#onehandsomedevil

Chapter 29 : Take Me Home

Kate gazed out of the car window as they drove. The brick buildings, trees, sidewalk, and small businesses were all familiar fixtures in the Woodside area of Queens. Just like any urban neighbourhood in America it was home. It wasn't Drake's fantasy kingdom of Cordonia. Even though she had spent a few months living the princess life there, it hadn't felt real. Here in America she had a past, an existence, a life she had scratched out on her own. She paid taxes, had an apartment and a job. The job hadn't paid much but it kept her going.

A chance encounter in the bar with Drake and his friends, and an impulsive leap to chase adventure had ended her job and cast her into the unknown. Drake had warned her that adapting to his world wouldn't be easy, but she had survived it with his help. But then circumstances beyond her control had sent her back to America, and although her current situation wasn't ideal there were still pieces of herself left to rebuild a life if she wanted.

Drake sat barely a foot away, and represented a new piece to her love life that had been missing. Mark's manipulation and betrayal had left her afraid to trust anyone past a first date. She'd sworn off sex to avoid the potential physical pain and accepted seeing the inevitable disappointment on the face of her date when she cut the night short and went home alone.    

Work, sleep, and the friendship of Beth became all that she wanted to know. This routine had given her safety, and stability. Picking up extra shifts at work, while enduring her horrible boss, had paid her bills and her student loans. Because she rarely went out, and shared rent with Beth, Kate had been able to put some savings aside. During her time in Cordonia she had been spared paying for rent or food, but her mobile phone bill still had to be paid. She'd avoided making phone calls as much as possible to reduce roaming charges, but other unexpected expenses had eaten into her savings. Fitting into life amongst the Lords and Ladies meant dressing the part. The Beaumonts may have sponsored her in name and opportunity but they couldn't afford to dress her. As convenient as the Palace boutique was, the clothing wasn't free. The saddest part was that when she got sent back to New York she hadn't been allowed to take any of the new clothes with her. And she'd seen none of the money refunded back to her bank account. When the security guards had dumped her at the airport she had even been forced to pay for her ticket home.

Since returning to New York she'd been shopping with Beth, bought books, and paid for takeout. She was scared to look at what was left of her bank account. Could she even afford to go back to Cordonia with Drake? Weren't there immigration laws and residence visas, or proof of citizenship regulations? Could the scandal that sent her away be considered treason against the crown? If Nicholas doesn't step in, could she be arrested? I can't do this. I can't go back.

As fun as this weekend with Drake had been, now she felt trapped into accepting a future that wasn't hers. The inside of the car suddenly felt hot and airless, sweat broke out on her skin. She couldn't breathe.

Drake heard rapid, raspy breathing coming from his left and he looked up from his phone. Kate was staring at him, her eyes wide and full of panic. She looked like she was about to be sick.

"Kate? Are you ok?"

She shook her head, and turned toward the door. Her hands clawed and wrenched at the door handle and fumbled for the window button.

"Murray, pull over!" Drake shouted.

Murray looked up at the rearview mirror, and then quickly over his shoulder. "What? I can't. What's going on?"

"Kate's freaking out, and we need to stop. I don't think you want any accidental bodily fluids happening back here."

"We're almost there," Murray jabbed at the window lock to release it, "Here, open a window to get her some fresh air."

Kate's window buzzed all the way down and a rush of cool air flooded the car. She gulped in deep breaths and unbuckled her seatbelt.

To Drake it looked like she was about to climb out so he reached over and grabbed her arm. "Hey, hey..Kate, you're going to be ok. What the fuck?"

Murray pulled over to the curb in front of her apartment building. "We're here. Now please calm down. Was my driving really that bad?"

When Kate opened her door and bolted out into the street,  Drake pulled his door open and chased after her.  With his arms spread open he attempted to stop her from running past him. Despite her heels she managed to avoid him, brushing past his reaching fingers.

"Kate, stop!"

At the door of her building she whimpered and searched her purse for her key. Before she could get it out, Drake's arms enveloped her from behind and he held her against his chest. "Stop running away, damnit. Talk to me, and tell me what's wrong."

His hold was firm, and Kate realized that struggling would make the situation look worse. Drake wasn't trying to hurt her, and his voice held concern instead of anger. As the tension in her body released, his hold softened and she allowed him to take her by the hand instead.

Murray was pulling their bags out of the back of the car as he watched Drake lead her back.

"Look, you two. If this is some kind of abduction situation I want no part of it. I've already seen you carry her to the car once. Is she really your girl, or are you forcing her to be with you against her will?"

Drake opened his mouth to speak, but Murray cut him off. "No, not you. I want to hear it from her. Are you okay, Miss? Is this guy trying to take you somewhere?"

Kate almost laughed at the irony of his question, because Drake was trying to take her out of the country. Drake now had his arm wrapped around her back, holding her against him. But there wasn't anything forceful about it. Placing her hand over his, she felt Drake relax a little. She lifted her eyes up from the ground and answered Murray with as much calm as she could manage.

"I'm okay, Murray.  He's my bodyguard, and it's his job to babysit me and keep me safe. He and I just need to talk about something in private. I'm sorry for how chaotic this job has been for you."

Murray didn't look convinced, but he accepted Drake's hand when it was offered to shake.

"Thanks Murray, I appreciate your patience. And your smooth driving."

The driver nodded and then with another glance back at them he got into the car and left.

"Now hopefully Murray doesn't call the cops on us," Drake mumbled as he bent down to pick up his bags from the sidewalk.

Kate picked up her own suitcase, "I'm sorry for flipping out back there. I just panicked all of a sudden."

He followed her back to the front door, "Panicked about what?"

She sat down her bag and looked for her key in her purse, "Oh, I don't know. Maybe the fact that I'm upending my life all over again to move to another country with a guy I barely know."

Drake shrugged and then reached up to hold the door for her after she unlocked and opened it.  "Well, you've known me for several months and you were brave enough to spend a weekend with me in a hotel. So saying you barely know me is kind of a stretch. Plus you seemed to enjoy Cordonia while you were there."

Kate sighed as she put down her suitcase and turned around to face him. "It was a wonderful sort of vacation, but living there full time scares me a little."

Drake sat down his bags and then stepped over to place his hands gently on her shoulders, "It's not like you're going to be there all by yourself. I'll be there to look after you and help you adapt. Plus Hana, Max and Nicholas love you almost as much as I do."

Smoothing her hands down the front of his jacket, she undid the button and then reached in to hug him around his waist.   Drake hugged her around the shoulders as she pressed her cheek against his chest.

"That takes care of my emotional state, and I appreciate not being alone. But I can't expect you to support me financially.  As a non-citizen am I even allowed to live and work in Cordonia or Europe for that matter? I don't even have a passport."

"Don't forget that you have friends in high places. Especially the King. You can't get any higher than that in Cordonia. Plus you're going to be travelling on his personal jet, which as a private flight is not subject to customs and immigration rules. As a personal guest of the King, you'll always have somewhere to stay. You said that you want to be a writer, and you can do that anywhere. Who knows what employment opportunities that may open up for you? The logistics and legalities of paperwork can be worked out later." 

He paused for a moment to appreciate how comfortable and warm their embrace was. Kate's doubts and fears were justified, and the fact that she didn't want to become a burden upon him financially made him love her even more. She was clearly torn between letting him go, returning to a New York life without him, and trusting herself to let go of her fear of the future and embracing a new life in Cordonia. He knew how he felt, and his heart ached at the idea that she might decide not to go back with him.  But he also knew that he couldn't force her.

"Kate, " He said, his voice low. "I know that Nicholas sent me here to bring you back to him. And for my own selfish reasons I jumped at the chance to see you again. The promise of something more, along with the undeniable chemistry we seem to have, makes me believe we really could be good for each other. But as much as I love you, I can't drag you back if it's not what you want."

"Oh, Drake," she sighed, closing her eyes. "I love you, too. And I accept that we both had emotional baggage that we needed to sort through and deal with. You've already shown me that you're a better man than Mark could ever be, and that's helped me move beyond what he did.  I'm sorry that my insecurity forced you to dredge up Olivia."

Kissing her on the top of the head he gently rubbed her back, "Don't be sorry, I'm over her bullshit and she can't hurt me anymore. I'm sorry for dragging up Mark all over again. I was looking for validation for my jealous hate for the guy." 

"How could you be jealous of Mark?"

"Well when you talked about him at the ice cream shoppe, I got the impression that you two had something hot going on. Oh and for the record I was jealous of Nicholas too. Women from all over wanted to be with him. But then he said something about the social season that changed my mind about the whole thing." 

Kate looked up, "What did he say?"

"That it was just some sick way to spend time with as many women as possible, and make them compete for his attention. Even though he was always going to choose Madeleine, because it was all planned out for him in advance. She only wanted the crown, and he was looking for a girlfriend on the side to share his bed. Apparently this Cordonian Arrangement is a family tradition in case the Queen couldn't give the King an heir then he would have a backup plan. "

"I remember seeing this in his letter, but I assumed this was something put together on Coronation Night. So he was planning on sleeping with all the suitors at some point, to see which one of us was the most compatible as a future side piece."

Drake nodded, "I think that's the way it was supposed to happen, but Nick didn't want to go through with it. He didn't feel comfortable just using all you women for sex, and he wanted a true romantic marriage instead of a political one. When it was clear that you were his favourite, and he stopped seeing the other suitors, Constantine stepped in to eliminate you in order to keep the family tradition alive. Clearly if your reputation was tarnished, you'd be ineligible as his mistress too."

"Before the tabloid pictures went viral, I received an anonymous letter warning me to leave. Olivia got one too, and she accused me of being behind it.  Constantine surely wouldn't have bothered with the letter if he had already planned on hiring the reporter to take my picture with Tariq."

Drake shrugged, "Maybe Regina did it on Madeleine's behalf to narrow down Nick's choices. That would have left Kiara, Penelope and Hana as options. Were they threatened too?"

"Hana received a letter from her parents saying that they wanted her to come home right after the Coronation. She seemed pretty upset about it.  Given how critical her parents have been, it seemed legitimate."

Drake smirked down at her as he cupped her cheek in his hand, "Still want to come live under the same roof as Constantine the Terrible? Imagine having that conniving bastard as your father-in-law. Maybe having you sent away to New York was a good idea after all. He's never had many kind words for me, either.  But the joke's on him because I'm bringing you back."

"Not funny, Drake. Do we have to live at the Palace? My face is still all over social media linked to the scandal with Tariq.  If the reporters know I'm back in the Capital again they're going to hound me like crazy."

Kate looked so scared, and he realized he'd gone too far. "I'm sorry. Joking about you was a dick thing for me to do. Yeah, we'll have to stay at the Palace for a little while. But when the train station investigation is over, we can get away and move north. I've been wanting to spend some time out by the lake. There's a cabin there that belonged to my Mom and Dad, and I suppose it's all mine now."

"Ooh, I like that idea. We can have a little place of our own."

"It would be nice to finally get out from under the royal thumb. There's a small town nearby where we can get the things we need. The cabin needs some fixing up, though. It was never meant for year-round living. When we'd stay there when I was a kid it was only for a weekend. So, Kate. Does this mean you're coming home with me?"

Hugging him tighter she nodded, "Yes. I'll do it."

Leaning in he gave her a firm kiss and then with a wide smile he pulled back, "Oh thank goodness. You had me worried there for a minute.  And if you're still interested in becoming a citizen of Cordonia, there are ways to make it happen easier."

Kate looked up at him, "Easier, how?"

Studying her face, he wasn't sure how to say it. It was too soon to officially ask her that question, despite how he felt. But since he'd stupidly suggested an easy route to citizenship, he had to answer her with something. "Family ties, perhaps?  Since the Beaumonts sponsored you, and gave you honorary status they could manipulate the paperwork to make it look like you're actually related somehow. Like a distant cousin. You do look like a Beaumont. Maxwell could easily pass as your brother."

She blinked, her brows knitting into a frown. "I suppose. But I was waiting for you to suggest something more official and legal, like marriage."

Drake looked away and then back again, "I was afraid to say it. As if you'd think I was throwing a half-assed proposal at you."

Kate looked down at her shoes, feeling her cheeks flush, "When I said 'marriage' ..I..I was just acknowledging that it's a way to become family. I wasn't proposing to you either."

Kissing her on the forehead he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze and then stepped back, going over to pick up his bags again. "I guess that's that then... shall we go upstairs?"

With a nod she picked up her suitcase too. "Um, yeah."

Bowing slightly he smirked and gestured toward the stairs, "After you, M'lady."

With a nervous smile of her own she led the way, "I know it's not the Ritz or a Royal Palace. But it's humble, honest and clean. Please excuse the second hand furnishings, and basic layout."

"It's not like I haven't been here before, Kate. I still appreciate this being your home. I came from humble beginnings myself, remember? So there's no reason to apologize for anything."

She sighed as they reached the second floor, "Yes, I know. But you've never slept over before."

Kate stopped outside her door and knocked. Beth answered with a smile.

"Oh hey, you two. I've ordered pizza, come on in."  She held the door open for them.

Drake nodded to Beth as he came in the door, and then took his bags down to Kate's bedroom.  "I'm going to change into something more comfortable and be right back."

Beth pulled Kate aside into the kitchen, whispering, "Hello, Mr. Sexy in a Suit. Oh my God."

Kate smiled at her reaction, "Yes, I know. He doesn't like dressing formal, but he should look in a mirror every once and a while. The guy is literally sex in a suit."

Beth looked Kate up and down, taking in her smudged makeup and less than tidy hair. "Speaking of sex.  Did something happen between the hotel and here?"

Kate bent over to take off her shoes, and then picked up her suitcase. As she straightened back up she smirked. "Well, when you spend a long car ride next to Sex in a Suit something is bound to happen."

Beth giggled as Kate winked at her and then took her suitcase down the hall to the bathroom.

..

Down in the bedroom, Drake sat his suitcase down on the floor, and flopped his garment bag down on the bed. With a sigh he sat down and then bent over to take off his shoes.  The toe and leather of one shoe was badly scuffed and the other shoe had lost a lot of its shine. Turning them over, the soles were in rough shape too. They had been an old pair of his father's shoes, and since he'd never felt the need to buy dress shoes of his own, Drake had kept them. He'd also inherited one of his Dad's grey suits. It wasn't a perfect fit, and neither were the shoes, but he liked having something of Jackson's in his closet. Up until a few days ago, they had been the best formal clothes that he'd had. 

The suits he had borrowed for his trip to New York would need to be returned to the boutique so they could be dry cleaned and put away for someone else. He was considering keeping the shirts though, since Hana had suggested they complimented the colour of his eyes.  He smirked as he remembered how Kate had looked at him when he was all dressed up.  The next formal event held at the Palace meant she would probably insist that he danced with her.  Oh God, I'll have to learn that stupid Cordonian Waltz they always do.

He'd always found formal dances with their precise form and steps intimidating. They required a partner and he was terrified of stomping all over her feet. Even worse, if they tried to keep up with the other couples and failed, they'd be laughed at.  Dancing freestyle suited him best, because there were no rules. And in the dark anonymity of a club he could dance with Kate the way he wanted.

But for now he was supposed to be changing into something more casual. Which meant that the suit he was wearing had to go. Standing up, he took his phone and wallet out of the inside pocket of the jacket and then took it off and laid it on the bed. Setting his items aside he took off his pants next, pulling the belt out through the loops. He wasn't sure yet what he was going to wear when he went out with Kate and her friends. Going out clubbing wasn't something he did often and usually he went alone. Would Kate have an opinion about what he should wear?

Out of the corner of his eye he caught his reflection in the mirror on the wall.  Standing in his socks and underwear he looked out of place in the environment of Kate's bedroom. She could walk in at any second. Grabbing his suitcase he opened it up on the bed and found the sweat pants and t-shirt that he'd bought earlier that day. These would do for now. As he stepped into his pants he heard the doorknob turn.

"Oh hey there sexy, if you want to eat pizza shirtless I don't mind at all."

Pulling up his pants he turned around. "Well it would stop me from getting sauce or cheese stains on my clothes."

Kate was dressed in similar fashion, with her black lacy dress draped over her arm, and her hair swept up in a high ponytail. In her other hand she held her suitcase.  As he pulled his shirt down over his head, she pouted. "Aww, I was looking forward to seeing you pick pepperoni out of your chest hair."

Shaking his head he reached for her suitcase and set it next to his. "Ok, now you're just being gross. I'm not that sloppy as an eater."

"I still remember our pizza last night and it got pretty messy."

He pulled Kate into his arms and grinned down at her, "Yes, it also included a lap dance and you throwing up. So I agree it was definitely something."

"No truth or dare drinking games this time, promise." She giggled, "But another lap dance would be great. That was pretty hot."

"I don't know about a lap dance, but if you're good maybe I'll agree to dance with you at the club."

