Accidental Bride by Cristina Lollabrigida
ChapterEighteen
Drake had beento hell and back in the span of ten minutes. He was raked across the fires that burned his soul and had ice water poured through his veins. But they finally resolved the divorce nonsense and would put it behind them. Luca Donato didn’t scare him. Alessandra was his. She belonged to him; he wouldn’t let some bastardo take her away.
Drake’s heart kicked up in anticipation as he handed Alessandra the box. He had personally chosen everything inside for his wife.
“What is this, Drake?”
“Open it, bella,” he encouraged.
A smile spread across her face as her manicured fingers tugged the ribbon and opened the box.
“I want you to meet my family,” he blurted.
“Really?” she gasped.
“I want you to get to know each other. It would mean a lot to me.”
“I’d love to. I didn’t think you wanted me in that part of your life.”
Drake took her hand and stroked her knuckles with his thumb to reassure her. “Things change, bella. My friends love you. I think we’re ready to take the next step in our relationship.”
A few days later, the couple drove to Lake Forest, where Drake grew up. Though the two had grown up in the same city, with their age difference and varying social circles, their paths never crossed.
“You weren’t kidding when you said my father is practically right around the corner.”
Alessandra squirmed in the seat next to him, looking sexy in a floral-patterned blouse and short black leather miniskirt. His hand rested on her bare knee. The sheer black stockings didn’t make it out of the house because he couldn’t resist tearing them from her body, throwing her on the dining room table, and eating her out until she begged him to stop. As a result, they were running late.
“What if your family doesn’t like me?” Alessandra asked for the hundredth time.
“They’re going to love you, trust me,” Drake reassured her.
“Maybe we should stop and pick up flowers for your mother. Maybe even a bottle of wine or some chocolates for after dinner.”
Alessandra’s leg trembled beneath Drake’s steady palm. A glance at his wife’s face conveyed her nerves. He couldn’t deny her the chance to make a good first impression, and a stunning bouquet would be a nice gesture.
Simple drugstore flowers wouldn’t do for this occasion, so Drake typed ‘flower shop’ into his GPS. Luckily, one was within minutes of his parents’ home, so they didn’t need to drive out of the way.
From behind a swinging door, a florist appeared carrying a large vase filled with a lively mix of vibrant carnations, roses, and gerbera daisies. The sound of a motion sensor chimed in the background.
He greeted them as he placed his vase on the counter. “Welcome to Bodi’s Flowers. How can I help you today?”
“I’m meeting my in-laws for the first time and wanted to make a good impression.”
The florist’s eyebrows raised briefly, but he quickly smiled before turning to Drake.
“What is your mother’s favorite flower or color? Would you like something simple or elaborate?”
“My mother loves daisies. She always said they were the perfect flower to enjoy all summer long. Her favorite color is purple.”
“Alright, let me whip something up for you.”
The florist returned with a gathering of white roses, lavender daisy poms, Peruvian lilies, and lavender carnations. The bouquet was carefully wrapped in tissue paper, with delicate shades of purple and white. After securing it with a white ribbon, he ran the scissors’ blade across the length to make the ends curl.
Alessandra buried her nose in the bouquet and smiled. “I hope your mother likes these. They are gorgeous.”
Drake picked a single dark pink carnation for Alessandra, and her face lit up. She rewarded him with a peck on the cheek.
“We’re not here for me, but thank you.” She buried her nose in the bloom.
Drake sent Alessandra to the display to pick out a dozen strawberries dipped in chocolate confections with chocolatey drizzles. While she was occupied, he ordered two dozen long-stemmed roses to be delivered to his wife the following day.
Once they returned to the car, Alessandra held the flowers and confections in her lap, appearing calmer than before. Drake returned his hand to her knee.
“They’re going to see how smart and thoughtful you are and fall in love with you.” He almost added like me, but caught himself.
It was too soon to say the words, but Drake knew it was the truth. He was falling for his wife, which unfortunately put them both in more danger than she realized.
Upon arrival, they were greeted by a charming English country-style home that exuded a relaxed elegance. The property spanned over half an acre and was buffered by trees and a motor court. Hired landscapers kept the courtyard and garden picture-perfect year-round. The Westminster Chime could be heard within when Drake rang the bell.
Bitsy opened the door, dressed and ready to play the perfect hostess. She wore the cream silk blouse Drake bought her for her birthday, paired with white linen pants and tan loafers. She greeted Drake with a smile and narrowed her eyes as she gave Alessandra a once-over.
