Taboo

Keywords: Artist's, Dragon, The, Ch., 16,

*Chapter Sixteen: Tabloids*

Alanna leaned against Drake as they stumbled through the door of her parents' house. There was no point in going back to their apartment; the police were still combing it for evidence. It was almost nine o'clock in the morning and neither of them had gotten a chance to sleep. Drake led her over to the couch, helped her lay down, and tucked a blanket around her. He had just settled down in the arm chair near by when her father and mother came down the stairs.

"You two look like hell," Gabriel said, flashing them a crooked grin. "I told you I should have gone to help you."

"There was nothing you could have done," Drake told him, slumping down in the chair. "It's not like we don't know who did it. It's just a matter of finding the proof."

"Well, I know what I can do," Aislinn said, perking up. "I'll make breakfast. That should help."

Yes, Alanna thought, her eyes opening. That will help. Out loud she said, "Make pancakes! The ones with banana in them! And bacon!"

Her mother's laughter drifted out of the kitchen. Food sounded like such a good idea right now; almost as good as sleep. She knew her mom would put on a pot of coffee, so she didn't ask for that. Her father took a seat in one of the other armchairs, content to leave Aislinn to her business. Gabriel could cook, and did, but breakfast time was Aislinn's turf, and he stayed out of her way. Alanna had heard her father say once that he would never cook his own breakfast, anyway, when what Aislinn made was a thousand times better.

Alanna closed her eyes again, listening to the sounds coming from the kitchen. Drake was relating everything to her father, and she wasn't in the mood to hear it all again. Soon she could smell coffee, pancakes, and bacon. I hope mom made eggs, too, she thought, I feel like I could eat enough food to feed an army. Probably Aislinn would cook that much, too. They had dropped Bea off at her place, but no doubt at least one of her brothers would show up soon. And the twins were bound to be awakened by the smell of cooking bacon.

She was struggling into a sitting position when her mother came out of the kitchen. "Stay right there," Aislinn told her. "We'll bring breakfast out here. Come on, Gabriel."

Her father's eyebrows rose. He was grinning when he stood up and followed her mother into the kitchen. They still act like newlyweds, Alanna thought, grinning. Drake came to sit with her on the couch, and they leaned on one another while they ate. Sydney and Elijah did eventually come downstairs, bleary-eyed and still in pajamas, but they ate in the kitchen. Alanna was beginning to feel better, and optimistic, when the front door came flying open and Alastair stormed in, followed by a frantic Sada.

"What the hell is this?" Alastair demanded, tossing a stack of papers down on the coffee table.

Not papers, Alanna realized, staring in horror. Tabloids! Nothing ran through the press faster than a juicy story. Still, she was stunned that it was so fast. And there were at least five different ones, proclaiming to have details on her sordid love life or her lesbian affair or--and this was the most absurd of all--her decision to pose for an issue of Playboy. They even had pictures to prove it. Alanna recognized some of the pictures Bea had taken of her. How the hell did they get those? she wondered, enraged and embarrassed.

"Oh no," Drake groaned.

Alastair's eyes narrowed on him. "You know something about this?"

"Alastair," Gabriel warned. He looked at Alanna and Drake. "Would you two care to explain?"

She hadn't known that Bea had given Drake the pictures. They must have been stolen from our apartment, Alanna realized. They were looking for dirt, and they got it. Oh, she didn't blame Drake; he couldn't have known. She was dead positive that Melissa was to blame for this. Except that Melissa didn't know about my relationship with Bea, she thought, frowning as she read the paragraph citing an affair with her best friend. Who could have possibly told...?

The twins were in the doorway of the kitchen, listening, both of them wide-eyed. She hoped that this wouldn't cause a problem with Ethan; that was the last thing they needed right now. I have to be in shock, Alanna thought, to be so calm. In shock, and exhausted, or she would have thrown a fit by now. Her mother and her brother were busy doing that for her, although at least Alastair was no longer throwing accusatory glances at her or Drake.

"We can't let her get away with this," Alastair said. He'd finally calmed when Sada had managed to get her arms around him.

"More than one person had to be involved in this," Gabriel put in. "And I have a feeling who, but I'll need to have a nice long talk with Quinn, first."

Alanna's eyes widened. "You don't think...?"

