Page 29 of Taming Drew

An SUV, matching the one driven by Banner’s cousin, pulls in behind me as I drive down the road to the Quad. I glance at Freya in the rearview mirror. She’s busy reading her paperback detective book, oblivious to my stress. The SUV proceeds onto the drive behind the Quad.I guess I just follow. I hope that big black metal arm doesn’t slam down on my van because I didn’t use their code thingy.I continue into the garage and park in the space the man points to. It’s Drew’s spot.I guess I’m doing this.I park and get out, opening the door to Freya’s curious eyes.

“Where are we, Mommy?”

“We’ve stopped to see Drew.”

“Okay.” She grabs two of the bags, and I grab the rest, along with my purse. I close the sliding door and large hands take the bags out of mine and Freya’s hands.

Banner smiles at Freya. “You were at the ranch for my nephews’ birthday.”

She nods. “I remember you. You’re Banner.”

He grins. “Excellent memory.” Banner is a massive man. He’s as big as Drew, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. All the Campbells resemble each other. He nods at me. “You aren’t to worry. Security is paramount in our buildings. You won’t be bothered.”

We step into the elevator, and Freya is busy chatting with Banner about her time at the ranch. The elevator opens to Drew’s radiant face. He nods at Banner and takes the bags from his hands into his own giant paws. “Thanks for bringing them home.”

“You’re welcome. We need to discuss her transportation. It sucks.”

“That it does. Thank your cousins for me, too.”

Banner waves his hand as he walks back to the elevator.

Drew leads us to his open door. He kisses my cheek and pats Freya on her head, getting a smile. He drops the bags in the kitchen as Freya takes my hand and practically skips, following Drew. He kneels to get close to her height. “I have the newest Disney movie ready to play in my living room. I thought you might want to watch it while I talk to your mama.”

She whoops and stares with an exuberant face. “Mommy, can I?”

I smile and brush my hand down her hair. “Yes, you may.”

She and Drew blurt out “cool” at the same time, and he walks her into the living room.

Drew steps back in as I glance at my phone and see I’ve missed a call from Lily. I whisper. “What is going on? Why are we here?”

He kisses me on the cheek. “Thank God you two are okay.” He motions to the barstool.

I inhale his scent.This is where I want to be.

He grabs the seat next to me and puts his hand on my thigh. “I’m concerned about your and Freya’s safety. There has been an uptick in attention.” The color drains from his face. “There’s been some threats to Freya and you. One of the gossip sites has spread the rumor that I abandoned you and Freya before she was born.”

My hand flies to my mouth, and I gasp. My stomach rolls and bile hits my throat.

Drew whispers into my ear. “The team and Banner’s security group think we need to be proactive about dealing with the media attention, and I agree. Lily agrees too. So…” He swings my seat around to face him. “I think you should marry me.”

I jump off my stool and yell. “What?”

Drew glances to the doorway and puts his finger to his lips. “Chloe.”

I turn my head to look at the doorway leading into the living room. I get up and walk to check. Freya is engrossed in the movie, and I breathe out.She’s safe.I step back into the kitchen and walk to the far side of the room by the floor to ceiling windows. I lower my voice and glare at Drew. “You don’t want to marry me. There has to be another way.”

He shakes his head. “This has become a huge social media event. Lily and I met with team management this morning. We discussed feasible solutions, and it would be best for you to agree.”

My head is spinning, and the walls are closing in.I can’t marry him. He’ll never feel anything real for me. This is some fling for him. I’ll never fit into his world, and I can’t drag my daughter into this mess.I blow out my breath and look into his gentle blue eyes.

“I get that this isn’t what you expected. It’s too soon in our relationship to be talking marriage, but we get along, and I want to protect you and Freya. The last two weeks have meant the world to me, and I can protect you two better if you’re mine, even if it’s only for a short time.” He flicks his head to the doorway. “It scared me when I read the posts. People are nuts. Married to me, you’ll reap all the benefits of my money and clout. You two can move in with me, and I can guarantee your safety. I’ll hire Banner’s company, and the Mustangs will provide additional security.”

I stare at the man, trying to wrap my head around his plan. His condo is a bachelor pad.Can we really move in with him?I glance down the hallway that leads to the bedrooms, and he smirks. “You can have your own room, and there’s an empty bedroom. It can be Freya’s room. You would be safe here, and I’ll make it the way you want.”

My inner hussy is bobbing her head.It wouldn’t be permanent. It would fix our safety, handle the rumors about us, and you’ll have phenomenal sex. Do it for the sex.I roll my eyes at my inner voice. Too many thoughts bombard my senses, and I can’t breathe. I hold up my hand. “I need to go sit with Freya and make sure she’s okay.” Drew touches my arm. “Give me a minute with my daughter.” I walk in and plop next to Freya on the sectional. Images of me and Drew flood my mind, and I push them away. “How’s the movie?”

Freya snuggles next to me. “I love this movie. How did he get a copy? It hasn’t come out yet.”

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