Free Her Druid Desire (The Amber Druid Series) by Trish F Leger Page A

the
state.”
               
Renee shook his hand and gave Nadia a quick look, “I’m sure I will enjoy
myself. I just have to make sure that the boss lady here does the same.” Renee
leaned in towards both men, as if she were about to impart a juicy secret, “We
all need to do our part to make sure that happens, don’t we, boys?”
               
Only Renee could get away with calling two virile, mature men, “boys”, Nadia
thought, while she silently fumed at her secretary’s underhanded attempt to
make sure she had a good time.
               
Minutes later, Cole managed to steal Renee away, which left Nadia alone with
the one person that she shouldn’t be alone with.
               
She looked everywhere, except at him.
               
Huge oak, sugar maple, and pine trees dotted Cole’s overly large yard, but they
were spaced at certain intervals, which led Nadia to assume that all of this
had been designed by human hands, not by Mother Nature. Even so, it was still
extremely lovely and breathtaking. Flower beds were also trailing along at
different angles, some at the base of the trees, some with their own beds
closer to the large patio. People mingled, music blared from the side of the
house, and Nadia could feel Drake’s presence like a drug in her system.
               
The warmth from his body singed her right side, but no matter how much it
bothered her, Nadia knew she wouldn’t move away. She took any moment with him
as one that should be savored.
               
“I might as well get it out in the open and tell you that I won’t apologize for
sending Donavan off the other night.” The words were low, about as softly
spoken as Drake would ever get, and even still his voice was deep, rich and
melodic with his drawl.
               
“I knew better than to assume that you would,” replied Nadia.
               
“Well, since we have come to that conclusion, do you want something to eat?”
               
Nadia finally allowed her eyes to glance at him and nodded. Seconds later, they
made their way to the patio where huge tents were set up covering the dance
floor, the pits cooking the meat, and more than a few guests that were sitting
at large round tables.
               
Nadia grabbed a plate and Drake did the same. They both stood in line and
served themselves, buffet style. After piling their plates high, each of them
went to the open bar and grabbed something to drink. Nadia ordered a soda while
Drake got a beer.
               
Nadia walked out of the tented area, back towards the quieter atmosphere of the
patio. She selected a table that was only large enough for three and so far in
the corner that it was relatively dark and even a bit lonely. Thank God Renee
was still with Cole so she wouldn’t fuss. Before Nadia could take her first
bite, a shadow fell over her. She glanced up, surprised to see him standing
there. Didn’t he have a date to sit with?
               
“Is this seat taken?” Drake gestured to the seat across from her, and Nadia’s
heart sputtered. She so didn’t need this.
               
“Uh…no, go ahead,” she nodded, almost in a daze, to the empty chair.
               
With his heavily laden plate and beer in hand, he accepted the seat and gave
her a weird look.
               
“What?” She questioned, not knowing what could have caused him to glance at her
like that.
               
“I have the horrible feeling that every time you see me, you expect a woman to
be hanging on my arm.” He shook his head slightly and grabbed a drumstick,
which he promptly bit into. Nadia almost forgot the words in her throat. Hell,
even watching him eat was intriguing.
               
“It’s kind of hard to imagine it any other way, when you know that is the
truth.” Had she actually said that? She looked up and caught the