50 Shades of Drake 1 and 2

Chapter Eighteen

     Destiny sprawled across the bed, naked, with her arm dangling over the edge. She lie on her stomach with her head turned to the side.

    Aubrey stretched out alongside her, tracing the curve of her jaw with his index finger.

    She stared at him, wondering what he was thinking. Was it possible for him to completely rock her world off of its axis, and then lovingly stroke her face like this without feeling anything? If she agreed to signing a contract with him and entering into a no-strings-attached type of arrangement with him, is this what it would be like? Would he still be affectionate like this, or would he be less affectionate?

    "Do you know how sexy you are?" he asked her, interrupting her train of thought.

    A small smile curved her lips. "Do you know how sexy you are?" she returned.

    He grinned and shrugged his shoulders.

    "The things that you said to me while we were...Where..." She paused, not even knowing what she wanted to ask him. "Where do you learn to say things like that?"

    He brought both of his hands to rest behind his head and stared up at the ceiling. "Would you believe me if I told you that I don't remember where I picked it up?"

    "No," she said, laughing. "I wouldn't believe you, at all."

    "My bossiness, as you call it," he said, looking at her out of the corner of his eye. "I don't know... I think it comes from a combination of things. My previous sexual experiences, for one. Also, being in the industry as I have, I guess I kind of got used to barking orders at people. Maybe it carried over from that. There have been women in my life and one in particular who definitely got the ball rolling as far as my dominance is concerned. But I like playfulness. Always have. I like teasing. I like testing limits, to see what I can get away with and what you're able to withstand.

    "That could also be a part of why the concept of relationships turn me off," he said thoughtfully. "I notice that when you put a title on it, when you label it a relationship, the dynamics of the relationship often change. In the beginning, before you call it what it is, two people can be playful with each other. They can be each other's best friends, they can have crazy chemistry in bed, but the minute you start calling it a relationship, or the minute you put a wedding band on, something seems to change."

    "Not always," she said, frowning. "I've seen plenty of couples who are playful and youthful into old age while married."

    "Exceptions to the rule," Aubrey said wistfully.

    Her mouth slanted in disapproval. "So...you think that if you get into a relationship, all of the fun will be sucked out of it?"

    He sighed deeply. "I don't know. But I have seen it happen, so many times. Starting with my parents." Memories danced in his eyes and he laughed. "Oh, man. They were so funny together, you know? Very cute, very playful from what I can remember. Cracking jokes, so many laughs and fun times. But..." His voice trailed off, and the look in his eyes darkened.

    She stared at him quietly.

    He smiled sadly at her and turned on his side, propping his head up with his elbow. "Enough about that."

    But I have so many questions, she thought. "So...to be involved with you I need to sign a contact," she said, not looking thrilled about the idea.

    "We don't have to discuss that right now."

    "I think we should," she insisted. "So we know where we stand."

    "All right. Yes, you would need to sign a contract."

    "What does the contract say?"

    "It outlines what my interests are, and asks for you to specify your interests."

    Her brows furrowed. "My interests?"

    "Sexually. What you are willing to do and what you are not willing to do."

    "Oh."

    "The contract details both your and my roles in the arrangement." He paused. "The contract also explains that the arrangement is non-exclusive."

    "Meaning that both of us are free to date other people," she clarified.

    A glint sparkled in his eye. He reached over and tamed a few strands of her tousled mane and said, "We can talk about this at another time. You need rest."

    "I won't be able to fall asleep with all of these questions," she muttered.

    He laughed and circled his arms around her, pulling her close to him.

    Moments later he snored peacefully, while Destiny's mind was filled with questions. Without a doubt, they had amazing sexual chemistry. He ignited a passion within her that she hadn't known existed. His reaction to the attention she gave him indicated that he was turned on by her as well. As much as she enjoyed making love to him, though, she couldn't help but wonder if she would be able to handle a strictly sexual arrangement.

    He was charming, and intelligent, and affectionate, and sexy, and talented, and witty. He was as close to perfect as a man could get. Sure, he'd had more than his fair share of women. He had his pessimistic views regarding love, and had industrial-strength walls up to prevent himself from getting emotionally involved. She could live in a fantasy world and tell herself that she'd be able to scale those walls in a single bound, but she was sure that he'd left many a woman in his wake who'd thought the same thing. So if Destiny was going to continue spending time with him, she had to be realistic with herself and ask herself if she was capable of being nothing more than his concubine.

    Images from their lovemaking session at the piano played behind her eyes and she smiled in the dark. If I have to be anyone's plaything, it should be someone as skilled and attentive as he is, she thought, listening to the rhythmic sound of his breathing. She looked up into his face and felt her heart swell. His eyes were closed and his thick lashes fluttered slightly as he slept. His lips were parted. Just the sight of his lips made her want to kiss him.

    If you enter into this arrangement, you can not fall in love with him, she told herself. But looking up into his sweet, peaceful face, she didn't know how that was possible. Could you prevent yourself from falling after the moment you've stepped off of a cliff?