50 Shades of Drake 3 and 4

Chapter Sixty-Two

    "The board has never contacted me after work hours before." Brian fluffed up his pillow, then rested his head on it. "I think they can tell something is up."

    "Considering the fact that Aubrey never really requested an official vacation, I can understand why," Destiny said. "Especially after the whole Steve McClintock thing."

    They lie in her bed, facing each other. Enveloped in darkness, they spoke to each other using their library voices even though no one else was around.

    "What made you throw something? The fact that they called you at home?"

    "Not just that..." He paused. "It's how he was talking to me. Like he was trying to catch me in a lie. The same way the police were talking to me, like...like he suspected me of doing something wrong."

    She felt for him. Not only had he done nothing wrong, he'd done everything right. He had stepped in and vowed to protect her when it wasn't his responsibility. Every time she needed someone, lately he'd been there. When someone had dared to threaten her safety, he'd jumped to her defense and eliminated that threat. Permanently. He didn't deserve to be interrogated by everyone around him; he deserved an award or medal for bravery for standing up and doing what no one else had done. She didn't know what to say to make him feel better. "The only reason they're questioning you is because Aubrey isn't here."

    "Yeah, I understand that. It doesn't make it any easier though." He lapsed into silence, staring at her. He ran a hand through his hair. "About what I said earlier..."

    She arched a brow at him. "Yeah?"

    "I didn't mean that."

    She laughed. "Yes you did."

    "It came out wrong."

    "You meant every word of it," she told him. "And you were right. Every word was right. I can't keep flip flopping. When I do that, I'm playing with your feelings and it's not right. You were right, and you should stand by what you say more often instead of trying to explain it away."

    He blinked at her quietly. "I know the situation is complicated and I understand why you would be...confused, when it comes to how you feel."

    "I'm not confused anymore."

    "See, you say that...but I know you still love him."

    Destiny sighed and rolled onto her back.

    "There's nothing wrong with loving him," Brian was quick to say. "Before, when you said that we should just let the board take over the company...you don't really feel that way. You say things like that out of anger and bitterness. You can't let those emotions overwhelm you."

    Tears filled her eyes as she stared up at the ceiling.

    "Even if I hated him, knowing how much time and effort he put into this company, I couldn't ever let the board take it over," Brian went on. "And that's coming from a man who should hate him. You, above anyone else, know why."

    "I don't want the board to take it over, but I don't know how to prevent them from doing it," she said sadly. "And I'm tired of talking about him. I'm tired of coming up with solutions for his mess. He is the one who walked away. We shouldn't have to clean up his mess when he's the one neglecting it." And me.

    "Okay, so you don't have to worry about it," Brian said. "I'll think of something."

    She rolled back onto her side and looked at him. "How can you be this nice? Especially considering what Aubrey has done to you."

    "I don't blame him for her cheating. I blame her for her cheating," Brian explained.

    "Even after you told him about the relationship and he kept seeing her, you don't blame him for that?" she asked him.

    "I blame her," Brian repeated. "What Aubrey did was wrong, but he didn't owe me anything. He wasn't the one who was in the relationship with me. She was. Ever since then, he has looked out for me, has helped to cultivate my career."

    "Probably because he felt guilty for being a homewrecker," Destiny muttered, frowning.

    Brian chuckled and said, "You're looking for reasons to hate him now."

    Instead of wasting time denying it, she said, "It's not like I have to look far."

    "He loves you very much. I've seen it. And you love him, too. A part of you probably always will, no matter how hard you fight it."

    The thought of a part of her always loving Aubrey, no matter how long he stayed apart from her, was frightening. She would rather forget about him completely. But she knew that Brian was right. If Aubrey walked through the door right now, she'd jump out of the bed and right into his arms. That's how messed up I am, she thought. He walks away from me, and I'd still welcome him back with open arms if he came back.

    Brian gave her time to think, but his eyes remained locked on her.

    She raised a hand to his cheek. "You could be right," she said slowly, "but I do intend to fight it."

    "Destiny..."

    She moved closer to him beneath the covers.

    "We've been through this before," he said gruffly. "It didn't go so well last time."

    "That's because last time, I didn't take time to think about what I was doing," she told him, caressing his cheek. "This time, I have."

    He closed his eyes and wrapped the fingers of one hand around her wrist. "Are you sure?"

    "Yes."

    He opened his eyes. "No...Destiny, are you sure?"

    She hesitated before answering. The question she asked herself is whether or not she would regret this in the morning, whether or not she would be ashamed of her actions. Everything seemed to look different by the light of day. "Do you know what I see when I look at you?"

    His brows drew together and he shook his head.

    "I see the man who stepped up to take care of me," she said, her voice quiet. "I see the man who has been here for me, no matter what. The man who is willing to talk about anything with me. The man who has been nothing but supportive and helpful and caring. I see a man who wants the exact same things I do out of life. Whenever we spend time together without worrying about any of the bullshit, we have fun together. We laugh together. I see a man who, on paper, is perfect for me."

    He narrowed her eyes at her. "So...what are you saying?" he asked cautiously.

    She took a deep breath while searching for the words. "I'm saying that...you deserve a chance, Brian."

    There was the slightest pause. One beat. Then two. On the swell leading to the third beat, his arm swept around her and his mouth came crashing down on hers.