CHAPTER 6 – DRAKE
It made him a total dickhead but he had never taken any girl to the property before Skylar but if he had known that it would turn the hard arse into putty which meant any other girl would have been dropping her panties at the surprisingly romantic place – he probably would have.
Seeing how things had taken a turn for the better since their first date, he was fucking glad he hadn't taken any other girls there and tainted the place.
Nearly three weeks had passed since he's brought her there and instead of pulling back from him like he'd expected her to, he had somehow managed to penetrate the iron walls she'd put up and he was privy to many bright smiles, friendly hugs and sometimes he would even get a kiss on the cheek. They hadn't kissed again, they hadn't fucked and Drake wasn't dipping his wick in anyone else either but somehow he was the happiest he'd been in maybe ever.
He was definitely turning into a pussy for this girl but those radiant smiles she saved just for him and seeing her let her guard down and let some light and fun into her world? Totally fucking worth it. It wasn't like anyone would even say anything to him anyway, he'd had a further three fights and wiped the floor with his opponent at each one.
Skylar had yet to return to his fights after her panic attack at the first but she cooked him dinner before each one and called him after to see how he went.
Totally foreign feeling having a girl care about him for more than his dick or reputation but that was Skylar, a girl in a league of her own.
"Dude!"
Drake looked up to where Luke had poked his red head in his bedroom.
"What?" he snapped, not liking anyone up here unless he brought them up.
"You need to get a check on your boy, he nearly knocked out Withers and tried to take out some of the other brothers that broke it up."
Drake sighed deeply and dismissed Luke with a wave. One thing that was not going well this last month was Kyle and Tamsin. After the run in with their high school buds and Kyle's shit for brains reaction and then inability to fix a very hurt and beyond pissed off Tamsin she had dropped his ass and Kyle had spent the last two weeks giving Drake a run for his money as dickhead of the year.
Odd that after knowing each other for over ten years the roles had reversed and now Drake found himself being the cool headed of the two.
He cringed as he made his way downstairs, definitely never saw that one coming.
The commotion was in the den and when he walked in he saw three of his frat brothers trying to hold Kyle back as he swung, kicked and fought his way free to Ben Withers who had a bloody nose and swollen eye, only being held back by Nate Collins, a goddamn pledge.
"What the fuck is going on?" he bellowed the room falling silent after, except for Kyle's grunts.
"Withers?" he snapped when no one else said anything.
"He's fucking crazy dude," he replied quickly. "Just came at me over fucking nothing! Sucker punched me before I even had a chance to figure out what the fuck was going on."
"You're a piece of shit Withers," Kyle snarled.
"All of this over a piece of snatch?" Withers asked incredulously. "Are you fucking kidding me bro? She's a hot piece no doubt but no cunt is worth this."
Of course it was about Tamsin. It was always about Tamsin and like Withers had said the magic word Kyle broke free from his captors and head butted him hard in the face with a loud snap.
Drake groaned to himself and then stepped in, pulling Kyle off with one arm and shoving Withers to the floor with the other.
"What the fuck!" Withers screamed. "You broke my fucking nose!"
"That was a fucking warning," Kyle growled. "Come near her and see what happens."
"That's enough!" Drake growled, tossing Kyle out of the room. "We've got a party happening tonight, get this shit cleaned up and then get the house ready."
He stalked away and found Kyle pacing in the kitchen.
"What the fuck has gotten into you?" he demanded.
"You didn't hear him," Kyle said. "The shit he was saying about her the fucker is lucky I didn't end him."
Drake raised an eyebrow. "Withers is always shooting his mouth off, you know that."
Kyle glared at him. "You heard him say that shit about Skylar we'd be dealing with a body bag."
He probably wasn't that far off but Skylar was different.
"I didn't think it was your place to care anymore."
Kyle's lips twisted. "Excuse me?"
"Thought you were done with her. Didn't want to make her yours, didn't work to make it right so now she's not your concern, you want her to be your concern then stop pussyfooting around and make it so."
"What? You give your balls to Skylar and suddenly you know all about girls?" Kyle taunted.
"Watch your mouth," he warned.
"Exactly. You know what? I don't need this shit, I'm going out."
"Coming back for the party? Kitten said she'd work on getting Tamsin to come."
That got Kyle's attention, his shoulders stiffening and halting his strides.
"Later," he said and then stalked out.
Jesus fucking Christ, how had things gotten so turned around? Was this how exasperated he made everyone else around him feel when he'd lose his shit and bulldoze through anything in his path? Drake wasn't entirely sure this new having emotions thing was that great after all.
His phone began to ring and at a quick glance he saw it was Skylar and he grinned.
"Kitten," he greeted.
"Playboy," she returned even though she knew full well that hadn't been the case for a good month now.
"Need advice on what lingerie to buy? Hang up and face time me and I'll let you know."
She snorted in disgust. "Gross, no. I'm calling to check the invitation was still on for tonight."
Fuck she was adorable. "Kitten it's a frat party, you don't need an official invitation if you've got a pair of tits and a great ass."
