Chapter TWENTY-TWO ~ Lawson’s Residence
The drive back to theirhome wasn’t far from the park and surprised me at how close it was. Not only that filled me with surprise, but when I pulled up to the oversized home, it left me in awe. The house was far from what I’d pictured in my mind. Drake’s home sat in a normal suburban neighborhood within the city. A perfect family home with gorgeous gardens and freshly cut grass. The home had a double car garage, which Drake instructed me to pull into and I was more than willing. The brickwork on it was grey and glorious with many windows throughout. It’s an enormous home, but everything about it reminded me of family.
“Do you like our house?” Hope asked with excitement in her eyes.
“Yes, your home is beautiful.” I answered with a smile on my face.
“Daddy told me mommy picked it out just for me.” Hope beamed and stared up at her house. “My mommy had very good taste.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” I giggled slightly and followed Hope inside after Drake unlocked the door.
Holding it wide open for us and touching my hip with his hand as I enter the house. “Welcome to Lawson’s residence.”
My body trembled at his touch and heated from his husky voice. Gazing into his hazel haze as I walk past and look at my surroundings. They painted the inside of the home grey with white crown molding. It was neat and tidy. Spotless everywhere you looked, with plenty of furniture and decorations. Not to mention the pictures, but there were so many of them. Sitting on tables and hanging on the walls. Drake definitely had good taste with decorating and it left me surprised.
“This is gorgeous, but unexpected.” I breathed as the words popped right out of my mouth and I regretted it right away. “I-I mean...”
“You mean you didn’t realize I had such great taste.” Drake beamed as he fixed his shirt confidently and gazed right at me. His eyes roamed up and down my body. “I had excellent taste when I laid eyes on you.”
“Oh?” I breathed as I blushed and touched my hair slightly.
His words left me tingly and flustered. Unsure how to react and he took notice. The room grew awkward as a pair of little eyes wandered back and forth. Trying to figure out what was happening with the air sizzling around us.
“What do you mean by that, daddy?” Hope asked and gazed up at Drake with curiosity.
Drake cleared his throat and loosened his tie. “I-I mean when I first laid eyes on Gemma and knew she was the right one for the job.”
I ignored the sexual tension that fused and put on a bright smile. “Well, thank you Mr. Lawson, that means a lot to me.”
Drake stepped forward, close enough out of little listening ears, and whispered in my ear. “Remember, you can call me Drake, but I meant what I said.”
His voice was so forward and stern it sent chills down my spine. Drake’s flirting with me and wanting me to take notice. I’ve sensed it when he’s around, but he’s never been this forward. He’s never been this honest and up front with me. It leaves me wanting more and I can’t deny that any longer. Drake’s opening up to me and it’s a side of him I’ve never seen. Making me want to explore this man even more than ever before.
“I’m hungry, daddy...” Hope pleaded as she tugged on Drake’s sleeve and he broke out of the haze we got lost in. “What’s for supper?”
“Well, I have a fresh chicken in the fridge and veggies calling our name.” Drake announced in an upbeat tone.
“Oh, yuck...” Hope muttered and made a face.
“Did you know veggies help you grow big and strong?” I said and showed off my muscles. “My mom always told me that and now look at me?”
“You think so?” Hope asked as she felt my flexed arm muscles and smiled.
“I know so, Hope.” I replied as I fluffed her hair and winked towards Drake.
“Well, supper sounds great and I can’t wait!” Hope beamed, took off running up the staircase and out of sight.
We laughed, and Drake looked at me with wonder. “You just know what to say with her around. You’re amazing with my daughter and I apologize for the way I treated you.”
“Drake, you had every right to react the way you did. I was beside myself with worry and knowing that I caused it to happen...” I admitted as my voice trailed off and his finger touched my lips.
His firm body pressed me up against the wall and I’m left speechless. Hazel eyes staring into the depths of my soul and never wavering. Feeling every inch of him against me as I quiver underneath his touch and ache for so much more. His finger leaves my lips and travels down my chin. Caressing my neck and back up to touch my cheeks. Dancing over my nose until his powerful hands cup my face and kisses my nose sweetly.
