Free Push the Envelope by Rochelle Paige Page A

yourself. Are you going to go back
on your word? Because I don’t think he’s the type of guy who will let you get
away with that.”

 
    My cell phone chimed with a text message.

 
    Drake:
Free tonite?

 
    Aubrey snatched the phone from my hand to read the
message and typed out a response before I could react.

 
    Alexa:
Yes!

 
    Drake:
Dinner?

 
    Alexa:
Where?

 
    Drake:
You pick. Pick you up at 8.

 
    Alexa:
K

 
    I chased Aubrey around the room as she replied to
each of Drake’s messages. “Woo-hoo! You have a dinner date with Drake tonight
at eight. No backing out now!”

 
    Aubrey handed my phone to me, and I read through
the conversation. “Aubrey! I told you that I wasn’t sure I wanted to date
Drake. Whose side are you on anyway?”

 
    “Yours. I am always on your side. No matter what.
That’s why I’m telling you to go on this date. Drake’s hot and seriously
interested in you. If he ends up being a total ass, you’ll find out before you
get in too deep with him. I’ll just ask Jackson for all the dirt on Drake. I’ll
have all the details for you when you get home tonight. Promise.” She swept her
finger across her heart in a cross motion.

 
    There was a knock on our door promptly at eight.
Faith and Natalie were both hanging out in the common area so they could get a
glimpse of Drake before we left for dinner. Aubrey had told them about the date
and threatened them with bodily harm if they flirted too much with him when he
picked me up. Her warning didn’t stop either of the girls from primping before
he showed though.

 
    Aubrey waved them away and answered the door. “Hey,
Drake. Not sure if you remember me. Aubrey Silver, Jackson’s sister and Alexa’s
best friend.”

 
    Drake nodded his head. “Yeah, I’ve seen you around
with Jackson. Nice to see you.”

 
    Aubrey waved Drake into the room. “These are our
suite mates, Faith and Natalie.”

 
    Drake lifted his chin in greeting at the girls on
the couch, his eyes locked on me. They giggled and whispered to each other.

 
    Drake came over to me and pulled my body towards
his. “Babe, you look fantastic! I’m starved. Ready to go?” he whispered into my
ear with his husky voice.

 
    I shivered in response and just nodded my head. I
felt his lips graze my ear as he pulled away to look at me.

 
    “You okay?”

 
    “Yes, I’m fine. Just really hungry,” I answered.

 
    “Let’s get you fed. Can’t have you starving on my
watch.” We waved goodbye to my roommates, and Drake took possession of my hand
as we walked out of the dorm. He laced his fingers through mine and held on
tight, like he thought I was going to pull away.

 
    He led me to a Dodge Viper parked illegally at the
curb in front of the dorm and opened the passenger door. Once I was settled
into my seat with the door closed, he went to his side of the car and climbed
into the driver’s seat. The car smelled like Drake, I inhaled deeply and closed
my eyes.

 
    Drake looked over at me as he started the engine.
“You doing breathing exercises over there?”

 
    My eyes snapped open, and I blushed. I was
embarrassed to have been caught sniffing his car, but I wasn’t about to admit
to it. “Nope, just trying to catch my breath.”

 
    “I take your breath away, huh?” Drake flashed me a
sexy smirk in response.

 
    He really could be a cocky bastard. “Not what I
said. It’s been a busy day, and I’m starving. I’m happy to have a moment to
relax and think about food.”

 
    Drake chuckled in response. “Sure, that’s what you
were doing. Where am I taking you to satisfy that hunger of yours?”

 
    “Do you like Italian?” I asked. “Ciao Bella is
probably my favorite restaurant in town.”

 
    Drake picked up my hand and placed a light kiss
into my palm. He put my hand on his thigh and squeezed before he pulled the car
away from the curb. “Sounds good to me. I like the idea of feeding you