Casey snickers. “The kind of girl I like as a friend.”
“How did you know I’d forgive him? Did you bug me?” I make a show of searching for a foreign object on my body while she laughs.
“I had a feeling. He’s too good of a guy to be the jerk you thought he was.” She walks into the kitchen and the paper bags rustle as she sets them on the counter. “So what happened?”
I torture her and take a sip of my coffee. “It snowed last night.”
“And it will snow again tonight. Tell me!”
“Okay. We’re starting over. We’re going to try to date.”
Casey snorts. “Like that’ll work. I give you two five minutes before you’re getting naked.”
“He’s making dinner for me and Nika tonight. I think we might stay clothed for a couple hours.”
“Wow, you just might.” Casey rummages through the bags clunking cans on the counter.
I say, “I should bring something, right? Maybe wine?”
“No, bring dessert.” Casey turns to me with a big smile on her face. Not much makes Casey happier than dessert. She likes to eat it and bake it. “You’re going to make apple pie.”
“Okay, that sounds easy enough. I need pie crust mix, apples, sugar, butter and spices, right?” Before I finish my sentence she’s pulling things out of the cabinets.
Casey says, “The secret to great apple pie is the kind of apples. You need a nice, rich flavor like these Roma ones you brought from home.” She pulls red apples from the drawer in the refrigerator and hands them to me. They’re cold in my hand and the knowledge of their crisp flavor makes me want to bite one.
She continues to speak. “You also need the tartness of Granny Smith apples. My ratio is six to three because too many of the sour ones won’t be sweet enough.” She reaches in a grocery bag and pulls out green apples.
I grab a knife. “I’ll peel if you want to make the crust.” I know well enough to let her do anything slightly complicated if I want her to keep helping. And this way I get dibs on the peels.
A fork whisks against metal as Casey mixes the crust with practiced ease. She says, “I’m really happy for you, Gretchen. I think Derrick is a good thing.”
I bite a piece of apple peel. The bit of flesh attached is juicy, and I lick the extra off my lips. “I guess. I’m a little nervous.”
“You’ll be fine. Don’t overthink it.” She spreads flour over a cutting board. The old wooden rolling pin rattles as it rolls out the dough. “Tell me about the photo shoot with Cooper, was it awkward?”
“Oh, man, you have no idea.” I recap the day, and she bends over laughing when I tell her about Xander talking dirty to Cooper. I don’t mention our dinner. I’m not sure why, but I feel like that’s something I shouldn’t share.
With the pie in the oven and the kitchen cleaned up, Casey returns to the subject of Derrick. I stand by the sliding glass door and stare at the mountains. I don’t realize I’m biting my nails until Casey grabs my hand. “Gretch, stop worrying.” She presses my palm over my heart. You need to let love take over, and things will work themselves out.”
The memory of Cooper placing my hand over his heart comes to mind as well as his words. “This is where some girl opened up my heart. She’s still welcome in it if she wants to try again.” I say to Casey, “I’ll try.”
Can I let love take over? Am I capable of a real relationship? Is Derrick? I think I’m about to find out.
My phone vibrates with a text, and I pull it out of my back pocket and see it’s Nika.
“Can’t wait to see you! We’re going to watch my favorite movie. Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
Whoa, she’s texting in complete words? Is Derrick leaning over her shoulder?
I reply. “Thanks for texting in my language. :) I’ve never seen BAT.” If she can try, so can I.
“Lol, I won’t tell Derrick you just used textspeak. He might disinvite you.”
“But you won’t. Who says I’m coming to see him?” I sink into the cushions of the couch, and the rough texture of the upholstery scratches as I tuck my bare feet under me.
I read Nika’s reply. “Because he has a dick and I don’t ;)”
I snort and would share with Casey, but she went to her room. “Funny, but I miss you, and can’t wait to catch up.”
“Me 2. Cu soon.”
I stretch out on the couch and think about a nap. Staring at the ceiling I follow a crack. I let it lead my gaze in a haphazard pattern and decide maybe I can risk following my heart.
