“Good morning, beautiful.” His warm breath caressed the back of my neck.
“Mmm . . . it is a good morning.” I turned in his arms to face him. God, he was a gorgeous man.
“I think I could get used to this.” He pushed strands of hair from my face and tucked them behind my ear.
“I think I could too.”
It wasn’t just something to say in reaction to his statement; it was exactly what I was feeling. I felt safe and oddly secure, something I hadn’t felt in a long time—maybe even something I’d never truly felt before.
“You know what today is?” he asked with a lilt in his voice.
I smiled. “Sunday.”
“Yes, the day my family gets together. I want you to come with me again. But this time you’re coming as my girlfriend.”
“That sounds great, but I need to catch up on some work. I have papers to grade and a review packet to write. Unless you don’t mind if I duck out early. I would like to thank Gretchen for everything.”
“I’d like to thank my sister too. Wait, she didn’t help you pick out the lingerie, did she?”
Blood rushed to my face, and I was sure my skin turned a dozen shades of crimson. “Let’s just say she led me in the right direction.”
Drake dropped a kiss on my nose and rolled out of bed. “Come on. Let’s shower, and then I’ll make you breakfast.”
When he stood up and extended his hand to me, I finally had time to take in and enjoy the glory of his naked body. He looked as if he was sculpted out of stone. His body was so defined, and yet when I was in his arms, I felt the softness of his skin. He was perfect.
After we showered and christened his shower stall, I decided to pass on breakfast so I could get home and work. My gown and lingerie were draped across a high-backed chair in Drake’s bedroom. I smiled, thinking he must have placed them there, but the thought of putting them on didn’t thrill me. Talk about a walk of shame.
Before he came out of the bathroom, I opened a drawer in his bureau and snagged a pair of black boxer briefs and put them on. They were a bit large, so I rolled the waistband over a couple of times and they were fine.
As if he’d read my mind, Drake walked in and handed me a pair of gray sweats and a navy T-shirt. “Damn, my boxers never looked so good.”
“I don’t know about that,” I said with a laugh, “but they’re comfortable.”
“I can’t help you out with the shoes, but here.” He smiled, exposing his beautiful dimple, and handed me the clothes.
“Thank you.” I slid the sweatpants on and bent over to roll the bottom of the legs to create a cuff around my ankles, and then tightened the drawstring around my waist. After sliding the shirt over my head, I announced, “I’m ready.”
“You’re adorable.” He kissed my forehead. “Let’s go.”
? ? ?
After I got home and showered again so I could dry my hair properly, I grabbed the newspaper. Of course my heart nearly burst when I saw a photo of Drake and me on the society page. Granted, we were in a group of people, but it was still disconcerting. This was something I would have to get used to if I wanted to be with Drake—which I did.
We spent the afternoon at his parents’ home, and today his father was there. Rick was a wonderful man, much like his sons. The only one missing was Dane. Gretchen was running late, but she should be arriving soon.
Tina walked up to me. “Sweetheart, we are so glad you could be here. My son has never looked this happy.” Both of us turned to look toward Drake, who was laughing and smiling with his dad and brothers. He caught my eye and winked at me.
“You raised a wonderful man,” I told her. “I’ve never met anyone like him. I just worry.”
Tina’s brows drew together. “Why, dear?”