Текст книги "Incumbent"

Автор книги: Joanne Schwehm

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 10 (всего у книги 16 страниц)

CHAPTER 15

~ Lucy ~

Wow! I craned my neck to look at the Prescotts’ beach house as we pulled up to it. It was larger than some of the other oceanfront houses on the street, but not at all ostentatious. The swing on the wraparound porch practically called out my name, inviting me to sit down and relax.

When we got out of the car, Drake slung his arm around my shoulder. “Welcome to our home away from home.”

He popped the trunk and grabbed our bags. With my hand in his, we walked up the wood steps leading to the front door that creaked when we opened it. “I’m so glad you’re here with me. It looks like we’re the only ones here.” His eyes sparkled as they met mine.

“Thank you for inviting me.”

Drake showed me around the downstairs, and then we went upstairs and took a long hallway to the end. When he swung open the door, I was sure my chin hit the floor, because the bedroom was absolutely gorgeous. In the center of the bedroom was a king-sized bed with a tufted headboard, covered in luxurious bed linens I couldn’t wait to sink into, surrounded by cream-colored walls adorned with silver-framed abstract pictures in soft colors. Other furnishings looked as if they were antiques, including the rocking chair that sat in the corner, but it was the small bronze chandelier hanging in the center of the ceiling that set this bedroom apart from any other I’d seen.

“This is my favorite room in this house.” He tugged me forward. “Let me show you around.”

That was apparently code for let me strip you naked and get you in the shower because that was exactly what happened. Before I knew it, my T-shirt was off and Drake’s mouth was on my breasts. I dropped my head back and gripped his hair. The warmth of his tongue caressing my nipple through the lace cup of my bra drove me crazy.

“Take it off.” His guttural tone made my panties damp, and I was glad he reached back and turned the shower on.

I unfastened my bra and dropped it as he stepped back to appraise me.

“Now the rest. I want to see all of you.”

“I will if you will.”

“So, we’re playing tit for tat, are we?” His dimple appeared, and I couldn’t get out of my clothes fast enough.

“Well . . .”

His hands grabbed my bare hips. “Just remember, you started it.”

Steam rose from the glass-enclosed shower, creating a sheen of sweat on my body. Anticipation of what he meant by that aroused me so quickly, I was nearly ready to orgasm before he even touched me.

I pulled the shower door open and stepped inside. Drake removed his clothes and came in behind me, urging me forward and away from the hot stream of water. Just as I was about to turn, his hands clamped down on my shoulders.

“Lean forward and brace yourself.”

It was as if I was in a hypnotic trance. I never questioned him; I just did as he asked. The tile was cold under my palms and I shivered a little since the water barely touched me. All I could feel was the heat radiating from his body into mine.

When his erection grazed my ass, I wiggled it a bit, and he gave my hip a gentle tap. “Not yet, Ms. Washburn.”

My chest tightened, not knowing what he had planned, so I waited for his next move. Naturally, Drake took his time. I didn’t know how he was so patient, considering how eager I was to get this show on the road, but it was driving me crazy. Maybe that was his plan all along. I honestly didn’t know, but it was working because I was slick between my legs, and it wasn’t because of the shower.

Suddenly, his fingers were on my ankles. “Spread your legs.”

Again, I did as he wanted. At this point, I was sure I would do anything he asked.

“I love this ass,” he said as he placed a kiss on each of my cheeks, and a soft squeal escaped me.

My body responded to each syllable he spoke and each touch of his skin on mine.

“Drake, I need to—”

He cut me off. “I know what you need, and I’m going to give it to you. More than once; I promise. Now, turn around.”

When I did, I found him on his knees, and before I could utter another word, his mouth was on me. Watching him spread me with his thumbs and lick me was the most erotic thing I’d ever seen. My hips bucked toward his mouth.

“My girl is a bit impatient today.”

It wasn’t impatience; it was greed. I knew what he could do to me, and I wanted it all. It was as if I was drunk on him. I could feel everything and knew what was happening, but I was so turned on that I was dizzy with lust.

His hand came up behind my right leg, and he lifted it over his left shoulder.

“God, you’re beautiful. So swollen and ready for me, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I need you. Please.” I was hoping he heard me, because I could barely hear myself over my heartbeat pounding in my ears.

He definitely did. At first it was only his tongue inside me, then one finger, and then two. His palm massaged my clit until I was on the precipice of falling apart.

“That’s it, babe,” he said in a low voice. “Give it to me. I want to taste every bit of you.”

