Chapter Nine

Wynter

Something is happening between us. I don’t know if it’s sexual chemistry or something more, but I can’t name it, I can’t stop it—and I don’t want to. The way Drake looks at me, the way he kisses me… it’s intoxicating.

And now, as I sit beside him in his truck, watching the lights of Pinegrove blur by, all I can think about is how I want more. More of his touch. More of that deep, rumbling voice calling me ‘sunshine.’ More of…him.

My fingers twitch in my lap as I replay our kisses. God, the way he pulled me close, the way his lips claimed minelike he was talking to me, telling me without words that I belong to him. I can still feel the heat of it, the way my body melted into his.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Drake turns to me as we stop at a red light.

“I was just thinking…” I bite my lip, unsure how to say it without sounding likea crazy sixteen-year-old girl. “About us.”

A slow, devastating smile tugs at his lips. “Tell me more.”

I sigh, “How did this happen so fast?”

The light turns green, and Drake rests his hand against the side of my thigh. His warm touch sends a shiver through me.

When you know, you know. His words are simple, but they make me smile because I think he’s right. We’re not kids; we’re adults in our thirties. At this age, we’ve made our mistakes andknow what we want. Even though I’ve only known Drake for a short time, the butterflies I feel when I’m with him are different.

“Do you think we’re crazy?“ I murmur.

He glances at me again. “Do you think we’re crazy?”

I shake my head, and my throat tightens as I swallow. “No, I don’t.”

“Good.” He squeezes my thigh lightly, his hand lingering. “Because it sure as hell doesn’t feel wrong to me.”

His words send a rush of heat straight to my core. I shift in my seat, trying to steady my breath. “Drake…” I startbuttrail off when we pull up in front of my place. I don’t want this night to end.

He cuts the engine and turns to me, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. “Invite me in.”

It’s not a question. It’s a command wrapped in a low, husky voice that has my heart racing.

“Come in,” I whisper.

The air between us shifts, tension crackling like a live wire. Drake gets out of the truck and comes around to open my door, helping me out like a gentleman, though the look in his eyes is anything but.

As we step inside my house, the warmth greets us. He hasn’t let go of my hand since he helped me out of the truck, and now, as we stand in the middle of my living room, his hand slides up my arm over my shoulder, sending sparks skittering down my spine.

“I meant what I said earlier,” he murmurs, his eyes locked on mine. “You’re mine, Wynter. I don’t want anyone else looking at you the way I do. And I’m not going to let you go.”

“I don’t want you to let go,” I whisper.

“I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.”

“I want you, too.” I sigh.

Drake’s lips crash into mine; everything is heat, fire, and need. His hands are everywhere—cupping my face, sliding down my back, pulling me against him as if he can’t get enough.

I kiss him back with everything I have to make sure there’s no doubt that I want more. I thread my fingers through his hair, sweeping my tongue into his mouth.

Our kiss deepens, and before I know it, we’re stumbling toward the couch.

“Not here,” I take his hand. “Follow me.”

“Sunshine, I would follow you anywhere.” He growls.

We stand by my bed, staring into each other’s eyes while removing our clothes. It’s the most sensual moment of my life. My nipples start to ache, and there’s a steady pulse throbbing between my legs.

Drake takes a step back slowly roaming his eyes over my body. “Breathtaking,” he groans. “Absolutely breathtaking.”

Feeling bold, I, too, take a step back, taking every square inch of his body in. He’s tallandmuscular, with wide shoulders that taper to a narrow waist. Below that waist…my eyes nearly pop…he’s huge. I roll my bottom lip over my teeth, giddy with excitement.

“You like what you see?”

My face burns with heat. “God, yes.”

His gaze grows intense. “Come here,” he holds out his hand.

He pulls me in and kisses me. His thick shaft pressed against my sex, driving me so mad that I start to tremble.

Drake stops kissing meand holds my face in his hands. “Are you all right with this? You’re shaking.”

“Don’t you dare stop. I want this…I want you, Drake Hudson. Now.”

He growls in approval, taking me down onto the bed. He cups a hand around my breast, sucking a nipple into his mouth.

“Yes,” I sigh.

He moves to the other breast, swirling his tongue in circles around my hard nipple until my hips start rocking. His hands slide down, fondling my thighs; he nudges them open, then hovers over me.

I curl my hands around his neck, taking his mouth. He slides the head of his shaft between my soaking wet core, and I gasp.

“More?” He asks.

“More,” I slide my hands down his back, settling on his firm buttocks. “I want all of it.”

With a single powerful thrust, he buries himself inside of me. I sink my nails into his flesh, moaning with every rock of his hips.

“You feel like silk,” He groans in my ear. “Smooth, slick silk.”

“You feel like steel,” I nuzzle his neck. “Rock, hard steel.”

He rolls onto his back, staying inside of me. “I want to see you ride me.”

Breathing hard, I widen my hips, using his chest to steady myself and bounce up and down on his thick shaft. Getting used to the rhythm, I slowly push back, taking him in as deep as he can go. My eyes slide shut, and I change the motion from bouncing to a sensual rocking, gliding back and forth. It isn’t long until my core clenches around his shaft.

“Drake…”

He crushes his mouth to mine, swallowing my cries as we ride the wave of our orgasms together. Panting, I collapse on his chest. I feel his body trembling underneath me.

“Best sex of my life,” he kisses the top of my head.

I wind my arms around his shoulders, loving the feel of his soft skin against mineand his scent all around me. “That was amazing.”

“Give me a few minutes to recharge, and I’ll really show you what’samazing.” He squeezes me tight. “I am Drake the Cake, after all.”

“You’re a goof.” I laugh.

“I’m your goof.” He presses a kiss against my temple.

“You are,” I yawn. “Will you stay the night with me?”

“Absolutely. I’ll spend every night with you if you’ll have me.”

My heart swells at his answer, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face as I nestle closer to him. His arms wrap around me, strong and steady, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I feel... safe.

As I drift off to sleep, I realize I’m still smiling—not just because of what we shared, but because I know, deep down, Drake isn’t just a moment. He’s more than that.

He’s a gift.