The Agreement (Unrestrained 1)

"You were planning on not seeing me ever again?"

"I was afraid I'd hate myself if I did meet with you." I nodded and even then, the thought of it physically hurt. "I knew I wouldn't be able to resist you if I got within a foot of you. I was right."

He smiled. "I can't resist you. I don't want to. Kate, I can't leave this thing between us hanging. I have to know. I have to know how far I can go with you."

A surge of something went through my body at that. "I just don't want anything to happen to you because of me."

"If anything happens, it will be because someone else made the wrong choice, not either of us. It will be because you're important enough to me to take that risk." He kissed me then stroked my cheek. "Your father was glad to see me and even he encouraged me to go to your apartment and not give up."

I smiled. "He said he thought we were really intense with each other and well-matched."

Drake nodded at that. "We are." He kissed me softly.

"Maybe I should leave you alone for a while before your next surgery."

He sighed. "Probably. I don't want you out of my sight though."

"I'll go back to my father's for the rest of the afternoon. I'll make an excuse to go back to my apartment for the night. Then, we can meet at the apartment on 8th Avenue after your practice."

"Maybe I'll cancel tonight."

"Don't because of me. Your music is important to you."

He stroked my cheek with the backs of his fingers. "I don't want you out of arm's reach, Kate."

"I can't stay here all day," I said, smiling. "We can spend the evening together at your secret hideaway. After your practice."

"Tonight." He kissed me again, softly.

"I should go now," I said. "Let you focus before your next surgery."

"I wish I could cancel that, but I can't. Poor man's been waiting for a while to get the procedure."

I stood and started dressing once more, pulling on my underwear and tights. Drake helped, handing me my jean skirt, zipping it up for me, buttoning the button. He helped me on with my bra and fastened the front clasp. Then he pulled the sweater on and around my shoulders and buttoned it up.

"You like dressing me?"

"Dressing and undressing a woman is a total turn on and pleasure." Finally, he smoothed my hair before leaning down to kiss me once more. "Where should I pick you up tonight?"

"I can meet you – it's probably better that I don't get a ride with you anywhere. I'll take a taxi."

"I don't like leaving you alone. I don't like loose ends, Kate."

"Just give me the address and I'll meet you there."

"Give me your iPhone."

I reached into my bag and pulled it out. He took it and called up my GPS, entering in the address and directions from my father's apartment. "There," he said. "You can find your way there easily with that."

I took the phone back. 8th Avenue a few blocks away from Columbia, where I went to school. It would be convenient. I lived just a dozen blocks to the north in Harlem.

He walked me to the door of his office. "Are you sure I can't drive you back to your apartment?"

I shook my head. "No. I can take a taxi. I don't want to be seen in your car just in case we run into anyone. We already risked a lot coming here."

He exhaled. "OK, but I don't like this, leaving you alone now. You can always call me and I can pick you up if you change your mind. Text me and let me know you're on your way, OK? Otherwise, I'll worry."

"I will."