Summary: After a fight the previous night, Drake surprises MC (Riley) early in the morning to make amends and things take a fortuitous turn.
Notes:This a fic requested by @fairydustandsarcasm from the Types of Kisses prompt list, #2: the early morning kiss. Thanks for the request, I hope you enjoy it! :-)
Thank you to everyone who requested a fic from this list! I’m now accepting requests from a New Kiss Fic List, so if you want to read something, let me know! Thank you for your requests! <3
The morning was still early and gray when Riley’s eyes fluttered open. She was disoriented, still half lost in a fading dream she couldn’t quite remember. It took a moment to realize someone was knocking on the door, a tentative rap rap rap on the wood.
“Come in,” Riley called as she forced herself into a sitting position, blinking sleep out of her eyes. The door opened and she saw the sleeve of his blue shirt before his face.
“Hey,” Drake said nervously, shutting the door behind him. “Can I talk to you?”
Riley let herself fall back on her pillows and patted the bed beside her. Drake crossed the room and sat down gingerly, like he was afraid she was going to throw him out at any second. She watched him with a raised eyebrow.
“I … I’m sorry,” Drake said as he stared at his hands, knotting and unknotting his fingers.
“You have to stop pushing me away,” she said.
“You deserve better than me.”
“Tough shit, I picked you,” Riley said. Her body was still exhausted, but she pushed herself back up to a sitting position in an effort to keep her eyes open.
“My god, why?” he asked. Riley pinched the bridge of her nose.
“Drake, I’m way too tired to have this fight with you again. God, what time is it anyway?”
“A little after five.”
“And this couldn’t have waited until later?”
“Riley,” Drake said quietly. The use of her first name stilled her the way it always did and she looked at him. “Some of these people … if you not being with me means you’re better protected from them, then I’m willing to do that for you. I want to do that for you.”
“Hey,” Riley said as she reached over and took his hand. “It’s you and me, always. Liam knows it, Hana knows it, the Beaumonts know it … you’re the only one who doesn’t seem to be on board.”
“I love you,” Drake said, looking her in the eyes for the first time.
“Then shut up and kiss me already,” Riley said. Drake smiled and leaned over, gently cupping her face in his hands before he lightly touched his lips to hers.
“I’m sorry I woke you up so early,” he said. “I couldn’t sleep after our fight last night, but I waited as long as I could before I came to your room.”
Riley smiled and pulled back the covers, patting the bed beside her. Drake opened his mouth as if to protest, but he changed his mind, kicked off his shoes, and climbed in beside her, pulling her close against his chest. Riley listened to the steady metronome of his heartbeat for a moment, deeply inhaling the comforting smell of the man she loved.
Riley had been so exhausted before, but now, with Drake so close to her, she felt very much awake. She tilted her face up towards his and kissed him again. His lips were warm and welcoming against hers. She slipped her tongue against his and he pulled her closer to him.
“I thought you were tired,” Drake said, trailing his hand down her side.
“You woke me up,” she replied with a grin. “In more ways than one.”
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.”
Pairing: Drake X MC, Liam X Olivia, Hana X OC Lydia
Rating:NSFW (I didn’t intend it but it just happened
Summary:Liam finally clears the air with Constantine, and we go to the Fire and Ice Ball at Lythikos, the final social season even before Liam chooses his future Queen.
A/N:Umm, I don’t even want to know how many years it’s been since I updated, but it is with the encouragement of you readers that I was compelled to finish. My tag list is probably way outdated and I’m sure I’ve missed some poeple who’ve asked to be tagged along the way. Feel free to let me know either way if you want to be tagged or removed from the list.
“Hello, Father.” Liam greeted Constantine as he walked into the hospital room. He noted the King’s color was back to normal and he seemed in good spirits.
“My son, I knew you’d come!” Constantine reached towards Liam with arms outstretched.
Liam just shook his head and held up a hand to stop him. “This is not that kind of visit. I’m here because I know… I know everything.”
“What-” Constantine choked out before a coughing fit ensued.
Liam fought the instinctual urge to comfort his father. “Enough with the theatrics. I know about Madeleine…about you threatening the show if they didn’t help her win…as if me choosing the woman I plan to spend my life with is some political game to be won.”
"How did you find out? I gave strict orders that my demands were confidential.“
Liam scoffed. "Seriously? I just told you I found out you tried to have the producers manipulate me into marrying a woman I don’t love, and that’s all you had to say for yourself?”
“You have to understand,” Constantine pleaded. “Madeleine is what’s best for Cordonia, and what’s best for Cordonia is what’s best for you.”
“Unbelievable!” Liam felt the anger rising in his chest like a simmering pot ready to boil over. “You may have told yourself that to feel better about choosing your commitments to Cordonia over happiness, love, family… Maybe you’ve lied to yourself for so long you’ve actually started to believe it, but it’s one hundred percent bullshit. I know I’ll be a more effective leader if I get to choose the woman I want by my side, and that woman is Olivia.”
Constantine’s jaw dropped and there was a long pause before he gained his composure to protest. “Absolutely not. You know her family’s history. I’d rather have you on the same page as me, but I am still King-”
“Save your breath,” Liam shut him down. “You should know that your perfect candidate Madeleine has displayed some behavior quite unbecoming of a future queen, and it is all on film. I know Cordonians are generally flexible with their views on monogamy, but I don’t think Madeleine sleeping with the host of the show while she’s trying to compete for my affection will look good in anyone’s eyes. She has been eliminated from the show and is no longer in the running. That leaves only Riley aside from Olivia, and I know you know what’s going on there.”
Constantine’s face fell momentarily in resignation, but then he perked back up again. “Well, then you can bring back someone else. Kiara is quite lovely and is fit to play the part.”
“Enough!” Liam practically shouted much too loud for the thin hospital walls. “Not that I owe you an explanation, but Olivia is stronger, smarter, and more capable of ruling a country than anyone you could hope to pair with me. You seem to forget that I am the son who stuck by you and am now the rightful and only heir to the throne. Your reign is coming to an end, and you have no choice but to accept my decision.”
Unexpectedly, Constantine’s demeanor changed, a sly grin creeping across his face. “My boy, I’ve always been a bit worried you were too soft to be king. However, seeing you stand up for yourself today gives me hope. I still don’t approve of your choice, but I will no longer stand in your way.”
Liam shook his head and let out an incredulous laugh, reeling from Constantine’s sudden change of course. “Bastien will take you back to the palace. We can talk more when I know it’s not just the medicine that’s gotten to your head.”
—–
“Well, this place certainly explains a lot about Olivia.” Riley mused aloud as she scanned the ballroom. Ornate floor to ceiling windows with deep alcoves were surrounded by walls with intricate, gilded accents leading up to a hand-painted ceiling measuring at least 3 stories high. The grandeur of the space was both intimidating and beautiful at the same time, much like its owner.
“Has she shown you all the toys in her armory yet? That too says a lot about Olivia,“ Drake chuckled at his own joke.
Riley laughed along. “No, but she does constantly remind me she keeps a dagger hidden under her skirt. Are you sure Liam knows what he’s in for?”
"Heh. Better him than me, that’s for sure. Liam’s warm and fuzzy exterior can make him seem like a pushover, but he can hold his own when it matters. Olivia needs someone who can roll with her mood swings but still call her on her bullshit when needed.”
“You know, I admit I had a little trouble wrapping my brain around Liam choosing Olivia, but when you put it that way, it makes sense. Now I suppose I need to find Kat so I can figure out if I need to dance with Liam or something. Ugh, I cannot wait until all these balls are over.
Drake almost doubled over laughing. "Oh, Bennett, I hate to break it to you, but this shit never ends. Next will be the coronation, then some charity gala, Liam’s wedding…the list goes on. Welcome to your life as a noble woman.”
Riley stared ahead blankly as a giant wave of realization washed over her. It was all so much, so fast. She’d never had time to think past the next day to consider this was all ending soon, and then what? Did she stay with her new-found family and live this life that was still foreign to her in so many ways? What about her life in New York? Sure, she didn’t have much going on at the moment, but she still had her aunt Susan and best friend Sarah along with some good friends at work like Daniel. Becoming a therapist was still one of her goals, at least it was until the day she left for Cordonia. Now everything was so unclear, and she could hardly breathe.
Drake must have noticed her face looking some kind of way because he placed a hand on the small of her back and guided her to an open doorway to a nearby balcony. “Why don’t we get you some air before you go off and do your thing for the show?”
Once outside and around the corner of the wraparound balcony, Drake pulled Riley into his chest, holding her securely, and she was almost instantly calmed. All the what-ifs fell away, and it was just them. All she needed was the be with him, wherever that turned out to be, and everything else would fall into place.
But what if Drake didn’t quite feel the same? They’d been talking as if they’d be together indefinitely, but in reality, they’d only known each other two months. The anxious fluttering in her chest started up again.
Drake pulled back to look her in the eyes. “Riley, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. You know, we’re both still half American. We can move back to the states….or uh, I mean you can move back to the states if that’s what you want.” His eyes darted bashfully to the ground.
Riley’s face lit up, the nervous thumping in her chest giving way to excited butterflies. “I like the sound of ‘we’ better if that’s what you really meant. You’d really move back to the U.S. with me? I mean I’ve hardly had the chance to think about what I want, so that may be irrelevant, but you seriously see a future with me?”
“I do.” Drake smiled earnestly. “I’m sure anyone who knows me will think I’ve gone mad, but whether it means being in New York City and putting up with cramped apartments and way too many people, living a quieter, simple life in Texas, or stealing moments away at dreadful Cordonian events such as this, I know we can make our own happiness…together.”