Drake intertwined his fingers with Alessandra’s, giving her hand a comforting squeeze. This was their chance to start fresh. It wasn’t Alessandra’s fault the wedding was ruined. He was glad he had the chance to meet his parents and smooth things over ahead of time.
“You’ve got this, dolcessa,” Drake whispered in her ear. “I think you should give her the flowers.”
Alessandra smiled briefly and revealed the bouquet they had bought. “It’s nice to officially meet you, Mrs. Walker. I hope you don’t mind we brought these for you.”
Bitsy’s face reflected as much surprise as her frozen brow allowed at the gesture, and she took the flowers from her daughter-in-law’s hand. Her lips turned up a fraction in a curt smile.
“How thoughtful of you, dear, and please call me Bitsy. Why don’t you come in.”
Drake placed his hand on the small of Alessandra’s back and beamed at her. They stepped into the foyer, which opened into a formal living room with large windows that provided plenty of natural lighting off the front garden and bluestone patio. The room’s focal points were a beautiful wood-burning fireplace and a wall of bookcases.
Drake’s father sat in an armchair near the hearth, reading a book. He was a scholar by profession and an avid reader. The older gentleman put his book on a side table and removed his reading spectacles before greeting his son with open arms.
“This is my father, Richard. Be careful with him, bella. He’s a bit of a rascal.”
Richard took Alessandra’s hand and kissed the back of it. “It’s a pleasure to meet such a peach. You’ll have to ignore my son. I haven’t the faintest clue what he’s referring to.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Walker.”
“Please, my dear, call me Dick. Mr. Walker makes me sound old.”
Everyone in the room started laughing. A woman a few years older than Alessandra with mousy brown hair in a ponytail and a sweater got everyone’s attention with an “eww.”
“Dad, please don’t hit on your son’s girlfriend.”
“Alessandra is my wife, Beth, not my girlfriend.”
Beth gave her brother a quick hug, and he lifted her off her feet. She squealed and swatted his arm. “Put me down, you big lug!”
“This know-it-all is my sister, Elizabeth. We call her Beth.”
She threw her arms around Alessandra and gave her a big squeeze. Drake frowned as she only patted Beth’s back in response.
“Just so you know, I’ve always wanted a sister! My parents only gave me annoying brothers instead.”
“I don’t have any sisters either.”
“Who’s the hottie?” All heads snapped as a wolf whistle sounded from the direction of the dining room. A frat boy around Alessandra’s age sauntered in, shaking his long hair out of his face.
He stood shoulder to shoulder with Drake. At first glance, the two men seemed dissimilar. Upon closer look, it became clear that they were indeed brothers, despite their contrasting appearances of a suited professional and a casual hoodie-wearing slacker.
“Don’t be an asshole, Dustin. You will treat my wife with the respect she deserves,” Drake growled and drew Alessandra tightly to his side, kissing her cheek.
“I like my women curvy and gorgeous. If you want to ditch the suit—I’ll show you a real man.” Dustin flashed a dimple.
Drake clenched his fist and glared at his brother. The beast in him reared its ugly head, and he almost pounced.
“Dustin Joshua Walker!” Bitsy snapped. “You mind your tongue. That is not how you were raised to treat a woman.”
“Jesus, Ma! Chill out. She knows I was just kidding. Don’t you, Alessandra?”
Tension rolled off Drake and continued to fill the room until Alessandra stepped in to diffuse the situation. She placed her hand on his stomach, claiming him in front of his family. He calmed at her touch.
“Excuse me, Dustin, but this is my suit. Trust me, what’s underneath is all man. I’m not looking to trade him in any time soon. But thank you for the compliment.”
She quickly kissed the junction where Drake’s jaw and neck met before turning back to the family.
“See, Drake, I told you. I can tell we’re going to get along fine, sis. But for real—these guns are at your service.” Dustin flexed and waggled his eyebrows.
Everyone laughed, and even Drake chuckled. Bitsy shook her head, but the corners of her mouth turned up. “My apologies, Alessandra. You’d think wolves raised my children, not socialites from Lake Forest.”
All three siblings threw their heads back and howled. Drake’s heart felt lighter being around his siblings. Home was a place where he could let down his guard. Allowing himself to be vulnerable and letting his wife see this side of him felt right.
“I didn’t know your family was so much fun, Drake.”
“You don’t know the half of it, bella.”
Affection and desire filled Alessandra’s eyes as she looked at him. Maybe there was hope for them after all.