"You're a pig," she told him without any bite to her words. "Tam is going to come but I'm worried about how she is going to go seeing Kyle. This week has been hell."
"Tell me about it," he grumbled. "Andrews knocked a brother out this week and broke another's nose just for mentioning her."
"Oh. So should we not go?" she asked timidly.
"No, you have to come," he replied firmly. "Who else is going to provide me with entertainment?"
"Your smorgasboard of boobs for brains?" she quipped and the heaviness in his chest from earlier lifted.
"No comparison, you going to eat before you come or order a pizza here?"
"Definitely eat before we come, it takes Tam ages to make me presentable so we'll aim for nine ok?"
She could turn up in her pajamas, hung over as fuck with smeared makeup and messy hair and still be beautiful but he knew she would never believe him so he let it go.
"Alright Kitten, see you tonight."
"Tonight," she agreed in that breathy sweet voice that went straight to his dick.
Tucking his phone back in his pocket he moved back upstairs to put on his running shorts so he could try and run out some of the energy and need he had pounding away in him.
Hours later Drake sat in the frat's ratty brown recliner sipping a beer while he watched Selena and Carly kiss and grind against each other for the enjoyment of the brothers around them. He fought the urge to yawn as he eyed them both in matching skin tight denim skirts and pink bikini tops flipping their hair and biting their lips as they ran their hands over each other's bodies. Had this once been such a turn on to him?
Jesus it was so desperate and cheap and so were the girls.
Having seen enough he pushed to his feet and headed outside, Skylar and Tamsin would be here soon and since the party had been going strong since about three he wanted to make sure they got inside safely.
Pushing past the usual sorority girls and drunken idiot guys trying to hit on them he barely got outside before smashing a guys face against a wall. The frustration was worth it though as he saw the two girls standing by themselves out the front, looking uncertain about entering.
"There you are!" Drake called wrapping an arm around each of their shoulders. "Took you long enough."
Skylar pulled away and gestured to herself. "This takes time you know."
He took her in properly there and the lack of desire he had felt inside at the amateur strip show was a blazing fire as he let his gaze drift all over her.
She had her curls out and around her face, her eyes had some weird dark smokey shirt around them that made the colour look like aged whiskey. Lashes long and full, lips glossy and pink and she was actually wearing a knee length skirt, sandals and a purple top that was unzipped to her chest level.
Fuck, so hot, so tempting, so not his to touch but he didn't give a fuck, he was going to move things up a notch tonight or die trying.
"Urgh, seriously, you guys need to get a room and I need a drink," Tamsin grumbled as she stalked ahead.
He managed to pull his gaze back to her eyes and caught a pool of desire inside them that just stroked his fire even hotter. She wanted him. She probably didn't know what to do with what she was feeling or maybe even recognise it but he'd seen that look in enough women to know that she liked what she saw when she looked at him and she wanted to do more than just look.
Leaning down he wrapped his hand around her neck and pulled her closer, pressing his lips to her forehead. Jesus, she even smelt like fucking heaven, would she taste just as sweet?
"You look amazing," he whispered into her hair.
She blushed down to her chest but managed a shrug. "Thanks, it's all Tamsin though. Should we go and make sure she doesn't burn your frat down?"
He grinned down at her, draping his arm around her shoulders in a show of casual possession as he lead her through the party and out to the backyard where he knew Tamsin would go.
When they found her she was stopped dead by the side gate, her hands shaking at her sides.
"Tam? What's wrong – oh!"
Drake moved closer and followed Tamsin's stunned gaze to Kyle, directly across the yard from them, Selena on his lap and sucking on his neck while he grabbed her ass and kept his gaze directly on Tamsin.
Stupid motherfucker.
"He's drunk and he's hurting," Skylar murmured. "She means nothing to him, look how he hasn't taken his eyes off you. We can leave if you want though?"
Tamsin squared her shoulders and tilted her chin up proudly.
"I'm not going to run away like a coward. He's free to do whatever he wants, let's go get a drink."
The steel in Tamsin's eyes made it impossible to argue so Skylar followed behind her as she wove through the crowd, leaving Drake standing there alone.
Kyle followed their movements with his eyes the whole time and as soon as Tamsin was turned his face betrayed the pain and regret he was really feeling.
He was going to be even more sorry in a minute though.
Pushing his way through the crowd Drake made it to Kyle.
"What the fuck dude?" he bit out.
Without Tamsin for an audience Kyle pushed Selena off him and then stood to face Drake.
"Leave it alone Landry."
"This is your big plan to win your girl back? You're a dumb fucker Andrews if you think for one second that is going to work."
"It's none of your business," Kyle snapped.
"You've been my best friend for over ten years and Tamsin is a good girl so I'm making it my business," he replied.
Kyle shoved him. "I told you to stay out of it."
Drake grabbed him by the each side of his colour and lifted him up, shaking him slightly.
"This isn't fucking you, you're not an asshole and you don't disrespect women. I get being hurt, I even get being pissed off and not knowing what to do with it but using a girl to hurt the one you've already hurt and love? You're better than that and she deserves better than that. Get your shit sorted."
