Chapter 6: The Storm Between Us

KEIRA’S POV

I was floating somewhere between dreams when something tapped my cheek. At first, I tried to ignore it, burying my face deeper into the seat. Then came a voice I’d know even in my nightmares.

“Hey, drooling girl! Wake up! We’re already here.”

My eyes flew open. Drake’s smug grin was the first thing I saw — and immediately, I wished I was still asleep.

“What did you just call me?” I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. Then I froze. My fingers brushed something wet on my cheek.

Oh no.

I turned my head — and horror slammed into me. His black leather jacket… was wet. Because of me.

“Don’t tell me—” I gasped, already reaching for tissues that didn’t exist. In pure panic, I wiped his coat… and, out of reflex, even dabbed the corner of his mouth.

Drake’s laughter exploded, deep and unrestrained.

“Unbelievable,” he said between chuckles. “You’re literally a walking disaster.”

Mortified, I wanted the ground to swallow me. Instead, he stood and left the plane, leaving me to die of embarrassment alone.

By the time I stepped out, the island air hit me — warm, salty, and annoyingly perfect. We were standing on a private island, the kind you only saw in luxury magazines. The helipad had ASHFORD ESTATE CLUB printed across it in massive gold letters.

I knew the Ashfords were rich, but this? Owning an entire island? That was empire-level wealth.

“Where’s everyone else?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“They went ahead,” Drake replied, voice clipped. “Only two people fit in the golf cart. Lucky me, I get to babysit you.”

Before I could roll my eyes, he whistled for another golf cart. When I finally walked toward it, he smirked — and then, just as I was about to step in, he floored the pedal.

“Drake!” I shrieked as I lost balance and landed squarely on my butt.

He burst out laughing, circling me like a maniac. “Why are you so clumsy, drooling girl?”

“I swear, if you don’t stop—!” I stood, brushing dirt off my pants, my glare sharp enough to kill. “I am this close to strangling you.”

“Come on, don’t be such a drama queen,” he teased, finally stopping. “Get in before I leave you here for real.”

I stomped toward him — but before I could climb in, a voice shrilled across the air.

“Drake! You made it!”

A tall girl, dressed like she forgot half her outfit at home, came running. Without warning, she threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek.

My jaw dropped.

Drake froze, visibly uncomfortable. “Sabina—what the hell—”

“Why? Don’t you miss me, baby?” she purred, practically pressing herself against him.

I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly sprained something.

Drake’s patience thinned. “Sabina, move. Let Keira sit so we can go.”

She turned to me, sizing me up with one slow, disdainful glance.

Her perfectly glossed lips curled. “Her?”

“Yes, her,” Drake said firmly.

Sabina crossed her arms. “No. I’m not moving.”

Drake gave her a dark look. “Fine. Stay here then.”

He stepped out, grabbed my wrist, and walked away — completely ignoring Sabina’s shriek of, “Drake! Come back!”

“Where are we going?” I asked, half jogging to keep up.

“No carts left. We’ll walk to the villa.”

I blinked. “You’re kidding.”

“Do I look like I’m kidding?”

Before I could argue, Sabina came running again — and suddenly clung to his back like a koala.

“Drake, please! I know you miss me too,” she whined, her tone sugar-sweet and desperate.

Drake’s patience finally snapped. He spun around, pried her arms off him, and glared. “Sabina, enough!” His voice thundered, sharp and cold. “We haven’t seen each other in three years. Whatever we had—if there ever was anything—it’s over. Stop embarrassing yourself.”

The words hit her like a slap. She froze, eyes glassy with tears.

“But you promised to marry me…” she whispered, trembling.

Drake didn’t even glance back. He just tightened his grip on my hand and kept walking, his silence louder than her sobs.

For a while, neither of us spoke. The air between us felt heavy — tension, anger, maybe guilt. I couldn’t tell.

The path stretched ahead, rough and rocky, framed by palm trees and the soft sound of waves. The scenery was breathtaking — the kind of beauty that made you forget how chaotic everything had just been.

Despite myself, I smiled a little. “You know… if you weren’t so annoying, this would actually be romantic.”

Drake gave me a sidelong glance. “Romantic? With you? You literally drooled on me an hour ago.”

I gasped, swatting his arm. “You’re never going to let that go, are you?”

He smirked, clearly enjoying himself. “Not a chance.”

We kept walking. The air grew heavier, clouds rolling in over the horizon. The faint scent of rain lingered, and thunder murmured somewhere far away.

