4. Drake

"Did you just call her your fiancée?" Callie gasps quietly.

She turns to look at Emma's retreating figure and then back at me.

"What if I did?"

"What did you do? What are you scheming now?"

"Scheming? I assure you that I'm not scheming."

"I assure you that you are," she giggles as she follows me back into my office and closes my door. "If you're going to pull this off, you're going to need my help. Is this to get Loughlin off your back?"

"Part of it, yes."

"Part of it," she asks as she plops into a chair. "Spill. What are you not telling me?"

Callie is my cousin. She fell on hard times a few years ago and I offered her a job as my assistant. She's irreplaceable.

She's also one of my closest friends.

"I find it hard to believe that you weren't eavesdropping."

"Oh, I was, but I want to hear you tell me what the ulterior motive is. There is one. I know there is."

"There's not."

"Drake Anthony Baron, don't you dare lie to me."

"Damn, you pulled out the middle name and all," I laugh.

"Why did you refer to her as your high school sweetheart? I never knew you two dated or hooked up."

"No one knows that we hooked up. I was about to graduate college and saw her at a party. We hooked up. I left for class the next morning and left her a note that I'd be back. When I returned to my apartment she was gone. I had no way of contacting her."

"She ghosted you?"

"Yup."

"Damn, she's incredible."

"What does that even mean?"

"It means that the player got played," she giggles. "She's the one who got away, isn't she, Drake? She's the reason why you won't date or settle down because you're protecting yourself."

"Please don't try to psychoanalyze me," I sigh as I pinch the bridge of my nose.

She gazes back at me with a small, knowing smile.

"So, you talked her into going along with your little scheme to save the team and the town, to give you a shot at a real relationship with her."

"No, this is strictly business."

"Personal problems are business problems. Isn't that what you always say to me?"

"This isn't …"

"Drake, you can't pull one over on me, okay? You can say this is to save the team and the town. I know that you care about both of them deeply, but … you care about her more. I can see it in the way that you looked at her."

"I …"

"It's why you bought the rink at twice the cost. It's why you allowed her father to put the clause in there about her buying it back from you if it ever came to that. Oh, Drake. You've got it bad. Now, it all makes sense."

"Callie, could you stop? Please?" I breathe. "You're blowing this out of proportion. I did what I did with Hank Matthews because he's a good man who needed a break. This town needed a break."

She shakes her head and glances up at me sadly. "This is all well and good and I hope it works for you, bud. But what happens when you think you're really engaged and she's still in a fake relationship with you? You're going to get hurt all over again."

"I don't get hurt," I chuckle drily. "You're acting like I'm some soft man who gets his feelings hurt easily. I am not weak or an asshole."

"You're right. I'm sorry." She stands up and starts to walk out of the office.

"Thanks, Callie."

"Please be careful, Drake. I'll do whatever I can to make sure the powers that be believe it all."

She glides out of the room and closes the door behind her. I fall into my desk chair and stare out the window that overlooks the ice.

Is she right? Am I setting myself up for failure all over again?

Nope. I am not the same na?ve kid I was back then.

Emma Matthews won't know what hit her when this is all over with.

***

My driver picks Emma up outside of her family's restaurant sharply at seven. I make certain to be engrossed in a business call when she climbs into the backseat of my Bentley.

I try not to let my jaw hit the floorboard when she climbs in wearing a tightly wrapped blue dress that makes her blonde hair and blue eyes pop.

"Where are we …?" she starts.

I put my finger up in the air and point to my phone. She shoots me a dirty look.

We"re headed to DiMaggio's, an upscale new restaurant that has been the talk of the town for its exquisite cuisine and glamorous atmosphere. She can wait to find that out.

I want to make certain that we are seen and also that she's thoroughly impressed.

As we step into the dimly lit establishment, the ambient hum of conversation and clinking cutlery surrounds us.