Delicious memories of his sexy strip tease made her senses tingle. "Mmm, and you better not chicken out either. You have moves Mr. Walker, and I want to see them." 

Leaning in for a kiss, he whispered, "I prefer to save my best moves for when we're alone."

Reaching up behind his neck, she pressed up against him as his hold on her tightened. As she softened her mouth and welcomed his tongue, his hands slid up under the hem of her sweater. A moan spilled from her throat as the heat of his touch spread up her spine. When he didn't encounter a bra, he growled in approval and slid his hand around her ribs and cupped her breast in his palm. With a gasp she broke off the kiss, and grabbed for his wrist.

"Stop, a kiss is enough for now. Your hands can explore later."

With a disappointed huff he stepped back, "Ok, fine.  But give me a moment. I can't go out there in my current state."

With a glance down she grinned, "Oh right."

A knock on the bedroom door made them both jump.

"Come on out, you guys. The pizza's here," Beth said with a laugh. "Put your clothes back on."

Kate covered her flaming cheeks with her hands and peeked through her fingers at Drake. "Busted, again."

"Thanks, Beth," Drake answered, "We'll be right out."

..

Setting the two pizza boxes on the counter, Beth made room so that they could be opened side by side.

"Mmm, these smell delicious. I wonder what Drake likes on his pizza. Hopefully these are ok."

Daniel opened up the cupboard and got down a stack of four plates. "Have you seen the way the guy is built? What if he doesn't even eat pizza. I don't even know where he's from. That accent of his is definitely European, but it's not easy to nail down. Thank goodness he speaks excellent English."

Shooting him a disapproving look, Beth dropped to a whisper, "Hush, there's nothing wrong with the way he talks. And he's from Cordonia. Google it. From what I saw on Google maps it's an island in the Mediterranean off the coast of Italy. So he's definitely had pizza."

"Whatever, I don't have to like him. I remember what you told me about that Mark guy that Kate dated before. I hope Drake isn't another sleazy douchebag like that."

"The way Kate talked about him before he got here, she really likes him. So please try to be nice." Beth pleaded, "I'm already feeling sad because she's leaving tomorrow. Don't make me worry about her in advance. It'll spoil the rest of my last night with her."

Pulling Beth into a hug, Daniel kissed her on the cheek and dropped his voice to a whisper, "I'm sorry.  I'm going to miss her too, you know.  I promise to behave."

Kissing him back she replied, "Good, now why don't you grab a beer for you and your new buddy Drake. Maybe he's thirsty."

With a sigh he rolled his eyes and then let her go, "He's not my buddy, not yet."

..

Drake slipped his hand into Kate's, giving it a gentle squeeze, "C'mon, let's go make an appearance. I smell pizza and it's making me hungry."

Cracking a smile she bumped her shoulder against his arm as they went down the hallway, "Aww, I love it when you hold my hand. It's so sweet."

Drake grunted in agreement, giving her hand another squeeze, "Promise you won't run away this time?"

She laughed, "No promises."

"Great."

Daniel looked up as he closed the fridge, the necks of two bottles of beer in his hand, "Jesus, they're already dressing alike. Beth, look at 'em."

Beth licked her finger as she placed a slice of pizza on her plate, "I think it's cute. Shut up, Dan."

Drake smirked and let go of Kate's hand and then accepted the bottle of beer that Daniel offerered him, "Yeah, yeah. Thanks, a lot."

Opening up the fridge, Kate pulled a can of Diet Coke from the shelf. After closing the door she leaned against the counter and watched Drake and Dan discuss pizza while they pulled slices out of the boxes and filled their plates.

"I suppose New York pizza is a lot different than what you would usually see at home, " Dan mused, a hint of challenge in his tone.

Drake shrugged, "Mediterranean style pizza is topped differently and the crust tastes fresher. On New York pizza it's like they're trying to cover their huge pies with as much stuff as possible to hide their crappy crust. I'm not saying that gooey melted cheese and spicy pepperoni aren't delicious, because they are, but it all just slides off when you pick up a slice."

Beth and Kate exchanged a glance, Uh oh..

Daniel shook his head and then took his plate and beer to the living room, muttering, "nope...nope, nope.. he's no buddy of mine if he's gonna dis New York pizza."

Drake leaned against the counter, twisting the cap off his beer and throwing it into the sink. "What? It's the truth."

Sitting down at the table with her plate of pizza, Kate answered, "Be careful with that first bite, Hon. Remember what happened last night."

He smirked as he picked up his plate, and then walked past her to follow Daniel into the living room, "Yeah, yeah...thanks Mom. I remember."

Grabbing a Diet Coke from the fridge, Beth joined Kate at the table. "What was that all about?"

Kate leaned in and told Beth about her and Drake's pizza and truth or dare. Including how it ended.

Beth covered her mouth, trying not to spit out her mouthful of soda. She swallowed, "No, way.  You've gotta show me that video."

With a giggle, Kate picked up her pizza slice, "It was epic, you're gonna love it."

...

Daniel glanced up as Drake walked into the room. As Daniel flicked through the tv channels, Drake sat down in the arm chair and placed his plate on the coffee table. When he sat back, taking his beer with him, he turned toward the television, "So what are we watching?"

"Uh, Beth and I were watching a movie, but it's over now. How's the beer? I'm sure you have an opinion on that too."

Drake frowned and then took a sip of his beer and swallowed, "It's fine, nice and cold. Just the way I like it." He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees, tilting the neck of the bottle toward Daniel as he spoke. "Do you have a problem with me, Dan? Am I not American enough for you? Because if you're so hung up on my strange European accent...I can switch it off, if you like."

Daniel halted his channel surfing when Drake slipped into a smooth Texas drawl, "What the fuck, man. How did you do that?"

Sitting back in his chair, Drake took another sip of his beer, "My Mom's from Texas, and she dragged me there for college. Although I didn't have much problem dressin' and lookin' the part of a Texas boy, I had to make an effort to sound like one. We have a small cattle ranch outside of Navasota."

Daniel didn't know where that was, for all he knew it could be a place as fake as Drake's accent, "So where'd you go to school?"

"Texas A&M, like my Mom. I studied Kinesiology with an aim for a Bachelor in Sport Science."

With the way that Drake filled out his clothes, Dan had no doubt the guy was good at some kind of sport. "So you and Kate went to the Yankees game yesterday. I'm not going to ask which side you were on."

Drake sat down his beer and picked up his plate of pizza, "The winning side. Although we did have seats behind the Yankee dugout."

"Well at least there's that..., " Dan mumbled as he tuned into ESPN.  A pregame show for an upcoming Phillies vs Mets game was on. "So you're okay watching a Mets game then?"

Drake took a bite of his pizza, appreciating that it wasn't molten lava like the night before. He chewed and swallowed before answering, "That's fine with me. I like baseball."

"Okay then Texas Boy, are you a Rangers or an Astros fan?"

"Rangers, but my Mom hates me for it. Navasota is closer to Houston." Drake replied, his Texas accent slipping away. "But in my defense I grew up in Cordonia, not Texas. And my favourite colour is blue."

Daniel shrugged, "I guess I can't blame you for that. So if your Mom is from Texas, what about your Dad? Were you an army brat that happened to be born in Europe?"

Drake shook his head, "Dad was from the northern part of Cordonia."

Finishing his beer, Daniel sat the empty bottle on the coffee table. "Was? As in... oh, sorry to hear that, Drake.."

The muscle in Drake's jaw twitched as he nodded and then turned his attention back to the television. "Thanks, it happened a long time ago. So.."

The two men were quiet as their unspoken words filled the space between them.  They ate their pizza instead while the television filled the air with talk of baseball players and statistics. The sound of Beth and Kate's conversation in the kitchen filtered in from behind Drake and he felt the back of his neck burn. They were talking about him.

Beth picked toppings out of the melted cheese on her pizza slice and ate them. "So this thing between you and Drake took off in a hurry."

Kate sipped at her Diet Coke, "And to think I didn't even know his last name until a few days ago."

"Girl, what?" Beth glanced past Kate toward the living room. "Maybe moving back across the ocean with the guy is a little hasty then."

"We've been around each other for months, and there was always some kind of attraction simmering beneath the surface. I'd flirt, and he'd hide behind his duty to Nicholas. We'd steal moments alone and talk, and soon a flimsy thread of friendship began. The more time we spent together, meant that long looks and touching were next. Damn, Beth. It was like fireworks going off with our first kiss."

"But Nicholas, though. I Googled the guy yesterday. He's all kinds of Prince Charming, and now he's the King. What's not to love about being with the golden boy?" Beth replied.  

Kate felt warm all over, knowing that Drake was probably listening to every word. "All those months ago, Nicholas showed up at the bar with his friends. And being the sucker for adventure that I am, his charm made me take a chance and follow him home. But when I boarded the jet with Maxwell, the Prince wasn't there, but Drake was."

"And who's Maxwell?"

"Drake's other best friend." Kate said.

From the next room Drake interrupted, "No, he's not!"

Kate smirked and rolled her eyes, "He's in denial. Maxwell is such a sweetheart. You'll get to meet him tomorrow."

"But anyway, I'm pretty sure Drake was hungover. Because nobody could be that grumpy and be traveling on a private jet."

"A private jet with you and Maxwell. How could I not be grumpy? And for the record, I was only slightly hungover." Drake said, as he walked into the kitchen with his plate and empty bottle.

Kate watched him place his plate on the counter, and then turn around and lean against it with his arms folded. "Uh huh, and who was serving the whiskey that night?"

He smirked and looked away, "I'm glad Nick was paying. 'Cuz, yeah. We got pretty loaded."

"But leave it to me to pass up on the golden boy, and fall in love with this brooding and handsome best friend instead. And now he's back all by himself, making all these sweet romantic gestures and stuff. He gave me flowers, Beth....Did the whole 'You look cold, here take my jacket thing' .. swept me off my feet..literally. "

Beth rolled her eyes, "Oh, stop. It sounds like some sappy movie, and I kinda hate it. But I can't help but feel happy for you too. You've been in some kind of limbo since we finished college. Working at that stupid bar was holding you back. You could've been at the book store with me."

"I tried, remember? They weren't hiring at the time. Besides if I was working at the bookstore a few months ago, I'd still be in that limbo. And lonely as hell."

Beth shrugged, "You don't know that. Maybe you would've written the next bestseller by now."

"Uh huh, and as Drake mentioned to me earlier, I can write anywhere. And why be a sad lonely girl in New York, when I can be a happy woman living in a royal palace in Europe with him?"

Daniel came into the kitchen, "Speaking of New York, some of us still have to live here. And work at stupid bars. Tonight aren't we supposed to be going out to a bar where we can be served booze instead?"

Getting up from the table, Kate walked over to Drake. "And don't forget it's Karaoke night."

He groaned and pulled her into his arms for a kiss, "Stop reminding me."

She shook her head, "And you owe me two songs, mister."

"Only because you tricked me into it." He protested.

Beth loaded their dirty plates into the dishwasher, while Daniel gathered up the leftover pizza and put it all together in one box and put it away in the fridge.

Pulling his suitcase out of the closet, Drake flopped it open on the bed. While he tidied up the few unworn clothing items he came across the envelope holding Kate's letter from Nicholas. He was tempted to just tear it up and throw it in the trash, but he was also curious about it's contents. He reluctantly handed it to her.

"What's this?" she asked.

"Nicholas wrote it to apologize."

Kate sat down on the other side of the bed and opened up the letter while Drake continued packing. It's written on the official Royal stationary, and she took a moment to appreciate the elegance of his handwriting before she read it:

'My Dearest Kate,

I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. I'm terribly sorry about the abrupt way you were taken away from the Coronation and sent back to America. Please believe this was none of my doing, and I was just as shocked as you were. Under the circumstances I was forced to choose Madeleine as my bride. A choice I will always regret. I love you Kate, and there's no doubt in my mind that you were the one I wanted to marry. Both Madeleine's family and mine see our engagement as a political victory for the Kingdom of Cordonia, but I just feel cheated out of my own happiness. Madeleine is only interested in our marriage so that she can be Queen, and she doesn't care that I don't love her.

She and my stepmother Regina even proposed an arrangement, where Cordonia would have a Queen while I could have you at the same time -..'

Kate looked up from the letter, horrified..

"Oh my God, Drake. Did you know about this?"

Drake glanced up at Kate while he zippered up his suitcase. "The letter? Yeah."

"No..about this silly plot hatched by Madeleine to share Nicholas. As if I'd agree to be his mistress, while she stood next to him as his queen."

Drake shrugged, "Well it doesn't matter now because Madeleine is dead."

Kate looked at the letter again. "He feels cheated out of the chance to marry me, and he still loves me."

Drake walked over and sat down next to her. "Yeah, but he wrote all this before she died. And he swore to me that he wouldn't stand in the way of you and I being together."

Kate finished reading the letter:

'Madeleine fully expects me to marry her at the end of the engagement tour, regardless of my involvement with you. But I cannot lie to Cordonia and pretend our marriage isn't a loveless one. We're expected to produce an heir, when there's no doubt in my mind she'll never want me in her bed. Nor do I want to sleep with her.

I'm determined to break our engagement somehow, and marry you instead. You're the Queen of my heart Kate, and the best fit to be the next Queen of Cordonia. I'm sending Drake to New York to bring you back. Please come back to me, Kate.

All my love,

Nicholas'

Kate handed Drake the letter, "This doesn't sound like he's willing to just let me go."

As Drake quickly read the letter his frown deepened, "God Dammit, he gave me his blessing."

"And of course, being his best friend you believed him. His vow to 'break their engagement somehow' sounds rather suspicious now that Madeleine's dead. Don't you think?"

Drake felt his stomach twist at the thought that the King could be guilty. "You can't be saying that you think he would....do such a thing. He was in just as much danger as she was."

Kate placed her hand on Drake's knee. "I know he's not capable of actually hurting someone, I'm just saying this letter makes him look dangerously guilty. He hasn't exactly been tight lipped about his dislike for her."

"We have to destroy it to make sure nobody else sees it." Drake insisted.

Kate felt conflicted since it was still a love letter from Nicholas. The weight of its sentiment tugged at past mutual feelings, but there was no going back now. She knew Drake was right, the letter had to go.

"We can't burn it because we'd set off the smoke alarm. Let's tear it up and flush it down the toilet instead" She replied.

He handed the letter back to her, "It's yours, so you should do it."

Kate folded the letter and then tore it in half. This officially put any kind of romantic relationship with Nicholas to rest. She felt a tiny pang of regret that she couldn't read it again, but then pushed it away. She handed the pieces to Drake, and watched him tear them again. He handed some pieces back to Kate, and she tore them up smaller. He did the same, until the letter was just a pile of shredded paper on the bed.

Kate held out her hands in a bowl shape, "Alright now hand me all the pieces and I'll dispose of them. I need to use the bathroom anyway."

After scooping up the paper bits, Drake watched her walk into the bathroom and shut the door.

With a sigh of relief he tossed the blank envelope in the trash. He glanced around the bedroom and thought about what else needed to be cleaned up. He was almost finished packing, and Kate had only the small bag she'd brought so it wouldn't take her long to pack it all away again.

He thought of the blue cotton dress she was wearing, and how nice she looked. Then he looked over at the open door to the closet, and how her new black dress was still hanging there next to his black suit. While the blue dress was cute and flirty, the black lacy dress was sexy as fuck. This was their last night in New York, and they had some time to kill before their double date with Beth and Daniel.

When they'd returned from lunch he had entertained the thought of just staying in the suite and christening more surfaces with their hot naked DNA, but Kate cornering him had killed that mood. The letter from Nicholas had been more of a love letter than apology, and that had just made Drake feel worse. It was a sucker punch that made him feel small and unworthy compared to what the King could offer.

It was time to swing things back in his own favour. He and Kate had more to talk about, and he wanted to do it over a nice dinner. A dinner the King was going to pay for.

Drake had brought the black suit to make an impression, and to prove something to Kate. Prove that he could take her on a romantic date and be more than just the commoner best friend. Show her that he could be more than just Nic's messenger, and was willing to actually show up for the woman he loved.

Looking down at his casual clothes he decided they had to go. He unbuckled his belt, stripped off his jeans, and shirt and then put them into his suitcase. He sat down on the bed in his underwear and waited for Kate to come out of the bathroom.

When the door opened, Kate saw Drake sitting there in just his underwear and smiled, "Well look at you. Did you pack up everything, and now you don't know what to do with yourself?"

Drake grinned back at her, beckoning her over to him. "I know exactly what I want to do with myself, and with you. We started our time in New York with a dinner date at the Bistro, and I figured we could do the same thing tonight to say goodbye to the Ritz."

Pulling her cotton dress off over her head she walked over to him. "That sounds like an excellent idea. Something worth dressing up for. I'm dying to see how sexy you look in your black suit."