Chapter 33
The timer of the oven beeps and intrudes on my sex dream about Derrick. In a daze I move to the kitchen to turn it off and pull out the pie. Steam blasts my face, and the shock of the heat pulls me firmly into reality.
Whew. I fan myself with the oven mitt, thinking about the things dream Derrick was doing to my body. Okay, so maybe I am going for his cock after all. The thought makes me smile.
I wonder where Casey is, because I want clothing advice. Her track shoes aren’t by the door, and I guess she’s out for a run. Padding down the hall, the soft carpet cuddles my feet. I need a shower to shave, and I gather my hair in a messy updo before I get to the bathroom. Finding a couple bobby pins, I secure my bun and flip on the water.
Gazing at my naked body in the mirror, I’m reminded of my bruises and touch my hipbones where they used to be. They are sharp under my fingers, and I notice how they jut out a bit more than they did back then. I wonder if I’ll get new marks tonight, and the devious thought makes me smile until I remember Derrick’s distress over battering my body.
No matter. Bruises aren’t necessary to get me off. Especially with Derrick. The way his hands and mouth played my body like a fine-tuned instrument when we went vanilla is worth repeating. Yeah, no matter how we do it, my body will welcome the encore.
A half hour later I’m hair-free in most places, and searching for a sexy underwear ensemble. Smooth fabric combined with cool metal and straps confuse my fingers as I search. I’m miserable at caring most days, and finding a matching set is like hoping the missing sock is hiding in the dryer.
I give up and settle on a black lace bra and a red thong. Pulling on my low-rise jeans, I realize the underwear comes too high especially since my pants are sitting a little lower than usual. I could really use a smaller pair of jeans. Oh, hell, who needs panties, right?
I put the thong back in my drawer and go commando. The denim is rough against my silky folds, making me deliciously aware that I’m on the edge of arousal.
Torn between a belly shirt to show off my cut abs, or something low that reveals cleavage, I’m walking around in just my bra and jeans when I hear the familiar thud of the front door shutting.
“Casey! Come help me.” A hint of a whine is in my voice, and I imagine she’s smiling at my pathetic plea.
“Coming.” Her eyes get wide when she enters my room. “Did a bomb go off? Or were we robbed?”
She’s referring the clothes strewn about, and I glare at her. “Cute, but I recall seeing this very scene in your room more than once.”
She nods. “True. So what’s the problem?” Her gaze moves from the mess to me. “Jesus, Gretch, eat a cookie. You did get skinny.”
“I know. I wanted to be cut for the photo shoot. I’ll fatten up, don’t worry.”
She purses her lips and taps one with a finger. “Okay, let’s focus on something other than your ribs.” Hangers screech across metal as she flips through my shirts. “Here, put this on and let’s see how it looks.”
I slide into a shiny, sea-foam green, silk blouse that falls below my butt. The softness is sensual, and I shiver a tiny bit at its caress. Casey comes at me with a skinny metal belt. Connecting it low around my waist she pulls the fabric up to billow over.
When I glance in the mirror, I like it. “Nice. I’ve never known what to do with this shirt. You made it work.”
She cocks her head at me. “I know. I have a gift. You plan to wear your hair dow
n, right? Because it looks great with this color.”
“Thanks. What would I do without you?” I blow her a kiss.
“Hang on. I have the perfect earrings for you.” She jogs out of my room, and her musky scent is left behind. I love my friend, but the odor makes me crinkle my nose. She returns with long metal earrings in the same rosy pink shade as my belt.
When I put them in and move my head from side to side they make a small jingling noise. I snort. “I feel like Tinker Bell.”
Casey shakes her head. “Nope, you’ve got a boho chic thing going on. Derrick won’t be able to resist touching the silk, and after he does, he’ll spend the night thinking about that shirt on his bedroom floor.”
“Bedroom? Who says we do it in the bedroom?” I chuckle as Casey rolls her eyes.
She says, “I’m off to the shower but you should do some navy eyeliner with a swoop at the end.”
“Will do. Thanks for being my stylist.”
