Derrick smiled, his shoulders relaxing as he leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers. "I love you too, Olivia." He kissed her lips softly. “Stay patient with me while they’re here. There is a lot of bad blood between my parents and me.”
“And Elliott?” Olivia asked curiously. Is he still mad about Elliott and Brandy?
“I haven’t spoken to him in years,” Derrick explained.
Olivia nodded in understanding. He didn’t want to talk about it. Should I keep pushing him? If they didn’t speak about the past, she worried the hostility might drive a wedge between them. “Rachel told me about you, Elliott, and Brandy.”
“She did?” Derrick met her gaze. He ground his teeth together and looked away. “I’m sorry. She shouldn’t have told you that.”
“I don’t care about what happened in the past. We all have things that we’d rather not think about, but sometimes it helps to get it out, too. We can talk. Whenever you want,” she reminded gently touching his arm.
“My family and I have said some things to each other and I don’t know that we can come back from it. My parents aren’t willing to see things any other way but their way,” Derrick mumbled.
“We’ll get through this,” Olivia promised. We’ll get through this.
“You’re right. We will,” he whispered peppering her with kisses. Olivia shivered, pulling him closer. “I’m glad I have you, Olivia.”
Olivia groaned, arching into him as his lips found hers. A part of her wondered if he was using sex as a distraction to keep from talking. What could be so horrible that he didn’t want to talk about it? Don’t worry about it right now. He’ll tell you when he’s ready. I hope. She shook the thoughts away and focused on Derrick and the way his mouth fit against hers.
His tongue grazed over her teeth and she sighed contently. He felt so good, and this felt so right. She shifted and repositioned herself so she straddled him on the couch.
She let her hands trail up his chest as she tugged his shirt up. He pulled back so she could tug his tee over his head. Olivia grinned as she trailed her digits up and down his bare chest. She loved the feel of him. His toned muscles rippled beneath the tips of her fingers.
Derrick took her distraction as an opportunity to remove her top as well. He dropped the garment on the floor and unhooked her bra, disposing of it as well. His hands went to her breasts, softly kneading her tender flesh.
Olivia bit her lip, stifling a groan. Derrick knew just how and where to touch her. Every touch was deliberate and done to further escalate her pleasure. It was wonderful to be with a man who put her needs and wants first.
She fisted her hands in his hair as his mouth latched onto one of her nipples. He sucked lightly, flicking his tongue over the hardened peak. Derrick’s other hand went to the button of her pants, unfastening them, and sliding the zipper down.
“I love you, Olivia,” he whispered.
Feeling confident, Olivia stood up, smiling. She slid her pants down, enjoying the way Derrick’s eyes widened as she exposed her lean legs. Next, she dragged her panties down, leaving her self completely bare in front of him. Derrick sucked in a deep breath, lifting his hips from the couch so he could remove the remainder of his clothes.
“I want to make love to you,” she said boldly. Swallowing, she sank back down onto the couch, loving the effect she was having on him.
***
Derrick hissed as his cock rubbed against Olivia’s wet core. She felt fantastic and he couldn’t wait to fill her—to feel her tight, wet heat stretching around his dick. Olivia continued to move over him, running her clit over his cock again and again. He gripped her hips and tried to pull her down, but she resisted. His cock hardened, almost painfully. She was intentionally toying with him. It was both maddening and arousing.
“Olivia,” he groaned. She was slowly killing him. If she kept this up, he wasn’t sure how long he was going to last, and he was determined to make sure she reached her orgasm, too.
She met his eyes with a small smile as she slowly impaled herself, taking him in inch by inch. He gasped as he stretched her, but continued to hold her gaze, watching as her face glazed over with pleasure.
He pushed her long brown locks out of her face as she began to rock against him. Olivia continued to stare into his eyes, intensifying the moment. Derrick had never experienced something this erotic or sensual. Olivia was always surprising him. He didn’t know how he got so lucky to find someone as special as her, but he knew he was never going to let her go. She was his light, his happiness, and his inspiration. Olivia stood by him—stood with him, and that meant more to him than anything. And if she’d let him, he’d spend the rest of his life showing her just how wonderful she was.
Forever. When thinking about Olivia, it wasn’t scary. It was exciting.
Olivia cried out, tearing him from his thoughts. She moved faster against him, her movements more erratic than before. Derrick thrust up into her as Olivia threw her head back in pleasure.
She screamed, her hands flying to his shoulders and her nails digging into his skin as she shattered around him. He pushed up into her, riding out her orgasm as he sought his own release. Olivia hummed against him, her lips finding his.
He wrapped his arms around her pulling her flush against him as he pushed into her once, twice, and then followed her over the edge.
She kissed him again, melding her lips against his. She was right. Everything was going to be okay. He knew there were things about the past that she needed to know, but how did he tell her? Would she look at him differently? He couldn’t take it if she did. Don’t worry about that right now. Cherish the beautiful woman in your arms. The rest can wait for tomorrow.
Chapter Sixteen
Derrick closed the fridge, grinning as he heard the front door open and click shut. Olivia was home. He paused at the thought. Would it be too soon to ask her to move in? We spend most nights here together anyway.