Dropping Kyle and shoving him away Drake walked away, ignoring the stares and whispers that followed him.
He had taken maybe ten steps when Skylar appeared from nowhere and jumped at him, throwing her arms around his neck, her legs circling his waist forcing him to grip her ass to hold her steady right before her lips descended on his for a lingering peck.
What the fuck?
She pulled her lips away from him and then realising they were now the centre of everyone's attention she slid down his body but still kept her arms around his waist. Drake just stood there totally speechless.
"Thank you," she whispered and laid her head against his chest.
"What?" he asked still baffled.
"Having Tam's back and not afraid to be public about it, just thank you."
She kept her face pressed against his chest and he could feel the heat of her embarrassment but couldn't bring himself to give a fuck. She had initiated touching him without stopping to think about what anyone would say and think and hadn't run from him after.
If sacrificing a little bit of street cred was going to help him win her over and thaw her towards him then he'd take the hits and deal with any consequences later.
"Come on," he said, pulling her under his arm protectively. "Let's go get a drink and if you're really nice I'll let you and Tamsin paint a pledge's nails."
Her face lit up with undisguised excitement. "Promise?"
He grinned in response and led her away from the crowd, pleased as punch that she'd not once shied from his touch tonight.
Drake was in hell. Not figuratively, not metaphorically, literally in fucking hell. It was Sunday, he was hung over as fuck and he'd now been standing in the same shop for two goddamn hours.
It was of course his own fault, but how the fuck could he have anticipated this?
The gala was two weeks away and although Skylar had agreed to go, he knew she was looking for any excuse to bail and not having an appropriate dress was one of the main reasons. Stupidly he'd gone to Tamsin for help in picking a dress and whatever else chicks needed for something like this and in doing so had subjected himself to four hours at the mall, two of them spent in the same store with no food in his stomach and still no dress.
"How long is this going to take?" he asked. "I've got shit to do today."
Tamsin raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
"Like anything but this new circle of hell," he muttered, moving from his place and over to a rack where a slip of green had caught his eye.
"Where are you going?" Tamsin called. "That's not the sales rack."
Drake pulled the deep green silky fabric between his fingers and then jerked his head to Tamsin.
"This one."
Tamsin sighed under the pile of dresses she was collecting and moved to the dress.
She gasped and actually dropped her pile of clothes as she reached out to touch the elegant gown.
"Holy shit - it's beautiful."
"I don't make a habit of surrounding myself with ugly things," he replied
She gave him a sharp look. "Just trashy, empty bobble heads?"
"Not anymore."
She smiled at him then but it faded quickly when she noticed the price tag.
"Oh no, that's the worst!"
"They don't have her size?" he asked moving closer.
"No they have her size and it would for her like a second skin but it's two grand."
It would set him back a little with his plans but he knew the look on Skylar's face when she saw it and how good she would look in it would be priceless.
"Charge it," he told Tamsin handing over his card.
"It's. Two. Grand." she told him slowly.
"Charge. It." he responded.
Her mouth dropped and she gave him one of her penetrative stares before she pulled herself back together.
"She won't accept something this expensive."
"So cut the tags off and don't tell her."
"She's not an idiot," Tamsin reminded him.
Drake rubbed his palm down his face as he lost patience. He hated girly shit, had never once in his life had to deal with this stuff or ever wanted to and right now was exactly why.
"Charge the dress. Cut the tags off. Tell her what you need to. Just get her there."
Tamsin gave him a stunning smile and the tension that had been in her face was swept away.
He must be turning into some sort of pussy because now he was noticing fucking facial expressions and starting to realise that his best friend was a fucking idiot for letting Tamsin go and not fighting to keep her.
"I'm sorry about Kyle," he blurted before he could stop himself.
Tamsin tensed again but plastered a bright smile.
"We were never official - it's not a big deal. Is um... Is he still going to the gala too?"
Drake cringed because he knew Kyle was taking Camilla to the gala and Tamsin would have to go and watch the blonde beauty fawn all over Kyle with a bright smile and broken heart
"Uh yeah... You sure you still want to go?"
Tamsin shrugged. "Not like I have a choice, it's very women's lib to go stag right?"
Drake rubbed his hand down his face in frustration again. He needed a spoonful of concrete so he could harden the fuck up and go back to not caring about anything. It was like Skylar had unleashed all these feelings and emotions inside of him that he couldn't get a hold of, one being empathy because as he looked at Tamsin now with her dark eyes blinking back tears he knew what he had to do.
"You can come with me and Kit," Drake told her.
Her eyes snapped up to his and her mouth went slack.
"What?"
"Come ride with us, you can keep Kit company while I'm forced to do the family thing and we will have your back."
Tamsin looked puzzled, touched and then finally affronted.
"I don't need your pity Drake Landry."
He sighed deeply, why couldn't he go back to the good old days of viewing girls only as a distraction for a couple hours?
"I'm not giving you my pity," he told her evenly. "It's for purely selfish reasons. Kit can't back out if you're coming with us and what guy doesn't want two smoking girls on each arm for the world to see."
A slow smirk spread across his face. This was actually brilliant, bringing two girls would send his mother into a tailspin and with it being so public she wouldn't be able to act on her rage.