That was all I needed—my orgasm instantly claimed me. I was sure I was going to topple over and crash through the glass door. Drake’s hands steadied me, and I was thankful his strong shoulder supported me.

But when he stood and cupped my face, I saw it. The look in his eyes was one I’d seen in my past but never thought I’d see again. It was then I believed this man might love me. When he kissed me, I felt it, the tenderness I’d dreamed of.

It was then and there I knew I was in love with Drake Prescott.

“It’s your turn.” I smiled and waggled my eyebrows.

“You don’t have to. I was kidding when I said tit for tat. Knowing that I pleasured you is enough.”

Was he insane? Giving him no time to argue, I slid down his body, and his stiff shaft bobbed as if it was greeting me. Now on my knees and eye level with it, I took him into my mouth and ran my tongue along the underside of his hardened shaft. His thick vein was my initial target. I sucked and licked and took him into my mouth as deep as I could. He was a large man; he hit the back of my throat, and I hadn’t taken him all yet.

My left hand grabbed his tight ass while my right hand fisted his cock where my mouth couldn’t reach. I pumped and sucked him, hard and fast.

“Lucy . . .” He groaned and fisted my hair. “I’m going to come. If you don’t want me to, you need to stop.”

No way in hell was that happening. My pace increased as my tongue worked double-time, my cheeks hollowing with each suck and pull. Drake moaned and moved his hips as he guided my head—faster and faster until his muscles clenched and he stilled. Warm saltiness, all Drake, slid over my tongue and down my throat.

Water splashed over us as he lifted me into his arms and hugged me. “God, you’re stunning.”

My heart was on fire. I wanted to tell him—no, I needed to tell him how I felt. A war raged between my head and my heart, but my head won and I just couldn’t do it. Not yet.

He reached for the shampoo and began to wash my hair, giving me the best scalp massage I’d ever had. We continued to wash each other, appreciating every nuance of the other’s body. Once we were done, Drake shut the water off and wrapped us in plush oversized towels folded on the counter.

After we dressed and I quickly dried my hair, I studied the man who owned my heart. He was wearing navy cargo shorts and a red T-shirt, which made me smile.

Drake glanced down with his arms stretched to the side. “What? You don’t like this outfit?”

“I love it. It’s all you.” I grinned. “Throw in a bit of white, and you’re our flag.”

He chuckled. “Ha! I didn’t even realize. What better colors are there?”

Pride. That was what Drake had. Pride in our country. He would make an excellent president one day.

We went out to dinner and then enjoyed a quiet night at home before his family arrived the next day.

• • •

We woke up to sunshine and the smell of bacon. When our eyes popped open, both of us sat up and looked at each other, inhaling deeply.

“Smells like my mom has breakfast going,” Drake said with a grin. “Believe me when I tell you that if we don’t get down there soon, we’ll be eating cold cereal.”

“Then let’s go.” I jumped out of bed and ran into the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and pulled my hair into a ponytail.

“Just throw your bathing suit on under your clothes,” he called out. “We’re going on the boat today.”

I took a step into the bedroom. “Oh . . .”

Gorgeous, that was what he was. Drake had on black board shorts and was pulling down a white tank top. I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at his broad chest and chiseled abs before they were hidden from view.

He slipped on his Nationals cap so it rested backward on his head, and his lips curled up into a mischievous smirk. “Lucy?”

“What?” It completely escaped me for a moment that I was naked and staring. “Oh yeah. Let me get dressed.”

Drake chuckled while I fumbled through my luggage. Once I put on my black bikini and a sundress that doubled as a cover-up, we were out the door.

He wasn’t kidding when he said we needed to hurry to the table. Everyone was already up and enjoying their meal. Tina was in the kitchen when we walked into the dining room, making more bacon and eggs.

“I’m going to see if your mom needs help,” I told him.

“Okay, do you want me to come with you?”

“No, go enjoy your breakfast. I’ll be right there.”

I stepped into the kitchen, leaving Drake with the rest of the family.

Tina looked up and smiled. “Good morning, Lucy. Did you sleep well last night?”

“Yes, thank you. The bed was very comfortable.” Heat rose in my cheeks, and not because I was standing near the stove. “Can I help you with something?”

“Thank you, sweetie. I just kicked Gretchen out and told her to go eat before the men devour everything.” She smiled kindly. “You’d think my only daughter would know that by now. She used to say that growing up with four brothers was the best weight-loss plan.”

I smiled. “I’m here now, so if you want to go eat, I can finish.”