"Speaking of sexy. Those pictures of you in that black dress were such a tease. And I want to experience all that in person." He said, giving her an appreciative hungry look.

Kate stepped into his arms and then sat on his lap. Running her fingers through his hair she leaned in to give him a kiss. With a hum of pleased satisfaction, he ran his hands up and down her back and took her with him as he sank back on the bed.

She let out a giggle as she moved to straddle his hips, and continued to plant kisses all over his face. He ran his hands down and hooked his thumbs into the waistband of her panties and gave her ass a firm squeeze. His fingernails grazed against her tender skin, causing a ripple of pleasure and a whispered sigh from her lips as she found his mouth again.

Kate sucked at his bottom lip, and rocked her hips against him. Drake groaned, feeling his cock twitch and come to life, but rolling around with her on the bed with his suitcase in the way wasn't what he had in mind.

He reluctantly rolled them over to the side and separated them. He brushed the hair back from her face, and leaned in for one last kiss before sitting up again.

"Sorry, but we need to get ready for dinner. How about we take this fun into the bathroom instead?" He suggested with a smirk.

"Hot, soapy time with you? Hell, yes." She smiled back.

Drake got up from the bed and then held his hand out to her. "Ok, good. Come with me."

Kate slid out of her panties and then tossed them at him as she got off the bed, "Here, I'm done with these."

With a chuckle he wrapped his arms around her and they exchanged playful kisses as he backed them both toward the bathroom.

As they went through the door he turned them around and Kate gasped as her feet touched the cold bathroom floor tiles. Drake moved his kisses to her neck and shoulder and then with a quick glance toward the vanity and mirror he picked Kate up and set her ass down on the marble counter.

"Drake," she gasped out again. "The counter's colder than the floor.."

"Sorry, let me warm you up.." He stepped into the gap of her thighs and she wrapped her legs around his waist, tugging him closer.

"Mmm, that's much better." She purred in appreciation as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and there lips met again.

Drake braced his hands on either side of her hips, gripping the edge of the counter. Tipping his head back to take a breath, he pressed his hard cock up against her and mumbled with a smirk, "Wouldn't you know it, the counter is the perfect height."

Kate relaxed her legs as she moved her hands to push down his underwear, "Yes, I noticed." She whispered.

With a shake of his hips they dropped down around his ankles and he kicked them aside. Adjusting his position and tugging her ass to the edge of the counter, he buried his face into the side of her neck, "You better hold ...onto me," he whispered hoarsely as his voice caught in his throat.

Kate gasped and clung to his shoulders, as the hard heat of him thrusted up inside of her and contrasted with the cold hardness of the counter beneath her ass.

Drake wrapped his arms tighter around her, one hand sliding up into her hair to brace the back of her head from smacking into the mirror. With a whimper she met his kisses as his hips slammed into her. "Oh, Drake..."

Tipping her head back he licked a hot trail up her throat, whispering, "I love hearing you say my name, no pet names needed...just my name falling off your lips while I do things to you. Fuck it's a major turn on."

He loved the taste of the pebbly goosebumps he caused on her skin, and how her breasts and hard nipples pressed up against him as he moved inside her.

The hair on the back of his neck was starting to stand up as a rush of pleasure coursed through his veins. They were making a mess of the counter as their toiletries were being knocked into the sink and onto the floor but he didn't care. The way she looked at him through her lowered lashes and the flush in her cheeks as her mouth dropped open, made the mess worth it. He wanted to erase any thought of Nicholas and his stupid love letter out of her mind. She was his girl now, and Nicholas was never getting her back.

Seeing his own face reflected back to him in the mirror and his ridiculous expression made Drake flush with heat all over. He shifted his eyes back to her face.

Kate caught this subtle shift in his gaze and smirked at him as he stopped moving, "Weird isn't it? Seeing yourself while you're in the middle of sex... Doesn't look as good as its supposed to feel."

Drake nodded with a sigh of disappointment, and she tucked her head against his shoulder and they hugged each other as their brief moment of passion faded, "It definitely weirded me out. Sex on the bathroom counter may not have been the best idea."

Kate squirmed uncomfortably, "The counter isn't getting any softer either, but it was good while it lasted."

"I suppose you're right....here, let me," Drake helped her down off the vanity to stand on the floor. She was a little unsteady on her feet and winced at the ache in her tailbone. Drake wrapped his arm around her back to hold her against him.

"Sorry, I guess I got a little carried away."

Kate reached around to slap him on the ass. "Just a little...It felt like you were trying to nail me to the counter."

"Ow." He chuckled with a frown.

"Exactly, 'ow'.. Now how about you carry me over to the tub and we enjoy a nice warm bubble bath together instead?"

Drake looked over to the bathtub, "Do you think we'd both fit in there?"

Kate shrugged, "I'm willing to find out if you are."

"Ok, then." Drake grinned as he bent down to pick her up in his arms princess style.

Kate giggled as she clung to him, "Don't you drop me."

He shifted her in his arms, and she gasped as he smirked back at her with a chuckle, "Not a chance."

Drake carried her over and set her down gently in the middle of the bathtub, giving her a kiss on the cheek as he straightened back up. Kate hugged her knees to her chest to make herself smaller.

"See?" She said, "Plenty of room for you in here too."

Drake tilted his head doubtfully, "Uh huh, we'll see."

He leaned over and turned on the water taps, placing the stopper in the drain. Kate tapped her feet in the warm water and splashed as it met her toes.

"Hey now, no splashing in the pool." Drake scolded as he flicked water back at her.

Kate laughed, shielding her face with her arms. "Hey yourself!"

Drake laid out a bath towel on the floor next to the tub. "I can see it now... We're gonna need one of these..."

Leaning her elbow on the edge of the tub, Kate gestured toward the bottles of bubble bath and shampoo. "Don't forget those too."

Drake folded his arms in defiance as he looked over at where she was pointing, "Do we have to use that sweet smelling stuff?"

Kate looked down at the clear water pooling around her. "We need bubbles, Drake."

Drake sighed, "I suppose. But I'm using my own bar of soap for washing."

She shrugged as she watched him collect hotel bottles and retrieve his bar of soap from the sink. "This is going to be one funky smelling bath."

Drake carried everything back, "You never know it might work."

He handed Kate his bar of soap, and the bottle of shampoo, and then dumped the bottle of bubble bath in the stream of water coming from the tap. Rich and creamy bubbles floated across the water and the scent of coconut wafted up into the air.

Kate breathed in deeply, "Mmm, there we go. Perfect."

Drake dropped the empty bottle in the wastebasket and picked two wash cloths off the shelf. "What's the water level like?"

Kate swished her feet and legs through the water to encourage more bubbles. "It's starting to cover my lap."

Drake tossed the wash cloths into the frothy tub and they landed with a hiss as they landed on the bubbles. "Just about right then."

Bringing his bar of soap up to her nose, Kate gave it a deep sniff. "Wow, so this is the source of your delicious scent. Not some cologne or aftershave?"

Drake shook his head and gestured for her to scoot further toward the tap to make room for him in the tub. "Nope, that's it. I don't take liquids with me when I travel."

He turned off the water and then stepped into the tub behind her, lowered himself and sat down into the warm bubbles. The water sloshed and the level rose and he tucked his feet down around her. He nudged her elbow gently with his knee. "You can move back closer to me if you want."

Kate placed the bottle of shampoo on the side of the tub, and then picked up one of the wet cloths and wrapped it around his bar of soap. Drake reached out and placed his warm wet hands on her back, giving her a gentle massage.

"Mmm, that feels heavenly." She moaned and leaned back against his hands.

Drake leaned forward and wrapped his hands around her middle and slid her backwards towards him. "C'mere you."

She leaned back against his chest and slid down in the tub with a sigh, "Oh, now this is even better."

Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her shoulder. "See? We fit just fine."

She lathered up the cloth and then ran it down his thigh, over his bent knee and then down into the water.

Drake scooped up a handful of bubbles and spread it over her breast. Kate laughed, "Of course you'd go there first."

Drake shrugged, "Can you blame me? I'm basically wrapped around you right now. A handful of boob would be anyone's first choice."

Kate rested her hands on his bent knees, "While you get a handful of me, I just get a lotta leg to look at. "

Drake lifted his foot and crossed his leg over hers, parting her thighs, "Is there something wrong with my legs? I'm particularly fond of yours by the way. "

She slid her thigh against the inside of his other leg, "I'd much rather be facing you right now. So we can both enjoy this bath to the fullest."

Drake helped her sit up, "That works for me. I want to get washed up too before the water gets cold."

After an awkward jostling of legs and more sloshing of soapy water, Kate managed to get turned around so they could sit face to face.

Fishing around in the water, Kate found the bar of soap and handed it to him. "Here. Rub-a-dub dub, Ducky."

Drake lifted an eyebrow with a chuckle, "Excuse me? Rub a what, now?"

Kate laughed, "You've never heard that before?"

Drake lathered up the face cloth with the bar of soap, "Uh, no. Is it a childish rubber ducky reference or something?"

Kate watched him swipe the cloth across his chest and then wash his neck. The soap dripped down the middle of his torso and then landed on the bath water that came up to his belly button. "Uh..I guess so. It's just something I remember from childhood."

Drake saw her eyes flick back up to his face as he spoke, "Are you going to wash too? Or are you just gonna sit there and watch?"

Kate hugged her knees to her chest and rested her chin on her knees. "I dunno. I'm kinda enjoying the 'watching' so far."

"Uh huh," Drake said as he lifted up his arm to wash his arm pit. "And what if I want to watch too?"

Kate dropped her knees open and sat cross legged in the tub. Then she swept her hair back and twisted it in a knot on top of her head. Drake gawked at the instant sexiness she had achieved with such a simple move and stopped the motion of his wash cloth mid swipe. Kate laughed at his frozen stare.

"I haven't even done anything yet. Go ahead and get yourself clean."

He blinked and then looked away, busying himself with lathering up his other arm. Kate fished around in the bubbly water and looked for the other cloth.

"Where is it?..." And then found it trapped under her knee. "Oh..there it is."

Drake handed her the soap, "So you really don't mind smelling like me?"

She shrugged as she lathered up, "It's not a bad smell. What is it called anyway?"

He frowned in thought for a moment as he cupped his hands and scooped up water, leaning forward to wet his hair, and then he raked it back with his fingers as he sat back up. He wiped the water from his face and then answered, "Sandalwood and some kind of spice. Dove brand, I think. I picked it up at the store the day I landed."

Kate watched as the water dripped off his hair and down his neck. She looked away to hide the flush of heat that had just bloomed up into her cheeks, then she grinned at her sudden thought, "I can imagine you going down the beauty aisle and sniffing all the soaps until you found one you liked."

Drake chuckled as he lathered up his hands and then rubbed the suds into his hair, "Well, yeah. Doesn't everyone do that?"

Watching him, Kate was easily distracted and stopped her own washing, "So you use this soap..everywhere?"

He paused the scrubbing of his scalp, "Normally, no. At home I have separate products for everything. But I left all that behind and just picked up some basics to get me through my time in New York."

He rinsed his hands in the water and then rubbed at the new bristle of whiskers on his cheek. "The box said that I could use the soap to shave as well. Unfortunately the disposable razors I picked up aren't the best quality. Would it bother you if I didn't shave tonight? I don't know if my skin can suffer that abuse again."

Kate scooped up some of the bubbles from the tub and covered her own cheeks with a pretend beard, "I don't mind, as long as I don't have to shave either."

Drake chuckled and leaned forward to run his finger along her soapy jaw, "This is quite a look for you."

She looked up at the bubbles in his hair and then reached up to wipe some soap off his ear. "Same for you.. between the two of us we're a couple of old farts in a tub..."

He laughed, "Excuse me? Don't you dare do that in the tub with me."

She swiped the bubbles off her face with a laugh of her own, "I would never.."

"Good," he said as he caught her hands in his and leaned in for a kiss.

The heady scent of the soap filled Kate's nostrils as she breathed in deeply and leaned into his mouth. With a moan trapped in the back of his throat, Drake tucked his hands into the back of Kate's knees and tugged her toward him. When she wrapped her legs over his thighs, he chuckled against her lips.."That's it. Come here"

As their embrace tightened, and kiss deepened, Kate ran her fingers through his hair and swiped the soap across his shoulders and back.

"Let me...get your back for you." She whispered as she gasped between kisses.

"Mmhhmm," he murmured in agreement as he slid his hands down her back and grabbed her ass.

Thinking back to their first night together, and how they'd held each other just like this, ignited a fire in Kate's senses all over again. With their slippery bodies they moved easily against each other, the lack of friction maddening as they struggled to hold on. The warm wet silkiness of Kate's soft skin enveloping his body was like a full body fuck, an intense pleasure that Drake had never experienced before. He massaged his hands up and down her back, hoping to return the pleasure back to her.

"Don't sss..st..stop," she whispered and then tightened her grip around his body with her legs. As her eyes fluttered shut, she tipped her head back. The ecstasy written all over her face was all the proof he needed. Gripping her hair, he kissed his way up the side of her neck. Stopping to suck on her earlobe. As she gasped and shuddered against him, he whispered, "Thank you."

Kate was out of breath as he cradled her in his arms. "Th..thanks? Right back atcha."

A rumbling chuckle burst out of Drake, and Kate looked up at him, "What's so funny?"

Chapter Thirty - Three : Grace Under Pressure

While New York slept, it was early morning in Cordonia. With a sigh, King Nicholas rubbed the crust from his eyes and rolled over in bed. Morning light leaked around the curtains, reminding him that his night of restless sleep was finally over. The press conference was a few hours away and his country's unanswered questions had weighed heavily on him during the night. He hoped he was prepared enough to answer them.

Although the glass of bourbon had helped knock him out, it had also been nightmare fuel. As much as he tried to forget the horrors of the train station attack by day, it still haunted him in his dreams. Last night it was Kate's bloodied body that he'd held in his arms, and not Madeleine's. Seeing her pale face and wide eyes looking up at him in shock and agony, had jolted him awake to a tangle of sheets and a cold sweat. Squeezing his eyes shut and taking a series of deep breaths to settle the bile storm brewing in his stomach, he'd tried to shake off the terrified screams and thunderous gunshots that threatened to swallow him whole all over again. Once his galloping heart had settled down to a slow trot, sleep had finally caught up to him again.

In Cordonia the King and Queen are an important symbol of strength and stability. Being the newly crowned King should be a reason to celebrate hope for the future. But the champagne had hardly dried in the flutes when the assassination of Madeleine had put the future of his reign in danger. His people would be looking to him for reassurance that the attack was an isolated incident. The royal family still being a target was a terrifying thought. No terrorist group or individual had stepped forward to claim responsibility yet, and the police were still investigating. With Bastien also injured, his personal security within the Palace was also a concern. But he couldn't let his citizens know he was afraid.

Beyond the threat to his life, the media was still buzzing about the scandal surrounding Kate and Tariq Kazim that had blown up his Coronation. He was fairly certain, based on the photos and the familiar handwriting on the envelope, that his father was behind it. But he still wasn't clear as to why Kate had been targeted.

Sitting up on the edge of the bed, he raked his hands through his hair. Hana and Maxwell were flying to New York today to pick up Kate and Drake. He could only guess how their few days together went, and he wondered whether or not Drake had given Kate his letter.

With a sigh he realized that Kate was lost to him now romantically.

But, despite the scandal that had sent her away, Kate was still the people's favourite to be queen. Her charisma and compassion meant she'd have no problem being an inspiration to his people. Being a commoner, she would have been offered a duchy as part of their engagement. The northern duchy of Valtoria was currently without noble representation, so his Queen could claim the manor as her own. Being an honorary member of the Beaumont family she could have claimed the Duchy of Ramsford as her own as well.

But the fantasy he'd been living in during the social season, of having the Queen he loved, had been doomed from the start. He'd stupidly trusted his best friend to look out for her and keep her safe. The end of the year was fast approaching, but he didn't physically or mentally have the capacity to entertain new suitors, so he had to consider his other options for choosing a queen:

Madeleine had been a strong political match but they'd lacked physical attraction, Olivia Nevrakis with her family's volatile history was too problematic to gain public support, Kiara Theron and her family had diplomatic and cultural influence but he worried about the opinions of her overbearing father, Penelope Ebrim has deep Cordonian ancestry but is weak on intellect and confidence. The only other noble candidate he had connected with and felt good about was Hana Lee from Shanghai.

Hana as the daughter of a Cordonian noble and a wealthy Chinese businessman is the heiress to her family's fortune. With impeccable manners and a diverse education she easily charmed commoners and nobles alike. They were like kindred spirits, He and Hana, both groomed from childhood to a structured life of diplomacy and duty. Throughout the social season and suitor competition she had quietly supported Kate as frontrunner for Queen, making herself an unofficial lady-in-waiting. In Kate and Drake's absence, she had become a surprising source of emotional support for him as well.

