Page 13 of Pretend I’m Yours
Perhaps it was just the out that I needed to really get rid of Brandon for good. It might only be pretend, but it would be something, and it would likely be effective. With Brandon off my back, I’d be able to finally move on with my life, free of his ever antagonizing, threatening presence.
“Are you feeling any better?” Drake asked as he took his place opposite me. I nodded and looked down at my hands. They were still shaking, but only slightly.
The fresh air helped.
I knew we had to get down to the details of the arrangement we were working out, but I hardly dared to look up at Drake. I felt intimidated by him, but not in the same way Brandon intimidated me. No, there was something primal and overtly sexual about him I couldn’t ignore.
But I had to focus. When I finally did look up, I was almost surprised to find he wasn’t looking at me, but rather looking around the restaurant with somewhat of an impressed look on his face.
“Is this okay?” I asked. He looked back at me with raised eyebrows, and I made a slight nod toward the room.
“Oh, yes, it’s fine. I just don’t normally come to places like this for quick discussions, you know?” he said. He seemed to catch himself, and quickly added, “I’ve been here plenty of times, it’s just normally for occasions of some kind. Celebrations, that sort of thing.”
I nodded slightly.
Doubt crept into my mind. Maybe I should have gone for somewhere simpler? But I like this place. I know the staff well enough, and it’s close to my house. Just get through this negotiation and get out of here. Don’t make a big deal.
The waiter brought a bottle of wine and set it on the table between us before making a show of the decanter. We both looked up at him, me doing my best to appear amused as he poured the wine from the bottle, swirled it around, then poured each of us a glass.
“Thank you,” I said as he left both on the table. Drake shook his head after tasting the wine.
“Damn, that’s smooth,” he said.
“It’s my favorite,” I replied. “They don’t have it over at the club, so that’s a bonus of being here.”
“I’m sure not complaining,” Drake said.
“I guess we better get down to business,” I continued. “You probably have other things you wanted to do with your night besides save a damsel in distress.”
“I would hardly call you that,” he said with a grin. My heart melted, but I forced myself to remain stoic. “You have all the elegance of a queen, not a damsel.”
“Thank you,” I said with a smile. “You are certainly a Prince Charming yourself.”
He sat back in his chair, the faintest hint of a grin playing around the corners of his lips. I was getting the strongest impression he was a serious man, not one who was given to the frivolous things. But I didn’t want to talk about him. The more we did, the more we risked getting off topic.
If we worked out an agreement we could both live with, there would be plenty of time for me to make small talk with him later. And boy, did I ever hope I would be lucky enough to have that happen.
“First of all, I would like to say that I’m going to pay you for your time. You were gallant enough to save me for free tonight, I’m not going to ask you to play house with me without compensation,” I said.
“Okay,” Drake replied, though it sounded more like a question.
I could see the curiosity in his face. I hesitated for a brief moment, torn on the inside. I didn’t want to use any of the money I had in my account. That was my family’s money, and I had always been determined to pay my own way.
On the other hand, I had made the compromise with myself to live in the family’s apartment. It was out of sheer need, and I planned on moving out as soon as I possibly could. Perhaps I could bring myself to do the same with the money.
This was going to a good cause. The best cause I could think of, in fact. Perhaps I could bend my own will a bit if it meant I could get rid of Brandon for good. It would be well spent, and it would be ironic toward my parents as there had been a time when they’d felt he was the best man on the planet.
It didn’t matter to me they no longer felt that way. What mattered was that I could get rid of him, and I could use their means to do it.
“My family has money. I have money,” I said quietly. “Trust me, you have no idea how much what you are doing means to me, and I really want to show you my appreciation for it. I’ll make sure you are well taken care of.”
