She grinned from ear to ear. “Thank you. I figured I can use some of the money I got from Caleb as start-up funds.”
“You know, you’ll need references to get started. I may have someone in mind who could help.”
“Really?” She perked up.
Derek nodded. “Alexis Matthews. She’s Trevor’s wife. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned him, but Trevor is a former Delta Force operator like Jake. He’s Alpha Team’s medic and Jake’s SIC.”
“SIC?”
“Second in command.”
“Oh. Okay. So, how could his wife help?”
“Remember the restaurant where we bumped into each other?”
Charlie nodded. “The Gardens.”
Derek nodded again. “Lexi’s the owner. I bet she’d be willing to at least sit down and talk to you about possibly being your go-to caterer. It would drum up business for you both, and I guarantee you’ll draw business with her name attached as your caterer. She’s the best in town.”
“Her food was to die for,” Charlie agreed.
“I’ll introduce you. I’m sure the two of you will hit it off. And, if you need more capital to help get your business up and runnin’, I’ve got more than enough saved up.”
“I appreciate that Derek, but I can’t rely on you for everything.
“It’s not everything, Charlie. It’s just money.”
“For you, yes. For me, it’s more than that.”
Derek sighed. “I get what you’re sayin’. I really do. But you need to remember what I said about leanin’ on the people who care about you.”
Charlie thought for a moment. “You do realize if you loaned me money for this, then that would make us business partners.”
“What’s your point?”
“You could end up being stuck with me for a very long time.”
He grinned. “I wouldn’t exactly call it being stuck. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m okay havin’ you around.”
“I like having you around, too.” She snuggled against him as he lay back down. “And, I guess it isn’t something I have to decide on right away, although, the sooner the better. I need to find a place to rent where clients could come to me. Nothing big, just a small office space. Oh, and I was also thinking I could find a tuxedo rental store to work with me and a bridal gown boutique I could recommend.”
“You really like the thought of doing this, don’t you?”
Her hair brushed back and forth against his chest as she nodded. “I do. Maybe this is the one good thing I can bring from my marriage to Caleb. All that time spent planning those boring dinner parties and fancy charity balls was like on-the-job training.”
“Well, darlin’,” Derek drawled. “I can personally give you a glowing recommendation on how well you handle balls.”
Laughing, Charlie slapped him playfully on the chest. “I swear, you haven’t changed a bit.”
Becoming serious, Derek slid to his side again, his eyes honing down on hers. “See, now, that’s where you’re wrong.” He brushed some strands from her cheek. “Charlie, when I’m with you, I feel like I’m a completely different person.”
Moonlight from the window shone in her eyes. “Is that a good thing?” she asked him quietly.
Derek rolled them both over so he was lying on top of her. He was already hard again, his erection pressing against her opening.
God, how he wished he could drive into her. Just like this, with no barrier between them. Once he got himself tested one more time, he’d broach the subject with her.
Reaching over, he grabbed for the box of condoms again. With a sly grin, he pulled one out and laid it on the mattress next to them. Then, he took her mouth in his before whispering, “Oh, yeah, baby. It’s a very good thing.”