Getting out of bed, he thought of how she had come to comfort him. The tenderness in her touch, and the shyness in her kiss, had brought a smile to his face for the first time in days. He didn't want to rush into anything, but as soon as a suitable public mourning period for Madeleine was over, he hoped to spend more time with Hana and see where things went. For now, he wanted to test how she might be received by the public, so he planned to invite her to the press conference today.

With a newfound lightness he hadn't felt since the attack, he walked into his bathroom to get his day started.

..

On the other side of the Royal Palace the morning sun lit up Hana's room. Leaving the curtains open was her favorite way to rouse herself from sleep each day. With a sigh she stretched out her limbs and smiled. She was excited to fly to New York today to reunite with her friends and bring them back home.

Her parents had insisted she come home right after the Coronation, but she convinced them to let her stay a little longer because Madeleine's funeral was tomorrow.

Hopefully her mother would be overjoyed that she and Nicholas had become friends during the social season. God willing, they could be more than that in time. But rushing into anything serious too quickly would not reflect well on Nicholas while he's supposed to be in mourning. So for now it would mean being polite and proper around him in the eyes of the public and press.

..

Maxwell was still asleep. His thick velvet curtains cloaked his bedchamber in darkness. On his bedside table his phone screen lit up to show his notifications. He had unread text messages from a friend.

..

Later...

As the Mediterranean sun climbed higher in the sky, the shadows retreated from the rose garden outside of the breakfast room. By 8:30 am, the sun had enough power to lift the dew from the velvety petals and lush green leaves, lending a humid tropical balm to the air.

On the other side of the window glass, the golden morning illuminated the faces and warmed the shoulders of those assembled around the table for breakfast:

Hana, Nicholas, Maxwell and his older brother Bertrand.

As the only woman in the room, Hana commanded most of the attention. Maxwell was further lightening the mood by pretending his stack of pancakes could talk, making Hana laugh. From high above, the crystal chandelier caught the morning light and painted rainbows across the walls and pristine white tablecloth.

Bertrand scowled silently at them both as he sipped his tea. Nicholas watched the three of them, thoroughly amused. He missed small, informal meals like this. It reminded him of a time when he was just a crown prince spending time among friends.

Tomorrow, Breakfast with the King would be a traditional formal affair. Kate and Drake, and the rest of the court, would be joining him ahead of Madeleine's funeral.

He hadn't seen or spoken to Kate since the Coronation, and he wasn't sure how he was going to feel about seeing her and Drake together. Would they observe proper decorum in front of the royal court? Were they a couple now, after only a few days together in New York? Drake didn't make friends easily, especially with women. Did Kate really feel the same way about him?

He had to remind himself that they were both consenting adults entitled to their happiness. Kate no longer had any obligation to him as a suitor. But it wasn't going to be easy to temper his love for her against the simmering jealousy he felt towards Drake. Their long term friendship was bound to suffer because of this.

The delightful sound of Hana's laughter brought Nicholas back from his tormented reverie. He took the opportunity to mention today's press conference.

"Lady Hana, before you and Lord Maxwell depart for New York this afternoon, I have a special request if you are free."

She turned to him and smiled. "Certainly your Majesty, how can I help?"

"My first press conference as King of Cordonia is this morning, and I could use some friendly moral support."

Hana's heart swelled with pride at being chosen for such an important task. "I'd be honoured to. What time is the press conference?"

"Eleven o'clock, in the throne room. If you could meet me in the ante room at 10:30 we can discuss preparations to meet the Press?"

Hana nodded. "Certainly. I'll be there."

Nicholas nodded back and smiled, rising from his seat. "Splendid. Now if you all will please excuse me, I have an appointment to keep with Regina before the conference."

Everyone respectfully stood and then sat down again after he exited.

Maxwell finished up his pancakes, then poured himself another cup of coffee.

"So Hana, have you ever been to New York before? I bet it's beautiful this time of year."

"No, I haven't. I can't wait to reunite with Kate, and maybe bring back a souvenir."

Bertrand set his teacup down on the saucer. "You won't have much time for sightseeing, I'm afraid. After landing you need to hire a car, help Kate load up her luggage, and then return to the airport and get checked back in for the return flight."

Hana's smile faded, and she looked down at the table. "I suppose you're right. The flight there and back is going to eat up most of the day. Taking pictures en route will have to suffice as my souvenir. But that's ok, having our friends back is what matters."

Maxwell patted her on the arm. "That's my girl, always looking on the bright side. I'm so glad you decided to stay."

Maxwell's phone vibrated in his pocket, and he took it out to check it. He'd received a reply text from Tariq.

Bertrand frowned at him. "Can't that wait? Or better yet, Maxwell, take it outside."

Maxwell pointed to his phone. "Actually it can't wait. It's Tariq. Drake wanted me to find him, so we could clear up this scandal for good."

Bertrand's face twisted with disgust. "That insufferable cad. I hope he's apologising for tarnishing Ms. Darling's reputation. With Walker bringing her back from New York, do you think Kate and His Majesty could reconcile? We could have another chance to put a Beaumont on the throne."

Maxwell and Hana exchanged a look, and then Hana spoke up, "When I last spoke to Kate she said that she and Drake have gotten pretty close, so unless Nicholas breaks them up, I don't see her becoming Queen."

The Duke rubbed his brow, giving his head a shake. "No, no, no..this won't do. Walker is so uncouth and common, all the etiquette training to raise Kate up to noble standards is for nothing with him dragging her down."

Pushing his seat back, Maxwell stood up to defend his friend. "Hey, Drake isn't that bad. He helped us pull together this year's Beaumont Bash, remember?"

Bertrand sighed, "So he could help himself to Kate, apparently."

Maxwell's phone vibrated again and he moved over to stand by the buffet to reply to Tariq's message.

::

Maxwell:

Hey, man. Where have you been?

He plucked a slice of bacon from a tray while he waited for a response.

Tariq:

I've been all over the place, but my parents have cut off my credit cards and now I'm stranded in New York City.

Maxwell:

Wow, what a coincidence. I'm flying to New York today! Want to catch a ride back with us?

Tariq:

Us? who are you flying with?

Maxwell:

It's going to be Me, Hana, Drake and Kate on the plane.

Tariq:

Being trapped on a plane for several hours with Drake is not going to be fun. Ever since that night at Applewood I've been dreading being anywhere near him or Kate again.

Maxwell:

I understand what you mean. Drake's likely to punch you for just looking at her wrong. You'd better have your "I'm so sorry for everything.. Please don't hurt me Drake." rehearsed and ready to go.

Tariq:

Not very reassuring. Maybe I shouldn't fly back with you then. I can call my parents and ask them to arrange a return flight for me instead.

Maxwell:

But without a credit card how will you manage in the meantime? It could be days before they get your return flight arranged.

Tariq:

I guess you're right. But only if you can promise me that Drake isn't gonna kill me.

Maxwell:

Kate knows you were set up just like she was. She's not going to let Drake seriously hurt you. Just keep a polite distance, and you should be fine.

Tariq:

Ok well if I must endure Drake's glaring at me for a few hours, I guess traveling with you all is my best option. I appreciate you reaching out to me. I could use a friend right now. The tabloid story has put a target on my back, and I didn't know who to turn to.

Maxwell:

Yeah, we all want this scandal crap to go away. As long as the weather is good, we should be there by 3pm. I'm not sure what airport we're landing at, so I'll send you a text when we arrive.

Tariq:

Ok, it's really late here in New York. I need to get some sleep. See you later.

Maxwell:

👍

::

Maxwell sat back down at the breakfast table. "So it turns out Tariq is stranded in New York. We'll be bringing him back with us."

Getting up to leave, Bertrand respectfully nodded to Hana, and then turned to Maxwell. "Well good, try not to miss your flight today brother, remember the King is counting on you."

After Bertrand left, the servants started to clear away the breakfast buffet. Maxwell followed Hana out into the hall.

"So you're doing a press conference with the King today. That's a big deal. Do you know what you're going to wear?"

Hana shrugged, taking Maxwell's arm as he escorted her back to her room. "Not quite sure. Maybe a pantsuit, or a blazer and a skirt. Wanna help me pick something out?"

Maxwell smiled. "Of course. This is your debut as Nicholas' plus one. You need to shine."

...

King Nicholas had just settled down into his chair when there was a knock at the door to his Study. He leaned back against the leather cushion and responded, "Enter."

Steve, his security guard, opened the door and then stepped aside. "Her Majesty Queen Regina, to see you, sir."

"Send her in."

Regina swept into the room, a file folder tucked under her arm. Steve pulled the door shut behind her, resuming his sentry position outside the office.

"Nicholas," Regina said, with a deferential nod of respect.

He gestured to the guest chair facing the desk. "Regina, welcome. Please sit."

She sat down, holding the folder against her lap. "Thank-you for seeing me on such short notice, Your Majesty. I thought we should meet and discuss some of the potential questions the media might lob at you today."

Nicholas appreciated her stoicism, though she was in mourning. Madeleine had been her niece, and Regina had heavily endorsed her as the Crown's favourite for Queen. Although her posture was straight, and her clothes and hair were impeccably styled, her make-up couldn't hide the puffy redness around her eyes and her hollow haunted expression. Losing Madeleine had seemingly aged her years in a few short days.

"I've already gone over my statement with the PR team regarding Madeleine's private memorial." He looked down at the folder that her delicate hands had clutched in her lap. "Is there new information I should know?"

Regina took a deep breath and then leaned forward to lay the folder on his desk. "Your father and I took the selection of your suitors for Queen very seriously. We kept detailed files on each woman, updating their information as the events progressed during the season. Kate Darling was an anomaly that we hadn't prepared for, so after asking Lord Maxwell some basic information to start her file, we put her under closer scrutiny."

Nicholas crossed his arms across his chest, and after giving the unopened folder a brief glance, he replied. "You did a background check, naturally, which anyone would. Her financial information, her education, potential criminal record and whatever I assume."

Regina nodded. "Yes, we wanted to determine her reasons for accepting Beaumont's offer. Is she deep in debt, and looking to be raised out of poverty? Did she have political aspirations or some radical anti-monarchist agenda? Or, was she here seeking a romantic fantasy with a Prince?"

Nicholas' eyebrows lifted and he opened the file. "She seemed to be taking the suitor competition seriously. And despite Olivia and Madeleine's cold reception of her, she was perfectly decent and respectful. Would it be such a bad thing if her motives were romantic? We got along very well and given more time and proper guidance Kate could have made an excellent Queen. Is it because she's an outsider? Is that why you and Father were so critical of her? What could you possibly have against her?"

"It depends on whether her lineage matters to you as much as it does to your father."

He flipped through the pages, and then landed at the last one. "You sent her DNA away for analysis? Did you ask for her consent first?"

Regina avoided looking at him directly. "The DNA testing came back showing a high probability of European ancestry, so we looked up her family tree. We were surprised to find a significant Cordonian connection."

Nicholas' brow furrowed. "A simple interview would have been sufficient. Prying into her family history secretly wasn't necessary. She's from New York, so how significant a connection could she have?"

"Your half-brother Leo is her cousin."

The paper he was holding fell from his hands, and then slid over the edge of the desk and onto the floor. "What?" He croaked.

"Laurena Allen, Leo's mother, and the former Queen of Cordonia was Kate's great aunt. Her paternal grandmother's younger sister."

Nicholas stared at her in disbelief, trying to wrap his mind around what he'd just been told. Constantine, his father, is Kate's Great Uncle? He knew very little about Leo's mother, because she had left long before Nicholas was born. He was fairly certain his own brother knew even less about his mother Laurena.

"This... is rather unsettling news. Are you quite sure there's no mistake?" He replied.

Regina shook her head. "We were able to confirm that Laurena Allen and her sister Katherine were present during the royal social season of 1983. Constantine fell in love with Laurena, and against his parents' wishes they married. She gave him an heir, and everything seemed to be perfect."

Nicholas' mind spun as he tried to imagine a young Constantine following his heart instead of being duty bound by the politics of the Crown. "If they were such a good match, then why did she leave?"

"Love alone does not make someone a suitable Queen. While she was expecting, Laurena was allowed to step away from Royal Life and focus on her health."

Nicholas leaned back in his chair. "That's understandable, she was carrying the royal heir."

"Laurena kept a journal while she was pregnant. All of her fears about motherhood and her insecurities about being Queen were in it. Shortly after Leo was born Constantine expected her to return to doing public appearances and hand off Leo into the arms of the Nanny."

Nicholas frowned. "That's rather cold hearted on his part. If he really loved her, he would have allowed her more of a grace period before returning to public life."

"Pressure from the public and from within the royal council weighed heavily on them both. Laurena was too fragile, mentally, after Leo was born and suffered from depression. Although the baby was well cared for by the Nanny, Laurena retreated completely from all royal responsibility. Including the marriage bed. Constantine was devastated, but agreed to annul the marriage based on medical advice. Laurena went back to England to seek treatment for her depression, and never came back."

Imagining a crying infant Leo being abandoned by his mother, saddened Nicholas, but he was struck by the parallel lives both mother and son shared. Laurena married for love, but ended up abdicating the throne. Leo abdicated his right to the throne so he could marry for love.

Nicholas chuckled bitterly, "Father has been married three times. So I find it hard to believe he was broken up that much by her leaving."

Regina leaned forward, her voice taking a serious tone, "But he was. He was a young King with an heir, but without a queen. He threw himself into his duties and hardened his heart. Instead of nurturing a fatherly bond with Leo as an infant and toddler, he left his son in the care of the Nanny. Leo reminded him too much of Laurena, and that tainted their relationship."

Nicholas leaned back in his chair musing on the rebellious nature of his older brother, especially his lack of respect for following his Princely duties as heir. Leo bailed on his own social season and refused to court the women the Crown had chosen as candidates for Queen. Madeleine had been one of them.

"This smear campaign implicating Kate and Tariq, was orchestrated by my father wasn't it?"

"Yes," Regina replied, making eye contact with the King at last.

"He saw how close I was getting to Kate, and he feared I would do as my brother did and shirk my duties to the Crown and marry her instead."

Regina nodded. "Was that your intention?"

"Well..yes, and no. Marry her, yes. But I take my position, and duty as King seriously. Kate wasn't trying to influence me to leave my country and citizens behind. Her connection to Leo and Father is fairly weak. Kate and I aren't related by blood, so there's no reason why we couldn't have been betrothed."

Regina continued, "Ever since we discovered Ms. Darling's connection to Laurena, Constantine has been plagued with nightmares. He's convinced that Kate's the ghost of her come back to haunt him. He didn't know how to explain his misgivings to you, so he chose to discredit her with fake evidence of infidelity. He wanted a way to eliminate her as a proper choice as queen."

Nicholas stood up and leaned forward on his desk, pointing an accusing finger at his Stepmother. "But somehow your niece was supposed to be a better choice for me? There's nothing strange about Kate, and we got along very well. We could have been good for each other. If Father wasn't already dying I'd shoot him myself for meddling so bluntly in my personal affairs."

Regina flinched back in her chair. "He was just trying to prevent you from making a bad choice."

Nicholas sat back down, his outburst leaving him raw with regret. He was mad at his father, not Regina. Leaning his elbows on his desk he rested his head in his hands and dug his fingers into his hair. With a sigh he looked up again.

"Look, I appreciate that a dossier was kept for each candidate. But all of this information should have been shared with me, so I could make the choice for myself. I'm not some besotted school boy, Father should have trusted me, as the grown man that I am, to find the Queen that was right for me. His mistrust sent Kate away, without giving her a chance to prove herself worthy. And now Madeleine is gone too. Some great plan that turned out to be."

Regina looked down at her hands. "It's a shame that Madeleine didn't get the chance to prove herself worthy to you either. She really wasn't the bad person that others at court made her out to be." She looked back up at him again, a woman hollowed out by her grief.

"Constantine's health is getting worse. He wanted to see you take the throne with a worthy Queen by your side. He wanted to see you married, and to know that something good came out of his legacy. I fear that's not going to happen now."

"Are the treatments not working?"

She shook her head, her hands wringing painfully in her lap. "The doctor says that he's reached his limit for radiation. The cancer has spread too far."

"How much time does he have?"

"A few weeks, maybe a month. A palliative care team is bringing equipment to the palace today to set up a room for his round the clock care."

Nicholas' mind spun and his chest ached. All the air had been sucked out of the room. His father had been a constant in his life. Even while apart he felt the weight of his hands on his young shoulders as they steered him through his duties. Constantine had taught him everything he knew about diplomacy. The Cordonia that Constantine had built during his fifty year reign was his now, the good and the bad, and it was up to him to shape what came next. But he'd hoped to have more time to tap into his Father's vast knowledge and experience.

