The argument his parents had later that night had been horrific. His mother had railed at Eddie for hurting Derek and his father had argued that “the little pussy” had to toughen up. As he held Abby close to him—she’d come to his room during the night—he’d silently vowed to toughen up. To get tough enough to hit Eddie back. It would take eight more years, but the first time he’d punched his father it had been the last. Until last year, that was. Last year he’d punched him and taken him to the cleaners.
“I guess that’s it for now,” Bree said.
She stood near the truck, her eyes on the interior of the storage unit. It was still filled to the gills.
“Are you sure?”
She shrugged and rubbed a hand over her cheek. More dirt streaked her face now. “I can always come back. It’ll take me some time to go through the crates anyway.”
“Just let me know and I’ll fetch and carry again.”
“You don’t have to do that, Derek.”
“I know.”
She searched his face but he had no idea what she was looking for. It didn’t really matter, since he was so good at keeping any hint of true expression hidden.
“Thank you.” She brightened beneath the dirt and dust. “I just might take you up on that.”
He helped her close up and tidy the unit a little and then made sure everything was secure in the bed of the truck. She hadn’t picked out any big pieces, other than that carved chest. It wasn’t long before she was locking up the place with that funny purple-tasseled key. It was nearly three o’clock. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d spent a whole day with a woman who wasn’t his sister or mother.
“So how about that dinner?” he asked as he turned the truck back towards Cypress.
“You’re on.” She held up a hand. “But only if you still want to after helping me tote this stuff into my garage.”
“I wouldn’t bet against that.”
***
Bree walk into the Town Tavern with Derek close behind her. He’d returned Eli’s truck after their heavy lifting and insisted on driving to dinner in his Lexus. She’d admitted, to herself at least, that his car was pretty sweet. Then again, she was kind of partial to automotive flash.
The girl at the hostess stand, Becky Rollins’ sister Joy, smiled at her and raised her eyebrows comically when she spied Derek. He did look really good tonight, wearing his own brand of upscale casual. His khaki chinos fit just right and his white button-down shirt boasted the thinnest blue lines. He wore suede oxfords but somehow managed to look just this side of stuffy.
It was after six on a Saturday, and the place was filling up. Most of the people she worked with came here, either to grab a surprisingly-good pizza to go or a bag of burgers. They did a pretty good salmon and their salads were inspired. It sure beat the heck out of the Clubhouse, which was adjacent. It was way too upscale for her comfort and reminded her of stifling dinners with her parents.
“This is a pretty popular place,” Derek said as they took up a spot to wait for their table.
“Not much choice in Cypress, I’m afraid. Not in the evening, anyway.”
“I’ve only grabbed take-out from here. No room service at the inn.”
She nodded. Ugh, small talk. This felt very date-y, given his clothes and the fact that she’d slipped into a sleeveless dress covered in watercolor flowers and a pair of sandals. She really didn’t want to think about it that way, though. She was repaying him for all of his help, and God help him if he tried to pay the check. What’s wrong with a girl wanting to look nice on a Saturday night, right?
Joy waved them over and they followed her to a small two-top set near the stone fireplace. The tavern was styled to resemble an English pub and it had a cozy feel the Clubhouse couldn’t begin to project. Dark wood paneling, green-shaded lights, not to mention the fireplace, made the restaurant feel relaxed and intimate at the same time. The resemblance to a date intensified but she soldiered on, draping her thin pink cardigan on the back of the chair before settling down on it.
“Your server will be right with you,” Joy said. “Meanwhile, can I get you two anything to drink?”
Derek raised his brows to Bree, obviously letting her order first. “A glass of pinot, please Joy.”
“Sam Adams.”
Joy left and Bree raised her brows at him now. “Sam Adams?”
“Hey, you can take the guy out of Bah-ston…”
She laughed, feeling herself relax a little. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of your help today, Derek.”
“I don’t know how thankful you’ll be as you go through all of those boxes stacked in your garage.”
“Baby steps. I’m not in any hurry to unpack everything.”
“How long have you lived in your house?”
“About a year now.”
“And you haven’t unpacked?” His smile was crooked. “Baby steps is right.”
She waved a hand. “I unpacked. I just didn’t have a lot of stuff. Just clothes and a few dishes and stuff.”
“You traveled light then.”
It wasn’t a question but it made her stop and think for a second. She fingered the string of pearls at her neck. “I guess I did.”
Joy dropped their drinks at their table and hurried back to the hostess stand.
Derek turned his pilsner glass on the table top. “I didn’t bring much with me from Boston, either.”
“You have a whole lot more house to fill than I do.”
“It won’t just be me.” He looked like he was going to say more, but then he gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head. Did he have a girlfriend who would be joining him in Cypress? He didn’t act like a guy with a girlfriend. Not when he was kissing her lips off.
“Maybe you can come with me to pick out some furniture,” he said, dragging her mind away from that kiss.
“That’s really Jessie’s thing,” she said. “She’s the one who stages the models, primarily.”