“Wow, the Drake Walker I met two months ago would not believe what’s coming out of your mouth right now.” Riley touched the back of her hand to Drake’s forehead in jest. “Are you sure you aren’t running a fever?”
“Haha, very funny.” Drake swiftly but gently pushed Riley back again the stone wall. “I’m not feeling ill, but I know how to make your temperature rise.
"You pushing me against duchy walls is becoming a thing, huh? Must have really enjoyed the almost public sex last time.”
“Possibly,” Drake teased as he slipped his hand through the side-slit in her icy-blue gown, gently gliding his fingers up her thigh. Riley braced herself as Drake neared the place she wanted him the most. Goosebumps gave way to a burning need before she remembered where they were.
“Wait.” She pushed a hand against his chest. “We’re not exactly alone here, and we’ve gone to such lengths to keep this under wraps. Someone could walk out here at any moment.”
Drake shrugged. “I know it may be a bit reckless, but honestly at this point, I don’t care. I just want you.”
Riley opened her mouth to protest but nothing came out before Drake swooped in for a searing kiss. She instantly melted into him, Drake continuing his earlier action and deftly plunging two fingers inside her, his eyes widening slightly in surprise when he noticed there was no fabric barrier to work around. A strangled moan escaped Riley’s throat as he stroked the exact spot he knew always left her at his mercy.
Drake pulled back with a satisfied grin. “Do you want me to stop? Just say the word and we’ll go back in right now.”
Instead of answering, Riley yanked him by the collar and crushed her lips to his. Drake responded by hoisting her up and over to the balcony. He perched her atop the railing, one hand grasped firmly around her waist and the other making quick work of undoing his pants.
Teetering on the narrow ledge two stories high, Riley clamped her hand tightly to the railing on either side of her and Drake noticed. “I’ve got you Bennett, no need to worry. I won’t let anything happen to you. I’m just doing my job after all,” he said with a smirk.
She smiled at his reference to what was now an inside joke between them. But all joking aside, he always made her feel safe. She released her grip, flinging her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.
Drake eased his cock free and Riley could tell how hard he was just by sight, the skin stretched taught from his perfect proportion of thickness and length. He lifted her dress and she couldn’t wait any longer. She pulled him in and he took the invitation to thrust inside her. Even as wet was she was, his size created just the right amount of fullness and friction to take her breath away.
Riley moaned and gasped with each thrust, which in turn seemed to turn Drake on even more. The thrill of being up so high with nothing but him to hold her only added to her excitement and when he began rubbing circles over her clit with his thumb that was all it took to push her figuratively over the edge. She tightened around him everywhere, her orgasm eliciting immense heat and pleasure with every pulse, resulting in Drake picking up his pace until his own release followed shortly thereafter.
Drake carefully set Riley down before putting himself back together. “I’m almost a little disappointed we didn’t nearly get caught this time.”
“If I don’t get back in there immediately, that’s still a possibility.” Riley had no idea how much time had passed but it was probably more than she thought. “Fuck, Kat is going to be pissed.” Riley straightened her skirt and started towards the ballroom door.
“Wait!” Drake puller her in for a quick kiss. “I love you. Just so you don’t forget.”
Riley rolled her eyes but smiled. “You know you have nothing to worry about. If Liam’s charms haven’t wooed me yet, I think you’re safe. But I love you too. Now go do your job.” She smacked him on the ass before hustling back to the ballroom, Drake following shortly thereafter.
As expected, Kat was frantic when Riley found her. “Where the fuck were you? You were supposed to meet up with me twenty minutes ago?”
Overhearing Riley’s scolding, Olivia smugly sidled up next to them. “I mean, I didn’t mind getting extra time with Liam, but you know Jo and Kat and there ‘ratings’, Olivia said while gesturing with air quotes. She scanned Riley from head to toe and then glanced over to Drake on the perimeter. “Ugh, I can tell you exactly what, or rather who she was doing. Gross. I guess that just makes my position more secure, but really, couldn’t you have waited until after my ball to fuck him?”
Riley sheepishly smoothed her hair and adjusted her dress. “I just needed some air, that’s all. I was having a moment.”
Olivia scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Whatever you want to call it. Although I still cannot fathom why you chose Drake, I suppose I should be a little easier on you for eliminating yourself from the competition and allowing Liam to break free of his distraction of the shiny new object.”
“Aww, Olivia, that’s so sweet. Next thing you know we’ll be best friends,” Riley replied sarcastically.
“I don’t know about friends…but I do dislike you less than the rest of them.” Olivia tried and failed to hold back a smile.
“I’ll take it,” Riley said with a laugh before turning to Jo. “Okay, now tell me where I need to be.”
Jo set Riley up with Liam on the dance floor. It still wasn’t hard to pretend to be into Liam because it wasn’t all pretend, but there was no lingering pining between them.
“Well, I spoke to my father this morning.” Liam spun Riley around and brought her back to face him.
“Finally!” Riley exclaimed. “How did that go?”
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around it to be completely honest, but it went surprisingly well. I told him I knew everything, and he no longer had a say in my decision. He tried to argue with me at first, but somehow something I said made him respect me. He still may not agree with my choice, but I think this is finally all over! I am free to choose who I want without any threat or blackmail hanging over my head.
Riley pulled Liam in and hugged him tightly. “That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you, and for all of us.” The weight on Riley’s shoulders was suddenly ten times lighter. She hadn’t let herself think too deeply about how much was at stake, but now that the air was clear, she realized how stressed she had been. “Now all that’s left is for you to tear my heart to pieces on national television, and you get your fairy tale ending.”
Liam chuckled. “I’ll try to let you down easy.”
—–
Drake stood in his usual position off the side of the dance floor. This may not be the last of these events he’d have to endure, but at least it should be the last time he’d have to stand on the sidelines watching Riley dance with someone else. He was secure in what they had, but it still didn’t stop that twinge of jealously seeing her and Liam together talking, touching, and having fun. But it wasn’t a bad thing that his best friend and girlfriend get along so well. Girlfriend…that’s the first time he’d used that term for anyone he’d “dated”, even if only in his head. It was hard to believe everything was falling into place.
Drake took his eyes off Riley to scan the perimeter. What he saw didn’t immediately register as out of the ordinary, but then he quickly recalled this person walking towards the dance floor wasn’t supposed to be there.
“Bastien, check out three o’clock.” Drake altered Bastien via his radio earpiece. “How did she get in here without security clearance?”
“I don’t know.” Bastien replied. “I’ll check with the other guys to see who let her in. Keep an eye on her.”
Drake watched in concern as Madeleine marched towards the dance floor. She’d been banned from the rest of filmed events after her stunt. Not wanting to let her cause a scene, Drake was about to stop her from getting any closer, when she pulled out an unmistakable object. She had a gun and it was pointed right at Riley and Liam.
Before Drake could alert the rest of the team, people started to scatter. He heard a familiar click and knew he had to disarm Madeleine immediately, but it was too late. A shot went off and he didn’t hesitate. Drake dove between the bullet and his two best friends on the dance floor, and that would be the last thing he remembered before he hit the floor.
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.
Series Premise: Alyssa Devereaux and Drake Walker fell in love at Langston University nine years ago. Drake broke things off out of nowhere and disappeared, breaking Alyssa’s heart. What will happen when she’s chosen to compete in Liam’s social season?
Chapter Premise: Alyssa’s life takes a turn for the worse after Drake breaks things off. (2010)
A/N: Remember Two Things jumps between 2010 and 2019. 2019 chapters will be told in third person past tense, e.g. “She said …” 2010 chapters will be told in first person present tense, e.g. “I want to …,” and the perspectives will switch between Alyssa and Drake. I am hoping this is not terribly confusing and look forward to your feedback!
Flashback chapters happen because the character featured is having those memories in the present day. In this chapter, Alyssa is telling Drake all of this in her room following the Coronation.
Please let me know if you’d like to be on or off the tag list!
A/N #2: I have written some very emotionally difficult things, many of them within this series.
This is probably the hardest chapter I’ve ever written.
Thank you to @bbrandy2002,@ao719,@axwalker for prereading, to @kat-tia801 for cry-emoji-ing with me, and to @txemrn for scanning the hospital scene for accuracy and telling me what Kristin should say. Thank you also to @mskaneko for the the moodboards that close each chapter.
Lastly, thank you, readers … your messages, asks, likes, comments, and reblogs mean the world to me. I appreciate them so much!
Drake Walker – and the memory of him – belongs to Pixelberry Studios. They can claim nothing else here.
Warnings for this series: Smut , language, drug use, physical fighting, PTSD, angst, grief, loss, depression, unhealthy alcohol usage. Do not read this if you’re under 18.
Warnings for this chapter: depression, graphic medical description, death ideation, unplanned pregnancy and loss.
I’d like to take a minute to apologize PROFUSELY for being so late in reblogging all of your amazingness. You know I don’t log on much anymore but I will for you anytime, anywhere.
Iknew this chapter was coming. I knew it … and I still dove in, face first, because Lyssa needed this. She needed to tell Drake everything about this time in her life. When shit sucked. When she didn’t even really see the point in living through life like she used to. She didn’t see why she had to go back to school. School reminded her of the love of her life and the good times, and right now, it wasn’t good.
A quick sob escapes as I consider that I might not even need to take my pills anymore, not if I have no one to love me.
This statement makes my chest hurt
Mariah Carey is warbling “All I Want For Christmas Is You” over the speakers.
This makes me chuckle because I know how much you do NOT enjoy Mariah and every Christmas season people be blasting this song (it’s me, I’m people).
There are two lines.
There are two lines.
