“Yes, but not too exhausted,” I teased back, as he helped me back into the limo. The party had subsided and we were able to leave without cameras flashing in our faces.
“Good, I was hoping you’d say that,” he said through his bright smile. The driver shut the door behind us and Drake immediately pushed the window up between the driver and us. I eyed him down as I sensed he was on to something. Something naughty, I hoped.
“Thank you for bringing me. It was seriously a dream come true!” I said as I scooted closer to him, wrapping my legs over his lap. I leaned in for a kiss, but right before our lips touched, there was a slight knock on the tinted window outside. Who the hell?
Drake lowered the window to reveal Kendra standing there. She was obviously wasted, as she could hardly stand up without leaning on the door. Fabulous.
“Kendra? What do you want?” Drake asked, stunned to see his ex. Good, he’s just as shocked as I am.
“Oh, Drake. You know you’d rather have me in that limo than her. Just admit it!” she exclaimed, slurring her words and obviously saturated in liquid courage.
“Kendra, what are you talking about? We haven’t been together in years. Are you really going to pull this?” After what she did with our photos, it didn’t surprise me anymore to see what this girl would do to grab his attention.
“Don’t act like you don’t know, Drake. Tell her.” She nodded her head toward me. “Tell her you really want me.” My face was beet red. Now I was pissed. I felt like yanking her hair through the window and giving her a piece of my mind. Before I could do anything, Drake bit out a curse and rolled the window back up. He yelled to the driver to leave, and as we did, I could see her hand smear against the window. Clearly, she wasn’t ready to let go. Was she like this with all his girlfriends or just me?
“Molly, I’m sorry. She’s drunk, just ignore her.” He tried to calm me as he could see the heat in my face and my eyes tear up.
“Is she right?” I asked out loud.
“God, no! Molly, believe me, please. Kendra is a possessive nut job. She goes after all my girlfriends, no matter who they are. She thinks because she has money that we belong together.” My expression didn’t change and as he tried to reassure me, I kept playing our conversation over and over in my mind.
“You look good on his arm now…you won’t last…”
Her words echoed in my mind. Ugh, I wanted to knock her out.
“She told me at the event that I looked good on your arm now, but that it wouldn’t last.” I finally turned to face Drake to check his reaction.
“She did what? Hell, no! Molly, I swear to you. You are not just a fling. You are the only woman I have ever loved. Kendra can clearly see that, and is intimidated by you. She doesn’t understand why I don’t want her, but that’s her problem, not ours, okay?” He looked so sincere that it just about melted my heart. “Molly, with you it’s different. You’ve always been different.” He placed his hands on my face, leaning his forehead against mine, showing the sentiment in his words. I couldn’t believe I ever doubted this man.
What is wrong with you, Molly?
“I’m sorry, Drake. I’m just insecure when it comes to this.” I waved a hand between the two of us. “You’re beyond wonderful and you have my heart. I’m just scared,” I finally admitted.
“I understand, Molly. I get scared, too. Sometimes I think you are too good to be true. But I want to enjoy every moment with you regardless.” He didn’t allow me to respond; instead, he pulled my lips to his and kissed me deeply. I surrendered to his mouth as I kissed him back. I wrapped my hands in his hair, feeling his curls between my fingers. I slowly brushed my fingers down his cheek and down his torso. The feeling of his hard body under his suit was getting me anxious for more.
“Molly, I love you,” he whispered into my lips, breaking our kiss for just a split second.
“I love you, Drake. With my whole heart.” He brushed my straps off my shoulders, exposing my naked breasts as he cupped one with his warm hand. “I need you. Now, Drake,” I demanded as he slowly undressed me.
“I still get butterflies around you,” he confessed as his lips made their way down my neck.
“Fuck butterflies. I feel the whole zoo when I’m with you.” He chuckled as I took charge.