She calls out as she walks across the hall. “No problem. I do it in the name of true love.” The bathroom door slams before I can give her a smart reply.
When I’m done getting ready, I head to the kitchen to find Casey is wrapping the pie in tinfoil for me. Surveying me, she licks her lips. “You’re a tasty little morsel. Which is a good thing since Nika will probably want the pie for herself.”
I chuckle. “I’m so telling her you said that.”
Casey grins. “No you won’t, but I would say it to her face. I’m telling you, the girl eats like a horse. You’ll see.”
Wrapped in my warm fleece, I take the pie. “Thanks. Wish me luck.”
“Nope, I’m wishing you let things happen and don’t overthink this. Let love find you, Gretch. You deserve it.”
I smile and give her a wave before closing the door. Frosty vapor comes out as I exhale, and my nose prickles when I inhale deeply. I love winter, and the chill in the air makes my heart beat a little faster.
When my Land Rover smoothly accelerates on the road, I glance at the stars twinkling in the newly darkened sky. They appear magical and I plead with them to share. Because my heart is ready to let Derrick in.
Chapter 34
The evergreen trees surrounding Derrick and Nika’s house breathe life into the brown November landscape. Snow can’t come soon enough for me because I think this time of year is ugly. I long for a bright white backdrop to green forests and deep blue skies.
The dogs are barking, and their excitement is muffled when I walk up the path. Nika opens the door before I get there, and the animals bolt out to greet me. Well trained, they don’t jump, but I hold the pie up high anyway.
Nika gives me a big hug. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
“Me too.”
She removes the dessert from my hands so I can crouch down and pet the dogs. “Hi, guys, I missed you.”
We walk inside while the dogs churn around us for attention. Derrick comes toward me with a glass of red wine. He leans down and kisses my cheek. His voice rumbles in my ear. “You smell wonderful.”
“So do you.” He’s wearing the cologne that makes my knees weak and my nerves hum.
He hands me the goblet and then wraps his hands around mine as I hold it. “Let me know what you think of this merlot. It’s one of my favorites.”
Nika has seated herself on a couch and pats the leather next to her, indicating I should sit. She’s like a child, and I can tell she’s dying to chat, but trying hard to let Derrick have first dibs.
I sip the wine and stroll toward to her as I let the flavor roll over my tongue. I swallow and sit next to Nika. Derrick seats himself on the other couch. I say, “I love the blackberry tones in this. So warm and perfect for this time of year.”
His smile tells me I said the right thing. “I knew you would like it. It should go nicely with our steak tonight. I’m afraid dinner isn’t terribly clever. I’m grilling filet mignon, and we’re having baked potatoes and steamed broccoli.”
“It sounds delicious to me. I brought apple pie, which seems like the perfect ending, don’t you think?”
His eyes are mischievous, and I guess dessert isn’t what he has in mind for an ending. I avert my eyes, but my lips twitch in a small smile I know he sees.
I turn my attention to the wiggling body next to me. “Nika, Casey tells me you’ve discovered the joy of cake at the Baked Bean.”
“Oh, my God, yes. I could spend all day eating in that place.” I grin at her reaction, and she leans back to pat her stomach. “Look, I’m getting fat. Isn’t it great?”
I chuckle. “You aren’t even close to fat. But you do look good like this.”
“Don’t I? I even have boobs. See?” She pulls her neckline down to show me. “Cleavage.”
I shake my head at her lack of modesty. I love that she’s comfortable with her body.
Derrick says, “You look beautiful like this, Dannika.” He raises his glass for a toast and we join him. “To curvy women who like to eat.” Scooting forward, we touch our stemware, and the thin glass clinks before we drink.
Nika stands and says, “Speaking of which, I’ll go get the appetizer ready.” Her bare feet move noiselessly toward the kitchen, and I notice her curvy ass in her jeans. She is prettier like this.
When her back is toward us, I mouth to Derrick, “She can cook?”
He grins. “Nika, tell Casey what the appetizer is.”
Light illuminates her as she opens the refrigerator door. “Shrimp cocktail!”