There. Are. Two. Fucking. Pink. Lines. And. My. Life. Is. So. Completely. Fucked!
Welp. She is SUUUUUUPER pregnant and it popped up like immediately.
and the father of this baby, the man I thought I was going to marry, ran away to some nameless foreign country and never wants to talk to me again.
Oh God it hurts
Drake doesn’t love me anymore. He doesn’t want me anymore. But together, in love, we somehow created a tiny something that will grow to be a person.
She doesn’t know this yet, but he still loves you Alyssa. But I’m glad she’s making this decision like an adult, regardless of what she thinks Drake is thinking.
He took away my fucking sun.
This chapter was so hard to read, as I’m sure it was hard to write I’m anxiously waiting to see how Drake will react.
I want to give you another snippet of (probably’s) next’s week part one of Italian Night, due to the sudden shift in chapters. This chapter is ofcourse based on the Italian diner in book 2, where he had to miss her.
I still need to edit some more, so It could come out a little bit diffrent, but there might be a little bit of a reference to previous chapter where we found out that Drake wrinkels his nose being sarcastic…
“Two more cases of pasta?” Drake asks while taking more out of the fridge, “Just so that I know where I’m getting myself into. Are you going to invite the whole hallway to join us for dinner?”
“Oh, no, no, no,” Riley chuckles while grabbing a bottle of her favorite whiskey from the fridge, “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think you want to spend the next two hours answering questions about when you’re going to propose to me, when our wedding will be, and when you’re going to knock me up. I mean, I absolutely love these people to the death, but they get way too excited when there is even a whiff that could indicate a change in my non-existent love life.”
Drake fills the pan with boiled water from the kettle, adding the pasta to it before moving over to stir the sauce. He looks up at Riley with a sly grin, “Well, I’m absolutely afraid that I have to correct you here, Herreld. We already know each other for,” he glances down at his watch, “five hours. It’s honestly goddamn time that we have a talk about when you’re finally going to make an honest man out of me.” He laughs at his own joke, but spots pure horror on Riley’s face when he looks up at her, “Herreld, it was just a joke. Easy.”
“Oh my God, Drake,” Riley lets out a deep relieved breath with her hand on her raging heart, “That was next level. Sarcastically joking, and deliberately not wrinkling your nose…”
Drake’s laugh instantly disappears, his brows furrowing in thought. I didn’t wrinkle my nose?
“Uh Drake,” she asks urgently, noticing the confusion on his face, “You didn’t wrinkle your nose on purpose, right?”
“A Walker knows, when a Walker knows” Part one. Faith happens.
Hi everyone! I’m participating in the 12 Days of Fictmas! Thank you so much @emichelleand@leelee10898 for hosting it and I love it so far!!
So I completely failed at writing a short piece. Because when I got the amazing prompt ‘Nutcracker’ my mind kept running. And I ended up with a 9.000 words piece, and it turned into a series that I’m going to focus on this December and January. I mean talking about a crash and burn, got nothing going on situation.
SORRY!
Book:The royal romance
Pairing: Drake Walker X F!MC (Riley Herreld)
Rating: 18+
Series Summary: Drake meets Riley. But not in the usual kind of way. Fate interferes when Riley’s supposed to be working on that big Bachelor night.
She gets drawn to Cordonia in another way. But what happens when a Workaholic, meet a Walker come together? Will they provide a Christmas miracle and get over their own love skepticism?
Or can we turn on ‘Love actually’ after this series to make us feel good again?
One way to find out!
Part one. Summary: We see how faith interferes with Riley meeting the guys and after that, it’s jingling all the way at the Christmas Market. Extremely fluffy Drake and Savannah!
A/N:This is without pre-reading. I completely went rogue, so I’m sorry for the mistakes I made due to tiredness and English not being my first language.
A/N: If you want to be tagged for this series (Outside of my Drake’s and Permanent taglist) Please let me know!! I will not tag the Readers/writers taglist for part two without having permission.
A/N:Some parts might seem a bit uncharacteristic, but for the sake of Christmas fluff. I’m taking this all the way. In this story Bartie is a little bit older when Drake meets Savannah again.
Category: Over the top a bit predictable Christmas fluff, with an edge.
Warnings: Mentioning’s of a mom dying of cancer, swearing, and implied sexual situations. Please do not read if you’re under 18.
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
A Walker knows, when a Walker knows. Faith Happens.
Four years ago. New York.
Riley enters pub ‘The fiery breath’ on a cold Sunday afternoon. She decided to come in early to have a cup of coffee and hear about Daniels’s Saturday night shift since she had to call in sick the night before.
“Riley!” Daniels smiles broadly from behind the bar.
He snorts, “Yeah. I’m so mad at you! God, I bet you loved calling in sick because of having massive food poisoning.”
She chuckles while sitting down on a high stool, “It was a hoot! Man, me and the toilet had some serious one-on-one bonding time going on yesterday. I think we even got to second base…”
I do feel for her, but the way she describes it is just…
Hiiii! So as always I’m going to start with how I excited I always get when you reblog my stuff :D!!! Thank you sooo much. And you’re picking out a few very important points!!
OMG THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I GOT FOOD POISINING! I had one Indian restaurant that I loved, and I always got the same Chicken Korma, but then one night I decided to try something different and go for the lamb option, and hey presto! Throwing up my guts for the rest of the night… Totally feel ya, Riles…!
Ohhh that sucks ☹️
I mean… duh!
I feel like we’re very much on the same level when it comes to Drake
She shakes her head and glances at the photo, “Nah. It’s special. There is definitely something about it.“ And she sighs, “It’s beautiful.”
I wonder what made her stop and stare… Has she been there before maybe…? Is that where she will meet Drake…?
This is actually very important piece, but will only be revealed until the last chapters.
LOL! The snark between these two is amazing!
It’s been so surprisingly fun to write conversations between these two!!
Lol I love how Liam is trying to play match-maker! But what is this ‘things are great’ meme…?
His comment after -in this story- Liam and Liv returned at the palace. I’m using it as if the world suddenly learned about that hot best friend, being the first time ‘live’ on camera.
Maxwell made him a shirt later!
I’m sorry, the picture is a bit big, but I have no idea how to fix it. But then again, it’s Drake, it’s fine right?
Loved this part! And it’s so true! For both Savs and Drake actually! I’ve never thought about it this was before, but you are correct!
"The Walker curse”
This was great! Can’t wait to see what happens next!!!
Right back at ya with the reblogs!! (No pressure though!!! Please, I just love them!!)
“A Walker knows, when a Walker knows” Part Eight. Car trouble.
Book:The royal romance
Pairing: Drake Walker X F!MC (Riley Herreld)
Rating: 18+
Word count: 2.782
Series Summary: Fate interferes when Riley’s supposed to be working on that big Bachelor night. She gets drawn to Cordonia in another way. But what happens when a Workaholic, meet a Walker come together? Will they provide a Christmas miracle and get over their own love skepticism?
One way to find out!
Part eight. Summary: Drake drives Riley home in her deathtrap car, who finds herself struggling with her feelings as fluffy part after fluffy part of our so beloved marshmallow is revealed.
A/N:For everyone who takes time to read it, thank you!! Please let me know if you want to be tagged for this series A/N:Due to a very long chapter, overload on work and writing for two other series, I had to cut it in three. So first this one. Italian nights part one will release next saturday. A/N: Please excuse grammar mistakes. English is not my first language.
Category: Over the top a bit predictable Christmas fluff, with an edge.
Warnings: Swearing, Please do not read if you’re under 18.
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
A Walker knows, when a Walker knows.
Car trouble.
Still Sunday, five days before Christmas.
Drake arrives at her building after a thirty minutes car ride. He smiles softly, glancing at the woman on the passenger seat who’s still fast asleep, snuggling into his coat. He undoes his seatbelt, before gently brushing her cheek, “Herreld, hey, time to wake up.”
“Mmh,” she snuggles against his hand and her breathing turns steady again.
AHHH I AM SO SOFT FOR THESE TWO i wonder that situation might be And liam please run into liv and please don’t come until the next month PLEASE DON’T
I always looooove your comments!!! Heck, I’m going to hope with you that he’s running into liv!! Thank you soooooo much ;) for reading, commenting awesomely like you always do and sharing!! Don’t worry they will have a lot more fluff before Liam arrives ;)!!
“A Walker knows, when a Walker knows” Part Eight. Car trouble.
Book:The royal romance
Pairing: Drake Walker X F!MC (Riley Herreld)
Rating: 18+
Word count: 2.782
Series Summary: Fate interferes when Riley’s supposed to be working on that big Bachelor night. She gets drawn to Cordonia in another way. But what happens when a Workaholic, meet a Walker come together? Will they provide a Christmas miracle and get over their own love skepticism?
One way to find out!
Part eight. Summary: Drake drives Riley home in her deathtrap car, who finds herself struggling with her feelings as fluffy part after fluffy part of our so beloved marshmallow is revealed.
A/N:For everyone who takes time to read it, thank you!! Please let me know if you want to be tagged for this series A/N:Due to a very long chapter, overload on work and writing for two other series, I had to cut it in three. So first this one. Italian nights part one will release next saturday. A/N: Please excuse grammar mistakes. English is not my first language.
Category: Over the top a bit predictable Christmas fluff, with an edge.
Warnings: Swearing, Please do not read if you’re under 18.
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
A Walker knows, when a Walker knows.
Car trouble.
Still Sunday, five days before Christmas.
Drake arrives at her building after a thirty minutes car ride. He smiles softly, glancing at the woman on the passenger seat who’s still fast asleep, snuggling into his coat. He undoes his seatbelt, before gently brushing her cheek, “Herreld, hey, time to wake up.”
