“I don’t want to be your friend, Derrick. Nothing about us has ever been friendly.”
A pained look crossed his face and I wondered if I hurt his feelings by not taking his hand. He pulled it back to his lap and said nothing in return. But my wounded self-esteem wouldn’t let it be.
“Why are you even here? What’s the point in telling me that you'll be there for me when you obviously don’t want to be?”
“I do want to be here for you,” he said gruffly, “I’m here because you asked me to be. Because I want to help.”
I waved a hand at him dismissively, “This isn’t helping. I’m going to be drowning at sea out there while you’re standing off to the side, being my friend. ” I added finger quotes for emphasis, refocusing my gaze on the window.
God, I was on a roll with the bratty attitude. But I didn’t care anymore.
A crashing sound pulled at my attention, but when I turned to look, all I saw was Derrick lifting the table and stowing it out of the way before he grabbed me. I started to fight against his hold, but he pulled me to straddle him and my body went slack. His mouth crushed down on mine and I immediately forgot that I was upset.
His tongue expertly parted my mouth, deepening our kiss. In a few days time, I’d forgotten how much I loved the taste of him. His hands worked up and down my body, caressing me softly but
possessively. He was claiming my body again. The way that I loved for him to. He lifted the hem of my shirt. Our lips only parting for him to pull it over my head. Then his mouth was back on me.
He quickly unfastened my bra with one hand, releasing my breasts into his waiting palm. His mouth moved from mine to take one of my nipples into his hot mouth. I gasped, grinding my throbbing cleft against the part of his shorts where his arousal was evident.
Wordlessly, we kissed and undressed each other until we sat naked together in our private suite. Our eyes connected as he cupped my ass and lifted me up, positioning his cock right at my entrance. I slid down onto him, hissing at the warm intrusion. His eyes darted back and forth, looking for something and I let him see how much I loved the full depth of him.
I started to move on top of him, grinding my hips forward and back, rubbing my clit against his length. He groaned again, clutching my hips and guiding my movements. Our pace was slow and unhurried, but he thrusted into me like he had a point to prove. I tried to keep quiet, but the ecstasy of it all was too much. His mouth covered mine, letting me groan as wildly as I wanted without drawing too much attention to our suite.
I reached upward, gripping an overhead bar. I felt so exposed this way. Scenery rushed by our window, but I wouldn’t have cared if we had a whole city watching us. He was claiming me again. My words had angered him. I gathered as much seeing the fire in his eyes before he pulled me to him. But I needed this. We needed this.
As his pace turned frenzied, my mouth left his and clamped down onto his shoulder. He licked and sucked my breasts, pulling one nipple between his teeth. That bite sent a bolt of pleasure straight to my sex. His punishing thrusts started to overwhelm me and I released the
bar, falling down onto him. His arms wrapped around me, holding me tighter against him and I felt my orgasm start to build.
“I’m..I’m,” I panted.
“Wait for me,” he growled.
One hand stayed at my back while the other slid to cup my ass as he stood and turned, placing me down in the seat. He pulled back, holding my legs up in the air in a -V-. I followed his hooded gaze to where we were joined together. It was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen, his thickness plowing into me.
His thumb found my clit and he rubbed in circles. The two sensations at once were too much. I looked at him, frantic, knowing it was about to happen.
“Now,” he commanded.
And I came undone. My body bowed off the seat and an indiscernible scream erupted out of me. He pumped a few more times before I felt his warm seed swim through me. He groaned loudly, his hips jerking before he pulled me up into his arms.
I was covered in our sweat and sex, but he held me close anyway. He sat back on the seat, reclining it back a little so I was half laying on top of him. I pressed my ear to his naked chest, listening to the rhythmic beating of his heart as it returned back to normal. When he finally spoke up, his voice was soft. So soft, I had to strain to hear him.
“I don’t want to be just your friend, Alina. I want to be someone you can depend on. Someone who you know is going to be there for you. I keep telling myself to pull away and not get too involved, but I can’t help myself around you.”
His fingers drummed lightly on my skin as he continued, “I apologize for being distant and making you feel like you don’t matter to me. You deserve better than that. I’m sorry. If you’ll let me, I’ll be your
anchor. You won’t have to float on your own, I’ll keep you grounded.
Whenever you’re reeling, I’ll pull you back in. I’ll make it up to you.”
I answered him with a kiss. He wanted to be my person. My anchor. And I wanted nothing more than that.
After several long minutes of silence — the comfortable kind, the kind I’d grown used to with him— he chuckled underneath his breath.
“So, the bedroom suite, huh?”
I swatted at his chest, embarrassed, “Leave me alone.”
His laugh grew louder, “Oh no, no, no,” he adjusted me on his lap so he could kiss me, “I like it.”
I frowned, “Uh huh.”
“We do have a few more hours on this thing right?” He cocked an eyebrow.
“Mmhmm.”
“Good.”