The ma?tre d" ushers us to a secluded corner table with a panoramic view of the city lights. The place is alive with an electric energy, and I smile and appreciate the setting. Emma"s eyes light up as she takes in the elegant décor, the soft glow of candlelight casting a warm aura on her features.

We settle into our plush chairs, and I can"t resist the urge to tease her. "Impressed, Emma?" I ask, a smirk playing on my lips.

She raises an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eye. "I"ve been to fancy places before, Drake. This doesn"t intimidate me."

"Good to know," I reply with a wink, signaling the waiter to bring us a bottle of "Jukes Cordialities," the high-end nonalcoholic wine that"s so good that Michelin-starred restaurants all over the world feature it right alongside their best bottles of Bordeaux.

As we peruse the menu, I catch subtle glances from nearby tables. It doesn"t take long for the whispers to begin and the occasional discreet snapshot to be taken. The life of the only billionaire in town, always under the watchful eyes of the public.

Don't forget America's Sweetheart. Man, these people are going to be eating this up. In the morning Loughlin won't know which way is up.

The waiter returns with the bottle I ordered and pours us each a glass, the rich aroma wafting through the air. Our conversation flows effortlessly, filled with laughter and shared stories, surprisingly. She's slowly let her guard down. Emma"s magnetic personality draws people"s attention, but the glances directed at me are unmistakably laced with recognition. It"s a reminder of the life I"ve built, the empire I"ve created in the tech world and beyond.

Between bites of the exquisite filets we both ordered, our banter becomes increasingly flirty. I lean in, a conspiratorial glint in my eyes. "You know, Emma, being seen with a beauty like you is going to cost me. The tabloids will have a field day."

"Isn't that what you want?"

"It's a necessary evil," I reply, my gaze lingering on her.

There"s a magnetic pull between us, a chemistry that"s impossible to ignore. As the night progresses, the intimacy deepens, and the restaurant seems to fade away, leaving only Emma and me in our world.

Just as we"re savoring the strawberry cheesecake we decided to share, a well-dressed couple approaches our table. The woman gushes, "Oh my goodness, Emma, we"re such big fans! Can we get a picture with you?"

She graciously agrees, and as the camera flash illuminates the dim surroundings, I can"t help but feel a pang of possessiveness. But I push it aside, reminding myself that this is part of the territory.

As the couple departs, I turn to Emma with a teasing grin. "Looks like your fan club is expanding."

She rolls her eyes playfully. "And what about your fan club, Mr. Billionaire Bad Boy? They seem to be quite interested in our dinner."

"I do have fans too, maybe I'm America's Sweetheart."

She rolls her eyes as the waiter brings the check. I take care of it quickly and stand. I help her up and lead her out of the restaurant. She steps toward the valet and I reach out and tug her hand.

"We're not done yet."

"What do you mean? There's more to this torture."

"You seem awfully smiley for someone who's being tortured."

"Where are we going now?"

"You'll see."

"I'm not a fan of surprises, Drake," she snaps.

"I can have my driver take you home if you're going to act like a petulant child," she reels back and I continued softly. "Or you can trust me and stop asking so many questions."

She's quiet as we continue walking toward a nearby dance theater.

It"s an odd choice, I admit, considering my usual haunts, but I"ve learned that spontaneity can work wonders. Emma loves dance, and tonight, I"ve orchestrated a surprise that dances on the edge of normalcy. The fact that Callie's adopted teenage daughter is performing tonight, adds an unexpected layer to the evening.

We step into the opulent theater, the air heavy with the anticipation of art about to unfold. Emma"s eyes sparkle with curiosity as she glances around, taking in the ornate architecture and the hum of excitement. I can"t help but be pleased with my choice; this is what will help her to finally break down and trust me. She needs to see me as a human, not the monster she's built me to be.

As we find our seats, Emma turns to me, a quizzical smile on her lips. "Ballet, Drake? I didn"t peg you for the artsy type."

I shrug, affecting nonchalance. "Well, there"s more to me than meets the eye, Emma. Thought we"d mix things up a bit."