“She does a good job. The model you showed me last week felt like a home.”
“That’s her specialty. Although I’m surprised you noticed anything during that tour.”
“Why?”
“Derek, you ran through there like your hair was on fire.”
He blinked at her, then his expression cleared. “I had a lot of things on my mind. I’m sorry if I was rude.”
“Another apology?” The guy was racking them up all right.
He shrugged in answer, but she suspected he was going to say he was sorry again. They each opened their menus and focused on that for a while. The server, a tall kid she thought also worked at the town market, came and took their orders. A burger for him and the pulled chicken sandwich for her.
Derek took a sip of his beer and set it back down. “Have you decided where you want to put that humongous chest?”
“It’s a hope chest, I’ll have you know.”
“Your grandmother had a whole lot of hope.”
“A joke? Derek, are you turning all charming on me?”
“Just making conversation, Bree.”
“Then thank you again for carrying that inside for me.”
He snorted and lifted his pilsner glass in a toast. “To no more thanks.”
She caught his meaning in a flash and raised her glass in answer. “To no more apologies.”
He opened his mouth, and then nodded. “You have a deal.”
Talk during dinner felt a lot looser to her. When the check came, she flattened her hand over the black vinyl folder.
“No way, buddy. You might not let me thank you again but there’s no way I’m letting you pay for dinner tonight.”
He leaned his elbows on the table. “That’s fair. As long as you let me return the favor at a future date.”
“A date?” She shook her head. “Oh, I’m not sure about that.”
“All right, then. At a future time to be set and approved by both parties.”
She laughed. “Wow, you sou
nd just like a lawyer.”
He spread his hands. “This is surprising to you?”
Shaking her head, she tucked her card into the folder. “Not really. I was surprised when…never mind. It’s none of my business.”
“What isn’t any of your business?”
She took a breath. “You said earlier that it wouldn’t be just you in the house.”
“I did.” She arched a brow at him and he seemed to catch on. “Ah, I don’t have a girlfriend. If that’s what you were thinking.”
“I was, actually.”
He leaned closer, his lips curved slightly. “If I had a girlfriend I never would have kissed you like that.”
“No?”
He shook his head. “And if I had a girlfriend there’s no way I’d be thinking about kissing you right now.”
That little confession made her body flush hot. “Derek,” she whispered.
He just looked at her with those dark eyes. When the server brought the check back a minute later her hand was trembling as she signed it. She had to rein in this craziness. He might not have a girlfriend, true. But he was so not right for her.
If that were true, then why was she thinking about that kiss and the one that might come next?
Chapter 7
Derek felt a little ragged around the edges as he placed his hand on the small of Bree’s back. Her pretty dress was as soft as it looked and he let his touch linger for a few seconds before pulling his hand away. She might not be aware of it but he’d shared more with her than he’d ever shared with a woman. Hell, it was more than he’d ever shared with anybody really.
The girl Bree seemed to know, Joy, smiled as they neared the hostess stand. “How was everything?”
Bree squared her shoulders and smiled. “Very good.”
“Yes, thank you,” Derek added.
“How long have you been working here, Joy?” Bree asked.
The brunette shook her head. “I’ve been exiled here in Cypress, so I’m taking whatever work I can get. I’ve been at the tavern for just over a month.”
Bree nodded. “Text me. It sounds like we need to have a coffee date. Soon.”
“Will do,” Joy said. “Have a good night.”
Derek held the door open for Bree and followed her out into the night. His Lexus was parked on the street, which was pretty much impossible back in Boston. The air was much chillier than it had been earlier, and he saw goosebumps rise on her skin. Reaching for the sweater draped over her arm, he held it as she slipped into it. Her hair brushed over the back of his hands and he lifted it out of the collar of her sweater before stepping back.
“Thank you” she said, looking at him over her shoulder.
He shook his head. “No more thanks. Remember?”
Her eyes sparkled up at him. “Yeah, yeah.”
He held the car door open for her and she slid gracefully onto the leather seat. Her dress rode up a little and he took a long look at her legs before closing the door. Very nice. He knew her skin was soft. And her muscles were firm. He’d stroked the back of her thighs that day in his new house. He’d held her close and tasted that saucy mouth of hers.
Putting that out of his head, he got behind the wheel. “So the ‘no date’ rule. That’s only for me?”
“What?”
“You told that Joy girl you would have a coffee date with her.”
“That’s different.”
“Different how?”
“Joy and I have never kissed.”
He managed to keep from smiling at her answer as he started the car. “Hmm.”
“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?”
He pulled away from the curb and headed toward her house. “I’m a guy, Bree. Hell yes, I’m thinking about it. Now that, I won’t apologize for.”
She gave him a sexy smirk and he drove on. Her friend Joy might be cute but compared to Bree? Bree had his every attention and a woman hadn’t been able to pull that one on him in a long time.
