Pairing: Drake X MC, Liam X Olivia, Hana X OC Lydia
Rating:PG-13
Summary:The show comes to and end, and Riley contemplates her future
Author’s Note: I can’t believe I’ve finally brought this series to an end. There was quite a long time I thought I may never finish. I want to thank all the readers and friends who’ve read and encouraged me along the way. I want to especially thank @debramcg1106 as of late for helping me work through the ending and pushing me to finish it out. This is the technical end of the story, but I do have an epilogue planned as well.
Due to everything that transpired, filming of the finale was delayed two weeks. Riley was grateful for the time and hardly left Drake’s side during his recovery. He was sent back to the palace after a couple days, and Riley had to convince him that whiskey was not a suitable replacement for the antibiotics and pain medication the doctor prescribed. Reluctantly he obliged. He worked with physical therapy, and by the end of those two weeks, you’d have hardly known he’d been injured at all.
Olivia was salty her ball had been ruined, but the production staff made up for it, giving her and Liam an overnight filmed at Olivia’s northern Lythikos retreat. She was still worried the country would favor Riley with Liam, but Kat assured Olivia between her heroic actions, personal growth, and some favorable editing, it would be hard for most people not to be on her side.
As for Madeleine, it was still unclear if she would be charged criminally or would be incompetent to stand trial due to her mental health, but either way, she wouldn’t be a danger to anyone for quite some time. It was questionable if Jo’s involvement in the whole thing broke any laws. She wasn’t Cordonian, so she couldn’t be charged with treason for skirting security and endangering the life of the crown prince, but authorities were looking to see if there was anything they could make stick. At the very least she was blacklisted and would never work in television again.
So finally, on a calm, clear, day, there was only one obstacle left. Riley met with Liam, adorned in a stunning, body-hugging, Swarovski crystal filled dress, to put on the performance of a lifetime and act as if he’d shattered her heart. Of course, it wasn’t that easy. There were a couple of takes where neither of them could keep a straight face followed few that were unbelievably dramatic, but ultimately Riley was able to tap into her vulnerability and the tragedy she had faced to bring genuine emotion and tears to light. It didn’t matter that it was unrelated to what was happening in the scene, it was real. Kat said it was perfect, and Liam was free to propose to Olivia.
—–
Now that all is said and done, who will Liam choose to be his future Queen? Will it be the fierce Duchess Olivia, or the plucky newcomer Riley? Stay tuned for the finale of Queen of My Heart.”
Maxwell draped his arm around Riley’s shoulder. “What do you think, sis? How did I do on my television debut.”
Maxwell, Bertrand, Savannah, Hannah, Lydia, Liam, Olivia, Riley, and Drake were all huddled in the palace screening room to watch the finale as it aired.
Just about anyone would have been an improvement over Chad,” Riley teased, ”but the squid suit was definitely a nice touch. Your delivery was great, but did you have to call me plucky?”
“You know I had to play it cool,” Maxwell explained. “Plucky is good, but not over the top. Don’t want anyone thinking I’m playing favorites because you’re my sister.”
Riley rolled her eyes. “The suggested ‘noble newcomer’ would have been sufficient.”
“It was a stylistic choice.” Maxwell made a gesture with his hand indicating a mock hair flip.
“Ugh, enough about Maxwell,” Olivia groaned. “I’m ready to get to the good part. Can we just fast-forward through any mushy Liam and Riley stuff? Nobody needs to see that.”
“I second that.” Drake raised his hand in rare agreement with Olivia.
Liam just shook his head. “I know nobody watches live network television anymore, so you must have forgotten how this works. There’s no fast-forwarding. Not even through commercials.”
“That’s fine with me.” Lydia chimed in. “More time for making out.”
“Lydia!” Hannah’s cheeks turned a deep shade of pink.
Lydia pecked her on the lips. “Sorry babe. You’re just too damn cute when you blush.”
Hannah remained quiet but her smile gave her away. Lydia, with her outgoing, bold, and slightly unpredictable personality, was the perfect complement to Hannah being so shy, proper, and focused. They brought out the best in each other, and the difference in Hannah between when Riley met her until now was night and day.
The friends watched the show and Riley only cringed at herself in a few places, which was much less than she thought she would. Things did get a bit awkward during the montage of kissing scenes between Riley and Liam, and Maxwell and Bertrand made a show of covering their eyes for the steamier parts. They all laughed inappropriately when Liam dumped Riley since they knew it wasn’t real. And then finally when Liam proposed to Olivia, everyone cheered.
Riley thought of her friends and family at home. She pictured aunt Susan, Sarah, and Daniel all rooting for her and how disappointed they must have been that she “lost.” She couldn’t wait to tell them, however, she hadn’t lost at all.
“Wow, Livvy.” Drake quipped, bringing Riley out of her deep thoughts. “How much did you have to pay them to give you such a flattering edit?”
Olivia threw a pillow at his head which he deftly dodged. “Fuck off, Walker. You were so desperate to get on the show, you leapt in front of a bullet.”
“Now, now children.” Liam said in a mock scolding tone. “Let’s all play nice.”
“Yes, father,” Drake and Olivia replied in unison, causing laughter to erupt around the room.
Riley still didn’t have all the answers about what her future would hold, but she had found her people. Where she was in that moment was where she needed to be.
Savannah yawned. “It’s getting late. We should probably go and relieve the sitter.” Riley hasn’t wanted to pry into Savannah and Bertrand’s relationship, but they were working together to parent Bartie and things seemed to be falling into place for them.
“Yes, yes.” Bertrand agreed. “Time is money!”
“Oh my god, Bertrand.” Savannah rolled her eyes. “Life isn’t all about money.”
“She’s right.” Maxwell propped his arm on Savannah’s shoulder. “Besides, now that the show is over, we’ll be getting some money, and Kat said if viewers responded well to me, they would probably offer to extend my contract in the franchise. By the looks of these tweets, I’m going to be rolling in dough. ‘That Maxwell guy is so hot…ridiculously funny…just what the show needed.’ Should I read more?
As the rest of the crowd dwindled, Liam asked Drake and Riley to stay behind. He kissed Olivia and promised to join her when the conversation was through.
“So what’s up?” Drake got right to the point once only the three of them remained.
Liam cleared his throat. “Well as you know, I highly value your loyalty to the crown.”
“Heh.” Drake let out a terse laugh. “I don’t really give a fuck about the crown, but I do care about you.”
“In any case, you take your job very seriously and I could see you as head of the guard one day, once Bastien retires.” Liam paused before continuing. “However, I do have another proposition for you.”
Drake raised an eyebrow skeptically. “Go on.”
“How would you like to be the head of Valtoria?” Liam asked expectantly.
Drake’ eyes narrowed in contemplation. “I thought Valtoria was unoccupied. Is there a new Duke or Duchess there now that needs a security detail?”
“No, no.” Liam laughed. “Well, there could be. That’s what I’m trying to ask you. I would like to give Valtoria to you.”
“No fucking way. You have to be kidding me. Did you sign up for some royal version of a prank show now?” Drake scanned the room as if searching for hidden cameras.
“I’m serious, Drake. I think you would make a fantastic duke.”
Drake scoffed. “I’m a commoner who despises most nobles and everything the monarchy stands for.”
“That’s exactly why you’d be perfect for the role.” Liam explained. “Cordonia needs a fresh perspective - someone who can resonate with the people the monarchy serves. Just think, you could have a real voice in creating change. I don’t want to rule like my father has and his father before. I want the people to have the representation they deserve, and you are a key to that.”
Drake sighed deeply. “I don’t know Li. Even if I could do this - if I wanted to - what makes me worthy? What’s everyone going to say when they find out you gave an average dude the title of Duke just because he’s your best friend?”
“I’ll tell them that Drake Walker is anything but average. He’s smart, capable, and fiercely loyal. He’s saved my life more times than I count and has more integrity than anyone I know. Public policy can be learned, but these qualities cannot be taught. He may not be noble by blood, but he is my family, and he belongs.”
'Wow, Liam.“ Drake ran a hand through his hair. "I don’t know what to say.”
“You’re quiet over there.” Liam directed at Riley. “What do you think?”
“Me?!” Riley had been as shocked by this as Drake, and she didn’t know what to think. This was about Drake, not her. Did her opinion really matter? “I, uh…. think this is really Drake’s decision.”
Drake took Riley’s hands in his. “But it’s yours too. I mean, if we are going to be together…”
“Oh, well…” How was Riley supposed to help Drake decide such a life altering thing when she didn’t even have her own life sorted out?
Drake didn’t leave her fumbling for too long. “Liam, I really don’t know if either of use is equipped to answer this question right now. It’s a very generous offer, and the fact that I’m not totally shutting you down for suggesting such a ridiculous thing as me being a Duke should tell you I’m genuinely willing to entertain the idea.”
Liam chuckled. “I completely understand. This life is new to both of you in different ways, and to navigate a new relationship on top of all that is a lot to ask. I’m in no hurry to fill the vacancy. Consider it an open-ended invitation. I trust that you’ll be ready to make your decision long before the public pressures me into making a new appointment.”
“Thanks, Liam.” Drake gave him hug and patted him on the back. “Now get back to your fiancé before she blames me for keeping you too long.”
—–
Back in her palace guestroom, Riley nestled into Drake, her head resting on his chest. “It’s been quite a night, huh?
"You could say that again.” Drake pulled her tighter against him.
“I kind of feel like we’re moving so fast, we’re skipping steps - like we’re being asked to decide the rest of our lives before we even know what we want to do tomorrow.” Riley knew nobody was outright asking for an immediate decision, but she felt the weight of everyone’s expectations. Whether she stayed in Cordonia or went back home, she’d probably be disappointing someone.
“Who says we have to?” Drake asked. “You heard Liam. He doesn’t need an answer right away. I Know you haven’t decided what you want, and I sure as hell don’t know what I’m going to do yet. Why don’t we take some time together to just…be. Do normal couple things and see where the relationship takes us.”
“Normal couple things… I mean I don’t know how I can go back to my normal peasant life after attending weekly balls dressed in couture gowns,” Riley teased, “but I think I could make that sacrifice for you, my commoner boyfriend.”
“Hey, watch who you are calling commoner.” Drake pinned Riley down and tickled her sides until she begged him to stop, and he collapsed beside her again. “I just may outrank you soon if I so choose.”
Riley laced her fingers through Drake’s. “It’s crazy to think how our lives have changed in a few short months. I don’t think I could have made it through all of this without you, and not just because you kept literally saving my life.”
“You may not have taken a bullet for me, but you’ve saved me too. For once in my life, I see multiple paths with meaning and purpose. I’ve seen so much of myself reflected in you, but it id the version of me I want to be, not the one I was. You’ve shown me trials and hardships don’t have to make you bitter, and that you don’t have to fit the cookie cutter mold to find your place here… Oh, God, listen to me. What have you done to me Bennett?” Drake shuddered in mock disgust.
Riley softly pressed her lips to his and pulled back with a smirk. “I don’t think I can take all the credit, or the blame as you might put it. But enough talk about the future. You said we should focus on the now, and right now all I need is you.”
“Well then, your wish is my command.” Drake pulled Riley tight to him and then they lost themselves in each other, completely unencumbered by any decisions about their future. Those could wait for another day.
Olivia anxiously tapped her champagne glass, waiting for Liam to finish his obligatory time with Riley. Even though she knew it was just for show, it still made her stabby. Everybody fucking loved Riley, and Olivia hated that she included herself in “everybody.” Maybe love was too strong a word…much too strong actually, but she couldn’t help but like her at least a little. Riley was a refreshing change from the typical noble born and bred, and whereas most of Olivia’s peers either hated or feared her, Riley just seemed to roll with whatever punches Olivia dealt. Once this was over and she didn’t have to constantly watch Riley with her hands all over Liam, Olivia vowed to drop the hot and cold act and would try to be nice.
As a sappy slow song dragged on much too long, murmurs began to buzz through the ballroom. Olivia did a double take as she looked up and saw Madeleine headed towards the dance floor.
“What the fuck?” Olivia muttered aloud. No way was she going to let Madeleine upstage her and cause a scene at her own ball. She got up to give Madeleine a piece of her mind but then froze in her tracks. Before Olivia could make heads or tails of what was happening, Madeleine, now only feet away from Olivia, had a gun pointed right at Liam. Olivia didn’t even have a chance to warn him and Riley before a shot rang out. She watched helplessly as Drake dove in front of the bullet before falling to floor with a thud.
In a split-second decision, Olivia had no doubt what she needed to do. The effect of the kickback from the gum gave her an opening before Madeleine could compose herself to shoot again. She lunged at Madeleine, the momentum carrying them both to the ground. The gun skittered across the floor, and somehow Madeleine came out on top of the struggle and got it in her hands again.
