•~•Authors Note •~•
  This chapter is dedicated to briannalorincz for being the first to leave a vote! Thank you so very much!!
•~•Now on to the chapter!•~•

  Once my body finally came down from its soar through the clouds. My Master cleaned me up, then helped me from my shackles. Using extra care to work out the areas on my body that may have been more sensitive than the others.

  Standing to my feet Master kept my clothes open, but let me put my flats back on my feet. Then he lead us to a seating area by the bar in a darker part of the room. Taking a seat in one of two overstuffed leather chairs with me on his lap.

  The man in the other chair across from us turned out to be his cousin Dean. I didn't know anyone else was around. Since my eyes had to constantly be looking down. It wasn't till he started speaking to Drake I noticed. My Master hide a chuckle at my jump in fright from hearing his voice.

  I didn't pay much attention to the cousins as they talked for the rest of the time we were there at The Scene. My mind kept trying to float away taking my concusses thoughts with it. It was a struggle for me to just remain up-right the rest of the night.

  Around one in the morning Drake and I made it back to the villa. I vaguely remember letting out sounds of disapproval. As my head bounced off the window a few times from going over holes in the road. Finally giving in completely when Drake laid me down on the Master bed.

  Both of us woke up Sunday around mid-morning. Drake placed a kiss to my forehead, before moving from the bed, and packing our things. His smile was bright, and bubbly mood almost contagious. Tossing out suggestions of places for us to go before time to board the plane.

  I tried to match his excitement while keeping up with the conversation. Just barely managing to do both. Not letting Drake see the turmoil my mind was truly in.

  Realizing I'm in love with the man who only agreed to a six month arrangement with me. While on vacation with said man. Had me all tied up in knots, and no one to talk my feelings out with!

  Keeping my fake smile glued to my face, I fooled Drake long enough for us to pack and leave the house. Sitting in the car with the top down again. Letting the wind blowing past me take some of my worries away with it.

  Drake didn't say anything else once he started driving. Instead holding my hand and humming along to the music softly coming from the cars speakers. Finally stopping in a parking lot outside of a tropical covered beach area.

  There was a wooden sign out front half covered by the surrounding vegetation that read 'Guanabanas'. A small stone walkway was partially hidden next to it. I was squinting my eyes trying to make out what was beyond the greenery as Drake came around the car. Opening my door, and giving me a hand to help me out of the seat.

  His excited smile telling me everything was fine. As he wrapped my hand he was still holding around his elbow, and leading us forward. A couple of steps down the walkway, around a small bend, I got my first sight of the hidden spot.

  It was a small wooden cabana covered in overgrown plants almost blending in to its surroundings. It had a bar in the center of the cabana, and tables along the outside rails. The small restaurant had no walls leaving the space completely open to nature, and leading straight onto the beach.

   As we walked closer, I noticed the place was empty of other customers. There were three people standing around the place dressed in the restaurants uniform. Drake lead us to the first employee asking for a table close to the ocean. The young girl just rolled her eyes as she picked up the menus, and motioned for us to follow along.

  She took us to the back of the main room. Placing the menus down on a small table two steps away from the beach. Drake helped me to my seat, while asking the girl for a bottle of their finest champagne. He took the seat across from me pulling it closer to my chair, as the girl left to get our drinks.

  Once Drake settled he scanned the list of foods for a moment. Making his choice then sitting the menu on top of the table, before turned his gaze back to me.

  I moved my gaze quickly back to my own menu. Hoping he didn't catch me looking at him so perplexed. No matter how hard I tried, I was failing miserably trying to act normal this morning.

  Before Drake could start talking the waitress was walking back toward our table. Holding a tray with champagne flutes, a very expensive bottle of champagne, and a bucket full of ice for the bottle to sit in after it was open.

  Grateful for the small opportunity, I lock my gaze on to the waitress as she filled our glasses. Trying extra hard to clear my mind of my thoughts of love, and doomed futures. Concentrating on her movements alone to bring me fully into the here and now.

  I closed my eyes and let out a small breath once the waitress took our orders, and left the table. I counted to three then opened them again looking straight into Drakes onyx gaze.