I lowered my hands to the buttons of his suit coat and pushed it off him. I fought with his tie, but after a few attempts and an escaped laugh from Drake, he offered me a hand to get the rest of it off. I unbuttoned his white shirt and ripped it out of his pants. I could feel him hard against me and I was ready and willing. I was addicted to this man.
Serious addiction–the best kind.
After stripping him down to just his briefs, I climbed on top of his lap, straddling him as his hands pushed my dress up and over my hips. I rubbed up against him, teasing him with the lace of my panties. He moaned in my mouth as I rotated my hips against him once more. Pulling my panties to one side, he slipped a finger in, feeling my wetness and hunger for him.
“Molly, you never disappoint,” he said eagerly against my neck, working his way down. I tilted my head back, giving him access to my naked skin. Drake kissed me tenderly from my neck down to my chest, where he sucked hard on my nipples until they were stiff peaks.
“Oh, Drake…” I moaned against him as he continued kissing me. I was ready for him.
I reached down, pulling his briefs down and exposing him. I continued straddling him as I let him enter me, feeling every inch of him as my body went into convulsions. I yelled his name while we continued making love, kissing each other deeply, and touching one another. His skin felt soft over his hard muscles as my fingertips explored his body.
“Molly, you are my everything,” he confessed as he broke the kiss. “Please never doubt that.”
“I won’t. I promise,” I reassured. I placed my hands on both sides of his face, kissing him softly letting him know I meant it. I could do this. I could be his. I knew I needed to let my guard down and let him in fully. I needed to allow myself to be happy even with all the insecurities and drunk ex-girlfriends. I can do this.
“Sometimes I just look at you and think ‘wow, I want to take off his pants.’ Is that bad?”
“Hell, no. Especially, when I’m thinking the exact same thing,” he said, smirking. “Thought that the very first day I saw you.” He paused as he remembered the day. “Is that bad?”
“Not at all, Mr. Stagliano. Had I known, I would’ve surrendered sooner,” I teased, knowing damn well I put up a good fight that first week.
We continued making love until moments before the limo stopped. The smirks on our faces told his driver exactly what we had been doing. It was obvious that he was paid to keep silent.
Drake escorted me into my apartment, lifting me up and carrying me through the door. It was late, so Stella and Michael were already in bed for the evening. We decided to grab a couple of glasses of wine and lay in the loveseat together.
“I could never get tired of this view,” I said, leaning into his chest.
“Same here. But you know it’s even better a hundred floors up.”
“I’m sure it is.” I laughed. “But some of us are on a budget.”
We never talked about money with one another. It was like a silent buzz kill that neither of us wanted to bring up. However, I was pretty certain Drake wondered how I managed financially, seeing that I lived in a nice condo in Chicago. I wanted to reassure him that I was fine financially, yet I didn’t feel we were yet ready for that conversation.
Two days after Liam’s accident, an attorney who held Liam’s will and life insurance contacted me. I was stunned. I didn’t even know Liam had a will or life insurance. It wasn’t something we had ever talked about. Apparently, right after our engagement he took out a life insurance policy and made a will. He had left Stella and me with a huge chuck of change that allowed me to stay home with her for the first year, and pay our rent for the past three years. Knowing Liam did that for his family brou
ght so many feelings to the surface that I didn’t want to deal with it at the time. Knowing that each month when I write out the rent check that it’s all because of Liam, makes my heart mushy every month. Liam truly loved us. He was unbelievable.
“Well, what if someday, you and Stella move in with me?” he asked, snapping me back into the present.
“Move in with you?” I asked, stunned. My eyes grew wide at the realization of what he had just asked me. I hadn’t even considered that as an option, seeing that Michael was my roommate and Stella was very attached to him.
“Yeah. I mean, some day,” he counter-offered, at my reaction. “Just thought that maybe in the future, we could be a family.”
My heart dropped, as I believed my love for this man couldn’t get any deeper; it just had. Family. “You want us to be a family?” I asked, surprised.