"Mix things up? Is that what billionaires do for fun these days?"

I match her playful tone. "It"s a wild world out there. Sometimes, you"ve got to throw a curveball to keep things interesting."

I text Callie and tell her we're here. I spot her as she stands up, turns around, and waves.

"Your secretary is here? Isn't that a little … creepy? That goes beyond a boss/employee relationship, doesn't it?"

"Callie is my cousin."

"Cousin?" she murmurs.

She looks down at where Callie and Chasity are sitting, back at me, then back down. Her face turns white.

"Cousin, I'm certain you two have met before."

"She didn't look like that when I met her," Emma says.

"You didn't look like this when you met her either."

"Is that why she knew who I was?"

I shrug. Emma sits back up and looks back at Callie.

"Chas is here, you should say hi."

She glances back at me and shakes her head. "She doesn't want to see me. Why is your cousin and sister here? What aren't you telling me? Do you have a child I don't know about?"

"Sort of," I reply.

I look down at my phone and reply to a few text messages all the while feeling her eyes burning into me, waiting for my reply.

I want to make her work for the answers, so she sees the gift I'm giving her by allowing her a rare glimpse into my world.

"What does sort of mean?"

"Oh, Callie adopted her niece, Lily. My cousin Delia's daughter. She asked me to be her godfather. I treat her as if she is my own daughter. She doesn't have any other male figures in her life."

She narrows her eyes, looking a little shocked as she takes in what I said. She nods and leans back in her chair.

The lights dim, signaling the beginning of the performance, and I feel a surge of excitement. I steal a glance at Emma beside me, wondering how she"ll react to the delicate beauty of ballet. The first notes of the orchestra fill the air, and the curtain rises to reveal a stage bathed in soft light.

As the dancers begin their graceful movements, Emma"s eyes widen with appreciation. I can"t help but watch her, captivated not just by the dancers but by the wonder on her face. This is a side of her I haven"t seen before—a vulnerability that makes her even more enchanting.

The performance, a beautiful adaptation of Swan Lake progresses, each movement telling a story of love, loss, and the intricate dance of life. I steal glances at Emma, and at times, I catch her staring back at me, her gaze lingering longer than necessary. It"s a connection, an unspoken understanding that transcends the confines of the theater.

As the final act unfolds, a surge of emotions courses through the audience. The dancers take their bows, and the applause echoes through the theater. Emma turns to me, her eyes bright with appreciation. "Drake, that was … unexpected. But in a good way."

"Glad you enjoyed it. Sometimes, you have to escape the ordinary to find something extraordinary."

With the performance over, we make our way backstage to meet Callie and Lily. The backstage area is a whirlwind of activity, with dancers in various stages of undress, parents proudly clutching bouquets, and the lingering scent of sweat and stage makeup in the air.

Callie appears, a radiant smile on her face. "Drake! Emma! Thank you for coming. Lily is going to be so excited to see you. She was the star of the show, wasn't she? She made you believe that she was Odette."

"She did, I was spellbound," Emma smiles.

Her eyes dart around nervously. I shoot a look at Callie.

"Chas had an emergency, she needed to leave."

"Emergency? Is everything okay?"

"I'm sure it's fine. Life of a vet, you know," Callie says dismissively.

"Uncle Drake!" I hear Lily shout as she rushes toward us.

"Lily Bell, you were a star up there."

"Thanks," she grins as she hugs me tightly. "You know you don't have to be at every one of my shows, right?"

Emma's eyes dart to mine questioningly.

"This is the best ballet in the country, why would I miss a performance? Besides, in ten years I can tell everyone I knew you back when you were the star of a little city theater."

She rolls her eyes and giggles. "Who's this?"

"This is my friend, Emma."

"Emma? The figure skater former best friend of Aunt Chas?"

"That's me, I guess," Emma replies with a forced smile.

"I'm such a big fan. Mom told me you might be here. I'm so honored. Aunt Chas told me how you guys used to do ballet and all the dance troupes together."