Clearing the dryness that constricted his throat, Nicholas spoke up, "You've given me a lot to think about. But let's get today's press conference out of the way, first, and then we can discuss how to handle the rest. I'm counting on you to keep me well informed on Father's condition in the coming days. We'll keep that information as private as possible, for now."

Regina rose from her chair, leaning on the arms for support. With a deep steadying breath she answered, "Certainly, Your Majesty."

Nicholas busied himself by collecting all the scattered papers from Kate's file. "Oh, and see to it that any and all files you've been keeping come to me as well. I want to know more about who comprises my court."

She nodded. "Of course, so we'll meet again for the conference today?"

"Yes, and now if you'll excuse me I have preparations to make."

Regina knocked on the door and then Steve opened it to let her pass.

When he was alone, Nicholas pulled open the bottom drawer of his desk and looked at his bottle of bourbon. He wanted a drink to settle his nerves, but he feared one drink wouldn't be enough. With a sigh he closed the drawer again. Putting Kate's file away in another drawer, he tidied up the rest of his desk and then stood up. He would be meeting up with Hana soon, and before he did he needed to take a walk to clear his head.

...

The marble hallway outside of the throne room was humming with activity. Security stood guard outside a pair of heavy oak doors, while reporters and photographers from various news outlets milled about checking microphones and recording equipment.

Hana Lee picked her way through the crowd, wondering which of the many heavy wooden doors along the hallway led to the King's Ante-room. Dressed in a blue blazer and skirt she blended in well and wasn't stopped by any of the reporters as she passed.

Hana recognized Nicholas', very tall and imposing, personal guard Steve, standing by himself in front of one the single oak doors. Hana took a moment to straighten the cuffs, and smooth down the lapels on her blazer, before approaching him.

"Good morning, Steven. King Nicholas is expecting me," Hana said, smiling up at him.

Steve looked her up and down, and then looked to the left and right to check that there were no reporters or photographers following her.

"Miss Hana Lee?" he asked quietly.

She nodded.

Bringing his hand down to his side he did a quiet discreet knock against the door.

His knock was answered by Nicholas' reply from the other side,

"Enter."

Steve turned the handle and swung the door inward. Hana turned and sidled her way in and then Steve pulled the door shut behind her.

Nicholas stood in the middle of the room gazing up at a large painted family portrait, hands clasped together behind his back. He turned his head when he heard the click of her heels on the polished marble.

Nicholas smiled and then stepped toward her. "Hana, at last, please do come in."

After doing a brief bob, she smiled and approached him.

"Your Majesty."

Nicholas caught a whiff of her perfume as she came near. It was something exotic with a hint of spice. He resisted the urge to breathe too deeply, he needed to keep his mind on business.

Nicholas gestured to a long velvet tufted bench along the wall. "Let's sit."

As Hana settled down on the edge of the soft cushion she looked up and around the room, appreciating the beauty of the high ceiling with its ornately arched mouldings, blue satin wall coverings and painted trim and finishes. The one tall ceiling to floor arched window was shuttered against the Mediterranean sun, and draped in green velvet. Other benches lined the room and faced a gallery wall of paintings above a tall ivory colored marble mantel.

Doors to the left and right led into other rooms.

Nicholas watched her gaze settle on each feature of the room. "The door on the gallery wall leads to the Royal Throne Room, and the door opposite leads to the Royal Council Chamber. "

Hana nodded. "For an official waiting room, this space is quite lovely."

Nicholas sat down on the bench next to her. "Usually this room is where others would wait to see the King, but today it's my quiet sanctuary instead."

Although he'd known Hana for several months, and was never awkward around her before, now that they were alone he felt like a nervous little school boy.

It's just Hana. Just charming, beautiful, incredibly scented Hana.

"So, have you attended a press conference before?" He asked.

"I've attended a few of my father's public appearances. I was instructed to sit quietly while my father or mother answered all the questions."

Nicholas reached out to take her hand. He chuckled softly, "It will probably be more of the same, today. You're here to be my oasis of peace and calm amongst the shifting clash of chaos."

Hana squeezed his hand, lost in the handsome details of his caring face. His gentle smile crinkled the corners of his sapphire blue eyes and lit them from within.

Feeling her skin flush under the adoration in his gaze she looked down at their joined hands.

"What about you, Your Maj --"

He interrupted, lifting her chin gently with the knuckle of his finger so that she looked him in the eyes.

"Please, Hana. While we're alone we can drop the formalities. Just 'Nicholas' is fine."

She blinked. "If that's what you'd prefer?"

He nodded, tilting his head and encouraging her to ask her question again. "You were saying...."

"Have you been to many press conferences before, Nicholas?"

"Only minor ones, at charitable events in the middle of the social season, usually alongside my stepmother or my Father."

Hana smiled. "So this will be your first time leading one as King. Besides me and the press, is anyone else attending in an official capacity?"

"Probably just Regina, where Madeleine was her niece. There will be the inevitable questions regarding the funeral."

Hana rested her other hand on top of his. "Is there a public memorial planned?"

He shook his head. "Her family has requested just a small private service. You, Maxwell, Kate, Drake and Bertrand are welcome to attend if you'd like."

Hana turned toward him, acutely aware that their knees were now touching too. Her voice faltered as she spoke, "Of..Of course, we'll be there."

Nicholas can't help but enjoy her scent now, breathing deeply as her body heat intensifies her perfume. He reached up to caress her cheek, and the silky softness of her hair whispered against the back of his hand. His gaze dropped from her beautiful dark eyes to her mouth as he spoke.

"If you only knew how valuable you've been as a member of my royal court this year. Such a wonderful friend to everyone."

Hana lowered her lashes, leaning into the warmth of his hand, the delicate way his thumb stroked her cheek bone sent a ripple effect across the surface of her skin. Her voice was a bare whisper as she responded, squeezing the fingers of his hand, and then looked back up. "You know I'd do anything for you.. Your -- .. sorry..I mean..Nicholas."

She was jolted by the intensity in his gaze. He moved his hand and cupped the back of her head as he leaned in closer. He whispered, his eyes dropping down to focus on her lips again. "If I may?"

She gasped, "Yes, Nich-.."

Her words were cut off as his lips met hers, applying a tender pressure that Hana eagerly returned.

A knock at the door broke the spell, and they pulled apart.

A muffled voice was heard,

"Your Majesty, the camera crew and reporters are ready for you now."

Sitting back and straightening his jacket, Nicholas answered.

"Thank-you, we're on our way."

Hana noticed the faint smear of pink lipstick on Nicholas' mouth.

She gestured, circling his lips with her finger. "Oh wait, you have a little.."

He pulled out his handkerchief, wiping at his mouth.

"Is that better?"

"Yes, much better. I'm sorry, when I did my makeup today I didn't know I'd be kissing a King."

Tucking the handkerchief back into his pocket he replied, "I'm only sorry we were interrupted. But duty calls."

They stood and he reached out for her hand. "Shall we?"

Hana nodded, letting him lead her as he opened the door to the throne room. Two Royal Guards were standing in the doorway. Nicholas tapped the left one on the shoulder and the guard nodded, touching his earpiece and spoke quietly, "Commencing royal escort."

As they entered the room, Hana noticed the many rows of people rising up to stand in front of their chairs. They were facing long tables with a podium in the middle with a microphone. Snapping shutters and flickering camera flashes followed them across the room. Nicholas led Hana to the table, pulling out a chair for her to sit to the right of the microphone. His stepmother Regina was led by a guard to sit at the table to his left. He approached the microphone, holding a hand up to acknowledge the crowd and signalling for them to sit. His guards took up a position a few paces away, their eyes keenly watching the room.

Nicholas cleared his throat and then spoke, "I'd like to thank everyone for being here today. I'm going to begin with a brief statement, and then we can proceed to the answering of questions."

Nicholas held his hand out to Regina, and she got up from her seat and stood next to him.

"As you all know, three days ago the Royal motorcade was attacked while we were retrieving Countess Madeleine at the train station. Despite the heroic efforts of the security team, casualties occurred. One of our bodyguards, Bastien Lykel, was critically wounded, as was the Countess. Bastien remains in hospital, and is expected to make a full recovery."

Nicholas paused, staring out at the expectant faces of the press. Bodies shifted in seats as they hung on his every word. Unspoken questions buzzed at the back of their throats. The King carefully pieced his thoughts together, knowing his next words would unleash chaos into the room.

He reached out and took Regina's hand. "Countess Madeleine sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and though the surgical team at Cordonian Memorial Hospital fought valiantly to save her, she did not recover."

A rumble of overlapping voices preceded the raising of hands among the assembled press. Nicholas pointed at a representative he recognized from the Cordonian Broadcasting Corporation near the front. "Yes, Mr. Brine. You have a question?"

"Your Majesty, have any hostile groups come forward to claim responsibility for the attack?"

Nicholas answered, "Not yet. But now that their attack has become successful, I expect it won't take long before we hear something. Meanwhile our investigation is ongoing."

A reporter from the Cordonian Daily News asked, "Will there be a public memorial for the Countess?"

Regina answered, "At the request of Madeleine's family we've decided to have a private memorial service. Members of the public are welcome to express their condolences by making a donation in her name to a charity of their choice."

Ana De Luca from Trend magazine spoke up, "Your Majesty, now that your engagement to the Countess has come to such a tragic end, what's next for you? Is the Monarchy stable enough without a Queen?"

Nicholas glanced at Hana then back at Ana before replying, "I'm still standing, so the Monarchy remains stable. My Reign has just begun, and when I decide to choose a new Queen I'll make an announcement."

Another reporter asked, "Speaking of potential Queens, what do you have to say about the scandal that sent Kate Darling back to New York?"

Nicholas took a sip of water before responding, "It has come to my attention that the photos taken of Kate Darling and Tariq Kazim were part of an elaborate hoax. A credible witness to the event depicted has come forward, and both Ms. Darling and Mr. Kazim have been absolved of any fault in the matter. On behalf of the Crown I would like to sincerely apologize to both of them for the incredible inconvenience this has caused."

"Does this mean that Ms. Darling is back in the running to become Queen?"

Nicholas' stern reply held a cutting edge, "Considering that the funeral of Countess Madeleine is yet to occur, and out of respect for her family member present, you may want to choose another question. As I said earlier, when I decide to choose a new Queen an announcement will be made."

The reporter sat back down, and then the journalist next to her stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, are you concerned about the recent photos taken of Kate Darling and your friend Drake Walker in New York City?"

Nicholas gripped the edges of the podium. "No, I'm not. Should I be?"

"They seemed to be rather romantic in nature. I thought she was your favourite to become Queen during the social season."

Nicholas sighed, "The suitor competition ended on Coronation night with my choosing of Madeleine, thus releasing Kate Darling of any obligation to be my Queen. In other words she's a free woman, and can be with whomever she chooses."

"Even your best friend?" She asked.

"Especially my best friend. They both deserve to be happy, and if they're happy together then so be it. And furthermore I want all pictures and stories online and in print that portray Kate Darling in a negative way taken down and destroyed. The scandal that sent her back to New York has been exposed as fake, and must not have any more power to ruin her life, or the life of my best friend Drake Walker. Any news outlet or gossip magazine that refuses to remove or retract any offensive content shall face being sanctioned by the Crown."

There's a buzz of conversation among the assembled press, and Nicholas decided to bring the press conference to an end. He raised his hands again to signal for quiet.

"We'd like to thank-you all again for coming, and that will be all the questions for today."

The Guards escorted Nicholas, Regina and Hana out of the Throne Room.

Regina looked from Hana to Nicholas, taking notice of the elegant cut of her blazer and how nicely she and Nicholas looked together. She rested her hand on Nicholas' arm.

"That could have gone better, but I'm so glad that it's over. It can be so uncomfortable to stand in front of the press. You look especially nice today Lady Hana, I trust we'll be seeing you tomorrow at the memorial service."

"Of course."

Regina smiled, patting Hana on the arm and then left them alone.

"I should go find Maxwell. I know it's still a couple of hours before our plane leaves, but I want to make sure he gets there on time." Hana said, giving Nicholas a quick hug and then heading off to her room to change.

Song Inspiration: Sweeter than Sweet - LuLu Rouge

Chapter Thirty-Two : Be Mine

Beth unlocked the door to the apartment building and Daniel held it open so everyone could go inside. In the quiet of the lobby, Kate turned to look outside. The emergency vehicle lights blinking and bouncing off the hard and soft surfaces reminded her of the disco lights at the club. But there wasn't any music and nobody was dancing. Drake wrapped his arm around her shoulders and she turned away from the scene outside and folded herself into the comfort of his embrace. Tucking her face into his shirt the grip of the night's trauma released and her body shook as silent tears fell.

Stroking her hair, Drake kissed the top of her head. He met Beth's eyes and she gave a silent nod, taking Daniel's hand and they went up the stairs.

Kate sniffed, wiping at her face. "I..I'm sorry. I'm making a mess of your shirt again. Yuck, Drake. Am I cursed or what? Twice now you've had to punch out a guy for treating me like trash."

He gently kissed her on the forehead. "None of their stupidity was your fault, and you're not cursed. I would face a league of thousands, defending and avenging you until my last breath. Wreck my shirt all you want, it matters little compared to how much you mean to me."

It crushed him to see the damage to her face from hitting the ground. There was bruising and puffiness already developing, her lower lip was swollen and the raw scuff on her chin would probably take a week to heal.

She turned away from him, with a sigh, "Oh my goodness, you're going to make me cry all over again. Let's just go upstairs and put this night behind us."

Silently counting each step in her head out of habit, the numbers jogged a recent memory and she stopped halfway up. Drake nearly collided with her, and went back down a step grabbing the railing for support. "Something wrong?"

Turning around, Kate said, "The phone number you gave the police officer wasn't yours, it sounded local to the New York area."

With a crooked grin Drake glanced in the direction of the exit and then back at her. "Because it was. I saw it on one of the takeout menus in the hotel suite. We're leaving the country soon and I sure as fuck don't want them trying to track us down for more stupid questions."

"Oh my god, you really are the anti-hero in your own morally grey world. You gave false information to the police, which is a crime, and you're trying to justify it as your escape plan."

He frowned at her. "Yeah, so?"

Kate shook her head and then resumed going up the stairs. "One of these days you're going to get yourself into big trouble."

Drake kept quiet. He didn't want to admit that he'd already proven her point many times.

..

When they entered the apartment Beth and Daniel were sitting at the kitchen table eating leftover pizza.

Beth wiped her mouth on a napkin and then spoke up, "Hey guys, want to join us for some Midnight munchies?"

Kate glanced at Drake and then at Beth. "Save me a slice, I just need to get a shower first."

Drake followed her down the hall. "Can I join you?"

Outside of her bedroom door, Kate stopped and said, "Usually I'd appreciate the company, but I need to do this on my own. Go have a slice of pizza. I'll be ok."

He shook his head. "Not in the mood for pizza. I'll just tidy up in the bedroom and see you after your shower."

"In that case, take these." Unzipping her jacket she pulled her arms out of the sleeves and then handed it to Drake. Bending over she unzipped her boots and then stepped out of those too. With a sigh of relief she flexed her bare toes against the carpet. "Halfway there. A shower is going to feel so nice after...well everything."

He crouched down to collect her boots. "Is there anything else M'lady desires from her humble servant?"

The amused look in Drake's eyes made her want to laugh, but the soreness of her face meant she couldn't. Touching his cheek, she whispered, "Later, Ducky."

"You insist on calling me that. I wish you wouldn't."

"But ducks are adorable, and it's a term of endearment not an insult. I didn't realize it would ruffle your feathers so much."

Drake's mouth twitched and then he looked away. "Just..go, before you make me fly south for the winter."

Leaning in close she whispered, "I like it when you go south."

Before he could respond she turned and walked down the hall to the bathroom.

..

At the kitchen table Beth glanced up at the time display on the microwave oven. "Ugh, it's almost 1:30. No wonder I feel so wiped."

"Hours of dancing and drinking will do that to you," Daniel mumbled around his mouthful of pizza.

Beth pushed her plate of pizza aside. "Plus I worked a full shift at the bookstore."

Leaning in his seat, Daniel listened for sounds down the hallway. He could hear the shower running. "Do you really think that they're going to come back out here for pizza and coffee?"

Beth quirked an eyebrow. "Considering the way they were all over each other at the club tonight, and how the fight on the street turned out. I think their appetites will be for something else. Seeing Drake bust up Jeff with that punch was kinda hot."

He shook his head. "The murderous look in his eyes when I ran up to them was scary as fuck. I know you and Kate are fascinated by this guy but he's seriously a walking red flag. What if he actually hurts her one of these days?"

