by Tia Louise
He winks at me, but when Derek speaks, his voice is serious. “I appreciate you watching her for me these past weeks.”
Shaking out my napkin and putting it in my lap, I pretend to be offended. “All this time, I thought you kept inviting me over because you enjoyed my company.”
Elaine passes the basket of bread. “You’ve been eating us out of house and home. Jeez! I’m glad Derek’s finally here.”
“I have not!”
She bursts out laughing. “I was only teasing! But I want some beachside dinners at your place now.”
“You got it. I love having you guys over.”
The rest of dinner conversation is devoted to easy subjects—the weather, Patrick’s newfound desire to own a Harley, Elaine’s loud protests over the dangers of motorcycles. It’s not very late when we call it a night, and as we say our goodbyes, I catch Patrick’s arm, pulling him aside. Derek and Elaine continue talking.
“Thank you for watching over me.”
He smiles and shrugs. “I promised Derek. Besides, it wasn’t any more than he’d have done for me.”
My eyes narrow. “You say that, but I know better. I also won’t hear anything bad about you ever again. Everybody’d better look out.”
“That might be hard. There’s plenty of bad about me that’s true.”
“Not for me. It’s all good now.” He breathes a chuckle, but I’m not through. “Would you promise me something this time?”
Golden-hazel eyes meet mine. “What?”
“Promise you’ll look after him now. For me.” I touch his arm. “Don’t let him do anything…” What’s the right way to say it? “Anything that could mean he’ll be taken away from me?”
His warm hand covers mine. “You mean anything illegal or potentially deadly?”
“Exactly.”
“I promise. I’ve got his back.” Patrick isn’t smiling, and I know I can trust him. He means what he says.
Derek’s with us, and we drop the subject, acting casual, like we were just discussing how to get Elaine onboard the Harley train.
My fiancé takes my hand, pausing before we go out the door. “I’ll meet you at ten. We should be there by noon to wrap this up and make a plan.”
“See you in the morning.”
The cottage is dark and quiet when we arrive. Derek stops in the kitchen to check his messages, but I go straight through the house, flipping on lights, refusing to be timid in my own place.
I go to the bathroom and switch on the hot water. An oversized, jetted bathtub is one of the perks of living in an intended vacation residence, and tonight my whole body craves the comfort of a steaming, swirling bubble bath.
Digging under the cabinet, I find the jar of foaming bath salts I bought at the spa in Scottsdale and add several scoops to the stream rushing from the faucet. Once the temperature is right and the bubbles have risen, I strip out of all my clothes, tie up my hair and slide down into the cactus-flower-scented jets.
The water is the perfect level of hotness. My head rests on a foam pillow attached to the side, and I close my eyes, allowing the swirling water to soothe away the night. I don’t realize I’m asleep until the soft press of Derek’s lips against my forehead followed by the light scruff of his beard against my brow wakes me. My eyes flutter open, and he smiles down, fully dressed and leaning over the tub.
“Tired?” His voice is gentle.
Nodding, I lift one hand out of the now-warm water and touch his cheek. “Join me?”
I watch as he unbuttons his sleeve and rolls it up to his elbow. One hand on the wall behind my head, he leans forward and captures my lips as his other hand slides beneath the foam to cup my breast.
A breathy moan slips from my mouth into his, and keeping my eyes closed, I cover his hand with mine, following his movements from one breast to the other, his thumb slowly circling my hardening nipples.
He leans up and our eyes meet. “Good news.” My eyebrows rise with curiosity, and he continues. “Sloan’s back on the radar. He’s in Charleston. Bennett’s watching him and promises to keep me updated.”
“Now you don’t have to worry.” My voice is thick from napping followed by all the steamy kisses and touches. “I can stay home and work tomorrow.”
“I’d still like it if you had someone with you.” His voice is soft with a touch of sexy, fanning the heat he’s aroused in me.
“I’d like it if you were less clothed and in here while we discuss it.”
“I’m not sure we’ll do much discussing that way.”
