“No, but—”
Derek whirled me around, rough hands on my shoulders. “Listen to me—fuck him! If the whole goddamn hospital had to burn to the ground with everyone inside in exchange for your safety, then I call that a good day.”
A small gasp escaped me at his revelation. “Derek,” I breathed, unable to believe his complete lack of empathy.
His darkened eyes flickered like the embers of a fire.
I was appalled by his words, but I was also incredibly turned on and so shamelessly and hopelessly attracted to this enigma of a man. No one had ever been so passionate about my well-being. I squeezed my thighs together, suppressing the licks of desire threatening to make me abandon my scruples and lever up to kiss him.
“Eva?” The frail female voice called my name from the door. Sam’s wife, Catherine, appeared just as fragile as she sounded. Dark circles marred the skin beneath her eyes, partially hidden behind tendrils of hair that had fallen out of the messy bun at the top of her head.
I threw my arms around her shaking form as choked sobs fled her lips. “Cat, I’m so sorry. I should have been here sooner.”
She swiped at her tears with the sleeve of her brown cardigan. “I heard what you went through. I understand. How are you?”
“I’m good. What are the doctors saying?”
My partner’s wife informed me that Sam was still in critical condition, but showing minor improvement. The swelling in his brain was stable; that was all they could hope for.
She exhaled heavily, her gaze briefly shifting to the corner of the room, where Derek was leaning against the wall. I turned to look at his stoic expression, his eyes connecting with mine.
“Cat, this is my—Derek. This is Derek.”
Despite the hours we’d spent burning the sheets, the sweet gestures, the afterglow moments of affection, neither had discussed the title defining who or what we were to one another. There was an awkward pause as Catherine took in my tall, serious companion. She didn’t know James, so explaining their estranged relationship would only make things more uncomfortable.
Derek gave her a stern nod, then quickly turned his gaze back to the door. His stance seemed to tense in response to whatever had drawn his attention.
I instinctively gravitated to Derek’s side, my pulse quickening, fearing the worst, until my father’s tight smile greeted me as he stood in the doorway.
I rushed to him, big arms scooping me into a solid hug.
“I thought we agreed for you not to come here until things settled down.”
“I had to see Sam. I can’t hide forever.”
My father’s attention was set beyond me. On Derek. “How are you? Is he treating you right?”
If he only knew exactly howgoodDerek was treating me. Heat rose up my neck, reaching my cheeks. I prayed the dim room worked in my favor and hid the blush I knew was coloring my face.
“Derek has been a perfect gentleman.”
He and my father were in a staring match. I still couldn’t comprehend the animosity that existed between the two. Not the reaction I expected when he met his best friend’s only son.
“Can we talk?”
Derek’s question was directed at my father. Seconds ticked by before he answered, and he did so with a raise of his chin.
“I’ll be right outside.” His curled forefinger lifted my chin, mouth brushing my hairline. Conscious that my father was standing merely two feet from us, and with his earlier comment hanging in the air, I pulled back from his touch, even though my skin felt an instant coldness in its absence.
“Okay,” I said, turning toward Catherine and Sam. Derek’s arm slid behind my back and crushed me to his chest, lips dragging over my ear.
“I don’t give a damn who’s watching. Don’t ever forget who you belong to, Eva.” He leaned in closer. “Or else I’ll have to put you over my knee when we get back home.”
Was that deliciously sinful threat supposed to make me want to behave? I raised my face, and his mouth moved over mine. Our kiss was short, but it still managed to leave me breathless.
“Good girl,” he whispered against my lips.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE
