Olivia’s cheeks flushed, her eyes darting up to meet his. She swallowed her food and cleared her throat. “Us? A couple? I thought you didn’t do relationships?”
His stomach lurched. Opening up to Olivia meant he could get hurt again. But Olivia wasn’t like Brandy. She was worth the risk. “I got burned in the past. I didn’t think I wanted to open up to anyone again…ever. Then I met you. I like you,” he admitted.
“I like you too,” she whispered.
***
Olivia entered the elevator and leaned against the cool metal wall as Derrick pushed the button for their floor. Her eyes traveled over him admiring the way his gray suit fit snugly over his muscled chest. She bit her lip and clasped her hands together, praying they would reach their floor soon.
“I had a good time tonight,” he admitted as he gently took her hand in his.
She swallowed and let out a long breath. “Me too.” Her breath hitched, catching in her throat. Derrick drew closer, his free hand cupping her face. They needed to get off this elevator.
Her silent plea was answered when the elevator lurched as it came to a stop with a loud bing. Derrick took a step back as the doors slid open. Entwining his fingers with hers, he led her down the long corridor.
Olivia held her breath as he fumbled through his wallet in search of the key card. Finally, he pulled it out and shoved it into the lock. The door swung open and Derrick rested his hand on her hip as they walked in. She wanted him—needed him. Now. They had put off the inevitable too long. Turning to him, she held her breath as she met his eyes.
He took a step toward her as the door clicked shut. She swallowed, anticipation rolling in her belly. Kiss me.
“I don’t want to move too fast,” he commented huskily.
Olivia shook her head. She took a step forward, resting her hands on his chest. “We’ve been dancing around each other for weeks now. I want this.”
Derrick contemplated her a long moment. His gaze burned into hers, searching for something, but what she didn’t know. She took a step forward. He wasn’t going to reject her, was he? Her stomach knotted at the thought. Before she could consider it further, his lips crushed against hers.
A squeak of surprise escaped her lips, but she recovered quickly, melding her mouth to his. She dropped her purse to the floor so she could draw him closer. His hands shoved her hair back as his fingers threaded in her locks. Together, they backed up. Her legs met the bed and they toppled onto the plush mattress.
This is right. Perfect. I want more.
Olivia wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer to where she needed him. His hands slowly, sinfully, slid up her dress. Moaning, she squeezed him tighter. Heat scorched her body, causing her core to ache. She ground against him in a desperate attempt to create some much-needed friction.
With a growl, he sat up, pulling her with him. He pushed her jacket off and flung it to the side. Yes. Fewer clothes. That’s what she needed. Her fingers fumbled clumsily as she tried to unbutton his dress shirt. Why are there so many buttons? Derrick chuckled as his hands covered hers. His eyes met hers as he undid the rest of the buttons.
Olivia smiled coyly. She licked her lips, watching his reaction as she trailed her fingers over his bare chest.
“You’re killing me,” he groaned. He bent his head down, capturing her lips again. Her dress loosened, and she quickly realized he was unzipping it. She arched into him, giving him better access. Once completely unzipped, she pulled back and slowly slipped her arms out.
“Beautiful,” he murmured. She shivered as he kissed her neck. One of his hands cupped her breast, kneading her tender flesh.
“I need you,” she breathed, holding him against her.
Derrick lowered her back to the bed. She blinked up at him as her hands went to his belt. Determined to get some much-needed relief, she worked the buckle loose. Chimes erupted into the room as she unzipped his fly as if congratulating her on a job well done. She frowned. It was a phone.
“Leave it,” Derrick murmured as he pushed his pants down and kicked them and his shoes to the floor. He didn’t need to tell her twice.
The phone silenced, but immediately started ringing again. She groaned and then sighed as he looked down at her. "Let me get that," she huffed. This better be life or death.
He slowly got up and she crawled across the bed and reached for her purse that was within reaching distance from her spot on the bed. It took her a minute to rummage through the contents before she finally pulled the sleek device out. "Hello," she answered, trying to calm her rapid breathing.
