the question was. I buried my head in my hands, ready to burst into tears at any moment. The instructor could see I was having a bad day, and left me alone after the second time I flaked on answering his questions.
“Molly, can I see you after class please?” I glanced up to see he was looking directly at me. I nodded at him and dug myself deeper into the chair. Ugh, this is embarrassing.
I collected my things after we were dismissed and met with the instructor. He asked me if everything was all right, and I quietly explained I was experiencing some personal issues and that I would be more focused tomorrow. I apologized for my lack of participation in class and he let me leave once he was satisfied with my response.
I rushed home after class, hoping to feel better once I saw Stella. She was sitting at the table eating. “Stella baby, what are you eating?” Interesting choice of snacks, as always.
“Pickles and yogurt.”
“You are my strange little girl.” I laughed, kissing her on the cheek.
I decided I needed to call Drake and see if he had found any information. “Hey baby, how was class?” he asked, answering on the first ring.
“Not good. I was too distracted. Please tell me you found something out?” I said, worried.
“I told you not to worry. I’m taking care of it.”
“I know. I can’t help but worry.” I frowned. “I miss you.”
“I miss you, too. Can you come over tonight? I’d like to show you something.”
“Sure. I can come after Stella goes to bed. Michael will be home by nine.”
“Sounds good, baby. See you then.” We hung up and I spent the rest of the evening with Stella. We colored, made pizza, and built a fort in her bed. She made it easy to forget all my worries.
I arrived at Drake’s around 9:30 p.m. I wasn’t sure what he had in store for us that evening, but I wanted to leave my worries behind and just enjoy spending time with him. I trusted him, and if he said he would take care of it, I believed him.
His doorman ushered me in and to the elevator that went up to the penthouse. I walked in, and Drake was nowhere to be seen. I walked through the foyer and into the kitchen, where I saw rose petals on the floor. They trailed through the dining room and up the staircase. I followed, curious as to what this man had planned. I smiled as I walked up the stairs, was anticipation building. At the top of the staircase, the rose petals led me to a door I hadn’t been through before. Cautiously, I opened it and walked in.
Inside, I saw the photos of Drake and I that were taken in the kitchen. They are blown up and mounted on canvases. They are tastefully seductive and appropriate for our eyes only. I smiled as my memory of that day flashed through my mind. Rose petals are covering the cherry wood floor, and there’s light classical music playing in the background. There’s a pure white studio day sofa in the middle of the room, covered with red rose petals and red pillows. The room is set up for a night of complete romance.
“You like?” Drake’s voice appeared behind me. I turned around and there he was. He had on a red tie and nothing else. Fuck, that’s a sexy tie.
“I absolutely love!” I gushed, eyeing him up and down. I love the photos and him standing there in just a tie.
I noticed a clear, plastic box with the red silicone brush placed inside. I chuckled as I remembered him teasing me with it.
“Nice display,” I said, brushing my fingertips along the bristles.
Keeping his eyes glued to mine, he took my head in his hands and leaned down for a kiss. He deepened the kiss, tilting my head back, giving him more access. I rubbed my hands along his torso, feeling his rock-hard muscles.
Our lips separated as he pressed his forehead to mine. “It’s been two weeks since we first made love. It’s been the best two weeks of my life, Molly. I think about you all day when we aren’t together. I want you in my life, and want you to be only mine.” He paused, letting it sink in.
“I am only yours.” I smiled. “I don’t want anyone else,” I admitted.
“Good, because you are all I want. I want you. All of you. I want to know Stella better, I want to know you better, and I want to be a part of your lives—if you’ll let me.” He looked deep into my eyes, confessing his love for me. It was the first time someone had spelled it all out for me like that. No games. No worries. Just him and me.
