Chapter 21
Derek
If I’d have known she would come to the door looking like that, I’d have been here hours ago. I don’t know if it was the sleep shirt that clung to the top of her thighs showing more than it hid, or the messy bed hair, but the look on her face confirmed I’d made the right decision driving across town, and standing out here in the rain just to see her.
I was soaked.
My jeans clung to me like a second skin. Thankfully, I’d found my leather jacket on the backseat and it had kept me at least partially dry. Even standing under the cover of the awning, the wind was strong enough to blow the fat drops sideways.
“It. Was. Not. Your. Fault.” I punctuated my words forcefully. It was why I came. Well, that’s what I kept telling myself the entire drive over. Now, standing there in front of her, I couldn’t help but wonder how much more there was.
As shocked registered in her eyes, she licked her lips, and the memory of how sweet she tasted overwhelmed me. She was tempting. Too tempting. I dug my hands deep in my pockets in an effort to restrain myself. I didn’t come here for that. At least, that’s what I kept repeating to myself. I came here to make sure she knew what I did wasn’t her fault. When her message had pinged my phone almost an hour earlier, I wanted to tear strips off Zoe. In fact, for ten minutes that’s pretty much exactly what I’d done. I think the only reason I’d stopped was because when I’d finally stopped ranting to take a breath, I’d looked down at her and saw the fat tears balancing on her eyelashes. Instantly I’d backed off. Ranting and raving like a lunatic wasn’t going to help anyone. I knew Zoe well enough to know, while her attempt may have been slightly misguided, her intentions were well placed.
“Want to come in?” Mia invited.
She tugged on the hem of her shirt as the flush of red crept up from the V of her neckline. I wasn’t sure she really wanted me in there. “Mia, it’s fine. I just wanted to make sure you knew it wasn’t you.”
“Okay.”
“Okay then.”
I stepped away, digging the keys from my pocket.
“Derek.” Mia’s sweet voice startled me. “Get inside. I’m getting wet out here.”
I looked at her quizzically. The look on her face left no room for argument. She was determined. I slipped through the gap as she held the door, making sure I didn’t drip on her as I passed by.
When it clicked closed behind me, Mia moved towards me. She smelt like dessert. Vanilla cupcakes. I didn’t even like dessert. I didn’t have a sweet tooth at all, but right now I wanted my cupcake served with cream and ice cream. Or Mia served with cream and ice cream. Damn! The thought alone made my cock twitch.
“Stay here. I’ll grab you a towel.”
“Thanks.”
Looking down, I saw the puddle forming around my boots on the shiny slate grey tiles. Toeing off my shoes, I placed them neatly beside the door, feeling out of place. Having a look around her home, everything looked so grown up. So neat and tidy. I’ll admit I might not know Mia very well, but this wasn’t her. She was more vibrant than this.
Before I had a chance to really dig a little further, she was back. “Here you go.” A pink fluffy towel was in my arms before I had chance to object. Running it over my hair and face, I caught a whiff of the feminine scent and heard the groan before I had a chance to stop it. “Give me your jeans and I’ll throw them in the dryer.”
I dropped the towel.
It fell from my hands.
My jaw quickly followed.
My heart raced.
My pulse sky rocketed.
All the blood in my body took a one-way trip. South.
Now was not an ideal time for me to take my jeans off.
I stole a glance at Mia, who had a mischievous smile dancing on her lips. If she thought she’d thrown down a challenge, one I wouldn’t rise to, she didn’t know me at all. Without lowering my eyes, I reached for my belt buckle and dropped my jeans, not moving until I heard them land with a wet thunk at my feet.
“Oh!” Mia’s eyes widened as she gasped, but her eyes never left mine.
I don’t know how long we stood there in the entryway, me in my leather jacket and black boxer briefs with my wet jeans around my ankles, and Mia in her sleep shirt, staring at each other. Now the gauntlet had been thrown down, neither one of us wanted to be the first to blink. When Mia swallowed deeply, my breathing hitched and I couldn’t do it anymore. It was painful.
Bending down. I scooped up my towel and wrapped it around my waist. hiding my rising embarrassment before I grabbed my wet jeans. “Are we…” my voice faltered and trailed away.