Sitting forward in the tub, I carefully unfasten his buttons with the tips of my fingers until his olive chest is revealed. A scattering of dark hair covers the top of his lined torso, and I chew my bottom lip remembering how it feels against my breasts. With the pad of his thumb, he touches my mouth.
“Don’t bite your lip.” He leans in and brushes his against mine. “Let me do that.”
He gives me a little nibble, and I’m coming undone. “You’re taking too long.”
In a flash he stands, pushes his dark jeans down his hips, taking his boxer briefs with them. My breath catches at the sight of his gorgeous body nude in front of me. He’s fully erect as he steps in and slides beneath the foam at the opposite end of the tub.
“Mmm… warm.” Large hands slide to my waist, pulling me onto his lap as he leans back in the water. I’m already slick, so it doesn’t take much. I reach around behind me and guide his tip into my throbbing opening. We both sigh as he rocks deep into me.
I lean forward, holding the tub on each side of his head while his mouth covers my breast, sucking a tight nipple.
A loud moan from me, and he moves up, his voice cracking in my ear. “We’ll probably get water everywhere.”
The sound of his growing desire sparks mine even hotter. “That’s what towels are for.”
His lips consume my words, his tongue sweeping in to find mine, and his hands grip my ass beneath the surface. Holding my body still, his hips rock into mine. Our mouths break away with a groan, and the water is swaying with us, splashing over the side. His mouth is at my shoulder, and he gives me another little bite. I tremble, holding him as his thrusting increases in speed and depth.
My orgasm mounts, and I feel my brow tense in ecstasy as he moves. The tightness below my navel becomes unbearable until at last it breaks, leaving me crying out his name. His movements don’t slow, and I clutch his shoulders. The sound of me coming seems to push him over, and after a few final thrusts, he groans low, shooting off deep between my quivering thighs.
His hips move slower, and I kiss him along his rough jaw. My body is so relaxed and satisfied. I make my way to his ear, whispering my love for him as his arms wrap tightly around my waist. He kisses my neck, moving his hands out of the water to cup my cheeks, bringing my face so our eyes are level.
“Nothing is going to take you away from me.” His blue eyes are intense, and his brow lowered.
Nodding, I lift my own hands out of the water, lightly holding his neck, my thumbs at the corners of his mouth. “Nothing.”
An inhale, and he pulls me against him, my cheek at his forehead, his face against my chest. For several moments we hold each other, until I notice the water is growing cold.
Lifting my head and sliding back down to kiss his nose, I smile. “Let’s move this party to the bed, okay?”
A sexy grin spreads across his lips. “I’ll have to get used to being with you longer than three days. We don’t have to be so urgent, trying to make the most of every moment.”
“Hmm.” I can’t help a frown. “I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”
“You won’t always be the ‘horny pregnant lady,’ as you like to say. I’m sure you’ll appreciate me pacing myself.”
My lips poke out as I consider this suggestion. Then my eyes roam from his thick dark waves tipped with bath water, hanging sexy in his blue eyes, his scruffy beard and full lips hiding straight white teeth. His amazing body…
“I think we should just play this whole ‘pacing ourselves’ thing by ear.”
He laughs and pulls me against him, rolling us in the tub so that we’re chest to chest, our bodies touching from head to toe under the water. I shriek and laugh, loving his possessiveness.
“Nobody. Is taking you away from me.” He emphasizes the words softly before covering my lips again with his.
Chasing his kisses, laughing as happiness radiates through my core, it’s hard for me to ever imagine having enough of him. But I wiggle, struggling to free myself from his vice grip. At once, he releases me.
“We’re going to catch a chill if we don’t get out of this tub. Not to mention turning into prunes.” Standing, I reach for a fluffy white towel as his hands slide up my leg.
He sits up and kisses the side of my thigh. I reach back and slide my hand through is hair before stepping out. “Come on.”
The grin on his face as he watches me dry myself tightens my stomach. His expression is a mixture of raw desire and pure appreciation. And love. Always love.