Beth folded her arms and leaned on the table. "The way she talks about him, and the way he looks at her? Look, I understand your concerns. We barely know him. But Kate has been around Drake for months and she's clearly seen a softer side. He's come all this way so that's got to mean he's committed to being good to her. Right?"

Daniel looked toward the hallway and then leaned his elbows on the table. "He told me, back at the bar, that he loves her too much to live without her, and that he understands the sacrifice she's making by leaving us behind."

"Well then maybe he's not such a red flag afterall? Especially if he's channeling his aggression into her personal protection."

"Unless that protection also means he's trying to control her." Daniel said.

"Kate's tough and smart, with dreams and ambitions of her own. If he does her wrong, heaven help him, cuz she's not afraid to tell him so. I swear she can negotiate an apology out of a hurricane and make it give her sunshine and rainbows."

..

Drake dropped Kate's leather jacket and boots by the door to her closet, and then went over to the desk and hung his jacket on the back of the chair. He caught his reflection in the mirror behind the dresser and saw the blood and snot crusted on his t-shirt. Plucking the fabric away from his skin he tugged it off over his head. Looking around for somewhere to dispose of it he saw the laundry basket in the corner. Balling it up he tossed it in with Kate's clothes. Reaching into his back pocket he pulled out her crumpled panties and then threw them into the basket too. The formal clothes he'd left on the bed needed dry cleaning so he tucked those back into the garment bag to be cared for back home. With a grunt and a heavy sigh he moved his suitcase off the bed and then kicked off his shoes.

Looking around her bedroom he realized just how small it was compared to his room back at the palace. And yet she managed to have almost as much furniture as he did. Everything had a place and her things were tucked away neatly. He was looking at her accumulated life for the past five years or so, and he wondered how much of it she was going to take with her. Certainly not any of the furniture, but there had to be some of her things that held sentimental value.

His gaze landed on the dresser and he thought about the ruby ring in her jewelry box. If he was right, it was worth a significant value all by itself. He couldn't shake the feeling that it had come from Cordonia somehow. The date, she said that there was something engraved inside the band.

With a quick glance toward the door, he went over to the dresser to get the ring. He turned the ring over and leaned in to squint at the elegant script etched into the gold on the inside of the band. There was a heart and a date: 9/7/83

The ambiguity of it being either September 7th, or July 9th wasn't what concerned him most. It was the 83. It only dated back to 36 years ago*. Turning the ring over again to judge the size and sparkle of the gem, the idea of it being more of a romantic gesture than a birthday gift made more sense. There had to be more of a story behind it than belonging to her grandmother and her birthday being in July.

A giggling female voice filtered in through the bedroom wall, "...that tickles."

Drake's ear twitched and an uncomfortable prickling heat crept up the back of his neck as he heard Daniel answer, "Well, yeah. It's supposed to."

The doorknob turned and Drake tucked the ring away into his pocket. Kate, wrapped in a pink bath towel with her damp hair hanging loose around her shoulders, stepped into the room. There was a band-aid on her chin and a white box in her hand.

Drake shoved his hands in his pockets, a self conscious habit that pained his bruised knuckles and aching hands. His fingers touched the ring he'd hidden away, and biting his lip, he hoped the guilt he felt wasn't obvious on his face.

Kate held up the box and gave it a little shake. "I brought Band-Aids in case you need your boo boos covered too."

Pulling his hands out of his pockets he looked at the roughened and torn skin on his knuckles. "I think I'd be better off with ice and some kind of pain reliever. What about you? I bet the shower helped clean off some of the grit from the sidewalk."

As she stepped closer, the delicate scent of her met Drake's senses first. The dewy glow of her soft skin, and the droplets of water that trickled down over her collarbone, made his mouth ache suddenly for a taste. His tongue tingled with thirst.

Tossing the box of bandages on the bed, she touched the side of her face, and prodded the cut on her lip with her tongue. Drake's eyes were drawn to the pink tip of it as she spoke,

"My lip stopped bleeding, which I'm grateful for. But I don't know when I'll feel comfortable enough to smile again."

Studying her face, Drake brushed a wisp of damp hair away from her forehead and then leaned in to place a soft kiss between her eyes, whispering, "My mouth still works just fine. Tell me where you hurt, so I can kiss it better."

The corner of her mouth lifted, and she closed her eyes with a sigh, "I've heard that kisses are a proven remedy to make boo boos feel better."

Moving down to her shoulder, he licked a droplet from her skin and then nudged her earlobe with his nose. "Just call me Doctor Love. I'll have you feeling better in no time."

Kate flinched at his hot breath in her ear. "Ow. Sorry, my neck still hurts from where Jeff was trying to choke me."

Stepping back, Drake looked down at the scrapes on his hands as he painfully made a fist.

I should have hit him harder. That bastard deserved to leave in a body bag.

The burn in his knuckles brought back the memory of his hand colliding with the side of Jeff's face, and the image of his elbow wrapped like a boney noose around Kate's neck. He looked back up to see Kate touching the skin of her throat, wincing as she found the spots that hurt most.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled. "Maybe kisses should wait until after ice and painkillers. I hope I didn't make things worse."

Reaching up to touch his cheek, she shook her head and offered a small smile. "No, no.. not at all. Why don't you go out to the kitchen and make us up an ice pack. The pain pills are in the cupboard above the sink. A little white bottle with a red cap. I'll put on some clothes and meet you out there in a few minutes."

Leaning in to give her a gentle kiss on the cheek, he gave her a hug and then let go. "Bring the box of band-aids with you and we'll doctor each other up."

With a giggle, she shooed him out the door. "Ok then, Doctor Love, your patient will be with you shortly."

..

The darkness of the hallway swallowed him up when she closed the door behind him. Looking to his left, he stood still for a moment to listen. There weren't any more amorous noises coming from the bedroom next door.  They're either really quiet lovers, or already asleep. Holding his breath, and listening intently he was rewarded with the creak of a mattress and a soft snorting exhalation. Asleep, and snoring. Good.

Turning to his right he walked down the hall to the kitchen, the floorboards squeaked beneath the carpet as he passed the closet. The linoleum of the kitchen floor was cool under his bare feet, and he stopped,  letting his eyes adjust to the weak moonlight coming in from the living room window. Luckily there was enough light that he could discern the shapes of the table and chairs and the counter and cabinets. Shuffling over to the stove, he reached for the switch on the exhaust hood above it, looking for a light. Clicking the switch resulted in the loud drone of the fan instead. The noise made him jump and he cursed as he flicked the switch in the other direction and the light came on. Fuck, that was loud enough to wake the dead. 

Kate giggled as she walked into the kitchen behind him, "I should have shown you where the light switch was. Sorry about that."

Turning around and leaning back against the stove he frowned and crossed his arms. "Or a nightlight somewhere, anywhere, would have helped too."

Kate shrugged, cracking open the door on the fridge. And then closed it again. Drake rolled his eyes and then looked away with a smirk. "Yeah, yeah. I should have thought of that."

Opening up the fridge again, Kate picked two bottles of water from the bottom shelf and then handed one to Drake. "Ok then, Dr. Love. Since you're the tall one, can you reach up into the cupboard and grab the Tylenol? Oh and bring down the jar of chocolate bars next to it."

The cabinet door squeaked as he opened it, and the pills in the bottle rattled as he put them down on the counter. He gave her a quizzical look as he reached for the tall mason jar with chocolate bars in it. "So is this your chocolate stash, or Beth's?"

Opening up a drawer, Kate pulled a zip top freezer bag out of a box. "It's mine. I hate the chalky taste of swallowing pain relievers so I chase them down with a couple squares of chocolate."

Drake opened the bottle of Tylenol and tipped out two tablets into his palm. "They're not that big. A sip of water works just fine for me. But I am fond of chocolate. And that's got to be safer than the glass of whiskey I usually pair with pain killers. What kind of chocolate do you have?"

Kate gasped, "You drink alcohol and use pain killers at the same time? Holy crap, Drake. What kind of painful injuries have you been medicating this way that require knocking you out?"

Drake opened up the bottle of water and took a sip before popping the pills into his mouth, swallowed them and then chased them down with another sip of water. He set the bottle down again, crossing his arms and looking down at his feet as he leaned against the counter. "I've seen my share of fights over the years, some planned as part of the royal guard training program, others...well, my temper hasn't always worked in my favour."

Kate got an ice tray out of the freezer and cracked some ice cubes into the freezer bag. "Uh huh, and I suppose you got your ass kicked more than once. There's that troubled chaotic life of yours serving you consequences."

"And those consequences meant that I had to nurse myself back to health.  At least for a few hours anyway, if Phips wasn't around to fix me up."

"Who's that?"

"Doctor Philips, the palace physician."

"Oh, right." Kate zipped up the bag of ice. "Well tonight we can look after each other. Just like that night at Applewood."

Drake's hand slid down over his side as he thought about where Tariq punched him months ago. "It took a while for the bruises to go away, but I appreciated you wanting to help me." He picked up the jar of chocolate bars and looked at the options. "So what pairs best with pain killers, milk chocolate or dark chocolate?"  

Opening up a cupboard, Kate took out a cereal bowl. "It depends on what ails me. Milk chocolate for headaches and hangovers, and I save the dark chocolate for period cramps."

"Oh," Drake answered, and picked the bar wrapped in blue paper. "And on a scale of one to ten how would you rate your current pain?"

She reached for the bar and tore it open, breaking it up into squares and putting them in the bowl. "About half a chocolate bar's worth. Two or three squares per Tylenol tablet. My cheek still hurts, and the scrapes on my knees sting a little."

Drake pushed himself away from the counter.  "Ok then. C'mere and let me take a look at you."

"Take a look at me?"

He cleared some space on the counter top, and then patted it with his hand. "Hop on up. Or we can do this on the table if you like."

"Haven't you had me on the counter already?"  She smirked, moving over to squeeze into the space between Drake and the counter. Wrapping her arms around him she looked up.  "I bet Dr. Philips doesn't work shirtless. Dr. Love is very distracting, and hot without his shirt. It's enough to make me forget what hurts."

Drake braced his hands on the counter on either side of her. "Flirting with the doctor is gonna get you into trouble."

"Oh, really? What kind of trouble?"

Leaning in he whispered into her ear, "The sweetest kind."

Caressing down her sides he kissed her cheek and a delicious warmth tingled down her spine. "Mmm, Drake. Never mind the Tylenol, you're the best medicine."

Gripping her waist he picked her up to sit on the counter. In just a tank top and shorts, her hair in a loose braid, and a bandaid on her chin, there was an air of innocence about her. But there was nothing naive about the way she looked at him, or the way she filled out her clothes.

Kate caught him staring at her, and she reached into the bowl for a piece of chocolate. "Here goes square number one, could you dispense a pill for me?"

Watching her put the chocolate in her mouth, and then lick her fingers, Drake nearly dropped the cap as he opened the Tylenol. "Oh, sure.. here."

After handing her a pill, he saw the red scrapes on her knuckles and palm. "Are the cuts on your hands bothering you?"

She shook her head and then popped the pill into her mouth and then swallowed. "My knuckles sting a little, but nothing serious."

Reaching into the bowl of chocolate again, Kate picked up two squares. After putting one in her mouth, she held up the other for Drake. Catching her hand in his, he took the chocolate from her fingers. Savouring the sweetness as it melted in his mouth, he licked his lips and then kissed her knuckles.  After placing the lightest touch on each one, he turned her hand over and kissed her palm. Lifting his eyes to hers he kissed the inside of her wrist, and then stepped into her arms as she wrapped them up behind his neck.

Kissing the unbruised side of her face, he whispered, "I know your lip is swollen. I don't want to hurt you.."

Turning her face so that their foreheads touched, she closed her eyes and said, "Then let me kiss you instead."

Softening his mouth, his lips tingled in anticipation. Resisting the urge to return more pressure than necessary, he accepted the soft pillow of her upper lip against his.

As her lips parted and her tongue tasted his, the sweetness of her mouth and the gentleness of her kiss was overwhelming. Struggling to keep his hunger in check, with a soft groan he pulled her in tighter. Since he couldn't kiss her the way he wanted, his hands stroked and massaged up and down her back instead.

Her pulse quickened as Kate pulled back, a sigh of pleasure escaping her lips, "Dr. Love hasn't lost that magic touch. Don't your hands hurt too?"

Moving his hands down to grab her by the hips, he pulled her hard against him. "Pain? What pain? I was too distracted by the taste and pleasure of your mouth to notice."

"Good boy, now come and get your medicine." Reaching for the last piece of chocolate she popped it into her mouth.

"Don't tempt me. I don't want to make your lip bleed."

Digging her fingers into his hair she leaned in again. "Shut up and kiss me."

The smell of chocolate on her breath made his mouth water and he ran his lower lip through his teeth before he replied, "No, not here. Not like this."

Wrapping her arms around him,  she rested her cheek against his shoulder with a sigh, "Then take me to bed, Drake."

Kissing her shoulder, and sliding his hands down the back of her thighs he whispered, "Hold on tight."

Kate wrapped her legs around his waist, and his arms tightened around her as he lifted her away from the counter. Carrying her down the darkened hallway, Drake was grateful that she had left her bedroom door open.

"It's a good thing you're not heavy," he mumbled as he backed into the room.

He leaned over and sat her down on the end of the bed. Kissing her cheek, he let her go and then went over to close the door.

Scooting back a little, Kate bent her legs and placed her feet up on the bed. "If Dr. Love is still interested in taking care of boo boos my knees could use some attention."

He chuckled, "I see that. And would you prefer kisses or band-aids?"

Watching him unzip his jeans and walk over to the end of the bed, Kate's gaze slowly traveled down the length of him. Starting at the smirk on his lips and down his bare chest over his defined abs and then stopping at the strip of dark hair that disappeared into his underwear. Did he groom it this way, or was his body hair always this deliciously natural? She wanted to pet every inch of him and hear him growl like the handsome beast that he was. He leaned one bent knee on the bed and stroked his hand up her thigh, waiting for her answer. When he lifted an eyebrow, her eyes went back up to his face.

"Oh, kisses first, always," she said, feeling her face flush with heat.

Tucking his hand behind her bent knee he set her foot on his thigh and leaned over. Keeping his eyes on her face, he gave her skin a lick and then blew on it before kissing the roughened pink patch on her knee. The unexpected warmth of his tongue and then the coolness of his breath sent delicious mixed signals down into her lower belly and up her spine. Goosebumps prickled her skin and she shivered. Her leg twitched involuntarily in his grasp, and her toes touched something hard in his pocket. "What's that?"

Kissing her knee again he mumbled, "Hmm?"

"There's something in your pocket."

He straightened up, and there was the faintest pink in his cheeks, as he lowered his lashes and  stuck his fingers into his pocket. "Oh...that. Come here and I'll show you."

Kneeling down on the carpet, Drake was grateful for the slight cushion because his knees were bruised too. There was a curious look on Kate's face as she shifted forward on the bed to sit down on the end, and he hoped that he didn't trip too badly over the sentimental words that he wanted to say.

Looking at her hands, he saw that the knuckles on her left were scraped much like his own. But the fingers on her right hand were smooth. He offered his left hand to her and she smiled as she slid her fingers into his. "Drake, what is it?"

He couldn't quite look her in the eyes, so he focused on their hands as his thumb stroked her knuckles. "As one thief to another, I have a confession to make."

Her fingers twitched in his hand at the word thief but he didn't let go. "Let me explain."

"All those months ago when you followed me out in the snow, I realized then that there was something different about you. You weren't like all the other shallow noble ladies at court. You actually cared when Olivia hurt my feelings. And when you held my hand, you stole a little piece of my heart at the same time, and it scared me. I'd felt so alone and guilty since my sister disappeared. Like I'd failed her somehow and caused her to leave. I was afraid of scaring you away too. As time went on, and we spent more time together, I found myself thinking about you more and more while we were apart.  And in that space you'd taken in my heart, feelings began to grow.   And I wondered if you thought about me in the same way."

The vulnerable way he looked up at her then, caught Kate off guard. She couldn't speak, eyes welling up with tears, so she gave him a nod instead.

"By the end of the social season I realized how much more of myself I wanted to share and give you too. My arms ached to hold you, and call you mine. But it wasn't just a physical attraction. I saw the love I felt for you reflected back at me in every smile and every touch. That night at Applewood I came to your defense knowing I'd break down the door if I had to. Because my whole heart and soul had been stolen. And I was willing to give up my own life to prove it."

Kate whispered, "Oh, Drake ..."

He interrupted her by kissing her hand, and then spoke softly "Hold on, let me finish."

"The night of the Coronation when you got dragged away, and I watched your plane leave, it broke my heart.  I thought I'd failed you too. My one chance at being in love and loved in return was gone."

Kate couldn't hold back the tears any longer. "Oh my goodness, Drake. It broke me too. I didn't think I'd ever see you again. Nicholas had his Crown and Kingdom, chose Madeleine to be his queen, and all the months I'd spent trying to impress the royal court had been for nothing."