“Mmh,” she snuggles against his hand and her breathing turns steady again.
“Herreld,” he whispers, caught between her blushed cheek and soft hand. He’s not keen on disturbing the peaceful sight of her wrapped in his jacket, but it’s what’s best given the two nights of sleep she skipped, “I’m sorry, but you have to wake up!”
“Mmh,” She slowly opens her eyes, mumbling, “Are we here already?”
“Already?” Drake snorts softly, gently retrieving his hand, “It’s a miracle that we arrived at all considering the deathtrap you drive, Herreld.”
“Yeah,” she stretches, unabashedly yawning, “she keeps me on my toes this one!”
“Keeps you on your toes? Your engine gave up on life three times during a freaking thirty-minute ride. Tell me, how long is this scream for help blinking?” He taps onto the ‘maintenance needed’ indication light.
“Uhm, well you know… A while I guess…” Riley stumbles, “Does it really matter?”
Drake scoffs, “Nah, why would it matter? It’s for decoration purposes anyway. No function, just a pretty little addition to your dashboard.”
She tries to change the subject by bopping his nose, “Did you know that your nose slightly wrinkles when you’re being sarcastic, Drake? It’s cute.”
“Cute?” He scowls, “Wanna rephrase that, Miss Herreld?”
“Did you know that your nose slightly wrinkles when you’re being sarcastic? It looks so dangerous, tough, and terrifying, I don’t even dare to boop,” she tries to do it anyway, only to get stopped by a gentle hand on her wrist, “your nose.” She pouts, but Drake’s more prepared this time, “Are you done?”
“Fine… If you really want to know,” she slowly lowers her hand. “It’s round and about forty-seven months.”
“FOUR YEARS? It’s already blinking for four years? Oh God, talking about pure madness.”
“It is, but sometimes it is, what it is. "Her head falls back against the headrest. "I went to a garage two years ago, found out that my car was beyond saving. So, I bought a second-hand car, then found out that there was a family in my hallway who could put it to way better use than I did. They just had a baby, their car broke down. You know how it is. So, I was very lucky that the garage was willing to give me my old car back for free after tweaking it a bit.”
“But I guess you managed to find a way since we’re still sitting in this deathtrap?”
“Well, I may or may not have abused their sleep delusion due to a week-old baby, to trick them into signing a borrowing contract. They’re only allowed to return the car in exchange for a drawing created by their kid Emily-Rose, which has to be at least on the same level as a Picasso.” She chuckles, “I’ve been receiving art every day for the past year.”
“They’ve been trying to give your car back for over a year?” Drake laughs warmly, “Oh Herreld, please tell me, how hard has it been to lie about what you think of those drawings?”
“I’ve been rating all of them with cute little glitter drawings, and a note 'better than Picasso’s work.” She turns her head, cheek resting against the headrest as she glances him sideways, “I hide them in a binder in my closet to make sure her parents don’t find out.”
Drake matches her movement, booping her nose affectionately, “You’re officially something else, Herreld.”
The sincerity in his eyes makes her heart flutter, whispering, “Thank you, Drake.”
“Just calling it how I see it,” he shrugs, fingers tapping on the steering wheel, “But you know, I can always give this wreck a check-up if you want. I simply need a toolbox, duct tape, and I can fix almost anything with wheels.”
She chuckles, “There might not be enough duct tape in the world to save this car, Drake.”
“Do not underestimate the scary amount we have at the Palace, Herreld. I think I could wrap this whole car into a bouncing ball.”
“Even though I really want to see that, I simply cannot accept.”
“Okay,” He gently takes his hand in hers, “Let me specify. This is a 'this is going to happen rather than an 'up for discussion’ kind of situation, Herreld.”
“Interesting technique, Walker. But I do have a question…”
“Of course, you do, "He laughs, "I don’t even know why I ever expected you to accept help with a simple thank you…”
“Hey,” she smacks him teasingly against the arm, “I’m very capable of accepting help with a simple 'thank you! Thank you, very much.”
“Right and I’m a fairy godmother who’s going to Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boothis car into a brand new one.”
She looks at him with wide eyes, biting her bottom lip before bursting into a full-blown belly laugh. “Hahaha, imagine you… hahaha…” He stares at the bundle of shaking adorableness as she’s not even capable of finishing her sentences, tears streaming down her cheeks, “Hahahaha…”
Drake feints being insulted, but seeing her laugh so freely, warmly, and fully makes his heart beat faster and faster. It’s Full-filling him with utter happiness, causing a broad smile to breakthrough no matter how hard he tries to stop or deny it. “Stop picturing me like a fairy godmother, Herreld…”
“But, hahaha, I’m seriously impressed by how fluent that Bibbidi flowed out of your mouth, Walker! I mean… there has to be a story here. I hope I’m not offending you, but you don’t strike me as a 'Cinderella-story’ guy.”
“Oh, no, no. I never got the appeal of the whole, commoner marries the prince stuff, but it was my sister’s favorite movie growing up, the one we always watched as she woke up scared in the middle of the night when our dad was on a mission…”
“Drake, that’s…” Her wide blues water, her hand clenching around his as her heart fills with warmth at the image of younger Drake so caring, so protective over his sister. Realizing that he must have been carrying so much all these years. When his dad was away from home to work, after his dad died, his mom moved back to Texas and leaving him alone with his sister.
How he must have tried to protect her, how powerless he must have felt after her running away. How he must have lived in uncertainty, but despite all that welcomed her, and Bartie back into his life with open arms anyway. Without blame, only making sure they’re safe and loved unconditionally.
This, and all she has seen tonight, all that she has heard over the past few months from Savannah, Maxwell and Bartie simply set her heart aflame. Oh no… Seriously… If you decide to fall for someone for the first time in your life… Don’t fall that for the most eligible Bachelor of Cordonia.
“Herreld, are you okay?”
Just let go of his hand.
“Herreld?”
I don’t want to let go of his hand.
“Captain Marshmallow for Sparkles.”
“Ha?” She snaps out of it, her hand still clenched around his. “I’m so sorry, Drake. I would’ve never laughed so loud If I have known the story behind it. I’m so, so, so sorry, it was so inconsiderate.“
He squeezes her hand, taken aback by her sincerity, "The only thing you need to apologize for, Herreld, is for apologizing because that’s the only crime if you have an enchanting laugh like that…”
Their eyes lock, and the air thickens as both lean towards each other like magnets.
“Drake,” she whispers, her heart on the brink of exploding, “That’s…” She swallows, realizing… I’m utterly, properly and sparkly fucked. Her eyes snap to his full lips so close to hers, licking hers briefly and feels control slipping out of her hands. Get your head out of the gutter, Riley. Come on. This guy is the whole package, heart of gold and just look at him. He’s constantly surrounded with models, gorgeous women at court, and you’re you. Simply you. Snap out of it. Don’t lose it. She shakes her head, snapping out of it and quickly blurting, “So, my question!”
Drake yanks himself backwards, thank full for her interruption since he was one second away from doing something really stupid. What the hell is happening? “Yes, question. You had a question. Thank God, for you having a question!”
“Alright,” Riley takes a deep breath to compose herself, “I understand that you fixing up my car is not up for discussion, buthow do you feel about discussing conditions?”
“Conditions?” He rubs his forehead to clear the fog, before giving her an impressed side-glance, “You’re a clever one, aren’t you? You know, I’m okay with negotiations about conditions! Please, the floor is yours.”
“Okay, one. You’re not allowed to spend a dime, and two… I want to do it together to learn something about cars.”
Drake looks at her in sincere surprise, “That’s it?”
“Yes, what did you expect? Me watching, while you fix the car full-on Magic Mike style?”
“What the hell is a Magic Mike?”
“You know what. Doesn’t matter and most of all, please don’t google it.”
“Alright. Counter conditions, I’m paying half.”
“Nope.”
He takes a second to think, conceding when an idea comes to mind, “Alright, agreed.”
She narrows her eyes, “Okay, I’m suspicious.”
“You should be,” he shrugs, “but I’m agreeing to your conditions and that’s what matters.”
Their hands find each other naturally, and their fingers entwine despite their scare only a minute ago. “You know what. I’m just going to trust you in this one. We’ve got a deal. Thank you, Drake.”
He strokes her hand with his thumb as if he has done it a million times before, “I’m doing this for the car, Herreld. Your engine is literally screaming in pain, it’s a true miracle that you slept through it.”
Riley snorts softly, “It’s almost like I’m really tired after two nights of no sleep.”
“Yeah. Weirdly human of you, Sparkles. But…” His hand slips out hers, tapping her leg, “Let’s get you home. Oh, and before I forget… You need to text Mable about arriving because I’m pretty sure I’m a dead man if you don’t. She’s terrifying.”
She chuckles, immediately taking out her phone to text her. “You’ve got that right! Or else’ Mable is very, very scary Mable.” Drake leaves the car, her eyes fall onto a bunch of texts from Liam, and an idea comes to mind.
Her door opens, Drake appears with a grin and offers her his hand. She takes it with a big smile, his jacket in hand. He hands her, her car keys after she’s safely back on two feet. She offers him his coat back, but he only accepts it to drape it over her shoulders once more.
“We’re not at your warm apartment yet, Herreld.”
“I’m just going to have to accept this, don’t I? Another one of those 'this is not up for discussion things…”
He slides an arm around her shoulder, “Most definitely, yes.”
She smiles shyly, instantly causing his heart to skip a beat, “Really sweet, thank you.”
He squeezes her tight against him, murmuring against her hair, “Your welcome, Sparkles.”