Madeleine rolled on top of Olivia, pointing the gun to her head, but neither Olivia’s pride nor her training would allow her to go out this way. She reached through slit in her dress and found the carved wooden handle of her trusty dagger, pulling it out from its leather sheath and plunging it into the back of Madeleine’s right shoulder.
Madeleine cried out, and reflexively dropped the gun. Olivia pushed Madeleine off her just as her head of security, Monica, some other members of her guard, the show staff, and ball guests surrounded Madeleine to detain her.
Olivia picked herself up and tried to remain stoic despite knowing full well how close to death she’d been. Liam came rushing towards her and she felt her resolve start to crumble.
“Olivia! Are you hurt?” Liam wrapped his arms around her.
“I’m fine,” she replied, her voice shaky. She knew she might be feeling the bumps and bruises tomorrow, but all things considered she was relatively unscathed….at least physically.
“I was so afraid I was going to lose you.” Liam fixed her strands of hair that had fallen out of place during the scuffle.
Olivia’s lip began to tremble. “I thought the same about you. If Drake hadn’t jumped into way- Wait, is he okay?” She looked past Liam but couldn’t see much with Riley and members of the King’s guard crowded around him.
Liam’s face fell. “I don’t know. He was hit in the shoulder. We were trying to rouse him, and he’d already lost a lot of blood, but then I saw you struggling with Madeleine-”
“Go.” Olivia motioned in Drake’s direction. “I’m okay now and he may need you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Go!” She demanded and Liam obliged. Complicated feelings about Drake aside, now was not the time to be petty or selfish. Drake’s friendship meant everything to Liam, and by extension that meant Olivia cared about him too. She said a silent prayer pleading for him to pull through.
—–
“Drake…Drake!” Riley shook Drake’s uninjured shoulder, desperately trying to wake him. By then, there was a crowd around him including the show’s on location medic who had applied a pressure bandage to the wound while they waited for the ambulance to arrive.
“Here, let me try.” The medic closed his fist and firmly rubbed his knuckles in the middle of Drake’s chest.
Drake moaned weakly and then slowly opened his eyes, searching among the faces until he found her. “Bennett!”, he croaked out as he reached for her.
“Shh.” Riley grasped his hand to settle him down. “Be still. The ambulance will be here soon.”
Drake glanced towards his shoulder and winced. The wound was covered but the surrounding fabric of his shirt was heavily stained with blood. He didn’t say anything but squeezed her hand even tighter.
Had it been seconds, minutes, or hours? Riley could hardly say, but after an excruciating wait, the blare of sirens could finally be heard outside the duchy walls.
—–
Fuck! Shit! Fuck! “Oh my god, oh my god!” Kat nearly hyperventilated as she watched it all unfold. Too far away to physically intervene, she called over her headset to initiate the crisis protocol, locking down the perimeter and ensuring emergency services were on the way.
Once Madeleine was brought down, Kat checked on the status of all involved. It was a great relief that there were no fatalities, at least yet. Drake had lost a lot of blood and needed to get to the hospital right away. Madeleine’s injury was fairly serious as well, but she was in better shape. Olivia seemed to have done just enough to disarm Madeleine, likely a credit to her training and skill.
Jo was typically behind the scenes at these events, but she was always quick to respond when issues unfolded. Now that Kat thought about it, she hadn’t heard from her this whole time, and even as the ambulances pulled away and the police finished up questioning witnesses, there was still no sight of Jo. After ensuring the investigators had what they needed, Kat set out to find her.
—–
Riley had ridden along in the ambulance with Drake, while Liam and Olivia followed behind. Drake’s bullet wound required surgery, so the trio sat anxiously in the waiting room to hear the outcome.
Liam, seated between the two women, hung his head in his hands. “I feel responsible for this. I shouldn’t have turned the courting process into more of a spectacle than it already was. I should have rejected Madeleine sooner. If I had than maybe-”
“Liam, no. This is not your fault at all.” Riley patted his back to comfort him. “Nobody could have predicted Madeleine would snap like that.”
“Riley’s right.” Olivia gave his hand a supportive squeeze. “We all knew she was a total bitch, but nobody knew she was a certifiably crazy bitch.”
Riley stifled and inappropriate chuckle. “You do have a way with words, Olivia.” The situation was no laughing matter, but Olivia’s unfiltered opinion added some needed levity to the situation. “All we can do now is be here for Drake when he pulls through, because we know he will.” But the truth was she didn’t know. While the bullet had seemingly missed all vital organs, the blood loss was severe. He’d lost consciousness again in the ambulance and didn’t wake up before being whisked away for emergency surgery.
Minutes continued to tick by in silence until Riley couldn’t take sitting and waiting anymore. “I’m going to go grab a cup of coffee from the cafeteria. Does anyone want anything?
"No thank you,” Olivia replied and Liam solemnly shook his head.“
"Okay, I won’t be gone long.” Riley strode down the hallway at a brisk pace, not wanting to miss any updates. The plus side of the future King’s presence in the hospital is that the guards were so well stationed, she didn’t require one to escort her. Besides, at this point, if it were anyone but Drake, it just wouldn’t feel right.
Riley turned a corner and saw two officers stationed outside a room, and as she approached, there was no doubt about who was inside.
“Where’s Liam? I need to see him! I’ll tell you what you want to know if you bring him here!” Madeleine demanded in her shrill voice.
With the officers distracted by what was going on inside, Riley tucked herself in the doorway of the empty room next door to listen in.
“Liam’s here, but we need ensure he’s not in danger.” The investigator likely said to appease her. “Security for the ball was too tight for you to have gotten in without help. Who are you working with?”
“Fine! If it will get me out of this bloody hospital bed and into Liam’s arms soon, I’ll tell you.
Riley braced herself, not sure if she was ready to hear who had betrayed them this time.
—–
Kat pushed open the production trailer door. “Jo! She called out. “Jo, are you in here?”
There was no response, but Kat could make out the back of Jo’s petite figure staring at the blank screen - the screen she would have been watching when everything went down.
Kat walked over and turned Jo’s chair around. Jo stared back at her, almost in a catatonic state.
“What have you been doing in here? We needed you out there!”
“I didn’t know…” Jo trailed off weakly, her voice almost a whisper.
"You didn’t know what?” Kat questioned. Jo wasn’t making sense and most definitely wasn’t herself. There is no way she wouldn’t have known what had happened.
“I didn’t know she had a gun.”
"Are you telling me bringing Madeleine back was your idea?” Kat was used to Jo making questionable decisions to get the version of “reality” she wanted for the show, but this was a new low. “You’re how she got past security?”
Jo sighed. “Madeleine came to me begging for another chance to talk to Liam. It wasn’t supposed to affect the outcome. I just thought she was going to make a scene and stir up the drama this episode desperately needed, and then she’d leave, humiliated, after Liam rejected her once again.“
“You knew how unhinged she was when we kicked her off the show. You broke security protocol and endangered everyone’s lives just to make your show more interesting?”
“Oh, come on, Kat.” Kat’s judgement seemed to have hit a nerve, and Jo’s typical bite was instantly back. “You would have done the same fucking thing if you were in charge. The ratings were about to head down the toilet, and now? Everyone in the god damn country and viewers around the world are going to be dying to tune in and see how everything went down. The only thing better would have been if the bullet hit Liam or one of the girls instead.”
“Un-fucking-real!” Kat scoffed bitterly. “I’ve let you poison and manipulate me for far too long, and I’ll be damned if I ever turn out remotely like you. I’m done. You can do whatever you want with the rest of this show, but I want no part of it.” She slammed the door on her way out as she left and didn’t look back.
____
“Ughhh.” Drake groaned as he opened his eyes. “You’d think for the amount of money hospitals charge, they’d have more comfortable beds.”
“Drake!” Riley sprang from her chair to be by his side. They were told the surgery had gone well but hadn’t been able to come in and see him before the pain meds knocked him out again. “I’m so glad you’re okay!” And then for the first time, she let all her emotions flood in, and tears streamed down her face.
Drake pulled her in for an embrace, her head resting on his good shoulder. “Everything is going to be okay now, Bennett. But you all are going to have to rely on someone else saving your asses for awhile until I’m healed up.”
Liam, Riley, and even Olivia laughed.
“I should hope we aren’t in such precarious situations any time soon, but hopefully we can manage.” Liam answered in return.
“Well,” Olivia spoke up, “I suppose I should thank you for saving my future husband and my…friend.”
“Woah, these pain meds must be pretty strong. I could have sworn you just said something nice to me Livvy,” Drake joked.
“And did you just call me your friend?” Riley added.
Olivia shot Drake her classic death stare but then her upturned lips gave her away. “Be quiet, or you’ll never hear another kind word from my lips. Well, you still might not, but at least I won’t be mean.”
“Heh, I’ll take it. Did I hear correctly that you were pretty heroic yourself?”
Olivia straightened up proudly in her chair. “I did what I had to do. I told you carrying a dagger around at all times was necessary.”
“I stand corrected.” Drake chuckled but then winced, protectively reaching towards his shoulder.
“Should I find the nurse and see if she can get you something more for the pain?” Riley asked before they were interrupted by knock at the door. “Maybe that’s her now.”
The door opened slowly with a gigantic flower arrangement leading the way. “Hey, everyone!”, Kat said as she peeked her head around the blooms.
Riley took the flowers and set them on the windowsill. “This was kind of you, but I wouldn’t have expected to see you here.”
“I did want to express how sorry I am for everything, but I also have some news.”
Kat filled the group in on her conversation with Jo, and Riley added in what she’d overheard outside of Madeleine’s. It seemed to be a lot for Drake to take in all at once, but he handled it well.
“…So then I called up the head of XYZ to tell him I quit, but once he found out what Jo did, he told me she was out and that he wanted to promote me to head producer!”
“Are you going to do it?” Riley asked expectantly.
“I said if I could do things my way, we had a deal, and he agreed. If things go well, I’m in line to lead the other franchise shows as well.”
Riley threw her arms around Kat excitedly. “I know you’ll do an amazing job. A new producer and a new host are just what the show needs.”
“So you’ve found a new host?” Liam asked. “Who is it?”
“I can’t say yet,” Kat teased, “Just wait and see.”
Series:TRR(following the events of Book 2, with changes)
Pairing:Drake Walker x OC (Harper Gale)
Rights belong to Pixelberry, most characters and some dialogue belong to them.
Book Synopsis: The social season may be over, but Harper Gale’s problems are just beginning… Harper came to Cordonia looking for adventure, and ended up finding love… not in the arms of a prince, like she thought she might, but in those of his commoner best friend, Drake Walker. But even though Prince Christian has chosen someone else to be his fiancée, Harper’s hope of a happily-ever-after with Drake is put to the test when she finds herself in the centre of a contrived sex scandal. With everyone at court a potential suspect, can she get to the bottom of the plot against her and clear her name?
Missed Book 1? Catch up on the events of the social season in (Un)Common Attraction.
Chapter Summary: Harper and Drake have a rude awakening… and Christian unveails an unexpected surprise.
Word Count: 6,400
Rating/Warnings: M (swearing, some smuttiness, angst, aggravation)
A/N1: So… I know people were hoping for Part III of Extraction, but a few weeks ago, I got hit with the scene that starts off this chapter, so I ended up writing out the whole thing (and starting on the following chapter as well, because that follows directly after the events of this chapter). Hopefully this doesn’t cause any major disappointments! My plan is to get back to Extraction and/or Sleepless in New York after I post Chapter 13… She said… hoping that the fickle muse will be cooperative
A/N2: Big thank you to @angelasscribbles for pulling me out of a massive tagent / rabbit hole that I accidentally threw myself down half-through this chapter, and for brainstorming the second half of the chapter with me! Also, big shoutout to hubby (who is worming himself into my writing process more and more as time goes on - the sneaky rascal! ) for helping me out with a bunch of details for this chapter!
A/N3: Finally, special shoutout to @thegreentwin for insipring the bonus content at the end of the chapter. If you have not read The Rebel Prince, please do so! It is cute, funny, insightful and the gossip magazine covers that accompany several of the chapters are something else!
The loud buzzing rattles me from sleep. Scrunching my eyes together, I snuggle deeper into Drake’s chest, hoping that if I ignored the ominous sound, it will just disappear.
Bzzt… bzzt…
But… no such luck.
“Sorry, baby…” mutters Drake into my hair. “Need to check who that is.”
“Can’t it wait…?” I groan, tightening my hold on his hand.
After gluing Drake’s arm back together, putting our blood-splattered clothes in the sink to soak, and having a long, hot shower to wash away the stresses of the day, we hadn’t ended up falling into bed until close to midnight. And I even though I had slept quite well — thanks to Drake’s comforting presence by my side — I was not ready to wake up just yet because I knew that if I did, then this brief, peaceful interlude was going to be over.