Shaking his head and fighting back tears of his own, he said, "Your time in Cordonia made a huge impression on me. And there are still those at court who love you. These past few days with you have been the happiest days of my life. And tonight, showed me how easily you could have been taken away from me, again. I've been wanting to say this ever since we reunited in the hotel lobby and my broken heart became whole again, but the timing didn't seem right. Since we're flying out of the country tomorrow, and we don't know what the future holds,

there's no better time to express how grateful I am for you loving me. And I want to spend the rest of my life trying to prove that you've made the right choice."

Shifting his position on the carpet, he dropped down to one knee, and pulled the ring out of his pocket. "I know this ring is already yours, but it represents a promise that I intend to keep.  To replace it with one of my own."

Picking up her right hand he brought it up to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

She smiled, reaching up to touch his cheek, heart hammering in her chest. The earnest expression on his face, the tears brimming in his gorgeous eyes, made her believe him.

He slid the ruby ring on the ring finger of her right hand, and chuckled, "I know this is the wrong hand. But I didn't want to hurt the knuckles on your left so..."

Looking down at the ring, her hand trembled in his, and she held her breath as she waited.

Taking a deep breath of his own to settle his nerves, his words came out in a rush, "I love you so much Kate. Will you marry me?"

Pure joy bubbled up out of her chest, choking off her reply.  Leaning in and placing her hands on his cheeks she nodded whispering, "Yes."

Drake smiled pulling her into his arms. "I'm not sure I heard you. Was that a Yes?"

Ignoring the pain in her lip, she kissed him. "Yes, Drake. I'll marry you."

Squeezing her tighter, he sighed with relief. "Oh thank goodness, because I'd really like to get up off my knees."

Letting her go, Drake leaned on the bed and then with a soft groan of relief he stood up.

Kate crawled up into the middle of the bed and then sat down. "Oh, right. I forgot that Jeff knocked you on the ground too. Take off your pants and lemme see."

Pushing down his jeans and pulling his feet out of them revealed bruises on his kneecaps. He rubbed his hands on them to assess any further damage, but there weren't any cuts or swelling. "Ow, but I've had worse. I think I'll live."

Kate pulled back the covers and patted the bed beside her. "Good, now come over here and let's get some sleep."

He walked over and turned off the light and then climbed into the bed next to her. "This isn't really my preferred side of the bed, but sleep does sound wonderful."

Turning over onto her side she faced him in the dark. "Well this is my bed, and both sides are mine. I think you can manage for one night. I've never shared this bed with anyone before."

Rolling over onto his side, he tucked his arm under her pillow. "Oh, really?"

She shook her head, and trailed a finger down the center of his chest. "None of the dates I brought home made it past the livingroom."

He placed his hand on her hip, drawing little circles on her skin with his thumb. "Then I feel honoured to be the first."

Laying her hand flat against his chest she leaned in for a goodnight kiss. "And the last. Now let's get some sleep."

..

She cuddled the robe to herself with a contented sigh. Kate looked so serene and peaceful in her sleep, and Drake took a moment to retreat to the other room to be alone with his thoughts. He grabbed an apple from the fruit basket, shined it on his robe, and walked over to the window. Leaning against the window frame, he took a bite. Being up on the 7th floor he had a great view of Central Park.

After their shopping trip today he hoped to take a walk there with Kate. As he chewed on his apple he mused on how being around Kate had changed him as a person. He had always been the outdoorsy type, and often sought the quiet of nature to get away from everything and to be by himself. Out in public he'd made a point to remain as anonymous and unassuming as possible.

Before meeting Kate, he hadn't any desire at all to be seen with a girl in public apart from his sister. But now he felt proud to be seen and envied for having someone so beautiful on his arm. The press in Cordonia would likely go crazy, and he didn't care anymore. He was staking his claim, and nobody, especially Nicholas was going to get in his way.

He still didn't know how he felt about working for Nicholas in an official capacity. They had always been friends, but now with Nicholas being King, Drake was now his subject too. Their dynamic would become even more complicated when he also became his employee. As best friends they had felt more like equals or brothers. But now there was an uncomfortable friction between them because of Kate.

Despite their conflict, he was excited to work with the security team. It felt nice to temporarily follow in his Dad's footsteps. Being protective was in his nature. Age wise he fit in with most of the guards and had endured a lot of the same physical training. At times when Bastien had needed a guinea pig to demonstrate a fight sequence with, Drake had been a willing volunteer. He liked showing Bastien what he could do. And the challenge of possibly besting Bastien was always worth the effort and the bruises. He lacked practical guard duty experience, and hoped the other guards didn't object to him taking on a role in the investigation of the train station attack. He was determined to work through any issues cooperatively and objectively so they could bring the assassins to justice.

As he finished his apple, he noticed a subtle change in the quiet of the hotel suite. He heard the creak of the hotel mattress, and the whisper of bare feet on carpet. He tiptoed back toward the bedroom. Kate was moving around in the room, and he peeked in to see her pulling on her robe. While her back was turned he tossed his apple core into the wastebasket by the nightstand. The resulting thunk caused her to startle.

She whipped around with a yelp of surprise, "Jeez Drake, you scared me!"

He laughed, striding into the room and wrapped her in his arms. He nuzzled the side of her neck and she giggled, trying to push him away.

He said, "Hey there sleepy head ready to do some shopping and grab a bite to eat?"

Kate smiled, reaching up with her hand to mess up his hair.

"You bet. But first I need to freshen up and you need a shave."

She traced the line of his jaw with her finger, feeling his stubble. "It might sound weird, but I've always wanted to watch a man shave. To get a glimpse into the transformation from grizzled, and scruffy to sexy and hot."

Drake laughed, catching her fingers in his, "There's not much mystery to it. It's just lathering up your face and shaving off the whiskers. And besides who says a man with a beard can't be sexy?"

Kate tried to imagine Drake with more facial hair. "Have you ever worn more of a beard before?"

He shrugged, "A few times, but after a few days of not shaving I would get unhappy with the way it was growing and just shave it off. My Dad had a nice beard, and it looked good on him. Maybe, for you, I'll think about it."

Kate ran her fingers through Drake's hair again, smoothing it back in place. He smiled, leaning down to kiss her. She eagerly kissed him back, and was amused at how sweet his lips were. "I love your kisses, and I'll never tire of them but.."

Drake sighed, "Yeah, I know. We need to get ready. "

Kate stepped back reluctantly, "Do you know what you want to wear?"

He shrugged, "I think so.., unless you have a suggestion for me."

Kate thought about the clothes she'd packed, and what she'd seen in Drake's closet, "We're just going for a walk up the street, so something comfortable and casual. My own options are limited, but I'll think of something."

Going over to the closet he pulled out his black western shirt, and jeans and laid them out on the bed. "There, done. Piece of cake."

"Damn Drake, I wish I could pick out clothes that easily."

He kissed her cheek and then headed for the bathroom. "I'm sure you'll look good in whatever you pick out."

Flopping back on the bed, Kate stretched and sighed contentedly. She could hear him turn on the water in the bathroom. Closing her eyes she imagined Drake stepping in under the hot shower spray and she felt a tingle of excitement all over. She had been lonely for so long, but now she had someone to love. A gorgeous and sexy guy to be seen with who loved her back. He made her feel so safe, protected, and brave. She couldn't wait to go out with him today, and be seen holding his hand.

Yes Bitches! I'm going out today with THAT. So you better watch out.

Giggling to herself, she got up off the bed and went over to her suitcase to pick out some clothes. She settled for her favorite jeans and soft grey sweater. It was a simple outfit, but she knew that the loose neckline of the sweater meant that it would likely drop off her shoulder and keep Drake distracted by the bare skin. Happy with her choices, she dropped her robe and then walked naked into the bathroom to get her bath.

Drake turned to look when he heard the door open. Kate walked across the bathroom to the toilet and closed the door. He quickly rinsed off, and then shut off the water. Raking his hair back with his fingers, he realized he'd been holding his breath since the door opened. He let it out, and opened the shower door and stepped out. Grabbing for his towel, he quickly dried his hair and waited for her to come back. He covered himself up when the doorknob turned.

"Aww Drake, suddenly shy?" She teased.

Kate walked over to the sink to wash her hands, smiling as she talked to his handsome reflection behind her in the mirror.

"My goodness you look fantastic. All fresh, clean and sexy."

Drake smirked at her and then stepped over and stood behind her at the sink. The heat came off his freshly showered body in waves. He reached around her and pulled her back against him. As he leaned down to kiss her shoulder, Kate could feel the roughness of his cheek against her neck. She squirmed and giggled. "Ok Mr. Hot and Sexy, you need to shave and I need my bath."

He grinned, kissing her neck and gave her one last squeeze before letting her go. He stole the opportunity to spank her bare ass playfully as she stepped away.

"Ow...Hey!" She protested.

He smiled as he reached for his shaving supplies, watching her lean over the tub to turn on the water. He couldn't help himself, he felt ridiculously happy.

Kate poured some of the hotel bubble bath into the tub. The sweet scent of almonds and coconut filled the air. "Mmm, this stuff smells amazing."

Drake took a deep breath, "Yeah, and you're gonna smell like that all day. Heaven help me."

He shook his head, trying to ignore her as he concentrated on his shave. She climbed into the bubbly water and he finally got a break from seeing her naked.

Kate sighed, sliding down under the water to wet her hair, sitting back up and wiping the water from her face. She caught him watching her and giggled at him. "Shave, mister."

He sighed, and handed her the bottle of shampoo and a face cloth. "Here, take these and let's get out of here already. Seeing you all bubbly and naked in my peripheral vision is a definite shaving hazard."

Kate poured some shampoo into her palm, and lathered her hair as he returned to the sink, "I'm sorry, but watching you shave is definitely entertainment for me. Not a hazard at all."

Drake dampened his bar of shaving soap and lathered up his cheeks and neck, glancing at her as he rinsed his hands in the sink. "Yeah, until you get shampoo in your eye and start screaming. Now pay attention to yourself and let me get back to my own business."

Kate stuck her tongue out at him and then closed her eyes and rinsed out her hair. As he returned to his reflection and went about his shave, she sat back against the tub and observed him quietly. He swished the razor in the sink water and then leaned in toward the mirror to concentrate on his next stroke. The towel wrapped around his hips slipped a bit lower as he worked, and Kate couldn't help but notice.

"I can feel you staring at me," he mumbled as he shaved his lip.

Kate sighed, feeling herself blush, "Sorry. You're barely wearing that towel, and I can see the water drops sliding down your back. It's hard not to follow them with my eyes."

Drake sat down his razor and then pulled his towel off to dry himself. Afterwards he tossed it on the floor by the bathroom door. "There, is that better?"

Kat nodded, "Much better."

--

Later, all shaved and his hair combed, Drake dressed while Kate browsed 5th Avenue stores on her phone.

"So Drake, where do you want to go shopping today?"

"Don't forget we're shopping for you too," he said as he buttoned up his shirt.

Kate rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah. I'll find something blue. Hopefully something cute that fits in back in Europe too. What is fall weather like in Cordonia?"

"Well in the south, around the capital the weather stays rather mild and sunny six months of the year, fall is only a few degrees cooler than summer. When the winter comes you can get by most of the time with a medium weight waterproof jacket, or a heavy sweater. It rarely snows, and the temperature averages around 10 degrees Celsius. In the northern regions it gets much colder, like around Lythikos. You know where Olivia is from. It's the opposite there, it's snowy six months of the year."

Kate said, "Wow, you're like a walking, talking weather guy from tv. I could almost see you in the tacky suit jacket in front of the green screen."

"Ha ha, very funny. You're the one who asked. I've lived in Cordonia pretty much my whole life, so I think I should know what my weather is like. Anyway, we should get going while the weather here is still nice. This is your city, where would you shop for yourself?"

Kate thought for a moment, "Well 5th Avenue has a little bit of everything, from your Armani and Gucci, to the Gap, Banana Republic, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Bergdorf's. It all depends on how much you want to spend."

"Based on my style, or lack of it, where would you take me, Kate?"

She sized him up as he fixed the collar on his shirt, leaving the top two buttons undone, "As much as I'd love to dress you up in Armani, Zegna and Dolce & Gabbana.. I know that's not your thing. With your ruggedly handsome good looks, I say you're more of an A&F kind of guy."

Drake shrugged, "I guess Abercrombie And Fitch it is then."

Kate clapped happily, "Ooh boy, let's go shopping."

Drake slipped on his leather jacket and brown shoes, and tucked his wallet into his pocket. He reached out for Kate's hand, "Ok, off we go."

.......

They exited the elevator into the lobby, still holding hands. Drake asked, "So is the store far from here?"

"Well we're already on the corner of 6th Avenue, so probably not. We could probably walk there in a few minutes."

Drake nodded, "I suppose you're right. You look nice today, by the way...well everyday actually.."

Kate blushed, smiling, "Aww, thanks. You look great yourself."

After thanking the doorman, they stepped out onto the sidewalk and turned to the right.

"Although it's crowded and noisy, I'm going to miss New York when we leave. The short time I've been here has been kind of fun, and there's so much more I haven't seen yet." Drake said, squeezing her hand.

Kate smiled, "We'll have to come back again someday. For an extended visit next time, and do all the touristy things you missed out on."

Drake paused on the street, pulling her to him briefly and gave her a kiss. "Yes, we will."

She grinned, reaching out for his hand again as they continued their walk.

"Although there is one more thing we'll have to do before we fly back home."

Kate asked, "Oh?"

Drake nodded to the park across the street, "Take a walk in Central Park. It would be a real shame not to."

"Perhaps a stroll around after lunch?" Kate suggested.

"Yes, definitely." He said.

They turned right again and joined the throng of pedestrians making their way up 5th Avenue. Kate pointed out some of the iconic stores as they passed them.

"Maxwell and Hana would go crazy on this street. Well, Maxwell moreso than Hana I suppose. She's used to this kind of lifestyle being from Shanghai."

They stopped on a street corner and waited for traffic to clear.

Drake said, "I wonder how everyone is dealing with things without us. I feel kind of guilty for not being there for Nicholas."

Kate poked him in the side as they crossed the street. "Stop beating yourself up about it. Nicholas is a grown man, you can't always be running to his rescue. If you were there the day of the shooting, it could have been you that got hit."

Drake glanced down at Kate, "And if Nicholas were engaged to you right now you would have been a target."

Kate went quiet, feeling conflicted about that hypothetical scenario. If circumstances hadn't intervened to send her back to New York, she probably would have accepted Nicholas's proposal. But turning him down in front of everyone would have caused a scandal too.

If she had chosen Nicholas, would their friendship eventually blossom into something more after they married? Would Drake still have romanced her in secret if she had become Queen? Could she have had her King and lover too? Probably not. The heartbreaking possibilities made her head swim and her chest ache.

She gave Drake's hand a squeeze. Looking away as she felt the burn of tears, she wiped her eyes with her other hand. She took a deep breath to compose herself, trying to hide it.

Drake heard her sniff and stopped walking. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned you being a target."

She shook her head, managing a slight smile and wrapped her arm around his back to give him a hug. He kissed her on the forehead, laying his arm across her shoulders.

They continued walking. Kate changed the subject, "Let's just forget about Cordonia for a little bit, and buy some stuff. Ok?"

He nodded, and she pointed up ahead to the next street corner at Abercrombie & Fitch.

Once in the store Drake was overwhelmed by the selection of men's clothing, and it was all his kind of casual wear. He grinned down at Kate, "You know me too well."

She smiled and patted him on the arm, "Of course I do dear. What are girlfriends for? Oh and while I'm here I can find something for me."

Kate sifted through the women's discount rack, trying to find something in her size. She came across a navy blue sundress for $18, "What do you think Drake?"

"I say try it on. You'll look amazing in it. How much is it?"

"Eighteen dollars."

"Buy it, or I'll buy it for you."

Kate handed it to Drake. "Ok done, and let's see what else..."

She checked through the cardigan sweaters on the rack and found a cream colored one. "Ooh, this looks cozy. And it's $32.99, marked down from $74. Sweet!"

She handed that to Drake too.

"You're lucky I like you, and have long arms." He rolled his eyes and grumbled.

"Thanks honey." She smirked back.

Drake followed Kate around the women's section, trying to hold onto her things without dropping the hangers.

"Ok now I want something super comfy. I'm thinking a hoody and a pair of jogging pants." She checked the sizes of the hoodies and found one she liked in a small. "Oh look and it's also in navy blue." Kate found the pants to match. "Ok done."

Drake sighed with relief and carried her purchases to the counter. He dropped them in an undignified heap of rattling hangers and tangled tags. "Can we leave these here until we're finished shopping?"

