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"Champagne, please," I replied, not missing a beat. I was already living my best life, so why not indulge?
Drake and I sipped champagne as the saleswoman brought out dress after dress for me to try on. Each one seemed more fabulous than the last, but they just weren't hitting the mark. I could tell Drake was getting a little impatient, but he didn't say a word, just sipped his champagne and waited for the fashion show to continue.
Finally, the saleswoman brought out a stunning red dress. It had a deep V neckline and bell sleeves, and it cinched at the waist before falling to the floor in a graceful cascade. The soft jersey fabric was luxurious to the touch.
As I stepped out of the dressing room, Drake's eyes lit up, and I could see the approval in his gaze. I gave him a little twirl, and he raised an eyebrow. "That's the one."
I grinned, feeling like a million bucks. "I thought you'd like it. It’ll be perfect for the reception."
I felt like something was missing. Drake just continued sipping his champagne and watched with an amused expression on his face.
Finally, the saleswoman brought out a beautiful fuchsia-colored dress, and as soon as I put it on, I knew that it was the one. It fit perfectly in all the right places, hugging my curves without being too tight or too loose.
Drake let out a low whistle when he saw me in it. "You look beautiful," he said softly, and there was something in his eyes that made me blush.
As I modeled the dress, I couldn't help but notice the way Drake's eyes seemed to devour me. "You look like you want to eat me whole," I teased.
"That's because that's exactly what I'm thinking about," he shot back, his voice low and sultry.
We shared a moment, our eyes locked in a smoldering stare, and I knew this was more than just a shopping trip. This was a game of cat and mouse, and I was more than happy to play.
I changed back into my regular clothes, and as the saleswoman rang up our purchases, I felt a strange mix of excitement and apprehension. We were about to pull off a dangerous scheme, and I would be dressed to kill. Literally.
The sun was setting as we left the boutique, the sky awash in shades of pink and gold. Drake held the door for me, his face betraying nothing of the charged moment we'd shared earlier. If I didn't know better, I'd think he was made of stone.
As we cruised back to the house, my mind raced with thoughts of the upcoming evening. What if our plan didn't work? What if Massimo saw through our ruse? And what would happen between Drake and me once this was all over?
“Daphne, listen," he began, his voice strained. "About your mother being at this wedding. What do you need from me? How can I help? I know your relationship is strained."
My heart squeezed. In the midst of danger, he still wanted to take care of my heart. "Drake," I said, my voice soft, "You don't have to get involved in that. It's between my mother and me. I’ll just avoid her."
He shook his head. "No, it isn't. We’re doing this together. And dangerous or not," he said, gripping my chin between his forefinger and thumb, “you’re not alone.”
I had never asked Drake for help before, but now I realized that I needed him more than ever. He was strong and brave, and he had already proven his loyalty time and time again. With a deep breath, I finally nodded in agreement.
"Okay."
Drake's expression softened and he stroked my cheek tenderly with his thumb. "I'll do whatever you need me to do," he whispered, and there was an intensity in his eyes that made me shiver with anticipation.
Drake reached over, taking my hand in his. "I promise you, Daphne, you'll be safe with me. I won't let her hurt you."
His words brought me a strange sense of comfort, and I felt a warmth spread through my chest. Somehow, I knew he meant it.
"Thank you, Drake," I murmured, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
He smiled, his grip tightening around mine. "You don't need to thank me. We're in this together."
As we sat in the car, hands intertwined, I couldn't help but think about how far we'd come. From strangers thrown together by circumstance to partners, plotting to take down a dangerous man and navigating the treacherous waters of my family dynamics. It was a wild ride, but there was no one else I'd rather have by my side.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the countryside.
But as we walked toward the house, Drake's phone rang, and the tension level instantly spiked. He glanced at the screen, his face turning ashen.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
He swallowed hard and shook his head. “Nothing. It’s not important.”
“Don't do that. I thought we weren't keeping secrets. Tell me.”