He covered my mouth again, revving me up for round two.
FIFTEEN | Alina
We emerged from the train, hands interlocked, Derrick leading the way. I almost panicked when the doors opened and it was time to leave. The reality of being back home was finally starting to sink in, and I realized I wasn’t fully prepared to be here. Mercifully, Derrick had taken my hand and stepped off the train, not allowing me the chance to overthink and run away. His promise to be my anchor for the weekend rang in my ears.
I breathed in the familiar air, and with it came a flood of memories—both good and bad— but I was determined to not let this weekend become one of the bad. I thought about how my memories in Cold Spring were mostly pleasant and the vast difference between the two places. As we walked through the terminal, Derrick effortlessly carrying both of our carryon bags, I felt my nervous energy start to dissipate. I squeezed his hand tighter.
He glanced over his shoulder and down at me, “How are you feeling?”
“Nervous,” I admitted.
He squeezed my hand back, lifting it to his mouth before kissing the tops of my knuckles lightly, “I’ve got you.”
I smiled wide, believing him.
We exited the terminal and moved to stand on the curb before the line of cabs and cars parked to whisk travelers off to their final destinations. I immediately knew where our ride was parked. It was the only black car in the queue. It was also the only stretch Rolls Royce Phantom limousine parked outside of the train station. To put it simply, it stood out.
No sign was needed to know that the car was meant for me and Derrick.
I gripped his hand tighter as we approached the vehicle. The driver, one I didn’t recognize, exited and walked around to open the door. I thanked him and lowered myself into the tan leather seat, nearly choking when I realized Derrick and I weren’t riding alone.
Dressed impeccably, as always, in a dark blue suit that made his honey brown eyes stand out like fire against the night, sat Jason Robert Brown. The one person I had hoped to not be alone with all weekend. He had a wicked gleam in his eye that told me he had planned to catch me unaware and was glad to do so. The spacious limousine that easily sat six was suddenly too cramped and suffocating for my liking.
“Alina,” he said, darkly.
I couldn't speak. My eyes were glued to his, panic coursing through my veins.
I wanted to run, to wrench the door open and take off to catch the next train back to Cold Spring. My hand flexed on the door handle next to me, but it didn’t move.
He chuckled, “Child lock. So you can’t run away…again.”
I groaned, sinking back into my seat. Derrick slid in next to me, peaking Jason’s attention.
“Uhm, wh-what are you doing here?” Jason asked, slightly alarmed, and totally out of character for him. Jason was used to knowing and planning every last detail. I hadn't said anything about Derrick coming, so his presence had been a surprise.
Derrick leaned forward and extended a hand, “Derrick Williams.
And you are?”
Jason narrowed his eyes, taking the proffered hand, “Jason Robert Brown. I work for the Prescott family.”
“Butler?” Derrick asked, lifting an eyebrow.
I stifled a giggle, earning a side eye from Jason.
“Head of Public Relations. Which is why I’m curious as to who you are and why you’re here with Alina.”
Derrick leaned back and crossed his arms, “Moral support.”
The tension was thick between these two. And I thought the limo was cramped before. I buckled my seatbelt and smoothed my hands over my knees, ready to get this ride over with. The sooner we got to the house, the sooner I could escape Jason’s blazing gaze. The car pulled away from the curb and into traffic. I was ready to focus all of my attention on the scenery passing by the window, but Jason had other plans.
“We need to discuss what happened after the announcement banquet, Alina,” he started.
I flinched, sinking lower into my seat.
“I’ve worked for your family for over eighteen years and I have never had one single bad report on my hands. You disappearing the way you did caused a shit storm, and as usual, I had to fix it.”
His words felt like pelting rain as they hit me from across the car.
I hated the way I seemed to shrink around him. He was mean, unrelenting and seemed hellbent on controlling me, even when I had proven that he couldn’t by leaving in the first place.
“I had to go,” I managed to say weakly, eyes trained on the Prescott monogram stitched into the floor.
“Like hell you did!” he roared, “You had no right to leave in the manner you did. You cost a man his job. You cost your father endorsements. You cost your family the embarrassment. And you’re wasting my time. You think I don’t have anything better to do than to look after your spoiled, ungrateful ass?”
“That’s enough,” Derrick’s voice rang out from beside me.
My head flew up in surprise at the sound of his voice. His posture was relaxed, but his fists were balled up in his lap. His face, fierce and angry, was pointed directly at Jason, fire burning in his eyes.
My eyes darted over to Jason, who looked just as angry, but slightly taken aback by Derrick’s outburst.
“Excuse me?” Jason said slowly.
Without missing a beat, Derrick responded, “I said, that’s enough. You’re not going to speak to her that way in my presence. Not ever.”
Jason lifted his chin, examining the both of us with contempt.
After several beats, he spoke up again, “You have one job this weekend, Alina. To not screw this up for your father. You think you and your latest fuck buddy can handle that?” he spat out.