"If I say yes will you stop with the creepy smile?"
He glanced down at Tamsin and shrugged.
"That your way of saying thank you?"
She sneered at him but they both knew she didn't mean it and her eyes were filled with gratitude
"I guess I can help a brother out," she said finally, giving him a grin. "I'm not putting out though so looks like its blue ball Saturday for you."
"My favourite day," he replied dryly before gesturing her to buy the dress so they could get the fuck out before he broke out in hives.
Tamsin laughed loudly. "I must admit I'm surprised you've held out this long."
"What do you mean?"
"The rumour mill is churning out news that the resident play boy has taken himself off the market and hasn't fucked around in over a month," she replied lightly.
"It's nobody's business who I choose to fuck," Drake said coldly.
Tamsin smiled, undeterred. "Homeboy, that wasn't a judgement."
"What was it then?"
"Equal parts delight in your torture and Sky's increased happiness."
Drake rolled his eyes, the chick was totally out of her mind but her loyalty to her friend was admirable and very rare.
"She doesn't know," Tamsin said her voice void of humour now.
"Know what?" Drake asked impatiently as the sales lady charged the dress while eye fucking him.
"That she's beautiful and worthy of love."
Drake snapped his gaze onto Tamsin and waited for her to get whatever she wanted to say off her chest.
"Did you know that in the year I've known her, Skylar only owned one pair of jeans and the rest were sweat pants, leggings and yoga pants?"
Drake's eyes bugged out. Where the hell was she going with this?
"As of last week she now has three dresses, two skirts, four jeans and two sexy pairs of shorts. Yesterday she asked me to go shopping with her to buy some makeup and I caught her on youtube looking at tutorials for curly hair."
Taking his card back from the sales lady with a nod of thanks, Drake waited until they had left the shop before he turned to Tamsin.
"What's your point?"
Tamsin gave him a steely glare. "She still has no idea how stunning she is but for the first time in over a year she's beginning to care about herself and want to explore her beauty instead of hide it. Thank you for giving that to her."
Without another word she took the dress from his arms and walked away, leaving him staring after her in disbelief.
*
Skylar: I can't come to the Gala after all, I've got to take my cat to the vet.
Drake grinned down at his phone like an idiot. For the past week and a half Skylar had been texting him the most ridiculous excuses to get out of the gala and tried more than once to stuff cash into any pocket or place of hiding he had to repay him for the dress.
He found her attempts not only adorable but sexy as hell.
He had never grown up around independent girls that wanted to take care of themselves and avoid any help offered their way. He was used to pampered little princess's that would only open their legs if what you could offer was worth the effort or the fast and loose girls that just wanted his dick and the right to claim him.
Fucking vultures the lot of them.
Not Skylar though, she was an entirely different breed of woman.
Drake: The only cat in that house is you Kitten.
Skylar: Urgh! Could you be more annoying?
Drake: Is that a challenge?
Skylar: No! Listen, I was just trying to save your precious male ego, I can't actually go because I've got a bunch of reading to do and I'm behind on a couple of my stories.
Drake chuckled again, shaking his head. A girl turning down a night with him so she could study? Practically unheard of. Him chasing after a girl after being turned down consistently for two months? Off the charts insane and yet here he was.
They'd spent more time at the property with Skylar helping him construct some walls and even giving him suggestions on his floor plans. She'd fallen asleep on his shoulder while watching movies, sometimes she let him hold her hand when walking her to class and he hadn't so much as winked in another girls' direction in months and yet she was determined to remain oblivious to his feelings for her.
Drake was in serious danger of dying from blue balls and his patience had finally come to an end. She was his, he'd known it the moment he'd been caught in her golden gaze and it was about time she woke up to herself and stopped living in her dream world.
Drake: You promised Tamsin you would go to support her. I don't give a fuck if the POTUS summons you, I'll be there to pick you both up at 6 on Sat. I don't want to throw you over my shoulder but I will.
Skylar: I'm going to stab you in the eye with my butter knife.
Drake smirked knowing he'd won and refraining from texting back to gloat. He wasn't going to convince Skylar she was made for him with arrogance. No, he had a plan and he was going to follow it exactly because this was a competition he had no intention of losing and she was the prize he was never going to let go of.
He left his room and went across the hall to Kyle's room, leaning against the open door. Kyle sat on the floor on his red throw rug, his arms over his face dressed only in black running shorts and socks.
"Hey douche," he greeted. "You forget how to dress yourself?"
Kyle paused a moment and then sat up. "Very funny."
"What's up?"
"Nothing," Kyle replied quickly.
Drake sighed deeply. "Do you wanna talk about it and shit?"
Kyle's face twitched and then he let a burst of laughter out. "I'll pass this time Oprah, but thanks."
It made him a sad son of a bitch but Drake was a little grateful, comfort and caring weren't exactly his strong points.
"I was going to head to the gym for a work out, do you want to come? You're half dressed for it."
Kyle shrugged. "Nah, I think I'm just going to walk around campus a bit."