CHAPTER 9
Drake explained to me that he got our pictures blown up because although they were being used as blackmail, he was not ashamed of them. He enjoyed our time together, and making love in the kitchen was one of his favorite memories. I had to agree with him; it definitely was erotic and mind-blowing. Every time with Drake is mind-blowing…
That evening was not about sex; rather it was about getting to know each other. We knew each other thoroughly on a sexual level, but still had a lot to discover about each other personally.
“So where did you grow up?” Drake asked, biting into a chocolate-dipped strawberry. He had them sitting on a crystal platter next to two glasses of champagne.
“I grew up in a small town called Burlington, Iowa. My parents split when I was fourteen, just before I met Liam. He really helped me cope with their separation. We got pregnant when I was eighteen, and he proposed shortly after. We never set a date. Mainly because we didn’t have a lot of money and my parents weren’t supportive of the idea. Then when Stella was two months old, he was killed in a car accident. After that, I was determined to get out of Iowa, go to culinary school, and run a restaurant someday.” I took a sip of champagne, giving myself a chance to breathe. I had just spilled personal information that I hadn’t discussed in many years. I trusted Drake, but I didn’t want him to view me any differently. I had an uneventful childhood until I met Liam. He made me feel alive, and when he died, it was as if I had died with him. Drake was breathing air back into my lungs, and I didn’t want to lose it this time.
“Are you close to your parents?” he asked, keeping the conversation going.
“We talk every week, so I guess we are close. They Skype with Stella and send her gifts. I haven’t been home in two years though and they can’t afford to visit. They weren’t there for me when Liam died. I think they tried their best, but they really didn’t know how to let me grieve. Stella was my main priority, and becoming a single mom at eighteen was time consuming.” I took a bite from the strawberry he held up for me. “What about you? What are your dark secrets?” I teased.
“I grew up here in Chicago. My great-grandfather started the Riverside Hotel when he was only thirty years old. He was exceptionally smart and made the hotel a huge success. He opened the restaurant twenty years later and worked until he was seventy. My dad started working for him at sixteen, and has been ever since. I started there after I graduated college, and here I am.” He drank the rest of his champagne. He obviously was successful and extremely proud of his accomplishments. It was adorable watching him talk about his business. And sexy.
“So…what exactly do you do?” I smiled. Besides charming everyone…
“I do everything!” he teased. “I do most of the finances. That’s what I have my degree in, but I also do a lot for the restaurant—finding new menu options, structuring the internships, hiring/firing, finding new ways to increase profits and various other things,” he grinned. He definitely had many responsibilities, which was somewhat intimidating. But oh, so intoxicating.
“So have you ever thought about the whole marriage and baby thing?” I asked playfully, wondering how he’d take it.
“Actually, I do hope to get married and have children someday. But it just hadn’t been in the cards yet. Most women want the publicity to advance their own careers or to only be involved sexually.” I could see his sincerity as he spoke about his future. It was heartwarming and reassuring.
I stood there staring at a beautiful man that I could potentially settle down with.
It was surreal. He was surreal. I had let a man into my life, and in such a short amount of time, I didn’t want anything or anyone getting in the way of that.
“So I need to know,” Drake started. “How is it that a young, beautiful woman like yourself has stayed single for four years?”
“I wasn’t ready to date, I guess. I mean, guys tried, and they wanted to, but I always found a reason to turn them down.” I answered honestly, reflecting on all the times I rejected a man for no good reason.
“So why are you here with me now?” he asked.
“I guess you’re my exception.” I smiled back at him, knowing he would love hearing that. “And let’s be honest, you didn’t really give me much choice,” I teased, knowing damn well he had pursued me harder than any other man ever has.
“Well, I go after what I want.” He smirked and leaned in for a kiss, but I pushed his face away just before he reached my lips.
“Okay…that’s enough. Sit,” I demanded as I nodded to the white day sofa. He furrowed his brows, curious as to what I was up to, but he obliged anyway.
I took off the scarf I was wearing and blindfolded him. He chuckled and asked what I was doing.