My hands were shaking in my lap and Derrick reached over to grab one. I locked eyes with him and he gave me a tiny wink before mouthing, “Anchor.” Warmth spread over me, but I still felt hollow. I managed a weak smile back at him and we settled in for the rest of the ride. Never bothering to answer Jason’s question.
I knew we had reached the property when we began passing a long row of strategically planted trees on the side of the road. The grounds were meticulously landscaped all year round and with the naturally overgrown land surrounding the compound, it wasn’t hard to
discern the Prescott residence amidst it all. The limousine slowed and stopped in front of the main house. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears and felt panic starting to rise up my spine. Jason exited the car, letting out an exasperated sigh before he went. Derrick turned towards me with kind eyes.
“Baby…” His voice was kind and full of concern.
“I don’t know if I can do this.”
He reached for my hand, picking it up gently and kissed the knuckles as he’d done earlier in the train terminal. With a smile in his eyes, he spoke softly, “You’ve got this, Alina. I’m here. I’m your anchor and I won’t let you go.”
I wanted to jump in his lap and make love to him right then and there. The way he knew what to say to make me feel safe and secure, it threw me. No one in my life had ever understood me the way that Derrick seemed to do in such a short amount of time. I was floored by his generosity, his kindness, his willingness to work through my mess of a life just to be here for me. I was full of gratitude and affection towards this man and it was starting to become overwhelming. My eyes prickled hot and I felt the urge to cry.
Without letting my hand go, he cupped the side of my face with his free hand, his thumb rubbing gently on my cheek, “Alina, don’t look like that. Did I say something wrong?”
I shook my head, closing my eyes, willing the building tears to go away, “No. Not at all. It’s just, I’ve felt so alone my entire life. And now with you…” I trailed off, daring to look back at him.
His mouth curved into a smile, “You’ve made me feel more alive than ever, Alina. I owe you for that.”
I moved forward to press my lips to his. His hands wove through my hair, cupping my face, as he kissed me back earnestly. I kissed him with all that I had. Opening my heart and hoping he could feel
everything that I couldn’t say. I wanted my kiss to convey every unspoken word between us, wanting him to know how grateful I was for him, and how, more and more, I didn’t want to let him go.
Eventually, we pulled apart, and he eyed me, nodding his chin once as if to say, “We’ve got this” before grasping the handle and opening the car door. We stepped out and I looked up at the house I’d spent my entire life in. In comparison to my apartment in Cold Spring, it was huge. The apartment could fit inside of the main house nearly ten times and probably one hundred times over the entire compound. But somehow, it still seemed small.
My brain was flooded with memories, both good and bad, as we walked up the front staircase and up to the front door. I glanced over at Derrick, curious to know what he was thinking, to see my childhood home through his eyes. Outside of being breathtakingly gorgeous, he seemed at ease being here. I doubted that I would even know if he was even the slightest bit uncomfortable, considering he was here as my moral support.
The front door swung open just as we approached and out stepped my mother. Looking regal in a form-fitting cream colored dress with sleeves that reached just past her elbow and a hem that stopped just at her knee. Her slender curves were accentuated with a belt, the color of dark-stained wood. The outfit itself was completed with nude Christian Louboutins. Her ebony hair was pulled back tight and low in her trademark chignon bun. She was as timeless as ever.
Her arms opened wide as she approached, pulling me into an embrace. I inhaled her familiar scent, feeling warmth spread through me. I loved my mother, but we’d always had a battle of wills. She wanted me to be like her and I was anything but. Her hands went to my face, examining me looking for any signs that I wasn’t well.
“Alina!” she gasped, “You’re home!”
I swallowed. I certainly hadn’t given the impression that I was staying, so I hoped she didn’t get the wrong idea from my visit.
“Yeah, I’m here for dad. For the family.”
“We’re so glad you came back.” Her cat-like eyes slid over to where Derrick stood quietly holding our bags, “and who is this lovely surprise?”
My chest tightened, awaiting the fall out from bringing someone home that didn’t necessarily fit into their neat little box. “This is my friend, Derrick. De
rrick, this is my mother, Vivian.”
He stepped forward, tilting his head slightly in her direction, “It’s a pleasure, ma’am,” he said in his trademark deep and sensual voice.
A smile stretched across my mother’s face like warm honey. It was a look I’d never seen on her face before. She liked him. And Vivian Prescott rarely liked anyone.
“Why h-hello.” she stammered, lifting her hand to graze against her collarbone, garnering a wide-eyed look from me. My mother also never stammered. She was as sure of herself as the sun rose in the east and set in the west. Nothing had ever riled her or caused her confusion.
I stared back and forth between the two. Derrick smiling pleasantly and my mother returning the warm smile she usually reserved for people she knew well.
“Um, shall we go in?” I asked, breaking the silence.
Losing Her (Lost and Found Book 1) Page 16