“Probably not, by the sounds of it,” he admits as his phone buzzes adamantly again.
“But it’s still dark…” I protest.
“I know. But it could be important…” he murmurs, laying a soft kiss on my shoulder as he draws his free hand up my body.
His fingers coasting over the exposed skin of my stomach causes my body to arch back against him. “More important… than what you’ve obviously got in mind?” I ask as my backside brushes against the tell-tale bulge of his morning wood.
Bzzt… bzzt… bzzt…
“Evidently…” he sighs, dropping his head against the crook of my neck in defeat.
Untangling himself from me, he rolls over with a grunt of disapproval to check his phone.
I flop face-first into the pillow. “Will we ever be able to just wake up at a normal time like normal people…?” I grumble against the silk-clad goose-down.
It was bad enough that I could literally count on one hand the number of times Drake and I have been able to fall asleep in the same bed since we’d become semi-official. But even when we’d managed to carve out some much-needed couple time, we weren’t even allowed two minutes to enjoy waking up together because one or both of us was always needed for some urgent thing at stupid-o'clock in the morning.
“Probably not while the tour’s underway,” he admits, falling back into his space next to me. “And definitely not while the Beaumonts run your schedule…”
“Is that who it was?” I ask, twisting around to settle my head against his shoulder with a frown. My bleary eyes widen as they land on the time at the top of the screen. “Are they being serious right now!”
“You know they don’t sleep,” he reminds me, scrolling through his texts.
“But it’s not even 5am!” I protest. “What the hell could they want at this time?”
“You, apparently,” he observes, tilting the screen so I could read the messages.
“Wow…” I breathe. “Our room switch caused quite the Beaumont meltdown, huh?”
“Seems so…” he agrees, locking his phone and dropping it back onto the bedside table. “But at least we know it’s a solid countermeasure.”
“Yes and no…” I grumble. “They still woke us up, didn’t they?”
“True…” he concedes, turning to face me with that impenetrable look of his. “But they’re not in here with us.”
“Don’t count your blessings yet, bud,” I warn as he snakes his arm around my waist. “They could get desperate and start searching all the rooms in the manor.”
“That’s why I locked the door,” he states, pulling me on top of him. “So, unless they’ve got a battering ram, they ain’t gettin’ in.”
“Mmm…” I purr, luxuriating in the feel of his solid warmth beneath me. “I love the way you think. But shouldn’t we put them out of their misery?”
“They’ve survived this long,” he declares roughly, splaying a possessive hand on my ass. “They can wait five more minutes.”
“You sure?” I gasp as he pushes me down against his now very indisputable arousal. “It sounds like Bertrand is about to have a coronary.”
“Max likes to over-exaggerate…” he murmurs, threading his other hand into my hair to draw me closer. “Plus, my alarm hasn’t gone off yet, so…”
Beep…beep…beep…beep…
His head drops back against the pillow. “…motherfucker.”
“You were sayin’…?” I ask sweetly, reaching over to turn the blaring off.
“Can’t catch a fuckin’ break…” he grits, digging his fingers into the softness of my backside, as if this would help alleviate his aggravation.
“Says the person who had to be convinced to stay last night…” I remind him, bopping him on the nose.
“Because I knew how goddamn hard it was gonna be to leave in the morning,” he growls, flicking his tongue over the underside of my finger hungrily as I trail it past his mouth. “Especially since we never finished what we started back at Maddy’s.”
“I thought we did finish…” I tease, rocking my pelvis against him. “Very loudly.”
He swallows a groan as I feel his length nudge me through his boxers. “And was it enough?”
I flick my eyes up to his coyly as I continue to trail my finger down his chest. “Wasn’t it?”
“Like hell.”
In the next instant I find myself pinned beneath him, a leg hooked over his arm and his mouth claiming mine as he drives purposefully into me.
“Drake…” I moan against his lips, feeling him grind against the damp lace of my underwear, teasing me with the promise of fulfilment.
“Fuck, Harper,” he growls, nipping my bottom lip. “You have no idea… how much I want you… how much I always want you.”
“You have me,” I assure him, wrapping my other leg around him, wanting to feel all of him with all of me. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
“Having you… doesn’t make me want you… any less,” he huffs, meeting my eyes with his molten espresso gaze as he continues to move against me. “If anything… it makes me want you more. Christ, I want you… And it’s never enough.”
He was right. Our much-too-brief reunion two nights ago hadn’t been nearly enough to make up for the time we’d had to spend apart. And the undeniable urgency of his need sparked my own desire alight faster than dropping a match into a butane canister.
“So,have me,” I urge breathlessly, sliding my hands down his back to grip his ass, as he’d done with me.
He rams into me once more with a guttural sound before pulling back, breathing hard. “Don’t tempt me, girl. I’m barely holding it together as it is. If we start, I’m not gonna be able to stop.”
“Then don’t,” I prompt, coasting a hand around his waist to slip it beneath the waistband of his boxers.
A low groan rattles in his throat as he grits his teeth, fighting for control. “Trust me. If it were up to me, we wouldn’t. Not until I’ve fucked you six ways to Sunday on every available surface in this room. And then some…”
His eyes meet mine with a darkly feral look that instantly drenches whatever part of my panties remained dry… before he drops his gaze ruefully.
“…but we can’t. The Beaumonts are already going ape looking for you, and the rest of the court’s about to descend on us. And we both know that you ain’t exactly quiet when we get going…”
“You complainin’?” I ask cheekily, wrapping my fingers around the protrusion straining the front of his boxers.
“Never,” he grins, bucking into my palm. Turning serious, he adds, “But you screaming the manor down isn’t conducive to our plan to get your name cleared. So, we gotta wait.”
“Can I convince you to stay five more minutes…?” I counter sweetly, giving him a meaningful squeeze. “Seeing as we’re now both very much up?”
“And who’s fault is that?” he smirks, diving down to scrape his teeth over my t-shirt clad breast.
“The Beaumonts’,” I gasp with a jolt as he catches my nipple with his teeth.
He scoffs dryly, moving lower. “The only thing those two’ll get pointing up in their direction is my middle finger.”
My giggle scuttles into a moan as he skims his lips and tongue over the sensitive skin just below the hem of my t-shirt. “So, does that mean you’ll stay?”
He pauses above the lace of my panties, the basic instincts of his physical desire clearly at war with the cold, hard logic of his self-imposed sense of responsibility.
“No…” he sighs begrudgingly, dropping his head. “As much as I want to, you know I can’t. I need to make myself scarce before the staff start their rounds.”
“Eugh… Fine…” I grump, my hands falling off him with a dejected thud. “But, you better make this up to me later, bud.”
“Don’t worry,” he drawls, his breath fluttering over my heated skin. “I will. And by the time I’ll get done with you, girl, you won’t be able to see, let alone walk straight…” He rakes his tongue over my damp underwear to underscore his intent. “And that’s a promise.”
I reach for him with a mew, desperate for more…
…but all I grasp is air.
“Damn you, Walker…”
“Think of it as foreplay, Gale.”
Opening eyes, I see that he’s already on the other side of the room, rummaging around his duffle for some clean clothes.
I snort caustically. “Of course you’d call it that…”
He meets my less-than-amused glare with a brief, nonchalant smirk. “Hey. You’re the one who started it.”
“Me?” I gasp, snapping upright in disbelief. “You’re the one who woke up horny!”
“And why d'you think that is…?”
My breath catches in my throat at the intensity of his gaze. “I—”
Bzzt… bzzt…
“You best find out what the Beaumonts want with you before they call in search and rescue,” he advises, unfurling a fresh pair of jeans.
“Fine…” I grumble, shunting myself onto the other side of the bed like a land-locked seal to grab my own phone out of bag.
Stupid Beaumonts… Stupid scandal… Stupid rules… Why couldn’t I just have sex with my boyfriend like a normal person…?
Lolling back onto the pillow, I unlock the screen, and nearly die of shock when I see how many missed calls and texts I’d gotten.
“Jesus Christ…!”
“Everythin’ okay?” queries Drake.
“I have twenty missed calls!” I exclaim. “Twenty!In the space of fifteen minutes!”
“They’re nothing if not persistent…” he observes dryly, pulling on blue plaid shirt.
“That’s one word for it,” I mutter, hitting dial on Maxwell’s number.
The line barely has a chance to connect before my sponsor’s overtly excited voice assaults my eardrums. “Harper! Thank God you’re okay! Wait… Are you okay? Why were you not picking up? Where are you? Bertrand and I have been going mental—”
“I’m fine…” I reply with deliberate slowness, hoping that he’ll take the hint and tone the volume down…
…but, I was going to have to keep on dreaming.
“Awesome!” enthuses Maxwell. “Bertrand will be thrilled that he can stop tearing his hair out!”
I massage my eyes, realising that I was going to have to take control of this conversation. “Great. So, where’s the fire?”
There’s an audible intake of breath on the other end of the line. “Fire?What fire? Oh, my giddy aunt! Bertrand! Harper’s trapped in an inferno and sh—”
I suppress a sigh. This was way too much nervous energy for so early in the morning… “Imean,” I emphasise painstakingly, “what’s the massive emergency?”
There is a long pause, followed by a sheepish chuckle. “Oh. Right. Whoops! Silly me! This is why Bertrand doesn’t trust me with House Beaumont stuff. He says I’m always—”
“Give me that!”
I groan wearily. Great. Now Bertrand had the phone…
“Where in the blazes are you?” the elder Beaumont snaps down the line without preamble.
“In my room,” I reply, pushing myself up.
This was not a conversation I was going to have lying down… Literally, or metaphorically.
“I can assure you, that you are not,” he hits back. “Maxwell and I have searched every inch of your room, and unless you managed to squeeze yourself between the floorboards – which would be a mean feat, indeed! – you are to cease this childish game of hide-and-go-seek and—!”
“No.”
I swear I hear the sound of Bertrand bursting a blood vessel. “I beg your pardon?”
I set my jaw determinedly. “First of all, I am not hiding. I switched rooms because someone — whether intentionally or not — assigned me to the same room as last time, and there was no way in hell that I was going to sleep in the bed that I nearly got raped in.”
I give him a moment to let that sink in.
“Oh. I-I see…” The consternation in his voice is palpable. “Erm… Yes. Of course… How crass of me… I—”
“Second,” I continue, leaning into Drake as he bends down to drop a good-bye kiss into my hair, “you’d better have a damned good reason for waking me up before the crack of dawn—”
“It was hardly—”
“—especially since you told me in the car yesterday that today’s event doesn’t start until mid-morning, and we’d agreed in Ramsford that the way-too-early-o'clock wake up calls would stop.”
“Unless there are extenuating circumstances,” he reminds me.
“What kind of extenuating circumstances could there possibly be at four-thirty in the morning!” I cry exasperatedly.
“The kind that requires you to be dressed and presentable at six o'clock sharp.”
I frown. “Why? What’s happening at six?”
“Your meeting with the Royal Press Secretary. He has request—”
Not bothering to wait for Bertrand to mansplain how early morning appointments worked, I pull the phone away from my ear and put myself on mute. Glancing up at Drake, I ask, “Did you know about this?”
He turns back from the door he was just about to open. “Know about what?”
“That I’m supposed to be meeting with the Royal Press Secretary this morning.”
His grip on the door handle tightens. “No.”
“Didn’t think so,” I mutter under my breath as I resume the call.
“—especially since His Majesty will be in attendance, and you will—”
My eyes widen. “Christian’s going to be there too? Does that mean they have a lead on Tariq?”
I flick my gaze up to Drake’s questioningly.
He shakes his head. No clue.
“I was not informed of the purpose of the meeting,” replies Bertrand tartly. “I was simply tasked with ensuring your attendance. Now, since time is of the essence, we need to—”
“I am perfectly capable of getting myself ready,” I inform him flatly. “So, just tell me where to go, and I’ll meet you there.”
Bertrand sucks in a scandalised breath. “That is highly improper! A young lady of your station should be escorted to the venue by her—”
“This isn’t 1785, Bertrand…” I remind him exasperatedly. “My reputation isn’t going to be ruined because I was found wandering around unsupervised. At least, not any more than it already has been by Tariq and his co-conspirators.”
“Granted,” he concedes. “But this isn’t just about your reputation. It is about your safety as well. I gave my word to His Majesty that House Beaumont will look after you, and since you have a rather irksome habit of slinking off by yourself—”
“I don’t slinkoff…!”
“Yes. You do.”
I throw my head up in surprise.
Drake is leaning against the door with his arms crossed in stoic agreement. “You’re a nightmare to run security for. Almost as bad as Leo.”
“No, I’m not!” I protest. “I don’t deliberately try and ditch my detail!”