The cashier gave Drake a long appraising look and a smile as she disentangled the clothes and carefully arranged them, "Certainly, Sir."

She caught Kate's scowl of disapproval, ignored it and continued to smile sweetly at Drake. "I've never seen you here before. And with that accent I know I'd remember you. "

Kate recognized the cashier as a classmate from college. She gave her a toothy smile back and said, "And after today Jessica, you won't be seeing him in here again. So quit batting your ridiculous eyelashes at him, and back the fuck off."

Kate grabbed Drake's hand and then led him away from the counter. They headed for the menswear section.

He smirked at her, trying to hide his laugh. "Let me guess, friend of yours?"

"Hardly," Kate grumbled.

Drake pulled her to his side and kissed the top of her head, "You're so cute when you're jealous. Like a kitten with her furry little hackles up and spitting mad."

Kate poked him in the ribs and he winced and let her go. "And if I catch you flirting with some girl in front of me.. you'll be the one getting the stink eye."

Drake rubbed at his side, "It's a good thing I'm horrible at flirting then. I've already got you, so don't worry about me looking at anyone else."

Kate nodded, "I suppose you're safe then. For now."

Drake purposely took a step away from her and then started looking at the clothing racks to change the subject.

"Ok then, let's find some clothes for me. I'm getting hungry."

A clothing rack of fall sweaters caught Kate's eye. "Oh my gosh Drake, look at this. It's a ducky sweater."

He glanced at it, "Yeah, so?"

"Male ducks are called drakes aren't they?"

He shook his head, "Seriously, not a chance in Hell, Kate."

Kate giggled, "Oh come on, lighten up."

Drake turned his attention to a rack of shirts, "No, and that's final. Besides I much prefer my name being associated with dragons. Dragons are cool, ducks are not."

Kate pouted, "Ok fine. Dragons are imaginary though. Ducks are real."

"Yeah, so. People hunt ducks and eat them. Dragon slayers in fantasy stories are badass."

She left the sweater rack and sidled up next to him, reaching her arm around his back and slid her hand into the back pocket of his jeans.

"Speaking of asses," she murmured.

Drake gave her a glance, raising an eyebrow, "Is Jessica watching us?"

Kate snuck a look over her shoulder, and saw Jessica avert her gaze, "Yep."

"Good."

Drake pulled Kate close and planted a kiss on her lips. Not a simple peck either, it lasted several seconds. When he pulled back, she smiled, giving his ass a squeeze from inside his pocket.

"Consider this dragon slayed," he said, leaning in to speak softly in her ear. "No sword or sorcery required."

Kate couldn't help but shiver as they went back to looking through the clothing rack. "And he said he was horrible at flirting..." She whispered to herself.

"Hmm?" Drake asked from the other side of the rack.

Kate shook her head, blushing a little, "Oh, nothing.."

They went back to the clothing rack and Drake picked out a white cotton shirt, a grey Abercrombie logo t-shirt, and a pair of navy blue jogging pants like Kate's. She also found him a maroon coloured Henley top and paired it with a pair of grey track pants. He seemed skeptical, but he couldn't say no. "Ok let's go pay for this stuff, and get some lunch."

When they returned to the counter, Jessica was thankfully nowhere in sight. Drake slid the charge card from Nicholas across the counter to a different girl. Once their purchases were made they exited the store.

"Now where to, Kate?"

"Whenever Beth and I would come down this way for shopping trips we always stopped in at Milk for a snack."

Drake frowned, "What kind of place is that?"

"Ice cream, cookies and all things wonderful of course."

"Ok fine, dessert for lunch it is then."

Kate lead Drake around the corner onto 56th street.

"Oh wait, I know this street. The barber shop I went to is further down. At the corner of 6th, if we turn right it brings us back to the hotel."

"Yup. You got it Ducky."

Drake frowned again, giving Kate a playful nudge with his elbow. "Keep that up and I'll go back to calling you Darling."

Kate laughed, "Whatever you say Ducky. Besides I like it when you call me Darlin' ... Or even better, Mon Chérie. Now let's get some ice cream and cookies." She led him into the dessert shop.

They each ordered a dish of soft serve ice cream, and Kate got a box of assorted cookies to go with it. They sat down, stowing their shopping bags under the table by their feet.

"So...Mon Chérie, tell me about this Jessica chick. You two obviously know each other."

Kate smirked at him, taking a mouthful of ice cream before she responded. "We were friends for a little while back in college."

Drake raised an eyebrow. "Were? What happened? Were you rivals, roommates or was she something else?"

She laughed, swiping a spoonful of his ice cream.

"Well she was my dorm neighbor in freshman year. She wouldn't stop talking about this Mark dude from San Francisco that she had met online. It was getting so annoying. Apparently they had made plans to hook up over Spring Break."

Drake smirked, "You're saying he came all the way to New York from San Francisco just to meet this girl? Holy Sh-..." Drake censored himself because there were children at the next table.

"I know right, crazy isn't it? Sort of like some European fella flying all the way across the Atlantic to be with his American sweetheart."

Drake rolled his eyes at her and went back to his ice cream.

"Well I don't know what kind of online fling Jess had with Mark, but when he showed up they didn't get along at all."

Drake studied her face for a moment as she took another spoonful of ice cream, seeing her cheeks flush a little. "Let me guess, you and Mark did."

Kate tried to hide her rosey cheeks by looking down at the table, failing miserably.

"Oh yeah, like a house on fire."

"Kate! That's horrible." Drake laughed in spite of himself. "Sucks to be her though, cuz you're definitely a catch."

He held up his hand for a high five which Kate returned.

"Well it was her fault for introducing him to me in the first place. I went out with Mark a couple of times that week. Then later on that summer he came back to visit me."

Drake set his empty ice cream cup aside, and sat up a little straighter. "So should I be worrying about Mark?"

"No. That's all over with now. We're still friends. But with me being here and him there, it wasn't going to work obviously. I think he's married now anyway."

"Ok, good. Are there any other guys I need to be concerned about, or girls for that matter?"

"No, Drake. We already went over this. Unless you have any juicy confessions of your own to get off your chest."

Drake was quiet for a moment, looking past Kate with a frown. "Not here I don't. Come on let's go."

They continued to snack on the cookies as they made their way back to the hotel. Once they're in the elevator on the way back to the suite, Kate dropped her shopping bags, and slumped back against the wall.

"I don't know about you, but I'm not really up for a walk in Central Park right now. What about you?"

Drake looked down at Kate regretfully, "Yeah, me neither. I'm thinking more of just hanging out in the hotel suite for a bit, and then going down to the Bistro for some early supper."

Kate tugged on his jacket, pulling him over to her, he braced himself against the elevator wall with his hand. "Excellent idea," she said.

Drake gave her a quick kiss, pressing her up against the wall. "You know me, I'm all about private time with you."

The elevator reached the seventh floor, and they gathered their bags and headed back to the room.

Once back in their suite, Drake slipped off his shoes, and pulled off his jacket. "Home suite home."

Kate kicked off her shoes too, tossing them over next to his. Pulling her close, he lowered his voice and his breath was warm against her ear. "Why don't you try on that blue dress for me?"

Stepping back from Drake she picked up her shopping bag.

"I could, I suppose. But what will you offer me in return for my little fashion show?"

He shrugged out of his leather jacket, tossing it aside and  loosened another button of his shirt. "More kisses? My honest opinion of how gorgeous you look? I dunno, we'll see."

She waited, holding her breath. Hoping for him to continue taking off his shirt. But instead he stopped and picked up his shopping bags and carried them over to the coffee table.

She breathed out, "Ok then, I'll be right back." She took her bag to the bedroom.

After setting down his stuff he went over to the mini bar and poured himself a glass of rum. He caught a whiff of that almond and coconut stuff again. Kate's back into the lotion. He shook his head and took a sip of his drink.

Kate reappeared a few minutes later. "So what do you think?"

Drake tossed back the rest of his rum, setting the glass down on the desk and then walked over. She looked adorable and incredibly sexy at the same time. Drake cupped her face in his hands, leaning in with a sexy smirk on his lips. "You look amazing, and smell good enough to eat. Does that answer your question?"

Kate smiled, "Mission accomplished then."

Drake traced her bottom lip with his thumb then leaned in to kiss her. Soft and gentle. She tasted the caramel sweet warmth of the rum on his lips. When she slid her hands up under his shirt, Kate enjoyed the fact that her touch made him shiver.

She pulled her hands back out, reaching up to finish undoing his shirt. He dropped his hands to her neck, tipping her head back and kissed her harder. She pushed his shirt down off his shoulders, caressing his chest, flicking his nipples with her thumbs. She ran her hands down his belly to tug at the waistband of his jeans to pull him closer.

Drake groaned against her mouth. "Damn it, Kate. I can't get enough of you. Can I eat you for lunch instead?

He pulled away just long enough to take off his shirt. Kate hooked her fingers in the belt loops of his jeans, tugging him with her as she backed up against the wall. Drake pulled up the hem of her dress, reaching around to squeeze her ass.

She slowly pulled down his zipper, then slid her hand into his jeans. He sucked in a sharp breath as she stroked him over top of his underwear.

"What if I want you as an appetizer first?" She asked, reaching in her other hand too.

Drake braced both hands on the wall on either side of her head, giving himself over to the intense pleasure of her massaging fingers, "I'm listening...nngh, and I must say what you're ...doing is definitely giving me an appetite for something. How can I be of... service?"

She looked up at him, biting her lip, giving him a firm squeeze, "What if I want you...in my mouth?"

He leaned in to kiss her, a groan rising out of his throat as he asked, "Are you sure? Do you have experience with that sort of thing?"

Kate leaned into his kiss, sucking the tip of his tongue into her mouth, and he responded by pressing her up against the wall. Her stimulating efforts in his underwear increased and he shuddered all over. He pulled her hands out, and broke the kiss. She smiled up at the dark desire his eyes reflected back at her, and gave him a sly grin, "You're about to find out."

"Get yourself naked, and go sit down on the sofa," she commanded, pulling her dress off over her head.

"Yes, ma'am," he smirked, shoving down his jeans and underwear and kicking them aside. He jogged over to the sofa and sat down. Giving himself a few firm strokes as he watched her walk over. Damn she looks sexy, and predatory. I've never seen her look at me like that. He widened his thighs to make himself more comfortable, and spread his arms out on the back of the sofa.

"I'm all yours," he said, his breath hitching in his throat as she knelt down in front of him.

Looking up into his eyes she stroked her hands up and down his thighs, a devilish smirk playing across her lips. "Hold my hair back, please. I don't want it in my way."

"Yes ma'am," he repeated. Running his fingers back through her hair, he held it in a bunch at the back of her neck. Kate leaned forward tickling her tongue up the inside of his thigh as she took him in her hand.

Drake watched her lick him like he was a popsicle, her eyes locked on his.."Damn. If that's not an image I'm going to take with me happily to my grave." He sucked in a sharp breath, and tipped his head back against the sofa as he felt her warm mouth draw him in.

She hadn't lied about having experience, and he felt his stomach clench as her tongue tickled the underside of his head and she sucked him in further. When her lips clamped tightly around him and she drew back up and spit him out, he tightened his grip on her hair. "Sweet Jesus, ..k..Kate," he stuttered.

Maintaining a hold of him, she slid her tongue up and around his head. Beginning to stroke him with her fingers. "Talk to me, Drake." She whispered, "Tell me how this feels." She planted a gentle kiss on the top of him and then opened her mouth wide and swallowed him again.

Drake shook his head, "I c.. can't." He gasped, his jaw dropping. Kate gripped his thighs as she bobbed her head. He fought the urge to thrust up into her throat, not wanting her to bite him. But if she sucked him hard one more time, he knew what was going to happen.

He whispered as his fingernails dug into her scalp, "I'm just a..about to...", his words trailed off, as he felt a tingling rush shoot up his spine.

Kate prepared herself, she stroked his thigh and nodded. "Mhmm."

The vibrations in her throat threw him over the edge, and he blasted up into her mouth. His cum spilled out around her lips, as she recoiled and then tried to swallow it. She sat back on her heels and he shuddered all over as he let go of her hair and collapsed back against the sofa.

She wiped her mouth, looking up at him as his chest heaved and he let out a low groan of relief and dropped his head back. "That..that.. was..," he struggled to finish his thought, but failed.

Kate looked at the sticky mess in his groin, she hadn't swallowed much after all.

"Uhh, messy?" She offered.

He raised his head and then looked down, with a grimace of disgust and then he laughed. "Just a little. I don't envy the maids cleaning that off the cushion later."

"I'll be right back," she said, getting up and heading for the bathroom. "I'll bring you a warm wet facecloth, so you can..." She glanced back at him over her shoulder, "...clean yourself up a bit."

"Thanks," he answered, watching her go.

-_-_-_-

After getting cleaned up, Drake gathered up his discarded clothing and his shopping bags and went into the bedroom. He tossed his jeans and shirt from earlier onto the chair, and then dumped out his purchases on the bed. He liked the look of the new white button down shirt, and so he picked it up first to pull off the tags.

Slipping it on he assessed himself in the mirror. It was comfortable, albeit a little stiff in the seams from being new, but he liked how it fit him. It was a lighter weight cotton than the black denim shirt he was wearing earlier, but he liked the quality of it. He figured it would work fine as dinner attire, but now he had to decide on how formal he wanted to dress it up.

Which meant choosing the right pants, and deciding if he wanted to pair it with a suit jacket. Nah, no suit jacket. He could wear his leather one again, and take Kate for that walk in the park afterward.

Drake smiled at the thought. Ok then, white shirt, a fresh pair of jeans and his leather jacket.

Wow dumbass all that brainstorming and all you managed to come up with was changing your black shirt for a white one.

He pulled off the new shirt, and found a white t-shirt from the closet to put on underneath it. As he's pulling on the shirt he heard the bathroom door open. Since his back was turned, the first thing that registered was her scent. He couldn't help but breathe deeply.

"Wow Drake, now that's an afternoon look I can get behind, or in front of, or on top of.."

Drake glanced down, realizing he's only wearing a t-shirt. He laughed, "Of course you would, you saucy temptress."

The scent of her got stronger as she approached. Kate wrapped her arms around Drake from behind, and he could feel the silky softness of her hair on the back of his arm. It raised goosebumps, among other things.

"So are you here to help me get dressed, or to just hold me hostage in your coconut scented love lasso?"

Kate laughed, "Hardly a hostage, more of a willing participant."

"You drive me crazy, you know that?" He said, looking over his shoulder at her.

"Yes I know, but it's a fun kind of crazy."

Drake turned around and Kate slid her hands up his chest to rest on his shoulders. His breath caught in his throat. She was back in the blue sundress again and looked even more beautiful than before, if that was possible. Whatever freshening up she had been doing in the bathroom had definitely worked and he was painfully aware that he was still half naked.

He reluctantly brushed her hands away and stepped back. "Enough tempting me Kate, we need to get lunch."

She sat down on the bed, crossing her legs and waited patiently. "Sorry Dear, you go ahead and get dressed then."

Drake nodded, going over to his suitcase for fresh underwear, and then headed to the bathroom.

Kate looked over at the mess of clothing that Drake had dumped on the bed. She saw the new white shirt, his blue sweatpants and grey t-shirt, and the maroon coloured Henley top and grey track pants.

She wasn't sure what he'd look best in, but couldn't wait to see him try it all on. The Henley top would definitely accentuate the muscles of his arms and hug his broad shoulders in just the right way. She felt a little thrill at the thought of it. But the white shirt would probably fit in better at the Bistro for lunch.

Getting off the bed she decided to tidy everything up. Picking up the white shirt, she couldn't help but notice it was missing its tags and had his bodily impression in it.

So he'd tried it on afterall.

Laying it back down on the bed she straightened it out, closing up the front and running her hands down the sleeves. It was just a basic white shirt, but she knew he would look hot in it too.

Picking up his sweats next, she shook them out and folded them neatly, laying them back on the bed. She didn't hear the bathroom door open, nor did she notice that Drake was leaning on the doorframe watching her.

As she picked up his maroon shirt and folded it too he said, "If I'd known you were so good at folding laundry I would have invited you to my room a long time ago."

Kate walked over to Drake, and hugged him again. "Ha ha very funny. Now put on your shirt and pants so we can get some lunch already."

Drake smirked, "Yes Mom."

She slid her hands down to grab his ass, "Watch your tone sonny or Mommy's gonna spank you."

Drake grinned, "Yes ma'am."

Kate gave his ass a squeeze and then walked out into the sitting room. While Drake got dressed she slipped on her shoes and picked up her purse. He joined her a few minutes later, handing Kate her new cardigan sweater.

"You might need this. After we eat we can take our walk in the park."

Pulling her close and kissing her gently, he said, "Damn, I love you, Kate."

She smiled, resting her hand on his cheek. "I know Drake, I love you too."

----