"What?"
"I'm coming back to Manhattan."
A sense of relief so profound flowed through me, that I felt as if I could collapse. He pulled me onto his lap, so that I straddled his hips, my arms around his neck.
r /> "You should have called me," I said, shaking my head. "I would have told you that I was coming back to you."
"I thought you wouldn’t come back for weeks because of your father."
I shook my head. "I realized that you're my life now. I couldn’t stand to be apart from you even one more night."
He closed his eyes and then pulled my hand up to his mouth, pressing his lips against my knuckles. When he looked back up at me, his eyes were wet.
"I gave Michael notice because I realized you’re my life and I couldn’t stand to be apart from you even one more night."
Then, I wrapped my arms around his neck more tightly and kissed him, our lips pressed together hungrily. We remained locked in each other's arms, Drake squeezing me so tightly, I felt as if I might break. Finally, he pulled back and looked at my face, brushing hair from my forehead. A smile started on his lips.
"Why did you leave just now? What were you thinking?" he said, his eyes on mine. "You had to know there was nothing going on between Sam and me."
“She blamed me for your decision. Said I couldn’t understand what it was like for you as a surgeon. That I was wrong for you.”
"Damn,” Drake said. “I’m sorry about that. Of course, you would have to see Sam first before me."
"I would," I replied. "You can imagine my surprise. When I saw her, I had this insane urge to run at her and claw out her eyes."
Drake laughed out loud at that. "Catfight?" he said, his voice sounding relieved. "I should be flattered, but really, Kate. I'm sorry you had to see her first. I didn’t ask for any help, but the residents volunteered to come and help pack up, and she invited herself along with them. I was going to return without telling you, surprise you."
I nodded, glad that I hadn't let my mind go where it could have.
"I hope you never ever worry about me," he said, his voice soft. "I'm yours, entirely, Ms. Bennet." He smiled at that, his eyes narrowing. "Every single inch."
I couldn't help but smile back.
"Call Michael and ask for your job back," I said and squeezed his hand. "We haven't even gone on safari together yet. We haven't slept out under the stars like I wanted us to."
"He may hate me," Drake said, humor in his voice. "He called in a locum tenens to help take on my caseload, and he was going to teach my classes himself."
"Then, I'm sure he'll be glad to hear you're staying."
Drake squeezed me again, his face in the crook of my neck, his breath warm on my skin.
"What will I tell him?'
I laughed, and took in a deep breath. "Tell him you were temporarily insane but that you recovered your senses."
Drake sighed. "I guess I'll have to go in and stop the wrecking crew. Luckily, they haven't even started dismantling the kitchen."
"They'll all hate me," I said, not looking forward to having to face any of the residents.
"Nonsense," Drake said, smiling. "They'll be happy I'm staying. Besides, what the hell do we care what anyone thinks? It's what we think that matters."
"Will Michael give you your job back?"
Drake kissed my cheek. "The locum will want to keep a caseload so he'll get his salary, but I'm sure Michael will be glad that I'll take the classes back. I'll help Michael out where he needs me. It'll be fine. We'll stay and with the locum in place, I won't be nearly as busy."
We sat with our arms around each other and enjoyed the connection. After a few moments, Drake took out his cell and called Michael. He put the phone on speaker and had a smile on his face.
"Hey, boss," he said, humor in his voice. "Is there any chance you can rip up my letter of resignation?"