"Olivia?"
"Tyler?" she asked breathless. Why is he calling me now? "What the…"
"Where are you?" he insisted.
"Seriously?" she scoffed.
"Something happened, Olivia," he yelled at her.
"What?" she asked sitting up and meeting Derrick’s worried gaze.
"It’s Rachel. We all went out tonight and she passed out. She's at the hospital now," he explained quickly. “Elena said you and her brother were in the city meeting your dad.”
"Oh my God. Is she okay?" she whispered.
“The doctors are with her now,” Tyler assured.
"We’ll be there as soon as we can," she gasped, hanging up the phone. Panic consumed her as her mind raced wondering what could have happened to Rachel. Please let her and the baby be okay. "We have to go. Something happened to Rachel," she worried.
Chapter Ten
Olivia sighed as the phone went to voicemail yet again. Rachel is going to be okay. She hung up the phone and tossed it in her purse. The thought of calling Tyler crossed her mind, but he would probably just be useless and know nothing.
“Still no answer?” Derrick asked, gripping the steering wheel tighter.
“No.”
“We’ll be there in a few. The doctor told me earlier when I called that she was all right and that they would probably release her tonight. I don’t think Elena’s going to know anymore than we do, Olivia,” he said, glancing over at her.
Olivia shrugged. “Probably not,” she conceded. She grabbed a hair tie and pulled her hair up into a loose messy bun.
"I prefer your hair down. It's sexier." Derrick grinned.
"Thanks," she smiled. "But I'd rather not walk into the hospital with crazy sex hair."
"We didn't have sex," he reminded.
She sighed, no they hadn't. From the way things had been heating up, it would have been really good sex, especially if it was anything like the last time. She shuddered at the memory. Derrick definitely knew how to pleasure her.
"No, but I think we both know that's where we were heading. And my hair is a mess." She flipped the visor down to assess her long locks. Messy, but not wild. Good.
"Do you know what's wrong with Rachel? Is she sick?" Derrick asked hesitantly. He wrung his hands on the wheel as he stared absently at the road.
So, despite their earlier conversation, he was still concerned about Rachel. She couldn’t blame him. Just because Rachel was getting released didn’t mean everything was right. She’d collapsed for a reason. And the doctors hadn’t told him much over the phone (probably per Rachel’s instructions). Her friend wasn’t going to be able to keep her secret longer.
"I'm sure she is going to be fine,” she tried to assure.
"But something is wrong with her?" He asked, concern and a hint of anger lacing his voice.
She entwined her fingers together in her lap. "No, not exactly."
"Olivia?" he growled.
She'd never seen Derrick mad before and hated that their first fight was going to have nothing to do with them as a couple, but rather his sister. Maybe she could still defuse the situation. "Look Derrick. What I know isn't my business to tell, and she made me promise not to say anything to you. It's not something that is going to kill her or cause her harm. It just might take her some time to return to normal," she said choosing her words carefully. "Please, Derrick, I don't want to be in the mid
dle of this."
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "All right, I don't want to put you in the middle. As long as she isn't dying or anything like that."
"Unless something has changed, I promise she isn’t dying," she soothed, sliding her hand on top of his. "It's going to be okay," she told him as they pulled into the hospital entrance. The lot was nearly empty at this hour. Visiting hours had ended several hours ago. She pointed to Elena’s old Civic and Derrick parked in the spot next to it.
They got out of the car together and walked hand-in-hand into the hospital. She squeezed his hand tightly as they entered the ER.
Elena sat over in the corner with Tyler and Jack.
"What happened? Is she ok?" Derrick asked, rushing over to them.
"She's awake and alert. Not really sure what happened," Tyler answered, staring at Olivia as if she was the only person in the room. "We all went out bowling and she just passed out. The doctors are running some tests, but haven't told us anything."
