50 Shades of Drake 1 and 2

50SOD II: Chapter Thirty-Six

    "I love you too," Destiny returned, her voice strained with emotion. She knew what a big moment this was. The words Aubrey had spoken were words he hadn't said since his heart had been broken by Robyn. His Robyn, he called her. As quickly as that thought occurred to her, she shoved it out of her mind.

    He was smiling at her, an adorable dopey smile that was incredibly boyish. Boyish and charming, as always.

    She leaned across the table and caressed his jaw. "I love you so much," she said emphatically.

    He grabbed her hand and held it in front of his mouth. His lips were soft when he pressed them to her knuckles. "I know you do."

    "But...there's something that I have to tell you."

    "Right," he said, some of the giddiness disappearing from his expression. He made an attempt at looking serious, but the smile kept appearing on his face.

    Her brows drew together. She could feel her throat growing tighter and tighter. If she waited too long, she wouldn't be able to get the words out. "I want you to promise not to get mad about this."

    His eyes narrowed. "When that disclaimer has to be made, the words that come after are never good."

    "It's not good," she confirmed. "It's definitely not good. But I need you to promise me that you won't get mad."

    The smile faded and his eyes searched hers. "I can't promise that without knowing what you're going to say."

    She closed her eyes. "Please."

    He was quiet for a moment. "I can promise I will try not to get mad."

    She bit her bottom lip and opened her eyes. The tears were coming again. Only moments before, he'd told her that he loved her. And now she had to piss him off. And years ago, he'd been excited to celebrate an anniversary, only to have his heart broken. "At the office, tonight..."

    His eyes grew cold, as if he knew what was coming next. His hand tensed around hers.

    "Brian kissed me."

    The muscle in his jaw was the only part on him that seemed to move. Otherwise, he was very still. He turned his eyes away from her and stared straight ahead, towards the hallway.

    "I hate to tell you this, especially now. After everything you've told me. But...I couldn't keep it from you." Her words were beginning to topple over each other, as she rushed to get them out.

    Aubrey's eyes lowered. "Did you kiss him back?"

    "No."

    "Then you did nothing wrong," he said, his voice level and deceptively calm.

    "He knows that he can't do anything like that again."

    "Don't," he said, his voice sounding dark and dangerous. He withdrew his hand from hers. "Don't defend him."

    She ran a hand through her hair and let her hand fall into her lap.

    He chuckled and shook his head. "I knew this would happen."

    Her hands fidgeted in her lap.

    "You thought I was silly for suggesting that you work on my floor," he said. "I should have listened to my instincts. They're never wrong." He stood up abruptly, stroking his jaw agitatedly.

    She twisted around in her seat, watching him. "What are you going to do?"

    He arched a glance at her. "I'm going to fire him."