Love's Game

Chapter Seventeen

Lillian sat there looking at Drake, still wondering if she had made the right decision. After all her emotions were still raw and Drake looked about ready to explode. He didn't say anything, just continued to stand there gazing down at her. Suddenly she didn't like being below him and stood abruptly.

"Whatever it is you wanted to say, say it so I can go to bed." She said, surprising both of them. Lillian lightly bit her tongue, shocked that the words had somehow slipped past her defenses. Drake cleared his throat and she thought she saw him smirk, but then his lips returned to their straight line and he took a step closer to her. He stopped when he was almost crowding her and lowered his voice.

"Forgive me my dear, but I was not the one to keep you out in the cold for so long." He hissed and she narrowed her eyes at him. Her own anger returning in force as he became so defensive. She crossed her arms and tilted her head at him curiously. She kept telling herself that she had to remain cool and distant with this man or she would only end up hurt again.

"Allister could tell that I was growing uncomfortable and took me out for some air. He was simply concerned for me." She stated simply and Drake growled, making her jump as he stepped even closer and reached out to grab her upper arms. She gasped at the shock that ran through her at the contact, but steeled herself against responding to him.

"I think he was far more concerned with getting you all to himself." He growled low as he glared at her. She gasped at his insult to her and her cousin. True Allister was unorthodox and enjoyed teasing her, but this man had no right to insinuate anything sinister. She struggled against his hold, but his fingers only dug into her skin, dragging her closer so that their noses were practically touching.

"Tell me again Lillian. Just how close are you with Allister?"

Her eyes widened and she hissed back, doubling her struggles against him.

"How dare you! Let me go Drake!" She shouted and he growled, but did release her so that she stumbled back from him. Her chest was rising and falling quickly as she fixed her hair and glared at him. She shot him a hateful look and quickly pivoted on her heel and stormed back to the house. Quietly muttering curses under her breath at the man that was impossible to figure out.

"All men are stupid!" She shouted as she stomped up the stairs.

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Drake watched her storm towards the house, her blonde hair billowing out behind her. He told himself to let her go, that he had already made a complete ass out of himself. But it was becoming apparent that he wasn't going to listen to sense when it came to this woman. He lengthened his stride so that he could catch up with her. He wasn't done talking with her in any case.

He managed to reach her as she was stomping away up the stairs and caught her angry burst about men. He couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him and it reached her ear. She stopped and twirled to see him following her and she actually scowled. He had to admit she was cute when she was angry. He was distracted from his observation when she growled and poked him in the chest with her finger.

"I have nothing else to say to you sir. So please stop following me." She huffed and tried to turn from him again. His hand shot out and grabbed her arm. He pulled her back to him and growled low,

"But I have so much to say to you." He saw her flinch at his tone, but he didn't release her, afraid that she would run off if he did. She continued to glare at him and he took in a deep breath and pulled her closer to him so that he could keep his voice low. Still very much aware that they were in an open hallway.