He stopped in front of her house and she was out of the car almost before he switched off the engine. Taking long strides, he met up with her on her front porch. She finally stopped, turning to him with her shoulders visibly rigid. The carriage lights on the porch must have been motion activated, because they snapped on and made her hair look like golden silk.
“This was nice, Derek.”
“Nice.” He shook his head. “I suppose it was.”
Her brows drew together. “What’s wrong with nice?”
“Nothing.” He stepped closer. “Nice is just that. I’m hoping for more than that going forward.”
“Going forward?”
He could smell her now, as he had in the car. That floral scent he’d caught on that rainy morning just last week. “This is just starting, Bree.”
“What, Derek?” She licked her lips. “What’s just starting?”
“This. Us.”
“Us?”
He reached out to stroke a finger over her delicate collar bone. Goosebumps rose again, but he knew they had nothing to do with the chill. “I want to see you.”
“I’m not dating right now.”
He noticed that she didn’t back away from his touch.
“Fine,” he said. “Call it what you want.”
“Oh no, you don’t. You might be a lawyer but trust me. This isn’t an argument you can win.”
He growled softly and watched as her pupils dilated. “I like being around you, Bree. Tell me you don’t feel the same thing?”
“That’s just chemistry.”
“That’s fair game, then. Let’s go inside and talk about it.”
She placed her hand on his chest like she had before. He wondered if she realized she was slowly stroking him even as she was pushing him away.
“Derek, I’m just starting my life.”
“One crate at a time.”
She shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Hey, I just got to Cypress. I’m not ready for any entanglements either.”
“Are you suggesting we just scratch the itch?”
He shook his head. “No. If I wanted that I’d just go hook up with somebody.”
“You don’t want to hook up?”
He slid her a slow grin. “I’m not saying that.”
“I like my job. I’m good at it.”
“Don’t tell me that Cypress has an anti-fraternization policy, Bree. I’m in-house counsel, remember?”
That earned him a small smile. “Okay, you’ve got me there.”
He stepped closer. The porch was covered, and her house was situated on the corner. There were no neighbors adjacent to where they stood, and he took advantage of the privacy.
“Invite me in for coffee, Bree.”
“Just coffee?”
“Lady’s choice. At least I can give you some ideas on where to put that hope chest.”
She turned and unlocked the front door. “Boy, I’d sure hate to come up against you in court.”
“I practice purely corporate law, I’m afraid. But don’t worry. I can argue a contract until the sun comes up, baby.”
She pushed the door open. “Color me surprised.”
As he stepped in behind her she flicked on the can lights in the big kitchen’s ceiling. Her house was a lot like his soon-to-be home on the inside, too. There was a huge lack of furniture not to mention photos and artwork. A stack of take-out menus on the back counter of the kitchen told him she didn’t cook much and, while the new couch looked comfortable, there really wasn’t much about the place that made it feel like a home.
“You’ve lived here a year?” he asked.
“I know.” She sighed and placed her hands on her hips. “I’ve been living in limbo.”
“Yes, but the weather’s nice.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re making another joke? You are a puzzle, Derek Stone.”
He knew he was. It was part of his personality, honed through years of self-preservation. He revealed only as much as he wanted to. H
e never let his father see that he was hurt. He never let his mother know how upset he was. He always presented an image of the cool and collected corporate attorney. That didn’t stop him from wanting to get hot and sweaty with Bree James, though.
“You really want a cup of coffee?” she asked him.
He let his mask slip just enough to show her what he really wanted. Her. “No.”
***
Bree’s throat tightened. Desire was clear on Derek’s face. His eyes somehow grew darker. His jaw tightened and his nostrils flared.
“I think you can guess what it is I want, Bree.”
Yeah, she could. She was a grown woman. She could admit to herself that his sharply focused attention made her crave all sorts of things she’d only imagined before. This wasn’t just an itch to be scratched. Nope. This was full-on lust, something she’d never felt before.
“We can’t do this, Derek. It’s a bad idea.”
“There’s nothing keeping us apart.”
She swallowed and gave a weak nod. “At the moment, no.”
“Then let’s just be in the moment. God knows I never do that.” He grasped her arms and his touch was just right. Intense yet not confining. “Ever.”
She reached up to touch those thick dark waves of his, finding them cool beneath her fingers. “Ever?”
He grabbed her hand and pulled it to his mouth, placing an open-mouthed kiss on her palm. “Be in the moment, Bree.”
Heat rushed up her arm from his kiss, sending sparks over her chest and throat. This was a guy who never did anything by half measure. She’d heard about his legal reputation. His career as a driven, focused corporate lawyer. What would it be like to have all of that energy centered on her?
Turning her hand, she ran her thumb over his lower lip. His mouth felt strong. Smooth and hot. She came up on her toes and brought her mouth close to his, breathing him into herself.
“Kiss me, Derek.”
He groaned and covered her mouth with his. This kiss was as hot as their first, but so much more urgent. It was a kiss with intent and for the first time in her memory she let go of any worries or expectations and leaned into him.
Kissing Bree Page 6