“Of course, Molly. I love you and I love Stella. I want us to be a family someday. Don’t you?” His face was now soft as he mentioned a future with Stella and me.
“I do more than anything, Drake. I just didn’t know if that’s what you would want. I mean, taking on that kind of responsibility. It’s not an easy task,” I responded seriously. Although I was more than happy to hear Drake talk about us having a family and moving in together, I wanted to be cautious of the situation, knowing that Stella is the most important factor in my life.
“I’m sure it won’t be easy. Especially those rebellious teen years.” He chuckled. “But it’s you. I want you, Molly. All of you. No matter what.” He smiled and leaned in to kiss me. “We can take it slow, don’t worry. I want Stella to be comfortable with me before we move any faster.” His reassurance was just what I needed to hear. God, this man was perfect.
“Why are you so great?” I asked him with a serious look. “I mean, really? You are too good to be true sometimes, Drake Stagliano.” I smiled against his mouth and he leaned in to kiss me once more. Seriously, amazing!
“I told you, babe. You make me want to be great. That’s what you deserve.” He squeezed me against his chest. “Everyone comes with baggage. I just happen to be very good at unpacking.” He smiled, kissing the tip of my nose. “Now, let’s get you off to bed.” He lifted me off his lap and carried me into my room, holding me tight, never letting me go.
CHAPTER 22
I shuffled through my drawers quickly, trying to find my black stockings. Where the hell are they? I slammed the drawer shut and darted to the closet to scramble through the piles of clothes on the floor. It’s been a hectic last few weeks with rounds and finishing my classes, but the day was finally here. Graduation.
“Stella-bug! Sweetie, help mommy,” I begged. I wanted to look great today. My parents drove in to watch me walk the stage, finally getting my degree. Having the internship was a perfect end to my training. I felt great training next to professional chefs for the last several months. I was ready for this. Ready to graduate, ready for a career, and ready to let Drake love me.
“Mommy, you look beauty-full!” Stella smiled as I twirled around.
“Let me grab my cap and gown, and then we can go.” I grabbed them off the bed and headed into the living room where my parents, Drake, and Michael were sitting and waiting.
Michael and Drake stood up as they saw me enter, wearing huge grins on their face. “What?” I asked, confused at their reactions.
“You look incredible!” Drake walked over to me, grasping me in a tight hug. “Are you ready?”
“Sure am! Let’s do this.” Drake had his limo pick us up so we could all ride together. My parents had never been to Chicago, so when they arrived four days ago Drake insisted on taking them around to all the sights. Although my parents weren’t married to each other anymore, I could still see their chemistry. It was an instant connection, and it was obvious the chemistry was still there.
We had taken a sunset boat tour the second evening of their visit, which ended up being a romantic dinner date for four. Awkward. My parents, being great like they usually are, made the best of it. They enjoyed getting to know Drake and hearing all about him.
I was excited about the ceremony and having them all there to watch me was the best feeling ever. It was like a dream come true. Finally, after all my struggles and hard work, here I was finishing my degree, madly in love with a wonderful man, and we made a great little family.
The ceremony was long, and Stella got antsy, bouncing up and down in her chair. Finally, my name was called and I walked up the steps. I greeted the college President as he shook my hand and congratulated me. I continued walking to my advisor, who wrapped me in a hug, and whispered “congratulations” in my ear. My advisor helped me through everything these last three years. I greeted one more staff member and received my diploma. I held it up high for my family to see, proud of everything I went through to get to this day. My mind flashed back to the very moment I knew my life would forever change.
“Mom, I received a letter today from Kendall College!” I shouted through the phone. I applied three months ago and today was finally the day I would know. Stella was only eight months old and hopefully, in a short four months I would be moving to Chicago. I was so nervous holding that letter in my hands. My future was at stake, and whether or not I was accepted meant everything to me. I wanted to do this. I needed to do this. For Stella and for me.
