Page 60 of An Uphill Battle

I scowl at him before cracking a smile. “Maybe. Did you know she and Kelly came to see me the otherday?”

Drake’s eyebrows climb into his hairline. “Theywhat?”

“Yessir. They stopped by the salon to make sure of my intentions towardyou.”

“Oh, God. I’m sosorr—”

I stop him with a hard press of my lips to his. “Not a problem, D. They were nice, and I know it’s just because they care about you. My girls would do the same for me in aheartbeat.”

“True that. Now, go get your cute ass ready. We haveplans.”

33

Drake

IwatchAzalea’s ass as she saunters toward the bathroom, her hips swaying, stirring something fierce in me. I told her we had plans, which was an outright lie. The truth is, I needed a few to process everything she just toldme.

So much of this drama between us was nothing more than miscommunications and totally avoidable. It eats me up that we lost time together, but it makes me more determined than ever to secure ourfuture.

While she’s occupied with getting ready, I put plans into motion to make sure she ends up where she belongs—with me. Always withme.

Half an hour later, Azalea pads back into the living room, her hair wrapped in a towel with her robe cinched tight at herwaist.

I stalk toward her, loving the way she looks fresh out of the shower. “You are so damn beautiful,” I growl into her ear, sending a shiver down herspine.

“Hush up.” She tries to step out of mygrasp.

“Never. You’re beautiful inside andout.”

“Such a charmer. What’re our plans for theday?”

I pull her even closer so that her head is nestled just below my chin, with my hands gripping the firm globes of her ass. “I figured we could whip up a late lunch and maybe hike a bit in the woods around the lake? Did you bring yourboots?”

She nods against my chest. “I did, thanks to your dad. Yeah, that sounds nice. Why don’t you go shower, and I’ll see what I can make us toeat?”

I pin her with a smoldering look. “I know exactly what I’d liketo—”

“Shh,” Azalea hushes me. “Not like that. Food. Forbothofus.”

“Yeah, yeah. Dash all my hopes and dreams, why don’t ya.” She gives me a playful shove before heading into the kitchen to start onlunch.

After a quick shower, I dress and make my way back to Azalea. Quietly, I sneak up behind her as she stands in front of the stove, waiting on the microwave to finish. “What’s cookin’, good lookin’?” I say into her neck, making her jump alittle.

“You’ve got to stop sneaking up on me! I’m gonna die from a heart attack one of thesedays.”

“I’m sorry, Bit. What’re we eatingthough?”

“Nothin’ fancy. Just steamed some veggies in the microwave to go with the rotisserie chicken webought.”

“I don’t need fancy. I just needyou.”

Azalea spins to face me, a wide grin lighting up her face. She waves her hand up and down her body as if she’s showcasing it. “Well, ya gotme!”

We devour the chicken and veggies, leaving just enough meat for Azalea to pull it from the bones to use in asoup.

AZALEA

“C’mon, Azalea, catch up,” Drake calls from the top of the hill I’m desperately trying to make my way up. I pause to glare daggers at him but get caught up in the way his thermal shirt fits him like a second skin. The man is too good-looking for his owngood.

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