Drake rolled his eyes. "Stalk Tamsin you mean?"
"I'm not stalking her," Kyle said heatedly. "She's at work not on campus."
Drake raised his eyebrows and Kyle flushed a little. "Point taken."
"Just go talk to her dude, tell her how miserable you've been and that you want to work shit out," Drake said.
Kyle laughed. "Just like that huh? Fuck I don't know how you've gotten this far, you are fucking clueless with chicks."
He wasn't exactly wrong but still, that almost stung.
"Whatever, I'm out so I'll see your bitch ass later."
He got to his feet when Kyle called him back.
"You need to reign in Carly."
"Carly?" Drake asked dumbly.
"Skinny red head you were fucking for months, bitchy and borderline psycho?"
"I know who she is fuckhead, what about her?"
"She's been coming around the house looking for you and telling people at parties that you're going to be together once you get through your chubby chaser phase."
That got his attention.
"Are you fucking kidding me?"
"Wish I was dude, me and a couple brothers have had to step in a couple times to get her to stop running her mouth which has her convinced that Skylar's the houses latest piece."
"She's telling people that?" Drake asked in a low voice. "That Skylar is the fuck toy of the house and insulting her weight?"
"Yep," Kyle affirmed, popping the P.
"Fucking bitch, no blow job is worth this shit, Jesus."
Kyle grinned. "Told you that you should have been more selective in your fuck buddies."
Drake rolled his eyes. "Whatever boy scout, you going to come with me or not?"
Kyle smiled again and it almost reached his eyes this time. "What the hell? I could use a distraction and maybe we'll run into Carly on our way there."
Drake's jaw tightened and his body grew tense which only made Kyle chuckle softly.
He didn't find anything about this situation funny, he was grateful to Kyle and his brother's for shutting down the venom from that whore's mouth but he knew he was going to have to send her a message to back off and never come near him or Skylar again.
His smile was twisted as he headed out of the house.
Even more reason to make things official.
The warm breeze swept through Drake's hair as he waited outside Skylar's apartment. The monkey suit he had on was stifling and he couldn't stop pulling at his tie which no matter what he did seemed to keep getting tighter.
Fuck he hated dressing up, he hated Gala's and he really hated that he was going to have to endure his mother's saccharine sweetness tonight. He really needed to focus on his fighting so he could start making bank. The sooner he could completely support himself, the sooner he could get away from society bitches, piss ant rich boys and the devil herself, his mother.
He glanced down at his watch and began tugging at him tie again. She'd text him a couple minutes ago letting him know they were ready and to wait for them to come out and even though he knew she wasn't going to bail on him for real, he still felt wired and twitchy.
He needed a drink or something to settle himself down because at this rate he was going to combust before she even came outside. His leg tapped rhythmically on the pavement and then suddenly it hit him. He was nervous.
Drake Percival Landry was nervous over a fucking girl. Jesus Christ what was the world coming to? Would he next start buying her tampons and heat packs for when she was on the rag?
He tugged at his hair in irritation. This was going to have to stop, he wasn't going to be able to follow through with his plan tonight. He would give her what she wanted and stop pursuing her, they could be friends because he knew he couldn't cut her out of his life completely and not go crazy but no more pussy footing around and playing a game he wasn't sure he could ever win.
It wouldn't really matter anyway, once she saw where he came from tonight and who had birthed him there was no way in hell she was going to let her guard drop and pull him in and he was almost a good enough person that he wanted better for her than he could ever give.
"Hey!"
Drake snapped out of his thoughts and focused back on the front door which Tamsin was now standing beside.
"You with us or do I need to slap you?" she called as she moved down the stairs.
Drake smiled at her and flipped the bird which she swiftly returned before appraising him.
"You clean up pretty good for a thug," she noted.
He gave her a genuine grin and then took a moment to appraise her.
She was dressed in a deep purple floor length dress that was strapless and embroidered with tiny little diamonds across the chest and down her side. The dress was fitted at the top but then burst out into layers of skirts around her waist, he couldn't see her shoes but judging by her extra height they were a good few inches tall. Her hair was pulled up in an elegant knot on top of her head and her makeup was equally classy and demure.
She looked beautiful because she was beautiful but she didn't look like herself.
"You look…"
"Like I belong a couple decades ago and am need of some serious style tips," she cut in bluntly.
"No, you look great it's just not something that I would guess you'd choose."
Tamsin gave a dry laugh. "My father sent this for me to wear," she told Drake. "I'm to play the dutiful daughter tonight as he introduces me to some potential suitors and business associates."
Drake raised an eyebrow. He didn't figure Tamsin for the type to let any man dictate her life, even if he was her father.
"He will punish my mum if I don't go," Tamsin said softly. "And I can always burn this dress later when I'm feeling vengeful and send him the remains."
Drake smirked at the tiny girl and opened the limo door for her.
"If you want me to assist in debutante debauchery tonight let me know, I've become an expert at disappointing my mother."
Tamsin gave him a big smile and nodded before sliding into the back seat, gathering the full skirts around her in disgust.
"Hurry or you'll miss her grand entrance," Tamsin warned and then shut the door abruptly .