“Nonsense.” She flipped the omelets onto a plate and turned the knob on the stovetop. “I’m all done. Let’s you and I go eat.”

Tina carried the omelets, and I brought a plate of bacon into the dining room. Once I got to the doorway, I stopped and took in the scene in front of me. The rectangular table was set impeccably. Three low vases full of colorful flowers marched down the middle of the table. I counted four chairs on each side, and one on each end that his parents occupied. Gretchen sat between Jack and Dane on one side, and Drake was sitting next to Josh on the other.

They were all laughing and teasing each other while enjoying a meal together, a family dynamic that was unfamiliar to me and so very special.

Drake looked up and caught my eye. His brows drew together in a questioning look. I relaxed my shoulders and stepped forward to place the plate on the table. We all exchanged morning greetings as I sat next to Drake.

“Have you ever been to the Outer Banks, Lucy?” Rick asked while his wife and kids looked at me, waiting for my reply.

I took a sip of orange juice Drake had poured for me. “No, this is my first time, but from what I’ve seen, I love it.”

He nodded. “Then I’m glad you’re here.”

“Where are you off to next, Dane?” Jack asked him.

“There’s a tournament in Myrtle Beach, then Atlanta.” Dane slid a piece of bacon in his mouth. When he was done chewing, he said, “After Georgia, I head north and try to secure my sponsorship if I win the next two events.”

Tina beamed at him. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.”

It was evident she was proud of all her children, and with good reason. They were wonderful, and for all of them to still come together at their ages for a family getaway spoke volumes.

Gretchen said, “I can’t wait to go on the boat today. I need to catch some rays.” She examined her pale skin. “I need some color.”

“Don’t forget your sunscreen, honey. You know how important it is.” Her father gave her a pointed look.

“Yes, Dr. Daddy, I know.”

After breakfast, everyone pitched in and helped clean up like a well-oiled machine. Rick, Josh, and Drake cleared the table while Dane rinsed the dishes and Gretchen put them in the dishwasher.

I felt like a fish out of water, ridiculously jealous of a family doing everyday chores. But the Prescotts were more than a family; they were a team.

• • •

Their boat was nothing short of spectacular, and larger than I thought it would be. The vessel wasn’t a yacht like you’d see in the movies, but it was gorgeous. The outside was gleaming white with a deep blue stripe that wrapped around the top edge. The name on the back of it caught my eye, STARFISH, written in dark red.

I turned to Drake. “Why Starfish?”

“My parents said it had five arms. Each of us represents one of them. It was a nod to us kids.”

My eyes stung a little at the sentimentality of it. “That’s the sweetest gesture.”

He kissed the top of my head. “Let’s get out to sea and test your sea legs.”

Once we were out on the water, all my worries and thoughts subsided. Jack took the helm and piloted us across the ocean while the rest of us relaxed. After a while they switched, and Drake took the wheel while the others lounged in the sun.

I decided to join Gretchen and Dane on a lounger at the back of the boat. It was mesh, almost like something you’d see on a catamaran. When I pulled my sundress over my head and glanced at Drake, I found him looking back at me. He leaned over to say something to Josh, who stood next to him.

Josh smiled, and before I knew it, Drake was at my side.

“Let me help you.” He reached down and grabbed the sunscreen from a bag next to his sister.

As we sat down next to her, Gretchen mumbled, “Don’t block my sun, Drake.”

Drake rolled his eyes and ran his hands now covered in lotion over my shoulders and down my arms. The gentle feel of his firm hands turned me on, but this wasn’t the time or place. After he was done with my back, I turned toward him.

“Thanks,” I said with a smile, and reached for the lotion. “I’ll do my front.”

“But that’s the best part.” Drake laughed, and his sister groaned.

“Geez, you two are killing me.”

“Sorry, Gretch.” Drake winked at me, and we lay back to enjoy the warmth of the sun until late afternoon, when we headed back to shore.

I was exhausted, and I hadn’t even done anything strenuous today. In fact, I’d done nothing but eat, laugh, and lie in the sun. It was the most delicious kind of tired.

When we got back to the house, everyone scattered to get cleaned up. While Drake showered, I lay down because I wanted a nap. He invited me to join him, but I was too tired.

When he came out of the bathroom a short while later, his wet hair slicked back and wearing just a towel around his waist, I opened my sleepy eyes and kicked myself for being lazy. His chiseled torso was enough to wake the dead, and the cut of the V at his hips looked mockingly at me as if to say you missed this, you idiot, because you wanted a nap.

