Alphas & Millionaires Starter Set Read online

  A waiter arrived minutes later, bringing our dinner. Drake approached me from behind with two glasses, “More champagne?”

  “Please.” I took the glass from his hand, his eyes never leaving mine.

  God, he had beautiful eyes.

  He grabbed my empty hand and led me to the table. He pulled my chair out for me, and as I took a seat, I realized our eyes never strayed from each other. It was as if we were the only people in the world and nothing else mattered in that very moment. I could stare at him all day.

  “Are you nervous?” Drake asked as he caught me rubbing my ear.

  “A little.” I shrugged. “Nervous habit,” I replied, fully aware of my own nervous tick. He looked so calm, which made me even more nervous considering I hardly knew this man. I wanted to think of something to say, to instigate a conversation, but all I could think about was his beautiful lips. And eyes. Damn those eyes.

  “This looks delicious.” I smiled politely as our meal was being served to us. He accidentally grazed my hand as he was reaching for his glass. The slightest touch of him and I could feel butterflies and goose bumps. It was an innocent touch, but in that moment, I finally realized I could have feelings for someone besides Liam. I’m not ready for this. Am I? The realization that I could have feelings for anyone other than Stella’s father made me think I might be ready to move on.

  But could I accept that, emotionally?

  Dinner was excellent. We managed to make light conversation with him asking me simple questions about school and my internship. I wasn’t sure if I should ask him any questions, although I was getting more and more anxious to know this man better.

  He stared at me as if he were looking right inside me, as if I were transparent. I was starting to see another side to this man—perhaps a man I could really like. He was kind, sweet, responsive to my answers, and seemed to have a keen interest in me. It was overwhelming. I barely knew this man, yet I was ready to dig my teeth into him.

  The waiter returned promptly as we finished dinner and returned with dessert. We were served red velvet cheesecake and it was amazing. He watched me enjoy every single bite.

  Why does he keep staring?

  “Your enjoyment of food is extremely arousing.” He cocked a grin, making my insides tremble.

  “I know amazing food when I taste it,” I said, smiling in between bites. This was too good not to enjoy.

  Even when he stares at me like that.

  He bit his lower lip and it almost sent me over the edge. I haven’t had a serious relationship or even a date in years, but this man—in this moment—was making me forget all of that.

  “Aren’t you going to eat?” I asked, noticing he hadn’t touched his dessert yet.

  “I’m enjoying watching you, at the moment.” He smirked, making me feel self-conscious.

  Please just eat and stop looking at me.

  “Well…if you aren’t going to eat it, I will,” I replied playfully. I was a girl who enjoyed eating, especially dessert.

  He chuckled in amusement and finally dug into his cheesecake. I then decided I could watch that man eat all day long. He acted with such grace, yet he remained powerful.

  “So tell me, Drake…” I slowed my words as I prepared myself for what I was about to say. “Why was it so important to have dinner with me tonight?” I really did want to know, and I needed to keep the conversation going before I started to undress him with my eyes.

  “Well, to be honest, I saw you across the room at your internship orientation dinner. You wore a dark red, V-neck dress with black strappy heels and you had your hair down in waves that just brushed your shoulders. You were holding a drink, talking to some other people, and in that moment, you looked so beautiful and happy. I knew right then that I needed to know you. Your smile… and your lips…” he responded seductively. I swallowed hard at his honesty.

  “Why didn’t you approach me that night, then?” I asked curiously.

  “Because I didn’t want to make it public knowledge,” he responded quickly, as if he’d already been prepared for that question. “But I couldn’t stop watching you.”

  “Now that you have me here, what are you going to do with me?”

  He smiled as if he knew his exact answer. “Get to know you.”

  “Did you ever consider that maybe I didn’t want you to know me?”

  “I was hoping my wit and charm would make you feel differently.”

  “That doesn’t mean I trust you.”

  “Fair point. What is it that you don’t trust about me?” he asked, though I’m sure he knew.