"We did," she smiles. "You're extremely talented, I felt like I was in Swan Lake with you."

"Thanks. I've been skating all my life too. Do you think you could teach me some things sometime? I would love for you to see my form and …"

"I don't skate anymore."

"Oh, can you …?"

"I would love to teach you, I just … I can't actually show you the moves."

"I'm certain we can figure something out, kiddo." I wink at Lily.

She leans in and hugs me again before disappearing into a throng of teenagers.

I didn't know she couldn't skate anymore. I thought she just had a busted knee.

"Thanks again for coming. It really means so much to Lily how you show up for her."

"Of course, there's no place I'd rather be when she's onstage. We should get going, it's getting late."

"Oh yeah, you turn into a pumpkin soon or something, right?" Callie teases with a roll of her eyes. She glances back at Emma. "He's a workaholic."

Emma nods, says goodbye and the two of us leave the theater.

"Why don't we walk a little bit? Give us some more time together."

"I'd like that, it's such a gorgeous night," Emma murmurs.

Our conversation takes on a new depth as we stroll through the city streets, the ballet still fresh in our minds.

"That's the first ballet I've been to in a while. I forgot … I forgot how much I love dance. With skating, it's all a job. I think I lost my love for it for a while."

I don't reply, just let her words hang between us, leaving it open as a safe space if she wants to dig deeper into that.

She is quiet, and reflective as we make our way back to the car. My driver, Brian, opens the car door and lets us both inside the back. As soon as he shuts the door Emma turns to look at me.

"Thanks for tonight, it was surprisingly nice."

"I'm glad you approve. Come back to my house for coffee?"

"Coffee at eleven o"clock at night?"

I shrug my shoulders as my eyes roam over her.

She knows damn well that you don't want her to come to your place for coffee, Drake.

"Okay," she breathes.

***

Twenty minutes later, Brian drops us off in front of my home. Emma glances at my house then back at me numerous times.

"This is your house. Did you buy the old O'Malley place? You live behind my family's restaurant?"

"Yes, a few years ago when Mr. O'Malley passed away."

"I thought you were some big shot billionaire tech guru. Why did you buy the O'Malley house when you could have built your own place. It had to have needed a ton of repairs."

I'd admired this house for a long time. It's an old Victorian-style home with a large front porch and an amazing back porch that I have turned into my personal retreat. It's gorgeous and needed quite a bit of updates that I mostly performed myself.

"I like to use my hands, get dirty and build something of substance with them. I redid the staircase myself and the front and back porches."

"You could have paid someone to do it."

"What's the fun in that? I can't hand that down to Lily or any kids I may have in the future. Besides, it's much more relatable to the fans in town that I live in a normal house rather than some mansion on a hill segregated from them all. Relatable brings in more money."

She chuffs and shakes her head. I smile to myself as she climbs out of the car and waits for me. It's evident that she doesn't quite know how to take me.

Good, that's how I want it for now.

We walk into my house, and she looks around in awe. She"s good about hiding her shock, but I still see how impressed she is.

I walk into the kitchen and pull bottles of water out of the fridge. I pour the water into glasses and hand her one before I set mine down on the island. I immediately pull her into me.

Her eyes widen as I wrap my arms around her, tugging her close. The air between us crackles with electricity, and I can feel her heart beating rapidly against my chest. I lean in, my voice a low whisper against her ear.

"I want you naked and under me."

She shivers before gazing up into my eyes. I cover her mouth with mine, kissing her hungrily. She melts into me.

We break the kiss, both of us breathless from the intensity. Her lips are swollen, and her eyes are filled with desire. I brush her hair away from her face and trace the outline of her lips with my thumb.

"Come with me."

I guide her up the stairs, my hand gently brushing her lower back.

I lead her to the center of my room and begin undressing her slowly, savoring every inch of her skin. Her eyes never leave mine as I reveal each new piece of flawless, naked flesh.