“Just do what I say,” I bantered back. I tied it around his eyes and made sure he couldn’t see. I smiled as I could only imagine the things going on in his mind at that moment.
I slowly moved down him, kissing and teasing him with my hands. I straddled him, and ran my hands up his torso. playfully unbuttoned his shirt, letting it hang open against his shoulders.
“Now, no touching…or looking.” I quickly removed my clothes and straddled him again. He smiled at the sensation of skin on skin. I lightly kissed his lips, then moved down his neck and up to his ear. I explored his body with my hands, caressing his torso and his arms. He was rock solid, and it felt amazing to touch him.
After teasing him and watching him squirm, I placed myself on top of him, letting him slide inside. He moaned and tilted his head back. His hands went up, reaching for my breasts, but as I continued to tease, I cupped my breasts before he could, reminding him, “No, no, baby. No touching…”
“Oh, come on, this is torture! I need to feel you, baby,” he whined.
“I know, but not yet,” I whispered, kissing his lips as I let him enter me again. I continued to straddle him, making love to him… making myself crazy with desire in the process. He tried so hard not to touch me, and eventually, I gave in and let him, as I wanted and needed to feel him touching me now, too.
“You feel so good, baby. I need to see you,” he begged.
“Not yet…I want you to feel me without looking.”
We continued making love in a room filled with pictures of us making love. This man was unlike any man I had ever met before. I was falling for him… hard. He was the whole package…the perfect match for me.
I started to panic at the realization of the hold this man had on me, and in such a short period of time. How suddenly our relationship had blossomed… One minute, I’m at my internship, totally focused on building my career, and the next I’m sleeping with the manager, falling head over heels in love with him. It was too much to take in.
Holy shit…I need to get out of here. Breathe, Molly breathe.
I let him finish and released a moan as if I had finished, too. I had too much on my mind to worry about finishing when I had a panic attack coming on.
“Mm…that was hot.” He leaned in for a quick kiss. I reached for my clothes and started dressing. “But next time, I get to blindfold you.”
I was starting to feel claustrophobic next to him, being surrounded by our photos. I had to get out of there.
“I think I need to get back home, Drake. This was so lovely, and I love the pictures, but I have a busy day tomorrow, and I want to spend some time with Stella before school tomorrow,” I lied.
“Sure baby, no problem. I can take you home.” He smiled and grabbed my hand to lead me down the stairs to the waiting town car.
I kissed Drake goodbye at my door and walked into my apartment. My breathing had quickened, and I felt the sudden urge to throw up. I walked into a quiet apartment and as soon as I saw the loveseat, I collapsed.
“Molly? Mols, can you hear me?” Michael panicked. He knelt beside me trying to see what was wrong. Go away…
“I’m fine, Michael,” I lied, trying to reassure him.
“Molly, what’s wrong?” He could see that I was not myself.
“I love him, Michael. I love him, and I’m terrified,” I mumbled. “I had a panic attack.”
“Oh girl…you have fallen for him. You haven’t had a panic attack in years.”
“I know Michael, but you’re not getting it. I have never loved anyone else besides Liam. I have let another man into my heart, and it scares the hell out of me.” Tears started to well, as I continued, “The memory of Liam still lives inside my heart, and it terrifies me to move on. I feel like I’m going to forget him if I replace him.”
“Oh honey, he will never be replaced. He was your first love, and he’s Stella’s father. It’s okay for you to move forward. I know it feels scary, but I also know Liam would want you to be happy,” he said in a soothing voice. He was always good at making me feel better. Now I was sobbing uncontrollably.
“You’re right.” I smiled as tears continued falling down my cheeks. “I just miss Liam so much, and I don’t ever want to forget him.” Liam…I miss you.
“You will never forget him, darling. He was a part of your life, and he will always be Stella’s father. You need to let Drake in, honey, because he cares about you and you care about him.” Michael knew just what to say, especially during my panic attacks.