  “For starters, you have a reputation. And not a good one,” I said bravely, hoping he didn’t ask me to explain.

  “Really? Enlighten me. What’s my reputation?” His brows narrowed at the accusation.

  “Well, that you’re a ladies’ man. You juggle several women at once. You charm them, make them fall in love with you, and dump them,” I replied, embarrassed, but I had to say it.

  He laughed at my honesty and shook his head. “Don’t believe everything you hear. I don’t juggle women...I date them. Unless an agreement has been reached regarding monogamy, I don’t owe anyone anything. Most women just get what they want from me and bail,” he replied. I was shocked. They bail?

  “Well, I’m sorry. I had you pegged wrong. It must be hard,” I said sincerely, slightly mortified at prejudging him.

  “What must be hard?” he asked, intrigued.

  “Women using you and bailing—not knowing if they are with you for the right reasons.”

  He shrugged as if he didn’t want to continue the conversation. Perhaps he had been hurt too many times, or he just didn’t want to talk about it. However, this side of him I really liked. Could he really be this guy? Sweet, charming, and sensitive? Was I being naïve?

  The waiter returned once again to clear our table and refilled our glasses with champagne. I had enjoyed three glasses already and was starting to feel a little bolder and more relaxed. I wanted to get to know Drake, but felt scared at how quickly things were progressing. Before dinner, I was determined to get this over with and move on, but now I wasn’t sure I wanted it to end.

  “Walk with me?” he asked, reaching for my hand.

  “Sure.” I placed my hand in his and stood up to follow him.

  He led me to the edge of the balcony where the Chicago view lay right before us. It was exquisite. I could get lost gazing at it, especially beside Drake. He was making light conversation with me and I found myself smiling back at him.

  Suddenly, I felt the urge to bail. I couldn’t manage my feelings with him being near me. This was all too much.

  He was trying so hard to make me feel comfortable. He led me to the other side of the balcony where the fireplace was, urging me to sit down. I brought the glass to my lips, trying to buy myself an extra moment to think. I was arguing with myself on wanting him and wanting to run.

  I needed to break the tension in my head. “I’m sure this is all sorts of rule breaking, wouldn’t you say?”

  “You’re probably right. Are you a ‘by-the-book’ type of person?” he questioned sardonically.

  “When it comes to getting kicked out of an internship program I’ve worked my ass off to get, then yes, I guess I probably am.” I took another drink, needing to relax myself.

  We sat there in silence for a few moments, watching the fire crackle and enjoying the crisp breeze. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to break the tension.

  “It’s getting late. I should be getting back home.” I fought the desire to throw myself at him. He wasn’t anything like I had expected or anticipated. He made me feel special—a feeling I hadn’t experienced in years.

  He nodded and took the glass from me, ushering me to the door. I felt a wave of sadness as we walked down the stairs and through his door down the hall. Would I get to see him again? Did I want to see him again?

  “Before I forget,” Drake said before we caught the elevator reaching insi
de his suit coat. “Your belongings.” He handed me my small stack of credit cards and drivers license. We stood there for a moment, an awkward silence falling as it felt as if he were trying to resist his next move. Kiss me. Please kiss me.

  He blinked his eyes and walked to the elevator to push the call button. The door immediately opened and he grabbed my hand to follow him. We stood in the silence as we lowered to the first floor. I wondered if he would come with me. Secretly, I hoped he would.

  He led me out the doors to where his limo waited. As his driver opened the door, Drake stopped to kiss my hand. “It was a pleasure, Molly.” I felt the inside of my thighs tingle at the sound of my name coming from his mouth.

  Fucking sexy as all hell.

  “Thank you for your generosity. I had an amazing time.” I stared deep into his eyes hoping he could read me. I wanted him bad. I wanted his lips on every inch of me.

  As I climbed into the limo, he never took his eyes off me as he said goodnight and shut the door. It was a disappointing end to the night, to say the least, but I knew dating the manager of the hotel I interned at would only cause problems. I knew I should care about that, but deep down I didn’t.