“No,” he concedes. “You just try to knock ‘em out.”
I feel the heat rise up my cheeks.
“Not to mention, you ain’t exactly great at gettin’ where you’re supposed to be without incident, or staying put once there.”
“Well, no one told me that court was going to be such a literal minefield…” I gripe.
He cocks a brow. “Does the phrase ’be careful’ mean somethin’ different in Montana?”
“You could’ve been more specific!” I cry.
“Who are you talking to?”
Oh, shit… I’d forgotten about Bertrand.
“Erm… Doesn’t matter,” I say dismissively. Bertrand didn’t need to know that Drake and I had spent the night together, even though we didn’t do anything besides sleeping. Returning to the topic at hand, I say, “And anyway. I have Allard and Schweitzer looking out for me, so I don't—”
“Who are conspicuously missing from outside of your room,” Bertrand points out. “And any other room in the wing, for that matter. Therefore, I repeat: you are to cease this childish game of hide-and-go-seek and reveal to us your whereabouts, so we can find you and make you ready for your appointment, post haste.”
“Wait…” I interject, suddenly realising something. “If the meeting is at six, what’s the crazy rush? And why were you trying to wake me up at 4:30am?”
“Because the meeting is in Valtoria.”
“Valtoria?” I ask, struggling a bit with the unfamiliar combination of vowels and consonants on my tongue. “Where is that?”
“Approximately thirty minutes away, so if you wish to partake in breakfast prior to our departure, I suggest you get a move on. I expect to see you in the entry hall by twenty-five past at the very latest.”
The call clicks off.
Lowering the phone in a bit of a daze, I glance over at Drake.
He’s typing away furiously on his phone with an expression that could’ve rent stone.
Pushing myself to my feet, I walk over to him. “Hey,” I say softly, laying a hand on his wrist. “There’s no need to crack your screen. I’ll be—”
“That’s not the point,” he grits, fingers flying over the keyboard with a vengeance.
“Then, what?”
He sends off the text with a forceful jab at the screen. “Gee, I don’t know… How 'bout the fact that I – the head of your protection detail – am only finding out about this meeting less than an hour before it’s supposed to happen? Through the Beaumonts, of all people? Or the fact that the venue for said meeting happens to be a chateau that hasn’t been lived in for over a decade, and which also hasn’t been vetted or swept by me or my guys? And let’s not even get into the fact that this meeting isn’t even in Chris’ official diary, let alone his private one.”
“Maybe because he doesn’t want Madeleine finding out about it…?” I offer.
He scoffs acerbically. “Or me.”
“I’m sure he just—”
Drake’s phone pings with an incoming message. He glances at it briefly. “Un-fuckin’-believable…”
“What’s wrong?” I ask as he starts throttling out a pissed-off response.
“Jurisdictional bullshit…”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“Apparently,” he grits sarcastically, eyes not leaving the screen, “I didn’t need to be notified of the meet because Chris’ personal Guard are handling all the security arrangements. So, my involvement would’ve been redundant.”
I raise a brow. “Are the Guard normally this territorial?”
“No,” he scoffs bitterly, sending the text off. “You can’t run a tight ship in terms of security if the different teams aren’t in sync. They should’ve roped me in from the get-go.”
“Maybe they just forgot…?” I suggest hopefully. “You used to be part of Christian’s detail, so maybe whoever organised this just assumed you’d be passed the message?”
He shoves his phone back into his pocket with a non-committal grunt. “You better get ready. We don’t want to keep His Royal Majesty waiting…” His voice drips with acrimony.
“Hey…” I say, reaching up to stroke his face. “Is there something else that's—?”
He pulls abruptly away. “I’ll see you there.”
Before I can say another word, he’s out the door without so much as a backwards glance, duffle forgotten on the floor.
I heave a sigh.
This morning just kept getting better and better…
***
“Wow…” I breathe, stepping out of the limo. “This place almost puts Riverrun to shame!”
The venue of today’s impromptu meeting could’ve been pulled straight from a fairytale. The soft light of the rising sun coloured the cream walls of the neo-gothic chateau’s sandstone a pale pink, making them glow with a seeming inner warmth. A long row of pear trees – heavy with fruit – lined the gravel drive leading up to the romantic, fortress-like structure, behind which stretched pine-covered hills as far as the eye could see.
So idyllic was this place that I half expected a unicorn to come strolling out of the woods to the accompaniment of ethereal elven lute music.
“Riverrun?” queries Bertrand from the other side of the limo, snapping me out of my awed gawking. “That is not a domain that I am familiar with…”
I whirl around to face my sponsor disbelievingly. “Wait… You’re a Harry Potter fan, but you haven’t seen or read Game of Thrones?”
Bertrand tugs at his collar. “Wh-who is this Potter fellow that you speak of? I am afraid I do not—”
Bertrand’s eyes widen in shock before he snaps his customary sneer back into place. “I thought we agreed to keep that information private!” he hisses, rounding in his brother.
Maxwell shrugs, totally non-pulsed by the unspoken threat of imminent punishment and/or death for his treacherous transgression. “It is private. Harper’s basically family, isn’t she?”
Bertrand opens, then and closes his mouth. “I… I suppose she is,” he admits begrudgingly. “But I feel I should reiterate that—”
“My mouth is sealed,” I assure him with a wink, miming the closure of a zip over my lips.
“Good,” he grumbles. “See to it that it stays that way. We are having a bad enough time as it is as a result of this Ana de Luca piece about our finances without the nobility—”
“Ah, here you all are!” exclaims Christian with a grin, jogging down the manor’s steps.
Today – in contrast to yesterday’s garden party where he’d been in a suit – he was dressed quite casually in beige slacks and a pale blue button-down that he’d rolled up at the sleeves. And, for once, he looked happy and at ease – like the guy I’d met in New York, instead of the more serious royal that I’d become accustomed to seeing since arriving in Cordonia.
“So glad you could make it!” he continues, giving each of the Beaumonts a quick shake and a familiar slap on the arm. “I know it was rather short notice, but given that the apple picking doesn’t start until later in the day, I wanted to take advantage of this rare break in the itinerary to bring you out here.”
“Of course, Your Highness,” nods Bertrand dutifully. “The Beaumonts are always at your disposal.”
“Andwhy are we here exactly?” I ask, as Christian leans in to drop a kiss on my cheek by way of greeting. “Not that I’m complaining… This place is breathtaking and all, but wouldn’t it have been easier to meet at Applewood, given that—”
“Ohmygiddyaunttheyhavepeacocks!”
Maxwell barrels past us in a blur, nearly knocking Christian over in his haste to get to the pair of indigo-coloured fowl that had wandered casually out onto the other side of the drive.
“He really does have a thing for peacocks, doesn’t he?” I observe, watching Maxwell throw himself onto the ground, so he could start snapping eye-level selfies with the majestic birds.
“Quite,” agrees Christian with a wry look, smoothing his hair back down. “So did the previous duchess, I believe.”
Something about his tone gives me pause. But before I can formulate a response, Bertrand’s already kow-towed himself in front of Christian.
“Your Highness, I am— What just happened was—” He hops stessily from foot-to-foot, evidently caught between the twin desires of wanting to apologise for Maxwell’s clearly unacceptable behaviour, and marching after his brother to pummel him senseless.
“It is quite alright,” Christian assures him with a gallant smile. “One cannot begrudge a man for pursuing his passion with such uncompromising enthusiasm.”
“Even so, I— He should not hav—” Bertrand forces himself to draw a breath. “Please excuse me.”
Turning on his heel, he rushes after his brother, hollering blue murder. “Maxwell!”
I glance up questioningly at Christian. “Should we…?”
“They’ll be fine,” he assures me, taking my hand to loop my arm through his. “Shall we?”
“Don’t you want to wait for them?” I ask as he begins leading me towards the manor’s heavy-looking wood and wrought-iron doors.
“It looks like they’ll be otherwise occupied for some time,” he observes dryly, as Bertrand tries to shoo the offending birds away, much to Maxwell’s dismay. “And, I must admit, I was looking for a convenient excuse to divest ourselves of their company, anyway.”
“Oh?” I query. “Was there something you wanted to talk about?”
“Show you, rather,” he corrects. “I was hoping to use the time to give you the grand tour. There is one room in particular that I think you’ll be interested in seeing.”
“Grand tour?” I query, confused. “I thought we were here to meet with the Royal Press Secretary.”
“We are,” he assures me. “But he is arriving a bit later.”
I squint suspiciously up at him. “So, why the crazy morning rush, then?”
“Yes. We’re all dying to find out the answer to that question, aren’t we?”
“Jesus Christ!”
The sound of the unexpected voice nearly sends me up into the rafters.
Recollecting myself, I spin towards the source of the interruption.. and spot Drake in the shadow of the doorway, leaning against the wall with an accusatory scowl on his face.
“How many times do I have to tell you notto do that!” I snipe, heart still hammering from the sudden spike of adrenaline.
“Should pay more attention to your surroundings, girl,” he advises nonchalantly, keeping his eyes fixed on Christian. “Especially since we have no idea what you’re walking into.”
“My personal Guard have already done a full sweep of the property,” Christian assures us. If he is surprised by Drake’s presence — or his thinly veiled insinuation — he doesn’t show it. “I can assure you that it is perfectly safe.”
“For you, maybe,” responds Drake, peeling himself away from the wall to stand in front of Christian with crossed arms. “But not for her.”
Christian meets Drake’s steely glare unflinchingly. “Why would Harper not be—?”
“Because if shit goes south, your team’s priority will be to get you out. Not Gale. She’d be left high and dry.”
I feel myself pale. “What?”
Christian’s shaking his head. “If you’re suggestion that I’d allow—”
Drake scoffs derisively. “Don’t pretend you don’t know how this works, Chris. Your safety trumps everything else, including — and especially — whatever noble intentions you may have. They’re not gonna let you jeopardise an evac by bringing extra bodies along, nor are they gonna let you play martyr. When the life of the King is on the line, everyone else becomes expendable.”
My eyes widen in sudden realisation. “That’s why you got so pissed earlier…”
Drake nods. “Had I not happened to’ve still been in the room when Gale got the call from the Beaumonts, she’d’ve been rolling up here with zerosecurity.”
Christian’s brows furrow. “But I gave her additional Guard for her detail.”
“Who I’ve assigned to perimeter work. And with Allard and Schweitzer off-duty last night, not to mention Gale’s habit of keeping important information to herself—”
“Hey!” I protest. “That happened onetime!”
“Three times,” corrects Drake. “And counting.”
My jaw drops in disbelief. “You’re counting?”
“Always,” declares Drake without skipping a beat. “But that’s not the point. Point is, this entire SNAFU could’ve been avoided if I’d been looped in from the start. Because the whole reason she got assigned her own detail in the first place was to avoid the same kinds of slip-ups that led to Tariq ending up alone with her at the Jamboree. But I can’t coordinate her security if I don’t know what the fuck is going on.”
Christian’s Adam’s Apple bobs as he digests Drake’s words. “No. You are right. And I can only apologise for—”
“I don’t care who’s fault it was,” cuts in Drake brusquely. “Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Christian nods. “I will. Though, that will involve notifying all the Guard commanders of your new status. And since you were previously operating under the official radar—”
“Tell whoever you need to tell,” Drake responds. “Gale’s safety is more important than me staying covert. I’ll even put on the uniform if needed.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary,” Christian assures him with a smile. “Especially given that you hate wearing formal jackets on the best of days…”
Drake pulls a face. “They’re always too tight around the shoulders.”
“Then there is no need to compromise your comfort,” Christian tells him with a clap on the shoulder. “We want you paying attention to Harper, instead of fiddling with an uncomfortable piece of apparel.”
“Shame,” I murmur, meeting Drake’s eye coquettishly. “I think you’d look hot in uniform.”
He quirks a brow at me. “Does someone have a secret role-play fantasy they want to act out?”
“Don’t put words in my mouth,” I quip back. “And anyway. I’m not sure it counts as role-play if you actually are a Guard…”
“Maybe not,” he admits, mocha eyes boring into mine. “But it’ll sure as hell make the experience that much more immersive…”
“Only one way to found out, cowboy…” I purr, feeling the heat that he’d ignited in me earlier this morning burst into flame again under the intensity of his gaze…
…which immediately gets doused by the sound of Christian’s polite cough.
“Erm, I hate to interrupt—”
I snap back from Drake in mortification, my cheeks flaming. Oh, my God, I can’t believe we just engaged in dirty talk in front of the King of Cordonia!
“—but time is getting on,” he continues, somehow managing to maintain a stoic façade despite what he’d just overheard, “and if we are to make it back in time for the apple picking, we should proceed with the reason for our visit.”