As I stretched, Drake said, “You got some sun today.”

I glanced down to see my normally pale skin now had a nice light tan. But Drake looked as if he’d been in the sun a week.

“Not as much as you did. You look like a Greek god.”

He chuckled. “Call me Zeus.”

“I don’t think so,” I said with a laugh. “I need a shower.”

As I made my way by him, he stopped me for a quick kiss. “Think of me while you’re in there. God knows I thought of you.” He winked, and my girly parts woke up.

Definitely shouldn’t have taken a nap.

• • •

After dinner, we all sat around a bonfire. Gretchen stepped away to take a call from Scott, but she didn’t look pleased. I didn’t know what their story was. All I knew was he wasn’t around much, and her brothers didn’t like to see their sister unhappy. Drake told me they’d all tried to talk to her, but she stubbornly stuck by the guy.

When dusk fell, his parents went back to the house.

Dane popped open a beer and handed one to his brothers. “Do you want one, Lucy?”

I shook my head. “No, thank you.”

My heart was heavy with the knowledge that my plan for this weekend was to tell Drake my story. Part of me wanted to wait until we got home, but he might need his family to deal with it. I might need them as well.

“What’s wrong?” Drake’s tone was concerned as I stared into the flames, mesmerized as I watched the sparks rise to the darkened sky.

It’s now or never.

With my heart in my throat, I whispered, “Can we go back to the house and talk?”

Worry flashed in his blue eyes. “Of course.” He stood and took my hand before addressing the others. “We’re heading back. See you all in the morning.”

His brothers glanced at each other, and Dane said, “You two have a good time.”

A good time. I doubted that was what we were about to have, but maybe it would turn out okay.

Drake closed our bedroom door, and I began to pace across the hardwood. Stalling, I scanned the room to take in all the nautical decor, including a small frame in the shape of an anchor sitting on the dresser with a picture of the family in it, and the white rocker in the corner that looked like an antique. Everything in the room was flawless, except for me.

He sat on the bed, watching me pace back and forth. “What’s wrong?”

Nervously I reached up to twist the ends of my hair, and once I noticed his worried look, I dropped my hands to my sides and clutched the fabric of my shorts.

“I have a story to tell you, and I’m not sure how you’re going to react.” He opened his mouth to speak, but I stopped him. “Please, let me get this out.”

“You can tell me anything, Lucy.”

“Okay.” Here goes. “You’ve asked me about my family and I’ve skirted around the issue, but I can’t do that anymore. As much as it hurts, I want to talk about it.”

Drake’s lips pressed together, but the tenderness in his eyes gave me courage.

“When I was in high school, I met a boy at a party the end of my sophomore year. We didn’t go to the same school, but he played football with some of my friends, so he was there. His name was Greg Madison. Anyway, he and I hit it off and we began seeing each other. This went on all summer. My best friend’s mom knew about us and told my parents, who flipped out because he was from the wrong side of the tracks, so to speak.”

I glanced at Drake, who was listening intently, so I pushed ahead.

“My father was a prominent businessman, so my parents were well off. They had a reputation to uphold, and when their only daughter decided she liked a boy from the poor side of town, that didn’t sit well. Anyway, I didn’t care what they or anyone else thought, so I’d sneak out to meet Greg. I was fifteen and he was eighteen when we met. He was my first love, and my first . . .” I stopped, my heart breaking a bit with each word.

Finally, I sucked in a deep breath and looked into the eyes of the man I loved, and said, “I got pregnant.”

Drake’s eyes widened, and he sucked in a sharp breath. Seeing his reaction hurt more than what happened back then.

“Lucy,” he said, but I held up a hand.

“Please. I need to finish,” I said, and he nodded.

“By the end of the summer, I couldn’t hide it anymore. My mom thought I had the flu because I was constantly sick, and she wanted to take me to the doctor. I knew I needed to tell my parents, but I was terrified.”

My eyes filled with tears, but I choked them back.

“Greg wanted to come with me when I told them, but I couldn’t let him. I didn’t know how my father would react, and I knew my mother would blame him for everything. It wasn’t as if we planned for this to happen. We used a condom, but I guess it failed. We were only together once, but apparently that was enough.”

I stopped my pacing and knelt down in front of Drake. With my trembling hands on his knees, I looked into his eyes.

“My father was at a business meeting, so I decided to tell my mom without him there. She didn’t take the news very well. In fact, she was furious, not only with me, but with Greg. When Mom asked me how old he was, I told her the truth, that he’d just turned nineteen. For some reason, I thought because Greg was an adult in the eyes of the law, he would seem more responsible. But it backfired on me.”