“Well, honey, what’s it say?” she urged impatiently.
“Okay, mom, I’m ripping it open!” I placed my phone on speaker, setting it down. I ripped the envelope open, shredding it in the process. I opened up the tri-fold letter and began reading it out loud.
“Oh, my God! Oh, my God!” I screamed, reaching for my phone. “Mom, I got in!”
For the next four months, I packed, getting ready for our new lives in Chicago. I begged Michael to come with me and after some convincing, he reluctantly agreed. The program started out intense right from the beginning. We had long classroom hours, which meant long study sessions. Stella had just started being mobile and walking around everywhere, which meant I stayed up late almost every night after she went to bed. For months and even years, I struggled between being a student and a single mother. I wanted to be both, but only being one person, I often overdid it and was exhausted all the time.
Once Stella was enrolled in preschool, she was able to make some friends and socialize with children her age. This made it easier to study at night; she had played hard all day, and went to bed earlier at night. Each moment I had with Stella was precious, even when we were not doing anything special. Those little stolen moments made me appreciate her even more. She was the reason I was doing this. She deserved two loving parents, but since she only had me, I had to play the role of both.
* * *
“Babe, I am so proud of you!” Drake found me after the ceremony, swooping in for a tight hug. I buried my head into the crease of his neck where his scent once again sucked me in.
Michael, Stella, and my parents were not far behind them as I hugged each one. I knew Stella was too young to understand the significance of the day completely, but someday I knew she would look back and be proud of her mom.
I searched for Travis, as I wanted to say goodbye. We were both heading in different directions, as he had a job waiting for him in San Francisco. I would miss him, and our little fun moments we shared in the kitchen, but I was so happy for him.
“Travis!” I yelled, waving my hands in the air. “Over here!” He finally noticed me and ran in my direction. He smacked hard into me, giving me a tight squeeze. “Geez, Trav. You are going to kill me with those bear hugs!” I gasped, trying to breathe.
“I’m gonna miss you, Mols! Especially all those funny, clumsy moments of yours!” He teased, nudging me. I rolled my eyes at him, as he made fun of me most of the time for dropping, spilling, tripping, or just being pure clumsy.
“I’ll miss you, too, Trav. Thank you for everything. Seriously, you were a great study partner.” I hugged him, remembering our weak moment in the kitchen. We were a
ble to move on from that, but I knew Travis still loved me. “Good luck! And don’t forget to call me! And come visit!” I shouted, as the crowd got rowdy. We hugged one last time before he ran back to his family.
Drake led us back to the limo after the ceremony and since it was my parents last night with us, he wanted to make it extra special. He had planned an evening at his home on the balcony where we had our very first date.
“I can’t wait to get you back home and give you your present.” He smiled his wide grin, knowing I knew exactly what he was thinking.
“I look forward to it. Hopefully I can wait that long,” I whispered into his ear, keeping my eyes on him.
As the evening went on, I could feel a burning sensation between my thighs. I was ready to dig my teeth into that man, and I didn’t know how much longer I could wait.
“I’m getting anxious for my present,” I said, walking up to him, wine glass in hand. I pressed my lips to his neck as I felt him quiver at my touch. “Perhaps we can excuse ourselves for a while?” I suggested as I felt him hard against me.
“That’s very tempting,” he said, kissing me back.
“I have a surprise for you. But you have to find it.”
“I have to find it?” he asked. puzzled. “How do I do that?”
“I decided to give myself an early graduation present last week. It’s a tattoo…and you have to find it in order to see what it is,” I answered slowly, teasing him with my mouth on his.
In one quick motion, he picked me up, wrapping my legs around him and covering my mouth with his. He walked from the kitchen, where we were grabbing another bottle of wine, to his bedroom.
“Does this mean I’m getting my present early?” I asked, hoping I was right.
“Does this mean I get my surprise?” he asked, knocking us into his bedroom door, trying to find the handle.
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