“Which you still haven’t shared…” Drake point out, completely unfazed by the fact that his friend had shared in our saucy moment. If anything, he looked annoyed at having been interrupted.
I peek up at Christian expectantly, also curious to hear his answer, even though I was still dying inside.
He meets my gaze with a knowing look. “To show Harper her duchy, of course.”
My jaw drops to the floor. “My…what!”
“Your duchy,” Christian reiterates calmly. “Since you – as the Royal Mistress – are now a de facto member of not only the court, but of the royal household as well, it is only proper that we bestow upon you the accordant lands and rank that normally complement such a high-ranking position.”
“But I’m only pretending to be the Royal Mistress,” I remind him dazedly, my mind still whirling from this unexpected revelation. “You don’t need t—”
“Actually, I do,” he insists. “Granting you a duchy helps legitimise your new status both domestically and abroad, and aids in improving your image in the eyes of the press. After the double blow to your reputation caused by the candid photos of you and Tariq, and the revelation about the Beaumonts’ financial situation, an uplift to your reputation is very much needed. Especially since you will be meeting with foreign dignitaries from next week onwards.”
“Tell me about it,” I mutter with a roll of my eyes. “But I don’t really see how this helps… Doesn’t this just make it look like you’re playing favourites? And make people resent me more? I mean, I did something 'bad’—” I emphasise the interpretive nature of the word with air-quotes, “—and now you’re rewarding me for it.”
“Or,” counters an unfamiliar voice, “—and this is the way we plan to spin it – you did nothing wrong and these royal favours are simply a public demonstration of the King’s continued affection for you. As well as an official snub to your naysayers.”
“Jonathan!” exclaims Christian with a wide smile as he turns to face the newcomer. “You got here earlier than expected.”
“On the contrary, You Highness,” replies Jonathan, who — based on his smartly tailored pinstripe suit, slicked back hair and clipped accent — I was guessing was the Royal Press Secretary. “I am already running behind. So, if you’ll pardon me, I have a press conference to organise. M'lady… Sir…” With a curt nod of his head, he’s already disappeared inside the manor.
I stare at the spot he’d just occupied in stupefaction before finally finding my voice again. “What press conference?”
“The press conference where we will officially announce you as the new Duchess of Valtoria,” explains Christian, looping my hand through his arm again to lead me after Jonathan.
“But—” I look back at Drake beseechingly, seeking back-up…
…and nearly lose my footing when I see the look on his face.
Oh, no…
I thought I’d seen Drake angry before – when he’d realised what Tariq had done to me, when he’d faced off against Bastien as the Guard dragged me from the Coronation Ball, and when he’d ripped into Christian at Ramsford for sending me away in the first place.
But this… This was something else.
This was beyond simple rage, or mere indignation. This was an expression that could’ve frozen all nine circles of hell… And it gave me the shivers, even though I wasn’t the target of it.
Christian —for his part — is completely oblivious to Drake’s state of being, pulling me eagerly through the doors of the manor, as if he were a kid about to step through the gates of Disneyland for the first time.
I try to disentangle myself from him, wanting to rush back to Drake, wanting to stop for a minute so I could process what the hell was happening, but the next thing I know, we’re over the threshold…
…and I am literally rendered speechless by the sight in front of me.
To say that I had stepped into a dream was an understatement. Someone has spent a literal fortune renovating the inside of the manor. No trace of the original gothic-style fixtures or furnishings could be seen. Instead, gilt and marble stretched as far as the eye could see in a fresh, modern take on Louis XIV’s opulent style.
“Wow,” is all I can say, taking in the pièce de la résistance of the place, which was a bifurcated grand-staircase that any real or wannabe princess would kill to make an entrance on.
“Makes an impression, doesn’t it?” chuckles Christian softly from next to me.
“That’s… one word for it,” I reply dazedly, craning my neck around, trying to take it all in.
Had someone actually lived here? This place felt like a temple or a museum, rather than someone’s house… How did they keep everything so spotless?
“The former Duke and Duchess were keen patrons of art and architecture. During their life, they helped fund several important renovation projects in the kingdom. And I am told that their private art collection is one of the finest in the continent.”
“They definitely had a unique style,” I agree, tracing my eyes around the intricate loops and swirls of the marble inlay at the foot of the staircase.
“Yes. They certainly did.”
Turning my head, I see that Christian is surveying my reactions with an intent expression.
“Do you like it?” he asks, eyes searching mine as he waits for my answer.
“It’s out of this world…” I admit carefully, fully conscious of Drake’s blistering presence behind me. “But—”
“Let me show you the rest of it.”
Before I have a chance to blink, he’s swept me down the entrance hall.
We spend the next thirty minutes traipsing through more lavishly decorated rooms than I could count. There was a drawing room. A sitting room. A reading room. A study. A library. A games room. A spa. A home cinema complete with popcorn machine and reclining armchairs. Two ballrooms. An art gallery. A massive kitchen. A formal and an informal dining room. Twelve bedrooms, each with king size beds. A wine room — yes, a whole room devoted to housing all manner of one-of-kind, expensive wines that put even Olivia’s impressive collection to shame. Not to mention an entire wing of the upstairs seemed function as an oversized closet for all the clothes, shoes and other fancy accessories that a nobleman and his wife apparently required to make themselves presentable at any given time.
But just when I thought my head was about to burst from the never-ending display of wealth and extravagance, we arrive at a room that truly takes my breath away.
“Welcome… to the observatory,” declares Christian grandly, sweeping his arm out.
“Is that… a telescope?” I breathe, eyes glued to the centrepiece of the oak-panelled attic room we were stood in.
“It most certainly is,” affirms Christian with a wide smile, taking my hand to lead me up to it. “The former Duke was a keen—”
Bang!
The sound of the door slamming shut reverberates around the space, making me jump.
I glance behind me… and my stomach drops.
Drake was nowhere in sight.
I stare at the door in confusion, trying to figure out what could’ve caused him to storm out like this all of a sudden.
Yes, he’d spent the entire duration of the tour following behind Christian and me in tense, judgemental silence, but I’d thought that was because he was pissed about not having been given the heads-up about the upcoming press conference, and he was worried about a potential security breach…
…but then I remember.
The stars.
My chest constricts in anguish. “Christian, I’m sorry…”
Wrenching my hand from his, I whirl around and sprint towards the door. Yanking it open, I fly down the narrow spiral staircase of the turret that housed the observatory, trying to catch up with Drake.
But — as always — he’s much faster than me, and there’s so sight or sound of him.
I reach the bottom step, panting, and finally spot him at the end of the hallway.
“Drake!” I call, dashing after him.
But if he hears me, he doesn’t slow down. If anything, he only seems to speed up.
“Dra—!”
“Ah, there you are!” Bertrand appears in front of me, blocking my path. “I was asked t—”
“I can’t,” I gasp, dodging around him to get to the front door that Drake had just stormed through. “I need to—”
But I feel Bertrand grab me by the wrist.
“Now is not the time for personal sideshows,” he declares, dragging me back the way I’d come… and away from Drake. “The members of the press are already here, eager for the briefing to start. And it would be rude to keep them waiting. Especially since we need to rough your appearance into shape first.”
“But I—”
“And I’m sure Mr Walker has important matters to attend to as well. He appeared to be in quite the hurry.”
I clench my eyes shut. If only he knew the half of it…
Gritting my teeth, I snap my wrist from my sponsors hold like Allard had taught me, and peg it towards the door, determined to catch up with Drake.
But just as I reach the threshold, I hear the sound of tires spitting gravel, and I realise that I’m too late.
He was gone.
The story continues in Chapter 13 - Invidia (coming soon)!
A few notes for your attention, as per usual :
Apple picking: Yes, this chapter (and the next) reference ‘apple picking’ as the next event on the engagement tour calendar, instead of ‘barn raising’. This is deliberate: barn raising is very much a Midwestern US tradition (with some mentions of it taking place in England), and definately not something that would happen in a Mediterranean country, especially as part of a high-profile royal tour. Since apples feature a lot in canon, I decided to just keep things close to home, and - since this part of the story takes place in August - that ties in nicely with the traditional timing of European harvest festivals.
Valtoria: For anyone who is interested, I have used Chateau Amboise - located in France’s Loire Valley - as my stand-in for Valtoria.
SNAFU:For anyone not familiar with military slang, SNAFU means ‘situation normal: all fucked up’ and basically is a sarcastic way of saying that everything has gone to shit (though a SNAFU is generally more salvageable than a complete FUBAR i.e. a situation that is ‘fucked up beyond all recognition’.)
Security: Everything security-related that Drake mentions in this chapter is accurate. A security team is exclusively responsible for their own principle, and - in a crisis situation - each team would focus on evacuating their principal, and their principal only (at the expense of everyone else). It would not matter if the principal wanted to save someone else - s/he would not be allowed to, because such actions would be deemed to compromise the principal’s safety, and potentially undermine a successful evacuation. Therefore, on this basis, Drake storming off is probably not 100% realistic (especially if he is literally the only person present from Harper’s detail), but I HC that he’d radioed for Allard and Schweitzer to come up as well (and I will mention this in the next chapter probably), but this is a work of fiction, and I don’t always need to let facts get in the way of a juicy bit of dramatic tension
I literally have no words… Every time she sent me a WIP of this comic, I squeed, loving watching the scenes come to life with more and more detail, until she sent me through the final, finished work and I was honestly rendered speechless…! It is a thousand times better than I had imagined it in my head - the colours, the facial expressions, the emotion in each panel… It’s seriously as if she looked in my head and saw what I saw when I wrote the scene…
Extract of accompanying scene below the cut.
Extract from Chapter 21: Dive into the Deep End
Warnings: Swearing, minor smutty moment, major angst
“Now there’s a million-dollar view if ever I saw one,” I remark, taking in the beautiful vista.
“Worth the climb, isn’t it?” murmurs Drake, leaning against the wall.
“Definitely! You get a workout and a view! What more can you ask for?”
Drake glances at me briefly before looking back out over the water. “We should start heading back before they send out a search party.”
“Back the way we came, I’m guessing?”
“Or you could jump.”
I stare at him in disbelief. “You’re joking… That’s a 30 foot drop at least!”
“Don’t chicken out on me now, Gale,” he replies with a cocky grin, edging backwards.
In the next instant, he becomes a blur of motion as he dashes forward and leaping into the air, throws himself off the cliff. I gasp as he twists into a forward flip before straightening out and diving expertly into the water below.
“Holy shit…” I breathe as I watch him resurface a couple of seconds later to let out a loud whoop of exultation.
“You comin’ or not?” he calls, treading water as he looks up at me.
I gulp nervously as I stare down at him.
While I really did not want to jump, the alternative was to try and make my way back down the way we had come… And unfortunately, without Drake’s help, that option would most likely result in a sprained ankle, if not something worse.
So, despite every instinct in my body screaming at me not to do it, I back up as far as I can go. Closing my eyes, I heave several deep breaths to try and calm my thundering heart. Then, pushing my self-preservation instincts aside, I rush forward and throw myself over the edge.
My mouth opens to emit a terrified shriek as I flail my arms and legs in a vain attempt to slow myself down, before I remember that I need to straighten up to avoid seriously hurting myself when I hit the water.
Lifting my arms above my head, I press my legs together and point my toes just before I cut through the cool water like a knife. With my lungs crying out for air, I kick back up, taking a ragged breath as I break through the surface.
“Oh. My. God!” I exclaim breathlessly, every inch of me tingling from the sudden rush of adrenaline. “That… That was…”
“Pretty intense, huh?” grins Drake. “Though in all the excitement, you seem to have dropped something.”
I gasp in horror as he holds up my bikini top with one finger.
“Give that back!” I cry, lunging towards him.
How the hell did I manage to end up basically naked with both Christian and Drake just days apart?!
“Or what?” he taunts with a wicked grin, swivelling easily out of the way.
“I’ll…I’ll…” I flounder. “Oh, I don’t know! But if you don’t give it back, this instant, I swear you’ll regret it, Walker!”
“I’ll take my chances.”
“Hey!” I shout as he begins the short swim back towards the cave mouth. “Get back here!”
Drake, of course, pays me no heed, so with a frustrated growl, I plough after him.
Reaching the shore, I wrap my arms around myself in a vain attempt to preserve what’s left of my modesty as I emerge from the water.
“What the fuck, Walker?” I demand as I stomp up to him, fixing him with an irate glare.
“I’d choose your next words carefully, Gale,” smirks Drake, dangling the bikini top in front of my face. “You don’t want to lose these again now, do you?”
I grab for the bikini with one hand, but he flicks them out of the way.
Narrowing my eyes at him, I grit, “Don’t make me knee you in the balls…”
Drake laughs. “As if you’d ever get close enough to try!”
Determined to wipe the smug grin off his face, I bring my knee up, but he deflects it easily, making me crash into his chest as I am knocked off balance.