Drake spun around and froze.
Skylar stood uncertain on the stairs, looking down at him with a pretty blush on her cheeks and her eyes tracing over his body like a caress. With a deep breath she moved down the stairs fluidly until she came to a stop right in front of him and bit her lip nervously, looking deep into his eyes.
Her curly hair had been pulled to one side with what looked like a dozen silver pins, leaving the long locks to hang over one shoulder in sex kitten waves. Her eyes had been traced with dark greys and silvers making them seem larger than ever before, the colour almost green with golden flecks around. Her full bow lips were red and her skin looked flawless.
Moving his gaze from her face he looked down her body and all notions of 'just friends' left him. The green dress he had picked fit her perfectly.
Sleeveless, it cut down her chest in a perfect V so her tits were pushed up and out in a seductive game of peek-a-boo. The satin clung to her body, moulding itself to her waist and hips so each curve was noticeable and seductive as hell. The dress ended around her calves so he could see the silver pumps she had on that he had an immediate desire to feel wrapped around his waist.
When he thought she couldn't be any sexier she gave a nervous giggle and then twisted around in a circle in a mocking show of her entire outfit.
Drake didn't find anything funny because the back of her dress was cut down low so he could tell she wasn't wearing a bra which meant the perkiness of her tits was all her.
Christ, she was an angel sent to torment him, he was sure of it now. She was the punishment for all the wrong he had ever done and yet strangely enough a reward if he could get his shit together.
"You look nice," she finally squeaked with a small smile. "Does the dress look how you imagined?"
"No," he told her curtly and then watched as her face fell.
Moving forward he swept her into his arms and traced his nose along her jawline, she was tense and quivering but didn't push him away.
"No one could ever have an imagination worthy enough for how hot you look right now."
Her breath caught in her throat and tentatively her hands came up and wrapped around his back, pulling him closer.
"Did you wear a green tie so that we would match?" she whispered.
Drake couldn't think straight, with her this close he could smell her now and the scent of apples and cinnamon assaulted him, carrying him away from reality.
"Hmm?"
Fuck he wanted to kiss her, he wanted to do more than kiss her and didn't give a damn if the whole campus came to watch the show.
"Your suit," she said again in a tight voice. "The black, and green, did you do it so we'd match?"
"Yeah," he grunted and then pulled away so that their lips were nearly touching.
Her lips moved but all he heard was the roar in his head demanding that he take her, claim her, mark her as his.
"What?"
Impatience crossed her features and she pulled away a little bit.
"We're going to be late," she told him. "Unless you plan on staying here and ogling me all night, we need to leave."
Drake forced himself out of his daze and gave her a lazy smirk, pulling her to him by her hips and turning them so they moved to the limo where Tamsin had opened the door again and was giving Skylar a knowing smirk.
"I plan on ogling you all night but we don't need to stay here for me to do that."
She rolled her eyes at him and swept graciously into the limo, moving across so that there was room for him next to her.
He noted with satisfaction that Tamsin had sat on the opposite side and was stretched out so that Skylar couldn't join her there.
Kyle needed to sweep her back up and fast because there was no way a chick like that was going to stay single for long.
"Champagne?" Tamsin offered once Drake shut the door and the limo took off.
Skylar nodded and accepted two glasses from Tamsin, handing one to Drake and keeping the other for herself.
"A toast," Tamsin declared. "To uptight bitches with more botox than brains, pompous idiots with more cash than cock and Drake Landry, who has the honour of taking not one but two banging babes to show them all who's superior."
Drake grinned. "Hear, hear."
Skylar shot Tamsin a glare but there was no heat in it and she took a sip of her drink after a mocking salute with her glass.
"Ok, so some ground rules for tonight," Drake said.
Skylar looked at him in surprise. "Rules?"
It obviously wasn't Tamsin's first rodeo because she looked totally unruffled.
"Yeah, rules. When we get out there's going to be photographer's taking our picture as we head in, both of you take hold of me and don't let go. Don't stop for them and don't say anything at all no matter what they call out to you. When we're inside I'll need to heel like a good boy and do the family press junket thing for a bit so stick together or if you get separated stay by the refreshment table or bar so it's public and I can come find you. Mingle with everyone if you want but don't get too attached, you wouldn't trust a shark to be a pet and these people are even worse."
Skylar looked a little pale but Tamsin waved her hand like it's not big deal.
"It's fine, I'll do my thing for my father real quick while Sky enjoys the music and free spread and then I'll come grab her and we can just get drunk off their dime and play who's screwing who."
Drake laughed and shook his head. "Ok, you got this. Kitten, you going to be ok?"
She was very pale now. "I can't be photographed."
He looked at her blankly. "What do you mean? You look beautiful it will be fine."
She grabbed his hand firmly. "I can't be in the papers," she said frantically. "You can't let them take my picture, please Drake."
This was her past coming between them again, he could feel it and he knew she wouldn't open up to him about it either so there was nothing he could do to make her demons go away.
"Why no pictures?" he asked anyway.
She looked away from him and he noticed she began to tremble. "I need to stay invisible."
