She smiled at that and then gave him a mischievous grin.
“So tell me, do you have to call Maddox right this minute? Or can it wait for a little while?”
He arched one eyebrow, regarding her suspiciously. “That entirely depends on what you have up your sleeve, you little imp.”
She rose up and arched over him, straddling his lap, looping her arms around his neck before sliding downward to the floor until she was kneeling between his thighs, her hands fluttering to the fly of his slacks.
“Oh, I don’t know. For as long as I have time to welcome you back home properly?”
She licked her lips even as she began unzipping his pants.
His eyes glittered and became half-lidded. “Well, if that’s the case, then take your time, Angel. I assure you, Maddox will wait. I, on the other hand, can’t. So by all means, welcome your man home properly.”
To Evangeline’s surprise—and delight—the next morning she awoke surrounded by Drake’s warm, solid body. He was wrapped around her, her head nestled on his shoulder, his arms possessively anchored around her and one leg thrown over hers. She couldn’t have moved if she wanted, and it was certainly the last thing she wanted.
She let out a deep sigh of contentment, thinking she’d never been happier than in this moment.
“Good morning, Angel,” he murmured against her hair.
“Good morning,” she said, smiling against his shoulder.
“You’re smiling.”
She nodded.
“Any particular reason?”
“This is the first time I’ve woken up in your arms,” she said in a dreamy voice. “It’s . . . nice.”
He rubbed his hand up and down her back and then down to cup her behind.
“I found I didn’t like being away from you for even one night and I was reluctant to leave our bed so early this morning.”
“I’m glad. This is the very best way to wake up.”
He sighed. “Unfortunately, I can’t linger, as much as I’d like to. I’d rather spend the day home, making love to you and keeping you naked until you have to get ready to go to see your girls. But there are things I have to catch up on. Even a day away leaves me with a pile of shit to sort out.”
She tilted her head back and smiled up at him. “It’s okay, Drake. This was enough. You’ve made my entire day better already, and it’ll make me look forward to being back with you later tonight when you’ve concluded your business.”
He kissed her, taking his time exploring her mouth and lips. Then he rolled away, sliding from beneath the covers.
“Ah, how you tempt me, Angel. If I don’t get up now, I will indeed say fuck it and keep you in my bed all day.”
She rewarded him with a radiant smile and then made a shooing motion with her hand. “Go, or you’re going to be late. You can make it up to me tonight.”
A delicious gleam entered his eyes as he stared down at her body, exposed when he’d pulled the covers away to get out of bed.
“Oh, I’m going to make it up to you and a whole hell of a lot more.”
She shivered at the promise in his voice and watched appreciatively as he turned and walked naked to the bathroom. She lay there in his bed long after he’d kissed her good-bye and departed, not wanting to leave the warmth from his body still imprinted into the mattress.
Finally, she summoned her courage and slid her cell phone from the nightstand and brought up Lana’s name. She’d start there and rotate. Eventually someone would answer. Days off usually started slow because of the late night before, so she was certain at least one, if not all three, would be home.
Taking a deep breath, she hit connect and waited to see if Lana would answer.
To her shock, Lana picked up on the second ring.
“Hello?”
Evangeline’s enthusiasm waned, and she scolded herself for her paranoia rising in proportion. Lana sounded groggy and as though she’d been asleep, so she likely hadn’t even seen who was calling. Oh well. Evangeline was going to make the most of an opportunity.
“Lana, hi! It’s Evangeline. I’ve been trying to call you guys.”
There was a hesitation, and a period of quiet descended.
“Vangie?”
“Yes, it’s me. Did I wake you?”
Evangeline silently urged Lana not to take the out she was giving her and nearly did a fist pump when Lana said no.
“How are you?” Evangeline asked. “How is everyone? I miss you guys so much. Drake has an important meeting tonight, and I thought we could all get together since it’s your night off.”
“Uh, Vangie, give me a second, okay?”
Evangeline’s brow creased as the line went silent, and then she heard muffled sounds, Lana obviously getting out of bed and then the sound of a door shutting. A faucet running? Had she gone into the bathroom?