I gasp as I realise that in my effort to rebalance myself, my arms had flown away from my chest, and my naked breasts were now pressed against Drake’s body, his hands on my hips as he helps steady me.
Glancing up, I can see Drake looking down at me with a mixture of surprise and… something primal that makes me want to shove him up against the wall and throw the last vestiges of decorum out the window.
In the next instant, our lips are locked together in a savage kiss that makes me go weak at the knees.
One of his hands grabs my ass, pressing me against him, while the fingers of his other hand trails up my spine. His touch sends electricity shooting across my skin, making me moan against his mouth.
God, he tasted good…
I hear a low sound in the back of his throat as I arch into him, my hands reaching up to tangle into his wet hair.
Suddenly, he wrenches himself away, leaving me gasping for breath.
“Fuck…” he groans, drawing a hand over his face in consternation as he turns away from me.
I quickly retrieve my bikini top from where Drake had dropped it on the ground and pull it over my head, heart pounding.
“D-Drake…?” I ask in a trembling voice, my lips still burning from his kiss.
“I… I shouldn’t have done that…” he breathes, placing a hand against the wall in an effort to steady himself. “I don’t know what I was thinking… It was reckless and stupid… I shouldn’t have let things get out of hand.”
This was a bit of a complicated scene to capture with all the movement and dance positions, but she has done such an amazing job! Again! Especially the second-to-last panel… *melt*
Extract of accompanying scene below the cut.
Extract from Chapter 25: When You Move
Warnings: Swearing, a bit of lemony-ness, angst
With a wink, Maxwell spins me out as the song comes to an end and suddenly I find myself up against Drake’s chest.
“Whoa there…” he grins, steadying me.
“Thanks,” I gasp. “Maxwell got a bit carried away back there.”
“Doesn’t he always…”
Another song starts up, this time with a more hypnotic beat.
“So, what do you say, birthday boy?” I ask. “Shall we dance?”
I see the muscle in his jaw working. “I suppose I do owe you one…” he concedes, trailing his fingers down my arms to clasp my hands, leaving my skin tingling in the wake of his touch.
“Wait… this isn’t salsa,” I realise as he leads me expertly into a series of side steps.
“It’s not,” he replies. “It’s bachata. Now flick your hip.”
I gape at him. “Who are you, and what have you done with Drake Walker?”
He chuckles. “This… may not be my first time in a Latin bar. Now spin.”
“Then why did you tell me in Lythikos that you couldn’t dance?” I ask as he twirls me around.
“Never said I couldn’t,” he murmurs into my ear as he pulls me back against him, a hand on my hip to guide my movements. “I just said I don’t — not at court anyway.”
“Not one for performing like a trained monkey in front of the aristos?” I ask, laying my hand on his as I luxuriate in the feel of our bodies moving in sync.
“Definitely not,” he confirms, guiding my hand up above my head in a graceful arch.
“Dirty dancing more your thing then?” I breathe as he trails his fingers down my extended arm, and then my side, making me shiver.
“It’s definitely… sexier than a waltz.”
He gives my hips a shove to spin me out to face him before pulling me back in.
“Drake!” I exclaim as I find myself straddling his leg, our bodies pressed together. “What are you doing?”
“Dancing,” he replies softly, his hand splayed possessively against the small of my back as we sway to the beat. “Like everyone else.”
Tearing my gaze off Drake, my eyes widen as I realise that all the other couples on the dancefloor were entwined suggestively, moving together in such an erotic manner that anywhere else it would’ve been considered public indecency.
“They’re not dancing!” I gasp. “They’re having sex on the dance floor!”
“I wouldn’t go that far… But this dance did originate in the brothels of the Dominican Republic, so it is quite sensual.”
“No kidding,” I breathe, feeling a rush of heat in my core as his leg rubs provocatively against the inside of my bare thighs with each step. “If this isn’t foreplay I don’t know what is…”
His breath tickles my bare shoulder as he scoffs softly, leaving goosebumps on my skin.
“…I can see why you’d prefer it,” I add, brushing my lips against his neck.
A low groan escapes him as I feel his hand fist into the material of my dress, as if getting ready to tear it off me. “This…this was a bad idea.”
I stagger as he pulls away from me suddenly. “Drake…!”
“I…I need a drink,” he grits, pushing past me into the crowd.
I am left staring mutely, my heart hammering and my body on fire.
I am very excited to share with you all the new cover for (Un)Common Attraction!
While I loved the old cover - which I created when I started writing and before I’d finalised how Harper looked like (which is why the girl on the cover had black hair instead of blonde) - when I came across this photo I knew I had to use it because not only do the models look like Harper, Drake and Christian, but the whole set-up just summarises the story so well
By way of a housekeeping note, I will be replacing the covers on all chapters in the coming days, so apologies in advance if you get innundated with posts from me (I’ve noticed that sometimes when I update a post, the people who are tagged get a ‘new post’ notification, even though it isn’t a new post).
Hey all!!! I’ve missed you guys so much!!! Ok, so I’ve been working on this for a little while and I’m hoping to have it finished soon!!! But I was just so excited to start writing again that I wanted to share a sneak peek with you! This is from Birthday Regrets which is a side chapter of Full Circle! The smallest backstory I can give is “read the middle to end of Chapter 7” (I mean I hope you read the whole thing but the middle to end of Chapter 7 is this story detailed!). I’m using my standard tag list for this bc it’s a DREMI story!
The single chime of the clock was overwhelming in her otherwise quiet apartment as she sat on the couch with her phone in her hand. For over an hour, she typed and deleted the number she’d had memorized for as long as she could remember, the repetition of it almost cathartic enough to soothe the urge to hit the green button. A few more minutes of back and forth passed before she found her resolve and she sat forward, blocking her own number before finally connecting the call and listening to it ring.
“This is Drake.”
The tears poured down her face as she heard his voice for the first time in 2 years. “Hello? … Who is this? … I can hear you breathing, asshole!”
“It’s my birthday.”
“What? What did you just say?”
“Today… It’s my 18th Birthday.”
*****
“Hey, Dickhead!”
“Leo? When did you get back?”
“This morning. And I’m supposed to be heading out again tomorrow, so don’t make any plans ‘cause we’re going out tonight. You go find Beaumont and I’ll find my brother. We’ll dodge security and head into the city. It’s been a while since I caused any trouble.” Leo said with a wink.
*****
“Alright, what should we toast to?” Maxwell asked as he passed the glasses around the table.
“Ditching security and getting wasted before they find us!”
“The 4 of us finally being back together, even if it’s only for a short time!”
“Duck…”
*****
That’s it for now!!! Hope you like it!!! It’s coming soon!!!
The next week passed in a blur for Riley. Liam didn’t come back to their room; he didn’t answer her calls or texts. He completely ghosted her. Not that she blamed him.
She stayed away from Drake too. It just felt wrong to go to him for comfort for this. She stayed in her room, claiming she had the flu. That would explain her absence from court functions as well as the reason Liam was sleeping elsewhere.
Then suddenly there he was. In their sitting room, looking as dashing as ever and her heart constricted tightly in her chest. She wanted to run into his arms, but she was afraid to. She knew she didn’t deserve his forgiveness, but she wanted it, God, she wanted it!
What managed to come out of her mouth was, “Liam. You’re here.”
“I’m here.” He agreed, “And I have something for you.” He dropped a sheaf of papers into her hands.
She glanced down at them then back up at him, “This isn’t what I want Liam!”
“Really? Because your actions say otherwise.”
She dropped the papers then fell to the floor next to them, tears streaming down her face, “I don’t want a divorce! I love you! I swear I do! It was a mistake, I’m sorry!”
Liam turned back toward her in astonishment, “Divorce? You think I want to divorceyou?”
She lifted her head in confusion, “Don’t you?”
“No.” He said with an incredulous laugh.
“But the papers-“
He knelt next to her, “Pick them up, love, look at them.”
She did, sniffling and wiping at her eyes as she did so, “I don’t understand….what is this?”
“This is an amendment to our marriage contract. It’s called a Cordonian Arrangement. You’re not familiar with it?”
She shook her head, “No. What is it?”
“It basically opens our marriage, officially.”
She shook her head in confusion, “Opens our….what do you mean, Liam?”
He sighed, rubbing his temples, “It means that I’m agreeing, officially and in writing, that you can continue to sleep with Drake, or whoever the hell else you want to.”
“Whoever else…no, there’s no one-
“No one except Drake, you mean? And please stop lying to me.” He stood and walked away from her.
“Why would you do this?” She asked in shock.
He spun on her with pain and longing etched on every feature, “Because I love you! I want you to be happy and you’re not. As much as it pains me to admit it, Drake makes you happy in ways that I don’t.”
“That’s not true-“
“Isn’t it?”
“I…”
Liam poured himself a drink and stood for moment staring down into it before telling her, “I know that Drake wouldn’t betray me casually or lightly. There’s no way this was just about sex for him. Once I calmed down, I went back and talked to him again. Without the punching this time.”
“And?”
“And I was right.” He threw the drink back in one swallow.
“About?”
“He’s in love with you, and he’s been torturing himself about it for months. And I have to believe you’re in love with him too.” He turned back to face her, his glass clattering to the bedside table, “Because I can’t believe…I don’t believe you would betray me casually or lightly either. Am I right? Do you love him?”
She dipped her head as the tears started sliding down her cheeks again, “Yes, but I still love you-“
“I know.” He sounded sad but not angry anymore. “I realized something.”
“What?” She asked, looking up at him for her spot on the floor.
“I know that you and Drake got close during the engagement tour. I just hadn’t realized how close.” He held his hand up, “That wasn’t a criticism. The thing I realized was that the two of you were in love with each other by the time I proposed, yet you said yes. You agreed to marry me. Clearly you had a choice…and you chose me. I choose to believe that means something. I choose to believe that whatever is between you and Drake, what’s between you and I was stronger. And it’s worth saving.”
Her heart grabbed hold of what he was saying, “It is! It’s worth saving! I love you, Liam, I do! You have no idea how much!”
“You know, I always believed I’d have to marry for duty, that I would sacrifice my own happiness for Cordonia’s wellbeing. Then you came along and changed all that. I love you, and I believe you love me and I’m not giving that up. Not if there’s any chance we can fix this.”
She was afraid to hope, afraid to ask the next question, but she had to, it was the only way forward, “Can we? Even if I’m in love with both of you?”
He smiled sadly into his glass then he looked at her and asked, “Did you love both of your parents?”
Her brows knitted together, “Of course!”
“When we have children, will you love them all?” He reached over and sat his empty glass on an end table.
“What kind of question is that? Of course I will! I-“ The question confused her, but hope surged through her. He was talking about having children as if that were a foregone conclusion, as if he still saw a future for them.
He folded his hands in his lap and regarded her, “Max and Hana, your two best friends, you love them both?”
“You know I do!”
“So, you understand that you can love more than one person at a time?”
“I…” She nodded slowly, “Of course I do.” Because she was, in fact, in love with two men at the same time.
He moved to her side and dropped to the floor next to her, “Riley, as much as it hurt me, I understand why it happened. What you did wrong was hiding it, lying to me. You should have come to me immediately when I got home, told me about it, so we could have found a way through it together! Or don’t you want that anymore?”
“Of course, I want that!” She wanted to touch him, but she was afraid to. She still couldn’t believe he wasn’t leaving her, she was afraid if she reached out for him, the spell would break and he’d change his mind.
“Remember when I wasn’t honest with you? When I made decisions about our lives without consulting you?” He put an arm around her and pulled her closer.
She leaned her head onto his shoulder, “You mean what happened at the coronation ball…”
“And after. Yes.”
“Of course, I remember that. It was the worst thing that ever happened.”
“Right. And I made it all worse by keeping things from you.”
“Yes.”
“This is the same! What you did, sleeping with Drake, it hurts, but…. Lying about it, keeping secrets from me, that hurts worse! You should have come to me after and just told me.”
“I didn’t want to hurt you…”
“But you did hurt me! It was going to hurt me whenever I found out. Trust me, this way was worse. I would have rather known, rather have heard it from you.” He sighed as he leaned his head against hers.
“I’m sorry, Liam, I’m so fucking sorry!” She twisted her body, so she was more in front of rather than beside him. Her hands slid up him to rest against his chest as she squeezed her eyes shut.
His finger titled her chin up, “What made you feel like you couldn’t come to me with this?”
“I was afraid that if you knew, I’d lose you!” She blinked back the tears that threatened to spill again.
“So, you let your fear control you? What did you tell me when you finally forgave me after the coronation fiasco?”
She sniffed, “Not to let fear control you.”