She said it so softly Drake was sure that she didn't even realise she'd said it aloud.
He wondered if she would always be a mystery to him and if that was what her appeal was.
"Ok, Tamsin and I will go through the front and I'll have the driver drop you at the back entrance and you can meet us inside. Does that work for you?"
She visibly relaxed and rewarded him with one of her stunning smiles. "Yes, that would be much better."
"Good," he leant over and pressed a kiss to her forehead, drawing her closer to his side and enjoying her warmth.
They chatted the rest of the way about classes and Spring Break which was coming up fast until the limo pulled to a stop.
"We're here Mr Landry,"
His driver said over the speaker.
"Just Drake, Martin," Drake called back and then turned to the girls. "Alright, are we ready for this?"
Tamsin rolled her eyes. "I'd rather get a pap smear but it is what it is."
Another bark of laughter escaped Drake and even Skylar was looking more relaxed with a grin on her face.
"On that note, let's do this."
The door was opened for them and Drake got out first, helping Tamsin out and giving Skylar a wink before he shut the door again.
The photographers yelled out at them to stop for a photo, they asked what Tamsin's name was, who she was wearing and were they involved. Not once did they ask about his thoughts on who should be mayor or the foundation which the proceeds of tonight would be going to.
He kept his face impassive as always and ignored them all, only taking a calming breath once they were inside.
Tamsin immediately moved out of his touch, smoothing her dress and touching her hair nervously as they waited the couple minutes it took for Skylar to reach them.
"It's crazy in here," she said with wonder. "Do you know they have actual ice sculptures inside? And the gardens look like they're going to be lit up all special when it gets dark enough."
He loved that this was such a novelty for her and she was so in awe of the opulence he'd grown to resent.
"It's definitely something," he agreed.
"Drake, darling!"
He flinched at his mother's voice and catching the tiny gesture Skylar pressed closer to him, placing a hand on his chest.
"She-devil in coming," Tamsin murmured. "And she's drawn my father's attention to me so I'll go deal with him and be back as soon as I can."
She swept away into the crowd leaving Drake and Skylar to face his mother together.
Satan herself moved over to them with step daddy seven and smiled coldly.
"You made it."
She was the very definition of an ice queen in her light blue dress, diamonds dripping from her neck and ears, her white blonde hair pulled severely away from her face.
She was every bit the beautiful nightmare that plagued his childhood.
"Are you disappointed?" he asked, leaning down to air kiss her cheek.
Her gaze shifted to her husband briefly and she hid her anger with a bright smile.
"Of course not! I was just expecting you to be here a half an hour ago with everyone else."
Drake gave her a sharks' smile with all teeth, conveying with his eyes that he could ruin her pretty little evening if she wasn't careful.
"Phillip," Drake said, turning his gaze to the older man with greying hair and soft brown eyes.
Phillip offered his hand and when Drake took it he pulled him in for a hug.
"So good to see you son, I appreciate you coming."
Drake was about to snap that he wasn't his son when Skylar moved forward, linking her arm through Drake's.
"Mother, Phillip, this is my date Skylar."
Skylar's eyes flashed at the word date but she didn't correct him, instead offered a winning smile to them both.
"Phillip Worthington and my wife Audrey."
Phillip took Skylar's hand pressing a gentle kiss to the back and offered her a warm smile, his mother was not so gracious and just eyed Skylar's dress with distaste and just inclined her head slightly. Skylar didn't miss a beat.
"It's such a pleasure to meet you both, thank you so much for allowing me to be part of this evening. The place looks amazing, I hear you have some interest in running for Mayor Mr Worthington?"
Phillips' eyes lit up and he moved closer to Skylar.
"Just Phillip dear and yes, I hope to start campaigning next week, do you follow politics much?"
"Oh not really," Skylar admitted. "But I do think it's amazing to be given an opportunity to make a real difference within the community and gathering support from people with like minded goals and ambitions."
That was it, Phillip was completely charmed and he spent the next few minutes talking with Skylar about his views and ambitions for the future, inviting her to come to several upcoming events. They moved on to Skylar's major in school and interests.
His mother glared at him hatefully, silently letting him know she was not impressed with him or his choice of date.
He gave her an arrogant wink in return.
"Phillip darling we must really be off, there are so many people that want to speak to you tonight," she said loudly.
Phillip looked disappointed but nodded. "Yes, you're quite right, better to get the business out of the way early on."
He pulled out a business card and handed it to Skylar. "The offer still stands Skylar, you're welcome anytime, I could always use a fresh set of eyes and opinion."
Skylar smiled brightly. "Thank you sir, good luck with it all."
Satan turned her back slightly to Skylar, blocking her out from them and spoke to Drake.
"The press want a few photos of us darling and then there's a few friends dying to see you again, we shouldn't keep them waiting."
Stupid, evil bitch. He was going to go back on his promise to behave if she kept being rude to Skylar like that.
"Mother-" he began but Skylar stepped in, cutting him off.
"That sounds like fun," she said in a perky voice. "I'm going to see how Tamsin's doing and check out the food platter."
"I'll bet you will," Satan murmured bitterly.