"Rachel was bowling?" Derrick gaped. He turned to her wide-eyed as if he’d just been told his sister ran off with the circus.
"You might just have to admit that there is a side to your sister you don't know," Olivia giggled. Rachel hated bowling, but she always went to watch.
"Where is she?" he said, shaking his head at her before turning his glare back at Tyler.
"I'll take you to her," Elena offered as she stood up. Without waiting for a reply, she walked to the double doors leading back to the emergency department.
Olivia patted Derrick’s hand as he followed her friend. "I'll see you in a few minutes." As much as she wanted to see Rachel, she knew that Derrick needed to see her more, and they would probably need some time alone.
***
Derrick followed Elena back through the white corridor and finally to a series of rooms separated by cloth curtains. She pointed to one and he silently thanked her before she turned on her heel and left. He fisted his hands at his side and inhaled a deep breath. It stinks like antiseptic. His stomach turned as he remembered the last time he’d been in the hospital. He’d been visiting his dying grandfather. Rachel’s not dying, he reminded himself. Shaking the troubling thoughts away, he approached the curtain and called, "Rachel can I come in?"
"Derrick?" she gasped panicked. "Um, yeah," she answered after a long moment.
He pulled the curtain aside. His heart dropped at the sight. Rachel had an IV in her wrist and several machines to her right that were doing God knows what. She’s all right. You’re staring right at her.
Rachel sat up and offered him a weak smile. Her cheeks were blotchy. Has she been crying? The white and blue-checkered gown made her skin look pale—too pale. She looked like she might vomit—or already had.
"I told them not to call you," Rachel said, crossing her arms across her chest as if she were going to pout.
"You’re in the hospital. Why wouldn't your friends call me?" he questioned annoyed. Does she not care?
"What did Olivia tell you? Did the doctor’s tell you anything when you called?" She asked as her cheeks reddened.
He gritted his teeth in annoyance. What is wrong with you? Why are you acting like this? "Other than the fact that you’re not dying, nothing. What’s going on, Rachel?"
Rachel sucked in a deep breath and blew it out. "I'm pregnant, Derrick."
What? He blinked rapidly as his mind tried to process the information. My little sister is going to have a baby. She isn’t dying, or sick. She’s pregnant. I’m going to kill Marc.
"Derrick, say something," Rachel broke the silence.
Exploding at her would hurt her. I have to keep it together for Rachel. I’m still killing Marc. Worry about him later. "Is everything all right?" he asked. Pregnant women didn't usually end up in the hospital, unless something was wrong or they were giving birth.
"The baby is fine. They are doing some tests. I am dehydrated and my blood pressure is a little low. The doctor said the two are likely related. If all my tests come back fine, I will be released in the next hour or so. You know how slow hospitals can be," Rachel said with a yawn.
"But you and the…baby are ok?" he asked still uncomfortable with the idea that his baby sister was carrying a child.
"We are fine, Derrick. Now tell me about you and Olivia?" Rachel asked with a smile.
He frowned. No way am I going to let her change the subject that easily. "You’re in the hospital and you want to know about me and Olivia?"
She bobbed her head up and down and rubbed her hands together excitedly. "Yes. People have been fawning over me all night. I'm bored with it."
He laughed. "You really must be lacking oxygen in that head of yours. I don't think I've ever seen you give up being the center of attention."
"And I just think you’re stalling," Rachel insisted grinning.
“Things are good,” he answered. Rachel clapped her hands excitedly.
“Tell me everything,” she demanded.
Dear God, what have I gotten myself into?
***
"How is she?" Olivia asked Elena as she came back out into the waiting room. Elena took Olivia’s arm and pulled her gently toward another hallway, leaving Tyler and Jack sitting in the waiting room.
"She's okay. I think she is more irritated that she is here," Elena answered honestly. "Probably not the way she wanted everyone to find out either. I'm assuming you already know."
"Yes. Is everything okay?" she asked still concerned for the baby.
