Good thing I did not invent my own musical talent, my soft hands would have given me away. As long as Derrick did not ask me to recite any poetry, I was in the clear for the rest ofthe night.
Derrick did not quiz me about my romantic notions nor did he test my poetic finesse. Instead, he placed his finger under my chin and raised my face to meet his HytonBlue eyes.
“You are more beautiful than I imagined,” he whispered. “I waited seven yearsfor this…”
He leaned down and his lips pressedagainst mine.
Oh…yes.
I closed my eyes and melted into the moment. Suddenly I remembered Ashmore’s warnings about temptation and pulled away like he had sent lightning throughhis lips.
“Derrick!” I whispered. “What about my chastity? We couldruin everything!”
“Do not worry,” he said smoothly. “I know exactly whento stop.”
I looked up at his shadowed face. My chest heaved even though my breath was shallow. He was handsome, his body was warm against mine, and his full lips were soft and inviting.
I may not have loved him, but Iwantedhim.
Almost as if he read my mind, he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close. He slid his fingers through my hair to cradle the back of my head andbent down.
“I cannot wait one more day,” Derrick whispered. He leaned in again and my lips opened tomeet his.
He tasted as sweet as rich wine. He smelled like oak and vanilla. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he weaved his fingers deeper into my hair. I raised up on my toes so he did not have to bend over as much and he rewarded my kindness withmore passion.
Derrick bit my lower lip and I gasped, not because he hurt me, but because Iliked it.I dug my fingernails into his shoulders and pressed my body against his. He lightly bit the left side of my jaw and kissed it, then his lips grazed my skin before stopping at my neck. He held my waist stronger and tighter as his teeth sank into the side ofmy neck.
A soft moan escaped my mouth as his lips and teeth took me to the stars. I grabbed his soft black curls in one of my fists. His hot breath on my neck sent tingles all the way down to my toes. I did not know how far he was going to go, but I did not want himto stop.
He kissed me on the lips again and I smoldered hotter and hotter as we held each other. I slid my hands down to his chest, hoping he would move his hands lower on my body too.
Derrick suddenly pulled away and I gasped like he took my breathwith him.
“We have to stop now,”he panted.
“What? No!” I pleaded. “Surely thereis more—”
“There is,” he interjected, grabbing both my hands. “We could dosomuch more without breaking any rules. This is just whereIhave to stop or else I willruin you.”
I nodded and tried to slow my racing heart. Derrick held the back of my head again and brought his lips to my forehead for asweet kiss.
“One more day,” he whispered into my skin. “We just have to wait onemore day.”
He held me tightly in his arms. His heart pounded against my cheek as he stroked my hair. My eyes fluttered closed and I letmyself smile.
Derrick took in a slow breath. “I loveyou, Serafina.”
Victory bells rang inmy head.
“You are everything I ever wanted,” I said softly. I needed to take it one step further to seal the deal. The lie formed on my tongue and then left my flushed lips like another kiss. “I loveyou too.”
Derrick let out a breath and kissed the top of my head as a reply. His heartbeat slowed to a gentle thump against my cheek as we held each other for a few more moments in the shadows. He pulled away and then kissed the back of myright hand.
“I have to go,” he said with a note of regret, “but tomorrow everythingwill change.”
I wished I could hold onto him for the rest of the night. “Sleepwell, Midnight.”
“Sleep well, Birdie,” Derrick replied with asoft smile.