I wink at Derrick, because I guess she thawed frozen shrimp and mixed a sauce of horseradish and ketchup. I say, “One of my favorites.”
Nika returns with small plates she must have arranged ahead of time. Shrimp is laid out in a circle around a small bowl of cocktail sauce. She hands me one with a napkin, and says, “Eating these with your fingers is the only way to go. I have lemon you can use to clean off the smell later.”
She climbs on the couch next to me in a cross-legged fashion, and eats as if she’s picnicking on the sofa. Her moan of pleasure after she sucks the first tail clean is contagious, and I do the same.
I notice Derrick’s gaze and his eyes are dark. I purposely suck on my finger a little longer than necessary, and send him a smoldering glance. His eyes close for a second and he slides to the edge of the couch.
Oh, man, he looks ready to pounce, and I’m tempted to cower behind Nika. I just sent him an invitation, and my memory of what that means is quite vivid. I flash back to my orgasm at the garage door as my insides quiver with desire.
I focus on my shrimp as a way of retreat. Nobody speaks as we finish our appetizer. Nika breaks the silence. “Can I take your plate?”
“No, I’ll carry it. I need to wash my hands.”
I get up with her and take Derrick’s dish before he stands. He smirks at me and says, “More wine?”
“Yes, please.” I peruse his body with my eyes, taunting him further. Knowing he won’t do anything in front of Nika, I’m enjoying myself.
He chuckles and pinches my ass when I turn to walk to the kitchen. I jump and stifle my squeal.
Burgundy liquid splashes into our glasses, and he empties the bottle. Nika takes it from him and says, “Gee, Derrick. You should probably go get another one. And take Gretchen with you to your wine cellar.” She grins at us.
I ask, “What?” Although my flushed face tells her I know exactly what she’s up to.
“Please, I see you two dying to touch each other. Go make out, and get it out of your system so I can enjoy my friend at dinner.” She waves her hand at us in a shooing motion. “Go! Now.”
Derrick grabs my hand and moves quickly toward the basement. The dogs try to follow, thinking we’re going somewhere fun, but Nika calls them to her side. I giggle behind him as he rushes us down the stairs.
He brings me to a door at the end of a big room. I get a quick glance at a pool table with a wet bar behind it. But I don’t have time to give it much thought before he pulls me into a cool, dar
k space with a musty odor. A single light bulb clicks on when Derrick pulls a string and he flicks the door shut.
Pressing me against the hard wood of it, he kisses me with desperation. I struggle to breathe as he sweeps me away. Lust pulses through my body, and I can barely think as we taste each other.
Breaking away, his panting is hot on my neck, and his hands glide down my body. “I could take you right here.” His cock grinds against my belly.
“Fuck me, Derrick.” I reach for the button on his jeans, but he stops me.
“No condom. But I’d rather eat you.” He grabs my button and practically tears my jeans off me. “No panties? You’re killing me.”
He’s on his knees before he finishes speaking, and the last word reverberates through me as he licks my slit. So ready for him, I thrust toward his mouth and tremble. I languish in his attention, and when he adds his fingers I climb to my peak. Shattering, I shudder and sink down before him.
“Damn, you do that well.” I grab his face and kiss him, tasting my musky flavor makes me want to suck him dry. “Derrick, it’s your turn. I want you to fuck my mouth.”
A low sound comes from the back of his throat and he stands. “Do you have any idea how sexy your words are to me?”
I nod as I fumble with his button. He helps me and shoves his pants down to his shins. “Suck me, darling, suck me hard.”
Taking him in my mouth, I do as he asked. Derrick’s hands hold my head, but it’s a gentle grip. He’s willing to let me take control and make him come.
Minutes later we’re both spent and giddy as we stumble up the stairs with two bottles of wine. I know my hair is a mess, and while avoiding Nika’s gaze, I excuse myself to the bathroom to collect myself.
Glancing into the familiar mirror of their guest bathroom, I recall the last time I did this. No bruises, and a hell of a lot happier, I grin like a fool. My body gives an involuntary quake as I rearrange my clothes. So much for dating like regular people.
Chapter 35
Rush Page 16