“Did she hurt you, Lucy?” Drake’s expression was compassionate as he stroked my cheek with his thumb.

“Not in the way you might think, but yes. My mother asked when this happened, and I told her it was when we went out for Greg’s birthday, which was a day before mine. She remembered that night because I was supposed to go with them to an awards dinner for my dad, but I said I wanted to go out with my friends. Then my mom’s face lit up with a strange smile, and she said Greg raped me. I was shocked that she’d say that, because it wasn’t true, and I argued with her. She reminded me that they’d wanted to celebrate my dad’s award and my birthday together, but I’d told her we could do it on my actual birthday, which was the day after.”

“So you were a minor and he was an adult.” Drake’s voice was tight, and his eyes had lost their sparkle.

“Yes, I was only fifteen when we had sex, one day shy of being legal in the eyes of the law. My mom picked up the phone and said she was going to call the police. I didn’t know what to do, so I panicked. Then Mom said something I never thought I’d hear in my lifetime.”

My eyes welled with tears, and I didn’t know if I could continue, but knew I had to.

“What did she say, Lucy?”

My voice was barely audible, and it took me two tries to get it out. “She . . . she said if I terminated the pregnancy, she wouldn’t press charges against Greg.”

I averted my eyes, unable to look at Drake. He was pro-life and so was I.

“I argued and argued with her, but my mom wouldn’t budge. I told her I loved him, and we were going to make it work. He was enlisting in the Army, and I was going to finish as much school as I could, either get my GED or try to graduate early, and then move to wherever he was. But that didn’t happen.”

My hand went to my stomach in a protective gesture, just as it did back then. “She told me that wasn’t an option. I was an embarrassment to our family, and there was no way I could have a baby at sixteen. That’s when my dad came home. He took one look at us, and my mother started to cry as she explained everything. I’ll never forget it. I’d never seen my dad so disappointed. He didn’t say much except that I needed to listen to my mother, and if I didn’t, he’d be calling his friend in the DA’s office. But I wanted our child.”

Drake pulled me into his arms, but I gently pushed away from him.

“Lucy, let me help you. Did you put the child up for adoption? Is that what happened? I’ll help you see him or her, if that’s what you want.”

I looked up at him, my heart breaking. “My mother wasn’t bluffing. The next day, she gave me the option to either go with her to the clinic or to the police department. I didn’t know what to do; I was so terrified. She took my phone from me, so I couldn’t call Greg.”

Tears were now flowing freely down my face, and I didn’t bother wiping them away. My voice hitched.

“I went online and looked at the laws, and she was right. Because he’d just turned nineteen and I was hours away from being sixteen, it was illegal, and he could go to jail. It broke my heart, but I couldn’t ruin Greg’s life.”

Drake’s face paled, and I knew this was it. Terror struck my soul. So I leaned in and kissed him, knowing it could be the last time our lips met, the last time I’d be able to taste him. Maybe it was unfair of me to do, but I needed it.

When I pulled back from the kiss, I looked into his worried eyes. “I’m so sorry, Drake. I had an abortion.”

His face fell, and suddenly my eyes weren’t the only ones filled with tears. I was sure we’d never recover from this.

Drake stared at me and I went to hug him, but he quickly stood and lowered his head, not allowing me to embrace him.

“I’m sorry you went through this, Lucy, but did you contact a lawyer yourself?” he asked, and I shook my head. “What about this guy, Greg?” Frown lines bracketed his mouth, and the dimples I loved were nowhere to be seen.

“I wasn’t able to talk to him until after. Like I said, my mom took my phone away from me.” I sniffed, trying to regain my composure, but I was a mess. “Plus, he had a future ahead of him. I knew he’d tell me not to do it and he’d take whatever punishment he had coming to him, but I just couldn’t. So I broke up with him, and he went to basic training.”

Drake’s voice was tight when he asked, “Do you still love him?”

“In a way, I think I’ll always love him, but it was young love. It’s not like how I feel now.”

My heart screamed at me to tell Drake I loved him, but now didn’t seem like the right time. Not after all I’d just hit him with.

“Where is he?”

“He died. Well, he went missing after he was deployed to the Middle East, and that’s the last I heard of him, and the last time I saw my parents. But I have more to tell you.”

Drake was leaning against the door with his arms crossed. His body language was so closed off, all I could think of was that he wanted to escape and get away from me.