  I sighed deeply, slamming my face into my hands.

  I opened the door to my apartment, still and quiet. . Stella and Michael were already in bed for the night, which was probably for the best. I didn’t want Michael hounding me for details just yet. I stumbled into my room and changed into an oversized T-shirt. My head was too busy for me to go to sleep yet, so I went and poured myself a glass of wine.

  As I slammed the refrigerator door shut, I heard a quiet knock at my door. Startled, I looked around to see if I had been hearing things. Who the hell is at my door at this hour?

  I placed the glass down on the counter and walked to the door, peering through the peephole. Drake. As I opened it, my eyes met his. He didn’t move. I was just about to ask if I had forgotten something again, when he suddenly interrupted my thoughts.

  “Fuck the rules.” He slammed my body against the wall, kissing me passionately. I surrendered and wrapped my arms around him. His stubble brushed against my face as his lips covered mine. He grabbed my hips and lifted me up off the ground, wrapping my legs around his waist. He nudged the door shut behind us with one shoulder and started walking. I realized he had no idea where my bedroom was.

  “To the right,” I said between breaths as he stumbled through the hall.

  CHAPTER 4

  He placed me gently against the wall as he stumbled into my room. It was pitch black, but I was fully aware of all my clothes sprawled out on the bed. I had tried on six different dresses for dinner and hadn’t put anything back in my closet yet. My legs were still wrapped around his waist as his lips moved from my mouth down to my neck and collarbone.

  God, he smelled incredible.

  “You are so sweet.” He brushed a finger over the lace of my panties. “Christ, you taste amazing,” he moaned. His fingers tore into my black lacy panties, quickly tearing them off me in one smooth motion.

  “God, Drake…please,” I begged. I wanted him. I couldn’t think. I just knew that I wanted him inside me now. He gripped my ass as he walked us over to the bed, placing us both down. His hand rubbed up my stomach, taking my shirt with it. I gasped as I felt him against me, ready and hard.

  My heart raced and my breathing quickened as I anticipated exactly what I was about to do. I hadn’t done this in years. I hadn’t needed a man as badly as Drake before. Everything that I worried about was no longer an issue. I wanted him. He was the first man since Liam that I couldn’t control myself around.

  “Jesus, Molly,” he growled, arching his hips into mine, feeling exactly what I do to him. A weak moan released from my lips, begging him for more with my body. I reached for his coat and pushed it down his shoulders. My hands eagerly grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head. I explored his body with my hands, touching every inch of his muscular torso.

  He pulled back slightly to allow me to unbutton his pants. I yanked them down with his boxer shorts as far as I could and pulled him closer to me, giving him access to pull them off the rest of the way. Before throwing them to the floor, he reached in his back pocket for his wallet and dug out a condom. I was happy to see he was prepared, but I’d been on birth control for years, so I hadn’t had to think about it in so long. Dating hadn’t been a priority for years.

  As I watched him slide it on, I could see the veins darkening in his arousal. I wanted him inside me. The need was almost too much to handle.

  He pulled me up against his chest and kissed the flesh of my skin, wrapping his hands around my back and unstrapping my bra. His fingers looped in the straps and slid it down my arms as his lips continued devouring every part of my neck and jaw.

  He caressed my body with his large hands, teasing me, making me beg for more. “Drake, please,” I whimpered against his perfect mouth. “I need you, now.” I felt him smile as he pressed us closer together.

  “Not yet, sweetheart. I want to taste you, feel you, make you all mine.” His voice was deep and rough. I inhaled quickly as he took my nipple into his mouth, arching my body as my hands grabbed his hair. I was soaking wet, ready for him to make me his. “Your scent, Molly. God,” he groans, his voice filled with wanton desire. “I’ve wanted you since the moment I set eyes on you. I’m going to go slow and enjoy every minute of you.”

  His deep, heated voice had my body in a frenzy. “Yesyesyes…” I moaned. His touch, his lips, his hands could send me over the edge at any moment. I wanted this moment to last as long as possible. I wanted him in the worst way.

