Chapter 34
Mia
I saw Derek stalking towards me and suddenly my knees were weak and my mouth was dry. I was shitting myself. I was convinced he was going to kick my ass for showing up uninvited. He obviously didn’t want me here. If he did, he would have just asked. It was that simple. For some reason, I’d convinced myself coming, driving for hours, lying to Zoe about this being a good thing, was right. Swallowing down my nerves, I glanced behind me, hoping Zoe was right behind me, but I was alone.
“Fancy seeing you here,” Derek teased, stepping in front of me.
“Just tell me, good surprise or bad surprise?”
The clutch purse got squished as I clenched my fists. The butterflies in my stomach were crazy out of control. The truth was I was barely holding it together. My nerves were killing me. In that moment I’d changed my mind. I wanted nothing more than to turn and run as fast and as far as these stupid stilettos would carry me. Yet my fucking feet wouldn’t budge.
Derek had this panty-melting grin on his face. He didn’t say a word. I saw his hungry gaze devour me. It felt like it took forever for his eyes to travel from my hooker red toenails up my legs before getting momentarily stuck on my chest. When I’d picked out the dress, I thought it would grab his attention…not once did I pause to consider that it would incite his inner Neanderthal.
He took another step towards me into my personal space. He didn’t say a word. His huge hand slipped behind my neck as he pressed his lips against mine. At first his kiss was soft. Tame. Emotional. It didn’t last long, though. He deepened the kiss and I heard myself groan.
He pulled back, breathless. Dropping his forehead against mine, he panted, “That answer your question?”
I felt my cheeks burn under the scrutiny of his stare. I had no words. The man stole my breath and scrambled my thoughts. He made my knees weak and my pulse beat like a drum. I couldn’t stop myself even if I wanted to. I plastered myself against his side and wrapped my arms around his waist, taking the opportunity to breathe him in. His scent alone was enough to have me imagining what he tasted like.
I hadn’t planned this. I really hadn’t. Now that it was happening though, now the time was here, I couldn’t stop it. There was nowhere in the world I’d rather be.
“Did you drive all day?”
“Pretty much.”
“How’d you know?”
“Well, you know how I slept in your bed last night?” I felt him tense in my arms barely a moment before the pained groan escaped. “I may have accidentally knocked over the pile of crap on your nightstand and found the invite.”
“And here you are.”
“Here I am.”
“Honestly, I’m glad you are.” His voice was deep and rough, just the way I liked it.
“You may not be when you hear…”
“Hear what, Mia?” Derek pulled back but didn’t let go.
I shivered. This could go one of two ways. One, he’d want to kick my ass, or two, he’d want to kick my ass. I deserved either. Or both. “Derek, I didn’t come alone.”
He dropped me quicker than he could he take his next breath. “You brought a date?”
His words stung, like a cut spliced open with lemon juice poured in. He actually thought I’d bring someone tonight. I refused to let the hurt show. “Yeah, I did. And she’s gorgeous.”
“Gorgeous?”
I laughed. My whole body shook. “That’s what you got out of what I just said?”
“What?”
I felt a soft hand slip into mine. “Derek, meet my date for the evening.” I pulled Zoe forward, refusing to let go of her hand.
I watched as his face fell. There was no disputing his shock. His eyes darted back and forth between us. Without a word, he set his beer bottle on the table behind him before losing the distance between himself and Zoe. A moment later I felt her hand slip from mine as she was wrapped in the protective cocoon of Derek’s warm, safe arms. Part of me was jealous. Viciously so. I wanted back in those arms, but the moment I looked up and my gaze locked with his, the envy vanished. As quickly as it’d appeared, it was gone. He had silent, undisturbed tears streaming down his face as he rubbed Zoe’s bare back. Over the incessant chatter, I could hear the sniffles and knew I should look away. Let them have their moment. Their very private moment. I knew I should, except I couldn’t. I was mesmerized. It was heartbreaking and lovingly sweet in the same moment. I wasn’t going anywhere.
When Derek mouthed two simple words over Zoe’s bare shoulder, I felt the tears I was fighting to hold onto break free. A simple‘Thank you’broke me. It wasn’t lost on me that we were standing in a crowded room, filled with Derek and Zoe’s childhood friends, yet we were completely alone in that moment. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
Swiping at my eyes delicately, I tried not to wipe the mascara I’d spent forever applying across my cheek. Taking a deep breath, I held it, praying the emotional overload would pass. I shouldn’t be surprised at what was happening. Even in the short time I’d come to know Zoe and Derek, I knew their connection was deeper than anything I’d ever witnessed before. It was something born a lifetime ago and strengthened through the storms they’d faced together. What hit me like a ton of bricks wasn’t the jealousy?that I was used to…almost?what almost flattened me was the simple realization that this was something I wanted more than anything in this world. It was my thing. The one thing I’d give up everything for. Even my gym.