Before long they arrive on the third floor, and when Riley opens the door to a long hallway, an unexpected, delicious smell hits Drake’s nose. It reminds him of something, but where his mind fails to place it, his stomach rumbles loudly in approval.
“You okay there, Walker?” Her arm slides naturally around his waist, tapping his stomach, and his arm finds her shoulder again. “I’m fine. No need to worry about me.”
Together they walk through the hallway where several doors are wide open. “Is this normal?” Drake asks as they walk past the fourth open door where Riley gets greeted, and he’s stared at in uttermost surprise.
“We do our best to look out for each other in this hallway, so, yeah.” She holds still after a few more steps, “Ahh, this is me.”
He points at a rolled-up piece of paper on her door with a grin, “Is that what I think it is?”
“Yes!” She carefully removes it and turns to him in excitement, “Want to see it?”
Drake nods, moving behind her as she unrolls the drawing. His hand slides onto her hip, studying the drawing with his chin resting on her shoulder. The sketch itself is far from impressive, but the expression on her face is something else.
She leans into his touch, whispering, “Isn’t it precious?”
He smiles sheepishly, taking in the glow of pure happiness radiating off her, her eyes sparkling with love and pride. “I would say beautiful,” he whispers with his eyes far from the drawing. His arms find their way around her, pulling her close against his chest, nuzzling into her hair. She chuckles, “Drake, that tickles!”
“Oh, I’m sorry Herreld! I didn’t mean to do that!” He teasingly brushes his nose against the sensitive skin of her neck, enjoying every bit of her warm flowery perfume, “Is this better?”
Riley laughs warmly, making Drake’s heart flutter. God, I love this sound…
“We really should head inside, Drake.”
“Mmh,” he murmurs against her hair, still holding her close against his chest while she fiddles with her keys to unlock the door, “Youshould get inside. Ishould get going because I have a brisk evening walk to look forward to…” She opens the door, and he gets hit by the delicious smell of tomatoes, onions, and garlic, his stomach grumbling.
“You sure about that, Drake?” She spins to face him, casually leaning against the doorpost, “Because I think your stomach is really looking forward to a plate of steamy spaghetti meatballs…”
“Oh, I really shouldn’t Herreld…”
“A homemade pizza…”
His stomach grumbles louder than before.
“Yeah, that’s it, mister Walker. Your stomach has spoken, and I have a quick one-question pop quiz for you. Can you guess what kind of situation this just turned into?”
Drake grins, leaning against the doorpost with his arm above her head, “Wow, this is biting me in the ass way earlier than I expected.”
“You know, I’m going to count that answer as correct.” Riley slyly reaches in her pocket to take out a glittery pen, and she takes his hand in hers. He raises his brows at the sight of her taking the lid off with her teeth, eyes fixated on where her full pink lips softly encircle it. God. That’s… He swallows, murmuring flustered, “Do you always carry a glitter marker with you?”
She mumbles inaudibly due to the lid in her mouth, until Drake takes it in hand with a snort, “Okay, let’s try that again, Herreld.”
“Yes, you never know when you have to rate something, Drake! This being the perfect example!”
“You know…” He smiles, “I don’t even know why I was surprised there for a moment…”
She stops before touching his skin with the penpoint, “My annoying drive to constantly do the right thing forces me to warn you about this being a permanent marker, though…”
“Just do it, Sparkles.”
Riley draws a 100% on his hands with small marshmallows as zeroes, and a little captain head on top of them, Drake enjoys the gentleness of her fingertips on his skin and the sight of her biting her bottom lip in concentration is mesmerizing.
“There, and now…” She motions him to come in with a victorious grin on her face.
He leans in towards her instead of entering her apartment. His hands find their familiar way back onto her hips as he whispers, “You know, as far as 'this is going to happen,’ situations go… I could do far worse than sticking around for food. Especially because I’m the one deciding on conditions…” Her victorious grin disappears when he meets her eyes with an excited twinkle in them, gently guiding her backward into her apartment, “and do I have one for you.”
“A Walker knows, when a Walker knows” Part Seven. Let me take you home.
Book:The royal romance
Pairing: Drake Walker X F!MC (Riley Herreld)
Rating: 18+
Word count: 5.300
Series Summary: Fate interferes when Riley’s supposed to be working on that big Bachelor night. She gets drawn to Cordonia in another way. But what happens when a Workaholic, and a Walker come together? Are we in for a Christmas miracle?
One way to find out!
Part Seven. Summary: Riley and Drake both spill things they rather would’ve kept hidden, while their bodies seems to disagree less and less with their minds.
A/N: For everyone who takes time to read it, thank you!! Please let me know if you want to be tagged for this series A/N: Please excuse me for grammatical errors. A/N: After this one, there is only one left before Maxwell is going to edit the video, before our story build up is over.
Category: Christmas fluff.
Warnings: Swearing.
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
A Walker knows, when a Walker knows.
Let me take you home.
Still Sunday, five days before Christmas.
Silence falls. The sound of their enhanced breaths mixes with the crackling of the fire and only one of them has to slightly lean in…
A sudden loud bang echoes through the silent night startling both. Drake instantly acts on instincts, but where he usually manages to handle such a situation calmly, he’s taken over by sudden fear.
He tackles her to the ground, before completely covering her body with his, protecting both of their heads with his arms and hands.
“A Walker knows, when a Walker knows” Part Seven. Let me take you home.
Book:The royal romance
Pairing: Drake Walker X F!MC (Riley Herreld)
Rating: 18+
Word count: 5.300
Series Summary: Fate interferes when Riley’s supposed to be working on that big Bachelor night. She gets drawn to Cordonia in another way. But what happens when a Workaholic, and a Walker come together? Are we in for a Christmas miracle?
One way to find out!
Part Seven. Summary: Riley and Drake both spill things they rather would’ve kept hidden, while their bodies seems to disagree less and less with their minds.
A/N: For everyone who takes time to read it, thank you!! Please let me know if you want to be tagged for this series A/N: Please excuse me for grammatical errors. A/N: After this one, there is only one left before Maxwell is going to edit the video, before our story build up is over.
Category: Christmas fluff.
Warnings: Swearing.
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
A Walker knows, when a Walker knows.
Let me take you home.
Still Sunday, five days before Christmas.
Silence falls. The sound of their enhanced breaths mixes with the crackling of the fire and only one of them has to slightly lean in…
A sudden loud bang echoes through the silent night startling both. Drake instantly acts on instincts, but where he usually manages to handle such a situation calmly, he’s taken over by sudden fear.
He tackles her to the ground, before completely covering her body with his, protecting both of their heads with his arms and hands.
Just as always I’m just going to start with: I LOVE YOUR REBLOGS! And I love those gifs soooooooo much!!! Especially those from Drake and Riley… Their perfect!
THANK YOU SO MUCH! There we go .
It’s such an emberassing moment for Drake, him tackling her too the ground. She’s making him lose control and he’s going to have a lot of struggles with that in fact.
But things quickly get out of hand when they do manage to let go though, when they dare to lose themselves in each other. It’s fun to write, their body language has this shit figured out waaaaay before their minds recieves the message.
Haha, yes he’s in deep. I love how you say this, once more a sign of him losing control. But Riley’s in deep too, letting him take her home, after sharing his experience with Liam.
Tim is going to cause some drama yes, he’s not keen on having a guy like Drake around the girl he’s in love with… Can’t blame him :P.
But yes, for me these two are def. soulmates in the making, maybe they’re already are. Faith is hitting hard and fast with these two.
A Walker knows, when a walker knows…
Once again, your reblogs are amazing! Thank you for reading, taking your time too comment, reblog! It’s amazing! Makes me want to write like crazy!
“A Walker knows, when a Walker knows” Part Seven. Let me take you home.
Book:The royal romance
Pairing: Drake Walker X F!MC (Riley Herreld)
Rating: 18+
Word count: 5.300
Series Summary: Fate interferes when Riley’s supposed to be working on that big Bachelor night. She gets drawn to Cordonia in another way. But what happens when a Workaholic, and a Walker come together? Are we in for a Christmas miracle?
One way to find out!
Part Seven. Summary: Riley and Drake both spill things they rather would’ve kept hidden, while their bodies seems to disagree less and less with their minds.
A/N: For everyone who takes time to read it, thank you!! Please let me know if you want to be tagged for this series A/N: Please excuse me for grammatical errors. A/N: After this one, there is only one left before Maxwell is going to edit the video, before our story build up is over.
Category: Christmas fluff.
Warnings: Swearing.
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
A Walker knows, when a Walker knows.
Let me take you home.
Still Sunday, five days before Christmas.
Silence falls. The sound of their enhanced breaths mixes with the crackling of the fire and only one of them has to slightly lean in…
A sudden loud bang echoes through the silent night startling both. Drake instantly acts on instincts, but where he usually manages to handle such a situation calmly, he’s taken over by sudden fear.
He tackles her to the ground, before completely covering her body with his, protecting both of their heads with his arms and hands.
they’re so good for each other making each other talk about things they don’t like to talk about they’re comfortable with each other I love them and yep drake nothing going on at all
Work has been crazy, and this chapter is way too fun to write (It’s looong)! So it’s taking a little more time. We’re in for fluff, a little bit of drama, and I already had to cut it in half! I wanted to give an impression of two big moments of what’s to come after he has taken her home. Part one of ‘Italian night.’ (Sorry for any grammer mistakes)
“Ha?” She snaps out of it, “Uhm, yes. I’m fine. It’s just so sweet. I can’t believe I laughed so hard… I’m so sorry.”