Drake clenched his fists but again Skylar stepped in to the diffuse the situation.
"Come find me later," she pressed up on her tip toes and kissed his cheek gently before smiling at Satan and her bitch. "Pleasure meeting you, I hope you have a wonderful evening."
With a parting wave she slipped through the crowd and Drake turned his furious gaze on Satan.
"Really Mother?" he snapped.
"What a delightful creature," Phillip said, oblivious to the tension. "And such beautiful, haunting eyes, you're a lucky man Drake. You should both visit for Spring break if you don't already have plans."
Satan snorted but they both ignored her.
He eyed Phillip and realised he was being serious and genuine. The little pansy really liked Skylar and genuinely wanted to see them both again. He hadn't spent much time with Step daddy seven so Drake didn't really know him but genuine and kind weren't generally what his Mother looked for in her victims.
"I'll let you know," he told Phillip.
Phillip smiled brightly and moved ahead, waving to someone who had called out to him.
"You watch your mouth tonight," he hissed at Satan. "You upset Skylar or make any more snide comments and I'm going to start opening my mouth and you're not going to like it."
She rolled her eyes at him. "Really Drake? Empty threats?"
"No, that's a promise you snide bitch," he snarled, grabbing her arm in a punishing grip.
Her mouth dropped as her eyes widened in surprise and he realised he had never once defended a woman in front of his mother before, nor had he touched her willingly in years.
"Nod so I know you understand me."
She opened her mouth and he grasped her arm tighter. "I didn't say speak, I said nod."
She gave one firm nod, her eyes filled with icy fury and Drake released her, giving her his most mocking smile as he offered his arm.
"Shall we?"
She ignored his arm and swept away from him, nose in the air and back ram rod straight.
With a deep sigh he followed after her, praying this night went quickly.
An hour of photos and press questions where he had to play family and then another half hour of talking to fake friends of his mother and Drake's patience was waning. Now he stood in the shadows, with his arms crossed as he tracked Skylar intently, sitting at the bar with a plate of food on her lap mainly untouched because she'd barely been left alone.
An unfamiliar burn spread across Drakes chest as he watched Charles Thurston give Skylar a charming pretty boy smile and hand her a drink.
Drake had known the Thurston's most of his life because their mothers were some sort of frenemies and they had grown up together. He was a spoiled little brat when they were younger and as far as he could tell, growing up hadn't changed anything except increase his sense of entitlement.
The burn only got worse when Skylar smiled at the douche in return and then eased into conversation.
What. The. Fuck.
She didn't even know this douche and she was at ease in his company. Not making him shy away from her with her barbed tongue.
"Doesn't feel good, does it?" Kyle said by his side.
"What?" he snapped, his eyes trained on Charles' hand that was now playing with a lock of Skylar's golden hair.
"Knowing the thing you want more than anything could easily be taken from you."
He didn't have time for Kyle's riddles right now, all his energy was going to keeping his temper under control.
"Don't you have a date to entertain?" Drake asked through clenched teeth.
He sensed Kyle shrug beside him.
"She's around here somewhere. Shouldn't you be over there charming the panties off Skylar instead of leaving Charlie to do it?"
"Fuck. You." Drake told him firmly and then stalked over to the happy couple.
"Drake hey!" Charles greeted with a fake smile. "Miss Skylar here was telling me about her passion for reading."
His hand came up to clasp her jaw and tilt it towards Drake.
"Is that not a beauty unlike others? I was just telling her about my own passion for photography and how perfect she would be as a subject."
Yeah, Drake could guess the kind of photos Charles wanted to take. It was also not fucking happening.
"I think you have the perfect face for my hobby," Drake told him coldly, knowing his penchant for fighting wasn't a secret.
Skylar's eyes widened in disbelief. "Drake!"
Charles gave Drake a mocking smile, no doubt loving that he was able to get under Drakes skin for the first time.
"That's ok Miss Skylar, if I don't give my mother her official turn on the dance floor she will have my head."
Pulling out a card he pressed it into her hand.
"I would really love to see you again sometime, please give me a call."
With another mocking smile at Drake and a bow he left them to it.
Immediately Skylar whipped around. "What the hell was that?"
"He's a pompous douche kitten, surely you've got better taste than that," he scoffed.
"He was being nice to me!" she cried. "The only person to actually seek out my company besides Tam and you were rude to him."
Drake glared at her. "I've known him for years and he is not for you."
"Because I'm not good enough right? I'm going to go and find Tamsin, don't worry I'll do my best not to humiliate you in front of your peers."
She stalked off, her hips swaying hypnotically as she went and Drake wanted to punch himself in the face.
Fuck he was an idiot. He'd seen Charles looking at Skylar like she was his new toy and he'd lost it when she gave him an easy smile.
Jealously wasn't something he'd ever felt before so instead of dealing with it like an adult he'd thrown a little tantrum because apparently he was five fucking years old and didn't like anyone touching what was his.
A waiter walked past with a tray of drink and Drake grabbed two, gulping them down in quick succession. He looked down at his watch and sighed, how soon could he leave this hell hole?
