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"Kate, I know this is a big commitment, coming with me to Africa. Giving everything up that you built here, even if only for six months. I know you're concerned about what our relationship will be. I'll tell you what it will be – you're collared. You're my life partner. There's nothing else short of marriage that is as binding or as serious."
"I don’t really understand what collared means," I said. "I'm so new to all this."
"I know you are, but you have to know I'm serious about you. I want you and only you, from now on. I want us to be exclusive. Bound to each other."
"I want that, too."
He inhaled deeply. "Do you think you can trust me enough to tell me everything? Even things you think will upset me? I need you to trust me that much for this to work. I don't think you do yet."
"I want to," I said. "But we've only known each other for such a short time…"
"I know, but it’s been enough time for me to know you're all that I want."
"You were so willing to think I'd cheat on you, Drake. That upset me."
"It was foolish. I wasn't thinking straight. I know you'd never do anything like that. I had to work like a dog to get you to even kiss me that first night…" He grinned at that, his cheek curving. "Most men would have already given up."
I laughed. "Not you."
He shook his head. "I could feel you were different that night at your father's fundraiser. It was like you could change everything, if I let you in. That scared me, after my first disaster of a marriage. But I can't imagine a life with anyone else but you."
I buried my face in his neck, my chest feeling like it could explode from my emotions.
"I love you, Kate."
"I love you."
We kissed, the kiss warm and deep. Then he touched my collar and smiled.
"Gotta go," he said. "Or I'll be late for my meeting with the oncologist because of my not-so-small problem." He took my hand and let me feel his erection, which was nice and thick. I squeezed him and closed my eyes.
"You sure you don’t want to stay?"
"Katherine," he said, frowning. "On the days I can stay and you have that look in your eye, I will stay. I said I'd accept your amendment to the agreement and I meant it. Today is not a day I can."
"Sorry," I said, my face flushing.
"It's OK," he said and kissed my lips in spite of my efforts to avoid him. "I want to stay. Once I'm done, I'll text you. We'll do something special tonight."
I smiled and watched as he rolled off the bed and finished dressing. Finally he went to the hallway and pulled on his coat before returning to the bedroom, bending over me to kiss my neck once more.
"I'll see you later, Ms. Bennet. Be waiting for me."
I smiled, a thrill going through me.
The door closed with a soft thud and I was alone once more.
I spent the day at the studio, finishing the second canvas, putting the final touches on it. I'd keep the first canvas private, hidden in our bedroom while the second might just be the first I did in a series. I wanted to paint Drake in every possible setting and position. I hoped he'd agree to be my
subject, my muse.
Instead of eating with Keith and Nathaniel and Jules as I thought I would, I was feeling pretty emotional from the events of the previous day and went to meet my father for lunch at a little restaurant that was a 50s replica. He'd been at his campaign office signing checks for his staffers and wanted us to meet somewhere for a meal.
We sat at a table along the windows and enjoyed his favorite meal of breakfast for lunch. Eggs, pancakes, hash browns and bacon. I watched him eat, and he was frowning as if he was deciding whether to bring something up.
"What is it, Daddy?" I asked finally. "You seem like you have something to say."
He glanced up, his expression distant. "Oh, do I?" He pursed his lips and picked up his mug of coffee. "I guess I was wondering how things were between you and Drake. I saw that picture in the Mail and wondered what happened."