He squeezes her hand, blurting as he is taking aback at the sincerity in her words, “The only thing you need to apologize for, Herreld, is for apologizing because that’s the only crime if you have an enchanting laugh like that…”
Their eyes lock and silence falls. “Drake,” she whispers, her eyes watering and her heart on the brink of exploding, “That’s…” Yup, I’m utterly, properly and sparkly fucked.
———
Riley swallows, “That kind of makes me wish that I could’ve been there with you.” He smiles, dimples forming and he meets her sparkly blues, taken aback with the sincerity in her voice. “Me too.”
“But, I’m here now. We can pretend to be on a secret date in Rome?”
Drake’s breath hatches in his throat. Date. Is this a date? Am I on a date? But I don’t date. I should tell her that I don’t date.
She squeezes his hand, “Drake? Hey, are you with me? Did I say something wrong?”
But I don’t want to tell her… I want… He startles at his own thought. Yet. I don’t want to tell it yet, who wants to ruin the mood right?
“Sparkles for Captain Marshmallow!”
“Oh right, that means ordering in my best Italian.” He clears his throat, face turning serious, looking to the left as if he’s talking to a waiter, “Spaghetti and Pizza.”
Her hand leaves his, feinting being annoyed, “Seriously, Drake? You forgot the lasagna.”
Drake smacks his forehead, “You’re right. But maybe I can catch up with him!” He glances over his shoulder, “Ahh damn, sorry Herreld. He just disappeared into the kitchen. I guess we’ll just have to make do.”
I hope you enjoyed it and the chapter will be out ASAP!
Taglist please let me know if you want to be added, or removed:
“A Walker knows, when a Walker knows” Part Seven. Let me take you home.
Book:The royal romance
Pairing: Drake Walker X F!MC (Riley Herreld)
Rating: 18+
Word count: 5.300
Series Summary: Fate interferes when Riley’s supposed to be working on that big Bachelor night. She gets drawn to Cordonia in another way. But what happens when a Workaholic, and a Walker come together? Are we in for a Christmas miracle?
One way to find out!
Part Seven. Summary: Riley and Drake both spill things they rather would’ve kept hidden, while their bodies seems to disagree less and less with their minds.
A/N: For everyone who takes time to read it, thank you!! Please let me know if you want to be tagged for this series A/N: Please excuse me for grammatical errors. A/N: After this one, there is only one left before Maxwell is going to edit the video, before our story build up is over.
Category: Christmas fluff.
Warnings: Swearing.
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
A Walker knows, when a Walker knows.
Let me take you home.
Still Sunday, five days before Christmas.
Silence falls. The sound of their enhanced breaths mixes with the crackling of the fire and only one of them has to slightly lean in…
A sudden loud bang echoes through the silent night startling both. Drake instantly acts on instincts, but where he usually manages to handle such a situation calmly, he’s taken over by sudden fear.
He tackles her to the ground, before completely covering her body with his, protecting both of their heads with his arms and hands.
Riley’s not sure what just happened. Drake’s body’s tense on top of hers. He’s leaning on his elbows to avoid crushing her, forehead against hers, his eyes squeezed, and his breathing seems far off. A tense silence falls before a light crackling fills the air caused by beautiful fireworks in the starry sky. “Drake,” she whispers with a soft, slightly dazed smile, “it’s fireworks.”
“What?” Drake murmurs in confusion, finding last traces of colorful delight when he glances at the sky over his shoulder. A relieved breath escapes him and his head falls down in the crook of her neck. “Just fireworks… I am so sorry, Herreld!”
Her hands slide up, massaging the back of his neck in comfort. Her fingers drift once in a while off into his hair, applying pressure on his scalp as if she has done it a million times before. “It’s fine, don’t apologize!”
“Mmh…” A warm chuckle escapes her mouth when Drake groans in approval. “Still… I’m supposed to handle these possible threat situations without panicking. I have no idea what came over me.”
“Newsflash! You’re only human Drake. Buuuut it’s good to know that I’m not only dealing with a sideline pyromaniac this week but also with the threat to be tackled at every moment. I’m looking forward to getting familiar with the ground in the week to come!
Drake snorts against her neck with no intention to move as she’s working magic with her fingers. "Whaaat? I thought that you would be at least engaged to the ground, figuring how much time the two of you must be spending due to those feet of yours…”
Riley barks out a laugh, “Ohh, please don’t let my husband ‘mister work’ hear that. He’s easily jealous…”
“Is that right? So, what would he say if he heard about you serenading and, most of all, declaring your forever love to your clipboard?”
“Ohhh no, no,” she grins, “we have no time for that kind of drama this week, Drake. Don’t you dare!” His body slowly relaxes under her touch, murmuring, “Fine! Working with Max will cause enough drama this week anyway.”
She chuckles warmly. “Much appreciated… And you’re probably right… But Drake…”
He groans in protest when her hands leave his neck. “I know, I know.” He jumps up, offering her his hand and she accepts it. “I get it, we’ve been here a while now. You have to get back to work.” He easily pulls her back up to her feet, steadying her with his hands on her hips. “Come on.”
He turns back towards the Christmas Market but is pulled back by a broad smiling Riley. “Yes, we’re here for a while now, but I actually wanted to tell you that I’m getting hungry…” Her eyes fall on the hard-working volunteers in the distance, her last words turning into inaudible murmuring. With the hour-to-hour cleaning plan fresh in her memory, she knows that they are not even halfway and realizes that she might have gotten carried away for a little bit the past thirty minutes.
But where she usually wouldn’t have to think twice about getting back to work, she finds herself conflicted for some unexplainable reason.
Drake notices her sudden struggle, gently guiding her eyes back to his with a hand on the cheek, lingering there. “Talk to me, Herreld.”
“Well…” Riley bites her bottom lip in doubt, having trouble sharing her thoughts. “Would it…” she takes a deep breath, mumbling with her hand on her forehead. “God, I hate how much I suck at this…”
Drake knit his brows together to hide his amusement at the sudden spat of swearing.
She blurts. “Would it be really selfish that I actually want to” she takes one of the sticks in hand, holding it up for Drake to see, “stickaround a little bit longer and complete that s'more?”
Drake blinks at her horrible joke, finding it hard to move past it. Especially when one secretly finds it way too amusing for his own liking, since he usually would’ve slammed Maxwell against the back of his head by blurring out an abomination like that.
Riley sighs, her brows furrowing at his ongoing silence. “Oh God, it is, isn’t it? You know… I’m going to get to work!” She turns her head, Drake’s hand leaving her cheek and she wants to brush past him, but he stops her at the hips, guiding her back in front of him.
“Alright,” his hands linger, looking her straight in the eye. “For your information. I wasn’t confirming that you’re selfish for wanting to stay a little bit longer. I just needed a little bit of time to process that abomination of a joke, that’s all! And honestly, it was kind of selfish that you decide to hurt my poor, innocent ears with it!”
A small smile appears on her face, one that Drake naturally matches.
“It’s also selfish that you don’t seem to care, at all, about the high risk I’ll be taking by staying here with you! Hell, your easily jealous husband 'mister work’, might come over to punch me in the face for keeping you away from him…” He leans forward to take his stick off the ground, his face turns vulnerable, “But I think it would be actually kind of selfish to not stick around, Herreld.”
He averts his eyes, looking down at the stick in his hand. “Because take it from me that it reallysucks to see someone who you care about think about everyone else except for themselves. To see someone working themselves into pieces and not being able to get through their thick head that they’re only human. Consider Mable and all the others who care about you. Consider the kids… I mean, who is going to take your place when you have burned yourself out, ha? Is that really what you want? You’ve got to take care of yourself if you want to take care of someone else, Herreld.”
Riley instantly chokes, his words reminding her of what her mom used to say. She averts her watery blues to the sky, desperate trying to avoid crying for the first time in four years. How did that slip my mind?
-Please be a care bear for you as well. Because caring for someone else starts with caring about yourself.-
Drake glances at her teared-up eyes, carefully taking both their sticks in hand, and throws both on one of the chairs before gently pulling her close again. “Do you want to talk about it? Can’t promise that I can say anything useful, since I tend to make things only worse when I open my mouth, but me learning to shut it actually taught me to be a great listener…”
She snorts at his sweet words, quickly wiping away a few escaped tears. “You know what it is, Drake. I’ve always been an over-the-top caring person, but things really turned into overdrive when my mom got sick. I mean. I get others, I can help them with their feelings, thoughts, actions. But expressing myself… Dealing with me. Worst nightmare ever. I mean. I’m a mess. A lot is going on in here,” she taps herself on the head, “I daily drive myself crazy. Multiple times. So, I found that it’s easier to focus on the job I love, focus on my friends and their well-being, but most of all focus on those great kids to give them the best time of their lives, to see them blossom and grow every day, other than to focus on myself and the things I actually should’ve been and/or still should be dealing with.”
Riley freezes, eyes growing wide as the words just slipped out of her mouth like they’re nothing. But they’re everything. She had kept them hidden for such a long time. “Ha,” she says stunned, “there is no chance that I’ve just said that in my head, right?”
Drake shakes his head, an 'I’m sorry’ expression on his face.
“Well.” A playful snort escapes her while wiping away another few escaped tears. “That sucks. One time machine, please. Where’s Dr. Who when you need him? Or do you have a neuralyzer on you by any chance?”
Drake smiles softly at her sudden spat of randomness, pushing away that he never felt more connected to someone else in his life for some unidentifiable weird reason. “I’m sorry. I left my MIB gear at home. But, Herreld…” He leans back, gently tipping her head up to wipe away a tear with his thumb. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s fine that you suck at talking, sharing. Your only human.”
Riley visibly relaxes at his comforting words. “You’re seriously the first person ever who doesn’t drop the 'you’re weirdly uncomfortable with sharing your feelings for a school tutor’ card when they find out I’m bad at expressing feelings other than happy ones.”
