"Yes," he said. "I can wait a few more minutes to ravish you."
I laughed and we finally ended the embrace. We went to our suitcases and I stripped and put on my white bikini. It was the one I wore in the Bahamas and I wondered if Drake would remember.
"Oh, I like it," he said, his eyes moving over my body. "I seem to recall trying to take it off one afternoon and being rudely interrupted by your father…"
I laughed and tied the top, my arms behind my back. "No fear of that here."
"When you stand like that, I lose all interest in swimming, Ms. Bennet…"
"I can't help it," I said. "I have to tie up my top."
"I may have to untie it if you keep it up."
I turned away and smiled, enjoying his playfulness. We took towels and went to the outdoor pool, which was deserted at that time of night. Drake was eager and dove in without hesitation, while I sat on the side and dangled my legs in.
"Come on in," he said as he treaded water before me. "It's heated."
I slipped in and ducke
d under to get my hair wet. Drake swam over and took me into his arms, and we floated together for a moment, him holding me up. The water was warm, not quite like a bath, but close enough to be comforting, relaxing.
"The view is nice," I said, slipping out of his arms and lying back, floating so I could watch the stars.
"Yes, it is nice," Drake said, a hint of humor in his voice. He was a foot away, staring at me and I knew what he meant.
"You get to see that view any time you want," I said in pretend protest. "Look at the sky for a change. The night's really clear."
Drake relented and floated beside me, looking up as well. He sighed heavily and I wondered if he felt it too – all the stress of the past few months draining away – Liam, Maureen, the worry about Dawn revealing Drake's lifestyle.
"This is like heaven," I said.
"It is."
We floated in silence for a few moments, and then I thought about meeting Sam and Drake's student at the restaurant.
"Quite the coincidence meeting Sam there. Nairobi's a pretty big city."
Drake said nothing for a moment. "I doubt it was a coincidence. Michael must have mentioned it and she decided to show up."
I sighed, my suspicions being true. "Is she going to be a problem?"
"I hope not." He came over to me and took me into his arms so that I sat on his lap in the water. "I don't need any complications right now. I'll be busy at work, teaching and trying to keep you happy."
"Don't worry about keeping me happy," I said. "As long as you're happy and we have time together, I will be happy as well."
We returned to our room and I fought the desire to ask Drake about his plans for me. Instead, I merely allowed him to undress me without question, stripping off my bikini top and then slipping the bottoms down my thighs.
"You're so nice and smooth," he whispered once I was naked. He wrapped his arms around me from behind. I said nothing, smiling to myself, unhinged from the warmth of his lips on my skin as he kissed my shoulder and neck. I sighed as he lifted my thigh and slid his erection between my legs, rubbing it against me. He knew what to do to prepare me.
"I found something," he said and whispered in my ear.
"What?"
"You'll see," he said and kissed me. "Katherine."
He left the bed and then returned a few moments later with a black handkerchief and cuffs in his hands.
"Lie across the bed, and close your eyes." I complied, barely able to keep a smile off my face.