  Drake lowered his body and continued kissing me below my stomach, tenderly pressing his lips to my sensitive bud. I was wet and needy, urging him deeper inside. I moaned as his fingers slid inside me. I clawed at the sheets as he drove his greedy lips against my wet slit.

  “I need you...” My words breathy and needy. It was becoming unbearable. His fingers sunk deeper and harder into me while his mouth bit my lips. I was going to come at any moment. “Drake.” I wanted him deeper. I couldn’t get enough. I arched my body harder against his lips, needing him to fill me.

  Just as I was close to the edge, his fingers pulled out. I groaned in protest, ready to finish the job myself, but then he squeezed my ass, bringing his mouth down on me.

  His tongue was a blend of heaven and hell. Now I knew what that perfect tongue could do, and now I knew I wanted it more than anything.

  My body shook and trembled as I released around his tongue, moaning his name. I came twice more before he finally came up for air.

  “That’s my girl,” he whispered, proudly. He feathered kisses up my thigh and to my stomach, aligning our bodies. My hips arched and he claimed me with his body.

  He thrust harder, making me greedy for more. My hands pressed against the bed as I squeezed the sheets in my palms, my arousal already building.

  “Fucking hell, Molly…” he moaned against my ear. My whole body quivered against his every move. “You feel more amazing than I could’ve ever imagined.”

  “I need more of you,” I begged. “Faster.”

  “You are so beautiful. I want to take my time with you.” He cupped my face and planted a long, deep kiss on my lips.

  “Mm, yes…” I begged again as I ached for release. I could feel it building inside of me again, making it almost unbearable how slow he was going.

  “Christ,” he moaned in my ear, building me up even more. Heaving breathing and lips colliding are the only noises in the room.

  He pulled out slowly and fixated his eyes on mine as he slid back inside, deeper this time. Arching my hips to greet his, I erupted in a wild frenzy, digging my nails into his back as he released inside me.

  We panted heavily as we tried to catch our breaths. He collapsed on top of me in a layer of hot sweat.

  “That was incredible,” I said breathy. I haven’t had mind-blowing sex like that…ever.

  He brushed
his lips up my neck and gently placed a kiss on my nose. I sprawled on top of the dresses, trying to emotionally rationalize what just happened.

  Drake Stagliano. In my bed.

  “Here you go,” Drake said, handing me a shirt.

  I was surprised when he pulled me off the bed and pushed the sheets back. “Get in,” he demanded. I complied and got in, laying on the far side of the bed. He followed in after me, pressing his body in behind me. “You are something special, Molly,” he said genuinely with a sigh. My heart was racing again as butterflies surfaced in my stomach. I was new to this feeling.

  After a moment, I had to ask. “Why did you come back?”

  “I wanted to kiss you goodnight earlier, but hesitated because I thought you would turn me down. After you left, I decided I had to go for it, so I flagged a cab and raced back here.” I could feel him smiling on my shoulder.

  I fell asleep in his arms thinking about how just a few days ago, I was fighting the urge to let this man in. He wasn’t at all what I had pegged him to be. His eagerness made me feel special—and wanted. It was a feeling I hadn’t had in a really long time.

  The next morning, I woke up to a loud banging at my bedroom door. Startled, I covered myself up with the sheets, realizing that Drake was nowhere to be found. I was confused at first, and then noticed the note on top of my vanity. I quickly dressed and opened the door to an anxious Stella waiting for me. “Sorry honey, I’ll be right out, baby.”

  “Okay.” She smiled sweetly, and I went back inside to read his note.

  Molly,

  You looked so peaceful sleeping, I didn’t want to wake you. I have a breakfast meeting at 8 and had to run home first. I can’t wait to see you later.

  —D.S.

  Later? Did we have plans for later? I smiled to myself as I thought about last night and how giddy I felt inside.

  * * *

  Today was a classroom day, which meant I didn’t have to be in class until ten. Most of the classroom work had been done in previous semesters, so now it was just class twice a week.