Chapter 178: Hers forever
2171words
The grin on my face wouldn't go away as I tugged my dress back over my head. Drake had just claimed me twice in his office and I was on cloud nine. The man was everything to me and I never wanted this honeymoon stage to end. I couldn't pull my eyes away from him as he put his white shirt back on and zipped up his jeans.
He caught me gawking at him as a smirk lifted his lips. I loved it when he looked at me like this, but when he moved toward me, I held my breath. He grabbed my hips and pulled me tight to his body. My heart beat rapidly in my chest as I flattened my hands on his pecs and stared into his mesmerizing gaze.
Drake Hudson was mine. Forever.
"I'd like to introduce you to someone," he said.
I cocked an eyebrow at him. "Who?" I asked, trying to figure out who he might have hired while I was gone.
He laughed. "I've hired a new accountant and you won't believe who she knows..." He rolled his eyes. "Lane. Apparently the two met back in Vegas a while back. I'm trying to keep him from ruining her desire to work here but he can't seem to keep his dick in his pants."
I couldn't stop from laughing. Lane Parker was a force to be reckoned with and I knew in my heart that he'd do the right thing when the time came. Drake might be nervous about it, but I knew Lane had a soft side to him. He wasn't all about fucking. At least I hoped not. He deserved happiness just like the rest of us.
"I'd like to meet her."
Drake took my hand and led me out of his office, but when we entered the studio, Lane and luis turned to smirk at us.
"Sounds like you two had a nice time in there," Lane said as he hid his snicker.
"Yeah, and you're about to have a bad time at the unemployment office if you don't mind your own business," Drake snapped back.
I bit my bottom lip to stop my laugh. I loved how Drake was always so protective over me and our love life. He was a porn star, for crying out loud, but when it came to me, I was off limits to everyone. It was almost sweet how protective he was, and I wasn't complaining at all. What we did behind closed doors was nobody's business but our own. And I think Drake needed that, too. He had been in the spotlight for so long and never truly had a relationship that was his alone.
Lane held up his hands, still trying to hide his snicker.
"Sorry, boss-man. Everything's going fine out here. I've called Ashley to come out and help us set up the camera angles. He'll be here soon."
Oh, Ashley! I really enjoyed that man and I was really happy that he was along for the ride. He seemed to be extremely professional and that's the kind of employees I knew Drake enjoyed working with the most. He might have agreed to hire Brooke's bitch ass, but he soon learned that she wasn't professional at all. I may have had a hand in getting her fired, but I wasn't the least bit sorry. She was trouble with a capital T.
"That's actually a great idea, man," Drake complimented him. "Have you met him yet, luis?"
Luis's cheeks blushed as he pretended to be busy setting up a camera. I had never seen luis get so embarrassed before. Was I missing something? Was my best friend hiding valuable information from me?
"I've met him," luis replied quietly. "Once."
Holy shit. Luis had a crush on Ashley? Why did this excite me so much? Probably because Ashley was a super nice guy and had his shit together. Oh, I'd give anything to see my best friend happy. How could I make this happen?
"Um, Drake, I'm having an issue getting the invoices to enter correctly and, um, I..." the unfamiliar woman spoke timidly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
I froze in my spot and gawked at the woman. She somehow reminded me of myself not long ago. When I first met Drake, I was timid and didn't know a thing about this industry. A lightbulb went off in my head and my feet moved me before I could even comprehend what was happening.
"Hi, I'm lynn. You must be the new accountant."
I stuck my hand out for her to shake and she took the bait. Her smile was sweet and innocent, yet she looked me right in the eyes and I respected her for it. She didn't glance in Drake's direction once and I instantly wanted to hug her. Have we finally found a woman that wasn't going to cause drama? I think I might love her.
"Ruby," she introduced herself. "Lane has told me so much about you that I'm pretty sure I know everything. You're an incredibly strong woman, if you don't mind me saying."
A bubble of laughter left my chest as I continued to gawk at her. Okay, who was the chick? I glanced over my shoulder at Lane and winked at him.
"I think Lane is trying to earn some brownie points. It's working."
"Yes!" He said with a downward fist pump, making us all laugh.
"Oh, hold up! You can't come in here and be Lynn's favorite by earning brownie points," luis whined. "She's my best friend!"
Drake stepped up beside me and placed his hand on the small of my back. It was incredibly cute to see the men in my life fight over my affections.
"Yeah, well she's my fiancé, so you both back off," Drake said with a grin.
"Alright, calm down, boys." I laughed and put my attention back on Ruby. "They can all be a lot to handle, but you get used to it. It's a pleasure having you here, Ruby. Drake is a wonderful man to work for. Come to either of us with anything."
She smiled warmly at the both of us. "I just want to thank you, Drake, for giving me a chance even though you know I have history with Lane. I honestly didn't know he worked for you. I promise you that it won't affect my work. And lynn, it's been an absolute pleasure to meet you. Lane said you were a nice girl, but I didn't expect you to be this welcoming."