“People actually say that?”
“Can’t blame them though, I can’t expect them to understand if I never explained any of it.”
Drake gently brushes a few stranded locks of hair behind her ear, blurring straight from the heart. “Well, I do get it. Talking about feelings, fears, God that’s hard! What if you burden someone with those feelings, questions? What if someone feels attacked? What if history repeats itself? I mean… There was nothing I could’ve done to prevent it in the first place, but why risk increasing the chance of repeat by stacking even more guilt on her shoulder. It’s not that I’m blaming her for anything though, but I know she’s still struggling with it. But all I want is for her to be happy. So that’s where I keep my focus on, and I just need to suck it…” He freezes,horror slowly creeping up his face. I’ve been doing the fucking same with Sav.
Riley realizes where he’s talking about. Savannah has been opening up to her the past few months, telling her about her disappearance, how happy she was that Drake found her. That he had instantly welcomed her and Bartie into his life without pointing one blaming finger at her.
She knows that she still deals with guilt every day, afraid to talk to Drake about it since she doesn’t want to bother him any more than she already did in the past. He already carried so much for her, is what she always says.
She also knows that Savannah told him that her leaving has been completely out of his control, and she realizes that he must have been struggling with that deeply, especially since she’s heading over to the place where it all went down in the first place. Returning to the cause of why she left and Riley can’t imagine how that must feel for someone who always desires to be in control.
“I…” Drake stumbles, releasing her with one big step backward. What the hell Walker. Blurring this out in front of a professional. Oh, God… I so don’t want to… But she’s not going to let this go. But she reads the room perfectly to his surprise.
“Drake, it’s fine. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. I’m always willing to listen, always. Without any judgment. But only if you want to, and only on your terms.”
He raises his brows in surprise since everyone has been pushing him to talk about his thoughts and feelings for his whole pathetic life. So he didn’t expect someone to let something like this go after him spilling part of the beans. “You’re really letting this go?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry, did you expect me to push you into talk with all kinds of smart little tricks?”
“Uh. Yeah?”
She shakes her head, “Sorry! Not My Style, Mister Walker.”
Drake awkwardly rubs the back of his neck, “So, what do we do now?”
“Well…” Riley smiles a little bit cheekily, “Once upon a time, there was a brave Captain Walker, who very subtly pointed out that I needed to take care of myself before being able to be there for others. And since that’s one hell of an annoying, great eye-opening idea… I would like to suggest that you introduce me to the yumminess of the s'mores. So I guess what I’m trying to say is…” She grabs from the chair, offering one of them to Drake. “Drake Walker, will you stickaround with me?”
Drake drapes his hand down over his face to hide a big smile at her once again bad pun. “You are un-fucka-believable, Herreld.”
“Ahhh come on!” She gives him a cheeky smile, wiggling her brows. “I know you want it!”
“Fine,” he accepts the stick with a roll of the eye, before scooping her up in his arms to carry her towards the chair. For safety measures only of course.
“But let it be known that Drake Walker is brave enough to risk death at terrible humor by sticking around.” He gently lowers her on the chair and she shoves away the basket between her and his chair. He places his chair against hers, before slumbering down himself.
Riley chuckles while removing the ruined marshmallows from the sticks. “I shall personally spread the tales of brave Captain Walker! Oh. Maybe I can write a song, follow you around with a lute? The word of me singing is out anyway. So, how’s that?”
“Dear Lord. That sounds like full-on hell on earth!” Drake flashes her a drop-dead gorgeous, heart stopping, dimple popping smirk despite his words, “But it isn’t working, so go for it!”
“You know…” She gives him a crooked smirk. “You, mister I’m always grumpy to keep people at a distance, are actually very fluffy, and caring on the inside. Maybe I should pierce you on a stick and give you a good roast, Captain Marshmallow.” She gives him a teasing poke with her stick, which he smacks with a huge grin on his face. “Yeah, yeah. No need to make a fuss about it. Moving on. Now. Can we finally get to the part where you show me that you’re actually capable of being a good student?”
She teasingly salutes him. “Yes, Sir Captain Marshmallow! Sir. I will be the best student you’ve ever encountered!”
He pinches the bridge of his nose with a groan. “First order of business. Drop the Captain Marshmallow.”
“Not a chance! It’s way too cute to not let it,” she holds up her stick, “stickaround!”
Drake’s brows raise sky-high, throwing her his most 'I’m so not amused’ death glare.
Riley coughs, “I mean. It’s way too tough and bad-ass to not stickaround and I promise to only say it when it’s just the two of us?”
He takes the last two marshmallows out of the box, handing them to Riley. “Fine. I’ll take it. I know better, and this is the best I’m going to get out of this deal.”
She accepts them with a soft snort, fingers brushing in the process, lingering against each other just a little bit too long. Their eyes meet in silence before they manage to break away from each other with a shy smile. Riley pierces the marshmallows upright, before showing them to Drake with pride. “So, am I a good student, or what?”
Drake accepts one of them with a sly grin. “I couldn’t be more proud of you, Herreld. It’s extremely impressive! Brava! You just pierced a fucking marshmallow on a stick the right way.”
“Wow!” Riley smirks teasingly at him while lowering her marshmallow right above the flames. “You’ve got on hell of a messed up reward/punishment system there, Walker. I get a sarcastic snarl when I’m a great student, you use your angry Captain Walker voice when I disobey…”
“What would’ve you expect?” He matches her movement by also lowering his marshmallow to just above the flames. “A grading report decorated with little sunshine- and smiley stickers, written feedback burger and all of that topped off with a weird glitter figure just like I have seen on Bartie’s rated schoolwork?”
Riley chuckles. “YES! At the very least! And don’t make fun of my little glitter drawings! Their fun, the kids love them and a little bit of glitter has never hurt anyone!”
“Yeah…” Drake grins his eyes snapping to his marshmallow. “Clearly you’ve never been to one of Maxwell’s birthday parties!”
“He told me about those! Is it true that you’ve actually filed a motion for officially banning glittery drink after the last one?”
“Oh yeah! And I still stand by it. Glitter in drinks should be illegal. Booze is supposed to be stiff, not sparkly!”
Riley moves her attention back to her marshmallow. “Well. I don’t see the problem.”
“Of course, you don’t!’ He grins.
"Yeah. A good stiff drink makes me happy, sparkles make me happy. Put them together…” She sighs dreamily, not noticing her marshmallow dangerously lowering, “and you have a little sparkly potion of joy.”
Drake snorts, leaning in to gently take her hand in his to steady it. “Well, at least I don’t have to wonder why you and Maxwell get along so well! But how about we keep our focus on our marshmallows? These are our last two and yours was extremely close to getting very familiar with the hot flames, sparkles.”
“Sorry,” she chuckles at the cute nickname. “I’m not great at doing two times at the same time.”
“Yeah, well sorry isn’t going to cut it, Herreld. You just lost glitters on your feedback form!”
“Ahhh!” Riley’s head snaps to the left, her big blues watery, lips pouting and all of that nearly gives Drake an immediate heart attack, finding himself ready to get up and raid the craft shop downtown at this very instant. God! What the hell is going on?
“Drake!” Her big blues snap to his marshmallow, her hand lifting his but it’s already too late! Drake stares disappointed at his marshmallow that has turned into a torch before extinguishing the flames in the snow. “Well, that’s a first.”
“You never burned a marshmallow before?” Riley eyes him carefully, trying to figure out what to do as he rubs his forehead in disbelief, mind seemingly running. What the fuck am I doing tonight? I panicked at the sound of fucking fireworks, got distracted from something as simple as roasting a fucking marshmallow… What the hell? I’m losing control… I never lose control.
Riley realizes that this is not just about burning the marshmallow. She ties the knots together in her head. Everything that Savannah has told her over the past few months, combined with Drake’s mention about being in control and uttermost careful she asks. “So, do you want to talk about it, or do you want me to tell you a bad marshmallow pun to take your mind off of things?”
Annoyed he throws his stick onto the fire, watching it immediately getting swallowed by the flames. “I just burnt a fuck marshmallow, Sparkles. What the hell is there to talk about?”
“Do you really want me to answer that?”
“You know what?” He leans back into his chair with folded arms, challenging her with raised brows, “Enlighten me!”
“Okay…” She checks her marshmallow, finds it perfectly roasted and clamps the stick between her knees. “About Savannah returning this week to the place where it all went down a few years ago, after telling you that there was nothing you could’ve done to prevent her from disappearing? About being scared that history repeats itself, but being scared to talk about it to Sav?”
She hits the nail on the head, his brain defensively switching to rationalizing as he’s been doing the past few years. “She’s there all the time, Herreld. This week is going to change nothing. Besides, she would never leave Bartie alone, so it doesn’t make sense.”
Riley takes two cream crackers, coating them with chocolate before placing the hot marshmallow on top. “Fear doesn’t always have to make sense.”
Drake grumbles, muttering under his breath as her words hit him right in the chest. His eyes focused on her hands that assemble the s'more with care. “Never thought that these words would ever leave my mouth, but I would like to switch to the bad marshmallow puns, please.”
“Okay.” She smiles, pressing the second cream cracker on top of the roasted deliciousness before meeting his eye with an extremely exciting twinkle in them. “Why does the marshmallow cross the road?”
He groans, “O dear lord.”
“Well…”
“I don’t know. Why did the marshmallow cross the road, sparkles? Please tell me. The expense is killing me.”
She nudges him in her excitement, “Because he realized that there is s'mores to life!”