"Yeah. The doctor said she is really dehydrated and her blood pressure is low."
"Well, I'm glad they’re both okay," Olivia breathed, relaxing for the first time since Tyler had called. Elena nodded as they entered a vending area. Three snack machines and a soda machine lined one wall and a few chairs sat against the other.
Olivia fished some coins from her purse and got a bag of M&M’s. "Where's Marc?"
"She didn't want us to call him. Or you. But Tyler took it upon himself to call you. Especially when he found out you were in New York with Derrick." Elena rolled her eyes, and then grinned. "How was New York?" she asked wagging her eyebrows suggestively.
"Interrupted," she said letting her frustration show.
"Do you think you guys will, you know, pick up where you left off?" Elena suggested.
"Probably not tonight," she said sadly. "I mean this is a major turn off." She said, motioning to their surroundings. “And I highly doubt that’s going to be on either of our minds. Rachel’s in the hospital.”
"Well I'm sure it will happen again. And soon. Tyler isn't jealous for no reason. I've seen the way Derrick looks at you. And let's not forget you two disappeared for like an hour on Thanksgiving."
Olivia shook her head. Her and Derrick were still working things out and just starting their relationship. She didn’t want to get too wrapped up in it before it even really began. "So no one called Marc?" she inquired, changing the subject.
"No." Elena said. "I don't think any of us want to fall on that."
***
Olivia rounded the corner as she flipped through her text messages. She gasped as she collided with something hard. Her phone dropped to the floor with a thump as her hand flew to her chest. She looked up, meeting the other person’s eyes. Tyler. "You scared me," she whispered, trying to calm her racing heart back down.
"Sorry," Tyler said quietly. He stooped down and picked up her cell, handing it back to her. "I just wanted to talk to you."
"Okay," she said, drawing out the word. Despite everything, she and Tyler had known each other forever. They had been close friends before becoming a couple, but they hadn’t truly spoken since the night they broke up.
"Are you sleeping with him?" Tyler asked, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared down at her.
"Tyler…" she hissed. Anger flooded her cheeks as she glared at her ex. How dare he ask me that?
"I know you were in New York with him and you sounded out of breath when you answered the pho
ne…"
She clenched her hands and unclenched them. "Tyler," she began trying to regain her composure. "I was introducing Derrick to my father. He’s an architect and trying to get his footing in a new town.” She gritted her teeth, meeting Tyler’s gaze boldly. “And if something was going on, it wouldn’t be your business anyway,” she huffed, brushing past him.
Tyler caught her wrist and she whirled back around attempting to shove him away, but he held her tighter.
"Olivia. I know I upset you, but I don't want you to do something you’re going to regret again. Don't do something stupid because you’re mad at me. I'm sorry and I know we will end up together eventually…" he said placing his hands on her shoulder. The smell of alcohol assaulted her senses. Has he been drinking? The hospital was close to campus. There were several bars in the area. Instead of waiting for word on Rachel, he’d been getting plastered.
Enraged with her realization, she pulled back trying to get away from him. "I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions and will do what I please. In case I wasn't clear before, we are done. Completely done. As in never, ever again will we be in a romantic relationship. The sooner you realize that, the better for you. Now please leave me alone about this."
She jerked backwards, but instead of loosening his grip he pulled her closer.
"Don't you understand that I can’t? I love you, Olivia and the thought of him…touching you…makes me sick. I forgave your last indiscretion. I don’t want to have to forgive anymore," he snapped.
She shoved him, stumbling backwards when his grip broke. He lashed out again, his cool fingers wrapping around her wrist and jerking her back to him. His brown eyes widened as he stared at her.
She swallowed hard, not recognizing the man she was looking at. How much had he drunk? What was he doing? What was he capable of in this frame of mind? "Tyler, you’re scaring me,” she whispered her voice wavering. “Let me go,” she soothed, trying to calm him.
Pretty Young Thing: a new adult romance box set Page 40