I was inspired to write this after today’s chapter- Drake and MC finally got to spend an entire night together!?! So great!
But I couldn’t help thinking- what could have happened in the morning? Did anyone see her leaving his tent? This kind of just flowed from that thought. It’s a bit rushed and rough but I wanted to get it out straight away. I hope you enjoy!
Rating- PG. Very mild. Some innuendo. Plus a shirtless Drake. 😜
Riley woke when the first rays of light hit the tent, silently grumbling at nature’s early wake up call. She started to roll over but froze when she remembered where she was.
This was Drake’s tent. A thrill ran through her at the thought. She had spent an entire night in Drake’s arms for the first time. The first of many, she thought to herself with a smile. She hadn’t slept so soundly in months- enveloped in the warmth of his body and comforted by his mere presence. She could feel him still sleeping behind her and decided to risk turning to face him. His arm was slung loosely over her hip and she tried to twist herself around as slowly and quietly as she could without disturbing him, before settling into place and sucking in a breath at the sight of him.
He looked so at peace in the cool morning light, and younger somehow. She watched his bare chest as it rose and fell in a slow, comforting rhythm. In their current cramped quarters, his solid build dominated the space, leaving her feeling safer than she had in weeks. He had joked the night before about being the protector of the group, but Riley knew it was true- especially when it came to her.
She noticed his hair falling across his face and forced herself to resist brushing it back. She didn’t want to wake him. Not yet. She gazed at his relaxed face and knew she didn’t want to do anything to break the spell of this brief, perfect moment.
“I can feel you staring at me, Johnson.”
Drake’s eyes were still closed but a small smile played on his lips. Riley stifled a laugh and swatted at his chest.
“You’re supposed to be asleep, Mr. Walker.”
He opened one eye and smiled before wrapping an arm around her and pulling her closer. She nestled into him as she had done the night before, quietly breathing in his scent and trying to memorise it. She rested her head against his chest and listened to his steady heartbeat match the pace of her own. It was so rare for them to find privacy of any kind. To have had eight or nine uninterrupted hours with him was a true treat.
“I’m glad you’re here, Johnson.”
His quiet words interrupted her thoughts. She lifted her head to look at him, marvelling at the soft expression on his face. He was so often guarded and on edge, but with every passing week she could feel him open up to her more and more. It was intoxicating.
She smiled widely and manoeuvred herself closer to him, bringing her hands to his chest and resting her chin on them.
“I’m glad you’re glad. Coz even if you wanted to, you can’t get rid of me now.”
He laughed softly and shook his head. “No chance of that.”
Her heart warmed at his words and she settled down against him again.
They remained that way for what felt like a fleeting moment before Drake picked up his watch and groaned.
“It’s already 7am, Johnson. You had better get back to your tent before anyone else wakes up.”
Riley held him tighter. “I’m not leaving. I live here now. Besides, you’re so warm. I’ll freeze out there.”
“Maybe I’ll have to warm you up later.”
“Drake!” She sat up in surprise as he laughed. She narrowed her eyes at him playfully. “Don’t say things like that if you aren’t going to follow though.”
He sat up too and looked her square in the eyes. “I mean it.” He pulled her into a long, deep kiss and she couldn’t stop herself from moaning into his mouth. She was so completely gone for this man, in a way she had never been before. The only thing that gave her any relief was the fact that he was just as hooked on her.
Riley reluctantly untangled herself from Drake and stood up. She unzipped the tent and stepped outside, allowing herself one final grin over her shoulder to Drake. She turned away from the tent and let out a yelp at the sight in front of her, stopping dead in her tracks. Drake scrambled up to the door of the tent and poked his head out, alarmed by her cry.
“Riley, what is it?!” He only used her first name when he was truly worried about her, and somewhere in the back of her mind she noted his sweet concern. But they had more pressing issues at hand. She moved aside so he could witness what she was seeing.
Sitting at the campfire, and staring straight at them.
“Good morning, lovebirds.”
He was as chipper as ever, but there was a slight edge to his voice that Riley hadn’t heard before- Anger? Anxiety? She couldn’t be sure.
Drake spoke first. “Look, Maxwell-“
Maxwell cut him off with a wave of his hand. “Drake, I’m not going to tell anyone. Actually, I’m just surprised it’s taken this long for you to get caught. And in the tent right next to mine? Scandalous! I have to say, Riley, I’m shocked I didn’t hear anything last night. I thought you’d be more… vocal.”
Drake stepped out of the tent in a rage. “Don’t talk to her like that.” His voice was low and seething, and Riley put a hand on him arm to stop him from moving towards Maxwell.
She knew she had to say something to diffuse the situation, and quickly.
“Maxwell, I’m sorry you had to find out like this. But I’ve been trying to tell you how I felt about Drake for weeks! Every time I did, you would cut me off and virtually dance around the room with your hands over your ears.”
Maxwell sheepishly looked at the ground, avoiding meeting her eye. “I know, Riley. And I am happy for you guys. I’m just worried about what all this will mean for House Beaumont…” He trailed off and looked up at Drake. “And Savannah.”
Drake took a deep breath. “Savannah is my responsibility, Maxwell. I’ll always take care of her- now I know where she is.”
He glowered at Maxwell, whose guilt was written plainly across his face before he spoke again.
“Ok look, um, we can talk about this later. There’s something else you guys should know.”
Drake and Riley looked at each other in alarm before turning back to Maxwell.
Riley’s eyes flitted to Liam’s tent in a panic as her mind raced with thoughts of what Maxwell may say next.
“Don’t worry, he’s not here. He left about an hour ago, said he had a breakfast meeting back on the train.”
She exhaled, relieved she wouldn’t have to walk on eggshells for the next few hours she intended to spend with Drake.
Maxwell was tense as he continued. “But Riley? Liam poked his head into your tent to say goodbye. He knows you didn’t sleep there.”
Her stomach dropped instantly. Their night of camping and innocent fun had turned into more drama than she could ever have anticipated. But it was a wake up call they all needed. Everything had to come out eventually.
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