I can’t help feeling a little self-conscious about my new figure as I drop a few towels around the tub to soak up the spilled water. “Meet you in the bedroom.”
I head down the hall, hurrying to my dresser. I have something red and lacy in mind, something I know is Derek’s favorite, but I pause in front of my mirror, my eyes searching my neck in the reflection.
A flash of panic hits me, and I quickly feel all around the dresser top. I don’t know how I didn’t notice before. The excitement I was just feeling is gone, and I grasp my neck. Where is it?
Running back to the bathroom, the towel still tied under my arms, I pass him headed in my direction.
He steps back against the wall. “Melissa?”
Confusion is in his voice, but I can only think one thing. “No!” I cry, plunging my hands into the receding water and feeling around frantically.
I can’t find it. I sit back on my heels watching the water disappear. “No no NO!!!” Diving forward, I plunge both my hands in the half-inch left, frantically sweeping dying bubbles aside, feeling all over the bottom of the large tub.
Derek grasps my upper arms. “Mel, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong?”
“It’s not here.” My throat is so tight, I almost can’t speak the words. Jumping up, I run to the kitchen, my eyes sweeping every inch of the floor as I go.
My bag is sitting on the counter, and I grab it, flip it over and dump the contents all over the bar. Lipstick, wallet, keys, pens, peppermint, loose change, dental floss… I sweep my fingers through it all, desperate. “No!” I whisper, my voice cracking with tears.
Derek’s right with me as I run out to the side porch, flipping on the light. So much adrenaline is pulsing through me, I don’t even notice the cold. Shoving my hands into the cushions, I grasp and feel…
Nothing. Nothing…
It’s not there.
“Oh, god!” I collapse against the small couch, a flood of tears streaming down my cheeks. “I’ve lost it… I’ve lost it.”
“What, baby?” Derek’s voice cracks now. “What have you lost?”
“Your necklace…” A sob hiccups in my throat, momentarily stealing my words. “Your heart… I lost it. Oh god…”
More tears soak my cheeks, and he pulls me against his chest. We’re both sitting cross-legged in towels on the floor of my screened-in side porch. It’s freezing, but I can’t tell if I’m shaking from the cold or the heartbreak.
One large hand holds my waist, the other smooths my back, but even Derek’s massive strength can salvage what’s happened.
I lean back to look at him, but I can’t speak. The shivering and crying have stolen my words.
I can tell he’s lost. His brow creases with helplessness. “But… It wasn’t really my heart. It was just a symbol—”
Shaking my head, my chin drops. “No. You gave it to me. It was the first thing you ever gave me, and I loved it so much.” Tears are streaming down my face. I can’t stop them.
I’m on the verge of ugly crying, and I don’t even care. That little necklace was more precious to me than the most expensive piece of jewelry I might ever get in my life, and now it’s gone.
“Melissa. Stop. Look at me.” He lifts my chin and pulls my face close to his, kissing the tears on my cheeks. “My heart is here, with you. You always have my heart, even without a symbol. I’m always yours.”
I slip my arm around his neck, burying my face against his shoulder, and he gathers me to his chest and stands, holding me. For the briefest second, I wonder at his ability to do that so easily. Then my memory floods as he walks us back to the bedroom and fresh tears come.
“You’re so tired.” His voice is quiet and soothing as he places me on the bed, pulling back the blankets. “We’ll look for it tomorrow. It’ll turn up. I promise.”
I want to believe that, but somehow, I’m certain it’s gone.
Untying the towel still under my arms, he removes it then lifts my legs and puts them between the sheets. We’re both naked when he slides in beside me. Hugging me close, he strokes the top of my arm slowly.
“Just rest, and trust me. We’ll find that necklace.” His voice is warm and comforting, and I must be more tired than I realized. Or the sadness has taken my strength.
Either way, it’s not long before my heavy limbs relax, and I succumb to sleep.
Chapter 7: Patrick’s Proposal
Derek
Only a few times in my life have I felt completely helpless, and the top two occurred in the last twenty-four hours. Watching Mel fall apart last night was almost as bad as that fucking drive from Raleigh. Holding her now as she sleeps, I think about what happened.