“Don’t you dare blame yourself for what happened because it could’ve happened to anyone. You’re amazing with Hope and I’m more than grateful to you.” Drake breathed as his warm breath fanned my face and his eyes searched mine for understanding.
His lips touch mine ever so softly, grazing my lips sweetly, and I melt into him. Letting him brush his velvet skin over mine and linger there. Losing myself and wrapping my arms around him. Feeling him growing hard against my thigh and knowing just how much he wants me. Moving my lips slightly with his and letting his tongue enter inside. Greeting him with my tongue as we dance slowly together and to our own beat. A slow rhythm that takes hold of our bodies and everything else falls away. Pressing me firmly up against the wall and I let out a slow moan. Feeling his soft hair on my fingers and grabbing hold. Wanting the kiss to grow until I couldn’t take it anymore. But remembering where we are and Hope’s right upstairs.
“Um... Drake, this is amazing, but...” I breathed rapidly as I pulled my lips away and cleared my throat.
“Right... Jesus, I’m sorry, Gemma.” Drake apologized as he stepped back and ran his hands through his hair. “It’s been a stressful day for the both of us and we got caught up in the moment.”
“Yes, exactly...” I agreed even though I knew it was more than that, but needed a distraction. “So, about dinner...”
“Yes, right, dinner is coming right up!” Drake announced awkwardly, turned his back towards me, but glanced over his shoulder. “Make yourself at home, Gemma.”
Nodding my head his way, but shaking it once he’s out of sight. Trying to shake myself out of the sexual tension that courses throughout my body. Wanting it to go away, but knowing it’s nearly impossible after my body has had a taste of what Drake Lawson could do. His lips are extremely skilled and knowing just how much from our last intimate encounter that now runs through my mind.
“Damn it, Gemma, get a hold of yourself.” I breathed out loud and peered around the organized living room.
A large flat screen television hung on the wall overtop of a fireplace and beige furniture decorates the room. Reaching out to touch the soft fluffy decorative pillows as I walk past and my eyes never left a picture sitting on a nearby table. The picture had a young woman with blonde hair and soft brown eyes. They sparkled for the camera and her hair shone with the sunlight. She sat on Drake’s lap in his office, and they both smiled for the camera. They looked so happy it hurt my heart because I came to realize that it’s his wife, Beth. Having to lose such a beautiful soul the way he did wasn’t fair, and tears sting my eyes. Hope never truly got to know her own mother and just sees these pictures of her. She had not even one memory to remind her of this gorgeous woman that was taken from her much too soon.
“She was amazing, you know.” Drake whispered from over my shoulder and reached out to graze the picture frame. “I talk to Hope about her every chance I get.”
I held my tears back and didn’t let them fall. Hearing the pain in his voice as he admires his deceased wife in only a photograph captured in time. Feeling his breath softly caress my ear and his nearness, causing my body to come alive. Knowing this wasn’t the time or place and to hold it together.
“I bet she was because Hope is pretty amazing.” I whispered as I watched his fingertip dab her face inside the frame and felt his ache for her.
“She was so full of life and so excited to be a mother.” Drake breathed as he let his hand drop from the frame and stepped back. “But she’s gone now and I’ve had to become everything she wanted for our daughter. I just hope I’m making her proud.”
I narrowed my eyebrows and spun around. “You’re doing a great job with her and she’s an amazing little girl. I never told you this, but I don’t like kids and never wanted any.”
“Really? But you’re so good with Hope.” Drake admitted as he looked towards me with confusion and stepped forward.
“Because she makes it so easy, your daughter is very easy to love.” I giggled and smiled. “The point is, you’re an amazing dad, but as for a boss, you can be quite the hard ass.”
Drake chuckled, and the air in the room became relaxed by his presence. “Oh, is that right?”
“Yes, and an amazing cook by the smell of it.” I moaned as I sniffed the air, and Drake laughed. “Is that grilled chicken you're cooking because it smells to die for!”
“I may be an ass, but I definitely know how to cook.” Drake teased as he winked playfully towards me and placed his hand on the small of my back. I stiffened at his touch, but then relaxed into it and he caressed his fingertips slowly in a circle. “Shall we have some dinner?”
“Yes, we shall.” I smiled with pleasure as he led me towards the kitchen and the amazing aroma.