He nodded and dropped his finger away from her face, “I can deal with Drake being in your life, but what I can’t deal with is the dishonesty, the lies, the deception. I have to know I can trust you to tell me the truth, even if it hurts, especially when it hurts! Can you do that?”
She nodded, fresh tears running down her face.
“Riley, this hurts, but I love you and I’m willing to work through this, if you are.” He placed his hands over hers.
She nodded again as she wiped away her tears, “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Liam drew in a deep breath and nodded, “Good. Because Drake has offered to leave the country, at least for a while, and I think he should.”
“But, I thought you said-“
“I know what I said, and I know what I offered. This isn’t permanent, but we need a little time and space to heal, to make things right. That’s my one condition and, all things considered, I don’t think it’s too much to ask.”
“Can I see him first? Tell him goodbye?”
Liam shook his head, “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I understand that first night was a mistake, an impulsive act propelled by circumstance, but every night after that was a choice. You’ve been choosing him for weeks. I need you to choose me right now. If we’re going to get through this, I have to know that you’re as committed to repairing our relationship as I am. Starting right now.”
Riley looked at him with wide eyes in silence and his heart dropped. Maybe he’d been wrong. He had hoped she’d meant it when she said she loved him and wanted to work things out, but if she couldn’t give him this one thing then he wasn’t sure about any of it.
Just as he was about to give up hope, she nodded slowly and whispered, “Ok.”
“Ok?” Relief surged through him.
She nodded again, more vigorously, “Yes, ok. Let’s fix this!”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. The vise around his heart loosened for the first time in a week.
Pairing:(mentioned) Drake Walker x MC (Riley Brooks)
Word Count:~1140
Warning: Language, Alcoholism, mention of gambling
A/N:I am so excited to be bringing up the rear in @moodmusicmonday’s special event “Luck of the Draw”! I was given the song “Ballroom Blitz” by Sweet, and it definitely threw me for a loop! But, it inspired this little fic, and I hope y'all enjoy! Big thanks to @kat-tia801 for taking a gander at this and helping me brainstorm the ending! Not truly beta’d so please forgive my mistakes! All characters belong to ours friends at Pixelberry.
Here is my second submission for the Luck of the Draw event hosted by @moodmusicmonday.
I was not quite done playing with videos so, I made another video edit. Hope you all like it. Thank you so much for watching and leaving your comments for my First Video Edit
This is unlike the first one. Again I am new to this art so please ignore the flaws. The second song I recieved was 10,000 hours by Justin Bieber and here is what I made:
It’s karaoke night in Cordonia. Everyone is drunk. Riley makes her way up to the stage.
Maxwell: “Yea! Go Riley!”
Hana: “Woot! Woot!”
Liam: “That’s my girl!”
Drake: “That’s my- uh, yeah, go Riley….”
Riley: flips through the book, picks out her song and nervously turns to the audience. She gives an impeccable performance of Mary MacGregor’s Torn Between Two Lovers.When she’s done, there’s barely a dry eye in the house. Even Madeleine sniffs softly to herself in her corner booth in the back of the room.
Rating:M, Angst, language, mentions Driam, but no actual smut
Author’s Note: This series is set in an AU where Liam and Drake are in love with one another and there was never a conspiracy against Riley.
NOTE:This is the final chapter of my year long labor of love. Thank you to everyone who stuck with it from the beginning and to those who came in somewhere along the way and liked it enough to continue the journey. This is really bittersweet for me. I’ve loved writing their roller-coaster of a love story, but I think it’s time they all got their happy ending, don’t you?.
Drake wiped the sweat from his eyes with the back of his hand before bending down to hoist another bale of hay onto his shoulder. The stallion in the stall next to him let out a resounding nicker and snorted as he pawed at the earth.
“Impatient fucker, aren’t ya?” His voice was gruff but his eyes were alight with affection as he swung open the half door and dropped the hay to the ground before securing the latch behind him, chuckling as he felt the stallion’s head push against his back.
“So we’re friends now, huh? Drake turned around and rubbed the velvety skin of the horse’s muzzle. “Where was this attitude earlier today, huh? That little love tap you gave me is gonna leave a helluva bruise.”
“He’s come a long way, hasn’t he?”
Drake looked up to find Liam leaning against the wooden barn door, watching him with a smile, “A few weeks ago he wouldn’t even let you into his stall.”
Drake nodded, still stroking Lucifer’s neck. “We’ve come to an understanding, he and I. I feed him, groom him, exercise him and cater to his every goddamn need 24 hours a day, seven days a week… and in return he’s stopped trying to murder me.” He reached down to lift the edge of his T-shirt, exposing his bare torso. “He settles for maiming me instead.”
“Jesus Drake!” Liam winced as stepped closer to examine the mottled purple bruise across Drake’s rib cage “What the hell happened?”
“Just his way of telling me he wasn’t in the mood to have his hooves cleaned, that’s all.” The corner of Drake’s mouth pulled up in a rueful grin, “I must be slowing down in my old age.”
“I have to be honest…” Liam shot Lucifer a worried look, “I was afraid I’d made a terrible mistake when I brought him over for you. You’d gone on and on about this amazing animal, yet somehow you neglected to mention what a nasty streak he has.”
Drake with a scruffy beard … are you trying to kill me woman?!?! Just the very idea makes me sweat
Oh wow, all of this was just so perfect. Stubborn ass Drake becoming a doting father. Riley growing a pair and finally asking for what she needed to be truly happy. Sweet Liam finally getting the fairytale ending that he deserved. Then the Maxwell twist … oh Riley, you’re both screwed!
This was beautiful @debramcg1106 and the ending we all needed. I’m sad that it’s over but so impressed at how brilliantly you’ve written this tale. Thank you for opening my mind and heart to this pair over the past year, they’ll forever be one of my OTPs and it’s all your fault. Bravo to my IBFF
This is it! The final chapter of Early Years. All that’s left is the Final chapter of Epilogue and this year long labor of love will be complete! I honestly never thought I’d get here. Thank you all for your continued support!
Liam stood in the middle of his walk-in closet riddled with indecision.
The pale blue linen shirt with french cuffs that he was holding in one hand seemed too formal for the occasion, but the long-sleeved polo he was holding in the other seemed too casual. He chewed on his bottom lip as he looked around at the vast array of choices his wardrobe held. At times like these he was envious of Drake’s collection of simple T-shirts and button downs.
He was sure Drake never had these problems.
Pulling a dark green oxford off a hanger, Liam held it to his chest and immediately tossed it into the growing pile of discarded clothes on the floor.
He didn’t even flinch when he heard his bedroom door fly open. It could only be Drake, he was the only person that didn’t bother with the formality of knocking first before barging in.
“Li?”
“I’m here…in the closet.”
A moment later Liam looked up to see Drake’s reflection in the full length mirror, his signature smirk firmly in place.
Liam shook his head, “Don’t even bother. I heard it the second the words left my mouth.”
Drake laughed as he sprawled himself into the leather chair in the corner of the dressing room.
I’ve never been a huge fan of Leo, but damn if this didn’t make me want to punch him in the face. The only redeeming aspect of his abdication is that everyone (including Liam) knows that Liam will make the better Ruler.
The entire scene while Liam was packing for NYC was so bittersweet, but what REALLY got me was the mention of the Statue of Liberty. I felt like my heart had been ripped from my chest. Then the whole proposal about getting Liam back in the game, and Drake having to swallow his feelings and go along with it … so many emotions going on!
I loved this whole series so much @debramcg1106 … but you know that based on my constant young Driam requests. It truly puts such a different spin on the TRR we all know, but it blends in with the storyline so seamlessly. Thank you for making me fall in love with these two as a couple and opening my eyes to their heartbreaking love story. Fabulously done as always, my talented friend.
P.S. We all definitely need that infamous threesome one-shot. You owe it to us after breaking our hearts with this. Pretty please?!?
Pairing: Drake X MC, Liam X Olivia, Hana X OC Lydia
Rating:PG-13
Summary:The show comes to and end, and Riley contemplates her future
Author’s Note: I can’t believe I’ve finally brought this series to an end. There was quite a long time I thought I may never finish. I want to thank all the readers and friends who’ve read and encouraged me along the way. I want to especially thank @debramcg1106 as of late for helping me work through the ending and pushing me to finish it out. This is the technical end of the story, but I do have an epilogue planned as well.
Due to everything that transpired, filming of the finale was delayed two weeks. Riley was grateful for the time and hardly left Drake’s side during his recovery. He was sent back to the palace after a couple days, and Riley had to convince him that whiskey was not a suitable replacement for the antibiotics and pain medication the doctor prescribed. Reluctantly he obliged. He worked with physical therapy, and by the end of those two weeks, you’d have hardly known he’d been injured at all.
I can really, really recommed reading this series from the talented walkerismychoice that has now come to an end. Especially if Drake Walker makes your heart beat a bit faster .
A Father’s Day Writing Prompt for YOU! Yes, You! Even if I forgot to tag you (because I have the world’s WORST memory)! Even if we have never interacted! Even if you don’t normally write TRR! YOU!
Whoa… maybe not Penn Badgley or anyone else from the cast of You…
Have you seen the video of Prince Louis at Queen Elizabeth’s jubilee closing ceremonies? EVERY PARENT ON HERE will recognize this situation. Take a look:
I was chatting with @ao719, and we wondered: how would Liam react to this? So, now I want to ask each of y'all what you think! So, here it is:
Just imagine: Your TRR LI is at an important public event. The heir (4-5 years old) throws a tantrum. MC is COMPLETELY out of the picture. How would your LI (Liam/Drake/Maxwell/Leo) react?
Rules (?):
No word limit!
Try to post them on or before Father’s Day (Sunday, June 19th–here in the States)!
If you have another character you want to use, such as Rashad, Bertrand, Connie, go for it! Let’s try to stick with just the TRR men.
If you want to insert other children or children from your own series, go for it! As long as there is a child having a meltdown! lol
Let’s just be silly and have some fun talking about our favorite characters. Tag me, and I’ll create a Masterlist.
Also, if you have already written a fic like this, share it again and tag meeeeeee! I’ll put you on the Masterlist.
If you would like to be tagged in the Masterlist so you can read the fics, let me know. My plan is to only post/tag once (probably on the 20th)
Synopsis- Since childhood, Liam has held a terrible secret that even he doesn’t know about. As the years go by, he suspects more and more that there is something wrong with him. Can he put his life together and find happiness?
A/N- The first 4 chapters will have the feel of a one-shot, as each one is a glimpse into Liam’s past. But as the story goes on, they will all tie together.
A/N 2- This story is a bit different than what I usually write.. Ok a LOT different. Some terrible things have happened during Liam’s life.. But the story isn’t without humor or joy. I swear it’s not all bad! The characters are still canon in the sense of their whole overall personalities, but of course there are several changes to fit the story.
Series Warnings- oh so many: language, drinking, violence, sexual assault, abuse, murder, homophobia, bullying, mentions of suicide.. Also there will be some lemons in later chapters.
Once the police finished taking statements and extensively questioning everyone, Liam relaxed slightly.. But only slightly. The man had broken into Bertrand’s study through the window, attempting to steal a large amount of cash and obviously whatever else he could find. The man was armed and honestly could have killed all of them if he wanted to. Liam had apparently beaten the intruder so badly, several bones in his face were fractured. But the man was alive.. Thanks to Maxwell.
…but not everyone deserves that sweet heart of his. Liam, however, has definitely earned that affection despite his past. I love watching their relationship blossom, and I am totally shipping them!
Poor Liam though… it’s one thing to go through these different experiences: fending off a bull, a rapist, a burglar… but to do all of that and not remember? That’s a whole new level of horror. I would instantly think, “Okay, what else am I doing?” That much power? That has got to be overwhelming.
But, I’m glad he’s finally letting his friends shoulder some of the pain. It’s what he needs. And Maxwell is right: they LOVE him. Period. Now because of anything he has or hasn’t done. But, because he is Liam.
Pairings- Drake x OC (Lilith Nevrakis), Liam x Riley
Book- TRR Book One
Synopsis- Lilith Nevrakis is the younger sister of Duchess Olivia, and the black sheep of her family. Drake Walker is the best friend of the Crown Prince. Lilith and Drake are similar in that they both prefer random hookups to relationships. Once they meet, something in each of them changes and they both realize they want more out of life. But is what they want, each other?
A/N- This pretty much follows the events of TRR Book 1, but this is an AU where Olivia has a younger sister and Riley is Maxwell’s cousin. The story alternates between Lilith and Drake’s POV, but not in first person.
Warnings- Language, Drinking, Sensuality, NSFW (there will be lemons!)
The next morning Lilith showered and got ready for the day. She was still giddy from last night. Drake was so sweet to her. She had never seen him that way and it was a little overwhelming to have someone treat her like that.. But it was overwhelming in the best way. She got a text from Drake that morning and her stomach flipped.