Okay, I really liked this girl. If Lane didn't get his shit together and blew his chances with her, I might have to smack the hell out of him. But before we could get further acquainted, the back door whipped open and Ashley joined us.
"The party has arrived!" He shouted.
I had to stop and gawk at him for a moment, telling myself that it wasn't luis coming in with an announcement. Then my eyes flitted between him and luis and how they were looking at each other. Holy hell, I think the feelings were mutual. Look at their cheeks! They're blushing!
"Get over here, man," Lane called out. "We need help with camera angles."
Ashley gave me a small hug on his way over to the guys, but I didn't miss how he stole several glances in Pierre's direction. I'm as excited as a little kid in a toy store. I had to get them together, even if it was the last thing I did.
"Let me help you with those invoices, then I've got a hot date with this really amazing woman with long brunette hair and legs to die for." Drake threw me a wink as he guided Ruby back toward the offices.
I leaned against the wall and watched the guys work on the camera angles, smiling from ear to ear. It had been a long time since everything felt right in my world, but today was shaping out to be the best one in a long time. Drake and I weren't stressed out over some crazy family member; Lane had a grin every time Ruby stepped into the room; Ruby was a sight for sore eyes; and luis and Ashley were secretly eye-fucking each other. Everything was absolutely perfect.
"Okay, you ready to go, babe?" Drake asked as I pushed away from the wall and smirked at him.
"Ready. Where are we going?"
He chuckled. "It's a secret."
I pouted, but nudged him with my shoulder to let him know I was just playing around. We left the studio and got into his black Audi, pulling out of the lot. Drake drove onto the freeway, never letting go of my hand in his as I stared down at our connection. I loved all the ink his skin had and I was mesmerized even now when our fingers danced. Mine were bare and his were covered. I always enjoyed watching us make love and how our flesh was so different.
"We're here."
I pulled my gaze from our fingers and saw that we were parked near the jazz club he had taken me to for our first real date. That felt like months ago now, but the memories were still fresh in my mind.
"You're taking me dancing again?" I asked as excitement bubbled in my chest.
"Oh, we'll be dancing, but not here."
The cave. Our cave. It might not actually be our cave, but it felt like it. That was the best night of my life and knowing that Drake was bringing me back here for a surprise made me feel all giddy inside. What did he have planned?
He took my hand in his and pulled me along the boardwalk until our feet hit the sand. We walked hand-in-hand in complete silence as the ocean waves crashed along the shore. The beach was deserted today from the storm blowing in, but it didn't seem to deter Drake in the least. Besides, we'd be covered by the cave.
"Alright, you can tell me what's happening now. You don't have a blanket with you so I gather we're not staying long?"
I ran my free hand up his forearm, holding him tightly to my side as we approached the cave. Drake didn't answer my question, only looked down with a smile on his lips. He was going to kill me if he didn't start talking soon.
"Drake, why did you bring me here?" I blurted out.
He turned me toward him, cupping each side of my face as he chuckled. My eyes flitted between his as I smiled back. It was nearly impossible to look at his face and not smile.
"So impatient, Ms. Tuffin," he whispered.
I laughed. "Soon to be Mrs. Hudson."
He groaned and pulled me even tighter to him before his lips found mine, giving me a small kiss.
"Now I love the sound of that." He released me and pulled something from his pocket before he dropped to one knee. "Lynn..."
"Oh my God," I rasped, covering my mouth as my eyes nearly bulged out of my head. Drake was going to propose! I mean, he already has, but not like this.
His grin lifted his lips as he took my hand in his. "Lynn, from the moment I laid eyes on you in that airport, I knew I couldn't stay away from you. We may not have been each other's favorite person from the get-go, but I quickly fell head over heels in love with you. We've been through so much together and I can't picture my life with anyone but you. Will you be my wife?" He opened the ring box and revealed a sparkling diamond ring that took my breath away. "Will you continue to go through this adventurous life with me?"
Tears blurred my eyes as our entire relationship flashed through my memories. Every kiss, every touch, and every intimate moment slammed into my emotions. There wasn't a single person on this earth I'd rather be with.
"Yes, Drake. The answer will always be yes," I whispered.
He pulled the ring out and slipped it onto my ring finger before he kissed it. After he stood to his feet, I launched myself at him and wrapped my legs around his hips. He held me tight to his chest as our open-mouthed kiss consumed me. There was nothing but us in that moment and I knew in my heart that he'd be my forever.
"Are you going to have your way with me now?" I asked against his lips as they curled into a smirk.
"Not here, baby. I have another surprise for you back at home."
"Home," I sighed.
Home was wherever Drake was. No structure would ever define where home was ever again. One day soon I'd be Mrs. Drake Hudson and nothing would stand in our way.
"Lead the way, Mr. Hudson."