Drake drapes a hand in front of his face, but no matter how hard he tries to hide it, a snort escapes nevertheless. “You’re killing me here.”
“Warned you. Said bad marshmallow pun, Drake. Here,” she taps with her hand holding half of the s'mores against his upper arm and he looks up in surprise. “Oh, no. Can’t accept it! You never ate one, I ruined mine.”
She raises a brow. “Are you kidding me, Captain Marshmallow? You were just one of the two stars of a 'how to make the perfect s'more’ video where the two of you literally shared one marshmallow since there sweet bundles of love made to be shared. Do I really need to explain it? Where was your head at?”
He accepts his half with a slight shake of the head, “Fine. Thank you!”
Riley looks at him in expectance, not taking a bite of her half in hand.
“What?”
“Take a bite, I want to know how I did.”
Drake’s expression turns serious, taking a bite in his fullest attention.
“Well… Have I earned my sparkles back?”
He grins, “I guess you’ll just have to wait and see until you receive your feedback burger card, Herreld.” She wants to pout again, but he sees it coming from afar. “Don’t you dare, miss Herreld!”
“Fine,” she grins, before relaxing into her chair. “I’m a patient women Walker!”
Drake also relaxes in his chair, his right arm casually leaning far over his own, half onto her armchair. “Since I’m far from patiently… Just take a freaking bite already.”
Riley takes a big bite, her eyes grow wide and a food moan escapes her mouth, “OMMEGUT! TWIS ISH DELISIOUS.” He snorts at the ongoing cute food moans, before enjoying the rest of his s'more himself.
A comfortable silence falls, both of them enjoying the food, and secretly each other’s presence. Riley lets out a deep content sigh after finishing her s'more, throws another log on the fire, and relaxes back in her chair.
She pulls up her feet, resting her arm on the armchair against Drake’s, her head comfortably leaning towards him, but still against her own chair back.
Drake takes his last bite, glancing at the relaxed woman beside him. She looks up and meets his eye with a gentle, quiet smile, and he wipes a little bit of chocolate from the corners of her mouth before both of them turn their gazes back towards the fire.
They sit there for another thirty minutes in utter silence. Drake glances back at her, noticing that her eyes are closed. “You okay there, Sparkles?”
She nods, mumbling, “I’m just so relaxed.” Drake shifts a little bit, offering his soft shoulder. She thankfully snuggles against it, without opening her eyes. “Is this okay?”
“Yes,” and he bops her nose full of affection, drawing another gentle smile from her. “Thank you, Drake. For this, for earlier, tonight, and for weirdly making me feel at most relaxed as I have been in five or six years.” Her last words turn more into whispers and Drake feels conflicted. Hell, he could be here all night with her against his shoulder for some reason he doesn’t understand, but falling asleep might not be the best thing to do when it’s freezing outside. So he blurs with a heavy heart. “Herreld, can I take you home?”
Riley slowly opens her eyes, moaning a little bit. She glances into the distance where the Christmas Market isn’t even half done, struggle filling her heart briefly. But Drake gently guides her eyes to meet his, “Herreld… Come one.”
She looks up at him from under her eyelashes, not wanting to lose the magic just yet. “Can we stay here for just a bit more? Like fifteen minutes?”
He glances down, finding it impossible to say no to the way she looks at him. “Fine.” He gently tugs a hair behind her ear. “But I will start cleaning up after those fifteen minutes, and I will take you home. Where are your car keys, before I’m not able to wake you up anymore.”
She slowly nods, before snuggling back against his shoulder. “My keys are in the bag over there. Thank you, captain Marshmallow.” He snorts softly at the nickname, “That’s fine, Sparkles. It’s all fine.”
A soft smile appears on her face and Drake fights the sudden urge to kiss her forehead. Averting his eyes back to the fire, his hand slides onto one of her folded legs. “Is this okay?”
“Yes, nice and toasty.” She murmurs, her breathing turning steady. They sit like that for another fifteen minutes and then some more since Drake’s not really keeping track on time. But decides that it’s time to go when he also threatens to doze off. He gently moves her head away from his shoulder, before standing up. She lightly protests at his sudden missing body heat, calming down again after a slight shift.
Drake sighs deeply at the peaceful sight of her, taking off his coat and draping it around her, tucking her in. I’ll get warm moving anyway.
She snuggles happily into his jacket. He sighs deeply at the comfortable sight before wrapping up the tent, putting away the camera and the rest of the stuff.
Everything, except for the chair Riley’s sleeping on, is packed after ten minutes. He takes the car keys, before kneeling in front of Riley, gently squeezing her hand. “Herreld, I’m going to carry you to the car, okay?” She slowly opens her eyes, rubbing them lightly, “I don’t mind walking…”
“I don’t want to take the risk that your sleepwalking abilities are as bad as your awake ones, Sparkles. Please, let me carry you!”
She chuckles, her arm sliding around his neck in approval. “So, now your asking? You’ve been carrying around all night!” Drake gently takes her in his arms, before taking the big bag with all the important materials from the ground. He makes sure that she’s wrapped in his coat. “Your half asleep, it feels different.”
Riley snuggles against his chest. “Your sweet.” Her words make Drake snort, causing her to murmur, “What’s so funny?”
“No woman, other than Savannah or my mom, has ever described me as sweet before.”
“Well, thank you for trusting me enough to show me that apparently top-secret side of you.”
Drake takes a deep breath, once again suppressing the need to kiss her forehead. “Thank you for making me,” he whispers back while entering the parking lot. He uses her electric car key to find out which car is hers. The car lights of a small, hanging by a red car flash for a second. He chuckles, something in him expected her to be driving such a barrel. He carefully opens the door, gently lowering her onto the passenger chair and there was no waking her up as he was afraid that would happen. He fixes her seat belt and she’s once again out after shifting in her seat. He gently closes the door, leaving it unlocked to find Mable.
Her loud voice fills the air, making it so that he has found her after only a minute. She’s standing behind a table, together with his sister, and gets greeted heartily. “There he is! Our miracle worker!” Mable grins from ear to ear, which disappears when she notices that Riley’s not with him. “Is everything okay? I would’ve expected her stubborn ass to work after.” Savannah frowns, “And why are you walking around in only a shirt with a vest?”
“Turned it into a blanket…”
Mable and Savannah share a glance. Drake rubs the back of his neck, taking his phone out of his pocket with the other. “The most important thing is, is that everything is fine. I’m actually coming over to let the two of you know that I’m taking her home, and I need her address since she’s fast asleep in the car.”
Mable blinks three times before suddenly bursting into laughter. “Hahaha, right. This has been really funny,” she raises her voice slightly as if Riley’s hiding somewhere, “Just come out, Riley. The joke’s over.”
“Uh,” Savannah nudges Mable, who wipes away a few tears from laughing. “Mabs, I think he’s serious.”
“What?” Laughter has disappeared in a matter of a second as her eyes snap down at Drake’s phone, asking her to put Riley’s address in his navigation. She hesitantly takes it, still not able to believe what the hell is happening before handing it back.
But when he accepts it, she holds onto it. “I trust your sister and I trust you, Drake. I don’t know how you did it, but please take her out of here! But even though you are both grown-ups who can fend for themselves, I’ve got to say this as her bestie. She has to text me when she’s home. When I don’t hear anything within the hour or if I hear that there’s something wrong… I will kill you. So, take good care of her, or else…”
Drake nods in reassurance. “Thank you for your faith and the address, Mable.” He hands her the bag with the camera and some other important stuff. “I will look out for her, and I will return! So, see you two later!” He turns, walking away.
“Wait!” Savannah yells after him, “How are you coming back? Should I ask Max to drive behind you?”
“Nah,” he waves, “It’s a great night. I’ll just walk.”
“Walk,” Mable blinks, “but it’s a thirty-minute ride…”
“I’m going to be okay! Need some clearance of the head anyway!” And with that, he disappears around the corner.
“Hey, was that Drake? Where’s Riley?”
Savannah and Mable startle at Tim appearance out of nowhere, both turning around. Mable smiles apologeticly, “Tim… Yes. That was Drake coming over to tell that he’s taking her home.”
Tim folds his arms, setting his jaw. “Of course. Well. Good for him, right? Well. I’ve still got some work to do.” He turns, ignoring Mable calling out to him. “Tim, please…”
Savannah narrows her eyes, “What was that?”
Mable pinches the bridge of her nose. “The beginning of a whole lot of drama I’m afraid.”
Drake’s arrives at her car before long, carefully sliding into the driver seat to find Riley still fast asleep.
He’s captivated at the peaceful sight of her, her slow and steady breathing, and the content smile on her face. He adjusts his coat, making sure that she’s warm and tucked in, accidentally brushing her soft cheek in the process. She instantly snuggles against his hand, sighing contently.
His eyes drift over her face, admiring the beauty of her, the one he so desperately tries to push away.
Nothing going on here.
Just been a weird long day.
Nothing going on.
He sighs deeply, forcing his eyes away from her, turning the key and the engine comes to life. He shakes his head at the horrible sound. Suddenly he hears soft murmuring, making his eyes snap back at the bundle of adorableness beside him who’s snuggling so deep into his coat that she has almost disappeared. “Mmh, Drake you smell so good. Maybe I should be filing a motion to Liam against that because it should be illegal.”
Drake softly snorts at her sweet words, pushing away any thoughts that her words could indicate actually wanting more from him and the flutter in his heart that, that thought actually seems to give him.
Nothing going on.
She’s just sweet like that. I’m just caring like this.
He takes another deep breath, before shifting the gear, driving out of the parking spot backward. His eyes find her one more time, and he smiles.
Yeah. Nothing going on.
And with that, he carefully drives off to take her home.
