Page 75 of Diamonds & Deception

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The cool Septemberevening air feels good on my face. It seems a lot longer than two days since I’ve been cooped up in Drake’s penthouse. I’m still trying to process all the changes in my life over the past week.

Was it only seven days ago that we went to the Red Sox game and I fell head over heels in love with him? I’m pretty sure I was in love with him before we spent the entire day and night together.

It doesn’t matter. I pick up my pace and follow Daisy along the trails of Commonwealth Ave. I’m tempted to look over my shoulder to see how far back Drake is, or even if I’d recognize him with his sweatshirt hood pulled over his head.

I miss walking Daisy with him. Granted, we only did it twice. Still, it was nice and familiar going for a stroll through the park. A handsome man by my side, my dog on the leash. Not that Daisy was my dog during our first walk together.

The sun has completely fallen behind the towering buildings and the sky is now a midnight blue. The glow from traffic lights, vehicles, and lamp posts prevents the park from being veiled in complete darkness.

Drake is on edge about my safety, so I circle back toward the casino. I go through the employee entrance in the back as he instructed me to before we left, and take the elevator at the far end of the hallway instead of the closest one.

He warned me about not doubting Eddie’s ability to have eyes watching inside the casino. Drake employs thousands of workers and can’t possibly screen them all for loyalty. The fear of crossing a Donahue is strong in the city, and he doesn’t doubt there are dozens of employees spying on him.

I take the elevator to the tenth floor, get off and head toward the pricier end of the hotel that houses the suites. I wait for another elevator, then swipe the key Drake gave me, which leads me up to the penthouse.

Trey, Ryder, and Nolan are staying up here as well until they figure out how to handle Eddie. I feel safer having them on this floor. The only other employees with access are the ones Nolan has personally screened.

It was a lot of information Drake fired at me before we left for our walk. Information I appreciated having.

I’m only inside for a minute and have filled up Daisy’s water dish when Drake comes in. “You okay?” he asks as he takes off his sweatshirt.

My eyes can’t help but stare at his exposed stomach and the ridges of his abs as he discards his outer layer. When he pauses, I realize I’ve been busted.

“Yup. I, uh, can make us dinner. Unless you already ate or have plans or whatever.” I’m nervous, not knowing what he expects from me now.

To go hide in my room? Not talk to him? Carry on like we’re friends and don’t have an intense sexual history between us, even if it only lasted a couple of weeks?

“I can help.” He goes to the sink and washes his hands before I can turn him down. “You should make a grocery list of foods you like. I’ll send someone to shop for us.”

Forus.He makes us sound domesticated. Like a couple. It only confuses me more. I’d apologize for the hundredth time if I thought it would be well received. Instead, I go with gratitude.

“Thank you for coming to get me on Saturday and for bringing me here. I appreciate all you’ve done and are doing for me.” I’m not up for making anything complex and decide on pasta. I avoid eye contact and fill a pot with water.

“Sure. Although I haven’t done anything yet. Is there something you want me to chop?”

I turn the stove on to boil the water and rest my hip against the counter. “I’m not talking about dinner.”

“Oh.” He tosses a dishcloth over his shoulder and my insides quiver.

Seriously. Only Drake Reynolds could make wiping his hands on a dish towel sexy.

“You don’t need to thank me, Nora. Any person in my situation would have done the same.”

“I beg to differ. I betrayed you, yet you came to my rescue. Not many men would be as gracious.”

“I brought danger into your life. It’s my responsibility to keep you safe.”

The quivering between my legs stops. He didn’t come to my aid because he cares about me. It’s all a sense of duty and guilt because that’s the kind of guy Drake is. It’s why his friends call him Switzerland. Neutral territory. Not invested in either party.

I focus on browning the meat and adding sauce to it while Drake makes garlic bread. Not the healthiest of meals, not that I care. Wallowing in a plate of carbs can be therapeutic. It doesn’t take long for the food to cook. We eat in silence at the counter and he insists on cleaning up while I take a shower.

My hair is still damp and I’m dressed in sweatpants and a sweatshirt when I go back into the empty living room. I curl up on the couch and Daisy jumps in my lap. I cover us with a blanket and turn on the television.

There isn’t anything I want to watch, but I can only tolerate the quiet for so long. I’m into a second episode of Makeover Madness when Drake emerges from his home office. He surprises me by joining me on the other end of the couch.

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