“If you’re tired, you can wait here,” he said after a while, his tone softening. “I’ll get a ride from the villa. It’s still a long walk, and it might get dark soon.”

I looked at him, surprised by the concern beneath his voice.

“If you hadn’t let that brat take the golf cart, we’d be there already,” I said, half-teasing, half-serious.

He stopped walking, turning to me sharply. “You have no idea how stubborn she is. If I’d insisted, you’d be walking alone right now.”

His jaw was tight, his tone sharp — but beneath the anger, I caught something else. Something raw.

"You're both exactly the same, so don't act surprised!" I snapped, my voice rising with frustration.

Drake turned to me, his eyes blazing. "Oh, is that so? Fine—do whatever you want with your life!"

Before I could respond, he spun around and stormed off, his strides long and angry.

"Hey! Wait a minute!" I called, hurrying after him. My feet struggled to keep up—his legs were twice as long as mine. I alternated between walking and running, but no matter how fast I moved, the distance between us only grew wider.

Then it happened.

"Ouch!" I yelped as my foot caught on a rock I hadn’t seen. I crashed to the ground, pain shooting through my ankle. For a second, the world blurred. I gritted my teeth and tried to stand, but the sharp sting made me hiss in pain.

Drake stopped, turning back with an exasperated sigh. “What are you doing now?”

“What does it look like?” I snapped, clutching my foot. “I tripped!”

Before I could protest, he crouched down and grabbed my ankle.

“Ouch! It hurts!” I cried, jerking slightly away.

“I just want to see!” he barked, inspecting my swollen ankle before twisting it lightly again.

“Drake, stop—it hurts!” Tears pricked my eyes.

“Well, if you knew how to be careful, this wouldn’t have happened,” he shot back, his voice laced with irritation.

I glared at him. “Excuse me? You were the one walking like there’s a prize waiting at the finish line!”

He didn’t reply. Instead, he turned around and knelt in front of me.

“What are you—”

“Get on,” he said flatly. “Unless you want to stay here alone.”

I hesitated. “Drake—”

“Keira,” he warned, his tone sharp. “Now.”

Before I could argue, he pulled me up and slung me onto his back as if I weighed nothing.

“You’re so small, but damn, you’re heavy,” he muttered.

I scowled at the back of his head. If I could walk right now, I’d smack you so hard you’d forget your name.

We walked in silence for a while, the forest thickening around us. The air was heavy and damp, filled with the sound of distant waves and rustling leaves. Then, just as I thought things couldn’t get worse, cold droplets began to fall from the sky.

“Great,” Drake grumbled. “You really are bad luck, you know that?”

“It’s your fault for walking too fast!” I fired back, but my voice was lost under the growing patter of rain. Within minutes, we were both soaked.

Drake stopped and sighed. “Let’s rest. You’re heavy, and I’m not carrying you straight through a storm.”

He gently lowered me by the trunk of a large tree. I winced as I tried to stretch my ankle.

Scanning the area, I spotted a small hut nearby. “Drake, over there!” I pointed eagerly.

He followed my gaze and nodded. “Probably where the island staff stays. Let’s check.”

He wrapped an arm around my waist and helped me limp through the downpour until we reached the hut. Peering inside, he saw no one. “It’s empty. Come on.”

I hesitated outside, shivering.

“Keira,” he said, voice low but firm. “You’ll freeze out there.”

That convinced me. I stepped in, dripping from head to toe. The air inside smelled faintly of wood and rain. Drake sat near the door, while I found a spot on an old bench, hugging myself tightly as the cold sank into my bones.

A few quiet moments passed. Then something warm and heavy settled around my shoulders.

I looked up. Drake’s jacket.

He met my gaze briefly before looking away. “You’re shaking.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, clutching the jacket tighter around me. But even with it, my body still trembled.

Then Drake moved. Without a word, he sat beside me and pulled me close until my head rested against his chest. His body radiated warmth, and I could feel his heartbeat under my ear—steady, grounding.

“Wait, I—”

“Don’t argue,” he said softly. “You’re freezing.”

I didn’t argue. I just closed my eyes, listening to the rhythm of his heart, feeling the warmth seeping into my cold skin. For once, Drake wasn’t infuriating. He was… human.

Then his hand moved. He gently tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze.

For a heartbeat, neither of us moved. His eyes flicked down to my lips—slow, deliberate—and before I could think, his mouth was on mine.

The kiss was soft at first, hesitant, then deeper—electric. My heart pounded wildly, every nerve in my body awake. I should’ve pushed him away. I didn’t.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.