As if dealing with Sloan isn’t enough, she’s completely undone over a necklace, a trinket that cost me less than two hundred dollars. You’d think it was made of pure platinum encrusted with diamonds.
If I remember correctly, she threatened to throw it in the ocean once when she was angry with me. Now it’s more valuable than what we thought was hidden in Al Capone’s empty vault, and I can’t console her.
At the same time, I adore her so much for it.
The fact that such a small thing, the only thing I could find that late night in Scottsdale to give her—the night when she’d first wanted to tell me she loved me but couldn’t. I’d wanted to tell her I loved her, too…
It had been pretty important that night to do something to mark the moment. Everything in me demanded I make her mine forever, but I knew what we had in the desert was tentative. We hoped for so much more, but we couldn’t have it then. I didn’t know if I’d ever see her again, yet she’d stolen my heart. That necklace was the only thing I could give her to make it real.
With a deep exhale, I accept what she’s feeling right now over losing it. It’s pretty heartbreaking, and as much as I mean it when I say it doesn’t matter, I know how sentimental that delicate piece of 24-karat gold is.
It’ll turn up. I reassure myself as much as her. And dammit, if it doesn’t, I’ll fucking buy her another one. Maybe the new one will be platinum encrusted with diamonds. I can even have it delivered with the original message.
She stirs, and I hold her closer. She’s upset, but asleep, she looks peaceful. I want her to feel calm and not worry.
Her blue eyes blink open, and her voice is a soft whisper. “Hi.”
The familiar squeeze of love hits me right in the stomach, and I never want it to ease, no matter how many years we pass sharing the same bed. No pacing ourselves, only love, as much and as often as we want it.
“Feeling better?” I smooth my palm over her forehead, back into her hair, but her soft lips press together.
“Not really.”
I roll forward and kiss that ivory forehead, right where my hand just was. “I’m sorry I have to leave with Patrick today, otherwise I’d stay here and tear the house apart until I found it.”
“It’s okay.” She pushes me onto m
y back, resting her cheek on my chest, hugging my torso. “I know this job is important, and I don’t mind searching by myself. It’ll probably be easier because I know where all I’ve been.”
My phone buzzes, and I glance at the clock. “I’ve got to get moving, or I’ll be late meeting Patrick.”
We both sit up, and she wraps the sheet under her arms as her eyes travel around the room, scanning all the baseboards. I know she’ll do it—the whole day, searching.
Cupping her jaw, I kiss her lips lightly. “Try not to worry. I’ll make it right. No matter what.”
Her eyes flicker to mine and she manages a little smile. “Be safe today.”
Melissa is on my mind the entire drive to Raleigh. I want to be there with her and make sure she’s not sad, or worse, crying again. Patrick’s ahead of me on the borrowed bike, and I follow him off the Interstate in the direction of the seedy bar.
Once we’re in the parking lot, he slows down and motions for me to find a spot while he manages the bike. I meet up with him heading into the Skinniflute, but he holds my arm before we enter.
“When we meet with Toni this time, hang back. Let me take the lead.” His brow is tense, and I notice his jaw flex. “She wasn’t too thrilled about working with you.”
Glancing away, I exhale a laugh. “That makes two of us. Sloan Reynolds is used to high-class action, not part-time hookers.”
My partner releases my arm and jerks the metal door open. “She cleans up well, and she owes me a favor. Just let me handle it.”
Following my abrupt departure yesterday, Patrick set up a meeting when she wasn’t on the clock. As a result, Toni Durango is sitting in the same wooden booth waiting when we enter the dive.
As directed, I hang back while Patrick strides over, smiling that cocky grin of his. “Thanks for meeting up with us today.”
A cup of coffee is in front of her, and she sits up, leaning forward over the table. “What I wouldn’t give for a cigarette.”
“You quit?” He slides in next to her, and I take my place across the table, hands on the bench at my sides.