Free Drake Restrained: A Novella in the Unrestrained Series (The Drake Restrained Series) by S. E. Lund Page A

Ethan stood, speaking with Nigel. As I watched, she kissed him when he offered his cheek.
    "Good night Daddy," she said.
    "Good night, sweetheart." He glanced over at the door where Dave and I were standing. Then I went over and said goodbye to him. We shook hands once more and then Ethan turned to Katherine.
    "Do you need to use the limo service?"
    She shook her head. "I'll catch a cab."
    I frowned, wondering why she’d turn down the use of the limo, not wanting her to have to take a cab. "Nonsense," I said. "Let me drop you off. Where do you live?"
    Ethan rolled his eyes. "In a hovel of a rent-controlled apartment building in Harlem," he said, obviously in disapproval. I turned to Ethan for an explanation.
    "Don't ask," he said. "She could live somewhere nice, but that's my Kate. Independent to a fault."
    " Daddy ," Katherine said, frowning. "I have a perfectly fine apartment." She turned to me. "I'm sure it's out of your way. I can catch a cab. But thank you."
    "I insist," I said. "I won't take no for an answer."
    She and Ethan said a final goodbye, this time Ethan kissed her cheek, and I felt a momentary twinge of envy for their relationship. My father and I weren’t close in the last years of his life and I regretted it so much. It was nice to see that Ethan and Katherine were so close.
    I opened the door and Dave escorted Katherine into the elevator. Dave offered her his arm at the same time I did and instead of taking one or the other, she leaned on both our shoulders.
    "So, Katherine," I said, as the elevator went down to the garage level. "You should watch those cuts, make sure they don't become infected. If they do, you can go to a clinic to have them cleaned."
    "Thank you," she said. "My best friend is a nurse, so I'll get her to check."
    "Where does she work?"
    "Harlem," she replied. "She's doing her Master's right now and only works part-time."
    I nodded. That must be the friend I saw her with at the pub. The blonde nursing student I’d seen before.
    When the elevator opened, I took her arm to help her walk. I felt her initial resistance but finally, she gave in when I kept hold of her. I held the door to my car open for her and helped her inside.
    "Where do you live?" I asked once I got in the driver’s seat.
    She gave directions and I drove through the streets north and west to Harlem. Dave turned and glanced back at her from the front seat.
    "So Kate, do you feel like going out for a drink? I'm still up for some fun tonight."
    When Katherine replied, her voice was hesitant. "I don't think so…"
    "Come on, live a little,” Dave said, pushing things as usual. “I've been trying to get you to go out with me for a long time. Why not tonight? Muse is just around the corner from your place. We could have a drink and something to eat."
    I watched her in the rear view mirror. She shook her head and caught my eye.
    "I don't think so," she said. "I have class tomorrow early…"
    "Kate, you are just such a mean woman," Dave said, laughing. He turned to me. "See what I mean? Turned down again!"
    "Maybe you should take a strong hint ," I said, trying to give him the message that she didn’t want his attention.
    Dave made a face at me and turned back to her. "No offense meant, Kate."
    She shook her head, and in the darkness, I could see her face was flushed. "No offense taken." She smiled but I could see it was forced.
    Dave was never one to give up easily. "One of these days, you will have to go out with me, Kate. Live a little. Nigel told me you've been practically a hermit for the last two years."
    "Final year of classes before I write my thesis," she said. "I've been working hard trying to keep my grades up."
    We arrived at her apartment block and Dave hopped out as soon as the car stopped. He opened the door for Katherine before I could even get out of my door.
    I watched helplessly as Dave walked Katherine up the stairs to the front entrance of the building.
    "Good night, Kate," Dave said when they reached the