I never had panic attacks until after Liam’s accident, and after a year or so, they stopped. The timing of the panic attacks now were clearly my body’s way of processing this newfound love with Drake. Everything Michael said was true, yet I still felt like I couldn’t get enough air. Just breathe, Molly.
That morning I played hooky from class and instead packed a suitcase for Stella and me. I had decided to drive to Iowa for the weekend to see my family, and I wanted to visit Liam’s gravesite. I felt like I had things to say before I could feel okay with moving on.
“Stella, baby, we gotta go!” I called as I was grabbing the last of our luggage. We were only going to be gone through the weekend, but I knew she was going to need a variety of things to keep her entertained on the long ride. Michael decided to tag along with us, as well. It was going to be a fun road trip, but I was ready to get it over with in the hopes of feeling some closure.
“Coming, mommy!” Stella yelled as she rushed to the door. “I couldn’t find my Elmo, but here he is!” She held up her stuffed Elmo with pride.
“Great, now let’s go!” Michael followed us to the elevator and down to the lobby where our cab was waiting. He grabbed our bags and threw them in the trunk for us. Stella was so excited for her first road trip. We rented a Tahoe, so Stella had room to sleep and watch movies in the back.
“Hello?” I answered my phone without looking. I had not told Drake about our last-minute plans, so I’m sure he was wondering where I was.
“Hey baby, where are you?” Drake asked, concern in his voice.
“Michael and I decided to take Stella on a road trip to Iowa.” I didn’t want to get into the whole panic attack and Liam situation. I wanted to tell him that in person so he understood where I was coming from. I was nervous how he would take the news. Hopefully he wouldn’t bail.
“Iowa? To see your parents?” he asked, confused.
“Yeah, I haven’t seen them in over two years, and I wanted to get away for a couple days. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to tell you. We just planned it, kind of spur of the moment, and had to start packing, and renting a car and all.”
“Oh, well, I hope you guys drive safe, and have fun. Call me when you get there.”
“Will do, honey. Call you later.” We hung up, and for the next four and a ha
lf hours, we drove through boring Illinois and Iowa, stopping twice, and finally made it by one in the afternoon. I hadn’t been back in so long, but it felt right. It was comfortable. It was home.
I knew my mom and dad would both be at work, but I knew where my mom’s hidden key was. Both of my parents had remarried after their divorce, but I was still the only child among my parents and stepparents. Stella was their only grandchild, and they loved spoiling her any chance they could. They sent lavish gifts on birthdays and at Christmas, so I knew they’d be blown away seeing her in person for the first time in two years.
“Mommy, where are we?” Stella asked as she walked through the door.
“This is Grandma’s house, baby. We’re going to stay here for the weekend,” I smiled, hoping to get a good response out of her. My mom had two spare rooms, which was the main reason why I chose to come here, although I planned to stop by my dad’s house, as well. He only had a one-bedroom condo with his wife and dogs.
“We better call Grandma, so she doesn’t have a heart attack when she gets home,” I teased, gesturing for Stella to come over to me.
“Hello?” My mother answered, worried. I never called in the afternoon, especially on a Friday, considering I was usually in class.
“Hi, Grandma!” Stella squealed. “I like your house!”
“Hi, Mom!” I chimed in.
“Hi, Mom!” Michael yelled from the hallway.
“Well, hello, dear. Where are you?” she asked confused.
“We decided to take a last-minute road trip. We are at your house. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Oh, my goodness! You are? Really?” She sounded like she almost didn’t believe it.
“Yes, we wanted to come see you and Dad. We used your secret key. Hope that’s okay.”
“Oh, honey, it’s more than okay. I can’t believe you’re here! I’m going to leave the office early. I can’t wait to see my little Stella-bug. I’ll be there in a half-hour!” she said eagerly and hung up. I couldn’t be happier to be home right now. This was a time in my life when I just needed my mom.
Alphas & Millionaires Starter Set Page 8