  His face was blank of its earlier emotions. Reaching his hands across the table, and lacing my fingers through his. My heart skipped several beats in my chest at the contact. Before picking up its speed thumping hard against my chest.

  "What's got you so quiet this morning, My Queen?" Drake asked. His words trying to sound upbeat, but missing the mark.

  Truth be told, there were so many different things going through my mind. Everything from trying not to blurt out how much I love him, to what I was going to do when all this was over. I wasn't going to tell him that though.

  I ducked my head down toward my lap. While I tried to pull my hands free from his, but he just gripped me tighter. Giving my arms a quick tug to regain my attention.

  Drake moved his seat directly against mine leaning his body into my side. His lips were soft as silk as they caressed my temple as he spoke. His voice coming out in that deep growl that makes me wet every time.

  "Remember who you belong to Angel. Your rules, and what happens should you not obey. I don't give a single fuck that we are in public. Now, last time, what's got you so quiet this morning, My Queen?"

  I felt my stomach drop to my toes! Drake didn't have to remind me of the rules, and punishments. Those rules were now law in my mind. Meaning I had to answer truthfully when My Master asked me a question.

  Bile rose to the back of my throat at my panicked thoughts. I had to come up with something, other than the truth, to tell him and fast! Knowing I was about to make up an excuse to Drake for the first time made my insides churn harder.

  "I'm sorry Master. I just woke up this morning worried about school. My final exams are two weeks from today. I have a term paper due the end of next week I've only finished about halfway. I guess my brain is beating me up this morning for blowing all that off for this weekend of fun with you." My words came out small at first, but ending strong and almost believable.

  Drake let out a strong breath of air. Releasing his worries and tension accepting my half truth. His mouth stretched into a beaming smile. Making my cheeks hurt from looking at them. He released my left hand bringing his right hand up to cup my cheek.

  "I'm sorry you feel that way Angel, but you shouldn't. Everyone needs a break every now and then. This just so happens to be yours. Now, when you go back tomorrow you'll be fresh, and rejuvenated for the final weeks of your classes. I have complete faith in you, so don't worry." He finished with a beaming smile while his thumb glided across my cheekbone.

  I swallowed the lump forming in my throat before I choked on my bed of lies. I gave Drake a small half smile, and shrugged my shoulder.

  "I'm sorry I'm so gloomy about this. This is the first time I've skipped doing my assignments for school before. I know that's so bad ass of me, you don't have to say it!" I tried ending with a dose of sarcasm.

  Drake laughed. "Who knew My Angel was such a badass? Not me!" His laughter started anew. Sobering up he took my hand again looking me in the eyes. "I know how much school means to you, so how about we postpone our next weekend until after your exams?"

  I actually felt my muscles start to loosen up then. A small thing as offering me time to myself. Time to figure my feelings and what happens next out. With no chance of telling him. I hated myself for not giving Drake my biggest excuse, but I can't help feel like I just dodged a bullet.

  The waitress brought our food after that. Drake ordering us both seafood dishes to share together. Licking the plates clean just minutes later.

  Drake left several big bills on the table to cover the check. I was starring off at the ocean breaking free at the feel of his lips to my cheek. Then standing up and helping me from the table.

  We made our way along the path back to the car, and getting in. About twenty minutes later Drake was stopping for the final time in front of his jet. We both got out of the car at the same time. With him carrying our bags as we loaded the jet.

  Four hours later Drake and I were standing outside of my apartment door. Neither of us wanted to say the last goodbye. Kissing, hugging, and saying how much we missed the other already for the entire world to hear.

  Drake had my back pressed up against the door leaving another line of kisses down my neck. While I stopped immediately latching my arms around his neck. As I felt the door behind me being opened from the inside.

  "Holy Smokes Batman! I've been listening to both of you go on out here for the past ten minutes. Give me a break! Say goodbye finally, so I can have my best friend back ok?" Mel had her hands together in the symbol for prayer finishing her speech with a whine.

  "You don't have to beg me Mel. I was just leaving, promise. She's yours until the seventeenth. How's that sound?" Drake asked her full of sarcasm.