"Hey," Olivia called as she came into the kitchen. The purple sundress she wore fit her perfectly and he licked his lips as he admired the beauty before him. "How was your meeting?" she asked.
"Good," he grinned, pulling her into him and kissing her. The person he’d met with the other day had called him back for a follow up, and it had gone perfectly. "They liked my plans and want me to do the job. I think this freelance thing is going to work out for me," he whispered against her lips. Olivia relaxed into him and as she opened her mouth, he grazed his tongue across her lower lip tasting her sweet, soft lips.
"That's great," she said breathlessly resting her forehead against his.
"I was thinking we could celebrate with dinner and a movie," he said; although, at this moment he would much rather celebrate in a much different way.
"That sounds nice." She licked her lips as she leaned into him again.
Derrick groaned as he backed her against the counter and lifted her up so she was sitting on it. He spread her legs, placing himself between them as his lips left hers to place soft kisses down her neck to her collarbone.
"We keep doing this and we aren’t going to make it to dinner and a movie," she teased as she yanked on the bottom of his shirt.
"I have no problem with that." He lifted his shirt up and over his head, tossing it to the floor as he kissed her again. His hands roamed over the exposed silky skin of her back. "I love you, Olivia," he admitted, pulling back to meet her gaze. It seemed he couldn’t tell her that enough.
Her face lit up, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "I love you, too," she said, wrapping her long, lean legs around his waist, drawing him even closer as she kissed him again.
He ran his hands along her sides to the back of her neck, pulling her so her chest was flush with his. His beautiful, sweet, kind, caring Olivia was the only woman he wanted.
He was so caught up in the moment, that he didn’t hear the front door opening. Someone coughed, clearing his throat. Derrick spun around surprised and ready to take action if needed. He let out a gro
wl when he saw whom the intruders were—Jace and Elliott.
Olivia yelped, quickly hopping off the counter and smoothing out her dress. He pushed the strap of her dress back to her shoulder before buttoning his pants.
"Oh, don't let us interrupt. It was just getting interesting," Jace smirked as he took a seat on the couch and propped his legs up on the coffee table.
"Please forgive the intrusion. It's a pleasure to see you again, Olivia," Elliott stammered, closing the apartment door behind him.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Derrick yelled as Olivia buried her face in the crook of his neck.
Elliott grimaced and looked down at the floor. "I thought it would be nice for us to get together, and seeing as you wouldn't answer my calls, I thought showing up was the best way for us to talk. I didn't realize Jace would barge in without knocking. My apologies."
"Jace, I want my key back. Now," Derrick snapped. Leave it to his siblings to ruin this moment for him. And why couldn't Elliott just take the hint. I don’t want to talk to him.
"I understand this may be a bad time. We can come back in what thirty or forty-five minutes," Jace jested, glancing between Derrick and Olivia.
"How about you leave and don't come back," Derrick suggested. “Both of you.”
"Derrick," Jace whined.
"And give me my key back," Derrick insisted.
"Perhaps we could do something tomorrow?" Elliott intervened. "Dad was hoping we could all do something together with Marc."
Derrick gritted his teeth. He didn't want to do this, but maybe if he just got it over with, Elliott and his father would finally leave him alone. "Whatever. I'll meet you at Rachel's tomorrow."
"Let’s say around noon? We can do lunch. And Rachel, Mom, Brandy, and Olivia can do something. We'll make a day of it," Elliott smiled triumphantly.
"Whatever," he said annoyed.
"Thank you Derrick. I am looking forward to it. Come on Jace let’s let the two of them get back to their evening," Elliott said to Jace, who was watching them, head propped on his hand from the couch.
Elliott nodded as he and Jace left. Once the door was shut, he let go of Olivia and locked it. Damn, Jace still didn’t give back his key. He sighed and turned back to Olivia.
"So…dinner and a movie?" she asked biting her lip.
"Yes," he said trying to force a smile; damn Elliott and his persistence had ruined the mood. Hopefully tomorrow would go smoothly.
***
Olivia squirmed uncomfortably in her chair as she met Brandy's scrutinizing gaze. Rachel was on her third trip to the bathroom in less than two hours. Olivia had accompanied her the last two times, but there was only so many times she could go without making it look obvious that she was avoiding Brandy and Patrice.
Talk about torture. The restaurant around them prattled on nosily. Their table remained silent. Both women seemed to be giving her the once over.
Patrice lightly patted her mouth with her napkin then broke the silence. "So how is Derrick? I haven’t gotten to speak with him since the night we came to town.”
"Derrick is good," Olivia answered.
"Hmmm, from what I could tell he seems to be a bit uptight. Elliott mentioned the same thing last night. I think it’s because he’s nervous about his past. Did he tell you he went to jail?” Brandy inquired as she sipped her water.
Olivia coughed, nearly spitting her drink across the table. What did she say? Derrick was in jail? No way. Rachel would have mentioned it. Derrick would have. Right? He is being really secretive right now.