My mouth and hands roam her perfect body. I kiss her neck as my hands cup her breasts. Her head falls back, allowing me better access.

One hand slides between her thighs, finding her wet center.

"So wet, Princess."

She shudders as my finger runs over her slit. My fingers play the same rhythm in her core that my tongue plays on her nipples.

"Drake," she gasps.

I pick her up and carry her to the bed. I lay her down gently before I drop to my knees, push her thighs apart, and bury my face in her.

She moans softly as my tongue dances across her most sensitive spots, exploring every inch of her. Her hips buck ever so slightly, urging me on.

"Drake," she whispers, her voice barely audible. "Please."

"Please, what?"

"Please don't stop. That feels incredible."

I slide my fingers inside of her, sinking deep and finding that perfect spot. Her breath hitches as I begin a slow, deliberate rhythm. My other hand finds her clit, gently stroking it as my tongue continues to explore her folds.

"Yes, that's it."

Her body is strung tight, she's not fully trusting me and it's coming through in the way that she's holding back.

"Relax, Emmy, relax and focus on the sensations. Give it to me."

She arches her back, her moans growing louder. I can tell she"s close, so I increase my pace and intensity. Her body tenses, and then she explodes in a wave of pleasure, her cries filling the room.

I sit back on my heels, savoring the taste of her still on my lips. She lies there, panting heavily, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of satisfaction and arousal.

I climb onto the bed beside her, reaching out to gently stroke her face. "You are absolutely exquisite."

I lean down to kiss her, our lips meeting with a sense of completion. Her kisses grow hungrier, more frantic, and urgent as she tastes herself on my tongue.

Her hand goes down to my pants, massaging the bulge that"s straining to be released.

I unbutton my pants and take them off. Her fingers wrap around the shaft, stroking me slowly as she gazes into my eyes.

My hand goes up to her hair as I lean down and kiss her neck softly. I guide her up, then turn her around and place her back on the bed, this time on all fours.

She wiggles backward as I guide myself into her tight, wet center.

I thrust into her slowly at first, savoring the feeling of her warmth and tightness around me. She moans softly, her body undulating with the rhythm of my movements.

I increase my pace, my body moving in sync with hers, our skin slapping together with each thrust. She reaches back and grabs a pillow, biting down on it to muffle her cries of pleasure.

I lean over her, one hand firmly grasping her hip as I continue to drive into her. Her head falls to the side, her hair cascading down her back, and I can see her eyes fluttering shut as she loses herself in the moment.

"Oh, fuck," she moans, her voice hoarse and breathy. "Drake, I"m close."

I pick up the pace even more, my body slamming into hers as I feel her muscles clenching around me. Her release washes over me, and I can feel her inner walls spasming around me, milking me with each thrust.

I thrust into her a few more times before I can"t hold back any longer. My body tenses as I feel the pleasure building, and then it explodes from me like a tidal wave, filling her with my release.

We both collapse onto the bed, our bodies still joined together, our breathing ragged and labored. I lay on top of her, my chest rising and falling with hers.

She turns her head to look at me, her eyes filled with love and contentment. "Wow," she whispers.

I get out of bed and go to the bathroom to clean up. She"s still lying there when I return.

"So, what, we"re fake engaged and screwing too? This is going to end well."

"We have to make it believable, don"t we?"

"No one would know if we were having sex or not."

"We don"t have to have sex," I shrug nonchalantly as I pull on a pair of boxers.

She eyes me carefully before nodding slowly. She bites her bottom lip and then rolls out of bed. I"m there meeting her, pulling her into me.

"I thought …"

"Where do you think you"re going?"

"I thought you were telling me to leave."

"Maybe you should not think for a while. Just feel, Emmy, just feel."

She inhales sharply as she nods her head. I tip her chin up and kiss her softly.

"Get back in the bed, you"re staying with me tonight."

Her eyes flash as she"s fighting the urge to leave and the urge to stay. She can fight it all she wants; she knows where she really wants to be though.

In my bed.