  "Fucking perfect! Pleasure doing business with you Drake. I'll see ya next time. Meet me on the couch when your done Abbie. We are way over due for some girl time, my friend!" Mel shouted as she walked back into the house pumping her fist in the air.

  Drake and I shared one more kiss. Moments later he pulled away first skipping back down the stairs. I went through the threshold of the apartment, then leaning my hip and upper body against the door. I watched as the Audi slowly made its way down my street. Closing my door once it was finally out of sight.

  I grabbed my bag from the floor beside the door, then walked toward my bedroom door. I let my shoulders slump forward, and my head fall toward the ground. Letting the mask of emotions free now that I was behind closed doors.

  As I walked past the living area Mel gave me a curious look. Muting the tv she turned toward me trying to understand what she was seeing. Finally just giving up, and asking me before I could open my door and hide.

  "Why do you look like your dog just got ran over by a bus all of a sudden? I thought you were happy when I first saw you. Now, not so much. So, what's up buttercup?" Mel asked tapping her fingers in wonder against her jaw.

  I let my head rest against my closed wood door. Keeping my back to Mel I kept my answer short and to the point. I didn't think I could get more than that to leave my lips.

  "I'm sorry. I have school and so much more on my mind right now. Let me put my bag in my room, and check my phone. Then maybe we could talk? I could really use some advice, Mel."

  "Sure! I'll go ahead an make some popcorn!" Mel finished jumping from the couch in excitement.
  I opened my bedroom door, going inside, and sitting my bag down on my bed. Waving off the unpacking for later tonight. Turning I grabbed my phone from my bedside table turning it on.

  I sat down on my bed moving my bag further down as the home screen loaded on my phone. There were a few spam emails, and chain text that had come into my phone while I was gone. Only one miss call with a voicemail, though.

  I hit play on the recording to listen before I caught the name on my phone. With one word from that message my body froze in shock. Why am I getting this now? Can't the universe grant me a break on this one, or is this karma's payment for me lying to Drake?

  "Abbie, it's your Uncle Joe. I was just calling to check in with you. Making sure your keeping up with your end of our deal. I'd hate to drop all this on your mother if you aren't. It isn't good to stress someone out that much. Especially when they have their own wedding to plan, don't you think? Call me back once you get this. We can set up a time to meet one night and talk before the big day. Bye."

  Once the message finished I brought my phone down to my lap. Stuck, not moving at all, looking at the black screen. Nervous energy racing along underneath my skin making me break out into a sweat.

  Not putting the call off for a second more, I shook myself clear, and hit redial. The line rang twice before Uncle Joe was answering.
His voice coming out in a high pitch grating along my nerves.

  "Hello Abbie. How has my niece been? Staying out of trouble I hope?" Sarcasm running deep in his words.

  "I'm good, and you?" My voice came out steady. The complete opposite of how I feel inside.

  "Fantastic! I was calling to see if you would like to meet me one night for dinner? It would seem we have a lot to talk about, and I'd rather it not be over the phone. How does Thursday night sound?"

  "I don't have any plans that night. Where would you like to meet?" I was praying this call would hurry up and end.

  "Great. How about seven? I know this great little Italian place you'll love. It's not that far from your apartment. I'll send you the address." Uncle Joe finished in one breath. Not stopping to pause, and running out of breath at the end.

  "I'll see you then." I said trying to match Joes enthusiasm. A click the only answer I get. Turning off my phone screen I let the device fall on my bed. I had a bad feeling about meeting him.

  Pushing my worries and fears to the back of my mind I stood up. I started walking back toward my bedroom door to the living room on the other side. Flopping down on the couch beside Mel venting out my problems straight away.

  "I realized this weekend I'm in love with a man that only wants me three and a half more months, and I don't know what I'm going to do when he finally lets me go."

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Happy Friday You lovely people!!!
So thoughts on this chapter? I wanna hear what y'all think! Comment and vote!
Have an awesome weekend my friends!
Callie

Text Copyright ©Callie Sumner ™ 2019