It’s a short drive to my place.I could call an Uber, but Drake’s right here.Besides, I don’t have my purse and money.
Drake works for the casino as an executive—recognized for stellar performance, no less.How dangerous could he be?
I shoot Gen a text.
Cali:I left the bar.Getting a ride from a coworker.Please bring my purse when you leave.See you back at our place.Get some digits, will you!
I don’t wait for her response.If she worries about me, she’ll check her phone.
Drake leads me to a dark sports car.I have no idea of the make—that kind of detail is beyond my cognitive ability at the moment.
He opens the passenger door and I ease onto tan leather seats, slipping his jacket from my shoulders and draping it over the center console.
“Where do you live?”he asks from the driver’s side.
Another twinge of uneasiness hits me, as if beneath the alcohol haze, common sense lies in wait.I don’t like the idea of giving a stranger my address, but I really want to go home.Besides, if Drake really wants my address, he could look it up at work.I give him the information and he programs it into his GPS.
Within minutes, we’re pulling into my driveway.“Thanks for the ride,” I tell him, and open the car door to get out.
“You’re welcome.”He gets out of the car at the same time I do.
I shouldn’t worry.It’s dark out and he’s probably just walking me to the door, but I do worry.I’m worried I gave him the wrong idea.
I slip behind the fence where we hide the spare key.No way I can get around him seeing me do it.It’s either that, or I’m locked out.I make a mental note to change the location of where we put the hide-a-key tomorrow.
When I return, Drake’s waiting on the darkened doorstep.
Gen and I forgot to turn on the porch light before we left.This wouldn’t be a big deal, except that having the lights off sets a certain romantic mood I’d rather not encourage.
“Thanks again for the ride.I think I’m good from here.”
Drake sidles closer, resting his hand lightly on my hip.He flashes his charming smile.“How about a short visit?”
I step back, my shoulders brushing the door.“Not tonight.”
He nods slowly.I can’t see his eyes clearly in the dark, but I sense calculations going on behind the pregnant pause.“A kiss goodnight, then?”
He leans forward and my hands flash to his chest, urging him back.“I don’t?—”
Drake dips his head, my arms no barrier when he’s half a foot taller.His mouth closes on mine even as I’m pushing him away.He doesn’t seem to notice, or care, since he’s too busy grabbing my neck and angling his tongue inside my mouth.
Every danger instinct goes off inside me, a fine sweat breaking out along my spine despite the evening chill.
My brain moves in rapid fire, registering each breath, a rough hand grabbing my wrist and pinning it behind me in a gesture meant to be sexy, or an assault—I’m not sure which.Either way, it’s unwelcome.Drake’s body pushes me flush with the door.The only sounds are the shifting of our feet, and the smacking of Drake’s rough mouth amid the struggle for control.
Rapid footsteps penetrate through the panic.
“Off!”a deep, familiar voice shouts a second before Drake is ripped away.
Jaeger stands between us, his back to me.I have no idea how he got here, or why he’s here.But the relief is unimaginable.
“Is there a problem?”Drake casually shifts his collar forward.Jaeger must have wrenched it when he grabbed him.
Drake saunters closer, careful to remain clear of Jaeger.“The lady came home with me.I don’t see how this is any of your business.”
“It’sherhome and she asked you toleave,” Jaeger says.“Get.The fuck.Out!”He reaches back and drapes a long arm over my shoulders, pulling me close.My heart slows; my breathing calms.
The threat in Jaeger’s voice stuns me, but my body instinctively curls into him.Frankly, I’m surprised anyone managed to create this level of anger from Jaeger.He’s the gentle giant.But Jesus, is he scary when he’s mad.
