He looked at me then. The love in his eyes almost knocked me off the chair. The intensity of those indigo eyes had me dropping my hand from my mouth and reaching out to touch his face. The fact he was standing up to his mother over me had my heart in absolute knots.
He pressed a kiss to my palm, making me practically swoon. There was nothing like being wrapped up in Drake’s gaze when his full attention was on you. It was overwhelming, exhilarating and oh so fucking everything.
“Death needs his little wisp,” he whispered. “I’m keeping you this time. Eternity isn’t long enough, but it will have to do. I cannot imagine a world where you don’t exist next to me.”
I leant closer and rested my head on his shoulder.
“Listen, I love you and you’re my eternity too, but your mum is staring at us and I’m kind of worried if I kiss you, she’ll blow a blood vessel,” I whispered back.
He chuckled and pressed a kiss to my forehead.
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle her.”
He made me sit up and let go of my hand before rising from his seat. Drake dug his hands in his pockets and walked over to his mother, towering over the woman like he did most people. She stared up at him without compunction. May never backed down from a fight.
“You’re allowed to feel whatever it is you want about the five of us, but you don’t get a say in my life and who I choose to spend it with. If you have a problem with me and the others all being with Scarlett, then I’ll take her and walk out of that door. I’ve already been ambushed by Oscar today. You know I have no issues cutting my family out of my life.”
“Your father ambushed you?”
He sighed and removed his hand from his pocket to place it on her shoulder.
“Fletcher decided to trick me into lunch with them. We walked out of the restaurant.”
May looked incensed.
“That man knows absolutely no bounds.”
“Why do you speak to him?”
“He’s still your father, Drake. It’s easier this way.”
“Easier for who? Him?”
She shook her head.
“No, for me. I will never forgive him for everything he put us through, but I have no wish for animosity between us.”
She let out a sigh. There were so many things written across her face, but she took a long minute to voice them.
“I want you to be happy, Drake. The fact you’re here and in a relationship… well, I may need some time to deal with my personal feelings on the matter, but it doesn’t mean I want you and Scarlett to leave. Please, sit and let me make you lunch.”
Drake nodded at his mother before returning to me, taking a seat by my side. May went back to preparing us lunch. I leant into him, wanting his warmth surrounding me. He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me against his chest.
“Are you okay?” he murmured
“I’m with you, of course I’m okay.”
“Scarlett…”
“It’s fine. I knew she would have a hard time with it. Besides, I’ve dealt with Eliza, Jasper and Rosie’s feelings on the matter. What makes you think I can’t cope with your mother?”
He cocked his head to the side as I stared up at him.
“It’s less about me thinking you can’t deal with it and more you shouldn’t have to. I don’t want anyone making you feel bad for choosing us.”
I stroked his chest, adoring the fact he felt that way.
“Hate to break it to you, but a lot of people aren’t going to be very receptive to this.”
“Does that bother you?”
I shook my head.
“Is it weird that I didn’t really question it when I ended up with all four of you? It was barely a fleeting thought about what it might mean. It has always felt right. Like we’re meant to be together. Fighting it seemed futile, you know… like what would be the point in denying ourselves what we need.”
It was the truth. I hadn’t thought much about it. Being with the four of them had been instinctual. A part of me recognised them as my four best friends. When I remembered them, it was far too fucking late. I’d gone and fallen in love. I couldn’t turn back. Couldn’t tear them out of my soul. They were too important to me.
“Denying fate is always futile.”
“Says the man who thought we were a curse.”
He gave me a dark look until I smiled at him.
“If you think I won’t punish you because we’re at my mother’s, you’re mistaken,” he whispered, leaning closer and nuzzling my hair. “I’ll tell her I’m taking you upstairs to see my old bedroom, push you down on my bed and lick your little pussy until you’re about to come, then bring you back down here all wet and unfulfilled. You can explain to my mother why you’re all flushed and embarrassed.”