Lilith ate a quick breakfast in the Beaumont’s kitchen with Riley and went to the patio to wait for Drake. It was 11:55 and he wasn’t there yet. She took a moment to calm herself down. Her hands were shaking with nerves and it was so annoying. How did Drake have this effect on her?
“You came.” She whirled around at the sound of his familiar deep voice and saw Drake standing behind her looking like a freaking snack in a tight black t-shirt and jeans.
“That’s what she said.” Lilith stared at him for a moment and burst out laughing.
“You’re ridiculous.” Drake chuckled as he walked toward her.
“I’m sorry.. I couldn’t help it! “ she shook her head smiling.
He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss, smiling faintly like he was trying to hide it.
“So what’s the big secret?” Lilith wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up into his eyes.
“Who said it was a secret?” Drake smirked.
“Stop playing coy with me Walker.” She pinched his side with a playful smile. “What are you up to?”
Drake took her hand and led her down the patio steps and into the vineyard. Lilith laced her fingers with his sighing contentedly as they strolled through the rows of grapevines, enjoying the breezy warm day. “This is so pretty. I came to Ramsford a few times as a kid, but I’ve never been back here before.” Lilith discreetly snagged a grape off of a vine and ate it.
“Liam, Max, and I used to play hide and seek back here when we’d come to visit. We’d always get in trouble with Max’s dad for doing exactly what you just did.” He cut his eyes at her with a smirk. “Don’t think I didn’t notice.”
She gasped, “What are you implying Mr. Walker?”
“You’re a thief, Lilith Nevrakis.” He chuckled.
She grabbed another grape from the vine and held it out to him. “Do it.. You know you want to. Eat the forbidden fruit!”
“You’re ridiculous.” He grabbed it and studied it for a moment, considering.
“Come on..” Lilith grabbed the plump grape back from him and placed it to his lips. He opened his mouth and she placed the grape inside letting her index finger glide across his tongue before bringing it out and placing her finger into her own mouth. “Mmm.. Drake tastes even yummier than the grapes.”
Drake was breathing hard as he watched her. “Fuck..” he whispered before chewing and swallowing the grape.
Lilith chuckled and skipped ahead, stealing another grape for herself. They walked a bit further into a shaded clearing and Lilith gasped. The field behind the vineyards was covered in wildflowers and the long grass swayed in the breeze. It was beautiful. She turned back to Drake smiling. “Oh my gosh, I love it! I just wish I had my paint so I could-”
Drake nodded to a large tree and sitting beside it was a canvas on an easel with a table, chairs, and picnic basket. Lilith felt like her heart stopped. This was the most amazing thing anyone had ever done for her and she was so overcome with emotion she felt goosebumps cover her body. She gulped as she walked over and tentatively touched the paint set. It wasn’t hers. It was exactly the same, but brand new. “How?” She looked back at him incredulously.
Drake looked away shyly. “I um. Thought you would like to come out here and paint. I know you like to paint nature and you’re so damn good at it. I remembered coming to this spot when I was a kid and always thinking it was beautiful.” He shrugged.
Lilith was still staring at him, frozen in place.
“Is this ok?” Drake looked at her warily.
Her bottom lip trembled and she ran over to him and jumped into his arms. He caught her, laughing in surprise as she planted several kisses all over his face. “It’s the best thing anyone has ever, ever done for me! Drake, I can’t even believe you thought of this!”
He shrugged nonchalantly, but inside he was beaming. He looked into her eyes and brought his lips to hers as he spoke. “I want to make you happy, Lil.”
Lilith smiled, “You called me Lil.”
“Did I?”
“Yes.” Drake looked momentarily worried, until she spoke again. “It’s cute.. like we’re a real couple giving each other nicknames.”
He chuckled. “That’s um.. another thing I wanted to clear up. Are we? Like a couple?”
“Oh.” She looked away, cheeks burning. Shit, was that too much?
Drake touched her cheek. “I mean.. I hope we are.”
She smiled brightly, smoothing her hands across his broad chest. “Me too.”
“Good.” Drake tried to hide his smile, but was clearly overcome with emotion too, and cleared his throat looking toward the canvas. “You better get started in case it rains or something..”
“Right!” Lilith sat down and started painting. Her heart was full as they sat in contented silence, enjoying each other’s company and the picnic that Drake had made for them.
“God damn, it looks like a fucking photograph!” Drake shook his head in disbelief once she was finished an hour later.
“Oh, you’re just saying that.” She winked as she lifted her glasses and rested them on her head.
“No, you know it’s good.” Drake ate another chocolate from the basket. “Don’t even pretend.”
Lilith laughed and sat down next to him on the blanket that was spread out for the two of them. Drake watched her close her eyes, letting the warm breeze sweep over her, blowing her beautiful red locks over her shoulders. He had never seen her look like this before. She looked peaceful, content, and real. Drake maneuvered himself so that he was sitting behind Lilith with his legs wrapped around her, and she snuggled back into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. God she smelled good. He looked down at her slender neck and felt himself wet his lips at the sight. He remembered kissing her there and how good she tasted. Drake rubbed her arms, gliding them down her smooth skin and she sighed happily.
Drake had a feeling that she was a little nervous about them having sex again. Maybe because this would be the first time since the.. incident when he said her name. But things were different now.. right? Drake closed his eyes and took a deep breath. I’m not going to push her. She can move at her own pace and- whoa! Drake’s eyes flew open as he felt Lilith reaching behind her and massaging him over his pants. Holy shit.. Thank god.
Lilith turned her head to the side, capturing his lips with hers as she continued to rub him. Drake felt himself getting embarrassingly rock hard at only seconds of her touch. She smirked and turned around straddling his lap. Lilith positioned herself right over his erection and ground down onto him. Drake closed his eyes and moaned loudly. Before he could say a word her mouth was on his, nipping his lip teasingly as she continued to rock back and forth against him.
Drake panted into her mouth between kisses. “You sure.. you wanna do this.. here?”
Lilith gave him a mischievous smirk. “Oh hell yes.”
Drake pulled his shirt over his head and Lilith bit her lip as her eyes roved his muscular chest and abs. “God damn, you are a fucking work of art, do you know that?”
Drake smirked and stood as he unzipped her short summer dress and lowered it down to the ground. Damn it she had no bra and a thong on again. “Fuck yes.” Drake whispered as he caressed her breasts before gliding his hands back to grab her ass.
They came together in an instant, kissing each other with fervor as their hands explored each other’s bodies. Drake reached down to unzip his pants to free his straining cock and Lilith took over, lowering them to the ground along with his boxer briefs. She got on her knees in front of him and Drake shivered in anticipation. Lilith looked up at him through her lashes before claiming his dick as her own. She worked her tongue around his shaft as she bobbed her head up and down, sucking, moaning and licking, while sending Drake closer and closer to the edge. “Fuck.. I won’t last much longer.” He grabbed a handful of her hair to slowly pull her off of him and she licked his cock slowly from base to tip before standing back up and giving him a soft kiss. “Holy shit..” He breathed and she smiled smugly.
“Lay down.. It’s your turn.” He looked at her with such intensity that she felt a rush of warm wetness between her legs. Drake kneeled over her, lowering her panties before breathing out. “Your pussy is fucking beautiful.” Lilith gasped as he went straight for her, teasingly kissing her clit before lapping at her. She tasted better than anything he had ever put in his mouth before and he couldn’t get enough. Lilith grabbed a fistful of his dark brown hair and cried out as her legs began to tremble. Drake increased the movement of his tongue until he heard her practically scream as her body trembled. Once she stopped trembling, she looked up at him completely sated and out of breath.
“I need you Drake.”
Drake pulled out a condom from his wallet, and Lilith chuckled. “You are always prepared aren’t you?”
“When I’m with you..” He kissed her neck before rolling the condom down onto himself and lining up with her entrance.
“Wait.” Lilith sat up nipping his lip. “I wanna ride you.”
“Fuck..” Drake could have cum right then and there. Lilith lowered herself down onto his length and the two of them moaned simultaneously. She began rocking back and forth and Drake grabbed her breasts, rolling her nipples softly as she increased her movements. It was the most amazing sight in the world and he got to see it. She wanted to be with him. Drake felt more than sexual desire at that moment. He was having sex with a woman he loved. That was a first.
Lilith threw her head back and cried out as her walls fluttered around him and Drake studied her beautiful face, entranced by every bit of pleasure she was expressing. Her eyes were shut tight and her full lips were parted as she moaned moving up and down on his cock. Once her movements slowed Drake could finally let go. He grabbed her hips and began thrusting into her and she surprisingly made eye contact the entire time. It was so fucking sexy and Drake knew he wouldn’t last long. His eyes closed as he felt the pressure ready to burst and Lilith said, “you feel so good Drake!” She said my name. Drake’s eyes flew open, locking on hers and he shuddered and moaned as the most intense orgasm of his life coursed through his body, leaving him utterly and completely spent and at her mercy.
They stared at each other, unable to speak for minutes as they caught their breath. Lilith climbed off and snuggled next to Drake, laying her head on his shoulder. Drake huffed out a faint laugh, “You said my name.”
Lilith sat up so that she could see his face. “I did.”
Drake smiled and kissed her softly, brushing back the hair that clung to her sweat covered brow. “That was.. the best sex I’ve ever had in my life.” Old Drake would have kicked him in the balls for admitting that to a woman.. But he was a different person now. And Lilith wasn’t just ‘a woman.’
Lilith chuckled as she traced her finger across his chest. “Me too. Actually.. All of our sex has been the best.” She giggled, “You’re.. amazing at a lot of things, but you are anartist in the sack.”
Drake smiled and continued stroking her hair as they lay together on the picnic blanket. “Ditto.”
“You can’t say ditto when I’m complimenting your sexual performance!” Lilith laughed and swatted his arm.
“Sorry!” Drake smiled. “I’m still new to this whole ‘expressing myself’ thing.”
“Ditto.” She smirked as she sat up, grabbing her dress.
Drake gestured toward her thigh while he pulled on his jeans. “Now will you tell me about your tattoos?”`
Lilith looked down at the colorful flowers tattooed on her thigh. “These are called English Primroses. It’s one of the few flowers we have in our duchy because, as you know, it’s always so freaking cold.” She sighed, “It grows outside of the window in the library and.. I don’t know.” She shrugged shyly. “It just makes me happy. Even though the other flowers around it die, it perseveres.”
Drake smiled. She was so sentimental even though she always pretended not to be.”What about that one?” He nodded to her ribs. Drake had never even gotten to read what it said. Most of it was hidden beneath her arm.
She blushed. “It’s a quote from one of my favorite books.. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn.”
Drake stood closer to her lifting her arm so he could read. “From that moment on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again.”
Lilith tucked her hair behind her ear shyly. “I know it seems kinda emo, but.. I feel like that describes the majority of my life.”
Drake smiled sadly. The more he got to know Lilith, the more he was beginning to understand just how lonely her life had been. “I love it.” He kissed her and helped her get dressed. They packed up the painting supplies and canvas and walked back to the Beaumont’s estate.
“Thank you again for.. all of this.” She gestured at the painting Drake was holding. “This has been.. probably the best day of my life.”
Drake smiled at her. It felt so good to hear her being honest and sincere with him. “You’re welcome. And.. mine too.”
Once they got back to the estate, it was nearly dinner time and Drake handed Lilith her painting. “Keep it.” She pushed it back to him shyly. “I mean.. If you want to.”
Drake’s face brightened. “Really?”
She shrugged. “Ya.. I mean you don’t have to if you don’t want to, but-”
Drake cupped her cheek and kissed her softly, letting his tongue slightly caress hers. God this woman had him completely consumed. “Thank you. I love y-..it. I love it.” Holy shit. He chastised himself as he almost let the three little words slip out of his mouth. That would surely have sent her running fast and far.
Lilith backed into her room with a smile. “I’m gonna go get a shower and change before dinner, but I’ll see you there right? No hiding in the back of the room this time?”
Drake chuckled, “Ya.. wherever you are, is where I’ll be.” Drake cringed at his words, oh my god I’m such a simp.
Lilith smiled in surprise, “Good.” She closed the door leaving Drake standing there alone, feeling like a lovesick puppy.
getting bashed by fans of people linked to them (liam; harry styles) for no apparent reason.
also got called trump supporters because:
1. drake made a funny quote (“things are great = "make america great again” ??? 2+2=fish)
2. louis named his debut solo album ‘walls’ so he’s a republican now (the man is 100% too british to give a fuck about american politics but their brain cells…)
maybe i’m just a nobody but i genuinely enjoyed this chapter lmao. the dynamics between these men are amazing and even though i was hoping for a mc and her li scene, i still think this was a good chapter. maybe bertrand just reminds me of,,, me
