50 Shades of Drake 3 and 4

Chapter One Hundred One

    "You didn't like the present I gave you." Words spoken after a relaxing, enjoyable dinner, after which they picked through the best selections of desserts on the kitchen counter.

    Destiny's brow furrowed. She tried reading his eyes, but that was difficult since the bedroom was so dark. "No...I love it," she told him. "It's...breathtaking."

    "You seemed...less than enthused."

    Sometimes I forget how incredibly perceptive he is. I adore the necklace. But even though I don't know much about the value of jewelry, I know that the necklace cost him a lot of money. It's not that I didn't like it. I just don't feel worthy of it. "I'm not used to getting gifts this expensive," is what she chose to say. "I was just surprised. I was expecting to see the collar that I used to wear, not something that...unbelievably beautiful."

    He ran his fingers down the length of her arm. "I can take it back."

    "No!" she cried out.

    He laughed.

    "I really do love the necklace. I'm not just saying that to be nice. I just don't think I deserve a gift that amazing."

    He raised up on one elbow and looked down at her. "If you think that, then you're wrong."

    "You do so much for me," she said, her voice shaking.

    He leaned down and kissed her gently, smoothing the back of his hand down her face. When he pulled back, he said, "And I'm going to do so much more for you. For both of us. If you let me."

    She nodded her head. "Of course. I love you more than I can even put into words. I do and I always will."

    His arms went around her.

    She cuddled against him and wrapped her arms around him in return, pressing little kisses to his jawline.

    That night was one of the first nights that he didn't wake from one of his nightmares.

~~~~~~

    Over the next few weeks, Aubrey observed Destiny closely. Their bond grew stronger every day, but there was still a part of herself that she was keeping at arm's length from him. It probably wasn't deliberate on her part. There were still times when he would catch her staring out of the window, times when she was visibly distracted. There were still times when he would stop by the media offices and find interaction between her and Brian awkward.

    During the nights, she wore her diamond collar and very little else. They expressed their love for each other and enjoyed each other, but it wasn't enough for him. He felt like most of her heart belonged to him, but he didn't want "most." He wanted all of her heart to belong to him and no one else. Although he realized how selfish that was, that realization didn't change how he felt.

    So, on a late Wednesday afternoon, he leaned back in his office chair, tossing his mother's words around in his head.

    "Something that I've always admired about you, Aubrey, is your sense of creativity. I'm sure you'll figure something out."

    He linked his fingers behind the back of his head. There has to be some way for me to be sure that Destiny's with me by choice and not out of obligation. There has to be some way for me to be sure that I'm the man she really wants to be with. She loves me, and I can feel that she does. She shows that she does. But I think there is a part of her that doubts that I'm that one. I don't care how small that part is. I want it gone.

    He started rocking back and forth in his chair, tipping the chair as far back as it would allow. So...how do I erase the doubt she has? I know with every fiber of my being that I am the right man for her. Brian is a great guy, but between me and him, there is no competition. He abruptly stopped rocking. Of course. The answer was right in front of me. How do I erase her doubts? By demonstrating that there is no competition between him and me.