Patrice cleared her throat. “Brandy, darling, that’s not our business to tell.” Patrice gave her a fake smile and changed the subject. “Rachel says you are in school. What exactly are you studying?”
Olivia’s mind reeled as she tried to process the previous part of the conversation. Play it off. Don’t let them get to you. You can talk to Derrick later. “I’m pursuing a degree in business. I plan to own a business in the next ten years,” Olivia answered proudly.
“Really? That’s very ambitious, and a lot of work,” Patrice said as if she were trying to patronize her.
“I’m aware of how hard it is. I’ve already started an internship and am working with one of the best wedding planning companies in the city,” Olivia replied.
Brandy blinked, putting on a fake smile. “Which city?” she asked. “I thought Patterson was just a small college town.”
“It is a college town, but there are many big cities nearby that are only a train ride away. Boston, which is where my internship is, is only twenty minutes away. And you’d be surprised how many college students tie the knot. A lot of students at Patterson are obtaining their Doctorate degrees. Not everyone that attends school here is fresh out of high school,” Olivia explained trying to keep her tone friendly. She couldn’t help but feel like she was being tag-teamed.
“Are we ready to order yet? I’m starved,” Rachel sighed as she sank back into her chair.
“Of course, darling,” Patrice smiled. She raised her hand up, waving to the waiter to come to the table.
Rachel gave Olivia a sympathetic look. “Are you okay?” she mouthed.
Olivia nodded. Things weren’t going that bad, at least not yet. But something told her she hadn’t seen the worst of it yet.
***
"Our waitress is hot," Jace remarked, watching the waitress as she walked away from them.
Derrick shook his head. Jace was a womanizing man whore and wasn't afraid to admit it.
"Honestly, Jace, is that all you think about?" their father criticized.
"Of course, I'm a guy,” Jace defended.
Arnold bristled, opening his mouth to say something, but Elliott spoke up first. “Olivia seems like a nice young woman.”
“She is,” Derrick replied.
“And you don’t think you could tell us any more about her?” Arnold inquired. “I’d like to know more about the woman who is invading our family,” his father said.
“I didn’t realize we were at war,” Jace snorted.
Derrick chuckled.
Elliott sighed. “I think what father means to say—”
“I know what he meant,” Derrick interrupted Elliott.
Arnold pursed his lips annoyed, “This woman has leeched onto your sister and to you. I just want to make sure she’s not after our family’s money.”
Derrick laughed out loud. “Olivia isn’t like that. She’s a good, honest person.”
“Unlike a sister-in-law we have,” Jace murmured.
Elliott stiffened, glaring at Jace.
“If she’s so great then you don’t mind telling us about her,” Arnold persisted.
“You’ve cut me off from the family bank account so I hardly see why you care,” Derrick argued. He knew who Olivia was and he didn’t need to sit here and listen to this. He stood up, pounding his fist on the table. “I’m perfectly capable of making my own decisions.”
“I’m sure,” his father said condescendingly. “You have no job, an apartment that one could hardly be proud of, and a girlfriend who seems to be interested in our money.”
“Don’t talk about Olivia that way. You don’t know anything about her,” Derrick started as he pointed an accusing finger at his father.
“Only because you won’t tell us,” his father went on. “What am I to think? You continue to make one poor decision after another.”
“I don’t need you to believe in me. I know what I’m capable of. I know what I’m doing.” He turned to his brother. “Jace I’m leaving. Are you coming?”
“Definitely,” Jace said, hopping off his chair.
“But we haven’t had lunch yet,” Elliott protested.
“I should’ve never agreed to this get together. Instead of sitting down like a normal family, Dad spins it around into the awful decisions he thinks I’m making. I’m not going to listen to it,” Derrick growled.
With that said, he marched away from the table. It was sad that he couldn’
t talk to his own family. They were never going to understand him. Hurt rolled over him and he gritted his teeth at the thought.
But he had someone who he could talk to—someone special who loved him for who he was. He had a family. Olivia.
***
Olivia stared absently at the TV. She was watching a rerun of her favorite movie on Netflix, but she couldn’t concentrate on Pride and Prejudice right now. Derrick wasn’t home yet and she couldn’t stop thinking about the awkward and disastrous lunch with Rachel, Brandy, and Patrice.
They didn’t like her. That was a first. All of her boyfriends’ parents liked her. Then, there was the bombshell they’d dropped. Derrick had been in jail.
Her head snapped to the front door as it swung open. Derrick walked in, his head hung low. He set his keys on the end table and slumped down onto the couch next to her.
“How was your lunch,” he asked with a sigh.
“Horrible. Yours?” she answered.
“Horrible. What happened? What did they say?” Derrick asked sitting up and glaring at her.
“It was mostly filled with weird silence. But from what they did say, I get the feeling they don’t like me much,” Olivia sighed. It bothered her that his family didn’t even give her a chance. It shouldn’t, but it did. These people were mean and spiteful. She didn’t need their approval—but it would be nice. Then there was the other thing they’d mentioned. Should I bring it up? You’ll never stop thinking about it if you don’t.
Pretty Young Thing: a new adult romance box set Page 46