"I do," Gabriel said, his expression grim. He looked at Alanna and Drake, and sighed. "I want you two to go to the hotel, use our suite, and get some sleep. No arguing. You are both too tired to deal with this right now."

Alanna considered arguing anyway, but her mother wasn't about to hear it. Aislinn ended up making sandwiches for them and sending them off with a brown paper bag like children on their first day of school. I don't know how I could possibly sleep, with this hanging over my head, Alanna thought. Even as she thought it, her mind wandered to a warm, comfortable bed. She might not be able to sleep, yet she desperately needed to lay down for awhile.

Drake drove to the hotel. Alanna would have preferred surroundings she was more comfortable with, but at this point any bed was good. God, I hate that bitch, she thought, gritting her teeth. She wasn't usually the type to hate anyone, but this was the straw that broke the camel's back. Alanna had been furious with Melissa for the things she'd done to her brothers, and then to Drake. That the woman had the gall to go after her too, after everything she'd done, was more than Alanna could take.

Drake made quite a scene in the hotel lobby until she agreed to let him carry her the rest of the way. She appreciated his concern, so she simply snuggled up against his chest as he held her. Alanna had the cardkey, and she was the one to actually unlock the door to the suite. Only once they were inside did Drake finally set her down. She really did love the Wolfe family suite; once she'd come here with Bea, just to get away from the world for a weekend.

"I know your father wanted us to sleep," Drake said, "but why don't I run a nice hot bath, hmm? You look like you could use a good soak."

Alanna grinned. "Now you're sounding like my mother."

Drake reached out and ruffled her hair, and she gave him an indignant huff. Still, she was grateful. Somehow he always knew how to make her feel better. Oh, he wasn't always perfect at it, but the fact that he tried was enough. Alanna sat on the couch, her eyes closed, listening to the water run. She found she was able to relax a little, knowing that her family was no doubt in the midst of planning what to do. Her father had seen right away that, upset and exhausted, she wasn't going to be of any use at the moment. That's why he really sent me away, Alanna thought, smiling inwardly. To get me out from underfoot.

She must have dozed off, because the next thing she knew, Drake was lifting her off the couch and carrying her into the bathroom. He was just as exhausted as she was, she realized. They helped each other undress, and Alanna pulled his hair loose from its braid. I love his hair, she thought, sinking her fingers into the thick, dark strands. She leaned against him, swaying slightly, and Drake chuckled.

"Come on, Lonnie," he said. "In the tub with you."

"You first," Alanna said, giving him a teasing smile.

Drake stepped into the tub and lowered himself into the water. She followed, tucking herself up against his side. The water felt so good, and he'd thrown in some of the bath salts that her family kept in the suite. The soothing sent of lavender surrounded them, easing the ache in her head. Alanna rested her head on Drake's chest, running her fingertip over his skin in the whorls. She couldn't help wondering what was going on back at home, what her family was plotting.

"I know what you're thinking of," Drake said, rubbing the curve of her ear with the tip of his finger. "Sweetheart, you know your dad won't put up with this. And neither will mine. Between the two of them, they'll have the tabloids running for cover."

Alanna laughed softly. "Or desperately trying to defend their bank accounts," she said. "It's just...how could this have happened? Why can't people leave us alone?"

"I don't know," Drake admitted. "People like Melissa...they never quit. But I won't let that hurt our relationship, Alanna." He brushed a damp strand of hair from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. His dark blue eyes were deadly serious. "One way or another, she's going to regret this."

"The sleeping dragon wakes," Alanna said softly, sliding against him in the water to bring her lips close to his. "I'm not afraid of anything when I'm with you. I know my dragon will protect me."

Her exhaustion seemed to wash away at the touch of his lips. It seemed they never had enough time to savor their relationship, and she decided she would use the time they'd been given now. Alanna slid a leg over his hips, pulling her body up onto hers. Drake groaned softly, pressed up against her belly. He was already semi-hard. She kissed him, little kisses over and over again, until he was nearly gasping for breath.

"Alanna..." Drake murmured, his hands resting ever so lightly on her hips. "It's been a long night, sweetheart..."

"Are you too tired?" Alanna asked, her lips brushing against his.

"Never," Drake answered, his voice a soft, husky growl.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again, long and deep. Alanna could feel him against the softness of her belly, now hard and ready. Drake got his hands between them, so he could slide them up and cup her breasts.

Keywords: Artist's, Dragon, The, Ch., 16,