“My name wasn’t always Lucy Washburn. I was born Abigail Winston.”

His eyes narrowed as he tried to process what I was saying. Before he could ask questions, I told him the rest.

“It was my freshman year of college when I heard from friends that Greg was missing in action and presumed dead. That’s when part of me died too. Not only had I lost him, but we lost the choice to have our own family. The fury I felt toward my parents was something I’d never felt before. But what was worse was the disgust I felt toward myself, and the guilt. I cried all the time, didn’t care about going to classes, and I realized I’d already lost myself. Abigail was dead; she died on the same day Greg did.”

I sobbed, gasping for air as I tried to speak, but I couldn’t do it. My cheeks were wet with tears, but I needed to go on or I’d never finish my story. I swiped at my face with the back of my hands.

“Lucy, you don’t need to.” Drake took a step toward me, but I shook my head.

“Yes, I do.” My chest shuddered as I took a breath and tried to go on. “So I completely cut myself off from my family and started over. I hired a lawyer and legally changed my name, and then transferred out of Colorado State to JMU. I had a small trust fund that my grandparents had left me, money my parents couldn’t touch, so I was able to support myself through college without their help. I’m so sorry, Drake. I should have told you sooner.”

He stared at the floor, seeming to process what I’d told him, but he didn’t say anything for what felt like an eternity.

“Please say something,” I begged. My heart felt as if it had been stabbed. I hated to think how Drake felt.

Frowning, he glanced up at me. “Who else knows about this?”

“Mason. He’s the only one who knows my story.”

Staring at the floor, he said in a low voice, “You should have told me.”

I nodded. “I know, but I was scared.”

His head snapped up as if he suddenly realized something. “Is this why you didn’t want your picture in the paper? Because you thought you might be recognized?”

“You’re a pro-life Republican, Drake, who also happens to be Catholic. I couldn’t let my past be associated with you. And if the school board found out about this, I’d most likely lose my job. It wasn’t something I’d want to put on my résumé, but I wasn’t asked about it either. I was just happy to have a job where I could teach.”

His face hardened. “So you waited until I fell in love with you to tell me you aren’t who you said you were?”

I was stunned. He loves me?

At my shocked expression, Drake stood up a little straighter, his face drawn tight with emotion. “Didn’t you know how I felt about you? You could have told me at the very beginning, and I wouldn’t have thought less of you. What happened to you was a long time ago. It wasn’t as if this happened to us. But you decided to keep this from me. Now, we’re here with my family, who adores you by the way, and you spring this on me?”

I shook my head, wanting him to understand. “This is why I held off meeting them.”

“One week. You held out for one week, Lucy.” His shoulders slumped and his head fell forward, utterly defeated. “I don’t know what to do here. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

“I’m sorry. I really am so sorry. But I needed to tell you before someone started digging in my past.”

“I understand, and I’m sorry you didn’t tell me until you felt you had to.”

“What was I supposed to say? Hi, I’m Lucy Washburn, but I was born Abigail Winston. I changed my name because I had an abortion and hate my parents? Oh, and the boy I once loved died fighting for our country, so we’d never have the life we wanted?” My words felt like blades slicing my mouth as I spoke.

Drake paced away from me, his hand over his mouth. His voice was hoarse as he said, “I need time to figure out how to handle this.”

“Does this mean we’re over?” I choked out.

Facing the darkened window that looked out over the beach, he kept his back to me as he said, “It means I need time to think, that’s all.”

I nodded, determined not to let any more tears fall. I’d wait until I was back home.

“For what it’s worth,” he added, “I appreciate your telling me.”

I tried to smile, but it probably came out as a grimace. He didn’t see it anyway, because he averted his face as he opened the door and walked out.

Pain struck me so hard when Drake walked away, it was difficult for me to stand. I shouldn’t have gotten as close to him as I had. In fact, I shouldn’t even be here right now. At least here he’d have his family to help him process it all, a family I could only wish to have one day.

Devastated, I watched him walk out of the room and probably out of my life. The click of the front door closing downstairs echoed in my soul.

I was already responsible for destroying Greg, and I couldn’t do the same to Drake. He deserved to live his dreams, without the problems my past would cause him. He’d be forced to make excuses for me, and my past would become fodder for the next news cycle.

The headlines alone would be brutal, and once my family found out where I was, everything I’d worked so hard to put behind me would be front and center once again. I wasn’t so much concerned with myself, but if my parents found out that my boyfriend was a prominent political figure, they’d feast on that—especially my mom.