Page 12 of Drake Eternal

Phew…

I knew I shouldn’t be so worried, because Drake wasn’t interested in her — or anyone except me.

But still… There was a part of me that worried because our sex life had quieted down. Even though I knew it was due to our very busy lives, with two children and two very busy work lives, there was still a very small part of me that was insecure.

A very handsome and wealthy and talented man like Drake could have dozens of women waiting for his call if he wanted. I knew how lucky I was, and I promised myself that when we were able, I would make sure he knew that I knew it.

By the time I was ready for bed, I checked the flight information for Drake’s flight on Flight Radar and saw that it was already almost two-thirds of the way to London Heathrow for the layover. By the time he arrived, it would be 8:20 AM London time, but Drake would be ready for bed. Instead, he’d have an hour and a half layover during which time he’d probably fight to stay awake. Some fresh hot coffee at the British Airways First Class lounge would do the trick. Then, he had a nine-hour flight to Nairobi and would be arriving at the hotel just in time to get ready for bed, but he would have slept the entire way.

It would take him a couple of days to decompress and get over jet lag, but soon, he and Michael would be so busy catching up on much-needed surgeries that they would soon be in the swing of things at the hospital.

Just like those two — Michael and Drake — willing to upend their lives for people halfway around the world.

I thought about Michael living alone in Southampton. He’d never remarried after he and his wife Claire split and was living a bachelor’s life while managing the Children’s Hospital. I felt bad for him, but he seemed happy. His life was so busy and had so much meaning that he barely had time to feel lonely.

My cell rang, and I checked the call display. It was my father.

“Hey, Daddy, how are you?”

“I’m fine. Just wondering if you wanted to come this weekend for a cookout. We’re planning on going to the island on Thursday night and thought you might want to come for the weekend.”

“Oh, that sounds so nice. I meant to call you and let you know that Drake was called out to help Michael Owiti in Kenya after the flooding killed two of their neurosurgeons. He flew out today and will stay for at least a month. Sophie and I are planning to fly there as soon as I’m done work on my article. I hoped to leave next week once my work on my article is finished.”

“Aww, that’s too bad he had to leave, but I completely understand — he’s just like his father. I heard about the flooding. Terrible business. Good on Drake for going. I’d expect nothing less from him given his nature and his pedigree. Liam was always rushing around flying to this or that disaster to help.”

“Yes, he couldn’t say no when Michael asked. I think I’ll be done by Tuesday at the latest and so Sophie, and I are going to catch a plane to Nairobi. I’m sure she’ll be ecstatic to come out to the beach house for the weekend. How does that sound? A bit of a celebration before we go?”

“Sounds perfect. Let me know when you leave on your way.”

“Will do. Thanks for calling.”

I ended the call and put my laptop away, then went through my nighttime routine, brushing my teeth and washing my face. It would be a nice diversion from life alone without Drake if we went to stay on the island at the beach house with my father and Elaine. That way, I’d get to spend some time with my father, who I knew would be proud that I finally finished my first bona fide article for the art and culture paper that was employing me.

I crept into our huge king-sized bed and lay down, running my hand over the empty side of the bed where Drake would have been. We had planned on making up for the sorry lack of sex on the weekend when Sophie would stay with my parents, but that was out the window when Drake got the call from Michael except for one quickie.

I regretted that I didn’t try harder to entice Drake into a lovemaking session the night before he left, and promised myself that I would never take tomorrow for granted, especially given my recent thoughts about Sam Cuttington.

I took out my cell and sent Drake a text. I knew he wouldn’t get it until later, but I wanted him to have something from me when he arrived in London.

I took a photo of me lying on the bed, the image capturing my cleavage and head on the pillow, one hand thrown back behind it, hair spread out. I tried to look as alluring as possible and put on a knowing smile, my lips slightly parted.

KATE: Here’s me thinking of you and what you and I are going to do when you get back from Kenya. I want a whole weekend alone with you at the beach house. Just you and me and nothing else…Love you always. XOXOX

Then, I sent the image as an attachment and put my phone away.

I hoped Drake would suffer from as much unsatisfied desire as I knew I was going to…

CHAPTER 4

Iwatched Sophie and Kate as they waved goodbye and made my way through the check in and then directly onto the plane.

My seat was at the very front of the plane on the upper deck and so I was escorted to my seat by a very happy and smiling flight attendant. I was lucky enough to book a window seat facing forward. The seat was large and comfortable, with a large screen across from me, room to stretch out, and the seat reclined to a flat position so I could sleep when I wanted. I took my seat and prepared for the trip, getting everything put away, and adjusting my seat belt in wait for the takeoff.

I sat and watched out the window, waiting for that first pull back, which would signal the flight was leaving the terminal. When it came, I checked my watch and saw that we were on time. We’d arrive in London at around 8:30 in the morning local time, and I would wait in the lounge for my connecting flight.

When the flight levelled off to cruising altitude, I watched out the window. The flight itself was unremarkable except that it was comfortable and hassle-free. I had a delicious meal and then put on my noise cancelling headphones and watched a movie until I could barely keep my eyes open. Finally, I checked my watch and saw that it was time — my body’s time — to get some sleep. We had another three hours of flight time before we arrived in London, so I figured a nap in between flights would help me make it through until my flight from London to Nairobi.

Then, I could really sleep.

---